fl^< -7 d^^^^/i/i DIARY OF Thomas Robbins, D. D. 1796—1834. PRINTED FOR HIS NEPHEW. Owned by the Connecticut Historical Society. IN TWO VOLUMES. EDITED AND ANNOTATED INCREASE N. TARBOX. VOLUME L 1796-1823. BOSTO N: Beacon Press ; Thomas Todd, Printer. 1886. Copyright, 1886, BV ROBBINS BaTTELL. INTRODUCTION. The author of this diary, Rev. Thomas Robbins, D. D., was bom in the town of Norfolk, Connecticut, August ii, 1777. He was the son of the Rev. Ammi Ruhamah and Elizabeth (Le Baron) Robbins. His father was the first minister of the town of Norfolk, holding office from October, 1761, to his death in October, 1813, fifty-two years. The earliest American ancestor in this paternal line was Richard Robbins, of Cambridge, who came from England to this country as early as 1639, settling first at Charlestown, but soon removing to Cambridge, Massachusetts. From him the order of descent was through Nathaniel, born in Cambridge, 1649; Nathaniel, born in Cambridge, 1678; Phile- mon, born in Cambridge, 1709, a graduate of Harvard College, 1729, and the life-long pastor at Branford, Connecticut, 1732-1781 ; Ammi Ruhamah, born in Branford, 1740, a graduate of Yale College, 1760, whose ministerial record is given above. On the maternal side Dr. Robbins traced his line directly back to the honored Gov- ernor William Bradford, of Plymouth. This line, downward, ran through William Brad- ford, Jr., son of the Governor by his second wife, Alice Southworth, 7iee Carpenter; then through David, son of William and Mary Holmes, nee Atwood. A daughter of David and Mary was Lydia Bradford, born December 23, 17 19. By her marriage, the name Le Baron was brought into this maternal line, and the story connected with this name is curious and romantic. In the year 1694, a French Privateer, hovering around our shores to capture vessels loaded with grain, was wrecked near the upper end of Buzzard's Bay, and the men on board were rescued and taken off as prisoners of war. This was in the reign of William III. The Treaty of Ryswick brought peace in 1697. The surgeon on board this French Privateer was Francis Le Baron. In the transfer of these prisoners from the head of Buzzard's Bay to Boston, a halt was made at Plymouth. On the day of their arrival, it so happened that a woman of Plymouth had met with an accident, causing a com- pound fracture of one of her limbs. The local physicians decided that the limb must be amputated. But Dr. Le Baron asked permission to examine the fracture, and decided that he could save the limb, which he did. This led to a petition on the part of the Selectmen of Plymouth to the public authorities, asking that Dr. Le Baron might be released, to become a physician and surgeon at Plymouth. The request was granted. He went there in 1694, married in 1695 Mary Wilder, a native of Hingham, Massachu- setts, and became the father of three sons, James, Lazarus, and Francis. This Lazarus Le Baron, in the year 1743, married, for his second wife, Lydia Bradford, named above, daughter of David. She was then twenty-four years old, but had already lived a brief married life as the wife of Elkanah Cushman. As the wife of Dr. Lazarus Le Baron, she was the mother of seven children, the second of whom was Elizabeth, the wife of the Norfolk minister, and the mother of Dr. Thomas Robbins, the author of this diary. Ill 4906^7 ENGUSH TV DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. Young Robbins was fitted for college in his own home, where many other boys pursued their preparatory studies. The pastor's house at Norfolk was a kind of acad- emy for Northwestern Connecticut in those early years. The hours of study with young Robbins were diversified with labors on the farm, for the country minister of that day was also a farmer. Though destined for a scholar, he was, nevertheless, in his early life, made practically familiar with almost all kinds of farm work. At the age of fifteen, in the year 1792, he was fitted for college, and was entered at Yale. He was there when President Stiles died, in May, 1795, and when President Dwight was inaugurated in September of the same year. While young Robbins had been a member of Yale, Williams College had been organized in Western Massachusetts, and his father, the Norfolk minister, had been made one of the early trustees. In 1795 Williams graduated her first class. In the autumn of 1795 young Robbins's father, wishing to show a practical interest in the infant college at Williamstown, of which he had been made one of the guardians, desired his son to remove from Yale to Williams, and pursue his senior studies there. He did so, and the whole matter was so fixed, by previous arrangement, that after his graduation at Williams College, September 7, 1796, he went the following week to New Haven, and was graduated with his Yale classmates, September 14, 1796. His name stands as an alumnus on the General Catalogues of both colleges for the year 1796. In Williams College, on the first of January, 1796, young Robbins began the diary now embraced in these two bulky volumes. It ran (with some small breaks by reason of sickness) from that date to 1S54, a period of fifty-eight years. It is a diary, in the strict sense of the word, with its daily entries as regular as the daily rising and setting of the sun. Soon after his graduation, at the age of nineteen, he was engaged for several months in teaching in Sheffield, Massachusetts, at the same time pursuing theological studies with Rev. Ephraim Judson, pastor at Sheffield. For a year or two after closing his col- lege course, he spent a considerable portion of his time at his father's house pursuing various studies, and assisting his father in teaching. In the summer and autumn of 1797 he studied theology with Dr. Stephen West, of Stockbridge, Massachusetts. In the winter of 1797-1798 he taught in Torringford, Connecticut, and pursued theological studies with Rev. Samuel J. Mills. During the year 1798 he studied again with Dr. West, of Stock- bridge. He was licensed to preach by the Litchfield North Association, September 25, 1798. During the winter of 179S-1799 he was preaching as a supply at Marlborough, Connecticut, closing his service there in April, 1799. During the summer and autumn of 1799 he made a long horseback journey through the new towns of Vermont, preaching as he went. At the close of that year he was called to Danbury, Connecticut, to teach the academy, having previously supplied the pulpit a few Sabbaths at Brookfield, Connecticut. At Danbury, teaching and supplying pulpits in the neighborhood, he remained till iSot. Then he went on another long missionary journey through the new settlements in New York, not returning till August, 1S02. For another year he supplied pulpits in Con- necticut and Massachusetts, and received some earnest calls for settlement, but he was not ready to accept any of them. In May, 1803, 1^*^ was ordained to go forth in the service of the Connecticut Missionary Society to the new settlements on the Western Reserve, Ohio, From this service he returned in 1806, seriously broken in health, so that INTRODUCTION. V it was a year or two before he was able to resume regular ministerial labors in any place. In the summer of 1808 he commenced preaching in the south parish of East Windsor, Connecticut (now South Windsor), whose first minister was Timothy Edwards, father of Jonathan Edwards. Dr. Robbins preached here continuously from this time, though he was not formally installed until May 3, 1809. His whole ministry in East Windsor was not far from nineteen years, beginning in June, 1808, and ending in September, 1827. Here it was that he first really began the great enterprise of his life, viz. : that of collecting a library which was destined to become one of the large private libraries of his generation. This enterprise, as a whole, and in its various details, is the subject of innumerable references through the course of the diary, from the time when the process of collecting books began. If one would see what can be accomplished in this way by an unmarried country minister, without inherited property, and with only the ordinary salary of New England country clergymen in the early years of the present century, let him go to the rooms of the Connecticut Historical Society, at the Wadsworth Athe- naeum, Hartford, and the result will be fully spread out before him. As already stated. Dr. Robbins closed his ministry in East Windsor in September, 1827. For one or two years he again supplied churches miscellaneously, but was never for any length of time without employment. In the latter part of 1829 he preached at Stratford, Connecticut, where he accepted a call to settle, and was installed in Feb- ruary, 1830. This did not prove a permanent settlement. He was dismissed in Septem- ber, 1831, his whole ministry here, including supply of pulpit before installation, being less than two years. After leaving Stratford, without any long delay, he was led to Mattapoisett, in the town of Rochester, Massachusetts, to assist his revered uncle. Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, who had already been pastor there nearly sixty years, when Dr. Robbins was called to be his helper. After preaching here several months, he was regul^ly installed October 16, 1832, and continued until 1844, his whole ministry in this parish covering nearly thirteen years. Meanwhile his uncle died November 26, 1836, in his ninetieth year, and in the sixty-fifth of his ministry, and Dr. Robbins was left sole pastor. In the year 1844, Dr. Robbins having reached his sixty-seventh year, and having been engaged in teaching and preaching not far from forty-six years, an arrangement was effected, chiefly through the agency of Hon. Henry Barnard, of Hartford, by which (leaving out all minor details) Dr. Robbins's library was to become the property of the Connecticut Historical Society, and he himself was to become the Society's Librarian, on a stipulated salary, through the remaining years of his active life. This position he gracefully and honorably filled for ten years. In 1854 the infirmities of age came upon him, and he was obliged to close his diary and retire from all public duties. He lingered on until September 13, 1856, when he passed away peacefully at the house of his niece, Mrs. Elizabeth (Robbins) Allen, in the town of Colebrook, Connecticut. We have given this rapid outline of the author's life, for the convenience of those studying or consulting the diary. It would be in vain for us to attempt to point out all the uses for which such a work as Dr. Robbins has here left may be employed. If the meteorologist wishes to follow the record of winter cold and summer heat through a long course of years. VI DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. he will not often find so large and valuable a compilation of facts as that contained in these volumes. If the student of history wishes for practical illustrations showing how intense and narrow were the political prejudices of men in the early years of the present century, how bitterly the Federalists hated the Democrats, and how bitterly they were hated in turn by the Democrats, he may find all the evidence he wishes in these pages. Dr. Robbins was a Federalist of the most positive type, as were the ministers of the standing order generally throughout New England, but especially in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He was as conservative also in theology as in politics. If the historical student wishes to gather information about the local customs and habits, civil and religious, prevailing seventy-five years ago over those large ranges of country covered by this narrative, he will find few books more valuable than this. We might dwell upon other uses, but each one will determine for himself whether the diary will answer the questions arising in his own mind. The reader will find the pages of these volumes largely furnished with notes. He will discover also, in many instances, that these notes are briefly and in substance repeated. This was done knowingly and intentionally, to save the reader the trouble of turning over many pages, perhaps, to find something which has dropped from his memorj', and which a line or two will recall. The diary appears in these volumes almost verbatim et literatim as Dr. Robbins left it. Occasionally a line that might possibly give offence, through its indirect relation- ships to some person or persons now living, has been erased. It was not needful, however, to remove many lines for this reason. The record is remarkably free from offensive personalities. Certain modes of expression which are now generally outlawed, are left to stand, because they reflect the period in which they were written. Dr. Robbins never married, yet the diary shows that, in his early manhood, the subject of matrimony was much in his thoughts. But, from the time that the project of making a great library was first formed and fixed, he doubtless concluded that with wife and children on his hands, he could not hope to gather this large and choice collection of his dreams, and so he made the journey of his life alone. He had, how- ever, easy and friendly access to many cultivated households among his kindred and acquaintances, and was eminently a social and companionable man. Through all the early and middle years of his professional life he was a very busy man. Besides his regular parish cares and responsibilities, he was called upon, to a very large extent, for public sermons and addresses, and many outside trusts. He was, moreover, a kind of pioneer in a class of studies and labors pertaining to early New England history and genealogy. He was one of the founders of the Connecticut His- torical Society, was an active member of the American Antiquarian Society of Worces- ter, as also of the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston. He wrote and published his little volume entitled Historical View of the First Planters of N^ew England, and he superintended the first American edition of Cotton Mather's Magnalia. When the Massachusetts Board of Education was first formed in 1837, with Hon. Horace Mann for Secretary, Dr. Robbins, being then pastor at Mattapoisett, was made a member of the Board, and traveled considerably with Mr. Mann, making addresses on Education before large gatherings of the people. It was while at Mattapoisett, in 1838, that he received the degree of D. D. from Harvard College. INTRODUCTION. VII Dr. Robbins's method of keeping his diary was that commonly adopted by those in old times, who went into the business thoroughly and systematically, viz. : by the use of interleaved almanacs, prepared year by year as they were wanted. These were care- fully kept, and when his library was passed over to the Connecticut Historical Society, in 1844, they, so far as completed (with ten more to be added), became the property of the Society. After Dr. Robbins's death, they were bound in twelve neat and mod- erate-sized volumes, each covering five years, except the last, which included between three and four years. Dr. Robbins's handwriting was compact, but clear, and after a very little experience it was easy to decipher these closely-written pages. Almost the whole of the work was copied from the original by a young lady, Miss Emily E. Hawley, with a type-writer. It was the work of several months, but was more quickly and easily done in this way than with the pen. It needs but a glance at these bulky volumes to convince any one that the simple work of copying must have been a long one. Dr. Robbins's sister Sarah, two years younger than himself, married, in 1S05, Joseph Battell, Esq., a prosperous Christian merchant of Norfolk, Connecticut. It is by children of this marriage, Robbins Battell, Esq., and Anna Battell, of Norfolk, that this work is now printed and sent forth, in the belief that it contains some valuable materials for history and biography, gathered from the long period which the narrative covers. Philip Battell, Esq., of Middlebury, Vermont, brother of the above, has also aided much by his memories and suggestions, thoroughly acquainted as he is with the family history, recent and ancestral. INCREASE N. TARBOX. IFest Newton, February 22, 1886. DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D." January. 1. A member of Williams College, Senior year; was appointed to a degree as a degree of merit.^ 2. Reciting now, Paley's Moral Philosophy. 3. Attended meeting. Heard Mr. Swift ^ preach. Very warm weather. 4. My friend Turner* very dangerously sick in college. 5. Attended the public concert of prayer. 6. The public paper brought an account of a promising happy session of Congress.* 7. A violent storm of snow, perhaps eight inches. 8. A sudden death in the neighborhood. A man died with a species of the lockjaw. 9. A full conference meeting. Very serious. 10. A funeral sermon was preached on the late death — well adapted. 11. Formed an agreeable acquaintance. Very cold at night. A violent snow-storm. Mr. Judson^ and wife arrived to see their sick son. 12. Weather quite warm, but good sleighing. 13. Received a letter from home. Spoke on the stage. 14. Finished Paley's Philosophy. A hard storm. 15. Moderate weather, preparing for exhibition. Lower classes offended about the ball ' now coming. 16. Wrote a letter to Uncle Robbins.* ' Thomas Robbins, on his father's side, college by young Robbins's father. He was was descended from Richard Robbins('), of afterward settled in New Marlborough, Cambridge, Mass. (1639), through Nathan- Mass., and died after a thirteen years' min- iel(-), Nathaniel(^), Philemon('*), and Ammi istry, at the age of forty-one. Ruhamah(5). s fhis was the 4th Congress, the ist hav- ^ Going to Williams College from Yale, ing been convened in 1789. as he did, in his Senior year, his rank at the ^ Rev. Ephraim Judson, of Sheffield, whose first had to be determined by general esti- only child of the same name was then in mate, rather than by computation of his marks Williams College, where he was graduated in at recitation. the following year. ^ Rev. Seth Swift, a native of Kent, Ct, ' A college exhibition winding up with a graduated at Yale in 1774, was the settled ball, does not indicate that our fathers, nearly minister of Williamstown, Mass., from May a century ago, were so rigid as is sometimes 26, 1779, to Feb. 13, 1807, when he died. supposed. ♦ Nathaniel Turner, who was graduated at ^ This was Chandler Robbins, D. D., of Williams in 1798. He was a native of Nor- Plymouth, Mass. ; minister there from Jan. 30, folk, Ct., and had probably been fitted for 1760, to June 30, 1799, aged sixty. DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. 17. Attended meeting — heard of the death of Gov. Huntington.' 18. Wrote to Uncle L. Lebaron'' [Le Baron]. Preparing for exhibition. 19. My father arrived in town.^ Had a very fine exhibition. At evening was at ball. 20. Set out for home. Very stormy. 21. My mamma found a new nephew, Mr. Goodwin, of Lenox.* An agree- able visit. 22. Arrived home. All well. Very cold. 23. Preparing for the necessary business of my vacation as soon as possible. 24. Heard my father preach. Mr. Huntington,* tutor at my father's. 25. Mr. H. and I tried to persuade Si Battle* to become a bookseller at Williamstown. 26. My father went with me to the merchant's and let me trade about £4. 27. Excellent sleighing. Snows a little ever}' day. My brother N.' came last night. 28. Began my oration for Society exhibition. Wrote a letter to my old classmate Bishop.^ 29. My father and I went to the woods and got a good load of wood. * Samuel Huntington, Governor of Con- necticut from 17S6 to his death. In 1779 ^"^ '80 he was President of the Continental Con- gress. He died at Norwich, Ct., January 5, 1796, and young Robbins heard of his death on Sunday the 17th, so slowly did news travel in those days. ^ Young Robbins's mother was Elizabeth^) Le Baron, of Plymouth, Mass., daughter of Dr. Lazarus Le Baron. Her grandfather was Dr. Francis Le Baron, who, as surgeon on board a French privateer, was wrecked in Buzzard's Bay, and being thrown thus on a strange shore, settled in Phnnouth in 1696. Her mother's maiden name was Lydia('') Brad- ford, daughter of David(^) Bradford, grand- daughter of William (-) Bradford, Jr., and great granddaughter of Gov. \Villiam(') Bradford of the Plymouth Colony. Thomas(*) Rob- bins's line of descent from the noble Pil- grim governor is, therefore, clear and dis- tinct. His Uncle L. Le Baron, to whom he writes, is Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, a graduate of Yale in 1768, the life-long Congregational minister in one of the churches of Rochester, Mass., now called Mattapoisett. ^ To reach Williamstown from Norfolk, Ct., Rev. Mr. Robbins had to make a jour- ney of about fifty miles among the Berkshire hills. * Lenox was on the way home, and this new nephew that Mrs. Robbins found was a son either of her half-sister Lydia, who mar- ried Nathaniel Goodwin, or of another half- sister, Hannah, who married Benjamin Good- win. The Goodwins of Plymouth seem to have come from Christopher Goodwin, of Charlestown, Mass., who was resident there as early as 1643. ^ Rev. Dan Huntington, was graduated at Yale in 1794, and settled afterwards at Litch- field and Middletown, Ct. Died at Hadley, Mass., 1864, aged ninety. He was the father of the Rev. Frederic Dan Huntington, D.D., Bishop of Central New York. Mr. Dan Huntington was tutor at Williams 1794-1796, and at Yale 1796-179S. * Josiah Buckingham Battell. ' Nathaniel Robbins, one of his older broth- ers. He had two brothers older and three younger than himself. ^ This was Timothy Bishop, of New Haven, a graduate of 1796, at Yale, who lived seventy- seven years after his graduation, dying in 1873. For several years before his death, he was Yale's oldest living graduate, and since the founding of Yale, though there have been many long-lived students, no graduate, per- hajis, has exceeded him in the length of his post-graduate life. 179^-] AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE. 3 30. The coldest day we have had. My father went to exchange with Mr. Mills.' Obliged to return. 31. My father preached a good part of the day about Vermont.^ February. 1. Capt. Lawrence summoned my father, according to law, to go to Litchfield as an evidence. He would not. 2. Almost all the town met to count as evidence in the contest between Lawrence and Phelps.^ 3. Wrote a letter to my old classmates Hooker and Denison.* 4. At my father's wood-spell, worked hard all day. 5. With my sister S.^ I went to Canaan to visit my brother A.^ 6. Returned from C. in a moderate snow-storm. 7. My father preached that there was reason to weep over the calamitous state of mankind. 8. Mr. Huntington called here on his return to college. I was gone from home. 9. My father went to Lee to a Council. Left me to take care of the School. ID. Mr. Dunbar, tutor,' went from here in the morning for college. 11. It rained all day. Snow went very fast. First thawing day we have had for three weeks. 12. Had an account from Albany of a number of persons taken up and confined for burglar}'. 13. My mamma and sister finished my bed to carry to college.^ 14. My father preached of the danger of being overrun with infidelity. 15. Set out for college in a sleigh. Bitter cold. Came as far as Pittsfield. ' Rev. Samuel Mills, of Torringford, Ct., received the degree of A. M. both from Yale pastor there from June, 1769, to his death in and Williams, and was tutor at Yale 1799- May, 1833. He was the father of the well- 1801. known Samuel J. Mills, Jr. Torringford was ' Sarah Robbins, then sixteen, afterwards distant from Norfolk some twelve or fifteen Mrs. Joseph Battell. miles. Mr. Mills's wife was Esther Robbins, ^ Ammi Ruhamah Robbins, Jr., an elder daughter of Samuel Robbins, of Canaan. She brother. was descended from John Robbins, of Weth- ^ Elijah Dunbar, graduated at Harvard Col- ersfield, Ct., while the Norfolk minister was lege 1794. Tutor at Williams College 1794- descended from Richard Robbins, of Cam- 1796, and Daniel Dunbar, graduated at Yale bridge, Mass. But Richard and John are College 1794, tutor also at Williams 1794- believed to have come from the same family 1796. The one spoken of in the diary was in England. probably Daniel, as the Norfolk parsonage ^ The Connecticut churches looked after was more likely to be a kind of halting place the new settlements in Vermont, where many or home for a Yale man than a Harvard man. little companies of Connecticut people had Daniel died in 1841, and Elijah in 1850. gone. The last named was settled in Peterborough, 3 This suit seems to have been an exciting N. H., from 1799 to 1827, and afterwards one, but we have not been able to discover preached as occasion offered without settle- the point at issue. ment. * John Hooker and Charles Denison, who ^ This was an age of home manufactures were graduated at Yale in 1796. Denison and old-fashioned simplicities. DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. ^^ 16. Arrived at Williamstown.' 17. Employed in settling my affairs to live at Mr. Skinner's.^ 18. In the afternoon made a visit to Esq. Noble's^ — a number of ladies. 19. The President has started a subscription for a meeting-house. It is circulating. 20. Was exposed to the measles which are prevalent here. At night attended conference meeting. Some scholars, after a sleigh ride, at 2 o'clock called up Mr. Skinner. 21. Attended meeting. Baptism administered. At evening attended with Miss A. Skinner. 22. A sense of the distraction of the world and the incapacity of all terres- trial things to make us happy. 23. Troubled with the toothache. 24. Excessive toothache, couldn't find doctors — used opium freely. At night, a ball here very much troubled me. Weaned from some parts of the world.* 25. Thawy weather. A black man here broke his leg very badly. 26. Wrote to my old classmate Stebbins,* a dancing master. 27. Settled the matter. [What matter does not appear.] 28. My thoughts too much on wordly objects. May it* never be an occasion of grief. 29. It rains and the snow all goes off. From January i8th till the end of February it has been continually the best of sleighing all over the country. March. 1. A tooth which has given me much pain was extracted. Speculation the rage of the day. 2. Arranging matters for the exhibition of the Societies next week. ' It was on the .20th of January that he left Williamstown for vacation. The vacation, therefore, had lasted about a month in the depth of winter. This was according to the college custom of that day, so that young men might teach in winter, and because, also, of the great difficulty of heating public build- ings. We now avoid the hot summer months for study, but the old college curriculum reached entirely through the summer to the early autumn, as we shall see. ^ Hon. Thompson J. Skinner, son of Rev. Thomas Skinner, Colchester, Ct. (West Chester parish), settled in Williamstown in 1775, and was one of the foremost men of the ■ town, and a Trustee of the College. There was another man, Benjamin Skinner, who may or may not have been a brother of the one just named. It was probably at his house, that young Robbins was to live, and this house seems to have been a kind of pub- lic house. ^ David Noble, a graduate of Yale in 1764, a lawyer and merchant. He settled in Will- iamstown in 1770, was one of the Trustees of the College, and warmly interested in its welfare. •♦ As we understand this sentence in this connection, he means to say, that while he may be very wordly in some things, he does not care much for balls. ^ He was some classmate at Yale, who did not graduate, perhaps concluding that to be a dancing master did not require a full course of college education. ^ This // underscored very likely refers to the "matter" just before spoken of, but we have no means of knowing. 1796.] AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE. t 3. Reviewing, classically,' for examination, today, Rhetoric. About, getting candles.^ 4. Finished my oration for Societies' exhibition. Troubled. 5. Good spring weather. Very muddy. Inviting people to the exhibition. 6. Attended meeting. At evening the authority attended to the diffi- culty in the classes about the ball at January exhibition. I said nothing. 7. The President^ gave his opinion in public about the matter last evening. 8. Gen. Skinner* arrived from Boston. Great loss there in speculation upon Georgia lands. g. At evening was the exhibition of the Societies in the Chapel. As many people as could possibly get in. 10. Miss A. Skinner taken sick; bids fair to have a fit of sickness. 11. Very thoughtless ; taken up entirely with wordly thoughts. 12. Went and washed in the Sand Spring.^ My salt-rheum rages some. 13. My eyes rather weak. Much afflicted at seeing Alice so careless in her sickness. 14. Extraordinary warm and pleasant weather for the season. 15. Began to rain. The President determined to examine us with the Juniors. 16. Was examined very criticall}'. A violent snow-storm. 17. Our examination continued till night. The chapel cold and uncom- fortable. 18. The Sophomore class was examined. True friendship.* Sickles, a member of the Academy, was dismissed with disgrace. 19. Freshmen examined. Deacon Stratton^ attended our Conference meeting. 20. My thoughts excessively taken up with wordly objects. Growing callous. A proclamation for a fast. 21. Miss A. S. recovering from her sickness. Academy examined. * That is by classes. ^ A spring in Williamstown having prop- 2 This was long before the days of kero- Arties like some of the Saratoga Springs, sene, and gas was unknown in those parts, * Occasionally in the early parts of the and the coming exhibition required a great diary we come upon places where a few store of candles. dots stand in the room of words. This may 3 Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, D. D., a graduate be a continuation of the enigmatical " matter " of Yale. President 1793-1815. ^"d "it "just before noticed, and may possi- . TT rr^t- TCI- ..'J bly be connected with Miss A. Skinner. But * Hon. Thompson J. Skmner, mentioned -' . . . . r ^1 rx, ^ c there is little use in trying to find out the in a previous note as one of the Trustees ot , . . , ^ ,, ^, „ „ 1 -^ 1 01 ■ TT secret thoughts and feelings of a young fellow the College, was also General Skinner. He r • , jo was largely a public man, and was, at differ- ° ent times, in both branches of the State Leg- ^ Ebenezer Stratton, chosen deacon of the islature, and member of Congress. He was Williamstown church, as successor to Deacon much in Boston, and died there January 20, Nathan Wheeler, who removed from town in 1809. 17S4. DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. 2 2. Began to recite Vattell.' My brother N.^ arrived in town. The storm below terrible. Messrs. Joel Grant ^ and Solomon Curtis, at Norfolk, died last week. 23. My brother talks of coming here with a book-store. Wrote to my sister B., moved to Paris since I left. 24. Began to read Millot.* The President publicly protested against the drinking companies after examination. 25. Spring seems to be advancing. 26. A lengthy and useful recitation on religious establishments. Very full conference. 27. What advantages I have had in preaching and religious institutions, now gone. 28. A number of scholars went to Bennington to have the small-pox.' 29. I am in danger of becoming effeminate. Muddy beyond description. 30. Junior appointments given out. Papers declare the French ver}' successful. 31. A day appointed for fasting. I. Very fine weather, quite unwell ; lingering. My classmate Romeyn prifniis,^ was, I hear, ' Until the present century our text-books for schools and colleges were almost all brought from the old world. Vattell on the Rights of Nations was a standard work of that period, ^ Nathaniel Robbins, five years older than Thomas. 3 This Joel Grant was the father of Miss Z. P. Grant (afterwards the wife of the Hon. William Banister, of Newburyport) who, for so many years, made the Female Academy at Ipswich, Mass., by her wisdom and scholar- ship, an institution famous throughout the land. * A French historian, who published Ele- ments of the History of England, Elements of Universal History, etc. ^ This was before the days of our modern system of vaccination. Innoculation for the small-pox was a much more serious matter and must be attended to with great sys- tem and care, but even then not unfrequently it proved fatal, as in the case of Jonathan Ed- wards, in March, 1758, just after his removal from Stockbridge to Princeton, N. J. " It was at this time [1721] that the practice of innoculation was introduced. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston [of Boston] is known to be the first physician in the British dominion that dared to do it. He commenced with his own family, innoculating his own son Thomas and two of his servants on the 26th of June, and he met with success which at that time seemed wonder- ful. The clergy of the town encouraged and supported him, but the physicians joined the populace and opposed the practice with all possible vehemence. By Dr. Boylston's account it appears that of 5,759 who had had the disease in the natural way, 844 died; whereas of 247 cases attended by him- self, and 39 by Drs. Roby, of Cambridge, and Thompson, of Charlestown, only six termi- nated fatally." — Snoiv's History of Boston, pp. 218-19. The year 1721 was when the small-pox made such ravages in Boston. The popula- tion of the town was then 10,567, of these 5,813 had the disease, and 771 died. * There were two Romeyns in young Rob- bins's class, brothers, sons of a Dutch clergy- man. Their names were Benjamin and Thomas. Benjamin was Romeyn primus, and Thomas Romeyn secundtis. Both were probably studying for the ministry, but Ben- jamin died three months after graduation. Thomas, after a long and successful ministry, died in Amsterdam, N, Y., in 1857, at the age of eighty. 1796.] AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE. 2. Made a visit at Esq. Noble's. Saw in the paper a compliment to Gen. W. [Washington] given by a Dutchman at Amsterdam, the greatest that could be. A great deal of electioneering in the papers for a Governor' of this State. 3. Very full meeting. The meeting-house foundation is begun. 4. Freemen's Meeting, full and disorderly. Almost all voted for the old Governor. 5. Attended the concert of prayer. No disposition for serious things. 6. At evening a balP here. Troubles me some now. 7. This world appears vain and lighter than air. Only in friendship can we find, etc. 8. How scandalous that we must have Commencement in this old meet- ing-house.^ Almost discouraged about its being destroyed. 9. A dispute in conference about fasting. May God direct us in the right way. 10. A member of the church confessed for drunkenness. My classmate Stebbins in town. 11. Stebbins going to set up a dancing-school. I am sorry. Wrote to Field in the Square. 12. A young man dies in town with a consumption. Great noise about the President of the U. S.* refusing to give up the papers respecting the treaty with Great Britain. 13. Went to the Sand Spring. Down to tea at Gen. Skinner's. 14. Except a little in the morning, did nothing all day. Very stormy, 15. Young company here in the house. I am rather obliged to be with them. 16. Received a letter from home. Electioneering in Connecticut for Gov. Wolcott.^ Commotion about the President of U. S. refusing, etc. Rode up to Bennington. Scholars in the small-pox have it hard. 17. Attended meeting at Bennington.* Heard Mr. Swift' preach. In the evening rode down. Most excellent weather. ' The celebrated Samuel Adams was then Governor of Massachusetts, and had been since 1794. But he was growing old, was now 74, and many thought a younger man should be chosen. He was, however, re- elected for one year more. Notice the words under April 4, "Almost all voted for the old Governor." ^ By what has gone before, and what will follow, we may learn that balls occurred fre- quently in Williamstown, and were intimately connected with the college. ^ Not only the Commencement for 1796, but also that of 1797 was held in the Old House. In the autumn of 1798 the new house was done. * This was George Washington in the last year of his second term of presidential ser- vice. He claimed that the treaty-making power belonged to the President and Senate, and not to the House of Representatives, and he would not give up the papers at the call of the House. 5 Oliver Wolcott, LL.D., son of the Co- lonial Governor, Roger Wolcott. From 1786 to 1796, he had been Lieut.-Governor of Connecticut. In 1796 and 1797, he was chosen Governor. ^ Bennington, Vt., was distant from Will- iamstown about twelve or fifteen miles. The only town intervening between the two towns was Pownel, Vt. ^ This was Rev. Job Swift, D. D., a native of Sandwich, Mass., and a graduate of Yale in the class of 1765. He was pastor at Ben- nington, Vt., from 1786 to 1801. DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. 18. Wrote a letter home. Disputed necessity of immediate manumission of our slaves.' Settled affirmatively. 19. Appointments for Commencement given out. I am well suited. My classmates M. and N.^ gone to Lenox to attend court. 20. Excessive hot. In the afternoon made a visit to the President with Alice. 21. Some of the scholars return from the small-pox. Walked to the Spring. 22. The President taken up in building farm-fence, etc. I exercise con- siderable, playing ball. 23. Something^ sickly in town. 24. Attended the funeral of a child that died with the dysentery. What do the minds of most that attend meeting appear to be upon ? 25. May I never be in the noise and bustle of civil life. Wrote a letter home. 26. Very dry season. Great fires. Difficult to get good questions for Commencement. 27. Read a lecture in the Society. Sophomores wish to avoid exhibition. 28. Two funerals in town. Children died with dysentery. Stebbins like to get a dancing-school. 29. Attended a sacramental lecture. Very uncomfortable weather. Daniel Welch* from New Haven. 30. Political difficulties run high. The President put an entire stop to a dancing-school.* May. 1. The slothful man says, a lion in the way. Saw the first instance of gambling since I have been in town. Some of the apparatus for college arrived. 2. Van Shaack' of Pittsfield, moved to obtain petitions to have the treaty with Great Britain carried into immediate effect. Feel very discouraged. ' There was a strong anti-slavery senti- ment in the country long before the Garrison company existed. It was stronger, indeed, in the last years of the last century than it was in 1S30. ^ David Mason and Daniel Noble. ^ The word " something," is often used in this diary in the same sense as we now use "somewhat." One of Webster's definitions of something is, " In some degree, somewhat, ' something too much of this.' " * The first minister of Williamstown was Rev. Whitman Welch, a native of New Mil- ford, Ct., and a graduate of Yale in 1762. He died as chaplain of the northern army, of small-pox, in Canada, 1776. This Daniel Welch may have been of his kindred ; or, from his given name, he may have been of the kindred of Rev. Daniel Welch, pastor at North Mansfield, Ct, 1752-17S2, whose son, Rev. Moses C. Welch, D.D., succeeded him in the ministry at North Mansfield, and was pastor there 1 784-1824. ^ This was a little hard on Stebbins. He came to town April loth, and had been slowly working up his pet scheme, when his plans were suddenly cut short by this overbearing and tyrannical President. ^ Mr. Henry Van Shaack, a prominent citi- zen of Pittsfield, Mass. The petitions which he wanted to obtain were on the side of Wash- ington. The House of Representatives, be- cause it thought itself slighted, was obstruct, ing the treaty, and trying to frame laws to prevent the treaty from going into practical effect. 1796.] AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE. 9 3. The corporation met. My father in town. They drove business ver}- much. Dreadful tumult here. 4. The corporation went off in the morning. In the afternoon rode down to Col. Sloan's on a visit. Received a packet of letters from my old classmate. 5. Finished reciting VattelL Attempting to study chemistry. Do not well like it. 6. Considerable talk in town about the situation of the new college. Drank tea at Starkweather's.' 7. I am in danger of being of a tyrannical disposition.^ An excellent conference. Ford^ came to enter college from Yale. 8. Good preaching. The fading nature of the world. Troubles between the lower classes and the town people about a ball. 9. It rains after a very uncommon drought for the season. The scholars begin to wish to go home. 10. The universal voice of the people in favor of our Federal government.'* My eyes weak. Human nature ugly and obstinate. 11. Town meeting very full. This house all bustle. 12. Finished reading Millot. Inspected the Society's library.^ In good order. 13. My classmate 'Roiweyn primus, came to join the class again. Vanities will engross my attention. 14. The scholars clean the ground around college thoroughly. I attend serious meeting and my heart far distant. 15. At evening very rainy. Full meeting, but little serious attention. 16. Wrote letters to my cousins W. and J. Gould.^ Received a letter from home. 17. The Juniors had a very good exhibition. Got out of the noise of the ball. My horse came from home.^ 18. Set out for home, came to Lanesborough. It rained all afternoon. 19. Visited my old classmate Fowler^ at Pittsfield. Disturbance lately at Yale College. Came to Stockbridge. It rained in afternoon. Stayed. ' Young Robbins here uses the language of the Society's library at Williams College, of familiarity. There was a family of Stark- is not without significance, weathers in Williamstown, of which William ^ Rebekah Hannah Robbins, daughter of Starkweather, graduated at Williams College Rev. Philemon Robbins, of Branford, Ct., in 1S09, was a member. married Mr. William Gould. W. and J. - No one would have suspected it. Gould are her sons, living at Manchester, ^ Simeon Ford of the class of 1798, Will- Vermont, iams College, afterwards a lawyer. '' It was a common custom of that day, * After the experiences of Shays's Rebel- when students went and came between their lion in 1787, it was but natural that men homes and the colleges, to go on horseback, should be timid and watchful as to the sue- some one going with them to lead back the cess of our new experiment in government. horse and vice versa. s Remembering how much of Dr. Robbins's ^ This was Bancroft Fowler, afterwards life-work centered about the collecting, shap- tutor, both at Yale and Williams, and Pro- ing and managing of a library, the fact that, fessor of Sacred Literature in Bangor Theo- at the age of nineteen he was made inspector logical Seminary. DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. 20. Arrived home.' The family mostly been very sick with the measles. All well and recovering. 21. My father received a letter from my sister B.^ at Paris. Like to live comfortably, 22. Attended meeting. Unsearchable riches, etc. The mourners here numerous. 23. A good visit from SilP from Goshen. Very rainy backward weather. 24. My brother A. here. Traded considerably. Wrote a letter to Steb- bins now at New Haven. 25. Preparing to go to New York. Assist daily in hearing my father's scholars. 26. Made a visit to old Mr. Darby. He lives here, likely to live long, and cut off.'* 27. Set out on my journey for New York. Came to my brother's* in Canaan. Fever and ague prevailing in Canaan. 28. Came to Warren. Something rainy. Agreed to tarry over Sabbath. 29. Pretty full meeting at Warren.^ Singing ver)' well. Speculators all over the country. 30. In the forenoon very rainy. In afternoon came to New Milford. Stayed with an acquaintance. 31. Rode to Stamford. Missed my way between Danbury and Ridgefield. Lost four miles. Lodged at a tavern. From Norfolk to New York, one hundred and .twenty miles.' June. I. Took stage at Kingsbridge,* arrived at New York in the afternoon. Found Mr. Watson' at hom.e and very kind. Crops on the road pretty prom- iising. Saw Esq. Smith, formerly of Bennington. 3. Walked about town with Mr. W. and nephew, and alone. Mr. W, * He had been out two nights on the jour- nev- In going from Williamstown, Mass., to Norfolk, Ct., lie would pass through the towns of New Ashford, Lanesborougli, Pittsfield, Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, and portions of Sheffield and New Marlborough. ^ Elizabeth Robbins (called Betsey), now Mrs. Lawrence, wife of Grove Lawrence, and living at Paris, N. Y. 3 Theodore Sill, a graduate of Yale in 17.97. ■* Meaning probably a lonely life, cut off from society. ^ The same brother spoken of just before, Ammi Ruhamah, Jr. * The minister there was Rev. Peter Starr, his uncle, a graduate of Yale in 1764, one of the Trttstees of Yale, whose ministry at Warren lasted from 1769 to 1S25. ^ He left Norfolk April 27. Leaving out Sunday he was five days on the journey. ^ Kingsbridge is thirteen miles north of City Hall, New York, on the Harlem River. It was a small place in the last century, but fig- ured somewhat conspicuously in the Revolu- tionary War. ' James Watson, a native of Litchfield, Ct., fitted for college by Rev. Mr. Robbins at Norfolk, was graduated at Yale in 1776. He settled in New York, and became a wealthy merchant, and a man of large public spirit. He was Speaker of the New York House of Representatives, State Senator, and United States Senator. He remained a fast friend of ]\Ir. Robbins's family. James Watson Webb and James Watson Robbins, younger brother of Thomas, were both named from him. He died in fSo6. [796-] SUMMER VACATION. II took me into the museum. Much talk and agitation about State elections. The Federal party triumphs. Went to Col. Fay's.* His sons home from W. College. A vast quantity of shipping here. 3. Dined at Col. Fay's with Gov. Robinson." Found an old college acquaintance, Gardiner. Saw an elephant kept as a curiosity. Attended the theatre ; out about 1 1 o'clock. Seven counties visible from one of Mr. W.'s chambers. Congressmen come on from Philadelphia. It [Congress] rose Wednesday the first. 4. Walked along up the North River. Saw a ship of 900 tons. Dined with Gardiner.^ Went over to Governor's Island, and saw the fortifications there. Mr. W. went in the evening to the coffee-house. Very uncertain and contradictory accounts about peace in Europe. 5. Wet weather. Attended meeting A. M. at Dr. Rogers.* He admin- istei-ed the sacrament before the whole congregation at a table. Dined on green peas. P. M. heard Mr. Bisset,^ Episcopal, at St. Paul's. A grand monument there to the memory of Gen. Montgomer}^ In the evening Mr. W. talked to me excellently about conduct in life. Company here today at dinner. Great parade. A common and polite maxim that all mankind did not descend from the same source. 6. Walked with Fay and Rathbone, an academic acquaintance, all round the extension of the city. Quite warm. Provisions cheap in Europe, will likely [be] so here. Am sorry I know not the dimensions of mamma's coat of arms. Could easily get a glass here. 7. Two or three foreign ships arrived this morning. Peace is expected this summer in the West Indies. Good men here consider Connecticut* the sheet anchor of our government. Viewed the new hotel. O ! the depravity of mankind. O ! the state of religion and morals. 8. Mr. W. helped me to pay for my clothes. Went to a number of places to get letters to carrj^ to different places. The small-pox very thick and common here. By the latest accounts, very little prospect of jDcace in Europe very soon. The democratical interest ver}^ lawless. 9. Provisions are falling. Left New York, 9 o'clock. Came in the stage to Kingsbridge. Took my horse '' and rode thirty-eight miles to Norwalk after 12 o'clock. Excessive hot. ' Col. Joseph Fay, formerly of Bennington, tor of Brick Church, N. Y., 1765 to his death Vt., and a prominent man in public affairs in in 181 1. Vermont. His later years were passed in ' Rev. John Bisset, a Scotchman, born in New York. His two sons, Joseph Dewey 1762, made Assistant Minister at Trinity and Hiram Fay, were graduated at Williams Church, New York, in 1792. An eloquent College, the former in 1798, and the latter in preacher. 1800. ^ The position of Connecticut, in the last ^ Moses Robinson, second Governor of century, was very peculiar. In the number Vermont. Afterwards elected United States and character of her educated and public Senator. men, she was foremost among the States. ^ Jonathan Gardiner, a graduate of Yale, ' He had left his horse there in stable or 1795. pasture during his visit of eight days in New * Dr. John Rodgers, native of Boston, pas- York. DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. 10. Much disturbed in my sleep last night by bad fellows at the tavern. Came to Mrs. Silliman's,' Fairfield, to breakfast. Arrived at New Haven after noon. Very happy with my classmates. Never heard a prayer but at meet- ing, nor a blessing at the table, after I went from Warren, till I came to New Haven.'^ 11. My classmate Davis' thinks of coming to take Stockbridge school. Went to see the President. Three or four scholars must be expelled. Eat in Commons. Very good. They behave quite orderly. At evening attended praying meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop* very kind. 12. In the forenoon the President^ preached in the Chapel. In the afternoon, Mr. Holmes,' of Cambridge. Talked some about Phi Betiens in the next class. 13. Had something to settle about an old classical rate. Came from New Haven after prayers, and got home at supper. Very warm day, 14. Quite tired. Joiners at work at our house. Helped my brother get timber. 15. Attend to my father's school. Read some in Paine's A^e of Reasoji. Shocking ! 16. The present state of the Eastern world shocks humanit}'. The pros- pect is blood and carnage. 17. Worked in the barn-yard with stone-work. 18. Very hot weather. Preparing to go to college. Consulted Poole's Synopsis? 19. Mr. Hallock^ preached here very well. Crowded out of our pew. Meeting very full. Sing well. 20. Set out for college. Came to Stockbridge. Agreed with Mr. Bidwell for Davis ^ to take that school. 21. Came to college, A very hot and growing season. Extraordinary prospects for crops. 22. My little brother*" went off with my horse. Arranging my things. My classmate 'R.oxne.yn primus, gone home very unwell. ' Benjamin Silliman, afterwards the distin- guished professor for long years at Yale, was a classmate of young Robbins, and this Mrs. Silliman, now a widow, was his mother. Her husband, Col. Gold Selleck Silliman, a dis- tinguished graduate of Yale, in the class of 1752, died in 1790. ^ This was very likely young Robbins's first experience of life out of New England, and he noted the differences. ^ Henry Davis, D.D., the President, in after years, of Middlebury and Hamilton Col- leges. *' The father and mother of Timothy Bishop already mentioned. 5 Dr. Timothy Dwight, ^ Abicl Holmes, D. D., a native of Wood- stock, Ct., graduate of Yale 17S3, pastor of First Church, Cambridge, Mass., 1792 to 1831. Father of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, ^ Mathew Poole's Synopsis Criticorum Bib- licorum, or elucidations of Scripture by vari- ous hands : 5 vols, folio, 1669. ^ Jeremiah Hallock, pastor at West Sims- bury, Ct. [now Canton], from 1785, to his death in 18 19. Received the honorary degree of A. M. from Yale College in 1788. 9 This business had been entrusted to him by Davis at New Haven, because he could attend to it on his way back to Williams College. '° Possibly it may have been Francis Le Baron Robbins, in after life minister at En- field, Ct. He was then nine years old, and the youngest of the family. More likely it was either James Watson Robbins, then four- teen years old, or Samuel, twelve years old. 1796.] AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE. I3 23. Began to write my Latin oration. Sent to New York for parchment for diploma.' 24. The probability that the President will be candidate next election. Makes great speculation.^ 25. Spoke on the stage this week. Very hot and growing. Very hard shower. 26. Meeting-house much crowded. At evening at Gen. Skinner's. 27. Appointed monitor. Conversed a good deal with Mr. Linsley.^ 28. Finished my oration. I grow constantly callous and thoughtless. Troubled about the old meeting-house.'* 29. Studying chemistr}^ Doubting whether to attempt to write a dialogue for Commencement. 30. Mr. Linsley in my room a considerable part of the day. Capital pun- ishment getting out of date through the country. July. 1. A member lately expelled from Yale College. Attended sacramental lecture. Went to see a member of the Academy. Very sick. The meeting- house assaulted, more or less, every night.' 2. A number of students gone out of town on account of Independence, to be celebrated particularly at Richmond.^ Read some pieces in the confer- ence. Very attentive. 3. Sacrament administered. At dinner swallowed a pin. Sat up very late writing. 4. The students fired guns, etc., then came here and were very noisy, drinking toasts, etc. At evening was at Gen. Skinner's. 5. Disputed before the President. Attended the concert of prayer. Saw a man making brick — to make 300,000 for a new college. 6. Bray'' came up to see me from Lanesborough. Began our classical exercises for examination. 7. Bray lost his horse. Had to go round town with him to hire one. Find it a great job to write a dialogue. 8. Excessive hot, relaxing weather, as it has been for a number of days. Have considerable company at my room. ' It seems to have been the custom then ment exercises in it. Had been hoping for a at Williams for each graduating student to new one. provide parchment for his degree and have it ^ This was a student-like way of testifying printed at his own charge. righteous indignation. ^ President Washington was not again can- ^ Richmond was some twenty-five miles didate. In September, 1796, he published his away. This was Saturday, and they must go Farewell Address, and retired to private life. on that day in order to be ready for Monday ^ Noah Linsley, a graduate of Yale 1791. the 4th. Had been tutor at Williams iji 1793 ^""^^ 4- ' Oliver Bray, probably, who was gradu- ■• Because they must have their Commence- ated at Yale in 1795, the year before. 14 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. 9. A considerable change in the weather, dr)', windy, and very dusty. Had a good visit with Mrs. Fitch.' It appears that the French will triumph this campaign. "^ 10. Mr. S., of Bennington,^ preached here most excellently. 11. Messrs. Huntington and Dunbar came to my /oom to see me. Wheat is much fallen. Extraordinary prospect for crops of all kinds. 12. The Professor lost his youngest child.-* Ver}- pretty. Showery, relax- ing weather. 13. Attended the funeral of Mr. McKay's child. Danger that the dysen- tery will prevail in this town. 14. Better harvests hardly ever known in United States. 80,000 inhabi- tants in Philadelphia.^ What a highly favored land. 15. Great disturbance in town on account of the meeting-house being set on fire last night.* It was happily extinguished. Various conjectures about the perpetrators. 16. The whole week has been wet and lowery weather. Fruit plenty. Peace and plenty crown the year through the loving-kindness of God. 17. The weather warm and the house crowded. Was ver}^ faint at meet- ing. In afternoon, the President preached on account of the Professor's child's death. Excellent sermon. 18. The town and college considerably alarmed about the dysenter}-.^ The weather unfavorable. Wrote a letter home. Considerably unwell. 19. A number of scholars getting leave to go home. Some unwell, and others afraid they shall be. 20. This morning we are met with the solemn tidings that French, an amiable and worthy member of the Sophomore class, last night slept in death, with the dysentery in four days from a state of health. May we hear God's voice. Also a woman, close to college, in the prime of life, in about three days from health. Both funerals attended in the afternoon.^ Could not wait for French's friends to arrive. A very solemn and affecting occasion. ' This was the wife of the President. When she married him she was Mrs. Mary Cogswell, a highly cultivated and intelligent woman. Her maiden name was Mary Backus, and she was daughter of Major Ebenezer and Mercy (Edwards) Backus of Windham, Ct. Her first husband, with whom she lived only a brief married life, was Samuel Cogswell, son of Rev. James Cogswell, D. D., of Scot- land parish, Windham, Ct. Her first and second husbands were playmates in child- hood, and classmates in Yale College. ^ This was the year of Napoleon's brilliant campaign in Italy, including the battles of Arcole, the one at the Bridge of Lodi, and others. 3 Rev. Job Swift, D. D. * Professor Mackay, the instructor in French. At that time he was the only per- son in the College who bore the title of Professor. All the rest of the instruction was given by the President and the tutors. ^ This estimate is too large. In 1800 Phil- adelphia had about 70,000 inhabitants. ^ It is not safe to explore those good old times too closely. ^ The dj-sentery seems to have been more of a fatal epidemic in those years than at present. * Funerals were hastened probably on ac- count of the nature of the disease, though, as a common fact, there was apt to be a shorter interval then between death and burial than now. 1796-] AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE. 15 21. Finished my dialogue and carried it to the President. His youngest child very sick with dysentery. He denies scholars to go home. The weather is now very favorable on account of sickness. 22. There is a prospect that almost all Europe will declare Great Britain in a state of siege. People in the heat of haying. 23. The yellow fever appears in New York. Hope it may not spread. A very serious conference. Read a funeral sermon of President Davis.' Very good. 24. Mr. Swift in the afternoon preached on the occasion of the late deaths here. At evening attended singing meeting. They sing well here.^ 25. On account of the President's sick child he cannot attend recitations. The weather this summer, the doctors say, generally unhealthy. 26. I am quite unwell with an excessive cold. A number sick in town. 27. The dysentery in other places, particularly Sheffield. The war insup- portable in Great Britain. In fourteen months past Mi". Pitt has laid out ;^4,ooo,ooo. This evening Free Masons meet here. Noisy. 28. Made a cone, for the Sophomores, in the brick-yard. Engaged in reviewing for examination. 29. A man dies with the dysentery in the prime of life. Large concourse at the funeral. The Free Masons have great formality.^ 30. Very rainy. At night a very good conference. 31. Very much crowded and hot at meeting. The mourners* here are many. At evening had some noisy company at my room. Could not easily avoid it.^ August. 1. The dysentery prevails considerably in the country, but what is it to the horrors of '76 and '77. A wicked world must have judgments. 2. Our examination for degrees began this afternoon at 3 o'clock.^ The President much detained with his sick child. The tutors examine. Those of the corporation in town attend. 3. Our examination closed at 4 o'clock. Went round ninety times. All admitted. We finally passed very accurately. The examiners give us the preference to the last class.' In the evening a Society exhibition in the chapel. Very good. ' Without doubt, Rev. Samuel Davies, "* Those afflicted by the recent deaths, elected President of the College of New ^ Saturday evening was kept as a portion Jersey in 1759, on the death of President of the Sabbath, and Sunday evening was re- Jonathan Edwards. He himself died after garded as secular time. holding the office but a brief term, in 1761. ^ The examination of the Seniors took A collection of his sermons was published in place a month and more before the close of London in 1767, in five vols., and passed the term, that they might be released from through several editions. the regular college duties in order to prepare ^ The Billings and Holden style of church their parts for Commencement, nmsic was then in full vogue. '' That is the ordinary fact with each class, 5 That is, at the funeral. He was doubt- from that day to this, as the classes under- kss interred with Masonic rites. stand it. i6 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. 4. Thus have I arrived at the close of my college course. I look back on these four years with pleasure and regret. O ! that I could go over with them again. As an emblem of real life, I am strikingly convinced of its fleeting nature. I feel very disagreeably, in a measure nonplussed. May I be directed in my duty whatever it be. May I not depend too much on the world. What is life, connections, education, when compared with an hereafter? Received a letter from Mr. Judson, Sheffield.* 5. Last night the worst frolic here that I ever knew. Wrote a letter home. My feelings exceedingly wounded with the carouse. My dialogue approved for Commencement.^ 6. Something unwell and uneasy. Ver)- unable to study. A scandal that all college must get out to see horses run. Some seriousness in col- lege.^ 7. In the afternoon Mr. Huntington," the tutor, preached very acceptably. Meeting very full. At evening heard them sing beautifully. 8. Last night, the President's little child, sixteen months old, closed the scene of mortal life. May the frequent instances of mortality around us have some little effect. 9. Attended the funeral. Had a long private talk with a member of the Sophomore class about Commencement. I hope all will turn for the best. ID. Delivered a farewell address to the Society. Sent off my diploma to be printed. Am very sorry to differ from my classmates in opinion about Commencement. 11. Thus nineteen years have rolled over my head.^ At evening an exhibition here by a travelling fellow. 12. Am exceedingly pleased with Montesquieu.^ At evening attended the exhibition here. It was the first, and, I presume, the last. j^. Rode up to Manchester.'' Quite tired. Found my cousin, W. Gould. Stayed with him. Very hot. 14. Found my Uncle Gould ^ in a pretty poor situation. He retains his mental powers. I had no idea of the irreligion and profanity that prevail in Vermont. No Sabbath at all.' ' Rev. Ephraim Judson, D. D., already noticed. He was a prominent divine in those parts, and instructed young men in theology. ^ In those early days at Williams College, when the classes were small, it was natural that the students graduating should appear on the stage in more than one part. Young Robbins, as we shall see, had three parts in the Commencement exercises. 3 The worldly and the serious here brought close together. ■* Rev. Dan Huntington was a minister of far more than ordinary grace and culture. ' This was his nineteenth birthday. ^ Charles de Secondat, Baron of Breede, born 1689, a noble thinker and writer, quoted often in every generation since his death, but better known in the last century than now. ^ Manchester is a Vermont town about fifty miles north of Williamstown. ^ William Gould, who married Rebekah Hannah Robbins. 9 The state of morals and religion was very low in New England generally in the last years of the last century, caused in part by the Revolutionary War. 1796-] AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE. 17 15. Age of Reason is greedily received in Vermont. Heard of the death of Esq. Woodbridge,' of Stockbridge. Rode back to Williamstown. 16. Young people rode up to Bennington to celebrate the day of the Ben- nington battle 1777. My classmates less strenuous about Commencement ball. 17. Fixed upon a question with my classmate Noble.^ Very dry and dusty. The President all taken up with his painting. 18. Wrote letters to Mr. Judson, of Sheffield, and home. England herself, as well as France, seems determined on her destruction. Western posts given up.^ 19. Wrote letters to Uncle Robbins, Aunt Thompson," and Uncle Lemuel Le Baron. 20. Excessive hot. Very sickly at Sheffield.' The dysentery. Serious thoughts quite worn off. 21. People here are not offended at close preaching, because they do not care anything about it. 22. My sister S.'s birthday.^ People of this county much agitated about the election of a member of Congress.^ 23. A number of Academicians dismissed for stealing corn to roast. Some troubled with the toothache. 24. Began to write my dispute for Commencement. Heard rather vaguely that the Emperor had made peace with France. 25. Troubled to get my Latin oration inspected. A small shower of rain. 26. Feel considerably low spirited. My dispute finished. 27. All confusion wi^h electioneering. At evening a very good Senior's conference. ' Hon. Jahleel Woodbridge, who in 1764 of the town, was very fatal in Sheffield. In married Lucy Edwards, fifth daughter of Jon- the early part of the season the dam was athan Edwards. His wife died in Oct., 1786. raised a foot, or a foot and a half, and the He married again the widow of Rev. John banks of the pond and stream, then covered Keep, of Sheffield, who was the daughter of with vegetation, were overflowed. The season Rev. Philemon Robbins. Mr. Woodbridge was uncommonly hot, and heavy rains fell at was a graduate of Princeton, a Judge of Pro- intervals of fifteen and twenty days, by which bate, and four years a member of State Senate. the water was successively raised, and then - That is, a question for a public disputa- lowered "by the letting off of the water at the tion on Commencement day. mills. The sickness began in July and con- 3 Fortified positions held by these nations tinned and increased until the occurrence of in our western world, given up for the more frosts in October, during which about sixty complete consolidation of their forces for persons died." — History of County of Berk- their strife at home. j-///>^, 1829, pp. 179 and 180. '^ Aunt Thompson was Irene Robbins, ^ Sarah, afterwards Mrs. Joseph Battell, daughter of Rev. Philemon Robbins, who mar- her seventeenth birthday, ried Mr. G. D. Thompson. '' Theodore Sedgwick, of Stockbridge, had 5 "In the summer and autumn of 1796, the been member of Congress from this district dysentery and bilious remitting fever, then from 1789 to 1797. The election now on hand C2\\^A potid fever, from its supposed origin in was for the fifth Congress, 1797 to 1799, and the miasma of a mill pond (known at that Col. Thompson J. Skinner, of Williamstown, time as Hubbard's mill pond), near the center was chosen. DIARY OF REV, THO^fAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1796. 28. Mr. Huntington preached all day. Works will never save the soul. Very hot and dry. 29. Turner,' of the Sophomore class, delivered a funeral oration on the death of his late classmate French. 30. Received a letter from home. My classmate Mason arrived in town. 31. The papers full of electioneering. The Junior class examined. Months roll away, and I do no good in the world. September. 1. Attend examination. Engaged in committing my pieces for Com- mencement. 2. A steady rain. No rain except one very small shower since the 30th of July. The greatest drought I ever saw. 3. This house all confusion preparing for Commencement. Much affected at the conference. We are continually connecting and parting in this world. 4. Dr. Cogswell,^ of Scotland, preached in the forenoon, Mr. Lee,' of Lis- bon, in the afternoon. In the evening wrote an account of the fearful time on the 5th of August. Had a particular conversation with Mills.* 5. Today this county is in a complete ferment electing a m.ember of Congress.* Two hundred and ninety-six votes in this town. This the master place for company. 6. My father arrived in the evening. In the afternoon my mamma and brothers. In the evening a very handsome illumination. 7. This day I close my career in college. Human science in some degree I have got. But what is that alone. Exhibited in three parts. Received a degree. At even attended the ball.^ Very fine wearier, a great concourse of people. A scandal to have Commencement in such an old meeting-house. May I be directed in whatever I may be called to do in life. 8. Attended the morning lecture. The corporation very full of business. They expunged Dr. Hopkins's system.' My mamma made a visit to Mr. Skinner's. Settled all my accounts. ' Nathaniel Turner, afterwards minister of New Marlborough, already spoken of. ^ Dr. James Cogswell, from 1772 to 1804 the pastor of Scotland parish, Windham, Ct. He was a native of Saybrook, Ct., a graduate of Yale in 1742, and a conspicuous divine of the last century. President Fitch was a nephew of his, and had been fitted for Yale College by him. ^ Dr. Andrew Lee, of Lisbon, Ct., pastor there from 176S to 1832, a graduate of Yale in 1766. * Elijah H. Mills, LL.D., a graduate of Williams in 1797. A member of Congress. ^ Col. Thompson J. Skinner elected as just before stated. He was son of Rev. Thomas Skinner, minister at Westchester, Ct., 1740- 1762. ^ From remarks in the diary, we infer that young Robbins would have preferred there should be no Commencement ball. But as the opposite opinion prevailed, he attended probably out of courtesy. ' " Through the influence of Dr. West, of Stockbridge, Dr. Hopkins's System of Divin- ity was, for a time, one of the text-books of the Senior class. In March, 1797, the Presi- dent writes : ' In future we shall read Dod- dridge's Lectures in lieu of Hopkins's Sys- tem.'" — Din-fee's History of Williams College^ p. 84. Dr. Hopkins was the new school man of his time, and the conservative elements in the corporation at Williams College prevailed against him. 1796.] COMMENCEMENT AT YALE. I9 9. In the morning quite rainy. Towards noon took a final leave of all the endearments of college, and set off for home. Came to Pittsfield. 10. The sickness at Sheffield is dreadful, greater apparently, than at Phila- delphia. Pond fever and dysentery. Got home late at night. My things came pretty safe. 11. Very full meeting. A shame that we cannot have a pew.* 12. Set out with my sister^ for New Haven. Very hot, rode to Farming- ton. At evening hard shower. 13. Got to New Haven. At evening the most splendid fire-works and music I have ever seen. Extravagant. The corporation are determined to stop it. The whole cost this year above ;^5o. Very much surprised to hear of the death of my old classmate Herrick.^ 14. The best Commencement I have ever seen. Davis delivered an oration against theaters forty minutes long. The exercises very long. Went on the stage in alphabetic order with the class and took a degree. Extremely hot. At evening a violent thunder shower. My sister attended the ball. Wrote a letter to Uncle Robbins. 15. Davis delivered an oration on Herrick's death. Met with the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Bought some books, a chart of history, etc. In the afternoon attended the funeral of Benj. Hey ward, who was yesterday his own murderer. He shot himself about noon, and lived in great anguish till mid- night. Such respect ought not to be paid to a suicide.* 16. Set out for home with my sister. Received the greatest kindness at Mr. Bishop's. Came to Litchfield.^ The drought is very great and universal. 17. Got home towards night.^ 1 am preserved and prospered in the house and by the way. But how do I acknowledge all favors ? i8. A very cold, chilly day. In the afternoon, before the stated exercise, was a short season of prayer for afflicted Sheffield. 19. Read Mr. Ames's speech in Congress.' Most masterly. Cast up my expenses at College. The whole of the money I have received of my father ;^i27 14s. lod. The two first years I had about ;^5o, the third year about ;i^4o, and the last about ^^"37.* ' For some reason the parish had taken ^ From Litchfield to Norfolk not more away the minister's pew, probably to compel than eighteen or twenty miles, him to buy or hire one. ' This was the great speech of Fisher - The sister that goes with him is Sarah, Ames, in the United States House of Repre- two years younger than himself. sentatives on the British Treaty. It was given 3 Edward Herrick, whose name stands with April 28, 1796, on the basis of the following the class of 1796, in the Yale Triennal with resolution: (post obit) after it. ''Resolved: That it is expedient to have * Here we have a burial not more than the laws necessary to carry into effect the thirteen or fourteen hours after death. The treaty lately concluded between the United haste, in this case, is not the same that led States and the King of Great Britain." to quick burials at Williamstown, but proba- ^ This record shows two things clearly, bly because the dead man committed suicide. viz. : Young Robbins's economy while in col- 5 About thirty-five miles from New Haven lege, and his habits of order in keeping his to Litchfield. accounts. 20 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. 20. How highly Connecticut is favored, no internal broils, all is peace and harinony. 21. Engaged in reading Rollin's Ancient History. The latter harvest much cut off. 22. How happy has been my life for a few years past.' I see trouble and anxiety before me. 23. Wrote to my oldest sister at Paris.'' May she be prepared for some- thing in life. 24. A very hard headache. My father preparing to go to the westward.^ 25. My father preached. Baptized a child born five months after his father's death. 26. Mr. Wales,'' a candidate, came to preach for my father in his absence. Fine weather. 27. My father set out on his journey westward as a missionary to the new settlements from this State. 28. Gen. Washington has publicly refused to be considered as a candidate for President of the United States for the next election. May the advice he has left us be carefully attended to. 29. Had a tooih extracted which has given me considerable pain. General trainings all over the country-. 30. Was informed of the account of our Commencement in Stockb ridge paper. Not right. October. 1. Rode up to Stockbridge. Saw my classmate Knapp,^ and my old classmate Parker.* The sickness in Sheffield much abated. Laiis Deo. 2. Mr. Avery,' of Tyringham, preached at Stockbridge very seriously. Drank tea at Mr. Sedgwick's.^ 3. Got acquainted with Mr. Andrews. Wrote a piece to put in the paper. My Aunt Woodbridge rather melancholy but pretty well. 4. Rode home. Think of taking Sheffield school. My friend, Mr. \\'at- son, of New York, here in the evening. 5. Mr. Wales and I making some salve for the salt-rheum, \^^orked at huskins:. ' Dr. Robbins through his long life was of an even temperament, and of a calm, happy, gentle spirit. ^ Elizabeth, known according to the New England fashion as Betsey, before spoken of. ^ This was common among the settled ministers of New England, before the Mis- sionary Societies of Connecticut and Massa- chusetts were formed, and even afterwards. '* There was a Mr. Eleazar Wales who was licensed by the Windham County Associa- tion in 1765, and he was probably the man supplying the pulpit at Norfolk in the pas- tor's absence. * David Knapp, graduate of Williams Col- lege 1796. * Joseph Parker, class of 1796 at Yale. Young Robbins makes a distinction between those with whom he spent the Senior year at Williams, and his associates for three years at Yale. He calls the first classmates, and the other old classmates. ^ Rev. Joseph Avery, a native of Stoning- ton, Ct., pastor at Tyringham, Mass., from 1789 to 1808. ^ Hon. Theodore Sedg^vick, M. C, a very prominent man, mentioned in a previ- ous note. t796.] AT HOME AT NORFOLK, 21 6. Reading the history' of Alexander. He was made a scourge of the human race to fulfill the prophecies. 7. Pretty much taken up with my father's scholars. Steady, cool weather. 8. Made some black-ball. I live along from day to day, and from week to week, useless.' 9. Mr. Gillet,^ of Torrington, preached here. Few places where people are so good to attend meeting and so attentive to listen as here. 10. A number of scholars here going up to college — two new ones gone from tliis town. 11. Wrote to my old friend and classmate Davis. Fine weather and the people of the country very much journeying.^ 12. My salt-rheum begins to rage ver}' much. Strongly beset to attend a minister's meeting. Refused. 13. Electioneering runs higher than ever in the county of Berkshire. If such a spirit becomes prevalent in our republic, adieu freedom of elections. 14. My brother A. and Mr. Lawrence" here — the latter from Paris. The drought is distressing all over the country. Everything presages a hard winter. 15. My classmate Mason came to see me and tarried over the Sabbath. Going to study law at Stockbridge. 16. Mr. Bogue,^ of Winchester, preached here. A hard rain. 17. History makes mankind appear in their true light. It also shows the admirable fulfillment of the sacred prophecies. 18. Fruit this year very light, as also the latter harvest. Accounts of a decisive French victor)^ ^ in Italy. 19. Considerably unwell. Some troubled with the headache. Dr. Hunt- ington's posthumous work in favor of universal salvation has come out.'' 20. I am too much attached to this world. Place my happiness on things below. My thoughts too much engrossed with intruding vanities. 21. Worked with my brother sowing clover seed, etc. 22. Rode about town on errands. Read some in President Edwards's Miscellanies. 23. Heard Mr. Wales preach. Crowded out of my mother's pew. Wrote a letter to Uncle Robbins. » Expressions like these must be under- ^ Rev. Publius V. Bogue, a native of Avon, stood by reference to the habits of those Ct., a graduate of Yale in 17S7, pastor at times among Christian people. Winchester from 1791 to 1800. 2 Rev. Alexander Gillet, a native of ^ This news came probably from the bat- Granby, Ct., pastor at Wolcott, Ct., eighteen tie of Roveredo, fought on the 4th of Sep- years, and at Torrington, Ct., thirty-four tember, in which the French were victorious years, a man of more than ordinary pulpit over the Austrians, followed by the battle of power. Bassano on the Sfh of September, in which 3 This entiy presents a happy picture of the French were also victors. families making their way over the hills in ^ Dr. Joseph Huntington, of Coventry, the pleasant October days to visit their kin- Ct. The work referred to was entitled Cal- dred and friends. vinism Imprai'ed. It was not known that he * Mr. Grove Lawrence, his brother-in- had written such a work till after his death law from Paris, N. Y. in 1794. DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1796. 24. Wrote a letter to Uncle I. Le Baron.' Went and looked over old town records. In the afternoon attended town meeting. 25. Heard the result of the election in Berkshire. There is no choice. The contest all to be renewed. 26. Perhaps I have never in my life had less real business on hand, and yet ray time, by some means, hangs heavily. 27. People about very much digging wells, A fine time.^ Lent books return almost always ill-used. 28. We had a visit from Gen. Wilson and wife from Sheffield. My brother N., I suspect, forming serious connections. 29. Something rainy. Other nations than the Romans in a dreadful con- dition when they rose. 30. Mr. Wales preached exceedingly well. A number of singers came and sang with Mr. W. 31. A man in the north part of the town absconded. A general rally to look. He is found. November. 1. Very cold for the season. Fetched water from the brook ^ as I have every vacation since I went to college, 2. Attended a public singing meeting. Singing here declines fast. Worked a little at highways. 3. Went to library meeting. The library will run out soon. Finished reading Rollin.'' 4. Went about town on errands. A very healthy time here. 5. Worked some, Rea.d Age 0/ J? cason. Part H blasphemous. My salt- rheum rages very much. 6. Mr, Catlin,^ of North Marlborough, preached here. Stormy day. Read some in PilgriirCs Progress. 7. Very cold. Trying to recollect former events of my life to set down. We have a great deal of company. 8. We hear from my father. Worked some. Read Paine. 9. All signs of rain fail. Attended a funeral at South End. ' Isaac Le Baron, about two years older than his mother. ^ Because it was so dry. ^ A living stream of water, fed by many springs, ran through the field, with a strong current, only a few rods from the house. * Rollin's Ancient History filled an impor- tant place in the education of young people fifty and one hundred years ago. Rollin was born in Paris, and died in 1741 at the age of eighty. 5 Dr. Jacob Catlin, of New Marlborough, Mass., was a somewhat conspicuous divine of his day. Born at Harwinton, Ct., he was graduated at Yale College in 1784 and was pastor at New Marlborough from 17S7 to his death in 1826. He was among the nien who instructed young men in divinity. Norfolk and New Marlborough were adjoining towns, the former being in Connecticut, and the latter in Massachusetts, about eight miles apart. 1796.] STILL AT NORFOLK. 23 10. Moderate weather. Towards night my father arrived from his tour to the West, having been about 220 miles.* The drought great and universal. 11. Read Bishop Watson's^ Apology for the Bible. A thorough answer to Paine. At even went out. 12. Things begin to appear rather unfavorable on the side of the French.^ When will war cease ! 13. My father preached. In evening played game of backgammon." 14. Very cold. Considerably rainy. The earth thirsts exceedingly. Worked some. 15. Read part of Belknap's^ American Biography. Can do nothing to help my salt-rheum. 16. My father received a letter wishing me to engage in the school at Sheffield. 17. Rode up to Sheffield. Engaged to keep that school for sixteen dollars a month. It appears that Gen. S., of Williamstown, is chosen member of Congress.* 18. Rode home. Dined with Mr. Crossman/ preaching at Canaan. Have a bad cold in my head. 19. Busied in writing of myself years back. Attended meeting. Sacrament administered. Rainy. Thin meeting. Had a coat made. Something sickly in town. Getting ready to go 20. 21. away. 22. ably. 23- Rode two miles to see a spring which is not dry. It rains consider- My father has continued applications to take scholars.^ My brother N. carried me up to Sheffield in a wagon. The paper this * He left home Sept. 27, and returned Nov. 10. His journey only extended to the new settlements out in Central New York. " Among the early missionaries appointed by the General Association of Connecticut, are found the names of Rev. Moses C. Welch for 1794, Rev. Messrs. Joshua Knapp, David Huntington, Ammi R. Robbins, Lem- uel Tyler, and Levi Hart for 1795; for 1796 Rev. Messrs. Robbins, Nott, Lyman, Ely, Kynne, and Benedict. They were severally employed for periods ranging from four weeks to four months. As a specimen of the labor performed by itinerating missionaries at that early period of missionary operations in the new settlements it may be noted, that Mr. Robbins on his mission of forty days' continu- ance, preached forty-two sermons, in addition to his other ministerial labors performed." — Hotchkiss's History of Western New York, p. 177- - Richard Watson, Bishop of Landaff, a man of much rude strength. His Apology for the Bible was meant to be an answer to Paine's Age of Reason. He died 181 6, at the age of seventy-nine. 3 After the French victories already men- tioned, came the disastrous battle of Alten kirchen fought on the i6th of September, and the rumors of that event had probably reached these shores. But soon after came victory again to the French. * In Connecticut they generally kept Sat- urday night and not Sunday. s Jeremy Belknap, D. D., of Boston. ^ We have already recorded this fact. ^ Joseph W. Crossman, a graduate of Brown University in 1795, was pastor at Sal- isbury, Ct., from 1796 to his death in 1812. * These schools in the houses of minis- ters, some of them, like this at Norfolk, to fit young men for college, and some for young men who had completed their college course, and were studying divinit)-, were a marked feature of New England life a ceiv tury ago. 24 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [179G. week brings news of the misfortunes of the French. Some writing about a disruption of our States. 24. Began my school, had only thirteen scholars. Live at Mr. Hubbard's.' A good place. 25. My friend Turner came in to see me from Williamstown. Brought me a letter from my friend Davis. Wrote on the Being of a God. Showed to Mr. Judson.^ 26. Reading Clark on the Being and Attributes of God. In the evening read sermons to Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard. 27. In the afternoon Air. Judson got out to meeting, the first time since his sickness. Extreme cold, the river freezing over. 28. My school increases, ^^'rote to my friend Da\-is. Sent to New York for Pres. Edwards's sermon, Sin7ie>'s in the Hands, etc.^ 29. Much troubled with the salt-rheum. Something unwell. Read the papers. Great danger that we shall soon be involved in the horrors of war with the French, on account of our treaties with Great Britain. When will wars cease } When will men love one another ? May God avert impending dangers. 30. Received a letter from home. Sent my Enfield's Philosophy* to Turner to carry to Williamstown. December. 1. The weather continues severe. If winter comes on now, as I much fear, without rain, it will be distressing indeed, 2. Gave an old watch-chain and key to Mr. Fuller,^ a minister. The North River shutting up. 3. The weatlier moderates. In the afternoon went to skating. Read some in the Bible almost daily. 4. Attended meeting. People here appear little affected with their grievous sickness. 5. Wrote a letter home. Afraid I shall not get along in my school with- out correction. 6. In the evening wrote on the attributes of God from the light of nature.* In the nisfht it rained some. ■ This was probably Jonathan Hubbard, Deacon of the Sheffield Church, and son of Rev. Jonathan Hubbard, the first minister of Sheffield, settled in 1735. Deacon Jonathan Hubbard died in 1825, aged eighty. ^ Rev. Ephraim Judson vi^as settled in Sheffield in 1791, and continued till his death in 1S13. He had been settled twice before, seven years in Norwich, Ct., and ten years in Taunton, Mass. He was a theological teacher, and had students in his family. Young Robbins commenced his theological studies under his direction. Mr. Judson was a native of Woodbury, Ct., and a graduate of Yale in 1763. ^ This was the notable sermon preached by Jonathan Edwards in Enfield, Connecticut, in 1741. * A text-book for schools and colleges prepared by Dr. William Enfield, a dissent- ing minister in England. 5 This was Rev. Samuel Fuller, a gradu- ate of Dartmouth College in 1791. He had taught school in Sheffield, and studied the- ology with Rev. Mr. Judson. He was settled in the State of New York, and in after 3'ears became an Episcopalian. He died in 1S47. ^ These papers- which he writes all pass probably under the inspection of Rev. Mr. Judson. 1796-] TEACHING SCHOOL AT SHEFFIELD, 25 7. A good deal unwell with an ague in my face. At night took a sweat. Troubled with a swelling at my throat. 8. Cold weather again. Snowed yesterday considerably. Some sleighing. 9. Am pretty well suited with keeping school. As yet it is small, averag- ing not more than twenty. * 10. In afternoon rode out in a sleigh. Informed that there has been plenty of rain at the westward. Almost all mills stop here. 11. Very comfortable day. Mr. Judson failed in sermon through indispo- sition. Proclamation for thanksgiving.' 12. My eyes something weak. Wrote on the goodness of God from the light of nature. This evening felt willing to be annihilated." 13. My brother S. here, going up to Stockbridge. 14. My older brothers came into my school. N. going to Albany. Pretty good sleighing. At evening my father came up to Mr. Judson's.^ 15. Thanksgiving in this State. My father preached. A great many people — uncommon for this town. 16. My little brother" came along back from Stockbridge. At evening snowed. 17. My brother came back from Albany. Consulted old Doctor Barnard* about my throat. 18. It snowed very hard. Rode to the meeting-house with Mr. Judson. No meeting. 19. It hailed some. Very cold. Got a horse to ride home. 20. There have lately been dreadful fires in New York, Baltimore, and Savannah. Two thirds of the latter destroyed. 21. In the afternoon rode home. Was almost overcome with the cold, 22. Thanksgiving in Connecticut. Extreme cold and stormy. Ver)- agree- able at home. 23. One of the coldest days we ever have. 24. Traded on my own hpok^ for the first time. Rode up to Sheffield. 25. Attended meeting. Comfortable weather. People anxious about a President of the V. S. 26. My school amounts to more than thirty. Aunt Woodbridge' called, going to Norfolk. Wrote to Parker at Stockbridge.* ' The old Thanksgivings in New England ^ Not yet of legal age, but as he was earn- did not fall, on fixed days, as now, but ranged ing money for himself, he was honored in from October to January, though usually in being allowed to spend it for himself. November or December. ' As will be remembered her first Husband ^ He had probably been exercising his was Rev. John Keep, a superior man, who mind in a Hopkinsian way. died at Shefiield in 1785, in the thirteenth year ^ To help Mr. Judson out on Thanksgiv- of his ministry in that town. She afterwards ing Day. married Hon. Jahleel Woodbridge, of Stock- * Young Robbins, as before mentioned, bridge, and was now again a widow. In had three brothers younger than himself, stopping at .Sheffield she was back again at James Watson, Samuel, and Francis Le her old home, and in the midst of many Baron. friends. ' Dr. Lemuel Barnard, a native of Deer- ^ Joseph Parker was his classmate at Yale field, and a graduate of Yale in 1759. College. 26 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l796- / 27. The snow very deep in the new countries North and West. 28. At evening walked out. Wrote on the perfect goodness of God. 29. Considerably unwell. Headache. Very good sleighing. 30. Forgot to write on the 23d that a piece of an apple-core came out of the swelling under my throat. It caught on the inside, the 15th of October, and has now come out.' Snowed considerably. 31. Talked seriously to my school. Thus another revolving year has rolled over. My conduct poorly bears the test of a scrutinizing conscience. May I not live another year in such a thoughtless and inconsiderate manner. ' He swallowed a pin some months since, but as we have heard nothing more, probably no harm came of it January. 1. Attended meeting. Have no heart to begin a year in a suitable man- ner. May I live another year and do something for the glory of him to whom only it belongs. 2. Am unable to study much evenings. Pretty tired. 3. Traded some at the merchant's. My sister B. came down from Paris.' 4. Very cold. Poor fires at school. 5. Few signs of peace in Europe, although an English ambassador has gone to Paris. 6. Veiy warm and pleasant. At even conversed seriously with Mr. Judson, 7. Agreed for a pair of boots. Read Newton on the Prophecies.^ 8. Extreme cold. Thought to be the coldest we have had. 9. My sister S. called, going up to» Stockbridge with Aunt Woodbridge.^ 10. It appears that John Adams'* is chosen President of the United States ; and Thomas Jefferson Vice-President. 11. Stormy. Wrote on the Divinity of the Scriptures. 12. Refused to take my boots.^ 13. One of the children that has come to school steadily till yesterday, now sleeps in death. Difficulty in the head ; some supposed being hurt in play. 14. Received a letter from my classmate Parker at Stockbridge. Set out to go home ; returned by reason of storm. Attended the funeral. 15. Moderate weather. We hope for a thaw. 16. Wrote an inscription for a gravestone for Mr. Hubbard's^ two chil- dren that died last summer. 17. Rode up to Stockbridge in a sleigh with Mr. Hubbard. 18. Came back ; snowed some. ' This was Elizabeth (Betsey) Robbins, on her way to Norfolk. After a stay of Mrs. Lawrence, before mentioned, who was thirteen days she is now returning home, living at Paris, Oneida County, New York. with Sarah Robbins as traveling companion. She was seven years older than her brother * This was a warmly contested election, Thomas. and Mr, Adams was elected by a small ma- ^ Bishop Thomas Newton, an eminent jority, 71 electoral votes out of 140. English divine. He was born at Litchfield, ^ Dr. Robbins was always nice in his Eng., in 1704, was Bishop of Bristol, and dress, and was particular to have the ex- died in 1782. He edited editions of Milton's act articles which he. had bargained for. Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. His This was the age of top-boots. Dissertations on the Prophecies was his chief ^ This was probably Mr. Jonathan Hub- work, bard, where he was boarding, though there 3 It may be remembered that " Aunt were other families of the name in Shef- Woodbridge " called at Sheffield, Dec. 26, field. 27 28 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1797- ig. My school will average at more than forty.' 20. Trying to get a horse to ride home. Difficulty. 21. Received a letter from Davis, Parker, and one from my classmate Romeyn.^ Scholars come home from Williamstovvn.' Rode home.'* 22. Had an agreeable visit with my sister B. at home. 23. My father disclosed to me a difficulty he has which is truly alarming.' May God have mercy. He rode up to Sheffield with me. 24. In the evening went to see wax work. 25. Declined going to a ball, though urged.* 26. Much taken up with my school evenings as well as days. 27. Quite thawy weather, which is the first we have had since about the middle of December. 28. Began to make a double cone to roll.' 29. Mr. Judson very feeble. Very warm. 30. Cold and tedious weather. 31. It snows. Mr. Lawrence and my sister stayed here going up to Paris.* February. 1. Apt to have little wood at the school-house, 2. Had people in to see the school'. 3. Heard from home; my father no poorer. 4. My children learn the catechism pretty well.' 5. Felt serious at meeting. How little religion there is in the world. 6. Frequent changes in the weather. Sleighing mostly gone. 7. Things look unfavorably respecting the French towards us. 8. Received a letter from my classmate Noble at Williamstown. 9. Unwell, at night hard sick. Rainy weather. 10. Had my boots footed. Feel rather better. 11. Traded some. Some prospect of a great embargo. 12. Went to meeting in a wagon. Heard Mr. Grossman." 13. Snowed a little. People are much disappointed about moving. ' A very gratifying gain, since November 24l;h, when he began with thirteen. ^ The name stands on the college cata- logue, Romeyn, but pronounced Romayne. ^ The winter vacation at the college had come. * It was Saturday, and he was going home simply to spend the Sabbath, and see his sister Elizabeth. ^ As his father lived yet si.xteen years after this, dying in 1813, his trouble did not prove immediately dangerous, though very painful and trying. '' Evidently balls were of far more com- mon occurrence than now. ' It will be remembered that he made a cone for the Sophomores at Williams Col- lege. He is now making a double cone for his school. ^ Mr. Grove Lawrence was a native of Norfolk, a son of Capt. Lawrence who had the lawsuit with Mr. Phelps. He lived at Paris, Oneida Co., New York. They were making the journey back to Paris some sev- enty miles from Norfolk. 9 It was the old custom in New England, for scholars in school to repeat the Assem- bly's Catechism at the close of school Satur- day. It will be noticed that it is on Saturday that this entry is made. '" Rev. Joseph W. Crossman, pastor at Salisburv, Ct. I 1 797-] TEACHING AT SHEFFIELD. 29 14. The French have had a battle in Italy, which lasted eight days. Suc- cessful.' 15. Attended a public exhibition of a school in the meeting-house.^ 16. Wrote letters to my classmates Noble and Davis ^ at Williamstovvn. 17. Wrote to Parker at Stockbridge. On the 13th received a letter from home. 18. Received an excellent and very affectionate letter from my dear Uncle Robbins.* 19. Mr. Judson preached on man. Wrote on the Divinity of the Bible. 20. Cold, raining weather. Wrote a letter to Uncle Robbins. 21. At evening walked down to Esq. Lee's.' First men here gamble.* 22. The prospect of peace in Europe brightens. Danger of difficulty on the Susquehanna about titles. 23. Talked with Mr. Judson on the Prophecies. 24. On the 2ist bought Bishop Watson's^ Apology. Considerably unwell. 25. Rode home. Saw boys playing ball. My father's difficulty much the same. 26. Chilly weather. No sleighing. 27. Traded some. Talked considerably on the important work of the ministry. 28. Rode up to Sheffield. Pretty cold. March. I 2 4 Much engaged in writing a dialogue.' The boys play ball smartly. Warm weather. Something unwell. My classmate Parker at Stockbridge has gone to Canada. Very windy indeed. Very cold. School grows thin. No school on account of wood. Wrote all day. Finished my dialogue. We are in some danger of war.' The boys feel much engaged to learn the dialogue. ' During the Italian campaign in the clos- and Daniel Noble's home was at Williams- ing months of 1796, and early part of 1797, town. Napoleon went on from victory to victory. ■• Chandler Robbins, D. D., of Plymouth, There was nowhere, however, a single bat- who was seriously out of health, tie lasting eight days, but rather a rapid ' Elisha Lee, Esq., a lavv^yer, and also the succession of battles in which he was vie- first postmaster of the town of Sheffield, torious. He was a graduate of Yale College, in tli,^ ^ In the olden New England days, the class of 1777. meeting-house was apt to be the only large ^ Another proof of the low state of morals public building in town, and was used for at the close of the last century, town meetings, school exhibitions, etc. '' Richard Watson, Bishop of Landaff. ^ Henry Davis had gone from his school " For his scholars to speak, in Stockbridge, to be tutor at Williams, 9 With France. 30 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l797- 10. My sister S. came here from Stockbridge. Received a letter from Mr. J. Woodbridge.' A great call for candidates. 11. Snows some. My sister concludes to stay over the Sabbath. Read my dialogue to Mr. Judson and others. Liked. 12. Sacrament administered. At evening went with my sister to Sally Hubbard's. 13. My brother S.^ came up, and my sister went home. Talk here about destroying the mill pond.^ 14. Wrote to Davis* at Williams. Prospect of peace in Europe grows dark. 15. One of the principal actors in my dialogue fails, 71011 volo. Therefore it must fall tlirough. At evening walked out. 16. Went to board at Moses Hubbard's. Very muddy. 17. Received a letter from Davis. Judson^ returned from Williamstown. 18. Serious thoughts have little place in my heart. Oh, for grace. 19. Heard Mr. Catlin, of North Marlborough. 20. Received an excellent letter from Uncle Robbins. Drank tea at Gen. Fellows's.* 21. The prospect of peace in Europe is entirely vanished. Lord save us from the horrors of war. A little black boy of about four years, came into school and asked me what was the matter of my thumb, as there was a rag on it. I told him I cut it. Said he how ? I told him. Said he, if I had some plaster I would give you some to put on it. He appears to act from the pure dictates of nature, without the least cultivation. If in any one, I think we can see nature in him. Is there not then in human nature a principle of benevolence.' 22. Think of going to Williamstown next week. Very mudd3\ 23. Very rainy. It seems that there will be rain enough to supply the deficiency of last fall. 24. Settled wnth Mr. Stanley. Owed him £2 \os. The river very high. 25. Three of the children said all the catechism.^ Dismissed my school.' Settled my affairs. Cold weather. 26. Very pleasant weather. Pretty full meeting. Fixing to go home. 27. So rainy I did not go home. In the afternoon with Judson sailed on the meadow in a canoe. ' Probably Jonathan Woodbridge, son of officer, born in Pomfret, Ct., 1733, served in Hon. Jahleel Woodbridge. His father's death the French War. Led a regiment to Boston, occurred the year before. He was, later in on the breaking out of the Revolution. After life, known as Gen. John Woodbridge. the war he took up his residence at Sheffield, ^ Samuel Robbins, then thirteen years old. and was high sheriff of Berkshire County. ^ This was the mill pond which caused the ^ Rather a daring question for a young great sickness of the year before. divinity student to ask in 1797, but it can now ■* Henry Davis, who took the school at be answered in the affirmative. Stockbridge, was, as before stated, called ^ Almost every school in those times away to be tutor at Williams College. would furnish a few scholars who could ac- ' This was Ephraim Judson, Jr., then in complish the feat of saying the whole cate- the Senior class. chism through. * Gen. John Fellows, a Revolutionary ' Vacation. [797-] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. 31 28. Mr. Hubbard carried me home in a wagon. Water very high. Cold. 29. A limner at our house had taken my father, and mother, and sister S. Last week read the speeches of Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson at their inaugura- tion.' The Empress of Russia,' who lately died, for a number of years has been in such dread of death that she would never let any instances which happened in the court be told her. And she even prohibited funerals to be attended in Petersburg in the day time. But by an apoplectic shock she died in twenty- four hours after she was taken. 30. Read Bicheno ^ on the signs of the times. Settled with Betts. 31. Sent money to my brother N. ; fifteen dollars. O, for grace to enter on the important work of the ministry. April. 1. Went to the sap-works with my brother }.■• Agreed to go to Williams- town next week. 2. A proclamation for a fast. Difficulties in my father's church. 3. Agreed not to go to Williamstown at present. Mr. Grossman here today. Has a call at Salisbury; ^200 settlement, and ^^120 salary.' 4. In the afternoon attended the concert of prayer; pretty full and serious. Afterwards a church meeting. Warm weather. 5. Very hot for the season. Worked hard yesterday and today at ~the spinning mill. I fear that my brother N. will give us all trouble with a con- nection. Saw a man sowing. 6. War appears inevitable. Think of going to Williamstown tomorrow. Bonaparte,^ the French general in Italy, has gained a great battle over the Austrians. Taken 23,000 prisoners, and killed 6,000 men. This was about the middle of January. The French army in Italy under him has in six months taken 100,000 prisoners, 400 pieces of cannon, no stands of colors, and destroyed five armies of the Emperor. 7. Set out for Williamstown. Went no farther than Sheffield on account of rain. 8. The President of the United States, Mr. Adams, has issued a procla- mation to convene Congress.^ Went on to Stockbridge. Rainy. ' These speeches were made on the 4th of * James Watson Robbins, fifteen years old. March, and it is now the 29th. ^ The ordinary form of settling a minister ^ Catherine II, haughty and cruel, though at that time. The ;^200 was to provide a powerful as a sovereign. She was born at house and lands, and the other was for the Stettin, May 2, 1729, and died at St. Peters- yearly support. This was a bargain expected burg, Nov. 17, 1796. Her death, therefore, to last for life, and ordinarily it did so con- occurred only a few months before this was tinue. written. ^ Bonaparte's victorious progress was as ^ J. Bicheno, an English writer, author of keenly watched on this side the water, as in several popular works. His book on the Europe. Signs of the Times was republished in this ' That is, for a special session. Questions country, at Providence, R. I., in 1795, and at growing out of the European wars were dis- Springfield in 1796. turbing this country. 32 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. \'^191' 9. Dr. West' preached on Charity. A missionary society^ is established in New York to propagate the gospel among the heathen. There is one of the same kind in London. May they do good. 10. Talked with Dr. Sergeant^ about my father's difficulty. Went on to Williamstown. Glad to see my friends there. 11. Walked about to sefe old acquaintances. A universal scarcity of hay. 12. Was with my old friend Davis considerably. Also my classmate Noble. 13. On the whole a very good visit. 14. Fast in Connecticut. A number of scholars in the small-pox. They are much engaged in building at Williams College. The meeting-house and some houses are to be built this summer. Came down to Stockbridge. 15. A universal scarcity of money. Very warm. My horse failed. Got home. 16. Mr. Pinckney,* our ambassador at Paris, is not received. The wonder of antichrist is likely near an end. 17. Read Edwards's Miscellanies.^ At evening saw a comedy acted. 18. Mantua is in the hands of the French. American vessels taken by the French. Great stores found in Mantua. 19. Reading Pres. Edwards's Miscellanies. 20. In afternoon worked with my brother N. mending fence. 21. Took a catalogue of the scholars that my father has ever had. They amount to one hundred.^ 22. Warm. Worked at the garden getting sand. My father went to change with Mr. Grossman.' 23. Heard Mr. C. preach. Read a letter in public to the church. A thief came to the house last night, but dare not come in on account of the dog, etc. 24. Play ball some. The spring as yet rather backward. 25. My father went to Sandisfield to a council and dedication. Set out some trees. 26. Attend to my father's scholars. Finished Edwards's Miscellanies. 27. A very growing season. Read some in Bible. ' Dr. Stephen West, of whom we shall French Directors caused the rejection of our hear more as we pass on. conciliatory propositions and the order to ^ The society thus established was in Pinckney to quit the French territory." — Northern New York, and was especially for Drake'' s Diet, of Am. Biography, p. 720. work among the Indians of this continent. ^ Edwards's Miscellaneous Observations on ^ Erastus Sergeant, M. D., son of Rev. Important Theological Sitbjects, was published John Sergeant. An honored physician. Young in Edinburgh in 1793, ^"^ another work with Robbins consulted him about his father's the same essential title in 1796. physical ailment. Dr. Sergeant had been * His father had then been settled in Ncir- then in practice about thirty years. folk thirty-six years. ■•Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, born at ' Joseph W. Grossman, already mentioned: Charleston, S. C, Feb. 25, 1746. He had accepted his call to Salisbury, Ct., "Appointed in July, 1796, minister pleni- and was preaching there, but was not or- potentiary to France. The hostility of the dained until June of that same year. I797-] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. 33 28. My father returned. They have dismissed Mr. Storrs' from Sandis- field. Worked considerably. 29. Worked hard all day getting water on the mowing. Very tired. 30. Cold and rainy. Feel very cold and stupid in things of infinite im- portance. Received a letter from Davis. Yesterday wrote a letter to my classmate Romeyn^ at Schenectady. May. 1. Training day. In afternoon walked out with my sister. My brother went after shad.^ Rainy. 2. Wrote a letter to my friend E. Watson'' at New York. Bonaparte has made peace with the Pope. • A prospect of a bloody campaign. 3. Read some sermons. The world coming either to Christianity or infi- delity, sects being laid aside. 4. It rains very frequently. The deficiencies of nature in one season are supplied in another. 5. Worked considerably at the water, garden, etc. Cold. Yesterday went to see if I could live with Dr. Edwards^ this summer. He was not at home ; but his wife * said she could not take boarders. 6. Wrote a letter to Davis. Set out trees. 7. Sacrament administered. Beholding' the ordinance was deeply im- pressed with the idea that I should be shut out in a similar manner at the Great Day. 8. My father set out for Stockbridge to be doctored by Dr. Sergeant on account of his ditficulty.^ Ministers going to election.' ' Rev. Eleazar Storrs, a native of Mans- field, Ct., and a graduate of Yale in the class of 1762. " He was ordained pastor of this church and people Feb. 26, 1766. He was a popular preacher, and retained the affections of his people until the unhappy Shays's insurrec- tion. At that time, from his measures in favor of government, a considerable number were offended and left his ministrj'. He, how- ever, continued his pastoral relations till, in consequence of ill health, he was dismissed, April 26, 1797." — I//sf. of the County of Berk- shire, p. 301. ^ This was Thomas Romeyn, as Benjamin died in 1796. ^ It was an important matter of business every spring in the olden time, for families to lay in their store of shad for the year's use. The shad in the Connecticut river in those years were abundant and of most excellent quality. * This was probably the nephew of Mr. James Watson, spoken of in connection with his visit to New York the previous year. ^ The younger Edwards, Dr. Jonathan Ed- wards, left his pastorate in New Haven, Ct., in 1795, and in 1796 was settled in Colebrook, Ct. There it was that young Robbins went to see him in the hope of studying theology with him. * This was Dr. Edwards's second wife. Miss Mercy Sabin, daughter of Mr. Hezekiah Sa- bin, of New Haven. She seemed to be will- ing to take the responsibility of answering young Robbins's question. His first wife was Miss Mary Porter, of Hadley, Mass., who was drowned in 1792. '■ He had not yet made a public profession of religion. ^ It will be remembered that, about a month before, young Robbins consulted Dr. Sergeant about his father. 9 Election that year was at Hartford, and the election sermon was preached. May u by Rev. Isaac Lewis, of Greenwich. 34 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l797' 9. Read the Bible. We hope war may be avoided. 10. Have some thoughts of making a whirhng table. Work at the water almost daily. 11. My brother N. gone to Kent. My father sent down for mamma. 12. Very good weather. Rode to Sheffield with mamma, and saw trees in the blow. 13. Read in the volume of collected sermons just published. 14. Thin meetings without a minister. Read in public both parts of the day.* 15. Take a good deal of pleasure with the water.^ Read sermons. At even walked out. 16. There is an account that our differences with France are settled. Fear it is not true. 17. At even heard the school children speak pieces. 18. Received a letter from my father. He is low, but gaining. Scholars along from Williams College.^ ig. Rode to the south part of the town, and attended a conference. Prayed. 20. Rode to Canaan in quest of a letter from New York, which is lost be- tween here and Salisbur}^'* The weather this week has been every day alter- nately fair and rainy. 21. Very warm. Read all day in public.^ Read the volume of collected sennons last week. Thunder. 22. My brother J.* went after my father. Received an excellent letter from my friend, E. W.,' New York. Copied a will. 23. Had a tooth extracted. No confirmation that our affairs are settled with France. It appears that the President of the United States means to send another envoy. 24. Jerome,* a Junior in Williams College, came to see me. My father returned. Laus Deo, considerably well. 25. The fullest blow for fruit ever known in the memor}' of any. 26. Did but little. Scholars to see us. Warm weather, but a backward spring. 27. Wrote in my diary of my younger years. 28. Pretty full meeting. Read some in the Theological Magazine. 29. Very cold for the season. ' His father being absent he read sennons center of Salisburj', the distance is about ten before the congregation both forenoon and miles, afternoon. ' Sunday, and his father being still sick ^ A brook ran near his home, and he was and absent, he again reads sermons before probably engaged in irrigating the mowing the congregation, lands. * James Watson Robbins. ^ Going home for the spring vacation. ' E. Watson, before noticed. ■• Canaan adjoined Norfolk, and Salis- ^ Amasa Jerome, a native of Stockbridge, bury was between Canaan and the New graduate of Williams in 179S, and afterwards a York line. From the center of Norfolk to man of influence and character in the ministry. 1 797-] -^T HOME AT NORFOLK, 35 30. Rode to the south part of the town with Aunt Woodbridge. Went a fishing ; caught none. 31. The family of the Mills's,' formerly at Simsbury, was fourteen children. All lived to be married at once. Parents living. June. 1. All sat round fires. The scholars came down from the chamber, and got wood for a fire.^ 2. A little frost this morning. Quite sick with the ague in my face. Had some young ladies here from Kent.^ 3. The coldest May, and the most backward spring known for many years. Things are just coming up in gardens, etc. Warm. 4. Yesterday the assembly arose.'* Our legislature finds little business. 5. A little riding in the morning. Went to Warren from Goshen with Aunt Woodbridge.^ Gave cousin Peter ^ a little piece on the dead languages. 6. Very warm and pleasant. Rode to my brothers at Canaan.^ Con- versed with Esther de rebus privatis. 7. Came home. The President of the United States has sent two envoys to France to accommodate our differences. The unrivaled Bonaparte has de- feated the hitherto successful general Archduke Charles in Italy. He has killed and taken about 20,000 men. The French have also been successful on the Rhine. It is supposed that Germany can hold out no longer, and this will be a prelude of a happy peace. ^ 8. Mr. J. Watson from New York was here. Been proving cannon at Salisbury. Very kind to invite me to his house, etc. 9. Fine weather. Read Bible, etc. A steeple raised at Torrington. 10. Excessive hot. Hurt myself in work at the water. 11. Rained last night. At even went to see a young man with a broken leo' 12. Traded some. Very hot weather. Visited Mr. Darley. 13. Rode to Winchester with my father to association. Dr. Edwards' preached. At night rained a great deal. 14. There seems to be a direct account of peace between France and Germany. May it be true. 15. Wrote a letter to Miss Esther Robbins.'° Feel some unwell. So hot. ' This was Rev. Gideon Mills, who died in folk, and from Goshen to Warren was about 1772. ten or twelve miles. ^ This was for the school-room up stairs. * Peter Starr, son of Rev. Peter Starr, was ^ Kent was about twenty miles south of then a Junior in Williams College. Norfolk, bordering on New York. '' He went home by Canaan. * The assembly was convened on Wed- ^ A continuation of successes in his Italian nesday, May 10, so the session had lasted campaign, about three weeks. 9 Rev. Jonathan Edwards, D. D., setded ^ His Aunt Woodbridge was going to War- the year before at Colebrook. ren, probably, to visit her sister, Mrs. Starr, '° Miss Esther Robbins, of Canaan, with and young Robbins attended her thither. whom on June 6th he had talked de rebii. Goshen was the next town south from Nor- privatis. 36 PIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1797- 16. Helped my little brothers make a trough. From the 3CI of June till today it has been very hot weather. Cool. Attended a funeral. 17. Last Saturday a man was executed at Hartford. 18. Mr. Catlin,' of North Marlborough, preached here. At even an unusual light. 19. Rainy. White-washed in the house considerably. At even walked out. 20. Dr. West and lady^ came at noon. Rode to North Marlborough and attended the association. 21. Hot. Rode home. Considerable contention in Congress. People not yet done first hoeing. 22. Set out for Stockbridge to study with Dr. West.^ My brother brought me to Sheffield. 23. Came to Stockbridge in the stage very early. Received kindly. Rainy. Yesterday destroyed a letter which I received April 11, 1796.* 24. Cool weather. Reading Fuller's letters.' O, that I may be prospered in my important studies, and may I know my own heart. Dr. W. very strict in observing holy time. 25. Afternoon rained hard while at meeting. Serious. Fears of a false hope. 26. a visit 27. daily. 28. Finished Fuller's letters. Mrs. Sedgwick and her daughters* here on Reading Pres. Edwards's Inquiry? Warm weather and thunder Sleep with my Suppose there is an ordination at Salisbury today.^ window open constantly. 29. Read a portion of the Scriptures every day. At evening Mr. Swift came here from Williamstown. New college going on well. 30. Very warm weather steadily. Great preparation for independence all about. Finished Edwards's Inquiry. Wrote home. ' Dr. Jacob Catlin. ^ Dr. Stephen West, of Stockbridge. Dr. West's first wife, with whom he was then living, was Miss Elizabeth Williams, daugh- ter of Col. Ephraim Williams. She died in 1804. His second wife was Miss Eleanor Dewey, daughter of Mr. Daniel Dewey, of Sheffield. ^ Rev. Stephen West, D. D., a native of Tolland, Ct., and a graduate of Yale, 1755, was a theological teacher of acknowledged ability. He came to Stockbridge as suc- cessor to Jonathan Edwards, in the work of Christianizing the Hotlsatonic Indians, and was pastor of Stockbridge church from 1759 to 1770. * Under date of April 11, 1796, after a commonplace entry, is the following R . . e . . . i Let him who can, guess the riddle. ' Rev. Andrew Fuller, a distinguished Bap- tist divine of England, who in the closing years of the last century and the early years of the present, was very conspicuous as an evangelical worker, thinker, and writer. * Wife and daughters of Hon. Theodore Sedgwick, who, at that time, was a member of the United States Senate. '' This was Edwards's great work on the Freedom of the Will. * Rev. Joseph W. Crossman was ordained and set over the church in Salisbury June 2Sth, 1797, as we find by the church records of Salisbury. 1797'] STUDYING THEOLOGY WITH DR. WEST. 37 July. 1. Wrote some. Reading Dr. West's Essay on Moral Agency} Walked down to see my classmate Mason studying law in town. 2. An amiable young woman admitted into the church. Dr. West very strict in many principles. 3. Wrote to Davis, and to my classmate Noble at Williamstown. 4. A serious mutiny in the British fleet. Ireland almost in a state of insurrection. Attended the concert of prayer. 5. Much unwell. Headache. Studied too hard. A very growing season. 6. Finished West on Agency. Had a ticket for a ball.^ Walked down to Mr. Bidwell's. 7. Wrote on the Divinity of the Scriptures, People begin to mow. 8. Peace between France and Germany almost certain. The character of Bonaparte rises fast. 9. In the morning very rainy. Connecticut about forming a missionary society.^ 10. Wrote to Uncle Robbins. Read Hume's essay on Miracles. Wrote on the Moral State of Adam before the Fall." 11. Read Campbell's^ answer to Hume. Drank tea at Mr. Sedgwick's. 12. Wrote on the Moral State of Man Now. Extremely hot. Fine hay weather. 13. Read Home's letters on Missions. A conspiracy discovered. Blount/ a senator in Congress, had a considerable hand in it. 14. Mr. Sedgwick and Gen. Skinner 'came home from Congress. After- noon walked out. 15. Reading Dr. Taylor on Original Sin. A hard thunder-shower. 16. Afraid 1 am resting my eternal welfare on a false hope. O may I know my own heart. * Dr. Stephen West's Essay on Moral were prepared to be read before Dr. West, Agency was first published in 1772, and re- as a part of his theological training, published with an Appendix in 1794. It was ^ Rgy George Campbell, D. D., Professor a work that attracted considerable attention of Church History in St. Andrew's University, among the theologians of that day. Dr. Scotland. Hume, the author of the work on West conferred much with Dr. Joseph Bel- Miracles, which Dr. Campbell answered, was lamy, of Bethlehem, Ct., Dr. Samuel Hopkins, the well-known English historian and skepti- of Newport, R. I., and Dr. Jonathan Edwards, cal writer, then of Colebrook. * William Blount. "In 1796, he was ^ We do not learn whether he attended chosen president of the convention in Ten- the ball, but from what has already passed, nessee. He was afterwards elected by that we may conclude that balls were regarded as State to a seat in the United States Senate, nnisances rather than otherwise. but was expelled in July, 1797, for having ^ The Connecticut Missionary Society was instigated the Creeks and Cherokees to as- not fairly organized until the following year, sist the British in conquering the Spanish 179S. territories near the United States." ^ These papers, the one before mentioned ' Mr. Sedgwick, Senator, and Gen. Skin- on the Divinity of the Scriptures, and this on ner, of Williamstown, member of the House the Moral Character of Adam before the FaU, of Representatives. 38 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l797- 17. Wrote letters to my father and my sister S. Lyon, in Congress, from Vermont, ridiculed extremely. 18. Reading Edwards's answer to Dr. Taylor.' Steadily fine weather. 19. Had an invitation to go to Maryland as a Latin instructor in a gentle- man's family. Received a letter from home. 20. Am troubled to keep my attention well fixed when reading. A great many cherries. 21. Rode up to Lenox to see my cousin Goodwin.^ At night slept very poorly on a feather-bed. 22. Rode back. Wrote on the question concerning Original Sin. 23. Read in Dr. Hunter's^ Biography. Showery and cooler. 24. Reading Edwards's Last End of Creatioti.* The French annoy our vessels very much. 25. Wrote to my cousin Starr at Williams College. Lodged at Aunt Woodbridge's. 26. Wrote to my friend, E. R. Watson, of New York. "There is a founda- tion laid in nature for kind atTections between the sexes that are truly diverse from all inclinations to sensitive pleasure, and don't properly arise from any such inclination." — Edwards's Nature of True Virtue, Chap. VI. 27. Wrote to my father. Rainy weather. Things appear more favorable at France. Peace is made with Germany. 28. Complaint that wheat is much blasted. Bad weather for hay and grain. 29. Wrote on the Necessity of Atonement. Received a letter from Starr. 30. Received a letter from my classmate Noble. Comfortable weather. Dr. West preached very close. Read Miss Anthony's life.' 31. Wrote on the Necessity of Regeneration. Some prospect of a general peace. Montesquieu the most comprehensive and piercing genius of his age. August. 1. Wrote a letter to Davis. People in the heat of harvest. Generally in the country good. 2. Reading Dr. West on the Atonement.® Heard from Williamstown. 3. Wrote on the Nature of Atonement. Cloudy and dry weather. 4. England in a most deplorable state. Near thirty sail of their fleet have mutinied. Things look very dark. If God's time has come to destroy that wicked nation they will fall. ■ Dr. John Taylor, a distinguished dis- ' Miss Susanna Anthony, a Quaker lady, senting minister of England, who wrote and distinguished for her piety and goodness, published a treatise on Orighial Sin. Dr. Samuel Hopkins had just published her 2 Joseph Goodwin, before noticed. memoirs, and large extracts from her writings. ^ Probably this was Dr. John Hunter, of The first issue was in Worcester, Mass., 1796. Scotland. Two editions were afterwards published at * Edwards's Last End of Creation, and A^a- Hartford, Ct., the first in 1799. tare of True Virtue, were published together <> Dr. West's Essay on the Scripture Doc- in the spring of 1755. trine of the Atonement was published in 1785. 1 797-] STUDYING THEOLOGY WITH DR. WEST. 39 5. Heading West on the Resurrection. Rainy. Received an excellent letter from Uncle Robbins. A large account in it from England of the mis- sionar)^ society there. 6. Last night a very hard shower. 7. Wrote on the Cause and Nature of Regeneration. 8. Received a letter from home. Concluded not to go to Maryland.' Very rainy. 9. A dreadful fire at Albany. Eighty-two dwelling-houses, one hundred and sixteen stores and out-houses consumed. 10. Wrote home. Reading view of religions, Mr. Fox^ has delivered a remarkable speech in Parliament on reform. 11. A delirious man in town has killed himself. Thus twenty years have rolled over my head. 12. A great prospect of a general peace. Had my name printed for books.' Wrote on Promises to the Unregenerate. 13. By Dr. W.'s sermon I trust I was brought in some measure to see the wickedness of my heart. 14. Read Dr. Hopkins* on True Holiness. Wrote on the same subject. Very cool weather for the season. 15. Wrote letters to Noble and my cousin Starr at Williamstown. 16. Wrote on the Ground of the Sinner's Justification. I am amazingly stupid. 17. Read in Dr. Hopkins's System? Good weather. People haying yet. 18. Discontents in Ireland increase. yVffairs in France assume a new face. Venice in a very bad situation. 19. Wrote on the Difference between Justification by Faith and by Works. 20. Very close preaching. Rainy. Read forty-sixth chapter of Isaiah, Prophecy perhaps accomplished in the present war [in Europe]. 21. Received a letter from my friend, E. Watson, and a good one from Davis. A mayor of a city in the south of Ireland writing to the English gov- ernment, gives an alarming account of things there. He concludes : " At the moment I am writing, for my personal safety, I carry a pistol in each hand, and a sword in the other." ^ 22. Wrote a letter to Uncle Robbins. Wrote on Election. 23. Wrote a letter to Miller,^ a student at Williams College. Reading Edwards's Remarks. Negotiation opened between France and England. 24. An account that the mutiny in England is subsiding. * He had, as before mentioned, received ^ This Syste?n was published in .two vol- an application from Maryland to go there as umes in 1793. a teacher. ^ An excellent Irish bull. ^ Charles James Fox, the eloquent English ^ Joseph Miller, a graduate of Williams orator and statesman. College in 1799. He was a native of Tor- 3 That is, as we understand it, printed to rington, Ct., and afterwards became a promi- be pasted into his books. nent lawyer in Litchfield County, Ct., remov- * Dr. Samuel Hopkins, of Newport, R. I. ing in his later life to Richland, Mich. 40 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [l797' 25. Wrote largely on the Doctrine of Decrees. Rainy almost every day. My brother came after me. 26. Rode Jwme in a wagon. Unwelcome news from my sister B.' 27. Ver)^ full meeting. Seven persons taken into the church. May God make additions of such as shall be saved. 28. Putting my name on books, etc. A neighbor invented a machine to bore logs by water. Cool. 29. At evening young Dr. Perkins^ came here and gave my father a pair of metallic points. 30. My father sowing. Reading Scott's^ Vindication. 31. Writing. The prospect of peace in Europe increases. September. 1. Very hot. Visited old Mr. Darley. Preparing for my journey. 2. My father set out for Williamstown. Worked some. 3. Mr. Avery/ of Tyringham, preached here. Fine weather. 4. Set out for Williamstown with my sister Sally.' Came to Esq. W'alker's^ and lodged. There was a festival on the i6th of August in Boston, in honor of President Adams,^ the most extravagant ever known in the United States. 5. Arrived at Williamstown. My father's two scholars admitted into college. At night an illumination, and a class of forty. Walked. 6. A very good exhibition. Saw many old friends. At even attended a lecture in college hall. 7. Came down to Lanesborough. The new college at Williamstown is nearly shut in. 8. Came down to Lenox to our cousin Goodwin's.^ Kindly received. 9. Had a good visit at our cousins ; towards night came down to Stock- bridge. Not very well. 10. Troubled with our horses going to meeting. At even made a visit to Dr. West. Attended singing meeting. 11. Came home. A prosperous journey. Some profit. ' Elizabeth Robbins's marriage with Mr. ington, Ct., minister of the Congregational Lawrence did not prove altogether a happy church in Tyringham, Mass., from 1789 to one. They lived, it will be remembered, at 1808. Paris, Oneida County, New York. ^ Sally is Sarah, afterwards Mrs. Joseph 2 Dr. Elisha Perkins, of Plainfield, Ct. Battell. He calls \i\va. young, though he was a man be- * William Walker, Esq., whose son Will- tween fifty and sixty, because his father, iam P. Walker was graduated at Williams Joseph Perkins, had also been a physician of College in 1798, and was admitted to the bar eminence at Plainfield, and had very recently in 1803. He practiced in Lenox, died. ^ It was so much for Massachusetts to ^ Dr. Thomas Scott, the commentator, who own the second President of the United had published a Vindication of the Inspira- States, that it was natural to make a hero of Hon of the Holy Scripture, republished in New him. York in 1797. ^ Joseph Goodwin, before mentioned as ■* Rev. Joseph Avery, a native of Ston- the son of Mrs. Robbins's sister. 1797] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. 41 12. The yellow fever prevails in many places. It is a great wonder that we are not desolated with judgments. 13. Began to read Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History. Have something of the dysentery. 14. Some robberies near Philadelphia. Operated on the rheumatism suc- cessfully with the metallic points.* 15. Never felt more unhinged and doubtful what to do in my life. Oh for direction ! 16. Took water-levels about. Warm. Reading Mosheim. 17. Read History of Redemption^ My sister B. lives now comfortably. 18. Attended freemen's meeting. Rainy. Considerable company. 19. Worked hard in the forenoon cutting stalks. Little prospect of a general peace in Europe. 20. A little frost. Wrote to Esther Robbins.^ Heard from Uncle Rob- bins;* rather unwell. Reading Mosheim. Worked among hay. Worked a good deal. It made me feel better in health. My brother buying a horse for my father. Very fine weather all the 21. 22. 23- time. 24. 25- Mr. Weston,' of Cornwall, preached here. Full meeting. Wrote a letter to Mr. Oilman* at Marietta. Yesterday and today much troubled with an ague in my face. 26. Rode to Goshen with Dr. Edwards to association. Rainy. A good association. Gillet' licensed. 27. Good weather. Rode home. General training at Salisbur)'. Some Wrote a letter to Medad Curtis. Yesterday took cold and am distressed with the ague. Could not get Rode to the south end of the town and attended a conference. frost. 28. opium 29. Warm. 30. Worked some. Helped raise a small building near by. This month has been very pleasant and warm weather. As yet no frost of conse- quence. ' He was trying the tractors which his father had received from Dr. Perkins. ^ Published in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1777, with an introductory note by Rev. John Erskine. ^ In Canaan. ^ Dr. Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth. ^ Rev. Hercules Weston, graduated at Dartmouth in 1783, and settled at Cornwall, Ct., 1792-1803. *" Mr. Benjamin I. Oilman, who married Hannah, daughter of Chandler Robbins, D.D., of Plymouth. Mr. Oilman was living at Ma- rietta, Ohio. ^ This must have been Mr. Nathan Oil- lett, of Oranby, Ct., who was graduated at Williams in 1798. But his name does not appear as a Litchfield County licentiate in the contributions to the Ecclesiastical History of Connecticut. Nathan Oillett was settled in Gilead, a parish of Hebron, in 1799. Mr. Robbins speaks of him familiarly as he would naturally speak of a fellow stu- dent. 42 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l797- October. 1. My father preached on the great spirit that prevails to Christianize the heathen.' Rainy. 2. Attended the funeral of Capt. I. Holt.^ A vast many people for this town. 3. Attended the concert of prayer. Very sickly in many parts of the United States. 4. Little prospect of a general peace. Rainy. Reading Mosheim. 5. Last night the greatest storm of wind we have had for years, 6. At evening Mr. Steele^ came here from Paris. My sister's family more peaceable. 7. Worked considerably, picking apples. Hard frosts now. 8. Read magazine. Full meetings ; hope some seriousness. g. Wrote to my friend L. F. Scholars came. We have a great deal of company. 10. My father set out for Stockb ridge to be doctored. Cold. 11. Read. Attend to the scholars steadily.* Papal power almost daily declining. Read lecture on France and Portugal. 12. My father sent down for my mother to go to Stockb ridge. Quite poor. 13. My mamma went up to Stockbridge. I have the whole care of busi- ness, and attend to the scholars. 14. Worked. At even Mr. Steele^ came and tarried. Moderate weather. 15. Mr. Smith, a candidate, came to preach. He preached in the fore- noon, Mr. Steele in the afternoon. Cold. 16. Dug a hole for potatoes. Last night wrote to my father, and to my sister B. 17. The sickness at Philadelphia abates. Danger of internal enemies in our Republic. May God avert. 18. Worked picking corn. Frequent applications to take scholars.^ 19. Had some company. Buried some apples.^ Work and attend to the scholars steadily. 20. Buried potatoes. Had a letter from my father. He is very poor, but gaining. I The Baptist Missionary Society in Eng- took the church at Paris there were nineteen land had been organized in 1792, and the members. There were received during his London Missionary Society in 1795. In this ministry two hundred and seventy-three mem- country, from the days of Edwards and the bers. great Whitefield revivals, tlie missionary spirit '♦His father being now for some time was abroad, but the time for the organ- absent, he had the full charge of the scholars, ization of societies for foreign work had not ^ Rev. Eliphalet Steele, just before men- yet been reached. tioned. ^ Capt. Isaac Holt, Jr. His father of the * The school at Norfolk was popular, same name died in 1806. ■' The practice of burying potatoes and ^ Rev. Eliphalet Steele, born in Hartford, apples in the fall, to have them crisp and Ct., June 26, 1742, graduated at Yale College fresh in the spring, was common among the 1764, settled at Egremont, Mass., 1770-1794, old Connecticut farmers, and is perhaps so and at Paris, N. Y., 1795-18 17. When he at present. 1 797-] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. 43 21. Read some. Cold. Read Theological Magazine'^ at evening. 22. A ver)' rainy day ; no meeting. Prayed in the family. 23. Attended a funeral. Dr. Edwards^ preached. Have little time to read. 24. The papers very barren of news. The Governor unable to attend the assembly.^ 25. At evening had a spell of paring apples. 26. Boiling cider.* My brother returned from Vermont ; brought back the letter I wrote on the 9th. My father gaining. 27. At evening had a great husking.* My salt-rheum rages very much. 28. Worked pretty hard. My heart little disposed to serious things. 29. No preaching. I read all day.* Wet and cold weather. Read His- tory of Redemption^ 30. My brother J.* went after my father in a wagon. Had a husking. 31. My brother was appointed deputy sheriff.' Read Mosheim. Nego- tiations for peace go on very slow. November. 1. My father came home very poor. Worked pretty hard. 2. Considerable company. Warm. Produce lower than last year. 3. Worked at making cider. A great deal made this fall. 4. Worked pretty hard. Our assembly rose yesterday.*" Fine weather this week. 5. Rainy. My father unable to preach. Read all day ; also the procla- mation. 6. Some snow. Made a medicine and some salve for the salt-rheum. 7. Went into Canaan and traded some. Very cold. 8. Traded some. Find little time to read. Read newspaper. 9. Set out to go to Cornwall. Went as far as my brother's in Canaan. An agreeable night, 10. Went to Cornwall. Disappointed about taking a school there. Went on to Warren. Dreadful road. ' The Theological Magazine was published the old-fashioned country enjoyments. It was in New York. It was started in 1796, but a festival occasion, rather than a time of continued only three or four years. mere toil. ^ Dr. Jonathan Edwards, of Colebrook. ^ His father was still absent, and no one ^ Gov. Oliver Wolcott, and this the fall came to supply the pulpit, session of the assembly. ^ Jonathan Edwards's History of Re- * From the entries Oct. 25th and 26th, it demption was published in Edinburgh, in is evident that the family was engaged in 1777- making the customary supply of apple-sauce ^ James Watson Robbins. for the season. 9 Nathaniel Robbins. ' The husking, where the neighbors were '° The fall session of the assembly meet- invited in of an autumn evening, was one of ing in October was apt to be short. 44 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1797- 11. So stormy could not come home. My brother N. came there. His connections at Kent at an end.' 12. Very rainy. Little meeting. Read Pres. Edwards's Life!" 13. Rode home across Canaan Mountain. Warm. Very wet season. 14. Worked making a hog-pen. Great commotions in the interior of France. 15. Mr. Jefferson, our Vice-President, grows unpopular. At night Mr. Judson ^ came here. 16. Thanksgiving.* Mr. Judson preached. Blessed be God that we have such abundant cause for thankfulness. O, for hearts ! 17. Exceeding cold for the season. Snowed considerably. Our young people much addicted to frolicking. 18. Severe weather. In the afternoon worked sledding wood. 19. My father preached for the first time since October 8th. People grow very extravagant at our great cities. 20. At evening read Peter Porcupine's^ Papers. Worked getting wood. 21. Read. Human nature all selfish. Yesterday in the afternoon Dr. Goodrich,^ of Durham, called here very well, took dinner, and towards night rode out to Capt. Ives's. This morning a messenger has come, and informed us that he has gone the way of all the earth. He got up, as is supposed, well, got partly dressed, and, as appears, was seized with a fit of the apoplexy, stretched himself on the floor, and expired. It was about an hour after they heard him get up, before they found him dead. 22. Rainy and freezing. My brother N. has a great deal of business. Litigation much prevails. 23. Great complaint of a scarcity of money. Went out to Capt. Ives's ; ' saw mourners, corpse, etc. May I improve rightly. 24. Steady cold. Austin, of New Hartford, came here to study. I play some at chequers, etc. ' From previous hints about the connec- tions which Nathaniel was likely to form, the fact recorded in this entry was doubtless pleasing to his family. ^ This was doubtless the Life of Eihvards, by Dr. Samuel Hopkins, first published in 1764. ^ Rev. Ephraim Judson, of Shefifield. ■* Thanksgiving day earlier than in some years. ' The Peter Poraipine Papers were writ- ten by William Cobbett, a controversial Eng- lishman, who was born in 1762, came to this country, and settled in Philadelphia in 1796. He had taken the iioin de plu7ne of Peter Por- cupine before coming hither, and carried it back with him on his return in 1800. He was a very voluminous writer, and of marked ability, so much so that Chancellor Kent said : "Cobbett, in these volumes (twelve vol- umes published in London in 1801) has left a picture of the politics and leading politicians of America, which (with caution) must be studied by all who would understand the party questions with which they were discussed." ^ Rev. Elizur Goodrich, D. D., a native of Wethersfield, graduate of Yale College in 1752, minister at Durham from 1756 to his death, 1797. He was a member of the Cor- poration of Yale College. He was father of Hon. Chauncey Goodrich, Representative and Senator in Congress, and Lieut.-Govcrnor of Connecticut. Elizur Goodrich, LL. D., a member and Secretary of the Yale Corpora- tion, was also his son. The last named was father of Rev. Chauncey Allen Goodrich, D. D., Professor of Rhetoric in Yale College from 1817 to 1S39, and from 1839 to i860 Professor of the Pastoral Charge. ' Where Dr. Goodrich died. I797-] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. 45 25. Worked some. Read a tragedy. My salt-rheum grows better. 26. Read History of Redemption. Troubled about wood. Sacrament administered. 27. Extreme cold. Think of keeping a ciphering school. Worked. The Mohawk River was crossed on the ice about the middle of this month. 28. Yesterday morning Col. Adams,' of Litchfield, our Chief-Justice, died of a lingering disorder, aged sixty-one years. Read. There are said to be 333,000,000 inhabitants in China. 29. Our envoys^ have arrived at France. Worked and caught a very bad cold. Received a letter from Mr. Battell,^ Torringford, requesting me to go and take a school there. 30. At evening a tragedy spoken in town. I did not go. Read Mosheim. Excessive cold. December. 1. My sister B.* not the most happy in her family. Troubled with a divided household. Had a great coat made yesterday. 2. The weather moderates. Received a long and foolish letter from Medad Curtis. 3. Pretty full meeting, and very serious. We hear that Gov. Wolcott' died last Friday morning of a lingering illness, aged seventy-one. Thus our Governor, Chief Judge, and one of the first of the clergy. Dr. Goodrich, have gone near together. 4. Spoke considerably in town meeting about seating the meeting-house. Last night there was a total eclipse of the moon, but it was so cloudy it could not be seen only by its effect on the light. 5. Thought to be the coldest day we have had. Caught a bad cold last night. The season is ver)^ extraordinary. About the middle of November cold weather came on and everything froze up. The weather continued freez- ing cold till the 26th of November, and ever since that it has been extreme. Winter is undoubtedly set in. Many people have now cider to make, corn and potatoes to gather in. Such a season cannot be remembered. ' Andrew Adams, graduate of Yale 1760, Member of Congress and Chief-Justice of Connecticut. He was King's Attorney be- fore tiie Revolution, and was a member of the Continental Congress. ^ Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Mar- shall, and Elbridge Gerry. ^ Josiah Buckingham Battel!, brother of Joseph Battell, who married Sarah Robbins, brother also of Sally Battell, who became the wife of Rev. Dr. Abel McEwen, of New London. The mother of these was Sarah Buckingham, of Milford, Ct., and hence Jo- siah Battell 's middle name. ■* Mrs. Lawrence, at Paris, N. Y. ^ Oliver Wolcott, LL. D., son of Roger Wolcott, Colonial Governor of Connecticut. Oliver Wolcott was born in Windsor, east side of the river, Nov. 26, 1726, but removed to Litchfield on his appointment to be high sheriff of Litchfield County in 1751. He was graduated at Yale in 1747. He died, as by the record above, Dec. i, 1797. It will be remembered that an entry in the diary in October, states that he was unable to be pres- ent at the meeting of the assembly. The Wolcott family furnished many valuable men for the public service. 46 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l797- 6. Read Mosheim. I find nothing more beneficial for a hard cold than exercise. 7. Rode out in a sleigh with my father. We hear now and then of a little attention to religion. 8. Made a syrup for the salt-rheum of winter-green, sarsaparilla, and black birch bark. 9. Worked some. The weather more moderate. At evening, my brother A. and his wife came over to make us a visit. ID. Had no room to sit in our pew.' We are troubled about my sister B. 11. Had some clothes made. People apt to run to see shows. 12. Considerable noise in town about our pew in the meeting-house. 13. Rode down to Torringford, and agreed to take a school at a shilling a week by the scholar. "^ 14. Rode home. Very warm, so that the frost breaks through, and people are making cider. 15. Rode to Canaan, and had a coat cut out. A cold rain. 16. Traded considerably. Cold; the thaw over. Read some. Wrote a letter to Davis and another to Denison,^ now preceptor at Williamstown. 17. We hear now and then of a little religious interest. Laics Deo. 18. My father desired the town to let him have a pew in the meeting- house. It was debated, and they refused. Giles Pettibone" talked extremely saucy. 19. Had some clothes made ; a jacket I cut myself sets very well. Ex- treme cold. Finished reading the fourth volume of Mosheim. 20. Rode down to Torringford with my brother F.^ 21. By far the coldest day we have had. Felt much concerned about Frank,* after he went away, on account of the cold. In the afternoon began my school. 22. Boarding at Mr. Battell's. Weather moderates. 23. Cold for a long time past, but no sleighing. Mr. Mills' went over to preach at Litchfield. They are destitute. 24. No preaching. I read all day. Difficult moving; ice. 25. What time I can get reading Dr. Trumbull's History of Co?inccticut^ ' There seems to have been an outbreak ^ Francis LeBaron Robbins, who carried at Norfolk, of the fierce democratic spirit him down to Torringford to keep school, sitting in judgment on the minister's rights * This is short for his brother Francis and privileges. LeBaron. ^ This is not the old shilling of the pounds, ^ Samuel J. Mills, minister at Torringford shillings, and pence order, as we understand, from 1769 to 1S33. but the more modern New England shilling, ^ Dr. Benjamin Trumbull, minister at North or the sixth part of a dollar. With thirty Haven, Ct., from 1760 to 1820. The first vol- scholars this would give five dollars a week, ume of his History of Connecticut had just which meant far more then, than the same been published, when Mr. Robbins went to sum now. Torringford, and was eagerly read all over ^ Charles Denison. the State. The second volume did not ap- * Giles Pettibone was a prominent man in pear until 181S. It still remains a book of town, and had been often representative to authority, and is much prized among schol- the assembly. ars, especially Connecticut men. 1797'] TEACHING AT TORRINGFORD. 47 26. 1 have a very good school of youths, about twenty-five. Rainy. 27. Very cold. Trumbull's history very good. My father preached a dedication sermon at Torrington.' 28. At evening attended a brilliant wedding. Stayed too late. 29. The English have defeated the Dutch fleet in a great naval fight.^ 30. At night received a good letter from mamma, and one from Mr. Gil- man at Marietta. Read Newton's^ Letters. 31. Pleasant weather. Good preaching. Read Theological Magazine. Wrote a letter to mamma. Thus another year has passed over me. How do I fall in debt every year. I resolve and resolve and that is the most. O, for assistance that I may live answerable to mercies received. * Torrington is the town of which Tor- Duncan defeated the Dutch fleet under ringford is a parish. Admiral De Winter, the latter losing fifteen ^ This was the battle of Camperdown, ships, fought Oct. II, 1797, in which Admiral ^ Rev. John Newton January. 1. Have a poor heart and little inclination to begin the year as a moral agent and an accountable being ought to do, 2. At night received letters from my sister S., my cousin P. Starr, and from Davis. 3. Much dejected in spirits. May it be a means of giving me true humility and submission. Read in Mr. Newton's Letters to his Wife. 4. My school increases. Read Pope's Homer's Iliad} 5. Considerable snow last night and today. 6. Talked seriously to my school. Very much pleased with Homer's* Iliad, 7. Read the Theological Magazine. Great things doing to Christianize the heathen. May they be succeeded. At evening attended a singing meeting. 8. Read ^ixe.ic\i's Beauties 0/ Ilistory.^ At night it snowed. Wrote home. 9. At evening began an evening school. At length a definitive treaty of peace is concluded between France and Germany, A very good newspaper this week. 10. Not very well. At evening wrote. Thawy weather. 11. Very cold. Read Stretch's Beauties of History. 12. At evening had a school. Unwell for the want of sufficient exercise, 13. Heard from home. Warm. Exercised considerably. 14. At evening wrote to my sister S., and to Esther Robbins. 15. Very warm. The snow goes very fast. Read Beauties of History. 16. Yesterday a young man at Norfolk had his arm cut off; a misfortune in bleeding. 17. A thorough January thaw. Things in France appear unfavorable to- wards the United States. Read. 18. Had some occasion for reproof in my school. Cold, 19. I get tired and almost sick with my school day and evening, 20. Went to live at Mr, Mills's. Read Mr, Strong against Universalists,^ ' The translation of Homer's Iliadhy Pope Calvinism Improved, from the pen of Dr. Jo- was first published by subscription from 17 15 seph Huntington, of Coventry. Dr. Hunt- to 1720, but it has appeared in many editions, ington died in 1794, and the existence of any and found a multitude of readers in every such work was not known until after his generation since. death. It was Universalist in its doctrine. ^ L. M. Stretch's Beauties of History, pub- It was published in 1796, and was soon fol- lished in London 1797 and 1815. Two vol- lowed by a treatise from the pen of Dr. Nathan umes. Strong, of Hartford, entitled, 77/1? Doctrine of ^ One of the great theological events in Eternal Misery Consistent with the Infinite Be- Connecticut, near the close of the last cent- nez'olenceof God. This last was the work that ury, was the appearance of the book entitled Mr. Robbins was reading. 49 5© DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1798. 21. At evening went to singing meeting. Mr. M. preached closely on Divine Sovereignty.' 22. Connecticut River is now principally open. In the afternoon rainy. 23. Very cold. Sudden changes in the weather lately. Considerable speculation in the State concerning a Lieutenant-Governor. 24. It appears the French are about to destroy the Pope.^ The French are excessive haughty. 25. Considerably unwell. Thinking of a subject for a dialogue. Some headache. 26. Snowed, but warm. We have as yet had no sleighing of consequence. 27. Cold, and snowed hard all day. Talked seriously to my school. 28. Yesterday and last night the hardest storm we have had since March, 1796. People breaking paths. 29. Engaged writing a dialogue. Considerably troubled with a pain in my jaw. 30. Pleasant weather, and excellent sleighing. 31. Towards night rode home. Found at my father's Uncle Starr, Peter, etc. My father has a great deal of company.^ February. 1. Very cold and blustering. Wrote some. My brother* does a great deal of business as sheriff. 2. Visited the school. Saw Combs,^ the scholar, at Williams College. 3. Rode back to Torringford. Cold. Very good sleighing. 4. Mr. Mills gone to preach at Winsted, now vacant.^ Read all day. My classmate King' came here ; brought a letter from Davis at Somers. I wrote back to Davis. 5. Had a very good visit from King. Wrote on a dialogue. 6. Our commissioners in France in a very critical situation. 7. Cold, and very good sleighing. My school improves very well. 8. Extreme cold. I pray in the family in Mr. Mills's absence. 9. Have very full evening schools. It seems the whole world is engaged in sleighing. 10. Heard from home. Saw Lee's new arithmetic. Appears pedantic. 11. At even finished my dialogue. Read. Mr. Mills preached on the Ten Commandments. ' This was a favorite topic with the New * Nathaniel Robbins. England divines a hundred years ago. * There was no graduate of Williams Col- ^ They did greatly cripple his temporal lege by the name of Combs. He may have power, and broke in upon it still more in the been in the Academy. present century ; but the Pope is not yet * Rev. Ezra Woodworth, who had been destroyed. settled in Winsted in 1792, was about to leave. ^ It is more and more evident that the ^ Salmon King. He and Davis were at So- parsonage at Norfolk was a center of many mers, Ct., studying theology with Dr. Charles varied influences. Streams were flowing in Backus, at that time one of the most conspic- and cut continually. uous theological teachers in New England. 1798.] TEACHING AND STUDYING THEOLOGY AT TORRINGFORD. 51 12. Mr. Bordwell,' of Kent, and wife, came here for a visit. Instructive, though odd. 13. Troubled some with a pain in my jaw. Great noise at Congress that Mr. Lyon has spit in Mr. Griswold's ' face. 14. Snowed considerably. Mr. Bordwell preached a lecture. Evening wrote. 15. Warm. At evening wrote a letter. Congress too much in parties. 16. Fine sleighing. Mr. Bordwell went home. Read in l^&\Vs^ Letters to Paine. 17. Wrote to Joseph BattelL* Wrote. Considerably unwell. Cold. 18. Mr. Mills in sermon represented Christ sold at vendue.^ The Theo- logical Magazines arrived. 19. The Magazine vQxy good. The missionary spirit increasing. Wrote very late. 20. My school does very well. At night very cold and stormy. After long debate in Congress, Mr. Lyon ' was not expelled. 21. Quite sick all day with a pain in my jaw. Dismissed school. 22. Feel much better. Read Magazine. At evening saw S. Kingsbury from Norfolk. My brother James sick. 23. Quite thawy all day. Snow goes very fast. 24. Talked seriously to my school. May I do some good. Read Magazine. 25. Snowed. Felt something serious. At evening walked up to Dr. Woodward's.' 26. Cold. All freezes up. Went to Col. Strong's.^ Congress conducts ridiculously, 27. Mr. Griswold and Mr. Lyon at Congress have been fighting.' Very cold. Heard from home. 28. Gave my dialogues to my school. Conversed with Mr. jNIills on Divinity.'" ' Rev. Joel Bordwell, minister at Kent from 1758 to 181 1, when he died. He was graduated at Yale in 1756. ^ The persons engaged in the quarrel were Mathew Lyon, of Vermont, and Roger Gris- wold, of Connecticut. Lyon was a Democrat, and a somewhat notorious character. Roger Griswold was a distinguished Federalist, and was afterwards Governor of Connecticut. ^ David Levi, a tradesman of London, of considerable fame as a writer and man of learning. •♦ Who afterwards was united in marriage with Mr. Robbins's sister Sarah. ' Mr. Mills in his pulpit performances couM say and do things, that in other men would have seemed odd, but were natural and admissible with him. * There was an effort to expel him for his low and dirty act, but the effort miscarried. In iSoi, it will be remembered that Mr. Jef- ferson and Mr. Burr had an equal number of electoral votes, and the man who turned the scale for Mr. Jefferson is said to have been this Mathew Lyon. ' Dr. Samuel Woodward, an honored phy- sician. ^ Col. John Strong. 9 As Congress did not expel Mr. Lyon, the affair led on to a personal encounter. '° Mr. Mills was not so much known as a theologian as a man of broad and general power, with a quaint stj'le of speaking and writing. In those respects he was one of the most original and well-known preachers of his generation. 52 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1798. March. 1. Good sleighing. Some unwell. At evening rode over to Torrington.' 2. In the morning rode back. Had a ver}' good visit at Mr. Gillet's.^ Rainy and hail. 3. My school engaged learning dialogues. Robberies and murders grow frequent in this country. 4. At evening wrote. In the afternoon Mr. Woodworth,' of Winsted, preached here. 5. At evening made some visits, A very great and universal cry for hay. 6. Was invited to a ball. At my evening school went deep into mathe- matics. For equal mills, as the square of the hight of one dam multiplied by its quantity of water, so is another. 7. Much distressed with my old pain in my jaw. Wrote. 8. My boys spoke one dialogue. Poor but hopeful. In evening wrote a short dialogue. g. Quite warm. The sleighing seems to be going. 10. Sap runs a little. Mr. Hallock* came here from Simsbury to preach. Some awakening up the country. 11. A very uncomfortable storm. At night wrote on an oration for my exhibition. 12. At evening had a peculiar interview with . The sleighing is gone. 13. Went to board at Col. Strong's.^ Finished my night-school. 14. Saw Uncle Starr. Mr. Griswold,* of New Milford, has published a piece defaming that association. 15. Saw Mr. Judson, of Sheffield. Wrote home. Merchants break very frequently. The King^ of Prussia is dead. 16. Dreadful stirring. People begin to make sugar. 17. Walked up to see Bissell,* formerly a scholar at our house. Many people are going up to Winsted to have the small-pox. 18. Saw Josiah Battell. Roads and turnpikes very much the rage of the day. ' Torrington Centre was a few miles from Torringford. ^ Alexander Gillet, native of East Granby, graduate at Yale in 1770; settled in Wolcott, Ct., 1773 to 1791; settled in Torrington 1792 to 1826. ^Church in Winsted organized in 1790; Ezra Woodworth, first pastor from 1792 to 1799. * Rev. Jeremiah Hallock, pastor at Can- ton Centre from 1785 to 1826. He received the degree of A.M. from Yale in 1788. ^ Col. John Strong, a native of Windsor, Ct., born in 1733, and one of the early settlers on the west side of Torrington. ^ Rev. Stanley Grisvvold was a native of Torringford, graduated at Yale in 17S6, set- tled at New Milford in 1790, and dismissed in 1802. While pastor at New Milford he embraced Unitarian sentiments, and involved himself and his church in a course of disci- pline. '' Frederick William H. ^ The second settler in Torringford was Benjamin Bissell, who went there in 1745. His descendants were numerous. 1798.] TEACHING AND STUDYING THEOLOGY AT TORRINGFORD. 53 19. My school much engaged preparing for exhibition. Griffin,' a college acquaintance, called to see me. 20. There is every appearance that the French are determined to go to Great Britain Our commissioners not like to do anything. 21. Parties high at Congress. Went to board at Mr. Battell's.^ A hard storm. 22. At evening my children^ spoke their dialogues very well. Poor weather for sugar. 23. At night rode out. Got some warm sugar. 24. Took a very affectionate leave of my school. A peculiar scene. Made out the school-bill ; a great job. Very stormy. 25. The winter breaking up. Very bad going. 26. Helped my boys to make a stage in the meeting-house.'' Fixed things in good order. All feel much engaged in the exhibition. 27. We had, I think, the best exhibition of a school I ever saw. All my own composition. I closed with an oration. At night had an agreeable company at Mrs. Battell's. My father came down, brought me a horse, and attended the exhibition. 28. My wages for thirteen weeks, boarding myself (which was low),' were sixty dollars. People paid me very cheerfully. Had a great audience yesterday. 29. Rode home. Snow in the road a great part of the way. Dangerous riding. 30. Very warm ; snow goes very fast. My cousin, G. Thompson,* must die soon by reason of his intemperance ; very stupid. 31. My sister B.'s family more peaceable. The streams very high. I think I gain constantly in the knowledge of geography and history. April. 1. My father exhibited the proclamation for a Fast. Our nation and State are in great danger of internal commotions. May God save this nation as he has heretofore. 2. Wrote the former transactions of my life. Finished my first little diary. Rainy. The season is backward. A good deal of snow yet. Very little sugar weather. A very great scarcity of hay. Danger that many cattle will die. A very great spirit of litigation prevails; eight hundred cases before the present county court. I had a very agreeable school at Torringford. They improved beyond all expectation. My connection with them was very ' George Griffin, in the class of 1797 at ' That is, his board was low, probably not Yale. more than a dollar a week. - William Battell. ^ Irene Robbms, of Branford, Ct., sister of ^ The younger scholars of the school, for Rev. Ammi Ruhamah Robbins, married Mr. whom he had written a special dialogue. G. D. Thompson. G. Thompson is doubt- * In the old New England towns, the meet- less one of her sons. His mother was ing-house had to serve for almost all public living at this time at Plymouth, Massa- occasions. chusetts. 54 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1798- agreeable. I was never irritated or spoke a cross word to one of them. Their affection and esteem for me appeared to be no less than I had for them. They were generally from fourteen to eighteen years of age ; and on the whole I do not believe there is a more agreeable school in the country. 3. There has been a good deal of cider' made this spring, as well as in the winter thaws. Dreadful going. Attended the concert of prayer. It snows. 4. Difficulties in my father's church. Parties in Congress seem to be permanently fixed. The French take our vessels at a great rate. 5. Reading Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws.^ Wrote to the printer at Hartford. 6. Fast day. My heart very cold in the duties of religion. A young child died in town with a scald. 7. The Democrats made a great stir in this State to influence the ensuing election for Congress. Read Mosheim's History. 8. Read History of Redemption. Quite warm. The ground settles very fast. 9. In consequence of some late news from Congress, handbills were sent last night from Litchfield through the country. They had a very good effect. The Democrats ^ had scarcely any votes ; not one here. 10. The President of the United States* has issued a proclamation for a National Fast. Opened a potato hole ; half rotten. 11. Finished Mosheim's Ecclesiastical Histoiy? Very good and useful. May I retain. 12. Began to read Prideaux's* Connections. Rainy. Our country seems in a degree in commotion. 13. Worked considerably. Drove plough ; caught cold. 14. Troubled some with rheumatism. Metallic points useful. Read. Rainy. 15. Mr. Morgan, about to settle at North Canaan, preached here, my father preached there. 16. Read Prideaux. Streams very high. It seems that the country will be almost ruined by litigation. ' The family cider was regarded as one of has been reading Mosheim's Ecclesiastical His. the essentials of life, and if it could not be /t7r;y for some months. Mosheim died in 1755, made in the fall, it must be made in the at the age of sixty-one, while connected with spring. We remember that apples were buried the University of Gottingen. His works were in the fall. Out of these probably the spring first translated into English in 1764, but a cider was made. much better edition was furnished by our ^ Esprit des Lois first published in 1748. own countryman, Dr. James Murdock, in " One of the most laborious books ever writ- 1845. ten." ' Dr. Humphrey Prideaux, whose Con- ^ Connecticut was then very strongly Fed- nection of the Old and yV^tc Testament with the eral. History of the Jeius and Neighboring Nations * Second year of President John Adams's has been of such service to scholars. He administration. was born at Padstow in Cornwall, England, ^ It will be remembered that Mr. Robbins in 1648, and died in 1724. 1798.] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. CC 17, Very cold for the season. Ground so frozen that it can't be plowed. Bought Dr. Trumbull's History of Connecticut. 18. The papers give us the instructions to the French commissioners, and the accounts received from them. France determines all nations shall be tributaries. War seems inevitable. Worked some. Connecticut River has not been known so high for many years. Universally the streams are at a very unusual hight. The great depth of the frost has made a long season of mud, and almost impossible to move. The ground not settled yet. We have had a very long and severe winter. I think the longest, though not the cold- est, I can remember. ig. Warm. At night finished the first part of Prideaux's History. 20. Yesterday we had the melancholy news of the death of our cousin, George Thompson.* He died of a kind of a consumption occasioned by his licentious life. A great deal of rain this spring. 21. My mamma much troubled with complaints, nervous, etc. Quite un- well. Quite warm. Made a syrup to drink for the salt-rheum. 22. Rainy. I grow better in health since I came from Torringford. 23. Read the History of Connecticut.^ Worked considerably. 24. My father went to Stockbridge to be doctored for his old difficulty. Public news very interesting. 25. My father returned without effecting anything. Worked pretty hard. 26. Worked. Made a very good great gate for a fence. 27. Very hot. Our National Fast is put off by reason of our election. 28. A very hot and growing time. On the 24th bought Ramsay's^ History of the American Revolution. Read it. 29. A man at Southington lately died with the hydrophobia. Missionary societies I fear will be too common.* 30. Quite warm. A family in town poisoned eating herbs. Read Ramsay's History. May. 1. Worked. Put on linen clothes for the first time. Extremely hot. 2. The conduct of the French towards this country is nearly equal to a declaration of war. In the afternoon a very great shot of rain.^ 3. My classmate King* came here to make me a visit. Afternoon he preached a lecture. The first preacher in the class. * Vide note on March 30th ult. expression " shot of rain." The word must ^ Trumbull's. have been used in those days to signify a ^ David Ramsay, M. D., born April 2, 1749, sudden and powerful shower, perhaps accom- in Lancaster, Penn., graduated at Princeton panied with high winds. College in 1765, settled in Charleston, S. C, ^ Salmon King, who had been studying as a physician, and became eminent. His with Dr. Charles Backus, of Somers. He History of the American Revolution in two vol- had recently been licensed (April 10) by the umes, published in 1789. Tolland Association. "The first preacher * If there was danger of this when he in the class " means simply that he was the wrote, what shall we say now? But his fear first one of the Yale class of 1796 to receive was quite unnecessary. his license to preach. It was not yet two years ^ We have once before, at least, had this since he was graduated at Yale College. 56 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1798. 4. Wrote a letter to Uncle Robbins. My brother J. came from Hartford, having been after shad." Good luck ; one weighed above six pounds. 5. My father bought a number of apple-trees at 14^'. each. Worked a good deal setting them out. Read in Peter Pindar.^ 6. If it be such a trial to be excluded from the visible church, what will it be at last ? 7. Worked. Making a fence round the house. Dr. West came and tarried here going to election. The Democrats in this countr}' lose ground fast. 8. A great struggle in the State of New York for Governor. Mr. Jay has likely got it. My father had a small building drained. 9. . My father went to election. This is the day in all the States but this for the Fast. May God hear the prayers of his people. 10. Rained a little. The young people here very fond of balls; chil- dren too. 11. Finished the fence before the house. Jonathan TrumbulP is chosen Governor, and John Treadwell,* being the highest, is put in Lieutenant-Gov- ernor of this State. 12. Pettibone^ at Williams College, from this town, dangerously sick. His friends gone up. My father went to Canaan to preach. 13. IMr. Farrand^ preached here; seventy-eight years old. Holds his age remarkably. 14. Got the water on the mowing. The trees in full bloom. Cool weather steadily. 15. Dr. Elisha North thinks of settling in this town. Read Ramsay's History. Disturbances at Philadelphia at the late Fast. 16. This day the Fast was attended through this State. Pretty full meeting here. The first National Fast since I can remember.' Pettibone like to live. 17. Received a letter from my classmate Noble at William stown. Wrote to Sally Battell. iS. Read Ramsay. A very dry and cool season. ' May was the month for filling the Con- necticut shad barrel, or barrels, for the year. ^ Peter Pindar was Dr. John Wolcott, of England, born at Dodbrooke, Devonshire, in 1738, and dying in 1819. He was a very bold and effective satirist, and George III, Dr. Samuel Johnson, Boswell, and many others, felt the sharp arrows of his wit. ^ Jonathan Trumbull, of Lebanon, chosen Governor of Connecticut in 1798, to take the place of Gov. Oliver Wolcott, who died near the close of 1797, was the son of the famous Gov. Jonathan Trumbull of the Revolution- ary period. He was chosen each year for eleven years, till his death in 1809. He and his father were both graduates of Harvard College. ■• John Treadwell was of Farmington, and after the death of Gov. Trumbull just named, was Governor for t^vo years. He was the first President of the American Board of Foreign Missions. ^ Sereno Pettibone, who recovered from this illness, and graduated at Williams Col- lege in 1800. * Rev. Daniel Farrand had been settled at Canaan forty-six years, at the time of this preaching. He remained five years longer, till his death in 1803. ^ Our autumnal Thanksgivings have now all become National as well as State appoint- ments, but a National Fast has not occurred, as we remember, since the close of the War of the Rebellion. 1798.] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. 57 19. Worked a little at planting. The water very useful for the mowing. 20. Read Dr. West' on Infant Baptism. Some seriousness in some parts of the town. 21. Very warm. Read Ramsay. Rode. 22. Every preparation is making in the United States for war.^ War be- tween France and Switzerland. 23. Pettibone at college recovering. Worked some. Unwell. 24. Finished Ramsay's History. One of the most entertaining histories I ever read. Had a pair of boots made. 25. Rained a good deal. We have had none of consequence before since the 2d of the month. Read Peter Pindar. 26. Quite cool. Rode to Torringford with my sister Sally.^ Mr. Griswold, of North Milford, has ruined his character by imprudence.* 27. In the morning a little frost. Mr. Mills preached, and Mr. Gaylord,^ of Hartland, a third sermon. 28. A very hard rainy day. My friends at Torringford quite affectionate. Weighed one hundred and twenty-two pounds. 29. So rainy I could not ride home. Got all my pay for schooling. 30. Rode home with my sister. Switzerland seems fast falling a prey to the French. Traded considerably. 31. Read. Streams very high. A bad time for seeds to grow. Cold and wet. June. 1. Had some clothes made. Pained with a whitlow on a finger. 2. Worked a little at highways. Our representatives returned from the assembly. Went to see Pettibone ; recovering. It has rained every day this week, but the Sabbath. 3. My father exchanged with Mr. Morgan' at Canaan. A very great in- attention to religion prevails here. 4. Finished reviewing Dr. Ramsay. Mr. Backus's election sermon this year extraordinary. 5. Wrote a letter to my classmate Noble. Rode to Canaan with my father to attend an installation. Saw my classmate Denison' at Canaan. The French everywhere triumphant, are excessively haughty and proud ; every exertion is making to invade England, in which Spain and Holland will assist. Their projects in all parts, especially to the East, are romantic. . The balance of Europe seems destroyed ; what will be the event is left with the wise Disposer of all events. ' This was not Dr. Stephen West, of Stock- * Vide previous note, bridge, but Dr. Samuel West, of New Bed- ^ Rgy Nathaniel Gaylord, first minister of ford, Mass. West Hartland, settled from 1782 to 1841, fifty- ^ Notwithstanding all the ominous signs nine years. He graduated at Yale in 1774. growing out of the hostile movements of Eu- * Rev. Solomon Morgan, about to be in- ropean nations, we were happily saved from stalled at North Canaan, war, in those years. ' Charles Denison, of the class of 1796 at ^ Sally is Sarah Robbins. Yale. 58 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1798. 6. Mr. Morgan was installed at North Canaan.' Rode with my sister down to my brother Ammi's. 7. Rode home ; quite wet. Had a good visit. I never saw the streams in Canaan so high. 8. Read Dr. Trumbull's History. A late conspiracy is discovered, the most formidable in the records of time.^ The wet weather is extraordinary. On the last day of May Connecticut River was higher at Hartford than it has been for twelve years, except this last spring. Whole fields of summer crops destroyed. 9. Rode some. We have at length got fair weather after more than a fortnight of wet. 10. Felt very serious. The churches in the countrj^ apparently declining. At evening wrote to Sally Battell,^ Torringford. 11. Rode to Goshen, and back for my brother N.* My brother A.' quite sick with the colic. My mamma went over to Canaan. 12. Rode to Canaan. My brother low, but getting better. Warm. 13. Rode home with my mamma. Mr. Adams, of Canaan, much afflicted with my father's disorder. 14. Dr. North,^ of Goshen, came to our house and operated upon my father for his disorder. Quite warm. 15. Rode up to Stockbridge from Sheffield in the stage, to live with Dr. West.^ 16. Began to read Jones's^ Canon of the New Testament. May I be directed in my studies this summer. 17. Read the Magazine and Bible. I fear I don't know my own heart. 18. Read steadily. My health very good, but I fear it will be impaired by study. 19. A number of ministers with Dr. West went to Williamstown to association. 20. Very warm. Political union in the country ver}- much increases. The ' Rev. Solomon Morganwas installed June 6, over the church in North Canaan, where he remained till his death in 1S04. He had been previously settled in Voluntown, now Sterling, Ct. ^ "Corresponding Society of London was formed about the year 1791, to spread liberal opinions, and check the tyranny of the British government, then much alarmed by the French Revolution. Home Tooke and other members were tried and acquitted, October, 1794- The meetings of the society at Copenhagen Fields and elsewhere in Octo- ber and November, 1796, were termed trea- sonable. On April 21, 1798, Messrs. O'Con- nor, O'Coigley, and others, were tried for corresponding with the French Directory, and James O'Coigley was executed as a traitor, protesting his innocence, on June 7th." — ffaydn^s Dictionary of Dates, N'ew York, 18 j8, p. 148. ^ Afterwards married to Dr. Abel Mc- Ewen, of New London. * Nathaniel Robbins. ^ Ammi Ruhamah, of Canaan. '' Dr." Elisha North, who has been before spoken of as having thoughts of settling as a physician in Norfolk. ^ Dr. Stephen West, of Stockbridge. ^ William Jones, of England, known as " Trinity Jones " or " Jones of Wayland," a clergyman of the Church of England, and a voluminous writer. He was born at Lowick, England, 1726, and died in iSoo. 1798.] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. 59 President of the United States has addresses constantly from all parts of the country, of support, etc. 21. A growing season. Ministers returned. Read Jones. Wrote some. At Williamstown yesterday the thermometer rose to ninety-six. 22. A distressing thought that I have tried all my days to dishonor God. A very growing season. Dry. 23. All negotiation with France seems to be at an end. Two of our en- voys' have left Paris, one has arrived at New York. War seems begun. Finished reading Jones's Canon. Wrote a letter to Esther Robbins. Went into the water. 24. Last night a verj^ fine shower. Read in Dr. Dwight's sermons against Infidel Philosophy.^ Warm. 25. In the morning Dr. West told me I must write a sermon. I therefore set apart the day to fasting and prayer. Trust I had some help. O, for humility ! Wrote to my friend Davis ^ at Somers. 26. Began to write a sermon on John iii: 5. Read newspaper, etc. Had green peas. 27. Wrote most of the day. O, for assistance. Towards night walked out. 28. Finished my sermon. Suited myself better than I expected. Today I suppose there is an ordination at Sandisfield. Fine weather. 29. On the 29th made a commonplace book. Received a letter from my sisters. In afternoon Mr. Shepard,"* of Lenox, preached a lecture here. 30. Read Jones's = Catholic Doctrine of the Trinity. I have four first cousins in college ; ^ their fathers all educated at Yale, none of these there. Two at Harvard, one at Providence, and one at Williams. Attended a funeral of a young woman died in town. July. 1. Read the Bible. At night a hard shower. There seems to be as much religion in this as in most any town. 2. Excessive hot. The thermometer rose to ninety-two ; yesterday it was at eighty-eight. I could not be comfortable in any place with most of my clothes off. Wrote on the question : Does the Absolute Dependence of the Creature Tend to Unconcern and Security ? ' ' The three envoys to France were John '' Rev. Samuel Shepard, D. D., minister Marshall, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and at Lenox from 1794 to his death, January 5, Elbridge Gerry. The two former were re- 1846, a native of Chatham, Ct, and a gradu- quested by the French government to leave ate of Yale 1793. the country, while Elbridge Gerry was al- ' William Jones, just before noticed as lowed to remain. the author of the Canon of the Scriptures. ^ Two sermons on the Nature and Danger ^ These were Samuel Prince Robbins, of of Infidel Philosophy addressed to the candi- Harvard, Lewis Gould, of Harvard, Lemuel dates for the Baccalaureate in Yale College, LeBaron, of Brown, and Peter Starr, of 1797- Williams. 3 Henry Davis, his classmate at Yale, who ' This was one of the questions in the- is still at Somers studying theology with Dr. ology which Dr. West had probably given Charles Backus. him as a step in his theological training. 6o DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^TQ^- 3. Read Jenyn's Origin of Evil} Attended the concert. A violent shower while we were at meeting. 4. Independence is celebrated in almost every town. A great frolic. Wrote a piece on Decrees to send to Williamstown. 5. Wrote letters to my Uncle Robbins, and to cousin Sam. P. Robbins.^ Yesterday a man was very much hurt with a cannon at Lenox. A man lately killed himself in Washington. 6. Wrote on the question, Does Repentance Imply a Willingness to be Cast off Forever .-"^ Began a sermon on Rom. v: i. 7. Ver}^ barren in composition. O, for divine assistance, without which I can do nothing. Began a sermon on Rom. iii: ig. Wrote a piece for the newspaper on the ball in this town July 4th. 8. Wrote some. Read the Bible. Wrote at meeting. 9. Wrote almost all day. My piece published in the paper. Wrote a letter to my cousin P. Starr at Williams College, and sent my piece on Decrees. 10. Finished my sermon on Rom. iii : 19. Walked out. Quite cool. 11. Troubled with the headache. Read Edwards's Religious Affections^ The people in this countr}' generally very Federal on the Fourth of July. People generally wear cockades. Received a letter from my father. 12. Wrote letters to my father and my brother A. Wrote on a sermon. Democrats in Congress very impudent. 13. Attended the funeral of a woman who died of a consumption. At night Mr. Weeks ' and Mr. Smith, candidates, came here and lodged. People haying generally. 14. The Delaware, sloop of war, has taken a French privateer of twelve guns and seventy men. May this, our first stroke of war, be a prelude to a glorious success, under God. 15. Read the Bible. I am ver)' hardened and stupid. I think it is un- lawful for Christians to marr)' any other. 16. Finished my semion on Rom. v: i. It took me full three days. Con- gress has declared treaties with France void. A man lately died in London aged thirt}'-one. His hight seven feet and nine inches ! ! ! 17. Read Edwards's Religious Affectiotis, Received a letter from my cousin Starr at Williams College. Made a visit at Mr. Sedgwick's.^ 18. Quite wet and cool for the season. Congress has passed an excellent sedition bill ; in the House of Representatives forty-four to forty-one. 19. Wrote a letter to Mr. Day,' tutor at Williams College. Begun a sermon on Luke xii : 36. * Soame Jenyn. His works, including ' Holland Weeks, settled in 1799, at Wa- above, published in 1790, in four volumes. terbury, Ct. Graduated at Dartmouth in 1795, ' Dr. Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth, and and received the honorary degree of A. M. his son. at Yale in 1800. ^ This was one of the tough theological ^ Hon. Theodore Sedgwick, a native of points which students had to settle in their West Hartford, Ct., a man eminent in many own minds in those days. ways. * Pres. Edwards's treatise on the Religions ' Jeremiah Day, D. D., LL. D., afterwards Affectio7is was first published in 1746. President of Yale College from 1817 to 1846. 1798.] STUDYING THEOLOGY AT STOCKBRIDGE. 61 20. Wrote considerably. In afternoon walked out. People beginning to harvest. 21. Warm. The weather has been ver}' cool for the season and pretty wet for about a fortnight. Worked with Dr. West in hay. Tired. 22. At evening visited Esq. Bacon.' Read the Bible. Dr. West com- monly preaches forty-five minutes. 23. Finished my sermon on Luke xii : 36. We had cucumbers. The President of the United States has formally dismissed all French consuls, which closes all connection with France. On the i6th Congress closed the longest and most important session under our present Constitution. 24. Read Mason ^ on Self Knowledge. Mr. Hooker, of Goshen, here. Warm. 25. Wrote a lengthy letter to Esther Robbins ; another to my sister S. Finished reading Mason. 26. Failed of sending my letters. Received a letter from Mr. Tutor Day. My piece that I lately wrote for the paper is published in Porcupine's Gazette. Began a sermon on Isa. xxviii : 18. 27. Never had such a view of divine wrath. Unfortunate in composing. 28. \\Tote considerably. Excessive hot. Went into the water. 29. Mr. Shepard,^ of Lenox, preached here. Very warm; rainy. Read some in the Greek Testament. 30. Rode up to Williamstown. Very kindly received. The new college and new meeting-house go on fast. The former good, the latter elegant. 31. Attended the examination of the Seniors. I examined some.* Much less Democracy here than there was two years ago. August. 1. Examined a good deal. I think I never saw a class pass a better ex- amination. All were admitted for degrees ; twenty-eight in all.* At evening attended an exhibition of the societies. 2. Rode down to Stockbridge. Made a visit to Mr. Goodwin's* at Lenox. Ver}'- warm. ' John Bacon, native of Canterbury, Ct., were not able to graduate on Commencement graduate of Princeton College, 1765, first a Day were afterwards admitted to the bach- minister, and settled over the old South elor's degree. Church, Boston, from 1771 to 1775, then an ^ The following is fuller information re- able lawyer, resident at Stockbridge. specting Mr. Goodwin, of Lenox, spoken of - John Mason, of Cheshunt, Hartfordshire, in note under date, Jan. 4, 1796. His name Eng. was Joseph Goodwin, and he was the son of ^ Samuel Shepard, D. D. Benjamin and Hannah (LeBaron) Goodwin. * His school-teaching had doubtless fur- He was born in Boston, Dec. 26, 1761, and bished up his mind, so that asking questions in 17S4 married Susannah Keith, of Easton, was easy. Mass. He removed to Lenox in 1785, where ^ This was the fourth class graduating at he was engaged in the iron manufacture, and Williams College, and was a large advance was president of the Berkshire bank. He on the previous classes as to numbers. Mr. represented the town of Lenox in the Massa- Robbins states the number as twenty-eight ; chusetts Legislature for thirteen years. He but on the Triennial Catalogue it stands removed to Hudson, N. Y., in 181 1, and died thirty. Probably one or two members who there in 1822. 62 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1798. 3. Quite unwell with iri}- journey. Received a letter from my cousin S. P. Robbins. President Willard' not like to live. Unable to officiate at Commencement. Jerome,^ from Williams College, came here to study. We had green corn. 4. Finished my sermon on Isa. xxviii : i8. Read Magazim. 5. Read considerably. Rainy weather. The missionary ship, Duff, has been heard of at Canton. 6. Finished reading President Edwards's Religious Affections. The Eng- lish clergy are making resolves to observe Sabbath better than they have done. 7. Read Toogood's' answer to Mr. White on Dissenting from the Estab- lished Church. Walked out. 8. Began a sermon on Psalm xivi : lo. Very hot; last week and this the heat of har\'est. Generally in country good. 9. Finished my sermon I began yesterday. The heat almost makes me sick. Can hardly keep about. 10. Finished reading Toogood. A very growing season. My former classmate, B. Fowler,'* called to see me. For three days the heat has been excessive. The thermometer at about ninety-two and one half each day. 11. Almost sick with the heat. 12. Finished reading the Bible in course, which I began about the begin- ning of the last year. 13. Read President Stiles's* election sermon. Wrote a letter to my friend Davis at Somers. 14. Read some manuscripts between Mr. Bacon ^ of this town and Dr. Hopkins ^ on the Atonement. 15. Read Robinson's Proofs of a Co7ispiracy. Quite warm. Grasshop- pers very thick. 16. Began a sermon on Rom. vii : 24. A cloud seems to be thickening in Europe, soon to burst on France. " Ye shall hear of wars," etc. 1 7 . Steadily warm. Dr. Sargeant's daughter taken very crazy. Walked out. 18. Finished my sermon on Rom. vii : 24. Went into the water. Received a letter from my classmate Denison, tutor at Williams College. ig. Sickness begins to prevail considerably at Philadelphia. The Presi- ' President Joseph Willard, of Harvard tages afforded by the Church of England to College. His disease, whatever it was, did her communicants. not then prove fatal. He lived six years * Bancroft Fowler, his classmate at Vale, longer, dying in 1804. afterward Professor at Bangor Theological * Amasa Jerome, who was graduated at Seminary. Williams that j-ear. The Seniors were dis- ^ This sermon of Pres. Stiles was preached missed to prepare for Commencement, and in 17S3, just at the close of the Revolution- he came there probably to write his oration. ary War, and was memorable as a highly pa- He was afterwards pastor at New Hartford, triotic and historical production. Ct. 6 John Eacon, Esq., already noticed as ^ Rev. Charles Toogood, a dissenting min- once pastor of the Old South Church, Bos- ister, wrote a reply to a sermon published by ton. Rev. Thomas White, on the religious advan- '' Dr. Samuel Hopkins, of Xewport, R. I. 179S.] STUDYING THEOLOGY AT STOCKBRIDGE. 63 dent of the United States received with unfeigned respect in all places from Philadelphia to his home at Braintree. 20. Wrote a letter to my friend E. Watson, New York. Wrote in my common-place. Read the History of Popery. 21. Wrote to Denison at Williams College. Last night Mr. Williston,' the missionary, stayed here. He has the greatest appearance of piety and zeal of any man I ever saw. Began a sermon on Isa. xxvi : 4. 22. Wrote in the afternoon ; attended the funeral of an elderly man. Till now, it has been steadily hot for about three weeks. 23. Wrote. At noon my friend Davis came here. Just begun to preach. Rode to Lenox with him, called, etc. He is courting at Williamstown. 24. Wrote a piece for the paper here, addressed to the President and Trustees of Williams College. Read Robinson's Proofs of a Conspiracy^ 25. Finished my sermon on Isa. xxvi: 4. Read Robinson. Warm. Yellow fever prevails at Philadelphia. 26. Excessive hot. Read the Bible. I almost fear at times I am out of the reach of divine mercy. 27. Began a sermon on Jer. viii : 20. Wrote home. Read Lowman^ on the Revelation. 28. Wrote to Davis at Williamstown. Comfortable weather. 29. On the 27th my piece came out in the paper. Bonaparte is blocked up in Corsica by a British fleet. Rebellion high in Ireland. Rebels lost six thousand in one battle. Dr. Edwards here. 30. Finished my sermon on Jer. viii : 20. Cool weather. 31. Read Lowman.^ An excellent book. Afternoon attended a sacra- mental lecture. ** The summer is ended," and O may I not add the rest of the text with too great propriety. September. 1. Began a sermon on Eph. iv: 24. Finished Robinson's Proofs of a Conspiracy. Laus Deo, that that conspiracy has been detected. 2. Read Lowman. 3. In the morning my father came here and went on to Williamstown with Dr. West. Saw my brother James. 4. Rode to Williamstown ; very tired. My brother J. admitted into college ; passed a good examination. At even attended an exhibition of part of the Senior Class. I think I have been injured, but O may I feel that God works all things. 5. The Seniors exhibited very well. In the new meeting-house. An ' This was doubtless Seth Williston, a a time, but was found not to rest on truth, graduate of Dartmouth College in 1791. (See note June 8, 1798.) ^ John Robisoii (not Robinson). Proofs ^ Rev. Moses Lowman, an emment dis- of a Co}ispiracy against all the Religions and senting minister in England, of the last cent- Govermnents of Europe carried on in the Secret ury. Among other works he wrote A Pa7-a- Meetings of Free Masons, Ilhtminati, and Read- phrase and Notes on the Revelation of St. John, ing Societies. This book had a great run for London, 1737 and 1791- 64 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l798. agreeable Commencement. Many people. Kindly entertained at Esq. Noble's. Saw and conversed with Davis. 6, Directed my father to propound ine for a member of his church next Sabbath.' I fear I have gone wrong. O for light, particularly the knowledge of my own heart. Rode down to Lenox ; stayed^ at Mr. Goodwin's. Very tired. 7, Rode down to Stockbridge. At even Dr. West and my father came here. The corporation had a hard struggle to reintroduce Dr. Hopkins's system as a classic, but could not.^ 8. My father went off. Wrote. Read. Rebellion in Ireland runs high. The French conduct intolerably everywhere. 9. Finished reading Lowman on the Revelation. An excellent book. A species of Illuminatism in Leyden, near Deerfield. 10. Pretty warm. Finished my sermon on Eph. iv : 24, which is my tenth, and which concludes my study of divinity under an immediate instructor.^ Have lived very happily at Dr. West's, and I hope received much good in- struction. Parted with him at night affectionately. Board twelve weeks, six- teen dollars.* 11. Rode to Sheffield in the stage; from there home on horseback. Sickly at Sheffield. Sickness rages at Philadelphia, New York, New London, and some at Boston. Forty thousand said to be moved out of Philadelphia, and above fifty die some days.^ 12. Rode out with my father and attended a conference. Much affected. Very dry season. 13. My parents preparing to go their journey next week. Read some. Wrote, 14. Worked some. Very little fruit this fall. 15. Quite warm. I think this is the best year for Indian corn that I ever saw. Set apart this day for fasting and prayer for a preparation for the solemn covenant which I expect to enter into tomorrow. 16. My father preached upon the Qualifications for Communion. I this day entered into the most solemn and important covenant that I ever have or shall in this world. Last evening my brother A. and wife^ came here to go to Plymouth. Very hot. * Up to this time, notwithstanding all his * This board bill, which probably included religious exercises and emotions he has not instruction, shows the simplicities of the old felt himself worthy to be a member of the New England times, church. ^ The yellow fever "raged with unparal- ^ It will be remembered that Hopkins's leled violence in Philadelphia in October, 5)'j&/« ^Z>/Vv«//j' was thrown out from being 1762. . . This fever again spread great dev- a text-book at Williams College two years astation at Philadelphia in July, 1793, carry- before, ing off several thousand. It again appeared ^ The old system of theological instruction in October, 1797, and spread its ravages over was very short as compared with the modern the northern coast of America in September, seminary course. But Mr. Robbins had stud- 1798." — HaydiCs Dictionary of Dates. ied before at Mr. Judson's at Sheffield, and a ^ They came from Canaan, and stopped little at Torringford. over night. 1798.] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. 65 17. This morning my parents, my brother A. and his wife set off for Plym- outh in a wagon.* May God give them a prosperous journey. Wrote to Uncle Robbins. 18. Reading the fifth volume of RoUin's Ancient History, which I have not read before. 19. Whitewashed. Finished Rollin. Rained some. The season ver)' dry. 20. Wrote. Not very well. Bache,^ a Democratic printer in Philadelphia, of the paper Aiirofa, is dead. The yellow fever rages ver}^ much in Philadel- phia and New York. In the former about fifty or sixty die daily ; in the latter about forty. 21. Rainy. Worked some making a fence. Read Prideaux's Connections. ^ 22. Rode to Colebrook to see Dr. Edwards, In the afternoon worked getting in rowen. 23. No preaching. I read.' There seems to be some hopeful religious attention at Torringford. 24. Read Prideaux. Cool and dr}\ Few apples. 25. Rode with Dr. Edwards to Cornwall through Watertown. The asso- ciation began my examination.* 26. My examination was lengthy (about three and one half hours) and particular. Was licensed unanimously to preach the gospel. May I never forget my insufficiency, and constantly look to the infinite fountain for help. This morning there was some frost, which is the first we have had. Afternoon rode to Warren with Uncle Starr. If it were not God's will that I should become a preacher, I trust that I sincerely wished that I might not be licensed ; but as I was licensed unanimously, I humbly hope that it is God's will. Newspaper, under the head of New Haven, Sept. 19th, says : Died in this city of a lingering deca}^, Mr. Ebenezer Lines,^ in the eighty-first year of his age, well known to the public for his feats of strength and activity in his younger days, and for a fund of wit and humor through his whole life. 27. In the afternoon rode home. Regimental trainings ver^- frequent and common. Today at Norfolk. 28. Pretty cool. Attend to scholars. Made some blackball. 29. Veiy cool for the season. In the afternoon rode to Goshen to preach by exchange with Mr. Hooker.* 30. Felt disagreeably in the morning. Had a pretty good night. Preached ' The fact that he mentions the wagon, associations were accustomed to do their work implies that journeys of this sort were then thoroughl)-. more commonly made on horseback. ' When in college, in New Haven, Mrs. - Benjamin Franklin Bache, whose paper, Jeremiah Townsend, a widow, with whom the the Aurora, opposed Washington in his ad- writer boarded, used to tell out of her own ministration, and was now opposing Adams. knowledge and experience (for her memory ^ He had sermons enough, but he had not reached back before the Revolution) many yet been licensed to preach. funny stories of this Mr. Ebe.-ezer Lines. * It was the Litchfield North Association, ^ Rev. Asahel Hooker, minister at Goshen by which he was examined and licensed. from 1791 to 1810, known as an excellent The length of his examination shows that the theological teacher. 66 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROP.BINS, D.D. [179S. both parts of tlie clay ; succeeded better than I expected. After I began I felt considerable freedom ; trust I had divine assistance. O may I never be insensible of the infinite importance of the work, and of my own great insufficiency. October. 1. Rode home. Quite warm. Sold some fat cattle of my father's.' Dys- entery prevails considerably in country. 2. Sickness in our cities seems to increase. It seems to fall remarkably upon printers — Bache, editor of the Aurora, Philadelphia, Greenleaf, editor of Argus, New York, Fenno, editor of Gazette of the United States, Philadelphia, Webster, printer at Philadelphia, McLean, an editor of the New York Gazette, New York, and some others. 3. In New London about ten or twelve die in a week. Read Prideaux. 4. Worked some. Bonaparte is on the sea, and will probably experience a reverse of his success. 5. Worked. Making a walk before the house. 6. It has been ver}' warm all the week. It rained some. Wrote. Had some clothes made. 7. One of the most rainy days I ever saw, which we wanted very much. Preached both parts of the day.^ Tired. 8. Rainy. Dysentery prevails some in the country. Finished my black- ball ; ver)' good. 9. Worked considerably. The weather warm after the storm. 10. Rode to the south part of the town to attend a conference. Preached. Sickness more than ever in our cities. 11. Wrote. Rode about town. At night we had a great husking. Com very good universally. I think the best year for it that I ever knew. 12. Worked considerably. Quite warm. The season dry. 13. Finished our walk before the house. Expected my parents very much ; but they came not.^ 14. Preached all day. A full meeting. At e\ening had company. 15. My father had some cattle prized; very low. Young beef sells at 15 cents a hundred. All produce about as low as it was eight years ago. 16. Lyon, of Vermont, has lost his election ; and farther, has been tried and found guilty of sedition. Sentenced to four months' close imprisonment, and to pay a fine of one thousand dollars." 17. Yesterday rode down to Litchfield to attend an ordination. Heard ' By many entries in the diary, it will be ^ j^ ^^s Saturday, and as his father did recognized that young Robbins was brought not get home, the consequence was that he up to work and to business, as well as to had to preach again the next day, which he study. In those days almost all classes of rather dreaded. New England people worked with their *■ Mathew Lyon, who personally insulted hands. Mr. Roger Griswold, on the floor of Congress. ^ His father was away on his journey to It was easier to convict a man of political Plymouth, and he supplied the pulpit, crimes then than now. 1798.] AT HOME AT NORFOLK. 67 the examination. A great many ministers, but none asked ' to sit with the council. I was Icindly entertained at Esq. Lord's. Attended the ordination of Mr. Dan Huntington.^ I think the most people I ever saw on a similar occasion. Dr. Dana preached. In the afternoon rode home. Towards night my parents, brother A. and wife, with my cousin S. P. Robbins, arrived safely from Plymouth.' They have had a very prosperous journey. Laus Deo. 18. My Uncle Robbins in a poor state of health. Gillet," a candidate, came here to see us. 19. Quite cool. Read some strictures on Harvard College. 20. Rode to my brother's at Canaan. Read a sermon. 21. Preached for Mr. Farrand, who preached at Salisbury. 22. Had a serious talk with C. Robbins ; in danger of being unfortunately connected. Rode home. Very warm. 23. Read Prideaux. Rainy. There is an account that far-famed Bonaparte is captured in a naval engagement. We hope it is true. The French use every effort to ruin us by intrigue. Our people grow more united, and more exasperated with them. 24. Finished the third volume of Prideaux. Quite cold. At night Mr. Crossman^ and his wife came here and lodged. 25. Worked some. At night Mr. Weeks,'' a candidate, came here and tarried. 26. Quite warm. Wrote, Rode out to Canaan and traded. Gave a note. 27. Expected to have gone to New Marlborough to preach for Mr. Stevens ; ' apparently not like to live long. The afternoon being very rainy prevented. 28. Quite rainy all day. My father preached. Yesterday my Aunt Wood- bridge ^ came here from Warren on a visit. 29. Rode to Goshen with my aunt ; tarried at Mr. Hooker's. Ver}^ cold. 30. The factions are taken up on the new sedition law. Rode home. Wrote to J. Woodbridge,' Stockbridge. 31. My brother James went off to college at Williamstown. May he be carried safely through, and prepared for usefulness in his day. Made extracts from ancient history. ' That is, ivere asked. There is no fixed tied the next year (1799) in Gilead Parish, usage in this respect. Sometimes other min- Hebron, Ct. isters are invited, as a matter of courtesy, to ^ Joseph W. Grossman, minister at Salis- sit with councils, but certain ministers object bury, Ct. to this on the ground of the rules of Congre- ^ Holland Weeks, settled the next year at gational propriety. Waterbury, Ct. ^ Rev. Dan Huntington, as before stated, " Rev. John Stevens, of New Marlbor- was the father of Bishop F. D. Huntington, ough, Mass., who died on the 6th of January D. D., of Central New York. following. 3 This was the last time, probably, in ^ His Aunt Woodbridge, left a widow in which the brothers, Dr. Chandler Robbins, of Stockbridge, was making a stay now in War- Plymouth, and Rev. A. R. Robbins, of Nor- ren, with Rev. Peter Starr, who married her folk, ever saw each other on earth. sister. * Nathan Gillet, probably, who had just 9 J. Woodbridge was the son of Hon. Jah- graduated at Williams College, and was set- leel Woodbridge. 68 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l798- November. 1. Cold. Traded some. Received two letters from my friend J- Wood- bridge. Afternoon attended a sacramental lecture. Wrote. 2. Last night it snowed a good deal. Making out catalogues of ancient kings. 3. For four days now have studied closely. Yesterday our assembly rose.' They have incorporated the missionary society.^ 4. Came to the holy ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Had something of a sense of my own unworthiness. My father preached in the forenoon and I in the afternoon. 5. Last night it snowed some. Read Prideaux. Made an ink-stand. 6. It continues cold. Read considerably. Worked some. My brother A. here. 7. Had made a good new saddle and saddle-bags. My father pays for the saddle £3 12s., and I for the other ^i 5^. Attended a church meeting. An ugly difficulty. 8. Rode to Warren. Bad riding. There seem to be horse thieves in the country. 9. Rode down to Kent with my Uncle Starr. I never was at Kent before. Kindly received. 10. Visited some. Afternoon rode back to Warren. Very cold. 11. Preached for my uncle all day. At evening considerable company came in. 12. Rode home by Canaan. Found that a man had been to get me to go and preach at Marlborough.^ 13. Wrote a letter to Mr. J. Woodbridge. Bonaparte is in Egypt. He seems to find rather uncomfortable times. 14. Had some clothes made. Wrote a letter to Miss E. Robbins.* 15. Set out to go and preach at Marlborough. Exclusive of my library, which contains upwards of thirty volumes, I have no\v the use of a horse this winter, as my father designs to give me one next spring, a saddle, bridle, and saddle-bags new, and a little money. I am in debt about £4. los. With the money I have got keeping school, I have bought the chief of the clothes I have had since I left college, and paid Dr. West for my living there. By the help of Providence, I hope to be able now to support myself. I came on to New Hartford, and saw Baker who was hurt in a scrape at Capt. Austin's on the evening of the 29th of October, the worst I ever heard of. I came on to West Simsbury,' and tarried at Mr. Hallock's.^ A great awakening there. I preached at night at conference. A surprising seriousness and attention. Trust I was assisted. Some sweetly trembling and praising souls sta5'ed and ' This was the fall session, meeting about ^ Marlborough, Ct. the middle of October. ■• Esther Robbins, of Canaan. - The Connecticut Missionary Society, ' Now Canton center, which was the earliest of the .State mission- * Rev. Jeremiah Hallock, already noticed, ary societies in this country. A man of large influence. '798-] PREACHING AT MARLBOROUGH, CT. 69 conversed till near midnight. O may the great work prevail and spread over all the land. And all the praise be to God. 16. Mr. Gillet/ of Torrington, also at Mr. Hallock's. After some converse in the morning with three young women who tarried all night, and with the family, came off. I never witnessed such a scene before. A turnpike road is made from New Hartford to Hartford. Very good. Crossed the ferry at Wethersfield;^ bad. Arrived at Marlborough, about twenty miles from Hart- ford, at dusk in safety.' 17. This is a society formed of three towns in three counties."* The towns are Hebron, Colchester, and Glastonbury. 18. Last night there was considerable thunder. Rainy. Preached. A thin meeting. Very tired. The last week has been very good weather, and the snow went off in the beginning. 19. Quite rainy. The account is confirmed that Admiral Nelson has obtained a victory over the French fieet,^ though Bonaparte was not in it. I live at a certain Mr. Carter's. A good house. Began a sermon on Psalm ciii : 2 for Thanksgiving. 20. Began to read in the Bible at Psalms. O may I retain. It snowed here all clay. Wrote. 21. Wrote. Considerable snow. Began to read Morse's Universal Geog- raphy!' Cold. 22. Finished my Thanksgiving sermon. Read the Bible. 23. Read Morse. Walked out. Pretty good sleighing. 24. Read and wrote. May I be prepared for the approaching Sabbath. Bought me a new Psalm Book. 25. Rode to meeting. People here appear very hard. Talked very seri- ously with a young lady in the house. In future, when I am silent about it, it may be taken for granted that on the Sabbath I preached all day. 26. Many rejoicings in England for their late naval victory. Rode to Hebron, saw Mr. Basset,^ and my classmate King. Came back through Gilead. 27. Quite warm. The snow thaws considerably. Began a sermon on Jer. viii : 22. 28. Rode out. Wrote considerable. Read Bible. ' Rev. Alexander Gillet. '^ Marlborough, whither he was journey- ing, was southeast from Hartford, and his path would run naturally through Wethers- field. ^ From West Simsbury (Canton) to Marl- borough was a day's journey of not far from forty miles. ■* The three counties were Hartford, New London, and Tolland. ^ The battle of the Nile was fought Aug. I, 1798. * Dr. Jedediah Morse, of Charlestown, a native of Woodstock, Ct., graduate of Yale 17S3, published a small geography in 17S4. His larger work in two volumes was pub- lished in 1793, and in many future editions. He is known as father of American geog- raphy. ^ Rev. Amos Basset, D. D., was a gradu- ate of Yale in 1784, and received his title of D. D. from Williams College in 1817. He was pastor at Hebron from 1794 to 1824. He was a native of Derby, Ct. 70 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [179^- 29. Had a pretty lengthy exercise. Quite warm. The most pleasant Thanksgiving ' we have had for years. The snow in a great measure gone. Blessed be God that we have such great reason for thankfulness. O for hearts. 30. Slept very poorly last night. Wrote home. This society requested me to continue with them till the first of next April. I gave the committee some encouragement of staying. May God direct me in every undertaking. Have nervous feelings. December. 1. Wrote considerable. At night almost overwhelmed with the weight of the ministerial work. 2. It snowed considerably. People here attend meeting pretty well. Very nervous. 3. The late naval action took place in Rosetta Bay, in one of the mouths of the Nile. The English had twelve ships and two frigates ; the French thirteen ships and four frigates. Never a more complete victory. Of the French ships, nine were taken, two blown up, and two escaped ; frigates, one burnt, one sunk, and two escaped. Nelson the hero. Rode down to West Chester^ alias Pine Swamp, and made visit to Mr. Robbins;^ also to Colchester and agreed to exchange with Mr. Cone next Sabbath. 4. Began a sermon on Psalm Ixxx : 14-15. Had a scholar come to study with me. 5. Wrote. Some people in to see me. The librar}- of the society"* is brought to this house. Read some. 6. Finished my sermon on Psalm Ixxx: 14-15. Preached a lecture pre- paratory to the sacrament. It snowed. Received some money. 7. Wrote some. Have considerable many visitors. 8. Rode to Colchester to exchange with Mr. Cone.^ Afternoon it snowed. 9. Very cold and stormy all day. Very thin meeting. 10. Last night one of the most tedious snow-storms we ever have. Rode back to Marlborough. Cold. 11. Set out early to ride home. I believe the coldest day we have had. The snow about one and one half feet deep, and very little road. Arrived at Mr. Hallock's, West Simsbur^-, at dusk. Attended an evening lecture. Dr. Edwards* preached. A ministers' meeting there. 12. The ministers censured my dress.' Rode home. A ver}' poor path ' As to the state of the weather, he prob- country parish owned a parish library in ably means. I79^- 2 Usually spelled Westchester, a parish in * Rev. Salmon Cone, pastor at Colchester the town of Colchester. 1792-1830. A graduate of Yale 1789. 3 Rev. Robert Robbins, a graduate of Yale * Dr. Jonathan Edwards, of Colebrook. 1760, pastor at Westchester from 1764 to ' Probably because of his particularity in 1804. He was probably a descendant of the matter of his dress. But a young man lohn Robbins, of Wethersfield, and if re- who had made such a winter journey on lated at all to Thomas Robbins, only very horseback about forty miles, in extremely distantly. cold weather, and through untrodden snow, * It is interesting to notice that this plain need not be considered effeminate. lycjS.] PREx\CHING AT MARLBOROUGH, CT. 7t all the way. 1 never was more fatigued with any journey. I froze both ears. I crossed the river at Hartford yesterday in a boat. 13. Traded considerably. Rode out to Canaan in a sleigh. Warmer. At evening it snowed. 14. Snow very deep here ; almost two and one half feet generally. At the westward deeper still. Assisted in making my father's rate bill. 15. Rode to my brother A's in Canaan, and back in a sleigh. Cold. Very good sleighing. My father rode up to New Marlborough, to preach for Mr. Stev^ens ' in a dying state. 16. Preached. Extreme cold and windy. I suppose on account of my exercise and labor the week past, I have not felt so healthy and strong for a long time. 17. My cousin S. P. Robbins ^ in a school at Goshen. At evening we had some letters from my brother Tames ^ at Williams College. Wrote some. 18. Had a pair of socks made. 19. Had some clothes made by Warren, of Canaan. N. B. I suppose he took some cabbage.* Made a visit at Mr. Adams's. My friend J. \^'oodbridge came to my fathers and brought his brother Timothy' to live. The 15th, i6th, 17th days there was such a blast of wind from the northwest as I hardly ever knew. Happily, the snow being covered with a little crust, lay still. 20. Set out for Marlborough. Rode to West Simsbury. The road con- siderably filled up. At evening preached at Mr. Hallock's. The awakening appears as powerful as ever. We had a very solemn meeting. Many tears. O that the flame might spread to this place and to all places, for the sake of Christ. 21. Comfortable weather. Bought a number of books in Hartford. Good sleighing and a great deal of business doing. Crossed the river on the ice at Rocky Hill.^ At dusk arrived safely at Marlborough, my desired haven ; very tired. O for gratitude. 22. Wrote considerably. Read some. Settled my disordered things. Made some ink. Read Young's Night Thoughts. 23. Quite stormy. Read some. I live in an excellent family. Opposi- tion appears in Congress at the beginning of the session. 24. Wrote steadily. Very good sleighing. I don't like this part of the State as well as western. ' Rev. John Stevens, who died in the next ' Timothy Woodbridge, son of Hon. Jah- month, Jan. 6. 1799. He had been only a leel Woodbridge, of Stockbridge. He was little more than four years settled in New born Nov. 22, 1783, and was now nearly six- Marlborough. teen years old. He was brought to be fitted ^ Samuel Prince Robbins, son of Dr. for college. He was graduated at Williams Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth, He had in 18 12, and afterwards settled at Green graduated at Harvard, a few months before. River, N. Y. ^ James Watson Robbins, now in his '' Rocky Hill is five or six miles southerly Freshman year at Williams College. from Hartford, on the west side of the Con- *■ Mr. Robbins rarely, in his diary, in- necticut River, over against the southern part dulges in a joke ; but this may be accepted of Glastonbury, where Dr. Calvin Chapin was as something in that direction. so long pastor. •J2 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^TQ^- 25. Finished my sermon on Jer. viii : 22. At evening walked out. 26. Began a sermon on Psalm xc : 9. Rode out. It is an unhappiness that there are about six respectable families in this place who are churchmen. 27. Wrote. In sermonizing I commonly write about a page in an hour. Warm, and it thaws considerably. Read Thomson's Seasons. 28. Mr. Huntington,' the former minister here, called to see me. At night visited a rich, stupid, poor old man. 29. On the 25th wrote a letter to Lewis Adams, Hartford. Wrote consid- erably. Rainy. Mr. Asa A. Mills and wife from Norfolk, called to see me. 30. Quite blustering. Preached very seriously. The people here appear serious, but secure. I think there has not been greater preparations for war in Europe since the beginning of the present war than now. 31. Made several visits. Rode to Easthampton (Chatham) and saw Mr. West,^ minister there. Had some dispute with a churchman. Thus "another year " rolled over my head. A retrospective view certainly ought to fill me with shame and humility. ' Rev. David Huntington, a graduate of ^ Rev. Joel West, a graduate of Dartmouth Dartmouth 1773, minister at Marlborough 1789, minister at East Hampton 1792-1825, 1776-1797, a native of Lebanon, Ct. a native of Columbia, Ct. January. 1. Finished my last year's diary. Attempted to fast and pray. Cor- ruptions of heart ver}^ great. Wrote a long letter to two young ladies in the house, Misses J. and E. Carter. Wrote a letter home. Snowed considerably. 2. Mr. Mills from Norfolk called here, going home. Wrote. Read Thomson's Seasons. 3. Finished my sermon on Psalm xc : 90, It snowed considerably. Company here from abroad, 4. Began a sermon on Mark xvi : 16. The text given me by a friend. Good sleighing as can well be. 5. Very cold. Mr. Carter has cut an oak-tree, and brought it up for wood, which had in a hollow in the upper part a root of spikenard, now alive, having grown two summers at least. Wrote. 6. Snowed a little. Weather very severe. At evening had company. France seems to be losing strength as fast as she ever got it. Commodore Warren has beat them in a sea fight.^ 7. Visited some. Read. Too much given to levity. 8. Wrote steadily. Weather moderates. Finished reading Thomson's Seasofis. 9. Last night it snowed some. Rode to Gilead in a single sleigh. Saw my classmate King,^ now preaching there. ID. Rode back to Marlborough. Weather very pleasant; thaws consid- erably. Received a letter from my father. Snow at Norfolk nearly four feet deep. 11. Wrote considerably. Quite warm. I think I never wrote easier than now lately. 12. Wrote all day. Snow goes very fast. Feel very unfit for the great work to which I am called, of preaching the gospel. 13. It snows some. People here pretty good to attend meeting. 14. Wrote, endeavoring to make some records of this church, which must be taken by verbal accounts.^ The sleighing is gone. 15. Rode with the school visitors, and saw the schools in the society. Read ^ohxnson's* Proofs of a Conspiracy. I Oct. 12, 1798, a French fleet of nine this business for some time, as will be seen ships carrying troops to Ireland was attacked by later entries. In some cases he had to by Sir John Borlasse Warren, and five of gather the facts by personal inquiry, the ships were captured. "* This was not Robinson, but John Robi- ^ Rev. Salmon King, his classmate at son, who wrote a book entitled, Proofs of a Yale. He was a native of Vernon, Ct. In Conspiracy against all the Religions and Gav- 1800 he was settled in Manchester, Ct. ernments of Europe, etc., which was after- ^ The church records in Marlborough had wards regarded as a false alarm. (See pre- bcen neglected. Mr. Robbins wrought at vious notes.) 73 74 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. ['799- i6. Visited the other schools. There are five in the society. Bad riding. Read. 17. Had the headache hard. Wrote some. At night quite sick. 18. So unwell unable to study. Visited all day. Quite warm. 19. Wrote to my Uncle Robbins. Afternoon rode to Gilead to exchange with Mr. King. 20. It rained some. There appears to be but little religion in the world. 21. It snowed considerably. Rode back. Visited. Quite cold. 22. Wrote all day. At night finished reading Robinson's Proofs. An excellent book. 23. Wrote. Got a bad tremor by a little violent exercise. Read consid- erably. 24. Wrote a good deal. Read some in Col. Humphrey's' works. At night it snowed some. 25. Rode out and visited some old people in the society. There are several people here past eighty, and some over ninety years. I live in a very agree- able family. 26. Finished my long sermon on Mark xvi: i6. Rainy. Very little sleighing. 27. In the morning it rained hard. Mr. Skinner,^ a native of this place, late minister at Coventry, preached for me in the afternoon. 28. Rode to Lebanon. Visited Mr. Gurley,^ Exeter society, and tarried with Mr. Ely at the old society. Quite cold. 29. Visited Mr. Brockway* at Lebanon Crank. Saw some college friends studying law at Hebron. Rode back to Marlborough. Began a sermon on Isa. xli : 21. 30. Awakening very great and remarkable at Hartford. Was called to see a woman very sick. 31. Wrote some. Had company. Something of the headache. Read in the History of Peter the Gr-eat. February. 1. Wrote fast all day. At evening walked out. Mr. Perry,^ of Rich- mond, and his wife came here on a visit. 2. Finished my sermon on Isa. xli : 21. Began another on James iii : 19. ' Col. David Humphreys, son of Rev. had been settled at North Coventry 1794- Daniel Humphreys, minister of Derby, Ct., 1798, and was now dismissed. 1733-1787- Col. Humphreys was graduated ^ Rey_ jQ^n Gurley, a graduate of Yale at Yale College in 177 1, was aid to Gen. College, 1773, minister in Lebanon, Ct. (Exe- Israel Putnam, and to Gen. Washington. ter Parish), 1775-1S12. He was the father He was afterwards Minister to Portugal and of Rev. Ralph R. Gurley. .Spain. He was the author of a Life of Putnam, * Rev. Thomas Brockway, minister at Leb- and of many miscellaneous writings in poetry anon Crank (now Columbia), 1772-1S07. and prose. s Rgy, David Perry, a native of Hunting- "" This was Rev. Ichabod Lord Skinner, a ton, Ct., graduate of Yale, 1772, minister at graduate of Yale in the class of 1793, who Richmond, Mass., 1784-1816. 1 799-] PREACHING AT MARLBOROUGH, CT. 75 3. Last night a pretty deep snow fell. Mr. Perry refused to preacli." Very tired. 4. Rode out. Wrote home. Wrote to Ur. West, of Stockbridge. Pretty cold. Good news of awakenings in Litchfield County. 5. Good sleighing. Rode and visited. Wrote some. 6. Finished my sermon on James iii : 19. Began another on Rom. xiii: 13. Quite pleasant. 7. Wrote some. Afternoon preached a private lecture. Very cold. Read Mr. Pickering's^ report on French affairs. 8. Wrote all day. At evening walked out. At night it began to rain. 9. Very rainy all day. The snow gone. At night read Davies's^ sermons. ID. People here very attentive, though no special seriousness. I hope I have killed the half way practice in baptism here."* Talked ver}' seriously v\-ith young women in the house. 11. Rode out and visited. Read the History of Peter the Great. 12. Received a letter from Mr. West,' of Easthampton. Had company. Was called to see a young woman in a dying state. O my stupidity ! Cold. 13. Wrote some. The young woman I went to see last night is gone. Had company. 14. Mr. Morgan,* minister at North Canaan, called to see me. He tells me my Aunt Woodbridge is not like to live long. Rode to Easthampton, preached a sacramental lecture, and returned. 15. Began a sermon on Job xiv : 2, Attended the funeral of Lucy Car- rier. Veiy many people. Cold and tedious. 16. Finished my sermon on Job xiv : 2. At evening read. ' It was hardly fair to hinder a young min- use, without, it would appear, any formal ac- ister by visiting and then not preach for him. tion of the church upon the subject. ^Timothy Pickering, a native of Salem, "The following anecdote is given on the born in 1746. From 1795 ^^ 1^°° '"'^ ^^^ authority of Mr. Cone: 'While the society United States Secretary of State. was holding their meeting to vote on the ^ Rev. Samuel Davies, President of Prince- cjuestion of his settlement, and the members ton College. of the church were assembled by themselves '* The half-way covenant plan of baptism /;/ one of the pews, to act on the same que^- and church-membership was widely going out tion, a member of the society casting his eyes of use in the closing years of the last century, toward the little company, inquired whether and the opening years of the present. To the same number of persons could not be show the condition to which the half-way picked from among them equal in all re- covenant had reduced the church in the spects to those church-members. A vener- neighboring town of Colchester, we copy the able member of the society by the name of following from the Contributions to the Ecclc- Wright, made the laconic reply, ' You need siastical History of Connecticut, p. 364: not pick.' To so low a state was the church " In a paper submitted by the church to reduced in point of numbers and standing." Mr. Cone for his assent, as a condition of his ' Rev. Joel West, already noticed, settlement " (Mr. Salmon Cone was settled * Rev. Solomon Morgan, a native of Gro- there in 1792), "it is stated that the half-way ton, minister in North Canaan from 1798 to covenant had been a stanchng regulation of his death in 1S04. He had been previously the chiuch from the time of its organization settled in Canterbury, Ct., and in Sterling, (1703), but during his ministry it went out of Connecticut. 76 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l799- 17. It snowed most all day. Very tired with preaching. 18. Rode to Hartford. Difficulty in crossing the ferry. A great awaken- ing there. Attended a conference ; very full. Prayed, etc. Many under the most powerful conviction ; and many rejoicing Christians. Very kindly en- tertained at Mr. Strong's. O that the glorious work may become universal. Received a letter from my father, announcing the melancholy death of my dear Aunt Woodbridge.' She died on the 9th instant. 19. Mr. Strong, of Hartford, is a Free Mason; but he gave me as great an impression of their ridiculous frivolities as I have ever had. Dr. Hopkins,^ of Newport, has lately been struck with a fit of the numb-palsy. Returned. Bought some books. Became acquainted with Mr. Lockwood,^ of Glaston- bury. Read Abclard and Eloisa.* 20. Began a sermon on Ps. xxv : 11. Rode out in a sleigh. 21. Rode with the visitors, and saw the schools. Read Abelard and Eloisa. 22. Wrote considerably. At evening walked out. In the forenoon quite rainy. Snowed some. 23. \V rote ten pages. Finished my sermon on Ps. xxv : 11, and the one on Rom. xiii : 13. Very cold. 24. I fear my sermon on James ii : 19 has given some offence. I fear I have not a talent like some of delineating truth without offending. 25. Rode in a sleigh and visited two schools. Quite cold. " Died at Warren, on the 9th instant, of a lingering illness, Mrs. Hannah Woodbridge, in the forty-eighth year of her age ; widow of the Hon. Jahleel Woodbridge, of Stockbridge, and daughter of the Rev. Philemon Robbins, of Eranford, deceased. Her funeral was attended the Sabbath after, and a sermon preached on the occasion from Isa. Ivii : 15, first clause, by the Rev. Mr. Robbins, of Norfolk." — Connecticut Courant for February 2^th. 26. Read. Wrote. Afternoon rode out and visited a number of places. 27. Read. Wrote a piece for publication in the paper. At evening walked out. It snowed considerably. 28. Wrote making records for the church in this place. Finished reading Eloisa and Abclard. Traded some. Wrote to Mr. Cone, of Colchester. March. I. Began a sermon on Isa. xlvi : 10. At evening rode out in a sleigh with company. ' We may recall facts which have already what we should now call paralysis. He was been stated, that Mrs. Woodbridge was Han- for a time unable to use his lower limbs, but nah Rebekah, daughter of Rev. Philemon was partially restored so that he preached, Robbins. Her first marriage was with Rev. and lived about four years longer. John Keep, minister of Sheffield, Mass., who ^ Rev. William Lockwood, settled at Glas- died in 1785, at the age of thirty-five. Her tonbury 1797-1804, a man of remarkable second marriage was with Hon. Jahleel learning for his time. He was son of Rev. Woodbridge, of Stockbridge, Mass., who James Lockwood, of Wethersfield. died a few years before her own death, which "* The Li'i-cs 0/ Abclard ivid Eloisa, with the occurred, as above given, Feb. 9, 1799. original letters, had been published in Lon- ^ Dr. Samuel Hopkins was at this time don in 1784, in quarto. This was probably seventy-eight years old. His disease was the work that Mr. Robbins read. 1 799-] PREACHING AT MARLBOROUGH, CT. 77 2. Wrote. Afternoon my brother X.' came here to make me a visit. Very good sleighing. Received a letter from Mr. Abraham Hall, of Vermont, requesting me to go lip there and preach. 3. Pleasant weather, and full meeting. Very- tired. 4. My brother went off. Quite cold. Visited. Froze one of mv ears. Wrote some. There is an account that Bonaparte is assassinated in Egypt. Perhaps a philanthropist would wish it true.^ 5. Extreme cold. Probably the most severe we have had all winter. Afternoon much distressed with a pain in my jaw. 6. My jaw pained me. Wrote to Hudson and Goodwin, Hartford. Went to see the school near by. Excellent sleighing. 7. Weather more moderate. Wrote all day. Evening walked out. 8. It thaws considerably. Wrote. Finished my sermon on Isa. xlvi : 10. At evening visited. 9. It rained considerably. Began a sermon on Eccl. xii : i. Quite unwell. 10. Pretty full meeting. I preached u^Don Decrees.^ People gave very great attention. 11. The Fifth Congress of the United States came to a close on the Sabbat/i, 3d day. New ambassadors are appointed to go to France. Rode to Hebron, visited Mr. Basset, and at Gilead Mr. King. Rode back. 12. Last night it snowed a little. Ven.- cold and tedious. Wrote some. Had company. 13. Wrote considerably. I think people in this part of the State are not generally so orderly and regular as in the western. 14. Last night the snow fell about twelve inches ; the deepest we have had all winter. The committee of the society came to see me. It seems to be the general wish that I should settle here. I cannot think it to be duty. My age,* health, improvements, etc., are not sufficient. 15. Wrote some. Steady cold w-eather. They have given Mr. King a call to settle at Gilead. 16. Finished my sermon on Eccl. xii : 1. Began another on Esther iv : 16. Pleasant weather. Yesterday wrote a piece for publication, and sent it to Hartford. 17. I accidentally threw off the cushion at the meeting-house. The young people appear serious ;^ but I fear nothing special. Read the proclamation for a Fast. 18. Wrote to Esq. Foot, of this society, a churchman ; and to Mr. Cone, of Colchester. Mr. King has given them a negative at Gilead.* Quite cold. ' Nathaniel Robbins. * He was twentA--one. ^ In 1799 Americans looked at Bonaparte ^ This is a somewhat unexpected sentence almost wholly through English eyes. to follow the previous one. ' A common topic for sermons and theo- * As before stated he settled in the min- logical discussions in those days, but seldom istry at Manchester, Ct., and was there from brought up in the pulpit now. iSoo to 1808. 78 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^799- 19. Wrote. It thaws some. Had company. 20. Wrote considerably. It rained. Had company. 21. Finished my sermon on Esther iv : i6. Quite rainy. 22. This day is Fast through this State. Preached. Pretty tired. May God be entreated by his people. 23. Snow mostly gone. Began a sermon on Ps. li : 17. Rode to Hebron ' to exchange with Mr. Basset."^ 24. Pretty cold. Had a full meeting. They sing here excellently. At evening went to a singing meeting. 25. Rode back. Visited some. Very bad riding. Winter breaking up. 26. Very warm. Rode to Lebanon^ from Hebron with Mr. Basset. Attended a ministers' meeting ; eight ministers. By special desire I preached. Full meeting. The ground very open. 27. Afternoon rode back to Marlborough in the rain. A bad time, but got home well. I think I never lived in a family which seemed so much like home as this. 28. Wrote considerably. It snowed some. Pretty cold. 29. Went with the visitors to the schools. Disputed considerably with Esq. Foot, a churchman. 30. People here say we have had the longest and coldest winter we have had for many years. It is doubtless true. There is a ver}- great and general cry for hay ; I think more than last year, or the year before. Finished my sermon on Ps. li : 17. 31. Pleasant weather. Full meeting. Appointed the concert of prayer to be attended on the usual time. April. 1. Quite warm. Rode over to East Hampton,* and back. Visited. Many cattle die in different places. 2. Wrote in the records. Afternoon attended concert of prayer, the first time in this place.' It rained considerably. 3. Wrote a piece for publication. Quite cold and tedious. It rained considerably. 4. Wrote to Hudson and Goodwin, Hartford.* Had an agreeable inter- view. Began sermon on Matt, xviii : 7. ' Marlborough adjoins Hebron on the time, filling the ofiice from 1783 to 1S23. west side of the Hebron line. The Marlbor- He was the father of Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D., ough pulpit had recently been left vacant by of Philadelphia. the unexpected resignation of Rev. David -* A parish in the town of Chatham, some Huntington, who had been pastor there ten miles from Hebron, passing through twenty-one years. Marlborough. - Amos Basset, D. D., was the able min- s The concert of prayer used then, it ister of Hebron from 1794 to 1824. He was seems, to be held on Tuesday. Some years graduated at Yale in 1784. later it was on Monday, and soon it was gen- 3 Lebanon was east from Hebron, about erally fixed for Sunday evening, and by com- ten miles over a hilly country. Rev. Zebu- mon usage remained so. Ion Ely was the pastor at Lebanon, at that ^ Printers in Hartford, Ct. 1 799-] PREACHING AT MARLBOROUGH, CT. 79 5. Wrote steadily all day. At even walked out. 6. Rode out and visited. The ground settles fast. Finished my sermon on Matt, xviii : 7. It is supposed that we have had one of the longest winters within the memory of man. It has also been very severe. I never knew so much sieighing, or such a complaint for hay. Great quantities of grain and vegetables have been given to cattle, but still numbers die.' 7. Rode to Easthampton and back. Exchanged with Mr. West."^ Fine weather. 8. The French make great progress in Italy. Quite warm. People do not so generally attend Freemen's Meeting as at the westward. Rode out. Wrote in church records. 9. Wrote. Pretty cool. Finished reading Voltaire's History of Peter the Great} 10. Wrote a piece for publication. Walked out. 11. Began a sermon on Rev. xxii : 18, 19. Received forty dollars'* from this society. Visited. 12. Wrote all day; eleven pages, the most I ever did in one day. At evening visited, 13. Finished my sermon on Rev. xxii : 18, 19. Disputed with a Methodist. 14. Had a very full and attentive meeting. Sung a part of Pope's Messiah^ in public. Very fine weather. 15. Pretty warm. Spring seems to be coming on. Visited. A pretty sickly time. Warm weather coming on after so long and severe a winter pro- duces fevers. 16. Finished with the church records. I have done much more to them than I expected. Fixing for my journey. Had an agreeable and I hope useful interview with two young ladies in the house. 17. Received thirteen dollars of the society. I have preached here twenty- one Sabbaths. One I gave them. My wages for twenty are one hundred dollars.^ They have paid me seventy, and owe me thirty. I feel disagreeably in leaving this societ}^ but think it best, and duty. Took an affectionate leave of Mr. Carter's family where I have lived. I think I have never lived ' With the present great resources of the shillings, and pence. Now he reckons in countr)- and with every transit, such a calam- dollars. His change, in this respect, prob- ity would not be likely to occur, except in the ably corresponds with the change in society new fields of the West. about him. ^ Rev. Joel West, minister at East Hamp- s -phe words were probably set to some ton from 1792 to his death 1825. A graduate anthem. But we have now in some of our of Dartmouth College in 1789. hymn-books for church use, the grand lines ^ His Histoire de Pierre le Grand, not so from the Messiah beginning, "Rise, crowned with light, imperial Salem, rise." commonly read now as his Histoire de Charles XII. *■ In 1796, when young Robbins had com- ^ Five dollars a Sabbath would be small pleted his college course, he added up his pay now, but relatively the pay was then bet- expenses, and stated the result in pounds, ter than it is in many country parishes today. 8o DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1799- in a more agreeable family.' I have spent a much happier winter than I expected. Laus Deo. I don't know that I have done any real good to that people, or that one soul is better. O for humility ! Came on to Hartford, Dined at Mr, Strong's.^ The awakening at Hartford still continues. There is reason to hope for one hundred and fifty. It also spreads in Wethersfield, Farmington, Simsbury, etc. Quite warm. Tarried at Marshall's tavern in Northington.' 18. Breakfasted with Mr. Hawley.'' Missed my road. Arrived home safely, and found all well. Bad riding through the woods. Rode some of the way on snow path. Considerable snow now here. A cr}' for hay is universal. I think the season is more than a fortnight forwarder at Marlborough than it is here. It has been a pretty good season for sugar. 19. Paid the merchant a debt of more than twenty dollars. Awakenings are in the greater part of the towns of this country. Laus Deo, 20. Quite cold. Read some. Wrote an addition to my sermon on De- crees. Awakenings are very great. It is beginning in Norfolk with power. I believe there never was a greater work of God in this land ; perhaps not so universal as in 1741 and '42, but where it is, more powerful and more evidently the work of God only. It is evidently "the still small voice." It is in about half of the towns of this county, and perhaps nearly as great a part of the county of Hartford. Let all the glory be to him, to whom only it belongs. And may his grace never depart from us.^ 21. Preached on the Divine Decrees. People gave great attention. After- noon I was more than an hour in sermon. A'er}- tired.^ Unable to attend the conference in the evening. 22. Ver}' cold for the season. Quite a melancholy time. Bought the horse which I have had the past winter for about fifty dollars. Traded some. My brother Ammi ^ came here. ' This was the family of Mr. Eleazer Carter. None of his descendants are now living in Marlborough, but a son of his brother, Charles Carter, now (1884) ninety- four years old, is living, and his son, Charles Carter, Jr., is one of the present deacons of the church. ^ Dr. Nathan Strong, of Hartford, then one of the foremost ministers in New Eng- land. ^ The ancient town of Farmington had a parish on the south called Southington, and on the north called Xorthington. The south- ern part is now the town of Southington, and Xorthington is now the town of Avon. * Rev. Rufus Hawley was one of the half century ministers of Connecticut. He was LCttled in Avon in 1769, and remained till his death in 1826. He was a plain and simple extempore preacher, but with elements of graphic power. 5 " The era of modern revivals dates from the year 1792. During all the closing )-ears of the last century, and as many of the pres- ent, revivals were very general, not only in this State, but throughout New England." — Contribiitioits to the Eccl. Hist, of Connecticut, p. 199. * It was but natural that the young minis- ter, fresh home, should preach in his father's pulpit. He is yet only twenty-one years old. It was not inconsistent with the thought and habit of those days that he should preach on the " Divine Decrees," even in a time of re- ligious awakening. ^ He then resided in Canaan, adjoining Norfolk on the west, but a few years later removed to Colebrook, just east of Norfolk. 1799'] -^T HOME AT NORFOLK. 8l 23. Worked some. Rode into Canaan and back.' Yesterday I received a letter from Mr. Bogue, of Winchester. My Uncle Starr came here. 24. Rainy. I am under great obligations to respect my dear Aunt Wood- bridge.^ Rode to Winchest^r.^ 25. Preached for Mr. Bogue. This is the day appointed by the President of the United States for a general Fast.'' May our feeble attempts at worship be acceptable to the Most High. Yesterday I caught a bad cold. Quite unwell, particularly with a pain in my jaw. Rode home. 26. Last night my pain in my jaw was very severe. Traded considerably. 27. Wrote to Mr. Mills, of Torringford. Rainy. Quite sick with my ague all day. 28. Not able to sit ujd but little ; at times my pain is quite severe. O for resignation. 29. Quite unable to sleep nights. Spring seems to come on. Received a letter from Mr. Jeremiah Mills,^ of Torringford. 30. Pleasant weather. Am some relieved of my pain, blessed be God. Have scarcely had so sick a turn for years. Attended the funeral of a child. Awakenings seem to increase in this town. May. 1. Caught a bad cold by working out a little, and at even had a severe turn of the ague. Quite rainy. 2. Wrote a long letter to Capt. Hubbard, of Colchester. A young woman died in town of a quick consumption. Preached a sacramental lecture.^ A hard shower of rain. 3. Snow to be seen in many places. Rode to Torringford in company with Mr. Smith, a candidate. Preached a lecture there. The awakening there very great. A number of my quondam pupils to appearance sweet Christians. At evening attended conference. Ver^' serious. 4. Conversed seriously and agreeably with my young friends at Mr. Mills's^ and Mr. Battell's. Afternoon rode to Winsted. 5. Preached and attended a conference. Considerable seriousness here. This is the day appointed by the assembly for contribution through the State for the missionary society.^ In this place it was four dollars. ^ Probably to accompany his brother Am- ^ l"he first Sunday in May was a sacra- mi home. mental Sabbath. Young Robbins preached ^ Her death, it will be remembered, was the preparatory lecture in Norfolk on Thurs- recorded under date of Feburary 25, two day, and went the next day to Torringford, months before. She had doubtless left him and did the same, some legacy or token of remembrance. ^ Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Torringford, * Winchester adjoins Norfolk on the S. E. married Esther Robbins, daughter of Samuel * Because of our European complications Robbins, of Canaan. She was distantly re- and dangers. lated to the Norfolk minister. ' Jeremiah Mills was the son of Rev. Sam- ^ The Missionary Society of Connecticut uel J. Mills, was born in 1777, so that he was organized in 1798, and for many years was now about twenty-two years of age. The the annual collection was taken for it in author of this diary was born the same year. May, by State authority. 82 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1799- 6. Rode home. Prayed and dined with the military' company. Turner,' a candidate belonging to this town, now preaching at New Marlborough, came here to see us. Received a letter from Mr. Catlin, of New Marlborough. Foot companies much more respectable than horse.^ Warm. 7. Wrote a letter to Miss Jerusha Carter.^ Quite wet and cold. Mr. Atwater,'* tutor at Yale College, called here going to Middlebur}-, Vt., to preach. Contributions are large. In this town twenty-six dollars, New Hart- ford forty, Farmington forty, Colebrook nine, etc. I hope in two hundred societies there will be fifteen dollars in each.' 8. My father set out for Hartford. In the morning the ground was covered with snow. Very cold for the season. 9. Rode to south part of the town ; preached a lecture, and attended a conference. There were a great many people, and very serious. In most of the towns hereabout, instead of the customary diversions, dancing, etc., people are assembled today for religious worship and conversation. 10. Set out on my journey to Vermont.^ O for assistance and direction in the undertaking. Expect to be gone all summer. Dined with Mr. Catlin,^ New Marlborough. Came on to Stockbridge. 11. In the morning called on Dr. West. He got home from Hartford last night. He solicited me to tarry over the Sabbath. Contrarj^ to previous arrangement I consented. Quite cold, 12. Preached. Almost as cold as winter. Water froze nearly half an inch thick last night. At even my friend Mr. Woodbridge ^ called to see me. 13. Rode, Hay very scarce. Came to Williamstown. 14. Received a letter of the President, which he was about to send me, appointing me to deliver an oration at the ensuing Commencement.' Con- ferred with the president. Afternoon attended an exhibition. Wrote home. My cousin Starr a fine scholar and promising character. 15. Quite warm. Rode through Pownal to Bennington. Dined with Mr. Swdft. Shaftsbury, part of Arlington,'" and Sunderland to Manchester. Ver}' tired. Tarried at tavern. ' His old friend, Nathaniel Turner, of Williams College. ^ Not abstractly considered, but according to the habits of those years. ^ A member of the family where he boarded in Marlborough, Ct. * Jeremiah Atwater, D. D., afterwards President of Middlebury College. He was graduated at Yale in 1793, ^'^'^ ^^^"^ ''^ New Haven, Ct., in 1S5S. 5 That is, on the average, which would have realized the sum of $3,000. But the actual result of the contributions that year, as shown in the first volume of the Connec- ticut Evangelical Magazine, was $2,033.63, a less amount than some single churches in Connecticut now furnish yearly to home missions. * Mr. Robbins later was a missionary, com- missioned by the Connecticut Missionary So- ciety to the Western Reserve, Ohio, but this Vermont journey seems to have been on his own motion. ^ This country hospitality was general in those days. ^ Probably Mr. John Woodbridge, before mentioned. 9 The coming Commencement would be three years after his graduation, when, ac- cording to custom at that time, some were appointed to give masters' orations. '° Pownal, Bennington, Shaftsbury, and Arlington are Vermont towns whose west- ern boundary is New York. Sunderland and Manchester are one tier back from the New York line. l-jgc).] ON A JOURNEY THROUGH VERMONT, 83 16. Saw my Uncle Gould. Quite rainy. A bear killed here this morning. Afternoon rode to Dorset and tarried with Rev. Mr. Jackson.' 17. Rode through part of Rupert, Pawlet. Dined with Rev. Mr. Griswold.' Wells to Poultney,^ Found old friends, and tarried. In Dorset and Wells saw liberty poles. iS. Being considerably urged, I consented to stay and preach on the Sabbath. My horse has the horse distemper, which retards me in my journey very much. Quite cool. Walked out. 19. People here very little used to preaching. At even walked out. Had a loud dispute with some Arminians and Democrats. 20. Quite contrary to my intention, at the solicitation of the people, I concluded to continue here two Sabbaths. Attended the funeral of a child. Found a number of people here who moved from Norfolk.'' 21. Warm. Set out on a journey to the northward. Rode through Hamp- ton, Fairhaven, Westhaven, Benson, and dined at Rev. Mr. Kent's.^ Went through Orwell, part of Shoreham, to Cornwall. Tarried with Rev. Mr. Wooster* in a log-house, the first in which I ever slept. 22. Mr. Wooster rode with me to Middlebur}\ Afternoon rode to the north part of the town, and found many quondam Norfolk people. They kindly received and entertained. Roads here are not yet dr}^, and extremely bad, some places almost impassable. Warm. 23. Last night there fell considerable rain. There is a neighborhood in the north part of Middlebury and south part of New Haven, mostly of Nor- folk people. Preached a lecture. Quite warm. Wrote home. 24. Set out for Poultney. We now have hot weather for the first time this year. Rode to Benson, and tarried with Rev. Mr. Kent. Bad riding. I came from home a little too early in the season. 25. Got to my present home in safety. Zaus Deo. I live at a Mr. Thompson's.^ Somebody from Goshen. Afternoon quite shower3^ Since Wednesday vegetation has been astonishing rapid. Blossoms begin to appear on apple-trees. Wrote. 26. People here stare at preaching as if it were some new thing. They are however attentive. Gave some account of awakenings below. ' Rev. William Jackson, D. D., a gradu- Connecticut people, and western Vermont ate of Dartmouth in 1790, settled in Dorset, from the western towns of Connecticut. Sept. 27, 1796. All this part of Vermont was ' Rgy, D^n Kent, a native of Suffield, very new. There was no church in this vicin- Ct., and the Congregational minister at Ben- ity that was over fifteen or twenty years old. son from 1792 to 1828. ^ Rev. John Griswold, a native of Nor- ^ Rev. Benjamin Wooster, a native of wich, Ct., a graduate of Darmouth College in Waterbury, Ct., a graduate of Yale College 17S9, was settled at Pawlet, Oct. 23, 1793, in 1790, and minister at Cornwall from 1797 and remained till 1830. to 1802. ^ There had been a quarrel and a division '' Dr. William Thompson, of Hartford in the church at Poultney, and since 1796 Theological Seminary, and Dr. Augustus A. there had been no settled minister. Thompson, of Roxbury, Mass., are brothers * Vermont was very largely settled by and natives of Goshen, Ct. 84 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l799- 27. Unhappily a majority of the people of this and the neighboring towns are deluded Democrats. Lyon ' is a man of great art, and has done vast damage to this State. Visited. Fine weather. 28. Visited. Some very obstinate deists here. Disputed them some.^ 29. Rode to Middlebury, and attended a council. The church here in a very bad situation. Got acquainted with some ministers ; those of the Baptist only hold communion. 30. Rode back. Very warm. Afternoon rode out. Quite rainy. An ox near here killed with lightning. Got quite wet. 31. Caught a bad cold by being wet yesterday. Much pained with the toothache. Afternoon preached a lecture. Quite cold. It seems the past winter has been no less unusually severe in Europe than in this country, both as to quantities of snow and severity of weather. In England the Thames froze over; for a time many roads were impassable on account of snow, and many persons perished. In Germany the rivers froze, and there were great quantities of snow. It is said such a winter has not been known in Europe for two or three centuries. It is also said that very hard winters have come about once in four hundred years. In this country it has been long and severe, but probably not so cold and tedious as the one at the begin- ning of the year 1780, or the beginning of the year 1741. The stage-sleigh ran from Boston to Portsmouth eighteen weeks successively.^ At the north- ward, in Canada, the winter has not been more severe than usual. Just and true are thy ways. June. 1. Quite sick with my cold and the toothache. Infidels in religion are apt to be Democrats. 2. But just able to preach ; there is too much levity in my conduct. 3. Had a tooth extracted which tore my jaw very much. Received ten dollars from this town. Preached a lecture to a pretty large and attentive audience. It is a trial to be urged contrary to our wishes. 4. Rode to Granville, N. Y.,"* and attended the association of ministers and churches for the western district of Vermont, and parts adjacent. The association adopted the articles, a copy of which I bought. ' Rev. Asa Lyon, a native of Pomfret ^ That is, he held an argument with them. {Abington Parish), Ct., a graduate of Dart- ^ Only a few winters since there were six- mouth, 1790, a man of strong, original, but teen weeks of consecutive sleighing in the somewhat daring and eccentric mind. One northern parts of Massachusetts, but only who knew him intimately describes him about twelve that winter in the vicinity of thus: "He had a dark complexion, coarse Boston. Eighteen weeks of consecutive sleigh- features, powerful build, more than six feet ing between Boston and Portsmouth, along high, large boned, giant framed, and a little the shore, would not probably occur once in stooping." lie was the Congregational min- a century. There is a difference in this re- ister at South Hero, 1S02-1840. He was spect between the ocean shore and fifty miles also largely occupied with civil and political inland. affairs, was much in the Vermont legislature, * Granville is in Washington County, N.Y., was member of Congress 1815-1817. just over the line from Pawlet, Vt. f799-] ON A JOURNEY THROUGH VERMONT, 8S 5. Attended association. Very warm. The ministers tallied considerably of dividing into two, but concluded it is not best. Rode back to Poultney. Strongly requested to return here. Am sorry.* O for direction. 6. Rode through Caslleton,^ Hubbardton, jDart of Sudbury to Whiting/ and tarried with an old acquaintance. It rained considerably. People are yet planting. Wheat looks promising. A very growing season. 7. Rode through Cornwall" to Middlebur}', Treated kindly by my old friends. Visited a son of Linus Beach, formerly from Norfolk, just gone. 8. The young man died last evening. Afternoon attended the funeral.-' Rainy. The roads not yet dry. 9. Last night we had a very great shot^ of rain. My jaw has been very sore since my tooth was drawn, and is yet. Preached in the lower part of New Haven.'' A pretty full meeting. I guess one half quondam Norfolk people.^ 10. Visited some. Read the Bible. Wrote. Since the winter the season has been extraordinary. We had a cold March, a cold April, and a cold May. The season has not been so backward generally for a great number of years. Perhaps it was in some parts in the year 1789. A Philadelphia account says: " The natural world seems to vie with the moral in retrogression. The season is such as to bring farmers' business nearly a month in arrears." Warm weather did not properly come on till the 23d of May. For a number of days after that vegetation was astonishingly rapid, and it has been a very growing season ever since, though pretty wet. 11. Fixed my things. Very warm. Read some. Walked out. From the Boston Mercury oi June 11. [An after entry.] "It is with the deepest sorrow that I communicate the melancholy event of the death of his late Excellency, Increase Sumner,^ Esq., which happened this day about 1 1 o'clock. Moses Gill."" In this death that State has met with a very heavy " He went to Vermont on a tour of obser- vation and usefulness, and not with the pur- pose of settling there. He had other plans. ^ Poultney, Castleton, Hubbardton, and Sudbury were in Rutland County. In all these towns churches had been organized, but they were all without settled ministers. ^ A church had been organized in Whit- ing about five months before, but was with- out a minister. * Cornwall, in Addison County, as already stated, had a settled minister, Rev. Benjamin Wooster. ^ Another illustration of the short time elapsing between death and burial. ^ We can make nothing of this word but " shot." The word may then have been used for a violent rain-fall. ^ A church had been organized in New Haven, nearly two years before, Nov. 15, 1797, but there was no settled pastor there, until Rev. Silas L. Bingham, a native of Hebron, Ct., Yale, 1790, was installed June 22, 1804. * He finds people who had moved up to Vermont from his native town wherever he goes. 9 Increase Sumner, a native of Roxbury, Mass., Harvard 1767, was chosen Governor in 1797 to succeed Gov. Samuel Adams. He was of a superior mind and character, but hardly equal, comparatively, to the estimate of the diar)'. '° Moses Gill, Harvard, 1784, was chosen Lieutenant-Governor with Mr. Sumner, and upon the death of the last named, was Gov- ernor for that year. He was succeeded in the following year by Caleb Strong, of North- ampton, a man of fine presence and superior character. 86 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l799- and perhaps an irreparable loss. Without doubt he was the best calculated to fill that office of any man that has ever presided over that Commonwealth. O that it might be a means of good to that great people, by teaching them not to trust too much in an arm of clay. Gov. Sumner was in his fifty-third year. 12. ■ The weather very unsteady. Rode about in New Haven ; visited old acquaintances. Very bad riding. 13. Rode to Middlebury Falls. Requested to preach. 14. I live with a Mr. Foot.' Great number of mills at this place. Rainy. 15. Quite cool. Walked out to see the gun manufactory." They work here largely at this business. Received a letter from my father. Wrote a letter to my brother N. 16. Dr. Edwards/ of Colebrook, is chosen President of Union College, and leaves it wholly with the association whether he must go. Preached in the court-house. People here generally exceedingly stupid."* 17. Very warm. There seems to be very great preparations for war in Europe, and determinations to pursue it with vigor. The Austrians, Russians, and Turks, against the French and their conquered countries. A frame of a house, partly covered, so that a poor family lived in it, burnt near by. A man killed in town by the fall of a tree. Visited. 18. Read considerably. Wrote to my brother J., and cousin P. Starr,^ at Williams College. Very warm. Received a long and excellent letter from my father. The work of God still goes on in Connecticut with great power. Let all the people praise Thee. I fear that my dear Uncle Robbins must die soon. He lately set out for Connecticut, but was forced to turn back from Providence. My Aunt Thompson has been up and made a good visit. She arrived at Norfolk the day after I left home. For me unfortunate. ig. A fine growing season. The roads dry very fast. Attended the funeral of the man who was killed. One killed at Moulton in the same manner, the same hour, of the same age, and left a similar family. The two men had long been intimately acquainted. 20. Rode into New Haven, and preached a lecture. Something rainy. 21. Rode back to Middlebury. Quite warm. Many people in these parts, who are the most serious, are opposed to sound doctrines. Heard a Baptist preach. He would not differ with me.^ Heard of the death of Gov. Sumner.' ' In 1783 Daniel Foot moved from Pitts- his death. The coincidences between his field, Mass., taking with him his five sons, own life and death, and those of his illustri- Philip, Freeman, Martin, Stillman, and John, ous father, have often been pointed out. his wife remaining behind at Pittsfield till * In the hearing of the gospel message, the following year. It was with one of the ^ His brother James Watson is a freshman men above named, probably, that Mr. Robbins in the college, and his cousin Peter Starr, of made his home in Middlebury. Warren, Ct., is to graduate that summer. ' Jonathan Nichols had a contract with ^ Doctrinally, a Calvinistic Baptist and an government to manufacture a thousand guns. average Congregationalist are much alike. ^ Dr. Jonathan Edwards had been pastor They separate on rites and ordinances, at the North Church, New Haven, 1769-1795. ' It was eleven days after Gov. Sumner's He had been at Colebrook from January, death that the news reached him. The pas- 1796, to June, 1799, and was now going to sage already reported, under date of June 11, Union College for a brief presidency before was from an after entry. 1 799-] ^N A JOURNEY THROUGH VERMONT. 87 22. Wrote a long letter to my parents. Wrote to my sister S. 23. Very warm. A shower. Many people here opposed to what I con- sider the plain truth. 24. Read. Walked out and visited. Had considerable dispute with a man on imputation. 25. Attended the funeral of an infant child. Was invited to dine with the Free-Masons. Mr. Sanders, of Vergennes, preached. They were pretty orderly ; still I hate Masonry. 26. Mr. Sanders' is a pretty agreeable man, but not a divine. Very warm. Considerable noise with trooping,^ etc. 27. Dreadful slaughter and bloodshed in Europe. There have not been such battles during the war, as lately between the Austrians and French. They fight most obstinately. It appears the French are defeated in all quarters.' Laus Deo. In the conquered countries are insurrections and mas- sacres. The plague is in Bonaparte's army in Egypt. 28. In all the wars and confusion God is at the helm. Rode to Ver- gennes.'* Visited friends there. Steady hot weather. 29. This is a place of considerable business. I believe this State is recovering from infidelity and great immoralities. Rode to Capt. Phelps's,' New Haven. 30. Had a pretty full and serious meeting. Very hot. Received three dollars as a contribution. [Later entry.] This last was the day that my dear Uncle Robbins^ was summoned from our world. July. 1. Rode to Monkton'' and preached a lecture in a house. Had a long discourse with a number of Methodists. A very hard thunder-shower. 2. Rode down to Middlebury. Yesterday the wind was very high in ' Daniel C. Sanders, D. D. He was a * Chandler Robbins, D. D., of Plymouth, doctor of divinity in title, but Mr. Robbins, in Mass. His father, Rev. Philemon Robbins, saying that he was not a divine means that the life-long minister at Branford, Ct. (1733- he was not theologically educated and in- 17S1), had nine children, three sons and six structed. He was graduated at Harvard in daughters. His three sons were all started 1788, and was minister at Vergennes from on a course of public education. One of them 1794 to 1799. He was dismissed about two died while m college. The other two were months after this interview, Aug. 24, 1799. the eminent ministers at Plymouth, Mass., ~ The old fashioned troopers in their occa- and Norfolk, Ct. Chandler Robbins was or- sional gatherings for exercise, were apt to be dained at Plymouth, Jan. 30, 1760, and con- rather disorderly, tinued till his death, June 30, 1799. ^ During the spring and early summer of The grandfather of Chandler and Ammi this year there had been a succession of bat- Ruhamah was Nathaniel Robbins of Cam- ties, in which the French were beaten, such bridge, whose wife was Hannah Chandler, as Stokach, Verona, Magnano, Cassano, Adda, Hence the given name of the Plymouth pas- and Zurich. tor. * Vergennes was about fifteen miles north- ^ Monkton, in Addison County, Vt., had west of Middlebury, near Lake Champlain. no Congregational church at that time, nor ' Captain Matthew Phelps, one of the was there any organized until May 24, 1824. most enterprising men of the early town. There was probably Methodist preaching His son, Maj. Matthew Phelps, was gradu- there, though it may have ioeen by a man of ated at Middlebury College in 1804. some other denomination. 88 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l799- some places. I am requested l)y this town to preacli here while I continue in the country. Afternoon rode to Starksborough ' with company. 3. Had a good night with Deacon HalP and family, formerly from Nor- folk. I'reached a lecture. The Methodists have had considerable hold in these new towns, but they are evidently on the decline. The Baptists still pretty strong. 4. Rode to Bristol and preached a lecture with a great concavity for my footstool, and a greater concavity for my canopy.' Had a dispute with some Arminian* people. Rode to New Haven. May this day be recognized with gratitude and praise by all American people. 5. Awakenings increase in Connecticut, particularly in Norfolk. Laus et gloria. Warm and showery. Rode down to Middlebur)^ 6. Began an oration for the next Commencement.' O for a sense of the importance of the work of the ministry. 7. People here appear to be something serious. Gave some account of the awakenings below. I cannot help hoping that it will extend to this part of the country. 8. Rode out and visited. Caught a bad cold from a wet floor. The French armies have ill success. 9. Wrote on my oration. Read some. At evening walked out. 10. Rode and visited. People talk considerably about the awakening. Weather pretty cool. 11. Visited a woman in New Haven most gone with the consumption. My cold quite bad. People beginning to mow, 12. Wrote on my oration. Troubled with the dysentery. It rained some. 13. Quite unwell. I weighed one hundred and twenty-one. Wrote a letter to President Fitch ^ and one to Dr. Howe,^ of Poultney. 14. Fashionable people here think I preach too close. Warm. Troubled with a diarrhoea. 15. The morning rainy. Set out on a journey northward. Rode through New Haven to Moulton and tarried. 16. Went through a part of Ferrisburgh* to Charlotte.' Visited ' Mr. Newell,'° formerly minister at Goshen. Through Shelburne to Burlington Bay. ' There was no Congregational church in ^ Ebenezer Fitch, D. D., President of Will- Starksborough until 1S04. iams College. ^ With the old Norfolk families he felt ' Neheniiah Howe and Silas Howe, were peculiarly at home, and it was a great pleas- among the first settlers of Poultney between ure to them to see some one who could 1770 and 1780. Silas Howe was first deacon revive the old memories. of the Congregational church. 3 There was no Congregational church or- ^ No Congregational church in Ferris- ganized at Bristol until July 8, 1805. By his burgh until 1824. description we understand that he preached ' Charlotte is in Chittenden County, in the open air. '° This was Rev. Abel Newell, a graduate ■* Probably the terms Arminian and Meth- of Yale in 1751, and settled at Goshen, Ct, odist are meant in this Vermont connection 1755-1781. He was already an old man, to be somewhat interchangeable. nearly fifty years out of college, but he lived 5 Early in the ne.\t September. till 1S13. 1799] O^ ^ JOURNEY THROUGH VERMONT. 89 Found some acquaintance. Very kindly entertained at Col. Keyes's.' My disorder has left me. Gratia Deo. 17. May I remember this morning. This morning at Col. Keyes's a gen- tleman asked me if I wished to look at a late Walpole paper.^ I took it, and looking among the deaths I saw, " Dr. Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth, sixty." How was I shocked. Crossed Onion River bridge ; a great curiosity. Passed through Colches- ter, Essex, Westford, Fairfax, a part of Fletcher to Fairfield.^ Quite hot weather. People all engaged in haying. These northern towns appear new. Found friends at Fairfield. 18. Rode to the north part of the town. Visited Norfolk people. People here live mostly in log-houses. I am now the farthest from home that I have ever been, about two hundred and thirty miles.'' 19. A little rain. Afternoon preached a lecture. 20. Rode back to the middle of the town. This is a good town for grass. Very hot weather. 21. Preached in a barn. Full meeting. Saw Esq. Turner,Mormerly from Norfolk. 22. Laid the plan of a house for a man about to build. Afternoon preached a lecture. 23. Rode down to Fairfax with Esq. Turner, and preached a lecture. Forded the river La Moille as I did going up. Came to Essex and lodged. Some rain. 24. Came to Stephen Butler's.* He was formerly from Norfolk. Almost overcome with the heat. In the coolest place I could find was put to it for breath. Towards evenifig rode to Jericho,' and visited a Mr. Kingsbury.' A very dry season. Fine hay weather. 25. Found old acquaintance. Mr. Kingsbury has trials. He is the only settled minister north of Cornwall. He rode with me to Essex. People almost universally drink water, and that oftentimes poor. Preached a lecture in a barn. We had a very fine shower. 26. Rode in company with Esq. Turner and wife through part of Jericho, forded Onion River, through Williston to Hinesburgh.' I think I never saw better land than the meadows of the Onion River. Afternoon preached a * Probably Elnathan Keyes, a graduate of * Fairfield is within twelve or fifteen miles Dartmouth, who was a practicing attorney in of the Canada line. Burlington as early as 1794. ^ Probably Bates Turner, elsewhere men- ^ The Ftirmer^s Mtiscum was started in tioned. Walpole, N. H., April 11, 1793, and still ^ From 1801 to 1806 Stephen Butler was exists in the succession, as the Cheshire Re- constable in Essex, Vt. publican, now published at Keene, N. H. ' There was a Congregational church at ^ The first named towns were in Chitten- Jericho, founded in 1791. den County, and the others in Franklin. ^ Rev. Ebenezer Kingsbury, a native of Franklin County touches New York on the North Coventry, Ct., and a graduate of Yale west and Canada on the north. In none of in 1783. the above named towns was there a Congre- ' Hinesburgh had a Congregational church gational church except in Essex. founded in 17S9, but Williston had none. go DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1799- lecture. People in this State do not appear to be so much infected with infi- delity, as erroneous views in religion. The Methodists have a pretty strong hold at Hinesburgh, Starksborough, and Monkton, but not much at the northward of those places. The disorganizing principles of the Baptists do considerable damage. In most of the towns people seem disposed to hear preacliing, and wish to get regular ministers. I have many applications. Masonic lodges are forbidden to meet by law in Great Britain.' 27. The Methodists go great lengths in fanaticism. They hurt their own cause. Eat green peas. Rode to Starksborough.^ Excessive hot. 28. Preached in a barn. People appear serious. Methodists appear to hate me with great sincerit>'.^ The Baptists are very jealous of regular, edu- cated ministers. Eat cucumbers. 29. Rode to Monkton,'' and preached in a neighborhood of Methodists, by previous desire. Their champion, Mitchel, was present. After meeting we had considerable talk. The hearts of all people are in God's hands, and may he direct them in the right way. Rode to New Haven, and tarried. 30. People generally beginning harvest,^ which comes in pretty well. The last two weeks the heat of haying. Rode down to Middlebury. Thanks to God for such a prosperous journey. It has been fatiguing, but I have been surrounded with mercies. Universally a dry and hot season. We have the other extreme from the spring. The riding in this countr)- very good now. Flies are very troublesome to a traveler. I am ver^^ kindly treated wherever I go. Very great want of ministers in this State. Received a letter from my father announcing the mournful death of my dear Uncle Robbins, and another from cousin Samuel P. Robbins,^ at Norfolk, soon after he heard the affecting news. O that I might have feeling, and take due notice of such solemn calls of God's holy providence. My friend N. Turner is settled at New Marl- borough. I am very sorr}^, and believe he has done wrong. 31. Wrote a letter to Deacon Steele,' of Hinesburgh, and another to Dr. Hall, of Starksborough. Walked out. ' That is a quiet remark, by the way, sug- gested doubtless by what he saw of Masonry in Vermont. As we know from a previous utterance, he did not admire the institution there. - There was no Congregational church in Starksborough. ^ There was far more of denominational jealousy and prejudice in the country at the beginning of this century than now. * No Congregational church at Monkton till 1824. ^ The harvest was the gathering of the grains, wheat, rye, oats, etc., which did not usually begin in New England till haying was well-nigh done. ^ Samuel Prince Robbins was the son of Dr. Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth. He had graduated the year before at Harvard College. A few years later he was ordained to the work of the ministry at Marietta, Ohio, his cousin. Rev. Thomas Robbins, the author of this diar}-, preaching the ser- mon. ' Dea. Josiah Steele was from East Hart- ford, Ct. He was the chief mover in the or- ganization of the Congregational church in Hinesburgh, and was its first deacon. His son Eliphaz was clerk of the church from 1S02 to 18 1 8. The men going up from Connecticut were ^pt to be church-going people. 1 799-] ON A JOURNEY THROUGH VERMONT. 9 1 August. 1. Wrote on my oration for Commencement. Had company. 2. Received a letter from the town of Charlotte, requesting me to go there and preach. I cannot go.' For about a fortnight past I think there has been as hot weather as I ever knew for so long a time. Nights, however, rather cool. 3. Finished my oration. Went into the water. Walked out and drank tea. 4. Last night we had a very heavy shower on the very thirsty ground. Full meeting. 5. Rode out and visited. People in the hight of harvest. It comes in generally very full. Lmis Deo. There has been a remarkably good season to get hay. Became considerably acquainted with Gov. Tichenor.'^ 6. Nearly all the maritime forces of Europe are now in the Mediterranean Sea. Carnage is expected. Wrote a letter to Mr. Hills, of Charlotte. Re- ceived one from my brother James. Walked out. 7. Wrote home. Rode to Waybridge,^ and preached a lecture. Rode down to Cornwall and visited Mr. Wooster. Great quantities of wheat in this country. 8. Rode back to Middlebury. They are building a large and good bridge here. The building of it will cost eighty dollars besides the materials. 9. Wrote a letter to Mr. Bates Turner,'' of Fairfield. Attended conference. 10. Wrote a letter to my brother A., and one to my friend D. Noble. As I expect to be taken up tomorrow, which will be my birthday, it being the Sabbath, I set aside this day to fasting and prayer. Showers. At evening was informed that a town-meeting is warned here to give me a call. I was much surprised and very sorry .^ 11. My voice, I think, is not so clear and strong as it has been. I fear I shall fail. Thy will be done. Thanks to God who has brought me to the close of another year, and to another joyful birthday.^ O for more gratitude and love. My last year has been happier than I could have expected. 12. Rode out and visited in the eastern part of the town. In the morning had a long talk with some unprincipled men about the situation of the town. Showery. 13. Rode to Salisbury,' and preached a lecture. Afterwards had a dispute with a young man there in public on doctrines. Quite warm. Returned. ' Because he is engaged at Middlebury, II, p. 192, Bates Turner is given as among so long as he stays in Vermont. the early settlers of Fairfield. He was prob- ^ Isaac Tichenor, a graduate of Princeton, ably of the Turner family of Norfolk, Ct. 1773, Senator in Congress and Governor of ' Ministers were so scarce in all this re- Vermont, gion that it was hard to resist the importu- ^ Mr. Robbins in his diary spells this place nities of people asking him to stay and settle Waybridge. It is now written Weybridge. with them. But he had formed other plans There was a Congregational church in this of labor. town organized in 1794, but the first settled '' He was now twenty-two years old. minister was Rev. Jonathan Hovey, a native of ^ Salisbury adjoins Middlebury on the Mansfield, Ct., who began his work in 1S06. south. It had no Congregational church ■* In the Vermont Histoi-ical Gazetteer, Vol. until February, 1S04. 92 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l799- 14. Rode to New Haven and \dsited. People generally have done haying and harvest.' 15. Returned. Began a sermon on Luke ii : 10.^ Visited. 16. The combined armies of Austria and Russia seem likely to restore Europe to its primitive state. Preached a sacramental lecture. 17. Wrote. Afternoon Deacon Hall and wife from Starksborough called to see me. Rode to Cornwall,^ to exchange with Mr. Wooster. Forded the creek in this town. The Methodists in the towns above tell many false stories about me. May I forgive my enemies. 18. Had a full meeting. Conversed considerably. Visited a sick man. Mr. Wooster, as a minister, is rather solitary. 19. Rode back. Rode out and visited. Walked three miles. 20. Wrote considerably. Learning my oration. Attended a small con- ference. 21. Finished my sermon on Luke ii : 10. Visited. I think this town is like to be a large place.* 22. Studied some. Walked out and visited. Went to the town-meeting, which was warned to give me a call ; and after saying a number of things, desired them not to come to any vote.^ I am not willing to be settled. The matter dropped easily. 23. Walked to Waybridge and back.^ A very hot and dry season. 24. Rode out. It is rather trying to leave old friends here. 25. Had a very full and attentive meeting. Very many people called in to see me. 26. Received five dollars of this town.' Set out for Connecticut. Rode through Salisbury, Leicester, Brandon, and Pittsford to Rutland.^ Tarried with Rev. Mr. Ball.' ' Haying and harvesting would be two or ^ This was a true and honorable course three weeks later in this region than in of conduct. Some j'oung men would have southern New England. allowed them to extend the call, even though ^ " And the angel said unto them, fear they were determined not to accept it. But not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of Mr. Robbins was a very conscientious, care- great joy, which shall be to all people." ful, sincere Christian man, and would not ^ Cornwall joins Middlebury on the west. seem to act a double part. ^ His conjecture was right. Middlebury * Weybridge touches Middlebury on the is one of the important towns of Vermont northwest corner of the town, for business; as also for other things. A ' His journey to Vermont was evidently Congregational church was organized here not a money making expedition. Sept. 5, 1790, and two months later Rev. ^ At first he starts southward through John Barnett, a native of Windsor, Ct., a a more inland tier of towns than those graduate of Yale in 1780, was set over it. through which he came up. He remained for five years. When Mr. Rob- 'Rev. Heman Ball, D. D., a native of bins was here they had no minister, but in Springfield, Mass., graduate of Dartmouth, the fall of that year (1799) Rev. Jeremiah 1791, who was settled at Rutland, Feb. i, Atwater, D. D., came here, and in iSoo 1797. The Congregational church at Rut- Middlebury College was founded, and Dr. land was one of the older churches of the Atwater was made its first President. State. 1 799-] GOING TO COMMENCEMENT. 93 27. Rutland is the largest place I have seen in the State. Called on Rev. Mr. Haynes,' West Rutland. Rode through Ira, Castleton, and tarried in Poultney.^ Cool nights. 28. A very dry season. This morning a little frost. In some places it is quite sickly. Rode through Wells, etc. ; the same road in which I went up. Tarried at Arlington. 29. Rode to Bennington. A rainy day. Very joyful. Tarried with Mr. Swift. This State much engaged in electioneering. 30. Rode to Williamstown. Found my brother James ; kindly received. Quite warm. 31. My oration was affirmed. Visited Mr. Swift. College in a good situation. September. 1. A hard Tain. Rather a thin meeting. Preached all day. Attended the holy sacrament. O for a sense of its importance. Became acquainted with President Willard.^ After meeting the. President delivered an excellent discourse to the candidates for degrees in the chapel. 2. Had a long talk with the President. Visited. There is the best meeting-house * here I have ever been in. At night tarried at Mr. Swift's with ministers. 3. Afternoon rainy. My father and brother A., Uncle and Aunt Starr,^ and other friends, arrived in town. At evening attended an exhibition. 4. It rained moderately the greatest part of the day. In the afternoon no procession. A great many people. The exhibition very good. I delivered an English oration on Annihilation.* Took my second degree. Thanks be to sovereign grace, who has thus prepared me through seven happy years, in which I have been allied to college. 5. In the morning quite rainy. My father is this day fifty-nine years old. Visited a scholar very sick, but happily recovering. 6. Set out for home with my father and others. Came down to Stock- bridge.^ 7. Arrived home safely after an absence of nearly four months. My most sanguine hopes for the summer have been answered. O for gratitude. At night very rainy. Very refreshing to the thirsty ground. ' Rev. Lemuel Haynes, the famous col- in which he was graduated three years be- ored preacher. He was a native of West fore. Hartford, Ct., but was settled at West Rut- = Rev. Peter Starr and wife from Warren, land from 1788 to 1818. to see their son graduate. Mrs. Starr was ^ From Poultney down he followed the sister of Rev. Mr. Robbins, of Norfolk, path in which he came up. * Rather a rare and unique subject for a 3 Rev. Joseph Willard, D. D., from 1781 Commencement oration, but capable of being to 1804 President of Harvard College. He effectively handled. was the son of Rev. Samuel Willard, minister ^ His Aunt Woodbridge was no longer of Biddeford, Me. there to welcome her friends. She died, it * A great contrast to the meeting-house will be remembered, the previous February. 94 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l799- 8. My father rode to Colebrook and preached.' I never saw such an appearance in this town as now. The work of God is indeed very great. Forty are already added to my father's church. Many more have hopes, and the work still goes on gloriously. How shall we bless and praise the Most High. 9. Went on a journey to New Haven. Dined at Litchfield. Rode on to Salem, and tarried at Mr. Fowler's. Found old acquaintance. 10. Forenoon very rainy. Rode into New Haven. From Litchfield here is a turnpike road. Found many former friends. About forty freshmen are admitted into college. Afternoon there was an oration delivered to the P. B. K. Society. Dr. TrumbulP preached on the evidences of Christianity. It was seven years this day since I was admitted into college. 11. The exercises were lengthy, but pretty good. Afternoon very hot. Many eminent characters were present. I took a degree of master of arts with my class. 12. Attended meeting; P. B. K. Society. We had considerable debate about altering it from a secret society^ to some other, but could not. A part of a regiment of the United States army is encamped near this city. Left town and came to Cheshire. 13. I think I have not felt the heat more any day this year. Came on to Torringford and arrived home in safety. 14. My sister S. quite unwell. Worked some. Dr. Perkins,'* inventor of the metallic tractors, died lately in New York of the j'ellow fever. He went down to oppose it, and fell a sacrifice. 15. Rode to Colebrook and preached. Some awakening there, but not great. 17. Walked out. Afternoon rode with my mamma. 18. Worked considerably. My father is employed incessantly in his ministerial labors. 19. My father has entered four scholars in Williams, and three in Yale College this fall. Rainy. A number of people came here to be examined by the church committee in order to be propounded for communion. They ' Dr. Jonathan Edwards, whose long before the writer entered Yale College in ministry had been at New Haven Ct, had 1835. been at Colebrook from January, 1796, and * Dr. Elisha Perkins, son of Dr. Joseph was dismissed in June, 1799, to be President of Perkins, of Norwich, Ct., was a physician in Union College. He removed with his family large practice in Plainfield, Ct. About 1796 to Schenectady in July of that summer. The he invented the metallic tractors, two instru- Norfolk minister supplied the pulpit in Cole- ments, one with steel points, and one with brook on that second Sabbath of September, brass, which being passed over the diseased and his son Thomas probably preached in parts of the body would, as was claimed, re- the Norfolk pulpit. move the disease. For a few years, both in - Dr. Benjamin Trumbull, minister at this country and in England, Dr. Perkins and North Haven from 1760 to 1S20, a native of his tractors had a great reputation. He died Hebron, graduate of Yale, 1759, author of September, 1799, as the diary relates. The Y'/ic History of Councctknt. excitement about the metallic tractors was ^ The secrecy was mostly taken out of it temporary. 1 799-] ^T HOME AT NORFOLK. 95 appear very well. Their relations are clear and rational. I preached a lecture. People flock to all meetings. Began a sermon on 2 Cor. vi : 2. 20. Wrote. Traded some. The assassination of the French plenipoten- tiaries at Rastadt' seems to have been a project of the Directory. 21. Rode out. Wrote considerably. My brother A. and wife came over to make us a visit. 22. My father not being ver}- well, I preached all day. The house very much crowded. I have never preached to so large an audience. Very serious and attentive. ]My father propounded twenty-four persons for communion. At evening the conference very full. 23. Laying out to go to Plymouth with my sister. My cousin Isaac Rob- bins" came to make us a visit on his way from Ohio to Plymouth. He has been from Plymouth above nine years. He is a Methodist, "sometimes" preacher. 24. Rode with my father to New Hartford,^ and attended association. Went on the new turnpike road ; like to be very good. 25. Rode home. A military brigade met yesterday at Bennington, and were reviewed by Gov. Gill.* 26. Rode out. Afternoon Mr. Gillett,' of Torrington,* preached a lecture. My father has had a stated Thursday lecture all summer. 27. Had a new hat made. Dr. Humphreys and wife from Pawtucket, came to visit us. Preparing for our journey. 28. This morning considerable frost ; the first real one that we have had. A fine year for apples and cider. In the afternoon set out with my sister for Plymouth. Rode to New Hartford. 29. Mr. Grifiin is absent. Preached. Very windy. The awakening has been very great there, but has mostly subsided. Wrote a letter to Mr. Catlin. New Marlborough, and one to Mr. N. Munger, Middlebur}', Vt. ' " On the breaking up of the Congress of ford was filled by Edward D. Griffin, then a 1799 without any definite result, the three young man of twenty-nine. He afterward French plenipotentiaries set out for Stras- became the celebrated Dr. Griffin, Professor burg on the evening of April 19, but they at Andover Theological Seminary, Pastor of had scarcely got beyond the gates of Ras- Park Street Church, Boston, and President tadt, when they were attacked by a number of Williams College from 1S21 to 1S37. He of Austrian hussars ; two of the three were was a native of East Haddam, Ct., born Jan. slain, and the other sabered and left for dead 6, 1770. in a ditch. . . . This flagrant violation of the "• Elected Lieutenant-Governor, but Gov- law of nations roused the indignation and ernor by the death of Gov. Increase Sumner, horror not only of France, but of all Europe." ^ Alexander Gillett, a native of East — Chajnbers's Encvdopcsdia, Vol. VHI, p. 1 17. Granby, Ct. (Turkey Hills), graduated at Yale, ^ Isaac Robbins was a son of Dr. Chand- 1770, the pastor at Torrington from 1792 to ler, Robbins, of Plymouth, born in 1770, now 1826. twenty-nine years old. He was living out in * Torrington was the name of the town Ohio. of which Torringford was a part. It was an 3 At this time, the pulpit of New Hart- important town in western Connecticut. 96 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1799- dusty. Rode to Glastonbury and tarried with Mr. Lockwood.' Very dry and My sister is hardly able to perform the journey. October. 1. Rode to Marlborough, and tarried at my old home, Mr. Carter's. This societ}' has given Mr. Gould,^ who is chosen tutor at Williams College, a call to settle with them in the ministry. 2. There has been considerable awakening in this parish the past sum- mer, but I fear it is subsiding. Rode through Hebron and Windham to Plainfield. Fine weather. My sister very tired. The academy in this town very flourishing. 3. Rode on through Sterling in Connecticut ; and in Rhode Island, Cov- entry, Foster, Scituate, and tarried at a tavern in Johnston,^ three miles from Providence. My sister quite unwell by the fatigue of the journey. 4. Rode on. Walked around Providence. This city appears flourishing. Went into the Baptist and new Presbyterian meeting-houses ; * the best meet- ing-houses in New England. Rode through Providence, part of Rehoboth, Barrington,* and Warren to Bristol. Bristol and Warren are very pretty towns. We arrived safely at Dr. Bradford's ; * an uncle by marriage. Very kindly received. 5. My sister quite unwell. My uncle here lives in a fine situation, a mile from the town, on a large farm on Mount Hope, the celebrated seat of King Philip. Fences here are most wholly large stone walls. Read some in T/ie Forresters, 6. Attended meeting and the holy sacrament. O may my mind be solemnized whenever I approach the holy table. Heard Mr. Wight,^ the minister here, preach. Dr. Bradford is a man of great information. ' Rev. William Lockwood was the pastor at Glastonbury from 1797 to 1804, when he was obliged to resign on account of ill-health, and was never able to resume the pastoral charge, though he lived till 1828. His father, James Lockwood, was an eminent man in his generation, was pastor at Wethersfield from 1739 to 1772, when he died; was a Fellow of Yale, was solicited to succeed Pres. Clap as President of Yale, and also was offered the Presidency of the College of New Jersey, but he declined both these offers. ^ Mr. Vinson Gould, graduated at Will- iams in 1797, and two years later was chosen tutor. He did not accept the Marlborough call. He was a native of Sharon, Ct. ^ In Rhode Island Congregational churches are few now, and were fewer then. In none of the four towns here named was there a Congregational church. ■* The fathers, at the beginning of this cent- ury, often called Congregational churches Presbyterian. The meeting-house here re- ferred to was probably that of the so-called Beneficent Church. ^ At Barrington was the oldest Congrega- tional church in the State of Rhode Island, founded in 1670. ^ This William Bradford was of the fourth generation from the illustrious William Brad- ford of 1620, Governor of the Plymouth Colony. He was a physician in large and successful practice, first living at W^arren, and then on Mount Hope, Bristol. His wife was Mary Le Baron, of Phinouth, born 1731, half-sister of Thomas Robbins's mother. Dr. Bradford lived with her twent)-four j-ears in the married state, and then lived thirty-three years a widower. His wife died in 1775, at the age of forty-four, while he lived on alone until 180S. ^ Rev. Henry Wight, D. D., native of Medfield, Mass., graduate of Harvard, 17S2, pastor at Bristol from 1785 to 182S. [799-] ON A JOURNEY TO PLYMOUTH, MASS. 97 7. Walked out with a cousin. The people here do much in the African trade. There is considerable shipping owned here. Afternoon rode to Warren and back. There is very little religion here even in form.' 8. Walked on to Mt. Hope, which affords one of the finest prospects I ever saw ; and I guess, equal to any in New England. Rainy. Dined with Capt. De Wolf,^ the husband of one of my cousins. He has a set of china- ware which cost two hundred and fifty dollars in Canton. 9. After a fine visit we left our friends at Bristol. Rode through Warren, Swansea, and Dighton to Taunton. Tarried at Col. Crossman's.^ They were very kind. 10. A very hard rain. A number of soldiers are stationed in this town. Towards night we rode to Raynham. Being rainy we were obliged to stop at a private house. 11. Our hosts were very kind. They would not take anything. INIy sister evidently gets better. Came to Middleborough to Mr. Barker's."* Preached a sacramental lecture. The English missionary ship has gone a second voyage to the South Seas. 12. Rode through Carver to Plymouth. Found friends all well. The departure of my dear uncle Robbins has made a great blank. We have had a very prosperous journey. O for gratitude. At evening a Mr. Kendall^ came to Aunt Robbins's to board ; a candidate hired to preach here, now a tutor at Harvard College. 13. Heard Mr. Kendall preach. He appears to be an Arminian^ in full. A very great congregation here. At evening attended a conference. Gave an account of awakenings at the westward. Prayed with a dying man. 14. Wet and cloudy weather still continues. Walked and visited. 15. Fine weather after nearly a week of wet and bad. Dined with Mr. W. Goodwin.^ Read the articles of capitulation of Mantua. The Russians and Austrians took it after a short but vigorous siege, and found in it great stores. Attended a funeral. ' This remark very true and characteris- Mr. Barker was born in 1751, graduated at tic of Rhode Island in the last century, and Yale in 177 1, and settled at Middleborough early part of the present. It was, at that in 1781. He remained here till his death in time, missionary ground for the Connecticut 1815. churches. ^ This was James Kendall, D. D., ^fter- ^ The DeWolfs, of Bristol, have been a wards pastor for a life-time at Plymouth, and conspicuous family for character and wealth under whose ministry the church passed from for generations. the Trinitarian to the Unitarian faith. ^ This was the father probably, of Rev. * Already the theology which came from Joseph W. Grossman, who had been two Harvard was different from that which came years before settled at Salisbury, Ct. Joseph from Yale. W. Grossman was a graduate of Brown Uni- ' This Mr. W. Goodwin was a son of Na- versity in 1795. thaniel Goodwin. His mother was a Le '' Rev. Joseph Barker, who was born and Baron, but he was not nearly related to Mr. brought up in Branford, Gt., where Thomas Robbins. The Goodwins and Le Baroiis in- Robbins's grandfather Philemon was minister. termarried considerably. 98 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l799- 16. The Dutch fleet in the Texel have surrendered to the British for the Stadtholder without any opposition. Dined with Dr. Thacher. At evening preached a private lecture to a large audience. Walked and viewed the mode of curing fish. 17. Yery cold for the season. This town has increased much since I was here last. There is considerable maritime trade and fishing. My sister's health amends. 18. Made considerable inquir}^ concerning my ancestr}^ and noted what I could get. My cousin Lemuel Le Baron,' a graduate at Providence, is here keeping school for a short time. 19. Rode to Rochester with my sister and cousin I. Robbins.^ Found all well at my uncle's. Warm. 20. Preached for my uncle.^ Cloudy, and a thin meeting. 21. Walked out and visited. At evening had considerable company. Many fine singers here. 22. Quite cold. My uncle is an excellent man. People here trade con- siderably. 23. We have had a very fine visit here. Set out for Plymouth. Came on to Mr. Everett's * at Wareham, and unfortunately found him and his wife gone. Dined. Wrote him a letter and came on. Went into the furnace at CarA-er, and arrived at Plymouth safely. Quite cold. 24. My Uncle W. Le Baron,^ whom I have not seen before, appears quite agreeably. Walked out and visited. 25. Dined at Aunt Thompson's.^ She having failed through misfortune has again begun in trade, and has fair prospects. This town is in a very great tumult respecting a minister. 26. Dined at Gen. Goodwin's. A very elegant dinner. Saturday and Sabbath evenings here seem to be considerably devoted to visiting. Talked freely with my friends on sentiments in divinity. 27. Heard Mr. Kendall preach. I think it will be a great misfortune to this town to have him for their minister. I fear he will lead souls astray. At evening attended a conference. 28. A rainy day. Saturday evening my cousin Chandler Robbins came here from the eastward on a short visit. This town in a srreat ferment on ' A son of Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, minister that preached for him that day was, Oct. 16, at Rochester. This cousin had graduated 1S32, installed as colleague. This parish is that fall at Brown University. now knowTi as Mattapoisett. Rev. Mr. Le ^ Isaac Robbins from Ohio. It will be Baron died in 1836, in his 90th year, remembered that he appeared at Norfolk, * Rev. Noble Everett, a native of Wood- only a few weeks before, on his way from bury, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1775, and Ohio to his home in PljTnouth. minister at Wareham from 1782 to 1819. 3 Lemuel Le Baron, born in 1747, two ^ William Le Baron, born 1751. He was years after his sister, the wife of the Norfolk sLx years younger than his sister Elizabeth, minister, was graduated at Yale in 176S, and ^ Irene Robbins, daughter of Rev. Phile- was settled in Rochester in 1772, where he mon Robbins, of Branford, married Mr. G. remained for life. He continued sole pastor D. Thompson. We suppose her to be the till 1832, sixty years, when the young man " Aunt Thompson " he speaks of. 1700.] ON A JOURNEY TO PLYMOUTH, MASS. 99 account of a billet which was yesterday pinned on the cushion, and addressed to the minister. At evening it appeared to be from my cousin P. G. Robbins.' 29. In the morning set out for Boston. -Fine weather. Saw the Presi- dent's situation in Quincy,.^ Arrived at Boston in the evening. 30. Found friends more and better than I expected. A great deal of parade in honor of the President's birthday. The most splendid militar}- parade that I ever saw. There is a great deal of business done here. The streets very full and crowded. At evening attended the theater with my cousin J. Le Baron. 31. My feet and ankles are quite sore with walking on the pavement. Called on Mr. E. N. Robbins. He was very hospitable. If I shall ever go to Boston again he will assist me into inquiring into our ancestry. Left Boston. Called and visited Mr. Cobb, of Kingston, who is one hundred and five years old last April. Arrived safely at Plymouth. November. I. Visited friends. Quite cold. At evening attended a meeting with the brethren of the church, to converse about a minister. Some of the serious people seem to be strangely deluded. 3. Took an affectionate leave of all friends, and set out for home with my sister. Dined with Mr. Barker,^ of Middleborough, and came on to Taunton. 3. Very cold all day. Preached for a new society three miles from the center of the town. The center of the town is determined to have a Cam- bridge Arminian* minister. At evening had company. 4. Cold morning. Rode through a part of Attleborough and Rehoboth to Pawtucket.^ Tarried with Dr. Shumway. Saw the mill-works, gnn-works, cotton-works, etc. At evening preached a lecture to a pretty large audience. 5. Came through the State of Rhode Island to Plainfield. My sister rides very well.* Found friends kind. 6. Rode to Norwich. Came on to Lebanon, and tarried with Mr. Gur- ley.^ Fine weather. * Peter Oilman Robbins, the youngest * This remark seems to suggest that this child of Dr. Chandler Robbins, born in 1781, was a horseback journey. and now only sixteen or seventeen years old, ^ Rev. John Gurley, the maiden name of ^ Travelers through Quincy for nearly a whose wife was Mary Porter, of Hebron, hundred years, have been careful to take a great aunt of the editor of this diary. He look at the Adams's mansion. has spent many days and nights in this old ^ Rev. Joseph Barker, already noticed. parsonage house. Here were born John W. * Arminian as used in connection with the Gurley, a brilliant lawyer, killed in a duel at Congregational churches of New England at New Orleans, Mary, wife of Rev. Dr. Gillett, the beginning of this century, was a general of Hallowell, Me., Henry H., member of rather than a strictly technical term. It im- Congress, and judge in Louisiana, Ralph R., • plied a low state of doctrine, and of practical for a long course of years Secretary of the piety. American Colonization Society. After the 5 Pawtucket was not then a town, but a death of Rev. Mr. Gurley Mrs. Gurley mar- part of Providence. ried Gen. Absalom Peters. 1(^0 DIARY OF REV. THOiMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l799- 7. Rode through Colchester to Marlborough. Received thirty dollars' from this society. 8. Rode to Hartford. Tarried with Mr. Strong.'' Afternoon something rainy. 9. Left Hartford, and at evening arrived home,^ Found all well. We have had an exceeding prosperous journey. Our most sanguine wishes have been answered and plans accomplished. This week has been remarkably good weather for the season. What shall we render to the Lord for all his mercies? O bless the Lord our souls. 10. I think I never saw a fuller congregation in this town. The work of God continues here with great power. I preached in the afternoon. At evening attended conference. 11. Received letters which had come for me in my absence ; one from Mr. N. Munger/ and one from Mr. Andrews, Middlebury, Vt. My horse is pretty poor.' 12. Rainy. Afternoon a number of persons were examined, to be pro- pounded for communion. My parents hope that my brothers James and Francis Le Baron are subjects of the divine work in this place. Laiis et gloria. 13. Quite cold. My sister's health is essentially benefited by our journey. Wrote. Read newspaper. 14. Weather ver)^ pleasant. Wrote considerably. Attended to my father's scholars, three of whom, we hope, are serious young men. 15. Last night we had considerable company, and today they are sick. Afternoon Mr. Smith, of Sharon,^ came here and preached a lecture. Another company went off. 16. Rode to Litchfield. Got acquainted with Mr. Allen. Rode back to Goshen, and tarried with Mr. Hooker.' Last Sabbath twenty-five young persons were added to his church. 17. In the morning Mr. Grossman, of Salisbury, and wife came here by mistake expecting to have exchanged with Mr. Huntington,* of Litchfield. I preached in the forenoon, Mr. Grossman in the afternoon. ' This, as may be remembered, was the ^ Rev. Cotton Mather Smith, a native of sum due him when he left Marlborough, in Suffield, Ct., a graduate of Yale, 1751. Set- the month of April previous. tied at Sharon from 1755 to 1806, fifty-one ^ Dr. Nathan Strong, before noticed. years. ^ About thirty miles from Hartford to "> Rev. Asahel Hooker settled at Goshen Norfolk. From Norfolk to Plymouth, through from 1791 to 1813. A prominent educator in Rhode Island, and back home, a journey of divinity. His daughter was the wife of Dr. about two hundred and eighty miles. Elias Cornelius, one of the early Secretaries * Mr. Nathaniel Munger was chosen one of the American Education Society, and also of the selectmen of Middlebury, Vt., in the of the American Board, year 1795. * Rev. Dan Huntington, father of Bishop 5 If, as we suspect, he had recently carried Fred. D. Huntington, whom we have before Thomas Robbins and sister to Plymouth and noticed in connection with visits to the Nor- back, he may be excused for being a little folk parsonage, and as tutor at Yale and worn and weary. Williams, was settled in 1798 at Litchfield. 1 799-] ^'^ HOME AT NORFOLK. lOI i8. Rode to Warren. Made a visit at my Uncle Starr's. At night rainy. 19. Very cold. Afternoon preached a lecture. My cousin P. Starr at a very great loss what course of life to pursue. 20. Rode home. Dined with my brother A. at Canaan. The turnpike road through this town is just completed, and very good indeed. My cousin S. P. Robbins' now here on a visit. Now keeping school and studying divinity with Mr. Hyde," at Lee. 21. My cousin went off. Read newspaper. Worked some. 22. Wrote a letter to Dr. Baylies,^ of Bristol, R. I. My cousin Isaac Robbins'' came here from Plymouth. 23. Wrote to my Uncle Starr. Last night Mr. Judson tarried here on his return from Mr. Weeks's ^ ordination at Waterbury. My mamma gave me a plain gold ring. Wrote in this almanac from a plain diary which I have kept, as I lately bought this at Boston. 24. A full and attentive assembly. At evening attended a conference. Something rainy. 25. Wrote. Studied some in genealogy.* At evening my father returned from Warren. He preached there yesterday, and at Sharon last Thursday, as if passing under the frown of Providence in not specially visiting them in the present revival. 26. Very cold. Afternoon rode out and attended a conference. At even- ing received a letter from the committee in Brookfield,^ requesting me to go there and preach. Received a letter from Uncle Starr. 27. Worked considerably. May we have sincere hearts to celebrate a day of thanksgiving and praise. 28. This is Thanksgiving Day in this State, Massachusetts, New Hamp- shire, and I believe in Vermont. A very good day, and full meeting. My father preached. Never had this and the neighboring towns such infinite cause for thanksgiving as now. Had an agreeable time at home, which may be the last Thanksgiving I shall ever enjoy at my father's house. At evening it snowed. 29. Set out for Brookfield. Snow not enough for sleighing. Dined at Goshen. Came to Warren. ' Uncle Starr and church committee examining candidates for communion. ' Son of Dr. Chandler Robbins, and be- * Probably on his way back to Ohio, fore noticed. ' Rev. Holland Weeks, settled at Water- ^ Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., another well- bury in November, 1799, but his stay was known theological educator of his day, pastor short. He was dismissed in 1806. at Lee, Mass., from 1792 to 1833. A graduate * He began to show his taste for this kind of Dartmouth in 1788, a native of Franklin, of study, at an early age. He was one of the Ct. early genealogists of New England, a leader 3 Dr. William Baylies, native of Uxbridge, and originator in this department. What- Mass., a graduate of Harvard in 1760, a dis- ever he did he had to do under difficulties, tinguished physician. He was resident at Now the helps for this labor have greatly Dighton, but officially was much at Bristol as accumulated. Judge of Court of Common Pleas and Reg- ' Brookfield was in Fairfield County, nearly ister of Court of Probate. thirty miles south from Norfolk. 102 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1799- 30. Quite cold. Came on to New Milford. Dined with Mr. Taylor.' He appears old and quite unwell. Arrived at Brookfield. December. 1. Preached. Quite cold. Pretty full meeting. I fear I may dishonor the religion which I have professed, and the cause which I attempt to proclaim. 2. Read Du Pan's ^ History of the Destruction of Helvetic Liberty. Weather moderate. I hope we shall not have so severe a winter as two or three of the last. 3. Read Night Thoughts. I live at one Deck's. 4. Finished Du Pan's History. Visited Deacon Camp, who was one of my father's deacons for several years. 5. There appears to be no special seriousness in this quarter. On the ist of September the English army in Holland, under the Duke of York, made a general attack on the French and Dutch, and were compelled to retreat to their former position. Read Night Thoughts. Snowed some. 6. Walked out. Warm. The drought last summer was very great in this part of the country, and generally the latter harvest was light. Wrote. Read History of Gustavus Vasa.^ 7. It snows, but the weather is warm. Man, and on Criticism.* 8. Much troubled with nose bleeding. opposed to sound sentiment. 9. Very cold. Rode out and visited. Gustavus Vasa. ID. I could not get one of Thomas's almanacs for this year, till I bought this at Boston in October. I have however kept a diary all the year. Writing off my diary. Read the Bible. 11. Wrote in my diary. Wrote on my family piece.^ 12. Read. \\'eighed one hundred and twenty-nine; three or four pounds more than I ever have. Rode out and heard Mr. Rogers,^ of New Fairtield, preach a lecture. Visited. Wrote. Read Pope's Essay on The people here are generally Finished reading the History of ' Rev. Nathaniel Taylor had at this time been minister at New Milford fifty-one years. No wonder that he appeared old. He was the father of Prof. Nathaniel W. Taylor, D. D., so long the distinguished teacher of theology in the New Haven Theolog- ical Seminary. Rev. Mr. Taylor, of New Milford, died in the year following this visit. ^ James Mallet Dupan. His work had reference to the invasion of Switzerland by the French. It was translated from the French, and published in London in 1798. ^ A Life of Gustavus Vasa, in two vol umes, was published in New York in 1791. This was probably the work referred to in the diar}'. * Pope's Essay on Criticism was published in 171 1. An able writer describes it as "un- questionably the finest piece of argumenta- tive and reasoning poetry in the language." His Essay on Alan, which has been better known among people at large, was published in 1733- ^ Genealogical record of his family. ^ Rev. Medad Rogers, minister at New Fairfield, 1786-1822. He was graduated at Yale in 1777. This church was organized in 1742, and is now one of the smallest Congre- gational churches in Connecticut. 1 799-] PREACHING AT BROOKFIELD, CT. 103 13. Wrote in my diary. Worked out and visited. Began to read Pres- ident Stiles'' s Lifc.^ Cold. 14. Finished copying my diary, which cost me much labor. The President made an excellent address at the opening of Congress. Mr. Sedgwick, of Stockbridge, is chosen speaker. The armies in Holland had a terrible en- gagement on the 2d and 3d of October, in which the Bavarians and Italians were defeated. Many people here quarreling with the Scripture doctrines. 15. Weather very pleasant. Burhans,^ the former Episcopal minister at Lanesborough, now settled at Newtown, preaches here everj'^ fourth Sabbath. 16. Rode out. It snowed considerably. No sleighing here hitherto. Read. 17. Finished reading the Life of President Stiles. It is a very valuable piece of biography. Quite cold. 18. Read in a small work of Rev. Mr. Hooker,^ of Hartford. Walked out and visited. 19. Rainy. Rode to New Fairfield, and preached a lecture for Rev. Mr. Rogers.* At evening attended a conference. Some hopeful appearances of seriousness there. 20. Rode down to Danbury, and visited Mr. Langdon.^ Very poor.* People sleigh some, though there is little snow. Rode back to Brookfield. 21. Read the Bible. Wrote on a sermon. Visited a school near by. 22. Preached plainly. At evening had considerable company. This is the last Sabbath for which I was hired here. The people have agreed for the present not to have preaching in the extreme season. 23. Was requested to go and teach the public school in Danbury. I have not expected to teach school any more ; but as I am not at present engaged, and as there is a prospect that I shall be employed to preach there, or near by, I have engaged. This latter was my chief motive, for I hope by leave of providence, I may never renounce that employment, which is the delight of my soul, and the desire of my younger years. Received a letter from Mr. Weeks,^ of Waterbury. 24. Last evening heard a report of the death of Gen. Washington,^ but could not believe it. Today it seems to be strengthened. O that it may be false ! Had company. Received twenty dollars from this town. 25. Rode to Danbury.' The hero and father of America is indeed gone ' The Life of Ezra Stiles, President of Yale * See note Dec. 12, 1799. College, written by his son-in-law, Dr. Abiel ^ Timothy Langdon, graduated at Yale in Holmes, of Cambridge, was published in 1 781, and settled at Danbury t 786. 1798. ^ " Very poor "an expression which will ^ Rev. Daniel Burhans, D. D., graduate be often used ; means very ill. of Williams, 1804, received his degree of ' Rev. Holland Weeks. D. D. from Trinity College, 1834. ^ Washington died December 14, and the ^ The famous Thomas Hooker, of Hart- first rumors of this most impressive event ford, 1636-1647. Not far from thirty separ- reached Danbury ten days afterwards. So ate publications were made from his writings. slowly did things move in that generation. We have no clue as to which one he was ' Only four or five miles from Brookfield reading. to Danbury. I04 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l799- from the world he founded. Afternoon began my school. Quite cold. Wrote home. 26. I board with a Mr. Whittlesey. In coming from Brookfield, I spilled ink from my ink-stand in my saddle-bags and damaged my clothes. 27. The weather moderates considerably. At evening visited Mr. Lang- don. Pretty poor. 28. My school yet is very small. They are very ignorant in things of religion. The newspapers seem to be filled with lamentations on the death of Gen. Washington. The whole country seems to be in mourning. All seem to think that his character is above panegyric. Put a ribbon on my arm as most of the gentlemen have done. 29. Mr. Langdon being unwell, I preached all day. At evening had company. 30. Rainy. The snow is gone. From the i6th till now, it has been very comfortable w'inter weather, and people have moved both with carts and with sleighs all the time. At evening a committee of the town requested me to deliver an oration on Thursday, on the death of Gen. Washington.' The time is short, but I have undertaken it. Began my oration. 31. In the forenoon no school for want of wood. Wrote on my oration. Adieu 1799. * Young Robbins was only twenty-two years old, and it was a striking testimony of confidence to ask him to perform a service of this dignity and importance. 1800. January. 1. O for humility under a sense of my inattention to the infinite mercies of a glorious God. Am so taken up with my school, writing my oration, etc., that I cannot devote this day as I ought. Weather cold. 2. In the morning finished my oration.' Afternoon attended public exer- cises in commemoration of the death of Gen. Washington. About noon a procession, civil, military, and Masonic, ver)' long, moved in good order to the meeting-house. There was very good vocal and instrumental music. I made the first prayer and delivered my oration. Rev. Mr. Ely, of Bethlehem,^ concluded. There was a great concourse of people, and everything was conducted worthy of the solemnity of the occasion. Dined out. 3. Newspapers from all quarters are in mourning. Congress has recom- mended to wear a badge of mourning for thirty days, and they (members of Congress) are to wear black during the session. At evening invited out. 4. Quite cold, but no snow. Afternoon rode to Ridgeburj'.^ 5. Preached for Mr. Camp.* He is quite poor, not like to live long.^ This is a very small society. Verj^ cold. Rode back to Danbury. 6. Monroe ^ is chosen Governor of Virginia. Received a letter from the committee of this town requesting a copy of my oration for publication. I am disappointed, and don't know what to say. At evening invited out. 7. My school increases. The coldest weather we have had. Afternoon no school for want of wood. Began to write off my oration. 8. At evening visited. Wrote. There is no New Year's address from Hartford.^ 9. Weather moderates. The French succeed against the allied powers.^ Visited. Traded considerably. ' He had but three days for his writing. ^ Mr. Camp recovered from this illness, ^ This was Rev. John Ely, of Bethel, not and lived till 1813. Bethlehem. The place now known as Beth- * James Monroe, afterwards President of lehem was then commonly written Bethlem. United States. Governor of Virginia, 1799- This last was the place where Dr. Joseph 1S02. Bellamy filled out his long ministry of fifty- ^ Omitted probably because of the mourn- one years. From Bethel came Prof. Laurens ing for Washington. These annual addresses P. Hickok and Pres. Seelye, of Amherst were usually humorous, and would have College. seemed out of place at a time like this. ^ Ridgeburv, an ecclesiastical parish in the * The reference here is probably to the town of Ridgefield, was only four or five miles battles of Bergen and Alkmaer, in which from Danbury. the allied armies were defeated, Sept. 19, ■• Samuel Camp, a graduate of Yale, 1764, 1799, and the battle of Zurich, in which Mas- minister at Ridgebury, 1769-1S04. sena beat the Russians, Sept. 25, 1799. los Io6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1800. 10. My father's two classmates, Whites,* live in this town. They are both Sandemanians.^ 11. Talked seriously with my school. They are ignorant. Wrote on my oration. Rode to Ridgebury. I- have agreed to preach there several Sabbaths. 12. Mr. Camp decays. People here pretty attentive. Returned. 13. At evening finished copying my oration, and sent it away for publica- tion. Wrote a letter to Mr. Tucker of this town. 14. Traded some. Read Gen. Lee's oration on the death of George Washington, delivered at the request of Congress.^ 15. The newspapers from all quarters are filled with lamentations, eulogies, and poems on the death of Gen. Washington. I believe it is certain that there was never such a striking instance of a nation in mourning. It is not imaginary but real. 16. Very warm for the season. My boys play ball freely. My school consists of about thirty scholars. At night much afflicted with my old diffi- culty of a pain in my face. Wrote a letter home. Mr. L. Knapp from Norfolk called to see me. Received two letters from my father. Mr. Lang- don and I do not fully agree in religious sentiment. 17. Afternoon quite rainy. Was invited to a great supper. Troubled with my pain. 18. Had a great coat made. Hope my school is inquisitive * in serious things. Rode to Ridgebury. 19. Quite cold and tedious. At evening returned. 20. My health is uncommonly good this winter. My school worries me very little, but I find very little time to study. At evening attended a wedding. 21. Was invited to supper with a great company. O that I may not be permitted to dishonor the religion I have professed. 22. Very good weather. No snow at all. Some troubled with the head- ache. 23. Inspected a proof-sheet of my oration. At evening walked out. Read in Sandemanian books. 24. My school consists of a little over thirty. Many of them have not been governed very well. Mr. Langdon^ appears to be in a consumption. 25. There has been another explosion in Paris evidently effected by Bona- parte.^ Rode to Ridgebury. Quite cold. 'These were Joseph Moss White, and * "Inquisitive." Several times Mr. Rob- Rev. Ebenezer Russell White, in the class of bins uses this word where we should say, 1760, at Yale, with Rev. Ammi Ruhamah "attentive to," or "interested in." Robbins. = Mr. Langdon, the pastor of the Danbury ^ Followers of Robert Sandeman, of Scot- church, was fatally ill, though he was a young land, a small sect not differing much from man comparatively, only having been nineteen other Christians in respect to their doctrinal years out of college. The disease which year belief, but having many peculiar forms and by year carries off such multitudes was prey- ceremonies, ing upon him. ^ Gen. Henry Lee, a prominent ofiScer * The Directory abolished, and Bonaparte, under Washington during the Revolutionary Ducos, and Sieyes appointed an executive War, now a member of Congress. commission November, 1799. l8oo.] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. I07 26. Very cold. Last night received of Ridgebur)^ society twelve dollars and one half. People here appear attentive. O that good may come. Returned. 27. Inspected another proof-sheet of my oration. At evening had a long talk with Mr. E. R. White' upon principles. The Sandemanians are very mild. 28. My oration is published.^ It appears as well as I expected. At even- ing walked out. Very cold. 29. Severe cold. The most extreme weather we have had this winter. Set out for home. Rode as far as Warren, and tarried at my uncle's.^ 30. Dined at my brother's in Canaan, and arrived home safely finding all well, though in mourning. My sister B. is down from Paris. My brother N. is gone to Plymouth. Were it not for that our family could be all together, which has not been for several years. 31. Weather moderates. At evening much troubled with the pain in my jaw. Some sleighing in this town, though almost all the way between here and Danbury is bare. February. 1. Last night we had a very severe snow-storm. Paid a debt to a mer- chant. At evening talked seriously with my brother and sister on the solemn transaction they expect to pass through tomorrow. 2. I preached in the forenoon, and my father in the afternoon. I had the affecting pleasure of seeing my father admit into his church my sister Sarah and brother James.* 3. Last evening attended the conference. The special seriousness con- tinues here. My father has admitted into his church one hundred and twenty- five persons since last June. 4. Last night it snowed and hailed considerably. Dined at Warren, and tarried at Brookfield.' Afternoon it rained some and thawed veiy much. 5. Arrived at Danbury and began school. Weather quite warm and snow goes fast. Read the details of late events at Paris.' There is some prospect that royalty will succeed ; but it is ver}^ small. It is said that Louis XVII, ^ who is said to have died in 1795, is still alive. 6. Had a very severe turn with my jaw. Read. 7. Wrote. The sleighing is nearly gone. ' Rev. E. R. White, father of the two ^ Rev. Peter Starr. Sandemanians already spoken of, was, in * It was this event probably, that called 1736, made pastor of this Danbury church. him home for this mid-winter visit. After being settled nearly thirty years, he led ^ His last preaching-place before going to off a company, and formed what was called Danbury. " The* New Danbury " church. After a time *" The Consulate. Napoleon Bonaparte, this new organization joined with the Sande- Cambaceres, and Lebrun appointed consuls, manians. Dec. 24, 1799" ^ A gratifying fact to a young author, and ^ The story of the Lost Prince had already especially under the peculiar circumstances begun, and only a few years ago filled a of this case. volume. Io8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBDINS, D.D. [180O. 8. Amazing stupidity in all matters of religion prevails in this quarter. Afternoon rode to Ridgebury.' 9. In the morning it snowed very hard. A very good snow about eight or nine inches. Had few hearers. At evening returned. 10. By previous appointment had a serious meeting with my school. Some others attended. Am requested to preach here on the 22d^ of the month. Would be glad to be excused, but it seems almost indispensable. 11. Very good sleighing. At evening walked out. Read. 12. Pretty cold. At evening rode in a sleigh to Brookfield and back with company. 13. Had no school in the forenoon for want of wood. At evening walked out. Very cold. 14. Began my sermon on Isa. xliv : 28.^ It snowed almost all day. 15. Wrote considerably. O for more tenderness of spirit. 16. Last evening went to bed at about half past eleven. At half past one Mrs. Whittlesey was taken sick, and at sunrise a fine son was born. Slept very little." Was quite unable to preach. Rode to Ridgebury. At evening attended a singing-meeting. 17. Returned. Very fine sleighing. At evening had a meeting with my school and others. 18. Am invited out to tea almost every day. Wrote on my sermon. 19. My school requires much attention, and at times is quite wearisome. Walked out. 20. At evening finished my sermon on Isa. xliv: 28. I am under a disadvantage in writing upon the subject as I have already written, and that [his address] is published. 21. Wrote to my father. Quite warm. The snow goes very fast. 22. This is the day appointed by Congress to commemorate the death of Gen. Washington. It was generally attended to in the country. The exercises were lengthy, and as I performed the whole (Mr. Langdon being unwell) I was very tired. We had the usual exercises of a Sabbath afternoon ; then read Gen. Washington's valedictory address, which employed forty-five minutes, then had music. Our music was very good.^ Dined out. ' In supplying the pulpit at Ridgebury ^ The text chosen for his sermon on the during Mr. Camp's illness, Mr. Robbins usu- 22d. It was a very suggestive text from its ally rode over from Danbury Saturday after- rich historical connections and associations. noon, and returned Sabbath evening. It was " That saith of Cyrus, he is my shepherd, and a short journey, and in exigencies he went shall perform all my pleasure : even saying over Sunday morning. to Jerusalem, Thou shaltbe built; and to the * Congress had requested the people of temple, Thy foundation shall be laid." the United States to observe Washington's * As he was never to have any children birthday this year, as a sacred day of com- himself he was more sympathetic under the memoration. The 22d fell this year on Sat- circumstances than might have been expected, urday. His oration, before delivered, was ^ A commemoration like this in one New published, and it was rather hard for a young England town, may be taken as a kind of man not to repeat himself on such a subject. sample, showing what was going on that day. It shows, however, great confidence in him far and wide, throughout the country. No on the part of the people of Danbury, to urge man can ever again be to this land what this second service upon him. Washington was a century ago. l8oo.] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. 109 23. Rode to Ridgebur}'. The sleighing is about finished. At night very tired.' 24. Returned. At evening had a serious meeting. Will the God of all grace let one drop of mercy fall upon it ? 25. It is customary here for little children to have dances, even the young- est in my school.^ Walked out. Snow is almost gone. 26. Mrs. Whittlesey gets well very fast. There is a prospect that a military academy^ will be established in the United States. 27. Wrote. Quite warm. At evening walked out. 28. Mrs. Whittlesey's mother, the wife of E. R. White, my father's class- mate, died in the afternoon of a consumption.'* Quite cold and chillv. March. 1. It snowed all the forenoon very hard. Afternoon rode out in a sleigh. The snow is very much drifted. 2. Rode to Ridgebury, preached and returned. The Sandemanians have no prayers at funerals.* 3. At evening had a serious meeting. The snow goes pretty fast. 4. Warm. At evening rode in a sleigh to Ridgefield ; made a visit to Mr. Goodrich,^ and returned. 5. Poor sleighing. My school [scholars] are pretty wearisome. 6. At evening rode to one part of the town, and preached a lecture. Mr. Rogers was down from New Fairfield, and a number of his people. 7. Very cold. Capt. Truxton has fought a very hard drawn battle with a French ship.^ 8. I do not know that any special seriousness is on the minds of my school. 9. It snowed moderately all day. Thin meeting. At evening returned. 10. Received a letter from my father. Mr. Bogue,^ of Winchester, like to ' His work on Saturday, followed by two feasts, or dining at each other's houses dur- sermons on Sunday, might well make him ing the intervals of public worship ; still tired. others were the washing of each other's feet, - This is one of those little side lights, the kiss of charity on receiving new members which help to show us what wrong impres- to the church, something like a community sions people have of the New England of the of goods, etc., etc. past. ^ Rev. Samuel Goodrich, graduated at ^ The institution at West Point was opened Yale, 1783, minister at Ridgefield, 17S6-1S11. in the following year, 1802. He was father of Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, * It does not appear that Mrs. Whittlesey settled in 1816 over the First Church of Wor- was a Sandemanian, though her father was. cester, and of Samuel G. Goodrich, " Peter Still she would naturally be kindly disposed Parley." The two brothers were for many to those with whom her father was thus years associated at Hartford, Ct., in the pub- associated. Mrs. Whittlesey's mother was lication and sale of the Peter Parley books, probably well advanced in life, as her hus- ^ Not an action of much consequence prob- band was forty years out of college, and she ably, as it does not stand in the list of im- was a grandmother. portant naval battles. ^ This is one of the Sandemanian pecul- ^ Rev. Publius V. Bogue, settled in Win- iarities. Another was a weekly celebration Chester, January, 1791, dismissed March, of the Lord's Supper. Another was love- iSoo. no DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1800. be dismissed. Received another from Uncle Starr, and one from a committee in Castleton, Vt., requesting me to go there to preach. O for direction ! At evening had a very serious meeting. 11. Snow goes very fast. My school are pretty much engaged learning dialogues.' Was disappointed in getting some of my orations from the printers, as they are all sold." 12. Read. The sleighing is gone. I drink tea out the greater part of the time. 13. Quite warm and pleasant. Rode to Ridgebury, and attended a wedding. 14. Mr. Langdon quite poor. It appears most likely he will not be able to preach long. There seems to be a kind of rest among European armies. 15. Rainy. Visited an old woman near her death. Rode to Ridgebur)-. Ver\' bad riding. 16. Very pleasant. Pretty full meeting. Visited a man lying insensible below his hips by a fall from a building. It is supposed his spinal marrow is broken. Returned. Had a hard time with my face. 17. At evening had a meeting. Wrote considerably on a dialogue which I began on the isth. 18. Rainy. Walked out. Finished my dialogue. 19. Mr. Livingston,^ in Congress, having brought forward some resolutions censuring the President for his conduct respecting Thomas Nash, they were negatived sixty-one to thirty-five. The committee visited my school, and appeared well pleased. 20. At evening walked out. There are many orations, sermons, eulogies, published on the death of Gen. Washington, and many of them very good, 21. Yesterday wrote to my Uncle Starr. Wrote to the committee at Cas- tleton, Vt. Quite rainy. 22. Wrote to my father. A long, cold, and wet storm. Think of having an exhibition of my school. 23. Rode to Ridgebury. Very bad riding. Attended a funeral. 24. Returned. A long, cold storm. At evening had a full and serious meeting. ' He is preparing for an exhibition. ^ The popular demand was doubtless in- creased by the peculiar feelings among the people, consequent upon the death of one so honored and beloved. ' Edward Livingston, a member of Con- gress from New York City 1795-1802, intro- duced some resolutions censuring President Adams. The case was this : President Adams had given back to the British government one Thomas Nash, charged with having com- mitted murder on board a British frigate. The President acted under the conditions of the treaty between the United States and Great Britain touching the extradition of criminals. But the enemies of the President claimed that the man returned was not a British subject, but an American citizen by the name of Jonathan Robbins, of Danburj^ Ct. On these resolutions of Mr. Livingston a great debate arose in Congress. John Mar- shall, of Virginia, then forty-five years old, closed the debate with a powerful speech de- fending the President, and the resolutions failed, as above, by a vote of sixty one to thirty-five. iSoo.] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. Ill 25. The French have got a new constitution, and in operation. Bonaparte is at the head.' He has written a letter to the British king on the subject of peace. Lord Grenville^ answers it, refusing to depart from estabhshed forms. ^ 26. Rode to Brookfield, and attended the ordination of Mr. Ripley.* Formed some acquaintance with the ministers and returned. Spring is fast advancing. 27. Fine weather. At evening walked out. 28. Wrote. Received yesterday a present of nearly seven dollars from a number of people here for preaching on the 2 2d of February.^ After consul- tation with some judicious persons I have agreed to try and have an exhibition. 29. My first engagement here being out the first of April, I am requested to continue longer. After due consideration, and I hope not without a sense of duty concerned, I have agreed to continue. Rainy. Rode to Ridgebury. 30. Mr. Camp is much better than I expected ever to have seen him. He concludes hereafter to try to preach. Quite tired. The new French constitu- tion is formed with great art. The first consul has nearly as much power as any of the sovereigns of Europe. 31. Returned. The frost is mostly out of the ground. Had a stage made in the court-house for my exhibition, which I have appointed and advertised to be on Wednesday. Afternoon rode to the eastern part of the town, and preached a sermon at the funeral of a young woman. Quite cold. April. 1. In the morning while my school were in high spirits preparing for our exhibition. Divine Providence visited us in a most striking manner. A little boy between ten and eleven years old, youngest in the school, who has been a constant member while at home, was kicked by a horse on the back of his head, and in a moment sunk into eternity. Determined to defer our exhibi- tion till Friday. 2. Very warm. Afternoon attended the funeral with my school. INIr. Langdon preached. It was a very solemn season. O for grace. 3. Preparing for our exhibition. Warm. Am much more healthy this spring than I was last. 4. Rainy. Afternoon had a very good exhibition ; all my own composi- tion.* My school appeared to very good advantage. 5. Quite rainy. Last night had thunder. On the 2d I received twenty- four dollars from the committee at Ridgebur}'. ' First consul, as before stated. ^ Not a great sum of money, but it was ^ Lord Grenville, William Wyndham. for a single sermon, and the ordinary pay at ^ The established forms meant that kings that time for a Sabbath's service involving should treat with kings, and not with men, two sermons, at least, was on the average born subjects. about five dollars. * Rev. Erastus Ripley, graduated at Yale, ^ It will be remembered, when he taught 1795. The previous minister, Thomas Brooks, at Torringford, that he prepared all the ma'e- died in September, 1799, after a ministry of rial for the exhibition, just as he had done forty-two years, and Mr. Robbins had sup- here. He seems to have had a remarkable plied the pulpit part of the time in the interim. facility in this kind of writing. 112 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBIVS, D.D, [1800. 6. Mr. Langdon preached in the forenoon, and I in the afternoon. Attended the holy sacrament. O for a heart to feel its solemnity. 7. Cool. People beginning to plough. Rode to New Milford. Roads pretty dry. 8. Had a good visit with Mr. Taylor.' He appears to be near his mortal goal. Rode back to Danbury. 9. Began my school for a second quarter. 10. Cool. The prospect is that I shall have a large school this summer. The school has received celebrity from my exhibition. 11. This day is the Fast through this State. O that God would enable his people to be humble. Saw blossoms on a fruit tree. At evening had a pretty serious meeting. 12. Rainy. Afternoon wrote. Poor Ireland is like to be swallowed in the vortex of British policy. 13. In the morning rode to Bethel and preached.^ Rainy all day. 14.- A serious storm. Returned. At night had a meeting. 15. My school increases. Worked on a mathematical question stated in the papers. Many persons, particularly children, sick. 16. Received a letter from my father, enclosing one from the committee in Southampton,^ Mass., requesting me to go there and preach. Think I must decline. 17. Quite warm. People are gardening. Spring advances rapidly. A prospect of an early season. 18. Read The Forresters.'^ Very warm for the season. Had a pain in my face. 19. Last night being in great pain in my face, I took a quantity of lauda- num. At two times, I believe, I took thirty or forty drops. In consequence am quite sick. I have rarely had so sick a day. Toward night with difficulty rode to Ridgefield. 20. Mr. Goodrich' rode to Danbury, and preached for Mr. Langdon. Had a full and attentive meeting. Very tired. 21. Returned. Rainy. Determined to have my meetings steadily Mon- day evenings. Whether the divine blessing will attend them I know not. 22. It is said that Gen. Washington is spoken of in the handsomest manner in many London papers.* Cold and wet. Yesterday received a letter from my father enclosing one from Charlotte, Vt., requesting me to go there and preach. Wrote an answer to Southampton, and to Charlotte.'' ' Rev. Nathaniel Taylor, before mentioned, *■ The Forresters, an American tale, being a grandfather of Nathaniel W. Taylor, D.D., so sequel to the History of John Bult the Cloth- eminent as a theological teacher in the Yale ier, sixteenmo. Boston, 1796. By Jeremy Seminary. He was very near his end, but he Belknap, D. D., Boston, had been more than fifty years in the ministry s See note March 2, 1800. at New Milford. 6 jh^re is now no land beneath the sun ^ Preached for Rev. John Ely. where the name of George Washington is not 3 Southampton, Mass., is a small town, regarded as one of the grand and shining but noted for the large number of ministers names of the race, it has raised up. 7 Declining both invitations. l8oo.] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. H3 23. Wrote home. My school makes me considerable care. It does not appear to be ascertained whether a new Pope ' is elected. 24. Finished reading The Forresters. A pretty thing. The votes of Massa- chusetts seem to be divided between Mr. Strong and Mr. Gerry ^ for Governor. Visited Mr. Langdon. Very poor. Amazing preparations in Europe for the ensuing campaign. Germany, Russia, and England seem determined on the restoration of monarchy in France.^ 25. It is very evident that Gen. Washington was greatly esteemed in Europe. Wrote. Walked out. 26. The committee of this society have requested me to preach here till June. I have agreed to, Deo volente. I have commenced a sermon on Rev. xxii: 17. At night a thunder-shower. Many people are tried for sedition, and all found guilty.* 27. In the forenoon quite rainy. Preached all day. 28. A very warm and growing season. At evening had a meeting. 29. Wrote considerably. The utmost exertions are made in the city of New York by Federalists and Anti-Federalists, respecting the approaching elections in that city. 30. Rainy. Fruit trees are generally blossoming very promisingly. Wrote. May. 1. Worked with my children cleaning the door-yard of the school-house. Quite cool. 2. Worked considerably at the school-house. My school is very agreeable. 3. We have had lowery weather about a fortnight. Wrote considerably. Finished my sermon on Rev. xxii : 17. 4. Preached in the forenoon more than an hour on the subject of mis- sions, and contributions for their support. Afternoon above twenty-three dollars were collected.' At evening had a full and serious meeting. 5. Dined with the military company. The militia here appear very well. Training here on the green today.^ In the evening all hands dance. Even the least of my school join the game. No less than four different sets [com- panies] are dancing this evening. In the morning a little frost. ' Pope Pius VII was elected March 13, these foreign subjects were regarded with 1800, but it is doubtful whether the news had great suspicion, and these laws were provided reached this country, so that it could already so that the President might expel these peo- have been circulated among the people. pie from the land if they were suspected of ^ Caleb Strong and Elbridge Gerry. Mr. conspiracy. But these laws were subject to Strong was chosen Governor in 1800, and such abuse that they soon became unpopular was reelected until 1S07. and were repealed. ^ They succeeded after a time, but the ^ This was the first Sabbath in May, when monarchy somehow did not stay restored. in all the Congregational churches of the * The alien and sedition laws, so called, State collections were taken for missions by were enacted by Congress in 179S. It was State authority. estimated that there were at that time in the * First Monday in May training day in United States 30,000 subjects of France, and Connecticut, and largely a holiday. In Dan- 50,000 subjects of Great Britain. As there bury it was kept as a thorough holiday, young was then prospect of a war with France, and old joining in festivities. 114 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [180O. 6. Yesterday and today are both play days, so that I do not keep school. 7. Quite rainy. Began to read Payne's Geography} 8. The Anti-Federal ticket has prevailed in the city of New York, and they have chosen Democratic members for their assembly. It is said that this will make a majority of Democratic electors in their legislature, and bring Jefferson into the Presidential chair. Blessed be God that all things are in His hands, and may He avert such an evil from this country-, for His name's sake. 1 do not believe that the Most High will permit a howling atheist to sit at the head of this nation !^ 9. Read. Received a letter from Mr. Goodrich, of Ridgefield. Grain is very scarce in Europe. The king of Denmark is dead.^ 10. We have had steady cool weather for about three weeks. I fear my scholars are fearfully stupid. 11. Had a full and serious meeting. Preached with plainness on "Is there no Balm in Gilead ? " 12. Very warm. Wore thin clothes. Fruit trees are in all their pride. At evening had a good meeting. Wrote home. Wrote to Mr. Whittlesey, now in Hartford. 13. A very growing season. My school is pretty large. Read Payne's Geography. 14. Wrote to my Uncle Starr. Endeavored to collect former facts respect- ing my school. 15. Very warm. Thunder-shower. Wrote the history of the public school in this town. 16. Mr. Langdon quite poor. Vegetation comes on rapidly. 17. There is still hope that the New York Legislature will be Federal. My school considerably inquisitive about serious things. 18. The people here are pretty attentive at meeting. I conclude they have not been greatly used to doctrinal preaching. ig. The Democratic papers speak with great vagueness of the triumph of their cause. We hope and pray that the Most High will interpose." 20. Went to see wax-work. Rainy. 21. Cool for the season. It is said that the Emperor of Germany is dan- gerously ill. 22. After school rode to New Fairfield, and preached a lecture. Quite tired. Last evening had a serious meeting. ^ Universal Geography, X\Movo\\xvi\t^,ioX\o, son Frederick was appointed regent; but London, 1791, by John Payne. Christian VII did not die till 1808. ^ We let this sentence stand just as it is, ■» The Most High did not interpose in the because it so clearly shows how high party sense here intended, and Mr. Jefferson be- spirit van about the beginning of the present came President in 1801. But by that act century. This language came from a mild- God did interpose to prevent Aaron Burr, tempered, gentle, Christian man. What then one of the wickedest men that ever figured could come from one of a violent and stormy in American politics, from becoming Presi- tempcr. dent; and Mr. Jefferson was not the horrible ^ That was probably a false report. Chris- man that the good people of New England tian VII became deranged in 1784, and his thought he was. l8oo.] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. II5 23. Returned. Rainy. It is said that the New York Legislature will have a bare majority of Anti- Federalists. Mr. Pickering' is dismissed from office, and Mr. McHenry^ has resigned. Gen. MarshalP is appointed Secretar}' of State, and Mr. Dexter,-* of War. 24. Warm. Sixteen persons have died in Newtown in about a month without any apparent epidemic. 25. Pretty full meeting. People here, in a measure, seem to forget the Sabbath except during public worship. Saw Francis Benedict from Norfolk, who infonned me that my father was considerably unwell. 26. A hard rain. W^ote considerably. My school consists of fort)' scholars. 27. People generally are much disheartened about the approaching Presi- dential election. Our hope must be in the Most High. 28. I get pretty tired in my school. In the evening had a meeting. More grown people attend than have heretofore. 29. Wrote to my old friend Davis,' now tutor at Yale College. 30. It appears that England and Austria must fight the French. The Russians have withdrawn from the coalition. It appears that our commis- sioners are like to make a peace with France. 31. The Archduke Charles,^ on account of ill health, has withdrawn from the scene of war. Put my horse in a carriage for the first time.^ Had no injur}^ June. 1. Rainy. People here very easily prevented from attending meeting.' Very tired. Mr. Langdon very poor. 2. Preparing for my journey.^ Very warm. Afternoon dismissed my school for two or three weeks. Received money from the school committee. 3. The warmest weather we have had this year. Rode from Danbur^- through Litchfield home. Found both of my parents unwell. 4. My father was taken sick at Farmington, on his way to the election on the 7 th ult., and had perhaps the hardest turn he has ever had. He was absent from home nearly three weeks. He is apparently getting his health again, but has not yet preached or attended meeting, except last Sabbath * Timothy Pickering, of Salem, Mass., ^ This horse, given him by his father, had Secretary of State. been kept in constant use for more than a ^ James McHenry, Secretary of War. year and a half. With him he had made ^ John Marshall, of Virginia, appointed journeys, shorter and longer, of many hun- Secretary of State in place of Mr. Pickering. dreds of miles, and yet this is the first time " Samuel Dexter, of Massachusetts, ap- he has ever been tried in a carriage. This pointed Secretary of War in place of Mr. fact itself would show that he was living in McHenry. the hoi'seback age of New England. ^ Henry Davis, tutor at Yale, 1798-1S03, * Sunday rains have long had a peculiarly afterwards President of Middlebury and Ff am- injurious effect upon people, ilton Colleges. ^ We have heard nothing before of any ^ Charles Louis, of Lorraine. Archduke intended journey ; but we shall soon d'scover of Austria, born 1771, died 1847. the occasion for it. Il6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1800. afternoon.' My mamma has frequent poor turns. Quite tired with my yes- terday's labor. 5. Rode out with my mamma. Worked some. 6. Cool. Worked considerably whitewashing. My father has ten schol- ars, the most, grown young men, four of them professors of religion. 7. Read The Forresters. Rode out in a carriage. People in this town much engaged in making roads after the manner of turnpikes. 8. Preachedw Had a very full and serious meeting. At evening attended a conference. 9. On the 6th rode to the south part of the town, and attended a confer- ence. Preparing for the General Association,^ which is to meet here next week. 10. Wrote to Miss Rachel Starr, one of my school-girls. Quite warm. Rode to Canaan with my father and attended the association.^ 11. Afternoon returned. Very hot. My mamma quite unwell. Much troubled with nervous affections. 12. Worked considerably. My brother went to Salisbury, to the dedica- tion of a new meeting-house, which is supposed to be the best in the State. 13. We have much to do in preparing for the General Association. Am very healthy. 14. Worked. Afternoon rode with my mamma to my brother's in Canaan. 15. Preached for Mr. Farrand.* He is quite old and failing. Last night my mamma had a very bad turn ; unable to attend meeting. 16. Rode home early. Worked. Towards night ministers came.^ 17. About noon the ministers generally came to attend the association. I have much care and lalior. Of thirteen associations twenty-three members* were present, three delegates from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, two other ministers from Virginia, and several neighboring ministers. The association was opened before dinner. Mr. Hart, of Preston,' was moderator. Afternoon a sermon was preached by Mr. Backus,® of Somers. 18. The ministers mostly sup and breakfast where they lodge, and all dine ' His father had now been in the pastoral reached Norfolk Monday night. The old office at Norfolk nearly thirty-nine years. Connecticut General Association was purely ^ The meeting of the General Association a ministerial body, with no lay delegates, of the State in one of the country towns, was ^ Two delegates were ordinarily appointed a great event, not likely to be repeated in from each district association, so that if all that particular town for a life-time. This is had been there, there would have been twenty- what called Mr. Robbins from his school in six. Danbury. 7 Levi Hart, D. D., of the Second Church ^ This was the local district association, in Preston, Ct. (now Griswold), was one of Litchfield North. the prominent ministers of the State, and '■ Rev. Daniel Farrand, minister at Canaan, was well known as a theological teacher. 1752-1803. He was a graduate of the col- He was graduated at Yale in 1760, and was lege of New Jersey in 1750, and received the minister at Preston, 1762-1808. degree of A. M. from Yale in 1777. s Charles Backus, D. D., of Somers, wa» 5 All journeys were made with horses, and still more celebrated as a theological teacher, some of the members of the association but was cut off in middle life. l8oo.] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. II7 here.' The people are very kind. Afternoon a sermon was preached by Mr. Freeman from Dutchess County, N. Y. 19. In the forenoon a sermon was preached by Mr. Freeman from Virginia. About two o'clock the association adjourned, and after dinner the most went away. 20. Much worried. Wrote. Bought a repeating watch ; cost fifty dollars. Had a new bridle made ; cost two dollars and one-half. 21. Afternoon left home for Danbury. Rode to Warren. A very dry season. 22. Last night a very plentiful shower. What shall we render ? Preached for my Uncle Starr. At evening attended a conference. Ver)' happy effects of awakening. About seventy persons have been added to my uncle's church in about half a year. In Norfolk in less than a year there have been more than one hundred and thirty added. 23. Rode to Danbury, A woman died here with the small-pox on the 21st. It is supposed she took it from a child who came home too soon.^ 24. In my absence there has been a request for me to preach at Weston.^ Began my school. Very warm. 25. Wrote to the committee at Weston. Mr. Langdon has been a journey for his health, and appears to be helped. A man has undertaken to publish a Democratic paper** in this town. At evening had a meeting. 26. Yesterday eat green peas and new potatoes. Traded considerably. Bought a piece of linen at four cents a yard. People beginning to mow. 27. Last evening had a request to deliver an oration at Ridgebury on the 4th of July. Am sorry. Today wrote to Esq. Waterman, of Weston. At evening rode to Ridgebury. Found it very difficult to avoid attending with them on the 4th of July.^ 28. Returned to Danbury. Rode to Weston. Mr. Johnson, the minister, is old * and about resigning. He was classmate with my father. 29. There are many sectaries, especially Episcopalians,'' in this quarter of the State. 30. Returned. Cool nights. * That is, they were quartered all over eral that any Democratic invasion of this the town, but to save travel they were all kind into one of the old Connecticut towns dined at the center by the contributions of was not likely to be generally popular, the people. ^ He had preached there so much that it ^ This marks a very important difference would seem ungracious not to comply with between innoculation for the small-pox and their request, which was meant to be compli- vaccination. The real small-pox might be mentary. taken from one who was passing through '^ Mr. Johnson had been there thirty-seven the disease resulting from innoculation, but years. The diary says he was "about rc- nothing of the kind can occur from vaccina- signing." But he seems to have remained tion. there till his death, which occurred in 18 10. ' The place called Weston is that part of ' This is reversing the order of calling hard the ancient town now known as Easton, and names. Members of the Established Church was about twelve miles southerly from Dan- of England are fond of calling other men sec- bury. The minister there was Rev. James taries and dissenters. But in New England Johnson, who was graduated at Yale in 1760, for two hundred years, Congregationalists and settled in Weston in 1763. were members of the Established Church, "* Connecticut had been so strongly Fed- and Episcopalians, etc., were dissenters. Il8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1800. JULV. 1. Warm. The campaign in Europe seems to be opening in favor of the Austrians.' It seems that France and Austria must fight alone. The new Pope ^ has entered upon his functions. 2. Began my oration for the 4th. At evening had a meeting. How sure it is that means and instruments are nothing. 3. At evening finished my oration. Had a severe return of pain in my jaw and right side, it having been heretofore on the left. 4. In the morning we had news of the death of Mr. Jefferson. It is to be hoped that it is true.^ Rode to Ridgebury, and attended the exercises about noon, then returned ; attended and assisted here about three o'cloclc* There was here great parade, civil and military. Things were conducted with great regularity. Very warm. 5. Rather unwell. Rode to Weston. Quite hot. 6. Full meeting. Almost overcome with heat. Thermometer rose to ninety-one. 7. Returned. Afternoon excessive hot. Thermometer at ninety-four degrees. Mr. Langdon very poor. 8. Worked some at hay. A very hard shower. The new Pope has entered upon his functions by washing the feet of twelve priests, 9. Weather continues very hot. Lord Nelson has received presents of immense value since his recent victory. Yesterday eat cucumbers. 10. Last evening had a meeting. Worked at hay. People in the heat of haying. 11. Wrote to my father. Thermometer at about ninety every day this week. 12. The news of Mr. Jefferson's death is contradicted. My children appear to be very stupid. Rode to Weston. 13. Very warm. Much worried. People here appear to be exceeding stupid and thoughtless about divine things. Rode to Reading' and tarried with Mr. Bartlett.^ 14. Returned. Cooler. The prospect seems to increase that we shall not have a Federal President. 15. This town is peculiar for good gardens. Quite rainy, which comes very seasonably. ' It was some stray and uncertain report about four miles from the one place to the probably that caused this entry. Through other. the months of May and June, 1800, several ^ Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett, a graduate of battles were fought, in all of which the Aus- Yale, 1749. A most able and excellent min- trians were defeated ister, who died in 1810, at the age of ninety- ^ Pius VII. four, being at the time of his death the oldest 3 This is another outburst of the political minister in the State. Besides serving the prejudice and hate common at that time. church faithfully in his life, at his death he " He had a busy 4th of July. left it a legacy of $3,000. He was a native of s Now spelled Redding. This place ad- Guilford, Ct. The name Bartlett is frequent joined Weston, and the ride was one of only on our college catalogues. l800,] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. II9 16. Weather much cooler than it has been. At evening had a pretty full meeting. 17. Showed to the overseers of schools some writings of my scholars for premium. Worked some at hay. 18. Gave premiums to several of my scholars. Saw a lion. I never had an idea of such ferocity.' 19. Very warm. Rode to Weston.^ This week people generally will get in their harvest, perhaps the best known for many years. 20. At eleven o'clock the thermometer was at ninety. Preached with great plainness. 21. Received from this society twenty dollars. Disputed with a Unitarian. Returned. Visited some sick persons. 22. Quite cool. Finished writing a piece for the public paper. 23. Read Spalding^ on the new heavens, and the new earth. I believe he is wrong, but find some difficulty. At evening had a meeting. 24. Perhaps the present war in Europe has never been carried on w-ith greater obstinacy than now between France and Austria. 25. Very warm. Thermometer at ninety-three. Some gentlemen visited my school. Attended the funeral of an infant. A shower. 26. Wrote a piece for publication. Rode to Newtown.* This is a much more handsome place than I expected. 27. Preached for Mr. Clark.* Very warm. Returned. 28. Helped in making some currant wine. Afternoon walked out. Saw Mr. Ripley* from Brookfield. 29. Closed the second quarter of my school. Accounts are that the French are obtaining great successes.' 30. Excessive hot. The thermometer rose to ninety-four. Have difficulty in breaking my horse in a carriage. At evening had a meeting. 31. Wrote to my father. Wrote a piece for publication. Thermometer at ninety-seven. Eat succotash, August. 1. Wrote to my brother N. Had pain in my face. 2. Wrote a piece for publication. Last night a little rain. A dry season. Afternoon rode to Canaan,* a part of Norwalk. ' This, for a full-grown man who had been ^ Rev. Jehu Clark, graduated at Yale in through college, seems like child-like simplic- 1794. and settled in Newtown in October, ity. But Barnum, though he originated in 1799, less than a year before this visit. Mr. that part of the State of Connecticut, unfor- Robbins had doubtless known him at college, tunately had not yet been born. and preached for him as an act of friendship. ^ He is supplying the pulpit there. Rev. ^ Erastus Ripley, ordained at Brookfield Mr. Bartlett, Senior, is even now eighty-four the March previous, years old. His son Jonathan was settled as ^ This is a true report, colleague with him in 1796, and continued ^ This was not the town of Canaan, but a till 1809, but was forced to resign because of ill parish of the town of Norwalk, which is now health. Theson was probably sick at this time. known as the town of New Canaan, lying ^ John Joachim Spalding, an eminent Swed- between the present Norwalk and the New ish clergyman. York line, about eighteen miles south from * About eight miles from Danbury. Danbury. DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1800, 3. Preached for Mr. Mitchell.' Towards evening Mr. Lewis," of North Stamford, came and preached a third sermon. Very dry in this quarter. 4. Returned. Mr. Langdon quite poor. 5. Quite cool. Began a new quarter in my school. 6. A worthless Democratic paper in this town contains some remarks upon mo. It gives me no uneasiness, and I am satisfied it will not injure my character.' At evening had a meeting. 7. Wrote to Mr. Goodwin,* printer in Hartford. Rode to Bethel and back. "Wrote considerably. 8. Very warm. A shower of rain. Began a dialogue, Columbus.^ 9. A rainy day. Wrote a piece for publication. 10. Mr. Goodrich, of Ridgefield,* preached here. I was a hearer all day. Read Spalding's' lectures. ri. My school increases. A very growing season. 12. Genoa was given up by the French on the 5th of June.' They were reduced to extremities. It is said that they are at the same time successful in other parts of Italy. 13. The Superior Court is sitting here. Dismissed my school to attend. Had a hat made for my father. 14. Last evening had a meeting. Read the Life of Columbus. Received a letter from Mr. Goodrich. 15. Wrote home. At evening a number of attorneys here. At evening Dr. Morse, the Democratic printer ' here, was called before the selectmen and made a confession which he is to publish. 16. Afternoon rode to Norwalk. At evening quite unwell. 17. Rainy. The earth very dry. Preached for Mr. Burnett,'" he being absent. ' Rev. Justus Mitchell, graduated at Yale, 1776, settled over this Canaan parish 1783- 1806. ^ Rev. Amzi Lewis, graduated at Yale, 1768, was pastor at North Stamford, Ct., 1795-1819. ^ We shall see what became of this editor by and by. '' George Goodwin, so long one of the owners and publishers of the Connecticut Courant. The Connecticut Courant, one of the early New England papers, was estab- lished in 1764. In 1773 it was bought by Mr. Ebenezer Watson, who carried it on till 1777, when he died. Then Mr. George Goodwin, a young man of twenty-one, was associated in business with Mrs. Watson, and the paper was carried on for two years under the name of Watson & Goodwin. In 1779, Mrs. Wat- son was married to Mr. Barzillai Hudson, and for many years the firm of Hudson & Croodwin was one of the best known in the State as a printing and publishing office. Mr. Goodwin lived till May 14, 1844, dying at the age of eighty-eight. His son, of the same name, a graduate of Yale College, died in 187S, at the age of ninety-six. ^ Mr. Robbins's dialogue or drama on Columbus was written doubtless for histor- ical instruction, rather than for tragic or comic effect. * See note March 4, 1800. ^ See note July 23, 1800. ^ Genoa, which had been in the possession of the French, was blockaded by an English and Austrian fleet, starved out and compelled to capitulate. A few days later, June 14, after the signal defeat of the Austrians at the battle of Marengo, Genoa was restored to the French. 9 The discipline of the Democratic printer has begun. '° Rev. Matthias Burnet, D.D., pastor at Norwalk, 1785-1806. [8oo.] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. ^ i8. Returned. Had a very hard turn of pain in my face. It is my right jaw which is now affected. 19. It appears Bonaparte is again, in a measure, overcoming Italy. After- noon my sister S.' came from home to make me a visit. 20. Quite sick with the dysentery. At evening had a full meeting. 21. Quite cool. New cider^ is quite plenty. Walked out with my sister. 22. The cities of New York and Philadelphia hope to escape the yellow fever this year. Mr. Langdon very poor. Walked out with my sister. 23. Wrote a piece for publication. Afternoon rode to Wilton. Very warm. 24. Very full meeting. This is a society of Norwalk. Their minister lately dismissed.^ 25. Returned. At evening my sister had company. People here treat her with much attention.* Bonaparte has beaten the Austrians in a great battle at Marengo in Italy.^ Genoa and many strong places are given up to the French. 26. My school consists of more than forty. 27. In the morning rode out. Went out to dine. A shower. 28. Very hot. Mr. Langdon poorer than I have ever seen him. Visited with my sister. Rainy. 29. Wrote home. My sister went off in the stage. Visited a sick woman apparently near gone with a consumption. 30. Afternoon rode to New Milford.^ Our cities have sanguine hopes of escaping the yellow fever this season. 31. Preached. Last night a hard rain. At evfening returned. September. I. Had no school it being a training day.^ The greater part of my school children dance. It being customary here I cannot prevent it. I do not believe a town in the State can produce so respectable a militia as this. Two companies of infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery, all in uniform,* belong to this society. I 2. Wrote a piece for publication. ' Sarah Robbins. ^ Cider, in that day, was as innocent as water. ^ Rev. Aaron Woodward, graduated at Yale in 1789, had been settled at Wilton, 1 794- 1 800. * On his account and on her own. She was now twenty-one, a young woman of su- perior mind and engaging manners. ^ This battle, as already stated, was fought on the 14th of June, iSoo. * Mr. Robbins went to New Milford for a Sabbath's supply. This is the church where the venerable Rev. Nathaniel Taylor had just died. Mr. Taylor had a colleague settled with him in 1790, Rev. Stanley Griswold, who became a Unitarian, and was dismissed in 1802. '' The first Mondays in May for the spring trainings, and the first Mondays in Septem- ber for the fall trainings. This was the old Connecticut rule well remembered by all the boys. ^ This was certainly a handsome military record for Danbury. There was considerable local pride in military affairs in other towns. DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1800. freely cool. 6. 7- 3. Visited a woman apparently near unto death with a consumption. 4. The woman I visited last evening died. Yesterday was Commence- ment' at Williamstown. The last four I have attended. 5. This day my father is sixty years old. Attended the funeral." Spoke Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. Quite Received fifteen dollars and ten cents from this society. Had a pair of boots made. Rode to Ridgefield. Preached.^ Quite wanii. At evening returned. 8. Yesterday Mr. Griswold/ of New Milford, preached here and was gen- erally very well liked. It appears he was very erroneous.^ Received money from the school committee. Afternoon set out for New Haven.* Rode to Weston. 9. Rode to New Haven. Quite warm. My parents are in town. At evening heard Abraham Bishop^ deliver a very foolish and inflammatory Democratic oration two hours long. 10. A good Commencement. Not so many people, particularly clergy, as usual. At evening my father preached a Concio ad Clenwi ; ^ very serious. Saw many old friends. 11. Attended the P. B. K. Society. Rode to Branford. 12. Went down to the sea^ with my parents and other friends. Sailed. Rode in a carriage to Northford,'° and visited my father's cousin, Capt. Very hot. Returned. In the morning rode to North Branford, and preached in the forenoon for Mr. Eells." At noon returned. My father preached in the forenoon, and I in the afternoon, in the same desk in which my grandfather '^ preached near forty years. 15. Rode to New Haven. Bought books; thirty-five volumes for about 13- Foot. 14. ' Commencement at Williams College then was the first Wednesday in September, and at Yale the second Wednesday. ^ That is, of the woman who died the day before. ^ He preached for Mr. Goodrich. * See note Aug. 30, 1800. ^ It is implied that he was quite wrong doctrinally, but the people of Danbury did not exactly find it out. ^ To attend Commencement. ' Abraham Bishop was born in New Haven in 1763, and died there April 28, 1844. He was graduated at Yale, 1778. His ora- tion at New Haven in the summer of 1800 was long after spoken of as a singular in- stance of inappropriateness for a Commence- ment occasion. Mr. Bishop was for twenty years collector at New Haven. ® The Concio ad Clerum seems then to have been on the evening of Commencement day. In later years it was on Tuesday even- ing, and now for several years, it has ceased altogether as one of the exercises of Com- mencement week. At a meeting of the Gen- eral Association of Connecticut held at Meri- den in June, 1870, the following minute was passed. "Resolved, That hereafter the Concio ad Cleruvi heretofore delivered at Commence- ment be transfered to the General Associa- tion to take the place of the associational sermon." 9 The southern boundary of Branford is Long Island Sound, between East Haven and Guilford. '° Northford is a part of North Branford. " Rev. Samuel Eells, graduated at Yale, 1765, pastor at North Branford, 1769-1808. " Philemon Robbins, pastor at Branford, 1733-17S1. This must have been an occasion of great interest to the people. l8oo.] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. 1 23 thirty dollars.' Today is Freeman's Meeting. I believe political parties never were higher in this State. Rode to Newtown." 16. Arrived at Danbury. Fruit very plenty in the lower part of the State. In the upper very little. 17. A very dry season. Wrote. At evening had a meeting. 18. Wrote a piece for publication. A child died in town very suddenly. 19. Quite sick with a cold and a pain in my jaw. Afternoon could not keep school. 20. Last night an only brother of my Uncle Starr died here after an illness of four days. Uncle Starr arrived. Attended the funeral. Mr. Butler/ the Episcopalian at Reading, preached. 21. I preached in the forenoon, Uncle Starr in the afternoon. Last night a hard rain. 22. Rainy. There appears to be a general armistice between Austria and France. Uncle Starr called at my school to see me. 23. Thought considerably on that text, i Cor. xv : 29.* Don't know any- thing about it. At evening had a meeting. 24. The Democrats have made very great exertions in this State of late, but have overacted themselves. There are fewer of them chosen to the assembly this fall than there have been heretofore. The regiment met here.^ Appeared very well. Dined with the field officers. 25. There is considerable horse-racing here. In weeks past I have written seven numbers to show that Mr. Jefferson will never be President of the United States, which have been published.* Wrote on my drama. 26. Eat fresh cucumbers. 27. Quite rainy. Wrote on my drama. 28. Mr. Gridley,'' of Watertown, preached. It has been constantly rainy for eight days. 29. Read Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. 30. The fruits of the earth are coming in very full. Wrote on my drama. October. 1. Had company. At evening had a meeting. People here seem to be stupid in the extreme. 2. Warm. Afternoon rode to New Fairfield, and preached a sacramental lecture. Returned. 3. Wrote considerably upon my drama. Walked out and visited. Cool. ' He was in the early stages of the work Connecticut to have the regimental trainings of collecting his large library. in every other year, in the latter part of Sep- - From New Haven to Newtown about tember. Perhaps that was the custom in twenty miles. 1800. 3 Rev. David Butler, the Episcopal min- *■ That was labor lost, for Mr. Jefferson ister at Grace Church, Redding, 1799-1804. was made President of the United States, Feb- ■*" Else what shall they do that are bap- ruary, 1801, and continued in the office eight tized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all ? years without bringing ruin on the country. Why are they then baptized for the dead ? " '' Rev. Uriel Gridley, graduated at Yale * Sixty years ago it was the custom in in 17S3, pastor at Watertown, 1 784-1820. 124 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [180O. 4. In the morning there was a frost, the first this season. Afternoon rode to I5rookfield and back in a carriage. 5. Preached to young people. O for divine grace to make an impression. At night very rainy. 6. At night finished my drama, consisting of eighty-nine pages in quarto. Cool. 7. At evening was invited out. Quite cool. 8. The Democratic editor in this town has blown out and moved to Nor- walk. The boys attended him out of town with bells, quills, etc' At even- ing had a meeting. 9. Dined out. Mr. Langdon seems to decline fast. Wrote. 10. My school are much engaged in learning their parts. Wrote on a dialogue. 11. The whole country appears to be in a ferment on account of the approaching election of President. 12. In the morning rode to Brookfield and preached. 13. Quite rainy. Returned at night and finished my dialogue. 14. Quite cool. At evening walked out. Read. 15. Afternoon rode to Ridgebury and attended the funeral of Rev. Mr. Camp's wife.^ Preached extempore from Isa. li : 15. Bought a number of books of Mr. Camp.^ 16. Returned. Very rainy all day. Read Flowers of History. 17. My school much engaged in learning their pieces. 18. A very hard rainy day. Expected to have gone to Salem ;■• prevented by the rain. 19. Preached. Quite rainy. It is said there are about twenty-five Demo- crats in our present House of Representatives.* They have their matters reduced to system. 20. Wrote considerably. Had company. Cool. 21. Crops of corn are said to be very large. 22. Quite warm. At evening had a full meeting. Read Flowers of History. 23. Quite rainy. The committee called to see my school, and appoint an exhibition. 24. Cold for the season. Walked out and visited. 25. Afternoon rode to Salem, in the State of New York, to preach. 26. Had a full meeting. This society rather small. At evening returned. 27. Preparing for an exhibition of my school. Began to build a stage. Had my foot badly hurt. 28. Dined out. Find it a great deal of labor to prepare for an exhibition. ' Such was the end of the man who under- ^ ji^g buying of books is to be a marked took to publish a Democratic paper in Dan- feature of Mr. Robbins's life for many years bury, in the good old Federal days of Con- to come, necticut. 4 Salem is in the State of New York. ^ Rev. Mr. Camp himself, who was very = The Connecticut House of Representa- ill and hardly expected to live, had recovered, fives was large and the Democrats were a but his wife was called away. feeble minority. l800.] TEACHING SCHOOL AT DANBURY, CT. I25 29. I have so much anxiety and labor, I can eat but little and sleep very- poorly. Dined out. 30. Had an exhibition of my school. Thirty-two had parts. The per- formances continued two and one-half hours, all of my own composition. There was a great audience. The meeting-house was full. They performed beyond my expectation, and to universal approbation. 31. Cleaned the meeting-house. Afternoon took an affectionate leave of my school after being with them ten months in great harmony. It was a trying scene.' NOVBMBER. 1. Last evening called on Mr. Langdon. I think he sinks fast. The committee requested me to preach five Sabbaths. I agreed to. Afternoon rode to Salem. Rainy. 2. Showery. Thin meeting. Societies in this State rather in a disorgan- ized situation. 3. Received of this society ten dollars.^ Returned to Danbury. Quite cold. 4. Wrote home. Began to read Hume's History of England. 5. Received a letter from my father. Wrote to Mr. Judson,^ of ShefBeld. 6. Finished my sermon on 2 Cor. vi : 2. 7. Began a sermon on John vi : 35. Read Hume. 8. Finished sermon on John vi : 35. Warm for the season. 9. An Episcopalian preached in town, and many people went to hear him. I fear if Mr. Langdon should be taken away this society would be in a broken state.* 10. Rode to Newtown to get Dr. Penny to come and see Mr. Langdon. Quite cold. 11. Read Hume. At evening walked out. My salt-rheum troublesome. 12. Began a sermon on Ex, xxxiv : 6, Read Bible, 13. Wrote all day. Quite cold and tedious. It is said that in this quarter it is thought there was never so much Indian corn in one year as this. 14. Wrote. Mr. Langdon appears to be sinking fast. 15. Finished my sermon on Ex. xxxiv: 6. Am somewhat troubled with a pain in my breast. Traded considerably. 16. Preached upon Truth. People very attentive. There is an account that our envoys at France have made a treaty of amity and comity.^ 17. The British have taken Malta.^ The armistice between Austria and France is extended. Received a letter from the society in Milton^ requesting me to go there and preach. ' In all his experiences as a teacher in ' Probably not a correct report. No treaty different places, he was remarkably successful. of the kind seems to have been concluded ^ For two Sabbaths' supply. before 1803. ^ Rev. Ephraim Judson, his old theological * Malta was surrendered to the British teacher. under Pigot, Sept. 5, 1800. * By several hints, Mr. Robbins evidently ^ A parish in the town of Litchfield, or- thinks Mr. Langdon and his church not alto- ganized in 179S; but it had no settled min- gether in a sound doctrinal state. ister until 1802. T26 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1800. 18. The county court convened here. At evening attended a Sandema- nian meeting.' They dilfer from us very little in doctrines ; but in modes and forms they are absurd in the extreme. Read Hume. 19. Pray with the court and dine with them daily.'^ Traded considerably. Walked out. 20. Quite cold. Finished reading the Bible which I began at the Psalms, Nov. 20, 1798. I lament with shame that I have been so long. Have how- ever generally read two or three chapters a day with my school. Saw a criminal tried for stealing and committed. 21. It snowed hard all day. The storm ver}^ severe. Read Hume, Be- gan a sermon on Heb. xiii : 2. 22. I believe the snow is a foot deep. Read Hume and wrote, 23. Snowed some. Thin meeting. It appears that the Presidential elec- tion depends on the PennsylvarJa Senate, Their governor is a Democrat. Their House of Representatives is about fifty against twenty, and the Senate have eleven Democrats out of twenty-four. They are now in session striving to make a law to choose electors, but it appears that a majority of the Senate are like to counteract all.^ 24. Rode to Bethel in a sleigh and returned. Very good sleighing. Gov. Jay"* has declined a reelection. It is conceived to be a great misfortune. Began a Thanksgiving sermon on Isa. i : 23. 25. Last evening began to read the Bible from the beginning in course. May God grant in infinite mercy that I may read it with profit. 26. Finished my sermon on Isa. i : 23.' Traded some. Was invited out to supper. 27. Thanksgiving. Warm and pleasant. The snow thaws considerably. Invited out to dinner. 28. The snow goes fast. Wrote. Invited out to dine. Slept at Mr. Langdon's ; he is very low. 29. Finished my sermon on Heb. xiii : 2. 30. Thaws considerably. Thin meeting, Mr. Langdon appears to be a little better. December. 1. Read Hume. Quite cold. The prospect of a Federal President brightens. 2. Read. My salt-rheum troublesome. * Perhaps he was led to attend the meet- ernor of the State of New York from 1795 t° ing from the fact that he was boarding with 1801, but declined being a candidate for re- the daughter of one of the Sandemanian election. He died in 1829 at the age of leaders. eighty-four. ^ This was in accordance with the old ^ If one will read this text chosen for this time ways of New England. Thanksgiving sermon, he will see that the ^ It was a close study in the year 1800 to preacher's thoughts were probably running see how, by possibility, Mr Jefferson might upon the condition of the countr}', and the be kept out of the Presidential chair. awful possibility that Mr. Jefferson might be * Hon. John Jay, who had already been President. Great is the power of political Chief-Justice of the United States, was Gov- prejudice. l8oo.] PREACHING AT DANBURY, CT. 127 3. Began a sermon on Heb. xi : 30. 4. Writing on the subject of means. Shall destroy a sermon I began on that subject Jan. 11, 1799, but never finished, on Jer. xiii : 16. 5. Wrote fourteen pages. Troubled considerably with a pain in my breast which alarms me. May God give me health if he pleases, but especially resignation to his will. Snowed some. 6. Finished my sermon on Heb. xi : 30. 7. The Episcopal society of this town have hired Mr. Butler,* of Reading, to preach here a fourth part of the time for a year. Quite tired. 8. The Pennsylvania Senate have done laudably. They have brought the House of Representatives to submit to their terms in the choice of electors.^ Read Hume. Wrote to Miss Clarissa .Taylor, one of my pupils, now at New Haven. • 9. Read Hume. Troubled with a pain in my breast. Heard of the death of Mr. Taylor, of New Milford. 10. Began a sermon on Isa. Ixvi : 2. Quite cold. Read little. 11. Rode to New Milford, and attended the funeral of Rev. Mr. Taylor. Mr. Bordwell,^ of Kent, preached. A number of ministers present. 12. Very rainy all day. The streams are very high. 13. Rode to Danbury with difficulty. Finished my sermon on Isa. Ixvi : 2. Was requested to continue here till January. 14. Mr. Langdon very low. Received a letter from my father. Wrote home. 15. Read Hume. Making historical collections for a century sermon.* 16. Wrote considerably. Read Hume. An admirable historian.' Walked out. 17. Rode to Bethel. Making historical collections. Troubled some with a pain in my breast. 18. Began a sermon on Gen, i : 15. Quite warm. 19. Wrote considerably, and studied on my century sermon. At evening walked out. Quite mild. 20. Rainy all day. Wrote home. Quite warm for the season. 21. Quite tired. It appears probable that Mr. Jefferson will be our Presi- dent. I think I never heard bad tidings on anything which gave me such a shock.^ Our prospects had become perfectly sanguine. Contrary to the ' Rev. David Butler, before mentioned. ton's birthday, but was in the line of his ^ Mr. Robbins, about that time, needed to regular preaching, as one supplying the pul- read again the story about whose ox it was pit of Danbury. that was gored; the anecdote of the unjust ' Yes, in many respects; but his preju- judge illustrated by the last picture in Web- dices were often stronger than his regard for ster's spelling-book. truth, so that, from a historian he some- ^ Rev. Joel Bordwell, graduated at Yale, times descended to the rank of a special par- 1756, pastor at Kent, 1758-1S11. tisan pleader. * This century sermon, which he was now ^ Mr. Robbins was to survive this shock, setting himself to prepare, was not a sermon and to learn that his fears, though in some written by request, like his oration on Wash- measure just, were altogether exaggerated and ington's death, and his sermon on Washing- unreasonable. 128 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [iSoo. expectation of all parties, South Carolina have all voted for him. Our only consolation is that the Lord reigns. May we not complain of his disposal. 2 2. The frost all out of the ground. Collecting materials for a century sermon. Invited out to supper. 23. On the 2 1 St received a most excellent letter from my dear mamma. Began and finished a sermon on Luke xxiii : 39-43. Troubled with a pain in my breast. 24. Wrote on my century sermon. At evening saw a tragedy performed.' 25. Considerably troubled with the pain in my breast. Considerable labor to make all the collections for my century sermon. Boys played ball. 26. Much oppressed with a cold. Began a sermon on Prov. viii : 15, 16. 27. Finished my sermon on Prov. viii: 15, 16. It is suggested that the weatlier this week has not been colder than it was in October. Boys play at ball till night without the least inconvenience. Received a letter from Mr. Curtis Clark, Brookfield. 28. On the 24th received a letter from Esq. Everett, of New Milford. Wrote one in answer. Received a letter from my brother N. Rainy. Preached on public affairs. 29. Made a hymn for New Year's day. 30. Still engaged on my century sermon. It costs much labor to make collections. 31. Finished my century sermon on Gen. i: 14, at three quarters after eleven o'clock, P. M. The year is now closing. ' In some local exhibition probably. It was common in the early years of this century, for private companies in the country towns of Connecticut to get up dramatic exhibitions on quite an extended scale. 1801. January. 1. Afternoon preached a century sermon' to a very large audience. Quite cold. Received a request from the committee of the society of Milton to preach with them. 2. Last night snowed some. At evening walked out. 3. Extreme cold. People go some in sleighs. Copying my sermon for publication. 4. Thin meeting. Very cold. Yesterday morning the thermometer stood five below zero. Jefferson and Burr have each seventy-three votes for the Presidency. It will remain with Congress to decide.'' 5. Last night snow fell about a foot deep. 6. Received a request from the civil authority and selectmen of this town for a copy of my sermon for publication.^ Rode to Ridgebury. Mr. Camp comfortable. 7. Bought some books of Mr. Camp."* Returned. Afternoon quite rainy. An admirable New Year's poem in Hartford paper. 8. Quite warm. Snow mostly gone. Received sixty-seven dollars from this society. Received considerable from the school committee. 9. Have lived more than a year in this town, and all at one house, very agreeably.^ What shall I render to the Most High for all his mercies. Left Danbury. Rode to Warren.* Uncle Starr unwell. 10. Rode to Milton,' a society in Litchfield. Quite warm for the season. Rainy. 11. The meeting-house unfinished. Very hard to speak. Full meeting. At evening rode to Goshen.* 12. Rode home.' Never have been so long from home at once. My mamma not very well. Cold. * There has been discussion in times past ' It was quite a triumph for a man so whether the first day of January, 1800 or young as he, to prepare three addresses with- 1801, began the nineteenth century. It re- in a year, which should be requested for quired one hundred years to make the eight- publication. eenth century, and the year 1800 was one of ■* He had bought books once before of them, and the nineteenth century therefore Mr. Camp. It had been supposed, as we began Jan. i, 1801. Mr. Robbins's century have seen, that Mr. Camp had a fatal illness, sermon was preached as a special religious and this may have led him to part with his service, on a week day, Thursday, and it is books, thinking he should not want them, gratifying to know that it was preached " to a * At the house of Mr. Whittlesey, very large audience." * About twenty-one miles from Danbury. ^ That religious people in New England ^ Four or five miles from Warren in the should desire the defeat of Jefferson, and the northwest part of the town of Litchfield, election of a man so corrupt as Aaron Burr, * About eight miles from Milton to Goshen. is one of those political riddles which are 9 About eight more from Goshen to his hard to solve. father's house in Norfolk. 129 130 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1801, 13. Set out for ] )anbiiry. Rode to Milton. No sleighing ; bad riding. 14. Rode to Danbury. My cousin P. Starr' accompanied me from Warren, ic;. Very rainy. Considerable thunder. Mr. Langdon very low. Wrote on my century sermon. 16. Inspected one proof-sheet of my sermon. Rode from Danbury to New Milford. At evening had a long Democratic dispute with a Mr. Board- man,'' of New Milford. 17. Rode to Milton. Cold. Quite tired with riding. 18. Had a full meeting. Very cold. People here appear very stupid. At evening had a Democratic dispute with Esq. Welsh of this place. Agreed to preach here a few Sabbaths. 19. Rainy. Read the Bible. Had company. I live at a Deacon Munson's. 20. Rode home. Cold and exceeding windy. Found all well. 21. Extreme cold. Apprehended the most severe weather we have had this winter. No sleighing. There has been very little this season. 22. The weather is more severe. My brother James came home from college. Mr. Bushnell ^ the missionary, came from the westward, and tarried with us over night. 23. Went with my brother James and got a load of wood.* Difficult mov- ing on account of ice ; yet no sleighing. At evening read my play Columbus before a number of people by desire. 24. Read. Saw some people from Vermont. Several families about to move from this town to New Connecticut.' Went and got a load of wood. 25. Preached for my father all day. The subject, Means. At evening attended a conference. Very cold. 26. Left home early. Rode to West Hartford ; got a piece of blue cloth my mamma had sent there to be dressed. Rode to Farmington, eat supper with Mr. Pitkin ; * rode to West Britain,' and tarried at a tavern. 27. Rode to Litchfield and breakfasted, and rode to Danbury. Rode yes- terday and today about ninety-seven miles. 28. Last night it snowed a little. Since the Sabbath the weather has been quite mild. Rode to an outer part of the town to collect some facts for my century sermon of a Baptist society. Invited out to supper. 29. Finished copying my sermon for the press. Wrote to Mr. Jacob Gil- bert, of Salem. Walked out. Quite rainy. 30. Stayed at Mr. Langdon's. He appears to be just gone; declining fast. My century sermon was published. Walked out. Warm. 31. Left Danbury. Rode to Warren and tarried. People universally very anxious for sleighine:. ' Peter Starr, Jr., was graduated at Will- * Western Reserve, or Connecticut Re- iams, 1799. serve, Ohio. - Probably Mr. Elijah Boardman. *• Rev. Timothy Pitkin, who was settled in ^ Rev. Jedadiah Bushnell, graduated at Farmington in 1752, but was dismissed in Williams College in 1797. 1785. He lived, however, until 18 11. * He was not above hard work when oc- ^ Only a few miles from Farmington to casion called. West Britain. l8oi.] PREACHING AT MILTON, CT. 131 February. 1. Rode to Milton. Quite cold. Very tired. 2. Read Hume. Troubled some with a pain in my breast. 3. Read. I presume this country has never been in such universal anxiety on account of political matters as at present, since the establishment of our present government. 4. Rode to Warren and to Kent with Uncle Starr.' Attended a minis- ters' meeting. Preached.^ 5. Soft night; it snowed a little. Before that the ground was almost entirely bare. Rode to Warren. My horse fell, and threw me off ; not hurt. Preached a sacramental lecture. 6. Rode to Litchfield and Milton. Dined with Mr. Huntington.^ Warm. Wrote to Noah Webster,* New Haven. Many accounts of fires in different places. 7. Read Hume. People move some in sleighs. Had company. 8. People here seem generally disposed to attend meeting; but pretty ignorant. 9. Rode home. It snowed considerably. Troubled with a pain in my breast. 10. Rode out in a sleigh. My brother James went off to college.^ 11. A vast number of people seem in motion to improve the sleighing. It snowed all day. Rode out with my father. 12. Worked getting wood. Quite cold. Read some. 13. Wrote to my sister B. Rode out. Afternoon it snowed hard. 14. The snow is quite deep. Difficult moving. Afternoon my father went to Milton.* 15. Quite thin meeting. Very cold and blustering. I think my mamma is more healthy this winter than she has been winters past. At evening Mr. Bogue, late minister at Winchester, came and tarried with us. He now lives at the westward. He appears to be much disappointed on his prospects in retiring from the ministry. 16. Worked some. At evening Mr. Washburn, of Farmington, and his wife, came and tarried with us. Heard of the death of Mr. Langdon, of Dan- bury. He died last Tuesday.' His funeral was attended on Friday. Mr. Goodrich, of Ridgefield, preached on the occasion. The last time Mr. Lang- don preached was on the Fast, the nth of last April. ' He rode to Warren alone, and from dying in 1843, ^t New Haven, at the age of Warren to Kent with his Uncle Starr. His eighty-four, uncle was now more than fifty years old, hav- ^ Now in his junior year, ing been settled twenty-nine years at War- ^ His father went to Milton to preach on ren. an exchange of pulpits with his son. From * It was a compliment to ask a young Norfolk to Milton about sixteen miles, minister not yet twenty-four years old to ^ February 10, and Mr. Robbins heard of preach before a ministers' association. it at Norfolk, a little more than forty miles ^ Rev. Dan Huntington. distant, the following Monday, February 16, * Mr. Noah Webster, author of the Great Mr. Langdon had been between fourteen and American Dictionary, was then forty-two fifteen years at Danbury, having been settled years old, and he Jived forty-two years longer, in 1786. 132 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1801. 17. Set out with my brother N. in a sleigh to go to Danbur^-. Rode to Watertown.' It rained all the afternoon. Got very wet. 18. Rode to Waterbury.^ It rained hard all day. Towards night rode to Wolcott.' 19. Rode home.'* Found pretty good sleighing. Yesterday it snowed here all day. 20. Worked some. Warm for the season. Read Hume. 21. Rode to Milton. O that I may be delivered from stupidit}-, and realize the great work of the gospel ministry. 22. Had a pretty full meeting. Many people here appear to have bad sentiments. I fear Episcopalians are gaining ground.^ 23. Read Hume. Walked out. Was informed that Mr. Jefferson is chosen President of the United States. I think it is clearly a great frown of Providence.^ May we learn humility, and may the God of our fathers still be our God. 24. In the forenoon quite rainy. Warm. Wrote. Read newspapers. 25. Very warm and pleasant. Snow goes very fast. Rode to Warren. 26. Remarkably warm for the season.^ The sleighing is gone. Returned to Milton. Visited. 27. Preached a private lecture. Bad riding. Wrote extracts from Hume. 28. On account of some difficulty here about Episcopalians, I determined to be absent tomorrow. Rode to Cornwall.^ Ver}- bad riding. March. 1. Preached for Mr. Weston.^ Mild spring weather. Ver}-- tired. 2. Rainy. Unwell. The pain in my breast very hard. O for preserving mercy. Walked out. 3. Rode home. Very little snow to be seen ; and the ground is breaking up. Such a winter is not remembered. 4. Quite sick with a severe pain in the left part of my breast. Afternoon my father preached a singing lecture. The people here sing excellently. 5. Rode out. Worked some. ]\Iuch cooler than it has been. ' More than twenty miles. ^ote carefully the changes of weather in our ^ Four or five miles from Watertown. ^ew England year, will remember that the 3 Four miles perhaps from Waterbury. j^gt days of February, or the first days of ^ That is, back to Norfolk, not having March, are quite likely to be warm, gone apparently to Danbury, their original s He made an exchange with the Corn- destmation. ^^^U minister. What the precise ditficulties 5 A little hard to charge the bad senti- .^g^e with the Episcopalians does not appear, ments of the place upon the Episcopalians. 9 Rev. Hercules Weston, pastor at Corn- 6 Very likely Mr. Robbins afterwards saw ^.^n^ 1792-1S03. He was a graduate of Dart- that certam evil tendencies in our government ^outh College in the class of 17S3. Corn- were changed by the eight years' administra- ^.^^^ ^^^ ^^.^^ ^he town in which the Foreign tion of Mr. Jefferson, so that he might have Mission School was opened in 1S17, and was been ready to say, continued till 1826. Here Henry Obookiah " From seeming evil still educing good." from the Sandwich Islands died and was ' Those who have been accustomed to buried. x8oi.] PREACHING AT MILTON, CT. ^33 6. It snowed hard all day. Read Wilberforce's View} Had some clothes made. At evening my father had a small building burnt by accident. 7. Rode to Milton. Snow about a foot deep. Warm. Read Hume. 8. Thin meeting. Bad morning. At evening my brother N. came here from Warren and tarried. 9. Rode to Danbury. Mr. Thomas Starr, of this town, lately left his house and cannot be found. Great search has been made. 10. The neighboring ministers supply the pulpit here at present.'* Snow goes fast. At night very rainy. Some thunder. 11. Left Danbury. Rode to Washington, tarried at Mr. Porter's.^ Stopped several times by rain. 12. Rode to Milton. The snow gone. Extreme bad riding. Had company. 13. Wrote, copying my diary in this book, as I did not obtain it till lately. Read Hume. 14. The pain in my breast hard. Wrote. Mr. Parker,* a candidate, came here wishing to exchange with me tomorrow, and have me go to Washington. I cannot go. Rode out and visited. 15. Walked to meeting. The ground begins to settle. People here appear attentive, but I think are very stupid. 16. Wrote. Rode out and visited. Warm. Ground breaking up. Last Wednesday the Democrats in this State had a great fete at Wallingford, to celebrate the election of Mr. Jefferson to the Presidency. As I was riding through New Milford I heard the cannon.' 17. Rode to Cornwall. Attended a good exhibition of the school there under Mr. Knapp,^ of Norfolk. 18. Very rainy all day. Entertained kindly at Mrs. Marwin's. 19. Lower)' all day. Saw the largest oxen I ever saw ; six feet high. Read. 20. Rode to Milton. Very wet. Streams are yet very high. Wrote extracts from Hume. ' William Wilberforce's Practical View of Christianity, a work that has exercised a vast influence among men. ^ It was an old New England custom, and still continues, that on the occasion of the death of a minister, the neighboring ministers should give each a Sabbath's supply for the benefit of his family. 2 Rev. Ebenezer Porter, D. D., pastor at Washington, Ct, from 1796 to 181 1, and then called to be Bartlet Professor at Andover, in place of Dr. Edward Griffin. After going to Andover he was sought for to fill many public places, but remained there till his death in 1S34. The Professorship of Divinity at Yale College, the Presidency of Hamilton, Middle- bury, South Carolina Colleges, were all of- fered him and declined. In 1827, he was made President of Andover Seminary. This was an office which had not before existed. * This was probably Daniel Parker, a na- tive of Washington, and a graduate of Yale in 179S. He was afterwards settled 1802- 18 1 2 as the first minister in Ellsworth, a parish in Sharon. Here he established a school which he conducted for years after his dismission, and which proved a successful enterprise. ' This was very distant music, but distance did not lend enchantment enough to make it pleasing to his ear. ^ Mr. Isaac Knapp, graduate of Williams College, 1800, afterwards for many years pas- tor at Westfield, Mass. 134 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [iSoi. 21. Rainy. Began a sermon on Rev. iii : lo. Rode to Warren to ex- change with Uncle Starr. On account of death of one of his neighbors, he could not leave home. Roads very much gullied with the flood, many bridges and mill-dams gone. 22. Rode to Milton. Rainy. There seems to be unhappy parties in this society. 23. Wrote. Rode home. The riding in Goshen extremely bad. My cousin S. P. Robbins* here. Received a letter from Becket, and another from Poultney, Vt., each requesting me to go and preach with them. 24. My cousin set out for Salem, N. Y., ^ to supply them by my advice. Wrote to Mr. Jacob Gilbert ^ there, and two other letters of introduction for him. Worked. Blasted a rock.* 25. Worked considerably. Snowed nearly all day. 26. Made a great gate for a fence.^ Wrote to the committee at Becket. At night sick with a very severe pain in my side and back. 27. Rode to Milton. Considerably unwell. Preached a lecture. On the 23d wrote a billet-letter to Mr. J. Allen,* Litchfield. Received an answer. Pleasant weather. There has not been a clear day before since the 8th, and but a few without rain. So long wet weather I think I never knew. All accounts represent the flood last week very extraordinary. Great damage has been sustained in mills, bridges, etc. At Hartford, Ct., the river is said not to have been so high since the year 1692. 28. Wrote considerably. Afternoon rode to Warren. Weather pleasant, 29. My Uncle Starr went to preach at Milton. Stormy. At night a total eclipse of the moon. So cloudy we could only perceive the darkness. 30. Rainy. Tarried at Warren. 'Rj&did Flo7vers of History. 31. This month has been remarkable for wet, cloudy weather almost steadily. Rode to Milton. Read Hume. April. 1. Finished my sermon on Rev. iii : 10. Weather ver}- pleasant. Rode out. Have trouble with the committee of this society. 2. Read Hume. Received of the committee of this society fifty dollars.' Yesterdav wrote to Rev. Mr. Marsh / Litchfield. ' He had been graduated at Harvard Col- blaster of rocks, or a cutter and drawer of lege in 1798, and was now beginning to wood, preach. ^ Hon. John Allen, lawyer in Litchfield ^ This is the place where Mr. Thomas from 1786 to his death, 1812, member of Con- Robbins had supplied a few Sabbaths while gress, 1797-1799, member of State Council, teaching in Danbury. 1S00-1816. ^ Jacob Gilbert is the man with whom he ^ He began to preach at Milton on the corresponded at Salem. We have had his i8th of Januar}-, so that on the ist Sabbath name before in the diary. He was perhaps a of April he had preached ten Sabbaths at the deacon in the church. old price of five dollars a Sabbath. * It is noticeable that Mr. Robbins can ^ Rev. Truman Marsh, graduated at Yale turn his hand to rough hard work. We have in 17S6, Episcopal minister in Litchfield, but many illustrations showing that he had been preaching one fourth of the time to a small accustomed from his youth to all kinds of Episcopal society in Milton parish. Here, out-dooi service. probably, Mr. Robbins had been brought to ' Here he is a carpenter as well as a his acquaintance. l8oi.] ON A VISIT TO NEW YORK. I35 3. This day is the Fast through this State. May God accept the offer- ings of his people, and let his blessings rest upon our land. Quite warm. 4. Received a letter from Mr. Marsh, Litchfield. Rode out and visited. Roads mostly settled. 5. The Episcopalians held a meeting in a school-house near the meeting- house. Quite tired. 6. Rode home. Called on Mr. Weston, Cornwall. Ground settled, 7. Read. Accounts from various parts of the great destruction in the late flood. Attended the concert of prayer. 8. By account peace is signed between Austria and France at Luneville.' Stormy. Worked some. 9. My father went to New Marlborough^ to preach on the Fast. My classmate Bassett^ came and tarried with us; like to settle at Winchester. The Democrats making great exertions to destroy the laws respecting religion in this State. 10. Very cold and blustering. Read Hume, Am at present very healthy. Laus Deo. 11. Rode to Milton. Preached a lecture in a part of Litchfield. Quite cold. On the 9th wrote to Deacon White, Poultney,* Vt. 12. Warm. Full meeting. There appear to be such rancorous parties in this society that I fear they will not be in a systematic state for many years. 13. Rode home. My horse lame. Attended Freeman's Meeting. Very full. This town remarkably united. 14. Took a horse of a man to use for the present. Rode to Warren, on my way to New York. 15. Rode to Danbury. Very warm. I think I have many friends in this town. 16. Received thirty-four dollars of the school committee, and remainder of what was due me here. Rode to Stamford. Kindly entertained at Rev. Mr. Smith's.^ 17. Dined with Dr. Lewis,* Greenwich. Rode to Rye. The Freeman's Meetings through the State appear to have been ver}^ full, and the Democrats greatly overthrown. * Peace of Luneville concluded between asking him to come up there and preach, the French Republic and the Emperor of There was a real scarcity of ministers at the Germany, Feb. 9, iSoi. beginning of this century. ^ As already stated New Marlborough, ' Rev. Daniel Smith, graduated at Yale, Mass., adjoined Norfolk, Ct. Rev. Nathaniel 1891, and pastor at Stamford, 1793-1S46, Turner, a native of Norfolk, was then pastor fifty-three years, there. * Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., converted un- ^ Rev. Archibald Bassett, Mr. Robbins's der the preaching of Whitefield in the chapel classmate at Yale, settled at Winchester, of Yale College in 1764, graduated in 1765, 1801-1806, afterwards a missionary and min- pastor at Greenwich, 1 786-1818, and living ister in the State of New York. till 1840, seventy-five years after his gradua- * He had received, it will be remembered, tion. His son, Isaac Lewis, Jr., D.D., was letters from Becket, Mass., and Poultney, Vt., also pastor at Greenwich. 136 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [180I. 18. Rode in the stage to New York.' Received with great hospitality by Mr, Watson.^ Walked out. 19. Heard Dr. Rogers'* preach. Afternoon Dr. Livingston,* Dutch Re- formed. I believe there are many real humble believers in this city. 20. Mr. Watson veiy instructive and entertaining in conversation. Rainy. Wrote a short piece for publication. This State in a great ferment respecting their approaching election. Mr. Watson is candidate for Lieut.-Governor. 21. Became acquainted with Dr. Rogers. Weather cold and backward. Wrote. 22. Read Encydopadia. Mr. Watson^ has by a great difference the best libraiy I ever saw, except the one at Harvard College. Walked out. 23. Dined with Mr. Samuel Wilcox, an acquaintance of my father. Read considerably. Wrote a piece for publication. Attended at evening an electioneering meeting. Heard Gen. Hamilton * speak with the most powerful eloquence I ever heard. 24. Last night very rainy. Walked out with Mr. Watson. Drank tea with Dr. Rogers. Engaged to preach next Sabbath. At night had an exceeding hard turn of the toothache ; cured with laudanum. 25. Bought a pair of leather breeches, six dollars. A pair of silk stock- ings, two dollars. In the afternoon fifteen vessels, mostly large, arrived at this port. It has been wet and lowery weather for six days. 26. Preached for Dr. Rogers ; in two meeting-houses. Congregations very large. Weather very pleasant. At evening an Episcopalian meeting. Mr. Allen, of Litchfield, here. 27. Last week had some clothes made. Rode out with Mr. Watson in his carriage. The country round New York ver)' pleasant. At evening attended the theater. 28. Very warm. Walked out to tea. Mr. Imlay,^ member of Congress from New Jersey, dined with us. This and two next days is the election in this State. ' When he went to New York city in There were few great libraries in the country 1796, he left his horse outside the city. then. That of Harvard College was easily ^ His old friend and his father's friend, first ; now there are many great libraries, Mr. James Watson, was still living there, and public and private. There are men now as hospitable as before. whose private libraries are larger than any ' Rev. John Rodgers, D. D., was then min- public library then in the country, istering to the Wall Street, the Brick, and * This was after Mr. Hamilton had re- the Rutgers Street Church united. turned to the practice of law in the city of * John H. Livingston, D. D., born at New York. Washington made him Secretary Poughkeepsie in 1746, and graduated at Yale of the Treasury in 1789, which office he held in 1762, afterwards President of Queen's Col- till 1795. After performing other important lege, New Jersey. He was a very able public ser\-ices, in iSoo he resumed law prac- scholar and divine. He died in New Bruns- tice in New York. Four years later, in July, wick, N. J., in 1825, aged seventy-eight. 1804, he was killed in a duel by Aaron Burr. ' Mr. Robbins having already begun the ^ James H. Imlay. He was a graduate of work of collecting a library, was prepared Princeton College and member of Congress, fully to appreciate so handsome a collection. 1797-1801. iSoi.] AT HOME AT NORFOLK, CT. 137 29. Left New York in the stage. May I be thankful for the great kind- ness which I have experienced there. Rode to Rye. Took my horse and rode to Canaan.' Tarried at Mr. Mitchell's.^ 30. Rode to Danbury. Warm. Much pained with the toothache. This society appears to be in a critical situation. Fruit-trees generally in the blow. May. 1. Rode to Washington. At New Milford had a tooth extracted. The meeting-house in this town was set on fire the night before last by a crazy man, and consumed. 2. Rode to Litchfield. Quite warm. Drank tea with Gen. Tracy.^ 3. Preached for Mr. Huntington. Today are contributions through this State for the missionar}'^ society. The collection here thirty-two dollars.* Afternoon very rainy. 4. Rode home. Dined with a military company. The contribution in this town above sixty dollars.' 5. Worked considerably. The season is generally quite forward. Fruit- trees in the bloom. 6. Quite rainy. Wrote. Worked at my library. I have now more than one hundred volumes. 7. Worked some. Warm. My sister quite unwell. My mamma more healthy this spring than in years past. 8. Afternoon very rainy. The season is uncommonly wet. Grass and trees very forward. Five persons were examined as candidates to be admitted into the church. They appeared very well. 9. Set out to go to Becket to preach. Bad riding. Rode through New Marlborough to Bethlehem. Hearing that they are like to be supplied to- morrow at Becket, I concluded to tarn,' here. 10. Preached in a private house. This is a new and small town,^ but I think there are a number of persons who are anxious to hear the truth. Quite tired. 11. Rode to Becket. We have at length clear weather. Read Hume. 12. Read the Bible. I live with a Mr. Higley. Wrote. Quite warm. 13. Read considerably. Began a sermon on Luke xiv : 17. 14. I study without any fire. Read the Bible. Read Hume. 15. Quite unwell last night with dysentery. Read considerably. Walked out. 16. Finished my sermon on Luke xiv: 17. Read Bible. 'This was not the town of Canaan, Ct., member of Congress, and eleven years United but the parish of that name in the town of States Senator. Norwalk, now the town of New Canaan. ■♦ It is the first Sunday in May again, and ^ Rev. Justus Mitchell, previously men- this was the contribution in Rev. Dan Hunt- tioned. ington's church in Litchfield. ^ Gen. Uriah Tracy, graduated at Yale in ' A noble contribution for Norfolk in those 1778, a native of Norwich, Ct., a lawyer at days. Litchfield. He was for nine years Represent- ^ There appears to be no such town or par- ative to the .State Legislature, three years ish in Berkshire County at the present time. 138 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1801. 17. They have here a new and very good meeting-house. The society is small. Quite tired. 18. Rode home.' My sister getting better. Apple-trees universally in the bloom and very full. 19. Rode to Winchester to attend the ordination of my classmate Bassett.'^ He passed a good examination. 20. Mr. Bassett was ordained. The exercises very serious. Rode home. Very warm. 21. Last evening my brother James came from college. Mr. Judson, of Sheffield, tarried here and talked with me considerably. Wrote a letter to Mr. Hooker/ of Goshen. Very hot. 22. Worked considerably. Students here from Yale and Williams Colleges. 23. In the morning a shower. Rode to Goshen. Mr. Hooker is to supply for me at Becket. 24. Cool. Staj^ed at Esq. Hale's.* At evening rode to Milton. 25. Rode home. Called on old Mr. Jacob Beach, apparently near to death. 26. Worked. Bought some books of the public library in this town, which were sold at vendue. The newspaper brought very important news. That the Emperor Paul,^ of Russia, was found dead in his bed on the morning of the 24th of March, and his son Alexander succeeds. That Lord Nelson gained a great naval victory over the Danes on the 2d of April at Copenhagen.^ My father received a letter from Mr. Newell, of Charlotte, requesting that I would go up there and preach. At night quite unwell with a violent inflammatory eruption. 27. Worked steadily with my brother Jaines making a board fence. Mr. Granger^ has got more than three thousand Democratic votes in this State for a member of Congress. 28. Worked. My salt-rheum something troublesome. Warm. ' From Becket, Mass., to Norfolk, Ct., after he came to the throne in 1762. His about twenty-five miles. wife Catherine was an able sovereign. On ^ Archibald Bassett, already mentioned, of her death in 1796 Paul, her son, succeeded, the class of 1796 at Yale. but was found dead as stated, and it was ^ Rev. Asahel Hooker, pastor at Goshen, supposed that he was murdered. He was Ct., 1791-1810, father of Rev. Edward W. followed by his son Alexander, who was on Hooker, D. D., formerly professor in the the throne 1801-1825. East Windsor Seminary, and of Mrs. Come- * Copenhagen was bombarded and taken lius, wife of Dr. Elias Cornelius, Secretary of by the English fleet under Nelson, April 2, the American Education Society and of the 1801. American Board. 7 i-^gn. Gideon Granger, born in Sutfield, ■•There were, at that time, three men in Ct., July 19, 1767. To him Connecticut is Goshen of the name Hale that were promi- very largely indebted for her school fund, nent. These were Adino, Timothy, and Na- He was made Postmaster-General by Mr. than Hale. The latter was deacon of the Jefferson in iSoi, and held the office till 1814, church. when he removed to Canandaigua, N. Y. 5 He came to the throne in 1796. He His son, Hon. Francis Granger, was also was son of Peter HI and Catherine H. Peter Postmaster-General, appointed by President was supposed to have been murdered soon Harrison in 1841. l8oi.] PREACHING IN BECKET, MASS. 139 29. Wrote a letter to Dr. Carrington, of Danbur}^ Rode to New Marl- borough. Tarried with Mr. Turner. At night a shower and very hard thunder. My brother set off for Hartford with my sister in a carriage. She is quiie feeble, and rides, hoping a benefit. 30. Rode to Becket. Very warm. Wrote, O for a suitable preparation for the holy Sabbath approaching. On the morning of the 27th there was some frost. 31. The meeting-house pretty hard to speak in. Very tired. This family fine singers. June. 1. Read Hume. A very valuable history. At evening my cousin Sam P. and a Mr. Leonard,' a candidate, came here and tarried. 2. Wrote. Lord St. Vincent has said to the English House of Lords that the late naval victoiy at Copenhagen is the greatest ever achieved by the British navy. Rode to Washington." Attended an association ; preached. The ministers all strangers to me. 3. Afternoon rode to Stockbridge. Tarried at Dr. West's.^ He was gone. Mrs. W. quite feeble ; appears to be declining with age. 4. The Democrats in this State are much chagrined at the result of their election. Gov. Clinton'' is said to be chosen in New York by a considerable majority. Dined with Mr. Woodbridge. Rode to Becket in company with my cousin Sam P. Rainy. 5. Read Hume. Quite rainy. At evening walked out. 6. Began a sermon on i Sam. xv : 22. Read Bible. Quite cool. Very apprehensive of a frost tonight. 7. There was a little frost this morning, but it is hoped vegetation is not injured. Quite cool. Full meeting. People very attentive. 8. Read Hume. Rode out and visited. At night some rain. 9. Read the Bible. Worked a little on the road. Turnpike roads ^ seem to be the great rage of the day. In the State of New York they are generally made by Connecticut people. 10. Wrote considerably. Afternoon warm. My salt-rheum troublesome. 11. Rode down to Bethlehem and preached at a funeral. Read Hume. Wrote. 12. Finished my sermon on i Sam. xv : 22. Afternoon w-orked some. A fine shower. 13. Finished reading Hume's History. May I be enabled to receive in- ' Samuel Prince Robbins, and probably Mass., where Rev, W. G, Ballantine was Rev. Joshua Leonard, who had been settled pastor, 1774-1820. at Ellington, 1791-1798. Mr. Leonard was a ^ Dr. Stephen West, his theological teacher, graduate of Brown University in 17S8, and ■♦ De Witt Clinton, LL. D. received the degree of A. ^L from Vale in ^ Even the turnpike roads of that day 1 79-- stopijed far short of what would now be - This is Washington, Berkshire County, called a really good road. 140 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1801. stniction and to retain what is useful. My cousin S. P. R. came here to preach tomorrow. Rode to Blandford.' 14. Felt a great weakness at my lungs; but just able to preach. The people here are very anxious to have my cousin settle with them. 15. Rainy. My cousin S. P. came from Becket. Read several pamphlets. 16. Quite showery. Rode to Sandisfield;^ attended an association. 17. Mr. Lee/ of Colebrook, preached at the association. Afternoon rode to New Marlborough and preached a private lecture. Tarried with Mr. Turner. 18. Rode home. Quite warm. At evening my father returned from the General Association at Litchfield. He is appointed a commissioner'* to go to the General Assembly at Philadelphia next May. 19. Worked some. There has been an unusual quantity of thunder this week. 20. Ver)- warm. Rode to Becket. Quite tired. 21. People here appear attentive, but I think quite stupid.' I am greatly affected with insensibility in things of infinite importance. 22. Began to read Smollett's* continuation of Flume's History. Something unwell. Had company. 23. Wrote. Afternoon rode out and attended a funeral of a young child. Very warm. On the 20th wrote to Mr. Whittlesey, of Danbur}-. 24. Wrote extracts from Hume. Considerably unwell. Went into the water. At night hard showers. 25. Assisted in hiving bees. Cooler than in days past. Rode out and visited. This society appears prospering. 26. Read the Bible. Wrote a plan for a tragedy on the fate of Lord Strafford.'' Hope to be enabled, some future time, to execute it. 27. Began a sermon on Dan. ii : 20, 21. My cousin Sam P. here. Wrote some verses to be sung July 4th. Read Smollett. 28. Quite warm. Preached pretty long. Read in Whitefield's Life^ ' Blandford, Mass., then in Hampshire Robbins in this connection, does not mean County, and now in Hampden. His cousin mental stupidity, but moral indifference. S. P. Robbins was supplying there, and this * Tobias Smollett, better known as a was an exchange of pulpits. Blandford at its writer of doubtful novels, wrote that part of northwest corner touches Becket. It is a the sequel to Hume's History of England, ride of seven or eight miles from one to the reaching from 16SS to the death of George other in a land of hills. II. ^ Sandisfield a town in Berkshire County, ^ The favor which his drama of Columbus Mass., touches the Connecticut line, lying received inspired him to attempt bolder things next east to New Marlborough. The min- in this line. Thomas Wentworth, Earl of ister at Sandisfield at that time was Rev. Strafford, the servant of Charles I, came to Levi White, graduated at Dartmouth, 1796, the block in 1641, eight years before his and pastor at Sandisfield, 1798 -1832. royal master. ^ Rev. Chauncey Lee, of Colebrook, Ct., * Memoirs of the Life and Character of pastor there 1800-1S2S, graduated at Yale, George IVJtifcficld, by J. Gillies, D. D., first 1784- published in London ia 1772, and subsequent * We now call a man so appointed a dele- editions published in 1791, iSii, etc. Mr. gate. Robbins had the edition probably published 5 The word stiif'id, so often used by Mr. in 1791. l8oi.] PREACHING IN BECKET, MASS. I4I 29. Rode to Lenox ; made a visit at Mr. Goodwin's.' Very hot. 30. Visited Mr. Shepard.^ Rode to Stockbridge. Dined at Dr. West's. Rode to Lee. Tarried with Mr. Hyde.^ July. 1. Rode to Becket. Quite overcome v/ith the heat. Had company. Read. 2. Wrote. Read Smollett. Afternoon attended a funeral of an infant child. 3. Read Smollett. Not so good a history as Hume's.'* Rode out and visited. 4. The heat this week has been very great. Last night a great alteration. Finished my sermon on Dan. ii : 20, 21. Afternoon preached on the occasion of the Independence anniversary.^ This town very little infested with Democrats. 5. Quite cool. Full meeting. People quite attentive. Some difficulties in the church here. 6. Rode with my cousin S. P. to Lee and to New Marlborough, and tarried. Mr. Turner seems to make much im.provement in divinity knowledge. 7. Rode home. Quite warm. My cousin J. Gould ^ here. Afternoon attended the concert of prayer. 8. Worked some in haying. The people in this town had a splendid celebration of Independence on the 6th. 9. My sister and cousin' set out on a journey to Boston and Plymouth. Wrote to my Uncle Lemuel Le Baron, Very warm. 10. Worked considerably. Read Flowers of History. 11. The heat seems about as great as last week. My father went to Becket.^ On the 7th received a letter from New Hartford, a settlement in Whitestown,^ requesting me to go there to preach. 12. Preached. Quite warm. At evening attended a conference. Very happy effects here of the religious revival. 13. Worked some. Rainy. My father returned, much pleased with Becket. Finished reading Flowers of Ancient History. 14. A degree of gloom seems to have been cast over the celebrations of the 4th. '° Worked considerably. ' Frequent references have been made to day, and Mr. Robbins preached on the sub- the Goodwins, of Lenox, and their relation- ject, a way of celebrating the day that has ship to Mrs. Robbins. now passed out of use. From an entry be- ^ Rev. Samuel Shepard, D. D., graduated low [July 8th] the general celebration in the at Yale, 1793, Pastor at Lenox, 1 795-1846. town was on Monday the 6th. A native of Chatham, Ct. * From Manchester, Vt. ^ Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., a native of ' His sister Sarah and Samuel Prince Franklin, Ct., graduated at Dartmouth, 17S8, Robbins. pastor at Lee, Mass., 1792-1S33. ^ The father and son again exchange pul- * The intellect of Hume was very clear and pits. strong, but as a kistorical writer he is partisan ' In Oneida County, New York, and not to be greatly praised. '" Because of the election of Mr. Jefferson ' The 4th of July that year fell on Satur- probably. 142 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [180I. 15. On the 13th received a letter from my sister at Hartford on her way to Boston. Wrote to Mr. J. B. Fisk,* New York. Wrote to Mr. B. Merrill, New Hartford, Whitestown. Yesterday sold my horse for fifty dollars, which 1 have rode since I have been a preacher.^ Finished reading Flowers of Mod- ern History. Rode to Winchester, made Mr. Bassett a visit. Rode home, attended a conference. 16. Read St. Pierre's Studies of Nature? People beginning to harvest. It is thought that crops of grass and grain were never known to be so good. O that we may acknowledge the Author of all mercies. 17. Worked some. Weather much cooler than it has been. Read St. Pierre. 18. Rode to Becket. People in the midst of haying. Read Smollett. 19. Rainy. Thin meeting. People here much pleased with my father's preaching.'* 20. Had company. Was requested to let my sermon preached on the 4th be published. Read Smollet. 21. Steady lowery weather. Wrote. Received a letter from Mr. Nash,* of Middlefield. 22. Very rainy all day. A great blessing, as the ground was very dry. Read Smollet. Wrote. 23. Quite warm. Read the Bible. Afternoon rode to Middlefield and preached a lecture for Mr. Nash. At evening a full and serious conference. There are really some appearances of a divine work here. Will God carry it on for his name's sake .-' 24. Returned. Read Smollet. There is an account that the President has invited T. Paine in France to return to this countr^'.^ 25. Read the Bible. Wrote. Went into the water. At evening a hard shower, O for a suitable preparation for the holy Sabbath, 26. People here appear very stupid. 27. Very cool for the season. There appears a fair prospect that the French will be driven out of Eg}''pt,'' which has now become the theater of war. 28. Read Smollet. Wrote. Visited some Methodists. ' Mr. John Boyle Fisk, graduate of Dart- ^ Rev. Jonathan Nash, a graduate of Dart- mouth, 1798. He was born in Framingham, mouth, 1789, pastor at Middlefield, 1792-1832. Mass., 1778, was a lawyer in New York, and Middlefield was in Hampshire County, but died in 1805, at the age of twenty-seven. adjoining Berkshire, and was about five or ^ This was the horse which his father gave six miles from Becket. him, and which he had used since he went to ^ Thomas Paine returned to this country Marlborough, Ct., in November, 1798. the year after in July, 1802, and died here in 3 St. Pierre Jacques Bernardin Henri De, 1809. In i8oi Jefferson gave him permis- 2i\xthox oi Paid and Virginia. Wis Etudes de la sion to come over in one of our public ves- Nature appeared in 1784. He was a writer sels, but he did not come at that time, of the most refined tastes. His Paid et ^ By the battle of Aboukir, fought March Virginia has been translated into almost all 8, iSoi, followed by the battle of Alexandria, the European languages. March 21, 1801, the French were compelled ■* He exchanged, it will be remembered, to leave Egypt. The British expedition was with his father the Sabbath before. in charge of General Sir Ralph Abercromby, l8oi.] PREACHING IN BECKET, MASS. I43 29. Rode to Stockbridge. Saw the maps of this State. I think I never saw better. Tarried with Mr. Woodbridge.' 30. Saw the remonstrance of New Haven ^ merchants to the President, and his answer. He seems to feel power. Rode to Lenox. Preached a lecture for Mr. Shepard. 31. Rode to Becket, six miles through a forest.^ Warm. Worked some. August. 1. Read. Worked some. Afternoon hard showers. Had company. Thought best to refuse to have my sermon on the 4th of July printed. 2. Quite cool for the season. People here appear anxious to attend meeting. Read the Bible. 3. Rode out and visited. On the ist wrote a piece for publication, and wrote to Mr. Woodbridge, of Stockbridge. In the morning a little frost in some places. Wrote to Mr. Marcy," preaching at Loudon.^ Began a play on the fate of Lord Strafford.^ 4. Read Smollett. Rode out. Accounts from various parts of the coun- try agree with the appearances in this quarter that the harvest is better than has been known for many years. 5. Read in Heylin's old Geography? Very instructive. Visited. 6. Mr. Marcy, preaching at Loudon, preached a sacramental lecture for me. There appears to be some more than ordinary seriousness in town. 7. Read SmoUet. Visited a school. A hard shower. 8. Rode to Middlefield to exchange with Mr. Nash.^ Quite warm. 9. There appears to be a real work of God in this place. At evening a very full and serious conference. 10. The forenoon very rainy. Eat succotash. Returned. The committee came to see me. O for direction in duty. It rather appears the society unani- ' Gen. Jonathan Woodbridge probably. ^ In that part of Berkshire County where '^ Just as soon as it was known that Mr. Mr. Robbins was, there were yet large tracts Jefferson was chosen President, John Adams, of country almost new and wild. One of his predecessor, appointed Elizur Goodrich, them was called the Tyringham Equivalent, collector of the port of New Haven, as if to This place received the name of Loudon, and pre-occupy that office with a strong Federal- was expected ultimately to grow into a town ist. President Jefferson treated this appoint- of that name. But it fell far short of the ment, made after his own election, as a nullity, needful growth, and is now a part of the and appointed Judge Samuel Bishop col- town of Otis. This was where Mr. Marcy lector. The New Haven merchants sent a was then preaching. remonstance, which Mr. Jefferson answered, * We have had a previous intimation that but did not heed their request. The relig- he was thinking of this piece of English his- ious people of New England were unjustly tory as the foundation for a drama, bitter against Mr. Jefferson. ' Peter Heylin, U. D., an extensive author, ^ Lenox was twelve or fifteen miles from was born in 1600, and died in 1662. His Becket. He means that six miles of the way Cosmography in Four Books, of which several was through forest. editions were published, is the work here "* Bradford Marcy, probably, who received intended, the degree of A. M. from Brown University, * Rev. Jonathan Nash, before mentioned, in 1798. pastor at Middlefield. 144 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBIilNS, D.D. [iSoi. mously wish to have me settle here.' My principal real reason, 1 tliink, is I cannot feel that I can be contented to live here. I think that is considerable. And I don't wish to settle anywhere. 11. I am this day twenty-four years old. God in mercy has added to my life another year. Bless the Lord, O my soul. 12. My brother James returned home from college about three weeks since very poor. He had many symptoms of a consumption and was believed by many to have one seated. But in the great mercy of God, he is now recover- ing, and we hope his health will be restored.^ Finished reading Beauties of St. Pierre.^ The public mind seems to be in a great ferment respecting the con- duct of the President. 13. Read. Afternoon rode to Colebrook with my brother James, and made my brother Ammi a visit. '* 14. My brother has a good situation here. Returned. Wrote a piece for publication. Warm. 15. Find difficulty in buying a horse. Rode to Becket. 16. Rainy. Read the Bible. Propounded three persons for members of the church. I hope there is some seriousness in town. 17. Read. Rode out. A piece I wrote on the ist inst. is printed. 18. Finished reading Smollet. Began Cormick's Continuation.^ Had company. 19. Very warm. Rode to Chester and preached a lecture.^ Thought to be tlie hottest day we have had this summer. 20. Returned. Mrs. Higley ' very sick. Taken on the iSth with raising very large quantities of blood. 21. We do not expect Mrs. Higley can live but a little while. She appears to be sinking fast. Preached a private lecture. Veiy hot. 22. Read Cormick. Rainy. Had company. 23. Mrs. H. appears a little better. People at meeting appear to be very serious. 24. Rode home. My cousin Sam P. and my sister returned from Ply- mouth last Saturday, My brother James hopefully regaining his health. ' Mr. Robbins"s opportunities to settle, "• His brother Ammi R. had, it seems, re- considering his age, had been numerous. moved from Canaan, Ct., to Colebrook, Ct. This came partly from the satisfaction which ^ C. M. Cormick wrote the continuation he gave as a preacher, and partly from a real of Hume's History of Eiiglandixoxn. the death scarcity of ministers at that time. of George II, 1760, to the peace at the con- ^ James W. Robbins had not yet com- elusion of the American War in 17S3. pleted his college course. He was in his * The first minister of Chester was Rev. junior year, and was nineteen years old. He Aaron Bascom, who was graduated at Har- lived not only to graduate, but to be a very vard in 176S. The date of his settlement is useful and noble man, and died at the age of not given, but he is supposed to have con- sixty-five, tinued his labors there till about the time of ^ This was a work composed of extracts his death, which occurred in 1S14. from the writings of St. Pierre Jacques Ber- ^ Wife of the man with whom he was nardin Henri De, who has been already men- boarding at Becket. She died not long after, tioned. He was born in Havre, France, 1737, but was not so near her end as was then sup- and died in 1814. posed. l8oi.] PREACHING IN BECKET, MASS. I45 25. Mr. Battell' building a very elegant house near my father's. Rode out. Read Dwight's oration before the Cincinnati at New Haven.^ Excellent. 26. Rode to Becket. Find great difficulty in buying a horse. ^ Quite cool for the season. 27. The committee of this society came to see me. The society have unanhnoiish' requested me to preach with them on probation. I don't know that I ever found greater difficulty in knowing what to do. O for direction. I cannot think of settling here, for many reasons ; and I hope it is not incon- sistent with duty to refuse. 28. Read Cormick. Preached a private lecture. Very full. People appear to have great an.\iety about my continuing here. 29. On the 27th received seventy-five dollars'* from this society. Wrote to Dr. West, Stockbridge. Rode out and visited. 30. Very full meeting. Quite tired. At evening had company. Read the Bible. 31. Quite rainy. Read Cormick. It seems very difficult for me to leave this people.^ Sei'tember. 1. Left Becket. Rode to Tyringham.* Bought a horse of Mr. Avery.' Paid thirty dollars and gave a note for thirty-five, payable next January, The horse is six years old. May I find him useful and serviceable. Very warm. Rode home. My father and brother J. gone to Williams Commencement.* 2. My brother was offered seventy dollars for my horse.' Fixing for my journey. The heat increases. Mr. May,'° a candidate, lodged with us. ' Joseph Battell, who was ere long to be ing at Becket, for he was ready, as we shall united in marriage with Sarah Robbins. see, to give himself to home missionary ser- ^ This oration before the Society of the vice, where all the conditions of life would be Cincinnati at New Haven was given by much harder. It troubled him to receive Theodore Dwight, a younger brother of Pres- these calls, because he was of a kind and ident Dwight. He was a lawyer and public gentle spirit, and did not wish to disappoint writer, then residing at Hartford. He was and discourage others, secretary of the Hartford Convention, and ^ About five miles from Becket. wrote its history. In 1817 he established ' Rev. Joseph Avery, pastor at Tyringham, and edited the New York Daily Advertiser. 1789-1808. In this address before the Society of the Cin- ^ The Commencement at Williams was. cinnati he said some cruel and unjust things on the first Wednesday of September. As against President Jefferson. the month began that year on Tuesday, it ' The horse he has had for about three brought the Commencements both at Will- years begins to fail. iams and Yale earlier than usual. ■* He began to preach at Becket on the 2d 9 it is always comfortable to be offered Sabbath of May previous, and the seventy- more for anything than it cost you, even five dollars seems to have been the pay for though you have no desire to sell, fifteen Sabbaths at the old price of five dol- '° Rev. HezekiahMay, son of Rev. Eleazar lars a Sabbath. May, an:l graduated at Vale in 1793. ^^ 5 It does not appear that it was wordly was a home missionary in New York and ambition which kept Mr. Robbins from stay- Pennsylvania. 146 DIARY OF RF,V. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [180I. 3. Very hot and sultry. Afternoon set out for New Haven.' Rode to Litchfield, South Farms,^ and tarried with Mr. Chase.^ 4. Rode through Bethlehem, Woodbury, etc., to New Haven, and arrived at East Haven, 8 o'clock, P. M. The heat excessive. Very tired. Tarried at a tavern. 5. Agreed witli Mr. Moulthrop"* to take my portrait. Rode to New Haven ; assisted at the public examination at college. Returned.^ 6. Preached for Mr. Street.* This is a small and very flourishing town, with an elegant stone meeting-house. At evening attended the wedding of one of Mr. Street's sons. 7. Rode to Branford. Dined with a military company. Almost over- come with the heat. Returned to East Haven. 8. Sat for Mr. Moulthrop to take my likeness. At evening rode to New Haven. Attended the speaking of the undergraduates. Unable to sleep on account of the heat. 9. Attended Commencement. The thermometer was at ninety-four de- grees. A shower between the exercises. The exercises pretty good, and very short. Very few ministers present. At evening Mr. Benedict, of Woodbury, preached the Concio ad Ckrum. 10. Made a motion in the P. B. K. Society to expel Mr. Bishop,' and failed. Rode to East Haven. Sat all the afternoon for my likeness. 11. We have this morning a different air. From the beginning of the month till this morning I think the weather has been as warm as I ever knew at any season.^ Left East Haven, rode to Torringford. The corporation of ' He was going to Commencement at Yale, but started the week before. ^ Now the town of Morris. ^ Rev. Amos Chase, born in Sutton, Mass., 1757, graduated at Dartmouth College, 1780, pastor at Litchfield, South Farms, 1787-1814. * Reuben Moulthrop, born in East Haven, March, 1763, and died there July 29, 1814. His grandson, Mr. William Moulthrop, cash- ier of the First National Bank in New Haven, says of him : " He was quite an artist for those days, but I think worked more on wax than on canvas. . . (J)ne of his sons was also an artist in the same line, having made many of the wax figures in P.arnum's Museum, and other exhibitions." The following is an interesting note pre- pared by a cousin of Mr. William Moul- throp, which brings his grandfather as an artist very distinctly and honorably into view : "In October, 1865, there were at Lino- nian Hall, New Haven, Ct., many portraits of former officers of Yale College, Conspic- uous among them was a portrait of old Pres, Stiles, painted more than sixty years before by my grandfather, Reuben Moulthrop. The catalogue stated it as ' the work of Reuben Moulthrop, once an artist of note, and honor- able citizen of New Haven.' I presume that the portrait above referred to still remains in Linonian Hall. " Respectfully, "Mary L. Moulthrop." * That is, returned to East Haven. ^ Rev. Nicholas Street, graduated at Yale, 1751, pastor at East Haven, i7!;5-i8o6. '' This was the Democratic orator who gave such offence in his two hours' address the previous year. ^ We write this note on the morning of the nth of September, 1884, and the descrip- tion of the weather given in the diary for the first ten days of September, iSoi, would an- swer well for the same period the present year. Almost every year the early days of September are hot. iSoi.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK, CT. I47 Yale College have chosen Mr. Jeremiah Day' Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy, and my classmate Davis," Professor of Divinity ; and E. Goodrich, Esq.,^ Professor of Law. 12. Rode home. My father quite sick. He got ready to go a journey to Paris, with my mamma and brother J. They designed to set out on the loth, and got the carriage tackled. He was seized suddenly with a violent inflam- matory disorder. I think I have never seen him more sick. Quite tired. 13. Preached. My father scarcely able to sit up any. At evening attended a conference. Quite full. 14. Wrote to Dea. Munson, of Milton. Mr. Davis" called and dined here. Rode out and attended a funeral. Put my horse in a collar, which was the first time. Put him in a carriage ; he goes well. Cousin Sam P. came here. 15. We hope my father is getting better. Quite rainy. Traded some. 16. Wrote to my sister Betsey. Rode out with my father in a carriage. He is very weak. The Democrats in the State making great exertions for Freeman's Meeting. 17. Warm. Wrote. Read. Worked, fixing my saddle. 18. Rode out. Read Cormick. My father has a great deal of traveling company. 19. Quite warm. Read. Worked some. My father still quite low. 20. Meeting-house very full. Afternoon my father attended. We hope he is gaining. At evening attended a conference. 21. Remarkably warm for the season. This month has hitherto been warmer than August. On the 17th Mr. Watson,^ of New York, and his son, spent the afternoon at my father's. Attended Freeman's Meeting. People in this town remarkably united. 22. Very warm. Preparing for my journey. Invited out with my mamma and sister to dine. Visited a school. My father had a very severe turn of pain. His disorder now appears to be a rheumatism. 23. Set out for a long journey. I know not whither I shall go. I pray God to direct me for his mercy's sake. Rode through Colebrook, Winchester, Barkhampstead, New Hartford, Simsbury, and Farmington, to Hartford. Tarried at Mr. Strong's.* Passed four turnpike gates. Left home with cash fifty-nine dollars and thirty cents. Expenses today thirty-seven cents.^ ' Afterwards President of the College, President at Hamilton College, N. Y., 1S17- 1817-1S46. As Tutor, Professor, and Presi- 1832. lie died in 1S52. dent he was connected with the management ^ Elizur Goodrich, LL. D., graduated at and instruction of the college forty-eight years. Yale, 1779. Professor of Law 1801-iSro, He died twenty-one years later in 1S67, at and for many years secretary of the corpora- the age of ninety-four, after a life eminent for tion. He died 1849. its wisdom and goodness. * His classmate Henry Davis, just noticed. - Henry Davis, D. D., graduated at Yale, ' James Watson, whose name has grown 1796, did not accept his appointment as Pro- familiar, fessor of Divinity at Yale. He continued in ^ Dr. Nathan Strong, his office of tutor two years longer, and was ^ The figures that follow from time to afterwards Professor at Union College, Presi- time have the same object as this entry, viz., dent at Middlebury College, Vt., 1809-1817, to give the daily expenses. 148 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8oi. 24. Hartford increases much in good buildings. The river very low now, seventy rods wide. Rode through East Hartford, Bolton, Coventr\-, and Mansfield, to Windham,' thirty miles. Tarried at a tavern. Cooler. 90. 25. Rode through Canterbury, Plainfield, Sterling, (^t., Coventr)^ Scitu- ate, Boston, Johnstone, R. L, tarried three miles short of Providence at a tavern. Very poor accommodations. Passed three turnpikes. From Nor- folk to Providence is a turnpike road, except ten miles in East Hartford. The academy at Plainfield^ very flourishing; seventy students. Crops ver\' good. 1.06. 26. Rode through Providence (Rehoboth), Barrington, Warren, to Bristol. Arrived at Gov. Bradford's^ about noon. Very kindly received. 20. Have had a very prosperous journey. Afternoon rainy. Called on Pres. Maxey* at Providence. That college flourishing ; one hundred and fifteen students. One Professor of Mathematics, etc., Mr. Messer.' Funds very small, not exceeding five hundred dollars annually, without tuition.'' Apparatus pretty good. Librar)^ two thousand volumes. The Baptist and Presbyterian meet- ing-houses in this town eighty by eighty, and eighty by seventy, and the best in New England. The Baptist house and the college cost twenty thousand dollars each. A toll bridge at Providence, one hundred rods. One at War- ren, thirty rods. 87. 27. Preached for Mr. Vv'ight.' Large house and full meeting. I think this the pleasantest town I have ever seen. Gov. Bradford's situation on Mt. Hope exceeds description. 28. The principal produce here corn and barley. This town does very much in navigation. Read Fairbanks's trial. Afternoon rode to Warren, visited a cousin there and returned. 29. Walked out on Mount Hope, the seat of the Indian King Philip. The pleasantest situation I ever saw. Dined at Capt. D'WoIf's on a West India turtle. The richest entertainment I have ever been at. Rode with a cousin on the peninsula, which for pleasantness of situation exceeds anything I had ever imagined. 13. 30. My friends here treat me with the greatest kindness and attention. Preached a sacramental lecture. An academy here ver}' flourishing. Mr. ' The road here indicated passes through College of South Carolina, 1805-1S20, when the Bolton Notch and North Coventry, a he died. very familiar and much traveled road before ' Asa Messer, D. D., LL. D., Professor of the age of railroads. Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, 1799- ^ The Plainfield Academy was incorpo- 1S02, President, 1S02-1826, when he resigned. rated in the year 17S3. He >vas born in Methuen, Mass., 1769, gradu- 3 See note under date Oct. 4, 1799. ated at Brown University, 1790, and died * Jonathan Maxey, D. D., born at Attle- 1S36. borough, Mass., Sept. 2, 1 76S, graduated at ^ That is, aside from tuition. Brown University, 17S7, President of Brown ' Henry Wight, D. D., pastor at Bristol, University, 1792-1802, President of Union R. I., 1785-1S2S. A graduate of Harvard College, N. Y., 1802-1S04, President of the College, 1753. l8oi.] ON AN EXTENDED JOURNEY. i^g Alden,' ihe preceptor, gave me two spelling-books^ he has lately published. Little English grain raised in this State. The seabon very- dr}'. Crops of corn very good. October. 1. Left Bristol. Crossed Bristol ferry, a mile wide, in a sail-boat to Rhode Island. Rode through Portsmouth and Middletown to Newport. This island very fertile, and in a very high state of cultivation. This town appears rather poor. Many decaying buildings ; some erecting. A very long and valuable wharf barely completed. A very handsome State House. Here and at Providence a very valuable three-story brick market. Preached a sacramental lecture for Mr. Patten.^ Tarried with Dr. Hopkins,* eighty years old last month. His mental powers pretty good, but his speech much in- jured by a paralytic shock. From Bristol here fourteen miles. 17. 2. Rode from Newport through thirteen towns on the island, crossed Howland's ferr}-, one half mile in a sail-boat to Tiverton ; rode on through Westport (Mass.), Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, to Rochester. Re- ceived by my friends with great kindness. Thirty-five miles. Almost all the streams are dr3^ From Howland's ferry to New Bedford exceeding stony and barren land. A toll-bridge connects New Bedford and Fairhaven, two flour- ishing, commercial towns, nearly a mile long. Very fine fields of corn. 1.03. 3. Wrote. Afternoon rainy. My Uncle Le Baron ^ building a brig. Have not had occasion in my whole journey to jDut on my great coat. Have been wonderfully prospered. 4. Preached. Attended the holy sacrament. O for more ardor of love. Quite cool. 5. Walked out. Afternoon left Rochester. Rode to Wareham. Tarried with Mr. Everett.* Weather ver\' dry. 6. Afternoon preached for Mr. Everett at the concert of prayer. Rode to Plymouth, fifteen miles. Found friends well, though several have died since I was here. The family of my dear uncle ^ are dispersed. 7. Quite a sickly time in town. More or less deaths daily; dysentery. Saw salt-works, to make salt by evaporation. The society of my uncle have separated, and a part have built a verj^ good new meeting-house. The church ' Abner Alden, a descendant of John Al- ■* The famous Samuel Hopkins, D. D., den, born 1764, graduated at Brown Univer- father of the Ilopkinsian scheme. He was sity, 1787 ; an eminent teacher. born in Waterbury, Ct., 172T, graduated at ^ Mr. Alden had some reputation in his Yale, 1741, pastor of the First Congrega- day as the author of school books. tional Church in Newport, 1769-1803, when ^ Rev. William Patten, D. D., a graduate he died at the age of eighty-two. He was of Dartmouth, 1780, pastor of the Second the hero of Mrs. Stowe's volume, TAe Min- Congregational Church, at Newport, R. I., istcr''s Wooing. 1786-1833. A native of Halifax, Mass. Dr. ^ See note Oct. 20, 1799. Patten succeeded Dr. Ezra Stiles, who left * See note Oct. 23, 1799. Newport in 1777, to take the Presidency of ^ Rev. Chandler Robbins, D. D., who died, Yale College. as before stated, June 30, 1799. I50 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [180I. is lately divided, twenty-two males in the old, and eighteen in the new. My cousin Chandler Robbins' a little while in town. Saw him a few minutes. 8. Quite cool. Walked out and viewed the new meeting-house. Read Belisariiis?' Visited Mr. Kendall.^ 63, 9. A hard frost. There was very little in September. Fishing business here very extensive. Dined at Aunt Hammatt's.* 10. In Rhode Island there are five printing-presses. Three of the papers Federal, two not. Visited. The English and Turks have taken Cairo. ^ 37. 11. Forenoon heard Mr. Kendall. Afternoon preached for him. At even- ing preached a lecture in the new meeting-house. Mr. A. Judson there at present. Quite warm. 12. Left Plymouth. Rode through Kingston and Halifax to Bridgewater, seventeen miles. At Kingston called and saw Mr. Cobb,* born March 22d, O. S., 1694. Tarried at Mr. Russell's, the husband of my cousin Martha Le Baron.' 13. Rode through Bridgewater, North Parish, called on Mr. Porter,^ through Randolph, Braintree, Quincy, to Milton, 22. Very kindly received at E. H. Robbins's.' At Quincy called and saw President Adams. Conversed with Mr. R. about our family ancestors. 14. Rainy. Tarried all day. Read Mather's MagnaUa. Mr. R. a man of great information. Wrote to my father. Great crops of corn gathered in heaps near the houses for husking. Farmers here generally use ox wagons instead of carts. 15. Rode from Milton through Dorchester, Roxbury, and Boston, to Charlestown. 8. Put up at a tavern. The man's name Thomas Robbins. ' Oldest child of Dr. Chandler Robbins, born Aug. 19, 1762, graduated at Harvard College, 1782, Judge of Probate at Hallo- well, Me., died in Boston, 1834. ' The story of Belisarius, born in the sixth century, the heroic soldier in the reign of the Emperor Justinian, is narrated at length by Gibbon in the forty-first chapter of his Decline and Fall oft/ie Roman Empire. This story has often been used in a half fictitious and half historical way by many writers. Who was the author of the work read by Mr. Robbins does not appear. ^ See note Oct. 12, 1799. "■ Priscilla Le Baron, sister of Mr. Rob- bins's mother, married Abraham Hammatt. Priscilla Le Baron was eight years younger than Elizabeth, who married Rev. Mr. Rob- bins. ^ Cairo, taken by the united forces of the British and Turks, June 27, 1801, when five thousand French troops capitulated. ^ "The most remarkable case of longevity in this vicinity was that of Ebenezer Cobb. On the first of April, 1794, he completed his hundreth year, and continued to live until December, 1801, when in his one hundred and eighth year. Being born in 1694, he lived in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries." — Sketch of^ tlie One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Town of Kingston, Mass. ^ Martha Le Baron was daughter of his Uncle Isaac. She married Nathaniel Rus- sell, and they were living at Kingston. ^ Rev. John Porter, who had then been pastor at North Bridgewater sixty-one years, having been settled in 1740. He died the following year at the age of eighty-seven. 9 Son of Rev. Nathaniel Robbins who was pastor at Milton, 17 50-1 795. This Na- thaniel was born 1726, and graduated at Har- vard, 1747. This son, Edward H. Robbins, was Lieut.-Governor of Massachusetts, and for many years Judge of Probate in Norfolk County. He was graduated at Harvard in 1775. A daughter of his, married Judge Joseph Lyman, of Northampton. l8oi.] ON AN EXTENDED JOURNEY. I5I He and I are second cousins. Walked to Boston, about the town. The State House is the best building I ever saw ; cost one hundred and thirty-five thou- sand dollars.' The poor-house an excellent brick building, four stories high, one hundred and seventy feet long. The town very flourishing. Walked back to Charlestown. Consulted the town records for my ancestors ; got some information. Kindly entertained by Dr. Morse. ^^. 16. Yesterday looked over the things which belonged to my cousin R. Gould. ^ Sold a book for twenty-five cents. Took two pair of cotton hose. Got some acquainted with President Smith,^ of New Jersey. Rode to Boston. Paid four dollars for cleaning my watch. Rode to Cambridge, to Little Cam- bridge,'* and Newton, Watertown, to Lexington. 14. Inquiring for the his- toiy of my family.' Tarried with Mr. Thomas Robbins,* a cousin of my father. ;^;^. 17. By some means which I cannot conceive, I have lost a five dollar bank-bill since I was at Plymouth. Viewed the monument, and the place where the battle was fought April 19th, 1775. Got considerable information respecting our family from Mr. Robbins. Rode to Cambridge, called on Mr. Holmes,' thence to Charlestown, Maiden, Lynn, Danvers, to Salem. 27. Tarried with Mr. Hopkins.^ 25. 18. Last night some rain. In the forenoon heard Mr. Hopkins. After- noon preached for him, and in the evening a lecture. Full meeting. 19. Very cold for the season. Rode through Beverly, Wenham, Hamilton, to Ipswich. Accidentally got acquainted with Dr. Dana, my father's class- mate. Dined with him. Rode on through Rowley and Newbury to Newbury- port. 24. 82. 20. Rode through Newbury, Salisbury, Saybrook,' N. H., Hampton Falls, Hampton, Northampton, Greenland, to Portsmouth. Got acquainted with Rev. Mr. Alden ; *" dined with him. Got acquainted with Rev. Mr. Buckminster," who showed me the town. Last night tarried with Mr. ' The old State House at the head of meager then as compared with the present State Street having been outgrown, in 1795, time. the work of building the present house be- ^ Thomas Robbins, of Charlestown, the gan. Mr. Robbins saw it without its later keeper of the hotel, was born in 1723, and extensions, but the architecture of the coun- the father of Thomas Robbins, the writer of try then was in a plain and simple state, and this diary, was born in 1740. very naturally the building met his eye as a ^ Dr. Abicl Holmes, very imposing structure. ^ Daniel Hopkins, D. D., native of Wa- '^ Son of William and Rebekah H. (Rob- terbury, Ct, born 1734, graduated at Yale, bins) Gould, of Manchester, Vt. 175S, pastor oi South Church, Salem, 1778- ^ Samuel Stanhope Smith, D. D., Presi- 1814. dent of the College of New Jersey, 1794-1812. ' Seabrook. He died seven years later at the age of sixty- '° Rev. Timothy Alden, born at Yarmouth, nine. Mass., Aug. 28, 1771, graduated at Harvard * Little Cambridge was afterwards Brigh- College, 1794, pastor of Second Church, Ports- ton, and at the present time is a part of the mouth, N. H., 1799-1S05. city of Boston. " Joseph Buckminster, D. D., born in Rut- ^ The printed materials for the construe- land, Mass., 1751, graduated at Yale, 1770, tion of his genealogical history were very pastor at Portsmouth, 1779-1812. 152 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROP.BIXS, D.D, [180I. Dana,' of Newburyport, spent the evening with Rev. Mr. Carey.' Left Portsmouth, rode back to Greenland, thence to Stratham. ii. 1.15. Tarried at a tavern. 21. Rode- through Exeter, a flourishing town; one of its meeting-houses and the academy are elegant buildings; Kingston, Plaistow, to Haverhill, Mass. Haverhill a pleasant large town on the Merrimac. Rode through Bradford, Andover, to Tewksbury. 37. There is an ecclesiastical society, a part in Plaistow and a part in Haverhill. The meeting-house near the line of the States. My horse a little lame. At Andover stopped a little while to see an exhibition of their academic school.^ Tarried at a tavern. Warm. i.io. 22. Rode through Chelmsford, Westford, Littleton, Harvard, Lancaster, to Sterling. 36. Got my horse shod. His shoes have lasted since I left home. 2.00. 23. Rode through Boylston (rode out three miles) to Worcester. 13. Dined with Rev. Mr. Austin.* Rode through Leicester, Spencer, to Brook- field. 17. Tarried at a tavern. 24. Yesterday morning at Sterling ; gave to old Mrs. Parker a quarter of a dollar, as a small compensation for an o/J pewter plate which she gave me. Rode through Western, Palmer, Ware, Belchertown, Amherst, Hadle)-, crossed Connecticut River to Northampton. 35. The ferryman ferried me across with a setting-pole. Tarried with Rev. Mr. Williams.' 1.2 1. 25. Preached for Mr. Williams. I think the largest congregation* to which I ever preached, except at New York. This quite a large and pleasant town. 26. Last evening wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins. Rode through Hat- field, Whately, Deerfield, to Greenfield. 21. Tarried at a tavern. Hatfield and Deerfield handsome old towns. Greenfield new and flourishing. The season very dry universally. 1.46. 27. Rode through Bernardston, Guilford (Vt.), Brattleborough, Dum- merston. Putney, Westminster, to Rockingham. 43. TJorning very cool. 1. 18. Tarried at a tavern. Not wearied with riding. 28. Connecticut River is said to be fordable in many places between ' Daniel Dana, D. D., born in Ipswich, P'irst Church in Northampton, 1778-1834, Mass., 1771, graduated at Dartmouth, 17S8, fifty-six years, was the son of Eliphalet Will- pastor of First Presbyterian Church, New- iams, D. D., pastor at East Hartford, Ct., buryport, 1794-1820, afterwards pastor of the 174S-1803, fifty-five years, who was the son Second Presbyterian Church, in the same town. of Solomon Williams, D. D , pastor at Leba- - Rev. Thomas Carey, born in Charles- non, Ct., 1722-1776, fift\--four years, who was town, Mass., 1745, graduated at Harvard, the son of Rev. William Williams, pastor at i76i,pastor at Third Congregational Church, Hatfield, Mass., 1684-1741, fifty-seven years. Newburyport, 176S-1808. The united ministries of the father, son, ^ Phillips Academy, founded in 1780. grandson, and great-grandson make up two * Samuel Austin, D. D., born in New hundred and twenty-two years. Haven, Ct., 1760, graduated at Yale, 1784 * From the days of Rev. Solomon Stod- pastor of First Church, Worcester, Mass., dard and Jonathan Edwards down, for more 1790-1815; afterwards President of Vermont than a hundred years, that congregation was University, 1815-1821. very large for those times. The people went to 5 Rev. Solomon AVilliams, pastor of the meeting and all worshiped in First Church. l8oi.] ON AN EXTENDED JOURNEY. 153 Vermont and New Hampshire. Crossed the bridge at Bellows Falls into New Hampshire. Rode through Walpole, Charlestown, Claremont, Cornish, crossed the bridge into Windsor, Vt. 28. Very kindly entertained at Mr. Jacobs's. I.I I. 29. Rode through Hartland, crossed Connecticut River in a ferry-boat at the mouth of Waterqueechy River into Plainfield, through part of that and Lebanon to Hanover. Kindly entertained at a Mr. Lang's. 16. 30. Viewed the college. Dined with Prof. Smithy Museum^ etc. Crossed the bridge into Norwich. Rode through that to Thetford. 10. Tarried with Mr. Burton.^ Quite cold. 05. 31. Concluded to go no farther up the river, but to go and supply a desti- tute people on the Sabbath. Having traveled on Connecticut River about one hundred and twenty miles, and crossed it in my whole journey six times, I now leave it. Rode through Fairlee, Vershire, and Corinth, to Washington, 21. This quite a new town. Concluded to preach, Deo Vol.., on the morrow. November. 1. Preached in a log-house. A good number of hearers. A church has been lately organized here. Within a few rods of where I preached there are two springs, one of which runs to White River, and the other to Onion River. Cold. 2. In the morning it snowed considerable. Rode through Orange, Barre, Berlin, to Montpelier. Went down Onion River, through Middlesex, crossed the river into Moretown, rode three miles, recrossed to Waterbury. Tarried at a tavern. 3. In the morning considerable snow fell. Rode through Bolton, Rich- mond, to Jericho. Tarried with Mr. Kingsbury. Mr. Swift,^ late of Benning- ton, now a missionary, here. At evening preached a lecture. Quite cold. 4. Crosssed Onion River to Williston, through that and Kingsburgh to Charlotte. Found some bad riding. Blessed be God who has brought me here. Kindly entertained at Mr. Newell's. 5. Concluded to tarry here,* and preach a few Sabbaths. My salt-rheum troublesome. ' Prof. Nathan Smith, one of the notable Scheme i)t Theology. Born in Stonington, men of his generation. He was born in Re- Ct., Aug 25, 1752. At the age of thirteen his hoboth, Mass., Sept. 30, 1762, but his parents parents removed to Norwich, Vt. He was soon removed to Chester, Vt., where he was graduated at Dartmouth, 1777, and was pas- brought up on a farm. At the age of twenty- tor at Thetford, Vt., 1779-1S36, though liis four he began the study of medicine. He active labors in the ministry ceased 1S29. was the second graduate of the Harvard ^ Job Swift, D, D., native of Sandwich, Medical School in 1790. He was the pro- Mass., graduate of Yale, 1765, pastor at Ben- jector and founder of the Medical School at nington, 1 786-1801. Dartmouth College. He was professor there * The Congregational church at Charlotte, from 179S to 1813. In the latter year he was Vt., was organized, Jan. 3, 1792, and Rev. elected Professor of the Theory and Practice Daniel O. Gillet was ordained its first pastor, of Physic and Surgery at Yale College. In who remained until 1799, and had a prosper- 1821, he was the first teacher of medicine in ous and highly successful ministry. After Dowdoin College. He died in New Haven, his departure there was no regular minister Jan. 26, 1829. until Rev. Truman Baldwin settled in 1807, ^ Dr. Asa Burton, author of the Tiiste and continued till 181 5. 154 DIARV OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1801, 6. Last night quite rainy. Read. Began a letter to my father. 7. Wrote. Had company. Read in Dr. Ropklns's System 0/ I)wimfv.^ 8. The people meet in a large school- house. Congregation considerably large. Afternoon a Mr. Newell, from New Hampshire, preached for me, 9. Rode to Burlington to attend the trial of a woman indicted for murder- ing a child. Tarried with Mr. Sanders.^ A college is building here of brick, one hundred and sixty feet long, forty-five feet wide, with a protuberance in the middle both in the front and rear, of fifteen feet out, and forty wide. There are to be twelve chimneys.^ 10. Attended at the court. The Supreme Court and Bar appear rather indifferently. 11. Gave the printer a piece for publication. Rainy. At evening the jury brought in their verdict, " Not guilty," though people generally appear convinced that the child died through the mother's means. In the govern- ment of this State there appears to be no energy at all. 12. Last night it snowed considerably. Rode back to Charlotte. 13. Finished my letter to my father. A man informed me on Tuesday evening that he lately saw my father at New Lebanon Springs."* I feel anxious about his health. Read Dr. Hopkins. 14. Wrote to my brother James at Williamstown. ISIy salt-rheum very bad. 15. Cold. Full meeting. Quite tired. The Methodists something trouble- some in town.^ 16. Read Dr. Hopkins. Yesterday read a proclamation for Thanksgiving. W^rote. Mr. Leonard,* a missionary, called to see me. 17. Wrote to Mr. E. Kingsley, of Becket. Rode out. Quite warm for the season. 18. Quite rainy. Worked on a saddle-quilt. This town very muddy in a wet season. 19. Wrote to E. H. Robbins,^ Esq., Milton, Mass. The people here appear very anxious to have me continue with them. I have reluctantly agreed to tarry till after the first Sabbath in December. 20. Very cold. Wrote to Mr. B. Merrill, New Hartford, Whitestown. Read Dr. Hopkins. Read the Bible. ' Dr. Samuel Hopkins, two volumes. First years before, but had been hindered for want published in 1793. of funds. Meanwhile the plan of it had been ^ Daniel C. Sanders, D. D., born at Stur- enlarged bridge, Mass., May 3, '76S, was graduated at "* New Lebanon lies in the northeast corner Harvard, 1788, ordained Congregational min- of Columbia County, N. Y., only a few miles ister at Vergennes, Vt., June 12, 1794, Presi- west of Pittsfield, Mass. dent of University of Vermont, i8oi-iSr4. ^ There is more denominational comity In his later years he was a Unitarian, and now than at the beginning of this century, was pastor of the First Church in Medficid, *■ Rev. Samuel Leonard. Mass., 181 5-1829, when he resigned. He ^ Son of Rev. Nathaniel Robbins, of Mil- died in Medfield, Oct. 18, 1850. ton, already noticed. See note for October ^ This building had Ijeen commenced some 13, iSoi. l8oi.] ON AN EXTENDED JOURNEY. I55 21. Read the History of Robinson Crusoe} Read the Bible. 22. We have quite winter weather. People here appear very stupid as to the great interests of eternity. 23. Rode to Vergennes and to New Haven. Tarried at Capt. Phelps. Quite cold. 24. Rode to Middlebury. Rainy. Got quite wet. There appears to have been a real work of God in New Haven and Middlebury the summer past. 25. This town increases fast. Went to see Mr. Atwater,"^ and the college. At evening preached a lecture at Dea. Mills, New Haven. 26. This day is appointed for Thanksgiving in New Hampshire, Massa- chusetts, and Connecticut. Will God give grateful hearts to his people. Treated quite unhandsomely in a Baptist meeting. At evening preached a lecture. Yesterday traded. 27. Rode back to Charlotte. Good riding. New Haven in a very broken state about building a meeting-house. At Vergennes called on my classmate Edmond.^ 28. Rode out. Read the Bible. My humor much better than it has been. 29. Quite warm for the season. Full meeting. People in this State appear to travel on the Sabbath equally with any other day. 30. Read Dr. Dwight's Gremficld Hill.*' An indifferent poem. Read Dr. Hopkins. I hope to be cautious of telling stories to excite laughter.^ December. 1. Rode out and visited. Ver}^ cold. This town in considerable agita- tion about building a meeting-house. 2. Read the Bible. Studied on a sermon for tomorrow. On the 29th ultimo was informed that peace had taken place between England and France. We now have it officially that the preliminaries were signed at London, Octo- ber I St. This is the conclusion of the great sanguinary drama of ten years ; and of a war probably more pernicious and destructive, particularly on gov- ernments and manners, than any which has been in Europe in the last two centuries, though there is reason to fear that peace will be of short duration.^ Yet may God grant that it may long continue. 3. This day is Thanksgiving through this State. ^ WilL God hear the prayers of his people ? It snowed considerably. ' This is commonly regarded as a book * This poem was written by Dr. Dwight for boys and girls only. But if one who read in 1794, while he was pastor at Greenfield, it in early life will take it up and read it Ct. again in his mature years, he will still find it ' That is, in the pulpit, interesting, and will discover many things * He was right in this conjecture. Some which he did not before notice. of the greatest battles were yet to come. ^ Rev. Jeremiah Atwater, D. D., first Pres- ^ In Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New ident of Middlebury College. Hampshire, Thanksgiving was a week earlier ^ David Edmond, Yale, 1796. He re- that year. There was not then as now any ceived the degree of A. M. from Middlebury uniformity among the States in the appoint- College, 1811. ment of such days.. 156 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1801. 4. Read the Bible. Rode out. The price of produce appears to be rapidly falling. 5. Rode out and visited. Had a bad accident with my watch.' Left it hanging in the house, and it appears to have been broken. 6. It snowed considerably. People at meeting very attentive. Troubled some with a pain at my breast. 7. Quite cold. Afternoon ihe people met to contrive some method to build a meeting-house. I fear they cannot be united. Received of the town twenty-five dollars.^ 8. Left Charlotte. Rode through Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, Waltham, New Haven, to Middlebur)', twenty-three miles. 9. Rode through Cornwall, Shoreham, Orwell, and Benson, to West Haven. 34. Tarried at Dr. Smith's. Quite warm and pleasant. 10. Quite rainy. Rode through Hampton, N. Y., to Whitehall. Tarried at a tavern. Snow all gone. Wrote to my parents. 11. Rode through Westfield, alias Fort Ann,^ Kingsbur)', Argyle, alias Fort Edward,* to Easttown. 40. The tavern keeper with whom I tarried last night would take nothing from me. 31. Tarried at a tavern. 12. Rode to Schaghticoke.' 16. Very cold. Bad riding. Tarried with Rev. Mr. Page.' 04. 13. Preached for Mr. Page. Extreme cold. Attended a Dutch funeral. This is a ver)- pleasant, private, old Dutch village. 14. Something stormy. Walked out and visited. This valley appears to me to resemble the valleys of Piedmont in the twelfth centur}\ 15. Left Schaghticoke. Rode to Lansingburgh. Dined at Capt. Hickok's. ■Rode to Troy. Crossed the Hudson River; full of floating ice. Ferriage half a dollar. Rode through Watervliet to Albany. Ver)- cold. Drank tea with "Mr. Nott. Wrote to my sister S. Tarried at a tavern. 50. 16. Rode through Schenectady, Prineetown, to Florida. 31. Ver\' cold and the ground ver)- rough. Tarried at a tavern. In the morning traded. 3-50- 17. Rode through Charlestown, Canajoharie, to Minden. 34. Tarried at a tavern. The weather extreme cold. The Mohawk not generally frozen. "No snow of consequence. 18. The cold a little abated. Rode through Geneva Flats, Frankfort, to ' He had recently paid four dollars to * Fort Edward was the militar)- station have it fixed. which Putnam, at great hazard, saved from * He had preached here five Sabbaths at destruction by fire This fort was built in the old price of five dollars a Sabbath. 1755 near the beginning of the P"rench and ^ This is a name which has come down Indian War. from the French and Indian War. This re- ^ Schaghticoke in Rensselaer County, was gion was one of the old fighting grounds, organized as a town in 17SS. where Gen. Israel Putnam and other generals * Probably Rev. Thomas Page, home mis- of the Revolutionary period received their sionary, and a native of North Coventry, eaily military training. Connecticut. i8oi.] ON AN EXTENDED JOURNEY. iS7 New Hartford, in Whitestown.' Tarried with Col. Sanger. This place appears flourishing. 19. Last night it snowed some. Pleasant. Read. Wrote. People move considerably in sleighs. Concluded to tarry and preach a few Sabbaths in this place. 20. Cold. Meeting not very full. At evening had company. Read Washington's Legacies. 21. Rode to Paris to see my sister Betsey.^ She has five children. All well. 22. My brother Lawrence has a very good place here. Wrote. At even- ing rode out. 23. It snowed considerably. Traded. 1.08. Read. 24. Returned to New Hartford. Afternoon warm. Very little prospect of sleighing. 25. Produce of all kinds very much fallen in the country. Bonaparte signed a treaty of peace with Great Britain, Russia, Turkey, and Portugal in a few weeks. Peace now seems to be the order of the day in Europe. I live at a Mr. Ripley's. Very warm and pleasant for the season. 26. Wrote poetry for the New Year. A letter was given me directed to my sister B., which opening I found to be from my sister S. It appears that ' Mr. Robbins gives some interesting sta- tistics in connection with the long journey he had been making. From Norfolk, Ct., which he left September 23, his circuit through Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, to Charlotte, Vt., amounted to seven hundred and one miles. The time was forty-three days, of which twenty-three were days of traveling, and twenty of visiting. His average per day, when traveling, was about thirty miles. After tarrying at Charlotte five weeks, his journey thence to New Hartford, Whites- town, N. Y., was two hundred and thirty- nine miles. He was five days in the saddle, making twenty-six and one half miles a day. While at Charlotte he made two excur- sions out amounting to seventy miles, making in all not very far from one thousand miles on horseback. When he left home he took with him fifty-nine dollars and thirty cents. He re- ceived for his preaching at Charlotte twenty- five dollars ; making the whole sum in hand eighty-four dollars and thirty cents. He lost a five dollar bill in Boston. He bought various small articles and clothing, etc., on his journey, and reached New Hart- ford, December 18, with forty dollars and twenty-six cents, making the whole expendi- ture by the way, forty-four dollars and four cents. In this journey he gathered the following facts. There were in Rhode Island, at that time, five Federal newspapers: two in Provi- dence, one in W^arren, and two in Newport. In the same State there were two Democratic papers, one in Providence, and one in New- port. In Massachusetts there were twenty Fed- eral papers : one in New Bedford, five in Boston, two in Salem, one in Newburyport, one at Haverhill, one at Dedham, two at Worcester, one at Leominster, one at Brook- field, one at Springfield, one at Greenfield, one at Stockbridge, one at Pittsfield, and one at Northampton. There were in Massachusetts also five Democratic papers : two at Boston, one at Salem, one at Worcester, and one at Pittsfield. There were five newspapers in the district of Maine. In the State of Vermont there were ten Federal papers : one at Brattlebor- ough, two at Windsor, one at Randolph, one at Peacham, one at Burlington, one at Middle- bury, one at Rutland, and two at Bennington. There were two Democratic papers in Vermont : one at Windsor, and one at Bur- lington. ^ Elizabeth Robbins, Mrs. Lawrence. 158 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [180I. my brother N.' was married the 2d instant, that my brother A.^ has a promising son. 27. Quite rainy. The people here appear to be in an unsettled state about ecclesiastical matters.' 28. Finished my New Year's poetr)-. Quite warm for the season. 29. Wrote. Rode out. Very hard sleighing. 30. Quite cold. Rode to Utica." This quite a flourishing village,' at the head of good boat navigation on the Mohawk. 31. Read the Bible. Rode out. Visited a consumptive woman. God in his holy and merciful providence has brought me to the close of another year. ' Nathaniel, living at Norfolk. * It was about twelve or thirteen miles to ^ Ammi Ruhamah, now living at Cole- Utica from New Hartford. brook, Ct. ' This flourishing village has now grown 3 Quite likely the question was up whether to be a city of some thirty thousand or forty the church should be Congregational or Pres- thousand inhabitants, and an important busi- byterian, but it became Presbyterian. ness and railroad center. 180S- January. 1. Rode to Paris,' and preached a sermon on the occasion of the New Year. Very warm and pleasant, ^^'ill God enable me to begin this year in the fear of him, and preserve me to the close of it for his mercy's sake. 2. Returned. Rode to Utica. My New Year poem was published. Col. Sanger^ has lost his only son. 3. The snow is gone, the ground very muddy. Attended the funeral of Col. Sanger's son. Quite tired. 4. Very rainy. Made a draft of a family-piece.^ 5. Read the Bible. Rode out. Was requested by this society to preach with them three months. Concluded to. And may God grant that I may be rendered an instrument of good. Dined out. 6. Wrote to my parents. Very bad moving. It is said that there is a prediction among the Indians that we shall have seven moderate winters, the last winter being the first of the seven. 7. Rode out and visited. Ver)^ warm ; it seems as if the ground would entirely break up. Wrote to Maj. H. Barrs, Charlotte. Read the Bible. 8. Worked on a family-piece. Had company. At evening walked out. 9. Wrote. Troubled some with the pain in my breast. The country very still about political matters. 10. Troubled with a diarrhoea. Rained quite hard. Thin meeting. 11. Last night it snowed some. Wrote. Read the Bible. 12. My diarrhoea very severe. Wrote. Read the History of Redemptio7i.*' 13. Very warm for the season ; hardly able to go out. Had comjDany. Read. 14. Rode to Paris. Quite bad riding. I fear my sister is far from much serious reflection. 15. Remarkably warm. Heard Mr. Marcy^ preach a lecture. At night quite unwell with dysentery. 16. Returned to New Hartford. The ground almost entirely destitute of snow. I never knew such a season. Received two good letters from my two parents. Wrote. Will God prepare me for the duties of the holy Sabbath approaching. ' The town of Paris, N. Y., was taken Rev. Dan Bradley from Connecticut, licensed from the large town of Whitestown in 1792, by the New Haven West Association in 1790, and wa<; so named in honor of Mr. Isaac a graduate of Yale, 1789. Paris, of Fort Plain, a merchant who had ^ Plan for a small family record, helped the early settlers there in a time of *■ President Edwards's History of Redemp- great scarcity. tioit, Edinburgh, 1777. Many of his works ^ Jedediah Sanger, one of the first settlers were first published in Scotland, of New Hartford, The first minister was ^ Rev. Bradford Marcy, 1 59 i6o DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBIXS, D.D. [1802. 17. Preached on Means. People veny attentive. They appear greatly ignorant of doctrines. Quite tired. Cold. 18. Some snow. Rode to Utica and back. Visited. Saw the Hartford New Year's poetry, I think hardly equal to what it has been sometimes.* 19. Read. Received a letter from Mr. McLean, of Utica, the printer.^ Visited a school. Walked out. 20. Read the Bible. \\'rote. It snowed some. A very dull time for busi- ness of all kinds. 21. It snowed all day. People greatly gratified. There has been no good sleighing this winter. Wrote a piece for publication. 22. There is an account of a very magnificent coronation of Alexander P at Moscow. Rode in a sleigh to Whitesborough. Very cold. Tarried at Mr. Gould's. 23. Returned. Good sleighing. There is an account of a revival of religion in Georgia. 24. Pretty full meeting. Extreme cold. At evening had company. 25. People very much engaged to improve '' the sleighing. Attended the funeral of a woman ; died with the consumption. Mr. Eastman called to see me. Read History of Redemption. 26. Rode out and visited. The great cheese,' made at Cheshire, Mass., was presented to the President on New Year's day. 27. Congress have refused to increase the ratio of population to repre- sentatives.^ There is a prospect that the country will be alarmed in conse- ' A kind of shadowy hint that he thought his own better, which very likely was true. ^ The printer probably who had published his New Year's piece. ^ Alexander Paulowitch, born 1777, Em- peror of Russia and King of Poland, suc- ceeded his father Paul, who was murdered in 1801. * That is, to use it. ^ "The Cheshire cheeses are widely and deservedly celebrated. The famous mammoth f/it.vj^ presented to President Jefferson, Jan. i, 1S02, had no small influence to bring these into notice. On a day appointed the dairy women sent their curds to one place. The quantity sent proved to be too great to be pressed even in a cider-mill press, so that be- sides * the monster ' three smaller ones were made of 70 lbs. each. The mammoth cheese weighed about 1,450 lbs. Mr. Jefferson sent back a good sized piece of the cheese to the inhabitants, to satisfy them of its excellence, and he also sent pieces of it to the governors of the several States." — Barber's Hist. Col- lections, Mass., p. 67. ' At the formation of the government, it was a part of the Constitution that " the num- ber of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but that each State shall have at least one." At that time the number of the members of the House was sixty-five. So matters stood till March 4, 1793, when a new basis of representation went into use, by which there was to be one member for every thirty-three thousand persons, and the whole number of members one hundred and five. In 1S03, there was still to be one member for thirty-three thousand inhabitants, but the whole number of members one hundred and forty-one. In 1S13, thirty-five thousand was to be the number of people to a member, and the whole number of representatives one hundred and eighty-one. Every ten years the basis changes. In 1873, one hundred and thirty- one thousand four hundred and twenty-five persons were entitled to a member, and the whole number of members was two hun- dred and ninety-three. The present House of Representatives, Forty-Eighth Congress, 1883-18S5, consists of three hundred and twenty-five members, one member for one hundred and fifty-four thousand three hun- dred and twenty-five inhabitants. [8o2.] PREACHING AT NEW HARTFORD, N, Y. 161 quence of no prospect of indemnifications for French spoliations. Rode out. Quite warm. The snow goes off. A great many people caught out with sleighs. 28. Mr. Gallatin,' in a lengthy report on the state of the treasurj^, calcu- lates to pay off the whole national debt, eighty million dollars, in fifteen years. Rode to Paris and preached a lecture. So warm that a great coat seems a burden. At evening visited Mr. Steele.^ There is an account of a very extraordinary revival of religion in Kentucky. 29. Rode to Clinton. Riding very bad ; very muddy. Visited Mr. Kirk- land. Visited Mr. Norton. Tarried with Mr. Porter. Clinton Academy' quite flourishing. 30. Rode to New Hartford. Cold. The riding very difBcult. Mrs. Ripley was last night delivered of a fine son. Received a letter from my father, and one from my brother N. Received another from the committee of Becket. The country appears to be much alarmed at the prospect that Con- gress will repeal some of the most important laws of the country. 31. The people appear considerably attentive. Maj. Austin,"* of New Connecticut, tarried with me. Read the Bible. Troubled considerably Walked out. Very bad Fkbruarv. 1. Read Histofy of Redemption. with a pain in my breast. 2. The piece I wrote on the 21st ult. published, going. 3. Last night it snowed some. It is said that in Connecticut the ground has not been white with snow this winter. Read the Man of the JVorld.^ My sister B. called to see me. Attended a church meeting. Hope to settle some old difficulties. ' Albert Gallatin, born in Geneva, Switz- erland, 1761, came to this country in 1779, and settled at length in Pennsylvania. In 1793, ^''^ was elected a Senator, but his seat was vacated because of his foreign birth. He was then chosen to the House of Repre- sentatives, and served in this office till 1801, when he was made Secretary of the Treasury by Jefferson. He conducted the affairs of this office in a very able manner. He was afterwards much employed in foreign embas- sies, etc, to the great satisfaction of the gov- ernment. His conjecture touching the na- tional debt might not seem so surprising now as then. - Rev. Eliphalet Steele, preaching at Paris. ^ This academy, incorporated through the exertions of Rev. Samuel Kirkland in 1793, under the name of the " Hamilton Oneida Academy," grew in 1S12 into Hamilton Col- lege, of which Dr. Azel Backus was the first president. The academy was opened in 1794, under the care of John Niles, a native of West- chester, Ct., and a graduate of Yale in 1797. He was succeeded by Robert Porter, a native of Farmington, Ct., and a graduate of Yale in 1795. It was this Mr. Porter with whom Mr. Robbins stayed. They were old college friends. * There was a family by the name of Austin, that went from Suffield, Ct., to New Hartford, N. Y., and one or two of the sons afterward went on to New Connecticut, Ohio. Nathaniel and Eliphalet Austin were the names of those removing to Ohio. ■■' The Man of Feeling, by Henry Macken- zie, published in London in 1771, was fol- lowed by The Man of the World, by the same author in 1773. The first was superior to the second, but both were widely read in the closing years of the last century, and in the beginning of the present. Mackenzie was born in 1745 and died in 1S31. He was edi- tor of the Mirror and the Lounger. l62 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8o2. 4. Rode to Whitesborough. Preached a sacramental lecture. At even- ing attended a conference. People move some in sleighs, 5. Returned, Very cold. Considerably unwell. Wrote, 6. Read History of Redemption. Rode to Westmoreland,' to exchange with Mr. Porter," now preaching there. 7. This appears to be quite a respectable society for this country. Peo- ple generally in this quarter amazingly stupid. 8. Returned. Visited. Read newspapers. It is said that forty-eight of the late electors for the President, and fifty-four of the present members of Congress are natives of Virginia.^ At evening walked out. 9. It snowed considerably, to the great joy of all. Read, At evening rode to Utica in a sleigh and attended a conference. 10. It snowed some. At evening walked out and visited. Wrote letters. One to Rev. Dr. Morse, Charlestown, one to Mr. James Rudd, Becket, one to Mr. Kennickerbacker, Schaghticoke, and one to Miss 11. Rode to Utica. Good sleighing. Very cold. Read History of Re- demption. 42. 12. Read the Bible, Rode to Norwich,"* and preached a lecture. At even- ing attended a conference. Returned. Warm. 13. Very warm. The snow goes off. Wrote a large addition to a sermon on Isa. xli : 21. 14. Troubled with a bad cold. As warm as April, People came here from New Hartford, Ct.' 15. Attended a church meeting. Settled, as I hope, a long quarrel in this church. Very bad riding. 16. Rode to Westmoreland. Attended a conference. Rode to Clinton. Tarried with Mr. Kirkland.^ 17. Returned. Very bad riding. The frost almost entirely out of the ground. Visited. 18. Wrote to my father. Visited a school. The schools here under good regulations. 19. Wrote letters. One to my sister L., one to my brother N., and one to Mr. Hersey Bradford, Bristol, R. I, ' About twelve miles from New Hartford, pastor of the Third Congregational Church The Congregational church in Westmoreland in Norwich, Ct. (now Lisbon). He was born was founded in 1792. in 1741, and spent his active life as a mis- - This was Rev, Robert Porter, just no- sionary to the Seneca and Oneida Indians, ticed, a native of Farmington, Ct., who was New York. In these western wilds was born licensed in 1797, and served as a home mis- in 1770, his son, Rev. John Thornton Kirk- sionary in New York, land, D. D., afterwards the accomplished ^ That report may possibly be true, though scholar and preacher, who from iSio to 1S28, seemingly improbable. was one of the distinguished presidents of ■* The church at Norwich was Presbyterian. Harvard College. Rev. Samuel Kirkland 5 That is, the early settlers, hence the died in iSoS, and was buried near the place name. where Mr. Robbins found him in 1802. The '' This was no other than Rev. Samuel town of Kirkland, Oneida County, was so Kirkland, a son of Rev. Daniel Kirkland, named in honor of him. l802.] PREACHING AT NEW HARTFORD, N. Y. 163 20. Began a sermon on Acts viii : 8. Read the Bible. 25. 21. People at meeting appear attentive and solemn. Will God Almighty grant that a shower of grace may descend upon this withered place, like rain upon the mown grass. 22. It snowed all day. Wrote to Mr. T. Robbins,* Charlestown, and to Mr. Whittlesey,^ Danbury. Read. 23. Extreme cold. The coldest weather which has been this year. Fin- ished reading the History of Redemption. Had company. 24. Read the Bible, Rode out. Pretty good sleighing. 25. Finished reading the Bible, which I began Nov. 23, 1800. Finished my sermon on Acts viii : 8. It snowed considerably. Had company. 26. Wrote a piece for publication. Rode to Utica and back. Visited. Warm. Saw Norfolk people moving.^ 27. The bill for the repeal of the judiciary law has passed the United States Senate, Began and finished a sermon on Matt, xxii : 5. It snowed considerably, 28. It snowed. Warm, Full meeting. This society in considerable agitation about the settlement of a minister. Quite tired. March. 1. Read the Life of Mahomet.*' Rode out and visited. Good sleighing. The piece I wrote on the 26th ult. published. It is said that at the eastward the snow is very deep. 2. Began a sermon on Acts xxvi: 8. At evening rode to Utica, and attended a conference and returned. 3. Wrote, Quite warm. The snow goes very fast. Rode out and visited. 4. Heard Mr. Dodd preach a lecture. Wrote. Rode out. 5. Rode to Clinton and preached a sacramental lecture. Bad riding. Tarried with Mr. Kirkland. 6. Returned. Received a letter from my cousin Sam, P. Robbins, and one from Mr. Steele, of Paris. 7. Very cold and tedious. Preached on Regeneration. 8. Read the History of Rasselas? Wrote. Began to read the Bible in course. Will God mercifully enable me to receive instruction, 9. Attended a conference. It snowed considerably. The country ' Mr, Thomas Robbins, at whose hotel he sinia, written, as the author told Sir Joshua stayed in Charlestown, Mass. Reynolds, in the evenings of a single week, ^ Mr. Whittlesey, with whom he boarded for the purpose of obtaining money to pay in Danbury, Ct. the expenses of his mother's funeral, and ^ The tide of emigration from Connecticut some small debts which she had contracted, to New York, through the early years of this has probably been more widely circulated century, was very large. and read than any other of his works. It has "* There have been so many lives of Ma- been translated into almost all modern lan- homet, that it would be impossible to tell guages. It was first published in London in which one he read, 17 59- In a letter written soon after, John- 5 Dr. Johnson's Rasselas, Prince of Abys- son calls it " a little story-book." 164 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1802. appears to be in great agitation in consequence of the proposed repeal of the judiciary law by Congress. 10. Warm. Finished my sermon on Acts xxvi : 8. Rode to Paris and visited ray sister. 11. Returned. Yesterday this society had a meeting, and gave a call to a Mr. Snowden,' of New Jersey. I think it will be attended with bad con- sequences. Rode to Utica and back. Visited ; bad riding. Traded. 8.04. 12. Preached a sacramental lecture. Very muddy. Traded 4.50 ; weighed 128 pounds. Began a sermon on Mark i : 15. 13. Wrote a sermon on Jude xi. Had some clothes made. 14. Exchanged with Mr. Dodd.'' In the forenoon rode to Utica and preached afternoon at Whitesborough. Quite cold. At evening attended a conference. Caught a very bad cold. 15. Rode to Clinton and to New Hartford. In the morning visited an Indian in prison under sentence of death. Bought Neal's History of the Puri- tans ^ for eight dollars. Received a letter from my father. 16. Almost sick with my cold. Warm. Wrote to my parents. Began to read Neal's History. 17. Rode to Paris and preached a singing lecture. The ground breaking up. Read. 18. Returned. Very warm. Rode out and visited. Read Neal's History. 19. Read the Bible. Wrote. Rode to Utica and back. The ground appears to be settling fast. Received fifteen dollars of this society. 20. Wrote a sermon on Phil, ii : 12, 13. Rainy. Very bad stirring. 21. Pretty tired. People pretty attentive. Read the history of Joseph."* 22. Read Neal. The snow all gone. We have had such sudden changes of weather, and such an extraordinary winter, that people are apprehensive of a sickly season. 23. Had company. Princeton College was burnt on the 6th inst. The bill to repeal the judiciary act* passed the House of Representatives on the 3d inst. ' Rev. Samuel F. Snowden. ^ Rev. Bethuel Dodd, ordained in 1794, the first pastor of the United Society of Whitestown, which was in Utica. 3 Rev. Daniel Neal, born in London 1678, and died in 1743. He was educated on the continent at the University of Utrecht. He was an eminent preacher and extensive writer. He wrote tlie History of the Puritans, in four volumes, and the History of New England, in two volumes. ■' Book of Genesis, chapters 38-50. ' The diary looks at all matters pertaining to Mr. Jefferson, from the Federal side, which hi that day, was extremely prejudiced. There were a good many things in the old Federal rule and jurisdiction that needed correction. In a letter which Mr. Jefferson wrote to Mr. John Dickinson, of Pennsylvania, Dec. 19, iSoi, he gives his views touching the judiciary law as follows: " My great anxiety at present is, to avail ourselves of our ascendency to establish good principles and good practices ; to fortify re- publicanism behind as many barriers as pos- sible, that the outworks may give time to rally, and save the citadel should that be again in danger. On their part they have re- tired into the judiciary as a stronghold. There the remains of Federalism are to be preserved and fed from the treasury, and from that bat- tery all the works of republicanism are to be broken down and erased. By a fraudulent use of the Constitution, which has made judges irremovable, they have multiplied use- less judges merely to strengthen their pha- [802.] PREACHING AT NEW HARTFORD, N. Y. 165 24. Wrote a sermon on Psa. cxix : 9. Wrote eighteen pages. Consider- ably more than I ever did in one day. Rainy. 25. Read. Afternoon preached a school lecture. Cold. Wrote a piecd for publication. 26. Rode to Whitesborough. Saw an Indian executed for murder.' A very great concourse of people. This the first capital punishment in this western country. Very muddy. Returned. Received a letter from my father, and one from my sister S. 27. Yesterday bought PlutarMs Lives^ for twelve dollars. Rode out and visited a sick woman. Received a letter of thanks from the school for my services on the 25th. Began to read Plutarch^ s Lives. 28. Weather very cold and uncomfortable. Had meeting in the school- house. Read the Life of Romulus. 29. The ground very hard frozen. Read Plutarch. Had company. 30. Received a letter from Maj, Barrs, and one from Mr. Newell, of Charlotte, Vt., wishing me to return there. Will God make plain my duty. Read Mr. Bayard's ^ speech in Congress. Thought to be the best ever spoken in America on any occasion. Read Plutarch. Wrote. Finished my sermon on Mark i : 15. 31. Received a letter from my father. Rode to Utica and back. Had company. 54. lanx," — Life of Jeffer soil, by Henry S. Randall, LL, D., 3 vols. Vol. 2, p. 690. The bill to repeal the old judiciary law passed the Senate, Feb. 3, 1S02, by one ma- jority, and the House, March 3, by a vote of fifty-nine to thirty-two. ' Through the early years of this century, executions for murder were public, and this publicity was supposed to be necessary in order that the moral lesson against murder might be most deeply impressed upon the mind. There was hardly anything that would bring together such an immense crowd of people as a public execution. Even in this very sparsely populated region, the diary says, " a very great concourse of people " was present. Three years before, a woman, Sylvia Wood, had been condemned to death in this vicinity, for the murder of her husband, Major Wood, of Augusta, Oneida County. But she killed herself in the jail the night before her execu- tion was to take place. The execution of the Indian was therefore the first public execu- tion in these parts. This Indian's name was Peters, and he was condemned to death for killing his wife, Eunice Peters, at Rome, Oneida County, on the 24th of February, iSoo, This is the first time since we began the editing of this diary that we have found any important discrepancy between the diary and published history. Mr. Robbins, who was present, records this execution as taking place March 26, 1S02. Mr. Pomroy Jones, in his Annals of Oneida County, published at Rome, N. Y., 1851, says page 43 : " Peters was sentenced to be hung on the 28th day of August, 1801, and he was accordingly executed under the direc- tion of Sheriff Brodhead, upon the hill west of the village of Whitesborough." We must think Mr. Robbins's date to be right from the circumstances of the case. Probably the original day appointed was Aug. 28, 1 80 1, and for some reason the exe- cution was delayed till the following March. ^ The editions of Plutarch's lives are now numerous, but the edition which he probably bought was the one published in London in 1774, in six volumes. ^ James A. Bayard, of Delaware, graduate of Princeton College, 1784. From 1796-1S04, he was a member of the National House of Representatives, when he was transferred. He was afterwards much employed in diplo- matic business for the government abroad. " He was one of the most eloquent, patriotic, and high-minded men of his day." Hon. Thos, F. Bayard is of the same family. t66 diary of rev. thomas robbins, d.d. [1802. April. 1. Read Plutarch. Very valuable. Rainy. Ground settles fast- 2. Quite warm. Began a sermon on Gen. ii : 17. 3. Wrote all day. I think my health has not been better for studying for some years than at present. 4. Cold. Preached upon the Universality of the Divine Agency. I fear the people do not assent to it. Read the Death of Abel} 5. Rode out and visited. A young woman died in the neighborhood. People beginning to plow. 6. Read newspapers. Attended a funeral. Visited. Traded. 7. Wrote a piece for publication. Read Plutarch. Rode out and visited. Warm. Spring advances fast. 8. Read Plutarch. Wrote. Rode to Utica. Visited. 9. Rainy. I fear I have hurt my horse by giving him grain. This State in something of a tumult about the approaching election,^ but I think much less than last year. 10. Read the Bible. Something unwell. In the night alarmed with the cry of fire. A blacksmith's shop near by was burnt. Cold. 11. Preached on the Doctrine of the Resurrection. Pretty full meeting. People very attentive. 12. Read Plutarch. Afternoon rode to Paris. Visited Mr. Steele. Tarried at my sister's. 13. Returned. Quite warm. Wrote an addition to my sermon on Rev. iii : 10. Had a coat made. 14. This day is observed as a Fast in the societies in this vicinity, at the recommendation of the association of ministers.^ Will God hear the prayers of his people. Quite cool for the season. 15. Wrote to my parents. Rode to Utica. Federalism seems to be gain- ing ground in the country, particularly in Massachusetts."* Many of the debates in Congress are very trifling. 16. 'R.ez.<^ Plutatrh. Wrote. Last night considerable snow fell. 72. Quite cold for the season. 17. Stormy. The season pretty backward. It is said to be quite sickly at the westward. 18. Rainy. Quite thin meeting. O for more zeal and affection in the great work of the ministry. Read the Death of Cain.^ ' The Death of Abel is a prose poem in *• Not so fast, however, but that at the next five books, written by a German named Gess- presidential election in 1S04, Mr. Jefferson ner. It was translated into English by Mary received one hundred and sixty-two of the Collyer, and published in Philadelphia in one hundred and seventy-six electoral votes, 1802, by Thomas L. Ploughman. the only States voting against him being ^ George Clinton, who had been Governor Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland. Jef- of New York, 17S9-1795, was again made ferson's first term convinced the people that Governor in 1801, and continued in office till he was not such a dangerous man as had 1804. been represented. Seldom has a President ^ The Oneida body of ministers which been elected by a larger majority. were organized the next month. May, 1802, ' The Death of Cain was written anony- by the Presbyterian General Assembly into mously, by a lady, after the manner of the the Presbytery of Oneida. Death of Abel. See April 4, 1802. l8o2.] ON A JOURNEY IN NEW YORK. 167 19. Last night a very sudden death in the neighborhood; a man a little over sixty years. A kind of apoplexy. Began a sermon on i Cor. vii: 29, 31. Had company. Received a letter from my father. 20. Finished my sermon on i Cor. vii: 29, 31. Attended a funeral and preached. Masonic ceremonies ridiculous and irreligious. An account in the newspaper of great revivals in religion in the Southern States. 21. Read Plutarch. The season thought to be rather backward. At even- ing walked out. 22. Rode out and visited. Quite cool. Have had lately several applica- tions to preach in places at the westward. 23. Read Plutarch. Walked out and visited. It seems by the lives of Plutarch, that the best of heathen virtue was defective. 24. Quite warm. Afternoon rode to Clinton' to exchange with Mr. Norton.^ 25. Weather very warm and faint. People quite attentive. At evening attended a conference. 26. Visited Mr. Kirkland. Returned. The situation of this State is such as to require a great number of acts and laws to be passed annually.^ 27. Wrote to my parents. Read Plutarch. This and the two succeeding days is the time of the election in this State. 06. 28. Rode to Augusta/ and preached a lecture. After which rode to Tus- carora, the settlement of the Stockbridge Indians.^ Tarried with Mr. Sargent. 29. This is a Fast day with these Indians. Preached all day by an inter- preter. The Indians appear quite devout in time of worship. After meeting rode to Augusta. 30. Rode to Brothertown^ and preached a sacramental lecture for Mr. Booge. Tarried with him. ' The church at Clinton was organized by ' Near the close of the last century, a part Rev. Jonathan Edwards, D. D. (the younger of the Stockbridge Indians, who had been Edwards), who was then pastor of the North under the pastoral care of Jonathan Edwards Church, New Haven. On a visit to this and John Sergeant, at Stockbridge, Mass., western country, he organized this Clinton removed to Oneida County, and John Ser- church as a Congregational church in 1791. geant became their teacher and preacher. " Rev. Asahel S. Norton, D. D., a native The place where these Indians had settled of Farmington, Ct., graduated at Yale, 1790, adjoined Augusta, where Mr. Robbins had pastor at Clinton, N. Y., 1 793-1833. Dr. preached the day before his preaching to the Norton died in 1853, at the age of eighty-eight. Indians. ^ It was a very large State, some of it old, * Brothertown was the place where the but the larger part, territorially new, and in Brothertown Indians had their home. These a very changing condition. were made up from the remnants of several * Augusta is in the southwestern corner tribes in New Jersey and Long Island, who, of Oneida County, and is on a swell of land as early as 1763 had been invited by the which sends its waters by three different Oneida Indians to remove thither. In 1786, routes, the Hudson, the St. Lawrence, and the Rev. Samson Occum, the celebrated Indian Susquehanna rivers, to the ocean. A Congre- preacher, lived with the Brothertowns. In gregational church was organized here in 1797, 1818, Rev. John Sergeant, long connected with by Dr. Norton, of Clinton, and Rev. Joel Brad- the Indian Mission at Stockbridge, Mass., ley, of Westmoreland, but it had no regular wrote of these Brothertowns : " They have lost minister until Rev. John Spencer, a native of their language, and are now, perhaps, more Connecticut, began preaching here in 1804. corrupt than any other Indians in the country." l68 DIARV OP' REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l802. May. 1. Returned to New Hartford. Very cold for the season and very dry. Vegetation proceeds slowly. 2. Full meeting. People here appear very hardened. At evening had company. 3. Read Plutarch. Rode to Utica. Visited. 4. Last night some rain fell. Rode out and visited. The season back- ward. 5. Rode to Tuscarora. Lost my way. Attended a council. Difficulties among the Indians. 6. Savage manners ver}- disagreeable.' Returned. Quite tired. 7. Afternoon rode out and visited. Read newspapers. 8. Finished a sermon on Gen. ii : 17. Quite warm. Read Plutarch. 78. 9. Preached on the subject of Truth. Full meeting. My brother and sister Lawrence here. Received a letter from the committee of Augusta. ID. Read. Had company. It appears that the Federal interest is in- creasing in almost all the States.* 11. Quite warm and dry. Rode to Whitesborough and Utica. Attended a conference. Traded. 12. Read Plutarch. Something rainy, which is a very great favor, for the ground is very dry. Wrote to my mamma. 13. Wrote to Maj. Barrs, Charlotte, and to Col. Messenger, Becket. My feelings are very different about Becket from what they have been. I feel at present inclined to seek repose. Perhaps I can be as useful and enjoy as much ease there as in a populous town. Will God mercifully direct me, and dispose of me for his glor)'. 14. Read Plutarch. Rainy. Mr. Marcy called to see me. Yesterday had a request to preach at Pompey. 15. Rode out. Gov. Fenner,' a most degraded character, is elected Gov- ernor of Rhode Island. Read. Cool. 16. Warm. Full meeting. People attentive. Quite tired ; affected in my nerves. 17. Read. It rained hard all day. Made a box to send home my things. 18. Rode to Utica. Bad riding. Gov. Strong* is re-elected Governor of Massachusetts by a majority of more than ten thousand votes. Finished reading Plutarch's Lives. ]\Iay I retain things which are useful. ' White people are uncomfortable to deal from 1799 to 1S05, when he died. His son, with when they get into a quarrel, but Mr. James Fenner, was Governor of Rhode Is- Robbins thought the Indians worse. land, 1S07-1S11, was then for many years in ^ The wish in this case may have been, in the service of the general government in va- part, father to the thought. Federalism had rious capacities, and was again Governor of been so strong through the administrations of his State in his old age, 1842-1844. Mr. Rob- Washington and Adams, twelve years, that bins caught his prejudices probably from his it was hard for it to retire, and take the kindred in Bristol, R. I. second place. ■♦ It was the fashion then to keep a good ' Gov. Arthur Fenner. The language governor for years. Gov. Caleb Strong was which Mr. Robbins uses is stronger probabiy Governor of Massachusetts, 1800-1S07, and than was needed. Mr. Fenner was Governor again 1812-1816. [8o2.] JOURNEYING IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 169 19. Wrote, Wet weather. Walked out and visited. Fixed my things to send home. 20. Walked out. Read. Afternoon rode to Paris and to Clinton. Tar- ried with Mr, Kirkland. 21. Had a long conference with Sally Kirkland' on her peculiar affairs. Visited Mr, Porter and the academy. Returned, Showery. 22. Wrote an addition to my sermon on Rev, xxii : 18, 19. Mr, Snowden^ called on me. Warm. 23. Quite rainy. Preached in the forenoon. Took my leave of the people. I have rarely left any people who manifested greater attachment. Afternoon Mr, Snowden preached. Something superficial. Wrote to my parents. 24. Sent off my things for Norfolk. Quite warm. Dined out with Mr. Snowden, At evening rode to Paris and visited my sister. 25. Returned, Afternoon settled with the trustees of the society and re- ceived one hundred and fifteen dollars,^ The more serious people feel very gloomy at their society prospects. 26. In the morning traded ; paid for making clothes. Left New Hartford with a degree of reluctance. Have been treated there with kindness, and am not without hope that I may have been an instrument of some good. Rode through a part of Chenango County to Pompey in Onondaga County." Passed through the settlement of Oneida Indians,' Very warm, 27. Stayed in Pompey.* Rode out. Afternoon preached a lecture. This place quite new. 28. Rainy. Saw some Norfolk people. Rode to Marcellus^ in Onondaga County, Very bad riding. Tarried with Mr. Bradley,* Concluded to tarry and preach in the town a little while. Passed some old Indian springs. ' This was Sarah Kirkland, the second of Rev. Mr, Kirkland's three daughters. What her " peculiar affairs " were we do not know, but she was married two years later, 1804, to Mr. Francis Amory, of Boston. Her younger sister, Eliza, in 18 18, became the wife of the celebrated scholar. Rev. Edward Robinson, D. D., a native of Southington, Ct. ^ Rev, Samuel F. Snowden, afterwards settled in that parish, 1807-1813. ^ He reached this place in December pre- ceding, and this pay appears to be for twenty- three Sabbaths at five dollars a Sabbath. ^ Instead of turning his steps toward his Connecticut home, he continues his journey westward. 5 This was within the bounds of the pres- ent town of Stockbridge, Madison County. ^ Organized near the beginning of the present century. ^ It was twenty-two miles westerly from Pompey to Marcellus, ^ "In the autumn of 1795 Hon. Dan Brad- ley and Dea. Samuel Rice commenced the settlement of the village. Dea. Rice came directly from Connecticut. Judge Bradley was originally from Connecticut, but immediately from Whitesborougli. He was a liberally educated man, and with honor sustained the office of the gospel minister." — Hotchkitils History of Western N'ew York. This Mr. Dan (or Daniel Bradley) had been graduated at Yale College in 1789, was licensed to preach by the New Haven West Association in 1790, and was settled in the ministry at Mt. Carmel in Hamden, near New Haven, in 1792, and afterward at New. Hart- ford, N. Y. Though for some reason he had left the ministry, he had not lost any of his interest in the Christian church.. 170 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1802. 29. Read the treaty of peace between England, France, Spain, and Hol- land.' The ordinar}' forms of religion which have generally been observed in treaties, in this one omitted. Read the British Plutarch^ Attended the funeral of a child. 30. Rainy. Preached in a barn. A decent congregation. They have never had but a little preaching here. Mostly New England people. 31. Quite rainy. Read the British Plutarch. Many people have come into this part of the country from Connecticut^ to work on the roads. June. 1. Quite warm. Walked out. Read two of Cicero's Orations* 2. It rained hard all day. This town has not been settled but about six or seven years. 3. Rode to the western part of the town. The ground very wet. 4. Read the Bible. This quite a pleasant place at the end of Skaneate- les lake. There are mills on the outlet of the lake, and the whole lake, nearly forty miles in circumference,^ is raised about four feet by a dam. 5. Rode out and visited. Very bad riding. There appears to be a prospect of war in the east of Europe. Democracy has triumphed in this State at the late elections. 6. Very warm. A pretty large congregation. Preached in a dwelling- house. Quite tired. 7. Wrote. Rode out. Some people here quite forehanded. Very hard showers. Read newspapers. 8. Quite rainy. Read almost a volume of the Spectator!' I imagine the manners of the British nation altered ver)' little in the last century.' 9. Rode out and visited. Warm, Read the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. A most valuable work. I do not believe that the habits and insti- tutions of Connecticut will be overturned while that shall continue.* 10. Wrote to my parents. Waters very high. Something unwell. 11. Attended the funeral of an infant child. Preached. Was requested to preach to a Masonic lodge on the 24th, Hard showers. Read the Bible. ' This was the peace of Amiens, con- cluded March 27, 1S02. ^ The British Plutarch, so-called, was the edition of Plutarch's lives, translated about the middle of the last century by Dr. John Langhorne and his brother. It is probably the same edition which Mr, Robbins has pre- viously referred to, though he did not call it by this full name. Chambers's Cyclopadia of English Literature, published 1S76, says of this work : " It still maintains its ground as the best English version of the ancient author." ^ In every way there was a very close con- nection between Connecticut and the early history of Central and Western New York. * Probably in the original Latin. ' Goodrich in his Pictorial Geography says : ^^ Skaiwateles Lake, fifteen miles long, and one to one and one half miles wide ; this abounds with fish, and its trout are very large." '' This was probably an edition of the Spectator in six, eight, or twelve volumes. ^ That is, he thinks society in Great Brit- ain to be much as Addison described it a hundred years before, ' That has proved a safe prediction. The Connecticut Evaiigelical Magazine xzx\ through fifteen volumes, ending in 18 15, and Connec- ticut stood firmly to the end of that period, and stiil stands. l802.] JOURNEYING IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 171 12. Rode to east part of town. Very bad riding. Ground exceeding wet. Quite warm. Read. 13. Hot and rainy. Troubled with tlie toothache. Urged to continue here with a view of settUng. I think I cannot. 14. Bonaparte has made a treaty with the Pope. AboUshed the Decades, and estabUshed Sunday.' Established the Catholic religion and tolerates all others. He received sacrament in April. Visited. Read the British Plutarch. 15. Read one of Cicero's Orations. Wrote. A very growing season. Rode out and visited. 16. Rode to Onondaga and viewed the salt springs.^ A great curiosity. Seventy gallons of water will make a bushel. Returned. Bad riding. Troubled some with toothache. 17. Read Josephus. Crops of wheat appear very promising. Spring crops greatly injured by the wet. 18. Rode to the western part of the town. The riding grows better. Mr. Proudfit, a missionary, called here and preached a lecture. Read the Bible. 19. Read. Quite warm. Some people here much opposed to a minister's preaching with notes.^ My horse lame. I think gravelled. 20. Preached in the forenoon from Rev. xxii : 18, 19, without any notes. Last night a hard thunder-shower. People here appear to be very stupid. 21. Worked some on the road. Quite warm. Rode out. Was informed of a great awakening at Yale College.* 22. Read the Spectator. Began a sermon on Micah vi : 8. Quite warm. A very growing season. 23. Finished my sermon on Micah vi : 8. Rainy. Walked out. Finished reading the fourth volume of the Spectator. 24. Preached to a lodge of Free-Masons. Received five dollars from them. Quite rainy. Received a letter from my father, one from my sister Sally, and one from Mr. D. Risley,' Whitestown. Had a very hard turn of the toothache. " 111 the early part of the French Revolu- tion the reckoning of time by weeks was abolished, and the system of ten was to take the place of sei'en. By this arrangement with the Pope, he brought France back into line with the rest of the Catholic world. ^" The. salt springs are too numerous to particularize. The most important are those of Onondaga, which rise in a marsh at the head of Onondaga Lake. Fifty gallons of the water make a bushel of salt." This is the testimony of Goodrich's Geography, written half a century nearly after the diary, when perhaps the methods of extracting the salt from the water had been improved. ^ That has been an open question for a long time, and is not yet settled. Taking the Christian world from the beginning until now. preaching without notes has been the rule, and preaching with notes the exception. ■* At the time when that revival began, in the spring of 1802, there were among the students of Yale not more than five or six professors of religion. Jeremiah Evarts, after- wards so prominent in the American Board, was one of the first fruits of that religious in- terest. By the first Sunday in August, 1802, sixty-three students were admitted to the church, and it was reckoned in all, that out of the two hundred and thirty students then in the college, about one third (seventy-six) were converted. 5 David Risley was one of the men to whom, in 1797 and 1799, George Washington and George Clinton gave deeds of lands in Oneida County. b DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBHINS, D.D. [1802. 25. Cool. Read the Bible. Wrote to Mr. 1). Risley. Rode to the east part of the town. 26. Quite warm. Read newspapers. The illuminations in London on on account of peace were amazingly brilliant and expensive. A woinan in England lately delivered of her twenty-fifth child. 27. Had quite a respectable congregation. Preached in a barn. Re- ceived a letter from Mr. E. Cook, of Westmoreland, requesting me to go there to preach. 28. Read the British Plutarch. Had a request from this society to stay and preach with them on probation. 29. Read. Received fifteen dollars from this society. Had a request for a copy of my sermon to the Free-Masons' for publication. Rode to the other part of the town. 30. Quite warm. Rode out and visited. Roads dry very fast. A very growing season. July. 1. The heat extreme. Very great crops of wheat in this country. Rode out. A prospect of a large and pleasant settlement here on the Skaneateles Lake. 2. Rode to Camillus' and viewed the remains of an ancient fortification.' Some rain. Read the Bible. 3. Read the Bible. Hope I had some comfort in secret solemn duties. Cool. Went into the water. 4. Full meeting. Had the same request from this part of the town as the other to stay and preach on probation. The people appear quite anxious to have me tarry. Received a letter from Mr. D. Bradley, of this town. Yester- day wrote to Mr. E. Cook, of Westmoreland. May the hearts of a grateful people ascend in praise to a holy God on the remembrance of this day."* ' He was not a Free-Mason himself, and not in love with the order, as we learn from various expressions scattered through the pre- vious pages of the diary. ^ Camillus was organized in 1789, and was one hundred and forty-one miles west of Albany. ^ " In the western parts of New York are numerous remains of ancient Indian fortifica- tions and towns. Some of them inclose a space of five hundred acres." — Goodrich. The following is Mr. Robbins's description, in a little appendix to his entry for July 2d, of this ancient fortification. " In the town of Camillus, I saw the re- mains of an ancient fortification. It is situ- ated on a rising ground, which descends gently from it every way. It is nearly four square, the corners a little rounded, fac- ing very nearly the four cardinal points. It is a little more than twenty rods from north to south, and from east to west a little less. The mound is from two to three feet above the natural surface, and about six feet thick. The ditch is about two feet deep. On the west side are very plainly two places for gates, there being no rise at the mound, or fall at the ditch. There is one similar place on the east. On the west side are evident marks of violence, places in the wall being thrown down into the ditch. I measured a white-wood and a black-oak tree, which stood on the wall, and which, three feet above the ground, were above eleven feet in circumfer- ence. There was a hemlock and some other trees on the wall of nearly the same size. Within the walls are old rotten trees which appear to have lain there a long course of years." ^ For the peculiar interest attending these religious services in a new country, the people had occasion for gratitude. i8o2.] JOURNEYING IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 173 5. Rainy. Read the Spectator. Something sickly in town. Preparing for my journey. Received fifteen dollars from this society. Had a tooth extracted. 6. Wrote to my brother G. Lawrence. Quite warm. Left Marcellus. Rode to Aurelius,* Cayuga County. Tarried at a tavern. 7. Rode to Geneva,^ Ontario County. Dined. Thence to Jerusalem.^ Tarried with Jemima Wilkinson/ called the miiversal friend. She has perhaps fifteen families of her followers, situated in a pleasant valley. Geneva is a pleasant flourishing place on the Seneca Lake. The Cayuga bridge is three hundred and fifteen rods long and twenty-two feet wide, per- fectly level. Toll very high ; a man and horse twenty-five cents. Very hot. 8. Rode to Canandaigua.^ The most of the way through the woods. The heat very great. As I came to Canandaigua, had the points of compass right, which I had not since before I got to Whitestown.^ Tarried with Mr. Field. 9. Wrote to my father. This quite a pleasant, rich village. The best this side of Utica. Rode to Bloomfield.^ Tarried with Esq. Norton. 10. Visited old acquaintance. They have built a good, new meeting- house in this place, the only one this side of Oneida County. Returned to Canandaigua. 11. Preached for Mr. Field. ^ A respectable congregation, but small. Very little appearance of religion in this place. 12. Set out for Niagara. Had the company of the post.' At Bloomfield had a very agreeable conversation with Rev. Mr. Williston.'° Crossed the ' Aurelius was organized as a town in 1789, one hundred and fifty-nine miles west of Albany. ^ Geneva, founded in 1794, and incorpo- rated as a town in 181 2, one hundred and sev- enty-nine miles west of Albany. Geneva College was founded there in 1825. ^ Jerusalem is southerly from Geneva in Yates County. * Jemima Wilkinson was born in Cumber- land, Rhode Island, in 1753. When she was more than twenty years old, in a fit of sick- ness, she passed into a state of apparent death, and when she came out of it she claimed that she had been dead, and was raised from the dead. She had a little com- pany of followers, whom she led to Milo, N. Y., in 1790, and afterward to Jerusalem, where Mr. Robbins found her and her com- pany of believers in 1802. ^ Canandaigua was in Ontario County, one hundred and ninety-seven miles west of Al- bany. In the year 1788, Hon. Oliver Phelps, a native of Windsor, Ct., but then living in Gran- ville, Mass., associating himself with a com- pany of men, bought of the State of Massa- chusetts the title to immense tracts of land in this region of New York. In 1789 he opened a land-office in Canandaigua for the sale of these lands. "This was the first land-office in America for the sale of her forest lands to settlers." The settlement in Canandaigua began in 1790. ^ Many persons have experienced a similar mental confusion in regard to points of com- pass. ^ Bloomfield is in Ontario County, a few miles west of Canandaigua. ^ Rev. Timothy Field, of Canandaigua, na- tive of Madison, Ct., graduate of Yale, 1797. 9 The mail carrier. '° Rev. Seth Williston, D. D., was born in Suffield, Ct., graduated at Dartmouth Col- lege, 1791, ordained as a missionary at Avon, Ct., June 7, 1797, settled first at Lisle, N. Y., 1797-1807, settled again at Durham, N. Y., 1810-1828, then still working on as a mission- ary, until his whole term of ministerial ser- vice had reached fifty-four years. He was an eminently useful man. 174 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1802. Genesee River, about the size of the Housatonic, at New Milford. The part of the State west of Genesee River is the county of Genesee. Tarried at a Mr. Bates's in Ganson's settlement, twelve miles from the river. The road today very good. Bloomfield appears older than any town west of Whitestown. 13. Made welcome by Mr. Bates. Had a pretty hard turn of dysentery. Rode with some difficulty. Rode through Batavia,' crossed an open plain of four miles, and rode to the Tonawanda Indian village on the Tonawanda River. Tarried at Rodney's, a French Indian. Wrote. 29. The road is divided into two, one leading to Niagara, and one to Buffalo on the plain, thirty-two miles west of Genesee River. 14. Through divine goodness, am in a measure recovered of my disorder. Rode through the Tonawanda swamp, ten miles. This very troublesome. Crossed an opening, twelve miles. Passed but one white family all day. Rode through the large Tuscarora village,^ to the east landing on the Niagara River. This the most majestic river I ever saw. Banks amazing high. Tarried at a public house. Quite warm. 15. Rode to the Niagara Fort.^ 8. Good road. Very hot. Had the misfortune to find that my cousin Francis Le Baron,* who has been the sur- geon to this garrison, went from here to Michilimakinak. Treated politely by the officers. Viewed the fortifications. 16. Crossed the Niagara River to Niagara. Saw the British fortifications. Rode through Queenstown^ to the falls. Very warm. Spent almost four hours at the falls, got very much fatigued. Rode through Chippeway,* etc. Tarried at a tavern. 17. Rode seven miles and crossed the ferry. The river more than a mile wide and very rapid. This the only time I was ever out of the United States, and probably I never shall be again.' Rode on the beach ^ to Buffalo. 11. ' Batavia was in Genesee County, organ- ized the very year Mr. Robbins was there, 1802. President Dwight, in his travels two years later, passed through the place, and described it as containing "from twenty to thirty houses, a considerable number of them built of logs." '^ About eight miles below the Falls, and three miles back from the Niagara River, was the Tuscarora reservation, four miles long, and two miles wide. These Tuscarora Indians came originally from North Carolina about 1712, and joined the Five Nations in New York, as they were called, they them- selves making the sixth of the Six Nations afterwards existing. ^ Fort Niagara, on the American side of the Falls, was at the first, in 1679, a small spot enclosed with palisades by a French officer, M. De Salic. In 1725, the fort itself was built by the French. In 1759, it was taken by the Ikitish under Sir William John- son. In 1796, it was surrendered to the United States. In the War of 1S12, it was again taken by the British on the 19th of De- bember, 18 13. It was restored to the United States in March, 1S15. * Francis Le Baron, son of his Uncle Isaac Le Baron. He was born in 1781, and then twenty-one years old. ' On the hights of Queenstown in 18 12, Oct. 13, there was a hard fought battle be- tween the British and Americans, in which the Americans seemed to have the victory, but by the coming up of British reinforce- ments they at last were beaten. * Now spelled Chippewa. This was about two miles from the Falls, on the Canada side. At this place in 1814, July 6, there was an obstinate battle between the British and Amer- icans, in which the British were beaten. ^ This suggestion proved true. He never left the soil of his native land again. * Aloncr the north shore of Lake Erie. l8o2.] JOURNEVIXG IN WESTERN NEW YORK. 175 Ver)' hot. Quite weak with the dysentery. Concluded to tarry here for the present at a tavern. 18. There are but eight or nine families in this place.' The Seneca nation of Indians, more than sixteen hundred, about four miles from here. Afternoon preached to a few. Forenoon unable. Some rain. 19. Saw some formerly Connecticut people. Am some better of my dis- order. Read the Italian A^tin. Wrote. At night quite unwell. Felt ver)' gloomy at being so far from friends. 20. Left Buffalo. xA. man walking kept my company as far as I went. Rode fourteen miles. Tarried at a Mr. Phelps's, formerly from Norfolk, in an extra fine old opening. Quite feeble. Very warm. Passed four houses. 21. Through divine mercy my disorder is evidently abating. Rode on alone by five or six houses, then eighteen miles without a house. 26. Tar- ried at a tavern. The files excessively troublesome. I imagine about one half of the way from Buffalo here, is old openings.^ 22. Had company. I think I derive much benefit in my disorder from burnt brandy. Rode to Batavia, five miles to Genesee River. 24; and to West Bloomfield. 12. 41. Tarried at a tavern. Made welcome. The heat very severe. I felt while beyond the Genesee River as if I was in an uncivil- ized country. From where I tarried to Canandaigua, thirteen miles. 1.63. 23. Rode to East Bloomfield,^ 6 ; and where I feel myself among ac- quaintances and friends. I must record the goodness of God, which has been my protector and guard since I left this place. He has been my whole support in sickness and trial, otherwise friendless and unsupported. Blessed be his name. I cannot be sufficiently thankful. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Afternoon attended with several ministers on a council about difficulties in this church. 24. Am still unwell, but through great mercy my health and strength are evidently gaining. Visited. Afternoon rode to West Bloomfield.* Eat green peas. 25. Preached. Mr. Hotchkin,^ a candidate preaching here, supplied a ' He saw this place in its earliest infancy. the mind will be unable to free itself ; for the The town was laid out in 1801. There was thought, though given up, will recur again no church organized here till 181 2. and again in spite of his absolute conviction ^ Old openings, or oak openings, as they that he is in the heart of an immense wilder- are sometimes called. These were supposed ness. At the same time a sense of stillness to be places which the Indians in times past and solitude, a feeling of absolute retirement had burned over in order to secure open past- from the world, deeper and more affecting ure grounds for their deer. Dr. Dwight, in than any which he had even suspected be- his journeys through this region in 1804, says fore, will be forced upon him while he is rov- in his Book of Travels, fourth volume : ing over one of these sequestered regions." "When one of these plains is seen at a ^ In 1796 a Congregational church was little distance, a traveller emerging from the organized at East Bloomfield. forest naturally concludes that it is the com- * In 1799 a Congrega'^i.mal church was or- mencement of a settled country, and as he ganized at West Bloomfield. advances towards it is instinctively led to cast ' Rgy. James H. Hotchkin, a graduate of his eye forward to find the village of which Williams College, 1800, ordained pastor at this is the outskirt. From this impression West Bloomfield, May 19, 1863. In his later 176 DIARY OF RKV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8o2. neighboring town. Some awakening here. After meeting rode to East Bloomfield, and preached a third sermon. I never preached three sermons in a day before. This a very respectable society. 26. Left Bloomfield in company with Mr. Williston.' Rode through Can- andaigua to the north of Geneva, to the village of Cayuga, at the east end of the bridge. 36. Tarried at a tavern. Fields of grain in their glory. People finishing haying. Never a better season. Very great crops of grass and grain through the country. Will God dispose his people to remember the great Giver. 50. 27. The earth begins to suffer considerably with a drought. Called on Rev. Mr. Higgins"^ at Aurelius. He preaches at five places in this town. Arrived safely at Marcellus,^ 20 ; just three weeks from the time I left here. I pray for gratitude to that glorious Being who has been my kind and merciful preserver and benefactor. 25. 28. I apprehend yesterday and today to be the hottest days we have had this year. Walked out. Wrote. Afternoon Mr. Williston came here and preached a lecture. Read the Bible. 29. People are generally finishing their haying ; never a better season. This week they are harvesting generally at the westward, but a little later here. Afternoon some rain upon the parching earth. Read the Spectator. 30. A very refreshing rain, to the joy of all. While we rejoice may we be thankful. People here appear very anxious to have me continue with them. Will God direct me. Read. 31. Finished reading the first volume of the Spectator. Read the Bible. Wrote to my parents. May I never forget the mercies of God, which I have enjoyed this month. August. 1. Lowery. Meeting thin. People pretty attentive and apparently some- thing serious. May the Almighty power of God enforce divine truth. Fevers appear to prevail some. 2. Read. Visited a sick woman. Worked some in reaping. 3. Rode to the east part of the town. People in the heat of harvest. Fine weather. The grain generally very heavy on the ground, but some shrunk. Accounts from different parts of the countr}^, however, represent the harvest as very great. May this be a prelude of a glorious harvest of souls. 4. Read newspapers. The turnpike from Albany to Canandaigua pro- gressing very fast. years he was the author of a valuable book ticut, graduated at Yale, 1785, licensed by the entitled, History of Wcste^-n A"cio York. He Hartford South Association, June, 1786, ap- was a native of Cornwall, Ct., and his father, pointed by the General Association of Con- Rev. Beriah Hotchkin, made A.M. at Yale, necticut missionary to New York, 1794. He 1794, was a native of Guilford. Both father was settled at Aurelius, Oct. 6, 1802. and son were able workers among the early ^ This town of Marcellus was commenced churches of New York. in 1795, ''"d ^ Congregational church was ' See previous note, July 12. organized 1801. That church became Presby- ^ Rev. David Higgins, a native of Connec- terian in after years. l8o2.] PREACHING AT MARCELLUS, N. Y. 1 77 5. Rode to the western part of the town and back. Afternoon a hard shower. Got very wet. 6. Rode out and visited. People here generally appear prosperous in business. 7. Visited a young man very sick. Read. Warm. 8. Preached in a barn. Meeting very full. Quite warm. At night saw Mr. Thomas Wilcox, of Norfolk, on his way from New Connecticut. 9. Drew a plan of a public house in this place. Visited. The defection of Col. Burr' from the Democratic party produces great controversies among them, and is like to unfold great scenes of iniquity. 10. Extremely warm. Rode to the western part of the town. Mr. Bush- nell,* the missionary, called upon me. Received a letter from Mr. Medad Curtis, of Onondaga, and wrote to him in reply. 11. Rode to the elP of this town, and preached a lecture. The first ser- mon ever preached in the place. There is now a flourishing settlement, where the first family went in April of last year. Returned quite tired. I am this day twenty-five years old. 12. Last night a hard and very refreshing rain. Wrote, Rode out. 13. Rode and visited all day. Quite cool. The people here generally appear desirous to have me return to them. 14. Read the Bible. Rode out. Afternoon attended a conference. 15. Quite warm. Very full meeting. May the blessing of a merciful heaven rest upon this town. Received ten dollars of this society. 75, 16. Left Marcellus in company with Mr. Bradley * for Connecticut. Will a merciful God favor me with a prosperous journey. Rode through Onondaga to Manlius, 22, Tarried at a tavern, 17. Rode through Cazenovia, Oneida, Vernon, to Paris. 35. Visited Mr. Norton^ and Mr, Kirkland.^ Tarried with Mr, Porter,' 18. Rode to my sister's. Blessed be a holy God, who has thus far pre- served me on my long journey. At evening rode to New Hartford. Very kindly received by friends. 19. Visited. Left New Hartford, Rode through Utica, crossed the Mohawk River for the first time to Deerfield,* through Schuyler to Herkimer, 14, Tarried at a tavern, 20. Rode through Fairfield, Salisbury, and Palantine, to Johnstown. 43. ' Yet Aaron Burr was the man whom the wards settled at Cornwall, Vt., 1803-1S36. religious people of New England wanted for He died in 1846, President in place of Mr, Jefferson. ^ Probably a formation like the L part of ^ Rev, Jedediah Bushnell, D, D., born at a house. Saybrook, Ct., 1769, graduated at Williams * Hon. Dan Bradley already noticed. College, 1797; studied theology with Rev, ^ Rev, Asahel H.Norton. Mr. Judson, of Sheffield, Mass. After being ^ Rev. Samuel Kirkland. licensed to preach, he went West and preached "^ Rev. Robert Porter, in Canandaigua, N. Y. He was appointed ' Deerfield, in Oneida County, organized by the missionary society of Connecticut to 179S, one hundred miles west of Albany. It labor in New York and Vermont. After- has now a Congregational church. 178 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8o2. Tarried at a tavern. Saw the locks at the Little Falls ; six locks and twelve pair of gates. 78. 21. Rode through Broadalbin, Galloway, Milton, to Ballston. 28. Viewed the springs. A very great number of people at them. The water very loath- some.' Quite hot. Tarried with Mr. Bradley. 1.13. 22. Preached for Mr. Bradley. Congregation not large. House very poor. Very warm. Affected in my nerves. 23. Parted with my company, Mr. Bradley. Rode through Malta, Still- water, crossed the Hudson River, Schaghticoke, recrossed the river, Half- moon, Waterford to Watervliet. Tarried at a tavern. 24. Rode through Albany, crossed the Hudson, Greenbush, Schodack, Kin- derhook, Claverack, to Hudson.^ Tarried at a tavern. This a flourishing place on a situation quite unhandsome. Extremely hot. 48. 25. Rode from Hudson to Livingston. Very kindly received and agree- ably entertained at Mr. H. W. Livingston's.' This situation one of the pleasantest I ever saw. Read Wood's * History of President Adajns's Adminis- tration. Yesterday and today are thought to be clearly the hottest days of this summer. 26. Read. Mr. Livingston and lady very agreeable. Rode to Ancram,' just at evening. Tarried at a tavern. 27. Rode on in the town of Livingston, to Salisbury, Ct., Canaan, and Norfolk, my much loved native town. At my father's house found all well. A holy God has thus preserved me through a long journey, in infinite mercy and brought me home surrounded with infinite blessings. Blessed be God for all his goodness. Bless the Lord, my soul.^ ' He was probably a novice in the busi- Atlantic World. His History of the Adminis- ness of drinking mineral waters. tration of John Adams xii,^ published in 1802. ^Hudson is in Columbia County, N. Y., Mr. Robbins probably found it as a book fresh on the high bank east side of Hudson River, from the press at the house of Mr. Livingston, twenty miles or more below Albany. Hudson ' Ancram was within the Livingston manor, was founded in 1783 by enterprising men and was so named from the parish in Scot- from Rhode Island and Nantucket. Its growth land where Rev. John Livingston, father of was rapid. Robert the founder, lived and preached. ^ This was on the old Livingston manor, ^ Mr. Robbins left his home the year be- the first founder and proprietor of which was fore, September 23. He had been absent Robert Livingston, who came to this country eleven months and four days. We gave his from Scotland about 1672. It has been a debt and credit account up to the time of his family of eminent men, not a few of whom leaving Charlotte. He reached New Hart- have been distinguished in the public service. ford, Oneida County, N. Y., about the begin- Nine men of this family name have been grad- ning of 1802, with forty dollars and twenty- uated at Yale College, four at Harvard, and six cents in his pocket. When he reached two at Williams, The member of the family Norfolk in August that year, after his long who entertained Mr. Robbins was a Yale journey to Niagara, by his preaching at New graduate of 17S6, Hon. Henry W. Livingston, Hartford and other places, he had covered Member of Congress, Judge and Ambassador all expenses, bought books, etc., and had to France. Yet he died in 1810 at the early on hand one hundred and thirty-one dollars age of forty-two. and ninety-six cents. His journey since leav- * John Wood, a native of Scotland, who ing Norfolk, the year before, had been not edited a paper in Kentucky called the West- far from two thousand miles, made wholly on em World, and a paper at Washington, the horseback. [802.] AT HOME AT NORFOLK, CT. 179 28. Worked some. Wrote. I think my parents are more healthy and smart then they were a year ago. A hard rain. On the 24th bought a ticket in the lotter}' for the encouragement of literature in that State.' No. 10,046, price six dollars. 29. Quite rainy. Afternoon preached for my father. At evening attended a conference. 30. My parents, my sister, and brother,' set out for Williamstown. Set out myself. Rode to Becket. Tarried with Esq. Kingsley. This town in a critical situation. 31. Rode to Williamstown. Very wann. At evening attended exhibition. Septembek. 1. Attended the Commencement. The exercises verj^ good. My brother James delivered a very good poem.^ Quite warm. Political matters seem to be much more still here than formerly. 2. Cooler. Visited. Read newspapers. The situation of this college is quite flourishing. 3. Rode to Bennington by request to preach on the next Sabbath, Tar- ried with Col. Robinson. '' At night quite rainy. 4. Read. Walked out and visited. Party spirit appears to be much moderated in this town. 5. Cold and rainy. A very great change of weather in a few days. Thin meeting. There has been but little regular preaching here since Mr. Swift was dismissed.' 6. Left Bennington, rode to Lanesborough. Tarried with Rev. Mr. Collins." 7. Rode to Partridgefield,^ took the dimensions of their meeting-house. Rode back to Dalton, to attend an ordination.^ Heard Mr. Jennings ex- amined in council. ' New York, for he was in that State on the 24th. At that day good people thought it right to set up lotteries for various impor- tant purposes. ^ His brother Francis and sister Sarah. ^ This was the graduating day of James Watson Robbins, and his father, two broth- ers, Thomas and Francis Le Baron, and his sister Sarah, were present. * Moses Robinson, born in Hardwick, Mass., in 1741, was one of the early settlers and principal citizens of Bennington, Vt. He was Colonel in the Revolutionary army, and afterwards Governor of the State of Vermont, and United States Senator. ^ Rev. Job Swift, D. D., who was settled in Bennington, Vt., in 1786, was dismissed Juno 7, iSoi. ^ Rev. Daniel Collins, native of Guilford, Ct., graduated at Yale, 1760, pastor at Lanes- borough, Mass., 1764-1822. ' Partridarefield is now the town of Peru. ^ Rev. Ebenezer Jennings, a native of Windham, Ct., graduated at Williams, iSoo, was ordained at Dalton, Sept. 8, 1S02, and remained there till 1834. It will doubtless have been noticed in the foregoing pages how many of the ministers and prominent men in Western Massachusetts came from Connec- ticut. A sentence from the Atnerican Quar- terly Register, Vol. VII., p. 37, will help to illustrate this. Speaking of the ministers of Berkshire County down to the year 1S34, the writer says : " Forty-three of the ministers were born in Connecticut, thirty in Massa- chusetts, three in New York, two in New Hampshire, two in Vermont, and one in each of the States of New Jersey and Maine. The birthplace of one is not ascertained. Thirty- nine were educated at Yale College, sixteen at Williams, seven at Harvard, six at Dart- mouth, four at Union, three at Princeton, two at Middlebury, and one at Amherst. Seven were not publicly educated." l8o DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8o2. 8, Attended the ordination. A large collection of people. Rode to Middlefield. Tarried with Mr. Nash.' Towards night felt very unwell. 9. Rode to Becket. Agreed to come here to preach after the next Sabbath. Rode to Pittsfield. Grow constantly more unwell. 10. My appetite gone. Anxious to get to Bennington. Rode with difficulty to Williamstown. Could get no further. May I acquiesce in the righteous dispensation of an holy Providence. Tarried at Prof. Fitch's. At evening was bled/ and took physic. Much distressed. 11. My disorder seems to be a canker with a pretty high fever. Took physic morning and evening. Can sit up but little. 12. Much distressed in my head. No appetite. Vomit considerably. Took physic. 13. My physic operated powerfully. Feel some relief. Quite warm. 14. Was bled. Very weak. The soreness of my throat abates. Ex- tremely hot. On the nth wrote to Col. Robinson, Bennington. 15. Through the blessing of a merciful Providence, I think I am gaining moderately. Stepped out of the house. Last night a hard shower. Weather more comfortable. 16. Read some, which hurt me. My head very weak. 17. Walked out a little way. I gain strength very slowly. 18. Cool. Able to read some. Considerably sickly in this town and through the country. 19. Have something of a diarrhoea. Afternoon attended meeting. Blessed be God that I may enter his house. 20. Showery. Read some. Troubled with a pain and dizziness in my head. 21. Wrote to Col. Robinson, Bennington. Received five dollars from Bennington. Received a letter from Col. Robinson. 2.00. 22. Quite rainy. Read. I gain strength but moderately. Intended to have set out for home today, had the weather been favorable. Traded. 96. 23. Read the Pursuits of Literature? The president received a letter from my father informing that he had heard and was very anxious about my sick- ness. Steadily wet. 24. Read newspapers. Afternoon the rain stopped. Paid the doctor's bill, three and one-half dollars. Rode to Mr. Swift's." Blessed be a holy God, who has thus far raised me to health, that I may set out for home. Will he carry me to my father's house. 25. Clear weather. Rode moderately. Am more weak than I expected. Rode to Pittsfield. Tarried with Mr. Gold.^ ' Rev. Jonathan Nash, Middlefield, was in ^ The Fursuiis of Literature was a poem Hampshire County, and Mr. Nash was pas- published in Philadelphia in iSoo. tor there 1792-1S32. ■♦ Rev. Seih Swift, pastor at Williams- ^ Bleeding was the common practice then, town, already noticed, but now for many years almost entirely aban- ' Thomas Gold, Esq., a prominent lawyer doned, except in a few peculiar cases. It is in Pittsfield, was born in Cornwall, Ct., grad- sometimes claimed that bleeding was the right uated at Yale in 1778. His son, Thomas A. thing then, when, owing to the change in the Gold, also a lawyer, was graduated at Will- human constitution, it would be wrong now. iams, 1S06. l302.] AT HOME AT NORFOLK, CT. l8l 26. In the forenoon attended meeting. Afternoon preached for Mr. Allen,' he performing the fore part of the exercise. 27. Rode to Barrington.^ Tarried at a tavern. Quite tired. Some reports are circulating respecting Mr. Jefferson, which it is thought will render his character infamous.^ 28. Rode home. Thanks be to God's great name. My brother N.'s wife has lately lain in, and is very sick. My Uncle L. Le Baron,* his wife and son, at my father's. Called at Capt. Clark's in Sheffield, and saw, I presume, the best piece of painting in America. 29. Walked out. Quite feeble. Read. My father returned from asso- ciation. 30. Afternoon attended the weekly concert of prayer, which is attended here and in many places. It is feared the Democrats are increasing in this State. October. 1. My Uncle Le Baron set off on his journey. Read the Vagabond. On the 28th ult., received a request from the committee of South Canaan^ to preach with them. Wrote. 2. Read. Afternoon tried to work some. Am still quite feeble. There have been no frosts to stop the growth of vegetables till this week. 3. Afternoon preached. At evening attended a conference. Last even- ing caught a hard cold. 4. Quite sick with a cold. Bonaparte* has new modelled the French government, and is probably the most powerful sovereign in Europe. 5. Wrote to President Fitch, Williamstown. My brother J. set off for Williamstown. Have a bad cough. 6. Looked over my books. Have lost some small ones. Fear I shall not be able to preach for some time, 7. Rode out. Quite warm. Hope my brother N.'s wife is recovering, though yet very low. 8. Wrote to the committee of South Canaan. Afternoon set out for Becket. But just able to ride. Rode to Sanderstield. Tarried with Mr. White.' 9. Rode to Becket. Much fatigued. Very warm for the season. ' Rev. Thomas Allen, native of North- ' This was the parish where Rev. Daniel ampton, graduated at Harvard College, 1762, Farrand had then been pastor for fifty years, pastor at Pittsfield, 1764-1S10. Sometimes He was still living, but died in the following called " the fighting parson," from his cour- year. He was probably too infirm to supply age and activity in the Revolutionary struggle. the pulpit. ^ Great Barrington. * Aug. 2, 1S02, Bonaparte was made first ' It was not safe at that time to accept Consul for life. This was a very important New England rumors concerning Mr. Jeffer- point gained in his career of ambition and son. power. * Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, of Rochester, '^ Rev. Levi White, native of Randolph, Mass. (Mattapoisett), his wife, who was Eliz- Mass., graduated at Dartmouth, 1796. Set- abeth Allen, of Martha's Vineyard, and prob- tied in Sandisfield, 1798, as colleague with ably his son Lemuel, who was graduated Rev. Eleazar Storrs, and remaining there three yeais before (1799) at Brown University. until 1832. Mr. Storrs died in 1810. j82 diary of rev. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l802. 10. Was enabled through divine mercy to preach both parts of the day. Though quite too weak to have attempted it had not the situation of this people been critical.' There were two burials. 11. Very lame with a rheumatism in my left leg. Never had so severe a turn. Cool. Read. 12. My lameness a little better. Afternoon attended the funeral of an infant child. 13. Read the Bible. Quite confined. A great deal of travel this season. 14. Read all day. Political matters pretty still in the countr}^ The harvest of corn rather light. 15. Rainy. Read Fries's trial. My lameness is much worse than it has been. At night my knee was so painful I could hardly sleep. 16. Quite rainy. Wrote. The people here generally appear anxious to have me continue with them, though I think there is not that perfect union there was a year ago. Wrote to Col. Lawrence, of Marcellus. 17. My lameness is much better than it has been. Attended the funeral of a child. The congregation here sing very well. 18. Remarkably warm for the season. Read Mr. Strong's'^ Benevolence atid Misery} Wrote. 19. Rode to Lenox to attend the association of this county/ Visited at Mr. Goodwin's.^ Cool. 20. Mr. D. L. Perry,* of Richmond, was approbated to preach. After association rode to Stockbridge with Dr. West. Had an agreeable visit at his house. 21. Rode to Lee. Preached a lecture for Mr. Hyde.^ Very little special serious attention in the country. 22. Rode to Becket. Visited. Read the Bible. 25. 23. My cough something troublesome. The society's committee called to see me. Read. Wrote. Troubled some with a pain in my breast. 24. Very cool for the season. Afternoon preached principally without writing. 25. Attended the funeral of a child. Rode to Stockbridge. Visited Mr. Hyde at Lee. Tarried with Mr. Woodbridge.^ 26. Rode home. My mamma has been very sick some days with nervous disorder; but now hopefully recovering. 27. Read. Rainy. Very little cider made in the country this year. Read the Vagabond? ' The people of Becket seem to have had Williams, 1798, and had been tutor at the no settled minister from the time Rev. Za- College. In 1S04, he was settled in Sharon, dock Hunn left them in 1788, until Rev. Ct., where he remained till his death in 1835. Joseph L. Mills was installed there in 1806. ^ Dr. Alvan Hyde, native of Franklin, Ct., ^ Dr. Nathan Strong, of Hartford. graduate of Dartmouth, pastor at Lee, 1792- ^ The more exact title of the book is 1833, a leading minister and theological Eternal Misery Reconciled 7vitk ike Benevolence teacher. of God. ^ Gen. Jonathan Woodbridge. * Berkshire County, Mass. ' This book has been before mentioned, ' His mother's cousin. probably some novel then new and current, ' David L. Pe^y, who was graduated at but like hundreds of others not enduring. l8o2.] JOURNEYING IN EASTERN CONNECTICUT. 183 28. Traded. 1.09. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins, now in the district of Maine. 29. Read. Afternoon set out on a journey. Rode to Colebrook, tarried with my brother Ammi. 30. Rode to Farmington. Quite cold for the season. Tarried with Mr. Washburn.' 31. Rainy. Preached for Mr. Washburn. This society very large. My cough seems to have principally left me. November. 1. Some very elegant houses building in this town. Rode to Hartford. Tarried at Mr. Strong's. 2. Rode to Durham. Middletown has but little appearance of trade or business. Tarried with Mr. Smith.^ 3. It snowed considerably. Concluded to make a little stay here. Very kindly entertained. Read poetry. 4. Read the Magazine? The prospect of Christianizing the Indians at present appears pretty small. Afternoon preached a sacramental lecture for Mr. Smith. At evening attended a conference. 5. Rode to Branford.'' Visited. Tarried with Mr. Huntington.^ 6. Rode to Guilford and to Durham. Warm for the season. 28. 7. Preached for Mr. Smith. At evening attended a conference. People very inquisitive about important doctrines. 8. Rode to North Killingworth, and visited Mr. Andrews.* Prayed at the opening of the town-meeting.' Rode to Guilford. Preached an evening lecture for Mr. Brainerd.* Some seriousness here. 9. Rode to Chatham. Attended a ministers' meeting at Mr. West's.' 10. Rode to Marlborough and to Hebron. Tarried with Mr. Bassett.'" 11. Very warm. Rode to Colchester. Visited Mr. Robbins;" quite poor. Rode to Millington. Tarried with Mr. Lyman. '- 12. Afternoon preached a lecture for Mr. Lyman. Rode in the evening to ' Rev. Joseph Washburn, pastor at Farm- 1802, dismissed in April, iSii, Graduated ington, Mass., 1 795-1805, a graduate of Yale, at Yale, 1797. 1793. '' A general custom in the old New Eng- ^ David Smith, D. D., a native of Bozrah, land days, and not yet entirely discontinued. Ct., graduate of Yale, 1795, pastor at Dur- * Rev. Israel Brainerd, a graduate of Yale, ham, Ct , 1799-1832. 1797) pastor at Guilford, 1S01-1806. After- ^ No magazine, in those parts then, but wards removed to Verona, N. Y. Died 1854. the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine ; and ' East Hampton in Chatham, Rev. Joel this was the number probably for November, West, pastor 1792-1825, graduate of Dart- 1802. mouth, 1789. * Where his grandfather Robbins was "^ Rev. Amos Bassett, D. D. settled. " Rev. Robert Robbins, pastor in West- 5 Rev. Lynde Huntington, a native of Chester parish (Colchester), i764-i8o4,.grad- Norwich, Ct., graduate of Yale, 1788, pastor uate of Yale, 1760. at Branford, 1795-1S04, when he died after a '- Rev. William Lyman, D. D., pastor at short ministry. Millington (East Haddam), 1787-1823, grad- * Rev. Josiah B. Andrews, settled in April, uate of Yale, 1784. 184 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8o2. Hadlyme. Tarried with Mr. Vaill.' On the loth ministers at East Hampton desired me to be at Iladdam next Sabbath, now vacant.^ 13. Rode to Haddani. Quite a rough town. Staid at Dr. Brainerd's.^ This week has been remarkably warm and pleasant. 14. Pretty full meeting. Large house. My cough has not entirely left me. At evening attended a conference. Quite full. The committee re- quested me fo be here the next Sabbath. 15. Read Shakespeare's plays. Had a request to go and preach at Saybrook. 16. Had company. Read. My salt-rheum something troublesome. Wrote. T. Paine has arrived at Baltimore.* 17. Wrote. Rainy. E. Kirby' had fifty-three votes in the House of Representatives in this State for Senator in Congress. 18. Worked some. Read Shakespeare. Wrote a small dialogue. 19. Considerable controversy in this town respecting a turnpike road. Had company. Read. 20. Read the Bible. Quite warm. O for a due preparation for the approaching Sabbath. 21. Had a large congregation. People very attentive at meeting and conference. 22. Rode out and visited. Considerable ship building done here. At night rainy. 23. The storms this fall are all short and clear off warm. Saw a vessel launched. Began a sermon for Thanksgiving on Isa, xii : 2. 24. Wrote. Some pain in my breast. Finished my sermon on Isa. xii : 2. 25. This day is Thanksgiving in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Will a holy God give us grateful hearts, and hear the prayers of his people. 26. Read Shakespeare. Afternoon rode out and visited. At night rainy. 27. Read the Bible. At evening Mr. Williston^ arrived from Vermont, who is engaged to preach here for some time. 28. Mr. Williston rode to East Haddam. At evening preached at the conference. Very full. 29. Received ten dollars from the committee of this society. The com- mittee expressed a wish that I would not be soon engaged. Left Haddam. Rode to Durham. Tarried with Mr. Smith.' ' Rev. Joseph Vaill, a native of Litchfield, * Jefferson gave him permission the year Ct., graduated at Dartmouth, 1778, pastor at previous, to come over in one of our govern- Hadlyme, 1780-1838. ment ships. He reached Baltimore in October. ^ Rev. Eleazar May, graduated at Yale in ^ Ephraim Kirby, of the class of 17S7 at 1752, and settled in Haddam in 1754, was Yale. He was not however elected. now in his old age, and had withdrawn from ^ Rev. David H. Williston, a graduate of the active duties of the ministry. He died Yale, 17S7. Sent by the Connecticut Mis- the following year, 1803. sionary Society to labor among the new set- ^ Haddam v/as the special home of the tlements in Vermont. He was a sturdy Brainerds, the descendants of Daniel Brain- Christian worker living on to nearly eighty erd, who, removing from Hartford, settled years of age. there in the early New England years. ' Dr. David Smith. See note Nov. 2, 1802. l8o2.] PREACHING AT BECKET, MASS. 185 30. Rode to New Haven. Visited friends. Rode out of town, and tarried at a tavern. Traded. 1.96. The warmest and pleasantest November I ever knew. The Thanksgiving day was singularly so. December. 1. In the forenoon very rainy. Afternoon rode to the lower part of Litchfield. Tarried at a tavern. 2. Rode home. My mamma much healthier than when I left home. My father has received a letter from Becket informing him that the church and society have unanimously given me a call to settle with them. I am sorry. 3. Wrote. T. Paine is very intimate with Mr. Jefferson. He is publish- ing letters to the people. 4. Rode through New Marlborough to Becket. Bad riding. The people here appear to have been in some anxious suspense about my absence. 5. A hard storm of rain. My health much better than when I left the town. Read the Bible. 6. Read Cormick's' Continuation of the English History. Quite cold. Had company. 7. Read. Rode out and visited. I feel a very great disinclination to settling in this place. 8. Attended an ecclesiastical council which met in this place in conse- quence of difficulties in the church.^ Quite winter weather. 9. I hope and trust the result of the council here will be of essential service to this church and society. Visited a school. Very cold. Read Lloyd's ^ Continuation. 10. Extreme cold. Visited two schools. My salt-rheum troublesome. 11. It snowed some. Weather moderated. Read Lloyd. Had company. 12. Pleasant. This congregation I think considerably smaller than a medium in the country. 13. Rode home. Quite cold. My mamma better than she has been, but still feeble. 14. It snowed some. Worked some. Worked a difficult question in arithmetic. 15. Read newspapers. Strong symptoms of renewed hostilities in Europe. Will a holy God mercifully avert the evil. 16. Extreme cold. Much the most severe weather we have had this year. No snow for sleighing. Visited at my brother Nathaniel's. * 17. The thermometer stood this morning at ten below zero. Walked out. Read. 18. It snowed some. Weather less severe. Rode to New Marlborough to exchange with Mr. Catlin,^ who went to Becket. ■ C. M. Cormick, before mentioned, who land down to the year 1764. This was pub- wrote the History of Ungland from the death lished in London, 1764. of George II, to the peace of 17S3. ■• His home was in Norfolk. ^ We have not been able to find the ]5ar- ' Rev. Jacob Catlin, D. !>., native of Har- ticular matter of difficulty for which the coun- winton, Ct., graduated at Yale, 1784, pastor cil was called, but the church was in a weak of First Church in New Marlborough, Mass., and troubled state for some years. 17S7-1S26. An able preacher and theological ^ Thomas Lloyd wrote the History of Eng- teacher. i86 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1802. 19. The weather moderates. This society rather small. At evening attended a singing meeting. 20. Rode to Canaan. Visited Mr. Farrand.' Quite poor. Bought of him one third of Poole's^ 6)7w/j-/j- for twenty shillings. Rode home. Warm for the season. ^ 21. Rainy. Finished reading the Vagabond. At evening walked out. 22. Finished reading Lloyd's History. May I retain things which are useful. My mamma feeble. 23. Wrote. vAfternoon attended the weekly concert of prayer. Quite rainy. Switzerland making a struggle to regain her lost liberties. It appears to be vain to contend against Bonaparte. On the 17th wrote to Mr. Redfield, a society committee of Saybrook. Through the great goodness of a holy God, my cough, with which I have been afflicted nearly three months, appears to have left me. Blessed be God for all his goodness. 24. A very sudden change in the weather last night. Quite cold. Rode to Becket. Very bad riding. Got only to lower part of the town. 25. Began to read Payne's Geography.^ May I be able to finish it and derive useful information. Read the Bible. 26. Meetings here must be quite thin in uncomfortable weather. Read the President's message to Congress. He appears to have but one object, popularity.'* 27. The committee of the church and society in this town, presented to me an invitation to settle with them in the ministry. The union is said to be great. O for divine guidance and direction that I may know what to do. 28. Rode out and visited a school. Quite warm and rainy. The ground appears to be breaking up. Wrote to Mr. D. Risley,' Whitestown. 29. Visited two schools. The schools in this town under pretty good ^ regulations. But I think there is considerably less schooling in this State than in Connecticut.^ Read. 30. Read Payne's Geography. Wrote. Cold. We have very sudden changes of weather. 31. Wrote a piece for publication. Read the Bible. Read the New York Revieiv. ' Mr. Farrand, as before said, was quite aged, and though still pastor in name, had given up mainly the care of his parish. ^ Matthew Poole, born at York, England, 1624, died 1679. His Synopsis Criticoriim has long been a well-known work among scholars. ^ John Payne's Universal Geography, Lon- don, 1791, two volumes, folio. "* Hard to see anything good in Mr. Jeffer- son. 5 David Risley, spoken of in previous note. *" At that time, the common schools of Connecticut were accounted superior to those of any other State. Afterwards, for a time, she depended too much upon her school fund, but now taxes herself freely. 18 03. January. 1. Attempted to give thanks to God for the kind preservation of another year. Finished my former diary, and prepared this. Read the Bible. Quite cold. 2. Meeting full and serious. At evening had company. Read Dr. Em- mons's ' Sentions. 3. Read Payne's Geography. In the afternoon this society had a meeting and voted me a salary of three hundred and sixty-seven dollars on condition of my settling with them. 4. Quite cold. The ground covered with snow, but no sleighing. 5. Rode to Stockbridge. Tarried with Mr. E. Brown.^ The piece I wrote last week is published. 6. Last night a ver\^ hard rain. Warm. Returned to Becket. 7. Rode out and visited. The people here propose to give me some assistances in addition to the salary of three hundred and sixty-seven dollars. They appear universally desirous to have me continue with them, but I feel at present that I shall not.^ 8. Read Payne's Geography. Read the Bible. Wrote. 9. Extreme cold. Very bad going. Had company. Read the Bible. 10. Received of this society forty-five dollars. Left Becket. Perhaps I shall not return. Rode to my father's. 11. Warmer. Worked some. Bought a cow for sixteen dollars. This town considerably agitated in consequence of a man lately running away in the debt of many people, 12. Rainy. Wrote. Afternoon set out for Saybrook. Rode to Torring- ford. Tarried with Mr. Mills.^ 13. Bad riding. Very muddy. Rode to Berlin.' Tarried at a tavern. * Dr. Nathaniel Emmons, native of East ' It was a cause of pain to Mr. Robbins Haddam, Ct., graduate of Yale, 1767, pastor to refuse these hearty overtures for settle- at Franklin, Mass., 1 773-1840. Dr. Sprague ment. He would have been much better in Annals of the American Pulpit (Congrega- pleased if the people of Becket had not asked tional), Vol. i, p. 699, says: •' Dr. Emmons him to settle. published five octavo volumes of sermons on ■* Rev. Samuel J. Mills, father of Samuel Christian Doctrine and Duty, and one vol- J. Mills, Jr., of Foreign Mission memories, ume of occasional sermons ranging from 1800 ^ In Berlin, Rev. Evans Johns, a Welsh- to 1826." man, educated in England, and for some time ^ Ephraim Brown was one of the men who minister at Bury St. Edmunds, had been set- went from Spencer, Mass., to Stockbridge to tied the June before. He was probably such assist Rev. John Sargent in his work among an entire stranger that Mr. Robbins would the Indians. This E. Brown may have been not tax him for the usual ministerial hospi- a son of his. tality. 187 1 88 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, L1803. 14. Rode to Middletovvn. Afternoon and at night it rained very hard. Tarried at a tavern. 15. Rode through Haddam to Saybrook. The people appear to have been in anxious expectation of my coming. 16. This society appears to be small. It is the third society in the town. They sing very well.' At evening had company. 17. Read Fuller's^ Gospel its Oum Witness. I live at a Mr. Kelsey's. At evening called to see a Mrs. Devotion,^ widow of the late minister. 18. Finished reading Fuller. Very cold. The people here do consider- able in coast navigation.* Had company. 19. Read the Bible. Extreme cold. Read the Biographical Mirror? Walked out. 20. No more snow to be seen than in summer. Wrote. Had compan}-. The singers met here and sang. 21. Read. Very still times in the countr}' respecting political matters. Walked out and visited. 22. P'inished reading the Biographical Mirror. Read Night Thoughts. This week has been steadily very cold, but no snow. 23. Preached upon Means. People here pretty ignorant concerning doc- trines. At evening attended a singing meeting; prayed in it. 24. Began to read Dr. Robertson's* History of Charles V. Visited a young woman very sick. The committee of this society requested me to preach with them for the present. 25. Last night very sick. I suppose in consequence of eating clams. Read. Walked out. At night it rained some. 26. Read Robertson. Warm. Rode to the old society in this town, and attended a funeral of a man who, in middle age and perfect health, was found dead in his bed yesterday morning. 27. The President has appointed Gov. Munroe ' Envoy Extraordinary to Spain. It snowed considerably. At night there was a ball where I live. I went^ and spent the evening, and slept at a neighbor's. ' It will have been noticed that Mr. Rob- -bins often speaks of the singing in the par- ishes where he preaches. ^ Rev. Andrew Fuller, an eminent Baptist divine born at Wicken, Eng., 1754, died at Kittering, 181 5. ^ Rev. John Devotion had been pastor of the Third Church in Saybrook (now West- brook) from October, 1757, to September, 1802, when he died. Ebenezer Devotion, his brother, was pastor of Scotland Parish (Wind- ham), 1735-177 1, and they were sons of Rev. Ebenezer Devotion, pastor at Suffield, Ct., 1710-1741. The father was a graduate of Harvard, 1707, and the two sons of Yale, Ebene/.er in 1732, and John in 1754. Dr. Sprague in his Annals makes John Devotion, of Saybrook, son of Ebenezer, of Scotland. But he seems to have been a younger bi-other. ■• From generation to generation many men in Saybrook grew rich in that way. ' Mirror, exhibited by the sayings and transactions of the greatest men in Europe. i2mo, Boston, 1802. ^ Dr. William Robertson, of Scotland, son of the parish minister of Borthwick, in Mid Lothian, was himself a very able minister of the Church of Scotland, but gave himself largely to literary work. His History of Charles ?'was first published in 1769. ^ James .Monroe was appointed in 1803 Minister Plenipotentiary jointly with Charles Pinckney to negotiate with Spain. ^ That is, nnt to the ball, but to the neigh- bor's house to spend the night. 1803.J PREACHING AT WESTBROOK, CT. 189 28. Rode out. Very cold. Visited a school. At evening attended a conference meeting with Baptists. 29. Visited a young woman apparently near the close of life. Pretty good sleighing. Wrote a negative answer to the call of the church and society of Becket. Wrote to Mr. James Rudd, of Becket. 30. Read the Bible. A very cold rain. Thin meeting. 31. Set out to go to Danbury. Dined with Mr. Mansfield,' of Killing- worth. Rode to East Haven, tarried at a tavern. February. 1. Rode through New Haven, breakfasted with Mr. Davis.^ Rode through Derby and Newtown to Danbury. Very kindly received. 2. Visited. Quite rainy. Find many apparent friends. There is hope- fully some seriousness in this town. 3. There have been an unusual number of deaths of heads of families in this town in two years past. Rainy. At evening attended a conference. 4. Concluded not to attempt to get to Saybrook this week. Very cold. The riding extremely bad. Agreed to tarry here over the Sabbath. Tarried at Mrs. Taylor's. 5. Walked out and visited. Read newspapers. Traded. 6. An exceeding rainy day, yet a good number of people at meeting. Many appear quite serious. Tarried at Mr. Mygatt's. Mrs. M. apparently sinking with a consumption. 7. Warm. Very muddy. Wrote to my father. Read. Traded. Had some clothes made. 8. Received many kind attentions. Left Danbury. Very bad riding. Rode to Huntington,^ tarried with Mr. Rexford." 9. Rode to Milford. Tarried with Mr. Pinneo.' At evening attended a conference. 10. Very cold and tedious. Rode to New Haven. Traded; bought books. Rode to Guilford. Tarried with Mr. Brainerd.^ 11. Rode to Saybrook. Pretty much fatigued. At evening walked out. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Mills,^ of this town. 12. Wrote. Began to read Milton's Paradise Lost in course. 13. People at meeting quite attentive. Afternoon and at night a cold and violent rain. 14. Read Milton. It snowed some. At evening had company. ' Rev. Achilles Mansfield, pastor of the ^ Rev. Bezaleel Pinneo, a native of that First Church of Killingworth (now Clinton), part of Lebanon, Ct., which is now Columbia, 1779-1814. He was a native of New Haven, a graduate of Dartmouth, 1791, pastor at and a graduate of Yale, 1770. Milford, 1796-1849. He was one of the lead- ^ Henry Davis, his Yale classmate, was ing ministers in Connecticut in the early still tutor at the college. years of the present century. ^ That part of the town which is now * Rev. Israel Brainerd. Monroe. ' Rev. Samuel Mills, pastor in that part * Rev. Elisha Rexford, pastor at Hunt- of the town of Saybrook now known as ington (now Monroe), 1765-1808, a graduate Chester, 1786-1814, a graduate of Yale, of Yale, 1763. 1776. 190 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBRINS, D.D. [1803. 15. Quite cold. Rode out and visited. Collected the genealogy of the Whittlesey family. 16. Read the Bible. Read newspapers. Finished reading Paradise Lost. A very hard storm of snow. 17. Walked out and visited. It appears probable that Democracy is on the decline in the United States.' The greatest exertions, however, are made in this State. May a merciful God preserve us. 18. Warm for the season. We have exceeding variable weather. At evening rode out and preached a lecture. Preached without notes from Isa. xxvi : 4. Quite a full meeting. 19. Read Robertson's Charles V. Had company. I think this society is in some danger from the Baptists. Read the Bible, 20. People at meeting quite attentive. I think there is a prospect that they will hear the humbling doctrines of the gospel here, though in times past they have not been much used to them."^ 21. Warm. Rode to Saybrook^ and visited Mr. Hotchkiss.'* Very bad riding. 22. Read Robertson. Afternoon rode to Chester, visited Mr. Mills. At evening preached a lecture. Some aw-akening there. 23. Remarkably warm for the season. Rode down to Pettipague,^ and preached a lecture for Mr. Ely.* Rode to Pochogue. 24. Read. Had company. It snowed considerably. Walked out and visited. 25. Quite cold. Afternoon preached a sacramental lecture. Walked out. Received a letter from Mr. Brainerd, of Guilford. 26. Wrote. Read the Saybrook PlaiformJ Afternoon rode to Saybrook to exchange with Mr. Hotchkiss.^ 27. All societies in this town rather small. At evening attended a sing- ing meeting. The spirit of religion appears here but little. 28. Returned. Rode to Killingworth, visited Mr. Mansfield.' Returned. March. 1. Read Robertson's Charles V. It snowed some. Walked out. Quite cold. 2. Very cold. Read. At evening was invited out to a supper. ' As already suggested, the Democrats in * Rev. Richard Ely, pastor at Pettipaug, 1804 elected Jefferson for a second term by 17S6-1814, a native of Lyme, and graduate of a much more decisive vote thanin iSoo. Yale, 1754. He had been before settled at ^ This remark seems to imply that Mr. North Madison, Ct., 1757-1785. Devotion, the last minister, had been rather '' A system of church government pre- Arminian in his tendencies. pared at Saybrook in the year 170S, for the ^ Old Saybrook, the first ecclesiastical use of the churches of Connecticut, some- parish in the town. what more rigid than the Cambridge Platform * Rev. Frederick W. Hotchkiss, pastor at prepared at Cambridge, Mass., in 1648. Both Old Saybrook, 1783-1844, a graduate of Yale, these platforms are now largely outlawed. 1778, native of New Haven. * See note February 21. ' Pettipaug, now Centerbrook, Ct. 9 See note ante January 31. 1803.] PREACHING AT WESTBROOK, CT. 19I 3. Weather moderates. People are beginning vessels.' At evening attended a wedding. I have not been in a sleigh through the winter, a cir- cumstance which I presume has never taken place before in any winter of my life. 4. Finished reading Robertson's History of Charles V. At evening rode out and visited. 5. Read. The people of this State are in considerable agitation respect- ing a Democratic Thanksgiving to be held at New Haven next week. 6. Preached on the Doctrine of the Resurrection. Much fatigued. At evening quite sick. 7. Considerably unwell. Walked out and visited. At evening it snowed some. Mr, Bushnell,^ the missionary, came here and tarried. 8. Wrote to my parents. Afternoon rode to Pettipague,^ and heard Mr. Bushnell preach. At evening he preached again, after which I preached extempore from 2 Tim. iv : 7,8, Tarried with Mrs, Hay den. 9. Last evening my horse got away. Afternoon found him without much difficulty. Returned to Pochogue. 10. Preached a lecture in the upper part of the society, with a few short notes on 2 Pet. i: 5, 6, 7. The Thanksgiving"* at New Haven was yesterday. The people in Kentucky appear to be much alarmed by the interruption of their commerce. Our government appears to be mere pusillanimity. 11. Wrote to Mr. Brainerd,^ of Guilford. Began a sermon on 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Troubled with a sickness at the stomach. 12. Wrote considerably. Mrs. Devotion, widow of the late minister, very poor, probably near the close of life. Received a letter from my father. 13. The spring appears to be approaching. Quite troubled with a stom- ach sickness. At evening attended a singing meeting. 14. Read. Had company. The State in considerable agitation about political matters. 15. Took tartar emetic. It operated very violently. It makes me very feeble. 16. Had engaged to ride today to Guilford. Am totally unable. Walked out, Several persons sick in this place. Very warm for the season. 17. Read Mortimer's Scholar's Dictioiiary!' I presume Congress have done far less business during their late session than at any one under the present government. ' The spring was opening, and the work of probably simply a special rejoicing on the building vessels, which was an important busi- part of Democrats that they were now in ness interest of the place, had begun. power. Such rejoicings now on the part of =* Jedediah Bushnell, D. D., before noticed any political party are regarded simply as a in connection with his missionary work among matter of course. Liberty, political and re- the New York churches, was a native of this ligious, is better understood now than then, town of Saybrook. ^ See note ante February 10. ^ See note February 23. ^ The Student's Pocket Dictiotiaiy, or Com- * This was the Democratic Thanksgiving pendiiim of Universal History, in two parts, iust before spoken of in the diary. It was By Thomas Mortimer, London, 1777. 192 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBRINS, D.D. [^803. 18. Had a request to preach at Hacldam. Have concluded to go after the second Sabbath in April. Rode out and visited. Mrs. Devotion died this afternoon.' 19. My stomach sickness continues. Quite warm. Went out on the water. Afternoon went to Saybrook to exchange with Mr. Hotchkiss. 20. Was enabled to go through the exercises of the day better than I expected. Returned to Pochogue ; ^ and attended the funeral of Mrs. Devo- tion. Hainy. Three neighboring ministers at the funeral. 21. Visited a school. At evening walked out. Unable to attend to study. 22. Worked considerably in leveling a site to build a vessel. Read the Life of Col. Gardiner.^ 23. Through divine goodness I am much better of my disorders. Went to live with Esq. Say. Worked some. Afternoon a very violent snow-storm. ^J 24. Read. Democracy is now making its most violent elTorts in this State. May the God of our fathers preserve us. 25. Received a letter from Mr. Andrews, North Killingworth, requesting me to go and preach at Middlefield,'' a society in Middletown. Received a letter from my father with a request from the town of Middlebury, Vermont, that I would go there to preach. At evening the committee of this society called to see me. O for divine direction, and that I may be willing to go where duty calls. 26. Quite cool for the season. Received a letter from Mr. Brainerd, of Guilford. Wrote. At night quite rainy. 27. People pretty attentive here, but I fear very stupid. Quite tired. At evening attended a singing meeting. 28. Rode out and visited. Read newspapers. The Federalists were never so alarmed and never made such exertions in this State as at present.' 29. Rode to Saybrook and back. Viewed the place of the first settlers.^ Making some collections of the Whittlesey family. 30. Wrote. Tried to break my horse'' for a carriage. He acts quite badly. Walked out. 31. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Saybrook and preached a sacramental lecture. Returned. At evening was at a wedding. ' Her husband died the year before, after ' Connecticut continued to be one of the being pastor of the church forty-five years. Federal States after almost all the others be- ^ Pochogue, several times before men- came Democratic, tioned, was the Indian name of that part of * There was a fort at Saybrook built by Saybrook where he was preaching. the younger John Winthrop as early as 1636, ^ Col. James Gardiner, a British ofiicer, the year when the Hooker Company came to remarkable for his earnest religious life. He Hartford, and two years before the settle- was killed at the battle of Prestonpans, 1745- ment began at New Haven. Young John His life was written by Dr. Philip Doddridge, Higginson preached to the few people in and and has been very widely circulated and read. about the fort in 1636, and for four or five '^ After the death of Rev. Abner Benedict, years afterward, pastor at Middlefield (in Middletown), 1771- ^ This is the horse, so far as appears, that 1785, the church had no settled minister until he bought of Rev. Mr. Aver)', of Tyringham, May, 1S20, when Rev. Stephen Hayes began and with which he made his two thousand his work there. miles' journey. 1803.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK, CT. 193 April. 1. Read newspapers. Finished my sermon on 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Poorly able to study. Warm for the season. 2. Made a family piece for the Whittlesey family.' Walked out and visited. People here much engaged in building vessels. 3. Full meeting. Quite warm. People appear quite anxious to have me return here. 4. Received fifty dollars from this society. Left Saybrook, rode to Branford. Tarried with Capt. Russell. 5. Rode through New Haven to Fairfield and Greenfield. Tarried at a tavern. 6. Rode to Danbury. Kindly received. Warm. I imagine that political commotions have risen in this State to their hight.^ 7. There being no preacher here^ at present concluded to tarry till after the Sabbath. Cool for the season. At evening attended a conference. 8. This day is the Fast through this State. Preached. Something rainy, with considerable thunder. 9. Had a pair of boots "* made ; cost six dollars. Paid for a beaver hat made for me, seven and a half dollars.^ Quite cool. Visited. There is a prospect of a minister being settled here. There has lately been an addition to the church of sixteen members. More are expected. 10. There was the fullest meeting I ever saw here on an ordinary occa- sion. At evening rode to New Milford, Tarried at a tavern. Received ten dollars from the society at Danbury. 1 1. Rode very early to Litchfield and to Norfolk by two o'clock. Attended Freeman's Meeting. The votes for Governor here were one hundred and ninety-nine, fifteen of which were for E. Kirby.^ 12. The people in this quarter appear to have been universally at the Freeman's Meeting which has consequently issued in a great defeat of Democ- racy. Quite warm. Read. Received a printed letter from Mr. Carey,^ of Philadelphia. Received one from my cousin, S. P. Robbins. 13. Rode out. Read Mr. Rosse's and Mr. Morris's speeches in the Senate of the United States on the subject of our injuries at New Orleans. I believe they will hereafter be greatly celebrated. ' By hints here and there we see that Mr. ^ Ephraim Kirby was the Democratic can- Robbins, as a young man, was engaged in didate. He was a man of ability, and was genealogical investigations when that occu. Judge in the United States District Court in pation was, as yet, very rare in New England. New Orleans. He stood no chance for Gov- ^ He begins to discover a reaction, which, ernor in the Federal State of Connecticut, under the circumstances, was quite natural Jonathan Trumbull, son of Jonathan Trum- and proper. bull of Revolutionary memory, was re-elected ^ There had as yet been no one settled in Governor in 1803. He held the ofiice by re- Danbury in place of Rev. Mr. Langdon, de- election, 179S-1S09, and was followed by ceased. In the month of May following Rev. other Federalist Governors until 1817. Israel Ward began his labors there. ' Mathew Carey, a native of Dublin, Ire- * These were toi>boots. land. Established himstlf in Philadelphia, ^ He was choice and particular in all 1784, as printer and publisher, and founder of articles of dress. the firm of Carey & Son. 194 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1803. 14. Read newspapers. Democracy has probably received the greatest shock in this State that it has had since its first existence. Wrote to Mr. N. Munger, Middlebur)-, Vermont. Wrote to the committee at Westmoreland. 15. Expected to have set out for Haddam, but the rain prevented me. Read. At night it snowed pretty hard. 16. My father rode to South Canaan to preach to that people now desti- tute in consequence of the late death of Mr. Farrand. Read Backus on Regetieration} 17. It snowed most all day. Thin meeting. 18. Thought to be the greatest snow we have had the past winter. It goes very fast. Worked considerably. 19. Dated my reading in several of my books. Have been very fortunate with my library. Walked out and visited. Worked some. Federalism in- creasing in the neighboring States.^ 20. Rode out with my brother's wife.^ Very poor. Afternoon set out for Haddam. Rode to my brother's* at Colebrook and tarried. 21. Rode through Farmington to Berlin. Tarried with Mr. Upson. Quite warm. 22. Rode through Middletown to Haddam. Kindly received. Very warm for the season. 23. I live at Dr. Brainerd's. This place was considerably divided about their late preacher, Mr. Williston.' Mr. May,* their late pastor, died on the 14th inst. Walked out. 24. Full and attentive meeting. Something unwell. After meeting at- tended a funeral. There have been many deaths of old people here of late. 25. Read Shakespeare. Heard from Pochogue. They appear to be desirous to have me return to them. 26. Read. Walked and saw the fishermen catch shad. This town is quite a place for fish. Had company. 27. Walked out and visited sick people. Quite cool. Wrote to my father. 28. Rode to East Haddam and visited Mr. Pansons.' Drank tea at Gen. Champion's.^ Returned. Found Mr. S. Cowles here from Norfolk, who tarried the night. 29. Quite unwell, sick at the stomach, and very poor appetite. Rode out. Crossed the river and visited. 30. Quite warm. Read Shakespeare. Wrote. Yesterday one seine in ' A work by Dr. Charles Backus, of Som- ■* Ammi Ruhamah Robbins. ers, published early in this century. Dr. ^ Rev. David H. Williston from Vermont. Backus died Dec. 30, 1803. '' Rev. Eleazar May. See a previous note. ^ This growth did not make itself manifest ^ Rev. Elijah Parsons, pastor at East Had- in the following year, 1804, when only Con- dam, 1772-1827, fifty-five years. Graduated necticut, Maryland, and Delaware voted at Yale, 1768. against Jefferson for his second presiden- * Epaphroditus Champion, Brigadier Gen- tial term. eral of Connecticut Militia, prominent in the 3 Nathaniel Robbins's wife. settlement of the Connecticut Reserve, Ohio. 1803.] PREACHING AT HADDAM, CT. X95 the river, between Saybrook and Lyme, took more than four thousand shad * at one time. Had some serious conversation in the family. May. 1. Rainy. Preached on the subject of Missions. At evening attended a conference. People here something inclined to the Baptist sentiment. 2. Walked out and visited. Dmed with a military company. Military spirit not very high here. 3. Rode to the west part of the town and preached a lecture without notes from Psa. cxxiv : 8. At night Mr. Stone,^ a candidate, called and tarried with me. Quite cool. 4. In the morning a prettv hard frost. Rode to Saybrook. People here appear anxious to have me settle with them. 5. Quite* rainy. Visited. The society's committee came to see me. 6. Showery. Left Saybrook, rode to East Haddam. Tarried at Gen. Champion's.^ 7. Rode to Haddam. Read the Bible. This morning a very hard frost. Many apple-trees are blown, and it is feared they will be much injured. 8. Very rainy. It snowed considerably. In some places the snow is six inches deep. Ver^- thin meeting. I don't recollect having ever preached to fewer persons. 9. In the morning the ground lately dug was so frozen as to bear a man walking. Walked out and visited. Had company. 10. Rode out and visited. Some snow that fell on the 8th remaining. Fruit trees in the bloom. 11. Rode to Hartford to attend the election. Quite warm. Saw the Governor's'* entrance in the town. A very handsome parade. I\Iy father, sister, and brother J.' here. 12. Public exercises very good. A great concourse of people. The votes for Governor are twenty-two thousand four hundred and forty-eight ; six thou- sand six hundred more than were ever given in the State before. Kirby had seven thousand eight hundred and forty-eight. Melancholy.* Last even- ing the trustees of the Missionary Society appointed me a missionary to New Connecticut.^ I don't know what to do. ' That was in the old-time shad-fishing. ^ James Watson Robbins. There have been times since when shad ^ It was melancholy, he means, that Judge seemed to be almost driven out of the Con- Kirby should have about one third of all the necticut River, though we have the impres- votes cast. sion that they are now again becoming more '' The eight northeastern counties of Ohio numerous. were called New Connecticut. Under the ^ Rev. William Stone, a graduate of Yale, charter of Charles II Connecticut claimed 1786, licensed by New Haven East Associa- large territories at the West, but there were tion, 1787, but seems never to have been conflicting claims, and the United States finally settled in Connecticut, but was probably set- gave to Connecticut the right of owner- tied somewhere out of the State. He was a ship to 3,000,000 acres in the northeasterly native of Madison, Ct., and died in 1S40. portion of the State. The early settlers were 3 See note April 28. chiefly from Connecticut, and it was long •* Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, second Gov- called New Connecticut or Connecticut Re- ernor of Connecticut of that name. serve. But later, when the population be- 196 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1803. 13. Could not give the missionary trustees an answer. Rainy in the morning. Heard the Governor's speech. Afternoon rode to Haddam. 14. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Guilford to exchange with Mr. Brainerd.' 15. A large congregation. This the worst meeting-house I ever saw. At evening had company, 16. Quite warm. Rode by Chester to Haddam. Visited. Some people here inclining to the Methodists. Very much fatigued. 17. Walked out and saw the shad-fishing. Read. Had company. My stomach sickness \ji a degree still continues. 18. Very warm. Rode out. Began a sermon on Zech. ix : 12. 23. 19. Rode to Middle Haddam, visited Mr. Selden, to East Haddam, and returned. Attended a Baptist conference. Heard women exhort. 20. Rainy. Walked out ; caught a pretty bad cold. Wrote. ' The Demo- crats in the State exult at the issue of the late election. Will the God of our fathers preserve us. 21. Quite unwell with my cold. It is believed that the apples are not injured by the late frosts. 22. Full meeting. Had the contribution for the Missionary Society; eighteen dollars and fifty cents were collected. At evening attended a con- ference. 1.00. 23. Walked out. Visited some sick persons. The committee of the society conversed with me ; they appear very anxious to have me return here. 24. Rode to Hadlyme and attended a ministers' meeting. Preached. Ministers in this vicinity quite harmonious. On the 2 2d finished my sermon on Zech. ix: 12. 6. 25. Dined at Gen. Champion's. Returned to Haddam. Preached a lecture in the Baptist meeting-house without notes from i Cor. ii : 4, 5. 26. Read President Edwards on Infant Baptism. Walked out and visited. Wrote a paper. 27. Rode to Middletown and back with Mrs. Brainerd. Visited Mr. Hunt- ington.^ Quite cool for the season. 28. Read the Bible. Wrote a letter to M. L. C. O for a due preparation for the duties of the Sabbath. 29. Serious and solemn meeting. Very full. At evening a full confer- ence. Attempted to explain. " It is impossible for those who were once enlightened," etc. 30. The people here appear very anxious to have me return. Visited. Very warm. Received thirty dollars from this society. came more mi.xed, it was called the Western ^ Rev. David Huntington had been pastor at Reserve. The first settlement on this territory the South Church in Middletown, 1797-1800, was at Cleveland and Newburg in 1797, and and was still living there. He was a native of in 1798 a settlement was commenced at Lebanon, a graduate of Dartmouth, 1773, and Youngstown. In 1800, there were on the had previously been pastor at Marlborough, Reserve 1,144 white inhabitants, and in 1810, Ct., 1776-1797. He was afterwards settled, 16,241. The large school fund of Connec- December, 1S03, ^^ Hamburg, a parish in the ticut was raised from the sale of these lands. town of Lyme, where he died 181 2. He was ' Rev. Israel Brainerd. one of many ministers bom in Lebanon, Ct. iSoj.^ PREACHING AT HADDAM, CT. 197 31. A small but very refreshing rnin. The earth has suffered much with drought. Rode to North Kiilingworth and preached a sacramental lecture for Mr. Andrews.' Attended a conference. June. 1. Rode to Durham. Very warm. Bought Carey's^ Bible for which I was a subscriber, for eight dollars. Tarried with Mr. Smith.^ 2. Rode to Haddam and to Saybrook. Quite tired. 13. 3. Read the Bible. Read newspapers. The States New York and Rhode Island seem to be effectually given over to Democracy.'* We hope the God of our fathers will yet protect us. 4. Read the Bible. The Legislature of our State adjourned yesterday. Rainy. Concluded not to think of tarrying with this people. Hope 1 have acted conscientiously. 5. Pretty full and attentive meeting. At evening attended a singing meeting. I believe my preaching here will help open the way for the recep- tion of Calvinistic doctrines.' 6. Quite cool for the season. Read. The people here appear to be much disappointed, and some of them offended, at my refusing to continue with them. Walked out and visited. 7. Rode to North Kiilingworth and attended the Association. The Asso- ciation quite agreeable. The congregation in this place very large. 8. Rode to Haddam and attended a funeral. Preached without notes from John xi : 25. Returned to North Kiilingworth. 9. Rode to Pachogue. Very warm. Read. Visited. 10. Read the Bible. Rode to Saybroak. Visited Mr. Hotchkiss and Gen. Hart.^ English grain appears very well. Returned. 50. 11. Very hot. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Quite disagreeable to tell people I cannot continue here. 12. Meeting very full. A very dry season. Took leave of this people in public. Received ten dollars of this society. On the 7th was requested to preach as a candidate at Pettipague.'' 13. Left Saybrook, rode to Haddam, and to Berlin. Tarried at a tavern. Extremely hot. The people at Haddam wish me to return there, but there is a prospect of some opposition. I think I shall unless I accept of my v.resteru appointment. ' Rev. Josiah B. Andrews, before noticed. * AH the States but three went that way This place was called North Kiilingworth the next year in the presidential election of until the division of the town, when that 1804. which had before been called Kiilingworth, ' A hint like that he made, a little way back, where the first church was, became Clinton, respecting the parish in Saybrook. He inl- and North Kiilingworth became Kiilingworth. plies that Mr. May's preaching had been - An edition probably published by .Vlathew Arminian. Carey, of Philadelphia, about which, probably, * Gen. Hart. the letter before mentioned from Mr. Carey ^ Pettipague was one of the old parishes was sent. of the town of Saybrook. Territorially Sav- ^ Rev. David Smith, D. D., of Durham, brook was very large, and a considerable Ct., before noticed. number of parishes were within its limits. I 1^8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1S03. 14. Rode to Warren from Saybrook, eighty miles. Attended the associa- tion.' My father is inclined to have me accept of my mission.^ Showery. 15. Rainy. Stayed through the day. The association quite numerous. Fatigued with my journey. 16. Rode home with my father. My brother N. has begun in trade. My mamma seems rather inclined to have me go to the westward. 17. Read Bossuet's Universal History. Walked out. Crops pretty back- ward. 18. Quite warm. My cousin S. P. Robbins arrived here from the district of Maine. Wrote. 19. My cousin preached in the forenoon and I in the afternoon. At even- ing attended a conference. Something rainy. 20. Walked out. My brother and wife came here and made us an agreeable visit. 21. Concluded after long consideration to accept of my appointment as a missionary. Will God mercifully go with me and use me for his praise. Wrote to Mr. Strong, of Flartford. Wrote to Dr. West, of Stockbridge. 22. Very warm.' Worked some preparing for my journey. Read. A great appearance of a renewal of war in Europe. 23. Attended the concert of prayer which is observed here weekly. The season quite dry. , 24. Excessive hot. Rode to Colebrook with my father, attended the Masonic celebration of St. Johns.^ Mr. Lee* preached. Returned. Dined with the Masons. 25. Wrote on my accounts. Afternoon rode to Goshen. A copious and very refreshing shower. Good is Jehovah. 26. Preached for Mr. Hooker.^ The appearance of religion in the towns in this vicinity is much less than a few years past. 27. Rode home. The neighboring towns seem to have a supply of rain, while this is passed over. Received a letter from Mr. Hyde,^ of Lee, request- ing me to deliver an oration in that town on the 4th of July. I cannot go. 28. Rode to Hartford. Tarried at Mr. Strong's. Quite tired. 29. Excessive hot. Wrote to my father. Wrote a formal answer to my missionary appointment, to Mr. Flint,'' secretary to the trustees. Towards evening rode to Middletown. Tarried at a tavern. 30. Rode to Haddam. Worked^considerably in hay. Eat green peas. On the 29th had my hair cut short, which I have worn tyed about twelve years. ^ ' This was the General Association of the ' Rgv. Asahel Hooker, of Goshen, before State, whose meeting was usually about the noticed, middle of June. * Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D. = His father was specially interested as we ^ Rev. Abel Flint, D. D., pastor of South have seen in this home missionary work. Church, Hartford, 1791-1S24. ^ St. John the llaptist's Day, a great day ^ He was now twenty-six years old, so he with the Free-Masons. began to wear his hair tied when he was four- * Rev. Chauncey Lee, D. D., pastor at teen years old. This fashion passed out of Colebrook, 1800-1828. use generally about that time. 1803.] PREACHING AT HADDAM, CT. 199 July. 1. Extremely hot. Afternoon rode to East Haddam and preached a sacramental lecture. Tarried with Mr. Parsons.' Visited Col. Moseley.^ At evening a very hard shower. 2. Rainy. Very refreshing. Returned. Troubled with a toothache. 3. Preached upon Discriminating Doctrines. Some people receive them with difficulty. Attended a conference. The people here much disappointed at the prospect of my going on a mission. 4. Attended with a pretty large company the celebration of Independence. Quite agreeable. Made some toasts. Cool. 5. Rode to Hartford. Tarried at Mr. Strong's. Visited my old class- mate Robbins.* 6. Rode home. Quite tired. My parents making preparation for my ordination. 7. Had a tooth extracted which has given me much pain. Very hot. Wrote. 8. Set out for Haddam. Wrote to Mr. Jerome,'' New Hartford. Rode to Farmington. Tarried at Mr. Gridley's. 9. Rode to Hartford and to Haddam. Excessive hot. Traded. Very tired. There have been two deaths of grown persons here this week. People generally beginning harvest. 10. I think I never was more oppressed with the heat. Attended a conference. 11. The tooth I had extracted on the 7th was the last double tooth in my upper jaw. Walked out and visited. People generally beginning harvest, 12. Visited. Crossed the river in a boat alone. The Democrats in the country exult much at the late purchase of New Orleans.' Showery. 13. Set out for home. Excessive hot. Rode to Berlin. Tarried at Dr, Smalley's.* Have something of a diarrhoea. 14. Rode to Hartford and onward. Had a coat made. Quite showery. A great deal of hay and grain down. Tarried at a private house in a part of Bristol, 15. Rode some. Very tired. Have been very fortunate in obtaining ex- changes to supply at Haddam next Sabbath. 16. My brother Lawrence Miere from Paris. Worked some preparing for ' Rev. Elijah Parsons, pastor at East Had- afterwards generally accepted and approved, dam, 1772-1827, before noticed. and recognized as vastly important to this * Col. Jonathan O. Moseley. country. ^ Levi Robbins, who was with him at * Dr. Johii Smalley, a native of that part Yale, probably of the Wethersfield family of of Lebanon which is now Columbia, gradu- Robbins, descendants of John Robbins. ated at Yale, 1756, pastor in that part of * Rev, Amasa Jerome, graduated at Will- Berlin which is now New Britain, 1758-1820, iams, 1798, pastor at New Hartford, Ct., one of the chief ministers and theological 1802-1813, teachers in Connecticut in his time. He ^ The Louisiana purchase under Jeffer- lived to be nearly eighty-six years old. son's administration in 1803 ; condemned '' Grove Lawrence, who married Elizabeth sharply by the Federalists at the time, but Robbins. 200 niARY OF REV. THOMAS ROCTJIN.S, D.D. [1803. the ordination. My fatlier rode to New Hartford to preach tomorrow for Mr. Jerome.' 17. Preached at home, supplying at Haddam by exchanges. People pretty attentive. At evening attended a conference. My brother N.'s child very sick. 18. Engaged in preparing for the ordination. My Uncle and Aunt Starr ^ came to attend the ordination. Attempted to devote the day in some meas- ure to fasting and prayer, preparatory to my ordination. 19. Worked considerably. Made a long table in the door-yard, and a covering of cloth for a shade. Weather quite clear and cool. My brother's child still remains very sick. Afternoon the council convened in number 34. They met at the meeting-house and attended to the examination. Several ministers are present not belonging to the council. 20. The most solemn, and to me important, day I ever saw. May its solemnities never be effaced from my mind. I vvas this clay in the most sol- emn manner set apart to the great work of the gospel ministry. Towards night the council dispersed. Quite tired. We had considerable company be- sides the council. Fifty dined exclusive of our family connections or town people. The ordination was performed in the following manner : Mr. Flint,^ of Hartford, made the introductory prayer. Mr. Strong,* of Hartford, jjreached from Matt, xxviii: 19, 20. Mr. Mills,^ of Torringford, made the consecrating prayer. My father gave the charge. Mr. Perkins,^ of Hartford, gave the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Hooker, of Goshen, made the concluding prayer. Mr. Mills, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Hooker,^ and my father imposed hands. All the parts were performed in a very able and solemn manner. The charge was peculiarly affecting. In it my father gave me a Bible. Almost all the members of the council observed that it was the most solemn ordination they ever saw.^ The audience, very large, were solemn and very much affected. The day was ver^' fine. 21. Set out for Haddam. Yesterday my cousin S. P. Robbins' was appointed to a short, mission to the Black River. Rode through Farmington to Middletown. Tarried at a tavern. Rode late. Very tired. 22. Rode to Haddam in the morning. The Superior Court in session here. Dined with the court. Very much fatigued with the labor of the week. Something shower}^ Attended court. ' Rev. Amasa Jerome, just before men- * Rev. Nathan Perkins, D. D., of West tioned. Hartford. A pastor there 1772-1S3S. ^ Rev. Peter and Sarah (Rabbins) Starr ^ Rev. Asahel Hooker, of Goshen, Ct. from Warren, Ct. At this time Mr. Starr ^ This was an ordination without pastoral had been pastor in Warren thirty-one years, charge simply for missionary and evangelistic having been ordained there in 1772. purposes. This ordination took place, of 2 Rev. Abel Flint, D. D., South Church, course, in Mr. Robbiiis's native town of Hartford, Ct. Norfolk. * Rev. Nathan Strong, D.D., First Church, 9 He, though belonging in Massachusetts, Hartford, Ct. received his missionary appointment from the ^ Rev. Sam'l J. Mills, of Torringford, Ct. Connecticut Missionary Society. 1803.] PREPARING FOR MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 20I 23. There have been five deaths in this town in this month, three of grown persons. Read Shakespeare. Visited. 24. Very warm and faint weather. At noon attended a funeral. At even- ing a conference. Trust I had divine assistance to perform the duties of the day, for in the morning I felt very unable. 25. A society meeting was held here, warned for the purpose of giving me a call to settle in the ministry. I went into the meeting and desired the so- ciety not to take any vote upon the subject.' They however proceeded to vote and gave me a call to settle. I agreed to give them an answer next week. 26. Had company most all day. Read Shakespeare. Showery. 27. Wrote. The President has issued his proclamation to convene Con- gress on the 7th of October. Eat green corn." Afternoon crossed the river and tarried the night. 28. Last night and this morning it rained very hard. Afternoon rode to the west part of the town and preached a lecture without notes from Psa. xvii : 15. Tarried. 29. Visited. Clear weather after lowery for a week. Many people here appear very anxious to have me stay with them. The vote was one hundred and twenty-eight against fifty-seven. Miss L. Champion here. 30. The price for which Louisiana is purchased is said to be fifteen mill- ion dollars.^ Read Shakespeare. Wrote. Very warm. 31. Something troubled with stomach sickness and frequent spitting in speaking. At evening a very full conference. August. 1. Wrote and delivered to the society committee a negative answer to their call. Many people appear much disappointed and to feel very disagree- ably. Very hot. A very hard shower. 2. Rode to New Haven. Find friends at college agreeable. Tarried with Mr. Bartletf* at college. Signed for Gen. Washington's Life ;^ paid three dollars in advance. 3. The heat very oppressive and severe. Rode to Haddam. Attended a wedding in Durham. 4. Rode out and visited a school. Sickness begins to prevail in the ' This was the same course, it will be re- Bartlett, a native of Lebanon, who was grad- membered, which he adopted some years uated at Yale, 1800, and who studied theology before at Middlebury, Vt. under President Dwight. In the February ^ Almost every year Mr. Robbins notes following he was ordained and installed over the time when the corn was ready to be used the north parish in East Windsor, where he for green corn. filled out a fifty years' ministry. For nearly 3 The price paid for Louisiana was sixty twenty years, 1S08-1S27, Mr. Robbins was million francs, and it was agreed that five and the minister in the south parish of the same one third francs should count for a dollar. town, and the two were very intimately as- The price in dollars was between eleven and sociated. twelve millions. ^ Marshall's Z//^(y"f^j'/i?;?^/'o«, which came * This was without much doubt Shubael from the press in the following year, 1804. 202 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBHINS, D.D. [1803. cities. Quite sickly at New Haven. Many people here believe my leaving them will be a great injury to the society. A hard shower. 5. Saw Dea. Cone, of this town, mowing. He is nearly ninety-four years old, and has been an ordained deacon sixty years. Visited a school. Read the Bible. 6. Wrote. Copying my father's charge to me for publication. Had company. Had a valuable book, Orations on Washington^ presented me by a young Mr. Parmalee. 7. Last night was taken with a bad turn of dysentery. Poorly able to perform the duties of the day. Took my leave of the people. At evening a very full and serious conference. Talked seriously to the people concerning their situation ; some have considerable feeling. 8. Last night many people had a late meeting to devise some plan to detain me with them. Wrote to the committee requesting them to trouble me no farther, for I cannot stay. Rode to East Haddam and back. Left Had- dam. Rode to Durham, preached an evening lecture for Mr. Smith. Some awakening here. Meeting very full. 9. Th^ people at Haddam have warned a meeting to renew their call to me. Rode t6 Hartford. Many places quite sickly. Tarried at Mr. Strong's. 10. Very hot. Perhaps a more difficult season for haying is not remem- bered. People have not yet done. Received my commission and instructions for the mission.' Rode to New Hartford. Tarried at a tavern. Rode quite late. On the 8th received thirty dollars from the society at Haddam. 11. Rode home. Pretty tired. Walked out with my sister. This day concludes my twenty-sixth year. Blessed be God, my kind Preserver. May I be humbled for my imperfections, ingratitude, and sin. 12. Bought a horse ^ for sixty dollars, six years old. Rode to Canaan and back with my mamma. 13. On the loth received sixty dollars in advance from the Missionary So- ciety. Rode to Stockbridge to visit Dr. West.^ Very affectionately received. 14. Preached for Dr. West. A great awakening here. Sixteen lately . admitted into the church, and ten now propounded. 15. Rode home. Cool for the season. People generally not done haying. 16. Preparing for my journey. Rainy. Walked out. 17. My cousin S, P. Robbins set off on a mission to the Black River.* Worked some. ' The headquarters of the Connecticut affection and gratitude, for he was going out Missionary Society were at Hartford. Drs. into the great wilderness of the West for an Strong and Flint were officially connected unknown term of service. with it. •♦ The Black River rises in the mountain- ^ This is his third horse ; but this was a ous country of northeastern New York, where horseback age, and such journeyings as those some of the springs send their waters east to through which we have already followed Mr. the Hudson. The Black River runs westerly Robbins might be expected to use up a horse and northwesterly through Hamilton, Her- in two or three years. kimer, Oneida, Lewis, and Jefferson Coun- ^ This was a kind of farewell visit of ties to Lake Ontario. The name of the river I 1803.] ON HIS MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 203 18. A very hard shower. Afternoon attended the weekly concert of prayer. 19. Find it to be a laborious task to make all the preparations for my journey. Rode out. 20. Had some clothes made. On the i6th Mr. Higgins and Col. Brainerd, a committee from Haddam, came here and presented me a call from the church and society there to settle with them in the ministry. The society voted a salary of five hundred dollars a year. There appears to be a great union of the people. But under my circumstances I could not accept. I wrote a negative answer to the church and people. Wrote to Mrs. Brainerd with whom I lived. Received a letter from her. That day and this wrote a long answer to her letter. 21. Preached for my father. In the afternoon with short notes from Gen. xxviii : 20, 21. People as well as I considerably affected. At evening attended a conference. 22. Quite cool. Looked over and arranged my books. I have one hun- dred and thirty volumes.' Paid a sadler $6.25. 23. Had company. Preparing to leave home tomorrow. Paid a merchant $15.30. Mr. Battell concludes to take my subscription for Washington's Life, and paid me three dollars which I advanced on the 2d inst. At evening Esq. Selden and wife came here from Haddam and tarried. Received a letter from Mrs. Brainerd, and one from Dr. \\'ard, of Haddam.^ Yesterday wrote to Dr. Clark, of Haddam. 24. Considerably unwell. Think I cannot go today. Wrote to Dr. Ward, of Haddam, and to Mr. C. S. Mygate, of Danbury. Visited the neighbors. 25. Am almost disposed to shrink from the great work I am about to undertake. But, through God strengthening me, I can do all things. Left home for a long tour, as I hope, in the service of my Redeemer. Almighty Father, do thou go with me, and be my helper. Rode through Salisbury into New York State, tarried at a poor tavern. 26. In the morning rode to H. W. Livingston's.^ Kindly received. Tar- ried the most of the day. Very warm. Towards evening rode to Mr. Livings- ton's * and tarried. Very kindly entertained. 27. Crossed the Hudson to Catskill. Will a holy God preserve me and en- able me to recross it with joy ? So hot I could not comfortably ride. Rode to Shingle-Kill. Tarried with Esq. Sayne. Found much kindness in the is derived from the color of its waters, and ^ Henry W. Livingston, judge, noticed in this color is imparted by the deep dark rich a previous entry. With him Mr. Robbins soil through which it flows. stopped the year before on his return from ' This was the early state of a library his journey through New York, which afterwards grew into thousands of * Henry Livingston, General in the Revo- books and pamphlets. lutionary Army, a man of most noble life ^ The attachment of the Haddam people and character. " He died at his residence to Mr. Robbins seems to have been particu- in the manor of Livingston, May 26, 1823, brly strong, but under all the circumstances and his remains were placed in the family of the case they urged their call unduly. vault." 204 DIARV OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1803. middle of the day at a Dutch tavern. Saw Mr. Brown,' a merchant, formerly minister at Glastonbury. 28. This village, Shingle-Kill, belongs to the society of Acra,^ where Mr. E. J. Chapman,^ formerly missionary to New Connecticut, now preaches. Rode to Acra, three miles, in the forenoon ; preached for Mr. Chapman from 2 Tim : iv : 7, 8, Afternoon heard him. Returned to Shingle-Kill and preached from Zech. ix : 12. Where I do not mention the mode, I shall preach without notes, as I have today. 20. Warm and exceeding dusty. This part of the country suffering much with a drought. Rode to Acra. Mr. Chapman rode with me to New Dur- ham. Mr. Townsend concluded to tarry till tomorrow. Esq. Selden and wife* here from Haddam. This a pleasant town. A meeting-house here and one at Acra. 30. Wrote to my father. Weather much cooler. Rode on a good turnpike road. Crossed the Delaware bridge. Turned out a few miles to Jefferson. Tarried with Esq. Bayard. 31. In the morning preached from Zech. ix : 12. Rode to Harpersfield, and preached in a meeting-house from Gen. vi : 3. At evening attended a conference. Some thoughtfulness here. Mr. Marsh, of Ballston, preached in the afternoon before me in the same exercise. In conference spoke against the practice of relating experiences, which they have practiced here. Mr. Fenn,^ the minister here, gone to Connecticut. Tarried. Left home with cash $141.67. September. 1. Rode to Meredith^ and out to Delhi.'' Called on Eben Foote, Esq. Treated politely. In the evening preached in the court-house from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. In almost every settlement find some former acquaintance. 2. Rode back to Meredith and on to Franklin.* Preached with notes principally at a funeral from i Cor. vii : 29, 31. A large concourse of people. A hard shower. Saw Rev. Mr. Harrower,' of Walton, '° near here. He as- sisted in the exercise. Concluded to stay here till after the Sabbath. ' Rev. William Brown, a graduate of Yale, ^ Probably Stephen Fenn, a native of 1789, licensed to preach by the New Haven Watertown, Ct., a graduate of Yale, 1790. West Association, 1791, and pastor at Glas- * Meredith was in Delaware County, and tonbury, Ct., from May, 1792, to January, was a new town with an excellent class of in- I797> when for some reason he left the min- habitants. In 1800, its population numbered istry for secular pursuits. only two hundred and thirteen. ^ The town of Acra, in which Shingle-Kill ' Delhi, in the same count)-, was organized was embraced, was in Greene County, New in 1798. York. It was fourteen miles back from the" ^Franklin, in the same county, sixteen Hudson River in the Catskill Mountain region. miles west of Delhi, was settled in 1785. * Rev. Ezekiel J. Chapman, graduated at 9 David Harrower, who labored as a min- Yale, 1799, licensed by Tolland Association, ister and missionary in Eastern and Central Oct. 6, 1801, and commissioned the same New York, received the degree of A. M. }-car by Connecticut Missionary Society for from Williams College in 1805, and died in service in New Connecticut. 1854, aged eighty-six. He was pastor at ■* It will be remembered that they were at Trenton, Oneida County, for some years. Norfolk, Ct., just before Mr. Robbins left '° Walton was taken from Franklin in home. 1797. 1803.] ON HIS MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 205 3. Had some clothes waslied. Wrote in my diary. Walked about and visited. Wrote to my father. 4. The people here have a new meeting-house nearly finished and a very respectable congregation. Preached from Jude xi : i; Zech. ix : 12. At evening attended a conference. 5. In the morning my horse was gone ; but through the kindness of a good Providence he was found in a neighboring pasture at some distaiice. Rode to Jericho.' Crossed the Susquehanna^ at Wattle's ferry by fording. Crossed the Unidillai^ near by in the same way. Rivers very low. From Catskill to Wattle's ferry there is a turnpike road nearly completed, ninety miles. Tarried with Rev. Mr. Chapin." 6. Rode to Greene/ alias Jones settlement. Tarried at Capt. Parker's, formerly from Norfolk. Found Mr. Dickinson and Miss P. Jones from Nor- folk. Wrote to my brother James. Preached from 2 Tim. iv: 7,8. Quite cool. 7. Rode to Lisle.^ Tarried with Mr. Williston.^ Bad road and quite unpleasant country. Very few inhabitants. Crossed the Chenango with con- siderable difficulty. Very cold for the season. 8. Had an agreeable and instructive visit with Brown's settlement in the town of Tioga. ^ This morning a hard frost. A very great drought through this country. At evening preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. A ver}- cold night. Rode six miles without a house. 9. Called on Mr. S. Farrand,' formerly from Canaan. Rode down the Owego Creek to Owego village. At evening preached from Acts viii : 8. This place quite corrupt. 10. I don't know as I have been in one settlement without finding some persons who know me or my father. Rode down the Susquehanna to Tioga Point '° in Pennsylvania. Will God be with me while I remain in a State in which I never was before. This village very pleasant. The frosts appear to have put a stop to vegetation, 11. Preached from Jude xi and Acts xxvi : 8. Quite warm. Yesterday my watch fell out of the bed and broke the ciystal. Cannot get it replaced. Was requested to baptize a child by half-way covenant parents." After meet- ' Jericho (not then a town), was eighteen we have several times written, was pastor miles west of Franklin. here at Lisle, 1803-1810. ^ The Susquehanna divides Delaware ^ Tioga was in Tioga County. The town County from Otsego County. was formed in 1800, and is one hundred and * A small river in Otsego County, empty- seventy-six miles from Albany, ing into the Susquehanna. ' Prqbably a son of Rev. Daniel Farrand, ■• Rev. Joel Chapin, born at Ludlow, the life-long minister of Canaan. Mass., 1761, graduated at Dartmouth, 1791, '° Tioga Point appears to have been some died at Bainbridge, N. Y., Aug. 5, 1S45. ^'^^^^ designation in the town of Litchfield, ^ Greene was in the southwestern corner Bradford County, Penn. of Chenango County, and was formed by " He does not tell us whether he baptized combining Union and Jericho. the child or not. The half-way practice had '' Lisle was in Broome County. been long in use in the New England churches, ^ Rev. Seth Williston, D. D., of whom though it was now rapidly passmg away. 2o6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1803. in"' crossed the Tioga,' then the Susquehanna, below the confluence to the east side, and rode to New Sheshequin." In the evening preached from Zech. ix: 12. Afterwards had a warm attack from Universalists. 12. Disputed with a Universalist the most of the forenoon. Very absurd and hardened. Crossed the river and rode out to Smithfield.^ Preached without any book from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Some thoughtfulness among the people here. A very new place. Quite warm. 13. Rode to old Sheshequin alias Ulster.'* 7. Preached with notes from Phil, ii : 12, 13. Saw two Binghams, formerly from Norfolk. 14. Mostly Connecticut people here. They have some anxiety about holding their lands. There is not a settled minister in this count\% Luzerne,^ very large. The drought such that the most of the mills in the country are still. Crossed and recrossed the river and rode to Claverack alias Sugar Creek. 6. Preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19, a clause. Tarried with Mr. Beards- ley, from Norfolk. 15. Had some clothes washed. Wrote in my diary. A church at Smith- field,* Congregational, and one here, Claverack, under the Morristown Pres- byter}^ The Connecticut Evangelical Magazine is taken in most all these settlements. Rode to Wypore Creek. Had appointed a lecture, but in con- sequence of a heavy rain, and not great notice, the people did not collect. The rain a great blessing. Crossed to the east side of the river. Good meadows on this river in some places. 16. Rode to Wyalusing,^ alias Springfield. Tarried with Maj. Gaylord from Norfolk. Preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Rode through a very narrow and hideous strait. The settlements on this river principally at the mouths of the creeks. This a pretty settlement. 17. Rode to Black Walnut Bottom, alias Braintrem.* Tarried with Mr. Justus Gaylord from Norfolk. Preached from 2 Tim. iii : 9. A Presbyterian church here and one at Wyalusing. Visited a sick woman. 18. Preached in a barn in the forenoon from Acts viii : 8. Administered the holy sacrament. Was much affected. Hope I found it a good and refreshing season. Afternoon preached from Zech. ix : 12. Quite cool. People very attentive. 19. My horse's back quite sore. Some difficulties in this church. The sentiments of the Universalists prevail considerably in this part of the coun- ' The Tioga was a small stream running County when he said this. But Luzerne through the Tioga valley, and emptying into County was to the southeast, and it does not the Susquehanna. appear that he had then been within its bor- ^ New Sheshequin was in Bradford County, ders, though he afterwards went there. Penn., on the east bank of the Susquehanna. * Smithfield, where he was making this ' Smithfield was in Bradford County, about passing stay, was more than thirty miles to nine miles west of New Sheshequin. the northwest from Luzerne County. * He now returns on his track. Old She- ^ Wyalusing is about twenty miles south- shequin or Ulster, was on the west side of the east from Smithfield, on the west bank of the Susquehanna. He had passed through the Susquehanna in Bradford County. place in going from New Sheshequin to ^ Braintrem is still farther to the south- Smithfield. east, and is in Wyoming County. He was ' It would seem that he was in Luzerne journeying in a southwest direction. 1803.] ON HIS MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 207 try. Preached in the evening to a pretty good number, very solemn, from 2 Cor. iv: 3. On the 17th rode over a very high hill, where I had a most grand, extensive, and happy prospect. 20. Wrote. Rode to Tunkhannock Creek,' alias Putnam. Got consider- ably wet with rain. 21. Rode up the Tunkhannock Creek.^ Preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19. There has been a considerable religious commotion in this quarter for some time past. Mostly Baptist, but I believe in many instances a good work.' 22. Rode back to the mouth of the creek. Preached to twelve persons from Acts xvii : 31, last clause. People here very ignorant and stupid. 23. Difficulty between husbands and wives in this country very frequent. Separations and remarrj-ings not uncommon. Rode to Wilkesbarre.'* Since I came to this river I have traveled over a very hilly country. Near the river the land is very poor, mountainous, and great forests of pine. A few miles back from the river is a passable, settleable' country. Immense quan- tities of lumber carried down this river. It is thought that on the Tunkhan- nock Creek there are now two million feet of boards ready for exportation. Last spring was no freshet and very few were carried. As I approached to Wilkesbarre I came into a more open and pleasant country. This the hand- somest town I have seen since I left Catskill, settled more than thirty years. Crossed and recrossed the river, once in a boat, and every other time I have crossed was by fording. 24. Crossed the river to Kingston by ferr}-, and rode out five miles. Saw the ground of the great Indian battle,* July 3, 1778. Four hundred people went out to the battle, and about three hundred were killed. Preached from Matt. XX : 14. Quite warm. Returned. 5-1-5 = 10. This neighborhood all formerly called Wyoming. People here mostly from Connecticut. 25. Preached in the court-house to a respectable congregation. Forenoon from Acts xvii : 31. Last evening from Acts viii : 8. A respectable Congre- gational church here.^ A large, good meeting-house, with a high steeple, erected here and enclosed. Quite tired. ' Tunkhannock in Wyoming County, is War. Mr. Robbins dates it July 3. Others still farther southeast on the east bank of the say July 4. A Tory wretch by the name of Susquehanna. John Butler, with a company of Indians and ^ This creek is the Tunkhannock River, white men painted to appear like Indians, in- a small river, being called a creek in many vaded this valley, and overcame a small force parts of the country. under Col. Zebulon Butler sent out against ^ Denominational courtesies and charities him, and then set fire to the dwellings and in those days are to be noted and cherished. slaughtered men, women, and children indis- * Wilkesbarre was in Luzerne County, criminately. This was the foundation of Penn., on the east bank of the Susquehanna. Campbell's celebrated poem, " Gertrude of ' A word that Mr. Robbins seems to have Wyoming," which has been read by millions coined on the spot. on both continents. * Kingston was on the other side of the ^ There is a Congregational church now river from Wilkesbarre, and the scene of the at Kingston, Penn., but the organization of slaughter was a few miles from Kingston up 1S03 probably passed to the Presbyterians, the beautiful valley of the Wyoming River. The present Congregational church there was This slaughter was during the Revolutionary organized in 1868. 208 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS R0I5BINS, D.D. [1803. 26. On the 24tli rinished reading the Bible,' which I Ijegan and began to read the New Testament in course, A pretty hard rain. Dined with Mr. Griffin,' a lawyer and acquaintance. Wrote. Towards evening rode to Hanover.^ Preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8, Some poor, hardened inhdels, and many wrong religionists here. 27. Rode to Plymouth,'* alias Shawnee, across the river. Preached to a large number of people in the evening from 2 Tim. ii : 19. Several of the people here strong Universalists. Preached plainly, and I hope with some power. 28. The finest season for journeying I ever knew. The weather perfectly favorable. Rode to Huntington^ off from the river to the west. Stayed with Mr. Tubbs, formerly from Norfolk.* Walked out and saw his sons, all settled. They raise great quantities of buckwheat all over this country. They fre- quently sow it after a crop of wheat. 29. In the forenoon preached from John iv : 15, wholly extempore. Thought of the text after I began the exercise. Rode out and saw some acquaintance, then to another part of Huntington. Preached in the evening from 2 Cor. iv : 3. A number of Universalists here. They have had tw'o preachers of that class, but their characters appearing to be consistent with their principles, I think the people are getting oiT from the sentiment. In consequence of the peculiar situation of this people, was persuaded, contrary to my plan, to be here on the next Sabbath. Tarried with Mr. Hoyt from Norfolk. 30. Rode to Fishing Creek,^ Northumberland County. Preached in the evening from Matt, xviii : 3. Quite cool. The man with whom I stayed yesterday harrowed twelve acres of ground, and eleven acres today twice over, with one pair of horses. October. 1. Rode up Fishing Creek five miles, and preached from Matt, xxvii : 43. Rode back to Huntington. 17. Very little attention paid here to Saturday evening, and but little to the Sabbath. 2. Quite full meeting. Preached from Jude xi and from 2 Peter ii : 2. People pretty attentive, and some I think solemn. After meeting talked till ' Bible here means Old Testament, and he younger brother of the celebrated Edward forgot to insert the date when he began the Dorr Griffin, D. D. Old Testament. 3 Hanover, a few miles south on the east - George Griffin, LL. D., graduated at side of the Susquehanna River. Yale, 1797. He was the father of Edmund * riymouth, in Luzerne County, on the D. Griffin, born in Wyoming, 1S04, an emi- west bank of the river. nent scholar and writer, who died in New ^ Huntington, in Luzerne County, about York, Sept. i, 1830, at the age of twenty-six. eight miles west of the Susquehanna. Allen in his Biographical Dictioiiary says : <> Connecticut people seem to be pioneers "Probably America cannot boast of any in this part of Pennsylvania as in New York, young man who, at so early a period, reached =' Fishing Creek is now in Columbia such a hight of learning and eloquence. County, but Northumberland County adjoins, George Griffm, the father, was a native of and probably at that time Columbia County Connecticut, born at East Haddam, and a did not exist. 1S03.] ON HIS MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 20Q night with some ignorant, obstinate Universalists. At evening rode out and preached from Acts viii : 8 ; three miles. Ver)' tired, but God gives me strength beyond what I could expect. 3. Rode to Fishing Creek. This is training day in this State. The militia very far in the rear of the militia in New England. The militia law in this State excuses no person except postmasters and ferrymen. At evening- preached to a good number from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. At night a considerable rain, very refreshing to the ground suffering with drought. 4. Rode on in Northumberland County, down Fishing Creek to the river, crossed the river to Catawissa.' This a pleasant little town, regularly laid out, at the mouth of Catawissa Creek. The people mostly Germans and Quakers. At evening the people collected, and I preached from Acts xvii : 31, last clause. 5. I have now finished my mission in this part of the country. Crossed the river after receiving some very sincere good wishes from several Quakers, and rode down on the west side to Northumberland. Called on Dr. Priestly.^ Treated politely. His library and laboratory quite a curiosity. Dined, etc. Crossed the river, rode through Sunbury, and several miles below. Tarried at a tavern. From the time I left home till I finished my mission ^ was forty- one days. I preached thirty-nine times, attended two conferences, and admin- istered the sacrament of the Lord"s Supper once. In the time I rode four hundred and seventy-one miles. My expenses did not exceed three dollars. I met with the utmost kindness wherever I went. I never enjoyed better health, and the weather, excepting two or three hot days, was as favorable as could be wished for. I am not without hopes that I have been made a means of some little good. 6. Rode to Paxton." Crossed a very high mountain. The river in many places very rocky and rough. The annual election in this State is to be next week. Candidates for office all engaged electioneering, carried on in a very gross manner.^ Almost all the fruit in this country cut off by the frosts the 8th and 9th of May, which were hard and very extensive. 7. Rode to Harrisburgh,^ a flourishing trading town, crossed the river, a ' Catawissa is also in the present Colum- ^ From the expression here used, it is evi- bia County, near its western boundary, and dent that he had a special commission from on the easterly (or, more probably here), the Connecticut Missionary Society to do this southerly side. work in Pennsylvania, on his way to his chief ^ Joseph Priestly, D. D., born at Field- work on the Connecticut Reserve. It was for head, Yorshire, Eng., March 24, 1733, a phi- this in part, and in part because of sickness, losopher and voluminous writer. After a wide th^t he was kept so long in Pennsylvania, range of experiences he was settled in Bir- * Paxton was in the extreme southwest mingham. Here he was mobbed and his corner of Northumberland County. house burned because of his sympathy wiih ^ Political corruptions not confined to the French Revolutionists. This was in 179 1. modern times. In 1794, he came to this country and settled ^ He is following down the Susquehanna in this town of Northumberland. Here he River. Harrisburg is about twenty-seven miles died soon after this visit of Mr. Robbins, from Paxton, in Dauphin County on the east Feb. 6, 1S04. side of the river. 2IO DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1803. mile wide, and rode to Carlisle.' Concluded to tarry till next week, my horse being pretty tired. From Harrisburgh to Carlisle eighteen miles, the finest farming country I ever saw. The mountainous countr}' ceases a little above Harrisburgh. Last week and this people have generally done their sowing. The crops this year generally light in consequence of late frosts in the spring, the great drought, and a hard frost the 8th and 9th of September. After crossing the river at Harrisburgh I was in the county of Cumberland. Where I have come in this State the people generally live in houses of squared logs, some in houses of stone. I have crossed the Susquehanna fifteen times, twelve of which by fording. 8. This an old and for an inland quite a populous town. The houses mostly of stone. The college^ here has existed about twenty years. Very small endowments. A building has been lately burnt ; they are now erecting a new one, one hundred and fifly feet by fifty-five, four stories, of stone. Wrote to my parents. Called on Rev. Dr. Davidson. 9. Afternoon preached to a large audience from Zech. ix : 12 for Dr. Nisbet,^ the president of the college. Tarried with Dr. Davidson.* 10. The missionary business is a matter of novelty here. Wrote to Dr. West, Stockbridge, and to Dr. Strong, Hartford. Walked out and saw the barracks in this town erected in 1777. They are of brick, two stories, twenty- two feet wide. Two of the buildings are ninety yards in length, one eighty, and two seventy. They catch shad in the Juniata River, one hundred and fifty miles from its mouth. 11. Set out on my journey to cross the mountains. Rode through Ship- penburgh' to Strasburgh,^ at the foot of the first mountains, Franklin County. This day is the annual election in this State. A confused scene. Saw their mode of procedure in several places. From Harrisburgh here a beautiful country. Bill in the morning 4.50. 12. Crossed the first three mountains, ten miles. Rode to foot of Sideling hill, Bedford County.^ I think those three mountains the hardest I ever passed. 13. Crossed Sideling hill, seven miles, rode through Bedford to Shells. Last night a pretty hard rain, very favorable, as the country universally suffers much with the drought. So great never known here. A great number of wagons with the finest teams of horses constantly on the road from Philadel- phia to Pittsburgh. ' Carlisle is near the center of Cumber- * Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D., had been land County, west from Harrisburg about a professor in the college almost, if not quite, eighteen miles. from the first, and on the death of Dr. Nis- ^ Dickinson College, located in Carlisle, bet vfa.s made president. 1783- ' Shippenburg is in the southwest corner ^ Rev. Charles Nisbet, D. D., a native of of Cumberland County. Scotland, was made president of Dickinson * Strasburg is in Franklin County, near College at its foundation, but did not enter the western line of the county, upon the duties of his office till 1785. He ^ He is now journeying through the south- died soon after this visit of Mr. Robbins, ern tier of counties in Pennsylvania bordering Jan. 17, 1804, aged si.\ty-six. on Virginia. 1S03.] ON HIS MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 211 14. Crossed the Alleghany Mountain, the highest in the United States. The ascent on the east side is perhaps four miles. On the west very gradual and distant. Rode through Stystown, Somerset County. Crossed the Laurel Hill, six miles to East Liberty, Fisher's, Westmoreland County.' 15. Last night a hard rain. The only time that T have been hindered any by rain since I left home. Crossed the Chestnut Ridge. Rode to Greens- burgh, the shire town of Westmoreland County. I have now done with the mountains. The Laurel Hill on the west side is the worst of all; next to that are the three mountains near Strasburgh. Heard about cousin Isaac Rob- bins,^ a Methodist jDreacher in this country. 16. In the forenoon went to meeting as a stranger. Heard Mr. Spear,' who preaches here and at a neighboring congregation. A very respectable congregation met in the court-house. Afternoon preached from Zech. ix : 12. After which rode to Unity with Mr. Spear. Mr. Spear a very worthy man. 17. Quite cold. Concluded not to proceed immediately on my journey as I had intended, but to go a little out and attend a Presbytery and a sacra- mental occasion next Sabbath. I conclude it will not be inconsistent with the design of my mission. Afternoon set out with Mr. Spear to go to the Presby- tery. Rode eight miles. 18. A very great and extraordinary religious work in this part of the countr}'. Rode to the forks of the Yohogany."* Met with the Presbytery ; about ten ministers. They appear very well. Treated kindly. 19. Most of the ministers and serious people in this part of the country, and of all classes, are Democrats.' The Presbytery licensed two candidates. I was requested to sit with the Presbytery. There is scarcely a Presbyterian congregation in Westmoreland or Washington Counties where the work of religion does not appear.^ At evening preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19. Three persons were struck down.^ .\ most extraordinary sight such as I never saw or conceived. 20. This day is observed by the people here as a Fast, preparatory to the sacrament. Mr. Guthrie,^ a candidate, preached in the forenoon ; I preached in the afternoon from Acts viii : 8. In the time of the exercises and soon ' He is passing now somewhat more to Presbytery occurred. There is a town Yohog- the north. Fayette County lies between any, and the meeting seems to have been at or Westmoreland County and the Virginia line. near the Yohogany Forks, about thirty miles ^ It will be remembered that this Isaac west of Greensburgh. Robbins made a visit at the Norfolk parson- ' A somewhat strange and stubborn fact age years before. He was a son of Dr. to encounter by a thorough-going Federalist Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth, Mass., born from Connecticut. June 19, 1770, but did not have a college ^ Some special religious interest, education. '' This was a common occurrence among ^ Rev. William Spear, a graduate of Dirk- the early Methodists of this country in times inson College, 17S8. of religious excitement, but seems also to ■♦ We are yet within the bounds of West- have prevailed among these earlier Presby- moreland County, Penn., but close on the bor- terian churches in western Pennsylvania, der of Alleghany County. Mr. Robbins does ^ Rev. James Guthrie, a graduate of Dick- not name the town where this meeting of the inson College, 179S. 212 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1803. after, about ten or twelve persons fell, mostly young women. Some make a very great noise. The scene is not to be described. At evening attended a conference, three persons fell, others far more lightly affected. 21. The Presbytery finished their business last evening. The people here make considerable preparations for company at the sacrament. 22. About noon' the people met to begin the public exercises. There are four ministers and several candidates. Mr. Swan ^ preached, after which Mr. Porter* gave an exhortation. The ministers here in all their exercises are very long. The assembly was quite large. Perhaps twenty or twenty-five were struck. I prayed with some under very great affections. The degrees of impression are very various. At evening Mr. Woods preached. Part of the time the noise is such that a speaker cannot be heard. 23. Public worship was held in a grove.* I imagine there were near three thousand people. Mr. Green' preached in the forenoon. After which the sacrament was administered. The communicants were about three hundred. There were 'five setts at the tables. Mr. Porter^ served the tables and admin- istered to the first, Mr. Swan '' to the second, Mr. Woods ^ to the third, Mr. Spear' to the fourth, I did at the fifth. The sacramental exercises were about three hours. It was an exceedingly solemn and affecting occasion. Many persons fell at the tables and were supported. I was very much affected. Mr. Porter preached towards night. In the course of the day perhaps forty or fifty persons fell. There was more or less noise the whole time. In the evening there was what they term a society, held in the meeting-house. Exercises of alternate singing and praying. I delivered an extempore address from Luke XV : 17. The people were dismissed after ten o'clock, and the most of the ministers and some others retired. But the most of the people continued in the exercises of worship till after one, and some till three or four o'clock in the morning. People are collected from all the neighboring places and some from fifteen, twenty, or thirty miles. All treated with perfect hospitality. In the evening the religious exercises were very powerful, and in some instances the noise greater than I ever heard from human voices. 24. The people met for worship at the grove about eleven o'clock. The number almost equal to what it was yesterday. I preached from Jer. viii : 20. Many fell. Some of the time the people very much affected. After I had ' This was Saturday. The meeting began ord as throwing a clear light over times and the Tuesday before. customs past and forgotten. The usefuhiess ^ Rev. William Swan, graduate of Jeffer- of such exercises depends upon circumstances, son College, having charge of Presbyterian ^ Rev. Ashbel Green, D. D., pastor of churches at Long Run and Sewickley. Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. ' Rev. Samuel Porter, pastor of Presby- * Rev. Samuel Porter, terian church at Congruity, Penn. ^ Rev. William Swan. * The details of this meeting Mr. Robbins ^ Rev. William Woods, pastor of Presby- has given at length. In its general plan and terian churches at Slippery Rock and Lower conception it was not unlike an old-fashioned Neshannock. Methodist camp-meeting. In some respects 9 Rev. William Spear, pastor of churches it was quite different. It is a valuable rec- at Unity and Greensburgh. 1803.] ON HIS MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 213 preached, the people not appearing willing to disperse, Mr. Woods preached and the people were dismissed towards night. Tiie ground was not wholly kft till sunset. There appeared clear evidences of the divine presence and power through the whole exercises of the occasion. Very tired, having slept and eat little and irregularly for some days. Weather quite warm and pleas- ant for the season. 25. The religious exercises of the people here consist much in singing hymns. Find the people very friendly. Afternoon set out on my journey for New Connecticut. Rode to a Mr. Perry's on the Monongahela, Alleghany County. Kindly entertained. The rivers in this country lower than ever was known. 26. Last night about twelve o'clock was taken with a hard diarrhoea.* It still continues attended with considerable fever. My strength very much reduced. 27. My disorder in some degree abated. Had considerable pain and fever. 28. Am worse than yesterday. I fear I shall be confined for some time. Have the kindest attention from Mr. Perry and his famil)-. 29. Walked out. Crossed the Monongahela and returned. The banks of the river opposite to where I stay was the headquarters of Gen. Morgan ^ and his army at the time of the insurrection in this country.^ Got worried by going out, and took some cold. At night my disorder came on with greater violence than ever. 30. Very weak and sick. In the morning sent for a physician. Scarcely able to sit up through the day. 31. Through God's mercy am better than j-esterday, though very weak. I believe bilious disorders are my principal difficulty. Kept my chamber. I could not have been taken better care of had I been at home. Blessed be God for all his goodness. November. 1. Some people in this part of the country have monthly seasons for prayer. There are a great variety of religious denominations, but I believe the Presbyterians are the most numerous. 2. Hope I am getting better. Think considerably about home. Some of the time pretty gloomy. Friends called to see me. 3. Had a poor turn, and bad return of my disorder. Fear I am too anxious about pursuing my journey. Endeavored to commit my whole cause to God, and to yield wholly to his disposal. 4. Feel considerably gloomy, but am better than yesterday. ' A week like that which he had just 1737, but emigrated to Virginia. He died in passed through might naturally prepare him 1802. for such an attack. ^ The Whiskey Insurrection in 1794. To ^ Daniel Morgan, Brigadier General, a suppress it Washington was obliged to call Revolutionary officer, born in New Jersey, out the troops. 214 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBEINS, D.D. [1803 5. All the rivers in this country are lower than was remembered ever to have been. Yesterday rode out a mile and heard a Methodist preach. His doctrines quite corrupt and he wiiolly unable to defend them. Today rode out two miles. Pretty tired, but hope it was of service to me. Gave notice that I would try to preach tomorrow at the house where I keep. 6. A pretty large number of j^eople collected. I was unable to stand to preach, but sat in an armed-chair on a table and preached from Zech. ix : 12. A number of persons fell. Quite tired, but I believe my preaching has done me no injury. 7. Wrote some for the first time in my sickness. Quite cool. It snowed some. 8. Had an ill turn, with something of my disorder. May the Lord take care of me. 9. The treaty is published and ratified by which Louisiana is ceded to this country. I believe it to be unconstitutional, for I believe the Constitution was made for the United States and no other.' Very cold. 10. Think I get better, but it is but slowly. Rode out a little distance. 11. In the morning the Monongahela was frozen over. Rode to the upper congregation,^ in the forks of the Yohogany, where I was at the sacrament on the 23d ult., nine miles. Blessed be God that I am at length able to ride. 12. Rode to Col. Cook's. Mr. Porter came here to preach tomorrow, this congregation being vacant. With several young people had one of the most serious and solemn evenings I ever witnessed, I was very much affected. 13. Something wet. Pretty feeble. Made out to ride to meeting, and heard Mr. Porter preach. 14. Took some cold yesterday. Treated with great kindness wherever I go. It is thought that one half of the people in this State over thirty years of age are natives of Europe. 15. Quite poor. Afternoon preached in the meeting-house with notes. People here much unused to ministers using notes. None fell ; some consider- ably affected. 16. Tarried last night with Dr. Smith from Connecticut, who was my phy- sician in my sickness. Rode to Col. Perry's where I was sick. Quite cold. Hope I am better than yesterday. 17. Yesterday received four dollars and ten cents from Col. Power, of the upper congregation, for my preaching among them. Rode out. Tarried with Mr, Shields. 18. Rode to the upper congregation. Visited. At evening preached at ' That was an idea of the Federalists at of our government. It added to our national the time, as they were not prepared to find territory those vast regions of the West and anything good in the acts of President Jeffer- Northwest, without which we should now son. A nephew of the writer of this diary, seem crippled and poor. This populous ter- now well advanced in life, and never a Dem- ritory has vast spaces yet to be filled, ocrat, says, in this year 1884, that he consid- = There seem to have been two congrega- ers the purchase of Louisiana the most states- lions, called the upper and the lower, at the manlike act to be found in the whole history Yohogany Forks. 1803.] ON HIS MISSIONARY JOURNEY, 215 Col. Power's from 2 Tim, iv : 7, 8, A considerable number fell. It snowed some. The people in these congregations appear to be desirous that I would stay with them. 19, Visited. Rode to the lower congregation. Am still weak. 20, Preached in the meeting-house from 2 Cor. iv: 3. Several fell, some made a great noise. After meeting rode to Mr. Perry's. 21, I think I am in such measure restored that I may proceed on my journey. I have been detained here nearly four weeks. Received four dollars from this congregation for preaching. Col. Perry made me no charge. Left his house, crossed the Monongahela, rode clown and recrossed to Pitts- burgh.' This town appears to be a place of business, pleasantly situated, but pretty dirty, and the houses very black with the smoke of the coal which they use almost entirely for fuel. Some good brick buildings. Traded and paid a tailor $17.70, 22, Called on Baldwin,^ an attorney, a former acquaintance. Crossed the Monongahela, rode down the Ohio on the west side to Scot's, Beaver County, 20. 1. 41, 23, Quite cold but pleasant. Rode ten miles and crossed the Ohio ^ to Mcintosh, Took the road to New Connecticut ; rode to Beers.*' From Pitts- burgh to Mcintosh, alias Beaver,^ the shire town of Beaver County, the river runs considerably north of northwest. The distance is thirty miles. 24, The man who kept me would take nothing. Rode three miles, came into the State of Ohio, Columbiana County.* Rode on to Poland, Trumbull County,^ alias New Connecticut, 14, From Mcintosh here thirty-one miles; the course is I believe but a little west of north. The road pretty good. This day is Thanksgiving in Connecticut. Through the kind care of a merciful and holy Providence I have been preserved on my long journey, and now brought to the end of it. I have been three months on the road,^ have ' This was in Alleghany County. He first ^ Beaver, the shire town of Beaver, is crossed from the east to the west side of the about at the central point of the county. Monongahela, rode down the river, and then * At last he is in the State of Ohio, recrossed the Monongahela, and went to though not yet on the Connecticut Re- Pittsburgh, a few miles east of the river. serve. Pittsburgh, now a city of more than 150,000 ^ Originally there were eight counties on inhabitants, in 1803 had a population of about the Connecticut Reserve. These were Ash- 2,000. tabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Huron, Loraine, ^ Henry Baldwin, a native of New Haven, Medina, Portage, and Trumbull. By subse- Ct, son of a farmer, graduate of Yale, 1797, quent divisions four more counties have been classmate o£ George Griffin, mentioned in made almost entirely out of this same ter- previous note, whom he found at Wilkes- ritory. The additional counties are Mahon- barre, Penn., classmate also of President Jere- ing. Lake, Summit, and Erie. Poland, where miah Day, D. D., Lyman Beecher, D. D., he stopped in Trumbull County, is now in and other notable men. Mr. Baldwin was Mahoning. member of Congress from Pennsylvania, and * He left home the 26th of August, and it for many years Associate Judge of the Su- was now the 24th of November. He passed preme Court of the United States. the State line between New York and Penn- ^ After the Alleghany and Monongahela sylvania on the loth of September, so that mingle their waters the river is the Ohio. by the detentions of labor and those of ill- ■* Beers seems not to have been the name ness, he was on the Pennsylvania soil about of a town. two and a half months. 2l6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1803. met with great kindness from people, and have been under the uninterrupted care and protection of a holy God. Rode on my journey eight hundred and thirty-four miles. 25. Quite unwell. Had something of my late disorder. Believe I was too much worried by my journey. Treated with kindness. 26. Quite weak. Visited several families. Quite cold. 27. Before preaching read my papers from the Missionary Society and my father's charge. Preached from Acts viii : 8 and Zech. ix : 12. A very good number of people and quite attentive. Mostly Pennsylvanians. At evening Mr. Badger,' the other missionary in this county, came to see me. 28. Think I am getting better. Rode through Boardman to Canfield.'' 29. Kept at Mr. Wadsworth's from Litchfield, Ct., with Mr. Badger. Be- gan a letter to my parents. Visited some families. This town considerably settled. About sixty families. 30. Wrote on my letter. People here have been expecting me for a con- siderable time. There appears to be much need of missionary labors. Considerable awakening at Austinburgh' and other parts of the county. Blessed be the Author of all good. At night considerable rain. December. 1. Visited. Rode to Boardman* and preached a lecture from Luke xv: 17. Rainy and cold. Roads pretty bad. 2. It snowed some. Quite cold. Rode to Poland^ and back to Can- field. Conclude to spend a few weeks in this part of the county. Visited. 3. Finished my long letter to my parents. Gave a particular account of the work of grace in Pennsylvania. ' Rev. Joseph Badger was born in what is now Wilbraham, Mass., Feb. 28, 1757. In early life his father removed to Peru, in Berkshire County. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, he enlisted as a sol- dier and served several years in the army. Afterwards being at service in New Preston, Ct., he studied with Rev. Jeremiah Day, and recited with his boys Jeremiah and Thomas, the former of whom was afterwards for many years President of Yale College, and the latter Secretary of State in Connecticut. Badger entered Yale College and was gradu- ated in 1785. He was settled 1786-7, at Ply- mouth, Ct., and 1787-1800, at Blandford, Mass. In the latter year he entered upon his work as home missionary, commissioned by the Connecticut Missionary Society, and be- came a veteran in the service. He died in Ohio in 1846, at the age of eighty-nine. ^ Boardman and Canfield are in the pres- ent Mahoning County. Rev. John S. Whitman, pastor of the Congregational church in Canfield, writes under date of Oct. 23, 1884, as follows: " Canfield has its name from Hon. Judson Canfield, who was born in New Milford, Ct., Jan. 23, 1759, graduated at Yale in 17S2, ad- mitted to the bar and settled in Sharon, Ct., in 1786. State Senator from 1808 to 18 15. Died Feb. 5, 1840." "OLD TOWNSHIP RECORDS." "April, 1798. Voted, that township No. I in 3d range should be called Campfield. "April 15, 1880. Voted that the above township should be called Canfield." ^ Austinburgh or Austintown, as it is now called, is the township next north of Can- field, and is within the present Mahoning (then Trumbull) County. It received its name from Eliphalet Austin, a native of Tor- ringford, Ct., who removed first to New Hartford, Ct., thence to New Hartford, N. Y., and thence to New Connecticut in 1799. ■• Boardman joins Canfield on the east. ^ Poland next town east from Canfield. Poland touches the Pennsylvania line. 1803.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 217 4. Quite a respectable congregation. Mostly Connecticut people. Preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19, a clause, and from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. The people appear pretty stupid. 5. Read the Bible. Rode out. Saw a log-house put up. Quite warm for the season. Discoursed considerably on Christian doctrines. 6. Read newspapers. The conduct of Congress in most things quite contemptible. Read. Wrote. Began a letter to Dr. Strong, of Hartford. 7. Wrote. Afternoon preached a lecture from John iv: 15. People here appear but little disposed to attend lectures. 8. Visited several families ; a sick woman apparently in a consumption. Quite rainy. The young people in this town had a smart dance. 9. Roads pretty muddy. Wrote. Some people here appear disposed to cavil with Christian doctrines. 10. Had some clothes made. Rode to Boardman. Finished my letter to Mr. Strong, in which I gave an account of the revival of religion in Penn- sylvania. 11. Preached from Jude xi and Heb. xi : 30. Quite rainy. The most of the people in this town are Pennsylvanians. Ar evening read a Hartford newspaper.' 12. Visited some families. Rode to Canfield. Bad riding. The land here generally very muddy in a wet season. 13. Worked on some articles of convenience for myself. It snowed and rained considerably. For a week past there has been a great deal of rain. The mills which were generally dry begin to do business. Towards night rode out. 14. Visited nine families. There is a prospect of an open winter. Many people here hold bad principles in religion, and some are much inclined to infidelity. 15. Read. Visited. Rode to Poland. Cold. Very bad riding. Penn- sylvania people very kind.^ 16. Visited families. Visited and catechised' a school of seventeen scholars. They appear in a pretty good way. It snowed some. Read. 17. Rode to the north part of the town. Mostly Pennsylvania people living generally on their land without regard to roads. Preached a lecture from I Cor. ii : 4, 5. Quite cold. 18. Preached from Gen. vi : 3 and Luke xxiii : 39, 43. A pretty large meeting. Trying to propose a plan for society regulations in this town.'* ' The Connecticut Cottranf without much then commonly taught in the district schools ^o^^^- of Connecticut, and the Connecticut people - Some of these Pennsylvania people may would be likely to take this custom along have been Connecticut people by a second with them to Ohio. Or he may mean that remove. It will be remembered that Mr. he only asked questions about their school Robbins found Connecticut people all the studies. We know by later entries that the way along through Pennsylvania. Assembly's Catechism was in honor in Ohio. 3 He may mean that he examined them * The town where he is now making his on the Assembly's Catechism, which was home is Canfield. k 2l8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1803. 19. Set out to go to Warren.' Rode to Youngstown,^ then missed my road and rode into the woods seven or eight miles. I then turned about and came back four or five miles and turned off and found a house. 20. Rode to Warren from Poland, twenty miles. Very kindly received. Received an excellent letter from my father. The coldest weather we have had this season. 21. The ground very hard frozen. Wrote. Visited. At evening preached from Heb. xi : 30. A good number of hearers. People appear to have been expecting me for a considerable time. Received a letter from Mr. Badger.^ 22. Severe cold. Rode to Youngstown. At evening preached from Acts viii : 8. Traded. 5.50. 23. Rode to Canfield. Rainy. The religious revival in these parts of the country a subject of general conversation. 24. Rode to Boardman and returned. Read. Conversed upon religious doc- trines, particularly the error of Universalism. On the 2 2d visited a sick woman. 25. Preached from 2 Cor. iv : 3. People appear pretty attentive. I hope a church may be formed here ere long. 26. Visited. Very muddy riding. Wrote. Had a coarse coat made. Paid a tailoress $3.25. The season very open. Weather mostly cloudy but not stormy. 27. Rode to Warren, nine miles through the woods. Called at the salt spring. I think those works can never be of much utility. It requires about twelve hundred gallons of water to make a bushel of salt. 28. Rode out and visited. A Baptist church is formed in this town. People generally appear pretty careless about serious things. 29. Wrote to B. I. Oilman, " Marietta. Some people here do much in hunting. They kill a good many bears. At evening preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7,8. People appear pretty attentive. 30. It snowed considerably. Visited a school. Pretty poorly regulated, but appear ambitious. Visited families. Wrote to Col. Perry ^ on the Monongahela. At evening at family prayer was much affected, and after it had a turn which continued some time. 31. Wrote to Miss Peggy Perry,* Monongahela. Yesterday received a letter from one of my pupils at Danbury, Elisha Whittlesey. Find myself con- stantly quite full of business. May the Lord of all grace be praised that I am now brought to the close of another year. ' He starts on this journey to Warren bins, daughter of Dr. Chandler Robbins, of from Poland. Warren is the shire town of Plymouth. She was born Sept. 29, 1768. Trumbull County. Mr. Oilman was one of the founders of Mari- ^ Youngstown, the first township he en- etta, Ohio, and bore a very prominent part in tered after leaving Poland, was in the original its growth and development. Trumbull County, but is in the present Ma- ^ Qq]^ Perry, at whose house he was so honing County. kindly and generously taken care of during * Rev. Joseph Badger, see previous note. his sickness. * Benjamin I. Oilman married Hannah Rob- ^ The daughter probably of Col. Perry. 1804. January. 1. It snowed considerably, but warm. Preached from Jude xi and Luke xvi : 5, last clause. The meeting was serious and solemn ; one person fell. 2. Rode out and visited. There appears to be something of a disposi- tion among people here to attend to serious things. 3. Very muddy, bad riding. It snowed some. Visited a school of more than twenty scholars. They appear pretty well. At evening preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19. An uncomfortable time, but a good number of people col- lected. Wrote to Col. Power, Forks of Yohogany. After evening prayer my nervous system very much affected. 4. Very cold. Thought of setting out today for the upper part of the county.' But weather and riding are too unfavorable. Prepared this Alma- nack^ and finished my former one. Read the Bible. 5. Wrote to Gen. E. Champion, East Haddam, Ct. Rode out and visited. Am treated kindly by all sorts of people. At evening Mrs. Lane, where I stay, fell,^ after evening prayer. I was also much afifected. The occasion was very solemn. Some serious people present. 6. Rode through Vienna"* to Hartford,' through lovely woods. Snow three or four inclies deep. 7. Rode to Smithfield.^ There appears to be a powerful work of divine grace here. The bodily affection is a constant twitching and frequent falling without any cessation and without noise. ^ 8. Preached from Gen. vi : 3, a clause, and Luke xvi : 5, last clause. A good number of people. Some pretty violently exercised, but no noise. At evening: attended a conference. A small church was formed here last fall. ' That is, Trumbull County. Directly north ing on the subject, but it still remains a of Trumbull County, and of the same width, somewhat unexplained phenomenon, is Ashtabula County, bounded on the east by * Vienna is the next town east of War- Pennsylvania, and on the north by Lake Erie. ren, where he was staying. ^ The preparation of the Almanack con- ^ Hartford is the next town northeast of sisted in taking it apart and inserting blank Vienna, and borders on Pennsylvania. It leaves of writing paper in connection with was named from Hartford, Ct., while the every month, and several additional leaves at county was named from Gov. Jonathan Trum- the end of the year, immediately after the bull, of Connecticut. month of December. These last were for * In the original laying out of the Con- the extension of his diary, for any month, necticut Reserve, there was a town named when the leaf for that month would not hold Smithfield in Trumbull County, but it was all the entries, for an index also, and any gen- afterwards changed to another name, prob- eral remarks. ably because there was also a town of Smith- ^ We shall not attempt to explain this field in Jefferson County, Ohio, matter of falling, under religious impressions ^ Here we have a new phase of the physi- and convictions. There has been much writ- cal effects wrought by religious excitement. 219 I 220 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBEIXS, D.D. [1804. 9. Worked on some of my things. Visited. Stormy and cold. ID. It snowed hard all day. Walked out. The storm quite severe. Many here appear doubting and hesitating about important doctrines. 11. Wrote considerably. Walked out and visited. The snow about a foot deep. 12. Visited some young women severely exercised. Preached a lecture from Acts viii : 8. At evening attended a conference. Meetings are very much attended. 13. Rode to Hartford. Preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. The most of the people here appear very little affected with the work of grace in their neigh- borhood. 14. Rode out and visited. Find very little time to read or study. Pretty good riding. 15. Preached to a large and very attentive audience from Heb. xi : 30 and Jer. viii : 20. At evening attended a conference. Quite cold. 16. Rode to Kinsman.' Preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19, a clause. It snowed some. 17. Rode with company to Morgan,^ sixteen miles, without a house. Snow and mud very deep. Quite cold, and it snowed considerably. 18. It snowed pretty hard all day. Find old acquaintance. At evening preached wholly extempore from Rev. iii : 10. 19. Rode to Austinburgh.^ Got considerably wet crossing a creek. Vis- ited my old friend and classmate Battell,"* now a farmer. Found several quondam Norfolk people. Am very affectionately received. A very great religious awakening here. Preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. At evening attended a conference with i\Ir. Badger. Received a letter from my sister Sally, and a bundle of my clothes sent from home. 20. Returned through the woods towards Smithfield. Ver}^ cold. Rode to Gustavus.' At evening preached extempore from Heb. i : 2. 21. Rode to Smithfield. The snow a foot and a half deep. Much fatigued. Find good entertainment. ' Kinsman is the northeastern town in Trumbull County. The town of Vernon on the south lies between Kinsman and Hart- ford. * Morgan is northwest from Kinsman, near the center of Ashtabula Count)'. ^ Austinburgh is in Ashtabula Countv, the town next north from Morgan. * Probably Josiah Buckingham Battel], of Torrington, brother of Joseph Battell, who married Mr. Robbins's sister Sarah. He speaks of him as a classmate. He was for a time connected with the class of 1796 at Yale, but did not graduate. This same family name has several times al- ready appeared in the diary, where it has com- monly been written Battle. Here it is written according to modern usage. The first Amer- ican ancestor of the family, Thomas Battelle, was in Dedham, Mass., in the early years, and the name was pronounced in its French fashion, Battelle. Theodore Dwight, of Ded- ham, as Justice of the Peace, appears in the record book as saying, " Personally appeared before me Thomas Battaly and acknowl- edged," etc., showing that the name was then pronounced with three syllables, though he spelled it wrong. Afterward it came to be Battle, but now Battell, ^^^th the accent thrown on the last syllable, bringing out the French origin of the name. 5 Gustavus is on the northern line of Trumbull County, ne.xt west from Kins- man. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 221 22. Preached from 2 Cor. iv : 3. Some new instances of awakening since I left here. At evening attended a conference. 23. Yesterday and last night a great fall of snow. It is now more thr^.n two feet deep on a level. More than has been ever known here. Very cold. People are generally pretty well provided with food and fodder, 24. It has snowed nearly every day for three weeks. Some young people here get comfort and appear pretty well. Wrote to Mrs. Brainerd,' of Had- dam. At evening attended a conference. Much affected. Extreme cold. 25. Rode to Hartford and preached from Matt, xiii : 11. A prospect that this will be a pretty good town. The work of religion here much less than in Smithfield. 26. Rode to Smithfield. Very good riding. At evening attended a con- ference. Expounded upon the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah. All quite attent- ive. Some very solemn. About eight or ten fall almost every meeting.^ 27. Wrote. Afternoon preached from Jer. 1: 34, first clause. Some few people have doubts of the genuineness of the present work of grace. 28. Wrote to my parents. Find much kindness from people wherever I go- 29. Preached from Jude xi. In the afternoon preached from i John iv : i. Endeavored to show that the present work of religion in these back countries is a work of the true spirit. I hope it satisfied many doubting minds. Peo- ple were very attentive. At evening attended a conference ; very full. 30. Rode to Vienna. Preached from Acts viii : 8. This is a new settle- ment, but appears pretty flourishing. Yesterday took some cold. Have some rheumatic pains in my back. Houses very smoky. 31. Very good riding and sledding. Rode to Smithfield. Almost worn out with fatigue. At evening attended a conference. February. 1. Wrote. Set out to go to Austinburgh. Rode to Gustavus and tarried. Have something of a diarrhoea. 2. Something rainy. Rode through the woods to Morgan. Had a dis- agreeable time. 3. Read. Afternoon preached from Acts viii : 8, Rode to Austinburgh and tarried with Mr. Badger.^ Quite cold. ' With whom he boarded when preaching men in the earlier years. But Mr. Robbins, in Haddam, Ct. a Congregationalist, had not been brought ^ How far Mr. Robbins came toward ac- in contact with it. quiescing in this feature of those Western ' See previous note on Mr. Badger. In revivals, he has not exactly told us. He has addition it should be said, that he was the previously told us that he never saw anything first Congregational missionary on the Con- of the kind until he met with it in Western necticut Reserve. He left New England, Pennsylvania in 1803. He might have seen Nov. 15, i8oo, and after a hard journey it in New England among the Methodists. reached the Reserve the last of December. It was very common in their camp-meetings, His first preaching service was at Youngs- and in their church meetings twenty years town, Ohio, the last Sabbath of December, later in New England, and probably was com- 1800. He says : 222 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. 4. Rode to Morgan. The creeks now generally hard frozen. 5. Preached from Jude xi and 2 Kings iv : 6, last clause. Pretty full meeting. At evening attended a conference. Some violently exercised. 6. Helping the people here to fix upon a place for a public ground. Visited families. Tarried with my old friend Battell. 7. Rode to Austinburgh, Capt. Austin's. Preached from Rom. xiii : 11. At evening attended a conference. 8. Cold and rainy. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Read. This a very flourishing and respectable neighborhood. 9. Rode to the south part of the town. Afternoon and evening, by the assistance of Mr. Badger and three or four members of the church, composed a Confession of Faith and Covenant and Articles of Practice for the churches in this county. May God grant that they may be long useful to these churches. 10. Wrote. Preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19. At evening attended a con- ference. Quite cold. 11. Worked some with the people building a large bridge. Rode to the north part of the town. Visited some families. 12. Preached from Luke xvi : 5 and i John iv: i. People very solemn, some much affected. At evening attended a conference. 13. Visited a school. Wrote considerably. Rode to Morgan. 14. Visited. Afternoon worked considerably helping the people here to clear a piece of ground for public uses. 15. Walked out. Afternoon preached from Rom. xi : 18, first clause. At evening attended a conference. People quite attentive. 16. Rode to Austinburgh. Very pleasant weather. Afternoon preached from Matt, xiii: 11. Read the account of the deliverance of New Orleans to the United States Commissioners. 17. Rode to Harpersfield.' Afternoon preached from i Cor. ii : 10, last clause. In one part of this settlement the work of grace this winter has been ver\' great. The other part very stupid. 18. Visited a school and several families. The snow appears to be wast- ing away by the gentle heat of the sun. 19. Full meeting and quite solemn. Preached from Gen. vi : 3 and Zech. ix: 12. Quite tired. Had a turn of sickness. 20. There has been considerable opposition to the work of God here, but " I had now entered the great field where Mr. Badger organized the first church on I was to preach and visit from house to the Connecticut Reserve in October, iSoi, at house. There were no regular roads from Austinburg, Trumbull County. He took his place to place, and the marks of intercourse family to Ohio for permanent settlement in were not very plain. The communication to 1802, and Mr. Robbins was appointed his the lake settlements was not then opened. assistant in 1803. The winter and spring I spent in the south, ■ Harpersfield is the town next west of visiting and preaching to all, or nearly all the Austinburg, in the northwesterly part of Ash- settlements in that part of the Reserve. In tabula County. Its name was given in honor June, as soon as the waters were fordable, I of Capt. James Harper, one of the surveyors visited the more interior settlements." who laid out these townships. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 223 I hope he will overrule it for good. Conversed with several people about the erection of a public house for meetings. Rode to Morgan. At evening preached from John iv: 19. The work of grace here appears lamentably declining. 21. Rode to Gustavus. Very bad riding. Not very well. 22. Wrote considerably. Afternoon preached from John iv • 15. But three families in this town. We have had very pleasant weather for near a fortnight ; it now comes on cold. 23. Quite cold. Roads very icy. Rode to Smithfield. People appear to receive me affectionately. 24. Assisted some people in measuring a piece of ground for public uses.' At evening preached from 2 Kings iv : 6. People much disposed to attend meetings. 25. Yesterday began a letter to Rev. Mr. Flint, of Hartford, Ct. Rode to Hartford. Assisted some people in measuring a piece of ground for public uses. Visited. 26. Meeting very full and attentive. Preached from i Cor. ii: 10 and Phil, ii : 12, 13. At evening attended a conference. People very inquisitive. 27. Rode to Smithfield. Worked with the people clearing their public ground. Assisted the church in examining three young men for communion. They appear very well. Preached in the evening from Rev. xxii : 20, last clause. Meeting very serious. 28. Rode to Hartford. Visited. Worked some with the people on their public ground. I think it will be a pretty handsome place, 29. Rode to Vienna. Preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Baptized a child of parents formerly members of a church in Pennsylvania. The first time I ever administered the ordinance.^ March. 1. Assisted the people in measuring out a piece of public ground and working on it. Visited some families. 2. Rode to Hubbard.^ Very good riding. Visited. This town contains more than sixty families. Quite cold. 3. Received an excellent letter from my father. Extreme cold. Read newspapers. Visited families. 4. Yesterday and today the coldest days we have had this winter. A good number of people attended meeting for such a severe season. Preached from Acts xvii : 31, last clause, and 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. At evening walked out. After meeting conversed with a number of Methodists. 5. My horse has received a bad wound. Weather moderates. Rode to ■ This helpfulness of Mr. Robbins in all brought to him in Pennsylvania, whose par- ways would increase his influence for good ents wished him baptized on the Half-Way among the people, especially in a new coun- Covenant plan, try where everything was in the rough. ^ Hubbard is the southeastern town in ^ He did not, therefore, baptize the child the present Trumbull County. 224 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. Coitsville.' Tarried with Rev. Mr. VVick.^ He quite agreeable. At evening preached from Luke xvi : 5. 6. Rode to Youngstown and to Warren. Pretty tired. The court-house * in the town was burnt last week. Streams quite low. 7. Visited. Wrote. Most of the people here appear to think highly of the work of grace now in this country. Read newspapers. 8. Wrote to Rev. Mr. Strong, of Hartford. Had company. 9. Wrote. Walked out. At evening preached from Heb. i : 2. People attend meeting very well. 10. Wrote to Dr. Wilcox, Hartland, and Elisha Whittlesey, Danbury, Ct. Visited. Read newspapers. Conversed upon the present work of grace in the country. 11. Preached from i Cor. ii : 10 and Gen. vi : 3. Meeting quite full and attentive. 12. Had company. Conversed considerably with some Baptists. Wrote considerably. Rainy. Very bad going. 13. Began a letter to my parents. The county court began their session in this town. Considerably unwell. 14. Attended at the session of the court. Litigation very little prevalent in this county. A Masonic Lodge about to be installed here. Received a request from their committee to deliver them an address tomorrow. Mr. Badger came and tarried with mC* 15. Last night considerable snow fell. Afternoon met with the Masons and delivered to them a public discourse, taking for my guide 2 Pet. i : 3, Mr. Badger and I dined with them. 16. At my request the court authorized me to perform marriages.^ Re- ceived five dollars from the Masons with their thanks. Mr. Badger and I attended the church here, and they adopted the Confession of Faith, Covenant, and Articles of Practice which we lately drew up. They also chose me their moderator. On the loth inst. the church at Smithfield chose me their moder- ator and pastor. At evening Mr. Badger preached at a meeting which I had appointed. The first sermon I have heard ^ since I have been in the country. 17. On the 14th received a letter from my sister Sally. Quite feeble. Finished my letter to my parents. Assisted in writing a notification of the incorporation of trustees for a college in this county,' which was sent to Con- necticut for publication. ■ Coitsville is the town next south of Hub- = That subject belonged to the civil law, bard, the northeast town of the present Ma- and the right to perform marriages must be honing County taken from Trumbull County. conferred by the civil authority. ^ Mr. Wick was a Presbyterian minister, <> That is, on the Connecticut Reserve, as there were, at that time, no Congregational He heard preaching several times while pass- ministers on the Reserve except Mr. Badger ing through Pennsylvania, and Mr. Robbins. 7 x^g pj^^ fo,- a college in that county ^ Warren, it will be remembered, was the was not then carried into effect. Afterward shire town of Trumbull County. the first college in New Connecticut was * These things were passing at Warren Western Reserve College, founded 1S26. where he had his home. This is now removed to Cleveland, Ohio. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 22$ 18. Very bad going. Preached from 2 Cor. x: 4 and Zech. ix : 12. Con- versed with some persons about making a profession of religion. 19. Visited several families. Warm. Waters very high. Read Gen. Tracy's* very able speech on the alteration of the Constitution. Visited a school, 20. Rode to Poland. Very bad riding. Tarried with Mr. Fowler.* 21. Visited families. Difficulties attend ecclesiastical regulations here Hope they may be got over. 22. Rode to Boardman and Canfield. People appear anxious to have me visit and preach with them. Waters very high and difficult to be crossed. 23. Returned to Poland. Attended a society meeting. Some of the people are disposed to give an immediate call to a minister. I took pains to prevent it. 24. Wrote considerably. Preached from Rom. x: i. The Pennsylvania churches are on a pretty poor foundation as to sentiments, modes, or numbers. 25. Preached from 2 Cor. x: 4 and Luke xvi : 5. The serious^ among the Pennsylvanians I think pay less regard to the Sabbath as holy time than is done in New England. The greater part of New England people in this county pretty loose characters.'* 26. Attended a society meeting. They voted to apply to the Presbytery for Mr. Pittinger^ to settle with them for part of the time. The more think- ing people oppose it, as he has preached but five times in the town. I think it will be attended with bad consequences. Assisted the people in laying out a piece of ground, forty rods by sixteen, for public uses. They are not very well agreed. 27. Traded. 6.00. Rode to Hartford. Very bad riding. Quite warm. The snow appears likely to go off by warm dry weather, which is a great favor. It is now nearly gone. Waters quite high-. A little before I got to Hartford, I hurt my horse by his running a large stick into his thigh ; he is now very lame. At evening married two young persons. The first I ever did.* 28. Rode to Smithfield. The awakening here I fear is declining. 29. Wrote. Preached to a few people from Rom. x: i. At night quite a hard rain. People receive me affectionately. 30. Visited. Rode to Hartford. The work of God appears to remain in a few instances with great power. My horse very lame. Quite cool. 31. Walked to Smithfield; my horse cannot be used. Had some clothes made. Conversed with some persons much impressed. ' Uriah Tracy, of Litchfield, Ct, a native ^ Serious minded people, of Franklin, Ct., born 1754, graduated at * This entry divides the bad things pretty Yale, 1778; for quite a number of years evenly between the Pennsylvanians and the member of United States Congress and Sen- New Englanders. ate, died July 19, 1S07, at Washington, D. C, ^ Rev. Nicholas Pittinger, having charge and was the first person buried in the Con- of churches at Poland and Westfield. gressional burying-ground. * His license from the county court, per- ^ Jonathan Fowler, who emigrated to Ohio mitting him to perform the marriage cere- from Wallingford, Ct. mony, used for the first time. 226 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. 1. Preached from 2 Cor. x: 4 and Gen. xxviii : 20, 21. Admitted three young men into the church. This church adopted the Confession, Covenant, and Articles ' which we drew up at Austinburgh, February 9th. At evening attended a conference ; quite serious. 2. Considerably unwell. May the Lord strengthen me according to my need. Wrote considerably. Conversed closely with a family on the duty of family prayer. 3. Rode to Kinsman and performed a marriage.^ Very bad riding. Returned to Smithfield. 4. Rode to Gustavus and performed a marriage.^ Got something wet with rain. Returned to Smithfield. Received for these two marriages two dollars. 5. Rode to Hartford. Visited. Conversed with several persons under serious impressions. At evening preached from John vii : 34. A serious meeting. A pretty hard thunder-shower. 6. Procured a horse to ride, mine being unfit for use. Rode to Vienna. Keeping for horses very scarce. Rainy. 7. \^'orked with the people at their public ground in the center of the town. Visited. 8. Preached from Matt, xviii : 3 and Luke xv: 17. People here appear very stupid and unfeeling. Much troubled with stomach sickness. 9. Set out to go to Greensburgh^ to attend the session of the Erie Pres- bytery. Rode into Pennsylvania. Got considerably wet with rain. 6. 10. Rode to Greensburgh. Set with the Presbyter}^ They are much crowded with business. In this Presbytery are fifteen ministers. They appear to be pious men, but have very little learning and still less knowledge of mankind. They are generally near and past middle life, and but two that have preached as long as I have.* 11. An application was made by the congregation at Poland for leave to present a call to the Presbytery of Ohio for Mr. Pittinger.^ I opposed it in a particular statement of facts which relate to the matter. It however passed with some opposition. Should it finally succeed I think the consequences will be unhappy. 12. The Presbytery concluded their session. Wrote to the moderator of the Presbytery of Ohio. There was an exhibition of the Academy in this ' Mr. Badger and Mr. Robbins drew up * He reached Greensburgh on the sec- this plan to be used in the founding of ond day, and the statement which he makes churches. They were ecclesiastical pioneers is quite instructive as to the character and and organizers on the Reserve. qualifications of the ministers in this part ^ He is in a new country, with a good pro- of the country. These men, as a rule, took portion of young people, and marriages are up the business of preaching late in life, and increasing. without much special training for their pro- ^ Greensburgh, it will be remembered, is fession. the shire town of Westmoreland County, ' This Rev. Nicholas Pittinger is a min- Penn., and is forty or fifty miles away from ister who is not traceable in the college the place where he then was. catalogues. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 22/ town. The performances were barely tolerable. Many things quite indeli- cate, and a great mixture of religion with things very different. Left Greens- burgh and rode five miles. 13. Rode to Poland and Boardman.' Considerably unwell. The ground dries very fast. 14. Read newspapers. Wrote considerably. Rode to Canfield. Mr. Fowler,^ at Poland, had a large house raised. 15. Quite warm. Preached from Luke xvi : 5 and Luke xv : 17. Quite unwell. Some unhappy disturbances in this place. 16. Visited families. Tried to provide some way to heal the difficulties existing here. Read newspapers. 17. Wrote to my father. Last night a very hard rain. Preached from Rom. x: I. People here trying to establish a fund for the support of a minister. 18. Visited families. Quite warm. Conversed with people about forming into a church in this town. 19. Rode to Hubbard. The Mahoning^ higher than any time this year. People generally beginning to plow. 20. Rode out and visited. Great numbers of families are coming into this county from below. Visited a school. 21. Wrote. Rainy. Visited a school. Preached from John iv : 15. 22. Much affected with stomach sickness. Preached from Luke xvi : 5, 15 and xv: 17. Afternoon asked Mr. Smith, a Methodist preacher living in this town, to make the first prayer.'* 23. Worked with the people here clearing a piece of public ground twenty- six rods square. Rode to Liberty.' 24. Rode to Canfield. Waters very high. The riding in this country not so bad as in many parts of Connecticut in a wet season. 25. Began a letter to Mr. Flint, of Hartford. Afternoon with Mr. Badger attended a meeting of a number of people here,* on the subject of forming into a church. Mr. B. preached. 26. Rainy. Examined several persons who offered themselves for cliurch- members. Visited. 27. Afternoon preached from Gen. xxviii : 20, 21. After which the church was regularly organized, consisting of three men and six women. May the great Head of the Church have it under his holy protection. Finished my letter to Mr. Flint. Considerably unwell. ' With the start of five miles the night ■♦ This was such an instance of denomina- before he made the rest of the journey back tional charity and courtesy it was fit it should the next day. be recorded. ^ Mr. Jonathan Fowler, who seems to have ^ Liberty is one of the southern tier of been a man of enterprise, and of considerable towns in the present Trumbull County. It property. is the second from the Pennsylvania line, ^ Mahoning River seems to have given Hubbard being on that line, the name to the county which was afterwards * That is, in the town of Canfield, where formed. one of the early churches in Ohio was formed. 228 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. 28. Visited. Rode to Poland. The Presbytery of Ohio approbated the call put in by the people here for Mr. Pittinger,' and he has accepted. I think the consequence may be disagreeable. Rainy. 29. Preached from i Cor. ii : lo and 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. People appear pretty stupid in regard to the excellency and spirit of religion. 30. Received a letter from the clerk of the Ohio Presbytery. Traded. 1.50. Rode to Hartford. After a long turn of backward wet weather, we have now settled spring weather. May. 1. Rode to Smithfield and returned. My horse, which I left here some- time since on account of lameness, has got well. At evening preached from Rom. X : i. The awakening here appears to be declining. 2. Visited. Rode to Vienna. Attended the raising of a house. The first frame erected in the town.^ Warm. 3. Rode to Warren. Very warm for the season. Attended a meeting, heard a Baptist^ minister preach. Assisted in the exercise. Received a letter from Mr. Badger. 4. Received a letter from my parents. It appears that the past winter in New England has been very severe. A very great quantity of snow. Quite equal to the year 1780. Wrote. Very hot summer weather. 5. Wrote to my parents. Visited. Read newspapers. In the late election in Connecticut, Democracy appears to have gained a little.* 6. Preached in the forenoon from Luke xv : 17. Afternoon Mr. Smith, a Baptist minister, preached, after which he baptized three persons in the river. In the forenoon I baptized a child. Some rain. 7. Visited families. Attended a military' election for the choice of com- missioned officers. The militia in this State is now about to be organized. Electioneering common in this country for all offices.^ 8. Rode to Smithfield. A very warm day, A very growing season. Wheat on the ground appears exceeding well. 9. A framed barn in this neighborhood was burnt by accident. Walked out. Worked on some of my things.^ lo. Worked on some of my things. Visited families. Rode to Hartford. Vegetation comes on very fast. ' Rev. Nicholas Pittinger remained here der a Plan of Union, which made them, in from his settlement in 1S04 till 1810. a certain sense, one. ^ This reveals the new state of the coun- * The Democratic party being in power try, and helps us to a conception of the con- at Washington, it was but natural that the ditions under which Mr. Robbins was prose- opposition to Democracy in Connecticut outing his work. He was now enduring should weaken a little, "hardness as a good soldier." s j^ ^jg native State he had not then been ' Already we have had glimpes of four used to this. Christian denominations working on this gen- ^ These were articles for his comfort and eral field, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, convenience at his lodgings. He was natur- Baptists, and Methodists. The Congregation- ally ingenious and could turn his hand to alists and Presbyterians were working un- mechanism. l8o4.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 229 11. Rode out and visited. Afternoon preached a sacramental lecture from Luke xxii : 19, last clause. Assisted the church in examining four per- sons for communion. 12. Rode out. Afternoon preached from John xiv : 6. Fires run con- siderably. 13. Preached to a large assembly from Prov. i: 24, 25, 26 and Zech. ix : 12. Administered the holy sacrament. Was much affected. The season was very solemn and I hope comforting to God's people. Admitted four young women into the church. Baptized a child. Some formerly Norfolk people present from Austinburgh. At evening attended a conference. Con- siderably unwell. The awakening here appears to be declining. 14. Assisted some people in looking out a road. They are not very well agreed. Hope I did them some good. Raining. Wrote. * 15. Rode to Smithfield. Considerably unwell. Visited families. Visited a school. At night quite rainy. 16. Rode to Hubbard. Preached from John xiv: 6. Some people appear quite serious. 17. Rode to Canfield. Preached a sacramental lecture from Luke xxii: 19. Quite feeble. Few people attend lectures. x8. Rode to China.' Preached from John xiv: 6. The settlement new ; people generally attended. 19. Returned to Canfield. Received an Almanack, sent from home by mail. Read newspapers. Visited. Serious contentions in this town. 20. Preached from Prov. i : 24, 25, 26 and Zech. ix : 12. Administered the sacrament of the supper. A large number of people. All tarried at the sacra- ment, by desire. Several Pennsylvania people joined with us in communion. 21. Visited families. Read. Rainy. Last night a hard thunder-shower. Quite warm. 22. Set out to go to Pittsburgh. Rode to Poland. A very hard rain. Vegetation comes on ver)' fast. 23. Rode to Greensburgh.^ Very wet riding. Waters very high and diffi- cult crossing. Tarried at Mr. Hughes's. 24. Had company on the way. Rode to Beaver and onward towards Pitts- burgh. From Beaver^ to Pittsburgh," on the north side of the river, the road not passable for teams, and but few settlements. The militia in this country very ordinary. The land near the river quite mountainous. On the 22 d finished reading the New Testament in course, which I began Sept. 24, 1S03. 25. Rode to Pittsburgh. Two men drowned here yesterday. Was out ' There seems to be no town now in Ohio Ohio, and not the place in Westmoreland of the name of China, and it may be that this County, Penn., to which attention has been name then designated a locality rather than a before called. town. The diary says the place was new. ^ Beaver, shire town of Beaver County, All places then were new in that region, but Penn. that was new in a special sense. ■* From Beaver to Pittsburgh, following ^ This is Greensburgh, Trumbull County, Ohio River, from twenty-five to thirty miles. 230 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. with the people looking for the bodies which could not be found. Rode to Elizabethtown ' in the Forks of Yohogany. 26. Rode to Col. Perry's.^ Find many acquaintances. Rode to the lower meeting-house. The people met to begin the exercises of a sacramental occasion.' Preached from Luke xvi : 5. Mr. McPherin* and Mr, Snow, ministers and a candidate, present. 27. The work of divine grace appears wonderfully expelled here by party contentions and animosities. Not so many people as at the sacrament last fall. But little bodily exercise. Near two hundred communicants. Three tables. I administered the last. At evening attended a praying meeting. 28. Preached from Prov. i : 24, 25, 26. The people appear to be in an unhappy, captious state, about ministers and serious things. The enemy appears to have great hold in all the congregations in this vicinity. 29. Rode to the upper congregation. Visited friends. Tarried at Col. Brewer's. 30. Visited. Warm and showery. The people here contending about the settlement of a minister. Read. 31. Wrote. Ver}' warm. Preached in the meeting-house from Rom. x: i. Tarried with Dr. Smith. Showery, June. 1. A very great prospect of fruit of all kinds. Wheat likely to be consid- erably injured in these parts by the fly. Rode out. At evening had a long discourse with several people on original sin and universal atonement and invitations.^ The serious people here are generally attached to the literal meaning and terms of the Vv'estminster Confession and Catechisms. They are particularly alarmed at new terms. 2. Visited Mrs. Smith, widow of the late minister.* A New England school-master here, doing very well. 3. Preached from Acts xvii : 31 and from i Thess. v: 25. The after- noon discourse was very solemn and affecting to me and the people. Quite tired. Had some bad turns of stomach sickness. 4. Rode to Pigeon Creek, Washington County.' Attended at Mr. Gwin's sacramental occasion. A large collection of people. Considerably more than ' In Lancaster County, Penn. Christ and be saved. The old school peo- ' Who greatly befriended him in his sick- pie of that time held that Christ died only ness. for an elect number. Mr. Robbins held to ' It was for this that the long journey was strong doctrine, but trained under New Eng- undertaken. land divines he rejected the doctrine of lim- * There were two Presbyterian ministers ited atonement, at that time of this family name, though the * Rev. David Smith. name is wrongly spelled in the diary. These ^ Washington County, Penn., was next were Rev. John McPherrin and Thomas Mc- south of Alleghany County, of which Pitts- Pherrin. We do not know which of these burg was shire town. It was a journey of two were present on that occasion. thirty miles perhaps from the one meeting to ^ Universal invitations to men to come to the other. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 23I at the Forks last sacrament. Preached from Luke xv : 17. After the exer- cise, a great deal of falling and noise. Though the work is sensibly on the decline, through the country, there is reason to fear a spirit of contention will succeed. After the exercise, rode to Mr. McMillan's and tarried. 5. Had the misfortune not to see Mr. McMillan.* He is leader of the ministers, this side of the mountains. Rode to Canonsburgh, called on Mr. Dunlap,^ the president of the college.^ This college has about fifty students. But I think it is a poor place for education, and ever will be. Rode to Pitts- burgh. Very hot. The bodies of the two men who were drowned have since been fovmd and buried. 6. Traded. 18.77. 2.50 of which for primers to be given on my mission in the name of the Missionary Society. Got some articles of medicine. Rode to Beaver, alias Mcintosh, 7. Rode to Canfield. There has been a great deal of rain in this quarter for two or three weeks past. Muddy riding. 8. Rode to Smithfield. Much fatigued with my journey. Have had company from Pittsburgh. 9. Very hot. Wrote. Fixed my things. Wrote to Mrs. Steele, Forks of Yough, and to Mr. Asa Lane, Warren. Wearied with my journey. ID. Rode to Kinsman and preached from Heb. i: 2 and 2 Tim. iv : 7-8, Full meeting. This is a respectable settlement. 11. Walked out and visited. Could not find my horse. Walked to Smith- field. Assisted at the raising of a barn. My horse brought to me at evening, 12. Rode to Hartford. Tried to settle some differences about a road.* Rainy. My horse quite lame. Walked to Smithfield and preached from Matt, xxvi : 42. A serious meeting. 13. Considerably unwell. Wrote records for the church here. Walked over the creek and back ; a valuable and pleasant part of the town, 14. Visited. Conversed considerably with two Methodist preachers, occa- sionally in town. One of them preached. I think they will get but little encouragement here. Rode to Hartford and preached from Matt, xxvi : 1-6. 15. Set out to go to Meadville,' in Pennsylvania. Quite rainy. Rode about twenty miles, tarried at a private house. Very wet and bad riding. 8. 16. Rode to Meadville. Kindly welcomed by Mr, Stogdon.^ People were waiting to go into meeting. Preached immediately from Acts viii : 8. ' This Rev. John McMillan, though of ^ Meadville, the shire town of Crawford large influence, does not seem to have been County, Penn., one of the Pennsylvania coun- a man of college education, but he was prob- ties bordering on Ohio. It was about forty ably the father of Rev. John McMillan, D. D., miles from his home at Warren, Ohio, to graduated at Jefferson College, 1807, and Meadville, Penn. afterwards professor of theology in that in- * We think that Mr. Robbins must have stitution. mistaken this name, writing it by sound ^ Rev. James Dunlap, president of Jeffer- rather than by knowledge of the true spell- son College, 1803-1811. ing. The only Presbyterian minister we can ^ Jefferson College, founded at Canons- find that seems to justify this entry is Rev- burgh, Washington County, Penn., 1802. Joseph Stockton. With a slight difference * A minister in a new country has to make in pronunciation it might easily be spelled himself generally useful. Stogdon. 232 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. Kindly and linndsomely entertained. This is the largest town in the State this side of the Alleghany River. 17. Attended meeting at a tent on the bank of the French Creek. A large and respectable collection of people. Mr. Stogdon preached in the forenoon, and I in the afternoon from Luke xv : 17. I served the tables and administered to the first and third ; he at the second. There were about sixty communicants. We were obliged to suspend the exercises awhile, after serving the tables, on account of the rain. I was also stopped in the midst of the afternoon sermon, and the congregation moved to the court-house where the exercises were finished. A very solemn occasion.' 18. Many respectable and wealthy people in this town. Received several marks of kindness and gratitude. A valuable jacket pattern was given me. Rainy. Preached in the court-house, from Acts xvii : 31. People quite attentive and serious through the whole occasion; but no bodily exercise. Rode home with Mr. Stogdon. Mr. Galbreth, a candidate, with us. 19. Rode to Hartford. From Meadville, about thirty-five miles. Warm and showery. 20. Rode to Smithfield. Visited. Wrote. A hard shower. Had ap- ]X)inted and expected to preach, but was prevented by the rain. On the iSth eat green peas. On the 12th at Smithfield, after preaching, baptized a woman and two children. On the 14th at Hartford, after preaching, bap- tized a young woman. These two adults were admitted into the church May 13th, but their baptism then was forgotten. 21. Wrote records for this church. Worked on some of my things. Visited. 22. Visited several families. Visited a school, very well regulated and instructed, particularly in the catechism."^ Rode to Hartford. 23. Had some clothes made. Very warm. Rode to Liberty. Bad riding. It has been a very rainy season. It has rained the most of the days for about six weeks. 24. Had appointed to preach at Youngstown. Rode there and found Mr. Badger, in consequence of an arrangement between him and Mr. Wick. I then rode to Hopewell and preached for Mr. Wick and he preached at Hubbard.^ 2. 25. Set out with Mr. Badger and Mr. Wick"* to go to the session of the Presbytery, about twenty-five miles in Pennsylvania.^ Very warm. 26. Met with the Presbytery, quite agreeable. Rainy, These ministers are generally opposed to Hopkinsian divinity,* but think of it more favorably than heretofore. ^ By Mr. Robbins's attendance so many ^ An arrangement which turned itself in- times upon these sacramental occasions, we to what ministers call a triple exchange, gain quite a clear conception of the nature * Rev. William Wick, of these services. 5 j^jg ^as not a sacramental occasion, ^ By this it appears that the Assembly's but a ministers' meeting. Catechism was taught in the schools of Ohio, * The Hopkinsian divinity was the New as well as in those of Connecticut. England new school theology of that day. iSo4.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 233 27. Had a particular discussion in the Presbyter}^ of the question of a man's marrying his brother's wife. The Presbytery decided against it. After- noon preached from Heb. 11 : 30. After which set out with Mr. Badger and Mr. Wick on our return. Last Sabbath preached from Heb. i : 2 and Matt, xxvi : 42. 28. Returned to Mr. Wick's. Very tired. Read Hopkins's System} 29. Sent money to Mr. Badger, $15.25. On the 15th sent to Mr. W. Jones, of Hartford, $5.00. Rode to Canfield. 30. Ver}f warm weather. Wrote to Mr. Pittinger, preaching at Poland. A thunder-shower. Preached from Heb. i : 2 and Matt, xxvi : 42. People pretty attent- Serious people here apprehensive of inroads by Methodists. Wrote to Mr. Hezekiah Howe, New Haven, Ct. Cool for the sea- JULY. I. ive. 2. son. 3. Visited several families. Afternoon rode to Deerfield.^ The most of the people here Methodists. A Methodist church has been formed here for some time. 4. Conversed and disputed some with Bostwick, the Methodist preacher. I fear he is a dangerous character.^ Rode to Rootstown.* Tarried with Esq. Root' from Hartford. 5. Last night a very hard shower. Rode to Hudson.* The bridge over the Cuyahoga quite a curiosity. Very warm. The roads very muddy. 6. Wrote to Mrs. Brainerd, of Haddam. I believe the hottest weather we have had this season. Rode out. 7. Wrote the records of the church' in this town in a new book I brought for them. Afternoon preached from Acts viii : 8. Excessive hot. 8. The people not very generally out at meeting. I have a good church. Preached from Heb. i: 2 and Matt, xxvi: 42, Almost overcome with the heat. 9. Wrote on the church records. Wrote to my parents. Showery. For five days past the weather has been excessive hot. 10. Began a letter to Mr. Flint, of Hartford. On the 8th began to read the New Testament in course. Visited a school. Catechised the children. 11. Wrote. Rode out and visited. Valuable mills lately burnt here. ' After the discussions at the meeting of Presbytery, he is refreshing his mind on the points of the Hopkinsian system. ^ Deerfield is in Portage County, the ne.xt county west of Trumbull. Deerfield is the southeast town of Portage County. ^ It was hard for a Congregationalist or a Presbyterian of that day to do even and ex- act justice to a Methodist, though we know nothing of the merits of this particular case. * Rootstown is also in Portage County, nearer the center of the county. 5 Ephraim Root, Esq., from Hartford, Ct., who gave the name probably to the town. * Hudson is now in Summit County, which was formed later, but was then in Portage County. ' The church in Hudson was organized in 1802, and remains Congregational to this day. 234 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. People generally haying. A great crop of grass. Read Hunter's' Sacred Biography. 12. Visited families. This very troublesome. Roads quite wet. After- noon preached from Acts vii : 34. I hope there are several serious people here, but they appear dull and worldly. 13. Rode through the woods to Cleveland.^ Tarried with Esq. Kingsbury.* This the oldest settlement in the county. 14. Rode out with Col. Huntington.'* Went to the mouth of the Cuya- hoga. A very pleasant situation, commanding an extensive prospect of the lake. The people rather loose in principles and conduct. 15. The morning rainy. Had a pretty full meeting. The people gen- erally quite attentive. The most of them have not heard a sermon or a prayer in eighteen months.^ Preached from Acts viii : 8 and Luke xv : 17. 16. Rode into Euclid^ and back. Visited families. People generally anxious to have me visit them again. 17. Rode to Hudson. Visited families. My health quite good. Mr. Bostwick, the Methodist, preached here today. He had but few hearers. A little before I got to Hudson I killed a very large yellow rattlesnake. 18. Visited. Some people here and at Cleveland sick with the fever and ague. Rode to Aurora.^ Wrote. 19. Rainy. Finished my letter to Mr. Flint.^ Wrote to Mr. Strong,^ of Hartford. Preached from Heb. i : 2. 20. This is the anniversary of my ordination. Rode to Nelson.' In Hiram '° visited a man very sick with the bite of a rattlesnake. Settlements in this part of the county ver}' small. 21. Wrote to Dr. Wilcox, of Hartland. Visited a small school. Visited families. 'Rev. Henry Hunter, a Scotch clergy- at Painesville, Ohio, July 7, 1817. This Sam- man, born 1 741. uel Huntington, though son of Dr. Joseph, ^ Cleveland is in Cuyahoga County on was the adopted son of Gov. Samuel Hunt- the lake shore. In 1804, when Mr. Robbins ington, of Norwich, Ct. was there, there were only a few families in ^ There was no church organized then in the place. In 1810, the population was 547. Cleveland. In 1880, it was 160,146. This place took its * Euclid, a few miles from Cleveland, in name from Gen. Moses Cleveland, of Canter- the northeast corner of Cuyahoga County, bury, Ct., one of the chief men in the early ^ Aurora is the northwest town of Portage days of New Connecticut. County. ^ Hon. James Kingsbury, "The Judge," ^ These communications of his to Drs. as he was called, was born in Norwich, Ct., Flint and Strong were in the nature of offi- Dec. 29, 1767. When young his parents re- cial reports to them as ofificers of the Con- moved to Alstead, N. H., where he grew up, necticut Missionary Society. Several of them married, and from that place emigrated to were published in the fourth, fifth, and sixth Ohio in 1796, settling at Cleveland. volumes of the Connecticut .£'z'(2«^(!'//V<2/ ./]/a^- •♦ Samuel Huntington, son of Joseph Hunt- azine, ington, D. D., of Coventry, Ct. He was born ' Nelson is the northeast town of Portage 1765, was graduated at Yale College in 1785, County. went to Ohio in 1801, was made Chief-Jus- '° Hiram, in Portage County, next town tice of the State, Governor i8o8-i8ii, died west of Nelson. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 235 22. Preached from Luke xvi : 5 and Matt, xxvi : 42. There are but seven families in this town.' 23. Rode through the woods to Warren. At evening preached from Acts iv : 27, 28. The people here appear fond of being visited by missionaries. Received a letter from my cousin S. P. Robbins (now a missionary on the Susquehanna), my father, and one from my brother James. Received one from Mr. Flint, of Hartford, informing me that I am appointed a missionary for another year. 24. Rode to Hartford. Weather very cool for the season. People gen- erally harvesting. The grain grew large, but it is injured by being lodged down, and not very well filled. 25. In the morning felt considerably unwell. Expected to ride to Canfield today, but am unable. Kept about all day, but quite drooping. Afternoon preached from Matt, xxvi : 39, latter part. At night quite sick. July 26. I was more unwell, my disorder of a bilious kind, and I was persuaded I should have a turn of sickness, but expected it would con- tinue but a few days, like a turn I had September, 1802. I sent for a physician and was bled copiously, and took physic. The next day I was worse ;^ afternoon a ver}^ distressing weariness, with a high fever and consid- erable derangement of mind. At night had a watcher, for the first time since I can remember. Dr. Wright, my physician, was ver}- attentive ; his applications I believe were very judicious, and I was treated with the best care by attendants. But Heaven destined for me a pretty severe fit of sickness. I believe I constantly grew worse through the month. On the 30th I had an intermission, and appeared to myself and others much better. But my disorder soon returned with violence. My fever high, my nights were very restless. August. At the beginning of the month my disorder continued to rage constantly with increasing violence. My fever ran high and my nights were very rest- less and tedious. My mind was much affected and at times quite deranged, so that I can remember but little that passed. Excepting the restlessness of the fever, I had but little pain. My physician, attendants, and watchers paid the most faithful attention, and I had, perhaps, as good accommodations as I could have had at home. I did not suppose at any time that I should die with this disorder, still, for a few days I considered my case ver)' critical and began to think of death, so far as my feeble mind would admit, in earnest. It appeared to me more of a reality and more solemn than ever before. But I trust I derived much support and consolation in the con- sideration of the universal and perfect government of God. My fever formed no regular crisis, but it appeared to break about the fifth or sixth instant. * Hiram. notes. In the present case, from his condi- ^ This matter of bleeding, which was ac- tion the next day, it may fairly be questioned cording to the common medical practice of whether the bleeding did not work him in- that time, has been referred to in previous jury. 236 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804.. and from that time gradually to wear away. On the fifth, Mr. Badger and Capt. Case came to see me, and I was much comforted by the visit. I sent for Mr. B. three days previous. For the first week after my fever declined I gained but verj- little. My weakness was very great, the heat of the season was so extreme, that I was but barely supported for many days. The second week I gained some strength and sat up a little every day. I had a supply of good port wine, which was of great benefit. Such fruit as could be obtained was brought me constantly. I had watchers steadily for about three weeks. Being taken care of by experienced persons in sickness and confiding in their directions, I believe I had as few poor turns in my recover)' as most any one that is brought so low. The third week of my recover)^ I got strength sufficient to go out. I paid Dr. Wright for his attendance in my sickness, thirteen dollars. I paid for wine, two gallons, seven dollars. One or two articles, forty cents. The people in Smithfield and Hartford, by contribution, have paid Mr. Spencer for his keeping me, twelve dollars.' 22. I was dressed, and with assistance, rode out a little distance. To- wards night the brethren of the church met here to converse upon some difficulties. I did too much. Had a poor night. 23. Poorer than yesterday. Afternoon rode out a little way. 24. Quite feeble. Set up but very little. Evidently got overdone the two days past. 25. The weather excessive hot. It seems to be very diflScult to gain strength at such a season. I have a very good supply of watermelons brought me. Afternoon Mr. Mills and Mr. Beech, from Austinburgh,^ called to see me. 26. Rode out with some assistance a little way, and attended meeting.^ I lay on the bed the most of the time, but sat up and prayed, appointed the psalms, and made some observations after the reading of the sermons. The meeting was serious. I believe it did me no injury. 27. My head is very weak. I cannot bear close attention to any subject. A great number of excellent plums grow about here spontaneously. Company apt to be injurious in severe sickness.* 28. Rode out. Can ride but a little way without stopping. Rode to the lower part of Smithfield. At evening performed a marriage. Able to stand but very little. 29. Rode to Esq. Smith's. Very feeble and poor. My fatigue yesterday and my accommodations, it being the first night I have slept from Mr. Spencer's, were too much for my weak state. Afternoon rode back to Hart- ' It will be observed that this break, the ^ It will be remembered that he is now in first which has occurred in the diary, covers the town of Hartford, where this attack nearly a month, from July 26th to August 22d. stopped him. ^ Austinburgh contained a good number * That is a general remark with a particu- o£ people from that part of Connecticut lar application. But in this case he was in where Mr. Robbins was born, several from too much hurry to get about his regular work his o\vn town of Norfolk. asfain. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 237 ford. Quite overdone. Rode on a side-saddle. It seemed to revive me to get home. 30. Quite feeble. Afternoon visited a sick child. Rode to Esq. Brock- way's. Got too much worried. 31. Was comfortably well in the forenoon, but I think more weak than I have been. Afternoon I had a hard fit of fever and ague. The ague was severe, after which I had a high fever, which was succeeded by a copious sweating. September. 1. Sent for my physician. Took stimulant medicine to prevent fever and ague. A little of this disorder is common in this country in the convalescence of a bilious fever. Returned to Mr. Spencer's. Afternoon the brethren of the church here met, and attended to some difficulties which I think will issue favorably. At evening had a moderate fit, which appeared to be much miti- gated by wine and other medicines. 2. Very weak. Sat up but very little.' Excessive hot. Towards night was carried out a little way, rode on a pillow, and attended a funeral. At night had a slight fit. Took powerful stimulating medicines through the day. 3. Forenoon rode out a little way. Afternoon quite rainy. 4. A cool and very agreeable air. Till now the weather has been uni- formly remarkably hot for about four weeks. Began a letter to my parents. 5. Wrote. Capt. Canfield^ called to see me. I think I gain strength pretty fast. 6. Rode out. Finished my letter to my parents. Could write but a little while at a time. My head is quite weak. Received a good letter from my brother James, one from Mr. Tower, and one from Mrs. Perr}^ at the Forks of the Yough. 7. Warm. Afternoon rode to Smithiield. I cannot be sufficiently thank- ful that I have so far recovered as to be able to ride in some measure comfortably. 8. People generally appear pleased to see me again about. Rode out. Quite warm. Read newspapers. 9. Attended meeting. Sermons were read. I performed the other exercises, and made some remarks after the sermons. I was pretty much fatigued, but I believe I received no injury. 10. Read the particulars of the fatal duel between Col. Burr and Gen. Hamilton.^ Perhaps no event, saving the death of Washington, has excited such general regret and mourning in the United States as this. Rode to Hartford. ' If Mr. Robbins had been an older man, land, etc , were named after persons, while a or had had a wife of good judgment, he far larger number of names were copied from would have kept more quiet until he had re- the old Connecticut towns, like Hartford, covered strength. Farmington, Vernon, Simsburj', Windham, ^ This Capt. Canfield, Judson Canfield, and many more, probably gave name to the town of Canfield. ^ Hamilton was shot by Burr July 11, and Many of the towns on the Reserve like died the next day. This news was nearly Rootstown, Hubbard, Harpersfield,- Clcve- two months in reaching Ohio. 238 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. 11. Wrote considerably. My head is still quite weak. Read the Bible. Quite rainy. A very bad season for clearing land. 12. Rode to Smithfield. Got quite fatigued. At night had something of the fever and ague. 13. Quite poor. Much overdone by my fatigue yesterday. Rode a little way. At night had an ague and quite restless. 14. Very poor and feeble. Took pains to settle an unhappy difference between two neighbors. I hope I was successful. Had appointed to go to- day to Kinsman to examine some candidates for communion in this church, but was unable to go. Sent a notice. Received an affectionate letter from my parents. 15. Am a little better than yesterday. Afternoon rode to Hartford. 16. Attended meeting. In the afternoon preached from Heb. i: 2, the first time since my sickness.' Was obliged to keep my seat. Quite tired. 17. Rainy. Afternoon rode to Smithfield. Some expectation in this set- tlement of obtaining the college which is to be established in this count}'.^ 18. Rode to Kinsman. Married a couple of persons. Some families here exceedingly distressed with sickness, fever, and ague,' 19. Quite a wet season. Several members of the church in Smithfield came here, and seven persons were examined and approved for admission into the church. At two marriages lately received $2.50. Rode to Smithfield. 20. Visited. Rode to Hartford. Have considerable care in providing for the sacrament. Gave Dr. ^^'right an order on the Missionary Society for fifty dollars, thirteen I owe him for his attendance in my sickness,* for the remainder took a due bill. 21. Wrote to my mother. Had company. Considerable electioneering in the county.' 22. Rode to Smithfield. Began in the afternoon the exercises of a sacra- mental occasion. Mr. Badger preached. 23. A large collection of people ; about sLxty communicants.* Admitted seven persons into the church. We had a pleasant place in the woods. The meeting ver}- attentive and solemn. I preached in the forenoon from Amos vi : I, first clause. Mr. Badger preached in the afternoon and evening. Very tired. Was carried through the exercises better than I expected. I adminis- tered at one table yesterday. I received a handsome Psalm Book, a present from Mrs. Ripley, of Whitestown. 24. Meeting most as large as yesterday. Preached from Luke xvii : 15. The meeting was dismissed about one o'clock. I hope it received the divine blessing. * He had been present at two or three Sab- there for the physician not to receive pay for bath services where sermons were read. attendance upon the minister. ^ We have before had intimations of this ^ This was the autumn for the fifth presi- dream about a college, but it was not realized dential election, for many years. * So they copied and introduced into ^ The fever and ague is the curse of new Ohio from Pennsylvania the sacramental oc- countries. casion, which was, to say the least, a doubt- * It seems not to have been the custom ful good. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 330 25. Rode to Kinsman and back. Some families there much afflicted with the fever and ague. 26. Commenced with the people on tlie subject of the college, which is expected soon to be established. Rode to Hartford. 27. Set out to go to Canfield. Rode to Hubbard. Very tired, poorly able to ride. 28. Rode to Canfield. My ride, though fatiguing, I hope will do me no injury. Very kindly received. 29. Wrote to Mr. Tower, Forks of Yough. Something rainy. Afternoon attended meeting. Mr. Badger preached. Very few people attended. To- morrow is appointed for a public sacrament here. The prospect is pretty discouraging. This town in a great ferment on account of a town quarrel and the approaching election. 30. Quite cold. Held meeting in an open new house. I preached in the forenoon from Acts xxviii: 24. Mr. Badger preached the sacrament. A good number of people. Mr. B. preached in the afternoon. Some of the people quite disorderly. Concluded not to have any meeting tomorrow. There is so little prospect of having any number to attend. October. 1. Wrote to Col. Perr}', now of Charlestown, Virginia. Wrote to Mr. Oilman,' of l^arietta. Mr. Badger set out to attend the Synod at Pittsburgh. I expected to have gone had my strength been sufficient. 2. Wrote records for the church here. Walked about half a mile. Got too much worried. 3. Wrote to Dr. West, of Stockbridge. Rode out. Great electioneering on account of the approaching election.^ 4. Read newspapers. Began a letter to Esq. Holmes,^ of Litchfield. Rode out. 5. Quite unwell. I believe I have been too attentive to business this week. 6. Rode to Boardman. Visited, Quite cool for the season. 7. Had a full and attentive meeting. Very tired. This is the first time that I have preached twice in a day since my sickness. Preached from Luke xii : 20, first clause, and Rom. x : i. 8. Visited. Many people sowing. Rode to Canfield. 9. This day is the election for State and county offices through this State.* Finished my letter to Esq. Holmes. Quite rainy. 25. ' Mr. Benjamin I. Oilman, who married ^ Uriel Holmes, Esq. Hannah Robbins, of Plymouth, Mass. * This was the second Tuesday in Octo ^ The Presidential Electors were then ber, 1804. As we write in the early days of chosen by the State Legislatures, and the October in this Presidential year, 1884, the political campaign was directed by the par- whole country is waiting eagerly for the State ties toward securing such legislatures in the election in Ohio on the second Tuesday of several States as should carry out their wishes. October, which this year falls October 14. 240 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. 10. Rode to China and preached from Luke v: 27, last clause. Returned to Canfield. 11. Quite feeble. Visited. Several Dutch families have moved into this town.' 12. Rode out and visited. I gain strength very little. I think I am scarcely any better than I was a fortnight ago. 13. Wrote considerably. Visited a school. Rode out. 14. Preached on the doctrine of Original Sin from Rom. v: 18. People very attentive. Baptized three children. The first baptisms in this town. At evening was at a singing meeting. 15. Quite rainy. Read the Bible. Visited. Many people in this town are very friendly to me. 16. Visited. Rode to Poland. Many New England families are arriving in the county.^ Bought apples for ten a dozen. 17. Rode out and visited. The Indian harvest rather light. Said to be owing to the wet season. Traded. 2.50. 18. Rode to Warren. I begin to ride in my usual way. A hard shower. Got something wet. Roads pretty bad. 19. For some weeks past many people have been quite sickly. Received a letter from my father. Read Boston's^ Fourfold State. Rainy. Wrote. 20. Wrote to my father. Read newspapers. Walked out and visited. The late elections in Connecticut"* have issued favorably. 21. Pleasant weather after a long turn of wet. Preached from Acts xxviii: 24 and from Matt, xxvi : 42. Quite tired. 22. Visited. Wrote to Mr. Strong, of Hartford. Something unwell. 23. Wrote to Mr. Bacon,^ a missionary lately arrived in the count}-. Yes- terday was requested to baptize a child of parents who made no profession. Refused. 24. Visited. Rode to Vienna. Bad riding. Wet and cold. Traded. 2.20. 25. Ten New England families have moved into this town this year. Rode out. My strength gains. 26. Read. Wrote. Visited. At evening preached a lecture from Matt, ix : 9, a clause. Quite cold. ' As we understand it he is still making umphed. Unfortunately in Ohio they were his home at Hartford. Democratic that year. ^ Then Trumbull County, but now the ^ Rev. David Bacon, father of the late Dr. southern part where Poland is, is a portion Leonard Bacon. He was sent in the summer of Mahoning County. of iSoo as a missionary to the Indians and ' Thomas Boston, a popular Scotch di- trading companies in the region of Detroit, vine, born at Dunse, Berwickshire, 1676. Mich. Here his son Leonard was born in He died May 20, I7'i2, at Ettrick, where he February, 1802. In 1S04 he was tranferred was settled in the ministry. His best known to the Western Reserve, his two-year old work is his Fourfold State, which was pub- boy being carried on his shoulders much of lished 1720. Other popular works of his in the \vay. There was a younger child, a babe their day were Tlie Crooli in ilie Lot, and the of only a month old. The little family at Marrow of Modern Divinity. length reached Cleveland in the fall of 1S04, * The elections in Connecticut were all after a long and wearisome journey attended right because the Federal party had tri- with great hardships. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 241 27. Wrote to Mr, Flint, of Hartford. 28. Pretty full meeting. Preached from Gen. vi : 3 and Luke xvi : 5. At evening walked out. Received a letter from Dr. Wilcox, of Hartland. 29. Worked a little all day helping to raise a log-house. At evening the people here met and conversed some on the subject of building a meeting- house. 30. Rode to Hartford. Weather quite warm and pleasant. Twelve fami- lies have lately moved into this town from Hartland," Ct. Visited. 31. Visited. Afternoon Mr. Badger preached a lecture. My health, I think, grows better, but I am not yet at my usual state. May the Lord help me more and more. November. 1. Rode to Smithfield. There appear to have been some late instances of serious impressions here. 2. Rode to Westfield ^ and preached to eight persons from Matt, ix : 9. Returned to Hartford. 3. Wrote to Esq. Holmes, of Litchfield, Ct. Read the Bible. Afternoon assisted in raising a log-house. Felt, I hope, in some measure, a spirit of prayer for assistance on the approaching Sabbath. 4. Preached to a large and respectable congregation from Luke xii : 20, first clause, and from Isa. xxxv : i. Quite attentive. Veiy good singing. Smithfield ^ and Hartford together is now the largest New England settlement in the county. 5. Read. Afternoon assisted in raising a log-house. Worked too hard. It did me an injury. Rode to Smithfield. 6. Walked out and visited. At evening Mr. Badger and Mr. Bacon, our brother missionary, came here. Formed an agreeable acquaintance with Mr. Bacon.'* 7. Mr. Bacon has set out to go to Connecticut on foot. He chooses to go in that way. Wrote to my parents and to Capt. Ripley, of Whitestown. Rode to Hartford. 8. Visited. Rode to Smithfield. At evening preached from Isa. vi : 9, 10. People in general here appear to accord with those doctrines which exalt God and tend to humble creatures. 9. Rode to Johnston' and preached from Heb. i : 2. Returned to Smith- ' It is likely that the letters, which for a ^ This remark makes it plain that Smith- time had been passing between him and Dr. field, no longer bearing this name, was in the Wilcox, of Hartland, Ct., had reference to immediate neighborhood of Hartford. this proposed movement of Hartland families. "• David Bacon was born in Woodstock, ^ Westfield seems to have been some place Ct., baptized Sept. 15, 1771, and died at near Hartford in TrmnbuU County, which Hartford, Ct, Aug. 27, 1817. He was the either was not a township, or if a town, the first missionary to the Indians sent forth by name was afterward changed. There is a the Connecticut Missionary Society in 1800. Westfield in Morrow County, Ohio, more ^ Johnston, named from James Johnston, than a hundred miles away from this place of Connecticut, one of the Connecticut Land in Trumbull County. Company. 242 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. field. A hard rain. But two families in Johnston. This was the first sermon ever preached in the town. 10. Rode out and visited. Wrote. Quite cool. 11. Preached from Rom. i : i6, first clause, and from Rom. v: 19, first part. At evening attended a conference. Conversed upon difficult, impor- tant doctrines. A young man here has lately obtained a hope. He appears pretty well. Others are much affected. 12. Yesterday and today it has snowed considerably. Rode out. People have success in killing deer. 13. Visited families. Rode to Vienna. My health and strength through God's mercy are pretty good. 14. It snowed pretty hard the most of the day. Rode to Warren. The county court in session here. 15. Received a letter from my father. Wrote to my brother James,' now a licensed preacher, and a tutor at Williams College. The snow is eight or ten inches deep. 16. Considerable business at court. Litigation increases in the county. Rode to Canfield. Quite cold. 17. Rode out. Read newspapers. Fall crops not yet gathered. 18. Very bad going. Quite pleasant. Preached from Acts xxviii : 8. Very tired and considerably unwell. People here very stupid. 19. Warm and pleasant. Snow goes very fast. Drank some cider, the first time in this county. 20. Read newspapers. At evening married a daughter of Capt. Tanner. There was a large and agreeable company at the wedding. Received a dollar. 21. Visited families. The snow is said to have been quite deep in the upper part of the county. Apples are considerable plenty here, brought from the Ohio." 22. Rode to Poland. The snow mostly gone. Returned to Boardman, and preached from Matt, ix : 9. The settlement in this town increases considerably. 23. Rode to Canfield. Visited a number of families. Preached in an out neighborhood from Matt, ix : 9. 24. Blessed be God \vho has now preserved me one year in this country. May I be made more faithful in his service. Wrote. Read the Bible. 25. Preached from Psalm xiv : i, first clause, and Rom. i ; 16. At even- ing received a letter from my cousin S. P. Robbins, now at Marietta. 26. Quite rainy. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins.^ Visited. Traded. 5.18. Things very dear here. 27. Rode to Hartford. Very bad riding. Quite warm and pleasant for the season. * James Watson Robbins. ^ Samuel Prince Robbins, before men- * From the Ohio River country, the region tioned, son of Dr. Chandler Robbins, of about Marietta. Ph-mouth, graduate of Harvard College, 179S. l8o4.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 243 28. Rode to Smithfield.' People here building considerably. Wrote. On the 18th received a letter from Dr. Strong, of Hartford. On the 24th wrote to Dr. Smith, Forks of Yough. 29. This day is kept by the people in Smithfield and Hartford as a day of Thanksgiving. I preached from Isa. i : 2, 3. A large collection of people. Quite warm. Saw Mr. Power ^ from the Forks of Yough. 30. Visited. Rode with Mr. Power to Vienna. A prospect of a good set- tlement in Brookfield.^ The 'fall is closed and I am restored to health. December. 1. Rode to Warren and to Salem.* Very bad riding. No meetings are kept at Warren on the Sabbath. 2. Preached from Heb. i: 2 and Rom. i: 16. People mostly Pennsylva- nians. Quite attentive. After meeting crossed the river, and tarried at Mr. Cleveland's. Quite cold. 3. It snowed considerably. Rode to Smithfield. Riding very bad and dangerous. Great commotion with regard to the division of this county. 4. I think I am quite as smart for business or fatigue as I was last winter. At evening preached from Matt, ix : 9. Wrote to Capt. Tanner, of Canfield. 5. Visited families. Rode to Hartford. Afternoon it snowed quite hard. Read newspapers. 6. Rode to Vienna. The people here appointed this day for a day of Thanksgiving. I preached from Isa. i : 2, 3. , 7. Visited. Rode to Hubbard.' Considerable snow, but warm. I have a pretty hard cold. 8. Rode out. Read. The people considerably divided here in religious opinions. 9. Preached from Acts xxviii : 24 and Rom. i : 16. Quite cold. Am so hoarse with my cold that I speak with difficulty. At evening wrote to my parents. ID. Visited. I hope the way may appear before long for the formation of a church in this town. At evening Mr. Badger came here. II. Rode to Warren. Was soon called to see a dying woman. Continued with her till she expired. A most solemn occasion. The first person, except- ing a man hung,* that I ever saw die.^ ' Mr. Aaron E. Austin, son of Aaron already several times mentioned, was given Austin, who gave the name to Austinburgh, probably in honor of Nehemiah Hubbard, Ohio, and who was born in that town 1S04, Jr., one of the Connecticut Land company, and is still living, says that the old town of ^ This was the Indian murderer whose ex- Smithfield is the present town of Vernon in ecution he witnessed at Whitestown, April Trumbull County. 26, 1801. "^ Rev. James Power. ^ Mr. Robbins was now twenty-seven years ^ Brookfield is the township next to Hart- old, and though never a settled minister, he ford on the south in Trumbull County. had been stated supply for longer or shorter * The present town of Salem, Ohio, is in periods in several places. It is a little re- Columbiana County, south of Warren, some markable that he had never before, either twenty-five miles. It is probable that the among his kindred and family friends, or Salem he visited was some locality near among the people whom he temporarily had Warren. in charge, seen a person die. He was after- ^ The name of this town, which has been wards many times at the bedside of the dying. \ 244 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1804. 12. Wrote to Mr. Strong, of Hartford. Severe cold. 13. Attended a funeral. Talked some, sung, and prayed. The Pennsyl- vanians are not generally used to having prayer at funerals.' Walked out. Read the Bible. 14. Rode out and visited. My hoarseness abates in some measure. The electors for President in Massachusetts^ are Democrats. The first instance in which Democracy has ever triumphed in that State. 15. Visited a school. Warm. Read the Bible. 25. 16. Very cold and blustering. Preached from Matt, ix : 9. Had but one exercise. Am much better of my cold, but still am something hoarse. 17. Read the Bible. Walked out and visited. Extreme cold. Wrote. 18. Crossed the Mahoning on the ice, and rode to the upper part of the town. Visited. It snowed some. 19. Rode to Nelson.^ The most difficult riding I have ever found in the country. At evening preached from Matt, ix : 9. Very much fatigued. 20. This most severe cold we have had this year, and I think that I have ever seen in this country. Rode to Middlefield." Had very fearful apprehen- sions of lying out,* but the Lord took care of me. 21. Rode to Burton.* From Warren here I have had much the most diffi- cult and laborious travel I have ever had in this country. Snow about a foot deep, no path, waters high and partly frozen, ground soft and the weather extremely cold, and almost the whole way in lonely woods where I had never been. Thanks be to God who has been my gracious Preserver. 22. Wrote considerably. It snows almost daily. Tarried with Esq. Noyes. 23. Preached from Heb. i: 2 and Rom. i: 16. People quite generally at meeting. They appear to be much gratified in being visited. This town I believe has not had its proportion of missionary service. 24. They have a large and very good frame raised here for an academy.' Rode out and visited. 25. Read the Bible. Was invited to an entertainment with a number of people, it being Christmas. The people however are not Episcopalians.* 26. Read. Visited. Quite cold. Very good traveling where the roads are used. 27. It snowed considerably. Rode out. Preached from Matt, ix : 9. Read. ' Services at funerals in old times, and able to reach any dwelling. That is a fear- even now, differ greatly in different parts of ful experience on a winter's night in those the country. lonely and far-spreading fields of the west. = And the man that Massachusetts voted '' Burton is one of the central towns of for for President that year (1804), was the Geauga County. same Thomas Jefferson that she looked up- ^ These settlers had carried to the Con- on with such horror and dread in 1800. necticut Reserve, the Connecticut zeal for ' In the northeast corner of Portage education. County. 8 j,^ those days Christmas was not usually ■* Middlefield was midway on the eastern observed in this country except by Episcopa- Ime of Geauga County. Hans. In many country towns Christmas * That is, of losing his way and not being came and went without recognition. 1804.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 245 28. Read the Bible. Visited. At evening preached from Acts viii : 8. I have seldom had so many hearers at an evening meeting. 29. It snowed all day. Wrote. The people of this town generally came here pretty poor. They are now generally living comfortably, but are not forehanded. They are industrious. The center of the town is a very hand- some situation. 30. Quite cold and stormy. Full meeting. Preached from 2 Tim. iii : 9, first clause, and 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. But two or three professors of religion in this town. 31. Wrote all day. The snow is quite eighteen inches deep and very solid. God has graciously preserved me through another year. I have this year passed through as great a variety of scenes perhaps as in any one of my life. I have had no home. I have seen no family relation, and may almost say I have no resting-place. I have been visited with sore sickness, but every favor was provided for my help and restoration, and having obtained help of God I am preserved and restored to health. isoe- January. 1. Very cold. Wrote. Rode out, took supper, and spent the evening with considerable company. 2. Visited. Preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19. 3. It snowed the most of the day. Walked out and visited. ^. Extreme cold. Much the most severe I have ever seen in this country. Rode to Middlefield.' 5. The people have never seen such a severe season in this country. But seven families in this town. 6. Preached from Luke xvi: 5 and Luke xv: 17. There appear to be but few serious people in this part of the county. 7. Rode to Burton. At evening attended a marriage. The snow is two feet to two and a half deep. 8. On the 6th finished reading the New Testament in course, which I began July 8, 1804. Visited families. Read newspapers. 9. Rode to Mesopotamia."^ Had company on the way. About half of the way there was no path in the snow. People here considerably inclined to errors. 10. Last night was called up by reason of the woman where I stopped, and I walked to another house about half a mile. The weather more moderate than last week. 11. Weather very severe. Equal to any that we have had. Rode out. At evening preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19. But few people in this settlement. 12. Rode and visited. Read the Life of jfoseph. Very good riding where the roads are traveled. 13. Preached from Rom. X : i and Luke xv: 17. People pretty attentive, yet most of them very stupid, and several much inclined to infidelity, 14. Began a letter to my parents. Visited a school. Walked out and visited. 15. Rode to the north part of the town. Preached from John xi : 23, to a family called to mourning. 16. Visited families. Rode to Windsor.^ Read newspapers. The Legis- lature of this State appear to have no dignity of character. The spirit of party ' Middlefield, as stated before, was in Ge- ^ Windsor was the southwest township of auga County. The townships on the Reserve Ashtabula County. It was altogether natural were laid out originally five miles square, that there should be a town of this name on and many of these towns had not as many the Reserve, for Oliver Phelps and Roger families even as Middlefield. Newberry, both natives of Windsor, Ct., bore ^ Mesopotamia was the northwest town of a very prominent part in the affairs of early Trumbull County. Ohio. 247 248 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1805. and electioneering which has deluged our country is sinking our national character to speedy contempt, and our free government to certain ruin.' 17. Warm. It thawed quite fast all day. Preached from Matt, ix : 9. Walked out. Some families lately moved into this town live pretty poor. 18. Rode to Mesopotamia. Visited. It snowed considerably. Conversed upon difficult religious subjects. 19. Rode out. Extreme cold. Read President Adams's Defence of the American Constitutions. Bad crossing streams. 20. Rode to Windsor and preached from Rom. xiv : 7 and Matt, xxvi : 42. At evening rode to Mesopotamia, and preached from Rom. xiv: 10, last clause. People in Windsor appear to be very thoughtless. 21. Most extreme cold. Rode through the woods to Middlefield. Froze one of my ears. Preached from John iv : 15. People generally attended. 22. Rode to Wooster.'^ Found some formerly Norfolk people. On the 29th of July last there was a great windfall in all this part of the countr)'. 24. The people here are very stupid with regard to serious things, and have erroneous principles. Preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. The first sermon ever preached in the town.^ Rainy all day. Rode to Burton. 25. The snow thaws and the streams rise very fast. Wrote. Visited. At evening preached from i Cor. ii : 4, 5. 26. Rode to Middlefield, and preached in a small neighborhood from Matt, ix : 9. Returned to Burton. Waters quite high. 27. Preached from Acts xvii : 31, last clause, and Jer. viii : 20. People appear quite attentive and serious. Very much fatigued with my labors for a week past. Read the Life of Joseph* 28. Rode out and visited families. Very comfortable winter weather. Considerably unwell. 29. Quite stormy. At evening a number of the people here met and ex- pressed a wish that I would hereafter take the charge of the academy which they are erecting, and be their minister. I gave very little encouragement. 30. Rode through the woods to Bondstown^ and to Perkinton.^ Had company on the road. At Bondstown was thrown violently from my horse. My teeth were hurt considerably. 31. Warm. Afternoon preached from Heb. i : 2. A few serious people here. A small Pennsylvania settlement. ' It was very hard, as we have before inti- ^ It is worthy of special notice, as showing mated, for the Old Federalists to see power the newness of the country, how often Mr. pass out of their hands, and still keep up a Robbins preaches the first sermon ever cheerful courage. Ohio had gone Demo- preached in the place, cratic, but the grave fears of the writer of ■* This being the second allusion to the the diary were not realized. Life of yosep/i, we were led to infer that it ^ Wooster is in Wayne County, one of was a book by itself, and not the Bible story the tier of counties immediately south of the of Joseph. He refers to a poem by John Reserve. It is the shire town of that county. McGowan, entitled Life of Joseph, Son of It was then very new, as Mr. Robbins was Israel, in eight books, 1803. the first man to preach there. It was quite a ' Neither of these places are towns, or journey for Mr. Robbins to make in the dead even post office localities, in the present State of winter to reach Wooster. of Ohio. 1S05.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 249 February. 1. Rode to Bondstown and preached from Matt, ix : 9. The first sermon ever preached in the town.' A good woman told me she had not heard a sermon before for ahnost two years and a half. Returned to Perkinton. 2. Rode to Palnesville,- and preached from John iv : 15. Rode to Men- tor.^ Had considerable conversation with an ignorant infidel. 3. Rode to Painesville, and preached from John xi : 23 and Rom. i : 16, Attended the funeral of a child. The forenoon discourse adapted to the occa- sion. Very cold. Last night had a pretty hard lodging. 4. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Chapman/ formerly a missionary in this county. Rode to Carlton.' Tarried at Mr. Abbott's. He would not let me perform any religious exercises in his family.* I shall not tarry with him again on the same terms without necessity. 5. Rode to Euclid and Cleveland.^ The riding generally very good. 6. Preached from Hab. i : 62. A very good number of people attended. They appear to be pleased to be visited, and anxious to have me come again. They keep meetings steadily on the Sabbath. 7. Rode to Euclid, preached from Matt, ix : 9. Baptized a child. Sev- eral serious people in this town. A prospect of a good settlement. 8. Rode to Carlton. Preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19. The first sermon ever preached in the town. 9. Rode to Kirtland,^ and preached from Matt, ix : 9. The first sermon ever preached in the town. Rode to Mentor. Had some conversation with a stupid, cross infidel. ID. Preached from Acts viii : 8 and Luke xv : 17. A good number of people. Reproved some men for trading on the Sabbath. The people in this vicinity are much inclining to infidelity and immorality. Have rode the week past more than fifty miles. 11. Rode to Perkinton and preached to a few people from John vi : 48. Warm. The snow thaws fast. Rode to Painesville. The river very hard frozen. 12. Very warm and pleasant. Rode out. Missed my way and lost the travel of several miles. Visited a school well regulated and instructed. Preached from Matt, ix : 9, A good number of people. 13. The ground begins to appear considerably, having been covered since ' Mr. Robbins calls Bondstown a town, ■• Rev. Ezekiel J. Chapman, a native of but its name must afterward have been Saybrook, Ct., graduate of Yale, 1799, one of changed. the very early missionaries sent to the Con- ^ Painesville is near the shore of Lake necticut Reserve. Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, Erie, and in the present Lake County. This another early and prominent missionary, was county has been made out of Geauga and from Saybrook. Cuyahoga Counties, since the original settle- ' Carlton is a place not now found in the ments. Edward Paine, one of the early ad- Ohio list of towns. venturers in these parts, probably gave the ^ He had the same experience here as name to Painesville. with a Mr. Fowler, before mentioned. ^ Mentor is just west of Painesville, now ^ Euclid and Cleveland near together, both so well known as the home of President in Cuyahoga County. Garfield, * Kirtland is in Lake County. 250 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. the 2d of December. Rode to Harpersfield.' Streams breaking up and high. Quite fatigued with my labors for some time jDast. 14. Finished my letter to my father, which 1 began January 14, I have not found time to finish it before now. Last night considerable of a thunder- shower. Read a newspaper. Walked out and visited. 15. Read. The people here appear to be not very well agreed with regard to society matters. Visited a school. Preached from 2 Tim. ii. The weather has again become quite cold and tedious. 16. Wrote to Mr. Strong, of Hartford. Find old Norfolk friends. 17. Preached extempore on new subjects both parts of the day from Rom. x: 20 and Matt, x: 32. Full meeting. People quite attentive. 18. Rode out. Preached from Matt, ix : 9. Some people here appear to be much opposed to Mr. Badger. 19. Rode to Austinburgh.^ Preached from John vi : 37. At evening attended a conference. Considerable of the bodily exercise appears here yet. The effects of the revival last winter appear to be good. 20. Wrote. Visited a school. Rode out and visited. Visits of neighbors here are generally devoted to religious conversation. 21. Visited. Quite warm and pleasant. Rode to the south part of the town. Some difficulties exist in the church here. At evening attended a conference. 22. The snow goes fast. Afternoon preached from Matt, ix : 9. The people here sing hymns very well. ., 23. Visited a school Rode to Morgan. Tarried with my old classmate I Battell.' 24. Mr. Badger was with me and preached in the forenoon. I preached in the afternoon and evening from Rom. xiv : 10, last clause, and Gal. v: 22. There appear to be some evils existing here. I preached very plainly to the people, and we had a very solemn and may God grant it a profitable day. 25. Visited a number of families. Preached in an out neighborhood from Matt, xxvi : 42. 26. Yesterday traded. 6.00. The snow appears to be going off by dry warm weather, which is a great favor. Rode to Somers.* Had company on the way. The riding very bad. Streams just broke up and ver}-' high. 27. Rode to Gustavus.' Preached from Matt, ix : 9. Something rainy. 28. Rode to Smithfield. Received a letter from my parents, accompanied with a pair of boots and a pair of stockings, brought by Dr. Wright.* * In Ashtabula County. * Somers, so named doubtless from Som- ^Austinburgh and Morgan, adjoining towns ers, Ct., is another of those places whose in Ashtabula County, were largely settled at name seems to have departed, the first by people from Litchfield County, ^ Gustavus, in Trumbull County, already Ct., especially from the towns of Torrington noticed. 1 and New Hartford. * Dr. Wright came from Norfolk. In fact | ^ Josiah Buckingham Battell, from Tor- Norfolk seems to have furnished Western rington, Ct., already noticed. emigrants in great numbers. i 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 25 1 March. 1. Wrote considerably. Good weather for making sugar. Walked out and visited. 2. On the 26th ult, received a letter from Mr. Flint, of Hartford, inform- ing me that the Missionary' Society have appointed me for another year to itinerate in this county. 3. Preached from i Cor. ii : 4, 5 and Matt, x : 32. A general stupidity and inattention to the concerns of religion seems to have prevailed here much the winter past. 4. Quite weak and unwell. 5. Rode to Hartford. Visited families. The snow gone. The riding very bad, 6. Rode out. It rained some. At evening preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19. 7. Rode to Smithfield. Had appointed to preach on the east side of the creek, but could not get over on account of high water. 8. Wrote considerably. Last night a very hard rain. At evening preached from Ps. xiv : i. In crossing a stream which was high I was thrown from my horse, but fell on a bank, and was not hurt nor much wet. Rainy with considerable thunder. 9. The people in this and the neighboring towns are trying to raise money to procure preaching. Walked out. Showery. Remarkably warm and sultry. The frogs peep.* 10. Rode to Kinsman. Got quite wet with rain. Was carried across the creek in a canoe. Could not get my horse across. Preached once from Matt, xviii : 3. But few hearers. Returned to Smithfield. Very wet and bad riding. The streams higher than has been before known. 11. It snowed some. Worked considerably. Wrote. 12. Quite cold. Went to the east side of the town, carried over the creek ill a canoe, and preached from Matt, ix : 9. Visited families. 13. Visited a number of families. The prospect of society regulations here is more encouraging than I have feared. Recrossed the creek. 14. Rode to Hartford. Preached from Matt, ix : 9. The ground some- thing frozen, and the riding ver/ bad. 15. Rode to Vienna. Worked some with the people on the road. At evening preached from Matt, xvi : 24. The Methodists appear to be wishing to get an influence here, but I think they will not succeed. Read Winches- ter's Dialogues?^ 16. Rode out. Visited an afflicted family. The man was killed last Janu- ar)^, by the fall of a tree. Am taking the number of families in the different settlements in the county. Received a letter from my parents. The past winter has been extraordinarily severe in New England. 17. Ver)' warm for the season. More than an hundred people at meeting. ' This was a sound which he had been 1786, by Rev. Elnathan Winchester. He wont to hear in his native State, and not far was a Restorationist minister, born in Brook- from this same time of year. line, Mass., 1751, and died at Hartford, Ct, ^ Universal Restoration in Four Dialogues, April, 1797. 252 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBRIXS, D.D. [1805. Preached from Rom. x: 20 and Rom. i: 16. At evening visited an aged woman, probably near her end. 18. Visited families in Brookfield.' Assisted in raising a large log-house. Returned to Vienna. 19. Quite uncomfortably warm. Preached from Jer. 1 : 34. The mud dries ver}- fast. The people here are calculating to build a good framed school-house to be used for meetings. They have signed eighty dollars to hire preaching. Visited a school. 20. Rode to Brookfield and preached from Matt, ix : 9. The first sermon ever preached in the town. The people in the eastern part of this town can conveniently belong to Mr. Satterfield's^ congregation over the State line. Rode to Hartford. 21. Conversed with several people who are professors of religion on the subject of joining with the church here. Cold. Some snow. 22. Rode to Smithfield and preached from Matt, xvi : 24. A serious meeting. In the forenoon visited a school in Hartford. Conversed seriously with some people on the importance of family religion. 23. Wrote to Mr. Strong, of Hartford, requesting the Missionary Society to send out a preacher to be emploj-ed in Smithfield. Hartford, and Vienna. Am feeble, but better than I was yesterday. Rode to Hartford. 24. Had a large and attentive audience. Preached closely from John vi : 37 and Rom. xiv : 10. Quite tired. Propounded three persons for church- members. 25. Rode to Smithfield. Visited a number of families. Quite warm. People beginning to plow. Conversed with some persons under serious impressions. 26. Rode to Canfield to see a sick man. Streams have got quite low for the season. Vegetables coming forward quite fast. The snow was wholly gone about the loth inst. 27. Several persons in this town appear to be seriously impressed. Vis- ited families. Received a letter from my cousin Sam. P. at Marietta. 28. Wrote to my parents. Visited families. Afternoon preached from Rev. XX : 15. Had a serious conversation with the church-members, and some persons under serious impressions. The serious people here appear engaged to call on the Lord for help. 29. Read newspapers. Judge Chase,' having been impeached and tried before the Senate of the United States, is acquitted by a majority on all the ' Brookfield was on the eastern border of Judge was a bold, able man, but somewhat the county touching the Pennsylvania line. overbearing. John Randolph undertook to - Rev. James Satterfield, Presbyterian impeach him for various misdemeanors. He minister. was acquitted by the House of Representa- ^ Samuel Chase, one of the Judges of the tives on five counts by a majoritj' vote, and Supreme Court of United States, was born on the other three counts the requisite two in Maryland, April 17, 1741. His father was thirds vote would not be secured. His trial an Episcopal minister of England, who came ended March 5, 1805. So the case was just to this countrv and settled in Marvland. The concluded. i 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT, 253 charges taken together of twenty-two to twelve. On one article nineteen said guilty, and fifteen not guilty. Rode out. Visited families. 30. Rode to Liberty. Forded the Mahoning, quite deep and difficult. Vegetation comes on considerably. Preached from Matt, xvi : 24. Several people in this vicinity are seceders. 31. Rode to Hubbard. Preached to a large and attentive meeting from John vi : 37 and Matt, x: 32. The most of the serious people here are Meth- odists or Baptists. At evening attended a singing meeting. April. 1. Wrote all day. Weather very warm. At evening walked out and visited. The prospect for society regulations here is pretty discouraging. 2. Rode to Hopewell, and preached on the occasion of the quarterly concert of prayer, which is generally attended to by the Presbyterian churches in this part of the country. Preached from Matt, vi : 10. Tarried with Mr. Wick.' 3. Rode to Hubbard. Visited a school, and preached from Matt, ix : 9. Visited. Very favorable weather for business. Saw blossoms on peach-trees. 4. Rode out and visited a number of families. The Methodists here profess to be friendly. 5. Visited a school, and preached from John vii : 34. Conversed with some people of different denominations on serious subjects. 6. Visited families. Wrote to Mr. Badger. My strength and appetite appear to fail as the season advances. 7. Preached largely on the doctrine of Divine Sovereignty from Rom. X : 20. Was favored with unusual fullness of expression and clearness of illustration. Several Methodists were present. After meeting rode to Brook- field, and preached a third sermon to a pretty large collection of people from Acts xxviii : 24. Conversed considerably with a bigoted, ignorant Methodist. 8. Warm. Rode to Hartford. Conversed with serious people on the Christian walk. Many people here appear very stupid.^ 9. Rode to Smithfield. Quite rainy. Afternoon attended a church conference. This church have now concluded to have regular, monthly con- ferences. I hope they may be attended with a good effect. 10. Rode to Kinsman, and preached from Matt, xvi: 24. At evening preached again from i Cor. ii : 4. Some people here appear to be something attentive to serious things. ' Rev. William Wick, before mentioned, brother, who had entered the wilderness a a Presbyterian minister, who is said to have few weeks before me, and whose family was preached the first sermon on the Western the only one in Coitsville." Reserve. We suppose Mr. Wick to be the Coitsville (now in Mahoning County) was man of whom Rev. Joseph Badger, on his then one of the towns of Trumbull County journey to New Connecticut in 1801, thus bordering on Pennsylvania, speaks : " I soon fell on the open line be- ^ We have suggested, in a previous note, tween Pennsylvania and Ohio, and arrived that the word stupid in this connection means at the residence of a reverend Presbyterian simply dull and indifferent in religious things. 254 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBIXS, D.D. [1805. 11. Rode to Smithfield, and preached from Acts vii : 34. The people here generally appear very stupid. Visited a young man who has a bad broken limb. 12. Quite warm. Yesterday morning a hard frost, but it is hoped the fruit is not much injured. Rode to Hubbard. Preached in the evening from Rev. XX : 15. Saw Mr. Badger. He expects to go on a short mission to the Wy- andot Indians the ensuing summer. 13. Rode to Canfield.' Very tired. The riding pretty good. The pros- pect of grain is very encouraging. The last season being very unfavorable for seeding there appears to be more on the ground than was expected. 14. Had a full and solemn meeting. I have never seen the appearance of the people here so solemn before. Preached from Amos vi : i and Rom. xiv : 10. Several appear to be ver}^ deeply affected. At evening preached again from Acts vii : 34. 15. Visited a good many families. There appear to be six or seven peo- ple, who are heads of families, in deep concern for their souls. 16. Wrote considerably. Wrote to Mr. G. H. Tower, Forks of Yough. Rode out and visited. 17. Ver}- warm and dr}Mveather. Rode to Poland. Traded. 10.00. Vis- ited. Many people here appear gratified to see me. I have not preached here for nearly a year. 18. Rode to Boardman and preached from Matt, xvi : 24. Quite poor riding. Rode to Canfield. 19. The air appears to be almost filled with fires and smoke. A very favorable time for burning. Preached to a very solemn audience from Esther iv : 16, last clause. 20. Rode to China and preached from Esther iv : 16. Returned to Can- field. A hard shower. Got quite wet. 21. Rode to Boardman and preached from John vi : 37 and Matt, x : 32. Many people attended meeting from Canfield, though the day was unfavor- able. After meeting rode to Poland, and preached from Rom. i: 16. With some cold taken yesterday and my speaking, I contracted a great hoarseness. Very tired. 22. Rode to Canfield. Visited a school. I believe the most forward one in the count}% Had appointed to preach, but my hoarseness was such that I could not. 23. Visited thirteen families. The work of God appears to be gloriously increasing. 24. Rode to Libert}'. Visited a school, and preached from Esther iv : 16. Rainy. 25. Rode to Hartford. A hard rain. Several people in different places are sickly. 26. Rode to Vienna and Liberty. Was stopped several times with show- ers. Bad riding. My health quite good for the season. ' Canfield, which has been often men- Mr. Judson Canfield, one of the early pur- tioned, was so named, as we suppose, from chasers of these lands on the Reserve. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 255 27. Rode to Warren. Excepting at Canfield it appears to be generally a very stupid time with regard to religion. Received this Almanack sent from home. Received a letter from my brother James, and one from Col. Perry, Charlestown, Va. Read newspapers. 28. Preached in the western part of the town from John vi : 37 and Matt. x: 32. But few hearers. Waters quite high. 29. Rode to Braceville, and preached from Esther iv : 16. The first ser- mon ever preached in the town. Returned to Warren.' 30. For several mornings past we have had pretty hard frosts. Read the Bible. Wrote. May. 1. Wrote considerably. Afternoon preached from Acts vii : 34. The people generally appear to be very stupid. 2. Very warm for the season. Rode to Rowland,'' and preached from Matt. X : 32. Several of the people here are Baptists. 3. Very warm. Rode to Hartford. Have some cold in consequence of taking off my flannel yesterday. At evening preached to a good number of people from 2 Tim. iii : 16, first clause. 4. Had some clothing made. Rainy. Rode to Vienna, and preached to a few people from John xiv : 6, Caught a considerable addition to my cold. 5. Rode to Warren. Preached from Rom. i: 16 and Esther iv : 16. A large number of people at meeting. 6. A pretty hard frost. Had appointed to go and preach at Newton, but my pain and lameness is such that I am unable. Spent the forenoon with Mr. G. Granger. Wrote records of this church. Walked out. 7. Wrote. Rode to Salem. Preached from Num. x : 29. The few people in this town conversed agreeably. Last evening received a letter from my cousin S. P. Robbins.^ He has received a call to settle at Marietta. I hope he will accept. 8. Rode to Youngstown."* Showery. Preached in the meeting-house from Rom. x: 50. The first time I have preached in a meeting-house in this country.^ 9. Rode to Canfield and preached a sacramental lecture from Rev. xvi : 15. 10. Rode to Poland and preached from Jer. 1 : 34. Two women in the house quite sick. Very tired. ' Mr. Robbins confines his labors chiefly, Trumbull County, so named from Joseph it will be observed, to a circuit of towns in Howland, one of the Land Company. Trumbull County, while his associate, Rev. ^ He was then tutor at Williams College. Joseph Badger, was doing the same, as we ■* Youngstown was then in Trumbull suppose, in Ashtabula County. These two County, now, by the division of the county, counties bordering on Pennsylvania had, at in Mahoning County. that time, received more population from the ' As h€ had been preaching four or five East than any other counties on the Reserve, times a week for more than a year and a half, though there were small settlements in al- this fact alone shows the newness of the most all parts of the Reserve. country. The whole region was just out of ^ Howland is a town near the center of the primitive state. 256 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROCBINS, D.D. [1805. 11. Rode to Canfield. Warm and showery. In Poland went to see a furnace which is nearly ready for blowing. I hope they may succeed well. If so it will be very beneficial to this country. At evening assisted the members of the church in examining three women for communion. I have rarely ex- amined any who gave better satisfaction. 12. Had a very full and solemn meeting. The most so of any that has ever been in this town. Admitted three women into the church. Adminis- tered the sacrament. Several members of the church at Youngstown com- muned with us. Many people very much affected, and all the congregation very attentive and solemn. Preached from Num. x : 29 and Gen. vii : 16, last clause. Met in a barn with very convenient accommodations. 13. Visited, particularly those who are oppressed with sin. None at present appear to get relief from their burdens. 14. In the morning considerably unwell. Walked out. Wrote. Visited. 15. Wrote the most of the day. Rainy. The weather very unsteady. Read newspapers. 16. Visited a sick woman. Afternoon attended a conference. Quite rainy. The people were very much alarmed by two children being lost. They were found just at dark. Saw some people late from Warren, Ct. 17. Wrote to my parents. Some vile characters here are trying to make difficulty among the members of the church. Afternoon preached from Matt, xvii : 5, latter clause. 18. Visited. Wrote. Rode to Stanford,' and preached from Matt, xvii : 5, The first sermon ever preached in the town. Returned to Canfield. 19. Meeting nearly as numerous as last Sabbath. Preached from Rom, x: 20 and from Eccles. xii : i, first clause. Baptized two children. At the eastern part of the town preached a third sermon on the account of a sick woman, from Isa. Ixiii : i, last clause. Wrote. Very tired. The people here have appointed a committee, of which I am one, to procure a preacher. 20. The ground very wet. Visited some of the Dutch families in the town. Preached towards night from John xiv : 14. But few hearers. Re- ceived a letter from Mr. Moore of this town. He appears to be an enemy to religion and to me. It appears that he wishes to draw me into a correspond- ence, but I conclude to take no notice of it, 21. Quite rainy. Rode out and visited. The most of the people here are inquisitive about serious things. 22. Rode to Deerfield. Roads very wet and muddy. Preached from Gen. vii : 16. The people collected very well upon a short notice. Spent the evening with Mr. Bostwick without any altercation. 23. Rode through the woods to Warren. Tarried with Maj. Perkins. Conversed considerably about county matters. Spent the evening with Gen, Champion,'^ from Connecticut. Yesterday wrote to Mr. T. Crosby, of Smithfield. * Stanford does not now appear among Stanford must have been some place very the Ohio towns. As he returned the same near at hand. day to Canfield, which is in the present Ma- ^ Gen. E. Champion from Haddam, promi- honing County, then in Trumbull County, nent in the settlement of New Connecticut. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 257 24. Rode to Newton/ and preached from Matt, x : 32. In the morning received an excellent letter from my father. Mr. Jones, a Baptist minister, has come to live in Warren. 25. Rode to Palmyra.* People here of diverse denominations in religion. Received a letter from Mr. Badger. Wrote. Conversed considerably with Methodists. 26. Preached from John vi : 37 and Num. x : 29. There is Methodist preaching here about two thirds of the Sabbaths. Rode to Deerfield and preached a third sermon from Luke xv : 17. Very tired. 27. Rode to Atwater^ and preached from Matt, xvii : 5. About half of the people came in just as I finished the sermon. I sat a few minutes, prayed, and preached again from Esther iv : 16. This a small new settlement. Mr. Atwater " here the proprietor of the town. Very friendly. 28. Received a present of two dollars from Mr. Atwater. Very warm. Flies begin to be troublesome. Rode to Randolph.* Afternoon preached to a few people from Num. x : 29. Assisted in hiving a large swarm of bees. 29. Something unwell. Rode to Suffield.^ Read the Bible. Considerable of old openings in this town. I think it will be one of the pleasantest towns in the county. ^ 30. Rode out and visited. Afternoon preached from Matt, xvii : 5. The first sermon ever preached in the town. The people collected very well. Quite cool. 31. In the morning considerable frost. Rode through a very blind and lonely road to Ravenna.' Something unwell. Read Don Quixote. June. 1. Read. Walked out and visited. Wrote. The Methodists appear endeavoring to obtain an influence here, but I think there is but little pros- pect of their succeeding.* 2. Very warm. Preached in Rootstown' to a pretty large number of hearers. Many more than I expected. There has been but very little preach- ing in this vicinity. Rode into Ravenna and preached a third sermon from Gen. vii: 16. In Rootstown preached from 2 Tim. iv: 7, 8 and from Rom. xiv : ID. Very tired. 3. Rode to Stowe and Hudson." Missed my way. Lost the travel of many miles. Some Connecticut families lately arrived in the county. ' Newton, about five miles from Warren, '' Ravenna, the shire town of Portage the southwest town in the present Trumbull County. County. * There is something of denominational ^ Palmyra is in Portage County. narrowness in this remark. ^ Atwater, one of the southern tier of ' Rootstown is in Portage County, next towns in Portage County, so named from Mr. south of Ravenna. Caleb Atwater. '° To a person living in Massachusetts, * Caleb Atwater, the founder of this town, Stowe and Hudson, as two neighboring towns, was one of the Connecticut Land Company, seem very familiar. But in Ohio Stowe whose share in the investment was $22,846. seems to have dropped out from its ancient 5 Randolph, also in Portage County. connection. Hudson is in Summit County, ^ Suffield, next town west of Randolph, which was not of the original counties, but owes its name to Connecticut. has been since formed. 258 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. 4. Visited. Rode to Aurora.' Quite a dry season. Had difficulty in finding the way. Lost the travel of about eight miles. 5. People complain considerably of vermin destroying the corn. Rode to Mantua.' Visited families. Preached from Rom. i: i6. Have been engaged since last January in taking the number of families in this county; have now finished. 6. Rode to Warren. From Nelson to Warren a very bad road. Several families have lately come into this town. 7. There is generally a considerable scarcity of provisions. Very warm for this country. Very good riding. 8. A very hard rain. Wrote considerably. The rain is very favorable for the crops. 9. Preached from Matt, xvii : 5 and Esther iv: 16. Toward evening attended a conference. Conversed considerably with a young man who has lately obtained a hope after having been under great exercise of mind for a long time. I think he appears very well. ID. Quite weak and unwell. Walked out and visited. A young man here has lately had a thigh amputated, hurt by the falling of a tree. 11. Rode out and visited. Rode to Gustavus. Quite cool for the season. 12. Rode to Austinburgh.^ The roads pretty bad. My old acquaintance here apjDcar pleased to have me come among them. 13. Rode to the north part of the town. Very warm. Was expecting to go on this week to Cleveland ; but being considerably unwell, with some other reasons, I have concluded to stay here till next week. On the 8th wrote to Dr. Strong, of Hartford. 14. Some unhappy difficulties exist in the church here. I hope, however, they are not incurable. Wrote. Rode out and visited. The trustees of the college'* in this county have determined to fix the seat of it at Burton. 15. Some difficulty among military characters with regard to the choice of a colonel. Walked out. With the assistance of a dog I killed a large wild turkey. Much oppressed with the heat. 16. Preached from Matt, xvii: 5 and Num. x: 29. The people in this town and Morgan generally attended. Conversed largely with some of the church-members on the subject of existing differences here. Baptized a child of Roger Nettleton.^ I think I have experienced nothing in this country which seemed so much like home. 17. Visited. Rode to Morgan.* I think the roads in Austinburgh are the worst of any settled town in the county. * Aurora is in Portage County. seems to have been for a long time non- ^ Mantua, in the northern tier of Portage existent. It was like Connecticut people to towns. plan for a college at once. ^ As already said, Austinburgh was settled ^ Roger Nettleton was probably some old chiefly from Litchfield County, Ct., where Mr. Connecticut acquaintance. Robbins was born. * Morgan, several times already mentioned, * Mention has several times been made of was named in honor of John Morgan, one of this prospective college, but the institution the Land Company. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 259 18. Mr. Bacon* and I attended at Austinburgh, with the principal part of the brethren of the church, for familiar conference on the subject of their difficulties. I hope the way appears a little more favorable than in time past. 19. The weather steadily very warm. A very favorable season for the crops. On the 15th wrote to my brother missionary, Mr. Bacon. Rode to Harpersfield. 20. Last night my horse got out of the pasture.^ He was found a little before noon. Rode to Grand River.^ Good riding. Tarried at Judge Wal- worth's. 21. The heat very severe. Rode to Euclid." The road from Grand River here mostly very good. Some people at Chagrine^ have endeavored to circu- late a false and wicked story about me since I was there in the winter. I hope I may have a spirit of forgiveness towards enemies. 22. Afternoon preached from Rev. ii : 15. Several apparently very serious people here. Rode to Cleveland. 23. Preached from Rom. i: 10 and Num. x: 29. The people in this town and Euclid meet together on the Sabbath and hold meetings. 24. A very great prospect of peaches in this and the neighboring settle- ments. In the lower part of the county they are mostly killed by late frosts. Rode to the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Preached from Matt, xvii : 5. A good number of hearers and quite attentive. Spoke with great freedom. Assisted in towing into the river a vessel of twenty tons burthen, lately built at the mouth of the Chagrine. Tarried with Col. Huntington.* 25. Very hot. Left Cleveland, rode to Kirtland.' Had pretty hard lodg- ing, but people kind. 26. Rode to Burton. Troubled with a pain in my breast in riding. The committee of the trustees of the college in this county here making some arrangements to establish it in this town. The proprietors and inhabitants of the town have engaged to give the trustees a building now erecting, estimated at three thousand dollars, and seven thousand dollars to be paid principally in lands. The place is very handsome. 27. Weather much cooler. Spent the day with the trustees. This town at present very free from the fever and ague with which they were much afflicted. 28. Through the day felt very unwell. Was very apprehensive of a bilious fever. Felt much as I did the first day of my sickness last year. ' Rev. David Bacon. See note Oct. 31, ' Kirtland, before mentioned, named from 1804. Turhand Kirtland, agent of the Connecticut - Losing horses and cattle is one of the Land Company. He was the father of Jared common incidents of a new country. Potter Kirtland, LL. D., who was graduated 3 There is no town of this name now in at the Yale Medical School, New Haven, in Ohio. 1S15, and became professor and president of ''Euclid, in Cuyahoga Co., near Cleveland. the Ohio Medical College, professor in the 5 Chagrin Falls, in Cuyahoga County. Western Reserve College, etc. He died re- '" Col. Samuel Huntington, before noticed, centlv in 1877, after a long life of activity and afterwards Governor of Ohio. usefulness. 260 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. 29. I think I am better than I was yesterday. Rested well the last night. Have some fever, but moderate. 30. Preached with considerable difficulty from Gen. vii : 16 and Num. x: 29. Some of the time 1 sat on my chair. The largest collection of people I believe ever in this town. They hold meetings here some, but not steadily. Very much worried, but I believe not essentially injured. Quite cool for the season. July. 1. Very weak and feeble. Visited a few families. Rode to Middlefield. Wrote to Judge Walworth,' Grand River. The settlement considerably in- creasing in this vicinity. 2. Had appointed to preach the next Sabbath at Nelson, and the succeeding one at Grand River. But I am now so feeble and my health appears to be so critical, that I conclude to go to Smithfield, if my strength permit, where is a good air, good accommodations for me, and a good physician. Rode to Parkman.'^ Mr. Parkman ' is clearing a piece of one hundred acres to be sowed to wheat. Read. 3. Rode with company to Warren. Roads quite dry. I think I gain strength. Crops appear flourishing. 4. In the morning was requested to dine at an Independence dinner and deliver a public address to the people. I accordingly did. Mr. Jones, the Baptist preacher here, made the first prayer, and after singing and the address, I concluded. The conduct of the people was decent and respectful. Very- warm. 5. Quite rainy the most of the day. The rain is very seasonable and refreshing. Read. Saw a new map of the United States ; very valuable and accurate. 6. Rode in company with Mr. Jones to Hartford. He appears to enter- tain erroneous sentiments. A very hard shower. Got something wet. On the fourth, received a letter from my brother James at Williams College, and one from Mr. B. I. Gilman at Marietta. 7. Preached from Rom. x: i and Gen. vii: 16. The people here keep meetings steadily. 8. Visited families. The people in this town feel disappointed that the place for the college was fixed so suddenly. Very feeble. People beginning a little to harvest. 9. Rode to Smithfield. Afternoon Mr. Tower,* from the Forks of Yough, ' Judge John Walworth, born in Groton, ^ Parkman is in Geauga County. Ct., June 10, 1765, married Juliana Morgan, ^ Samuel Parkman, one of the Land Com- born in Groton, Ct., Dec. 31, 1769, moved to pany, gave his name to the town. His invest- northem Ohio early in the present century, ment in the fund was $12,000. and went from Painesville, Ohio, to Cleve- ■♦ Mr. Tower not a minister, but a friend, land in 1806. He died in Cleveland in 18 12, with whom Mr. Robbins became acquainted and hfs wife in the same place not till 1S53, during his sickness at Yohogany Falls, and at the age of eighty-four. from whom he received kind services. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 261 came to see me. Very warm. Received a letter from my Uncle Starr of Warren, Ct., and one from Dr. Smith, Forks of Yough. 10. Something rainy. Visited with Mr. Tower. Read. People generally haying. A great crop of grass. 11. I have scarcely ever felt so feeble, when T have kept about. Wrote to Maj. Perkins and Mr. Clark, of Warren. Wrote considerably. 12. Last evening conversed considerably with a young man under serious impressions. The Lord is very bounteous and merciful. Wrote. Worked some among hay. Very hot. Some rain. 13. Walked over the creek and visited. A very growing season. Crops appear very well. Am quite feeble. Studied some for discourses for to- morrow. 14. Rode to Kinsman. Preached from Heb. xii : 17 and Gen. xix: 17, middle clause. Attended with the church, to a confession of a member, who had been found in a fault. He appears humble, and I hope God will preserve him from a repetition of his error. Very tired. 15. Very unwell. Last night slept but very little. Rode out a little way. Mr. Kinsman very unwell. Rode to Smithfield. Visited. 16. Endeavoring to heal a difficulty existing between some neighbors. Visited. Quite feeble. Wrote. Worked considerably among hay. Very hot. 17. Last night very restless. I believe I worked too much yesterday. Wrote. Walked out. People beginning to harvest. 18. Rode to Hartford. Visited a school. Some people here who have lately arrived from Connecticut feel pretty gloomy. 19. Rode out and visited. There appears to be something of an unhappy party spirit existing in different parts of this town. 20. Rode to Vienna. Visited a sick woman. Quite steady wann weather. Wrote to my parents. 21. Preached to a full meeting from Heb. xii: 17 and Isa. ii : 17. The Methodists appear solicitous to get an influence here, but I hope they will not succeed. Quite feeble. Baptized a child. 22. Visited a sick man hurt by going into the water when hot. Rode to Hartford. Considerably unwell. At night much troubled with nervous affections. 23. Read. Very warm. Assisted in raising a heavy and valuable frame for a mill. About ninety men were present. 24. Rode to Smithfield. Wrote considerably. People generally harvest- ing. The grain comes in rather light on the ground, but very well headed and filled. 25. Wrote notes for preaching. Worked some in the harvest. I think I am better in health than in time past. 26. Wrote a piece for publication. Wrote to Mr. Ephraim Root, of Hart- ford, Ct. 27. Visited. Weather cooler than it has been. Got some medicine of Dr. Wright. Rode to Hartford. 28. Preached to a very large meeting for this country, from Gen. xvii : 262 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. part of the ist and 2d verses and Acts xxviii : 24. Very tired. Assisted the church in examining and propounded ten persons for communion. 29. Endeavored to engage a couple of neighbors to submit a difference to men. Rode out. Quite feeble. 30. Attended with the referees all day. Rode in the woods and got lost. Came out without much difficulty. Rode to Smithfield late at night. 31. Quite fatigued and unwell. Visited a school. A very dr)' season. Last Sabbath received a man into the church. Sabbath, the 28th, above one hundred and fifty people were counted at meeting, belonging to Hartford and Smithfield nearly equally. August. 1. Wrote considerably. Afternoon rode to Kinsman. The roads quite dry and good. 2. Rode out and visited. Heard a small part of a discourse of an ignorant Methodist.' Afternoon attended a church conference, and assisted in examining three persons for communion. 3. Rode to Hartford. Conversed with some people at Kinsman on the subject of joining the church. They appear strongly attached to some of the trivial Pennsylvania customs. 4. Rode to Brookfield and preached from Gen. vi : 3 and Isa. Ixiii : i, last clause. Felt considerably unwell. 5. In the morning quite sick with considerable fever. Rode with diffi- culty to Smithfield. Immediately sent for Dr. Wright, who came and left me medicine. In hopes not to have a hard turn. 6. Last night rested tolerably. Am exceedingly weak. Cannot sit up scarcely any. I think I have less fever than yesterday. 7. Walked some. Hope that my sickness will go off with a short turn. 8. Able to write some. My head, however, very weak, ^^'rote to my parents. Drew an order on the Missionary Society of five hundred dollars, payable to my brother Nathaniel. Visited a woman under serious impressions. 9. Rode to Hartford and back. Assisted in laying a plan for a bridge over the creek in this town. I gain strength considerably. 10. Rode to Kinsman. Assisted in examining two persons for communion in the church. Preached preparator}- to the sacrament from Matt, xxviii : 20, first part. Am much stronger to preach than I expected. Visited a man very sick. A large mill-pond appears to be the occasion of disorders, I think, similar to lake fever. Rode to Smithfield and tarried. 11. In the morning felt quite feeble, but hoped to be carried through the exercises of the day. Rode to Kinsman. A large collection of people. Several present from Austinburgh. The place of meeting very convenient. Preached from Num. x: 29 and Rev. xx : 15. Received eight persons, four men and four women, into the church. Four of whom had been church- members heretofore. One was baptized. Administered the sacrament. It ' As a rule at that time the Methodist were rather disposed to boast of the fact, as ministers were men without education, and if to their credit. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 263 was a ver)' solemn season. Talked largely. There were about forty com- municants. Three persons fell. The whole assembly appeared much sol- emnized. Had great freedom in preaching. Baptized two children. I am this day twenty-eight years old. 12. Visited sicl^ people. Rode to Smithfield. Afternoon attended with the people at work at a large bridge. Very warm. 13. Wrote considerably. Wrote to my brother Nathaniel. 14. Rode out and visited families. A great number of rattlesnakes have been killed in this town this year. People on the eastern side of this town improving their lands quite fast. 15. Rode and visited all day. Very warm. The State of Pennsylvania in a very great electioneering ferment. x6. Visited. Afternoon preached at the house of a sick woman from Ps. xlvi : 10. There appears to be some instances here of serious impressions. 17. Rode to Hartford and visited families and returned. Some people have the fever and ague. I believe it to have been taken in other places. 18. Had a very full and attentive meeting. Preached from Ex. xx : 8 and Isa. V : 3. Towards evening attended a conference, which is their ordinary custom here, Esq. Smith, of this town, was yesterday chosen brigadier- general of the militia of this county. 19. Wrote considerably. Walked out and visited families. I hope there are some instances of genuine seriousness. 20. Wrote all day. Attending to a very difficult case of duty of a friend. I hope I have given advice which will be useful. I think a promise of mar- riage ought not to be complied with where the affections obstinately refuse.' 21. Very warm. Thought to be equal to any this summer. Eat water- melons ; very good. After a kind of respite of more than six weeks I now again undertake to itinerate. Rode to Hubbard. 22. Visited families. Afternoon preached from Gen. vii : 16. The Meth- odist and Baptist interest here appear to gain some strength. The people here quite sick. Streams lower than have been known in this country. 23. Rode to Vienna, Flies very severe. Some people here quite sick. 24. Read newspapers. The drought in the Eastern States very severe. Received a letter from my father. My dear sister Sally was married on the 24th ult. to Mr. Joseph Battell, of Norfolk.^ I think it a very favorable con- nection for her. And as it is what I have been wishing to have take place for some years, so I desire now to be thankful, and I hope the blessings of a gracious Providence may rest upon them. 25. The people here I fear are more slack about attending meeting than before they had their Baptist preacher among them. Preached from Ex. xx : 8 and Isa. ii: 17. Baptized a child. ' As he himself lived and died unmarried, this marriage came one of the large and he may or may not have been a wise adviser excellent families of Connecticut. The hus- in such matters. band was then thirty-one years of age, and - This marriage took place just a month the wife twentj'-five. Mr. Battell was a man before this entry, i.e., July 24, 1805. From of great enterprise and ability. 264 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. 26. A pretty hard rain. Visited. A fine season for melons and garden productions generally. 27. Paid for shoeing iTiy horse $1.75. Received of Maj. Perkins thirty dollars, on account of an order I gave him on the Missionary Society last spring. Rode to Bristol.' Preached towards evening from Matt, x : 32. The people in this new settlement collected very well. 28. My health quite as good as I could expect at this season. Rode to Mesopotamia.'^ Had a tedious time. The road bad and blind ; and the flies and mosquitoes very troublesome. Towards night a very hard rain. It is thought that the mills generally will now go. The most of them in the county have been still for some time. 29. Rode to Windsor.'^ Eat some very fine watermelons. This town settling considerably. Quite cool. Provision quite scarce. , 30. Visited families. The people in this quarter have suffered consid- erably of late for want of grinding. Afternoon preached from Num. x : 29. The people in the town generally attended. 31. Rode to the south part of the town and preached from Gen. vii : 16. After which rode to INIesopotamia. The people in this town not very well united. Wrote to Mr. Badger. September. 1. The settlement in this town increases but moderately. Preached from Ex. XX and Esther iv : 16. People here generally pay but little regard to the Sabbath. 2. Rode to Middlefield and to Burton. Several people here sick with fever and ague, and there have been some instances of lake fever. 3. I am enabled to bear the fatigue of labor and riding much better than I feared. Visited families. Afternoon preached in the Academy from Matt. X : 32. The Academy^ is enclosed and glazed. Quite warm. 4. Rode to Parkman. Quite tired. At evening preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. The first sermon ever preached in the town. 5. Rode to Nelson. Visited families. Some sickness here. In general the countr)^ is quite healthy. At evening preached from Matt, xvii : 5. People attended very well. Very warm. 6. Rode to Warren and Salem. The county in considerable agitation with regard to the approaching election. Very tired. 7. In the morning my horse was missing. After considerable search he could not be found. It appears that he jumped out of the pasture. Walked to Canfield, ten miles. I desire to be thankful that I am able to endure so much fatigue. ' There is a town named Bristol, in Mor- bull County, and the latter the southwest gan County, Ohio, but that is far away from town of Ashtabula County-, this locality. This was one of the early towns 3 This is the institution probably which on the Reserve whose name was changed. has several times been called a college, but - Mesopotamia and Windsor join ; the which never rose apparently above the grade former being the northwest town of Trum- of an academy. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 265 8. It is thought that the weather is as warm as any that we have had. Was unable to preach without standing in an outside door.' Preached from Heb. xii : 17 and Heb. xi : 13, latter clause. Visited in the evening. Several persons here still quite serious ; baptized a child. 9. A considerable supply of peaches in this town. On the 7th received a letter from my father and one from Mr. G. H. Tower, Forks of Yough. Quite tired with so much walking in the heat. 10. Wrote to Mr. G. H. Tower. Borrowed a horse and rode to Salem to the house where my horse left me. I found him. He was brought yesterday. Rode to Warren. 11. Rode to Hubbard and to Hartford. In the evening performed a marriage. Had a pretty numerous and an agreeable wedding. After which rode to Smithfield. Very tired. 12. Wrote to the Missionary Society. The people here considerably anxious about the approaching election. 13. Rode to Hartford. Several people have the fever and ague. Wrote to my Brother and Sister Battell. At evening met with the people here to converse upon attempting to get the college in the county placed in this town. 14. Visited. Considerably unwell. Rode to Hubbard and preached from Heb. xii : 17. 15. Preached in the forenoon from Ex. xx : 8. After which rode into Pennsylvania and assisted at the administration of a sacrament in Mr. Satter- field's ^ church. There were about one hundred and twenty communicants. After the ordinance preached from Num. x : 29. The exercises were con- cluded about sundown. Rode to Hartford with company. Had considerable difficulty in getting through the woods. Lost our road in the dark several times. Preached in the evening from Esther iv: 16. 16. Almost sick with the fatigue of yesterday. My horse is not to be found. Visited a woman very sick with the nervous fever. Walked to Smith- tield. At evening preached from Matt, v : 8. 17. Quite warm. Walked out and visited. Visited the sick woman, prob- ably a-dying. She has a husband and one child ; moved from Connecticut this summer. I have never witnessed so trying a scene in this country. Found my horse. 18. In the morning heard of the death of the woman I visited yesterday. May the Lord help. Afternoon attended the funeral. Preached from i Cor^ vii : 29, 31. A good many people very solemn and some very much affected. 19. Very warm. Rode to Brookfield. Conversed with some people on the subject of forming into a church. Tarried with Mr. Hughes. ' As we understand, he was not regretting ^ This church of Mr. Satterfield's, which that he had stood in a draft, but is telling us has been brought to our notice before, was that the heat was so great he could not only a little way from the dividing line be- preach with any comfort without standing in tween Ohio and Pennsylvania. He was at a draft. Upper Neshannock, Lawrence County,, Penn. 266 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. 20. Visited several families. Rode to Vienna. Afternoon after preaching from I John iv : ii, conversed with several persons who presented letters and certificates of good standing in different Christian churches, on the subject of formvng into a Christian church. Concluded to proceed further on the subject tomorrow. 21. Wrote. Afternoon preached from Matt, xvi : i8. After which pro- ceeded in the examination of tliose who wished to be organized into a church. Having obtained satisfaction, concluded to constitute them publicly tomorrow. Mr. Matthews, committee of the church at Smithfield, was present and assisted. 22. Preached from Matt, xvii : 5 and Gen. v: 24. After sermon in the afternoon publicly organized thirteen persons — seven men and six women — as a church of Christ,' charged them to keep covenant with God and one another, and endeavored to commit them to the care and grace of the great Head of the Church. Several people attended from the neighboring towns. Rainy. 23. Quite cool after long warm weather. Rode to Westfield. Preached from Gen. xii : 3. Some here inclining to the sentiments of the Universalists. 24. Rode to Vienna. Wrote considerably. Rode to Warren. The riding I believe as good as I have ever seen in this country. 25. Received a letter from my brother James at Williamstown. Visited. A good frame of a house raised in town. At evening wrote to my brother James. 26. Wrote a petition to be presented to the Legislature of this State for admission of this county.^ Afternoon preached preparatory to the administra- tion of the sacrament from Matt, xvi : 18. But few people attended. Rainy. 27. Rode out and visited some people sick with the fever and ague. Some members of the church I think will be unable to attend at the sacrament. 28. Wrote. Afternoon preached from Gen. xvii : 12. After which exam- ined several persons for admission in the church. Very thin meeting. 29. Preached in the forenoon from Num. x : 29. Received five persons — two men and three women — into the church, three of whom had previously been members. This the first addition to this church. Administered the sacrament of the supper. The season appeared to be striking and solemn. Afternoon preached fr-om Rom, xiv ; 10. A full arid attentive meeting. Had * The Congregational churches, organized serve, consisting of eight male and six female on the Western Reserve by the early .mis- members." So also the church, organized at sionaries of New England from ,1800 to iSoS, Hudson in 1S02, remains Congregational, generally became Presbyterian. The church Next to these in age comes the church of in Austinburgh, organized by Rev. Joseph Tallmadge, which was formed in 1809. Badger, remains Congregational. In Mr. Bad- The Congregational church of Marietta ger's.4z/;A?/w^w/>/^jy, published in the thirteenth to the south, on the Ohio River, is older volume of the American Quarterly Register, than any of these, having been organized in pp. 317-328, he says of this church at Austin- 1796. burgh: "There I preached on the Sabbath, -"This county" is Trumbull Count}-, and on the next Wednesday, the 24th of Octo- which seems by this entry not to have been at ber (1801), formed the first church on the Re- this time officially recognized by the State. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 267 great freedom in preaching. Several people appeared considerably affected. Baptized a child. In the morning a little frost. 30. Set out ' to go to Pittsburgh. Rode to Greensburgh.^ A horse-race at Youngstovvn with fifty dollars risqued.^ October. 1. Rode to Beaver'' and to Pittsburgh. This State in a very warm con- tention with regard to the approaching election. Quite fatigued. Have rode about eighty miles ' in two days. 2. The Synod of Pittsburgh met here. I sat with them. About forty ministers present. Very cordially entertained by my old friend, Col. Perry. At evening preached in the court-house to a very numerous and attentive audience from Rom. x : i. The ministers here have not yet generally imbibed the sentiment of the literal return of the Jews to their own land.^ Traded, etc. 11.33. 3. Sat with the Synod. Visited Mr. Addison. The ministers appear agreeably. I think they manifest a little too much bitterness against opposite denominations. At evening a very good missionary sermon was preached and a collection made of sixty or seventy dollars. 4. Traded, etc. 6.31. Rode to Beaver. At evening preached in the court-house from Rom. i : 16. Saw people moving from Connecticut to New Connecticut. Treated very kindly. Quite tired. 5. Rainy. Rode to Boardman. In the morning received for preaching last evening $2.50.' It is their usual custom to give something. Have had a prosperous journey. 6. Preached from Isa. ii : 17 and Ex. xx : 8. Quite cold. Before this vegetation has not generally been killed by the frost. At evening rode to Canfield. 7. Rode to Warren and to Smithfield. The farthest I have ever rode in a day in this country. The roads get something wet. 8. In the morning a hard frost. This is the day of election of State and county officers in this State and Pennsylvania. Wrote considerably. Cool fall weather. 9. Rode to Kinsman. ^ Visited sick people in Smithfield and Kinsman. About thirty families in this town and all sick but one. A large mill-pond ' His preaching the day before was at directly in the line of his journey to Pitts- Warren, from which place he sets out on his burgh, in Alleghany County, Penn. journey to Pittsburgh, Penn., taking a south- ^ Considering the state of the roads, the east direction. journeys that used to be made on horseback ^ This, as before said, is not the Pennsyl- show a good measure of endurance on the vania Greensburgh, but a place in Trumbull part both of man and beast. County. ^ That point was far more under discus- ^ Youngstown, where this betting on sion sixty or seventy years ago than now. horses took place, was then in Trumbull ' This was for his preaching in Beaver, County, now in Mahoning. paid him the next morning, as he was starting ^ Beaver, in Beaver County, Penn., was on his way to Boardman. I L 268 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. here supposed to be the cause. It produced considerable sickness last year; but this season its effects are much more extensive and severe.' 10. Rode to Gustavus. Every family in the town sick, some of whom, every individual. Generally fever and ague, in some instances severe bilious fever. Some want much for attendants. Rode to Smithfield. Visited thir- teen sick families. Some infant children have died. The sickness is in all directions, about three miles from the pond.^ 11. Visited. Rode to Vienna.^ My horse quite lame. Had appointed to preach a sacramental lecture, but the lameness of my horse hindered me so that I did not arrive in time. Quite warm. Wrote to Col. Perry, of Pitts- burgh. 12. Wrote records for the church here. Afternoon the church chose me for their standing moderator, and chose a committee and clerk. Preached preparatory' to the sacrament from Rev. xv : 15. Some people from Pennsyl- vania came to attend the sacrament.* 13. Preached from Matt, x : 32 and Esther iv : 16. Administered the sacra- ment. The first time in this place. A very agreeable and solemn season. A full meeting, appeared solemn and attentive, 14. Preached in the forenoon from Rev. xx : 15. Rode to Smithfield. A man has lately died of the prevailing fever in Gustavus. Received a letter from my cousin, S. P. Robbins. 15. Visited the sick. Received thirt}'-seven dollars by an order I gave on the ^Missionary Society last fall. Received a letter from Mr. Chapman, of Canfield. 16. Wrote to Mr. Chapman, of Canfield. Rode out and visited. Sick people find much difficulty in getting suitable attendants. 17. Rode to Austinburgh. Quite bad riding. Delegates from the churches in Smithfield and Vienna accompanied me. 18. Rode to Harpersfield. Met with Mr. Badger and Mr. Bacon and delegates from four of the churches, and formed ourselves into an ecclesiasti- cal convention' for the promotion of union and the general benefit of the churches. Mr. Hawley,^ a minister from Connecticut, attended with us. We were happily united in sentiment. * This is a kind of repetition of the sad of Churches. The ministers were Rev. Jo- scenes in .Sheffield, Mass., during the months seph Badger, Rev. David Bacon, and Rev. of August and September, 1796. Thomas Robbins. The names of the delegates "^ Kinsman, Gustavus, and Smithfield (now from the four churches are not given. The Vernon) were adjoining towns. These town- four churches represented by these delegates ships were five miles square, and the pond were, without much doubt, those of Austin- was so situated as to affect all three towns. burgh, Canfield, Smithfield (now Vernon), ^ Vienna, it will be remembered, is the and Vienna, place where he had just before organized ' Rev. Rufus Hawley, from Avon, Ct. a church. He was settled at Avon (then Northington) * Vienna was not on the Pennsylvania in 1769 and continued to his death in 1826. line, but was separated from it by the town He was not a missionary, but was probably of Brookfield. on a journey of observation among the new * What would now be called a Conference settlements. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 269 19. The convention was dismissed. Afternoon Mr. Badger preached pre- paratory to the sacrament. 20. I preached in the forenoon from Rev. xvi : i6. Mr. Badger preached in the afternoon. In the administration of the ordinance, he performed the first part, and I the second. 21. In the morning Cephas Case and Henr}^ Badger set out for Sandusky ' to live with the Indians. They went down Grand River in a canoe with which they expect to go the whole way. Rode to Austinburgh and preached from Rev. xvii : 14, latter clause. Read newspapers. 22. Rode to Morgan and preached from Heb. xii : 17. Unhappy diffi- culties still subsist in the church here. Quite cool. Mr. Badger building a new log-house. 23. Rode to Somers. At evening preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. The first sermon ever preached in the town. But four families in the town. The prospect of this settlement is favorable. The riding good for the season. 24. In the morning it snowed considerably. Rode to Gustavus. Visited sick people, generally convalescent. Rode to Smithfield. Preached on ac- count of God's visitation in the prevailing sickness from Isa. i: 5. Had a serious and solemn meeting. Visited. 25. Wrote. Attended the funeral of an infant child. Wrote to Maj. Perkins, and Mr. Edwards, of Warren, and Mr. Titus Brockway, Hartford. Something rainy. 26. Quite cold and stormy. It snowed the most of the day. Rode to Mercer^ to attend on a public sacrament. Had quite a tedious time, but got along better than I feared. 27. Mr. Tait^ preached in the forenoon. Mr. Satterfield introduced the sacrament. I administered at the second table. There were eighty or ninety communicants. The season was solemn and the congregation very attentive. There was but little of the bodily affection. I preached in the evening from Rev. xvi: 15. The snow in the morning about three inches deep and the most of it continued through the day. 28. Preached in the forenoon from Rom. i : 16. People attended very well. They appeared much gratified with my being with them. Assisted the congregation in doing some congregational business. Set out with Mr. Tait to go to the meeting of the Presbyter}'. Rode to Nishannock. 29. Rode to Greensburgh.* Sat with the Presbytery. The ministers appear quite friendly. There was a sacrament here last Sabbath, and people spent the nights on the ground. ' Sandusky was at the extreme western miles from the dividhig line between the end of the Connecticut Reserve, then in States. Huron (now Erie) County, Ohio. The white ^ Rev. Samuel Tait. settlements in Ohio as yet were almost en- •♦ This must be Greensburgh, Ohio, as tirely on the eastern portions of the Reserve, Greensburgh, Penn., is eighty or ninety miles with scattered families farther west. from Canfield, Ohio, and by his entry (Oct. " This was Mercer, the shire town of 31) he seems to have made the journey to Mercer County, Pennsylvania, about twenty Canfield from Greensburgh in a short time. 270 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. 30. Presented to the Presbyter)- an account of our ecclesiastical conven- tion and requested a union and good understanding. They appeared much disposed to cultivate and maintain a harmony with the New England people, and passed a vote correspondently, which I drew. They appear very willing that we should retain our own habits and practices. They dispatched busi- ness very speedily. At evening walked out two miles and preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Other ministers attended and spoke a little. 31. Rode with company to Canfield. Quite warm for the season. Received a letter from my Uncle Starr. Some of his people have moved to this country. November. 1. Wrote to my Uncle Starr. Visited. Quite rainy. Several families have lately moved into this town. At evening preached from Isa. xliii : 13, last clause. The people here appear anxious to procure a preacher. 2. Rode to Warren' and to Youngstown. Some people at Warren have the fever and ague. 3. Preached from Rom. i : 16 and Rev. xvi : 15. But few people attended meeting. The greater part of the people here appear indifferent as to any religion, and the others are much divided.^ 4. Had a talk with several of the principal people. I think they are pretty destitute of principle, and appear inimical to me and to religion. They have circulated false and ungenerous reports about me, with regard to an interference in the late election. Yesterday morning my horse was gone,^ He is not yet to be found. Rode a borrowed horse to Liberty. 5. Rode to Smithfield. The sick people in this quarter are generally getting better. Wrote. Wrote to Mr. Elliott,"* a New England minister, requesting him to come to this country and preach in Canfield and Boardman. 6. Paid for home-made cloth for two shirts, $3.33. Wrote to my parents. Walked out and visited. The wolves are something troublesome here. 7. Wrote to Deacon Mills, of Austinburgh. Rode to Hartford. Visited sick people. At evening preached from Isa. i : 5. 8. Had some clothes made. Visited. Rode to Liberty. Cannot hear anything of my horse. I have considerable anxiety about him. 9. Rode and walked to Canfield. Got something wet with rain. Heard of my horse. It appears that he came pretty direct to this town.^ Towards evening preached preparatory to the sacrament from Matt, xxviii : 20. Mr, Bacon and his family are here.^ ' Warren probably received its name the church in Madison, Ct., where he was from Moses Warren, one of the surveyors pastor 1791-1824. He was a Corporate who laid out the townships on the Western Member of Yale College from 181 2 to his Reserve in 1797. death, 1824. - This is said of the people of Youngs- ' He had been there a good many times town. before, and perhaps he specially liked the ^ This experience of losing his horse was place, growing serious. * Rev. David Bacon, his wife, Alice * Without much doubt, this was Rev. (Parks) Bacon, Leonard Bacon, then three John Eliott (afterwards D.D.), minister of years old, and a babe of one year. i8os.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 271 10. Mr, Bacon preached in the forenoon. Received a woman into the church, hopefully a subject of the late work in this place. Mr. Bacon and 1 together administered the Lord's Supper. Preached in the afternoon from Isa. V : 3. Baptized two children. At evening visited families. 11. Quite cold. Visited. Rode to Youngstown and returned. Two men, heads of families, have lately died in this vicinity. 12. Set out on a journey to Marietta. May the Lord go with me. Rode through New Lisbon ' to the salt-works. The roads very dry. 13. Rode through Steubenville ; crossed the Ohio to Charlestown, and on to Wheeling.^ From New Lisbon to the Ohio, the land is very hilly and appears poor. Very fine weather. Very tired. 14. Something rainy. Rode to Herd's Ferry. The settlements through which I passed very thin and poor. 15. Rode all day in a single horse path. Many moving families on the river. Rode to Newport.^ Begin to find New England people. 16. Rode to Marietta.'^ Very affectionately received by my friend Mr. Oilman and family.^ Very tired with my journey. This town appears much larger than I expected. Mr. Lindsley,^ the Presbyterian minister here, called to see me. 17. Mr. Lindsley preached in the forenoon. I preached in the afternoon from Rom. i : 16. A quite respectable congregation. They sing very well. Find some old acquaintance. 18. Read newspapers. Walked out and visited with my cousins.' The ' New Lisbon is in Columbiana County, which then joined Trumbull County, but now Mahoning County lies between. ^ From his starting-point in the morning to Wheeling, Va., was more than forty miles. Charlestown and Wheeling are in what is now West Virginia. ^ Newport only a short distance from Marietta. * The ride from Youngstown to Marietta not far from one hundred and fifteen miles. The oldest regular white settlement in Ohio was made at Marietta in 17S8 under the auspices of the Ohio Company. This com- pany was composed of revolutionary officers and soldiers, to whom the Continental Con- gress gave 1,500,000 acres of land to the northwest of the Ohio River. This company was organized in Boston, in 1786. Forty- seven emigrants from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut were the first movers, and they started the settlement at Marietta, April 7, 17SS. Some of the chief men in the management of the affairs of this Ohio Com- pany were : Gen. Rufus Putnam, Rev. Ma- nasseh Cutler, LL.D., Col. Israel Putnam, Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, Commodore Abraham Whipple, Hon. James Mitchell Varnum, a general in the Revolutionary Army, Col. Ebenezer Battelle, Capt. Jona- than Devol, Col. Return Jonathan Meigs, Gen. Benjamin Tupper, Col. Ebenezer Sproat, and Griffin Greene, Esq., cousin of Gen. Nathaniel Greene. ' Benjamin I. Oilman, whose wife was Hannah Robbins, daughter of Dr. Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth, Mass. She was born Sept. 29, 1768, and was married to Mr. Gil- man, in 1790. A son, of the same name with his father, was a well-grown lad at this time, and was graduated at Brown University in 1813. ^ Rev. Stephen Lindsley. We do not find the name of this clergyman among the col- lege graduates of the country, and it is prob- able that he, like the majority of the Presby- terian ministers in those parts at that time, was not a man of college education. ' His cousins were Benjamin I. and Han- nah (Robbins) Oilman. 272 DIARY OF RtV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. people here appear to have a great attachment to my cousin, Sam. P., as a preacher. 19. Wrote considerably. Something rainy. Played backgammon. Had company. Mr. Gilman appears to do a great deal of business. Wagons arrive at this town from Alexandria.' 20. Visited. Was invited out to dine. Many families here live in pretty high taste. Mr. Gilman has a very good rope-walk, in which business is done extensively. He is building a very good brig. At evening had company. 21. Rode up the Muskingum, '^sixteen miles, to Waterford.^ Mr. Lindsley,^ the minister here, absent from liome. Preached to a few attentive hearers from Num. x : 29. People appear much gratified with my visit. 22. Returned to Marietta. Much of the land in this quarter, very poor. Mr. Lindsley,' of Waterford, called and tarried with me. Walking in the even- ing in the dark ran against a fence, and considerably wounded my face. 23. Dined at Gen. Putnam's. He has lately received a letter from my cousin, Sam. P.,* and one from my father, addressed to the committees of the church and society here. Called on several families. Treated very politely. Wrote. A prospect of a great continental war in Europe. Something rainy. 24. Wet and rainy. Preached to a very attentive audience from Heb. xi: 30 and Luke xv : 17. Some people here appear to have been perplexed with some of Sam. P.'s doctrines. 25. Rode to Belpre ' and preached from Num. x : 29. This is a very fine farming settlement. It appears more like Connecticut than any other in this State. At evening attended a singing meeting. 26. Returned to Marietta. At evening met with the committees of the church and society here, and concluded to have cousin Sam. P.'s ordination the first of next May. Wrote a draft of a letter to the ministers and churches to be sent to. Attended a singing meeting. 27. Walked out and visited. Expected to have set out today on my journey, but find it difficult to leave friends and to get ready. Wrote to my cousin Sam. P. Endeavored to give him the best advice in my power with regard to his conduct here, as his situation on some accounts will be critical and difficult.^ Received presents from my friends to the value of nine or ten dollars. Weather remarkably mild and pleasant. Traded, etc. 4.62. ' Alexandria, Va. The journey from Alex- there and had now gone back to New Eng- andria to Marietta across northern Virginia land. more than two hundred miles. A road for ' Rev. E. A. Mirick, Congregational pas- carriages through this country had then tor of Belpre, writes in answer to inquiry: recently been completed. " Newberry is merely a local name for south- ^ Marietta was at the mouth of the Musk- ern end of Belpre. Little Hocking is the ingum River. post office of that locality. Belpre is a long ^ Waterford and Marietta were both in and narrow town, twenty-one by three miles, Washington County. back from the river. Newberry is at its * Another man of the same name with the lower extremity, on the river." minister of Marietta. * New England then, more than now, ' Rev. Jacob Lindsley, supplying at Wa- represented advanced education and ideas, terford. and there was a jealousy toward her on the '' Samuel Prince Robbins had preached part of those who were less enlightened. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 273 28. Left Marietta early in the morning. Rode on my journey up the river thirty-six miles. Comfortably accommodated. A large good bridge is build- ing over Duck Creek. 29. Considerably afiflicted with a stiff neck. Rode to Grave Creek. Quite warm. The road very crooked. 30. Something rainy. Thunder-showers. Arrived at Mr. Potter's,' near Steubenville, towards night. Kindly entertained. Mr. Potter lives on the bottom formerly occupied by the Mingo Indians. The grave of Logan,^ their celebrated chief, is near here. Traded. 1.67. Mr. Potter a minister formerly in Vermont. December. 1. Preached in the court-house in Steubenville ^ from Rom. i: 16. The audience very attentive. Mr. Snodgrass,* a Presbyterian minister, is settled here for half the time. 2. Rode to the salt-works. A considerable part of Jefferson and Colum- biana Counties appears to be poor land. 3. The morning quite cold. Had company all day. Rode to Canfield. Blessed be God who has given me a most agreeable and prosperous journey and a safe return. My cousin Sam. P. was here last week to see me, and taking another road to Marietta I have missed him. 4. Received two letters from my cousin S. P. His preaching here is much approved of. Visited. Wrote to my cousins Sam. P. and Hannah at Marietta. 5. Visited families. Set out to ride to the northward, but was stopped by rain. Wrote. The people here generally extremely thoughtless. 6. Quite rainy. Rode to Hubbard. Some thunder. There have been no rains to raise the streams before now this fall. 7. My horse left me ; was found about five miles distant. Afternoon preached in a Methodist neighborhood from Rev. xvii: 14. 8. Preached from Matt, xvii : 5 and Rom. viii : 29. The discourse in the afternoon was by request. The Pennsylvania people have very imperfect ideas of divine sovereignty and human liberty. Many people here are very fond of having meetings and preaching. 9. Visited many families. Rode to Smithfield. Very pleasant weather. This place appears to me more like home than any other in this country. 10. Wrote considerably. Wrote to Mr. Badger. Rode out. Quite cold. Waters getting high. Have a number of winter things in making. People very kind. ' This may have been Rev. Lyman Potter, is familiar to the school-boys of the past a native of Connecticut, and a graduate of generation, if not the present. His Indian Dartmouth College, 1799. Mr. Robbins, as name was Tah-Gah-Jute. a rule, gives only family names in his diary. ^ Steubenville is the shire town of Jeffer- If he had furnished us with the given names son County, Ohio. also, the work of identification would be * Rev. James Snodgrass, having charge of much more easy. Presbyterian churches at Steubenville and '^ The speech of Logan, the Mingo chief, Island Creek. 274 DIARV OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1805. 11. Visited fourteen families. The riding getting pretty bad. Some families have lately moved into this town. 12. Rode to Kinsman and preached from Isa. i : 5. Many people here not yet recovered from their sickness. The number of people here the sum- mer past has been about one hundred and eighty. And the number of individuals that has escaped the sickness is less than twenty.' 13. Rode to Smithfield and preached preparatory to the sacrament from I Cor. xi : 30. 14. Rode to Hartford and preached a sacramental lecture from i Cor. xi : 30. Expecting to receive some people here into the church. Their case is not so favorable as I could wish. I hope, however, the great Head of the Church will take care of this tender vine and preserve it from corruption and danger. Last night a great rain. 15. Preached from Rev. xvii : 14 and John vi : 68, latter part. Adminis- tered the sacrament. Admitted seven elderly people into the church. Bap- tized a child. Being disappointed of wine made a composition of brandy, vinegar, water, and brown sugar, which answered well ; I presume was not perceived. Towards night it snowed considerably; the first we have had, saving a turn In October. 16. Rode to Smithfield over the creek and preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. The Metliodists have attempted to form a society in this neighborhood. I think they will not get great strength. 17. Rode to Johnston and preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. This town appears likely to settle fast, with a good set of inhabitants. Very bad riding. 18. Rode to Smithfield. Received a letter from the church at INIarietta. It appears that after cousin Sam. P. arrived there they concluded to have the ordination soon, and have accordingly sent an express.^ Wrote to cousin S. P., and Gen. Putnam, and to Mr. Potter, of Steubenville. Wrote. 19. This day is observed here as a day of Thanksgiving.^ Preached from Ps. 1:14. People attended meeting very well. Very warm for the season. At evening performed a marriage. Wrote to Mr. Badger. 20. Rode to Liberty. The roads very muddy. Received from a man some unkind treatment and hard words and false accusations. He forbid me to preach in his house, which I was expecting to do the Sabbath after next. This is the first instance of the kind in this countr}\'' 21. Rode to Newton.^ This is quite a flourishing settlement. I hope a favorable prospect here of the future enjoyment of gospel privileges. ' This fact itself would make it evident to January. The last Thursday of Novem- that there must have been some powerful ber has now become the fixed and regular local cause for the sickness. day for this observance. * At the time he was at Marietta, it will * He means probably in his own expe- be remembered, it was arranged to have the rience in that country, but the country itself ordination not until the first of May. was veiy young. ' Thanksgiving Days in the olden times ' Newton the southwest town in the pres- were quite irregular, ranging from October ent Trumbull County. 1805.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 27$ 22. Preached from Rom. i : i6 and Rev. xvi : 15. The peoi)le here appear much gratified to be visited. Baptized a child. 23. Rode to Warren and preached from Heb. iv : 9. A young man here ver}' bad with the dropsy, succeeding a turn of fever and ague. Received two letters from cousin Sam. P., one from my father, and one from my brother James. He and my parents have lately been a journey to Plymouth. 24. It snowed pretty hard all day. Rode to Hartford. Missed my way and lost, I believe, a travel of five miles. Had a very tedious day. The snow eight or ten inches deep. 25. Very great warlike preparations by the great nations of Europe. I hope the Corsican usurper ' may be humbled, but I fear that it is uncertain. Rode to Smithfield. Received a letter from Mr. Badger. He is gone on for Marietta and left word for me to come on alone. I think he has not done right, as there can be no advantage in his being forward of me.^ Wrote to my parents. Can get no member of this church^ to go with me to Marietta. 26. Rode with some others to Kinsman, by an appointment of the people, to converse with Mr. Kinsman, respecting his mill-pond. It is agreed on all hands, that that is the cause of the late severe sickness in this vicinity. It is the general wish that it may be drawn off immediately, I hope he will do it. Returned to Smithfield. 27. Set out for Marietta. I have seldom set out on a journey with more reluctance or anxiety. I hope, however, in the glorious protection of the God who reigns in Zion, The riding extremely bad. Rode to Vienna. 28. In the forenoon quite rainy. The snow mostly goes off. Rode to Liberty. The ground exceedingly wet. The settlement in this town has increased considerably this year. 29. Quite cold. The waters very high. The weather so tedious that few people attended meeting. Preached from Mat. xvii : 5 and Rom. xiv : 10. The most of the people here appear to care very little about serious things. 30. Very cold and stormy. Rode to Warren. The Mahoning extremely high. I cannot cross. Read an account of a naval victory by Lord Nelson over the combined fleets of France and Spain.'* I think it was the greatest naval action ever fought. The great admiral was slain. Received twenty dol- lars from Major Perkins, for which to give an order on the Missionary Society. 31. Several men with a large keel-boat carried me over the Mahoning. Rode to Canfield. This is the first real cold weather we have had this season. ' France was formed into an empire and the French and Spanish fleets under Admiral Napoleon made Emperor May 18, 1S04. He Villeneuve, eighteen French and fifteen Span- was crowned King of Italy, May 26, 1805. ish vessels, all ships of the line, were de- He gained the victory at Austerlitz Dec. 2, feated by Lord Nelson with twenty-seven Brit- 1805. ish ships of war. Lord Nelson was killed, ^ Mr. Robbins regarded this as a want of and fell uttering those memorable words, courtesy, and so it certainly appears. " England expects every man to do his duty." 3 That is, as a delegate. This victory was gained Oct. 21, 1805, and ■* This was the battle of Trafalgar, where was a very notable event. isoe. January. 1. May the Lord God of heaven, who has ever been my father, and my father's God, be with me this year, and enable me to devote it to his holy service. Left Canfield for Marietta. I have much concern about this jour- ney,' but I hope I am in the way of duty, and I know I am in safe hands. Rode to the salt-works. From New Lisbon had company. 2. The waters not so high as I feared, having fallen considerably. Rode with company to Steubenville. It snowed some. The Ohio is so high that I cannot with any safety ride to Marietta, and unless it should fall it would be hardly possible to cross the gulfs and runs. Conclude to leave my horse here, and go down in a boat. Was very fortunate in finding a Kentucky boat ready to start soon. It was a poor one, but tolerable. The accommo- dations ver}' indifferent. Procured provision for my passage. Started at six O'clock in the evening. The water being so high we floated a little more than three miles an hour. 3. Last night watched till near one o'clock in the morning, and rested very little afterward. Got along with much greater ease and safety than I expected. The traveling on the banks appears to be quite as bad as I imagined. 4. At three o'clock in the morning I arrived at Marietta. From Steuben- ville more than one hundred miles. I had no sleep till after I got here. The boatman would take nothing for my passage. I went to a tavern and got a good sleep. In the morning found my dear cousin Sam. P. Robbins, and crossed the Muskingum to Mr. Gilman's. Very much fatigued. 5. In the forenoon Mr. Badger preached, in the afternoon my cousin Samuel. Mr. Badger and Mr. Potter from Steubenville arrived here last Monday, before the waters got very high. I preached in the evening from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. The ground very wet and muddy. 6. Began a sermon on Matt, xxiv : 14^ for the approaching ordination. Have a very short time to prepare. In the afternoon the ordaining council met and formed, consisting of five ministers. They attended to a particular and satisfactory examination of cousin S. P., and arranged the parts for the ordination. 7. This day is observed as a fast previous to the ordination. I did not attend till near the close of the second meeting. The church adopted the ' When it is considered that this journey, ^ Text : " And this gospel of the king- twice to Marietta back and forth, involved dom shall be preached in all the world, for a more than five hundred miles of travel witness unto all nations, and then shall the through a new country in the winter season, end come." The circumstances of this ordi- one need not wonder that he " had much con- nation in the Western wilderness were quite cem about it," peculiar, and his text was impressive. 277 278 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. Confession of Faith, which I think considerably defective. Am under poor circumstances for writing. 8. Finished my sermon near three o'clock in the morning. Very cold. Attended the ordination, preached from Matt, xxiv : 14. The people suffered ver}- much with the cold, the house being quite open.' Some parts of the exercises ver}- solemn. I never spoke with so great embarrassment from the cold. There is a ver)' happy union among the people. Am almost sick with fatigue and want of sleep. 9. The ice runs considerably. Mr. Badger and Mr. Potter set out on their return. I fear they will have a severe time. Read Addison's works. 10. Severe cold. Read considerably. Read newspapers. Wrote. Had company. Bonaparte appears to be successful against the Austrians.^ I fear he will be permitted to make great desolations. 11. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Belpre,' by request, to preach with them tomorrow. Ground very hard frozen. 12. They have here a convenient log meeting-house. The people at- tended very generally. Preached from Matt, xvii : 5 and Acts xxviii : 24. The people here wish to hire me to preach with them. I think it cannot be consistent with my engagements and duty. 13. It rained steadily the most of the day. Received from the people here five dollars.* Rode to Marietta. Got considerably wet. 14. Wrote, completing my last year's diary. The rivers rise ver}' fast. Ver}' difficult crossing. Walked out. 15. Wrote to the Missionary Society. Very cold. The rivers very full of running ice. Am accommodated here with great kindness. 16. Wrote, copying my late ordination sermon. The thermometer was at ten above zero. Considerably unwell with a cold. 17. W^rote on my sermon. Visited a school, very well instructed. I think the weather for a few days has been nearly as severe as any last winter. 18. Considerably affected with a cold. Very difficult crossing the river. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Belpre. Very hard, rough riding. It snowed some. The river continues to be very full of running ice. 19. Wet and rainy the most of the day. Preached from Heb. xi : 30 and Rom. xiv: 10. People quite attentive. They appear to be much in need of sound instruction. 20. Rode to Newberr}-' and preached from Matt, x: 32. Returned to ' The services of ordination are not often ^ This refers to the great battle of Aus- compressed into less time than two hours, or lerlitz, fought Dec. 2, 1805. two and a half, and to sit in a poorly built ^ As before stated, about twelve or fifteen house, without fire, on a severely cold day, miles down the Ohio River, for that length of time, was one of the afilic- ■* The price, in Ohio as in New England, tions which our fathers had to endure. The seems to have been generally about five dol- ministers taking part in these services were lars for a Sabbath's services. Rev. Joseph Badger, Rev. Thomas Robbins, ^ Newberry (or Newbury), a short distance Rev. Lyman Potter, Rev. Stephen Lindsley, from Marietta, was probably a part of the and Rev. Jacob Lindsley. township of Belpre, and not a town by itself. [8o6.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 279 Belpre. Preached in the evening from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Though the evening was quite unpleasant and the going very bad, there was quite a full and attentive meeting. 21. Received from the people here four dollars and a half. Rode to Nog- glestown ' and preached from Matt, ix : 9. Very muddy riding. Rode to Marietta. Quite tired. 22. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Was applied to for a copy of my sermon preached at the ordination here for publication. Had an application to come to this place and take the charge of an academy, with a pretty large salary. I hope for divine direction, but conclude I cannot comply.^ Quite wet. Roads very muddy. At evening preached from Matt, xvii : 5. Tarried at Gen. Putnam's.^ 23. Rode with my cousin to Salem. Preached to a few people from Matt. X : 32. The people here are very stupid and loose, and greatly in want of gospel instruction. 24. Rode down to Marietta. Preached in an out neighborhood from John vi: 37. Very warm and pleasant for the season. Maple sap runs. I think I have preached more this week than any one since I came to this State.* 25. Very warm. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Waterford to spend the Sabbath with Mr. Lindsley. My cousin Hannah very sick with an ague in the face. Mr. Lindley' quite disappointed in not having heard of my coming. The message which I sent failed. The frost nearly out of the ground. 26. Preached in an out neighborhood from John vi : 37. Quite few peo- One of the chief of the early settlers of Belpre was Col. Ebenezer Battelle, a native of Dedhani, Mass., of the same name of his father, a graduate of Harvard College in 1775. He was from the same Dedham an- cestor (Thomas Battelle) as the Connecticut family of this name. In a previous note we have spoken of the different ways of spelling and pronouncing this family name. Eben- ezer Battelle retained the ancient spelling, but pronounced the word in two syllables in- stead of three, as was the custom when the family first came over and settled at Dedham. ' Nogglestown is another place which we cannot identify. * His relations with the Missionary So- ciety were such that it might have seemed a want of good faith if he had turned again to teaching, though he loved the business of teaching, and was very successful in it. ^ Gen. Rufus Putnam, as we have already suggested, was the leading man of this colony. He was born in Sutton, Mass., in 1738, and was at that time sixty-eight years old. ■* He had preached eight times in six days, last past. * In this entry of the diary this name is spelled, as will be seen, in two different ways. Dr. Israel W. Andrews, President of Mari- etta College, in his historical address at the National Centennial, 1S76, writes the name Stephen Lindley. He was the pastor of the Presbyterian church, and had only very re- cently come there at the time of Mr. Rob- bins's visit. The oldest church in the State of Ohio is the Congregational church at Ma- rietta, which was organized in 1796, and had for its first pastor Rev. Daniel Story, a native of Boston, born in 1755. The Presbyterian church at Marietta was formed some years later, and its first pastor. Rev. Stephen Lind- ley, began his labors there in 1804. Rev. Manasseh Cutler, LL. D., scientist and minister at Hamilton, Mass., did very important work for this Ohio company in drawing up a plan for a territorial govern- ment, which was then a new thing. His scheme is said to have been a kind of model for subsequent territorial governments. It was through Dr. Cutler's agency that the services of Rev. Mr. Story were secured as the early preacher and minister at Marietta. 28o DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. pie. There was a misunderstanding in appointments. Mr. Lindsley preaches on the Sabbath at three different places. Returned with Mr. Lindsley, and preached in the evening to a good number of people, very attentive, from Matt, xvii : 5. The people here sing exceedingly well. Mostly New Eng- land people, yet Mr. Lindsley's church is Presbyterian.' 27. Rode with Mr. Lindsley to an out neighborhood and preached from Heb. xi : 30. There appear to be here a number of quite serious people. Visited. 28. Rode to Marietta without any great coat. Pleasant and warm as March. Played backgammon. Mrs. Oilman still quite unwell. 29. Read. Walked out and visited. At evening preached from Esther iv : 16. But few people attended. 30. Afternoon attended with my cousin at a church meeting. They appear to be very well united. At evening attended Mr. Lindsley's stated evening meeting and preached from Luke xvi : 9. I fear my cousin may have some difficulty with the Presbyterian society here. 31. Read newspapers. Am very earnestly requested to come and take the charge of the academy^ in this town. Walked out and visited. The printer "began the printing of my sermon. There has been for several nights past no frost at all. February. 1. Wrote. Rainy. Afternoon Mr. Oilman's fine brig sailed down the river for New Orleans and Philadelphia.^ Yesterday saw a large cable layed for it in his rope-walk. The river quite high. 2. Preached from Rom. x : i and Acts xvii: 31. Sargeant, a sectarian imposter, preached in town, and baptized six persons in the name of Christ at the river. I fear he will get a number of followers here. Wrote. At evening walked out. 3. Quite cold. Wrote considerably. My cousin S. P. has quite con- venient accommodations for study, and appears disposed to be studious. 4. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Inspected a proof-sheet. Some people here alarmed at the progress of Sargeant's doctrines. 5. Wrote to my parents. Walked out and visited. At evening preached from Rom. viii : 29. But few people attended. ' Already under the Plan of Union the but a fuller statement will be in place. Ben- process was going on by which the majority jamin Ives Oilman was a native of Exeter, of Congregationalists going from New Eng- N. H., born in 1765, and was in his youth ed- land to the West were changed into Presby- ucated at Exeter Academy. In 1789 he went terians when they passed beyond the Hud- with his parents (Joseph and Rebecca Gil- son River. man) to Marietta, Ohio. In 1790 he re- * This was the Muskingum Academy, turned to New England, was united in which was organized soon after the beginning marriage with Hannah Chandler, of Ply- of the settlement. mouth, and the young bride and bridegroom ^ This was probably its first voyage, for a made a horseback journey through the plains few weeks before it was in process of build- and over the mountains, occupying from ing. We have before spoken of Mr. Oilman, twenty-five to thirty days. l8o6.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 281 6. Rode with my cousin to Salem' and preached from Rev. xvi: 15. Rode to an outer neighborhood in Marietta, and preached in the evening from John xviii : 37. Very cold. People attended these meetings very well. 7. Rode into town. A very cold rain. Read newspapers. Bonaparte makes rapid strides in Germany.' Wrote. 8. Finished the copy of my sermon for the printer. A very hard rain. Afternoon rode to Belpre.^ Very bad riding. 9. Quite cold. Preached from John vi : 37 and Esther iv : 16. People quite attentive. They have heretofore been very much divided in their opinions. At evening preached again from John xviii: 37. Quite tired. 10. Received of the people here five dollars and a half. Visited. The people here met and requested me to preach with them as much as I can. I have agreed to supply them on the Sabbath generally, in case I take charge of the Academy at Marietta. Expected to have crossed the river to the mouth of the little Kanawha * to preach, but the ferriage being so bad 1 did not dare to attempt it. 11. Rode to Marietta. The river and tributary streams very high. Was necessitated to ride considerably in the woods. 12. Walked out and visited. At evening attended a conference with cousin S. P. Expounded upon the first chapter of Matthew. There appear to be some unpleasant prejudices here between the two societies.* 13. Visited. Some people here appear to be considerably alarmed at the progress of sectarian Sargeant. Was applied to, to answer him publicly, but concluded it will not be expedient. 14. Wrote. Read newspapers. The prospect of our foreign relations with several nations is pretty embarrassing. Bonaparte assumes a dictatorial tone towards our minister.^ 15. Afternoon had a long talk with Sargeant. He is very artful, and appears very destitute of seriousness. I think he means to hold his system, comformable to circumstances. A thunder-shower. 16. Yesterday my cousin rode to Belpre, and left me to preach for them.. Preached from Ex. xx : 8 and Num. x: 29. Full and very attentive meeting.. At evening walked out. 17. Rainy. Assisted in forming a plan for an academical school. Yes- terday Mr. Oilman left home to go down the river in a vessel from Pittsburgh.'" Walked out and visited. ' Salem was made a town in 1797. ^ The Presbyterian and the Congrega- ^ Bonaparte established the kingdoms of tional churches. The Congregational church Bavaria and Wurtemberg in 1805. was organized here in 1796, and the Presby- ^ Belpre (a French name meaning beau- terian a little later, ful meadow or field) was the second place ^ Our Minister to^ France, at this time,, settled by the Ohio Company. Marietta, Bel- was Hon. John Armstrong, of Pennsylvania,, pre, and Waterford were incorporated as appointed to the place by Jefferson in 1S04, towns in 1790, and these are the oldest towns ^ In a vessel which was coming down the in Ohio. river from Pittsburgh. By the windings of * This would have taken him over to the the river Marietta is more than one hundred Virginia side. miles below Pittsburgh^ 282 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806, 18. My cousin S. P. and Hannah gave me cloth and trimmings for a coat, which cost about fifteen dollars. Qui\e uncomfortably warm. At evening preached extempore from John vi : 44. Preparing for my journey. ig. A committee of the Academy here called on me with their application that I would engage as an instructor. On condition that my parents consent, I have given encouragement of undertaking next fall. Was expecting to set out on my journey, but my company was not ready. Drank tea at Col. Meigs's.' At evening preached from Gen. vii : 16. My sermon at cousin's or- dination is published, and pretty well executed. 20. Quite rainy. Left Mr. Oilman's and crossed the Muskingum. The rain re-commencing, concluded to tarry till tomorrow. ISIy cousin Jane gave me a gold ring.'^ Traded. 5.25. 21. Set out for New Connecticut. The people here promised a horse for me to ride to Steubenville, and a young man to bring it back. Rode twenty- eight miles. The water rising pretty fast. Very bad riding. Some trees on the bank of the river begin to appear green. 22. The creeks and guts of the river ver)^ high and difficult to be crossed. Rode twenty-five miles. Crossed the Ohio. At evening preached to a few people from Matt, xvii : 5. The first time I ever preached in Virginia. 23. Rode twenty-five miles to Grave Creek. In the evening preached to a good number of people from Rom. i: 16. This is, I believe, the first time that I ever traveled on a journey on a Sabbath. Towards night the riv^er began to fall. Treated with much kindness on the road. 24. Rode to Steubenville. Found my horse in very good order. A good many boats starting down the river. At evening wrote to my cousin S. P. 25. Visited Mr. Potter. Paid the tavern keeper for keeping my horse, since I went down, $13.50, of which ten were given me at Marietta for that purpose. I think he was quite reasonable in his charge.^ Rode on my journey to Weirs.'' At evening wrote considerably. 26. Rode to New Lisbon. At evening preached from Rom. i : 16. A good number of people attended. The ground is pretty well settled. ' This was Col. Return Jonathan Meigs, Mass., had a daughter, Jane Prince Robbins, Senior or Junior. The first was a Revolu- born in 1764, who in 1787 married Francis tionar}' soldier, and was one of the leaders of Le Baron Goodwin, and died in Maine in the Ohio Company, and drew up the system 1801. It would seem, therefore, that the of regulations for the guidance of the Ma- diary meant to say she had left him a ring, rietta colony, which was posted on an oak which probably in the difficulty of transmis- tree near the confluence of the Ohio and sion had not reached him till then. Muskingum Rivers. ^ He left his horse there on the 2d day of Col. Meigs, Jr., was made Governor of January, and it was now February 25, nearly Ohio in 1810. He was a graduate of Yale eight weeks, so that the charge was less than College in 1785, and was Senator at Wash- twenty-five cents a day, which was certainly ington, and Judge of Supreme Court in Ohio. reasonable. The Meigs family came from Middletown, ■* This place does not now appear on the Ct. Both father and son were natives of list of Ohio towns, or in the post office that town. directory, and was probably some temporary ^ Dr. Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth, designation. l8o6.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 283 27. Rode to Canfield. Having obtained help of the Lord, I have now completed a journey which I undertook with great anxiety, but from a sense of duty, God has been with me all the time, and has given me the greatest occasion to remember his unmerited kindness and love. In the morning paid a saddler $2.50, The season here appears more backward than on the Ohio. Read newspapers. 28. Wrote considerably. Wrote to my father. Cold and squalls of snow. Walked out and visited. Several people here are sick. March. 1. Visited families all day. At evening had a little conference with church-members.' It appears to be a time of great stupidity here. Very cold. 2. The ground very hard frozen. Had a pretty full meeting. Preached from Matt, xviii : 3 and Gen. vi: 3. Rode to Boardman and preached in the evening from Esther iv : 16. 3. Rode to the upper part of Boardman. Visited an afflicted family, the man in a dying state with an apoplexy. At evening preached from John xi : 23. While I was preaching in the same room he expired.^ 4. Rode to Smithfield. The ground quite dry for the season. The streams low. Some people have lately arrived here with families from Connecticut. 5. Walked out. At evening preached from John vi : 44. The people here appear quite anxious to procure a preacher. 6. Visited. Rode to Hartford. Preached in the evening from John xviii : 37. People here attend meetings well, but appear pretty unfeeling with regard to the great interests of eternity. 7. Rode to Vienna. It snowed considerably. Very bad riding. Preached in Brookfield from John vi : 44. The people here engaged about schooling. 8. Rode to Youngstown. Preached in an outer part of the town from Matt, xvii : 5. Rode about seventeen miles before preaching, and then preached without eating. I think it did me an injury. A very good mill lately built here. g. Rode into China and preached from John vi : 37 and Rom. xiv : 10. Very cold. Rode to Boardman and preached in the evening, where the man lately died, from Esther iv : 16. Several quite serious people here. Had full meetings. ID. Rode to Stanford and preached from Matt, x: 32. Baptized two chil- dren. My lungs very sore. It snowed some. Very bad riding. Returned to China. 11. Visited. Hurt my horse so that he is something lame. Rode to Warren. The county court in session here. 12. Received two letters from the Missionary Society, one containing a re-appointment for me as a missionary. Received one from my cousin James * He is still at Canfield, where he came ^ A scene like this would not be likely to on the 27th of March. transpire except in a new country. 284 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. with an Almanac, and one from cousin S. P. at - Marietta. Wrote to Dr. Strong, of Hartford. 13. Attended the court. Litigation increases here considerably. This court was divided into two at the late session of the Legislature. Read news- papers. It appears that Bonaparte has met with a repulse * in Germany. 14. Wrote to Aaron Gates,'^ a young preacher in Hartland, Ct., requesting him to come into this county. Rode to Bolton.' Bad riding. Preached in the evening to four persons. The first sermon ever preached in the town. There are but two families here ; came from Colebrook.* Preached from Matt. X : 32. 15. Rode to Nelson. Troubled with a pain in my breast. Preached in an out neighborhood from Esther iv : i6. Quite cold. 16. Preached from Ex. xx : 8 and John vi : 37, The people here gener- ally keep meetings on the Sabbath. Some are very loose and stupid. 17. Visited families. Attended the raising of a log-house. A remarkably fine season for making sugar. Prepared this Almanac. 18. Rode out and visited. Wrote. Began a letter to my mother. 19. Rode out and visited. At night a hard rain with a good deal of thunder. People here of different religious sentiments. 20. Rode to Mantua.' The streams high. My pain at the breast is such that I do not feel it to be duty to try to preach. Read the Bible. 21. Very cold for the season. Went out with some men to take up a bee- tree. A great deal of honey has been taken in that way this year. 22. Rode out and visited families. Read considerably. Some families lately moved into this town from New England. 23. Preached from Matt, xvii : 5 and Rom. xiv : 10. Quite winter weather. Very little appearance of seriousness here. 24. Rode to Aurora.^ The ground pretty hard frozen. Am trying to take the number of families in the county. 25. Read newspapers. I fear that the pain at my breast does not moder- ate much. 26. It snowed almost all day. Rode to Hudson.' The riding ver\- bad. Tarried at Owen Brown's, formerly from Norfolk. Read. 27. Walked out and visited. Read newspapers. This settlement appears to be increasing favorably. 28. Warm spring weather. All this month hitherto has been cold. My ' There does not seem to have been any at East Hartland. He died in Barkhamp- great battle between the French and allied sted, Ct., April 4, 1850. forces about this time to justify this rumor. ^ ^Ye do not find any town of Bolton now ^ This request sent to Mr. Gates did not on the Western Reserve, but it was probably prove effectual. Mr. Gates was born in East in the western part of Trumbull Count}-, as Haddam, Ct., Aug. 12, 1780, was graduated Nelson, which seems to have been not far at Williams College, 1804, studied theology off, is the northeast town of Portage County, with Dr. Joseph Lathrop, of West Spring- * Colebrook, Litchfield County, Ct. field, was pastor at Montague, Mass., 1807- ' Mantua is in Portage County. 1827, at South Church, Amherst, Mass., 1S32- * Aurora also in Portage County. T835, ^^'^ ""^^^ afterwards settled for a time ' Hudson is in Summit County. l8o6.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 285 great coat and mittens have never been burdensome, though they were not needed several times in February. Preached a sacramental lecture from Rev. xvi: 15. 29. Rode out and visited families. Bad riding. Read. The Methodist influence in this town is becoming very small. 30. Preached from Num. X : 29 and Ps. xiv : i. Administered the sacra- ment. There were twenty-two communicants. We had a good meeting. Baptized four children. Wrote church records. 31. Quite feeble. Very warm for the season. Visited. Rode to Stowe. Am trying to take the number of families in the county. April. 1. Rode to Northampton.' This settlement new, but its prospects are very good. Afternoon preached from Matt, x : 32. The first sermon ever preached in the town. Baptized a child. 2. Rode to Stowe. Quite cold. Preached from Rom. i: 16. The first sermon ever preached in the town. The people appear very careless about serious things. Rode to Hudson. Quite feeble. 3. Rode to Rootstown. The settlements in this quarter increasing con- siderably. Several mills are building. 4. Visited. Some very good families here. Rode to Palmyra.^ Quite warm for the season. The pain in my breast quite steady and pretty hard. 5. Last night caught cold. Had a pretty bad lodging. Rode to New- ton. Wrote, though with considerable difficulty. 6. Preached in Mahoning, the first sermon in the town, from John vi : 37 and Gen. xvii : 12. Very tired. Several serious people here may probably soon be united with the Warren church. Rainy. This settlement increases much. 7. Rode to Warren. At night much distressed with pain and weakness. I desire to leave my case wholly with God, who has always remembered me in his love. 8. Visited. Played a little at ball. People appear quite unwilling to have me leave the country ; but if my health will admit I think I must soon. Received an excellent letter from my father, one from my brother James, and one from my brother Battell.^ 9. Received of Maj. Perkins* forty dollars, and gave him an order on the ' Northampton is in Loraine County. sha Hyde, James Johnston, Samuel Mather, ^ Palmyra is in Portage County. Jr., Ephraim Kirby, Solomon Griswold, Oli- ^ Joseph Battel!, of Norfolk, Ct. ver Phelps, William Hart, Henry Cham- * Major Enoch Perkins, one of the Con- pion 2d, Asher Miller, Robert C. Johnson, necticut Land Company. The original num- Ephraim Root, Nehemiah Hubbard, Jr., Solo- ber of persons composing this Company was mon Covvles, Oliver Phelps, Asahel Hatha- thirty-five or six, who gave their bonds for way, John Caldwell, Timothy Burr, Luther different sums, the total making the whole Loomis, William Lyman, Moses Cleaveland, purchase money $1,200,000. These original Samuel P. Lord, Roger Newberry, Ephraim names were Joseph Howland, Elias Morgan, Starr, Sylvanus Griswold, Joseph Stocking, Caleb Atwater, Daniel Holbrook, Joseph Titus Street, James Ball, and P.erpont Ed- Williams, William Love, William Judd, Eli- wards. 286 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1806. Missionary Society of sixty. The remainder I received last December. Rode to Canfield. Quite cold. ID. Very cold. Considerable snow. Wrote. I think the pain in my breast is considerably alarming. Wrote to the Missionary Society. Cold winter weather. 11. Endeavored to employ myself with trifles, appearing the most likely to help my complaints. People are moving. I fear these settlements will be injured by a great accession of Dutch people. 12. Rode out and visited. Rode to Boardman. Am poorly able to preach tomorrow. If I never preach much more, I hope to be thankful that I have been allowed to try to labor in the field so long. Visited. 13. Preached with a very low voice and short exercises from Rev. xvii : 14 and Rev. xxii : 20, first part. Towards evening performed a marriage. Yes- terday Mr. Fowler,' of Poland, was drowned in the Big Beaver. Rode to Can- field. Weather moderates. 14. Rode with company to Hartford. Am obliged to ride upon a walk. Military companies make rather an indifferent appearance. 15. Rode to Smithfield. Met with the Ecclesiastical Convention.^ No other minister was present. Did considerable business. Finished in the evening. Showery. 16. Quite unwell and fatigued. Hope however the pain at my breast is not quite so hard as it has been. A verj' backward season. Grass has grown very little, and I have seen no blossoms. 17. Bonaparte appears to be a terror of nations. The people here building a good school-house. 18. Wrote considerably. Worked some abroad. Rode to Hartford. Pretty good riding. 19. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Rode out. Warm, though the season very backward. Read the Bible. 20. Attended meeting. So unwell that I concluded not to "preach. Have These were the men who dealt directly with the State of Connecticut, and became responsible for the payment of the $1,200,000. But there were quite a number of other men who became members of the company, and shared in the benefits of the purchase, and in the payment of the debt. Some of these were Daniel L. Coit (who probably gave the name to Coitsville), Uriah Tracy, Elijah Boardman, Uriel Holmes, Jr., Gideon Gran- ger, Peleg Sanford, Ebenezer King, Jr., John Stoddard, David King, Enoch Perkins, Jona- than Brace, Joshua Stowe (who probably gave the name to Stowe), Aaron Olmsted, and John Wyles. There were eight more whose names we do not know, making the whole number of the members of the Land Company, after the enlargement, fifty-seven. Since writing the above we find a few names more that seem to belong in this same connection. If they were not regular mem- bers they were sub-members. These names are John Morgan, Nathaniel Shalon, Samuel Fowler, Samuel P. Lord, Nathaniel Gorham, Williams Parks, Joshua Canfield (who prob- ably gave the name to the town of Canfield), Caleb Strong, Samuel Hinckley, Elijah Wads- worth, Jeremiah Wilcox, and Samuel Park- man. ' Mr. Jonathan Fowler, before mentioned. ^ This was the convention or conference organized the year before in connection with Rev. Messrs. Badger and Bacon. Though small as to its numbers it was an important organization in the early history of the great State of Ohio. l8o6.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 287 not missed a Sabbath before for a year and a half. Prayed, gave out the psahns, and made some remarks on the sermons which were read. 21. Rode and visited families. I think riding hurts me as much as any- thing. People making improvements quite fast. 22. Rode to Smithfield. Wrote to my parents. Walked out. Very good fish are caught in the streams here. 23. Marked and appointed a place for setting apple-trees in the form of circles. Am much relieved of pain in my breast. 24. I am apprehensive that my complaints arise in a great measure from bilious affections. In the morning a very hard frost. The peach blossoms are just out. 25. Wrote considerably on the records of churches. Have considerable of that kind of business to do.' Walked out and visited. 26. Writing is pretty hard for me. Rode to Johnston. Visited. The settlement here increasing favorably. 27. Preached from Isa. Ixiii : 17; Rev. xvi : 15. After meeting quite unwell. Scarcely able to sit up. The pain in my breast very hard. 28. Visited families. But just able to walk about. A prospect of a ver}' good settlement here. I hope the way may be open for the settlement of a minister in this vicinity shortly. 29. Am some better. Rode to Smithfield. Received a letter from G. W. Hawley, of Morgan. Quite cool. 30. Quite sick. It appears like a beginning of a bilious fever. My ves- sels appear to be much pressed. Sent for a physician. May. 1. Have considerable fever. Am very feeble, and can eat nothing. It is a peculiar favor for me that I am here.^ 2. Kept the house entirely. Have the best attendants. Sent and bought wine. 3. Hope I am some better. Rode out a little way. I think it my duty to set out for home as soon as f can conveniently. 4. Attended meeting. Prayed three times, gave the psalms, and made remarks on the sermons which were read. Very warm. Towards evening performed a marriage. 5. Think I am getting better. Fires broke out with violence. Was out among them considerably.^ Got very much worried. Attended a militar}- muster. Prayed with the company. They appear very well. 6. The air very full of smoke. Fires run with great violence. Wrote rec- ords for the Ecclesiastical Convention. I think so much writing is injurious to me, but I cannot well avoid it. 7. Rainy. Played ball some. Wrote. Walked out and visited. 8. Last night there was a ball near here, and two young women, members ' Ever since he was at Marlborough, Ct., '^ That is, with some family in Smithfield, in 1798, he had had more or less of this work ^ He has singular ways of spending his to do. He was naturally of an exact, syste- time during convalescence. One day he is matic, clerkly nature. sick, and the next he is fighting fever. 288 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. of the church, attended and danced.' Visited them. One appears ver)^ hum- ble, the other very hardened. 9. I trust my health is mending considerably. Wrote a long letter to Mrs. Hamilton, of Austinburgh, respecting her leaving her husband. Rode out and visited. Waters verj- high. 10. Wrote to Mr. Mills Case, of Austinburgh. Rode out and visited. Had a new coat made. 11. Had a very full and solemn meeting. Preached from Rom. x : 20 and Rev. xxii : 20. One young woman made a public confession for joining in the ball. Spoke largely upon the subject. Received two persons into the church. Baptized a child. Very tired, but was carried through the day much better than I feared. 12. Wrote an address to the Missionary Society for the people here. Rode to Kinsman. Visited. Exchanged horses with Gen. Smith. Gave him twenty-five dollars. 13. Visited families. People appear very reluctant at my leaving them. I feel disagreeably and anxious for them. Took a public leave of them last Sabbath. 14. Wrote to G. W. Hawley and John Andrews. Had some clothes made. Rode out. Preparing for my journey. At evening preached from John xvi : 13, first clause. Baptized a child. 15. Took an affectionate leave of friends, and set out on my journey. May the Lord God of heaven carry me safely to my father's house. Rode to Vienna. 16. Rode to Warren. Bad riding. Am quite feeble for traveling. Re- ceived of Maj. Perkins forty dollars, and gave him an order on the Missionar)- Society. People appear sufficiently unwilling to have me leave them. 17. Rode to Canfield. Quite warm. Have considerable pain at my breast. Visited. 18. Preached from Acts- viii : 8 and Zech. ix : 12. Baptized two children. At even read the newspapers. I am considerably encouraged with society prospects in this place. 19. Wrote to my father, to Esq. Smith, and Dr. Wright, of Smithfield. Rainy. Am quite too feeble to pursue my journey. Visited. 20. Visited families. It is pretty tr\-ing to leave faithful friends. Rode to Boardman. Rainy. Concluded to tarr)^ here till tomorrow. 21. Quite feeble and sick. Left New Connecticut. Rode to Beers. How many and rich are the mercies I have received from God since I first entered that district Nov. 24th, 1803. 22. Met with much kindness. Rode through Beaver to Knox's. A Dutch ferryman at the Beaver would take no pay as I was a preacher. Quite warm. Met some Jersey families moving to New Connecticut. 23. Rode to Pittsburgh. Rode entirely upon a walk. My horse is ex- ceedingly good. Tarried with my old friend Col. Perr}-. ' Balls seem to be a worse institution, or they were then reckoned to be in Xew Eng- at least with a worse reputation, in Ohio than land. l8o6.] MISSIONARY IN NEW CONNECTICUT. 2B<) 24. Concluded to go to the Forks of Yough to see my friends there ; but hearing of a sacrament at Peter's Creek concluded to go and attend it. Very kindly received by Mr. Woods. 25. Attended the sacramental occasion. There were nearly a thousand people. About two hundred communicants. I administered at the first and the fourth tables. The season was comfortable, but no special work of grace appears. There was no sermon after the ordinance. 26. Attended meeting. Very full. Preached from Rom, i : 16 with great freedom, to an audience very attentive. Rode a few miles. 27. Quite unwell. My late fatigue almost too much. Am in a very kind family. Concluded to stay till tomorrow. Had some clothes washed. Wrote. Very warm for the season. 28. Rode to the Forks of Yough. Crossed Monongahela. Much op- pressed with the heat. Find many friends. It is nearly two years since I was here. A very great prospect of crops of fruit. 29. Visited, Mr. Wiley has been settled in the ministry here since I was here. Afternoon preached to a small serious meeting from Rev. xvi : 15. 30. Rainy. Read. Rode out and visited. Wrote to Mr. Chapin,' ex- pected as a missionary to New Connecticut. 31. Set out on my journey. Crossed the Yohoghany. Rode to the foot of the Chestnut Ridge, the first of the mountains. Very warm. June. 1. Concluded not to travel today. There being no meeting near re- mained all day at the tavern. Read several of Paul's Epistles. Wrote. The pain in my breast considerably severe. Wrote to my cousin S. P. R. at Marietta. 2. Rode on my journey. Crossed Chestnut Ridge and Laurel Hill.* Met many moving families, mostly from Jersey. 3. Tarried last night at Somerset.' Quite cool. Crossed the Alleghany Mountain." Met Mr. Chapin' going as a missionary to New Connecticut. I ride wholly on the walk. Somfe magnificent prospects on the mountains. 4. Passed through Bedford.^ Bought me an umbrella for four dollars. Met a good many road-wagons. There appears to be but a little .grain grow- ing on the mountains. 5. Crossed Sideling Hill, and the North Mountain, the Conecocheague ' Rev. Calvin Chapin, D. D., the life-long counties in Pennsylvania, bounded on the pastor, 1794-1851, at Rocky Hill, Ct., cor- south by Virginia. porate member of Yale. His mission to * This is the highest ride in this land of Ohio was like that of Mr. Robbing's father to mountains. Central New York, a Connecticut pastor on ^ It may be that Rev. Calvin Chapin, a preaching and surveying tour through the already spoken of as commissioned for this new settlements. service, met Rev. Mr. Robbins by some pre- ^ These are the western ridges pf the vious arrangement, or it may have been Alleghany Mountains. accidental. 3 Somerset is the shire town of Somerset * Bedford is the shire town of Bedford County, and this is in the southern tier of County adjoining Somerset 290 DIARY OF REV, THOiMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. Valley. I desire to acknowledge the goodness of God who has once more brought me to this side of the mountains. I think my health grows better. 6. Very warm. Rode through Chambersburgh,' a flourishing town. Ride in the sun vvith my umbrella. 7. Rode to within three miles of York.^ I have traveled this week one hundred and sixty-six miles, and walked my horse all the way.^ I think this is not so fine a country as on the Carlisle road. The heat veiy oppressive. Eat green peas. 8. . Rode into York."* In the forenoon attended the meeting of the German Lutherans. All the exercises were in Dutch. Afternoon preached in the English meeting-house from Rom. i : i6. Am treated with much politeness. 9. \\'rote. Wrote to my father. This day is a fair in this town. A great collection of people. Highly entertaining to a stranger. German habits are on many accounts agreeable. A great degree of good humor and tolerable temperance prevails. Wrote to Gen. Smith, New Connecticut. Visited. Formed some agreeable acquaintance. 10. Rode on my journey. Crossed the Susquehannah, and came to Lan- caster.^ Very hot. The Susquehannah at Columbia a mile and a quarter in width. A turnpike road is made from there to Philadelphia of stone. 11. Ver}^ hard riding on the turnj^ike. Lancaster appears to be a rich town. Crossed some very fine stone bridges. Arches of thirty and forty feet. The one over the Conestoga is very fine. Continue to ride almost wholly upon a walk. Eat cherries. 12. Spent the most of the day with Mr. J. D. Perkins,* now a preacher. Rode a few miles. This a very fertile and finely cultivated countr}-. 13. Rode to Philadelphia.^ The bridge over the Schuylkill exceeds any- thing of the kind in America. Three arches, the middle one one hundred and eighty feet. Most elegantly covered. The cost nearly $300,000. This city exceedingly defective in turrets and spires. The water-works very useful and magnificent. 14. Last night quite sick. Find friends very kind and agreeable. 15. In the forenoon heard Mr. Janeway^ preach. Afternoon with some difficulty preached for him from Rom. i : 16. Towards evening heard Mr. Hay,' an English Independent, lately settled here. Find some apparently very serious people. ' Chambersburgh, the shire town of Frank- minister, was a native of Plainfield, Ct., the lin County. He still holds his course through same town where Dr. Perkins, of metallic the southern tier of counties. tractors memory, resided. He was gradu- ' This day's journey took him across ated at Yale College in 1791. Adams County into York. York County ' Across Chester and Delaware Counties, also bounds south on Virginia. * Rev. Jacob J. Janeway, D. D. He re- 3 Between twenty-eight and twenty-nine ceived his degree of D. D. from Middlebury miles a day. College, Vt., in 1S14. * York is the shire town of York County. ' P;-obably Rev. James Hay, D. D., a na- 5 The shire town of Lancaster County. tive of Scotland. His title of D. D. was This also touches Virginia on the south. conferred upon hiiu by Miami College in ^ Rev. John D. Perkins, a Presbyterian 183$, i8o6.] GOING HOME FROM NEW CONNECTICUT. 291 16. In the forenoon attended to the eclipse of the sun. It was nearly total. The sky very clear. One star was very visible. Dined with Mr. Greenleaf. Viewed Beale's Museum. Visited several respectable families by invitation. Walked on the wharves. The business here does not appear to equal New York. The banks very elegant and notable buildings. 17. Bought a ticket in Smithfield and Russelton turnpike lottery,' Number 30,061, and have in my own determination, given its avails, if any, to a friend. Price $6.50. Left Philadelphia. Roads very dry and dusty. Rode to Bristol.^ My horse something lame. 18. Very hot weather. Rode in New Jersey for the first time. Rode through Trenton and Princeton.^ The bridge'* at Trenton on many accounts the best in the United States. The piers and abutments are of hewn stone, five arches, three of two hundred feet each. Length within the abutments one thousand and sixty-two feet. Cost $150,000. It appears like durability. Viewed Princeton College.^ About one hundred and eighty students. To- wards evening stopped with rain. 19. Jersey very level. Saw and conversed considerably with the French ambassador.^ Quite cool. Rode thirty-three miles, the furthest that I have any day on my journey. Tarried at Newark. This State is pleasant, but not so fertile as Pennsylvania. 20. Made a visit to Mr. Griffin.^ Saw the Tunisian ambassador.* Rode to New York. Am rejoiced to be again east of the Hudson. Came to Mrs. Watson's.' Kindly received. Mr. Watson died after a long, severe illness, May 15th. Walked out. This city has much increased since I was here five years ago. 21. Visited Dr. Rodgers.'° Walked to the State Prison on an alarm of fire. ' The sentiment then about lotteries very different than at present. - Bristol is in Bucks County, Penn. 3 Trenton and Princeton, both in Mercer County, New Jersey. * Across the Delaware River. 5 This college planted at Elizabethtown, N. J., in 1746, was removed to Newark in 1748, and in 1757 to its permanent home in Princeton. It had distinguished men for its early presidents, but their terms of office were short: Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, 1746- 1747; Rev. Aaron Burr, 1748-1757 ; Rev. Jonathan Edwards, 1757-1758; Rev. Samuel Davies, 17 59-1 761. At the time of Mr. Rob- bins's visit the president was Samuel Stan- hope Smith, D. D., LL. D., 1795-1S12. '' The French ambassador at that time, was Gen. Terreau, envoy extraordinary. ' This was the same George Griffin, grad- uate of Yale, 1797, whom Mr. Robbins found at Wilkesbarre, Penn , on his journey out to Ohio. He married the daughter of Col. Zeb- ulon Butler, while he lived at Wilkesbarre, and in 1806 removed to New York, where he became very eminent as a lawyer. ^ The ambassador from Tunis had re- cently arrived in this country on a special errand. Our vessels at that time had been blockading Tripoli, and a Tunisian cruiser, with two prizes in tow, undertook to run into the port of Tripoli in spite of the blockade, and was captured. In a special message by President Jefferson to Congress, April 14, 1806, he says : " The Bey (of Tunis) preferred explaining himself by an ambassador to the United States, who, on his arrival, renewed the request that the vessels and prizes should be restored. It was deemed proper to give this proof of friendship (viz., that of returning the vessels) to the Bey and the ambassador." 9 Widow of Mr. James Watson, noticed frequently in the early years of the diary. '° Rev. John Rodgers, D. D., of the Wall Street Church, the oldest Presbyterian church in New York. 292 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. A very exj^ensive city hall building. Wrote. Quite cool to what we have had. Have a good many acquaintances here. 22. Preached in the afternoon from Rom. i: 16 for Dr. Rodgers. Found my cousin Henry Starr.' I believe the ministers are quite serious preachers. A vast number of people on the public walk. 23. Visited some acquaintance. Saw a most extraordinary edition of Hume's History. Dined with Mr. Hopkins. Excessive hot. It seems impos- sible that people can long continue healthy. Visited Mr. Trumbull.^ Saw his paintings. Excepting the Falls of Niagara, the greatest curiosity I have ever seen. Visited Eben Watson.^ 24. Yesterday wrote to Maj. Perkins,'* of New Connecticut. Wrote to my cousin Mr. Oilman. Towards night left New York. Rode eleven miles. The country here has suffered considerably from a drought. Am obliged to ride my usual gait, on a walk. 25. Very warm. Am much rejoiced, and I pray for thankfulness that I am once more in my dear native State. Called on Dr. Lewis.^ Rode to Canaan to Mrs. Mitchell's. Mr. Mitchell^ died suddenly last fall. Find much kindness. 26. Rode to Ridgefield and to Danbury. Meet a very cordial welcome from old friends. I think I have much better health, in the mercy of God, than when I set out on my journey. 27. Walked out and visited. Many heads of families have died here since I lived in this town. Got acquainted with Rev. Mr. Ward.' An agreeable man. This town appears to increase in numbers and wealth. 28. Visited all day. A very great alteration in the religious character of the people here in a few years. Now the most of the best families are serious people. Have to answer very many inquiries respecting the western country. 29. Preached for Mr. Ward all day, from Num. x: 29 and Luke xv. 17. ' Henry Starr, son of Rev. Peter Starr, of Warren, Ct. This cousin was graduated at 'Williams College, 1804. He first began to study theology under President Dwight, but soon turned to the law, studying in the Law School at Litchfield, Ct. He afterwards established himself in his profession at Cin- cinnati, and was a lawyer of some prominence. * Col. John Trumbull, the painter, son of Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, of Lebanon, Ct., graduate of Harvard College in 1773, born 1756, died in New Haven, 1843, '^'^ ^^e age of eighty-seven. ^ This is the E. Watson with whom Mr. Robbins has been in the habit of correspond- ing, perhaps a nephew of Hon. James Wat- son. * Maj. Enoch Perkins. ' Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., of Greenwich, Ct., who died in 1840, seventy-five years after his graduation at Yale College. ^ Rev. Justus Mitchell, not of the town of Canaan, Ct., but of the Canaan Parish in Norwalk, now known as the town of New Canaan. Mr. Robbins either misunderstood Mrs. Mitchell in her statement as to the time of her husband's death, or else he made a slip of his ]3en in writing. In the Yale Tri- ennial and in the contributions to Ecclesiasti- cal Histoiy of Connecticut his death stands as- signed to 1806. Writing to Franklin B. Dex- ter, A. M., of the Yale College Library, of this discrepancy, he shows that Mr. Mitchell died Feb. 25, 1806. Mr. Robbins meant to say probably, "last winter" instead of "last fall." Dr. Robbins had a reputation for ac- curacy, but the best sometimes make mis- takes. ^ Rev. Israel Ward was the successor to Rev. Timothy Langdon. He was settled in Danbury, May, 1S03, and continued till his death in 1810. l8o6.] AT HOME AGAIN IN NORFOLK, CT. 293 People very attentive and serious. Towards night attended a conference in which I gave something of a narrative of my mission, and considerable account of the revival of religion in the western country. Very tired. 30. Rainy. Visited. Concluded to tarry till tomorrow. Some of my best friends here, unfortunately, are out of town. Tarried at Mrs. Starr's now a widow. The caterpillar makes some ravages in this vicinity. The late eclipse of the sun is a subject of much conversation wherever I go. July. 1. Were it not for my anxieiy to get home, I could hardly get away from here without a much longer visit. Rode to New Milford in the afternoon. They have a toll-bridge here across the Housatonic. Kindly entertained at Mr. Canfield's.' The religious state of this town is very bad. 2. Rode to Warren.'^ All my friends appear to have had much anxiety for me on account of my poor health. Had company through the afternoon and evening. 3. In the morning considerably detained. Rode to Litchfield. Could not conveniently get home. Tarried with Mr. Allen. He appears quite serious. The sight and company of former friends gives me many emotions. 4. Mr. Allen ^ gave me some information which affected my feelings con- siderably. Rode to Norfolk.'* Arrived safely at my father's house. Had a most kind and affectionate meeting with my parents and family. Thus has it pleased God to keep and preserve me through many trying scenes in my long absence, since Aug, 25, 1803, and now to bring me home. I hope it has pleased God to use me in some degree as an instrument of good. My health is very much injured, and I fear that my constitution is impaired. Towards evening drank tea with a number of people as a celebration of Independence, People generally appear gratified to see me, 5. Wrote. I fear my horse has a lameness which will be substantially injurious. The vegetation suffers very much with a drought, 6. My father preached in the forenoon and administered the sacrament. My brother Ammi came and attended with us. Afternoon preached from Luke XV : 17, People appear serious under preaching, but it is a very stupid time. ' Probably of the kindred of Mr, Judson making an enumeration of families on the Canfield, from whom the town of Canfield on Reserve. In a letter from him, published in the Connecticut Reserve is now named. 1806, in the Connecticut Missionary Magazine, ^ Where his Uncle Starr's family lived. we have the result of his investigations as ^ John Allen, Esq., native of Great Bar- follows: In January, 1804, there were not far rington, Mass., settled as a lawyer in Litch- from four hundred families in the eight coun- field in 1785, and was an able lawyer. He ties on the Reserve. In 1805 the families was a man of strong mind and of gigantic had increased to eleven hundred, and of bodily proportions, being six and one half these four hundred and fifty were from New feet high. He received a degree of A. M. England. There were in that same year from Yale in 1791. He died in 1812. twenty-four schools in operation, sev<'n * Several times, it will be remembered, churches organized, and twenty places where there were entries in the diary during Mr. preaching was steadily maintained. From Robbins's stay in Ohio, saying that he was that time on the growth was rapid. 294 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. 7. On the fifth arranged and secured several volumes of newspapers. Wrote to M. L. C. Feel a little embarrassed, but hope not to receive any special wound in my feelings.' Walked out. The inhabitants in this town change considerably. 8. Wrote to Mr. J. xA.llen, Litchfield. Looking over my papers and things. They have been well kept since I have been gone. My sister S.^ settled very agreeably. 9. Quite feeble. Read newspapers. There appears to have been but little notice paid to Independence in this State. 10. Received a letter from Mrs. Hamilton, New Connecticut. Afternoon preached from Isa. xliii : 13. Endeavored to give an historical sketch of rny mission and of the state of society in the western country. Spoke an hour and a half. Mr. Bassett/ of Winchester, here. Likely to be dismissed. 11. Wrote on a letter to the Missionary Society, began the 5th inst. Worked some raking hay. Walked out and visited neighbors. I fear Mrs. Akins is sinking in a consumption. 12. Wrote. Worked some. People generally beginning their haying. Cool for the season. My breast very feeble. 13. Attended meeting. My father preached. It seems a little singular to spend the Sabbath in this way, but I think it is best and necessary for me. After meeting attended a funeral of a black child. My father preaches very much as he used to. 14. Wrote. Had company. Worked in the hay. Visited neighbors. A great supply of cherries. The drought very oppressive and very extensive. I am persuaded I never saw so dry a time in this town. 15. Finished my letter to the Missionary Society. Wrote to my brother James,* at Williamstown. Am almost too feeble to write. 16. Very warm. West Simsbury, lately made a town, called Canton. Tarried w-ith Mr. Hallock.^ Called on my brother x\mmi, in Colebrook ; moved since I have been gone.^ 17. Rode to Hartford. Am still obliged to ride very slow. Towards even- ing a gentle and very refreshing shower. 18. It appears that unkind persons have sent evil reports about me to the Missionary Society ; but they did not receive so much credit as to do me any injury. I hope to have a spirit of forgiveness. Very hot. Received of the Missionary Society one hundred and fifty dollars. Treated in a very friendly manner by Mr. Strong and Mr. Flint. Rode to West Hartford. In the after- ^ We do not understand this reference, Chester, May, 180T, was dismissed in August, but connect it with the conversation which 1806. he had only a few days before with Mr. •* His brother James was still tutor at Allen, of I itchfield, to whom he writes a Williams College. letter the next day. s Rev. Jeremiah Hallock. ^ Sarah Robbins, now Mrs. Joseph Bat- ^ His brother Ammi removed from Ca- tell. naan to Colebrook soon after he left for ' Rev. Archibald Bassett, settled in Win- Ohio. l8o6.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 29s noon we had two very refreshing showers. The second very violent and powerful. Good is Jehovah. Tarried with Dr. Perkins.' 19. Rode to Farmington. Called and dined with Gov. Treadwell." Rode to Simsbury. Tarried with Mr. Stebbins.^ Intended to have gone today to Hartland, but could not. People generally harvesting ; which comes in very well. Said to be more wheat this year than has been in this State for many years. The grass generally is pretty light. 20. Mr. Hallock here on an exchange with Mr. Stebbins. Preached in the afternoon from Num. x : 29. Again towards evening at a large school-house from Esther iv : 16. Something of an awakening here. People very attentive. Quite too feeble to preach. 21. Wrote considerably. Cool for the season. Dined at A. Phelps. After- noon rode to Canton. Quite a hard shower. Got considerably wet. 22. Read Porter's Lectures.^ Rainy all day. Afternoon preached from Rom. i: 16. Had a very serious meeting. Gave some account of my mission in public. Some people here talk of moving to New Connecticut. 23. Rode to Hartland. I never was here before. At evening attended a conference ; quite full. There appears to be some seriousness here. Got acquainted with Mr. Gates/ a candidate here. I hope he will go to New Connecticut. In the morning wrote a long letter to Mr. Bacon, my late brother missionary. 24. People generally harvesting. The grain very good. Visited. The most of the people here have friends in New Connecticut, and more are talking of moving. Eat at a harvest supper. 25. Visited all day. Pretty warm. At evening attended a conference in the meeting-house. The people here are in danger of inroads from Baptists. Their minister perhaps is not the most judicious. 26. Very feeble. It appears to hurt me to do so much ministerial busi- ness. Visited considerably. Tarried at Dr. Wilcox's.^ He expecting to move to the westward soon. 27. In the forenoon Mr, Church^ preached. Afternoon preached from Luke XV : 17. People very attentive and serious. At evening preached again from Rev, xxii : 20, They sing very well here. They have a very^ good new meeting-house. Talked very seriously to the people. 28. Rode home. A way that I never traveled before. There is a prospect of a turnpike direct from Norfolk through Hartland to Suffield. I hope it may be effected. Mr. Strong,* of Somers, here. 29. Sent $150 to Mr. Battell on interest. Raked after the cart four loads ' Nathan Perkins, D. D., pastor at West go to Ohio, nor did he then settle in Hart- Hartford, 1772-1838. land, but later in life he was minister there, ^ Governor of Connecticut, 1809-1S1 1. He * This was the Dr. Wilcox with whom was the first president of the American Board. Mr. Robbins corresponded while he was on ^ Rev. Samuel Stebbins, pastor at Sims- the Reserve. Probably the letters had refer- bury, 1777-1806. ence to his plan of moving to the West. * Porter's Lectures. Reference unknown. ^ Rev. Aaron Church, pastor at East Hart- ^ Aaron Gates, with whom he corre- land, Ct., 1773-1815. sponded w'lile in Ohio, Mr, Gates did not ^ Dr, Charles Backus, of Somers, died in 296 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS RODBINS, D.D. [1806. of hay. Am pretty feeble, but think manual labor is serviceable to me. Read newspapers. Political parties in this State manifest a great deal of bitterness. 30. Made a model of a ditching instrument. I hope the plan will succeed, but am a little fearful. Rainy. Received a letier from my cousin S. P., at Marietta, and one from the proprietors of the academy there, wishing me to be the preceptor. I think I cannot accept of the offer. 31. This month has been very cool for the season. Worked in hay. Wrote. Some unpleasant things in my father's church. Wrote to W. Wood- bridge, Esq.,' of Marietta, declining the instruction of their academy. August. 1. Wrote to Mr. Bates, Smithfield, New Connecticut. Afternoon worked five hours raking hay without any intermission. Very tired. Am consid- erably better than I have been. 2. Read Bossuet's Universal History.^ Settled my pecuniary matters with my brothers who owe me. Allowed my brother N. what he has paid for me in my absence, ten dollars. Wrote. Read newspapers. 3. My father preached. I think he preaches as well as he ever did. Read the life of Dr. Hopkins.^ At evening attended and talked considerably in a conference. Sabbath evening conferences have been suspended here for some time. 4. Wrote to Mr. Chapman/ Smithfield, and to his daughter Fanny. Read Bossuet. I suspect he is not the most accurate in chronology-. 5. Feel considerable anxiety about my horse who is gone. He got away last Thursday and I can hear nothing of him. Wrote to Richard Hays, Hart- land, New Connecticut. Worked considerably in hay. 6. Took physic. Am considerably disordered. Quite warm. Worked some. Read newspapers. 7. Yesterday there was a great Democratic celebration at Litchfield. They appear determined to overthrow the institutions of this State. Rode to the north part of the town and attended the weekly concert of prayer. 8. We have frequent rains and a ver}- growing season. Wrote. Had some clothes made. I find my historical extracts and drafts very useful. 9. Walked out and visited. Read in the life of Suwarrow.^ My brother- in-law Battell has a good library. Worked some. My father rode to Torring- ton to exchange with Mr. Gillet.* 1803, and Rev. William L. Strong was set- 1704. He was so much in favor with Louis tied as his successor in 1S05, and continued XIV that he was made instructor of the dau- in office till 1829. Rev. Mr. Strong was phin. His Universal History was written es- father of Hon. William Strong, of Philadel- pecially for the instruction of his royal pupil. phia, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court ^ jjj-. Stephen West, of Stockbridge (Mr. of the United States, and of Rev. Edward Robbins's theological teacher), wrote the Zz/c- Strong, D. D., late pastor of the Congrega- of Dr. Samuel Hopkins, and the work was tional church at West Roxbury. published 1S05. Dr. Hopkins died in 1803. ' William Woodbridge, a lawyer in Ma- •♦ Rev. Ezekiel J. Chapman, rietta, who was for some years representative = Count Peter Alexis Suwarrow, a Russian from that town in the Ohio Legislature. general of extraordinary courage, an impetu- ^ James Benigne Bossuet, one of the great ous but successful military leader. court preachers of France, born 1627, died * Rev. Alexander Gillet. lSo6.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 297 10. Mr. Gillet preached; and in the evening a third sermon. People appear considerably disposed to attend. Mr. Gillet preached very well. The people here sing very well. 11. Walked out. Afterwards rode with my sister to the east part of the town on a visit. The roads here are generally much improved from what they have been. I have this day, more thaii at any birthday I have yet seen, occa- sion to magnify and praise God, who is my constant keeper and preserver. 12. A late instance of suicide in an adjacent town. Rode to Torrington to attend a minister's meeting. There were eleven present besides me. At- tended public worship. After the sermon I delivered an address by request of the meeting. At evening attended a conference. There appears to be some seriousness here. I am still feeble about riding. 13. Sat with the meeting which was quite instructive. Afternoon rode to Goshen. Went into a Methodist meeting. Circumstances being peculiarly favorable, I spoke a little. I hope it was of service. In the west part of the town I found my horse, to my great satisfaction. He was taken up and has been well taken care of. Tarried with Mr. Howe where I found my horse ; a Methodist. 14. Visited. Afternoon rode with Mr. Hooker' to the north part of the town and preached from Matt, xvii : 5. Returned with Mr. Hooker. At evening preached at a prayer-meeting from Esther iv : 16. Mr. Hooker has six students in divinity.^ 15. Rode home and led my horse. My preaching yesterday I think was too much for me. Read newspapers. We have frequent showers but ver}- little rain. Streams are remarkably low. 16. Wrote to Mr. Thomas Latimer, of Philadelphia. Rode out. Breaking my horse for a carriage. Quite feeble. 17. Read Hopkins's Life and Writings. I think his dialogue on benevo- lence is incorrect. My father preached. At evening attended a conference. Expounded the 53d of Isaiah. People very attentive. 18. Read Bossuet. Worked some. Played ball. My father went to attend the funeral of Mrs. Farrand,^ of Canaan. She died by taking tartar emetic instead of cream of tartar. Visited neighbors. 19. Worked making a press for books and papers. Wrote to my brother James. Walked out and visited. 20. Wrote to Mr. Ebenezer Hazard, Philadelphia. Very cool for the season. Read newspapers. I am still quite weak at the breast. 21. Wrote considerably. Afternoon rode to the south part of the town and attended the weekly concert. Dr. Perkins,'* of Hartford, came here and tarried. 22. Quite warm. Read Bossuet. Mr. Whittlesey' and Mr. Mygott, from ' Rev. Asahel Hooker, of Goshen. * Nathan Perkins, D. D., of West Hart- ^ He was a favorite instructor in theology, ford, and though not of long life he taught a large ^ The man with whom he boarded in Dan- number of students. bury some years before. His given name ^ The widow of Rev. Daniel Farrand. we have not been able certainly to deter- He died three years before. mine. 298 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. Danbury, came here and tarried. Am exceedingly glad to see them. Have had succotash this week. 23. Read the Life of Lord Ndson} Very entertaining. His character rises on a nearer inspection. 24. Rainy and very cold for the season. Preached in the afternoon from Acts xxviii : 24. I think I grow stronger at the breast. J hope it may please divine goodness to restore my health. 25. Worked some. Played ball. Read. Walked out and visited. Traded. 5.03. At evening Uncle and Aunt Starr came here and tarried. Wrote to Dr. Sampson, Whitestown. 26. Our neighbor, Mrs. Akins, I fear is declining fast. Rode to Win- chester and attended with the consociation- on the trial of Mr. Bassett. Seventeen ministers and sixteen delegates present as members. Some of the evidence is pretty bad. 27. Sat with the consociation all day. Mr. Bassett^ is declared not guilty on all charges, and censured for want of Christian prudence. After which he was dismissed. In the evening rode home. Quite cool. 28. Received an application to preach at Winchester. Afternoon attended a sacramental lecture and church meeting. There is considerable discipline in this church. Had some clothes made. 29. Wrote. Read. Perhaps there have never been greater exertions than are now making to change the order of things in this State. Preparing for my journey. 30. Set out for Hartford. Quite warm. Rode to Talcott Mountain.* Tarried at a tavern. I can ride but little better than when I came home. 31. Rode to Dr. Perkins's, West Hartford. Preached in the forenoon from Num. X : 29. And in the evening from Luke xv : 17. Mr. Snow,' a candidate, preached in the afternoon. ' Lord Nelson was killed in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The Life of Nelson, which Mr. Robbins read, was probably some hastily prepared sketch. Robert Southey a few years later wrote the Life of Lord Nelson. ^ A consociation is a body composed of the ministers who may at the time be settled over ten or fifteen neighboring Congregational churches within fixed bounds, with lay dele- gates chosen from the same churches. This body belongs chiefly to the State of Connec- ticut. In Congregational language a conso- ciation differs from an association, which is composed only of ministers, and it differs from a conference in that it has certain gov- ernmental powers unknown to that body, though that is also composed of ministers and lay delegates. * Rev. Archibald Bassett was a native of Derby, Ct., as was also Rev. Amos Bassett, D. D., of Hebron, the former graduated at Yale in 1784, and the latter in 1796. Mr. Robbins and Mr. Bassett, of Winchester, were classmates at Yale. The charges against Mr. B. were wholly of a business nature. He was regarded as too worldly-minded and eager after money, etc. He was afterwards settled in Walton, N. Y. * Talcott Mountain is distinctly visible at the west, as one journeys along the shores of the Connecticut River from Hartford to Springfield. He crossed the mountain prob- ably on the road running from Avon (then Northington) to Hartford. Wadsworth's Tower stands on the top of the mountain a little way north from this Avon road, and the town of Avon itself lies at the foot of the mountain on the west side. * This was probably Rev. Simeon Snow, who was sent by the Connecticut Missionary Society as a missionary to New York. Ap- parently he was not a college graduate. l8o6.j AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 299 Septembbr. 1. Rode to Hartford. Talk of getting some cabinet work of Mr. Chapin.' He has some very good. Rode to Suffield. The most of the way in a moder- ate rain. Tarried at Esq. Leavitt's. 2. Rainy and wet all day. Am entertained very kindly at Esq. Leavitt's. Visited Mr. Gay and some others. Read Humphreys's Poems^ The first rainy day in many months. Fruit pretty plenty. 3. Quite rainy. Rode to Windsor and Hartford. The trustees of the Missionary Society met and organized for the ensuing year. Tarried at Mr. Strong's. He has resigned his office of trustee. 4. Received of the missionary trustees twenty-nine dollars, the amount of my account. Paid for a new coat, $15.50. 5. Rode to Rocky Hill. Preached a sacramental lecture. Mr. Chapin^ still in New Connecticut. Preached from Num. x : 29. There have been a good many deaths in this town since I left here. 6. Rode to Branford. Missed my way. Called on Mr. Eells," North Branford. He has lately broken his leg. Mr. Williams, a very worthy man, is preaching here.* 7. Mr. Williams preached in the forenoon. We joined in administering the sacrament. It was a very solemn and feeling occasion. I preached in the afternoon from Luke xv : 17. He preached a third sermon. The people here are very desirous to settle a minister. 8. Walked out and visited all day. Am desired to come here and preach. I think I can't. 9. Rode to New Haven to attend Commencement. Went to see the figures of wax-work.* Quite a curiosity. Find many old acquaintances. Found my brother James whom I have not seen before since I came home. 10. Attended the exercises of Commencement. I think not so good as sometimes. Last evening there was speaking for premiums. I think not so ' Dea. Aaron Chapin, a native of Chico- to Portugal. He was a copious writer. A pee, Mass., removed to Hartford in early collection of his poems and tracts was pub- life, and established himself in the cabinet lished in New York in 1790, and another making business. His only son, Laertes edition in 1S04. Chapin, father of President Aaron L. Chapin, ^ Rev. Calvin Chapin, of whom we have D. D., of Beloit College, toward the close of before spoken, still absent on his missionary the last century, became partner with his journey to Ohio. father, and the firm was known for long years ■• Rev. Samuel Eells, pastor at North as the firm of Aaron Chapin & Son," and Branford, 1769-180S. known also for the honesty and thorough- = Mr. Eells was now growing old, and ness of their work. Aaron Chapin was dea- Mr. Williams was assisting him. There con of the First Church of Hartford from were so many ministers of the name Will- 18 1 3 to his death in 1838. iams, that without farther clue we cannot tell 2 Col. David Humphreys, son of Rev. who this Mr. Williams was. Daniel H. Humphreys, of Derby, born 1753, ^ It will be remembered in a previous died 1818. He was aid to Gens. Putnam note respecting Mr. Reuben Moulthrop, the and Washington in the War of the Revolu- painter, that he worked more in wax-work tion, was private secretary of Washington, than on the canvas. Very likely these figures 17S8-1790, when he was appointed Minister were by his hand. 300 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1806. many ministers present as sometimes. At evening Dr. Cyprian Strong' preached the Concio. 11. Visited acquaintance. Attend the meeting of the P. B. K. Society, Dined with Mr. Davis. ^ Left New Haven. Rode with my brother James to Salem.^ Quite cool. 12. A pretty good year for cider. Rode home, near forty miles. After- noon quite rainy. My brother Frank now at home. Quite tired. 13. Received a letter from Dr. Sampson, Whitestown. Mrs. Battell,'* of Torringford, not likely to live. Rode with James to Winchester. 14. James preached in the forenoon. I preached in the afternoon from Num. X : 29. The people were generally at meeting and were affected and rejoiced that they can again meet for worship without prejudice or difficulty. At e\ening w-alked out. We have agreed to supply the pulpit here six or seven Sabbaths. 15. Last evening my brother went to Torringford. Set out for home afoot. Stopped at Mr. Bigger's, He let me ride his horse. Attended Freemen's Meeting, It was quite agreeable. Two hundred and eight votes — thirty-four Democratic. They do not appear to gain any in this town. 16. Ver}'^ warm. The thermometer at 82°. Studied most all day endeavor- ing to reckon and balance my own accounts. Rode to Canaan and back with my sister, 17. Wrote, Very warm. Rode out and labored considerably with a church-member under censure. The case is something difficult. 18. Mrs. Battell, of Torringford, died last night. My parents there. Rode to Colebrook and attended the funeral of an infant child of brother Ammi's. The accounts of the Freemen's Meeting through the State are very favorable. There is not one Democratic Representative chosen in the county of Litchfield.' 19. Extreme heat. The thermometer at 90°. Wrote to Isaiah Thomas,* of Worcester, and to Esq. Leavitt, of Suffield. A hard thunder-shower, 20. Wrote to Mr. Woodbridge,' of Stockb ridge. Worked considerably tr^-ing to alter the course of the brook. Read Lee's Trial of Virtue. It much exceeds what I expected. 21. My father preached in the forenoon. Afternoon I preached from Rom. x: i. At evening attended a conference. Talked on the salvability of the heathen. 22. Endeavored to write on the subject of the Moral Taste. My pain at the breast something troublesome. Read Lord Nelson's Life. ' Pastor of the First Church at Portland, of Milford, Ct. In 1807 Mr, Battell married Ct, 1 767-181 1. for his second wife, Mrs. Mitchell, widow of ^ His classmate Henry Davis, frequently Rev. Justus Mitchell, of New Canaan, Ct, mentioned, whose maiden name was Martha Sherman, ^ This is now the church in Naugatuck, ' The Federalists kept their strength in but was then Salem Parish in the town of Connecticut longer than in almost any other Waterbury, State. * Wife of Mr, William Battell, and mother * Isaiah Thomas, of Worcester, published of Mr. Joseph Battell, Her maiden name the Almanacs, which he used for his diary. was Sarah Buckingham, and she was a native ^ Probably Gen. Jonathan Woodbridge. i8o6.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 301 23. Worked all day ; endeavoring to fix a family to move to New Connecti- cut. Their prospects are pretty poor. 24. Worked, as yesterday. Wrote on the subject of Moral Taste. I think that a system which cannot be supported. Read. 25. Quite cool. For two or three mornings we have had frosts. After- noon attended the weekly concert of prayer and a church meeting. The church excommunicated a member. 26. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins. Rainy. Wrote to Rev. Mr. Brown,' Washington, Penn. 27. Rode to Torringford. There is a turnpike through Winchester all the way. Tarried at Mr. Battell's.'' 28. In the forenoon Mr. Mills preached. Afternoon preached from Num. x: 29. In the evening preached a'gain from Esther iv : 16. Some serious- ness here. Meetings quite full. 29. Rode home. My brother Ammi's wife quite sick. Last evening quite tired, but am evidently stronger at the lungs than I have been. 30. Rode with my father to Salisbury and met with the association. The regiment of militia met at Canaan. The association examined and licensed four young men ^ who appeared very well. They acknowledged me as one of their number. October. 1. Preached before the association from Rom. x: i. The association had a great deal of business. Rode home. My father has three scholars admitted freshmen in Williams College.* 2. Wrote to Esq. Leavitt, Warren, New Connecticut. Received a letter from Esq. Leavitt, Suffield. Gov. TreadwelP and Mr. Ely* came to my father's and tarried. 3. Rode to Goshen. A military regiment of foot, and one of horse, met ' Rev. Matthew Brown, Presbyterian min- ister. - Mr. William Battel], father of Mr. Jo- seph Battel], of Norfolk. ^ These four young men were Rev. Tim- othy Phelps Gillet, son of Rev. Alexander Gillet, of Torrington, Ct., Rev. Bennet Ty- ler, D. D., a native of Middlebury, Ct., Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D., a native of Bur- lington, Ct., and Rev. Frederick Marsh. The first of these was the life-long pastor at Bran- ford, 1 808-1866, dying in the fifty-eighth year of his ministry, and in the eighty-seventh of his age. The second of these, Dr. Tyler, was pastor in Connecticut, and in Portland, Me., whence he was called to be the head of the Connecticut Theological Institute, now better known as the Hartford Theological Seminary. He died at the age of sevent}-- five, after large activities, in 1858. Rev. Dr. Humphrey, after several years' labor in the ministry, was long the able President of Amherst College. HediedinPittsfield, Mass., in 1861, aged eighty-two. Rev. Frederick Marsh was pastor at Winchester, Ct, from 1809 to 1851, and died in that town in 1873, ^t ^^^ ^o^ °^ ninety- three. It is rare that a ministerial associa- tion has the opportunity to license in one day four young men destined to so large a measure of Christian service. * The little family school, in the parson- age house at Norfolk, was sending out its candidates for college year by year. On the very spot where this parsonage house stood, a handsome building for a family school is now in process of erection by the grandchil- dren of the old Norfolk pastor and teacher. 5 Gov. John Treadwell lived at Farming- ton, Ct. * Who this Mr. Ely was we have not the means of determining, though we conjecture 302 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. and were received here.' They have very good officers. Rode to Litchfield. Tarried at Mr. Allen's." 4. Rode to Torringford and home. Am much better able to ride than I have been. Very warm. Tried to buy the Universal History. The owner would not sell it, Mrs. Akins/ our neighbor, died last night. 5. My father preached both parts of the day. Afternoon on occasion of Mrs. Akins's death. The meeting-house very much crowded. At evening attended the conference. 6. Read all day. Finished reading the Life of Lord Nelson. I think him one of the first characters of the age.* 7. Rode to Colebrook and back. All of our family except sister Betsey dined together at home. This has not been the case before in several years. Considerably unwell with a cold. 8. My cold pretty bad. Wrote. My brother Frank went ofE to college.^ Read Pope's works. 9. Wrote considerably. Worked picking up apples. A pretty good year for them. 10. I think I have, on investigation, got some pretty good ideas concerning moral character and inability. Wrote all day. 11. Rode to Warren. Quite cool. Rode in the dark. The roads drj-- and the streams very low. My father received a letter to go to New London to attend an ordination,* but concludes not to go. 12. Expected to have gone to New Preston and preached, now vacant by the death of Mr, Day,^ Hearing that they were supplied, preached for Uncle Starr from Acts xxviii : 24 and Num. x : 29. Rainy. At evening had company. 13. Two or three families who moved from this vicinity to New Con- necticut are coming back.^ Wrote considerably. My nerves are weak. that it was Rev. afterwards Dr. David Ely, of Huntington, a member of the corporation of Yale College. Gov. Treadwell and Dr. Ely, though not classmates, were in college together, Gov. Treadwell graduating in 1767, and Dr. Ely in 1769. ' It was the year for the regimental train- ings which came on alternate years. It will be remembered that only a few days before there was a training of this kind at Canaan, ^ Hon, John Allen, before noticed. ' Mrs. Akins was the wife of Edmund Akins, Esq., a highly esteemed lawyer, of the town of Norfolk. He himself died in the following year. * Probably Mr. Robbins would have this understood as true in many respects but not in all. 5 Francis Le Baron Robbins, the youngest of the family, now a Sophomore at Williams. * This was the ordination of Rev. Abel McEwen, D. D., whose wife was Sarah Battell, daughter of William Battell, of Tor- ringford, and aunt of Mr. Robbins. Dr. McEwen was a notable man, and his min- istry at New London lasted from 1806 to i860. ^ Rev. Jeremiah Day, father of Dr. Jere- miah Day, President of Yale College, and Hon. Thomas Day, Secretary of State in Connecticut. Mr. Day had been settled at New Preston since 1770, and died Sept. 12, 1806. ^ This was no uncommon circumstance. The fever and ague, with attendant hardships and calamities of various sorts, made many of those early emigrants sigh for their homes in the East. When we consider that the West was settled under such conditions, it is wonderful how fast the work has gone on. l8o6.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 363 14. Rode to Burlington ' and attended a Ministers' Meet'ng. Read a long piece on the subject of Moral Character and Change ^ which was well approved. 15. Sat with the Ministers' Meeting. Rode to Goshen. The prospect of peace in Europe is, happily, dissipating.^ My breast pretty weak. 16. Very cold. Rode home. Read the Vicar of Wakefield.* Political parties very quiet. 17. Finished reading the Vicar. Almost winter weather. Dr. Wilcox, from Hartford, here with his family ; moving to New Connecticut. Walked out and visited. An exhibition of wax-work in town. 18. On the nth wrote to Mr. T. Crosby, Smithfield, New Connecticut. Asa Spalding, a Democrat, got forty-six votes for United States Senator in our House of Representatives. Rode to Winchester. A young horse which I rode threw me off with great violence. My leg was hurt considerably, yet was most mercifully preserved. 19. Quite lame in consequence of my fall. Preached from Acts xxviii : 24 and Esther iv : 16. People very attentive and meetings for this place very full. Had company. 20. Walked and rode home. Walk with difficulty. My mamma quite unwell. The season remarkably dry. Read Pleasures of Hope.^ 21. Worked all day setting glass. The weakness at my breast continues. I fear I am not like to be freed from it. May I submit. 22. Set glass at my sister's.* Read. It appears likely that there will be no peace between England and France at present. Under the circumstances I think we may rejoice.' 23. Looked over my books and wrote in those which I have read. Read Bossuet. 24. Worked. With my father made a well-curb. Cool weather, but very pleasant. Wrote to my brother James, and to Dr. Skinner, New Haven. Walked out and visited. 25. Finished reading Bossuet. My mamma much better than she has been. Mr. I. Knapp, of Westfield, here to preach for my father tomorrow. Rode to Winchester. Am still somewhat lame. A remarkably fine season to gather in fall crops. 26. Quite warm for the season. Preached from John vi : 37 and Rom. i : 16. My breast quite weak. Had company. The prospects of this society are quite encouraging. Mr. Bassett^ does not attend meeting. ' Burlington was a small town about twenty place in literature from generation to genera* miles southeast from Norfolk, having Farm- tion. ington on the east. ^ Thomas Campbell's poem entitled Pleas- ^ This was a theological paper, such as a ures of Hope was first published in 1799. ministerial association would like to hear and ^ Mrs. Joseph Battell. discuss. ^ Here he more fully expresses what he 3 So it stands written in the diary. What has just before suggested. A peace made at precise thought was in his mind we do not that time would be premature, know. ^ Rev. Archibald Bassett, who was dis- *■ Goldsmith's charming story keeps its missed there a short time before. 304 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. 27. Wrote, On the 19th wrote to Col. Barker, of Branford, that I could not go there to preach. Walked out and visited. Very warm. Rode to Goshen and home. 28. Read. Assisted in tending Mr. Bartlett's store, his clerk being sick. The dust flies very much. Some men called on me directly from New Connecticut. 29. Read Polite Learning. Wrote to my brother Frank at college. Read newspapers. We have still some fears of peace taking place between Eng- land and France. 30. It snowed the most of the day. Attended a sacramental lecture and church meeting. Wrote a catalogue of all my father's students, exceeding one hundred and eighty.' 31. Wrote to Mr. Andrews, of Canaan. Rode to Winchester. Preached a sacramental lecture from Luke xxii : 19. Quite cold. Had company. November. 1. Rode out and visited. Read the account of the Pellew Islands.^ Read Whitefield's Life? His industry was astonishing. 2. Preached from Matt, x: 32 and Amos vi : i. Administered the sacra- ment. The church quite solemn and affected. They have not had a sacrament before in a long time. Baptized three children. At evening had company. 3. Rode to Winsted and home. Attended the town-meeting. Wrote, Received a letter from Dr. Skinner, New Haven, and one from Charlotte, Vt, wishing me to go there to preach. 4. Worked the most of the day making and setting up a well-crotch.* Read the LListory of the Court of St. Cloud J" 5. Quite warm for the season. Worked. Carried apples with a team to the mill. Read St. Cloud. 6. Worked making cider. Rainy. Wrote to brother James. He is now at Windham in this State. ' His father had now been settled in Nor- folk forty-five years, and as he did not pro- fess to keep school, but only to take pupils into his family, the number one hundred and eighty is large. ^ The Pellew (Pelew) Islands, belonging to Spain (the Spaniards having discovered them in 1545), are a group of twenty in the Northern Pacific Ocean at the western ex- tremity of the Caroline Archipelago. They are mountainous and rugged as seen from the water, but within are fertile, and abound in tropical fruits. The inhabitants are of the Malay race, about ten thousand in number, of very primitive manners, but of gentle and kindly natures. ^ The Life of Whitefield which he read was probably that of Rev. J. Gillies, D. D., which first appeared in 1772, two years after Whitefield's death. Other editions were published in 1798, 181 1, etc. ■* This ancient arrangement for drawing water from wells has now almost entirely ceased from among us. Occasionally in jour- neying through the rural districts of New England one sees a specimen of the old- fashioned well-sweep. 5 The Secret History of St. Cloud, Lon- don, 1S06. St. Cloud is a beautiful spot on the river Seine, near Paris, celebrated for its gardens and parks. It was the favorite resi- dence of Napoleon, and so the imperial court of France during Napoleon's supremacy was called the Court of St. Cloud. l8o6.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 305 7. Read St. Cloud. It developes the greatest scenes of iniquity that I have ever heard of. Traded some. 8. Rode to Winchester. Read Franklin's Life^ Quite cold. We have now had a moderate rain, yet tliought to be the greatest in eight or nine months. 9. Preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. The society here have requested me to preach with them through the winter. But my health is so poor I cannot engage. Baptized two children. 10. Rode to Torringford and back. Very cold and windy. Read con- siderably. 11. Finished reading the lives of Franklin and Whitefield. Mr. Lee" preached a lecture in the south part of the town. A good number of people attended. My breast is so weak I cannot read steadily. Played chequers. 12. Rode home. 'R.ez.d Court of St, Cloud. My lungs quite weak. Rainy. Some little commotion in town with regard to making a permanent addition to my father's salary. Some prospect of a continental war in Europe. It seems Mr. Fox^ died Sept. 13th. 13. Worked considerably. Wrote. My brother S.* has engaged to keep a school at Warren. There appears to be some prospect of disturbances in the western country, fomented by Col. Burr.^ The pusillanimity of our govern- ment probably will not be able to suppress any considerable insurrection.^ 14. Finished reading the History of St. Cloud. The mainspring of French domination appears to be avarice. I expect the $15,000,000 our countiy has paid is a speculation for private coffers. Dined at my brother N.'s. Reck- oned the number of families in this town, making two hundred and seventy- three. There were probably more ten or fifteen years ago.' 15. A very cold tedious storm of rain. Rode to Winchester. Read Backus's Senjions on RegeJieration^ At evening talked seriously with the family where I live. 16. It snowed all day. Had a very thin meeting. Preached from Rom. x: 20. Less worried than usually. 17. Read the whole of the Trial of Virtue? I think it one of the best * Two volumes of Franklin's Essays with ' Burr was suspected of treasonable nego- his Life were published in London in 1792. tiations, and in the year following was tried But the work which Mr. Robbins was read- on this charge in Richmond, Va. Though ing was probably the one published in Lon- acquitted by the court, he could never clear don in 1806, entitled: The Complete lVo7-ks himself from suspicions on the part of the in Philosophy, Politics, and Jllorals of Dr. p>eople. Pranklin, first collected and arranged, with a ^ This is a somewhat gratuitous remark, memoir of him. 3 vols., 8vo. inspired by the hatred of the Federalists ^ Rev. Chauncey Lee, D. D., settled at toward Jefferson. Colebrook, Ct., 1800-1828. ^ j^e thinks the population had decreased ^ Charles James Fox, the great English because of emigration to New York. This statesman, was born Jan. 24, 1749, and died was doubtless true of many towns in Western Sept. 13, 1806. He was a man of extraordi- Connecticut. nary character, a strange mixture of high in- * Dr. Charles Backus, of Somers, Ct., tellectual powers and noble political aims died. His volume on Regeneration was joined with habits of extreme dissipation. brought out soon after his death. * Samuel Robbins. 9 This poem we have not chanced to find. 3o6 ■ DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. poems ever published in this country. Received a dollar, a present from a certificate man in this society. There seems to be a project to set the Demo- crats through the countr)' addressing the President, praying him not to decline reelection. What idiots and slaves I ' 18. Read Best's Logic^ Wrote. The snow about eight or nine inches deep Quite winter weather. Rode out. At evening attended a conference. Some people here appear quite disposed to have conferences. 19. Read the whole of Self Scrutiny. Walked out. My brother Frank, I hear, has come home from college ; something unwell. Weather moderates. 20. Read Yi\.\hh7ird''s^ A^arrative of Indian Wars, the whole volume. I think our fathers manifested something of an unfeeling disposition towards their Indian enemies, though there appears to have been much conscience and the fear of God in their deliberations and conduct. 21. Rode and visited all day. The people here "* appear verj^ anxious to have me continue to preach with them through the winter, but I think my weakness forbids. 22. Yesterday and today the snow thaws quite fast. Wrote. Read Locke on Education.^ I wish his ideas could be received in general practice. One hundred and forty families in this society, of whom sixteen or seventeen are certificated.* Began to read the Bible in course. Will the Lord spare my life to complete it. 23. In the morning wrote considerably on notes for a sermon, but did not carry them to meeting. Preached from Cor. x : 4 and Gen. vi : 3. People appear very attentive and solemn. 24. Walked out and visited. Read Locke. Quite unwell with weakness of the breast and nervous affections. 25. Read Goldsmith's Miscella7iies. Rode out. At evening attended a conference. Pretty full. 26. Rode and visited all day. Quite cold and rainy. Read Locke on Education. The people here are quite ambitious in their society matters. 27. This day is the Thanksgiving. Never did I see a Thansgiving with such great obligations. Preached from Ps. 1 : 14. After meeting rode home. - This remark had reference to a possible ■* He is still supplying the pulpit at Win- third term for Jefferson, just as, a few years Chester, Ct. ago, many men were in favor of a third term s John Locke, as a thinker and philoso- for Gen. Grant. pher, was in far greater repute at the begin- 2 Referring probably to a work of W. M. ning of this century than now. But John Best, an English writer. On Prmciples of Locke, as a man, was possessed of rare ex- Evidence. cellences of character, and his reputation, in 3 Rev. William Hubbard, minister of Ips- that respect, abides. Mr. Robbins probably wich, Mass., 1656-1702. He wrote a History refers to his short treatise entitled, Some of Nrdi England, and a separate work on the Thoughts Concerning Reading a7id Study for a Indians and Indian Wars. Mr. Hubbard Gentleman. was born in England, and came to this coun- * Had signed off and paid their taxes to try as a boy in his father's family about 1630. other denominations than the Congregational, He was a member of the first class gradu- as they were then allowed to do by the ated at Harvard College in 1642. law. l8o6.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 307 Have not been home at a Thanksgiving since '99. All my brothers here except James.' A couple came to my father's at evening and were married. 28. Worked helping to break a colt. Dined at Mr. Battell's. Mr. Smith,^ of Sharon, died yesterday. 29. My father went to Sharon. Worked considerably. Read the Bible. Warm and wet. The ground has got quite bare. 30. Rode to Colebrook and preached.^ Mr. Lee went to Winchester for me. Speak quite feebly. Tarried at Mr. Bodwell's. Preached from Gen. vi : 3 and Num. x : 29. December. 1. Quite cold and chilly. Rode home. Read Eulogies on General Washington^ Paid Mr. BattelP ^2.11. Paid for a book, etc., $2.00. 2. Worked getting wood. Rode to Canaan with considerable company on a visit. Came home in a large carriage ; quite dark. 3. Worked. Afternoon and evening a very severe snow-storm. Rode out and performed a marriage. 4. Great preparations for war in Europe. Prussia appears likely to lead the coalition against France.^ The negotiation between England and France has failed. I don't think the English history affords an instance of a rupture of a negotiation for peace giving such universal joy. Read Washington Eulo- gies. Very cold. 5. Read. My brother Frank went off to college. Rode to Winchester in a sleigh. Sleighing not very good. On the 2d a man in our neighborhood killed two pigs two hundred and thirty-six days old ; one weighed two hundred and thirty and the other two hundred and thirty-five pounds. The snow drifts very hard. 6. Finished reading Locke on Education. The snow thaws considerably. Read the Bible. 7. Preached from Isa. vi : 9, 10. Cold winter weather. People attend meeting very well. At evening examined a young woman to be propounded for communion in the church. 8. Drew a confession for an excommunicated member of this church now in New Connecticut. Rode home. Pretty good sleighing. 9. Worked getting wood. Finished reading Eulogies o?i Washington. I think the best is Gouverneur Morris's.^ Have something of a cold, but no cough. ' James, at last report of the diary, was part of Great Britain, Russia, Prussia, and living at Windham, Ct., where he was sup- Saxony, was completed Oct. 6, 1806. plying a vacant pulpit. '' Gouverneur Morris was born in Morris- ^ Rev. Cotton Mather Smith. He had ania, N. Y., 1752, and died in same place, been settled at Sharon fifty-one years, 1755- 1816. He was, in his day, one of the most 1806. He was a native of Suifield, Ct., and accomplished public men in the country, fill- a graduate of Yale in 1751. ing many different oflices with dignity and ^ On an exchange with Rev. Chauncey ability. He was a graduate of Kings Col- Lee, D. D. lege in 1768. This is now Columbia College. * This was a volume published in Boston It was called King's College while we were in the year iSoo. under British rule. In 1784 the name was 5 His brother-in-law, Joseph Battell. changed, to give it a more free and American * The coalition against France, on the aspect. 3o8 DIARY OF REV,, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1806. 10. Worked at my library, excluding several unimportant books from the numbers. War is now probably raging in Europe. I hope the God of heaven will stop French domination.' 11. Rode to Canaan and back. Got a ticket in the New York lottery^ for the encouragement of literature and inland navigation, for which I sent some time since. It cost seven dollars and a half, and its avails, if any, are devoted to, as I think, a charitable purpose. Number 23,461. Assisted the selectmen in making my fathers rate bill. Very cold. 12. It snowed the most of the day. One of the severest storms. Read the Life of Washington, which I began on the loth. 13. Rode to Winchester. Many drifts very bad. Wrote. My eyes rather weak. Read the Bible. 14. Very cold. Preached from Isa. Ixiii : i. Exercise very short. Had but one exercise, and have concluded for the present to have but one on the Sabbath. Read the Bible. 15. Read the Life of Washington? This evening heard the distressing intelligence that hostilities have commenced between France and Prussia, and that the French have regained a great battle."* Our only consolation is that that vilest conqueror and scourge of nations is an instrument of infinite wisdom. 16. Read. Walked out and visited. Weather moderates. At evening attended a conference. Very full. 17. Rode home. Good sleighing. Read newspaper. It is still to be hoped the Prussians will not give up the contest. 18. Walked out. Worked considerably. People move pretty busily in the sleighs. 19. Rode out with my mamma. Warm and pleasant. Snow goes pretty fast. Eat supper at Mr, Battell's with several neighbors. 20. Yesterday wrote to Mr. Chapin,^ of Hartford, and to Mr. H. Howe, of New Haven. Rode to Winchester. Read Washington's Life. Quite bad riding. 21. Preached from Ex. xx : 8. Meeting very full and attentive. At even- ing attended a singing meeting. Procured some medicine for my complaints. My parents think they are rheumatic. I hope they may be nothing worse. Read the Bible. 22. Read Life of Washington. It is more properly the history of America. It snowed considerably. 23. Rode out and visited schools. They appear v&xy well. The school ' In the early years of this century Amer- * During the month of October, 1806, the icans looked at France and Napoleon Bona- French were victorious in several great bat- parte chiefly through English eyes. ties, that of Saalfield, October 10, those of ^ We have had occasion before to note Auerstadt and Jena, October 14, and that of the different sentiment about lotteries then Halle, Oct. 17. But the day of their great prevailing from the present. calamities was to come, in spite of all pres- ^ Marshall's Life of Washington, in five ent successes, volumes, was published in 1805. This was ^ Dea. Aaron Chapin (see note Sept. i, '.he work doubtless that Mr. Robbins read. 1806). l8o6.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 309 visitors here are very faithful. At evening attended a conference. But few people. It rained pretty hard. 24. Rode home. Cold. We have very frequent changes of weather. Making a new arrangement of my library, kead newspapers. I think it most likely that Prussia will have to make an ignoble peace with Bonaparte. 25. Warm. My father had some good hogs killed. One weighed two hundred and fifty-nine.' Afternoon attended the weekly concert. There has never been so long a period without additions to this church as now. 26. Rode to Winchester. Rainy. The sleighing nearly gone. Afternoon visited a school ; very well instructed. Read Life of Washington. 27. Finished the second volume of Washington's Life. I think it manifests want of time and historical study in the writer. 28. Preached from Luke xii : 20. Quite rainy. Yesterday wrote to Joseph Coit, of New Connecticut. Read the Bible. Preaching sensibly affects my weakness. 29. Wrote. Rode home. Growing quite cold. Mr. Nathan Strong,^ a candidate, at my father's a few days. Robins have been seen considerably. 30. Very cold. Read the Life of Washington. Had a visit from Mr. Lee, of Colebrook. He is lonely and something melancholy. 31. Extreme cold. The thermometer very near zero all day. Mr. Akins^ appears awfully and is probably just gone. It is a most striking spectacle. A holy and most merciful God has thus safely preserved me through many changes, trials, and apprehensions to the end of this year. I think I shall never forget his great mercies. ' This is rather a prosaic remark for 1802, studied theology, and was licensed by Christmas day. But among the people of the Hartford North Association, Feb. 7, New England generally at that time Christ- 1804. He preached for a little time, but mas came and went without recognition. gave himself to the study and practice of Few people stopped even to think that it was medicine. He settled in Hartford, married Christmas. Frances Butler, and died in 1837. ^ Son of Dr. Nathan Strong, of Hartford. ^ Edmund Akins, Esq., before mentioned, He was graduated at Williams College in a prominent man in Norfolk. isor- January. 1. Will the Lord preserve my life this year, and enable me to devote it entirely to him. In the morning the thermometer eight below zero. Worked getting wood.' At evening rode to the south part of the town and per- formed a marriage, 2. Read the Life of Washington. Accounts from Europe appear rather more favorable, but we are still in anxious suspense. Eat supper at my brother N's. 3. Had a pair of boots made. Rode to Winchester. I think I ride better than in time past. The ground mostly bare and very deeply frozen. 4. Wrote. Preached from Luke xvi : 5. Quite cold. At evening walked out. Caught some cold. 5. Read the Life of Washington. It thaws considerably. I hope the colossal power of Bonaparte will make a useful impression in this country. I think I have been evidently better since I have preached but once on a Sabbath. 6. Wrote. Finished my last diary. At evening walked out and visited. Some people here feel that the council, which dismissed Mr. Bassett, did not do quite justice to the society. 7. Wrote. Find some advantage in standing to write. Afternoon at- tended a funeral of an infant. A stranger came here some time since, and has had an illegitimate child. 8. Wrote notes of sermons. Very cold. I have been bettei- for a few days than for a long time. I am not without hopes that my complaints may be mercifully removed. 9. Wrote. Afternoon preached in a private house from Matt, xvi : 24. Meeting quite full. I believe I have not preached in a private house before since I left New Connecticut, Tarried at Col. Brunson's.^ 10. Received six dollars from this society. Finished the fourth volume of Washington's Life, which is the last I now have. The fifth ^ is not yet obtained. Wrote notes for sermons. 11, Preached from Gen. vii : 16. Received a young woman into the church. Had company at evening. Am able to read but little on the Sabbath. ' For an invalid, considering the state of uable household. He died March 12, 1810, the thermometer, this was resolute and cour- aged sixty-eight, ageous. * This reference makes it plain that the * Col. Ozias Bronson (or Brownson). He Life of Washington, which he was reading, was a stirring and enterprising citizen of Win- was that of John Marshall. Marshall's Life Chester with several able-bodied and Indus- of Washington in five volumes was published trious sons, making a very energetic and val- in 1805. 311 313 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. 12. Received five dollars from the society. Very cold and tedious. Rode home. Read the Magazine} Received a letter from my brother Samuel.^ I believe he is doing very well in his school at Warren. 13. Extreme cold all day. The thermometer below zero. Rode to Win- chester. Read Wilberforce's Viav.^ 14. Expected to have gone on a journey to Windham; but the cold is so severe, with some other reasons, that I conclude to defer it till next week. Rode home. The thermometer this morning six below zero. Read the newspapers. 15. Weather moderates. Afternoon attended the concert of prayer. My brother Frank came home from college. Wrote to Maj. Perkins, of New Connecticut, and Mr. Moulthrop, of East Haven, 16. Worked considerably at Mr. Battell's. Rode to Winchester. Read Wilberforce. The country is considerably alarmed at the appearance of a conspiracy of the w-estern country.* 17. Wrote. Finished reading Wilberforce's Vieiv. It is to be lamented that he is not more discerning in the doctrines of the gospel.' We have a very cold winter for so little snow. 18. Wrote notes of a sermon, and preached from Rom. xiii : 11. At even- ing attended a conference. Very full and serious. Quite fatigued. 19. Ver^' cold. Set out on a journey to Windham. Rode to Northington,* Some of the way very good sleighing. Tarried at a tavern. 20. Severe cold. Last night much disturbed with company at the tavern. Rode to Hartford. Got some clothes that were made for me. Rode to Suf- field. At Windsor called at Esq. Seldon's,^ formerly of Haddam. Tarried at Esq. Leavitt's.* His daughter appears quite as well as I expected. I hope for divine guidance in all things.' Paid a taylor $4.22. 21. To.wards evening rode to Somers.'° The ice of the river very firm. ' He read doubtless the January number for 1807 of the Connecticut Evangelical Mag- azine. ^ Samuel did not have a college education. ' Wilberforce's Practical View of Chris- tianity, before mentioned, has had a vast circulation, and has done great good. ^ Reference is here made to the plot of Aaron Burr : " In 1807 he was apprehended, taken to Richmond, Va., and tried on a charge of a treasonable design upon Mexico. He was, however, after a long trial, acquitted. His public life was now at an end, as his country had no faith in his integrity." 5 Mr. Wilberforce was one of the best specimens of a thoroughly Christian man of the evangelical type. This position he main-" tained, in the circle where he moved, by great firmness and self-denial, for he was constantly exposed to sneers and ridicule. Probably on technical points of doctrine he did not exactly conform to the technics of the New England schools of theology. But he had a good foundation. * Now Avon. ^ Edward Selden, Esq., who had not been long a resident of Windsor, but as the diary states, had removed there from Haddam. He was a graduate of Yale College in 1785, and a son of his, of the same name, was grad- uated from Yale in 181 1. * Thaddeus Leavitt, Esq., of Suffield, jus- tice of the peace, and one of the leading men of the town. 9 The collocation of this sentence with the foregoing one is certainly suggestive. *° About ten miles from Windsor to Som- ers. c8o7.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 313 Tarried with Mrs. Backus and Mr. Strong.' Something unwell. My travel- ing is i^retty hard for me. 22. Rode to Tolland. Dined with Dr. Williams.^ Rode to Windham. Found my brother James. He is very well. It seems I have been con- siderably expected. Very tired. Rode today thirty miles. 23. Read newspapers. I believe Congress have never been more con- temptible than at present. Rode with my brother in a carriage to Scotland and back. There is some snow through the country, but quite poor sleighing. 24. Read Dr. Hopkins's^ last volume of sermons. It thaws some. The first instance in more than a fortnight. My brother went to Scotland to preach tomorrow, they being now destitute.'' Wrote. 25. Very cold. Preached in my brother's stead^ from Gen. vii : 16 and Rom. i : 16. The meeting-house quite large, but the congregation not nu- merous. Quite worried. At evening had company. 26. Extreme cold ; I believe equal to any we have had this winter. My brother set out for home. Read Shakespeare. 27. Worked some. The pain in my breast much worse than before I came from home. Read Shakespeare. My brother has lately bought a set of his plays. 28. It rained the most of the day. Read newspapers. It seems the French have had uninterrupted successes in Prussia. The Prussian army is nearly destroyed.* Our only hope is that there is one Power greater than Bonaparte. Was requested to preach as a supply at Scotland. I cannot. W^alked out and visited. 29. The snow is most entirely gone. Warm. Visited. The people here appear quite desirous to have my brother stay with them. I think it will not be best. 30. Last week my brother had an appointment as a missionary from the Missionary Society. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Our government appears to be perfect pusillanimity. * Mrs. Backus, widow of Dr. Charles Backus, who died at Somers in 1803, and Rev. William L. Strong, who succeeded him in 1805. ^ Rev. Nathan Williams, D. D., settled in Tolland in 1760, already about forty-seven years minister, and destined to continue twent}'-two years more. His ministry closed by his death in 1829, though he had a col- league during the last sixteen years of his life. ^ This volume was, without much doubt, the one prepared and published by Dr. Stephen West, of Stockbridge, in 1805. * The church in Scotland parish (Wind- ham, Ct.), had been made vacant by the death of Rev. Cornelius Adams, who died two months before in November, 1806. And now in this very month of January, 1807, Rev. James Cogswell, D. D., died, who had been pastor there from 1772 to 1804, and had since been living there in his old age, retired from the active duties of his office. ^ His brother, James Watson Robbins, having been graduated at Williams College in 1802, intended to make the ministry his life-work, but soon afterward turned aside to other pursuits. He was supplying the pulpit of the old church at Windham Centre, made vacant by the dismissal of Rev. Elijah Water- man in 1805. Mr. Waterman went to Bridge- port, Ct., where he died 1S25. * This remark is grounded not on new victories, but on fuller reports of those great battles which took place in October, i8o6j and which have been previously mentioned. 314 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. 31. Read Shakespeare. Wrote a letter to M. E. Leavitt.' Quite rainy the most of the day ; at night very hard. The family in which I live is very agreeable. Read Ur. Emmons on Church Music.^ February. 1. Preached from Acts viii : 24 and Esther iv : 16. Last night the storm verj- hard. It snowed some. Very few people at meeting. Waters very high. Had company. Preached without great fatigue. 2. Great damages are sustained by the flood, which has been extensive and very great. Many bridges are gone. Read Shakespeare.^ Walked out and visited. 3. Rode to Preston* to make a visit to Dr. Hart.^ Cold. Dined at Mr. Goddard's, Plainfield. They have a new meeting-house in Canterburj'/ as elegant, I believe, as any in the State. 4. Spent the day very agreeably with Dr. Hart. He is pretty well, but feels something of his paralytic shock. ^ The prospect of ecclesiastical matters in this vicinity pretty gloomy. 5. Rode to Windham. Suffered considerably with the cold. There are many accounts, from various parts, of great losses by the late high waters. The great bridge in Hartford is gone.^ A weekly paper was published at Boston about the year 1742 for two years, entitled the Christian History, giving an account of the religious work of that time. 6. Read newspapers. There are accounts that a division of the French army has been beaten by the Russians.' May the Lord cause it to be true, and thus turn the tide of events. My brother returned. Rather unexpectedly. Walked out and visited. It snowed considerably. Read Shakespeare. 7. Wrote. Cold. Considerable prospect of a turn of sleighing. Con- ' Probably the daughter of Esq. Thaddeus Leavitt, of Suffield, upon whom he called a few days before. ^ Sermon on Church Music, preached by Dr. Emmons in 1S06, and published the same year. ^ Shakespeare was far less generally read eighty and a hundred years ago than now. Hardly a family now, of any considerable in- telligence and culture, would be without a copy of the works of this great dramatist. Mr, Robbins found the volumes he was read- ing in his brother's library at Windham, and seems to have applied himself to them with great eagerness. * Preston is in New London County, Ct., but that part where Rev. Mr. Robbins went is now the town of Griswold. ^ Dr. Levi Hart, an eminent Congrega- tional minister and teacher of divinity. * His journey to Preston from Windham led him through portions of Plainfield and Canterbury. '' Dr. Hart had been in the ministry at Preston forty-five years. He died the year following, 1S08. * Some of the freshets on the Connecticut River are hard to combat, and the long bridge between Hartford and East Hartford had been swept away before. But the one now standing there has kept its position for a long course of years. It was built in 1818, to replace the bridge carried away that same year (March 2), that being an open bridge built 1S09. 9 This was not a true report. On the 26th of December, 1806, there was a great battle fought at Pultusk, Russia, between the French on the one hand, and the Russians and Prussians on the other. Both sides claimed the victory, but the real advantage was with the French. 1807.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 3x5 siderable commotion at New Orleans. Read Mr. Strong's sermon on the death of Dr. Coggswell.' I presume his ministry was one of the longest ever in this State ; above sixty-two years.^ 8. Most extreme cold. Had but a thin meeting. Preached from Rev. xvi: 15 and Luke xvi : 17. My brother preached at Scotland. Considerably fatigued. The people here appear to wish to have me stay with them if James cannot. 9. Finished the second volume of Shakespeare. Weather moderates. Very good sleighing. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Saw Rev. Mr. Weld, of Hampton.^ 10. Wrote a piece for the Evangelical Magazine. The snow thaws consid- erably. Read Shakespeare. Yesterday Mr. Hough'* called to see me ; about to be settled at Vergennes, Vt. 11. Rode with my brother to Scotland, and attended a funeral. Preached from John xi: 25. The committee there applied to me to preach with them. I could not give them any encouragement. Returned to Windham. Walked out. Am considerably troubled with my old complaints. 12. The sleighing mostly gone. Left Windham. Rode to East Hartford. Tarried with my old friend King.^ He very gloomy with the late loss of his wife. Remarkably warm for the season. 13. Rode to Hartford. Got my father's sleigh, which my brother left at Mr. Strong's, and rode home. Pretty poor sleighing. Many bridges gone by the late freshet. 14. Very rainy all day. Afternoon rode to Winchester. Waters very high. Mr. Asahel Gaylord* has preached here twice in my absence. The people speak well of him. 15. Very high winds. Preached from 2 Cor. iv : 3. Saw Mr. J. Coit/ from New Connecticut. I think I speak easier than in times past. ■Dr. Nathan Strong, of Hartford, preached Hampton in 1824, he went to Fabius, N. f. the sermon at the funeral of Dr. James Cogs- He died in 1844. well, and the sermon had already been pub- * Rev. John Hough, native of Canterbury, lished. Ct., graduated at Yale, 1802, pastor at Ver- ^ It maybe that there had been no min- gennes, from March 12, 1807 to Aug. 25, istry in Connecticut longer than this up to 18 12. He studied theology with President that time. But there have been longer ones Dwight, of Yale College, and was himself since; for example, that of Dr. Nathan Will- professor at Middlebury College, iams, of Tolland, noted only a page or two ' Rev. Salmon King, Mr. Robbins's class- back, which closed by death in 1829, after mate at Yale, was then pastor, not of the old sixty-nine years continuance. The ministry of church in East Hartford Street, but the Rev. John Higginson, which began in Say- church at Manchester Centre, then known brook, Ct., in 1636, and ended in Salem, as the Orford parish. East Hartford. Mass., by his death in 1708, had been in * Rev. Asahel Gaylord, a native of Nor- three different places, but its whole continu- folk, Ct., was graduated at Williams College ance had been seventy-two years, and his life in 1804, and was appointed by the Connec- ninety-two years. ticut Missionary Society for service in Ver- ^ Rev. Ludovicus Weld, minister at Hamp- mont and New York. He died in Norfolk ton, Ct, 1792-1824. He was a graduate of in 1845. Harvard College in 1789, and after leaving ' Mr. J. Coit, prominent in early Ohio. 3i6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. 16. Read the Life of Dr. Hopkins.^ Rode out. Very cold. Many people appear displeased that Mr. Bassett" is appointed a missionary. 17. The late freshet appears to have been higher than the one preceding. Read the Stranger m Ireland.^ Mr. Humphrey* here, a candidate, about to be settled at Fairfield. 18. Wrote to Mr. Whittlesey,^ a candidate. Last night and in the morning considerable snow fell. Afternoon and at evening it rained pretty steady and hard. Poland seems to have become the theater of most destructive war.* 19. Wrote to M. E. L.^ Afternoon rode to Colebrook and preached in the evening at Moore's tavern to a pretty numerous collection from Acts viii : 8. In the morning the waters were higher than ever I saw them, though I believe not so much water in the streams. Tarried at my brother A.'s. 20. Rode home. The roads very icy. Extreme cold. Very little sleigh- ing. Wrote to Esq. Leavitt, Suffield, and to Dr. Strong, Hartford. 21. Rode to Winchester. Read Neal's History of the Puritans. Mr. Grossman, of Salisbury, has been here this week to commence a course of discipline with this church for their treatment of Mr. Bassett.* I think it is wrong. 22. Preached from Matt, ix : 9. At evening attended a conference. Per- formed a marriage. The people here considerably agitated on account of the late dealings with the church.' 23. The destruction by the late freshets has been great and extensive. Read Neal. Rode out and visited. Two or three persons here very sick. 24. Read. Walked out and visited. At night a pretty hard storm of snow. Roads very icy. 25. The snow eight or ten inches deep. Ver^- cold. Read considerably. Wrote. I think the first Puritans discovered something of a separatical spirit.'" 26. Rode home. The papers contain many accounts of the late freshets. Afternoon preached a sacramental lecture for my father from Rev. xvii : 14. 27. Went with a team sledding wood most all day. A very fine turn of sleighing. Preparing for my journey. ' Life of Dr. Hopkins, by Dr. Stephen West. ^ Rev. Archibald Bassett, of Winchester, dismissed the year before, as already stated. ^ This was a volume, then just published, New York, 1807. * Rev. Heman Humphrey, one of the four young men licensed the year before by Litch- field North Association, afterwards President of Amherst College. 5 Samuel Whittlesey, probably, graduated at Yale in 1803. '' Battle of Mohrungen, fought January, 1807. ' Probably Miss Leavitt, of Suffield. * The charges on which Rev. Mr. Bassett had been dismissed had reference chieflv to practical honor and integrity in the daily business affairs of life. 9 In order to prepare the way for disci- plining a church certain preliminary steps had to be taken, as in case of an individual, and Rev. Mr. Grossman, of Salisbur}', had been there to set the process in motion. '° The Pilgrims who came to Pljinouth in 1620 were open and avowed Separatists. Mr. Robbins seems to imply that some of the Puritans who came to the Massachusetts Bay in 1629 and 1630 had something of the same idea, though they disowned the name of Separatists. He grounds this remark prob- ably on what took place at Salem in 1629, in the organization of the first church in the Massachusetts Bay. 1807.J AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 3T7 28. Set out early and rode to Suffield in a single sleigh ; just forty miles. Some of the way bare ground, yet generally very good sleighing. Tarried with Mr. Gay.' Last evening was informed that Mr. Bassett is about to ha\e the consociation called to Winchester. A very extraordinary step. My father has lately taken an account of the members of his church as accurately as he can. Some are in distant parts of the country, who have never been dis- missed. The number is two hundred and twenty-seven. March. 1. Preached for Mr. Gay from Acts viii : 8 and Luke xv : 17. He administered the sacrament. Very bad stirring. Last night it rained considerably. 2. Spent the forenoon at Esq. Leavitt's. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Had an agreeable opportunity with E. L.^ Quite poor sleighing. The bridge at Windsor gone. Got a very fine cherry book-case at Hartford which Mr, Chapin ^ had made for me. Paid for it forty-four dollars.** 3. Rode home with the lower part of my book-case safely. From New Hartford excellent sleighing. Crossed Talcott Mountain on a south road.^ 4. Rode to Winchester. Visited a child very sick. The committee of the church requested me to assist them before the consociation, which is to meet there next week. I hope for divine guidance. Concluded to dismiss two objects of daily attention, to one of which I have attended for nearly four years, to the other nearly two years ; and to adopt another, which I have had in attention for a few months.^ And may the Lord enable me to be honest and faithful. 5. Rode to Goshen and returned in a sleigh. Had a long conversation with Mr. Hooker and Judge Hale ^ respecting Winchester matters. I hope their advice may be useful. 6. There are accounts that Bonaparte's army is suffering severely by fam- ine and pestilence. However dreadful I can hardly regret it. Wrote on a defence for the church, to be laid before the consociation. Had company. 7. Hindered from my writing by company most of the day. Rode out and performed a marriage. 8. Preached from Rev. xvii : 14. Had two exercises; expect to have two on a Sabbath in future. I hope my health will admit it. Tolerably good sleighing. 9. Wrote steadily all day. At evening met with the members of the ' Suffield had two ministers by the name bins was buying a choice article of furniture, of Ebenezer Gay, father and son. Ebenezer ^ This was the road probably leading to Gay, D. D., Senior, filled the pulpit, 1742- Farmington, rather than the one leading to 1796. Ebenezer Gay, Jr., was minister 1793- Northington (now Avon), the latter running 1837. Their ministries covered nearly a near Wadsworth's Tower, century. * This passage is left for private interpre- ^ The same as M. E. L. tation. ^ Dea. Aaron Chapin. '' Rev. Asahel Hooker, who has been often * Forty-four dollars for a book-case, as mentioned, and Judge Timothy Hale, a prom- money was then valued, shows that Mr. Rob- inent lawyer of Litchfield County. 3l8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. church to prepare for their trial. Am much more able to pursue this business than I feared. Rainy. 10. Finished the defence of the church, and exhibited it before the conso- ciation. I think it had a pretty powerlui eilect. Proceeded in the trial ; about half through the charge. The complainants seemed to make out nothing of any consequence. The consociation would not acknowledge themselves to be prosecutors in the case, which seems to have been the original design of the promoters of the affair. 11. The consociation, after a long debate by themselves, concluded that there were such informalities in the manner in which the present complaint came before them, that it should be dismissed. They gave Mr. Bassett gener- ally a dollar each as a consideration for their support. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Miller,' the last moderator of the consociation, calling me to sit as one of the consociation, and I did sit. At evening rode out and visited. 12. Considerably unwell. Attended a funeral of a child. Rode home. Good sleighing. 13. The public have met with a great loss in the death of the late Rev. Mr. Swift,^ of Williamstown. Went and got a load of wood with the team. Read Chauncey's View of Episcopacy.^ Received a letter from Mr. Moulthrop,* East Haven. 14. Last night a hard snow. At least a foot deep, supposed to be the deepest we have had this winter. Rode to Winchester. 15. Quite cold. Preached all day from Isa. ii : 17. At evening a com- mittee of the church presented me their thanks for my assistance in their late trial, and gave me a present of $9.63 ; and from members of the societ)', con- tributed for the purpose, ^11.02, of which P. Miner,^ Esq., gave $3.00. Quite tired. Sum received, $20.65. 16. Read Neal. Wrote. Pretty feeble. Rode out and visited. Very good sleighing. We have now had snow steadily four months, and the most of the time very cold. 17. Visited schools. They appear very well. Are well instructed in the catechism. Heard, etc.* Mr. Bassett has removed from this town. 18. Rode home. Very cold and tedious. Read Chauncey's View of Epis- copacy. A very valuable work. It appears that the progress of the French arms is in some measure checked.^ The theater of war is exceedingly distressed. 'Rev. William Fowler Miller, probably, ^ Dr. Charles Chauncey's Cbw//^/'^ F/eWi?/ who seems to have preached a short time in Episcopacy from the Fathers. Salisbury, and was pastor at Bloomfield * Reuben Moulthrop, the painter, who took (Wintonbury) 1791-1811. He was gradu- his picture, ated at Yale, in 1786, and died in 1818. ' Phineas Miner, Esq., a prominent man ^ Rev. Seth Swift, noticed in the early in Winchester, pages of the diary. He was a native of * The full sentence would probably read Kent, Ct., a graduate of Yale in 1774, stud- "from M. E. L." (See March 13.) led theology with Dr. Bellamy, and was pas- ' The great battle of Eylau in Prussia tor at Williamstown, 1779-1807. He died was fought on the 7th and Sth of February, February 13. 1807, in which the French defeated the Rus- iSo;.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 319 19. Wrote to my brother James. Afternoon attended the concert of prayer. Very cold. A number of people in town are sick. 20. Worked considerably drawing pine timber to make a fence. Wrote to Col. White, Danbury. i8th wrote to Mr. Howe, New Haven. Read Chauncey. 21. Worked. Very good sledding. Rode to Winchester in a sleigh. Read Neal's History. 22. Preached from Matt, xviii : 3. Very tired. At evening rode to Cole- brook and tarried with Mr. Lee. He is lately married, and I think very fortunately. 23. Rode home. Very cold. Worked considerably. A great and general scarcity of hay. 24. Finished reading Chauncey's View. My parents rode to Colebrook and back in a sleigh. My father has a very fine set of scholars. 25. Read Eclwards's Last End in Creation^ Rode to Winchester in a sleigh. Last night a hard storm of snow. Read Neal. 26. Wrote. Wrote notes for preaching. Had company. The people here appear anxious for their situation if I leave them, but I trust they will do well. 27. This day is the Fast through the State. Had two long exercises. Preached from Ezra viii : 21. Will the Lord accept the services of his people. Wrote my notes. 28. Rode and visited all day. Rode to Winsted^ to exchange with Mr. Beach.^ Very good sleighing. People here kill calves at four or five days old, save the skin and bag, and give the meat to their hogs. 29. It snowed quite hard nearly all day. Mr. Beach rode to Winchester. Preached from Gen. vii : 16 and Num. x: 29. Their meeting-house here is quite convenient and elegant. Tarried at Esq. Rockwell's.'* 30. My late labors too much for me. Visited. Rode to Winchester. Very little path. The snow in the woods nearly two feet deep. 31. A very violent snow-storm. In the present great scarcity of hay, it appears a great frown of Providence. Read Neal. Wrote. Am quite feeble. April. I. Cold and very tedious. The snow flew very violently all day. No person scarcely goes out. Wrote notes of sermons. At night quite unwell. sians with heavy losses on their own side, wards was not published till long after his but with much heavier on the side of the death. It first appeared in 17S8. Russians. It was reported that 20,000 Rus- ^ A parish of the town of Winchester, sians lay dead on the battle-field. The French 3 Rev. James Beach was settled at Win- Avere obliged to retire and repair losses, but sted in 1806, and remained pastor there till there was small ground for this entry in the 1842. He was graduated at Williams Col- diary. The news came to this country prob- lege in 1804. He died in 1850 at the age of ably through England with its English col- seventy. oring. ** Solomon Rockwell, Esq., justice of the ' This celebrated treatise of President Ed- peace, 1S03-1816. 320 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. 2. Was out with the people the most of the clay breaking paths. The snow between three and four feet deep.' It snowed some. 3. It snowed some, and is very blustering. Read Neal. As a historian I think he is too much prejudiced against the House of Stuart," though he appears to be a very candid man. Walked out and visited. Considerably unwell. 4. Read Neal. This week has been more tedious, snowy, and blustering than any one in the passing winter. It has snowed ever)- day but one. Some people are wholly out of hay. Wrote notes for preaching. 5. Thin meeting. Very difficult getting about. Preached from i Cor. ii : 10. Warm and pleasant. At evening walked out. 6. The snow settles pretty fast. Many people in a suffering state about ■hay. Rode out and visited. Am quite feeble. 7. Rode home. More snow here than at Winchester. I am persuaded I never saw such a quantity of snow and such drifts abouf my father's as now.^ Received a letter from my brother James, one from Mr. Humphrey, about to be settled at Fairfield, and one from Dr. Sargeant,'* of Stockbridge, inviting me to go there and preach, as Dr. West is unwell. My brother Samuel is pretty feeble. 8. The traveling is excessively bad. People feel something anxious about Freeman's Meeting, though there is much less stir than usual. Wrote to my brother James. Paid Mr. Battell $10.00. 9. Rode to Winchester. In the morning the sleighing is tolerable. The snow has settled considerably. Read Neal. The people here grow ver)' anxious about my leaving them. ID. ^xoX&ioxXhs. Evangelical Magazine. Read. Afternoon several people came to converse with me about staying here. I hope for divine guidance. There are some cogent reasons for my staying here, but I think I cannot. 11. Dr. Wilcox, from New Connecticut, called to see me. Rode out. Read Neal. The snow thaws very fast, and the ground begins to appear. Read the Bible. 12. Preached from Heb. xii : 17 and Matt, xxvi: 42. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. People here came to meeting, some in sleighs, Nov. i6th, and I believe there has been one or more every Sabbath since.' 13. Prayed at the opening of Freeman's Meeting. The votes here for Governor, Federalist, eighty-seven ; Democratic, forty-nine ; better than here- tofore. It snowed most all day. Unfavorable for the Federal interest.^ ' This was a remarkable condition of ^ He means at any time in the year, and things for the first of April. That portion of it is now the 7th of April. Litchfield County is high and presents more ^ Erastus Sargeant, M. D., son of Rev. wintry aspects in April than the region along John Sargeant. the Connecticut River. But even for that ^ Five months of continuous sleighing land of high hills such an amount of snow in show a remarkable season. April was extraordinary. * This is the old story. The Federalists, ^ The House of Stuart has not improved on the average, better housed and better on long acquaintance. There is little occa- dressed, more careful of their clothes and their sion to use words of apology for the mon- bodily comforts, were not so apt to get out in archs of this dynasty. stormy weather as the Democrats. iSo;.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 321 14. Rode to the lower part of Norfolk and married a couple. It gives me much pain to get along with the people here about going away. 15. Rode home in a sleigh. Sleighing about gone. The votes for Gov- ernor here were one hundred and eighty-three ; Democrats twenty-nine. Worked some. Am considerably better than I have been in times past. 16. Rode to Stockbridge. Can bear riding much better than I feared. Called on Mr. Judson ; ' greatly afflicted with the loss of his son. In Sheffield saw people plowing. 17. Came to Dr. West's. He is very feeble. Has not preached for four Sabbaths. Read newspapers. Have to answer a great many inquiries about my mission. 18. The election of Governor in this State seems to be gone in favor of Democracy for the first time.'^ Walked out and visited. Wrote. 19. Very warm. In the afternoon took off my outside coat.^ Preached from Rom. i: 16 and Luke xv : 17. The people here have been without preaching four Sabbaths, longer than at any one time in twenty years. Dr. West very feeble. 20. The river here very high. Walked out. The people here are much more plain in their manners than in years past, 21. Rode to Lenox to attend the meeting of the trustees of the Mission- ary Society in this county. Their funds are so limited that they can do but little. Rode to Lee with Mr. Hyde.* Preached in the evening to a large meeting from Esther xiv : 16. There has been a pretty great awakening here. It is now declining. 22. Rode to Mr. Goodwin's,^ Lenox. Had quite an agreeable visit. Read. The town of Pittsfield in a great commotion with quarrels of various kinds. 23. Rode to Stockbridge. It appears that there has been a great battle between the Russians and French, issuing in favor of the Russians.* It was probably the hardest fought action in which Bonaparte was ever engaged. I think it a most merciful interposition of Providence. Walked out. 24. Rainy. Wrote considerably. Received a very ill-natured letter from Mr. Bidwell.^ He appears to wish to draw me into a snare, or drive me out of town. ' His son, Ephraim Judson, Jr., was grad- '' Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., pastor at Lee, uated at Williams College in 1797, studied 1792-1833. law, and was settled in legal practice at San- ^ Joseph Goodwin. disfield, Mass., where he died in 1807, at the ^ We do not find any battle about this age of thirty-one. time in which the French were defeated by ^ Hon. Caleb Strong, of Northampton, the Russians. It would seem that this entry had been Governor of Massachusetts, 1800- in the diary must have reference to the battle 1807. In 1S07 James Sullivan, LL. D., was of Eylau, before described, chosen. He was born in Berwick, Me., April ^ Barnabas Bidwell, Esq., Democratic law- 22, 1744, and died in Boston, Dec. 10, 1808. yer in Stockbridge, graduate of Yale College, ^ In those days when there were no stoves 1785, Member of Congress, 1805-1807. He in churches, ministers, during the winter died in 1833, but his later life was somewhat season, preached in their overcoats. clouded. 322 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. 25. Walked out and visited. Called on Mr. Bacon.' I am fearful he and Bidvvell mean to oppose any minister here, who will not be a Democrat. New York in a perfect electioneering blaze. Warm. Vegetation comes on very fast. 26. Preached from Acts xxviii : 24 and 2 Tim. iv: 7, 8. People very attentive. Very tired. The people wish me to continue here longer, but I think I cannot. 27. Walked out and visited. By particular desire, preached in the even- ing, on the plain, from Gen. vii : 16. Slept with J. Curtis.^ His case is more difficult and perplexing than any I ever knew. 28. Received ten dollars from the people here. Paid Dr. West for his History of Popery^ $S-oo. Rode home. Quite warm. The ground mostly settled. They have been greatly afflicted at Winchester with sickness and death since I left there. 29. Quite rainy and some hard thunder. Wrote to Miss E. L. The late election in this State has issued very favorably.'* Yesterday received a letter from H. De Wolf, New Connecticut. 30. Received a newspaper from Marietta. Three large ships were launched there the first of this month. Wrote to cousin Sam P. Warm, and the ground very wet. Preached a preparatory lecture from Rev. xvi : 15. Loaded wagons crossed the Ohio at Marietta during the winter on ice. May. 1. Snow appears in a few places, though it has gone wonderfully for three weeks. Notwithstanding the concern, very few cattle have died. Rode to Winchester. A boy of sixteen, very promising, has died, out of the family where I live, in my absence.^ His sickness continued but thirty-six hours. Several in the neighborhood now are very sick. 2. Visited the sick families. It is a time of great solicitude and distress. Rainy. Attended the funeral of an aged man. Preached on the occasion from Luke xxiii : 28. 3. Preached from Matt, xvii : 5. Had the contribution for the Mission- ary Society. Collected ^16.80.^ Attended the funeral of a child who died last night with the prevailing disorder. Quite feeble. ' John Bacon, Esq., lawyer, once minister who had been Governor since 1798, was again of Old South Church, Boston, Judge, Mem- in this year 1S07, re-elected, ber of Congress, etc. s This strange sickness prevailing at Win- * J. Curtis. What this man's strange ex- Chester, the sickness at Shetfield, Mass., de- perience was we have no means of knowing. scribed in the early part of the diarj', the ^ This, as we understand it, does not great sickness and death on a portion of the mean a work on Popery, which Dr. West Connecticut Reserve in Ohio, the yellow had himself written. We are not aware that fever in Philadelphia, and other cities, all he wrote any such book. It was a work these instances go to show that we have which Dr. West had in his library, and he made a great gain in the sanitary arrange- sold it to Mr. Robbins. ments of towns and cities within the last * He has been for a time in Massachusetts, hundred years. but is now back at Norfolk, in his native ^ Taken as usual under State authority on State of Connecticut. Jonathan Trumbull, the first Sabbath in May. 1807.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 323 4. Visited the sick. Dined with a military company. Had a visit from a committee of the society requesting me to stay with them. They are very anxious, but I think I cannot. 5. Read Neal. Rode out and visited. Quite cool. People do not plow scarcel}'^ at all. 6. Very rainy. The sick appear to be mending. I hope the Most High may be entreated to stay the progress of disease. 7. Two young persons, one aged seventeen, the other eleven, died of the prevailing disorder after a sickness of from twenty-four to thirty hours. Vis- ited the houses of affliction. Read Neal. 8. Attended the funerals of two persons who died yesterday. Preached at one from. Rev. xvi: 15. Many people exceedingly afraid of contagion ; yet there is no evidence that the disorder is contagious. 9. Read Neal. Wrote. Am considerably unwell.' Rainy. The weather appears to have a sensible effect on the sickness. There are some new in- stances of sickness, greatly violent. 10. Was called early in the morning to visit a sick child. Preached from Heb. xi : 13 and Matt, v : 4. Administered the sacrament. The church quite thin. Very tired and feeble. Many people are much alarmed about the sickness, but it does not appear to be contagious. 11. Visited the sick. They appear generally convalescent. Vegetation comes on, though the ground is still ver}' bare. The society had a meeting, and requested me to take care of supplying the pulpit for some time. I think I must do that, though on account of my poor health I do not expect to preach much through the summer. Received of the society forty-eight dollars. 12. Rode home. Pretty feeble. Received the last volume of Xhe. Lifs 0/ Washington. The whole cost sixteen dollars.^ 13. Rode with my father in a carriage to Hartford. Our horse fell and broke the carriage,^ and we providentially escaped injury. 14. Had quite an agreeable election. A large number of young clergy. Gov. Trumbull had eleven thousand three hundred and twenty votes. Gen. Hart seven thousand five hundred and nine.'* A considerable proportion in favor of Federalism abo\"e last year. My brother James has left Windham, and has concluded to go on a mission. Rode to Talcott Mountain. 15. Rainy. On the nth saw some peach and cherry blossoms, but have ' Amid such outward conditions almost *■ This is a report on the vote for Governor any person, watching himself, might seem to taken in April. Gov. Trumbull, who had discover symptoms of illness. been in the office since 1798, is Jonathan ^ Books are produced now more cheaply Trumbull, son of the Revolutionary Gov. than then, absolutely so, but relatively, consid- Jonathan Trumbull. Gen. Ilart, the Demo- ering the purchasing power of a dollar, at cratic candidate, was Major-Gen. William the two periods, very much more cheaply. Hart, of Saybrook, born June 24, 1746, died ^ The carriage was very likely a chaise. Aug. 29, 18 17. His father was Rev. William The fall of a horse in a four-wheeled vehicle Hart, pastor in the church of Old Saybrook, is not likely to be particularly dangerous to 1736-1784. The Federal party was yet strong the occupants of the carriage. in Connecticut and so continued some years. 324 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. seen none as yet on the apple-trees. Had salmon at Hartford. Rode home. My brother Frank at home from college. 16. Worked some. The ground extremely wet. Got a large Bible for which I was a subscriber. Paid for it of the money given me at Winchester, March 15 th, $11.50. 17. James preached in the forenoon. I preached in the afternoon from Acts vii : 34. We both sat in the pulpit with my father. My parents much affected. All my brothers here.' 18. The weather continues cold and very backward. Read Life of Wash- higton. The sickness at Winchester abates much. Laus Deo. 19. Worked some. Dined at Mr. Battell's.^ Dr. West and his wife there.'' Wrote. Cannot be comfortable without a fire steadily.* 20. Worked considerably planting a little nursery of Lombardy poplars.^ Read the Lfe of Washington. It exposes Democracy in its true character. 21. Was bled. Am unusually full of blood. Vegetation extremely back- ward. All accounts indicate a reverse of fortune to the French arms.* 22. Rainy. Have quite a sore arm by my bleeding. Read. My brother much perplexed about getting a horse for his mission. 23. Paid for one half of four very fine calves, seven dollars and seventy-five cents. James and I own them, and my father is to keep them till the fall of next year for one half. Rode to Winchester. Several new cases here of sickness. 24. Rainy. Very thin meeting. Preached from Rev. xx : 15. Quite tired. I fear the sickness here will be the means of hardening the people in stupidity. 25. Visited the sick ; some very bad. Yet I think the physicians do better with the disorder than they did at first. At evening married a couple. 26. Rode home. Yesterday saw some cherry and apple blossoms. The first I have seen in this quarter. Read Washington. His character is exalted by examination. People beginning to plant. Traded. 4.25. 27. Worked some. My brother James set out on his mission to the Sus- quehannah.' May the Lord go with him. Mr. Ingalls,^ a missionary, came here and tarried. ' We may as well enumerate them again : plant Lombardy poplars, and in riding about Ammi Ruhamah, Nathaniel, James Watson, New England one sees them yet, here and Samuel, Francis Le Baron. there, standing in their grenadier stiffness. ^ Mr. Joseph Battell. ^ We do not find anything in the military ^ Dr. West had been seriously ill, but was history of that year exactly corresponding to now better. He was living at this time with this statement. his second wife, whom he had married the ^ In Pennsylvania. We do not find that year before. Her maiden name was Eleanor he was appointed by the Connecticut Mis- Dewey, of Sheffield. His first wife was sionary Society. He may have gone out for Elizabeth Williams, of Stockbridge. She died himself, much as the writer of this diary in 1804. made his missionary circuit through Ver- * Every year men are saying, " How differ- mont. ent our springs now from what they used to ^ Rev. Calvin Ingalls, who graduated at be." But this entry in the diary on the 19th Dartmouth College in 1792. He performed of May sounds very much like the same old missionary service in Vermont, New York, story. and Pennsylvania. He had been settled at ^ It was the fashion in those years to West Stafford, Ct., 1796-1S03. 1807.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 325 28. Finished the Life of Washifigton. It is on the whole a very valuable work. The last volume is very well executed. My mamma very feeble. 29. Read Neal. Very cool. Wrote to William Blackburn,' Philadelphia. Read Shakespeare. 30. Rode to Winchester and attended the funeral of Dr. Everett's ^ child. Preached from Isa. i: 5. Returned. They expect a preacher there to- morrow, and I hope to rest for a little while. The first warm day we have had in this month. 31. Rainy. Read the Bible. Mr. Gaylord ^ preached for my father. He performed very well. The apple-trees are generally in full bloom. June. 1. Rainy. We want to sit by a fire steadily. Worked some. Read Neal. There is a prospect that political contention in our State is declining. 2. The Methodists are about having a great camp-meeting in Sharon. I think they are trying to imitate the work in the western country.* Read. Mr. Smith,' from New Connecticut, called to see me. 3. Worked considerably making a gate for a fence. Read Neal. My brother F.^ went off to college. 4. I conceive that the state of the civilized world has, at no period in modern times, so much depended on the fortune of war as at the present time. 5. Read Neal. Worked making fence. Agreed with Mr. Bigelow, of this town, to keep our little niece, Sally Lawrence.^ 6. Finished the third volume of Neal which is all I own. Began to read Homer, Cowper's translation.^ Rainy. I think confinement and study is injurious to my health. 7. My father preached. Sat with my mother. Read the Bible. Oster- wzld's Notes'^ zxQ quite valuable. They sing very well here. Yesterday was invited to preach to the Free Masons here on the 24th inst. 8. Quite warm. Wrote, Afternoon rode with my father to Warren. Uncle Starr's sons have lately been all at home. Considerable seriousness in Goshen. 9. Rode to Sharon. Met with the association. Very warm. The first ' William Blackburn, a publisher. * Francis Le Baron, now in his Junior ^ Dr. Josiah Everett, born Feb. 27, 1749, year at Williams, died Feb. 5, 1829, aged eighty. ^ Daughter of his sister Elizabeth (Mrs. ^ Asahel Gaylord, before noticed, native Lavi^rence), of Paris, N. Y. of Norfolk. ^ Cowper's translation of Homer was pub- *♦ As already intimated, in Methodist meet- lished in 1791. A goodly number of writers, ings, especially camp-meetings, here in New English and American, have wrought at this England, in the early part of the present same work. centurv, the same scenes were witnessed as 9 John Frederick Osterwald (Ostervald) a those described by Mr. Robbins among the celebrated Swiss divine, and an extensive Presbyterians in Pennsylvania, and on the author. He published a Bible in folio with Western Reserve. notes. This book was translated into Eng- 5 The same Mr. Smith with whom Mr. lish. The author was born at Neuchatel in Robbins has corresponded by letter. 1663, and died 1747. 326 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. hot weather this year. An unusual number of young ministers in the as- sociation. ID. The association licensed three preachers.' Rode home. The turn- pike road from Sharon to Cornwall very hilly. Very tired. 11. Read newspapers. Received a letter from William Blackburn, Phila- delphia. Read illustrations of Masonry. 12. Worked making fence all day. The weather again backward and cold. My friend Gilman, of Marietta, has lately had a fine ship wrecked at the falls of Ohio.^ The same misfortune befel some others. 13. Worked considerably. Rode to Colebrook to preach tomorrow for Mr. Lee, he being gone on a journey. Tarried at my brother's.' 14. Preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Considerably unwell with a cold. At evening rode to Winchester. It is to be hoped that the sickness here is abating. 15. A Mr. Higley,* a candidate, is preaching here now. There appears to be no prospect of his settling. Rode home. Worked on the road.' 16. Considerably unwell. My lungs appear to be weak, and I have some difficulty of breathing. Read Homer. Worked making a gate. Rainy weather, and very backward. 17. Very cool. Read. Am able to work but little. The whole civilized world appears to be in an awful suspense on the event of a great battle which is constantly expected between the French and Russians.* May the God of heaven save from another universal monarchy.' 18. Read Homer. Afternoon attended the concert of prayer. It appears to be a time of great stupidity here. 19. Am quite unwell. Poorly able to read. Close attention seems to be injurious to me. My sister's little son is, I think, peculiarly promising.' 20. Worked pretty hard all day. I believe I did too much. Quite warm. People but ' beginning to hoe corn. 21. Rode to Winchester by special request. Mr. Higley preached in the ' These were John Woodbridge, William into a day-laborer on the road or in the fields, Bonney, and Caleb Pitkin. summer or winter. ^ The falls on the Ohio River, here referred ^ That battle was fought June 14, three to, are near Louisville, Ky., between Louis- days before this entry was made, at Fried- ville and New Albany, Ind. In low water, land in Prussia. The battle was between the during the summer, the river is fordable at French and the allied armies of Prussia and this point. It is a place consequently where, Russia. The French were victorious, and the at all times, navigation is not without danger. peace of Tilsit soon followed, when Prussia 3 Ammi Ruhamah Robbins, Jr. was obliged to part with nearly half her * Silas Higley. He was graduated at territory. Yale College in 1802, was licensed by the ' Like that of Rome in the ancient days. Hartford North Association Feb. 6, 1805, ^ This was Joseph Bittell, the oldest child and died in 1853. He seems, however, never of his sister Sarah, who was born April 17, to have become an ordained minister. 1806, and was now about fourteen months old. ' Mr. Robbins, notwithstanding all his 9 A use of the word i>uf, corresponding sickness and weakness, easily turns himself with our Just, or only just. iSo;.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 327 forenoon pretty well. Preached in the afternoon from Rev. xxii : 20, first part. Baptized ten children belonging to two families.' 22. Rode home. Quite warm. Trying to think of a subject for a Ma- sonic discourse.^ Quite unwell and feeble. 23. Studied considerably. Wrote notes for a Masonic sermon. Worked some. Quite cool. We have very sudden changes of weather. 24. Preached to a Masonic Lodge from 2 Peter i : 3/ latter clause. The lodge here is quite respectable, and there was a large number of people. The lodge gave me six dollars, and requested a copy of the sermon, which I de- clined giving. At evening married a couple. 25. All Europe seems to be in suspense on the event of a great battle daily expected.* My breast is constantly very feeble, and at times consider- ably painful. Quite cool. 26. Worked considerably. My father received a letter from James.' He is pretty feeble. I feel anxious about him. 27. Read Homer. The heathen mythology appears exceedingly contempti- ble.* Worked pretty hard. 28. My father preached, I sat in the pew. Read the Bible. Osterwald's Notes'' are very useful. People here appear quite stupid. 29. Quite warm. Worked making a large gate for a fence. The prospect of productions of the earth this year is very poor. 30. Very warm. At evening Capt. De Wolfe,* of Rhode Island, came here and tarried. The slave-traders are expecting to be restrained in their traffic by our government and the British.' Worked quite too hard. July. 1. There seems to be very little calculation in the country for the cele- bration of an Independence. It has become rather stale, and the humbled state of our nation lessens the animation of the occasion." Read newspapers. 2. Rode to Torrington, and preached a sacramental lecture from Rev. ' Mr. Higley not being an ordained min- ^ See June 7, 1807. ister, could not perform the rite of baptism. ^ Capt. James De Wolfe, one of the ^ This was years before the great Anti- wealthy and most energetic men of Bristol. Masonic movement in this country, and min- He was born March 18, 1764, and while he isters, though not themselves Masons, used was yet in his teens was put in command of to accept these invitations to preach before a vessel. He was engaged in the slave trade Masonic bodies. when this was deemed not dishonorable. In ^"Through the knowledge of him who the War of 1812 he made much money by hath called us to glory and virtue." privateering. He was a man of striking ■* The battle was already fought as we appearance. He died Dec. 21, 1837. have said. ' The Parliament of Great Britain abol- 5 He was off on his mission. ished the slave trade, March 25, 1807. * This remark is very true generally, but '° In all such entries as this we must make the mythologies of Greece and Rome hold allowance for the strong Federal leanings o£ within themselves many shadowy records of Mr. Robbins. It was very difficult for the important primeval facts, and contain some men of that generation to judge political rare and beautiful conceptions. opponents with fairness. 338 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. xvii : 14. A young woman was examined before the church for admission. She appeared \ery well. Very cool for the season. 3. Rode to Winchester. Visited families. The people here feel very anxious about the broken state of their society matters. 4. Rode home. Received the remainder of my book-case from Hartford. It is an exceedingly good one. My books nearly fill it.' 5. My father preached. Attended the sacrament. Our meeting-house is very much crowded. It is a year yesterday since I got home from the west- ward. My breast is nearly as weak as it was then. 6. Had my book-case set up. Considerably pained at my breast. Read Homer. The Legislature of Massachusetts appear to take great strides in tyranny.^ 7. I make a pretty common practice of working in the garden from early in the morning till breakfast. Wrote. Read Homer. 8. \^'rote to my brother James. The country is in a very great commo- tion in consequence of the late outrage of a British ship.^ Our situation nattirrally courts insult. 9. Col. Burr* and six others are indicted for high treason. I think it will come to nothing. Dr. Sheldon ^ gave me a receipt for a medicine. 10. Preparing my medicine. Very warm. Mr. Marsh,^ a candidate, here. He is quite unwell. Worked in the garden. The accounts from Europe give great hopes that the Most High will stop the mad conqueror. 11. Read Homer. Cannot read very long at once. Very hot. Feel con- siderably dejected on account of my health. 12. In very warm weather people evidently absent from meeting for the want of more comfortable seats. I believe my father preaches about as well as he ever did.' At evening rode out to see an old man, supposed to be dying. 13. Am so feeble can work but little. Paid Mr. Battell, with some other ' He had already gathered a small por- but whom the United States called natural- tion only of the large library he left to the ized American citizens. Connecticut Historical Society. ■* Aaron Burr being disappointed in his ^ The misfortune of Massachusetts was, hopes of becoming President of the United that she had that year elected James SuUi- States in 1800, was suspected of a plot to van, LL.D., a Democrat, for her Governor. set up a rival confederacy in Northern Mex- Mr. Sullivan had been from 1790 to 1807 ico. On this charge he was tried in Rich- Attorney-General of the State, was one of mond, Va., in 1807, and was acquitted the founders, and, for many years, President because the needful proof could not be of the Massachusetts Historical Society, an obtained. He was not, however, cleared eminent and scholarly man. before the people, and he lived under this ^ This was near the beginning of the shadow all the rest of his long life, troubles which led on to the War of 181 2. ^ Dj- Daniel Sheldon, one of the leading England was at war with France, and the physicians of Litchfield County. United States, as neutral, had a large part of * Frederick Marsh, already noticed, after- the carrying trade of the world. England wards settled at Winchester, haughtily claimed the right to board Ameri- ^ j-jjs father was then about sixtj'-seven can trading-vessels on the high seas and take years old, and in the forty-sixth year of his off sailors whom she called British subjects, ministry. iSoy.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 329 accounts, $10,77. I am in great hopes that Dr. Sheldon's medicine will be serviceable to me. 14. Finished reading Cowper's Homer. I think the translation is ad- mirably well executed. A pretty dry season. My book-case and library ;nuch admired. 15. Worked some. Very warm. The President has issued a very smart proclamation against Great Britain. That is probably all that he ,will do.* 16. Rode with my brother Ammi's wife to Goshen. Last night a very hard shower. Mrs. Hale ^ in a state of very great melancholy. Attended an even- ing meeting. The awakening here is pretty great. 17. Bought of Esq. Hale one third of Poole's Synopsis^ ior four dollars. Rode home. Very warm. Some awakening in Litchfield. ' 18. Read Shakespeare. Am much debilitated with the heat; My father rode to Colebrook to exchange with Mr. Lee. Went into the water. 19. Mr. Lee preached. Read the Bible. Our boy Gurdon'* had a sister die at Winsted, of the Winchester fever. 20. Quite wet and rainy. A remarkably favorable time, for vegetation. Very warm. Read Shakespeare. , 21. Worked on board fence. I think I can bear labor of any kind con- siderably better than in times past. 22. Remarkably warm and rainy. Made a gate for a fence. Mr. Battell and my sister set out on a journey for some time. I have agreed to make my home at their house during their absence. Received a beaver hat from Dan- bury, made for me, cost seven dollars and a half. The one I now have I have worn steadily more than four years.' 23. Last night a very hard rain. The ground very wet. Divine Provi- dence seems to frown on the season. Worked all day. The belligerent powers in Europe seem to be at an awful pause. I expect they will make a peace. That will probably be an occasion of the greater extent of French dominion. 24. Read considerably. People just beginning to mow. Worked some. Feel quite anxious about my brother James, lest his missionary life in this warm weather should be too much for him. I hope that the same God who carried me through many trials will help and support him. 25. Am pretty feeble. Read. Afternoon had a most sudden and violent ' Perhaps that was all he could properly of England, silenced for nonconformity. He do, under the circumstances of that time. went to Holland and died in 1679. ^ Probably the wife of Judge Timothy * A boy probably who was living in the Hale. family as a servant. 3 The celebrated Matthew Poole's Synopsis * If a man buys such hats that he can Criticorian Biblicorutn. This work was con- wear them steadily for more than four years, structed upon the plan of "bringing together it is not extravagant if he pays ^7.50 for one the opinions of one hundred and fifty Biblical of them. The hat which he was now to lay critics of all times and countries previous to aside went over the Alleghany Mountains his own." Poole was born in 1624, was twice, on horseback, and through his three educated at Emmanuel College, was one of years of rough experience in Ohio. That some two thousand ministers of the Church was service enough for one hat. 330 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. rain. I never saw our brook so high. It was nearly a foot deep over the bridge and road. Orders are received by the military companies to furnish a certain proportion of troops to be ready for a call. I suppose in order to contend against the British navy. 26. Mr. Goodrich,' of New Haven, and Mr. Gallaudet," of Hartford, came here yesterday and tarried over the Sabbath. The roads are ver)^ much washed by yesterday's rain. 27. Worked in hay all day. Miss Sally Sherman,^ at 'Mr. Battell's, quite sick with an inflammatory fever. 28. Read. Rainy. A very melancholy time. It is said that in the towns below the grain is likely to be hurt by growing. Have to attend much on Miss Sherman ; am concerned about her. 29. Considerable and extensive damage done by late severe shower. Worked quite hard in hay. People just beginning to harvest. 30. Read Shakespeare. The ground very wet and streams quite high. I think I never saw our well so full of water. My father received a letter from my brother James at Canandaigua. He is confined there with a bilious fever, but is hopefully gaining health. I fear he will not be able to perform his mission. 31. A ver}' favorable season for haying. On account of work I read but little. I think my father fails some with regard to work ; he gets worried much sooner than formerly. August. 1. Gen. Tracy," of Litchfield, who has lately died at Washington, is a great national loss. He is much celebrated in the public papers. Worked quite hard all day. 2. Miss Sherman continues quite weak and low. I think I am evidently considerably stronger in consequence of my work. 3. Rainy. People have very unsteady weather for their harvest. Grain and grass are pretty good, much beyond what was expected. 4. Read Shakespeare. Our national spirit has lately been a little roused at foreign aggressions, but the government seems to be suppressing it to its ordinary supineness. National spirit in us seems to alarm no government but our own.^ 5. Worked carting grain. We have the melancholy intelligence of the ' Elizur Goodrich, LL.D., born in Dur- Justus Mitchell, whose maiden name was ham, Ct., 1761, graduated at Yale, 1769, Martha Sherman, daughter of Rev. Josiah lawyer in New Haven, Mayor of New Haven, Sherman, of Milford. Miss Sally Sherman, 1803-1822. visiting at Mr. Joseph Battell's, was doubt- 2 Thomas H. Gallaudet, LL.D., born in less of her kindred. Philadelphia, 1787, graduated in Yale Col- ■* Gen. Uriah Tracy, born in Franklin, Ct., lege, 1805. Head of the Deaf and Dumb Feb. 2, 1755; died at Washington, D. C, Asylum, at Hartford, for many years. Died July 19, 1807. He was United States Sena- at Hartford, Ct., Sept. 9, 1851. tor from 1796 to 1S07. ^ Mr. William Battell, of Torrington, father * gharp and sarcastic, and perhaps just, of Joseph, married for his second wife Mrs. though Dr. Robbins opposed the war of 1812. 1807.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 331 fall of Dantzic ' before the French arms. I fear the powers at war will now make peace, and submit to France. 6. Worked at harvest all day. Quite warm. Am considerably anxious about Miss Sherman as her fever continues. 7. At evening Mr. Battell and my sister returned from their journey. We hear from my brother James that he is hopefully recovering. 8. Rode to Winchester and attended the funeral of the widow Loomis. Preached from John xi : 23. It hurt me less than I feared. A great number of people at the funeral. A hard shower. 9. Mr. Higley" preached, and very well. I assisted some, and baptized two children. At evening attended a conference ; very full. I feel quite concerned about the people here. 10. Rode home. Quite warm. Several people at Winchester are not yet recovered from their epidemical fever. Read Shakespeare. 11. Thus in the merciful Providence of God I am brought to the close of my thirtieth year. That I shall live so many years longer, I think there is but the smallest probability. That I shall continue in this world ten years more, I think not very likely.^ 12. Worked at grain. Some of the grain very poor in consequence of being injured by the winter. The season for harvesting very unfavorable. 13. Worked making a horse-block. Quite cold and wet. Read Shake- speare. Miss H. Battell* quite unwell, and in a degree deranged. 14. Am quite oppressed with an influenza. Have quite a hard cough. Tried to work and sweat some, as a likely way for relief. 15. Read some. Quite unwell. The most of my father's family have the influenza. Very warm. 16. My father rode to Winchester. I\Ir. Higley preached here. Meeting- house very much crowded. Read the Bible, My mamma very feeble with her influenza. 17. Worked. Afternoon rode with Mr. Whittlesey,^ of Danbury, to Salis- bury and saw his wife and other Danbury friends. Can ride much better than in times past. 18. Visited with my friends. Very warm. Rode home. People univer- sally in the midst of haying. 19. Worked at hay. I find my breast something sore by my ride. We have an account of a great battle between the French and Russians.^ I sus- ' Dantzic, in Northern Germany, had child of Mr. William Battell, of Torrington. belonged to Prussia since 1793. ^^ surren- She was a sister of Mr. Joseph Battell, of dered to the French in May, 1807, and by the Norfolk, who married Sarah Robbins. treaty of Tilsit was restored to independ- ^ The man with whom he boarded when ence, under the protection of Prussia and living in Danbury. Saxony. ^ We know of no battle between the ^ Silas Higley, before mentioned. French and Russians about this time exce^Jt 3 He lived forty-nine years after this, so that of Friedland, already reported, fought that his estimate was very wide of the mark. June 14, 1807. The foreign news of that ♦ Miss Harriet Battell was the seventh day was very irregular. 332 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. pect there was no great advantage on either side. I am glad it was no worse. 20. Read newspapers. Rainy. Worked in the garden. A remarkable year for vegetation. The EngHsh have met with some distressing losses in Eg}'pt. Received a letter from Mr. Lee, of Colebrook. 21. Read Shakespeare. Quite wet and rainy. My brother James came home from the westward. He appears to be recovering his health. On the 17th received twenty-two dollars from the people at Winchester. 22. Have the rheumatism very bad in my back. Read. Am scarcely able to walk. 23. Am something better of my rheumatic complaint. Rode in a carriage to Canaan. Afternoon preached for Mr. Cowles' from Num. x: 29. Many people here worked all day at hay. At evening attended a conference. 24. Rode home. Worked considerably in haying. My brother James works some.^ Think preaching yesterday did me no injur)'. Quite cool. 25. Worked quite hard all day. People generally are but now doing their haying. My influenza appears to have gone off without leaving any cough upon me, which I much feared. 26. If French successes continue and Bonaparte lives, I think it not im- probable that one of his favorites ere long will be sovereign of America.^ Probably a large portion of our countr}', not to say^a majority, would gladly hail the event. Had some clothes made. 27. Expected to have gone today on a journey to the eastward; but various circumstances rendering it difficult, it must be put off. I feel much disappointed. For four days I have worked steadily in haying. 28. Rainy. Wrote considerably. Wrote to M. E. L."* I hope my brother J. is regaining usual health. Esq. Alvord,^ from Winchester, came to see me. They still make considerable dependence upon me there. 29. Very warm. Worked making fence. I have this week exchanged my horse which is substantially lame, for a valuable mare eight years old. I am to give forty dollars in the exchange. The mare is probably w'orth sixty. My mission cost me about a sixty dollar horse. 30. Afternoon preached for my father from Esther iv : 16. Very warm. 31. Set out with my father in a carriage for Williamstown. Rode to Lenox. Tarried at Mr. Goodwin's.* People generally are haying. There is some hope of a favorable dissension in Democracy in this State.' ' Rev. Pitkin Cowles, pastor at North this country had a real fear that Napoleon Canaan, Ct., 1805 to 1833. Rev. Mr. Cowles might come over here with his destroying was a native of Southington, Ct., and was armies. graduated at Yale College in iSoo. He died * It has been some time since we have in 1833. had any suggestion about M. E. L. ^ We understand him to mean that his * Eliphaz Alvord, Esq., probably, brother James is so far recovered from his * Joseph Goodwin. illness that he is able to perform more or less ^ We must remember that he is now in physical labor. Massachusetts where they have a Demo- ' It is safe to say that this did not come cratic Governor. Gov. Sullivan held his to pass. But for years the good people of office only one year. 1807.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 33: September. 1. Quite cool. The influenza' universally prevalent through the country. Rode to Williamstown. At evening attended the exhibitions. Find old acquaintance. I have not been here before for nearly five years. 2. Last night the President's oldest son died ; ^ of a fever similar to the late one at Winchester. The business of the day generally very good. Much fewer people than common ; probably in a great degree on account of the influenza. The President appears remarkably well under his afflictions. But few minis- ters are present. 3. In the forenoon attended the funeral of the President's son. A''isited old acquaintance. 1 suspect the corporation do not treat my cousin H. Starr very well in not appointing him tutor.^ The ecclesiastical matters in this town are in a pretty bad state.* 4. Rode with my father to Stockbridge. He found an old acquaintance, Mr. Watson, at Pittsfield. People in general have not near done haying. My horse goes very well in a carriage. I think it questionable whether the college ought not to be removed from Williamstown.' Tarried at Dr. West's. 5. Rode home. The roads very much gullied. I think I am much better than I was a week ago. My brother Frank got home before us. 6. I preached in the forenoon, my brother James in the afternoon. My father administered the sacrament. The church quite numerous. Preached from Matt, x: 32. I have some real concern about the feebleness of my brother J. 7. Set out with my brother for New Haven. Rode to Waterbury. Tar- ried at a tavern. The roads very much washed. Perhaps no disease has ever been so universal in our country as the influenza at present. 8. There was dancing and great noise in the house almost all night.* Rode to New Haven. At evening attended the speaking for premiums. I think the scholars here are not so good speakers as they were some years ago. Quite rainy. 9. But few people in town for the occasion.^ The performances of the day were rather indifferent. Had several applications to preach at vacant ' During the administration of Vice-Presi- been the pastor for twenty-eight years, died dent Tyler, 1841-1845, there was a like pre- in February, 1807, and no one was settled in vailing influenza known as the Tyler Grip. his place until 1813, when Rev. Walter King Since that time we do not remember anything was ordained. so severe and widespread as this influenza ^ There was in those days some talk of described by Mr. Robbins in 1807. removal because Williamstown then seemed ^ An event like this would throw a cloud such an out-of-the-way place. But it is well over the Commencement season, especially that no such plan or suggestion ever pre- in such a quiet and retired community as vailed. Williams College has a rich history, that of Williamstown then was. and has done a most excellent work. ^ Henry Starr, son of Rev. Peter Starr, of * This was at Waterbury. Warren, Ct., was graduated in 1S04, at Will- '' The prevailing influenza and the badly- iams College. He became a lawyer. washed roads seem to have made small ■* The church at Williamstown was now attendance at Commencement, both at Will- without a pastor. Rev. Seth Swift, who had iams College and Yale. 334 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1807. places. Find many old friends. At evening Mr. Hotchkiss,' of Saybrook, preached the Co?icio. But few ministers for the occasion were present. 10. Attended the meeting of the P. B. K. Society. Bought books. Cru- den's Concordance for $9.50 1"^ $9-19 of which was the residue of the money given me at Winchester last March. Paid for Bedford's ' Scriptnre Chronology $4.75. Rode with my brother to Branford. Tarried at Mis. Huntington's. 11. Wrote. Afternoon rode to North Branford to see Mr. Eells.'* He is ver}' poor and most probably will not preach much more. I-. Returned to Branford.' Quite warm. Dined at old Capt. Russell's. Peaches quite plenty. Events in Europe appear to be going entirely in favor of Bonaparte. Human power contends in vain. 13. Rode to East Haven and preached for Mr. Gaylord,^ of Norfolk, who is now supplying there, in the forenoon, from Gen. vii : 16. Afternoon re- turned to Branford, and preached from Luke xv : 17. The same subject from which I preached here a year ago. I think I never made such a mistake before.' My brother has engaged to supply tiiem here for a while. He is pretty feeble with the influenza. 14. My preaching yesterday affected me less than I feared. Left Bran- ford. rode to Durham. My brother has concluded to preach a little while at Branford if he shall be able. Tarried with Mr. Smith. ^ 15. Quite cold. Rode to Hartford and Windsor. Find many friends. Some sickness in Hartford ; I think similar to the Winchester fever. Tarried at Esq. Selden's. 16. People begin to sit by fires. I bear riding much better than I feared. Rode to Suffield. The regimental trainings in this vicinity are this week. It appears that Bonaparte has made peace with Russia and Prussia. Probably pretty much on his own terms. I cannot yet believe that he will be permitted to consolidate Europe in one great monarchy.' 17. Afternoon rode to Simsbury. I hope for divine guidance in all inter- esting circumstances in which I may ever be placed.'" Some people are quite sick with fever setting in with the influenza. ' Rev. Frederick William Hotchkiss, ' Arthur Bedford, an English divine, pastor at Old Saybrook, Ct., 17S3-1844, sixty- 1668-1745. His work was entitled Scripture one years. Mr. Hotchkiss was a native of Chronology Demonstrated by Astronomical Cal- New Haven, and a graduate of Yale College dilations. London, 1730, folio. in 1778. ■« Rev. Samuel Eells was settled in North ^ The sum of $9.50 now would buy a splen- Branford in 1769. He died in 1808. did copy of Cruden's C^«, where he remained till 18 1 7. He was afterwards settled at Westford, West Hartland, and Clinton. He was a native of Somers, and died in 1851, at the age of seventj'-four. * Mr. Lorrain Loomis, of Winchester. '' Rev. Whitfield Cowles, settled at East Granby (Turkey Hills), 1794-180S. The charge against him was that he had embraced the doctrine of the Universalists. He was a native of Southington, Ct., and was a gradu- ate of Yale College in 1788. * Nathaniel Dwight, M. D., born at North- ampton, Jan. 31, 1770. There were eight brothers and four sisters of Pres. Timothy Dwight, D. D., of Yale College. Pres. Dwight was the oldest of the family, and this Na- thaniel was one of the j'ounger brothers. All the brothers were men of stately propor- tions and fine looking. Dr. Nathaniel lived some years at Westfield, Mass. He studied for the minis^ '. 356 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8o8. asparagus.* Wrote. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture from Luke xxii : 19. Sat with a window open. I presume I never saw warmer weather in April. 30. Read the History of Popery. Vegetation is very rapid. My labors this week have been too hard. At evening my brother James arrived here. Yes- terday had some further conversation with the committee of the society. Have consented to have them give me a call.* 1. Preached in the forenoon from Matt, x : 32. Administered the sacra- ment. This church is small. They have not had a sacrament before in more than a year and half.^ Many were much affected. Afternoon my brother preached. He speaks feebly. I have great fears that he will not be able to pursue the work. Had the contribution for the Missionary Society. We collected twelve dollars and sixty-three cents."* Some people here have great prejudices upon the subject. 2. Attended the funeral of a man who died of a long illness. Ver)- warm and dusty. Afternoon with my brother attended a training. Read a long letter of John Quincy Adams/ designed as an answer to Mr. Pickering's. He seems to have become a thorough Democrat. 3. Read the History of Popery. My breast is pretty weak. Find difficult}' in getting any preacher to go this week to Turkey Hills. Wrote. The peo- ple here had a society meeting to give me a call. 4. Rode to Hartford and back. The roads very dry. The apple-trees generally in the bloom. A time of almost universal suspension of business in the country. 5. I have expected, which now appears almost certain, that I should break with this society on terms of support. Read the History of Popery. A hard and verj^ seasonable rain. 6. Read. The prospect of fruit very good. Rode and visited families. The people here will be much disappointed with my leaving them, which I think I must do. 7. Worked considerably. I lament that Turkey Hills could not have been visited this week, but I was disappointed in every attempt. Read His- ' These were signs of an early spring, * This collection was small, but he ex- though not so remarkable as those of 1775, plains that some people there had objections when the battle of Lexington was fought. against taking any collection. This was prob- The tradition is that apple-trees were in bios- ably the only collection for any such purpose som on the 19th of April, the day of the in the whole year. "^^^'^- ^ John Quincy Adams was in the United ^ This is unusual with Mr. Robbins, but States Senate from 1S03 to iSoS, when he re- the plan will in some way miscarry. He is signed because of this controversy with his not to be settled here. colleague, Hon. Timothy Pickering, and his ^ Mr. Samuel Stebbins, their former min- disagreement with the Massachusetts Legis- jster, was dismissed in 1S06, and probably lature on the subject of the embargo. He they had not had the Lord's Supper adminis- was, however, a man too able and honest to tered since that time. be long laid aside from the public service. l8o8.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK. 357 tory of Fopery. There is most comfortable evidence that in every age of Christianity, there have been some true witnesses for Christ. 8. Preached from Isa. vi : 9, 10. The people here appear to know but little about doctrines. Quite cool. In the morning there was frost in some places. A young woman in the house considerably sick with a fever. g. Am pretty feeble. Afternoon a large committee of the society came to see me. The society have given me a call to settle with them, nearly or quite unanimously, and offered a salary of four hundred and twenty-five dol- lars.' I told the committee I could not take the call into consideration on those terms. The people not knowing what ministers have at the present time, thought they were doing well. The committee appeared much confounded. 10. Was up a considerable part of the last night looking at the lunar eclipse.^ The night was clear, and the eclipse according with the calculators. Rode to Scotland^ and preached from Matt, xvii : 5. The people in this neighborhood are almost entirely Episcopalians. 11. Rode back. Visited the sick. Quite rainy. Towards night my parents arrived here. They are quite smart. I think I am not adequate to so much labor as I perform. A very good prospect for fruit. Very favorable accounts from New York and Rhode Island of the revival of Federalism.* I hope our country may yet be preserved. 12. Rode with my father to Hartford, and attended the election. Quite wet. But few people to the usual number. My father was the oldest minister present. The votes are much in favor of Federalism above last year. Re- turned to Simsbury. Dr. Perkins^ preached well, better than I expected. 13. My parents set out for home. The people here are in a considerable commotion about my reply to their committee. Attended the funeral of an aged woman who died of the prevailing fever. Visited the sick. The same disorder is very distressing in the neighboring towns.^ 14. Visited some people supposed to be poisoned by arsenic, a man and his sister. His son is supposed to have done it by design. I hope they may live, though they are very sick. Wrote. Read the Bible. ' It was customary in those years, besides East Hartford, which would be a journey of offering a regular annual salary, to name a some twelve or fourteen miles from Sims- very respectable sum by way of settlement. bury. But this is more likely some locality Nothing is said of that item here. not very far away. ^ In the almanac for that year this eclipse ^ He holds on to Federalism with a des- is thus foretold and described : perate grasp, but he cannot prevent its " The first (eclipse) will be of the moon gradual decline. Federalism at the outset May 10, visible and total. established some important principles of H. M. government very firmly. But there were Beginning of the eclipse, i 13 other principles that needed to be cared for Beginning of total darkness, 2 13 and nourished which had been neglected. Middle, 2 58 = Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford, End of total darkness, 3 44 preached the election sermon for 180S. End of the eclipse, 4 42 " * It is a rare circumstance now in our ^ Scotland here cannot mean Scotland New England towns and villages to have parish in the town of Windham. There was such fatal diseases prevail widely and con- a place called Scotland in the eastern part of tinuously as in this case. 358 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. 15. Preached from John xviil : 37. I suspect some people here feel a coldness towards me in consequence of my rejecting their offers. Had com- pany. Some people feel alarmed about the state of their society. 16. Read the History of Popery. Rode out and visited. The sick, I hope, are generally mending. Cool. The season grows backward and more unfavorable. 17. Read. The ecclesiastical writers in times past have written with unreasonable acrimony.' Walked out and visited. Worked some. 18. Read considerably. I hope my health grows better. It is said Massa- chusetts have chosen a Federal legislature.^ The embargo produces great distresses in many places. I hope it may be a means of good. 19. Mrs. Case's son went off to New Jersey to take a school. Warm. Afternoon rode to East Windsor.^ People are still generally planting. The season has been quite unfavorable. I don't know that I get much better about riding. It hurts my breast sensibly. 20. Read Hunter's Sacred Biography.* Afternoon preached a lecture which had been previously appointed for me from Num. x : 29. Pretty full meeting". I am requested to come here to preach. I hardly know what to do. Tarried with Dr. McClure.^ 21. This society is pleasant, but pretty small. Rode to Hartford. Got some new clothes ; I believe the dearest I have ever had. The prices have risen considerably. Returned to Simsbury. Very dusty. 22. Rainy. Preached to a few hearers from John vi : 37, The prevailing fever continues here, and in Canton is most distressing. 23. Worked some. Rode and visited the sick. They are generally con- valescing. I have a great share of ministerial business. 24. Rode out and visited. Read the History of Popery. Mr. Knapp.* of Westfield, called and tarried with me. Quite cool. I believe there has been a little frost several mornings lately. 25. A ver}' violent and long rain. Wrote. My breast still weak, but I hope grows no worse. The prospects of the season pretty unfavorable. Walked out. The sickness in town I hope is abating. 26. Rode home. Visited some of the sick families in Canton. I never saw so sick a place. A number have died, and many who live have been ' That is very true, and they continued to ' Dr. David McClure, who was pastor at do so a long time after this entry was made. East Windsor, 1786-1820, (the last twelve ^ The Legislature of Massachusetts for years as senior colleague pastor) had been 1808 may have been Federalist, but the Re- previously settled 1776-1785 at North Hamp- publican (or Democratic) Governor, Hon. ton, N. H. James Sullivan, first chosen in 1807, was * Rev. Isaac Knapp, before spoken of, re-elected in i8c8, and continued till his native of Norfolk, Ct., graduate of Williams death, Dec. 10, 1808. College, 1800, settled at Westfield, 1803-1847, ^ He went to that part of East Windsor for the last eleven years senior colleague which is now the town of South Windsor. pastor, associated with Rev. Emerson Davis, 4 T/ie Sacred Biography was written by D. D. The pastorate of Dr. Davis was from Rev. Henry Hunter, a Scotch divine. June, 1836, to his death, 1866. l8o8.] AT HOME IN NORFOLK, 359 brought very low. Attended the weekly concert of prayer at home which is regularly maintained. 27. Quite warm. Read. My father has a very good piece of grain where he manured with green buckwheat.' My brother S. I think makes a very good farmer. 28. A severe rain. Rode as far as Canton in the stage, and walked from there to Simsbury.^ The ground is remarkably wet. A very unfavorable time for the prevailing epidemic. It seems to be extending in its ravages. Received of my brother N. ten dollars. 29. Preached from Luke xii: 20 and Luke vii : 23, Baptized two children. Felt disagreeably about it. In one case the parents do not come to the com- munion.^ Afternoon used short notes. Talked considerably with the family. 30. Visited the sick. Rode to Wintonbury and tried to get Mr. Miller to go to Turkey Hills this week, but he declines. Heard from Boston that they have a clear Federal majority in both branches of their legislature." I con- sider it a most merciful interposition of Divine Providence. In New York Assembly the Democratic majority is small.' I hope the folly and madness of our government may do much good. 31. Read the History of Popery. Our wet weather continues in a lamenta- ble manner. Walked out and visited. I have to do so much ministerial business that I can study but little. June. 1. Rode to Turkey Hills. Very cool. Preached in the afternoon and evening from Acts xxviii : 24 and Luke xv: 17. People appear quite attent- ive, but I fear the work is declining. There is a prospect of an important ecclesiastical trial here.* 2. We were last night very apprehensive of a frost, but I believe there was none. Returned to Simsbury. Visited the sick. Much worried. I fear the sickness increases among us. 3. Finished reading the History of Popery. It contains many valuable facts. Visited the sick. Rode to Canton and to Farmington. In Canton the sickness abates. Tarried at Mr. Gridley's,' ' The buckwheat was ploughed in, prob- D. Tompkins was Republican (Democratic) ably the previous fall. The same use is Governor, holding the office by re-election often made of green clover. from 1807 to 1817, when he was elected Vice- ^ From Canton to Simsbury four or five President of the United States, and held this miles. office eight years, 1817-1825. 3 After the long experience among the * That of Rev. Whitfield Cowles, before churches of New England of baptizing on spoken of. Mr. Robbins seems, from several the half-way covenant principle, multitudes entries, to have had a kind of care and re- ef children whose parents could not, by the sponsibility about this church at Turkey rule, partake at the communion table, this Hills (East Granby), as well as of that at feeling of Mr. Robbins shows the sharp re- Simsbury. action from this old custom, which was then =' Mr. Elijah Gridley probably. A son of going on. his, named Elriathan, was graduated at Yale '■ This confirms the report which he had College in 1819, and became a foreign mis- before heard. sionary. He died at Cesarea, Cappadocia, 5 In New York, at that time, Hon. Daniel Nov. 3, 1827. 360 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBHINS, D.D. [l8o8- 4. Mr. Gridley, his wife, daughter, and a hired girl are sick with the pre- vailing fever, but hopefully convalescing. Returned to Simsbury. My brother Frank came and tarried here last night and has returned. Very warm. The sickness here increases in an alarming manner. A child died last night. Attended the funeral. 5. Several persons are very sick, and new instances frequently occur. Preached from 2 Tim. iii : 9 and Rev. xxii : 20. Baptized a child that died yesterday.' Almost worn out with fatigue. At evening performed a marriage. 6. Excessive hot. Yesterday took off my flannels. Attended the funeral of a man who died yesterday. Visited the sick. The society had a meeting, and requested me to continue with them for the present and voted to open subscriptions to raise the salary offered me. I must however leave them for the present. 7. So warm last night I could scarcely sleep at all. Mr. Townsend, of New Durham," called on me. Afternoon attended the funeral of a woman who died yesterday, and of a small child ; making five funerals in four days. The people are much alarmed. Very much fatigued. It rained, and the heat moderates. 8. Rode to Wintonbury, and sat with the association.^ They licensed two candidates.'* The meeting not very full. Returned. 9. This day is observed here as a fast and day of prayer in consequence of the sore sickness. The meetings very full. Mr. Stebbins ^ preached in the forenoon and Mr. Porter, of Granby, in the afternoon. May the Lord be entreated of. Visited the sick. I hope they are all convalescing. At night my brother and sister Battell and their children^ came here and tarried. 10. The cooler weather appears much more advantageous to the sick. The people appear much concerned at my leaving them. Afternoon quite unwell and unable to ride as I had designed. Am something fearful of a turn of fever. XI. Am considerably better than I was yesterday. Rode to East Windsor. Quite warm and dusty. At West Hartford saw my classmate J. Belden/ a minister in Maine. Have some trouble in getting a supply for Simsbury. ' The child died very soon after being ston. Mr. Col ton was a native of West baptized. It was then and is now a super- Hartford, and was graduated at Yale in 1804. stition with some persons that baptism Gilbert R. Livingston, D. D., Union College, in the case of young infants about to die 1S05, received the degree of D. D. at Will- will secure their salvation. But the right iams College in 1829, and died in 1834, aged of baptism was not instituted primarily with forty-eight. He was a Presbyterian clergy- reference to little children that were to die in man, and died in Philadelphia, infancy, but for those who were to grow up * Rev. Samuel Stebbins, who was dis- and live amid the temptations of an evil missed from the Simsbuiy church in 1806, world. and Rev. Isaac Porter, pastor at Granby, ^ New Durham is in Hudson CountV; N. J. 1794-1S32. ^ This was the Hartford North Associa- * They had then two children, Joseph, be- tion. tween two and three years old, and Philip, * The two candidates licensed were Rev. about seven months old. Chester Colton and Rev. Gilbert R. Living- '' Rev. Jonathan Belden, a native of Weth- l8oS.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 361 12. Quite rainy. Preached from Acts vii : 34 and Rom. i : 16. This so- ciety very compact. 13. I have an agreeable place to live. I was in great need of rest from my fatigues at Simsbury. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Hartford and Sims- bury. The Massachusetts Legislature I hope are doing good. 14. The people here are making exertions to raise the salary offered to me. Visited the sick. I hope the sickness is abating. Rode to New Hart- ford. Met with the association.' Mr. Jerome'' is absent on a visit in the western country, and we are accommodated at one of his neighbors. Consid- erable associational business.^ 15. Received of my father ten dollars. Rode to Canton. Attended a meeting for prayer on account of the sickness. The meeting was thin. Fif- teen have died of the epidemic in about three weeks, mostly grown persons. Rode to Simsbury. 17. Visited the sick. Rode to East Windsor. People are something apprehensive that the prevailing epidemic may spread through the country. 18. Quite rainy. Wrote to my brother James. Began to read Hutchin- son's* History of Massachusetts. 19. Preached from Acts xxviii : 24 and Luke xv : 17. Dr. McClure^ does not attend meeting very constantly. At evening attended a small conference. Very cool. 20. Read Hutchinson. Afternoon rode to Stafford,^ found my sister and her little ones at the spring. She thinks she has found benefit from the waters. 21. There is considerable company here, and quite respectable. The spring is small, but I suspect pretty powerful. 22. Left Stafford with my sister. Very warm. Rode to Northington.' ersfield, Ct., was graduated at Yale in 1796, and valuable work. But he so incurred the. and was first settled in 1800 at Winthrop, hatred of the people of Massachusetts that Me., where he remained five years. Where he was forced to take refuge in England in, else in Maine he may have been settled we 1774. have not discovered, but he died at Hallo- ^ Dr. McClure was a native of Brookfield,. well in 1S44, at the age of seventy. Mass., born in 1749. He was consequently ' This was the Litchfield North Associa- at this time about fifty-nine years old, and in tion. a somewhat broken state of health, and his - Rev. Amasa Jerome, a graduate of Will- voice had failed so that it was difficult for iams College in 1798, was settled at New him to preach. He was for twenty-three Hartford in 1802, and remained till 1813. years one of the trustees of Dartmouth Col- ' At this meeting Francis King and Ho- lege, ratio Waldo were examined for license. ^ Stafford, Ct., in the early years of the * Thomas Hutchinson, royal Governor of present century, was the Saratoga of New Massachusetts, 1 769-1 774. He was a native England. Thither resorted the wealth and of this country, his father, of the same name, fashion not only from the New England being a distinguished merchajit of Boston. States, but from all parts of the country. Gov. Hutchinson was graduated at Harvard Mr. and Mrs. Battell were doubtless on their College in 1727. His History of Masmchii- way to .Stafford when they spent the night at setts, in two volumes, the one published in Simsbury. 1767, and the other in 1769, is a scholarly ' Northington, now Avon. 362 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. She has a pretty hard task with her children. The sickness in this quarter is hopefully abating. 23. Extremely warm. Afternoon a hard rain. At evening arrived at home. A very fine season for vegetation. The crop of grass perhaps was never better. 24. Rode to Colebrook. The Free Masons held their celebration. There was a large collection of people. Mr. Turner,' of New Marlborough, preached. After dining late rode to Simsbury. Received of my brother N. twenty dollars. 25. Am quite feeble with fatigue and hot weather. Paid a tailor in Hart- ford ten dollars. Assisted in looking for the body of a child drowned at Hartford. They are raising a new bridge^ at Simsbury. Rode to East Windsor. 26. Very hot. Preached from Isa. v : 3 and Ex. xx : 8. Quite a full and attentive meeting. Almost overcome with the heat. 27. Extreme hot. Rode out. Saw a fat ox here, estimated to weigh more than twenty cwt. Read Hutchinson's History. Walked out. Traded. 28. Visited. People treat me with much attention. The thermometer was at eighty-seven before noon. Wrote. 29. Read. Political parties discover considerable anxiety about the approaching Presidential election. The result is perfectly incalculable.^ Never more so. Had a gown made. Walked out and visited. 30. Read Hutchinson. Am quite feeble with the severe pressure of heat. Afternoon we had a tornado.'* It was very sudden and short, but very hard. Many trees of all kinds are torn down, and many buildings injured. I think I never saw so great effects of wind. July. 1. I think the heat does not abate at all since the storm. Read. After- noon preached a sacramental lecture from i Cor. xi : 30.' There appear to be a few humble serious people here. 2. Rode to Hartford and back. We hear constantly of the further effects and ravages of the late blow. Worked a little at hay. Went into the water. 3. The weather moderates. Dr. McClure administered the sacrament. I assisted. The communicants are but few. Preached from Matt, xiv : 32 and Gen. vii: 16. People quite attentive. At evening attended a small prayer- ' Rev. Nathaniel Turner, several times * Sudden wind-gusts, hail-storms, and vio- already mentioned, a native of Norfolk, and lent thunder-showers, are more marked, per- graduate of Williams College. haps, along the valley, than in the more hilly ^ Over the Farmington River. regions of Connecticut. ^ The drift of that year, 180S, was, in fact, * " For this cause many are weak and so decidedly Republican rather than Federal, sickly among you and many sleep." A text that, as already stated, James Madison re- like this might not seem complimentary to ceived one hundred and twenty-two of the those Christian people among whom he had whole one hundred and seventy-five electoral just come to labor, but it shows a spirit of votes. But it might not have been easy to boldness and faithfulness in the preacher, see this in June, several months before the which would be likely to win the approba- election. tion of serious people. •] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 563 meeting. The people here wish me to continue with them. It is probable that I cannot. 4. Rode to North Bolton.' Tarried at Col. King's.^ The ravages of the hurricane were very great here, and appear to have been very extensive. But very little figure, today, in this vicinity, except by the Democrats at Hartford.' 5. Rode to Ellington." Visited Mr. Brockway.' He is building a house ; I suspect as expensive as has been built by any minister in the State for some vears. Eat cherries. Ellington is a verj^ flourishing town. Returned to East Windsor- 6. Cool. Wrote. Read Hutchinson. Rode out. The meadows on the river here are very large. 7. Rode to Simsbury. The people here, particularly the family in which I have lived, appear to feel my absence very sensibly. The prevailing sick- ness was very bad here last week ; many new cases, but none died. Visited. Mr. Waldo * has preached here the last two Sabbaths. 8. Visited the sick. Afternoon the society had a meeting. Their sub- scriptions amount to nearly seventy dollars annually. But they concluded to neglect them, and voted me a salary of four hundred and fifty dollars. The committee informed me of their doings, and I promised to give them a speedy answer. I cannot hesitate about my answer, yet I am much tried upon the subject, because I have pretty strong expectations that I should continue here.^ Still I should feel that I was undertaking a great and unpleasant task to settle here, and in that view I feel much relieved. 9. Pretty poor. I slept very little last night. The thought of parting with many friends here, who were very anxious upon the subject, is pretty trj'ing.'' Their best people are much discouraged in the event of my leaving them. A hard rain. Afternoon rode to East Windsor.* Began to read Faber ' on the prophecies ; a new and very valuable work. " North Bolton parish, Ct., was in this very year (1808), changed into the town of Vernon. - Col. Oliver King. The pleasant farm- house where he used to live, and the hand- some farm that stretched around it, are in full view as one passes on the Hartford and Providence Railroad, near the Vernon depot. ^ That is, there was little attention paid to the day (July 4), except by the Democrats at Hartford, which ought not to be construed against the Hartford Democrats. ■* Ellington was eight or nine miles north- east from where Mr. Robbins was staying, though it was formerly a part of the town of East Windsor. ' Rev. Diodate Brockway, son of Rev. Thomas Brockway, of Columbia (anciently Lebanon Crank). Rev. Mr. Brockway was minister at Ellington just fifty years, 1799- 1849. He was graduated at Yale in 1797, and was a classmate of President Jeremiah Day. * Mr. Horatio Waldo, who was graduated at Williams College in 1S04, afterwards set- tled at Griswold, Ct. ^ He means, if we understand these words rightly, that if he should once be setrled here it would be for life, according to the general custom of those days. ^ In going direct from Simsbury to East Windsor, he would cross the Connecticut River by the ferry, known as the Scantic Ferry plying between Windsor and the mouth of the Scantic River. 9 Rev. George Stanley Faber (son of Rev. Thomas Faber), born in 1773. He was edu- cated at University College, O.xford, where he achieved success as a brilliant scholar. He was appointed Bampton Lecturer in 1801, when he was only twenty-eight years old. He became the author of some forty different volumes, among the most noted of which was his work on the prophecies, which was widely distributed. 364 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. 10. Preached from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Quite wet; yet people attend meeting oretty well. I believe the people here are generally gratified with my leaving Simsbury.* 11. I think my strength for preaching evidently increases. The people are anxious to begin their harv^est which appears very promising, but the weather is quite wet. Rode out and visited. Ceremonious visits are some- thing common here.^ 12. Read Faber on the prophecies. Afternoon set out for home. Rode to Simsbury. The sick people here are generally getting better. Very hot. 13. In the morning about daybreak we had a shower and severe thunder. A barn in the neighborhood was burnt with the lightning. Very hot. After- noon rode to Colebrook. Tarried at my brother Ammi's. 14. Rode home. People here generally in the first of their haying. There is something of the spotted fever here. 15. Worked some in hay. The weather favorable for the business. A ver}' great crop of grass. Wrote a negative answer to the call of Simsbur)'. Wrote to Mr. Ely, and Mrs. Case, of Simsbur\'. At evening my cousin, P. Hammatt,^ arrived here. She left Boston yesterday morning. 16. The heat extreme. Trimmed the poplars which I set out in the spring. They do very well. Wrote. Too hot for people to work. 17. Preached for my father from John i: 9 and Ps. cvi : 15. My father much gratified with my spending the Sabbath with him. Rather thin meeting. There are a few cases of the prevailing epidemic in town. I am much stronger than last summer. 18. I hope there is some prospect of their getting into a settled state at Winchester. Worked at hay. Cooler. Heard from my cousin S. P. R., at Marietta. I think he does great good there. 19. Visited Esq. Stevens.'' He is quite sick, and not likely to live, I fear. Worked at hay. My parents, I think, are as well as they were ten years ago. 20. Worked considerably. Our embargo appears to have very little effect upon British possessions. It is doubtless an advantage to that nation. Gen. Skinner,' treasurer of Massachusetts, as we expected, appears to be a great defaulter. My father has a fine crop of grain. 21. Rode to East Windsor.* The furthest I have rode in a day, on horse- ' Because the way was thus opened for cilia Hammatt, visiting at the Norfolk par- calling him to East Windsor. sonage. Hammatt and Hammond are inter- ^ The towns of Windsor (from which changeable names. East Windsor was taken), Hartford, and * Nathaniel Stevens, Esq., one of the lead- Wethersfield, were the oldest towns in the ing men of Norfolk. State of Connecticut. It was according to ' xhis can be no other than our old ac- the general law of human society that people quaintance whom we met at Williamstown in should be somewhat more formal and cere- 1796, Hon. Thompson J. Skinner, soon after monial than in the newer towns on the hills elected Member of Congress. We are sorry where Mr. Robbins was born and brought up. to find him here in the roll of a defaulter. ^ Abraham Hammatt in 1744, married He died in the year following this in Boston. Priscilla Le Baron, the youngest own sister * From Norfolk to East Windsor was a of Elizabeth Le Baron, Mr. Robbins's mother. journey of about thirty-five miles, the first Hence the cousin from Boston, Miss Pris- part of the way quite hilly. l8o8.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 365 back, for more than two years. I cannot be sufficiently thankful that my health is in such a measure restored. Roads quite dry. 22. Read Faber on the prophecies. Rainy. At evening Mr. Bassett," of Hebron, called to see me. He has a rough, difficult people. 23. Quite rainy. A very unfavorable season for business and for health. A great deal of heat and wet. It is feared that an abundant harvest will be much injured. 24. Preached from John i : 9 and Ps. cvi : 15. Quite a full meeting. The most of the people here are in covenant with the church, and have baptism for their children. Wet and very warm. 25. Read Faber. Walked out and visited. The prospect of fruit is pretty poor. I think people here are pretty ignorant on the subject of religion. The present generation have not seen an awakening.^ 26. Walked out and visited at several places. I find I cannot bear very close study ; it affects my old complaint in my breast. The most of the people here possess their property by inheritance. 27. Read Faber. He supposes the seven vials will be poured out upon the Roman Empire.^ I hope that may be true. Read newspapers. A won- derful revolution has taken place in Spain. Bonaparte has compelled the King to resign his crown, and holds him and his sons prisoners.'' We witness such changes that we almost cease to wonder. Worked some at hay. 28. I hear that the fever at the west of us is abating. Crossed the river and returned in a skiff alone.' Finished reading Faber. It is a very valuable work. The people feel the pressure of the embargo more and more. Law- suits multiply exceedingly. But I fear nothing can restore our national wisdom or character. 29. Wrote. Quite rainy. The powers of the season are most melancholy. Read Hutchinson's Massachusetts .^ Walked out and visited. 30. Read the Bible. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins, at Marietta. It is much feared that the spotted fever may be permitted to make more exten- sive ravages. I think Democracy evidently grows desperate.'' May the God of our fathers remember us in mercy. ' Rev. Amos Bassett, D. D. sion of Ferdinand VII, Napoleon compelled ^ This church at East Windsor (now South him to resign, and placed his brother, Joseph Windsor) is the church where Rev. Timothy Bonaparte in his stead, who remained only Edwards was settled for sixty-three years, from July 12 to July 29, 1S08, but was after- and where Jonathan Edwards was born. wards restored. From 1735 to 1745, this with other valley ^ j^ [jjg summer season, when the water towns passed through the Great Awakening. of the Connecticut River is apt to be low, it ^ The Roman Empire that was then and is a very easy thing to row across the river in jtffw can be no other than the Roman Catho- a skiff. lie Church. In every other organized form ^ Gov. Thomas Hutchinson's History of that empire has perished. Massachusetts has already been noticed. * In 1S08 Charles IV of Spain resigned ' Democracy had certainly grown strong the throne in favor of his son Ferdinand in the land, and was destined to remain so VII. Charles had occupied the throne since for some years to come. But the great evils 17SS. Almost immediately after the acces- anticipated in consequence did not come. 366 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. 31. Preached from Rom. x: i.' The subject appeared to be new and very hiteresting. At evening attended a small conference. My health is very good. August. 1. Rode out. Afternoon rode to Mrs. Ellsworth's,^ at Windsor. Mr. Ellsworth has left many valuable curiosities. Returned. People in the midst of haying, being put back by the wet weather. 2. Read the Bible. Walked out and visited. The people here are gen- erally less industrious than those who live on hard and poorer lands. 3. Read Hutchinson's History. Afternoon worked some at hay. Very warm. I believe I have not been so healthy since my mission. Oh for a deeper sense of my obligations. 4. The heat is extreme — almost insupportable. Finished reading Hutch- inson. It is a pretty valuable histor)'. Visited. There appear to be some quite serious people here. There seems to be a prospect of violent internal commotions in Spain. 5. Read the Spectator? Wrote. Rode out and visited. The first people here treat me with much respect. 6. Cool. Read. Wrote to my brother James. Went into the water. Eat green corn. 7. Preached from Luke vii : 23 and Amos vi : i. Several of the hearers appeared solemn. It seems as if the way was prepared, if it may please God to work, for a good revival of religion here. Had company. 8. Rode out and visited. \\T0te to my parents. Afternoon rode to Simsbury. It seems the most of the people here were disappointed and much chagrined at my answer to the society. They have said some things about my conduct wholly unjust and ver}- ungenerous. But I don't know that I could reasonably have expected otherwise. I feel for them, for their situation as to ecclesiastical matters apparently is almost deplorable. 9. Trimmed trees which I set in the spring. Visited. I think I have a good many friends here. At evening preached in the school-house to a pretty large and affected audience from Ps. clxxxvii : i. Took a note of the com- mittee for what is due to me (including twelve dollars to be paid to Mr. Waldo), of one hundred and seventy-five dollars. They have paid me but five dollars. I preached here twenty-eight weeks. I have sensible feelings for the ' " Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer and Springfield Railroad, about two miles to God for Israel is, that they might be north of the centre of Windsor, Mr. Ells- saved." worth's house is still seen, in good preserva- ^ Widow of Hon. Oliver Ellsworth, Chief- tion, standing a few rods east of the railroad. Justice of the United States. Mr. Ellsworth It contains the same curiosities which were was one of the foremost men of the nation there when Mr. Ellsworth died, seventy-seven from 1777 when he was elected a member of years ago. the Continental Congress until his death in ^ Addison's Spectator, which has been one 1807. As one passes north from Hartford to of the English classics for more than one hun- Springfield on the New Haven, Hartford, dred and fifty years. iSoS.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 367 good people here.' The prevailing fever has generally ceased here, but still prevails in Farminglon, though hopefully abating. Sectarians are making considerable exertions here. 10. Visited. Afternoon rode to East Windsor. Warm. The last week this people have had a remarkably fine time for business. A small prospect of cider. 11. There is some prospect of a great revolution in Spain. May the God of heaven succeed their exertions against the tyrant of the world. ^ Ver\' warm. Wrote. The revolving year has again brought about my birthday.' I have no longer the right to plead youth and inexperience as an apology for folly. 12. Read the Spectator. Afternoon preached a lecture from John xvi : 13. A very good number attended. I am a little encouraged to hope it may please the Most High to do something for this people. 13. Read, A man in the neighborhood very sick. I believe his disorder is the gout seated on the kidneys. Afternoon rode to Windsor to exchange with Mr. Rowland.* Visited at Esq. Selden's. Eat watermelon. 14. Preached from Ps. cvi : 15 and Num. x: 29. Something rainy. Quite a thin meeting. The meeting-house here is quite large and inelegant.^ At evening returned. 15. Visited families all day. I think the prospects of this societ}' grow more encouraging, though they are still doubtful and have been almost desperate. 16. I am much gratified with the prospect of Mr. Hall's continuing here some time in his school.'' Read the Spectator. Walked out and visited families. Quite cool. Read the Apocrypha. 17. Wrote. It is a trial to me that I am unable to perform more close ' The two entries which Rev. Mr. Rob- ^ This is the same house in which the bins makes here, as well as what he says Congregational church of Windsor worships elsewhere, show how kind and forgiving he today ; only the outside of the house has in was, and how much it troubled him to dis- the meantime been considerably changed, and appoint the people where he preached. Not- in the inside has been made over by taking withstanding all the trial which the Simsbury out the square pews and substituting the people went through in this matter they soon modern slips. With these changes it is still found a good, faithful, and able pastor who a good specimen of a New England country remained with them more than fifty years, to meeting-house. It is on the high bank just his death. This was Rev. Allen McLean. north of the Farmington River, with the ^ The battle of Vimiera, between the ancient and well-kept burying yard behind it. Spaniards and the French occurred during * Mr. John Hall, son of Mr. John Hall, a this month of August, 1808 in which the merchant of East Windsor, was graduated at French were defeated. Yale College in 1802, was tutor there 1804- ^ Rev. Mr. Robbins was now thirty-one 1807, and from iSoS to 1829 made his home years old. in East Windsor, leading a scholarly life, *■ Rev. Henry A. Rowland, who in 1790 teaching a select school, etc. In 1829 he had been settled as colleague with his father, founded the celebrated school at Ellington, Rev. David S. Rowland. The father died in which, for many years, used to send to Yale 1794, and since that time the son had been College among its best prepared students, sole pastor. He died in 1847. 368 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. Study. Rode out and visited. It is said that there was some frost this morning. 18. The revolution in Spain lias given the most sudden and greatest change to the political world of any event which has taken place for years.' May the Lord of heaven give success to their exertions. I think (ireat Britain never stood on such high ground since her national existence as at present. Visited families all day. The people appear much gratified in being visited. 19. The Spirit of God appears to be at work in some degree in all the neighboring places. The Lord grant that this may not be wholly passed over. Afternoon preached a lecture from Gen. xix : 17. People attend very well. Visited. 20. Read the Apocrypha and the 6/>^(;/^/^r. Wrote notes for preaching. We have now had three weeks of dry weather and very favorable for business. We hear almost daily new and very interesting intelligence of the events in Spain. 21. Preached from Heb. xi : 30. I think the people here are but poorly acquainted with many of the most important Scripture doctrines. Had com- pany. There are about one hundred and seventy families ^ in this society. More than I supposed. 22. Rode to Hartford and back. The roads extremely dusty. Dined with Mr. Tudor.^ Read newspapers. The Democrats are evidently displeased with the revolution in Spain. I fear they love tyranny." 23. Read the Guardian^ The events in Spain seem like a reanimation of the political world which has long been gasping under French oppression. Afternoon rode to Scantick^ and preached a lecture for Mr. Bartlett' from Ps. cxxxvii : i. There is some seriousness there. Returned. * The diary here seems to have reference to events which took place back in May, when there was a great rising, and the French were checked in their plans. But events moved rapidly, and Spain had quite a chequered history during the remaining months of the year 1808. On the 20th of July, 180S, the Spaniards defeated the French in the battle of Baylen. ^ One hundred and seventy families, reck- oning five to a family, would give eight hun- hundred and fifty persons, men, women, and children, to be under the pastoral watch and care of the minister. But the family of that generation was apt to be more than five, rather than less. ^ Elihu Tudor, M. D., son of Rev. Samuel Tudor, was a graduate of Yale, 1750, lived seventy-six years after his graduation, dying in 1826, at the age of ninety three. The Tudor mentioned in tlie text was probably of his kindred. ■* Is not this a somewhat hasty induction .'' ' The Guardian was a periodical of a similar st3de and character with Addison's Spectator. It was originated by Sir Richard Steele in 17 13. Steele had been one of the leading writers in the Spectator. At the end of the 7th volume of the Spectator it was understood that the work would stop, but it was afterwards renewed and extended to twelve volumes. The Guardian reached one hundred and seventy-five numbers, and was published in three volumes. ^ The Scantic church in East Windsor was about five or six miles north of the First Church, where Rev. Mr. Robbins was preach- ing. This Scantic parish originated in 1754, while the first parish dated from 1694, when Rev. Timothy Edwards began his labors there, though the church was not formally organized until 169S. ^ Rev. Shubael Bartlett, a native of Leba- non, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1800, settled over the North or Scantic parish in East Windsor in 1804. l8o8.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 369 24. Read, Afternoon visited a school. The schools here have not been under the best regulations. Quite warm. Visited. 25. Very warm. Rev. Mr. Hillyer,' of New Jersey, called on me. Read the Belgian Traveller^ The modern French character and conduct increases in atrocity in proportion to its examination. People begin to sow. 26. The drought begins to be very seriously felt. Wrote. Afternoon preached a lecture from John xiv : 6. It seems that we need nothing here but grace. Is it not I that am the means of preventing its communication. 27. Finished the Belgian Traveller. May heaven save us from the domi- nation of French tyranny. Went into the water. 28. Wrote notes for preaching. Preached from Rom. iii : 3 and Ps. cxxxvii: i. At evening attended a conference. I think the prospects of this society grow more favorable. 29. Rode to Hartford and back. The roads very dusty. Rode out and visited. Was invited to go and preach a lecture at Wethersfield. 30. Rode to Turkey Hills. The consociation met here to hear charges against Rev. Mr. Cowles.^ He used every exertion and quibble to evade the trial. The hearing has been very disagreeable ; they did not begin upon the charges. In the evening rode to Simsbury. 31. Rode to Wethersfield."* I think I never experienced so severe a dust. In the afternoon a Mr. Foster,' from Little Cambridge,* preached. I preached in the evening to a numerous audience from Num. x : 29. The epidemic, which has prevailed in Farmington and the neighboring towns for nearly half a year, seems now to have generally subsided. Great numbers have been sick, but the proportional mortality, for the severity of the disease, very small. I believe not exceeding one tenth. More than twice that number have been viewed by friends as almost desperate, where the subjects have survived. September. I . Quite warm. I think the new meeting-house ' in Hartford will be the best in New England. Rode to East Windsor. At Hartford got a new pair of boots. The Spanish news excites great attention. * Rev. Asa Hillyer, D. D., a prominent ^ Rev. John Foster, D. D., was the first Presbyterian minister, settled at Orange, N. J., minister of Brighton, then known as Little 1S01-1833. He was a native of Sheffield, Cambridge. He was a native of Warren, Mass., where Mr. Robbins taught school and Mass., a graduate of Dartmouth in 1783, and studied theology for a time. Mr. Hillyer was pastor at Brighton, 1784-1S27. The was graduated at Yale in 1786, and died in church at Brighton was organized in 1783. 1S40. * Brighton, five miles west of the old ^ The Belgian Traveller, being a Tottr town of Boston, Mass., formerly called Little through Holland, France, and Switzerland in Cambridge, was by the recent extension of 1804-5, Middletown, 1807. the city made a part of Boston. ^ Rev. Whitfield Cowles, of East Granby ' This is the house already spoken of (formerly Turkey Hills), and his troubles which was dedicated on the 3d of Dec, 1807. with his church have already been noticed. It is the present meeting-house of the First ■♦ Wethersfield is about four miles south Congregational Church of Hartford, and has of Hartford, on the west side of the Con- had a notable history both in its own and in necticut River. its outside relations. 37© DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. 2. Wrote, Afternoon preached a lecture from John xiv : 14. I believe that promise is designed for every period of the church. Visited. 3. Quite warm. The drought is severe. Saw the wife ' and daughter^ of President Wheelock, Mr. Woodward," of Norwich, Vt., called on me. The standing of ministers there is ver)' precarious. Wrote. Read Apocr\'pha. 4. Preached from Heb. xii : 17 and Rom. xiv : 10. Quite warm. Had a ver)^ refreshing shower. The drought had become very severe. At evening set out for Willianistown. Crossed the river. Tarried at Mrs. Ellsworth's.* 5. Rode to Becket. More than forty miles. Tarried at Mr. Higley's where I formerly lived.' Much fatigued and oppressed with the heat. This society is pretty united and prosperous. Berkshire County is more elevated above the Connecticut River than I had supposed. 6. Rode to Lanesborough. Was hindered the most of the afternoon at Pittsfield by rain. The rain is a great blessing. This county, particularly Pittsfield, in a great political fever. I believe Democracy is at no place more obstinate. It seems the election in New Hampshire and Rhode Island has terminated in favor of Federalism.^ Laus Deo. Tarried at a tavern. 7. Received of my father ten dollars. In the morning very early rode to Williamstown. Attended the Commencement. The exercises as to composi- tion i^retty good. My brother Frank ^ appeared very well in a Greek oration. My father and brother and sister Battell here. The collection of company pretty great. At evening attended a sermon. 8. Assisted my brother in preparing to leave town. Rode in company with him to Pittsfield. Tarried at Mr. Watson's. There is a very little fruit this season generally. 9. Rode through Lenox ; dined at Mr. Goodwin's.^ To Chester ; tarried at a tavern. The Democrats of Massachusetts appear to love tyranny. I believe the present season to be one of the most productive known for many years. 10. Rode to Westfield. My brother has engaged to take charge of the academy here. I think it a good chance for him. Rode to East Windsor. My brother accompanied me. Very tired with my journey. * This was the second wife, and then the tioned, graduated at Dartmouth College, widow of President Eleazar Wheelock, D. D. was pastor at Norwich, Vt., 1804-1S20. Her maiden name was Mary Erinsmade, and '* Mrs. Oliver Ellsworth, whose house has she was a native of New Milford, Ct. been already described. ^ Mary, daughter of Pres. Wheelock, mar- ' During the few months when he was ried Prof. Bezaleel Woodward, the first Dart- supplying the pulpit in Becket. mouth professor of mathematics. This was ^ Gov. John Langdon was in office by re- probably the daughter mentioned here, as election from 1805 to 1S09. His sympathies her son is also here. Dr. David McClure, of were with the Federalists. James P'enner, East Windsor, was one of the old pupils of LL. D., was Governor of Rhode Island from Dr. Wheelock. Hence the occasion of this 1S07 to 181 1. visit. ^ Francis Le Baron Robbins. He was ^ Rev. James Wheelock Woodward, one the youngest of the family, of three sons of Prof. Woodward just men- " Joseph Goodwin, his cousin. l8o8.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. Z7^ 11. Mr. Woodward, of Norwich, Vt., preached for me all day. In the forenoon rode to Wapping' and preached for Mr, Hall,^ who is somethin:^ unwell. At evening rode to East Hartford and preached for Mr. Yates.^ There is considerable of an awakening there. Mr. Yates quite unwell. Returned. 12. Preached yesterday at Wapping from Ps. cvi : 15 and at East Hartford from Luke xv : 17. My brother Frank left me to go to VVestfield. Cool. Wrote. Attended the training of a military company. They appear remark- ably well. 13. Rode to New Haven to attend the Commencement. I don't know that I ever traveled a road preferable to the turnpike from Hartford to New Haven.* At evening heard speaking for premiums. Quite tired. 14. The exercises of the day pretty good, but very long. I think I have never seen so great a throng of people on a similar occasion. People appeared very much fatigued. Dr. Dwight did not perform quite as -well as usual. At evening Mr. Tyler,^ of Preston, preached the Concio ad cleriun. 15. In the morning heard Dr. Mason,^ of New York, .preach, I think, as good a sermon as I ever heard. Attended the meeting of the P. B. K. Society. Very warm. Rode to Berlin. The heat very severe. At Berlin my horse fell with me by which I was much hurt. Tarried at a tavern. 16. Am scarcely able to ride on account of my hurt last evening. Rode to East Windsor. Afternoon preached a lecture from Matt, ix : 9. Read news- papers. 17. Am very much fatigued with my late toil. Tlie ground exceedingly dr)-. Began to read the work of Dr. Lardner/ j8. Preached from Rev. 17 : 14. A number of strangers in town. Very warm. Had company. My lameness grows better. 19. Rode to Scantic and attended Freeman's Meeting.^ Prayed at the ' Two or three miles east from the place *" Dr. John Mitchell Mason, one of the where Mr. Robbins was preaching, but in most eminent divines in this country during the same town. This was then merely a the early years of this century. He was son preaching place. A Congregational church of Dr. John Mason, a native of Scotland, and was not organized there until 1S30. an eminent minister in New York, 1761-1792 * This was probably Mr. John Hall, who The son succeeded him, and continued till has been already mentioned. Though he was 1829, when he died. never ordained as a minister, he was very '' ISTathaniel Lardner, D. D., 1684-1768. likely taking charge of the religious service He was a Presbyterian by his education, and at Wapping. was, in his generation, a very learned and ^ Rev. Andrew Yates, D. D., a man of prominent divine. Among the more important considerable note, pastor at East Hartford, of his works are Credibility of the Gospel His- 1801-1813, afterwards professor at Union tory\ The Testimonies of the Ancient yews and College. Pagans in Favor of Christianity, and a History * That road passed through Berlin, Meri- of Heretics. den, and the western part of WalHngford, * The town of East Windsor was not far distance thirty-six miles. , from eleven miles long from north to south, ' Rev. Lemuel Tyler, pastor at Preston, and the town-meetings were held alternately 17S9-1808, a graduate of Yale in 1780, and a at the meeting-houses of the First Parish and native of North Branford, Ct. the North (or Scantic) parish. 372 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. opening of the meeting. The votes here are : Federalists, two hundred and twenty-six; Democrats, sixty-two; about the same as heretofore. I hope Democracy is declining in the State. 20. Looked over and balanced my expenses for a year past. Walked out and visited. At night a very hard rain. It is very refreshing to the ground. 21. Read Dr. Lardner. Walked out and visited. Religious matters here have been at loose ends, but 1 hope there are some good people. 22. Rode to Ellington. Preached a lecture for Mr. Brockway, from Ps. cvi : 15. A good many people here are sick. At evening returned. 23. Wrote a letter to Polly Humphrey,' Simsbur^-. Preached a lecture from John vi : 48. Yesterday we had a very hard frost. The first we have had. Read Lardner. 24. Rode to Hartford and back. The Freeman's Meeting has issued most favorably. I hope Democracy in this State has got its death wound.^ The general. government are evidently alarmed. Wrote. A Mr. Whiting,^ a can- didate for Massachusetts, called on me and concluded to tarry over the Sabbath. 25. Rode to East Hartford and exchanged with Mr. Yates. Preached from Gen. vii : 16 and Ps. cvi: 15. Quite rainy. The work of grace here appears to be very genuine and pretty great. Afternoon Mr. Whiting preached at East Windsor and Mr. Yates returned. Quite tired. 26. Rode to East Windsor.'' Quite cold. Afternoon set out for home. Rode to Simsbury. The ecclesiastical matters here are in a deplorable state. I fear they will not soon be united. 27. Rode to Colebrook. Very cold for the season. There were some flying flakes of snow. Met with the association.' Mr. Perry ^ preached. They licensed one candidate.' I believe this association is as respectable as any other in the State. 28. The association had considerable business. Rode home with my father and Uncle Starr.^ My cousin John Le Baron ^ here. My mother better than she has been, though feeble. ' Michael Humphrey was one of the early settlers of Windsor. Simsbury was anciently a part of the township of Windsor, and the Humphrey families belonged especially to that part of the town. ^ That hope proved vain. ^ Rev. Francis L. Whiting, a native of Littleton, Mass., was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1S05. In 1S09, he was settled in Fryeburg, Me., where he remained till 1S17. He then went to New York State, and be- came a Presbyterian minister. He died at Big Flatts, Oct. 15, 1863, aged eighty-six years. '' That is, from East Hartford, where he had exchanged with Dr. Yates. ^ The Litchfield North Association, ^ Rev. David L. Perry, of Sharon, pastor there from 1804 to his death in 1835. He was a graduate of Williams College in 1798, and tutor there. ' The candidate examined and licensed was Rev. Daniel Haskell, a well-known pas- tor and writer, and President, 1821-1824, of Vermont University. ^ He means his father's house in Norfolk. 9 Rev. Mr. Robbins had more than one cousin John Le Baron, but the one here re- ferred to, without mucli doubt, was John Allen Le Baron, son of Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, ^of Mattapoisett (Rochester, Mass.) This John was born in 1782, and the year be- fore (1807), had been united in marriage with Miss Martha Phillips. l8o8.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 373 29. Rainy. Afternoon set out for East Windsor. Rode to Simsbury. A great part of the way in the evening. Received from my brother N. ten dollars, and from my brother A. twenty dollars. People are moving some to new settlements, but I believe not so much as in years past. 30. Rode to East Windsor. Am very much fatigued. Afternoon preached a lecture from Matt, xx : 14, Visited. October. 1. Read Dr. Lardner. Visited a sick woman. There has been very little sickness here since I have been here. 2. Preached from Isa. Ixiii : i and Rev. xvi : 15. There is certainly a more favorable appearance upon the congregation here than when I came. At evening walked out. 3. Visited a family which set out to move to the Holland Purchase.' Rode to Hartford. Went on the new steeple, one hundred and seventy feet high.^ Paid a merchant tailor, $14.50. Paid a shoemaker, $8.00. At evening attended a conference in East Hartford. Returned. 4. Had company. Wrote. Rode out and visited. I am under a kind of necessity of spending considerable time in visiting. 5. Read Lardner. His learning and laborious research are astonishing. Walked out and visited. Every paper brings accounts of the Spanish suc- cesses against the French.' May heaven be their helper. 6. Quite rainy. Read Lardner.' The people here appear to feel an anxiety about my staying with them. But there have been such diversions among them heretofore, that they are fearful about making much movement upon the subject, 7. I am considerably interrupted about study. Afternoon preached a lecture from John iv : 15. Visited. I must not preach without study and preparation. 8. Quite cold. Rode out. Afternoon to Hartford and back. Had some clothes made. 9. Had short notes in preaching. Preached from Rom. v : 18. Avery full meeting, and people very attentive. At evening attended the church con- ference. Quite tired. 10. Walked out. Visited. Afternoon attended a little while at a training. I think the people here are remarkably orderly and free from open vice. Read Lardner. 11. Wrote. Rode to East Hartford. Visited at Dr. Bidwell's.'* Returned. Many people here have generally neglected attending public worship for years. ■ The Holland Purchase was a large tract ^ These accounts were probably only con- of land in Western New York, purchased by tinuations of the account of the battle of the Holland Land Company, surveyed and Vimiera, which was fought on the 21st of made ready for land sales, just at the close August, when the French were defeated, of last century. * Epaphras Bidwell, M.D., chosen deacon * Spire of the First (Centre) Church, of the Congregational Church in East Hart- Hartford, ford in 1810. 374 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. 12. Rainy. Rode out and visited. The Spanish successes appear as remarkable as any of the French. 13. Read Lardner. Had company. I fear the people here are not sufficiently anxious about the settlement of a minister. 14. Wrote notes for preaching. Warm. A very remarkable scarcity of cider.' Afternoon preached from Job 8:13. I cannot but hope some tender- ness a^spears on some minds. 15. Finished the first volume of Lardner. I have my doubts whether a great deal of critical learning makes Christianity more satisfactory.^ Received a letter from Beers & Howe,^ New Haven. 16. Preached from John vi : 68 and Rom. xx : 15. Administered the sacrament in Mr. McClure's absence. Many spectators attended and were quite solemn. Quite tired. The church here is very small. 17. Spent the day partly in Mr. Hall's school. People here I think love to talk about eternal things. 18. Attended the school. Visited families. Quite cold. The elections in all the large cities are carried by the influence of foreigners.'* And I think our approaching Presidential election vv'ill be decided by the same means. 19. Am considerably taken up v^^ith the school. At evening preached in the north part of the society from i Peter i : 12. Full meeting. 20- Have a bad cold. Wrote. Wrote a piece for the newspaper. My brother Samuel came here to see me. Rode out with him. Spent a little time in the school. Mr. Hall returned. 21. My brother went off for home. Wrote to Mr. Knapp/ Westfield, and Mr. N. Johnson, Hartford. Wrote notes for preaching. Afternoon preached from Obadiah xvii. Am quite unwell with my cold. Visited. 22. Read the Apocr^'pha. Rainy. Wrote notes for preaching. It seems the elections in different States have not issued so favorably as was hoped. 23. Preached from John 1:12, 13. The proof of adoption by grace seems to remove from our world all the gloom which follows as the consequence of sin. At evening attended the church conference. 24. Walked out and visited all day. There have been a few Methodist families here several years. They are not increasing. The people here gen- erally are pretty poorly indoctrinated. 25. Visited thirteen houses. Quite cool. Many of the people here dis- cover considerable anxiety about my staying with them. I think family visits are veiy important. But I want more wisdom, grace, and confidence. 26. Read the history of Maccabees.* Rode to Windsor. The river very ^ A perfectly natural remark for a min- •* Foreigners were very scarce then as ister to make in iSoS, when all families laid compared with the present day. up their stock of cider as innocently as they ^ Rev. Isaac Knapp, before mentioned, did their supply of potatoes. native of Norfolk. ^ This is a somewhat unexpected remark, * The two books of the Maccabees in the considering the time when it was made. Apocrypha. These books set forth the war- Such queries are much more natural in this like exploits and patriotic services of Judas generation than in those of former times. Maccabceus and his four brothers, sons of ^ Beers & Howe, booksellers of New Matthias, covering an important period in Haven. ancient history. i8o8.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 375 rough. Tarried at Mrs. Ellsworth's. On the 19th visited a woman in Scan- tick one hundred years old.' She is healthy and retains her mental powers well. 27. Returned. Visited an aged woman not likely to live. There is a prospect of a most sanguinary war in Spain. I fear that our government wish success to the tyrant. Democracy in Connecticut appears to be rapidly declining. 28. In the morning the ground was covered with snow. The first we have had. Afternoon preached our weekly lecture from 2 Kings iv : 6. Visited. Very cold. 29. Rode to Westfield to exchange with Mr. Knapp. Dined at Esq. Leavitt's, Suffield. Found my brother Frank. ^ At evening my brother James arrived here ; he came to see Frank and me. He has just finished his school at Clinton.^ 30. Preached in the forenoon from Ps. cvi : 15. James preached in the afternoon, and I again in the evening from Luke xv : 17. This congregation is not quite as large as I expected. 31. I think Frank is doing very well here. Rode with my brother James to East Windsor. Mr. Bartlett preached here yesterday in consequence of exchanges made by Mr. Knapp." James's health is much better than it was last spring, but I fear his voice is too feeble for a preacher. November. 1. Rode with my brother to Simsbury. Quite tired with my late riding and labor. I meet with much kindness at Mrs. Case's. 2. My brother went home. Rode to Turkey Hills. The consociation are here on the trial of Mr. Cowles. He defends with great obstinacy. The evidence appears very bad against him.^ 3. It seems that the Legislature of Vermont* are after all Democratic. * Nelson S. Osborn, Esq., who is well acquainted with the local history of East Windsor, in answer to a note of inquiry respecting this woman, writes as follows : " I called on D. W. Bartlett, to get the date of her death from his father's (Rev. Shubael Bartlett) record of deaths in his parish, and found the following record : Widow Sarah Ellsworth died May 2Sth, 1810, aged loi years. The tradition in regard to the present bell of our meeting-house is, that the first time it was tolled, it was for Mrs. Ellsworth, and struck the age of one hundred and one, the oldest person for whom it has ever been tolled." ^ He was teaching there. 3 Clinton, N. Y. * A triple exchange ; Rev. Mr. Robbins at Westfield, Rev. Mr. Knapp, of Westfield, at East Windsor, north parish, and Rev. Mr. Bartlett, of the north parish, at the south parish. East Windsor. 5 The charges against Rev. Whitfield Cowles were of two kinds, change of doc- trinal views, and faults of general character. He had been fourteen years in the ministry here at East Granby (Turkey Hills). * Vermont in 1808 elected again Isaac Tichenor, LL.D. He had been Governor of Vermont from 1797 to 1807, when for some reason he was dropped for a single year, and Israel Smith was chosen. But in 1S08 the State returned to Mr. Tichenor, who had seen much public service, national as well as State. 376 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. Sat with the consociation. The hearing is very laborious. Afternoon returned to East Windsor. Warm for the season. 4. Wrote. Read Lardner. Afternoon preached. from John xvi : 13. Had company. 5. Read Lardner. I do something in instructing the children in the family.' 6. Wrote notes for preaching. Preached from Gen. vi : 3 and Isa. x.xviii : 17. I think the people here appear to be pleased with weighty truths. At evening attended church conference. This church is small, and I think in some rather singular practices. But I think they are pretty well united. 7. Wrote to my brother James, and to the committee of Columbia," who called here last week when I was gone to get me to go there to preach. Rode to Hartford and back. Visited. The consociation at Granby dismissed Mr. Cowles and suspended him from the work of the ministry. I think their decision very judicious. The first church in Hartford have never altered their Confession of Faith and Covenant since its first establishment. The Assembly have made a grant for a bridge at Hartford.' 8. Read Lardner. Afternoon rode to Scantick and preached from Job viii : 13. Returned. Visited. My prospects here appear to be ver}' uncertain. The people suppose if I do not stay with them it is tiot likely that they can get any one in whom they can be united. Warm for the season. 9. Rode to Enfield. Attended the public ceremonies of opening the new bridge across the Connecticut River.* It is a handsome structure, nine hun- dred "and fifty feet long, cost twenty-three thousand dollars ; and I think appears likely to be durable. Returned. Our sailors suffer extreme abuse from the French.^ I think Mr. Jefferson is sinking to the lowest grades of contempt.* 10. Very warm and pleasant. Wrote. Walked out and visited. People here are generally getting wood. 11. Read. Afternoon preached from Isa. xliii : 13. I think our lectures grow more thin. I believe I shall have no more in this way. Visited. I have some business in instructing in a family. ' Though the fact has not been definitely ^ Formerly parish of Lebanon Crank, stated in the diary, we know from outside where Dr. Wheelock had his Indian information, that Rev. Mr. Robbins was School. living in the family of Major Abiel Wolcott, ^ It will be remembered that not very whose wife was Ursula Tudor, daughter of long before a bridge was carried away with Samuel Tudor. They were married in 1 791, the flood. and had five children, the oldest of whom ■• The bridge here spoken of was an open was fourteen years old, and the youngest one, which stood about ten years. It was four years. The second child was Ursula, carried away in the great flood of 1818, from her mother, and she was twelve years March 2. The bridge which was built to old. Major Wolcott was one of the chief replace this is the covered bridge now stand- men in the place for character and wealth. ing. There was a little group of bright and happy ^ And still greater from the English, children, such as Rev. Mr. Robbins, with his ^ The author of this diarj' had not yet large experience as a teacher, would take learned to speak of Mr. Jefferson except pleasure in instructing. with words of disgust or sharp rebuke. l8o8.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 377 12. Read Lardner. It would seem that I ought to find more time for reading and study than I do. Yesterday finished reading the Apocrypha. 13. Quite rainy. We have been remarkably favored with pleasant Sab- baths for some months. Preached from Isa. ii : 17. At evening walked out. There is a pause and a general anxiety about Spanish news. 14. Set out for home. Rode in a carriage with Maj. Wolcott's' daughter. In the evening arrived home. My mamma quite feeble. I feel considerably anxious about her. 15. It snowed steadily all day. My brother James set out last week for the eastward, expecting to go to Fair Haven. Cousin Priscilla Hammatt^ remains here. 16. My father has not so many scholars as usual. It is a fact rather singular that the two houses of the Connecticut Legislature have probably at present time the two best chairmen that could be found in the United States. Read the President's Message.^ He says his administration will have paid more than thirty-three millions principal of national debt. 17. The snow thaws considerably, but the ground remains covered. Paid for old magazines $2.50. Visited at brother N.'s." I fear that our country is so infatuated and the industry of wicked men so great that nothing will bring them to a discovery of their true interests. There has lately been a consider- able commotion at Williams College.' 18. Paid a tailor $1.56. Set out for East Windsor. Saw very little snow below Winsted. Rode to Simsbury. The society prospects here are pretty unfavorable. I feel for them. 19. Quite cold. Rode to East Windsor. There has been no snow here this week. Considerably unwell with bilious affections. 20. Rainy and wet. Last Sabbath read the proclamation for Thanks- giving. Preached from Gen. xii : 3. I think infant baptism cannot be well supported only on the ground of positive promises. 21. Wrote. Warm. Walked out and visited. I have some fears that my missionary business and long ill-health have in some measure disqualified me for close study. 22. Wrote on a sermon for Thanksgiving, on Ps. Ixix : ;^^. I have good accommodations for study. The stlte of our country appears to grow more hopeless. 23. Finished my Thanksgiving sermon. Walked out. The schools here are under pretty poor regulations. They have been pretty much neglected. 24. • It is unusual to have such pleasant weather at Thanksgiving. Preached from Ps. Ixix: 33. I believe I have not preached with a written sermon before since the ordination at Marietta. I have the greatest cause of thanks- ' Major Abiel Wolcott, just before men- * His brother Nathaniel, it will be remem- tioned. bered, was living in Norfolk. ^ Mentioned before. She was born in ' They were a little rough there in the 1775, and was now thirty-three years old. first years, as we have seen, but in general ^ The last message of President Jefferson it has been a college known for its good at the end of his second term. order. 378 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. giving, particularly that my health, which has long been poor, is almost per- fectly restored.' Had a full meeting. 25. There is a great deal of traveling and visiting. Read Lardner. Walked out. Cold. The young people here are pretty orderly. 26. Very cold. The ground quite frozen. Rode to Hartford and back. The river very high. Read the Biule. I bear common riding without much difficulty. 27. Preached from Matt, xviii : 3, Quite a full meeting. I am in hopes the people here love to hear v/eighty truths. Had company. 28. In the morning some snow. Read Lardner. Some of his disquisitions are rather interesting. Origen^ was a man of great industry and learning. 29. Rode and visited all day. The snow goes off. People appear to be much discouraged about our public affairs. The issue of the late elections have increased the perverseness of the government.^ 30. Remarkably warm and pleasant. My brother James came here return- ing home from a journey to the eastward. He is feeble, and I am very appre- hensive that he will be unable to pursue the work of the ministry. At evening preached at a private house from Heb. i : 2. It hurt me much more than preaching in the meeting-house.* Finished the second volume of Lardner. December. 1. A fat ox was drove from here this morning, fatted by Capt. Bissell,^ of this town, for Boston. He is seven years old ; has been fed with meal three years, and has eat about three hundred bushels of corn. He measures round the girth nine feet and two inches. He is undoubtedly the best ox ever fatted in America. Rode to Wethersfield. Parted with James at Hartford. Expected to have preached by previous request at Wethersfield, but mistook the day.^ I should have come yesterday. Rode to Simsbur}'. The people here owe me for nearly all my services. 2. I am again disappointed here about pay. The embargo is the plea, and yet many will be Democrats. There is considerable commotion about the draft of the militia which is now making.' Returned to East Windsor. There have been no arrivals in the country from Europe for several weeks. * When Mr. Robbins has a particularly y •* Many a minister can testify the same, good day as to health, he takes such hopeful Speaking in the close and confined air of a views that he forgets, apparently, the dis- crowded private dwelling-house, especially in couraging lines which he had penned just the winter season, is a trying and often a very before. dangerous experience. 2 Origen is introduced here as having * Capt. Aaron Bissell, of East Windsor been suggested from something he had just Hill. read in Lardner. Origen, born about the * This was Thursday and his appointment year 1S6, was one of the very greatest of the was for Wednesday. It seems to have been early Christian fathers. His father was mar- a custom in those days to arrange for these tyred, leaving his mother with her little flock special preaching services during the week, of children in extreme poverty. From this We have had numerous instances of it in condition Origen rose to be one of the great the course of the previous diary, men of the race. ^ This was not a draft for immediate use, ^ Making it certain that James Madison but to put matters more upon a war footing, would be the successor of Thomas Jefferson. in reference to exegencies that might arise. l8o8.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 370 3. Rainy. Read the Bible. Spent the day in a private manner. I have now two or three subjects lying with great weight on my mind. My hope and help is in God. Wrote on a separate paper. 4. Last night a very severe storm. Preached from Rev. iii : lo. At evening attended the church conference. The church-members here have been very little used to praying in public. 5. Old Mrs. Bissell ' died suddenly this morning. Rode to Windsor and back. The water very high. Very bad crossing. Visited. Quite cold. 6. Very cold and tedious. Preached at Wapping from Num. x : 29. An old blind man at whose house I preached said he had not heard a sermon before in four years. Read Lardner. 7. Read. Afternoon attended the funeral of Mrs. Bissell. The family are much impressed. Severe cold. It is a custom here to say nothing at a funeral, at the grave.^ 8. We have no snow, but the ground is severely frozen. Yesterday put on my flannel. The society here had their annual meeting. They are in pretty strong parties and nearly equal ; principally political. The committee requested me to tarry with them a little longer as I have done. I feel reluctant at continuing longer in this way, but concluded to stay for the present. They are in hopes the present ferment will subside. 9. Read Lardner. Wrote to M. D. E.^ There seems to be very little prospect of our having snow. My strength for study I think evidently increases. 10. Warmer. Read Lardner. The Epistle to the Hebrews,* Second of Peter,' Second and Third of John,* and Jude^ were not generally received by the Latin church as canonical, during the third century. Read the Bible. 11. Preached from Rom. X : 20. The people here are not used to such ' Old Mrs. Bissell was the mother of was agreed upon the canonical authority of Capt. Aaron Bissell, of whom we have just this Epistle." — Smithes Bible Dictionary. spoken. Her husband's name was also ' There were doubts about the Second! Aaron, but he had been dead for some years. Epistle of Peter in the first centuries. It She was between seventy and eighty at her was admitted into the canon at the Council death. Her name before marriage was Dor- of Hippo, A. D. 393. othy, daughter of Samuel Stoughton. ^ The early Christian fathers, Eusebius '^ The language here is a little confusing. and Origen, doubted whether the Second and He means that in funeral services here no Third Epistles, ascribed to John, were written remarks are made at the grave. by him, while others like Dionysius andi ^ This is a new correspondent. We do Alexander, of Alexandria, accepted them as not know as yet to whom these initials from the pen of John. By the fifth century belong. they were generally received as canonical. ■* Clement in the first century was wont to ^ Although the canonicity of the Epis- refer to this Epistle to the Hebrews more tie of Jude was early questioned, it was on frequently than to any other, and referred to peculiar grounds. There was not any doubt it as canonical. of its being the genuine work of its reputed " Such doubts were confined to the Latin author, but whether it was of sacred and Church from the middle of the second to the divine authority. But gradually this doubt close of the fourth century. All the rest of was removed, and the Epistle took its place orthodox Christendom from the beginning among the sacred writings. 380 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1808. preaching, but they are quite attentive and I hope it may do good. Afternoon quite rainy. 12. Read. Wrote to my brother James. Walked out and visited. I have visited nearly all the families in this society. 13. Rode to Hartford and back. I have some trouble with my watch. Had a very bad time crossing the ferry.' Visited. Our government appears determined to enforce the embargo by mere dint of despotic power. I hope their rage may be the means of good. Visited. 14. Very cold. Walked out and visited. At evening preached in the academy^ from Luke v : 17. 15. We continue to hear favorable news from Spain.' But Bonaparte appears to be making his greatest exertions to subdue them. I believe our nation suffers more than if we were in a state of war. Read Lardner. Extreme cold, 16. Wrote. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins, Marietta. Walked out and visited families. 17. Warm. We have sudden and great changes of weather. Read Lard- ner. It is painful to see so valuable a writer so unwilling to acknowledge the divinity of the Saviour.* 18. Received a letter from my brother James. He is quite unwell with his old complaints. I am much concerned about him. Preached from i Cor. ii : 4, 5 and Matt, vii : 26, 27. On the latter used notes which I wrote last evening. I don't know that I have ever seen the congregation here so much affected. At night a hard rain. 19. Quite warm. Read. Wrote to my brother James. This society is in a critical state, but the best people take more encouragement than they have done. 20. Visited. Finished the third volume of Lardner.^ Rode to Windsor and returned. Pretty good crossing. The most of last week the ferry was impassable. Stayed out.^ 21. Rode and visited all day. I hope some people here are something * There was no bridge then. "* As before stated, Dr. Nathaniel Lardner ^ This academy was at East Windsor was brought up among Presbj'terians, and Hill, about two miles north of the Congrega- though his writings tended to confirm and tional meeting-house. establish the truth of Scripture, yet he, with 3 There had not been time to hear on this some of his associates, on the question of side the water, of the important events which Christ's divinity, became Unitarian, had transpired in Spain during this very ^ Different editions of Lardner's works month of December, 1808. On the second were published — one of ten volumes and day of the month Madrid was taken by the one of eleven volumes, while there were still French, and Joseph Bonaparte restored to other editions. We know not the edition the throne from which he had been forced which Rev. Mr. Robbins was reading, but Dr. to withdraw July 29th of the same year. On Lardner was a very volumious writer, the fourth of December Napoleon entered ^ We understand that he lodged out with Madrid, and on Dec. 5 the royal family of some family, and did not return to his board- Spain were imprisoned in the palace of ing-place. This was often his practice after- Chambery in Savoy. wards in East Windsor. l8o8.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 381 thoughtful. There appears reason to conclude that our government are designing to destroy the State governments.' 22. On the night of the 19th we had some pretty hard thunder. We had some today. Read Lardner. A little snow. Rainy. Walked out and visited. 23. Quite warm and wet. The frost nearly out of the ground. At evening preached at the south end of the town from Matt, xvi : 24. Have been some- thing troubled of late with my complaints at my breast. 24. Read Lardner. At evening wrote notes for preaching. I am a little fearful of being too negligent in preparing for preaching. 25. Very cold. Preached from i Peter i : 10. Said a little in reference to the Christmas Day.^ At evening visited the singing-school.^ For their period of instruction they perform very well. 26. It snowed all day. We have had none of any consequence before. Walked out. Dined at a Christmas dinner. Read in Lardner the History and the Testi7no7iies of Eiisebius.'' I believe he is the most valuable of all the ancient fathers. 27. Sleighs move very thick. Visited a school of seventy scholars.^ Very well instructed. At evening attended a small conference. 28. Spent a part of the day in Mr. Hall's school.* Visited a school of sixty-five scholars.' Appears very well. Visited. Read newspapers. Con- gress do very little beside make speeches. 29. Read Lardner. Afternoon rode to East Hartford and preached for Mr. Yates from Matt, xxvi : 46. Returned. Rode in a sleigh. It snowed all day. The work of grace seems to continue at East Hartford. Received a letter from my brother N. A prospect that Mr. Huntington,' of Litchfield, will be dismissed. 30. Read. Afternoon preached a sacramental lecture from Luke xxii : 19. Visited. 31. Very fine sleighing. Read Lardner. Wrote notes for preaching. My breast something sore. It is now almost midnight. The God of the night has preserved me this year. I have received innumerable blessings at his hands. It has been a prosperous year. I have preached I believe twice every Sabbath. The Lord forgive my sins and ingratitude and make me to spend the remainder of my days in humility and penitence. Father, glorify thy name. ' The general tendency of Democratic ' The winter singing-schools in the old rule in this country has been supposed to be country parishes were institutions in which that of lodging undue power in the States — the young people delighted, the promotion of the doctrine of State * Eusebius Pamphili, A. D. 270-340. Rights — while Federal rule looked rather to ^ This was one of the public schools, the consolidation of power in the central * This, as we have said, was a select government. school. ^ It was something for a Congregational ^ Another of the public schools, minister of that day and generation even to * Rev. Dan Huntington, who was settled notice Christmas Day. in Litchfield in 1798. isoe. January. 1. Through the exceeding loving kindness of the Lord I am now per- mitted to begin my fourteenth diary.' Last evening finished my last diary, and at midnight wrote some reflections. Preached from Jude xxi and Luke xvi: 5. Cold. Administered the ordinance of the supper. Mr, McClure declined doing it.^ Had, I believe, the fullest meeting there has been since I have been here. A good many people in from Wapping. At evening at- tended our church conference. 2. Rode out and visited. Visited a school. The schools here have been much neglected. I think the society prospects here are more favorable. 3. Received a letter from my brother James. He is hopefully recovering. Very cold. There have been but seven deaths in this place the last year.^ At evening attended a conference ; very full, 4. Finished the fourth volume of Lardner. Read the poem Calvary.*' They are about calling a society meeting here with reference to my settling with them. Bonaparte's wrath appears to be terrible. He seems to defy heaven and earth.^ 5. Read. Afternoon rode in a sleigh to Hartford. Crossed the river on foot on the ice. It is the first day that the ice has been passed.* Returned. At evening my brother J. and Mr. Battell came and tarried with me. James gets better pretty fast. 6. My brothers went off. Received of my father twenty dollars. (20.00.) Extreme cold. Read the Spanish exposition of the vile machinations of Bona- parte, Had company. 7. Read Calvary. Prepared this Almanack.^ This has been a week of excellent sleighing. Wrote notes for preaching. Read the Bible. 8. Preached from Matt, vi : 10. Meeting very full and attentive. Very ' The fourteenth year of the diary. It ard Cumberland, of England. He was born was begun January i, 1796. at Cambridge, England, in 1732, and was ^ Dr. McClure was the real pastor of the educated at the Cambridge University. He church, while Rev. Mr. Robbins was only wrote much, and some of his writings are not supplying the pulpit with some prospect of without merit. But his epic poem, like most being settled as colleague with Dr. McClure. epic poems, was a great failure. He died in But Dr. McClure, as already said, was in 181 1. failing health, and his voice was very weak. ^ Since the last entry, touching Napoleon ^ This is certainly a remarkable record, if Bonaparte, the December news has arrived there were, as has before been stated, one from Spain. hundred and seventy families in the parish. * The Connecticut River at Hartford usu The deaths, in that case, were less than one ally closes some weeks earlier than this, per cent, " Inserted the blank leaves for the diary * This was an epic poem written by Rich- as he did each year in January, 383 384 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. cold. Am a little troubled with weakness of the stomach. At evening walked out. 9. Read. Rode out and visited. There has been a few families of Bap- tists here for a number of years. They have no meeting nearer than Hartford. 10. Rode in a sleigh to Windsor and back. Crossed the river on the ice. I hope that all my trials may make me humble, and that God will ever dispose of me according to his holy wisdom and mercy. At evening attended a con- ference. People appear much disposed to hear. 11. Read Lardner. Rode to Hartford and back. Good sleighing. Bought the Echo} Paid a tailor and shoemaker, $6.80. Congress act like tyrants. 12. Read Lardner. Visited a school, about forty scholars, tolerably well instructed. The society had a meeting, and gave me a call to settle with them. Eleven voted in opposition. They profess no opposition to me, but that they think it is not best at the present time to settle any one. I believe it is the consequence of their old divisions. It is thought that if the question was to hire me for a year, the vote would be unanimous. They voted five hundred dollars salary during my continuance in the ministerial service. I suppose it would have been more had it not been for the embarrassments of the times. The committee called on me. I hope for divine direction. 13. Rode out and visited. Extreme cold. The thermometer at twenty below zero.^ Had considerable conversation with a man who is a professed Universalist. 14. Several persons here of small property have given in certificates.^ Read the Bible. Wrote notes for preaching. 15. It snowed all day, and I believe the coldest storm I ever knew. Few people at meeting. The storm very severe. Preached from 2 Cor. x : 4. 16. Very cold, and but little stirring. The snow fell about a foot deep. Read the Echo. Had company. The country appears to be considerably alarmed about public transactions. 17. Rode out and visited. The people appear to be considerably anxious about my staying with them. At evening attended a conference. 18. Extreme cold. I believe the severest we have had. Read Lardner. At evening walked out and visited. All the people appear to wish me to consider them individually my friends. 19. It rained considerably, but not sufficiently to thaw through the snow. Read very steadily. A great drought of news from Europe. 20. Warmer. Rode over the river in a sleigh and returned. Good cross- ing. The snow I believe more than a foot deep. 21. Finished the fifth volume of Lardner, which concludes the credibility. ' The Echo and Other Poems was the twenty degrees below zero in the river towns title of a little volume published in New of Connecticut. York, 8vo, 1807. ^ That is, signed off from paying taxes for ^ It does not probably happen as often as the use of the Congregational society, once in ten years, that the thermometer goes "* Credibility of the Gospel History. This 1809.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 385 I think the most valuable literary work I have ever read. My breast complains some. It does not admit of my studying so closely as I could wish. Wrote. 22. It snowed the most of the day. Preached from i Kings xxii : 28. Have something of my old stomachic affections. People appear to love to attend meeting. At evening walked out. 23. Walked out and visited all day. The misfortunes of the people here make some of them very jealous of ministers.' The better part of them are in difficulty to know what to do. 24. Very cold. Rode to Wapping and preached a lecture from Isa. v: 3. The snow pretty deep, and a very bad crust on it. The people at Wapping show the want of gospel privileges. The best people here are very anxious to have me stay with them. 25. Read. Had company. Rode to Windsor and returned. Very good crossing. Visited. The people at Windsor are dull with regard to divine things. 26. Read Lardner. Rode to Hartford and back. Extreme cold. At evening performed a marriage. Poor people in this quarter suffer considerably for the want of wood.^ Yesterday received a letter from my brother James. 27. Read. Am considerably taken up in instructing the children in the house. Afternoon rode to Scantic and made a visit. 28. Read Lardner. Received a letter from my brother F.^ at Westfield. I believe for several winters we have not had such a turn of steady cold weather and good sleighing. Wrote notes for preaching. 29. Preached from Ps. xcvii : i. Had a full and attentive meeting. At evening attended church conference. At evening my niece Eliza* came here from home. 30. A very severe snow-storm all day. At evening rode out and performed a marriage. The snow quite deep. 31. Worked shoveling paths. My niece Eliza went off. Towards evening set out in a sleigh for home. The path very poor. Extreme cold. Rode to Simsbury. The snow very deep here. On the 30th received of this society thirty dollars. work originally appeared from 1730 to 1757, there was a long contest on certain points in fifteen smaller volumes. In the edition between Mr. Edwards and his people, and which Rev. Mr. Robbing read, it made five matters had not gone smoothly in connection volumes in the ten or eleven volumes com- with Dr. McClure. prising his works at large. " They had no large stock laid up, and ' This remark has special reference to the deep snow and crust made it hard to go difficulties connected with ministers pre- into the forests after it. viously settled. Though it was now one ^ Francis Le Baron, teaching at Westfield, hundred and fifteen years since the regular where he remained for some years, preaching of the gospel on the east side of * His niece Eliza was Eliza Lawrence, the river in Windsor began, they had, as yet, daughter of Elizabeth (Robbins) Lawrence, had but three ministers. Rev. Timothy Ed- She was afterwards twice married. Her first wards was there from 1694 to 1758, Rev. Jo- husband was Henry Olmsted, and her sec- seph Perry from 175s to 1783, and Dr. David ond. Dr. Timothy J. Gridley, of Amherst, McClure had been there from 17S6. But Mass. 386 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [iSofJ. Fbbruary. 1. Rode early. The morning very frosty. Rode to Winchester.' At- tended the ordination of Mr. Marsh.'' There was a great collection of people. The people here are well united, and appear very happy in their prospects. I feel rejoiced for them. I think Divine Providence has provided the right man for them.^ Rode home with my father. My mother is quite feeble. 2. I think the snow is deeper here than at Windsor. My parents appear inclined to have me comply with my call. Dined at Mr. Battell's. Great quantities of rye have been brought from New York State into this State. My father's salaries are very much in arrears. 3. Set out on my return. The snow is so deep that it is very bad passing sleighs. Rode to Simsbury. The people here have given Mr. McLean* a call. 4. Extreme cold. Rode to East Windsor. At evening rode to Windsor to exchange with Mr. Rowland. The bye roads are very much filled. 5. A very severe snow-storm all day. Very few at meeting. Preached from I Kings xxii : 28. At evening returned with difficulty. Tarried at Capt. Bissell's.^ The people here manifest much anxiety about my continuing with them. 6. But little stirring. Read Foster's Essays.^ Am considerably taken up with the instructing in the family. 7. Read. Rode to West Hartford to attend the association.^ The asso- ciation quite thin.^ At evening preached from Isa. xxviii: 17. There is a pretty great religious revival in this place. 8. Very severe weather. Afternoon returned. The snow is thought to be three feet deep, and remarkably solid. I think I never saw so great a weight upon the ground. The members of Congress get very warm in de- bates. The majority' appear to be very much chagrined. 9. Excessive cold. Mr. Prudden," of Enfield, called and dined with me. Began to write a dialogue for my brother's pupils at Westfield." 10. My eyes are pretty weak. Read Lardner. Am in considerable diffi- ' From Simsbury to Winchester about ' Tiie Hartford North Association, hold- fifteen miles. ing its meeting with Dr. Nathan Perkins, * Rev. Frederick Marsh, one of the four then in the thirty-seventh year of his ministry young men, already spoken of, who were at West Hartford, and destined to remain licensed by the Litchfield North Association, there twenty-eight years more, making in all Sept. 30, 1S06, at its meeting at Salisbury. a ministry of more than seventy-five years. ^ Rev. Mr. Robbins, it will be remem- ^ Because of the bad traveling, it may be bered, preached here for some time, and was supposed, asked to settle, but declined. ' The Democratic majority. * Rev. Allen McLean, a native of Vernon, '° Rev. Nehemiah Prudden, a native of Ct., and a graduate of Yale in 1S05. Milford, Ct., a graduate of Yale in 1775, was 5 Capt. Aaron Bissell, East Windsor Hill. pastor at Enfield from 17S2 to his death in *> Essays, by Rev. John Foster, Baptist 181 5. minister at Frome, Somersetshire, England. " His youngest brother, Francis Le Baron, He was born in 1770, and Rev. Mr. Robbins was, it will be remembered, teaching a school was reading his celebrated essays very soon at Westfield, Mass., the Westfield Academy, after they first appeared. which was incorporated in 1793. 1809.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 387 culty to determine what to do with my call here. The terms are inadequate/ other circumstances are agreeable. 11. Read. Had some addition last night to our body of snow. Afternoon attended a funeral of an infant. Wrote notes for preaching. Read the Bible. 12. The coldest day we have had. Preached from Hos. xii : 2. People here attend meeting pretty well in unfavorable weather. At evening attended the church conference. I think these conferences appear to be profitable to the members. 13. Rode and visited all day. The weather much moderated. I have hope there have been some instances of a work of grace since I have been here. The spotted fever prevails alarmingly in neighboring places. 14. Wrote an address to the society. I hesitate about accepting their call only on account of their terms. It snowed all day. The thermometer in this town, on the 12th at sunrise, was at eighteen below zero. On the 19th at seventeen below.^ 15. Our public men are in a great perplexity. Corruption appears from every quarter. Rode out. Difficult passing sleighs. 16. Read Lardner. The society had a meeting and did nothing. A great degree of apathy seems to possess them. I know not what to do. If I leave them their prospects will apparently be very deplorable. 17. Read Lardner. He appears not to have ideas similar to ours of regeneration. Wrote on a dialogue for my brother Frank's school.^ My eyes considerably weak. 18. Wrote. Wrote notes for preaching. It rained some and thawed all day. The first thaw of any consequence we have had since Christmas. 19. Cold and very blustering. The going exceeding bad. In the fore- noon had no meeting. Afternoon preached from 2 Tim. iii : 9. Read the Bible. Read the Echo.*' 20. Wrote on my dialogue. Walked out and visited. An elm shade tree was cut down near here with only sixty grains,^ nearly three and one half feet in diameter. 21. Wrote all day. Finished my dialogue. I think it is not so good as I have written. The church had a meeting, and gave me a call to be their pastor unanimously. I feel in real difficulty. I hope for the holy guidance of heaven. ' The salary offered, as appears by a was late in setting in, but remarkably ener- previous entry, was five hundred dollars. getic after it started. This was a good salary for a New England ^ His brother does not seem to have the country parish in that day. The salary of same aptitude with himself for writing dia- Rev. Mr. Bartlett, in the north parish of logues. East Windsor, was not more than four hun- * The Echo and Other Poems, before dred and fifty dollars a year at that time. mentioned. But Mr. Bartlett had a settlement, as it was * We understand him to mean the suc- called, at the beginning of his ministry. cessive layers showing yearly growths ; in ^ He has before reported the thermometer other words, that the tree had obtained this at twenty degrees below zero. That winter large size in sixty years. 388 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. 2 2. Read. Rode out and visited. I think the people here do not intend to do any more for me at present. Wrote to my brother Frank. 23. The Federal votes for President are only forty-seven.' The Legisla- ture of this State met today at Hartford for an extra session, on account of the extraordinary situation of the country. Read Lardner. 24. Rode to Hartford. Saw many respectable acquaintances. At evening the society committee came to see me. They encourage me that I shall be provided with my wood, and in a favorable change of time the salary shall be raised. On these conditions I don't know but I ought to accept of their call. 25. Read Lardner. Wrote notes for preaching. The sleighing still re- mains very good. Read the Bible. 26. Preached from Acts xviii : lo. Had a full and attentive meeting. Had an addition of about forty new singers.^ At evening attended the conference. 27. Walked out. Read Lardner. Attended a church meeting. A member was excommunicated. At night my brother N. and Mr. McKean, from Nor- folk, came here and tarried. They appear to be much pleased with this place. 28. Rode to Hartford. In the forenoon sat in the House of Representa- tives. Had a seat near the speaker. The speakers hardly equaled my expectation. A great number of spectators. The resolutions before the House are in direct opposition to the United States laws, and excite great solicitude.^ Bought cloth for a cloak, four yards for $23:00.'' Bought books at a great discount, to the amount of nine dollars. It thaws considerably. March. 1. Finished the sixth volume of Lardner. Rode to Windsor and returned. Crossed on the ice, though it was mostly covered with water. It thaws very much. Bad riding. It is said that seven persons died, yesterday and last night, at Hartford of the spotted fever. We have much more favorable news from Spain,* and yet hope that it may please God to appear for their deliverance. 2. Wrote an affirmative answer to the call of the society, and sent it to the meeting. The meeting voted to accept it, and adjourned. The church ' In the electoral college in 1809, James ^ Matters were getting in readiness for the Madison, Republican (or Democratic) can- Hartford Convention, which met a few years didate, received one hundred and twenty-two later. votes, George Clinton, Republican, six votes, ■* Nice cloths were far more costly then and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Federalist, than now. But Mr. Robbins was particularly fortv-seven ; in all one hundred and seventy- choice in all his dress purchases, five. * I'l looking back into the history of ^ These new singers came in, doubtless, Spain, during those passing months of 1809, from the singing-school which had been in we do not find much of an encouraging na- progress during the fall and winter. These ture. Some years later, when Wellington singing-schools, which were paid for by the made his peninsula campaign at the head of parishes, were kept especially for the replen- the British army, things took on a different ishing of the church choirs. aspect. iSoQ.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 389 unanimously renewed their call.' Read Lardner. There appear to be a few people here who wish for no minister. 3. It thaws considerably. Read Foster's Essays. They are very valu- able. Walked out and visited. The Assembly have closed their extra session." Received the proclamation for the Fast. 4. Walked out and visited. Wrote notes for preaching. Rainy. We have now completed twenty years of our Federal government. It has been on the whole very prosperous, though for the last eight years it has been adminis- tered without talents or virtue.^ 5. Preached from i Pet, iv : 7. Afternoon addressed the youth. They appeared afifected and solemn, but I fear there is less of real impression here than there was last fall. 6. Read. Afternoon rode out and visited. I think the people here man- ifest as much respect and esteem for me as I could reasonably expect. The epidemic continues very prevalent in Hartford. It snowed some. 7. Rode out and visited. Read Lardner. We have had several imper- fect accounts of a late great battle in Spain, with the defeat of the French. I feel anxious, and hope it is true. Our help against the tyrant must be from God alone. 8. My breast quite weak. Read Lardner. At evening walked out. A man in the neighborhood much afiflicted with the gout. 9. Read. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Got my new cloak. The cloth cost $23.00, and the making and other things $6.00, making $29.00. Pretty good sleighing. Good crossing. Read President Madison's inaugural speech. It is a tolerable good one.* Congress have passed a law to raise the embargo, and interdict trade with Great Britain and France. The last session has been the most contradictory, absurd, and contemptible that our country has ever seen. Quite cool. 10. Wrote. Read Lardner. Am unfortunately taken up in instruction in the family. Had company. 11. Wrote notes for preaching. My missionary Bible begins in some measure to fail' Walked out. Mrs. McClure^ quite unwell. Read. 12. Preached from Luke iv : 27 and Heb. xii : 24. The last a very valuable subject. A full meeting. Much worried. At evening had a full conference. * Congregational usage requires that the ^ He means that the Bible he used in his call must come separately both from the three years' missionary tour on the Connecti- church, and from the society or parish. cut Reserve, begins to show signs of wearing ^ The Connecticut Assembly. out. ^ That is a very sweeping accusation, es- ^ Mrs. Hannah McClure, wife of Rev. pecially when we consider that so large a David McClure, D. D., was the young- part of the whole American people have est daughter of Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy, come to approve the measures of that same D. D., of Hebron, Ct. Her mother, Mrs. government. Pomeroy, was Abigail Wheelock, sister of * It is pleasant to have even a mild ap- Dr. Eleazar Wheelock, President of Dart- probation of the new President. mouth College. 39© DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBEINS, D.D. [1809. 13. Quite cold. Walked out and visited all day. I think my visits here have done good. I think they are the means of bringing the people to meeting. 14. Finished the seventh volume of Lardner. His heathen testimonies are exceeding valuable. Very cold. Walked out and visited. 15. Read Foster's £ssa}'s. I think thousands of poor Frenchmen have found their graves in Spain. The news is still doubtful, though encouraging. The decisive conduct of Massachusetts and Connecticut has evidently had a great and salutary influence on the late measures of the government. 16. Wrote my answer to the church, and delivered it to them. They and the society appointed committees for installation. I hope the God of all mercy may assist and direct us. Mr. McClure appears to feel disagree- ably.' Yesterday rode to East Hartford and back, and visited. It was very stormy. 17. Read Goldsmith's J?ome.^ Wrote. The snow thaws considerably. Rode out. Many people feel anxious about the issue of the society matters here. 18. Wrote notes for preaching. Read Goldsmith's Rome. Towards even- ing rode to East Hartford to exchange with Mr. Yates. Bad riding. A great deal of water in the roads. 19. Mr. Yates went to East Windsor. Rainy. People came to meeting in sleighs, which is the thirteenth Sabbath that they have done this in succession. Perhaps so long a turn of good sleighing is not remembered.^ Thin meeting. Preached from Num. x: 29 and Heb. xii : 24. Returned. At evening the committees of the church and society called on me. They propose to have my installation on the third of May. They appear sufficiently engaged. Received a letter from brother Frank. 20. With Mr. McClure made a draft of a letter to be sent to the churches.* Rode out and visited. Attended the funeral of an infant. Pleasant spring weather. The snow thaws pretty fast, though I think I never saw any appear to go with such reluctance. Wrote to my parents. 21. Wrote. Began to write a sermon on Heb. iii : i. Walked out and visited. Very bad going. My breast weaker than it has been for some time. 22. Wrote to Mr. Prudden,* of Enfield, and to my brother Frank. Rode ' There seems to have been something heart. His History of Rome was written not altogether agreeable between Rev. Mr. about 1760. Robbins and Dr. McClure, from the moment ^ It is not many winters since that there that Mr. Robbins commenced his labors there. were sixteen weeks of continual sleighing in ^ Qo\A%xvi\i\^% History of Rome \iQ\x\d. wot the northern parts of Massachusetts, but be regarded as one of the works illustrating doubtless it is a very rare circumstance to his peculiar genius as a writer. It was rather have even thirteen continuous weeks of one of those perfunctory works, executed to sleighing in the vicinity of Hartford, Ct. earn some money. His Vicar of Wakefield, * It is pleasant to notice that Dr. Mc- his Deserted Village, his Animated Nature, Clure counseled and assisted in making a and his History of England, bore more dis- draft for a letter missive, calling the council, tinctly the impress of his rare intellect and ^ Rgy, Nehemiah Prudden. 1809.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 3gi out. The ice in the river against us here went out, though it remains above, 1 think the society matters here grow more quiet. 23. Yesterday received of this society sixteen dollars. Rode to Hartford and back. Crossed in a boat.' At evening assisted the committees of the church and society in signing the letters missive for my installation. They are elegantly executed. Very bad riding. Paid a merchant $11.00 for part of my cloak. 24. Finished my sermon on Heb. iii : i. President Madison has made eight important appointments, of which but one is this side of the Susque- hannah. Walked out. 25. It is now three months since the ground was covered with snow. It has been perfectly covered ever since, excepting that in the course of this week perhaps a quarter of it has become visible. It has been good sleighing without interruption the whole time. Quite cold. Last night it froze quite hard. There is very little deep frost in the ground.^ Read the Bible. Wrote to cousin S. P. Robbins, Finished reading Foster's Essays. A valuable work. 26. Wrote notes for preaching. Preached from Luke xiii : 24. Afternoon with a written sermon from Heb. iii: i. My breast very feeble. At evening attended the church conference. No sleighs at meeting. Some people here pretend to wish me to preach with notes. 27. Very cold and tedious. Walked out and visited. Wrote, Began to write a sermon on Dan. iv : 27, 28. Severe winter weather. Afternoon went to Windsor and returned. Crossed the river on foot on the ice.^ It is very thick and sound. Wrote, The papers are full of doubtful and contradictory rumors from Spain. 29. Wrote on my sermons all day. Received a letter from my brother S., and one from Col, White, of Danbury, Walked out. 30. Finished my sermons for the Fast. Wrote to Col. White, Danbur^^ Mrs. McClure very sick. My breast quite weak. I think I find benefit by standing to write. 31. This day is the Fast in this State. Preached from Dan. iv : 27, Afternoon my sermon was wholly unwritten,* It cost me considerable labor. .Full meeting. Much worried. The ground is still considerably covered with snow. For near a fortnight it has been very cold for the season. April. I. Rode to Hartford and back. Quite warm and the snow goes very fast. We have had very little rain for the month past. The ground is dry for the * It is now the 23d of March, and the ice ground when this snow first began to fall, is has just gone from that part of the river run- all eaten out by the internal w^armth of the ning by Windsor and Hartford, and the earth. towns below, while it yet remains fast in the ^ The ice had formed again, regions above. ■* He preached two regular sermons on 2 Such a deep and compact mass of snow Fast day, as on the Sabbath, It may be no- acts like a warm blanket covering the ground, ticed that so long ago as 1809, the State Fast and whatever frost may have been in the in Connecticut was on Good Friday. 392 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1809. season. It seems that the English have taken the island of Martinique,' after an obstinate siege. It is probable that there has been very severe fighting in Spain, and accounts still favor the patriots and British. May the God of heaven be their protector. There is very severe electioneering in Massachusetts.^ 2. Preached from Rom. viii : 29 and Esther iv : 16. Spoke pretty feebly. At evening had company. The Democrats in the State are making a violent struggle to regain their measure of lost influence. 3. Rode to Norfolk. The road generally dry till I got to New Hartford. Snow to be seen all the way. Here there is yet considerable. My parents pretty smart. 4. Very bad going. There has been a little of the spotted fever here lately. My Aunt Starr quite feeble. Dined at Mr. Battell's. James appears to be doing pretty well at college.^ Cousin Sam P.* is very useful at Marietta, and the vicinity. 5. Wrote. My library has got considerably damaged. My brother N. is considerably successful in the business of Spanish sheep.* 6. Last evening wrote to my Uncle Starr. His wife is very unwell. Read newspapers. Quite rainy, and very muddy going. 7. Set out for East Windsor. The snow appears in spots, but mostly gone. Rode to Simsbur}\ This society in a bad situation. 8. Received of this society thirty dollars. Rode to East Windsor. The waters very high. Had to ferry in the meadows.* Much fatigued with my journey. My breast quite feeble. I believe it is a species of rheumatism. Received a letter from my brother James. Yesterday received from my cousin Sam. P. a copy of the constitution of the INIuskingum Association.^ 9. Preached my written sermon on the Doctrine of the Resurrection from Acts xxvi : 8. At evening attended a conference. ' One of the West India Islands, taken possession of and settled by the French in 1635. It was taken from the French by the British in 1762, and restored the following year when peace was concluded between the two nations. It was taken again by the Eng- lish in 1794, and restored at the peace of Amiens h\ 1802. It was taken the third time, as indicated by the diary, Feb. 23, 1S09, and restored in 18 15. ^ In December, 1S08, James Sullivan, Gov- ernor of Massachusetts, died. In 1809, Chris- topher Gore, LL. D., who had been Governor of Massachusetts under the Constitution in 1780, was again elected to this office and held it only a single year. He was a man largely employed in the public service, State and national, at home and abroad. ^ His brother, James ^Yatson, had been tutor at Williams College, 1S04-1S06, and then left with the view of preparing for the ministry, and following that profession. But his health had been poor, and his voice feeble, and in 1809 he was again elected tutor at Williams. * Rev. Samuel Prince Robbins, whose or- dination sermon he preached at Marietta, Ohio, in 1S06. 5 Norfolk, Ct., is one of the towns, where, for a hundred years, considerable interest has been taken in bringing in from the old world improved breeds of horses, cattle and sheep, and this interest has been due in no small degree to the first minister of the town, Rev. A. R. Robbins, and his descend- ants. ^ The waters were so high that they had overflowed the meadow lands. ' So named from the Muskingum River, which empties into the Ohio at Marietta. [809.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 393 10. Prayed at the opening of Freeman's Meeting.' The votes here for Governor were, Federalist two hundred and thirteen, Democratic nmety-two.^ More of the latter than have ever been here before. At evening performed a marriage. 11. Wrote. Read Lardner. The accounts from Freemen's Meetings in neighboring places are quite favorable. Some persons in this society are trying to make trouble. My hope is in that God who has always helped me. 12. Quite rainy. Read Lardner. The English and French armies in Spain have had a severe battle, and the honor of victory is with the former.^ I am very fearful, though not hopeless, that God will permit Spain to be subdued. 13. Rode to Enfield'* and returned. Very bad riding. The waters rise about three inches an hour. Very cold and wet. Read. On the nth wrote to my brother James. On the 8th people began a little to plow. 14. Walked out and visited all day. The waters cover the most of the meadows, and make a fine appearance. The want of religious family instruc- tion is very visible here. 15. Read. Wrote notes for preaching. Some people here considerably affected with an influenza. 16. The season is quite cold and backward. Grass has started but very little. Preached from Heb. vi : 4, 5, 6. I find myself in some difficulty with that passage,* though I am satisfied that the Christian character is there described. Episcopacy* is making some exertions in this quarter. Had company. 17. Rode to Hartford and to Windsor. Had to ferry across the meadows. Wrote to my father. Warm spring weather. Tarried at Mrs. Ellsworth's.' * In Connecticut the April town-meeting was called the Freemen's Meeting. It should be Freefneu, rather than Free;«««. ^ What was then East Windsor is now divided into East Windsor and South Wind- sor. In the Presidential election this fall (1884), the town of East Windsor gave two hundred and eighty-seven votes for Blaine, two hundred and eighty-eight for Cleveland, and nine scattering. The town of South Windsor gave one hundred and eighty-six for Blaine, two hundred and fourteen for Cleveland, and sixteen scattering ; exactly one thousand in place of the three hundred and five votes given in 1809, and with a plu- rality of twenty-nine for Cleveland. ^ This refers, without doubt, to the re- markable battle fought at Corunna on the 1 6th of January, 1S09, between the English under Sir John Moore and the French. The numbers of the English were greatly inferior to those of the French, and they were sorely pressed on every side. They were weary with a long retreat, hoping to reach the cover of the English ships. But they were over- taken and compelled to fight or surrender. They fought and routed the French army under Marshal Soult, but Sir John Moore was killed. ■* Enfield was about twelve miles north from where Rev. Mr. Robbins lived. ' " For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened," etc., a passage which has drawn close attention from almost all students of the Bible. * An Episcopal church was established at Warehouse Point in the northwestern part of the town of East Windsor, early in the pres- ent century. The impression of the writer is that no Episcopal church was ever organized in the town until then. ' Mrs. Oliver Ellsworth. 394 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. \}^°9' 1 8. Rode lo Enfield. My brother Frank came here.' He tarried at East Windsor last night. I think he does very well at Westfield. Rode to East Windsor. Very warm. The waters fall considerably. Have a worrisome horse. 19. Wrote. Read Lardner. Walked out. The late Freemen's Meetings have issued very favorably. There are fewer Democratic representatives than have been for several years. 20. The opposition that is making to my settlement here,' though it does not alter my judgment of the propriety of my conduct, tries my feelings I think beyond any scene I have ever gone through. I hope it may make me truly humble. At evening rode to East Hartford. Am considerably unwell. 21. Returned. The spring advances considerably. Read Lardner. Walked out. The good people here feel very anxious about their society matters. The people generally are gardening. 22. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Ellington^ to exchange with Mr. Brockway. Rainy. Got something wet. Vegetation is about as forward here as at East Windsor. The first flowers appear in the garden. 23. I suspect the regular congregation here is not as large as in East Windsor. Preached from Acts xviii: 10 and Luke xv : 17. At evening attended a conference with Mr. Brockway ; very full. There is a great dispo- sition here to attend meetings. I hope it may issue in good. 24. Returned. Received a letter from my father. I am much concerned about Aunt Starr. Wrote to my father and sister Battell. The President has issued a proclamation declaring our commercial intercourse to be opened with Great Britain after the loth of June. 25. Wrote to Dr. Williams,* of Tolland, and to Col. King,^ of Vernon. Rode to Hartford and back. Received a hat from Danbur^' which cost nine dollars. Paid a hatter in Hartford seven dollars for a hat for my father. His price is eight, and he abates one for clergymen. I expect my father to pay me. Mine is one of the best kind. The neighboring ministers appear ver)' anxious for my settlement here. Received a letter from Mr. Johnson,^ a law- yer in Hartford, inclosing certain objections to my settlement here. 26. Wrote on an address to be made to the ecclesiastical council expected here by the committee.' Walked out and visited. Very cold for the season. ' This was the town where his brother was Congregational pastor there from 1799 Frank (Francis Le Baron) had his life-long to 1849, j"st fifty years. ministry of thirty-four years ; but that min- * Rev. Nathan Williams, who was pastor istry did not begin yet for several years. at Tolland forty years in the last century, What it was that took Rev. Mr. Robbins to and twenty-nine in the present, in all sixty- Enfield twice within a few days, the last time nine, 1760-1S29. to meet his brother there, we do not know. ^ q^]^ Oliver King, already mentioned. ^ This opposition was confined to a few, '■ One or two men that opposed Mr. Rob- but was quite sharp and unpleasant. bins were men of wealth and of strong preju- 3 Ellington was anciently a part of East dices. It is likely that this Mr. Johnson was Windsor. It is a very fair and sunny town, employed by them. and like the eastern part of the present ' f j^e address was to be presented by the town of East Windsor, its underlying rock committee, and Mr. Robbins, at their re- is red sandstone. Rev. Diodate Brockway quest, was aiding them by his pen. iSog.] PREACHING IN EAST WINDSOR. 395 27. Finished the address. Vegetation advances very little. Rode out. There appears to be a general scarcity of grain. There is a prospect of a new European war commencing between France and Austria.* 28. Began to write a sermon on Isa. xxi : 11, 12. Wrote notes for preach- ing. Had company. People here feel very anxious about the approaching installation. Very cold. 29. Read. Afternoon rode to Hartford and back. The water falls. It has been high much longer than usual. Almost four weeks. Got a new suit of clothes. The cost $34.91 ; the dearest suit I have ever had. At evening my father and mother arrived here safely from home. Aunt Starr continues quite low. 30. My father preached. I think his memory and power of expression, as well as his voice, sensibly fail.^ Very full meeting. Visited Mr. McClure. He tries to be polite, but evidently feels very disagreeably. May. 1. Rode out with my father and visited at several places. My parents are treated with much respect. Mr. McClure went out of town. I suppose he has gone on purpose to be absent at the installation. The military com- pany here is very handsome. At evening Mr. A. Gaylord^came here from Norfolk and tarried. He is my father's delegate. 2. I feel a great burden on my mind, but endeavored to commit all to the divine disposal, and I think I am glad that Jesus reigns. I am much unwell with my peculiar anxieties and labor. At evening my brothers A., N., and Francis here. 3. Received the solemn pastoral charge of this people. A burden which I never felt before. My father preached very well. The audience were very attentive and solemn. Paid Mr. Battell who was here $30.00. Very much fatigued. The council met yesterday abovit noon. Dr. Perkins* moderator, Mr. Flint scribe.' The exercises were very well performed. Mr. Flint made the introductory prayer. My father preached from John xxi: 15, 16, 17. Mr. Miller* made the installation prayer. Dr. Perkins gave the charge, IVIr. Rowland^ gave the right hand of fellowship, Mr. Bartlett^ made the concluding prayer. ' That war had already begun, but there ^ This was Rev. Asahel Gaylord, a young had not been time, as yet, to hear the de- man who was graduated at Williams College tails. Between April 20 and May 4, 1S09, five years before, and had been appointed there were four battles between the French home missionary for Vermont and New and Austiians, in all of which the Austrians York. were beaten. These were the battle of ■♦ Nathan Perkins, D. D., of West Hart- Abensburg in Bavaria, April 20, the battle ford. of Landshut, in Silesia, April 21, the battle ^ Abel Flint, D. D., of Hartford, of Eckmiihl in Bavaria, April 22, in which ^ Rev. William F. Miller, of Bloomfield. the French under Daroust routed the Aus- ^ Rev. Henry A. Rowland, of Windsor, trians, and the battle of Ebersburg, May 4. ^ Rev. Shubael Bartlett, of north parish, ^ His father had then been in the ministry East Windsor, who was pastor there from at Norfolk about forty-eight years. 1S04 to 1854. 3^6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. 4. In the morning my brothers A. and N. went off. Afternoon my parents and Frank went off. Am quite unable to do any business. It rained some. It had got to be very dry and dusty. My parents have borne the fatigues of their journey and visit very well. 5. Wrote on a sermon. Find my nerves pretty weak. I fear that poor Spain is subdued ; and I more fear that all the east of Europe is now to be given to the great despot. May the Lord help. 6. Finished my sermon on Isa. xxi : ii, 12. Mr. McClure appears to be well pleased in not being dismissed. 7. Preached in the forenoon from John xviii : 37. .Afternoon the written sermon finished yesterday. The audience were much affected and very sol- emn. The congregation appears different to me from what I have ever seen before. Oh for grace, wisdom, and assistance. At evening attended the conference. 8. On the 5th sowed a bed of asparagus. Walked out and visited. Read Lardner. Remarkably cold for the season. At night Mr. Austin,' of Worcester, tarried with me. 9. Rode out and visited. Saw some cherry-tree blossoms beginning to appear. I think that there is a prospect that society matters here will become quiet. 10. Read Lardner. Rode to Hartford. I think in future when I mention going to Hartford I shall not put down the return, unless I do not return the same day. Saw the Governor come in. I think not so many people in as usual. Forded the low places in the meadows ; pretty deep. People gen- erally wear great coats. 11. Saw a few cherr}'-tree blossoms, but on the apple-trees none appearing. Rode to Hartford and attended the election. A number of people formed themselves into a Bible society. Mr. Elliott,^ the appointed preacher, was unable to perform. Mr. Nott^ preached well. Gov. Trumbull* had a greater number of votes than ever before. The militar}' parade very elegant and expert. A pretty large collection of clerg}\ My friends generally express a pleasure at my settlement in the ministr}-. 12. Finished the eighth volume of Lardner. Walked out. Worked some in the garden. My breast pretty weak. 13. Read Goldsmith's Rome. Wrote. Vegetation has advanced very little in a fortnight. 14. Preached from John vi : 44. Afternoon a written sermon from Acts ' Rev. Samuel Austin, D. D., born in ^ Samuel Nott, D. D., of Franklin, pastor New Haven, Ct, Oct. 7, 1760, died at Glas- there 1782-1S52. tonbury, Ct., Dec. 4, 1830. For many years * This was the second Gov. Jonathan he was pastor of the First Congregational Trumbull, of Connecticut. The first was the Church of "Worcester, and from 1815 to 1821 Jonathan Trumbull of Revolutionary mem- was President of the University of Vermont. ory, Colonial Governor, i76c>-i7S3. The sec- ^ Rev. John Eliot, of Madison. Mr. Rob- ond had been elected year by year since bins used too many letters in spelling this 1798, but was to die before the expiration of name. 1809. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 397 viii : 8. A few people here do not come to meeting, who have attended con- siderably since I have been here. 15. Last evening visited an aged woman, apparently near her end. Rode to Norfolk. The first time in my life that I could not call it properly going home.' On Talcott Mountain, the west side, saw two apple-trees which had blossoms. Farther west saw two others. The first I have seen this year. Very tired. I think my parents were benefited by their late journey, ^ly brother James is at home, and pretty well. 16. Vegetation is, I suspect here, about a week backward of Windsor. Walked out. In the morning considerable irost. Worked at my library. 17. Sold my book-case to Mr. Mills ^ for forty dollars. It was too high to go_ into Mr. Wolcott's house. Rode with my brother N. to Canaan, trying to buy a horse. I find it very difiicult. There is a scurrilous piece in Babcock's^ paper about my installation. I think it will do me no injury. 18. Worked packing up my things for removal. It is a trying scene to leave that good father's house, which has been an excellent home for me all my days. Eat asparagus. I have been fortunate with my books. My brother James is still undecided whether to give up all expectation of preaching or not. I think if he should, he may probably have pretty good health. Mr. Lee, of Colebrook, here.* 19. Finished packing my things. The 17th was quite warm. It still con- tinues the same. Rode to Simsbury. Dined at my brother Ammi's, He is building a house. Political accounts from several States are very favorable. The society prospects here are pretty poor. 20. Walked out and visited. The spotted fever prevails considerably in Farmington, and pretty bad in Berlin. Quite warm. Rode to East Windsor. A funeral was attended here this afternoon of an elderly woman who has been some time in a decline. Visited the family and two sick persons. 21. Quite fatigued with my journey. A child that I visited \-esterdav died last night. Preached from Luke xii : 20 and Heb. iv : 9. Something wet. The ground is in much want of rain. A full bloom on the apple-trees. At evening attended the conference. Quite tired. 22. Wrote. Afternoon attended the funeral of the child who died j-ester- day. A hard shower. Read Goldsmith's Rome. 23. Rode to Hartford. Quite cool. Wrote to my brother N. Drew a plan for a desk and a book-case.^ 24. Finished Goldsmith. A very valuable compendium. Visited sixteen families. People still generally engaged in planting. ' He means that he is now installed and was probably the man to whom the book settled in the ministry, and his home is prop- case was sold. erly at East Windsor. ^ Maj. Elisha Babcock published the ^ There were several men of the name American Meratry thirty-seven years. He Mills in Norfolk. Mr. Michael Mills had died at Hartford in 1821. long been a prominent man in the town, and * Rev. Chauncey Lee, D. D. was at that time nearly eight}' years of age. ' To take the place of the book-case sold, Michael F. Mills was tlien in middle life, and and to fit the hight of Mr. Wolcott's rooms. 398 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBIN-S, D.D. [1809. 25. Read Ossi3.n' s^ Poepis. Very cool for the season. There is another piece in Babcock's paper of this week in reference to me ; very contemptible. My breast a little troublesome. 26. Walked and visited all day. I hope my visits may be useful. Some people here complain that Mr. McClure is not dismissed. 27. Read Ossian. Wrote. Remarkably cold. This morning there was some frost. Afternoon rode to Scantic to exchange with Mr. Bartlett.^ Visited. 28. Mr. Bartlett went down to my society.^ Preached from John xviii : 37 and Heb. xii : 24. Something rainy. I presume there are not so many people attend here in unpleasant weather as in the other society. At evening returned. More feeble than usual. 29. Finished Ossian. Remarkably cold. Rode out, I fear that there will be some certificating'' here, though I don't think on my account. 30. Read a book, lent to me, on Universalism, and made some notes. Wrote to I. Thomas,* Worcester. Rode to Hartford. Have many acquaint- ances in the Assembly. Purchased a new gold watch, which I have had some time on trial. The price is sixty dollars. The watchmakers took my old repeater for thirty, and I gave my note for thirty more.^ Sent to Danbury for my hat. 31. Warmer. May as well as April has been remarkably cold. Walked and visited all day. Got something wet. I think I find some evidence here that my preaching has had divine blessing. June. 1. Began a sermon on Heb. x: 31. Worked considerably in the garden Walked out and visited. Very cool. Society matters here are pretty quiet. 2. Spent the day in visiting. Called on twenty families.^ I think there is a permanent breach in the organization of the political parties in our country. I hope it may be producti\e of good. 3. Wrote. Finished my sermon on Heb. x: 31. Worked in the garden. My eyes are something weak. Read the Bible. ' The real Ossian is an ancient Gaelic ways. He was the founder in 1812 of the bard, who is supposed to have lived as far American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, back as the third century of the Christian Mass. After having been some years in era. But the modern Ossian is Mr. James business at Newburyport and Boston, in Macpherson, of Scotland, born in 1738, and 1775 he removed to Worcester, and for many dying in 1796. The epic poem of Fingal years continued his active life there, aided by was published in 1762, and the epic of Ze- his son, Isaiah Thomas, Jr. They published mora in 1763. His works caused an im- the New England Almanack for forty-two mense activity among the critics. years. ^ He rode up to Mr. Bartlett's at Scantic * The cash principle seems to have been on Saturday afternoon, about five miles. almost unknown in those days. 3 Rev. Mr. Bartlett rode down to the ' He says that he spent the day in visit- south parish on Sunday morning. ing, and these twenty calls covered probably * Signing off. forenoon, afternoon, and evening, with dinner 5 Isaiah Thomas, LL. D., author and jour- and supper where he happened to be at the nalist, and a man distinguished in many time of these meals. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 399 4. Finished reading the Bible in course, which I began .* Preached irom Isa. liv : 10 and the sermon just written,^ At evening attended the conference. I hope my afternoon sermon had some effect. 5. Read Washington's Official Letters? Worked in the garden. Wallced Jut. Am trying to sell my horse. 6. Rode to Farmington. Became a member of the association/ The spotted fever still prevails here in some measure. Tarried at Esq. Mix's.^ 7. The association licensed a promising young man,^ and did consider- able other business. They had a fire in the room the most of the time. Within a year past there have been nearly four hundred members added to the churches in this association. The next winter association is appointed at Mr. Rowland's/ and next summer at Mr. Gaylord's.^ Rode to Simsbury. 8. Am unable to get any of my dues from this society. Remarkably cold for June. The prospect for grain very poor. Rode home. A prospect of Mr. McLean' being settled at Simsbury. Very tired. Read newspaper. 9. Wrote. Made a small fire in my chamber. Yesterday received a letter from my father. Read Washington's Letters. Walked out and visited. 10. Worked in the garden. Afternoon, with the church committee, exam- ined five persons to be united with this church. They appear very well. ' I hope for some degree of thankfulness. 11. Wrote notes for preaching. Preached a written sermon from Jude xi and from Ezek. ix : 4. After meeting rode to Wapping, and preached to a full and attentive meeting from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Propounded the persons yesterday examined to the church. Am less fatigued than I feared. 12. Very warm. The first summer day we have had. Visited. Corn very backward. People beginning to hoe. 13. Put on summer clothes. Walked and visited all day. I think the prospect of the addition to our church has a good effect upon several people. I find several people seriously thoughtful, and am frequently in much difficulty concerning jDroper advice to be given. O for wisdom and direction. ' Rev. Mr. Robbins left that space to be son of Ebenezer and Anna (Goodwin) Mix, filled after he had turned to his memoran- of West Hartford. He was born in 1755, dum, and forgot it. It was a rare thing with was graduated at Yale College, 1775, was him to make any such mistake. He was a town clerk of Farmington, 1791-1823, was model of order and exactness. judge of probate, 1810-1820, was representa- ^ That is, the sermon finished the day be- five to the General Court nearly all the time fore on Heb. x: 31. from 1795 ^^ 1821. Julius Gay, Esq., of ^ This was a work in two volumes, i2mo, Farmington, in answer to a note of inquiry, published in Boston in 1796. All these gives above facts, and adds, "He wrote a letters are, of course, included in the larger bold, clerkly hand, the admiration of all works by Marshall, Sparks, and others, since readers of the records." published. ^ This was Nathaniel G. Huntington, a •* The Hartford North Association. native of Rocky Hill, and a graduate of Yale * Mention has once before, at least, been in iSo6. made of Esq. Mix with whom Mr. Robbins ^ At Windsor, sometimes stopped in his visits to Farming- ^ At West Hartland. ton. His name was John Mix, and he was a 9 Rev. Allen McLean. 1 400 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. 14. Some certificates have been lately given in by men of property. I hope God will preserve and defend us. I trust the serious people feel and pray. Spent the day in visiting and generally serious conversation. 1 ind such constant visiting fatiguing. 15. A hard and very refreshing shower. The season this week very favorable. A great many bricks made here. I have tarried two nights at Capt. Bissell's.* Read newspapers. We have now the official account of the declaration of war by Austria against France. On the event the liberties of Europe seem to be suspended. May the God of heaven help. 16. Worked in the garden. Wrote. In four days past I have visited fifty-five families.^ Yesterday received a letter from my brother N., and one from my cousin S. P. Robbins. Walked out. 17. Wrote. Read Washington's Letters. Rode to Windsor to exchange with Mr. Rowland.^ Left an order to warn a church meeting." 18. A very rainy day. Preached from Acts xviii : 10 and Rom. i: 16. Very thin meeting. I think there is a greater appearance of irreligion here than on our side of the river. Returned. 19. Finished reading Washington's Letters. I hope the work may be con- tinued to the close of the war. Quite warm. Walked out. I think there is no present prospect of setting up any separate meeting in this society.^ 20. Worked in the garden. A very fine season for vegetation. Read Lardner. Afternoon attended a church meeting. The church feel in some difficulty with regard to Mr. McClure's connection with them, but are well united. 21. Rode very early to Hartford. Took the stage and rode home. Aunt Starr continues to decline. My father has but two scholars. People here generally in their first hoeing. 22. A hard rain all day. My father has sold a small piece of land in his home pasture for a tannery. Received a valuable horse which my brother has lately bought for me for eighty dollars. He is seven years old. I hope he may be useful. Attended the weekly concert of prayer. The people here are ploughing the public green. Traded considerably. 23. My father gave me grandfather Robbins's* preaching Bible. I esteem it a very valuable present. Very much oppressed with the heat. My horse is a pretty hard trotter. Rode to East Windsor, I think the newspaper scrib- bling about my settlement here will be no injury to my character. Very tired. ' Capt. Aaron Bissell's, at East Windsor ing that he was giving himself earnestly and Hill. This was a large and hospitable home, systematically to calling on the people, overlooking the broad Connecticut meadows, ^ ji^y Henry A. Rowland, and as it was two or three miles north of his " That is, to have a church meeting called, own home (boarding place), when making s From the opposition made he had feared calls in that part of his parish it was conven- that something of this kind might be at- ient for him, bachelor as he was, to tarry over tempted, night. * Rev. Philemon Robbins, of Branford, ^ This confirms the previous note, show- 1733-1781. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 4OI 24. Very hot. Much fatigued with my journey. Wrote. Read Lardner. Rode out. My horse trots very hard. (23. Received of my father ten dollars.) 25. Preached in the forenoon a written sermon from Phil, ii : 12, 13. Afternoon from Jer. 1:5. Received five persons into the church. Baptized a child. We had a solemn and I hope a useful meeting. Much oppressed with the heat. 26. Read Lardner. Rode to Hartford and got my books and papers which had been sent me by my father. The Hartford bridge progresses rap- idly. It is feared that Bonaparte is destroying Austria.' People beginning a little to mow. 27. Read Lardner. Wrote in the church records. They have been kept very well by Mr. McClure, but when he came here there were none but a few fugitive pieces. Walked out. 28. Wrote in the records. Excessive hot. People fear that the grain is beginning to blast. The Spanish cause appears to be reviving. The Usurper cannot attend to two great objects at once.^ 29. Walked and visited all day. I think there is more talk about religion here than there has been. If it may please God to send his Holy Spirit I should hope we might see good here. Heard that my good Aunt Starr is not likely to live but a little time. May the Lord have mercy on her immortal spirit. A very hard thunder-shower. 30. Worked in the garden. Mr. Bingham,^ late of Vermont, now preach- ing at Wapping, made me a visit. Wrote notes for preaching. Afternoon preached a sacramental lecture from Hab. ii : 3. Attended a church meeting. The church feel embarrassed with their connection with Mr, McClure. Eat green peas. July. 1. Read Lardner, Received from Hartford a new desk and book-case just made for me. I think it will be very convenient. It cost ^43.00.'* Wrote notes for preaching. Had company. Cool for the season. 2. Preached from i Pet. i: 18, 19 and Amos iv: 11, Administered the sacrament. People appeared very solemn. A large part of the congregation tarried as spectators. I can't but hope that God may appear for us. At evening attended the conference. 3. Read Lardner. Wrote on the genealogy of the Wolcott family.^ Visited a school. They are well instructed. 4. Read. Worked in the garden. Afternoon rode to Vernon, Tarried ' The French army took possession of * He sold his former book-case to Mr, Vienna, May 13th of this year, 1809. Mills, of Norfolk, for forty dollars. ^ Spain and Austria. * The American founder of this family ^ Rev. Silas L. Bingham, a native of vi^as Henry Wolcott, who came with' the Hebron, Ct, a graduate of Yale in 1790, had Dorchester company in 1630, stopping at been settled at New Haven, Vt., from 1804 Dorchester till 1635-6, and then removing to to 1808. Windsor, Ct. 402 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [iSoj. at Col. King's.' His son is preaching in Vermont. The prospect of the harvest is much more encouraging than it has been. 5. Returned. Visited at Wapping. People generally beginning haying Our European news appears more favorable. 6. Wrote on the VVolcott genealogy. It is a laborious work. People have an unfavorable season for haying. Walked out. Mr. McClure seems to be unwilling to be dismissed any further than he is at present. 7. Read Lardner. Wrote notes and preached at our stated lecture from Rev. XV : 8. Many persons appeared much affected. Cool for the season. Visited. 8. Wrote notes for preaching. I find it difficult to determine what kind of subjects are most apt to strike stupid consciences. 9. Very warm. Yesterday finished writing on the church records. I have had a good deal of that to do.^ Preached from Ps. cxviii : 22 and Zeph. i: 12. I am more and more convinced that my own exertions will not move one sinner. Walked out. 10. Rode to Hartford. Extreme warm. Read Lardner. Walked out. My new desk and book-case are very convenient. Bought half a ream of writing paper. Bonaparte seems to be successful, but wiih hard fighting. 11. Rode to Simsbury and back. Received of O. Phelps for the society there twenty-eight dollars. Took a new note of one hundred and thirteen dollars. Bought a set of Shakespeare for twelve dollars. Very tired. 12. Quite rainy. Looking over and filing my letters. An unfavorable season for business. Read. It is much to be feared that all Europe, except Great Britain and Russia, will in a little time be reduced to one great despotism. 13. Quite unwell with bilious complaints. Looking over and arranging my pamphlets.^ Rode out and visited. 14. Read Lardner, Wrote short notes and preached from Ps. liii : 6, Rainy. A very unfavorable season for haying. The people attend our lectures very well. I think I can preach better with short notes than with none, and much easier."* ' Col. Oliver King. His son, Salmon did the same thing. Mr. Robbins has given King, who has been several times mentioned, Dr. McClure credit for keeping the records was a classmate of Mr. Robbins at Yale in good shapfc at East Windsor during his College, graduating in 1796. He was settled, active ministry, but before his time, during as stated some time before, at Manchester the long ministries of Mr. Edwards and Mr. (formerly called Orford) from iSoo to 1808, Perry, the records were badly neglected. but was now, according to the diary, preach- That was rather the general condition of ing in Vermont. things in New "England in those earlier days, ^ Rev. Mr. Robbins might well make that ^ j^e^,_ jyj^, Robbins took special care to remark. It will be remembered in the first collect and save valuable pamphlets as well place where he supplied the pulpit any as bound volumes. length of time, Marlborough, Ct., he worked * The memory was not so much burdened long to bring up and set in order the church and the mind left freer to do its appropriate records. And in other places afterwards he work. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 403 15. Finished the ninth volume of Lardner, There seem to be some grounds for hope that Austria may yet be able to resist the mighty torrent rolling upon her.' May the Lord help if it please him. Wrote. 16. Began to read the Bible in course. Had a full meeting. Preached from Acts xvii : 3 and a written sermon on Zech. ix : 12. At evening at- tended the conference. Several certificates have been given in here the week past. It seems to proceed from political prejudice, and a spirit of opposition to one another. 17. On the 1 2th wrote to my brother James. Wrote. Afternoon a very hard rain. Wrote on the Wolcott genealogy.^ Quite cool. 18. Finished the Wolcott genealogy. It contains more than three hundred and fifty words. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick woman. Mr. Bingham^ is now preaching there. 19. Read Newton "* on the Prophecies. Walked out and visited. It is a very melancholy season. Constantly wet and rainy. 20. Had some alterations made to my book-case. Rode to Windsor and returned. The river has risen considerably in the meadows. The anniversary of my ordination.^ Six 3'ears I have labored in the vineyard, but desire to be humbled for my unfaithfulness. 21. It seems Bonaparte is permitted to go on in Austria with uninter- rupted success.* Read Lardner. Afternoon preached from Ps. xliii : 5. 22. Wrote to my brother Frank. Rode out and visited. I hope there are some instances of considerable thoughtfulness here. Yesterday and today are favorable weather after nine days of wet. Rode to Simsbury to exchange with Mr. McLean.^ 23. Warm. I believe the fullest meeting I have ever seen here. They have improved much in singing. I think Mr. McLean will get along here, though several are certificating.^ Preached from Ps. cxviii : 22 and Zeph. i : 12. Towards nisfht attended a small conference. ' May 21 and 22 (1809) at the battles of Aspern and Essling the French armies were beaten by the Austrians. Of these actions perhaps Mr. Robbins had heard. But at the battle of Wagram, fought on the fifth and sixth of July, about which Mr. Robbins had not yet heard, the Austrians were defeated. ^ That genealogy, which so far as we know was never published, probably brought the descendants of Henry Wolcott, of Wind- sor, down to the early years of the present century. The members of the family at that time were chiefly within the towns of Wind- sor and East Windsor. Oliver Wolcott, afterwards Governor, had removed to Litch- field, Ct, about the middle of the last century, and so had made there a new starting-point for the Wolcott name. The emigrating period had also arrived and the process of scattering had begun. But the genealogy of this family at that time could be com- passed with comparative ease. The main part of the family was near at hand. ^ Rev. Silas L. Bingham, before noticed. "* Rev. Thomas Newton, Bishop of Bristol, England, 1704-17S2. * His ordination at Norfolk six years before, for his missionary work in New Connecticut. ^ Mr. Robbins could not yet have heard of the victory of the French at the battle of Wagram, a village near Vienna, fought on the fifth and sixth of this passing month of July. Yet he writes as if he had heard some such news. ' Rev. Allen McLean, who is preaching at Simsbun,' as a candidate. * To avoid paying taxes for religious pur- poses. 404 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. 24. Spent the day in visiting. People appear sufficiently friendly. All are engaged in harvest. I fear the late news from England will have a bad effect upon political parties here. Paid a merchant $3.60. 25. Rode to Warren. My Uncle Starr appears better under his affliction than I feared. I hope he has divine support. My good aunt died the 7th instant. At noon preached for Mr. Mills at Torringford at a funeral from Zeph. i: 12. Quite warm. People in this county are in the beginning of their haying. At Litchfield visited Mr. Allen. 26. Visited aunt's grave. Read. Showery. Worked some at hay. Visited at Mr. Talmadge's. He has a very agreeable family. We have the agreeable news that Bonaparte has sustained a defeat in Germany. I suspect the battle was one of the most terrible of modern times. And I think he has never been in so critical a situation since he became a conqueror.' The Most High seems to interpose when human means are weak. We have many times calculated that his enemies were able to destroy him. Now it was generally thought he must surely fall. Good is Jehovah. 27. Rode from Warren to East Windsor, about forty-seven miles.^ In the middle of the day very warm. Rode some without my coat. At Litchfield called on Mr. Wolcott.^ He is much pleased with the family piece ^ I have lately made of their family. There is considerable anxiety about the sickness of our good Governor.^ Very tired. 28. Received a letter from my brother James, one from my brother Frank, and one from Mr. Silliman, East Hartford. Read Lardner. Wrote and preached our weekly lecture from i Pet. iv : 17. Attended a church meeting. The church are in difficulty with regard to Mr. McClure. He is not willing to be dismissed. I fear it may be injurious to the society. 29. Read the Bible. Worked in the garden. Wrote notes for preaching. Went into the water. People here have generally got in their harvest this week. It is not so great as some years, but pretty good. 30. Preached from Matt, xvi : 26 and Luke xix : 41. At evening our con- ference was much fuller than common. After meeting a Baptist preached in the meeting-house.^ He had but few hearers. I believe sectarians are about making an effort here, but I hope God will protect us. Baptized a child. ' The European news seems to get pared as a piece to be copied and hung on strangely out of place. It would certainly the wall. seem that this had reference to the battles s The second Governor Jonathan Trum- of Aspern and Essling, May 21 and 22, really bull, of Lebanon. He was born in Lebanon, one great battle, in which Napoleon was sorely Ct, 1740, and was now sixty-nine years old. defeated with the loss of some thirty thou- He was made Governor in 1798, and had sand men. This was two months before. been since continued in office. But he was ^ A long horseback journey for a warm now drawing very near the end of his earthly summer day. course. 3 The second Oliver Wolcott, LL.D. His ^ They were generous enough to let him father died in 1797, while Governor of the have the use of the house, which was kind State. The son is also to be Governor. He and liberal in an age when sectarians, as Mr. held the office from 1818-1827. Robbins calls such people, had not yet grown ■* This genealogy of the family was pre- strong. iSog.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 405 31. Rode to Hartford. Quite dusty. There is reason to fear that Bona- parte will be able to collect greater forces than his enemies can possibly equal.' Purchased Faber's^ second work, a View of the Prophecies. Afternoon visited a school. August. 1. A very fine season for haying. Read Lardner. Afternoon visited a school. The summer schools here are not sufficiently attended to. There are some persons here laboring under much gloom and anxiety about their spiritual interests. Visited. Put my horse in a carriage for the first time. He goes very well. 2. Rode out and visited. Visited two schools. At the time of my instal- lation here there were in this society one hundred and seventy-eight families, besides six or eight of blacks. Above the meeting-house there were ninety- five, below eighty-three.^ Of these eighteen professed to belong to some other religious denomination. Since my installation I have visited all the families. The most of them I had visited at the middle of June. I hope to be able to visit them all at least once in a year. Received a letter from S. P. Robbins, of Marietta, and an ordination sermon lately preached by him in that country. On very many accounts a very acceptable present. 3. My horse is very much disordered. I believe it is a suppression of urine. I am quite fearful of the issue. Received a letter from my brother Frank. Wrote. Worked some at hay. 4. Quite warm. Wrote to my brother Frank. Read Lardner. His sermons are pretty poor. His Arminian notions in some instances drive him to great straits and to make dreadful work with the Scriptures. I never had so striking an impression of the inextricable difficulties of those sentiments. Wrote notes and preached my lecture from Matt, xi : 28. Mr. Bingham now preaching at Wapping came and tarried with me. 5. Read. Very warm. Rode to Turkey Hills. Our association are supplying this afflicted society this summer.* There seems still to be great hopes that Bonaparte is effectually embarrassed.' This week and the most of the last has been a very fine time for haying. ■ Now apparently he is beginning to hear Mr. Robbins to speak of the famih'es above of Napoleon's gigantic preparations for the and bdm' the meeting-house, battle of Wagram. * Afflicted because of the dismission and ^ Rev. George Stanley Faber, 1773-1854, deposition from the ministry of their late an extensive and well-known writer. pastor, Rev. Whitfield Cowles. As when a 3 Tlie population of East Windsor at that minister dies it has long been a New Eng- time was found chiefly along the one great land custom for each minister of the associa- thoroughfare, on the east side of the river, tion to give a Sabbath for the benefit of his leading from East Hartford to Springfield. family, so it was done here for the benefit of This road was early designated as The Street. the church. It runs a little way back from the meadows ' It evidently did not amount to much to on the second bank of the river, out of the speculate about Napoleon. His downfall way of all floods, but near the rich meadow was coming by-and-by, but the end was not lands. Hence it was altogether natural for yet. 4o6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. 6. Preached from Zeph. i: 12 and Luke xix : 41.' The Baptists are making very great exertions here, and have got a considerable number of the people. They are encouraged by Cowles.^ At five o'clock preached a third sermon from Heb. iv : 9 at Newgate.' It was one of the most affecting scenes I ever saw. There are about fifty prisoners, very dirty and very heavily ironed. They behaved well. Had a large audience. Quite tired. 7. This society is in a very deplorable state. They have been long chas- tened. I hope it may be sufficient. The warmest turn we have had this year. Rode home. The harvest generally has come in I believe pretty light. Vi.s- ited a sick woman. Read. A Baptist preacher had a meeting in our meeting- house yesterday at five o'clock. There was no other meeting in it. 8. It is said that our good Governor,'' after an illness of some weeks with a tedious dropsy, was yesterday called to the eternal world. He never had a stronger standing in the affections of the people than now. He never had so many votes as at the last election ; and the events of his administration the last winter are the most honorable traits in his public life. I hope he has gone to partake of the rest of the people of God. Wrote to my cousin S. P. R. at Marietta. 9. Began a sermon on Matt, xi : 5. Afternoon attended the funeral of old Mrs. Sadd,^ who died yesterday. Received a letter from my brother James. He appears to be calculating to go into trade. 10. Wrote. Remarkably cool for the season. Rode to Hartford. Vis- ited. Saw the works at Hartford for the bridge. On Tuesday evening several young people very unexpectedly invited me to attend with them for a conference. They have had one or two meetings without my knowledge. God grant that it may be the beginning of a glorious work of grace. I attended with them, and appointed another meeting at their desire. 11. Wrote on my sermon. Afternoon wrote notes and preached from Acts ix : II. Our lecture was more solemn than usual. Something rainy. Having obtained help of the Lord, I have completed another year of my life. In the course of the year I have been allowed to preach steadily, my health, on the whole, I think has mended, and I have been agreeably settled in the work of the ministry. 12. Finished my sermon on Matt, xi : 5. Something worried with such close study. Read newspaper. The battle of Essling^was undoubtedly the most sanguinary of the present age, particularly for the French. Gave a black man a Testament. * It will be remembered that Mr. Robbins wild and rough district of the town of is now at East Granby. Granby, Ct, sixteen miles northwest from - Rev. Whitfield Cowles, just noticed. Hartford. ^ Newgate was the old and half-barbarous •* Governor Jonathan Trumbull died on State Prison for Connecticut in the early the seventh of August, 1809. He and his years of the present century, before the father were choice and rare men, greatly hon- present prison at Wethersfield was built. It ored and beloved in their generations, was in a mine, which, since it ceased to be ^ Mrs. Sadd was widow Mary Sadd. a prison, was, in 1830, organized into the * Reference has been made to this battle Phenix Mining Company. It was in a very two or three times. [809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 407 13. Preached all day, the written sermon finished yesterday. At evening our conference was very full. There certainly appears to be an unusual dispo- sition to attend meetings. I believe several are specially thoughtful. May the Lord work for his own glory. Baptized a child. 14. Rode to Hartford. Visited. I think there has been a silent working of seriousness on the minds of several persons here a good while. At evening attended the young people's conference. Our help can be from God only. 15. Wrote. Visited. People begin to talk about the appearance of things among us and I hope some pray. Received a letter from Mr. Yates.' 16. Rode early to Simsbury. Attended the ordination of Mr. McLean.* There was a large collection of ministers. Things appear hoioeful. I trust their society will not be much diminished. Returned. Heard a gentleman from Charleston, S. C, preach at Hartford in the evening. He appeared well, but not skilled in divinity. Got home late. 17. Rainy. The newspapers are dressed in mourning for Gov. Trumbull. Wrote to my brother James, and Messrs. Beers & Howe, New Haven. Rode out and visited. Conversed with some persons about making a profession of religion. A hard rain. 18. Wrote notes and preached our lecture from Matt, xii : 15. Assisted the church committee in examining four women for communion. Three of them appear very well. I think Mr. McClure's ministry here was not without a blessing.^ At evening attended a young people's conference. It was full and solemn. 19. Visited. Am much fatigued with constant labor. Wrote notes for preaching. At evening my brother Frank came here. He thinks of tarrying at Westfield another year,"* 20. Preached from John viii: 24 and a written sermon on Jer. viii : 20. I am apt to preach too long. The congregation appears solemn and tender. At evening attended a very full conference. My brother made one prayer and performed very well. Much fatigued. Propounded four women for communion. 21. Rode to Hartford with my brother. Very warm. He returned to Westfield. Visited. 22. Attempted to write a dialogue for my brother's academic exhibition. Walked out and visited. People that have certificated seem to be gratified by having me call on them. At evening attended young people's conference. 23. Finished Frank's dialogue.^ Visited a small school. Read Lardner. Read newspaper. Europe is in awful suspense on the event of a great ' Rev. Andrew Yates, D.D., of East Hart- of the two men were not so agreeable at ford. the first as they ought to have been, but they ^ Rev. Allen McLean, native of Vernon, improved as time passed on, and, on the Ct., graduate of Yale, 1805, pastor at Sims- whole, were friendly, bury from 1809 to his death in 1861 — fifty- * Teaching in the Westfield Academy. two years. A calm, able, well-balanced man. ' A short dialogue, probabl}-, though Rev. ^ It is pleasant to hear words of com- Mr. Robbins by previous practice had ac- mendation for Dr. McClure. The relations quired a facility in this kind of writing. 4o8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. battle. Never was more at stake.' A man has lately died in England in his fortieth year who weighed seven hundred and thirty-nine pounds.^ 24. Read. Making a copy of the Wolcott family piece. At evening four young men came to converse with me on their religious concerns. They appear quite impressed. May the Lord help and save. 25. Wrote notes and preached our lecture from Ps. xcv : 7, 8. At evening attended the young people's conference. Mr. Skinner,^ a candidate, attended with me. There appears to be a solicitude on the minds of many. 26. Yesterday received a valuable leaf chair, as a present from Mr. E. Williams,'* a certificate man. Wrote. Afternoon set out for Hartford to exchange with Mr. Church.' Rainy. Night coming on, I tarried in a small private house in the western part of Granby. It was much like being a mis- sionary.* I had no idea that the western part of Granby was so rough and hilly. 27. Rode three miles to Hartland. Preached from Matt, xvi: 26 and Matt, xi : 5. After an intermission of half an hour, by request, preached again from Acts ix : 11. This society is in a very bad situation. There are difficulties between individuals and Mr. Church, and he has lost the most of his influence. The meeting was pretty disorderly. There is a prospect of a call of the consociation here on their difficulties. Had company. 28. Rode to my father's. There is some prospect of their finishing the turnpike across those hills. I hope they may, but doubt whether it can be supported. My parents quite well. James is expecting to go into trade at Lenox.'' 29. My nursery of poplars has done very well this season. Saw Dea. S. Mills,^ from New Connecticut. My father is very faithful in visiting schools. 30. My father's scholar, Lansing,' went off. He has now none. My brother N. has a son since I was at home. His wife is very feeble. Dined at ' All this has reference doubtless to the battle of Wagram, which was fought in July, of which the result had not yet reached the writer of the diary. ^ This was no other than Daniel Lambert, of whom all middle-aged and elderly people have often heard. He was born in the year 1769, and died June 21, 1809, at Stamford, England, in his fortieth year. He died sud- denly, and was found dead in his bed. The last time he was weighed his weight was seven hundred and thirty-nine pounds. But this was some time before his death, and as he continued to increase in size, it was esti- mated that he weighed about eight hundred pounds at his death. ' Rev. Newton Skinner, a native of East Granby, a graduate of Yale College in 1804, afterwards pastor at New Britain, Ct., from i8l0 to his death in 1825. * Ebenezer Williams. ' Rev. Aaron Church, pastor at Hartland, 1773-1815. '■ It revived the memories of his life on the Western Reserve. ^ On account of his voice and the general state of his health, he has been obliged to give up preaching, and devote himself to active business. He became a man of large influence at Leno.x as we shall see. He had served three years as tutor at Williams Col- lege with great acceptance. ^ Samuel Mills, who went from Norfolk to New Connecticut a few years before. 9 A son probably of Hon. John Lansing, of Albany, who after holding many minor public offices was made judge of the New York Supreme Court, and in 1798 Chief- Justice. He was Chancellor of the State from iSoi to 1814. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 409 Mr. Battell's. Had very fresh green peas. There are reports of a great battle in favor of the Austrians.' The world was never more solicitous con- cerning the events of a campaign, and never with greater reason. Our hope is in God. My father feels some anxiety about the disposal of his property. 31. Rode to East Windsor. We have had probably the coolest summer for many years. There has not been but a very few, perhaps five or six hot days. The English harvest was very light, and the prospect of the corn still poorer. Of apples the crop will be but middling. Heaven seems to frown. May its frowns bring us to repentance. Warm. Received a letter from the church, calling us to a consociational council at Hartland.' Gener- ally people are but just beginning to have green corn.^ September. 1. Quite fatigued with my journey. Wrote notes and preached from 2 Pet. ii : 4. Attended the young people's conference. It was full, but I fear the impressions are not very deep. Tarried out. 2. Visited. Several women are serious whose husbands are obstinate and stupid. Wrote notes for preaching. I have so much other business I can study but little. 3. Preached from Heb. xi : 13 and Luke xvi : 25. At evening our con- ference was very full. Considerably affected. Received an anonymous letter requesting me to deliver a sermon particularly to youth. Had a similar one on the I St requesting an explanation of certain passages of Scripture in a conference. They both appeared to be friendly. 4. Rode to Hartford. Company is very dangerous for persons under serious impressions. Attended a little while at a training. Very little pro- faneness in this place. Visited. 5. Made a copy of Wolcott's genealogy for Mr. Wolcott,* of Litchfield. .Attended our conference. Quite solemn. The attention to serious things becomes more extensive. 6. Visited all day. It is easy to introduce religious conversation, and it seems to be agreeable in most of the families. Quite cool. In the morning there was some frost. 7. A gentleman from Switzerland called on me soliciting charity for the town of Tari,' destroyed by an earthquake. He has collected in our country in ten months eleven thousand dollars. Walked and visited all day. Very tired. ■ They begin to get broken news of the that name, afterwards Governor. His father battle of Wagram, but the victory at first is of the same name died while in office as thought to be on the side of the Austrians. Governor in 1797. ^ Because of the differences between Rev. ^ We have not been able to find any his- Mr. Church and his people, already men- torical references to this place, and to the ^.tioned. fact of its destruction by an earthquake. It ^ This was the last day of August, and it was probably some town of comparatively indicates a very late summer, if people were small size, somewhere on the southern slopes only beginning to have green corn. of the Alps looking towards Italy. The suc- 4 Oliver Wolcott, LL. D., the second of cess of the man was remarkable. 4IO DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. 8. Last Sabbath received four women into the church, one of them aged seventy-four. Wrote notes and preached from Matt, iii : 3. At evening attended the conference. Rode to Hartford. 9. Am much worried with constant labor. Read Faber.' His calcula- tions favor the successes of the French tyrant."^ Conversed with some of the young men who are serious. I have hope for two. What shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies. 10. Preached my written sermon from Eccles. xii : i. At evening had a full and attentive conference. I hope God will carry me through my constant labors. 11. Visited. Wrote. Read Faber on the /V^//^^:?^^. At evening attended a conference. There is some danger of cavilling questions being asked. Quite warm. Have several watermelons of my own raising, but it is a very poor season for them,^ 12. Rode to New Haven to attend the Commencement. Very dry and dusty. At evening heard the speaking for premiums. Rode alone all day. 13. Considerably fewer people than common. But a few from out of the State. The performances rather indifferent. The President wore a round hat. At evening Mr. Ely,'* of Lebanon, preached the Concio. Agreed with Mr. Howe ^ for the Universal History!' 14. Rode to Hartford. Mr. Strong stopped me that I could not go home. This morning there was a frost generally, so as probably to stop vegetation. There has been another great battle near Vienna,^ I fear to the advantage of the French. Democrats among us wish for their success.^ The crops gener- ally are poor. 15. Rode home. Things considerably killed by the frost yesterday morning.' Wrote a little and preached from Matt, xxiv : 31. At evening attended a conference. Quite tired with so much fatigue. 16. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Canton to exchange with Mr. Hallock.'" Found that he had sent to me to put off the exchange, and had to return. ' Rev. George Stanley Faber, on the Prophecies. ^ Writers are not so certain about under- standing the exact meaning of the prophe- cies as they used to be. ' The sandy soil on the uplands, a little way back from the Connecticut River, is very favorable for watermelons. * Rev. Zebulon Ely, father of Dr. Ezra Stiles Ely, of Philadelphia. Rev. Zebulon Ely was pastor at Lebanon from 1782 to his death in 1824. He was successor to Dr. Solomon Williams, who was pastor at Leba- non from 1722 to his death in 1776. 5 Mr. Hezekiah Howe of the old firm, Isaac Beers & Hezekiah Howe, booksellers. * There was an edition of this work, in- cluding the ancient and modern historj', which was published in London in 1783, consisting of fifty-nine volumes octavo. This may have been the edition which Mr. Robbins bought. ' We suspect that this is still the same battle of Wagram that has been on the docket for a month or two. ^ Undoubtedly the sentiment of the mod- ern world is more on the side of Napoleon than on that of the European monarchs who fought against him, though in many things he is to be strongly condemned. The results of his life are better than his motives. 9 A very late summer and an early frost make a bad combination. '° Rev. Jeremiah Hallock, pastor at Can- ton, 1785-1S26. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 411 Rode to Simsbury.' At Canton conversed considerably with a young woman in a state of peculiar misfortunes. 17. Rode early through Windsor home.^ Received the letter which Mr. Hallock had sent. Preached a written sermon from Luke xxiii : 39, 43 and from Rev. xxii : 20. At evening attended a conference. Had read that excellent celebrated sermon entitled the Star in the East.^ 18. We have an account of an armistice between France and Austria. Probably the latter must submit. Attended the Freemen's Meeting at Scan- tic.'* The meeting quite thin. I believe there has not been so little stir on a similar occasion in this State for several years. The highest votes for nomi- nation were, Federalist, one hundred sixty-three, Democratic forty-eight. At evening attended a conference. It seems that God in his good providence is wonderfully preparing the way for the introduction of the gospel in Asia. 19. Remarkably dry and cool. The crop of corn is very light indeed. Walked out and visited. Read Faber. Wrote. 20. Wrote. Endeavoring to make out a preaching account ever since I have been licensed. Afternoon rode to the north part of the society,^ and saw the military gathering. All the regiments of the first brigade, five of infantry with their artillery, and one of cavalry, were collected and inspected. Treated politely by the officers. Saw many acquaintances. 21. My brother J., Mr. Battell, and Sally came here. The brigade embodied and were received by the Major-General. They performed remark- ably well. There were about three thousand men under arms, and supposed to be at least three times that number of spectators.* The weather very tine. The dust very troublesome. I saw no instance of misconduct, fighting, or intemperance. There were very few females. The place was excellent. Dined with the officers. No accident took place. 22. My brother and sister went off. Wrote a little and preached our stated lecture from Matt, xiii : 25. At evening attended a conference. 23. Read Faber. Wrote to Mr. P. B. Gleason, of Hartford. Remarkably \ ' He came back Saturday night as far as Simsbury. Rather a hard experience. It was about eighteen miles from East Windsor to Canton. ^ His journey Sunday morning about twelve miles. ^ Claudius Buchanan was a Scotchman from plain and humble life, born in 1766, who was carried through Cambridge Univer- sity by that eminent philanthropist, Mr. John Thornton. He had been brought to Mr. Thornton's notice by Rev. John Newton. After a distinguished career in the Univer- sity, he was ordained in 1795, and went to India as chaplain of the East India Company. He stands among the very foremost in intro- ducing the gospel into India. Returning home in 1808, he preached his famous ser- mon entitled Star in the East, which was soon published, as was also his book entitled Christian Researches in Asia, and these two works had a wonderful effect in arousing public attention to the subject of missions in India. ■* This was the year to have the April town-meeting at the North Parish meeting- house. ^ This great military display was probably at East Windsor Hill. * An unusually large gathering. It was in the old and most thickly settled part of the State. 412 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. dry and dusty. Read the Bible. It is feared that Austria will be compelled to make an ignominious peace. 24. Rode to Wapping and preached by exchange with Mr. Bingham, from Zeph. i: 12 and Luke xvi: 25. Mr. B. is now going to leave them; believe he has done good there. They are in a bad situation. Returned and attended our conference. Quite cool. On the 21st received a letter from Mr. Hallock.' 25. Wrote. Afternoon rode out and visited. I fear the thoughtfulness of the people here is declining. I think our society matters appear more favorably. 26. Rode early with Dea. Loomis,^ my delegate to Hartland to attend the Consociation, called there on the subject of their difficulties. The Conso. spent the afternoon hearing witnesses. Tarried at Mr. Jones's, an acquaint- ance. There are twenty-five members of the Conso. present.^ 27. Spent the day hearing witnesses, and occasional debates of lawyers. There were two on each side. Quite fatiguing. 28. We were employed all day hearing witnesses. There is much evi- dence that Mr. Church has never been very favorable to conferences. At evening Mr. Flint" preached. This society are all involved in the two parties. 29. After hearing a little testimony in the morning, the lawyers argued the cause. Four of them spoke six hours and a half ; after which the Conso. were by themselves. We sat today nearly twelve hours. Very tired. 30. We were not perfectly agreed on some articles, but voted the result unanimously. In the result Mr. Church was solemnly reproved. The com- plainant and others were censured. Mr. Church offered the society if they would settle a minister within three years, he would relinquish all claims. I hope they may now live in peace. I took minutes of all the testimony. Returned home. Very tired. Very warm and dusty. October. 1. Preached from Matt, xvii: 4 and Heb, ii : 3. Administered the sac- rament. The assembly appeared very solemn. At evening had a very full conference. W'rote the notes of both of my sermons. One in the morning, and the other at noon.^ I believe I never did more in one day. I hope to be thankful for so much strength. Remarkably warm. We have had but few so warm days this year. Wore a thin dress. 2. The heat and dust very oppressive. Visited a sick man, a stranger. An account of the late training here which I wrote is published. Read news- papers. The sick man whom I visited in the morning died. At evening attended a conference. ' Probably with reference to the attempted ' That is, pastors and delegates, exchange which failed. * Rev. Abel Flint, D. D., of Hartford. ^ Amasa Loomis, Jr. His father of the ^ jhe average sermon of that day was same name had been deacon, and upon his doubtless the result of less labor than the death, in 1793, the son was chosen to the sermons now preached. But Mr. Robbins ofifice in his stead. The son had now been did not, probably, prepare sermons generally in office sixteen years. in so rapid a manner as here indicated. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 4x3 3. Finished reading Faber. Perhaps it is rather fanciful, but it cer- tainly is a very valuable work. Received of this society, $42.37. Sent to my brother James the money he advanced for the purchase of my horse, $42.00. Rode to Hartford. Wrote to my brother James. 4. Had company. Received a letter from Frank. Am disappointed about attending his exhibition. I was informed it was next week. He wrote to let me know it was this week, but the letter came too late. Visited a school. Very well instructed in the catechism.' 5. Something wet, but little rain. The ground exceedingly dry. Very warm. My brother James called and breakfasted here. Rode to Windsor and returned. The river very low. On the 3d attended the funeral of the stranger who died on Monday. He was a native of Italy. The people have showed much respect on the occasion. 6. Mr. S. Wolcott ^ quite sick. I feel much concerned about him. My brother Frank had exhibited this week my play Columbus and a dialogue I lately wrote for him. Wrote a little, and preached from Acts iv : 12. Look- ing over my accounts. I have had pretty great expense the year past. At evening a hard and very refreshmg shower. I don't know that I ever saw the ground drier. We have had no rain of any consequence since August 26th. Visited. 7. Visited. Rode to Enfield to exchange with Mr. Prudden.^ It has been I believe the warmest week we have had this year. Yesterday the heat was very oppressive. g. Returned. Read. Had company. The crop of corn is like to be much better than was feared. 10. Excessive hot. Went into the water. Began a sermon on Acts xx : 26, 27. At evening attended the conference. Baptized a child. 11. Wrote. Rode out. Had company. After all fears the people here have a pretty good crop of corn. Visited. 12. Wrote on my sermon. Rode to Hartford. At evening married a couple of blacks who belong here in the house.'' There seems to be little hope that the tyrant of Europe can be resisted, on account of his immense numbers. He is in the hands of a holy God. ' As in other schools, already mentioned, From the house where Mr. Robbins boarded both in New England and in Ohio, the As- the ride to Enfield was twelve or thirteen sembly's Shorter Catechism in those years miles, and he took that ride a great many had its fixed place in the system of instruc- times during the nineteen years he spent at tion. East Windsor. - Mr. Samuel Wolcott, son of Gideon * Slavery existed in Massachusetts not Wolcott, was born April 4, 1751. He mar- by law, but with no special legislation ried Dec. 29, 1774, Miss Jerusha Wolcott, against it, until after the Revolutionary War. and died June 7th, 1813. The slaves were comparatively few in number, 3 Rev. Nehemiah Prudden had already and were generally treated with kindness. By been in the ministry at Enfield twenty-seven the Bill of Rights passed in Massachusetts years. He remained there till his death in in 1783 slavery was summarily ended. In 1S15, when, as already stated, Mr. Robbins's Connecticut, the same year, all importation brother, Francis Le Baron, succeeded him. of slaves was by law forbidden, and provis- 414 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. 13. Wrote considerably. Afternoon preached our lecture from Mai, iii : 16. At evening attended the conference. Our meetings are not so full as they have been. 14. Finished my sermon on Acts xx : 26, 27. Visited Capt. Bissell,' badly hurt, having broke his shoulder and arm by a fall from his horse. Warm. Have some hope that Austria may yet make one more effort against the tyrant. Read the Bible. 15. Preached all day my written sermon finished yesterday. At evening attended our conference. Ver)' tired. I believe I deliver slower in preach- ing with a written sermon than without. 16. Rode with Harold Wolcott^ of this family to Norfolk. Quite cool. Mr. Everett/ of Wareham, at my father's. I think my mother is better in health than she was ten years ago. There are and have been of late consider- able revivals of religion at the eastern part of Massachusetts. 17. My brother James now at home is expecting soon to commence busi- ness in trade at Lenox. The crops of grain in this quarter are remarkabl)' poor this year. There is already a considerable scarcity. 18. Saw Josiah Battell" from New Connecticut. My brother N. was offered three hundred dollars for a last year's Spanish ewe lamb. The demand for those sheep is astonishing.^ 19. Received of my brother E. ten dollars. Returned to East Windsor. My horse very good in a carriage. On the i6th was appointed a school visitor here. 20. Wrote. Made a fire in my chamber. Preached our lecture from Luke x: 21. Some members of the church here know very little about doctrines. At evening attended the conference. I think the inclination for attending meetings appears to abate. Read. 21. Wrote a sermon on Deut. xviii : 19. Mr. Everett,^ of Wareham, called on me. My breast something feeble. ion was made for the gradual extinction of ^ Rev. Noble Everett, Congregational pas- slavery among all persons of slave birth. tor at Wareham, Mass., from 1782 to his By this provision slavery lingered on in a death in 1819, was a native of Woodbury, dying condition in Connecticut. There were Ct., and was graduated at Yale College in quite a number of slaves in Windsor and the year 1775. Wareham was not far from East Windsor, especially among the Wol- that church in Rochester, Mass., where Rev. cott families in the last century. But the Lemuel Le Baron, Mr. Robbins's uncle, was couple married in Mr. Wolcott's house were settled. servants probably, that remained year after ■♦ Josiah Buckingham Battell, whom we year in their place, but not then slaves. first met in Torrington, Ct. Afterward, it Their names were Walter and Sylvia. will be remembered that we met him on the ' Capt. Aaron Bissell, at East Windsor Connecticut Reserve, at or near Austinburg. Hill. s We have had hints before that Nathan- ^ It will be noticed that Mr. Robbins says iel Robbins, of Norfolk, was interested in of this Harold Wolcott, " of this family." If introducing from Europe improved breeds of so he must, we think, have been one of the stock. colored servants. Mr. Abiel Wolcott had '" He is now on his return to his people, no child of that name, and we cannot dis- He has probably been making part of his visit cover that he belonged to any of the re- to Connecticut in his native town of Wood- lated Wolcott families. bury. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR, 415 22. Wrotes notes for preaching. Preached from Luke xxii : 31, 32 and the sermon written yesterday. People attend meeting very well. We have some from Wapping. At evening attended the conference. I generally have a sermon read. Very tired. It is hard for me to attend a conference Sabbath evening. 23. Walked out and visited all day. I believe the people complain of me for not visiting more than they would if I did less. The affairs in Europe appear very discouraging. Democracy in this State appears hopeless. 24. On the i8th wrote to Mr. L. Looniis,' Winchester. Wrote. After- noon walked out and visited. Read Lardner. I am much troubled with inattention in reading. 25. Walked out and visited all day. Some vevf stupid people here of late have been thinking more of serious things than for years, or ever. But I fear we have no special mark of grace. I think sectarianism does not increase among us. Tarried out. 26. Spent the day in visiting. We have very steady pleasant weather, and cold frosty nights. The account of our great training, which I wrote, is published in the Philadelphia paper. Pretty tired. 27. Read Lardner. Preached our lecture from Rev. ii : 10. Pretty full and attentive. At evening attended our conference. The crop of corn is short but better than was expected. 28. Wrote. My parochial duties occupy a great portion of my time. At night a violent rain, 29. Preached from Rom. vii: 9. At evening the conference was quite full. Very warm and pleasant. There are now but few people who do not come to meeting, at least occasionally. 30. Wrote. Quite rainy. Afternoon rode to Simsbury. They make a good deal of cider here.^ Mrs. Case and her family^ do very well. 3 1 . Visited. Engaged a school-master for one of our districts. Returned. A prospect that Mr. Yates* will leave his people. The leaves falling. November. 1. Wrote to Mr. Moulthrop,^ East Haven. Visited. At evening rode to Wapping and performed a marriage.^ The people there sensibly manifest a want of society privileges.^ 2. Read the Bible. Wrote, making out my preaching account. For ' Mr. Lorrain Loomis, before mentioned. * The parties married were Simeon Sadd, '■' That is, at Simsbury. But they made of Scantic parish, and Rachel Rockwell, of cider almost everywhere in those days, when- Wapping. ever they had apples, which they could use ^ The mass of the population, especially for the purpose. in that southern part of the town, was along ^ With whom he boarded. the broad street near the meadow lands. The * Rev. Andrew Yates, D. D. He did not farm houses bordering upon this ancient road leave East Hartford till some years later. stand near together, some of them very old. 5 The artist who took his picture several The centre of Wapping was three or four years before. miles east from the street. 4l6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. nearly five years that I was a candidate I was under pay but about two thirds of the time. Visited. 3. Read. Preached our lecture in *he afternoon from Ps. cxxiv : 8. At evening attended a conference. Am considerably troubled with weakness in my eyes. I hope to be exempted from so great a calamity, but have my fears. 4. Quite rainy. Read Lardner. His sermons are pretty poor.' The danger of impenitence is very seldom suggested. 5. Quite cold. Preached from Rom. xi : 18 and Lev. xxv : 10. I think the Jubilee is an easy and profitable subject.^ At evening attended a confer- ence. I think public speaking affects my eyes. The conferences are still well attended, though there does not appear that general attention that did a few weeks ago. 6. Wrote to Harvey Case,^ of Simsbury. Read newspapers. Rode to Hartford. Got a new surtout. Cost $19.50. The Spanish cause seems to be desponding. 7. Examined a school-master. Wrote to Mr. Ben. Wolcott,* Wapping. Finished the tenth volume of Lardner. Examined and approved another school-master. Wrote. Visited. 8. Walked out and visited all day. There was some party spirit in our assembly about the choice of a Governor.^ A valuable family here about moving to New York. Quite cold. 9. Wrote on a sermon from Acts xxvi : 29. At evening walked out and visited. I think I cannot write so fast as I have at some times in years past. People have made a great quantity of cider. 10. Wrote. Preached our lecture, with little preparation, from Neh. ii : 3. Attended the conference. The little attention to religion among us seems to excite the malice of opposition. I hope God will be our protector. 11. Finished my sermon on Acts xxvi: 29. Wrote to Mr. Dixon,* lawyer, Enfield. My eyes are considerably weak. I can do but little in the evening. We have a great dearth of foreign news. 12. Preached the written sermon finished yesterday. It appeared to be weighty, and the people were solemn. How many of us are no more than almost Christians. Oh that God would give us the instance of his grace. Quite cold. Attended the conference. The serious people here have improved considerably in talking in conferences since I came here. ' In an evangelical point of view, he fore, and Hon. John Treaclwell, of Farming- means, ton, was chosen to fill his place. Mr. Tread- * " And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, well, for some reason, though a man of very and proclaim liberty throughout all the land high character and standing, was not alto- unto all the inhabitants thereof," etc. gether popular with the people, and in iSii, * Perhaps a son of Capt. Case in whose Roger Griswold, of Lyme, was chosen to family he lived. take his place. The Connecticut governors * Mr. Benjamin Wolcott, son of Simon back in those days were usually continued in Wolcott, was born March 26, 1768. office several years. 5 We do not know exactly what form this * Afterwards Judge William Di.xon, and contention took. Gov. Jonathan Trumbull father of Hon. James Dixon, United States died, it will be remembered, the August be- Senator. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 417 13. Read Newton's Dissertations.'- Afternoon rode to Hartford. I have a box of books at Hartford which have been negligently kept there five or six weeks. A hard rain. 14. Walked out and visited all day. Some people here that appeared in opposition to my settlement appear mortified and angry, and I think will do me injury if they can. I hope the God of heaven will protect and defend us. I think there is still some encouragement of seriousness among us. In the morning the ground almost covered with frozen rain. 15. We have very cold winds, probably proceeding from northern snows. Afternoon rode to Wapping and preached in the meeting-house from Rom. i : 16. Some prospect of an addition to our church from this part of the society. Visited. 16. Yesterday had a new bureau brought to me, made at Hartford, cost $17.00. Received also the Universal History, bought for me at New York by Mr. Howe, of New Haven; sixty volumes cost $135.00.^ I believe, except two or three copies in folio, there is not another set in this State. Read. Rode to East Hartford (the Mills ^) and preached from Acts ix : 11. Re- turned. Visited. The people at East Hartford are considerably reconciled to Mr. Yates leaving them.* Set up my History. It makes a fine appearance. 17. Wrote to Beers & Howe, New Haven. Wrote notes and preached our lecture from John xvii : 17. At evening attended the conference. One or two more of our young men I hope have got religion. The small work of God among us is mostly with the male sex. Walked out. I can never be sufficiently thankful that God has, in a small degree, as I hope, blessed my ministry in this place. 18. Read Newton's Dissertations. Wrote notes for preaching. Last night it snowed some ; the first we have had. Our government seem determined to break with England ; but I think they cannot bring the people to it. 19. Preached from John iv: 24. At evening attended the conference. At the Sabbath evening conference I generally have a sermon read. We are now reading Dr. Backus's on Regeneration. Quite tired. 20. Read Newton's Dissertations. I think Faber the preferable writer. It snowed some. Walked out. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in reckoning with his blacks.' ' Bishop Thomas Newton, 1704-1782. His leave. He remained till 1813, and then went Dissertations on the Prophecies, which were to fill a professorship in Union College, finished in 1758. ' In a previous note mention has been 2 We have spoken of this work in a pre- made of the institution of slavery in Connec- vious note as consisting of fifty-nine volumes. ticut, and how it lingered on, in the case of But volumes were added to it from time to individuals, by the very nature of the provis- time, and the set belonging to the library of ions made for its extinction. But in this the Boston Athenaeum is composed of sixty- case where Mr. Robbins is called in to a^isist five volumes. Mr. Walcott in casting up accounts, the lan- ^ The part of East Hartford now known guage shows that these were hired servants, as Burnside. and not slaves. Under a slave system ihere * As before stated, Dr. Yates did not then is no occasion for such reckoning. 4i8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. 21. Wrote to my sister Battell. Rode to Hartford. Visited. It snowed moderately all day. I fear we are going to have winter. 22. Read Newton. Rode to Windsor and returned. Received a letter from Beers & Howe, New Haven. It was missent to Windsor, and has lain in that office more than six weeks.' Visited. The country is in consider- able agitation on the subject of Mr. Jackson's dismission."^ Quite cold. Not snow enough for sleighing. At evening the ice made a little in the river. 23. Severe winter weather. Wrote on my preaching account. It is a work of considerable labor. Walked out and visited. 24. A severe snow-storm all day. I believe I never knew one more so in November. Wrote. Read Lardner. We had no lecture, or conference, on account of the storm. I believe we shall have no more lectures this season. I intended to continue them till the Thanksgiving. The first was June 31st, and I have omitted but one, which was the week that I was at Hartland. They have been well attended, and I hope blessed of God. 25. The snow is nearly a foot deep. People move in sleighs. On the 8th received a circular letter to the clergy of the State from Charles Sherman,^ of New Haven. Wrote on my preaching account. My labors on my mission were very great. Read the Bible. I think my eyes are some better. 26. Preached in the forenoon my written sermon on Jer. viii : 22. Went partly through with the subject, and expected to finish in the afternoon. When I went to meeting in the afternoon I took my Bible instead of my book with my sermon. I did not discover my mistake till the singers were singing the last verse of the second singing. I was very much embarrassed, and preached immediately from Rev. xxii : 20, first clause. I never preached with such embarrassment," and I believe I did pretty poorly. At evening attended the conference. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. Good sleighing. ' Some improvement in post office ar- rangements since that day. ^ This Mr. Jackson was F. J. Jackson, English minister or agent representing the English government at Washington. The relations of the two governments were very delicate at that time. They were almost in a state of war then, as they were actually so three years later. Mr. Jackson so con- ducted his cause that he irritated rather than quieted the public mind, and on the 8th of November, 1809, Hon. Robert Smith, then Secretary of State, wrote him a letter con- taining these words : " Finding that in your reply of the 4th inst., you have used a lan- guage which cannot be understood, but as reiterating and even aggravating the same gross insinuation, it only remains in order to preclude opportunities which are thus abused, to inform you that no farther communication will be received from you, and the necessity of this determination will, without delay, be made known to your government." Where- upon Mr. Jackson removed with his retinue from Washington, and took up his residence at New York. ^ Charles Sherman was a grandson of the famous Roger Sherman. He was a leading man religiously. He afterwards removed from New Haven to Suffield, Ct. What was the nature or design of his circular letter to the clergy we have not been able to discover. * There are preachers, who by reason of ready extemporaneous power and great self- possession might meet an exigency like this with composure. But most ministers would have been even more embarrassed than was Mr. Robbins. When he made the discov- er)', there was no help for him. The house where Mr. Robbins boarded, and where his sermon was lying, was a mile away from the church. l8o9-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 419 27. Began a sermon for thanksgiving on Ps. cxxvi : i. Afternoon in- structed Mr. Tudor's' school. It thaws considerably. The river is frozen over. It shut on the night of the 24th. Yesterday foot people crossed on the ice. Read Lardner. 28. Wrote on my sermon. I cannot write so fast as I have sometimes. Quite wet and very bad going. Old Mrs. Tudor ^ very unwell. 29. Finished my sermon on Ps. cxxvi : i. At evening walked out. I asked Mr. McClure to assist in the exercises tomorrow ; he declined. The ice broke upon the river. 30. This day is the Thanksgiving. May we be humbled for our ingrati- tude, and be sensible of our many obligations. Preached from Ps. cxxvi: i. We have here no company but our own family.^ At evening walked out. Had a pretty full meeting. December. 1 . Rode out. Very bad riding. Began to read my Utiiversal History. I think it doubtful whether I ever read it all '*; if I do, I do not expect to do it quicker than one volume a month, which will take five years. At night a very hard rain. 2. Rode to Somers. Bad riding. The snow remains considerably, Mr. Strong^ has a very good house. 3. Mr. Strong supplied my pulpit by an exchange with Mr. Yates.* Preached from Zeph. i: 12 and Num. x: 29. At evening attended a con- ference and preached from Gen. vii : 16. There has been considerable awakening here within a year past. Tarried with Mrs. Backus.' 4. Returned. Called on Mr. Brockway^ at Ellington. At evening ex- amined a school-master. This town has great changes. 5. Wrote to my sister Battell. Read. At evening walked out and visited. Very warm for the season. Wrote. 6. Read Lardner. Wrote on my preaching account. Old Mrs. Tudor quite feeble. I can read but little by candle-light. On the 29th ult. we had news of peace between France and Austria.^ It will probably be fatal to the ' Probably Mr. Oliver Tudor, son of Mr. ready reference rather than for continuous Samuel Tudor, and brother of Mrs. Abiel reading. Wolcott, his landlady. ^ Rev_ William L. Strong has been al- ' The old Mrs. Tudor, here spoken of, ready noticed in two or three places. He was Mrs. Samuel Tudor, mother of Mrs. succeeded Dr. Charles Backus, and was pas- Abiel Wolcott. Her maiden name was tor at Somers from 1805 to 1829. He was Naomi Diggens. She and her husband lived father of Dr. Edward Strong, late pastor at near Mr. Wolcott's. West Roxbury, Mass., and of Hon. William ^ The family of Mr. Abiel Wolcott at Strong, of Philadelphia, one of the judges of that time consisted of himself and wife, with United States Supreme Court, their four children, Rev. Mr. Robbins, and a ^ This was a triple exchange, number of colored servants. There had been ^ Widow of Dr. Charles Backus, five children born into the family, but one, ^ Rev. Diodate Brockway, pastor at El- William, died in infancy. lington, Ct, 1797-1849. * To a scholar very many books are for 9 This peace was made Oct. 24, 1809. 420 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. latter power. How far infinite wisdom will suffer the tyrant to proceed we leave with God. 7. The snow which we apprehended some days would remain is all gone. Quite warm. Walked out and visited. 8. Rode and visited all day. At evening received of the society com- mittee an order of one hundred and forty-seven dollars for my preaching previous to my installation. The committee feel encouraged with the pros- pects of the society. At evening attended a good conference. 9. Read Lardner. Much of his reasoning upon the subject of the Trinity is weak, and his tracts are of little value. Very rainy. Wrote notes for preaching. 10. From Friday evening it rained about forty hours without the least known intermission. Ver)' thin meeting. Preached from Matt, ix : 22 and Ps. cxlvii : 43. On account of the weather had no conference. I think our government have treated the British minister ' very injuriously. 11. Read Lardner. The society had their annual meeting. It was very harmonious. Several certificates have been given in. It does not appear to arise from any dislike to me, but from old parties and opposition to one an- other's influence. I believe about one fifth of the list has gone off within a year past. I do not think I have a personal enemy among them. 12. Rode to East Hartford and visited ^Ir. Yates. He will probably leave there soon.^ I fear he is doing wrong. Our society voted yesterday that they wish to have Mr. McClure dismissed. Visited. Very pleasant weather. 13. Visited two schools. Mr. McClure attended with me.^ Rainy. Read Lardner. I think our government are likely to act as bad or worse than ever. Received a letter from my father. 14. Read the Universal History. It is very valuable for a reference. Wrote. On the 8th paid by way of Mr. Wolcott for a bridle, $5.00. Had company. 15. Put on my flannel. Visited two schools. They are not very forward, but doing well. My eyes remain quite weak. Attended a conference. Read at it Dr. Hopkins's Life.'' I think it very suitable, particularly the notes. 16. Wrote a sermon on John vii : 17. A woman here has lately lost a son at sea. My weakness of eyes is a very great calamity. Very moderate open weather. 17. Preached written sermons on John vii: 17 and Jer. viii : 22. The former part of the last one I delivered Nov. 26th. Had a very full conference. So much labor on the Sabbath is almost too hard for me. 18. Read Lardner. Visited a child dangerously sick. Visited families. ' This English minister was F. J. Jack- going away. But he was persuaded to stay son, mentioned in a previous note. Mr. Rob- some years longer. bins was not apt, as yet, to like what was ^ -j-hig seems to show that the two pastors done by a Democratic government. were on passably friendly terms, though not * From the frequent references to the prob- very near and intimate in their relations, able retirement of Dr. Yates from East Hart- * Life of Dr. Samuel Hopkins, by Dr ford, it is evident that he had a plan for Stephen West, published in 1805. 1809.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR, 421 Late at evening went to see the sick child again, and found he had died a few minutes before I came. I hope it may make a useful impression on the family. 19. Finished the eleventh and last volume of Lardner's works. I have been long reading them, but they are very valuable. But they ought to be read only by such as have good sentiments established. Visited. I make no distinction in visiting on account of certificates.' 20. Attended the funeral of the child that died on the i8th. Went into the meeting-house. The most of the certificate people attended. The family appear much affected. May the Lord follow the affliction with his blessing. The peace is more favorable for Austria than was expected.^ Rode to Wap- ping and performed a marriage. 21. Read the Universal History. Visited families. Rode to Wapping and married a couple.^ Quite pleasant weather. The ground is as bare as in summer. 22. Rainy, Wrote. Read the Universal History. At evening attended the conference. Old Mr. Tudor very unwell. The ground hard frozen. 23. Quite cold. Finished my preaching account to the time of my coming to this place. It has cost me considerable labor, but I am glad I have done it.* Wrote notes for preaching. 24. Preached from Num. xxi : 4. Very cold. Received two young women into the church. People appeared affected with the occasion. Had a full conference. 25. Rainy. Rode to Wapping, visited two schools, and performed a marriage.* The schools are rather backward, and contain about thirty scholars each. Tarried at Wapping. 26. Visited a school about as large and rather more forward than those I visited yesterday. There are about an hundred families and three schools in Wapping. Returned. At evening saw Rev. Mr. Barker, of Middleborough.^ The people here are in some commotion about seating the meeting-house. Warm and wet. 27. Yesterday a Baptist preached in the meeting-house. The same thing has been done several times in the course of the year.^ But few people I be- lieve attended. A hard snow-storm. Read Universal History. I hope our ' Mr. Robbins had the good sense to see a complete record, showing the places where that the best way to heal such ditiliculties as he had preached, texts, money received, etc. these was to treat them gently, and not irri- ' Marriages were becoming frequent out tate men by much talking. at Wapping. This time Mr. Oliver Dart ^ By this treaty of peace, the city of Vi- and Alice Collins were united in marriage, enna, which had been held by France, was making the third within a week, restored to Austria. * Rev. Joseph Barker, a native of Bran- ^ He united in marriage Mr. John Stough- ford, Ct., a graduate of Yale, 1771, and pas- ton, Jr., and Hepzibah Sadd. tor at the old church in Middleborough, Mass., * Mr. Robbins has several times spoken 1781-1815. of this work of bringing up his preaching ' It was charitable to let the Baptists thus account. With his love of exactness and have the use of the Congregational meeting- order, he could not rest content until he had house. 422 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1809. government will not be able to draw Congress into a war with Britain, which they evidently wish. 28. Read Universal History. It is a work of very great labor. People move considerably in sleighs. 29. Rode to Scantic and back in a sleigh. Tolerably good sleighing. At evening attended a conference. There does not appear so much engagedness about these things as there has been. 30. Finished the first volume of the Universal History. Very cold. Rode to Scantick ' to exchange with Mr. Bartlett. 31. Preached a written sermon from Acts xxvi : 4. Something rainy. At evening returned. Had no conference. Thus in the good providence of God I am allowed to close another year. It has been perhaps as happy a year to me as any other. I have enjoyed comfortable health, and it has, on the whole, constantly increased. I believe I have preached every Sabbath but one, in which my father preached for me. I have been agreeably settled in the min- istry. Yea, and I believe, thanks to God, I have seen a little success of my labors. I have not been called to mourning. ' Scantic, as will have been noticed, is into the Connecticut River, near East Wind- the common name for the Second or North sor Hill. Mr. Robbins spells the words in ecclesiastical parish in East Windsor. It different ways : Skantick, Scantick, Skantic, takes its name from the little river running Scantic. It is an Indian word, but the last through that part of the town, and emptying form is the one now more commonly used. 1810- January. 1. Endeavored to pay some attention to objects naturally suggested by the day. Read Universal History. At evening rode with Mrs. Wolcott, and made a short visit to Mr. Yates." He showed me his call which he has lately received from New York. The vote was unanimous, the offer ^2,000 salary and expense of removing. As the Council last week advised him to stay here, he concludes to stay.^ Very good sleighing. 2. Read. Walked out. Wrote to my father. The New Year's Mirror is not very smart. 3. Walked and visited all day. Warm. The snow goes pretty fast. Read a very excellent speech of Mr. Dana ^ on the subject of the foolish reso- lutions of Congress respecting the British Minister. 4. Read. My eyes are much better than they have been. Began to write a sermon on Isa. xlix: 15. 5. Finished the sermon begun yesterday. Wrote notes and preached a sacramental lecture on i Cor. x : 4. My brother Frank came here from West- field and tarried. He appears to be worn with much labor in his school. 6. My brother went home. Wrote a sermon on Rev. xxii: 2. Consider- ably worried with close study. But my breast is pretty well. 7. There have been but six deaths in this society the j^ear past." Preached written sermons from Isa. Ixix : 15 and Rev. xxii : 2. Administered the sacrament. Many spectators stay. Under the preaching, particularly in the forenoon, people were much affected. Remarkably warm for the season. The ground bare and very wet. At evening had a conference. I think the Universalist that preached here lately will do no hurt. He is a poor chap.^ 8. Visited. Visited a school on Long Hill.^ I believe they have never had one there before. It has near thirty scholars. Read. 9. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. Crossed on the new bridge.' It is nearly ' As Mr. Wolcott's house was a mile south was United States Senator from 1810 to 1821. of the centre of South Windsor, it was only He was a prominent Federalist, and would three or four miles down to East Hartford be a man such as Mr. Robbins would nat- Street where Dr. Yates lived. urally like. He ably represented the New ^ This explains the ground of the expecta- England ideas of that time, tion that Mr. Yates was about to leave his "* This, like the record the year before, people. Certainly it would appear that there would indicate a remarkable degree of health must have been some self-denial on his part in his parish. in accepting the suggestion of the Council. ' An emphatic and laconic opinion. The offer, for those days, was a flattering one. * This place was in the eastern part of ^ Hon. Samuel Whittlesey Dana, son of the town. Rev. James Dana, of New Haven. He was ' This bridge was carried away in 1818, a graduate of Yale College in 1775, was a and the one built to replace it is the one now member of Congress from 1796 to 1810, and in use. 423 424 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181O. completed. It is indeed a magnificent structure. I think it will be very useful. 10. Walked and visited. Remarkably warm and wet. They have just been seating the meeting-house here. Three or four families appear to be dissatisfied ; but in general it is quite acceptable.' Tarried out. The Presi- dent Mias recommended the raising an army of twenty thousand men. It is sheer nonsense.^ 11. Visited. Very muddy going. Have bought me a snuff-box, and think of going into the business of taking snuff.* It is recommended for my catarrhal complaint. Wrote to J. W.* 12 It snowed some. Read the Universal History, At evening attended a conference. My conferences are considerably fatiguing. 13. Finished the second volume of my Utiiversal History. Wrote notes for preaching. Visited a young man who I fear is going into a con- sumption. 14. Wrote. Preached from Heb. xi : 17. I think an entertaining and useful subject.^ Attended our conference. We have read Dr. Backus's Sermons through.' 15. Examined a girl for keeping school. Read. Afternoon, rode to Windsor and returned. Very muddy. The river as clear* as in summer. Visited. 16. Read the Universal History. Walked out and visited. The certifi- cated people here I think have very little notion of following any other religious denomination. 17. Rode out. Afternoon kept Mr. Tudor's school' About fifty scholars. Had company. Very warm, and the ground very wet. 18. Rode to Simsbur}'. From Hartford westward I think I never saw it so muddy. At evening Mr. King,*° a candidate, came here. 19. Received of Capt. O. Phelps" twenty dollars. Am much disappointed in not getting more. Last night the weather changed suddenly, and it is now most severe cold and very windy. Rode home. I don't know that I ever saw a more tedious day. I think I never saw so few people in the streets at ' Seating the meeting-house has always been a delicate piece of business. Human nature continues much the same from gen- eration to generation. * The President was James Madison in his first term. ' New England opposed the contest which was then coming on, but it is hard now to see how we could with dignity have avoided the War of 18 1 2. ♦ Better to stop that before he begins. 5 Probably his brother James Watson. 6 "By faith Noah "etc. ' That is, they have been reading them in these conference meetings. ^ Clear of ice. 9 Mr. Oliver Tudor's, probably, as before suggested. '° Barnabas King, D.D., a graduate of Williams College in 1804. He was a native of New Marlboro', Mass., and fitted for col- lege with Rev. Jacob Catlin, of that town, and afterwards studied theology with the same. He was settled in Rockaway, N. J., where he remained fifty-five years, dying in 1862 at the age of eighty-two. He received his degree of D. D. from his Alma Mater. " Capt. Oliver Phelps, of Simsbury. The name Phelps was one of the original names of Windsor, of which Simsbury was a part. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 425 Hartford. Not a team to be seen. I was very cold. Traded. $2.58. Read Shakespeare. 20. Tremendous cold. No person scarcely goes out. Wrote notes for preach- ing. I fear the sudden and great change of weather will be very injurious. 21. Yesterday and last night Mr. VVolcott rode home from Washington,' near sixty miles. It was very presumptuous. Preached from Isa. xlii : 16. Meetings very short. I believe as cold as yesterday. Received a letter from cousin S. P. Robbins. 22. The weather moderates a little. People suppose they have never known a colder turn. Read Universal History. Walked out and visited. My eyes are much better than they have been. 23. The river, which was perfectly clear last Thursday, shut over on Friday night, and is now in the best condition for crossing. People crossed on Satur- day. The ground is wholly bare. 24. It snowed some. Rode out and visited. Visited our Academic school.^ It is quite small, but appears pretty well. Received a letter from my sister S.^ The late cold and wind was very severe there.'* Began a sermon on Matt, viii: 24. Paid a tailor $3.34. 25. Read the Universal History. The late turn of cold weather seems to have been very extensive and very severe. Have something of a cold. 26. Wrote. Considerably interrupted by company. Rode out to attend a conference, but had none on account of the weather. Received a letter from my brother Battell. Received of Mr. Tudor for the society twenty-three dollars. At night it snowed. 27. Wrote twelve pages. As I write and deliver now, eight pages will make a sermon of half an hour.^ Finished my sermon on Matt, viii : 34. People move considerably in sleighs. ,^^8. Preached the written sermon finished yesterday. Quite cold. The Universalist fellow * preached here last evening, and attended meeting in the forenoon. I think he is despised. At evening attended the conference. 29. Extreme cold. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins. Walked out. Had an interview with ^ 30. Almost as cold as ten days ago ; very severe. Rode in a sleigh to Windsor and returned. Poor sleighing. The ice in the river very strong. Visited some blacks. Wrote to Mr. Howe,^ of New Haven, and sent him for my Universal History., $30.00. 31. Read Universal History. The weather moderates a little. Walked out and visited. Read Ossian's Poems? ' Washington, Ct., southern part of Litch- of a minister, even though he might be of a field County. denomination which the writer of this diary ^ At East Windsor Hill. strongly disliked. 3 Mrs. Sarah Battell. ^ This place is blank in the diary. "• At Norfolk, Ct. ^ Hezekiah Howe, bookseller, before men- ^ This, by ministers generally, would be tioned. considered rapid sermon-writing. ' Otherwise James Macpherson's, of Scot- ^ Not a very respectful way of speaking land, as has been before explained. 426 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBEINS, D.D. [181O. February. 1. Read, Had company. People move some in sleighs, but more on wheels. Walked out. 2. Finished the third volume of the Universal History} Very cold. At evening attended a conference. Have read the most of Dr. Hopkins' Life in the conferences.^ I think it very useful. Read Newton on the Prophecies. 3. Read Newton. Had company. Wrote notes for preaching. I fre- quently find it hard to suit myself with subjects for preaching. 4. Preached from Luke xix : 42. Quite cold. Very little sleighing. At evening attended a conference. Pretty thin. 5. Rode to East Hartford (Orford) ^ and visited Mr. King" and Mr. Olcott.^ King is pretty gloomy, and knows not what to do. Returned. Bad riding. 6. Rode to Windsor to attend Association. The meeting was pretty full. Mr. Whitfield Cowles^ applied, with a sort of a confession, for a restoration. The confession was judged insufficient. 7. The Association licensed two candidates.^ One of them, Esq. Perkins, of West Hartford. Mr. Church^ introduced the Hartland matters which detained us till evening. 8. Rode home. Very good sleighing on the river, and none other. It is said that there is a good path on the ice from Springfield to Saybrook.' Warm. Attended the funeral of an aged black man.'° Received an excellent letter from Mr. Waldo, of this place, now at Pomfret. 9. Finished reading Newton's Dissertations on the Prophecies. I think it is ' He was reading the Universal History ^ The two candidates were Nathan Per- about as rapidly as he intended. When he kins, Jr., son o£ Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West first purchased the work he thought he Hartford, and John Bartlett, Jr., son of Mr. should read one volume a month. He has John Bartlett, of Lebanon, Ct., and brother already finished three volumes. This, as of Rev. Shubael Bartlett, of the North Parish, may be remembered, was a work of sixty East Windsor. Mr. Perkins was graduated volumes, of which eighteen were of Ancient at Yale in 1795, and first gave himself to the Histor}', and fortj--two of Modern. profession of law, and turned from this to ^ Dr. Stephen West's Life of Dr. Samuel the ministry. Mr. Bartlett was graduated at Hopkins, which he had been reading in their 1807, and afterwards settled in Wintonbury conference-meetings. parish, Windsor, and in Avon (formerly ^ Now the town of Manchester, Ct. Northington). * Rev. Salmon King, before mentioned, ^ Rev. Aaron Church, who had been pas- who had been dismissed from the church in tor at Hartland since 1773. Precisely what Orford (Manchester) two years before, but the matters were which he brought to the was not yet settled elsewhere, and seems to notice of the Association, we do not know, be at home yet in Manchester. ' If that was a fact, it shows the intensity ^ Rev. Allen Olcott, a native of East of the cold which had been prevailing, for, Hartford, who had formerly been settled in over the Enfield Falls, where the river runs Farmington, but was now supplying the pul- rapidly, it is not easy so to compact the ice pit in Manchester, though never settled there. as to make a pathway for horses and sleighs. Hewasgraduatedat Yalein 176S, andwasnow '° This was Peter, a colored man, aged in years. He died the following year, 181 1. eighty, who in the centuiy before had proba- '' Who had been dismissed from East bly been a slave, belonging to some one of Granby. the East Windsor families. [8io.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 427 not so valuable a work as Faber's.' Began to read Jews' Letters to Voltaire^ At evening attended a conference. Very cold. 10. Read. Afternoon rode to Wethersfield. We have many accounts of the disastrous effects of the late extreme cold. Very bad and rough riding. The river has not been known to be so universally frozen, with so few openings. 11. Dr. Marsh' is quite unwell with an influenza. His son" now preaches for him, and supplies my pulpit today by exchange. Preached a written sermon on John vii : 17. Afternoon preached with short notes from Heb. xi : 17. At evening preached again without notes from Luke xv : 17. Meetings quite full and attentive. 12. Returned. Weather very pleasant. The country very extensively destitute of snow. Visited sick persons. Yesterday there was a sudden explosion in the river near the upper part of this town; the ice broke and was cast each way, leaving an opening near half a mile in length and several rods in breadth. It is an unknown phenomenon.* 13. Read jfeivs'' Letter's. They are a learned and very valuable work. At evening walked out and visited. The business of seating the meeting-house has passed off very quietly. 14. Walked and visited all day. ISIostly certificate people. There is a hopeful beginning of a special work of grace at Springfield. God can bring water from the dr}^'est ground. 15. Read yews' Letters. Afternoon began a sermon on i Peter iv : 18. I think we shall not go through this year with so few deaths in this place as last year. On the 3rd sent a request to Mr. Francis King,^ of Vernon, to preach for me Sabbath after next ; and received an answer of compliance. 16. Wrote all day. Received a polite letter from Mr. Frederick Wolcott,' of Litchfield, with a present of a copy of Elegant Extracts in Verse^ in consid- eration of the Wolcott family piece which I sent him last fall. ' George Stanley Faber, already noticed. ^ The full title of this book (two volumes in one) is Letters of Certain Jews to Monsieicr Voltaire, cojitaining an Apology for their own people, and for the Old Testament. Trans- lated by Rev. Philip Lebaner, Philadelphia, 1795- ^ John Marsh, D. D., pastor at Wethers- field, 1774-1821. * John Marsh, Jr., D. D., graduated at Yale College in 1804, and well known in all his later life for his distinguished services in the temperance cause. ^ This must have happened near the foot of Enfield Falls, in the vicinity of Warehouse Point, and may have been connected with the action of frost where the water was not very deep. The cold, it will be remembered, had been severe almost bej'ond the memory of man, and in the shallow waters over the falls, the ice may have formed to such a depth, as to impede the flow, and cause a great pressure from the waters above. * Francis King was son of Col. Oliver King, of Vernon, and younger brother of Rev. Salmon King, a classmate of Mr. Rob- bins at Yale. He was graduated at Yale in 1804, and licensed to preach by the Litchfield North Association, June 14, 1808, but for some reason did not follow the pro- fession of the ministry. ^ Mr. Frederick Wolcott, of Litchfield, Ct., was son of the first Gov. Oliver Wolcott, and brother of the second Governor of the same name. He was graduated at Yale, 1786. ^ This was a work in two vols., octavo, published in London in 1801. 428 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROEBINS, D.D. [1810. 17. Finished my sermon on i Peter iv : iS. This week has been remark- ably dr)- and pleasant. The boys play ball. Excellent going for carriages. Sleighing on the river, and there only. Bonaparte is evidently extending his designs to this country.* 18. Preached my written sermon on i Peter iv : i8. Rainy and quite thin meeting. At evening attended the conference. Young Albert Wolcott appears near his grave." With a consumption. Very tired. 19. Quite warm. Rode to Simsbury. Towards night and at evening a very hard rain. I am disappointed about getting money at Simsbury.^ Paid for Catechisms which I give away, $3.00. Paid my annual contribution to the Bible Societ}', $3.00. Received of Maj. Wolcott for the society, $23.00. 20. In the morning the river was broken up and the ice ran with great violence. Warm. Rode to Norfolk. Very bad riding. My parents quite well. My brother Ammi appears to be in very good circumstances. 2 1. Cold. A young man died here yesterday of the spotted fever. My father keeps no scholars." Dined at Mr. Battell's. There seems to be some agitation in this county about the choice of governor.^ 22. Reckoned with Mr. Battell. Very rough going. My brother S. engaged in his school.* My brother N. quite prosperous in his business of Spanish sheep. I fear this town is not gaining in property or character. 23. My father has been new-drafting his will. I think it is pretty judi- cious.' Packed some large folios to send to East Windsor. My sister S.^ quite unwell. 24. In my settlement with Mr. Battell paid him $40.00, which he paid for me for the horse I bought in 1807. In my settlement with Mr. Battell and brother N. paid them $40.00 in addition to other $40.00 which I paid for my horse last summer. In my settlement with Mr. Battell paid him a merchant's bill of $31.75. Reckoned with my brother N. Received of him in notes against other people, $53.86. Paid Mr. Battell on account in advance $19.11. Received of my father yesterday, and paid for a pair of saddle-bags, $5.00. 25. Preached for my father in the forenoon a written sermon on John vii : 17. Afternoon on Heb. xi : 17. Quite full meeting. At evening a few neighbors came in for a season of prayer. The ground perfectly bare. 26. Remarkably warm. Rode to Winchester, Preached a lecture pre- ' This was a common idea, back in Napo- his ministry at Norfolk, and had received in Icon's day, among the people of this country, times past nearly two hundred pupils into but if the Emperor ever had any such thought his family. he never found time to attend to it. That ^ Hon. John Treadwell, of Farmington, is one of the advantages of having an ocean was then Governor, and was reelected in the between us and the Old World. following April. ^ He died, as will be seen, in the follow- * His brother Samuel, as may be remem- ing month. bered, is teaching now in Norfolk. ' The people were still owing him for his ' This implies that he had made the sub- services two years before. Everywhere then stance of his will known to his children, or, it was hard to get money. at least to his son Thomas. * He was now in the forty-eighth year of ^ Mrs. Joseph Battell. tSio.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 429 viously appointed from Lev. xxv : 10. Quite a full meeting. The prospects of this society appear verj^ favorable. I rejoice in the prospect. Received of this society for all demands, $55.00.' I gave in the interest for more than two years. Tarried at Mr. Marsh's.^ He is very useful here, and living very well. 27. Cold and very bad riding. Visited several families. Rode to Norfolk. I think a holy God is about to do good things for Winchester. 28. Surveyed a small piece of land. Had some tailor-work done. Assisted in settling a disagreeable affair in church. I hope it has happily succeeded. There is a good deal of discipline in this church. March. 1. Left home and rode to Simsbur}-. My father and his church observe this day as a church fast. Received of my brother Ammi, $42.50. Very pleasant weather. The ground thaws in many places. 2. I get nothing here of my dues. I think the prospect of this society is favorable. Rode home. I have not been absent from here so long at one time since I first came to reside in the town. Visited sick people. At evening attended a conference. Received a letter from Mr. Moulthrop, East Haven, and one from my brother James. The ice in the river broke on the 2 1 St ult. 3. Visited. A very strong, healthy man was hurt on his head in Novem- ber, and appears now in a very dangerous state. Received a letter from Mr. Yates. Wrote notes for preaching. 4. Wrote notes for preaching. Preached from John i : 29 and Acts xiii : 27. During the week past the women here, wholly without my knowledge, have placed a good new cushion on the desk, and an excellent folio Bible in the pulpit. This testimony of their sentiments is peculiarly gratifying. At evening attended a conference. Very pleasant weather. 5. Visited the sick. Saw the operation of cupping. . A hard rain. Read yews' Letters. It appears that the British powers have taken Guadaloupe.^ The French are like to be driven entirely from America. 6. Finished reading Jeios' Letters. It is a very valuable work. Wrote to Beers & Howe,* New Haven, and sent them a bank-bill of $50.00. Rode out and visited. Quite cold. 7. Rode to Windsor with Mr. Yates. Five ministers' of the vicinity met ' This money was for the supply of the pulpit three years before. ^ Rev. Frederick Marsh, settled in 1S09, and continuing in the ministry at Winchester until 1851, and a resident there many years afterwards. ^ 1 he Island of Guadaloupe had been once or twice before taken from the French by England and restored. This time it was given to Sweden in order to draw her into the alliance against the French. But it was again given back to France at the peace of 1S14. * The firm of Isaac Beers & Hezekiah Howe, of New Haven. Mr. Robbins became acquainted with them probably when he was in Yale College, and now employs them as his agent in buying books for his library. ^ These were. Rev. Andrew Yates, D. D , Rev. Henry A. Rowland, Rev. Thomas Rob- bins, D.D., Rev. Prince Hawes, and Rev. Shubael Bartlett. 43° DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l( and organized a circular ministers' meeting. I hope it may be useful. Tarried at Capt. Ellsworth's.' Verj- bad going. 8. Returned. Afternoon rode to Hartford. The most of the crossing is still at the ferry.* Paid a cabinet-maker $15.00. My desk and book-case cost $43.00 My bureau cost $17.00. Paid a watch-maker $5.75. Traded, etc. $2.94. Visited. 9. Rainy. Visited the sick. Reckoned my pecuniary accounts. The weather and going were such that I omitted the evening conference. Read Universal History. 10. Began a sermon on 2 Cor. v : 20. Wrote all day. Interrupted by company. Mr. Yates called on me. I think there is a prospect of his form- ing a connection at Windsor. Yesterday got a new chair, made high for writing at my bureau-table. Cost $5.00. 11. Finished and preached the sermon begun yesterday on 2 Cor. v: 20. I believe I never wrote so much in so short a time. I had done half of it when I lighted a candle last evening. At evening had Dr. Griffin's Dedica- tion Sermon read at conference.' 12. Visited. It snowed considerably. Wrote. Read. 13. With the school visitors visited and catechised two schools. Made the children some presents of small books. Read Universal History. The snow goes off. 14. Rode to Westfield to see my brother Frank. He has had an ill turn, but is now pretty well. Dined at Esq. Leavitt's, Suffield. Very bad riding. 15. Went into my brother's school. It is large and respectable. He has a valuable man for an assistant. Returned home. Cold and very bad riding. Crossed the Enfield bridge. Electioneering goes pretty high in Massa- chusetts.'' 16. Read. Very cold. Afternoon visited a small school. At evening attended a conference. At evening my cousin S. P. Robbins arrived here from Marietta.^ He is performing the long journey for a visit to his friends in New England. 17. My cousin, notwithstanding his great labors in the western countr}% ' Captain, or Major Martin Ellsworth (for Edward Dorr Griffin, at the dedication of the he was known by both titles) was one of the Park Street Church, Boston, Jan. 10, 1810. four sons of Oliver Ellsworth, United States He was at that time Professor of Rhetoric Chief Justice, etc. One of his brothers was in Andover Theological Seminary, but in the William W. Ellsworth, Governor of Con- year following he became the pastor of Park necticut, and another was Henry L. Ells- Street Church, which office he held 1811- worth, who after holding some government 181 5. In his day hardly any man in the offices, became an agent in the buying and land was regarded as his superior in pulpit selling of government lands. He left a large power. legacy to Yale College. Both of the last * Christopher Gore had served for one named were graduates of Yale. year as Governor, but in 1810 Elbridge Gerry ^ The bridge was nearly finished, but as was chosen in his place, men were still at work upon it, the ferry was * Mr. Robbins had not seen his cousin deemed more convenient. since he preached his ordination sermon at ' This was the sermon preached by Dr. Marietta, in January, 1806. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 43 1 appears very little altered in four years. Received a letter from my brother James. Assisted the church committee in examining two elderly persons for communion. 18. My cousin preached for me and exceeding well. He is a serious and useful preacher. At evening we attended a singing-meeting. Our singing is deservedly admired. 19. Rode to Hartford and visited in my own society with my cousin. Made him some presents. 20. In the morning my cousin set off for Plymouth. Rode to Wapping and visited two schools. They have done well the present season. Tarried at Wapping. The people here are in great want of religious instruction. 21. Visited two schools. The other visitors are pretty faithful in the business. Very muddy and bad riding. Pretty tired. Our leading national characters appear to be exceedingly attached to the French government. I hope God will be our holy preserver. 22. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Several persons here are sick. The roads dry considerably. Read. 23. In the morning was called to see a young man apparently near death with a consumption.' Walked out and visited families. At evening attended a conference. Late at night visited the young man again. He appears not to have been aware of his danger till last night. 24. In the morning the young man I visited yesterday died. Visited a man sick with a fever. Wrote notes for preaching. I find but little time for reading. 25. Preached from Ex. xiv : 15 and Deut. xxxii : 29. Very pleasant. Meeting quite full and attentive. At evening attended a conference. Have the Village Sermons read in the conferences. Very tired. 26. It snowed hard the most of the day. Wrote. My parochial duties occupy the most of my time. 27. Wrote a review of Dr. Griffin's Dedication Ser?non.^ Afternoon attended the funeral of Albert Wolcott. It was a very solemn and affecting occasion. A great collection of people. Heard Mr. AtwelP the Baptist at Enfield preach in the meeting-house. Walked out and visited. 28. Read. Mr. Atwell called on me. He appears very desirous of getting a footing here. Sectarians and opposers of all kinds encourage him. I hope God will be our protector. Walked out and visited. Received a letter from Mr. Battell with the very grateful information that Sally ^ has a daughter and is quite smart. I hope they may never be unmindful of their mercies. ' This was Albert Wolcott, whose pioba- this time, seems not to have been a man of ble death was mentioned a month before. collegiate education. He was son of Albert Wolcott, grandson of * Mrs. Sarah Battell. This was her third Erastus Wolcott, and great-grandson of the child and first daughter, and was named colonial Governor, Roger Wolcott. Sarah. She became the wife of Rev. Joseph 2 Probably for publication. Eldridge, D. U., for forty-three years pastor 3 Rev. George Atwell. A small Baptist at Norfolk. He died in 1S75, ^""^1 she in church had been gathered in Enfield as early 1878. The children of Dr. Eldridge still re- as 1764. Rev. Mr. Atwell, the pastor of it at side at Norfolk. 432 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181O. 29. Wrote to Beers & Howe, New Haven. Visited a man verj' sick. Visited and catechised two schools consisting of about sixty scholars ' each. It snowed some. Very bad going. Some of our schools are taught the Cft-techism very poorly. 30. Began a sermon on Eph. iii : lo. Afternoon wrote notes and preached a sacramental lecture from 2 Cor. v : 14. Visited the sick. Very cold for the season. Received of Mr. Tudor for the society, $2.35. 31. Wrote a sermon on Matt, xxv : 21. I have exceedingly good con- veniences for writing. I don't know that I can write any faster than I could years ago. April. 1. Finished my sermon on Eph. iii: 10. Preached that and the one written yesterday. I believe I have seldom written a better one than this latter. It snowed the most of the day. Quite uncomfortable. Administered the sacrament. Received two women for communion. Had a thin but attentive meeting.^ 2. Wrote. Rode to Westfield. The riding very bad. This day is the election of Governor, etc., in this State. ^ There has been a great deal of electioneering. My brother Frank has too much labor for his health. At evening preached in the hall of the academy from Matt, xxv : 21. 3. In the forenoon attended the examination of the academy. They performed very well. Afternoon attended the exhibition. Sat on the stage with the trustees. The exhibition was very acceptable. At evening rode to Sufifield. On the way preached at Feeding Hills at conference for old Mr. Griswold* from Matt, xxv : 21. Tarried at a tavern. 4. Rode home. Rode to East Hartford and attended our ministers' meeting.^ Read my review of Dr. Griffin's sermon, which was much approved by the meeting. Returned. Visited a man apparently near dying. Very tired. 5. Walked out and visited all day. I think there is reason to hope that we are not wholly forgotten of divine grace. Received the payment of a note which I received last summer for my horse, which has been sued, though not in my name, $46.58. Of this sum I set $42.00 against an equal sum which I paid for my present horse. The weather begins to appear like spring. Last evening received a letter from Beers & Howe, New Haven. 6. A worthy man* in the society, about fifty-five years, died last night * The district schools in those years were the man to whom reference is made. He large, because the families of children in the was not settled at Feeding Hills, but only district were large. supplying. * During the year 1810 he received eight * This was the first meeting of the circular persons into the church, four of each sex. Ministers' Association of five. * Massachusetts. «> Mr. Sylvanus Filley. The name Filley * There was a Rev. Sylvanus Griswold was among the early names of Old Windsor, who was graduated at Yale in 1757, and who Mr. William Filley married there in 1642, was then fifty-three years out of college, but and his descendants were numerous both in as he lived till 1819, he was without doubt Windsor and East Windsor. [8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 433 after a short illness. Rode to Harford. Paid a cabinet-maker $20.00. Paid for books, miscellaneous classics, $15.00. Paid for a certificate for the right of crossing the bridge for a year, $2.00.' Mr. Clark, from Norfolk, called on me. At evening attended a conference very full. Wrote. 7. Quite spring weather. Walked out and visited. Wrote notes for preaching. I am fearful Mr. Weir, a young gentleman from Boston, with a consumption, at Mr. McClure's,^ will not live long. 8. Wrote notes for preaching. Preached from Zech. viii : 2 and Luke xxi : 34. Attended the funeral of Mr. Filley. I believe I have never seen so full a meeting here on the Sabbath. At evening rainy. Had a thin conference. 9. It appears the people in Massachusetts are again to have the trial of a Democratic Governor.' The anger of heaven is very manifest toward us in the infatuation of the people. Prayed at the opening of the Freeman's meeting. Votes for Gov. Treadwell, 131; Spalding, 90; Griswold, 64.* Vis- ited. I did not vote. Sat out about dusk and rode to Simsbury. Quite cold. 10. Rode to Norfolk. Good riding to Winstead ; from thence to Norfolk very bad. Considerable snow here. My brothers James and Frank at home. My parents quite well. My brother N. has lately sold fourteen sheep for two hundred and forty dollars. 11. Our family were all together. I believe we have not been before for fifteen years or more. My two parents and their eight children and Mr. Battell, and no other persons, dined together. How great is God's goodness towards us. There has not been a death in the family since September, 1777.^ Sally is quite smart, though her child is but twenty-three days old. ' Mr. Robbins' journeys to Hartford were Total, 285. The population of the town of frequent. He usually went on horseback. East Windsor in 1810 was 3,081. But there Two dollars for the year seems a moderate were at that time property restrictions in price. Connecticut on voting, so that the number of ^ Dr. McClure was of a Boston family, voters was considerably less than on our and this young man of the name of Weir, present basis. The population of East from Boston, was probably of the circle of Windsor then by present system would his kindred or acquaintance. indicate about six hundred voters. Gov. ^ This Democratic Governor was no other John Treadwell was the regular Federal than Elbridge Gerry, who was one of the candidate. Roger Griswold was also a Fed- Committee of Public Safety in the Revolu- eralist, and the vote for him was by way of tionary War, was a member of the Conven- Federalist dissent from Governor Treadwell. tion framing the Constitution of the United Mr. Asa Spalding was a Democratic lawyer, States, was sent by President John Adams in native of Canterbury, Ct., but then living in 1797, in company with John Marshall and Norwich, Ct., in the house formerly occupied Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, as Commis- by Gov. Samuel Huntington, a man of wealth sioner to France, and in 1S13 he was elected and ability, and a graduate of Yale. Vice-President of the United States. It ^ Of the thirteen children of Rev. Ammi would not seem that the anger of heaven Ruhamah and Elizabeth Robbins, five died need burn very fiercely because of the elec- in early life. The last of these five was tion of a man with such a history. Francis Le Baron, who died in 1777. Rev. * The vote of East Windsor for Governor Francis Le Baron, the life-long minister in 1810, stood, for John Treadwell, 131 ; Mr. of Enfield, was a second child of this Asa Spalding, 90 ; Mr. Roger Griswold, 64. name. 434 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1810. P'ive of us are professors of religion. Oh that we might be Christians indeed, and that none of us may fail of the grace of life. 12. There are valuable tan-works erected near my father's. It has been a good season for maple sugar. Rode with James and Frank to Ammi's and dined. Rode to Simsbury. The ground dries very fast. People beginning to plow. 13. Received of Capt. O. Phelps/ on a note, $65.00. Sent my brother James, $50.00. Paid a cabinet-maker, $15.00. Rode home. It is feared that Gov. Treadwell will not be elected by the people.^ The river rises consider- ably. Yesterday quite warm. Read Universal History. At evening attended a conference. 14. Wrote to Mr. Oilman, Marietta. Read Universal History. The ground very dry. Vegetation advances \^xv little. 15. Read the Bible. Preached my written sermon on Ps. li : 17. At evening attended our conference. Received a letter from Beers & Howe, New Haven. 16. Wrote letters to my Uncle Starr, my sister Battell, and brother Samuel. Visited. People begin to catch shad. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick woman. 17. Rode to Hartford. Had to ferr)- in the meadows, but the water is very low for a spring fliood. Quite warm. People beginning to garden. Wrote. Began a sermon for the fast on Luke v : 34, 35. iS. Wrote. Afternoon walked out and visited. Very warm and dusty. Vegetation advances very little for want of wet. 19. WVote the most of the day. Visited. Some people are sick. There is like to be no election for Governor by the Freemen. 20. This day is Fast through this State. ^ Finished and preached my sermon on Luke v: 34, 35. Meeting well attended. People appeared sol- emn. Quite warm. I wore no outside coat. At evening attended a con- ference. Ver}' tired. My labor has been almost too hard. 21. Read Elegant Extracts.* Afternoon rode to Glastonbury to exchange with Mr. Hawes.' Visited a sick man in Orford.^ Mr. Hawes agreeably situ- ated here. ' Capt. Oliver Phelps, treasurer of the parish of Simsbury, gave Mr. Robbins a note for the sum due. This payment is on that note. , ^ As has already been noticed, there was a division among the Federalists, so that there were two candidates of the Federal party, Gov. Treadwell and Roger Griswold. Asa Spalding, of Norwich, was the Demo- cratic candidate, without the slightest chance of election, but as it required a majority to elect, the fear was that there would be, with this triple arrangement, no choice by the people. ^ As before remarked, the yearly fast in Connecticut was appointed of old on Good Friday. This year it was nearly as late as it could be. Easter is a movable feast day and may range from March 21 to April 25. Good Friday being the Friday before Easter, may occur as late as April 23. * The work presented him by Mr. Freder- ick Wolcott, of Litchfield. 5 Rev. Prince Hawes, a native of Warren, Ct., graduated at Williams College, 1S05, pastor of Glastonbury, 1S07-1S20. * He went by way of Orford, then the east part of East Hartford, now Manchester, Ct. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 435 2 2. Mr. Hawes went to East Windsor. Preached a written sermon on Matt, xxv: 21 and from Num. x : 29. I think this congregation is not so large as mine. Remarkably warm and dusty. At evening returned.' 23. It appears that our Jeffersonian administration have made a prodigal waste of public money.^ Rode to Scantic and visited Mr. Bartlett. The dust very oppressive. People generally are gardening. Planted some peas. 24. Worked in the garden. Sowed some asparagus seed. The asparagus bed which I made last year does very well. Wrote on a piece for minister's meeting. Walked out and visited. Yesterday saw blows on the daffos.^ 25. Rode to Hartford. Bought some books. Am trying to trace the origin of idolatry.* It is a wojk of much labor. Sat in my chamber without any fire. 26. It rained some, the first we have had for a long time. Walked out and visited. Flagg,^ the Universalist preacher here, I trust he will do no injury. Eat asparagus. The blossoms appear on the peach-trees. 27. Wrote on the authenticity of the book of Genesis for the minister's meeting. I got great help from Bedford's Scriptural Chronology and my Universal History. Rode to Wapping and visited. At evening attended a conference. Pretty thin. 28. Wrote. This subject to which I am now attending requires much labor. Afternoon rode to Hartford with Mr. Wier.* He is quite feeble. Towards evening cousin Sam. P. called here on his return from the eastward/ and went to Hartford to preach tomorrow for Mr. Strong. Wrote notes for preaching. 29. Preached in the forenoon from Acts iii : 21. Afternoon rode to Wap- ping and preached in the meeting-house from Rom. xiii : ii. After meeting went with a number of the members of the church, and a number of others, to Mr. Elias Skinner's and received Ruby Newcome ^ as a member of the church, and administered the sacrament. The woman has a cancer, and will not probably live but a little time. She was unable to attend at the meeting- house, as was expected when the meeting was appointed. Quite rainy. ' About ten miles from Glastonbury to that idolatry came by degeneracy from this the South Parish in East Windsor. primitive worship. It would seem that Mr. ^ The Jeffersonian administrations lasted Robbins must have had this idea, else it from iSoi to 1809, during which time (1803) would be useless for him to try and find the the Louisiana Purchase was made. Though historical origin of idolatry, the manner of this purchase was regarded ' Rev. Mr. Flagg, the Universalist minister, as somewhat questionable, never did the was not probably the pastor of a local church United States acquire such a vast property anywhere, but was here and there as open- at a small price. Already we have millions ings offered, or could be made. He was not of population upon this purchased territory, a man of college education, with room for many, many millions more. * Mr. Weir was the young man from In money value today this property is worth Boston, visiting at Rev. Dr. McClure's. many hundred times what it cost. ^ He had been to his native town of Plym- ^ Daffodils. outh, and had spent some weeks in visiting * There are many who think that in the his kindred there, and in that vicinity, early patriarchal age of the world the religion ^ This family name is more commonly of the true God everywhere prevailed, and spelled Newcomb. 436 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181O. 30. Wrote. A very fine season for vegetation. Worked in the garden. Walked out. May. 1. Finished my piece on the authenticity of Genesis. My nerves appear to be affected, I think with close study. The best part of all ancient learning is evidently derived from the Israelites. 2. Our circular minister's meeting was held here. None but Mr. Yates and Mr. Hawes attended. Mr. Yates preached.' Very warm. I read my piece on the authenticity of Genesis. They went away before night. At evening walked out. 3. This is the anniversar)- of my installation. I have great reason to mourn for my stupidity and unfaithfulness; but I still hope that God has made my ministry, for the year past, the ineans of good to some souls. How great is his grace. Walked out and visited families all day. At night a hard rain. The apples-trees are blown. 4. Read Universal History. At evening attended a conference. Our conferences are not so full as they have been. I fear they are in some degree made the occasion of young persons accompanying.'' I think of laying them aside. How is the Bridegroom departed from us. Oh that we might mourn and pray. 5. Read Universal History, Wrote notes for preaching. Moses and the prophets fully taught the great essentials of salvation. 6. Wrote an introduction and remarks, and preached in the forenoon from I Cor. viii : 5, 6, delivering principally the account I have lately written of the Origin of Idolatry, in mv piece on the authenticity of Genesis.^ After- noon preached from Luke xvi : 31. At evening attended a conference. This morning there was considerable frost. 7. In the morning the frost was pretty hard. The peaches are probably destroyed. Rode to Hartford with Mr. Wier. Received ten Bibles from the Bible Society to distribute."* Attended a little while at a training. Read a review of the new version of the New Testament.^ It is designed to aid the Socinian doctrine, but contains abundantly sulTicient to establish the divinity of Christ. Gave Fanny Wolcott* a Bible elegantly bound. 8. The frost quite hard. It is much feared the apples will be injured, as ' Though this was a ministers' meeting many), but to us there is but one God, the with only three ministers in attendance, yet Father," etc. they had a public preaching service to which ■* That is, gratuitously, the people generally were invited. •s The edition of the New Testament, by ^ Has it not always been so .' And has John James Griesback, an eminent German not this love of young people for each other's scholar. The second edition of this work society to and from evening meetings been, was published in 1S06. Griesback was born on the whole, a means of grace ? in 1745 and died in 1S12. ^ The text chosen for this discourse was ^ Fanny Wolcott is short and familiar for unique and fitting : " For though there be Frances, the eldest daughter of Mr. Abiel that are called gods, whether in heaven or Wolcott, where he boarded. She was now ill earth (as there be gods many and lords si.xteen years old. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 437 the trees are generally blown. Wrote to my sister Battell, and sent her a man to make a new garden for them. Read Universal History. Afternoon rode to Vernon. Tarried at Col. King's.' g. The rye on the ground appears very well, but the wheat is generally killed by the winter. Rode to Hartford. There was an unusual and very handsome parade at the arrival of the Governor. My father, Uncle Starr, and cousin Sam. P. came and tarried with me. 10. Rode to Hartford and attended the election. The sermon was not equal to some that we have. In the morning attended the Bible's society's annual meeting. More than an hundred ministers dined at the public dinner."^ They contributed for the relief of Rev. Mr. Storrs, of Ashford. The votes were considerably fewer than last year. For Gov. Treadwell, 10,265. ^'^^ Gris- wold, 3,110. Spalding, 7,185. Scattering, 177 — 10,472.^ There is not quite a choice. The counting was not finished to candle-light. The day very fine. I presume there is not a better military company than the Governor's guards'* in America. My cousin Sam. P. went to Norfolk with my father to go to Ohio. My brother Frank at Hartford. Received a letter from Beers & Howe. The lilac blows are out considerably. 11. Read Universal History. Democracy seems to be triumphing in all the neighboring States. Our assembly have today appointed Mr. Treadwell Governor, to the great satisfaction of the people.^ Walked out. 12. Read. I can read in my history about twenty-five pages in an hour. Wrote notes for preaching. The morals of the heathen appear worse on examination. 13. In the forenoon delivered a part of my dissertation on the authenticity of the book of Genesis, making use of the text Heb. xi : 3. Afternoon preached from Acts xiii : 26. At evening attended a conference. 14. Wrote a letter of recommendation for a woman, a member of this church, about moving to New Connecticut. My Uncle Starr came here. He preached yesterday at Glastonbury.^ Afternoon rode with my uncle to Som- ers. Tarried at Mr. Strong's.^ Universally a very great blowth* on the fruit-trees. 15. My uncle came here with a view of seeing Mrs. Backus. She is ' His usual stopping-place in Vernon is ^ The Legislature, as one of its very first Col. King's, This came about doubtless acts, settled the question of the governor- from the fact that Salmon King, his class- ship, mate at Yale, was a son of Col. Oliver King. * It may be remembered that Rev. Prince ^ This annual election sermon was the Hawes of Glastonbury was a native of occasion for a large gathering of the Congre- Warren, where Rev. Mr. Starr had been gational ministers from every part of the settled ever since 1772. Mr. Hawes was State. graduated in 1805. He had therefore grown ^ By this count it appears that Gov. Tread- up as a boy under Mr. Starr's ministry, and well lacked two hundred and eight votes of an exchange between them, under the cir- an election by the people. cumstances, was peculiarly pleasant. "■ The writer of these notes remembers the ^ Rev. William L. Strong, glorious appearance of the Governor's Guards, ' This is an old form of word, now obso- a few years later, say in 1824-25. lete, for bloom or blossom. 438 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1810. indisposed towards any connection.' Returned. Very dry and dusty. This morning there was considerable frost. My uncle went to Hartford. Re- ceived some books sent from New Haven. 16. Walked out and visited all day. Visited and prayed with a family about moving to New Connecticut. Several people sick with a kind of throat distemper. Received a letter from Williams & Whiting, New York.^ My brother N. came here and tarried. 17. Rode out with my brother. This morning there was considerable frost. Remarkably cold and dry. Visited. Mr. E. Bissell's^ pair of oxen here are a great curiosity. 18. Received a letter from my father. Yesterday and today I have visited twenty-four families. At evening Uncle Starr came here to stay till next week. Find constant visiting quite fatiguing. 19. Walked out with my uncle and visited neighbors. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Glastonbury. The roads very dusty. 20. Mr. Hawes supplied today at Warren, and Uncle Starr preaches for me. Preached in the forenoon a w-ritten sermon on John vii : 17. Afternoon from Heb. xi : 17. At evening returned. 21. In the morning my uncle set out for home. Rode to Hartford, and carried down Fanny Wolcott to attend school. The assembly are not ver}- full of business. At evening rode to Hartford and returned again. Con- versed with a member of the council on the appointment of a justice of the peace at Norfolk.* Finished the fifth volume of the Universal History, 22. Wrote. Visited. There are more people here unwell than have been at any time since I have lived in town. 23- Vegetation suffers exceedingly with the drought. Wrote to J. W, Walked out and visited. 24. Began and wrote considerably on a sermon from i Cor. ii : 2. Walked out. Read the Bible. 25. Walked and visited all day. Gave away three Bibles. Very warm. At evening attended a conference. I hope we are not wholly forsaken of d.vine influences. 26. Finished my sermon on i Cor. ii : 2. The heat very oppressive. With the church committee examined three young men' candidates for our * The object of this journey now stands ^ Mr. Eli Bissell. revealed. Mrs. Backus, the wife of the '• His brother-in-law Joseph Battell was celebrated Charles Backus, D. D., had been made Justice of the Peace not far from this a widow now about seven years, and was time. now not far from fifty years old. Rev. Peter ^ These three young men were Bishop Starr had been a widower about ten months, Johnson, Horace Loomis,and Harry Loomis. and was now sixty-five years old. He found The name Loomis was very common both Mrs. Backus content with her present con- in Windsor and East Windsor. Back in the dition, and went home to Warren doubtless ministry of Rev. Timothy Edwards, 1694- in a meditative mood. Mrs. Backus's maiden 1758, there were more persons in his society name was Bethiah Hill, daughter of Mr. of the name Loomis than of any other one Jacob Hill, of Cambridge, Mass. name. It was afterwards reduced by West- ^ Probably book-merchants. em emigration. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 439 communion. They appear very well. They are the fniit of our good work last summer. 27. Wrote a considerable addition to my writing on the book of Genesis. Delivered that in the forenoon, with the text 2 Peter i: 21. Afternoon preached the written sermon finished yesterday. Several strangers at meet- ing. We had a little shower. Very hot. At evening atttended the conference. 28. The heat very severe. Wrote to my brother James and to my cousin P. Starr, of Vermont. Walked out. Preparing for my journey. Yesterday left off my flannel. 29. Received ofthis society, $70.00. Sent to Beers & Howe, New Haven, $50.00. Paid a cabinet-maker at Hartford, $10.00. Rode with Ursula Wol- cott to Litchfield. The heat and dust very oppressive. We lay by in the heat of the day three hours. Very kindly entertained at Mr. Allen's.' 30. Attended the installation of Mr. Beecher.^ The people here appear very happy on the occasion. The parts were well performed. Dr. Dwight^ preached excellently. Mr. Champion,* above eighty, gave the charge. Sat and dined with the Consociation. A good many ministers were present. There was a moderate and refreshing shower just as we were going to meeting. Cooler. At night considerable thunder and some rain. Drank tea at Mr. Deming's.^ Mr. Allen went with me and introduced me to Miss Deming. My friends have wished me to see her for some time. I think I shall do no more about it. 31. Rode through Winchester to Norfolk. Something wet. Quite cool. My sister Sally has got better, from a state of quite low health. June. 1. Last night we were very apprehensive of frost, but I believe there was none. My brother N. has nearly two hundred sheep. My parents have the finest garden they ever had.* Dined at Mr. Battell's. Sat out for home. Rode to Simsbury. Quite cool. There is something of the spotted fever in Farmington and Canton. 2. Rode home with Ursula. Warm. Received a letter from Mr. Battel! with a piece of silk florentine and a liquor-case,^ which he procured for me at New York. The liquor-case cost $9.00. Wrote. Tired. I find difficulty in having my mind fixed in duties. ' John Allen, Esq., before mentioned, ^ Mr. Julius Deming, a prominent citizen lawyer and Member of Congress. of Litchfield. ^ Dr. Lyman Beecher was called to Litch- * Mr. Robbins, it will be remembered, field, Ct., from East Hampton, L. I., where sent up a skilled gardener from the Con- he had been settled from 1798 to 1810. He necticut valley to make a garden for Mrs. was pastor at Litchfield from 1810 to 1826, Battell, his sister, and very likely he had when he was called to Boston. also been employed in the garden of her ^ Timothy Dwight, D. D., President of father. Yale College. ' The liquor-case would seem useless ■* Rev. Judah Champion, senior pastor of now as a part of a clergyman's fixtures. But the church, who had been settled there since then the drinking of liquor by all classes was 1753, fifty-seven years. He died in the Octo- almost as much a matter of course as eating ber following. the daily meals. 44C DIARV OF REV. THOMAo ROBDINS, D.D. [iSlO. 3. Wrote notes for ipreachinr?, and preached from Isa. xxviii : 15. I have been unable to prepare a discourse in my course on the authenticity cf the Scriptures for today. 1 think 1 never saw so dry a day. The dust blew very bad in the street all day. Our rain is emphatically powder and dust. Preaclied pretty poorly. At evening attended a conference. 4. Visited a sick woman. Am something unwell. Quite sultry and hot. Afternoon set out for Hartland to attend association. Tarried in Wintor- burv. At evening a severe gust of thunder and something of a shower. It is ver\- refreshing. Worked in the garden. 5. Rode to West Hartland. The most of the way in company with Dr. Perkins and Mr. McLean.' Something wet. Nine members of the Associa- tion and Mr. Harrison and Mr. Baker, of Granville,^ present. I preached a first sermon from Matt, xxv : 21 written, and Mr. Porter,^ of Farmington, a second at one meeting. The appointed preacher failed. 6. We had a pretty profitable associational meeting. I was scribe. Afternoon and evening rode home. It is about thirty-five miles. I got home quite late. An elderly woman has died here suddenly in my absence." 7. Quite tired with my fatigues. Visited the family lately afflicted. Mr. McClure attended the funeral yesterday. Quite cool. Read Gray's Key!' Walked out. 8. Wrote on the genuineness of the Pentateuch. Quite rainy the most of the day. It is ver)' refreshing to the dry ground. Made a fire in my chamber. 9. Wrote considerably. Finished my writing on the genuiness of the Pentateuch. It rained considerably. Read Universal History. Read the Bible. Need a steady fire. 10. Preached in the forenoon, in my course, on the genuineness of the Pentateuch, with the text John i : 17. Wrote notes and preached in the after- noon from Acts ii : 38. Received three young men as members in the church. I addressed them particularly on the occasion. It was a solemn and impres- sive scene. I hope it may be followed with good. At evening attended the conference. 11. Rode to Hartford. The river quite high for the season. Paid a book-binder, $5.00. Massachusetts seems to be given up to the reign of Democracy.* Wrote. 12. Read Universal History. Walked out and visited. Rainy. Vegeta- tion puts on an entirely new appearance. I hope we are not yet without some small tokens of divine influence. 13. Rode to Scantic and attended our ministers' meeting. There was no ' Dr. Nathan Perkins, the life-long min- ^ Noah Porter, D. D., father of President ister of West Hartford, and Rev. Allen Mc- Porter of Yale College. Lean, of Simsbury. ■* Sarah Rockwell, aged sixty-eight. ^ These were Rev. Joel Baker, pastor at = ^ j^^y f^ fji^ qij ^^^j j\j-^^ Testament, West Granville, Mass., and Rev. Roger by Rev. Robert Gray, of St. Mary's Hall, Harrison, who came with him. Granville Oxford. was in Hampshire County, Mass., but adjoin- * Elbridge Gerry, as before stated, had ing Hartland, Ct. been elected Governor. [Sio.] PA3T3X IN EA3T WINDSOR. 44T one present but Mr. Bartlett and I. I preached' my written sermon on Heb. xi : 30. Returned. 14. Spent the day princi;xilly in visiting. Mr. Williston,^ of West Haven, called and dined with me. This week finishes the half century of his ministry. 15. There is a great deal of talk respecting the approaching session of the General Association at Ellington. Wrote on my discourse on the credibility of the book of Exodus.^ At evening attended a conference. Quite full. 16. Finished my discourse on Exodus. Wrote notes for preaching. Am much troubled latterly with a dissipation of thought on meditation. 17. Delivered my written discourse on Exodus, from Ps. cv : 37, 38. Preached from Rom. ix : 7. At evening attended a conference. I think my discourses on the Scriptures are likely to be useful. Very warm. 18. Rode to Hartford, Saw Mr. Inglis,'* from Maryland, delegate to our General Association. Our Bible Society have received a present of fifty pounds sterling from the British Bible Society. Very warm. At evening several ministers came here and tarried.' 19. In the morning rode in company with the ministers to Ellington, The heat very severe. The General Association met. Of the twenty-nine mem- bers of this State all were present. The General Assembly, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, were represented. The Ellington people have taken much pains to accommodate them, and are very liberal. 20. There are thirty-five ministers here belonging to the body,* and I believe nearly as many more, besides candidates. I lodge at a good house about two miles from the meeting-house. Heard three good sermons in the day and evening. The people sing very well. 21. Rode home.' I am very often spoken to by my friends, in a great variety of ways, on the subject of marrying.* Afternoon several of the min- ' The text was, " By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days." - Rev. Noah Williston, born in Spring- tield, Mass., July, 1733. graduated at Yale College, 1757, and settled at West Haven, 1760. He died in 181 1, after a ministry of fifty-one years. He was father of Rev. Pay- ion Williston, who was graduated at Yale in 1783, and was pastor at Easthampton, Mass., 17S9-1S56, sixty-seven years. He was the father of Seth Williston, D. D., whose mis- sionary and ministerial service lasted from 1794 to 1851, fifty-seven years. He was the grandfather of Hon. Samuel Williston, founder of the Williston Academy at East- hampton, and known for his large gifts to Amherst College and to many other institu- tions and societies, ^ It is noticeable, especially of late, that the books which Mr. Robbins reads, as also this series of sermons on the Pen- tateuch which he is preparing, betoken the in- quiring and scholarly character of his mind. ■* Rev. James Inglis, D. D., born in Phila- delphia, 1777, graduated at Columbia Col- lege, 1795, received his degree of D. D., 181 1, from College of New Jersey. He was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Balti- more. He was an eloquent preacher, and something of a poet. There is a published volume of his sermons that was issued soon after his death, which occurred in 1820. ^ On their way to the General Association at Ellington. * This included some that would be called ex-ofificio members. The Association was a ministerial body purely, with no lay dele- gates. ^ The meeting came together on Tuesday and broke up on Thursday. ^ For a settled minister, now about thirtj^- three years old, this was regarded as a very important subject. 442 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181O. isters called on me on their return. Wrote. Some rain. The weather is some cooler. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. 22. Began a discourse on the book of Leviticus from Heb. v : 4. I write these discourses more easily than I at first apprehended I should. At evening attended a conference. 23. Finished my discourse on Heb. v : 4. Wrote to Williams & Whiting, New York, and to Rev. Dr. Austin,' Worcester. Worked some. I think I have not worked so little in any two years since I was a child, as in the two since I came here to live. At evening my cousin Henry Gould ^ came here and tarried. He is quite unwell and dejected in spirits, evidently in danger of consumption. 24. Wrotes notes for preaching. In the morning my cousin went off to Norfolk, He says he must ride every day, and could not stay. Wrote to my father. Preached my written discourse on Leviticus, and from Matt, xxviii 15. At evening attended a conference. 25. Rode to Hartford. Read Universal History. So warm that I could not sit in my chamber. Walked out. Received a letter from Francis King.^ Received a bundle of cloth and a letter from my brother Battell. 26. Excessive hot. Vegetation progresses very rapidly. Visited fifteen families. 27. Visited. Rainy all day. Read Universal History. Bonaparte has lately made the greatest plunder upon our commerce that it has sustained since the days of the Directory. The people here are removing encroach- ments and straightening the street. 28. Rode to Wapping and visited fourteen families. The people there are in almost a desperate situation about ecclesiastical matters. Some people are sick. 29. Began a sermon on i Peter i : 8. Wrote notes for preaching a sacra- mental lecture from Isa. Ivii : 15. At evening attended the conference. Excessive hot. 30. Finished my sermon on i Peter i : 8. Much oppressed with the heat. Last summer the continent of Europe was entirely taken up with Bonaparte's war. Now their whole attention is upon his marriage.* Went into the water. July. I. Preached my written sermon on i Peter i : 8 and from 2 Cor. v : 11. Administered the sacrament. This church appears much larger and more favorably on many accounts than it did two years ago. God be thanked. At evening attended a marriage.' * Dr. Samuel Austin. * Napoleon's marriage with Josephine ^ From Manchester, Vt. A sister of Rev. took place March 8, 1796. She was divorced A. R. Robbins, of Norfolk, as before stated, Dec. 16, 1S09, and his ill-omened marriage married Mr. William Gould. with Maria Louisa of Austria occurred April ^ Son of Col. Oliver King, of Vernon, 2, 1810. graduated at Yale in 1804, and educated for * xhe parties married were Nathaniel the ministry, but turned to secular pursuits. Rockwell, Jr., and Sarah Charlton. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINr>SOR. 443 2. Worked considerably. Afternoon rode with Mrs. Wolcott to Windsor and returned. People generally beginning haying. A good supply of cherries. Yesterday and today cool and very clear. I believe there was a heavy storm in the vicinity on Saturday. 3. Walked out and visited families and a school. Worked in the garden. I trust my family visits are useful. Read Universal History. 4. Read. Began a sermon on Jer. xliii : 14. Received a letter from Dr. Austin, Worcester, and one from Williams DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1810. ing the two families where it does not appear that my visits would be accepta- ble. I think it is my duty to pass by them, though I would willingly go if it were a"-reeable to them.' The number of families in this society on the first of May was one hundred and seventy-four. Of these forty professed to belong to other religious denominations. 4. Before yesterday it rained on nine successive days. A very unfavor- able time for getting in crops. Mrs. McClure is very sick. Wrote on the book of Joshua. Mr. Storrs/ of Longmeadow, came with his wife last evening to visit their friends here. He requests an exchange for tomorrow. Rode to Longmeadow. Quite tired with my ride.^ 5. Preached from Ex. xiv : 15, and in the afternoon a written sermon on Matt. XXV : 21. At half past five I preached at a third exercise from Num. X : 29. In the morning rainy. Had a pretty comfortable day. This place appears quite pleasant.'* I suspect that this society is not quite so large as mine, but they are very well united. 6. Returned. Dined with Mr. Huse,^ our brother Episcopalian at Ware- house point. They are building a handsome new church there. Read. 7. Read Universal History. I find some of my former opinions of ancient characters gratefully confirmed. Wrote to my brother James. Rode to Hartford. Paid for my Mirror newspaper^ for three quarters, $1.25. Paid for five hundred plates for names for books, $4.50. Mrs. McClure continues very low. 8. Rode to Windsor and attended our ministers' meeting. The members are deficient in performing the parts assigned them. Read my sermon on ' This is all that could be asked or ex- pected of a Christian pastor. ^ In a previous note it was stated that the whole population of the town of East Wind- sor in 1810, was 3,081. This population was chiefly under the spiritual watch and care of the two Congregational parishes, the First and Second, or South and North, as they were perhaps more commonly designated. In 1810 the church membership of the First Church (Dr. Robbins) was not far from eighty, while that of the Second Church (Rev. Shubael Bartlett) was about one hundred. It is safe to say that more than one thousand persons, men, women, and children, would be reckoned as included in each of these par- ishes, while the rest regarded themselves as having affinities with the lipiscopalians, Bap- tists, Universalists, etc., while others still would rank as irreligious. * Rev. Richard S. Storrs, of Longmeadow, father of Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., of Braintree, Mass., grandfather of Rev. Rich- ard S. Storrs, D. D., of Brooklyn, was a native of Mansfield, Ct., was graduated at Yale in 1783, and was settled in Longmeadow in 1785, where he remained till his death in 1819. At the time of his visit to East Wind- sor he was forty-seven years old. ■* The broad street through Longmeadow was pleasant of old, but has been made much more beautiful by modern wealth and im- provement. 5 Rev. Nathaniel Huse was born at Me- theun, Mass., and was graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1802. He became an Episcopal minister, and was for several years rector of St. John's Church, Warehouse Point, East Windsor. He was afterwards rector of some church in the State of New York. He and Dr. Robbins were intimate. * The Connecticut J//r;w- began its exist- ence in Hartford in 1809, and continued about twenty-five years. It was published by Mr. Charles Hosmer. At different periods during its existence it was edited by Theo- dore Dwight, William L. Stone, and fohn G. C. Brainard. iSlO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 447 Jer. xliii: 13. Mr. Bartlett preached. Returned. Received a letter from my brother Jamesi 9. Read. Gray's Key to the Old and New Testament is a valuable work. Afternoon worked at hay. This week has been very favorable for the business. Walked out. 10. Rainy. Wrote on the book of Judges.' Am considerably taken up with company. Very warm. 11. Wrote the most of a sermon on Rev. iii : 2. The heat very severe, the air remarkably languid and relaxing. Endeavored to spend the day in some degree as an anniversary solemnity. I have now completed thirty-three years of my life. I do not know that any circumstances of life could make me more happy than I am. I believe they would not. I have been long expect- ing that my respective years would grow less happy. But I do not perceive it to be the case. I believe rather the contrary is true. My past year has been prosperous and happy ; I have not been called to mourning ; my parents, whom I love above all mortal beings, live. My health is better than a year ago. I believe I have seen some tokens of the divine presence among my people. I once more commit myself to the care of God. 12. In the forenoon delivered a discourse on the book of Joshua from Acts vii : 45. Finished and preached a sermon on Rev. iii : 2. Flagg, the Univer- salist, had a meeting immediately after ours. Very few attended. I was exceedingly oppressed with the heat. At evening attended a conference. 13. Read Universal History. Walked out and visited. Several people here are sick, though not apparently dangerous. 14. Read considerably. Rode out. Visited brother Bartlett.^ A man here, in the vigor of life, was struck yesterday morning with a severe paralytic shock. Wrote to my brother Frank. 15. Read Universal History all day. Finished the eighth volume. I can now read about two hundred pages in a day. Received letters from my brothers James and Frank. My father still remains very weak, but is hope- fully recovering. 16. Quite cool. Have something of a cold. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins.^ Wrote to J. W." Visited. 17. Wrote on my preaching account. Afternoon rode to the edge of the Vernon,^ and attended the funeral of Mr. Warburton.^ Preached on the occasion from i Cor. vii: 29-31. Visited at Wapping. 18. Wrote on the book of Judges and Ruth. I never before perceived the beauties of the book of Ruth. Very warm and sultry. 19. Wrote notes and preached from Jer. x : 16, and my discourse on Judges and Ruth, from Acts xiii : 20. I don't know what to make of the four * He is taking up in his course of study * James Watson Robbins. the books of the Old Testament in their ' Vernon was the town lying next east of order. East Windsor. * Rev. Shubael Bartlett, of the north '' Mr. John Warburton, an Englishman, parish. and a cotton manufacturer, near the line sep- ^ Rev. Samuel Prince Robbins. arating East Windsor and Vernon. 448 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181O. hundred and fifty years mentioned in that passage. I think it must be a mis- take of transcribers.' At evening attended the conference. I generally have read the Village Sennons? 20. Rode to Hartford. Something rainy. Received a letter from my sister Battell. My father still remains weak and low. I feel concerned about him. Visited. Read Jamieson's Sacred History.^ A very valuable work. 21. Rainy all day. Finished my preaching account to the present time. Read Universal History. The rain very violent. Walked out. 22. Walked out and visited all day. Quite warm and sultry. Our mer- chants have sustained great losses by Bonaparte's late confiscations. 23. Wrote on the book of Samuel. The river rises very rapidly. Much damage is apprehended.'' At evening walked out. 24. The water is three or four feet higher than it was last spring. A con- siderable part of the meadows is covered. Many people sustain considerable losses.^ Rode out and visited. Began a sermon on Rom. viii : 24. 25. Wrote all day. The water falls. Such a flood in August is not remembered by any of the people. 26. Finished and preached my sermon on Rom. viii : 24. The latter part appeared to be searching and solemn. At evening attended a conference. My health is very good. 27. Read Universal History. Wrote. Quite warm. Walked out. Wrote to Mr. Haskell of this place. 28. Read. Rode out and visited several families. Preparing for my journey. The brick-makers^ here sustained great damage by the late freshet. The people here have agreed to hold meeting here on the next Sabbath, which is uncommon,^ 29. Set out on my journey. Rode to East Hartford, and attended our ministers' meeting. Preached my written sermon on Rom. viii : 24. Rainy. At evening rode to Simsbury. Mrs. Case remains very feeble and helpless, but is considerablv better than when I was here last. ' This passage has led to many specula- ^ Uses of Sacred History. By John Jamie- tions among Bible commentators. It is not son, D, D., two volumes, Hartford, 1810. now believed, as Mr. Robbins suggests, that Dr. Jamieson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, it is an error in copying. It is more likely in 1759, and died in Edinburgh in 1839. He that it is the adoption of the common Jewish was an author of considerable note in his chronology, and that we do not know exactly generation, at what point of time this reckoning begins. * It was a very unusual event, that a great ^ Village Sermons. These sermons which flood on the Connecticut River should occur he had been in the habit of reading in his in the month of August. conference meetings, have been mentioned ^ At that season of the year the rich once or twice before. They were from the meadow lands were loaded with their crops pen of Rev. George Burder, who was born in of corn. The hay had been gathered. London, England, in 1752, and died in 1832. ^ Beds of clay are very frequent along the They were translated into several European Connecticut valle}-. languages, and have had a wide circulation. ' That is, the people had decided to hold Mr. liurder was secretary of the London a meeting on the coming Sabbath, though he Missionary Society, and editor of the Evan- was to be absent, which was uncommon in gelical Magazine. that parish. iSio.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 449 30, Rode to Norfolk. My father has been very poor, more so than I supposed. He is now apparently recovering, but quite weak. His disorder is rheumatic; it has now got to his limbs. He was taken on the i6th ultimo. Mr. Turner, of New Marlborough, came here today, and preached my father's sacramental lecture. Yesterday received a letter from my brother Frank. 31. Rode out with my father. He rides out frequently in a carriage, but needs considerable help. He appears to be serious and quite composed. Dined at my brother Nat's, with a considerable company, on a half-blooded merino lamb.' It was pronounced by some to be quite as good, by some, better than the common kind. The dinner was elegant. My brother and Mr. Pease ^ have erected a valuable manufactory, and are making woolen cloths. September. 1. Rode to New Marlborough, and procured of Mr. Samuel Turner/ a very accurate account of the first settlement of Norfolk. He is now eighty, but his memor}' is sound and ver}^ accurate. I have the fullest confidence in the account which I took. Returned. My father considers my historical sketch correct. He appears to be gaining very favorably. 2. In the morning my father put on his own clothes for the first time during his sickness. In the forenoon he attended meeting, which he has not done for six Sabbaths past. I preached written sermons from i Peter i : 8 and Rom. viii : 24. Administered the sacrament of the supper. The season was very solemn and affecting. Baptized two children. The meeting was very full. At evening attended a conference. My cousin Hannah Oilman* and two children have lately been here, and are now at the eastward. 3. Paid for footing my boots, $3.50. Set out for Williamstown. Rode to Stockbridge. Tarried with Mr. Woodbridge.' Quite warm. 4. Rode to Lenox. My brother James * is well situated here. Rode with him in a carriage to Williamstown. Many people through this country are haying. Attended the evening exhibition. Gave the president my father's resignation of his place in the corporation.' An unusual number of people in the town. A greater number of freshmen than common have entered collesfe. ' His brother Nathaniel, as will be re- membered, is engaged in the raising of blooded sheep. ^ Probably Mr. Nathaniel Pease. ' Mr. Samuel Turner was probably the father of Rev. Nathaniel Turner, who will be remembered as a native of Norfolk, a graduate of Williams College, 179S, and now pastor of one of the churches in New Marl- borough, Mass. John Turner, from Hartford, was one of the first settlers of Norfolk, in 1758, and Samuel may have been his son. At all events it is sufficiently evident that Samuel Turner must have been acquainted, and familiarly so, with the early history of Norfolk, or Dr. Robbins would not have made the journey to North Marlborough to find him. '* Wife of Benjamin I. Gihnan, of Mari- ettta, Ohio, and daughter of Dr. Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth, Mass. '•Joseph Woodbridge. ^ James Watson Robbins, it will be re- membered, finding that his voice and general health would not admit of his preaching, had turned to active business and had established himself for that purpose at Lenox. ' His father was elected a member of the board in 1794, and had served seventeen vears. 45© DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181O. 5. The public performances were unusually good, but too long; and the audience large and respectable. Rice Stevens,' of Norfolk, appeared very well. At evening attended a sermon in the chapel. Quite tired. Well accommodated. All the members of the corporation were present. 6. Rode with my brother to Lenox, thence to Sheffield. Mr. Swift ^ like to be settled a colleague with Dr. West at Stockbridge. Ecclesiastical matters in a forlorn state at Pittsfield.' Called on Mr. Collins'' of Lanes- borough ; very sick. This county has suffered much by the failure of their bank. I think I have never known Williams College appear more favorably. The corjioration raised the terms of admission. Tarried at Noah Hubbard's.^ Ver}' warm. 7. In the forenoon rode to Norfolk. My father gets better. There has been a Methodist camp meeting this week at Southfield,' which was most out- rageous. It undoubtedly injured their cause. Many respectable people attended. Towards evening left home and rode to Simsbury. Rode till near twelve o'clock. 8. In the forenoon rode home. Very tired. The roads ver)' dusty. Mr. McClure took the lead of the meeting^ here last Sabbath. My pulpit has not been destitute but two Sabbaths before since I came here. Wrote. Received a letter from my brother James. 9. Preached a written sermon from Rom. v: i. There has been no preaching in the society during my absence. At evening attended a con- ference. Received of the society $32.00. Received a letter from Dr. Per- kins^ to convene our Consociation at Hartford. 10. Read newspapers. Cool. Received of the society $20.00. After- noon set out for New Haven. Rode to Middletown. Ver}^ kindly entertained at Dr. Dickinson's. Wrote to my brother N. 11. Put my horse in Mr. Huntington's' carriage, and rode with him to ' Benjamin Rice Stevens, afterward a law- * Rev. Daniel Collins, a native of Guil- yer in Huntington, Pa., died 1827, aged ford, Ct., and a graduate at Yale in 1760, thirty-seven. had already been at Lanesborongh since ^ Rev. Ephraim Griswold Swift, a native 1764, forty-six years, but was to remain twelve of Williamstown, Mass., and a graduate of years more, until his death, at the age of Williams College in 1804. He was settled eighty-three. as colleague with Dr. Stephen West that * The first minister at Sheffield was Jona- very month (Sept. 27, 1810). He had studied than Hubbard, and the Hubbard families in theology with Dr. West. Sheffield were probably his descendants. 3 Rev. Thomas Allen, who had been set- '' Southfield was in Berkshire County, tied at Pittsfield since 1764, died Febr. 11, Mass. 1810. When Mr. Robbins made this entry ' It was a conference meeting, and not a in his diary, no one had taken his place. preaching service. But in the month following, October, iSio, * Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford. Rev. William Allen, D. D., son of Rev. 9 This was Rev. Dan. Huntington, who Thomas, was settled there. He remained a left Litchfield the year before (1S09) and the few years, when he was called away to be same year was settled in the First Church at president of Dartmouth College, and after- Middletown. His predecessor. Rev. Enoch wards of Bowdoin College. Huntington, died that same year. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 45 1 New Haven. Dined at Mr. Noyes,' Northford. An unusual collection of people in the town. At evening heard speaking for premiums. A pick- pocket was detected in the meeting-house in his villainy. Find many acquaintances. 12. Very warm and dusty. The exhibitions I think did not exceed. The two Ellsworths^ appeared very well. The ministers were fewer than usual. They had a contribution for the relief of Mr. Wildman/ of Southbury. At evening Mr. Bassett/ of Hebron, preached the Concio ad Cleriim. Few- strangers of distinction present. A very large class entered college. Bought a gold medal watch-key, which cost $3.17. 13. Got Beloe's Jlerodiius,^ and Murphy's Tacitus,^ works which I have long been wishing to procure. Paid Beers & Howe $28.63. Rode with Mr. Hunt- ington to Middletown. Very warm. At evening rode home. The late flood has produced vast swarms of mosquitoes. Am very glad to get home after so much journeying. 14. There appears to be a very great increase of Spanish sheep in the country. I am much pleased with Heroditus. Wrote. Rainy. At evening attended a conference. 15. Wrote on the book of Samuel. Rode to Hartford. Paid for a map of the United States, which I had of my brother James, $6.00. Wrote notes for preaching. 16. Delivered my discourse on the books of Samuel from Acts iii : 24 and from Matt, xv: 17. At evening attended a conference. Quite cool. It appears to be a pretty stupid time with us. 17. Began a dialogue for my brother Frank to be performed at his exhibi- tion. There has, for a few days past, been a very wild Methodist camp- meeting in Ellington. They were very extravagent. I did not attend the Freeman's Meeting. Afternoon rode to Scantic and dined with the authority, etc. The votes here were 230, Federalist igo, Democratic 40. The meet- ing was very thin. Wrote to J. W. Visited. 18. Wrote all day on my dialogue and finished it. Wrote to Frank. There was a little frost in some places yesterday morning, but none near here. 19. Rainy. Rode out. Read Universal History. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Received a letter from my brother Frank. * Rev. Matthew Noyes was pastor at been settled in Southbury since 1766, forty- Northford, or North Branford, from 1790 to four years, and died in 1S12. 1839. ■* Dr. Amos Bassett, of Hebron, has been ^ The two Ellsworths referred to were already frequently named. He was one of William Wolcott Ellsworth, afterwards the more conspicuous ministers of the State, governor of Connecticut, and Henry L. Ells- ^ 77^^ ^/^ ^^^d Writings of Herodotus, by worth, brothers, and sons of Oliver Ellsworth, Rev. William Beloe, was in four volumes, of Windsor, Chief Justice of the United It was published in London in 1797. Mr. StEtes. The father did not live to see these Beloe established the British Critic. sons graduated. He died in 1807. The two * Arthur Murphy, a dramatic and miscel- brothers were twins. laneous writer of considerable note. He died ^ Rev. Benjamin Wildman, who had then in 1S05, at the age of seventy-seven. 452 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181O, 20 Wrote a review of President Dwight's Andover sermon ' for ministers' meeting. Read Universal History, 21. Wrote on the books of Kings. I get some valuable things from Herodotus. The early period of the Roman Republic was distinguished with constant commotions. 22. Finished my piece on Kings. Am much fatigued with laborious study this week. Very warm. Wrote to my brother James. 23. Wrote notes for preaching. Very rainy. It began last evening. Ver)' thin meeting. Preached from 2 Cor. iv : 3. Read Johnson's Irene.^ 24. The rain continues. It is supposed that no year is remembered in which so much cider was made as in the present. Examined and balanced my accounts for the past year. I have paid out a large sum for books. I believe my library is worth more than five hundred dollars. 25. Mr. Cornelius Dawes, of New York, called and breakfasted with me. Rode to Hartford and attended the annual meeting of our Consociation. Mr. Porter,^ of Farmington, preached, and Mr. Prudden " preached in the evening. Quite rainy. 26. Mr. Church^ introduced the Hartland matters. The Consociation voted to grant him a new trial. They adjourned at noon. Returned. Quite tired. Walked out. Had an interview with* 27. Wrote to J. W. Quite unwell. Walked out and visited. Quite warm. A very great quantity of peaches. 28. Wrote. Visited. I have not been so unwell for a long time. At evening attended a conference. Very warm. 29. Walked out. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Fanny Wolcott' has per- formed an excellent piece of embroidery at the school. Wrote notes for preaching. 30. Delivered a discourse on the books of Kings from 2 Sam. vii : 16, and preached from i Thes. iv : 17. The latter appeared to be \e.xy interesting and solemn. Baptized two children. At evening attended a conference. Very warm. Wore thin clothes and had up my pulpit window. October. 1. Rode to Hartford. Afternoon rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an infant child. At evening set out for Westfield. Tarried at Mrs. Ellsworth's. 2, Rode to Westfield. Attended the public exhibition of the academy. I think I never knew a better one of the kind. My brother received the ' A sermon preached at the opening of * Rev. Neheniiah Prudden, of Enfield, the Theological Institution at Andover, and ^ Rev. Aaron Church, whose troubles with at the ordination of Rev, Eliphalet Pearson, his church at Hartland have been previously LL. D., 1808. noticed. ^ This play, by Samuel Johnson, was first ^ This place is blank in the manuscript, acted at Drury Lane theatre in 1749, when ' Frances, the oldest daughter of Mr. Johuson was forty years old. Abiel Wolcott, who was then attending ^ Rev. Noah Porter, D. D. school in Hartford. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 453 public tlianks of the trustees, which has never been done there before, except to cousin P. Starr, who was the first preceptor. My brother Samuel is here. He says that father does not gain much in health. I have much concern upon the subject. After drinking tea by candle-light, in a cloudy evening, rode home. Got home at one o'clock in the morning.' 3. In the morning rode to East Hartford (Orford)^ and married a Mr. Merrow.^ Returned. Our ministers' meeting met here. Only Mr. Rowland and Mr. Bartlett attended. Mr. Rowland preached. I am very much tired with so much fatigue. 4. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an aged woman. Preached on the occasion in the meeting-house from Luke xxiii : 28. Visited. At evening my brother Frank came here and tarried. 5. In the forenoon rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of a child. This is the third in that place this week. Very tired. Very warm. At even- ing attended a conference. 6. My brother went off for Norfolk. Wrote a sermon on Luke xxii : 31, 32. Wrote notes for preaching. Eat fresh cucumbers and radishes. 7. Preached the written sermon on Luke xxii: 31, 32, and from Mark XV: 31, last clause. Administered the sacrament. Baptized a child. At evening attended a conference. Something rainy. Very tired. 8. Rode to Hartford. Visited. People complain of being greatly hurried in business. The quantity of cider is immense. Wrote to J. W. 9. Wrote. Visited a school, much improved in the catechism. Today was the school society meeting. I am again appointed visitor. Visited. 10. This morning there was considerable frost. The first we have had. Rode to Norfolk. My father remains very poor. I do not perceive that he is better than he was a month ago. I feel much concerned about him ; I think, however, he has no disorder but rheumatism. 11. This morning a very hard frost. There has been none here to stop vegetation before yesterday morning. My brother has lately lost a full- blooded merino lamb, of which he was half owner. Let my father have my horse for his old mare and a yearling colt. I think it will be an advantageous trade for us both. Paid for my horse being kept and well fattened, $2.61. A cold day. Worked some at rowing.* My brother Sam has made considerable improvements on this farm. 12. I think my father suffers some from dejection of spirits. He appears to be better this week than he was last. His pulpit is supplied by neigh- boring ministers. Rode to Colebrook and tarried at my brother Ammi's. * He probably came back by way of En- ^ The persons joined in marriage were field bridge, and down on the east side of the Joseph M. Merrow and Mary Woodbridge, river, as he might have found it hard to both belonging to what is now the town of rouse the ferry-boat at the Scantic ferry at Manchester, Ct. the dead of night. It was then a little past * This word probably should be spelled the full of the moon, but almost all the way rowen. He was helping to gatner in the he had moonlight to cheer and guide him. aftermath, or second crop of grass, which ^ Now Manchester. was cut in the fall. 454 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROEBINS, D.D. [l8lO. i;^. Rode home. This horse which I now have is a verj^ excellent creature to ride. I know not how I shall conduct if called to part with my good father. Wrote. Much fatigued. 14. Rode to Wapping and preached on an exchange with Mr. John Bartlett.' Preached written sermons on Rev. iii : 2 and Mat. xxv: 21. Visited a sick woman. This place is in a deplorable situation about ecclesi- astical matters. Returned. 15. Read Universal History. I have not read but little for a considerable time past. Very pleasant weather. Walked out. Dr. Austin,^ of Worcester, called on me. I bought a set of Edwards's works of him for thirteen dollars. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $5.50. 16. Read Universal History. I suspect it is sometimes incorrect in chro- nology. Ver}^ warm. At evening walked out. 17. Wrote a discourse on the books of Chronicles and Ezra. Cold. Have a fire in my chamber. Received a letter from my cousin S. P. He was married in September. 18. Wrote a discourse on the books of Nehemiah and Esther. I believe 1 never wrote so much in two successive days. Very cold. 19. The crop of corn comes in rather light. Rode to Hartford. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $io»oo. At evening attended a conference. 20. Wrote a sermon on Heb. iii: 17, 18. I have seldom studied more in one week than this, perhaps never. I can bear close study two or three days in succession, but not more. Read Edwards's Life.^ 21. Had a full meeting, and ver^^ pleasant day. Delivered my discourse on the books of Chronicles and Ezra from Luke xvi : 29, and preached the written sermon on Hab. iii: 17, 18. A more tender or interesting subject is scarcely to be found. At evening attended our conference. I think people evidently grow more slack about attending conferences. It is God alone that can help us. 22. Walked out. Some persons are sick among us. Read. The ground very dry. Warm. People neglect their sowing and other more important busi- ness to attend to making cider. Received a letter from my brother James. Wrote to my sister Battell, Rode to Wapping and performed a marriage.* 23. Very cold and windy. Read Universal History. Read without stop ping, except necessary interruptions, nearly twelve hours. In that time read- two hundred and fift)' pages. We have very sudden changes of weather. 24. Very cold. Walked and visited all day. Mr. Fitch,' who keeps our academy, appears to be a valuable man. The French suffer the war in Spain to languish. 25. Received a letter from my brother Battell. Walked and visited all ' Rev. John Bartlett, younger brother of ^ gy j)^. Samuel Hopkins. Rev. Shubael Bartlett, afterwards settled for * Eleazar Bingham Rockwell, residing in many years at Avon, was now supplying the Vermont, was married to Abigail Stoughton. Wapping pulpit. He was graduated at Yale ^ This was no other than Prof. Eleazar T, in 1807. Fitch, D. D., just then out of Yale College, ' Rev. Samuel Austin, D. D. having been graduated the month before. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 455 day. There does not appear to be that thoughtfulness of divine things among us that there did a year ago. The crop of corn here comes in pretty light. 26. Read Jamieson's Sacred History} Wrote. Warmer. Rode to Hart- ford. At evening Mr. Brace '^ and his wife from Newington came here and tarried. He preached at our conference. 27. Wrote on a discourse on John v : 39 for a general improvement of all my discourses on the historical books of the Old Testament. Received letters. I think I never had my feelings more stirred on any occasion.^ I desire to justify God, and search out my hidden sins which occasions his severe frowns. Received a letter from Mr. Davis, New Haven. 28. Am very unwell. I believe it is on account of my hard trials. Fin- ished my discourse on John v : 39. Delivered my discourse on the book of Nehemiah and Esther, from Deut. xxxii : 7, and the one just finished. A pleasant day and very full meeting. At evening attended our conference. Was carried through the labors of the day much better than I feared. 29. Devoted this day to fasting, meditation, and prayer to God on account of my present trials, and to implore his great mercies. I have nothing, for I have given all to God. Wrote. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. 30. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Read Universal History. All Roman virtue seemed to be lost after the conquest of Carthage.* Walked out and visited. 31. Rode to Wethersfield and preached a sacramental lecture for Mr. Marsh, from Hab. iii : 17, 18. Returned. Very cold. Saw Mr. Battell at Hartford. My father has gone to New Lebanon^ springs. November. I. Rode to Scantic. The circular ministers' meeting above here* sat yesterday and today at Mr. Bartlett's. They attend more punctually than the members of ours. Quite cold. Mr. Mason,^ a candidate, made me a visit; about to be settled at Herkimer. He afterwards became Professor of Theology the Roman Senate one hundred and forty- in Yale College, and preacher to the stu- six years before Christ. dents from 1817 to 1S52. He was made * New Lebanon is in the northeast corner Professor emeritus in 1863, and so continued of Columbia County, N. Y., only a few miles till his death in 1871, sixty-one years after west of Pittsfield, Mass. his graduation. He was a notable thinker ^ In the parishes farther north, including and writer. probably Enfield, Ellington, and Somers. A ' Rev. John Jamieson's Uses of Sacred circular ministers' meeting embracing four, History, before mentioned. five, or six ministers, seems to have been a ^ Rev. Joab Brace, D. D., was settled at fashion of those times, as it is now in some Newington in 1805. Several of his sons sections of the country. This meeting at went through Yale College. He passed his Scantic held for two days, later years in Pittsfield, Mass., and died in ^ This was Rev. Elihu Mason, who was 1861. graduated at Dartmouth College in 1808, ^ He makes no explanation as to the con- and was appointed soon after this interview tents of the letters which he had received, with Mr. Robbins by the Connecticut Mis- but the brief record which he makes on the sionary Society for service in New York occasion, is that of a man who desires to State. Later he was settled a short time in know and to do the right. Barkhamsted, Ct. He died in 1849, at the * Carthage was burned by the order of age of sixty-seven. 4c6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1810. 2. We liad a severe snow-storni the most of the day. Great quantities of corn, apples, and otlier things are now out. Read Universal History. I fear many people will sufifer for want of wood. 3. Rode out. Sleighs move some. The snow thaws but little. Dined out. Wrote notes for preaching. 4. Severe winter weather. The sun thaws the snow very little. Preached from James ii : 21. After meeting rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of a woman who died suddenly. I have not worn an outside coat at meeting' before this fall, and today I wanted two. 5. Read Universal History. Walked out and visited. Some persons who have serious impressions avoid letting me know of it. Warmer. 6. The snow goes considerably. Read. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Endeavored to collect from history the genealogy of the Coesars. 7. Rode to Scantic and attended our ministers' meeting. Exhibited my essay on the book of Joshua. Made some further collections of the Wolcott family. 8. Returned. Very favorable weather. Read. Visited. Old Mrs. Tudor ^ quite unwell. People yet have much cider to make. A yoke of fat oxen, fattened by Mr. E. Bissell,^ were driven from this place, probably the best pair that ever was in America. Manured my asparagus bed. 9. Read. Visited some sick persons. At evening attended a conference. Read a part of President Edwards's Life. But few men attend. Considerably dejected in spirits. ID. Read. The whole character of Paganism is painful. Rode to East Hartford (Orford) to exchange with Mr. King,* now preaching there. Preached a sacramental lecture with a written sermon on Luke xxii : 31, 32. Rainy. 11. Very rainy all day. Had a very thin meeting. Administered the sacrament. This church quite small. Preached written sermon on i Peter i : 8 and from Num. x : 29. This society is in a diagreeable, but I hope not in a desperate' situation. At evening returned. 12. Finished the twelfth volume of my Universal History, which I began the first of last December. At the beginning I calculated to read a volume a month. Wrote to Mr. William Austin, New Haven. 13. Rode to Norfolk. Muddy and bad riding. Could not cross the water at Simsbury. Got home late. Uncle Starr here. He is lately married very ' In those years, when the meeting-houses ^ Rev. Salmon King had been the settled were not warmed at all, the ministers used to pastor at Orford (Manchester) from 1800 to preach in their overcoats. The contrast be- i8c8, when he was dismissed. But, for some tween fall and winter in this year 1810, was time now, he seems to have been supplying very sharp. the pulpit there. ^ Wife of Dr. Elihu Tudor. ' This church was formed in 1779, and of ' Capt. Aaron Bissell furnished the fat the thirty-one years of its existence at the ox, before mentioned, that was driven to time Rev. Mr. Robbins preached there, it Boston. The pair here described were fatted had had a settled ministry twenty-three Mr. Eli Bissell. years. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 457 agreeably.' My father is some better than when I was here last. I think the New Lebanon spring has been serviceable to him. He is still unable to preach. The neighboring ministers supply his pulpit. In the morning received of Maj. Wolcott^ $40.00. 14. Quite wet. The roads here very bad. My brother Frank is obliged to stay at home with my father. 15. Rode to Simsbury. People are yet making cider. Mrs. Case con- tinues quite feeble and low. 16. Visited. Quite rainy. Received of Capt. O. Phelps^ $19.00. Rode home. Extremely muddy riding. Got quite wet. Paid Hayden & Imbley for my watch, bought July 23d, $30.00. On the 13th paid a merchant $13.13, and received a letter from my cousin, Mrs. Oilman. Read Edwards's Works. 17. We have at length pleasant weather, after more than a week of cloudy and wet, in which there has been a great deal of rain. Wrote a sermon on Luke ii : 7. 18. Preached from Isa. xlix : 5, and the sermon written yesterdav. At evening attended a conference ; quite thin. 19. Quite rainy all day. Read Jamieson's Sacred History. It is a valuable work. 20. Rode to Hartford. The roads excessive muddy. Paid a merchant tailor, $10.00. Visited sick persons. Drew a plan for a new book- case. 21. The armies in Portugal appear to be in a very critical situation.'* I much fear the French will triumph. Had an interview with . Feel much relieved. Walked out and visited. At evening performed a marriage.* 22. On the 2oth sent to my brother Frank my discourses on the historical books of the Old Testament.^ Attended to the interesting subject of the Divine Agency in Moral Evil. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. At evening walked out. 23. Began a sermon on the subject of the Divine Moral Government, from Prov. xix: 21. It snowed considerably. K&3.d ]2imxeson's Sacred His for v. 24. Wrote on the sermon begun yesterday. Wrote notes for preachino-. Visited some sick persons. 25. Preached from John xvi : 8. The snow gone. Had a full and atten- tive meeting. At evening walked out. I believe there has not been so large ' In June, five months before, he made the battle of Busaco in Portugal, in which that journey to Somers to consult Mrs. the British troops under Lord Wellington Backus on the subject of matrimony. He repulsed the French troops under Massena. had been more successful elsewhere, though The English then fell back to the lines of we do not know the name of his second wife. Torres Vedras, which the French did not ^ Major Wolcott, it will be remembered, dare to attack. In this position the armies was Mr. Abiel Wolcott, in whose family he remained, within sight of each other, for lived. It would seem that Mr. Wolcott was several months, treasurer of the parish. * Bishop Johnson and Naomi Foster were ^ Capt. Oliver Phelps, treasurer of the married. Simsbury parish. * Mr. Robbins had made a large study of * On the 27th of Sept., i8io, was fought this subject. 4c8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [181O. a British army together for many years as is now in Portugal. I am in great hopes they will not be subdued. 26. Wrote to my brother Samuel and to Mr. Battell. Rode to Hartford. Rainy. Attended the funeral of a black child. Read Faber's Horce Mosaiccz^ a very valuable work. 27. Examined a school-master. Began a sermon for Thankgsgiving on Zee. xiv: 16. Wrote to Messrs. Beers & Howe & Co., and to Mr. William Austin, New Haven. Sent to New Haven for books, $4.00. The town of New Haven has had a great increase in the last ten years.^ Warm for the season. Rode out. 28. Wrote. Finished my sermon on Zech. xiv: 16. I believe in the mil- lenium all nations will celebrate an anniversary Thanksgiving. Walked out. 29. I think I never saw a pleasanter day at Thanksgiving.^ A full meet- ing. We had very fine singing. Preached the sermon finished yesterday. At evening walked out. 30. Last night the young people had a ball,-* and tarried nearly all night, I fear we are to be given up to great stupidity and evil. Rode to Windsor and returned. We have favorable intelligence from the armies in Portugal.^ December. 1. Very warm for December. Read Horce Mosaim. Rode to East Hartford to exchange with Mr. Yates. 2. Mr. Yates went to East Windsor. Preached written sermons from Luke ii: 7 and Hab. iii : 17, 18. My brother Frank attended meeting here. He came from home yesterday in the stage. Received a letter from my sister Battell. Returned. Examined a school-master. 3. Last night a Mr. Field,^ a candidate, who has spent the past summer in New Connecticut, came and tarried with me. Attended the funeral of an infant child. It snowed the most of the day. My brother Frank made me a ' This work is by George Stanley Faber, shall come to pass that every one that is the same writer who has already been no- left of all the nations which came against ticed in connection with his work on the Jerusalem, shall even go up from year to Prophecies. He was born in 1773, and died year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, in 1S54. His Horce AIosaiccE, in two volumes, and to keep the feast of tabernacles." were published in Oxford, Eng., iSoi. ■♦Already had commenced a decided re- ^ The American Almaiuic for 1884, gives action against balls, which were, as we the population of New Haven for 1810 as have seen, very frequent in the closing years 4,772, and for 1800 as 4,049. But the Hart- of the last century and the early years of the ford Directory for 1884, in its miscellaneous present. department, gives the population of New ^ He had heard now definitely of the re- Haven for 1810 as 6,967. pulse of the French at the battle of Busaco ^ A reference to Mr. Robbins's texts shows on the 27th of September, that he was apt to take texts, somewhat aside * Rev. John Field, a graduate of Williams from the common ones, but such as were College in the class of 1807. He was a na- often rich in their historical suggestions and tive of Hardwick, Mass., was settled for associations. The text of this Thanksgiving some years at North Wrentham. He died in sermon was from Zech. xiv: 16. "And it 1827, at the age of forty-eight. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 45^ visit. He is on his way to study with Dr. Austin.' He returned me my discourses on the sacred historical books. They are more highly approved than I expected. My father is moderately gaining. He preached at the Thanksgiving. Read Jamieson's Sacred History. 4. Read Jamieson. He is singularly hampered with the Scotch religious sentiments. The snow is eight or ten inches deep. Sleighs move some. Walked out and visited. There were some disagreeable things yesterday in the town meeting. 5. Rode to Glastonbury and attended our ministers' meeting."^ Had a pretty good meeting. Pretty good sleighing. Returned. Put on my flannel. 6. Read. Wrote to my cousin, Mrs. Oilman, Marietta, and to my brother James. My eyes are rather weak, but much better than last winter. 7. Rode to Hartford in a carriage. The most of the way is pretty good sleighing. The morning very cold. Traded considerably. At evening attended a conference. 8. Began to study the Latin grammar with a view of prosecuting a regular study of Latin.^ I think it is necessary for me, and I hope to be prospered in the work. Wrote notes for preaching. 9. Preached from Rev. xix : lo. Severe cold. At evening attended a conference. Pretty good sleighing. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. 10. Rode to Hartford. Read newspapers. Read the President's message/ He seems determined if possible to destroy our trade.^ Read Herodotus. 11. Wintry cold. Rode to Wapping and visited all day. The roads quite slippery. Read. 12. V^ote ior Evangelical Magazine.^ It snowed all day. Worked taking care at the barn. 13. Visited the two upper schools.^ They have good instructors. Read Herodotus. He is one of the most pleasing writers I ever read. His narra- tive approaches more the simplicity of the Old Testament than anything else I have read. 14. Most excellent sleighing. Visited the two lower schools. At evening rode out. A dancing school is set up here which gives me much anxiety. ' Dr. Samuel Austin, of Worcester. Some ^ Mr. Robbins is not yet able to find much months before it was under discussion good in the messages or acts of Democratic whether his brother, Francis Le Baron, Presidents. should go to the new theological seminary * Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. His at Andover. article on " Persecutions from False Relig- ^ Rev. Prince Hawes, it will be remem- ions " was published in this magazine in bered, was then the minister at Glastonbury. 1811, (Vol. 4, second series) in two parts, ^ Mr. Robbins, of course, had studied pp. 28 and 47. Latin in his father's house, as preparatory ^ The schools which came under Mr. Rob- to his entrance at Yale College. He had bins's oversight and care were those belong- studied it more extensively in college. But ing to his o^;\ti parish. Rev. Shubael Bartlett now he proposes to take up the study more had a like responsibility in those of the systematically and maturely. North, or Scantic parish. The ministers of ■• This was the second message of Presi- that day were accustomed to take the chief dent James Madison. oversight of the public schools. 460 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181O 15. Studied Latin. Wrote notes for preaching. I spend much more time on my notes than I have done in years past. 16. Preached from Ex. iii : 14. The people are attentive at meeting, but a great stupidity prevails among us. At evening attended a conference. 17. Extreme cold. Verj' fine sleighing. Rode to Wapping and attended a funeral. Read Herodotus. 18. Received of Mr. Wolcott an order which I gave on him last winter, amounting to $14.35. P^i^ a merchant's bill, $i4-35- Gave Mr. Wolcott an order on the Society of $i34-33» for "^Y living a year. He keeps me and my horse supplied, a chamber, wood, etc., for fifteen shillings a week in the sum- mer, and sixteen in the winter. The charge is less than I expected.' Wrote. The coldest day we have had this winter. 19. Wrote. Rode out and visited. It seems to be a pretty discouraging time with us about divine things. 20. Have been drawing ofif my discourse on the Persecutions of False Religions for the Magaziiie. The Society had their annual meeting. Quite harmonious. Two certificates were given in of considerable lists. I believe it is not from any aversion to me. Harry Olmsted ^ came here from Norfolk, and brought little Joseph Battell,^ and left him with me. Received a letter from my brother and sister Battell, and one from my father. He is getting better. Last Sabbath he preached all day. 21. The snow goes pretty fast. Little Joseph behaves very well.* Wrote on my sermon upon Moral Government, It rained considerably. 22. Wrote considerably. I find this subject requires much attention. Rode out. ^ 23. Preached a part of my written discourse on Prov. xix : 21. Did not finish my subject. People very attentive. At evening performed a marriage.* Attended to a case of misconduct in the church. The sleighing pretty poor. 24. Rode to Wapping and visited sick persons. Rode to Hartford. Wrote to my sister Battell. 25. Quite unwell with a cold in my back. Wrote on my discourse on Moral Government. At evening walked out and visited. Quite cold. 26. Rode to Ellington and attended a ministers' meeting. Preached a written sermon from Luke ii : 7. Mr. Prudden read a manuscript, which he " Two dollars and a half a week for man Apr. 17, 1806. This little child grew to be a and horse in the summer, and two dollars rich merchant in New York, and died July and sixty-six and two thirds cents for man, 8, 1S74, possessed of a large estate. He it horse, and fuel in the winter, is cheap living. was who furnished the money for the build- in this case there was the farther considera- ing of the costly Battell chapel belonging to tion that all this was in one of the best Yale College, which is now one of the chief families of his parish. ornaments of the college grounds. ^ Harry Olmsted was, we think, a clerk in * The young children in Mr. Wolcott's Mr. Joseph Battell's store, and his native family would naturally interest themselves in place was. East Hartford. little Joseph. ^ Little Joseph Battell was then between = Horatio Gaylord was married to Ha four and live years old, having been born dassah Cooley. l8lO.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 46 1 intends to publish in justification of the marriage of a man with his wife's sister.' 27. This ministers' meeting is a very good one. Afternoon rode home. Yesterday had a new great coat made of Devonshire kersey. It took more than seven yards, and cost two dollars per yard wholesale price. At evening rode to Hartford and back in a sleigh. 28. Wrote laboriously on my discourse on the Divine Government. Warm and wet. Rode out and visited a sick person. There are two vessels building at this place. 29. Wrote all day. This subject costs me much close thinking. I hope to be divinely directed and kept from all error. The sleighing is about gone, 30. Preached all day on my long written discourse on Prov. xix ; 21. I don't know that I shall finish it in another Sabbath.^ Received a letter from my brother Frank, and an almanac which he sent me. A very acceptable present. At evening attended a conference. 31. Read. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Rode to Orford and visited Rev. Mr. Olcott.^ Very cold. Returned. Very bad riding. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. ' In this country we are nearly through members how often in his childhood the with the discussion of that question, but it minister used to say, " The remainder of this goes on vigorously yet in England. discourse will be deferred till the after part ^ It was very common, in that day, for of the day." the minister to preach from the same text, ' Rev. Allen Olcott, graduated at Yale both forerwon and afternoon, but not for in 1768, now in advanced life. He died dur- continuous Sabbaths. The writer well re- ing the next year, 181 1. 1811- January. 1. Through the great mercy of God I am permitted to begin another year under the smiles of divine favor. Endeavored to attend to such medita- tions as were suitable to the day. Walked out and visited. I hope a dis- agreeable difficulty in the church may be favorably settled. 2. Rode to Wapping and visited schools. The School Society has been so altered that there are but two in Wapping now for us to visit. Walked out, 3. Very cold. We have a very humorous and sensible piece of New Year's poetry.' Began a sermon on Luke xix : 44 for the New Year. Walked out. 4. It snowed all day. Preached a preparatory lecture from Matt, xxvi : 31. Exhibited to the church a confession of a woman for Improper conduct. I hope she may be kept by Almighty grace. At evening rode out. 5. Finished my sermon on Luke xix: 44. The old Theological Magazine'^ is very useful. 6. The snow thaws very much. Had a very full meeting. Administered the sacrament. Preached from Prov, iii: 6, and the written sermon finished yesterday. Afternoon the assembly was solemn and much affected. Very tired. There have been but six deaths in this place the past year. 7. Rode to Wapping and visited. Very bad riding. The snow mostly gone. Received a letter from Mr. P. B. Gleason,^ of Hartford, requesting me to write a piece for the next magazine. 8. Wrote. Remarkabj^ warm and wet. Read Herodotus. The notes are more than the text. Walked out. Received of Mr. Wolcott for the society, $100.00. 9. Today is our ministers' meeting at Windsor. Set out to go, but could not cross the river.'* Rode to Hartford. Paid a merchant, $19.00. Paid a cabinet-maker, $10.00. Paid my annual tax to the Bible Society, $3.00. Paid for a horse-whip, $2.00. The riding extremely bad and muddy. 10. Read Herodotus. He relates many valuable facts for the illustration of the Scriptures. Wrote to my brother Frank. It snowed some. 11. Wrote on a piece for the Evatigelical Magazine, at the request of the editor. Received a letter from my brother James. I believe my friends think me more studious than I am. Walked out and visited. ■ Probably in one of the Hartford news- ^ Mr. Gleason was a bookseller and pub- papers, lisher, and had charge of the publication of ^ This was the magazine published in the Connecticut Evangelical Magazitie. New York, which continued only three or * That is, at the Windsor or Scantic four years. ferry. 463 464 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. 12. Finished my piece for the magazine. Wrote notes for preaching. It seem^ to affect my nerves a little to write all day steadily. 13. Quite stormy. Had a very thin meeting. Preached from Gal. vi : 14. Read. 14. Read Herodotus. There are many very valuable things in the notes. Quite cold. I take some pains in the instruction of little Joseph.' 15. A very severe frost. Rode to Hartford. Bought books — Henry's Com- mentaries,- which are new, and cost twenty dollars. I got them very cheap. Received on my subscription twenty-eight volumes of the British Classics^ which cost a dollar a volume. Paid Cooke, $15.00. Paid Gleason, $15.00. I had not taken any of the Classics before. Had company. The sleighing is passable. 16. A part of my piece on "Persecution," which I wrote last month, is in the magazine." Received a new writing-stand, made for me, for which I paid $4.00. Wrote. Walked out. 17. Wrote on my sermon on Divine Government. I find I advance pretty slowly on this subject, even with close study. Very good sleighing. At evening rode out and performed a marriage. 18. Wrote attentively all day. At evening walked out. Some families here talk of moving to New Connecticut. Ver)' cold. 19. Wrote on my Divine Government. There is a great deal of sleighing. At night it rained. 20. It thaws considerably. Preached written sermons from Prov. xix : 21.* The people appear to be much interested with this subject. At evening attended a conference. 21. The sleighing mostly gone. Warm. I intended to have gone today to Norfolk, had the sleighing permitted. Rode to Hartford. Massena,* with his great French army much diminished, is retreating from Portugal. Visited. 22. Wrote on my long discourse on Prov. xix: 21. Walked out and visited. 23. I find that I write quite slowly on the subject. Had company. Quite cold. ' Little Joseph has now been at East others for its quaint and original forms of Windsor for some weeks, and his uncle is expression. giving him instruction, though he will not be ^ This set of the British Classics grew at five years old until the next April. It was an last into a large number of volumes, easy and natural thing for Mr. Robbins to "* Co7ineciicut Evangelical Magazine, Vol. turn to the instruction of children. His work IV, 2d series, p. 28. as a teacher in his earlier years was very ^ The text on which all his sermons on successful. moral government have been founded is ^ Rev. Matthew Henry was a distin- found in the Book of Proverbs, xix: 21, which guished Nonconformist minister, who was reads as follows: "There are many devices born in 1662, and died in 1714, at the early in a man's heart, nevertheless the counsel of age of fifty-two. His Exposition of the Old the Lord, that shall stand." This text was and New Testament, in five volumes folio, very suggestive for his subject, was first published in 17 10. The last part, ^ He had not recovered from the blow from the Book of Acts, was by other hands. given him at the battle of Barraco, in the Henry's Conimentary is distinguished among September previous. l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 465 24. I am favored with great conveniences for study. At evening rode out and performed a marriage. Very rough sleighing. 25. Walked out and visited all day. Some old persons here quite low. At night Mr. Battell ' came here and tarried. Mr. Sargent,^ a candidate, came and tarried with me. 26. Very cold. Wrote attentively on Divine Government. Afternoon Mr. Mason/ of Herkimer, came to tarry with me over the Sabbath. 27. Mr. Mason preached for me and very well. I trust he will be a useful man. Walked out. 28. Rode out and visited a school. Visited. Very cold. The river is very hard frozen, 29. Went to Hartford and brought up in a sleigh, an elegant new book- case. It cosf* I walked home and drove the sleigh. The ground con- siderably bare. Paid for liquor to fill my liquor-case, $3.83/ Had company. One member of our church conducts imprudently. 30. Rode to East Hartford and attended our ministers' meeting. We had a very good one. At evening rode to Hartford, There is very little sleigh- ing. It is contemplated to form a society in this vicinity for the relief of the ministers' widows. I think it will be a very charitable institution. Rode. My late writings for the magazine met with a higher approbation than I expected.^ 31. Worked at my library. My new book-case makes a noble appearance. Rode to Wapping and attended a funeral. Visited. I fear the young people here are getting much addicted to dancing. There has been but little of it since I lived in the town. February. 1. It snowed some. Rode out. Wrote. At evening walked out and visited. I believe I have lost some books by lending.' 2. Wrote all day on my long discourse^ on Prov. xix : 21. I hope the investigation of this subject will be useful to me, as well as to my people. Tolerable sleighing. 3. It snowed steadily all day. Thin meeting. Preached from Matt, xxvii : 43. On account of the necessary thinness of the meeting, I deferred my discourse on Divine Government. At evening walked out. 4. Preparing for Association. Quite stormy and tedious. Received a * Mr. Joseph Battell, of Norfolk. He * This place remains blank, wanted perhaps to see how his little Joseph ' The old stock, put up some months be- was getting on. fore, was probably nearly exhausted. ^ Rev. Samuel Sargeant, who was born in * Only the first part of the article had yet Maiden, Mass., Nov. 6, 1755, graduated at been published. Dartmouth College in 1783, was settled for ^ He would be a rare lender of books if he a time in Woburn, and afterwards served as had not lost some of them. a missionary in Vermont, Pennsylvania, and * All his sermons put together from this New York. He died in Chester, Vt., in one text, Prov. xix : 21, would make quite a 1881. treatise on moral government. This has been ^ Rev. Elihu Mason, before noticed. a popular subject with New England divines. 466 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. letter from my brother James, Received from my brother Frank, at Wor- cester, this Ahiianack} Rode to Hartford in a sleigh. The remainder of my piece on Persecution is published in the February magazine.^ Paid for a turkey, $1.12. Traded, $2.00. 5. It snows and is quite tedious. Our Association met here.^ There were nine members present. Had the weather been favorable, I think we should have had a very full meeting. The Association licensed Mr. Amasa Loomis,"* of this place. 6. I have seldom known an association more elegantly entertained.* After dinner they dispersed. Rode to Hartford to carry home Mr. Flint. Very good sleighing. There have been two important failures in Hartford in consequence of the wretched conduct of the government. 7. Mr. Quincy® has delivered a most able speech in Congress on the violation of the Constitution in making New Orleans an independent State. Wrote on my preaching accounts. Walked out. 8. Prepared this almanack and wrote it to the present time. Unfor- tunately broke a pane of glass in my new book-case. It snowed hard all day. Read Vicar of Wakefield J 9. Wrote on my discourse on Divine Government. The late failures in Hartford are likely to be repaired. Towards night Mr. Skinner,* of New Britain, Berlin, came to exchange with me tomorrow. The call very unex- pected. ' His brother, Francis Le Baron, was then studying theology with Dr. Austin, of Worces- ter, and the almanacks he used were printed in Worcester. The one which his brother sent him for 181 1 has the following as a por- tion of its title : " Isaiah Thomas, Junior's Town and Country ALMANACK or Complete Farmer's Calendar, Being the third after Leap Year, and the 35th of Columbian Independence, From creation according to the Scripture 5773. Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts by Isaiah Thomas, jun. Price 9 dollars per Gross, 87 1-2 cents per • dozen, 12 1-2 cents single." * On page 48, Vol, 4, second series. ' That is why he bought the turkey. * Rev. Amasa Loomis was the son of Dea. Amasa Loomis, of East Windsor, and was graduated at Yale in 1807. He labored much among the churches of Ohio. * This compliment is doubtless intended for Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott. *" There have been men in several genera- tions in Massachusetts by the name of Josiah Quincy. The one here referred to was born in 1772, graduated at Harvard in 1790, was Member of Congress from 1804 to 1813, and President of Harvard College from 1829 to 1845. His son, of the same name, has re- cently passed away in a good old age, but the name still abides. ^ Goldsmith's charming story, which he had read before, but which never tires. ^ Rev. Newton Skinner, a young man, graduated at Yale in 1804, had been settled about a year in New Britain, as colleague with the venerable Dr. John Smalley. Mr. Skinner was a native of Granby. He re- mained at New Britain till his death in 1S25. It may possibly help to explain his sudden appearance in East Windsor, of a Saturday afternoon, fifteen miles or more from his home, if we state that a few years later he was married to Miss Ursula Wolcott (not the Ursula already mentioned), daughter of Mr. Samuel Wolcott. At the time of this exchange she was a young lady of twenty- two, and it may have seemed easier to Mr. Skinner to make his exchange at East Windsor rather than in one of the adjoining parishes. l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 467 10. Rode early to Berlin. Good sleighing, but the snow pretty deep. This is not a large, but a good society. Preached written sermons from Luke ii: 7 and Hab, iii : 17, 18. The people were quite attentive. Quite cold, A council is to be convened this week in Worthington for the dismissal of Mr. Johns.' 11. Rode home. Very fine sleighing. The sun has not shined before today since Jan. 30th, and every day since then it has snowed. Read. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in making a tax-bill. 12. Worked all day upon the rate-bill. It is a great task. The number of taxes in this society is two hundred and five. The certificate lists are forty- five. Of these twenty-seven have been given in since my settlement. The whole list is ^23,551.92.^ The certificate list is $6,671.49. At night it rained. 13. Read Herodotus. Worked upon the rate-bill. It thaws very much. There is some hope that Congress will yet spare the United States Bank^ which they have been determined to destroy. 14. Heredotus mentions salt mountains in Africa. Wrote. Quite cold. Wrote to Mr. Fairchild,^ of Stratford. Afternoon rode to Simsbury. Pretty good sleighing. There is more snow here than at East Windsor. Received of Capt. Phelps,"* $15.00, the last of my demands for preaching in this place. Mrs. Case, I think, is more feeble than when I last saw her. Society matters here appear favorably. 15. Got the glass set which I lately broke in the door of my book-case without much expense. Rode home. It thaws considerably. At evening preached a lecture in the lower part of the society from Luke vii : 23. Bap- tized a child. 16. Finished my long discourse on Prov. xix : 21. I believe I have wrote upon it at least twenty days. I hope it will be useful to me, and I beg of God that it may be to my people. It is much longer than I expected when I began. Yesterday paid a cabinet-maker, $10.00. 17. Preached a part of my discourse on Divine Government from Prov. xix: 21. Both sermons were answers to objections. Had a full and very attentive meeting. 18. It snowed the most of the day. Expected to have gone today to Norfolk, but omitted on account of the storm. Rode out and visited. 19. Set out for Norfolk in a sleigh with Fanny and Tudor Wolcott and little Joseph Battell. Very cold and tedious. The snow flies very much. ' This was in the church now known as structed what they called the grand list, and the Second Church in Berlin. Rev. Evans laid the taxes on that. Johns was a Welshman, and had been settled ' Robert Fairchild, Esq., a graduate of there since 1802. He was dismissed in this Yale College in the class of 1793, ^ Fellow month of February, 181 1. of Yale College, ex officio. ^ These figures must not be understood as ■* Capt. Oliver Phelps, treasurer of the meaning the whole amount of taxable prop- parish at Simsbury, makes his final settle- erty in the parish, for there were individual ment with Mr. Robbins, about four years men there who were worth $30,000. From after his services were rendered. But money the whole property to be taxed they con- was scarce and times were hard. 468 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. Find very little path. My horse was so worried that I left him at New Hart- ford and got another. Rode to Colebrook and tarried at my brother Ammi's.' 20. Rode to Norfolk. The snow very deep. My father is quite comfort- able and performs his ministerial duties. Severe cold, 21. It is undoubtedly the coldest time that we have had this winter. People are much concerned about hay. My brother Samuel is getting much into the sheep business.^ Dined at Mr. Battell's. 22. The turnpike road here is like to be very good property. Rode home with Fanny.^ Extreme cold. Rode from Norfolk to East Windsor in abouj: eight hours. Am considerably worried with my exertions. Received of my brother N. and lent to James, $12.00. Paid for the horse that I hired at New Hartford, and for keeping mine there, $2.00. 23. Wrote. Pleasant, but very cold. Read the Bible. I have latterly too much neglected my Bible. 24. Preached written sermons and finished my long discourse on Prov. xix : 21. I was all day upon the improvement. Towards night the weather moder- ated. At evening attended a singing-meeting. 25. Read. Rode to Windsor in a sleigh and returned. Very good cross- ing. At night it rained. Borrowed Patrick's Commentary.*' 26. My books get injured by being lent. The Senate, by the casting vote of the President,^ have finally put their veto upon the United States Bank. Quite rainy. 27. Completed my sermons on Divine Government. It is almost a vol- ume. The snow seems to be going. Rode out. The dancing-school here excites great interest. Received a letter from R. Fairchild, Esq.^ 28. Wrote. At night the dancing-school had their concluding ball. It excited great attention. I believe the effects of such a school very ruinous. Rode to Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, and spent the night very agreeably with Mr. Chapin.' ' The journey described in this day's entry United States, and therefore ex officio Presi- was not far from thirty-five miles, taken dent of the Senate. Like President Madi- under such conditions of roads and weather, son, he was a Democrat, as to make it a somewhat notable illustra- '' Robert Fairchild. See note just before tion of the tough old New England times. Feb. 14. Fanny Wolcott was a girl of seventeen, ' Calvin Chapin, D.D., pastor at Rocky Tudor Wolcott was a lad of eleven, and little Hill from 1794 to 1851, was a very quaint Joseph Battell was a child of four years and and original character. His parish was ten months. within the town of Wethersfield, and was 2 He had been drawn into this naturally once known by the name Stepney. Mr. by his brother Nathaniel. Chapin was born in Springfield, Mass., in ' He left Tudor Wolcott at Norfolk. 1763, was graduated at Yale in 1788, and * Rev. Simon Patrick, 1626-1707, a very from 1S20 to 1846 was of the corporation of learned divine, born at Gainsborough, Eng- the college. Graduates of the college during land, Bishop of Ely, wrote among many other those years remember well his tall and works, various paraphrases and commen- marked figure, as he went in and out of the taries on the Prophets. trustees' meeting, or mingled in the scenes * The President of the Senate at that time of Commencement. He died at the age of was George Clinton, Vice-President of the eighty-eight. l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 469 March. 1. It thaws constantly and fast. Very bad riding. Rode home. Read Elegant Extracts?' Walked out. 2. Read Herodotus. Wrote notes for preaching. Received a letter from my brother James. 3. Feel very gloomy on account of my own stupidity and exceeding stupidity of my people. I hope there are some among us who sigh and pray. Walked out. Preached from Matt, iv : 17. 4. I believe our country has never had so poor a Congress as the one which expires today. They seem bent on the ruin of the country.^ Visited. It appears like spring. 5. Wrote, copying my last year's diary. Rode to Hartford. Very bad riding. The river is not broken. Visited. Lent several books. Bought seven of Haweis's ^ Communicanfs Companion to give away. Received a letter from Mr. Battell, with four hundred dollars to be paid several families here for cheese.* 6. Our ministers' meeting met here. In the afternoon a hard snow-storm. Very few at meeting. Read the Spectator. Our Hartford Magazine^ very good. 7. The snow considerably deep. Cold and blustering. Visited. Rode to Wapping and married a couple whose ages are sixty-five and fifty-nine.* Pretty good sleighing. R!ead Herodotus. Received a letter from my brother Frank. 8. Visited an old man in a dying state. Read Herodotus. Afternoon the man died.'' Walked out and visited. g. Wrote on a sermon from Ps. cxxxvii : 5, 6. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of a child. Very bad riding. Paid for ten bushels of oats, $3.33. 10. Finished writing a little before I went to meeting. Had a laborious time of it. Preached sermons mostly written from Ps. cxxxvii : 5, 6. At evening with the church committee examined two men for communion.^ I think I never saw a more muddy time here. After meeting attended the ' This is the work, it may be remembered, the one town of East Windsor, between which he had as a present from Mr. Frederick thirty and forty miles away from Norfolk Wolcott, of Litchfield. It was in two vol- where was his store. This single clue shows umes, and was published in London in 1801. us how it was possible for him to acquire so ^ As has been already several times sug- large a property, as the legitimate fruit of this gested, all such expressions must be con- vast country trade. It required great sagacity sidered in connection with the strong political to conduct business under such conditions, prejudices of those years. ' The Evangelical Magazine, doubtless, * Thomas Haweis, an English writer on which was published at Hartford, religious subjects, 1734-1820. * Elijah King, of Vernon, and Susannah * This statement helps to give an idea of Case, of Wapping. the extent of the business carried on by Mr. ^ This was Mr. Luke Loomis, aged seventy- Joseph Battell as a country merchant. This four. item of four hundred dollars was to be paid ^ Mr. Jesse Charlton and Mr. Timothy to people for the one article of cheese, in Munsell. 4^.0 DIARV OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l3ll. funeral of the man who died on Friday. The meeting was ver)- full. Preached partly in reference to the occasion. 11. There appears to be considerable serious talk in the country on a division of the United States.* Rode out and visited a sick man. 12. Walked out and visited. Afternoon Mr. Atwell,^ the Baptist preacher at Enfield, preached in the meeting-house. Attended the meeting. He appears anxious to get introduced here. He is encouraged by the certificate people. Read Herodotus. Yesterday wrote to my father, and for Mrs. Wol- cott to her son,^ at Norfolk. 13. Walked and visited all day. Very pleasant. The boys play ball. Tarried out. Received a letter from my father. 14. Walked and visited. Afternoon visited our Academic school.'' The ground dries considerably. Tarried out. 15. Quite tired with constant visiting. Very warm for the season. Things sprout in the garden. Read. 16. Read Herodotus. Assisted the church committee in examining two women for communion.^ They appear very well. Wrote on my last year's diary. 17. Preached written sermons from Rom. vii : 24, a discourse which I wrote before I began to preach. At evening had company. I think the singing-meeting improves our singing. 18. Read. Visited a sick man. Rode to Hartford. The ground in our street mostly dry. The river pretty high. 19. Visited two schools. One of them has done pretty poorly. They have improved in the knowledge of the catechism. 20. Read Herodotus. Remarkably warm for March. Rode to Windsor and returned. The ground generally settled. 21. Last night at bed-time was called to see a sick man. He has been long in a consumption, and thought he should recover till he was -suddenly taken very ill. He has been a stupid, vicious man, but left a most solemn testimony in favor of the reality of the gospel. I stayed with him till he died, about two o'clock. The scene was ver^- impressive. In the morning made an asparagus bed. Afternoon visited a school with a good instructor in a very good way. At evening visited a sick man. 22. In the morning ploughed some ground to plant peas.® Visited two schools. I believe our dancing-school has been a disadvantage to some of our schools. At their second invitation I have catechised all the schools,' which I did not at first. ' The Hartford Convention, which met in tion of his own. He was brought up to 1814, was a kind of outgrowth from this talk these out-door duties at home, and he seems and sentiment. to have taken a real pleasure in them. ^ Rev. George Atwell. ^ jf Qy^ modern public schools had some ^ Samuel Tudor Wolcott, whom Mr. Rob- system of moral and religious instruction bins left there after his hard wintry journey. corresponding to this catechetical exercise, * At East Windsor Hill. they would be better than they are. But ' Polly Loomis and Esther McKinney. there are so many people who think their * Wherever he was Mr. Robbins seems to children would be injured by it that it has have had some farming or gardening opera- to be forborne. \ i8ii.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR, 471 23. Planted peas. Attended the funeral of Francis Drake.' Remarkably dry. The dust flies very much. Read Herodotus. Rode to Scantic to exchange with Mr. Bartlett. 24. Mr. Bartlett went to our society.^ Preached written sermons from Rev. iii: 2 and John vii: 17. Thin meeting. Returned. At night rainy, with pretty hard thunder. 25. Mr. Pickering^ has commenced a series of letters on our public affairs which I think will be useful. Wrote. Worked in the garden. Manured my asparagus bed, and made a small new one. Wrote to my father. 26. Sowed my new asparagus bed. Planted radish seed. Attended the funeral of a man lately deceased of a consumption, in the borders of Orford. Took some cold by speaking in the wind. Yesterday, finished reading Herodotus. I don't know that I have ever read any history with greater pleasure. '' 27. Am considerably unwell with my cold. Yesterday morning Mr. Wolcott went off for Norfolk. Read. Rode out and visited. At night Mr. Battell came here and tarried. He brought home Tudor, who has lived at Norfolk since 1 was last there.' My father is pretty smart. 28. Rode to Wapping and visited and catechised two schools. They have done better this year than the last. At evening Mr. Wolcott returned. The ground is nearly as much settled at Norfolk as it is here. 29. Began a sermon on Rom. vii: 10. Hindered by company. At night we had a little snow. 30. Wrote steadily. Finished my sermon on Rom. vii : 10. I can, with- out much difficulty, with diligence, write two sermons in two days.* Rainy. Have read this week considerably in ZiorCs Pilgrim.'' 31. Rainy. I committed my discourse just written, and preached from Matt, xiii : 11. Received four persons into the church.* Three of them at least I trust will be ornaments of their profession. On the 26th received a letter from Mr. Amasa Loomis, in East Hartford, and on the 27th wrote to him. Read. ' The young man whose death-bed scene he has just described. ^ In his exchanges with Mr. Bartlett of the North Parish, it seems to have been something like a fixed custom for Mr. Rob- bins to go up and spend Saturday night, returning Sunday evening, and for Mr. Bart- to go and return on Sunday. This law was probably determined by the fact that Mr. Robbins was a bachelor, and Mr. Bartlett had a most pleasant and hospitable home. ^ Col. Timothy Pickering, LL. D., of Salem, Mass., then a member of United States Senate. * All who have read Herodotus can well understand how naturally one is charmed by this simple antique style, and the curious array of facts and incidents presented in his narrative. 5 Tudor Wolcott reached Norfolk after his cold ride February 20th, and it is now March 27th. He has been returning little Joseph Battell's visit. * Most ministers now would call that very rapid writing. ' Zion's Pilgrim, a small volume repub- lished in New York in 1810, was written by Robert Hav,'kes, D. D., 1753-1S27, a native of Exeter, England, and a somewhat exten- sive writer on religious topics. * The two men and two women before named. 472 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1811 April. I, A hard rain. Wrote. Yesterday I forgot to warn our sacrament for the next Sabbath. Have to give private notice. Visited. A number of persons are sick among us. 2.' Rode to Hartford. The bridge-owners refuse to contract for crossing by the year as they did last year.* Visited. Mr. Atwell came here and preached in the meeting-house.'^ I am told he had a small meeting. 3. It snowed a little. Rode to Scantic to attend our ministers' meeting. No other one went. I preached a written sermon from i Cor. ii : 2. Re- turned. Have something of a cold. The Democrats in this State are making efforts to divide Federal votes. 4. Am quite hoarse with my cold. Began a sermon on John xv : 19. Worked considerably. Walked out and visited. I have a prospect of pro- curing a boy for my father. 5. Finished my sermon on John xv: 19. Quite cool. Vegetation ad- vances very little. Afternoon preached a sacramental lecture with a written sermon from Ps. Ixxx : 14, 15. I am so hoarse that it is difficult for me to speak. Visited. 6. Wrote a sermon on 2 Chron. vi : 41. Am feeble with my cold. 7. Preached in the forenoon a written sermon on John xv : 19. Admin- istered the sacrament. We had a very solemn season. I spoke with consid- erable difficulty. Afternoon I had a sermon read. I performed the other exercises. This is a practice to which this people have been accustomed. I found it to be a special relief. Baptized a child.' 8. Prayed at the opening of the Freeman's Meeting. The votes for Governor, were : Treadwell, 168, Griswold, 86, Scattering, 2. I believe Mr. Griswold had about thirty Federal votes. The remainder were Democratic. I think this last effort of Democracy, through the mercy of our fathers' God, will meet with a great defeat.* Visited. 9. Began a sermon for the Fast on Joelii: 12, 13. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Osgood,' of Springfield, and one from Mr. Amasa Loomis,* in East Hartford. Wrote to Mr. Osgood. Walked out and visited. I get better of my cold. 10. Wrote nine pages. As I write now, I generally write but about a page in an hour. Eight pages will make a decent sermon. We have very pleas- ant weather, but cool. There is considerable anxiety about the issue of our ' He paid $2.00 for a season ticket the a Federalist as Governor John Treadwell, last year. but he was elected partly by Democratic - This preaching service of Mr. Atwell votes, was on a Tuesday. It was certainly gener- ^ Rev_ Samuel Osgood, D. D., was settled ous in the Congregational parish to let him over the first church in Springfield in 1809, have the use of their house so often. for a life-long ministry. He died in 1862. 3 This child was Helen, daughter of * Rev. Amasa Loomis was probably sup- Charles and Sarah Rockwell. plying the pulpit in the Orford parish of East * He was mistaken. Roger Griswold was Hartford, now Manchester. From East Wind- elected Governor. He was as good and able sor (South Parish) to Orford was six miles. l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 473 election. There seems to be a falling out among great folks at Wash- ington. 11. Wrote the most of the day. Finished my Fast sermon. Stormy, rain and snow. Received a letter from my father, and one from Mr. Battell. On the sth, at night, my brother Frank came here from Worcester with two young gentlemen and tarried. The next morning they went off for Norfolk. I have now, in just a fortnight, written six (two double and two single) sermons.' 12. This day is the State Fast.^ In the morning the ground was quite covered with snow. Pretty thin meeting. Preached written sdVmons from Joel ii: 12, 13. Our meeting was serious. I hope I had useful private meditations. At night visited a woman who, without having had much genuine conviction of sin, but with peculiar outward troubles, has apparently very suddenly been made a subject of rich, sovereign grace. I think she appears to have as great spiritual joy as any person I ever saw. I hope to be thankful for this individual evidence that we are not wholly forsaken of the Holy Spirit. 13. Rode out and visited. Quite cold. The case of the woman I saw last evening affects her connections very sensibly. It appears that Mr. Griswold is chosen our Governor. Governor Treadwell is evidently run out in consequence of his religion.^ I believe we have never had a governor who was not a professor of religion. Times are dark. There was a vessel launched here just built. 14. Mr. Amasa Loomis of this place preached for me. He performed very well. It is very uncommon to see a native of this town in the desk.* Copied very valuable letters of my father's uncle, Isaac Foote,' written from the army to his wife, in 1755. Read the Bible. Yesterday made out my preaching account to the present time. 15. Quite warm. Mr. Osgood, of Springfield, called and dined with me. Began again upon my Universal History, which I have neglected since last fall. 16. Worked considerably. My peas which I planted some time since have come up. A boy which I have procured here to live with my father, went off for Norfolk. Wrote to my father and to Esq. Rockwell, of Winsted. ' He had great facility in writing, and able number of ministers in the earlier years, seems to have enjoyed it. Few men are so the most notable being Jonathan Edwards, methodical as he was. It produced a larger number in the years ^ The Fast, as usual in Connecticut, was following Mr. Robbins' ministry. But the on Good Friday. close of the last century and the early years ^ That would not probably tell the story of the present were not favorable to this in full. Connecticut had thoroughly religious interest, and comparatively few ministers were governors after that. Moreover, Roger Gris- reared in New England during that period, wold was one of the most marked and able ' The mother of Rev. Ammi Ruhamah men that ever sat in the governor's chair in Robbins was Hannah Foot (or Foote), the Connecticut. first wife of Rev. Philemon Robbins, of Bran- 4 East Windsor had produced a consider- ford, Ct. Isaac Foote was her brother. 474 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of a child who was killed by being run over by a cartwheel. The grain on the ground appears very promising. 17. The accounts from Spain and Portugal are much more favorable.' Wrote on the catalogue of my books. The cost of my books is not quite so great as I have conceived. Read Universal History. Walked out. iS. Mr. Francis King called on me. There is an important ecclesiastical trial of Rev. Mr. Abbott' at Coventry this week. Rode to Scanticand Enfield. 19. Mr. Prudden is about publishing a pamphlet vindicating the right of marrying a wife's sister.^ The heat and dust very oppressive. Rode to West Suffield, Turkey Hills,** Salmon Brook,' and Simsbury. Tarried with Mr. McLean. Am endeavoring to collect an account of the state of the churches within the limits of our association. I fear that the societies of West Suffield and Turkey Hills will not be able to have any settled minis- ters.'' Saw apricot blossoms. On the i6th saw blooms on the dafifas. 20. Returned home. Much fatigued. Cut asparagus from the bed which I sowed two years ago. It grows a very good size. Mr. King,^ now supplying at Orford, came here to exchange with me tomorrow. The Rev. Mr. Olcott,^ who has lived there several years, died last night. The ground in much want of wet. Paid for a scale rule and a book of explanation, $2.00. 21. Rode early to Orford. Preached in the forenoon a written sermon on Hab. iii: 17, 18. They have had a singing-school here for a few months and perform very well. Addressed the singers on the occasion. Afternoon attended the funeral of Rev. Mr. Olcott. Mr. Huntington,' of Middletown, preached. Gov. Treadwell '° was one of the pall-bearers. Something rainy. A great collection of people. At evening returned. The great French army is retreating from Portugal with disgrace. 22. Much cooler. Wrote, copying my last year's diary. Rode out and visited. 23. Wrote to my sister Battell. Read Universal History. Visited. 24. Read Universal History. Finished the thirteenth volume. The acad- emy here had an exhibition." It began about eight o'clock in the evening ' The French under Victor, were defeated by Gen. Graham, March 5, 181 1, and the news had probably just reached this country. But some reverses were experienced soon afterwards. ^ Rev. Abiel Abbott, D. D., settled over the First Church in Coventry in 1795, was found after a few years to be Unitarian in sentiment, and in April, 181 1, the Consocia- tion removed him from the pastorate of the church. He was a man of scholarly habits and generous nature, and made his home during his last years in Cambridge, Mass., dying 1859, at the age of ninety-four. He was born in Wilton, N. H., and a gradu- ate of Harvard College in 1787. ^ This is the paper which he presented at the ministers' meeting some weeks before. * Turkey Hills is East Granby. ' Salmon Brook is Granby. ^ All these churches, though somewhat broken, continued to have a settled ministry. ^ Mr. Francis King, licensed, but never a settled minister. ^ Rev. Allen Olcott, before mentioned, a native of East Hartford, and a graduate of Yale in 1768. 9 Rev. Dan Huntington. '° Gov. Treadwell lived in Farmington, where Rev. Mr. Olcott had formerly been settled. " It w-as under the care, it will be remem- bered, of Eleazar T. Fitch, afterwards Divin- ity Professor at Yale College. He was a very modest man when of full age, but he was an ab'e scholar and thinker, and kept a good school. l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 475 and continued till two in the morning. I did not attend. It is said to have been a very good one. My brother f'rank came here, attended the exhibition, and tarried. Worked some. Yesterday made an asparagus bed by digging up and planting old roots. 25. My brother went off to Worcester. Mr. Wolcott bought eight acres of land for one thousand dollars.' Rode to Hartford. Dr. Strong wishes for further assistance from me for the magazine. Visited. 26. Began a sermon on Rom. v : 7, 8. Consulted all my annotations on the subject and got considerable help. Assisted in papering a room. I am too apt to neglect business for little things. 27. Wrote steadily. Finished my sermon begun yesterday. Cool and quite dry. 28. Preached written sermons on Rom. v: 7, 8, and 2 Chron. vi : 41. The first cost me a good deal of study and appeared to be interesting. At evening walked out. 29. The peach blossoms generally out. Worked considerably. Wrote to my father, and to Mr. Lowell Grant, of Norfolk. 30. Wrote off a part of my sermon on Rom. v : 7, 8, for the magazine.^ I wrote upon this subject at the request of Dr. Strong. This morning and yesterday morning there was some frost. Afternoon rode to Glastonbury. At evening attended a conference with Mr. Hawes. It was pretty full. The grain on the ground appears very well. May. 1. Our ministers' meeting met here (Glastonbury).^ We are not so punctual in attendance as we ought to be. I read the piece which I had written for the magazine. Afternoon crossed to Wethersfield and preached a sacramental lecture for Dr. Marsh, from Rom. v : 7,8. At evening rode home. Very drj^ and dusty. A very poor year for taking fish. The water unusually low. 2. Worked very diligently in arranging and drawing off Mr. Wolcott's old notes and papers. They are in a confused state.'* Walked out. 3. Attended to Mr. Wolcott's papers. Towards evening rode to Wapping and visited a child very sick. This day is the anniversary of my installation. I desire to be humble before God that I do so little in his service, and to be ' Land was valuable all along the Con- Mr. Robbins seems to be connected with two necticut River valley, especially so in that organizations of this kind, each embracing immediate vicinity. five ministers. They are entirely distinct - This seems to have been a sermon on from the regular ministerial associations, which Mr. Robbins specially labored. It mere neighborhood arrangements for mutual was on the text beginning, " For scarcely for improvement. Mr. Robbins seems to have a righteous man will one die," etc. The part been the most regular and punctual attend- sent to the Evangelical Magazine may be ant upon both those meetings, and was fiiund in the June number of the magazine, apparently the leading spirit in both. 181 1. * His love of order is in demand in secu- 3 With Rev. Prince Hawes. These min- lar work as well as in religious. Mr. Wolcott isters' meetings occur now very frequently. had a large estate, and his cares were many. 476 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [iSi thankful that, as I hope, I have been an instrument of some good to this people. For the year past our society, I think, has been improving in its prospects. 4. Wrote 'a sermon on Hebrew xii : 25. It is a pretty hard day's work for me to write a sermon.' :^. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon from Ps. xi : i. Afternoon had the sermon written yesterday. My voice did not fail with hoarseness as it did in the afternoon of last Sabbath. Very dry and warm. Wore no outside coat. The congregation in the afternoon appeared quite solemn. At evening attended a conference. 6. There has been a very severe battle between the English and French near Cadiz. The English, much inferior in numbers, were victorious.^ Visited a sick woman quite low. The dust very severe. Tl^e blossoms generally appear on the apple-trees. Received a valuable thermometer which Mr. Haskell ^ purchased for me at New York. He got it for four dollars,'* \-ery low. Towards night attended a little while at a training.' Mr. Lee,* a member of Divinity College, at Andover, came here and tarried. 7. Rode to Hartford. Carried down Mr. Lee. He came from Andover on foot. Last night we had a copious and ver)- refreshing shower. Very warm. The thermometer rose to 80°. Wrote. At evening walked out. 8. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick child. Afternoon attended the funeral of a woman who died lately.' Visited. Worked. I very much expected my father, but he did not come. At evening a couple came here from Wapping and were married.^ 9. Rode to Hartford and attended the election. Something wet. Very few strangers present. Mr. Stebbins' preached well. In the morning attended the meeting of the Bible Society. Gov. Griswold '° did not appear, through I As before remarked, few ministers are now in the habit of writing a sermon in a single day. ^ This report still has reference to the battle of Barrosa, March 5, already noticed. A fuller account of this battle is as follows : " Barrosa, or Earossa, where a battle was fought on March 5, 181 1, between the British army, commanded by Major-General Sir Thomas Graham, afterwards Lynedock, and the French, under Marshal Victor. After a long conflict the British achieved one of the most glorious triumphs of the Peninsular War. Although they fought at great disad- vantage, the British compelled the French to retreat, leaving nearly three thousand dead, six pieces of cannon, and an eagle, the first that the British had taken. The loss of the British was one thousand one hundred and sixty-nine men killed and wounded." — //a}'- den's Dictionary of Dates, p. 72. 3 Mr. Eli B. Haskell. * Thermometers were not made then in such number and variety as at present. 5 This was the regular May training. * Rev. Jonathan Lee, a native of Salis- bury, Ct., and grandson of Rev. Jonathan Lee, the first minister of Salisbury. He was born July 19, 1786, graduated at Yale, 1809, and at Andover, 1812, and was after- wards settled for sixteen years at Otis, Mass., and subsequently at Weybridge, Vt. His later years were passed in his native town, where he died in October, 1866. ^ Abigail Elgar. « Mr. Darda Bidwell, of East Hartford, and Theodosia Risley, of Wapping. 9 Rev. Stephen W. Stebbins, 1784-1813, pastor at Stratford, and from 1815 to his death, 1843, pastor at West Haven. A min- ister venerable and beloved. " Roger Griswold, Governor-elect. l8ll,] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR, 477 ill-health. Gov. Treadwell" presided with great dignity. The Governor's Guards appeared admirably. In the afternoon I united with eight other minis- ters in the formation of a Ministers' Annuity Society.^ May the gracious blessing of heaven rest upon it. My brother N. rode home with me. At even- ing rode to Wapping and performed a marriage.^ 10. Last night the young people here had a ball, at which they stayed all night. Rode to Hartford with my brother. Met with the directors of the Annuity Society and organized. Gov. Griswold was qualified for his office, and Gov. Treadwell retires with the regret of all good men. Mr. Griswold's majority was about nine hundred votes. He is elected by a union of Demo- crats with Federalists who did not like Gov. Treadwell's religion.* The lilac blossoms are generally out. Saw rye headed day before yesterday. Very tired. Wrote. My father a little unwell and wanting resolution, concluded not to come to the election. Got a hymn printed at the expense of the church for our singers. The society had a meeting and concluded to oppose the petition of Wapping to the assembly to be made a society and add a part of ours to them.^ 11. Worked at calculations for the Annuity Society. Read Universal History. Wrote notes for preaching. 12. Wrote notes and preached from Isa. Iv : ii. At evening attended a conference. Quite warm. 13. Set out for Norfolk. Rode to Colebrook and tarried at my brother Am- mi's. Shower}' a good part of the day. Received of Mr. Wolcott for the society, $25.00. Paid for my thermometer, $4.00. It tires me to ride on horseback. 14. In the morning rode to my father's. Quite cool. My father com- fortable, but rather lame and stiff with his rheumatic complaints. My parents have a very good garden. Their asparagus bed is excellent. 15. This morning there was considerable frost. Rode to Sheffield with a view of buying some old books, but was disappointed. Returned. There is universally a very great blowth on the fruit-trees. 16. A frost this morning, but we hope that the fruit is not injured. Dr. West, of Stockbridge, came here and made my father a very agreeable visit. Rode to the south part of the town to attend a conference and preached from Rom. v: 7, 8. At evening my sister Betsey was married to Mr. Roswell Grant, of this town. I am pleased with the connection. V/e had an agree- able wedding:. ' John Treadwell, retiring Governor. ■* On this point see previous note, under ^ This society was for the relief of the date of April 13th last, widows and children of deceased ministers, ^ This plan miscarried at that time. Many and as Mr. Robbins was a bachelor, it was years before, there had been an arrangement pure charity in him to be so thoroughly by which the Wapping people maintained a interested in the matter. religious service during the cold season of 3 Wapping seems to furnish most of the the year, and were released from their taxes candidates for matrimony. This time the to the old church for that portion of the parties were Sylvester Grant, and Mary Jen- year. But the present Wapping parish did nings, of Wapping. not come into existence until 1S26. 478 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D, [i8i 17. Dr. West went off. He grows old," but is pretty well. Arranged my father's pamphlets. Visited the neighbors. Tarried last night at Mr. Bat- tell's. Paid Mr. Battell $5.00, and gave him a note for twelve dollars. 18. The boy which I sent my father from East Windsor does remarkably well. I conclude to leave my horse here. Rode to Hartford in the stage. Mr. Waldo "" brought me home in his carriage. Paid stage-fare, $2.00. Warm. We have the very agreeable news of great successes of the British arms over the French in Portugal.^ 19. Preached written sermon from Rom. vii : 10. At evening attended the conference. The dust blows very badly. 20. Quite cool. Worked in the garden. Read newspapers. Yesterday baptized two children.* Walked out and visited. 21. Worked at my peas. They begin to blow. A little rain. The ground is very dry. Walked and visited. 22. Rode to Hartford and West Hartford. Mr. Colton' engages to preach for me next Sabbath. Returned. Saw many acquaintances at Hartford. Re- ceived of the Bible Society eight Bibles for distribution. Paid for Hamilton's Works,^ in boards, for which I subscribed, $5.00. I think we have reason to fear the arts of democracy in this State. 23. Wrote the most of a review of Dr. Lyman's missionary sermon,' for ministers' meeting. Worked in the garden. Planted watermelons. 24. Finished my review. Wrote to my brother James. Visited a sick woman, apparently near dying. At evening assisted the church committee in examining a woman * for our communion. Mr. Battell and Dr. Welch,^ of Norfolk, came here and tarried. Read Universal History. 25. Rode to Springfield. Fanny Wolcott went with me." The roads verj' dry and dusty. Very kindly received. Found that I was expected. Tarried at Col. Dwight's." 26. Preached for Mr. Osgood. He is absent on a journey to the District ' Dr. West was now in his seventy-sixth year, having been born in Tolland, Ct., in November, 1735. ^ The name Waldo was never a common one in Windsor or East Windsor, but there were a few persons of the name on both sides of the river. ^ Additional news of the victory already described. "* The two children were Francis C. Drake, and Samuel Treat McKinney. * There were two ministers from West Hartford by the name of Colton, George and Chester, who were graduated from Yale College in the class of 1S04. The one who was engaged to preach for Mr. Robbins, was, without much doubt, Rev. Chester Colton. ' Hainiltoii's (Alexander) Works, published in New York in 1810. ' This sermon was preached by Rev. William Lyman, D. D., of East Haddam, at Hartford, May 14, 181 1, on the occasion of the formation of a Missionary Society. * The woman was Anna, wife of Mr. Noah Rockwell. 9 Dr. Benjamin Welch. '° For the pleasure of the journey twenty miles up the valley, in the glory of its dress near the end of May. " Col. Jonathan Dwight, a descendant from Henry Dwight of Hatfield, and a very promi- nent and influential man in Springfield in the early years of the present century. He was born December 28, 1772, and was graduated at Harvard College 1793. ^^ ^'^s a lawyer by profession, but a man of extended business relations, whereby he amassed large wealth. He was known for his generosity. l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 479 of Maine. This is a large and very respectable congregation. Preached written sermons from Luke ii: 7 and Matt, xxv : 21. People very attentive. Quite warm, with a faint air. Very tired. There appears to have been some seriousness here for some time past. We had a little rain. The ground is very much in want of wet. 27. Rode home through Sufifield and Windsor. Mr. Colton preached here yesterday quite acceptably. 28. On the 22d got a very good new pair of boots, which cost ten dollars. Much more than I ever gave for a pair before. Read Universal History. Worked considerably. At night we had some rain. 29. Rode to Windsor and attended our ministers' meeting. Preached a written sermon on Hab. iii : 17, 18. Read a review of Dr. Lyman's Mission- ary' Sermon. Returned. Quite cool. 30. Worked some. Read Universal History. Walked out. Very cool. 31. This morning there was considerable frost. It is feared the grain is injured, some of the rye being in the blow. Began a sermon on Isa. Iviii : i. Read. Walked out and visited. On the 30th wrote to my brother Frank at Worcester. June. 1. Wrote all day on my discourse on Isa. Iviii : i. Quite warm. I think this subject upon which I am now writing will lead me to an unexpected length.' 2. The heat quite oppressive. Took ofif my flannel. The thermometer at 80°. Preached written sermons from i Sam. xv: 22, and Matt, xxii : 5. Attended a conference. 3. Rode to Farmington and Simsbury. Employed in making a collection of the state of the churches for Association. Quite warm and very dusty. Rode late. Wrote to my brother Battell. 4. Rode to Wintonbury and returned to Simsbury. Met with our Associa- tion. The most of the members present. We have to attend again to the difficulties at Hartland. We had public worship in the afternoon and in the evening. Mr. Bartlett^ and Mr. Yates ^ preached. The people here have improved much in singing. Am much employed in writing. 5. Presented to the Association my report of the state of the churches. It is the first of the kind which has been made. Am appointed with several others to go as a council to Hartland. Afternoon rode home. Very tired. 6. Walked and visited. The drought very severe and melancholy. Visited a woman very sick. 7. Read Universal History. I get in the rear with my reading. Cool. Yesterday paid Mr. Haskell* by an order on the society, $26.76. Rode out. ' The text reads, " Cry aloud, spare not, ^ Rev. Shubael Bartlett of the Scantic lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my parish, East Windsor. people their transgressions, and the house of ^ Andrew Yates, D. D., of East Hartford. Jacob their sins." He does not state the '' Mr. Eli B. Haskell, merchant, for things particular point at which he aimed. bought of him. 480 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. 8. Read Universal History. Wrote to Jacob Johnson, bookseller,' Phila- delphia, Last night it rained considerably, after a very long and pinching drought. Some wet today. Good is the Lord. Wrote notes for preaching. 9. Wrote on my notes and preached from Matt, vi : 22, 23. We had a very refreshing shower. At evening attended the conference. Pretty thin. 10. Have something of a lame back. Wrote to Mr. Seth Andrews, Canaan, and to my father. I hear that my brother Frank has left Worcester and gone to Sandwich, I believe, to an academy. I am much surprised and very sorry to hear it.^ Rode to Hartford. The road considerably wet. Rainy. Walked out. 11. Wrote. Read Universal History. Finished the History of tJie Roman Empire. That was the most astonishing fabric of all human power. It con- tinued from B. C. 753 to A. D. 1453 — two thousand two hundred and fifty- six years. Visited a sick woman apparently near dying. 12. Showery. Visited a sick woman. Walked and visited in the after- noon nine families. Paid Mr. Charlton, tailor, by an order on the society, $iS.o8. The House of Representatives of Massachusetts have chosen a low Methodist for their chaplain.^ Yesterday wrote to Mr. Battell. Today received a letter from him. 13. The sick woman whom I have visited died last evening.* Worked in the garden. A fine season for vegetation. Planted peas. Wrote to Mr, Battell. Walked out and visited. 14. Walked out and visited. Attended the funeral of the woman died lately. The thermometer, at 84°. Much fatigued. 15. Wrote. The weather is so warm that I can do but little. Thermom- eter at 92°. Walked out. Received a letter from Mr. Church,' of Hartland. 16. Preached written sermons from Isa. Iviii: i. I did not finish the subject. Read the Bible. We had a very refreshing shower. Thermometer at 93°. At evening our conference was pretty thin. 17. Wrote on calculations for Annuity Society. Dr. Williams,^ of Tolland, called on me. We had green peas. Last Friday Mr. Wolcott mowed a piece of ground and on Saturday ploughed it and planted it to corn.^ Walked out. 18. Walked and visited all day. Visited fifteen families. Cool. I find very little concern about divine things. 19. Rode to Farmington and attended at the session of the General Association. There were a great number of ministers present. Heard two good sermons. Met with our Annuity Society, I think it will be sufficiently ' He is now gradually gathering in the ' Rev. Aaron Church, whose case is again books from various quarters for his large under consideration, library. * Dr. Nathan Williams, minister at Tol- ^ His brother P'rank seems to have a pro- land, 1760-1829. He was now in his sevent}-- pensity for teaching, as he himself had. An sixth year, and was on his way to the Genera) honorable employment, surely, but it delayed Association. his entrance into the ministry, ' Whether that corn would ever ripen, ' The pride of the standing order was yet would depend upon the fact whether or not strong in Dr. Robbins's day. they had an early frost that year in the Con- ■• Sarah Bidwell, aged forty-nine. necticut valley. l8lX.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 481 popular.' Returned. People begin to mow. Received a letter from my brother James. 20. Wrote on my sermon on Isa. Iviii : i. It is pretty hard for me to write when the weather is warm. Walked out. 21. Walked and visited the most of the day. Extremely warm. The thermometer rose to 98°. There was a very good sloop launched near here, built within a few weeks. 22. Wrote on my sermon. The heat very oppressive. Afternoon could not keep in my chamber. Thermometer 95°. 23. Finished my long discourse on Isa. Iviii: i, which contains four sermons. Delivered the last two of them. On account of the heat the meeting was very thin. Thermometer, 97°. Was much oppressed with the heat in the public services. Baptized a child.^ Received a letter from J. Johnson,^ Philadelphia, and one from my father. 24. Cooler. The ground very dry. My peas bear well. Wrote. Read Universal History. Walked out. 25. Walked out and visited all day. The ground suffers extremely by the drought. 26. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $20.00. Rode to Hartford. Paid Cooke, $5.00. Paid a tailor, $5.00. A shoemaker, $5.00. Paid Hatch, $5.50. The dust very oppressive. Bought yohnson^s Dictionary, at $22.00,'* All signs of rain fail. Walked out. 27. We have a little rain. There is, however, but little. Walked out and visited. The grass in mowing is very light. 28. Visited sixteen families. I find such visiting laborious, but I believe it is useful. I mean to have them ministerial visits.' Cool. People generally beginning haying. 29. Rode to Wapping and visited a man severely afflicted with the hypo- chondria. It is a very distressing complaint. Visited an aged woman very sick. Rode to Windsor to exchange with Mr. Rowland. Visited Esq. Selden's." 30. Mr. Rowland went to East Windsor. Quite cloudy, but no rain. Preached in the forenoon a written sermon on Luke ii : 7. Afternoon deliv- ered the last of my series of discourses, written last summer, on the historical books of the Old Testament, from John v : 39. At evening returned. The river has risen about five feet in two days and is still rising, though we are here all parched with drought.* Cool. ' That was a good institution, well started ' That is, with religious conversation and and living on yet, as we suppose, though not prayer, under its first name. * Edward Selden, Esq., before noticed. ^ The child baptized was Harriet, daughter He had formerly lived in Haddam, and Mr. of Joseph and Naomi Williams. Robbins had probably made his acquaintance 3 Jacob Johnson, the bookseller. there. *• This was probably a nice English copy ' There had been powerful rains up in of Johnson's Dictionary, but even then, we New Hampshire and Vermont. The river should call this a great price to pay for it. was fed by the White and Green Mountains. 482 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. July. 1. Wrote. Walked out and visited. The certificate people appear to be gratified with my calling on them. 2. Walked and visited all day. Extremely warm. The thermometer was at 96°. Tarried out. 3. Expected to have spent the day in visiting, but on account of the heat returned home in the morning. Read Unive?-sal History. The heat is such I can read but little. The thermometer about four o'clock was nearly 98°. It was \-ery high through the day. In this and the late turn of warm weather the greatest heat has been about four o'clock.' 4. Several laborers have been injured by the heat. There is but little notice of the Independence. I think I have never experienced any warmer weather. Read Universal History. The ground is extremely parched with heat. Vegetation is almost at a stand. Thermometer at noon, 96-|-°. At one o'clock, 98^°. At two o'clock, 98°. At half past two, very nearly 100°. We have the very agreeable news of the defeat of the French in two late important actions in Spain.^ They have not experienced such reverses for many years. Secretary Smith's^ exposure of Mr. Madison's iniquity I hope will have a good effect. 5. Visited a sick woman. I can do very little. Read Universal History. Went into the water. Thermometer at one o'clock at 98°. It continued above 90° till near seven o'clock. 6. We expected the severe heat would not continue after the fourth, but it is the same still. The last night very warm. At noon the thermometer was at 95°, near four o'clock above 98°. On account of the heat I have done very little this week. Read Universal History. The grass loses its greenness, the sun and moon appear unusually red. 7. Preached from John xviii : 37, and Gen. viii : 22.'* Wrote the notes of the latter, which was on the subject of the drought and heat. The weather is moderated. A little after noon the thermometer was above 90°, but when we returned from meeting it was down to 70°. We had a small, grateful shower. Meeting quite thin. The French have experienced two important defeats in Spain.^ ' Any one who has followed the course of ' This was Robert Smith, of JMaryland, this diary must have noticed how valuable Secretary of State during the first term of the record is for the purposes of the profes- Madison's administration. He remained in sional meteorologist. It will be hard proba- office only one year. He disapproved of bly to find, for a continuous period of fifty- Madison's foreign policy, and Mr. Madison eight years, so careful a record of atmos- found fault with his neglect of his official pheric changes as here. duties, so that he was removed. ^ These were the battles of Fuentes De * Sermon for the season on the text, Onore, fought on the 3d and 5th of May, 181 1, "While the earth remaineth seed-time and in which Wellington, with a smaller army, harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and defeated the French under Marshal Mas- winter, and day and night shall not cease." sena; and the other the battle of Albuera, * Later intelligence concerning the two fought May 16, in which General, afterwards battles just noticed. News came slowly ther. Lord, Beresford, defeated Marshal Soult. and in small detachments. l8ll,] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 483 8. We had a heavy dew. Last week there was very little. Read. People generally beginning their harvest. Walked out and visited. g. In the morning there was considerable rain. Perhaps the ground was never in greater need. Wrote a sermon on Mai. iv : 5, 6. At evening walked out. 10. Something wet. Read Universal History. The most ancient history of the European nations, in which this work is very valuable, giving convincing proof of the original worship of the one true God.' Worked in the garden. 11. In the morning we had rain with considerable thunder. We have had very little thunder this year. Walked and visited. Some people here inclined to infidelity, but they dare not openly profess it.^ 12. Last night slept out. Wrote notes and preached a sacramental lecture from John vi : 55. Attended a church meeting. The church voted ten dol- lars for the assistance of a poor brother. 13. It has been wet all the week since Tuesday morning. The grain is generally ripe, and some is down. It is feared that it will be hurt. Wrote a sermon on Luke xv : 21. Am a little troubled with nervous affections. 14. Preached written sermons from Luke xv : 21, and Mai. iv : 5, 6. Administered the Lord's Supper. Had a full meeting. Very tired. In the afternoon I felt almost unable to speak. The late battles in Spain have been ver}' sanguinary. 15. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $21.00. Rode to Hartford. Made several visits. Received four Bibles of the Bible Society to distribute. Paid a merchant for goods at wholesale price, $8.53. Paid for a quarter's toll at the bridge,^ 75 cents. Quite warm. People generally at the harvest. 16. Read Universal History. Visited. It is remarkable that we find the same essential characteristics among the present nations of Europe, which appeared at the time of the Roman conquests. 17. Something showery. Walked and visited. Very warm. Visited a school. 18. Walked and visited. Visited brother Bartlett/ in company with Mr. Flint.' Yesterday a man of about eighty years of age, who has always lived here as a farmer, told me he had never seen such a crop of ry^e as the present in his day.* The same is the remark of all. Visited a school. 19. Visited seventeen families. The last two nights have tarried out.' Afternoon rainy. Very inconvenient for the harvest. ' In a previous note with reference to Mr. five cents a quarter, or three dollars a year, Robbins's attempt to find the origin of idola- instead of two dollars. try, it was hinted that he must start from the ■* Rev. SlAibael Bartlett, of Scantic parish, premise of a true and world-wide worship of * Rev. Abel Flint, D. D., of the Second the true God. Here he expressly indicates Church, Hartford, that belief. ' For a long course of years rye was the ~ In this respect they were probably like chief grain crop along the Connecticut valley, people elsewhere. '' Being unmarried, it was natural that ^ So it seems, notwithstanding previous when he was on one of his large calling note, that they still sold season-tickets for the tours he should accept the hospitality offered, bridge-crossing, though now it is seventy- and spend the night. 484 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. 20. The thermometer was at 90°. It was about the same on the 15th and 1 6th. This day is the anniversary of my ordination. I love to continue in the good work, and desire to bless God that he keeps me in it when I perform so poorly. I have preached no year, as I think, without some tokens of the divine blessing upon my labors. I hope he may make them the means of good if myself should finally be a castaway. Afternoon attended the funeral of a woman who died yesterday.' 21. In the morning rode to Hartford to exchange with Mr. Flint. He rode to East Windsor. Preached written sermons from i Cor. ii : 2, and Hab. iii : 17, 18. At evening preached at a conference from Gen. vii : 16. Much oppressed with the heat. 22. Returned. The thermometer was at 91°. Yesterday it was at 90°. Read Universal History. There are some very valuable things in the his- tory of the Saxons respecting our language. 23. Last night a long and hard rain. The harvest we have had for some months. Read Universal History. Rode to Windsor and returned. The river quite high. 24. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $25.00. Rode to East Hartford and attended our ministers' meeting. Read my discourse on the books of Kings. We had a good meeting. Rode to Hartford. Paid the treasurer of the Ministers' Annuity Society my sum for admission and arrears, amounting to $17.80.^ My annual contribution is $5.00. Paid Hills, $7.00. Received a letter from my brother Frank, now at Sandwich. Visited. The river rises quite rapidly. 25. Read Universal History. Carried dinner to a harvest field. ^ We had a pretty hard thunder-shower. Visited a school. 26. Walked and visited all day. The water yesterday came over the low land in the meadows. A woman, a member of the church, conducts badly. 27. Read. Wrote notes for preaching. Visited a woman apparently near dying. 28. Preached from Eph. ii : 12. Quite a full meeting. People appeared attentive and solemn. At evening attended a conference. 29. Showery. Yesterday received a letter from my brother James. After- noon set out for Norfolk, rode to Simsbury. Quite warm. 30. Rode to Norfolk. Very severe heat. Rode from New Hartford to Norfolk without any coat. My father quite well. My brother James at home. The harvest here very good. 31. Worked at hay. Rode out and visited my sister Betsey."* She is very well situated. Settled pecuniary accounts. On the 30th the thermometer was at 92°. ' Eunice Huntley, aged thirty-two. useful. Mr. Wolcott's laborers were too far ^ The Annuity Society was meant to cost away to come home easily to dinner, and so its members something, in order that there their dinner was sent. Boys raised on farms might be something substantial to divide in know what all this means. case of need. ■* Newly married to Mr. Grant, her second ' That was a new way of making himself marriage. l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 485 August. 1. Rainy. Afternoon rode to Canaan and returned. Weighed one hun- dred and nineteen pounds. I have not weighed so little for several years.' Dined at Mr. Battell's. The state of religion in this quarter much as in ours. General stupidity. 2. My brother's woolen manuf actor}' appears very flourishing. The price of sheep has very much fallen. Worked considerably at hay. My brother N.'s wife very unwell. 3. Rode to Hartford in the stage. Was carried home in a wagon. There have been two deaths here this week.^ One of them very sudden. Visited a child apparently near dying. Much fatigued. 4. Wrote an addition to a funeral discourse. Preached written sermons from Luke xiv : 17, and i Cor. vii: 29, 31. The latter was in reference to the recent deaths here. At evening attended our conference. Full meeting. 5. Attended the funeral of the child who died j-esterday. Worked in the garden. Read newspapers. 6. Read Universal History. Worked at hay in the meadows.^ Very good weather for haying. 7. Rode and visited all day. Afternoon in Wapping. On the 4th we had our first green corn. 8. Looking over the Histories of the Puritans.* Rode to Hartford with Mrs. Wolcott and consulted Dr. Cogswell respecting the humor in her mouth, which is quite bad. Cool. 9. Studied the Histories of the Puritans and took notes. Visited. 10. Wrote a sermon on John x: 10. I wrote it in eight successive hours. I believe I have never before written a sermon in so short a period. The war in Spain is contested with great obstinacy.' 11. Wrote notes and preached from Ps. cxix : 164. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. We had a contribution recommended by the Governor and Council of the State for the relief of the distressed sufferers of Newburyport,* and collected thirty-six dollars and twenty-two cents. It ' The reason of his weighing less than Strong has asked him to prepare for the usual may have been the extremely hot Evangelical Magazine. weather, long continued, through which he ^ There has been no regular battle in had been passing. It is a common fact that Spain since those reported for the month of people weigh more in the winter than in the May ult. summer, and such a heated term as had then * In the year 1811, when Newburyport, been experienced would be apt to reduce from its connection with seafaring business, one's weight considerably. was suffering terribly from the effects of the ^ Widow Ruth Wolcott, forty-five years embargo law, an added calamity came in the of age, and a boy, Justus Denslow Wells, shape of a great conflagration, which almost aged ten. destroyed the place, burning over not far 3 Of course he had no haying of his own from sixteen acres in the centre of the town, to do, but he was ready to lend a hand to It was for this calamity that the Governor help Mr. Wolcott and his men. and Council in Connecticut had ordered a * He is getting ready to write some arti- collection to be taken in the churches. It cles on the New England Fathers, which Dr. was a natural call for Christian charity. 486 DIARV OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. was much more than I expected. At evening attended a full conference. The appropriate meditations of this day I refer principally to tomorrow. 12. Spent the day in reference to the anniversarv' of my birth. At even- ing walked out. Yesterday being the Sabbath I set apart this day for fasting, meditation, and prayer. I have now lived thirty-four years. Will God, for the sake of the dear Saviour, continue my life, preserve my health, grant me his presence, and show me my duty. 13. Wrote, adjusting my pecuniary accounts. My expenses for a year past have been unusually great. Rode to Hartford. The contributions appear to come in larger than was expected.' At evening walked out. I have now visited, since the first of May, all the families in this society, except- ing two who do not wish me to call on them. The number of families at that time were one hundred and seventy, of whom thirty-seven are certificated. I had visited all but three before the 28th of July. Received a letter from my brother James. Paid for a year's newspaper, $1.75. Very dr}- and dusty. 14. Walked and visited. Visited our academic school. It has done very well this summer, 15. Rode with Mrs. Wolcott to Stafford.^ There is a very great company here at the medicinal spring. Very warm. Rainy. We had to lodge out in consequence of the house being full. At Tolland ^ called on Dr. Williams. 16. The waters of this spring are very disagreeable to my taste.* I hope they will be beneficial to Mrs. Wolcott. Afternoon rode home.' Was out in a pretty hard shower. 17. On the 15th wrote to my brother James. On the 13th received of Mr. Wolcott, $5.00. Read Universal History. Adjusted my pecuniary accounts. For two years past my expenses, including what I have laid out for my librar}', have exceeded my income,^ 18. Preached written sermons from Jer. xliii : 13. This discourse I wrote more than a year ago. I believe it is to be a useful subject. False religions have ever been persecutors. At evening attended a conference, pretty full. Much oppressed with the heat. The thermometer near 90°, 19. Read Universal History. Could do very little on account of the heat. ' The contributions for the sufferers at though doubtless some people drink them Newburyport. with a real relish. ^ Mr. Robbins had been at Stafford s prom Stafford Springs to East Windsor Springs before with his sister Sarah, Mrs. about fifteen miles. Battell. It was then a great place of resort. * If one will go to the rooms of the Con- 2 Tolland is on the way from East Wind- necticut Historical Society at Hartford, and sor to Stafford. see the library he gathered on the salary of a * Most people drinking the Saratoga wa- country minister, one would think that he ters, though they may dislike them at the must always have been thus behindhand, first, soon come to like them, and often, to But he was not, for he had an eye to busi- strongly desire them. From a little experi- ness, and understood well the proper relations ence, we should doubt whether the same of the debt and credit side of his accounts, could be said of the Stafford Spring waters, He left a fair property at his death. l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 487 Thermometer rose to 94°. It was extremely oppressive all day. Water- melons are very plenty.' 20. Rode quite early to Hartford. Wrote to Mr. Battell. The heat very severe all day. At noon the thermometer was at 92°, and at two and one half o'clock at 95°. Received a letter from Mr. J. Marsh. Read Universal History. Cannot keep my chamber. 21. I find it very difficult to sustain the heat. It almost made me sick. At ten o'clock the thermometer was at 92° ; at twelve, at 94° ; at one, at 96°. It continued between 94° and 96° till near four o'clock, when some black clouds arising, it suddenly fell about 10°, then continuing stationary till near sundown. This turn of heat I think has been quite as oppressive as the one in the beginning of July, though the thermometer then was a little higher. Read Universal History. Wrote to Mr. J. Marsh, Wethersfield. Eat watermelons. I think the finest I ever saw. 22. The weather moderates. Thermometer 92°. Towards night and in the evening we had a very heavy shower. We have had no hard shower before this year. Finished the eighteenth volume, which completes the ancient part of my Universal History. I have got in the rear in my read- ing according to my first calculation, which was a volume per month. 23. Rainy the most of the day. Yesterday Mr. Wolcott went to Stafford and today returned with Mrs. Wolcott. I hope the waters have been bene- ficial to her. Wrote, copying my last year's diar}-. 24. Studied the History of the Puritans. Rode to Orford to exchange with Mr. Marsh '^ now supplying there. 25. Preached written sermons on 2 Chron. vi : 41, and Heb. xii : 15. I hope Mr. Marsh will be useful here. Some of the certificate people are pleased with him. 26. Rode to Hartford and home. Read. Mr. Tower,^ from Mononga- hela, called on me. He appears to be very poor and almost ragged. Gave him some clothes. 27. Watermelons are very plenty and good. Afternoon Mr. Tower went off. Yesterday received a letter from Dr. Perkins* to convoke the Consocia- tion at their ordinary session. Read Mather's Magnalia? 28. Read and wrote on the History of the Puritans. The subject is more interesting than I expected. Afternoon walked and visited. There is abun- dance of fruit. ' Watermelons are a natural product of quainted in Pennsylvania, when on his mis- the more sandy portions of the soil along the sionary journey to Ohio. Connecticut valley, in the vicinity of Windsor •♦ Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford, and Hartford. ^ Cotton Mather's Magnalia, a book first ^ This was Rev. John Marsh, Jr., son of published in London in 1702, with all its Dr. John Marsh, minister of Wethersfield. faults and all its weaknesses, is one of the The son was graduated at Yale in 1804, and most important works which New England was afterwards, as already noted, the distin- ever produced. It is the grand treasure- guished advocate of temperance. house to which every writer on the early 3. Mr. Tower, if we mistake not, was one New England period naturally turns. The of the ministers with whom he became ac- volume which Mr. Robbins was studying 488 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. 29. On the 27111 wrote to Rev. Mr. Speer,' Greensburgh, Penn. Read Magna/ia. Walked out and visited. My people I believe generally choose to have me write my sermons.^ 30. IJegan a sermon on Gal. iii : 24. Wrote steadily. Quite rainy. At evening walked out. 31. Finished my sermon began yesterday. It cost me about sixteen hours study labor. I cannot conveniently write more than eight hours in a day. Warm. Went into the water. 1. Preached written sermons on Gal. iii: 24. The weather very warm and faint. At the beginning of the afternoon exercise I felt quite faint, and was obliged to send for water. At evening attended the conference. 2. Last night much troubled with nervous affections. Slept very little. Rode to Hartford in a wagon. Walked some in the heat of the day. It was very severe. Attended a little while at a training. The thermometer about 98°.^ Wrote to Mr. Strong/ Somers. 3. Last night I was obliged to get up and take laudanum ; after which I slept comfortably. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Wrote on my cata- logue of books. The heat very oppressive. The thermometer at 90°. Visited some sick persons. 4. Our ministers' meeiing was held here. We had a good meeting. The heat very severe, and nearly equal to yesterday. Am pretty feeble. 5. Rode to Hartford to engage some cheese casks for Mr. Battell.^ We had a shower, and heat is much abated. Last night I caught a very bad cold. was this English book of 1702, for no other edition had then been published. A good, clean, whole copy of that book will now bring, at auction, from forty to sixty dollars. Dr. Robbins himself wrote the preface to the first American edition and superintended its publication. It was published in Hart- ford, Ct., by Silas Andrus in 1820. The fol- lowing are the first sentences in Dr. Rob- bins's preface : " The publisher of this Second Edition of Dr. Mather's Magnalia has long been sensi- ble of the great demand for the work both by literary men, and all others who wish to be acquainted with the early history of our country. The first edition was published in London in the year 1702, in a folio volume of seven hundred and eighty-eight pages. A considerable number of copies were soon brought into New England ; yet, as many of these are lost, and the work is not to be ob- tained in England but with difficulty, it has become very scarce." ' Rev. William Speer, of Greensburg, Pa., was one of the Presbyterian ministers whose acquaintance he made on his mission- ary journey to New Connecticut. - That is apt to be true in an old society where there is a good measure of culture, and where there are many persons that would be troubled by the little infelicities of speech and manner, such as are apt to occur in ex- temporaneous address. But after all, taking the world at large, the man who speaks without his manuscript has more power over his audiences, than he who is obliged to depend upon it. ^ Almost every year we have some of our warmest days early in September. Although this summer had been remarkable for the severity of its heat, the first days of Septem- ber, even in this year, were as hot as any. ■* Rev. William L. Strong. ' As has already been hinted, a part of Mr. Joseph BattelFs business, as an enter- prising country merchant, was to gather in the cheese made on the farms of Connecticut, and send it away to more distant markets. iSlI.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 489 Am much oppressed with it. Wrote minutes of a will which I have long had in contemplation. Read. 6. On the 4th the directors of our Annuity Society held a meeting here, and adopted several regulations. Wrote notes for preaching. Afternoon rode to Wapping and preached from Ex. xxxiii : 15, on occasion of the ex- pected removal of a family.' 7. Visited two young men severely sick with a fever. Received a letter from my cousin Sam. P. Robbins, and one from my brother James. Wrote a sermon on Ps. cxlvi : 5. My cold is pretty severe. Have considerable cough. 8. Am very unwell, scarcely able to preach. Preached from John vii : 34, and the sermon wrote yesterday. Dr. McClure^ made the first prayer in the forenoon. I spoke very feebly. At evening had a hard headache. Took physic. 9. Expected to have gone to New Haven, but I am so unwell I defer it today. Quite cool. I believe there was no frost this morning, though it was expected.' Wrote. Visited a young man very sick. 10. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $50.00. Set out early and rode to New Haven.'' Am pretty feeble. Had company the most of the way. At evening attended speaking for premiums. 11. The public exercises were rather ordinary.^ A pretty good collection of people, but very few persons from a distance, and few characters of dis- tinction. Mr. Rowland,* the Concio preacher, failed. We had a sermon in the evening from Mr. Grant,' of Bedford, N. Y. Paid Beers & Howe, $9.25. 12. In the morning rode to East Haven and returned.^ Attended the meeting and the oration of the P. B. K. Society. Afternoon went with a great number of people to see the ascent of a balloon. We were deceived by the promises of the Frenchman. Set out for home. Tarried at a tavern in North Haven. 13. Rode home. Quite warm. Am much worried. Received a letter from Mr. Sherman Everest, and wrote to him in reply. Visited a school. ' Some family being about to remove year at Harvard, were pointed out to the west, probably to New Connecticut (for the writer, many years ago, by Mr. Jonathan drift, at that time, from Connecticut was to- Peale Dabney, a member of the Harvard ward the Western Reserve), it was made an class. In each class forty nine were gradu- occasion for a religious service, including a ated. At the end of fifty years in one class regular sermon. twenty-four were dead and twenty-five living. ^ Dr. David McCluie, it will be remem- In the other twenty-five were dead and bered, is all this time senior pastor, but he twenty-four living. Among the notable men has taken almost no part in the Sunday ser- of the Harvard class were Edward Everett vices proper now for the two years and more and Dr. N. L. Frothingham. At Yale, Roger since Rev. Mr. Robbins has been settled. Sherman Baldwin, United States Senator ^ This sudden change from severe heat and Governor of Connecticut, and Dr. Joseph almost to freezing weather was the probable E. Worcester, Lexicographer, were of the cause of his illness. class. ♦ A journey of somewhat more than forty * Rev. Henry A. Rowland, of Windsor, miles. ' Rev. Ebenezer Grant. 5 Some interesting coincidences between ^ Probably for a little visit to Mr. Moul- this class of iSii, and the class for the same throp, who took his picture. 490 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. 14. Last night was obliged to get up and take laudanum. Wrote on the History of the Puritmis. The subject is quite interesting. Finished writing my will.' 15. Preached written sermons from Mark i : 15, and 2 Cor. vi : 2. At evening attended a conference. Baptized a child. ^ 16. Prayed at the opening of the Freeman's Meeting. Brother Bartlett is absent.^ The highest Federal vote for nomination was one hundred and thircv-four. The Democratic nomination was not called. 17. Rode to Enfield and prayed with a regiment of cavalry.* They ap- peared well. We had a very pleasant day to see the eclipse.^ It did not produce so great an obscuration as was expected. Returned. The dust pretty bad. 1 8. Read Mather's Magnalia. Wrote on my catalogue of books. I be- lieve I have the best library of any minister in the State. ^ Walked out and visited. Very warm. The thermometer at 82°. 19. Rode to Hartford. The heat quite oppressive. Thermometer 84°. Paid a cabinet-maker, $10.00. Paid a shoemaker, $5.00. Paid a book- seller, $5.00. Read Magnalia. It is very entertaining. 20. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins, Marietta. Read Magnalia. Vis- ited a scliool. 21. Read. My brother Frank came here from the eastward. Rode to Ellington to exchange with Mr. Brockway.' Quite cool. 22. In the morning Mr. Brockway came home. He found Mr. Barker,^ of Middleborough at East Windsor, who supplies my pulpit. Preached written sermons on Rev. iii : 2, and Heb. xii : 25. At evening rode to East Windsor. Rainy. Tarried at Mr. Haskell's.' 23. Called on Mr. Barker. Visited with my brother. I think he has done prett)^ well in divinity studies. 24. Rode to West Hartford and attended our annual Consociation. Mr. Porter '° of Washington, preached very well. 25. The Consociation ordained Mr. John Seward to be a missionary to ' Mr. Robbins's careful attention to all the duties of life is seen in this matter of his will. Most men, of his age, are apt to neg- lect this, even though the claim upon them may be stronger than it was on him. ^ William Henry Hawkins, son of Mr. Adolphus Hawkins. ^ This meeting was in the north, or Scan- tic meeting-house, and Rev. Shubael Bartlett would naturally have opened the meeting had he been at home. ♦ Rev. Nehemiah Prudden, pastor at En- field, was growing to be an elderly man, and perhaps for this reason Mr. Robbins was sent for for this service. ' The eclipse of the sun on the 17th of Sept., 181 1, was between ten and eleven digits obscuration. With this rim of the sun remaining, and on a clear day, it would not be very dark. *■ He was probably well entitled to put forth that claim. ^ Rev. Diodate Brockway. * Rev. Joseph Barker, several times men- tioned in the earlier part of the work. He was a native of Branford, Ct., but had now been settled in Middleborough, Mass., since 17S1. 9 Eli B. Haskell, at East Windsor Hill. '° Rev. Ebenezer Porter, D. D., who was just about to leave his people to take a pro- fessorship in Andover Theological Seminary. l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 49 1 New Connecticut.' He appears very well. We did not do much other busi- ness. Rode home in the rain. Mr. Prudden tarried here. 26. Wrote on my preaching account. At evening Mr. Sargent^ and candi- date came here and tarried. 27. I have a little fire in my chamber. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Attended to the procuring of cheese for him. Walked out and visited. 28. Began a sermon on i John iii : 3. Rode to Scantic by desire, and attended a funeral and visited a man ver\' sick. Tarried at Brother Bartlett's. 29. I agreed on an exchange today with Mr. McLean,^ of Simsbury. I got Mr. Sargeant to supply him, and as Mr. Bartlett is absent I supplied his people. Rainy. Preached written sermons from Ps. cxlvi : 5, and John x: 10. Pretty thin meeting. Returned. Visited the sick man again. Spent the evening with Mr. McLean. 30. Worked considerably in packing cheese ''for Mr. Battell. This morn- ing there was some frost. We have had none to stop vegetation before. Wrote to Mr. Battell. At evening walked out. October. 1. Set out early and rode to Westfield.* Ursula Wolcott* went with me. Found many agreeable acquaintances. Attended the exhibition of the academy. It was good, but I think not quite equal to last fall. Tarried with Mr. Knapp.'^ Several ministers were present. 2. Returned by Springfield. Dined with Mr. Osgood.^ The crop of corn appears to be great. This morning and yesterday we had hard frost. 3. Began a sermon on i Sam. xv : 29. Quite warm. Rode to Hartford. Visited a New Connecticut acquaintance. At evening rode to Orford and returned. Paid Mrs. Olcott' for books, $10.00. 4. Finished the sermon begun yesterday. Visited a school. Visited a family expecting soon to remove to New Connecticut. 5. The thermometer was at summer heat. Wrote a sermon on Luke xix : 10. There is a pretty large quantity of cider. Paid for pamphlets. Si. 25. 6. Rainy and wet. Preached from Matt, xvii : 5, and a written sermon ' Rev. John Seward was graduated at tell, bring it to him, and he packs it for Williams College in 1810, was licensed by transportation in the cheese barrels which he the Litchfield South Association in 181 1, and went to Hartford, a little while before, to at this meeting of Consociation was ordained buy. This is turning a minister to a practi- for missionary service in New Connecticut. cal business account. He died in 1873, ^^ the age of eighty-nine. ^ His brother, Francis Le Baron, who had He became a Presbyterian minister in 1819, taught this school two or three years, still and so remained till his death. continues there, though he had planned to ^ Rev. Samuel Sargeant, a graduate of leave. Dartmouth, 1783, before noticed. He it was ^ Ursula Wolcott was the second daugh- who went to Simsbury for him on the Sab- ter of Mr. Abiel Wolcott, and was then fif- bath following, leaving him to preach at teen years old. Hcantic in Mr. Bartlett's absence. ' Rev. Isaac Knapp. ^ Rev. Allen McLean. ^ Rev. Samuel Osgood, D. D. * The farmers of East Windsor who fur- 9 Widow of Rev. Allen Wolcott, who had nish cheese for his brother-in-law, Mr. Bat- recently died. 492 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1811. on I Sam. xv : 29. At evening attended the conference. On the 4th wrote to Mr. Gihnan, Marietta. 7. Last night was quite unwell. Prayed with a family who set out for New Connecticut. Wet. Walked and visited. 8. Wrote the most of the day. Finished a sermon on i John iii : 3. Walked out. Rainy and wet. 9. Wrote on a sermon on Rom. ii : 29. Remarkably warm and faint. The thermometer was at 83°. In the morning visited and prayed with a family who set out for New Connecticut. Received a letter from Salmon Case, at Hartford. 10. Wrote nine pages on the sermon begun yesterday. At evening walked out and visited. It is a time of great gloom and despondency with me. May God give me the help which I need. 11. Walked out and visited a sick man. Received a letter and some books from my brother James. For the books I endorsed on his note, $6.00. Preached a sacramental lecture from Matt, xxviii : 20. The thermometer was at 82°. 12. The heat is like hot summer weather. Thermometer rose to 84°. Went into the water. Wrote a sermon on Ez. xxxvii : 7. Am quite over- done with intense study. 13. Last night slept very little. Was up considerably and took laudanum. Preached written sermons on i John iii : 3 and Ez. xxxvii : 7. The meetings were full attentive and solemn. Administered the sacrament. Afternoon felt very feeble, and was but just able to go through the exercise. At night took laudanum, but slept poorly, 14. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Rode to Hartford. Paid for a quarter's cross- ing at the bridge, .88.' The weather is more cool. The first number of my Historical View of the Puritans is in the Magazine?' At evening walked out. 15. Read Winthrop's yournaP zxi^ Neale's History of the Puritans. * Quite rainy. 16. Wrote all day on the History of the Puritafis. Warm and wet. 17. Wrote on the History of the Puritans for the Magazine. I find this to be a great task. Walked out. 18. Wrote to Mr. Salmon Case^ in Hartford. This morning a hard frost. Walked and visited. Wrote. 19. I have done little else this week than write one number of my Historical * They keep rising on the bridge fare for years, was first published in 1790. That was season tickets. The quarter before it was the edition which Mr. Robbins was using, seventy-five cents. Now it is eighty-seven and Much better editions were published in 1826 one half cents, but the bridge is sure to get and 1853, with notes by Mr. James Savage, the half cent, and so it is eighty-eight cents. * Daniel Neal, an eminent dissenting min- ^ These articles commence in the Connec- ister, 1678-1743, wrote his History of the ticut Evangelical Magazine for the month of Puritans in four volumes, which has been a October, iSii, p. 361, and they go on regu- standard work now for more than a century larly month after month. and a half. ^ Winthrop's foiirnal, which had lain in ' Mj-^ Salmon Case was the publisher of manuscript more than one hundred and fifty the Evangelical Magazine. iSlI.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 493 Vieic of the Furitans. It requires much more labor than I expected. Re- ceived of Mr. Wolcott, $34.95, which finishes the payment of a note he gave me last December. Rode to Hartford. Paid Cooke, $10.00. Paid Capt. Beckwith for my horse, $6.00. Quite warm. 20. Rainy. Quite thin meeting. Preached from Jer. 1: 34, and a written sermon on Luke xix : 10. Baptized a child.* 21. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick woman and several families. Read. Quite cold. Read an account of the Resources of the British Empire: 22. Set out for Norfolk. Rode to Simsbury. Got considerably wet with rain. 23. Rode to Norfolk. My brother N.'s wife very sick. My father is pretty well. 24. Quite cold. Afternoon preached a sacramental lecture for my father, with a written sermon on Rev. iii : 2. The people here are making some efforts to build a new meeting-house. They are in want of one, and I hope they will succeed. 25. The rain freezes as it falls. Procured an old set of Hopkins's System of Divinity.^ My mother is quite unwell with the rheumatism. 26. In the morning the ground was quite covered with snow. Rode out and saw my sister Grant.* My brother's^ wife is a little better. 27. Preached for my father with written sermons on i John iii: 3, and Heb. xii: 25. My father administered the sacrament. The meeting was very full and attentive. The people here are talking about building a new meeting- house. It is ver}' desirable that they may accomplish the object. Had company. 28. I desire to rejoice in humble gratitude that I see this day, which has been the subject of anxious solicitude and prayer for years. In the afternoon my father preached his half century sermon.* A number of ministers and gen- tlemen people from neighboring towns attended. The day was fine, the meeting was very full and interesting. My father performed without difficulty. We had ' Eliza Ann Loomis, daughter of Mr. see the ground of his remark. He bought Simeon Loomis. the old edition and not the new. ^ This volume of five hundred and twenty- ■♦ Elizabeth Robbins. seven pages was written by Rev. John Bris- ' His brother Nathaniel's wife, who had ted, an Episcopal clergyman, father of the been quite ill. late Charles Astor Bristed, of New York, * Every word that Mr. Robbins speaks, graduate of Yale College in 1839, and of every sentence he writes about his father, in- Cambridge University, Eng., in 1S45. Rev. dicate very strong filial reverence and love. John Bristed married a daughter of John This was therefore to him a day of days. Jacob Astor, and was for many years an Fifty years had passed since his father, i:i Episcopal clergyman in Rhode Island, and a the freshness and ardor of his youth, with man of considerable learning. his young wife, came over the hills to Nor- ^ The first edition of Hopkins's System of folk, then a new town, and he the first min- Divinity appeared in 1792. The writer has ister. In those fifty years he had seen won- a copy of the second edition which appeared derful changes, wrought largely through his in 181 1. As this was the very year when own steady and faithful labors. The day was Mr. Robbins made the entry in his diary, we therefore in every way a notable one. 494 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181I. considerable company. My brother James was not here ; all the others of the family were present. 29. Did a number of errands. Set out for home. Rode to Winchester and tarried. Warm and pleasant. 30. Rode home. I feel a little anxious about my sister Battell. Mr. Bat- tell's business is very extensive. I feel glad to get home. 31. Very rainy all day. Rode to Mr. Bartlett's and attended their' min- isters' meeting. Returned. At night the storm very violent. A very luminous comet has appeared in the west, in the evening, through this month. November. 1. Wrote. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an aged man. Preached on the occasion from Matt, v : 4. Visited a family afflicted with the loss of a son, who died last night.^ Read New England Manorial^ 2. Read. Attended the funeral of the youth lately deceased. The river rises very much with the late rain. 3. Finished a sermon mostly written some time since on Rom. xi : 29. Preached the same. Meeting full and attentive. Had no conference on account of a singing meeting. Read. Quite cool. 4. Walked out and visited. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Mr. Sargent tarried with me. After going to bed he had quite an ill turn. 5. Mr. Sargent is exceedingly afflicted with the hypochondria. Worked some. Walked and visited. 6. Went to Hartford and attended our ministers' meeting at Mr. Flint's. Read an essay on the two books of Samuel. Our members were all present. Except about a mile, both in going and returning, I walked the whole way. I expected to have been carried, but missed by mistake. Very rainy. Got considerably wet. 7. Wrote. Began a sermon on Ps. li : 18. Had company. Walked out. Read the Life of Lorenzo de Medici.'' 8. Worked some. Finished the sermon begun yesterday. Began a sermon on Prov. xiii : 15. Rainy, We have a great portion of rain this fall. Walked out and visited Mrs. Brainerd,' of Haddam. ' The word their, in this connection, shows tion was published. The real value of the what we have before hinted — that Mr. Rob- work is now mainly superseded by the pub- bins quite regularly attended two sets of lication of Bradford's history in full, these meetings, one of which was his own * The Life of Lorenzo de Medici, in two proper, and the other belonged to the pastors volumes, by William Roscoe, was first pub- in the parishes just north and northeast of lished in 1795, and has had a very extended him. circulation. It holds a high rank among * Owen Drake, aged fifteen. biographical writings. 3 This was the work of Nathaniel Mor- 5 Daniel Brainerd from Hartford was one ton, Secretary of Plymouth colony, 1647- of the early colony settling the town of Had- 1685. It was compiled mainly from the dam, and the name Brainerd has been very manuscript history left by Gov. William common there. As an illustration of this fact, Bradford. The first edition was published the old church in Haddam, organized in at Cambridge in 1669. In 1721 another edi- 1700, reported as far back as i860, ten men l8ll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 495 9. Wrote on the sermon begun yesterday. I met with many interrup- tions. The Magazine of this montli a very good one. 10. Preached in the forenoon from John vi : 37. Afternoon a written sermon on Ps. li : 18. Meeting very full. At evening walked. Baptized a child.' The President's Message is about as trifling and unworthy of the subject as those which he has delivered before. He appears to have no quali- fication for the place. 11. Wrote to my brother and sister Battell. Walked out and visited. People generally have done their fall work. 12. Wrote to my brother Samuel. Rode with Dr. Tudor^ to Warehouse Point. Visited Gen. Jenks ^ and Mr. Huse.* Returned. Quite cold. 13. Read various books and began my third number of the Historical View of the First Planters of New England. Wrote about six hours in the evening. 14. Worked some. Wrote on my Historical Vie^n. Received of Maj. Wol- cott, $3.00. Paid Dr. McClure for Hopkins's System of Divinity.^ 15. Wrote all day. At evening assisted the school visitors in making arrangements for books to be used in the schools. 16. Wrote steadily. Finished a sermon on Prov. xiii : 15. Am fatigued with the close application of four days. 17. Preached the sermon finished yesterday. Last night a hard rain. At evening wrote considerably copying my writing for the Magazine. The singers have singing meetings Sabbath evenings. 18. Rode to Hartford. Finished and carried down the third number of my Historical View of the Puritans. Read newspapers. The correspondence of our government with the British minister* seems to manifest a determina- tion in the former to come to no accommodation.' At evening visited. Bought some old books. 19. Worked considerably. Dined out. Wrote an account of the Min- isters' Annuity Society for publication in the newspaper. At evening worked late with Mr. Wolcott in looking over and arranging his papers. 20. It snowed the most of the day. Rode out and visited a man appar- ently in a dying state. The storm very tedious. Began the reading of my Universal Modern History.^ For some time past I have neglected it, having read but six volumes in about a year. I hope to read more. of the name Brainerd raised up for the ' He seems not to have been satisfied Christian ministry. The Mrs. Brainerd men- with the old set he bought when at Norfolk, tioned in the diary was apparently visiting ^ The British Minister at that time was in East Windsor. Envoy Extraordinary, in the person of Sir ' Olive Elmer Loomis, daughter of Mr. Augustus J. Foster. Chauncey Loomis. ^ If Dr. Robbins were alive today, he ^ Dr. Elihu Tudor, who was then seventy- would probably confess that he did not judge eight years old. Jefferson and Madison as charitably as he ^ Gen. Charles Jenks, a native of Rhode ought. Island, who carried on a large gin-distillery ^ The modern part, it will be remem- at the Point. bered, consisted of forty-two volumes, the * Rev. Nathaniel riuse, the Episcopal min- ancient, which he had finished, of eighteen ister at the Point. volumes. 496 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [181I. 21. Read Universal History all day. The history of Mahometanism is quite interesting. 22. Walked and visited all day. A man in middle life' died suddenly last evening. Received a good letter from my brother James. It seems he has a prospect of a matrimonial connection. 23. Wrote notes for preaching. Afternoon attended the funeral of the man who lately died. 24. Preached from Mai. xx : 30. I think my written sermons are more useful to my people than those which are unwritten. But when I preach unwritten sermons I feel more dependent, more solemn, and less pride.^ At evening attended awhile at a singing meeting. 25. Very cold. Carried Mr. Wolcott's son ^ to Hartford to attend school. I think my numbers in the Magazine'' will be more popular than I expected. Paid for an umbrella, $5.00. Traded, etc. $1.74. Walked out and visited. 26. Began a sermon on Rom. i: 21 for Thanksgiving. Afternoon rode to Wapping and married a couple.' Very cold. In the morning the ther- mometer was 10°. At evening met with the school visitors and appointed the particular books to be used in the schools. Saw in the newspaper the account of the death of my brother Nat's wife. It is very surprising to me. I hope God will make it the occasion of good to him. 27. Finished my sermon begun yesterday. I think that it is much poorer than those I have written on the like occasions in past years. Received a letter from Mr. Battell giving an account of the death of my brother's wife, and of the addition of a daughter to his family.^ At evening visited a man in a religious melancholy. Received a letter from my father. 28. Thanksgiving. In consideration of the productions of the earth, the people of this State, probably, had never greater cause for thankfulness. Preached a written sermon on Rom. i: 21. Remarkably pleasant and mild. At evening walked out. 29. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. Quite warm and wet. I feel anxious about the ecclesiastical concerns of Wapping. 30. Last night and today a very hard rain. Read Bristed's Vieiij of the Resources of the British Empire. Began to write a New Year's address for the Magazine? ' Mr. Silas Terry, aged thirty-six. College, and as his widow died May 5, 2 That is a distinction which is certainly 1S77. worthy of consideration. ' Dr. Nathan Strong, of Hartford, who ^ Samuel Tudor Wolcott, about twelve had the general supervision and control of years old. the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, had * On the early New England Fathers, of found that Dr. Robbins held the pen of a which three had now been published. ready writer, and he was accordingly making 5 Mr. Whiting Risley, of East Hartford, great use of him in furnishing the articles and Nancy Goodale, of Wapping. for its monthly issues. In the month of * That is, an addition to Mr. Battell's October, 1811, appeared his first article on family. The child was Irene Battell, born the early New England Fathers, and every Nov. 4, 1811, who married June i, 1843, number for nineteen months («.^., until May, Prof. William Augustus Earned, of Yale 1S13) is to have an article from his pen on i8ii.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 497 December. 1. Rode early to East Hartford to exchange with Mr. Yates, Mr. Sher- man,' of New Haven, by an exchange with him, preaches for me. Preached written sermons on i Sam. xv : 29, and Rev. iii : 2. This congregation is large. At evening rode to Hartford and home. The water rises very rapidly by the late rain. 2. Read Bristed's View of the Resources of the British Empire. Manured my asparagus bed. Began to read Clarke's Commentary^ I am very highly pleased with the work. Walked out and visited. 3. Read. Wrote papers for school-masters. Paid for footing a pair of boots, $2.66. Old Mrs. Tudor very unwell. 4. Set out very early and rode to Norfolk. Ursula Wolcott accompanied me. Very pleasant weather, the roads good for the season. My sister Bat- tell quite feeble. My brother Nathaniel has been much afflicted with his loss, but appears now very properly. 5. Walked with my brother to the burying-ground. Afternoon a very hard rain. My father and I were invited to Mr. Mills ^ to supper. My brother Frank at home and pretty studious. The people here are engaged with a spirit and a unanimity beyond expectation to build a meeting-house. They have subscribed above $4,000. I trust they will succeed. 6. Traded some. After dinner set out with Ursula and rode to New Hartford. The roads pretty muddy. Tarried at Cowles.* I expected to have left Sula at Norfolk, but did not on account of Sally's^ ill health. Received of my brother N., $16.50. 7. Rode home. Left Ursula at Windsor.* Old Mrs. Tudor' has been very low, but appears now a little better. Am much fatigued by my journey. 8. Last night there fell some snow. Very bad walking. Thin meeting. Preached an old written sermon on Rom. iii : 19. At evening performed a marriage.* the same subject, twenty articles in all, after- ward gathered into a volume. The New Year's Address, in the number for January, 1812, from his pen, was of several pages, and he furnished three or four articles besides during the year 181 1. ' There was no settled minister, at that time, in New Haven, of the name of Sherman. Without much doubt the person here named was Rev. David Austin Sherman, who was graduated at Yale College in 1802, and from 1804 to 1810 had been tutor in the college. He studied theology, was licensed to preach, and was afterwards president of the college of Eastern Tennessee. He died in 1843. ^ Dr. Adam Clarke, 1760-1S32. His Co7n- mentary on the Bible, which had cost him many years of labor, began to be published in 1810, but the publication was not com- pleted till 1826. It was probably only the first volume that Mr. Robbins had. Dr. Clark died in 1832 of the cholera, when it so pre- vailed in London. That was the year of its first alarming prevalence in this country. ^ To Mr. Michael Mills probably, he be- ing one of Rev. A. R. Robbins's important parishoners, then a man about eighty years old. *■ Public house. ' His sister Sarah, Mrs. Battell. ^ There were families of her kindred on the west or Windsor side of the river. ^ Mrs. Samuel Tudor, mother of Mrs. Wolcott. * The parties united in marriage were Mr. Poratha Parsons and Mary Drake. 4q8 diary of rev. thomas robbins, d.d. [i8ii. 9. Wrote, copying my father's Half Century Sermon for the press. Read Bristed's Vie7i<. Walked out and visited. 10. Wrote on my father's sermon. I find it a laborious task. At evening performed a marriage.* Settled accounts with Mr. Wolcott. He charges for my living two dollars a week, and for my horse half a dollar a week in summer, and three quarters of a dollar in winter.^ I think the charge quite moderate. 11. Wrote all day. Finished my father's sermon. It is a better one than I thought before I copied it. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in drawing off some of his old accounts. 12. Worked some. Rode out and visited. We are fearful of some diffi- culty in our society matters with Wapping. Weather remarkably mild and pleasant for the season. 13. Wrote on a New Year's address for the Magazine. At evening walked out and visited. I have so much writing to do that I can read but little. 14. Yesterday wrote to my brother James. Quite cold. Wrote on my New Year's address,^ Wrote notes for preaching. 15. The cold very severe. The thermometer at sunrise was at 10°, Preached from 2 Tim. ii : 19. Put on my flannel. At evening walked out. 16. Mr, Sargent called on me. He is grievously afflicted with the hypo- chondria. Rode to Hartford. Very good riding. The weather much mod- erated. Carried to Hartford the manuscript of my father's Half Century Ser 771011 for the printer. 17. Wrote on my New Year's address. Worked some at my chamber. Walked out. Had company. 18. Finished my New Year's address, and carried it to Hartford. Spent some time with Sereno Pettibone* in examining the State records to get some historic documents respecting Norfolk. Afternoon and at night very rainy. Got considerably wet. Mr. Hill, a candidate, came and tarried with me. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Perkins.^ 19. Wrote an appendix for my father's sermon containing an account of the first settlement of Norfolk. Wrote to my father. It snowed the most of the day. Read Lhiiversal History. 20. Rode to Hartford. Very cold. Sold my horse to Gleason, the book- seller,* for $60.00. I allow him for printing three hundred and fifty copies of my father's sermon, $26.50; for the remainder, he gives me credit on his book. Had company. ' This time Martin Strong, of Waterford, * Sereno Pettibone was a native of Nor- was married to Sarah Drake. folk, and a graduate of Williams College in ^ The only difference between this and 1800. He practiced law both in Norfolk the price for the preceding year is sixpence and in Simsbury. a week, more than before during the winter ^ Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford, months. * He was also a book-publisher, and car- ^ It cannot be doubted that Mr. Robbins's ried on a large business in miscellaneous pen was a busy one. printing. iSll.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 499 21. In the morning the thermometer was at about 10°. Wrote a sermon on Hos. xiii : 9. 22. Preached from Matt, xvi : 18, and the sermon written yesterday. Meeting pretty full and quite attentive. At evening walked out. 23. Pretty good sleighing. Yesterday there were a good many sleighs at meeting. Rode to Windsor and brought home Sula.' Pretty bad crossing. Visited. At night quite rainy. 24. A very tedious and severe snow-storm. In the morning the ther- mometer was at about 12°, at noon 4°, and at sundown 2° above zero.^ Wrote. Expected to have visited schools today, but was prevented by the storm. 25. On the 19th received of Mr. Wolcott, $100.00. On the 20th engaged Mr. Dwight/ of Hartford, to subscribe for me for ten shares in the New Eagle Bank at New Haven, and delivered him $10.00 for the first payment. Same day paid a cabinet-maker, $13.00, and to Cooke, $5.00. Worked considerably shoveling snow. Yesterday and today wrote No. IV of my Historical View for the Magazine. 26. I never saw such drifts of snow in this place as now. It is difficult traveling in the street. The quantity of snow is probably of about one foot in depth. Yesterday morning the thermometer was at 3° above zero. Today it was about 12"'. The society had their annual meeting. They are not dis- posed to comply with the proposal of Wapping to join with us and have meetings there a proportional part of the time. Wrote to Dr. Strong. Read Universal History. Walked out and visited. The weather moderates considerably. 27. Thermometer this morning at 10°. Rode out in a sleigh. The sleigh- ing pretty indifferent. People say universally that the late storm was the most tedious and severe of any one they have ever known.* One certificate, of a considerable list, was given in previous to the society meeting. Read Universal History. The Mahommedan empire, in its early state, was very corrupt. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in arranging his papers. 28. Read Uiiversal History. Wrote some additions to an old sermon. Very cold and windy. 29. In the morning the thermometer was at 9°. Very cold through the day. Meetings quite short. Preached an old written sermon on Ps. xxv: 11. Read the Bible. At evening walked out. My father's sermon appears very well. 30. Visited with the other inspectors the two lower schools in the street. We have now a good set of inspectors. Walked out and visited. Very pleasant winter weather. ' For short, Ursula Wolcott was called and brilliant literary man who made his Sula. home in Hartford. He was born in North- ^ It is not common for a great snow-storm ampton, Mass., and was brother of President to come under such conditions of the ther- Timothy Dwight, of Yale College, mometer, though it happens sometimes, and * From the conditions given in respect to the storm is likely to be a hard one. cold and quantity of snow, it greatly resem- 3 This was Theodore Dwight, the lawyer bled a storm that came in January, 1856. 500 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8ll. 31. Visited the two upper schools. These four schools are very equal in their attainments, and are now under four very good teachers. The average number of scholars is about forty-five. Wrote to Mr, Isaiah Thomas,' of Wor- cester. Visited. The snow thaws. The comet which I first saw on the evening of September 9th lately, I think, has disappeared. * He was the man who furnished him his almanacs. 181S- January. 1. Endeavored to call to mind some of the great mercies of Heaven which I have experienced the year past, and to devote myself anew to the service of God. The Lord keep me from every evil. Quite rainy all day. Expected to have gone to our ministers' meeting, at Glastonbury, but am prevented by the storm. Completed my last diary and my preaching account for the last year. Read. At evening walked out and visited. 2. Completed my diary of 1810. As I had to copy all that, not having procured my almanack till near the end of the year, it has been unfinished till this time.' Filed my letters for the year past. Read considerably in my history. It snowed and is quite blustering. 3. It is quite tedious, though not very cold. Afternoon preached a sac- ramental lecture from Gal. v: 22. Read Universal History. 4. Wrote a sermon on Isa. Ixiii: 9, 10. For four days I have been very close in my study. 5. Preached with short notes on Gen. v: 24, and the sermon written yesterday. Administered the sacrament. The meeting very full and attentive. There have been ten deaths the year past, the most of them grown people. At evening attended a full conference. Very tired. Expecting to preach in future more frequently with written sermons than with notes,^ the latter method I shall designate, but not the former, which will be the reverse of what I have done in time past. 6. Last night and the night before I was unable to sleep, and obliged to get up and sit up for a considerable time.^ Walked and visited all day. 7. Rode to Wapping and visited two schools. The people know not what to do about ecclesiastical matters.* There is some sleighing, but it is poor. 8. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $34.05. Rode to Hartford. Paid a mer- chant tailor, $7.00. Paid a shoemaker, $6.17. Paid my annual contribution to the Bible Society, $3.00. Visited. The theatre at Richmond, Va., has lately been burnt, and many lives are lost.^ ' We know by experience how much labor for the last five or six weeks Mr. Robbins is involved in copying a year of this diary, had done an extraordinary amount of writing, and amid all his other engagements and and this labor and confinement were showing occupations, this was no slight task. their effects. ^ From hints occasionally given, it is evi- * The Wapping district was so far away dent that his people judged his written ser- from the meeting-house — about four miles mons to be superior to his extemporaneous — that the people there very naturally felt ones, and he was disposed to accommodate the burden of attending church from such a himself to their wishes. distance. ^ The course of the diary has shown that ' The theater at Richmond, Va., was burned SOI S02 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. 9. Prepared this diary. May God enable me to finish it in his favor and to record in it his special mercies. Quite cold. The roads are getting icy. Received a letter from my brother James, and one from Mr. Stephen Dodge,' New York. Walked out and visited. 10. Last night tarried out. Severe cold. Walked and visited all day. I have found two persons this week apparently under deep impressions of conviction of sin. Thanks to God. 11. Wrote to my parents, and to my brother James. Thermometer this morning at 10°. Yesterday it was colder. Wrote notes for preaching. 12. Last night at bed-time the thermometer was at 7° ; this morning at 10°. Preached with short notes from Luke iv: 25, 26. People appeared quite coW at meeting, though the exercises were quite short. Baptized a child.^ On the 5th received a letter from Joel King, of this place. 13. Sent to Mrs. Olcott," of Orford, for books, $10.00. Read Universal History. Finished the second volume of the modern part. Walked out and visited. 14. Studied on the History of the Puritans, and began another number for the Magazine. W^alked out and visited. Have visited lately considerably the certificate people. 15. Last night much warmer than it has been. Thermometer this morning nearly to 40°. Wrote all day. At evening walked out. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in the arrangement of the papers. 16. Yesterday it grew very cold towards night. This morning was the coldest we have had this winter. At nine o'clock, which was the coldest, though the sky was perfectly clear, the thermometer was a little above 3° ; at noon and at sundown, at 8° ; and at midnight, at 5°. Wrote, Worked at Mr. Wolcott's papers. on the night of December 26, 1811. The Richmond Standard of the next day had an extended article upon the sad calamity, of which the following are the opening sen- tences : " Last night the play-house in this city was crowded with an unusual audience. There could not have been less than six hundred people in the house. Just before the conclu- sion of the play, the scenery caught fire, and in a few moments the whole building was wrapt in flames. It has already been ascertained that sixty-ofie persons were devoured by that most terrific element." ' Mr. Stephen Dodge was an assistant in business for some years with Mr. David L. Dodge, the father of the late William E. Dodge, who was a man of most extensive business arrangements in Hartford, Ct., Litch- field, Ct., and New York City, until, by the repudiation of debts amounting to nearly a million of dollars, on the part of French receivers of his goods, in 181 1, he failed. Stephen Dodge for some years had charge of a branch store in Litchfield, Ct., and there, very likely, Mr. Robbins made his acquaint- ance. Mr. Stephen Dodge seems to have been in the dry-goods business in Newport afterwards on his own account. Both David L. and Stephen Dodge were earnestly relig- ious men. ^ They had a right to appear cold, as any one can testify whose memory reaches back to the time when people gathered in the depths of winter in meeting-houses utterly unwarmed. ^ Mar}', daughter of Bishop Johnson. Bishop is a given name here, and not an ecclesiastical title. This Bishop Johnson was admitted to the church in 1S09, the first year of Mr. Robbins's ministry. * Widow of Rev. Allen Olcott. t8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 503 17. Finished the first draft of my fifth number of my Historical View of the Pla7iters of Ne7u England. Thermometer this morning at 4°. On the 14th wrote to Mr. Rowland, Windsor. Visited the school at the Mill. Tolerable sleighing. Thermometer at noon, 12° ; at bed-time, 7°. 18. Thermometer at smirise, 2^ ° below zero. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in arranging his papers. Thermometer at noon, 2°. In clear sunshine there is no appearance of thawing. In the evening the thermometer 4° below zero. Towards evening walked to Windsor to exchange with Mr. Rowland. The river very strong. Saw several sleighs traveling upon the river. Tarried at Mrs. McLean's. 19. Very stormy, with extreme cold. On account of the weather I thought best to return home. Walked home. We had no meeting. I went out, but saw no other person. Thermometer in the morning a little above zero. Half after ten, when I came home, 1° below zero. At noon and at 10 p.m., 2° above zero. It was not over 3^° in the day. Read the Bible. Read Universal History. It snowed moderately all day. The coldest storm, I am persuaded, I ever saw.' 20. Thermometer in the morning and at bed-time, about 6°. It rose to about 14°. It continued to snow the most of the day. Attended the funeral of a man in the border of East Hartford. Assisted Mr. Wolcott arrandns his papers. 21. It is clear, but the cold continues most intense. Thermometer in the morning, 4°. It did not rise above 9°. Read Universal History. In the evening it was at 2°. I believe I was misinformed about the thermometer Sabbath morning. From what I hear from others, I conclude my thermom- eter must have been about 7° below zero. 22. Read in Universal History two hundred and forty pages. Finished the third volume which I began Saturday evening. At sunrise the thermom- eter was 6° below zero. At noon 4° above zero. At sundown, zero. It did not exceed 6° or 7° in the day. Between eight and nine o'clock, p. m., it was 10° below zero. I presume I never saw so cold a time. It then rose, and at midnight was 2° above zero. The day was clear, and the evening very clear and still. I suppose my thermometer is 3° or 4° higher than the true standard. 23. In the morning the thermometer was at 12°. The weather is much moderated. Rode to Hartford. Very good sleighing. Good crossing on the ice. Read the Magazitu. My New Year's piece appears better than I expected.^ ' The general import of the entries for had no public service. This Sunday was an January i8th and 19th is as follows : He extraordinary day, because of a fact before went over on foot to Windsor, two miles or noticed, that a snow-storm was prevailing more, on Saturday night, and Rev. Mr. Row- with the thermometer in the region of zero, land was expecting to go to East Windsor ^ This New Year's article, as stated be- Sunday morning. But owing to the extreme fore, covers some pages, and is followed im- cold, the exchange was given up, and Mr. mediately by the fourth article of his series Robbins walked home in the morning, but on the Early Planters of New England. 504 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. 24. Copied my fifth number of my Historical View} I cannot write more than two quarto pages in an hour. Visited. Sat up late and wrote. 25. It thaws considerably. Rode to Hartford. Carried down a quantity of newspapers to be bound. Read Clarke's Commentary. It is a work of great learning and value. 26. In the morning rode to Windsor to exchange with Mr. Rowland. Ver}' good crossing. Mr. Rowland went to East Windsor. It thawed fast all day. The roads very wet. Preached from Luke xix : 10, Ps. li : 18. Meeting quite full. The people here have a very large and promising singing-school. At evening returned. Received a letter from my father, and one from Mr. Battell. 27. Rode to Hartford. The sleighing pretty poor. Wrote to my brother N. Read Universal History. Had company. 28. Read Universal History. At evening walked and visited. Congress appear to be in great confusion.'^ 29. Rode early to Glastonbury to attend our ministers' meeting. We had a good meeting. Preached on Hos. xiii : 9. Exhibited for criticism the notes of a sermon. At evening rainy. 30. Rode home. Rainy and wet. Read Universal History. The sleigh- ing quite poor. 31. Wrote to Mr. Stephen Dodge, New York. Read Universal History. I read one volume last week, and I have another this week. I never knew much before about Asiatic history. At evening put my thermometer into well water and it rose to 46°. In the water of the same well in the heat of last summer it was at 49°.^ February. 1. Wrote a sermon on John i: 10. I cannot write much more than a page in an hour. 2. Wrote short notes and preached in the forenoon on Isa. 1 : 10. After- noon, on John i : 10. At evening had a conference. Forenoon very cold. 3. Walked and visited all day. It thaws very much and is very bad going. 4. Last night a short and very violent rain. Was up on account of nervous affections. Cold and tedious. Rode to Granby and attended our Association. Very bad riding. Had difficulty in crossing the river. More members of the Association (eleven) are present than I expected. 5. The Associational session was very agreeable. Rode to Windsor. Could not cross the river on account of the rise of the water. Tarried at Mrs. Ellsworth's.* ' This for the February number of the first thought seem strange, but the earth, as Magazine. far down as the bottom of an ordinary well, * The questions then before the country cannot be very different in temperature in the were very perplexing. winter and summer. ^ The result of this experiment might at * Mrs. Oliver Ellsworth. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 505 6. Very cold and tedious. Rode home by Hartford Bridge.' Thermom- eter this morning at 6°. Read Dr. Dwight's statistical of New Haven.^ It manifests considerable pride and pedantry. 7. Wrote on Mr. Wolcott's accounts. It thaws again. Paid a tailoress, $1.50. 8. Read Universal History. Read Clarke's Commentary, He is learned and judicious, but not a very good divine. Last night and in the fore- noon rainy, some of the time very violent. Received a letter from my father. 9. Preached an old sermon on Eph. iv : 24. Thin meeting. Recom- mended, by desire, an attention to the inoculation for the kine-pox. Read the Bible. At evening wrote a letter to Joel King,^ a member of this church. 10. Wrote to my father. Rode to Hartford. I have never seen the river so high as now, yet the ice remains. There is much solicitude for the bridge. The water rose with astonishing rapidity. It ceased rising about sun-down.* Prayed at a funeral at Hartford. At evening walked out. 11. Read Winthrop's yournal^ and other early histories respecting this State. It snowed the most of the day. At evening walked out. 12. Read the old histories, and began another number* for the J/f^^af^m^. Quite cold and tedious. The thermometer was near 10° the most of the day. At evening rode out. Pretty good sleighing. 13. Wrote all day. Finished my sixth number of my Historical View. Thermometer this morning was at 2°. 14. Wrote to my brother James. Walked and visited. Rainy. 15. Finished copying my piece for the Magazine J Read the Bible. My Magazine numbers require the study of about a week each.® 16. Preached an old sermon on Isa. xxviii : 18. Quite cold. Yesterday it was quite warm, and the last snow mostly went off. At evening attended a conference. Much fatigued. ' This was a circuit journey of about thir- ground of mountains, and in times of rapidly teen miles, while the direct journey would melting snows on these mountains, the water have been from two to three miles. rises, even in the broad-spreading valleys - The title, as given in a list of Dr. about Windsor and Hartford, as rapidly as a Dwight's published works, is " A Statistical foot an hour. Account of the City of New Haven." From ^ Jcnirnal of the Elder Gover^ior John Mr. Robbins's added remark he evidently Winthrop. This Journal covers the period thought it a little over boastful. But it is to in the history of the Massachusetts Colony be remembered that Mr. Robbins's home now from March 29, 1630, to January 11, 1649. was very near Hartford, and Hartford and *" This was the article for the March num- New Haven have always been able to see ber of the Magazine. each other's weaknesses and short-comings. ^ His practice, which is that of many ' Mr. Joel King was received as a mem- writers, was to make a first draft, and then ber of the church during the first year of Mr. copy with corrections, additions, and im- Robbins's ministry at East Windsor, but what provements. was the nature of the correspondence between * As an article had to be furnished for them we do not know. every month, it added no small amount of * The Connecticut River has a great back- care and labor to his ordinary duties. 5o6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. ||l8l2- 17. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Last night we had considerable snow. Walked and visited. 18. Last night tarried out. Walked and visited all day. The season is singularly variable. Many people have colds, etc. 19. Wrote on Mr. Wolcott's accounts. Wrote a letter to Capt. Loomis,' of New Connecticut, informing him of the death of his daughter, Mrs. Gaylord, of Torringford. At evening walked and visited. 20. Wrote on Mr. Wolcott's accounts. Afternoon rode to Wapping and performed a marriage.' Pretty poor sleighing. Very cold. 21. This morning the thermometer was at 9°. Read Universal History. At evening visited. 22. Wrote a sermon on Jer. xxiii : 33. Wrote it in less than eight succes- sive hours. Read Clarke's Commentary. 23. It snowed all day. Preached with short notes from 2 Peter i : 5, 6, 7. We have had singularly unpleasant Sabbaths through the winter. Read the Bible. 24. Walked and visited all day. Quite cold. The sleighing very good. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in making a rate-bill. 25. This morning the thermometer was about zero.^ At nine o'clock, when the sun shone perfectly clear, it was at 4°. Read Universal History. The account of Hindostan is very valuable. I think I feel the effects of long and pretty close study for a good many weeks. The list belonging to our society is greater than it was last year." 26. Read Universal History. Cold and very blustering. At evening Mr. Skinner,^ of Berlin, came here and tarried. Sat up late and saw the total eclipse of the moon.® 27. Thermometer this morning 2° below zero. The ruling party in Con- gress have involved themselves in wretched embarrassments. Read Universal History. This morning Erastus Wolcott, of defective intellect, was found in the field frozen and dead. Visited the afflicted family. 28. Read in my historj^, two hundred and twenty-five pages. Finished the sixth volume. Visited a child very sick. The sleighing is very much used. The eastern and southern nations of Asia, I apprehend, have changed ver}- little in two thousand years. 29. Worked on Mr. Wolcott's tax-bill. Attended the funeral of Erastus ' There were many persons of the name ^ Rev. Newton Skinner, of that part of Loomis in Windsor and East Windsor, and Berlin which is now the flourishing city of quite a number of this name from Windsor New Britain. He has been before men- were among the early settlers of Torrington. tioned. He is afterwards to marry Miss - The persons united were Nathaniel But- Ursula Wolcott, daughter of Mr. Samuel ler and Orral Skinner. Wolcott, of East Windsor. ^ Mr. Robbins's record shows a very hot * In Isaiah Thomas, Jr.'s Almanac for summer in iSii, and a verj- cold winter 181 1 1S12, this eclipse is thus described : and 1S12. Beginning February 26, 11 h. and 12 m. * New families were forming, and perhaps Beginning of total darkness, 27, o h. \~\ m. some of the men who certificated have come End of total darkness, 2 h. 2\ m. back. End of the eclipse 3 h. 8 m. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR, 507 Wolcott.' Received a letter from Mr. Battell. I am gratified to hear that my friends at Norfolk are well pleased with my pieces in the Magazine. This week has been very good sleighing. We have had none other very good through the season.^ We have had an unusually cold and tedious winter. Read the Bible. March. 1. Wrote notes and preached with them on Acts xiii : 12, ana on Jer. xxiii : t^T)- The latter is a very impressive subject. At evening attended a conference. Very cold. 2. This morning the thermometer was 10° below zero.^ The coldest morning that we have' had this winter. Walked and visited all day. Twelve o"cloGk at night the thermometer 5° below zero. 3. Thermometer this morning, 2°. Rode to Hartford and got a sum of money from the bank for Mr. Battell to pay the people here for the cheese which he had.* Saw a man from Norfolk. Paid for crossing the bridge, for a quarter, $1.01-^ Worked on Mr. Wolcott's tax-bill. Visited a family who have lost a child. The sleighing very good. Yesterday received a letter from my brother James. 4. The thermometer this morning at sunrise, if '^Mr. Wolcott is not mistaken, and he is confident that he is not, was 12° below zero.^ That is colder than it has been through the winter. Went to Windsor and attended our ministers' meeting. The lecture was a singing lecture.^ They have a very great number of singers. I counted seventy-seven females.* Returned. The river makes an astonishing and sublime appearance. It is perfect mountains of ice. 5. Worked on Mr. Wolcott's tax-bill. It thaws very much. The ther- mometer rose to 50°.' At night rode to Mr. Yates's and returned. 6. Looked over the early histories of New England.'" Walked out and visited. ' This Erastus Wolcott was the son of eter not infrequently falls in these portions Capt. Erastus Wolcott, and was twenty-seven of New England. The remarkable feature years old at the time of his father's death. of that winter was that there were so many - Great falls of snow do not always make nights and days when the thermometer was good sleighing. down to zero or below. ^ The long-continued cold of this winter, ^ Instead of a sermon, and the long-continued heat of the previous ^ That, with a corresponding number of summer, mark the years 181 1 and 1812 as male singers, would certainly make a very peculiar in this respect. large country choir. * He acts as a local agent for his brother- ' A rapid change from the morning before, in-law in the East Windsor region for this when the thermometer was reported 12° below trade in cheese. zero. ^ One dollar and one cent seems to be a '° By this remark he refers expressly to curious sum to fix upon for a quarter ticket such books as he has already mentioned, on the bridge. But so it stands in the diary. 'blioxioxCs.New England Manorial,'^ \r\'OKio^''% The last payment of this kind was eighty- Journal, etc. We have many works now on eight cents a quarter. Every time the fare this general subject which were not in exist- seems to rise. ence in 1S12. Dr. Robbins had to do his ^ Even this is not so low as the thermom- work without these modern helps. 5o8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. 7. Read Universal History. Read Clarke's Commentary. Visited two persons very sick with fevers. 8. Preached an old sermon on John iii : 5. At evening it snowed. Fin- ished Mr. Wolcott's rate-bill. The society list is $23,406.64. There are forty-three certificate lists amounting to $6,841.41. 9. Wrote. Walked and visited. Several people here are unwell. It thaws considerably. 10. Began to write another number ' for the Magazine. At evening rode to Windsor and visited old Mrs. Wolcott ^ and returned. Quite cold. Crossed with a sleigh on the ice. 11. Last night Mr. Sargeant came here and tarried. I think his hypo- chondriac affections will destroy his usefulness.^ Visited the sick. Afternoon rode with two others and visited the school at the Mill. The sleighing is about done. 12. Wrote on my piece for the Magazine. At evening walked out. Mrs. McClure is very unwell. 13. This number for the Magazine costs me more labor than any one preceding. Visited the sick. Bad going. The snow goes off very gradually. It thaw's but little. I spend some time in teaching arithmetic."* 14. Wrote a sermon on Mark i : 40. I have performed a good deal of labor in my study this week. 15. Wrote short notes and preached on i John iii : 12, and on Mark i : 40. Visited the sick. They appear to be mending. People came to meeting in sleighs and carriages. 16. Carried to Hartford another number for the Magazine. Very bad riding. Visited. 17. Read Universal History. Am considerably hindered by company. At evening walked out. Mr. Reed, of this place, has begun to engrave a valuable map of this State.' 18. Read. Am instructing the young ladies in the house in arithmetic* Very cold. At evening walked out. 19. Read Uiiversal History. Afternoon attended the funeral of a young child.' Visited sick people. There are a number of people sick, and many complaining of colds, etc. 20. Attended to instruction. Afternoon attended the funeral of an infant ' The seventh of his series on the New * To Mr. Wolcott's Cuildren probably. England Planters. s xhig „,as Dea. Abner Reed, an engraver, ^ Old Mrs. Wolcott was the widow of Dr. who a few j-ears later removed to Conneaut, Alexander Wolcott. She was his third wife, Ohio, and was living there later than 1855. and her maiden name was Mary Richards. ' This settles the question as to who were She died October 23, 1817, aged ninety- his pupils. Miss Frances Wolcott, then three. She lived with her son, Dr. Chris- eighteen, and Miss Ursula Wolcott, sixteen, topher Wolcott, of Windsor. were taking arithmetic lessons. He taught, ^ This Rev. Samuel Sargeant, who calls so at different times, all four of Mr. Wolcott's frequently, could not, with his tendencies, children, have been a very welcome visitor. ? jj^ thg family of Mr. Elijah Bumham. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 509 child, in the edge of East Hartford. With the other committee-men, visited and catechised a school. 21. Visited the sick. Mrs. McClure and several others are quite sick. Received a letter from my father. He writes that there is now a great depth of snow there. It goes here very slowly. Yesterday received of Mr. Wol- cott, $50.00. Wrote notes for preaching. 22. Wrote on my notes, and preached from Isa. vi : 9, 10. It is a pretty difficult subject, and I wish I had managed it better than I did. Baptized a child.' At evening attended a conference. 23. Wrote. Rode to Wapping, and visited a school which performed very well. The snow is going off, and the riding ver}' bad. 24. Visited with the inspectors two north schools. Received a letter from Mr. Strong, of Somers, and one from my brother James enclosing a bill of $50.00. Quite cold. 25. Visited the south middle school. I have now visited and catechised all the schools, excepting one, in Wapping, which is yet to be done.^ I think I have never known them to do so well in any one season. I find it to be a very laborious task. Afternoon, began a sermon for the Fast on Jer. xxxi : 18. Began after four o'clock. I don't know that I have ever been so closely limited for time. 26. Wrote very steadily, and in the evening finished my sermon. Attended some to teaching arithmetic. 27. Endeavored to attend to the proper duties of the day as a Fast. Preached from Jer. xxxi : 18. Meeting pretty full ; and in the afternoon quite solemn. At evening walked out. Am very tired. I am doubtful whether I ought to omit eating dinner on a Fast day.^ 28. Yesterday was the first warm day that we have had. The ther- mometer rose to nearly 70°, and excepting some old drifts, the snow is mostly gone. Wrote to my brother James. Afternoon visited and rode to Mr. Bartlett's. A very hard rain. The riding exceeding bad. 29. Mr. Bartlett rode down to my society. Preached from Mai. iv : 5, 6, and Mark i : 40. Quite cold. Meeting very thin. At evening returned. Settled accounts with Mr. Wolcott, and received of him for the society what remained due on my order of last May, amounting to $144.50. Of this sum $9.79 were interest. I have interest in ninety days after my salary becomes due.'* It snowed some the most of the da}'. 30. Set out for New Haven. The riding very bad. Quite cold. There was flying snow the most of the day. Rode to North Haven. Tarried with ' Elizabeth H.Charlton, daughter of Jesse eration. There is much less discussion of Charlton. the kind now than there used to be. - Mr. Robbins seems to have had seven * The times were hard, otherwise one schools under his care. might well inquire why his money should 3 That same question has been discussed not begin to be on interest from the day publicly and privately in a great many New it was due, rather than "ninety days after- England households from generation to gen- wards." 2 10 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. Dr. Trumbull.' I think he will never finish his history of Connecticut. I lament very much at the prospect. 31. Rode to New Haven. Saw a number of old friends. People here have not begun gardening. There is a recent collection of minerals at col- lege which is very extensive and valuable. Dined with Mr. Merwin.^ Paid my second instalment to the Eagle Bank, amounting to 150 dollars. Pur- chased half a ream of fine letter paper for sermons. Towards evening left town, and rode to Leet's Tavern.^ The turnpike road along here is not settled. April. 1. Rode early. This turnpike is very much injured by the late winter. In Wallingford "• saw people ploughing, the first I have seen. Rode to East Hartford, and attended our ministers' meeting. In the evening rode home. I am much worried, but I believe my journey will be serviceable. Paid a merchant taylor at Hartford, $8.65. 2. Rode to Wapping, and attended the funeral of a woman. Visited a school. I have now visited all our schools (seven) twice, and the last time I catechised them. Sent to Mrs. Olcott, of Orford, for books,^ $10.00. Sent to Mr. Haskell,^ for which I took his note, $50.00. 3. Since Monday we have had pleasant spring weather. Manured my asparagus beds. Instructed in arithmetic. Yesterday I preached at the funeral, without any notes, from John vi : 68. Afternoon preached a sacra- mental lecture, with short notes, on Matt, v : 8. Visited a sick woman. 4. Wrote a sermon on Matt, xvi : 4. Had considerable interruption. 5. Wrote short notes, and preached in the forenoon on Ps. xxvii: 14; afternoon from Matt, xvi : 4. Administered the sacrament. Meeting pretty full. At evening had a very good conference. Very tired. 6. Rode to Hartford. The riding is pretty good. The river is rising. Our government ^ appear to be perfectly infatuated. The State of New York now exhibits a striking scene of Democratic confusion.* People do not yet begin gardening. Read Magazine. Wrote. Wrote to Col. R. White, Danbur)\ 7. Worked some. Looked over the early histories of New England. Walked out and visited several families. ' Dr. Benjamin Trumbull had then been rather dry and sandy, and capable of being pastor at North Haven nearly fifty-two years. worked early in the spring. The first volume of his History of Coiinecti- ^ Mrs. Allen Olcott. This has been done cut was published in 1797. Mr. Robbins before. Mr. Robbins is taking some of the thought very naturally that he would not books from her late husband's library, live to complete the work, but he did. The ^ Mr. Eli B. Haskell, at East Windsor second volume was issued in 1818, and he Hill, died in 1820. ^ He uses government in the plural, as "^ Rev. Samuel Merwin, pastor of North embracing all the individuals who are ccin- Church, New Haven, 1S05-1S31. ducting it. ^ On the turnpike to Hartford, a few miles ^ Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins was elected out of New Haven. Governor of New York continuously year by * The soil in Wallingford is, in general, year, from 1S07 101817. [8 1 2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 5" 8. Began to write another number for the Magazine.^ Wrote consider- ably. Am considerably hindered by teaching arithmetic. 9. Wrote. Ploughed my early garden." Walked out and visited. 10. Finished my eighth number for the Magazine. We had a very hard and refreshing rain. The ground has been quite dry, and vegetation did not start. 11. Wrote all day, copying my piece for the Magazi?ie. Planted early peas. The ground is very cold. Congress have laid another embargo. They appear to be the most perfectly menial slaves of the President.^ 12. Very cold. Preached from Luke xii : 32. At evening attended a conference. Read the Bible. 13. Last night much troubled with nervous affections. Was obliged to be up a considerable time. It. snowed the most of the day. Prayed at the opening of the Freeman's Meeting.* Votes for Governor Griswold, 202 ; Boardman, 19.' The meeting very harmonious. 14. The snow this morning was over shoes. Rode to Norfolk. The snow went off very fast. Many old snowdrifts remain here.* My parents quite well. My brother James arrived here this evening. The season is remarkably late. 15. Warm. My brother Frank has concluded to stay at Westfield till next fall.^ My parents are increasing their dairy. My parents' portraits are taken very well. 16. The ground settles quite fast. Afternoon preached for my father from Jer. xxiii : 33. Dined at Mr. Battell's. Sally and her children are very well. 17. Something rainy. The grass begins to start. There is a bad epidemic in the neighboring towns west. Several persons in the vigor of life have died. Settled with Mr. Battell — Frank had paid him for me for a coat, $8.00. Paid him in father's sermons, for the printing of which I had paid $26.00. The sum from Frank is now received. Received of James for sermons, .50. Mr. Battell owes me on book, $8.87. The late Freeman's Meeting was gen- erally very harmonious. Democracy scarcely appeared. Received of brother James, $20.00. 18. Traded considerably. Rode to East Windsor. Little Joseph Battell came down with me. He came to Hartford in the stage. ^ Very warm and ' This was the eighth article in the series, '' On those hills of Western Connecticut to be published in the number for May, 18 12. the snows of the winter lingered much longer ^ He had a garden of his own, of which than in the valley ; and many storms that he took care for the love of it. were rain along the Connecticut River were ^ On political matters his judgments were snow at Norfolk. severe. ' His study of theology was long deferred. * The Freeman's Meeting that year was He was already nearly four years out of col- held at the meeting-house of the South lege, but he seems to have enjoyed his work Parish. as a teacher. 5 This was a very small vote for a town of * Mr. Robbins doubtless made a horse- more than 3,000 inhabitants. But the vote back journey. Little Joseph probably found shows that there was really no party contest. some one in the stage to look after him. He The Democratic candidate for Governor was was just six years old, having been born Elijah Boardman, native of New Milford. April 17, 1S06. CI2 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. faint. At night something rainy. My brother James went off for Lenox this morning. Am ver}- much fatigued. 19. Rode to East Hartford, on an exchange with Mr. Yates. Preached from Mark i : 40, and John i : 10. Quite warm. At evening returned. Much troubled with nervous affections, and unwell. 20. Rode to Hartford with little Joseph. The water \ery high. It runs nearly a foot deep over the East Hartford causeway. Read Buchanan's Researches.^ On the i8th received a letter from my brother James. The meadows are perfectly inundated. 21. Wrote a sermon on Ps. xxvii : 4. Cold. Vegetation advances very little. Dr. Tudor deposited with me his will." 22. Little Joseph began to study his Accidmce.^ Rode to Scantic and preached a singing lecture for brother Bartlett. Preached the sermon on Ps. xxvii : 4. They sing very well. Ursula * went with me. 23. Instructed in arithmetic. Began a sermon on Ezek. xxxiii : 4. Walked out and visited several families. 24. Wrote. I can write but little when I am attending to arithmetic instruction. Wrote to my brother Frank, \^'alked out and visited. 25. Wrote. Afternoon Dr. Marsh ^ called on me for an exchange. Rode to Weathersfield. The water has fallen some. Had a little asparagus. 26. Quite cold. Preached from Luke ii : 7, and Luke xix : 10. This meeting-house is quite hard for speaking.^ The congregation is very large. Eat fresh shad. Towards night rode to Hartford, and in the evening preached for Dr. Strong to a numerous collection of people in the theatre.^ Preached without notes from Num. x : 29. There appears to be some atten- tion to divine things here more than common. 27. Rode to Orford, visited Mr. Sargeant. He is about leaving this place. ^ Rode home. Saw blossoms on the daffos. Quite cool. \\'rote to my father. I have bought a number of books which were the late Mr. Olcott's, of Orford.' Wrote. Walked out and visited. 28. Visited sick persons. Crossed the water in the meadows in a boat. Found it pretty hard. Read Universal History. Tarried out. 29. Remarkably cool for the season. Mr. Haskell is building a very good * Christian Researches in Asia, by Dr. * Mr. Robbins enjoyed having Mr. Wol- Claudius Buchanan, was published only a cott's daughters for traveling companions, short time before Dr. Robbins was reading ^ Rev. John Marsh, D. D. the book. It was not until 1808 that Dr. * That is, the meeting-house at Wethers- Buchanan returned from the East to give field. himself to the preparation and publication of ^ It has often happened of late, in our his books. He died in 181 5. large cities, that the gospel has been carried ^ Dr. Elihu Tudor was at this time eighty into theaters. We were not aware that it years old, and sixty-two years from his gradu- was practiced so far back in our New Eng- ation at Yale College. land history. ^ The children of this generation might ^ He has been supplying there for some not understand what this word means. It time. was the name of a little book containing the 9 He had bought at different times before, simplest rudiments of grammar. but has been making additional purchases. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 513 house. Visited. Received a letter from brother Frank. Read Universal History. Worked considerably. 30. Wrote a piece on the Sacred History of Lamech, of the family of Cain, for ministers' meeting. A man in this town in prime of life was drowned last night. He was found this morning in Podunk River. Visited the afflicted family. Planted peas and potatoes. The house' of Mr. Edwards, the first minister in this town, in which the great President Edwards was born, was taken down. It was in its day a very expensive house, decorated with many elegant ornaments. The roof was very steep, and it is said it has had but one covering of shingles. It must have stood about one hundred and twenty years. May. 1. ■ Attended the funeral of the poor man who was drowned yesterday.^ Vegetation is very backward. Read Universal History. The people are just beginning their gardens. April has been very cold ^ as well as March. 2. Wrote a sermon on Experimental Religion, from Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. I believe I have never devoted so many close thoughts to a sermon of equal length. Rode to Hartford. The water is yet quite high. Wrote pretty late. 3. Rainy all day. On that account we omitted the appointed con- tribution.* Preached with notes from Hab. ii : 2, and from Heb. xiii : 2. A black woman ^ died with a short illness. At evening visited at the house. 4. It snowed hard all day. The season is very remarkable and distress- ing. Many people are out of hay. Above us it is much more scarce than here. Attended the funeral of the black woman who died yesterday. The military company did not parade on account of the storm. Wrote a letter to Mr. Nathaniel Terry, of Hartford. Read. 5. Very windy and cold. The snow went off. Set out some grape-vines. Read Universal History. Visited. 6. Our ministers' meeting met here. Read the piece which I wrote last ' This house was built probably in 1694 by Richard Edwards, of Hartford, for his son Timothy, at the time when he began his labors as the first minister of East Windsor. The house stood on the east side of the broad street leading from East Windsor Hill to Hartford, about three fourths of a mile below the Hill. The church where Mr. Edwards preached, and the burying-ground where his dust reposes, were on the west side of the street, diagonally opposite from the house. Here his illustrious son Jonathan first opened his eyes to look upon the wondrous works of that God whom he so adoringly studied and commended to men. If this house was taken down in 1812, it had stood probably one hundred and eighteen years, possibly only one hundred and seven- teen. ^ Mr. Cornelius Wolcott, aged forty-six. ^ The same story still continues, but now people say, " Our springs are very different from what they used to be." The true thing to say is, " Our seasons differ very much one from another, but in the long run, they are very much as they used to be." * The one appointed annually on the first Sabbath of May for the Connecticut Mission- ary Society. 5 Her name was simply Polydore, aged fifty-three, which suggests that the age of slavery in New England was not far back. 514 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. week on the History of Lamech. At evening rode out and visited. Mr. Yates preached.' 7. Received a letter from my father. Rode to Hartford. Agreed for the printing of another edition of my father's Half Century Sermon^ Snow is to be seen on the mountains. Began the ninth number of my Historical Vieio of the Puritans for the Magazine. Walked home from Hartford. 8. Wrote all day on my piece for the Magazine. It is said to be very distressing at the northward for want of hay. At evening walked out and visited. 9. Wrote on my Magazine biography. Read Universal History, one hundred pages in four hours. Read Clarke's Commentary. 10. Read the Bible. Preached from Rev. xxii : 17, and Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. The forenoon sermon referred to the missionary business. We had our contribution for the Missionary Society. We collected $36.14.^ It was beyond ray expectation, and I think very liberal. There was one bill of five dollars and a half eagle. At evening attended a conference. Visited a woman very low with a decline. Baptized a child. 1 1 . Visited Mrs. Loomis,* a neighbor. A little before one o'clock, while I was present, she expired. She has been in a decline for half a year. Saw blossoms on some of the trees. The first I have seen. I suspect they have never been later. Wrote. 12. Wrote transcribing my piece for the Magazine. The issue of the Massachusetts and New York elections seem to have confounded the general government.^ Walked out. 13. Wrote. The weather is more like spring. Attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Loomis.^ The family are half in New Connecticut, and present an interesting spectacle. 14. I think it probable that we have never seen vegetation so backward at the election, though as late as it can be.^ Rode to Hartford. In the morning attended the meeting of the Bible Society. Mr. Welch* delivered a very good sennon. The election was unusually pleasant and brilliant. The Governor, on account of ill-health, was not present. Attended the meeting of the Ministers' Annuity Society. Mr. Battell and Sally and brother Nat rode home with me. Father did not feel sufficient resolution to come. 15. Rode out with my brothers. After dinner they went off. Finished copying my Magazine piece. ' In connection with these ministers' meet- * Mrs. Esther Loomis was probably the ings, there seems always to be a public preach- wife of that Capt. Loomis to whom Mr. ing service in the church. Robbins wrote a little while before concern- ^ The sermon was more in demand than ing the death of his daughter, Mrs. Gaylord, was supposed when it was first published. of Torringford. ' For such times as people were then living '' He means that election that year was as in, this should be called a good contribution. late as it could be. Election days ranged * Mrs. Esther Lctomis, aged fifty-six. from May 8th to 14th. ' That is, there was more of a Federalist ° Rev, Moses C. Welch, D. D., of North vote than had been expected. Mansfield. Pastor there 17S4-1824. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 515 16. A very cold rain. Rode to Hartford. Carried down my ninth number for the Magazine. Delivered our missionary contribution. Paid my annual contribution to the Annuity Society, $5.00. Received from the printer two hundred of a second edition of my father's Half Century Sermofi for $15.00. Read Universal History. I'j. Wrote notes for preaching. Just before meeting time Mr. David Austin ' came here. He preached in the forenoon, and very well. Between meetings he rode to Scantick. Preached in the afternoon with notes on Rom. viii : 29. At evening had a full conference. Read Bellamy's Works, which I have just procured.^ 18. Visited sick people. We have two or three instances of severe fevers. Afternoon worked at my library. Quite rainy and very cold. 19. Rode to Westfield and carried Mr. Wolcott's son ' to attend that academy. My brother Frank appears to be useful in his employment. The academy is very flourishing. There is a precious revival of religion here. Forty-eight have been added to the church. Preached in the evening in the academy, without any notes, from Num. x : 29. Tarried with Mr. Knapp, who is considerably unwell. This morning paid for Bellamy's Works and Meickle's Traveller* $7.75. 20. Left Westfield and rode home. Tudor was homesick, but I trust he will do well. Dined at Esq. Leavitt's,^ Suffield. The militia are making their detachments according to the orders of the government.* 21. Wrote. Read Universal History. It is almost constantly cloudy, wet, and cold. 22. Visited eighteen families. Quite tired. Saw a few apple-tree blos- soms, the first which I have seen. I suspect we have never known them later. I think my visits are very beneficial, 23. Read Universal History. Read ninety pages in less than three hours. Wrote on a sermon on Ezek. xxxiii : 4, which I began some time ago. 24. Finished the writing, and preached my sermon on Ezek. xxxiii : 4. Meeting quite full. At evening attended a conference. 25. Rode to Hartford. Received a new hat from Danbury, for which I paid $10.00. It is all beaver. The Assembly have but little business. The Governor does not attend. Got the first half volume of the Edinburgh Encyclopczdia^ for which I am a subscriber. Paid for it, $4.00. The apple- ' Rev. David Austin was graduated at tions. Mr. Meikle was born in Carnwath, Yale in 1779, and was licensed to preach in Scotland, in 1730, and died in 1799. 1780. He published the American Preacher ^ It has been some time now since he has in four volumes. From 181 5 to his death in made a visit at Mr. Thaddeus Leavitt's. 1831, he was settled at Bozrah, Ct. ^ This indicates a state of preparation for ^ The Works of Joseph Bellamy, in three war, which is soon coming, volumes, were published in 181 1. '"Another work of considerable merit 3 Samuel Tudor Wolcott, aged thirteen. which began to appear in 1810, was Erew- * There is an edition of the works of Mr. ster's Edinburgh Encyclofadia, edited by the James Meikle in four volumes, in which his late Sir David Brewster, in eighteen volumes, Traveller mske?, nearly one volume. It con- and completed in 1830." — Chambers's Ency- sists of one hundred and twenty-two Medita- clopcedia. 5i6 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. tree blossoms are generally coming out. Had peas. Am collecting an account of the state of the churches for Association. Visited sick people. 26. Set out on a circuit to collect an account of the state of the churches in the Association. Rode to Farmington and Slmsbury. Very warm. Vege- tation advances very rapidly. The apple-trees are generally putting out. 27. Rode to Barkhamsted, Hartland, and Granby. Much oppressed with the heat. People have suffered much this spring for want of hay. The apple-tree blossoms begin to appear in the later places. The account of the state of religion is pretty gloomy. 28. Rode to West Suffield, to Wintonbury, and home. Got something wet with rain. The lilacs begin to be out. The season is about a fortnight later than usual. There is a very full blowth of fruit trees. 29. Wrote a report for the Association of the collections which I have made this week. Visited a man very sick. 30. Wrote a sermon on Isa. xlvii : 4. Visited the sick. Quite warm. Thermometer was at 82°. This has been a remarkably favorable week for vegetation. 31. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Matt, v : 20. After- noon on Isa. xlvii : 4. Much oppressed with the heat. Thermometer about as yesterday. At evening walked out. Took off my flannel. June. 1. Rode to Hartford and carried Sula to Mrs. Roys's school. The Gov- ernor is so feeble as not to attend the Assembly, though he is in town. The thermometer was at 88°. The season appears remarkably line. 2. Last evening Dr. Perkins' came here and tarried. Rode to Enfield and attended the meeting of our Association. Presented a full report of the state of the churches.^ Mr. McLean * preached. The heat very severe. The thermometer rose to 94°. At night a hard thunder-shower. 3. After the Association rode to Westfield for the purpose of seeing Tudor. ■• He has been very homesick, but is doing tolerably well. I think Frank is useful here. Left Westfield at dusk, and rode to the lower part of Suffield. Tarried at a tavern. Much cooler. 4. Rode home. The wind was so high I could not cross our ferry, and was obliged to go round by Hartford.^ Very tired. Read. Visited sick persons. 5. Walked and visited families. Received yesterday a letter of thanks from Mr. Horace Loomis ^ for my attention to their family in their late afflic- tions. Rode to Hartford and brought up Sula.' ' Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford, ^ Another long journey in place of a very on his way to the Association. short one. The Connecticut River, in some ^ The result of his tour for gathering of its moods, was a fact not to be trifled information. with. ^ Rev. Allen McLean, of Simsbury. * Capt. Giles Loomis, in New Connec- * Tudor Wolcott, whom he left there in ticut. his brother's school. ' Ursula Wolcott. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 517 6. Read E. S. Ely's ' Poems. They are pretty indifferent. Afternoon began a sermon on Gen. iii : 9. Am pretty poorly able to study. 7. In the morning finished the sermon begun yesterday. Preached from John vi : 35, and Gen. lii : 9. At evening attended a conference. Quite warm. 8. Rode and carried Sula to Hartford. Much oppressed with the heat. The thermometer about 87°. Attended the funeral of a black child."^ A small shower. The ground is very dry. Planted peas and watermelons. 9. Rode out with old Mrs. Tudor.^ She is pretty feeble. Worked in the garden. Afternoon walked out and visited. Very warm. Thermometer at 90°. Tarried out. 10. Visited. Traded considerably. Gave Mr. Haskell an order on the society's treasurer of $11.04. Began to write another number for the Afaga- zine. At evening walked out. 11. Wrote the most of the day. Worked in the garden. Rainy and wet. Walked out. 12. I write pretty poorly. I fear my latter numbers of the Historical Vieto will not be as good as the former. Rainy and cold. Rode to Hartford and brought up Sula. 13. Finished my tenth number for the Magazine.* Afternoon rode to Berlin, New Britain, to exchange with Mr. Skinner.' Wrote to my brother Nathaniel. 14. Preached from John i: x, and Ps. Ixxx : 2. This is a very good congregation. There has been a considerable revival of religion here for a year or two past. Visited Dr. Smalley.' 15. Rode home. Quite warm. Read. Wrote some satirical remarks on some recommendations of E. S. Ely's Contrast^ designed to reflect on the religious sentiments of our churches. I trust I am not influenced by any improper motives. 16. Rode to Hartford. Have taken considerable pains to find a good ' Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D., who was '' To appear in the Magazine for July, graduated at Yale in 1804, was one of twelve 1812. children of Rev. Zebulon Ely, of Lebanon, ^ Rev. Newton Skinner, as before hinted, all of whom grew to mature years. Rev. E. finds East Windsor, South Parish, a very S. Ely was first settled, in 1806, at Westches- pleasant and natural place for an exchange, ter parish in Colchester, Ct. Some years though some fifteen or sixteen miles away later, he was called to a Presbyterian church from his home. in Philadelphia, and in a pastorate of twenty * As before stated, this is the parish of years, gained considerable distinction as a Dr. John Smalley, one of the most celebrated preacher and for his literary ability. It of the Connecticut divines of that day, then seems that he ventured in early life to pub- seventy-eight years old, and in the fifty-second lish a volume of poems. Dr. Robbins's year of his ministry at Berlin (now New criticism of them was probably just, for Britain). they soon disappeared from public notice. ^ Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, just before men- ^ Susan Williams. tioned, published in 181 1 ^ Contrast between ^ The mother of Mrs. Abiel Wolcott, who Calvinism and Hopkinsianism. This was a was Ursula Tudor, daughter of Samuel and production that Dr. Robbins was inclined to Naomi (Diggins) Tudor. ridicule. 5l8 DIARV OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. picture for a piece of embroidery for Sula. The death of my good friend, Rev. Mr. Turner,' of New Marlborough, is to me very surprising and affect- ing. Paid for crossing at the Hartford Bridge from January i to June 4, $1.37. Yesterday got me a new silk hat. Read Encyclnpxdia. A very fine season. 17. Worked in the garden. Walked and visited the most of the day. Heard of the assassination of the Prime Minister of England.^ 18. Worked considerably. Mrs. Wolcott quite unwell. Made a tax on Mr. Wolcott's bill. Visited. Warm. 19. Little Joseph gets along pretty well with his Accidence. The people are building a fine stone bridge over Stoughton's Brook. ^ Began a sermon on I Cor. ii : 16. Afternoon walked and visited. 20. Wrote, Finished my sermon begun yesterday. We have information that Congress have passed a bill to make war with England.* I fear our country is given up of God to sore evils. Am exceedingly hard and stupid. Paid my subscription for our town clock, $1.00. 21. Wrote notes and preached on Ezek. iii : 26, and from i Cor. ii : 16. Cooler, The thermometer yesterday was at 88°. At evening attended a conference. Very tired. I think this people have quite sufficient confidence in my science and divinity. 22. Last night much troubled with nervous affections. Rode to Hartford. We have an official account that our Government have proclaimed war against Great Britain. I believe they know not why they have done it. Procured some liquor.^ Read Encyclopcedia. 23. Rode out with Mrs. Wolcott. She is quite feeble. Worked in the garden. Read. Visited a school. Rode and visited. 24. Read Encyciopcedia!' The minds of people are much agitated with the prospects of war. Walked and visited. People are beginning to mow. Received a letter from my father. 25. Quite rainy. Read Encyclopcedia. I am much pleased with the work. Walked and visited. At evening performed a marriage.^ My cousin, Dr. Peter G. Robbins,* from Lynn, came here with his mother-in-law, and tarried. " Rev. Nathaniel Turner, native of Nor- "* This declaration of war dates from June folk, often mentioned before. 18, 1812. Of course, it was a sad thing to - Spencer Percival, who was made Prime plunge the nation into war, and New Eng- Minister of England, October 30, 1809, was land opposed it. But it is difficult now to assassinated, May 11, 1S12, in the lobby of the see how we could have kept our self-respect House of Commons, by Bellingham. It was as a people, if we had not done it. first supposed that this man Bellingham rep- ^ This brief sentence does not seem to resented others, but it was found that he have any connection with the preceding one, acted purely out of personal enmity to the but the collocation is a trifle odd. Prime Minister, who had a great facility in * This is the Edinburgh Encydoptedia, making enemies. which he is receiving now as it is published. ^ Stoughton's Brook was a small stream ^ Mr. Ezekial Wadsworth, of Avon, N. Y., coming from the east, crossing the main and Elizabeth Newbury, street, and pursuing its course to the Con- ^ Dr. Peter Oilman Robbins was the necticut River. seventh child and fifth son of Dr. Chandler l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 519 26. My cousin went off for Norfolk. Read. Visited. Rode to Hartford and brought up Ursula. Tudor returned from Westfield. 27. Something rainy. I ride almost every day with Mrs. Wolcott. I think she is gradually gaining. Wrote notes for preaching. 28. Wrote notes and preached on John v : 39. Afternoon a hard shower during the exercise. Mr. Battell came here, attended meeting with us, and returned to Hartford. At evening attended a conference. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $50.00. Had green peas. 29. Rose before two o'clock in the morning and rode to Hartford, to send to New Haven by Mr. Battell. Received a letter from my brother Nat with cash, $25.00. . Received of Mr. Haskell money lent, $50.00. Sent to New Haven my third instalment for the Eagle Bank, $125, Returned and rode to Bolton and attended the funeral of Mr. Colton.* A number of ministers were present. Dr. Williams, of Tolland, preached. Returned. Very tired. 30. Worked in the garden. Visited a school. Rode with Mr. Wolcott to Warehouse Point to visit Gen. Jenks.'^ He is very low, and we did not see him. Visited Mr. Huse.^ His wife is apparently in a consumption. Received a letter from my brother James. Yesterday wrote to my father. At evening my cousin P. G. Robbins, and his mother,^ came here and tarried on their return. Very cool. July. 1. In the morning my cousin went off for home. Have a bad crick in my back. Read. Walked out and visited. 2. Worked in the garden. Visited twelve families. It is a time of great stupidity with us with regard to divine things. Paid for the Mirror news- paper' a year, $1.75. Quite poor hay weather. 3. Read. Wrote notes and preached a sacramental lecture on i Cor. xi : 25. Visited. Several children are sick. 4. Wrote a sermon in a little more than seven successive hours on Deut. xxxii : 39. Very warm. The thermometer was at 86°. Visited. 5. Wrote notes and preached on Matt, xxv : 29, and from Deut. xxxii : 39. Administered the sacrament. The church appeared solemn. Afternoon I was so weary and afflicted with the heat that I could scarcely go through the exercise. Attended a conference. Our Governor^ has appointed a Fast on account of the perilous condition of the nation. Thermometer near 90°. Robbins, of Plymouth, Mass. He was born used to be related in Bolton and vicinity. December 10, 17S1. He was a physician. His ministry was, in its way, strong and able. He seems at this time to have had his home - Gen. Charles Jenks, before noticed, in Lynn, Mass., but he was afterwards living ^ Rev. Nathaniel Huse, Episcopal min- in Roxbury, Mass. ister. ' Rev. George Colton, who had been pas- ■* His wife's mother, tor at Bolton from 1763 to his death (1812), ^ T\\z Connecticut Mirror, was started forty-nine years, was a notable man physi- in 1809, was at this time edited by Theo- cally and mentally. He was of uncommon dore Dwight, and was, during the War of hight, of strong, quaint, original mind, and 181 2, the leading Federal paper in the State, amusing stories of his sayings and doings * Roger Griswold. 520 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. I8I2. 6. Rode to Hartford. Got two large volumes of newspapers which I have had liound. Got the second part of the first volume of the Encydopcedia for which I paid $4.00. The appearance is that our war grows constantly more unpopular.' Thermometer 92°. 7. Wrote a review of Hall's^ Sermon on Eastern Missions for ministers' meeting. People generally in their haying. Thermometer rose to 95!". Much oppressed with the heat. 8. In the morning received a letter from Mr. Battell. He sent for little Joseph,^ and he went off. I think he has done well since he has been here. Rode to Mr. Bartlett's to attend our ministers' meeting. No other members attended. Read my review written yesterday. Preached from Deut. xxxii : 39, Returned, Rainy. 9. Had some tobacco set." Rode out and visited. Performed a mar- riage.^ Quite wet. There is a great deal of hay out in the wet. 10. Walked and visited all day. It is feared the wet weather will be injurious to the grain. The people are singularly stupid about divine things. 11. Worked in the garden. A child in the neighborhood is ver}- sick. Wrote to Miss Charlotte Verstille, Andover.* Afternoon rode to Rocky Hill to exchange with Mr. Chapin.' 12. Mr. Chapin went to East Windsor. Preached from Ps. li : 18, and Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. They have here a very fine new meeting-house. The weather came off clear after having been cloudy and wet for four days. Some people worked at hay. Quite tired. 13. Returned. Read. Our last General Association at Sharon' was pretty light. I fear they have injured the character of the body. Visited. 14. Wrote. Looked over books for another number of my Historical View. Walked out and visited. 15. Rode with Tudor to Westfield. Hindered by the rain. Saw my brother Frank. His school is quite large and flourishing. Left Tudor, ' That doubtless would be the impression from the New England point of view. ^ Rev. Gordon Hall sailed from Phila- delphia, Feb. 18, 181 2, as a missionary of the American Board to India. Just before leav- ing the country he preached a sermon on the duty of American Christians to this mission- ary work. The sermon was soon after pub- lished, and this was the sermon on which Dr. Robbins wrote his review. ^ Little Joseph, now six years old, has certainly had a large experience for a child of his years. We doubt not, however, in such a family as Mr. Wolcott's, and such a teacher as his Uncle Thomas, that he had excellent care and instruction. ♦ He little thought when he had those few tobacco plants set in his garden, that fift}-, sixty, seventy years later the tobacco crop should be the chief crop raised in his parish, and far up and down the river. ^ James Pelton, of Scantic parish, and Sophia Gaylord, of the South Parish. * Andover, Ct. ^ Rev. Calvin Chapin, D. D. * Sharon was a little out of the way, on the hills of Western Connecticut; but that was no reason why this meeting of the Gen- eral Association should have been an infe- rior one. Officially, it was strong enough. Rev. Elijah Parsons, of East Haddam, was moderator ; Rev. Daniel Dow, D. D., of Thompson, and Rev. Andrew Yates, D. D., of East Hartford, were scribes ; and Rev. William L. Strong, of Somers, was the preacher. lSl2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 52 1 After sundown left Westfield and rode home. Got home about one o'clock in the morning. The rain here has been very hard. 16. Worked some. Began to write the biography of Gov. Winthrop. He was the first' of the planters of New England. At evening visited. 17. Wrote on my biography.^ Afternoon worked considerably raking hay. 18. Wrote all day and finished my eleventh number for the Magazme. Went into the water. 19. Preached an old sermon on Truth. It appeared better than I ex- pected. The text is Ex. xxxiv : 6. At evening attended a conference. 20. Rode to Hartford and carried down Sula. Worked the most of the afternoon raking hay. Got quite tired. 21. Wrote. Began a sermon for the Fast on Ps. cvi : 43, 44, 45. I write pretty slow. At evening walked out. 22. Wrote all day. My sermon costs me uncommon labor. At night quite rainy. We have a wet season. 23. This day is observed in this State as a Fast on account of our present state of war. Finished and preached my sermon on Ps. cvi : 43, 44, 45. I have seldom spent so much labor on a sermon. Visited sick people. Our meeting I think was fuller than has been common on Fast days. A few people worked at hay.^ 24. Walked and visited all day. Was out late in the evening. People beginning their harvest. 25. Worked in my garden. Wrote and worked at my papers. Towards evening rode to East Hartford for an exchange. 26. Mr. Yates is gone to Springfield. Mr. Bartlett preached for me. He and I had previously agreed on an exchange. Preached from Jer. xxiii : 7)2,^ and Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. At evening returned. 27. Rode to Hartford with Ursula. Carried dinner to harvesters and con- tinued with them till night.* The harvest generally very good. Laus Deo. 28. Worked in the garden. Quite warm. Worked the most of the day. At evening Rev. Mr. Johns ^ came here and tarried. We hear a great many rumors of news which turn out to be unfounded.* 29. Quite warm. Walked and visited. Visited a school. It appeared ' He does not, of course, mea.n first in the labor and vain recreation are by law pro- order of time, for the Pilgrims of Plymouth hibited." Some people, however, attended were here ten years before him, and Gov. to their hay on the Sabbath, a little while Endicott with his company was in the Massa- before, after a long wet time, and it was not chusetts Bay a year or two before. He therefore strange that they should have done meant first in dignity and character. the same on this Fast day. ^ Of Gov. John Winthrop, which was to * This readiness of the minister to make make his eleventh article in the series of the himself generally useful was a pleasant trait Early Planters, etc. of his character. ^ The State Fast days, at that time, in ' This was Rev. Evans Johns, the Welsh Connecticut, were supposed to have some- minister, who had been dismissed the year thing of the sanctity of the Sabbath. The before from his pastorate in Berlin, proclamation appointing one generally drew ^ It was a time of war, and such rumors to a close with the sentence, " All servile were natural. 522 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. but ordinarily. There appears to be a great inattention to eternal things among us. Tarried out. 30. Visited two schools. Our grammar school' appears better than it has at any time since I have lived in town. Wet and rainy all day. We have quite a wet season. People have some difficulty in getting in their grain. My visits appear to be very kindly received. 31. Walked and visited all day. Our rains this year generally are short. Visited all day. Visited fourteen families. People feel quite gloomy under the aspect of our public affairs. Our great danger appears to be a want of natural union. Democracy is making an effort in this State to engage the party on the side of the war. It rather appears that our government is not in earnest about any foreign war. We have no help but in the God of heaven. We have no! had any ver}^ hot weather. August. 1. Came home at noon, having been about visiting since Wednesday morning. It is laborious, but I hope useful. Afternoon quite wet. Troubled with nervous affections. Wrote. 2. Wrote notes and preached on Matt, x : 7, and an old sermon on Ps. xlvi : 10. At evening attended a conference. Meeting rather thin. 3. Rode to Hartford. Last night and night before was obliged to get up and take opium on account of my nervous affections. The summer is remark- ably moderate and uniform as to heat. The thermometer rises to about 80° the most of the day, and the nights are cool. Wrote to my brother James. 4. Worked in the garden. Read Universal History. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Jennings,^ aged eighty-seven, and the oldest person in the society. A \&xy fine year for gardens. Gov. HuU,^ with an arniy, has entered Upper Canada in a hostile manner. I did not expect they would go such lengths. 5. Read. Afternoon rode to Hartford. !Mr. Wolcott is summoned to attend the district court at New York as a witness. Worked in the garden. 6. Worked on my pecuniary accounts. My expenses for a year past have not been so great as in two preceding years.* On the 4th the thermom- eter was at 87°. 7. Mr. Wolcott and Frances went off for New York. Am much affected this week with debility so as to be mostly unable to study. Read Universal History. The Governor has issued a proclamation on the situation of our public concerns, which is very valuable.^ Rode to Hartford and brought up Ursula. I think she does well at her school. ' The same which he sometimes calls the of Governor came from the fact that he was academic school at East Windsor flill, still Territorial Governor of Michigan, under the care of Eleazar T. Fitch, after- * He ran beyond his income in those wards the Yale College preacher. years, and saw the necessity of contracting. ^ Widow Hannah Jennings. ^ Gov. Roger Griswold was a Federalist, ^ Gen. William Hull was born in Derby, and sympathized with the Federalists of New Ct., 1753, and died in Newton, Mass., 1825. England. His proclamation was doubtless He was graduated at Yale, 1772. His title of a conser\-ative tj'pe. [8 1 2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 523 8. Very warm and faint weather. Wrote a sermon on Isa. viii : 20. Wrote pretty poorly. 9. Much oppressed with the heat. Wrote notes and preached on Gal. iii : 13, and from Isa. viii : 20. After meeting rode to Wapping and preached from John vii : 17. Very tired. I believe that the thermometer was near 90°. 10. Mrs. Wolcott is quite unwell with a severe cough. I feel quite anxious about her. Rode to Hartford with Ursula, and brought her home. Mrs. Roys' is quite unwell. Visited an old woman apparently near her end. Our Governor has issued a proclamation enjoining the observance of the Presi- dent's Fast.^ 11. Spent the day as an anniversary.^ I have obtained, by divine mercy, the meridian of human life. Read the Bible. Finished the Old Testament. Wrote considerably. Very rainy all day. At night a very hard rain. 12. Very wet. 'R.e.^Sid Universal History. Rode out and visited. Received a letter from Miss Charlotte Verstille.'* Wrote to Maj. Holkins,' Warehouse Point. 13. Heard of the death of Capt. Loomis,^ in New Connecticut, who went from here last winter. The family have been remarkably broken since that time. Wrote the biography of Gov. Haynes.' Quite cool. 14. Wrote all day. Finished my number for the Magazine. Have written this in two days. Worked in the garden. 15. Wrote notes for preaching. Visited. An aged woman died this after- noon.* At evening Mr. Wolcott and Frances returned from their journey,' which has been prosperous. Our western army makes out poorly. 16. Finished my notes and preached on James iv: 7. Read proclamations for the Fast. The Governor has issued one in aid of the President's. At evening attended the conference. Received a letter from my brother James. 17. A very hard rain. Attended the funeral of old Mrs. Elmer. Wrote to my brother James, Visited. Read Johnson's Tour to the Hebrides.^" 18. Visited all day. I have now visited all the families in the society since the first of May ; all but ten or twelve I had visited before the end of July. Two that had moved into the town, within a few months, I found with- ' The lady keeping the school where Ur- or what was the nature of the correspond- sula Wolcott attended. ence. ^ The Fast a short time ago was a special ' Holkins is another way of spelling State Fast, in view of the prospect of war, Hawkins. but this was a National Fast, though supple- ^ Capt. Giles Loomis, whose wife and a mented by State authority. We see the same married daughter, Mrs. Gaylord, had died thing in substance now. The President ap- since he left East Windsor the preceding points the National Thanksgiving, and the winter. Governors appoint State Thanksgivings on ^ Gov. John Haynes, first Governor of the the same day. Connecticut colony. ^ It was his thirty-fifth birthday, half of ^ Widow Sarah Elmer, eighty-seven, three-score years and ten. ' To New York. * Before mentioned, as of Andover, Ct. '° This delightful work of Dr. Samuel We have not as yet discovered who she was, Johnson was first issued in 1773. 524 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. out a Bible. I shall immediately supply them. The number of families May I St was one hundred and sixty-nine. Of these thirty-five are certificated. Walked all day without eating. 19. Began a sermon on Isa. xxxii : 2 for Fast. Afternoon rode to Hart- ford. Ursula is quite sick at Mrs. Roys's. She is not able to come home. Wrote late. 20. This day is the national Fast recommended by Mr. Madison. By our people it was well observed. Finished and preached the sermon begun yesterday. Preached in the forenoon an old Fast sermon on Esther iv : 16. Mr. Wolcott went to Hartford and brought home Ursula. She appears to be some better. The weather is remarkably damp, cloudy, and faint. I am pretty feeble. 21. Last night much troubled with nervous affections. Had to be up and take laudanum. Wrote. Read Universal History. Though cloudy, ther- mometer was at 90°. 22. Received a letter from my brother Frank, and wrote one to him. Last week and this has been uniformly cloudy and rainy. Read Universal His- tory. Rode to Hartford to exchange with Mr. Flint. Our government have now established a cessation of arms. They have no plan nor object.' 23. Ver}' clear after the rain. Mr. Flint ^ went to East Windsor. Preached from Deut. xxxii : 29, and Ps. li : 18. At evening returned and attended a conference. I think Mr. Flint's congregation, generally, is not larger than mine. 24. Rode to Wapping, visited two schools, and preached a lecture from Matt, ix : 9. Yesterday received six Bibles from the Bible Society for gratu- itous distribution. Last night unable to sleep with nervous affections. Received a letter from my cousin S. P. Robbins, of Marietta. 25. Read an account of the a\\^ul sanguinary transactions of the late mob at Baltimore. I have not expected to witness such things in our countr}'. Read Universal History. 26. Wrote a paper for Ursula. Set out with Mrs. Wolcott and Eveline^ for Norfolk. Rode to Northington,"* and tarried with Mr. Hawley.* Mrs. Wolcott is quite feeble. Thermometer yesterday was at 90°. Today it is not quite so warm. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $4.00. 27. Rode to Norfolk. Mrs. Wolcott bore the journey pretty well. My parents are very well. It is quite cool. I think I never saw corn so poor. There is a great deal of grass unmowed. 28. My parents have a good garden. They are making good improve- ' Three days before this date, Commodore ^ Rev. Abel Flint, D. D. Isaac Hull, in command of the ship Consfitu- ^ Eveline Wolcott was the youngest daugh- tion, had gained a decided naval victory, ter of Mr. Abiel Wolcott, being then eight capturing the British ship of war Guerriere, years old. Later in life she was Mrs. Edgar which was so damaged in the fight that she Bissell, still living, was burned. This was on the open sea, and * Now Avon. the news of the affair had not yet reached ^ Rgy. Rufus Hawley, the pastor at Avon, the land. 1769-1826. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 525 ments about the house. My father performs his ministerial labors without difficulty. 29. Wrote. We feel quite anxious about brother Frank's inclination to continue in school keeping.' Dined at Mr. Battell's. Quite warm. This week has been very favorable weather. 30. Preached for my father on Ps. li : i8, and Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. I suspect this congregation, ordinarily, is not much larger than mine. Mrs. Wolcott attended meeting. I think she is better for her journey. At evening con- versed considerably with brother Nat. I fear that he will marry injudiciously.^ There is said to be considerable seriousness in Cornwall and Kent and some places adjacent, but in this and the neighboring places it is, as with us, a time of great stupidity with regard to divine things. 31. Rode with my brother Samuel, and in company with brother and sister Battell, to Lenox. At evening attended the marriage of my brother James with Maria Eggleston.^ I am much pleased with my brother's connection, and with his bride. In the morning we received the important intelligence that Gen. Hull and his army are made prisoners. I conclude it is true. If so our nation has never experienced so great a disgrace." My brother had a ver}^ agreeable wedding. A summer so wet, and with so little hot weather, is scarcely remembered.' September. 1. My brother has done very well here in trade. Esq. Eggleston treated us with much attention and kindness. James and Maria went off to Williams- town to Commencement. Received of Pettibone & Robbins^ $9-54, the balance of my note against them. Returned to Norfolk. Last night there was a disgraceful and dangerous conflict at Sheffield, between two hundred United States troops on their march to Albany and some people of the town. The officers were very faulty.' My father did not feel able to go up to my brother's wedding. The most of people are haying. 2. Paid Mr, Battell $2.00. Set out for home with Mrs. Wolcott and Eveline. Dined at brother Ammi's. Rode to Farmington, tarried at Mr. ' Frank has now been out of college for as also in Gen. Hull's own writings, consid- four years, and he ought, as his family think, erations are presented, by which the public to be studying theology. mind is disposed to a much more charitable ^ Nathaniel had always been a source of view of his conduct than at the first, anxiety to his family with reference to the ' As cold, as the summer before was hot. marriage connections which he was disposed ^ This is the business firm with which his to form. brother James was connected in Lenox. 3 James Watson had now settled down in ' It is a curious coincidence that there life, and was to become one of the substantial, was, this very year (1812) in Sheffield, Eng., leading men of Lenox. a riot in which eight hundred muskets were * On the 15th of August, 181 2, Gen. Hull destroyed. This riot in Sheifield, Mass., was surrendered Detroit to the British General one of those outbreaks, probably, that had Brock. In 1814, for this act, he was by little political significance, though the ele- court-martial condemned for cowardice. In ment of party feeling may have been in it to his Life, by James Freeman Clarke, D. D., some extent. -26 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. Gridley's. The public feeling is much excited by the surrender of Gen. Hull. The most of the people are evidently pleased.' 3. Quite warm. Rode home. We have had a very prosperous journey. Mr. McClure carried on meeting here last Sabbath.^ Deacon Reed' read two sermons. Received a letter from Mr. Perkins'* to convoke our Consocia- tion for the ordinary meeting. Received a letter from my brother James. Read newspapers. 4. Began a sermon on i Cor. i: 23, 24. Wrote poorly. My thoughts were very absent. Rode to Hartford and brought up Ursula. 5. Rainy and cold. Had a fire in my chamber. Wrote all day. We have had the official account of the surrender of Fort Detroit and North West- ern army to the British. It is a most disgraceful event. Never was a war undertaken with such poor preparation,^ 6. Finished and preached my sermon on i Cor. i : 23, 24. At evening attended a conference. We have a very remarkable account of a revival of religion in Bristol/ Rhode Island. 7. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $40.00. Rode to Hartford. Paid Cook $30.00. Our war is like to be a terrible disgrace and injury to our country. People generally conclude the present crop of corn will be as poor as ever known. Began and wrote considerably on a long letter to brother Frank, 8. Borrowed from Hartford Bank, $147.67, for which I yesterday gave them my note of $150.00. It must be paid in ninety days. Rode to New Haven. I went from Hartford to New Haven in seven hours. Attended the public exercises of the P. B. K. Society, which were a poem and an oration, very good. I think I have never heard so good a poem in that town. Quite tired. At evening attended the speaking for premiums. They spoke unusu- ally well. g. The weather is very fine. The public performances were but ordinar}^ There are not so many people at the Commencement as there have been gen- erally for a few years past. Very few strangers or characters of distinction. After the exercises rode to East Haven and returned. Paid Mr. Moulthrop $5.00. This, with $25.00 paid him by my father and brother last winter, which I have endorsed on their notes, makes $30.00 which I have paid for my parents' portraits.^ At evening Mr. Miller^ preached a very good sermon at the Concio ad Clerum. There are not so many ministers in town as usual. ' That is, they were glad to have the gov- pastor from 1785 to 181 5, colleague pastor eminent meet with calamities, and disposed from 181 5 to 1828, when he resigned, but to say, " I told you so." preached occasionally until his death in 1837, ^ He presided and took the general over- at the age of eighty-four. His ministry was sight. a very successful one. ' Dea. Abner Reed, before noticed as an ' It seems that the same artist, Mr. Reu- engraver. ben Moulthrop, who took Dr. Robbins's pic- •♦ Dr. Nathan Perkins. ture (now in Connecticut Historical Rooms), ' Wisdom must be gained by experience, had taken also those of his father and mother, and " All's well that ends well." now at Norfolk. * This revival occurred under the ministry * Rev. William F.Miller, dismissed iSii of Rev. Henry Wight, D. D., who was sole from Bloomfield (Wintonbury). l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 527 10. Paid to Eagle Bank my fourth instalment of $125.00, which will be- come due on the 27th instant. Paid Howe what I owed him, $8.75. Let him have a dozen of my father's sermons. Bought another half ream of fine letter paper like that which I purchased April 30th. The ream cost $10.00.* I con- clude it will last me for sermons and letters six or eight years. I have seldom found any of this size. Bought some valuable books. Attended the meeting of the P. B. K. Society. Attended a meeting at which Dr. Backus preached.^ Left New Haven at noon and rode home. The weather is very pleasant, but like all the preceding part of the year it is not warm. In the morning visited Mr. Mix's museum, which is a great curiosity. 11. Wrote. Read Universal History. Attended a little time at a training. 12. Finished my letter to brother Frank. Wrote to brother Samuel and Mr. Battell. Mr. Sheldon,^ now preaching at Orford, came here for an exchange. Rode to Orford. Quite warm. 13. Preached from i John iii : 3, and Jer. xxiii : -i,:},. Administered the sacrament. Baptized four children. Much oppressed with the heat. The prospects of this society I think are rather more encouraging than they have been. At evening rode home. Very tired. 14. Rode to Hartford with Ursula. Paid for the third half volume of the Encydopcedia, $4.00." Sent to my mother my old great coat. Sent to my father four pounds of white paint, for which, with pot, etc., I paid $1.55. Got acquainted with Mr. Delaplaine, of Philadelphia, publisher of the Encydo- pcedia. Visited. 15. Read Encydopcedia. The ground is very dry. Visited. 16. Read Mather's Magnalia. Afternoon rode to East Hartford, and attended a regimental training.' They performed remarkably well. The dust very oppressive. At evening rode to Hartford and heard a sermon from Dr. Worcester, of Salem. The Board of Foreign Missions are now in session there.^ My brother James and his lady came here and tarried. 17. My brother and sister went away after dinner. Had company. Wrote. Quite cool and dry. Walked out. * Paper, books, and clothing were higher ' The writer of these notes attended a then than now, but articles of food were regimental training in East Hartford, sixteen much cheaper. years later (182S), ending with a sham fight ^ This was Dr. Azel Backus, born in Nor- in the meadows. He made a journey on foot, wich, Ct., Oct. 13, 1765, graduated at Yale, back and forth, of about twenty-six miles to 1787, and settled at Bethlem, Ct., as sue- doit. But the occasion was great, and weari- cessor of Dr. Joseph Bellamy, 1791-1812. ness a trifle. In the latter year he was chosen President * This was the third annual meeting of of Hamilton College, N. Y., where he died the American Board of Commissioners for in 1816. He and his uncle, Dr. Charles Foreign Missions. The first meeting was at Backus, of Somers, both died in the midday Farmington, Ct., 1810, and the second at of life. Salem, Mass. This was the day of small 3 Rev. Luther Sheldon, graduated at Mid- things, but now the society is known and dlebury College, Vt., in 1808, a native of honored over the whole earth. The trans- Somers, Ct. forming power of this agency may be seen in *■ Eight dollars a volume. many lands, and in the islands of the sea. 528 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. 18. Began another number for the Magazine} Wrote all day. 19. Wrote a sermon on Lev. xxvi : 41. I hope to be enabled through grace to accept of the punishment of my iniquity.^ 20. This morning there was some frost. The first we have had. Wrote notes and preached from Mai. xxvii: 54, and from Luke xxvi : 41. Something rainy. At evening attended a conference. 21. Rode to Hartford. Received some new books brought from New Haven. We have an account of another great victory over the French gained by Lord Wellington in Spain. ^ Rode to Scantick and attended Freeman's Meeting. The highest Federal vote for nomination was two hundred and fifty-one. The Democratic nomination was not called. There were but twenty-.seven Democratic votes for a representative. Ver\- cool. It is thought however that the corn, which is very green, is not injured by the frost. Looked over Shuckford's Connections.'' The histor}^ is not brought so low as the title indicates. 22. My new books make a valuable addition to my library. Wrote all day on my twelfth number 'for the Magazine. I have gone further already with this than I expected when I undertook it. 23. Finished my Magazine number. Attended the training of a regiment of cavalry which met in this place. The last week and this have been a very fine season for military reviews. This morning there was a good deal of frost. 24. Read Universal History. At evening rode to Wapping and performed a marriage.^ Quite cold. 25. Read Universal History. The history of the Jews is ver}' valuable. Walked out and visited. Very dry and dusty. 26. Read. Wrote to my brother Nathaniel. I feel concerned about him in his present situation. Wrote notes for preaching. 27. Wrote notes and preached from Mark xi : 20. At evening attended the conference. The meeting was quite full. 28. Wrote to my brother Samuel* On the 15th wrote to my father. Rode to Hartford with Ursula. Visited a school which has done well this summer. Visited a woman in a consumption. Very low. ' The thirteenth number. He had filled the wicked." " But are we not wicked ? " out a year beginning in October, 181 1, and asked Dr. S. "Not very," was the quick and commenced another. He makes a mistake pleasant reply, in calling it the twelfth. ^ This must refer to the great battle of ° This remark of Dr. Robbins reminds us Salamanca, fought July 22, 18 12, in which of an incident related by Rev. Daniel Butler, Wellington totally routed the French army of genial memories. As secretary of the under Marshal Marmont, leaving six thou- Massachusetts Bible Society he was spending sand men dead, wounded, and missing, and a Sabbath with the venerable Dr. R. S. taking more than seven thousand prison- Storrs, of Braintree, Mass., then in his old ers. age. As the Sabbath evening drew on, one "* This was a work of Rev. S. Shuckford, of the Psalms was read by a member of the a learned divine. family, and remarks were made. In reply to ^ Chester Pitkin, of East Hartford, was something that had been said, the gentle and united in marriage with Nancy Ufford. half playful wife, bowed under the infirmities * His brother Samuel, as we urderstand of age, said, " That does not mean us, it means it, was still in Norfolk. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 529 29. Went to Windsor on foot and met with the Consociation. Mr. Gaylord,' of Hartland, preached very well. We did not have much business. The state of religion within our limits is gloomy. Tarried at Mrs. McLean's. 30. The Consociation finished their business before noon. Set out to walk to Hartford. Got a ride in a wagon. I think I never saw a worse dust. We have had some frost, I believe, every morning for about ten days. Purchased some books at Hartford at vendue, for which I paid $6.80. Purchased also at vendue a fine orange-tree for $1.10, and a good lemon-tree for $1.00. Rode home in a wagon. Walked out and visited. I believe the frosts have not killed the corn, though its color is changed. October. 1. Wrote. Began a sermon on Hos. viii : 14. Afternoon visited a school. They have done very well this summer, particularly in the catechism. Visited sick persons. Paid for a new singing-book, for which I was a subscriber, $1.25. 2. Wrote on a sermon. Preached a preparatory lecture, with notes, from Rom. xiii : 11. Visited. Very warm. The thermometer was at 78°. Yes- terday it was nearly the same. 3. Quite a rainy day. We have not had scarcely any before since about the 20th of August. Wrote in six hours and a half a sermon on Luke viii: 15. I never wrote one in so short a time. It is not as long as I generally write. 4. Wrote. On account of the rain preached with notes on i John iv : 11. Administered the sacrament. The meeting pretty thin. Afternoon Mr. A. Loomis'^ preached for me. At evening attended the conference. 5. Rode to Hartford with Ursula. Brought up my orange and lemon- trees. I hope to keep them from the frost. I think I bought them cheap. One was $1.10, the other $1.00, including the pots. The orange is three feet and three inches, and the lemon two feet and five inches above the earth in which they grow. Walked out and visited. 6. Last night there was a hard rain. Rode with Mr. Wolcott to West- field. The academy had a very good exhibition. I believe Frank to be a very good preceptor. Quite cold and windy. Saw Mr. Weeks,^ of Vermont. This academy has had this summer nearly an hundred students. My brother has agreed to continue half a year longer.* 7. Rode home by Springfield. It being a regimental day we could not go into the armory.^ Vegetation is generally stopped by the frost. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. ' Rev. Nathaniel Gaylord, of West Hart- graduate of Dartmouth College, 1795, pastor land. at Pittsford, Vt., 1807-1814. ^ Rev. Amasa Loomis, son of Dea. Amasa * He could not easily tear himself away Loomis, of Dr. Robbins's church. Rev. Mr. from a school which he had conducted so Loomis, who was graduated at Yale in 1807, prosperously. was not yet settled over any parish, but had ^ The United States armory was located been employed on missionary service in in Springfield in 1795, and ever since has Ohio. been busily employed, though much more so, 3 Rev. Holland Weeks, before noticed, of course, in time of war than of peace. C30 * DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. 8, Read Universal History. Very cold for the season. Have a steady fire in my chamber. 9. Read Universal History. Rode to Hartford and brought up Ursula. She has now finished her school there, having attended fourteen weeks.' 10. Last evening my brother Frank came here and tarried. This morning he went off to Norfolk. Wrote to my father. Finished the tenth volume of Modern Universal History. This morning we had a severe frost. Began another number for the Magazine. 11. Wrote notes and preached in the morning from Isa. Ixi : 2. Finished and preached a sermon on Hos. viii ; 14. Attended the conference. 12. Something rainy. Rode to Hartford. The corn comes in better than was feared. Visited. 13. Wrote a number for the Magazine. Severe cold. We have very favorable accounts of the encounters of the Russian with the French armies.^ 14. Rode to East Hartford and attended our ministers' meeting. Preached from Hos. viii : 14. All the members attended. Looked over old magazines. 15. Finished my fourteenth number for the Magazine. My orange and lemon-trees do very well. Visited. 16. Read. Rode to Wapping and to Orford. Brought home a number of valuable books which I have purchased from the late Rev. Mr. Olcott's library.^ At night my brother N. came here. Got wet with rain. 17. Last evening I caught a cold. Wrote on the subject of Foreign Mis- sions. Wrote notes for preaching. My brother continues here.* 18. Wrote notes and preached in the afternoon on 2 Peter iii : 9. In the forenoon preached from Luke viii : 15. Am much troubled with my cold. At evening attended the conference. 19. Rode with my brother to Talcott Mountain. He leaves his horse to be sold. Received from him, $10.00. Paid my merchant tailor, $5.00. For a silk hat, procured last June, $2.75. The late elections in the Middle States have been very favorable to Federalism. Quite cold. Saw at Hartford a large elephant. It is a great curiosity.^ Paid Mr. Haskell, $1.00. 20. Wrote laboriously from nine o'clock a. m. till after twelve at night, on the subject of Foreign Missions. I verily believe the present state of that business in this country^ to be injurious and dangerous, as turning off public attention from our own country.^ 21. Rode to Hartford. A number of people met for the purpose of form- ' It did not take so long to finish a young from which it never recovered. But this lady's education then as now. news could not have reached Mr. Robbins ^ By favorable accounts he must mean when he made this entry in his diary, that he had heard of the defeat of the French ^ He continues to buy books of Mrs. Ol- by the Russians. But from the middle of cott, and it was probably good fortune to her 7uly to the early part of September there had thus to sell them, been a series of battles in which the French *■ His brother Nathaniel. were victorious, the last one being the battle * Mr. Barnum was not about then, of Borodino, September 7th. On the 15th of * There have been many people that have Sept., 1812, the Russians burned Moscow, reasoned in the same way, but without just and this was a disaster to the French army cause. ■ [8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 531 ing an Auxiliary Foreign Mission Society. I presented an address which I have written in opposition to the measure. After much debate the meeting was adjourned to the fourth day of next February.' 2 2. Rode to Westfield with Tudor, left him with my brother Frank and returned.^ In the evening performed a marriage.^ 23. Wrote. Visited. Read Universal History. A hard rain. 24. Rode to Wapping and visited sick persons. Read. We have an account of an action of our army with the British near Niagara, in which our troops were badly beaten.'* The frowns of heaven appear to be upon this war. Read the Bible. 25. Read the Bible. Preached an old sermon on Mark xvi : 16. The meeting very full. At evening attended the conference. Warm and pleasant. 26. Last evening received a letter from my father. On Saturday wrote one to Rev. Mr. Hawley, Northington.^ Read Universal History. Heard of the melancholy news of the death of Gov. Griswold.^ He died yesterday, very suddenly, sitting in his chair. I think it to be a ver}^ great frown of heaven upon our State. Quite rainy. 27. Walked and visited all day. Found, unexpectedly, some persons quite serious. Laiis Deo. 28. Read. Finished the twelfth volume of Universal Modern History, \v\i\c^ makes half of the work. I am something back of my assigned task, a volume a month. We had a very hard rain. At evening performed a marriage.' 29. Read. Rode to Hartford. Visited. I fear the freemen of the State will be much divided in the choice of a Governor. I have fears about the maintenance of our Evangelical Magazine.^ 30. Rode to Wapping and visited families sick and others. The pros- pects of the people there are very discouraging. 31. Wrote a sermon on Ps. cxvi : 10. Wrote very poorly. The Assembly have paid a great respect to the memory of the Governor. Warm. Received for my brother's horse, which is sold, $150.00.' The country is much agitated respecting the approaching Presidential election. ' The position of the meeting would be called strange now. ^ Dr. Robbins seems to have the care of the education of all the children of th^ family. 3 The parties united were Guy Stoughton and Esther Diggins. Diggins was an old name in East Windsor, furnishing one gradu- ate of Yale College, John Diggins, 1740, who was fitted for college by Rev. Timothy Edwards. * This was a battle which was not, by any means, all on one side. It is known as the battle of Queenstown Heights, and though the Americans were finally repulsed, with heavy loss, the British lost, it is believed, as heavily, including their Gen. Brock, who was killed. 5 Avon. * Gov. Roger Griswold, then in office, died at his home in Norwich, Ct., Oct. 25, 181 2. He was the son of Gov. Matthew and Ursula (Wolcott) Griswold, and was one of the truly able men of the country. ' Between Curtiss Skinner and Ann New- bury. ^ The Evangelical Magazine continued till 1815. 9 His brother Nathaniel had a valuable horse to bring a price like that in those years. His principal care was for blooded sheep, but he also liked a good horse. 532 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. November. 1. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon, on Acts vii : 42. After- noon, on Ps. cxvi : 10. After meeting rode to Wapping, preached from i Cor. ii : 2, and baptized three children.' Quite cool. Very tired. At the close of the afternoon service spoke of the death of the Governor. I think our meet- ings have been fuller this fall than they were in the summer. 2. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Warm for the season. 3. Read in Universal History, two hundred and fifty pages. I do not commonly read twenty-five pages in an hour. Wrote to my father. 4. Walked and visited. Afternoon attended the funeral of Mrs. Ban- croft,^ after which, walked to Windsor and met with our ministers' meeting. They had got about through with their business when I reached there. Re- turned. 5. Read Universal History. Finished the thirteenth volume. I have read a volume this week and one last week. 6. Began a sermon on Matt, vi : 22. Wrote all day. Quite warm. At evening walked out. 7. Wrote steadily. Finished the sermon begun yesterday. The elec- tions indicate a great change of public opinion in the country.^ Received a letter from my father. 8. In the morning we had a severe frost. Preached on Matt, vi : 22. Full meeting. At evening attended the conference. The President's Mes- sage indicates a determination to prosecute the war. 9. Quite cold. Rode to Hartford. Got some new books, great hopes that Mr. Madison will not be reelected." Massachusetts is astonishing. ID. Walked and visited. In the evening read in Universal History, one There are The political change in hundred and fifty pages. Haven.^ Received a letter from Howe & Deforest, New ' Flavel and Edward Grant, sons of Mr. David Grant, and Horace Skinner, son of Oliver Skinner, Jr. ^ Mrs. Lydia Bancroft, sixty-seven. ^ James Madison, fourtli President of the United States, was a classmate at Princeton, in the class of 1771, of Rev. Samuel Spring, D. D., of Newburyport. In the month of September of this year, 18 12, Mr. Madison wrote a letter to Dr. Spring, in which occur the following sentences : " I recollect our collegiate friendship with the same impres- sions which it gives me pleasure to find you still retain. . . We all feel the weight of the times, and it is to be regretted that all cannot unite in measures opposed to them. If it were proper for me, it might not be agreeable to you to discuss the subject ; but I will not conceal the surprise and pain I feel at dec- larations from any part of the American people, that measures resulting from the na- tional will, constitutionally pronounced, and carrying with them the most solemn sanc- tions, are not to be pursued into effect with- out the hazard of civil war. This is surely not the legitimate course. Neither is it the language on other occasions heard from the same quarter." This seems more calm, wise, and patriotic language than some which we find in this diary, and widely in the writings of New England men of that period. '* In political matters, it is plain to be seen that Mr. Robbins's "wish was father to his thought." Mr. Madison was reelected in 1813, receiving 128 of the total 217 electoral votes = 128 to 89. In his first election he received 122 of the total 175= 122 to 53. 5 A new name in the book firm which used to be Howe & Beers. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 533 11. Visited. Read. Had a bad turn of cholic. I have been troubled of late with inattention in reading. 12. Worked. Walked and visited. Read Universal History. The pros- pect of our Presidential election appears extremely uncertain. I think we have some evidence of the presence of the good spirit of God among us of late. 13. Began another number for the Magazine. Wrote to Howe & Deforest, New Haven. Quite cool. Walked out. In the evening it snowed some. Received a letter from Mr. Hawley, of Northington. 14. Wrote on my Magazine number. Received a letter from my father. Quite cool. Wrote over old notes for preaching. 15. Preached with notes from i John iv : i. At evening attended the conference. Pretty thin. 16. Rode to Farmington on business for brother Samuel. Wrote a letter to him. Returned. There is a great quantity of cider' made this fall. Wrote. Had some new clothes made. A surtout cost about twenty-one dol- lars. On the loth received a letter from Rev. Mr. Strong, of Somers. On the i6th received of my brother N. $15.00. 17. Worked clearing and manuring my asparagus beds. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $5.00. Paid for Owen's'^ Commentary oji the Hebrews, $6.00. Wrote to Mr. Strong, of Somers. Received a letter from Mr. Yates. Wrote to my brother James. Visited. 18. Wrote all day on my Magazine number and finished it. It is w^holly occupied with the life of Mr. Hooker,^ who was a very great man. It has been a very difficult number to write. 19. Rode to Bolton and back. Their situation about society matters is pretty critical.'' Ursula went with me. Paid Mrs. Olcott, of Orford, what I owed her for books, $15.00. I have paid her in the whole, $45.00. Very cold. 20. Walked and visited the sick and others. We have a very pleasing prospect of an addition to the church. Read Universal History. 21. Wrote a sermon on Ex. ix : 20. Assisted the church committee in examining two young women for admission to the church. Talked seriously with this family. 22. Preached with notes on Matt, xxvi : 42, and from Ex. ix : 20. At evening attended a conference. Very cold. Very tired. 23. Worked all day. Got out my artificial manure for my garden. Read Universal History. The mourning color among the Mahometans of Barbary is blue. This morning and yesterday the thermometer was below 20°. ' The cider, when plenteous, was regarded ^ Thomas Hooker, of Hartford, than whom as one of the blessings of a kind Providence. there was no greater man among the early ^ Ur. John Owen, 1616-16S3, one of the settlers of New England, greatest of England's Puritan divines. He * It will be remembered that Rev. Geo. was a very voluminous writer, and his Colton, who had been pastor at Bolton for work on the Epistle to the Hebrews, which nearly fifty years, died in the previous June, first began to appear in 166S, is regarded by and nearly three years passed before the many as the most important of his publica- people were united upon any one for his tions. > successor. 534 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. 24. Last night there was a very violent wind and rain. Began a sermon for Thanksgiving. Visited a woman very low with the consumption. 25. Quite cold. Finished my Thanksgiving sermon. I think it the poorest I have written since I have been here. Received a letter from my brother James. For twenty-nine past Thanksgivings our country has been in peace.' 26. Thanksgiving. Thermometer this morning at 16°. Preached from Hosea xi : 8. Our family is quite small. At evening walked out. 27. Rode to Hartford. It appears likely that Mr. Madison will be re- chosen, though we have thought it very doubtful. Read Encydopcedia. 28. Wrote. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Loomis.^ Rode to Ellington on an exchange. Quite cold. We had a large and very solemn funeral.^ Mrs. Brockway * has been long confined with ill-health. 29. A hard rain all day. Very few people at meeting. I believe not more than twenty. Preached on Matt, vi : 22. At evening rode home. Mr. Flint ^ preached today for me. This afternoon he preached and attended a funeral at Wapping. Visited a young man very sick. 30. Visited sick people in the neighborhood. I have seldom or never known so many sick persons in this place. Worked considerably. Completed my fall work of digging of manure, fixing trees, etc. At evening read. Fin- ished the fourteenth volume of Modern Universal History. I have now com- pleted three years since I began the work, and set my task to read a vol- ume a month. A year ago I was in arrear six volumes ; I am now four. Am considerably gloomy and dejected. December. 1. Wrote a review of Dr. Dwight's Fast 6>/-;/;^^? * for ministers' meeting. Wrote my brother Samuel. Gave to my father's boy, Rossiter,^ .75. 2. Our ministers' meeting was held here. The lecture was ver}- thin.^ It snowed moderately the most of the day. There came considerable snow night before last. Read to the meeting the piece I wrote yesterday. Mr. Bartlett preached. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $35.00. 3. It continues to snow, though very moderately. Rode to Hartford. We have the painful account of a great victory of the French in Russia.' Paid to Hartford Bank the first instalment of what I borrowed last September, $31.86. Wrote to my father. Visited. ' He reckons from the dose of the Revo- ^ The boy whom Dr. Robbins procured lutionary period, 1783. some time before to assist his father, and of ^ Mrs. Olive Loomis, thirty-three. whom we have before heard good report. 3 This sentence should have been entered ^ This confirms the previous statement before the last two. that these ministers' meetings uniformly in- * Mrs. Diodate Brockway. eluded a public preaching service. 5 Rev. Abel Flint, D. D. 9 People here were probably just hearing * This was the sermon, in two parts, de- of the battle of Borodino. Moscow had been livered in the chapel of Yale College, by in ashes more than two months, but they had President Dwight, on occasion of the late not heard of it yet. England was a great National Fast. way off, but Russia much farther. l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 535 4. Very rainy all day. Walked and visited. My visits to the sick and mourners take a good deal of time. Caught some cold. 5. Last night was in bed more than eleven hours, and slept the most of the time. Wrote a sermon on Heb. xi : 24, 25. Am considerably interrupted by calls and company. 6. A pleasant day after many that were stormy. Preached with notes on Matt, v : 4, and the sermon written yesterday. I never saw so many mourn- ers here at once, as today. Received Julia and Helen Wolcott ' as members in the church. I pray for becoming thankfulness. We had a very solemn meet- ing. At evening had a very serious conference. I beg for the divine blessing. 7. Walked and visited all day. We have the account of the capture of a large English frigate ^ by one of ours. Last evening received a letter from my cousin P. G. Robbins. 8. Read in Universal History, three hundred pages. I think the two sieges of Rhodes by the Turks exceed anything of the kind I have met with in history.^ Warm and wet. 9. Visited the sick. A woman with the consumption appears to be near her end. At evening performed a marriage.'* ID. Read Universal History. Very cold and tedious. Visited. Today and Tuesday I have read a volume of my history. The history of the Knights of Malta is uncommonly entertaining. Performed a marriage.' 11. The thermometer this morning was about 20°. Walked to Hartford. Mr. Yates has lost his eldest son with a fever. Fourteen years old. Preached a sacramental lecture on Heb. xi : 24, 25, for Dr. Strong. Rode home. The ground is hard frozen and very rough. Wrote. We have news of astonishing war events in Russia. The desolations are terrible. I am in great hopes the projects of the French Emperor will be frustrated.* 12. Thermometer this morning about 10°. The ground is very hard frozen. Received a letter from Howe & Deforest. Wrote notes for preaching. Wrote an addition to a funeral sermon on i Cor. vii: 29, 31. I think I cannot do so much business in the winter by day as in the summer. 13. Preached in the forenoon, with notes, on Matt, xxii : 42. Afternoon rode to East Hartford, and preached for Mr. Yates'' in his affliction, from I Cor. vii: 29-31. At evening returned and attended the conference. Very tired. Read newspapers. I think we have never had so good ground of hope as now, that Bonaparte will be beaten in war.^ ' Julia and Helen Wolcott, daughters of •• The parties were Joel King and Chloe Erastus Wolcott, Jr. Grant. ^ This is the news of the capture of the * Jeremiah Antrim, of Somers, and Anna Guerriere by the Constitution^ under Commo- Ellsworth. dore Isaac Hull, Aug. 19, nearly four months '' The news from Moscow begins to come before. So slowly did news get in. in. ^ Rhodes, an island near Asia Minor, was ^ He gave up his own afternoon service held by the Knights Hospitalers, from 1309 to help his brother in distress, to 1522, when after a long siege it was taken * This is the Moscow news without doubt, by the Turks, and the Knights took posses- and his conclusion is correct. Napoleon will sion of Malta. never really recover from this blow. 536 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l8l2. 14. Visited two schools. Visited the sick. The school visitors are lax in attending to their duty. 15. Read Universal Histoi-y. Rode to Hartford. Paid for dressing a piece of cloth for my niece, E. Lawrence,' $1.87, and for cutting her coat, .50. The thermometer this morning was at 12°. Received a letter from P. B. Gleason,^ Hartford. Last evening received an almanack, sent by my brother James. 16. The ground is bare and dry, and going exceedingly good. Visited two schools. Could have but one visitor with me. Read Magazifie. At evening rode to the border of East Hartford and performed a marriage.' Very cold. 17. Thermometer this morning about 10°. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Reckoned with Mr. Wolcott, and received a note of him as society collector, $252.71. Paid him in a number of small old charges which I had against him, $12.85, which, with what I did for him last winter in making tax-bills and arranging his papers, he received for the use of his horse and carriage, etc., which I have had for a year. I give him for my living $104 a year.* 18. Rode to Wapping and visited their two schools. Visited sick people. Very pleasant weather. Much tired. 19. Received of Mr. Wolcott, $125.00. On the 17th received of Mr. Wolcott an order, which I had given on the society treasurer, of $6.75, and a due-bill which I had given for books, of $9.35. Wrote the most of a New Year's address for the Magazine.^ 20. Preached an old written sermon on Isa. xxvi : 4. At evening attended a conference. Cold and tedious. 21. Rode to Hartford. Wrote a letter to my parents, and one to Charles Sherman,* of New Haven. Sent my fifth instalment to the Eagle Bank of $125,00. The wind very severe and cold. Visited. The society had theji annual meeting ; very harmonious. No certificates have been given in during the past year. Read Clarke's Commmtary. 22. Wrote the life of Mr. Stone' for a part of my next Magazine number. Attended the funeral of Polly Loomis. She has died of a consumption, after a very long decline. 23. Wrote the life of Mr. Davenport.* He was a very great man. I have written this number for the Magazine in two days. Studied quite late. In the afternoon performed a marriage.' ' Eliza Lawrence, daughter of his sister '' This was the Charles Sherman, who Elizabeth. She is getting ready to be married. some years before sent out a circular to the ^ The publisher of the Connecticut Evan- clergy. Later he moved to Suffield. gelical Magazine. ' Samuel Stone, who was colleague pastor ^ Chauncey Heath, of Scantic, and Lydia with Thomas Hooker. They were the first Eurnham, of East Hartford. He was called ministers of Hartford. Thomas Hooker died to this service probably because of Dr. Yates's in 1647. Samuel Stone in 1663. The two men recent affliction. were intimate before coming from England. * Now that there is no horse, the board is ^ John Davenport, the first minister of two dollars a week. New Haven, who came over in 1638, and * Besides his article on the New England died in 1670, Planters he writes the New Year's address, 9 Elijah Blodgett, Jr., of Scantic, and which is an article of considerable length, Elizabeth Stocking, l8l2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 537 24. Copied my New Year's piece for the Magazine. Visited the sick. 25. Rode with Dr. Tudor to Hartford. Attended the Episcopal Christmas meeting, Mr. Chase preached pretty well. He appears, however, to be an Arminian. I believe my historical view in the Magazine does good. Very cold. Read Clarke's Commentary. 26. Read Utiiversal History. At evening young Mr. Marsh,' of Wethers- field, came and kindly offered to assist me tomorrow. Read Clarke's Cojtimen- tary. It is very valuable for its learning, but he is an Anninian and I suspect a Universalist. Read the Bible. The thermometer this morning at eight o'clock was at 5°. 27. Mr, Marsh preached very well. I trust he will be very useful. Very cold. Read the Bible. At evening attended the conference. Read in the Universal History., one hundred pages, I have to take considerable care of my orange-trees. 28. We have favorable accounts from Russia. I hope Providence is about to limit the successes of the French Conqueror. On the 25th heard of the surprising death of Rev, Mr. Crossman,^ of Salisbury. He had a good constitu- tion and was in the midst of his days. On the 2sth received a letter from Mr. Battell. Wrote to Rev. T. Williams,' Providence. Visited the sick and others. 29. On the 24th received a present of a valuable load of wood from Wap- ping. Today I have had two more. Wrote to my cousin, Dr. Robbins,* of Lynn. Visited a young woman very sick with the prevailing fever. Very pleasant weather for the season. Apprehensive that I should be taken up the remainder of this week, I observe this day as a day of fasting and prayer and praise in view of the closing and beginning year. 30. Rode to Enfield and attended a ministers' meeting. The riding very good. Mr. Haskell's ^ new buildings in this place constitute one of the finest seats in this county. There is a good deal of sickness in the vicinity. The change of political sentiment in the country in six months is beyond all ex- pectation. At this time I am persuaded Mr. Madison could not be chosen President. Every expedition of the war is unaccountably disastrous ; there appear to be no men of business in the employment.* 31. Returned very early on account of the sick. Several in this neighbor- hood are very low. Attended them considerably. I feel a little apprehen- sive of taking the fever. Read Universal History, Attended to my orange- trees. The nights scarcely freeze. Began the seventeenth volume of Modern Universal History, and read one hundred pages. ' Rev. John Marsh, Jr., afterwards the at Yale in iSoo, and passed away recently great temperance advocate. (1876) aged ninety-seven. He also assisted ^ Rev. Joseph W. Grossman, already fully Dr. Strong, of Hartford, on the Magazine. noticed. He was settled in Salisbury in * Peter Oilman Robbins, M. D. June, 1797. ^ Eli B. Haskell's buildings. East Wind- ^ Here first appears in this diary, a name sor Hill, that we have been expecting to find for some '' Another rather unfair judgment, but he time. Rev. Thomas Williams, a man of unique probably gave utterance to the prevailing character and experience. He was graduated opinion around him. 1813- January. 1. The new year finds me in the enjoyment of the great mercies of God. Wrote notes and preached a preparatory lecture on Micah vii : 8. Visited the sick. Completed my last diary. Read the Bible. 2. Wrote a sermon onPs. xc: 12. Afternoon and evening a very hard rain. The thermometer was nearly up to temperate. 3. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on John x: 27, and after- noon from Ps. xc : 12. Administered the sacrament. We had a solemn day. After meeting performed a marriage at Mr. Olcott's,' At evening attended the conference. 4. Prepared and begun this diary. Will a merciful God enable me to finish it, and to record his great mercies. On the first received three valuable loads of wood^ from Wapping. Completed my preaching account to this time. Visited the sick. About some of them I feel much concerned. Pre- paring for my journey, 5. Rode to Norfolk. Quite cold and a severe northwest wind. The ground very hard and rough. My father is sensibly better than a year ago. There is very little snow. 6. There is a favorable prospect here of a new meeting-house. Walked and visited. Paid Mr. Battell in father's Half Century Sermons, for which I am accountable to the printer, $11.25. -P^i^ ^"^^ otherwise, $1.17. He gave me the balance of money I held. Received for little Joseph's expenses, $1.64. Received a new note of ray father. Towards evening my brother James and his wife and my brother Frank came. At evening my niece Elizabeth Law- rence was married to Henry Olmstead.^ We had a large and ver}' agreeable wedding. All the children of my parents were present. The prospects of the young couple are very favorable. 7. Looked at Eliza's" new house and furniture. Dined at Mr. Battell's. We have great cause of gratitude to God for his mercies, and of deep repent- ance for our forgetfulness of him. It thaws considerably. Received of brother James, on his note, $10.00. ' The parties joined in marriage were the idea that loads of wood were very accept- Reuben Olcott and Clarissa Olcott. able gifts to him. ^ A load of wood was always, in the old ^ Henry Olmsted, who was united in mar- farming days of New England, a graceful and riage with Elizabeth Lawrence, was a partner natural gift to the minister. Mr. Robbins, of Mr. Joseph Battell in his store, and was a not being a married and housekeeping man, native of East Hartford. Elizabeth Law- the people at first did not bring him wood. rence was the daughter of Grove and Eliza- But if he did not keep house, be had to keep beth (Robbins) Lawrence, a fire, and at length they seem to have caught * Eliza, short for Elizabeth. ^ 539 540 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. 8. Most severe cold and tedious. Rode to Simsbury. Could ride but four or five miles without stopping. Tarried at Mrs. Case's.' Froze one of my ears. 9. Rode home. The thermometer this morning, as I am informed, was 10° below zero. Yesterday morning it was 6° below zero, and was near zero through the day. There have been two deaths in the neighborhood of the prevailing epidemic, typhus fever, during my absence.^ Wrote a large addi- tion to an old sermon. Was up late. 10. Wrote. Finished the addition to my sermon and preached on Ps. xc : 9. Attended the funeral of Betsey Diggins. Addressed the young people, particularly in preaching. The occasion was unusually affecting and solemn. I pray that it may be accompanied with the divine blessing. At evening attended the conference. 11. Took some cold being out last evening. The night was very cold. Thermometer this morning 5° below zero. Last night was very much fatigued. Walked to Hartford and returned. Was carried a part of the way. Procured another half volume of the Encydopcedia, $4.00. Paid my annual contribution to the Bible Society, $3.00. Paid for a book, .75 ; for an iron ball, .70 ; to a merchant, $1.19. Visited the sick and afflicted. Wrote to my brother Samuel. We have the most important and pleasing news from Europe, respecting the reverses of the French in Russia, that has been received for many years. ^ 12. Rode out and visited. Read Encydopcedia. My orange and lemon- trees were frozen during my absence last week. I fear they are sensibly injured. Wrote. 13. Read in Universal History, three hundred pages. I hardly read twent)'- five pages in an hour. Finished the seventeenth volume. The history of Spain is very valuable. The long contests with the Moors stimulated the Spanish character during the dark ages. Received a letter from my cousin P. G. Robbins.'* 14. Visited the sick. W^ote to my cousin P. G. Robbins. At evening rode to Orford and married Esq. Alvord, of Bolton, to Mrs. Olcott.* 15. It snowed pretty hard the most of the day. Towards night shoveled paths. The snow I think is more than a foot deep. Read Universal History. Visited. 16. Read Universal History. The thermometer this morning was 7° below zero. Wrote notes for preaching. 17. Wrote on my notes and preached from Isa. xxvi: 20. At evening we had a very full and serious conference. My nerves considerably affected. Was up quite late. ' Where he used to board when preaching * Dr. Peter Oilman Robbins, of Lynn, in Simsbury. Mass. ' Samuel Gager and Betsey Diggins. s Samuel Alvord, Esq., and Mrs. Cynthia ^ After the burning of Moscow in Septem- Olcott. We understand Mrs. Olcott to be ber, 1S12, the French army undertook its the widow of Rev. Allen Olcott, whose death journey home with very disastrous results. we recorded in 181 1. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 541 18. Instructed Mr. Tudor's ' school. Walked out and visited. I hope some of our certificate people will rejoin us. 19. Rainy. Read Universal History. Rode to Hartford. Bought some second-hand books. Paid towards them, $1.12. Reckoned with Cooke, and gave him a note of $7.26. Quite bad riding. Visited the sick. 20. Last night it snowed. Walked and visited all day. Quite cold and tedious. Tarried at Capt. Russell's. 21. Last night was quite unwell. Was up a considerable part of the night. Visited. Dined at Mr. Haskell's. His house is very elegant. Assisted in examining a school-master. Rode to Wapping and performed a marriage.'' The sleighing is pretty good. Am quite feeble. My brother Samuel was here yesterday, but was in haste and did not stay. I did not see him. 22. There is a great deal of sleighing. Received a letter from my brother Nathaniel enclosing cash, $20. At noon Mr. Skinner,^ of Berlin, came here and spent the afternoon and night with me. Visited a young woman in a dying state. She expired soon after. 23. Wrote a sermon on Rev. iii : 20. I write pretty poorly. We have constant accounts of the success of the Russians. 24. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. Ixiii : 5. Afternoon on Rev. iii : 20. It snowed and rained all day. Attended the funeral of the young woman *' lately deceased. Meeting quite thin. Began another number for the Magazine. 25. Wrote on my Magazine number. Wrote to my brother Frank. It thaws considerably. 26. Wrote very steadily. It snowed all day. At evening walked out. 27. Wrote all day. Finished my seventeenth J/a^^tsm^ number. This one of remarks has cost me more close thought than any preceding one.^ Visited. I hope the epidemic among us abates. Thermometer this morning 7° below zero. Clear and very cold all day. Mr. Gleason^ came here from Hartford after my Magazine manuscript. 28. Rode to Hartford and Wethersfield and returned. Ursula went with me. The sleighing is very fine and very much improved. Paid for my look- ing-glass, $5.00. Paid Cooke, $9.00. Paid Hale, $2.31. Yesterday received of Mr. Charles Sherman,' of New Haven, a letter enclosing 5 17. 50, the first dividend on my bank shares. The thermometer this morning was 4° below zero. ■ Oliver Tudor, brother of Mrs. Wolcott Stone, John Haynes, are much more easily with whom he was boarding. written than one of general reflections suit- - Austin Payne, of Bristol, and Anna ably embracing them all. Stoughton, of Wapping. * Mr. Gleason was the publisher of Con- 5 Rev. Newton Skinner. necticut Evangelical Magazine. • * Mabel Gager, aged nineteen. ' Mr. Charles Sherman, who has been once 5 Continuous historical sketches, such as or twice mentioned, seems to have been em- he had written of John Winthrop, John Cot- ployed in the Eagle Bank of New Haven, ton, John Wilson, Thomas Hooker, Samuel apparently as cashier. 542 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^^^3- 29. Read Universal History. Rode out and visited. Very cold and tedious. Paid the post office, .96. Last night it snowed considerably. 30. Most severe cold. Thermometer this morning 6° below zero. Fin- ished the eighteenth volume of Universal History. Wrote notes for preaching. Thermometer at noon and at sundown 4°, after which it sunk constantly through the evening, and at eleven o'clock, when I went to bed, it was com- pletely 13° below zero. The evening was perfectly clear and still. Mr. Wolcott purchased the adjoining place for $1,800. Read the Bible. 31. Finished my notes and preached on Gal. vi : 8. In the forenoon was very short. Thermometer this morning 10° below zero. The weather soon moderated. Read the Bible. At evening wrote a letter for Widow Wolcott. Read Universal History. February. 1. Devoted this day to fasting and prayer. At evening walked to Mr. Yates's, and tarried. I think Mr. Yates will be a useful instructor in divinity.' 2. Rode to Mr, Hawley's, Northington, to attend Association. The Association licensed two candidates,^ Mr. Yaffes's students. Mr. Flint preached very well. 3. The Association discussed the subject of Foreign Missions,^ in which I took no part. The business moves tardily. The Association was pretty full. Rode home. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Skinner, of Berlin, and one from my brother Samuel. The sleighing is very fine. 4. Read Mather's Magnalia. Wrote. At evening my cousin Eliza and Mr. Olmstead came here. Had a good deal of company. 5. The weather moderates much. It thaws considerably. Visited. Towards evening my cousins went away. Mr. Battell and Olmstead latterly have been very prosperous in trade."* 6. Wrote a sermon on Ps. cxlii : 7. The snow fails but little with the thaw, the ground is so severely frozen. 7. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ex. xii : 21. Afternoon, the sermon written yesterday. These discourses appeared very interesting to the people. At evening attended the conference. In the evening there was a severe thunder-storm. The rain was not great. 8. Walked and visited. Afternoon rode to Long Hill and visited a school. Am pretty severely tried. There is a great deal of water in the road. 9. Rode to Hartford. The sleighing is poor, though there is very little bare ground. Paid a merchant, $3.55. Gave to the agent of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, for the promotion of the trans- ' He was instructing theological students. ^ There was a slowness to adopt the * Cornelius B. Everest and Cyrus Yale. cause of foreign missions, at first, lest it The former was a native of Cornwall, a grad- should impede the work of home missions, uate of Williams College, 181 1, and served * It required great wisdom and energy to in the ministry at Poquonnock, Norwich, and organize and carry forward such a trade, but Windham. The latter was of the same class when so organized there was far less compe- at Williams, and was minister at New Hart- tition to contend against than now. Mr. ford between thirty and forty years. Battell made this trade successful. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 543 lation of the Scriptures in Oriental languages, $5.00. Dr. Mozeley, of Whites- town, came here and tarried. At evening performed a marriage.* We have an unusual number of young families in this place. 10. Rode to Glastonbury and attended our ministers' meeting. Read my essay on the books of Nehemiah and Esther.'^ Returned. The sleighing is pretty poor. We have frequent reports of the disasters of the French in Russia.^ 11. Wrote. Began the eighteenth number of my Historical View. These numbers appear to be more highly esteemed than I ever expected. We have an account of two brilliant victories of the Russians over the French. Mr. Wolcott had a good deal of trouble in buying a piece of land. Visited. 12. Wrote all day. I feel pretty poo-rly. The thermometer has been near the freezing point the most of this week. I fear I shall not do our ancestors justice in my remarks. 13. Wrote. Read Universal History. Afternoon rode to Simsbury to ex- change with Mr. McLean.* Met him going to East Windsor. Quite cold. 14. Preached from Heb. xi : 24, 25, and Ps. cxlii : 7. The meeting very full. I think the fullest I have ever seen here. The state of this society is much improving. Preached in the evening at a school-house, on Ex. xii : 21. Tarried at Mrs. Case's.^ 15. Rode home. Traded, $4.15 ; this, is principally to be given to this family. Read. Had company. 16. Wrote on my Magazine number. Afternoon Mr. Skinner, of Berlin, came here and tarried. Last evening received a letter from Rev. Mr. Storrs,* Longmeadow. 17. Wrote. Rode to Windsor and returned. The sleighing is pretty good. The crossing of the river is very fine. Received a letter from Mr. Battell, enclosing a draft on the bank of $150.00, sent by my brother Samuel to pay my father's note. I am very glad of it. It is something sickly at Norfolk. A family in this neighborhood removed for the Whitestovvn country. 18. Quite cold. Finished my eighteenth Magazi?ie number, and carried it to Hartford. The river is very hard frozen. Wrote a letter for Ursula, now at Windsor. 19. The thermometer this morning was a little below zero. Wrote. Visited. We have an account of the capture of another English frigate by one of ours.^ ' Peleg S. Marsh, of Vermont, and Mary battle of Krassnoi, November 16-1S, the Mills. French were defeated, as also in that of ^ These were the writings which occupied Beresina, November 25-29. And besides his thought and time a year or two before. all these defeats winter was pressing hard on ^ It is difficult to connect the news on this the retreating forces, side the water with particular events in ■« Rev. Allen McLean. Russia, only disasters were now gathering ' His old boarding-place, thickly around the French army. October * Rev. Richard S. Storrs. 19 and 20, 1812, Polotsk was retaken by the ^ This refers to the action, October 25, Russians. In the battle of Witepsk, Novem- 1812, between the United States and the Eng- ber 14, the French were defeated. In the lish frigate Macedonian, in which the latter 544 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l^^S- 20. The thermometer this morning was at 8°. Read Universal History. Wrote a letter to Tudor,' at Westfield. Wrote notes for preaching. 21. Preached with notes on Isa. lii : 7. At evening attended the confer- ence. The roads are very icy. 22. It snowed the most of the day. Read U?iiversal Hist07-y. Wrote to my brother Frank. Ursula is sick at Windsor. 23. Read Universal History. Rode to Hartford. At evening rode with Mr. S. Wolcott to Windsor and saw Ursula. She has a bad rash, but appears to be getting better. Quite cold. 24. Rode to Scantick, and attended the ministers' meeting of the circle^ above here. The sleighing is very good. 25. Rode home. My brother Samuel came here this morning, but stayed a short time and was gone. Received a letter from my father. At evening walked out. 26. Walked and visited all day. Quite cold and tedious. I own a good many books. It is a time of great stupidity with us. 27. The thermometer this morning was 4° below zero. Read Universal History. Finished the nineteenth volume. Read the Bible. Received a letter from my brother Frank. 28. In the morning rode to Windsor for an exchange with Mr. Rowland. He went to East Windsor. The crossing is very good. Preached with notes f rom Ex. xii : 21, "and from Ps. cxlii: 7. It thawed very much. At evening rode to Simsbury. Last evening Ursula ^ returned from Windsor. She is recovering from her sickness. Much fatigued. March. 1. In the morning it rained considerably. Got wet. Rode to Norfolk. My brother Nat is in a very bad situation. I fear his character has gone irrevocable. My parents are pretty well. There is not much more snow here than at East Windsor. 2. Last night it snowed. Quite tedious. Dined at Mr. Battell's. Drank tea at Mr. Olmstead's. Paid my father $5.75, and gave up his note which I held. The sum which I received from him on the 17th ult. was so much over the amount of the note. Received a new note of brother Nat. I fear he will run out as to property. 3. Quite cold. Set cyt for home. Rode to Colebrook ; a violent snow- storm came on and I tarried at my brother Ammi's. Read Silliman's J^ournai.* was compelled to surrender. But Mr. Rob- Bartlett's, went with the upper circle of minis- bins is not careful to record all our victories. ters, and the south parish with the lower. October 18, the British sloop Frolic was ^ Ursula Wolcott was doubtless on a visit taken by the American sloop Wasp. On the to her kindred on the west side of the river, 14th of January our forces gained a victory when she was taken sick. over the English and Indians at Frenchtown, "* This could not have been what is now on the River Raisin. known as Silliman's Journal, a scientific ' Tudor Wolcott. periodical, since that was not commenced till ^ Another statement showing that the iSiS. It refers probably to some record of north parish of East Windsor, Rev. Mr. travel. l8i3.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 545 4. Rode home. It thawed very much. The river is still sound. Re- ceived a letter from brother Frank. The sleighing is better than on the hills. 5. Began to write a sermon on i Cor. vi : 20. At evening walked out. Very cold. 6. Wrote on my sermon near eleven pages. Thermometer this morning was near zero, and at evening was at 4°. We have constant accounts of the defeats and destruction of the mighty French army.' 7. Very cold. Thin meeting. Preached an old sermon on Isa. Ixvi : 2. At evening attended a conference. Wrote to Mr. Mills, of New Haven, and Mr. Loudon,^ of Litchfield. 8. Rode to Hartford ; the most of the way on the river. The sleighing on this side of the river is still good. Received my note at the bank, and paid ^21.50. Visited. 9. Read. Afternoon, visited the school on Long Hill. For their oppor- tunities they performed remarkably well. Read British Classics? Mr. Clark, of Northampton, called on me. 10. For several days it has been very cold. It now thaws and the snow wastes rapidly. Read Universal History. Rode out and visited. At evening it rained considerably. Received a letter from Master Tudor.'* 11. Rode to Wapping and visited several families. At night it rained hard. The people here appear to be much pleased with being visited. 12. Visited two schools. At evening preached a lecture, without any notes, at the house of some old people, from John iv : 15. It was well attended. The sleighing is mostly gone. 13. Returned from Wapping. Cold. Read Universal History. Assisted in examining a young woman for our communion. Wrote. 14. Finished and preached a sermon on i Cor. vi : 20. The congregation very attentive. At evening attended the conference. Wrote to the Rev. Dr. Emmons,' Franklin, Mass. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. We have had sleighing without intermission since the 15th of January. The most of the time it has been very good. It failed about the middle of last week. 15. Set out on a journey to New Haven. Rode to Durham and tarried with Mr. Smith.^ At Middletown called on Mr. Warner. They are building there a very large and elegant hotel. Mr. Smith is useful here. 16. Very bad riding. It snowed considerably. There is considerable old ' It was wasting away under the accumu- lated disasters of its retreat from Russia. - Mr. Lawrence Loudon. ^ He bought a set of the British Classics, it will be remembered, some years before. The edition of this work published in 1S13, in New York, consisted of ninety-four vol- umes. * Samuel Tudor Wolcott, at school at \Vestfield. 5 Dr. Nathaniel Emmons, a native of East Haddam, Ct., a graduate of Yale, 1767, had been pastor in Franklin, Mass., forty years, when this letter was written. He was, at that time, the most notable private theo- logical teacher in New England, and we con- jecture that the object of this letter was to see whether Dr. Emmons would take his brother, Francis Le Baron, into his familv as a student. He instructed but few students after this date. * Rev. David Smith, D. D. 546 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. snow, but no sleighing. Rode to the upper part of Branford.' Tarried with old Mr. Stent.* Visited old Mr. Noyes/ of Northford. 17. Visited all day.'* Called at a good many places. Rainy and wet. Tried to find a copy of Mather's Magnalia, but failed. Tarried at Capt. W. Lindly's. 18. Very wet and muddy. The people here have taken down their two meeting-houses on the green.* The spirit appears a little trifling. Paid an instalment at the Eagle Bank, $125.00. Bought books. Towards evening, after making a number of visits, rode to North Haven. Was very fortunate in finding a Magnalia^ at the booksellers. There is yet considerable old snow. The frost does not break through. It is quite sickly in New Haven. 19. Tarried last night at a tavern. Rode home. Verj- muddy traveling. The ice is not yet moved in the river. Received a letter from my brother Samuel. 20. Walked out. Assisted in examining a man for our communion. Wrote over old notes for preaching. 21. Wrote on my notes and preached with them from Rom. viii : 29. In the afternoon, at meeting, I found that I had preached from that text here before. I was considerably disconcerted, but believe it Avas not perceived. It was last May, one sermon to a thin meeting. I doubt whether it will be remembered by any. Propounded two persons for our communion.' At even- ing attended the conference. Rode to meeting in a carriage. 22. Walked out and visited. Wrote to my brother Samuel. Began the nineteenth number of my Historical View. Dined out. 23. Warm, like spring. Trjang to re-animate my orange and lemon-trees. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Wrote the most of the day. 24. Last evening received some books from New Haven. They make a valuable addition to my library. Cold and tedious. Late at night finished my Magazine number.^ Instructed in arithmetic. 25. The thermometer this morning I believe was as low as 10° all day. \exy cold all day. At bed-time it was at 12°. Read Universal History. Visited. 26. Rode out and visited. Visited our south school. Read. 'He was now in the parish where his ^ They were probably replaced by the two grandfather Philemon had been so long the Congregational meeting-houses now standing pastor. His grandfather had been dead now on the green. thirt)'-two years. * This, of course, was a copy of the Eng- ^ Old Mr. Stent was probably one of his lish edition, folio, of 1702, since no other had grandfather's parishioners, who liked to talk yet been published. As already hinted, Dr. over the old times. Robbins himself was to superintend the pub- ^ Rev. Matthew Noyes, who lived to lication of the first American edition, which preach his half century sermon. He was is quite commonly known as the Hartford pastor at Northford, 1790-1839, a graduate edition, of Yale in 1785. ' Benjamin Cooke and Lavinia Praan. * He is now, as we understand the narra- ' His next number will complete the tive, at New Haven, the place which he left series, which has been running since October home to visit. i, iSii. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 547 27. Wrote a sermon on Rom. vii : 14, Rode out. Was up late. Wrote easy and rapid. 28. A very violent rainy day. Very few hearers. Expounded the first two chapters of Matthew, and preached with notes on i Cor. ii : 10. At evening rode to Wapping and married a couple.' The small streams very high. 29. Returned from Wapping. Very pleasant. The frost is mostly out of the ground. Worked some. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Very bad riding. The river rises very fast. The Middle States are blocked up by the enemy's squadron. We have accounts of almost the entire ruin of the French Grand Army.^ Paid for books, $4.00. 30. Worked all day on Mr. Wolcott's tax-bill.^ At night our nearest neighbor had a ball in his house, which gave me great pain. Received a letter from Mr. Skinner, of Berlin. 31. Read Universal Histo}-y. The list of our society appears to be increas- ing. Had company. Instructed in arithmetic. April. 1. Walked and visited two schools. One of them has done ver}'- well this season. The other visitors attend but indifferently. 2. Wrote to Mr. Skinner, of Berlin, and to Mr. Hosmer, of Middletown. Afternoon visited a school which performed very well. I have now visited and catechised our seven schools."* It snowed considerably. 3. Wrote a sermon on 2 Cor. ii : 16. Instructed in arithmetic. Our for- eign news is highly gratifying and important.^ 4. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Mark xiii : 37. After- noon, the sermon written yesterday. Received two persons to our commun- ion. Dr. Hull, of Utica, came to see me and tarried. He appears to be an excellent physician. He is in pursuit of a wife.* 5. Spent the forenoon with Dr. Hull. He went away. Set out on my journey to Westfield. Frances^ went with me. Rode to Sufitield. Tarried with Mr. Gaylord. The riding some of the way is very bad. ' William Goodwin and Tryphena Grant. (Mr. Bartlett's) parish. By the law of the Wapping seems to be the part of his parish State, at that time, the oversight of these to be relied upon for a steady supply of mar- schools was by the parishes, rather than by riages. the towns. A large number of Connecticut ^ President Madison, in a letter written to towns at that time contained two, three, and Thomas Jefferson, January 27, 1813, says: four parishes. " Bonaparte, according to his own shew- ^ The American people at that time close- ing, is in serious danger; and if half the ly sympathized with the English in their official accounts of the Russians be true, his views of Napoleon. own escape is barely possible, and that of ^ It is rather implied that he bent his his army impossible." steps to East Windsor on that errand. ^ The tax-bill so often spoken of is the ^ Frances Wolcott, now nineteen years parish and not the town bill. old. Mr. Robbins seemed to regard Mr. * Seven was the number of district schools Wolcott's daughters as graceful accompani- in the south (Mr. Robbins's) parish of East ments on his journeys. But, besides, she was Windsor. There were at the same time going now up to the exhibition of the acade- Beven or eight district schools in the north my, where her brother Tudor was. 1548 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. 6. There are a number of persons here quite sick, and there have been several deaths of the prevailing fever. Rode to Westfield. Afternoon attended the exhibition of the academy. The exhibition was very good, the academy is flourishing. The trustees appear quite unwilling to have my brother leave it.' The mud is pretty bad. 7. Rode home. Brought home Tudor. I think he has done very well there. Mr. Battell came down with me. Quite warm. Rode without an out- coat. 8. Worked in the garden. Last evening received a letter from Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, and the evening before, one from my brother James. In the morning Mr. Battell went off for home. Read. At evening walked out. Mr. Hitchcock, our nearest neighbor, moved to Hartford. g. Worked all the forenoon setting out a large elm in the street. Worked on Mr. Wolcott's tax-bills. Wrote notes, and preached a preparatory lecture on Ps. Iv : 22. 10. Finished Mr; Wolcott's tax-bills. The whole list of our society is $24,927.72. There are forty-one certificate lists amounting to $7,017.17, leav- ing to the society, $17,910.55. It is larger than last year. Quite warm. Wrote notes for preaching. ^ 11. Preached with notes on Micah iv : 5, and from Rom. vii : 14. Admin- istered the sacrament. It is a time of deadness with our church. I fear I am as unfaithful as any one. At evening we had a full and attentive confer- ence. Very tired. 12. Set out some grape-vines. Prayed at the opening of the Freeman's Meeting. Brother Huse attended with us. The votes for Governor were : Smith,- 183; Goodrich,^ 23; Boardman,"* 74; scattering, 4=284. Visited. 13. Read Magazine. Rainy. Read Utiiversal History. A child in the neighborhood very sick with the prevailing epidemic fever. 14. Began a sermon for Fast on Neh, i : 4. Rode to Hartford. Rainy. 15. Wrote almost twelve pages on my sermon. Wrote with little inter- mission, from nine o'clock a. m. to ten p. m. At night troubled with the head- ache. 16. Fast. Finished my sermon on Neh. i: 4. Afternoon meeting was pretty full, and quite serious. Was much affected myself. At evening attended a conference. 17. Received a letter from my brother Nat, inclosing $20.00. Worked in ' The six months, which he consented to re- ^ Elizur Goodrich, of New Haven, was main, after expecting to leave, had expired, also a candidate on the Federal side. but he enjoyed his work, and loved to linger. * The Democratic candidate, as we under- ^ John Cotton Smith, LL. D., was chosen stand, was Elijah Boardman, of New Mil- Governor in place of Hon. Roger Griswold, ford. He was one of the large purchasers of deceased. He was the regular Federal nomi- the New Connecticut lands. He, with some nee. He was a graduate of Yale, 1783, was others associated with him, took sixty thou- a native of Sharon, Ct., where his father, sand dollars' worth of these lands. His fam- Rev. Cotton Mather Smith, had been pastor, ily generally was Federalist, but he was a 1755-1806. Democrat. [813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 549 the garden. Set a grape-vine. Rode to Suffield to exchange with Mr. Gay.' The riding is very good. 18. This congregation is not much more than half as large as mine. Preached from Rom. vii : 14, and Heb. xi : 24, 25. This town is almost ruined by religious sectarianism, which has prevailed here seventy years. At evening rode home. Very much fatigued. People begin a little at gardening. Received a letter from Mr. Yates. 19. Wrote to Mr. Horace Higley, of Winchester. Looked over old election sermons. Afternoon rode to the upper part of East Hartford, and attended the funeral of a soldier. He belonged there and was lately enlisted. His company came up from Hartford and attended the funeral in military form. They appeared very well. At evening walked out. 20. Planted peas. Read the Life of Sir William Jones?- Began the twentieth and last number of my Historical Vie7v, Instructed in arithmetic. At evening walked out and visited. 21. Rode to East Hartford and attended our ministers' meeting. Read a sermon for remarks.^ Bought some religious tracts to give away. Rode to Hartford. Procured the fifth half volume of the Encyclopczdia. Returned. A pretty hard shower. 22. Wrote steadily. Instructed in arithmetic. At evening walked out. The spring is quite favorable. 23. Had the first cutting of asparagus. Finished the twentieth, which is the concluding number of my Historical View of the First Planters of JVew Eiig- latid. These numbers have been published monthly, in succession, in the Con- necticut Evangelical Magazine. They contain, generally, eight or nine pages each. The work has been much longer than I expected at the commence- ment. So far as I know, it has been well received. Each number has cost me nearly a week's study. I hope it has not been useless to myself or to others. I thank God, who has enabled me to complete the work. Rainy. 24. On the 2ist saw blossoms on the daffos. There is some serious atten- tion in East Hartford. Received a letter from my brother Frank. Rode to Wilbraham to exchange with Mr. Warren. ■* Met him on the way. Wet and cold. 25. This appears to be quite a good society. The meeting was full and attentive. Preached from Ps. cxlii : 7, and Lev. xxvi : 41. Preached again in the evening, without notes, from Num. x : 29. Very tired. ' Rev. Ebenezer Gay, the second minister An edition of his works was published by of the name in Suffield. As has been already Lady Jones in 1799. A fuller edition with stated in a previous note, Ebenezer Gay, his life was published in 1S07 by Lord Teign- D. D., the father, 1742-1796, and Rev. Eben- mouth. This was probably what Mr. Robbins ezer, the son, pastor, 1 793-1837, cover with was reading. their ministries a century \y\x\i\nfive years, or ^ Or, as we might now say, for criticism, if the three years be added when they were "• Rev. Moses Warren, pastor in South joint pastors, within two years. Parish of Wilbraham, 178S-1829. He was a ^ Sir William Jones, the famous Oriental native of Upton, Mass., graduate of Harvard scholar, died in 1794, at the age of forty-eight. in 17S4. 550 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. 26. Visited some acquaintance. Rode home through Somers and Elling- ton. Visited Mrs. Backus.' Agreed with her for some books. Mrs. Brock- way* is very poor. Visited some poor women in Wapping. The grain appears very well. Received a letter from my brother James. 27. A\'rote to my brother Frank. Worked in the garden. Planted peas. At evening walked out. 28. Worked in the garden. Wrote to my brother James. Read the Life of Sir Williafn jfones. At evening performed a marriage.^ 29. Received last evening a letter from Esq. Sterling, of Salisbury. In the morning rode to the lower part of Scantick and attended the funeral of a child. Visited. Rode to Hartford. The freshet this morning has not been high. Paid a merchant tailor, $10.00. 30. Wrote to Esq. Sterling. Read the Life of Sir William Joties. At evening walked out. A member of the church conducts badly. May. 1. Visited a man sick with the prevailing fever of the countr}-. Wrote a double sermon on Matt, xxii : 16. I began after nine o'clock, and expected to have had but a single sermon. Towards night I found I should do great injustice to the subject without extending it to another sermon. I went on, beginning the second at a quarter after eight in the evening, and finished it a quarter after three in the morning. I believe I never wrote so much in one day. About midnight drank a cup of tea. 2. Preached on Matt, xxii : 16. The subject appeared interesting. Felt very feeble and unable to speak.'' At evening attended a conference. Am exceedingly fatigued. 3. Two young men called on me from Hartford, wishing to publish in a volume my late numbers written for the Magazine? Walked out and visited. Afternoon attended a little while at a training. 4. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins, Marietta. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Rode to Hartford. Mr. Gleason concludes to issue proposals for publishing my Magazine numbers.* I do not feel very willing for it, but Mr. Strong and Mr. Flint ^ say it may be done. Rainy. 5. There seems to be every disposition in the north of Europe to take advantage of the reverses of the French. Walked and visited all day. Took pains to engage the people for our approaching contribution. Wet. ' Widow of Rev. Charles Backus, D.D. * Mr. Gleason is the man who had already * Wife of Rev. Diodate Brockway, pastor published the articles in the Connecticut at Ellington, 1799-1849. Evangelical Magazine. 3 The parties in marriage were William ^ The testimony of these men would have Phelps and Chloe R. May. great weight. Indeed, at that time, there •♦ Query. Did his day's work the day were not many men who had carefully before have anything to do with it? studied the subject of our early New Eng- * Whether this call was from the same land history, and Dr. Robbins's articles had source as the one soon to follow, does not a great value. He was careful in the use of appear, but probably not. such materials as he had. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 551 6. Read U?iiversal History. Quite cold and rainy all day. Visited. Saw some blossoms on the 4th, but the season now is unfavorable for the fruit. 7. Read Universal History. Afternoon walked and visited. The people do pretty well taking fish.' 8. Wrote a sermon on Matt, xix : 30. Very rainy, as it has been now for five days. 9. Wrote notes and preached in the -afternoon from Job xxii : 23. In the forenoon Mr. A. Loomis ^ preached for me. He is about to be settled at New Salem, Colchester.^ At evening attended the conference. We had our mis- sionary contribution, and collected $32.52. It is something less than last year, on account, I believe, of some people being out of town. In two instances there were two dollars, eight single dollars, and the rest in small money. 10. Rode to Hartford, Wethersfield, and Farmington. Am trying to col- lect an account of the state of the churches for Association. Am pretty fortu- nate in collecting an account of election sermons. The prevailing epidemic is pretty bad at Wethersfield and at New Haven. Seven have died at Weth- ersfield in a week. College is broken up. Warm and very pleasant. 11. Very warm. Looked over Mr. Pitkin's* pamphlets. Found some valuable things. Rode to Simsbury, Wintonbury, and home. Got home late. Saw apple-tree blossoms. It seems our northern army have gone to Upper Canada and taken Little York.' It seems to be generally regretted. 12. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Hartford. The Governor came into town with a very handsome escort. Saw my brother Nat. My father is unwell with a swelled face. He did not preach last Sabbath. 13. Election. Rode to Hartford early. The day remarkably fine. Attended the meeting of the Bible Society. The collection of clergy, and of people generally, very great. Mr. Lee's ^ sermon was heterogeneous, and contained some undesirable things. The Governor has a much larger majority than was expected. Attended the meeting of the Ministers' Annuity Society. The business of the day was finished very early. Rode home. 14. Rode to East Hartford. Walked to Hartford and back. Conversed with the members of the Legislature respecting a judge of probate for this district. Preached a lecture for Mr. Yates, without any notes, on Job xxii : ' This was the season for taking shad. was captured by an American expedition ^ Rev. Amasa Loomis, son of Dea. Amasa under Gen. Pike, on the 27th of April, 1S13. Loomis. The Americans were about 1,700 strong; the ^ The town of Colchester then comprised British numbered 850 (including 100 Indians) three parishes, Colchester proper, Westches- under Gen. Sheafe. The American loss ter, and New Salem. New Salem is now the occurred principally from the explosion of town of Salem. the British magazine, which had been set on •* Rev. Timothy Pitkin, who had been fire. There were 52 killed and 22S wounded, pastor at Farmington, 1752-1785, but who Gen. Pike was killed. The British lost, no died at Farmington two years before, and killed, 300 wounded, and 36 military and 4 his books and pamphlets had not probably naval officers, and 250 privates became pris- been scattered. oners. — Haydn's Dictionary of Dates, p. 516. 5 " York (Toronto), in Upper Canada, ^ Rev. Chauncey Lee, D.D., of Colebrook. 552 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. 23. At Hartford met with the directors of the Ministers' Annuity Society. Walked home. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Battell. 15. Wrote a sermon on Acts xxiv : 14. Hindered considerably by com- pany. Quite cool. 16. Wrote notes and preached in the morning on Judges vi : 13. Afternoon from Matt, xix : 30. At evening attended a conference. After conference rode out and performed a marriage.' • Ver}- tired. 17. Set out on a journey with Ursula. I go partly on my own business, and partly for the benefit of her health. She has been unwell since about the I St of Januar}-. Rode to Haddam. A very fine season. Paid at Hartford for a watch-chain, $3.00. For a whip, $2.00. Preached in the evening at a lecture appointed for me, from Rom. i: 16. Tarried at Mrs. Brainerd's.^ The apple-trees in their early blossoms. 18. Quite warm. Rode to Saybrbok. Ursula bears the journey very well. Dined with Mr. Hotchkiss.-' Crossed the river to Lyme. Very kindly enter- tained at the Griswolds. This situation is remarkably fine. 19. Looked over old election sermons. Judge Griswold has a valuable collection of them. Am able to complete my list. Went out on the water. Quite cool. The Governor's widow and children are a very excellent family.* Have a prospect of getting some valuable old books. 20. Left Lyme and rode to New London. I had no idea that this was so rough a countr}'. Got some information about old sermons, etc. The first printing-press in this State was erected in this town,^ in 17 10. Rode to Nor- wich. Called on Mrs. Hooker.^ Her situation is verj- melancholy and trying. Ursula found some school acquaintance. Preached in the evening without ' William Bliss, of Hartford, and Cynthia Wolcott. She was the daughter of Mr. Albert Wolcott. ^ Where he had boarded years before, when preaching at Haddam. Ten ministers of the name raised up from this one par- ish. ^ Rev. Frederick W. Hotchkiss, pastor at Old Saybrook, 1 783-1 844. *■ Ursula Wolcott, Dr. Robbins's travel- ing companion, ought to feel at home among the members of the Griswold family in Lyme. Fifty or sixty years before, another Ursula Wolcott, daughter of Colonial Governor Roger Wolcott, had married Matthew Gris- wold and gone to live in Lyme. He had been Governor and judge, and had died in 1799. His son Roger had been Governor and judge, and had died the year before, 1812, at Norwich. The family of Griswolds, where they were visiting, was Judge Matthew Griswold, who was an eminent jurist, and maintained for many years a law school, in which a large number of the eminent lawyers of the countr}' were educated. ^ Xew London. * This is no other than the widow of Rev. Asahel Hooker whom we have so often had occasion to notice as an able divine and favor- ite theological instructor, settled in Goshen. He was compelled to leave the cold hills of Litchfield County, because of sensitive lungs, and was settled in 1S12 over one of the churches of Norwich. There he died, April ig, 1S13, at the age of fifty, cut oft in the midst of his years. Mrs. Hooker was left with three children, all of whom lived to old age, and have passed away during recent years, Dr. Edward W. Hooker, formerly of Hartford Theological Seminan,', Mrs. Mary Cornelius, wife of the able and elo- quent Dr. Elias Cornelius, secretary of the American Education Society, and also of the American Board. The other daughter was the wife of Rev. Dr. Solomon Peck, secretary of the Baptist Foreign Missionary Society. 1 8 13.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 553 notes from Num. x : 29. This place (the Landing) is the most compact built place in this State. Tarried at Mrs. Hooker's. 21. In the morning called on some acquaintance. This season here does not appear to be quite so forward as on Connecticut River. Rode to Wind- ham. I think Ursula is better for the journey. Our journey is very pleasant. Rode to Tolland. Some of the road is pretty poor. We are obliged to travel circuitously to keep the turnpikes. I think Windham County preferable to New London. 22. Ursula found acquaintance at Tolland. Rode home. Our journey has been very prosperous ; we have had very fine weather, and have found many friends. A sickly young man and a black man ' have died here this week. The latter of the epidemic fever. Received a letter from my father, one from Mr. Battell, and one from my brother James. My father is quite feeble. Rode to Mr. E. Bissell's to confer with him about his son's going to live with brother James. The road is very dusty. 23. Wrote notes in the morning and preached on Ps. xx.wii : 34. Baptized a child.^ Afternoon from Acts xxiv : 14. After meeting attended the funeral of the black man who died yesterday. At evening wrote to Mr. Rowland, of Windsor, and to Mr. Wadsworth, of Geneseo. Am considerably hoarse with a cold. 24. Wrote to my brother James. Edward Bissell ^ went off to live with him as a clerk. Very warm. My orange and lemon-trees, which I feared were killed with the frost, appear to be reviving. Visited a sick man. The ther- mometer rose to 88°. Worked in the garden. The heat very oppressive. 25. Visited the family lately bereaved by death. Worked some. Wrote on my list of election sermons. The thermometer was at 85°. 26. Wrote. Our ministers' meeting was held here. Mr. Yates preached. After meeting walked to Windsor and back. Mr. Rowland's family have been ver^' sick, but are getting better. 27. Rainy. Rode to Hartford. Looked over the ancient State records to find an account of election sermons. In early times they are not generally noticed in the records. Found a great number of acquaintance. Treated very politely by Mr. Secretary Day.* Tarried at Hartford. Read the Presi- dent's Message. 28. Completed my list of election sermons and gave it to the printer to be inserted as an appendix to the sermon of this year.' Many gentlemen appear glad that I have done it. Received of the bank, for a note which I gave in yesterday, $295.35. Paid a note which they held against me of $100.00, ' Calvin Wood, aged twentv-five, and He was Secretary of State in Connecticut, Walter A. Black, aged thirty-eight. from iSio to 1S35. ^ Clarissa, daughter of Bishop Johnson. ' Those interested in such matters may^ 3 This was the son probably of Elijah take note that the list of previous election Bissell. He lived afterward in Detroit. sermons, which Dr. Robbins had taken such * Thomas Day, LL.D., brother of Dr. pains to compile, may be found as an appen- Jeremiah Day, President of Yale College, and dix to the sermon of Rev. Chauncey Lee, son of Rev. Jeremiah Day, of New Preston. D. D., preached in 1813. 554 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1813. Sent to the Eagle Bank of New Haven, for my next instalment, $125.00. Paid Gleason, $10.00. Walked home. Visited a sick man. I fear he will not live. Cool. Had a little fire in my chamber. 29. Wrote a sermon on Ps. li : 15. Visited the sick man. Received a letter from my brother James. I am alarmed at the account of my father's poor state. I fear that he will not enjoy much more health. Paid for a book, the Echo^ $i-o5- Was up late. 30. Wrote and preached in the morning on Luke ii : 32. Afternoon, the sermon written )'esterday. Meeting quite full. At evening attended a con- ference. Very thin. 31. Wrote to my father. Visited sick persons. Rode to Hartford. Rode to Orford. Found difficulty in getting the account of the state of that church and society. Quite warm and dusty. I think the circumstances of Orford society are improving. Towards night a shower. Endeavored to ride to Scantick, Between Wapping and Scantick got lost in the evening,^ and tar- ried at Wells's.^ On the 30th gave notice to the people, that in consequence of my father's indisposition, I calculated to spend the next Sabbath with him. June. 1. Rode to Scantick, Enfield, and Hartland. Met with the Association at Mr. Church's.* Did not get there before four o'clock. Very tired. Our good brother Eells^ is missing. He died of a fever, sick three days, last week. Was up late writing our report of the state of the churches. Brother McLean, appointed with me, does very little about it. It is a time of general and great coldness. The Association appointed me, very unexpectedly, a delegate to the General Association. 2. Made my report on the state of our churches, and prepared one for General Association. The difficulties between Mr. Church and his people appear about as great as ever. Left Hartland, after three o'clock, and rode home by way of Enfield. Got home quite late. Very tired. Last night and night before a little frost in some places. The apple-trees in Hartland are in full blossom. Agreed with Mr. Church's daughter for an edition of the British Poets!" I think it a fortunate bargain. 3. Am much fatigued with my late labors. Wrote. Read Universal History. Received an election sermon. My list of the past election sermons appears well, though I think it not so well printed as it ought to be. Walked out. ' The Echo mid Other Poems was a vol- sted, 1787-1813. Barkhamsted was a place ume of American poetry, which obtained no so small and out of the way, that we have lasting fame. not encountered Rev. Mr. Eells so frequently ^ The writer has traveled that road, not as the surrounding ministers. He was a without danger of getting lost in the day-time. graduate of Yale in 1779. ^ A public house. '' He does not say of how many volumes ■* Rev. Aaron Church, pastor at East this set consisted when he bought it. An Hartland in 1773-181 5. edition published in Philadelphia in 1S19 * Rev. Ozias Eells, pastor at Barkham- counted fifty volumes. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 555 4. On account of having to go to General Association I conclude not to go to Norfolk till next week. Began a sermon on John xviii : 37. Yesterday the thermometer was at 85° ; today it rose to 91°. The heat very oppressive. The people at New London are much alarmed with British ships of war in their river. 5. Wrote on my sermon. The thermometer at 91°. We have yet sound apples. 6. Finished and preached my sermon on John xviii : 37. Not quite so warm as it has been. Very dry. Baptized a child." Meeting rather thin. At evening attended the conference. Quite full. 7. This morning my neighbor and good friend, Mr. Samuel Wolcott,^ died very suddenly. His gout seemed to seat on the lungs. His age was sixty- two. Wrote to my father. Attended the funeral of an infant child. A very refreshing shower. Rode to Hartford. Received a number of new volumes of Classics.^ Hudson & Goodwin gave me six copies of the election sermon for my appendix. 8. Walked out and visited. Afternoon attended the funeral of Mr. Wol- cott. It was the most numerous of any one that I have seen in this place. The family very deeply afflicted. Much cooler than it has been. 9. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick man. The grain on the ground appears very well. Visited. Yesterday received a letter from Rev. Mr. Chase/ of Hartford. Am prevented from going my journey tomorrow as I expected. ID. Worked, piling a heap of manure for next fall. Afternoon rode to Wapping and performed a marriage.^ Quite rainy. At evening wrote a paper for Ursula. 11. Set out on a journey to Norfolk. Ursula goes with me. Carried to Hartford our missionary contribution of $32.52. Paid the treasurer of the Ministers' Annuity Society my annual rate, ^5.00. Paid for a pair of silk stockings which I gave to Ursula, $2.50. Rode to Norfolk. Was out in a considerable shower. My father is much more ill than I expected. His com- plaint is an erysipelas in the face. One side of his face is much swollen, and is very painful. 12. My brother Frank is at home, and is very studious. The people here are much engaged in building their new meeting-house. They are doing a great deal of voluntary labor in preparing the ground. The old house is taken ' Arthur Melancthon, son of Dea. Abner one cannot tell how many volumes he Reed. owns. 2 Mr. Samuel Wolcott was one of the * This was no other than the distinguished prominent men in East Windsor, both in Philander Chase, D. D., afterwards Bishop wealth and influence. He was grandfather of Ohio, and President of Kenyon College, of Rev. Samuel Wolcott, D. D., formerly of He was a native of Cornish, N. H., and a Cleveland, but now residing at Longmeadow, graduate of Dartmouth College in 1796. Mass. From 181 1 to 1817 he was rector of Christ 3 This shows that Mr. Robbins's edition Church, Hartford, Ct. of the British Classics was yet in a state of ^ Alexander Wells, of Scantic, and Eunice growth, and until that process is completed White, of Wapping. 55G DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D, Il8l3- down. Dined at Mr. Battell's. The people are blasting many rocks on the green. I think it will be much improved. 13. My father rides out some, but is unable to attend meeting. We had meeting under a temporarj^- shed, erected for the use of the carpenters. Preached from Heb. xi : 24, 25, and Hab. iii: 17, 18. The place for meeting was quite convenient. My brother Nat's character appears to suffer very much. 14. We hear that brother James has a son. Brother Samuel is building a small new barn. Afternoon set out for Watertown to attend General Asso- ciation. Rode to Litchfield. Being late I tarried at a tavern. This town has a noble new gaol. 15. Rode early to Watertown. Met with the General Association. On the committee of overtures had the principal care of arranging the business, Mr. Gaylord,' of Hartland, preached. Two or three members are absent. We sat in a large chamber in a public house prepared for us. We had good beer, but no spirits. 16. We were very close in application to business. Wet and rainy. Am very kindly accommodated at Col. Smith's. Uncle Starr is with me. We did not leave our business to attend public worship. The accounts given of the state of religion generally are unfavorable. There are very few instances of special revivals. But the vacant societies in the State are improving ; foreign missions^ appear to be running down. 17. All the other ecclesiastical bodies with whom we are connected are rep- resented. There is but one delegate wanting ; seven are present. Near sun- down we completed the business. Very tired. 18. Rode to Norfolk. Ver^' warm. At Litchfield called on Mr. Wolcott.^ My father, I think, is evidently better than he w-as a w^eek ago. Received of Mr. M. F. Mills," as the payment of a note, $49.81. Paid Mr. Battell for things which he had promised for me at New York, $23.50. The people here are calculating to have me preach at the dedication of their meeting-house. At Watertown, looked at the vane, etc., preparing for the steeple. At my recom- mendation they conclude to have the steeple topped with a cross.' Ursula has done very well here. 19. Set out pretty early with Ursula, and rode home. Warm, but not severe as yesterday. At Hartford paid for a pair of gloves for Frances, given her, $1.00. Dr. McClure attended meeting here last Sabbath, and held public worship. Am very- much fatigued with the labors of the week. Feel ver}' sensibly the want of sleep. 20. Very rainy all day. Wrote over old notes and preached on Gen. xxviii : 20, 21. Meeting very thin. At evening walked out. Yesterday Mr. ' Rev. Nathaniel Gaylord. had recently died. Possibly it was Mr. ^ According to Mr. Robbins, this foreign Frederick Wolcott upon whom he called, missionary work did not take hold of the * Mr. Michael F. Mills, of Norfolk, affection and confidence of people at the ' He was more free from superstition first. than most Congregational ministers of Iiis ^ Oliver Wolcott, the younger. The elder generation. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 557 Emerson,' of Beverly, who was at the General Association, called here and dined. His wife was with him. 21. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Our war is carried on briskly at the westward. 22. Read. Worked in my garden. Afternoon walked to Hartford. Assisted Mr. Flint in preparing the minutes of General Association for publi- cation. Quite warm and wet. 23. Paid Mr. Chapin, my cabinet-maker, $20.00. Wrote to Rev. Mr. Nash/ Tolland. Walked home. Visited. The crops grow very rapidly. Yesterday we had peas. I eat some last Friday at Norfolk, which went from Harlford. 24. Read Universal History. Walked to East Hartford and preached a sacramental lecture for Mr. Yates. The religious attention there appears to increase. Returned and visited. 25. Read in Universal History^ three hundred pages. Am considerably troubled with inattention. I hardly read twenty-five pages an hour. Preached yesterday on Ps. li : 15. Quite cool. 26. Walked and visited. Afternoon rode to Farmington to exchange with Mr. Porter.' Rode a poor horse. 27. Preached from John i : 10, and Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. This congregation is very large, and the house very hard for a speaker. Quite warm. At evening rode to West Hartford. Tarried at Dr. Perkins's. 2'8. Rode home. The heat very severe. The thermometer rose to 95°. Towards night a very violent shower. Mr. Reuben Porter was here yesterday, on his return from Massachusetts General Association. He attended a con- ference in the evening. Walked out. 29. Wrote to Uncle Starr. Walked and visited all day. Warm and wet. Gave away two Bibles. People are beginning haying. The grain appears very well. 30. Walked out and visited. Afternoon rode to Wethersfield to preach a sacramental lecture for Dr. Marsh. He is gone a journey, and his next sacra- ment is omitted. There was no lecture. Returned. Very warm. Vegeta- tion is ver)' rapid. July. 1. Worked in the garden. Walked out and visited. The thermometer was at 89°. Read Universal History. I do not accomplish nearly so much busi- ness as I ought to do. My garden peas produce very well. 2. The heat very oppressive. The thermometer was at 93°. Read Universal History. Wrote notes and preached a preparatory lecture on Luke xii: 10. Lecture pretty thin. At evening and in the night quite rainy. Went into the water. 3. Wrote a sermon on Joshua xxiv : 20. Finished in good season. Ther- ' Rev. Joseph Emerson, pastor of Second = Rev. Ansel Nash, pastor at Tolland, Congregational Church in Beverly, 1803- 1S13-1S31. 1816, afterwards a distinguished teacher. ^ Rev. Noah Porter, D. D. 55S DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. mometer at 87°. Vegetation is very rapid. People beginning haying. The nights are warm. 4. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on 2 Cor. iv: 10. After- noon the sermon written yesterday. Administered the sacrament. Much oppressed with the heat. The meeting rather thin. The thermometer at 93°. The congregation appears very stupid. At evening attended the confer- ence. 5. Worked in the garden. My garden does very well this year. Read. Rode to Hartford and got a clock which I have purchased for $50.00. It is a very good one, having run about a dozen years. A brass clock with a mahogany case. I think it cheap. 6. Set up my clock on the stairs. We have no room high enough for it. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Towards night a violent shower. Cool. 7. Walked to the hill. Rode with Mr. Flint to Mr. Bartlett's to attend ministers' meeting. No others came, and no lecture had been appointed. Towards night Mr. Flint and I rode to Enfield. Tarried with Mr, Taylor. Attended to the formation of a system of rules for the Consociation. Crops appear remarkably well. Our western army has had another reverse.' 8. Rode to the upper part of our society. Visited. Did not get home till evening. I conclude we have had no warmer day this year. They inform me that the thermometer was at 92° before noon. I presume it was as high as 95° or 96°. Capt. Bissell ^ is building a very fine new house. A valuable stone bridge has been lately built a little south of the meeting-house. Re- ceived a letter from my brother Samuel. Father has been worse since I was there. I feel much concerned about him. 9. We have very warm nights. Finished another volume of the Universal History. Worked some. Very showery. 10. Wrote a sermon on Rom. viii : 7. Cooler than it has been. Paid for my newspaper for a year, $1.75. My affections are in a poor state for writing sermons. 11. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. xi : 11. Afternoon the sermon written yesterday. Weather very fine. At evening attended the conference. Yesterday and today wrote a letter to Miss Ursula Wolcott now at Geneseo. Quite tired. 12. Last night was obliged to get up and take laudanum. Rode to Hart- ford. We have an account of a great sanguinary' battle in Europe, in which both parties claim the victory.^ At evening performed a marriage.* Very showery. 13. Wrote all day. Finished a piece for the Magazine, containing reflec- ' About seven miles from QueenstowTi, hundred and sixty officers and men taken Upper Canada, at a place called Beaver prisoners. Dam, there was a short, but evidently a very ^ Capt. Aaron Bissell. severe, engagement between the Americans ' It is difficult to tell exactly what battle and the British, in which the Americans is here meant. were beaten, with a reported loss of four * Willis Wood and Sally Williams. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 559 tions Oil Mr. Mills's * letter contained in the number for this month. I think the subject very useful, 14. Rode early to Hartford, and to Norfolk in the stage. My father is evidently rather lower than when J was here last, and there appears to be no amelioration of his disease. He rides out. The people here have just begun to raise their meeting-house. My brother Frank is confined at home ^ by the sickness of my father. 15. Rainy all day. Brother Frank appears to be very studious. Father endures very great pain. Assisted in making a draft for the clock face for the meeting-house. 16. Agreed with Mr. Gaylord^ to preach two Sabbaths for me in August, and to spend the time here. The raising of the meeting-house will take a number of days. I think it will be a very noble building. Rode with father. Received from my brother Nat, $20.00. I have some concern about brother Sam. in a female connection. 17. I think father's Christian character appears very well. Left Norfolk early. Rode to Hartford in a stage, and rode home in a waggon. Received a letter from my brother James. 18. Wrote notes and preached all day on Luke vi : 45. After meeting rode to Wapping and preached on Heb. xii: 25. Baptized there two chil- dren.'* Very tired. 19. Rainy. We have a remarkably wet season. The river is quite high. Walked out. 20. Walked and visited all day. Received a letter from my sister Battell, one from my brother James, and one from Mr. Lane, of Lyme. Very warm and wet. 21. Read Universal History. Looked over my pecuniary accounts. I have expended more for a year past than usual. Went to Hartford. Walked above half of the way, going and returning. Received from my brother James, sent to Hartford, $10.31. Paid my cabinet-maker, $8.00. Paid a merchant, $5.00; to Cooke, $5.00; for a book, Life of Calvin, $2.25. People are trying to harvest, but the season is unfavorable. The river is quite high. 22. Walked and visited all day. Visited a school. Capt. Bissell is build- ing a very valuable house. 23. Began a sermon on Isa. i : 28. Rode to the harvest field and carried dinner to the workmen. The harvest is good, but the weather is unfavorable for the ingathering. At evening walked out. 24. Quite rainy and wet. Wrote all day. Bonaparte appears anxious for a peace on the continent. 25. Finished and preached my sermon on Isa. i: 28. Meeting quite attent- ive. After meeting rode to the lower part of the town, and had a sort of con- ference at a house of mourning. At evening attended the usual conference. ' Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Torringford. ■* William Warner Sadd, son of Noah ^ That is, he is kept at Norfolk. Sadd ; and Daniel J. Skinner, son of Oliver 3 Rev. Asahel Gaylord. Skinner. 560 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. Very tired. On Friday visited two young women apparently deeply impressed in mind. I hope to be thankful that we are not wholly forgotten. .26. Much troubled last night with nervous affections. People all at the harvest. Some people worked yesterday. I fear the breach of the Sabbath is a o-rowing evil. The heat yesterday was severe ; the thermometer was at 85°. Walked out and visited. Visited a school and families. Preparing for my journey. 27. Rode to Norfolk. Dr. Tudor went with me. My father appears much as when I last saw him. I think he is no better. I brought Dr. Tudor for the sake of seeing him. We had a pleasant ride. At evening Uncle Starr and aunt came here. We have an account of a ver)^ great battle in Europe, in which the French were rather successful.' 28. Wet. The people here have not begun their harvest. Dr. Tudor thinks my father's complaint is an uncommon case, and has some fears of a cancer. Dined at Mr. Battell's. Sally is remarkably attentive to father. Tudor - came up in the stage to return with the doctor. Paid for his fare. 29. In the morning the doctor and Tudor went off for East Windsor. He left his prescriptions for father. Uncle and Aunt Starr went home. Received a letter from our Ursula W^olcott. Received from Aunt Starr, $110.00, for which I gave her my note, with which I am to try to procure her a share in ihe Eagle Bank. Rode out with father. Worked some at hay. Wrote to Major Wolcott.^ Gave Tudor for his expenses home, $1.00. 30. Wrote. The frame of the meeting-house was completed in the raising, on the 23d. They began to raise on the 15th. It makes a fine appearance. The cross at the summit of the steeple appears tasty and elegant. Wrote to Mr. Ebenezer Lane, of Lyme, and Mr. Charles Sherman, of New Haven. At evening my brother James and his wife and little son came here. Worked at hay. We had a small sudden shower. 31. Yesterday worked considerably arranging my father's books and pam- phlets. My parents have a good garden. Read Universal History. Received of my brother James, on his note which he took up, $2.25. Quite cool. James has a fine little child. In reckoning my pecuniary accounts, July 21st, the sum received and the sums expended on that day, excepting the §8.00 paid a cabinet- maker, were not included. August. I. We had meeting in the frame of the new meeting-house.'' The roof is nearly done. The meeting quite full. Preached all day on Isa. i : 28. Baptized my brother James's child and one more. These were the first relig- ' That may be the battle of Hochkirchen, ' Maj. Abiel Wolcott, with whom he in Saxony, in which Napoleon defeated the boarded. combined armies of the Russians and Aus- ■♦ Such primitive ways of accommodating trians. themselves to circumstances were more natu- * Samuel Tudor Wolcott, aged fourteen. ral than they would be now. x8l3.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 561 ious exercises in the new meeting-house. The place for speaking was quite difficult. 2. There is an appearance of great stupidity about divine things in this place. Rode out with father. Very warm. Wrote. We have a good deal of company. 3. Read Universal History. Mr. and Mrs. Beach,' of Winsted, came here and made father a good visit. Drank tea at Mr. Olmstead's. The attendance on father requires a great deal of labor. 4. My brother James and his wife went home. Their child is quite un- well. Sally and I rode with them to Sheffield. Mr. Bradford ^ is about to be settled at Sheffield. Returned. The heat very great. 5. Three days past have been very warm and a very fine time for haying and harvest. My brother Samuel gets in his hay ver}- fast. I do something in the instruction of my sister's children.' My father rides every- day. Worked some at hay. 6. I sleep at Mr. Battell's, as he is absent on a journey. Read Universal History. Prepared papers with my name to put in my books. I have so much to do in waiting on my father, that I can read but little. 7. Wrote to Dr. Buel,* of Sheffield. My father's disorder appears to have very little variation. Towards evening there was a little shower. The week has been uniformly very warm and constantly clear and dr}-. A very fine season for haying and harvest. The people here are generally in their harvest. Worked some at the meeting-house. Go very thin clothed. 8. We had meeting in an orchard back of the meeting-house. The con- gregation very large. Preached from Deut. xxxii : 39, and Ps. li : 15. Bap- tized five children. Very much fatigued. The heat about the same as the week past. 9. The heat very severe. Rode to Chestnut Hill ^ and visited sister Bet- sey. Afternoon a hard thunder-shower. Was out in the most of it and got very wet. At evening Mr. Hawley,* of Northington, came here and tarried. ID. Read. Rode out and visited a sick man. I fear there will be diffi- culties here in the church. II. Last Sabbath finished reading the Bible in course which I began ? Am much taken up waiting on my father. Am trying to persuade him to go to New Lebanon Spring, but he is very reluctant. I am more than ever discour- aged about him. Read. ' Rev. James Beach and wife. He was * Dr. William Buel, who went from Litch- pastor at Winsted (a parish of Winchester), field, Ct., to Sheffield, and afterwards removed 1S06-1S42. He was a native of that region, back to Litchfield. and had doubtless known Rev. Mr. Robbins, ' One of the districts of the town of Xor- of Norfolk, from his youth up. folk. ^ James Bradford, a native of Rowley, *' Rev. Rufus Hawley, of Northington Mass., and a graduate of Dartmouth Col- (Avon), lege, 181 1. ' He forgot to fill this blank. He doubt- 3 Little Joseph had been a scholar of his less intended to consult his record-book, not for some time. Little Philip was now five. having the exact date in mind. 562 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. 12. Set out with my father for New Lebanon. Made several stops. Rode to Sheffield. He bore the ride better than I expected. Tarried at Dr. Buel's. 13. Rode to Stockbridge and Lenox. We meet with great kindness on the road. Wrote from Stockbridge to brother Frank, at Lenox, and he came to Lenox. Brother James's little child is very sick with whooping-cough. Warm. 14. Afternoon rode to New Lebanon. He is, I think, better in health for his journey. Quite warm. There is a good deal of company here. 15 On the morning of the 12th wrote to Mr. Wolcott,' East Windsor, to Dr. McClure, and to Mr. Yates. Father went into the warm and cold bath. I think the water does him good. There is scarcely the appearance here of the Sabbath. At evening preached in the drawing-room to a very respect- able audience, on Num. x : 29. Father was not able to attend. 16. Am very much taken up with waiting on my father. Rode out. Very warm. Am treated with much attention. Received of two gentlemen a pres- ent of $6.00. Brother came here and made a short visit. Father had a pretty poor day ; his nerves are much affected. He determines to leave here to- morrow. 17. Left New Lebanon. Paid our bill, ^7.00. Rode to Lenox. Father had a good deal of pain. I do not know that the water had done any essen- tial service. Yet he is evidently better for the journey. Yesterday morning wrote to Mr. Battell. Last evening went into the bath. Brother James appears to be doing well here in trade. Tarried with him. 18. Rode home. My father bore traveling remarkably. He is evidently stronger for his journey. Our journey has been very prosperous. 19. Father has severe pain. Probably his ride yesterday was a little too fatiguing. Read. The meeting-house here advances very finely. 20. Quite warm. Preparing for my return. Father feels disagreeably at the prospect of my departure. 21. Rode in the stage to Hartford, Very warm. The stage was very full. The dust very severe. Found Mr. Wolcott at Hartford, who carried me home. Little Joseph Battell came with me. Have been absent nearly four weeks. Mr Oliver Loomis, our neighbor, died this morning. A black woman ^ has died during my absence. Very tired. 22. The heat very oppressive. The thermometer was at 88°. During my absence it has been at 96°. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Jer. xxiii: 24. Afternoon preached with old notes on John xi : 25. Attended the funeral of Mr. Loomis. At evening attended the conference. Last evening received a letter from Mr. Orange Lyrnan.^ Last Sabbath Mr. McClure car- ried on the meeting here, and the two preceding Mr. Gaylord preached." It ' Maj. Abiel Wolcott. 1809, is about to be settled at Ellsworth, a ^ Tamarind, the black woman, died August parish of Sharon. 12. Her name itself is evidence that she had -» Dr. David McClure took the general once been a slave, and perhaps died a slave. oversight of the meetings, and Mr. Asahel ^ Rev. Orange Lyman, a native of Tor- Gaylord, who was, we think, a licensed but rington, and a graduate of Williams College, not an ordamed minister, did the preaching. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 563 was not known last Sabbath that I was not yet home till people got to meet- ing. The stage-driver was very negligent. 23. Last night there was a good deal of thunder, but little rain. The ground is very dry. Read newspapers. I have the whole of the Hartford Courant a?id Mirror for more than four years. Lord Wellington has gained another great victory in Spain.' Walked out. 24. Rode to Hartford. Did several errands for my friends at Norfolk. The thermometer was at 85°. Received of my brother Nat, $4.06. In the afternoon we had the most violent tornado, consisting of wind, rain, and hail, that I ever witnessed. The buildings, trees, fences, and crops are very much injured. Mr. Wolcott is a great sufferer. This was about the centre of the vein, which was very severe more than a mile in breadth. Several of the great elms are turned up by the roots.'^ 25. The storm yesterday appears to have been extensive and very violent. Sent to Dr. McClure a present of $5.00, in consideration of his frequent min- isterial assistance in my absence. Visited. Worked the most of the after- noon in tr)'ing to re-erect a great elm. 26. Walked and visited all day. Eat some fine watermelons. The aspect of divine things here is very gloomy. Paid to Hartford Bank, $63.72. 27. Wrote to my brother James. Quite warm and faint. Having been, on my birthday, at my father's, so much taken up with my attendance on him, I did not attend but little to the appropriate duties of the day. I have, there- fore, set apart this day as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, before God. 28. Wrote a sermon on Ps. cxlvii : 11. A little afternoon rode to Wap- ping and attended the funeral of a man who died suddenly.^ The heat quite oppressive. 29. Wrote notes and preached in the morning on John vii : 16, Afternoon the sermon written yesterday. Towards night and at evening it was quite rainy. 30. Quite rainy; very refreshing to the dry ground. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins. Received a letter from Dr. Perkins to convene our Conso- ciation. Walked out and visited. I hope we have some small tokens of good among us. 31. Rode to New Haven. The heat very severe. Got in late. At even- ing attend the speaking for premiums. Very tired. Received of the society collector, $124.00, and two orders which I had given, amounting to $19.96. ' Lord Wellington defeated Marshal Soult ^ The habit of Mr. Robbins seems to be, at the battle of the Pyrenees, July 28, 1813. when he is called to attend the funeral of any ^ The writer, whose early years were one outside of his own parish, not to record passed in the Connecticut Valley, has the the case on the parish books. Very likely impression that such wild storms of wnd, he had a private and separate record for all rain, and hail, are more common in that val- such cases. It would make confusion to ley than in the region of Boston. enter them with the parish records. 564 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. September. 1. The Commencement is this week in consequence of the President's appointed Fast.' It was held in the old Blue Meeting-House.^ Not quite so many people, ministers especially, as usual. The exercises were rather better than usual. No Master spoke. It was severely warm in the meeting-house. It is a very hot day. At evening Mr. Gibson ^ preached the Concio ad Clerum. Paid my last instalment of $125.00 at the Eagle Bank. There is considerable building in this town. 2. In the morning attended a meeting for prayer. It Avas quite full. Rode home. The heat ver^- severe and oppressive. Was exceedingly fatigued and sore with the ride. In the last month my agent at New Haven received a dividend for me at the Eagle Bank, and paid it to Howe & Deforest, of $25.00, according to my order. The thermometer today has been about 90°. Got home late in the evening. 3. Wrote. Read Universal Histoj-y. Walked out and visited. 4. Little Joseph does pretty well with his Latin grammar. Wrote a ser- mon on Rom. vi : i. Went into the water. Much cooler. 5. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Deut. iv : 40. Afternoon on Rom. vi: i. At evening attended the conference. Meeting quite full. Quite cool, 6. Walked and visited. Afternoon attended a training. 7. Wrote letters to W. Chapman, New Connecticut, to ]Mrs. Backus, Somers, and to my brother Samuel. Rode to Hartford. Yesterday paid Mr. Terry towards the meeting-house clock for Norfolk, $25.00. Read Universal History. 8. Wrote a sermon for the Fast on Deut. xxiii : i. Worked some at row- ing hay. Yesterday morning there was a little frost, but it is thought vegeta- tion is not injured, 9. National Fast. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Ezra iii : 21. Afternoon on Deut. xxviii : 11. Meeting not very well attended. Some people worked. ■• At evening rainy. Wrote. 10. Finished the twenty-third volume of Universal History. Visited a school. The summer schools here are not sufficiently attended to. The ther- mometer was at 83°. I have got quite in arrear in reading. 11. The heat very oppressive. Thermometer at 84°, Worked some at ' September, this year, came in on Wed- ing-House was the one probably left empty nesday. If Commencement day had oc- by the aforesaid union. curred by the usual law, it would have ^ m^, Robbins did not spell this name been Sept. 8, as early as it could possibly be. correctly in his diary. The preacher was, =^ In 177 1 there was a split in what is without doubt. Rev. Maltby Gelston, pastor commonly known as the North Church, New at Sherman (New Fairfield), 1797-1856. He Haven, and for more than twenty years there was a graduate of Yale, 1791. were two parishes. They came together ■♦ This National Fast was appointed, of again in 1796. By a previous entry it will course, because of the war. And as so many be remembered that the two church build- of the people of New England were opposed ings on the common were being taken down to the war, the Fast day was not treated with for change and renewal. The old Blue Meet- entire respect. l8l3-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 565 hay. My fatigues this week, with the heat, render me poorly able to write. Wrote the most of a sermon on i Cor. xiv: 15. 12. Finished my sermon on i Cor. xiv: 15, and preached it both parts of the day. I intended it for one, but I divided it. At evening attended the conference. Very much oppressed with the heat. The thermometer rose to 91°. 13. Received a letter from my brother Frank, and a pamphlet from Mr. Robert Lenox, New York. The thermometer at 91°. The heat extremely oppressive. Visited a school. Read Universal History. 14. Wrote a letter for Joseph to his parents. Wrote to brother Frank. Read. Worked some. Visited a school. Received from Mrs. Backus, of Somers, five books, for which I had agreed, and paid for them, $6.00. 15. Rode to Hartford. Paid for liquors to fill my liquor case, $3.80. Last Sabbath began to read the Bible in course. Read Clarke's Commentary, 16. I fear Joseph will have the whooping-cough. Walked and visited all day. Since Monday the weather has been very comfortable. 17. Yesterday wrote a subscription paper for the purpose of hiring a sing- ing instructor. Night before last received a letter from my sister Battell, and one from Mr. Skinner, of Berlin. Had my clock set up. I have not had it properly placed before. It goes ver}' well. Dined out by invitation. After- noon and evening a hard rain. The young men who have been from this place to New London ' as soldiers are returning. Read Universal History. 18. Wrote off the substance of my last Sabbath's sermon for the Magazine.^ Wrote notes for preaching. 19. Finished my notes and preached all day on Hos. vi : i. Meeting very full. At evening attended the conference. Heard of a young man that is quite serious. Will the Lord be our helper. 20. Visited. Attended Freeman's Meeting at Scantick. It was remark- ably harmonious and expeditious. The highest Federal vote for nomination was one hundred and sixty-six. The Democratic nomination was not called.^ Wrote to Mr. Skinner, Berlin. 21. Rode through Hartland to Norfolk. Father has gone to Litchfield to see Dr. Sheldon. At Hartland paid Miss Church for the British Poets, $40.00. I think it a very fortunate bargain. 22. The new meeting-house here is very tasty and elegant. Paid Mr. Gaylord for preaching at East Windsor, $6.00. One of the Sabbaths he gave me. 23. Father returned in the morning. He is much poorer than when I last saw him. I believe he is much worried by his side. Last evening cousin * One of the men from East Windsor who ^ The conductors of the Magazine had served at New London was the father of the come at length to expect something from Dr. writer of this note. He was then thirty-seven Robbins for ahnost every number, years old, and the writer, in early life, re- ^ Small attendance for a town of over members the stories which were told of war- three thousand inhabitants. The Democrats like labors and excitements with small amount were so few, and the Federalists so many, that of fighting. the first had no hope, and the others no fear. 566 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1S13. Frank Le Baron ' came here and stays today. He is apothecary general of the army." Received of my brother Nat, $40.00. 24. Something rainy. My cousin went off. Mr. Battell went off for New York. Father sits up but very little. Brother Samuel went to Lee, to bring home brother Frank, Spent the most of the day with father. 25. Set out very early and rode to East Windsor in a little more than nine hours. We hear of another great victory of Lord Wellington over the French.^ 26. Preached an old written sermon on 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. I preached here on the same subject without notes, July, 1808. At evening attended the con- ference. Cool. 27. On the 21st received a letter from Mr. Everest, a candidate." Yester- day began to read the Bible in course. Wrote. Walked and visited. Read Universal History. Quite cool. 28. Little Joseph does very well in the Latin grammar. Rode to East Hartford and met with the Consociation. We licensed Mr. John Langdon,^ of Danbury, formerly my jDupil. The religious attention in this place continues. Kindly entertained at Capt. Stanley's.^ 29. The Consociation finished their business about noon. Quite cool. Rode to Hartford and rode home (Frances came down for me) in a very hard rain. Received the British Poets sent from Hartland, which I lately purchased for $40.00, sixty volumes. My library now exceeds five hundred volumes. Paid Arnold, my shoemaker, $10.00. Paid my merchant tailor, $5.00. Paid Cooke, $5.00. Yesterday wrote to Mrs. Backus, Somers. Received two letters from Mr. Battell. 30. The storm last night was very hard. Put on woolen clothes. Had my feather-bed put on. Made a fire in my chamber, the first since the spring. Read Universal History. Worked at my library. October. 1. Wrote to Robert Lenox, New York. Wrote notes and preached a sac- ramental lecture on Mark iv : 20. Read Universal History. 2. Wrote a sermon on John vii : 46. Afternoon and evening a hard rain. 3. Quite wet. Meeting quite thin. Several of the church were absent. I think we have never appeared so stupid and discouraging here as now. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. xxv : 22. Afternoon the ' As before stated, this cousin received don, minister at Danbury, who died in Dan- the degree of M. D. from Dartmouth Col- bury in 1801, about the time that Mr. Rob- lege in 1815. bins was teaching there. The son was gradu- ^ His position in the army shows him to ated at Yale in 1809, and was tutor there have been a man of note in his profession. from 181 1 to 1815. ^ This was probably an echo of the reports * Captain Matthew Stanley. He was the of Wellington's victory over Marshal Soult, father of Anthony D. Stanley, a graduate of July 28. Yale in 1830, who, from 1836 to his death in * Rev. Cornelius B. Everest, licensed by 1S53, was the distinguished Professor of the Hartford North Association, Feb. 3, Mathematics of Yale. A brother of his, ^oi3- Theodore Stanley, graduated in 1S36, was ' This was the son of Rev. Timothy Lang- the first scholar of his class. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 567 sermon written yesterday. Our little fleet on Lake Erie has obtained a very brilliant victory.' 4. Wrote. Visited a young man in a consumption, probably near his end. Rode to Hartford. Brought up a pumber of books, which I purchased at Lyme, of the library of Dea. Griswold.^ There are seventeen volumes. 5. We had this morning fresh cucumbers. There has been no frost. Walked and \asited. Visited a school well instructed. Preparing for my journey. 6. Rode to Norfolk. Carried little Joseph with me. Father continues to decline. His swelling increases and his strength fails. My brother Frank was licensed last week,^ and preached last Sabbath at Torrington. He has now gone to Westfield, and expects to supply my pulpit next Sabbath. This morning there was a severe frost. 7. The most of the people here are gone to Litchfield to attend a brigade training.'' Visited a young man very sick. The new meeting-house progresses very well. 8. Rainy the most of the day. Read the Bible. Father sits up but little. His nature sensibly fails. His Christian character appears very well. 9. Visited sick persons. My brother Samuel has fine crops. Our West- ern army threatens Canada very hard. ID. Quite rainy. We have this fall a great deal of wet. We had meeting in the new meeting-house. There has been no other meeting in it except the Sabbath when I preached in it soon after it was raised. Preached from Matt, xix : 30, and Ps. cxlvii : i. Meeting full for such a tedious day. 11. Wrote. There seems to be a prospect that our army will invade Canada. At evening Mr. Knapp, of Westfield, came here. He preached yesterday at East Windsor.' Brother Frank came from Westfield. He preached there yesterday. Father is troubled with vomiting. I think it is occasioned by the pressure of his swelling in the interior of his head. 12. Rode to Winchester. Visited and preached a lecture on John vii : 16. There has been some special seriousness here the summer past. Re- turned. Quite cool. Father has failed ver}'^ sensibly since I have been here. He can hardly walk in his room. 13. Set out early and rode home. At evening visited a young man very low with a consumption. I do not much expect ever to leave Norfolk again and leave my father living. This morning a very hard frost. 14. Read. We have very important news from Europe that Austria has ' This was an item, probably, in a course Sept. 30, 1813, by the Litchfield North As- of successes by Gen. W. H. Harrison, aided sociation. His theological education had by the naval forces by which Detroit, that been carried on in connection with his long had been lost at the beginning of the war, work of teaching. was recovered. And it is pleasant to see '' A brigade training made great gather- that Mr. Robbins begins to find pleasure in ing of soldiers and spectators, the success of our soldiers and sailors. ^ And his brother Frank preached at ' Judge Matthew Griswold. Westfield, supplying Mr. Knapp's pulpit, who ^ Francis Le Baron Robbins was licensed went to East Windsor for Dr. Robbins. ^68 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^^^3- joined the coalition against France.' Visited, After three o'clock rer-d in Universal History, two hundred pages. 15. Walked and visited. Visited our academy school. We hear that the British have evacuated Detroit^ and Maiden, which are occupied by our troops. Received a letter from my cousin S. P. Robbins. Visited a young man very low in a consumption. 16. Wrote a sermon on Matt, xi : 30 in eight successive hours. The young man that I visited last evening died in the night. Wrote notes for preaching. Quite wet all day. 17. Finished my notes and preached in the forenoon on Num. xxi : 23, 24. Afternoon the sermon written yesterday. After meeting attended the funeral of Robert Hosmer. Very rainy. Some of the time very violent. Received a letter from brother Frank. Father was no worse when he wrote than when I left him. 18. Read Universal History. Rode to Hartford. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Procured some coffin trimmings for which I paid $2.44. There are a vast many transportation waggons on the roads. 19. Read in the history of Germany in the Universal History, three hundred pages. Rainy. 20. P. S. Gleason & Co. have issued proposals for publishing my Histori- cal Alagazine numbers in a volume. W' rote to Hon. Mr. Griswold, of Lyme, and Howe & Deforest, New Haven. Walked and visited. Visited a poor family about moving to New Connecticut. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. 21. Sent to Mr. Griswold, of Lyme, for books lately received, $15.00. Read Univehal History. The ground this morning was covered with snow. Visited. 22. Very cold. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of a woman who died of an apoplexy. Read. 23. Finished the twenty-sixth volume of Modern Universal History. For the most of this volume I have read nearly thirty pages an hour. Preached yesterday at the funeral at Wapping from i Cor. vii: 29-31. Wrote notes for preaching. 24. Finished my notes and preached from John xvii : 4, 5, on the Covenant of Redemption. At noon attended the funeral of an infant child. Baptized a child.^ At evening attended the conference. Caught some cold. 25. Our army at the head of Lake Erie appears to be successful. Rode to Hartford. Mr. Yates and I gave some written advice to the people of Orford at their request. There is some prospect that the principal certificate people there will rejoin the society. Very rainy. 26. Set out for Norfolk. The roads very muddy. Rode to Colebrook and tarried at my brother's. ' On Sept, 9, 1813, was formed the triple ^ This is the confirmation and enlarge- alliance of Austria, Russia, and Prussia ment of the news before reported, against France. At that time France stood ^ Edward Thomas Charlton, son of Jesse almost alone among the European powers. Charlton. 1813.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 569 27. Rode to Norfolk. A violently rainy day. Father continued through last week much as when I last left him, till Saturday noon, when he was taken with a dysentery which has continued to this time without any intermission ; under which he appears to be sinking fast. George Phelps died in the neigh- borhood with a short sickness. This month has been cold and very wet. Read newspapers. My brother James is here. 28. This day completes the fifty-second year of my father's ministry in this place.' His dysentery continues, he talks but little, and is often lost. Wrote notes and preached at the funeral of George Phelps from Rev. xv : 4. The roads very muddy. All of father's children are here. 29. Last night James and I watched with father. We have the most inter- esting and pleasing news from Europe, that the French army has been beaten by the allies. Brother James went home. I conclude not to leave father this week. The clock in the meeting-house appears to be a good one. Wrote to Maj. Wolcott. 30. Walked about the neighborhood. Father requires constant attention. Paid a man for Mr. Sam. Terry, $2.00. 31. Most melancholy day. Sat up with father till four o'clock in the morn- ing. Last evening James and Maria came here, soon after which, about eight or nine o'clock, father had a ver}^ distressing turn, tr}'ing to raise an expecto- rate, which he was unable to do. After which nature seemed to yield, and he was pretty easy and unable to speak. All the children are here. In the fore- noon James and I staid at home and the rest went to meeting. Frank preached. At noon father failed sensibly. I went to meeting alone and preached from Matt, xi : 30. Baptized a child. Returned from meeting and found father much the same. A little after half after four, there was a sensi- ble alteration in his breathing, and a quarter before five he expired.^ ' Rev. A. R. Robbins was ordained and ored pastor, it will be fitting if we copy a installed at Norfolk, Oct. 28, 1761. It was passage from the Brief History of the Town the first ordination of a minister that had of Norfolk, Ct., by Mr. Auren Roys, ever taken place in the town. He says: "A custom was adopted and ^ The prediction that Dr. Robbins made practiced nearly through the whole course when he last left Norfolk, proved true. He of Mr. Robbins's ministry, which, to those thought he should never go out of the town who did not enter into the spirit of it, and again and leave his father alive in it. perhaps to those of the present generation, Though this mourning group of children might seem rather papistical, or as showing stood around the dying bed, very sad at part- undue reverence and respect for the clergy; ing with one they had so greatly honored and but, to the writer, it was a pleasing exhibi- loved, yet, in general, his death must be ac- tion. It was this : the congregation being counted a fortunate and happy one. His life generally present and seated, Mr. Robbins, had been crowned with blessing and honor, punctual to the time, entered the house ; he and he left the earth on the Sabbath day, took off his hat, walked up the broad aisle, just after he had completed fifty-two years of bowing to the right and to the left, as if to settled ministry in one place. His age, at say, Good morning, my dear people ; the peo- death, was •seventy-three years and two pie on each side responded to the compli- moftths, having been born in Branford, Ct., ment, and rose as he passed along, as if in September, 1740. answering. Good morning, our dear pastor. In connection with the death of this hon- He then ascended the pulpit, hung up his cyo DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. NOVBMBBR. 1. Our house is extremely gloomy. Its glory is departed. Sent several ways for ministers to attend the funeral. Last evening after attending to lay- ing out the corpse, wrote several letters for that purpose. Assisted the joiner in making the coffin.' At evening mamma was very unwell ; we fear she will not be able to go out tomorrow. Cold. 2. I was constantly employed with the joiner till near noon, before the coffin was completed. The ministers came about noon. A great collection of people attended the funeral. Mr. Lee preached exceedingly well.^ Mother is better than I feared. I never before was dressed in mourning. The weather ver^' pleasant. 3. Warm and pleasant. The ministers who tarried last night went off this morning. Mr. Battell has been exceedingly liberal. Mother is very low and gloomy. Bought a new trunk and sent it to Hartford. 4. Brother James and his wife went home. We have very interesting news from Europe. Bonaparte is evidently suffering in Saxony. Wrote in the church records a biographical sketch of father. Wrote letters to Charles B. Phelps, of Woodbury, Mr. Lee, of Colebrook, and Dr. Buel, of Sheffield. Mother is quite poor. 5. Rode home in nine hours. Feel anxious about leaving my mother in such a poor state. I hope her complaints are temporar}', A man has lately died here and was buried today. Eleven ministers have died in the State this year. Wrote a notification of my father's death for the newspaper. Mr. Wol- cott has been very unfortunate this week, having lost three horses by disease. To return here fatherless makes me feel very gloomy. Last evening received of my brother Nat, $29.00. 1 had just that this morning. 6. Wrote the most of a sermon on Matt, vi : 10. Rode to Mr. Yates's and desired him to preach for me tomorrow and part of the day. He cannot on account of his sacrament. We have had a very pleasant w^eek of weather. 7. Dr. McClure conducted the meeting in the forenoon. A sermon was read and he performed the other parts. Finished and preached in the after- noon my sermon on Matt, vi : 10. Was carried through the exercises much better than I feared. Felt exceedingly solemn and affected at my situation. hat, turned and bowed to those seated in the rangements in those days. By the thought- galleries and to the choir of singers, as if to fulness of Mr. Battell, son-in-law of the say. Good morning, my dear children, and you deceased, the trimmings for this coffin had who aid me in the divine service; they rose, been bought in Hartford, a few days be- as his eyes passed round upon them, without fore. tumult, as if replying, Good morning, our - Rev. Chauncey Lee, D. D., of Cole- dear father in Christ. This ceremony was brook. Mr. Auren Roys, before quoted, performed in a graceful manner, particularly says: "He rose in the desk, and exclaimed, on the part of the pastor. This interchange 'My Father! my Father! the Chariot of of civility, giving it no more tender epithet, Israel and the horsemen thereof.' These was indicative of the respect and unfeigned words uttered with his usual pathos, with love of his people towards him as their spir- the remains of the good man lying before itual instructor and guide." him dressed for the tomb, were peauliarly ' This statement reveals the simple ar- affecting." l3l3.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. cyi My case was much mentioned for prayers in the forenoon. The people had generally heard of father's death before my return. At evening had a very full and serious conference. 8. Read newspapers. Worked at my papers and clothes. The trunk I bought of Mr. Eattell arrived here the same evening that I did. Wrote. On the 5th paid for my brother Ammi, for one half of a State map, $3.00. I gave my brother Samuel, at Norfolk, what 1 paid for coffin trimmings. The most of the family have borne considerable expense for father's sickness and funeral. Mr. Eattell and Sally have done a great deal. Samuel appeared very serious and thoughtful after father's death. I brought from Norfolk father's watch, which he left me in his will, not as a legacy, but as belonging to me by direc- tion of the donor, James Watson, of New York, in 1792.' It is very valuable. Mr. Amasa Loomis, of New Salem," was here on a visit and preached the Sab- bath that I was absent. Received two letters from Mr. Battell which were brought here in my absence. On the 5th received a letter and some books from Howe & Deforest, New Haven. At evening walked out and visited. 9. Walked and visited all day. Remarkably warm and pleasant. We have very favorable accounts from Europe. Paid Mr. Terry for the Norfolk clock, $8.00, which, with $2.00 I paid for him at Norfolk on the 30th ult., makes $10.00. 10. Rode to Hartford. Paid for a plated tea-pot, which I gave to Mrs. Wolcott in consideration of the use of their horse which I have had a great deal this summer, $7.50. For a pair of gloves to be given to Dr. McClure, $1.25. Dr. Strong desired me, in a very flattering manner, to become an assistant editor of the Magazine,^ and to have a share in the profits. I conclude to comply with his proposal. Walked home. Many people express to me great respect for my father. Last Sabbath evening assisted in examining a school-master. 11. Wrote to Uncle Isaac Le Baron." Worked at my library pasting my name paper in the books. 12. My much-loved, excellent father expired on the 31st of October, Sab- bath day, at a quarter before live o'clock.^ On the Sabbath he was quiet in the morning and forenoon, and most of the family went to meeting. About noon he sensibly failed, and all the family but me remained at home, thinking it doubtful whether he lived till the meeting was done. As I returned I per- ceived no special alteration ; on my entering the room he put out his hand, which was the last sisfniticant motion he made. ' He gave it to Rev. Mr. Robbins, who * Isaac Le Baron was a Methodist minis- fitted him for college, to be used by him during ter, but precisely where he was at this time, his life, and then to pass to his son Thomas. we do not know. ^ Rev. Amasa Loomis was settled in ' Dr. Robbins, thinking he had neglected Salem (then New Salem, Colchester) in to record some things which seemed impor- May previous." tant, makes another long entry, minutely ^ Unfortunately, the life of the Connecti- describing the symptoms and progress of cut Evangelical Magazine is not now to be the disease. The n\ain part of the long pas- greatly prolonged. It ended in 181 5. sage we tmiit. 572 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1S13. 13. Wrote a sermon on Rev. iii : 17. Wrote notes for preaching. Quite cold. 14. Very cold and tedious. Some snow. Finished my notes which I preached in the afternoon on Gen. xvi : 13. In the forenoon expounded the third chapter of Matthew. Meeting quite thin. The exposition appeared interesting. Father's death is mentioned very respectfully in the newspapers. Since June 1 1 I have been to Norfolk six times, and have been absent from home for that purpose sixty-two days. Wrote to my brother Samuel. 15. It snowed steadily all day. Afternoon the storm was very severe. Read Universal History. A good many cattle are still in the meadows. The crops are generally secured. 16. Worked shoveling paths. The snow is more than a foot deep. Sleighs move considerably. Read. At evening walked out. 17. Rode to Hartford. Bad traveling. The ground is not frozen. Fin- ished the twenty-seventh volume of Universal History, which I began on Mon- day. Winter weather. 18. Walked and visited. At evening married two couple who came here from Wapping.' Afternoon and evening quite rainy. Read. 19. It rained pretty hard all last night. Warm. The most of the snow is gone. Read in the Universal History from nine o'clock a. m. to twelve at night, three hundred and sixty pages. I believe I never read so much in one day before. 20. Warm and pleasant. The snow nearly gone. The roads very bad. Received a letter from Mr. Prudden, of Enfield. Finished the twenty-eighth volume of Universal History, which I began aboyt nine o'clock of Thursday evening. Finished a little after noon. Wrote to Joshua Clark, Esq., Wind- ham. Wrote. 21. Mr. Everest,^ a candidate, preached for me. He preached very well. At evening attended a conference at the south school-house, and Mr. Everest preached at Dea. Loomis's. Weather ver}^ pleasant. Full meetings. I hope there is some more disposition for serious things among us than there has been. 22. Walked and visited all day. Capt. BisselP has a beautiful new house. Mr. Albert Wolcott has been shingling his house. It was built by his grand- father, Gov. Wolcott,'* about 1703. 23. Walked to Hartford. Rode back. Quite warm. Received of the ' Theodore Risley, of East Hartford, and and was born in 1761. Erastus Wolcott was Clarissa Johnson, of Wapping ; and Charles the son of Gov. Roger, and was born in 1721. Keeney, of East Hartford, and Adocia Sted- This house was built in 1703. He does not man, of Wapping. It will be remembered state whether it had ever been re-shingled that East Hartford then included the present before. The Timothy Edwards house was town of Manchester. built some nine years earlier, and it was in- /^ Rev. Cornelius B. Everest, before men- timated when it was taken down in 1812, that tionod. it had never been re-shingled. The way the ^ Capt. Aaron Bissell, East Windsor Hill. old shingles used to last, is a wonder, * That is, Roger Wolcott, Colonial Cover- when we consider the short-lived things of nor. Albert Wolcott was the son of Erastus, this generation. t8l3.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR, 573 society collector, $158.06. Paid to the Hartford Bank, $52.95. Paid Mr. Wolcott towards my boarding bill, $20.00. Visited. We have some prospect of a singing-school. 24. Wrote a sermon for Thanksgiving on Zeph. ii : 3. Rainy. At e\ening walked out. • 25. Thanksgiving. Warm and wet. Preached the sermon written yester- day. Had a good meeting. Yesterday Ursula had a bad fall, hurt her face, and is unable to dine with us. Received yesterday a letter from brother Samuel. Mother is still feeble, but better than when I left her. Brother Frank is to preach for the winter at the north end of Goshen." At evening walked out. 26. Rode to the borders of Orford and attended a funeral. Mr. Stebbins, academy-keeper at Windsor, came and tarried with me. Read Dryden's Virgil. 27. Wrote to Mr. Skinner, of Berlin. Rode to Enfield to exchange with Mr. Prudden. Met him on the way. 28. Quite cold. Preached on Ex. ix : 20, and Matt, xix : 30. This con- gregation, I think, is larger than ours. At evening returned. At Warehouse Point called on Mr. Holbrook, who had a child killed yesterday by the kick of. a horse. 29. Rode to Hartford with Mr. Wolcott. Subscribed for a share in the bank. Paid the deposit, $416.00. Of this I paid $85, and had the remainder of Mr. Wolcott, who took it from the bank. A share of the discount, $1.65, I lose. The subscription was very great. Dr. Strong showed me some memoirs of my father, sent by Mr. Lee for the Magazine. They are well written. The roads are very bad. 30. Wrote to my mother, and to M. F. Mills, Esq.,^ Norfolk. Worked manuring my asparagus beds. Read Universal History. I am now two vol- umes in arrears in the course, having read forty-six volumes in four years. A year ago I was four volumes in arrears December. 1. Walked to Mr. Yates's and attended our ministers' meeting. Mr. David Austin ^ was with us and preached. In the evening we attended a conference and I preached without any notes on Ex. ix : 20. Saw a man ploughing. Walked home late. 2. Walked out with our new singing-teacher. Wrote a piece for the Magazine on the close of the year. Very pleasant for the season. 3. Rode to Hartford. Very cold. Preached a preparatory lecture for Dr. Strons: on Ps. cxlvii : 11. He inaugurated three new deacons in his church. • There was no church organization prob- ^ Michael F. Mills, ably at North Goshen, but they were so far ^ Rev. David Austin, who seems to have from the center, where Rev. Joseph Harvey had no settlement at that time, a year or two was settled in 18 10, after Rev. Asahel later was settled at Bozrah, where he re- Hooker left, that this preaching service mained till his death, which occurred in the for the winter was arranged. year 1831. 574 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. Saw at Mrs. Patten's my cousin, Mrs. Goodwin, from Rhode Island. Assisted in examining a school-master. 4. Wrote to the president and directors of Hartford Bank, an applica- tion for a bank share for which I have subscribed. Read the Bible. Visited. The ground very hard frozen. Wrote notes for preaching on Luke xxii : 46. Had a very good flannel gown made of the flannel which my mother gave me. Our army has had a sad defeat in Canada.' 5. Preached the notes written last evening, and a written sermon on Rev. iii : 17. At evening attended the conference. Meeting pretty full. 6. Carried my orange and lemon-trees to Mr. Haskell's^ to be kept in his cellar till next spring. Visited. Tarried out. At evening rainy. 7. Walked to Wapping. Quite warm. Visited several families. Visited a school. The Baptist preacher that has been here this summer does not appear to have obtained much influence. 8. Visited a school. It appears pretty poorly. Afternoon walked home in a snow. 9. Looked over and arranged my papers and pamphlets. Assisted the church committee in examining two persons for the communion. 10. Walked and visited. Visited the north school. The President's Message seems to be an attempt to excite the angry passions of the country against the enemy. 11. Wrote a sermon on 3 John : 4. The latter part of it is in notes. 12. Preached the sermon written yesterday. Propounded one man by letter, and two young women for our communion. Quite cold. At evening attended the conference. 13. Walked to Hartford and back. Mr. Wolcott's horse, which I usually ride, is sick. The directors of the bank have given me a share on my sub- scription. The subscriptions were forty-two times more than the shares obtained.^ I pay $416 for the share which would now sell for $500. Paid for two mourning finger rings, $4.75. One of them I give to my brother James. There was an abatement of a quarter of a dollar on one for a little error in the engraving. Paid for liquors, including two jugs, $4.13. In the morning visited a young woman quite sick. The thermometer was at 18°. The ground very rough and hard. 14. Visited the two middle schools. The late northern expedition turns out to have been very disgraceful. 15. Thermometer this morning about 18°. Dea. Reed's son came to study Latin with me.'' Read Clarke's Commeiitary. Received of the society col- lector, $132.00, of which $11.04 was an order I had given Mr. Haskell. Took ' We do not find any action very near this ' This seems to show that there was some date which would exactly answer to this money in the country, even then, waiting for description. investments. * Mr. Eli B. Haskell's, at East Windsor * Dea. Abner Reed had three sons and Hill. He had been building a very nice three daughters. This, most likely, was the house. eldest son. l8l3-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 575 a due-bill of $39.46 of the collector, in addition to which there is due on my last year's salary, $26.50, besides interest. Read Universal History. 16. Read Universal History. Visited the south school. At evening attended a singing-meeting. Thermometer this morning, 10°. 17. Wrote to my brother James and sent him a mourning ring. Read. 18. Wrote to T. B. Wait & Co., Boston. Read. Mr. Coe,' a young man preaching at Bolton, came here to exchange with me. Rode to Bolton. 19. Preached from Matt, xi : 30, and Ps. cxlvii : 11. This is a united society. At evening returned. The prospects of Orford society are favorable. 20. Walked to Hartford. The ground very rough. Paid my cabinet- maker, $30.38 ; my merchant tailors, $30.00 ; Cooke, $7.91 ; a merchant, $9.41 ; the Bible Society, $3.00. Saw my cousin, Mrs. Goodwin. Walked home. Got my father's watch, which has been repaired, which I now begin to wear, I trust, for the remainder of my days. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. 21. Very cold. Thermometer this morning at 10°. Read Universal His- tory. We have some snow, but no sleighing. 22. Got two small new book-cases, one cherr}-, the other pine, made for me. They cost $11.00, and $6.00 = $17.00. Thermometer this morning at 8^. Worked at my library. Wrote to I. Thomas, Jr.,^ Worcester. 23. Worked at my library. Read Universal History. Am considerably taken up with instruction. 24. Walked out and visited. Had company. Paid Mr. Terry for the Norfolk clock,^ $15.00. 25. The thermometer this morning was at 6°. Wrote a sermon on Heb. iii : 14. Read expositions on Matt, iv : 4. 26. Thermometer at 15°. In the forenoon expounded Matt, iv : to the 17th verse. I think such expositions useful. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. Received two young women into the church.'* The scene was affecting and solemn. At evening performed a marriage.^ The ground very hard frozen. 27. Looked over expositions on the Book of Psalms. Walked out and visited. The necessaries of life are at very high prices. 28. Walked to Hartford. Rode home. The river is frozen. Paid Cooke, $1.76. Received a letter from my brother James. Received of Mr. Wolcott, the most of which he paid for me towards my share in the bank, $135.37. Gave him a due-bill of $75.62 for the remainder of my last year boarding bill, which was $104.00.^ Gave him a note on demand of $208.00 for one half of ' This was probably Rev. Harvey Coe, a and he wishes to secure another almanac for native of Greenville, Mass., who was gradu- his next year's diary, ated at Williams College in 18 11, was licensed ^ The meeting-house clock, to preach in 1812, and ordained in 1813 for * The young women admitted to the church Western work, upon which he entered soon were Esther and Huldah Elmer, after. It may have been Rev. Noah Coe, ' The parties united in marriage were afterwards settled at Greenwich, Ct. Roderick King and Sally Newbury. ^ Isaiah Thomas, Jr., from whom he had * This is two dollars per week for himself, his almanacs. The year is drawing to a close, as the year before. 576 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1813. my bank share which he paid, and he is to receive one half of the dividend till the note is paid. 29. Last night a hard rain. Today it snowed considerably. Began to write an essay on the Book of Psalms. At night Mr. Elliott,* from New Hampshire, a poor clergyman, came here and tarried, soliciting charity. 30. Wrote all day. Finished my essay on Psalms. Sleighs move con- siderably. 31. Began a New Year's address for the Magazine^ Quite cold. Inter- rupted with company. God be thanked for this year. A year of many com- forts and of deep affliction. Wrote off old notes and preached a sacramental lecture on Luke vii : 23. Very cold. ' In Rev. Mr. Hazen's list of Congrega- spelled). It was probably some one of the tional ministers in New Hampshire, from name who had been supplying, the early years down to 1875, there had been ^ The writing of the New Year's address no j^i^/^di minister of the name Elliott (in any for the Magazine, had, for some years, been of the various ways by which that name is given into Mr. Robbins's hands. January. 1. I desire to devote myself to the care and service of God for another year. Wrote a sermon on Ps. cii : 25, 26, Wrote dVi notes for preaching. Was up late. Very good sleighing. We have news that our Niagara frontier has been laid devastate and desolate by the enemy.' Thermometer at 13°. 2. Finished my notes and preached in the forenoon on Rev. iii : 12. Administered the sacrament. The church quite full. The day very mild and pleasant. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. The meeting very full and solemn. At evening attended the conference. Wrote consider- ably late in the evening. 3. Wrote. Walked to the hill. Dined with the January meeting.^ Col- lected $8.50 for Mr. Elliott, who was here last week soliciting charity.^ This was received from nine men. Received this almanack from Worcester.* Received a letter from Mr. Stebbins,^ at Windsor. Very cold. The ther- mometer was near 10° all day, and at bed-time near zero. 4. Last evening wrote late and finished my New Year's piece for the Magazine. Our ministers' meeting was held here. None attended but Mr. Yates and Mr. Cook,' the candidate preaching at Orford. Read my essay on Psalms. Mr. Cook preached. At evening looked over Christian Observers'' to obtain the religious intelligence for the Magazine. Very cold through the day. Thermometer this morning 8° below zero. 5. Rode to Hartford. Spent the forenoon with Dr. Strong, preparing the January Magazine. Read over Mr. Lee's manuscript sermon at father's funeral, which is sent to the printer. It contains a valuable appendix taken from his own private writings which I knew nothing of. We have the grateful news of a great defeat of Bonaparte in Germany.* Thermometer this morning 9°. 6. Thermometer this morning 5° below zero. On the 4th' put on my flannel, which I had not worn before this season. Yesterday sold my watch ' ' The town of Buffalo was taken and his early death, 1823. He was graduated at burned by the British, December 9, 1813. Williams College, 181 1. 2 That was some local organization which ' This was an English religious periodical we do not understand. republished in Boston. ^ This was a kind and self-denying ser- ^ Between the 9th and the 13th of Decem- vice for Mr. Elliott. ber, 1813, there were encounters between the * For which he wrote near the close of French and allied armies, to the disadvan- last month. tage of the former. The star of Napoleon, 5 The teacher of the academy at Windsor, so long in the ascendant, began to wane. Mr. William Stebbins, a graduate of Yale 9 This was his old watch, which he no in 1807. longer needed, as he had received the valu- ^ Rev. Elisha B. Cook, settled at Orford able one from Hon. James Watson, which (Manchester), 1814, and remained there till came to him on his father's death. 577 578 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBEINS, D.D. [1814. for !^5o.oo, to Mr. Sargeant, the watch-maker, at Hartford. With this sum I shall pay for my clock. Wrote. Yesterday attended with a number of people a quarterly examination of our academic school.* It appeared very well. We have authentic accounts of a fatal defeat of Bonaparte in Saxony.^ The cold abates. 7. On the 5th prepared this almanack. Read in Universal History, Wvo hundred pages. Looked over my last diary. My expenses in the year past have been very great. The weather moderates. 8. Filed my letters of last year. I never received so many in any pre- ceding year. Wrote. Wrote notes for preaching. 9. Finished my notes, and preached on i Cor. i : i8. In the forenoon quite short. At evening attended the conference. Thermometer this morning at zero. 10. Wrote off my preaching account for the last year. It requires a good deal of labor. It appears likely that Bonaparte's great power is effectually broken. It confounds Democracy in this country exceedingly. Read Univer- sal History. 11. Read. Rode to Hartford on a journey to Norfolk. Gave to Mr. Elliott, the poor preacher, $1.50. I have got for him, $11.00. Paid for brandy, for a present to my mother, $1.46. At evening attended a meeting at Hartford. Mr. S. P. Williams ^ preached. 12. Slept last night at the stage house. Set out at six o'clock A. M. and rode to Norfolk in a stage. Went on wheels, sleighing being pretty poor. My good mother is quite well for her. She attends to business as she has been used to. James and his wife are here. My niece, Eliza Olmstead, had a fine daughter today. Brother Frank is preaching at the north part of Goshen. 13. Looked over a number of father's manuscripts. Very good sleighing here. Mr. Jerome,^ lately dismissed from New Hartford, preached here. The meeting-house is nearly completed. My brother James and his wife went home. 14. Very cold. The society committee requested me to preach the ex- pected dedication sermon. 15. Rode in the stage to Hartford. Mr. Battell carried me in his sleigh to Winsted. Mr. Wolcott rode down and brought me home. Looked over ex- positions. Let my sister Battell have my mourning ring, for which she paid me $2.25. Mr. Battell gave me $2.00 for Mr. Elliott.^ 16. It snowed steadily all day. In the forenoon expounded Matt, iv: 17 to the end, and v : 1-13. Afternoon preached with old notes on i Pet. i : 10. ' This school, as we understand, is still ated at Yale, 1796, a classmate of Mr. Rob- under the care of Mr. E. T. Fitch. bins. He died in 1826. ^ A variation, probably, of the previous ■• Rev. Amasa Jerome, pastor at New Hart- reports, ford, 1802-1S13. ^ Samuel Porter Williams, pastor of the - He continues to solicit aid for Rev. Mr. First Church in Mansfield, 1807 to 1817. He Elliott, and must have regarded it as a case was a native of Wethersfield, and was gradu- of real distress. 1814.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 579 There are new attempts for peace, from which I have but little expectation. The thermometer Friday morning was at zero. Wrote. 17. Read Universal History. The snow is six or eight inches deep and veiy solid. At evening Mr. Smith/ of Durham, came here and tarried. 18. The weather very pleasant. There is a great deal of sleighing. Began to write an essay for the Magazine on the Doctrine of Means.'^ We have addi- tional accounts of the terrible disasters of the French. Wrote on my Magazine essay. At evening performed a marriage.^ 19. Wrote. Am considerably hindered by company. At evening walked out. 20. Worked at my librar}'. Wrote. Had company. 21. The sleighing is very fine, and very much improved. Paid Mr. McClure for old books, $5.00. Towards night Mr. Johns* called and tarried with me. Wrote. 22. Thermometer this morning was at 5°. The weather this week has been very pleasant and mild, and there has been as good sleighing as I ever knew. Wrote a sermon on Prov. xxix : i. At evening attended a conference. 23. We have an account that Bonaparte is driven to France. " How are the mighty fallen." Never have I known any political events which appear to demand so strongly thanksgiving and praise to God. 24. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. He is much distressed with hypochondriac affections. Mr. Cook^ called on me. There is a prospect that he will be settled at Orford. The prospects of that society are more favorable than I have ever expected to see. On the 22d paid for the Mirror newspaper^ for half a year. Afternoon and evening quite rainy. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Received a letter from Dr. Strong. 25. Walked and visited all day. It thaws considerably. 26. Read Universal History. Yesterday Capt. Hall, of Wapping, brought me a valuable load of wood. Wrote. Towards night Mr. Skinner, of Berlin, came here and tarried. He has a prospect of forming a female connection in the neighborhood.^ Cold. 27. Thermometer this morning was at zero. Rode to Hartford. Assisted Dr. Strong in preparing the next Magazine, At evening preached at his con- ference without notes, on 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. Returned. Mr. Wolcott is exceed- ingly afflicted with hypochondria. 28. Last evening took a bad cold by riding home after preaching in a ' Rev. David Smith, D. D. 5 Rev. Elisha B. Cook. - When theology inclines strongly to abso- * Connecticut Mirror, which was published lute foreordination and decrees, it requires at Hartford. some ingenuity to fix a clear place for the ^ We have several times intimated as uses and operations of means. much as this. We have already made men- ^ Horace Bissell, of Scantic, was united in tion of two Ursula Wolcotts, but there is a marriage with Betsey Wolcott, of the South third, the daughter of Mr. Samuel Wolcott, Parish. who recently died. Ere long she is to be * Rev. Evans Johns, lately dismissed from Mrs. Skinner, wife of the minister at Berlin Berlin. (New Britain). jSo DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. warm room. Mr. Lee's sermon at my father's funeral is out, and appears well. Am much oppressed with my cold. Afternoon instructed Mr. Tudor's ' school. Visited. 29. Wrote the most of the day on a piece for the Magazine. My cold is very severe ; last night took a sweat for it. 30. In the morning rode to Windsor and made an exchange with Mr. Row- land. Very good crossing. Preached from Matt, xi: 30, and Ps. cxlvii : 11. In the forenoon, in sermon time, a crazy man came into the pulpit, appearing to be offended that I was preaching with notes, and tore my sermon into two parts. He threw down the part which he tore off, and was soon taken care of by the people.'^ I collected the parts of my sermon and finished the discourse. At evening returned. Towards night it grew very cold. 31. The thermometer this morning was 3° below zero, and it continued below 10° through the day. Read. Last evening received a letter from Mr. Stebbins, at Windsor. This morning the crazy fellow, who troubled me yester- day, came in here and began to talk about my preaching with notes, and Mr. Wolcott turned him out of the house. Wrote a piece for the Magazine. The thermometer was below 10° all day, and between eleven and twelve o'clock at night it was 9° below zero. February. 1. Thermometer this morning 3° below zero. Rode to East Hartford and met with the Association. We licensed two candidates.^ It snowed. At even- ing it rained. A very great change of weather. The Association pretty full. 2. The roads very wet. The Association very full of business. Rode to Hartford and home. The sleighing pretty poor. Yesterday received a letter inviting me to attend the expected ordination at Orford. 3. A valuable family moved from this neighborhood. Yesterday Mr. Yates desired me to prepare some lectures on ecclesiastical history for his theological students. Read. Visited. Paid to the post office my charges for nearly a year, $2.26. I have a good deal of cough, I believe the effect of a cold procured by wet feet. 4. Read Universal History. It has become extremely cold again. The thermometer this morning was at zero. Had company. ' Mr. Oliver Tudor's school. (This was him, they could not but admire the notable one of the public schools.) energy of his ministry." ^ A very curious experience, but the oddi- ' These candidates were Royal Robbins ties of insanity are many. The fellow ought and Joseph Mix. The former was graduated to have been historically instructed, that the at Yale College in 1S06, and had probably man who began this business of preaching been a teacher for some years. He was set- with notes in New England was John War- tied at Kensington, a parish of Berlin, in ham, the first pastor of that very church. 1816, and remained till 1859. He was the Cotton Mather says : " I suppose the first author of several school-books widely used, preacher that ever thus preached with notes He was the father of Royal E. Robbins, Esq., in our New England, was the Reverend War- one of the chief owners and managers of the /^(^w ; who, though he were sometimes faulted immense watch manufactury at Waltham, for it by some judicious men who had never Mass. Mr. Joseph Mix was settled at West heard him, yet when once they came to hear Suffield, 1814-1S29. 1814.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 581 5. Thermometer this morning 5° below zero. Wrote the most of a ser- mon on Luke xx : 13, Much oppressed with my cold. 6. Finished my sermon on Luke xx : 13, and preaclied with it all day. It snowed considerably. Meeting pretty thin. At evening attended a con- ference. My cough is troublesome. 7. Rode to Hartford. Looked over the Magazine. Paid for footing my boots, $3.80. Visited a school at Long Hill. Received a letter from T. B. Wait & Co., Boston, and three volumes of the Christian Observer.^ 8. Wrote a review of Mr. Porter's sermon on perjury for ministers' meet- ing. Had company. 9. Rode to Glastonbury and attended ministers' meeting. Read my review written yesterday. Mr. Clarke, of Chatham, was with us and attached himself to the meeting. He preached. Rode to Mr. Yates's in the evening, and tarried. It snowed all the afternoon. 10. Rainy all day. Rode home. Last evening got some addition to my cold. Read Universal History. Visited. 11. The trees are exceedingly loaded with ice. The elms in the street are much broken with the weight. Visited. Read. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in making out his assessment for the direct tax. 12. Read Universal History. Afternoon rode to Hartford to spend the Sabbath with Dr. Strong. Mr. Mix,'^ of East Hartford, lately licensed, rode to East Windsor to preach for me. 13. Preached for Dr. Strong from John i : 10, and Ps. Ixxxiv: 2. His con- gregation is very large. Am still hoarse with my cold. At evening went to the conference, but did but little. Tarried with Mr. Skinner.^ 14. Put a note into the bank for discount of JI5400. Walked home. After- noon it snowed. Read. Mr. Prudden came here and tarried. 15. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Much interrupted with company. Mr. Skinner, of Berlin, came here and tarried. There is a prospect of his forming a connection in this neighborhood. Received a letter from Mr. Bat- tell. Visited. 16.. Rode out and visited. Baptized a sick child at the parents' house.* Afternoon rode to Windsor and attended the funeral of Gen. Newberry.^ Mr. Rowland preached very well. Returned. Tarried out. The sleighing very good. 17. It rained pretty hard all day. Visited. Towards night rode to Wapping. 18. Walked and visited. The roads very wet and the sleighing fast fail- ' This English periodical was, as before ' Gen. Roger Newberry was a man of no stated, republished in Boston. In 1802 there little note. , He was born June 30, 1735, was issued an edition of this work in ten gained his title of general in the Revolution- volumes, ary Army, was an able lawyer, and successful ^ Rev. Joseph Mix, before noticed. merchant. He died in the seventy-ninth year ^ Some man of that name in Hartford. of his age. For many years before his * Susan Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan death he was one of the leading citizens Williams. of Windsor. 582 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. ing. Visited a school. At evening preached a lecture without any notes from Gen. xlvii : 9, middle clause. After meeting returned home. The streets are almost covered with water. 19. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. Wrote the most of a sermon on Matt, xi : 26. Received a very interesting communication for the Magazine^ sent from New York. Wrote to Mr. Prudden, of Enfield, and Mr. Stebbins, of Windsor. The thermometer rose to nearly 50°. 20. Very bad going. In the forenoon expounded Matt, v : 13 to 38. Fin- ished and preached a sermon on Matt, xi : 26. The church chose a delegate to go with me to Orford ordination. At evening attended with a few church- members a season of special prayer. I hope we may continue such meet- ings. 21. Read. On the iSth received of Messrs. Thomas & Noah Sadd, of Wapping, a present of $3.00. The same day Mr. N. Sadd sent me a good load of wood.' Visited. The sleighing is nearly gone. At evening wrote on the Means of Grace for the Magazine. 22. Wrote on my yI/(2^«2/;2^ piece. Visited sick persons. Very bad riding. Our government are running into terrible expenditures of money. We know not what is before us. 23. Wrote. Finished my piece for the Magazine on the Means of Grace. It is not so well written as I hoped it would be. The snow goes off gradually by clear sunshine. Mr. Wolcott is much afflicted with hypochondriac affec- tions. Yesterday received a letter from Rev. Mr. Prudden. 24. Very rainy all day. Rode to Hartford. Assisted Dr. Strong in pre- paring materials for the next Magazine. At evening preached at his confer- ence without notes from Luke vii : 23. The work of grace seems to continue here in the most favorable manner. The Governor and Council met here to- day. Received at the bank, for a note of $400.00 which I put in for discount last week, $393.80, including a note of $190.00 which they held against me. Paid Hills & Phelps, merchant tailors, $58.10. To Dimock, merchant tailor, $20.31. To Chapin, cabinet-maker, $20.00. I closed their accounts. Paid for three half volumes of Encydopcedia., $12.00. 25. Paid Gleason, $15.00. Walked home. Very hard going. Read Uni- versal History. I find but little time to read. 26. Read. The ground mostly bare. Walked out. Wrote notes for preaching. 27. Finished my notes and preached on i Cor. iii : 11, 12, 13. It snowed several times in the day, and in the evening very hard. At evening visited. Read. 28. We have the deepest snow that we have had during the winter. Wrote to Dr. Strong, of Hartford. Walked and visited all day. Several people here are dissatisfied with tlie late seating of the meeting-house. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. Quite cold and tedious. Paid to Mr. Terr}-, ' These gifts, without doubt, were partly in this distant portion of his society, involv- in consideration of his many special services ing not a little labor and travel. l8l4.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. ^8j $15.00. This completes $65.00 which I have given him for the Norfolk clock. March. 1. Walked and visited. Paid $17.00 for my two small book-cases lately procured. I think they were very dear. Read. 2. This morning the aged Mrs. Wells' died, having been ill with very little pain three or four days. She was removed in the easiest manner, and was, I think, the most exemplary Christian that I ever knew, I was sent for to see her, but did not get there till she was gone. Afternoon rode to Orford to attend ordination. The council assembled and examined Mr. Cook,^ and pre- pared for ordination. Pretty good sleighing. 3. Attended the ordination of Mr. Cook. The parts were well performed. I made the last prayer. A very great collection of people. Quite cold. Rode to Hartford. Attended to the next Magazine. Paid Cooke, $24.95. Except- ing a small account with Gleason, I now owe nothing at Hartford, but at the bank. Walked home late. 4. Read Universal History. Attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Wells. Very cold and tedious. 5. The thermometer this morning was 9° below zero. The coldest morn- ing we have had this year. Wrote the most of a sermon on Phil, i: 21. Much interrupted with company. Mr. Elliott, of New Hampshire, returned from the southward, having made out well in begging. I had promised for him, $13.00.^ Sent some of my notes of sermons to Mr. Mix. Wrote very late. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. The people of Norfolk think of refusing to pay father's last salary. 6. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Luke xiii : 24. Finished and preached in the afternoon ray sermon on Phil, i: 21. Gave a character of Mrs. Wells. At evening attended a conference. Very tired. Received a letter from Mr. Stebbins, of Windsor. Thermometer this morning at zero. The vi'eather moderates. Very good sleighing. We had a very fine addition to our singers.'* The instructor appears to do well. 7. It thawed very much. Walked and visited. There is a prospect of some addition to the church. Found a young woman who has hopefully got religion lately, that I did not know of. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. Am pretty feeble. 8. Wrote to my mother. Afternoon rode to Wapping and visited a school. 9. Rode early to Chatham and attended our ministers' meeting at Mr. Clark's.^ Mr. Cook, of Orford, joined with us. Preached from Matt, xi : 26. It thawed very much and rained some. We had a good meeting. ' Mrs. Esther Wells, a widow, aged eighty- ^ He had raised it all, as we have seen, three. The name Wells was more common '' The singing-school had been in progress then in the north parish of East Windsor, during the winter, and now the new recruits than in the south. In the former, one of the are brought in and added to the choir, roads was named Wells Street. ^ We have once or twice before fallen in ^ Rev. Elisha B. Cook, before noticed, a with this Mr. Clark, of Chatham, without graduate of Williams College, i8u. knowing exactly his name and belongings. 584 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. 10. Rode home. The ground breaks through the frost. Rainy and wet. Wrote. Read Universal History. 11. Walked and visited. We have a prospect of additions to the church. 12. In the forenoon walked to Long Hill and visited a school. Took a bad cold. Cold and blustering. Very- bad going. Afternoon assisted the church committee in examining four women for our communion. They appear very well. Wrote on notes for preaching. Am ver}^ poorly prepared for the duties of the Sabbath. 13. Finished my notes and preached all day on Matt, xxv : i, 2. Meeting quite thin. I preached poorly. Am much oppressed with my cold. Very windy and tedious. Mrs. McCIure quite low. Propounded for our communion the four women examined yesterday. 14. The ground hard frozen. Rode to Simsbury to assist Mr. McLean in his great labors in the revival of religion. Saw several acquaintance. At evening preached at a conference at Mr. McLean's without notes from Matt, xxv: I, 2. The meeting very full and solemn. A large number have hopes and many are very deeply impressed. 15. Very rainy all day. Afternoon preached at the meeting-house with short notes on Amos iv : 11. Had a good audience, notwithstanding the rain. The work is general, and remarkably orderly and still. Tarried with Dr. Por- ter. The serious people appear much animated and engaged. Read in Spring's Essays} 16. Rode to the western part of the town, and preached in the school-house in the afternoon without notes from Ps. li : 15. Visited a large family, all of whom are specially serious. At evening preached in the school-house at Weatogue'' without notes from Ps. Ixxxiv: 2. The meeting very full and attentive. Have been constantly burdened with my cold. Tarried at Mrs. Case's. Such a seriousness in this town is not remembered. Divine things are the subject of general conversation. Quite cold. 17. Rode home. Rode early. The road ver}' bad and rough. Afternoon attended the examination of our academic school. It appeared exceedingly well. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. Much worried with fatigue. Received a letter from my sister Battell. 18. Quite warm. The ground thaws fast. Wrote to my sister Battell. Read the Magazines. ig. Read. Afternoon visited a young man very sick, and rode to Orford to exchange with Mr. Cook. He was gone to East Windsor. Examined a woman at Wapping, to be propounded for our communion. Very bad riding. We discover that this was Rev. Eber L. ate of Yale, 1810, whose ministry continued Clark, a graduate of Williams College, 181 1. from 1816 to his death, 1865. The place then called Chatham, is now ' This was a little work published iniSlj, Portland, opposite Middletown, and Mr. by Dr. Gardiner Spring, of New York, en- Clark was settled there from 1812 to 181 5, titled, Essays o?t the Distinguishing Traits of over what is now known as the First Church Christian Character. of Portland. He was succeeded by Rev. ^ One of the Indian local names in Sims- Hervey Talcott, a native of Coventry, gradu- bury. l8l4-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 585 20. Quite cold. Am still hoarse ; I fear I injured my voice by preaching so much with a cold at Simsbury. Preached on Matt, xi : 26, and Ps. li : 15. This society appears well. At evening returned. 21. "^ezd Unii'crsal History. Afternoon it snowed considerably. At even- ing attended a prayer-meeting. Mr. Strong," of Somers, came here and tarried. Received of my collector, $39.46. 22. Sleighs move considerably. Read. Rode out and visited a sick man. I fear we shall have sickness among us. Walked and visited. It is very sickly in several places. 23. Read. Afternoon visited a school. Visited sick persons. 24. Visited an afiflicted family. Rode to Hartford and assisted Dr. Strong in preparing the next Magazine. At evening preached at his conference with- out notes from Matt, xxv: i, 2. Returned. Very bad going. I think I have never known such a period of bad moving, since I have lived in this town, as for a month past. We have the most grateful intelligence that his enemies have entered France, and that Bonaparte has been repeatedly beaten on his own ground.^ Wonderful are the divine dealings. Paid to Mr. Yates, to be sent to Andover for books, $40.00. 25. Read. Afternoon attended the funeral of a young man lately de- ceased.^ Visited. Attended a singing-meeting. Remarkably cold for the season. 26. Wrote on a sermon on Heb. v: 7. Wrote fourteen pages. Wrote till one o'clock in the night. Hindered by company. 27. Finished my sermon and preached it. It was a double sermon written out, begun yesterday morning. The subject is something difficult, but inter- esting and solemn. Much fatigued. My hoarseness continues. 28. Rode to Hartford. Have a good deal to do for the Magazine. We have further accounts of the decline and dange;^ of Bonaparte. Walked out and visited. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. 29. Tarried last night at Capt. Bissell's. His new house is excellent. Walked and visited all day. The Legislature of New Orleans awfully corrupt. 30. Read. Afternoon rode to Wapping and visited a school. Visited a child apparently near dying. 31. The child I visited last evening at our nearest neighbor's, died in the night. Visited our two centre schools. At evening wrote a piece for the Magazine. Our academic school had an exhibition.'* APKIL. I. Read Universal History. Dug a bed for early seeds. Wrote notes for preaching and preached a preparatory lecture on 2 Chron. xxix: 5. Am much concerned about my hoarseness. Attended the funeral of the child deceased yesterday. ' Rev. William L. Strong. ^ Mr. John Rockwell, aged twenty-nine. - The facts of that time, though on the * This school we still suppose to be whole calamitous to Napoleon and to France, under the care of Mr. E. T. Fitch, of New- do not quite answer to this statement. Haven. 586 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. 2. Wrote a sermon in seven successive hours * on Ps. xl : 2. Received an excellent letter from my brother and sister Battell. The river is a little higher than I have ever known it. It has risen very rapidly. This week has been very fine weather, after several very tedious weeks. We had a little rain Thursday night. It is quite sickly in East Hartford ; there have been a good many deaths in a few days. Sowed some seeds. 3. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon from Luke xii : 42. Ad- ministered the sacrament. The church very full. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. I do not perceive that my hoarseness is any better than a fortnight ago. I do not feel it till I come to speak in public. I pray God to preserve for me my voice. At evening attended a singing-meeting. 4. Brought my orange and lemon-trees from Mr. Haskell's, where they have been kept through the winter. In a week past the ground has become well settled. Worked in the garden. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. 5. Wrote to my brother Battell. Last night and this morning a verj' hard rain. Rode to Hartford. The great causeway is much injured by the flood. Paid for a new mourning ring, instead of the one I sold my sister, $1.58. Paid for a pair of good deer-skin gloves made for me, $1.34. The late rains at the westward have been very great. 6. On the 4th received of Mr. Haskell $1.00, for an orange-tree I let him have some time ago. Read. Afternoon began a sermon for Fast on 2 Kings xix : 3, 4. Planted some peas. 7. Wrote ten pages on my sermon. Visited Mrs. McClure,^ who was last night taken very bad in her low state, and appears not likely to live. 8. Fast.^ Finished and preached my sermon on 2 Kings xix : 3, 4. The meeting was well attended, and the day better observed than has been usual here. I speak feebly, but think my voice grows some better. Mrs. McClure is very low. Very tired. 9. Mrs. McClure * died last night. Wrote to Mr. Rowland and Mr. Bart- lett. Rode to Hartford. Agreed with Mr. Yates to come up tomorrow and preach at the funeral. We have the disagreeable news that the British have entered our river and burned twenty-three vessels.^ Worked in the garden. ' He gradually shortens the time on this labor of writing a sermon, but is that de- sirable .'' ^ Wife of Dr. David McClure, senior pastor. ^ It was contrary to our general impres- sion to find that Fast Day in Connecticut, so long ago, was appointed by State authority uniformly on Good Friday. To find exactly when this custom began, we wrote to Charles J. Hoadley, Esq., State Librarian of Connec- ticut, and his answer, January 14, 1S85, is as follows : " It was first appointed on that day in 1797, and has been ever since so ap- pointed. I have verified the dates." We think this recognition of Good Friday wise, and are glad to find that Connecticut early laid aside her Puritan prejudice so far as to choose this day for her annual Fast. * Mrs. Hannah McClure was the daughter of Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy, D. D., pastor at Hebron, Ct, 1 734-1 7S4. She was the niece of Rev. Eleazar Wheelock, D. D., President of Dartmouth. She was married to Dr. McClure in 1780, at the age of twenty-eight. ' The really important event of this par- ticular time was, that Captain Porter, with the United States frigate Essex, had been compelled, March 28, 1814, to surrender to the British frigate Phoebe, l8l4.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 587 10. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Ps. cxviii : 22. Afternoon Mr, Yates came up and preached at the funeral of Mrs. McClure. Quite rainy the most of the day. Read. 11. Attended Freeman's Meeting. Mr. Huse ' prayed at the opening of the meeting. Votes for Governor, Federal 187, Democrat 62. Afternoon and evening very rainy. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Worked in my garden. 12. Visited. Afternoon visited our north school, which completes the whole. Received a letter from my cousin P. G. Robbins. 13. Walked to Windsor and attended our ministers' meeting. The revival at Orford is very great. Returned. They begin to take shad. Paid for one, .25. Read Universal History. 14. Worked all day taking up elms in the woods and setting them in the street. At evening visited. 15. Finished setting my elms. Have set four large ones in the street. Rainy. Planted peas. Wrote to Capt. Hall, of Wapping. Visited. I have visited all the families in the society since the first of last May. Being gone so last summer, I had not finished my visiting. May i, 1813, there were in the society one hundred and sixty-nine families, of whom, thirty-four were cer- tificate people. Read Unii'ersal History. 16. Quite cool. Wrote a sermon on Gen. xviii : 27. My composition is certainly quite indifferent. 17. Expounded in the forenoon from Matt, v: 38 to vi : 9. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. Full meeting. I am not yet re- covered of my long hoarseness. 18. Rode to Norfolk. Mr. Terry went with me to clean the meeting-house clock. The roads are well settled all the way. People here are ploughing. Mr. Stebbins^ is preaching here and will board whh mother. She appears quite well. Brother Frank is at home. ig. Mr. Terry fixed the clock. It appears to be a good one. Brother Nat is breaking up house-keeping. Looked over father's papers. They have been carefully kept. 20. The circumstances of this society appear precarious and not very favorable. Made a division of father's books, principally according to his testamentary direction. Dined at Mr. Battell's. Cold. My brother Nat went off for Boston. 21. Last night it snowed considerably. Toward night rode to my brother Ammi's. My horse appears to be much diseased. The snow went off. 22. Rode home. My horse is very feeble. Had great difficulty in getting him along. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. Much fatigued. ' Mr. Nathaniel Huse, Episcopal minister In 181 5 he was settled again at West Haven, at Warehouse Point. where he remained till his death in 1843, 2 This is doubtless Rev. Stephen N. Steb- making his ministerial service fifty-nine years, bins, who had been settled at Stratford from In our college days Father Stebbins was one 17S4 to 1813, and was now without a parish. of the venerable men about New Haven. 588 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. 23. A black woman' has died here during my absence. Wrote notes for preaching. Read. Very warm. The thermometer was at 78°. 24. Finished my notes and preached on Titus iii : 5. At evening attended a conference very full. My voice, by divine favor, seems to be restored to its usual state. Yesterday wrote to my cousin, Dr. P. G. Robbins, of Lynn. Quite cold. 25. Wrote off a considerable part of my sermon on Heb. v: 7 for the Magazine. Mr. Wolcott's horse is very sick, and I fear will not live. 26. Last night wrote quite late, and got very little sleep. My labor yester- day following the Sabbath was too hard. Am quite feeble. Wrote to my brother Samuel. Received a letter from Mr, Osborn,^ a candidate at East Hartford.^ Received a circular address from a religious tract society at Bos- ton. Rode to Hartford and assisted Dr. Strong in preparing for the next Magazine. At evening preached at his conference with short notes on Amos iv: II. Returned. Very warm. The thermometer at Hartford rose to 85°. Mine was nearly the same. Yesterday we had asparagus. 27. Left off my flannel. The daffas are blown. The thermometer was at 80°. From Monday morning to Tuesday noon it rose about 50°. Read Uni- versal History. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. 28. Cooler. The ground is very dry. Read Universal History. At even- ing visited. Our singing-school does not succeed remarkably well.* 29. Wrote over a communication for the Magazine. Worked considerably. Ploughed my garden. Visited. 30. Last night slept very little. Am pretty feeble. Wrote a sermon on Ps. xiv : 7. Wrote quite rapidly. We had a very refreshing rain. Finished my sermon early. Wrote six pages before twelve o'clock. Yesterday Mr. Wolcott's \'aluable horse, which I have usually rode, died. He was taken sick while I had him at Norfolk. He has been diseased, apparently, since last fall. May. I. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Gal. iv : 6. Afternoon a written sermon on Ps. xiv : 7, We had our missionary contribution and col- lected $55.30. It is much larger than it has ever been here before. There were two $5.00 bills, one of six, and two of three, with one hundred and sixty- two pieces of silver. I think this event much in favor of our society. At evening had a serious conference. ' Catherine, aged seventy. This single born, who, a year or two later, was preaching name betokens her former estate, and, per- for a short time in East Lyme. He was a haps, her present. Slaves that had reached graduate of Brown University in 1803. a certain age when the law was passed for ^ This reference to Mr. Osborn, as a can- the gradual extinction of slavery in Connecti- didate at East Hartford, would seem to cut were to remain slaves till death. This imply that Dr. Yates, though not yet dis- feature was designed to be benevolent, as missed, was preparing to take leave of his providing for the support of persons that people. He was out of health, had trouble might not be able to support themselves. It with his voice, and was instructing theological is said that the last slave did not die in East students. 'Windsor till 1857. ♦ Previous reports of it had been very * This was, very likely. Rev. George Os- good. 1814.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 589 2. Visited a young woman deeply impressed with religious concern. The peach-blossoms appeared yesterday. Wrote. Afternoon attended a little while at a training. 3. This morning there was considerable frost. Wrote a piece for the Magazine. Attended the funeral of a black child belonging to a transient person. Wrote to my mother. 4. Rode to Orford and attended our ministers' meeting. Read a sermon. At evening preached at a conference without notes on Amos iv : ii. Re- turned. The work of grace continues there very powerfully. Very warm. The thermometer rose to 87°. Was out very late. 5. Worked in my garden. Planted peas and other seeds.' Read Uni- versal History. Rode to Hartford with Frances. Got some new clothes. At evening attended a conference ; little while at a singing-meeting. Thermome- ter 83°. 6. Walked and visited all day. Much oppressed with the heat. Ther- mometer 82°. The ground is very dry. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. 7. We had a hard and very refreshing rain. The lilacs begin to appear. Wrote a sermon on Acts xxiv : 25. Wrote a letter to Mr. Pond, our singing- teacher, at East Hartford.^ 8. In the morning wrote notes and preached on 2 Pet. ii : i, a clause, " Denying the Lord that bought them." Preached quite poorly. Afternoon on Acts xxiv: 25. At evening attended the conference. There is a con- siderable agitation here about our singing-school. It has turned out pretty poorly. 9. Rode to Hartford. Borrowed of Mr. Wolcott, for which I gave him my due-bill, $80.00. Paid to the bank, $85.36, and received my note. Received books from Andover,^ by Mr. Yates,'* for which I paid $2.50, in addition to $40.00, which I gave him for that purpose, March 24. Paid Hills & Phelps, for a very good suit of clothes of fine broadcloth, $43.00. Received of Mr. Sargeant for my watch, $48.00. I allowed him $2.00 for repairs. Received by letter an invitation from Dr. Strong to put up with him at the election. At evening rode to Orford and preached at a conference on Matt, xxv : i, with- out notes. Returned. Quite cold. We have news of an armistice between the great powers at war in Europe. 10. This morning there was considerable frost. The fruit-trees are very ' Year by year Dr. Robbins plants him- Mass., where the new Theological Seminary self a garden, and takes care of it himself. had very recently been established. This ^ Every four or five years the old parishes would be likely to make the place a kind of of that day, which had then almost univer- depot for certain books such as Mr. Robbins sally introduced choir singing, used to have would wish to have in his library, their singing-schools, which usually began in •* Rev. Andrew Yates had been on this the early part of the winter, and filling two visit to Andover, Mass., very likely to gain evenings perhaps every week, would continue some new ideas on the subject of the best till the spring. methods of conducting theological education, 3 We understand this to mean, Andover, in which he was now engaged. 59° DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1814. full-blown. Walked and visited. There is a greater appearance of serious- ness here than there has been for three years. 11. Very rainy all day. Read Universal History. Received a letter from Mr. Prudden, introducing to me a Mr. Burge,' minister from Vermont, who tarried with me. 12. Rode to Hartford and attended the election. The collection of clergy about as great as usual. The sermon was good. Attended the Ministers' Annuity Society. At evening went to a conference. My brother Frank is here. In the morning attended the meeting of the Bible Society. Paid Mr. Lee for ten of his sermons at father's funeral, $2.00. Tarried at Dr. Strong's.'^ 13. My brother went home. Attended the meeting of the directors of the Ministers' Annuity Society. Paid for a book, Kinne^ on the Prophecies, $2.00. Walked and rode home. Performed a marriage "• of a couple who came here. Rainy. Heard the Governor deliver his speech, which was very good. We ha\e the important intelligence that the allied army has taken Paris.^ 14. Quite rainy. Wrote a sermon on 2 Pet. iiirii. Am much worried with fatigue. 15. Last night we had a very hard thunder-shower. Expounded Matt, vi: 9-16, and preached on 2 Pet. iii : 11. At evening attended the conference. Some of our singers leave their seats, but we still sing well. A remarkable time for vegetation. Quite warm. Read the Bible. 16. Worked some. Afternoon a hard rain. The river is high in the meadows. Read Universal History. Read one hundred pages in three and a half hours. 17. Planted peas and watermelons. The thermometer was at 75°. After- noon rode to Hartford. Attended to the business of our Annuity Society. Heard Mr. Merwin,^ of New Haven, preach a missionary sermon, 18. Worked considerably piling a heap of manure. Read Universal His- tory. Wrote to my brother Ammi, at Colebrook. Visited. 19. Rode to Farmington and returned. Am collecting an account of the state of the churches for Association. Quite warm. Vegetation is ver}' for- ward. At Hartford saw Mr. Whittlesey,'' of Danbury. 20. Walked and visited. The thermometer at 86°. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Received yesterday a letter from Nathan Burr, of Norfolk, and one from my brother James, He is in affliction, having lost his little son. ' Rev. Caleb Burge, a native of Tolland, Osborn, of Scantic, were the parties mar- Ct, a graduate of Middlebury College, 1806, ried. settled from 1814 to 1819 at Brattleborough, s Q^iy ^ few days before, he had, or Vt., and from 1821 to 1825 at Glastonbury, thought he had, the news of a general armis- ^t. tice among the fighting nations. That report * It will be remembered that Dr. Strong was not true, but this was true. Paris was had invited him to be a guest at his house. taken by the allied armies, March 31, 1814. 3 Rev. Aaron Kinne, a native of Norwich, ^ Rev. Samuel Merwin, native of Milford, Ct., graduate of Yale, 1765, was settled for graduate of Yale College, 1802, settled over twenty-eight years at Groton, Ct. He pub- the North Church in New Haven, 1S05-1831. lished a work on the Prophecies in 1813. ' The man, probably, with whom he used * Jehiel Judd, of Colchester, and Lucrctia to board when teaching in Danbury. l8l4-J PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 59I 2 1. Received of my collector, $34.87, completing my order of last year. Wrote to my brother James. Read Universal History. Wrote notes for preaching. 22. Finished my notes and preached all day on Mai. iii : 1,2. Preached pretty poorly. Meeting quite full. At evening we had a very full and attent- ive conference. 23. Set out early on my associational tour to collect an account of the state of the churches. Rode to Simsbury and Barkhamsted. Tarried with Mr. Mason,* who is agreeably settled here. 24. Rode to Hartland, Granby, and Enfield. Rode late. Was fortunate in finding men at home. The season very forward. Grain appears very well. 25. In the forenoon rode home. Much fatigued. The thermometer rose to 86°. Read. Walked out and visited. 26. Rode to Hartford. Assisted in preparing for the next Magazine. Very hot. Thermometer at 92°. Had a fine tub made for my orange-tree, for which I paid $3.00. The Assembly are full of business. At evening preached at Dr. Strong's conference ^ without any notes from Luke xv : 17. Returned very tired. 27. Read. Thermometer 92°. Afternoon a hard shower. Yesterday procured a number of articles of furniture for my brother's wife, at Colebrook. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 28. Wrote a sermon on Heb. vi : 6. I am sure I do not write so good ser- mons as I have at some past times. 29. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. ex: 31. Afternoon on Heb. vi : 6. Did not go to the evening conference on account of a thun- der-shower. The season is extremely wet. 30. Wrote off a part of the piece on the Origin of Idolatry, which I wrote some years ago, for the Magazine. Worked in the garden. 31. Very rainy. The canker-worms^ are making great havoc on the apple- trees. Read in Universal History, three hundred pages. There seems to be an encouraging prospect of a general peace in Europe, and the restoration of the Bourbons.'' June. I. Rode to East Hartford and attended our ministers' meeting. Preached on Acts xxiv : 25. After the meeting rode to West Hartford, and returned ' Rev. Elihu Mason had just been settled for his Thursday evening lecture, which fact in Barkhamsted, but remained only three is a compliment to Mr. Robbins, and con- years. It was a feeble church. venient for Dr. Strong. = The reader may have noticed that every ^ The canker-worm has been a plague month now Rev. Mr. Robbins goes to Hart- somewhere in the earth ever since the ford to assist in the arrangement of matters prophet Joel lived. for the forthcoming number of the Connec- * The Bourbons were restored that very ticut Evangelical Magazine. He goes down year (1814), in the person of Louis XVI H, on Thursdays, and Dr. Strong takes advan- but France was not happy even then. She tage of his presence, and secures his services was tossed to and fro for many years. 592 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. home late. Gave our contribution to the treasurer of the Missionary Society, amounting to $56.80.' There are but three higher in this county, and but six or seven in the State. Paid my annual contribution to the Ministers' Annuity Society, $5.00. Paid for liquors, $4.92.^ Our Ministers' Annuity Society has lately been incorporated by the Assembly. 2. Walked and visited. We have a few instances of deep religious impression. Found one who has lately obtained a hope. Tarried out. It rains almost ever}^ day. 3. Walked and visited all day. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Last Sabbath six persons were baptized by a Baptist at Wapping. I think it likely a Baptist church will be established there. 4. Worked in the garden. Wrote on associational papers. Mr. Steb bins,^ who lately preached at Norfolk, called on me to spend the Sabbath with me. Unfortunately, I have to go away. We have the interesting news that Bonaparte has abdicated his throne,'' and that peace in Europe is likely to take place. Rode to Hartford to exchange with Mr. Flint. 5. Mr. Flint went to East Windsor. Preached on Heb. xi : 24, 25, and Luke ii 17. Had ths fullest meeting I have ever seen here. There is an appearance of some attention. Returned and attended a conference in the lower part of our society. Mr. Stebbins has been here today, and preached in the forenoon. 6. Received a letter from Mr. Cook,^ of Orford. Worked in the garden. Afternoon attended the meeting of the Branch Moral Society, lately formed in this place, and joined with them. Dr. Perkins* and Mr. Hawley^ came here at evening and tarried with the Association. Quite cool. Wrote. 7. Wrote the most of the afternoon on a report of the state of our churches, for Association. After dinner rode to Mr. Bartlett's, and met with the Association. 8. Had an agreeable meeting of the Association. Afternoon rode to East Hartford and preached a singing-lecture on Ps. xxvii : 4. Returned. 9. Last night was quite unwell. Had to get up and take laudanum. Read Universal History. Visited. Had green peas of my own cultivation. 10. Walked and visited all day. The good work of God's grace appears to be slowly advancing among us ; blessed be his name. Attended the prayer- meeting. 11. The news from Europe is more favorable than I have ever hoped to see. Received a letter from Mr. David Hale,^ Boston, with a volume of the ' For those times, in the very midst of ^ Rev. Elisha B. Cook, the war of 1812, that was a large contribu- * Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford, tion. ^ Rev. Rufus Hawley, of Avon. ^ This year the ministers' annuity tax and ^ This was David Hale, afterwards the the liquor bill were about the same. distinguished editor of the New York Joiir- ^ See note under date of April 18, 1S14. iial of Commerce. He was the son of Rev. * Napoleon's abdication took place April David Hale, of Lisbon, Ct., and was born in 5, 1814, when he accepted the Isle of Elba that town April 25, 1791. He went to Bos- as his place of banishment. ton, and commenced business in 1S09, and i8i4.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 593 Christian Observer. Wrote a sermon on Matt, xxiii : 37, 38, The thermometer was at 86°. 12. Preached with old notes on Matt, xviii : 16-26, and from Matt, xxiii: 37, 38. Much oppressed with the heat. Thermometer 87°. Assisted the church committee in examining a young man,' and propounding him for our communion. Baptized a child.^ Read tlie Bible. Attended a full and solemn conference. 13. The heat very oppressive. Thermometer 90°. Rode to Hartford. Paid for a silk vest, ^5.00; for a silk hat, $1.75. Received a letter from my brother Ammi. Read magazines. 14. A steady and very refreshing rain all day. Wrote papers for General Association. Wrote a letter to Rev. Mr. Button,^ of Guilford. Was up late. 15. Read Universal History. By applying closely I can read thirty pages an hour. Walked to Mr. Rowland's and returned. Wet and hot. Worked some. Rode to Wapping and visited. Thermometer 88°. Performed a mar- I think the Baptist progress in Wapping will be temporary. Began a sermon on Isa. lix: 2. Read. At evening attended a prayer- meeting. Worked some. Quite rainy. Had company. 18. Rode to Bolton to make an exchange with Mr. Mix. Rode consider- ably to procure a girl to work for Mrs. Wolcott. Mr. Mix* is to supply here no longer. I think it very unfortunate that they do not keep him here. 19. In the morning, by desire, wrote a Confession of Faith and Covenant to be used today in the admission of a member to the church. Mr. Colton's not being to be found.^ Preached on Matt, xi : 26, and Matt, xxv : 37, 38. Received an elderly man to the church. At evening preached at a school- house from Matt, xxv : i, 2. There appears to be some beginnings of serious- ness here. Very tired. 16. riage, 17- remained till 1815, but was unsuccessful. On the other hand, in New York, his life was a great success in many ways. He was the founder of the New York Tabernacle, from which such an immense influence has gone forth. Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, D. D., so long pastor of the Tabernacle congregation, wrote his memoir. He died in 1S41. * Milo Linus North, who had graduated at Yale College the year before, and was now teaching the academy at East Windsor Hill. He became a physician. ^ Sarah Gillet, adopted daughter of Ben- jamin Gillet, Jr. ^ Rev. Aaron Button, pastor of the First Church in Guilford, 1806-1842. He was a graduate of Yale, 1S03, and was a member of the Yale Corporation from 1825 to his death in 1849. He was the father of Dr. Samuel W. S. Button, pastor of the North Church, New Haven, and of Miss Mary Button, who so long conducted the Grove Hall School in New Haven. * The persons united in marriage were George Rockwell and Elizabeth Chapin. ^ Rev. Joseph Mix. * We should regard this as a curious state of things at the present day. This Bolton church was more than ninety years old. Rev. George Colton, its fifty-years' pastor, had been dead about two years, and no creed or confession of faith could be found. Mr. Col- ton had one which he used, but no one else seems to have had one. So Mr. Robbins took the responsibility, and constructed one on the spot, which the church never heard probably until they heard it read on the admission of the member that day. Rather loose Congregationalism we should call that. 594 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. 20. I fear this people are getting into a divided state.' Rode and tried to procure a girl " for Mrs. W'olcott, without success. Am trying to purchase a horse. Returned. The work of grace continues very great at Orford. 21. Last night was much troubled with nervous affections. Got up and took laudanum. Walked and visited. There are several persons among us deeply impressed with serious concerns. 22. Devoted this day to fasting, self-examination, and prayer. I beg and pray that I may not be a fatal check to the work of divine grace, which I hope is begun among this people. Visited. There are many celebrations in different parts of our country of the late joyful events in Europe.^ 23. Rode to Hartford. Assisted in preparing for the next Magazine. At evening performed a marriage."' 24. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Rode out and visited. Visited in a religious manner our academy school. One of the members has hopefully got religion lately. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. 25. Wrote a sermon on Gen. xxxii : 26. A man from Bolton brought me a horse to buy. I had desired him to do it, and promised unfortunately to pay him if I did not trade. I'he horse was miserable, and I had to pay the man $2.* There never was such a cordial and universal rejoicing on the island of Great Britain as now. 26. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Luke xiii : 3. Afternoon on Gen. xxxii : 26. At evening attended a full and solemn conference. The roads very dust}\ Received Mr. North, the teacher of our academy, to the communion of the church. 27. Rode to Hartford. We have difficulty in preparing our next Alagazine. Towards evening rode to Orford and preached at a conference for Mr. Cook, without notes, on Gen. xxxii: 26. The work of grace continues powerfully here. Returned. 28. Walked out and visited. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. The ground very dr)-. Thermometer 88°. We had a little show-er. 29. Wrote for the Magazine. Thermometer 90°. Read Universal History. 30. Walked out and visited. Rode to Hartford. Preached a preparatory lecture for Mr. Yates on Ps. cxlvii : 11. Attended to Magazine business. In the evening preached at Dr. Strong's conference, without notes, from Gen. ' They did not settle any minister till a ** The persons married were Henry Elmer year and a half later, when Rev. Philander and Chloe Porter. This was on Thursday Parmelee became their minister. evening, and, except for this marriage engage- ^ The only girls to be had at that time, ment, Mr. Robbins would have probably were, of course, American girls, and life was stayed at Hartford, and preached Dr. Strong's so busy on the farms, especially in. the sum- lecture, as he had done months before, mer season, that it was hard to find them. * He probably learned something from ^ Thousands of people in this country had this transaction. Men often speak harshly Jived in actual fear lest Napoleon, with his of ministers, because they represent human great and conquering armies, should come to nature as sinful and depraved ; but practically our shores. And now that he seemed to be ministers are apt to take far more hopeful caged in the island of Elba, they felt a sensi- and kindly views of their fellow-men, than ble relief. do the masses of mankind. l8l4.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 595 xxxii : 26.' In the afternoon we had a very refreshing shower. Thermome- ter 88°. People are generally haying. A great crop of grass. July. 1. Read Universal History. Afternoon Mr. Yates ^ preached my sacra- mental lecture. At evening we had a full prayer-meeting. Thermometer 89°. 2. Wrote a sermon on Jer. 1:5. A man calls on me from Maine, a mem- ber of college, sickly and needy. Thermometer 91°. 3. Rainy all day. Some of the time veiy hard. Administered the sacra- ment. Thin meeting, but the most of the church were present. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ex. viii : 22. Afternoon with old notes on Acts xiii : 10. At evening visited. 4. Rode to Bolton to buy a horse. Looked at several. Yesterday Mr. Cook received thirty-four persons into his church at Orford. In Vernon prayed at a funeral for Mr. Kellogg.^ Thermometer about 90°. 5. Last night there was a very violent shower. From the dampness of the air the heat is very oppressive. Thermometer 8g°. Wrote a part of a review of Mr. Merwin's missionary sermon for ministers' meeting. 6. Ministers' meeting was here. Finished and read my review. The meeting was the most numerous that we have had. The heat very severe. Thermometer about 90°. At night the young people had a ball. Visited. 7. Rode to Hartford to subscribe at the Phoenix Bank.* Could not get in on account of the great number of applicants. Saw Mr. Battell. Sally has another daughter,^ and expects to be at Hartford today. Received a letter from LTncle Starr, mentioning the death of cousin Henry Gould.'' Walked out and visited. Cool. Thermometer not much over 70°. 8. Rode to Bolton and purchased a horse. He is a colt three years old in May, and appears to be a very good one. Horace Gaylord ^ went with me and did me much service. I am to give for the colt next week, $66. He is said to be quite cheap. I hope he may long be useful to me. At evening had a very full and solemn prayer-meeting. 9. Rode to Hartford and subscribed for twenty shares in the Phoenix Bank.® Paid in $2.00 which I borrowed of Mr. Haskell. Worked some at hay. Went into the water. ' This time he preached for Dr. Strong. to be enough and more than enough to take ^ Dr. Andrew Yates, though unable to do up all the good bank stock that offered, much preaching, still remains and supplies at * This was Urania, born May 30, 1814, East Hartford. No minister was settled in who became the wife of Hon. James Hum- his place until 1816, when Rev. Joy H. Fair- phrey, and is still living, child, D. D., afterwards of South Boston, <> One of the sons of William Gould, of Mass., began his East Hartford ministry, Manchester, Vt. which continued till 1827. ^ This time he took a man, who, we sup- 3 That is to say, he made a prayer at a pose, was one of his old Norfolk neighbors, funeral to assist Mr. Ebenezer Kellogg, who a practical man, and honest, had been minister there (formerly North Bol- * Those who know how successful that ton parish), fifty-two years. Mr. Kellogg bank has proved through long years will see died three years later. the wisdom of his desire to get possession of * Though money was scarce, there seemed its stock. cg6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. , [1814. 10. Wrote notes and preached in the for-enoon on John xii : 37. Afternoon from Jer. 1:5. The meeting appeared unusually solemn. Had no conference on account of a singing-meeting. At evening assisted the church committee in examining three young women for our communion. 1 1 . Reckoned my pecuniary accounts. My expenses for a year past have been very great. Paid the Bolton man for my horse, ^66, $60 of which I borrowed of Mr. Haskell. These sums are not included in the accounts reckoned today. At evening attended a full conference. We had a pretty hard rain. 12. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Wapping and visited. Paid my subscrip- tion for singing, $2.00. Quite cool. 13. This morning before sunrise the thermometer was at 33°. I believe there was no frost. Last evening received a letter from my cousin S. P. Robbins, of Marietta. Yesterday wrote an application to the commissioners on the new bank, desiring them to give me the shares for which I subscribed. Wrote also to Dr. Strong. Rode to the harvest field to carr}- dinner. People generally beginning their harvest. It is very good, especially the wheat. Visited. At evening attended a small religious meeting. 14. Walked and visited all day. My horse is very good in the carriage. Read. 15. Worked in the garden. Visited a young woman exceedingly distressed for sin. Very warm. Thermometer 85°. Read Universal History. At even- ing attended our prayer-meeting. 16. Wrote a sermon on Mark ix : 44. The most of it is a mere copy of a piece I lately wrote for the Magazine. Ver}^ hot. Thermometer 94°. I was obliged to leave my chamber. Received a letter from my brother Samuel.' Mr. Loomis, my neighbor, has taken his son from him, to go into some other business. Mother is quite well. 17. The heat very oppressive. Thermometer 92°. In the forenoon ex- pounded from Matt, vi : 16 to vii : 7. Afternoon preached on Mark ix : 44. At evening attended the conference. Our singers who left their seats have returned. 18. Last night quite unable to sleep. Rode to Wrapping. Agreed to have my horse pastured for a few weeks, my mother having very kindly sent me hers for present use. Visited sick persons. 19. Wrote to Charles Sherman, New Haven. Sent my horse to Wrapping. Wrote. Walked and visited. At evening attended a small conference. 20. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Rode very early in the morning to Hartford, and saw Mr. and Mrs. Battell and family, on their return home from Stafford.^ Wrote ver}- late. Received a letter from Mr. Yates. 21. Rode to Hartford. Assisted in preparing the next Magazine. At evening preached at Dr. Strong's conference with short notes on i Cor. i : 18. ' We suppose that Samuel Robbins was ^ They had been spending some time at then still living in Norfolk, though he re- Stafford Springs, where Mrs. Battell had moved not long after. been before. l8l4.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 597 Yesterday received of Hartford Bank $17.00, a semi-annual dividend on my bank share. One half of which I paid to Mr. Wolcott, as belonging to him. 22. Last night Mr. Lee,' a candidate, came here and tarried. Wrote to Capt. Alvord, of Bolton. Worked some. Looked over foreign magazines. At evening had a very full prayer-meeting. 23. Quite warm. Wrote a sermon on Matt, vii : 14. Mrs. Wolcott quite unwell. 24. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Gen. xxii: 13. After- noon Mr. J. Marsh * preached for me. After meeting rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an infant child. At evening walked out. Yesterday had $150 returned to me from the Phoenix Bank. They gave me but five shares of the twenty for which I subscribed. The sums subscribed were very great. 25. Worked some. 'Looked ovqx Ecclesiastical History. Afternoon rode to East Hartford and heard Mr. Yates's students recite Mosheim's History for the Three Past Centuries? At evening attended a conference, put off from last evening on account of a singing-meeting. 26. Wrote for the 3Iagazi?ie. Received a letter from my brother Frank, one from Esq. Pettibone, of Norfolk, and one from Charles Sherman, of New Haven, enclosing $40.00, as my dividend lately at the Eagle Bank. Wrote to brother Frank. Visited. 27. Worked some. Rode to Hartford. Assisted about the next Magazine. Rode to Wethersfield and preached in the evening on Gen. xxxii: 26. There has been a great work of divine grace here ; it is now rather declining. Wrote to Mr. David Hale,"* of Boston, and sent him $20.00 for the Christian Observer.^ At evening we had a refreshing shower. 28. Rode home. Thermometer at 86°. Yesterday received a pamphlet sent from Mr. Robert Lenox,* of New York. Worked considerably. Had a very good shower. Read Universal History. 29. Last night and during the forenoon we had a very powerful rain. The streams are very much raised. Visited. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Read Universal History. 30. The high waters yesterday have done considerable damage. Read Universal History. Wrote to my cousin S. P. Robbins. Worked some. 31. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on i Pet. ii : 24. Afternoon on Matt, vii : 14. Thermometer near 90°. At evening had a full and solemn conference. We have some new instances of special awakening. Very tired. ' Jonathan Lee, a native of Salisbury, Ct., Hale, but it may be added that his business graduated at Yale, 1809 ; at Andover Semi- in Boston was the book-trade, nary, 1812; settled at Otis, Mass., Weybridge, 'That covered, probably, some eight or Vt., and spending his last years in Salisbury ten volumes of the work. It will be remem- as a teacher. bered that he had bought several volumes ^ Rev. John Marsh, Jr., of Wethersfield, before, before described. * Mr. Robert Lenox was one of those ^ Dr. Yates, as before stated, is teaching princely merchants, in New York city, who theological students. gave immense sums of money for benevolent * We have before given a note on Mr. purposes. 5^8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. August. 1. Visited. Afternoon rode to East Hartford and heard Mr. Yates's students recite Ecclesiastical History. Rode to Hartford. Paid for a pair of horizontal springs for Mr. Wolcott's carriage, $20.00. Paid for a pair of shoes, $2.17. For buckles, etc., for a bridle, $1.13. Thermometer 92°. Read the Treaty of Peace ' between France and the several allied powers. The most important since the peace of Westphalia.'' The stipulation for the abolition of slavery looks like the dawn of the millennium. 2. Walked and visited. Afternoon we had a very severe thunder-shower. Borrowed of Mr. Wolcott, $300.00, for which I gave him my note. 3. Rode to Glastonbury and attended ministers' meeting. Very warm. Preached on Matt, vii : 14. Mr. Yates is appointed a professor in Union Col- lege and expects to accept the appointment. I regret very much the event. ^ 4. Walked and visited. At evening examined with the church committee a young woman for our communion. Received a letter from Mr. Bartlett. 5. Rode out and visited. Conversed with persons deeply distressed for sin. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. It was very full. 6. Wrote all day. Wrote pretty poorly. Paid for my newspaper half a year, $1.00. The ravages of our war appear to increase.* Wrote late. Yes- terday set out some celery. 7. Cloudy and something rainy. Meeting in the forenoon pretty thin. Meetings quite solemn. Preached with old notes on Matt, xxvi : 56, and an old sermon on Heb. x : 31. At evening had a very full conference. 8. We had a very hard rain the most of the day. Read Universal History. Walked out and visited. The religious attention among us becomes a matter of general conversation. " This is known as the Treaty of Paris, from Yale, 1794, and was Professor of An- signed April 11, 1814, by which Napoleon cient Languages in Union College, 1797-1801. formally abdicated the throne of France. Then he was pastor at East Hartford, Ct., ^ The peace of Westphalia was concluded 1801-1814, when he was called back to Union Oct. 24, 1648, between France, the Emperor College as Professor of Moral and Intellect- of Germany, and Sweden. By this treaty, ual Philosophy. After filling this place for the principle of a balance of power among many years, he again became a distinguished the countries of Europe was first established, preacher in connection with the Presbyterian and the religious rights of the German States and Dutch Reformed churches. He died in acknowledged. 1844. He received his degree of D. D. from ^ It has been noticed in the course of the Middlebury College in 1814. The difficulty diary, that Dr. Yates has not had the regular that arose in the Consociation that dismissed charge of his pulpit for some time. This him, came from the unwillingness of many of was owing to the fact that he had a serious his people to part with him. He was a favor- trouble with his voice, making it difficult and ite pastor, and was greatly attached to his dangerous for him to speak. His school, people. which included classical scholars as well as * There had of late been some hard fight- theological students, he opened at the sugges- ing by the land forces, about Niagara and tion of the neighboring ministers, who knew along the Canada lines, in which the British how accomplished a scholar he was. A brief were more often beaten than victorious, outline of Dr. Andrew Yates's life may be Still the great successes of the United States instructive in this connection. Born in Sche- in the War of 1812 were on the sea. The nectady, N. Y., in 1772, he was graduated war was now drawing towards its close. 1814.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 599 9. Paid Mr. Haskell $260.00, which I had borrowed of him. He would take no interest.' Rode to Mr. Bartlett's. The streams are very high, and the roads much washed. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Heard Mr. Yates's students in Ecclesiastical History. At evening preached at his conference with- out notes on Gen. xxxii : 26. The people in East Hartford are in much com- motion in the prospect of Mr. Yates leaving them. 10. Walked and visited. Read Universal History. Several people here are sick. 11. On the 7th we had green corn. Yesterday received two letters from Mr. Flint as moderator of the Consociation requesting that body to con- vene at East Hartford next week, and at Hartland on the 30th inst. Rode to Vernon and attended a funeral. Preached on the occasion from i Cor. vii : 29, 31. Thermometer near 90°. Rode home late. 12. Having been absent from home yesterday, I set apart this day to the celebration of my birthday. Devoted the day to fasting, meditation, and prayer. 13. Rode to East Hartford and Hartford. Thermometer 86°. Paid the bank $221.75. Borrowed of Mr. Wolcott, $100.00, and gave him my note. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. 14. Finished a sermon on Isa. lix : 2. Preached with it both parts of the day. Assisted the church committee in examining a man for our communion. Propounded him and a young woman to the church.^ Exhibited two letters from the moderator of the Consociation to the church, and they chose two delegates. At evening attended the conference. 15. On the nineteenth paid for a new bridle, exclusive of the bits and the buckles, $1.75. Wet and rainy. Read Universal History. Afternoon rode to East Hartford and attended to Mr. Yates's students. Visited. 16. Last night a very hard rain. An old man died in the place. ^ Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Rode out and visited. At evening attended a conference. The work of God's grace among us is evidently increasing. 17. Rode to East Hartford and met with the Consociation on the subject of Mr. Yates's dismission. By the desire of the church I attended their meet- ing and acted as their advocate before the Consociation. They are much embarrassed for a proper decision.* In the morning paid Mr. Wolcott's hired man, $7.00, for the use of his horse from the ist of May till I got mine. 18. Spent a considerable time in the society meeting. The Consociation in much difficulty concluded to adjourn to next week.^ Rode to Hartford. Returned. Rode out and visited a sick man. 19. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. My watermelons have done ex- ' Mr. Eli B. Haskell from the first had tical History of Comedicui, Dr. Yates's dis- shown himself exceedingly friendly to Rev. mission is assigned to the year 1813, while it Mr. Robbins. did not really take place till Aug. 23, 1S14. ^ These candidates were Chloe R. Phelps ^ The grounds of difficulty and hesitation and John Holman. in the dismission of Mr. Yates, as before 3 Mr. Abner Bancroft, seventy-four. stated, were found in the unwillingness of * In the "Contributions" to the Ecclesias- his people to part with him. Goo DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. ceedingly well. Visited sick persons. At evening attended our prayer-meet- ing. Thermometer at 92°. For several days the weather has been very sul- try and oppressive. 20. The measles are quite prevalent with us. On the i8th received from the colonel ' of this militia regiment, the appointment of chaplain. Rode to Hartford and to East Hartford to make an exchange for tomorrow. 21. Mr. Bartlett preaches for me, and Mr. Yates supplies him. Preached from Ps. xl : 2, 3, and Matt, vii : 14. At evening rode home. Attended a conference at the south school-house. 22. Rode to Wapping and visited. Visited persons awakened. The work of grace among us evidently increases. 23. Yesterday and last night very cool. Rode to East Hartford. Heard a recitation from Mr. Yates's students. The Consociation dismissed Mr. Yates. The people feel very disagreeably, but appear to feel it to be best. Rode home. Our war rages with increasing violence on our shores and frontiers. 24. On the 2 2d my horse fell with me with violence. I was thrown off but not hurt. I have lately published a short piece in the Coiirant newspaper, on the orthography of the word Phoenix,^ in reference to the Phoenix Bank. Visited. Read Universal History. Began a sermon on Hag. ii : 9 for the dedication at Norfolk. Wrote late. On Monday received a letter from Rev. Mr. Prudden. 25. Rode to Hartford. At East Hartford heard a recitation from Mr. Yates's students. Assisted in preparing the next Magazine. At evening preached at Dr. Strong's conference with short notes on Matt, xxvi : 56. Paid for a half volume of Encyclopaedia, $4.00. My few hills of watermelon have produced about twenty very good ones. 26. Worked some. Read Universal History. Visited a sick woman. Afternoon rode to Vernon and preached at a funeraP from Rev. ii : 10. Re- turned. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 27. Received a letter from Mr. Battell and one from Mr. Asahel Gaylord, of Norfolk. Wrote. Finished my dedication sermon. Wrote a will for a sick man. 28. Very rainy. We had a great rain last night. In the morning rode to East Hartford to exchange with Mr. Yates for the forenoon. Preached from Ps. xiv: 7. At noon rode home and preached in the afternoon with an old written sermon on Luke xxiii : 39-43. Received five persons into the church.* At evening performed a marriage.^ At East Hartford read in public the late ' Col. Francis McLean. Dr. Robbins was so old and feeble as to need help. We re- appointed to fill the place made vacant by the member that Mr. Robbins had assisted at a resignation of Dr. Yates. funeral there a little while before. He was ^ He probably told the old mythological always generous in giving such help, story about the Phoenix, with such applica- ■* The persons admitted were Laura tions as he could think of to the case in Loomis, Sally Loomis, Dolly Elmer, Orrel hand. Elmer, Roxey Grant. ^ Rev. Mr. Kellogg, of Vernon, now fifty- ' The parties married were Horace Terry two years in the ministry, was getting to be and Sally Ward. 1814.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 601 result of the Consociation, We have the important and extraordinary intelli- gence that the enemy have taken possession of the city of Washington.' 29. Rode with Mr. Wolcott to Norfolk. The rain yesterday and Saturday night was very severe this way. The roads are very much washed and several bridges are gone. We found it very difficult in several places to get along. Mother is pretty feeble. A Mr. Burt/ a candidate, is preaching here. 30. Attended the dedication of the new meeting-house. It was a season of great solemnity and joy. Preached from Hag. ii : 9.^ A number of minis- ters were present, and the most people that I have ever seen together in this town. The day is very fine. The meeting-house is an excellent one. Our family are all here except James. Father's portrait was hung in the pulpit. 31. Received of my brother Nat, $30. And on the 29th, of brother Ammi, $20. Warm. After dinner set out with Mr. Wolcott and rode home. Rode quite late. Paid Mr. Wolcott, $30. September. 1. Am much fatigued by my late labors. Brought from Norfolk a number of books, twenty volumes, received from my father's library. Read. Rode out and visited. Thermometer at 86°. 2. Read the Augsburgh Confession,'* which I never did before. I do not like it so well as I expected. The heat very severe. Thermometer 91°. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Mr. Burt assisted, and came and tarried with me. 3. Wrote a sermon on Ex. xxxiii : 19. Thermometer 86°. The late cap- ture of Washington by the British was to us most disgraceful. 4. On the 2d wrote to Mr. Whittlesey,' of Washington, desiring him, as my substitute, to go to General Association of New Hampshire. On account of the religious attention among my people I conclude not to go. In the fore- noon preached on Ex. xxxiii: 19. Afternoon with notes on Matt, iii : 2. At evening attended the conference. The heat very severe. Thermometer 90°. Ver)' tired. The evening very warm. Tarried out. 5. Last night the weather changed suddenly, and has become quite cool. Visited. We have the most cheering evidence of the presence of God's good ' This was the rambling and disgraceful was enacted in a Diet convened by the Em- battle of Bladensburg — disgraceful on both peror, Charles V, April 8, 1530. It was sides. signed and read before the Emperor and the ^ This was probably Rev. Federal Burt, Diet, June 25, 1530. who was graduated at Williams College ' Rev. John B. Whittlesey, probably, who in 1S12. was graduated at Williams College in 1810. ^ It was very much of a compliment to In 1813, at the time of his appointment as Dr. Robbins that he should be invited to substitute delegate, he was settled at Salis- preach this dedication sermon. His text was, bury, Ct., but meanwhile had been dis- "The glory of this latter house shall be missed, and was now probably at Washing- greater than of the former, saith the Lord ton, Mass. He was a native of Saybrook, of Hosts." Ct. He was afterwards settled in Livingston* " The Augsburgh Confession is the doc- County, N. Y., and died of consumption trinal standard of the Lutheran Church. It in 1835. 6o2 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. spirit among us. Attended a little while at a training. In about thirty hours the thermometer sunk 50°. Wrote to my brother Nat. 6. Rode to East Hartford. Heard a recitation from Mr. Yates's students. This morning there was some frost, but not to kill vegetation. 7. Wrote to Mr. Humphrey,' one of Mr. Yates's students. Walked and visited. Made a religious visit to our academic school. At evening attended a meeting. Mr. Everest, the candidate, preached for me.^ Tarried at Capt. Bissell's.' 8. Walked and visited all day. Mostly among those who are serious. Several have lately got hope. 9. Rode to East Hartford. Mr. Yates left there yesterday. My orange and lemon-trees have grown very well lately. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. 10. Wrote a sermon, quite poor, on Ps. xvi : 11. 11. Expounded in the forenoon on Matt, vii : 8 to the end. The exposi- tion appeared entertaining, and I hope useful. Afternoon preached on Ps. xvi: II. Our country is in a great commotion. At evening had a full con- ference. 12. Visited two schools. They are well instructed in the catechism, the south one peculiarly so. Cloudy and wet. 13. Rode to New Haven to attend Commencement. Rainy. Got con- siderably wet. Heard before evening an oration to the P. B. K. Societ}\ At evening had speaking for premiums. 14. Attended the Commencement. Rainy and quite cold. Not so many people as usual. The exhibition was but ordinar}\ The Commencement was in the old meeting-house.* Three very spacious and elegant new meeting- houses are building at New Haven. At evening attended the Concio ad Clerum. 15. Attended a meeting for forming a charitable institution for the edu- cation of indigent youths.^ Left New Haven near one o'clock and rode to Hartford in seven hours. Rode home. Cloudy and cold. The roads quite wet. Paid at New Haven for books, $3.50. For religious tracts, $1.26. My lodging bill, $3.25. Paid at Hartford for a rose to wear on my hat as a cockade, .58. Mr. McClure has lately baptized an infant child whose parents make no profession and are certificated to the Episcopalians. The child was near dying.* 16. Cloudy and wet. Attended the regimental training in this place. ' Rev. Luther Humphrey, graduate of Mid- Mass., another in Worcester County, and an- dlebury College, 1813, and licensed by Litch- other, not far from same time, in Vermont. field North Association Sept. 27, 1814. * That was certainly an informality, ac- ^ Rev. Cornelius B. Everest. cording to the Congregational standards; but 3 Capt. Aaron Bissell, East Windsor Hill. it gratified the parents, and it is to be hoped * The same as the year before. did no harm. The rite of baptism is mainly s This was one of the preliminary move- for children that are to live and grow up, and * men ts toward the foundation of the American not for little ones that are about to die in Education Society. There was a local soci- early childhood. These parents had a half- ety of this kind formed in Plymouth County, way belief in baptismal regeneration. l8l4.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 603 Rode as chaplain * and prayed. The reghnent appeared very well. We have news of an important naval victory on Lake Champlain.'' Received a letter from brother Nat. 17. Wrote. Am getting a box made to keep my tropical trees. Poorly able to study from constant labor and fatigue. 18. In the morning wrote notes for preaching, and preached with them in the forenoon on Job vi : 4. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Matt, xxv : 21. At evening attended the conference. 19. Visited and catechised a school. Attended Freeman's Meeting. The highest vote for nomination, one hundred and nineteen. No Democrats. Wrote to Beers & Howe, New Haven. 20. This morning there was a little frost in some places. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. At evening attended a conference. Mr. Sanders,^ late President of Burlington College, came here and tarried. That college is broken up* by the war. 21. Hindered by company. Attended the training of a regiment of cavalry. Wrote quite late. 22. Received a letter from my brother Samuel. Wrote to him. Rode to Hartford and assisted in preparing for the next Magazitie. Paid for glass for my green-house, $4.50. For hinges for it, $1.00. Rainy. The banks of the country are in a very embarrassed state. Money is becoming very scarce. 23. Walked out and visited. Have done but little lately. Received a letter from my sister Battell. Henry Olmstead' is very sick. At evening we had quite a serious prayer-meeting. 24. Read Encydopcedia!' Rode to East Hartford and to Orford. Got quite wet. It has been wet and cloudy the most of the time for a fortnight. 25. Mr. Everest, who preached here in the absence of Mr. Cook, supplies my pulpit today. Preached from Heb. vi : 6, and Jer. 1:5. At evening attended a conference. I think the revival here is declining. After confer- ence rode home. Quite cold. Much fatigued. Baptized at Orford two chil- dren. 26. Rode to Norfolk. Mr. Olmstead is very low and dangerous. Received at Hartford a letter from brother Samuel. He is desirous of removing from Norfolk. I very much regret it. Mother is pretty well. There has not ' His appointment as chaplain in place of berland Head, overlooking the scene of the Dr. Yates, has been already noticed. battle. ^ Thomas Macdonough, of the U. S. A., ^ Rev. Daniel Clarke Sanders, D. D., born in command of a squadron on Lake Cham- at Sturbridge, Mass. President of Univer- plain, Sept. 11, 1814, gained a decisive vie- sity of Vermont from 1801 to 1814. He tory over the British squadron, consisting of closed his connection with the University in a larger number of vessels, under command the previous March, and afterwards became a of Com. George Downes. For this distin- Unitarian minister, guished service he was promoted, and re- * That is, temporarily suspended, ceived a gold medal from Congress. Many * Mr. Joseph Battell's partner in business, civic honors were also bestowed upon him by who married Eliza Lawrence, towns and cities, and the State of Vermont * The Edinburgh Encyclopcedia, which he presented him with a landed estate on Cum- was taking as the volumes were issued. 6o4 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. been here any material frost. Brother Frank is at home still supplying at Cornwall. 27. The people here are in a bad feud respecting Mr. Burt, the candidate^ who has been here. Looked over with brother Frank and arranged father's sermons and papers. Mr. Olmstead is very well attended. 28. Rainy. Conclude not to return today. Mr. Olmstead is hopefully a little better. I very much fear this society will get into serious divisions. At evening attended a wedding. I prayed, and Esq. Welch ' performed the marriage. Saw people from New Connecticut. 29. Rode home. Set out early. Very warm. Came by Simsbury and dined with Mr. McLean.^ At evening preached at Dr. Strong's conference from Acts ix : ii. Very tired. Two black children ^ have died this week. Dr. McClure attended the funeral of one Sabbath day. 30. Visited a family afflicted with the death of a child yesterday.* Visited sick persons. We have a number of sick, particularly children. Attended the funeral of a black child. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Much fatigued. Received a letter from Loomis & Richards, Middletown. After- noon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Rev. ii : lo. October. 1. Wrote. Visited sick persons. Attended the funeral of a young child. Read. Wrote on notes for preaching. 2. Finished my notes and preached in the forenoon on Ex. xv: 2. After- noon preached with an old sermon on Deut. xviii : 19. Administered the sacrament. Meeting full and solemn. A great number of spectators at the sacrament. At evening attended the conference. Very much fatigued. My labors for the week past have been quite severe. Warm. 3. Received of the society collector, $240.80. Rode to Hartford. Visited Mr. Yates's students ; they are expecting to go to Schenectady.^ Paid my second instalment to the Phcenix Bank, of $75.00. Paid also a similar instal- ment for my Aunt Starr, a part of what I owe her, $75.00. Paid for a tub for my lemon-tree, $1.83. For glass for my summer-house, .75, Screws for the same, .38. Bank stock is very much fallen in price. 4. Wrote a letter to Mr. Battell. Received one from him. Read Uni- versal History. I have not found time to read before for some weeks. Visited. 5. Worked some. Read Universal History. Yesterday the thermometer was at 72°. At evening attended a small meeting. 6. Walked and visited. Visited a school. At evening attended a confer- ence. Visited sick persons. Have now visited and catechised all our sum- mer schools. ' Benjamin Welch, one of the prominent *■ This child was George Clapp, also two men of Norfolk, who occasionally was the years old. representative to the General Court. s Dr. Yates's students were so much at- * Rev. Allen McLean. tached to their teacher, that they proposed to ^ Hannah Freeman and Katy Adkins, each follow him to Schenectady and Union Col- two years old. lege, and study there. 1814.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 605 7. Read Universal History. Wrote. Had fire in my chamber. At even- ing attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. 8. This morning there was a severe frost. The first we have had to kill vegetation. Wrote a sermon on Zech. x : i. Hindered by company. 9. The frost quite hard. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, viii : 1-28. Afternoon preached on Zech. x : i. Meeting very full. At noon attended the funeral of Mr. James Wood, who has lately lived, and who died suddenly, in East Hartford. He was interred here. I think best not to record the death.' At evening attended the conference. 10. Walked out and visited. Afternoon rode to Wapping and visited. Much warmer. 11. Rode to Enfield to attend the Consociation. Was appointed scribe of the Consociation. We examined and approved a Mr. Gould '^ for ordination as a missionary. At evening examined and licensed a Mr. Burt,^ one of Mr. Yates's students, to be a preacher. Mr. Charlton '^ and I are very agreeably entertained at Dr. Bond's.' 12. Very warm. In the forenoon we had an agreeable ordination. Was appointed on the committee to attend to the subject of religious instruction at Newgate Prison.^ The Consociation finished their business. * Returned. A number of children here quite sick. Very tired. 13. On the nth received a letter from George Olmstead, of Hartford, and today another respecting his brother Henry, at Norfolk. He is said to be no better, and I much fear he will not live. Rode to Windsor and visited. Re- turned. Visited a sick family. Late in the evening rode to East Hartford and married Cotton Keyes and Almira Chapin, of Ludlow, on a visit at their friends. 14. Worked some. Wrote considerably. Read Universal History. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. The work of God, I think, is evidently declining among us. 15. Wrote a sermon on Rom. ii : 16. We have news from our commission- ers in Europe that the negotiation is likely to have an entire failure.' ' As he lived and died in East Hartford, made to bring about peace between England he does not enter him upon his list of East and the United States. Russia, friendly to Windsor deaths. both parties, had for some time sought to in- ^ Rev. William R. Gould, a graduate of terpose her influence to bring the war to an Yale, 1811. He went as a missionary to Ohio, end. On the 8th of August, 1814, commis- and later in life was settled over churches in sioners from England and the United States Connecticut. met in Ghent, Belgium, for this purpose. ^ Rev. Federal Burt, before spoken of, The commissioners on the part of the United graduated at Williams, 1S12. States were John Quincy Adams, James ■* Mr. Jesse Charlton, the delegate from Ashton Bayard, Henry Clay, Jonathan Rus- Dr. Robbins's church. sell, and Albert Gallatin. At this confer- 5 Dr. Bond. ence, England still urged such claims, that * The State Prison of Connecticut, as our commissioners would not accede to them, before described, was underground, in a mine and the negotiations failed. The English at Granby. commissioners were Lord Gambler, Henry ^ This refers to the efforts which had been Goulburn, and William Adams. 6o6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814, 16. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon from Ex. iv : 31. Afternoon from Rom. ii : 16. At evening attended the conference. 17. A very hard frost. Rode to Granby and met with the overseers of Newgate Prison and the committee of the Consociation, and agreed to present a memorial to the Assembly desiring them to make provision for permanent religious instruction at the prison. Went to the prison. Tarried with Judge Woodruff. 18. Rode home very early. Read Universal History. Visited. 19. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Received a letter from Mr. George Olmstead. Wrote to Mr. Battell. 20. Worked some at my summer-house. Visited. Afternoon attended the examination of Mr. North's school. It appeared very well. At evening attended a solemn meeting. 21. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Attended the funeral of a young child.' At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 22. Rode to Hartford. Paid for Mr. Battell, owed to him, $9.00. Paid a debt for liquors, $11.88. Paid for tops to my boots, $2.00.^ Attended the funeral of a young child. ^ Wrote late. Finished my piece for the Magazine. 23. PreacWed all day with an old sermon on Acts xx : 26, 27. Visited sick persons. At evening attended the conference. 24. Set out early on a journey to New Haven on the Newgate business. At Hartford heard that Henry Olmstead was probably near dying and went to Norfolk. Found Mr. Olmstead exceedingly low. Quite cold and tedious. 25. Mr. Olmstead is thought to be much as for several days past. Towards night, concluding he might live for several days, set out for New Haven. Rode through Winchester, twenty miles. Tarried at a tavern. 26. Last night about three o'clock a messenger came to me and informed me that Mr. Olmstead died about eight o'clock in the evening very unexpect- edly. Returned to Norfolk. My poor cousin Eliza'* is ver)' deeply afflicted. Wrote. Paid expenses of the messenger who came after me, .66. Warm. 27. Wrote an addition to my sermon on i Cor. vii : 29, 31, and preached with it in the afternoon at the funeral of Mr. Olmstead. The funeral was very numerous and solemn. Eliza behaved very well. At evening quite rainy. My brother James is here. Brother Frank is preaching at Chester,' Say- brook. 28. My niece Eliza is left under favorable pecuniary circumstances. A very hard rain. Expected to have gone home today, but am prevented by the storm. My mother is quite well. 29. Set out very early and rode home. Got to Hartford just after noon. ' A child of Mr. Jonathan Drake. her cousin, and perhaps uses this word partly ^ Dr. Robbins continued to wear top-boots as a term of endearment. He calls her niece through his life. also (see below Oct. 28). ^ Child of Mrs. Jerusha Bancroft. ^ fhe church in Chester had been made * Eliza was really his niece, being the vacant that verj' 3'ear by the death of Rev. daughter of his oldest sister, Elizabeth (Mrs. Samuel Mills, who had been its pastor twenty- Grover Lawrence). He has elsewhere called eight years. l8l4-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 607 A man has died in the neighborhood in my absence,' Very tired. Visited the afflicted family. 30. Preached with old notes on Ps. xcvii : i. Attended the funeral of the man who deceased yesterday morning. Last Friday the prayer-meeting was attended without me. I believe I have not missed one before since they were set up last February. Last Friday Capt. Hall, of Wapping, brought me a valuable load of wood. 31. Rode to Hartford. Received a letter from Mr. Shepard,^ of Lenox. Assisted in preparing the next Magazine. At four o'clock left Hartford and rode to New Haven. We have had, I think, the pleasantest October that I have ever known. November. 1. Conferred with Gov. Treadwell,^ and wrote a petition which he pre- sented to the House of Representatives, desiring them to make a permanent provision for religious instruction at Neu'gate Prison.* The petition was granted. Treated very kindly by Representative and friends. 2. Quite cool. Drew a bill in form, consonant with my petition, which was passed. The House of Representatives appear very well. After three o'clock left New Haven and rode home. Paid $3.00 for a pair of boots for Frances.^ The Assembly have much uncommon and important business. 3. Congress appear to be making the most desperate efforts to raise a large army. Rainy. Read Universal History. Visited. 4. Rode to Hartford. Visited sick persons. Paid for paint for my sum- mer-house, .56. Read Universal History. Wet. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Hawes,* of Glastonbury. 5. Wrote the most of a sermon on i Cor. vi : 11. Attended the funeral of an infant child.' Received a letter from P. B. Gleason & Co., wishing for a part of the copy of my Historical View to begin the printing. Paid for trun- dles for my summer-house, ,50. 6. Finished my sermon on i Cor. vi : 11, and preached with it all day. At evening attended the conference. 7. Quite wet. Visited the sick. Worked some. Prepared a part of my Historical Viav for the press. Read Universal History. 8. Rode to Hartford. The printers began the publication of my Histori- cal View. Paid for second-hand books, bought of Hale & Horner, $15.17. Paid Cooke for book-s, $7.00. Quite cool. Rode to the hill and attended a meeting. Tarried out, 9. Walked and visited all day. The subjects of our revival appear very ' Calvin Owen, thirty-one. years, but this had been supplied by local ^ Rev, Samuel Shepard, D. D. and temporary arrangements, as opportunity ^ Gov, John Treadwell had been in public offered, mainly as charity, and without any office of some kind, almost all the time since expense to the State, he finished his education, about 1770. ' Frances Wolcott, now twenty years old. * Of course, the prisoners at Newgate had * Rev, Prince Hawes. not been without religious instruction in past ' Child of Mr. Jonas Bragg. 6o8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. well. Many children are still quite sick. Received a letter from Loomis & Richards, of Middletown. 10. Our Assembly have had an unusually long session. Afternoon per- formed a marriage.' In the forenoon worked pretty hard. Read. 11. My brother Frank came here on his way to Saybrook. Friends well at Norfolk. At evening had a solemn prayer-meeting. Wrote. 12. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. Wrote a sermon on John iii : 14. Much poorer than it ought to be on that text. I write but slowly. 13. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, viii : 28 to ix : 14. Afternoon preached on John iii: 14. Very warm for the season. Am pretty feeble. At evening rainy. No conference. Read. 14. Quite rainy. Read Universal History. Paid to the Hartford Bank, money borrowed, $21.30. Walked out. 15. Read the thirty-sixth volume of Modern Universal History. Read four pages in another volume, making in the whole five hundred pages. I never read so much in one day before. Began a little after seven in the morning and did not finish till after four in the morning. Had considerable interrup tions. In the day-time read about thirty pages an hour, but the latter part of the time did not exceed twenty-five. I have nearly completed the work, but reserved this volume for a day's reading.^ Received a letter from the church in West Suffield inviting me to the proposed ordination of Mr. Mix.^ 16. Got home my summer-house box. I think it will answer well. Walked out and visited. Mr. Mix came to see me and tarried. 17. Lent Mr. Mix some books and two manuscript sermons. Rode to Hartford to attend to my book which is now in press. The money of the country is in a condition of great embarrassment. Walked home. Rode to the hill and attended a meeting. At these meetings I speak from a text, the same as preaching. 18. Remarkably warm. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. 19. Wrote. Rode to East Hartford to see a sick woman. Rode to Hart- ford. A very tedious storm of rain and snow. 20. Quite cold. Thin meeting. Preached with old notes on Num. xxi. 4. At evening attended the conference. My lungs much fatigued. Read Universal History. 21. Rode to Hartford. Assisted in preparing the next Magazitie. There is a proposal in the newspapers for a concert of prayer, in reference to the approaching Convention at Hartford." Paid for putty for my summer-house, .50. Purchased books. Read Universal History. ' James Killam, of Hartford, was united Association, Feb. 2, 1814, and was pastor at in marriage with Mary Wells. West Suffield, 1814 to 1829. - This is a feat at reading not to be com- * This was that famous Hartford Conven- mended, conducive to mental dyspepsia rather tion, which the men of New England ever than intellectual health and growth. since have had to explain. At the time, how- ^ Rev. Joseph Mix, before spoken of. ever, they seemed to enter upon its business He was licensed by the Hartford North religiously. 1814.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 609 22. Walked and visited all day. Conversed with persons that are serious. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Flint. Tarried out. 23. Visited. Rode to Wapping. Conversed with persons respecting being propounded for our church communion. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Wrote to him and to my Uncle Starr. 24. Read Universal History. Walked out and visited. Quite cold. Mr. Wolcott is exceedingly afiflicted with nervous dejection. 25. Read all day. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Assisted the church committee, with other members of the church, in examining some per- sons for our communion. They are a part of the fruit of God's work here the present year. » 26. Quite cold. Wrote a sermon on Neh. i : 15. Worked some. Hindered by company. 27. Preached with old notes on Ps. ci: 43, and on Neh. i: 15. It snowed considerably. Last night my green trees were affected with the frost. The church chose a delegate to go with me to the ordination at West Sufifield. Propounded six persons for our communion. So stormy we had no confer- ence. Read. 28. Rode to Hartford. Paid for the books, bought at a good rate, $22.00. Attended a church meeting at East Hartford, which voted to give Mr. Lewis a call.' Read Universal History. 29. Received of the society collector, $156.09. Paid Mr. Loomis for my summer-house, $30.00. Of this sum, $14.13 was a due-bill which I had against him. Have paid for glass, etc., for the box heretofore, about $6.00. It has cost me about $36.00. Paid for a book, .75, an additional part of Mr. Loomis's due-bill. Began a sermon on Ps. ii : 1 1 for Thanksgiving. Thermometer this morning 12°. 30. Very rainy all day. Finished reading my Uiiversal History, which I began Dec. i, 1809. I have read it all, and have finished just at the time which I hoped to when I began. It is an exceedingly valuable work. God be thanked by whose favor I have been enabled to read the History. I hope it may be a means, in some degree, of making me more useful in my ministerial work. Finished my Thanksgiving sermon. I think it not so good as some that I have written. December. 1. Thanksgiving. Very wet. Meeting pretty thin. Preached on Ps. ii: II. At evening walked out. The causes of thankfulness are as great with me as ever, 2. Walked out and visited. Read. Had company. At evening our praj^er-meeting was quite thin. ' This must have been Rev. Isaac Lewis, must have been preaching out of the State. Jr., D. D., son of Isaac Lewis, D. D., of From 1S03 to 1814, his name appears among Greenwich. The son was graduated in 1794 the Presbyterian ministers. The call to East at Yale, and licensed by the Fairfield West Hartford did not take effect, and in 1818 he Association, Oct. 12, 1796, Meanwhile he took his father's place at Greenwich. 6lO DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1814. 3. Quite cold. Worked considerably. Could not manure my asparagus beds on account of the manure being frozen. Rode to Scantick to exchange with Mr. Bartlett. 4. It snowed hard all the forenoon. Ver)' thin meeting. Preached on I Cor. vi: II. At evening returned and attended our conference. Received a letter from Mr. Battell, and one from my Uncle Starr. 5. Sleighs move considerably. Rode to Hartford. Purchased of Mr. Smith,' of Durham, five shares in the Phoenix Bank,^ for the money which he had paid with the interest on the same, amounting to $127.40, which I paid him. Paid for a good sleigh, §20.00. Walked out and visited. 6. Rode to Hartford and brought up my sleigh. It is thought I have made a very great bargain. Borrowed of Mr. Wolcott, $60.00, for which I gave him my note. For $25.00 of this sum I received in York money in exchange, $28.25.' Reckoned all accounts with Mr. Wolcott. Took up a note which he held against me of $80.00, by my young horse at $50.00, and $30.00 paid him Aug. 31. Interest of $1.70 paid him now. Gave him my note of $104.00 for my boarding-bill for the last year, and endorsed on it $50.50, which I have paid him lately, at a number of times. Paid for trimmings for my sleigh- harness, $1.91. Visited a school. At evening called out and visited. Ther- mometer this morning was at 12°. 7. Rode to Orford to attend ministers' meeting. No other persons went.* Preached on Matt, xxiii : 37, 38. Rode to Wapping and tarried. Quite cold and tedious. 8. There is quite a revival of religion at Vernon. Visited the two Wap- ping schools. At evening rode into the edge of East Hartford, and performed a marriage.' The sleighing is poor, but we have close winter weather. 9. The thermometer this morning was at 9°. Wrote. Afternoon visited a school. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Received a letter from Dr. Strong. 10. Thermometer this morning 6°. It was the same last evening. Wrote to Dr. Strong. Received another letter from him, a duplicate of the former, and wrote a reply. Wrote a sermon on Ps. xxxix : 30-34. It is a double sermon of sixteen pages. Began at eight a. m., and finished a quarter before one at night. It is too poor for such a subject as covenanting with God. 11. Preached on Ps. xxxix : 30-34. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. Re- ceived six persons ^ to our communion. The largest addition the church has had during mine or Dr. McClure's ministry. The season was ver}* solemn. At evening attended the conference. ' Rev. David Smith, D. D. meeting. But public worship was held in ^ Dr. Robbins was disappointed in not the church as usual. The audience came being able to secure so many shares of this from the Orford families, stock as he desired, and embraces this op- 5 The persons married were John Alex- portunity to purchase of Dr. Smith. ander and Sophia Hayes, of East Hartford. ^ Connecticut money was worth more than * Four of these were Sophia Tudor, Are- New York money. thusa Loomis, Almira Wolcott, and Eben- * He, with the pastor. Rev. Elisha B. ezer Grover. We have not the names of the Cook, made all there was of the ministers' other two. 1814.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 61I 12. Rode to Granville.' Tarried with Rev. Mr. Cooley.* Wrote to Dr. Strong. The river is frozen over. 13. Rode with Mr. Cooley back to West Suffield, to attend the ordination of Mr. Mix.^ He appeared very well on examination. Quite cold. Very little sleighing. 14. Attended the ordination of Mr. Mix. I made the first prayer. The day very pleasant. The prospects of this people are quite pleasing. Re- turned home. 15. The Convention met at Hartford.'' Spent a part of the day in prayer, in reference to that object. Prepared a part of my Historical View for the press. 16. Preparing my Historical Vieza for the printer. Visited a school. Quite rainy. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Visited. 17. Wrote on a New Year's piece for the Magazine. Attended to an expo- sition for tomorrow. 18. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, ix : 14 to the end. Afternoon preached an old sermon on John vii : 17. At evening attended the confer- ence. Read. Examined with the church committee, a young man for our communion, and propounded him to the church. 19. Wrote. The society had their annual meeting. Great exertions have been made of late to make division in the society, but there is reason to hope they have been productive of good. The most of the society appear to be very cordially attached to its interests. Received of the society collector, $32.73. A few certificates of small lists have been given in. 20. Received of the society, $61.76. The society was in debt about $140, and the sum was paid by the donation of individuals. Wrote. Afternoon visited a school. At evening attended a meeting at the academy. Ther- mometer this morning, 14°. 21. Wrote. I have a good deal of difficulty in completing my New Year's piece. Last evening received a letter from my sister Battell, and one from my cousin S. P. Robbins. Rode out and visited a sick woman. Afternoon my brother Samuel came here from Norfolk. At evening my brother Frank came ' This was Granville, Mass. gates ; and New Hampshire, as a State, al- ^ Rev. Timothy M. Cooley, D. D., a native lowed the matter to pass without official of East Granville, Mass., graduated at Yale, action. Some delegates were chosen from 1792; pastor at East Granville from 1796 counties both in New Hampshire and Ver- to his death, 1859. His father, Daniel Cooley, mont. The body continued in session nearly was one of the first settlers of Granville. three weeks, and summed up the result in ^ Rev. Joseph Mix, pastor at West Suf- seven propositions, in the nature of proposed field, Ct., 1814-1829. amendments to the Constitution. About the * This was the day of the coming together time they had finished their work, and gone of the notable Hartford Convention. The to their homes, peace was concluded between Legislature of Massachusetts first took action the United States and Great Britain. Their to c»ll such a convention, and appointed seven proposed amendments, which were delegates to attend the same. Connecticut provincial and narrow, when submitted to and Rhode Island followed this example, but the people, were rejected, and so ended the Vermont, as a State, refused tc send dele- Hartford Convention. 6l2 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [[814. here from Saybrook. I fear he will have some difficulty in getting away from that people.' 22. Rode to Hartford with my brothers.^ Found brother Nat there. Received of him, $20.00. He went off to Boston, and the other brothers to Norfolk. Paid to the Phcenix Bank an instalment on five shares, $62.50. Dr. Stron"" is quite unwell. Preached at his conference in the evening from i Pet. i : 10. Troubled with the headache. Warm. What sleighing there was is mostly gone. 23. Paid Mr. Wolcott on a note, $10.00. On the 12th inst. paid him on a note, $15.00. Warm. Wrote. Visited. At evening attended the prayer- meeting. Received of the society, collected by donation, $17.00, completing the payment of my last salary, of which $6.88 was for interest. Warm for the season. 24. Wrote. Finished my New Year's piece for the Magazine. At evening my brother Frank came here from Norfolk.^ 25. My brother stays here to preach. Rode to Hartford to supply Dr. Strong, who is quite unwell. Mr. Woodbridge," of Hadley, preached in the forenoon. Many of the people are at the Episcopal Christmas. Some mem- bers of the Convention were at meeting. Preached in the afternoon on Matt. XXV : 21. At evening preached at the conference with notes on Gen. xxii : 13. Rode home. The evening very cold. Thermometer this morning 14°. In the morning visited a family where a woman ^ has lately died. My brother attended the funeral, and preached at the conference in the evening. 26. In the morning the thermometer was at zero. My brother went off for Saybrook. Very cold all day. Visited. The roads very hard and smooth. 27. Last night at bed-time the thermometer was at 2°, this morning it was at 18°. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Walked and visited. Am much oppressed with a cold which I took, I believe. Sabbath evening. Yesterday put on my flannel. 28. Rode to Wethersfield and preached a sacramental lecture for Dr. Marsh on Matt, xxiii : 37, 38. Returned. Had an agreeable visit with Judge Thomas,' of Plymouth, and Col. Lyman,' of Northampton, members of the ' His brother, Francis Le Baron, it will served in American pulpits, which number be remembered, had been preaching in Ches- has since been considerably increased, ter, one of the parishes of Saybrook, and ^ Widow Sarah Williams, sixty-seven. Dr. Robbins evidently thinks the place not * Judge Joshua Thomas, one of the chief large and prominent enough. men of Plymouth, Mass. * Samuel and Francis Le Baron. "> Col. Lyman, of Northampton, Mass., ' He had been home on a brief visit, and was the Hon. Joseph Lyman. He was son is on his way back to Saybrook, but stopping of Capt. Joseph Lyman, of Northampton, and for the Sabbath at East Windsor. was born in that town in 1767, was graduated * Rev. John Woodbridge, D. D., pastor at Yale College, at the age of sixteen, in at Hadley from 1810 to 1830. He was a 1783, and died in Northampton, in 1847; aged graduate of Williams College in 1804, and eighty. Through his long life, he was largely was one of about twenty ministers of the in the public service, and was greatly hon- name Woodbridge, which even then had ored and esteemed. l8l4.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 613 Convention. Paid an instalment of $62.50 to the Phoenix Bank. Got .50 in exchange of a $10.00 bridge water bill for York money. Have a sore throat. 29. Wrote on a chronological table for my Historical View. At evening performed a marriage.' 30. Very warm for the season. Am much oppressed with my cold. Fin- ished my chronological table. Afternoon preached a sacramental lecture with old notes on i Pet. iv : 7. At evening had a full prayer-meeting. Wrote. 31. Wrote a sermon on i Cor. iv: 2. I hope my cold is going off. The weather appears like March. God be praised for another year of great mer- cies. * Samuel Mills and Jemima Filley were the parties united in marriage. 1815- January. 1. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. cxxxii : 13. After- noon on I Cor. iv : 2. Administered the holy communion. The season was uncommonly interesting and solemn. Received a young man into the church.' The church now contains one hundred members. At my settlement there were sixty-seven. The meeting was very full. The church, I believe, was more numerous than I have ever seen on a similar occasion. A great number of people staid at the communion. There have been eighteen deaths in this place the year past. At evening attended the conference. The day was very pleasant. The thermometer above 50°. Will a merciful God spare me this year, and make me wholly devoted to his service. Am feeble with my cold. Read. 2. Wrote. Dined with Dr. Tudor.^ The thermometer was at 53°. Wrote late. 3. Rode to Hartford. Visited Mrs. Lyman, of Northampton, my cousin.^ Had an agreeable visit with several gentlemen of the Convention. Carried to the printer the preface for my book, which I wrote last evening. The ground is much thawed. It begins to break through the frost. Rode home at evening in a very tedious rain. Read. Mr. Lewis has given a negative answer to the call from East Hartford. 4. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Rode to the edge of East Hartford, and visited sick persons. A little sleighing, but poor. At evening attended the meeting of the Moral Society. Wrote till two o'clock in the morning. 5. Rode to Hartford. Assisted in preparing the next Magazine. The Convention rose this morning.* I think they have not done as much as was expected. Visited. 6. Prepared this almanack and completed my former one. Visited a sick man, apparently near dying; extremely stupid. At evening Rev. Mr. Loomis^ preached for me at the prayer-meeting. Very cold and tedious. ' George Spencer. was Miss Elizabeth Fowler, of Westfield, ^ Dr. Elihu Tudor, then nearly eighty- Mass. No wonder Dr. Robbins liked to call three years old. her cousin. She was a woman of rare physi- ^ It is by a stretch of language that he cal beauty, and of very choice character. calls her his cousin. She was of his kindred Judge Lyman had families of children by surely, but was several departures from what both wives. we should ordinarily call cousin. Her maiden * It came together Dec. 15, and adjourned name was Anne Jean Robbins, and she was Jan. 5. The treaty of peace between Eng- the daughter of Hon. E. H. Robbins, of land and the United States was com- Milton, at one time Lieut.-Governor of Massa- pleted and signed at Ghent, Dec. 24, 1814, chusetts. She was Judge Lyman's (Col. Ly- but nobody yet knew it on this side the man's) second wife, having been married to water, him only about three years. His first wife * Rev. Amasa Loomis. 615 6l6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^^^S- 7. Filed my letters of last year, fifty-nine more than I have received any year before. Wrote on my preaching account for last year. The thermometer this morning 5°. Received a letter from my sister Battell, and one from Mr. Lord, a candidate preacher at Norfolk. At evening rode to East Hartford for an exchange tomorrow. Very cold. 8. Mr. Loom is preached for me and I supplied at East Hartford for him. The weather moderated very much last night, and is very -pleasant. Preached in the forenoon with notes on Luke xii : 42. Afternoon on Matt, xxiii : 37, 38. Administered the sacrament. This church is very large. Baptized a child. The meeting very full and attentive. Read, and had read at home, Mr. Madi- son's Proclamation for a Fast. I took the advice of our society committee, respecting the observation of the day, having no proclamation from the Gov- ernor.' Returned. Very tired. 9. A man died here last evening. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in arranging his accounts. Visited. 10. Wrote. Attended the funeral of the man lately deceased.^ Visited a sick man. Wrote to my brother Frank. 11. Wrote on a sermon for the Fast, on 2 Chron. xv : i, 2. Col. Phelps, of Norfolk, called on me. He brought me a letter from Mr. Battell. Rainy. 12. National Fast, appointed by the President and Congress. It was not additionally recommended by our Governor.^ At the suggestion of our society committee, we had but one exercise, at twelve o'clock. Finished my sermon begun yesterday and preached on 2 Chron. xv : i, 2. Quite cold and tedious. Thermometer about 20° all day. At evening had a meeting at the academy, and preached the same sermon, by desire. Quite tired. 13. Wrote. Wrote a letter to my sister Battell. Worked some. Mr. Wolcott killed a cow that weighed eight hundred and fifty pounds. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Thermometer this morning 10°. Visited. 14. Visited sick persons. Paid a tailor, $2.00. Wrote on my preaching account of last year. Wrote notes for preaching. 15. Finished my notes and preached all day on 2 Sam. xxii : 29. Full meeting. Conference in the evening, very full and impressive. Had an application for the publication of my Fast sermon. 16. Thermometer yesterday morning at 5°. Warmer. The ground very hard and hard frozen. Rode to Hartford. We hear of an invasion at New Orleans. I hope the British will take it.'* Visited. My Historical View is printed, and appears well. 17. Finished my preaching account of last year. Worked at my library. I have now about six hundred volumes. Wrote late. 18. Last night there was considerable snow. Rode out in a sleigh. Tol- erably good sleighing. Rode to Wapping and visited. Tarried out there. ' As the proclamation was read both at * John Cotton Smith was then Governor East Hartford and East Windsor, it was of Connecticut, a good strong Federalist, probably thought best to heed the President's * Not a very patriotic utterance, and the request. British did not take it, but were badly beaten ^ Mr. Noadiah Drake. by Gen. Jackson. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 617 19. Wrote a will for a man. Visited, Rode to Long Hill and visited a school. At evening considerable rain. 20. Walked and visited all day. The sleighing mostly gone. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Warm. Last evening read considerably in Campbell's Gospels^ which I like well. 21. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Wrote on notes for preaching. Am very dull and stupid respecting divine things, and have great reason to fear for my moral state. 22. Finished my notes and preached in the afternoon on Job xxi : 14. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, x : 1-24. Quite cold. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. Visited an old man in a dying state. Attended the evening confer- ence. 23. Last night there was a very severe snow-storm. The snow is perhaps a foot deep. Visited a family in mourning. Severe cold. Wrote. 24. Thermometer this morning 6° below zero. Visited a sick woman and a mourning family. Attended the funeral of an infant child.' Good sleighing. Finished a piece for the Magazine. 25. Wrote notes for preaching. Attended the funeral of old Mr. Stough- ton,^ aged eightj'-seven. He has been the oldest man in the society for nearly eleven years. At evening preached at the academy with notes on Jer. xxxi : 6. My brother Frank came here and tarried. He is much embarrassed about staying at Chester. They are very anxious to have him settle there. 26. Rode to Hartford. Crossed the river on the ice with a sleigh. My brother Frank went ofif for Norfolk. Assisted Dr. Strong in preparing for the next Magazine. Severe cold all day. Received from the printers six volumes of my Historical Vietv. It makes a handsome volume. Preached in the even- ing at Dr. Strong's conference with notes on Acts xvii : 3. Rode home. The cold very severe. 27. Mr. Wolcott and his boy looked at the thermometer separately, and affirm that before sunrise it was below the graduation, which is 14° below zero. I saw it 12° below zero after it had been a little while in the house. It has never been so low before since I owned it, of which this is the fifth winter. Wrote copying my Fast sermon for the press. Attended the funeral of an old lady.^ Attended our prayer-meeting. Rev. Mr. Smith, of New Hampshire,'' came here and tarried. 28. The thermometer this morning was at zero al eight o'clock. Received a letter from my brother Frank. Paid $1.00 for a half year of my newspaper. I conclude the thermometer this morning early was 5° or 6° below zero. Wrote copying my Fast sermon. Wrote for the Magazine. 29. Thermometer this morning at zero. Very cold and tedious. The thermometer did not rise above 13° in the day. Meetings pretty thin. ' An infant child of Benjamin Gillet, Jr. name Smith then settled in New Hampshire, ^ Mr. Oliver Stoughton. that we have no clue to the particular one ' Widow Silee Smith. then in East Windsor. Smith and Williams * There were so many ministers of the are both very common names in the ministry. 6i8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. Preached an old sermon on Phil, ii : 12, 13. Had no conference. At even- ing the thermometer was at zero. Wrote. 30. Thermometer this morning 6° below zero. In a perfectly clear day it did not rise to 12° all day. Rode to Hartford in a sleigh. Froze one of my ears. Received three good loads of wood from Wapping. Wrote. 31. Thermometer this morning 2° below zero. Towards noon it was nearly 2° above zero, and rose no higher through the day. The sun shone, though obscurely. I think I never saw a colder day. The thermometer sunk steadily afternoon; at sundown it was 7° below zero, and at eight o'clock 8° below zero, after which it began to rise. My sister Battell came here to make me a visit. Wrote to Mr. Battell, at Hartford. At evening married two blacks.' February. 1. Thermometer this morning was at zero. The weather moderates. Walked out and visited with my sister. At evening Mr. Battell and my niece Eliza ^ came here. Wrote. 2. Rode with my friends to Hartford ; they returned with me. At evening visited with them. 3. My friends went off for Norfolk. Finished the copy of my Fast ser- mon for the printers. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Quite full. 4. Received a letter from my brother James. Wrote the most of a sermon on Col. i: 21. Wrote late. 5. Finished my sermon and preached all day on Col. i: 21. Last night we had considerable snow. At evening had a full conference. Very tired. 6. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. Was requested to preach to the Washington Society^ in East Hartford, on the 22d inst. Visited. 7. Rode to Hartford and met with our Association. We have less busi- ness than usual. Very fine sleighing. Received my note at the bank and paid $11.20. At night very cold. 8. Finished associational business and returned home. My thermome- ter this morning was 14° below zero. At Hartford it was 12° below zero. Visited a sick woman. Wrote. 9. Walked and visited all day. Visited our academy school. At evening preached at the academy without notes on Isa. x : 15. Very tired. 10. Wrote to my brother Frank. Rode to Hartford. Visited a woman apparently near dying. Attended our weekly prayer-meeting. 11. Thermometer this morning 5° below zero. The woman I visited yes- terday died last night." Read. Rode to the upper part of East Hartford and attended the funeral of a man who died in middle life with a cancer. Wrote a sermon on i Kings xix : 9, between four o'clock and three-quarters after ten; was called ofE in the time, I believe, an hour. It is pretty poor. The British ' George Holden, of Ellington, and Sylvia ^ A local organization to do honor to Adkins, of East Windsor. Washington. The celebration on the 22d ^ Mrs. Olmstead, whose husband, Mr. was arranged by this societ}'. Henry Olmstead, died recently. * Widow Elizabeth Stoughton. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 619 have had a great repulse in their attack on New Orleans.' Gave a black woman, $1.00. 12. Expounded in the forenoon on Matt, x: 24 to the end. Afternoon preached on i Kings xix: 9. Full meeting. A great number of sleighs. Attended the conference. Late in the evening we heard the grateful news that a treaty of peace had been concluded between our envoys and those of Great Britain, and has arrived in this country.^ It appears to be a most mer- ciful interposition of heaven in our behalf. 13. Visited. Attended a funeral. Very cold and tedious. Set out on a journey to Lenox ; rode to Simsbury. 14. The morning extreme cold. Rode to Lenox. Made very welcome at my brother's. He is ver}^ well situated here. There is a pretty great awaken- ing here. Attended a meeting in the evening. Mr. Gaylord,^ of Hartland, preached. People were greatly animated with the news of peace all the way that I came. I rode fifty miles in a little less than ten hours. Very good sleighing. The Lenox turnpike is a very good winter road. 15. Visited with my brother. He appears to be much esteemed here. Afternoon rode to Stockbridge. Had an agreeable visit with Dr. West."* Tarried at Mr. Woodbridge's.^ The peace appears agreeable to all parties. 16. Rode to Lenox. Very pleasant. The snow falls some. Afternoon rode to Lee and visited Dr. Hyde.^ Returned and preached in the evening at a school-house without notes on Gen. xxxii : 26. My brother Samuel is here today. Received from him, $45.00. The meeting this evening was very full and solemn. 17. Rode early. Came through Granville to Granby, Turkey Hills. Warm. Found some poor sleighing. There is a very pleasing revival of religion here. At evening it snowed. 18. A very severe snow-storm tlie most of the day. Rode home with con- siderable difficulty and fatigue. The snow is pretty deep. I am told that on Tuesday morning my thermometer was 8° below zero, and on Wednesday morn- ing 12° below zero. Read. Wrote. '■ He has learned at last that his wish was Laws ; and on the part of the United States, not fulfilled. John Quincy Adams, James A. Bayard, Henry ^ The vessel bringing this news reached Clay, Jonathan Russell, and Albert Gallatin ; New York on the morning of the nth of and the treaty of peace was concluded and February, and set the whole city into the signed at Ghent, Belgium, Dec. 24, 1S14, fif- most lively demonstrations of joy. This news teen days before Gen. Andrew Jackson was taken up and carried in all directions as fought the victorious battle of New Or- fast as the messengers could hasten it, and leans, and forty-nine days before the news through all New England it was received of the transaction reached New York, with ringing of bells, firing of cannon, bon- ^ Rev. Nathaniel Gaylord, pastor at West fires, and illuminations. It reached East Hartland, Ct., 1782-1S41, fifty-nine years, Windsor some time during Feb. 12. The dying at the age of ninety, same parties were employed in concluding ■* Dr. Stephen West, his old theological this peace as in the previous attempt at peace teacher, who was now in the eightieth year of which failed, viz. : On the part of Great his age and fifty-sixth of his ministry. Britain, James, Lord Gambier, Henry Goul- ^ Joseph Woodbridge. burn, Esq., and William Adams, Doctor of * Dr. Alvan Hyde. 620 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^^IS- 19. The thermometer this morning was 4° below zero. Preached all day with old notes on John iv : 24. Thin meeting. Attended a conference. The news of peace makes great rejoicing. 20. Thermometer this morning at zero. Received a letter yesterday from Stoddard Burt, of Wilbraham. Began a sermon on Deut. xxxii : 10 for the Washington Benevolent Society. 21. It thaws very much. It rained some. Wrote all day. Finished my sermon begun yesterday. Wrote late. Feel very poorly qualified for Avriting. In the evening received and read a copy of the late treaty of peace. It is very bare, but much better than none. 22. Rode to East Hartford and preached on Deut. xxxii: 10 before the Washington Society. The society appeared well. Cold. The sleighing is pretty poor. The country is perfectly full of celebrations and rejoicings at the news of peace. I think the matter is quite overdone. Very tired. 23. Wrote to Dr. Strong, of Hartford, to my brother Frank, and to Mr. Bat- tell. Began to write a piece for the Magazine. Much interrupted with com- pany. At evening late rode to East Hartford and performed a marriage.* Verj^ cold. Thermometer when I went to bed was at zero. 24. Wrote. Afternoon visited a school. Afternoon and evening we had a very severe snow-storm. 25. Wrote. Finished a piece for the Magazine on the book of Joshua. The snow quite deep. Our late negotiation has not issued very honorably for our country. 26. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xi: 1-24. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Heb. iii : i. At evening attended the conference. The snow^ is pretty deep. 27. Rode to Hartford. Assisted Dr. Strong in preparing the next Maga- zine. Good sleighing. Paid for two numbers of Clarke's Com7nentary, $3.00. Paid my annual contribution to the Bible Society, $3.00. Paid for Mr. Battell, $4.00. The price of many things is reduced by the peace. 28. Walked out and visited. Rode to Windsor and visited. Returned. It thaws a good deal. Paid for my sleigh harness, $12.50. I fear our academy school will fail. March. 1. Received from Mr. Battell for my brother Nat, $90.00. Walked and visited. The snow thaws very much. Attended a while in the evening at a meeting of youths. It was quite solemn. 2. The thermometer has risen to about 50° each day this week. The road is very full of water. Rode out. Conversed with several persons on the sub- ject of making a profession of religion. Received a letter from my sister Battell. Read. 3. The thermometer rose to 60°. The snow thaws, but much remains. Visited black families. Looked over old magazines. Wrote to my brother ' The persons married were Daniel Brooks and Lydia Clarke, of Haddam. 1815.J PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 62I Frank. At evening attended our prayer-meeting and examined six persons to be propounded to the church. 4. Rode out. The ground ahnost covered with water. Wrote the most of a sermon on Gal. iv : 28. Am considerably unwell with nervous affections. Wrote to Gen. Griswold, of East Hartford, declining to give a copy of my ser- mon preached there on the 2 2d ult. for the press.' 5. Finished my sermon on Gal. iv : 28, and preached with it all day. The going exceeding bad. Meeting quite thin. Rode in a sleigh, but the snow is mostly gone. Am very much fatigued. 6. Worked at my library. Visited some sick blacks. Attended a funeral at the upper part of East Hartford. Visited. Read Encyclopedia. 7. Rode to Hartford. The riding ver}' bad. The ice remains in the river. Assisted in completing the March Magazine. Purchased at the Phoe- nix Bank five shares in that institution. There have been $37.50 paid on each share. I paid for them, $42.00 a share, amounting to $210.00. I put in a note to the bank of $300.00, which paid the $210.00, and $62.50, the April instalment on these five shares, and $22.60 which I received, the discount being deducted. Paid to the Phcenix Bank previous to my contract, $117.00, and $8.00 which I received from them as a dividend, making $125.00 for my next instalment on the ten shares which I owned. Paid for a new number of Clarke's Conuncnlary, $1.50. Concluded to take the volumes of Scriptore's Romania publishing at Boston. I am exceeding glad the work is publishing. Received the two first volumes. Visited. 8. Read Clarke's Commentary. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Wrote to Rev. Mr. Smith, of Durham. 9. Wrote notes for preaching. Rode to Wapping and preached at a sing- ing-lecture on Ps. xxvii : 4. They sing pretty well, much better than I ex- pected. At evening preached at the academy on Luke xxiii : 23. Had a full meeting. Propounded six young persons for our communion.' Four of them belong to one family. 10. Attended the funeral of a black woman ■* who died suddenly. Warm. Read. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 11. Rode to Turkey Hills to give that people a Sabbath's preaching.' The riding extremely bad. Had to go to Enfield Bridge to cross the river. Visited Mr. Mix at West Suffield. People begin to be alarmed at the appearance of canker-worm.* The ice is not gone from the river. 12. There is a very favorable religious revival in this place. Preached on ' This was the sermon preached by re- of Jonathan and Sarah (Warner) Birge, the quest before the Washington Society of East oldest twenty, and the youngest fifteen. Hartford on Washington's birthday. It was "* Candace, aged sixty. a subject familiar to Dr. Robbins. ' It was a small and feeble church, at ^ Scriptore's Roniatii. what is now known as East Granby. ^ These persons were Backus Birge, Julius ^ The signs of the canker-worm at that Birge, Edwin Birge, Mary Birge, Stephen time were to be found in the millers laying Ackley, and Flavel Loomis. The four the eggs, and not in the presence of the young persons of one family were children worms themselves. 622 • DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. Luke xxii: 31, 32, and Jer. 1: 5. Received five persons to the church, three of whom were baptized. Administered the sacrament. Mr. Nettleton,' the candidate here, is in poor health. The prospects of this society are much improving. At evening preached at a school-house without notes on Gen. xxxii : 26. The meetings were all very solemn. 13. In the forenoon quite rainy. Afternoon rode home. Wrote to Howe & Deforest, New Haven. Crossed at our ferry. The river broke up last night. There was no preaching here yesterday ; Mr. McClure carried on the meeting.^ 14. Mr. Olcott rode to the westward in pursuit of his black man.' Read Smith on the Trinity. Afternoon rode to Long Hill and visited a school. Rainy. At evening my brother Frank came here on a. journey to Randolph,"* near Boston, to preach there. 15. Read. Visited a school. Hindered with company. My brother went off in the morning. My Fast sermon is printed. 16. Mr. Wolcott returned. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Visited. Worked some in the garden. The frost is mostly out of the ground. 17. Rode to Hartford in a carriage. It snowed the most of the day. Paid for stockinet for pantaloons, $8.50. For a snuff-box, .50. For other things, .48. At evening wrote. Did not attend prayer-meeting on account of the storm. 18. Wrote to Backus Birge and to Mr. North,^ of this place. Received a letter from Mr. North. Received a letter from Mr. Samuel Bass, of Ran- dolph, Mass., where brother Frank has gone, wishing for him to come and preach with them. I conclude he will be there today. Wrote a sermon on 2 Sam, vii : 14. 19. Expounded in the forenoon on Matt, xi: 25 to xxi. Received six young persons to the church, four of whom were children of one family. The occasion was very affecting and solemn. Five of the number were males. At evening attended the conference and married a couple.* Preached in the afternoon the sermon written yesterday. 20. Wrote. Am very much overdone with labor and fatigue. Afternoon ' This was Rev. Asahel Nettleton, D. D., ^ A sermon was probably read, as was a native of North Killingworth, Ct., born in often done fifty or sixty years ago in New 1783, graduated at Yale, 1809, licensed to England when the pastor was sick or absent, preach in May, 1811, and was ordained as a ^ That certainly looks very much like missionary in 1817. He was never regularly slavery. installed over any people, but, as an evange- * The church at Randolph, Mass., was list, preaching variously among the churches, vacant then by reason of the death of a truly he was eminently successful. No man in able pastor, Dr. Jonathan Strong. He died New England has been more favorably known Nov. 9, 1814. Rev. Thaddeus Pomeroy was in this kind of Christian labor than he. settled as his successor, Nov. 13, 18 15. When the Theological Institute of Connecti- ^ Backus Birge was to be admitted to the cut was established at East Windsor Hill, he church next communion. Mr. North was the became informally connected with it, made his teacher of the academy at East Windsor Hill, residence there, and gave lectures to some * Norman Clapp was united in marriage extent to the students. He died in 1844. with Rhoda Allyn. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 623 rode to Wapping and visited a school. It has done unexpectedly well this season. Veiy cold and tedious. Visited a man very sick with a fever. 21. Visited a black man very sick. Thermometer this morning was at io°. Visited a school. I believe I took some contagion of the man I visited last evening. Am much unwell. Paid for clapboards for a garden fence, $i.oo. 22. Last night at bed-time took physic. Was up the most of the night. Quite sick all day. My head is much pressed, I hope I may escape a fever. Thermometer this morning i6°. 23. Am so unwell as to be unable to write. I cannot make a sermon for the Fast. My head is quite weak. I feel much disappointed that I cannot write for the Fast. Last night it snowed considerably. Sleighs move a good deal. Am not able to read but little. A black man died in the neighbor- hood.' Took physic. 24. Fast. Am so unwell as to be hardly able to go out. In the forenoon had a sermon read. I performed the other parts of the exercises. Afternoon preached with an old Fast sermon on Rev. iii : lo. The day was wet and the meeting quite thin. 25. Am some better than I have been. Afternoon attended the funeral of a black man. Yesterday we rode to meeting in a sleigh. The snow is now mostly gone, and the riding very bad. Read the Bible. 26. Preached all day with an old sermon on i Pet. iv : i8. Our meeting was very full and solemn. At evening had a full and solemn conference. I hope God will not yet take his good Spirit from us. Much fatigued, but carried through the day better than I feared. 27. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. The spring advances very little. Am still quite unwell. Last night was up a considerable part of the night. 28. Rode to Hartford. Cold. Assisted in preparing the next Magazine. Sent a copy of my Fast sermon to several friends. Yesterday we had a hard rain. Received a letter from Howe & Deforest, New Haven.^ On the 25th catechised a school which I had' previously visited. 29. Worked some. We had a hard snow. Wrote to Dr. Strong, Hartford. I see very little prospect of any material change of political parties in our country. Last evening visited an old man in the neighborhood very sick. -o. Rode to the hill in a sleigh. Visited in the forenoon the district school. Afternoon the academy. Both appeared better than usual. The academy has done exceeding well for the year past, and has been blessed, I trust, with the special influences of divine grace. I pray God it may long be the object of his great mercy. Visited an aged man in a dying state. 31. The man I visited last evening died in the night.' Wrote notes and preached a preparatory lecture on 2 Kings xxiii : 3. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. Very wet and cold. Proposed to the church to present a part of a new set of communion furniture. * John Francis, twenty-six. ' Daniel Hayden, seventy-two. A descend- ^ This is the old book-store, with a change ant of William Hayden, one of the Dorches- of the firm name. ter company that settled in Windsor. 624 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. ['^IS* 1. Wrote a sermon on Num. xi : 23. Attended the funeral of my neigh- bor, Mr. Hayden. I think I have never seen the street here so muddy. The srround is still covered with snow. The latter half of March has been much colder than the former. Wrote late. 2. It snowed considerably. Quite cold. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on i Pet, i : 18, 19. Afternoon on Num. xi : 23. Administered the sacrament. The church was pretty thin. Am quite feeble. Wrote. 3. Rode to Hartford. The roads very muddy. Looked over an old library, formerly Mr. Whitman's.' Visited. 4. There was a severe fire in Hartford last night. Made a small garden fence. Wrote to my brother Frank. Read Campbell ^ on the Gospels. 5. Wrote the most of the day for Mr. Wolcott. Wrote to Normand Knox, Esq., Hartford. At evening attended the meeting of our Moral Society. I hope it does good. Quite wet. The season is quite uncomfortable. 6. Mr. ^^'olcott is very much distressed with hypochondriac affections. Walked and visited. At evening preached at the academy with old notes on Acts ix : II. The meeting appeared very favorable. Tarried out. 7. We have had a season of long and unusually bad traveling. Visited the most of the day. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. I lament that 1 accomplish so little useful business. 8. Worked all day. Ploughed and manured my garden and planted peas. Manured my asparagus beds. The season is ver}- cold and wet. Wrote. Rainy. 9. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xii : 22-38. Afternoon preached with an old sermon on Zech. ix : 12. Full meeting. jNIy expositions appear to be interesting to my congregation. At evening attended the conference. 10. Prayed at the opening of Freemen's Meeting. The meeting was thin. Visited. My lungs of late appear to be quite weak. 11. Worked abroad the most of the day. Quite warm. Read Campbell on the Gospels. Visited. 12. Wrote the most of a sermon for Thanksgiving. Wrote slow and pretty poorly. Had company. 13. National Thanksgiving.' Finished and preached a long sermon on 2 Sam. xxii : 2. The day was very well observed. Very tired. I feel anxious about the weakness of my lungs. At evening walked out. 14. Wrote a constitution for a female charitable society in this place. Am much fatigued with the labors of the two past days. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. It was quite full. Yesterday conversed with a black girl, who, I hope, has lately got religion. Read. 15. Worked abroad the most of the day. Received a letter from Mr. Prud- ■ Rev. Elnathan Whitman, pastor of the ^ This was a day of National Thanks- South Church in Hartford, 1733 to 1777. giving for the return of peace. The Presi- ^ Rev. George Campbell, D. D., a distin- dent and the Governor of Connecticut seem guished Presbyterian divine. to harmonize in this case. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 625 den in answer to one I wrote to him on Wednesday. Received one from my brother Frank, at Randolph. Wrote. 16. Wrote notes and preached all day on Rev. xxii : 7. Am very feeble at my lungs. At evening attended the conference. Spoke but little. The ground is becoming quite dry. 17. Went in the woods all day with Mr. Wolcott, looking and cutting tim- ber for building. Received a letter from Mr. Knox, of Hartford. 18. Very warm. The thermometer was above 70°. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Visited. 19. Finished my Magazine essay. Wrote for the newspaper an address to the President. Quite rainy. , 20. Rode to Hartford. Attended to a preparation for the next Magazine. Spent considerable time in East Hartford. Their ecclesiastical matters are in a critical state. Had company. 21. At Hartford yesterday saw Mr. Battell. There is a remarkable re- vival of religion at Yale College.' W^rote to Daniel Porter, of Scantick, desiring him to go and be a clerk for Mr. Battell, Visited, At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 22. Wrote to Rev. Mr. Prudden.^ Set out some elm-trees in the street. Afternoon rode to Rocky Hill for an exchange in a hard rain. Got quite wet. Wrote to my cousin P, G. Robbins,' and to Mr. Silliman,"* of New Haven. 23. In the morning rode to Middletown upper houses and preached by exchange for Mr. Williams. Quite wet. Preached from i Kings xix : 7, 9, and Matt, vii : 14. At evening rode to Hartford. 24. Rode home. Mr. Strong, of Somers, preached here yesterday. Worked leveling ground for a building all day, I have not taken cold from my late exposure as I feared. Visited, 25. Worked all day at the same employment as yesterday. Did little but drive team. Wrote to Mr. Battell by a young man who went to live with him. 26. Visited. Have never completed my regular visiting for the year past till now. On the ist of May last, there were in this place one hundred and seventy-three families, thirty-four of whom professed to belong to religious denominations other than our own. Since that time I have visited all of them except two. Received a letter from my brother Frank, Quite warm, 27. Rode to Hartford. Assisted in preparing the next Magazine. The thermometer was above 70°. At evening preached at Dr. Strong's conference with notes on Isa, x: 15, We have a report that Bonaparte has re-ascended the throne of France,* but earnestly hope it is not true. ' Prof, Chauncey A. Goodrich, D. D., in ^ Rev. Nehemiah Prudden, of Enfield, his full account of Revivals in Yale College, ^ Of Lynn, Mass., a physician, published in the tenth volume of the Ameri- * Prof. Benjamin Silliman, of Yale Col- can Qiuirtcrly Register, gives the detailed his- lege. tory of this revival of 1S15, in which some ' Bonaparte escaped from Elba, the place seventy or eighty students were thought to of his exile, on the night of Feb. 28, 1S15, have been converted. It began in the month and on the first of March, with about two of April, 1815. thousand men accompanying, landed in Pro- 626 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. 28. Yesterday received a letter from Judge Woodruff, of Turkey Hills, requesting me to preach at the dedication of the Newgate Chapel,' next week. Am much fatigued with late labors. Wrote to my brother Frank. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 29. Wrote a part of a sermon on John xv : 17. Much interrupted by com- pany. The news of the re-establishment of Bonaparte on the throne of France appears to be true. It seems a holy God yet designs to scourge devoted Europe. 30. Preached with old notes on Ezek. ix : 4, and a part of a sermon on John XV : 17. Did not finish the subject. A Mr. AUen,^ from Worcester, who has been for some time a student in divinity, resides in the neighborhood under my instruction. At eveaing attended the conference. While at the meeting the harness of my carriage was cut, so that when we came from the house the carriage dropped from the horse, and Mr. Wolcott's two daughters and I were thrown out, but not hurt. I think it was only an act of wanton wickedness in a single individual.^ Had our first asparagus on the 28th. Mav. 1. Worked in the garden. Visited. Afternoon attended a while at a training. Quite cool. 2. Worked in the garden. Wrote a large addition to my dedication ser- mon. Preached at Norfolk for a similar occasion at Newgate Prison. Visited. Quite rainy. 3. Wrote an address and delivered it in the evening to the Moral Society in this place, which is a branch of the Connecticut Society for the Promotion of Good Morals. The meeting interesting and I hope useful. I wrote very fast ; five pages of sermon size in two hours and a quarter. The remainder was written rapidly. The season is quite cool. We have the pleasing intelli- gence that the European powers are determined to oppose Bonaparte.'* 4. Rode to Turkey Hills with Mr. Wolcott and attended the dedication of the new chapel at Newgate Prison. The occasion was very interesting and vence, France, to receive the imperial crown. partially blind, he was such a treasure-house He reached Fontainebleau, March 20, and the of information as one does not easily find, army again rallied around him. and he kept his memory and all his mental ' The petition to the Legislature had faculties clear and bright almost to the very proved successful, and this chapel for regu- last. He was settled in the ministry in lar worship was one of the fruits. Shrewsbury, Mass., November 19, 1823. ^ Rev. George Allen, who passed away ^ That was a charitable view to take of only two years ago, in 18S3, i" his ninety- this rascally transaction, and was probably second year, was born in Worcester, Mass., the correct view. No village or country town 1792, graduated at Yale College in 1813, and can be secure against the existence there of studied theology in the vicinity of Hartford, some person who thinks he finds delight in Ct., attracted thither probably by such men such deeds, and shows his greatness in com- as Dr. Strong, of Hartford, and Dr. Yates, mitting them. of East Hartford, but was now under the ^ The allied powers, on the 25th of March, direction of Dr. Robbins. Mr. Allen was a 181 5, entered into a treaty to unite their remarkable man. In his old age, though forces for Napoleon's subjugation. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 627 joyful. The prisoners (fifty-two) appeared much gratified with the prospect of stated religious ordinances. Returned late. Many shad are taken at the mouth of Scantick River. Preached from Hag. ii : 9.' 5. Rode to Hartford. Received a letter from Mr. Skinner,^ of Berlin. Wrote one to Mr. Charles Sherman, of New Haven. Paid for new burnishing my tankard, $2.00. For other things, .85, At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Troubled with a severe headache. 6. E.ead Campbell on the Gospels. Worked some. Am quite feeble. Rainy. Read the Bible. 7. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xii : 39 to xiii : 9. Afternoon preached with old notes on Heb. xiii : 24. The weather was so wet and the meeting thin that we did not have our missionary contribution. Baptized a child. ^ Had no conference on account of the wet. Read the Bible, 8. Worked the most of the day leveling ground for buildings. Had com- pany. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick woman. Wrote to my friend Mr. Gilman, of Philadelphia, and sent him a copy of my Historical Vierv. 9. Worked considerably. Read the Bible. A Mr. Parsons,* a minister from Vermont, came here and tarried. ' Hindered by company. 10. The season is remarkably cool and backward. No blossoms appear on the fruit-trees. Yesterday morning we had a hard frost. Worked some. At evening attended the wedding of Rev. Mr. Skinner, of Berlin, married in the neighborhood.' Dr. McClure performed the marriage. 11. Rode to Hartford and attended the election. A great collection of ministers. Mr. Brockway ^ preached very well. Democracy did not appear so triumphant as was expected. Saw the famous new steamboat that usually runs between New Haven and New York. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Cooley,' of Granville. Received one from Mr, Charles Sherman, of New Haven, enclosing ^30.00, my late dividend at the Eagle Bank. Attended the meeting of the Ministers' Annuity Societ)^ It is now a corporate body. Heard Mr. Nott * preach at the evening conference. Saw Mr, Battell at Hartford, and Mr. Emerson,' going to preach at Norfolk. Paid my merchant tailor, $4.13. Got home late. 12. Visited. Rode out. Afternoon a verj' hard rain. Yesterday saw the first blossoms on peach and plum-trees. Wrote on the records of our Annuity Societv. * This text was not so felicitous for the New Britain), was married to Miss Ursula Newgate chapel as for the new meeting- Wolcott, daughter of Mr. Samuel Wolcott. house at Norfolk. Her brother, Elihu Wolcott, was father of ^ Rev. Newton Skinner. the present Rev. Samuel Wolcott, D.D. 3 Julia, daughter of Simeon Loomis. ^ Rev. Diodate Brockway, of Ellington. * Rev. Justin Parsons, a native of North- ^ Rev. Timothy M- Cooley, D.D. ampton, Mass. He had been appointed by the « Rev, Samuel Nott, D.D., of Franklin. Connecticut Missionary Society for service in « Rev. Ralph Emerson, D. D., a native of Vermont. He had been settled in Whiting, Hollis, N H., 1787, graduate of Yale, 1811, but was, 1814-1831, pastor at Pittsfield, Vt. pastor at Norfolk, 1815-1829, professor at An- s Rev. Newton Skinner, of Berlin (now dover, iS29-iS54,diedat Rockford, 111., 1863. 628 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. 13. Wrote on the annuity records. Visited. Quite cold. Afternoon rode to Berlin to exchange with Mr. Skinner, who stays at East Windsor, 14. Preached from i Cor. vi : ii, and Matt, xxiii : 37, 38, pretty poorly. Some things here appear unfavorably to Mr. Skinner's prospects. Last even- ing rode to Farmington. Tarried with Mr. Porter.' This morning there was considerable frost. 15. Rode to Simsbury. The spotted fever here is very prevalent and mortal. The frost and ice this morning were quite hard. Rode to Colebrook. Tarried with brother Ammi. He has been very sick in the past winter. 16. Rode to Norfolk. Mother is quite well. Mr. Emerson, the candidate here, appears very well. Walked out with him. 17. Rainy. The people here are very much united in Mr. Emerson, and very desirous to settle him. My sister Betsey is very jDoor. I fear in a con- sumption. My brother James and his wife came here. 18. Rode out with Betsey. She appears not to realize her danger. Brother Samuel has procured a very good table for a tombstone ^ for father. At even- ing attended a conference. 19. Quite rainy. Am prevented from going home by the wet. Wrote. The season is not much more backward here than on Connecticut River. 20. Rode early and got home in seven hours and three quarters, quicker than I have ever rode the same distance at any other time. An aged man died here last night. Visited. I think the relaxation of this week has been beneficial to my health. 21. Preached in the forenoon with an old sermon on i Cor. ii : 2. Wrote notes and preached in the afternoon on Deut. xii : 9. Attended the funeral of the aged man lately deceased.^ We had our missionary contribution and col- lected $57.11 more than ever before. There were two bills of $5.00, one of $3.00, two of $2.00, sixteen single dollars, and 177 small bills and pieces of silver. After meeting performed a marriage, $5.00.'' At evening had a very full conference. Was very much fatigued. 22. The lilac blossoms I first discovered on the 20th. The apple-trees were then beginning to blossom, though I discovered the first blossoms on the i8th. Yesterday morning there was some frost. Read. Very warm. The thermometer was above 80°. Rode to Hartford. Paid the bank $70.00 and took up my note which they held. Borrowed of Mr. Wolcott, $30.00. Spoke with a number of the members of the Assembly. 23. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Hindered by company. At even- ing my brother Nat came here from Boston. He brought me several pam- phlets from a literary gentleman there whom I do not know. I hope to make him an acquaintance. * Rev. Noah Porter, D. D., pastor at Far- ■* Thomas Dodd was united in marriage mington, 1S06-1866. with Ann Gibbs. Mr. Robbins seldom men- ^ Those large horizontal stones resting on tions the amount received for a marriage, but pillars were thought to be the only proper the five dollars here added, was set down memorial for a minister. because it was regarded as generous. A com- ^ Mr. Augustus Fitch, eighty-two. mon marriage fee then was one or two dollars. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 629 24. Rode to Hartford Bridge to carry my brother and returned. Quite warm. Finislied a piece for the Magazine on the Book of Kings. Veo-etation advances very rapidly. There is a great blowth on the apple-trees. Read. 25. P.ode to Hartford, assisted in preparing the next Magazine. The roads have become very dry. Wrote. At evening attended the wedding of young Asahel Olcott. Mr. McClure performed the marriage. 26. Wrote. Mr. Huntington,' of Middletovvn, called on me. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Visited. 27. Wrote quite steadily. The thermometer was at 80°. It has been about the same every day this week. Vegetation advances very rapidly. The ground is very dry. 28. Finished and preached all day on a sermon of which I preached the first part April 30th. It is three sermons on brotherly love. The heat very severe and oppressive. The thermometer was at 92°. At evening attended the conference. 29. The dust flies very much. Yesterday baptized two children.^ Visited a sick child. Wrote for the Magazine. Wrote quite late. 30. Worked considerably. Rode to Hartford. Gave the printers for the Magazine a summary account of the remarkable revivals of religion which now exist at several of our colleges. Preached in the evening at Dr. Strong's con- ference with a written sermon on Ps. xl : 2, 3. Returned. 31. Worked the most of the day helping Mr. Wolcott prepare a large barn for removal. At evening rode to Orford and saw Mr. Cook.^ Got the account of his church for the last year for the Association. Got home quite late. Quite cool. The ground is very dry. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Battell. The people of Norfolk have given Mr. Emerson a call to settle unanimously ; have voted him a salary of seven hundred dollars. My sister Betsey grows feeble. Received a letter yesterday from Rev. Mr. Prudden. June. 1. Worked hard all day helping Mr. Wolcott move his barn. He suc- ceeded unexpectedly well. The dust flies exceedingly. I find I can bear a good deal of labor after a little use. Vegetation suffers very much from the drought. 2. Rainy the most of the day. Am much fatigued by my late exertions. Wrote. Visited a sick child. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 3. Rode to Hartford, Wintonbury, Windsor, and Enfield, to exchange with Mr. Prudden. Am collecting an account of the state of the churches for Association. Warm and wet. 4. Preached on Ps. xl : 2, 3, and Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. This congregation I think is very little larger than mine. At evening Mr. Prudden returned from East Windsor. ' Rev. Dan Huntington, whom we have ^ James Henry, son of Jesse Charlton, frequently had occasion to notice. He was and Harriet, daughter of Samuel Bancroft, settled over the First Church in Middletown, Jr. in 1809, but left in 1816. ' Rev. Elisha B. Cook. 630 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. 5. Rode through Suffield to Hartland, and through Granby and Windsor home. The state of religion at Turkey Hills is very pleasing. Yesterday thirteen persons were added to the church. Got home quite late. Old Mrs. Tudor' is very sick. Was there a considerable part of the night. Very tired. 6. Wrote a report of the state of religion within our limits for Association.^ A number of the members are absent. Read my report and received associa- tional thanks. Returned in the evening on account of the state of Mrs. Tudor. She appears not quite so bad as last evening. Mr. Wolcott moved his second barn today. 7. Wrote a report of the state of religion within our associational limits for the General Association. Rode to Orford and sat with the Association.^ Got acquainted with Mr. Wilbur/ now preaching at East Hartford. Re- turned. Am exceedingly fatigued with my late labors and want of rest. 8. Mrs. Tudor is hopefully a little better. Worked some. Drafted a new constitution for the Female Benevolent Society in this place. Met with the ladies who were organized as a society, containing about ninety members. I paid an equal sum with the members, fifty cents. Read. Yesterday Mr. T. Woodbridge,^ of Stockbridge, called to see me while I was absent. 9. It is steadily quite cool for the season. Read considerably. Wrote. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. ID. Wrote a part of a sermon on 2 Tim. iv : 10. Hindered by company. Am poorly fitted tor writing. In the afternoon a Mr. Sewall,* from near Bos- ton, came to Dr. McClure's and consents to preach for me tomorrow. My Christian prospects are exceeding low. The mighty God be my helper. II. Mr. Sewall preached for me. He appears to know but little about religion, doctrinally or experimentally, though apparently an amiable man.^ ' This was Mrs. Samuel Tudor, whose setts, in his day and generation, for his large maiden name was Naomi Diggins. She was and exact knowledge of the churches of New the mother of Mrs. Abiel Wolcott, and lived England. Mr. Sewall was born at Marble- a near neighbor to Mr. Wolcott. head, June i, 17S5, was graduated at Harvard ' The District Association, Hartford College, 1804, and died February iS, 1868. North. At the time of his death the famous Sewall ^ This was the Hartford North Associa- Diary was in his possession, was purchased tion. Its meeting lasted two days. Mr. of his estate by the Massachusetts Historical Robbins came home the night before and Society, and has since been published by that returned. society. * Rev. Harvey Wilbur, who received the ^ This judgment was probably somewhat degree of A. M. at Dartmouth College severe. Mr. Sewall remained an Orthodox in 181 2. minister to his death, and his church, founded 5 Timothy Woodbridge. in 1735, is now one of our regular evangelical * Without doubt this was Rev. Samuel churches. Doubtless there was a difference Sewall, who the year before had been settled even then between the religious teachings of at Burlington, Mass., where he continued till Harvard and Yale, but some of the ablest his death in 1S68, fifty four years. Perhaps evangelical ministers of Massachusetts, like Mr. Sewall and Mr. Robbins did not see Seth Sweetser, D. D., of Worcester, William enough of each other in that short visit to A. Stearns, D. D., of Amherst College, Nehe- discover that seldom do two men meet to- miah Adams, D. D., of Boston, and many gether more alike in their tastes and habits. others, have been graduated at Harvard since Mr. Sewall was a notable man in Massachu- the college life of Mr. Sewall. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 63I At evening attended a full and serious conference. The thermometer was at 88°. The roads ver}- dusty. 12. On the 9th received a good letter from my good Uncle Starr. Rode to Hartford. Paid to the bank, $5.05. Traded, $2.63. The thermometer the same as yesterday. The orchards are very much injured by the canker-worm. Wrote to Samuel Jackson Prescott,' Esq., of Boston, and sent him a copy of my Historical View, by Mr. Sewall. Visited a sick child. Read. Eat strawberries. 13. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Worked some. My orange-tree got something broken by the wind. Visited. 14. Walked and visited all day. Last night we had a small but very re- freshing rain. Visited our academic school. We have a sensible decline of the power of religion among us. 15. Quite cool. Rode to Hartford. Put a note for 90 days into the bank for $300.00, and received $295.35. Paid for the next instalment at the Phoenix Bank, $187.50. Paid for the exchange of money for the purpose, $1.00. My annual contribution to the Ministers' Annuity Society, $5.00. To a bookseller, $13.36. For liquor, $6.00. Traded, $1.50. Received as a dividend at the Hartford Bank, $6.31. The East Hartford society appears to be in a critical situation. At evening preached at our academy without any notes from Job xlii : 5, 6. Visited a sick child. 16. Paid for Wilkinson's Atlas, $16.00. Worked at my orange-tree. A little girl" died here last night. Wrote for the Magazine. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 17. Worked some. Attended a funeral. Wrote the most of a sermon on Job xiv : 7. Am much troubled with a general lassitude and debility. 18. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xiii : 10-24. Finished and preached my sermon on Job xiv: 7. At evening attended the conference. I fear the good spirit of God is departing from us. 19. Wrote. I think I have lately lost a pretty important paper. Walked out and visited. At evening we had a small and refreshing shower. The ground is very dr}\ 20. Worked driving for a scraper.^ Afternoon rode to Hartford. Attended to a preparation for the next Magazine. At evening preached at Dr. Strong's conference from Job xiv: 7. The heat very severe. Thermometer was at 94°. Returned quite late. 21. Had my orange-tree inoculated. Read Shuckford's Connections.'' 22. Worked driving for the scraper all day. Thermometer 86°. Yester- day it was about the same. The ground is very dry. Yesterday we had our first green peas. The season is late. ' Samuel Jackson Prescott, LL. D., was a =^ Julia Rockwell, aged ten. graduate of Harvard College, 1795, and re- ^ This was a new employment for the min- ceived his LL. D. from the Aberdeen Univer- ister, but he was brought up to make himself sity, Scotland. He it was probably that had useful in all kinds of labor, sent some pamphlets to Mr. Robbins by the * Rev. Samuel Shuckford's Connection of hand of his brother Nathaniel, and Mr. Rob- Sacred and Profane History. This learned bins is now returning the compliment. English divine died as far back as 1754. 632 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1815. 23. Wrote off an address I lately delivered before our Branch Moral Society for the Magazine. Worked some. At evening attended our prayer- meeiing. 24. Read a very interesting account of American Unitarianism. Finished a sermon previously written in part on 2 Tim. iv: 10. I write with great lassi- tude and indifference. 25. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. xxii : 11. Afternoon on 2 Tim. iv : 10. Ver)' warm. The drought very severe. At evening had a full conference. 26. We had a moderate rain. Worked driving the scraper a considerable part of the day. Read Shuckford. 27. In the morning set out to ride to Hartford. About a mile from home my horse stepped through a bridge and threw me with great violence. Got home with difficulty. Am very much bruised on the back of my neck and shoulders. Batted, etc., according to Dr. Tudor's directions. A merciful God was my preserver. Read Shuckford. 28. Am much better of my hurt than I expected yesterday to be, but am quite sore and stiff. Rode to Hartford in a carriage. Attended to Magazine business. The society in East Hartford are in considerable agitation and some division. Had my British Classics bound. 29. Visited. Read Tristram Shandy,^ which I never did before. The ther- mometer was at 90°. 30. Very warm through the day. The thermometer, however, was not higher than about 90°. Read Trisirain Shandy. Wrote notes and preached a preparatory lecture on Gen. xxviii : 15. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Spoke with difficulty in preaching on account of my late hurt. July. 1. The heat very oppressive all day. Thermometer about 90°, and near that the most of the day. The ground exceedingly dry. Wrote a sermon on Matt, xxvi : 35. I have considerable pain in ray neck and shoulders, from my late fall. 2. Preached in the forenoon the sermon written yesterday. Administered the holy sacrament. The church was quite full. Wrote notes and preached in the afternoon on Deut. xxxii: 20. Not so warm as it has been. Ther- mometer 84°. Found less difficulty from my late hurt than I feared. Bap- tized a child.'^ Concluded not to have any evening conference. Walked out. 3. Rode out. The thermometer was near 90°. Afternoon we had a hard and very refreshing shower.' Read. Visited. 4. Walked and visited all day. Very little attention is paid to the cele- ' The noted work in nine volumes of Rev. mental irregularities. He was born in Ire- Laurence Sterne. He was certainly one of land (though not an Irishman, but an Eng- the oddest characters that ever wore the title lishman) in 17 13, and died in 1768. of Reverend — a man of undoubted and re- ^ Owen Drake Williams, son of Joseph markable genius, but of great moral and Williams. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 633 bration of Independence. It is cool since the shower yesterday. Yesterday paid Horace Loomis,' $10.00, which with $25.00 paid him before, amounting to $35.00, is for a good silver tankard I have bought of him. It belonged to old Mrs. Wells w^hile she lived. 5. Rode to Norfolk. Found Mr. Battell at Winsted and rode from there with him. Find inconvenience in riding from my late hurt. My good mother is prett}' well. Sister Betsey is quite low and declining. She can ride but little. Mr. Henry Sherman,^ lately dismissed from Weston,^ is preaching here. The season is quite backward. 6. Afternoon rode to Canaan with my sister Battell and returned. Looked at a cotton factory at Canaan. My brother Nat is now here. 7. Yesterday my sister Battell received a letter from brother Frank. He is now preaching in New Hampshire. Sister Betsey came from her home to stay a while at mother's. She has lately raised considerable blood. Dined with Mr. Sherman at Mr. Battell's. Wrote a letter to Mr. Emerson/ at New Haven, for the church committee. I fear the church here are in a critical sit- uation. 8. Quite rainy the most of the day. Received of my brother Nat, $10.00. At the middle of the afternoon set out for home. Rode to the east part of New Hartford and tarried at a tavern. The road quite wet. 9. Rode early and got home a little after eight o'clock, twenty-three miles. Very tired. Very sultry hot. Preached with an old sermon on Acts xx\i : 29. At evening attended the conference. We had a hard thunder- shower while we were at the meeting in the afternoon, and another before sun- down. Yesterday Mr. Battell made me a present of a good volume of sermons and also of linen worth at least $10.00. Very much fatigued. 10. Very warm. The thermometer rose to 95°. Yesterday it was near 90°. Read. Wrote. Visited. Wrote to my brother Frank now in New Hampshire. 11. Rode out and visited. Thermometer 88°. Vegetation is ver>' rapid. Read Tristram Shandy. Paid for liquors, $1.33. 12. Rode to Hartford with Frances.' Very sultry hot. People are gen- erally haying. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Paid for the binding my Washington's Life, $5.63. People are very eager for the purchase of foreign commodities. Visited. We have a great dearth of foreign news. 13. Mr. Ralph Haskell called on me. He is very- low and apparently de- clining. Wrote. Went into the water. The thermometer was at 94°. 14. Wrote all day so far as I could in the heat. The thermometer rose a ' Horace Loomis was a member of Dr. ^ fhis was the part of the town of Weston, Robbins's church, admitted in 1S09, during once known as the parish of North Fairfield, the first year of his ministry. and now Easton. Connecticut, in the former = Rev. Henry Sherman was graduated at years,, greatly abounded in parishes, many of Yale in 1803. He had his license to preach which have since been changed into towns, renewed by the New Haven East Associa- * Rev. Ralph Emerson, D.D., who had been tion in 1812. He was at Weston only from cently called to the Norfolk church. 1813 to 1S15. ' Miss Frances Wolcott. 634 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. little above 96°. Afternoon there was thunder and a little rain. At evening had a serious prayer-meeting. 15. Wrote a sermon on Jer. xiv : 8. Wet. Worked some. 16. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xiii : 24 to the end. Afternoon preached on Jer. xiv : 8. Sultry hot. Thermometer 93°. After meeting we had a hard rain. On account of the weather I appointed no conference. V/alked out. 17. Read Ovf en ^ on the Hebrews. Early in the morning rode to Hartford and back. Mr. Huntington,^ of Middletown, called on me. At evening walked out and visited. 18. Am quite unwell. Took physic. My neck continues to be quite sore in consequence of my fall from my horse. Can do very little. Read the Sentimental Journey? Rode out. A very fine time for business. 19. Am better than I was yesterday. People are generally beginning har- vest. Rode to Hartford. Saw there Mr. Battell and my sister. Sister Bet- sey declines. We have a poor prospect for our next Magazine.*' Visited. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Received a semi-annual dividend from the Eagle Bank, of $30.00. Paid Mr. Battell, $15.00. 20. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. The thermometer at 87°. At evening my little niece, Sarah Battel!, was brought here to stay for a while and go to school. Mr. Battell sent her up from Hartford. Visited. 21. Wrote some. Could do but little on account of the heat. The ther- mometer rose in the afternoon without a very clear sun to 98°. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. On the 19th wrote to Mr. Robert Watkinson, of Hartford. We had cucumbers. 22. Unable to write on account of the heat. Read Owen on the Hebreivs., an excellent work. Received a letter from my brother James. The ther- mometer was a little while at 98°, but was about 94° a great part of the day. 23. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Jer. xiii : 23. Afternoon preached with an old sermon on Rev. iii : 2. At evening attended the confer- ence. Thermometer 94°. Meeting quite thin. 24. Rode out. Rode to the harvest field and carried dinner. Visited. Thermometer 92°. The harvest is remarkably good, particularly the rye. We have very hot nights. All last week was a very favorable season for get- ting in crops. The corn has grown for three weeks past most astonishingly. 25. Rode to Hartford. We have great difficulty in preparing the next Magazine. The heat extremely oppressive. Was able to do but very little on account of its severity. Dr. Strong's thermometer was at 100°, At evening preached at the conference on Jer. xiv : 8. In the afternoon and evening we ' Rev. Henry Owen was a learned clergy- Church, of Middletown, but left the follow- man of the Church of England. He died ing year. in 1795, at the age of eighty. ^ Sterne's Sentimental Jaurtiey would be ^ Rev. Dan Huntington, formerly of Litch- easy reading for an invalid, field, and whom we have often had occasion * The Connecticut Evangelical Magazine to notice, was then pastor of the First was nearing its end. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 635 had some rain. Paid for a pair of new shoes, $2.00. Did not go home in the evening on account of the shower. 26. Rode home. Last evening there was a barn standing within a few rods of our meeting-house struck with hghtning and consumed with valuable contents. Gave the man $5.00. Rainy and wet. 27. Rode to Warehouse Point. Visited Mr. Huse ' and others. People are universally harvesting. Tarried out. 28. Visited. Wrote for the Magazine. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Thermometer about 93°. 29. Wrote. Read Owen on the Hebrews. Afternoon rode to Middletown to preach for Mr. Huntington, who is to supply me. The heat very severe. Thermometer about 92°. 30. Mr. Huntington is absent on a visit to Hadley.^ Preached on Heb. xi : 24, 25, and Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. At six o'clock attended a third service by re- quest, and preached on Heb. iii : 17, 18. This is a large and very respectable congregation. This town appears quite flourishing. Visited Dr. Miner,' my classmate. Much oppressed with the heat. 31. Visited. Rode to Hartford. Assisted in preparing the next J/a^^ism^. Rode home. Quite tired. The thermometer yesterday and today I conclude must have been a little above 90°. I think I have never known a month of such rapid and powerful vegetation as this July. August. 1. Read Owen on the Hebrews. Thermometer 95°. Visited. Heard the interesting news that the war in Europe has commenced by a great battle between the French and the allies, with the very pleasing information that the French are totally beaten." Hindered by company. 2. We have quite a change of weather without any wet. The thermome- ter did not rise to 80°. Looked over my pecuniary accounts. Afternoon worked till dark in the meadow. 3. Quite cool. Looked over and cast my pecuniary accounts. My ordi- nary expenses for the past year have not been so great as some preceding years. I do much less business than I ought to. Worked some. Visited. 4. Wrote. Afternoon worked at hay in the meadows. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. We are evidently growing very stupid. " Rev. Nathaniel Huse, Episcopal min- fought on the i8th of April, 1S15. The ister. French army consisted of over 70,000 men. ^ He was going to Hadley, and took East The allied army, under Wellington, during "Windsor on the way for an exchange. Had- the early part of the battle consisted of about ley was the town where Rev. Mr. Huntington, 67,000. But in the afternoon Blucher, the who lived to great age, spent all the latter Prussian general, brought in some 50,000 portion of his life. At Hadley, his son, more, and the French army was routed. Bishop F. D. Huntington, D. D., was born. Hardly any battle of the world has gathered 3 Thomas Miner, M. D., President of the about itself a larger interest than the battle Connecticut Medical Society. of Waterloo. It was the end of Napoleon * This was the great battle of Waterloo, as a great military and civil leader. 636 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^815. 5. Wrote the most of a sermon on Gen. xxvii : 38. Read Lord Welling- ton's account of the great battles in Flanders at the opening of the war. 1 think they must have decided the fate of Bonaparte. 1 think it a merciful interposition of heaven. I think Lord Wellington must be deemed a superior general to Bonaparte. 6. Preached with old notes on Isa. xlii : 10. Pretty poorly. Finished and preached in the afternoon the sermon begun yesterday. At evening attended the conference. Quite cool. The thermometer in the evening was down to 54°. 7. Worked some. Wrote a letter to my brother James, and one to Rev. Mr. Olds,' of Greenfield, Mass. Rode out. Am considerably troubled with a rheumatism in my shoulder. 8. Walked to Wapping and visited. The ground is exceeding dr}'. Tarried at Wapping. The people here are very much divided. g. Walked and visited all day. Got home late. The late great action in Flanders '^ was very severe, and puts the character of Lord Wellington as an officer clearly above that of Bonaparte, and shows the decided superiority of English to French troops,^ Infinite wisdom has appointed that that people svho have invariably opposed the barbarian Bonaparte should finally become his conqueror. Good is the Lord. 10. \\'rote. My garden has done very well this year. It now contains a large number of watermelons. At evening preached at the academy without any notes on i Chron. xvii : 25. The meeting not very full. 11. Through the wonders of infinite love 1 have been preserved another year of my life. Began and wrote a little on a sermon on Eph. iii : 8. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Last night we had a very refreshing rain. The ground was exceeding dry. Quite cool. 12. Wrote on my sermon begun yesterday. In the forenoon wrote six pages in four hours and a half, and after an interval of two hours, did the same in the afternoon. We have the account of the abdication of Bonaparte/ and that he is making attempts to get to this countr)\' Wonderful are the events which pass before our eyes. Paid for half a year of my newspaper, ' Rev. Gamaliel S. Olds was a colleague this battle goes to prove these things. The pastor with Rev. Roger Newton, D. D., of the battle hung in even scale for a long time, First Church in Greenfield, 1813-1816. In but the allies at last were greatly superior in the last-named year Dr. Newton died, after numbers. a ministry of fifty-five years, and Mr. Olds * He abdicated June 22, 1S15, four days resigned. He, Mr. Olds, was a native of after the battle. Granville, Mass., was graduated at Williams ^ In the Biography of S. V. S. Wilder, College, iSci, was for some years tutor there, published by the American Tract Society, it was professor at University of Vermont and is stated that Napoleon had an opportunity at Amherst College, and at last preached in to come to this countr}', if he would separate Ohio from TS41 to his death in 1848. himself entirely from his old companions in ^ We more commonly speak of this coun- arms, and come alone. But this, on reflection, try as Belgium, but Flanders made a large he decided not to do, and so went to St. part of Belgium. Helena. We have no occasion for regret ^ It may be doubted whether the result of that he decided as he did. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 637 $1.00. And for the postage of the Middletown paper, which has been given me for a year, .50, 13. Rainy and wet. Wrote on my sermon of yesterday, but finally con- cluded not to preach it today. In the forenoon preached an old sermon on I Pet. i : 8. Last night Ralsaman Haskell,' a ver}' near friend to me, living at his father's in the upper part of Windsor, drowned himself in Connecticut River. He has long been in a declining state of health, and in extreme men- tal depression. I cannot conclude he was not a Christian. At evening visited the afflicted brother,^ and had a conference. 14. Warm and showery. Rode to Pine Meadow,^ and attended the funeral of Mr. Haskell. Mr. Rowland preached. Mr. Wolcotf* had a hired man badly hurt by a fall in the barn. Visited. 15. \Vrote on a piece for the Magazine. At evening attended a small religious meeting and baptized a child.^ The parents are to move from us this week. 16. Quite rainy all day. Read in Fuller's Clnu-ch History!' Received a letter desiring me to attend an ordination at Coventry.' Received a letter from Mr. Flint inviting the church and me to appear at the next annual meet- ing of the Consociation. Received a letter from Mrs. Jerusha Watson, of Hartford, requesting me to preach at the anniversary meeting of the Hartford Female Beneficent Society. It will be quite inconvenient for me. Worked at my library. 17. Walked and visited. My garden does very well in watermelons. It is a fine year for them. Had company. 18. Visited a sick man. Afternoon rode to Wapping and visited a school. Quite rainy. Tarried out. Had no prayer-meeting on account of the rain. ig. Yesterday afternoon Lieut-Governor Goodrich* died suddenly at Hart- ford. A man more respected than any other in the State. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. The thermometer at 88°. It has been nearly the same for three or four days past. Towards night Mr. Clark,' lately dismissed from Chatham, came here to spend the Sabbath with me. Received a letter from my sister Battell. 20. Preached in the forenoon with an old sermon on Luke xxii : 31, -^z. ' His full name, as given in Stiles's j^/j^rj quaint Thomas Fuller, 1608-1661, who, in of Windsor, was Carmaralzaman (called Ral- 1655, published in London The Church His- zaman for short). He was the youngest child tory of Britain from the Birth of Jesiis Christ of Jabez and Elizabeth (Bissell) Haskell, and until the Year 1648. was born Sept. 12, 1790. ' Rev. Chauncey Booth, a native of East ^ His brother, here referred to, was Eli B. Windsor (north parish), was to be settled in Haskell, of East Windsor Hill, who has been Coventry, often mentioned in the diary. * Hon. Chauncey Goodrich, born in Dur- ' On the west side of the river, in the ham, Ct., Oct. 20, 1759, graduated at Yale, upper part of Windsor. 1776, prominent lawyer in Hartford, and * Mr. Abiel Wolcott, where he boarded. holding many official positions. ^ Erasmus Adrian, son of Mr. William R. 9 Rev. Eber L. Clark, before spoken of, Phelps. who had been settled at Chatham (now Port- * This was a work of the learned and land) from 1812 to 1S15. 63S DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, B.D. [iS^S- Afternoon Mr. Clark preached for me. Very warm. Thermometer near 90°. After meeting rode to Warehouse Point and preached in their new church on Heb. xi: 24, 25. Returned in the evening. The Episcopal society there is quite small. Mr. Clark attended our church conference. 21. Finished and carried to Hartford a piece for the Magazine. Rode on a journey to Norfolk. Mrs. Wolcott goes with me. Quite showery. The roads are wet. Got to Colebrook and tarried at my brother Ammi's. 22. There is a good deal of haying here yet to be done. Rode to Norfolk. Sister Betsey declines gradually, but quite slow. Mother is quite well. Mr. Sherman ' continues to preach here. At evening preached a lecture in the meeting-house from Jer. xiv : 8. There is considerable seriousness here at this time. Mr. McEwen,^ of New London, is here. 23. Spent considerable time with sister Betsey. She is at her daughter Eliza's. Dined at Mr. Battell's with Mr, McEvven. In the afternoon set out for home with Mrs. Wolcott. Paid Mr. Battell thirty cents and balanced his book. Rode to New Hartford and tarried at a tavern. Rode when it was quite dark. 24. Rode early to Hartford. Attended the Alagazine business. Rode home. I think Mrs. Wolcott is better for her ride. The weather is constantly wet and cloudy. We continue to have very pleasing news from Europe. Louis ^ appears likely to resume the French government. 25. Rode out and visited. Paid for four bushels of oats, $2.00. Yester- day wrote to Mrs. Jerusha Watson, of Hartford, accepting of their request to preach to the Female Beneficent Society. Also wrote to Mr. Battell. Also received a letter from my brother Frank, now a missionary in New Hampshire. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 26. Visited a sick man in the hither part of East Hartford. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Hindered by company. 27. Finished my sermon on Eph. iii : 8 and preached with it all day. Meeting quite full. At evening attended the conference. Baptized a child.* 28. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. Walked out and visited. Quite Avarm. Hindered by company. Wrote quite late. 29. Finished my Magazine manuscript and carried it to Hartford. Very warm. Received a letter from Mrs. J. Watson, of Hartford. At evening preached at Dr. Strong's conference on Gen. xxvii : 38. Received a letter of military orders for the regimental review to be at Vernon. 30. We have news that Bonaparte has surrendered himself to a commander of a British ship.^ The heat very oppressive, though the thermometer was not over 86°. Read. Visited. 31. Rode to Wapping and visited. Conversed with persons on the subject * Rev. Henry Sherman, before noticed. vacate the throne March 20, 1S13, but returned ^ Dr. Abel McEwen, who married Sarah, to it July 8th of the same year, daughter of Mr. William Battell, of Torring- 4 Arthur, son of Mr. Elihu Wolcott. ford, and who was the life-long pastor of the ^ On the 15th of July, 1815, Napoleon first church in New London, Ct. surrendered to Captain Maitland of the Brit- ' Louis XVIII, who had been obliged to ish ship Bdlerophon. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 639 of making a profession of religion. Cool. At evening Mr. Battell came here and tarried. Gave him a note of $300.00 for one of same amount, which I paid in the bank, which lie has taken up. September. 1. Quite cool. Wrote. Mr. Battell went off in the evening and carried his little daughter Sarah. Wrote a letter for Mr. Wolcott to Mr. F. Mills, Esq., Norfolk. Wrote. Hindered by company. At evening attended our prayer-meeting and assisted the church committee in examining three young persons for our communion. 2. Wrote a sermon on i John v: 7. It cost me a good deal of labor. We hear that Mr. Prudden,' of Enfield, is very sick. Wrote a letter to his son. Received a letter from my cousin S. P. Robbins and others from Marietta. We have the pleasing news of Bonaparte's arrival in England, as a prisoner of war. The thermometer this morning was 3° below the freezing point. There was a fog and no frost. 3. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xv : 1-28. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday on the Trinity. Propounded three young per- sons for the communion of the church. The church chose a delegate to attend the proposed ordination at Coventry. After meeting performed a marriage.^ After which rode to Enfield. Mr. Prudden is very sick. In the evening preached a lecture in the meeting-house from Jer. xiv : 8. The people feel a great solicitude respecting their beloved minister. Warm. Much fatigued. 4. I do not much expect Mr. Prudden will live. Tarried last night at Maj. Barron's. Rode home. Wrote. Afternoon attended a little while at a training. Visited. 5. Rainy all day. Cold ; had a fire in my chamber. Began a sermon on Luke x : 29 for the Beneficent Society at Hartford. Wrote considerably. 6. Worked at my library. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Hartford. The Democrats^ are making great exertions in the State for the approaching Free- men's Meeting. 7. Worked at my books. In the forenoon heard that Mr. Prudden is failing, and probably near death. Set off soon and rode to Enfield. Found Mr. Prudden very low and unable to speak. Concluded not to leave him at present. At eight o'clock in the evening he expired, leaving a confident hope of his future blessedness. In the evening rode to Longmeadow. Mr. Storrs * is on a journey and not returned, though expected last evening and this. The family desired me to preach at the funeral on failure of Mr. Storrs. The funeral must be tomorrow. The disease was typhus fever and highly putrid. Returned to Deacon Pierce's in Enfield, and after eleven o'clock at night * Rev. Nehemiah Prudden, settled in En- •♦ Rev. Richard Salter Storrs, the first field in 1782. minister bearing that name, was Rev. Mr. 2 The parties united were Mr. Ralph Raw- Prudden's near neighbor, and was moreover don, of Albany, and Susan Arnold. a man of marked ability. It was, therefore, ^ They make these exertions every year, altogether natural that Mr. Storrs should have but do not secure a very large vote relatively. preached, had he been at home. 640 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. began a sermon for the funeral on Rev. ii : lo. Wrote till two o'clock. Wrote home to Mr. Wolcott. 8. Rose early and wrote steadily till twelve o'clock and finished my ser- mon.' It is pretty long and all written. It is written with great marks of haste. Afternoon attended the funeral and preached. There was a very great concourse of people, including nine ministers. Quite warm. In the evening rode home with Mr. Wolcott. I pray that this scene may be useful to me, and to many ministers, that we may constantly remember our approach- ing day of account. 9. On the 6th received a letter from Rev. Mr. Flint,^ and one from Howe,^ the bookseller in New Haven, accompanied by a valuable Greek Lexicon. Wrote to Mr. Flint. Afternoon rode to Enfield to supply that destitute people. Quite warm. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. 10. Visited a man very sick in consequence of taking saltpetre by mistake for salts. The heat severe and oppressive. Preached in the forenoon from Matt, xi : 30. Afternoon from Hab. iii : 17, 18. After meeting attended a funeral. Very much fatigued by my late labors. 11. Rode home. The heat very severe. The thermometer was a little above 92°. I conclude it was a few degrees lower yesterday. Wrote to Mr. North,* late a school-teacher here, and to my sister Battell. At evening we had considerable rain with a great deal of thunder. 12. Rode early to Hartford. Joseph Bonaparte' is said to have arrived in this country. Rode to Wapping and visited a school which appeared indiffer- ently. Afternoon visited a school very well instructed. At evening we had a hard shower, with very severe thunder. 13. In the morning was called to see a sick woman who died while I was present.^ On the nth received a letter from Mr. Perkins,^ minister at Amherst. He agreed to supply my pulpit on the Sabbath, but failed. There was no supply. Wrote. Read in the Boston Unitarian controversy. After- noon visited a school. Thermometer 82°. 14. Read. Visited a school. The heat quite oppressive. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Paid to the Hartford Bank, $4.90, and gave a new note for $300.00 for ninety-five days. The religious controversy at Boston has got into the newspapers.^ I fear it will do no good. Thermometer 83°. 15. Attended a funeral. Last evening my cousin Eliza Olmstead ' came * Dr. Robbins certainly did nobly in ex- 1815-1S32, lived in England, 1S32 to 1841, erting himself so vigorously to meet a really went to Italy in last-named year, and died important occasion. there, 1S44. * Dr. Abel Flint, of Hartford. ^ Mrs. Ruhamah Blakeslee, of Torring- ^ Gen. Hezekiah Howe. ford, Ct. * Milo L. North, already mentioned, who ^ Rev. Nathan Perkins, pastor of Second taught the academy at East Windsor Hill, a Church of Amherst, settled there in 18 10, a graduate of Yale, 18 13. They were having graduate of Yale, 1795. the customary hot weather of early Sep- ^ The controversy between the Unitarians tember. and the Orthodox. For some years it filled a ' Joseph Bonaparte, born 1768, made king large place in newspapers and quarterlies, of the two Sicilies 1805, lived in this country, ' Her husband died some time before. 1815.} PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 64I here to make a short visit. Wrote to Mr. Ebenezer Parker, of Boston. Hin- dered by company. Walked out. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. 16. My cousin Eliza and her little child went away after making us an agreeable visit. Wrote to my brother Frank, now as I suppose in the district of Maine. Wrote and finished my sermon on Luke x : 29 for the Hartford Beneficent Society. Thermometer 83°. The heat is severe. Received from my collector, $50.00. Received the same sum, $50.00, from my brother Nat, sent by Mr. Battell. 17. Preached an old sermon on i Cor. v: 20. Received three young per- sons into the church. Afternoon something rainy. At evening rode to Hart- ford and preached to the Female Beneiicent Society on Luke x : 29. Very rainy. The meeting was thin. Got a new pair of boots. 18. Left home early on a journey to New Hampshire. Rode through Enfield, Longmeadow, Springfield, South Hadley, Hadley, to Sunderland. Put up at a tavern. Slept at Rev. Mr. Taylor's.' Rode fifty miles. Quite cool. 19. Rode early through Montague, Northfield, Winchester, Swanzey, to Keene, forty miles.^ Met with the General Association of New Hampshire.^ Mr. Gillet,'* of Branford, my colleague, is here. The Association appear well. Preached in the evening on Ps. Ixxxiv : 2-28. 20. Am very kindly entertained at Mr. Watson's. Lodge with Rev. Mr. Fowler,' of Windsor, Vt., my classmate. The Association attend closely to business, but do it in a very incorrect manner. The ecclesiastical regulations of this State are very deficient. The report of the state of religion represented it pretty low, but rather encouraging. Heard the report of the New Hamp- shire Bible Society. That does well and does good. At evening heard a good sermon from Dr. Burton,^ of Thetford, Vt. 21. The General Association concluded their business in the morning. Heard the annual report of the New Hampshire Missionary Society. Their efforts are very laudable and useful. Heard a missionary sermon. At even- ing Mr. Gillet preached. In the morning we had a prayer-meeting. This town is very pleasant. The people appear very well. We have had very pleasant weather this week. Have found a number of people with whom I had been partially acquainted. 22. There was a little frost in this quarter in the mornings of the 19th and 20th. In the forenoon set out for home. Rode to Winchester, fifteen miles. It began to rain and continued through the day. Tarried at a tavern. Read. ' Rev. James Taylor, a native of West- ciation of Connecticut to that of New Hamp- field, Mass., a graduate of Williams College, shire, meeting this year at Keene. 1S04, pastor at Sunderland from 1807 to his * Rev. Timothy Phelps Gillet. death, 1831. ' Rev. Bancroft Fowler, his classmate at ^ The three last-named towns were in New Yale, afterwards professor at Bangor Sem- Hampshire. The village of Keene lies in the inary. beautiful Ashuelot valley. * Dr. Asa Burton, father of the Taste ^ He is a delegate from the General Asso- Scheme. 642 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1815- 23. The rain continued through the last night and till noon. For the most of the forenoon it was exceeding violent. About one o'clock set out on my journey, crossed the river at Northfield, and rode to Deerfield. Tarried at a tavern. All the streams are very high. The roads are much injured ; a great many bridges are carried away. In the forenoon wrote to my brother Frank, who continues a missionary in the lower part of New Hampshire. My horse travels exceeding well. 24. Having calculated to spend this Sabbath at Northampton and hav- ing a difficulty in staying at Deerfield, I conclude to ride. Rode to Northamp- ton by nine o'clock. Kindly entertained at Judge Lyman's.* Very difficult getting along in some places on account of the ravages of the water. In the forenoon heard Mr. Abbott,"" a young minister of Salem, preach for Mr. Will- iams. In the afternoon I preached from Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. The congregation was very large. This meeting-house was very large and elegant. In the even- ing preached in the meeting-house by desire without notes on Num. x : 29. The meeting was full. Dined with most of the members of the Supreme Court. They are pretty far from religion, to appearance. Connecticut River rises very rapidly. 25. Walked out. Called on some acquaintance. There is some religious attention in this town. Judge Lyman is very pleasantly situated here. After dinner rode to Westfield. The storm I think must have been more severe here than at the northward. This town has sustained great injury. Tarried at Mr. Knapp's.^ 26. Rode to Simsbury and met with our Consociation. We took a par- ticular notice of the late death of Mr. Prudden. In the evening rode home. I have had a very pleasant and prosperous journey, through the special bless- ing of God. Got home late. I obtained leave of absence from the Consocia- tion. Warm and pleasant. Received a letter from my sister Battell and one from brother Frank. 27. Am much fatigued with my late labors. Rode to Vernon and attended a regimental review as chaplain. The regiment performed very well. Con- necticut River was higher on Monday, by several feet, than it has been this year. We hear of great damage of many kinds done by the late storm. 28. This morning there was a frost. The first that has been here to injure vegetation. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. We have done nothing yet for the next Magazine. Paid an instalment of $187.50 to the Phoenix Bank. Re- ceived at the bank a dividend of $30.00. Put in a note of $90.00 for ninety- five days, and received $88.53. Paid for my boots, $9.50. At evening preached at Dr. Strong's conference on Matt, xxvi : 35. Much oppressed by my late fatigues. ' Judge Joseph Lyman, before noticed, ^ Rev. John Emery Abbott, native of Ex- who was a member of the Hartford Conven- eter, N. H., graduate of Bowdoin College, tion, and whose second wife was a daughter 1810, pastor of North Church, Salem, 1S15, to of Lieutenant-Governor E. H. Robbins, of his death, 1S19, at the age of twenty-seven. Milton, Mass. 3 Rgy, jgaac Knapp. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 643 29. Visited a young man very sick with bleeding of the lungs. Read. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Jude xxi. Towards evening my brother Frank came here from New Hampshire. I think he has been useful as a missionary in those old decaying places. Attended our even- ing prayer-meeting. Visited sick persons. 30. Wrote on a piece for the Magazine. My brother concludes to tarry with me over the Sabbath. Am very poorly qualified for writing on account of my late fatigues. Wrote late. It appears that Bonaparte is sent to the island of St. Helena.' He will probably disturb the world no more. October. 1. My brother preached all day. I never heard him before. He per- formed very well, and very acceptable to the people. I trust he will make a useful man. Administered the Lord's Supper. The day was very pleasant, and the church unusually full. I hope we still have some tokens of the divine presence with us. At evening attended the conference. Wrote. Quite late finished my piece for the Magazine. 2. Rode early to Hartford. My brother went off for Westfield and Nor- folk. Visited a sick man. I have now the first opportunity for relaxation for about three weeks. Paid a merchant at Hartford, $11.96. Read. 3. Read a Boston Socinian pamphlet. I do but little. Warm. Received a, letter of thanks from the Female Beneficent Society, of Hartford, for my late sennon. Wrote. 4. Walked and visited the sick and others. Visited a school. We have continued accounts of the destruction of the late storm. I think it must have been greater than any one in New England for a long period. 5. Visited. The season very fine. There is a prospect of a great crop of corn. Afternoon rode to East Hartford and performed a marriage.^ Rode to Hartford. Society prospects at East Hartford are more favorable. Paid for a pair of bracelets for Ursula, $3.00. At evening by an accident I broke my thermometer. I feel it to be quite a misfortune.^ 6. Wrote. Afternoon attended the funeral of an infant child."* Visited the sick. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Received a letter from Mr. Battell, informing me that my sister ^ is much worse and will not probably live but a short time. I believe I shall go to Norfolk next Monday. Warm. 7. Wrote a sermon on Mark viii : 34. At evening received a letter from my sister Battell informing me of the painful fact that my sister Grant * is dead. She died last evening at eight o'clock. The Lord abundantly sanctify this breach to those of us who by his mercy still survive. Brother Frank was ' Napoleon Bonaparte was taken to the Hartford, and Dr. Robbins was called upon isle of St. Helena in the summer of 181 5, and for marriages and funerals, died there, May 5, 1821. ^ Thermometers were more costly then ~ Mr. Marvin Curtiss, of Coventry, was than now. united in marriage with Huldah Bidwell, of ^ Child of Mr. Alexander Gaylord. East Hartford. Since the dismission of Dr. 5 His sister Elizabeth, now Mrs. Grant. Yates, no minister had been settled at East '' Formerly Mrs. Grove Lawrence. 644 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. with her from Thursday noon till her death. The Lord make me more humble and watchful. 8. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Hos. xii : 2, in the after- noon on Mark viii : 34. Rainy. After meeting went with a considerable part of the church and many others to Mr. Roswell Elmer's and received his son, Pitkin Elmer, sinking under a most threatening disease, to the communion of the church. After which we celebrated the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The young man appears very well. My cousin Robert Oilman ' came here from Philadelphia and spent the most of the day. At evening set out on a journey to Norfolk. Cousin Robert rode with me. At Hartford had a pleas- ant visit with Mrs. Oilman,^ his grandmother. Rode to West Hartford and tarried at a tavern. Very dark. 9. Rode early. Got to Norfolk at twelve o'clock. Attended the funeral of my dear sister. As there was no minister requested to attend the funeral, I preached by desire of the family on Gen. xxvii : 38. The family are all present but brother Nat and five of Betsey's children. Mr. Grant appears very well. He has one child left him by my sister. The funeral was large. Mr. Gaylord,' the candidate, assisted in the public exercise. 10. There is considerable awakening here, and also in several of the neighboring towns. At evening rode to the north part of the town, attended a conference, and preached without any notes on Eph. iii : 8. The people here find much difficulty in procuring Mr. Emerson for their minister.* He cannot be released from college. Traded considerably. 11. Received of my brother Samuel, $2.71, which, with the horse I now have, estimated at $75.00, and the interest since I took him, $5.62, makes $83.33 on twenty-five pounds, and one half of the pecuniary legacy left me by my father. Left mother after noon and rode home in eight and one quarter hours. Warm. Yesterday morning there was considerable frost at Norfolk. The crop of corn generally is very good. 12. Quite warm. Wrote. Visited. Am much fatigued with my late labors. Read. On Tuesday my brother James gave me a valuable volume, Newcombe's Greek Harrtwny of the Gospels.^ 13. Walked and visited all day. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. People have a remarkably fine season for gathering corn, of which there is a good crop. We have had as yet but very little frost. " Benjamin I. Oilman, before noticed, mar- * Rev. Asahel Gaylord. ried Hannah Robbins, daughter of Dr. Chand- '•Their patience at last was to have its ler Robbins, of Plymouth. By this marriage reward. Mr. Ralph Emerson, then tutor at Mr. Oilman became a (so-called) first cousin Yale College, had to stay out the customary of Mr Robbins. Robert Oilman, the young two years before he could be released. As man visiting him, was a son of B. I. Oilman, soon as he had fulfilled the duties of that office of Marietta, Ohio, and therefore a second he was ready for settlement at Norfolk, cousin of Mr. Robbins. s Rgy, William Newcombe, Archbishop ^ Mrs. Oilman, his grandmother, was Ben- of Armagh. He wrote much, and one of his jamin I. Oilman's mother, whom we have not works was A Harmony of the Gospels. He before met in this diary. died in 1800. l8l5-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 645 14. Wrote a sermon on Dan. ii : 34. Wrote it in seven and one-half successive hours. I have but little occasion for fire. Yesterday wrote to Rev. Mr. Taylor, of Enfield, now a representative at New Haven. 15. Last Sabbath mentioned my case for prayers on account of the death of my sister. Am something troubled with a rheumatism in my shoulder. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xv: 29 to xvi : 5. Afternoon preached on Dan. ii : 34. Meeting quite full. At evening attended the conference. Very tired. 16. Walked out and visited. Read. At evening attended the meeting of our Moral Society. 17. Wrote on a piece for the Magazhie. Wrote to my brother Frank. A committee man from Enfield desired me that he might preach with them a Sabbath.' Wrote late. i8. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Paid for a fifty gallon wine- cask for cider, $2.50. Warm and very pleasant. 19. Rode to Turkey Hills and returned. There appears some prospect of their settling a minister there. Preparing to make an application to the Legis- lature for Newgate Prison. 20. Wrote a petition to be presented to the General Assembly in behalf of Newgate. Read. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. 21. On the i8th wrote to Mr. McLean, of Simsbury. Much hindered by company. Read Clarke ^ on the Trinity. Wrote to my brother Frank. Visited sick persons. 22. Sent a suit of clothes to a man in mourning. Preached all day with an old sermon on Matt, xi : 5. After meeting attended the funeral of a young child. ^ Visited a sick woman apparently near the close of life. At evening attended the conference. Very tired. 23. Set out with Frances on a journey to New Haven and Stamford. Rode to New Haven. Tarried at a tavern. In the evening heard a part of a ser- mon from Dr. Porter," of Andover. Called on some of the representatives. Paid for a whip, $1.33. 24. Last night Frances became quite unwell about two o'clock in the night, and called on me and I was up with her till morning. She then lay down and slept. After breakfast she thought she could ride and we set out on our jour- ney. Quite cold and windy. We rode three miles, and Frances was obliged to stop. She was unable to ride, and in much pain. We were very kindly ' This was the first step toward a long ^ Rev. Samuel Clarke, D. D., an eminent ministry. Rev. Francis Le Baron Robbins doctrinal and metaphysical writer. He was was minister at Enfield from 18 16 to his born in Norwich, England, in 1675, and died death in 1850. When the writer of this note in 1729. One of his works was entitled, was a boy living in the north parish of East The Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity. Windsor, Dr. Thomas Robbins, of the south ^ A child of Mr. Horace Bissell. parish, and Rev. Francis Robbins were the * Dr. Ebenezer Porter, who went from two ministers with whom his pastor, Rev. Washington, Ct., to be Professor of Sacred Shubael Bartlett, used most frequently to Rhetoric, in 1812. From 1S27 to his death in exchange. 1834 he was President of Andover Seminary. 6461 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^^IS- entertained by a good family, a private house, Mr. Jolinson, in the western part of New Haven. Left Frances and returned to New Haven, hoping to do my business at the Assembly. Went into a public hearing. Heard a part of the argument for the Episcopal petition. In about an hour after I got into town I was sent for, Frances being much worse. A physician went out to see her. She was in great distress, but after a while grew easy. Staid at Mr. Johnson's afternoon and night. 25. Frances appears much better through divine favor. Ver^' cold. Rode into New Haven in the morning. Had my petition for Newgate read before the House of Representatives. Was admitted before the House and spoke in support of tl'ke petition. The House was soon called to other business. Left town, rode to Mr. Johnson's, and about noon went on our journey. Frances was feeble, but bore riding very well. Rode to the west part of Fairfield, Saugatuck. Tarried at a tavern. The roads very good. Gave Mr. Johnson, who made no charge, $2.00. 26. In the morning rode to Stamford. A very hard frost. Vegetation has scarcely been injured here by the frost before now. Kindly received at Mr. Wood's. Visited Rev. Mr. Smith.' Mr, Wood has been to New Connecticut, and has got something of the fever and ague. 27. In the morning left Frances at Stamford and rode to New Haven, forty miles in about eight hours. A very strong west wind. The great mar- ket of New York makes this part of the State, flourishing. Kindly treated by the representatives. Our petition was not granted in full. The Assembly made a grant for the support of a chaplain at Newgate for the ensuing year, but were not willing to make it permanent.^ The influenza prevails ver)- much in New Haven, and from here to New York. 28. Paid the physician who visited Frances, $1.50. Paid for two pounds of spermaceti candles, $1.16. Took breakfast at College Hall with Mr. Tutor Emerson.^ Rode home in less than six hours. Mr. Haskell* rode up with me and paid my road expenses. A woman has died here in my absence, and was buried today .^ My brother Frank has been here this week, has been to Saybrook and returned, and is now gone to Enfield to preach tomorrow, for Dr. Perkins, who was to supply them. Have something of a cold. My brother attended the funeral this afternoon. 29. In the morning rode and walked to Windsor to exchange with Mr. Rowland. Crossed the river alone. Cold. Preached on Jer. xiv : 8, and i John v: 7. Mr. Rowland was at East Windsor. At evening returned. My brother came here from Enfield. I conclude he was well liked there. I am quite hoarse. ' Rev. Daniel Smith, pastor of the First now calls by his title of Tutor. His tutor- Church in Stamford from 1793 to his death ship began in 1814 and could not end till in 1846. 1816. ^ Very narrow policy, but no more narrow " Mr. Harris Haskell, who was engaged than that of keeping the prison under ground to Miss Frances Wolcott, and was married at East Granby. to her later. ^ Rev. Ralph Emerson, whom Dr. Robbins ^ ^j^g. Eleanor Stoughton. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 647 30. An Enfield committee man called here and desired my brother to preach with them after their supplies shall be completed. He concludes to go if he can be released from the missionary service at the eastward. I wrote to Rev. Mr. Pearson,' of Andover, requesting his release.^ In the afternoon my brother went on his journey to New Hampshire. Had company. 31. In the morning with Dr. McClure examined a school-master for Wap- ping. Rode to Hartford. Quite unwell with the influenza ; in the afternoon it came on very severe. Took medicine. Had some books elegantly bound. Paid for a number of Clarke's Commentary, $1.50. Visited a sick man. November. 1. After a copious perspiration last night, I am much better of my influ- enza. Quite feeble. Kept very much confined. Very warm and pleasant. Towards evening Mr. Charles Goodrich,^ a candidate, came here and tarried. He was very unwell with the influenza. Can do but little. 2. Mr. Goodrich appears better, and went away. Read. Warm and very dr}'. We have had very pleasant weather, and almost no rain since the great storm. I have now written fourteen days of diary ; more in quantity if not in time than I ever wrote before at once. I usually Avrite twice in a week. I kept minutes of my expenses on my journey. On the 30th ult. I received of my brother Frank, $40.00, which I am to pay him, when he calls, with interest. Of this, $35.00 was in specie . paper,* for which I got next day in Hartford, $39.20, making $44.20 which I owe him. On the 28th ult. there was a pretty hard snow-squall, the first snow we have had this fall. I am quite feeble. At evening walked out. 3. Walked and visited. Quite warm for the season. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. There is a great crop of corn, and people have had a very fine season for the ingathering. 4. Very much hindered by company. Visited a sick man, very low. Began a sermon on i Cor. vi • n. Wrote but little. Mr. Wilbur,^ a candi- date, called here. I let him have my horse to ride to Turkey Hills. At even- ing a Mr. Clarke,* a young candidate, came here and tarried. Received a letter from my sister Battell. The revival very much increases there. Divine power is signally manifest. Received a letter from Mr. Ebenezer Parker, of Boston. Much hindered from study. Visited a sick man. 5. Preached in the forenoon an old sermon on Mark i : 40. In the after- noon Mr. Clarke preached for me= At evening attended the conference. Mr. Clarke is a promising man. ' Rev. Eliphalet Pearson, D. D., LL. D, late in life. He lived to great age, not dying ^ The way vi^as preparing for his brother imtil 187 1, at the age of ninety-three, to go to Enfield. "* On which there was a handsome pre- ^ Mr. Goodrich was a native of Pittsfield, mium of twelve per cent, and a graduate of Yale in 1797. He studied ^ Mr. Harvey Wilbur, graduated at Dart- theology with Dr. Alvan Hyde, of Lee (who mouth College in 1812. He did not settle in instructed many theological students), but the ministry in Connecticut, owing to the condition of his father's family, * The name Clarke (or Clark) is common, he did not really enter upon the regular and we have not the data for determining who duties of his chosen profession until quite this man was. 648 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. 6. The influenza has become generally prevalent. Mr. Flint ' and Mr. Wilbur ^ were here. Taken up the most of the day. Walked out and visited. Mr. Flint read to me a good sermon prepared for the next election. 7. Rode to Turkey Hills and attended a church meeting which gave a unanimous call to Mr. Wilbur.' The prospects of his settling here are not, however, the most favorable. Quite cold. 8. Rode home. A very hard frost this morning. Found Mr. Wilbur here, who is very anxious on the subject of his settlement. I am very doubt- ful what would be best. Received a letter from Mr. Rejoice Newton,* of Worcester, informing me that I have lately been elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society.' I esteem it a particular favor. Rode to Hartford. Paid for two half volumes of Encydopcedia, $3.00. For a silk handkerchief, $2.00. Goods are very high. The ground very dry. 9. Wrote. Read Encydopcedia. Received a letter from Mr. Flint, of Hartford. Wrote to Mr. Rejoice Newton, of Worcester. Visited. ID. Walked and visited all day. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. It was thin and languid. May God remember us in the greatness of his mercy. 11. Wrote all day on a sermon begun last Saturday on i Cor. vi : 11, and finished it. Wrote fifteen pages. Wrote eight by candle-light and finished at one o'clock at night. Cold. Our newspapers grow very barren. 12. Preached all day with the sermon written yesterday. At evening attended the conference. Had a contribution to pay for the expenses of the conferences. Received a letter from Mr. Evarts,^ of Boston, and one from my sister Battell. 13. Very cold. It was quite cold yesterday, and is increasing. The ground is something frozen. Read the long militia law of the State. Worked considerably. At evening rode to Scantick with Ursula, made a visit at Israel Allen's,' and returned. 14. Last night it froze very hard. I am fearful my trees are injured. The frost penetrated the summer-house. Wrote to my sister Battell, to Rev. Mr. Harrison, of Roxbury,* and to Mr. Flint, of Hartford. Visited Pitkin Elmer.' He died while I was present. He has been some time in a decline, but died very suddenly. 15. Walked and visited all day. I am much complained of for not visit- ins;. Tarried out. ' Abel Flint, D. D., of Hartford. ^ Jeremiah Evarts, Secretary of American ^ Rev. Harvey Wilbur. Board, and father of William M. Evarts, ^ As already stated, he did not settle United States Senator from New York. From there. 181 2 to 1820 he had been Treasurer. * Rejoice Newton, Esq., was one of the ^ One of the large farmers of East Wind- honored, trusted citizens of Worcester many sor, living about a mile east of Scantic meet- years after this. He was a graduate of Dart- ing-house. mouth College in 1807, and died in 1868, at ^ Rev. Fosdic Harrison, of Roxbury, Ct., the age of eighty-five. pastor there, 1813-1S35. * This was a high honor for Dr. Robbins. « Roger Pitkin Elmer. l8l5.1 PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 649 16. It rained without intermission all day. Attended the funeral of Pitkin Elmer. Read. 17. Read Campbell on the Gospels. Worked some. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. Visited. 18. My tropical trees had water frozen on them, but I believe they are not materially injured. Worked some. Afternoon rode to Hartford to exchange with Mr. Flint. Paid for books, $3.75. Had Hopkins's System and Edwards's Works rebound. 19. Mr. Flint rode to East Windsor. Wrote to Frances Wolcott now at Stamford. Rainy all day. Preached both parts of the day on Sanctification, from I Cor. vi : 11. Last evening preached at Mr. Flint's conference house on Gen. xxxii : 26. After meeting Mr. Flint came home, and at dusk I rode to East Windsor. Attended a conference in our south school-house. The roads are very wet. 20. Worked considerably. Taken up with company. Read Campbell on the Gospels. 21. Worked driving team for a scraper the most of the day. Read Camp- bell. Warm. 22. Wrote a summary of my late sermon on Justification for the Magazine. Wrote. The society at East Hartford is in an unpleasant and critical situation. 23. Rode to Hartford. Assisted in preparing the next Magazine^ At evening preached at Mr. Strong's conference on i Kings xix : 9. A pretty stupid time here respecting divine things. Returned. 24. Rode out and visited. Rode to the upper part of East Hartford and attended a funeral.^ At evening attended our prayer-meeting. The influenza quite prevalent among us.' On the 27th and 28th of October there were some snow-squalls, but I have not seen a flake of snow in November. 25. Wrote a sermon on Adoption on Gal. iv : 5. Wrote late. Hindered by company and avocations. 26. Cold. Preached the sermon written yesterday, which I extended to two. At evening attended the conference. Very tired, 27. Rode to Hartford and Windsor. Paid for wine, $2.33. Paid a clothier for dressing cloth, .85. Visited. Last evening visited a sick man. 28. Rode to Wapping and visited. Rainy. Read. 29. Wrote a sermon for Thanksgiving on Rom, viii : 32. Visited a sick man. Much interrupted in my studies. Finished my sermon after twelve o'clock at night. Warm. Have something of the headache. 30. Thanksgiving. Wet and rainy. Preached the sermon written yester- day. Not very good. Meeting quite thin. At evening rode to the Hill. I never had greater cause of humble thankfulness than now. Have the great- est reason to complain of my ingratitude. 'The Connecticut Evangelical Magazine ^ Perhaps the signs were already beginning was about to close its existence. to appear of that sickly year which was to ^ Mr. Robbins was not, as a rule, accus- iollow. The year iS 16, in which was the cold tomed to record the funerals which he at- summer, as it was called, was one of the dark tended out of his own parish. years of New England. 650 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1815. Dbcbmbbr. 1. Manured my asparagus beds. Last night it became severe cold. The ground freezes hard. Visited a sick man. Read Encydopmiia. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. 2. Did but little. Walked out. Worked some. Received a letter from Gen. Griswold, of East Hartford. Their ecclesiastical matters are in a very unpleasant state. Wrote to Mr. Tutor Emerson ' at Yale College. 3. Preached with old notes on Heb. xi : 17. Quite cold. At evening attended our conference. We are all very stupid. May God remember us in his great mercy. 4. Visited. At evening attended our first Monday monthly prayer-meet- ing, in conformity with the recommendation of our Consociation, a meas- ure which is very extensively adopted through the Christian world, to pray in concert for the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom on the earth.^ Our meeting was full and solemn. 5. Rode to Hartford. Paid for lining of my greenhouse, $1.56. At evening my brother Frank came here from Enfield. Received a letter from my sister. The work of God's grace continues at Norfolk with divine power. Received a letter from my brother James, and one from Mr. E. P. Prudden,^ of Enfield, requesting me to prepare my sermon at the funeral of his father for publication. Severe cold. 6. Rode to Wapping. Visited their two schools. At evening preached at a private house with old notes on Ps. xliii : 5. The Baptist interest here appears to be going down. 7. Wrote. Worked some. Worked at my greenhouse. Rainy. I spend much of my time to little profit. 8. On the 5th wrote to my sister. Quite cold. In the forenoon instructed Mr. Tudor's "• school. Afternoon rode out and visited. Last night there was a little snow, the first we have had. 9. Visited a family in mourning. Afternoon rode to Berlin to exchange with Mr. Skinner.' Severe cold. 10. Preached on Jer. xiv : 8, and i John v: 7. Meeting quite shorten account of the cold. Mr. Skinner preached for me. 11. Rode home. The ground very hard frozen. Received a letter from Mr. Clarke, of Northampton, and one from Mr. Birge, clerk to Mr. Battell. Afternoon attended the funeral of old Mr. Hayes, of the north part of East Hartford. He was buried here. Visited. On the 5th received a very valu- able sermon * of Dr. Pearson,^ of Andover, sent by him. 12. Wrote to my sister. Preached at the funeral yesterday with old notes * Ralph Emerson, already noticed. * Mr. Oliver Tudor. * This was the establishment of the ^ Rev. Newton Skinner. monthly concert in that church. In some * Dr. Robbins is, as we have seen, on the churches it had originated earlier. It after- lookout for valuable pamphlets, old and ward changed to Sunday night. new. His collection of pamphlets at last 3 Ephraim Pease Prudden, a graduate of was very large. Yale in 181 1. ^ Rev. Eliphalet Pearson, LL. D. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 65 1 on Ps. xliii : 5. It snowed some. Visited a school. Received a letter from the Rev. Mr. Harrison,' of Roxbury. Received of my collector, $319.61. Paid Mr. Wolcott on my boarding bill, $61.36. Paid a blacksmith, $1.25. For four bushels of oats, $2.00. Our society matters appear pretty well. 13. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. Hindered by company. Visited a school. Wrote to Mr. J. Evarts,^ of Charlestown. Visited. 14. Rode to Hartford. Renewed my note at the Hartford Bank, and paid $34.41. Received a dividend of $7.43. Gave a note of $270.00 to be paid March 28th. Paid for leather .for boots for Ursula, $1.00. The society in East Hartford in a critical state. Visited a school. Paid for cleaning my clock, $1.00. Visited a sick child. 15. Visited a woman very sick. Very fine traveling. Visited a school. Wrote to Frances. 16. Avery valuable woman ^ in the place died last night. Quite rainy. Wrote a sermon on Rom. v : 12. 17. Warm. Preached the sermon written yesterday. Attended a very affecting funeral of the woman lately deceased. At evening attended the conference. On the 19th received a valuable pair of silk stockings, a present from_ Pitkin Elmer,* lately deceased. Read. 18. Rode to Wapping and visited a man very sick. Visited other sick persons. Cold and blustering. Read. 19. Set out early and rode to Norfolk. It thaws some. Bought at Hart- ford a ticket in the Washington Bridge Lottery,^ for which I paid $5.00. Found friends well. The revival of religion here is great and powerful. Many of the subjects are men in middle life. 20. In the morning attended a prayer-meeting at the school-house, which is stated, every morning at seven o'clock, and well attended. Afternoon preached a lecture in the meeting-house, with a written sermon, on i Kings xix: 9. At evening attended a conference at the centre school-house. Meet- ings full and solemn. My brother Samuel is deeply distressed. My niece, Eliza Olmstead, has a hope. My niece, Sally Lawrence, has lately united with the church. A Mr. Giddings,^ a candidate, has lately been preaching here. 21. Severe cold. Visited. Attended the funeral of old Mr. Balcom, and preached with notes on Ps. xliii : 5. At evening attended a conference at the south end school-house. After which assisted Mr. Battell ' in performing a marriage. Very tired. 22. Visited persons that are serious. Afternoon and evening assisted the ' Rev. Fosdic Harrison. about the revival of religion, then prevailing ^ Jeremiah Evarts, Secretary of American in Norfolk. Board, 1821-1831. ^ Rev. Salmon Giddings, a graduate of ^ Mrs. Anna Mills, fifty-one. Williams College in 181 1. He was a native * Roger Pitkin Elmer. of Hartland, Ct., and went West as a mis- 5 As to what seems right and wrong, a sionary. great deal depends upon the times in which ^ Mr. Joseph Battell was a local magis- we live. To buy a ticket in a lottery did not trate authorized to perform the marriage seem to unfit him to offer his hearty testimony ceremony. 652 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [iS^S' church committee in examining ten persons for their communion. The candidates appeared ver>' well. A great number of people attended. Paid Mr. Battel], $10.00. 23. Visited and catechised the centre school. Rode out and visited serious persons. At evening attended a prayer-meeting at the centre school- house. Warm. 24. Last night a hard rain. It rained some in the forenoon. Preached written sermons on Jer. 1: 5, and Rom. ii : 16. Meetings very full and solemn. Received six men and three won^n into the church. Two were baptized. At evening preached in the meeting-house without any notes on Gen. xxxii : 26. Very much fatigued. 25. Attended the morning prayer-meeting. Left Norfolk and rode home. The roads verj' rough. There is no snow. Last Monday received a letter for the church from the church in East Hartford requesting our assistance in the proposed installation of Mr. Clark.' The church chose a delegate yesterday. There was no meeting in the afternoon. Dr. McClure did not attend. 26. Yesterday morning Mr. Bartlett'^ made me a present of some fine cotton shirting for two shirts. Quite cold. Rode to East Hartford and met with the council called for the installation of Mr. Clark. Was appointed scribe of the council. A paper was presented to the council to prevent his settlement, signed by seventy names. About one third of the members and property of the society. The council had a secret and interesting discussion. All were of opinion that it would not do to proceed to installation. 27. Had to do a good deal of writing. In the morning Mr. Clark informed the council that, on account of the opposition which appeared unex- pectedly, he wished to withdraw, and did withdraw his answer of acceptance of the call. The council then soon came to their result, and dissolved about noon. This society are in a very precarious situation. Visited a sick man near the upper part of East Hartford. Mr. Strong, of Somers,^ came here and tarried. My brother Frank has engaged to continue longer at Enfield. 28. Read the most of Secretary Dallas's "• long and good report. Wrote. Worked some. Paid my seventh instalment to the Phcenix Bank of $187.50. Paid to the same, $90.00, and took up a note I had there of that amount. During my absence last week, my collector left with Mr. Wolcott for me, $81.82, and a note of $58.82, and took up my society order for my last salar}^ Paid a tailor, $11.82. Our society meeting was on Monday of this week; the concerns of the society appear very favorably. 29. Walked and visited all day. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Settled accounts with Mr. Wolcott. Paid him on my boarding bill, $10.00. ' This was probably Rev. Eber L. Clark, * Hon. Alexander J. Dallas, who, after a who had been dismissed from Portland the very honorable public career in Pennsylvania, year before, and was settled the summer fol- was called to Washington in October, 1S14, lowing in East Granby. to be Secretary of the Treasury, which then, ^ Rev. Shubael Bartlett of the north owing to the War of 18 12, was in a wretched parish. • condition, but which he brought at length into * Rev. William L. Strong. a much better state. 1815.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 653 Gave him a note of $76.00, part of which was for borrowed money. I gave him two dollars a week for board, 50 cents a week in the summer and 75 in the winter for my horse. The amount is $132.00, my horse not having been here the whole time. 30. Wrote a sermon on Ps. cxix : 59. It snowed the most of the day. 31. It snowed considerably. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. Meeting very thin. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xvi : 5 to 21. Afternoon preached on Ps. cxix : 59. Wrote. I thank God for the great mercies of another year. I beseech him to pardon all my iniquities, and make me wholly his forever. isie. January. 1. May God enable me to begin this year with him, and to devote all my time to his service. Rode to the Hill and dined with the civil authority, etc, at the January meeting.' At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting ; quite full. Visited. Very good sleighing. Began to write off my sermon at the funeral of Mr. Prudden, for publication. 2. Wrote all day. Sleighs run very much. I feel the want of my thermometer. 3. Wrote. Finished the copy of my funeral sermon. Visited. Severe cold. 4. In the morning r^de to Ellington. Extreme cold. Good sleighing. Sat with a ministers' meeting. My brother Frank here. Had to ride to Somers in the afternoon in consequence of Mr. Warren's'^ wearing away my surtout by mistake. Rode from thence to Enfield. Tarried with my brother. The people here, so far as I can perceive, appear to be much pleased with his preaching. This society is quite large, much more so than I have supposed. 5. Rode home. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on i Pet. iv : 17. Meeting very thin. Cold and tedious. Visited. Read Wardlaw on SodniaJiism^ An excellent work. 6. It snowed the most of the day. Wrote a sermon on John ix : 4. Paid for my newspaper, half a year, $1.00. Received the first number of the Recorder, a religious newspaper* published at Boston, for which I have sub- scribed. Paid for this almanac. 7. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Luke vii: 42. Admin- istered the sacrament. The church rather thin. A pleasant day, but cold. Very good sleighing. Preached in the afternoon on John ix : 4. The meet- ing quite solemn. We have had sixteen deaths in the past year, eleven of whom were adults. At evening attended the conference ; quite full. ' The town officers seem to have had a of Somers, who was invited to ride out with custom of taking dinner together on New him. Year's. But in those days it was doubtless ^ Dr. Raljjh Wardlaw, of Dulkeith, Scot- done at their own expense, and was not land, had published a book entitled Dis- charged to the town. Officials did not then courses upon the Socinian Controversy. eat and drink out of the public treasury. *■ That marks the beginning of the Boston - Who this Mr. Warren was does not ap- Recorder^ which is claimed to be the first pear. There was no such settled minister in religious newspaper in the country. The Somers at that time, and none apparently in paper in various forms has continued till the Connecticut. It may have been some minis- present time, and now makes a part of the ter from a distance visiting Rev. Mr. Strong, Congregationalist of Boston. 655 656 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. 8. Severe cold. Read. Visited sick persons and others. Wrote to Rev. Mr. Pearson, of Andover, Mass. 9. Extreme cold. Rode to New Haven. Ursula' goes with me. Very good sleigliing. It is said to be good to New York. Tarried at a tavern. Wrote to Frances,'' still at Stamford. 10. Received a dividend at the Eagle Bank of $30.00. Paid Gen. Howe for books, $9.30. Rode home through Middletown. The road very good. 11. Wrote. Had company. Severe cold. Attended a funeral in the hither part of East Hartford. Visited. Read. 12. It snowed hard the most of the day. Very tedious. Read Wardlaw. Prepared this almanac. Visited a sick man. 13. Wrote a sermon on 2 Cor. viii : 9. I write slow and with very little feeling. 14. Severe cold through the day. Preached the sermon written yesterday. I am ashamed that I could write so poorly on that text. At noon attended the funeral of an infant.^ The public exercises were very short. Had no conference. At evening visited. The snow pretty deep. 15. A dancing-school has been set up here. I think it will not excite much attention. Visited. At evening had a lecture at the academy. Preached, wholly extempore, from Isa. xlv : 5, first clause. Extreme cold. 16. Rode to Colchester. Carried Tudor,* Mr. Wolcott's son, to attend the academy.* Very good sleighing. It snowed some. Tarried at a tavern. 17. Yesterday the weather grew moderate all day, and at evening it began to rain. Rainy all day ; in the afternoon very violent. A great part of the snow went off. Got Tudor to board in a good house. Did not attempt to travel. Mr. Sherman, the preceptor here, is a very excellent man. 18. Left Tudor and rode home. The road is bare a great part of the way. I believe I walked nearly one half of the way to Glastonbur}^ Warm. The streams quite high. Mr. Brace,^ of Newington, came here and tarried. He is on a circuit soliciting aid for the Bible Society. Their funds are very low. Received a letter from brother Frank, and one from Mr. Battell. The snow is about as much gone at Norfolk as it is here. 19. Visited an afflicted family. An aged woman, one of our best folks, died yesterday.' Read newspapers. At evening attended our prayer-meet- ing. Quite thin. Bad going. The sleighing mostly gone. Read. 20. Visited a man very sick. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Bancroft. I fear we shall be visited with sickness. Several persons have fevers.* Wrote. 21. Pleasant weather. The sleighing mostly gone. In the forenoon * Miss Ursula Wolcott was then about ^ Bacon Academy, one of the prominent twenty years old. educational institutions of Connecticut, en- - Miss Frances Wolcott had remained at dowed by Mr. Pierpont Bacon, of Colchester, Stamford ever since that unfortunate journey is now in active operation, when she was taken sick. She was then not * Rev. Joab Brace, D. D. far from twenty-two years old. ^ Mrs. Sarah Bancroft, seventy-six. ' A child of Mr. Thomas Anderson. * The year opened as it continued, a year * Samuel Tudor Wolcott. of great sickness and death. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 657 expounded on Matt, xvi : 21 toxvii: 10. The Transfiguration was very inter- esting and solemn. Afternoon preached with old notes on Luke xvi: 31. At evening attended the conference ; quite thin. It is a time of darkness and discouragement with us. Wrote to Mr. Battel! and to Mr. Ebenezer Cowles, of Colebrook. 22. Visited a young man very sick, and several sick persons. I think I have never known so many sick people here at one time. Visited a school at Long Hill, A Mr. Phelps,* a candidate, came here and tarried. 23. Attended the funeral of a man who died yesterday morning.'^ Visited. Quite warm. Paid for a book, $3.00. 24. Rode to Hartford. The roads very wet. There appears to be a poor prospect of the re-establishment of the Magazine. Made a purchase of Patrick and Lowth's valuable Commentary,^ of which I have had the use for sev- eral years from the family of Judge Ellsworth. Paid for a penknife, $1.87. One that I have used steadily eight years is worn out. Paid to the New York Tract Society on becoming a member, $1.00. 25. Wrote on my preaching account. Filed my letters of last year. Visited. 26. Rode and visited the sick all day. Cold and tedious, but the ground is quite bare. Read the Bible. 27. Visited the sick and others. Wrote. Wrote a letter to Frances. At evening rode to East Hartford to make an exchange with Mr. Clarke. He supplies there by exchanges. Quite cold. 28. Mr. Clarke went to East Windsor. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xvi: 17, Afternoon preached on i John v: 7. The acrimony of party in this society appears to be subsiding. At evening rode home. Visited a sick woman. Paid $1.50 for a book. 29. Visited the sick all day. Baptized a sick child. Last evening an old man died in this place, "* This evening a woman' and a child* have died, so that three persons now lie dead. Such an event as none remember to have known here before. It is a time of great solemnity and alarm. Several others appear to be dangerously sick. At evening we had a meeting for prayer in view of the divine visitations. Tarried out. 30. Severe cold. Visited the sick. Attended a funeral. Am much fatigued. We have no sleighing. 31. Attended the funeral of a child. Visited the sick. Made a purchase of Lardner's Woj-ksJ I am exceedingly glad to procure a work so rare and ' This was probably Dr. EHakim Phelps, * Mr. Jonathan Ring, sixty-seven. father of Dr. Austin Phelps, of Andover. * Widow Eliza Verstile, fifty-three. He was licensed to preach, Oct. 4, 1815, by *" Child of Mrs. Docia Goodell. the Windham Association, Connecticut. ^ It will be recollected that Dr. Robbins * Mr. Luther Goodell, forty-six. read these works of Dr. Nathaniel Lardner ^ The combined work of Rev. Simon years before, and commented freely, from Patrick, a learned English divine, and Bishop time to time, upon their great merits and Robert Lowth. great defects. 658 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. valuable. They were procured in England by the late Judge Ellsworth.' At bed-time was called to see a sick woman. Tarried out. Fkbruaby. 1. Visited the sick. Attended a funeral.^ Read. People appear affected and solemn at the divine visitations which we feel. Wrote to Frances. Am much fatigued by my constant labors. 2. Cold. Very good traveling, but no snow. Visited the sick. Attended the funeral of a child. ^ Was so much fatigued did not attend our usual prayer-meeting. Was considerably unwell in the evening. A valuable family removed from us for New Connecticut. On the 22d ult. received a letter from Rev. Mr. Storrs, of Longmeadow. 3. Warm for the season. Wrote. Received a letter from Mr. S. Clarke, of Northampton. Am considerably troubled with a pain in my side. Wrote notes for preaching. 4. Am so unwell as to speak with difficulty. Preached with old notes on Amos iv : 11. And with the notes written last evening on Job xiii : 15. Did not feel able to attend an evening conference. Wrote to my brother Frank. 5. Warm and pleasant. Afternoon attended the funeral of a child. My brother came down from Enfield and performed the funeral service. After which he returned. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Am sensibly better than I was yesterday. 6. Visited the sick. There are some new cases very bad. Afternoon rode to Hartford and met with our Association. There was no very important business. Returned late in the evening on account of our sick people. Slept at Capt. Bissell's.'' Mrs. HaskelP very low. 7. Visited the sick. Read Gov. Wolcott's Poetical Meditations!' I think our government has a prospect of trouble with Spain. 8. Very cold. An aged woman and one in middle life died with the prevailing epidemic ; ' sick about four days. Visited Mrs. Haskell twice. Visited others. Yesterday received a letter from Frances at Stamford. 9. The cold very severe. Attended the funeral of two women who died yesterday. Both corpses were carried into the meeting-house, and we had a solemn exercise. A similar occasion is not remembered here. At evening rode to the Hill, and at ten o'clock my good friend, Mrs. Haskell, died.' I have seldom been so much distressed at the loss of any friend. The connec- ' Judge Oliver Ellsworth, of whom we Captain Bissell. They lived near each other have frequently spoken. Dr. Robbins bought in two of the most pleasant houses in the this set probably from Mrs. Ellsworth. parish. These houses are still standing, and ^ This was the funeral of a child a year retain their old look of dignity. and a half old. ^ jhese were the Poetical Meditations of 3 Edward T. Charlton, two and a half Gov. Roger Wolcott, published in 1725. years. This was not all the poetry that Gov. Wol- * Captain Aaron Bissell, East Windsor cott wrote. Hill. 7 ^jj-s. Elizabeth Reed, eighty-one ; and ^ Mrs. Haskell, wife of Mr. E. B. Has- Mrs. Betsey Loomis, forty-four, kell, was, as will be remembered, daughter of * Mrs. Sophia Haskell, thirty. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 659 tions are exceedingly distressed. May God make them wise to salvation. Tarried at Mr. Haskell's. 10. Very cold, and the top of the ground dry and dusty. Spent much of the day with the afflicted. Read the Bible. I hope the severity of the pesti- lence is abating. Wrote. 11. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xvii : 10, to the end. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Hab. iii : 17-18. Meetings quite full. At evening attended a conference. Read the last sermon in Dr. Strong's two volumes.' We have now read the whole of them in course. They have been very well received. Many remark that they never saw so many mourners rise in our meeting-house on one Sabbath as today. 12. In the forenoon rainy. Afternoon attended the funeral of Mrs. Has- kell. A great many people attended. The scene was very affecting. At evening rode to Hartford. Paid for candles, $1.33. The roads quite wet. 13. Rode and visited the sick the most of the day. Received a letter from Mr. Parsons, of Enfield, informing me that the people there gave brother Frank a call yesterday. Votes one hundred and ten to twenty-one. I am sorry for this minority.^ I fear some of our sick are growing worse. At evening Frances returned from Stamford. 14. Extreme cold. Spent the day at home, and in my study. I have not had a day before for a long time. Wrote. Read Smith's ^ System of Divinity. 15. The cold very severe. The ground seems like a rock. Visited the sick. At evening preached at the academy with notes on Ps. xliii 15. I hope our epidemic is abating, though a few are very sick. 16. The cold abates. Rode to Wapping and visited. Visited the sick. A young woman died this morning.* I think she has got religion in her sick- ness. She has long been in deep concern about divine things. Very tired. 17. Visited the sick and convalescing. Afternoon attended the funeral of the young woman deceased yesterday. It snowed considerably. I have no time for study. This afternoon Mr. Everest,' an attorney, has died. He has been sick three months. The others generally have died in a few days. Wrote. Read the Bible. 18. Quite rainy. Meetings very thin. Preached all day with old notes on Lukexix: 42. Read the Bible. Visited. Had no conference. 19. In the forenoon it rained hard. The ground is almost covered with water. Afternoon attended the funeral of Mr. Everest. Visited a woman in a dying state. Wrote. 20. A worthy woman ^ died this morning. Read in the History of the ' Dr. Nathan Strong, of Hartford, pub- ^ Samuel Stanhope Smith, D. D., profes- lished two volumes of sermons preached sor in Princeton College. He published a 1798-1S00. Systetn of Ai^atural and Revealed Religion in ^ It was a drawback to his brother's call 1S16. The book was just out. Dr. Smith had that there should be this opposing vote. But a good reputation as a thinker and writer, no such trouble came from it as to prevent a * Miss Hannah Grant, twenty-two. life-long ministry. He stayed with his peo- * Mr. Sherman Everest, forty-one. pie till he died in 1850. ' Mrs. Lucina Reed, fifty-five. 66o DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1816. Council of Trent. Hindered with company. At evening my brother and Maj. Parsons came here from Enfield and tarried. The prospects there are favor- able. Warm and very wet. 21. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Reed. Visited the sick. Our epidemic grows more alarming. I think I took some cold. I cannot keep my feet dry. At evening was quite unwell. Rainy. 22. Am a little better than last evening, but quite feeble. Last evening an aged woman died.' Visited the sick. It snowed last night, and is now warm. I think I never saw our street so wet. Towards night rode to Hartford and attended a book auction. Bought some. The riding very bad. Received a good letter from my sister, and one from Mr. Bates,^ of Westfield. 23. Wrote to my brother at Enfield. Am troubled with a pain at my side. Attended a funeral. At evening preached a lecture in the school-house near me with old notes on Ezek. ix: 4. Am quite feeble. Hindered by company. A Mr. Brooks and a Miss Clarke came here from Haddam and were married.^ My friends at Wapping brought me four good loads of wood. I had got nearly out. Our epidemic is very fatal with old people. 24. Was called early to see a sick woman. She died in a little while after I left her.* She was a valuable member of the church. Visited the sick. The most of them appear to be convalescing. Very bad riding. Have very little time for study. The people appear quite sensible of my labors. Read the Bible. 25. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Luke iv : 27. Afternoon an old sermon on Heb. xii : 25. Four cases of mourners and two of sick were mentioned in the forenoon for prayers, and one of sick in the afternoon. Attended a funeral. At evening walked out. The ground very wet. 26. Worked some. Warm and pleasant. The ground begins to dry. Visited the sick. Our epidemic appears to be abating. At evening visited. 27. Read Hudibras. Am much troubled with a pain in my side. After noon visited a school. 28. Visited the sick. Rode to Hartford in a wagon. The roads dr^' some, but are still bad. Paid for books which I lately purchased at auction, $5.04. For a hamper of bottles and thirteen dozen of corks, $14.04. The gross of bottles was $12.50. Paid a merchant, $1.41. Reckoned with Gleason an account of five years. I received from him $120.00 for my editorial reviews for the Magazine, for the last two years. This sum I paid him in account. A small part of this is for stationery, but it is principally for books. I have received $1.50 of Sophia Tudor for the numbers of a last year's Magazine which was in Gleason's account. Read in the evening in Telemachus. 29. An aged woman died yesterday.* Visited a woman very low. Yester- day received of Mr. Wolcott, $40.00 on the note which I hold against the ' Widow Experience Loomis, seventy-six. years before, when he was preaching in their " Mr. Bates, a lawyer in Westfield. vicinity. ^ Mr. Daniel Brooks and Miss Lydia * Lavinia Praan, twenty-eight. Clarke. They probably knew Mr. Robbins * Widow Priscilla Loomis, seventy-four. I l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 66 1 society collector. Worked at my library. At evening rode to the Hill. Had appointed a meeting at the academy, but it was so rainy that we had none. Visited the sick. March. 1. A woman' died last evening in middle life, from perfect health, in about six days. Attended the funeral of the aged Mrs. Loomis. Visited the sick. Wrote to Capt. Clarke, of Turkey Hills. Visited. Tarried at Mr. Haskell's. The pain in my side is quite troublesome. 2. Visited the sick. Rainy. My brother Frank came here. Ke has been this week at Norfolk. Attended a funeral. My brother made but a short stay. The ground is very wet; the frost comes out fast. Wrote. Read Commentaries. 3. Rainy. Thin meeting. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xviii : 1-5. Afternoon preached with old notes on John viii : 24. Had no con- ference. At evening visited. 4. The pain in my side continues. Quite wet. Visited the sick. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Pretty thin on account of the weather. 5. Wrote to my sister. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. Rode out and visited. An aged man^ died yesterday. 6. Read the History of the Council of Trent? Mr. Amasa Loomis, from Colchester, called on me. Attended a funeral. Visited. Received my hamper of bottles from Hartford, and filled them with cider. There was one wanting and two broken. 7. Rode to Hartford. The roads are considerably dried. Put a note of $400.00 in the Phoenix Bank, and received $393.47. The note was dated March 6, for ninety-five days. Received a dividend of the Bank of $45.00. Paid an instalment of $187.50, which completes the sum of fifteen shares. Paid Mr. William Ellsworth,"* for Patrick and Lowth's Co?nmentary, $24.00. Allowed him $1.00 in addition, in consideration of having had the use of the work for several years. Paid a merchant, $5.00. Visited the sick. An elderly man' died this afternoon, taken sick last Saturday night. 8. This morning an elderly man ^ died. Our epidemic has been princi- pally with women, but now seems to be falling upon men. Quite cold. Last night it snowed some. Paid Maj. Martin Ellsworth,^ for Lardner's Works,. ' Mrs. Theodosia Tudor, thirty-six. ♦ This was the Hon. William W. Ells- ^ Mr. Nathan Higley, seventy-nine. worth, a distinguished lawyer, and one of the ^ The Council of Trent, so named because noble governors of Connecticut. Chief-Jus- it first came together at Trent, a city of the tice Oliver Ellsworth had four sons, and Tyrol, is regarded by the Roman Catholic William was the third. Church as the chietest of its Councils. It ^ Mr. Benajah Loomis, sixty-eight, first came together December 13, 1545, but ^ Mr. Moses Drake, sixty-seven, it had many adjournments, and met in dif- ^ Martin Ellsworth was the second son of ferent places, and did not finish its business Chief-Justice Ellsworth. He was not much until the 4lh of December, 1563. It was in public life, out of his own town of Wind- called especially to counteract the great sor, but in that town he was one of the fore- Protestant Reformation. most citizens. 662 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. eleven volumes in boards, $33.00. I am very glad to get them. Visited the sick. Wrote. 9. Read Clarke's Comtnentary. Afternoon attended the funeral of two elderly men. One of them was a Baptist, and Mr. Blakeslee, of Wapping, performed the service. Read the Bible. The ground is hard frozen. 10. Preached all day with an old sermon on Rom. viii : 24. At evening attended the conference. An elderly man ' died this afternoon, with an illness of less than five days. Had full meetings. 11. Visited the sick. Afternoon attended a funeral. A Methodist, from Orford,^ preached on the occasion. 12. It snowed the most of the day. Rode out and visited the sick. Read Clarke's Co?nfnentary. It has much learning and little religion. Visited. A young child died this evening. ^ 13. Am much troubled with a rheumatism in my hips. Visited the sick and afflicted. A very valuable and useful woman * died in the vigor of life. Catechised a school. Sleighs move some, but the going continues to be quite bad. 14. Wrote. Read the Bible. Afternoon attended the funeral of a child. At evening preached at the academy without any notes on Ps. xxxviii : 9. Preached quite poorly. 15. Quite cold. Read Council of Trent. Afternoon attended the affecting funeral of Mrs. Newbury. My brother Frank came here. After the funeral rode with him to Hartford. He traded pretty largely. Paid my merchant tailor, $3.63. 16. Wrote a sermon on Ps. cxix : 92. I have not written one before since January 13, on account of so much employment and a pain at my side. Suc- ceeded better, on account of health, than I feared. I think God is about to remember us in great mercy on account of our epidemic. Wrote my sermon in nine successive hours. 17. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Acts xvii : 3. Afternoon the sermon written yesterday. At evening attended the conference. Quite cold. Read the Bible. 18. Read Telemachus? Afternoon rode to Long Hill and visited a school. Visited. Very cold. The pain in my side is quite severe. 19. It snowed pretty hard the most of the day. Afternoon rode out in a sleigh and visited the sick. We have some new cases of sickness which are alarming. 20. Rode to Hartford. Pretty good sleighing. Purchased Calvin's Works, excepting his Institutes, which I had before, for which I paid my note for $50.00. I am very glad to get them. Renewed my note at the Hartford Bank and paid $73.27. Paid the Phoenix Bank for my Uncle Starr, $47.50. Paid to the Bible Society, to become a life-member, $40.00. At evening had * Mr. Alexander Stoughton, sixty-six. * Mrs. Elizabeth Newbury, fifty-one. * Now Manchester, Ct. s Ever old and ever new. The story has ^ Child of Mr. Roderick Ring. been read in many languages. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 663 a meeting and preached with old notes on Matt, xii : 15. Visited a woman apparently near dying. Baptized her infant child. 21. Was called early to see the woman' I visited last night. She expired before I arrived. The family is in a most distressed state. Visited the sick. Rode to Wapping and visited a school. Tarried out there. 22. Wrote a will for a man. Returned home. Had company. A pros- pect a little favorable appears to open for East Hartford. On the 20th wrote to Mr. Battell and to Mr. Bates, of Westfield. On the igth received a letter from my Uncle Starr and one from Mr. Battell. Read Clarke's Commmtary. Wrote. 23. Worked some. Received a letter from my brother Frank. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Phelps. Visited the sick. Rode 10 Enfield to exchange with my brother. Bad riding. 24. Last evening received a very friendly letter from Mr. Prescott,^ of Boston, with several pamphlets. Received a letter from the church in this town directed to my own. Preached in the forenoon on Mark viii : 34. After- noon, on I John v : 7. The snow mostly went off. The people here attend meeting well. My brother rode to East Windsor in the morning and returned in the evening. Had company. 25. Walked out with my brother. The people appear to be much attached to him, and pleased with the prospect of his settling with them. I think the prospects are quite favorable. Afternoon rode home. A child ^ died here this morning. 26. I hope the pain at my side has left me. Wrote. Afternoon attended the funeral of a child. Visited. Warm. 27. Quite warm. Worked laying up my wood for the next season. After- noon visited a school well instructed. The other visitors attend pretty well. 28. The ground settles very fast. Visited. Rode to Wapping and visited a school. Was out late. 29. Visited the school at the Hill in the forenoon, and in the afternoon attended the examination of the academy. Visited a sick woman. The epidemic set in soon after childbed. 30. Wrote the most of a sermon on Deut. ix : 5. Towards night was called to see a woman very sick. Tarried out over night. Was up late. Baptized the sick woman's child.'* 31. Last night it snowed some. Rode to meeting in the forenoon in a sleigh. Preached all day with old notes on Heb. vi : 4, 5, 6. Bad going and thin meeting. April. I. A woman died* last night with our epidemic, having recently lain in ' Mrs. Elizabeth Phelps, and her child probably of Sherman Everest, who died that was baptized was named Julia Ann. about a month before. * This was probably Judge William Pres- * Mary, daughter of James and Mary cott, son of Col. William Prescott, and father Killam. of William H., the historian. - Mrs. Mary Killam, twenty-nine. Her ^ Edward D. Everest, six years old, son child was baptized the day before. 664 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1816, with her first child. Worked at my wood. Visited. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. We had some rain in the evening with consider- able lightning. 2. Read Encyclopedia, Plowed a place for early peas. Afternoon attended the fmieral of Mrs. Killam. Quite cold. Visited. 3. Rode to Hartford, The road is mostly settled. There is talk at Hartford of settling a colleague with Dr. Strong.* Visited. At evening attended the meeting of our Moral Society. Tarried out. 4. Visited, Planted peas. Read Encyclopcedia. Visited a school. It is a time of great stupidity with this people. 5. Worked some. Read, Wrote notes and preached in the afternoon a preparatory lecture on Isa. Ivi : i. Visited. 6. Rode to the upper part of Scantick to visit a young man belonging here very sick. Visited Gen. Jenks,^ at Warehouse Point. He is in a poor state. Rainy. 7. Preached with old notes in the forenoon on Hab. ii : 3. Finished a sermon and preached it in the afternoon on Deut. ix : 5. Administered the sacrament. The church not very full. Our number is sensibly diminished by deaths and removals. Five members have died since our last communion. At evening attended the conference. Quite full. 8. Visited a sick man. Attended Freemen's Meeting. The votes for Gov. Smith/ 187 ; Wolcott/ 89. The Episcopalians are trying to make a party and trouble in the State. Rode to Hartford. That town has chosen Democratic Representatives for the first time.' 9. Visited. Wrote. Quite warm. The Massachusetts election issues more favorably than we feared.* 10. Began a sermon for the Fast on Hag. i: 9, 10, 11. Interrupted by company. Wrote but little and poorly. Afternoon rode to the Hill and attended the funeral of Backus Lyman, who died at Scantick. 11. Dr. McClure attended a funeral at Mr. Watson's of his grandchild, who died suddenly, belonging to Hartford. I was not sj^oken to on the subject, and did not attend. Wrote the most of the day on my Fast sermon. Re- ceived a letter from Mr. Goodwin,^ of Hartford. The Democrats in the State have made very great exertions at the late Freemen's Meeting, and have ' It was talked about for some time, favor of the war. He followed Gov. Smith but the thing was not done. Dr. Strong as Governor in 1817, and continued in office died the following year. about ten years. '^ Gen. Charles Jenks, before noticed. ^ There began to be a sharp reaction He came to Warehouse Point from Rhode against the Federalists. The Hartford Con- Island, and carried on a gin distillery, which vention was never generally popular, even in was not then regarded as a disreputable New England, business. 6 Gov. Caleb Strong, of Northampton, ^ Gov. John Cotton Smith, first elected in who had very strongly opposed the war, was 1813 and continued till 1817. superseded by John Brooks, M. D., LL. U., * The Wolcott family were generally Fed- of the same party, eralist, but the younger Oliver Wolcott left ' Mr. George Goodwin, probably of the his party in 1S12, and threw his support in Connecticut Coitrant. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. Co^ almost carried the election.' Hindered by company. Wrote to my brother Samuel. The late Holy League between the great monarchs of Europe appears to be the most auspicious event to the interests of Christianity that has occurred for several ages.^ On the 9th wrote to Mr. Samuel Clarke, of Northampton. Wrote late. 12. Fast. Finished and preached my sermon on Hag. i : 9, 10, 11. Cold and wet. Last night it snowed considerably. Meeting quite thin. Walked out. 13. April 2d lent Horace Wolcott $36.00, which was paid on the 13th. Paid in March $1.57, for two webbing straps to inter the dead. Worked some. Wrote. Afternoon rode to East Hartford and attended a funeral and visited sick persons. Our State election appears to have been saved by a kind Providence, though we were never in so great danger, and never came so near losing it. Mr. Cooke came here from Orford, with whom I had agreed to exchange for tomorrow. My brother Frank came here from Norfolk, and insists that I shall go to Enfield, and he will go to Orford. A Mr. Collins,^ of Guilford, recently licensed as a candidate, came here to study a few weeks. He boards at Mr. Tudor's. 14. Rode quite early to Enfield. Very cold. The ground considerably frozen. Preached all day on Isa. i : 28. At evening returned. 15. Cleared my asparagus beds. But the weather is so cold that vegeta- tion does not appear to advance at all. Read. My brother Frank came here from Orford and went to Enfield. Afternoon rode to East Hartford and attended a funeral. Rode to Hartford. Visited. Rev, Mr, Storrs,* of Ash- ford, called on me in the evening. Received a letter from Mr. Clarke, of Northampton. Yesterday Mr. Prudden gave me fifteen copies of my sermon at his father's funeral. Paid for pamphlets, .50. Purchased a ticket with the avails of my last one, which drew a $7.00 prize in the Washington Bridge Lottery. 16. Worked some. Wrote. The weather very cold and rough.^ Walked and visited. Received a letter from Esq. Bates, of Westfield. 17. Rode to Enfield. Had the company of Mr, Bartlett from his house. Attended a fast previous to ordination, Mr, Bartlett preached in the fore- noon. I preached in the afternoon on 2 Chron, vi : 41, Returned. Severe cold. * This shows a very decided reaction. peror of Russia. What such men might call Generally the Democrats in the State had Christian principles would be very suspi- been in a small minority. cious to ordinary men and women. ^ It looked well at first sight, but prac ^ This seems to have been Rev. Amos B. tically it was a banding together of kings Collins. and rulers for their own interests as against * Rev. William Storrs, of what is now the people. This Holy Alliance, as it was known as Westford, a part of the ancient called, between the Emperors of Russia and Ashford. Mr. Storrs was pastor there 1790- Austria and the King of Prussia, was a com- 1S24. ])act to govern themselves by Christian prin- ' The cold summer was coming on, with ciples. The plan originated with the Em- its frosts every month. 666 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. 18. Worked some. Rode to Orford and preached a singing-lecture for Mr. Cook, on Ps. xxvii : 4. Returned. That society is evidently strength- ening. 19. Walked and visited all day. Vegetation does not seem to advance at all. The ground is very dry. It is a time of great stupidity here. 20. Wrote a sermon on i John v: 21. I write with very little feeling. Yesterday gave away a number of tracts. 21. Studied my exposition considerably. Expounded in the forenoon on Matt, xviii: 15-23. Afternoon preached on i John v: 21. The dust flies very much. At evening attended the conference, Mr. Collins assisted. 22. Worked some. Had company. At evening wrote a Right Hand of Fellowship. Wrote late. 23. Rode with Dea. Loomis/ my delegate, to Enfield, to attend my brother's ordination. The most of the council were present, which was numerous. My brother appeared very well on examination. Received a valuable pamphlet, a present from Dr. West, of Stockbridge. Probably his last effort. 24. Warm and very pleasant. The ordination solemnities were performed with great propriety. Dr. Hyde ^ preached exceeding well. I gave the Right Hand of Fellowship. The audience was unusually great. My brother Ammi and his daughter, and my nieces Eliza and Sally were there. Brother Frank appeared very well. After the exercises rode home. My brother Ammi came down with me. I thank God for this day. I consider it a great mercy to have my brother settled so agreeably, and so near me. It has been the object of my constant hope ever since Mr. Prudden's death. 25. Worked at my garden ; planted peas. Quite warm. Diminished my dress. At evening preached at the academy with old notes on Ps. liii: 6. Full meeting. 26. The ground is so dry that vegetation advances very little. Wrote. Worked some. Rode out and visited. 27. Worked driving a scraper. Wrote. Am troubled with a lame back. Paid thirty cents for a quarter's postage of my Boston newspaper. 28. Quite warm. Preached an old sermon on Matt, viii : 34. Meeting full and solemn. Attended the conference. 29. Very warm. Took off my flannel. In the morning rode to Hartford. The Female Benevolent Society of this place paid $20.00 to Connecticut Bible Society. My brother Frank and niece Eliza came here from Enfield and made a short visit. Eliza resides with him at present. Visited. I have not until now finished my annual visiting for the present year. At the first oi May last there were in this society one hundred and seventy-four familes, thirty-seven of whom were certificate people. I have visited all of them but the elder Mr. Watson. 30. The weather is warm for summer. The ground is exceeding dr}'. The air is full of smoke from great fires which have lately prevailed in the ' Dea. Amasa Loomis. * Dr. Alvan Hyde, of Lee, Mass. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 667 woods. Rode to Orford and attended the meeting of the Washington Benevo- lent Society. Mr. Cooke preached. The blossoms begin to appear on the peach-trees. Saw them yesterday on the daffas. Cut our first asparagus. At evening attended a conference, appointed by request, which was full and solemn. I cannot but hope we have some presages of good. May. 1. Wrote. Very warm. Afternoon attended the meeting of the Moral Society. Dr. McClure delivered a very good public address. Mr. Wolcott went to Colchester and brought home his son. Sent $8.00 to Boston for two volumes of the Christian Observer, and $3.00 for the Recorder newspaper, for a year. Read. 2. Read Campbell ' on the Gospels. Finished his Dissertatiojis, which are good. Visited. 3. Worked all day getting up young elms in the woods and setting them in the street.'' At evening rode to East Hartford to see a sick woman. She died while I was present. Yesterday wrote to brother Frank. 4. Wrote a sermon on Prov. viii : 17. Am considerably troubled with the efforts of the Wapping Baptists to get in here. The ground is very dry. 5. Expounded in the forenoon on Matt, x viii : 23 to xix : 16. Afternoon preached on Prov. viii : 17. I think I have never known our street so full of dust. It was very tedious. We had our missionary contribution. Not so great as last year, on account, I suppose, of the great scarcity of money. We got $44.72. We had three $5.00 bills, two of $2.00, nine of $1.00, and one hundred and twenty-nine small bills and pieces of silver. At evening rode out and married a couple.^ $1.00. 6. Rode out and visited. Attended two company trainings. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Mr. Parsons," a clergyman from Vermont, came here and tarried. 7. Paid Mr. Parsons for a book, $1.75. Read Campbell on the Gospels. Things that are growing we have to water by hand. Worked some. The wind is quite high. Visited. 8. Worked in my garden with a scraper. Visited a woman very sick. Quite cold. The fruit-trees have a full blowth. 9. Rode early to Hartford to attend the election. Attended the meeting of the Bible Society. Mr. Flint preached very well. The number of ministers not so great as usual. Very few from out of the State. The dust was very * Dr. George Campbell, before noticed. in going from East Hartford up through South ^ From the lower end of East Hartford Windsor to East Windsor are now, probably, Street, almost all the way to East Windsor two hundred years old. Hill and beyond, the traveler, at the present ^ Mr. Cyprian Taylor, of East Hartford, day, finds a succession of elm trees, some of and Pamela Anderson. them of gigantic size. Doubtless some of •♦ This was probably Rev. Silas Parsons, these trees in the south part of South Wind- brother of Rev. Justin Parsons, before sor are the very ones which Dr. Robbins noticed. Rev. Silas Parsons had been set- was setting out in the spring of 1S16. Some tied in Sudbury, Vt., since 1806, but was dis- of the gigantic elms which the traveler passes missed in this year, 1S16. 668 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. tedious. The Ministers' Annuity Society and the directors of the same had their annual meetings. The state of the votes appeared more favorably than was expected.' Returned in the evening. 10. Wrote records of the Ministers' Annuity Society. Rode out and visited. The apple-tree blossoms are out considerably. Things grow verj' little in the garden. 11. Wrote a sermon on Acts viii : 30, 31. Rode to the upper part of East Hartford and visited a sick man. In the afternoon we had a small and ver}' refreshing shower. 12. In the morning and towards night we had two moderate showers. Thin meeting. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Matt, iii : 2. Afternoon, the sermon written yesterday. At evening attended the confer- ence. Brother Frank came here and tarried. 13. In the morning we had a very fine shower. The ground is very much refreshed. Wrote. Afternoon rode to the hither part of East Hartford and attended a funeral. At evening attended a conference. I am exceedingly distressed with my afHictions.^ 14. Worked some. Quite cold. Devoted a considerable part of the day to meditation and prayer under my severe trials. May the Lord help and guide me. Visited. Wrote. 15. This morning there was quite a severe frost. Rode to Hartford. Looked over some London catalogues of books, and wrote to Mr. Howe, of New Haven, to import some for me. Paid $8.00 for Blackstone's Commentaries. At evening heard a sermon preached to the Moral Society by Mr. Field,' of Haddam, Walked home late. 16. In the forenoon rode out and visited. Afternoon rode to East Hart- ford and preached a preparatory lecture on i John v : 21, After the exercises attended a church meeting, and the church gave Mr. Fairchild '* a call to be their pastor unanimously. In the evening performed a marriage.' Returned. I hope we have some small tokens of the presence of God's Spirit among us. 17. Rode to Scantick, Enfield, West Suffield, and Turkey Hills, for col- lecting an account of the state of the churches for Association. Dined with my brother at Enfield. Quite cold. Some frost* this morning. The fruit- trees are generally in blossom. 18. Considerable frost. People feel concerned for the early kinds of * The times, politically, began to be trying ^ Dr. David Field, father of David Dud- to Dr. Robbins, Oliver Wolcott, LL. D., ley, Cyrus, and Dr. Henry M. Field, the second of that name, and the opposing * Rev. Joy H, Fairchild, D. D., who was candidate for Governor that year, was a graduated at Yale in 1813, remained at East personal friend, and Mr. Robbins had often Hartford from i8i6 to 1S27, removed to been to his house in Litchfield. He was kin- South Boston, where he had a peculiar dred to the family where Dr. Robbins was history. He died in 1S59. boarding. s fhe parties married were Lewis Carver ' He refers probably to the great number and Lucinda Cowles, of East Hartford, of deaths among his people, but in addition, * It is not strange to have frosts in the there was doubtless something special and middle of May, but this year they weie to peculiar to himself. be in the summer months also. l8l6.] , PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 669 fruit. Tarried last night with Rev, Mr. Clarke.' There is a pleasing prospect that he will be settled here. Rode to Northington,^ Farmington, West Hart- ford, and home. The religious aspect of our associational limits is rather gloomy. Very tired. The ground is about as dry as before the late rains. A very full blowth on the fruit-trees. 19. Rode quite early to Scantick for an exchange with Mr. Bartlett. Mr. Brockway preached in my pulpit.' In the forenoon preached on Acts viii : 30, 31. Afternoon on i John v: 7. Rode to Warehouse Point and preached in the church at five o'clock on Jer. xiv : 8. Crossed the river to Pine Meadow, and attended a conference in the evening, and preached without any notes on Acts viii : 30,31. Tarried with Mr. Haskell.'* 20. Crossed over to the Point. Visited. Rode home. Am much overcome by my late fatigues. Read. At evening had a full and solemn conference. 21. Worked a considerable part of the day in my garden. At evening performed a marriage.^ Visited a sick man, in the edge of Scantick. 22. Wrote. Very warm. We had a very refreshing shower. Rode to Hartford. 23. Quite rainy. Rode to the hither part of Scantick and attended a funeral. I can do very little business. 24. Cool. Worked in my garden. Visited a sick man. 25. Wrote a sermon on Dan. ix : 10. Quite wet and cold. I think we have a prospect of much wet to succeed our uncommon drought. 26. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xix : 16 to xx : 17. Afternoon preached on Dan. ix : 10. At evening had a full and solemn conference. 27. Rode to Hartford. Dined with the Norfolk representatives.* I meet with some painful disappointments. Am collecting an account of the state of the churches for Association. 28. Rode to Windsor, Wintonbury, Simsbury, and tarried in the upper part of Canton. Warm. I cannot make very rapid progress with my collections. 29. Last night it became very cold for the season. Quite cold through the day. Rode to Barkhamsted, West and East Hartland, Granby, and Turkey Hills. Our churches generally are in a pretty cold state. 30. This morning there was considerable frost. It is hoped it was not hard enough to hurt the fruit. Rode through Suffield and Enfield home. Received a letter from the church at Norfolk for this church, requesting our assistance at their expected ordination.^ ' Rev. Eber L. Clark, who failed of his family. He died only three or four months settlement at East Hartford, a short time after this visit, aged seventy, before. * Flavel Whiting, of Ellington, and Esther ^ Avon. Elmer. ^ When he reached Scantic he found that ^ The Norfolk representatives that year Mr. Brockway, of Ellington, was there, so he were Mr. Nathaniel Stevens and Mr. Elizur made his exchange through him. Munger. ■* Mr. Jabez Haskell, who came to Wind- ^ The desire of their hearts was gratified, sor from Rochester, Mass. He was a prom- and they were to have tutor Ralph Emer- inent citizen, and had a large and interesting son of Yale College for their minister. 670 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROEBINS, D.D. [1816. 31. Yesterday received a letter from my brother James. I never had so great trials as now. Rode to Orford and saw Mr. Cook. Returned through Wapping. I have now spent about seven days in making the collections of the state of our churches for the Association. There was a little frost this morning. Wrote on my account for Association, At evening had a full conference, June. 1. Wrote a sermon on Luke xiii : 8, 9, Am pretty feeble. Walked out. Quite warm. 2. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. Iv : 16. Afternoon preached on Luke xiii : 8, g. At evening had a full and serious conference. 3. Wrote on my report for the Association. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 4. Wrote. Rode to West Hartford in company with my brother, and met with the Association.' The meeting was full. My brother joined the body. Finished and read my report on the state of the churches. We had a little rain. The ground is very dry. A little frost was seen this morning. 5. The Association completed their business. Afternoon we had a very refreshing shower. Rode home. Very warm. 6. Wrote. The weather became quite cold and windy. Walked out and visited. 7. There was a high wind last night and no apparent frost. Yet many things are doubtless injured by the cold. Most people that are out wear great coats. A steady fire is required.^ Rode to Hartford. Paid the Phoenix Bank, $45.88, and renewed my note. Borrowed of Mr. Wolcott, $20.00. At evening attended our weekly conference. I am very much oppressed with anxiety.' 8. The cold does not appear to mitigate, though on account of the wind there seems to be no frost. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Enfield to exchange with brother Frank. He rode to East Windsor, 9. The cold and wind still continue. The last three days have been very extraordinary. It is said that there was snow at the northward last Thursday. Gardens are very much injured. Preached on Acts viii: 30, 31; and Luke xiii : 8, 9. This congregation is sensibly larger than in years past. Towards evening rode down to the upper part of my society and attended a conference. 10. Yesterday the weather became still and more moderate, and this morn- ing there was considerable frost. Rode to Norfolk to attend the proposed ordination of Mr. Emerson. Tudor goes with me. My mother appears very well. Brother Frank and cousin Eliza* came from Enfield. Mr. Emerson arrived here last Friday. Uncle and Aunt Starr came here. * Hartford North Association. much to do with it. People were living ' This, be it remembered, is the 7th of entirely out of season, and this itself pro- June, but this is the cold summer. duces a strange effect upon the system. ^ The state of the weather, doubtless, had * Mrs. Olmstead. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 671 11. Reckoned accounts with Aunt Starr' and received from her $1.20. The council met the whole Consociation and a number of other ministers, ind attended the examination of Mr. Emerson and some other consociational md associational business. Mr. Emerson appeared very well on examina- :ion. At evening brother James and his wife came here. The frost* this morning is thought to have been harder than yesterday. The corn is supposed to have been killed even with the ground. Yesterday received a letter from East Hartford inviting me to attend the proposed ordination there. ^ 12. No frost I believe. We had a very agreeable ordination. I declined taking a part in the public exercises. They were very well performed. The concourse of people was greater I think than I have ever seen in this town. The revivals of religion recently and at present, through this Association, are very great. I trust ]\Ir. Emerson will be very useful here. More than sixty persons dined at the public dinner. 13. Uncle Starr went away. Warm. Spent the most of the day with Mr. Emerson's brother, who is in a poor state of health. Dined at Mr. Battell's. He had green peas brought from New York. My brother Samuel has a prospect of marrying. 14. Rode home. Early in the morning attended the prayer-meeting. Quite warm. Towards night we had a hard and refreshing thunder-shower. I\Iy brother Samuel paid me $1.00 for Mr. Gleason, the bookseller. Quite oppressed with want of sleep. My burden still continues.* 15. Wrote. Read. Do not feel able to write a sermon today. My brother Frank and Eliza called here on their way to Enfield. Worked some in the garden. We have accounts of considerable snow having fallen at the westward and northward on the 6th inst. 16. Expounded in the forenoon on Matt, xx : 17 to xxi : 12. Afternoon preached an old sermon on John x: 10. At evening had a full conference. Am troubled with a painful stiff neck. 17. Wrote. Afternoon walked to Windsor and attended a funeral. Vis- ited a sick person. Returned and visited. 18. Read Wardlaw' and Lardner* on the Logos. We had a hard rain. Walked and visited. Tarried out. The rain is very refreshing. Saw the Rev. Mr. Abbott/ of Salem. 19. Visited. People are but beginning to hoe their corn. The most of our newspapers publish religious intelligence. 20. Worked in the garden. Rode to Hartford. Paid the bank, $22.94, and gave a new note of $180.00 payable Oct. loth. Paid $5.00 to the Min- isters' Annuity Society. Visited. The weather is very pleasant, but not very ' This was the new Aunt Starr. His ^ To settle Rev. Joy H. Fairchild. real aunt, it will be remembered, died some * A repetition of such hints shows that he years before. had some special cause of trouble. ^ A frost in June happens not unfre- ' Ralph Wardlaw, D. D. quently, but frosts morning after morning, to ^ Nathaniel Lardner, D. D. the middle of June nearly, was according to ^ Rev. John Emery Abbott, of Salem, the st)de of the cold summer. Mass., previously noticed. 672 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. warm. Yesterday received a letter from the church in Turkey Hills desiring our assistance in their expected installation.' 21. Planted watermelons. Rode to East Hartford and attended their fast previous to ordination. Mr. Cook preached in the forenoon ; I did in the afternoon^ on 2 Chron. vi : 41. At evening attended a conference. Received a letter from Horace Loomis in New Connecticut. 22. Received a letter from my brother Ammi. Quite warm. Rode out and visited. Towards evening rode to Orford on an exchange. Mr. Fair- child is to preach for me. 23. Very warm. Much oppressed with the heat. Preached twice on Acts viii : 30, 31, and Luke xiii : 8, 9. After meeting rode home and performed a marriage.^ At evening attended the conference. Very tired. 24. The heat very severe. Read. Worked in the garden. Visited. 25. Read Wardlaw. We had a hard rain. Rode to East Hartford to attend the ordination of Mr. Fairchild. Met with the council. It is rather small. Mr. Fairchild appeared well on examination. 26. Attended the ordination. Made the first prayer in the public exer cises. The prospects of this society are now quite favorable. I trust Mr. Fairchild will be a valuable neighbor to me. Rode home. The good Lord has been my helper. I hope to spend my days for his service and praise. Much fatigued. 27. Rainy. Read. Afternoon rode and walked to Windsor and attended a funeral. Mr. Rowland is still absent. 28. Worked considerably. Afternoon rode to Hartford. A fine season for vegetation. At evening attended the conference. 29. Wrote. Rode to Simsbury to exchange with Mr. McLean.'* Went through Poquonnock. 30. Preached on Gal. iv : 5, and Luke xiii : 8, 9. Towards evening attended a prayer-meeting in the meeting-house. The late revival here has given this people a different religious character. Mr. McLean is ver)' laborious and useful here. July. 1. Visited. Rode through Hartford home. Received at the Hartford Bank a dividend of $12.00, one half of which I paid to Mr. Wolcott as be- longing to him. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting at the meeting-house. Read the report of the late General Association of the state of religion. I presume there has never been so great a work of divine grace in this State for one year as in the one now past.^ 2. Rode to Enfield and to Turkey Hills to attend the installation of Mr. ' Rev. Eber L. Clark was called there. * Rev. Allen McLean. He continued ^ This custom of observing a day of there till his death in 1S61, though after 1850 fasting and prayer before settling a minister he had a colleague. seems to have been common at that time. * This is a strong statement, when the ^ Samuel Phelps, of Windsor, and Emily work in Whitefield's day, back in the years Newbury. 1741-1742, is remembered. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 673 Clark. Very warm and dusty. The council met. I was appointed scribe. Dea. Reed' went with me, 3. Attended the installation of Mr. Clark. The exercises were good. The audience was quite numerous. The society is very well united. Rode home. Very tired. Received a letter from brother James. I have great occasion to bless the Lord. 4. Read. Wrote. Worked some. Cool for the season. We have green peas^ from a neighbor. Our early ones were injured by cattle. The first we had, which was about as early as any others, was on the 23d ult. Rode out and visited. 5. Wrote the most of a sermon on Rom. xii : 2. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Mai. iii: 16. At evening attended a conference. 6. Wrote a sermon on Ps. li : 4. I am oppressed with a very great degree of hardness. I have to lose a great deal of time in sleep.^ 7. Finished and preached in the forenoon my sermon on Rom. xii: 2. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. A thing very uncommon with me to preach two separate written sermons on one Sabbath. Adminis- tered the sacrament. The church was quite full. At evening had a very full conference. Very tired. Very cold for the season. Last night it was almost cold enough for a frost.* 8. Rode to Hartford. Visited Dr. Strong. Had Mr. Wolcott's carriage thoroughly repaired, for which I expect to pay the charge. Very dry and cool. People are beginning haying. The grass is very light. Mr. Collins,* the candidate, came here and tarried. Had company. 9. This morning there was almost a frost. Wrote. Worked in the garden. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick man. 10. Read. Afternoon worked raking hay. It is said frost was seen in some places this morning and yesterday morning. Walked out.^ 11. Wrote. The peas in my own garden yield pretty well. Began a sermon on Matt, vi: 13. Walked out and visited. Tarried out. 12. Visited. I think three or four persons here have got religion during the present year. The ground is very dry. At evening attended the conference. 13. Wrote on a sermon. Wrote eleven pages in the day and one in the evening. My health is much better than a few weeks ago. 14. Finished and preached my sermon on the Divine Glory. It appeared more interesting than I expected. After meeting rode to Wapping and attended a third meeting. Baptized five children at home and the same 'Dea. Abner Reed, who afterwards * This July 7th of the cold summer, moved to Ohio. * Mr. Levi Collins, a native of Somers. ^ Peas will stand the cold weather when ^ It has long been a common saying, as beans, corn, vines, etc., will suffer and die. already stated, that in the cold summer of 1816 ^ The human race, for a great many gen- there was frost every month. But fortunately erations, has had to lose about one third of there was one crop, the potato, that did not their time in sleep. suffer from this severe cold. 674 DIARV OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. number at Wapping, and but one in any one family,' Preached at Wapping on John i : lo. At Iiome on Matt, vi : 13. Warm. I think I never saw our street so dry. 15. Very warm. Read. Rode out with Ursula. She appears to get better slowly. Wrote. 16. Wrote. Worked some. Very warm. Read Campbell's Gospels. This morning there was a little rain. People are alarmed at the small quantity of hay. 17. Rode to Hartford. The heat and dust very severe. Received $30.00 as a dividend from the Eagle Bank. Rode out and visited. Traded con- siderably with Mr. Haskell. Gave Mr. Wolcott's two daughters silk for gowns, which cost nearly twelve dollars. We had a severe gust of wind but very little rain. 18. Read Campbell. Attended the funeral of an infant child. Cool. Visited. 19. Read. Rode with Ursula, as I do frequently.^ Began a sermon on Tit. ii : II, 12. Wrote but a little. At evening had a full conference. 20. Wrote laboriously all day. Wrote to brother Frank. Towards night we had a very refreshing shower. I think I have never seen the ground so dry. 21. Finished and preached my sermon on Tit. ii : 11, 12. I have now written and preached two single and two double sermons for three successive Sabbaths. Warm. Attended conference in the evening. Very tired. 22. Wrote. Read Campbell. Almost all newspapers now publish relig- ious intelligence.^ A wonderful change seems to be taking place in public sentiment. I have to lose a great deal of time in sleep. Went over to Windsor with Mrs. Wolcott and made a visit. 23. Read. Worked in the garden. Very warm. Visited. At evening rode to the upper part of East Hartford and performed a marriage* 24. Late last evening my brother Frank came here. Rode with him to Middletown and attended the ordination of Mr. Goodrich.* The parts were well performed. Returned. Very warm. 25. In the morning we had a moderate and very refreshing rain. My brother rode home. Began a piece for the religious paper at New Haven. I think of writing considerably for that paper. I pray for divine teaching and assistaace. Had company. ' The names of these children were * Between George Marsh and Sarah Elizabeth Reed McKinney ; Mary Alice Gates, of East Hartford. Gillett; Thomas Anderson; Aaron Gilman ^ chauncey Allen Goodrich, D. D., was Williams; Roxey Skinner; Frederic Henry settled over the First Church in Middletown, Sadd; Alfred Skinner Grant; Evalina Mun- which Rev. Dan Huntington left in the sell ; Joel Utley Green, and Timothy previous February. Dr. Goodrich was there Loomis Skinner. but one year, when he was called to be Pro- * She had been sick, but was convalescing. fessor of Rhetoric and English Literature in ' This is far more true now than it was Yale College, where, in one connection or an- tben. other, he remained till the end of his life. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 675 26. Wrote. Carried dinner to the harvest field. I believe I have never been so late, by several days, on a similar occasion, yet the grain is hardly fit to cut. The whortleberries are not ripe. At evening attended the conference. 27. Wrote. Worked in the garden. Afternoon rode to Glastonbury to exchange with Mr. Hawes.' Met him going to East Windsor. We had a small shower. 28. Wet and something rainy. Preached from Ps. li : 4, and Gal. iv : 5. Mr. Hawes came home. Had no third meeting on account of the weather. I think the congregation here is not quite as large as mine. Eat cucumbers. 29. Rode home. Read. Our country abounds with religious and chari- table societies. Worked in my garden. Walked out and visited. Received a letter from my brother James. 30. Rode out and visited. Dined out. We have warm days and cool nights. Rode to Hartford. People are generally engaged in their harvest. 31. Rode with Mr. Flint from Hartford, and made a visit to Mr. Bartlett's. His family has become quite large."^ The harvest comes in very well. There is no rust or blast. Had company. I have done but little business lately. I am ashamed of my negligence. August. 1. Wrote on pieces for the New Haven newspaper.^ Quite warm. At evening walked out. 2. Wrote. Read Suetonius.* Very warm. Attended our evening confer- ence. Find some difficulty in conducting those meetings in the most useful manner. 3. Wrote a sermon on Heb. xii : 2. I believe I wrote it quicker than I ever did one before, within a period of less than six and one half hours. Eat a light dinner, and resumed my writing immediately. Went into the water. 4. Expounded in the forenoon on Matt, xxi : 12 to 33. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. Wet and rainy. Had no conference. Read the Bible. Yesterday we had our first cucumbers. 5. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Goodrich, of Middletown. Worked in the garden. Sultry hot. Yesterday wrote to Mr. Brockway and the church of Ellington, recommending one of our church-members, who has removed to that place. Wrote to Mr, Goodrich. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Rainy. 6. Rode with Ursula to Windsor. Mr. Ellsworth^ concluded to sell me Whitby * on the Neiv Testament. I am very glad to get it. I have now a very perfect set of Commentaries. Ursula gains very much in her health. ' Rev. Prince Hawes. writer of the first century, known for his '^ There were then seven children in Rev. Lives of the Twelve Ccesars, and his Notices of Mr. Bartlett's family. Grammarians, Rhetoricians, and Poets. ^ This was the Religious Intelligencer, ' Probably ISIaj. Martin Ellsworth, published in magazine form. It continued '' Rev. Daniel Whitby, 163S-1726. His in existence for a number of years, but was Commentary on the New Testament was not a great success. long regarded by scholars as very valuable, * Caius Tranquillus Suetonius, a Roman and very needful for a minister's library. 676 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. 7. Prepared some pieces that I have been writing for publication, and wrote to Mr. Whiting, of New Haven. Walked out and visited. At evening married my neighbor, Mr. Reed.' 8. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick man. The harvest is not yet in. It is in general very good. The head and kernel are as good as can ever be remembered. Very warm. Vegetation has advanced lately very rapidly. Walked out and visited. Wrote. 9. Wrote a piece for publication. Rode to Windsor and back. At evening attended a conference. Read the Bible. 10. Looked over my pecuniary accounts for a year past. Being in some expectation of an exchange tomorrow, I did not write a sermon. Read the Bible. Am greatly troubled with scattered thoughts in meditation. On the 7th visited a small school of young ladies, which has been recently established here. I hope it will be permanent and useful. On the 8th paid for sawing timber. 11. Preached an old sermon on Rom. vii : lo. Had a very full meeting. At evening attended the conference. Had a solemn and I hope a profitable day. Eat a sound and good apple of last year's growth. Endeavored to devote the day, so far as I could consistently with other duties, to a proper attention to the interesting scenes which it naturally presents to my mind. Lord, let thy blessing rest upon my friends, upon my people, and upon the whole Israel of God. 12. Rode to Enfield with Ursula and visited my brother and Eliza. Very warm. Bought some books that were Mr. Prudden's. Returned late. 13. Read old books. Wrote. Our newspapers become quite barren. Hindered by company. Walked out and visited. The ground exceeding dry. 14. Wrote a piece for publication. Rode to Hartford. Bought some books at vendue. People feel anxious about the approaching Freemen's Meeting. The heat very severe. 15. Read. Visited sick persons. Wrote. Afternoon worked in the meadow making hay. The hay is pretty light. 16. Walked out and visited. Looked over my pecuniary accounts. My expenses seem to increase. Wrote to my sister Battell. At evening attended the conference. 17. Wrote a sermon in seven successive hours on 2 Cor. vi: i. I have to spend a good deal of time in watering trees. Vegetation seems to be expiring. Went into the water. 18. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on 2 Kings vii : 3. After- noon the sermon written yesterday. The heat very severe and the drought very alarming. Towards night we had a season for prayer at the meeting- house on account of the drought. Mr. Blakeslee,^ from Wapping, was present and assisted. The Baptist people appeared to be displeased. While at the meeting we had a trifling shower. ' Justus Reed and Mrs. Lydia Burnham. '' There was no Baptist church then in This was his third marriage. Wapping, but this Mr. Blakeslee lived there. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 677 19. Rode to Pine Meadow (Windsor) and visited old Mr. Haskell.' He is quite low. The heat about as severe as yesterday. In the afternoon there was a small shower. Visited. An exceeding good crop of oats and flax. Eat a little green corn. The first I have seen. 20. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Fairchild.^ Rode to East Hartford in the morning and attended the funeral of a child from New York. Towards night the weather grew cooler. There were showers around us, but we got but little rain. Visited a school. At evening wrote considerably. 21. Wrote. Quite cool. Had company. My brother Frank and Mr. Emerson, of Norfolk, came here. Mr. Emerson tarried with me. There is now a great Methodist camp-meeting in Orford.^ 22. Carried Mr. Emerson to Hartford. Afternoon rode to Wapping and visited a school. Last night a respectable man near here, in a fit of insanity, went to the river and drowned himself. He was found this morning. Visited the afflicted family. This morning there was some frost."* 23. Visited a small school. Afternoon attended a funeral. The ground gets no relief from its drought. Visited. At evening attended the conference. 24. Wrote a piece for publication. Warm. Brother Frank called here going to East Hartford. Things grow very little. Paid for garden boards, $2.25. Received a consociational letter from Mr. Flint. 25. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xxi : 33 to xxii : 15. Afternoon preached an old sermon on i John iii : 3. Towards evening we had a ver}^ solemn and interesting season of prayer on account of the drought. At even- ing performed a marriage,^ 26. Last night brother Frank came here and tarried. In the morning we had a moderate and very refreshing rain. We have great reason to bless God for it. Read. Rode to Hartford. The ground is considerably wet. 27. Received a letter from Theodore Pease announcing my appointment as chaplain of the first regiment of militia. Wrote to him in answer. Set out on my journey. Rode to Enfield. Preached a sacramental lecture on Rev. iii : 2. We had a little rain. 28. Rode to Springfield and Northampton. Dined at Mr. Osgood's.* Very cold. Tarried at Judge Lyman's.' Kindly entertained. Saw the South Hadley canal. ^ 29. This morning there was considerable frost. It is a melancholy time. There was a fast here yesterday on account of the season. Afternoon rode to Worthington.' The road hilly. Tarried at Mr. Howe's. Kindly entertained. ' Mr. Jabez Haskell, before noticed. ^ Dr. Samuel Osgood, of the First Church, ^ Rev. Joy H. Fairchild, just settled at Springfield. East Hartford. ^ Judge Joseph Lyman, before noticed. ^ Orford, now Manchester, was a favorite ^ Cut to carry boats around the South place for Methodist camp-meetings many Hadley Falls. years afterwards. 9 Worthington lies on the high lands be- * Here is frost in August, as there had tween the Connecticut River and the Berk- been in June and July. shire valley. It joins Cummington and ^ Jehiel Ward and Nancy Skinner. Chesterfield. 678 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. 30. Rode to Pittsfield and Lenox. Found Mr. Battell at Pittsfield. Am less fatigued with my journey than I expected. In some places the frost appears to have injured the corn. Saw people harvesting fine crops of summer wheat and r)'e. The oats are very good. People just begin to have green corn. Found brother James and his family well. 31. Rode to Lee and visited Dr. Hyde.' Returned to Lenox.^ Visited Mr. Shepard.^ Cool. The drought appears as severe here as in Connectitut. September. 1. Went to meeting with brother James. Preached for Mr. Shepard in the forenoon on Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. The sacramental occasion made the afternoon exercise. I made an address, after which Mr. Shepard administered the ordinance. In the evening I preached in the meeting-house on Luke xiii : 8, 9. The church here is large and appears very well. 2. It is very cool and dr)'. A fine new court-house and gaol have been erected here. Rode to Stockbridge and visited Mr. Woodbridge and Dr. West.* The church here is in a distressed state. I think Mr. Swift ^ will be dismissed. Returned to Lenox, and in the evening attended the monthly prayer-meeting. Quite full. 3. Rode in company with my brother James to Williamstown. Dined at Mr. Collins's,'' Lanesborough. Found a number of acquaintance. At even- ing attended the speaking of the students for premiums. 4. The class of graduates is small, but performed well. The new Presi- dent^ appears well excepting his voice, which is poor. Quite warm. A young minister is likely to be settled in this town.^ Treated very kindly by old acquaintance. I think this college is rising, having been in a low state for some years. At sundown left town with my brother, and by the light of the full moon rode to Lenox. Got to his house at one o'clock. The drought is very extreme and severe. 5. Left Lenox a little before ten o'clock and rode home; a little more than sixty miles. Further than I have ever traveled in a day before. Got home about half after twelve at night. Warm and ver}' dusty. I presume no person living has known so poor a crop of corn in New England,' at this season, as now. ' Dr. Alvan Hyde. borough since 1764, fifty-two years. He ^ His kinsman, Joseph Goodwin, with remained till his death, 1822, at the age of whom he was accustomed to stay at Lenox, eighty-three, but had colleagues for twelve had removed to the State of New York. years. ^ Samuel Shepard, D. D. ' Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, made ♦Dr. Stephen West had been settled at President in 181 5. Stockbridge since 1759, fifty-seven years. ^ Rev. R. W. Gridley, a native of Mans- 5 Rev, E.G. Swift, who had studied theol- field, Ct., a graduate of Yale, 1814, was set- ogy with Dr. ^Vest, had been colleague pas- tied in the October following, tor with him since 1810. It came to pass ' The corn crop in New England that that they were both dismissed in 1S18, and year was essentially a failure. The potato Dr. West died the following year (1819) at crop, on the other hand, was a success, and the age of eighty-three. was regarded that year as a special bless- * Rev, Daniel Collins had been at Lanes- ing. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 679 6. At the meeting here last Sabbath Mr. McChire took the lead in the forenoon, and in the afternoon the deacons conducted the meeting, as he did not attend. Am fatigued with my journey. Read. Had company. At evening attended the conference. 7. There has been no rain here during my absence. We have very good watermelons from my garden. Conversed with some young women that are serious. Last evening received a letter from Mr. Battell. Wrote to Mr. Sylvester Eaton,' of Catskill. 8. Preached an old sermon on Rom. xi : 29. After meeting we had a solemn season of prayer on account of the drought. At evening walked out. 9. Read. Rode to the hither part of East Hartford and visited a sick man. Attended at a training ; dined with the officers. At evening brother Frank and Eliza came here on their way to New Haven. 10. Set out for Commencement. Tudor^ went with me. Lost a valuable small purse from my pocket containing, I believe, about $1.30. Had difficulty in procuring lodging at New Haven. At evening attended a meeting. Yes- terday forenoon it rained a little. 11. It began to rain early in the morning, and rained without intermission moderately all the day. The Commencement exercises were uncommonly good. A great number of ministers were present. At evening instead of the Concio ad Cleritni we had a sermon from Mr. Whelpley,^ of New York. The President* appears feeble. 12. It rained the most of the forenoon. Saw a mummy, lately found in a cave in Kentucky. Dined with my classmate Bishop.^ Rode to Berlin. Could not ride home. Tarried at a tavern. 13. Rode home quite early. Towards noon it began to rain, and rained the most of the day. Brother Frank and Eliza came here and dined and rode home in the rain. Read. Wrote. The State is much agitated respecting the approaching Freemen's Meeting. 14. Old Mrs. Tudor* is quite low. It rained hard during the forenoon, and some through the day. Read. Wrote the most of a sermon on i Thess. V : 19. 15. Wet and cloudy, but little rain. In the forenoon preached with old notes on Neh. ii : 3. Finished and preached in the afternoon the sermon on I Thess. V : 19. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Chapman, of Genessee. At evening attended the conference. 16. In the morning early rode to Hartford. Renewed my note at the Phoenix Bank, paying $64.00. Received a dividend at the bank of $55.50. Rode to Scantick and attended the Freemen's Meetins:. The highest vote for ' Sylvester Eaton, afterwards a clergyman, * Timothy Dwight, D. D. He died in the was one of the young men that graduated the following year, Jan. 11, 1817, at the age of week before at Williams College. sixty-four. ^ Tudor Wolcott. s Timothy Bishop. 3 Rev. Philip M. Whelpley, of the Wall * Mrs. iNaomi Tudor, mntner ot lylrs. Street Church. Auiei vv^oicott. 68o DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROPPINS, D.D, [1816. nomination was Federalist, 196 ; Democratic, 66." The forenoon quite rainy. Mr. Eaton,'' from Catskill, came and tarried with me, who is to teach our academy. 17. Warm and very growing season. Vegetation revives. Rode out. Afternoon visited a school. 18. Rode to Wapping. Visited sick persons. Rode to Ellington and saw a regimental training. Returned late. Visited Mr. Blakeslee'at Wapping, who appears very hostile. 19. Read. Walked and visited. Conversed with several persons respect- ing professing religion. The wicked here have a deep enmity against the church. 20. Walked out. Afternoon delivered a public address to a number of women who formed an auxiliary Bible Society. With the church committee examined five persons for our communion. At evening attended the conference. 21. Had a little fire in my chamber. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. cxxii : 3, 4, 5. Our late Freemen's Meeting has issued unfavorably. 22. There was some frost this morning, but a heavy fog seemed to prevent its evil effects. Finished my sermon begun yesterday, so far as I thought fit for my own people, and preached it in the afternoon. In the forenoon ex- pounded on Matt, xxii: 15 to the end. Propounded five persons for our communion.* After meeting rode to Wapping and preached on Ps. cxlii : 7, and baptized four children.^ At evening attended the conference. 23. Rode out. Much fatigued by my labors of yesterday. Read. Wrote in the evening a large addition to my sermon of yesterday for Consociation. Wrote late. 24. In the morning finished my consociational sermon. Rode with brother Frank to Farmington,* and met with the Consociation. The lecture, on account of a military review, is appointed tomorrow. The Conso is quite full. Not much business to be done. In the evening Mr. Cook^ preached. Quite warm. An unhappy inclination to innovation seems to have possessed our churches. 25. In the forenoon preached at the consociational lecture on Ps. cxxii : 3, 4, 5. We had an earnest debate on the question of celebrating the Lord's Supper at our annual meetings. It was laid over till next year. I pray that it may never be adopted.^ Rode home. Frances Wolcott is quite unwell. ' No occasion on the part of the Federal- Nancy, Marvin, and Russell Miner, children ists for anxiety about the State of Connecti- of Andrew and Kezia Hall, cut, if all the towns were like East Windsor. ^ Rev. Noah Porter, D. D., had then been ^ Mr. Sylvester Eaton. This was the oc- ten years in the pastorate at Farmington. casion of the letter to Catskill. ^ Rev. Elisha B. Cook, of Orford. ^ The Baptist minister. ^ From this sentence it would appear that * The five persons propounded were Mary there were current notions about the Lord's Marble, Sarah Rockwell, Anna Olcott, Abi- Supper different from those now commonly gail Rockwell, and John Warner Barbe*- prevailing. Dr. Robbins apparently would ' The four cniidren baptized were Austin, have this ordinance kept with the churches. l8l6,] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 6Sl 26. Had a new elegant black sash made for military parade. Rode to Hartford and attended the meeting of the first regiment. Performed the duties of chaplain.' The regiment appears very well. Cool. 27. This morning there was a pretty hard frost. The gardens are gener- ally killed. Rode out. Read. At evening attended the conference. 28. The frost this morning was very severe. I fear that it has stopped the further growth of the corn. Read. Wrote a part of a sermon on Rom. xi : 22. At evening Mr. Goodrich, of Middletown, came here for an exchange. By a mistake in our communications,^ I did not expect him at all. 29. Rose very early and set out a little after four and rode to Middletown before eight o'clock. It was foggy and frosty and quite cold. Preached in the forenoon on i John v : 7. A full congregation. At evening attended a conference. Very tired. 30. Rode home. Warm. Visited a school. At evening rode to Enfield. Had no time to rest. October. 1. Rode with brother Frank and cousin Eliza to Norfolk. The Hartland hills ^ were very severe. Very warm. Mother is quite smart. 2. The corn here is killed by the frost, and it is said that there is not scarcely any that is ripe.* Afternoon rode to the north part of the town with Mr. Emerson and preached a lecture without notes from Luke xiii : 8, 9. At evening brother Frank preached in the meeting-house. Brother James and his wife are here ; they came down on Monday. Brother Ammi and his wife were here today. Brother Samuel has a prospect of being married. 3. Mr. Emerson is really a valuable man. Reckoned with Mr. Battell and gave him a note. After dinner set out with brother Frank and rode home in less than eight hours. At evening quite cool. 4. I am much fatigued with my late journeying and fatigues. This morn- ing there was a pretty hard frost. Visited a young man very badly hurt, having been stabbed by another with a knife in a quarrel. Rode to Hartford. Traded some. At evening attended the conference. 5. The frost this morning was very severe. Am much troubled with a rheumatic pain in my left hip ; I can do but little. Wrote to Mr. Manson Elmer, a member of our church, in answer to a letter received from him yesterday. 6. Preached an old sermon on Ps. li : 17. Received five persons to the church by profession, and one by letter. It was a solemn occasion. At ■ His appointment as chaplain was men- of the northern tier of Connecticut towns, a tioned some time before, but it did not then straight line west to Norfolk led through appear whether he accepted. Hartland. In going from East Windsor to ^ Almost everv man long in the ministry Norfolk they would naturally have gone a has had some such mishap as that. This little south of Hartland. was, as already said, Prof. Chauncey A. Good- '' The corn was very late, by reason of rich, D. D., afterwards so long connected with the cold in June and July, and the Septem- Yale College. ber frosts essentially finished it. In favor- ^ Starting as they did from Enfield, one able places some of the crop was saved. I 682 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. ^ [1816. evening attended the conference. Am quite lame with my rheumatic complaint. 7. Cold. Walked out. Read. At evening attended our monthly concert of prayer. 8. Wrote to Mr. Skinner/ of Berlin, and received a letter from him in answer. Rode to Wapping and visited. Read. 9. On the 7th received of my collector, $50.00. Paid Mr. Prudden, of Enfield, for books, $7.00. My lameness in my hip is very severe. I can scarcely go out. Read Robert Hall on Communion^ An excellent work. Quite warm. The streams and river very low. 10. Rode to Hartford with difficulty on account of my lameness. Very warm. The ground exceedingly dry. Paid the bank $22.61, and renewed my note. Paid .60 for exchanging money. Paid a bookseller, $5.00. For a book, .20. Visited. 11. Read. Afternoon wrote notes and preached at a preparatory lecture on I Cor. V : 8. Am quite feeble with my rheumatic complaints. Read Whitby.^ 12. My pain is such that it is difficult for me to write. Quite warm. Wrote the most of a sermon on Heb. xi : 16. Wrote late. Had company. The crop of corn is like to come in very light. 13. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Matt, xv: 27. Finished and preached in the afternoon the sermon on Heb. xi : 16. Administered the sacrament. The church quite full. Baptized eleven children* belonging to two families. At evening attended a full conference. Bore the labors of the day much better than I expected. 14. Wrote. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick man. At evening walked out. 15. Rode to Enfield and visited my brother. Returned. Visited a family expecting to remove soon to New Connecticut. 16. Last night my nephews Joseph and Philip Battell came here to make me a little visit. Rode out and visited a sick man. Paid a merchant, $6.66. Rainy. Worked putting up cider for bottling. 17. Rode out with my nephews. Finished my cider business. My rheu- matism is still quite troublesome. Cold and tedious. Wrote. Visited. 18. Put my green trees in the green-house. Read the Bible. Read Whitby's Commentary. At evening attended the conference. 19. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Philip went home. Joseph stays with me. Wrote the most of a double sermon on 2 Kings xvii : 9. Attended the funeral of a black child. Had a very good surtout made. Wrote late. ' Rev. Newton Skinner. * The eleven children which were pre- ^ Rev. Robert Hall was an Open Com- sented for baptism that day, were Joseph munion Baptist. At the time this entry was Henry, Lydia Huntley, Sydney Williams, made in the diary, Dr. Hall was in the full and Edward Charlton, children of Nathaniel tide of his great influence. He ranks among and Sarah Rockwell ; Maria, William Trum- the very ablest preachers of all generations. bull, Emily, Almira, Danforth, Frederic, and 3 Rev. Daniel Whitby, the commentator, Mar\' Skinner, children of William and Mary before noticed. Marble. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 683 20. Finished and preached my sermon on 2 Kings xvii : 9. I believe I do not preach sufficiently on moral subjects. Had to write considerably. At evening attended the conference. 21. The votes at our late Freemen's Meeting have made considerable and unexpected changes in the public officers of the State. Rainy. All our rains are very small. Received a letter from Mr. Wing, of Hartford. Visited. Warm. Wrote. Old Mrs. Tudor is very low. Late at night rode to the hill and brought down Mrs. Bissell.' 22. Joseph does very well with his Co . We had a hard rain. I believe the hardest of the present year. Read Wardlaw.^ Visited. 23. Rode out and visited. Prayed with a family who set off for New Connecticut. 24. Cool. Tarried out. Paid for four bushels of oats, $2.00. 25. Visited. Read Star in the West. At evening attended the conference. Mrs. Tudor appears to be a little better, 26. On the evening of the 23d attended the meeting of the Moral Society. Rainy. Worked some. My rheumatism is quite troublesome. Wrote. Read Star in the West? Read commentators, 27. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xxiii : i to 23. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Luke xix : 10. Old Mrs. Tudor appears to be near her end. At evening attended the conference. 28. Wrote. Read Star in the West. The American Indians may possibly be of Israelitish extract.* 29. Mrs. Tudor appears to be in a dying state. Rode out and visited. Joseph is a good scholar. The New Haven religious paper is pretty ordinary. 30. Rode to Enfield and met with the ministers' meeting of that vicinity. Brother Frank seems to be well esteemed among them. 31. Returned in the morning. Mrs. Tudor^ deceased yesterday afternoon at two o'clock. Expected to have gone today to New Haven, but cannot on account of the death. Visited. On the 29th a man in the neighborhood had his arm amputated, hurt by the splitting of a gun. Received a letter from Mr. Howe, of New Haven, November. I. Read the Bible. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Tudor.® Spent consid- erable time with the family. ' Mrs. Aaron Bissell, as well as Mrs. came from the lost tribes, and some plausible Abiel Wolcott, were daughters of Mrs. arguments have been urged for this theory. Tudor. * ^ Mrs. Naomi Diggins Tudor, wife of Mr. ^ Dr. Ralph Wardlaw, 1779-1853. Samuel Tudor. There was a family by the ^ This was a work by Elias Boudinot, name of Diggins in East Windsor in the designed to show that the American Indians early years. John Diggins, from this family, were the lost tribes of the Jews. The book was a graduate at Yale in 1740. Of Mrs. was published in Trenton, N. J., 181 1. Tudor's daughters, Naomi married Aaron ■* The lost tribes have been looked for in Bissell, and Ursula married Abiel Wolcott. almost all parts of the earth. The latest * Mrs. Tudor was seventy-five years old theory, perhaps, is, that the Anglo-Saxon race at the time of her death. 684 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. 2. Wrote a sermon on Acts viii : 23. Hindered by company. Received some valuable books from New Haven which Mr. Howe' has imported for me from England. Received a letter from Mr. M. L. North.^ 3. Very warm. Wore no out coat. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Isa. viii : 14. Afternoon the sermon written yesterday. At evening had a full and solemn conference. Read Wardlaw. 4. Quite rainy. Finished reading Wardlaw. A very valuable work. 5. Worked some. My illness quite severe. Read Thucydides.^ Received $2.00 for a marriage performed in August. The payment was then forgotten. 6. Rode to Wapping and visited. A valuable man in middle life appears to be near death with a consumption. At evening my brother Frank came here and tarried. The roads are quite wet. 7. Rode with brother Frank and introduced him to .* I hope it may be the commencement of great good to him. Walked out and visited all day. 8. Am troubled with a severe irruption. Read Thucydides. Wrote notes of a sermon. At evening attended a conference. Was up quite late. 9. Worked considerably. Paid for a quarter's postage of my Boston newspaper, .;^^. Paid a mason for work in my chamber, .50. Warm. Fin- ished a sermon on Rom. xi : 22 began Oct. 26. 10. Preached with old notes on Isa. xlix : 5, and from Rom. xi : 22. My irruption is quite severe. Quite cold. At evening attended the conference. Read. 11. Rode to Hartford. It is so cold that scattering flakes of snow fly in the air. Read. 12. Read Thucydides. Visited the sick and others. My irruption is getting into boils. The cold is severe. 13. Rode to Wapping and visited. Read. My complaint compels me to be inactive. 14. Rode to Hartford. Found that I had drawn a prize of $20.00 in a late lottery. After the deduction I received $17.00. An unexpected favor. Gave a note of $100.00 to the Hartford Bank and received $98.37. Paid for the repair of Mr. Wolcott's carriage last summer, $26.00. Paid Gleason, the bookseller, $15.00. Paid Cooke, the bookseller, $9.20. Paid Hills, the mer- chant tailor, $10.00. Paid for two small debts, $4.00. Dr. Strong is quite feeble. He appears like approaching the end of his days.^ At evening walked out. 15. Am almost confined by my indisposition. Read the Triangle!' An ' Gen. Hezekiah Howe. by the hand of an assassin, but the time and ^ Milo Linus North, who, two or three place of his death are not known. years before, taught the academy at East * We do not know whose name should Windsor Hill. He was a graduate of Yale, fill this blank. 1813. 5 This conclusion proved to be true. ^Thucydides, born at Athens 471 years ''The Triangle was a theological essay, B. C. His great work was the History of the designed to support the New England ideas PeloponnesiaJi War. He is said to have died in theology. It was written by Rev. Samuel l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 685 excellent thing. At evening attended the conference. Quite thin. Had company. 16. It is difficult for me to get about. Rode to Enfield for an exchange. Paid my brother on a debt, $8.25. He rode to East Windsor. Read. 17. Preached both parts of the day on 2 Kings xvii : 9. At evening attended a conference. My largest boil gives me great pain when I stand. I suffered a great deal in the course of the day. 18. Rode home. My pain from my boil, some of the time, is very severe. There is a good work of divine grace in Scantick, and a little I hope in En- field. Read a little, but am scarcely able to do anything. Paid a cabinet- maker of Hartford for brother Frank, $10.00. Paid for cleaning my clock, $1.25. ig. I applied poultice to my boil, which continues very painful. Read Thucydides. 20. Had my garden plowed and harrowed. I can do but little. 21. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Rode to Wapping and visited. Quite cold and tedious. At evening preached at old Mr. Grant's' without notes on Rev. ii : 10. After meeting rode home in the cold. My boil was very painful while I stood at meeting. 22. My nephew Joseph^ went to Norfolk. He has done veiy well here. Gave him for stage fare and expenses, $1.65. Worked some at my library. I believe I took cold yesterday, for my lameness seems to be worse. At evening attended the conference with much difficulty. We are remarkably stupid in this place. 23. Put on my flannel. Worked at my library. Have many little hin- drances. Am unable to write. Read the Bible. I fear our extra meetings are declining. I am stupid. The Lord help me. 24. It snowed so as to whiten the ground. The first that we have had. It went off with the evening rain. Preached an old sermon on Rom. vii : 24. Had company. Had much less pain in speaking than on the last Sabbath. 25. Rode to Hartford. My boil is better. Traded considerably. Dr. Strong is very feeble. Paid Hills, my merchant tailor, $10.00. Quite cold. Visited. Wrote. Received of the Connecticut Bible Society eight Bibles for gratuitous distribution. My worthy maternal uncle, William Le Baron,^ has lately died at New Bedford. 26. Wrote. Rode to Wapping and visited persons very sick. I hope I am getting better. Got my green trees into the house. 27. Wrote the most of a sermon on i Sam, vii: 12. Hindered by com- pany. Heard from Norfolk. Whelpley, a Presbyterian divine, who at that will be remembered that he made quite a time was at the head of a popular private stay at East Windsor when he was a little school in New York city. The Triangle child. was published in 1816, and made quite a stir ^ William Le Baron was four years younger in theological circles. than Dr. Robbins's mother, having been born ' Probably Mr. Gideon Grant. in Plymouth, Mass., in 1749. Her family of ^ Joseph was now ten years old, but it brothers and sisters was large. GS6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. 28. Thanksgiving. Finished and preached my sermon on i Sam. vii : 12. Quite pleasant, though cold. After dinner rode to Wapping and attended a funeral.' At evening walked out. Our meeting was pretty thin. In the forenoon attended the funeral of a child. Read Thucydides. 29. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Received a letter from him on the Had company. 27 th. Rainy. 30. Warm and wet. Dined out. My rheumatism is quite troublesome again. Read. My pains disqualify me for writing. Assisted in examining a school-master. Read the Bible. Read commentators. December. 1. Read expositors. Expounded in the forenoon on Matt, xxiii: 23 to the end. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Mai. iv : 6. Warm and pleasant. At evening attended the conference. Read. 2. Quite unwell. Took physic. Very cold and tedious. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 3. Rode to Windsor and back. Considerable ice in the river. Had company. Visited. 4. Very cold and blustering. Rode to Scantick and preached a lecture for Mr. Bartlett in a private house on /Vets viii : 28. The work of grace con- tinues there. Received of Gen. Howe, of New Haven, a catalogue of new imported books. 5. My rheumatism appears to be much better. Walked and visited. Visited the north school. It is very large. Visited sick persons. 6. Visited. Afternoon visited a school. Read Thucydides. I have now no conference except on Sabbath evening. The time is dark. We have a singing-school^ begun, which I hope will be useful. 7. Warm. Wrote a sermon on i Thess. v : 3. My cousin, Mr. Benjamin Goodwin,^ of Boston, came here to make me a visit. 8. Very pleasant. Preached with old notes on Rom. ix : 7, and on I Thess. V : 3. At evening had a full and solemn conference. Have some- thing of a cold. 9. Carried my cousin to Hartford. Rode to Wapping and visited two schools. Quite cold. Received a letter from Chauncey Millard at Wapping. Read Mr. Madison's valedictor)'.* My time goes off with little business. 10. Last night some snow fell. Rode a little in a sleigh. Visited. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Dr. Strong is quite low. Paid a man for bring- ing my cousin Goodwin here from Hartford last Saturday, $1.75.* Read. ' Of Mrs. Susan Anderson, aged twenty- seven. ^ The old parishes, as has been already stated, used every three, four, or five years to have a winter singing-school, that young persons coming forward might be taught to sing, and the choirs be replenished. ^ Hannah Le Baron, half-sister of Dr. Robbins's mother, married Benjamin Good- win, and this Benjamin Goodwin was one of their sons. * President James Madison was now draw- ing towards the close of his second term, having first taken his oath of office March 4, 1809. 5 The distance was about six miles over a level country, and for those days, this was a heavy charge. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 687 * •II. Read Thucydides. Afternoon visited a school. Quite rainy. The wells are very low. 12. Finished reading Thucydides. A very valuable history. The most of the snow went off. At evening performed a marriage.' 13. Rode out and visited. A very valuable woman died^ suddenly this morning. Afternoon visited a school. Quite warm. Received of the society collector, ^177.58. Paid a tailor's bill, $6.28. A smith's bill, $5.85. Of the sum received, $65.50 were in Mr. Wolcott's taxes, which will be paid him when he and I reckon. Paid a tailoress for work in the house, .70. Took a note of the collector of $283.59. Yesterday wrote to Gen. Howe, of New Haven, and paid for mending carriage harness, .50. 14. Cold and blustering. Wrote a sermon on John ix : 4. Have great difficulty in determining what is most useful for my people. 15. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xxiv: i to 21, Afternoon preached on John ix : 4. At evening attended the conference. After which spent a little time in a singing-school. There are many learning to sing, and I think the prospect is favorable of their doing well. Attended the funeral of the good woman lately deceased, 16. Wrote. Read, Walked out and visited. Very cold and tedious. At evening attended a private prayer-meeting. 17. Read the Bible, Wrote to Rev, Dr. Romeyn,^ of New York. Visited the most of the day. 18. Quite warm and pleasant. Began to write a dissertation on the ques- tion proposed by Mr. Etheridge,* of Charlestown, Mass., on the most eligible mode in which country clergymen can be furnished with a library. At even- ing Mr. Battell and my cousin Eliza came here. 19. Rode to Hartford. Dined there with Mr. Battell. Called at Dr. Strong's, but did not see him. He will not probably live but a few days. "Take him for all in all, we shall not see his like again." ^ Cold. We have sudden and great changes of weather. Cousin Eliza went to Enfield. Wrote on my dissertation. Received a letter from Mr. Amos Bull, of Hartford. 20. Walked and visited the most of the day. Read the Bible, The ground perfectly bare and very hard, 21. Read the Bible, A few certificates of small lists were given in pre- vious to our late annual society meeting. Yesterday wrote to Mr. Stewart,* I Horace Stoughton, of Wapping, was abler men, and he was unique to a remark- married to Levina Kilburn. able degree. ^ Mrs. Jerusha Wood, aged sixty-seven. * Dr. Robbins spells this name wrongly. ^ Dr. John B. Romeyn, pastor of Duane The person referred to was Rev. Joseph Street Church, New York, 1808 to 1825, Steward, whose history was peculiar. He when he died, aged forty-eight. was a native of Upton, Mass., born in 1752, * Mr. Samuel Etheridge. was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1780, s These words quoted from Hamlet, studied theology with Dr. Levi Hart, was though not an exact quotation, were very fit ordained as an Evangelist and preached at as applied to Dr. Nathan Strong, of Hart- large. Being out of health, he settled in ford. New England has had only a few Hartford, was chosen deacon of Dr. Strong's 688 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1816. of Hartford. Rode to Hartford to make an exchange with Mr. Stewart, who now suppUes Dr. Strong's people. He rode to East Windsor. Preached at the conference in the evening on Acts viii : 23. Dr. Strong continues to decline. Very cold and blustering. On the i8th received $6.50 as a dividend at the Hartford Bank. 22. Severe cold. Preached on i John iii : 3, and Hab. iii : 17, 18. Preached at the evening conference on Ps. li : 4. This people appear to feel, in some measure, the frowns of heaven which lie upon them. Dr. Strong says very little, as his reason is at times impaired. 23. The weather moderates. Saw Dr. Strong, but did not speak with him. He appears almost as in a dying state. Renewed my note at the Phoenix Bank and paid $34.41. Paid for specie money, $1.05. Purchased Cooke's Voyages, a noble edition, for $60.00,' and Robertson's Charles V for $6.00. Paid $36.00 of this sum. Rode home. Visited a sick woman very low. Very good riding. Read. 24. Wrote. Walked out and visited. At night brother Frank came here and tarried. 25. My brother went to Ellington to ministers' meeting. Received a letter from Norman Smith, of Hartford, informing me of the death of Dr. Strong, who expired today at eleven o'clock. A great man has fallen. Fin- ished a biography of him for the newspaper which I began yesterday. I wrote it at the request of his son. Dined with Dr. Tudor^ at a Christmas dinner. Warm. 26. Rode to Hartford and gave young Dr. Strong^ my manuscript. A gloom overspreads the town. Dined with Dr. Cogswell. It thaws very much. Received a letter from Mr. Cook, of Orford, who has suddenly lost his wife. A respectable Baptist woman died here yesterday morning. Mr. Cushman, of Hartford, is to attend her funeral tomorrow. At evening wrote an obituary of Dr. Strong for the Boston Recorder. 27. Wrote an addition to a sermon and rode to Orford and preached at the funeral of Mrs. Cook. No minister was with me but Mr. Woodruff,* of Coven- try. There were a great many people. Brother Cook appeared very well. Preached on Matt, vi: 10. Returned. Very warm. The frost comes out of the ground. Bad riding. Received a letter from my brother Bartlett. 28. Rode to Hartford and attended the funeral of Dr. Strong. There were about twenty ministers and a great concourse of people. Dr. Perkins's^ church in 1797, and became a painter, but and this edition which Dr. Robbins bought did not wholly give up preaching. In Dr. must have been a superb one. Strong's last sickness, and after his death, ^ Dr. Elihu Tudor. for a time he had a kind of charge of the ^ Nathan Strong, M. D. pulpit. ♦ Rev. Ephraim T. Woodruff, pastor at " Capt. James Cook, who was killed at North Coventry, 1801-1817. last at the Sandwich Islands in 1779, was * Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford, one of the most remarkable navigators of who had already been in the ministry there his age, or of any age. A very high value about forty-five years, but was to remain was set upon the results of his discoveries, twenty-two years more before his death. l8l6.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 689 sermon was not quite so good as it ought to have been. In the evening preached to the bereaved people at the conference house without any notes on Matt, xvii : 4. Rode home late. The mourning family are deeply afifiicted. 29. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xxiv : 21 to the end. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Ps. cxlvi : 5. At evening attended the confer- ence. I have borne fatigue lately unusually well. 30. Read. Worked pretty hard carrying wood to the garret. At evening attended a private prayer-meeting. Cold. 31. Read. Rode and visited a sick man. Rode to Enfield. Preached in the evening at a lecture for my brother without notes on Matt, xvii : 4. Cousin Eliza is agreeably situated here. My brother appears to be getting better health than he has had. This has been an eventful year to me. I never had greater occasion to adore the wisdom, the grace, and the mercy of the Lord. January. 1. I desire to devote myself this year to the service of God, praying that I may be brought to the close of it in mercy, that I may see grace resting upon my people and upon Zion. Visited with my brother. Looked at a place which he thinks of purchasing. In the evening rode home. Read in newspaper my biography of Dr. Strong. The weather is mild and the riding very good. 2. Received a letter from Sophia Tudor.' Wrote to her in answer. Wrote to Rev. Dr. Holmes, of Cambridge. Had company. Read Council of Trent.^ Paid a shoemaker, $1.50. 3. Wrote notes and preached a preparatory lecture on 2 Chron. xxxv : 18. Wrote other notes for preaching. Mrs. Skinner, of Hartford, brought me some books for safe keeping. Received another letter from Sophia Tudor. Read Newton's Chronology? At evening rode out and visited. 4. A hard rain all day. Wrote a sermon on Heb. x : 24, 25. There have been thirty-four deaths here the year past, twenty-five of which were of grown people.* 5. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. li : 12. Attended the sacrament. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. The con- gregation were much affected. Our church has diminished the year past. At evening attended the conference. Quite cold and blustering. Gave to the church treasury in a contribution, $10.00. In the evening brother Frank and Eliza came here. Dr. Backus,' of Hamilton College, has deceased sud- denly. 6. My brother rode to East Hartford, and returned home. Dined with the town officers at their annual meeting. Wrote. Visited a sick woman. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 7. Prepared this diary. Wrote a short biography of the late Mrs. Cook. Prepared for my journey. 8. Last night at twelve o'clock set out for New Haven. Had some idea ' Sophia Tudor was a daughter of Mr. The disease with which most of them died Oliver Tudor, and a niece of Mrs. Abiel was typhus fever. Wolcott. ' Dr. Azel Backus, nephew of Dr. Charles ^ See note under date of March 6, 1818. Backus, formerly of Somers, Ct. He was 2 Sir Isaac Newton's Chronology of An- born in Norwich, Oct. 13, 1765, was gradu- cient Kingdoms was first published in 1728, ated at Yale, 1787. He was successor to Dr. the year after his death. Bellamy in the pastorate of Bethlehem, Ct., * We have already had occasion to notice and was called from there in 1812 to be the the great number of deaths in the parish in first President of Hamilton College, which 1816, and to notice also that they occurred office he held till his death. He was an able chiefly in January, February, and March. man, but not equal to his uncle. 691 692 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. of performing the journey so as to return tonight.' After I crossed the river I found the riding quite bad, and the weather became unfavorable. Stopped at Gen. Lusk's^ in Newington and staid till morning. In the morning it snowed considerably. Uncomfortable riding. Rode to New Haven by one o'clock. Received a dividend of ^30.00 of the Eagle Bank. Bought a few books. Paid Gen. Howe, $10.00. Called on friends. Left New Haven at sundown and rode to Leet's ^ and tarried. President Dwight is quite feeble and unable to attend to college duties. 9. Rode home. The riding quite bad. Have had a prosperous journey. Visited a family with a sick child. Quite tired. 10. Read the Council of Trent. Worked some. Very warm. The frost is mostly out of the ground. 11. Visited a sick woman. Wrote on my preaching account for the year past. Cold and blustering. Wrote notes for preaching. Paid for my news- papers a year, 12. Very cold. Finished my notes and preached all day on Ps. Ixxvi : 7. At evening attended our singing-school. They perform very well. 13. Rode to Hartford. Heard of the melancholy and surprising death of President Dwight.'* A great man has fallen. The two first divines of Connecticut have been removed near together. Paid the Hartford Bank, ^43.59, and renewed my note. Paid a cabinet-maker for brother Frank, $13.00. Paid Mr. Goodwin for books, $20.00. Paid a merchant, $10.00. Another merchant, $10.00. Very rough riding. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. Severe cold. On the 3d inst. received of my collector, $100.00. 14. Wrote considerably. Afternoon walked out and visited. Visited our academy school. Tarried out. Severe cold. 15. Visited. The ground very hard. At evening rode to Hartford and brought up some books lately purchased there and some which I procured at New Haven. They make the most valuable addition to my library, except the Universal History, I have ever had. The weather moderates. Visited a sick woman. ' From the place where Dr. Robbins lived ford, were classmates at Yale in the class of in East Windsor to New Haven was some- 1769. They were the first two scholars of what more than forty miles. The original the class, and were so equal in their scholar- plan was not wise, whether the man or the ship that the college authorities would not horse be considered. undertake to decide which of the two was ^ Brigadier-General Levi Lusk, of the entitled to the chief honor. It was arranged Seventh Connecticut Brigade. by compromise, that as Strong was the older, ^ Leete's tavern, if we mistake not, was he should have the valedictory at Commence- about eight or ten miles out from New ment, and that Dwight should have the first Haven, on the Hartford road. place in the Masters' orations, three years * Dr. Timothy Dwight had been called later. These classmates died, the one Dec. from Greenfield parish, Fairfield, in 1795, to 25, 1816, and the other, Jan. 11, 1817, seven- be President of Yale College, and his presi- teen days apart, and the general impression dency of twenty-two years had been illus- was that there were hardly to be found in trious. Dr. Dwight and Dr. Strong, of Hart- New England two men greater than thejN iSiy.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 693 16. It snowed all day. Studied thirteen or fourteen hours. Finished my preaching account for last year. Read Cyprian's JVorks.^ 17. Read Cyprian's Works. They are exceeding valuable. Looked at Cook's Voyages.'' The plates are very elegant. Wrote on my piece for the Charlestown premium,^ Visited a sick woman. It rained considerably. 18. The rain last night carried ofif the snow. Cold. Wrote a sermon on Eph. ii : 4, 5. Read the Bible. 19. Extreme cold and tedious. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Matt, ix : 22. Afternoon on Eph. ii : 4, 5. Meetings very short. The new singers were introduced and performed exceedingly well. The whole number was about eighty. At evening walked out. Yesterday paid for a mourning ring which I gave to Mrs. Wolcott/ $2.25. 20. Wrote. The ground very hard frozen. Walked and visited. Read. At evening visited with Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott. 21. Read Cyprian's i5//j-//isseirs*on account of a ball at our near neighbor's. ' The logic of these sentences seems to ^ M^g garah Olcott, aged fifty-nine, be that what was good for the ground was * Rev. Ansel Nash, colleague pastor with bad for Federalism. the venerable Dr. Nathan Williams. Mr. ^ The peculiar judgments which he was to Nash was settled there 1S13-1831. He was bear proved more tolerable than he thought. afterwards an agent for the Education Society. M)aniel Stocking, of Scantic, was married ''Rev. Ebenezer Kellogg, who had been to Mary Pease. pastor at Vernon since 1762, but is to pass * Milo L. North, who formerly taught the away by death during this year 1817. academy at East Windsor Hill. s q^^^ Aaron Bissell's, at the Hill. 1817.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 70I 18. Visited. Afternoon attended the funeral of Mrs. Olcott. Quite cold. The dust blows exceedingly. 19. Last night it froze quite hard. Worked piling my wood. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in moving a large stump. At evening rode to Enfield to ex- change with my brother. 20. My brother went to Springfield. A candidate, Mr. Lombard,' preaches for me. Preached on Acts xvi : 30, and Acts xvi : 31. At evening attended a conference. The river is quite high by the melting of the snow at the northward in the warm weather of last Wednesday and Thursday. My brother's congregation is perceptibly larger than Mr. Prudden's used to be. 2 1. Rode home. Very dusty. My brother returned last evening. Vege- tation advances very little. At evening performed a marriage. Received a letter from Rev, Mr. Stewart,^ of Hartford. 22. Worked driving a scraper all day. The labor fatigues me pretty severely. 23. Worked all day driving a scraper. The ground seldom suffers as much by drought as at this time. 24. Wrote. We had in the forenoon a very refreshing rain. Rode to Hartford. Paid at the Hartford Bank, $220.00, and took up my note. Made some orange cordial. 25. Worked in my garden all day, making beds, setting roots, etc. The rain is an immense advantage to vegetation, I find I am a poor gardener. 26. Rode out and visited. Afternoon rode to Hartford to exchange with Mr. Stewart. Towards night we had a short but hard shower. In the even- ing preached at the conference from Rev. iii : 2, The meeting rather thin, 27. Mr, Stewart^ went to East Windsor. Preached for him, as he is now employed to supply Dr. Strong's people, on Acts xvi: 30, and Acts xvi: 31. At evening preached at Mr. Flint's conference on Rom. xii : 2. A candidate was at the other. 28. This society appears to be in a critical state. I know of no suitable man for them. Rode home. Visited. At evening attended our small prayer- meeting. 29. Rode and visited all day. Visited twelve families. Visited a man apparently near dying. People are generally gardening. 30. Quite warm. Visited. Have never completed my annual visitation till now. At the first of May of last year there were one hundred and sixty- five families in this society, thirty-six of whom were certificate people. I have now visited them all but two. We have had a great deal of moving this spring. ' Rev. Horatio J. Lombard, a graduate of ^ This Rev. Joseph Steward was so much Williams College in 1S15. His principal of a preacher that the Thanksgiving sermon ministry was in the State of New York. preached by him in 1816, a short time before He was a native of Stockbridge, Mass., and Dr. Strong's death, was asked for publica- died in 1856, at the age of sixty-four. tion, and was published. Had he not been a ^ Rev. Joseph Steward. See note under man of good abilities he would not have been date Dec. 21, 1816, called to stand in the place of Dr. Strong. 702 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. Our number rather diminishes. .Wrote. Visited the sick man. Saw blos- soms on the daffas. Had our first asparagus. The Moral Society is to hold their next meeting at the academy on the evening of the fourth Wednesday of September (24th), of which I am to give notice. May. 1. Worked in the garden making beds, etc., all day. Quite warm. At evening visited. I have studied lately but little. 2. Worked in the garden. Afternoon attended the funeral of an infant child in the lower part of Scantick. The ground is dry and dusty. People are gardening and sowing summer crops. 3. Wrote the most of a sermon on Eph. iv : 20. I have worked and been about so much lately that I write very poorly. My thoughts are dissipated and my hand trembles. Very warm. Had no fire in my chamber. 4. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Acts xiii : 27. Did not finish my sermon begun yesterday till the intermission. Preached it in the afternoon. At evening attended a conference. It was quite full. The ground is exceeding dry and dusty. Vegetation exceedingly wants rain. Yesterday saw peach blossoms. 5. Visited sick persons. Dined with a military company. Two compa- nies came together and they performed very well. At evening had our monthly prayer-meeting. It was pretty thin. I have never known a time of so great apparent stupidity in this place. May the good Lord help us. 6. Worked in my garden planting, etc. In the morning my brother came here. He bought a chaise in this place. At evening attended the meeting of the Moral Society. Deacon Reed' delivered a very good public address. The drought is ver}' severe. We have to water the gardens. Our asparagus produces abundantly. Gave a black woman, $1.00. 7. Wrote. My studies have been too much neglected of late. Wrote a short piece for publication. Visited a sick man. The air is almost filled with dust. I think I have seldom known so dry a time. Warm. I took off my flannel on the first instant, and have not replaced it. 8. Rode to Hartford and attended the election. Wet and rainy the most of the day. The military companies did not go out. The collection of people was less than usual. Gov. Wolcott's^ majority of three hundred and thirty- five was less than was expected. There have never been so many votes given ' Dea. Abner Reed. Hon. John Cotton Smith continue in office ^ A mistake has crept into some of our 1813-1818, and Mr. Wolcott stands in his biographical dictionaries touching the year table 1S1S-1827. But Gov Wolcott certainly when the second Governor Oliver Wolcott took the place of Gov. Smith in 1S17. Fran- came to his office. Charles Lanman, Esq., cis S. Drake, Esq., who is generally accurate, in his Dictionaiy of Congress, in his lists of must have copied Lanman's mistake into State Governors, makes the first election of his Dictiomiry of American Biography. The Mr. Wolcott to the governorship take place second Oliver Wolcott was Governor of in 1818. And to be consistent he makes the Connecticut ten continuous years, 1S17-1S27. iSiy.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 703 in the State before by some thousands. Mr. Pinneo' was unwell, and Mr. McEwen^ preached. The sermon pretty good. Attended the Bible and An- nuity Societies, The House of Representatives by a very small majority chose Democratic clerks. Rode home in the rain. The rain is exceedingly refreshing to the ground. 9. Saw blossoms on the apple-trees yesterday. There is a great deal of visiting. Dined at Dr. Tudor's. Read Encydopczdia. Yesterday received a letter from my mother, and one from brother Samuel, and one from brother Frank. 10. This morning there was a little frost. Am so languid that I thought I could not write a sermon. Read Council of Trent. Worked in my garden. 11. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xxvi : 46 to the end. Afternoon preached an old sermon on r Sam. xv : 22. Our meeting was thin. There was a baptism at Wapping of two persons by Mr. Blakeslee. We had our missionary contribution. It was more liberal than I expected. We collected 1547.14. There were three bills of $5.00, two of $3.00, eleven single dollars, a bill of .50, and one hundred and one pieces of smaller silver. At evening attended a conference. It is a time of great stupidity with us. 12. Rode to Hartford. Paid for a book, $1.00. The new Governor is to make his public entry today. Yesterday afternoon we had a refreshing shower. Vegetation appears remarkably well. The apple-trees are nearly in full bloom. Wrote to brother Francis. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. 13. Wrote to brother James. Quite cool. There was considerable frost this morning. Visited. Worked in my garden. Mr. Emerson,^ from Nor- folk, came here and tarried. 14. Carried Mr. Emerson to Hartford. He is much embarrassed about a connection.* Saw my brother Battell. Visited the deaf and dumb school. Saw the Governor and many other acquaintances belonging to the Assembly. Paid for a book, .50. Read. People are generally planting. Read. Am very languid. 15. Cool. Last night we had a little rain. Read the Triangle? Wrote. Began a sermon on Prov. xxii : 8. Am very languid. 16. Wrote on my sermon begun yesterday. I write with difficulty, slow and feebly. Worked some in my garden. This morning there was a hard frost. I fear things are injured. There is a full blowth on the fruit-trees. Visited a sick man. Our new Governor has given us a very good speech.^ Have a steady fire in my chamber. ' Rev. Bezaleel Pinneo, of Milfoid, Ct., only know that he married a highly intelli- pastor there 1796-1849. He was one of the gent and excellent wife, who brought up a abler ministers of the State. superior family of children and lived with ^ Dr. Abel McEwen, pastor of the First him to old age. Church in New London, 1806-1860. ^ Rev. Samuel Whelpley's work, before ^ Rev. Ralph Emerson, D. D. noticed. * Marriage connection. We do not know * He was a truly excellent and superior what his present embarrassment was. We man. 704 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. 17. Wrote on my sermon the most of the day. Read. The weather is dry and cold. People are fearful of such a season as last year. 18. Preached all day on the education of children from Prov. xxii : 6. Did not finish what I delivered till in the intermission. Have not completed the subject. Visited. A man died' in this place this morning with an affec- tion of the liver. The corpse has been opened and the liver weighed more than twenty-six pounds. Attended a singing-meeting. 19. Wrote. Attended the funeral of the man who died yesterday. To- wards evening rode to East Hartford. Mr. Fairchild has procured a very convenient place. In the evening crossed over to Hartford and returned. Was out late. 20. This morning there was some frost. Wrote to Mr. Bartlett. Set out to collect an account of the state of the churches for Association. Rode to Granby and Hartland. Tarried at Mr. Linsley's. There is a great blowth on the fruit-trees. Here^ the apple-tree blossoms are just coming out. 21. Rode to West Hartland, Barkhamsted, and Simsbury. Tarried at Mr. McLean's. Warm. Our churches are in a very cold state. People are early in planting. The most have done. 22. Rode to Northington, Farmington, Hartford, and home. Warm and ver}- dry. The dust is very severe. Tired. 23. My garden is very much affected with the drought. The grass gener- ally is suffering. Wrote. Am too languid to do much. 24. Rode to Windsor and Wintonbury on my Association business and returned. The Rev. Mr. Loomis, of this town, set out on a mission to the State of Ohio. We have many prospects of rain which fail. A small worm appears to be doing great mischief in our gardens and fields. 25. Expounded in the forenoon on Matt, xxvii : i to 33. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Ps. Ixxxiv: 2. At evening visited sick persons. 26. Set out on a journey to Weston to attend the wedding of my brother Samuel. Rode to Warren. The roads very dusty. In Canton met my brother going by way of Hartford. My good Uncle Starr appears very well. Rode through Litchfield. Apple-trees in these western towns are now in blossom. People are much alarmed with the dr}-ness and coldness of the season. 27. Rainy and wet all day. I conclude not to go on in my journey, as I should probably not be able to get to Weston without difiiculty. Had a pleas- ant visit with Uncle Starr and his family. The rain is very refreshing, though there was much less than we hoped for. 28. Left Warren in the morning and rode through New Milford and Dan- bur)^ to Weston, about forty miles. Got to Mr. Osborne's^ about four o'clock. ' Mr. Rodolphus Hawkins, aged thirty- ' The family in which his brother Samuel eii^ht. found his wife. The family that sprung from 2 That is, at Granby. Postage was then this marriage proved to be a very intelligent so high and public communication so slow and successful one. Many of Samuel Rob- that it would have been tedious to collect bins's descendants have filled honorable and the information he wanted by letter-writing. useful positions in society. iSi;.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 705 My brother was married last evening agreeably to previous appointment. They much regretted that I could not have been there. I am much pleased with this family and my new sister. I think Samuel has been quite fortunate. 29. Wet and rainy. Rode out. The ecclesiastical concerns of this town are pretty low. Towards night rode to Danbury. Kindly received at Mr. Whittlesey's.' He has a worthy family.^ 30. Walked and visited. Find many old friends. Quite cool. Vegeta- tion is very backward and advances but little. Paid Col. White for a beaver hat he has lately sent to me, with a box containing it, $10.25. -^^ evening preached in the meeting-house, at the request of Mr. Andrews,^ on Acts xvi : 31. Had a good audience. The religious state of this town is far better than it was when I resided here. People generally sit with fires. 31. Left Danbury at seven o'clock in the morning and arrived at home at nine in the evening, Came through Newtown, Woodbury, Plymouth, Farming- ton, etc. This morning there was some frost. Had some showers in the day, but still we have but a little rain. Found my brother and his new wife here at my return. They left Weston yesterday afternoon. I never rode so far in a day before. The distance is sixty-five miles. The Assembly rose today, having done but little hurt and very little good."* Am less tired than I expected. Found my new hat lately sent from Danbury. It is a very fine one. June. 1. Last night it was very cold and it froze some vegetables, but by a steady wind there was but little frost. Preached an old sermon on i Cor. i : 23, 24, all day. At evening attended the conference. My brother's wife appears very well. I think my journey has been beneficial to my health. 2. In the morning my brother and sister went off for Norfolk. We had a little frost. Can do but little at study. Wrote on a report for the General Association of the state of our churches. At evening attended the monthly concert of prayer. The meeting was quite full. Visited. 3. Rode to West Suffield and met with the Association. Finished and presented my report for General Association. Our meeting was unusually full. We have now seventeen members, sixteen of whom were present. Crossed at Enfield.^ 4. We had a very refreshing rain. Wet all day. Afternoon returned. Am much fatigued by my late exertions. ' Where he used to board. rietta College, and of Rev. Edward W. An- ^ It is now sixteen or seventeen years drews, for a few years pastor at West Hart- since his life in Danbur}', and Mr. Whittle- ford, Ct., and afterwards for a time at the sey's children have grown to be men and New York Tabernacle. women. * Dr. Robbins said a good word for Gov. ^ Rev. William Andrews, who was pastor Wolcott's inaugural, but it is hard for him at Danbury from 1S13 to 1826. He was the yet to speak in a kindly way of Democrats, father of Rev. William Watson Andrews, of ^ On the Enfield bridge. There was no Rev. Samuel J. Andrews, D. D., of Rev. bridge between Enfield and Hartford, but Israel W. Andrews, D, D., President of Ma- there were two or three ferries. 706 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [iSl?- 5. Worked some in my garden. Wrote. Rode out and visited. Quite warm. Gave something to assist in mending the road, 6. Rode out and visited. Wrote. Read. On the 2d received a good letter from Henry Loomis' in New Connecticut. On tlie 3d received a very good pair of new boots made for me at Hartford. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. Paid for two bushels of oats, $1.20. Wrote a letter to Rev. Mr. Flint, and received one from him in answer. 7. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick and others. Got quite wet in a shower. The corn and gardens suffer very much from a worm. 8. Vegetation appears to have great life. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xxvii : 33 to 57. It was very solemn. Afternoon preached an old ser- mon on Hos. xiii : 9. At evening attended the conference. 9. In the morning set out for Norfolk. Ursula goes with me. We were much hindered by rain. It was quite rainy the most of the day. Tarried at Cowles's^ at New Hartford. The rain is very refreshing. ic. Rode early to my brother's and to Norfolk. Slow riding. My mother is pretty well. Samuel's wife appears well.^ Wet and shower}- all day. Brother Frank is here ; he came yesterday. 11. Worked with brother Samuel putting up his new furniture. Dined at Mr. Battell's. He made me a valuable present of some linen. His liberality is very great. Weighed one hundred and twenty-nine pounds. At evening brother and his wife came here.'* He is considerably unwell. I feel some- thing anxious about him. 12. Brother Frank and Eliza went off to Enfield. Quite cool. Afternoon preached a lecture, which Mr. Emerson had appointed for me, from Acts xvi : 31. After which attended a church meeting. This church is not very harmonious. 13. Rode early a;nd got home at four o'clock. Rode to Wapping and examined with the church committee three women for our communion. They appear well. Gave fifty cents to the Female Benevolent Society here. 14. Visited sick persons. Gave one a dollar. Read. Am much fatigued. In the afternoon Mr. Woodbridge,' of Hadley, came here, anxious to have me go to Enfield on an exchange.'' I conclude to go tomorrow morning. Wet. 15. Rode early to Enfield. Got considerably wet. The most of the fore- noon it rained quite hard. The meetings ver)- thin. Brother Frank rode to Springfield. In the forenoon expounded on the former part of the 26th of ' Henry (Harry) Loomis joined Dr. Rob- of Southampton, Mass., a graduate of Will- bins's church during the first year of his iams College, 1804, pastor at Hadley, 1810- ministry at East Windsor. 1830. ^ Cowles's tavern. ^ This seems to have been a multiplex ^ He takes special satisfaction in his exchange, as Rev. Francis Robbins, of En- brother .Samuel's recent marriage. Samuel's field, did not go to Hadley, but only to home was still in Norfolk. Springfield. Probably Dr. Osgood, of Spring- * James Watson Robbins and wife, from field, went to Hadley and Dr. Woodbridge Lenox. stayed in East Windsor. These complex ex- ^ Rev. John Woodbridge, D. D., a native changes of ministers are not infrequent. l8l7-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 707 Matthew. Afternoon preached oh Ps. li : 4. My brother returned at even- ing. 16. In the morning rode home. The streams are considerably raised. Worked in my garden. It suffers much from worms. Visited. Read. 17. This morning there was a little frost. Worked some. Rode to Win- tonbury' and attended our ministers' meeting. Dr. Perkins^ was with us. People are generally in their first hoeing. The river has risen a good deal. 18. We have had quite a pleasant meeting. Rode home. Paid my shoe- maker at Hartford, ^8.00. Received a dividend of $12.00 at the Hartford Bank, one half of which is Mr. Wolcott's. Coming from Norfolk last Friday Ursula and I visited Mr. Wadsworth's. Elegant seat on Talcott Mountain.^ It is a great curiosity. Warm. Wrote. Read. Received a letter from Mr. Amos Bull, of Hartford. On the 14th received one from brother Frank. On the nth borrowed of brother Frank, $60.00, and gave him my note. Visited. 19. My studies have been greatly neglected of late. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Visited Mr. Wainwright,'' the Episcopal clergyman. Paid my mis- sionary contribution and $5.00, my annual payment to the Annuity Society. 20. Wrote on the remaining part of a sermon on religious education begun May 15th. I write slow. 21. Wrote pretty steadily. Two ministers from New Hampshire called and dined with me. We had some showers. Quite warm. The season is very fine. Paid a tailoress, .75. 22. Finished my sermon and preached the latter half in both parts of the day on Prov. xxii : 6. I think the subject useful. The meeting was full and attentive. At evening attended the conference. 23. In the morning we had a hard shower. Visited sick persons. After- noon rode to Hartford and saw the President of the United States.' He is now on a tour through the Northern States. I was introduced to him with sev- eral others. There was a great parade, and it was very fine. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 24. Wrote. Visited. Rode with Capt. Rockwell to Windsor and visited Col. Loomis.* In the morning early the President left Hartford and rode on * Now Bloomfield. Rev. John Bartlett, Eng., of American parents, in 1793. He died brother of Rev. Shubael, was pastor there at in New York city in 1854. He was a the time of this meeting of the Association. graduate of Harvard College in 1812, and ^ The reason why Dr. Perkins's name was was a teacher of elocution there 1815-1817. here mentioned was because he was a mem- ^ James Monroe was first inaugurated ber of the Hartford South Association, and President of the United States March 4, attended this meeting of the Hartford North 1817. "In May-November, 1817, he made as a kind of guest. a tour of inspection of our frontier defences ^ The Wadsworth House and Tower have from Portland to Detroit, the results of been visited by individuals and excursion which were published 8vo, 1818." It was a parties from that day until now. good thing for Dr. Robbins to see anjl shake '' Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, D. D., hands with President Monroe. Prejudices afterwards Bishop of New York. He was are often removed by a good hand-shake, rector of Christ Church, Hartford, 1817-1819. ''The President was to go up on that Bishop Wainwright was born in Liverpool, side the river. joS DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. the west side of the river to Springfield. Towards night he rode down on our side.' He is very diligent. 25. Read Owen On the Death of Christ!' He has some notions materially wrong. Visited a number of families. People begin a little to mow. We had our first green peas. Paid for a new wheelbarrow made for me, $6.00. 26. Worked in my garden. Paid a man for half a day's work, .42. Re- ceived a letter from Miss E. Dabney.^ 27. Rode out and visited. Afternoon had a public catechising of the children. A large number attended. The occasion was interesting and pleasing. I hope to continue the course. 28. Worked in my garden. Wrote a sermon on Ps. xix : 7. I write slow and with a great want of feeling. 29. In the forenoon expounded on Matt, xxvii : 57, to the end of the book. I think the exposition has been useful. Afternoon preached on Ps. xix : 7. After meeting rode to Wapping and preached at old Mr. Gideon Grant's from Luke xxii : 31, 32. An old written sermon. After sermon admitted two women to the church and administered the sacrament. Mr. and Mrs. Grant, by reason of age and infirmity, had not been at a communion before for ten or twelve years. The greater part of the church were present. The season was solemn and impressive. Mr. Grant is ninety years of age. Very tired. 30. In the morning we had a pretty hard rain. The ground is pretty finely watered. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Jdly. 1. Rode to Hartford. Cherries are pretty plenty and good. Rode with Mr. Flint to Wethersfield and made a short visit to Mr. Tenney.'* Paid Amos Bull for books, $15.00. Paid Mr. Scarborough for books, $2 0.00. Received a present of Neal's History of New England^ from Mr. Charles Olmstead,^ of East Hartford. It is highly acceptable. Read. 2. Worked in my garden. The peas yield very well. Wrote. Walked and visited. Tarried out. 3. Visited. Gave Mr. Haskell an order on the society treasurer for ' In returning, he would pass directly by might agree substantially, would find some the house where Dr. Robbins lived. things to criticise. » Dr. John Owen wrote a work with the ^ Perhaps living in Salem, Mass. Latin title, Salus Electoriim, Sanguis yesii : * Rev. Caleb J. Tenney, D. D., in the year " The blood of Christ the safety or salvation 1816 was settled as colleague with Rev. of the elect." It was probably this work John Marsh, D. D. Dr. Marsh died in 1821, which Dr. Robbins was reading. Dr. Rob- after a ministry of forty-seven years. Dr. bins says, "He has some notions materially Tenney continued till 1 841, when he resigned, wrong." Dr. Owen is said to have spent and died in 1S47. seven years on this work, and he had such * Daniel Neal's History of A'ew England confidence in it, that he is reported as saying was in two volumes. in substance that he did not believe he * Mr. Charles Olmstead was a gentleman should live to see a solid answer to it. But of wealth and culture, living within a few a Christian thinker, looking into any theo- rods of the present Congregational meeting- logical work of this kind one hundred and house in East Hartford. The house is no fifty years after it was written, while he longer standing. [8i7.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 709 goods and post ofifice change of $32.93. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on James ii : 21. Quite warm. Wrote. 4. Wrote. No great attention appears to be paid to Independence. Planted some corn in my garden. Received a letter from Miss Dabney. Warm. 5. Very warm, dered by company. 24. Hin- Wrote the most of a sermon on James i : 23, Vegetation advances with great rapidity. 6. Finished early in the morning my sermon on James i : 23, 24. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Joel ii : 17. Administered the sacra- ment. Received a woman into the church. The church was very full. Found at meeting Mr. Sereno Dwight.' He preached for me in the after- noon. He performed very well. He is about to be settled at Boston. Bap- tized a child. The dust has become pretty bad. At evening rode with Mr. Dwight to Mr. Watson's. Gave him a set of Theological Magazines.^ I had two. 7. Last night we had a moderate shower. Rode to Hartford. Gave the Hartford Bank a note of $166.00, and received $98.37. Paid the Phoenix Bank, $106.53, and gave a new note of $400.00. The heat is severe. Wrote. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 8. Rode out. Worked in my garden. Read Pearson ^ on the Creed. Visited. At evening Mr. Battell and my mother came here. She has not been here before since my ordination. 9. My mother appears to be quite smart. Mr. Battell went off early and left her. They rode from Norfolk here yesterday. Visited with mother. 10. Rode and visited with my mother at a number of places. Cooler than it has been. Worked some at hay. 11. Rode with my mother to Enfield. Cousin Eliza is not very well. Left mother and returned. The prospect of harvest is very good. Am very languid. 12. Warm and sultry. Visited the sick. We have more sick persons than usual. Wrote. Rode to Hartford to make an exchange with Mr. Flint. Vis- ited Mr. Humphrey."* It appears to be very doubtful whether he will be settled here. We had a little rain. ' Son of President Timothy Dwight, born at Greenfield Hill, Ct., where his father was settled in the ministry, May 18, 1786, died in Philadelphia, Nov. 30, 1S50. He was settled two months after this visit to East Windsor (Sept. 3, 1817), at Park Street Church, Bos- ton, where he remained till 1826. He was meditating a life of his illustrious ancestor, Jonathan Edwards, who was born and brought up as a youth within Dr. Robbins's parish. The object of his journey was to obtain information about the Edwards family in general, and about Jonathan Edwards in particular. He did not make a very good use of his opportunities, for there were large stores of information near at hand, which Dr. Dwight did not discover. ^ This was the Magazine published for a few years in New York. ^ Eliphalet Pearson, LL. D. * Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D., after- wards President of Amherst College, was one of the candidates that preached in Dr. Strong's pulpit, but did not receive a call. Nevertheless, he became one of the leading divines in New England. yiO DIARY OP' REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. 13. Mr. Flint* rode to East Windsor with my horse and returned after meeting. Warm and faint. Preached on Acts viii : 23, and Luke xiii : 8, 9. Preached for Mr. FUnt last evening at his conference house with notes on Joel ii : 17. Towards evening rode up and attended conference for the lower part of my society. Quite tired. 14. Rode in a small sulky to New Haven and Bridgeport, fifty-seven miles. Received at the Eagle Bank a dividend of $30.00. The crops appear ver}^ well. Tarried with Mr. Waterman.^ 15. Conversed with a silversmith respecting his making some communion furniture for our church. Rode through New Haven home. In Stratford called on old Dr. Johnson.^ He has a very valuable library. Paid Mr. Waterman for a valuable French Bible, $5.00. Saw some harvesting in Wal- lingford and none other. Had a prosperous journey. 16. People have a very fine season for haying. Read. Visited. Attended our prayer-meeting. Verj' warm. Received of my collector, $50.00. 17. Exceeding warm. Visited. Read the Bible. Towards evening rode to Hartford. The ground has become quite dry. People are generally at their haying. 18. The heat is very oppressive this season. Visited. At noon my mother and my brother came here from Enfield. My brother returned. Am so lan- guid with the heat that I can do but little. 19. Am very faint and languid with the heat. Wrote j^art of a sermon on Ex. x: 17. Mother rode to East Hartford and made a visit. Walked out. 20. Wrote the remainder of a sermon on Ex. x : 17. Preached that and one written some time since on James i : 23, 24. We had a slight rain. The ground is very dry and hot. At evening attended the conference. Very tired. Yesterday received from Dr. McClure •* a long paper to be laid before the church. I fear it may give us trouble. The Lord help us. 21. Rode out with mother and visited all day. The prospect of the harvest is very pleasing. Brother Frank and Eliza came here at night and tarried. 22. Mother visited at Deacon Reed's all day. Was there the most of the time. Frank and Eliza took tea with us and went home. We had a heavy and most grateful shower. Read. 23. Worked in my garden. People are beginning their harvest. We had considerable company who came to visit mother. 24. Rode with mother to Norfolk.' She bore the ride very well. Cool. ' Rev. Abel Flint, D. D., of the Second College, New York. It may be remembered Church, Hartford. that Samuel Johnson, afterwards of Colum- ^ Rev. Elijah Waterman, pastor at Bridge- bia College, while tutor in Yale, became an port, 1806-1825. He was a graduate of Yale, Episcopalian. This event caused great com- 1791, and a native of Bozrah, Ct. motion at the time. 3 William Samuel Johnson, LL. D., born ■* The relations between Dr. McClure and in Stratfcird, Ct., 1727, died there 1819, at the Dr. Robbins had not been what they ought age of ninety-two. He was therefore ninety to have been as between colleague pastors, years of age at the time of this visit. He ^ This journey of some thirty-five miles in was the son of Rev. Samuel Johnson, D. D., one day would show that she still had a good the first President of King's (now Columbia) measure of vigor. 1817.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 71I Brother James it seems remains considerably unwell. I feel anxious about him. Paid Caleb Goodwin, of Hartford, ^lo.oo. I believe more than twice the quantity of potatoes' are now on the ground in this State to what have been in any past year. 25. People here are just beginning their haying. Mr. Humphrey, late of Fairfield, came here and tarried on his way to Pittsfield. Wrote to brother James. 26. Rode to West Suffield to exchange with Mr. Mix. He is gone to East Windsor.^ Warm. People are harvesting considerably. 27. Preached on Ps. li : 4, and James i : 23, 24. This society appears to be improving. I think Mr. Mix is faithful and useful. A few societies in this neighborhood are in a pretty low state. Towards evening rode to Enfield and preached for my brother at a conference on Heb. xi : 16. Very tired. 28. Rode home. Warm. Rode to the harvest field and carried dinner. The harvest is exceeding good through the country. Bless the Lord, O our souls.^ At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Was up late. 29. W^orked in my garden. Rode to Hartford. Very warm. Dr. Strong's society are in a pretty bad situation.* I fear for them. The ground is quite dr}\ Read. Am much troubled with nervous affections. My garden pro- duces very well, 30. Read. Went into the water. Rode out and visited. Very warm. Wrote a letter to Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport, and one to Gen. Howe, of New Haven. Received a letter from brother James. His health is improving. 31. Read. Worked in my garden. Visited the sick. We have a number of persons that are unwell. I find an inconvenience in lending my books so much. People have a fine season for their harvest. It is seldom so good. August. 1. Read Hopkins's System and Doddridge's Lectures} Began a sermon on Ex. viii: 19. Wrote but little. Afternoon had a public catechising of the children. 2. Wrote ten pages by daylight on my sermon on the being and perfec- tions of God. I have been latterly too inattentive to study. 3. Wrote four pages and finished my sermon on Ex. viii: 19,* Did not complete it till in the intermission. Preached it. The subject appeared more ' The cold summer of 1816, the previous young Robbins was at Williams College, year, revealed the importance of the potato then in its infancy, the trustees (1796) threw crop. It has been said that many of the out Hopkins's System of Divinity as a text- people of New England would have died of book, and substituted Doddridge's Lectures. hunger in 1816 had it not been for the Between 'the two, Dr. Robbins thought he remarkable yield of potatoes. should get about the right doctrinal balance. ^ They took different roads, or they would ^ The text for this sermon was rather have met. peculiar, and was probably meant to be so. ^ That was uttered with more emphasis The subject itself was one requiring careful in view of the experiences the year before. thought. " Then the magicians said unto '' They could not unite upon any of their Pharaoh, This is the finger of God : and candidates, though they had able ones. Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he heark- ^ In the first year of this diary, when ened not unto them ; as the Lord had said." 712 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. interesting than I expected. Perhaps I shall make it the first of a series, forming with divine permission and assistance, something of a theological system. At evening attended the conference. Brother Frank came here and tarried. 4. Wrote. Am ver)' languid. Visited. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. It is interesting and solemn. 5. Rode to Wapping and visited. Worked in my garden. The ground very dr)'. Read Doddridge's Lectures. 6, W^orked in my garden. Afternoon worked in the meadow raking hay. The crop of grass is light, 7. Visited the most of the day. People have had a very fine time to get in their harvest, which is now mostly done. This people are very stupid. My efforts appear to be very inefficacious. A little rainy. 8, Read Christian Observer. Looked over my pecuniary accounts for the last quarter year. My expenses have been greater than usual. Paid on a charity subscription, $2.00. Wet and showery all day. 9, Wrote a sermon on Prov, ii : 4, 5, Wrote more than five pages before dinner. Raiiiy all day. I believe we have not had so much rain at one time this year. It is very refreshing to the ground. Hindered by company. 10. Wrote notes in the morning on 2 John ix, and preached with them and the sermon written yesterday. Warm and very pleasant after the rain, I fear people will work some at their hay that is out. At evening attended the con- ference. Quite full. Yesterday picked a first ear of green corn. 11. Last night much troubled with nervous affections. Read, Towards night something rainy. Yesterday received a letter from Mrs, Benjamin, of Bridgeport, Wrote. So rainy I did not attend our prayer-meeting. I am forty years of age. The period of youth and early manhood has passed away. I am now in the maturity and decline of life.* O righteous God, how little have I attained, how little have I done. How far am I from that usefulness and from those attainments which I have anticipated should I arrive at this period of life. 12. Showery and wet last night and all day. Some of the time it rained very hard. The greatest rain, I Believe, we have had since September, 18 15, Wrote on my catalogue of books and preaching accounts, 13. Rode to Hartford. The river rises rapidly and overflows the mead- ows. The freshet will probably do much damage. There is a great deal of hay and grain out. Paid $16,36 for old books from the library of Rev, Mr. Whitman," Visited. Yesterday received a letter from Miss Dabney, The first society have but little prospect of getting a minister. Very warm. 14. Visited the sick and others. The flood is over the meadows. People * Physically this may be true. But in- ^ Rev. Elnathan Whitman, who had been tellectually this ought not to be sc, and, as dead for many years. He was pastor of the an ordinary rule, is not so. The productions Second (South) Church in Hartford, 1733- of the mind are likely to be far more able 1777, when he died. There are some inter- and symmetrical for many years after forty esting narratives and traditions that are di- than before, rectly or indirectly connected with his family. iSi;.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 713 suffer a good deal. It destroys some crops. The weather is still unsettled. The heat very severe. Worked raking hay the most of the afternoon. Read. 15. Read. Began a sermon on the inspiration of the Scriptures on 2 Peter i : ig. The heat is very oppressive. It makes it hard forme to write. Re- ceived another letter from Miss Dabney. 16. Wrote all day on my sermon. Showery. The heat is very debilitating, on account I suppose of the great degree of wet. The river falls very slowly. 17. Wrote three pages. Finished my sermon in the intermission, and preached it, on 2 Pet. i: 19. At evening rode to Wapping and visited a sick woman. Very much fatigued by my labor and languor. 18. The heat very severe. Rode to Warehouse Point and heard Bishop Hobart' preach, and saw him confirm several persons. Brother Frank and Eliza came here and tarried. The bishop preached well, allowing him to be an Arminian and churchman.^ 19. Rode to Simsbury and attended ministers' meeting. Hot and showery. Preached on James i : 23, 24. We had a very good meeting among ourselves. 20. Afternoon rode home. Frequent showers. Very bad weather for hay or grain that is out. ilm quite unwell with fatigue and the weather. 21. Last Sabbath evening received from my good friend, Mrs. Reed, a present of an elegant cambric pocket-handkerchief. Visited the sick and others. Edward Wolcott is very low, and I think will not live long. Am troubled with a severe headache and diarrhoea. 22. Received two military letters as orders in my chaplaincy. Rode to Windsor and attended a meeting of military officers. Returned. The water has mostly left the meadows, but there is a very bad effluvia.^ We have a pretty poor colonel. 23. Am quite feeble with a continued diarrhoea and headache. Am unable to write a sermon. Visited. Not so warm as it has been. Wrote. 24. Cold all day. We had a great change of weather last night. Preached with old notes on Jer. x: 16, and an old sermon on John i: 10. Meeting pretty thin. At evening attended a conference. Quite thin. We are very stupid here. Yesterday received a present from Mr. Dabne)^, of Salem," of two valuable volumes and a number of useful pamphlets. 25. This morning there was a little frost. Vegetation however seems not to have suffered. Gave $1.00 to two Hollanders who were along soliciting ' John Henry Hobart, D. D., a graduate ■* This confirms our impression that the of Union College, native of Philadelphia, Miss Dabney, who has two or three times Assistant Bishop of New York in 181 1, and written to Dr. Robbins, was resident in made Bishop in 1816. Salem, Mass. Mr. Jonathan Peele Dabney, ^ The Church of England has long been a graduate of Harvard College in 181 1, was called Arminian in doctrine, rather than a thorough antiquarian, and a man with Calvinistic. whom Dr. Robbins would naturally sympa- ^ Such experiences make the meadow thize. He never married, and had two towns along the Connecticut River sickly, sisters in Salem. They all three lived to and especially subject to fevers. old age. 714 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. charity. Visited a sick man. Attended our prayer-meeting in the evening. It was solemn. Tarried out. 26. It was cold last night, but no frost. Visited all day. I fear that noth- ing can check the prevailing vice of intemperance. We have now more sickness than usual. 27. Last evening a man died near here suddenly who has been sick for several years. A man belonging here has lately died in Charlestown, having been absent nearly two years. Visited the two afflicted families and others. I fear we shall have -trouble in the church with Dr. McClure. 28. Attended the funeral of Capt. Elmer.* He was buried by Free Masons. Wrote and delivered an address to the Masons and mourners. Warm. My garden has produced a good number of fine watermelons. 29. Worked in my garden. Rode to Wapping and visited. Afternoon attended a public catechising of the children. Visited the sick and others. 30. There has been a Methodist camp-meeting in Orford' this week, which has excited great attention. I suppose they were pretty orderly for such an occasion, but some of the works were bad enough. Wrote the most of a ser- mon on Prov. v: 12. Flies and insects are uncommonly thick. Paid my shoemaker at Hartford, $5. 00. 31. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Acts xiii : 26. Finished and preached in the afternoon the sermon on Prov. v: 12. After meeting rode to East Hartford to attend the funeral of Horace Olmstead. The funeral was over ; visited the mourners. Spent the evening with the deacons con- versing on Dr. McClure's complaints of the church. September. 1. Worked in my garden. It has produced a great deal the present season. Read. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Mr. Brace, ^ of Newington, came here and tarried. Quite warm. 2. Rode to Wapping and visited two schools. Great efforts are made in the State for the approaching Freemen's Meeting. The Lord be our helper. Visited a sick man. Received from Mr. Flint my annual consociational letter. § 3. Rode to Enfield and attended a ministers' meeting. The heat very severe." My brother has lately received a handsome present from the ladies of his people. 4. Returned in the afternoon. This hot weather is very favorable for the corn. Spent the evening with the deacons and Dr. McClure on the subject of his unreasonable complaints. ' Justus Elmer, aged fifty. a noticeable fact that his ministry, coupled " It has been before stated that Orford with that of his predecessor, Rev. Joshua (Manchester) was a place where, for many Belden, covered about one hundred and eight years, camp-meetings were held. years. ^ Rev. Joab Brace, D, D., who had then * We have confirmation here of a fact been settled in Newington only twelve years, before noticed, the usual prevalence of hot but he remained till he had filled out a min- weather in the early days of September, last- istry of fifty years, when he resigned. It is ing sometimes eight or ten days. 1817.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 715 5. Am much enervated by the severe heat. It is thought to be equal to any day we have had this j^ear. Wrote. Began a sermon on Eccles. vii : 29. Was obUged to leave my chamber on account of the heat. At evening walked out. We had in the evening a pretty hard thunder-shower. 6. Wrote on my sermon the most of the day and evening. Was called in the morning to see a sick man probably near to death. I write poorly. 7. Preached all day on the innocence and fall of man, from Eccles. vii : 29.' Did not get it quite completed before I went to meeting in the afternoon. Had four pages to write today. I am not well satisfied with my sermon for so important a subject. An elderly man died pretty suddenly.^ Visited the family. At evening attended the conference. Received a letter from Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport. Cool. 8. Worked in my garden. Visited. At evening attended our pra3^er- meeting. I am very anxious respecting our approaching Freemen's Meeting.^ 9. Visited. Early in the afternoon attended a funeral ; after which set out for Commencement and rode to Leet's tavern, North Haven. Received of Phoenix Bank, ^55.50. Warm. Rode pretty late. 10. Rode early to New Haven. Tudor "^ came here yesterday and had his horse fall and break the shafts of his sulky, three miles from New Haven. Found him there. Attended the public exercises. They were better than usual. A great collection of people, particularly ministers. The new Presi- dent^ performed remarkably well. Very warm. At evening attended the Concio ad Clerum. Paid up my account with Gen. Howe for books, $23.55. Well accommodated at Capt. Dummer's. 11. Attended and took the lead in the prayer-meeting in the morning. The heat very severe all day. Attended the meeting of the Charitable Educa- tion Society.* Paid $20.00 and became a life-member. I think this institution is doing much good. Afternoon rode to Meriden. Much op- pressed with the heat. Tarried at Mr. Ripley's.^ Wrote to Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport, and sent him $50.00 of money belonging to the church. At even- ing there was a severe thunder-shower. Crops appear very well. 12. Some damage done here by the lightning last evening. Rode home. The heat very severe, but not equal, I think, to yesterday. Very much fatigued. We have fine melons from my garden. We had a little rain. Lost, I believe, .25. 13. Wrote. Worked some. Visited a sick woman. Cooler. Am too tired to write much. ' " Lo, this only have I found, that God as gold refined, and was to hold his high hath made man upright ; but they have sought office twenty-nine years. out many inventions." ^ This was near the beginning of the ^ Mr. Benjamin Gillett, aged sixty-six. Connecticut Education Society, afterwards ^ The drift in Connecticut was then away merged in the American Education Society, from Federalism. Dr. Robbins showed his hearty interest by a ** Samuel Tudor Wolcott. liberal gift. * Rev. Jeremiah Day, D. D., was sue- ' Rev. Erastus Ripley, pastor of the First cessor to Dr. Dwight, and this was his first Church in Meriden, 1803-1822. Graduated at Commencement. He was pure and genuine Yale, 1795. 7l6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l^I?- 14. Quite cool. Wore my cloak. Preached an old sermon on Ps. xxv : 11. At evening attended the conference. 15. Visited sick persons. Worked in my garden. Quite cool, but so cloudy that we have no frost. We have now an unusual number of sick. Did not attend the Freemen's Meeting. The votes for nomination were, as I am informed, Federalist, 189 ; Democratic, 94. Many staid at home. 16. Something rainy. Wrote to my sister Battell. Worked in my garden. Read. Visited. One of my best women I fear is not like to live. 17. Read. Warmer, and through divine goodness we have had no frost. Democracy appears to have obtained a perfect triumph in the State at the late Freemen's Meeting, Our God frowns upon us in his holy and terrible judgments. I hope and pray that we may not long be given up to the rage of the wicked. I consider it the success of iniquity against righteousness.' Afternoon attended the Female Auxiliary Bible Society's annual meeting and paid .50. Visited the sick and others. 18. Attended a regimental training and did the duty of chaplain. The regiment paraded in front of our house and performed pretty well. The colonel is rather inadequate. The general appeared very well. 19. Wrote. Afternoon visited a school. We have quite an unusual number of sick. 20. Wrote to brother Frank. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. cxiii : 6. I write quite slow. Democracy in this State triumphs and scoffs. The Lord be our helper. 21. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on Ps. cxiii: 6. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Luke x: 21. I have made this sermon unusually long. At evening had a full conference. Visited the sick. 22. Rode to Hartford. Afternoon visited a school. At evening did not attend our prayer-meeting on account of rain. My brother came here and tarried. Last night was quite cold, but no frost was visible to produce any effect. 23. My brother went off very early and took my military insignia to wear on a parade. Quite warm. Worked some. Read. Visited a school. Vis- ited the sick. Have very little time for study. 24. Read. Visited. Some of our young men conduct badly. At evening attended the meeting of our Moral Societ}\ That institution languishes. Was out late. 25. Wrote. Read. A merciful providence yet keeps off the frost. Yesterday receiv^ed from my collector, $60.00. Attended the training of a rifle company. Their exercise is quite amazing. Visited. 26. There was a little frost this morning, but a thick fog seems to ha\e prevented any visible effects. Paid for a pair of shoes, $2.50. Paid a sad- dler, .^^. Afternoon attended a public catechising of the children. I have ' It would probably be the general opin- an immense evil as it then seemed to many ion of the people of Connecticut that the good men to be. Oliver Wolcott, who kept triumph of the Democrats in 1817 was not such the office ten years, is esteemed honorable. 1817.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 717 now had four the present season. I think they have done good. The children have attended pretty well. Am ver)^ much occupied with business. 27. Wrote the most of a sermon on Acts xxiv : 25. Spent the afternoon in visiting the sick. I seldom find time to write a double sermon. People here have a good crop of tobacco.' I think I do not gain any in writing as to rapidity. At evening we had a thunder-shower. 28. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on Acts xxiv: 25. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Matt, xxvii : 42. At evening performed a marriage.'' Quite cool. Wrote. Get but little time for rest. Have a fire in my chamber. Took in my green trees. 29. Rode to Norfolk. Carried Miss Cravath with me, who has been at school here some time past. Mother appears to be very well. There has been no frost here to stop vegetation, no more than at East Windsor. In the evening preached a lecture in the meeting-house, which Mr. Emerson had appointed, on James i : 23, 24. 30. Rode to Colebrook with Mr. Emerson and Uncle Starr, who came along and met with the Consociation. The Consociation and Association hold their meetings at the same time. At evening preached by the request of Mr. Lee on Ps. cxxii : 3, 4, 5. The subject of our church government is imperfectly understood by our ministers and churches.^ October. 1. In the morning there was a hard frost. The first that has been to stop vegetation. The Consociation finished their session about noon. After dinner rode home. Got home half after nine. The effects of the frost are visible all the way. The evening quite cold. The frost seems not to have been quite so hard here as at Colebrook. A regiment of artillery has been reviewed today in East Hartford. The first instance of the kind in the State. Our sick are better by account than I expected to find them. 2. Am something rheumatic. Wrote. Yesterday the Consociation at Colebrook decided that the excommunication of a member by a church with- out a minister is invalid." The frost this morning was harder than yesterday, but a thick fog seems to ha\e prevented the most of its effects. Visited a school. At evening rode to Scantick and performed* a marriage.' 3. The weather is more moderate. Read. I find some difficulty in pro- curing places for the members of the Consociation,* Received a ver}' * In modern times the tobacco crop is the mise between Presbyterianism and Congre- chief crop in the Connecticut valley far up gationalism. and down the river. But we were not aware * That is a good illustration of the high that it was a crop of any special importance governmental ideas of Consociations in the at so early a date as is here indicated. past, e.xalting the minister out of all propor- ^ Daniel Hinsdale, of Hartford, was united tion to the whole membership of a Christian in marriage with Catherine Wolcott. church. In true Congregationalism the min- ^ That was very true, back in those days. ister is but simply one voting member. Members of Congregational churches in ' The parties were Levi Webster and many places called them Presbyterian. And Sabra Allen. indeed the Congregationalism of the Say- " This was the local Consociation which brook Platform was only a kind of compro- was soon to meet in East Windsor. yiS DIARV OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. interesting paper from one of the members of the church. Visited the sick. 4. Wrote the most of a sermon on Heb. iv : 15. Visited. The growth of the corn is not yet obstructed by the frost. Wrote to my brother at Enfield. 5. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on the humanity of Christ, from Heb. iv : 15. The subject is very interesting. In the forenoon preached with old notes on 2 Cor, v: 11. Full meeting. Received a letter from brother James. Quite warm. At evening attended a little while at a singing-meeting. Paid for two volumes of the Christian Observer, $8.00. 6. Rode to Hartford. Called on Mr. Hawes,' the candidate. He appears well. Warm and dry. My unavoidable expenses seem to be great. Wrote. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 7. In the forenoon our Consociation met here. The most of the mem- bers were present. Afternoon it was rainy, and our meeting was very thin. The state of religion in our limits is low. We had an evening session. 8. We had a meeting in the forenoon. Mr. Hawes, of Hartford, preached ver)' well. The Conso finished their session a little after noon. They expressed themselves gratified with their accommodations. Our singing was much admired. The next meeting of Consociation is to be at Bristol. We had some good watermelons. Quite tired. Read. Last evening wrote to my cousin Eliza Olmstead at Norfolk. Yesterday received a letter from brother James. 9. In the forenoon rode to Wapping and called on a number of families. Afternoon walked and visited. Mrs. Wolcott I think cannot live long. The crops of all kinds come in very well. Paid for four bushels of oats. X o. This morning we had a hard frost. This will probably stop vegetation, though it has continued till this time.^ Tobacco had not been killed. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Worked some. Read the Bible. On the 8th paid my annual tax to General Association, $1.00. Afternoon preached a preparatory' lecture with old notes on 2 Cor. v: 14. Meeting very thin. 11. W'rote the most of a sermon on 2 Chron. xxix : 10. Visited Mrs. Elizur Wolcott. I think she is near the close of life. We could hardly lose so exemplary a Christian ©r a more useful woman. 12. Warm. Finished and preached in the afternoon the sermon begun yesterday on covenanting with God. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Matt, xvii : 4. Administered the sacrament. Baptized a child.' At even- ing attended the conference. We had an interesting solemn day. Very tired. Contributed for the church, $5.00. ' Rev. Joel Hawes, a native of Medway, their favorite candidate. He proved to be a Mass., a graduate of Brown University, 1S13, very able and successful minister, and of Andover Theological Seminary, 1817. ^ It was unusual (though it sometimes The First Church of Hartford, after the happens) that there had been no frost to death of Dr. Strong, ten months before, kill so delicate a plant as tobacco before the having heard a goodly number of young loth of October. preachers who afterwards became distin- ^ Harriet Tracy, daughter of Nathaniel guished, turned at last to Mr. Hawes as Rockwell. 1817.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 719 13. Mrs. Wolcott' died last evening. Visited the family. Brother Frank came here to go to the eastward. We expected cousin Eliza to go with him, but she does not come. Rode to Hartford. Paid to the Phoenix Bank, ^106.54, besides a sum which I received at the other bank. Found Mr. Bat- tell at Hartford. He and little Sarah came here and tarried. In the evening attended our prayer-meeting. Tarried at a tavern. 14. Rode early. There was a hard frost. Rode forty-five miles to a tavern in Rhode Island (Fish's), fifteen miles v/est of Providence. 15. The eastern part of Connecticut and Rhode Island is very dry. 16. Rode through Providence and Taunton to a tavern in the south part of Middleborough, forty-seven miles. The road about Taunton is pretty poor. The season in this quarter has been good. Pretty tired. 17. Rode in a cold morning fifteen miles to Fairhaven. Very kindly re- ceived by our cousins.^ They are in very good circumstances. This is a considerable town. New Bedford opposite is a large and handsome town. The people of this county, Bristol, have an uncommon habit of attending court at Taunton as spectators. 18. Rode to Uncle Le Baron's, Rochester, five miles. My uncle and his family are agreeably situated. Cool for the season. My uncle has had whoop- ing-cough at seventy years of age. Brother Frank returned to Fairhaven. 19. Preached for my uncle on Ps. cxiii : 6, and James i : 23, 24. At even- ing attended another meeting and preached without notes on Matt, xvii : 4. This congregation is small. They have recently erected a fine meeting-house, which must be a great benefit to them. Tarried with my cousin William.^ 20. My uncle's family do very well. Four of them are settled here and one at Roxbury. Visited cousins. This place had increased very much in a few years. They do a good deal at ship building and something in navigation. 21. Walked about with my uncle. He retains his powers uncommonly well. Dined at a cousin's. Brother Frank came here from Fairhaven. Afternoon rode to Fairhaven and left my brother at Rochester. In the even- ing preached a lecture in the meeting-house, for Rev. Mr. Wheeler,'* on Acts xvi : 31. This congregation is small. 22. Wrote. Warm. My cousins are agreeably situated. Afternoon crossed the river in a sail-boat to New Bedford. This town appears wealthy and flourishing. At evening preached for Mr. Holmes^ on Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. ' Mrs. Elizabeth Wolcott, aged fifty-three, with whom he stayed, was the sixth child, wife of Mr. Elizur Wolcott. She was the born in 1786. daughter of Dr. Alexander Wolcott, of * Rev. Abraham Wheeler, a native of Windsor, and was born Jan. 13, 1763. Holden, Mass., a graduate of Williams Col- ^ Among his very numerous cousins lege, 1810, was pastor at Fairhaven, 1813- in all that part of the country, without 18 18. farther light it will be difficult for us to name ' Rev. Sylvester Holmes, born in Ply- them. mouth, 1788, pastor of the North Church in ^ Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, of Rochester, New Bedford, 181 1, where he remained married in 1774 Elizabeth Allen, of Martha's many years. He died in New Bedford in Vineyard, and had nine children. William, 1866, aged seventy-eight. 720 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. After which returned to Fairhaven. The principal people in New Bedford are Quakers. The ecclesiastical societies in this quarter generally are small. 23. In the morning early set out with my brother on our return. Our visit has been exceedingly prosperous and pleasant. I am very glad that we came. Rode to Providence, forty-seven miles. We had a little wet. The season in this quarter is very dry. This town appears flourishing. 24. Very warm. The heat was oppressive and severe. Rode to Wind- ham, forty-four miles. My horse performs well. My brother has a pretty chaise. 25. Rode to Enfield, thirty-one miles, and home at dusk. Something wet the most of the day. Have had a very prosperous journey. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Found our family under trials. Mrs. Wolcott' was taken on the 1 6th with vomiting blood and discharged great quantities, perhaps two or three quarts. The family and others mostly despaired of her life. She is now gaining, but quite low. An aged man^ has died in my absence. Cool. 26. Cold and rainy all day. Meeting very thin. Preached an old sermon on Eph. iv : 24. Am not greatly fatigued with my journey. At evening walked out. 27. Read. Wrote. Mrs. Wolcott seems to be gaining. On the 21st Mr. Clapp, my collector, paid Mr. Wolcott for me, $50.00. Mr, Wolcott lent me the same on the 13th, of which I then took no account. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 28. Read. Rode to Enfield, and with my brother to West Suffield and attended our ministers' meeting. We were quite attentive to business. I am the senior member. 29. Rode to Enfield. Read Christian Observer, Preached a sacramental lecture for my brother on Ps. cxiii : 6. He went to Longmeadow to attend a ministers' meeting. Rode home. Quite cool. 30. Last night it froze very hard. Worked abroad some. Wrote. Occu- pied with company. Carried wood into the garret.^ Am considerably troubled with rheumatism. 31. Wrote to my brother James. Read the Bible. Walked out and visited. Our Assembly adjourned yesterday. They have not done much evil, but they have had a contemptible session. A holy God frowns upon our State." November. I. Our church communion cups have arrived from Bridgeport. There are six, and they appear very well. They cost one hundred and twenty-three dollars ; a little less than I expected. We have two old ones of silver. Wrote a sermon on John xii : 23. It rained without the least intermission all day. Wrote quite slowly. ' Mrs. Abiel Wolcott, where he lived. * Politically Mr. Robbins must certainly ^ Mr. Edward Bragg, aged seventy-one. be regarded as a severe critic. As one looks ^ That was to have his wood in convenient back to that particular period in Connecticut proximity to his chamber fire. history he fails to find what was so very bad. tSi;.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 721 2. It rained moderately, but without any intermission. Meeting very thin. Wrote short notes and preached in the forenoon on Neh. i : 7. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. At evening rode out in the wet and performed a marriage.' 3. Rode to Enfield and returned. The road quite wet. Borrowed of my brother, ^50.00, and gave him my note. The river rises considerably. Received a letter from Mr. Benjamin,* of Bridgeport, and one from Rev. Mr. Catlin,^ of New Marlborough. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 4. Rode to Hartford. Paid Mr. Chapin, on account of brother Frank, $10.00. Paid Imlay, $5.00, Dea. Tileston,* $4.25, and a shoemaker, $2.50. Quite cold. Read Fox's Martyrology? There appears to be some prospect that Mr. Hawes will be settled in Hartford, 5. This morning there was a very hard fr(5st. Read old books. Wrote. Worked some. It is a good year for cider. 6. Read in Cave's Life of Athanasius!' He is a very good biographer. Worked considerably. Wrote on a communication for a member of the church. 7. Read Cave. Wrote considerably. Worked. Manured my asparagus beds. Quite warm. 8. Worked at cider. Read. Rode to Scantick to make an exchange with my brother Bartlett. My horse has a bad sore back. Paid for three pounds of honey. 9. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett appear to be much burdened with their numer- ous family.' Mr. Bartlett went to my society. Preached on Heb. iv : 15, and James i : 23, 24. The congregation was quite large. Baptized ten children belonging to three families. Very warm for the season. The happy effects of the late revival are very visible. Returned in the evening. 10. Worked putting up cider for bottling. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Tarried out. 11. Remarkably warm. Visited. Read. Mrs. Wolcott gains in health quite favorably. Read. Hindered by company. 12. Wrote. I spend considerable time unprofitably. Finished Cave's Lfe of Athanasius. Received a letter from my sister. 13. Worked some. Read the Bible. Hindered by company. Gave $1.10 to a young man who was soliciting charity for the heathen school at Corn- ' Between John Williams, of East Hart- * Dr. William Cave, of England, 1637- ford, arkd Clarissa Starkweather, of Wap- 17 13. He wrote Lives of the Apostles, Lives ping. of the Fathers, and Primitive Christianity, ^ Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport, was the which were, in times past, standard works. man who had furnished the silver com- ' They then had seven children, and two munion cups. more were born afterwards. With a small ^ Rev. Jacob Catlin, D. D., pastor at the salary it was no doubt hard to make the North Church, New Marlborough, Mass., ends meet. But the children all grew up, 1 787-1 826. and three of the sons went through Yale * Dea. Thomas Tileston. College. The two daughters in the family ^ John Fox, author of the Martyrology, were honorably married, and their lives have died in 1587, but his book has been current been filled with activity and great usefulness, through the intervening generations. Three or four of these children are yet living. 722 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^8x7. wall.' My brother Samuel has some inclination to sell his place and remove.^ I hope God will preserve him from such a course. 14. Began a sermon in my system on depravity and the covenant of redemption. Wrote considerably. Worked some. I have neglected visiting of late too much. 15. Finished the sermon begun yesterday on i Pet, i: 20, Wrote ten pages. Eight of them in eight successive hours, I have usually for some time past written much slower than this, and slower than in years past. Wet and rainy. 16. On the 13th received a present of two gallons of good wine from Mr. Battell. Preached on i Pet. i : 20. Meeting full and attentive. At evening attended the conference. It was pretty thin. My brother Frank came here in the evening from Orford and tarried. 17. Had company. Something rainy. Read. Examined my pamphlets. 18. Rainy all day. Spent the most of the day in looking over and arrang- ing my pamphlets. Read in Gibbon's History. I much want more room for my books. 19. Rode to Hartford. The river is considerably high. My rheumatism is burdensome. Paid for boards and nails, $1.78. Read. We had snow- squalls. 20. Worked ploughing my garden. Wrote to my brother Samuel. Vis- ited, Paid for oats, ^1.50. Warm. People have had very fine weatlier for fall work. 21. Worked at my garden. Walked out and visited. Read Cave's Lives. 22. This morning the ground was covered with snow. The first we have had. Read the interesting life of St. Basil. ^ Paid a shoemaker, .60, Visited, We have a number of people who have been long ill who are now apparently recovering. Wrote, Warm. The most of the snow went off. Read the Bible. 23. In the morning wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Eph. ii: 4, 5. In the afternoon jDreached an old sermon on Luke ii : 7. Quite cold. At evening attended a little while at a singing-meeting. Baptized a child. Read. 24. Severe cold. Read Gibbon. Rode out. I hope we are not now to have winter. Wrote to brother Francis. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. 25. Last night it froze very hard. The weather moderates. Read Gib- bon. Worked some. Have considerable trouble with our green trees. At evening began a sermon for Thanksgiving on Isa. liv : 7, 8, 26. Wrote the most of my sermon. Finished it late in the evening. Wrote pretty slow. Our proclamation for Thanksgiving is pretty ordinary. 27. Thanksgiving, A pleasant day. Meeting pretty full. Preached on * The school, famous for a time, for the " He had hitherto made his home in education of heathen youth, was then in full Norwalk. and successful operation. ^ t^js ^^as in Cave's series. 1817.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. y23 Isa. liv : 7, 8. Mrs. Wolcott sat at table with us at dinner the first time in her sickness. Walked out. 28. Read Gibbon. Got in our celery. Pleasant and warm. The ground is something frozen. Had company. 29. Wrote. Read. I am too much taken up with unimportant things. Afternoon rode to Enfield to exchange with my brother. The frost comes out of the ground. 30. My brother rode early to East Windsor. Preached on Rom. iv : 15. Meeting quite full. At evening attended a conference. The state of this society appears to be improving. December. 1. Rode quite early to East Windsor' with Mrs. Parsons;^ then my brother and she went to Norfolk. Worked considerably at manure for my garden. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 2. Set out for Norfolk. Rode in a sulky. Afternoon quite rainy. Got considerably wet. Tarried with my brother Ammi.^ He is expecting to send his son to college. I doubt whether it is best. 3. Last night it snowed some. Rode to Norfolk. Mother is quite well. Mr. Emerson was married to Miss Rockwell/ of Colebrook, last Friday. Brother Samuel seems disposed to remove from this town. I do exceedingly regret it. I think it owing considerably to the feelings of his wife. At even- ing attended a small conference. 4. My brother Frank and Mrs. Parsons went off to Enfield. It is quite cold. A Baptist preacher was ordained at the northwest corner of this town today. I fear he will do some injur)^ A few people went and attended the transaction. I think mother and Samuel will live separate. I am very sorry that it is necessary. 5. Rode home. Quite cold. It thawed very little through the day. The ground is hard frozen. There is no snow here. Received a letter from Mr. Stewart/ one from Dr. Whitman, and one from Mrs. Skinner, all of Hartford. Paid brother Samuel for wool, .66. Took considerable cold by being wet on Tuesday. 6. Severe cold. Worked considerably carrying wood to the garret. Read the President's Message. I think it the best we have had since Federal times.* Wrote. 7. Steady cold and pleasant. Preached with old notes on Rom. vii : 9. Meetings were short. At evening attended the conference. My cold does not much affect my speaking. Preached pretty poorly. Read. Had a very good number of the Recorder. ' That is, from Enfield, where he had Emerson died in 1863, at the age of seventy- preached for his brother. six, and his wife survived him. ^ Mrs. Parsons is a new name, and we do ' This name is spelled wrongly, as before not as 3'et understand who she is. e.\plained. It was Rev. Joseph Steward. ^ His brother Ammi lived in Colebrook. * Dr. Robbins shook hands with Presi- * Miss Eliza Rockwell, and the marriage dent Monroe a few months before, and liked took place Wednesday, Nov. 26, 1817. Dr. him better than he expected. 724 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1817. 8. Visited. Afternoon visited the school at the Hill, now divided into two. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. It was full and solemn. The cold abates. My cousin Eliza came here and tarried. I have some anxiety for the ecclesiastical interests at Norfolk. 9. Warm and very pleasant. Read. Worked some. Received a letter from my brother James and one from Clarissa Cowles,' now living at Pitts- burgh. That town it seems has become a city. Read Cave. 10. Rode with Tudor to Colchester.^ Left him there to attend the academy. Rode back to Marlborough^ and tarried. Good riding. Warm for the season, 11. Rode home. Read Cave. Wrote to Gen. Howe, of New Haven. Wrote a short piece for publication. Something rainy. 12. Read Cave. Very valuable. Visited a school. Quite rainy, 13. Wrote the most of a sermon on Dan, xii : lo. Wrote very slow and late. Wet. I am greatly troubled with dissipated thoughts. Congress have commenced their session with appearance of great harmony. 14. Quite rainy all day. Meeting very thin. Preached an old sermon on Isa, xxvi : 4, Read the Bible, Wrote. 15. Read Cave, The fourth century was an active, and learned age of the church. Worked at my library. At evening the weather cleared off, having been steadily wet for five days, 16. Rode to Turkey Hills. ■• Attended our ministers' meeting. Cold. The prospects of this society are favorable, 17. In the morning it snowed some. Rode home. The river is high and the crossing bad. Our society had their annual meeting yesterday. Their accounts are favorable. No certificates were given in. Rode to Hartford. Visited Mr. Hawes/ who has lately returned there. 18. Yesterday received a letter from Gen, Howe, of New Haven, Gave a boy, who does errands for me, cloth for a great coat. Rode to Wapping and tarried. Visited, 19. Visited the two Wapping schools, I have difficulty in getting out the other visitors. Received of my collector, $255.27. Paid Mr, Wolcott on my boarding-bill, $56.19, Paid a merchant's bill, $32,93; a blacksmith's bill, $4,15, The collector has done better than usual, 20. Wrote. Worked some. Hindered by company. My cousin Eliza came here. Wrote on a sermon. 21. Severe cold and tedious all day. Meeting very thin. Preached an old sermon on Isa. xlvii : 4, At evening walked out. Propounded a man for our communion. 22. The cold is severe and unabated. At evening attended our prayer- ' Probably from one of the Cowles fami- ■* Rev. Eber L. Clark, whose acquaintance lies of Norfolk. we first made at Chatham, now Portland, Ct., ^ Tudor Wolcott was still connected with it will be remembered, had been settled there Bacon Academy, Colchester. the year before, but was not to remain very ^ Marlborough, Ct., the first place where long. he preached for a considerable time. ' Rev. Joel Hawes. 1817.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 725 meeting. The attendance increases. Visited a school. Received a letter from my brother and sister Battell. 23. Rode to Enfield with my cousin Eliza. Returned and attended a funeral at Wapping. Visited. The cold abates. 24. Worked some. Rode to Hartford. The riding is very good. The river is frozen over. The country is remarkably still on political subjects. Visited. 25. Wrote a letter to my sister, and one to Rev. Mr. Mills,' of Torringford. The forenoon was quite rainy. Visited a sick man. The ground is consider- ably thawed. I have something of a tremor in my hand. 26. Worked some. Read. Visited. Dined with Dr. Tudor^ at a Christ- mas dinner. I spend much time unprofitably. I am wanting in exempla- riness.^ Paid for oats. 27. Read old New England books. The churches had much contention on the subject of the Half-Way Covenant.'' Hindered by company. Paid $12.00 for Whitby's Commentary? Visited. Pleasant and no snow. Read a sermon of Increase Mather. 28. Finished a sermon which has now Iain over two Sabbaths on account of the weather, on Dan. xii : lo. Preached with it both parts of the day. Meeting full and solemn. At evening we had a good conference. Warm. Baptized a child.^ 29. Visited the sick. Visited a school. The ground thaws considerably. Read. Our schools appear well. 30. Wrote. Afternoon rode in the rain to Hartford. Saw Mr. Battell. Took tea with him. Received a dividend of $16.00 of the Hartford Bank, one half of which I paid to Mr. Wolcott. Paid for Stiles's fudges,'' .75. Got quite wet on my return. The riding is exceeding bad. The most of the frost is out of the ground. Brother Frank came here and tarried. 31. Rode with my brother to Scantick and attended ministers' meeting. I fear we have some unpleasant things in our church. The Scantick people have erected a very good academy.' God be thanked for this year. ' Rev. Samuel J. Mills, previously noticed. * Elizur, son of Elihu Wolcott, a graduate ^ Dr. Elihu Tudor, at this time, was about of Yale, 1S39, now living at Jacksonville, 111. eighty-five years old. ' Rev. Ezra Stiles, D. D., President of ^ Others, probably, would not so judge Yale College, wrote a small book entitled him. History of the Three Judges of Charles I. '■ Dr. Robbins speaks here of the Half- These judges, who fled to this country for "Way Covenant as a thing of the past, and refuge, were Goffe, Whalley, and Ireton. though at the time he wrote this the practice ^ The writer of these notes recited his still lingered in a few New England churches, first lessons in Latin in that building. It generally it had ceased. is still standing, but would be called a very 5 Daniel Whitby, 1638-1726, before no- plain and humble affair by the people of ticed. this generation. 1818. January. 1. Attended ministers' meeting till afternoon. Had considerable conver- sation with Mr. Bartlett, Rode home. Visited. Endeavored to commit myself to God and to covenant M'ith him for the present year. The roads quite wet with the thawy weather. Received of my collector, $100.00. 2. Wrote. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Matt, xxvi: 31. At evening rode to Wapping. There are some objections against a man I lately propounded for our communion. I hope for divine guidance and teaching. 3. Wrote a sermon on Sam. iii : 22, 23. The frost is mostly out of the ground, 4. Preached with old notes on Isa. liv : 10, and the sermon written yes- terday. Administered the Lord's Supper. Received two women to our com- munion by letter. Cold. The church not very full. The meeting in the afternoon full and solemn. It is a day of darkness and gloom with us in spiritual things. We have had but eight deaths the year past. At evening attended the conference. 5. Our new silver cups were used yesterday at the sacrament. They appear very well. Worked some. Rode to the Hill and dined with the town officers at the January meeting. It snowed some. At evening attended our monthly meeting of prayer. It was pretty thin. 6. The British nation have experienced a very great loss in the recent death of the Princess of Wales and her infant child.* I consider it a most mysterious and afflictive appointment of divine providence. Wrote. Worked at my library. Visited. We have a number of sick. Paid for my Hartford newspaper for a year, $2.00. Worked some. 7. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick. Warm. The roads very wet. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Received of the Eagle Bank of New Haven, a dividend of $150.00. They divided $15.00 on a share. I view it as a special providential favor. The Phoenix Bank took my order for this money. Paid the Phoenix Bank, $200.00, and took up my note. Made a donation of $10.00 to the Domestic Missionary Society of this State. Paid to the Hartford Tract Society, $10.00, and became a life-member. In the evening attended the * Charlotte Augusta, daughter of George ever were the hearts of the people of Eng- IV of England, commonly known as the land more stirred than by this event. The Princess Charlotte, was married at the age great preachers of England and Scotland of twenty, in 1S16, to Prince Leopold, after- made this the occasion for some of their wards King of the Belgians. She died in ablest sermons. The sermons of Dr. Thomas connection with the birth of her first child Chalmers and Robert Hall were especially (the child also dying) Nov. 5, 1817. Hardly noteworthy in this connection. 727 728 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. annual meeting of the Tract Society. Mr. Flint delivered a public address. Paid for a small hand-saw for my own use, $1.50. Paid for a ring for my sister, $1.50. There is, I think, a prospect that Mr. Hawes will be settled in Dr. Strong's congregation. 8. Have a good many little things to do in the family which take up my time. In the forenoon Mr. Parsons,' of East Haddam, came here and spent the day. Rode out with him and introduced him, at his request, to several young ladies. 9. Last evening received from Norfolk a very valuable present from my sister, and partly from my brother, consisting of a handsome bedstead and curtains, a bed and bed-quilt. She is a most excellent sister. Mr. Parsons left us in the morning. Cold. Worked considerably. Visited the sick. Read. Prepared this diary. Will a merciful God enable me to complete it. 10. Assisted in putting up my bed. It makes a very good appearance. Last night there was a fall of snow of a few inches. Sleighs move consider- ably. Rode to East Hartford to make an exchange. 11. Mr. Fairchild rode to East Windsor and returned after meeting. Had a full meeting. The stove ^ in the meeting-house makes it quite comfortable. Preached on Ps. cxiii : 6, and Dan. xii : 10. Baptized a child. Quite cold. Rode home in the evening. Pretty good sleighing. 12. Read. Brother Frank called here. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. 13. Read old Mr. Bulkley's^ excellent preface to Gov. Wolcott's Poems. Visited. Wrote to Mr. Etheridge," of Charlestown, and Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport. Paid a tailoress, .89. 14. Rode to Hartford. Pretty good sleighing. Paid Mr. Goodwin, $34.30, and took up my note, which I gave him almost two years ago, for Calvin's Works. Paid Hills, my merchant tailor, $26.33. ^'^^^ C. Goodwin for merchant's goods, $17.57. Paid J. Olmstead for merchant's goods, $20.14. Paid Gleason, $20.00, $15.00 of which I would reckon for books. I hope not ' Rev. Isaac Parsons was settled in East Haddam in 1816, and remained there till 1856. He was the father of Rev. Henry M. Parsons, pastor at Springfield and Boston, and now of Canada. * They were just beginning to put stoves into the meeting-houses, but the house at Scantic had none till nine or ten years later. ^ The old Mr. Bulkley here spoken of was Rev. John Bulkley, the first minister of the town of Colchester, Ct. He was the son of Rev. Gershom Bulkley, and the grand- son of Rev. Peter Bulkley, the first minister of Concord, Mass. Gov. Roger Wolcott in his life-time published three volumes, one of which was poetical. The full title of this was " Poetical Meditations^ Being the Improve- ment of Some Vacant Hours by Roger Wol- cott, Esq. ; with a Preface by the Reverend Mr. Bulkley, of Colchester. New London: Printed and Sold by T. Green, 1725." The longest of these poems bears the following extended title: "A Brief Account of the Agency of the Honourable John Winthrop, Esq., in the Court of King Charles the Second, Anno Dom. 1662, when he Obtained for the Colony His Majesty's Gracious Char- ter." Rev. John Bulkley was graduated at Harvard College, 1699, and was pastor at Colchester from 1703 to his death, in 1731. He was regarded as one of New England's foremost scholars. * The man who offered the prize for the best paper on private libraries. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 729 to have so much debt upon me soon again. Towards evening rode to Wap- ping and visited four sick families. Severe cold. 15. Wrote to my sister. Rode out and visited. Paid a shoemaker, .75. Paid for covering the dasher of my sleigh, $1.00. The weather moderates. A trifling dancing-school is set up here. 16. Wrote on my preaching account. It thaws considerably. Worked carrying wood into the chamber. Rode out with Mrs. Wolcott. She is still pretty feeble. Received of my collector, $81.50. The most of my last salary is now paid. Rode and visited. 17. Read. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of old Mrs. Grant, aged ninety-two. Quite pleasant. Read the Bible. 18. In the morning and at noon wrote my notes and preached all day on Eccles. xii : 14. Wrote early. The subject was solemn. Communicated to the people the application of the heathen school of Cornwall for some chari- table assistance. At the conference in the evening a committee were appointed to make the collection. Warm. The most of the snow went off. 19. Rode to Hartford. Renewed my note at the Hartford Bank and paid $52.45. Paid Imlay, $7.68. I now owe veiy little in Hartford, except one debt at the bank. Paid for a book for Eveline,' .87. For wool for the Corn- wall school, .50. For corks, .50. For other things, .32. Towards night rode to Enfield. 20. Last night it rained considerably. Returned. Read Beverley's His- tory of Virginia^ In the evening rode to Hartford with Frances. Paid for a handsome thermometer with a mahogany case, $8.00.^ The first society in Hartford have given a call to Mr. Hawes today to settle with them. They are not quite united. At evening quite cold. 21. The thermometer this morning was at 14°. Wrote. Read Beverley's History of Virginia. Rode out and visited. 22. Read the Bible. Wrote two wills for a man and his wife. Received of my collector, $26.88, being in full of my last salary. Wrote to Mr. Par- sons,* of East Haddam. Rode to Wapping and visited sick persons. 23. Finished Beverley's ZT/j/^rj. Very cold. Thermometer in the morn- ing 14°, and below 20° all day. Walked out and visited. 24. Read Cave's Biography!' Wrote minutes of a will. It has become necessary that my will should be renewed.* Read the Bible. It snowed steadily all day. 25. Preached an old sermon on Luke xii : 32. The snow is nine or ten ' Eveline Wolcott, the youngest child of dollars would be a high price for a ther- Mr. Abiel Wolcott, with whom he boarded. mometer. She was now fourteen years old. * Rev. Isaac Parsons, whom he introduced - Robert Eeverley's History of Virginia to several East Windsor ladies not long from its first settlement down to 1705. The before, book was first published soon after 1705. 5 Which covers the lives of many of the ^ Dr. Robbins evidently liked a nice ther- early Christian Fathers, mometer. Now when money is not practi- '' Such changes had probably taken place cally worth half as much as then, eicrht that it needed reconstruction. 730 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1818. inches deep. Meeting in the forenoon quite thin. I feel anxious about a young brother in the church. The Baptists work at him. Thermometer in the evening at 8°. Read. 26. Read the Life of Spencer} He was a wonderful youth. Sleighs move briskly. Am troubled with a pain in my teeth. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 27. Finished reading the Lfe of Spencer, and Cave's Lives. This latter work I hope to be able to procure. Filed my letters of last year. Worked some. Warm. It thaws considerably. 28. The pain in my jaw some of the time is quite severe. Wet and rainy all day. Read old pamphlets. Read Gibbon. 29. The trees are exceedingly loaded with ice. My brother Frank came here and we rode together to Hartford. Afterward he went home. The snow remains, though there is a good deal of water. Towards night it grew quite cold. Visited. Received a letter from my brother and sister Battell. Paid Cooke for four numbers of Clarke's Cotninentary ^ $6.00, and for the Tri- angle^ $3.00. Read the Triatigle. 30. In the morning the thermometer was 4^* below zero. It did not rise to 6° above in the day, though most of the time clear sunshine. Read Clarke's Commentary. Finished reading the Triangle. It is a very valuable work. Thermometer at bed-time 4° below zero. 31. Thermometer this morning 2° below zero. Read the whole of Jay's Life of IVinfer.* He was a very good man, but not a most important char- acter. Very cold and rough. Thermometer rose to about 15°. February. 1. Preached with old notes on Phil, ii : 6, and an old sermon on Jer. xxiii : 33. At evening attended the conference. Quite thin. Very good sleighing. Thermometer in the morning 10°, and rose to about 25°. 2. Thermometer this morning 6°, and rose a little above the freezing point. Rode out. Visited. Read. Yesterday received a letter from Miss Charlotte Verstille,' with eight dollars to be bestowed in charity. At evening attended the monthly prayer-meeting. Full and attentive. 3. Rode to Turkey Hills and attended Association. Four members ' The reference here is probably to the ^ The name Verstille, which is very rare, great English poet, Edmund Spenser, though seems to have been brought to East Windsor he spells the name with a c. There seems to by the second marriage of Rev. Joseph be no other person to meet the case. An Perry, successor to Rev. Timothy Edwards, edition of Spenser's works in eight volumes Mr. Perry was pastor of the church 1755- was published in London in 1806. 1783, when he died. He was twice married, - Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentary in and his second wife was the widow of Peter eight volumes, published in numbers. The Verstille. At the middle of the present publication of this great work was begun in century Mr. Perry's house was still standing, 1810. and was occupied by Miss Nancy Verstille. * Rev. Samuel Whelpley's work, before She and Miss Charlotte may both have been noticed. daughters of Mrs. Perry by her first mar- * Admiral John William De Winter, a riage. They were certainly in some way Dutch naval commander, who died in 181 2. connected with Mr. Perry's family. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 73I absent. My brother preached very well. Very good sleighing. Afternoon and evening we had a severe snow-storm. The Association licensed George Allen/ who studied some with me, some time ago. 4. Last night after the snow it rained considerably. After dinner rode to Enfield and home. Considerable water under the snow. Late in the evening received a letter from my sister informing me that my good Uncle Starr has had a terrible hurt by a fall from a carriage, and is not expected to live, requesting me to go and see him. Holy is Jehovah in his severe visitations. 5. A member of our church at Wapping is said to have been guilty of a great fault. We have great reason to be humble before God under his holy frowns. Wrote to brother Francis and sent him Sally's "^ letter. Conclude to set out tomorrow for Warren. Jt thaws some. Rode out. Wrote. Re- ceived an anonymous letter with $10.00 for charitable institutions. At the Association we had an application for charitable assistance from Rev. Mr. Backus, of Bridgeport, who is very indigent. Gave $i.oo, as did most of the members. 6. Set out early and rode to Warren, near fifty miles. Very good sleigh- ing. The latter part of the way the path was not well made. Found my good uncle more comfortable than I expected. His head is terribly torn and it does not appear to heal. The pain is not very severe. He was hurt on the first day of January.^ Aunt Starr is getting better. She was with him and was severely hurt. 7. Looked over uncle's pamphlets. Saw the surgeons dress his head. I think he cannot live. The people here are trying to build a new meeting- house. They find considerable difficulty. 8. Preached on Matt, xi : 30, and Hab. iii : 17, 18. The weather very favorable and the meeting full and solemn. Uncle Starr and the people appear to be highly gratified with my being here. My uncle requested me to preach at his funeral. 9. On the 6th paid for six bushels of oats,"* $2.25. Last night the weather changed, and it is ver}' cold and tedious. Rode by Canaan to Norfolk. A very good road. My mother has been very unwell with an inflammatory fever, but is now some better. She and Samuel live separately. I did not suffer greatly with the cold. 10. The cold is extreme and a hard wind. I fear my good mother is wear- ing out. Mr. Battell gave me four yards of elegant blue cloth for a cloak. His liberalities are very great. 11. Rode home. The sleighing is excellent. Rode from Norfolk home, and had some hindrances, in eight hours. My thermometer this morning was 16° below zero. Yesterday morning it was some below zero. It has been ■ This was Rev. George Allen, of Worces- ^ That was thirty-seven days before, and ter, of whom we have spoken in a previous it had taken the news a long time to get note, who was a truly remarkable man, and around. who has recently passed away at a very ■* That was before he left home, but he advanced age. forgot to enter it. Dr. Robbins often makes ^ Sally is Sarah, Mrs. Joseph Battell. slight repairs or corrections in this way. 732 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [lSl8. today perfectly clear and still, but severe cold. 1 believe my green trees are not injured. Mr. John Marsh' preached here for me last Sabbath. It was very unexpected. Received a letter from brother Frank. He has gone to Fairhaven.^ 12. Thermometer this morning io° below zero. Read. The people of Wapping brought me five very good loads of wood. Rode out and visited. 13. Thermometer this morning 5° below zero. It thawed some. Wrote a will for Dr. Tudor.^ Read. Rode out. Wrote. 14. Warm. It rained considerably. Bottled cider. Drew off our frozen cider and put it in a cask. We had nearly two barrels reduced to a half barrel. Read the Bible. 15. Rode early to Windsor and made an exchange with Mr. Rowland. Preached on Ex, X : 17, and James i: 23, 24. Cold. Returned in the even- ing and attended a singing-meeting. 16. Thermometer this morning was at zero. The snow is almost wholly ice. The walking is very difficult. Rode to Hartford. Mr. Hawes's ordina- tion is fixed for the 4th of March. The cold is severe. 17. Thermometer this morning 4° below zero. By comparing my ther- mometer with the Hartford account, I think it must have been from 4° to 8° below on the mornings of the 9th and loth when I was absent. Our ministers' meeting met here. We had an agreeable meeting. Mr. Clarke* preached. 18. My brother went off in the morning. Frances has a very severe turn of colic. Rode to Enfield, attended a prayer-meeting, and preached at a conference in the evening without any notes on Ex. x: 17. The evening meeting was quite full. My brother is absent. Visited a sick child. Re- turned late. Am much troubled with a pain in my face. 19. Read. Read some very valuable old pamphlets. Wrote. I fear I am - slothful in business." I hope to be able to procure a complete set of election sermons of this State. 20. The ague in my face is very severe. Read Gibbon. Wrote. The thermometer this morning was at 6°. Walked out. 21. Warm. It thawed very much. The thermometer was above temper- ate. In about thirty hours from yesterday morning it rose fifty degrees. A man in Scantick and one at Long Hill have got the small-pox the natural way without knowing how they took it.^ People are considerably alarmed and are vaccinating. Several have been exposed. Received a letter from Mr. Steward, of Hartford, requesting me to preach at their ordination.^ Fast next Friday. Wrote the most of a sermon on Jude v. Hindered by company. ' Dr. John Marsh, Jr., of Wethersfield. clothing of a quasi physician in want of ^ Fairhaven, Mass. practice, from a small-pox hospital in New ^ Dr. Elihu Tudor, of whom we have York, he having been vaccinated. often spoken. * We have before noticed the fact that * Rev. Eber L. Clark. the habit then was to have a day of fasting ^ It used to be said that the small-pox with solemn religious services preparatory was brought to Scantic intentionally, in the to an ordination or installation. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 733 2 2. It snowed the most of the day. Thin meeting. Finislied and preached the sermon on Jude v. In the forenoon preached with old notes on Isa. xxviii : i6. At evening my brother came here. He has had a prosperous journey to the eastward. He expects to be married in the spring.* 23. My brother returned. Rode to Hartford. Paid $12.00 for Numbers 16, 17, and 18 of the Encyclopcedia.' At evening attended our prayer-meeting. My face grows better. Cold. 24. Wrote. It snowed considerably. Read EncydopcBdia. Tlie work is exceeding valuable, but I look for some things which I do not find. 25. Read Encydopcedia the most of the day. Visited. A young married woman in the neighborhood apparently near the close of life with a consump- tion. Wrote. 26. At bed-time 5° below zero. The thermometer was at 7° this morning, and did not exceed 15° in the day. Visited a school. Read. We have in the neighborhood a very poor and vicious family. 27. The thermometer this morning was 14° below zero. It rose in the day higher, I believe, than 36°, making 50°. Rode to Hartford and preached at the fast, preparatory to ordination.' Mr. Fairchild preached in the fore- noon. People attended well. Preached on 2 Chron. vi : 41. That people appear happy in their prospects. 28. Wrote. Dr. Fansher'* is vaccinating this town, hired by the selectmen for one hundred and fifty dollars. Wrote the most of a sermon on 2 Thess. 2-13. Warm. It thawed a good deal. The thermometer was nearly at temperate. I have a tremor in my hand which affects my writing. We have had an unusually pleasant and favorable winter. March. 1. Finished and preached my sermon on 2 Thess. ii : 13, Warm. Rainy in the afternoon and evening. Divided my sermon and preached with it both parts of the day. Read. Visited a sick child. 2. Wrote to Mr. Battell. The rain continued moderately through the day. I think I never saw so much water on the surface of the ground. Wrote. Did not attend our monthly prayer-meeting on account of the weather. Rode out. Read Life of Budiaiian}' I This was perhaps the result of the visit have taken up this business of vaccination made in that quarter a few months before. as a specialty. He afterward applied to the ^ Such works were made to cost fearfully Connecticut Legislature for a grant of a lot- in those days. This, it will be remembered, tery that he might vaccinate the whole State, was the Edinburgh Encyclopadia, and its In this project he failed. getting up was cheap. But type-setting and ^ Dr. Claudius Buchanan, born near Glas- printing have made great advances since gow, Scotland, 1766, one of the early and that day. distinguished Christian workers in the East. ^ This was the service at which Dr. Rob- He went to India in 1796 as chaplain of the bins was inviled to preach. East India Company. His published works, * This Dr. Fansher is not found among the sermon entitled Star in the East, and his the surgeons or physicians of Connecticut volume, Christian Researches in Asia, had for the year 1S18. Whether he was techni- an immense circulation. He died in York- cally a physician does not appear. He may shire, England, in 181 5, of a paralytic shock. 734 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. 3. Attended the funeral of a child. After which set out to go to Hart- ford to attend the ordination. Rode to the river in East Hartford and found it impassable. The ice broke in the morning and carried off the draw of the bridge. After an hour or two it was tolerable boating till one o'clock. The ice then came from above and run till night. I viewed it a considerable part of the afternoon. The scene was tremendous. The river was perfectly full of ice, very solid, and from eighteen to twenty-four inches thick. Many of the cakes were very large. The most of one of the arches fell, and all the others were injured in some degree. The piers have suffered very much.' Towards niglit returned. 4. In the morning rode to Hartford. Grossed in a boat. The meadows are almost wholly covered with water. It was two feet deep and more on the East Hartford causeway. Attended the ordination of Mr. Hawes. The j^arts were well performed. Dr. Woods preached excellently.^ Attended the coun- cil a little while before the public exercises, x^ll accounts represent the greatest destruction in bridges. The council was ver^- large, and the most of the members tarried over night. Mr. Fitch, ^ of New Haven, preached in the evening very well. Mr. and Mrs. Battell and Mrs. Olmstead came into town in the morning and attended the ordination. In the evening it snowed con- siderably. Very kindly entertained at Maj.- Caldwell's. 5. Had an agreeable visit with my Norfolk friends. Much disappointed that they cannot go to East Windsor as they intended. Crossed the river towards night, could not before, and rode home. My horse was this side. Several of the Connecticut River bridges are said to be gone. Mr. Bartlett and his delegate came here and tarried. Several bridges on Scantick River are gone."* It seems that Obookiah' of the Cornwall school is dead. A most mysterious appointment of providence. Bad riding. 6. Wrote. Wrote a letter to Mr. Catlin,* of New Marlborough, on the subject of church government.' There are some of our ministers who are rather unfriendly to the existing order of our churches. ' All this is a graphic description of the river in one of the extra great floods. Those who have lived in the river towns any consid- erable number of years have witnessed simi- lar scenes. The bridge built in 1S09, which was carried away March 3, 18 iS, was an open bridge. The one built in 1818 is the present bridge. ^ Dr. Leonard Woods, Professor of Chris- tian Theology in Andover Theological Sem- inary, under whom Mr. Hawes had studied, graduating in 1817. ■' Dr. Eleazar T. Fitch, who only a few months before had entered upon his duties as Professor of Theology and Preacher at Yale College, in which offices he continued till 1852, and was professor emeritus when he died in 187 1. * This was an extraordinary flood, such as comes once in fifteen or twenty years. ' Henry Obookiah was a Sandwich Is- land youth, brought in a ship to New Haven some years before any missionaries had gone to those islands. The school at Cornwall was formed in 1816, to educate heathen youth, of whom Obookiah was a kind of forerunner. By the year 1822 there were as many as thirty heathen youth in this school. The death of Obookiah made a most pro- found impression upon the Christian people of the country. * Rev. Jacob Catlin, D. D. ' The Consociation system, with its semi- Presbyterian ideas, was always galling to many minds, especially among the more thinking men of the laity. iSlS.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 735 7. Wrote the most of a sermon on i Tim. i: 15. Afternoon rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an infant child. Cold. Thermometer this morning at 5°. Pretty good sleighing in our street. 8. Thermometer this morning at 5°. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on i Tim. i: 15. In the forenoon preached with old notes on Ps. Ixxiii : 25. The ague in my face is quite severe. Read. 9. Rode out and visited. Visited an aged man apparently near dying. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. Received a valuable pamphlet from my cousin S. P. Robbins, and an excellent letter from my sister. 10. Visited a sick woman. Rode to Vernon to attend an ordination.' Mr. Ely^ appeared very well on examination. The council was small but respectable. Warm and pleasant. The roads are very muddy. 11. The parts of the ordination were well performed. Returned. The riding very bad. My aged and good neighbor, Mr. Reed,' died last night with a short turn of influenza. An aged man, a Baptist,"* whom I visited on Monday, was buried this afternoon. Visited the afflicted. 12. Wrote. Afternoon attended the funeral of the aged Mr. Reed. Got out my green-house. The trees have been well kept during the cold weather. Read. Paid a shoemaker, .60. 13. Rode out and visited. Very warm. The frost comes out of the ground very fast. A young woman in the neighborhood appears to be almost gone with the consumption. 14. It has been very clear and pleasant weather all this week. For five days past the thermometer has been, I believe, above 60° each day. The sleighing continued tolerably good till the 9th. We had from Jan. 25th to March ist excellent sleighing without intermission. But little snow is now to be seen. Wrote a sermon on Matt, xxi : 28. Wrote it by daylight in eight and one half successive hours. I cannot write well if I drink coffee. Yes- terday wrote to Mr. Hawes, of Hartford. Wrote. 15. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Isa. xlv : 5. Afternoon the sermon written yesterday. The roads begin to dry. At evening attended a singing-meeting. 16. Read the Bible. On the 9th received a letter from my cousin George Starr. My uncle seems to be a little better. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. The riding grows better, but some places are very bad. A large pine book- case was brought me, lately made for me. Quite cold. The thermometer was scarcely above freezing point with a clear sun. 17. Worked laboriously at my library all day. The cold continues. Ther- mometer between 20° and 30° most of the day. Read. Quite tired. 18. Began a sermon for Fast on Amos vi : 6. Wrote but little. The ' Rev. Ebenezer Kellogg, who had been ^ Rev. William Ely, who was ordained in pastor at Vernon fifty-five years, died in Sep- Mr. Kellogg's place, was pastor 1S18-1822. tember, 1817. lie fulfilled his ministry in the ^ Mr. Ebenezer Reed, aged eighty-four, old square meeting-house on the hill. •♦ Mr. Obadiah Wood, aged sixty-eight. j^S DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. subject does not appear easy. Received a letter from brother Frank. Visited. 19. Wrote on my sermon. Wrote slow and poorly. My heart I fear is cold in my great work. 20. Fast. Finished and preached my sermon on Amos vi : 6. Did not finish writing till in the intermission. It appeared better than I feared. Our Fast appears to be better observed than usual. At evening at a prayer- meeting. Not so tired as I expected. Endeavored to humble myself and renew covenant with God. 2 1. Rode to Enfield. My brother thinks some of building a house. At my return found Rev. Mr. Catlin, of New Marlborough, here. He had just arrived; came to spend the Sabbath with me. I could never have more kindly assistance. He is about publishing a volume of Systematic Divinity^ The manuscript appears very well. 2 2. Mr. Catlin preached very well. The meeting was thin. The weather unfavorable. At evening we had a hard rain, though not long. I fear a dry spring. 23. Mr. Catlin went off in the morning. His assistance was a peculiar favor. Rode to Wapping and visited the North School. It has been very well instructed. Came home late. The riding quite bad. 24. Had compan}^ Visited. Rode to Wapping and visited the South School. There has been an insurrection in that school the present season, and the first teacher left the school. Received a present of three dollars from Capt. Hall. We passed the school. The second teacher has done tolerably well. 25. Wrote. Read. Afternoon ploughed a small piece of my garden for early planting. The frost is not wholly out of the ground. Visited. 26. In the morning it snowed considerably. Rode out and visited two sick children. Paid towards my book-case, lately made, $6.75. Visited a sick woman very low. The ground is quite covered with snow. 27. Finished reading my Bible in course. I am ashamed that I have been so long reading it through. A young married woman ^ in this neighborhood died this morning of a consumption. Looked over the whole of my library, which I have not done before in a long time. A few volumes are missing, but I think they may be found. I have more than eight hundred volumes. I thank a merciful God for them. The snow remains on the ground. Mr. Wolcott went to Colchester yesterday and returned today with Tudor. Wrote. 28. Wrote a sermon on Prov. viii : 4. It snowed more or less all day. Sleighs move considerably. Wrote too slow. 29. This morning the thermometer was down to 11°. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. The sleighing in the forenoon quite good. In the forenoon expounded on Rom. i : i to 17. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. Attended a funeral. Meeting very full. Read. ' Dr. Catlin, it will be remembered, was ^ Mrs. Juliette Hosmer, aged twenty-six, one of the recognized teachers of divinity. living not far from Dr. Robbins. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 737 30. Read Life of Buchanan} Something rainy. I fear a dry spring. Visited. Wrote. 31. Visited. The snow is mostly gone. Visited the South School. It has been well kept. Received a letter from Mrs. Skinner, of Hartford. April. 1. The weather is cold. Wrote to Mr, Battell and sent twenty dollars to procure some articles for me at New York. On the 30th ult. received a present of six yards of excellent linen from a neighbor, a friend. Planted peas in my garden. We had some small seed sown. Rode out and visited. Received a letter from Mr. Catlin, of New Marlborough, and one from Mr. Parsons, of East Haddam. 2. Wrote. Planted peas and potatoes. Cold. Visited the school near us. Rainy. Read Life of Buchanan. 3. Began a sermon on i Pet. ii : 7. Catechised a school. Preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Luke xxii : 46, Rode out and visited. Cold and wet. Our lecture was quite thin. 4. Wrote on my sermon eleven pages. Wet and rainy all day. I cannot wholly get rid of the tremor in my hand. 5. Wet and cold all day. Some of the time it rained very hard. Meeting quite thin. Administered the sacrament. The church was thin. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Ps. xxv : 22. Afternoon an old sermon on Eph. iii : 10. Had nearly completed my sermon begun on Friday, but omitted to preach it on account of the weather. The thermometer was but a few degrees above freezing all day. Wrote. Read. 6. Wrote a paper for ministers' meeting. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. My brother came down, attended the meeting with me and tarried. 7. My brother went home. Rode to Wintonbury and attended ministers' meeting. The riding very bad. In Wintonbury it is horrible. Preached on Matt, xxi : 28. 8. Returned home. The weather is constantly cloudy, wet, and cold. Paid donations to the Bible, Missionary, and Tract Societies for ladies in this society, amounting to $37.00. Received of the Phoenix Bank a dividend of $60.00. Paid the Hartford Bank, $31.96. Paid for a lock, etc., for my book- case, .35. For the first volume of Dwight's Systematic Sermons^ $3.00. Wrote. Paid for one and one half gross of corks, $1.38. 9. It snowed and rained all day. Worked bottling cider. We have now in the cellar two hundred and fifty-one bottles, forty-six of which were put down in the winter. The ground is covered with snow. ID. Rode out and visited. Visited a school. People do nothing in ploughing. The weather is very chilly and uncomfortable. II. We have clear weather after nine days in succession of wet, cloudy, and cold, in which the sun has not clearly shined. Vegetation has been ' Dr. Claudius Buchanan. Series of Sermons ; with a Memoir of tha ^ Theology Explained and Defended in a Author's Life. In five volumes, octavo, 1818. y^S DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. Stationary. Last evening received a letter from Horace Loomis, of New Connecticut, and one from Mr. Etheridge, of Charlestown. Wrote to my sister. Afternoon rode to Scantick and attended the funeral of a child. Towards evening Mr. Clark came here from Turkey Hills to exchange. I did not much expect him, and had concluded not to go. 12. Rode quite early and got to Turkey Hills a little after eight o'clock. Preached in the forenoon at the prison from Luke xviii : 13. The meeting was interesting. There are seventy-one convicts. At noon attended a funeral. Preached in the afternoon from Matt, xxi : 28. The meeting very full. Preached in the evening at the meeting-house to a good number from I Tim. i : 15. Very tired. The prospects of this society are improving. Mr. Clark came home late. Yesterday received from an esteemed friend a pres- ent of twelve dollars for the purchase of a watch-chain. 13. Rode home early. The river quite high. Prayed at the opening of the Freemen's Meeting. Votes for treasurer were Kingsbury, 188 ;' Spencer, 1 11.^ The first vote for a Democratic representative, late a Federalist, was 136. The meeting continued quite late. Democracy does not appear to abate in zeal or malignity. 14. Wrote. Wrote to my cousin Capt. Gibbs,^ of Fairhaven. Walked out and visited. Cold and wet. 15. Worked at my wood. People plough some, but the ground is very cold. Walked out and visited. Several children are sick. 16. Gave ten dollars to Horace Bissell to procure some silk for me at Canton.* Visited the North School. It has been divided into two the present season. Rainy. The ground becomes, very well wet. Received a letter from Mr. Parsons, of East Haddam.* Visited a woman who has of late hopefully got religion. 17. Worked piling wood. Read the Biography of Dr. Dwight. It is too much of a eulogy. Visited. Rode to Mr. Bartlett's and tarried. Received a letter from Dr. Whitman, of Hartford. 18. Rode home. Visited. Read. Received a letter from a Mr. Whit- man at Hartford. Cold and wet. The river is high. The Federalists have been very remiss at the late Freemen's Meeting.. Paid for repairing my watch. 19. Finished a sermon, which was mostly written a fortnight ago, on i Pet. ii : 7, and preached it. At noon attended the funeral of an infant child. Very cold and chilly. I have some cold. At evening attended a singing- school. ' Andrew Kingsbury, of Hartford, who She was the sister of Priscilla Le Baron, was for many years State Treasurer of Con- born 1781, who married, yfrj/, Mr. Gideon S. necticut. Alden, of New Bedford, and second. Rev. ^ Mr. Spencer was the Democratic candi- Francis Le Baroji Robbins, of Enfield, Ct. date. So she was the magnet that was attracting ^ Anselm Gibbs, of Fairhaven, Jan. 4, the Enfield pastor to make his "journeys to 1800, married Lucy Le Baron. She was the the eastward." daughter of William Le Baron (brother of * Canton, China. Dr. Robbins's mother), and was born in 177&. ' Rev. Isaac Parsons. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 739 20. The ground last night was hard frozen. Worked piling wood. Paid an Irishman for a half day's work, .37. Attended the funeral of a young child. Visited. * 21. We had a hard frost this morning. The thermometer was at 24°. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick man. We had in the course of the day two severe squalls of snow. 22. The ground was mostly covered with snow this morning. Rode to Hartford. The water has fallen, but the crossing is bad. Paid for books, $2.50. Read. Visited. 23. Worked considerably. Read the Life of M. W. Montagu} The weather is something warmer, but vegetation has scarcely started at all. 24. \\'rote. Rode out and visited. People are much engaged in sowing summer wheat and rye. 25. Warm. Worked in the garden. At evening rode to East Hartford to exchange with Mr. Fairchild. I think ministers are not sufficiently careful not to ride on the Sabbath.^ 26. Mr. Fairchild rode late to East Windsor and returned immediately after meeting. We had a considerable shower. Preached from Matt, xxi : 28, and James i: 23, 24. Had pretty long meetings. The congregation was large and attentive. Saw Dr. Chapin.^ There is a powerful revival of religion among his people. Rode home. Brother Frank came down here this evening. He concludes not to go to the eastward so soon as he had calculated. Received a letter from him. 27. Rode out and visited. Drove the team to plow my garden. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. On my return it rained hard and was extremely dark. We had a good meeting. 28. Rode and visited all day. Two sloops lie in the ri\-er at Strong's landing, loading with brick. The water is so high that ver}' little is done in fishing. 29. Rainy and wet all day. Read Lady Montagu. Mr. Lee, of Cole- brook, called here. He made the most of his visit at Dea, Reed's. I am alarmed at a spirit of innovation prevailing in our churches. Mr. Lee seems to be very fearful of the consequences.'* 30. Visited, I have not till now completed my annual visitation of the people for the year now closing. At the first of May of last year there were in this society one hundred and sixty-one families, thirty-eight of whom were certificate people. I have visited all of them since that except two. We ' Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, born in as many New England families had to make 1690, died 1762. "Marrying in 1712 Mr. in their Sabbath attendance at church. Edward Wortley Montagu, she became ^ Dr. Calvin Chapin, Rocky Hill, through her beauty and wit at once a chief * It is comforting to know that there have ornament of fashionable society, and a flat- been just such fears and apprehensions all terecl friend of Addison, Pope, and other the way along. There never is a time when men of letters." some people do not see impending ruin just - The journey from Dr. Robbins's home before them. The danger is as great and to East Hartford was not long — not so long dreadful now as ever. 740 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818, have not failed to cut asparagus in April every year since we have had any.* Now I cannot see a stalk above the ground. Paid a woman for spinning and knitting a pair of stockings, $1.38. Saw u^ street one daffa blossom. Plowed my garden. In the afternoon rode to East Hartford and preached a preparatory lecture for Mr. Fairchild. I took one sermon with me hastily, and when I got to Mr. Fairchild's I found that I preached it there last January. It was time to go to meeting. I went and preached by divine assistance without any notes on Ps. viii : 8. I succeeded better than I expected." The meeting of the Moral Society was holden April 6th and adjourned to Wednesday, Sept. i6th, in the evening at the meeting-house, of which I am to give public notice. May. 1. Worked in my garden. Planted peas and potatoes. I get tired very easily. Wrote to my sister and to Mr. Parsons, of East Haddam. The weather appears to be growing warmer. 2. Quite warm. The thermometer rose to above 80°. Read Jamieson's ^ Sacred History. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ex. xx : 5, 6. Wrote very slow. My hand has a bad tremor. Received an excellent piece of black cloth which Mr. Battell procured for me at New York. I think he has made me a good saving. He is a very kind brother. Received a letter from my sister and one from my cousin William H. Robbins,"* of Hallowell. 3. Last night we had a pretty hard rain. Rainy and wet all day. Warm. Finished my sermon on Ex. xx : 5, 6, and preached it both parts of the day. I did not expect to have divided it, but found that it required much addition. Meeting pretty thin. Visited. 4. Rainy and cold all day. Rode to Wapping and attended a funeral. The Baptist Blakeslee is about leaving there. God is very holy and good in ordering such an event.' Attended a while at a training. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Wrote to my sister. 5. Wrote a statement respecting the late vaccination* of this town, at the desire of the civil authority and selectmen, to be published in newspapers. Wrote a report for our Moral Society to be presented to the State Society. Wrote the most of an address to be delivered before our Moral Society. 6. Worked in my garden. Finished my address. Attended the meeting of the Moral Society. So few persons were present that the address was not ' This may stand over against the spring ■* William H. Robbins was a graduate of of 1775, when apple-trees are said to have Bowdoin College, 1814. been in blossom April 19. Our seasons ^ The removal of a minister is a some- individually vary much, but the average con- what peculiar occasion for devout thanks- tinues about the same from generation to giving, generation. ^ Sylvanus Fansher was employed for one - Mr. Robbins's missionary experience hundred and fifty dollars to vaccinate the had trained him for extempore speaking. whole town. He afterwards tried through ^ Rev. John Jamieson, a Scotch seceding the Legislature to set up a lottery, from the minister, born at Glasgow, 1759, died at avails of which he would vaccinate all the Edinburgh, 183S. An extensive and able people of the State. But this plan, as before "'iifer- stated, miscarried. .] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 741 delivered. Visited. Our Moral Society languishes. The water is higher than it has been for several years, and as high, I think, as at any time since I have lived here.' The meadows are covered. 7. Rode to Mr. Bartlett's. We completed our- report on vaccination for publication in the newspapers. Worked in my garden. Read M. IV. Mon- tagu. I can work but a little. 8. Worked in my garden. Planted potatoes and peas together. The water falls very slow. Read. It is quite cool. The season advances but little. It is supposed there is a good deal of snow still at the northward. 9. Wrote a sermon on Ps. xxxvii : 37. I write slow. I feel unwilling to spend so much time in unnecessary labor. Wrote late. I am greatly burdened with stupidity and indifference in divine things. 10. In the forenoon expounded on Rom. i : 17, to the end. A most awful catalogue of the vices of the heathen world. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. At evening attended the conference. Very tired. Warm. 11. Rode to Hartford. The water has fallen considerably. Quite warm. The thermometer rose to 82°. Saw some fruit-tree blossoms. Paid for marking a plate for Uncle Starr, .50. . Paid for various articles, ^2.66. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. We had a thunder-shower. The Deaf and Dumb Institution^ increases very much. It is an honor to the State. 12. Wrote. We had our first asparagus. We might have cut a little yesterday or the day before, but not earlier. Our vacine communication is in the newspaper. Worked in the garden. Had a row of currant bushes set. Rainy. The ground is quite wet. 13. Read. Rode out and visited. At Warehouse Point yesterday one seine took four thousand shad and another one thousand. But few are taken down the river on account of the water.^ 14. Rode to Hartford and attended the election. The day was wet and unpleasant. Mr. Croswell,"* the churchman of New Hav^en. preached and read service. It was pretty barren. None but a Congregational minister ever preached before and never ought to again.' The number of people and of ministers was less than usual. The Governor appeared but indifferently.* It ' As high, therefore, as in March just * Rev. Harry Crosvvell, D. D., began his before. In some accounts it is said that the ministry at Trinity Church, New Haven, bridge over the Connecticut at Hartford was 1S15, and continued till his death, 1858. He carried away in March, 1S18, while other was a native of West Hartford, Ct., born accounts say May, i8i8. Both floods prob- June 16, 1778. Noah Webster, the lexicog- ably helped in the work of destruction, rapher, born at West Hartford, twenty years ^ The American Asylum for the Deaf and earlier (1758), was Mr. Croswell's early Dumb was incorporated in 1S16, so that in school-master. 1S18 it was in its very infancy. Its work ^ xhat utterance comes out of the strong has l)een of the most beneficent character. intrenchments of the standing order. The ^ The water is more shallow near the Episcopal preacher was here the dissenter, Enfield Falls than below. This was the old reversing the English rule. style of shad-fishing in the Connecticut. ^ Gov. Oliver Wolcott was a very re- Afterwards it was greatly reduced, but is spectable Governor, and left behind a traly now improving. honorable name. 742 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. is very painful to see several of the best men in the State left out of the Council, and their places to be su[)plied with poor fellows. Returned. The water is rising again. Attended the annual meeting of the Ministers' Annuity Society. Paid $12.00, a sum lately presented to me for the purpose, for an elegant gold watch-chain. Paid for H. Loomis's ' pamphlets on Infant Bap- tism, $1.00. I have seen some fruit Ijlossoms, but none yet on the apple-trees. 15. Visited a black man very sick. Read M. W. Montagu. On the 13th wrote to the Rev. Dr. Trumbull,^ of North Haven. Paid towards my large pine book-case, $2.35. The whole cost of it is almost $12.00. Mr. Dow,^ of Thompson, came here and tarried. The water is as high, within less than two feet, as last week. Quite cool. 16. Mr. Dow went away in the forenoon. I feel such a degree of imbecility as to be unable to write a sermon. Worked some in my garden. Planted cucumbers. Read Loomis's letters on baptism. They are very good. Am very cold and stupid and worldly. The Lord make me wholly devoted to his service. 17. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. iv : 6. Afternoon preached an old sermon on i Cor. ii : 16. Wet and rainy all day. Meeting very thin. I think we grow worse about attending meeting in bad weather. Yesterday received a letter from Dr. Whitman, of Hartford, and one from my Uncle Starr, He is getting better,'' but has not yet attempted to preach. Wrote. At evening walked out. 18. Read. Rode to Hartford and Wethersfield. The roads on the west side of the river quite bad. The water has fallen some. Wrote to my sister. Gov. Wolcott has delivered a very good speech. Some apple-tree blossoms are nearly out, but I see none fully so. 19. It rained steady all day. Read. Wrote. People are considerably alarmed with the long continued wet season. It is difficult to plant. 20. Read Lady Montagu. Worked at my furniture. Rode out and visited. This morning there was considerable frost. 21. Planted peas and potatoes. The water continues high. Our Assembly do very badly. They are perfectly Democratic. Visited. My brother Frank came here and tarried. Read Dwight's Sermons. 22. My brother returned in the morning. Wrote. We have made a good collection for the Cornwall school. On the 19th and 20th wrote a will; my former one required much alteration. Rode to Hartford. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Mr. Freeman,^ of Weston,' came here and tarried. Saw apple-tree blossoms. I have seen none before. ' Rev. Hubbell Loomis, pastor at Willing- ^ Dr. Daniel Dow, of Thompson, Ct., one ton, Ct., 1804-1828. Jared Sparks, I,L. D., of the prominent ministers of the State, from President of Harvard College, a native of 1824 to his death, 1849, o'^^ ^^ *^^^ trustees Willington, Ct., in humble circumstances, of Yale College, recited his first Latin to Rev. Mr. Loomis. '' After his injury, at first thought to be '^ Dr. Benjamin Trumbull, author of His- fatal. tory of Connecticut, born Hebron, Ct., 1735, ' Rev. Nathaniel Freeman, now eighty-three years old. He died two ' That part of the town now known as years later in 1820. Easton. .] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 743 23. Wrote the most of a sermon on Col. iii : 2. I am languid and poorly able to write. 24. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Acts ii : 38. Finished and preached in the afternoon the sermon on Col. iii : 2. Meeting very full. Warm. Left off my flannel. The thermometer was up to 80°. We had our missionary contribution. It much exceeded my expectations. We collected $56.10. There were four $5.00 bills, one $3.00, one $2.00, eleven of one dollar, and one hundred and thirty-six smaller pieces of silver. I hope it will do good. For certain reasons I gave more than I have ever done on a like occasion. I contributed $5.00, and gave to children for the same purpose, .34. At evening attended the conference. Very much fatigued. 25. Quite unwell. In the morning was faint and sick. Rode to Hartford and carried down Eveline and Charlotte Reed to attend Dr. L. Strong's school. Vegetation advances very rapidly. The lilacs begin to blossom. The thermometer was at 85°. Called on Gov. Wolcott, but did not see Iiim. Received a letter from brother Frank. At evening we had a good prayer- meeting. 26. Am very languid, with much dejection of spirits. Wrote to my sister and brother Frank. Rode to Wapping and visited sick persons. Read the Bible. Thermometer 85°. 27. Wrote. Read the Bible. There is a very full blowth on the fruit- trees. Began a long letter. In times of trial the Lord is my helper. Visited. The thermometer rose to 90°. 28. Worked in my garden. Finished a long letter to my cousin W. H. Robbins, of Hallowell. Gave him at his request an account of our family ancestry. Rode to Hartford and attended a very interesting exhibition of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. The Governor and Assembly were present. We had a very refreshing shower. At evening attended the conference with Mr. Hawes. Mr. McEwen, of New London, preached. Heard from Norfolk. Mother is pretty smart. CajDt. D. Phelps is not likely to live. Tarried at Maj. Caldwell's. Thermometer 84°. 29. In the morning called on the Governor. Prayed in the House of Rep- resentatives, and afterwards with the Council. Mr. Hawes was unexpectedly absent. Attended the introduction of Mr. Wainwright ' as pastor of the Episcopal church by Bishop Hobart.^ His sermon was but middling. Rode home. Wrote. Thermometer 84°. 30. Yesterday and this morning wrote an account of the exhibition of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum for the newspaper. Have so much other writing to do I cannot write a sermon today as I had calculated. Wrote a paper for Association. Am considerably troubled with nervous affections. 31. Wet and rainy all day. In the forenoon expounded on the second chapter of Romans. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Matt, v : 4. At evening attended the conference. Pretty thin. ' Rev. Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, ^ Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., then D. D., afterwards Bishop of New York. Bishop of New York. 744 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. June. 1. We had a steady and hard rain all day. Wrote a report of the state of our churches for the Association, to be presented to the General Associa- tion. We have had no revival the year past. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting ; but very few were present. 2. In the forenoon rode in company with my brother to Farmington, and met with the Association. It was pretty full. Mr. Whittlesey,' of Hartford, preached. The two appointed preachers were absent. We had a good deal to do. Quite warm. The river rises pretty fast. 3. We ordained a Mr. Fowler,^ a worthy young man, as a missionary for Ohio country. I gave the right hand of fellowship. Had but little written. Returned in the afternoon. Very warm. Our family did not observe the thermometer. The water is a good deal in the meadows. Received of Mr, G. Spencer at the bank, borrowed, $59.10. Very tired. 4. My garden is becoming very weedy. The worms work badly in the corn and gardens. Last year they were supposed to be the effect of dry and cold weather. We know but little. Received a letter from my sister and one from Mr, Benjamin, of Bridgeport. Wrote. The thermometer 89°. I con- clude it was about the same yesterday. Rode out, 5. Am very languid with the heat. Rode to Hartford in the morning. The Assembly make themselves ridiculous. Visited. A very fine season for vegetation. Am disappointed about a preacher to supply my pulpit in my absence.^ The thermometer was at 90°. Paid my annuity tax, $5.00. 6. Wrote the most of a sermon on Acts iv : 12, latter part. I write slow. Received a good letter from my mother. The Assembly have risen and con- cluded the first Democratic,* and probably the most disgraceful session ever held in this State. Thermometer 88°. 7. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Ps. xi : i. Finished and preached my sermon on Acts iv : 12. The heat very oppressive. The ther- mometer rose to 95°. The warmest of this year. Meeting very full. Attended the conference. In the evening my cousin Eliza' came here to go with me on our eastern journey. 8. Rainy and wet. My brother Frank* came here, and he and Eliza with me set out towards night on a journey to the eastward. Rode to Tolland.' Tarried at the tavern. Got something wet. ' This must have been Rev. .Samuel Whit- other ministerial service, he was pastor at tlesey, a native of Wallingford, Ct., a gradu- Fall River, Mass., for twenty years. He was ate of Yale in 1803, who had been pastor at M. C. from Massachusetts from 1848 until his New Preston, 1807-1817, and was now appar- death in Washington in 1852. ently without charge. He died in 1842. ^ He is making arrangements to go East ^ Rev. Orin Fowler, D. D., who had been to attend his brother Francis's wedding, licensed by the Fairfield West Association * Connecticut had been the strongest in 1816, and was now commissioned by the Federal State in the Union up to that time. Connecticut Missionary Society for service ' Mrs. Olmstead. in Indiana. He became a somewhat eminent ^ Francis Le Baron, at Enfield, man. He was born in Lebanon, Ct., 1791, ^ Ten or twelve miles from East Windsor was graduated at Yale, 1815. Besides much to Tolland. l8l8.1 PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 745 9. Quite cool. Rode through Ashford and Pomfret to Providence, fifty- two miles. The roads are much washed by the rains. I am a good, deal afifected with general debility. 10. Rode through Taunton to Fairhaven, forty-eight miles. Warm, but not oppressive. We have had a very favorable season for our journey, by God's blessing, and have been much prospered on our way. Found our friends well. Am fatigued wrth our journey. We were expected today. 11. The season here is much the same as with us. Two large whaling vessels have just come in here laden with oil. The business is much pursued here and at New Bedford. In the evening my brother was married to my cousin Priscilla Alden.' We had a very pleasant wedding. Our friends were over from Rochester. Six ministers were present. I pray God that his blessing may long rest on their connection. Warm. Afternoon rode out with my cousin Mrs. Gibbs.* 12. Crossed to New Bedford and returned. Rode in the forenoon with my brother and sister and Eliza to Rochester. Found many cousins and friends at Uncle Le Baron's.^ Visited. 13. In the forenoon rode to Fairhaven and returned to Rochester. My uncle is not willing that I should not be with him tomorrow. Warm, but not equal to last week. In the afternoon we sailed out two or three miles in a vessel. The village at the harbor is flourishing. My cousins here appear to be prosperous. 14. I have an unusual degree of anxiety respecting home. The Lord be our helper and preserver. In the forenoon we had a hard rain. Thin meeting. Preached for my good uncle on Matt, xxi : 28, and Heb. xi : 24, 25. This is a good congregation. Towards night rode to Fairhaven and preached in the evening from Acts iv : 12. My brother preached today at New Bedford. The society here is in a precarious state. Our connections do well for it. 15. We reckon my share of the expenses of our journey hitherto at $5.00. Visited. Rode to Rochester and dined at my cousin William Le Baron's.'' My uncle is greatly smiled upon in his family. Gave cousin Polly,^ $1.00. Cool. 16. In the morning left Rochester. Visited Mr. Everett, of Wareham. My brother and sister joined us on the way. Rode to Plymouth. Kindly received at our cousin's, Mrs. Russell.* Saw at upper Rochester some con- nections of my neighbor, Mr. Haskell. ' Priscilla Le Baron, daughter of William prosperous condition were settled near at and Sarah (Churchill) Le Baron, was born hand. in 1781. She was first married to Gideon S. * His cousin William was born 1786, and Alden. She was own cousin to Rev. F. L. was now thirty-two years old. Robbins, her second husband. ^ The cousin he calls Polly was born in ^ iVIrs. Gibbs was Lucy Le Baron, sister 1791. to the bride just mentioned. * Nathaniel Russell in the year iSoo mar- 3 Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, of whom already ried Martha, daughter of Isaac Le Baron, notice has been frequently taken. He had Mrs. Russell was own cousin to Thomas and a large Lamily, and several of his children in Francis Robbins. 746 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. 17. Called on many relations and old friends. My uncle Isaac Le Baron grows old. Called on Mr, Kendall.' At evening we had a hard shower, which prevented a meeting at which my brother was to have preached. Saw my poor cousin Philemon Robbins.^ He lives ver}' comfortably. 18. Visited. Wrote. Mr. Russell has a valuable and extensive manu- factory. Visited the burying-ground. The arm-chairs of Governors Carver, Bradford, and Winslow are still preserved. At evening my brother preached for Mr. Kendall to a full house. 19. Find many acquaintance and kind friends. My brother and sister returned in the morning to Fairhaven. His preaching last night was quite acceptable. Afternoon rode with friends to the beach in the harbor. It is quite a curiosity. My cousin S. P. Robbins came here ver}' unexpectedly from Marietta. Visited at Rev. Mr. Torrey's.^ Cool. 20. Find my time quite taken up. Rode two miles out of town and dined at my cousin's, Mr. Jackson.* Returned towards evening. Crops appear well. 21. Preached in the forenoon for Mr. Torrey at the south meeting-house on James i : 23, 24. He has a very good congregation. Afternoon preached for Mr. Kendall, in my good uncle's meeting-house, on Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. His con- gregation is very large and very respectable. Warm. After meeting some Quaker women from abroad held a meeting. It excited much attention. In the evening preached to a very numerous assembly in Mr. Kendall's meeting- house on Heb. xi : 24, 25. My cousin preached in the forenoon for Mr. Kendall, and afternoon for Mr. Torrey. 22. Made several calls. My preaching is commended quite unnecessarily. Took leave of friends and rode with cousin Eliza to Milton. Quite warm. We missed our way. Kindly entertained at Gov. Robbins's.* Found him absent from home. My horse is considerably lame. 23. Rode in a very warm morning to Roxbury. Put up at my cousin's. Dr. Peter Robbins.^ He has got a new wife who is rich, and they live in great style. Found my cousin Sam. P. there. Called at my cousin's, Dr. Lemuel Le Baron,' who lives near cousin Peter's. Afternoon rode with cousins Sam. P. and Peter and Eliza into Boston. Treated with much attention by Mr. S. J. Prescott.* Found some other friends. Very warm. Boston appears much better than I expected. The late improvements are very great. ' Rev. James Kendall, D. D., successor to Rev. Nathaniel Robbins, pastor at Milton, Dr. Chandler Robbins. Mass., 1750-1795. See previous notes. ^ Philemon Robbins, son of Dr. Chandler, ^ This is the Dr. Peter Robbins with born 1777, died 1826. whom he has corresponded for some years. ^ Rev. William T. Torrey, a native of ^ Dr. Lemuel Le Baron, son of Rev. Scituate, Mass., a graduate of Harvard, 1S06, Lemuel, of Rochester, born Jan. 10, 1780, was settled over the third church in Plym- was graduated at Brown University in 1799, outh in 1818, and dismissed in 1823. He studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Kittridge, died in 1861. of Andover, and was for several years in * His uncle, William Le Baron, had a Roxbury. daughter Sarah born in 1776, who married ^ S. J. Prescott, LL. D., a notary public Mr. Thomas Jackson. of Boston and a man of considerable distinc- 5 Lieut.-Gov. Edward H. Robbins, son of tion. He was graduated at Harvard in 1795. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 747 24. Breakfasted with my cousin Dr. Le Baron. He does very well in his practice. In the morning rode to Cambridge. Had an agreeable visit with President Kirkland.* The colleges appear very well. Returned through Boston to Roxbury. At Boston called on Rev. Mr. Dwight." The ground is quite dry. The heat and dust are very oppressive. After dinner we took leave of our cousins and set our faces this way. Cousin Sam. P. came on with us. The turnpike from Boston to Dedham is very fine. Much oppressed with the heat. The surface of the ground is quite dry. Had green peas at dinner. The first they had had at my cousin's.^ Rode to Medway and tarried at a tavern, eighteen miles. 25. Rode to Pomfret, about forty miles. The heat very oppressive. Cousin Sam P. is pretty feeble and languid. My horse is quite lame ; he limped badly. Was quite apprehensive in the afternoon that he could not go home. The road was hilly, but pretty good. Tarried at a tavern. 26. My cousin concluded to remain a little while at Pomfret. Rode home. "By the good hand of our God upon us," we are returned after a very pros- perous jo.urney. The heat was very oppressive. There is very little wind. We had a little rain just as we got home ; all that we have had on the road since the afternoon we left home. My horse traveled better than he did yesterday. Found all things well at home, though I have had much anxiety in my absence. A man in the society has died very suddenly in my absence.* Our folks think the thermometer has been 94° today and 96° yesterday. I conclude that it is about correct. Cousin Eliza paid me $3.90, which is to be deducted from the preceding expenses of my homeward journey. She has paid $6.00 of the expenses of our journey. We found my cousin William Lawrence' here, who came from Norfolk for Eliza. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. 27. Eliza and William went off early for Norfolk. Wrote to Mr. Battell. My brother and his wife came by Hartford, and went by here on Thursday. Wrote. Read. Our State is in a great ferment respecting our approaching Convention.^ Thermometer 94°. Vegetation is very flourishing. 28. In the morning wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Gen. iv : 7. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Lev. xxvi : 41. The heat was about insupportable. When we returned from meeting in the afternoon the thermometer was 98°. Baptized three children.^ At evening attended the ' John Thornton Kirkland, D. D., LL. D., ^ William Lawrence was a younger brother whose father, Rev. Samuel Kirkland, we of Mrs. Eliza (Lawrence) Olmstead, son of have had occasion to notice as missionary in Grove and Elizabeth (Robbins) Lawrence, Central New York, had now been eight and was born at Paris, New York, June 28, years President of Harvard College, and was 1801. to continue ten years more. * The Connecticut State Convention of ^ Rev. Sereno Edwards Dwight, who was 1818 to propose changes in the constitution, settled the year before as pastor of Park etc., was a very important item of Connecti- Street Church, Boston. cut history. 3 We are not certain with what cousin '' Emily Smith, daughter of Mr. Justus they dined. It may have been at Roxbury Reed; Sarah Ann Miller, daughter of Sam- or Milton, on their way to Dedham. uel Waterman; and Benjamin, son of Benja- * Mr. Wareham Strong, aged forty. min Gillett. 748 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. conference. My health, I think, is improved by my journey. Our family had their first peas last Sabbath. 29. Wrote. The heat is such that I can exercise but very little. The expenses of our late journey were about $13.00.' In the afternoon my cousin Sam. P. and his companion, Capt. Howe, came here. He came today from Tolland. The thermometer in the afternoon was 91°. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 30. I aj^prehend I never saw a warmer day. It was very hot last night and in the morning. The thermometer was soon above 90° and before noon it was 99°. It varied from that to 97°, till near four o'clock, when it was com- pletely 100°. I have never seen it so high since I owned a thermometer. In the morning my cousin went off for Norfolk and Marietta. Made him some presents. Read the description of Boston. Could not be comfortable on account of the heat. Towards night we had a moderate shower with a good deal of thunder. It sensibly cooled the air. The surface of the ground is quite dry. July. 1. The weather is much altered since the thunder of last evening. It is now very comfortable. Worked in my garden. Rode out and visited. Read. 2. Yesterday received a letter from a Mr. Yearby, of Baltimore, request- ing me to take a young lad for instruction. Read. Worked some. After- noon rode to Enfield and preached a preparatory lecture for my brother on Col. iii : 2. Returned late in the evening. My brother and his wife have commenced housekeeping today. They have many presents from the people. Paid a man for working in my garden today, $1.00. 3. Wrote. I am ver}' languid with the heat and can do but little. After- noon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on i Cor. xi : 25. Visited. 4. Rode to Scantick with Mr. Wolcott, and attended the town meeting which elected delegates for our State convention.^ The Democrats appeared to be much disappointed. They had one hundred and forty-five votes, the same number as last spring. The Federalists had more than two hundred.^ There were about sixty new freemen. The universal suffrage law is horrible.* Prayed at the opening of the meeting. Did not get home till near night. 5. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Jobv: 19. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Hos. viii : 14. After meeting rode to Wapping and preached at five o'clock from Ps. i : 11. Very tired. Administered the sacrament. Warm and sultry. 6. I find my lungs much affected by my labors yesterday. Read. Hin- dered by company. Thermometer about 90°. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. On the 4th wrote to my cousin Mrs. Olmstead. For himself and Mrs. Olmstead. Very though the State has gone over to the Dem- cheap traveling. ocrats. ^ This meeting, it may be noticed, was * And that was not tmiversal in the full called on the Fourth of July. modern sense, for there were still property ' East Windsor still remains Federal, qualifications. H 1818.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 749 7. Rode to Simsbury and attended ministers' meeting. Mr. Cook' joined with us. Very warm. Our meeting was quite attentive to business. People generally are haying. There is a good crop of grass. 8. Rode home. Suffered much with the heat. The election has issued more favorably than was feared. Thermometer this afternoon 95°. 9. Wrote. Received on the 4th from the ladies of this society a donation of $30.00, to constitute me a life-member of the American Bible Society. They have done the same for Dr. McClure. Wrote to Mr. Alexander Yearby, .of Baltimore. Heard from Norfolk. Mother is feeble. We had a pretty hard and very refreshing thunder-shower. Thermometer about 94°. 10. Worked considerably in my garden. Much oppressed with the heat. Went into the water. Read. Thermometer 98°. 11. The heat did not appear very unusual in the forenoon, but in the after- noon it was unprecedented. I took pains that no accidental heat should affect the thermometer, but it rose steadily till about three o'clock, when it was complete 102°. It continued at that and a little over till four o'clock, and sunk but little till near sundown. I think I never saw such effects from heat.^ The ground is dry and very warm. I was unable to write in the after- noon anywhere. Wrote the most of a sermon on John xi : 42. Began early. Laborers were obliged to leave or be very moderate in their work. I think our Convention ^ is likely to be moderate in talents. On the gth bottled our frozen cider. It has been in a tight cask since winter. There are about sixty bottles. Paid a man for a job in my garden, .40. Planted my Rochester cabbage-turnips. 12. The heat very great, but hardly equal to yesterday. Many people attended meeting without coats.'* Meeting rather thin. The thermometer at half past three o'clock was just 100°. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on John xi : 42. In the forenoon preached with old notes on ' Rev. Elisha B. Cook, of Orford (Man- chester). ^ It is, of course, very rare for the ther- mometer to rise above 100 degrees in any part of New England. It is one of the sin- gular and unexpected laws of nature that the thermometer is more likely to be over 100 for a day or two at Montreal, some hundreds of miles north of us, than here. There is a good philosophical reason for this, and after the fact we discover the reason, but we would not be likely to antic- ipate such a result. ' Something ought to be said about this Convention, that we may understand the circumstances in which it was convened. It was a matter of grave importance. Ever i"?ince the organization of the government mider the Federal Constitution, between thirty and forty years, the Federalists had held firm possession of Connecticut. All parties are human and corruptible, and the Federalists were no exception. The people at large had suffered wrongs under this rule, and just as soon as the Democrats came into power they took prompt action to call a convention to revise the constitution and rectify wrongs. Although the Federalists at the time strongly decried it, probably no intelligent man now would say that such action was not needed. The result was in many ways healthful. '■ It would be regarded now as indecorous for men to appear in church in their shirt- sleeves. But there are thousands of people yet living who can remember that the farm- ^ ers in the country towns used to come to meeting without their coats, or rise and take them off in the time of service, and no one thought it improper. 75° DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. Prov. viii : 6. After meeting rode to Wapping, and preached at five o'clock on Jude V. Much oppressed and fatigued. Mrs. Ellsworth at Hartford is very sick.' 13. We have very hot nights. Worked a little in my garden. Wrote. Read. Am pretty languid. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Ther- mometer 98°. 14. Set out to go to Norfolk. Rode to Hartford and met with Mr. and Mrs. Battell on their way to New London. At their recommendation and desire I concluded to defer my journey thither for a little time. Had an agreeable visit with them and their friends. Returned towards evening. People are well satisfied with our late election of delegates for the Conven- tion. Some are beginning to harvest. Thermometer 95°. 15. Worked in my garden. It suffers much from the drought. Our peas have done poorly, as has been the case generally. The surface of the ground is very dry. The first cool day we have had for more than three weeks. Thermometer but 83°. Read Dwight's System^ 16. Rode to Hartford with Mrs. Wolcott ' and saw Mrs. Ellsworth. She will not, probably, live but a short time. Wrote to Mr. Romeyn,* of New York, and sent him our donation for the American Bible Society. Rode out and visited. The grass comes in very well. Paid for a pair of Boston shoes, $8.00. In the spring Dea. Reed' paid for me at Boston for two years' Recorder, $6.00. I called today to pay him, having been put off once or twice, and he refused to take anything. A generous donation. Yesterday we had our first cucumbers. Thermometer 89°. 17. We are constantly disappointed in signs of rain. Mr. Battell told me on the 14th tkat he had purchased of brother Samuel his home lot of about eighty acres. I am greatly rejoiced that he has purchased it, since Samuel was resolved to sell. It is an act of great generosity and filial love in Mr. Battell. He gives him fifty dollars an acre. All accounts represent the late heat as exceeding any known for many years. Wrote to brother Frank and to Horace Loomis, of New Connecticut. Read Dwight's System. Have to water vegetables a good deal. Thermometer 91°. 18. Worked in my garden. Things are perishing with the drought. Wrote to my mother. Afternoon rode to Hartford to exchange with Mr. Hawes.* He rode to East Windsor with my horse. Visited Mrs. Ellsworth. She is very low. Thermometer 90°. ' The widow of Chief-Justice Oliver Ells- sister to Mr. Abiel Wolcott, with whom Dr. worth, of Windsor. Robbins boarded. ^ The same work before referred to, * John Brodhead Romeyn, D. D., from Theology Explained and Defended in a Series 1808 till his death, 1825, pastor of the Dutch of Sermotis ; with a Memoir of the Author'' s Reformed Church in Cedar Street, New Life, In five volumes, octavo, 181S. York city. 3 Mrs. Abiel Wolcott. Mrs. Ellsworth, ^ Dea. Abner Reed, before noticed. He who was sick, was Abigail Wolcott, daughter afterwards removed to Ohio, of Hon. William Wolcott, of East Windsor. * Dr. Joel Hawes, the new minister of She was born Feb. 8, 1755, and was own Center Church, Hartford. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. ' 751 19. In the morning we had a moderate and most refreshing rain. Wet and cloudy all day. The air warm and very languid. Preached on John xi : 42, and James i : 23, 24. At evening preached at the conference house on Heb. iv: 15. Mr. Hawes appears to be well married.' 20. Visited Mrs. Ellsworth. Rode home. The afternoon a hard rain. It was very much needed. Read description of Boston. Thermometer 85°. 21. Worked all the forenoon in my garden. Cloudy and wet, yet the thermometer rose to 90°. People feel anxious about the grain. Afternoon rode to Enfield. We had considerable rain. My brother thinks of making a purchase. I think he has a favorable opportunity. 22. A fine harvest day. Vegetation is greatly revived. Returned. At- tended the funeral of a young man at Wapping, whose disease and death were wholly the effect of intemperance. O that others might look and be wise. Visited a sick man. Thermometer I conclude above 90°. 23. The river has risen a good deal and unexpectedly. Rode to the harvest field and carried dinner to the reapers.^ The harvest is good. Wrote. Visited. Am much oppressed with languor. Thermometer 91°. 24. Began a sermon on John iii : 16, 17. Consulted a number of volumes on the subject of the atonement. Wrote but little. Showery. Inconvenient for harvesting. Thermometer 90°. 25. Wrote laboriously on my sermon. It requires much close attention. Wrote nine and one half pages by daylight. Am troubled some with a tremor in my hand. Thermometer 86°. 26. Wrote three pages and finished my sermon on the atonement before meeting. Preached it both parts of the day on John iii : 16, 17. Afternoon was more than an hour in sermon. Something wet and cool. After meeting rode to Wapping and preached with notes on Luke xiii : 3. I fear I shall not be able to bear this additional labor. 27. Rode to Hartford. Paid the Hartford Bank $120.00, and took up my note. I now owe no bank. Received of the Eagle Bank a dividend of $35.00. On the 2d instant I borrowed of my brother Frank $100.00, and gave him my note. In the afternoon my brother Frank and his wife called here. We had something of a shower. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Thermometer 91°. Paid my brother $25.00 on a note he holds against me. 28. Wrote. In the afternoon worked laboriously at hay in the meadows. There is a very good crop of grass. Am troubled some with rheumatism. Thermometer 86°. ' Dr. Hawes went back to his native ^ These harvest fields, to which almost region for his wife. He was born in Med- every year Dr. Robbins carries dinners for way, Mass., and he married Jmie 17, 1818, the reapers, were not the rich meadows Miss Louisa Fisher, of the neighboring town along the river, but the more dry and sandy of Wrentham. They lived together forty-nine fields, some distance east from "the street." years, buried all of their six children, and The harvest which they reaped was rye, she died June 8, 1867, three days after her which grew here of excellent quality, but was husband. largely turned into gin or whiskey. 752 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D, [1818. 29. Rode with Frances to Enfield and got a girl of twelve years old, to be kept if she suits. I think my brother has made a fortunate purchase of a place. A very good house and other buildings and five acres of land for $2,650. Visited. The heat is severe. Last night we had a considerable shower. 30. Worked in the garden. It produces rather poorly. Visited. Read. Afternoon rode to Wapping and catechised the children at the meeting-house. The thermometer was 92°. I conclude it was about the same yesterday. It was not observed. 31. Looked over my pecuniary accounts. My ordinar\- expenses seem to increase. My property does not increase much except by interest.* The forenoon was very warm. The thermometer about noon rose to 98°. Cate- chised the children at the meeting-house. Visited. The harvest has come in well, but it is thought not equal to some of the late seasons. August. 1. Wrote a sermon on Matt, vi : 13. Wrote five pages before dinner. Finished before night. ]My sermonizing is too intellectual. Thermometer about 88°. 2. In the forenoon expounded on the third chapter of Romans. After- noon preached the sermon written yesterday. I have preached this summer quite too long. Meeting quite full. Rode to Wapping and preached on Matt, xi : 26. The collection of people was large. Thermometer 91°. 3. Rode to Hartford. Visited Mrs. Ellsworth; apparently in a dying state. Wrote to Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport. Gave a note of $550.00 at the Hartford Bank and received $541.02. Received of the same a dividend of $8.00. Am troubled with a rheumatism in my back. We had a moderate and refreshing shower. Thermometer 92°. Wrote. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 4. Rode to Norfolk. Set out in the morning about four o'clock and got to brother Ammi's a little after noon. My rheumatism is quite troublesome. I suffered much pain in riding. Mother has been quite feeble this summer, but is better now than she has been. Brother Frank and his wife came here yesterday. At evening brother James and his wife came here." Brother Samuel's wife has a young child. 5. Brother Samuel has a great harvest. He is now in the midst of it. Last evening attended the marriage of Bailey Birge and the youngest daughter of Capt. Phelps, lately deceased. Settled accounts with Mr. Battel!. Paid him $355.67, and took up a note given him for borrowed money. Paid him $29.41, and took up a note given for a store debt. I now owe him nothing but gratitude. Paid brother Frank. $143.37, '^"<^1 ^ook up three notes he held against me for borrowed money. Dined at Mr. Battell's. Brother Ammi and ' One rather wonders how it could in- * This seems to have been an arrange- crease at all, amid the purchases of so many ment for a kind of family meeting, at least rare and costly books. most of the family were there. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 753 his wife were here. Not so warm as it has been. The prospect of brother Samuel's removal is painful. 6. Brother Frank and his wife went off in the morning. Dined at mother's. Visited Mr. Emerson. His health is not very good. At evening quite cool. 7. Rode home. My rheumatism is not as bad as it has been. Mrs. Ellsworth died on Monday night, and was buried Wednesday afternoon at Windsor.' At East Hartford eat a part of a watermelon. 8. Wrote the most of a sermon on Jer. ix : 9. The thermometer was 85°, and I conclude has been about the same each day since Monday. 9. Finished my sermon begun yesterday, and preached with it both parts of the day. Rode to Wapping and preached on Matt, xi : 30. The meeting was full. Very tired. 10. Rode to Hockanum and visited sick persons. People have a good season to get in their hay and grain. Thermometer yesterday and today about 85°. Mr. Goodrich,^ bookseller of Hartford, called on me to get a little literary labor done for him. I think I shall attempt it. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. My lungs are feeble. 11. Wrote. Read the Bible. At evening walked out. Thermometer 88°. My garden is very dry. I have this year completed the forty-first year of my age. Devoted the day to fasting and communion with God. I have the greatest cause of admiration that he does thus continue my unprofitable life. 12. Rode to Berlin with Mrs. Widow Wolcott^ and visited Mr. and Mrs. Skinner. Their circumstances are quite favorable. Visited Dr. Smalley.* At evening attended a conference at Mr. Skinner's. Very warm. 13. Rode home. Very warm and the ground very dry. The approaching Convention is the subject of conversation.' Watermelons are very plenty. Rode out and visited. I saw the thermometer at 94° in the afternoon, and I think it was then falling. Our folks say it was 96° yesterday, and I am per- suaded it has not been as high today. 14. Cooler. Wrote on my pecuniary accounts. My expenses for two years past have exceeded my income, aside from interest of money. This ought not to be the case. My garden is very dry. Visited. God frowns upon me in his holy and righteous judgments.* 15. Rode to Hartford. The ground is exceeding dry and dusty. The ' Chief-Justice Ellsworth died Nov. 26, Berlin she was visiting her daughter Ursula, 1807, at the age of sixty-two. His wife who was now the wife of Rev. Newton Skin- therefore survived him about eleven years. ner. This was the part of Berlin which is She was ten years younger than her hus- now New Britain, band, and died at the age of sixty-three. * Dr. John Smalley, who had been one of " Samuel Griswold Goodrich (Peter Par- the truly eminent divines of New England, ley). was still living at the age of eighty-four. ' She was the widow of Mr. Samuel Wol- ^ Very naturally, for it was to work im cott, whose death ha? been mentioned. He portant changes in the affairs of the State died June 7, 1813. Mrs. Wolcott was herself "That is a sentence we do not under the daughter of Judge Erastus Wolcott. At stand. 754 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1818. corn on dry grounds is suffering much. Afternoon rode to Andover to exchange with Mr, Collins.' Quite tired. Thermometer about 85°. My neighbor, Maj. Hayden, lost a little child very suddenly, sick less than twenty hours. Perhaps spotted fever. I was with them repeatedly. 16. Preached on Acts iv: 12, and Matt, vi : 13. At evening preached again in the meeting-house without any notes on Ps. iii : 8. This society is very small, but they are making the most laudable exertions for the settlement of Mr. Collins, and I hope he will be a great blessing to them. 17. Rode home. Thermometer about summer heat. Read. Mr. Collins performed here yesterday pretty well. Visited. A merciful God gives me relief in times of distress. 18. Rode with Mr. Cook, of Orford, to West Suffield and attended our ministers' meeting. All the members were present. Received a letter from my cousin P. G. Robbins,^ of Roxbury. 19. Returned home. Cool and very dry. It is feared the fall crops will suffer much by the drought. Made an unexpected visit at Mr, Watson's.^ Received a letter from Mr. Samuel Stebbins,* Troubled with a colic, 20. Last night was very unwell with the colic. Took physic. Am very weak and have considerable pain. Read. At evening we had a moderate and most grateful shower. Received a letter from Mr, M. Bradford,^ 21. Rode to Hartford. Warm and sultry. The thermometer rose to 90°. Read (?) history. My garden has a fine crop of melons. Wrote, Visited. Received a letter from Mr. S. G. Goodrich,^ of Hartford. Received a letter from E. G. Dabney, of Salem. 22. Cool. Wrote to my mother. Wrote the most of a sermon on Dan. ix : 7. The corn and potatoes suffer very much with the drought, 23. Expounded on the fourth chapter of Romans, Finished and preached the sermon on Dan, ix : 7, Preached at Wapping on Matt, xxiii : 37, 38, Thermometer about 80°. 24. Wrote. Warm.. Thermometer 90'^. In the afternoon attended a season of prayer on account of the severe drought. It was well attended. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Tarried out. 25. Last night it began to rain in the evening and rained moderately the most of the night. Wet and rainy all day. The ground is greatly refreshed by divine goodness, though we should have been glad of more rain. Visited, 26. Worked in my garden. Paid for labor in it, ,48, Our melons do very well. Read Tytler's History? Visited. Our State Convention met today in ' Rev. Augustus B. Collins was that very pastor at Simsbury, Ct., from 1777 to 1806. year settled at Andover, Ct., where he re- He died in 1820. mained till 1827. In 18 19 he received from ^ Perhaps Merritt Bradford. "Williams College the honorary degree of ^ Samuel Griswold Goodrich, just before A. M. mentioned. He established himself in Hart- - Dr. Peter Oilman Robbins. ford with his brother in the book business, 3 Mr. Henry Watson's, probably, at East but afterwards removed to Boston. Windsor Hill. 7 vVe shall probably find that his reading * Rev. Samuel Stebbins, who had been of Tytler's History, and his letters received l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 755 Hartford. I feel concerned about their proceedings, but I hope God will guide them and preserve them from evil. 27. Wrote to my cousin Dr. Robbins, of Roxbury, and to Mr. Stebbins, of Springfield. Rode to Wapping and catechised the children. Visited. 28. Visited the sick. There are several among us. Read. Catechised the children at the meeting-house. Visited. I fear that our Convention will be governed by the spirit of Democracy. 29. Visited a school. Wrote to Mr. M. Bradford at Canterbury. Wrote to Mr. Battell at Hartford, and received a letter from him. Gave E. L. Ban- croft an order on the society of $16,82. Resid Tytltr's Ifisfory. Cool. We have a great supply of watermelons, and they are very good. I think there are more in this town and East Hartford than there have been in any year since I have lived here. Wrote. 30. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on John xii : 26. After- noon preached an old sermon on Ps. li : 15. Preached at Wapping on Gen. xxxii : 26. The people there appear better than when I first had meetings there. 31. Rode to Scantick and Enfield and returned. There was a refreshing shower at the upper part of our society, but it was limited to three or four miles. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Rev. Mr. Cooley,' of Granville, came here and tarried. September. 1. Visited the two schools at Wapping; after which rode to Andover to attend ordination. Quite warm. Much fatigued. The Wapping school have done well. 2. Attended the ordination of Mr. Collins.^ The parts were well per- formed. I hope this small society will be able to maintain the institutions of the gospel. In the evening rode home. 3. Wrote pieces for the newspaper. Hindered by company. Two men from Norfolk called on me. Sent a large watermelon to my mother. The ground is very dry. Visited. 4. Received of my collector, $23.00. Rode to Hartford. My sister Battell and Mrs. Olmstead are there. The Convention do but little business, and are in considerable confusion. Paid at the Hartford Bank, $20.60. Paid for a feather-bed, $10.00, and for a new mattress, $20.00, for the Corn- wall school,^ of the money my people gave for that charity. Paid a tailoress, .50. The dust is very tedious. 5. On the I St received a letter from Esq. Burnap, of Andover. Wrote from S. G. Goodrich, have some connection. ' Rev. Timothy M. Cooley, D. D., settled Alexander Fraser Tytler, author of an out- in Granville, Mass., Feb. 3, 1796. line 01 Universal History, which was long * Rev. Augustus B. Collins, spoken of in used in our colleges, was born in Edinburgh, previous note. Sc(jtland, in 1747, and died in 1S13, a man ^ For the education of heathen youth. eminent not only as a historian, but as a The congregations of the State seem to have lawyer and judge. made contributions. 756 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. the most of a sermon on Matt, xii : 35. Hindered by company. The tremor of my hand is burdensome. I cannot write fast. Cool. 6. Wrote. Preached in the forenoon an old sermon on Rom. vii : 14. Afternoon Mr. Sprague,* of Andover in this State, a young candidate, preached for me. Preached at Wapping on Rev. iii : 20. At evening walked out. At Wapping baptized a child." 7. Visited. Read. We have some persons dangerously sick. Afternoon we had a season of prayer, on account of the continued drought, in connection with our monthly prayer-meeting. The afternoon was wet and rainy, for which we bless- God, but it affords a scanty supply. My niece, Sarah Battell, came here for a short visit. Wrote. In the evening my brother came here. 8. Set out with my brother quite early for Commencement. At Hartford Mrs. Battell and Mrs. Olmstead joined us. It was wet and rainy all day. We did not get much wet. Got to New Haven towards night. In the evening Mr. Gillett,^ of Branford, preached before the Education Society. In the morning received at the Phoenix Bank a dividend of $60.00. My face is much swollen on one side in consequence of pain in a tooth. Wore a large patch upon it. 9. It was steadily rainy through the day. Very refreshing to the ground. The Commencement services were good. There was no humor.* No masters performed. Mr. Day^ presided very well. Five other presidents' were present. The house was quite full. Dr. Chapin^ preached well at the Concio. My face is something troublesome. Contributed at dinner $1.00, for old Mr. Backus,* of Bridgeport. In the evening my brother went off in the stage for home. 10. Attended the annual meeting of the Education Society. There has been a pretty large colleciion of ministers. Have many hindrances. Paid Gen. Howe for books, $5.06. Paid for tracts, .41. Afternoon left New Haven with my sister and niece, and rode through Wallingford to Middletown, Tarried at a tavern. Vegetation is greatly revived by the rain. 11. It was cold last night, but I see no appearance of frost. Rode home. Left Sally and Eliza at Hartford. The Convention do badly.' Am quite tired. Kept the patch on my face during my absence. Read. Received an ' Afterwards Rev. William B. Sprague, Branford in 1S08. The Education Society D. D., of Albany, now widely known for was then new and attracted great attention, his ability as a preacher and his varied * Usually, in old times, they had one or scholarship. Author of Annals of Amej-icmt two amusing dialogues to enliven the Com- Pulpit, nine volumes. Born in Andover, Ct., mencement e.xercises. Oct. 16, 1795, graduated at Vale, 1815, died in * Jeremiah Day, D. D., in the second year 1876. of his office. * Ralzaman Thomas, son of Mr. Xoah *• From other colleges. Sadd. The name Sadd, which we should " Dr. Calvin Chapin, of Rocky Hill, judge to be rather an uncommon name, in ^ Rev. Simon Backus, then fifty-nine years the country at large, was a name not infre- out of Yale College, formerly settled in quent in Windsor, especially in East Wind- North Madison. He died in 1S23. sor. 9 It must be judged by its after fruits. Of ^ Rev. Timothy Phelps GilJett, settled at the changes wrought some are accepted now. k 1818.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 757 order to attend a meeting of military officers as chaplain of the first regi- ment. 12. Wrote. Had a little fire in my chamber. Worked in my garden. Mr. Cook came here to exchange. Rode to Orford. My niece, Sarah Battell/ went to Hartford. 13. Quite cold and chilly. I believe, however, we have had no frost. Preached on Matt, vi : 13, and Jude v. Meetings rather thin. After meeting rode to Wapping and preached on i John iii : 3. Mr. Cook was there with me. The prospects of the Convention grow worse and worse. 14. Rode to Enfield to procure a black girl for Mrs. Wolcott. Saw my brother and sister Battell, who spent the Sabbath at Enfield. Cousin Eliza remains there. On my return rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an infant child. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 15. Began to write a continuation of Tytler's History.^ I think it will be a great and difficult work. I hope my labors may be useful. My face pains me considerably. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Very warm. The thermometer rose to 90°. I conclude it was above 80° yesterday. 16. Visited the sick. Wrote. Something rainy. The Convention rose and left us a constitution, which, as a State paper, I consider contemptible. ' Wrote to Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport. Paid .50 to the Female Bible Society in this place. 17. Quite rainy the most of the day. Towards evening rode to Hartford. Visited a woman in East Hartford very sick. Wrote a piece for the newspaper. 18. Wrote on my history. Visited a school. Took cold in my face and had a turn of severe pain. 19. Wrote. It rained steadily all last night and through the day; some of the time pretty hard. There is much and deep anxiety in the State respecting the approaching Freemen's Meeting. Wrote on a sermon on Matt, xii : 35. 20. Preached at Wapping on Jer. 1 : 5. The streams are quite high. 21. Rode to Scantick and attended the Freemen's Meeting. We did unexpectedly well. Highest votes for nomination. Federalist, 232 ; Demo- cratic, 128.'' Cool. Got home late. 22. Wrote, Visited a school. On the 19th received a letter from Mr. S. Stebbins, of Springfield. Visited. 23. Rode to Hartford. The river is high. Our universal suffrage makes ' Sarah Battell, third child of Joseph and ^ It was for this that he had been reading Sarah (Robbins) Battell, was born March 19, Tytler's History, and this was doubtless, as 1810, and was now eight years old. She was already hinted, the literary work which Mr. united in marriage with Rev. Joseph El- Goodrich wished to engage him to perform. dridge, D. D., Oct. 12, 1836. He was then It was a compliment to him as a writer and settled in the ministry at Norfolk, where he a scholar that he was asked to perform this remained till his death in 1875, forty-three labor. years, from 1832 to 1875. She survived him ^ After times have sanctioned and con- three years, dying June 6, 1878. She was firmed that judgment. the pastor's wife in her native town for ■* East Windsor still kept strongly Fed- thirty-nine years. She had six children. oral, but not so the State. 758 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS RODEINS, D.D. [1818. dreadful confusion in some of the Freemen's Meetings. I fear our State is to be left to great afiflictions. The wicked rule. Visited. 24. This morning there was a frost, but not sufficient to affect vegetation materially. The first we have had. Wrote a piece for the newspajjer. Rode to Wapping and catechised the children. Visited. 25. Very warm. The thermometer was at 83°. Hindered by company. Wrote. Catechised the children at the meeting-house. I hope this exercise has done good. 26. Wrote on my historj'. The late Freemen's Meeting has issued as favorably as was to be expected. Yesterday began to read the Bible in course. Will God enable «ie to do it with attention and profit. Read. On the 2 2d received of my collector, $90.00. 27. Expounded in the forenoon on the fifth chapter of Romans. After- noon preached an old sennon on Luke viii : 15. Full meeting. Preached at Wapping on Jer. xiv : 8. I have now preached there eleven Sabbaths, onQ sermon each. I have omitted two since I began. I hope it may do good I told them I did not wish them to make me any pecuniary compensation. Walked out. 28. This morning there was considerable frost. Rode to Hartford with Dr. Tudor. Saw his son, Dr. Tudor, of Vermont,' married in the church. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Received a letter from my cousin P. G. Robbins, and one from Dr. Romeyn, of New York. On the 26th received a military order to attend the regimental review. Took in our green trees. 29. Quite cold. Wrote on my history. I feel much anxiety respecting the adoption of our proposed new constitution. I pray God to preserve us from such evil. Visited. 30. Wrote. My historical work is very laborious.^ Rode out and visited. We have had two or three pretty hard frosts. October. 1. Rode to Windsor and attended a regimental training. Rode as chaplain. The regiment did pretty well. Warm. We have a good deal of noise in our streets evenings. 2. Yesterday w-rote to my cousin Dr. Robbins by a young man whom I have procured to live with him. Wrote on my history. Preached a prepara- tory lecture with old notes on John vi : 55. Preached pretty poorly. Paid $6.00 for Dr. Trumbull's History of Connecticut.^ \\'rote. 3. Wet and rainy. Wrote a sermon on Ps. Ixxviii : 38. The tremor in my hand is lighter than it has been. Wrote to my brother at Enfield. ' Dr. Edward Tudor, graduated from the ^ The History of Connectiaif, 1630-1764, Dartmouth College Medical School in 1803. in two volumes, was written by Rev. Benja- Received the honorary degree of M. D. from min Trumbull, D. D., of North Haven. The Middlebury College in 1821. Died in 1858, first volume appeared in 1797, and the sec- aged eighty-seven. ond, published in 1S18, was just out at the ^ The continuation of Tytler's History. time of this entry. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 759 4. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Rev. ii : 7. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. Administered the sacrament. The church pretty full. At evening attended a conference. Visited a sick woman. Warm and showery. Very tired. 5. Wrote to Rev. Mr. Stone,' of Cornwall. The people of the State meet today to vote on the adoption of the constitution. Should it be adopted I shall view the event a great frown of heaven.^ Rode to Farmington on my way to Consociation. Had Mr. Flint's company from Hartford. In the evening met with a committee of the Consociation and prepared for a report. 6. Rode to Bristol. Met with the Consociation. The weather very cold and rough. Was scribe of the Consoci. Was kindly accommodated with Deacon Loomis at a Mr. Hough's. The most of the members were present. There were thirty-four. This society is in a good state. 7. Yesterday paid a merchant, $5.00. 1 was appointed by the Conso the first on a committee to make a digest of our ecclesiastical system.^ 8. Wrote on my history. 9. Wrote on my history. The thermometer was at 73° and nearly the same yesterday. Received a letter from Mr. George Spencer, of Hartford. Rode to Hartford and preached in the evening a sacramental lecture for Mr. Hawes on Col. iii : 2. The meeting was full. It appears that our foolish constitution is to be adopted.'* Returned. 10. Paid the Hartford Bank $39.65, and took up a note. Wrote. After- noon rode to Berlin to exchange with Mr. Skinner. Met him on my way. Stayed at Dr. Smalley's.' 11. In the morning attended the Sabbath-school at the meeting-house. It is thought to have been useful. Preached on Matt, vi : 13, and Jude v. The meeting-house here is poor. At sundown rode to Newington and preached an evening lecture for Mr. Brace ^ on Col. iii : 2. This society appears very well. Very tired. 12. Rode home. There seem to be great rejoicings of Democracy and triumphings of the wicked at the adoption of the new constitution. They evidently consider it a triumph over righteousness.' Visited a sick woman. Afternoon attended a company training. Prayed with the company by request. The first time that I have done this since I have lived in this town.^ At even- ing attended the prayer-meeting. Yesterday I baptized a child at Berlin. 13. Read. Wrote to Gov. Clinton,' of New York, to thank him for ' Rev. Timothy Stone, pastor at Cornwall, ' A very uncheerful view of the situation. 1803-1827. He received the degree of A.M. ^ Not a usual custom at town trainings. from Yale in 1804. He died in 1852. 9 Gov. De Witt Clinton, elected in 1817, ^ In the political changes taking place in and continuing till 1S22, elected again in his day he was in danger of being under the 1824 to 182S. Thanksgiving was especially "frown of heaven " almost all the time. a New England festival, but has now become ' A responsible and laborious task, for the national. Gov. Clinton seems to have been Congregational system was not a simple one. the first to introduce the custom into New * It was almost certain to be adopted. York State, which was probably done easily, * Dr. John Smalley. as that State abounded in natives of New ^ Dr. Joab Brace. England. 760 DIARY OF REV\ THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. appointing a Thanksgiving in the State last year and this. I hope it may be the means of making the practice common in all the States. Wrote to Mr. Perr)-,' of Sharon. We have lately dismissed two worthy brethren from our church. Warm. There is a very fine crop of corn. Visited. Dr. Tudor is pretty feeble. Hindered by company. 14. Wrote on my history. Rainy and wet all day. There was a cattle show, etc., at Hartford, under the patronage of the agricultural society of this county. Did not attend on account of the rain. Walked out and visited. Lent Capt. Bissell" $100.00. 15. Wrote on my history. It requires much more labor than I expected. Hindered by company. Wrote late. 16. Wrote. My cousins,^ Mrs. Olmsted and Philip Battell, came here from Enfield to make me a visit. At evening walked out and visited. Warm. Thermometer 72°. 17. Wrote on my histoiy. I have done little else this v/eek. In the afternoon my cousins returned to Enfield. Wrote. Thermometer 76°. I am extremely hardened and stupid. I have nothing to plead but divine power. 18. On the 1 6th received a letter from my brother Frank. Preached all day an old sermon on Matt, vi: 22. The day remarkably pleasant and the meeting very full. At evening attended a singing-meeting. Visited. Some of our young men conduct very badly. 19. Visited a man dangerously sick. We had this morning a jDretty hard frost. Wrote. Wrote an address for ministers' meeting. 20. Rode to Turkey Hills to attend ministers' meeting. Mr. Cook went with me, and from Enfield my brother. One of our number absent. I preached on Matt, xii : 35. Read an address to my brethren. My brother went home. 21. Several of the people have requested me earnestly to go to New Haven and solicit of the Assembly the continuance of the grant of a chaplain at Newgate, apprehensive that it will be neglected or forgotten. "* I finally concluded to go. Rode home by way of Enfield. Paid for quinces, .50. On the igth paid for cotton for a bed-covering, .90. Warm. 22. Rode by Farmington to New Haven. Quite cold. Met my brother Ammi on the road, having been to New Haven and entered his son at college. Saw a number of representatives, and was treated kindly. Mr. S. Foot, of Cheshire,* engaged to move a resolution for the Newgate grant. ' Rev. David L. Perry. him to secure its continuance. The readers ^ Capt. Aaron Bissell. of this diary cannot have failed to notice * The word cousins here should more into how many places of public responsi- properly be nephew and niece. The only bility Mr. Robbins is urged by his brethren reason for using the word was, that Mrs. in the ministry, and he was generally suc- Olmsted by adoption stood somewhat in the cessful in his enterprises. relation of a cousin. s Hon. Samuel A. Foot, of Cheshire, after- * Dr. Robbins had been the man through wards, 1S19-1821, and 1823-1S25, Member whose special agency this grant had been of Congress ; 1827-1S33, United States Sena- originally secured, and so they looked to tor, and 1834-1835, Governor of the State. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 761 23. Conversed with representatives, and assistants on the subject of my application. Mr. Foot made a motion for the usual grant of three hundred dollars in the morning, and after about an hour it was brought forward and passed by a full vote. Deacon Reed ' spoke well on it. Soon after it passed the Upper House. Saw my cousin James Robbins at college. The Feder- alists are determined to make an effort to carry the election next spring. Left New Haven at half after eleven and rode home in less than eight hours. There was a light squall of snow. My expenses in this tour, $3.80. I expect to be paid by the people at Turkey Hills. In the morning wrote a letter of thanks to Mr. S. A. Foot. Though our new members of Congress are Democratic there is one minister's son, as there has almost always been.^ 24. Much fatigued by my late exertions. I can do but little today. Wrote to Judge Woodruff, of Turkey Hills. Wrote to my brother Frank. Read the Bible. In the evening was called to visit a woman very sick. Was out late. 25. In the forenoon expounded on the sixth chapter of Romans pretty poorly. Preached an old sermon on Heb. xi : 24, 25. We had a public contribution by order of the Assembly^ for the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Hartford, and collected ^48.75. It was more than I expected, and I think liberal. We got two half eagles, one bill of $3.00, three of $2.00, ten of $1.00, two hard dollars, and one hundred and twenty-one smaller pieces of silver. At evening attended a singing-meeting. Yesterday received a certificate of membership from the American Bible Society. 26. Rode out and visited. At evening we had a solemn prayer-meeting. 27. Rode out and performed a marriage.* Warm and dry. I have not married any persons before the present year. Read the Bible. At evening studied on historical collections. 28. Studied on my history all day. Quite cold. Received a letter from my brother Francis. 29. Studied on my historical work. It is quite laborious. Read the Bible. Quite cold. 30. Finished my historical sketch of European countries. Read the Bible. Warmer. The ground is verj' dry. Hindered by company. ' Abner Reed, one of his deacons, a culti- ^ The yearly contribution in May, by all vated man, assisted him in his work of the Congregational churches of Connecticut, obtaining the grant. He was, as appears, for the Missionary Society, was, as we have one of the representatives from East Wind- already had frequent occasion to notice, by sor that year. State authority. But other contributions ^ In this remark he is still referring to were ordered by the same authority. There Hon. Samuel A. Foot, who had already been was, perhaps, a closer connection between elected to the next Congress, which would Church and State in Connecticut in the come into existence the 4th of March follow- early generations than in any other New ing. Mr. Foot was the son of Rev. John England State, though this connection early Foot, who had been Congregational pastor at existed in them all, to a certain degree. Cheshire, Ct., i767-:Si3, when he died. His * Between Elisha G. Tallmadge, of West- son, Samuel A., LL. D., was a graduate of field, Mass., and Clarissa Terry. The bride Yale in the class of 1797. was the daughter of Mr. Eli Terry. 762 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. 31. Wrote the most of a sermon on Heb. xii : 2. Worked putting up cider for bottling. I write pretty slow. I think I cannot do without sleep as well as I could formerly. November. 1. Quite warm. Wore no out coat. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Ex. xxxiii : 15. In the afternoon on Heb. xii : 2. Did not have my sermon quite finished. At evening rode to Wapping, visited a sick woman, and preached at a private house with short notes on Job xxi : 14. Tarried at Wapping. 2. Had to give notice of our monthly prayer-meeting, which we attended in the evening, having forgot to mention it yesterday. Mr. Stebbins, of Sims- bury,' came here with a view of pursuing the study of theology. 3. Visited. Rode to Hartford. Last night there was a great fire in Hartford which was very alarming, but having burnt four or five houses in the centre of the city it was stopped. The wind, which had been high, abated soon after the fire commenced. Mr. Goodrich called for my manuscript of history' before it is completed.^ Paid $1.00 for a gallon of honey, and $1.00 for candles. 4. Began the copying of my historical tracts for the press. Warm. Put up cider for bottling ; put two quarts of honey and two of cider brandy into a two barrel cask of cider. 5. The thermometer rose yesterday and today to 65°. Wrote steadily. On the 2d Mr. Haskell brought me a bearing orange-tree, which he procured for me in New York. Received a letter from my brother Francis. 6. Wet and rainy. Wrote on my history. I am too much hindered by unimportant things. 7. I hope Mr. Stebbins will be a diligent student. In the forenoon we had a hard rain. The ground was very dry. Afternoon rode to Wethersfield to make an exchange. Found that Mr. Tenney' had gone to East Windsor. The printers have begun on my continuance of Tytler. 8. Preached in the forenoon on Matt, vi : 13. Afternoon on James i : 23, 24. Cold. Meeting full and attentive. After sundown rode to Hartford and preached at Mr. Flint's conference on Acts iv : 12. The meeting was quite full. Rode home. Very tired. 9. Cold and tedious. Rode to Hartford. Paid the bank, S3 7. 68. The ferry ^ very much crowded. The people have had their town meeting. The Democrats did not do as much as was expected. At evening we had a good prayer-meeting. ' This was probably Mr. Sammel S. Steb- issue a new edition of Tytler's Outlines of bins, whom we have before noticed. He History. was graduated at Yale in 1816, and had been ^ Rev. Cabot J. Tenney. employed in teaching. He did not become * The bridge, it will be remembered, was a minister. carried away with the great spring flood, - This confirms previous suggestions. Mr. and was not yet ready for use. That bridge, Goodrich, the publisher, was preparing to when completed, was to stand. l8l8.1 PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR, 763 10. Wrote. I am obliged to neglect most other business for my history. 11. Wrote till quite late at night. Received a proof-sheet of my history. 12. Rode to Hartford. The ferry is exceeding crowded. Attended to the printer. Had the misfortune to break a small bottle of neat's foot oil and injured my surtout pretty badly. Many practical difficulties are found in our new constitution. It is a foolish thing. . 13. Read the Bible. Wrote laboriously on my history. I find I am much fatigued by this close application. I have written evenings late, as well as through the day. Warm. 14. Wrote a sermon on Heb. xii : 14. Paid a tailoress, $1.17. 15. Expounded on the seventh chapter of Romans and preached the sermon written yesterday. The thermometer was at 71°. At evening visited. Our meeting was full. 16. Got unusually fatigued yesterday. Wrote. Visited the sick. At evening rode to Enfield. Ursula went with me. 17. We had a good visit. Returned and visited the North School. The ecclesiastical society at Enfield appears to be improving. 18. Wrote on my history. Afternoon performed a marriage.* Rainy. Visited. Celibacy is becoming a prevalent evil here.^ Received a letter from G. Goodwin, of Hartford. 19. Received a proof-sheet. Wrote laboriously all day. I do not get rid of tremor in my hand. Heard of the death of Mr. Waters,^ the Baptist preacher, in Enfield. 20. Wrote. Rode to Hartford and carried a part of my manuscript. Had company. Quite cold. 21. Wrote on my history. The calls of the printer are so earnest that I concluded to omit writing a sermon for the sake of that work. Wrote to my brother Francis. On the i8th it snowed considerably. 22. Wrote notes and preached on Rom. v: 6. Preached an old sermon on Deut. xxxii : 39. At evening attended a singing-meeting. 23. Rode to Wapping and visited two schools. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. It was pretty full. The President's Message represents our country in a very prosperous state. I think it is.* 24. Wrote on my history. Wrote late. My nerves are considerably affected. I fear I cannot bear so much study as I Could years ago. 25. Wrote the most of my Thanksgiving sermon. Last evening looked over a proof-sheet of my history. ' Between Jared G. Talcott, of Glaston- of humor in making that record when he bury, and Electa Bissell. She was the daugh- remembered that he was now forty-one years ter of Eli and Damaris (Potwine) Bissell. old, and what an example of celibacy he Her mother, Damaris, was the daughter of was setting before his people. Rev. Thomas Potwine, first pastor of the ^ Rev. Bulkley Waters, north or Scantic parish in East Windsor. * Dr. Robbins begins to become recon- ^ He had one marriage in October, and ciled to the new order of things. The reign this one in November, and no other in the of Federalism has gone, and it is vain to year iSiS. But he must have had a sense hope for its return. I 764 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. 26. Thanksgiving. Finished and preached my sermon on i Kings iii : 9. Meeting full and attentive. We sang four times. The music was excellent. The people in this society have given to five public charities the present year, $245.00.' At evening walked out. Warm and pleasant. On the 24th received an elegant new cloak made for me of the cloth Mr. Battell gave me last wintev. 27. Rainy and wet all day. In the afternoon it snowed some. Wrote. Hindered by company. 28. Wrote on my history. Afternoon rode to Simsbury to exchange with Mr. McLean.^ Quite wet and cold. Mr. McLean went to East Windsor. 29. Preached from Heb. xii : 14, and Matt, xii : 35. Wet. The people here attend meeting pretty well. Visited. Tarried at Col. Pettibone's. Mr. McLean is very laborious and useful here. 30. Visited. Rode home. The roads pretty wet. Read. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. I think I never knew our spiritual prospects here more gloomy. Some time since I paid $1.00 for cotton for furniture. December. 1. Wrote on my history. Cold and some snow. Wrote to Mr. Augustus Fitch/ of Columbia, South Carolina, 2. Wrote. Wrote to Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport, and to Gen. Howe, of New Haven. Rode to Hartford. Inspected a proof-sheet. Crossed on the new bridge." It is just completed, and is a very noble structure. Yesterday a valuable neighbor moved from here out of town. Read. 3. Wrote laboriously on my history. It extends much further than I expected. Paid for oats, $1.75. They are dear and scarce. I am quite fatigued with my writing. Thermometer this morning 18°. 4. Thermometer this morning 13°. Yesterday was quite a severe day. Wrote. Worked some. The ground is frozen pretty hard. In the evening finished my history, except some copying, to my great joy. 5. Thermometer this morning 16°. Wrote copying my history. Read the Bible. Am considerably troubled with nervous affections. Am poorly prepared for tomorrow. In the evening visited a sick woman. 6. Last night and in the morning we had a severe and driving rain. Meeting in the forenoon very thin. Preached with old notes on Ex. iii: 14. At evening attended the conference. Visited the sick woman. She is verj^ low. 7. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. Mr. Goodrich engaged to give me out of his store $75.00 and six of the volumes, for what I have written for him ' That was certainly liberal for a country here mentioned was a distinguished j^hysi- congregation in those days. clan in South Carolina. His father's name - Rev. Allen McLean. was John, and his grandfather's, Augustus, ^ This Augustus Fitch was not a descend- and the last named was brother of John, ant of, but of the same family widi, John the famous inventor. Fitch, a nati\e of East Windsor, who is * Now the new bridge was done, and that, commonly allowed to be the inventor of as we have just intimated, is the structure the first steamboat. The Augustus Fitch standing today. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 765 in the continuation of Tytler's History. It was his own offer, and I think generous.' I should not have asked him so much, though I think it was not too much. I beheve I have labored upon it at least fifty days. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Cold. 8. Last evening visited the sick woman and found her apparently near dying. She appears to have the same fatal disease of our fatal epidemic three years ago. Wrote and finished copying my history. I rejoice to have completed it. I hope the study has been of no disadvantage to me. Hindered by company. 9. Mrs. Strong died last night. Visited the family, and Mrs. Scar- borough, who is very sick. Read. In the morning rode early to Hartford and carried down my manuscript. 10. Worked some. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Strong. Visited. I fear that a holy God may again visit us with the pestilence. Our hope is in his mercy. 11. Visited a school, and examined Mr. Wolcott's son to keep another. Afternoon visited our academy. Mr. Stebbins complains of being unwell. A number are complaining among us. Perhaps it is influenza. Mrs. Scarborough is very low. Rainy and cold. 12. Wrote. On the 9th received a letter from brother Frank. Visited the sick. Read expositions. Quite cold. 13. Thermometer this morning 14°. Expounded in the forenoon on the eighth chapter of Romans, eighteen verses. Preached an old sermon on Luke xv: 21. I ought to have written a sermon yesterday, but could not con- veniently. At evening attended the conference. Baptized a child. ^ 14. Wrote. Visited the sick. At evening had a full prayer-meeting. Our society had their annual meeting. They are in some degree in arrears. Quite cold. 15. The thermometer this morning was at 2°. The ground is severely frozen. Inspected the last proof-sheet of my history. Wrote. In the after- noon set out on a journey. Rode to Enfield and tarried. 16. Rode early and passed through Sufiield and Westfield to Middlefield, nearly forty miles. In the morning it snowed considerably. Towards night there was a violent snow-squall, after which it became very cold. Kindly entertained at Rev. Mr. Nash's.^ Rode on horseback and without drinking any spirits."* 17. In the forenoon exceeding cold and tedious. Mr. Nash rode with me, ' On the other hand, at the present day, ' Rev. Jonathan Nash, pastor at Middle- for such an amount of important literary field, Hampshire County, Mass., 1792-1832. labor, which only here and there a man A native of South Hadley, and a graduate could properly perform, we should say that of Dartmouth, 1789. the pay was most meager and insignificant. "■ It was the theory of most people in that Dr. Robbins estimates that he spent fifty day that one ought not to expose himself to days upon it. great heat or cold without fortifying the - Julia Wolcott, daughter of Mr. William system with spirits, which worked as well for Marble. one extreme, it was thought, as the other. 766 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1818. and we went and visited Dr. Wolcott' and his son-in-law, Mr. Dixon. I could not make any definite arrangement with regard to keeping Dr. Wolcott. Towards night left Middlefield and rode to Dalton. The wind was much abated. Tarried with Rev. Mr. Jennings.^ 18. The cold is severe. Not snow enough for sleighing. Streams and wells are very low. Rode to Pittsfield and Lenox. Found my brother James and his family in prosperous circumstances. 19. Visited Mr. Shepard.^ Towards night rode to Lee to spend the Sabbath with Mr. Hyde." He instructs his family very well. The churches in this country are in great need of consociational union. 20. Severe cold. Preached for Mn Hyde on Heb. xii : 14, and James i : 23, 24. His congregation is large and respectable. After sundown rode to Lenox and preached in the evening in the academy on Matt, xii : 35. Had quite a full meeting. Very tired. 21. Visited the academy. My nephew, Joseph Battell.' is one of the pupils. It has a good preceptor. Afternoon rode to Stockbridge. Spent the evening with Dr. West.* He and his colleague, Mr. Swift,^ have lately been dismissed. The town has been in an extraordinary ferment about ecclesi- astical matters for a year past. They have conducted very badly, and the majority have greatly abused Dr. West. Tarried with Mr. Woodbridge.* His brother (blind) is lately settled as a minister at Green River, New York. 22. Rode through New Marlborough to Norfolk. Quite a good road. Mother is pretty feeblf . She has lately had a bad fall. Brother Samuel appears to be intent on removing. 23. Very cold and rough east wind. The past season here has been favorable. There appears to be a great stupidity respecting divine things through the State. My niece, Sally Lawrence, does very well with mother. 24. Visited Mr. Emerson.' Dined at Mr. Battell's. Drank tea at Mrs. Birge's. The ground here is hardly covered with snow. Norfolk meeting- house is quite a model for others. 25. Rode home in eight hours. The weather has sensibly moderated. Through God's great mercy found all things well, and have been favored with a very prosperous journey. I am undeserving of the least of all his mercies. Very good riding. The sick here are getting better. 26. On the 15th paid brother Frank $20.00 on what I owe him. Mr. 'This was Dr. William Wolcott, who Windham, Ct., graduate of Williams College, had recently been afflicted in the distressing 1800, pastor at Dalton, 1S02-1S34. death of his wife, and was much depressed ^ Rev. Samuel Shepard, D. D., of Lenox, in spirits. This winter journey had refer- * Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., of Lee. ence to him. He was brother of Mr. Abiel * Now in his thirteenth year. Wolcott, of East Windsor, was a grad- * Rev. Stephen West, D. D., his old theo- uate of Yale, 1775, and married Esther logical teacher, now eighty-two years old. Stevens, of Rutland, Vt. He was now a ' Rev. Ephraim G. Swift, settled i8io, man of sixty-five years, and died in 1825. and dismissed with Dr. West, Aug. 27, 1818. His daughter Esther had married Capt. Gas- ^ Joseph Woodbridge, Esq. ton Dickson, of Middlefield. 'Rev. Ralph Emerson, D. D., settled in ^ Rev. Ebenezer Jennings, a native of Norfolk, June, 1815. l8l8.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 767 Whittlesey preached here last Sabbath. My thermometer on the morning of the 17th was i° above, and on the i8th 2° below zero. It has been several mornings between zero and 10°. Am not greatly fatigued with my journey. Wrote. Read the Bible. 27. Cold and tedious. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Ps. ex : 3. Afternoon an old sermon on Ex. ix : 20. At evening attended the conference. The thermometer at bed-time was at zero. Read the Bible. 28. Worked carrying wood to the garret. The weather is warmer. Read. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Dwight,' of Boston, and one from Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport. 29. Last night had a light snow. Wrote. Afternoon visited a school. Wrote to my brother Samuel. Read. On the 24th my mother paid me $5.00, for what I paid for her some time since for shad. 30. Gave a neighbor $2.00, who has lately lost a shop by fire. Rode to Hartford. Dined with Mr. Battell at Maj. Ripley's. Got a copy of Tytler. My continuation appears as well as I expected. Read. Paid for a pen-knife, $1.00. The snow thaws. 31. Rainy and wet. Wrote. Yesterday received a dividend of $7.00 at the Hartford Bank. Read Gibbon's History^ Great is the mercy of the Lord in preserving me from year to year when I do so little for him. I have had severe trials this year, but my mercies have been much greater. ' Rev. Sereno Edwards Dwight, D. D., of ^ The Decline and Fal! of the Raman Park Street Church, Boston. Empire. ft 1816. January. 1. Attempted to commit my ways to God for the ensuing year, resolving by his grace to deny ungodliness and to be devoted to his service. Warm. The surface of the ground is quite wet. Wrote notes and preached a prepara- tory lecture on Deut. xxiii: 21. Meeting pretty thin. Visited a sick woman. Much hindered by company. 2. Wrote a sermon on Matt, xxv: 19. We have had but nine deaths the year past. Am troubled with the tremor in my hand, which retards my writ- ing. 3. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Col. ii : 6. Afternoon the sermon written yesterday. Meeting full and solemn. The meeting-house was quite cold. Thermometer this morning 15°. Attended the sacrament. The church mostly together. At evening wrote. 4. Worked carrying wood into the chamber. Dined with the January meeting.' Some of the best members of our civil authority are put out of office.'^ Received a letter from my brother Frank. Visited. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Quite full ; after which rode to Enfield and tarried with my brother. 5. Returned. Hindered by company. Read. We have a remarkably steady and pleasant winter. 6. Read Gibbon's History, Afternoon visited a school. We have a little snow, but no sleighing. Visited. 7. Read. Visited the school at Long Hill. They have erected a new school-house ; the first in that neighborhood. Rode to Wapping, visited the sick and tarried. 8. Capt. Hall, of Wapping, gave me $3.00. Thermometer this morning 15°. Read Gibbon. Wrote. Visited. 9. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. cxxxvi : 23. Hindered by com- pany. Wrote four pages in the evening. My mind is too much taken up with unworthy cogitations. Warm. 10. Finished and preached the sermon on Ps. cxxxvi: 23. Did not complete it till in the intermission. At evening visited. 11. Rode to Hartford. The ground thaws a good deal. Received from the Eagle Bank a dividend of $46.00, $10.00 at least more than I expected. Paid $8.50 for three volumes of Dr. Dwight's System. Paid Imlay, $3.63. Got three copies of Tytler. Visited a sick woman, very low. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. ' With the town officers. stand it, to State officers, rather than the ^ In this sentence he refers, as we under- town. 769 770 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. 12. A woman died' here last evening of a consumption. Read. Paid for my Mirror newspaper^ for a year, $2.00. Received from Hartford, purchased yesterday, a ream of excellent writing paper. Made this almanack. Wrote. 13. Last night my brother Frank came here late, and returned this fore- noon. Afternoon attended the funeral of the late Widow Wolcott. At evening rode to Wapping and performed a marriage. 14. Last evening Dea. Loomis, of Winchester, came here and tarried. Read Gibbon. Hindered by company. I like Gibbon's History better than I expected. It is a work of great investigation and labor. 15. Wrote a short piece for publication. Read Gibbon. 16. Wrote the most of a sermon on i Cor. xvi : 22. In the evening my brother came here to make an exchange tomorrow. The thermometer yesterday morning was at 8°. 17. Rode quite early to Enfield. The morning cold and frosty. Preached on Heb. xii : 14, and Ps. cxxxvi : 23. The meeting ver)' full. A new set of singers was introduced and performed very well. This society appears quite prosperous. At evening returned. Attended a little while at a singing- meeting. Quite tired. 18. Rode to Hartford. Did a number of errands. Saw Mr. C. A. Good- rich,^ of New Haven. They are about publishing a theological magazine * at New Haven. Paid Mr. Bull, $4.79. It thawed a good deal. At evening rainy. 19. Read. Wet. The ground thaws. Rode out and visited the sick. Quite muddy. Thermometer was 50° most of the day. Wrote. Worked some. I lose too much time. 20. Read the Bible. Read Gibbon. Wrote to Rev. S. E. Dwight, of Boston. 21. Visited the sick. The riding is getting to be bad. Paid Mr. Haskell, for an orange-tree procured in the fall at New York, $3.75. Many people are burdened with colds. Read. 22. Read above three hundred pages in Gibbon. His pages are quite large. His History is powerfully calculated to depreciate Christianity.* The weather continues dark and damp and gloomy. Was up late. 23. Wrote. Have something of a cold. In the afternoon the sun shone clear. It had not appeared since noonday. Towards night rode to East Hartford. The riding very bad. Read the Bible. 24. Mr. Fairchild rode to East Windsor and returned after meeting. I think this congregation is larger than it was under the ministry of Mr. Yates. ' Widow Margaret Wolcott, aged forty- ten years as a monthly, and was then con- eight, tinned ten years longer as the Quarterly * Connecticut Mirror, started in 1809. Christian Spectator. ^ Prof. Chauncey A. Goodrich, D. D., ' That seiatence expresses, as accurately appointed Professor of Rhetoric and English as can be well done in few words, the drift Literature in Yale College in 1817. and tendency of Gibbon as regards the ■* The first number of the Christian Spec- Christian religion. His opposition works by tutor was issued in February, 1819. It ran adroit suggestions. iSig.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 77I Preached on Heb. xii : 14, and Ps. cxxxvi : 23. Before I finished sermon in the afternoon I became very hoarse. My cold is oppressive. Cloudy and wet. Did not get home. 25. Am very unwell with cold and fever. Read. Attended the evening prayer-meeting. 26. The weather is clear, but not cold, and no snow. Am a little better. Read the Life of Obookiah} Rode to Hartford. Preparing for Association. 27. The riding is said to be very bad extensively. The ground is much thawed. Read Gibbon. Wrote. Am troubled with the headache. Visited. Wrote to Messrs. Howe & SjDaulding,^ New Haven. 28. We have a very high wind. Rode out and visited. Wrote a piece for publication. My cold has produced a bad cough. 29. The thermometer this morning was at 6°. We have not had a cold night before the last for a good while. Read Gibbon. My cough is severe. Worked carrying wood to the garret. 30. Received a letter from Mr. Stone, of Hartford. Last night the thermometer was at 11°, this morning it was above 20°. Wrote. Finished a sermon begun on the i6th on i Cor. xvi : 22. 31. Much distressed last night with my cough. Thermometer this morn- ing 7°. Expounded on Rom. viii : 19, to the end. Preached on i Cor, xvi : 22. Spoke with much difficulty. Baptized a child.^ Wrote. February. 1. Last evening wrote a short piece for the newspaper. Rode to Hart- ford. Warm and pleasant. Afternoon rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an aged woman. Several people out there are sick. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Dr. McClure attended for the first time. Am much relieved from my cough by taking last night hoarhound tea. Much fatigued. Paid for two turkeys, $3.50. For oysters, $1.35. 2. Our Association met here.* Remarkably warm and pleasant. The thermometer was at 56°. The meeting was pretty full. Mr. Brace,* of New- ington, came as a visiting member and preached. Mr. Linsley,^ the appointed preacher, was not present. We had a full meeting and excellent singing. The Association have a good deal of business. The boys play ball in the street. 3. The Association finished their business a little after noon. Three candidates were licensed.^ They appeared well. The gentlemen appeared ' That story touched the hearts of Chris- * Rev. Ammi Linsley, pastor at East tian people very tenderly. Obookiah died at Hartland, Ct., 181 5-1835, a graduate of Yale Cornwall, Ct, Feb. 17, 1818, and the little College, 1810. Mr. Linsley lived to old age, book therefore had very recently appeared dying in 1873. when Dr. Robbins read it. '' The three candidates were Austin Dick- ^ The same house that was once Beers & inson, a graduate of Dartmouth College, Howe. 1S13; Anson Hubbard, a native of Glaston- ^ Horace, son of Bishop Johnson. bury, and a graduate of Yale, 1817; William * This reveals the object of the turkeys C. Woodbridge, who was graduated at Yale, and oysters mentioned in previous entry. 181 1, but, though licensed, did not follow the 5 Dr. Joab Brace. profession of the ministry. He died in 1845. 772 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. much pleased with our provision.' The thermometer rose to 60°. Very tired. Paid a young woman for help in the family, .50. Read. Pleasant, like April. 4. Read. Dr. Tudor dined with us. Thermometer at sunrise 40°, in the day 59° for several hours. Received of my collector, $87.52. Paid Mr. Wolcott, $42.82. Paid a merchant's bill, $16.82. A smith's bill, $1.88. The society are considerably in arrear. 5. In the morning we had considerable rain. Visited a sick man. The riding quite bad. At evening preached a lecture in the school-house at Long Hill. Preached with notes on i Cor. i : 18, nearly an hour and a quarter. A good meeting. Received a letter from Horace Loomis,^ New Connecticut, and one from Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport. 6. Several of our neighbors kindly assisted us in keeping horses, etc., at the Association. Have such a lassitude and indolence that I do not write a sermon today as I ought. Wrote. Visited a sick man. Read the Bible considerably. 7. Cooler than it has been, but it is not cold. Preached all day with old notes on i Cor. iii: 11, 12, 13. Performed poorly, and was much ashamed of my preaching. At evening attended the conference. Am still troubled with some cough which affects my speaking. Looked over my last year's diary. 8. Quite rainy all day. Looked over my files of newspapers. Wrote a piece for publication. Read World Without Souls? 9. Wrote a piece for publication. Visited sick persons. The ther- mometer was at 56°. Bad riding. 10. Wrote a piece for the newspaper. Rode out and visited. The riding is exceeding bad. The thermometer was at 50° at 8 o'clock in the morning, and in the afternoon was at 64°. 11. Wrote on my preaching account. Read. Walked out and visited. I have got very much in arrear in visiting. 12. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick. Out all day. The ground is something frozen and very rough. My time is not employed with that labori- ous diligence that it should be. 13. We had a severe snow-storm all day. Was out getting my sleigh mended, which was broken last spring. Wrote on my preaching account. The first snow-storm of the present winter. Read the Bible. 14. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. xxxvii : 9. After- noon preached an old sermon on Isa. viii : 20. At evening attended the conference. Visited a sick woman. Rode to meeting in a sleigh. It has not been harnessed before the present winter. Meetings pretty thin. Ther- mometer this morning 12°. The snow, I think, is about a foot deep. ' Dr. Robbins, though unmarried, had forty-five years. Though living at the time some advantages, by reason of his boarding- in New Connecticut, he died at last at Cham- place, over his brethren, in respect to a nice pion, Jefferson County, N. Y. entertainment. ^ World Without Souls, written by Rev. ^ Horace Loomis, whose name has been J. W. Cunningham, vicar of Harrow, Eng- several times introduced, was the son of land, first published in London, 1S05, but Serajah Loomis, and was a man now of the work went through many editions. iSlQ.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 773 15. Read Mr. Clay's speech in Congress on the usurpations of Gen. Jackson.' It is a noble performance, and it is astonishing that the govern- ment can let Jackson pass uncensured. The Supreme Court have decided the cause of Dartmouth College against the Legislature of New Hampshire,'' in favor of the former, to the great joy of all good men. Wrote. Finished my last year's preaching account. It is a good deal of work. It snowed and rained the most of the day. 16. Rode to Hartford. The sleighing is poor. Warm. Attended an annual meeting of the Hartford County Agricultural Society. Joined the society. Mr. E. A. Andrews delivered a good oration. Paid the annual tax, $1.00. I think the institution will be useful. Paid the Hartford Bank, $36.37, and gave a new note of $390.00 due May 24th. Rode to Simsbury and attended ministers' meeting ; did not get there till dark. Wrote to Mr. Battell and sent him a handsome volume of Tytler. 17. We had a good meeting. The sleighing quite poor. There was a good deal of snow, but it drifted, and now there is considerable bare ground. Paid to the Deaf and Dumb Asylum our contribution, collected Oct. 25th, of $50.00. We collected $48.75. I added $1.25 to make up the sum. Paid C. Goodwin, a store account of $8.57. Paid Gleason, $10.00. Paid for four bushels of oats, $2.00. Yesterday received of my collector, $20.00. Received two new silver communion cups from Bridgeport, the cost of which is $41.50. Received a letter from Howe & Spaulding, of New Haven, with some valuable books. Walked out. 18. Thermometer this morning 12°, and did not exceed 22° through the day. Wrote. At evening performed a marriage.^ Read new books. 19. Thermometer this morning 6°. Mr. Wolcott is much perplexed about building an addition to his house. Read the New Haven Magazine. Hin- dered by company. Wrote. 20. Wrote the principal part of a sermon on Isa. xxxiii : 14. Rode out and visited the sick. Much hindered in my writing. Wrote nearly five and one half pages between seven and twelve o'clock in the evening. The snow thaws considerably. 21. Finished and preached my sermon on Isa. xxxiii : 14. It appears like one written in haste. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on John i : 16. * There can be no doubt that Gen. An- Jackson put him to death. These charges drew Jackson was of a somewhat violent against him were true, but the country, on and headstrong nature. In New Orleans the whole, chose to forgive him in view of he had imprisoned a judge of the courts his great services. (Judge Hall), because he had given a decision =* This was the famous case in which hostile to some of Gen. Jackson's arrange- Daniel Webster so distinguished himself in ments. In the Seminole War, which fol- his, T^\t2i.ior h.\s Alma Mater. By the decision lowed the War of 1S12, he had put to death reached many points pertaining to the rights two Englishmen, Messrs. Arbuthnot and Am- and obligations of colleges were firmly estab- brister. because they had been furnishing the lished, and his arguments on this subject are Indians with information of his plans. The often quoted. court-martial had decided that Ambrister ^ The persons united were Elijah Porter should be punished with forty stripes. But and Rhoda Diggins. 774 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. Pretty poorly. At evening attended the conference. Am troubled with a hoarseness and soreness in my throat. 22. Rode to Wapping and visited. Warm. The sleighing has got to be very poor. Read. Mr. Wolcott is much troubled with his brother, who is now here.* At evening we had a good prayer-meeting. 23. Visited the sick. The snow wastes pretty fast. Wrote to Mr, Benja- min, of Bridgeport, and sent him $41.62, of money belonging to the church, for two communion cups lately received from him. Wrote to Mr. Twining,'' of New Haven, enclosing $10.00 for the Education Society, a donation of one of my neighbors. Wrote to Howe & Spaulding, of New Haven. Read. 24. Rode early to Hartford to see Mr. Battell. He is on his way to New York. Mother is pretty well. Visited sick persons. Cold. Thermometer in the morning at 14°. Wrote. Took a bad addition to my cold. I spend too much time on trifling things. Wrote a piece for the newspaper. 25. Thermometer 13°. Wrote. Paid for late repairs of my sleigh, .75. Visited the sick. Saw Mr. and Mrs. Birge, from Norfolk. Tarried out. 26. Received a letter from my brother James, and one from Mr. Benjamin, of Bridgeport, and one from Mr. Rejoice Newton,^ of Worcester, informing that the American Antiquarian Society have appointed me one of their receiving officers.'* It rained and snowed the most of the day. Ver}- wet going. Wrote. Catechised a school. 27. Wrote a sermon on Luke xvii : 5. Wrote late. Rode out and visited a sick man, apparently in a dying state. Received a letter from J. Pillsbury. 28. Expounded in the forenoon on Rom. ix : 17. I was not sufficiently prepared for so important a subject. Preached in the afternoon on Luke xvii: 5. My cold is veiy oppressive;- spoke with difficulty and very feebly. Did not attend any evening conference. The snow thaws very much. March. 1. Visited a sick woman. A man in middle life died last evening of a consumption,^ after a sickness of four years. The sleighing very poor. Read. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Have a tedious soreness in my throat. 2. Last night it snowed some. Very cold and tedious. Attended a funeral. Do not feel able to go out. Received a letter from Dr. Flint to convene the Consociation by a special meeting at Northington. Received a » Dr. William Wolcott, before mentioned, Worcester, graduate of Dartmouth, 1807, in whose behalf Dr. Robbins made the jour- died 1S68, aged eighty-five, ney to Middlefield. After the death of his * To receive contributions of money or wife, several months before, he seems to books. The Antiquarian Society of Worces- have been in a very depressed state of mind ter has become one of the most honored in- for a long time. stitutions of its class in the land. - Stephen Twining, Esq., graduated at ^ ^r. Samuel Rockwell, Jr., aged thirty- Yale in 1795, and from 1S19 to his death, six. lie was the son of Samuel and Sarah 1832, steward of the college. (Sheldon) Rockwell, and was born Sept. 9, ^ Mr. Newton, a much-trusted man in 17S2. iSig.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 775 letter from brother Frank. He is considerably unwell. Wrote him in return. Wrote a piece for publication. 3. Wrote. Rode to Ellington with Mr. Wolcott to see a joiner. I hope he will do something about building.' Returned. Tolerable sleighing. Visited Mr. Brockway.^ The thermometer this morning was at 7°. 4. Visited a sick woman, apparently near dying. Warm. The snow thaws very much. Walked out and visited. I am much in arrear in visiting. 5. Rode out and visited. I hope we have some more thoughtfulness on divine things than we have had. An elderly woman ^ died last night with the lung fever. Read. 6. Very warm. Thermometer at 59'^. The snow wastes very fast. I have been gaining of my cold I hope through the week. Attended a funeral. It is uncommon of us to bury two persons in a week. We have done it this week, a son and his mother. Am considerably debilitated. 7. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Num. xxxv : 11, 12. Afternoon an old sermon on Rev. iii : 20. Spoke feebly, but am much better of my cold than I have been. Very muddy and wet. At evening attended the conference. Our meetings appeared to be unusually solemn. 8. It snowed all day, some of the time very fast. Afternoon and evening the storm was very violent. Reckoned accounts with Mr. Wolcott. Found it to be a long job. We had not reckoned before in more than three years. His charge for my board and housekeeping is $136.50 per yeah He allowed me $15.00 for what I have paid out and done for my garden since our reck- oning. I allowed him $11.63 ^^^ grain had of him, the most of which has been for my horse. Received through him of the society, $19.45, $8.00 of which was an order given Mr. Haskell, and to be reckoned as a merchant's bill paid, and $11.45 ^^ paid Mr, Wolcott. (The sums in the last sentence to be included in my next reckoning). I owed him for the last three years, above what I have paid in the time, $107.22. Took up five notes, given in years past, the greater part of their sums for money borrowed to pay for bank stock, and gave a new note for the whole that I owe him, amounting to $881.25. The largest note I ever signed. I had forgotten that I owed him so large a sum. I must curtail my expenses, or it will be long before I can be clear of debt. Read. Scarcely stepped out of the house through the day. Mr. Wolcott allowed me $1.47 for my expenses on my journey to Mid- dlefield in December, which is now paid to him, and to be deducted from the account at that time."* 9. The snow, I think, is more than a foot deep. Walked and visited all day. I hope we have some instances of seriousness among us. Had no meeting last evening on account of the storm. Tarried out. Received a letter from Maria Rockwell. * Enlarging his house to make room for mother of Samuel Rockwell, Jr., who died Dr. Robbins's rapidly growing library. four days before. ^ Rev. Diodate Brockway, pastor at Elling- * This is a long entry, full of details, but ton, 1799-1849. it is interesting and instructive as letting us ^ Mrs. Sarah Rockwell, aged sixty-six, into his business habits and arrangements. 776 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. 10. We have a pleasing prospect of an addition to our church. Received a letter from Mr. Stone, of Hartford. Thermometer this morning 8°. Taken up with a joiner, who is preparing a plan for Mr, Wolcott's building. The sleighing is very good and all seem to be in motion. At evening my brother and his wife came here and tarried. 11. Thermometer this morning 5°. Colder than any time in January or February. Went into the woods with Mr. Wolcott to look for timber. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. My brother Samuel is about moving to Woodbury. A strange infatuation.' Visited a sick woman. Taken up with company. 12. It snowed and rained the most of the day. Went into the woods with Mr. Wolcott. Got quite wet and took some cold. At evening, with several brethren of the church, examined four persons for our communion. They appeared ver)^ well. I rejoice in the prospect of such an addition after a long interval. Wrote to Mr. Stone, of Hartford. I am gloomy and dejected. 13. On the nth rode to Wapping and performed a marriage.^ It snowed considerably, but very damp and wet. Catechised a school. Feel too languid and dejected to study much. Wrote to Mr. Rejoice Newton, of Worcester. Visited a sick woman. Consulted expositors. 14. Cold and very tedious. I think the most tedious day we have had during the winter. Meeting quite thin. Expounded on the latter half of Rom. ix. Preached an old sermon on i Cor. ii : 16. Had no conference. At evening walked out. My soreness of throat continues. 15. Paid for mending my sleigh, .50. Visited. Attended our prayer- meeting. Full and animating. Cold. The roads very icy. Thermometer this morning 10°. 16. Rode with Dea. Loomis in a sleigh to Northington,^ and met with the Consociation. It snowed some of the day pretty hard. The difficulties in the church here are great and painful. We had a pretty long hearing. The Consociation were much tried and perplexed with regard to their duty. Slept out. The snow is deep. 17. The Consociation finally resolved that it is expedient to divide this church. There were fourteen male members who petitioned to be set off and formed into a new church, their society having been already incorporated.'* At the recommendation of the Consociation the church had a meeting and voted to give those members a dismission. They were then formed into a church by the Consociation. Towards night returned. The snow flew pretty violently the most of the day. ' We have the impression that this re- society respecting the location of a new meet- moval, if not wise, could not, in its conse- ing-house. It grew so serious at length that quences, be regarded as unwise. in 1818 when a vote was taken to erect the * The persons married were David Rock- house of worship on its present site, the well and Olive Grant, both of Wapping. minority separated themselves and formed a ^ Now the town of Avon, Ct, but until new society, East Avon." — Contributions to 1830 the parish of Northington, in the town Ecclesiastical History of Connecticut. This of Farmington. church, organized in 1819, is now known as * The church in Northington was formed the church in Avon, and the other is West in 1751. "In 1808 a difficulty arose in the Avon. r iSig.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 777 i8. Wrote. Read. Afternoon rode to Ellington to see Mr. Hyde, the joiner. Very good sleighing. The snow pretty deep. If Mr. Wolcott should proceed to build I think I shall have a considerable burden. 19. Thermometer this morning 14°. Rode to Hartford. Received of the Phoenix Bank a dividend of $55.50. Paid Hills, $15.00; J. Olmstead, $11.43; Gleason, $13.44. The two latter their whole accounts. I now owe but little to merchants. Had considerable conversation with Mr. Fairchild at East Hartford. The State is in a great ferment respecting the approaching election. Will the Lord be our helper. 20. Had to go to the woods with Mr. Wolcott and spend the day looking at timber, etc. He is much depressed in spirits. Yesterday and today the snow thawed fast. Took some cold. I intended to have written a sermon, but was prevented. 21. Cold and tedious. Preached all day with old notes on i Thess. iv: 17. At evening attended the conference. Returning was turned over and my sleigh something broken, but was not hurt. Have a tedious ague in my face. 22. Rode to Wapping and visited their two schools. They have been well kept. Visited the sick and others. The thermometer this morning was at 10°. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Strong,' of Somers. 23. Wrote. Wrote a letter to Maria Rockwell. Rode to Wapping and performed a marriage.^ In the afternoon and evening we had a hard rain. Tarried out. 24. The sleighing is about gone. Wrote records for the new church in, Northington.^ Hindered by company. The going very bad. 25. Wrote to Mr. Strong, of Somers. Visited the Long Hill school. It has done very well. Rainy and wet. 26. Warm. Visited and catechised a school. Afternoon attended the examination of the academy. It has done exceeding well the present season: under Mr. Stebbins. Quite a number of people were present. Very bad riding. 27. Thermometer this morning 22°. Quite cold. Wrote a sermon on I Cor. XV : 58. I am too reluctant about it. 28. Severe cold and tedious. Thermometer in the morning, t8°. The ground pretty hard frozen. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Num. xiv : 8. Afternoon on i Cor. xv : 58. Thin meeting. Received four members to the church."* It is a long time since we have had any additions by profession. At evening attended the conference. The soreness in my throat continues and is burdensome. I have not spoken in public with ease for two- months. The Lord be my helper. 29. Went into the woods with Mr. Wolcott. Read. At evening rainy. ' Rev. William L. Strong. laneous writing to do for the public, especially- - Between Rockwell Hayes and Betsey in connection with Councils and Associations. Webster, both of Wapping. ■* The four persons admitted were Ann 3 Mr. Robbins held the pen of a ready Wells, Prudence Webster,. Sarah Gaylord, writer, and in consequence had much miscel- and Mary Bancroft.. 77S DIARV OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. and I did not attend our prayer-meeting. Read the most of Deuteronomy. Wrote. The apjoroaching Freemen's Meeting will be one of the most J important ever held in this State. May the Lord God of our fathers interpose ■ and save us.' 30. Rainy and wet. Read. Afternoon rode to Windsor and attended a singing-lecture. They had the best singing I ever heard there.^ Recrossed the river and tarried on the hill. In the evening we had a hard thunder- shower. 31. Quite cold and uncomfortable. Rode out. Afternoon visited a school. Our schools have done better this year than usual. Visited. My throat continues sore, and I have my fears respecting the effect. April. 1. Rode out and visited. Visited a man very low. Thermometer this morning about 20°. Afternoon visited Tudor's school. He has done exceeding well. 2. Rode into the woods with Mr. Wolcott and looked out timber. It seems to be necessary for me to go with him. Afternoon preached a prepara- tory lecture with old notes on Ps. cxxxii : 13. Visited. Warm and pleasant, like spring. March has been much colder than February was. Am rather feeble. 3. Was obliged to go into the woods in the morning with Mr. Wolcott. His hypochondria is very bad. Did not write a sermon as I had hoped to do. I think I never knew so much real anxiety through the State, at the prospect of a Freemen's Meeting, as there is at this time.^ Our whole strength is in God. Wrote. Read the Bible. Warm. The snow is mostly gone, though it appears deep on the mountains at a distance. The Lord in infinite mercy relieves me from my burdens."* Have much anxiety for the event of our election. 4. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on John xvi : ^^. After- noon preached an old sermon on Matt, xix : 30. Attended the sacrament. Several members of the church were absent. Meetings full and solemn. At evening quite rainy. Had no conference. Troubled with my hoarseness. A man died here' last night. 5. Opened the Freemen's Meeting with prayer. It was very full. 504 votes.^ Federalist, 327 ; Democratic, 177. The Federalists did exceeding * The question of the adoption of the long-continued Federal rule, and the rights revised constitution was involved in this of those opposed to it. To him changes from election. the past were evils. ^ Dr. Robbins was a lover of good sing- * This, and one or two previous remarks, ing, and this is certainly high testimony for relate doubtless to matters not set down in the Windsor people. the diary. ^ Dr. Robbins, from his education and ^ Mr. David Strong, aged fifty-five, associations, was not in a condition to form * A much larger vote than in former calm and righteous judgments on politics. years, due in part to the enlargement of He did not see the wrongs that came from the right of suffrage. p [819.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 779 well. The meeting was quite harmonious. Visited. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Quite full. 6. Attended a funeral in the forenoon. Rode to Enfield and attended a singing-lecture. My brother preached. The singers performed exceedingly well. Quite cold and tedious. Mr. Storrs," of Longmeadow, here. There is a very unpleasant difficulty in this church.^ The river is high. 7. Rode home. The ground dries quite fast. Yesterday Mr. Stebbins' came here to live and study. Visited a sick woman. Towards night began a sermon for the Fast on Deut. vii : 7, 8. Wrote but little. 8. Wrote eleven pages on my Fast sermon. The air continues quite cold. 9. Wrote three pages and finished and preached my sermon on Deut. i : 7, 8, at the Fast. Cold. The meeting pretty thin. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Had a laborious day and was quite tired. 10. Was out in the woods the most of the day with Mr. Wolcott getting timber.* Towards night rode to Mr. Bartlett's to exchange with him. Our State election has issued unexpectedly in a small majority in favor of Democ- racy. A righteous God sees fit to chasten us with this scourge still longer.' This county has done well. 11. Mr. Bartlett rode to my society and returned after meeting. At evening quite rainy. Did not go home. Preached on Matt, vi : 13, and Heb. xii: 14. Meetings full and attentive. My voice is much better than it has been, through the divine favor. 12. Rode home early. Rode to Hartford. The loss of our election is a severe trial to our best people. Paid for books, $5.88. At evening rode to the lower part of Scantick and performed a marriage.'' 13. Mr, Wolcott thinks he must go to see his brother, and is so much in gloom that he is not willing to go alone.' Concluded to go with him. We rode to a tavern above Westfield and tarried. Warm. Good riding. 14. Rode to Middlefield. The latter part of the way the riding was very bad. There are some snow-drifts in the road four or five feet deep. Saw Dr. Wolcott. He is to live here with his son-in-law, Mr. Dixon, for the present.* The snow thaws and the water runs very much. 15. Left Middlefield at nine o'clock and rode home, fifty miles. Got home ' Rev. Richard S. Storrs, grandfather of and perhaps chiefly, for his accommodation Richard S. Storrs, D. D., of Brooklyn, N. Y. with his large library, which was rapidly grow- ^ That is, at Enfield. ing too large for accommodation. ^ This was Mr. Samuel Stiles Stebbins, ' That is one way of looking at it. who had been graduated at Yale College in '' The parties were Timothy Watson and 1816, and who had been teaching the acad- Elsa Bissell. emy on the Hill. Though he began the '' This brother, Mr. William Wolcott, was study of theology, he did not enter the min- still in Middlefield, Hampshire County, istry. Mass. Mr. Abiel Wolcott's anxiety about " Dr. Robbins's interest in this work of this brother had brought him also into a selecting and preparing timber was because depressed state of mind, the addition to the house was to be partly, ^ See note Dec. 17, 1818. L ySo DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1819. late. Quite warm. Much fatigued. I hope our journey has done good. It has been prosperous.' 16. The thermometer yesterday rose to summer heat. Rode out. Paid for peas for planting, .48. Worked in my garden. Planted peas. Paid my gardener, .70. 17. Find but little time for study. Am not able to write a sermon today as I hoped. Wrote. Rainy. Considerable thunder. 18. Expounded on Rom. v : 7, 8. At evening attended the conference. Cold and wet. Meetings pretty thin. We are all very stupid. 19. Bottled cider. We have two hundred and twenty-six bottles, and broke none. The sixty gallon cask just fills them.^ It appears to be very good. Afternoon visited and catechised the school on the hill. The water is quite high. Visited. 20. Mr. Wolcott began to hew his timber. Our ministers' meeting was held- here. There were six ministers besides Dr. McClure and myself. We had a good meeting. Sent $10.00, a donation, to the Education Society of Yale College.' 21. The ministers went away in the forenoon. Read. Walked and visited. Cool. Tarried out. 22. Walked and visited all day. I have got much behind in this part of my business. Our poor seem to be increasing in number. People are beginning to garden. 23. Visited all day. My visits appear to be kindly received, and I hope are useful. Pretty tired. Cool. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Very full. 24. Last night tarried out. Worked in my garden setting currant bushes. Had our first shad. On the 22d received a letter from my brother, and yesterday one from Mr. S. G. Goodrich, of Hartford. Wrote. Rode to Somers to make an exchange with Mr. Strong. Quite cool and dr}'. 25. Preached on Heb. xii : 14, and Heb. iv: 15. This congregation is pretty large. The people here are well united. Preached long. At evening preached at a conference without notes on Ps. iii : 8. Much fatigued. My lungs are weak. Mr. Strong is afflicted with a bad disease in his eyes. 26. Rode home ; previous to which visited Mrs. Backus.'* She is a very venerable woman. Rode out and visited. Mr. Strong preached yesterday quite acceptably. Gave a poor woman $1.00. 27. Visited all day. My visits appear to be kindly received, and I hope they are useful. Tarried out. ■ They evidently found Mr. W. Wolcott * Mrs. Backus, who had then been a in a better condition than they expected. widow sixteen years, since the death of her ^ This was a piece of yearly work that honored husband, Dr. Charles Backus, was had to be done, like planting the peas or Bethiah Hill, daughter of Mr. Jacob Hill, of getting the fire-wood. Cambridge, Mass. Their only son, Jabez ^ This seems to have been a local society, Backus, died in 1794, while a member of especially for the aid of needy students for Yale College, and so lier life as a widow was the ministry in Yale College. a lonely one. 1819.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 78 1 28^ Visited an aged woman quite low. Worked in my garden. Rode to Enfield and preached at a meeting of the Female Auxiliary Bible Society. They gave me their thanks. In the evening returned. Preached on Luke x: 29. Warm. The ground is very dry. 29. Worked considerably. Wrote. Warm. The thermometer rose to I 80°. Visited. 30. I have not till now completed my annual visiting of families. On the first of last May there were in our society one hundred and sixty-two families, thirty-seven of whom profess to belong to other religious denomina- tions. Since that time I have visited all of them except one. I hope my visiting has done good. Received a valuable pamphlet from the American Antiquarian Society. We had our first cutting of asparagus. On the 27th saw daffas in blossom. Blossoms appear on the early fruit-trees. The season appears to be more forward than in years past. Assisted in moving a small building.' May. 1. Wrote a part of a sermon on Acts v: 20. The tremor in my hand is quite troublesome. I am too much interrupted and hindered by unimportant things. Wrote quite slow. Thermometer at 84°. 2. Preached with old notes on 2 Pet. ii : i. Finished and preached a sermon on Acts V : 20. Baptized a child.^ Attended a funeral.^ At evening attended the conference. Very tired. It is something wet, but we get but little rain. The ground is very dry. 3. Rode to Hartford. Rode to Wapping, dined and prayed with our militar}.- company. At evening attended the monthly prayer-meeting. This day completes ten years since I have been the pastor of this people. I have great reason to be humble, penitent, and thankful. I feel myself not to have been without a blessing, though an unfaithful laborer. 4. Worked in the garden. Thermometer at 84°. Read. I have lately been veiy much hurried with business. Visited. 5. Rode to Hartford and attended the election. Very warm and dustv. Mr. Battell is here. The public proceedings were very slow. We did not go to meeting till near two o'clock, p. m. There seems to be an effort to inno- vate upon past usages. Mr. Eliot* preached very well. The sermon was exceedingly judicious. A less number of ministers and a less collection of people than usual. The Governor appears very poorly. Six Baptist preachers were with the clergy. Attended the meeting of the Bible and Annuity So- cieties. Was particularly requested to write for the New Haven magazine.' The thermometer was about 85°. 6. Worked in the garden. Read. Visited. Vegetation exceedingly needs rain. ' Probably to make room for the addition * Rev. Andrew Eliot, pastor at New Mil- to the house. ford, Ct, 1S0S-1S29. He was the son of Rev. ^ Russell, son of Mr. Russell Rockwell. Andrew Eliot, pastor at Fairfield, 1774-1S05. ^ Of Mrs. Editha Field Fitch, aged eighty- ^ The I^9ligiotis Intdligcitcer, which some two, wife of Mr. Augustus Fitch. years later was suspended. 'i 7S2 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. 7. \\'rote. Cold east wind. Read. Visited sick persons. At evjning attended our prayer-meeting. 8. Visited a sick man very low. Wrote the most of a sermon on Isa. xlii : 7. Cold and very dry. 9. In the morning visited a sick man apparently near dying. Preached witli old notes on Luke xiii : 3, and an old sermon on Luke xiv : 17. We had^ a moderate and very refreshing rain. On account of the wet did not complet the sermon begun yesterday. Read. On the 7th received from an esteeme friend a present of $3.00. I find mvself much crowded with business. Wrote 10. Last night and in the morning the rain was hard. It was very much needed. Read. The streams are quite high. At evening received a sick woman, a member of the church.' She was baptized. It was a solemn season. A man died last evening in the midst of life.^ He has lately returned from Georgia, where we suppose he took his fever. 11. Worked in my garden. Rode to Wapping and visited an aged woman very sick. Attended the funeral of Mr. Anderson. Cold and a tedious wind. 'Set out to ride to Norfolk. Rode to West Hartford. 12. Was kindly entertained last night by Mr. Hurlburt at his tavern. Rode to Norfolk. Dined at brother Ammi's. Mother appears pretty well. The old mansion appears lonesome by the removal of brother Samuel. At evening preached a lecture for Mr. Emerson, on Heb. xii : 14, at the new con- ference room. It is a very fine room. Mr. Humphrey,^ of Pittsfield, is here. My sister has a young son to whom she gives my father's name.* 13. Yesterday saw apple-tree blossoms. Saw them at East Windsor on Tuesday. Quite cold. Last night it froze. Vegetation here is prett}" forward. Hay is plenty. My brother James has sold his place and contem- plates leaving Lenox. At evening wet and rainy. 14. Wrote to my brother James. Cold and chilly east wind. Rode with Mr. Emerson and made a short visit to Mr. Cowles,^ of Canaan. He has some of the study furniture of President Edwards. Am troubled with an ague in my face. 15. In the morning quite rainy. Set out near eleven o'clock and rode home. Got home before dark. Some of the time it rained hard. My face at times is quite painful. Rode in a sulky, but did not get verj- wet. 16. Yesterday paid Mr. Battell for an umbrella, $4.00. Wet and shower)'. Expounded on Rom. xi : i to 17. Finished and preached my sermon on ' Rebecca Mary Charlton. 1819, graduated at Yale, 1839, trustee of the " Mr. Theodore Anderson, aged thirt}-- estate of his brother Joseph Battell, deceased, three. occupying his father's place in Norfolk, Ct., ^ Dr. Heman Humphrey, born in West with his business office in New York city. Simshury, Ct., March 26, 1779, was graduated ^ Rev. Pitkin Cowles, pastor at North at Yale, 1805, pastor at Fairfield, Ct., 1807- Canaan, 1805-1833. A native of Southing 1817, and at Pittsfield, Mass., 1817-1S23, ton, Ct., and a graduate of Yale in 1800. President of Amherst College, 1S23-1S45, The younger Edwards, it will be remem- died in Pittsfield, Mass., April 3,*i86i. bered, was for a time settled in the neigh- * Robbins Battell, Esq., born April 19, boring town of Colebrook. 1S19.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 783 Isa. xlii : 7. We had our annual missionary contribution. The day was unfavorable. We collected $49.10. There were two bills of $5.00, two of $3.00, ten of $1.00, one dollar, and about one hundred and thirty-five smaller IDieces of silver. I contributed $5.00, $2.00 of which I consider a donation.' Had no conference. 17. Wrote. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an aged woman. Visited there. The people there talk considerably of hiring a preacher for the summer. We have had ten days of uninterrupted east wind. I fear it will be an injury to the fruit. 18. Rode to Hartford. Mr. Stone,^ the editor of the Mirror^ was violently beaten yesterday by a vile Democrat. Rode on a journey to Lebanon for the purpose of procuring some documents for a biography of the first Gov. Trum- bull.^ Tarried at Andover. At evening quite rainy. 19. Rode to Lebanon. Kindly treated by Mr. Williams* and Mr. Trumbull.^ Very cold. In the evening preached at a conference for Mr. Ely.^ Mr. Williams is much of an antiquary. Preached on Heb. xii : 14. 20. We much expected a frost this morning, but by a kind Providence it was windy, and no frost appeared. Looked over pamphlets and manuscripts. After dinner rode home. The weather moderates. There is a great blowth on the fruit-trees. People are beginning their planting. 21. Worked in the garden. Warm. Wrote. Visited a young woman apparently in a consumption. Visited a young woman who I hope has lately got religion. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite full. I am very stupid. 22. Wrote. Arranged papers and pamphlets. Read. Had so many things which demanded attention I could not write a sermon. Ther- mometer 83°. 23. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. cxix : 97. After- noon preached an old sermon on Pro v. xxix : i. Meetings very full and solemn. At evening attended the conference. The ague in my face con- tinues and is quite painful. Thermometer %2>' . 24. Wrote to Dr. Romeyn,'' of New York, and to Mr. Waterman, of Bridge- port. Rode to Hartford. The Assembly conduct very badly. Called on the ' By this he means probably that his rag- ^ Jonathan Trumbull, Colonial Governor, ular yearly offering was $3.00, and the $2.00 1 769-1 7S3. was extra and special. * William Williams, of Lebanon, son of ^ William L. Stone, born in Esopus, Dr. Solomon Williams, was one of the N. Y., 1792. He early gave himself to jour- Signers of the Declaration. He was dead, nalism, and after serving as an editor on and it was probably a son of his upon whom various papers, in 1821 became one of the Mr. Robbins called. editors and proprietors of the New York ' The first Gov. Trumbull and the second Commercial Advertiser, in which connection were dead when Mr. Robbins made this visit, he continued till his death, at Saratoga But there were men there of the Trumbull Springs, in 1844. Besides his work as an name, editor, he was an extensive writer, and the * Rev. Zebulon Ely. author of volumes not a few. He was re- ^ Dr. John B. Romeyn, of the Duane garded as a leading man in his day. Street Presbyterian Church. | 784 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. Governor. Paid the bank, $85.06, and renewed my note. A very fine season for vegetation. Paid for a quarter of a pound of sewing silk, $2.50. 25. Last evening and in the night I had great pain in my face. Wrote. Very warm. Thermometer 86°. In the afternoon we had a hard shower, with a good deal of hail. Read. Rode out and visited. 26. Worked at Mr. Wolcott's old house, which he began to take down on the 24th. Dined at Mr. Tudor's. My brother and hib wife called here on their way to Norfolk. He is quite afflicted with a headache. Cool. Read Trumbull's' History of Connecticut. 27. This morning there was a little frost. Rode to Hartford. Paid for oats, $1.17. For peas to sow, .62. The Assembly do but little. Read Trumbull's History. Mr. Wolcott is much affected by gloomy dejection. Tudor ^ went off and got a good girl. 28. Read several authors on the millennium. This morning the frost was pretty hard. In some instances ice was seen on water. Worked some. I fear vegetation is injured by the frost. Wrote. Visited. 29. Wrote the most of a sermon on John iv : 29. Am frequently called off from my studies by Mr. Wolcott's business. Wrote slowly. Rode out. The roads quite dusty. 30. Wet. Meetings rather thin. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Mai. iii : 2. Finished and preached the sermon begun yesterday. Walked out. Mr. Wolcott is considerably unw^ell. 31. Wet and rainy. Rode to Hartford. The Assembly have made a semi-annual grant for the Newgate chaplain. Got a new pair of boots. Worked in my garden. Vegetation advances very rapidly. Read. The pain in my jaw, which has been long, I hope is subsided. On the 29th wrote to Judge Woodruff, of Turkey Hills. June. 1. Worked in my garden. Rode to East Hartford and met with the Association.^ Was scribe of the meeting. Our meeting pretty full, though the weather continues quite wet. Was appointed a delegate to the General Association. Received a letter from Judge Woodruff,"* of Turkey Hills. Yesterday gave a poor woman $1.00. Received $3.80 from the society of Turkey Hills, the amount of my expenses on a journey to New Haven for them last fall. 2. Pleasant and warm. The Association concluded their session at noon, and after dinner I rode home. We had a good meeting. Thermometer above 80°. The carpenters began Mr. Wolcott's framing. Wrote. 3. Worked at the proposed building. Afternoon worked getting a large log to the mill. Quite tired. Took some cold. 4. Worked driving a scraper at the cellar. Afternoon attended a cate- ■ Dr. Benjamin Trumbull, of North Ha- ^ The Hartford North Association, ven. *■ This correspondence with Judge Wood- ^ Tudor Wolcott, the son, now twenty ruff had reference, doubtless, to Newgate 'j'cars old. and its chaplain. iSig.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 785 chising of the children at the meeting-house. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Thermometer 88°. 5. Received an excellent gold-headed cane made for me in New York, a present from my good brother Battell.' He is very liberal and kind. Rode out. Visited. The heat severe and oppressive. Thermometer 93°. Mr. Wolcott has a large number of workmen. Towards evening rode to East Hartford to exchange with Mr. Fairchild. 6. Mr. Fairchild rode to East Windsor and returned after meeting. Preached on Isa. xlii : 7, and John iv : 29. Much oppressed with the heat. Meeting quite full. Found the exertion of speaking very severe on my lungs. At evening returned. The thermortieter has been today at 98°. Very tired. 7. Rode out. Worked some at the saw-mill. Rode to Ellington. Tried to get a girl to live here. The heat severe and scorching. Thermometer in the afternoon 98°. The forenoon was much warmer than yesterday. Such heat at this season is very uncommon. Get very little time for study. 8. Last evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Mr. Wolcott's building advances pretty well. Dined with Mrs. Griswold, aged eighty-four, and her two brothers, aged eighty-six and eighty-two. But little mitigation of the heat. Thermometer in the afternoon 96°. Visited. Vegetation ad- vances very rapidly. Wrote. Wrote a letter to Mr. Mix,^ of West Suffield, and one to Mr. McLean,^ of Simsbury. 9. Worked considerably about the new frame and cellar. Walked out. Thermometer 96°. Have but little time in my study. Read. 10. Wrote to my brother Battell. Cooler. Thermometer 80°. My new cane is much admired. Wrote on the subject of the proper time for the administration of the Lord's Supper. A minister from New Hampshire called and dined with me. At evening assisted in examining two women for our communion. Was requested to preach to the Free Masons on the 24th instant in Orford, the lodge of this vicinity. 11. Rode to Hartford. Visited Mr. Flint. Mr. Hawes is absent on a journey. He has quite poor health. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Received $6.65 from the Female Benevolent Society here, to be applied to the benefit of the children who attend my catechisings. 12. We had a copious and very refreshing shower. Wrote. Worked some. Preparing for General Association. The framing of the house holds longer than we expected. On the loth received a letter from my brother. 13. Preached an old sermon on Ezek. xxxiii : 4. Mr. Loomis," from New Connecticut, was here, but declined preachuig. Meetings very full. At evening attended a conference. Mr. Loorais performed the services. 14. Set out early and rode through Hebron and Colchester to Lyme, to attend the General Association. The distance nearly fifty miles. Mr. Cook ' Joseph Battell, who married his sister ^ Rev. Allen McLean. Sarah. * Rev. Amasa Loomis, who for someVears - Rev. Joseph Mix, pastor at West Suf- after Dr. Robbins's settlement was near his field, 1S14-1829. home, but later was a missionary in Ohi". ^86 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. went Willi me from Orford as my colleague. Was kindly received and enter- tained at Mr. McCurdy's. The weather was cool and very fine for traveling. In the morning paid .38 to a gardener. 15. Viewed a new meeting-house here, which is very elegant. Towards noon the General Association met. Most of the members of this State, and all but one of the foreign delegates, were present. I waS chosen scribe at the first vote. Dr. Welch, of Mansfield, moderator.' Mr. Eliot,^ of East Guilford, preached the associational sermon. In the evening we had a sermon. Warm. 16. The Association was very attentive to business. I was much taken up with writing. In the afternoon we attended public worship, and the Lord's Supper was administered. I believe all the members communioned but myself. A great number of ministers were present. I gave the Association my reasons for believing the administration of the ordinance under such circumstances to be wrong.' They were not disposed to consider the ques- tion. We had an evening session. Quite warm. The meeting in the after- noon was crowded and uncomfortable. 17. Am much fatigued by application and care. Am greatly favored with regard to accommodations.* Each day seems to be warmer than the pre- ceding. The heat was severe. The Association finished their session in the afternoon. Had to write considerably after the session was closed. At evening rode to Judge Griswold's^ and attended a meeting. Mr. D. Austin.* Had but little time to spend with my brethren. Much fatigued. Gave $i.oo to old Mr. Backus.^ 18. In the morning crossed the river to Saybrook and rode home.* The heat was intense. Traveled slow. Had to hold my umbrella to defend from the sun. Towards night there was a hard thunder-shower. Got home well at dusk. Laus Deo. Have had a prosperous journey. Visited a sick woman in the neighborhood very low. Received a letter from Mr. Ritchie, of New York, relative to the American Bible Society. Performed my journey in a sulky. Our folks say that the thermometer yesterday was 98°, and today over 100°. Mr. Woodbridge,' of Stockbridge, has called here in my absence. Mr. Wol- cott had his house raised on the 15th. The frame appears well. Visited a woman in the neighborhood very sick. 19. Am very much fatigued by my late labors. Last night we had a hard thunder-shower, though there was not a great deal of rain. Can do but little. Walked out. Wrote. Received a letter from my brother. ' Moses C. Welch, D. D., pastor at North ' Judge Roger Griswold was dead, but Mansfield, 1784-1824. perhaps he means his family. ^ Rev. John Eliot, of East Guilford (now ^ Rev. David Austin. His name stands Madison), pastor 1791-1824. here, not connected with any sentence. He ^ His reason was, probably, that such a met him, probably. He knew him well be- body of men did not constitute a church. fore. * He was staying probably in the family ^ Rev. Simon Backus, of North Madison, to which Judge Charles J. McCurdy be- to whom he contributed the year before, longed. He was then a young man, only ^ He took a very different road in return- two years out of college, but has since been ing from the one on which he went down, distinguished. ' Joseph Woodbridge, Esq. I 1819.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 787 20. Expounded in the forenoon on Rom. xi : 17 to the end. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Ps. cxvi : 10. Much cooler since the showers on the i8th. At evening attended a conference. Meetings unusually full. Exercises long. Baptized a child.' Much fatigued. 21. Rode to Hartford. Carried to Mr. Flint papers of General Associa- tion. Mr. Hawes's people are indifferently supplied during his absence. It is a very fine season for vegetation. Visited. 22. Worked in my garden. On the 20th we had our first peas ; they were well grown. Visited sick persons. Hindered by company. Afternoon attended the funeral of an infant child. Am something taken up with the business of instruction. Thermometer 90°. Yesterday received of the Hart- ford Bank, $6.50. A small dividend. 23. Wrote the most of a sermon on Matt, v : 16. Have many interrup- tions. I write slowly. People are beginning a little to mow. The tremor in my hand is quite troublesome. 24. Finished my sermon on Matt, v: 16, and rode to Orford and preached it to the Free Masons, at the celebration of St. John's festival. Mr. Cook was with me. The company was quite large and respectable. Returned. Visited the sick. Yesterday we had considerable of a shower. Quite fatigued. 25. Wrote. Worked in my garden. Paid a woman for weeding, .;^^. Visited. Read. At evening we had a good prayer-meeting. Cool. 26. Worked in my garden. Received a letter from Mr. Kingsbury,^ of Hartford, and wrote him in reply. Read the Bible. Paid for a study- table, $4.00. Paid a man for a day's work in my garden, $1.00. Late in the even- ing, after we had got to bed, my brother James and his wife came here on a visit. Thermometer 92°. Wrote. 27. Rode to Hartford and preached to Mr. Hawes's people in his absence. My brother went with me. Mr. Amasa Loomis preached for me. Kept at Mr. Kingsbury's.^ Preached on Heb. xii : 14, and Ps. cxxxvi : 2,3. At the intermission went for a Utile while into the Sabbath-school. It is very large. At half after six attended a third exercise in the meeting-house, and preached 0^1 John iv : 29. Meetings quite full. At evening returned. The heat very oppressive. I believe the thermometer was about 98°. Very much fatigued. 28. Much exhausted by the fatigue of yesterday. Visited a sick woman very low. My brother and his wife rode to Hartford and returned. After- noon attended the funeral of a child who died yesterday. Thermometer 97°. At evening rode with my brother and his wife to Enfield. Found that brother Frank is absent. 29. Rode to West Sufiield and attended ministers' meeting. The sun was not clear, but the heat was ver>' languid and oppressive. Preached on John iv: 29. The Democratic overseers of Newgate have dismissed Mr. Clark from the chaplaincy of that prison." It is a most wanton abuse of power. At ' Catharine, daughter of James Flint. * This was a hateful act, unless there ' Andrew Kingsbury, for many years State w-ere some very cogent reasons for such a Treasurer. proceeding. The Democrats in Connecticut ^ Mr. Andrew Kingsbury, just mentioned. in those days hated the Standing Order. 788 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1S19, evening returned to Enfield. James rode to Stafford and returned late with brother Frank. Much oppressed for want of rest. 30. In the morning showery. Brother James and wife went off to Nor- folk. Rode home. People have poor hay weather. A woman' in the neigh- borhood has died in my absence of a consumption. We had I think the finest June for vegetation that I ever knew. May the Lord be praised. Visited. Our joiners came and began their work on the house yesterday. July. 1. Not so warm as it has been. In the forenoon attended the funeral of my neighbor, Mrs. Porter. Afternoon rode to Hartford with Mr. Wolcott. Wrote. On the 28th received a letter from Mr. Battell. Am troubled with an inflamed eye. 2. Wrote. Am much hindered with our new building. Received a letter a few days since from Mr. Horace Loomis, of New Connecticut. Find myself much indisposed for close study. 3. Last night was quite ill in the night and this morning with a severe cholera morbus, and continued through the day. I have not had so sick a day for some years. Sat up very little. Yesterday afternoon attended the catechising of the children, after which preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Luke xii : 42. 4. Am very feeble, but on account of the unusual duties of the day con- clude to attend meeting. In the forenoon had a sermon read. Received two women to the communion of the church.^ Attended the sacrament. Dr. McClure performed one half of the administration. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Ps. cxlvii : 11. Spoke very feebly. After meeting, Dr. Reed^ came here and gave me physic. 5. My physic has operated quite favorably. Have had a pretty severe headache from the beginning of my illness. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting, but did but little. There was a great deal of firing in neigh- boring places on account of Independence. Some persons fired a swivel at our meeting-house and did some injury. 6. Rode out east with Mr. Wolcott and saw the surveying of a large field. Cool. Walked- out. I am weak, but I hope through mercy I shall be better than I have been. 7. Rode to Enfield and procured a girl to live here. We have been very much in want of one. My brother continues to be afflicted with a nervous headache. 8. Rode out. People generally are at their haying. Read. I can do but little. Thermometer 90°. At evening Rev. Amasa Loomis came and tarried. Our new house appears well. 9. Am considerably taken up with instruction. Rode out and visited. Gave a poor woman $1.00. The heat very oppressive and the ground very dry. Thermometer 98°. Read. Can do but little. ' Mrs. Rhoda Porter. ' Dr. Elijah Fitch Reed, who had a large * Mary Allen and Elizabeth Wolcott. practice in East Windsor. iSlQ.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR, 789 10. We have very hot nights and very little dew. The sun seems to scorch the ground. The thermometer was at 98^°. Wrote. Read the Bible. On the 6th received a letter from my cousin S. P. Robbins, of Marietta. I am so languid that I can do but little. 11. Preached with old notes on Isa. Iv : 11. Am still feeble and preached poorly. The heat was such that the meeting was thin. Thermometer in the afternoon 99°. Towards evening we had a good deal of thunder and con- siderable rain. A great mercy of the Lord. 12. Attended to our new building. Read. The air is clear, but still hot. Thermometer 94°. Read the Bible, 13. Rode with Mr. Flint to Mr. Bartlett's and made them a visit. We have now visible a luminous comet in the northwest. Visited. I fear I am growing indolent. Thermometer about 93°. Received a letter from my niece, Sally Lawrence.' 14. Wrote. Planted French turnips. Endeavoring to prepare a small catechism for children. Rode out and visited. Thermometer 91°. 15. Worked in my garden. Read. Rode to Hartford. Saw unexpectedly Mr. Battell and Mrs. Olmstead. They left town while I was there. Re- ceived from the Eagle Bank a dividend of $35.00. More than I expected. Paid $5.00, my annual contribution to the Annuity Society. Some able mer- cantile men in Hartford have become much embarrassed. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Thermometer 93°. 16. Last night we had a very refreshing rain. Yesterday it was very dry and dusty. Wrote. Wrote to my brother at Enfield. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Thermometer 91°. 17. Wrote on a sermon on Job xxvii: 8. The tremor in my hand is quite troublesome. Hindered by the joiners. Thermometer 93°. 18. Expounded in the forenoon on Rom. xii. It appeared to be quite interesting. Finished and preached the sermon on Job. xxvii : 8. At evening attended the conference. My health seems to be kindly restored. Baptized a child.^ Last evening we had a good deal of thunder. Cool. Thermometer 87°. 19. Last evening my brother^ came here from Vernon and tarried. Read Cecil's Remains.* Attended to the workmen. Received a letter from Mr. Merwin,^ of New Haven. Received from Howe & Spaulding Cave's Historica Literaria!' The work makes a valuable addition to my librar}^ Ther- mometer 89°. 20. Rode out. Worked in my garden. Rode to the harvest field and car- ried dinner. The harvest universally is uncommonly abundant, particularly the ' Daughter of Grove and Elizabeth (Rob- entitled His Remains, etc., was written by bins) Lawrence, Mr. G, P. Pratt. ^ Frances Jane, daughter of Elihu Wol- ^ Rev. Samuel Merwin, of the North cott. Church, New Haven. 3 Rev. Francis Le Baron. * By Rev. William Cave, 1637-1713, a ■* Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, born learned English scholar, who wrote the lives about 1550, died May 24, 1612. The book of the early Christian Fathers. 790 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1819. wheat. We have a very fine season for the ingathering. How great are the mercies of the Lord. Wrote. The anniversary of my ordination. How good is Jehovah in continuing me still in his vineyard. Thermometer 90°. 21. Rode to Hartford in a wagon and brought up two large casks of nails. Read Cave. I should estimate his work higher if it were in English.' I have many interruptions. Thermometer 88°. 22. Read. Wrote on a catechism for children. Wrote to Dr. Janeway/ of Philadelphia. Went into the water. People have a remarkably fine time for their harvesting. Thermometer 89°. 23. Rode early to Hartford and assisted in picking out a load of lumber. Wrote. Hindered by company. The ground is ver)^ dry. Had to water my garden. Read. Thermometer 90°. 24. Wrote. Have so many interruptions and so languid that I could not write a sermon. Wrote on my catechism and finished the small one. Read. The drought and dust are very severe. The gardens and pastures suffer very much. Thermometer 89°. 25. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Rom. vii: 22. After- noon preached an old sermon on John vii : 46. Warm and sultr)\ The air is almost filled with dust. At evening attended a conference. The drought appears alarming. Thermometer 93°. 26. Rode out. In the afternoon and evening we had a moderate and most grateful rain. The air is very sultry. Wrote on my catechism. Read. Thermometer 87°. 27. Worked in my garden. Wrote. Wrote on my catechism. I find it to be a work of labor. Walked out. 28. Rode to Hartford. Did many errands. The river has risen seven or eight feet. It is said the rise of the Agawam has been very great. Hindered by company. Read Owen's Wofks.^ Paid for mother's head-dress, .20, and .30 for postage. Thermometer 93°. Yesterday 92°. 29. We have very hot nights. Rode out. The heat is ver)- oppressive. Wrote. I have a variety of hindrances from important duties. Thermometer 93°. 30. The gardens and pastures suffer much for want of rain. The heat very oppressive. Laborers complain very much. Read Owen. I cannot write but little. In the morning rode early to Hartford and returned soon. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Thermometer 96° for two or three hours. 31. Our nights appear quite as warm, proportionally, as the days. Watered things in the garden. The heat is such that I do not feel able to write a sermon. It is difficult to be tolerably comfortable. The thermometer rose to 99^°, and was very high all day. Vegetation seems to sink under the heat and drought. Read Owen. Wrote. ' Latin in that age continued to be the eminent divine, Vice-President of Rutgers language of scholars. College. ^ Dr. Jacob J. Janeway, 1776-1858, an ^ ji^g celebrated John Owen, 1616-1683. l8ig.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 79I When I came to this town to live, June, 1808, I was in the practice of reading the Connecticut Courant in course, omiting nothing but the advertise- ments. I had done that I believe for more than a year. The same practice 1 have continued till this month of July, and have not omitted any num- ber, and as far as I know any article, for more than eleven years. The publication of the Connecticut Mirror commenced in July, 1809, which I have taken and read, ten volumes, in the same manner, excepting that I have not practiced reading the same article twice when it appeared in both papers. I conclude not to be confined to this practice any longer.' August. 1. All persons seem to be nearly overcome with the heat. The sun seems to scorch. Preached an old sermon on i Cor. vi: 11. Meetings quite thin. The thermometer was at 90° by nine o'clock a. m., and continued to rise till one o'clock and half after, when it was 100°. It was then checked by the rising of a cloud, which after a while produced a little rain. Had the weather continued clear I presume it would have been one or two degrees higher. The abatement of the heat was but little. All seem to be longing for rain. At evening performed a marriage.^ We had considerable thunder. 2. Am much overcome by my yesterday's labors in the heat, though they were less than usual. The heat does not seem to be hardly as great as yesterday, yet the thermometer in the afternoon attained the same height, 100°. I conclude I have never known three successive days of such heat. Towards night we had a short and most grateful shower. There was a great deal of lightning and thunder. At evening attended our monthly prayer- meeting. It was very thin. Read. 3. Worked some. Things are much refreshed by the shower. Am much taken up with our building. Wrote. Walked out and visited. We have a sensible change of air. Thermometer 93°. 4. Worked some. I fear we shall suffer with drought. Received a letter from my brother. Afternoon rode to Hartford with Mr. Wolcott. The roads are extremely dusty. The day was very clear, yet the thermometer was no higher than 83°. 5. Visited a young family, who set out on a removal to New Connecticut. Wrote. People are considerably alarmed at the effects of the drought on the corn. Hindered by company. Thermometer 84°. 6. Wrote. Read the Bible. Afternoon had a public catechising of the children. Taken up with company. Thermometer 90°. 7. Rode and visited the sick and others. The drought is alarming. The fall crops are much threatened. Am too languid to do much writing. At ' This is an intejesting record of Dr. In fact, editors hardly thought of anything Robbins's habit concerning newspapers. " A as news unless it came across the water, and short horse is soon curried." If one will was consequently about a month old, and look back to the newspapers of that day, even that small in quantity. he will find the reading matter, aside from ^ Ephraim Warfield and Eliza Cahoon the advertisements, of very small amount. were the parties united. 792 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. evening we liad considerable thunder and a moderate shower. Was up late. Thermometer 97°. 8. At nine o'clock in the morning Mr. Hawes, of Hartford, came here on his return from a long journey, and wished me to go to Harttord. I went soon, and got there just before meeting lime. Mr. Whittlesey' preached in the forenoon, and I preached in the afternoon and evening on Ps. cxiii : 6, and Job xxvii : 8. The heat severe and oppressive. This town seems to suffer more with the drought than those in the vicinity. We had a little rain. Our showers this year have been remarkable for a very limited extent. Meetings rather thin. 9. In the morning there was a moderate and grateful shower. Went round with Hayden^ to look out lumber. Rode home. Read. At evening walked out. Thermometer 91°. Yesterday 95°. 10. Read. Taken up with the builders. Our showers afford but a tem- porary relief, the ground on the whole appears to be constantly growing drier. Walked out. Thermometer 90°. 11. In the morning rode to Wapping and visited a sick man. Attended to the appropriate duties of my birthday. The heat very oppressive. Ther- mometer 93°. I pray God to have mercy on my good mother, on my dear connections, on this family, on my afflicted native State, ^ and do all for them that his rich grace and holy wisdom may prescribe. I ask that my life may be continued another year, if it please God, that I may be diligent, dutiful, and useful, and see evidences of God's glorifying himself and saving immortal sinners. Bless the Lord, O my soul ; let all within me bless his holy name. 12. Read. Wrote a piece for the newspaper. We have very hot nights. The ground dries very much. The corn suffers severely with the drought. People are exceedingly oppressed with the heat. The ground is hot. Ther- mometer 98°. I placed the thermometer in the sun in the heat of the day, and it rose to 130°. How do laborers live? 13. The thermometer was 90° at nine o'clock in the morning, but it was cloudy in the middle of the day, and it rose no higher than 97°. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. Did errands for our building. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 14. Wrote a part of a sermon on Prov. viii : 17. Much hindered by com- pany. The air is very full of dust. Thermometer 91°. Paid a gardener .50. 15. Wrote one half of the sermon begun yesterday (four pages), and preached it in the afternoon. In the forenoon expounded on the thirteenth of Romans. In the intermission we had some rain. Afternoon meeting pretty thin. At five o'clock we had a season of prayer on account of the severe drought. It was well attended. Thermometer 78". Read. ' Rev. Samuel Whittlesey, who had been ^ A large part of the people of the State dismissed two years before from the church thought they had recently been receiving in Xew Preston. great and special blessings, but to Dr. Rob- ^ The man probably who was building the bins, if these were blessings, they were cer- house. tainly blessings in disguise. iSig.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 793 16. Last evening it appeared as if we should have clear weather and no more rain ; but this morning it began to rain, and was wet and rainy all day. It was moderate, and the ground absorbed the whole. Our God is good, and he is a hearer of prayer. Wrote. Cool. The thermometer was below 60° all day. I think I never felt a deeper sense of divine goodness in the gift of rain ; and I am persuaded I have never seen here such a want of it. All crops were suffering. 17. The last night was wet, and this morning it rained pretty hard. We should be glad of more, but must bless God for his gift. Rode to Turkey Hills, and attended ministers' meeting. Preached on Prov. viii: 17. This society have painful prospects on account of the removal of Mr. Clark' from the chaplaincy of the prison. I hope a good providence will not forsake them. 18. In the forenoon returned home. The ground is much refreshed. Read. Wrote. Thermometer 86°. 19. Wrote. Hindered by company. My garden has a fine crop of melons. Walked out and visited. Thermometer go°. 20. Walked out and visited. The heat very oppressive. Have to water vegetables. Received a military order. Thermometer 93°. 21. Wrote to my brother. Paid some time since for shad for my mother, $9.00, $5.00 of which she has paid me. The remainder ($4.00) must go as a donation. Rode to Hartford and to Hebron. The heat very severe. Rode quite slow. Mr. Bassett^ is gone to East Windsor to preach tomorrow for me. 22. Something wet. The drought has not been severe here as with us. Read the Bible, Preached on i John v: 7. and Prov, viii : 17. This congre- gregation is small. At evening preached in a conference house without notes on Ps, iii : 8. 23. In the forenoon rode home. Quite cool. There was a pretty hard and seasonable rain here last night. Mr. Bassett is gone to attend the ordi- nation at West Springfield.^ Visited a family in the hither part of East Hartford, in which there are eight persons hard sick. My horse is consider- ably lame. Thermometer 72°. On Saturday it was 96°, 24. The thermometer this morning was about 40°. Worked some. Read. The air is quite cool. Wrote, Have many interruptions. Thermometer 73°. 25. Wrote on a piece for the newspaper. Read. The ruling party in this State are very hostile to religion and the clergy. Thermometer 77°, ' Rev. Eber L. Clark. The parish was logical Seminary in 1819, and was irame- poor, and by serving partly as their pastor, diately called to West Springfield, where he and partly as chaplain at the prison, they remained till 1829, when he accepted the were enabled to retain him pastorate of the Second Presbyterian Church ^ Rev. Amos Bassett, D. D. in Albany, N. Y., where his larger work ' This was the ordination of the now was done. He died in 1876, leaving behind celebrated Dr. William B. Sprague as col- him a rare reputation as a literary and league pastor with Rev, Joseph Lathrop, of historical student. The town of Andover West Springfield. Mr, Sprague was born was partly made out of Hebron, and so it in Andover, Ct., Oct. 16, 1795, was graduated was very natural that Dr. Bassett should at Yale in 181 5, and from Princeton Theo- assist at the ordination. 794 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. 26. Read. Rode to Hartford. Borrowed of Phoenix Bank, $98.37. Paid Hartford Bank, $83.76. Saw Mr. Battel). Bayley Birge at Norfolk has failed. Visited the sick family in the hither part of East Hartford. Quite cool. 27. Worked some. Met with the officers of the regiment and attended to discipline, etc. There will be no regimental training this year. A very foolish law of the State forbids it.' At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Cool. 28. Had many interruptions, and found myself unable to write a sermon as I calculated. Wrote on my pecuniary accounts. Received of Elihu Wol- cott, $100.00 for my collector. Visited the sick family. 29. Something wet. Preached an old sermon on Matt, xxii : 16. At evening attended the conference. Our meetings lately have been rather thin. 30. Worked at our new building. Rode out and visited. I have done but little visiting this summer. Read. 31. Paid Mr. Wolcott some money which I borrowed of him in May. Paid him $1.04 interest. Last night it was quite cool, but I believe no frost. Read, Visited the sick family. September. 1. Rode to Hartford. Did a number of errands for the new house. Very warm and dusty. The ground, I think, appears as dry as it has at any time. Read. At evening married my excellent friend, Mr. Haskell.^ Ther- mometer about 90°. 2. Wrote. Am not able to write a piece for the paper this week as I expected. The heat very oppressive. Vegetation suffers exceedingly from drought and insects. Rode to Wapping and visited a school and sick persons. Mr. Stebbins^ returned here to pursue his studies. Thermometer 94^*^. 3. Wrote. Worked some. The heat was exceedingly oppressive. After- noon attended the catechising of the children. Gave them primers of different kinds. Visited the sick family. Thermometer 96^°.'' 4. It seems as if all moisture would be dried from the ground. Wrote on a piece for the newspaper. Could not get time to write a sermon. Yes- terday wrote to Mr. Stone,^ of Hartford. The thermometer 91°. ' This was probably the beginning of the ^ Samuel Stiles Stebbins, now studying custom in Connecticut of having the regi- theology with Dr. Robbins, has been several mental trainings every other year. The times spoken of in this diary. He was the town trainings went on twice a year, spring nephew of Rev. Samuel Stebbins, of Sims- and fall, as before. The people soon came bury, Ct., who was pastor there from 1777 to think that every other year sufficed for to 1806. As before stated, he did not enter these general trainings. the ministry. - Soon after his settlement in East Wind- * They were having the hot weather so sor, Dr. Robbins united in marriage his common in New England, during the early friend, Eli B. Haskell, with Miss Sophia days of September. Bissell, daughter of Capt. Aaron Bissell. The * William L. Stone, Esq., then editor of marriage now is between Mr. Haskell and the Connecticut Mirror, afterwards promi- Susan Bissell, his first wife's sister. nent as an editor in New York. l8l9-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 795 5. In the forenoon expounded on the fourteenth chapter of the Romans. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Josh, xxiv : 20. Towards evening we had a season of prayer on account of the drought. It was well attended and solemn. Thermometer 91°. 6. Worked some. The ground is almost covered with dust. The crop of corn is much diminished by the drought. Wrote. At evening attended the monthly prayer-meeting. Thermometer 90°. 7. Wrote. The heat extremely languid and oppressive. Intended lo set out for New Haven, but put off on account of the heat till the weather pre- vented. Towards night and in the evening we had a copious thunder-shower. The hardest we have had this year. The rain is very reviving. The ther- mometer 91°. 8. Set out for New Haven at three o'clock in the morning, and got there a little before noon. The Commencement exercises for the forenoon con- cluded as I went to the meeting-house. In the afternoon they were pretty good, but short. The heat was severe. At evening Mr. Spring, of New York,* preached very well to the Education Society. There was no Concio ad Ckruni. In the evening we had a little rain. The collection of the clergy was not as great as usual. No strangers of distinction were present. 9. Attended the meeting of the Education Society. I believe they do much good, but their funds are inadequate to the demands. I find myself in the elder class of the clergy. Dined with Professor Fitch.'^ Looked over the library of the late Rev. Mr. Swan,^ of Norwalk, for sale at Mr. Howe's, and purchased a number of useful volumes. Paid Gen. Howe for books, $26.95. Paid for Stewart's Letters, a valuable pamphlet, .75. Paid for a gold watch- key, ^2.50. Left New Haven at half after four, and rode home in about eight hours. The night quite cool. 10. Am much fatigued. Worked and attended at the new house. The thermometer here on the eighth was 90°, and yesterday 80°. Read. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Cool. Thermometer about 72°. 11, Did not perceive any frost this morning, though we feared it. Wrote. Visited the sick family. At evening rode to Mr. Bartlett's to exchange. 12, Mr. Bartlett rode to my society, preached, and returned. Preached on Job xxvii : 8, and Prov. iii : 17. Returned and attended the evening con- ference. Late in the evening my brother came here and tarried. His chronic headache is severe. Very tired. 13. My brother went home. He is about going a journey to the eastward. ' Rev. Gardiner Spring, D. D., son of Rev. Theology at Yale. It will be remembered Samuel Spring, D. D., of Newburyport, Mass. that Mr. Fitch taught the academy at East He was graduated at Yale, 1805, first studied Windsor Hill, soon after Dr. Robbins went law, then theology, pastor of the Brick to East Windsor, continuing there for some Church, New York, 1S10-1873. He died in years. the last-named year, at the age of eighty- ^ Rev. Roswell R. Swan, who was gradu- eight. ated at Yale in 1802, was settled in Norwalk - Eleazar T. Fitch, D. D., Professor of in 1807, and died in March, 1819. 7^6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. Attended a training, and dined with the company. Something wet. Visited. Read. 14. Dined and prayed with a military company. Have some difficulty wiili my plan for conveying warmth to my chamber' in the new house. Wrote. 15. We feared a frost this morning, but there was none to do any injury. Taken up with the new building. Afternoon visited and catechised a school. Wrote for the newspaper. God is very wise and good in calling me to trials.^ Will he accept of my vows ? Had a little fire in my chamber. 16. Read. Rode to Wapping and married two couples.^ Attended the funeral of Mrs. Burnham of the sick family. Wrote. There was no frost this morning, though the night was quite cool. 17. Taken up with joiners and masons. I hope my trials will do me good. Rode out and visited. 18. Visited. It is very painful to have so much of my time taken up with unnecessary things. Yesterday Dr. Williams,'' of Tolland, and wife, called on me. Read Stewart's^ Letters to Chamiing. A very valuable work. Visited the sick. 19. I fear the sickness in the neighborhood below us is increasing. Preached on Num. xxi : 23, 24, with old notes, and an old sermon on Gen. iii : 9. Meetings pretty full. At evening performed a marriage,* God is very merciful to me. 20. Rode to Hartford with Mr. Wolcott. Paid for primers, of money received of the Female Benevolent Society, $4.00. Had a cool and chilly wind. Took some cold. Read Channing's Unitarian sermon.' 21. Visited and catechised a school. Afternoon my cousin, Dr. P. G. Robbins,* arid wife, of Roxbury, came here. Cold, windy, and very dusty. Have a pretty bad cold. Made fires. 22. Rode out with my cousin. The air is full of dust. Windy and cold, but I believe no frost. Last night a valuable house and store in Hart- ford were burnt. Gave a poor man $2.00. After dinner my cousins went off for Norfolk. At evening performed a marriage at Mr, E. Bissell's.' Had a pretty splendid wedding, 23. Am much oppressed with my cold. Visited and catechised a school. Wrote, Walked out and visited. ' This was the new study, enlarged to remarks on his sermon recently preached hold his rapidly-increasing library, and published at Baltimore, 1S19, ^ This is another of those references which ^ Francis Peck, of Georgia, with Cynthia are unexplained. Newbury. ^ Lester H. Fenton with Sophia Johnson, ' The same sermon, probably, just no- both of Wapping; and Simeon Dow, of Cov- ticed. entry, with Almira Johnson. ^ Dr, Peter Oilman Robbins, son of Dr, ■• Dr. Nathan Williams, pastor at Tolland, Chandler Robbins, of Plymouth. 1760-1829. 9 Frances, daughter of Epaphras Bissell, * Moses Stuart's (not Stewart) Letters to was united in marriage with Mr, Owen P. the Rev. William E. Chamiing, containing Olmsted, of Geneseo, N. Y. 1819.J PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 797 24. Quite warm. Visited the sick. The number increases. Some appear to have taken the fever by contagion. Wet. Wrote to Rev. W. B. Sprague.' At evening attended the prayer-meeting. 25. Wrote the most of a sermon on John xv: 25. Have many hindrances. Something wet. 26. Was called in the morning to see a sick family. Some of them are very low. Finished and preached all day the sermon on John xv : 25. After- noon quite rainy. At evening rode to Wapping, and performed a marriage.^ The rain was very powerful. Had difficulty in speaking on account of my cold. Our meetings of late have been rather thin. 27. We have had the greatest rain that has been for several months. It is very refreshing to the ground. Rode out and visited the sick. Visited and catechised a small school. Quite warm. The thermometer on Saturday was at 85°. 28. Rode to Wapping in the forenoon and attended a funeral. Visited a family in a very unpleasant difficulty. My cousin, Dr. Robbins, and wife, called here today and dined, and went on their journey homewards, in my absence. My cousin Joseph BattelP came here and tarried. He is soon going to Middlebury to enter that college.'* Warm. 29. Wrote a piece for the newspaper. Towards night rode to Hartford. Saw Mr. Battell. Did errands for the building. Got home late, 30. Read. Taken up with the workmen. Visited and catechised a school. Quite warm. Thermometer 80°. Visited. October. 1. Rode and visited the sick at tive houses. Several are very low. The yellow fever appears to be very bad at New York, Baltimore, and Charles- town.' The corn comes in well. People are gathering it without having had a frost. Afternoon catechised the children at the meeting-house. I have given them a good many catechisms this year, mostly Coleman's.* After the catechising preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Rev. iii : 12. Wrote. 2. Wrote the most of a sermon on Matt, xxvi : 26-30. Hindered by company. Mr. Stebbins does pretty well in his studies. Cool. Had a fire. * Dr. William B. Sprague, just before ■* He entered Middlebury and was gradu- settled at West Springfield, Mass., as col- ated in course, in 1S23. league with Rev. Joseph Lathrop. ' While the yellow fever was destructive ^ The persons married were Isaac Cleve- in these American cities, it was not so vio- land, of Cazenovia, N. Y., and Anna Drake, lent as in some previous years. It was, of Wapping. however, very fatal this year (1S19) in Cadiz 5 Dr. Robbins had a habit of calling and the Island of .St. Leon, nephews and nieces cousins. This Joseph * We do not find what Mr. Coleman Eattell, whose name now stands associated wrote this catechism which he was using, with the Battell Chapel at New Haven, and It may have been Dr. Benjamin Colman, of who died, unmarried, in 1874, leaving a great Brattle Street Church, Boston. He was a estate, was the son of Dr. Robbins's sister very distinguished minister and interested in Sarah, and an unmistakable nephew. that kind of church work. ygS DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1819. 3. Was called early to see a man very sick. Finished and preached in the forenoon my sermon on Matt, xxvi : 26-30. Afternoon preached with old notes on Luke iv : 25,26. Administered the sacrament. Meeting quite full. At evening attended the conference. The church had a contribution for the Domestic Missionary Society. We collected nearly $15.00. More than I expected. 4. This morning and yesterday there was a little frost, but not sufficient to stop vegetation. Our garden vines are still flourishing. Rode and visited the sick. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. On the 23d received a letter from Asahel Gaylord, of Norfolk. Heard the painful news of the death of Mr. Storrs,' of Longmeadow. It is a most afflictive and mysterious appointment of divine providence. 5. This morning we had a pretty hard frost. The first to kill vegetation. Wrote on a piece for the newspaper. Afternoon rode to East Hartford and attended a funeral, in the absence of Mr. Fairchild. Visited the sick. Warm. 6. Rode to Hartford and attended the cattle show. The collection of people was ver)- great. Dined with a very large company. The exhibition was very good. Very warm for the season. Towards night attended the funeral of Mr. Burnham, the elder son in the sick family. 7. Very warm. The thermometer was at 83°, and I believe about the same yesterday. I spend much time unprofitably. Read. In the evening rode to Ellington and to Enfield. Got to my brother's late. He and his wife have lately been a journey to the eastward. The death of Mr. Storrs makes a great breach. 8. Rode home. Much fatigued. Thermometer82°. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Performed pretty poorly. Mr. Stone,^ of Cornwall, called and dined with me. A very respectable mission is soon to sail from Boston for the Sandwich Islands.^ I think their prospects are very favorable, and I pray God to give them his blessing. 9. Wrote on a piece for the newspaper. Visited the sick. Some are ver}' low. Gave two poor persons $1.50. Thermometer 80°. 10. In the morning we had a violent rain. Preached with old notes on Matt. XX : 30. Meetings pretty thin. After meeting rode to Wapping, and preached at four o'clock on Ps. li : 4. Baptized three children.'' At evening performed a marriage.* Tarried at Wapping. ' Rev. Richard Salter Storrs, the first made a great impression in East Windsor, minister of this name, was a native of Mans- as Miss Nancy Wells, of the north parish, field, Ct, and received his baptismal names was in the fall of 1819 united in marriage from Rev. Richard Salter, D. D., pastor at with Mr. Samuel Ruggles, and the two went Mansfield, 1744-1787. He was graduated at in this first company to the Sandwich Is- Yale in 1783, and was pastor at Longmeadow, lands. 1785-1819. He died of the tj'phus fever so ■• Charles, son of Alfred Grant; Charlotte, common in the Connecticut valley. daughter of Timothy Munsell; and Ammi, ^ Rev. Timothy Stone, pastor at Cornwall, son of Oliver Skinner. Ct., 1803-1827. 5 Francis Rockwell and Peggy Johnson ^ This mission to the Sandwich Islands were united in marriage. iSlQ.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 799 11. Visited a young man apparently near dying. Cornelius Wells, of East Hartford, has failed, and Mr. Wolcott is his endorser at the bank for two thousand dollars. He has got some security, but must be, I think, a consider- able sufferer. It is a severe affliction upon us. I hope it may be for our good. At evening my brother came here and tarried. 12. Wrote. Afternoon attended a funeral.' After which rode to West Hartford and met with the Consociation. In the evening 'my brother preached the consociational sermon very well. Cold. 13. In the forenoon the Conso performed a good deal of business. The case of Turkey Hills and Newgate was attended to. In the afternoon the Conso ordained Mr. H, HulP a missionary. Quite cold, with some flying snow. In the evening attended a meeting at Hartford about forming an auxiliary colonization society. Rode home. 14. Mr. Wolcott is much disturbed with his trials. Read. Walked and visited. Dr. McClure has been lately married^ at Providence quite unexpectedly, 15. On the nth received a letter from Dr. P. G. Robbins, of Roxbur}'. On the 12th received a letter from the new church and society in North- ington, requesting the assistance of this church at their proposed installation. Wrote. Cold. Walked out and visited. 16. Wrote on the beginning of a sermon on the divinity of Christ. Wrote four pages in the evening. I hope for the divine assistance in writing on this important subject. Had various hindrances. 17. In the forenoon expounded on Rom. xv : 1-28. Afternoon preached what I wrote yesterday on John i : 1-5. At evening attended the conference. 18. Cold. Worked in my garden. At evening wrote a piece for publica- tion. Wrote late. 19. Taken up at the new house. Wrote to my cousin. Dr. Robbins, and to Howe & Spaulding, of New Haven. Rode to Hartford. Yesterday reviewed a part of Tytler's History for Mr. Goodrich, who is about publishing a new edition.'* 20. Wrote. Worked some. Walked out and visited. Mr. Wolcott has a prospect of a new claim coming against him on account of Wells. 21. Much taken up with Mr. Wolcott's affairs. Wrote to Mr. Staples,^ of New Haven. At evening walked out. ' Elijah Elmer, aged twenty-seven. ond marriage in 1816. But it took place in ^ Rev. Hezekiah Hull, a graduate of Vale 1819, only a few months before his own in 1814, to be Home Missionary in the new death. territories at the Southwest. * Tytler's History was taken as a text- ^ Dr. David McClure's first wife was book into colleges and academies. It was a Hannah, youngest daughter of Dr. Benjamin text-book in Yale College when the writer Pomeroy, of Hebron, Ct. They were mar- of this note was in college, and some years ried in 1780 and lived together thirty-four afterwards years, she dying in April, 1814. His second ^ ygth Perkins Staples, Esq., a prominent wife was Mrs. Betsey Martin, of Providence. lawyer in New Haven, a graduate of Yale, Dr. Sprague, in his Annals, places this sec- 1797- 8oo DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^^9- 22. In the morning Mr. Williston/ of New Durham, called on me. )de with him to Enfield to give him a conveyance. Quite cold. At evening attended our stated prayer-meeting. Received a letter from Mr. Batte'' and wrote to him at Hartford. 23. Wrote laboriously on my sermon on John i: i, etc. It requires much labor. 24. Preached with old notes on Gen. v : 24. Afternoon a part of the sermon on John i. At evening visited and attended a singing-meeting. 25. Rode to Hartford. Afternoon attended the funeral of a good woman in Wapping, aged ninety. Wet and cold. 26. Worked considerably. Mr. Wolcott returned from New York. He went away on the 2 2d. He succeeded in securing a debt much better than I feared. Read. At evening performed a marriage.^ 27. Wrote. I am too much taken up with unimportant things. Had a long walk in the meadow after my horse. At evening performed a marriage in the lower part of Scantick.-* I feel some anxiety about our society matters. 28. Reviewed Tytler. Visited the sick. Walked out and visited. Most of the sick are convalescing. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. 29. Wrote. Wrote on my long sermon on the divinity of Christ. Hin- dered by company. My brother's wife and her son called here. 30. Wrote to Mr. Andrus, of Hartford, and Mr. Staples, of New Haven. Wrote on my sermon. Afternoon Mr. El}-,'' of Vernon, called on me wishing for an exchange tomorrow. In the evening rode out there. Took some cold. 31. Preached on Job xxvii : 8, and Ps. cxxxvi : 23. This society- appears very well. There has been here a good work of grace. The Sabbath-school appears to have done much good. At evening preached at a school-house on Prov, viii: 17. Mr. Ely attended. Meetings all full and solemn. Quite cool. We have had a very pleasant month. November. 1. This morning we had a very hard frost. Rode home. I am very much crowded with business. Wrote. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting, and preached without notes on Matt, xxviii : 20. Visited a young man very sick. 2. Assisted in examining a school-master, whom we could not pass. Rode with Dea. Loomis^ to Northington^ to attend the installation of Mr. Kellogg.' He appeared very well on examination. This small people have ' Rev. Seth Williston, D. D. settled at Vernon about a year and a half, ^ The parties married were William F. afterwards for many years at Mansfield, Ct. Andross, of Hartford, and Julia Bancroft, of ' Dea. Amasa Loomis. East Windsor. ^ Avon, Ct. ^ Marriages are becoming frequent again ^ Rev. Bela Kellogg was graduated at after a long season of dullness. The couple Williams College in iSoo, pastor in East united this time were Fenn Johnson and Avon, 1819-1829. He had been previouslv Dinah E. Darling, of Scantic Parish. settled in Brookfield, Ct., 1813-1816. He * Rev. William Ely, who had now been died in 1S31. l8l.a>.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 8oi ex^Med themselves very much. In the evening Mr. Stebbins, of West Haven, prej>.ehed. -^Ii We had an agreeable installation. The day pleasant and the collec- tion of people great. I gave the right hand of fellowship. Returned. A young man in the neighborhood died this morning unexpectedly of a consump- tion.' Visited the family. 4. Attended the funeral. Worked some. Wrote the last of eight num- bers for the Mirror newspaper, in reply to a violent attack upon our religious institutions by a writer in a New Haven paper.^ 5. Rode to Hartford. Rode to Enfield and preached a preparatory lecture for my brother on Heb. xii : 2. He is quite afflicted with his nervous headache. Returned and attended our evening prayer-meeting. Quite cold. Paid ninety-two cents for a bushel of quinces. 6. Wrote three pages on my sermon on the divinity of Christ, and six on one from Prov. ix : 12. Wrote late. Have to attend considerably to Mr. Stebbins.^ Wrote five pages in the evening. 7. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on Prov. ix : 12. Preached in the forenoon on John i, etc. Meetings full and solemn. O that God would awaken us from our infinite stupidity. At evening attended conference. Read, 8. Read. Visited the sick. A very valuable young woman I fear is going into a consumption. Rode out and visited. On the 6th received a letter from Mr. Fairchild, of East Hartford, and one from Rev. Mr. Sprague, of West Springfield. 9. Read Tytler. Rode out and visited the sick. Assisted Mr. Wolcott in making out his list on the new system, which is poor enough. 10. Reviewed Tytler. Gave a person $1.00. 11. Paid foi work in my garden, .t^t^. Studied late. 12. Last evening our joiners left here, after having worked on the house about eighteen weeks. I think it would take them four or five weeks more to complete it. There have been generally five workmen. They ha\-e been faithful. Warm and very dry. Thermometer at 70°. Wrote laboriously on my sermon on John i, etc. Wrote five pages in the evening. 13. Much hindered by a variety of objects. Afternoon attended the funeral of an aged woman.* Cold and very windy. Visited. Wrote on the divinity of Christ. 14. Hoped to have been able to preach all day on John i, etc., but was not able to prepare. Did it in the afternoon only. Forenoon expounded on Rom, XV : 28, to the end of the book. At evening visited and attended a singing-school. Cold. 15. Cold, and roads xevy dry. Rode to Hartford and Windsor. Mills * Solomon Ellsworth Newbury, aged eight- from the old Federal to the Democratic rule een. of the State. • This attack and defence were doubtless ' His theological student. incidental to the change which was going on * Widow Lucy Morton, aged eighty-four. 8o2 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. suffer much for want of water. Young people here seem more inclined to dancing than they have been. Read. 16. Rode to Hartford. Paid for cider brandy, $2.80. Worked some. Have many interruptions in study. Dr. McClure returned from Providence with his new wife. She appears very well. 17. Wrote. Borrowed of Mr. Wolcott, $60.00. Thermometer 67°. 18. Visited the sick. Warm. Reviewed Tytler. Worked some. Get along but poorly with my studies,' 19. Wrote on my long sermon. Had company. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. I hope my trials will do me good.'^ Cool and dry. 20. Studied laboriously on Tytler, At evening rode to Hartford to ex- change with Mr. Flint. On the 17th wrote to my mother. It is long since I visited her. 21. Mr. Flint rode to East Windsor, and returned after meeting. Preaciied on Matt, vi : 13, and Ps. li : 4. At evening preached at the chapel on John iv : 29. I think this congregation appears better than in years past. 22. Did a number of errands. Paid my merchant tailor, $23.00. For a pair of boots, $9.00, For three half volumes of Encydopcedia, and two num- bers of Clarke's Bible, $15.00. Rode home. Cold and chilly. Read. Hindered by company. 23. Something rainy. Mills suffer much for want of water. Worked some. Wrote. Had company. 24. Wrote an addition to the chronological table of Tytler. It is a labori- ous work. Walked out and visited. Hindered by company. 25. Had Dr. McClure and his wife and others here to dine.^ Worked at my library. My time is very much taken up. Very pleasant for the season. 26. Visited the sick. Attended to my studies. Rode out and visited. There is a very great indifference to divine things among us. 27. Wrote on my sermon on John i. Rev. Mr. Wood"* called on me. Received a letter from Mr. Mix,^ of West Suffield, who has lost his wife. Wrote late. 28. Preached all day on John i : i, etc. Wrote the latter sermon since seven o'clock last evening. Cold and chilly. Meetings pretty full. At evening wrote an addition to my sermon on Hab. iii. 29. Last night we had considerable snow. The first to cover the ground we have had. Rode to West Suffield, and preached at the funeral of Mrs. Mix on Hab. iii: 17, 18. Mr. Mix appeared very well. Three other min- ' Nov. 18, 1819, as appears by the record McClure and Dr. Robbins have of late of marriages which Dr. Robbins kept on the grown more pleasant and harmonious than church books, he united in marriage Jonathan they were at first. Blake, of Springfield, Mass., and Lucy Bliss, * Rev. Luke Wood, probably, who had of East Windsor. This marriage doubtless been settled in Waterbury, Ct, and settled he forget to enter in his diary. afterwards in Westford, Ct, and West Hart- ^ " The heart knoweth his own bitter- land, Ct. He was graduated at Dartmouth "ess." in 1803, and died in 1851. * It is noticeable that the relations of Dr. ' Rgy, Joseph Mix. lSl9-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 803 isters were present. Quite cold. Returned in the evening. Gave a poor woman, $2.00. 30. Thermometer this morning about i6°. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. Received of the bank, $14.28. Paid Gilbert for things for the new house, $6.79. Read. Visited the sick. Received a letter from Seth Terry,' Esq. December. 1. Made a fire in our new house. It does very well. Began and wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. xxiv : i for Thanksgiving. Wrote late. 2. Thanksgiving. The Governor's proclamation is the same as the last year's one. Preached on Ps. xxiv: i. My sermon was not quite finished. We had a full meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Mather were here.^ Warm for the season. Read Hudibras. 3. Read Hudibras. Wrote. Wrote on the chronological table of Tytler's History. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Last evening the weather changed, and it is now quite cold. The thermometer was below the freezing point, with a clear sun all day. Hindered by company. 4. Studied on Tytler. Thermometer this morning about 19°. At even- ing rode to Windsor to make an exchange with Mr. Rowland. Cold. 5. Mr. Rowland sent Mr. Hubbard,^ a candidate, to East Windsor, and heard me. Preached on Matt, vi : 13, and John iv : 29. The forenoon quite cold. Meetings pretty full for this place. At evening rode to Wintonbury, and tarried with Mr. Bartlett.'* Yesterday got my greenhouse into the house. 6. Rode to Norfolk. The weather very mild and pleasant. Met with brother Frank at Colebrook. Found mother quite comfortable. In her circumstances she is well accommodated. She keeps boarders, who are a great comfort to her. 7. Mr. Battell has made a fine improvement this year in his buildings. My brother Ammi's wife came over here. Last evening attended a monthly prayer-meeting with Mr. Emerson. Visited a machine ' grammar school. 8. Looked over father's old papers. Find some quite valuable. After- noon preached a lecture for Mr. Emerson on John iv : 29. Full meeting. Warm. My brother Samuel is here from Woodbury. The State assessment makes a great deal of trouble and difficulty. 9. Gave a black man, $1.00. My brothers Samuel and Frank went home. My mother is not willing that I should leave her. Hindered by company. Wrote. Visited. Towards night the weather changed to winter cold. 10. Severe cold and blustering. The wind very high. Knew not how I ' One of the prominent men of Hartford, ble that Dr. Mather, of New York, and his greatly honored and trusted. wife, are the persons here meant. ^ There was a Dr. Charles Mather who ^ Anson Hubbard, a native of Glaston- had been a noted physician in East Windsor bury, a graduate of Yale, 1817. and Hartford. He was graduated at Yale in '• Rev. John Bartlett, younger brother of T763, and died in 1822. His son, Dr. Charles Rev. Shubael Bartlett, of East Windsor. Mather, was graduated at Yale in 1784, and ' Machine seems to be the word, but was a physician in New York. It is proba- what is meant, we do not understand. S04 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1819. should ride home. My sister, in Mr. Battell's absence, kindly offered me their chaise, with which I left them after dinner, and rode comfortably to Northington. 11. Rode early to Hartford and home. Saw Mr. Battell at Hartford. The cold and wind are not much abated. The ground is very dry. My ther- mometer on the morning of the 5th was 14° ; the 6th 16°; yesterday 18° ; and this morning 20°. Have a hard rheumatic pain in my back. Had it bathed, and put on my flannel, which I have not done before. During this week, S. «S: M. Ellsworth,' of Scantick, have failed, by whom Mr. Wolcott is like to lose a debt of one thousand dollars. Read. 12. Thermometer this morning 24°, but it is still quite tedious. Thin meeting. Preached with old notes on Hos. vi : i. At evening attended the conference. Mr. Wolcott is much affected and depressed with his late losses. My rheumatic pain abates. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Battell, and one from G. Goodwin,^ Hartford. 13. The cold abates. Thermometer this morning 26^. Yesterday it scarcely raised a degree from nine o'clock in the morning to nine at night, with a clear sun. Wrote. Read. At evening attended our monthly prayer- meeting. Quite full. Our annual society meeting was held. Our prospects are more encouraging than they have been. Our hope is in God. 14. Studied on Tytler. Dined and spent a considerable part of the day at Dr. McClure's. It snowed some, 15. Worked at the chronological table of Tytler. Afternoon visited a school. At evening rode to Vv'apping and performed a marriage.^ I have married this year seventeen couples.'* Warm. Received of my collector, $260.00. Paid a merchant's bill, $20.63 '■> ^ smith's bill, $3.25. Paid Mr. Wolcott on my boarding bill, $75.15. The society are considerably in arrears. Yesterday wrote to Mr. Staples, of New Haven,^ 16. In the forenoon visited a school. Studied on Tytler laboriously. Was up late. Frank has a pretty severe trial. 17. Finished the chronological table of Tytler. It has cost me a good deal of labor. Wrote to Mr. Goodrich, of Hartford. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 18. Wrote the most of a sermon in my long discourse on John i. Wrote • nearly six pages in the evening. Mr. Wolcott killed three hogs that weighed nine hundred and forty-six pounds. Have various hindrances. 19. Some snow and rain. Meeting well attended. Preached with old notes on Ps. xxvii: 14, and on John i, etc. Wrote, Had no conference. Read. 20. Rode to Wapping, and visited two schools. They are larger than usual. Rogers, an Episcopalian of good character, has preached there lately several times. ' Stoddard & Moseley Ellsworth. * It has been a prosperous year in this ^ George Goodwin. respect, and he is to have one more wedding ' Joseph Rockwell was married to Han- before the year closes, nah Grant, both of Wapping. s Seth P. Staples, Esq. l8l9-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 805 21. Rode to Simsbury and attended ministers' meeting. Mr. Kelloo-T, of Northington, joined us. Other neighboring ministers were present. Cold, 22. We had a verj' good ministers' meeting. Rode to Windsor. Paid for dressing-cloth, ^3.25. Rode to Hartford and home. Very pleasant and good riding. Paid Imlay at Hartford, $25.10. Paid Caleb Goodwin, $1.50. 23. Wrote on Tytler. Assisted in examining two school-masters. Capt. Hall, of Wapping, brought me a valuable load of wood.' Hindered by company. 24. Mr. Wolcott is very low with his nervous gloom. Wet and rainy. Visited a district and our academic school. Read. Wrote. 25. Wrote a sermon on my long discourse on John i, etc. Am troubled with many worldly and unholy inclinations. 26. The morning very cold. Thermometer at 8°. Expounded on Mark i: 1-18, and preached a sermon written yesterday. At evening attended a conference. Pretty thin. After which performed a marriage.^ 27. Read. Worked some. Wrote to Mr. Staples, of New Haven. Vis- ited the Long Hill school. At evening visited at Dr. Tudor's.^ Ther- mometer this morning 15°. Received from a shoemaker a new pair of slipjDers. The first I ever had. 28. Thermometer 22°. Visited the last school. Rode to the hither part of East Hartford and attended a funeral. Very windy and tedious. Wrote. 29. Thermometer 18°. Severe cold. Rode to Hartford. Paid for re- pairing our carriage, $r.oo. The ground very hard frozen. At evening walked out. Read. 30. Thermometer 10°. Wrote a recommendation of Mather's Magnalia for a printer."* Read some dramatic plays. The afternoon and evening we had a violent snow-storm. Severe cold for snow. Wrote. 31. Thermometer 8°. The snow is nearly a foot deep, but much drifted. Very windy and tedious. The snow flies ver)' much. Wrote on Tytler. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture on Matt, xiii : 25. Had very few hearers. With regard to weather for this year there has been but a small portion of wet, and very little cloudy weather. I think I never knew so pleasant a season. God is constantly supplying us with unmerited favors. ' Capt. Hall, of Wapping, has done this in Hartford, by Silas Andrus, in the summer same thing several times before. of 1820, a most important publication ; for = John Brown and Beulah Johnson were copies of the first edition, printed in Eng- the persons united in marriage. land in 1701, had become so rare that it w.as ^ Dr. Elihu Tudor. almost impossible for scholars to possess ■* This was the preface for the edition of themselves of the work. Now it is widely Cotton Mather's Magnalia, which was issued scattered abroad. I 18230. Jani ary. 1. The new year opens upon us distinguished with the great mercies of God. Endeavored to devote myself to him for the present year in a life of godliness, self-denial, and usefulness. Got my sleigh and harness repaired, $1.20. Wrote a sermon on Acts xxvi : 22. Wrote five pages in the evening. I am too apt to be hindered by unnecessary things. Severe cold. Ther- mometer in the morning 11° below zero. Several degrees colder than any time last winter. It rose during the day to about 20°. 2. Thermometer this morning 12° below zero. It rose very slowly. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Matt, xxiv : 31. Administered the sacrament. Had the exercises very short. The cold was very severe. The members of the church were well collected. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. Meeting pretty full. At evening attended the conference. Full notwithstanding the severity of the season. The Lord give us his blessing. 3. Thermometer 10°. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an infant child. Dined with the civil authority. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. It was quite full and interesting. I fear my green trees are much injured by the frost. 4. Had a new great coat cut by a tailor at Hartford so scant and short that I could not have it made. Mrs. Wolcott gave me the cloth. The tailor took it, and I got cloth for a new one. Rode to Hartford. Pretty good sleighing. Thermometer this morning 15°. Rode out and visited. Paid a post office bill, $3.45. It thaws some. 5. Thermometer 14°. Wrote on Tytler. The work is long and labo- rious. At evening my brother came here and tarried. He informed me that my good Uncle Isaac Le Baron ' is dead. He deceased with a short illness last week. But two of that numerous family now remain. 6. Thermometer 23°. My brother returned. He has a great deal of parochial labor. Wrote on Tytler. I fear I cannot bear as much study as I could years ago. My new great coat is a very good one. Paid a tailoress, .88. Lent Maj. Hayden, $25.00. 7. Thermometer 10° below zero. Mr. Wolcott is quite low. Wrote to my mother, giving her an account of the late death of her brother. I hope she may have the divine support. Rode out and visited. I have latterly too much neglected visiting. * Dr. Lazarus Le Baron by two wives had were Elizabeth, Dr. Robbins's mother, then fourteen children, of whom Isaac was the nearly seventy-five, and his uncle Lemuel, eighth. He was born in 1744, and was about pastor at Rochester, then about seventy- seventy-six years old. The two remaining three. 807 8o8 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1820, 8. Wrote on my long discourse on the divinity of Christ, sixteen pages. More than I ever wrote before in one day. Wrote eight pages by daylight, and eight in the evening. Finished at half after one. I thank God that I am able to study so much. The weather mild and pleasant. The snow thaws. 9. Wrote one page and finished my sermon on John i : 1-5. Preached it both parts of the day. The whole discourse contains ten sermons.' They have been heard, I think, with much interest. I pray God to give them his blessing. At evening attended the conference. Meetings pretty full. 10. Read. Worked at my newspapers. Wrote. The sleighing is poor. Lent Tudor $2.00. 11. Last night we had a good deal of snow. Wrote on Tytler. The weather is moderate. At evening walked out. Received a letter from my cousin, Mr. Russell," of Plymouth, giving an account of the death of my Uncle Le Baron. Received another from Mr. R. Newton, of Worcester.^ 12. Finished to my great joy my writing on Tytler. It has cost me more than half the labor of what I did last year. Rode to Hartford. Good sleigh- ing. Paid Gleason, $9.62. About $2.60 of this had been given me by a charitable society to purchase catechisms. 13. Rode out and visited. Rode to Warehouse Point and Windsor with Mr. Wolcott. Excellent sleighing and crossing the river. Thermometer this morning 14°. 14. Thermometer 8°. My best orange-tree was hurt last night. My neighbor, Mrs. Reed, presented me with a good comforter for a bed covering. Read. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Visited. 15. Thermometer 15°. Wrote a sermon on Rom. i: 28. Paid for my Mirror newspaper for a year, $2.00. 16. In the forenoon expounded on Mark i: 18, to the end. Preached on Rom. i : 28. Good sleighing and full meeting. I think I can gain time by rising early. Thermometer this morning S°. At evening attended the conference. 17. Prepared this almanack. We had a hard storm of snow and rain. It was quite violent. Wrote. Was out in the rain and took some cold. Wrote. 18. Wrote to my cousin, Mr. Russell,* of Plymouth, and to my mother. Walked out. I regret that I cannot find more time for visiting. 19. Thermometer 14°. Wrote on my catechism. I hope to be able to attend to it without much interruption. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott. Severe cold. My cold is pretty hard. 20. Wrote. Mr. Wolcott has considerable business at New Haven, and he and I concluded suddenly to ride there. Set out about noon, and got to New Haven at eight o'clock.' Excellent sleighing. Thermometer this morn- ing 2° below zero. * These sermons were published in Hart- ^ Rejoice Newton, Esq., of whom we have ford during the year 1820, making a little before spoken, treatise on the divinity of Christ. ♦ Mr. Nathaniel Russell. ^ Mr. Nathaniel Russell married Martha, ^ A little more than forty miles from Easi daughter of Isaac Le Baron. By reason of Wnidsor, south parish, to New Haven, by this marriage Dr. Robbins calls him cousin. the present carriage road. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 809 21. Did considerable business with Mr. Wolcott and for myself. Sold to Mr. T. Dwight four shares in Eagle Bank for $400.00, which he paid me. At the present time I think it fortunate. Received of the Eagle Bank a dividend of 530-00. Gave to the Education Society, $5.00, and to the Domestic Mis- sionary Society, $5.00. Paid Gen. Howe for books, $15.00. Mr. Wolcott, I think, must sustain loss by Potter. Paid for Plays, .87. Left New Haven about sundown, and rode to Meriden. The late storm was very severe at New Haven. 22. Early in the morning, and most of the forenoon, it snowed hard. Rode home. My cold is much increased by my journey. Read. Wrote. My thermometer yesterday morning was 1° below zero; today it was 15°. Wrote. The new snow, I think, is six or seven inches. 23. Thermometer about 10°. Preached with old notes on Tit. iii : 5. Much burdened with my cold. At evening attended the conference. Not so full as I hoped to see. 24. Thermometer in the morning 15°. In the evening it was at 6°. Worked some. The people at Wapping brought me six good loads of wood.' A fine present. Rode to West Hartford and back. Cold and tedious. Paid for two bushels of oats procured last summer, $1.00. 25. Thermometer 19°. Last evening wrote to Mr. C. Wells, at New Haven. Wrote on my catechism. Visited. Some among us are sick. Very pleasant for winter. 26. Weather quite moderate. Wrote. Have many interruptions. My two deacons called on me, and expressed their desire that my late sermons on the divinity of Christ might be published. It snowed some. 27. Wrote. Dined out. Visited. The thermometer rose to about 50°. The sleighing very fine. There is a heavy body of snow on the ground. 28. Wrote on my catechism. It is like to require more labor than I expected. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 29. Wrote the most of a sermon on 2 Cor. v: 17. Mr. Hawes, of Glaston- bury, lately dismissed, called on me. The thermometer goes but little below the freezing point. 30. Finished and preached both parts of the day, my sermon on 2 Cor. 5-17. At evening rode to Wapping, and preached at the north school-house on Acts iv: 12. Meeting there full. Yesterday a Wapping man brought me three bushels of oats. Thermometer was at about 50°. On the 25th Mr. Dixon,- who keeps Mr. Wolcott, was here. Mr. Wolcott has much trouble with his brother.^ 31. Last night it snowed. Quite blustering. Worked getting in wood. I fear I have lost some books by lending. Wrote. On the 29th received of my collector, $90.00. ' His gifts of wood came almost wholly ^ Dr. Robbins writes this name iJixon. from Wapping. This was probably because In the Wolcott Memorial volume it is spelled the people there thought they ought to make Dickson. The latter spelling is doubtless the some special return for the long journeys correct one. the minister had to make to attend iheir ^ Mr. William Wolcott, at Middlefield, meetings, their weddings, and funerals. Mass. 8lO DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. February. 1. Very cold and tedious. Rode to Hartford and met with the Associa- tion at Mr. Hawes's. I was scribe. After we had commenced our business, I had to come home to get the minutes of the last session which I had. Thermometer in the morning 2°, and at two o'clock 11°. Much colder in the middle of the day than any one this year. Mr. Porter' preached in the evening. 2. Thermometer this morning 4°. Paid the bank, $10,00. The roads are drifted. Severe cold. 3. Wrote. It snowed and rained considerably. Walked out and visited. My visiting is much in arrear. 4. Wrote on my catechism. Weather moderate. The snow is covered with a very sharp crust. The young people here had a ride, and Mr. Wolcott's four children^ were of the party. Rode to Wapping with the school visitors, and examined the condition of the South School, in which there has lately been an insurrection. We expelled two of the pupils. The district is in a poor state. 5. Wrote on my catechism. Attended the funeral of an infant child. The thermometer this morning was 8° below zero. Last night it grew cold very much. 6. Last evening the thermometer was at 12°, and this morning at sunrise 38°. The eaves run. It thawed much all day. Thermometer rose to 50°. Expounded on the second chapter of Mark. Preached an old sermon on Rev. iii : 17. At evening attended the conference. 7. Thermometer in the morning 38°. It snowed and thawed all day. Received a letter from my brother. Wrote. In the evening our monthly praj'er-meeting was very small. 8. Thermometer this morning 8° ; but it rose above 40°. Wrote. Yes- terday wrote to my brother. I get along slowly with my catechism.^ 9. It snowed steadily all day. We have an immense body of it on the ground. Wrote. 10. Worked shoveling snow. Thermometer at 2°. Wrote to Gen. Howe, of New Haven. Afternoon rode to Windsor with Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott, Returned in the evening in a very thick snow-storm. Had difficulty in keep- ing the road. Not very cold. 11. The snow of last night is perhaps a foot deep, and much drifted. People are generally out breaking roads. It is said there is more than three feet of snow on the ground, and very heavy. The thermometer in the morn- ing was 5°, but rose to 40°, Received a letter from Cornelius Wells, at New Haven. Wrote considerably. ' Rev. Noah Porter, D. D., Farmington. could be better than the Assembly's Shorter * Frances, Ursula, Tudor, and Eveline. Catechism, and the children generally on ' We know but little about this catechism Sundav, and in the week-day schools, were as yet, what is its purpose and its plan. instructed in it. Probably Dr. Robbins's cate- Most people in that age thought nothing chism had a different range and object. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 8ll 12. Theripometer 14°, and rose to 40°. The roads in many places are said to be impassable. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ex. xxxii : 9-14. Have been veiy much in my chamber this week, \^'rote. 13. Finished and preached all day my sermon on Ex. xxxii : 9-14. The thermometer rose to 60°. It thaws, and the snow settles ver}' much. The walking is so bad that I had no conference. Wrote letters to Mr. Foot,' Member of Congress, to Gen. Sterling," of Salisbury, to Mr. Staples,' of New Haven, and to Mr. Gillett," of South Hadley. 14. The thermometer goes very little below the freezing point. It rose above 50°. Rode to Wapping and visited. The instructor of their South School has been obliged to leave it. The district is in a bad state. Wrote. 15. Rode to Northington and attended ministers' meeting at Mr. Kel- logg's.* The sleighing is very bad. It thaws very much, and the snow is very deep. I preached on Ex. xxxii : 9-14. This congregation appear well. We had a pleasant and useful meeting. At Hartford paid my annual tax to the Agricultural Society, $1.00. Renewed my note at the bank. 16. Read a part of my catechism to the meeting. Rode home. It rained a good deal. We had a number of showers. Got considerably wet. The mass of snow retains the water ; the streams do not rise much. The water in the road in many places is quite deep. Traded considerably. The ther- mometer yesterday was at 60°, today above 50°. Paid for a donation, $1.25. For six hat cases, $1.00. \\'rote. 17. Wrote on my catechism. Quite rainy. Worked some. Got my feet very wet. Read. 18. Wrote. The water seems to get into the ground,^ which is a great favor in its present dry state. The feelings of the country are highly excited by the present debate in Congress on the subject of slavery. It is shameful.^ 19. Wrote a sermon on Prov. i: 31. Thermometer this morning 19°. I hope to write more sermons this year than I have done in the last two. 20. Quite wet. Meetings thin. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Acts iii : 21. Afternoon on Prov. i: 31. At evening attended the conference. 21. Read. Hindered by little things. Walked out and visited. Frances is very unwell with a severe affection in the head. Received a letter from my brother.^ His nervous headache is very burdensome. 22. Warm. Wrote on my catechism. Have many interruptions. I get along slowly. 23. Wrote. Rode out and visited. The sleighing grows poor. I think ' Hon. Samuel A. Foot, of Cheshire, son * Such a thick covering of snow takes the of Rev. John Foot, M. C, 1819-1821 and frost out of the ground by allowing the inter- 1S23-1S25. nal heat of the earth to act upon it. ^ Gen. Elisha Sterling, a graduate of Yale, ^ This year, 1820, was the year of the 1787, a prominent lawyer in Salisbury, Ct. Missouri Compromise and the great debate ^ Seth P. Staples, Esq. on the admission of Missouri as a slave * Mr. Gillett, probably a lawyer. State, which was effected Feb. 28, 1S21. 5 Rev. Bela Kellogg. * Rev. Francis Le B. Robbins, of Enfield. I 8l2 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [182O, some of our society jDrospects are favorable. Yesterday Dea. Loomis brought me a written request, with about thirty names, for the publication of my sermons on the divinity of Christ.' 24. Wrote. Rode to Windsor and preached a singing-lecture on Ezra iii : 14. Mr. Rowland is unwell. Had to cross at Hartford. 25. Visited all day. We have a number of persons that are sick. Wrote a will for a young woman. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. The snow wastes but slowly. 26. Wrote. Read. Towards evening rode to Enfield to exchange with my brother. Quite wet. The sleighing is poor. 27. My brother rode early to East Windsor. Wet and some of the time it rained hard. Meetings thin. Ecclesiastical matters here appear well. Preached on Job xxvii : 8, and Ex. xxxii : g-14. At evening rode home. Found Mr. Battell here. He came up from Hartford this evening. There is a great deal of water on the ground. 28. Assisted in examining a school-master for Wapping. My brothers^ went away. Rode to Hartford in a carriage. We might have gone much better in a sleigh. There is still a great body of snow. Received a letter and a bundle of useful books from Howe & Spaulding, of New Haven. 29. Maj. Hayden paid me $25.00, borrowed. Last night it became cold. Thermometer this morning 20°. Read. Wrote. Paid Mr. Wolcott, $209.66, for two shares in the Hartford Bank which he paid for some years ago, and which stand in my name. Paid him $200.00 on a note which lie holds against me. Wrote to Howe & Spaulding, of New Haven, and to Dr. Beecher, of Litchfield.^ Visited. Cold and tedious. March. 1. Wrote on my catechism the book of Deuteronomy.* Thermometer this morning 20°. Dr. McClure is quite unwell. Wrote late. 2. Last night it snowed considerably. Thermometer 13°. Wrote to Cornelius Wells, at New Haven. W^rote on my catechism. Very tedious and blustering. Walked out. Filed my last year's letters. 3. Thermometer this morning 4°. Wrote on my catechism. Hindered by company. Visited. The sleighing pretty good. 4. Last night there was considerable snow. Thermometer about 20°. Wrote a sermon on i John iii : 9. Wrote quite slow. Received a letter from C. Wells, at New Haven. 5. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. Ixiii : 20. After- noon preached on i John iii : 9. Meetings quite full. At evening attended the conference. Thermometer rose to near 60°. ' As we have already stated, these ser- East Hampton, L. I., in iSio. He was set- mons were published in this year 1S20. tied in East Hampton, 179S-1810. ^ His own brother Francis, and his brother "This remark shows that his catechism by marriage, Mr. Joseph Battell. was of a Scriptural form, designed apparently ^ 1 )r. Lyman LJetcher had now been in to take a general survey of the several Litchfield ten years, having come there from books. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 813 6. Wrote. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an aged woman,' who died suddenly in the road. Rainy. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. Dr. McClure is quite poor. 7. Rode to Hartford, The weather very cold and rough. The great question respecting slavery is finally lost in Congress, probably through bribery. A great frown of a righteous providence. The revised edition of Tytler is published. 8. Wrote. Walked and visited. We had constant hail all day. In the evening the young people here had a dramatic exhibition. 9. Quite cold. The hail continued all day. Began to write off my ser- mons on the divinity of Christ for the press. Dr. McClure fails, and his disease '^ increases. 10. Wrote on my sermons. Rainy. Worked some. Do but little in my studies to what I ought. 11. Began to write a sermon on Ps. Ixxxiv : ii. Mr. Hawes, of Hartford, sent a messenger to me wishing me to exchange tomorrow. Concluded to go. Wrote on my copying. Had company. At evening rode to Hartford. Very cold. The ground is mostly covered with ice. 12. Mr. Hawes rode to East Windsor, and returned after meeting. Preached on Prov. i: 31, and Ex. xxxii : 9-14. Preached at the conference on I John iii : 9.^ Heard of the death of the British king,"* and his son, the Duke of Kent.* Rode home late. The thermometer this morning was 10°. Yesterday and today have been severe cold. 13. Much fatigued with my labor yesterday. Visited the sick. Visited a school. Read. 14. Wrote to Mr. Staples, of New Haven. Wrote on my copying. Quite rainy. Hindered by unprofitable company. Mr. Cook, of Orford, was married yesterday* at Hartford. 15. Rode to Enfield. Rode to Suffield, etc. At evening performed a marriage in the lower part of Scantick. My brother took some black cloth of me which I lately procured, for which he is to pay me $11.00. The sleighing is pretty good. There is a plenty of snow. 16. Wrote to Dr. Park,' of Providence, for Mrs. McClure.^ Visited a ' Mrs. Editha Bidwell, aged seventy-eight. monies of his coronation did not take place ^ His disease was dropsy on the chest. till July 19, 1821. 3 Whenever Dr. Robbins exchanges at * It will be remembered that he lost his Hartford, they get three sermons from him. wife some time before, and that Dr. Robbins * George the III, died Jan. 29, 1820, after attended her funeral, a reign of nearly sixty years, the longest ^ Dr. Calvin Park, Professor in Brown reign in British history. The reign next in University. He received his degree of D. D. length is that of Henry III. two years before. He was the father of Dr. ' The Duke of Kent was the fourth son Edwards A. Park, of Andover Seminary, of George III, and was born in 1767. He * He wrote for Mrs. McClure. It will be was created Duke of Kent in 1799. He was remembered that the Mrs. McClure of that the father of Victoria, the present Queen of day had only been Dr. McClure's wife a England. He died just before his father, few months. She was Mrs. Betsey Martin, Jan. 23, 1820. George IV succeeded his of Providence, and perhaps a relative of Dr. father, immediately, of course, but the cere- Park. 8l4 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [182O. school. Visited. Dolly Elmer, apparently near dying with a consumption, has the most comforting views of divine things, and a great confidence that God will visit this people with his rich grace. The Lord grant that there may be no obstacle to his mercy. 17. Wrote transcribing my sermons. Rode out and visited. Visited the sick. Pretty poor sleighing. 18. Began a sermon on Acts XV : 9. Have many hindrances. Catechised a school. Dr. McClure fails fast. I fear he will not live long. Warm. Yesterday and today received of Deacon Loomis for the society, collected on a subscription, ^71.00. 19. Was not able to finish the sermon begun yesterday. In the forenoon expounded on the third chapter of Mark. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Peter iii : 11. Dr. McClure and Miss Elmer were prayed for, as near death. Meeting full. At evening had a solemn conference. On Friday Dr. McClure requested me to preach at his funeral, in case of his decease.' Visited him. 20. Mr. Wolcott and Capt. BisselP went off to New Haven. Warm. Thermometer rose to 60°. The snow thaws fast, but it is very solid. Read. Wrote. Dr. McClure is very low, and very much distressed for breath. 21. Last night it rained considerably. The sleighing is about gone. Afternoon attended the funeral of an aged woman, who died suddenly. Visited the sick and others. Cold. Wrote. 22. Wrote copying my sermon. Do something in instruction. Rode out and visited. It is a great favor to us to have the snow go off moderately, 23. Mr. Wolcott returned last night. He has got his claim at New Haven settled. For his endorsement of the note of $1,500, he has lost about $500.00. Visited a school. Attended the examination of our academy. At evening preached a lecture in the hither part of East Hartford by desire of Mr. Fair- child. There is an unusual disposition there to attend meetings, and the Baptists are laboring for proselytes. Preached with old notes on Matt. XXV : I, 2. Tarried out. 24. Much fatigued with yesterday's labor. Visited. Very warm. Ther- mometer rose to 63°. Wrote. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. The road quite muddy. 25. Was in the woods the most of the day with Mr. Wolcott, getting timber. Thermometer was about 70°. The snow goes off very fast. Dr. McClure appears to be a little better. 26. Preached an old sermon on Prov, xiii : 15, Very warm. The ther- mometer rose to 83°.^ In the afternoon wore no out coat. The ground settles remarkably fast. We have rode to meeting twelve Sabbaths in suc- cession, with a plenty of snow ; it is now good going with a carriage. Full meeting. At evening attended the conference. Very tired. ' This shows that all alienation, if any ^ Here is a fine illustration of the hot had existed between the two men, was days which we often have in March, and ended. sometimes even in the closing days of Feb- ' Abiel Wolcott and Capt. Aaron Bissell. ruary. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 8lC 27. Went into the woods with Mr. Wolcott. Rode to Wapping and visited a school. Wrote a will for a man at Wapping. Received a letter from my sister. 28. Rode to Hartford. The river is high. The Federalists have consider- able hope relative to the approaching election. Paid for a bedstead at auction, $1.06. Quite cool. Read. Dr. McClure appears to be some better. Much fatigued with late labors. 29. Rode into the woods. Visited Tudor's school. They have done very well. Quite cold and dry. The ground is generally dry. 30. Worked some setting out a large elm. Paid a laborer, .38. Last night it froze quite hard. The thermometer this morning was about 15°. Began a sermon for the Fast on Jer. xxix : 12, 13. Wrote pretty slow. Was hindered the most of the forenoon. 31. Fast. Finished my sermon begun yesterday, and preached with it both parts of the day. Attended the funeral of Dolly Elmer.' She died on the 29th. Her Christian comforts, of late, have been very great. Her happi- ness was rather possession than prospect. Meetings very full and solemn. The Lord give me his blessing. In the afternoon exercise referred to the approaching communion. Cold and very tedious wind. April. Princess v\lexandrina Victoire, daughter and only child of the late Duke of Kent, fourth son of George HI, presumptive heir of the crown of Great Britain, born May 24th, 1819. The Duke died January 23d, aged fifty-three; and the King, January 29th of this year. Born May 24th, O. S., 1738. Succeeded to the throne Oct. 25th, 1760.^ 1. Visited the sick. Dr. McClure is much more poor.^ Read. Set out some spruce trees. Am quite feeble. I fear I am not agoing to be able to study as nmch as I have done. Com. Decatur has been lately killed in a shameful duel.'' 2. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on i Thess. ii : 10. Administered the sacrament. I'he church full and solemn. Spoke of the expected death of the senior pastor. Afternoon joreached an old sermon on Matt, xxiii : 37, 38. Meeting quite full. Cold. In the evening was with Dr. McClure ; he received a portion of the sacramental elements which had been brought to him, attended with prayer. His distress for breath, at times, is very great. 3. The Freemen's Meeting was at Scantick. I did not attend. Votes, as I am informed. Federalist, 242; Democratic, 161. The majority much less than last year. Wrote. Am pretty feeble. Read. Mr. Stebbins* came * Miss Dolly Elmer, aged thirty-four. of 181 2, was drawn into a controversy with ^ In this condensed paragraph, Dr. Rob- Commodore James Barron, and a duel was bins has set down the facts which we have the consequence, fought March 22, 1820, in given in previous notes. which Decatur was mortally wounded, and ^ That is, much worse, as we should now Barron severely wounded, say. ^ Samuel Stiles Stebbins, his theological * Commodore Stephen Decatur, greatly student, and a graduate of Yale College in honored for his gallant conduct in the War 1816 8l6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [182O. here again to study. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. The Lord help me to keep covenant with him. Our evening meeting was full. 4. Wrote. Afternoon visited a school. Visited. Quite cool. 5. Wrote transcribing my sermons. Rode to Hartford. The late Free- men's Meeting appears to have issued unfavorably.' Paid for a share in Hartford Bank, $97.00. Cold. Dr. McClure is more comfortable. 6. Wrote on my transcribing. It snowed some. I think I cannot write as fast as I used to do. 7. Visited. Rode to Wapping and visited a school. I have difficulty in getting the assistance of the other visitors. Afternoon it snowed quite hard. It was so stormy that we had no evening prayer-meeting. I have now visited all of our night schools twice the present season. 8. Wrote on a sermon begun some time since on Acts xv : 9. Quite cold. There was a good deal of snow this morning, but it mostly went off. Dr. Parsons, of Amherst,^ and his daughter, dined here. 9. Finished and preached my sermon on Acts xv : 9. At evening attended the conference. Quite cold. The ground is ver)- dry, and vegeta- tion seems not to advance. 10. My official labors seem to affect me more of late than has been usual. Rode to Orford to see a member of our church, who has conducted badly. Did not see him. Offences will come. Read. 11. Went into the woods with Mr. Wolcott to look for timber. He is much depressed with a nervous dejection. I easily get fatigued. Visited. 12. Had to go again into the woods. I ver}- much regret having to be so employed. Mr, Wolcott is so low it seems to be in a sense necessary, and I hope it is beneficial to my health. Read the Bible. I find it necessary for me to retire to bed early. At evening a Baptist from Wethersfield preached at the school-house in this neighborhood. 13. Rode to Vernon and preached a singing-lecture. That is a ver}' good society. Preached on Ezra viii : 11. At evening preached a lecture without notes in the hither part of East Hartford on Matt, xviii : 3. The meeting was quite full. Much fatigued. 14. Wrote. I get along with my most important business but slowly. Am troubled with an unhappy difficulty in the church. 15. Wrote on a sermon begun some time ago. Dr. Flint came here wish- ing to exchange tomorrow. Dr. McClure is ver}' low. Quite cold. Paid a laborer, .34. 16. Rode to Hartford to exchange with Mr. Flint. He rode with my horse to East W^indsor, and returned after meeting. Preached on Acts xvi : 30, and Acts xvi : 31. In the intermission visited the Sabbath-school. ' Dr. Robbins's political hopes were all died three years later, at the age of seventy- the while clouded and dashed. four. His father, of the same name, was ^ David Parsons, D. D., had been pastor pastor of the same church, 1739-17S1. The of the First Church in Amherst, 17S2-1S20. ministries of the father and son covered He was then retiring from the ministry. He about eighty years. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 817 At evening preached at the conference on Prov. viii: 17. I think this society is improving. Cold. 17. This morning we had a very hard frost. Paid for a piece of beef, .75. Rode home early. Rode out and visited all day. At evening we settled, as 1 hope, a difficulty between some members of the church. Very tired. 18. Received a letter from a Mr. Eaton at Troy. Our ministers' meeting met here. Mr. Kellogg' preached; but four came. We were quite busy. Quite warm. 19. Yesterday we had our first shad. My brother went away in the fore- noon. The thermometer rose to 84°. The surface of the ground is very dry. Am very languid. Read the Battle of Bunker Hill^ 20. Walked out and visited. The heat very oppressive. The ther- mometer rose to 90°. Wrote. Saw blossoms on the daffas. At evening rode to the hither part of East Hartford and preached a lecture on 2 Cor. X : 4. 21. Walked and visited all day. Dr. McClure appears to be a little better. The ground very dry and dusty. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Tarried out. Thermometer about 85°. Took off my flannel. 22. Visited the most of the day. I find it necessary, having got in arrear in this duty. Cooler. Many people go to the occasional meeting of the Baptists.^ Read. 23. In the forenoon expounded on Mark iv : 1-20. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Acts xxiv : 25. At evening we had a copious and most refreshing shower. Because the Lord's mercies fail not. There was consid- erable thunder. Had no conference. Yesterday received a letter from Gov. Wolcott.'* Baptized a family.* 24. Vegetation is exceedingly refreshed by the shower. It advances rapidly. On Saturday saw apricot blossoms. Walked and visited all day. The Baptists are making great exertions to get an influence in the lower part of this town, and in the upper part of East Hartford. I hope God will help us. I hope there are some instances of seriousness among us. 25. Wrote. We had a good cutting of asparagus. Worked in the garden. Mr. Stebbins had a messenger come for him from Simsbury, who informed him that his uncle is very sick. He went off with him. Wrote to Mrs. Stebbins. Received a letter from Mr. Clark,* of Turkey Hills. Last Sabbath was very warm. Thermometer about 80°. Wore no out coat. Walked and visited. 26. Rode to Newgate. Conversed with the overseers of the prison re- ' Rev. Bela Kellogg, of Avon. Gov. Oliver Wolcott, Senior, moved from ^ Whose account of the battle he read East Windsor to Litchfield about the middle does not appear. of the previous century. ^ It was hard for a minister of the Stand- ^ The children were Alexander Lathrop, ing Order then to think charitably of other Elizabeth Prior, Delia Ann, and Mary Shep- denominations. herd, children of Alexander and Sarah Gay- * Gov. Oliver Wolcott, of Litchfield, but lord. ancestrally of East Windsor. His father, ^ Rev. Eber L. Clark. 8l8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. specting a chaplain. I hope to get Mr. Clark re-instated. Rode to Enfield and Scantick. There is a ministers' meeting at Mr. Bartlett's. Very tired. 27. Rode home. Received a letter from my good Uncle Starr.' In the evening preached in the hither part of East Hartford on Matt, ix : 9. Yester- day there was a Baptist meeting in the lower part of this town, and two of my neighbors, who have long been Bap:ists, and a girl of East Hartford, were baptized. I believe they expected to have had several more. 28. Rode to Hartford. Did a number of errands. The river has been pretty high for some time, supposed to be from northern snows. It is now falling. It is a good time for taking fish. Visited. Paid for peas for sowing, .63. 29. Wrote and finished a sermon, begun some time since, on Ps. Ixxxiv : 11. Wrote quite slow. Dr. McClure appears to be some better. Dry and cool. T,o. In the morning wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Rom. v: 12. Afternoon the sermon finished yesterday. Meeting quite full and attentive. I am apt to preach too long. At evening the Baptists had a meet- ing in this neighborhood. Wrote. Have latterly had some considerable headache after preaching. I have some fears for my health. Will the Lord be my holy helper. * May. 1. Visited the sick. Rode to Wapping and attended a training. Quite warm. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. It was pretty thin. Dr. McClure appears to be getting better. 2. Rode to New Haven ^ in the afternoon. The roads very dust}-. Quite cold. The season is unusually forward. Saw people planting. 3. Election. Carried the Governor a copy of old Gov. Wolcott's^ manu- script history,* etc. There was a great collection of people, but the most of them from the town and vicinity. We did not get into the meeting-house till half after two. Mr. Cushman^ performed better than was expected. The clergy had a good dinner at the college hall.* Saw Mr. Battell. At evening heard Dr. McEwen, of New London, preach.' Very tired. 4. Conversed with Representatives respecting the Newgate chaplain. Purchased some valuable books. Rode home. On my way married a couple in East Hartford.^ The dust very oppressive. The apple-tree blossoms begin ' Rev. Peter Starr, of Warren, Ct. Hartfm-d County, ConmcticiU, in the chapter ^ This was the year for the Legislature to on South Windsor. meet in New Haven, instead of Hartford. = j^g^. Elisha Cushman, Baptist minister 3 Old Governor Wolcott was Roger Wol- of Hartford. The Standing Order furnished cott, Colonial Governor of Connecticut, 1751 most of the election preachers, as otiier -1754, and Major-General of h^" army at the denominations were small, capture of Louisburg. «> This was the hall in Yale College, "* The manuscript history means probably where the students boarded in commons, the history of his own life, which is a quaint ^ Yi\. Abel McEwen, of New London, and graphic record. It has since been pub- He was one of the strong and able preachers lished, and large portions of it may be found of Connecticut. in the Wolcott Memorial, and extracts may ^ Joseph Dolliver and Levina Richardson, also be found in the forthcoming History of of East Hartford. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. glQ to appear below and here. Our State government is losing very much the confidence of the people. There is a great want of rain. 5. Wrote. Looked over new books. Am much fatigued by my exer- tions. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite cool. 6. Wrote. Am much debilitated. I think I cannot study as much as I have done in times past. Read. 7. Preached an old sermon on Rom. v: i. Weather unpleasant, but pretty full meeting. We had our missionary contribution, which fell much short of past years. We got $31.75 There was one bill of $5.00, one of $3.00, one of $2.00, four of $1.00, and one hundred and eleven pieces of silver. The failure was in the large contributions. At evening attended the conference. Dr. McClure is more poor.' 8. Visited the sick. Rode to Wapping and visited a man very low. Wrote to my brother. Read a proof-sheet of my sermons on the divinity of Christ. 9. Visited. Rode to Hartford. The ground is very dry. The apple- trees have a full blowth. Wrote. An infant child died here last week in my absence. 10. Wrote copying my sermons. Worked in my garden. Dined at old Mrs. Griswold's with her two brothers and others. The ages of those three are eighty-seven, eighty-five, and eighty-three.'^ Hot and very dusty. All fruit-trees have a heavy blowth. Wrote a petition to be presented to the Assembly in behalf of Newgate. 11. Rode to Hartford. Attended the meeting of the Connecticut Bible Society, and the Ministers' Annuity Society. They were thinly attended. It was wet and rainy the most of the day. The rain is very refreshing. My brother and his wife came here and returned. At evening preached in the hither part of East Hartford on Num. x : 29. Yesterday the Baptists baptized five persons in the lower part of this town. Three of them belonged in East Hartford, and two here. I fear others will be led astray. In God is our hope. 12. Visited a young woman very low, and wrote a will for her.^ On the 6th wrote one for Dr. Tudor.* Wrote for the printers. Thermometer 86°. 13. Wrote for the printers. Visited a young woman almost in a dying state. We had some rain. Vegetation revives. Dr. McClure is quite feeble. On the nth the lilacs were in full bloom. The season is forward. On the loth wrote to my Uncle Starr. Wrote. Do not find time to write sermons as I anxiously wish. * An awkward mode of expression, we noc, and widow of Mr. Thomas Griswold. should now say. But custom seems often to Her two brothers were Dr. Elihu Tudor, make crooked things straight. often mentioned in our notes, and Mr. Sam- - Reference has been made once before uel Tudor. Dr. Elihu Tudor, was born Feb. to these three members of one family, but 3, 1733; Rhoda Tudor was born Feb. 25, we were not able then to explain the refer- 1735; Samuel Tudor was born June 22, 1737. ence. We have since ascertained that Mrs. ^ Miss Sally Moore, twentj'-three years of Griswold was Mrs. Rhoda (Tudor) Griswold, age. daughter of Rev. Samuel Tudor, of Poquon- * Dr. Elihu Tudor. 820 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [lo20. 14. In the forenoon expounded on Mark iv: 21, to the end. Afternoon preached an old sermon on jer. 1 : 5. The meeting very full and solemn. I think we have certainly the tokens of the special influences of divine grace among us. The Lord work abundantly for the glory of his own holy name. At evening had a full conference. May God help us all to pray. 15. Rode and visited the sick and others all day. Rode to Wapping. At evening visited a man and his wife under very serious impressions. Much fati-^ued. Received a letter from my brother James, and one from my cousin W. Lawrence.' 16. Visited a woman rejoicing in a new Christian hope. How great are God';; mercies. Visited the sick. We had a very refreshing rain. Wrote. WrOiC to R. I. Ingersoll," New Haven. 17. Wrote for the printers. Visited. Vegetation is very much revived. Worked some. 18. In the morning we had a pretty hard shower. Rode to New Haven, Saw a number of acquaintance among the Representatives. 19. In the morning prayed with the two Houses of the Assembly, at the request of Mr. Taylor.^ Presented to them a petition requesting a grant for the continuance of a chaplaincy at Newgale, and the appointment of Mr. Clark. Could not get it acted on through the day. There are some very miserable characters in the Assembly. Mr. Battell is here as a member. Received of Gen. Howe, $151.00, and a note of $450.00, dated back, for six shares of Eagle Bank stock, which he sold for me last Februar)\ Paid him for books, $20.00. Purchased Cave's Lives,'- which he imported for me, a very valuable work. Kindly treated by members of the Assembly. Called on Mr. Taylor. 20. Yesterday afternoon and through the night we had a hard rain. This morning my petition was attended to by the House, and well advocated. I was admitted to the bar of the House, and spoke on the subject. But it was opposed by the most corrupt Democrats with great violence.^ They continued the grant, but would not appoint Mr. Clark. God is holy in afflicting our State with such depraved rulers. Left New Haven at eleven o'clock, and rode home. The streams are much raised. The river is high. Sally Moore ' This was William Lawrence, son of Grove and Elizabeth (Robbins) Lawrence, born in Paris, N. Y.. June 28, 1801, and adopted by Mr. Joseph Battell and his wife in February, 1806. In iS3ohe married Caro- line Augusta Rockwell. He died Feb. 22, 1867. * Hon. Ralph I. Ingersoll, a very promi- nent lawyer in New Haven. He was gradu- ated at Yale in 1808, was Member of Con- gress, 1825-1833, and was made Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia by President Polk in 1S46. ^ Dr. Nathaniel W. Taylor, then pastor of Center Church, New Haven. * Dr. William Cave, to whom we have before referred, was a celebrated divine and scholar, born at Pickwell, Leicestershire, in 1637. He was an extensive author, but those writings which Dr. Robbins especially prized, and which he purchased, were his Lives of the Early Christian Fathers. ' There is no doubt that the Democrats of Connecticut about that time, whether justly or unjustly, did especially hate the " Standing Order," the Ccmgregationalists, 1820.1 PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 82 1 has died in my absence.' Very much fatigued. I do not regret my labor and expense in going to New Haven. 21. Preached with considerable extempore additions an old sermon on Jer. viii: 20. Attended the funeral of Miss Moore. We had a solemn day. At evening had a full and attentive conference. The Lord give us his blessing. Something wet. Received a letter from my Uncle Starr. 22. Last night and this we had a good deal of rain. The ground now is finely wet. Wrote. Wrote to my brother. At evening attended a confer- ence near the meeting-house. No public notice had been given, yet it was quite full. I hope it may be the first of a succession, with the special approba- tion of divine grace. 23. Wrote another will for Dr. Tudor, which I hope will be the last.* Warm. Thermometer 87°. Wrote on my book catalogue and other things. 24. Wrote for the printers. Rode to Hartford. Paid the bank, $18.43. Paid for Ministers' Annuity Society, $5.00. Donation, .75. At evening there was a large Baptist meeting here. Our people attend surprisingly. I feel alarmed at the prospect. Our hope is in the mercy of God alone. 25. Hindered by company. A very growing season. Last evening received a letter from Rev. Dr. Welch, of Mansfield.^ Wrote. At evening preached in the upper part of East Hartford on Luke xv : 17. The religious excitement in that neighborhood evidently abates. Tarried out. 26. In the forenoon we had a hard rain. Got quite wet. Read. Wrote to my mother. Sent her a bill of $5.00. At evening attended a prayer- meeting in this neighborhood, which I hope, by divine favor, may be long continued and blessed. Visited. Quite cold. 27. Wrote the most of a sermon on Isa. Ixiv : 8. Have a steady fire in my chamber. Wrote pretty slow. 28. In the morning there was considerable frost. Late, in the morning Mr. Hooker,* a young preacher at Hartford, came here very urgent for exchange. Rode to Hartford and preached to Mr. Hawes's people in the forenoon on Ps. Ixxxiv : 11. Returned at noon as I thought I ought to do. Mr. Hooker did the same. Preached in the afternoon on Isa. Ixiv : 8. On account of my interruption in the morning my sermon was not completed. At evening had a full conference. Our afternoon conference was very full and solemn. Spoke on the subject of a Sabbath-school, and recommended that one be established here as in other societies.* ' The young woman already mentioned, '• Probably Rev. Horace Hooker, a grad- for whom he made the will. uate of Yale, 181 5, a man of fine culture, - Dr. Elihu Tudor, born in 1732, and now for a time tutor at Yale, afterward preach- about eighty-eight years old, had passed ing for a few years as pastor, then secretary through a strange variety of fortunes, and of the Connecticut Home Missionary So- probably, from Dr. Robbins's expression, ciety. had fallen into the habit of writing his will ' This was about the time when Sabbath- over very frequently. schools were organized all over New Eng- 3 Rev. Moses C.Welch, D. D., pastor at land From 1817 to 1820 thousands of schools North Mansfield, Ct., 1784-1824. were organized throughout the land. 822 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. 29. Very much fatigued by my abundant labors. Read Sully's' Memoirs. Mr. Stebbins came here. His uncle is very low. Attended a church meeting, and a meeting to make preparation for a Sabbath-school. Appointed a com- mittee to make the necessary arrangements. Showery, At evening attended the conference. Received of Dea. Loomis, for the society, $9.00. 30. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick. Had company. At evening expected to have had a meeting at Long Hill, but was prevented by a hard thunder-shower. Wrote. 31. It rained all last night. The ground is very wet. Rode out and visited. Have to do a great deal to counteract the Baptists,^ Wrote. I have closed a laborious spring. June. 1. Wrote on a question for the Association. Gave a poor man, .50. Visited. At evening preached a lecture at Long Hill on Luke xvi : 5. I hope the Baptist influence among us is not increasing. Very pleasant after the rains. Much fatigued. 2. Rode to Hartford with Mr. Wolcott. Assisted in looking out lumber. Quite warm. Wrote. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Full and solemn. We have a prospect of an addition to our church. 3. Last night tarried out. Spent most of the day in visiting. I thought it duty to do it, though I wanted to be in my study. I am pretty languid, and cannot labor as I wish. Read, Thermometer 86°. 4. In the forenoon expounded on Mark v. Preached in the afternoon an old sermon on Heb. vi : 6. Had a full and attentive conference. I fear that my strength will not be sufficient for my labors. 5. Paid $10,00, on a subscription made some time since, to preserve a young man in the north society from being sent to Newgate. Worked at lumber. Wrote. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Quite full and serious. Much fatigued. 6. Rode to West Hartland, and attended Association. The roads over the Hartland hills are very bad." Got there late. We examined and licensed a candidate, a Mr. Goodman." Quite cool. 7. We were very full of business. Yesterday left my sulky in the western part of Granby, and borrowed a horse and rode home.' The Baptists have baptized three persons today in the hither part of East Hartford, two of whom belonged here. They were Baptists before. ' Maximilien de Bethune, Duke of Sully, ■♦ Rev. Epaphras Goodman, afterwards one of the chief of the Court of Henry IV settled as colleague in 1S22 with Rev. S. J. of France. He was born Dec. 13, 1560, and Mills, of Torringford, and who remained there died Dec. 22, 1641, at the age of eighty-one. till 1836. Rev. Mr. Mills died, after a sixty- The later years of his life were employed in four years' ministry, in 1833. Mr. Goodman composing his Memoirs, which are celebrated. was a native of West Hartford, and a grad- ^TheTcisa small Baptist church now in uate of Dartmouth College in 1S16. South Windsor. s Because the roads were in such bad ^ Hartland is in the hill country of north- condition, as to mud, that it was hard for a west Connecticut. horse to draw any carriage over them. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 823 8. The Baptists act very badly. I am much distressed about it, but desire to put my trust in a holy God, At evening preached in the hither part of East Hartford on i Peter iv: i8. The meetings there grow thinner. Wrote. Worked some at lumber. 9. Rode to Hartford with Dea. Reed, and procured books for our Sabbath-school. Very warm. The roads have become quite dusty. Exam- ined three persons for our communion. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. We had a refreshing shower. Very much fatigued. ID. Wrote on my sermons for the printers. The first day I have had at home for some time. Am quite languid. Have needless hindrances. We had considerable rain. 11. Our Sabbath-school was organized in the morning before meeting.' Attended it a little while. Preached an old sermon on Isa. i : 28. Meeting in the afternoon very full. At evening had a very full conference. Spoke from a text ; quite poorly. Very much fatigued. 12. It is now twelve years since I came here to this town. Walked and visited. Gave a sick woman, $1.00. Wrote. At evening attended a conference. 13. Wrote copying my sermons. Showery. Visited. Dr. McClure is quite feeble. 14. Wrote. Very warm. Thermometer 92°. Rode to Warehouse Point with Mr. Wolcott. He sold to Gen. Jencks'^ his share in the Ellsworth farm,^ He loses in that debt about $700.00. Got home late. 15. Wrote. Visited. I hope God will protect us from the machinations of the Baptists. Thermometer 90°. We had a shower. At evening preached at Long Hill on Col. i : 19. My lungs are weak. The ground is wet. Wrote to Messrs. Blake & Cunningham,'' Boston. Received a letter from my brother informing that my mother is at Enfield. 16. Wrote. Read. Quite warm. Am very languid. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Hear of new instances of special seriousness. 17. Wrote the most of a sermon on Isa. v : 4. I study pretty poorly. Dr. McClure sensibly fails. Have many unnecessary interruptions. 18. Preached in the forenoon on Zech. xii : 10, with old notes. Afternoon on Isa. V : 4. My sermon was not quite completed. At evening had a full and solemn conference. Spoke in the same manner as preaching. Our Sabbath-school appears encouraging. Not so tired as on last Sabbath. 19. Worked some. Rode to Enfield and saw my mother. Expected to have brought her here, but she was not ready to come. Visited. At evening attended our conference. Very warm. ' A very large number of the Sabbath- tion of the farm which fell to him in the schools of New England were organized in settlement of claims against the estate, he 1820." sold to Gen. Jenks. This farm was prob- * Gen. Charles Jenks. ably in what is known as Rye Street, East 3 This was the farm of Moseley & Stod- Windsor, for there Messrs. Moseley and dard Ellsworth, who had recently failed. Mr. Stoddard Ellsworth had their residences. Wolcott was surety for them, and the por- * Blake & Cunningham. 824 DIARY OF REV. THOiMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. 20. Wrote for the printers. Thermometer 92°. Rode to Hartford. Did a number of errands. Wrote to Mr. Battell. 21. Rode into the woods with Mr. Wolcott. My brother's wife brought my mother here.' She is i^retty feeble. The heat very severe. Thermom- eter 97°. Have some pain in my teeth. Dr. McClure is very low. In- spected a proof-sheet. 22. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick. Visited serious persons. My mother is pretty feeble. The heat almost insupportable. The thermometer for about two hours in the afternoon was at 101°. As high as any time last summer. Can do but little on account of the heat. 23. Rode to Wapping and attended a funeral. Visited. The heat a little abated. Thermometer about 93°. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. A man at Wapping has lately had his arm amputated by jointing the wrist. 24. Yesterday paid a man for a wheelbarrow lately sent to Mr. Battell, ^6.00. Rode and visited the sick. We have several in a critical state. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Dr. McClure is very low, and apparently near his end. Began to write a sermon in reference to his death on Eccles. ix : i.^ Ther- mometer 91°, The ground has become very dry. 25. In the forenoon expounded on Mark vi : 1-29. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Ps. cxlii: 7. Mother attended in the afternoon. During the afternoon service Dr. McClure deceased. We had in the afternoon a most grateful and reviving shower. It rained moderately some hours, before which the heat and dust uere very oppressive. Thermometer 95°. Visited a sick child. At evening attended the conference. Am pretty feeble. 26. Feel languid. The weather is exceedingly refreshed by the showers. Our joiners came here to work on the new house. Wrote on my sermon on Eccles, ix: i. Excused myself from attending the conference, and wrote quite late. Received a letter from Dr. Whitman, and one from Silas Andrus,^ of Hartford. 27. On the 25th received three persons to the communion of the church. In the forenoon finished my sermon for the funeral of Dr. McClure.* The funeral was attended in the afternoon. Ten ministers and a great collection of people were present. Mr. Rowland* made the first prayer, Mr. Bartlett* ' Dr. Robbins's mother (Elizabeth Le of Cotton Mather's Magnalia, for which Dr. Baron, of Plymouth, Mass.) was now seventy- Robbins had written a preface, five years old, having been born in 1745. It ■♦ Dr. David McClure was born in Brook- was a long journey for one of her age. field, Mass., in 1749, was graduated in 1769, ^ The text chosen for Dr. McClure's was pastor at North Hampton, N. H., 1776- funeral sermon is somewhat singular. " P"or 1785; was sole pastor at East Windsor, all this I considered in my heart even to south parish, 1786-1809, and nominally col- declare all this, that the righteous, and the league pastor with Dr. Robbins, 1S09-1820. wise, and their works, are in the hand of His health was such in these last years that God: no man knoweth either love or hatred he performed very little ministerial labor, by all that is before them." ^ Rev. Henry A. Rowland, of Windsor. ^ Silas Andrus was about, as we have * Rev. Shubael Bartlett, of East Windsor, said, to publish the first American edition north parish. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 825 the last, and Dr. Flint' spoke at the grave. The weather very fine. I am very much fatigued. My mother rode to East Hartford. 28. Visited a sick child. Rode early, and went to Norfolk with my mother. She was pretty feeble. Had to make considerable stops. Arrived in the evening. She has made me a good visit. 29. The ground here is dr^'. The crops appear remarkably well. Dined at Mr, Battell's. His father and mother^ are here. Warm. Left Norfolk and rode to Canton. Tarried at a tavern. 30. Rode very early and got home about nine o'clock. Visited a sick child. The heat was very severe and oppressive all day. The air was still and languid. It was very warm all day. From about one to five the ther- mometer stood, with very little variation, at 99°. Preached a preparator)* lecture with old notes on i Pet. ii : 24. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. I have seldom seen people so much oppressed with the heat. Our meetings were thin. On the 28th received of the Hartford Bank, $15.00. July. 1. The heat very oppressive. Wrote. Could do but little. The ther- mometer in the afternoon rose to 100°. We had considerable thunder, but no rain. The ground is very dry. Read. Afternoon attended a funeral in the hither part of East Hartford,^ and preached on John vi : 48. 2. Cooler and a pretty good air. Preached on i Cor. x : 4, with old notes, and an old sermon on Mark ix : 44. Administered the sacrament. Our church, I think, not so full as sometimes. Received four members by letter. At evening attended our conference. Very much fatigued. Ther- mometer 91°. 3. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick woman. Visited a sick child. Am very languid. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Ther- mometer 92°. 4. Wrote for the printers. Afternoon attended the funeral of a child. The heat and dust very severe. Thermometer 94°. Have great reason to be humbled for my follies and corruptions. There appears to be more than, usual notice taken of our Independence.'* 5. Wrote for the printers; as much as I could in such severe heat. Thermometer 99°. The ground dries and scorches very much. My health, 1 think, is better than it has been. I am, however, troubled with my tremor in writing. 6. In the forenoon rode to Wapping and attended a funeral. The warm- est forenoon, I think, that we have had. The thermometer was at 90° before nine o'clock. A little after noon it was at 98°, when it was checked a little by a cloud that obscured the sun. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Carried. ' Dr. Abel Flint, of Hartford. East Windsor to Hartford, just after he = William and Martha (Mitchell) Battell, crosses the Podunk Valley. of Torringford, now advanced in life. • •* The Fourth of July isfar more generally 3 The hither part of East Hartford was kept as a holiday now than in the early years that portion which one enters, going from of the present century. 826 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. patterns to the furnace. At evening preached in the hither part of East Hartford on Prov. i: 24, 25, 26.' Thin meeting. After which rode to Wrap- ping and performed a marriage.^ Got home quite late. 7. Wrote. Am pretty feeble. Vegetation suffers very much with drought and heat. We had considerable thunder, but no rain. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Thermometer 94°. 8. Wrote. We have many signs of rain that disappoint us. Do not feel able to write a sermon. Read. Went into the water. Thermometer 93°. Have great occasion to lament and condemn myself for my follies and corruptions. 9. The dust is very severe. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. iv: 2. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Rom. ii : 16. Almost overcome with the heat. At evening had a meeting for prayer on account of the drought. . Thermometer 95°. 10. Am very languid. Read Sully' s Afemoirs.^ Thermometer 95°. Wrote. At evening attended our conference. 11. Rode to Windsor and back. The ground suffers exceedingly with the drought. People generally are beginning with the harvest. Dea. Loomis* is quite unwell. Injured, I think, by the heat. Visited. Read. Thermom- eter 91°, 12. Wrote for the printers. The Baptist Bentley' had a meeting. He takes great pains to ingratiate himself. We had thunder, but no rain. I feel much anxiety about this Baptist, but hope in the mercy of God only. Ther- mometer 95°. 13. Am very feeble. Do not feel able to write. Read Sully's Memoirs. The forenoon was excessive hot. Thermometer 90° before nine o'clock, A little after noon it was 99°, when a cloud arose, and we had something of a shower. It was light, but ver^- grateful. Wrote. Had our first cucumbers. Received a letter from my brother. ' This frequent preaching in the " hither part of East Hartford " was probably by arrangement with Rev. Mr. Fairchild, to try and stay the progress of the Baptists. '^ Between Wyllis Grant and Emily Bel- cher, both of Wapping. ^ See note, May 29, 1820. * Dea. Amasa Loomis. 5 Rev. William Bentley was the Baptist minister of Wethersfield, and was a some- what notable man. He was born in New- port, R. I., in 1775, but his parents removed to Providence in 1777, when the British attacked Newport. As a young man he went into business in Boston, and was a member of Dr. Stillman's church, and afterwards of Dr. Baldwin's, both leading Baptist divines. Dr. Baldwin persuaded young Bentley to prepare for the Baptist ministry. He was ordained at Salem in 1806, and preached for some years at Worcester. He went to Wethersfield, Ct, in 18 15, and remained six years, when he gave himself wholly to the work of an evangelist, for which he had special qualifications. The writer of this note heard Mr. Bentley preach in 1826 or 1827, in a time of great religious excitement at Dobson's Factory in Vernon, Ct. On one of the very coldest days of winter, when the thermometer was down in the zero ranges, he saw Mr. Bentley, assisted by a younger Baptist minister named Jennings, baptize, by immersion, thirty per- sons or more, chiefly factory girls, when ice, more than a foot thick, had to be cut out for the purpose, and when the surface of the water, if left still, would skim over with ice in five minutes. l820,] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 827 14. Rode to Hartford. Rode to the harvest field, and carried dinner.' Mr. Wolcott began his reaping on the 12th. In the afternoon we had a hard and refreshing shower. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Thermometer about 92°. 15. Wrote with much weakness the most of a sermon on i Cor. x: 9. At evening united with several brethren of the church in a season of prayer on account of Dea. Loomis, who is unwell, and his intellect considerably affected. It was an affecting and solemn occasion. Paid a tailoress, .50. Ther- mometer 91°. 16. In the forenoon expounded on the latter half of Mark vi. Finished and preached my sermon on i Cor. x : 9. After meeting we had a powerful and most grateful thunder-shower. At evening had a full conference. Very tired. Read. Thermometer 92°. 17. The ground is exceedingly refreshed by the rain. Visited. Carried dinner to the harvest field. The harvest generally is very good, both wheat and rye. At evening attended the conference. Thermometer 86°. I think we have had the longest season of severe heat that I have ever known. 18. Read. Rode to Wapping, and visited an aged sick man. He appears to be prepared for heaven. Visited. I am so feeble that the heat is very oppressive. Thermometer 91°. 19. Wrote for the printers. Read. Had a sacking bottom made to my bedstead. Worked some. At evening rode to Enfield. Received a letter from my brother. Am quite feeble. Thermometer 92°. 20. My brother's^ wife and her son set out on a journey to the eastward. Rode home. Visited. At evening preached in the hither part of East Hartford on 2 Cor. iv : 3. The meetings there grow thin.^ The crop of grain is very great. Thermometer 90°. 21. Finished copying my sermons for the printers. I have had so many hindrances that I have been much longer about it than I expected. Read a proof-sheet. We had a hard and grateful rain. Am troubled with bilious affections. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Thermometer 96°. 22. Rode out. Read Sully. Visited. Towards evening rode to Mr. Bartlett's to make an exchange. Thermometer 86°. 23. Mr. Bartlett rode to my meeting-house, and returned after meeting. Preached on i John iii : 9, and 2 Cor. x : 9. My lungs are quite feeble and sore. Rode down ■* to the Hill, and attended the conference. Tarried at Dea. Loomis's. I hope he is some better. 24. Am very much fatigued. Worked some, but am quite weak. Visited. Read. At evening attended the conference. Thermometer 88°. " This is a service which Dr. Robbins had ^ Perhaps the Baptists drew the people performed, in harvest time, for several years. to their meeting, but probably the excitement .The harvest fields were probably some dis- about the Baptists was declining, and as this tance to the east from Mr. Wolcott's house. was on the borders of two towns, the motives ^ Rev. Francis, of Enfield. Her former for continuing special services had weakened, home, it will be remembered, was at Fair- * That is, from Rev. Mr. Bartlett's at haven, Mass. Scantic. 828 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. 25. Read a valuable Thanksgiving sermon of Dr. McClure's, preached in 1795, a century from the establishment of this church.' Read Sull)\ Kept at home. Quite warm. Thermometer 92°. 26. Read. Wrote. Rode out and visited. The Baptist man makes great exertions here. The heat very oppressive. Thermometer 96°. Tarried out. 27. Visited. We had a hard shower. At evening preached at Long Hill on Matt, v : 4. Very sultry. Thermometer about 92°. Got something wet. Tarried out. 28. Am much fatigued and very languid. The efforts of the Baptists give me great anxiety. Can do but little. At evening attended the prayer-meet- ing. Thermometer 90°. 29. Last night we had a very hard thunder-shower. The thunder was near and very heavy. We were all up for a considerable time. Began to write a sermon on Acts x: 34, 35. Made but little progress. Am very languid. Worked some. Have many interruptions. Thermometer 91°. Paid for work in my garden, .92. 30. Could not finish my writing. Preached an old sermon on Gal. iv : 5. Last night we had another rain. Wet the most of the day. A Baptist from Stafford preached at the school-house in this neighborhood. We had not so large a meeting as I feared. It gives me anxiety. I pray God to help us, as he has in times past. At evening had a full conference. Had more strength for speaking than I expected. Thermometer 88°. 31. Read the last proof-sheet of my sermons. Rode to Hartford. Paid Scarborough, $11.00, received from my brother. Very hot and sultry. Am quite feeble. The ground is very wet. At evening attended the conference. Spoke poorly. Thermometer 90°. I conclude I never knew so warm a July. It has a sensible efiect on my health. August. 1. Walked out and visited. People now have favorable weather for getting in their crops. Read the Bible. We had our first green corn last Sabbath. I am quite feeble, and can do but little. Taken up considerably with our building. Wrote. 2. Visited the most of the day. I hope God will preserve us from the efforts of the Baptists. Received a letter from my brother. 3. Rode early to Hartford on business about our building. Have pro- cured a new watch-key containing the names of our paternal ancestors. At evening preached in the hither part of East Hartford on Matt, xxvi : 42. Meeting pretty full. 4. Walked and visited. Read Sully. Wrote. Yesterday received a ' This sermon does not seem to be in- 1694, but, as now appears, was not formally eluded in the list of Dr. McClure's published ordained until 1698. (See Windsor Farmes, sermons as given in Sprague's .^«;?«/j. It is 18S3, by John A. Stoughton.) But it would quite likely that it was a manuscript sermon not be unnatural that Dr. McClure should which Dr. Robbins saw. Timothy Edwards preach such a sermon in 1795, as a century first began preaching in East Windsor in sermon. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 829 letter from Mr. McLean, of Simsbury. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Spoke feebly. 5. Wrote on a sermon begun last Saturday on Acts x : 34, 35. I wrote slow, and did much less than I expected. Warm and sultry. Thermometer 91°. A friend is much tried. 6. Wrote early. Finished and preached my sermon on Acts x: 34, 35. The Baptists had a meeting here. It is very trying to me. But few of our people attended. Attended our conference in the evening. Much exhausted. 7. Read. Visited. Cool. At evening attended our monthly prayer- meeting. We begin to have water-melons. 8. Wrote. Visited. It is said that the cotton manufactures in New England are improving.' Rainy. 9. Read. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of old Mr. Oliver Skinner.^ He died like a faithful saint. Visited there, and preached in the evening on Mark i : 40. The people there are as sheep without a shepherd. Full meeting. Tarried at Wapping. 10. Intended to visit considerably, but the weather came on very warm, and I was so unwell as to think it necessary to come home. Am very languid. Visited. We had a very hard shower. Thermometer 95°. 11. In the morning rode out and visited. I do not remember ever to have been so oppressed with the heat on my birthday. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Thermometer 94°. 12. Began a sermon on Rev. iii : 8, but could not write but little. I am quite unwell. The heat extremely oppressive. Thermometer 98". At even- ing we had a pretty hard thunder-shower. Have an ague in my face. 13. Preached an old sermon on i John iii : 4. I have seldom spoken with so much difficulty. I am very feeble, particularly at the lungs. Had no conference. Cooler. Thermometer 90°. 14. Read. Rode to Hartford with Mr. Wolcott. Did errands. At even- ing attended the conference. Many of my people appear to be anxious about my health. I hope God will strengthen me for the duties to which he may call me. 15. Rode to Simsbury and attended our ministers' meeting. By the late dismission of Mr. Clark at Turkey Hills our number is diminished. Shower)^ Preached at our meeting on i John iii : 9. 16. Visited old Mr. Stebbins.^ He is very poor, and apparently in a dangerous state. Rode home. Wet. The flies are very tedious. 17. Our carpenters and masons came and began their work. Much taken up with them. Rode to the hither part of East Hartford, visited and preached ■ That was in the comparative infancy of 3 Rev. Samuel Stebbins, of Simsbury. It cotton manufacture in New England. was fifty-three years since he was settled ^ Oliver Skinner, son of Daniel and Abi- at Simsbury, and he was now not far from gail (Smith) Skinner, was born May 29, 1736, eighty years old. The Contribittiofis to the and was in his eighty-fifth year at the time of Ecclesiastical History of Connecticut places his his death. death in 1820. It should be 182 1. 830 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. in the evening on Matt, xx : 30. Am still quite feeble. Melons are very plenty. 18. Rode to Hartford on business for the new house. Wrote. Can do but little at study. My volume of sermons is out and appears well. Warm. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 19. Went into the woods with Mr. Wolcott to get timber. Quite warm. Rode to Farmingtun to make an exchange for the benefit of Mr. Saxton,' a candidate, preaching at Southbury. 20. Mr. Porter could not conveniently leave home, and I had to ride to Bristol." Rode early. Mr. Cone rode to Plymouth after I got to his house. Preached on Prov. i: 31, and James i: 23, 24. After meeting attended a funeral. Mr. Cone returned. 21. Rode home. Bore the labors of yesterday better than I feared. Read. At evening attended the conference. I fear the Baptists have cor- rupted some of our people. It gives me a great deal of anxiety. 22. Am much taken up with our builders. Read. Visited. 23. Read. Mr. Wolcott had his back building raised ; seventy-three feet in length. Quite warm. Cannot work much. 24. Visited. The exertions of the Baptists are uninterrupted. Wrote. Have many hindrances. Water-melons are so plenty that many are lost. 25. Read. Mr. Williams, an old candidate, came here and hindered me long.^ Wrote to Mr. A. Robbins, of Turkey Hills. Rode out. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. My lungs are quite weak. 26. Wrote on a sermon begun some time since. Write but little. The tremor in my hand is troublesome. I am not sufificiently industrious. 27. In the forenoon expounded on Mark vii. Wrote and preached in the afternoon on Rev. iii : 8. My sermon was not quite finished. There was a Baptist meeting here at the school-house. At evening attended the confer- ence. Much fatigued. 28. Thermometer on the 24th 92°; 27th 90°. Rode to Hartford. All the productions of the earth are very plentiful. Read. At evening ■ attended the conference. Very feeble at the lungs. 29. Wrote. Taken up with company. Dined at Mrs. McClure's with Dr. Perkins" and Mr. Tenney.* Rode to Wapping, and visited the sick and others. Tarried out. Thermometer 84°. 30. Visited the sick. Visited the school at Long Hill. The Baptists are unremitting in their efforts. My time is much taken up in endeavors to counteract them.* Quite warm. • Mr. Noah C. Saxton, probably. iams, who was graduated at Yale in iSoo, ^ This was an exchange with many stages and who died in Providence, R. I., in 1S76, or parts. Dr. Robbins was to go to Farm- aged ninety-seven. ington, Dr. Noah Porter was to go to Bris- * Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford. tol, Rev. Jonathan Cone was to go to South- * Dr. Caleb J. Tenney, of Wethersfield. bury, the ca,ndidate, Mr. Saxton, was to be * If he could have been less troubled at East Windsor. al:)out the Baptists, it would have been better, ^ This was doubtless Rev. Thomas Will- both in a secular and a Christian way. lS20.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 83 1 31. Rode to East Hartford and met with the officers of the regiment. Received a letter for the review day. On the 29th received from Dr. Flint my consociational letter. Expected to have preached in the evening in the hither part of East Hartford ; but a Baptist meeting having been appointed in the neighborhood since my appointment, I postponed mine to next week. Warm and dusty. September. 1. The Baptists appear to have a pernicious influence here. Visited. The heat very oppressive. Thermometer 90°. Read the Bible. At even- ing attended our prayer-meeting. My lungs are weak. We had a moderate thunder-shower. Read. 2. Wrote. Began a sermon on Matt, vi : 24, but had so many hindrances that I wrote but little. Was called to visit a sick man. 3. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. i : 2. In the afternoon preached an old sermon on Matt, xxii : 9. Had no conference. Visited. Cool. 4. Rode to Hartford on an errand for the workmen. Dined with a military company, and attended the training.' At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 5. Visited. Am too much addicted to indolence. Dined with our mili- tary company. In the afternoon they marched down here. Very warm. Thermometer about 90°. Read. 6. Wrote. Wrote a letter to Charlotte Reed.^ Rode to Hartford. Saw Mr. Battell. His two sons came up here.^ Very warm. Thermometer 90°. 7. Spent the forenoon with my nephews. They appear well. Taken up with the building. At evening preached in the hither part of East Hartford. Thermometer 86°. 8. Much taken up with the builders. I have been so languid this week that I have done but little. Preached last evening on Acts xxviii : 24. Wrote. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Full and solemn. Ther- mom^eter 89°. 9. Wrote. Have various hindrances. The heat very severe. Wrote on a sermon begun a week ago. I am not sufficiently self-denying. Thermom- eter 90°. 10. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on 2 Pet. iii : 9. Finished and preached my sermon on Matt, vi: 24. The heat extremely enervating and oppressive. The dust very severe. I spoke better than I feared. At evening performed a marriage at Long Hill.* Thermometer 94°.' 11. Rode to New Haven with Theodore Bissell.'' The heat not quite so ■ This was the season of the fall trainings. * John Jilson, of East Hartford, and Dul- The town trainings in Connecticut occurred cinea Hurd, of East Winclfor, in early May and September. ^ Here again we have the high heat of ^ Miss Charlotte S. Reed was admitted to early September, which comes not every year, his church the following year. The letter but in the large majority of years, very likely had reference to that subject. ^ A young man of about twenty, son of Mr. 3 Joseph and Philip Battell. Epaphras Bissell, of East Windsor. 832 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS.. D.D. [1820. great, I think, as yesterday. At evening attended an exhibition of sacred music, by New York performers, which was very poor.' 12. Last night and during the forenoon we had a pretty hard rain. It was very grateful. Bissell entered college.^ My brother Frank and wife came into town. Saw many acquaintance. Afternoon heard an oration be- fore the P. B. K, Society, and attended the speaking for premiums. At evening Mr, Porter,^ of Farmington, preached very well before the Education Society, 13. We have a cool and very pleasant day after the rain. There was a large collection of people. The public performances were very good. Mr. Day"* presides very well. A great number of ministers. Received of Gen, Howe on his note, $100,00. Paid him on $25.00. Bought no books. Left New Haven at sundown, and rode to Wallingford. Tarried at a tavern. 14. Rode early, and came to East Hartford and attended a regimental training. Rode as chaplain. They performed pretty well. There were a great many people. Rode home. The late rains have been hard. My brother and his wife called here and rode home in the evening. 15. Read. Feel the effects of my fatigues. Commencement morning attended and spoke at a public prayer-meeting. Wrote. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Am too apt to procrastinate my necessar}- duties. 16. Rode out and visited. Taken up with our building. At evening rode to East Hartford to exchange with Mr, Fairchild. 17. Mr. Fairchild rode to East Windsor, and returned after meeting. Preached on Rev, iii : 8, and Prov, i: 31, Attended the Sabbath-school, At evening rode home and attended the conference. Very warm and languid. My lungs are yet weak. 18. Rode to Hartford with Mr, Wolcott, Very warm. Am much inter- rupted in my duties. Visited, At evening attended our conference. We had a shower. Received a letter from my brother. 19. Rainy all day. Much hindered by company. Visited a school. At evening rode to Enfield in the rain. Found my cousin, William Le Baron,^ and wife,* there. They appear very respectably. Yesterday paid Hartford Bank, $72.29, and renewed my note, 20. My cousins went off for Norfolk. Rode home. Quite cool. Worked at the new house. Read. Paid to the Female Auxiliary Benevolent Society, .50. Wrote. 21. This morning we had a hard frost. Unusually severe for the first. Considerable tobacco is out and injured ; but vegetation is seldom more forward at the first frost. Rode to Wapping, visited the sick and a school. ' Dr. Robbins had an ear for music, and * William Le Baron was the son of his was very fond of ote on my accounts. Good sleigh- ing, and much improved. Paid for candles, $1.08. 17. Thermometer 25°. Got out and repaired my old sleigh. Visited. Rode to Enfield. My cousin Eliza and my brother's wife quite unwell. They have had a turn of fever, but are now getting better. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 18. Thermometer 18°. Wrote. Visited a sick man at Wapping, very low. ' That being so, Dr. Robbins could not ^ Of the Windsor family of Wolcott. complain of hard treatment under the old ^ Perhajjs cider was cheaper or better up constitution or the revised one. His first there. civil tax was thirty-nine cents, and he was ■* Very likely a black man. now about forty-three years old. ^ William Cave, before noticed. 838 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. Rode to Ellington to exchange with Mr. Brockway. Young Mr. Brockway went with me.' The snow thaws considerably. 19. Preached on Rev. iii : 8, and Prov. i: 31. This congregation is smaller, I think, than ours. Visited at Mr. Hall's.^ Mr. Brockway returned. 20. Rode. Yesterday the snow melted a good deal, and the sleighing has become poor. Read. Mrs. Hall, of Wapping, died Saturday morning. She was a very valuable young woman. On Saturday our joiners completed our new house, and left us, to our great joy. At evening attended our conference, but it was very thin. 21. Rode to Wapping, and attended a funeral in a hard rain. Read Cave. Wrote to Howe & Spaulding, New Haven. The sleighing is about gone. 22. Rode out and visited. My cousin, Mrs. Olmsted, came here. She appears, I think, sensibly better than she has been. At evening preached in the hither part of East Hartford from Ps. ix : 17. 23. Rode to Hartford, and carried down Eliza. She concludes to go to Norfolk tomorrow in the stage. At evening married my neighbor, Betsey Wolcott.' 24. The most of the ground is now bare. People are getting in their crops that are out. Yesterday received a letter from Col. White, of Danbury, with a valuable new hat.'' Wrote on my pecuniary accounts. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Thermometer at temperate. 25. Worked at the new house clearing away all day. Cloudy, but the thermometer was at temperate. Have every reason to be abased before God. Wrote. Last evening wrote to Mr. Brockway, of Ellington. Read expositors. 26. In the forenoon expounded on Mark ix : 30 to x : 23. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Num. xi : 23. At evening attended the confer- ence. Our Baptist school-master held a meeting in his school-house. Few attended. The weather warm, and thermometer above 60°, without sunshine. Toward night it became cold. I have a continued hoarseness. 27. Very cold and tedious. The ground hard frozen. Rode to Hartford. Paid for a brandy-pipe to hold cider,^ $2.50. Paid for a green cloth to cover my study table, $3.00. For knobs for the same, .68. Wrote. Attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. 28. Thermometer this morning 13°. Walked and visited. Carried part of my books to new house. We had some snow. Read. ' John H. Brockway, son of Rev. Diodate Hill, and became the treasurer and general Brockway, of Ellington, was graduated at agent of the Connecticut Theological Insti- Yale two months before, and was i^robably tute, first established at East Windsor, but in a law office at East Windsor Hill. now in Hartford, and popularly known as "^ Who established and carried on the the Hartford Theological Seminary. It is Ellington school or academy. more prosperous than when at East Windsor. ^ Hon. Erastus Ellsworth, of New York, * He has had hats from Danbury ever and Miss Elizabeth Wolcott, daughter of since he lived there, twenty years before. Mr. Samuel Wolcott, of East Windsor. Fif- The Danbury hats seemed to suit him. teen or twenty years later, this Mr. Ells- ' The one probably that was sent up to worth took up his residence at East Windsor Turkey Hills to he filled. l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 839 29. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. cxlvii : 12. Wrote the greater part in the evening. Was up quite late. Taken up with the business at the new house. Yesterday Mr. Asahel Gaylord,' of Norfolk, called and dined with me. 30. Thanksgiving. Finished and preached the sermon begun yesterday. Very cold. Thermometer in the morning 12°, and did not rise above 24° during the day. Meeting pretty well attended. December. 1. Cold and very blustering. Thermometer considerably higher than yesterday. Worked at my books, and carried part of them to the new house. Read. 2. Wrote the most of a sermon on Isa. lix : i, 2, 3. Afternoon rode to Hartford. The wind continued high and tedious, though the thermometer was above 40°, Wrote quite late. 3. Finished and preached the sermon begun yesterday. Meeting pretty full. At evening performed a marriage.^ We have many accounts of the very low price of produce. 4. Wrote. Carried books to the nevvr house. Read. We had a pretty hard rain. At evening our monthly prayer-meeting was very thin. 5. Set out late in the morning for Norfolk. Rode to Colebrook, and tarried at my brother's. The road quite muddy. 6. Rode to Norfolk with brother Ammi, Quite cold and tedious. Mother is feeble and declining with age, but comfortable. Brother Frank and his wife are here. Afternoon rode to north part of the town*with Mrs. Emerson, and preached a lecture without notes on Matt, xviii : 3. 7. In the morning brother Frank and his wife set out for home. My cousin, Mrs. Olmsted, is in a state of much anxiety about her duty and pros- pects.^ Dined at Mr. Battell's with some company. At evening brother James and wife came here. My little volume of sermons appears to be well received. 8. Rode home. A very comfortable day, and good riding. Got home in the evening, and went immediately to prayer-meeting. I cannot ride so well on horseback as I used to. 9. Read. Examined and rejected a school-master. Read the Bible. Am very poorly prepared for the Sabbath. ID. Preached with old notes on James iv : 7. Pretty poorly. Quite cold. At evening attended conference. Visited. Yesterday we had considerable rain. ' We have met Rev. Mr. Gaylord several ^ Mrs. Eliza Olmsted has an offer for a times before. He was graduated at Will- second marriage, and this is probably what iams in 1804, was a native of Norfolk, was calls so many of the family together for a minister, but seems to have preferred to consultation. Her former husband, it will be remain without pastoral charge. remembered, was Mr. Joseph Battell's part- ^ Between John S. Horton, of Providence, ner. She seems to have been held in high R. I., and Eliza Tudor. esteem by her circle of kindred. 840 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. Ti. Rode to Wapping. Severe cold. Conversed with a woman respecting a profession of religion. Visited a school in a very disorderly state. Exam- ined and approved a school- master. Attended the conference. I have a good deal of labor and trouble with the schools. 12. Mr. Birge,' of this place, a cabinet maker, has been at work here two or three weeks past. Last night he went to bed perfectly well, and this morn- ing we found him dead in his bed. Aged fifty-three. Rode and informed his distressed family and others. The body was carried from here about noon to his late dwelling. The scene was very affecting. Afternoon visited a school. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Received a letter from Howe & Spaulding, New Haven. Yesterday received one from Mrs. McKinney, of this place. Visited. 13. Thermometer this morning 23°. Yesterday 13°. Wrote. On the 8th received a letter from my brother Frank. Carried books to the new house. Walked out and visited. Paid a harness-maker, $1.50. 14. Walked and visited. Attended the funeral of Mr. Birge. It was very large and solemn. The eight children were present. Received of my col- lector, the last of my salary due May, 1818, $67.91. Took no interest. Received on my last salary, $263.24. Paid Mr. Wolcott the amount of his taxes, $68.89, ^^d Andrus, $7.20, making $76.09. Paid a merchant, $8.88. Paid a smith's bill, $5.17. Paid my own taxes for the year, including a state, town, and society tax, $3.10. At evening preached at Long Hill on John iv : 15. Tarried out. 15. Rode to Wapping and visited. Conversed with several persons respecting making a profession of religion. It snowed considerably. I have a severe hoarseness. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Examined two women for our communion. 16. Last night it became severe cold. Thermometer this morning 14°. On the 13th wrote to R. I. Ingersoll,^ of New Haven. Rode to Long Hill, and examined with the church committee four persons for our communion. They appeared exceedingly well. Very cold and tedious. In the evening began a sermon on Job xiv : 12, and completed it in six and three fourths hours. I believe I have written one in less time. 17. Thermometer 17°. In the forenoon, in consequence of my hoarse- ness, had a sermon read. Afternoon preached the sermon written last night, referring to the late sudden death. Spoke better than I feared. At evening attended the conference. 18. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Rode to Hartford. Paid the bank, $140.00, and took up my note. Received a dividend of $15.00. Paid for trimmings for my study table, .50. The House of Representatives in Congress have refused to accept the constitution of Missouri.^ They have done well. ' Mr. Jonathan Birge, aged fifty-three. a home lot in Windsor. There were several His ancestor, Daniel Birge, was one of the members of Dr. Robbins's church of the original company that came over from Eng- name Birge. land to Dorchester in 1630. When the Dor- ^ Hon. Ralph I. Ingersoll. Chester church removed to Windsor, Ct., in * This great debate on the admission of 1635 and 1636, he came with them, and had Missouri was begun in the session of 1818 l820.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 84I Much warmer. At evening attended the conference. The society had their annual meeting. Our circumstances appear well. 19. It rained some. Yesterday paid Hills, $25.56. Wrote. Preparing for my anniversary sermon. I am too apt to procrastinate my necessary business. 20. Rode out. Began a sermon for the centennial anniversary on Ps. xliv : I, 2, 3. Have various hindrances. Visited. Studied late. 21. Wrote the most of the day. Hindered by workmen. Mild weather. Wrote quite late. 22. This day is observed considerably in Massachusetts, and some in this State, at the recommendation of the two General Associations, as a centennial festival, in commemoration of the first settlement of New England, which began at Plymouth just two hundred years ago.' Finished and preached my sermon on Ps. xliv : i, 2, 3.^ Though cold and blustering our meeting was full. At evening Tudor had considerable company in view of having recently come of age.^ At night very cold. 23. Thermometer this morning, zero. Rode to Hartford. The ground very hard. The people at Hartford appear disappointed that they had no public observance of yesterday."* Paid Scarborough, $25.00. For cotton cloth, $1.50. A penknife, .63. Read expositors. (21). At evening preached in the hither part of East Hartford on Heb. X : 31. Meeting pretty full. 24. In the morning, and most of the day, it snowed pretty hard. Meetings quite thin. Preached with old notes on i Cor. i: 18. At evening rode out in a sleigh. Thermometer about 20°. 25. Thermometer in the morning 6°. Severe cold. Had my stove set up in my chamber, which I lately procured at Hartford. The whole cost is about $30.00. Paid for bringing up, .25 ; to a blacksmith for a little altera- tion, .12 ; to a joiner for cutting a place, .25 ; and to a mason for setting up the stove, .75. At evening attended the conference. Had a good meeting. 26. Rode to Hartford. Pretty good sleighing. Thermometer this morn- ing 6°. Paid for five bushels of oats, $1.46. Rode to Long Hill and visited a school. It appears very well. 27. Rode to Wapping and visited two schools. At evening preached at and 1819, and was not concluded until Feb. ^ Dr. Robbins's text was that strong and 28, i8?,i, when it was agreed that Missouri familiar passage, " We have heard with our might come in with the privilege of slavery ears, O God, our fathers have told us." below the line 36°, 30', and that slavery ^ Samuel Tudor Wolcott, son of Abiel should be prohibited at all points north of and Ursula (Tudor) Wolcott, born Dec. iS, that line. I799- He was twenty-one four days before. ' Many ministers throughout New Eng- He was the only son in the family, his land made this the occasion of a special brother William having died in early life. sermon. Dr. Nathaniel Emmons, of Frank- * For a place as large and important as lin, then seventy-five years old, preached his Hartford, it was a mistake not to observe " sermon at the close of the second century the two hundredth anniversary of the land- from the landing at Plymouth, 1820." ing. 842 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1820. the North School-house there on Heb. x: 31. Thermometer in the morn- ing 2°. 28. In the forenoon visited the South School alone. Could get no assist- ance. Thermometer in the morning 8°. Afternoon we moved to our new- house. Got over a considerable part of the family utensils. The business is quite laborious. We might have moved some time ago, but it has been delayed. 29. Moved my book-cases, etc. Had assistance from neighbors. After- noon it rained pretty hard. Had no meeting in the evening. Got much fatigued by hard work. Paid a man for work, .42. Paid for my Mirror news- paper for a year, $2.00. For an almanack, .10. 30. In the forenoon visited Tudor's school. Cold and very icy. Still taken up with moving, and so much fatigued as to be unable to write as I wished. Read the Bible. 31. Thermometer 10°. In the forenoon expounded on ISIark xi : 23 to 46. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Heb. xi : 16. Received eight persons to the communion of the church.' The largest addition the church has had during my ministry, or Dr. McClure's. It was a very solemn and joyful occa- sion. Two of them appear to have been rescued by the divine blessing from the hands of the Baptists.^ At evening attended the conference. What shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies and truth during the past year. ' The persons admitted were Sally Green, ^ Not a very catholic way of speaking of Eunice Green, Nancy Hawkins, Chloe King, a sister denomination. Many things in the Rachel Williams, Abigail Rockwell, Sarah diary serve to show that we have made great Burnham, Harvey Elmer. advances since that day in Christian unity. 18 21. January. 1. The opening 3'ear brings me great mercies. Endeavored to devote myself to tlie service of my Heavenly Father for the coming year. Thermom- eter 15°. Very icy and difficult walking. Received a letter from my brother. Dined at the January meeting.' Visited. Good sleighing. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Gave a poor man, $1.00. 2. Rode out and visited. My new habitation makes me much labor. Wrote. It seems there are great rejoicings in England on account of the acquittal of the Queen. ^ It was doubtless effected by the power of popular opinion. 3. Thermometer 4°. Am taken up some with instruction. Had my clock removed, cleaned, and set up. Walked out and visited. 4. Read. Rode to Hartford. Good sleighing. Crossed on the ice. Paid a shoemaker, $9.50. Thermometer this morning 10°. At evening preached in the upper part of East Hartford on Luke xvi: 5. 5. Read. Thermometer 17°. Had company. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture on Acts xiv : 22. Meeting pretty thin. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. The ice has continued now for a week without any visible alteration. Wrote. 6. Thermometer 4°. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. xi : 5. Wrote about five pages in the evening. Rode out. The sleighing and carting have been very good through this week. The Baptists make me a good deal of trouble,^ Wrote late. 7. We had a very hard snow-storm the most of the day. Thermometer at 14°. In the forenoon we had a meeting, but quite thin. Preached with old notes on Luke xxiii : 23. Concluded to defer the sacrament till the next Sab- bath, and to have no meeting in the afternoon. Read. At evening wrote. 8. Brought over books from the old house. The morning severe cold. ' Of the civil officers of the town. ministry were obliged to give up the Divorce -"When her husband (George IV) as- Bill after it had passed the House of Lords." cended the throne in 1S20, she was offered — Chambers's Cyclopcedia. an annuity of ;^ 50,000 sterling to renounce The Queen was Caroline Amelia Eliza- the title of Queen and live abroad ; but she beth, second daughter of Charles William refused, and made a triumphal entry into Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick. Whatever London, whereupon the government insti- doubt there may have been about her charac- tuted proceedings against her for adultery. ter, there was no doubt at all as to the utter Much that was very offensive was proved as profligacy and meanness of her royal hus- to her conduct; but the manner in which she band, George IV. had been used by her husband, and the ^ He probably made them about the same splendid defence of Lord Brougham, caused amount of trouble, and the contest between such a general feeling in her favor, that the them was unseemly. 843 844 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821. Thermometer io° below zero. Received a letter from my brother. Had company. At evening attended our conference. Mr. Wolcott is very much distressed with depression. 9. Thermometer last night at io°, but this morning it was 20°. Am much taken up with the business of instruction.' Rode out and visited. Worked at my library removing and setting up books. 10. Got over the last of my books. It has been a laborious task. Some volumes are missing.* The sleighing is much used. Wrote. 11. The thermometer last night zero, and this morning 4°. Rode to Hartford. Have to do a good deal for Mr. Wolcott. Sleighing very fine. Paid Gleason, $7.37, $6.00 of which was for the Christian Spectator for two years. Paid Imlay, $12.37. Too much to pay in a year for liquors.^ At evening rode out. Have trouble with our schools. It snowed considerably. 12. It is trying to me to be so much taken up with instruction. Paid for a new study-table, $9.25. This was principally for workmanship. The whole cost is about $15.00. It is large, and a very good one. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. After which rode to Wapping and tarried. 13. Visited at Wapping the most of the day. Received a present of $3.00. Afternoon it snowed. I hope the influences of the divine Spirit have not left us. Read. 14. ^^'e had a prett)- hard snow-storm, though not so severe as last Sabbath. Preached with old notes on 2 Kings xxiii : 3. Finished and preached my New Year's sermon on Ps. Ixxi : 5. Administered the sacra- ment. The meeting and the church quite thin. Thermometer at 15°. Wrote. 15. Taken up with my pupil s."* The snow is considerably deep. Read. Thermometer this morning about to°. At evening attended conference, after which rode to Enfield. Extreme cold. My brother is much afflicted with his nervous headaches and constitutional depression. 16. Rode home. Visited. My thermometer this morning was 18° below zero. Lower than I have ever known it. Read. The ^Massachusetts Con- vention have come out much better than I feared.^ ' This refers primarily to his theological have been from outside Mr. Wolcott's student, Mr. Stebbins, but perhaps he is still family. continuing his former custom of giving in- ^ At the formation and separation of the struction to Mr. Wolcott's children, though State of Maine from Massachusetts in 1820, they are now well grown up. a Convention was called to revise its consti- ^ That is what almost every one has occa- tution. The Convention met in November, sion, from time to time, to say, if he is the 1S20, and finished its labors in January, 1S21. owner of a considerable library. Books are It was composed of an able body of men. lent and not returned, and sometimes they Daniel Webster was a member. Dr. Rob- disappear in ways still more mysterious. bins says that it came out " much better than ^ The temperance reformation, which was he feared." This is an oft-repeated illustra- about to set in, would probably lessen or en- tion of that fear with which the extreme tirely stop this annual expenditure. Federalists regarded anything which was * This remark shows that he had other likely to cause a departure from the ways students besides Mr. Stebbins. They may of the fathers. l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 845 17. Worked at my library. At evening preached at the mill neighborhood on Heb. x: 31. The young people had a ride and bail. We had a good deal of snow. Thermometer in the morning at zero. 18. Thermometer zero. Wrote. Read. We have now a pretty heavy body of snow. At evening preached in the upper part of East Hartford from Matt, xix : 16, 17. The evening was very cold. 19. The mercury in my thermometer this morning was 22*^ below zero.' It was that for half an hour after sunrise. Five degrees lower than I have known it since I have kept an instrument; ten or eleven years. The cold was debilitating. Read. Rode to Hartford. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Visited. 20. Thermometer 4°. Received a letter from Mr. S. S. Stebbins,* of Simsbury, informing that his uncle, the Rev. Mr. Stebbins,^ died last night. Wrote. On the i8th the people at Wapping brought me six valuable loads of wood. At evening began a sermon on Ps. Ixxiii : 24, and wrote six pages. Could not begin my writing till evening. 21. Thermometer about 10°. The day quite comfortable. Wrote on my sermon of last evening, and preached it all day. Meeting pretty full. At evening attended the conference. 22. Thermometer about 6°. Rode to Simsbury, and attended the funeral of Mr. Stebbins. Mr. McLean ^ preached. Eight ministers were present. Tarried at Mrs. Stebbins's. My young friend, Mr. S. S. Stebbins, is left in very good circumstances.^ 23. Received a barrel of cider-brandy of Maj. O. C. Phelps, which I requested him to put up for me last fall. It contains thirty-one and one half gallons, for which I gave him thirty cents per gallon. Paid him $5.00. Brought it home. The thermometer rose near to 40°. Visited. Last night it snowed. 24. In the morning the thermometer was at zero. About eight o'clock it was at 2°, and continued stationary, with a clear sky, till eleven, when it gradually fell during the residue of the day. At noon it was at zero, and at sundown 6° below zero, and at ten o'clock 13° below zero. It was windy, and one of the most tedious days I ever saw. Read T/ie Antiquarian^ a novel. People appear terrified with the cold. 25. Thermometer this morning 16° below zero. The night was windy, and the mercury did not sink so low as two mornings last week. Yet the evening was colder. Read. Visited our school. It is very poorly kept, but we finally concluded not to displace the master. The thermometer did not rise above * Few people in the lower and central ceivecl the honorary degree of A. M. from parts of New England ever see the thermom- Yale in 1778. eter twenty-two degrees below zero. ■* Rev. Allen McLean, Mr. Stebbins's suc- ^ Samuel Stiles Stebbins, his theological cessor in the ministry, student. ^ This is the reason, probably, why he ' Rev. Samuel Stebbins, a native of Con- did not go into the ministry, necticut, but graduated at Dartmouth Col- * The reference here, doubtless, is to lege in 1775, settled in Simsbury, 1777, re- Scott's Antiquary, which appeared in 1S16. 846 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [iJ'lZ ■' . 2° or 3° through the day, wiih a clear sun. At evening rode to Wapping, ; igj._ preached at a school-house on Matt, xix : 16, 17. Thin meeting. It was to cold to be out. Returning froze one of my ears considerably. ■. ^^g 26. Thermometer this morning 16° below zero. It rose in the aftern'.i' ^.^ lo 22^^. Maftitt, the Irish IMethodist. had appointed to preach here l'.i ,, afternoon, and the people collected. I went to the meeting, and receive.' ^ letter from him that he is unwell, and could not come. I preached with •: any preparation on John xv : 4. Omitted our evening prayer-meeting, ceived a valuable new book-case from Hartford, made for me. Wrote Hindered by company. 27. Thermometer 20°. A woman, long sickly, died last evening in the neighborhood.' Wrote. On the 25th a Wapping man brought me four bushels of oats. Read Henry's Annotations^ 28. Thermometer in the morning at 32°, and rose to 45°. The first thaw- ing day we have had this month. Expounded in the forenoon on Mark x : 46 to xi : 15. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Gen. xxvii : 38. Attended the funeral of Lucretia Tudor. Am much oppressed at the lungs with a cold. 29. Worked at my library the most of the day. With my new book-case I have not room for all my books. At e\ening attended the conference, but can hardly speak loud. My brother and wife came here and tarried. Received of a Free Mason Lodge, $10.00, for preaching for them June before last. 30. My cold is very oppressive. Maffitt preached here in the meeting- house in the afternoon and evening.^ I thought it best to attend with hiin. Thermometer yesterday morning at 7°, today at 30°, and rose to 50°. The snow settles considerably. 31. Kept school for Tudor,'* and he went to Turkey Hills and brought a pipe of cider which some of the people there have put up for me for bottling.^ Am very hoarse. The thermometer rose above 50°, and it thawed very much. Yesterday paid for a book, .50. February. 1. Last night we had a pretty hard rain, and the ground is mostly covered with water. Thermometer about 40°. At evening rode to Wapping, and performed a marriage.* The sleighing is poor. Read. My pupils take up much of my time, 2. Rode to Hartford. The ice of the river is so raised^ as to be impassa- * Miss Lucretia Tudor, aged thirty-two. his uncle, Oliver Tudor, had kept years '^ Matthew Henry's Comitieutary ; or. Ex- before, position of tJie Bible. Mr. Henry was born at ^ Tudor was younger and could better Broad-Oak, Flintshire. He was twenty-five make the journey for that pipe of cider years pastor at Chester, England. He then which Dr. Robbins had contracted for. went in 1712 to Hackney, London, and died Cider was then among the necessaries of life there in 17 14, aged fifty-one. * Between Samuel Grant, of Wapping, ^ See note, Nov. 3, 1820. and Elizabeth Webster, of Hartford. *■ Tudor Wolcott. This was a public ' That is, pressed up by the heavier swell school, and probably the same school that of water, caused by the rain. k-J^- .] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 847 . £ Visited. Am quite feeble with my cold and cougli. At evening •nded our prayer-meeting. Did but little. ,V Read. Visited. The weather continues warm, and the snow wastes. ink some persons among us are quite thoughtful. I hope a holy God will :;fiorsake us. I do but little. 1^' Warm and wet. Meeting rather thin. Preached with old notes on Jobai xvi : 8. Was carried through the labor of the day much better than I e ^cted. Had a physician, and took medicine. Read. 5. Am much better of my cold and cough, through great mercy. Wrote. Rode to Wapping, and visited sick persons. At evening our monthly prayer- meeting was full and solemn. 6. The thermometer this morning was down to 2°. Rode to Wintonbury, and met with Association. My cough seems to return. A young man has lately died here, and left a valuable legacy to the society. There is a great deal of talk about Maffitt.' 7. We had an agreeable session of the Association. Returned by Wind- sor and Hartford." We cannot cross on the ice. Am pretty feeble. Had to advise a friend in a very trying case. 8. Taken up with my pupils. Concluded not to attend to them much more. Wrote to Mr. T. F. Davies, of New Haven. Had company. Read. 9. Worked at arithmetic. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Had company. Ther- mometer this morning at 10°. Received of my collector, $236.76, which completed the payment of my last salary. He has done much beyond my expectation. I consider it a peculiar favor, as it respects me and the society. Gave up my order, and took no interest. Rainy and did not attend our prayer-meeting. 10. Rode out and visited a person in affliction. The snow thaws very much. Read. Wrote notes for preaching. My cold is still burdensome. Had company. 11. Wrote notes for preaching. Preached in the forenoon on Ps. cxxxix : I, 2, 3, 4, and in the afternoon i Cor. vii : 29, with note just written. Some of my people prefer to have me preach in this manner. In the forenoon my cough was very troublesome. Am quite feeble. Had a physician. He thinks it necessar}' for me to be very careful about my lungs. Read. 12. Rainy. The sleighing is gone. Read 77/^? ^«/'/^«fz;-_)'^ and finished. I have not read a novel through before for some years. Did not attend evening conference, 13. Visited. Read. Am so feeble as not to be able to do much business. 14. It snowed the most of the day. Wrote a piece for the newspaper. My cough and pectoral weakness continue. 15. Visited. Rode to Hartford. Tolerable sleighing. There is a very leasing and powerful revival of religion at Hartford. May the Lord work ' The eloquent young preacher. He fourteen or fifteen miles, instead of a direct made a great sensation wherever he went. journey of four or five. - Making a roundabout journey of about ^ Here we have the right name. 848 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821 abundantly for the glor}' of his grace. The weather continues quite moQv. ate. 16. Visited. Recommenced the composition of my catechism,* which h been neglected since last winter. Afternoon and evening it snowed very hai 17. It snowed all last night. It is nearly two feet deep and very heav) . Worked making paths. People are generally out breaking roads. Read the Bible. 18. Wrote notes and preached in the afternoon on Matt, xxv : 46. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Ps. Ixxvii : 11. My cold, through great mercy, is much better. My lungs are quite feeble, but my cough has mostly subsided. Had no conference. Visited. Bad getting about. Windy but not severe coir''.. 19. Thermometer this morning about 20°. Worked considerably. Wrote. At evening we had a solemn prayer-meeting. I think there is an increasing thoughtfulness among us. 20. Rode to Hartford. Attended the annual meeting of the Agricultural Society. Saw Mr. Battell and Mr. Emerson.'^ The revival in Hartford is very great. Warm. It thawed very much, and the roads are very wet. Paid for my new book-case, $34.00. Paid for an addition to a side-board, $2.00. Paid for three half volumes of Encydopcedia^ $12.00. Received a long anony- mous letter from a person in New York, signed "A Caledonian,"' respecting my continuation of Tytler. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Am pretty feeble. 21. Warm. The snow has become very wet. Visited. Wrote. Hin- dered by company. 22. Attended to my catechism. Wrote a constitution for a library- com- pany. Attended the funeral of an aged woman.* My lungs are quite feeble. 23. Rainy the most of the day. Wrote on my catechism. Did not attend our evening prayer-meeting on account of my weakness and wet weather. Have to give away a good deal. 24. Visited. Was out the most of the day. I hope God is mindful of us in some degree with the influences of his Spirit. Have many hindrances. Wrote on notes for preaching. Cold. 25. Thermometer this morning at 3°. Wrote notes, and preached on Jet. xxiii : 6. Did not finish my notes. The congregation appears solemn. At evening met with a number of persons for the purpose of forming a library company.^ Received a letter from my sister. Mother is pretty feeble. 'As the diary progresses we shall be the "Caledonian" had to say, but from the likely to learn the nature and range of this fact that his letter was anonymous, it was catechism, at which he works at intervals. probably sharp and fault-finding. ^ Rev. Ralph Emerson, D. D., of Norfolk. * Widow Margaret Campbell, aged eighty- ^ Alexander Fraser Tytler, whose £/e- four. ments of General History Dr. Robbins had ^ It is always to be kept in mind that in been revising, was a Scotchman, born in the Connecticut Valley Saturday night, and Edinburgh, in 1747. He was an extended not Sunday night, was kept as sacred time. writer. Dr. Robbins does not tell us what This custom reached up into Massachusetts. I 182 1.] PASTOR TN EAST WINDSOR. 849 26. Worked some. Easily get fatigued. At evening attended the confer- ence. Cold. Uncomfortable getting about. Received a letter from brother Francis. 27. Our ministers' meeting met here. Mr. Bartlett preached. The work of the divine Spirit is wonderful in all the neighboring places. May the Lord work more and more and not pass us by. 28. My brethren went away. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Enfield. A minister's meeting was at my brother's. Heard Mr. Osgood preach. At evening there was a full and solemn prayer-meeting. There are some favorable appearances there of a revival. The Lord work abundantly, and glorify his own infinite grace. It snowed considerably. March. 1. Rode home. Quite rainy. Got pretty wet. Read Encyclopedia. Had company. I think I have taken no cold. 2. Wrote on my catechism. It thaws and is quite wet. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty full. There is a sectarian spirit among us which gives me much anxiety. 3. Rode and visited. Visited a sick woman in East Hartford. Wrote notes of a sermon on a. Pet. i : 9. Mr. Stebbins,* from Simsbury, came here and tarried. 4. Wrote notes of a sermon on Prov. v : 11, 12. Preached with the notes written last evening and today. Was much exhausted by the exercise. At evening attended the meeting of the new librar}^ company. Paid $2.00 on becoming a member.^ 5. Read. Worked some. Had a valuable close box made for me. Quite cold. Thermometer in the morning 15°, and did not rise above 26°, with a clear sun. Hindered by company. At evening our monthly prayer- meeting was quite full. Visited. 6. Thermometer this morning 10°. Wrote. Wrote a letter to Mr. Chester Chapin/ of Springfield. Hindered by company. At evening had a meeting for inquiry in my chamber. Had a number of persons who appear anxious for their souls. I hope God may do something for us. 7. Rode and visited all day. People still go in sleighs, though it is rough and poor. Cold. Congress have admitted Missouri into the Union, foolishly and basely.'* 8. Wrote a piece for the newspaper. Rode to Hartford. Paid my mer- chant, $15.00. Received a dividend of the Phoenix Bank. The work of divine grace in Hartford is greater, I presume, than was ever known in that town before. 9. Thermometer this morning about 15°. But it became warm for the ' His student in theology. but the individual here referred to belonged, ^ It was largely through Dr. Robbins's probably, to a former generation, influence, probably, that this Library Asso- ■* We have before referred to this long elation was formed. and exciting contest, which ended in the ^ That name still abides in Springfield, Missouri Compromise, Feb. 28, 1821. 850 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [182: first time this week, and thawed a good deal. Visited. Wrote. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Wrote on my catechism. Yesterday look some additional cold. Am considerably hoarse. 10. Last night took a sweat for my cold, and I hope I am better. Rode out in a sleigh and visited. Warm, and the sleighing is about gone. Rode to Vernon ' on horseback to exchange with Mr. Ely.^ Met him on the way. 11. Preached on Isa. lix : i, 2, 3. Afternoon with notes on Prov. v: II, 12. This society appears to be pretty stupid. At evening rode home. I speak with difficulty. Mr. Ely preached in the evening. Bad riding. 12. Rode out and visited. There is evidently a work of divine grace among us, good and increasing, though not great. The Lord work abundantly and glorify himself. At evening had a solemn conference. My lungs are quite weak. 13. Visited Long Hill school. The roads are very muddy. Rode to Hartford, and preached for Mr. Hawes in the evening at the conference house to a very full and solemn meeting. The work of God prevails in all the neighboring societies. Returned. 14. Preached last evening with notes on Prov. v: 11, 12. Yesterday received a very civil anonymous letter respecting preaching. Read. Am quite languid. Wrote. At evening attended a church meeting, warned for the purpose, and the church resolved, in view of our low state, and the critical state of this people, in this day of the manifestations of God's gracious power around us, to observe a fast, and to renew our covenant in a public manner. The Lord be our helper. 15. Visited persons that are serious. I trust God is truly with us. Quite warm. Thermometer at 58°. Very muddy. Received a letter from my brother, requesting me to assist him next week at fast. Wrote to him that I cannot go on account of poor health. Received a letter from R. Newton,^ of Worcester. 16. Am quite feeble, and have a constant hoarseness. Assisted in setting a large elm at our back door. Thermometer at 62°. Read old books. At evening had a full and solemn prayer-meeting. 17. Last night there was thunder and rain and snow, after which it became cold. Quite blustering. Read. Visited. Wrote on notes for preaching. 18. Wrote notes and preached in the morning on Rom. ii : 5. In the afternoon with old notes on Isa. X : 15. Very cold and tedious. Thermome- ter in the morning 17°, and did not rise above 25°, with a clear sun. At evening attended the conference, after which performed a marriage.* 19. Was called up in the morning at daylight to visit a sick woman. Am quite feeble. Thermometer in the morning at 10°, and rose but to 26°. Read. Visited. Attended the evening conference. * To Vernon, eight or nine miles. Lucy Shepherd, of East Hartford. They ^ Rev. William Ely. rode up probably to East Windsor to be 3 Hon. Rejoice Newton, before noticed. married. In Connecticut, at that time, parties *The parties were Ezra Horton and might be published and married the same day. l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 85 1 20. Visited. It snowed considerably. Wrote. At evening had a meeting for inquiry at my chamber. It was quite rainy, and but five attended. Secta- rianism' seems to be making violent efforts here. The Lord be our helper. I 21. An aged woman ^ died last night in the neighborhood. We had last night quite a hard rain. Rode to Wapping, and visited two schools. They J appeared very well. Got home late. I 22. Rode to Hartford. Very bad riding. The work of grace there con- f tinues with great power. Received a letter from Mr. Davies, of New Haven, [ and one from Mr. Chapin, of Springfield. Paid Hopkins for Sabbath-school 'I books, $2.47. Reckoned with Mr. Goodrich, an account of pretty long stand- * ing. I have a credit on his book of $75.00, for writing the continuation of : Tytler's History, and of $50.00, for revising and enlarging the same work. Paid him for books, $51.62. For Sabbath-school books, which as well as those I had of Hopkins, I have given to our Sabbath-school, $19.59,* For school-books given to children year before last, $6.00. For stationery, $8.96. For other things, $1.72. Cold. The awakening in East Hartford is very encouraging. 23. We observed this day as a fast, in view of the low state of religion among us, and our apprehensions that we may be passed over in this day of God"s abounding mercy. In the forenoon I made three prayers, and read the Bible, and made some observations and sung between. Afternoon had a usual exercise, preached with notes written today on Zech. xii : 11-14. Meet- ings quite full and solemn. After meeting attended a funeral. Very much fatigued. 24. Am very languid. Read. Rode out and visited. At evening began to write notes of a sermon on Deut. xxvi : 16, 17, 18. Wrote very late. Hindered. 25. In the forenoon it snowed considerably. Our church expected to have renewed covenant today,* but on account of the unfavorable weather we deferred it till next Sabbath. Wrote on the notes begun last evening, and preached with them both parts of the day without finishing the discourse. Cold, though yesterday it was quite warm. At evening attended the conference. 26. Set my clock in a room below. Read. Had company. At evening had a full conference. Methodistic notions make us some trouble. Read Hume's Essays? 27. Have some cold, and my lungs remain quite feeble. Wrote. I accomplish but little of what I ought to do. At evening had a meeting for inquiry at my room. But few attended. ' Everything was sectarian then that was * This was a common custom in the not of the Standing Order. churches of New England in former times, - Mrs. Mary Ehner, aged seventy-two. and it has not yet ceased. ^ Here was a single gift from the pastor ' Hume's Essays were not specially fitting amounting to more than twenty-two dollars. to a time of unusual religious interest, except As a giver, Dr. Robbins was certainly gen- by the law of violent contrasts. His essays erous. were artful and undermining. L 852 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [182I. 28. Visited. Many people appear a little serious. Afternoon rode to Enfield. Got in late to a meeting at which Mr. Hill' preached. Quite cold and tedious, being out. 29. The work of grace here appears genuine and encouraging. Rode home. Rode over to Pine Meadow. In the afternoon and evening Maffitt preached here. Several people appear to be much taken with him. 1 hope God will help us. 30. Wrote. Am considerably taken up with instruction. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Gen. ii : 8-15. A member of our church, residing at New Haven, has a notion to join the Methodists. At evening had a full prayer-meeting. 31. Visited the school in our neighborhood which has been very poorly kept by the Baptist preacher. Afternoon attended the funeral of a black child. At evening wrote notes of a sermon on i Kings xiv : 6. Visited a child very sick. April. 1. Our church publicly renewed their covenant. The church^ and con- gregation were very full, and the season was very solemn. The day was pleasant. Finished my notes, and preached them in the forenoon; begun and preached in part last Sabbath on Deut. xxvi : 16, 17, 18, Afternoon preached notes written last evening on i Kings xiv : 6. Administered the sacrament. I beseech of God to add to all his blessings. In the morning visited a sick child, and after meeting a man who was yesterday very badly hurt. Exceed- ing tired and sore at the lungs. Had eight cases mentioned for public prayers. 2. Prayed at the opening of the Freemen's Meeting. The votes were very close. Democratic, 186 ; Federalist, but two or three more.^ Visited. At evening attended the monthly prayer-meeting. Quite full. 3. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick. Very cold. Afternoon visited a school. We have a number of sick. 4. Taken up all day with our new library. Made out a partial catalogue, and in the afternoon rode to Hartford with others, and procured books, about fifty volumes. Paid for corks, $1.88. 5. Visited the sick. A child died in the neighborhood. Mr. Chapin,* a candidate, called on me. Wrote to Rev. Mr. Nettleton.^ Received a letter ' Without much doubt, this was Rev. usage does it now without working any par- Oliver Hill, who was graduated at Williams ticular evil so far as appears. College in 1817, and was appointed a mission- ^ Even East Windsor, that, anciently, was ary of the Connecticut Missionary Society, to so strongly Federalist, is getting down close labor in New York and Pennsylvania. to the razor's edge. * It is to be noticed here that when Dr. "• Rev. Chester Chapin, probably, who Robbins speaks of the church as being full, soon after supplied the pulpit for a time he is not thinking of the meeting-house, but at East Granby (Turkey Hills). of the body of the church-members. Our New 'Rev. Asahel Nettleton, afterwards the England fathers were very particular not to distinguished evangelist and professor at call a meeting-house a chicrcJi. But common East Windsor Theological Institute. j82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 853 from Mr. Battell. Visited a school. Our schools this year have succeeded pretty poorly. Am pretty feeble. 6. Wrote. Wrote to my mother. Dismissed my pupil whom I have instructed for a considerable time. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Received a letter (circular) from the American Benevolent Society, 7. Read. I do not accomplish as much as I ought to. Attended the funeral of a young child. Visited a sick man. Rode to Enfield to exchange. Spent the most of the forenoon with Mr. Skinner, of Berlin. The revival of religion is great in liis and the neighboring societies. 8. My brother went to East Windsor. Preached on Isa. lix : i, 2, 3. Afternoon and evening with notes on i Kings xiv : 6, and Zech. xii : 11-14. Meeting in the evening at the meeting-house, and quite full. There is a great and good work of God's grace here. More than there has been in about eighty years.' Quite wet. Much worried with speaking. 9. Visited. My brother returned. Afternoon rode home. Visited. At evening had a very full conference. We have very pleasing intelligence from the Sandwich Island Mission.^ 10. Walked and visited our academy. It is very well kept. At evening had an inquiry meeting at my house. Nine attended. 11. Wrote. Read. Afternoon Rev. Charles Goodrich^ came here and tarried. I hear almost daily of the continued extension of our religious revivals. Considerable snow. 12. It snowed and rained all day. Bottled my cider. We have three hundred and seventy bottles. Wrote to Mr. B. I. Gilman, of Philadelphia. 13. Rode to Wapping, and visited the sick and afflicted. Was out all day. Find some tokens of good. Bad riding. At evening had a full and solemn prayer-meeting. 14. Visited the sick. There are a number of them among us. Afternoon rode to Wapping, and attended the funeral of Mr. Gideon Grant, aged ninety- four. He became a hopeful subject of grace during the "great stir," and has been a member of this church seventy- seven years." Cold. 15. Last evening and this morning wrote notes, and preached in the after- noon on Isa. i : 2. In the forenoon preached with old notes on Zeph. i: 12. My lungs pained with speaking. At evening attended a conference, but did very little. Cold and blustering. ' He is preaching in Enfield, and this April, 182 1, the people of this country were reference to a time eighty years before, hearing of what had been accomplished in makes it plain that he has in mind the great the Islands during the six months after their awakening along the Connecticut Valley, in arrival. Now we get news from the Islands Jonathan Edwards's day, and at the time of in about three weeks. Whitefield's first visit to New England. ^ For whom he had edited and enlarged - The first company of missionaries left Tytler's History. this country for the Sandwich Islands in ■♦ This is another reference to the old October, 18 19. It took them about six Whitefield days. A common name, of old, months to reach the Islands. It would take for that extensive awakening was " The six months to get news back. So now in Great Stir." S54 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1821. 16. Visited. Rode to Hartford, and to Farmington. In the evening heard Mr. Nettleton preach.' The work of divine grace here is verj' great. Tarried at Gen. S. Cowles's. All the principal families here are interested in the religious revival. 17. It snowed hard, and without any intermission all day. Walked out. Could not ride home. Attended in the evening a small meeting. Tarried at Gen. G. Cowles's.* The most of the conversation here is on religious subjects. 18. In the afternoon rode home. Roads very bad. The snow is quite a foot deep. Cold. People generally move in sleighs. My horse at Farm- ington I put at a tavern. 19. Have a good deal of pain in my face. Wrote. Afternoon visited Tudor's school. He has done very well. Visited. Pretty good sleighing. 20. Fast. The Governor, in his proclamation, calls it a " Christian Fast." Went to meeting both parts of the day in a sleigh. Warm, and the snow wastes fast. Preached an old Fast sermon on Luke v : 34, 35. Visited a young man ver)' low. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Verv tired. 21. Wrote. Am very languid. The thermometer was above 70°. Re- ceived a letter from Mr. Battell at Hartford. Rode there and saw him. Rode to East Hartford to exchange with Mr. Fairchild. Preached in the evening at his conference room without any notes on i John iii : 14. The snow is mostly gone. 22. Preached on Isa. v: 4, and with short notes on Prov. v: 11, 12. Mr. Fairchild rode to East \\'indsor, and returned after meeting. The work of grace here is animating and powerful. Rode home and attended a confer- ence. Quite sore at my lungs. 23. Visited the afiflicted and dying. A very promising son' of Dea. Loomis died this morning, and a healthy man,'' of a short illness, in the after- noon. In the evening we had a full and solemn conference. Mr. C. Goodrich came here and tarried. Am quite feeble. 24. On the 2 isl attended the funeral of an aged manMvho died on the 19th. Visited Mr. Rockwell's afflicted family, and one at Wapping, where an aged woman died last night. Afternoon attended the interment of the remains of Otis S. Spencer, who died at Boston on the 6th inst.^ At evening our meeting of inquiry at my chamber was more full than it has been, and very solemn. I feel more encouraged that God, in his infinite mercy, may do something for us in the influences of his grace. 25. Read. Wrote notes for preaching. Attended two funerals. Prayed at each house, after which the two corpses were carried to the meeting-house, where I preached with notes just written on Eccles. ix : 10. After which we ' Rev. Mr. Nettleton was preaching at * Here were five deaths occurring within Farmington as an evangelist. Dr. Noah three or four days of each other. We have Porter was the pastor. not the name of the aged woman who died ^ Two General Cowles in Farmington. at Wapping, and know not the circumstances ^ Abner Loomis, aged twenty-seven. of the death of Mr. Spencer at Boston. The * Rosweil Rockwell, aged thirty-two. name Spencer, though not common, w^as one * Abiel Drake, aged si.xty.seven. of the family names of Windsor. l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 855 attended the interments. The collection of people was great, and the season very solemn. May God add his blessing. Paid for work, .38. 26. Worked in the garden laying it out anew, and driving a scraper. Afternoon rode to Hartford. I conclude the revival here is declining. Wrote to Mr. Chester Chapin.' 27. Worked in the garden. I hope it may be beneficial to my health. A Mr. Goddard," candidate from Massachusetts, called on me and tarried a good while. Wrote. Sowed peas in the field. At evening had a full and solemn prayer-meeting. Quite warm. Vegetation is backward. 28. Drove scraper. Visited serious persons. Wrote. Gave a poor man, .50. I hope the grace of God will not leave us, though we are guilty of every provocation. 29. Wrote notes and preached in the afternoon on John xv : 22. In the forenoon preached an old sermon on Heb. xii : 14. Preached long, and was very tired. Six cases were mentioned for prayers for loss of friends, and one for sickness. At evening attended the conference. 30. In the forenoon attended the funeral of an elderly woman at Wapping. Visited. Quite unwell. Have occasional severe pains in my side. At even- ing attended our conference. Could do but little. Warm. We had a little rain. Received an excellent letter from Mr. and Mrs. Gilman,^ of Philadel- phia. Last week a worthy family moved from this neighborhood to Torrinrford. 1. Worked in the garden. The thermometer was above 80°. Wrote. At evening rode to Hartford, and attended the wedding of Augustus Fitch." 2. Rode to Hartford, and attended the election. But few ministers were present. No public dinner. Mr. Weld^ preached very well. The military parade was very good. The dignity of Connecticut is departed.* Assisted in forming a County Missionary Society, of which I am secretary. The annual meeting of the Ministers' Annuity Society was holden. Dined at Mr. Moseley's. The water is high. Paid for a copy of Trumbull's Works,'' $1.50. Quite tired. 3. On the ist wrote to Mr. Erastus Ellsworth,^ of New York. Wrote. ' The candidate who had recently called ^ Rev. Ludovicus Weld, pastor at Hamp- upon him. ton, Ct., from 1792 to 1824, when he was ^ Rev. Joseph Bachellor Goddard, a grad- dismissed. He died in 1844. uate of Williams College, i8i6. He died in ^ Though Oliver Wolcott, the Governor, 1842, aged forty-nine. was one of the noblemen of the State, Dr. ^ These were Benjamin I. and Hannah Robbins could not see it so. (Robbins) Gilman, whom we have generally '' These were the works of John Trum- met at Marietta, Ohio. bull, author of McFingal, of which an edition ^ Dr. Augustus Fitch, belonging to the was published in Hartford in 1S20. same general family in East Windsor with ^ Of whom we have before spoken. He John Fitch, the first inventor of a steam- afterwards lived on East Windsor Hill, and boat. This Augustus was a distinguished was Treasurer of Connecticut Theological physician in Charleston, S. C. Institute. 856 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821. Visited. Wrote records of Ministers' Annuity Society. Tarried out. Saw daffas on Monday. 4. Visited. Am quite feeble. Wrote to brother Francis. At evening had a full prayer-meeting. Tarried out. 5. Quite cold. Wrote. Visited. I think we have evidences of gracious influences among us more than at any time. 6. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on i Cor. i : 17. After- noon an old sermon on i Thess. v : 3. I preach too long. We had our missionary contribution, and collected $45.30. In view of the state of the times, I think it as good as we have ever had. We had one $5.00, two $3.00, three $2.00, and eleven $1.00 bills. At evening had a full confer- ence. Gave notice of my expected journey. The people appear to approve of it, particularly for the sake of my health. 7. Worked in the garden. Preparing for my journey. Dined and prayed with a military company. Received a letter from my brother. Wrote. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. At evening performed a marriage,' after which attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Wrote to Rev. Mr. Nettleton.^ 8. Had a good deal of fatigue in fixing away. Set out with Tudor' on my journey to Philadelphia. Quite warm. Rode to Milford, fifty miles. The season is backward. 9. Our horse is something lame. Apple-tree blossoms appear. Rode to Westchester, fifty miles.* Am quite fatigued. The roads not good. 10. On the 8th received a letter from Mr. F. Butler, of Wethersfield. Rode into New York, fifteen miles.* Attended the meeting of the Bible Society. It was very numerous and interesting. The speaking was not very superior. Went to Mr. Ellsworth's.* Kindly received. Visited some former acquaintance. At evening heard Mr. McEwen, of New London,^ preach. 11. Walked out. Called on Rev. Mr. Matthews,* and others. The city appears very large and active. Spent some time at the depository of the Bible Society. Wet. Find many acquaintance. At evening Mrs. Ellsworth had a circle of friends, all from Connecticut. We had a pretty hard thunder-shower. Paid $17.38 for Bibles for Mr. Battell. 12. Called on Dr. Spring,' Mrs. Watson,'° and others. Dined with Mr. ' The parties were John Moore and Eliza Wolcott, and an intimate friend of Dr. Porter. Robbins. ^ Very likely to ask him to come and ^ Dr. Abel McEvven, preaching in behalf preach in his absence. of some one of the benevolent societies then ^ Samuel Tudor Wolcott. holding their anniversaries. * One hundred miles in two days, in a horse ^ Dr. John Matthews, born in Guilford, and buggy over " roads not good," is rather N. C, 1772, settled in several places, and hard driving. then for many years professor in the Presby- ^ This was the old-fashioned Anniversary terian Theological Seminary at Hanover, Week in New York — second week in May. Ind. He died in 1S4S. ^ Erastus Ellsworth, Esq., it may be re- 9 Dr. Gardiner Spring, of the Brick Church, membered, married Betsey (Elizabeth) Wol- '° Widow of his old friend, Mr. James cott, daughter of Mr. Samuel Wolcott, of East Watson, where he stayed when he first went Windsor. She was of the kindred of Tudor to New York, at the age of eighteen. l821.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 857 Stone. Treated very kindly by him. Visited the Academy of Arts, etc. The City Hall is a very noble building. Quite tired. Thunder and rain. 13. Preached in the forenoon for Mr. Matthews on Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. In the afternoon, for Dr. Spring, on James i : 23, 24. Full and attentive congrega- tions, especially Dr. Spring's. At evening attended meeting at Trinity Church. Wet. My voice held pretty well. Feel anxious for my own people. 14. Walked and visited. Dined with Dr. Philo H. Mills. My cousin P. R. Starr here, is not now in much business. Towards night left New York, crossed the North River in a steamboat, and rode to Newark. Have been very kindly entertained at Mr. Ellsworth's. He appears to be well situated. 15. It seems the short war in Italy is soon closed.* Rode across the State of New Jersey, fifty miles, to Trenton.^ A great number of toll-gates. Vege- tation advances rapidly. The apple-trees are generally in bloom, and people are planting. Looked at Princeton College, and saw there, and at Trenton, a good many ministers. Our horse continues lame. 16. Rode thirty miles to Philadelphia. Left our horse near Holmesburgh, and at a pasture, and were carried to the city in a carriage. Very kindly received at Mr. Oilman's.^ His family appear very well. Paid Tudor for traveling expenses, $7.92. Our whole expense has been $21.24. 17. Attended the meeting of the General Assembly.* It was opened by a sermon by Dr. McDowell,* of Elizabethtown, N. J. It took a long time to organize. At evening Mr. Chester* preached at a Female Charitable So- ciety's annual meeting. Wet. 18. Sat with the Assembly. They do business pretty slow. Walked out. President Day,' my colleague, is here. At evening preached for Dr. Jane- way^ a preparatory lecture on Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. The congregation was full. 19. Walked and viewed the city. It is very pleasant. The Assembly did not sit in the afternoon. Drank tea with Dr. Wilson.' He is a man of great learning. Wrote. 20. Attended meeting with my cousins. Dr. Blatchford'° preached in the forenoon, and Mr. De Witt," of Harrisburgh, in the afternoon. Attended the sacrament, which was administered by President Green. '"^ The church is quite ' Some outbreak which does not stand in ^ John Chester, D. D., graduate of Yale the Italian records as a " War." 1S04, settled in Albany, N. Y. - Fifty miles he seems to regard as a fair ' Dr. Jeremiah Day, his associate dele- average day's journey. gate, had then been four years President of ^ Benjamin I. Oilman, who married his Yale College, cousin, Hannah Robbins, formerly of Mari- ^ Dr. Jacob J. Janeway, of the Second etta, O. He had now moved to Philadelphia. Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. * He is a delegate from the Connecticut ^ Dj-, James P. Wilson, of Philadelphia, General Association to the General Assem- and Dr. Robert G. Wilson, of Washington, bly of the Presbyterian Church. were both members of this Assembly. 5 John McDowell, D. D., a graduate of '° Dr. Samuel Blatchford, of Troy, N. Y. the University of North Carolina, 1818. He " Dr. William R. De Witt, of Carlisle, was Moderator of the last General Assembly, Penu. and so, by custom, it belonged to him to '- Dr. Ashbel Green, of New Brunswick, preach the opening sermon of this Assembly. N. J. 858 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D, [1821. large, and a great number of ministers were present. In the evening wrote an account of the state of religion in Connecticut for the General Assembly. Yesterday dined at Dr. Janeway's. 21. The Assembly were taken up all day in receiving the accounts of tlie state of religion. They were very interesting. It is remarkable that revivals in different parts of the country have been mostly among New Eng- land people. Gave in our account. At evening the missionary sermon was j preached by Dr. Hill,' of Virginia, our moderator. Rather ordinary. On Sat- urday found my brother Nathaniel. He keeps a small shop here, and appears to get a decent living. This evening drank tea with him at his boarding- house. Find myself much taken up. Paid $i.oo for a book. 22. Walk about town as much time as I can get. Our forenoon sessions are quite long. Dined at Mr. Latimer's. My cousins here appear very well. Tudor conducts well. At evening wrote. This city is much embarrassed by the times. Paid for boots for Ursula, $2.50. Have a number of old acquaint- ance in the General Assembly. 23. Wet all day. Was close at the Assembly. Mr. Dwight,^ from Boston, is quite unwell. Drank tea at Dr. Wilson's. Mr. Olmsted, from East Hart- ford, came here. At evening attended the Assembly's stated prayer-meeting. Their report on the state of religion is very favorable. 24. Quite rainy and cold all day. Could not walk about as I had calcu- lated. The Assembly are not always the most regular. At evening preached for Mr. Paterson on Heb. xii : 14. Wrote to Mr. Wolcott. Tudor and Olmsted went off for Baltimore, 25. It continues to be wet and cold. Had some of my brethren here to dine. In the afternoon rode out to Mr. Gilman's new place, and to Holmes- burgh ; where I preached in the evening, in a Methodist meeting-house, to a full audience of various descriptions of characters. My horse appears to have been well kept. 26. Yesterday paid ^6.00 for two finger rings for Ursula and Eveline. The cost was $7.00, and they allowed me $1.00 for old gold. In the morning rode into town in a hard rain. My cousin Chandler kindly carried me out, and brought me back in a good carriage. Attended the Assembly. Visited. Visited the library. Paid $1.00 for three copies of the Assembly's Catechism in Hebrew. Paid $3,75 for a comb for P'rances. Gave a young man where my horse is kept, $1,00, Paid $1,00 for a snuff-box, and ,50 for sleeve- buttons, 27. We have clear weather, and see the sun for the first time since Tuesday. Wrote. In the forenoon went to a great Quaker meeting. Spoke some in the meeting. Between the ordinary exercises, after dinner, I preached at the Penitentiary to four or five hundred convicts on Heb. iv : 9. Afternoon attended Dr. Neill's^ meeting, and heard Mr. Monteith,'* of Schen- ' Dr. William Hill, of Winchester, Va. ^ pr. William Neill. * Rev. Sereno E. Dwight, D. D., of Park * Rev. Walter Monteith. His father of Street Church, Boston. the same name had been a minister. l82l.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 859 ectady. Spent some time with my brother, and other old acquaintance. At evening visited Mr. Chauncey. Stopped into two or three meetings. On Friday evening at Hohnesburgh preached on Num. x : 29. 28. Rode out with Mr. Daniel Barnes, by whom I was kindly waited on, and saw the water works, Schuylkill Bridges, Pratt's Gardens, and other great curiosities. Very warm. Afternoon walked about the Academy of Arts, where are many fine curiosities. Saw Mr. West's 'painting of Christ healing in the temple, which exceedingly surpasses anything of the kind I have ever seen. Attended a little while in the General Assembly, and took my leave of the body. They expect to sit two or three days more. Had many calls on me. In the morning Tudor returned from his southern tour to Baltimore and Washington. Paid for a piece of Irish sheeting for Frances, thirty-three yards, $13.00. For an 8vo Bible, which I gave to my brother, $2.00. Paid for a book, .38. Took off my flannel. 29. Left Philadelphia. The occasion has been very pleasing to me, and I hope useful. Have had an agreeable visit with my friends, and a pleasant time at the General Assembly. That is a very respectable body. Mr. E. W. Mills, formerly from Norfolk, gave us a conveyance to Holmesburgh very kindly. My brother rode out with us. Kindly entertained at Mr. Rean's. He would take nothing for keeping our horse, who is in excellent order. In the afternoon rode to Trenton. The heat is severe. Traveled quite moder- ately. Vegetation advances very rapidly. The people have hardly begun hoeing. 30. Rode from Trenton to Newark. Trenton Bridge is a very fine one. But very great tolls are taken in this State. Towards night we were hindered considerably by rain. 31. Spent the last evening with Dr. Richards.' Rode early to New York. Went to Mr. Ellsworth's. Quite warm. Called on several acquaintance. Towards night left New York, and rode to Harlem. Was out in a hard shower. Could not ride any farther, as I had intended. June. 1. The weather was wet and chilly, with easterly wind all day. Rode pretty steadily, and got to Stratford, fifty-six miles. The ground is very wet, and the streams are high. 2. Pleasant weather. Rode to New Haven. Found Tudor, who arrived in a steamboat last evening. Called on President Day, who left Philadelphia three days before me. Saw my cousin James Robbins, and some other students. Left New Haven with Tudor at eleven o'clock, and rode home. Found all things well. We have had a prosperous journey, my health is much better than when I left home, and we have the greatest cause of thankfulness ' Dr. James Richards was born in New ark, N. J. In 1S23 he was made professor Canaan, Ct., Oct. 27, 1766, was educated at in the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, at Yale College, from which institution he re- Auburn, N. Y. There he died in 1S43, hon- ceived the degree of A.M. He was settled ored and beloved. The Seminary did a large first at Morristown, N. J., and again at New- work in those years. S6o DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [182I. to God. My horse has performed much better on his return, than when we were going down. Mr. Chapin ' is here. He has been here very steadily, and has given very good satisfaction. It is a very growing season. Find myself quite fatigued. 3. I think the work of grace has rather increased during my absence. Preached in the forenoon an old sermon on Heb. xii : 2. In the afternoon Mr. Chapin preached. Wrote notes and preached on Jer. iii : 23. The even- ing meeting was very full. We had to remove to the meeting-house after the exercises commenced. The thermometer rose to go°. The people express a high gratification at my return. A child has died here in my absence. 4. Wrote. Had company. Visited. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Gave an account of the state of religion in the Presbyterian church. Dr. Bassett,^ of Hebron, was with us. The traveling expenses of myself and Tudor from Philadelphia home, while together, including $r.oo given to the keeper of my horse on the 26th ult., were $10.33; ^^^ ^^^^'^ o^ which, $5.17, is mine. I paid also $4.00, traveling expenses from New York to New Haven when Tudor was not with me. Thermometer 90°. 5. Rode to Enfield, and attended Association. Find much affectionate attention from my people since my return. Dr. Perkins^ and Mr. Rowland* preached at Association. Our meeting was full. The heat severe. 6. We had the account of the state of religion in our societies given in public. There is no one except Turkey Hills without more than common religious attention. And in fourteen or fifteen there are pleasing and power- ful revivals. Bless the Lord, O our souls. Returned. Visited. In the evening performed a marriage.' Received a letter from Mr. S. G. Goodrich.* 7. Wrote. The heat very oppressive. Visited persons under deep conviction. I hope God has yet much good in store for us. 8. On the 4th paid Mr. Chapin, $10.00.' Wrote. Afternoon rode to Hartford. The work of grace there continues. In the evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite full. Wrote to my mother. Yesterday the thermome- ter was 91°, today 92°. 9. Yesterday Mr. S. G. Goodrich called here with an earnest request that I would write a supplement to Milner's Church History^ which he proposes to publish. I do not know what to do respecting the undertaking. Quite rainy the most of the day. Wrote. Visited. God is doing, I trust, good things for us. 10. Wrote notes and preached in the afternoon on Jer. xxix: 13. In the ' Rev. Chester Chapin, who has been act- Charles A. Goodrich, and associated with ing as preacher and pastor during his ab- him in business. They were sons of Rev. sence. Samuel Goodrich, of Ridgefield, Ct. ^ Dr. Amos Bassett. ^ Rev. Chester Chapin, for supplying the ^ Dr. Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford. pulpit while he was gone to Philadelphia. ^ Rev. Henry A. Rowland, of Windsor. ^ It is constantly made evident that Dr. ^ The parties united in marriage were Robbins was regarded as one of the able Pelitiah Bliss and Lucina Grant. and scholarly divines of his generation. His * Samuel G. Goodrich was brother of pen was called largely into use. l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 86l forenoon with old notes on Matt, xxii : 42. At evening attended conference at the meethig-house. Meetings quite full I speak with considerable ease. Thermometer 84°. The season is very fine, 11. Wrote to Rev. Mr, Merwin/ and to my brother. At evening attended a full conference. 12. Rode to Wapping and visited. The Baptists and Methodists are making considerable commotion there. At evening we had twenty at our inquiry meeting. I think the work of grace among us evidently increases. 13. Visited. Rode to Hartford with Mr, Wolcott. Extreme hot. The thermometer rose to 98°. Towards night showery. My cousin Sarah Bat- tell came here, Mr. Chapin returned. Paid $5.00, my annual contribution to the Ministers' Annuity Society. 14. Wet. Last night we had a hard rain. Wrote. Rainy the most of the day. Read, Walked out, 15. Walked and visited all day. Many people among us are more than usually serious. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. The ground is very wet. 16. Rode early to Hartford, and carried Sarah. Saw Mr. Battell. Con- versed with Dr. Flint and others respecting the supplement to Milner. Quite warm. Have many things to interrupt my studies. Yesterday wrote to my cousin, B, I. Gilman, Jr., of Philadelphia, 17. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on John v: 40, Afternoon an old sermon on Ps, li : 4, I preach too long. At evening attended the conference. Our Sabbath-school commenced. Bentley, of Wethersfield, is here, using every effort to make Baptists, Received a letter from Mr, A, Flint, of Philadelphia. 18. Last night tarried out. Visited the most of the day. The Baptists are very zealous and violent. In God is all our hope. At evening attended the conference. After which we had a hard shower. People are very back- ward in their hoeing. 19. Rode to Enfield and Wethersfield. Quite warm. The Enfield Bridge is impassable. Attended ministers' meeting. Preached on Isa. xlii : 7. At evening rode to Enfield, and assisted my brother some at a conference. I am quite in danger of a hoarseness, 20. Returned, Visited on the way. This morning early there was a pretty hard storm, and a barn of one of our near neighbors was struck with lightning and consumed. Gave the man $2.00, The Baptists, through God's great mercy, did yesterday but little. Six of their preachers were here, and they baptized two young women. One of them belonged to Wapping. 21. Wrote. A Mr. Churchill,^ a candidate, called on me. Visited. Have many hindrances. At evening preached at the mill neighborhood on Isa. xlii : 7. 22. Wrote. Wrote to my brother at Lenox, and to Mr. A. Flint, of Phila- ' Rev. Samuel Merwin, of New Haven. been licensed to preach by the Tolland Asso- ^ Rev. Ebenezer Churchill, who had just ciation. He was examined June 5, 1821. 862 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [182I. delphia. Visited, At evening attended our weekly prayer-meeting. Quite full. 23. Visited. Very warm. Mr. Merwin, of New Haven, called on me on his return from General Association. Rode to Windsor and attended the funeral of Mr. Sherman Rowland.' After which rode to Glastonbury to exchange with Mr. Birge.^ 24. Preached on Prov. i: 31, and i John iii : 9. At evening preached again without notes on Luke ix : 31. There is a good deal of religious atten- tion here. Meetings full. Called on Mr. Lockwood.^ I spoke feebly, and suffered much with the heat. The people here are much united in Mr. Birge, and strongly attached to him. There is a prospect of his being settled here. I hope he will do well, but have some fears. 25. Rode home. The thermometer was above 98° a considerable part ofi the afternoon. Walked out. Read. Mr. Birge was much liked here yesterday. At evening attended the conference. Quite languid. 26. Wrote. Read. Rode out and visited. Paid for wine, $2.25. At evening had our inquiry' meeting. Not so full as the last. Thermometer 95°. Vegetation is very rapid and vigorous. 27. Rode to Hartford. Did a number of errands. The dust very oppress- ive. Read Leo X.* Visited. Received my bedstead from Norfolk. It is a very good one. 28. Rode to Turkey Hills. This society are in a critical state. The Assembly have made no grant this year to supply Newgate with preaching. Returned by Enfield. Last night we had some rain. 29. Worked in the garden. Received a letter from my brother. On the 27th received $15.00 of the Hartford Bank. Wrote. Read. Am quite languid. Afternoon attended our preparatorj- lecture. Preached on Isa. Ivi : i with old notes. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Tarried out. 30. Visited. Had a call to go to Turkey Hills to attend a funeral, which I could not well deny. Rode there, and attended the funeral of Mrs. Owens. Preached in the meeting-house without any notes on Heb. iv : 9. Rode home the most of the way in the evening. Got home late and quite tired. July. 1. Preached with old notes on Ex. viii : 22, and an old sermon on Acts viii : 23. Administered the sacrament. The exercises were unreasonably long. I speak slower than I used to. In the afternoon felt an uncommon faintness and difficulty of speaking. Was much exhausted. Did not attend the conference. The sacrament was full and solemn. 2. Am quite feeble. Walked out. Read. In hawking I raised a little ' Sherman Rowland was the name of a Burge was a graduate of Middlebury College Revolutionary soldier from Windsor, and in 1S06. this may have been his son. ^ j^gy William Lockwood, a former pas- ^ Rev. Caleb Burge, who was settled in tor, a man of marked ability. Glastonbury the following August. Dr. * William Roscoe's Z//2' ^Z^^^, a model Robbins spells the name wrongly. Mr. work of biography. lS21.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 863 blood. Wrote. We had some rain. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 3. Visited. Set out for Norfolk. Rode to Colebrook, and tarried at my brother's.' The season is very favorable. Overtook Mr. Tenney,'^ of Weth- ersfield, and he went and staid with me. 4. Quite cool. Rode to Norfolk. My mother is pretty well. Brother and his family, and brother Samuel are here. Afternoon brother Frank and Maj. Parsons came here. Preached in the meeting-house without notes on Luke ix : 31. In the evening Mr. Chester/ of Gahvay, preached. Meetings quite full. There is a very pleasing work of grace here, and in most of the neighboring towns. 5. Brother Ammi and wife came here. Mr. Battell's youngest child is very sick. Visited. Our family visits are quite pleasant. I expected to have paid Mr. Battell $9.00 for my bedstead, lately received, the sum he paid for it at auction, but he has very generously given it to me. 6. My brother Frank and Maj. Parsons went off for the Springs. Rode home. Quite cool. Hope I am better for my ride. Attended our prayer- meeting. Mr. Chapin has not been here this week, as I expected. In the morning gave my cousin Sally Lawrence, $1.00. Mrs. Wolcott is considerably unwell. 7. Visited. The state of my people is such as to require much attention. At evening had men here for a meeting, who think of observing a stated meeting for prayer. None of them are professors. It is encouraging. 8. In the forenoon expounded on Mark xi : 15 to the end. I have neglected this service quite too long. Afternoon preached with old notes on Esther iv : 16. Endeavored to shorten the exercises. At evening had a good conference. Bore my labors better than I have done. Yesterday dined at Dr. Tudor's."* 9. Rode out and visited. Received a bundle of copies of my sermon preached at Winchendon last October. I have never seen one before, though printed at Worcester last December. Our joiners came and began work on the fence. At evening attended conference. Warm. Thermometer 90°. 10. Walked and visited. Wrote, Dr. Flint and Rev. Mr. Stone,^ of New Connecticut, called and made me a visit. Read. Yesterday received a letter from J. W. Barber,* of New Haven. At evening attended the inquiry meeting. 11. Rainy. Wrote. Conversed with a member of the church whose ' Ammi Ruhamah Robbins. * This was John Warner Barber, a native ^ Caleb J. Tenney, D. D. of Windsor, born in 1798. He was the ^ Rev. John Chester, of Galway, Saratoga author of those popular and useful volumes Co., N. Y. Historical Collections of Massachusetts, Con- * Dr. Elihu Tudor. necticut, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and ^ Rev. Randolph Stone, a graduate of Yirginia, and many other works of a similar Yale College, 181 5, and soon after sent by character. He was associated for some time the Connecticut Missionary Society to the with Gen. Hezekiah Howe, of New Haven, in Western Reserve. He became a professor the book business, but is far better known as in the Ohio University, and died in 1S40. a writer and compiler of historical works. 864 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821. conduct is not good. Wrote to J. W. Barber. At evening attended a small meeting. Mr. Hough, the Baptist, tries to get influence here. 12. Visited. Rode to Wapping, and visited. Showery. Cool. My time is very much taken up with my people. I fear the good Spirit is departing from us. 13. Walked and visited. Read. Afternoon rode to Hartford and back quite quickly. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Tarried out. Cool. 14. Visited. Wrote to Mr. Chapin at Enfield. Wrote notes for preaching. At evening a prayer-meeting was held at my chamber by a few men privately. I did not join them. 15. Finished my notes with some difficulty, and preached on Isa. Iv: 3. Meetings full and attentive. Baptized a child.' At evening had a full conference. 16. I bore the labors of yesterday better than I feared. Was called up last night to visit a crazy woman in the neighborhood. Visited. Read. At evening attended the conference. 17. Visited. Rode to Scantick, and visited acquaintance. The dust is very bad. People are beginning harvest. 18. Walked and visited all day. I am quite feeble. My lungs are quite weak. I think there will be war in the east of Europe. 19. Walked and visited. I cannot do so much visiting, in a given time, as I have done in years past. I am quite languid. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Wrote. 20. Wrote to Mr. E. Ellsworth,^ of New York. A woman, a near neighbor, has become suddenly deranged. 21. Rode early to Hartford and back. Received a letter from J. W. Bar- ber, of New Haven, and one from Mr. Chapin,^ at Enfield. Paid Ward & Bartholomew towards my stove, $10.00. Wrote. At evening rode to Enfield to exchange with Mr. Chapin. Am quite languid. Met Mr. Chapin on the way. 22. Preached on Prov. viii : 17, and without notes on Luke ix : 31. At evening attended a conference. The work of grace here still appears well. Meetings were full. I spoke quite too long. 23. Rode home by way of Turkey Hills. The epidemic there still con- tinues. Their society prospects are quite gloomy. At evening attended our conference with Mr. Chapin. Pretty thin. 24. Rainy and wet all day. Very grateful to the dry ground. Wrote on business for the Hartford County Missionary Society. Read. Mr. Chapin returned to Enfield. Received a letter from Mr. A. Flint, of Philadelphia. 25. Walked and rode and visited. I hope we shall have a large addition to our church. We had pretty hard showers. Warm and sultry. 26. Rode to Hartford. Procured for Mr. Wolcott two liirhtninsr-rods. ' Mary Austin Rockwell, daughter of been supplying the pulpit of Dr. Robbins's George Rockwell. brother at Enfield, as he had before supplied ^ Erastus Ellsworth, Esq. at East Windsor. He seems to have been a ^ Rev. Chester Chapin seems to have man of excellent judgment. 1 82 1.1 PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 865 Sent out my circulars for the Hartford County Missionary Society, Paid for points for a lightning-rod to give my neighbor who lately lost his barn, .60. Saw Mr. Noah Webster.' Concluded to write a brief continuation of Milner" for Mr. Goodrich. 27. Visited. Wrote. Oppressed with the heat. At evening our prayer- meeting was full and solemn. Tarried out. Thermometer 90°. On the 2Sth it was 92°. July hitherto has been pretty cool. 28. Visited the most of the day. The heat severe. Had a long conversa- tion with a man that gives me some anxiety. At evening rode to Wapping and visited a sick woman very low. 29. In the forenoon expounded on Mark xii : i to 28. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Ps. xl : 2, 3. Thermometer 91°. Did not feel able to attend any conference. Walked out. 30. Read. I suspect there will be a great war between the Cross and the Crescent.^ Quite overcome with the heat. The thermometer rose to 99°, and was at that point for some time. Mr. Caleb Alexander* came here and tarried. Conference pretty thin. 31. Gave Mr. Alexander some valuable books for the Theological Institu- tion at Andover. Rode to Hartford. Dr. Flint made me a handsome present. The thermometer was above 90° a considerable part of the after- noon, and some of the time very near 100°. Could do but very little. The air is very still. August. 1. Wrote. Read. The thermometer was at 98° and over. I am much oppressed with the heat. At evening we had a shower, with a great deal of lightning and distant thunder. Assisted in putting up a lightning-rod at our house. 2. Rode to Wapping and visited all day. Did not make much despatch. The harvest is good, though I believe not equal to two years past. The air is more clear since the shower, but the sun is very hot. I find tokens of good among my people. Thermometer 96°. 3. Read Milner's Church History. Walked and visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. The thermometer was at 94°. There is a great crop of grass. 4. Walked and visited. Went into the water. Read Milner. Ther- ' Undoubtedly the now famous Dr. Noah the Crescent, and the War of Independence Webster. His native place was West Hart- began." — Haydii's Dictionary of Dates. This ford. He was then sixty-three years old. war greatly interested and moved the west- '^ The edition of Joseph Milner's Church ern nations. Much help went from England History, for which Dr. Robbins wrote the and this country. preface, was published in Boston in 1822,' in ''Rev. Caleb Alexander, a graduate of five volumes. The work was very familiar Yale, 1777, and licensed to preach in 1778 by to students thirty and forty years ago. the New London Association. He received ^ " Proclamation of Prince Alexander to the degree of A. M. from Brown University shake off the Turkish yoke, March, 1821. in 1789. He seems to have been acting as He raised the standard of the Cross against an agent for Andover Theological Seminary. 866 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821. mometer 95°. I presume I never saw a warmer week. Wrote. The tremor in my liand is troublesome. 5. Wrote notes, and preached in the forenoon on Luke xxiv; 47. After- noon an old sermon on i Thess. v : 19. Preached too long. At evening attended the conference. The weather changed and became cool, but it is very dr)-. The dust is very bad. Thermometer 88°. 6. Last night tarried out. Have my trials about society matters. Vis- ited the most of the day. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. 7. Read. Have many hindrances. Received a letter from Mr. Good- win, of Hartford. Afternoon visited a school at Long Hill. Visited. Cool. 8. Rode to Hartford. Assisted Frances in selecting some furniture. The dust is very severe. Mr. Wolcott's affairs make me a good deal of labor. 9. Walked and visited. Read. Afternoon rode to Hockanum, and per- formed a marriage.' The most of the hay and harvest is in. People have had a very fine season for the purpose, 10. Wrote. Wrote to my sister. Walked and visited. At evening at- tended our prayer-meeting. The thermometer has been for five days at 87' and 88°, and today it has been at 91°. Meeting rather thin. 11. Am quite languid. My days and years are swiftly passing. Towards night rode to Hartford to exchange with Mr. Flint. In the evening preached in his chapel without notes on Ps. iv : 5. Very hot. Thermometer 97°. 12. The drought is severe. Preached in the forenoon on Prov. i: 31. Afternoon on Luke ix: 31, without notes. Mr. Flint rode to East Windsor, and returned after meeting. I think ministers ride too much on the Sabbath. Not quite as warm as 3-esterday. After sundown rode to Wapping and attended a marriage.^ Very, tired. 13. Read. Am very feeble. Worked some. On the loth received a letter from the church in Glastonbury requesting our assistance in their pro- posed installation. Read in the History of the Turks. At evening attended our conference. The drought is severely felt. Thermometer 96°. 14. Spent the most of the day in visiting. Could do but little on account of the heat. The thermometer was at 98°. The dust is very severe. The grass becomes brown. 15. Wrote. The heat almost disqualifies me for any labor. Afternoon rode to Hartford, and attended the meeting of the H. C.^ Missionary Society., People are much oppressed with the heat. The thermometer in the afternoon was at 101°. 16. Last evening we had a little thunder, but no rain. The nights are very hot. Wrote. Read on the History of the Turks. Afternoon rode to East Hartford, and attended a funeral, in the absence of Mr. Fairchild. ' The persons married were Deodat marriages. The persons united this time Woodbridge, Jr., of East Hartford, and were William Herriden, of Scantic, and Jerusha Loomis, of Wapping. Mary Alexander, of Wapping. ~ Certainly Wapping surpasses all other ^ Hartford County, auxiliary to the Amer- parts of his parish in the number of its ican Board. l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. S67 Thermometer ioo°. At evening rode out and visited. Was out late. The ground is exceedingly scorched with the hot sun. A large portion of th^ grass ground is brown, and gardens are generally failing, the corn and other crops are materially injured. I think I never saw a drought so severe. It is owing considerably to the severe heat. Our help is in God alone. 17. Rode and visited, and gave notice of a meeting for prayer on account of the drought, which was attended in the afternoon with much earnestness and solemnity. Mr. Hough, the Baptist, united with me and assisted. There is now a great Methodist camp-meeting in Orford." It is made a scene of recreation, and great numbers of people go. At evening visited. Tarried out. Thermometer 93°. 18. Rode and visited. Have a great deal of pain on my leg from a hurt. Afternoon assisted in examining five women to be propounded for our com- munion. Towards evening we had a most kind and grateful shower. We are under unspeakable obligations to bless and adore the grace of God. Paid for Dr. McClure's books,^ $20.00. Thermometer 95°. Much worried with labor. Wrote. 19. The bruise on my leg has become inflamed and painful, and I am quite lame. It was with much difficulty that I attended meeting and preached. Preached an old sermon on Rom. v : 12. The ground is exceed- ingly refreshed by the rain, but we need more. Did not attend an evening meeting. There are two attended by the brethren of the church when I cannot attend. Thermometer 92°. 20. Kept house pretty much on account of my lameness. Wrote. Read. At evening attended the conference. Thermometer 93°. 21. Last night we had a great deal of lightning and distant thunder, and a small shower. Quite cold. Revised Tytler for the printer. Visited. I think the late camp-meeting at Orford has left rather an unfavorable impres- sion respecting Methodism.^ On the 19th propounded five persons for the communion of the church. 22. Rode to Wapping and visited. Conversed with persons on the subject of a religious profession. Visited a school. Was out late. Quite cool. My lameness gets better. 23. Visited. Our good people are quite too backward about making a profession. It makes me a great burden. Visited the Long Hill school. 24. Received from Dr. Flint my annual consociational letter. Visited all day. The Baptists do what they can to prevent persons from uniting with our church. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. 25. Visited. In the afternoon (a memorable event) twelve persons, five men and seven women were examined in my chamber, and approved for the ' Manchester. The camp-meeting was ^ That is, for books which he had bought probably in the same grove where it had from Dr. McClure's library, been held before, and where it was held for ' That was the opinion of many persons many years after, in the southeast part of in that vicinity every year. But camp-meet- the town. ings were held year after year, just the same. 868 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821. communion of our church. Am much fatigued. Have very little time for «tudy. 26. In the forenoon expounded on Mark xii : 28 to the end. Afternoon preached with old notes on Gen. xxii : 13. Baptized four children. Two widows brought a son and daughter each.' Propounded twelve persons to the church. After meeting we had a season of prayer on account of the con- tinued severe drought. The air is almost filled with dust. The corn suffers severely. The meeting was tender and solemn. The Lord be our helper. Very tired. We had a dash of rain a little after noon, after which it cleared off. 27. Last night we had a moderate and most grateful shower. Rode to Wapping and visited. Visited a school. Mr. Hough takes much pains to ingratiate himself with the people there. Attended the conference. Visited a sick man. A very distressing scene. Quite cool. 28. Have taken a cold. Wrote. Hindered by joiners. Afternoon rode to Glastonbury, and met with the council for the installation of Mr. Birge.^ He appeared very well on examination. The people are very much united and happy in their prospects. 29. The installation services were well performed. Mr. Andrews, of Dan- bury,^ preached very well. I made the last prayer. At East Hartford heard the most of a sermon from Dr. Ely, of Philadelphia."* Visited. 30. Wrote. Walked and visited. Some persons who I think ought to profess religion are backward. Hot. Thermometer 90°. Wrote a piece for the papers for the Hartford County Missionary Society. Can get but verj- little time for myself. 31. Visited the sick and others. Rode to Wapping with the deacons, and examined five persons for our communion. The heat and dust are very severe. Thermometer about 94°. I think I never knew so great a drought here. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Took some cold. September. 1. We had a most kindly and refreshing rain as I ever knew. It rained the greater part of the day. Afternoon we examined six persons for our com- munion. Warm. The ground is exceedingly refreshed. Read Milner. 2. Wet and rainy all day. Some of the time it rained quite hard. Preached an old sermon on Col. i: 21. At evening performed a marriage.* Propounded ten persons for the communion of the church. 3. Showery. Wrote. Am quite feeble. Read. At evening we had some rain, and a very severe wind for about four hours. Did not have any monthly prayer-meeting. ' The children baptized were Samuel bury, 1S13-1836. Four of his sons entered Henry and Jerusha, children of Abigail the ministry. Rockwell ; and Sarah Lorinda and Zenas * Dr. Ezra Stiles Ely, son of Rev. Zebu- Timothy Elmer, children of Sarah Burnham. Ion Ely, of Lebanon, Ct. * Rev. Caleb Burge (not Birge). ' The parties were Elijah Porter and ^ Rev. William Andrews, pastor at Dan- Olive Diggins, l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 869 4. Rode out and visited. A number of persons among us seem to have their attention excited by the number that are propounded. Afternoon attended the funeral of a man' who died yesterday. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Ely,"" of Vernon. 5. Rode to Hartford. Did a number of errands. Visited. Taken up with the business of the Hartford County Missionary Society. Gave a poor woman, ^i.oo. The blow of Monday evening did verj' great damage. Many buildings are injured, many trees blown down, the com is laid low, the apples are almost wholly blown from the trees. 6. Visited. In the afternoon my cousin Joseph Battell ^ came here. He appears promising as a scholar. Rode out with him. 7. Rode to Hartford with Joseph, and saw his father. Quite warm. Rode to Wapping and visited. Rode to the north part of Vernon, and preached at Mr. Abbott's, who has lately lost a son in Virginia. Preached on Hab. iii : 17, 18. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Some persons here decline making a profession, who I hoped would do it. Very tired. 8. Visited. Have to do and to feel. Attended the funeral of a child, whose parents removed from this town, and reside in Ohio. After which examined four persons for our communion. The deacons are very judicious. g. Wrote notes and preached in the afternoon on Deut. xxxii : 18. In the forenoon preached with old notes on Ps. xxii : 11. Very warm and sultry. Thermometer at gi".* Yesterday it was at 90°. Last night we had a hard thunder-shower. Meeting very full. At evening attended the conference. Propounded four persons for our communion. One that was omitted last Sabbath by request, while one that was examined yesterday was omitted now for the same cause. Very much fatigued. 10. Read. The destruction by the late storm seems to have been great, and very extensive. Rode to East Hartford, and dined with a military com- pany. Rode to Hartford. Received a dividend of $52.50 of the Phcenix Bank. At evening attended our conference. Conclude not to go to Com- mencement. On the 8th received a letter from Mr. C. Chapin. Am pretty feeble. 11. Wrote. Hindered by company. Read. I find little time for study. 12. Read Tytler for the printers. Rode to Hartford with Frances. Assisted her in her business.^ Rode to Wethersfield, and saw Dr. Marsh.*" He is very low with a paralytic shock. Got home late. * Oliver Elmer, aged 32. ' Frances Wolcott was making prepara- ' Rev. William Ely. tions for her marriage. 3 Here again Dr. Robbins calls his '' John Marsh, D. D., was born in Haver- nephew his cousm. Joseph Battell was the hill, Mass., in 1742. He was graduated at oldest son of Dr. Robbins's sister Sarah. Harvard College, in 1761. He was now He was at that time fifteen years old. As about seventy-nine years old, and was draw- has been before stated, he died in 1874, ing near his end. He was settled in Weth- leaving a very large estate. ersfield in 1774. The next entry in the " Here again is the warm weather of early diary tells of his death. Both the father and September. son were useful and honored. 870 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821. 13. Wrote, Read Tytler. Visited. Received a letter from Mr. J. Marsh,' informing me of the death of his father. Received a letter from Silas Drake, of Hartford. 14. Wrote. Rode out and visited. My brother and wife returned from New Haven and Woodbury. Received a letter from brother Samuel. At- tended our evening prayer-meeting. 15. Rode to Wethersfield, and attended the funeral of Dr. Marsh. Dr. Chapin^ preached. Cool. 16. In the forenoon expounded on Mark xiii : i, 2. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Matt, vii : 14. Preached too long. Baptized a child.' At evening attended the conference. Tarried out. Much fatigued. My lungs are weak. 17. This morning, by coughing, I raised a little blood. I hope that God in his infinite mercy will prevent a repetition and increase of such a malady. Dined and prayed with a military company. At evening attended the con- ference. Spoke but little. 18. Rode to Wapping, and dined and prayed with a military company. Visited a sick man. Prayed with the rifle company at the Hill. These companies appeared well. 19. Wrote. We have the unexpected news of the death of the Queen of England.'' Afternoon attended an examination of the academy. Mr. Brock- way,' the instructor, has done exceeding well. Visited. 20. Worked some. Visited. Visited a school. Cool, but we have as yet no frost. 21. Rode and visited our candidates for the Christian profession here and at Wapping. The most of them appear very humble and fearful. At evening had a meeting with them, preparatory to their public dedication. It was principally for prayer, and two of them prayed. The season was exceedingly tender and solemn. They spent the day by themselves separately in fasting and prayer. 22. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. Ixxxix : 3, 4. Have many inter- ruptions. It is unusually long since I have written a sermon. I have had a great deal of labor and anxiety in bringing forward these persons for our communion. Those who have had hope for years come with great hesitation and trembling. 23. A memorable day. In the forenoon preached with old notes on Luke xvi : 25. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on Ps. Ixxxix : 3, 4. Received thirty-one persons'" to the communion of the church. This is ' John Marsh, Jr., D. D. 5 John H. Brockway, of Ellington, who ^ Dr. Calvin Chapin, of Rocky Hill. was graduated at Yale the year before ^ Laura, daughter of William Marble. (1820). In a previous note it was suggested * Queen Caroline, wife of that " First that his business at East Windsor might be Gentleman of Europe,'" George IV. He the study of law. But it now appears that tried, it will be remembered, to buy her off he was teaching the academy at East Wind- and be divorced from her. She died at sor Hill. Hammersmith, Aug. 7, 182 1. ^ Their names were Peggy Rockwell, Eli l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 871 said to be the greatest addition made to this church since the " great stir," about eighty years ago.' There are nine men and twenty-two women. Three were baptized. The day was ver)^ pleasant, and the meeting the fullest that I have ever seen here. The scene was exceedingly impressive and solemn. God grant that it may be approved on high, and made a great blessing to this people. At evening had a full conference. Bore the labors of the day better than I feared. What shall I render unto God for all his mercies. 24. Rode out. Rainy and wet the most of the day. Wrote. Paid for silk stockings, $2.00. My horse continues to be sickly. Had no conference. 25. Visited a sick woman. Rode with Dea. Loomis to Orford, and met with the Consociation. I was scribe. Mr. Porter^ preached. We had not much besides usual business. All dined at Mr. Cook's.^ At evening rode to the east part of Wapping and performed a marriage.* 26. The account of the state of religion given before the Consociation was exceedingly animating. Eighteen out of twenty of our societies have enjoj^ed a distinguished work of the divine grace during the past year. Rode into East Hartford, dined and prayed with two military companies. Rode to Hartford. Quite cool. 27. Have had my chamber altered in its form, painted and papered. It was omitted when the other parts of the house were done. Have been much hindered by this job. The workmen finished. Walked out. 28. Read Tytler. Worked at my chamber. I have applied some reme- dies to my horse. He is now very bad. Last night was quite cold, and I conclude we had a frost. But there was a fog this morning, and vegetation remains uninjured. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 29. Yesterday Rev. Mr. Colton, from the westward, called on me. Wrote. Yesterday paid for a book, .50. Visited. Warm. Walked to Windsor to exchange. My eyes, I hope, are better. 30. Mr. Rowland walked to East Windsor, and returned after meeting. It is just twenty-three years since the Sabbath when I began to preach. Preached on Matt, vi : 24, and John iii : 9. In the intermission attended a funeral. This congregation appears better than it has done. At evening crossed the river, and tarried at Capt. Bissell's.^ In the evening my eyes became quite sore. October. I. Wet and rainy all day. Rode home. I think I have taken a cold Olcott, Abigail Olcott, Epaphras Grant, Lydia riet Cole, Mary Williams, Charlotte Sophia Grant, Noah Sadd, Irene Sadd, Samuel Ban- Reed. croft, Jr., Sally Bancroft, Joseph Williams, ' Another reference to Whitefield days. Naomi Williams, Curtis Skinner, Ann Skin- 2 Dr. Noah Porter, of Farmington. ner, Lydia Babcock, Sally Birge, Daniel ^ Rev. Elisha B. Cook. Hayden, Oliver Tudor, Elihu Wolcott, Chloe * Between Silas Drake, Jr., of Hartford, Terry, Olive Rockwell, Sally Grant, Hepzi- and Eliza Warburton, of Wapping. bah Stoughton, Lydia Stoughton, Amelia ^ Capt. Aaron Bissell, at East Windsor Loomis, Minerva Bancroft, Fanny Filley, Hill. He always found a hospitable home Sophia Newbury, Clarinda Newbury, Har- there and cultivated people. 872 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS RODBINS, D.D. [l82t, which lias settled in my face. My eyes are much worse, and my face is affected with a tedious erysipelas. Have to wear a poultice, and mostly cover my eyes. Our jiionthly prayer-meeting was again omitted on account of rain. 2. Last night my face was very painful. Can do no business ; had a physician. Walked out. Had company. A Wapping man gave me $1.00. 3. Am quite weak, but I hope my face is a little better. The cattle show at Hartford. A great many people went down. I was appointed to preach in the evening to the Hartford County Missionary Society. Am very sorry to fail. Wrote to Dr. Flint. At evening my brother and sister Battell came here and made me a most grateful visit. 4. My brother and sister, and Mr. Stebbins, of Simsbury, who came here last night, went off in the morning. Many people went down again to the cattle show. Removed the covering from my eyes, and wear my screen. Walked out and visited. My horse is yet quite ill. A number of agricultural premiums are received here. Quite cool. 5. Rode out and visited a sick woman. My eyes are quite weak, and my face very tender. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Mark iv : 20. Meeting full and solemn. Did not attend the evening prayer- meeting. This morning there was frost, but there was a heavy fog, and vege- tation continues unaffected. 6. Warm. Am able, through divine goodness, to read and write some, but my eyes are weak. Paid a man $1.00 for doctoring my horse. My malady may have been poison, arising from handling ivy. Wrote to Mr. Willis,' of Boston, and sent him $3.00 for the Recorder, having received a letter from him some days since. Wrote. Read the Bible. 7. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on 2 Cor, iv : 10. Afternoon an old sermon on Luke xx : 13. Administered the sacrament. The church very generally present, and they appear numerous. The season was solemn and joyful. Meeting very full. Did not attend the evening conference. Xhere were two, and well attended without me. 8. Walked and visited. Visited a school. Attended the evening con- ference. After w^hich performed a marriage.^ My eyes are weak, but get better. The Lord is indeed my helper. 9. Wrote. Wrote an account of the religious revival which God has mercifully given us. I study but poorly. Was up late. My eyes are much better. 10. Rode to West Hartford and with Dr. Perkins^ to Farmington. He and Mr. Porter'* and I prepared an account of the late work of grace within our Consociation for publication. It was written principally by Mr. Porter. Returned in the evening. Quite cold. Got home late. ' Dea. Nathaniel Willis, father of Nathan- '^ The parties were Joseph Terry and iel Parker and Richard Storrs Willis. He Mary M. Fitch, is claimed to have been the founder of the ^ Dr. Nathan Perkins, first religious newspaper in this country, the * Dr. Noah Porter, whose name has be- Boston Recorder, in 1816. come familiar to our readers. l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 873 11. Read. Walked and visited. On the morning of the 9th we had considerable frost. This morning we had a hard one. Till these frosts vege- tation was fresh, blossoms were common, and we have steadily had cucumbers. The fall has been, thus far, a very favorable season. Paid a tailoress, .17. 12. Visited a sick family. Wet and rainy all day. Studied attentively on the revisal of Tytler. Wrote late. I hope my late illness has gone off with- out leaving any weakness in my eyes. Had no evening meeting. 13. Quite unwell with a dysentery and severe headache all day. Unable to study. On the 9th received a letter from Huntington & Hopkins, Hartford. 14. Last night took medicine, and now feel much relieved. Preached an old sermon on 2 Cor. viii : 9. Got through the labors of the day better than I feared. At evening did not attend the conference. Mr. Birge»' of Glaston- bury, came here and tarried. 15. On the loth paid Ward & Bartholomew towards my stove, $10.00. Worked removing my stove. Visited a school. At evening attended conference. 16. On the 8th paid a shoemaker, ^5.17. On the 9th paid a man for papering my chamber, 1^3.50. Mr. Hough ^ attended the funeral of a young man' who died yesterday, whom I visited on Saturday, under a severe paralytic shock. Wrote. Paid for setting my stove, .25. Visited a family who have just heard of the death of a son at Georgia. Visited a sick family. 17. Walked out and visited. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Paid $12.00 for charitable purposes. "• Quite cool. 18. Visited an afifiicted family. The woman* died last night. Revised Tytler. Quite cool. Probably snow at the northward. Received a letter from my sister. 19. Walked and visited. Attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Newbury. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Wrote. I study but little. 20. Rode to Wapping and visited. Was out visiting the most of the day. Find some favorable things at Wapping. Read expositors. 21. In the forenoon expounded on M-ark xiii : 24toxiv: 12. Afternoon preached with old notes on Heb. iv : g. Gov. Robbins,* of Milton, came to the meeting in the afternoon, and after meeting came home with me. He is out as a commissioner running the State line. Did not attend the conference. Mr. Robbins is very active. 22. Mr. Robbins went off very early. Rode with him to the Hill. He very much admires this town.' Visited. Visited the academy. I hope it will ' As already said, Dr. Robbins spells this ^ This Edward H. Robbins, of Milton, name with an i. But on the college cata- Mass., was never Governor of Massachusetts, logue, and in the Contributions to Ecdesiasti- but was Lieut.-Governor. He was graduated cal Jlistoty 0/ Connecticut, it is spelled Barge. at Harvard College, in 1775. He was an ^ The Baptist minister. honored and, trusted man, as is shown in his 3 Mr. Otis Wood, aged twenty-three. having charge of this survey. * His annual payments to various benevo- ' The view to the west all along " The lent institutions. Street," but especially from East Windsor s Mrs. Ruth Newbury, aged fifty-one. Hill, is fine. 874 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1821. be exceedingly well kept by Mr. Eells.' I am pretty feeble. Attended the conference. 23. Quite cold. Read ancient pamphlets. Walked out and visited. I am necessitated to spend much time in this way. 24. Read Milner.'' I have delayed attending to that much longer than I intended. Walked out and visited. We have hard frosts. 25. Read Milner. Warmer than it has been. Quite dr\'. Wrote. Walked and visited. I fear we shall have a tr\'ing case of discipline in the iChurch. Have taken some cold. 26. Read Milner & Mosheim. Worked some. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Our meetings grow thinner than they have been. 27. Walked and visited. My visiting takes much time, but I hope it is useful. Wrote. Paid a merchant, .83. Read expositors. Received a letter from my brother, 28. Wrote on notes for preaching, but did not finish them. Expounded on Markxiv: 12-52, and preached with old notes on Job. xxi : 14. Meeting full and solemn. At evening attended the conference, but did but little. I am able to speak with more strength than I have done. Yesterday began to write an appendix to Milner's Church History. 29. Rode to Hartford. Attended to the business of a hospital for the insane. I am one of the committee for this county. I hope that the design may be succeeded,^ At evening attended the conference. Quite warm. 30. Read. Worked some. Wrote. Paid a shoemaker, $2.25. Mr. Cushman,* of Hartford, preached here, but did not call on me, though often invited. Last Sabbath baptized two children.^ On Saturday night we had rain with considerable thunder. 31. Yesterday wrote to Mr, Battell. Wrote on a piece for publication respecting the insane hospital. Visited. At evening attended a church con- ference. An interesting meeting. On Monday Mr. Goodrich, of Hartford, informed me that he shall not publish Milner's History at present, and I may discontinue the appendix. This releases me from much anxiety and labor.* NOVBMBBR. I. In the forenoon we had a very hard rain. Finished my piece for the newspaper. Afternoon rode to Enfield, and preached a preparatory lecture ' Mr. Ozias Sheldon Eells, who had just ^ Oliver Grant and Silas Burnham Terry, graduated at Williams College. children of Mrs. Chloe Terry. * Dr. Joseph Milner's Chtirch History, ^ If Mr. Goodrich did not expect to pay which, as will be remembered, Dr. Robbins him at a higher rate than for his long service had undertaken to prepare for the press. on Tytler's History, Dr. Robbins might well ^ This institution not only succeeded, but desire to be excused from the labor. The has been most beneficent in its activities. It reason why Mr. Goodrich so suddenly gave was incorporated in 1822, and was opened up his plan, was probably because he heard for patients April i, 1824. At that time that the firm of Farrand & Mallory, Boston, there were but three or four similar institu- which brought out the first American edition tions in the country. of Milner's Church History in 1809, was on * Rev. Elisha Cushman, Baptist minister the point of publishing a second edition of of Hartford. the work, which appeared in 1822. l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 875 for my brother on Ps. Ixxxix : 3, 4. His nervous headache is very tedious. He received twenty persons to his church last Sabbath. The whole number this year is ninety-three. Rode home in the evening. The roads very wet. 2. Rode to Hartford. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 3. Had a hard frost. Visited. Rode to Wapping and visited. I hope there are some favorable appearances there. Yesterday bought thirty yards of carpeting, at $1.25 per yard, for my chamber. Read the Bible. 4. Preached an old sermon on Hos. xi : 4. I am sorry that I have not been able to study more lately. At evening rode to Wapping, and preached on 2 Kings vii: 3, and baptized three children. Tarried out. 5. Rainy and wet all day. Our monthly prayer-meeting was again prevented, as it has been the two months past. Mr. Torrey,' a candidate from Salem, came here and tarried. Read. Settled accounts with Elihu Wolcott, and paid him $9.23, which, with $20.00 paid August 18th, and $62,70 that he owed me on a note, makes $91.93. Paid for Dr. McClure's books. There are about two hundred volumes, good and poor, and three hundred and fifty pamphlets. 6. Rainy. Mr. Torrey went to Hartford. Brought home a part of Dr. McClure's books. Looked over pamphlets. My eyes are something weak. 7. Rode to Hartford with Frances. She has some trouble in procuring her articles. Got home late. 8. Read. Worked considerably leveling ground. Find among my pam- phlets some quite valuable. Wrote. At evening performed a marriage." 9. Read. Visited. Rode to Wapping. I hope God may do something for us there. My brother's wife and son called here. Paid her for neat's tongues, .94. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Not full. 10. Read. Have many painful hindrances. Was prevented from writing a sermon as I had designed. Towards night Mr. Woodbridge,^ of Stock- bridge, and his daughter, Mrs. Battel], and Mrs. Olmsted, came here. My sister and Eliza went on to Enfield. In the forenoon we had a very hard rain. Taken up with my company. 11. Visited a black woman quite low. Preached with old notes on Gal. iii : 13, and an old sermon on Ps. cxix : 92. Bentley,^ the Baptist, preached here. At evening attended a conference at Wapping. Baptized two chil- dren.' Full and attentive. My sister and Eliza returned from Enfield. 12. My friends went off for Griswold.^ Wrote. Had company. An intemperate man died very suddenly.' Attended the conference. Visited the house of mourning. 13. Wrote. Hindered by company. Wrote records of the Hartford ' This apparently must have been Rev. ^ Joseph Woodbridge. Reuben Torrey, graduated at Brown Univer- * Rev. William Bentley, of Glastonbury, sity in 181 6, and settled in several churches before noticed, in Connecticut. He died in 1S44. ' Hiram Burnham, and Roswell Lewis ^ The parties probably rode to his house. Rockwell, sons of Mrs. Olive Rockwell. They were Tifts Cooley, of Springlield, and * In New London County, Ct. Fanny Allen, of Westfield. ' Mr. Gideon Burt, aged forty-three. 876 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821, County Missionary Society. Attended a funeral. Rode to Hartford with Frances. Mr. Wolcott does but little in procuring her things." Paid for cleaning my chamber, $1.25. Got home quite late. 14. Cold. Attended a meeting of the managers of the Hartford County Missionary Society'. 15. Wrote. Afternoon visited a sick woman at Wapping, and rode to Vernon, and at evening performed a marriage.^ Called on Mr. Ely. J feel a little anxious about his situation with his people. It was quite dark, and I tarried at Mr. Skinner's, the place of the wedding. 16. Rode home. I am much discouraged about the disease of my horse. Had a few ladies come here and make my carpet. It appears well, but is costly. The whole is about $44.00. Attended our prayer-meeting. Received a letter from .^ 17. Wrote the principal part of a sermon on Ps. i : 2. Hindered by com- pany. Write late. My eyes are considerably weak. My tremor delays my writing. 18. Wrote on the sermon begun yesterday, and preached it. At noon was called unexpectedly to go to the hither part of East Hartford, and make a prayer at the funeral of a child. On which account my sermon was not finished. At evening attended a conference. A Methodist meeting held here today. Sectarians assail us with violence. All our hope and help is in God. 19. A black woman" died this morning. Visited the family. Read. Visited. At evening attended the conference. Spoke poorly. 20. Received a letter from my sister. Cold. Worked at my chamber. Attended the funeral of the black woman. Visited, 21. Rode and visited. I am very anxious about the influence and exer- tions of sectarianism here. It makes me much labor. 22. Rode out and visited. Rode to Hartford with Frances. Have had much to do for her. Quite wet. Rode home in the evening ; very dark. 23. Wrote. On the 20th received a letter from Silas Drake, of Hartford. Walked out and visited. At evening preached at a neighbor's on account of an aged woman. Wrote some short notes for the purpose on Ps. xc : 10-14.^ There are now in our street one man of ninety, and five men and women be- tween eighty and ninety, years of age. 24. Wrote a sermon on Ex. iii : 24, 25. Have not written one before in a day for some time. We had a good deal of rain. Cold. My eyes are weak. I feel something anxious about them. 25. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Matt, vii : 26. After- noon the sermon written yesterday. Meeting pretty thin. Cold and tedious. A new Baptist preached here. At evening rode to Wapping, and attended a conference. Tarried there. Baptized four children of one family.* ' For her approaching marriage. ^ « i']-,g (j^ys of our years are three-score ^ Iktween Dr. Horatio Dow and Mary years and ten," etc. Skinner, of Vernon. ^ Solyman Ward, Almena Walker, Elizur ^ This place is left blank. Franklin, and Mary LucretiJ, children of ■* Mrs. Jenny Palmer, aged sixty. Epaphras and Lydia Grant. \ 182I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 877 26. Visited at Wapping, Cold. Read. At evening attended conference. My lungs are rather weak. 27. Rode to Hartford. The ground is considerably frozen. Attended a funeral in the upper part of East Hartford. Heard, with much pain, that ecclesiastical matters are in a bad state at Vernon.' May God in mercy preserve our societies and churches. At evening married my good friend Harris Haskell to Frances Wolcott, of this family.^ The scene was trying to me as it was the first change in the family since I have lived in it, more than thirteen years. We had a very pleasant wedding. 28. Last evening Mr. Haskell made me the unexpected present of $12.00. This morning I offered the whole, then half of it, to Frances, which she declined receiving. They went off in the morning for their home in Wind- sor.^ A very ^Dleasant day. Wrote. Received pamphlets by mail, and a diploma from the American Antiquarian Society,"* with a letter from Nathaniel Maccarty, Worcester. 29. Wrote an answer to a letter received on the i6th. Looked over and arranged pamphlets. It snowed moderately all day. The first we have had. Wrote. 30. The snow continued last night, and is seven or eight inches deep. Worked at my chamber. Wrote. Read the Bible. Read a Unitarian ser- mon. Wrote a complaint against a member of the church, which I expect will soon be presented to the church. This complaint was written last evening. Had no meeting this evening on account of the weather. Wrote a part of a sermon on Tit. ii : 11-14. Cold. December. 1, Sleighs move considerably. -Received a letter from S. G. Goodrich, of Hartford. Wrote on my sermon begun last evening. My eyes are consider- ably weak. Taken up considerably with Mr. Eells's long recitation of ecclesi- astical history.^ Have been now three days without going into the street. Paid the Agricultural Society, $1.00. 2. Finished and preached my sermon on Tit. ii : 11-14. Pretty good sleighing. Am considerably unwell. At evening rode to Wapping, and attended the conference. Something rainy. Much fatigued. ' Rev. William Ely's pastorate at Vernon old. Miss Frances Wolcott, the oldest child was short, only four years, 1818-1822. And of Abiel and Ursula (Tudor) Wolcott, was yet the writer of this note, who as a boy born in 1794, and was not far from twenty- went to live in Vernon, in 1825, remembers seven years old. well with what pleasure Rev. Mr. Ely was ^ Not to Europe or New York, but to received by the people, when he came, from their home in Windsor. Is not that about time to time, to preach there. From 1825- as sensible as the other ? 1S41 he was settled in North Mansfield, not * American Antiquarian Society, Worces- very far away. ter, Mass. ^ Harris Haskell was the son of Jabez ' He has taken Mr. Eells, the teacher of Haskell, of Windsor, and the brother of Eli the academy, under his charge as a theolog- B. Haskell, of East Windsor Hill. He was ical student. It will be remembered that Dr. born in 1782, and was now thirty-nine years Robbins had taught theology before. 878 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821. 3. Visited. Am quite feeble. Read. The snow wastes fast. The roads very wet. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. The last three have been omitted on account of stormy weather. 4. Wrote. Began a sermon for Thanksgiving on Ps. cxvi : 7, 8, 9. Have many hindrances. Read. Wet. The sleighing is about gone, but there is considerable snow. Towards night rode to the east part of Wapping, and performed a marriage.' Gave a black man, .50. 5. Visited. Wrote some, but could do but little. Have a bad headache. At evening rode to Wapping and married a couple.^ It snowed some. After getting home wrote from half after eleven till after two o'clock. Mr. Has- kell and Frances came here. 6. Thanksgiving.^ Wrote and preached my sermon on Ps. cxvi : 7, 8, 9. It was not quite finished. Quite cold. Meeting rather thin. At evening rode to Scantick and performed a marriage.* I am much fatigued. 7. Rode to Hartford with Mr. Haskell. Am pretty feeble. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. 8. Do not feel able to write a sermon. Visited. Conversed long with a church-member, against whom a charge of great immoralities was handed me last evening. Examined and approved a school-master. My mind is tried in a very unexpected manner.^ Read. 9. In the forenoon expounded on Mark xiv : 53 to the end. Afternoon preached with old notes on i Kings xxii : 28. There was a full Baptist meet- ing here. The Lord be our helper. Warm. At evening rode to Wapping and attended a conference. Not very full. Baptized there four children.* Very tired. 10. Visited at Wapping. Am quite unwell and overdone with labor and anxiety. At evening attended conference. Was so unwell as to sit down to speak. Visited. 11. Much troubled with stomach sickness. Visited. W'et. Visited the Hill school. Bad riding. Paid a tailoress, .25. 12. I get but little time for myself. Wrote. Visited. Visited a school. Wrote a copy of the charge against the church-member, and a citation for him to appear. 13. It snowed pretty hard the most of the day, and at evening it rained very hard. Rode to Wapping, and visited two schools. Tarried out. Con- siderably unwell. 14. The roads very rough. Cold and tedious. Wrote. Yesterday our society meeting was held. Things appear pretty well. On the 12th received of my collector, $160.10. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Was out ' Between Hezekiah King, of Vernon, ■♦ Between Hiram Grant, of Hartford, and and Eliza Warburton, of Wapping. Mary Hosmer, of Scantic. ^ Between Thaddeus Hosmer, of Scantic, ' No explanation, and Frances Belcher, of Wapping. ^ Julia Ann, Amelia, Irwin Fitch, and 3 Thanksgiving that year was later than Henry Chauncey, children of John and usual Hepzibah Stoughton. l82I.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 879 late. There is some difference of opinion here about procuring a stove for the meeting-house.' All seem to wish to have one. It is not for my sake. 15. Have a very unexpected trial .'^ Received a letter from Mr. R. New- ton, of Worcester, from Laura Loomis, of New Connecticut, and from Dr. Flint. Much hindered. Visited a sick man. Wrote the most of a sermon on I Cor. ii : 10. Wrote quite late. Severe cold. Visited. 16. In the morning the thermometer was i or 2° below zero. In the fore- noon preached with old notes on Heb. ii : 3. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on i Cor. ii : 10. At evening attended the conference. Very tired. Much troubled with stomach sickness. Tarried out. 17. Rode to Hartford. Very good sleighing. Paid Lyman for boards, $9.25. Paid for the paper on my room, $6.00. Got papers at Dr. Flint's for the missionary narrative,^ which he wishes me to write. At evening attended the conference. 18. Visited a school. It rained considerably. Afternoon attended a church meeting. The delinquent member did not appear. The church voted as their opinion that his non-appearance is to be considered an implied acknowledgment of the fact charged. Adjourned the meeting. It was con- ducted with much decorum. Wrote. 19. Wrote. Read missionary letters. Visited families. Very icy. I fear trouble respecting our meeting-house stove. Received an important paper. 20. Slept very little. Yesterday paid a blacksmith, $2.60, and paid for a gallon of wine, $1.50. Thermometer about 20°. Wrote. Wrote in part in reply to the paper received last evening. Visited. The roads very icy. I have perplexing trials. The Lord teach me his will. 21. Rode early to Hartford, and rode with the committee for the insane institution in a sleigh to Meriden. Gentlemen from New Haven attended with us. Returned home in the evening.'* I hope this design may have the divine blessing. 22. Finished a writing begun on the 20th. Yesterday and today it has rained a good deal, but the snow remains. Wrote the most of a sermon on I Pet. i: 17. Wrote late. 23. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on i Pet. i: i. In the forenoon expounded on Mark xv : 1-22. Cold and good sleighing. Very icy. At evening rode to Wapping and attended the conference. Very tired. 24. Am quite feeble. Visited a family who have lost an infant child. Wrote. Visited. At evening attended the conference. Am quite feeble. Late in the evening my brother James and wife came here. Cold and very icy. ' The enterprise of putting stoves into ^ Probably relating to the work of the the ancient meeting-houses was almost every- Connecticut Missionary Society, where attended with more or less friction * By these ways the plan for the Retreat and division. for the Insane was taking shape, which has ^ Just before mentioned. since done an immense work. 88o DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1821. 25. Have a very severe domestic trial.' The Lord be my helper. My brother and wife went to Enfield. Visited a woman very sick. Attended the funeral of a young child. Attended a church meeting. The delinquent did not appear. The church voted him guilty of the charge. Many people went to Hartford to Christmas.'^ Wrote. Took some cold. My lungs are quite feeble. 26. My brother Ammi and his wife came here. James and his wife and Priscilla ' and her son came down, and we all dined together. Ammi and the sisters then rode to Enfield. James and I rode to Hartford, saw Mr. Battel!, and returned late. In the forenoon visited a school. Visited the sick woman. Thermometer at 12° at night. 27. Rode with brother James to Enfield. Had an agreeable visit. Towards evening rode to Pine Meadow,'* crossed on the ice, and tarried at Mr. Haskell's.' Frances is very pleasantly situated here. The sleighing pretty good. Visited. 28. Rode home. Visited. It thaws considerably. Visited the sick woman twice. Attended the prayer-meeting. Read and wrote on my mis- sionary narrative. Paid for my Mirror newspaper for a year, $2.00. 29. Visited the sick woman. Very cold and tedious. Read and wrote on the missionary narrative. Wrote an admonition for our censured church- member. Very icy. 30. Thermometer this morning a little below zero. Preached both parts of the day with an old sermon on Acts viii : 30, 31. Exercises short. Meeting-house very' cold. At evening attended the conference. Last evening attended a little while at a private prayer-meeting which has been observed by a few for some time. 31. Visited the sick woman; very low. Yesterday visited her twice. Read and wrote. At evening attended conference. Visited. The society had another meeting. I hope the ferment about a stove will subside. Received of my collector, $120.00. Blessed be God for the great mercies of this year. * No explanation as yet. and wife, lived at Pine Meadow, now Wind- ^ Probably to attend the Episcopal Church, sor Locks. the only church then that kept Christmas. ^ Then he recrossed the river, and stopped ^ His brother Francis's wife, of Enfield. over night with Mr. Eli B. Haskell, at East * The newly-married pair, Harris Haskell Windsor Hill. 1822. January. 1. Endeavored once more to commit my way to God, trusting in his grace for mercy, and for assistance in duty, through the present year. Visited the sick woman. Wrote. Dined at Dr. Tudor's.' Visited Mr. Watson. Rode out and performed a marriage.^ 2. Last night Mrs. Bancroft' died. The same fever with our epidemic six years ago. Visited the family. Read and wrote on my missionary narra- tive very laboriously. Am severely tried. It thawed a good deal. Sleighing poor. 3. Last night studied till after two o'clock. Wrote and finished the extracts from missionary letters. My nerves are much affected. Attended the funeral. Cold. At evening rode to Hartford and saw Mr. Flint. Visited a sick child. 4. Wrote on my missionary narrative. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Ps. Iv : 22. Thin meeting. Very cold and tedious. It continues to be very icy. Omitted our prayer-meeting. Thermometer in the morning about 15°, and nearly stationary through the day. 5. Thermometer in the morning 7° below zero. It did not rise higher than 6° above through the day. Wrote. Wrote a sermon on Eph. v: 14. Mr. S. S. Stebbins came here and tarried over the Sabbath. My chamber is a very comfortable one. Wrote late. We have had seventeen deaths the year past. 6. Thermometer about 10°, and the weather moderates. Preached with old notes on 2 Chron. xxxv : 18, and the sermon written yesterday. Admin- istered the sacrament. A number of church-members absent. We have two stoves set in the meeting-house the week past. They are a great relief from the cold. Did not attend conference. Wrote. 7. Visited a sick woman. Dined at the January meeting." Our town authority does not appear as well as I could wish. Visited. Attended the monthly prayer-meeting. Thermometer in the morning about 12°. Wrote late and finished my missionary narrative. 8. Rode to Hartford, and with Dr. Flint reviewed my narrative. He gave me $10.00 for writing it. It snowed and rained hard all day. Paid Scarborough, $22.91. Ward & Bartholomew, the remainder for my stove, $10.00. The cost is $30.00, besides putting up, etc. Imlay, $16.46. Glea- son, $5.83. J. Olmsted, $8.46. The bank, $51.63. Read. ' Now eighty-nine years old. ^ Mrs. Lucy Bancroft, aged fifty-six. 2 The parties were Austin Pelton and * With the town officers, as in years be- Charlotte Pelton. fore. 88 1 882 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. 9. Wrote. It grew cold all day. Visited the school at Long Hill. At evening attended the church conference. Very icy. A holy God justly chastens me. 10. Wrote records. Afternoon instructed Tudor's school. Visited. Se- vere cold and tedious. Mr. Haskell and Frances came here and stayed. 11. Spent the day by myself. Wrote a paper. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Thermometer this morning 7° below zero, and rose to 19°. 12. Thermometer 29°. Wrote the most of a sermon on Eph. iv: 23. Visited a mourning family. Last night an intemperate man was thrown from his sleigh and killed, apparently by the fall. Studied hard and late. Wrote five pages in the evening. 13. Finished and preached my sermon on Eph. iv : 23. In the morning moderate, but it grew cold all day. At evening rode to Wapping, and attended conference. Very tedious. Tarried out. Our meeting-house stoves smoke some. 14. Thermometer in the morning 8° below zero. At i P. M., with clear sun, it was but 7° above. Walked home in the forenoon, and froze one of my ears. Visited. Attended a funeral.' Attended the conference. Read. Received a letter. 15. Wrote a letter in answer to one received yesterday. Rode with Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott to Pine Meadow, and visited Frances. Quite moderate. 16. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. The people in Hartford subscribe well for the insane institution. Quite cold. Sleighing rather poor. Paid Mr. Birge, $2.49. Paid for an Encydopcedia, $4.00. Received of Hartford Bank a dividend of $15.00. Good crossing the river,^ 17. Made this almanack. Wrote. My brother's wife called here. Ther- mometer this morning 4° below zero. Taken up with company. 18. Thermometer 10°. Rode out and attended to the business of the insane institution. Subscribed $4.00 a year for ten years. It thawed con- siderably. Read. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. 19. Wrote a sermon on Matt, vii : 12. Have many hindrances and trials. The thermometer rose to nearly 50°. The ground has been covered with a thin and very hard body of snow and ice for five weeks. Wrote to Dr, Gogs- well,^ of Hartford, Received a letter from my brother. 20. In the forenoon expounded on Mark xv : 22 to the end. Afternoon preached on Matt, vii: 12. Meeting full and attentive. Warm. The sleigh- ing mostly gone. At evening rode to Wapping and attended conference. Tarried out. 21. Rode to Scantick, Pine Meadow, and Enfield. Attended to the busi- I ' Mr. James Anderson, aged thirty-nine. son of James Cogswell, D. D., one of the dis- ' That is, on the ice. tinguished divines of Eastern Connecticut. It ' Mason Fitch Cogswell, at that time one was largely through the influence of Dr. M. of the eminent physicians of the country. F. Cogswell that the Retreat for the Insane He was bom in Canterbury, Ct., in 1761, was originated and chartered at Hartford. was graduated at Yale in 17S0. He was a He died in 1830. 1 82 2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 883 ness of the insane institution. Am considerably unwell. Crossed the river on the ice. Good crossing. 22. Visited several gentlemen with my brother. Appointed an agent here to make collection for the insane institution, and yesterday one in Scantick. Rode home. Attended a church meeting. Wrote. Bad riding. 23. Last night the weather changed from warm to very cold. Rode to Hartford. Very blustering and tedious. Read. Received a letter from Dr. Sumner,' of Hartford. 24. Thermometer in the morning 3° below zero, and did not exceed 6'' above all day. Very tedious. Reviewed my catechism written heretofore, and began the continuance. 25. Thermometer in the morning 6° below zero. It rose to 10°. The ground very hard and much cracked. Rode out and visited. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Wrote a letter. It was so cold I did not go out in the evening to attend the prayer-meeting. Wrote. 26. Thermometer 10°. Wrote a part of a sermon on 2 Sam. vii : 27. Rode out and visited. Returning at dusk, walking by my horse, I fell on the ice with great violence, and got a very severe jar. Could not continue my study. Was quite ill. 27. Weather much moderated. It snowed some. ■ Thin meeting. Am quite feeble. The applications to my back last night were serviceable. Preached all day with old notes on Matt, xxv : i, 2. Attended a little while at a singing-meeting. 28. Thermometer 8°. Read. Visited. Am able to do but little. At evening attended the conference. Spoke with difficulty. My lungs are very weak. 29. Read. Visited. Rode to Mr. Bartlett's.^ Missed of seeing him. Received of my collector, $100.00. Wrote. 30. Inspected old books. Read. Wrote on my catechism. It is a laborious work. 31. Visited. Yesterday it rained and froze, and sleighs move. Rode to Windsor. Saw people respecting the insane institution. Rode in the even- ing to Hartford. It snowed considerably. Paid for the making and trimmings of a new coat, $4.90. Februakv. I. Tarried last night at Dr. Strong's.^ He is in a poor state. Rode with the committees for the insane to Meriden. Did considerable business. Returned to Hartford in the evening, and came home. Received a letter from Mr. Clark,* of Winchendon. Two men at Wapping brought me two good loads of wood. ' Dr. George Sumner, a distinguished ^ Rev. Shubael Bartlett, of Scantic. physician of Hartford, born in Pomfret, Ct., ^ Dr. Nathan Strong, M. D., son of Dr. 1793, graduated at Yale, 1813. He was ap- Nathan Strong, D. D. pointed Professor of Botany in Trinity Col- * Rev. Eber L. Clark, formerly of East lege, and died in 1855. Granby, Ct. 884 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. 2. Wrote. Wrote on a sermon on 2 Sam. vii: 27. Have many hindrances. 3. Finished and preached my sermon on 2 Sam. vii: 27, Full meeting. Rode to Wapping, and attended conference. Attended a little while at a singing-meeting. Very tired. 4. Wrote as much as I was able on an address to the public in behalf of our insane institution. It snowed considerably. Visited. Attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Wrote quite late. 5. Cold. Did not finish my address till near noon. Rode to Hartford to give it to the printers. Rode to Simsbury to attend Association. Heard Mr. Fairchild' preach in the evening. Paid Maj. Phelps, $1.25 for cider brandy procured last winter. Caught a bad cold. Tarried at Mrs. Stebbins's."^ 6. Sat with Association. Rode in company with my brother and wife and son to Colebrook. Tarried at brother Ammi's. 7. Very cold and tedious. Brother Ammi rode with us to Norfolk. Mother appears to be quite well. Brother James and Samuel, with their wives, are here.^ Had a good visit. Paid Mr. Battell for feathers for Frances, $28.87. 8. Assisted Mr. Battell and Mr. Emerson in making a catalogue of books for a library. My mother, brothers, and sisters went to Colebrook, dined, and returned. Visited. 9. Excellent sleighing. Rode home. My brother'' went to Glastonbury to exchange. 10. Expounded on the last chapter of Mark, and preached an old sermon on Rom. xii: 2. Attended conference at Wapping. Meetings rather thin. My brother and his wife came here and tarried. 11. Read. Hindered by company. Thermometer this morning 6° below zero. Attended our evening conference. My health is much better than it has been. Laiis Deo. 12. On the loth received a letter from Mrs. Skinner, of Hartford. On the 7th received a letter from Mr. Battell. Wrote. Read. Visited. 13. Rode to Windsor and Hartford. Good sleighing and crossing. Met with the managers of the Hartford County Missionary Society. No quorum. Paid for two tin kettles for our meeting-house stoves, $1.00. It is said New Haven harbor and the Sound, in some places, are frozen. 14. Wrote on my catechism. Am pretty languid. At evening rode to Windsor, and preached for Mr. Rowland without notes on Ps. iv : 5. It snowed some. 15. Thermometer this morning 2°. Wrote on ray catechism all day. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Rather thin. 16. Visited. Thermometer this morning 1° below zero. At noon it was ' Dr. Joy H. Fairchild, of East Hartford. often the children of the old Norfolk pastor * Widow of Rev. Samuel Stebbins. went home to visit, and how much pleasure ^ It was a very companionable family, and they took in each other's society. we have had frequent occasion to notice how * Rev. Francis, of Enfield. l822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 885 about 40°. Wrote. On the 14th wrote to Dr. Phelps,' of Poquonnock. It snowed considerably. 17. Expected to have exchanged with Mr. Rowland, but omitted it on account of the weather. Rainy and wet. A great deal of water in the road. Preached with old notes on John xvii : 4, 5. Thin meetings. At evening walked out. 18. Read. Worked at my pamphlets, arranging, etc. Afternoon and evening we had a hard snow-storm. Had no evening meeting. 19. The snow eight or ten inches deep. Rode to Hartford, and attended the meeting of the Agricultural Society. Mr. Stebbins^ delivered a good address. Cold. Paid $2.00. Taken up with company. Read the Bible. 20. Worked at my pamphlets. I have a great number. Thermometer this morning at zero. Visited. Had company. Received a letter from Louis Dwight,^ of Andover. 21. Wrote on my catechism. Got home the remainder of books bought of Dr. McClure's heirs. Looked them over. I have sixty-seven Connecticut election sermons.* Wet and rainy all day. Thermometer at 50°. The ground is almost covered with water. 22. Worked at my library. I fear I have lost some volumes. The snow is mostly gone. Warm. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. Very muddy. 23. Wrote the most of a sermon on i Pet. iii : 9. I write quite slow. Thermometer rose to temperate. Wrote late. 24. Finished and preached my sermon begun yesterday. The ground is mostly bare. Am pretty feeble. Rode to Wapping, and preached in the evening on Ps. iv: 5. I believe people have gone to meeting in sleighs from the beginning of December till today, when there were none. Tarried out. 25. Last night the weather changed suddenly. Very cold and tedious. Visited. Read. At evening attended a conference. Quite thin. Ther- mometer about 10°. 26. The ground very rough. Weather moderates. Rode to West Suffield, and attended ministers' meeting. But few present. Crossed on the ice at W. Point.' Preached without any notes or preparation on Ps. iv : 5. A good audience. At evening attended a conference. There appears to be a very pleasing work of grace here. 27. Rode to Turkey Hills and Salmon Brook, and back to Suffield. Appointed four physicians to act as agents for the insane institution. In the evening preached for Mr. Gay* in the meeting-house on Ps. iv : 5. The » Physician. Education Society. He was Secretary of the ^ Samuel S. Stebbins, probably. Massachusetts Prison Discipline Society ^ Rev. Louis Dwight was born in Stock- from 1S25 to his death, in 1S54. His resid- biidge in 1793, was graduated at Vale in ence, for a time, was in Boston. 1813, and at Andover in 1819. At the time "■ A rich and valuable acquisition. he wrote this letter he was resident at An- ' Warehouse Point. dover, and acting as agent of the American '' Rev. Ebenezer Gay, of Suffield. 886 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. religious attention continues, and is great. There has not been such a work of grace in this town since 1741. One good woman, a subject of that work, is now living, aged ninety-six. Rode late to Pine Meadow, and tarried at Mr. Haskell's. Warm, 28. Rode home. Crossed on the ice. Very warm and muddy. Ther- mometer at 56°. Am very much fatigued, and quite unwell. Visited. I fear I shall be unwell again, as I was last spring. The Lord be my helper. He has brought me through the winter with great mercies, and blessed be my Rock. 1. Took an emetic. Had a sick day, and sat up but little. Could not go out for the evening meeting. Had a physician. 2. Am quite weak, but hope I shall be better. Wrote. 3. Last night we had a good deal of rain ; the mud is very deep. The ground has been very deep frozen. Preached an old sermon on Isa. lix : 2. Afternoon was so feeble that I was obliged to stop in sermon. After a sing- ing, proceeded in a summary manner, and concluded. Have very little strength. The Lord help me for my work. 4. Visited sick persons. In the evening attended our monthly pra\-er- meeting. Spoke but little. The ground is very wet. Wrote to Nathaniel Willis, of Boston, and sent him $6.00 for the last two years' Recorder. Wrote to Nathaniel MacCarty,' of Worcester, and sent $6.00, and a copy of Judge Trumbull's Works^ to the American Antiquarian Society. 5. Rode to Wapping, and visited a school. Quite warm. The Method- ists are making considerable exertions here. 6. Rode to Hartford. Am quite weak. Consulted respecting the in- sane institution. At evening attended our conference. Paid B. Hudson towards my carpet, $20.00. 7. Walked and visited all day. I think there is an uncommon stupidity among my people. Cold. Visited. 8. Cold and tedious. It snowed some. Rode to Wapping and visited a school. Am severely tried. 9. Rode and visited. Am so feeble that I can do but little. In the evening attended a prayer-meeting. We have some persons severely sick, 10. Thermometer this morning about 17°. Rode to East Hartford and exchanged with Mr. Fairchild. The congregation here is quite large. Preached on Isa. lix : 2. Am quite feeble. At evening attended a confer- ence with Mr. Fairchild, and preached on Ps. iv : 5. Very tired. 11. Procured of Miss Abigail Williams about sixty old pamphlets.^ Gave her $2.00. Rode to Hartford. Agreed for a new book-case. Attended to the ' Mr. MacCarty was the treasurer, prob- ter of Dr. Eliplialet Williams, who was pastor ably, of the American Antiquarian Society, at East Hartford, 174S-1S03 — fifty-five years. of which Dr. Robbins was a member. These pamphlets were doubtless from his ^ Judge John Trumbull, of Hartford. library. His house is still standing in the ^ Miss Abigail Williams was the daugh- south part of East Hartford .Street. l822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 887 business of the insane institution. The roads are considerably dried. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Visited the sick. 12. Looked over pamphlets. I have seventy-five election sermons of the one hundred and seven that have been printed in this State.' Visited. Our society prospects are in a measure gloomy, 13. Mrs. E. Wolcott- is severely sick. Walked and visited all day. Cold and tedious. Tarried out. 14. Visited. Rode to Long Hill and visited a school. Rode to Wapping and performed a marriage. Quite cold. Tarried out. 15. Visited. Tired and pretty feeble. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Pretty full. The Lord can, and I hope will, help us. 16. Wrote the most of a sermon on 2 Cor. v: 10. Have many interrup- tions. Hindered by company. At evening attended the private prayer- meeting. Am pretty feeble. 17. Last night wrote four pages from ten o'clock to two. Visited Mrs. Wolcott. Preached with old notes on Judges vi : 13, and finished and preached my sermon on 2 Cor. v: 10. Spoke with more strength than I feared. There was a Methodist meeting here. Ours was full. Very tired. 18. Looked over pamphlets. I have now seventy-eight election sermons. Visited. At evening we had a good meeting. Am pretty feeble. Tarried out. 19. Visited. I fear I grow indolent. Very dry for the season. The streams are very low. Wrote. Read. 20. Wrote to Dr. Bosworth, of Hartland. Rode to Hartford. Dr. Flint gave me a volume of old education sermons. Gave $1.00 for eight old pam- phlets. Visited. The roads generally are dr\'. Received $52.50 of the Phoenix Bank. Paid $1.00 for a glass to my desk. 21. Mr. Munger,^ of Norfolk, called here. Received a letter from Mr. Battell, and wrote one to his wife. Hindered by company. Wrote. Read. 22. Rede to Wapping and visited. Cold and rough weather. Walked and visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. 23. Last night tarried out. We had some rain, but a moderate quantity. The ground is very dry for the season. Visited. Much hindered. Began a sermon at seven o'clock in the evening, and wrote till one ; six pages. 24. Wrote and nearly completed my sermon on Acts x : 4, and preached in the afternoon. In the forenoon old notes on Luke xix : 41. Sermon in the afternoon about seventy minutes. Unreasonably long.* Very tired and nervous. Walked out. 25. Rode to the poor-house in the north society. There are now twelve ' When a collector has gone as far as a distinguished minister of the Congrega- that, the ambition becomes strong to com- tional order. This was her fatal illness, and plete the series. she died at the age of thirtj'-eight. - Mrs. Elihu Wolcott, who was Rachel ^ Mr. Elizur Munger, probably. McClure, daughter of Dr. David McClure. ■* That is certainly a just criticism. White- She was the mother of Dr. Samuel Wolcott, field might preach a sermon of that length. 888 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. paupers. Less than usual. Cold. Good riding. The grain looks poorly. At evening had a full conference. 26. Last evening conversed late. A holy God does afflict me justly, and with severity.' "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." I am treated with much severity. After twelve o'clock I began a letter, which I did not finish till after sunrise. I did not go to bed nor sleep any. Visited. Mrs. E. Wolcott remains very low. Visited a school. 27. Am much distressed. The Lord be my helper. Wrote. Visited a school. Tudor is a good instructor. Visited. 28. Read. Rainy all day. The rain very seasonable. Visited a school. Our schools this year have been well instructed. Am poorly able to do any business. 29. Worked at shade trees. Cold and blustering. Catechised a school. Wrote to Mr. McLean, of Simsbury, and to Laura Loomis; of New Connec- ticut. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 30. Visited. I think Mrs. Wolcott cannot live. I think we could not sustain a greater loss in any other woman in this society. Wrote. Rode to Scantick and Pine Meadow. Quite cold. 31. Rode early to West Suffield.^ Mr. Mix went yesterday to East Windsor. Cold and bad riding. Preached on Ex. xxxii : 26, and 2 Cor. v: 10. At evening attended a conference in the meeting-house. The work of grace here continues, and is good. Very tired. This society is very small. On the 29th received a letter from my brother. April. 1. Rode home. Cold and windy. Bad ferr}nng. The Freemen's Meet- ing here issued very favorably. At evening attended our monthly concert of prayer. Visited Mrs. Wolcott. My voice is quite feeble. Gave $1.00 to a poor man. 2. Wrote. Read. Visited. At evening Mrs. Wolcott died. I do not think we could have sustained a greater loss here in the death of any other woman. Was with the family.^ 3. Received a letter from brother Samuel and Mr. Battell informing me that our dear mother* is quite unwell, and her case is thought to be danger- ous. May God be our helper. Received a letter from Mr. Goodrich,' of New Haven, respecting a theological institution at Yale College.* Received pamphlets by mail. Began a sermon for Fast on Sam, iii: 18-21, At even- ing attended our church conference. 4. Wrote. Afternoon visited our academy. The performances, on exam- ' We have not been able, as yet, to dis- as Elizabeth Le Baron, she was born in cover the source of his long-continued Plymouth, Mass. trouble. s Chauncey Allen Goodrich, D. D., Pro- ^ To exchange with Rev. Joseph Mix. fessor of Rhetoric and English Literature at ^ The fatal termination of Mrs. Wolcott's Yale, sickness has been already stated. ^ The Theological Department at Yale * It was now seventy-seven years since, was opened that year (1822). l822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 889 ination, were very good. Visited. Wrote at night till half after two, and nearly completed my sermon. Have many trials. 5. Fast. Preached with old notes on Ezra viii : 21. Finished and preached my sermon on Sam. iii : 18-21. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Wolcott. I have scarcely ever had here so full a meeting. Much fatigued. 6. Walked and visited the most of the day. Am quite feeble. Cate- chised a school. At evening attended a private prayer-meeting. Received a letter from Mr. Battell at sundown, by a messenger from Hartford, informing me that mother is not expected to live, and wishing me to go there immedi- ately. Sent the letter by a messenger to Enfield. I think I cannot go till after meeting tomorrow. Am beset with various and unexpected trials. 7. Preached with old notes on Deut. xii : 9, and Eph. ii : 4, 5. Adminis- tered the sacrament. The church quite full. Am feeble and much fatigued, but got through better than I feared. Near night set out for Norfolk. Visited a sick man. Rode to Northington ' late. 8. Rode to Norfolk. Mother is very low, and it is thought she cannot continue long. I think she is not quite as low as I expected. Towards night brother Frank and his wife came here. Brother James and wife are here. 9. Quite cold. It snowed and rained and froze. Brother Samuel came here. Mother's physician is some encouraged about her. Her religious exercises and prospects are very happy. May God be blessed. ID. Cold and wet. Read. Visited Mr. Emerson^ and others. Mother very feeble. At evening attended a meeting; my brother preached. The season here appears about as forward as with us. 11. Looked over father's and grandfather's manuscripts. We conclude it not likely that mother will get any better. Samuel and Francis and wife went away. Wrote. I fear this venerable mansion will soon fall into the hands of strangers.^ 12. Rode home. Cold, but clear. Mother has altered very little for several days. Am much oppressed with a cold. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. I think my horse gains some relief from his malady. Tired. 13. My cold and headache are severe. Gave a man $1.00 for Bowdoin College, lately burnt.* Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. xl : 4. Wrote five pages in the evening. Quite rainy. 14. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on Ps. xl : 4. In • Avon. . . . This severe blow to the prosperity of ^ Rev. Ralph Emerson, pastor at Nor- the college was averted by the liberality of folk. the public. Donations were extensively so- 3 It remained with his kindred, and on licited from individuals; contributions were the spot where it stood a handsome buiidijig received in a large number of the churches has just been erected by members of the in Maine and Massachusetts, and thus the family for a private family school. loss was fully repaired. A list of the con- ♦"In March of this year (1822), Maine tributors and their benefactions is preserved Hall took fire, and the whole interior was in the library of the college." — Sketch of burnt ; while the v/alls, with the exception of Bowdoin College, American Quarterly Revievj, the fourth story, were not essentially injured. Vol. VIII, p. 113. 890 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. p022. the forenoon with old notes on Jer. xxiii : 24. In the morning we h. !i a thunder-shower. Thin meeting. Very tired. Walked out. The ground is quite wet. 15. Wrote. Visited the sick. Rode unexpectedly to Hartford. Dined with the medical meeting of the county. Sent some oysters to my mother. At evening attended the conference. 16. Visited the sick. A man here, gone as a captain of a vessel, it is much feared is lost. Our ministers' meeting was held here. No one came but Mr. Bartlett,* of Wintonbury, and Mr. Chapin, a candidate.^ Mr. Hough, the Baptist, spent the evening with us. 17. Wrote. Walked and visited. At evening Mr. Chapin had a meeting and preached. I attended. Tarried out. 18. Visited families. Have severe and unexpected trials. Yesterday wrote Mr. C. A. Goodrich,^ of New Haven. Received a letter from my brother Nathaniel at Philadelphia, and one from Mr. Battell, and pamphlets by mail. Rainy. 19. Wrote. Wrote to my brother Nathaniel, and to S. A. Foot,* of Cheshire. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. My new book-case was brought from Hartford, It is a very good one. A young man here has become a subject of divine grace. 20. Wrote to Mr. Battell. I am severely tried. Rode out and visited the sick. Rode to Enfield to exchange with my brother. Found that he had gone to East Windsor. 21. Preached on Ex. xxxii: 26, and Ps. xl : 4. Towards evening rode to Pine Meadow, and preached in the evening at a conference on Luke xxii : 41, etc. Very tired. Meeting at Enfield very full. 22. Rode home. Am much unwell. Read. Visited. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Mother is something better. Wrote. At evening attended our conference. 23. Visited. Devoted the most of the day to fasting and prayer, on account of my present severe trials, and to implore divine direction. Have resigned myself, my cares, and hopes all to God. I have nothing, and desire to be disposed of according to his holy will. Took a very light breakfast, and neither ate or drank after it till about sundown. On the 19th received of Mr. Scarborough, $100.00, which I lent to him in January, with $1.50 interest. 24. Rode out and visited. Paid for four bushels of oats, $1.20. Began to write a missionary address for the Hartford County Missionary Society. W^rote to Gen. Jencks,^ and Dr. Chubbuck, of Warehouse Point. 25. Very warm. The thermometer rose to 85°, The ground is very dry. Visited. Wrote on my address. My afflictions are verj^ great, but holy is the Lord who appoints them. * Rev. John Bartlett, brother of Rev. ■♦ Hon. Samuel A. Foot, LL. D. Shubael, of Scantic parish, East Windsor. ' Gen. Charles Jenks. Gen. Jenks was a * Rev. Chester Chapin. very prominent man at Warehouse Point, and ^ Prof. Chauncey A. Goodrich, D. D. carried on a large gin distillery. .] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 89 1 >. Am very feeble and unwell. Wrote what I could, and finished my mi s'onary address. Thermometer ;^;^°. At evening attended our prayer- meetyng. 27. Rode to Hartford, and carried my address. Paid my annual tax to the Hartford County Missionary Society, $i.oo. For various articles, $2.42. Attended a funeral in the upper part of East Hartford. There were eleven orphans, all single, three of them widows Saw blossoms on fruit-trees. Read. 28. Last night we had a hard and very refreshing rain. The forenoon wet. Preached with old notes on Gal. vi : 8. Am quite feeble. Thin meet- ings. Walked out. 29. My lungs are ver\' weak. Visited. Rode to Warehouse Point and Pine Meadow. Bad crossing.' At evening had rather a thin conference. Warm, 30. Last evening received from a friend the unexpected and generous donation of $40.00, to make me a life-member of the American Education Society.^ May God reward the donor. Rode to New Haven to attend the election. My horse travels very well. I hope he is getting better of his lung disease. Blossoms appear considerably. May. 1. Saw my cousin J. W. Robbins^ at college. The clergy were invited to call on the bishop'* in the morning, and were well treated. The exercises were in the church. Bishop Brownell gave a very unexceptionable and good sermon. The election was less splendid than it is at Hartford. But few of the clergy, perhaps thirty of ours, and as many of other denominations. Attended a small meeting of ministers on the subject of re-establishing the theological institution of Yale College. At evening heard Mr. Emerson,^ of Salem, preach. 2. Dined yesterday with Mr. Hillhouse,^ and tarried last night with Mr. * Probably because the river was swollen Connecticut in 18 19, and was chosen first with the spring floods, and it was hard to President of Trinity College in 1824. He manage the ferry-boat. died in Hartford in 1865. - It may be remembered that he had a ^ Brown Emerson, D. D., born in Ashby, similar gift for the same purpose some years Mass., 1779, graduated at Dartmouth Col- before. lege, 1802, pastor of the South Church, ^ Here again he calls his nephew, the son Salem, 1805-1872, died, 1872, aged ninety- of James W. Robbins, of Lenox, his cousin. four. This occurs so frequently in connection with * James Hillhouse, LL. D., treasurer of his nephews and nieces that it must have Yale College, 1782-1832, when he died. He been, to some extent, a custom of that gener- was born in Montville, Ct., in 1754) was grad- ation, uated at Yale, 1773. For forty years he was ■♦ Thomas Church Brownell, D. D., LL. D., Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, was a was born in Westford, Mass., in 1779, and Member of Congress, was a poet and scholar, was graduated at Union College in 1804. The Hillhouse mansion, at the head of Hill- He was tutor and professor at Union, was house Avenue, was long one of the notable assistant minister of Trinity Church in New homes of New Haven, beautiful to the sight, York in 1818, was consecrated Bishop of and large in its hospitalities. 892 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [i Davies.' Made a number of calls. Sent to Boston my late donation for ne American Education Society. Received of Gen. Howe, on my note, $44.62, and paid it to him for books. Rode home after noon. Very warm and dusty. The season advances rapidly. 3. Am very feeble. A woman ^ died here this morning with a short illness. Visited. Read. Wrote. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. 4. Wrote the most of a sermon on John iii : 3. Attended the funeral of the woman deceased yesterday. Wrote late. 5. Expounded on the first chapter of Acts, and finished and preached the sermon on regeneration began yesterday. Walked out. Rainy. We had two orphan families at meeting for prayers. 6. Was sent for early to see an aged woman in a paralytic fit. Visited. Dined with a military company. This morning there was some frost. At evening attended our monthly prayer- meeting. My trials are very great.^ The Lord be my helper. 7. Rode to New Haven ; from Hartford on horseback. Quite tired. In the evening met with the committee on the insane institution. The sub- scriptions exceed $12,000. 8. Have a good deal to do. Dined with the Medical Convention. In the afternoon Mr. R. M. Sherman'' and I were admitted before the Senate on behalf of our petition in favor of the asylum for the insane. It was favorably received.^ 9. The Medical Convention have done very liberally for the asylum. We were not admitted to the House of Representatives, but were heard before a joint committee. At evening left New Haven. The town is full of election- eering. Tarried at Esq. Eastman's. Received of Howe & Spaulding, $100.00. Got some new books. 10. Rode home; from New Haven to Hartford in Mr. H. Ells- worth's^ sulky. Warm. An aged woman ^ has died here in my absence. Mr. Fairchild attended the funeral. Found here my cousin Chandler Rob- bins,* from Maine, and his wife. She is quite feeble. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Am much fatigued. 11. Rode out with my cousin Robbins. The fruit-trees are in verj'' full ' Rev. Thomas T. Davies, who was gradu- clerg^', should have been joined with Mr. ated at Yale in 1813. , Sherman in a matter of this grave impor- ^ Widow Nancy Strong, aged forty-one. tance, is evidence of the high regard in ^ We are still ignorant of the cause of his which he was held for character and ability, special trouble. ^ Henry L. Ellsworth, one of the sons of * Roger Minot Sherman, LL. D., one of Chief-Justice Oliver Ellsworth. He was a the leading lawyers of the State and the graduate of Yale, 1810. country. He was born at Woburn, Mass., ' Widow P. Loomis, aged eighty, in 1773, graduated at Yale, 1792. He was * Oldest child of Dr. Chandler Robbins, a very prominent legislator and judge. He of Plymouth. This cousin was born in 1762, died in Fairfield, Ct., in 1844. ^nd was now sixty years old. He had been 5 That Dr. Robbins, representing the a prominent man in Maine. l822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 893 blovvth. Received a letter from Mr. Ely, of Simsbury. On the 6th received one from Dr. Park,' of Providence. Rode to Orford to exchange with Mr. Cook. Found him gone to Glastonbury, and rode there. Mr. Birge is to preach tomorrow at Orford.^ The ground is very dry. 12. Preached on Ex. xxxii : 26, and John viii : 3. This congregation appears to be larger than formerly. Attended the funeral of a black man. At evening rode home. Found Mr. Cooke here. My cousin's wife is quite feeble. Yesterday received a letter from him written on his way. Very tired. 13. Wrote. Am very feeble. Warm and very dusty. Rode out. At evening attended our conference. 14. Rode out and visited the most of the day. Am scarcely able to do any business. Yesterday wrote to Mr. A. P. Cleveland,^ of Boston. My cousin Mrs. Robbins quite feeble. We have some persons quite sick. Visited. Sent manuscripts. God is most holy in all his chastisements. 15. Rode to Hartford with my cousin. Very hot and dusty. Attended the meeting of the Ministers' Annuity Society. Saw my cousin W. Lawrence, of Norfolk. My mother is some better, but very feeble. In the afternoon we had a most refreshing shower. Walked out. 16. Visited. Had company. Dined out with my cousins. The ground is greatly refreshed. Gave a poor woman, gi.oo. Read. I do but little. Received a letter from Mrs. Skinner, of Hartford. 17. On the 15th left off my flannel. Same day two women were baptized here by a Methodist by immersion. Rode and visited the sick and others all day. Rode to Wapping. Cool. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 18. Wrote the most of a sermon on Matt, xxv : 23. Wrote late. Ani feeble, and have many hindrances. My cousins went to Enfield. 19. Finished and preached my sermon begun yesterday. Full meeting. We had our annual missionary contribution and collected $44.10. There are three $5.00, and eleven $1.00 bills, and one hundred and seventeen pieces of silver. At evening attended conference. It was a sort of dedicator)' meeting at the new school-house in the south district. Received a letter from Mr. Cook, of Orford. 20. Much fatigued. Had my new book-case put up, which appears well, and completes the plan of book-cases which I have had for several years. Paid a blacksmith, .81. Paid Mr. Loomis, .50, .^^ of which is to be paid by Dewey. Conclude not to have a Monday evening meeting at present. 21. Worked at my library. Wrote. Visited a school. Walked and visited. 22. Warm and sultrj'. Thermometer 82°. Read in Peters's* History of ' Dr. Calvin Park, connected with Brown 15oston, of the firm of Salisbury & Cleveland, University. 10 Merchants' Row. ^ He was to preach at Glastonbury, and * An imaginary History of Connecticut, by Mr. Cook at East Windsor, on a triple ex- Rev. Samuel A. Peters, LL. D. It was change. written while he was a Tory exile in Eng- ^ Mr. A. P. Cleveland was a merchant of land. 894 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. Connecticut. Worked at my chamber. I am very languid. Received a letter from my brother James. Rode to Wapping and visited. Yesterday wrote to Mr. B. Ely, of Simsbury. In the morning went to visit an aged sick woman.* She died while I was present. 23. Last night we had a pretty hard thunder-shower. Thermometer 8i°. Worked at my books. Attended the funeral of the woman who deceased yesterda}'. Visited. In the evening rode to Enfield. The ways of God are unsearchable ; they are wise, holy, and good. I rejoice that he reigns, and will trust in him. 24. My cousin Chandler and wife are here. She gets better. Cool. Rode home. Received a letter from my good Uncle Starr. Old Mr. Tudor is quite sick. Wrote. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 25. Wrote the most of a sermon on Num. xxxv : 15. Mr. Eells* now recites to me regularly on Saturday in ecclesiastical history. W^rote late. My cousins came down from Enfield. Quite cool. Had a steady fire in my chamber. 26. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on Num. xxxv : 15. Much poorer than it ought to be. In the forenoon preached on Acts xviii : 10. At evening had a full conference in the meeting-house. 27. Am exceeding feeble and languid. Am very nervous. Yesterday morning there was a little frost. Walked out. At evening rode to the Hill with my cousins. 28. Rode to Hartford with my cousins. Much oppressed with the heat. The thermometer was at 90°. Dr. Flint has considerable trouble with his people. Had a thunder-shower. At evening attended Nancy W'atson's wedding. The services performed by Mr. Wheaton.' 29. Yesterday received a letter from Rev. C. A. Goodrich.'* Am much oppressed with the heat. Thermometer 93°. Dined out. Wrote. Visited with my cousins. 30. Am much troubled with weakness and heaving of the stomach. Walked and visited all day. At evening married a couple* who came here from East Hartford. 31. Wrote. Rode to Vernon and attended a funeral. Visited at Wap- ping. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Warm and dr)\ June. I. Walked and visited. Our Assembly have risen after a contemptible session, but in some things have done well. My cousins continue at Dea. Reed's.* Thermometer 86°. ' Mrs. Phoebe Daniels, aged eighty-five. * Prof. Chauncey A. Goodrich, D. D., of ^ Mr. Ozias S. Eells, son of Rev. Ozias Yale College. Prof. Goodrich was an im- Eells, of Barkhamsted, Ct. He graduated portant member of the Faculty of Yale Col- the year before at Williams College, and lege. was teaching the academy at East Windsor ' Mr. Merrow Marble and Hannah Burn- Hill, and studying theology with Dr. Robbins. ham. '^ Rev. Nathaniel S. Wheaton, D. D., rec- * Because of the continued illness of Mrs. tor of Christ Church, Hartford. Robbins. l822,] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 895 2. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on John viii : 24. The heat and dust very severe and oppressive. Tliermometer 89°. The ground quite dry. In the forenoon expounded on Acts ii : 1-36. In the evening had a most grateful shower of rain with a good deal of thunder. 3. Rode out and visited. My cousins took lodgings for a few days, at their own choice, at a public house. Visited. On the 31st ult. received a letter from my cousin W. Lawrence, of Norfolk. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Paid for Dwight's Travels, $12.00.' 4. Rode to Barkhamsted to attend Association. Hindered and dined at Simsbury. Rode from Simsbury to Barkhamsted in the rain. But ten members of the Association present. We examined and licensed two candi- dates."^ Mr. Clark ^ does good here. 5. Attended to associational business. Rode with my brother to Norfolk. Broke my sulky and left it, with my horse, and rode with him. Mother is very feeble, but sits up, and is comfortable. The season here is nearly as forward as with us. 6. Walked out. My father's mansion and place appear much altered. Afternoon left Norfolk, and rode to Northington. Tarried with Mr. Kellogg." Paid for mending my sulky, and keeping my horse, $1.13. Quite cool. 7. Rode home. Pretty tired. Wrote. Began a sermon on Luke xi : 13. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Our extra meetings lately are rather thin. 8. Quite unwell with stomach sickness and debility. Wrote. Walked out. 9. Finished and preached my sermon on Luke xi : 13. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Job xxii: 23. Warm, At evening had a full conference, 10. Am very feeble. Visited the sick and others. Quite warm. The season is uncommonly fine, though we have but little rain. I do but little to what I wish I could. 11. Visited. Thermometer 89°. Am very languid. Wrote. Wrote to Dr. Park, of Providence. My cousins came here from the public house, where they have been some time. At evening we had considerable thunder and rain. 12. Wrote to my brother Battell. My cousins went off to Norfolk. Rode and visited all day. Find a great backwardness to a religious profes- sion in some who, I think, ought to do it. Tarried at Wapping. 13. Cool. Visited. Wrote. Am requested to deliver an address at a celebration of Independence at Hartford. I don't know what to do. ' President Timothy Dwight's Travels in Hartland, was a graduate of Williams Col- New England and New York. Four vol- lege in 1816. umes, octavo, 1S22. They were just out. 3 Rev. Saul Clark, pastor at Barkhamsted, ^ Amzi Francis and Flavel S. Gaylord. 1819-1829. Mr. Francis, a native of West Hartford, Ct., ■* Rev. Bela Kellogg, pastor at East Avon, was a graduate of Middlebury College in 1819-1829. This was a part of the old parish 1S19, and Mr. Gaylord, a native of West of Northington. 896 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. 14. Visited. Wrote on notes for preaching. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. I get fatigued easily. 15. Wrote a part of a sermon on Isa. xliii : 13. Examined with the church committee six persons for our communion. Bringing these forward has made me much labor. My brother Samuel and wife called here and went to Enfield. Wrote late. 16. Finished my notes and preached with them on i Pet. i : 9. Wrote three pages, and finished and preached my sermon begun yesterday. Warm, and a very severe dust. Propounded six persons for our communion. At evening had a full conference. Ver}' tired and nervous. 17. Walked and visited. Am very feeble. Rode to Hartford. Paid S3. 00 for fifty pamphlets, including eleven old election sermons. We had a very refreshing shower. 18. Worked at my chamber. My brother and his wife came here from Enfield. Walked out with him. Quite cool. My collection of pamphlets is quite valuable.' 19. My brother and sister^ went home to Woodbury, Rode with them to Hartford. Paid in our missionary contribution. Made my annual payment of $5.00 to the Ministers' Annuity Society. Wrote. Yesterday we had our first green peas. Read. Walked out. 20. Worked at my pamphlets. Cool and wet. Made a fire in my chamber. Read the Bible. Began to write an address for Independence, Visited. 21. Rode to Wapping and to Scantick. Visited. The General Associa- tion at Tolland did not have a long session. There is a good work of divine grace at Somers. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 22. Visited. Baptized a sick child at home.^ Dined at Dr. Tudor's. 'A'rote. Towards night rode to Mr. Bartlett's to exchange. 23. Mr. Bartlett rode down to my society, and returned after meeting. Preached on Isa. xliii : 13, and Ps. xl : 4. Attended the Sabbath-school at noon, which is large, as well as the congregation. Returned, and in the evening married my neighbor. Dr. Tudor.'* 24. Am very feeble. On Saturday Mr. Langdon,^ of Bethlehem, called on me. Visited. Quite warm. Read the Bible. Wrote, In the afternoon we had a long and very refreshing shower, 25. Rode to Simsbury and attended ministers' meeting. Mr. Ripley,^ now at Turkey Hills, was with us and preached. ' He must be drawing toward the comple- ' Rev. John Langdon, pastor at Bethle- tion of his set of Connecticut election ser- hem, 1816-1825. He was the son of Rev. mons. Timothy Langdon, pastor 17S6-1S01, at Dan- - His brother Samuel and wife, who moved burv. a few years before from Norfolk to Wood- * Rev. Erastus Ripley, who supplied the bury, Ct. pulpit at East Granby (Turkey Hills), ^ Joseph, son of Joseph Williams. 1S20-1822, but was not installed there. ■* Dr. Edward Tudor and Elizabeth Dab- This was the place of the old Newgate ney. prison. 1 822.] PASTOR IK EAST WINDSOR. 897 26. Rode to Canton. Left at Mrs. Everest's an epitaph for the late doctor. Rode out with Mr. Hallock,' and preached at a funeral on Isa. xxvi : 4. Rode home. Cool. Took some cold. 27. Wrote on my address for Independence. Visited. Am considerably unwell with my cold. Worked at my library. Read the Bible. 28. Rode to Wapping. Visited persons that are propounded. Attended a catechising of the children at the meeting-house. Attended our prayer- meeting. Received a letter from the Jew minister, Mr. Frey,^ of New York. 29. Wrote the most of a sermon on Rom. x : 8, 9, Thermometer at 90°. Hindered by company. Am pretty feeble. My tremor is something trouble- some. 30. Finished and preached the sermon on Rom. x : 8, 9, and expounded on Acts ii : 37 to the end. Received seven persons to the communion of the church.^ Thermometer 87°. Much fatigued. Had no conference. At even- ing walked out. July. 1. Am quite feeble, almost wholly unqualified for business. Looked over my library. I find a number of books missing, which I fear are lost. Thermometer about 90°. Attended the monthly prayer-meeting. Read. 2. Visited. Hindered by company. Read, Thermometer 90°. Wrote on my address for Independence. Afternoon we had a pretty hard thunder- shower. Visited. 3. Wrote. Rode out and visited. Finished my address at one o'clock at night. It has cost me much time. I had to write with great care. 4. Rode to Hartford. Delivered my address '' to a large audience. The military companies appeared exceeding well. The collection at the dinner was large. Very warm. Thermometer more than 90°. 5. Read the Bible. Had company. Wrote. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Jer. xxxi : 6. Omitted our evening prayer-meeting. Much oppressed with the heat. Thermometer 94**. Vege- tation advances very rapidly. 6. Wrote a sermon on Jer. ix : i. I have not well suited myself in a sermon that I have written this year. Will the Lord help me. We had a rain. The ground of late has been greatly refreshed. Thermometer 91°. 7. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on i Pet. ii : i, 2, 3. Afternoon the sermon written yesterday. Administered the sacrament. The church very full. The heat severe. Thermometer 95°. At evening attended ' Rev. Jeremiah Hallock, pastor at Can- Anna Cole, Naomi Johnson, Chloe Wolcott, ton, 1785-1S26, when he died. Nancy Bliss, and Anna Grant. ^ Rev. Joseph Samuel Frey, a Jew born * Here again we have a clear illustration in Germany, Presbyterian pastor in New of the favor with which Dr. Robbins was York, afterwards, in connection with the regarded. He was well known in Hartford Baptists, labored for the conversion of the — had preached there many times, and cer- Jews. He was a man of considerable note tainly would not have been chosen for a in his generation. mixed and public occasion like this, unless ^ These persons were Samuel Tudor, he were known as an able public speaker. 898 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1822. conference. I spoke with more strength than usual. I have lately taken tincture of bark, and I believe it has helped me. 8. Rainy, A very growing season. Worked at my library. Ther- mometer 88°. Rode to Hartford. Purchased of the Whitman family ' one hundred and ninety pamphlets, making, with what I had before, two hundred and fifty; for which I have paid them about $10.00. Paid now, $5.88. Did errands. My Independence address seems to have been well received. 9. Worked at my librar)^ I lend my books a good deal. Cool. People beginning haying. Walked out. ID. Worked at my pamphlets all day. It is laborious to arrange them. I have about twelve hundred, besides duplicates. One hundred and eight election sermons have been printed in the State, and I have ninety- seven.^ A good Providence has assisted me in making the collection. 11. \\'alked and visited. Thermometer 90°. Wrote. Received an application from the committee at Hartford for a copy of my address to be printed. At evening rode to Enfield. A part of the way it was very dark. 12. Rode home. Afternoon we had a hard rain. Our catechising was omitted on account of the wet. At evening had a thin prayer-meeting. Wrote to Mr. Strong and Mr. Nettleton,^ at Somers. 13. Wrote a part of a sermon on Ps. cxix : 6. In the afternoon young Mr. Storrs* came here from Longmeadow to make an exchange tomorrow. Rode to Enfield, late and dark. The ground is quite wet, and the river is high. 14. Rode to Longmeadow. Hot and sultry. Preached on Luke xi: 13, and Ps. xl : 4. Attended the funeral of a woman ninety-seven years of age. Much oppressed with the heat. At evening attended a conference. This society is in a pretty critical situation. Kindly entertained at Capt. Burt's. Am much fatigued. 15. Visited. The society here have a meeting today to give a call to Mr. Hoadley.^ Wet. Rode home. Here there was a hard shower. 16. Visited. Much troubled with nervous affections. Read. Worked ' Descendants of the Rev. Elnathan Whit- man, pastor of the South Church, Hartford, 1733-1777. Though he had been dead now more than forty years, his library seems to have been kept, in some measure, together. ^ Since his previous statement on this point, he has made a large gain. ^ Rev. William L. Strong and Rev. Asa- hel Nettleton. * This was Rev. Charles Backus Storrs, younger brother of Dr. Richard S. Storrs, of Braintree, Mass., and father of Dr. Henry M. Storrs, for many years Secretary of the American Home Missionary Society. Charles B. Storrs was son of Rev. Richard S. Storrs, of Longmeadow, Mass., born May 15, 1794. He was educated at Princeton College and Andover Theological Seminary, from which last he was graduated in 1820. He was or- dained at Charleston, S. C, as Home Mis- sionary, in 1821, went to Ohio in 1822, was pastor at Ravenna, O., 1822-1828, professor in Western Reserve College, 1828-1831, president 1S31, to his death, 1833. At the time of this exchange, young Storrs was supplying the pulpit at Longmeadow. His father, who had been minister there for thirty- four years, died in 1S19, and they had no pastor until Dr. Baxter Dickinson was set- tled there in 1823. ^ Rev. Loammi Ives Hoadley, born in North Branford, Ct., 1790, graduated at l822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 899 some. Thermometer 85°. Wrote. Had company. My library is mucli commended by beholders. 17. A colored girl came here from Norfolk to live. Wrote copying my address. Afternoon rode to Wapping and visited. They have been painting their meeting-house there. Tarried out. 18. Visited. Hot, but very fine harvest weather. Carried dinner to the harvest field.' The harvest is rather light. Paid for a book, $1.00. Ther- mometer 90°. 19. Wrote on my transcribing. Thermometer 92°. Afternoon had a catechising of the children. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Pretty full. Much oppressed with the heat. 20. Sent a part of my manuscript to the printer. Thermometer 94°. Wrote on a sermon begun last week. The heat was such I could write but little. Read. 21. Finished and preached my sermon on Ps. cxix : 6. Thermometer 90°. At evening attended the conference. My health is better than it was a few weeks ago. I have taken tincture of bark, and I believe it has been beneficial. 22. Visited. Read. Thermometer 87°. Received a letter from my cousin Chandler, and one from Mr. Battell. My brother called here on his way to the eastward, going by water for his health. Wrote transcribing my address. 23. Wrote and finished my transcribing. People have a very fine season for harvest. Towards night my cousin Sally Lawrence and Mr. Walkley came here. Thermometer 89°. 24. Rode with my friends to Hartford. They went to Norfolk. My mother is rather worse than she has been. Saw the printers. The roads very dusty. At night we had considerable rain. Read. Paid a merchant, $3-40. 25. Wrote. Walked and visited. Visited Mr. Eells's school. He has some difficulty in the government of it. I do not visit with as much despatch as I used to do. 26. Visited the most of the day. Quite cool. Visited old Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth^ in Scantick ; very low. An aged man^ died here with a short illness. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Spoke poorly. 27. Visited. Attended the funeral of old Mr. Daniels. Mr. Cushman, of Hartford, was present and performed the service at the house. Read. Paid for shoeing my horse, $1.10. Yale, 1817, and at Andover, 1820. His first both born the same 3'ear, 1737, and were settlement was at Worcester, Mass., in 1823. eighty-five years old. Mr. Ellsworth died lie was several times settled, and lived to in October of that same year (1822), and his great age, dying in Huntington, Ct., March wife in the year following They had a 31, 13S3, in his ninety-third year. family of fourteen children, some of whom ' As he had dune for many years. died in early life. ^ Lieut. Solomon and Mary (Moseley) ^ Mr. Stephen Daniels, aged seventy-nine. Ellsworth. Mr. Ellsworth and his wife were Mr. Daniels was a Baptist. goo DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. 28. In the morning we had a pretty hard rain. Preached with old notes on Luke vi : 45. Thhi meeting. Spoke feebly. Quite wet. Had no conference. 29. Read. Wrote. Rode out and visited a school. Read the proof- sheet of my address. It is not put in a very handsome form. 30. Rode to Hartford. Saw the printers. Borrowed $50.00 at the bank for two months. Received $49.50. Paid $12.00 for a pair of wheels for my sulky. At evening rode to Scantick and visited sick persons. 31. Wrote. Visited. Mr. Frey,' the Jew preacher, came here for his circuit. He preached well, and we had a full meeting. We had a collection for his congregation in New York, and got $13.50. He appears to be a respectable and serious man. He gave some useful information. August. 1. Wrote on my pecuniary accounts. They are very much in arrear. Visited. Paid a tailoress, $1.38. A man here has failed, and involved a number of others. Read. 2. Reviewing my pecuniary accounts. Visited. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. 3. The heat very oppressive. Thermometer 92°. Wrote a part of a sermon on Job xi : 20. Rode to Enfield and attended the funeral of an excellent man in middle life, who died of an apoplexy. Got home late. I hope my brother will be benefited by his voyage. 4. Expounded on Acts iii. Finished and preached the sermon begun yesterday. Thermometer over 90°. The air very languid. After- meeting had a shower. Attended the evening conference. My health, through the divine blessing, is much improved. 5. Visited. Cool. Read, Rode out. Deacon Loomis^ is quite poor. Attended the monthly concert. Received a letter from Professor Silliman,' requesting me to attend the approaching examination of college. 6. W^rote. Walked out. Rode to Wapping and visited. Quite cool. Last evening Mr. Charles Goodrich" brought me a manuscript History of the United States f 07- Schools, to be revised. 7. Rode to Hartford and to Windsor and home. Visited at Windsor. At evening attended the church conference. We have quite cool nights. Serious things are pretty low among us. The Lord be our helper. 8. Visited. Read Goodrich's MSS. A young Mr. Stoddard* called on me from Boston, searching for family history. At evening preached at the Mill neighborhood on John iv : 15. Thin meeting. ' See note June 28, 1S22. dated with his brother, Samuel G., in pub- ^ Deacon Amasa Loomis. lishing. 3 Benjamin Silliman, M. D., LL. D., Pro- ^ This was probably Mr. Charles Stod- fessor of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geol- dard, of Boston, who died in 1S73, ^"'l "'^^ ogy at Yale College, 1S02-1S53. His son of a young man in 1822. For thirty-three years the same name held the chair of C hemistry. before his death he was one of the deacons * Rev, Charles A, Goodrich, now asso- of the Old South Church, Boston. l822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. QOI 9. Wrote to Professor Silliman. Read MSS. Attended the catechis- ing of the children. Attended our prayer-meeting. I cannot prevent per- sons from becoming Baptists. 10. Wrote the most of a sermon on the nature of divine worship. A pretty difficult subject. Rode out. Thermometer about 90°. 11. Finished and preached my sermon on Rev. xxii : 9. In the forenoon preached with old notes on 2 Pet. ii : 4. There was a Baptist meeting here, and three women were baptized. These things are a severe affliction to me, but God will so have it. Quite dry and dusty. Thermometer 93°. At evening attended the conference. A Methodist meeting was also held here today. I hope, through divine mercy, never to witness a similar scene here again.* I am forty-five years old. 12. Last night tarried out. Visited sick persons. Very warm. Ther- mometer 92°. At evening performed a marriage.'^ 13. Read. Am pretty feeble. Wrote. Walked out. Read MSS. Hin- dered by company. 14. Finished Mr. Goodrich's MSS. It does not appear quite as well as I expected. Wrote. Walked out. 15. Read. Looked over the last census of the country. Massachusetts is the most populous State.^ The prospects of New York are very great. 16. Visited the sick. A man and his wife are severely sick with the lung fever. Visited a school. Attended our prayer-meeting. Melons are very plenty. 17. Rode to Enfield. A tornado here on the 15th did considerable injury to my brother's buildings. He is absent. His people are shingling his barn. Visited afflicted families. Returned. Very warm. Our sick family are very bad. Got home late. At Windsor Mr. Harlehigh Haskell'* pre- sented me an old sword used by Sergeant Hayden^ in the Pequod War. 18. Wrote notes and preached on Acts iii : 26. Preached an old sermon onProv. v: 12. A Baptist meeting here was thin. Attended the conference. Very tired. Hot and very dry. 19. Quite unwell with a pain in my side. Visited the sick family. I hope they are a little better. At night we had a thunder-shower. On the 17th received a letter from Mr. Tenney,^ of Wethersfield. 20. Wrote. Rode to Wintonbury and attended ministers' meeting. Preached on Rev. xxii : 9. Very warm. ' That is, to have a Methodist and a Bap- than she, and some of these had hardly tist preaching on the same day in his parish. begun to exist in 1S22. 2 Between Charles W. Bunce, of New * Harlehigh Haskell was a brother of Eli York, and Julia Bidwell. B. and Harris Haskell, all sons of Jabez 3 " Westward the course of empire " has Haskell, of Windsor. taken its way since that time. By the census ' William Hayden, who came to Windsor of 1S20, Massachusetts had 523,159, and by with the Dorchester Company in 1636, and the census of 18S0, she had 1,783,085. And was sergeant under Capt. John Mason in yet Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New York, the Pequod War. Ohio, and Pennsylvania are now all larger ''Caleb J. Tenney, D. D. 902 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. 2 1. Returned. Examined manuscripts at Col. VVyllis's. Some of them are quite valuable. I was much disappointed in not finding pamphlets. Visited the sick. Tired. 22. Visited the sick. We have now an unusual number. Rode to East Hartford and preached for Mr. Fairchild to the Female Benevolent Society on Ps. li: i8. Old Mr. Tudor is quite sick. 23. An aged man died here last night.' Visited the sick. Last night received a letter from Mr. Ely, of Simsbury. On the 21st received the annual consociational letter from Dr. Flint. Wrote to Mr. Tenney, of Wethersfield. At evening we had a hard shower. 24. Began a sermon on Ps. xlviii : 12-14. Visited the sick. Attended a funeral. Wrote, though weary. 25. Wrote and preached my sermon on Ps. xlviii : 12, 13, 14. It was not quite finished. At evening attended our conference. Tired and feeble. Visited the sick. 26. Visited a small school of young ladies. Visited the sick. Am not as well as I have been. Tarried out. 27. Yesterday received a letter from my sister. Walked and visited. Read. Mr. Tudor is very low. 28. Wrote to my brother James yesterday. Rode and visited the sick here at Wapping all day. We have an unusual number. There is a great deal of fruit. We have very cold and damp nights. 29. Rode to Wethersfield and preached for the Female Auxiliary Society on Ps. li : 18. Received a present of old pamphlets from Mr. Stoddard, of Northampton.^ The yellow fever is very bad in New York.^ 30. Visited. I hope our sick are convalescing. Attended the catechising of the children. They do pretty well. Received a letter from my cousin C. Robbins." Attended prayer-meeting. 31. Wrote a sermon on Rom. vi : 16. A Methodist camp-meeting in Ellington excites considerable attention. Read. I do not write as fast as I used to do.* September. 1. Expounded on Acts iv, the 31st verse, and preached the sermon written yesterday. The ground is very dry and dusty. At evening attended the conference. Meetings not very full. Received a letter from Mr. Ogden,^ of New Haven. 2. Rode to East Hartford and visited a sick woman. Wrote. Showery. I ' Nathaniel Rockwell, aged seventy-six, the fact as if it were to his disadvantage, '^ A descendant, doubtless, of the vener- May it not be that he wrote more carefully able Solomon Stoddard, pastor at North- and judiciously than when he was younger. ampton, 1672-1729. Rapid writing is not generally the best. ^ Not nearly so destructive, however, as * Rev. David Longworth Ogden, born in in some previous years. Hartford, 1792, graduated at Yale, 1814, and * Chandler Robbins. Andover, 1818, pastor at Southington, Ct., ^ Dr. Robbins has told us this a great Whitestown, N. Y., and Marlborough, Mass. many times, and always seems to speak of Died in New Haven, Ct., 1S63. l822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 903 Attended the wedding of Mr. Allan Hough,' Baptist minister, and Maria Bancroft ; performed by Mr. Cushman,^ of Hartford. Our monthly prayer- meeting was prevented by the rain. 3. Visited the sick. Quite warm. Read. Wrote. At evening per- formed a marriage.^ 4. Left home between one and two o'clock in the morning, and rode to New Haven in a little more than eight hours. Attended the examination at college. Several other gentlemen were present for the same purpose. 5. Attended laboriously at the examination all day. I think they do not perform better, except in the languages, than the students did when I was at college. Drank tea at Mr. Silliman's with a college company. 6. Finished the examination about noon. Visited. Looked over Dr. Dana's"* pamphlets. He had a great number. Mrs. Dana gave me, very kindly, one hundred and sixty .^ My list of election sermons is now nearly complete. Am treated with much kindness. 7. Saw my cousin J. W. Robbins. Made calls. Rode home. My pam- phlets make a large bundle. The dust very severe. Our sick people are gaining. Yesterday Mr. Twining* paid me $7.20 for attending at the examination. I was kept at his house. 8. Preached with old notes on Job vi : 4, and an old sermon on Acts xxiv: 25. Visited sick persons. Very tired. 9. Wrote to Mr. Coleman,^ tutor at college. Looked over the pamphlets I procured last week. Some of them are quite valuable. Rode out and visited the sick. 10. Visited. Set out for New Haven. Dined with the officers of the regiment at Hartford. Rode to Meriden. Had company on the way. Very warm and dusty. 11. Rode early and got to New Haven at nine o'clock. The Commence- ment exercises were very good. The greatest collection of people, I am persuaded, I have ever seen here on this occasion. My cousin J. W. Robbins* graduated, and Philip BattelP entered college. Several of Norfolk friends are here. Mr. Nash,'° of Tolland, preached the Concio ad Clerum. The heat was severe. 12. Attended the meeting of the Education Society. It appears to do ' We have here the given name of the ^ That was a rich gift, as choice and select Baptist minister, Hough, for which we have old pampiilets are now regarded, hitherto searched in vain. By the fact here * Stephen Twining, A. M., steward of recorded, his assiduous attentions to East Yale College, 1819-1S32. Windsor were probably not altogether de- ^ Lyman Coleman, D. D., afterwards pro- nominational. fessor in Lafayette College. - Rev. Elisha Cushman, Baptist minister * James Watson Robbins, son of his of Hartford. brother J. W. Robbins. 3 Between Horace Hooker, of Clyde, ' Philip Battell, then in his fifteenth year. N. Y., and Helen Wolcott. '° Rev. Ansel Nash, settled as colleague -• Rev. James Dana, D. D., pastor of First with Dr. Nathan Williams, of Tolland, and Church, New Haven, 1789-1805. pastor there 1S13-1831. 904 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBRINS, D.D. [l822. mucli good. Attended the ordination of three missionaries' under the care of the Board of Foreign Missions. Two of them go to the Sandwich Islands, and one to Palestine, The scene was very interesting and solemn. Dr. Mil'er/ of New Jersey, preached. The collection of people was very great. The house, I think, was more crowded than yesterday. The heat very severe and oppressive. After the services the Lord's Supper was attended at the other meeting-house. I did not attend. Looked over the old manuscripts and pamphlets of the former Mr. Whittlesey,^ of this town. Received about one hundred pamphlets, given me by Miss Betsey Whittlesey." Dr. Darling gave me a few that are very, valuable. At evening rode to Wallingford. Paid for a map of the State of New York, $5.00. 13. Rode early and got home about one o'clock. The drought is exten- sive and severe. Warmer perhaps than yesterday. Thermometer 90°. Received a dividend at the Phoenix Bank, and paid Hills, $52.00. The pestilence at New York is very distressing. Rode to Wapping and visited a school. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 14. Wrote. Looked over pamphlets. Of the election sermons printed in this State I have all but five.^ At evening set out to ride to Mr. Bartlett's to exchange. Tarried on the way. We had a moderate and most grateful shower. 15. Preached on Ps. cxix : 6, and Job xi : 20. Mr, Bartlett preached to my i^eople in the forenoon, and in the afternoon a Mr. Lombard, of Oswego, N. Y. In the evening attended the conference, Mr. Lombard* preached, 16. Read. Wrote. Rode to Orford and visited at Dr. Cooley's. Looked over a quantity of old books. Cool. 17. Read. Received a letter from Mr. Ely, of Simsbur}-. Rode to Wap- ping and visited a school. Paid $1.50 for a hand-sled made for me last winter. Quite cool. The corn is mostly ripe. 18. This morning we had our first frost. It was pretty hard. The pastures are very dry, and springs are uncommonly low. Wrote to Mr. Ely, of Simsbur}-. Attended the training of a regiment of cavalry in the upper part of the society, Mr. Bartlett is chaplain. 19. Rode to Hartford and attended the regimental training. Prayed with the regiment. In the afternoon it was quite rainy. The officers got ver)' wet. I did not ride after dinner. Attended a while at the United States Circuit Court. At evening looked over pamphlets. Tarried at Dr. Flint's. He is quite unwell. His society conduct very badly. 20. A steady rainy day. Very refreshing to the ground. Continued at ' William Goodell, William Richards, and excellent and charitable women of New Artemas Bishop, the first two, especially, Haven when the writer of this note was in notable men. Yale College, 1835-1839. ^ Samuel Miller, D. D,, a distinguished ^ The problem draws nearer and nearer professor in the Princeton Seminary, to a solution, and Dr. Robbins knows the ^ Rev, Chauncey Whittlesey, pastor of joy of a collector, the First Church in New Haven, 1758-1787. * Rev. Horatio J. Lombard, a graduate of * Miss Betsey Whittlesey was one of the Williams in 18 15. l822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 905 Hartford. Looked over pamphlets at Dr. Strong's, and other places. Had a good many given to me. Paid for books, $1.50. 21. Tarried last night at Dr. Flint's. He is very poor with nervous affections, a part of the time under much delirium. Rode home. Wrote, Walked out and visited. 22. Preached an old sermon on Heb. v: 7. I regret that I could not have been at home, and written one yesterday. Full meeting. Preached long. After meeting rode to Wapping and preached with old notes on John xii: 37. Baptized six children here,' and five at Wapping." Very tired. Sat up late. 23. Read in Trumbull's History of Con?iecticnt. Wrote. I have a hard cold. At evening walked out. 24. Rode to Northington and met with the Consociation. Broke my sulky at Hartford, and was hindered. Dr. Flint's society appear to be in a better state than they have been. I hope God will preserve them from the devices of the Universalists. The Conso had formed before I arrived. Am much oppressed with my cold. Several ministers were absent. 25. The Conso had considerable business. Afternoon returned. Am very hoarse, and much oppressed with my cold. Warm. 26. Saw yesterday at Northington my cousin J. W. Robbins. Mr. New- bur)^, of Windsor, called here today to get him to take their school. Visited. I have been through a very interesting and varied scene for ten months past, which now appears to be closed.' Visited our academy. Mr. Eells has done well in it. Warm and showery. 27. Wrote. Rode to Orford and dined with a military company. At- tended the catechising of the children. At evening attended the prayer- meeting. Quite thin. 28. Wrote on a sermon on Job xxix : 2, 3, 4, 5. I write slow, and have many hindrances. Have something of my tremor. 29. Last night we had a hard rain. Finished and preached my sermon on Job xxix: 2, 5. Thermometer rose to 88°. Attended the conference. Pretty thin. 30. Set out for Norfolk. Paid at Hartford for mending my sulky, and for one which I lately hired, ^1.75. Looked over the pamphlets of the former Rev. Mr. Boardman."* Found the valuable election sermon of Gov. Salton- stall. On the 28th Dr. Reed paid me $5.00, money borrowed, with ^i.oo interest. Paid at the Hartford Bank, $50.00, borrowed July 30th. Rode to my brother's at Colebrook. Rode late. My horse is very poor. ' The six baptized at the center of the ton ; and Louisa, daughter of Timothy Mun- parish were Elizabeth, Edward, and Julius, sell. children of Daniel Hayden; Frederic Wol- ^ He speaks, but still keeps silence, and cott, Maria, and Abner Edgar, children of we conjecture in vain. Cyrus Cole. * In^cv. Benjamin Boardman, pastor of the ^ The five at Wapping Were Ruth, Chloe South Church, Hartford, 1784-1802. He was Adeline, and James Francis, children of Joel a graduate of Yale in 1758, and died during Rockwell; Elihu Avery, son of John Stough- the year 1S02. go6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. October. 1. Rode to Norfolk, Found my good mother out, and quite comfortable. Visited. Mr. Battell has lately sent his second son to Middlebury College. 2. Wet. Visited old acquaintance. Had a good visit with my con- nections. A good Providence takes care of my good mother. 3. Gave my cousin S. Lawrence, $i.oo. Rode home. Yesterday was quite cold, and this morning we had a hard frost. Received a letter from Miss H. Judd. Have had a prosperous journey. Wrote to Mr. Newbury, of Windsor. 4. Wrote. Preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Gal. iv : 6. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Was out late. 5. Wrote a sermon on i Cor. ii : 9. Quite warm. Wrote late. 6. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Luke xxii: 15. Admin- istered the sacrament. The church full. Preached the sermon written yesterday. I believe my afternoon sermons, for six months past, have been more than fifty minutes on an average. Did not feel able to attend a con- ference. Walked out. Full meeting. 7. Read. Am much fatigued. Visited and catechised a school. At- tended our monthly concert of prayer in the evening. Rather thin. 8. Performed a marriage in the upper part of East Hartford,' Long Hill. Paid for Morse's Gazetteer^ $4-50, and for Smith's Sermons, $3.00. Yesterday received of my collector, $7.59, and paid the same to a merchant. At even- ing attended our church conference. Sent to Dt. Reed two hundred and fifty dollars of money of Dr. Everest's ^ bequest for charitable purposes. 9. Rode to Hartford and attended the cattle show. The exhibition of domestic manufactures exceeded that of any former year. There was a very great collection of people. Saw Mr. Battell. My cousin James Robbins* called here. He is disappointed of his expected school at Windsor. The weather very pleasant. 10. Read Smith's Sermons^ Wrote. Visited a school. The exhibition at the cattle show has been better than on any former occasion. 11. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of a child. Read. Attended the catechising of the children. The last for the present season. I think it has done good. Our prayer-meeting was thin. ' Between Adolphus J. Stone, of Scantic, ington, were appointed to have the super- and Laura Hayes, of East Hartford. vision of this fund. ^ Jedediah Morse, D. D., father of Ameri- * His nephew, James W. Robbins, who can geography. had just been graduated at Yale College. ^ Dr. Solomon Everest, of Canton, left a ^ Smith's Sermons, once before mentioned, legacy to the Connecticut Missionary Society were from the pen of Samuel Stanhope and the General Association to be disposed Smith, D. D., LL. D., professor in the Col- of for benevolent purposes according to lege of New Jersey, and vice-president of their discretion. It was decided at first to the same. He was an accomplished scholar give the income of it to some needy and and writer. He died in 1S19, at the age of worthy young man at Yale College studying sixty-nine. His sermons, in two volumes, for the ministry. Dr. Robbins, Rev. Jere- were published in 1821, and held a high place miah Hallock, and Dr. Noah Porter, of Farm- in our religious literature. l82 2.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 907 12. Read Dwight's Travels} We have some difficulty about our singing- school ; but I trust it will do well. It gives me anxiety. In the evening rode to Windsor to exchange. 13. Mr. Rowland rode to East Windsor. Preached on Ps. cxix : 6, and I Cor. ii : 9. Rode home with Mr. and Mrs. Haskell. Preached in the evening at Pine Meadow without notes on Acts iii : 26. Preached too long. Very tired. 14. Cold. Rode to Long Meadow. Looked over pamphlets. The Will- iams family have a valuable collection, but wish to retain them. Rode to Enfield. Paid Mrs. Storrs^ $7.00, for two volumes of the Christian Obscifer in numbers, and .75 for pamphlets. 15. Rode to Wethersfield and attended ministers' meeting. The meeting- house here has been very much injured by a violent wind. Tobacco fields are very green and growing. 16. We had a hard frost. Till now vegetation in many places has not been checked. We bad a good meeting. Rode home. A boy in our family is quite unwell. A Baptist meeting was held here last Sabbath. Received a letter from my brother at Lenox. Read. Mr. Eells began a regular study of divinity. Paid a post office bill of $3.80. Read Mr. Stiles's election sermon, A. D. 1742.^ 17. Wrote. Walked and visited. Visited a school. Quite warm. Tar- ried out. We have a great crop of corn. 18. Visited the sick. Read. At evening our meeting was thin. It is a time of great stupidity with us. 19. ' Spent the most of the day in visiting the sick. We have a very unusual number, and some cases very bad. Could not write a sermon as I designed. Very warm. 20. Expounded on Acts iv : 31 to v : 11. Preached an old sermon on Ex. X : 17. Visited the sick. Went into the singing-school. It appears well. 21. Am pretty feeble. Visited. Read. On the 19th received a letter from Dr. Perkins to call the Consociation to a special meeting at Farmington. I hope some of our sick ones are a little better. Hindered by company. 22. Rode to Scantick and attended the funeral of Lieut. Ellsworth.* He has lived with his wife, now a widow, sixty-four years. Visited. Wrote to Mrs. Storrs, of Longmeadow. Quite cold. Mr. Bulkley^ officiated at the funeral. ' In New England and New York, in ^ This was Rev. Isaac Stiles (father of four volumes, 1822. President Stiles), pastor at North Haven, Ct., ^ The widow of Rev. Richard Salter 1724-1760. He was a native of Windsor, and Storrs, of Longmeadow, who died in 18 19. was fitted for college by Rev. Timothy Ed- Rev. Mr. Storrs's first wife was Sally Willis- wards, father of Jonathan, ton, of East Haven, Ct. She died in 1798, ♦ Lieut. Solomon Ellsworth, previously and his second wife, who survived him, was mentioned. Sarah Williams, granddaughter of Dr. Ste- s This must have been Rev. GershomBulk- phen Williams, first minister of Long- ley, from 1778 to 1808 pastor of the north meadow. parish in Middletown, Ct. (now Cromwell). 9o8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. 23. Rode to Hartford. Borrowed money at the bank. Paid Hudson for tiiy carpet, $22.50. I had paid $20.00 for it before. Paid Scarboro, $10.00, Paid Corning, for shoes for mother, $3.50. Paid Dewey, towards my book- case, $20.00. For paper, $2,47. For a book, $2.00. Attended to the busi- ness of the insane institution. Cold. We have hard frosts. 24. Rode to Vernon and attended the funeral of a man who died at Hartford. Ecclesiastical matters there are not in a very good state. Came and tarried at Wapping. 25. Visited the sick. God is very good in sparing them. Read. Wrote to Mr. Battell. 'Had a good pra3'er-meeting. Gave the biography of Jacob. 26. Wrote the most of a sermon on Jonah ii : 8. Wrote late. The sick- ness at New Orleans and Pensacola is very severe. 27. Finished and preached my sermon on Jonah ii : 8. Preached with old notes on Matt, xxvii : 54. At evening attended conference. Very chilly. Tarried out. 28. On the 25th wrote a will for Mr. Sadd. Quite rainy all day. Visited the sick. Read. Wrote. Prepared for my journey. 29. Rode to Hartford. Rode to Middletown and attended a meeting to organize the insane institution. The meeting was large and respectable. Returned with Mr. Imlay to Hartford, and in the evening rode to Farmington to attend Consociation, which met there today to attend to a difficulty in the church. 30. Am very kindly entertained at Gen. Cowles.* In the morning was chosen scribe of Conso on the resignation of Mr. McLean. Were all day and evening hearing witnesses and lawyers. 31. Wrote very late last night on a result for the Conso. We were very intent in deliberation all day. We were not well agreed in opinion. The people here express much anxiety on the result.^ November. 1. Last night wrote very late on a result, till after two o'clock. It received some alterations from the committee, and on being presented to the Conso it passed unanimously. It was read in public, and I hope will do good. Rode home. Quite cold. Am much fatigued. Received a letter from my cousin J. W. Robbins. 2. Wrote to my brother Francis. Read. Wrote. Can do but little. Read old confessions of faith. 3. Expounded on Actsv: 12-33. Preached an old sermon on Ps. xiv : 7. He was a native of Wethersfield, and after Bulkley was called to attend this funeral, leaving the ministry at Middletown, seems only that Mrs. Ellsworth was a native of to have made his home at Wethersfield. He Glastonbury, Ct. (opposite Wethersfield), and was a descendant of Peter Bulkley, the first Rev. Mr. Bulkley may have been of her minister of Concord, Mass. (1636), through kindred or early acquaintance. Rev. GersKom Bulkley of New London, Ct., ' Gen. George Cowles. and Rev. John Bulkley, pastor at Colchester, - The points at issue in this controversy Ct., 1703-1731 We do not know why Mr. are not given. f 1822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 909 Full meeting. At evening attended the conference. Examined a school- master. 4. Read. We have quite frosty nights. Wrote. At evening attended the monthly prayer-meeting. Tarried out. 5. Visited the sick and others. Was out all day. I hope our sick are a little gaining. I do not perform so much in an equal time in visiting as I used to do. 6. Have many interruptions in study. Hindered by company. Dined out. Read. At evening attended the church conference. On the 4th wrote to my brother at Enfield. W^e have very fine weather. 7. Wrote. Rode to Hartford and attended the meeting of the managers of the Hartford Connecticut Missionary Society. Its prospects are encourag- ing. My health is better than usual. God be thanked. 8. Wrote a piece for the newspapers. Rode to Hartford quickly, and carried it. Hindered. Read the Bible, Attended the evening prayer- meeting. 9. Hard sick all day. A severe pain in my head, and fever. At evening took an emetic, which operated powerfully, and gave me some relief. After a little time in the morning kept my bed entirely. 10. Am relieved, through great mercy, and sat up some. I think I took cold on Friday. Sent to Hartford, and Mr. Whittlesey,' very kindly, came up and preached. Yesterday received a letter from my brother. Last evening my cousin James ^ came here, going to Enfield to keep their school. 11. Am gaining a little, but am quite feeble. Am not able to read. Took physic. Received a letter from Mr. Ely, of Simsbury. 12. Went down stairs for the first time since Saturday morning. Worked at my pamphlets. It is difficult for me to find employment. 13. Read a little. My head is very weak and irritable. Worked some at pamphlets. Wrote a little. Cannot bear much attention. 14. On the 8th got me a valuable pair of boots ; gave an order on my collector of $7.00. Quite rainy all day. Worked at my pamphlets. The rain is very acceptable, as the wells are uncommonly low. 15. Last night old Mr. Tudor had a hard paralytic shock, and now lies very low and speechless. Visited him ; the first time I have been into the street during my illness. In the afternoon rode out a little way. Received a letter from Mr. Ely, of Simsbury. 16. Walked out. Worked at my pamphlets. I have a great many dupli- cates. Have expected to be able to preach tomorrow, but conclude I cannot. Mr. Tudor will not recover. Read the Bible. 17. Attended meeting. Had sermons read. Performed the other exer- cises. Full meeting, and a very pleasant day. At evening attended confer- ' Rev. Samuel Whittlesey, graduated at ^ His nephew, James Watson Robbins, of Yale in 1803, had been settled at New Pres- Lenox, who had been disappointed about his ton, Ct., 1807-1817, was now teaching at expected school in Windsor, had obtained a Hartford. He died in 1842. school in Enfield. QIO DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1822. ence, but did but little. Am very feeble for speaking. Mr. Tudor is very low. Read the Bible. iS. Had a joiner to work for me. Was with him considerably. Mr. Joseph Emerson and his wife' dined here, and stayed some time. Wet, At evening my brother Frank and wife came here to see me and tarried. Am better today than I feared. 19. Last night we had a hard rain. My brother and wife went off. Worked at my chamber. Paid my joiner for work, $1.25, .50 of which I charge to Dewey, my cabinet-maker. Paid for a piece of furniture, made some time ago, $4.50. Wrote for Mr. Wolcott, In the evening my good friend Mr. Tudor ^ died, aged eighty-five. I was at the house soon after. 20. Visited. Attended to my pamphlets. Walked to the Hill. Visited on the way. Have not walked so far before since my illness. Received an esteemed present of $5.00. Tarried out. 21. Was carried home. Cold. Read. At evening Rev. Mr. Benedict, of Pawtucket,^ an open communion Baptist, came here and tarried. He is collecting historical documents. I estimated the two hundred and six churches of this State to contain one hundred and fifty communicants each. I easily get fatigued. Visited sick persons. 22. Labeled my pamphlets. Afternoon attended the funeral of Mr. Tudor. Very rainy. Got some wet, but took no cold. Read the Bible. 23. Last night we had a very heavy rain. On the 20th wrote to Mr. Ely, of Simsbury. Spent the most of the day visiting the sick. Wrote. Received a letter from Gen. Howe, of New Haven, with a large packet containing Locke's Works and one hundred pamphlets, which I selected from the stock of the former Mr. Whittlesej'',* of New Haven, which were given me in September. 24. I am but poorly able to study. Preached an old sermon on Ps. cxxxvii : 5, 6. Afternoon was quite long. Spoke much better than I expected, but was quite exhausted. At evening rode out and visited a woman very sick. Quite cold. 25. Rode to Hartford. Got ninety pamphlets, given me by Mr. Board- man, nephew and heir of the late Rev. Mr. Boardman.' Did errands. Bad riding. The river is high. 26. Rode out and visited the sick. Worked at my library. Wrote. Read the Bible. 27. Wrote the most of a sermon for Thanksgiving. Hindered. Visited the sick. Wrote in the ni^ht till two o'clock. ' Rev. Joseph Emerson and his wife, from Mrs. Griswold's — Dr. Elihu Tudor, Samuel Beverly, Mass. Mr. Emerson was a native Tudor, and Mrs. Rhoda (Tudor) Griswold. of Hollis, N. H., a graduate of Harvard, 1798, ^ Probably Rev. David Benedict, D. D., a pastor of the Third Church, Beverly, 1803- graduate of Brown University, 1S06, and 1816, when he established a school in Bev- afterward connected with Shurtleff College, erly which was a well-known and honored 111., which was chartered in 1835. institution. * Rev. Chauncey Whittlesey, First Church, " He was the youngest of that circle of New Haven, 175S-17S7. three — brothers and sister — that had been ^ Rev. Benjamin Boardman, South Church, wont to dine together once a year at old Hartford, 1784, to his death, 1802. l822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 911 28. Thanksgiving. Finished and preached my sermon on Eccles. vii : 14.' Quite wet. Meeting pretty thin. 29. Quite unwell with headache and dysentery. Scarcely went out. Could not attend our evening meeting. 30. Looked over pamphlets. Examined and disapproved of a school- master. Am much better than yesterday, through great mercy. Read expositors. December. 1. Performed my duties, though pretty feeble. Forenoon expounded from Acts v : ^;^ to the end of the 6th. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Mark viii : 34. Very tired. At evening attended our singing-school. It does well. Mr. Colton,^ of Monson, came here and tarried. Wet and warm. 2. Read. Can do but little. Rode out. At evening attended our monthly concert. Tarried out. Visited the sick. Cool. 3. It snowed all day. Rode to Hartford and attended the meeting of the society for the relief of the insane. The votes for the location of the institu- tion were unanimous for Hartford. At evening attended the meeting of the directors. Rode home late. Very bad riding. 4. Very cold. Thermometer about 7° or 8°. Wrote. Rode to Hartford and attended the meeting of the directors for the insane. Returned in the evenmg. The ground hard frozen. Visited. 5. Thermometer about 10°. Am troubled with a lame back. Kept house the most of the day. Looked over manuscripts. I believe I have never lost a sermon that I have written. Examined and approved a school- master. Wrote. 6. Wrote to Howe & Spaulding, New Haven, and to the Librarian,^ of Yale College. Thermometer 27°. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Spoke long on the life of Joseph. Last Sabbath we had considerable thunder. That day put on my flannel. 7. Wrote the most of a sermon on Rom. ii : 6-1 1. Have many inter- ruptions. Wrote four and one half pages in the evening. Weather more moderate. 8. Finished my sermon begun yesterday, and preached it both parts of the day. Quite pleasant. At evening attended the conference. Read the President's * Message. Not so good as usual. It is pagan.^ 9. Wrote. Visited a school. Visited an aged sick woman. 10. Read. Mr. Hawes,* late of Glastonbury, called here. Visited our * Text, " Be not overmuch wicked, neither ^ The Librarian of Yale College then was be thou foolish: Why shouldst thou die Prof. James L. Kingsley, LL. D. before thy time ? " A quaint text for Thanks- * James Monroe, on the second year of giving. his second term. ' Rev. Simeon Colton, D. D., native of * Dr. Robbins was rough on Democratic Longmeadow, graduate of Yale, 1806, pastor Presidents and Governors, at Monson from 181 1 to 1821, a very success- * Rev. Prince Hawes, a native of Warren, ful Principal of Monson Academy, and later, Ct. He left Glastonbury in 1820, and later President of Mississippi College. was settled in Woodbridge, Ct. 912 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [l822. academy. It is in a very good state. Have great difficulty in getting the assistance of school visitors. Visited the sick. Tarried out. 11. Visited the sick. Very pleasant. Thermometer about temperate. Visited a school. At evening rode to Vernon and performed a marriage.' Tarried there. 12. Rode home. Wrote. Visited a school. All of our schools, including the academy, except Wapping, are taught by persons belonging to the respective districts. Took cold. 13. Am something unwell. Have a very unexpected trial in society matters. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. Paid a highway tax of .39. Tarried out. 14. Wet and rainy. Visited. Received a letter from Obadiah H. Hul- bert. Read expositors. The ground is quite open. 15. Expounded on Acts vii : 1-17, and preached with old notes on John xvii : 17. Very windy and tedious. Quite tired. 16. Our society matters are in considerable agitation. Thermometer this morning at 12°. Wrote, Visited a school. Visited. 17. Rode to Wapping and visited their two schools. The ground is hard frozen. Tarried at Wapping. 18. Visited families all day. I hope some of the people here will unite with our society. I get along very slow in visiting. My nervous system is much affected. 19. Rainy. Visited and rode home. Much fatigued. Our society mat- ters give me great concern. Our help is in the God of heaven. Received a letter from my brother, and one from his son, G. A. Alden.^ Attended our singing-school. 20. Wrote. Was taken last night with an ague in my face, and am quite ill. Attended to my pupil, Mr. Eells. At evening went a little while into our prayer-meeting. 21. Last night I became very unwell in the night with severe distress in my head, I believe I took cold by going out in the evening. Had a very sick day. Never left my bed, except to have it made in the evening. My physician concludes it may proceed from the local affection in my face. In the evening my brother Frank and wife came here on their return from Nor- folk. We were expecting to exchange tomorrow. Mother is unexpectedly well. I am very weak. Our society voted to sell the pews of the meeting- house. 22. My brother and wife went early to Enfield. Mr. Woodbridge,^ of Hartford, came here, at my request, ver}^ kindly, and conducted the meeting. He is feeble, and preached but one sermon. There was one sermon read. ' The persons married were Jehiel Fuller He was a descendant of Timothy Wood- and Betsey Corning, both of Vernon. bridge, minister of the First Church, Hart- ^ This G. S. Alden was his brother's step- ford, 16S5-1732. His name was William, son. born in 1755, graduated at Yale, 17S0, and ^ This Mr. Woodbridge, though bearing died in Franklin, Ct., in 1836. He was the the title of Rev., was known as a teacher. first Principal of Exetei Academy, N. H. [822.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 913 Two young women were propounded to the church. Weather pleasant, I am much better, through divine mercy, though quite weak. Had company. 23. Mr. Woodbridge went off early. Cold and very windy. Am much better. Notwithstanding my weak state I rode out in the afternoon, about a mile, and tarried over night. Our society matters appear to be in a very critical state. My help and hope are in God, who has often appeared for us in times of danger. 24. Was carried home. Thermometer this morning at 8°. Slept very little last night. The pews of the meeting-house were sold with great har- mony, and produced nearly $550.00. A very great and most unexpected blessing. It is the good work of God. I hope never to forget his great mercies. An aged man ' died today. 25. The ground hard frozen. Read a little. Dined at Dr. Tudor's. My face is very tender. Thermometer 15°. 26. Walked out a little and visited. Attended the funeral of Capt. Mills. The last six persons who have died here were of the average age of eighty-one and one half years. Wrote. Thermometer this morning about 15°. 27. In the forenoon instructed Tudor's school. Visited. Yesterday received some very unexpected information. The late sale of the pews in the meeting-house seems to have had a very favorable effect, and to have given new life to our society. It is the work of a most gracious God. My nervous affections are very bad. Paid for two leather straps to inter the dead, $1.75. Thermometer this morning 8°. 28. I am quite feeble. Began to write a sermon on John vi : 39, 40, but was so weak I could not write but little. Mr. Lord, a candidate, called on me. Mr. Parmalee,^ of Bolton, died yesterday. A most mysterious dispensa- tion. Received two good loads of wood from Wapping. Assisted in examin- ing a school-master. My nervous affections are distressing. 29. Thermometer about 12°. Preached an old sermon on Rom. vi : i, 2. The people took their new seats, and appear well. Our new singers were introduced, and performed well. Was very hoarse, and spoke with great difficulty. Did not go out in the evening. The Baptists here are making great exertions. 30. Rode out. The ground very hard. Visited a school. Visited. Read. Wrote. Was up late. 31. Thermometer about 11°. Read. Wrote. Had company. Read Trumbull's History of Coimecticut. Our society held their annual meeting, which was harmonious and favorable. The great God has mercifully pre- served me through various changes another year. In mercies and afflictions he is always holy. ' Capt. Roswell Mills, aged eighty-four. was settled in 1S15, and died a young man ^ Rev. Philander Parmalee, successor to in December, 1822. He was graduated at Rev. George Colton in the church of Bolton, Yale College in the class of 1809. I 1823. January. 1. Endeavored to commit myself to the keeping and disposal of a holy God for the ensuing year. It is my great desire that I may increase in use- fulness. It snowed all day. Read History of Connecticut.^ Paid a tailoress, 60. 2. Walked and visited all day. Sleighs move considerably. The snow thaws. I believe I am much in want of exercise, and that I have taken quite too little for a year past. Received a letter from Howe & Spaulding, New Haven, and one from my brother. 3. Wrote notes and preached a preparatory lecture on Rom. viii : 35. The roads quite wet. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Was better able to speak than I expected. Visited. 4. Wrote to my brother. Wrote a sermon for New Year's on Rev. iii; 2, 3. Received a letter from Dr. Flint. Received a bundle of books from New Haven, Sir W. Jones's Works^ which makes a very valuable addition to my librar)^ 5. Finished notes which I began on Friday, and preached in the forenoon on John i: 11. Afternoon preached the sermon written yesterday. It snowed and hailed the most of the day. Quite tedious. Thin meeting. Administered the sacrament. The church was thin. Much fatigued. Ther- mometer in the morning 18°. Wrote. Received a letter from Mrs. Skinner, of Hartford. 6. Very cold and tedious. Dined with the civil authority of the town. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Quite thin. 7. Thermometer in the morning 7°. Rode early to Hartford. Very cold and frosty. Crossed on the ice. Good sleighing. Attended the meeting of the society for the insane, and of the directors of the same. Got home late. Paid for books, $1.20. Saw my nephew, William Lawrence. My mother is well. Thermometer in the evening 5°. 8. Thermometer in the morning 8°. Rode to Vernon and performed a marriage.^ The people there had a meeting yesterday on the subject of giving Mr. Gaylord a call. Vote 20 for, and 35 against it. Read Calder- wood's Church of Scotland.^ Wrote. Attended the church conference. I think these meetings are useful. ' Dr. Benjamin Trumbull's. Palmer, Mass., and Thankful Fuller. Rev. ^ An edition of Sir William Jones's Works, William Ely had been dismissed at Vernon in six volumes, was published by Lady Jones nearly a year before, and they were without in 1799, and another edition in thirteen vol- a minister, umes, was brought out in 1807. ■* David Calderwood, an eminent divine * The parties were Jacob Newell, of and scholar, contemporary with the Pilgrim 915 9l6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1823. 9. Thermometer 20°, Wrote. Afternoon rode to Pine Meadow on a visit and returned. Good crossing and sleighing. At night it rained some. 10. Walked and visited. It thawed considerably. Visited. Heard some unexpected and painful intelligence. At evening attended our prayer-meet. ng. Was so unwell I could do but little. 11. Wrote to . Paid a shoemaker, $1.15. Paid for Connecticut Mirror for a year, $2.00. Cold and tedious. Visited. The Baptists give me great anxiety. I pray for submission and confidence in God. Unable to study much. Read expositors. Thermometer in the morning 5°, and did not rise higher than about 14°. 12. Expounded on Acts vii : 18-47. Preached an old sermon on Ex. xxxviii : 14. Thermometer 12°. Our meeting-house is finely warmed with stoves. Mr. Stebbins, of Simsbury, kept Sabbath with us. At evening attended conference. Tarried out. Very tired. 13. Visited. Very cold. The walking very slippery. Quite unwell. My nervous affections very severe and distressing. I think they are quite alarm- ing. The Lord be my helper. Read. Can do but little. 14. Thermometer in the morning 5° below zero. Gave a poor woman, $1.00. The Baptists had a meeting here, and formed a church. Five men and about fifteen women in our society, and nearly as many more in neigh- boring places. The business has been long contemplated.' I have different and most severe trials come at once. Holy is the Lord. Spent most of the afternoon in prayer to him. I leave all to his holiness. Reckoned with my collector. He paid me $22.21 in books, and $13.20 more, which settled my salary of May, 182 1. Took no interest. Paid a merchant's bill of $7.59. Received of my last salary of Mr. Clapp, $464.00, and his note of $46.00, making $510.00. Took $10.00 interest. Of the amount received, $200.00 is in an order on Dr. Reed, and $38.00 a note against Mr. Tudor. Paid Mr. Wolcott's taxes, $71.40, and a clothier's debt for him of $19.00. Paid a mer- chant's bill of $24.41, and a shoemaker, for a pair of boots, $7.00, and a smith's bill of $3.62. Thermometer in the evening at zero. 15. Thermometer 8°. Worked at my pecuniary accounts. They have been long neglected, and are in poor state. My nerves are verj' weak. Hindered by company. I try to exercise a good deal. 16. Thermometer 4°. Engaged in looking over my pecuniary accounts. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Received a letter from my brother James. Fatigued with speaking. Fathers, and sharing in the oppressions the time of his death, and from that must which they encountered. James VI of Scot- have been compiled the book which Dr. land, who is no other than James I of Eng- Robbins mentions above, though the fuller land, and equally mean under both titles, and better edition of the work, in eight vol- banished both Calderwood and the Pilgrims umes, was published in Edinburgh, 1S42- for their opposition to the corruptions of the 1845. Established Church. Calderwood was born * That church is still in existence, but has in 1575, and died in 1651. He left his His- always been small and weak. The pastorates tory of the Kirk of Scotland in manuscript at of it have been brief and irregular. 1823.] PASTOR IN KAST WINDSOR. 917 17. Attended to my accounts. Walked and visited. Visited. My trials are very great.' A holy God has done his own will, and blessed be his name. O that my soul may be more devoted to him. Wrote to brother Francis. iS. Wrote on a sermon begun the 28th ult. Am so much afflicted as to be poorly able to write. Gave a poor person, ^i.oo. Warm. 19. Finished and preached my sermon on John vi : 39, 40. It thaws very much. Thermometer rose to 50°. Very tired. Spoke today better than I expected. 20. Rainy all day. An aged woman ^ died here last evening. Worked at my library. My nervous system is very much affected. 21. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Webster. Weather like spring. The sleighing mostly gone. Visited. Visited sick children. 22. Rode to Hartford in a carriage. Attended the meeting of the directors of the Retreat for the Insane. Paid G. Goodwin^ for books, $13.00; for stationery, $1.35. Paid Gleason for books, $17.25. Paid Dewey the remainder for my book-case, $24.00. The whole cost is $45.00. Paid Imlay, $10.00. Sargeant, $1.50. For a ream of paper, $3.75. For other things, $1.10. The ground thaws. Settled with S. G. Goodrich. He allowed me for what I have done for him for Tytler's History^ $75.00, and $50.00 = $125.00. I have taken all of the amount from his store. Have now taken books to the amount of $32.14. On account of his failure I could get nothing else ; and had to take books that I did not want, and at his price. Poor pay.* 23. Wrote. Visited. We have more sickness than we have had. 24. A most afflicting event took place at Enfield night before last. A mercantile company failed, and a very valuable man committed suicide with laudanum. Read. Visited. The divine corrections are holy and good. At evening attended a prayer-meeting. Am quite unwell. 25. Am so feeble and nervous that I think I cannot write a sermon today, as I intended. Worked at my library. Afternoon it snowed considerably. Read expositors. 26. Expounded on Acts vii : 47, to the end. The subject very impressive. Wrote notes and preached on Sam. iii : 39. It snowed moderately the most of the day. Wrote. 27. It thawed a good deal. Worked at my library. Visited a sick man. Attended our singing-school. Mrs. Wolcott got badly hurt by falling down stairs. 28. Visited a man very sick. At evening he died. Wrote. Attended a funeral in the lower part of Scantick.' Visited. ' His old troubles seem to have suddenly that, at the best, Dr. Robbinsdid a great deal returned upon him. of work for Mr. Goodrich for a small amount - Widow Lucy Webster, aged eighty-three. of pay. But as it came out, the reward for This adds another death, in regular succes- his long and hard labor was insignificant, sion, of very aged people. indeed. Literary labor, as a general fact, ^ George Goodwin, the bookseller and was then poorly paid, publisher. ' The funeral of Mr. Abner Bancroft, '■ We have all along had the impression aged fifty-five. 9l8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. 29. Worked at my books. My catalogue has been long neglected. Had five good loads of wood brought me by the people at Wapping. I believe I have not before received seven loads in one season. Had company. Mild weather. 30. Wrote. Attended the funeral of Mr. Bancroft. Rode to Hartford and saw my brother and sister Battell. Mother is quite comfortable. Pretty good sleighing and crossing. Attended the meeting of the society for the insane. 31. Wrote. Visited. Rode out and visited a school. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty thin. February. 1. Ver\' cold and Avindy. Visited the sick. Rode to Pine Meadow and Enfield on horseback. The late great calamity there gives a shock to the whole town. My brother is sensibly affected by the visitation. 2. My brother rode early to East Windsor. The sleighing is poor. Preached all day on John vi: 39, 40. At evening rode home. Visited the afflicted Mrs. Parsons. My brother returned in the evening. Found at home a Mr. Parker, a young candidate from Massachusetts, who came here last evening, and preached in the forenoon. 3. It snowed moderately the most of the day. Visited the sick. Mr. Parker went away. He appears quite incompetent. Rode to Wapping and attended the monthly prayer-meeting. It was thin on account of the storm. Am pretty feeble, 4. Thermometer 10°. Rode to Granby and attended Association. But ten members present. Full meeting at public worship. We had not much business. 5. Afternoon rode to Hartford and home. Very good sleighing. Quite cold. Heard of a pleasing revival of religion at Coventry. 6. Thermometer 4° below zero, and did not rise above 10° through the day, with clear sunshine. Read Sir W. Jones's Works. Wrote, Prepared this almanack. 7. On the 4th paid for the use of a sleigh, $1.00. Thermometer 4° below zero, and rose to 12°. Clear weather, but scarcely any thawing in the warm places. Wrote, Wrote to my brother James. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Visited. 8. Hindered by company. My cousins,' of Mr. Battell's family, came here, and made me an agreeable visit. They appear well. Began to write a sermon, but wrote but little. Thermometer 8° below zero. I conclude it was about the same on the morning of the 5th. Read the Bible. Received a letter from Mr. C, Byington, of Bristol.^ ' They were sons and daughters of his Bristol, Ct. Since 1820 he had been a mis- sister Sarah, and therefore, in our modern sionary of the American Board to the Choc- vocabulary, nephews and nieces. taw Indians. He was graduated at Andover ^ Rev. Cyrus Byington was a native of in 1S19. He died in the town of Belpre, Stockbridge, Mass., but his home was in Ohio, December 31, 1S6S. 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 919 9. Thermometer about 8°. Weather moderates. Preached with old notes on Isa. xxvi : 20. Meeting pretty solemn. At evening attended con- ference. Quite tired, but I think I have more strength, through great mercy, than I have had. 10. Walked out and visited. Read. Had company. Read Sir W. Jones. Visited with company. 11. Rode to Suffield and visited Col. Leavitt; a large and very valuable collection of coins. About two hundred of copper, and a good many of silver. I think the collection will be useful. It thaws considerably, and the sleighing is poor. 12. It snowed considerably. Attended to the revision of my library. Read. Walked out and visited. 13. Rode to Wapping and visited. Visited a school. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite full. My biographical lectures ' seem to be much liked. 14. Rode and visited at the two ends of the society. Visited sick persons. At night we had a hard snow-storm. 15. The snow is now more than a foot deep. Wrote on a sermon begun a week ago. I write slow. Have many trials. 16. Thermometer at 8°, and did not exceed about 20°. Finished and preached my sermon on Matt, v : 18. Preached long. The divine law is an excellent subject. Quite fatigued. At evening wrote. 17. Looked over and filed my letters. They have been neglected for three years. Thermometer in the morning 12° below zero. The coldest morning since winter before last. At evening rode out and visited. We have a pretty heavy body of snow. Paid a blacksmith, $1.62. Paid Si. 00, my annual payment to the Agricultural Society. 18. Thermometer 8°. Rode to Northington' and attended ministers' meeting. Afternoon it snowed, and was very blustering. Our meeting has become small. 19. Rode home. Did errands at Hartford. Have had a good many books bound lately. Borrowed money at the bank. Severe cold. Dr. Tudor is quite low. 20. Worked at my papers. Had company. Walked out and visited. Am pretty feeble. Thermometer 15°. 21. Thermometer 18°. Am considerably taken up with my pupil, Mr. Eells. Preached at Northington on Tuesday on Matt. V : 18. Wrote. Rode out and visited the sick and others. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. 22. Visited. Worked arranging papers. At evening rode to Scan tick to exchange. The snow is pretty deep. 23. Mr. Bartlett rode down and supplied my pulpit. Preached on Matt. ' On Bible characters. He has had one ^ Avon. As Northington, it was a parish on Jacob, and one on Joseph. in the town of Farmington. 920 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^823. V : 18. Full meeting. At evening attended a conference at Wapping. It thawed considerably. Exceeding tired. 24. It snowed steadily last night, and through the day. Thermometer about 24°. Am quite feeble. Worked at my library. Read. 25. Employed with my books, numbering and putting in my name. Worked making paths. People went out breaking roads. Can bear but little labor. 26. Cold and snows some. Am still attending to my books. They have not been looked over for a good while. Thermometer this morning at i*^. Kept a school a little while. I fear some of my books are lost. 27. Thermometer i6°. Visited the sick who are now convalescing. A righteous God afflicts me in infinite holiness. I pray that it may be for my best good. It is said the snow is more than two feet deep, and ver}^ solid. I do but little. Wrote. 28. Thermometer this morning 9^° below zero. The coldest we have had this year. It fell near two degrees after sunrise with a clear sky. Worked early at my wood. Received a letter from Mr. Gideon Burt, of Longmeadow. Wrote. Read the Bible. Attended our prayer-meeting. The thermometer rose with clear sun to 15°, but later in the evening it was the same as in the morning. March. 1. Wrote a sermon on Amos iv: 12. Wrote one half of it before dinner, and the other half after supper. Hindered by company. Mr. Bradford Marcy' called on me. I told him he should be welcome to stay with me over the Sabbath, but I should not want any assistance in preaching. I think it would not be right to ask him to preach. Thermometer in the morning at 6° below zero, but it rose to near 30°. Wrote late. 2. Thermometer 14° and rose to the freezing point. Expounded on Acts viii : 1-25, and preached on Amos iv : 12. Full meeting. Ver}' good sleigh- ing. At evening read. Did not go out. 3. Thermometer in the morning 10°. At noon it was 9°, and the highest in the afternoon 11°. With a clear sun all day, the snow did not thaw at all on the south roof. Windy and tedious. Wrote. Worked at my books. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Very thin. Thermometer 6° below zero. Mr. Wolcott rode in the evening to Pine Meadow. The roads very bad with drifts. 4. Thermometer 6° below zero. Last evening Frances Haskell gave birth to a daughter. The weather moderates in some degree. Wrote. At evening attended our church conference. Quite thin. Wrote a subscription paper to purchase a missionary field. 5. Rode early to Longmeadow, and attended the ordination of Mr. Dickinson.^ The parts were well performed, and there was a great concourse ' Mr. Bradford Marcy. Amherst, Mass., 1795, graduated at Yale, "Rev. Baxter Dickinson, D. D., born in 1S17, and at Andover, 1821, pastor at Long- [823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 921 of people. The prospects are very good. At evening returned to Pine Meadow. The day ver)' comfortable. It the evening it began to rain a little. 6. It rained without intermission through last night, and all day. Some of the time quite hard. Did not go out. Read. Frances has been very ill, but apjDcars to be doing well. 7. The water of the river is so raised that we cannot cross on the ice. Rode home by way of Hartford. Poor sleighing. Much damage is appre- hended from the rain. Streams are high. The quantity of snow was very- great. More than half of it remains. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. 8. Thermometer about 25°. It thawed a. good deal. The roads very- wet. Walked out. Am quite languid. Felt unable to write or study much. Worked some at my books. Read. Paid a blacksmith, .75, 9. Am very poorly prepared for the duties of the Sabbath. Thermometer above freezing all day, and rose to 40°. The sleighing very poor. Very bad going. Preached with old notes on Eph. ii : 12. Read. Read the Bible. ID. Colder. The ground appears considerably. Worked at my librarj-. Wrote. At evening performed a marriage. 11. Rode to Wapping and visited a man very sick. It snowed and rained considerably. Mr. Wolcott returned from Torringford in a tedious storm. Wrote. Last night wrote very late. 12. Rode to Orford and attended the funeral of Harvey Strong, who was buried here. Bad traveling. The new snow went off. Read. 13. Rode to Hartford. The riding very bad. Saw my brother Ammi there. Mother, he says, is quite comfortable. Received of the Phoenix Bank a large dividend of $71.25. Paid for four numbers of Clarke's Bible, $6.00. Closed my account with the estate of J. R. Scarboro, and paid $3.40. For other things, $3.13. There appears to be a prospect of severe and speedy war in Europe, I did not think the nations would act with such consummate folly.* 14. Finished the long task I have had in revising and arranging my library. It has been long neglected, and was much more laborious than I expected. Wet and rainy all day. Had no evening meeting. Wrote. Paid brother Frank $20.00 on a note. 15. Cold and tedious. Visited a sick man at Wapping, Rode to Enfield. Crossed and re-crossed at Warehouse Point.^ The river is open there, though the ice generally remains above Hartford. The riding was very bad. Mrs. Haskell gets better. 16. Rode early, quite cold, to Longmeadow, to exchange with Mr. Dick- meadow, 1823-1829, pastor of Third Presby- understand. There seems to have been no terian Church, Newark, N. J., 1829-1835, large warlike movement in Europe in 1823, professor in Lane and Auburn Theological justifying this statement. His entry was Seminaries, 1S35-1847, secretary, teacher, etc., based probably upon some false report which died in Brooklyn, N. Y., 1875, aged eighty. had been put in circulation. " What this language means we do not ^ In the ferry-boat. 922 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. inson, who went to East Windsor last evening. Preached on Rom. x : 8, 9, and Rev. xxii : 9. The congregation appear well, and are much pleased in having a minister.' At evening walked out. 17. Rode to Springfield and called on Mr. Osgood.^ Am trying to pur- chase a horse, and find it very difficult to procure one. Dined at Mr. Burt's,' Longmeadow. The riding very bad. Rode home. 18. Read. The European news excites great attention.'' Wrote. Rainy. We had a considerable thunder-shower. The ground is very wet, which was much needed. 19. My nervous affection is very alarming. Read Gil Bias}' Walked out and visited. The ground begins to settle. My visiting has been much neglected. 20. It snowed fast and without intermission all day. Looked over my sermons. I fear I have lost some. My preaching account has been long neglected. Expected to have visited schools today, but was prevented by the storm. Wrote. 21. The snow is nearly a foot and a half deep. The deepest we have had this year. Rode to Wapping and attended a funeral.* Blustering and tedious. Visited. Tarried out. 22. In the forenoon visited the North Wapping school. The snow thaws very fast. Thermometer rose to 48°. Visited. Read. 23. Wrote notes, quite short, and preached in the forenoon on Ps. cxl : 6. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Ps. xvi : 11. Thermometer was above 50°. The snow goes very East. It is a great benefit to the ground. Had no conference. A man died here this morning, in middle life, of intemperance. 24. Am considerably taken up with Mr. Eells.'' Rode to the Hill, and visited and catechised a school. Attended at our singing-school. Am pretty feeble. 25. On the 23d received a letter from my sister. Began a sermon for Fast on Matt, xxiv : 42, 43, 44. Attended the funeral of a man who died of intemperance. A very trying scene. Rode to Wapping and visited a school. Visited a sick man. The roads very muddy. Went into our singing-school. 26. Wrote on my sermon for Fast. Wrote slow. Afternoon and evening it snowed hard. 27. Visited thfi Long Hill school, and the academy. Both very well instructed. I think our academy has never appeared better. The snow goes off very fast. Wrote quite late. 28. Fast. Wrote three pages ; finished and preached my sermon on Matt, xxiv : 22, 23, 24, Meetings quite full. Not so much fatigued as I expected. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. ' They had a wise, able, judicious man. ^ fj^g celebrated but not very elevating '^ Samuel Osgood, D. D., pastor of First story, by Alain Le Sage, of Brittany, France. Church. * Robert Colson, aged forty-two. ^ Mr. Gideon Burt's. 'His theological student and teacher of * Perhaps later entries may reveal what the academy at the Hill. Dr. Robbins always he had in mind when he wrote this sentence. enjoyed the business of teaching. 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 92.^ 29. Wrote. Walked out and visited. Read. There seems to be a general impression that there will be an extensive war in Europe." 30. Expounded on Acts viii : 26 to the end, and preached an old sermon on John iii : 14. Afternoon and through the night we had a violent snow- storm. We have had a great quantity of snow the present month. 31. The snow is eight or nine inches deep. Worked at pamphlets. Read. Wrote. The ground is probably more wet than it has been for two or three years. Rode to the lower part of Scantick, and performed a marriage.^ April. 1. In the forenoon kept Tudor's school. Thermometer rose to 53°. The snow goes, but it is very heavy. Visited. Read. Received a letter from Mr. S. S. Stebbins, of Simsbury, inviting me to his wedding. 2. Wrote to Mrs. Heber Hooker, Genesee. On the 31st ult. wrote to Mrs. Eells,^ of Barkhamsted. Yesterday Mr. Eells went home for a vacation. Thermometer yesterday 52°, today 58°, and the snow yet continues. Wrote. Worked at my library. The ground is very wet. 3. Wrote. Visited. Afternoon visited Tudor's school. It appeared and performed exceeding well. Wrote to S. F. Bradford, of Philadelphia, and to William Rockwell," Yale College. 4. Rode to Hartford. The roads settle considerably. Paid for a demi- john, $1.25 ; for corks, $1.50; for other things, $1.28. Quite cold and windy. Preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on i Cor. v : 8. Did not attend our evening prayer-meeting. Hindered by company. Wrote. 5. Wrote the most of a sermon on Luke xvii : 22. Have many hin- drances. Wrote to Barber & Robinson, Hartford. Worked at my wood. 6. Finished and preached in the afternoon my sermon on Luke xvii : 22. In the forenoon preached with old notes on Micah iv : 5. Received a young woman^ into the church. Administered the sacrament. The church was pretty full. We had a solemn day. I pray God to add his blessing. We have excellent singing. At evening attended the conference. Very tired. 7. Worked some. Opened the Freemen's Meeting. Our election this year excites but little interest. Thermometer at 60°, Yesterday it was at 66°. At evening it rained hard, and prevented our monthly prayer-meeting. Wrote, 8. Worked piling wood. Read. Rode to Hartford. The river rises. Was requested to compile a volume. The Democratic party in the State appears to be dividing. Read. 9. Had information from Col. Leavitt,* of Suffield, that he will sell his ' The difficulties, such as they were, seem * William Rockwell was in the senior to have been obviated without this war. class at Yale, just about to graduate. He - Between John Richardson, of Windsor, was later in life Judge of the Superior Court and Emily Marble, of Scantic. in the State of New York, and died in 1856. ^ Rev. Ozias Eells, her husband, died in ^ Lucretia Grant. 181 3. She was the mother of Ozias S. Eells, * Whom Dr. Robbins visited a short time who was teaching at East Windsor, and study- before, for the purpose of inspecting his mg theology with Dr. Robbins. collection of coins. 924 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1S23. coins. I think it will be best for me to buy them. Am taken up some with instruction. Visited a school. Made a plan for a plain book-case for pam- phlets. My cousin Francis Alden' came here, lately come in from a whaling voyage, and went on to Enfield. Attended our church conference. 10. Wrote. Visited a school. Rode to Wapping, and attended the funeral of Capt. Culver. Visited. 11. Worked bottling two hundred and forty bottles of cider. Received a letter from S. F. Bradford,^ of Philadelphia, and several pamphlets by mail. Quite cold. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Read. 12. Visited. I think the internal state of France appears quite threaten- ing. They appear to be wholly unqualified for a representative government. On the loth received a valuable present of a small volume, and several pam- phlets from Rev. INIr. Sprague,^ of West Springfield. Wrote. Rode to East Hartford to exchange. 13. Preached on Rev. xxii : 9, and Luke xvii : 22. The congregation was large. Warm. Mr. Fairchild rode to East Windsor, and returned after meeting. In the evening preached at a conference without notes on Luke ix : 30.31. Rode home. The Baptists had their first sacrament here today. It excited much attention. Very tired. 14. Am quite feeble. Rode to Wapping. Visited. Paid for a half year's bringing of the Recorder, .46. Read. The spring advances. People begin to plough. Wrote. 15. W^ote a contract for two neighbors. Rode to Wintonbury and attended ministers' meeting. Dr. Perkins was with us. Had a good meeting. Paid a merchant, $5.00. 16. Returned. Spent some time in Hartford. There is likely to be more building there the present year than at any former year. Dr. Flint is pretty poor. I feel very anxious about him. Paid my annual subscription to the Insane Retreat, $4.00. Paid a merchant, $10.00. Paid for a ring, for a dona- tion, $2.75. For articles for book-case, $1.43. Paid the bank, $1.63. Warm. 17. Worked ploughing the garden, and setting out maple-trees. The thermometer rose above 82°. Rode to Wapping. 18. Read. Began a long sermon on the subject of future punishment. May God enable me to write in such a manner as to please him. Visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 19. Walked out and visited. Wrote to my brother. Wrote on my sermon on Ezek. xiii : 22. Vegetation advances rapidly. 20. Wet. Thin meeting. Preached with old notes on Matt, xi : 28, and on Ezek. xiii: 22. Am quite nervous. At evening began a sermon for a singing-lecture on Ps. 1 : 23. Attended a little while at our singing-school. ' This was not, as might at first be sup- iam Bradford, of Plymouth. This S. F., of posed, G. S. Alden, his brother Francis's Philadelphia, may have been the son of stepson, who had made his friends some William Bradford, of Philadelphia, an emi- trouble, but probably Francis L., of New nent lawyer and judge, and Attorney-General Bedford. of the United States. * Dr. Robbins was descended from Will- ^ Dr. William B. Sprague. 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 925 2 1. Rode to Suffield with Horace Wolcott, and purchased Col. Leavltt's coins. They consist of eighty-four of silver, weighing about twenty-eight ounces ; one hundred and ninety-eight of copper, sixteen of alloy, five nied;:ls and three calendars of metallic composition ; in the whole two hundred and ninety-eight. The coins are of many different countries, and some of them quite old. I paid for them, $100.00. He and his father' have been many years in making the collection. I think this collection ought to be preserved, and it is likely it would have gone out of the State if I had not taken it. Quite warm. The river is high. They take some shad. In the evening wrote a little, but was very tired. 22. Finished my sermon before noon. I have not written so rapidly for a long time. Wrote six pages, five and one half in four hours. Preached at the singing-lecture. The performance of the singers was excellent ; for the term of their instruction uncommon. We had many people from out of town who expressed much approbation. The day very fine. My brother and his wife were here. Very tired. 23. Read. Showery. Wrote. Visited. Gave a poor man, .75. 24. Read. Walked out and visited. Quite cold. My people appear to be in a very stupid state. 25. Last night it froze a good deal. Worked considerably. Assisted in raising a fence. At evening spoke at a prayer-meeting on the life of David. The meeting pretty thin. Wrote on my long sermon. 26. Wrote on my sermon ; four pages in the forenoon, four in the after- noon, and four in the evening. Wrote pretty fast. My tremor is better than it has been. Am pretty feeble. I fear I shall not write as well on Univer- salism as I ought. The ground has become quite dry. 27. Warm and dusty. Wrote four pages, and preached on Ezek. xiii : 22. Full meeting. My discourse is like to be quite long. At evening attended the conference. Much fatigued with speaking. 28. Worked at my chamber. Took up my carpet. Am pretty feeble. Read. 29. Rode to West Hartford. Am unable to find a suitable horse to pur- chase. Quite dusty. A frame of a Baptist meeting-house was raised in this neighborhood, forty-two by thirty, with fourteen feet posts. It is my cross and affliction.^ I hope to be profited by it. Our people suppose it will not strengthen their party. ^ The good Lord be our helper. 30. Worked at my chamber, and in the house. I believe my muscular labor lately has been beneficial to my health. Read. Had company. On the 29th received a letter from Mr. Emerson, of Norfolk. My mother's health is better than in times past. On the 29th received a letter from Mr. ' He was probably the son of Thaddeus inces invaded by these new-comers, under Leavitt, who came several times into notice the modern laws of toleration, in the early years of the diary. ^ That is, as we understand the words, " It was hard for the ministers and mem- the Baptists themselves, though it is a little bers of the Standing Order to see their prov- harsh to call them a party. p26 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. Ely, of Simsbury, with a manuscript of Mr. Hallock' to prepare for the press. Mr. Eells returned after a vacation. 1. Walked and visited the most of the day. Some families have lately moved in here. Quite cold, but we get very little rain. Yesterday saw blos- soms on the daffas. I am in the rear about visiting. Read. 2. Wrote on my long sermon. Read in Dr. Hopkins's Inquiry on Univer- salism!^ At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 3. Wrote on Ezek. xiii : 22. Have many hindrances. Yesterday and this morning visited a woman very sick. 4. Expounded on Acts ix : i-io, and preached on Ezek. xiii: 22. At evening attended our conference. Had our missionary contribution. We collected $39.54. Two bills of $5.00; one $3.00; three $2.00; four $1.00: and one hundred and eight pieces of silver. Contribution less than some past years. 5. Am quite feeble. Attended at two trainings. Very cold for the season. Had some snow. Some people suffered much with the cold. Attended our monthly pra3-er-meeting at Wapping. Pretty thin. Tarried out. 6. Dined with a military company at East Hartford. Am* unable to find a horse to buy. Visited. Read. 7. Attended the election at Hartford. A number of ministers were present. Mr. Taylor^ preached very well. A great collection of people. The dust has been very severe for several days. Received a letter from Mr. E. R. White," of Danbury, and one from Dr. Perkins. Dr. Flint is pretty poor. The Legislature appear poorly. Got home late. 8. Read. Quite cold and wet. Wrote. Married two colored persons^ at Wapping. 9. Rode out. Made trial of a horse to purchase. I find no one that will answer. Visited. Vegetation advances very little. Read. Mr. Osgood,* of Springfield, came here and assisted at our evening prayer-meeting. 10. Rode to Haddam to exchange with Mr. ]Marsh.' Looked at a valu- able horse. My horse travels quite poorly. The ground is quite dr)-. 11. Preached on Rev. xxii : 9, and Isa. xlviii : 13. This congregation, I think, is not so large as when I preached here twenty years ago. Find many affectionate old friends. A colored boy about fifteen years old hung himself. Saw him soon after he Avas found. Cold. At evening preached at a con- ference on Luke ix : 30, 31. Quite tired. ' Rev. Jeremiah Hallock, of West Sims- of Theology in the Yale Theological Semi bury (Canton). nary. ^ Dr. Samuel Hopkins's Aji Inquiry Con- * Rev. Ebenezer White, Yale, 1760, one of certthig the Fttttire State of those 'who Die in his old Sandemanian friends of Danbury, Ct. their Sins. 1783. ' Ambrose Way, of Windsor, and Annas * Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor, D. D., then Csesar, of Wapping. pastor of the First Church, New Haven, ^ Rev. Samuel Osgood, D. D. and afterwards the distinguished Professor '' Rev. John Marsh, D. D., Jr. l8?3-] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 927 12. I think Mr. Marsh has given a great price for a place he has purchased. Rode home. At Middletown looked at several places for old pamphlets. Got a few. Saw the first apple-tree bloisoms. Grain appears well. 13. A steady, rainy day. Towards night and evening quite hard. A remarkable day with me.' The rain exceeding grateful to the dry ground. Mr. Eells read to me his first sermon,^ which is well written. At evening married Elihu Wolcott^ and Julia Wolcott. 14. Rode into the woods to assist Mr. Wolcott in cutting some timber. Rode to Hartford and attended the annual meeting of the society for the insane, and the meeting of the directors. The society was full. Traded. Paid .50 for a book. 15. Received a letter from Rev. Dr. Flint. Rode to Somers and bought a horse, for which I am to pay $105.00. I have not been able to do any better. He is a fine horse, six years old. I hope he may be very useful to me, by the divine blessing. Mr. Wolcott went with me and made the bargain. Mr. Strong,'' of Somers, gets better. People have hardly begun planting. 16. Wrote. Taken up with various things. Visited a sick woman. Wrote on my long sermon. Attended our prayer-meeting. My horse is not very easy for riding. 17. Wrote twelve pages on Universalism. We had a short and very hard shower. The ground was almost covered with water. Quite warm. 18. Wrote four pages, and preached on Ezek. xiii : 22. Very full meeting. Mr. Chandler was with us. Quite oppressed with the heat. Thermometer 82°. At evening attended conference. Very tired. 19. Am very feeble. Thermometer 86°. Took off my flannel. Vegeta- tion is very rapid. The blossoms come out very fast. Visited. Was out late. Our assembly are contemptible.' Read. 20. Visited all day. The heat very oppressive. Thermometer, I believe, about 90°. My horse is much liked. Received a letter from my brother, and wrote him in reply. 21. Wrote. Thermometer 90°. Dined out. Rode to Hartford. Did errands. Attended the meeting of the society for the insane, and the directors of the same. Saw by invitation a very elegant painting, "Christ Rejected."* Tarried with Dr. Flint. He appears to be some better. In the niffht we had a hard thunder-shower. ' He does not explain for what reason the * Rev. William L. Strong, day was remarkable. Very likely this is a 'He put this in the plural, but is meant hint as to a change or more favorable aspect in the singular, and at the best is rather a in his old troubles. summary judgment applied to a company of ^ Mr. Eells was graduated at Williams men chosen out of all the towns of the State. College in 1S21, '' " Christ Rejected " was painted by Will- 3 The first wife of Elihu Wolcott (Rachel iam Dunlap, born at Perth Amboy, N, J,, McClure) died the year before. His second Feb. 19, 1766. His father was an Irish oifi- wife was not Julia (except by abbreviation), cer in the English army. Some of his other but Juliana, daughter of Hon. Erastus Wol- well-known paintings are " Death on the cott. She was now thirty-three years old, Pale Horse," "Bearing of the Cross," and having been born April 19, 1791. "Calvary." 928 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. 22. Saw my cousin George Starr,' a representative. Yesterday borrowed money of the Phoenix Bank, Sent $95.00, to Mr. Sheldon, of Somers, which, with $10.00 I paid last week, make $105.00 for my horse. Paid my book- binder, $10.00. Rode home. The air very languid. Received a letter from Mr. Hawes, of Hartford. An aged man^ died here last evening suddenly. Visited the family. Read Miller's Letters on Unitarianisvi. 23. Wrote. Rode out and visited. Thermometer below 80°. Attended the funeral of Mr. Hosmer. The burial was in Masonic form. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Pretty full. 24. Walked and visited. Read. Had company. Quite cool. Wrote. ^^■ e have more families here than some years past. 25. Wrote notes and preached on Rom. viii : 14, and preached an old sermon on Dan. ix : 7. Attended our evening conference. My cousin George Starr, now a representative, came here and tarried. Quite tired. 26. Hindered by company. Rode to Colebrook. Eveline accompanies me. Tarried at brother Ammi's. Quite cool. ]\Iy horse does not travel very well. I fear he will not be ver}^ good. 27. Rode to Norfolk. Mother is feeble, but better than she has been. She is about having a family come into her house. Mr. Battell went to Hart- ford. The season here is but little later than with us. 28. Visited Mr. Emerson and others. Wrote. Mother rode to Mr. Battell's for the first time in several weeks. They have a new organ here in the meeting-house. My cousin, Mrs. Olmstead, is the organist. 29. It rained without intermission last night, and all day. Read. Mr, Battell's children are all at home. His sons appear well. 30. Fine weather. The roads wet. Rode home. Cool. At evening preached a sacramental lecture at the brick meeting-house in Hartford on I Cor. ii : 9. The meeting quite full. Got home late. 31. This morning a little frost was seen. My new book-case for pam- phlets was brought me. It is large, plain, the outside of cherry. The cost about .' Had work done for me. Towards evening Mr, Wells,* a candidate from Hartford, came here to supply me tomorrow, while I am to preach for Mr. Hawes. Was not able to ride down before tomorrow. Quite cool. On the 27th paid Mr. Birge, for satin procured for me, $5.00. June. I. Rode early to Hartford. The morning quite cold. Preached to Mr. Hawes's people on Matt, xxvi : 26-30. Administered the sacrament. The church* the largest I have ever seen. The season was solemn. In the after- noon a Mr. Brace preached at Mr. Hawes's, and I preached for Mr. Flint. ' Son of Rev. Peter Starr, of Warren. * Rev. Elijah G. Wells, probably. He was a member of that " contemptible * By church here he does not mean the As-embly." meeting-house, but the body of the communi- ^ Mr. Joseph Hosmer, aged seventy-three. cants. That is the New Testament use of ^ This place left blank. the word. 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 929 His situation is very distressing. Preached on Rom. x : 8, 9. Went to Mr. Whittlesey's at the asylum. At evening preached at the brick meeting-house on Rev. xxii : 9. Gov. Wolcott was at meeting all day, and communed with us. Mr. Wells returned. 2. Visited. Rode home. Taken up with company. A very growing season. At evening attended our monthly concert of prayer. 3. Rode to Hartland in a wagon, in company with Mr. Eells, to attend Association. Dr. Perkins and I preached in one meeting; the appointed preacher was absent. Preached on Rev. xxii : 9. Six of our members were absent. Two neighboring ministers were with us. We licensed two Andover candidates.' One of them appeared indifferently. Warm. * 4. Association was very busy till noon. Paid brother Frank, $5.00. Returned home. Very warm. Came by Pine Meadow. Mr. Haskell is building a good house. The Assembly concluded their session yesterday. They have set off two districts in Wapping, on the petition of the people, for a school society. Got home late. The thermometer today has been at 86°. 5. Walked out. Worked some at my pamphlets. The heat very oppres- sive. Thermometer 91°. Took off my bed. Read. Wrote. 6. Cooler. Worked at my pamphlets. Wrote on my long sermon on Ezek. xiii : 22. Thermometer but 75° with clear sun. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Wrote. 7. Wrote on my long sermon. Troubled with nervous affections. Have every reason to be humbled in the dust before God. Endeavored to give away myself once more to him. Wrote late. Thermometer 82°. 8. The forenoon quite rainy. Wrote on my discourse on Ezek. xiii: 22. Expected to have preached upon it today, and finished it. But omitted it on account of the weather. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Matt. v: 8. Afternoon an old sermon on Dan. ix : 20. Forenoon meeting very thin. Preached in the afternoon very long. At evening attended a singing- meeting. 9. Worked at my pamphlets. Paid a highway tax of $2.26. Quite cold. 10. Read. This morning there was a little frost in some places. Dined with a military company. Visited. Massachusetts is perfectly Democratic in its government, and very degraded.* 11. Worked at my pamphlets. Rode to Hartford. Wrote to Mr. W. C. Woodbrid2:e.^ On the 2d inst. received a letter from him. Paid ^10.00 for ' The printed record contained in Contri- died in Boston, 1825. As Charles Wads- butions to the Ecclesiastical History of Coimec- worth, from East Hartford, did not finish his ticut seems to show that they licensed three studies at Andover till 1S25, the printed Andover candidates, instead of two. Their record is probably wrong, and Dr. Robbins's names were Elnathan Gridley, Chester Is- record right. There were two and not three, ham, and Chas. Wadsworth. Elnathan Grid- ^ Another strong and summary judgment, ley, a native of Farmington, died in 1827, as a growing out of a Federalist education, foreign missionary in C^sarea. Chester Is- ^ William Channing Woodbridge was the ham, a native of West Hartford, was for a son of Rev. William Woodbridge, mentioned ihort time pastor at Taunton, Mass., and in a previous note. William C. was born in 930 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. Mellish's' elegant map of the United States, and a valuable geographical volume accompanying it. Paid $5.00 for a pair of silk small-clothes made in Paris. Yesterday received a letter from my cousin Chandler Robbins. Had a present of some pamphlets from a Miss Pitkin, of East Hartford. 12. Attended to my pamphlets. The arrangement is laborious. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of an aged woman. Visited sick persons. Very cold for the season. The thermometer has hardly been above summer heat for several days. Tarried out. 13. Visited. Wrote. Read. The season unfavorable for the corn. My horse stumbles. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 14. / Worked some. Warm, after a long cool term. Thermometer at 86°. Wrote for a United States pensioner. My pamphlets appear well. Wrote. 15. Finished and preached the last two sermons of my long discourse on Universalism on Ezek. xiii : 22. I hope it will do good. It is left with God and his great grace. Very full meeting. After meeting rode to Wapping and visited a dying man. At evening attended conference. Very tired. My people are very stupid. Thermometer about 82°. 16. Rode to Hartford. The roads very dusty. Did errands. My sulky wheels which I bought last summer are poor. Visited. Had our first green peas. Warm. Wrote. 17. Read, Wrote. Very warm. The thermometer was at 94°. Towards night rode to Windsor and saw the General Association. At evening attended meeting, heard a Mr. Colton,^ a preacher from New Hampshire. Tarried at Mr. J. Mather's. 18. My brother and his wife are here, on their return from a visit at Nor- folk and Lenox. Mr. Emerson is a member of the Association. Presented to the General Association the report of the committee on the Everest legacy. The heat was oppressive. About noon returned, and went to Wapping and attended the funeral of an aged man. Mr. Sprague,^ of West Springfield, came here towards night, and I gave him nearly one hundred and fifty pam- phlets. They were such as I had duplicates of. We had a moderate shower, with considerable thunder. The thermometer was at 96° in the forenoon. I conclude it rose to 97° or 98°. 19. The heat but little abated. Am very languid. Read. Much taken up with company. Thermometer 94°. Walked out. 20. Worked some. Wrote. Attended a catechising of the children. Attended the prayer-meeting. Much cooler. Thermometer 84°. Medford, Mass. (where his father was for the * This was Rev. Chester Colton, who time teaching) in 1794, and died in Boston, years before was spoken of in the diary, as 1845, was graduated at Yale, 1811, and pub- a candidate. In 1815 he was settled in lished the American Annals of Education. Brentwood, N. H., where he remained till He had been a teacher in the Deaf and his death in 1850. He was a native of West Dumb Asylum, at Hartford. Hartford, Ct., and a graduate of Yale, 1804. ' John Mellish, geographer, born in Perth- 'Dr. William B. Sprague was a great shire, Scotland, but came to this country in collector of old books and panphlets, like 1S09, and died in Philadelphia, in 1S22. Dr. Robbins. [823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 931 21. Wrote the most of a sermon on 2 Cor. i : 12. On the i8th received a letter from Mr. Ely, of Simsbury. Read. The Spanish war seems to be very languid.' 22. Finished and preached my sermon on 2 Cor. i : 12. Preached nearly seventy minutes. In the forenoon expounded on Acts ix : 10-32. The Baptists had their first meeting in their new meeting-house. It was numerous. I hope the triumphing of the wicked will be short.^ Thermometer about 80°. At evening attended conference. Tarried out. 23. Visited. Am quite feeble. Visited a school. Rode to Wapping. Rainy. Tarried out. Quite cool. An aged woman ^ died in the afternoon. 24. Visited th;p afflicted family. Read. Wrote. Wrote to H. Durell, of New York. Have unexpected trials. Read late. 25. Worked some. Read Life of Patrick Henry.* Have had my sulky repaired and almost made new. Paid towards it, $11.62. Attended the funeral of the aged Miss Day. Visited. 26. Rode to Hartford. Paid my annual $5.00 to the Ministers' Annuity Society. Visited the aged Col. Seymour. Got a few pamphlets. Looked over Mrs. Skinner's again. Dr. Flint is quite feeble. My horse is not good for riding. A very fine season. 27. Counted my pamphlets which are labeled, amounting to one thousand six hundred and fifty. I have a good many more besides, duplicates. Read, At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. Worked some. 28. Rode out and visited. Am considerably taken up with Mr. Eells. Wrote. Towards nis:ht rode to Mr. Bartlett's to exchange. 29. Preached on Luke xvii : 22, and Rev. xxii : 9. Meeting pretty full. His congregation, like mine, appear stupid. Mr. Bartlett went to supply my people. After meeting rode home with Herlehigh Haskell, who was at meet- ing here. At evening rode to Enfield. There was a contribution at Scantick, by recommendation of the General Assembly, to aid a Methodist society in New London. I have received no proclamation, and have had none. 30. Rode home. Dined with Gen. Jencks' and Mr. Bulkley, his boarder, at West Point. At evening walked out. Quite cool. My sulky is quite a good one. July. 1. Rode to Wapping and visited Mr. Sadd; ver}' low. Rode to Hart- ford. Quite warm. Paid Mrs. Skinner $8.00 for old books and pamphlets. Attended a wedding with Dr. Flint at Mr. Hinsdale's. He is going a journey for his health. 2. Read. Walked out. Thermometer at 92°, Wrote. Received a ' The French entered Spain April 7, 1823, * Patrick Henry was born in Virginia in and invested Cadiz. 1736, and died in 1799. The work which Dr. ^ The characteristic of this sentence is not Robbins was reading was doubtless Wirfs Christian charity. Lfe of Patrick Henry. 3 Miss Molly Day, aged eighty-two. * Gen. Charles Jenks. 932 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. letter from Mr. Henry Durell, of New York. We had a very refreshing shower. The ground was very dry. Peoj^le are generally beginning their haying. 3. Walked out and visited. Afternoon attended the catechising of the children, after which preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on John xii : 26. Thermometer 85°. Read. 4. We have a good deal of firing. Read Traits of the Aborigines of America^ A valuable poem. Wrote. On the 2d Mr. Haskell gave me two silver coins. Last Sabbath 1 baptized a child. Hindered by company. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 5. Am quite feeble. Burdened with my cold. Wrote the most of a sermon on John vii : 37. Mr. Dodge, of New Haven, was here a good while. Thermometer 91°. Wrote late. 6. Rainy. Meeting not full. Administered the sacrament. The church pretty well out. Preached with old notes on John x: 27, and finished and preached my sermon on John vii: 37. After meeting rode to Wapping and visited Mr. Sadd. He is quite low, and appears very ripe for heaven. Thermometer 86°. 7. Read. Visited. Our season is very fine. A prospect of an uncom- monly good harvest. Attended the funeral of a child in the corner of Manchester. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Quite thin. Thermometer 85°. 8. Wrote. Prepared for a journey to New Haven. As I was ready to set out, about noon, Rev. Mr. Dwight,^ of Boston, came here, and I rode with him during the afternoon to several places here and at Wapping, to learn facts respecting the Edwards family.^ His health is poor. Thermometer gi°. 9. Rode to Durham, Had a good visit with Mr. Smith.* Esq. Chaun- cey' gave me some valuable pamphlets. Mr. Smith is quite a farmer. Gave a sick man, $1.00. 10. Rode to New Haven. Called on Mr. Noyes,* of Northford. Visited friends. Much oppressed with the heat. Gave some pamphlets to Professor Kingsley, and am to receive some from him in return. Visited President Day. People this way are generally beginning their harvest. 11. Did errands. Visited. Delayed setting out for home. Left New Haven at three o'clock, and rode home in eight and one half hours. Was out in a short shower. Was informed at the Hartford Bridge that Gen. Griswold,' of East Hartford, died this afternoon ; a distinguished and useful man. Also * A later edition of this poem was pub- * Worthingtou G. Chauncey, Esq., a lished in Canabridge, Mass., 1S32. prominent citizen of Duiham, Ct., descended " Rev. Sereno E. Dwight, D. D., pastor of from Nathaniel Chauncey, first minister of Park Street Church, Boston, 1817-1S26. Durham, 1706-1756. ' He was preparing to publish his Life ^ Rev. Matthew Noyes, pastor at North- and Wridngs of President Edivards. This ford (North Branford), 1790-1S39. He was work was completed and published in ten now in his old age, with a colleague, having volumes, in 1830. been settled there since 1790. * Dr. David Smith. ' Gen. George Griswold. 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 933 that my good brother Cook,' of Orford, now Manchester, was drowned this afternoon. Received a letter from Esq. Phelps, of Manchester, requesting me to preach at his funeral. Good old Mr. Sadd, at Wapping, died yesterday, aged seventy-five. A man of very eminent godliness, and one of the best members of our church. Thermometer today 93° ; yesterday 96° ; Wednes- day 93°. My horse performed the journey very well. Paid for pamphlets, .50. 12. A very fine season. In the forenoon attended the funeral of Mr. Sadd. A great loss to be deprived of such a praying friend. Rode to Man- chester. Saw the remains of Mr. Cook, and the place where he was drowned. The whole is one of the most mysterious and unaccountable events I ever knew. He fell from a log, crossing a small stream near his house, the water about seven feet deep, and was not more than two or three minutes in the water. He was probably hurt by the fall. Did not get home till evening. 13. Last evening my brother came here on his way to exchange with Mr. Cook. He went this morning and exchanged with Mr. Bartlett. Am pretty feeble. I am anxious about preaching at the funeral. In the forenoon expounded on Acts ix : 36 to x : 19. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Phil, i: 21. Near sundown began to write an addition to the sermon I preached on the death of Dr. McClure, and wrote till near one o'clock. Thermometer 80°. 14. In the morning finished an addition of six pages to my sermon on Eccles. ix: i, and rode to Manchester and preached on the occasion of the death of brother Cook. The body became so changed that it was put into the tomb yesterday noon. A great collection of people, and near twenty ministers. The history of brother Cook's ministry is very interesting. In nine years he has received one hundred and ninety-nine members into his church. The people feel their loss very deeply. Very tired. People gener- ally beginning harA'est. Thermometer about 87°. Read. 15. Wrote. Rainy. Mr. Mix,^ of West Suffield, came here. Our ministers' meeting was appointed to be held here. No other came. I did not appoint any public meeting. The season unfavorable for harvesting. 16. Worked at my chamber, etc. Read. On the nth received of Howe & Spaulding, $132.74, endorsed on my note against them. Of which $122.74 I paid them for books, their account against me. Taken up with company. Thermometer 85°. 17. Read religious rites, etc. Wrote. Rode to East Hartford and visited a sick man. Crossed to Hartford. Paid $1.00 for a book. Had company. Thermometer 85°. 18. Wet. Unfavorable for the husbandmen. Wrote. Read. At even- ing attended our prayer-meeting. .A.t night my cousin Eliza came here. 19. I have a large number of almanacks. Read. Rode to Manchester. Visited Mrs. Cook and others. All seem to feel their loss very deeply. Clear and cool. Rode to Glastonbury to exchange with Mr. Birge.^ > Rev. Elisha B. Cook, often referred to, ^ Rev. Joseph Mi.x. pastor at Manchester, 1814-1S23. ^ Rev. Caleb Burge. 934 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, [1823. 20. Preached on Jonah ii : 8, and 2 Cor. i: 12. This congregation appears larger than it used to. At evening visited. Mr. Birge does not attend extra meetings much. 21. Looked over Mr. Lockwood's' pamphlets. Some of them are quite valuable. Bought eighty-five of them, and paid him for them, $4.00. I have seldom paid as much for pamphlets, but he seemed to feel that they were sold cheap. Rode home. Cousin Eliza went from here this morning to Enfield. My brother and his wife went to Hartford, and she went off to the eastward with her son. Sent Capt. Le Baron an elegant copy of Trumbull's JVorks. Rode to the harvest field, and carried dinner. The harvest of wheat and rye has not been so good for many years. Looked over pamphlets. 22. Read. Worked at my pamphlets. The late additions are valuable. Carried dinner to harvesters. Thermometer for several days but 85°. In the evening the total and long eclipse of the moon took place according to the calculations.^ It appeared red, and much more visible than I expected. 23. On Monday received a letter from Mr. Canfield, of Hartford. Yes- terday wrote to Miss Flint, of Hartford. Wrote. Visited a school. Read. Visited. 24. Rode to Hartford. Paid Hosmer for my Leghorn hat, with its addi- tions, $4.84. For two quarts of Port wine, $1.33. Warm. Very fine weather. Went into the water. Read. 25. Read. Wet. Attended the catechising of the children. There were but few. Walked and visited. Did not attend our evening meeting on account of the rain. 26. Wet. Last night we had a pretty hard rain. It was very refreshing to the ground, which had become very dry. Read. Visited. Rode to Elling- ton to exchange. There is a good deal of grain out. 27. Mr. Brockway^ rode to East Windsor, and returned in the evening. Very warm. Suffered much by the heat. Preached on 2 Cor. i: 12, and Rev. ii : 9. Attended a third meeting, and preached without notes on Luke ix : 30, 31. Was at Mr. Wills's. Tarried at Mr. Hall's. Last night there was a hard shower. 28. Visited Dr. North. Rode to Tolland. The town of Ellington is very handsome."* Visited Dr. Williams^ and Mr. Nash.^ Attended a funeral with them. Dr. Williams let me have one hundred and five pamphlets, with about forty old proclamations, and several other papers. Gave him $3.00. Rode to Orford and home. Got home late. ' Rev. William Lockwood. ^ Rev. Diodate Brockway. 2 Of the six eclipses for 1823, the fifth, * The red sandstone formation prevailing according to the prediction of the Almanac, in Ellington and Vernon, Ct., gives very will be a total eclipse of the moon, begin- graceful curves and pleasing landscapes, ning July 22, and ending July 23 : This formation prevails, up and down the Beginning, 8 h. 46 m. river, between the alluvial soil of the mead- Beginning of total eclipse, 9 " 52 " ows and the hard rock east and west. End of total darkness, 11 " 30 " s pr. Nathan Williams, senior pastor. End, o " 38 " * Rev. Ansel Nash, junior pastor. 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 935 29. Worked at my pamphlets. Read. We had several showers, one exceeding hard, with severe thunder. The ground is ulmost inundated. At evening walked out. 30. Read. Walked and visited. A good deal of hay and grain has been injured by the rains. The ground is finely wet. Rode to East Hartford and attended a funeral. Miss Williams' gave me fifty-eight pamphlets. The most of them are such as I have. 31. Wrote, Walked and visited the most of the day. I have done but little visiting lately. Tarried out. It is a very catching time for haying. We have wet almost every day. The thermometer for several days has been about 90°. August. 1. Visited. Rode to Manchester and attended a funeral. Quite warm. Catechised two schools, who came to my chamber. Attended our prayer- meeting. Get but little time for study. 2. Wrote the most of a sermon on John vi : 44. I fear I am getting out of a habit of close study. Wrote pretty slow. Read. 3. Finished and preached all day my sermon begun yesterday. My voice is pretty strong to what it has sometimes been. At evening attended the conference. Tarried out. 4. I do not know that anything can arouse my people from their stupidity. Read. Received a letter from W. Woodbridge, of Manchester. Our monthly prayer-meeting was prevented by a severe thunder-shower. The thunder was the hardest we have had for a long time. Worked at my pamphlets. 5. Rose early and worked some. If I could do this steadily, it might favor my health. Wrote to Mrs. McLean, of Lockport, N. Y. Gave a testimony at the court of probate. Rode to Hartford. Saw my two nieces, Mr. Battell's daughters,^ who are attending a music-school. Cooler. 6. Wrote to my cousin Joseph Battell, soon to be graduated at Middle- bury College.^ Rode to Hartford and attended the meeting of the directors of the insane institution. In the evening rode to Pine Meadow. Was out late. Paid Murls $7.00, for his work on my sulky. Was out late. 7. Visited in Windsor. Got a few pamphlets. Very warm. Ther- mometer, I believe, above 90°. Tired. 8. Began to write off my sermon on the death of Mr. Cook for publica- tion. The heat very severe. Visited. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Thermometer 95°. 9. Wrote the most of a sermon on i Cor. xi : i. Much cooler. Ther- mometer but about 80°. Eveline went to Hartford, brought up my nieces, Sarah and Irene Battell. Yesterday Mr. Nash, of Tolland, dined here, and conversed considerably about writing with me a volume for publication. ' Miss Abigail Williams, daughter of Dr. ^ Joseph Battell, then in his eighteenth Eliphalet Williams. year, was graduated that summer at Middle- ^ Sarah Battell, then thirteen years old, bury College, and received an honorary' A. B. and Irene, eleven. the same year at Yale College. 936 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. 10. Expounded on Acts x : 18 to the end. Finished and preached my sermon on i Cor. xi : i. Preached more than an hour. Tlie evening meeting was prevented by wet. 11. Received a letter from the society committee of Manchester, request- ing a copy of my sermon for publication. It had been intimated to me before. My nieces returned to Hartford. We had a very heavy shower. 12. Wrote copying my sermon for the printer. Very warm. Visited. Thermometer 95°. I think I find benefit by early morning labor. 13. Nearly finished my sermon. Hindered by company. Thermometer 83°. Rode to Hartford. Saw the printer. Attended a meeting of the insane directors. 14. Wrote an address for the newspapers on the subject of a public con- tribution for the Insane Retreat. Visited. Thermometer 84°. Wrote late. 15. Rode early to Hartford, and carried my address. Rode to Man- chester, and attended a fast observed by them on account of their afflicted state. Mr. Shipman,' a candidate at Vernon, was with us. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Mr. Eells and Mr. Charlton^ conducted our catechising without me. 16. Mr. Bull, an English preacher, was here. Rainy. Wrote. Am quite feeble with the labors of the week. Unable to write a sermon. Received a letter from Professor Kingsley, of New Haven, with some valuable pamphlets. Read. 17. Wrote notes of a sermon on Gal. i: 8, and preached it both parts of the day. At evening had a full conference. Very tired. 18. Wrote to my mother. Am quite feeble. Afternoon rode to Farm- ington. Hindered at Hartford. Looked at the Retreat for the Insane. It is likely to be a very good building. Stopped at Gov. Treadwell's.^ He has just deceased, after a severe illness of eight days. His Christian character appeared remarkably well. 19. Tarried last night at Gen. S. L. Cowles's.'* There was a very hard shower. Sultry hot. Maj. Hooker^ gave me about thirty old pamphlets. Mr. Pitkin about an equal number. Found one election sermon which I had not. Of one hundred and nine printed in this State I now have one hundred and eight. A good Providence has much favored my research. Rode home. The roads are very wet. Called on Dr. Perkins. 20. Rode to Warehouse Point to witness the consecration of the Episcopal ' Rev. Thomas L. Shipman, a graduate yer, town representative, Lieut.-Govemor of Yale, 1818, afterwards settled at South- and Governor, Member of Congress, first bury and Jewett City. At the latter place he President of the American Board, he was now resides [Dec, 1885], in a vigorous old greatly honored, beloved, and trusted, age. He is the father of Judge Nathaniel * There was also a Gen. George Cowles Shipman, of Hartford. in Farmington. ^ Ozias S. Eells, his student, the teachec * Rev. Samuel Hooker, son of the famous of the academy, and Mr. Jesse Charlton. Thomas, of Hartford, was pastor at Farm- ^ Gov. John Treadwell, born in Farming- ington, 1661-1697, and the name Hooker has ton, Ct., 1745, graduated at Yale, 1767, law- long been an honored name in the town. [823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 937 church. The bishop,' on account of disagreement among the proprietors, did not do it. Heard Mr. Wheaton'' preach. Rode to Enfield. My horse is lame. Returned. Called at Pine Meadow. 21. Wrote to Ab. Hosford, of Canton. Visited. The ground is wet. The river is much risen. Read a proof-sheet of my sermon. 22. Began to write off Mr. Hallock's sermon at the funeral of Dr. Everest for publication. It is a great task. Attended our prayer-meeting. Worked driving a scraper. Visited. 23. Began to write an historical sketch of religions for iDublication. Quite cool. This morning we feared a frost. Rode to Gilead to exchange with Mr. Gillett.^ My horse is so lame that he could not go. Called at Manchester. 24. Mr. Gillett went yesterday to East Windsor. Preached on Luke xi : 13, and Luke xvii: 22. This society and congregation are quite small. At five o'clock attended a third meeting at a school-house, and preached with- out notes on Luke ix : 30, 31. Preached three times from Luke. Had com- pany. Much fatigued. Sectarianism does great injury in our State. 25. Rode home. Saw nothing of Mr. Gillett. Visited a school in the west part of Vernon. Society matters there are in a pretty poor state. Attended our monthly prayer-meeting in the evening ; expecting next Monday to be absent. We had a good meeting. 26. Am very languid. Read. Wrote. Worked some. Ver}' warm. Thermometer 85°. At evening Mr. Battell, and his two sons,* and Mr. Emerson, came here on their return from Middlebur}\ Joseph took his degree last week. He is a good scholar. 27. My friends went off to Norfolk. Wrote on Mr. Hallock's^ sermon. The heat oppressive. Thermometer 90°. At evening attended our church conference. We are stupid. 28. Walked out and visited. Our people talk of removing the meeting- house. Wrote. Attended the catechising of the children. Thermometer 92°. 29. Received of Mr. Tudor the payment of a note of $39.50, for my collector. Borrowed of Mrs. Wolcott, $300 00, and gave her my note. Took up a note at the bank. Attended a meeting of the managers of the Hartford County Missionary Society at Hartford. In the forenoon visited a school. Thermometer about 88°. Quite dusty. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Visited. 30. Visited a school at Wapping. Wrote. Examined Mr. Eells consider- ably. On the 28th received a letter from Mr. Canfield, of Hartford. Am greatly perplexed with a wandering mind. Thermometer 84°. 31. Expounded on Acts xi, and preached an old sermon on John ix : 4. Very dusty. At evening attended conference. Very tired. ' The Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut "• Joseph, the elder, had just graduated, then was Thomas Church Brownell, D. D. and Philip had finished his freshman year. ^ Nathaniel S. Wheaton, D.D. 5 Rev. Jeremiah Hallock was pastor at 3 Rev. Nathan Gillett, pastor at Gilead, Canton, where Dr. Everest, who left the 1 799-1824. Everest Fund, was a parishioner. 938 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. September. 1. Much cooler than last week. Set out on a journey to Williamstown. Rode to Canton. Did business with several persons respecting the Everest legacy. Mr. Hallock and Mr. Porter' were not there as I expected. Rode to a tavern in Sandisfield.^ My horse travels slow. 2. In the morning quite cool. It is said there was a little frost. A pretty poor country up Farmington River. Rode to Lenox. Stayed some time at my brother's.'' His circumstances appear well. Rode on to New Ash- ford.** Tarried at a tavern. Many small streams are dry. The dust is bad. 3. Rode early to Williamstown. The distance from home about ninety miles. Cool. Attended the Commencement. The class was small, but the exercises were very good. A larger collection of people than there used to be. Dr. Griffin^ presides well. I have not attended here before since 1816, nor since then have I visited my brother James. This is not right. Attended the meeting of the society of the alumni of the college. Mr. Wood- bridge,* of Hadley, delivered an excellent oration for them. At evening Mr. Williston,^ of New Durham, preached. Kindly treated by Mr. Noble.^ Find many friends and acquaintance. 4. Left Windsor in the forenoon, and rode to Lenox. In the morning it was showery. The most of this county is very hilly and mountainous. My brother's family appears well. Visited the aged Mrs. Collins,^ of Lanes- borough. Gave her $1.62 for forty pamphlets. At evening visited Dr. Shepard.'° 5. Rode to Stockbridge. Visited Mrs. West." She is lonely and quite feeble. Paid her $2.00 for one hundred of the doctor's old pamphlets. Visited Mr. Woodbridge.'^ Late in the day left Stockbridge, and rode to Otis. Have not time to go by Norfolk, as I hoped. My horse travels poorly. 6. Tarried last night at a tavern. Rode home ; forty-nine miles. To- wards night my horse was considerably lame. Very warm. Thermometer near 90°." The dust very oppressive. The ground has become very drj^ Have had a prosperous journey, through rich mercy. Find things well. 7. Am fatigued with my journey. Preached an old double sermon on Kings xvii : 9. Showery. Very grateful to the ground. Had no conference. Looked over pamphlets. Have near sixty Massachusetts election sermons.'* Preached long;. Meetins: not full. ' Dr. Porter, of Farmington. ' Her husband, Rev. Daniel Collins, died ^ In Berkshire County, Mass. the year before, in the fifty-seventh year of ^ James Watson Robbins. his ministry. * Berkshire County, Mass. '° Dr. Samuel Shepard, of Lenox. s Edward Dorr Griffin, D. D., President of " Dr. Stephen West died in 1819, after a Williams College, 1821-1836. He died the ministry in Stockbridge of fifty-nine 3'ears. following year. '- Joseph Woodbridge. * John Woodbridge, D. D., pastor at Had- " Hot weather of early September. ley, Mass., 1810-1830. '* This work of collecting old pamphlets ' Rev. Seth Williston. has its fascinations. It is not that the col- ' His class-mate, now Hon. Daniel Noble, lector is so eager to read them all, as to say of Williamstown. that he owns them. 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 939 8. Arranged my pamphlets. Wrote. Walked out. My brother and a Mr. Boies' came here and tarried. Cool. 9. Rode to New Haven. Tudor and Eveline went. Mr. G. Goodwin^ went with me from Hartford. At evening Mr. Emerson' preached for the Education Society exceeding well. Mr. Battell and wife are here. The roads good, and not very dusty. 10. Saw Morse's picture of Congress hall. The Commencement exercises were very good. A great collection of people. The weather is very fine. Mr. Goodwin walked, and sat with me.'' In the evening Mr. Porter' preached very well at the Concio ad Clerum. A great collection of the clergy. 11. Attended the annual meeting of the Education Society. It appears to do good. Left New Haven after noon, and rode home. Stopped at Walling- ford, and looked at pamphlets. Rode late, and took cold. Paid %\ for a book. 12. Am fatigued with my journey. Read. Had company. Have various trials. Towards night Mr. Huet,* of Fairfield, came here and tarried. He assisted at the prayer-meeting. 13. Rode considerably with Mr. Huet. He suffers much with depression of spirits. He concludes to tarry over the Sabbath. Cool. Visited. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson, of Norfolk, dined here. Towards night my cousin, Mrs. Olmsted, came here. She has been a good while at Enfield. 14. Mr. Huet preached exceeding well. He is an able man.' I assisted in the exercises. Mr. Chandler was here for singing, and we had no confer- ence. Read the Bible. 15. Mr. Huet went off for Boston. His feelings are pretty low. Rode with my cousin Eliza to Hartford. She is much burdened respecting a pro- posed connexion.* Rode to Manchester, and dined with the officers of a regiment of cavalry. Visited a school. Wrote. Read Joan of Arc? 16. Rode to Simsbury and attended ministers' meeting. Preached on 2 Cor. i : 12. We had a good meeting. 17. Called at Mrs. Stebbins's." Mrs. Stebbins gave me thirty valuable pamphlets. Visited Dr. Flint at Hartford. He and his society are in a very unpleasant situation. Wet and rainy. Got considerably wet. Paid my book- binder, $20.00. 18. Attended to Mr. Eells. Wrote. Walked out. Attended the exami- nation of our academy. It appeared uncommonly well. Very warm. Thermometer near 90°. Tarried out. Visited. 19. Visited. Read. At evening preached a lecture at the poor-house without notes on John iv : 10. Was out late. • Rev. Artemas Boies, a graduate of Will- ^ Dr. Noah Porter, of Farmington. iams, 1816. ^ Nathaniel Hewett, D. D. Dr. Robbins ^ George Goodwin, Jr., of East Hartford, does not spell the name correctly. a graduate of Yale in 1S06, who died not till ' He afterwards became distinguished as 1878. a temperance advocate. 3 Rev. Ralph Emerson, D. D., of Norfolk. ^ That connection was ere long completed. -» Walked with him in the procession, and 9 Robert Southey's Life of Joan of Arc. sat with him in the church. " Widow of Rev. Samuel Stebbins. 940 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. 20. Had to ride to Hartford. My cousin Eliza is in much anxiety. Quite warm. Find but little time for study. Wrote. In the evening began to write a sermon on Heb. xii : i6. Wrote five pa^jes. 21. Wrote what I could, and preached in the afternoon my sermon on Heb. xii : i6. It was not finished. In the forenoon preached with old notes on Ps. Iv : 16. Attended the evening conference. Wrote to Mr. Solomon Stoddard,' of Northampton. Quite cold. 22. This morning we had our first frost, and it was unusually hard. A good deal of tobacco was not cut, and it is much hurt. Examined Mr. Eells. Read. Wrote. Wrote to my Uncle Starr. I hope Mr. Eells may be his successor. 23. Wrote on my historical compilation^ for Mr. Cook, the bookseller. I think I cannot bear study as I have done. At evening visited a family in much affliction. 24. Rode and visited a school in Scantrck, and another in East Hartford, taught by instructors belonging here. Received twenty-seven copies of my sermon on the death of Mr. Cook. 25. The weather moderates. We have had a very cold turn for Septem- ber. Tuesday morning the frost was harder than on Monday. Vegetation is mostly stopped. Have a fire in my chamber steadily. Wrote on my histor)'. Attended the catechising of the children. At evening attended a wedding. Mr. Cushman ' married the persons. 26. Visited. Dined with the officers of the regiment. Assisted in staking out the ground for the public review. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. 27. Wrote. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ezek. xxxvi : 26. Wrote late. Am easily hindered. 28. Expounded on Acts xii. Finished and preached my sermon on Ezek. xxxvi: 26. Cool. Full meeting. We had our contribution for the insane institution, and procured $13.36. I think we should have got more, but that a good deal has been given to the institution from here by subscription. Had no conference. Wrote, ^^z.^ X\\^ Life of Patrick Henry," very late. 29. Rode to Hartford. Saw Dr. Flint. Preparing for the Consociation. Dined with the artillery company at East Hartford. Received a letter from Mr. Hallock, of Canton. Quite cold. Mr. I. L. Skinner' came up and tarried v.'ith me. 30. A hard frost. Rode with Mr. Skinner to Scantick to attend Conso- ciation. The meeting pretty full. Mr. Rowland was moderator. Dr. Flint, who has been moderator for ten years, was not present. I was scribe. Mr. McLean preached very well. Mr. Eells and Mr. Coleman were examined for ' Of the same name, and a descendant of * Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry. the venerable Solomon Stoddard, pastor at ' Rev. Ichabod Lord Skinner, a native of Northampton, 1672-1729. Marlborough, Ct., was graduated at Yale in ^ Probably the sketch of different re- 1793, and for a few years was settled at ligions, before mentioned. North Coventry. He then left the ministry ^ Rev. Elisha Cushman, Baptist minister and gave himself to civil employments. He of Hartford. spent his later years in Washington, D. C. i823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 941 license. The former passed exceeding well, better, I think, than I expected. We held our session in the academy. Very well accommodated at Mr. Stephen Potwine's.' October. 1. The Consociation examined Mr. Case and Mr. Wadsworth, and licensed them, and the two of yesterday.^ Mr. Eells is the best instructed, theologically, of the whole, so far as we could judge. Left the Conso before they finished their session to attend our regimental training. The regiment of cavalry was with us. I prayed with both regiments. The military per- formance was exceeding good. I think we have not had a better since I belonged to the regiment. The cavalry did very well. The day was \erv fine, there was a great concourse of people, and God preserved us from accident and injury. Many men of godliness were under arms.^ 2. Last evening received a letter from Mr. Lyman,* of Northampton, relative to Dr. Gridley,* of Amherst. Took the letter, and rode to Enheld. Consulted with my brother and sister. We feel anxious about our cousin Eliza. Left Enfield after sundown, came home, and rode to Hartford to see Eliza. She had gone to Norfolk in the morning. Got home late. We had a warm day, and the ground is dr}^ Paid my brother $71.65, and took up a note he held against me. 3. Am much fatigued with labors. Poorly able to study. Preached a sacramental lecture with old notes on Job v : 19. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. The afternoon very warm. The thermometer at 80°. 4. Wrote to Mr. Battell relative to Eliza.* Walked out. Read. At evening, after supper, began a sermon on i Cor. i : 23. Wrote seven pages- Wrote rapidly. 5. Preached with old notes on Ex. xv : 2. Finished and preached my sermon begun last evening. It was written too hastily. Administered the sacrament. A little wet. The church not very full. I have now preached twenty-five years. Fifteen in this place. Mentioned it in public. Very tired. Unable to attend our conference. Read Joan of Arc. Thermometer yesterday and today 76°. 6. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick man. Visited a school. At ' He was one of the sons of Rev. Thomas Potwine, the first minister of the north parish of East Windsor, which, by the division of the town, is now the First Parish in East "Windsor. - By the last entry of September and this first of October, it appears that four candi- dates for the ministry were examined and licensed. Dr. Robbins does not furnish many given names, but so far as we can determine, these men were Lyman Coleman, afterwards distinguished, Charles ^Yad5Worth, Ozias S. Eells, and Francis H. Case. ^ The military interest remained quite strong in Connecticut until some fifteen or twenty years later, when it greatly declined. * Probably Judge Joseph Lyman, who married for his second wife a daughter of Hon. E. H. Robbins, of Milton, Mass. 5 Dr. Timothy J. Gridley, of Amherst. ^ There seems to have been some ground for anxiety with regard to Mrs. Olmsted's marriage with Dr. Gridley, but not such as to hinder the consummation of the plan. The marriage proved to be a very happy one. He was one of the leading men of the town. 942 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. evening attended our monthly concert. We had an interesting meeting. Received a second letter from Mr. Lyman, of Northampton. Read. 7. Read. Put money to my coins, amounting to $3.20. Paid a black- smith, .92. Visited a school. Wrote. 8. Rode to Hartford and attended the cattle show. Carried my coins, which made a valuable addition to the exhibition. The manufactures and cattle appeared very well. A great collection of people. Saw the ploughing match. I think this object is very useful. Received a letter from Mr. Battell, and one from cousin Eliza. They wish me to go to Amherst.' Saw my cousin W. Lawrence at Hartford. Mr. Battell did not come as I expected. In the evening saw in the Boston Recordei- an account of the most afflictive death of my dear cousin, Samuel Prince Robbins,"^ of Marietta. A most mysterious event. It would seem his place could hardly be supplied. He has left a widow, and several orphans. I know not why he should be taken rather than I. O that I may be prepared to follow. 9. Walked and visited. Read. In the evening attended our church conference. Got quite wet. 10. Read respecting the Greek church. Mr. Eells came here. I think he will succeed well as a preacher. At the prayer-meeting gave the life of the prophet Isaiah. 11. Began a sermon on Gen. iii : i. It requires considerable study, and, intending to divide it, I found in the evening I could not finish it. Wrote to Mr. Bobbins, of Turkey Hills, and sent Mr. Eells there. Quite cold. 12. Wrote notes and preached on Rom. xiii : 12, and preached an old sermon on Gen. xviii : 27. Baptized two children.^ Full meeting. In the evening set out on my journey,* and rode to Enfield. Quite cold. 13. Rode to Northampton. Cold and wet. Springfield is very flourish- ing. Kindly entertained at Judge Lyman's. At evening heard a very poor preacher; much like Maffitt. Was at Judge Howe's. Kindly treated by several gentlemen. At evening we had considerable thunder. 14. Rode to Amherst. Had an agreeable visit with Gen. Mattoon.^ Was much disappointed in not seeing Dr. Gridley. Find things more favorable respecting him than I expected.'' Was at his house. Saw the college build- ings. Mr. Humphrey^ is to be inaugurated tomorrow. Cold and windy. The Northampton and Hadley meadow is undoubtedly the best on the river. Rode to South Hadley. Visited Mr. Hayes.* Tarried at a tavern. 1 ' To malce more particular inquiries re- there, 1843. He was State Senator and specting Dr. Gridley. Member of Congress, and filled many im- ^ Rev. Samuel Prince Robbins. After portant offices. He was a member of the long watching at the bedside of his wife, who State Constitutional Convention in 1820. was sick, he was so debilitated that he sank * Pleasant to carry back a good report, quickly under the power of disease. ' Dr. Heman Humphrey, President of ^ Mary Ann, daughter of Daniel Hayden, Amherst, 1823-1S45. He was a native of and Harriet, daughter of Noah Sadd. West Simsbury, Ct., and a graduate of Yale, * To Amherst. 1S05. 5 Gen. Ebenezer Mattoon, a revolutionary ^ Rev. Joel Hayes, pastor at South Had- soldier, born in Amherst, 1775, and died ley, Mass., 17S2-1S27. 1S23.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 943 15. The morning very cold and frosty. Rode early. Rode home. At Chicopee paid $i.oo for pamphlets, and .50 for a book to the McKinstry family.' Mrs. Wolcott was taken with a turn of raising blood from the stomach on Sabbath night, and this evening more than a pint. She is very feeble. In the evening married Edward Bissell and Maria Reed. Had a splendid wedding. 16. Wrote to my sister Battell. Visited a school. Rainy. Visited. Our society had a meeting on the subject of making a small removal of the meeting-house. 17. Read on the Greek church. Paid Waterman $8.00 for my last book- case. The cost is $18.00. Paid him for work, .84. Mrs. Wolcott, we hope, is a little better. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Thin. 18. In the morning we had our first snow. Wrote. Have unnecessary hindrances. Renewed the writing of my sermon begun last week on Gen. iii : I. Wrote six pages in the evening. 19. Finished and preached my sermon on Gen. iii: i. The subject was very interesting. I have not written a double sermon at full length for some time. Rode to Wapping, and preached in the evening without notes on Isa. i : 18. Visited a young man very sick. Quilie cold. Tarried out. 20. Visited. Rode to Vernon. They wish to employ Mr. J^ells there. Got home late. Mrs. Wolcott is very weak, but I hope getting better slowly. 21. Worked at my pamphlets. Read on my historical compilation. My horse, which I used about nine years, and have given to Mrs. Wolcott, died of glanders. He has been diseased more than two years. 22. Read and wrote on my historical compilation. 23. My brother and his wife came here to see me relative to Dr. Gridley and Eliza. I think it is best for them to be connected. Last evening received a letter from my good Uncle Starr. Read. Walked and visited. The people are preparing to remove the meeting-house. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Henlpsted,^ of Washington, Mass. Tarried out. Gave a poor man, $1.00. 24. Visited a young man at Wapping ; very low. Assisted in reconciling two brothers after a long variance. Visited. Received a letter from my sister. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Wrote to Esq. Ellsworth,^ of Scantick. 25. Wrote to my Uncle Starr, and to Dr. Gridley, of Amherst. Hindered by company. Read on my compilation. Read the Bible and expositors. 26. Wet. Thin meeting. Preached with old notes on Mai. iii : i, 2. After the afternoon meeting rode to Wapping, and preached with notes in ' Family of Rev. John McKinstry, who pastor at Washington, Berkshire County, had been pastor of the Second Church in Mass., 1S23-1826. Springfield, afterwards Chicopee, from 1752 3 Timothy Ellsworth, Esq., who lived at to 1789. what was then called Ketch-Mills, but is now ^ Rev. John A. Hempsted, a native of called Windsorviile, about two miles easterly Hartford, Ct., graduate of Yale, 1821, and from the center of Scantic parish. 944 DIARY OF REV, THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. the meeting-house on Ps.lv: i6. Visited the sick man. A woman died here this morning very suddenly. Read the Bible. Very cold. 27. Read yoa7i of Arc. Received a letter from Esq. Ellsworth. Wrote. Something wet. 28. Read on my historic compilation. Mr. Eells came here and tarried. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Lyman.' 1 trust Mr. Eells will do well. 29. Mr. Eells went to Vernon to supply there. Rode to Hartford. Attended the meeting of the Hartford County Missionary Society. The form of the society has altered, and made auxiliary to the American Board of Com- missioners for Foreign Missions. At evening heard a good missionary sermon from Mr. Pierce,^ of Harwinton. Tarried at Mr. Day's. ^ 30. Did errands. Paid for books, $3.13; for donations, $3.14. Rode home. Read. Wrote. 31. Wrote on my compilation. Rode and visited. Attended our even- ing prayer-meeting. Quite thin. Last evening the Hartford Universalist preached here in the Baptist meeting-house.'' November. 1. Read and wrote on my compilation. Am sorry to have to omit writing a sermon. Read the Bible. Cold and wet. 2. Last night we had a good deal of rain. Thin meeting. Expounded on Acts xiii : 1-42, and preached an old sermon on Rom. xi : 22, At evening attended the conference. Had read Mr. Porter's sermon on the death of Gov. Treadwell.' 3. Rode and visited. We have several sick persons, some quite low. Very cold. Attended the monthly concert. Had a good meeting. Wrote, 4. Wrote on my compilation. Set out on a journey to Norfolk. Rode to Simsbury. Visited at Mr. Stebbins's.* Tarried at Mr, McLean's.^ Got a few coins at Hartford Bank. 5. Rode to Norfolk ; frosty and cold. Found mothei" quite comfortable, and a little about the house. Yet she has lately had a severe ill turn, from which she appears to be mercifully recovering. 6. Walked out. Afternoon rode with Mr. Emerson to the south part of the town, and preached a lecture on Ps. iv : 5, This part of the town appears be to improving. Wrote, 7. Last night it snowed considerably ; the ground is quite covered, Mr, Battell returned from a journey to New York and Philadelphia, We are much perplexed about cousin Eliza's affair. She is much agitated. Saw some good paintings. ' Mrs, Mary Lyman, aged forty-nine. * The Universalist minister of Hartford ^ Rev. George E. Pierce, pastor at Har- at that time was Rev. Richard Carrigue, winton, 1822-1834. He was a graduate of ' Dr. Noah Porter's sermon on the death Yale, 1816, and a native of Southbury, Ct. of Gov. John Treadwell, of Farmington. ^ Hon. Thomas Day, Secretary of the * Mr. Samuel Stiles Stebbins, his former State of Connecticut from 1810 to 1835, pupil in theology. brother of President Day of Yale College. "> Rev, Allen McLean. 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 945 8, Gave mother, $3.44. Her pecuniary resources are rather small. She appears to be gaining health, through divine mercy, and I hope she will be comfortable as she has been. Paid at the store for handkerchiefs, $3.46. Rode to Simsbury, The snow thaws, and it is quite bad riding. Mr. McLean has gone to East Windsor. 9. Very pleasant, which has been of late pretty uncommon. Preached on Luke xii : 13, and Rev. xxii : 9. Full meeting. This congregation is larger than it used to be, and larger than mine. In the evening preached without notes on Luke ix : 30, 31. Very tired. Visited some. 10. Visited old acquaintance. Afternoon rode home. Mrs. Wolcott appears to be some better than when I left home. A young woman has died here since I have been absent. 11. Rainy. Read. We have the news of the fall of Cadiz,' and the probable end of the Cortez government for the present. I do not think this change will be for the worse. That is a very ungodly nation. 12. Read in the Life of Calvin.^ Rode to Hartford. Quite cold. Paid for candles, .78. The country is very full of agricultural produce. I think prices must be very low. The Cookes conclude to finish their volume with extracts, because of their hurry, and release me from any further writing. I am glad. Wrote. Read the Bible. 13. Studied and wrote some in a piece for publication. Dr. McGregor' came from Enfield to see me. Rode with him to Enfield. Received a let- ter from Dr. Gridley. Was up very late. 14. My brother and wife conclude to go to Norfolk next week. Wrote to cousin Eliza. Procured some pamphlets. Gave for them $1.00. Rode home. Visited an afflicted family. Attended our prayer-meeting. Paid a post office bill, $1.90. Received a very valuable pamphlet from my Uncle Starr, his own half century sermon.'' 15. Wrote to Mr. Battell. Looked over pamphlets. Have many small things to take up my attention. Wrote on a supplement to a sermon on Pro\% viii: 17. Read. 16. Wrote and preached all day an old sermon on Prov. viii: 17. Quite cold. Took notice of the late death of a youth. At evening attended the conference. Our conferences are thin. The Lord be our helper. 17. Visited. Cold like winter. Worked at the house. Read. Spain seems likely to return to her former miserable regimen. Mrs. Wolcott gains strength but slowly. 18. Worked at my chamber. Wrote on a portion of Scripture. Read. Dr. Tudor's family gave me some valuable old books. Thermometer this mornins: about 12°. Wrote. ' At our last report it was invested by the ^ Dr. McGregor was one of the practicing French army, and now it seems to have been physicians of Enfield. taken and occupied by the French for some * Rev. Peter Starr was settled in Warren, ye^i-s^ Ct., in 1772. The year 1822 brought about = John Calvin. his half-century. 946 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. ♦ 19. Thermometer 22°. Read. Attended a funeral of old Mrs. Wolcott, in the hither part of East Hartford. Rode to Pine Meadow and attended the wedding of Herlehigh Haskell.' Got home late. Received a letter from Mr. Whittlesey, of Hartford. There is some ice in the river. 20. Worked some. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick and others. Read the Bible. Was thrown from my horse by his falling, but through mercy, not much hurt. 21. Received a letter from D. P. Hopkins, Hartford. Rode to Hartford, Did errands. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. The weather more mild than it has been. Paid .25 for pamphlets. 22. Read old manuscripts. Found one yesterday in the garret of Mr. Whitman, of Hartford, deceased, of great value. Rode to Enfield to exchange. Windy and cold. 23. My brother rode early to East Windsor and returned in the evening. Preached on Gen. iii: i. At evening attended conference, and preached without notes on Ps. iv : 5. Quite cold. Walked to meeting three times. The Lord help me in all my needs. The congregation here appears well. Much fatigued. 24. Rode to Longmeadow. Looked over the pamphlets and papers of the Williams family. They are not so valuable as I expected. They will not part with anything. Rode to Enfield and home. A cold day. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Received college pamphlets from my cousin P. Battell.^ 25. Walked and visited. The ground hard frozen. Worked at my pam- phlets. Examined a school-master. We had snow and considerable rain. The swamps are uncommonly dry. 26. Worked at my pamphlets. Wrote. Rode to Wapping to see a sick man very low. In the evening began a sermon on Ps. cxxxvi : 23, 24, 25, and nearly finished it before I went to bed. Wrote till after one o'clock. 27. Thanksgiving. M}' obligations to the sparing mercy and rich grace of God are greater continually. Finished and preached my sermon on Ps. cxxxvi : 23, etc. In the morning wet ; afternoon warm and pleasant. I think my tremor in writing is much less than it used to be. Mrs. Wolcott dined with us, the first time after her confinement. 28. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick. To Hartford and attended the meeting of the Hartford County Missionary Society. Cold and tedious. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Osgood, of Springfield, and wrote to him in reply. Wrote. 29. Rode to Enfield and Springfield. My cousin Eliza and Dr. Gridley were married at Enfield on Thursday evening.^ I hope the blessing of God * Herlehigh Haskell was the brother of by Rev. H. A. Rowland, of Windsor, and Harris Haskell, who a year or two before Dr. Robbins was there as an invited guest, had married Frances Wolcott. He was the ^ His nephew, Philip Battell, then in Mid- brother of Eli B. Haskell, Dr. Robbins's old dlebury College. friend, at East Windsor Hill. The marriage ' They were married at the house of Rev. service of Herlehigh was performed probably Francis L. Robbins. I 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 947 may be upon them. Quite cold and tedious. Mr. Osgood' left home yester- day intending to go to East Windsor." 30. Last evening attended a conference. Mr. Osgood has a large family. Very cold. No stoves in the meeting-house/ which is very large and elegant. A large congregation. Preached on 2 Cor. i: 12, and Rev. xxii : 9. At evening visited Mr. Howard. Mr. Peabody" was absent. Mr. Dan Hunt- ington^ was there. Their Unitarian sentiments are dreadful. December. 1. Rode home through Suffield and Pine Meadow. In the morning the river was frozen over, but the ice broke in the course of the day. Very pleasant. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Spoke pretty poorly. Got home late. 2. Rode to Wintonbury and attended ministers' meeting. Pretty thin. Mr. McLean preached. My horse stumbles badly. Paid for two maps, $1.50. 3. Rode home. Warm and pleasant. Quite tired. At evening attended our church prayer-meeting. Quite thin. Read. Received a letter from Mr. Piattell. 4. Wrote. Visited. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of a young man who had long been sick. Wrote to Mr. Battell at Hartford. Wrote to Nathaniel Willis,^ of Boston. I conclude not to take the Recorder any more. I have taken it eight years. Wrote a piece for publication. 5. Last night we had a hard rain ; very useful to the dry ground. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of a colored man who was killed by another colored man in a quarrel. They are in pursuit of the murderer. Very cold and tedious. Visited the Rev. Amasa Loomis, who is at his father's, apparently in a fixed consumption. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Read. 6. Wrote the most of a double sermon on Jer. xxiii : 29. Wrote nearly seven pages in a little more than six hours in the evening. My eye-sight evidently fails. 7. Finished and preached my sermon on Jer. xxiii : 29. Meeting pretty full. At evening wet. Visited. 8. Rode to Wapping and visited a sick child. Cold and tedious. At evening met with the school visitors and teachers. We are trying to improve our schools. ' Dr. Samuel Osgood, of Springfield. * In the early years of the diary we werd = Rev. Shubael Bartlett, of Scantic, was very conversant with Rev. Dan Huntington, to preach probably for Dr. Robbins — a tutor at Williams and at Yale, pastor at Litch- triple exchange. field and Middletown. But now we meet 3 They were more conservative at Spring- him as a Unitarian. And yet, the Unitarian- field than in many other places. In both the ism of both Mr. Peabody and Mr. Hunting- churches of East Windsor, and in the church ton, as we understand it, was of a conserva- of East Hartford, stoves had been introduced. tive type. Mr. Huntington died in Hadley, * Rev. William B. O. Peabody, a native of Mass., in 1864, at the age of ninety. Exeter, N. H., graduated at Harvard, 1816, «" Dea. Nathaniel Willis, the publisher of first pastor of the Unitarian Church in the Boston Recorder, was born in 1780 and Springfield, settled there in 1S20. died in 1870, ninety years old. 948 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. g. Thermometer this morning at 12°. Wrote. Read. Visited a school. Rode to Hartford. Attended a book auction. Bid off several volumes. The ground very hard and rough. Rode home late in a snow-storm. 10. The snow is about four inches deep. Read. Rode to Wapping and attended the funeral of Mr. Sadd's child. Sleighs are out. Visited. Read the Bible. Thermometer in the morning 20°. 11. Thermometer 15°. Last night at bed-time it was at 9°. It snowed moderately all day. 12. Wrote on a piece for the Christian Spectator } Our evening meeting was omitted. Gave a poor man, $1.00. 13. Wrote a sermon on Ps. cxxx: 3, and another on Ps. cxxx : 4. I believe I never wrote so much in a day before. Each one was written in less than eight hours. I wrote one by daylight, and the other in the evening. Began a little after eight, and finished a little before one at night. My hand pained me considerably. Thermometer in the morning at 9°. 14. Preached my two sermons written yesterday. It has been very uncommon for me (too much so) to preach two separate written sermons at home on a Sabbath. At evening attended the conference, and went into the singing-school. Very much exhausted by labor. Thermometer in the morn- ing at 5°. 15. Read. Afternoon visited a school. Our schools are much smaller than they were some years ago. Yesterday after meeting visited j\Ir. A. Loomis. He declines. Wrote. At evening assisted two neighbors in settling some affairs, and wrote an agreement for them. Was out very late. Thermometer near freezing point the most of the day. 16. It began to snow yesterday afternoon, and snowed without intermis- sion more than twenty-four hours. Thermometer a little below freezing. It is more than a foot deep and very solid. Was invited out to supper. Wrote. Read. Our society had their annual meeting. 17. Shoveled snow. Completed another piece for the Christiati Spectator. The roads are bad. Read and wrote. Thermometer near freezing the most of the day. 18. Thermometer this morning at 3°. Rode to Hartford. The snow is at least one and one half feet deep, and very solid. Many people are out. Paid for liquors, $1.88. For a horse-blanket and circingle, $1.55. Wrote. My brother and wife called here. He has a case of discipline in his church. A woman here died last night.^ 19. Wrote. Finished another piece for the Christian Spectator. It rained hard all the forenoon. Thermometer rose above 50°. Had a new great coat made of a Devonshire kersey. The cost is as much as $20.00. I think it the best I have ever had. The ground is exceeding wet. Read Feveril of the Feak^ Had no prayer-meeting. 20. Read. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Elmer at Long Hill. Rode to * The monthly published in New Haven, * Mrs. Dolly Elmer, aged sixty-one. started in 1819. ^ Walter Scott's novel. 1823.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 949 Vernon to exchange with Mr. Eells.' He has gone to East Windsor. Bad riding. 21. Cold and rough. Meeting not full. Preached on Ps. ciii : 3, and Ps. ciii : 4. At evening attended a conference, and preached without notes on Luke ix : 30, 31. This people are in a very unsettled state. 22. Rode home. Visited in Vernon. Did errands and visited a sick man in Manchester. Mr. L. Hyde' is to be installed this week at Bolton, with favorable prospects. Our people had a society meeting to sell the pews, and made out pretty poorly. Have a hard cold. Spoke yesterday with difficulty. Rough and bad riding. Was thrown from my horse, but not hurt. 23. It rained all day. Mr. Grew, of Hartford, came here and read to me a long manuscript on the Arian sentiment. I had not thought of his going that way. At evening performed a marriage.^ Got quite wet. The ground is almost flooded. Took an addition to my cold. Paid for postage, .30. 24. It rained without interruption, though not very hard, till near noon; about thirty hours. My cold is very oppressive. It is seated on my lungs, and my cough is very sharp. Wrote. Read Peveril. 25. My cold is no better. Have to keep house almost wholly. Wrote on my library catalogue. Read Hooker's Survey of Church Discipline.'' Had a physician and took medicine. Thermometer in the morning 18°. The first society in Hartford had a Christmas meeting. I presume for the first time.' 26. Thermometer 19°. Worked at my library catalogue. Rode out and saw Mr. Loomis. Unable to attend our evening meeting. Paid $2.00 for Straps to inter the dead at Wapping. Hindered by company. Read Peveril. 27. Thermometer 17°. I hope my cold is going off, in divine mercy, but I am quite feeble. Received a letter from W. W. Ellsworth,* of Hartford. Wrote an address for Hartford County Missionary Society. My hand is quite weak in writing. The water is quite high in the meadows. 28. Am quite feeble, particularly in the voice. In the forenoon had a sermon read. Afternoon preached an old sermon on Heb. iv : 15. Ther- mometer about 45° the most of the day. The ground thawed a good deal. Spoke quite feebly. Wrote. Read. 29. Read, It thawed a good deal. Our society sold the pews in the meeting-house, and did wfell. Received of my collector, $381.00. Paid Mr. Wolcott's taxes, $79.41. My own taxes, $8.28. A merchant's bill, $29.52. A smith's bill, $1.25. I think our society prospects do not grow worse. Wrote. My eyes are weak. ' His former student, Mr. O. S. Eells, is * The notable work of Thomas Hooker, supplying at Vernon. first minister of Hartford. ^ Rev. Lavius Hyde, an able man, was ' We were not aware that any Congrega- pastor at Bolton from 1823 to his death in tional church in New England held a special 1S30. service for Christmas as far back as 1823. ^ Between Edwin Burge and Huldah * Hon. W. W. Ellsworth, son of Chief- Elmer. Justice Oliver Ellsworth. 95© DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1823. 30. On the morning my old classmate, Josiah Battell,' from New Connec- cut, came here and spent the day. He is an interesting man. Rode out with him and visited. The ground thaws. 31. Mr. Battell went off. Assisted in examining a school-master. The thermometer rose about 50°. Rode to Hartford. Very muddy. Paid Mr. Birge, $45.00; Hudson, $8.08; Sheldon, $6.06; Bancroft, $7.46; for books bought at auction, $5.07 ; (some satin for which I have paid I have sold). Paid for other things, ,96. Got home late. Endeavored to call to mind, with admiring gratitude and deep humiliation, the great mercies of God, and my own unworthy returns in poor services, disobedience, and transgression the year past. His mercy endureth forever. * Josiah Buckingham Battell, whom we noticed many years ago out in Ohio. 18534- January. 1. Endeavored to commit my all to the keeping and disposal of God for the ensuing year. I pray that I may see the prosperity of Zion. Rode to Wapping and visited sick persons. Visited the school on the Hill. My horse became suddenly very lame. Received a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Battell. Received a letter from a committee in Hartford for the aid of the Greeks/ requesting that a collection may be made in this town. Warm. Very muddy and bad riding. Tarried out. Gave $5.00 for foreign missions. Paid a tailor a bill of $19.44. 2. Am quite feeble from my late cold. Hindered in getting home. My horse is much better, but goes slow. Had to take old notes for my prepara- tory lecture, and preached on Rev. ii : 7. Attended the prayer-meeting. Wrote. Finished my last diary. Meetings thin. 3. Rode out and visited an aged man very sick. Wrote a sermon on Deut. xxxii : 35. Wrote six pages in the evening. Did not finish till near one o'clock. 4. A very pleasant day. Thermometer rose to 50°. Very full meeting. I think I have never known our winter sacrament so full. Meetings and communion were solemn. Very tired. Something hoarse. Unable to attend conference. Read. 5. Visited the sick man. Dined with the civil authority. Was appointed on a town committee to solicit aid for the Greeks. Attended our monthly concert. We have concluded to have a regular contribution at these meet- ings, and procured a box to be placed at the door. Collected $2.48. Very bad going. 6. On the 4th preached a sermon written on the day preceding, and with old notes on Ex. xii : 21. Wet. Thermometer rose above temperate. Finished reading Peveril of the Peak. Wrote an address to the people of this town respecting the Greeks. 7. Rode to Wapping and visited a school. Visited several sick persons. Riding very rough. Thermometer this morning at 20°. Received pamphlets by mail. Received a letter from Dr. Comstock of Hartford.^ My horse became lame, and hindered me from attending the church conference. ' This was the time when Greece was matic fever at Missolonghi. By the help of passing through her war of Independence, foreign nations, after a protracted struggle, throwing off the Turkish yoke. In June Greece obtained her liberty, of the year before, Marco Botzaris had ob- - John Lee Comstock, M. D., born in tained his victories over the Turks. In East Lyme, Ct., 1789, and died in Hartford, August of 1823 Lord Byron landed in Nov. 21, 1858. He was a surgeon in the Greece, and in April, 1824, he died of rheu- War of 1812. He prepared for the use of 952 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1824. S. Wrote, Prepared and begun this diary. Ma}' God enable me to record his great mercies. Mr. Burge, of Glastonbury, came here and tarried. A new magazine is about to be published in Hartford. 9 Rode to Hartford. Visited Mr. Flint. Did errands. The ground thaws. Mr. Eells came here. He attended the prayer-meeting with me and preached. Meeting quite full and encouraging. He has done at Vernon. The people there are in a poor state. Wrote. Sent $5.00 to the Board of Foreign Missions. Paid a merchant, $1.67. 10. Mr. Eells went off for New Hartford, N. Y., to be employed six months as a missionary by a Female Missionary Society in that quarter. Wrote by him to Mrs. Risley, of N. H. He paid me $25.00, which I charged him for instruction, use of library, and stationery. He is very successful in ha\ing employment. I have now commenced taking the Missionary Heroic!, and discontinued the Recorder, after having taken it for eight years. Put into my coins, $3.70. Mr. Sprague, of West Springfield, called here. Gave him near sixty pamphlets of which I have duplicates. Wrote to Mr. Bartlett. Read expositors. Rainy and foggy all day. Thermometer was up to 50°. 11. Quite wet all day. The frost is mostly out of the ground. Thin meeting. Expounded on Acts xiii : 42 to xiv : 19, and preached an old sermon on 2 Tim. iv : 10. Read. Wrote. 12. Rode to Wapping. Visited a school. Visited sick persons. Very muddy. Read. 13. Walked out. Wet. Attended the funeral of an aged man.' Read Hooker's Survey. Much of it is obscure.^ Wrote. 14. Thermometer in the morning about 45°. Some people are ploughing. Visited. Visited a school. The weather changed, and we had a hard wind. Worked at old books. Read. 15. Thermometer 16°. Read. Afternoon rode to Hartford. Rough going. Visited. The circumstances of the Greeks excites much attention. ' 16. Thermometer up to 28° in the morning. Walked and visited. My horse is quite lame, and I fear is worth very little. Gave a poor man, $1.00. At evening gave the biography of the prophet Daniel at our prayer-meeting. I have now done with the Old Testament saints. Spoke long. 17. Thermometer 30°. Paid $2.00 for the Mirror newspaper for a year. Hindered by company. Received a letter from Professor Goodrich.^ They have a good many charity scholars'* at college. Wrote the most of a sermon on John i : 18. Wrote nearly seven pages in the evening. Wrote coldly. Thermometer in the evening 14°. 18. Thermometer 26°. Finished and preached my sermon on John i : 18. schools those well-remembered text-books understand fully the thoughts of another that Comstock's Chemistry, Coms/ock's Botany, etc. lived two centuries before, Comstock's Natural Philosophy is said to have ^ Prof. Chauncey A. Goodrich, D. D., of reached nearly a million copies. He wrote Yale College. also a History of the Greek Revolution. * Young men studying for the ministry ' Mr. John Anderson, aged seventy-four. who needed aid. The American Education ' It is difficult for one generation to Society was then nine years old. 1824.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 953 Expounded on Acts xiv : 19 to xv : 36. Full meeting. Very tired by speaking. Had no conference. Read the first number of the Evangelist} Walked out. Wrote. 19. Read. Mr. O. Tudor^ gave me a few volumes of old books which I am glad to have. Received a present of a good volume of Gov. R. Wolcott's Foetns^ from Mr. Herrick," a senior at college. A very rare and valuable work. Cold and tedious. Read. Wrote an address for our ministers' meeting. 20. Our ministers' meeting was appointed to be held here. No member came but Mr. Bartlett.^ We had a meeting, and he preached in the evening. Mr. S. Eartlett^ came, and was with us during the afternoon. Cold. The ground very hard frozen. No snow at all. Paid $3.00 for oats. 21. Rode with Mr. Bartlett to Hartford. Dr. Flint's society had a meeting, and voted to give Mr. Linsley' a call to settle with them. A favor- able event. Examined papers in the secretarj^'s office. Came home late in a snow-squall. 22. Thermometer 6°. The ice is stopped in the river. Had work done to my furniture. Mr. Oliver Tudor's house took fire, and was but just pre- served by providential favor. Got much fatigued at the fire. Walked out. My horse is at present useless. The road has become smooth. Have sat up ver}^ late nights this week. Paid a blacksmith, .75. 23. Much hindered. Wrote. Thermometer 10°. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. Our roads have become smooth. My horse does very poorly. 24. Wrote the greater part of a double sermon on Micah vi : 8. Have many unnecessary hindrance's. Wrote six long pages in the evening. Ther- mometer in the morning 17°. My right hand is quite lame. 25. Wrote what I could. Did not quite finish my sermon. Preached on Micah vi: 8, a clause. Thermometer 20°. Pretty full meeting. At evening had a full conference. Quite tired. Read. 26. It thawed considerably, but went off warm. People are very anxious for snow. Thermometer above freezing the most of the day. Worked at books. Walked and visited. Read. 27. Thermometer 28°. Wrote. Had a joiner to work for me. Wrote transcribing: Mr. Hallock's sermon at the funeral of Dr. Everest. One of our ' A religious newspaper started in New ' Rev. John Bartlett, pastor at Winton- York, which has continued till the present bury (now Bloomfield), 1815-1831. time. * Rev. Shubael Bartlett, brother of above, ^ Oliver Tudor, brother of Mrs. Abiel pastor at Scantic, 1804-1854. Wolcott. ^ Rev. Joel Harvey Linsley, D. D., bom in ^ Roger Wolcott, Colonial Governor of Cornwall, Vt., 1790, graduated at Middlebury Connecticut, 1751-1754. He lived in his life- College, 181 1, pastor of South Church, 1824- time only a very small distance from where 1832, pastor of Park Street Church, Boston, Dr. Robbins was then living, on the East 1832-1S35; President of Marietta College, Windsor Street. O., 1S35-1S45, pastor at Greenwich, Ct., 1847, * John Pierrepont Herrick, M. D. to his death, March 23, 1S6S. 954 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1824. dancing-schools closed with a great ball. It excites much attention. Mr. Bartlett called here with his son on his way to New Haven. Sent John* classical books, and gave him $i.oo. 28. Rode to Hartford. Met with the directors of the Retreat. The build- ing is finished, and is a verj' excellent one. It is to be dedicated and opened for patients on the first of April. Saw Mr. Battell. The Messrs. Cookes allowed me $30.00 for what I did in the compilation of their late volume. It is liberal, and more than I asked. Paid them for four half volumes of Encydoptedia^ $16.00; for three numbers of Clarke's Bible, $3.75 ; for Hurd's^ Rites and Ceremonies, $7.50; for other books, $2.50. Thermometer in the morning 15°, but the day was warm and thawy. 29. Thermometer about 27°. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick and mourners. Visited Mr. Loomis.^ He appears to fail fast. It thawed considerably. There is some crossing of the river on the ice. Very good traveling. 30. Thermometer 30°. Paid a joiner $1.00 for making a box for oats. Wrote copying ISIr. Hallock's sermon. At evening attended our prayer- meeting. Quite warm. Am troubled with a cold. 31. It snowed some. Last night Mr. Loomis died." He has declined very fast in a few days. Visited the family. He left a request that I would preach at his funeral. In the evening began a sermon for the purpose on John xi : 23. Wrote late. Wrote to my brother. February. 1. Thermometer about 6°. Rode early to Hartford. Suffered with the cold. Mr. Linsley took my horse and rode to East Windsor. A cold and tedious day. Preached on Ezek. xxxvi : 26, and John i: 18. x\fter meeting Mr. Linsley returned, and I rode home. The roads ver}' rough. Dr. Flint' is very feeble, and I think breaking down. In the evening wrote four pages on my sermon. 2, Wrote on my sermon on John xi : 28, and preached it at the funeral of the Rev. Mr. Loomis. It was not quite finished. It appeared better than I feared. Mr. Rowland,^ Mr. Bartlett,' Mr. Whittlesey,* and my brother were ' John Leffingvi'ell Bartlett, oldest child ' Dr. Abel Flint was born in Windham, of Rev. Shubael and Fanny (Leffingwell) Ct., 1765, graduated at Yale, 1785, pastor of Bartlett, was now twent}- years old, and he the South Church, Hartford, 1791-1S24. He finished his studies in New Haven in 1S27. had just resigned his pastorate, and Dr. ^ View of all the Religious Rites, Cere- Linsley is about to be installed in his place. monies, and Customs of the Whole World, by Dr. Flint was not yet an old man, but he William Hurd, D. D. New edition. New- was broken in health, and died the following castle-upon-Tyne. 18 12. year. ^ Rev. Amasa I.oomis, whose dangerous '' Rev. Henry A. Rowland, of Windsor, illness has been before noticed. ' Rev. Shubael Bartlett, of the north *■ Rev. Mr. Loomis, son of Dea. Amasa parish, East Windsor, then twenty years in Loomis, was graduated at Yale in 1S07, the ministrj'. but his ministerial life seems to have been ^ Rev. Samuel Whittlesey, of Hartford, broken and irregular by reason of ill-health. without charge. 1824.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR, 95 5 here, and each performed a part. The day was very cold, rough, and tedious. Thermometer in the morning at zero. Omitted our monthly prayer-meeting. Very much fatigued. 3. Thermometer 10°. My brother stayed here last night, and carried me today to Northington ' to attend Association. He has a new and valuable horse. Very rough riding. Thirteen members of Association were present. Old Mr. Hawley^ is quite feeble, but comfortable, and entertained us well. My brother preached well. Our sister Battell was there. I was scribe of the Association. We examined and licensed a Mr. Ferry ^ to preach. 4. The Association d;d a good deal of business. I was appointed, with others, to meet here next week on a council. Rode home. It thawed a good deal. My brother went home. At evening attended our church conference. Very thin. Yesterday Mr. Wolcott went to Somers to see about my horse. I hope I shall get some reparation for my loss. 5. Last night the weather changed, and the thermometer this morning was at 2° below zero. Read. Wrote. Congress is unexpectedly divided on the Greek question. Thermometer at bed-time at 3°. It did not exceed 10° through (a clear sun) the day. 6. Thermometer 2° below zero. Walked to Wapping, and attended the funeral of Mrs. Hall, one of our best women. The ground very hard. Visited. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Walked about ten miles. Our second dancing-school closed with a public evening. There appears to be a real work of divine grace among the convicts of Newgate prison. 7. Thermometer about 20°. Wrote. Read. At evening began a sermon on i John iv: 20. Looked over papers. 8. Thermometer about 30° and rose to 47°. In the morning it snowed, but cleared off warm. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Luke xix: 27. Afternoon an old sermon on Eph. iv : 20. Mr. Cushman,'' of Hart- ford, preached here for the Baptists. At evening attended our conference. Quite full. 9. Thermometer about 25°. Wrote. Read. Wrote and finished late at night my sermon on i John iv : 20. Am pretty feeble. 10. Rode with Dea. Reed to Northington to attend a council. Met with Dr. Perkins and Col. Goodman. Finished our business, I trust, satisfactorily. I hope this society to be increased and prospered. Preached in the evening to a very attentive audience on i John iv: 20. The sermon prepared for this people. Rainy. 11. Rode home by way of Farmington. It rained some, and thawed very fast all day. The riding became very bad, and we got home late with difficulty. Much fatigued. * Now Avon. - ^ Rev. Alpheus Ferry, a graduate of Will- * ^ Rev. Rufus Hawley, now in the fifty- iams College, 1821. fourth year of his ministry, but with a col- ■♦ Rev. Elisha Cushman, who was the league, Rev. Ludovicus Robbins, settled in Baptist minister at Hartford, and pronii- 1820. nent in his denomination. 95^ DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1824. 12. The wind last night was very high. Mr. Wolcott had a cow-house blown down. In the hight of the storm the thermometer was 58° and 49°. Read poetry. At evening very unwell with a cold. 13. Am better of my cold, but quite feeble. Thermometer 18°. Read. Received a letter from Mr. Mitchell, of New Haven. Mr. Brace, of New- ington, called here, soliciting subscriptions to build a new chapel at Yale College.' Gave him $5.00. Wrote. At evening our prayer-meeting was thin. The water has become higher than it has been for three or four years. 14. The water rose till late last night. It is within one or one and one half feet of as great hight as I have ever seen it. Thermometer 27°. Wrote. Wrote the most of a sermon on Micah vi : 8, last clause. Began late, and wrote six pages in the evening. Am oppressed with indolence. 15. Thermometer about freezing. Wrote notes and preached in the fore- noon on Matt, viii : 7. Wrote and preached on Micah vi : 8. My sermon not quite finished. Preached long. Cold and unpleasant. Thin meeting. Had no conference. At night quite rainy. Had company. 16. Wet. Walked out. Thermometer above freezing. Mr. Boardman came up from Hartford and brought me a letter for the church respecting their proposed ordination," and a request that I would preach at their pro- posed fast^ on the 20th. Walked and visited the sick and others. Quite muddy. Paid a tailor, $4.44. Paid my annual tax, $1.00, to the Agricultural Society. 17. Thermometer 6°. Read. Wrote. Worked at my librar}-. Wrote a part of a sermon on Jer. iii : 15. The case of my thermometer was broken. Read the Bible. 18. Thermometer about 26°. Very windy and tedious. Walked out. 19. Wrote steadily, and finished my sermon on Jer. iii: 15. Dr. Flint appears to be better than he has been. I think Mr. Linsley will be a valuable man. At night much afflicted with an ague in my face. Had to get up. Read the Bible. Paid for liquors, $2.13. 20. Rode to Hartford and attended the fast with the South Society pre- paratory to their ordination. Dr. Chapin preached in the forenoon, and I preached in the afternoon on Jer. iii : 15. 21. Confined with my ague. Constant pain, and at times quite severe. Wrote. Paid for a book, .75. Read. Yesterday the colored man, who killed another at Wapping in November, was acquitted of murder, and con- victed of manslaughter. I think he is a murderer. 22. Yesterday Capt. Hall, of Wapping, brought me a load of walnut pole wood ; the best load of wood, 1 think, I have ever had. Last night took a sweat, and am better of my ague, but am pretty feeble. Last night about ' This was the college chapel at Yale ^ We have %|en that it was a custom of from 1824 to the time, only a few years since, the churches then, before the ordination or when the Battell Chapel was finished and installation of a pastor, to observe a day of opened for use. fasting and prayer. It is not unlikely that * Of Rev. Joel H. Linsley. this custom continues in some places. 1824.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 957 two o'clock a messenger called for me to go to East Hartford to see Mrs. Fairchild, apparently near death. I was so unwell, and the weather so unfavorable, that I concluded not to go till morning. Rode there early, and found that she was dead. She died in good hope. Brother Fairchild is deeply afflicted. He requested me to preach at the funeral. Rode to Hart- ford to exchange with Mr. Hawes. He went to East Windsor. Very stormy and tedious rain and snow all day. Preached on 2 Cor. i: 12, and John i: 18. After meeting attended the funeral of a child. In the evening rode home. Quite tedious. Was carried through the day much better than I expected. Mr. Hawes had quite a thin meeting here. 23. Wrote. Am quite feeble. At three o'clock P. M., began a sermon for the funeral of Mrs. Fairchild, and finished it after one in the night. Was poorly able to write. Walked out. Sleighs move pretty well witli the snow that fell last night. 24. Rode with Mr. Wolcott, my delegate, to Hartford to attend the ordination. Met with the council. After dinner rode to East Hartford and attended the funeral of Mrs. Fairchild. The council did not consent that any of their numbers should go with me. Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Beach,' of Win- sted, assisted at the funeral. Preached the sermon written yesterday on Ps. xxxi : 5. A very large and solemn funeral. Mr. Fairchild is deeply afflicted, and in poor health. When I returned to Hartford, the council had finished the examination and adjourned. In the evening Dr. Chapin preached. Kindly entertained at Mr. Hinsdale's. 25. Attended the ordination. I made the first prayer. Mr. Fitch ^ preached remarkably well. The prospects of this society appear well. Walked to the Retreat. It is a very noble building. Tarried at Mr. Cook's. 26. Last night it snowed. Rode home in a sleigh. Wet and rainy the most of the day. Am much overdone with fatigue. Visited Mr. Fairchild. He is quite feeble. 27. Last night we had a violent rain, and the whole of the snow is gone. Wrote, Read. Bad going. Attended our prayer-meeting. Am quite feeble. 28. Worked considerably. Mr. Gridley^ came here. Read. Read the Bible. I have too much neglected the sacred volume, 29. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Gal, ii : 16, 17. At noon Mr. Gridley came here from Mr. Fairchild's, and I went to East Hart- ford and preached in the afternoon on Hab. iii : 17, 18. Mr. Fairchild, I think, is getting better. At evening attended our conference. Cold. Ther- mometer in the morning at 22°. March. I. Wrote. Read. Walked and visited. At evening attended our monthly concert. Not very full. Cold. ' Rev. James Beach, pastor at Winsted, ^ Rev. Elnathan Gridley, who had been 1S06-1842. licensed by the Hartford North Association 2 Dr. Eleazar T. Fitch, of Yale College. the year before, and was not yet settled. 958 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1824. 2. Last night tarried out. Very cold and blustering. Visited the academy. Walked and visited. Last evening we collected at the concert, $1.88. Received a letter from Mr. Ely, of Simsbury, and one from Mr. Me ruin, of New Haven. Read. 3. Read. Wrote answers to the two letters received yesterday. Wrote on Mr. Hallock's funeral sermon. At evening attended our church conference. 4. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. Bought some auction books. Have had some old books well repaired by the binders. Paid for pamphlets, .65. At evening Mr. Gridley came here and tarried. Very good riding. 5. Visited. Warm and pleasant. Worked at my library. Had com- pany. Read. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Tarried out. 6. Visited. Quite warm. Sheldon' came from Somers to see me respect- ing my horse. Received a letter from Dr. Park,^ of Providence. Have been much hindered this week. Read. 7. Wet and rainy. Preached all day an old sermon on Eph. iii: 8. Had no conference. Thin meeting. Had company. 8. Paid for oats, $1.56. Wrote. Visited. Rode with Mr. Wolcott to Pine Meadow. Very muddy. 9. Rode to Enfield and saw Sheldon. We agreed to submit the question respecting my horse to the decision of two men. My good Uncle Le Baron' has a revival of religion among his people. Rode home. 10. Wrote. Rode to Wapping and visited a young man apparently near dying from a cut of his leg. Visited at Wapping. 11. Am quite feeble. Read G if Bias.* Mr. Burge, of Glastonbury, was here, desirous to have me write for the Evangelist. It appears like spring. Wrote, copying my sermon at the funeral of Mrs. Fairchild, for the printer. 12. Wrote. Read President Humphrey's address.* It is very well written. Attended our evening prayer-meeting ; quite thin. Walked and visited. Received of Mr. Tudor for my collector, $17.82. 13. Wrote transcribing my funeral sermon. Rode to East Hartford to learn some facts relative to Mrs. Fairchild. Not able to write a sermon for tomorrow. Wrote late. 14. Expounded on Acts xv : 36 to xvi : 25, and preached my late funeral sermon on Ps. xxxi : 5. After meeting rode to Wapping to visit a young man very sick. He died while I was present of a cut on his leg with an ax about three weeks ago. Wrote late in the night, and finished copying my sermon. Much fatigued. 15. Very pleasant. The roads considerably dried. Rode to Warehouse Point, and met with Sheldon and our two arbitrators. We agreed that ' Mr. Sheldon, of whom he bought his * Le Sage's famous story, before noticed, horse. ^ Dr. Heman Humphrey was President ^ Dr. Calvin Park, of Brown University, of Amherst College, 1S23-1S45. This was father of Dr. Edwards A. Park, of Andover. doubtless his inaugural address. The col- ^ ITis uncle, Lemuel Le Baron, of Roches- lege was in its infancy when he took charge ter (Mattapoisett), Mass. of it, and he saw its rapid growth. 1S34.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 959 Sheldon should take back my horse, and the arbitrators decided that he should pay me $77.50. I consider my whole loss in the horse not less than $50.00. I took Sheldon's note. Afternoon attended the funeral of a child. Received a letter from Mr. Sigourney,' of Hartford. Read. Very tired. 16. In the morning it began to snow hard, and continued more or less through the day. Visited a school. Wrote. 17. Rode to Hartford in a sleigh, and in the stage to New Haven. It snowed considerably the most of the day. Very bad riding. As much snow at New Haven, I think, as at East Windsor. 18. Visited at college. Called on Col. Lyon. He has a number of very valuable ancient books. It snowed the most of the day. Gave $70.00 to two scholars from the Everest fund. College is in a very unsettled state. Many of the students have lately been dismissed. Tarried at Mr. Merwin's.^ Paid for books, $1.00. 19. Kindly treated by friends. Received above an hundred valuable pam- phlets, given me by Mrs. Dana,* Mr. Sherman,'* and Esq. Daggett.' Visited at Mr. Goodrich's. There is much talk here and at Hartford about the location of Washington College. Bought Rapin,* and some other books of Gen. Howe. The streets very wet. 20. Visited early. Wet with rain and snow. Took the stage, and rode to Hartford. Very muddy and hard traveling. A Greek lad, lately arrived from Scio, came on with me, going to be educated by Capt. Partridge,' of Vermont. Walked home from Hartford. The evening cold and windy. 21. Thermometer in the morning 15° or lower. A cold day. The snow mostly gone. Preached with old notes on Ex. iv : 31, and an old sermon on Ps. cxiii : 6. At evening attended conference. Meetings thin. 22. Thermometer 18°. The ground pretty hard frozen. Rode to Hart- ford and brought up my things. Got some books at the auction store. Worked at my library. Much fatigued. Wrote. Received a letter from Mr. Hall,^ of Ellington, announcing the death of Mrs. Brockway.' 23. Looked over pamphlets. Read. Afternoon visited a school. Wrote to Mr, Burge, of Glastonbury. 24. Read Rapin. Wrote. Visited a school. Received a letter from Hartford relative to the proposed college. Visited. ' Charles Sigourney, probably, a substan- in France in 1661. He went in 1685 to live tial merchant, who, in 1819, married Lydia and make his home for years in England. Howard Huntley, of Norwich, afterwards so On the death of the Prince of Orange, he well and widely known as Mrs. Sigourney, went to Wesel, in the duchy of Cleves, and author of many poetical works. there wrote his history. He died in 1725. =^ Rev. Samuel Merwin, of the North ' Capt. Alden Partridge, a graduate of Church, New Haven. West Point, 1S06, and a professor there. 3 Mrs. Dana, widow of Rev. James Dana, In 1S20 he established a military school in of the Center Church, New Haven. Norwich, Vt., which was his native place. * Mr. Roger Sherman. ^ John Hall, Principal of the Ellington 5 Judge David Daggett. School, graduate of Yale, 1802. This school ^ Rapin-Thoyras, Paul De, author of a for some years was active and thorough, celebrated English history. He was born ^ wife of Rev. Diodate Brockway. 960 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1S24, 25. Wrote. Began a sermon for the dedication of the Retreat on Matt, iv : 24, 25. Rode to Wapping, visited a school, and attended a conference in the evening. Got home late. 26. Worked with Mr. Wolcott's framers. Visited a school. Warm. Had a full prayer-meeting. I am feeble for study. 27. Worked some. Wrote to Gov. Wolcott. Paid a merchant, $1.31. Rode out. Put twenty-four Testaments into the meeting-house for the use of jDeople. The most of them I procured for .19 each. Warm. The roads dry. Two young men here were drowned' in the river in a shocking manner. Visited the afflicted families. Last week a steamboat^ commenced running between Hartford and New York. On the 25th wrote to Mr. Battell. 1 find but little time for study. 28. Many people were out looking for the bodies of the drowned youths. Expounded on Acts xvi : 25 to the end ; and preached an old sermon on Acts xxiv : 25, latter part. Afternoon meeting quite full. At evening attended the conference. 29. Read. Wet and rainy. Got a fright in burning my chimney. Read the decision of the Supreme Court on the steamboat case. It is very able. Wrote. Have many hindrances. 30. Wrote on my address for the Retreat. Much interrupted by company. Wrote a will for a man. Sat up late. Paid a blacksmith, $3.00. 31. Wrote on my address. Finished it late at night. The most of it I have written twice over. Quite cool. Am much fatigued. April. 1. Rode early to Hartford. Attended the dedication of the Retreat in the forenoon. 1 made the dedicatory prayer, and delivered my address. Bishop Brownell,^ and Mr. Cushman,'* and Dr. Flint,^ performed other parts. Attended a meeting of the directors. They requested a copy of my address foj publication. Did errands. Read a proof of my sermon at the funeral of Mrs. Fairchild. Tarried with Ursula at Mr. Ezekiel Williams's. Many of the people searched today for the bodies of the young men lately drowned. The water is high and difficult. A man in Scantick hung himself this morning. 2. Saw Mr. Battell's two daughters^ at Hartford. Rode home. Quite cold. Paid for a new hat, $7.50. Read. Afternoon preached our prepara- tory lecture with old notes on Neh. i : 7. Visited. Attended our evening prayer-meeting. Tarried out. 3. Visited, The air is quite cold. We have several mourning families. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Chester,^ of Albany. Got but little time in my study. Wrote. 4. In the morning wrote notes on Rev. xxii : 12, but did not preach with ' William E. Skinner, and Samuel New- ^ Thomas Church Brownell, D. D., LL.D. bury. * Rev. Elisha Cushman. ' The name of this first steamboat plying * Rev. Abel Flint, D. D. between Hartford and New York, 1824-1843, * Sarah and Irene Battell. was the Oliver Ellsworth. ' Rev. John Chester, D. D. 1824.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 961 them. Preached with old notes on Joel ii : 17, and an old sermon on James i : 23, 24. Administered the sacrament. Meetings very full and solemn. The church very full. At evening went into the singing-school. The ther- mometer was about 60°. Much fatigued. 5. Am pretty feeble. Visited, Warm and dry. Thermometer at 66°. Read. At evening attended the monthly concert. Mr. Burge called here, and stayed some time. 6. Looked over old statute books. Hindered by company. Thermome- ter 68°. Afternoon rode to East Hartford Mills,' and visited a school. Returned at evening in a hard rain. The rain was very much needed. 7. Studied diligently revising the book of all religions for a new edition. Cold. At evening our church conference was very thin. 8. Visited. Rode to Enfield and attended a singing-lecture. Mr. Nash,' of Tolland, preached. More than eighty singers. They performed well. Rode home late in the evening. Cold. On the 6th received a letter from my brother. People begin to plough and garden. Mr. Wolcott is making a good improvement in his out-houses. g. Wrote. Collected at our prayer-meeting, $1.93. Wrote to my Uncle Starr, and to the Rev. Mr. Chester. Rode to Hartford. Did errands. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. The printer gave me some copies of my sermon on the death of Mrs. Fairchild. 10. Wrote. Began and wrote considerably on a sermon on i Tim. iii : 16. Mr. Fairchild brought twenty-five copies of my sermons. He appears to be getting better. Thermometer above 60°. 11. Finished and preached my sermon begun yesterday. Wet and rainy all day. Meetings quite thin. Wrote a piece for the newspaper on suicide. 12. Walked out. Our people talk again of moving the meeting-house. Copied off my piece on suicide for the Mercury.^ Read my book on Religions and Ceretnonies. Quite rainy. 13. Studied all day on my book of religions. Rainy and wet. Worked in the garden. Warm. Vegetation seems to be commencing very early. 14. Am quite enervated. Mr. Skinner,'* of Berlin, called to see me. Visited an insane man. Rode to Pine Meadow. In some places quite muddy. 15. The water is high; within about a foot of the flood in the winter. This morning it rained. Wrote. Began to copy off my address at the dedication of the Retreat for publication. Am poorly fitted for study. Worked some. Afternoon visited a school. Warm. 16. Fast. Spent the day mostly in private meditation. Preached an old sermon on Nehemiah i: 4. Meetings rather thin. I noticed no open viola- ' The village now known as Burnside. and G. F. Olmsted were its publishers as ^ Rev. Ansel Nash. years passed on. In 1833 it was merged in ^ The American Mercury was begun in the Independent Press. 1784, with Joel Barlow for editor, and Elisha * Rev. Newton Skinner, whose ministry Babcock for publisher. Charles Babcock was cut short by an early death. g63 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS. D.D. [1824, tion of the day. At evening had a full prayer-meeting. Ate no dinner. On the 14th received a letter from J. W. Barber,' of New Haven. 17. Wrote copying my address. Attended the funeral of an infant child. Visited. Paid $2.25 for a book (Jahn).* People begin to garden. We have a good deal of moving. 18. Expounded on Acts xvii, and preached an old sermon on Rom. viii : 7. In the afternoon I was very weak at my lungs, and spoke feebly. Had no conference. Cold. Meetings rather thin. Wrote. 19. Wrote transcribing my address. Rode to Hartford. Got new clothes. Did errands. There is much excitement respecting the new college.^ Rode in the evening. Saw my nieces, S. and I. Battell. Cold. 20. Wrote on my transcribing. Worked at my things. Visited. We have some new families moved here. 21. Wrote. Have many interruptions. Am languid and feeble. Worked some. Finished transcribing my address, and studied on the revisal of the book of religions. People have commenced the work of removing the meeting-house. Mr. Stebbins, of Simsbury, came here and tarried. He is about commencing a school at Windsor. The thermometer rose to 82°, 22. Wrote on religions. Rode to Hartford. Saw blossoms on the daflfafi and peach-trees. Thermometer 78°. 23. W^rote. Began a sermon on Titus ii : 14. Rainy. Walked out and visited. Had no evening meeting. Read pamphlets. 24. Wrote on my sermon. Rode out and visited. Worked the most of the afternoon at the meeting-house. They have got along better than I expected they would. Wrote to Mr. Birge, of Glastonburj-. 25. Preached with notes written on the 4th inst. on Rev. xxii : 12. Fin- ished and preached my sermon on Tit. ii : 14. Wrote four pages, one half of a sermon. Full meeting. The meeting-house stands on rolls. Warm. Went in the afternoon without an overcoat. At evening attended conference. 26. Am quite feeble. Assisted in setting fruit-trees. Walked out and visited. Assisted some at the meeting-house. The business succeeds well. 27. Had company. The people moved the meeting-house about the width of the house, forty-five feet directly back ; the whole of it stood in the street. It went easy and perfectly safe without any injury or accident. It appears better than was expected. When it was done we went into the house, and had a short religious exercise. We have much reason to bless God. After preparing timber for the ways, etc., it was done in six days. INfr. E. BisselP is about moving to Genesee. Very tired. Reviewed the proof of my address. 28. Cold and wet. Paid $1.25 for repairing my carriage. Visited. ' John Warner Barber, before noticed as ^ Washington, changed to Trinity College, the author of Historical Collections of many Hartford, Ct. The charter of this institution States, beside other volumes of much histori- was gained in 1824, but it was not organized cal interest. for work until 1S26. ^ John Jahn, a Vienna scholar and pro- * Mr. Edgar Bissell, who married Eveline fessor, distinguished for his biblical and Wolcott. He and his wife are now (1885) Oriental learning. living in the old family home. 1824.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 963 Visited our academy. I think I never knew it to appear better. Wrote. I have been prevented from study this week most unexpectedly. The examina- tion of the academy was attended by a good many people. 29. Set out late for Norfolk. Received at Hartford a letter from Mr. Battell, with an old book which he has purchased and given to me. People at Hartford are much discouraged about getting the new college. Paid Hills, $20.00. Rode to Colebrook. Found my brother very low. Last Sabbath he swallowed, by mistake, some oil of vitriol. He came very near instant death, but is mercifully preserved, and I think recovering. Concluded to tarry here. 30. Rode to Norfolk, Mother is at Mr. Battell's. Sally Lawrence went to Amherst for a visit, and she has since that left housekeeping. I came here when I came into town, for the first time, instead of going to the paternal mansion. Visited. A good house is building on the green. Mr. and Mrs. Battell have lately returned from a journey to Washington, Mount Vernon, etc. The season here is much behind East Windsor. My horse does pretty well. May. 1. Rode with mother to her house, and to the burying-ground. Warm. Left Norfolk near noon, and rode across Canaan mountain to Warren. My aged Uncle Starr' is feeble, and suffers much from nervous dejDression. Mr. Downs,^ a young candidate, is preaching here. 2. In the morning rainy. Preached on John iv: 13. Administered the sacrament. Uncle Starr attended meeting, but did but little. Had long meetings. Very tired. They have a very fine new meeting-house here. Had company. 3. Misty and wet. Prayed and dined with a military company with my uncle and Mr. Downs, Concluded not to ride. Uncle Starr gave me fifty- nine pamphlets, some of them very valuable. The people here appear well. Wrote. I have not seen a smile from my uncle since I have been here. At evening attended the monthly prayer-meeting. Quite thin. 4. Left my uncle's, and rode to Woodbury. My brother Samuel and his family have recently left this town. He is about moving to Onondaga. They are well spoken of here. Visited. Kindly treated, Mr. Benedict and his aged mother gave me fifty-one pamphlets, forty-two proclamations, etc. Gave her $2.00. Old Mr. Benedict's' papers are in very good order. 5. Rode to New Haven. The lower part of the way a very hilly road. The early fruit-trees in full blossom. Got to New Haven about noon. Went ' Rev. Peter Starr was then not far from inary in 1822, and was settled as a Presby- eighty years old. He had been sixty years terian minister, in Canajoharie, N. Y., where out of college, and fifty-two years in the min- he died young, istrv at Warren. ' Rev. Noah Benedict was minister in - Rev. Cyrus Downs, who was afterwards Woodbury from 1760 to his death, 1813 — a Presbyterian minister, was from South fifty-three years. The pamphlets were in Britain, Ct. He closed his studies at Hamil- the keeping of his widow and his son. This ton College in 1S19, and at Andover Sem- was a valuable acquisition. 964 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1S24. soon into the Methodist meeting-house for the election exercises. Mr. Luckey,' the Methodist, preached one hundred and twelve minutes. The sermon was miserable. Saw Mr. Battell. Drank tea at Judge Baldwin's.' 6. Judge Baldwin gave me seventeen pamphlets, and a number of valu- ble manuscripts. Visited. Rode home after one o'clock. Washington College was located at Hartford. There was much rejoicing in that town. Large pecuniary offers were made from Hartford, Middletown, and New Haven. ^ Got home late. There was no meeting here last Sabbath. Have had a prosperous journey. 7. Worked at my pamphlets. Wet and rainy. Yesterday saw the first apple-tree blossoms. But little difference between New Haven and here, and all the intermediate way. Am fatigued. Dea. Reed"* is quite poor. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Received a letter from T. S. Williams,^ Hartford. 8. Rode to Hockanum, and attended the funeral of a colored child. Rode down to Manchester. Their ecclesiastical matters are in a critical state. Warm. Mr. Sidney Olcott^ let me have thirty-six pamphlet's, which were his father's, making one hundred and sixty-three that I have procured this week. Some of them are duplicates, but some are valuable and scarce. Paid Olcott, $1.00 for pamphlets, and .50 for a book. Received a present of ^2.00 from a man in Wapping. 9. Poorly prepared for the Sabbath. Expounded on Acts xviii, ai-,d preached a sermon written and preached at Northington in Februar)- on John iv : 20. Our meeting-house is not yet underpinned, and still rests on rolls. At evening attended our conference. Thin meetings. Yesterday Mr. Olcott let me have a number of old college papers. My collection requires much labor. 10. Had company. Read. Rode to Manchester, and attended a church meeting which gave a call to Mr. Burt,^ by a vote of nineteen yeas, and three nays, and four that did not vote. Got home late. 11. Rode to Manchester, and attended a funeral. In the forenoon rode to Hartford to buy a horse. Have very poor success. Warm and very dusty. Am much burdened with so many calls. In the morning performed a marriage.^ ' Rev. Samuel Luckey, Methodist minister ' Thomas Scott Williams, LL.D., bom in at New Haven. Wethersfield, Ct., June 26, 1777, graduated '^ Judge Simeon Baldwin, born at Norwich, at Yale, 1794, died in Hartford, Dec. 15, Ct., 1761, graduated at Yale, 1781, died in 1861. Besides filling many and various im- New Haven, 1S51, father of Gov. Roger portant offices, he was Chief-Justice of Con- Sherman Baldwin, and grandfather of Hon. necticut, 1834-1847, a man of eminent good- Simeon E. Baldwin. ness as well as greatness. ^ The fitness of things was secured by * Son of Rev. Allen Olcott, who was pas- locating Washington (Trinity) College at tor at Farmington, Ct., 1787-1791, and who Hartford. New Haven already had her died 181 1. college, and Middletown, soon afterwards, ' Rev. Enoch Burt. 1831, had Wesleyan University, ^ Between Loring E. Coe, of Granville, ■♦ Dea. Abner Reed. Mass., and Mary Stanley. 1824.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 965 12. On the 9th received a letter from Mr. H. Pitkin,' of Manchester. Wrote. Afternoon rode to Hartford and attended the annual meeting of the society for the insane. Did errands. 13. Wet. The apple-trees are in full blossom. ' Rode to Hartford and attended the meeting of the Connecticut Bible Society and the Ministers' Annuity Society. We have some difficulty with the claim of Mr. Cook's annuitants. Paid for a book, $1.00; for pamphlets, .42. 14. Quite cold. Paid Horace Wolcott for assistance, $i.oo. Wrote. Received a letter from my former pupil, Mr. Eells. Rode out and visited. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. 15. Bottled two hundred and forty-eight bottles of cider, Mr. Wolcott got it yesterday at Turkey Hills, but it is not good as I expected. Am quite feeble and languid. Late in the afternoon began a sermon on Matt, vii : 13, 14, and wrote four pages. 16. Wrote four full pages, and finished and preached my sermon begun yesterday. Divided it. The meeting-house still rests on rolls. At evening rainy. We had our missionary contribution, and collected $32,25. Less than we have had for several years, but as much perhaps as could be expected. 17. Worked in the garden. Made an asparagus bed. Walked out. Mr, C. A. Goodrich" called on me. There is a great blowth on the fruit-trees. Wrote. 18. Rode to Simsbury and attended ministers' meeting. Mr. BushnelP preached. Had a good meeting. Met with the committee of the Everest legacy. 19. Wet. Rode home. Attended the meeting of the society for the insane. Saw my nieces. Cannot find a horse that will answer for me. 20. Studied on the Revisal of all Religions. Rode to East Hartford and performed a marriage.* Crossed the bridge, and saw the printers. 21. Rode to Pine Meadow. Mrs. Haskell is quite unwell. Visited an aged woman, very low, in the upper part of East Hartford. Attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. 22. kindled on \hQ Revisal of all Religions.^ Hindered by company. I get but little time for study. Worked some. 23. Wrote notes and preached on Isa. Ixiv : 8. Afternoon preached an old sermon on 2 Cor. vi : 17. Meetings full and solemn. The meeting-house is partly underpinned. At evening attended the conference. Quite full. Tarried out. ' Dea. Horace Pitkin. of Hartford, Ct., and Caroline Oilman, of ^ This was probably Rev. Charles Angus- East Hartford, tus Goodrich, minister and book-publisher. * This work on which he is engaged, after- His initials are the same with Prof. Chaun- wards published by Oliver Cooke, of Hart- cey Allen Goodrich, of Yale College. ford, has been many times mentioned, anederick Wolcott, brother of Gov. wall, Vt., who went out as a missionary to Oliver Wolcott. Ohio. 1825.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. IOO9 July. 1. Wrote. Preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on 2 Chron, xxix : 6. Thin meeting and all dull. Evening meeting pretty full. Quite feeble. Thermometer 88°. 2. Finished my address for Independence. It has cost me a good deal of study. At four o'clock began a sermon on Luke x: 27, and wrote six pages. Wrote unusually fast and easy.' The weather is very languid. Ther- mometer at 82°. 3. Finished and preached my sermon on Luke xix: 21. In the forenoon preached with old notes on John xvi : ^^. Administered the sacrament. The church pretty full. Had an addition of three worthy members,^ by letter. Warm and languid. Thermometer 86°. Rode to Wapping and preached on Heb. xii : 14. Baptized a child ^ there. Visited a sick woman, very low. Very tired. 4. In the morning we had a hard thunder-shower. Rode to Hartford and attended the celebration. The company was almost wholly military. The audience was large in the north meeting-house. My address was near tifty minutes. We had a good dinner at Dutch Point.* Dr. Perkins and Mr. Mervvin, of New Haven, were with us. Paid S^4.oo, my annual payment to the Retreat. We had a very favorable day. At evening attended the concert of prayer. Quite thin. Much fatigued. 5. Wrote to Mr. Whittlesey, of Danbury. Rode out. At evening we had a good church conference. A very growing season, but pretty poor hay weather. People began reaping yesterday. The season has not been so early for several years. 6. Wrote. Prepared for my journey. Afternoon rode to East Hart- ford and attended a funeral. Crossed to Hartford. Paid Hills, my merchant tailor, $26.96. Paid Col. Gleason, $26.00, for Seth Terry,^ for books bought of Dr. Flint's library. Paid E. W. Bull for wine, $2.00. Paid a butcher for a piece of beef I had some time ago, $1.08. Set out on my journey to Rhode Island, and rode to Bolton. Tarried at a tavern. 7. Rode to Windham. Got some pamphlets and books of the Misses White.^ Paid them $1.25. Rode to Mansfield. Gen. Salter' gave me a number of pamphlets, old and good. Rode back to Windham and to Scot- land.® Tarried at a tavern. Very fine weather. 8. Called early on old Esq. Devotion.' He would not let me have any ' Writers will understand this fact. His * Daughters or granddaughters, probably, mind had become thoroughly wakeful and of Rev. Stephen White, pastor at Windham, active on his address for Independence. 1740-1793. ^ Ralph R. Rollo, Sybil Rollo, and Lucy ^ Gen. John Salter, son of Richard Salter, Ann Rollo. D. D., pastor at Mansfield, 1744-1787. 3 Lucy, daughter of John Stoughton. ^ A parish in the town of Windham. * Dutch Point, on the river a little below « Judge Ebenezer Devotion, son of Rev. the city, where the Dutch had their trading- Ebenezer Devotion, pastor in Scotland par- post before the English settlement began. ish, 1735-1771. This name, Devotion, seems s Seth Terry, Esq., was the administrator, to be a peculiarly appropriate one fora Chris- probably, of Dr. Flint's estate. tian minister, like the name Pentecost. lOIO DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1825. pamphlets. Rode to Providence. The road from Windham to Sterling is very hilly. Saw Mrs. McClure' at Providence. Rode a few miles and tarried at a tavern. Rode forty-five miles. The crops on my way are good, and nearly as forward as at home. Paid Gates, .84 ; tavern, and a barber, $1.60. 9. Rode about eleven miles to Bristol. Put up with my cousin, W. Brad- ford.^ Kindly received. Mr. Wight,^ an aged minister here, called on me. Mr. Mann," with his wife, went off for Connecticut, on Tuesday. Called at my cousin George De Wolf's.^ His house is much the most splendid I have ever seen. Walked out with Mrs. Goodwin* and visited. Cool. 10. Very warm. Preached on Cor. i: 12, and i Cor. xv: 56, 57. Much oppressed with the heat. Mr. Wilcox, of Hartford, was here and preached in the evening. The congregation is not very large. Bishop Griswold^ has great popularity and influence here. Dined, splendidly, at Gen. Wolf's. 11. Rode out with Mr. Wilson; called on Mr. J. De Wolf and Mr. J. Brad- ford, and rode to the summit of Mount Hope. The prospect is noble. The heat very severe. It seems as if I never perceived a more burning sun. Towards evening walked out. The most of the day there was no breeze of air. The thermometer here was 95°. Said to be very uncommon for this place. The buildings and furniture here are very splendid. 12. Had calls from friends. Rode with Mr. Bradford to Pappasquash.^ A ver)' pleasant situation. Very warm, but a good air. Wrote. Dined with Mr. J. De Wolf. Wrote. Called on Mr. Wight, the senior minister here, and looked over his pamphlets. Drank tea with a company. Have many cousins. 13. Wrote. Wrote to Dr, Todd,' of Hartford. Looked over Mr. Wight's pamphlets. I think I shall get a good number of him. Very hot. Afternoon ■we had a grateful shower. Rode out and made calls. Visited. ' Second wife of Dr. McClure, of East Bristol in General Court almost constantly Windsor. from 1798 to 1S20, John De Wolf in 1S21, ^ The diary has led us to the hospitable George De Wolf followed from 1822 to 1825, home of William Bradford several times and then another James (probably son of before. He was Lieut-Governor of Rhode James), did the same from 1829 to 1837. Island. 6 Two of Dr. Robbins's aunts, half-sisters, ^ Henry Wight, D. D., had been pastor at and several years older than his mother, Bristol since 1785. married two brothers of the name Goodwin. "* Rev. Joel Mann had been colleague with The Mrs. Goodwin with whom he walked Dr. Wight since 181 5. was wife of one of his cousins, a son of 5 He was the son probably of Capt. James Nathaniel Goodwin. De Wolf, one of the most enterprising and ' Rev. Alexander Vietts Griswold, D. D., successful tea-merchants in Bristol. His im- a native of Simsbury, Ct., was made Bishop mense fortune was due, however, largely to of the Eastern Diocese of New England in the slave-trade, which he followed during the iSii, then a new diocese. His residence was last years of the last century and the early at Bristol. In 1S29 he removed to Salem, years of the present. The slave-trade was Mass., and his after life was spent in Massa- prohibited in 1S08, and he obeyed the law, chusetts. He died in 1843. but his wealth had been already acquired. ^ One of the ugly Indian names. Some He and his sons were able to live in luxury. of them are more graceful. James De Wolf represented the town of « Dr. Eli Todd, of the Hartford Retreat 1825.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. lOII 14. Rode to Rhode Island,' to Mr. Ch. De Wolf's. His seat is exceed- ingly elegant." Rode to Newport. Tarried at Lieut.-Gov. Collins's.^ 15. Visited Dr. Patten." Walked about the town. It appears to be very poor. Mr. Collins had a dining party; Mr. Cheves and others. I was glad to see the company. Returned to Vancluse.^ Mr. De Wolf has some val- uable books. 16. Called on Dr. Channing,^ of Boston, now residing here at a fine country-seat. Rode to Bristol with my cousin, Mrs. DeWolf. Am quite feeble with a diarrhoea. We have had a very hot week. Called on Bishop Griswold. 17. Mr. Wight attended meeting with me. Very warm. Preached on Ps. 1 : 5, and Ps. Ixxxiv : 2. There appears to be very little sense of the holi- ness of the Sabbath in this town. At evening Mr. Sessions, agent for the Colonization Society, preached to a full house. Quite tired. 18. Walked and visited. Read. My cousins have a good many valuable books. Bought of Mr. Wight one hundred and forty-two pamphlets, the Chris- tian History and / Mather's Life? Paid for the pamphlets three cents each ; for the whole, $8.50. Steady hot weather. 19. Read. Packed up books and pamphlets to be sent home. Wrote. Am quite feeble and languid. Drank tea at Gen. De Wolf's. His house and garden are exceedingly magnificent. Read the Spectator, all in one volume. 20. Read a new French geography. It is constantly hot and so enervating that I can hardly do anything. I have intended to visit Rochester, but the heat is so severe, and I am so unwell with a diarrhoea, that I do not feel able to go. In the afternoon my brother Francis and his wife called here on their return from Boston, Rochester, etc., to their home. They went on to Provi- dence, Rode to the Mount. ^ 21. The heat seems rather to increase. It has now continued with little abatement near a fortnight. The ground has become ver}^ hot and dry. A fine season for getting hay. The corn has grown very well. Rode out. Wrote to my Uncle Le Baron, of Rochester. Received two copies of the late Report of the Retreat, at Hartford, and gave them away. Paid for a carriage, $2.00, 22. Made calls. Rode to Vancluse on Rhode Island. The heat evidently increases. It is ver}' severe, the warmest day, I think, of this week. Kindly entertained at Mr. De Wolf's. Called on Dr. Channing. His country-seat is most splendid. Read, ' Rhode Island proper, which gives the * Dr. William Patten, pastor of Second name to the State, is the island some fifteen Church, Newport, 17S6-1833. or twenty miles long, on the southern end of ' Vancluse is supposed to be the name of which stands the city of Newport. Mr. Charles De Wolf's place of residence. - There are many points along the shore * Newport was Dr. William E. Chan- of Rhode Island of commanding beauty. A ning's native place. ride from Newport up to the northern end ^ The Life of Increase MatJier, by his of the island, in the summer season, will son, Dr. Cotton Mather, first published in reveal many charming pictures. 1724- ^ Charles Collins, Lieut-Governor. ' Mount Hope. IOI2 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1S25. 23. The newspapers abound with accounts of the great heat. In the cities there have been a great many deaths. Rode in to Newport, Called at Gov. Collins's. The ground is very dry. Much oppressed with the heat. Dined with Dr. Channing. He is an agreeable and interesting man. Read. 24. Wrote. This family is well regulated for one of its description. Went to meeting with Dr. Channing, and preached in a small meeting-house they have here, to a few hearers, on James i: 23, 24. Took leave of my friends here, and rode to Bristol. The dust very tedious, but the heat a little abated. Mr. Mann and his wife got home. They speak of the heat at East Windsor as unprecedented. He preached here this forenoon. I preached in the after- noon on Heb. xi : 24, 25, and in the evening without notes on Ps. iv : 5. ]\Iuch fatigued. 25. Am very feeble. The air exceeding languid. Read a little. Dined with Mr. Mann. We had a light shower, ^^'rote. Could not conveniently get away today. Cherries here are good and plenty. 26. Took my leave of numerous friends. Set out on my journey home- ward. Rode to Providence. Called on Mrs. McClure. Rode to Hopkinton, forty-eight miles. The road from Providence to New London is very good. Quite warm, but not so severe a heat as it has been. The drought is severe. Many fields of corn appear to be revived. Left a large bundle of books, etc., at Providence, to be sent by the stage to Hartford. 27. Rode to Stonington. Kindly treated by Mr. Hart.' Visited, enquiring for pamphlets, etc. Stonington Borough is large and flourishing. The state of religion here is much improved. The aged IMr. William Woodbridge,^ whom I came here principally to see, was buried last Monday. Mrs. Eells, daughter-in-law of the former minister,^ and some others, gave me some pam- phlets and manuscripts. At evening, preached for Mr. Hart, without notes, on Ps. iv : 5. 28. Walked out with Mr. Hart. Very dr}-, but I think this stony land suffers less than other places. Left Mr. Hart and rode to Mrs. Woodbridge's. Kindly treated. Mr. Woodbridge was a good miser, and has left a great estate. His nephew, William Woodbridge, showed me his collections, which are a great curiosity to an antiquary. He gave me some continental money. He could give me nothing else, as there had been no inventory. Rode to Groton Ferr}\ These towns are improving. 29. Crossed the ferr}- in a good horse-boat to New London. Called on Mr. McEwen.* Find much kindness. A number of pamphlets were given me, and Judge Perkins' gave me two hundred. ]\Ir. McEwen went with me * Rev. Ira Hart, pastor at Stonington, ^ Rev. Nathaniel Eells, pastor at Stoning- 1809-1829. ton, 1 762-1 786. ^ This is a man described in a previous * Dr. Abel McEwen. A call on Dr. Mc- note, a graduate of Yale in 1765, first Princi- Ewen was very sure to be entertaining and in- pal of Phillips Academy, Exeter, and father structive. In conversation few equaled him. of William C. Woodbridge, distinguished as ' Judge Elias Perkins, born in Lisbon, an educator and writer. Ct., 1767, graduated at Yale, 1786, died, 1S45. [825.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. IOI3 to see him. Quite warm. I cannot find the election sermon of 17 10.' Near sundown left New London, and rode to Salem. Tarried at a tavern. 30. Rode to Colchester, saw Mr. Cone.^ The heat and dust very oppress- ive. The drought is very oppressive. Many fields of corn are nearly if not quite ruined. The fields are brown. All crops are suffering severely. At East Hartford saw Mr. Fairchild. He has been to Philadelphia and got suddenly a young wife. In the afternoon got home, after a prosperous and favorable journey, through the great mercy of God. Find our family in affliction. Our dear little Elizabeth Haskell,^ whom we all loved too much, died last Sabbath. She was sick with a dysentery about a week. Much fatigued. No death among my people in my absence. After I got home, my bundle that I sent to Hartford by stage was brought me. I have thus brought home, in the whole, four hundred and sixty-nine pamphlets. I paid for about one hundred and fifty-five, and the rest were given me. A number of them are such as I had. But they are worthy of the last century, and a valuable addition to my stock. Mr. Whittlesey, of Hartford, preached here last Sab- bath, for Mr. Mann. The expenses of my journey have been about $20.00. 31. Preached in the forenoon with old notes on Rom. v : 12. Afternoon, an old sermon on Matt, xxi: 28. Shortened the afternoon exercises on account of the weather. We had a moderate, but ver}- refreshing, shower. There was a shower here, of a limited extent, last Sabbath ; so that this society has not suffered as much as other places. At evening rode to Pine Meadow, and saw my afflicted friends.* August. 1. This family is quite gloomy. Wrote a will for Miss Eunice Wolcott.* She is quite feeble. Rode home. Wrote. At evening attended the monthly concert. 2. In the morning we had a hard shower. Wrote. Looked over my pamphlets, lately procured. They make me a fine addition. Walked out. Yesterday received a letter from Mrs. Battell. 3. Vegetation is greatly revived by the rains. Read. Walked out and visited. Have received a number of valuable books, as donations, in my late journey. At evening had a good church conference. 4. Wrote. Worked at my library. Rode to Hartford and attended the meeting of the Historical Society. I fear we shall have some trouble from the inclination of the Washington College folks to connect it with that. 5. Hindered by company. Two men from Bristol* were here with me the most of the forenoon conversing about their church difficulties. Rode out and visited. Received a letter from James Flint, of Hartford. 6. Began a sermon on i Thess. v : 3, and wrote one half of it. Hindered ' That is the one missing link. * Mr. and Mrs. Harris Haskell. ^ Rev. Salmon Cone, pastor at Colchester, ' Sister of Mr. Abiel Wolcott She was 1792-1S30. "ovv seventy-five years old. 3 Daughter of Harris and Frances (Wol- * Bristol, Ct., where Rev. Jonathan Cone cott) Haskell. was settled. IOI4 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [^^^g, by compan}\ My sight begins to make it difficult for me to write my sermon hand in the evening. Read expositors. 7. We nave uninterrupted warm weather. The dust is very severe. Fin- ished and preached my sermon on i Thess. v : 3. Expounded in the fore- noon on Luke ii : 15, to the end. Preached long. At evening, attended a conference, after which, rode to Hartford, to go to Norfolk. 8. Left Hartford at half past one in the morning, in the stage, and got to Norfolk in seven hours. Found my mother much better than I expected. She attended meeting yesterday, and has before. My cousin Hannah Gilman and her son' are here. I am much fatigued. Read. 9. Expected to have returned home, but the stage was so full that I could not get a seat. The drought not so severe here as with us. Mr. Battell and Joseph^ are absent. Gave my mother $5.00. Visited Mr. Emerson^ and others. Read. 10. Mrs. Battell let me have her chaise, and got a horse, and I rode home. Cousin Arthur Oilman'' with me. The heat and dust are most oppressive. I am persuaded I never saw the streams on this road so low. Met with the committee of the Historical Society at Hartford. Received of my collector, $50.00. Received a letter from Mr. Sigourney,' of Hartford, Quite tired. People are generally alarmed at the drought. 11. Spent the day appropriately, as my birthday. Cool. Read the Bible. 12. Walked out and visited. Worked opening a spring. Attended the catechising of the children. Attended the prayer-meeting. Quite tired. On the loth received $50.00 of my collector. 13. Wrote on a sermon on i Tim. iv : 16. In the afternoon occupied by company. Not ver}' warm, but the drought is ver\^ severe. 14. Wrote three pages. Finished and preached all day my sermon on I Tim, iv : 16, Had a third meeting as a season of prayer on account of the drought. It was well attended. Very warm. Theimometer at 92°. It was 91° at half after five, when we returned from our third meeting. I think I have never known a drought on all accounts so great. Very tired, 15. The heat so great that I can scarcely do anything. Wrote. Read. Our melons are very fine.* Wrote on my inscription for the tombstone of Dr. Flint, Read EncydopcEdia. Thermometer 97°. Very hot through the day. 16. Last night we had a light but most grateful thunder-shower. The Lord is good. We need more exceedingly. Wrote. Had company. Wrote to Dr. Todd, of Hartford, Paid for a book, $1.25. Thermometer about 90°, On ' Wife and son of Benjamin I. Gilman, daughter of Dr. Chandler Robbins, of Plym- formerly of Marietta, O., lately of Philadel- outh, Mass. phia. They were visiting at Norfolk. * Charles Sigourney, who, six years before ^ Joseph Battell, Sen., and Joseph Battell, (1819), married Lydia Howard Huntley, of Jr., the latter now in his twentieth year, and Norwich. See note March 15, 1S24. two years out of Middlebury College. He * One of the mysteries of nature and veg- was very superior as a scholar. etable growth is, that melons, so full of water, ^ Rev. Ralph Emerson, D. D. should love a very sandy soil, and dry, hot * Son of his cousir.. Mrs. Hannah Gilman, weather. 1825.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. IOI5 the morning of the nth, my cousin Gihiian went off for Norfolk. Wrote, by him, to E. Loomis. 17. Rode to Hartford. Dined with the officers of the brigade. Rode out with them to find a place for a brigade training. It is pretty difficult. Re- ceived sixteen volumes of books, eleven of them folios, from Boston, lately imported from Germany, Paid for them, $37.63. Some of them are very valuable. Did errands. Paid $3.00. Received my annual consociational letter. Paid for a book .55. Brought up my heavy box of books. 18. Rode out and visited. Went to Wapping. Had an unpleasant con- versation with a neighbor. The crops of corn and other things suffer much with the long and severe drought. 19. Worked at my library. It is bulky. Hindered by company. Walked out. Evening prayer-meeting quite thin. I have everj^thing to discourage me, but the power and faithfulness of God. Received of my collector, $30.00. 20. Wrote. Worked at my library. It rained moderately all day. It began last night. Never was rain more grateful. Am much tired. 21. In the morning sent to Mr. Rowland that it was not best for us to exchange as we had agreed, on account of the rain. It rained pretty hard till about noon. It continued with very little intermission for thirty-six hours. There was very little wind. We could not have asked it to be more favorable. Oh, for a similar refreshing by a spiritual rain. Meeting quite thin. Preached an old sermon on Rom. xi : 29. Read. 22. Worked laboriously at my library. I fear some books are lost. Walked out and visited. Wrote to Mr. Porter,' of Farmington, Mr. Plosford, of Canton, and Esq. Ely, of Simsbury. The ground is finely watered. 23. Vegetation is greatly revived. Worked at my library. I have about fourteen hundred volumes. Visited a sick woman, very low. Thermometer 86°. 24. Rode out and visited. The heat is quite oppressive. Wrote. Read the Bible. We have some sickness. Thermometer 90°. 25. Rode and visited. Wrote. Attended the funeral of my neighbor, Mrs. Bragg.^ I think we have had no heat more oppressive. Thermometer at 93°. Visited at the poor-house. 26. Rode to Hartford. Heard from my mother. Saw Mr. Fairchild's new wife.^ Paid for a halter, .75. Received what I paid, sometime since, for Dr. Robbins's ■• harness. Attended the catechising of the children. Had a full prayer-meeting. Very tired. Thermometer 84°. 27. Wrote the most of a sermon on Amos iv : 7. Read. Thermometer 81°, 28. Wrote notes and preached in the forenoon on Ps. xl : 9. Finished and preached my sermon on Amos iv : 7. Meetings full and solemn. At evening, preached at the poor-house without notes on Ps. xliii : 5. Very tired. Thermometer 81°. ' Dr. Noah Porter. picked up in Philadelphia. His first wife 2 Mrs. Rhoda Bragg, aged forty-nine. died the year before. Mr. Fairchild's life 3 The young wife, which, by a previous throughout was marked by singularities, entry it appears he had somewhat suddenly * Dr. Peter G. Robbins, of Roxbury. lOl6 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1825. 29. \\'rote. Rode and visited. At evening preached a lecture witli short notes on Job .\xi : 14, at the south part of the town. We have a good many sick. 30. Visited. Rode to Pine Meadow, Visited a man there very sick. Mrs. Haskell is still much depressed from the loss of her child. Mr. Wolcott and Tudor are quite ill and confined. Read. 31. Last night I was suddenly taken with a cholera-morbus, and was very ill. Was much distressed. It abated before morning, and I got some rest. Am very feeble. Rode out and saw the sick man. Towards night rode home. Saw my brother's wife * and her niece, Miss Jackson.^ September. 1. Had appointed to meet the committee and debtors of the Everest fund today at Canton. Am too unwell to go. Got Mr. Haskell ^ to go for me. He returned in the evening; saw the committee and executor, and most of the debtors. All belonging there paid their interest. Visited sick persons. Dr. Tudor is very low. Another aged man appears in a dying state. Cool. 2. Wrote on the records of the Everest fund. Visited. The aged man^ died last night. Wrote letters for the Historical Society. Attended the even- ing prayer-meeting. Cool. 3. Rode out and visited the sick. Attended the funeral of the aged Mr. Elmer. Am quite feeble. Last night I was quite unwell with nervous affec- tions. Have little time for study. Showery. 4. Expounded on Luke iii, and preached an old sermon on Prov. i: 31. Am quite weak. Rode out and visited a family very sick. Cool. Yesterday received a letter with a military warning. 5. Walked out and visited. Wrote. Rode to Wapping and dined with a military company. Attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Read. 6. Read. Have some fire in my chamber. Wrote. Rode to Hartford. Paid for a cockade, $1.33, a great price. Paid for watch repairs, etc., $2.17. Visited the sick. 7. Wrote. Worked at my library. Rode to Wapping and visited. Attended the church conference. Rode late in the evening to Enfield. 8. Detained the forenoon by rain. Rode home. Failed of dining with a military company as I had expected. Quite wet. 9. Received a letter from Rev. Mr. Hooker,^ of Fairfield. Visited the sick. An aged woman ^ died while I was present. Attended a catechising of the children and the evening prayer-meeting. Quite tired. 10. Wrote the most of a sermon on Haggai i : 5. Poorly able to write. Received my military orders for the brigade meeting. My eyes sensibly fail. Quite cool. ' His brother Francis's wife, of Enfield. theological teacher, Rev. Asahel Hooker, of ' This was a niece, probably, on the side Goshen. Dr. Hooker was pastor at Green's of her first husband, Mr. Alden. Farms, Fairfield, 1821-1S29. He was after- ^ Eli B. Haskell, Esq. wards professor at the Connecticut Theolog- * Mr. Timothy Elmer, aged eighty-four. ical Institute at East Windsor. ' Edward W. Hooker, D. D., son of the * Widow Mary Gillett, aged seventy-four. 1825.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 101*' 11. Finished and preached the sermon on Haggai i: 5, and preached with old notes on Ps. i : 2. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Gillett. Our good people are falling. Five of our best women have died this year. Attended the even- ing conference. Very much fatigued. 12. Rode to East Hartford and dined with a military company. Rode to Hartford and visited a school. Received a bank dividend. Visited a sick man. 13. Left home at daylight, and rode to New Haven in a little more than seven hours. Attended the meeting of the P. B. K. Society. Heard Judge Gould's ' admirable oration, and Dr. Percival's inaudible poem.* Dined with the society. Paid the beneficiaries of the Everest fund. Find many things to do. Heard a part of the speaking for premiums. At evening very tired and sleepy. Heard Mr. McEwen preach for the Education Society eighty-five minutes. 14. The Commencement exercises were very long, but unusually good. The speaking was excellent. A great collection of people. Quite warm. Afternoon the house was very hot. Mr. Hart preached the Coticio ad Clerum very well. Find many acquaintance. 15. Mr. Battell was here yesterday. Called on friends. Have been treated with much kindness. A.ttended the Education Society. Their resources diminish. Received a donation of valuable manuscripts from Rev. T. F. Davies^for the Historical Society. Bought Luther's Works, and a few other books. After two o'clock rode home. Very warm and oppressive. 16. Fatigued by my journey. Looked over new purchased books. Wrote, Our evening prayer-meeting was very thin. 17. Rode out and visited the sick. Wrote. Worked at my books. Rode to Windsor to exchange with Mr. Rowland. Tarried at Pine Meadow. Read. 18. Preached on John iii : 3, and Ps. 1:5. Fuller meeting than I have usually seen here. Dined with Mr. Stebbins.'* At evening preached at the school-house in Pine Meadow without notes on Luke xiii : 6-9. A full and serious meeting. 19. Rode home towards noon. Set up my books. I have lately looked, them over and find a few volumes missing. I fear they are gone. 20. Rode to Wapping and visited the most of the day. Conversed with persons respecting making a profession of religion. It is a time of great darkness with us. Walked out. ' Judge James Gould, LL.D., of the Litch- Ct., 1795, graduated at Yale College, 1815, field Law School. He was born at Branfoid, and died at Hazel Grove, Wis., in 1856. His Ct, 1770, graduated at Yale, 1791, died at poems, in two volumes, were published in Litchfield, 1838. Boston in 1S60. 2 Dr. Robbins was not much given to ^ Thomas F. Davies settled in Hunting- joking, but he probably had a sense of fun, ton and in Green's Farms. A graduate of when he wrote that he heard an inaudible Yale, 1813, and native of Redding, Ct. poem. James G. Percival, M. D., though a * Samuel Stiles Stebbins, his old pupil in true and genuine poet, was a very modest theology, now at the head of a school in and shy man, and not much given to ^:ub- Windsor. He studied for the ministry, but licities of any kind. He was born in Berlin, seems never to have been settled. I0l8 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D,D. [1825. 21. Wrote a public address and delivered it before the Female Auxiliary Bible Society here. The society is feeble. Visited. 22. Fruit is very plenty and good. Rode to Hartford. The Eagle Bank,' of New Haven, has stopped payment, and produced a great deal of distress. Did errands. Cool. People are gathering corn without having bad frost. Rode and visited the sick. The number appears to be increasing among us. 23. Read. Wrote. Afternoon attended the catechising of the children. The last for the present season. Attended the evening prayer-meeting. Yes- terday Mr. Wolcott's brother- died suddenly, at Windsor. 24. Wrote a sermon on Romans v : 5. Afternoon went with the family to Windsor and attended the funeral of Dr. \A'olcott. Wrote late in the evening. 25. Wrote three pages. Finished and preached my sermon on Romans v: 5. Visited a sick man, very low. Attended the conference. Bore my labors better than usual. A little frost this morning. 26. On the 24th received a letter from Mr. Hooker,^ of Hartford, Visited a school, well instructed. Afternoon, attended the examination of the academy. Visited a very sick house. Mr. Gilletf* died about noon. Read. 27. It began to rain last evening, and continued steadily till about noon, and occasionally through the day. Wrote. Read. Attended a funeral. Visited the sick. 28. In the morning the weather cleared away. Our Consociation met yesterday, at Enfield, but I could not attend on account of other calls. I believe I have not been absent before since I have been a member. Rode to West Hartford and attended the brigade training. By desire of Gen. Adams,' I acted as his chaplain. Prayed with my own regiment. The troops were inspected, and, towards night, formed into line. Four regiments of infantry and two of cavalry, about three thousand five hundred men. The ground was wet, but the weather very pleasant. Tarried at Mr. E. Williams's. 29. The weather very pleasant and favorable. In the morning the brigade were embodied in a square, and I prayed before them. The performances of the day were good. At the close I made a short prayer, and they were dismissed in good season. Rode home. The troops behaved very well at the time of prayer.* 30. Wrote an account of the training for the newspaper. Afternoon preached a preparatory lecture with old notes on Deut. xxiii : 21, At even- ing attended our prayer-meeting. Quite thin. October. I, Hindered. Mr, Bidwell, an Everest beneficiary,' called on me. Wrote the most of a sermon on Phil, iii: 13, 14. Wrote quite late. ' The failure of the Eagle Bank was long ^ Gen. Ezra Adams, remembered in New Haven and the sur- '' One would hardly suppose that a man rounding country. of Dr. Robbins's habits and tendencies would ^William Wolcott, Esq., born Feb. 10, ever have been drawn so largely into mill- "753, graduated at Yale, 1775. tary connections and associations. ^ Rev. Horace Hooker. ^ Walter H. Bidwell, in the Junior Class * Mr. Lemuel Gillett, aged fortv-five. at Yale. 1825.] PASTOR IX EAST WINDSOR. IOI9 2. Finished and preached in the forenoon the sermon begun yesterday. Administered the sacrament. The church quite full. Afternoon preached an old sermon on i Cor. x : 9. Very tired. Had no conference. 3. The thermometer today was at 82°, and the day before at 80°. Walked out and visited. The heat oppressive. Wrote. At evening attended the monthly concert. 4. Worked arranging my pamphlets. Visited a school. Had a hard rain. 5. Wrote to Mr. Hallock, of Canton, and Mr. Porter, of Farmington. Warm and sultry. The cattle show, I conclude, was not so splendid as in former years. My brother F. came here and tarried. Worked at my pam- phlets. Thermometer 79°. 6. Rode with my brother to Hartford and assisted him to buy a horse. The heat very oppressive. Visited a school. Our summer schools have been better kept this year than usual. Thermometer 84°. 7. Worked at my pamphlets. Rode to Hockanum and attended the funeral. Much oppressed with the heat. We have an extraordinary season. Had fresh cucumbers. They have continued about three months. Attended the evening prayer-meeting. Thermometer 88°. 8. Walked out and visited the sick. Wrote. Cooler. Rode to Enfield on an exchange. i\Iy brother is gone to Norfolk. 9. Very dark and smoky weather. Rode home. Attended a conference at the Hill. Mr. Hooker, of Hartford, preached here. 10. Rode to Canton and met the committee of the Everest fund. Two oi our beneficiaries were present. We made appropriations. Returned. Rainy. Got something wet. Got home late. On Saturd.ay wrote to Messrs. Loomis, Strong, and Calhoun,' of the Annuity Society. IT. Worked at my pamphlets. Aly cousin Sally Lawrence called here. My brother came and tarried on his return from Norfolk. I fear ^.Ir. Battell will lose considerably by the Eagle Bank. My mother is quite comfortable. 12. Worked at my pamphlets. Rode to East Hartford Mills, and visited a small school. Heard of the surprising death of Mr. Waterman, of Bridge- port.° A near call. Walked out. 13. Last evening received of my collector, $50.00. On the nth received a letter from Mr. Battell. Wrote. My public trusts make me a good deal of writing. Visited a mourning family. Rode to Hartford and attended a public meeting of the Hartford County Auxiliary Foreign Missionary Society. It was very interesting. Got home late. 14. Rode out and visited. Visited the sick. Attended a funeral in the upper part of East Hartford. Rode to Hartford. Consulted an attorney. Our Ministers' Annuity Society is like to be sued. Tarried at Mr. Ells- worth's.' Very dark. ' Rev. Hubbell Loomis, of Willington, (Mrs. Lucy Talcott), and was taken with a Rev. William L. Strong, of Somers, and Rev. violent inflammatory fever. He was a native George A. Calhoun, of North Coventry. of Bozrah, Ct., 1769, a graduate of Yale, 1791, 2 He was on a visit to Springfield, where a superior scholar, and a very able minister, he married his second wife two years before ^ William W. Ellsworth, Esq. I020 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1825. 15. Rode home. Wet. Yesterday received a letter from Mr. Strong, of Somers. On the 13th gave to charitable purposes, $5.00. Rode to Wapping and attended a funeral. Am fatigued with labor. Read expositors. Much disappointed that I could not write a .sermon. 16. Expounded on Luke iv : 1-22, and preached an old sermon on Ex. xxxii : 26. Full meeting. Wore no out-coat. Attended the conference. 17. Rode to Tolland and met the directors of the Ministers' Annuity- Society. They appointed me to manage our expected lawsuit. Rode to Manchester and tarried at Mr. Burt's. It grows quite cold. 18. This morning we had a hard frost. The first we have had to stop vegetation. Garden vegetables, tobacco, etc., have been flourishing till now. The leaves on the trees dying with age. Cold and tedious. The ground thij morning very considerably frozen. Rode home. Read. W^alked and visited. 19. People are pinched with the sudden cold. Worked at my pamphlets. Walked to the Mill ' and preached a lecture in the evening with old notes on Jer. xxxi : 6. Quite tired. 20. Worked laboriously on my pamphlets all day. It grows warmer. My work is fatiguing. 21. Finished putting up my pamphlets. I did not expect such a task. Wrote. My eyes appear to fail sensibly. Our evening meeting was thin. 22. Rode to Hartford. Saw Mr. Talcott, of Marlborough. He seems determined on his lawsuit and manifests a feeling that is not good. Came home and rode to Manchester to exchange with Mr. Burt.^ Met him on the way. Cold. 23. Preached on Phil, iii : 13, 14, and Ps. 1 : 5. This congregation appears well. The town is improving. Rode home and attended the evening confer- ence. Full and solemn. Read. Not very tired. 24. Read. Looked over the papers of the Annuity Society. Walked and visited. We have several cases of fever. The crop of corn in this society is great, ^ but generally it is light. 25. Last Sabbath the congregation at Manchester had a contribution foi the Domestic Missionary Society. Walked and visited. At evening preached a private lecture without notes on Mark i : 40. Received a letter from iNIr. Hallock, of Canton. 26. Wrote. Rode to Enfield and met with a ministers' meeting. There was too much conversation. Mr. Smith," of Stamford, preached. 27. Rode down to Pine Meadow. A violent southern storm induced me to stay there. Read. Wrote. 28. Visited a sick man at the Point. Rode home. Found a long writ in which the Ministers' Annuity Society is sued by Mr. Talcott, of Marlborough, It is scandalous. At evening attended our prayer-meeting. Visited. Began a sermon on Eph. ii : 5. 1 * In East Hartford, now Burnsicle village. -t Rev. Daniel Smith, pastor at Stamford, - Rev. Enoch Burt. Ct., 1793-1S46. He was graduated at Yale ^ That is, in nmnber of acres. in 179 1. 1825.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. 102 1 29. Rode early to Hartford, and was taken up with the business of tlie Annuity Society the most of the day. In the evening wrote four pages on my sermon begun yesterday. Wrote hrte. Received from Gen. Howe a fine new copy of Sale's.' 30. Wrote nearly three pages, and preached my sermon on Eph. ii : 5. Attended the evening conference. Visited. Very tired. 31. Read. Worked some. Mr. Gaylord,^ of Norfolk, came here and tarried. At evening rode out and performed a marriage.' November. 1. Had company. Read. Wrote letters for the Historical Society. 2. Walked and visited. Sickness still continues with us. Quite cool. 3. Rode to Hartford. I am anxious about the success of my lawsuit. Attended the quarterly meeting of the Historical Society. QuiLe thin. Paid for a candlestick, $1.62, for a dust-brush, .83. Read the Alconvi.* 4. Examined a school-master. Vvrote to Mr. Strong, of Somers. Wrote. Mr. A. Gaylord came here and tarried. He preached for me at the evening prayer-meeting. 5. Rode to the east part of Wapping and attended a funeral. Visited the sick. Began late and wrote the most of a sermon on Luke xix : 13. Troubled with my eyes. 6. Preached with old notes on Ps. Ixii : 5. Wrote and preached the sermon on Luke xix: 13. It was not finished. At evening had a solemn conference. 7. Rode out and visited the sick. Quite warm. At evening attended our monthly prayer-meeting. Spoke poorly. Tarried out. Received of my collector, $50.00. 8. Visited. I hope our sick are convalescing. Warm. Worked at my chamber. Read. Received of my collector, $105.33. Of this sum, $71.10 are for Mr. Wolcott's taxes, and $14.23 of my own taxes. My school tax of about $2.66 is yet to come. Wrote. My collector had a charge of $50.00 delivered to me September 16, which I allowed, though I have no account of it. 9. Rode to Hartford to attend the trial of my cause at the County Court, for the Annuity Society. It did not come on. Pleasant, but cool. Did errands. Paid for home-made flannel, $4.00. 10. Rode early to Hartford and attended the trial of my case. I spake after my lawyer. The trial was suspended for a jury case. Found a valuable set of old newspapers, registers, etc. 11. Worked considerably. The late celebration at New York of the opening of the canal was very splendid.' Visited. Wrote. Assisted in exam- ining a school-master. Our prayer-meeting was omitted. ' George Sale, a superior Oriental scholar, Middletown, and Betsey S. May, of East and translator of the Koran, born in 1680, Windsor, and died in 1736. '' In the new work, probably, of George ^ Rev. Asahel Gaylord. Sale's, which he had just purchased. 3 The parties were Allen Osborne, of ^ jhe Great Eric Canal, 363 miles long, I02 2 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. [1825. 12. \\'orkecl some. Hindered by company. Vv'rote the most of a sermon on Gen. x.xxvii : 4. Wrote five and a half pages in the evening. Received an old Latin Bible from H. Buell,' Esq., of Glens Falls, as a deposit. 13. Cold. Expounded on Luke iv : 23 to the end, and wrote and preached on Gen. xxxvii : 4. The sermon was not quite finished. At evening attended the conference. Visited a sick person. 14. Quite rainy. Read. Worked some. Paid on my highway tax, $10.00. Visited. 15. Wrote a will for a neighbor. Wrote. Visited. 16. Walked and visited all day. Very pleasant. Heard that my lawsuit is decided in part against our society. I did not expect it. The court, evi- dently, did not understand it. 17. Rode to Hartford. Directed our attorney to appeal our lawsuit. We want such courts as in past years. Rode to places in East Hartford and examined ancient newspapers. Paid for a parcel of them, $1.50. Received a letter from Z. G. Whitman, of Boston. 18. Looked over old papers. Quite cold and tedious. I have now got out of wood, having been supplied from Wapping, more, I believe, than twelve years. Attended the evening prayer-meeting. 19. The thermometer this morning was about 15°. It thawed very little through the day. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. xiv : 2, 3. Yesterday wrote an elaborate letter to Mr. Zechariah G. Whitman,^ of Boston, in answer to one received from him the day before, on the subject of antiquarian collec- tions. He is an entire stranger to me. 20. Finished and preached my sermon on Ps. xiv : 2, 3. Cold. It snowed some. Thin meeting. Had no conference. Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild called here. Gave a poor man, $1.00. 21. Read. Rode to Scantick to the clothier's. Visited. The ground is considerably frozen. 22. Wrote. Made a draft of a new will for myself. It has been too long neglected. It snowed steadily during the forenoon. Performed a marriage in the upper part of East Hartford.^ 23. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. cxlvii : 20. Had to write quite late. Have many hindrances. Quite cold. 24. Thanksgiving. Finished and preached my sermon on Ps. cxlvii : 20. Pleasant. The snow is mostly gone. We had no company with our own family. Walked out. 25. Read. I fear I have hurt my e3^es studying nights. Read the Bible. Walked out. Our prayer-meeting very thin. The Lord help us. completed and opened in 1825, was com- - Zechariah G. Whitman was a counsellor menced in 18 17. Perhaps if men had known at law in Boston, and in 1820, published his how soon the railroad age was coming on, it history of the Ancient and Honorable ^Vrtil- might never have been built. lery Company. ' Horatio Buell, before mentioned, a grad- 'Between Warren Grant, of Wapping, uate of Dartmouth, and a lawyer at Glens and Jane Ann Easton, of East Hartford. It Falls. is getting near Thanksgiving time again. 1S25.J PASTOR IX EAST WINDSOR. IO23 26. Wrote. Read. At evening rode to East Hartford to exchange with Mr. Fairchild. 27. Mr. Fairchild rode to East Windsor, and returned after meeting. Cold and frosty. Preached on Phil, iii : 13, 14, and Ps. 1: 5. Rode home in the evening, and performed a marriage.' A strange Baptist preached here. 28. On the 26th received of my collector, $50.00. Rode to Hartford. Traded, $3.65. Had some valuable pamphlets given me. Read. The country has sustained a severe loss in the death of Com. McDonough. Read. 29. A young woman '^ died in this neighborhood very suddenly. Visited the family. Wrote. Received a letter from Naomi Rockwell in Hartford. Finished a will for a neighbor. Received a fine copy of RoIUn and yoscphus in boards, subscribed for, for which I paid, $17.30. Wrote to Mr. Strong, of Somers. Rode out. 30. Wrote. I have about four thousand pamphlets. Rode to Wapping and visited. Got something wet. It thaws considerably. December. 1. Wrote an expositor for publication. Attended a funeral. Mr. Bent- ley^ performed the service. Wrote late. Wet and warmer than it has been. 2. Wrote to Mr. Samuel Walker,* of Boston. Read the Bible. Visited a school. Had a full and serious prayer-meeting. The thermometer was at temperate, 56°. The ground is thawed. 3. Wrote the most of a sermon on Eph. ii : 14. Wrote late. I write pretty slow. Am greatly tried to know what is best to preach. 4. Expounded on Luke v: 27, and finished and preached the sermon on Eph. ii : 14, first clause. Had a full conference. Mr. and Mrs. Haskell' were with us. 5. Read. Rode out and visited a school. Attended the monthly concert of prayer. We have collected for foreign missions at the monthly concerts this year, $17.00. No meeting has been omitted. Received of my collector, $166.85. Of this sum $23.45 is in a note against Mr. O. Tudor; $14.03, Mr. Wolcott's school tax, and my own school tax, $2.67, are also included. The society accounts appear better than I expected. Gave a poor man, $1.00. 6. Read. Visited two schools. They increase in number. Cold. 7. Attended the funeral of an aged woman* who died at the poor-house. Cold and tedious. Visited a school at Wrapping. Visited there. Was pre- vented from attending the church conference. 8. Wrote. My niece, Elizabeth Olmsted, called here. Received a letter from Mr. Battell. Mother is quite well. Read Smith's ' History of Virginia. Walked out and visited. Received a letter from my brother. * The parties united were Joseph A. ' Mr. and Mrs. Harris Haskell, of Pine Hawkins and Submit French Winchester. Meadow. * Olive Bancroft, aged twenty-two. ^ Miss Lucy Loomis, aged eighty-six. ^ The Baptist minister at Glastonbury. ^ John Smith, the adventurous captain, * Mr. Samuel Walker was a teacher in who was a quaint writer as well as a bold Boston. sailor. His writings are of real value. i024 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D [182!;. 9. Walked and visited. We have more sick than we have had. Visited a school. Attended the evening prayer-meeting. Was out late. I have various trials. 10. Visited the sick. Went to Wapping and visited a sick young man. My horse got away from a post and ran with the sulky, and broke it very much. The harness is not hurt, nor the horse, except very much frightened. I had a long walk. W^as not able to write anj^, so much occupied otherwise. 11. Wrote notes hastily, and preached on Eph. iv : i ; and preaclied an old sermon on Isa. xlii. Quite cold. Thermometer about 22°. Attended conference. Full meetings. Walked to meeting. 12. Read the President's long and valuable Message. Thermometer about 15°. Rode out and visited. The ground is hard frozen. Yesterday put on my flannel. Read Smith's History. Wrote. 13. Cold day. The thermometer in the morning was 6° below zero. It rose to 2° above, and no higher through the day with a clear sun. At sun- down it was at zero, and at 10 P. M. 2° above. It was windy, and very tedious. There is no snow at all. Sent to the Hartford County Auxiliary Foreign Missionary Society, $17.00, collected at our monthly concerts, and $5.00 for my usual New Year's gift. Did not go out. Read Smith. 14. Thermometer this morning at 15°, and rose near to the freezing point. Walked and visited. We have some sick. The Methodists trouble us some. 15. Rode to Wapping and visited the sick and others. Tarried out. Paid a blacksmith, .71. 16. Rode and visited. At evening attended the prayer-meeting. It began to rain a little. The season is very dry, and the wells and streams unusually low. Yesterday and today the thermometer rose nearly to temperate. The river is closed, and there is a little crossing. It began to rain. 17. It rained steadily all day. Quite warm. Wrote on a sermon on Acts xiii: 2. Wrote. The rain is very grateful to the dry ground. 18. Wet. Concluded not to preach the sermon begun yesterday. Preached with old notes on John v : 39. Thin meeting. At evening walked out. 19. Rode to Wapping and visited. A young man died there last evening. Old Mr. Rockwell at the Mill is very low. Our people sold the pews, and did pretty well. The thermometer yesterday and Saturday about at tem- perate. Today above freezing. Bad riding. Dr. Tudor is very poor. Read. Received a very interesting letter from Z. G. Whitman, and one from S. Walker, of Boston. 20. Rode to Wapping and attended a funeral. Visited. At evening preached at Long Hill with old notes on Gen. xxii : 13. Full meeting. Very tired. Thermometer about 25°. The river broke up on Sabbath night. 21. Attended the funeral of Mrs. Dolly Fenton, who died at the poor- house, aged ninety-nine and one half.' Visited. Tired. Wrote. Ther- mometer 18°. * During Dr. Robbins's ministry at East old people, though perhaps no more than Windsor he attended the funerals of many would be found in other country parishes. 1825.] PASTOR IN EAST WINDSOR. IO25 22. Thermometer in the morning at i8°, and continued with very little variation through the day. Visited the sick. Rode to Hartford. A severe day. The ground is hard frozen. Paid for the Courant for eighteen years, $3.00,' and gave them to the Historical Society. Paid for catechisms, etc., which I have given to the children, $4.24. Traded, $3.06. Read the Herald. 23. Thermometer 7°. Added thirty-seven pieces to my coins, the most of them given me; the residue cost me $1.00. Attended the evening prayer- meeting. Visited. Wrote. Thermometer did not exceed 22°. 24. Thermometer 17°. Rode out and visited. Wrote to Z. G. Whitman, Esq., of Boston. Wrote and finished my sermon begun last Saturday on Acts xiii : 2. 25. Wet and rainy all day. Preached on the character and work of the Holy Spirit from Acts xiii : 2. Attended the funeral of the aged Mr. Rock- well.^ We have had nine deaths this year of the average age of eighty years.^ Thermometer about 50°. Read newspapers. 26. Last night there was some snow. Read the Alcoran. Wrote to Mr. S. Walker, of Boston. Read. 27. Walked and visited. I have visited more this year than usual. Read, Thermometer 14°. The light snow continues and bad going. 28. Thermometer about 13°. Rode to Scantick and attended ministers' meeting. The meeting was interesting and useful. Mr. Dickinson * preached. Paid a clothier, $1.05. I purchased a piece of flannel, and got it dressed, and it is quite poor. 29. Rode home. Rough riding. Read the Alcoran. At evening per- formed a marriage.^ It snowed some. 30. Wrote. Read the Alcoran. Rainy all day. Went to the meeting- house, having appointed a sacramental lecture. The rain was such that we had none. Had no prayer-meeting. The ground is almost covered with water. 31. Rainy and wet. Wrote to my mother, and sent her $5.00. Wrote the most of a sermon on Ps. xc: 10. Wrote quite late. Thermometer about 40°. I praise God for the year. ' Old numbers. He was a visitor, probably an invited guest. ^ Mr. Samuel Rockwell, aged seventy-nine. He settled at Longmeadow, 1S23-1829, and ^ A remarkable record, not easily par- was a very cultivated and scholarly man. alleled. * Between Hezekiah Gaylord, of Windsor, * Dr. Baxter Dickinson, of Longmeadow. and Sarah Filley, of East Windsor. INDEX TO VOLUME I. Abbott, Rev. Abiel, D.D., 474. Abbott, Rev. Johu Emerj', 642, 671. Abbott, Mr., 249. Abbott, Mr., of Vernon, Ct., 869. Abelard and Eloisa, 76. Abensburg, Bavaria, Battle of, 395. Abercrombie, Sir Ralph, 142. Aberdeen, Scotland, 334. Aberdeen University, Scotland, 631. Abington, Ct., 84. Aboukir, Battle of, 69. Academy, Williamstown, 13. Accidence, 512, 51S. Ackley, Stephen, 621. Acra, N. Y., 204. Adams, Col. Andrew, 45. Adams, Rev. Cornelius, 313. Adams, Gen. Ezra, 1018. Adams, President John, 27, 31, 34, 35. 40, 54, 59> 61, 63, 65, 93, 143, 16S, 24S, 975. Adams, President John Quincy, 356, 605, 619, 9S5, 989, 998. Adams, Lewis, 72. Adams, Rev. Nehemiah, D.D., 630. Adams, Gov. Samuel, 85. Adams, William, 605, 619. Adams, Mr., 71. Adams Countv, Penn., 290. Adda, Battle of, 87. Addison, Joseph, 278, 366, 739. Addison, Mr., 267. Addison County, Vt., 85, 87. Adkins, Katy, 6o4- Adkins, Sylvia, 618. Agawam River, 790. Agricultural Society, 956, 982. Aiken, Rev. Samuel C., 1008. Akins, Edmund, Esq., 302, 309, 353. Akins, Mrs., 294, 298, 302. Albany, N. Y., 39, 156, 173, 176, 336, 525. Albuera, Battle of, 482. Alcoran, 1025. Alden, Mr. Abner, 149. Alden, Francis L., 924. Aldsn, Gideon, 833. Aldeu, Gideon S., 738, 745, 833, 8S0, 9T2, 924. Alden, Rev. Timothy, 151. Alexander, Rev. Caleb, S65. Alexander, John, 610. Alexander, Mary, 866. Alexander of Alexandria, 379. Alexander, Paulowitch, of Russia, 160. Alexander, Prince of Greece, 865. Alexander the Great, 21. Alexandria, Egypt, 42. Alexandria, Va., 272. Alien and Sedition laws, 113. Alkmaer, Battle of, 105. Alleghany County, Penn., 211, 213, 230, 267. Alleghany Mountains, 211, 289, 329. Alleghany River, 215, 232. Allen, Elizabeth, 719. Allen, Elizabeth (Mrs. L. Le Baron), 181. Allen, Fanny, 875. Allen, Rev. George, 626, 731. Allen, Israel, 648. Allen, Hon. John, loo, 134, 136,293, 294i 302. 335. 348, 439- Allen, Mary, 78S. Allen, Sabra, 717. Allen, Rev. Thomas, iSi, 450. Allen, Rev. William, D.D., 208, 450. AUyn, Rhoda, 622. Almanack for Diary, 219. Alstead, N. H., 234. Alvord, Eliphaz, Esq., 332. Alvord, Samuel, 540. Alvord, Capt., 597. Ambrister, Mr., 773. American Almanac, 458. American Annals of Education, 930. American Antiquarian Society, 398, 64S, 774, 7S1, S77, 886, 923. American Bible Society, 749. American Biography, 23. American Board of Foreign Mis- sions, 56, 100, 138, 527, 542, 552, 834, 904, 918, 936, 952, 980. American Colonization Society, 99. American Education Society, 100, 138, 552, 715. 774. 809, 885, 892, 952, 979- American Envoys, 59. American Home Missionary Society, 89S. American Indians, 6S3. American Mercury, 397, 961. American Preacher, 515. American Quarterly Register, 179, 625. American Tract Society, 636. American Unitarianism, 632. Ames, Fisher, 19. Amherst College, 179, 316, 630, 636, 709, 782, 958. Amherst, Mass., 152, 284, 640, 816, 920, 941, 942, 943. 968, 971- Amiens, Peace of, 170. Amory, Francis, 169. Amory, Mr., 975. Amsterdam, Holland, 7. Ajnstcrdam, N. Y., 6. Ancram, N. Y., 178. Anderson, John, 952. Anderson, Pamela, 667. Anderson, Theodore, 782. Anderson, Thomas, 656. Anderson, Thomas, Jr., 674. Andover, Ct., 520, 523, 754, 75^, 758, 783, 793. Andover, Mass., 152, 585, 5S9, 627, 647, 650, 656, 958. Andover Theological Seminary, 95, 430, 444, 452, 476, 490, 5S9, 597, 64s, 718, 813, 865, 8S5, 89S, S99, 902, 918, 920, 929, 963, 966, 967, 969. Andrews, E. A., 773- Andrews, Rev. Edward W., 705. Andrews, Israel W., D.D., 279, 705. Andrews, John, 28S. Andrews, Rev. Josiah B., 183, 192, 197. Andrews, Rev. Samuel J., D.D., 705. Andrews, Seth, 480. Andrews, Rev. William, 705, 868. Andrews, Rev. William Watson, 705. Andrews, Mr. 304. Andross, William P. , 800. Andrus, Silas, 800, 805, 824, 840. Animated Nature, 300. Annals of Oneida County, 165. 1027 Annals of American Pulpit, 187, 755, S28. Annihilation, 93. Annuity Society, 480, 484, 4S9, 495, 5M, 5'5. 551. 555. 590, 592, 631. 667, 671, 742, 819, S21, 855, 866, 893, 896, 931, 967, 991, 992, 1004, 1019. Antrim, Jeremiah, 535. Antiquary, Scott's, 845, 847. Anthony, Miss Susanna, 38. Apocrypha, 367, 368, 370, 371, 374, 377- Apology for the Bible, 23. Arbuthnot, Mr., 773. Argus, 66. Argyle, N. Y., 156. Arlington, Vt., 82, 93. Armenians, 83, 88, 97, 99, 190, 197, 713- Armory, Springfield, 529. Annstrong, Hon. John, 281. Arnold, Susan, 639. Arnold, Thomas, 971. Ashby, Mass., S91. Ashford, Ct., 665, 745. Ashtabula County, Ohio, 215, 219, 220, 222, 247, 250, 252, 254. Ashuelot Valley, 641. Aspem, Battle of, 403. Assassination, 95. Assembly, Presbyterian General, 140, 857. S5S. Assembly s Catechism, 28, 30, 217, 232. Association, General, of Connecticut, 23, ii6, 122, 176, 441, 520, 555, 556, 641, 705, 890, 906. Association, General, of New Hamp- shire, 641. Astor, John Jacob, 493. Asylum for Deaf and Dumb, 741, 761. Athanasius, Life of, 721. Atonement, Doctrine of, 62. Attleborough, Mass., 99, 148. Atwater, Caleb, 257. At water, Jeremiah, D.D., 82, 92, '55- _ . Atwater, Ohio, 257. Atwell, Rev. George, 431, 470, 471, 472. Auburn Theological Seminary, N.Y., 859, 921. Auerstadt, Battle of, 308. Augusta, N. Y., 165, 167, 16S. Augsburgh Confession, 601. Aurelius, N. Y., 173, 176. Aurora, Newspaper, 65, 66. Aurora, Ohio, 234, 258, 284. Austin, Aaron, 243. Austin, Aaron E., 243. Austin, Rev. David, 515, 573, 786, 978. Austin, Eliphalet, 161, 216. Austin, Nathaniel, 161. Austin, Samuel, D.D., 152, 396, 442, 443, 454, 459. 466, 980. Austin, William, 436. Austin, Capt., 222. Austin, Major, i6i. Austin, Mr., 44. Austin, Mrs., 099. Austintown, Ohio, 216. 1028 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. Austinburgh, Ohio, 216, 220, 221, 222, 226, 229, 236, 243, 258, 259, 262, 266, 268, 269, 270, 288, 414. Austrians, 21, 31, 86, 87, 96, 97, 118. Autobiography of Rev. Joseph Badger, 266. Aver)', Rev. Joseph, 20, 40, 145, 192. Avery, Mr., 337. Avon, Ct., 80, 173, 268, 312, 317, 361, 426, 454. 524. S3i> 776, 887, 919, 955. 965' Babcock, Major Elisha, 397, 961. Babcock, Lydia, 871. Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 65. Backus, Rev. Azel, D.D., 161, 527, 691. Backus, Rev. Charles, D.D., 50, 55, 57, 59. "6, 194, 295, 30s, 417, 419, 424. 438, 527, 780. Backus, Mrs. Charles, 313, 419, 438, 550, 564, 568, 780. Backus, lilajor Ebenezer, 14. Backus, Jabez, 780. Backus, Mercy (Edwards), 14. Backus, Rev. Simon, 731, 756, 786, 836. Bacon, 61, 62, 322. Bacon Academy, 656. Bacon, Alice (Parks), 270. Bacon, Asa, Esq., 1008. Bacon, Rev. David, 240, 241, 259, 268, 270, 271, 286. Bacon, Rev. Leonard, D.D., 240, 270, g8i. Bacon, Pierpont, 656. Badger, Henry, 269. Badger, Rev. Joseph, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 227, 228, 232, 233, 236, 238, 239, 241, 243, 250, 253, 254, 257, 264, 266, 268, 269, 273, 274, 275, 277, 278, 2S6. Bainbridge, N. Y., 205. Baker, Rev. Joel, 440. Baker, Mr., 68. Balcom, Mr., 651. Baldwin, Henn', 215. Baldwin, Roger Sherman, 489, 964. Baldwin, Judge Simeon, 964. Baldwin, Hon. Simeon E., 964. Baldwin, Rev. Thomas, D.D., 826. Baldwin, Rev. Truman, 153. Ballantine, Rev. W. G., 139. Ball, Rev. Heman, 92. Ball, James, 2S5. Balls in Ohio, 288. Balls in Williams College, i, 2, 7, 17, 18. Balston, N. Y., 178, 986. Badtimore, Md., 25, 441, 749, 796, 797- Bampton Lectures, 363. Bangor Theological Seminary, 9, 62. Bancroft, 871. Bancroft, Aaron, D.D., 973. Bancroft, Abner, 917, 919. Bancroft, E. L., 755. Bancroft, Hon. George, 973. Bancroft, Harriet, 629. Bancroft, Mrs. Jerusha, 606. Bancroft, Julia, 800. Bancroft, Mrs. Lucy, 881. Bancroft, Mrs. Lydia, 532. Bancroft, Marj', 777. Bancroft, Maria, 903. Bancroft, Minerva, 871. Bancroft, Samuel, 629. Bancroft, Mrs. Sarah, 656. Baptist Foreign Missionary Society, 552- Baptists, go, 253, 263, 406, 819, 822, 823, 828, 829, 830, 831, 842, 861, 867, 897, 901, 916, 925. Barber, John W., 6S0, 683, 962, 971. Barber & Robinson, 923. Barber's Historical Collections, 106. Barker, Rev. Joseph, 97, 99, 421, 490. Barker, Col., 304. Barkhamsted, Ct., 147, 284, 455, 5'6, 554. 59'. 669, 704, 894, 895. Barnard, Mr., M.D., 25. Barnes, Daniel, 859. Barnett, Rev. John, 92. Barnum, Mr., 530. Barre, Vt., 153. BaiTington, R. L, 96, 148. Barron, Commodore James, 815. Barron, Major, 639. Barroso, Battle of, 476. Barrs, Major H., 159, 165, 168. Bartlett, Daniel W., 375. Bartlett, Rev. John, 454, 707, 803, 890. 953. 994- Bartlett, John Lefifingwell, 954. Bartlett, Rev. Jonathan, 119. Bartlett, Rev. Nathaniel, 118, 119. Bartlett, Rev. Shubael, 201, 368,375, 387. 395. 398, 422, 426, 429, 435, 441, 446, 447. 453, 454, 459. 47i, 479. 483. 490. 494, 520, 521, 558, 586, 592, 598, 600, 610, 645, 652, 665, 66g, 675, 686, 693, 704, 707, 721, 727, 741, 779, 789, 818, 824, 827, 849, 890, 919, 931, 933, 947, 953. 954. 957, 968, 971, 981. Bartlett, Mrs. Shubael, 721,954,981. Bartlett, Mr., 304. Bartlett Professorship at Andover, 133- Bascom, Rev. Aaron, 144. Bass, Samuel, 622. Bassett, Rev. Amos, D.D., 69, 77, 78, 183, 298, 365, 451, 793, 860. Bassett, Rev. Archibald, 135, 138, 142, 294, 298, 303, 311, 316, 317, 337- Batavia, N. Y., 174, 175. Battell, EUen (Mrs. Azariah El- dridge), 998. Battel!, Harriet, 331. Battell, Irene (Mrs. William A. Larned), 17, 53, 98, 49, 496, 935, 936, 960, 962. Battel!, Joseph, Sen., 45, 51, 145, 203 263, 285, 300, 306. 308, 312, 324, 328, 329, 330, 331, 338, 341, 361 370, 392, 395. 411, 428, 438, 439 442, 444. 445, 465, 468, 469, 473 478, 485, 487, 488, 491, 492, 506 507, 511, 514, 519, 520, 525, 539 542, 544, 546, 548, 556, 562. 564 568, 569, 570, 571, 578, 583, 586 595, 603, 604, 606, 610, 6r6, 618 620, 625, 629, 634, 639, 643, 651 652, 657, 678, 679, 682, 686, 687 693, 697, 698, 703, 706, 709, 719 722, 725. 734. 737. 740. 750, 752 757. 776. 7S1. 782, 785. 788, 789 794, 800, 812, 819, 824, 825, 83s 837, 839, 840, 847, 853, 854, 863 872, 884, 889, 890, 895. 899, 906 908, 918, 939, 941, 942, 943, 944 950, 951. 954, 960, 963, 966, 967 968, 9S0, 998, 1003, 1005, 1014. Battell, Joseph, Jr., 326, 360, 460 464, 467, 47>, 5", 512, 520, 539 561, 682, 683, 685, 782, 797, 831, 869, 935, 937. 946, 947. 'OI4- Battell, Mrs. Joseph (Sarah Rob- bins), 3, 17, 19, 27, 30, 31, 40, 49 56, 57. 58. g5, 107, 121, 122, 14 179, 220, 263, 294, 303, 326, 329 341, 361, 370. 394, 4". 418, 419: 428, 431, 434, 437. 474. 494, 497 514, 525. 560, 561, 571, 578, 584 595, 611, 616, 634, 642, 648, 708 716. 725, 731. 734. 750, 755. 756 797, 808, 872, 875, 918, 939, 943 951. 963. 966, 1014. Battell, Josiah Buckingham, 2, 45 52, 220, 222, 250, 415, 950. Battell, Philip, 340, 360, 682, 760 831, 903, 906, g37, g46. Battell, Sarah (Mrs. Joseph El dridge), 302, 338, 431, 719, 756, 757 881, 935, 936, 960, 962, 998. Battell, Robbins, 782. Battell, Urania (Mrs. James Hum- phrey), 595. Battell, William, 43, 56, 81, 300, 301, 330, 331, 638, 825. Battell, Mrs. William, 300, 825. Battell, a French name, 220. Battell Chapel, 460, 756, 797. Battelle, Col. Ebenezer, 279. Battelle, Thomas, 279. Battle of Bennington, 17. Battle of Bunker Hill, 817. Battle of Chippewa, 174. Battle of New Orleans, 619. Battle of Queenstown, 174. Bates, Esq., 174, 296, 660, 665. Bavaria, 281. Bavarians, 103. Baxter, Richard, 353, 354. Bayard, James Ashton, 165, 605, 619. Bayard, Hon. Thomas F., 165. Baylen, Battle of, 368. Baylies, Dr. Wilham, loi. Beach, Jacob, 138. Beach, Rev. Jas., 319, 349, 561, 957. Beach, Mrs. James, 561. Beach, Linus, 85. Beach, Mr., 236. Beale's Museum, 29. Beardsley, Mr., 206. Bearing the Cross, 927. Beauties of History, 49. Beauties of St. Pierre, 144. Beaver, alias Mcintosh, Penn., 229, 231, 267. Beaver County, Penn., 215, 229, 267. Beaver Dam, 558. Beaver Hat, 329. Becket, Mass., 134, 135,. 138, 139, 140, 14', 143, 144. 145. 154. 161, 162, 168, 179, 181, 184, 187, 189, 370. Beckwith, Mr., 493. Beecher, Dr. Lyman, 439, 812, 980, 1007. Beers, Isaac, 410, 429. Beers & Howe, 374, 410, 417, 429, 432, 434, 437. 438, 489. 60S. Beers, Penn., 215, 288. Bedford, Rev. Arthur, 334, 335, 337, 340, 435- Bedford County, Penn., 210, 289. Bedford, N. Y., 489. Bedford, Penn., 289. Belcher, EmUy, 826. Belcher, Frances, 878. Belchertown, Mass., 152, 835. Belden. Rev. Jonathan, 360. Beldeu, Rev. Joshua, 714. Belgium, 636. Belgium Traveler, 369. Belisarius, 150. Belknap, Rev. Jeremy, D. D., 23, 112, 974. Bellamy, Rev. Joseph, D. D., 37, 105, 318, 515, 527. Bellerophon, 638. Bellingham, the assassin, 518. Bellows Falls, Vt., 152. Beloe, Rev. William, 451. Beloit College, 299. Belpre, Ohio, 272, 278, 279, 281, 918. Bement, Mrs. Surana, 980. Benedict, Francis, 115. Benedict, Rev. David, 910. Benedict, Rev. Amzi, 967, 969, 970, 994, 995- Benedict, Rev. Noah, 146, 963. Benedict, Rev. .Abner, 23, 192. Benevolence and Misery', 182. Benevolent principle in human na- ture, 30. Benjamin, Mr., 711, 712, 715, 721, 728, 730, 744, 752. 764, 767. 772- Bennington, Vt., 6, 7, 14, 17, 82, 93, 95. 179. i8o- Benson, Vt., 83, 156. Bentley, Rev. William, 826, 836, 861, 875, 1023. INDEX TO VOLUME I. 1029- Beresford, Lord, 482. Beresina, Battle of, 543. Bergen, Battle of, 105. Berkshire County, Mass., 17, 21, 22, ' 33, 137. 140, 370. Berlin, Ct., 187, 194, 197, igg, 355, 371. 3'57, 467, 506, 521, 541, 547, 565. 579, 581, 627, 628, 650, 679, 682, 853. Berlin, Vt., 153. Bernardston, Mass., 152. Berne, Switzerland, 972. Berwick, Me., 321. Berwickshire, Scotland, 240. Best, W. M., 306. Bethel Parish, 105, 126, 127. Bethlehjm, Ct., 37, 527, 896. Bethlehem, Mass., 137, 139. Bethlem, Ct., 105, 146. Beverley, Robert, 729. Beverly, Mass., 151, 557, 910. Bible Dictionary, 379. Bicheno, J., 31. Biddeford, Me., 93. Bidwell, Barnabas, 12, 37, 321. Bidwell, Mrs. Editha, S13. Bidwell, Eoaphras, M. D., 373. Bidwell, Huldah, 643. Bidwell, Julia, 901. Bidwell, Sarah, 480. Bidwell, Rev. Walter H., 1018. Bis Beaver River, 286. Big Falls, N. Y., 372. Bigelow, Mr., 325, 979. Bigger, Mr., 300. Billings and Holden, 15. Bingham, Rev. Silas L.,85, 401, 403, 405, 412- Bingham, Mes.srs., 206. Biographical Dictionary-, 208. Biographical Mirror, 18S. Birgs. Backus W., 621, 622, 992. Birge, Mrs. Backus W., 774. Birge, Bailey, 752, 774, 794. Birge, Daniel, 840. Birge, Edwin, 621. Birge, Jonathan, 840. Birge, Julius, 621, 987. Birge. Marj-, 621. Birge, Mary B., 9S7. Birge, Roger Pitkin, 992. Birge, Sally, 871. Birmingham, Eng., 209. Bishop, Abraham, 122, 146. Bishop, Rev. Artemas, 904. Bishop, .Samuel, 143. Bishop, Timothy, 12, 19, 679. Bissell, Capt. Aaron, 378, 386, 400, 414, 456, 458, 559. 572, 585, 602, 658, 6S3, 700, 760, 794, 814, 871, 968, qSo, 984, 987. Bissell, Benjamin, 52. Bissell, Damaris (Potwine), 763. Bissell, Edgar, 962. Bissell. Edward, 943. Bissell, Electa, 763. Bissell, Eli, 753. Bissell, Elijah, 553. Bissell, Elsa, 779. Bissell, Epaphras, 796, 831, 988. Bissell, Frances, 796. Bissell, Horace, 579, 645, Bissell, Sophia, 794. Bissell, Susan, 794. Bissell, Theodore, 831, 832. Bissell, Mrs., 378. Bisset, Rev. John, 11. Black River Country, 200. Black, Walter A., 553. Blackburn, William, 325, 326, 337, 3,39- Blackstone s Commentary, 668. Blaine, James G., 393. Blake, Jonathan, 802. Blake & Cunningham, 823. Blakeslee, Mrs. Ruhamah, 640. Blakeslee, Rev. Mr., 662, 676, 680, 693. i^! 7031 740. Blandford, Mass., 140, 216. Blatchford, Samuel, D. D., 857. Bleeding, 180, 324. Blinn, Minerv'a, 993. Bliss, Lucy, 802. Bliss, Nancv, 897. Bliss, Pelitiah, 860. Bloomfield, Ct., 318, 335, 349, 707, 994- Bloomfield, N. Y., 173, 174,953. Blount, William, 37. Blucher, General, 635. Blue Meeting-House, 564. Board, Price of, 53, 64. Boardman, Rev. Benjamin, 905, gio. Boardman, Elijah, 130, 191, 511, 548. Boardman, Ohio, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 227, 228, 232, 236, 238, 239, 241, 243, 250, 253, 254, 257, 264, 266, 268, 269, 273, 274, 275, 277, 27S, 286. Boies, Rev. Artemas, 939. Bogue, Rev. Publius V., 21, log, 131- Bolton, Ct., 148, 519, 532, 575, 595, 596, 597, 697, 913, 947. Bolton Notch, 148. Bolton, Ohio, 284. Bolton, Vt., 153. Bonaparte, Jerome, 348. Bonaparte, Joseph, 348, 380, 640. Bonaparte, Louis, 348. Bonaparte, Napoleon, campaign in Italy, battles of Areola and Lodi, 14, 29, 31; makes peace with the Pope, 33 ; defeats Archduke Charles, 35, 37; blocked up in Corsica by a British fleet, 63, 66; in Eg^-pt, 68, 77 ; plague in his army, 87, 106 ; Consul, in; again in Ltaly, :2i ; battle of Marengo, 121 ; makes a treaty with th'^ Pope whereby the Decades ar ? abolished and Sunday reestablished, 171 ; first Consul, 181, 1S6; made Em- peror, 275 ; successful in vv'ar against the Austrians, 2 78; in Ger- many, 280 : dictatorial to the Amer- ican Minister, 281, 284, 286; St. Cloud his favorite residence, 304, 308, 309, 313. 321 ; possible ruler in America, 332 ; makes peace with Russia and Prussia, 334, 350, 354; compels the King of Spain to re- sign, 365 ; busy with Spanish af- fairs, 380; in great wrath, 383; invading, 401 ; regarded as a sub- ject of prophecy, 410 ; planning mischief against our country, 428; divorced from Josephine, 442 ; mar- ried to Maria Louisa of Austria, 442 ; his confiscations, 448 ; cannot recover from his Russian defeat, 535; driven to France, 579; fear of him in this countr\-, 594; again on the throne, 626; battle of Waterloo, 635, 636; surrenders to the English, 638; banished to St. Helena, 643. Bondstown, Ohio, 248, 249. Bonney, Rev. WiUiam, 326. Booge, Rev. Aaron J., 81, 167. Book of Travels, Dwight's, 175. Booth, Rev. Chauncey, 637. Booth, Seth, Jr., 836. Bordwell, Rev. Joel, 51, 127. Borodino, Battle of, 530, 534. Borthwick, Scotland, 188. Bossuet,^ James Benigne, 198, 296, 2Q7, 303, 967- Boston Athenaum, 417. Boston, Mass., 6, 30, 40, 64, 84, 99, 112, 141, 151, 335, 369, 597, 612, 686, 893. Boston Recorder, 673, 688, 723, 750, 872, 924, 947, 952, 984. Boston, R. L, 148. Boston, Thomas, 240, 341, 342. Bostwick, Mr., 256. Bosworth, Dr., 887. Botzaris, Marco, 951. Boudinot, Elias, 683. Bow, Mrs. Wealthy, 1000. Bowdoin College, 153, 450, 740, 88g. Boylston, Dr. Zabdiel, 6. Boylston, Mass., 152. Bozrah, Ct., 183, 515, 573, 710. Brace, Joab, D. D., 455, 656, 714, 759, 771, 956. Brace, Jonathan, 286. Braceville, Ohio, 255. Bradford, David, 2. Bradford, Hersey, 162. Bradford, Rev. James, 561. Bradford, Lydia, 2. Bradford, RIerritt, 754, 755. Bradford, S. F., 924. Bradford, Dr. William, 96, 924, loio. Bradford, Governor William, 2, 494, 924. Bradford, William, Jr., 2. Bradford County, Penn., 205, 206. Bradley, Rev. Dan., 159. Bradley, Hon. Daniel, 169, 172, 177. Bradley, Rev. Joel, 167. Bradley, Mr., 178. Bragg, Edward, 720. Bragg, Jonas, 607. Bragg, Mrs. Rhoda, loij. Brainerd, Daniel, 1S4, 494. Brainerd, Rev. Israel, 183, 189, 191, 196. Brainerd, John G. C, 446. Brainerd, Col., 203. Brainerd, Dr., 184. Brainerd, Mrs., 196, 203, 221, 233, 494- Braintree, Mass., 60, 150, 528. Braintrem, Penn., 206. Brandon, Vt., 92. Branford, Ct., 87, 97, 122, 183, 193, 299, 304, 334, 400, 473, 490, 546, 569, 641, 697, 756, 981. Brattleborough, Vt., 152, 590. Bray, Oliver, 13. Brazil, 349. Breaking paths, 320. Brentwood, N. H., 930. Brewer, Philura, 1002. Brewer, Col., 230. Brewster, Sir David, 515. Brick Church, N. Y., 11, 136. Bridge at Hartford, Ct. , 3 14, 376, 401, 406, 423, 505, 518, 526, 629. Bridgeport, Ct., 313, 710, 711, 715, 721, 728, 730, 731, 744, 752, 764, 767, 772, 774- Bridge water, Mass., 150. Brighton, Mass., 369. Brinsmade, Rev. Horatio N., 9166. Bristed, Charles Astor, 493. Bristed, Rev. John, 493, 496, 497, 498. Bristol, Ct., 718, 91S, 994, 1013. Bristol, England, 27. Bristol, Ohio, 264. Bristol, Penn., 291. Bristol, R. I., 96, 97, loi, 148, 149, 162, 168, 327, 969, lOIO. Bristol, Vt., 88. British Classics, 464, 542, 632. British Critic, 451. British Poets, 554, 566. British Treatv, 19. Broadalbin, N. Y., 178. Broad Oak, Eng. , 846. Brock, General, 525, 531. Brockway, Rev. Diodate, 363, 372, 394, 419, 490, 627, 669, 675, 775, 838, 934, 980. Brockway, Mrs. Diodate, 534, 550, 959- Brockway, Hon. John H., 838, 870. Brockway, Rev. Thomas, 363. Brockway, Esq., 237. Brodhead, Sheriff, 165. 1030 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. Bronson, Col. Ozias, 311. Brook near Norfolk Parsonage, 34, no. Brookfield, Ct., loi, 103, 104, 107, 108, III, 119, 124, 128, 800. Brookfield, Mass., 152, 361, 973. Brookfield, Oluo, 243, 252, 253, 262, 265, 268. Brookline, Mass., 251, 975. Brooklyn, Ct., 977, 980. Brooklyn, N. Y., 921, 969. Brooks, Daniel, 620. Brooks, John, LL.D., 564. Brooks, Samuel, 660. Brooks, Rev. Thomas, iii. Broome County, N. Y., 205. Brothortown, INI.Y., 167. Brougham, Lord, 843. Brown, Ephraim, 187. Brown, John, 805. Brown, John, of Haddington, 696. Brown, Rev. Matthew, 301. Brown, Owen, 284. Brown, Rev. William, 204. Brown University, 23, 59, 97, 139, 143, 148, 181, 718, 815, 910, 958, 978. Brownell, Thomas Church, D.D., 891, 960, 991. Brown's Settlement, 205. Buchanan, Dr. Claudius, 411, 512, 733, 737- Buckham, Rev. Nathan, 977. Buckingham, Samuel G., D.D., 343. Buckingham, Sarah, 45, 300. Buckniinster, Joseph, D.D., 151. Buck's County, Penn., 291. Buel, Dr. William, 561, 562, 570. Buell, Horatio, 9S6, 989, 1022. Buffalo, N.Y., 174, 175, 577. Bulkley, Rev. Gershom, Sen., 728, 908. Bulklev, Rev. Gershom, Jr., 907. Bulkley, Rev. John, 728. Bulkley, Rev. Peter, 728, 908. Bulkley, Mr., 931. Bull, Amos, 687, 697, 707. Bunce, Charles W., 901. Burder, Rev. George, 448. Burge, Rev. Caleb, 933, 934, 952, 959> 961, 962. 97'. 987- Burge, Edwin, 949. Burhans, Rev. Daniel, D.D., 103. Burlington Bay, 88, 384. Burlington College, 603. Burlington, Ct., 301, 303. Burlington, Mass., 630. Burlington, N. J., 971. Burlington, Vt., 154. Burnap, Esq., 755. Burnett, Dr. Matthew, 120. Burnham, Chester, 996. Burnham, Elijah, 508. Burnham, Hannah, 894. Burnham, Mrs. Lydia, 536, 676. Burnham, Roger, 999. Burnham, Mrs. Sarah, 842, 868. Burnham, Sarah Lorinda, 868. Burnham, Zenas Timothy Elmer, 868. Burnside, Ct., 417, 961, 1020. Burr, Rev. Aaron, 51, 114, 129, 136, 177, 237. 305. 312. 328. Bun-, Nathan, 590. Burr, Timothy, 285. Burt, Rev. Enoch, 964, 969, 970, 992, lOOI, I020. Burt, Rev. Federal, 601, 604. Burt, Rev. Gideon, 443, 444, 875, 920, 922. Burt, Stoddard, 620. Burton, Rev. Asa, D.D., 153, 641. Burton, Ohio, 244, 247, 248, 258, 264. Bury St. Edmunds, Eng. , 187. Burying potatoes and apples, 42. Bushnell, Rev. Harvey, 965. Bushnell, Horace, D.D., 998. Bushnell, Rev. Jedediah, 130, 177, 191, 249. Butler, Rev. Daniel, 528. Butler, Rev. David, 123, 127. Butler, F., 856. Butler, Jolin, 207. Butler, Nathaniel, 506. Butler, Rev. Stephen, 89. Butler, Col. Zebulon, 207, 291. Byington, Rev. Cyrus, 918. Byron, Lord, 951. Cadiz, Spain, 476, 797, 931. Ca;sar, Annas, 926. Cahoon, Eliza, 791. Cairo, Egypt, 150. Calderwell, John, 285. Calderwood, Rev. David, 915, gr6. Caledonian, 848. Calhoun, Geo. A., D.D., 977, 1019. Calvary, a picture, 927. Calvary, a poem, 383. Calvinism improved, 21, 49. Calvinistic Baptist, 86. Calvinistic Doctrines, 197. Calvin, John, 559, 945. Calvin's Institutes, 662. Calvin's Work, 662, 728. Cambridge, Eng., 383. Cambridge, Mass., 12, 103, 151, 438, 494, 691, 693, 974, 987. Cambridge Platform, 190, 340. Cambridge University, Eng., 383, 4", 493- Camillus, N. Y., 172. Camoens, Luis De, 985. Campbell, Rev. George, 37, 624, 667. Campbell, Widow Margaret, 848. Campbell, Thomas, 303. Campbell's Dissertations, 667. Campbell's Gospels, 617, 624, 627, 649, 667, 674. Camp, Deacon, 102. Camp, Rev. Samuel, 105, 106, 108, III, 124, 129. Camp, Mrs. Samuel, 124. Camperdown, Battle of, 47. Campfield, Ohio, 216, 217, 286. Camp-meeting, 325, 451, 677, 714, 867. Canaan, Ct., 10, 34, 43, 56, 57, 58, 64, 67, 68. Canaan Mountain, 44. Canada, 8, 84, Sg. Canajoharie, N. Y., 156, 963. Canandaigua, N. Y., 173, 175, 176, 177, 330- Candace, 621. Canfield, Hon. Judson, 216, 225, 227, 229, 237, 254. Canfield, Mr., 293, 937. Canfield, Ohio, 216, 218, 231, 235, 237. 239, 240, 242, 243, 252, 254, 255, 256, 264, 268, 269, 270, 277, 283, 286, 288. Canonsburgh, Penn., 231. Canterbury, Ct., 61, 75, 148, 234, 314, 433, 755, 8S2. Canterbury, Eng., 977. Canton, China, 96, 738. Canton, Ct., 12, 52, 66, 69, 294, 295, 338, 340, 347, 348, 353, 358, 361, 410, 411, 660, 825, 897, 905, 925, 937, 938, 97S, 982. Cappadocia, 359. Capricorn and Cancer, 342. Carey, Rev. Matthew, 193, 197. Carey, Rev. Thomas, 152. Carlisle, Penn., 210, 290, 857. Carlton, Ohio, 2.^9. Carnwath, Scotland, 515. Caroline Amelia ElizabetU, 843. Caroline Archipelago, 304. Caroline, Queen, 843. Carrier, Lucy, 75. Carrigue, Rev. Richard, 944. Carter, Charles, 80. Carter, Charles, Jr., 80. Carter, Miss E., 73. Carter, Eleazer, 69, 73, 79, 96. Carter, Miss J., 73, 82. « Carthage, Ancient, 455, 693. Carver, Lewis, 668. Carver, Mass., 97, 98. Case, Cephas, 269. i Case, Rev. Francis H., 941. * Case, Harvey, 416. Case, Salmon, 492. Case, Susannah, 469. Case, Thomas, 1004. Case, Mrs., 347, 364, 375, 415, 445, 448, 457, 467, 540, 543, 584- Case, Capt., 236, 345, 346, 347, 34S, 416. Case's Mills, 288. Cassano, Battle of, 87. Castleton, Vt., 85, 93, no. Catawissa, Penn., 209. Catechism, Assembly's, 28, 30, 217, 413, 428, 432,810. Catechising the children, 899, 934. Catharine, a colored woman, 588. Catharine II, of Russia, 31. Cathcart, Lord, 336, 339. Catholic Doctrine of Trinity, 59. Catskill, N. Y., 203, 207, 679, 680, 9S5, 986. Cattle Show, 872. Cave, William, D.D., 721, 722, 724, 729, 730,, 789, 790, 820, 837. Cayuga Bridge, 173. Cavuga County, N. Y., 173. Cayuga, N. Y., 176. Cazenovia, N. Y., 177, 797. Cecil, Robert, 789. Centerbrook, Ct., 190. Central New York, 2. Century Sermon, 12S, 129. Century, when does the century be- gin, 129. Cesarea, 359, 929. Chadwick, Mr., 974. Chagrin Falls, Ohio, 259. Chalmers, Thomas, D.D., 727. Chambersburgh, Penn., 290. Chambers's Encyclopaedia, 95, 515. Chambery Palace, 380. Champion Epaphroditus, 194, 195, 196, 2ig, 256. Cliampion, Henry, 285. Champion, Rev. Judah, 439, 1008. Champion, Miss L., 201. Champlain, late Battle of, 603. Chandler, Hannah, 87. Channing, William E., D.D., ion, 1012. Chapin, Dea. Aaron, 299, 308, 317. Chapin, Rev. Aaron L., D.D., 299. Chapin, Almira, 605. Chapin, Calvin, D.D., 71, 289, 299, 468, 520, 737, 756, 870, 956, 957, 1007. Chapin, Rev. Chester, 849, 851, 855, S60, S64, 869, 890. Chapin, Elizabeth, 593. Chapin, Rev. Joel, 205. Chapin, Laertes, 299, 557, 5S2. Chapman, Rev. E. J., 204, 249, 268, 296. Chapman, Fannie, 355. Chapman, Mr., 564, 679. Chariton, Edward, 568. Charlton, Edward T., 658. Charlton, Elizabeth, 509. Charlton, James Henry, 629. Charlton, Jesse, 469, 480, 509, 568, 605, 629, 936. Charlton, Rebecca Mary, 782. Charlton, Sarah, 442. , Charles I, of England, 140. Charles II, of England, 195. Charles IV, of Spain, 365. Charles V. of Germany, 190, 191, 601, 6SS. Charles Louis, Archduke, 35, 115. Charles William Ferdinand, 843. Charieston, S. C, 55, 407. 797, 855. 89S. INDEX TO VOLUME I. 103 I Charlestown, Mass., 6g, 150, 151, 162, 651, 687, 693, 69s, 714, 738, 975- Chajlestown, N. Y., 153, 156. Charlestown, Va., 271. Charlotte Augusta, 727. Charlotte, Vt., 88, 91, 112, 138, 153, i54> '55i ^S(>> iS9> i<^5> '68, 178, 304. Chase, Rev. Amos, 146. Chase, Philander, D.D., 537, 555, 697. Chase, Judge Samuel, 252. Chatham, Ct., 583, 724, 835. Chauncey, C'harles, D.D., 318, 319. Chauncey, Rev. Nathaniel, 932. Chauncey, Worthington, G., 932. Chauncey, Mr., 859. Chelmsford, Mass., 152. Chenango County, N. V., 169, 338. Cheshire Cheese, 160. Cheshire, Ct., 94, 761, 811, 890. Cheshire Republican, 89. Chester, John, D.D., 857, 863, 960, 961. Chester County, Penn., 290. Chester, Eng., 846. Chester, Mass., 144, 145, 370, 606. Chester, Vt., 153, 465. Chestnut Hill, Norfolk, Ct., 561. Chicopee, Mass., 943. Chilmark, Mass., 1002. China, Ohio, 229, 240, 254, 283. China population, 45. Chippewa River, 174. Chittenden County, Vt., 88. Choctaw Indians, gi8. Christian Fathers, 820. Christian History', 314, 342, 974. Christian Obsen-er, 577, 581, 593, 597, 667, 712, 718, 720, 907. Christian Researches in Asia, 411, 512. 733- Christian Spectator, 770, 844, 948. Christian VII, of Denmark, 114. Christmas, 244, 309, 381, 537, 612, 880, 949. Christ Rejected, 927. Chubbuck, Dr., 8go. Church, Rev. Aaron, 295, 408, 409, 412, 426, 452, 554. Church, Miss, 565. Church History', Fuller's, 637. Church Music, 314. Church of Scotland, 915. Churches on Western Reserve, 293. Churchill, Rev. Ebenezer, S6i. Cicero's Orations, 170, 171. Cider, 54, 367. 374, S'S. 49i. V^i, 732> 737, 7S0. Cider Brandy, 338, 845. Cincinnati Society, 145. Clapp, George, 604. Clapp, Norman, 622. Clap, Thomas, D.D., 96. Clareraont, N. H., 153. Clark, Curtis, 128. Clark, Rev. Eber L., 583, 637,638, 652, 657, 66g, 673, 724, 732, 738, 787, 793- 817, 818, 820, 829, 834, 835, 883. Clark, Rev. Jehu, 119. Clark, Joshua, 572. Clark, Samuel, D.D., 24. Clark, Rev. Saul, 895. Clark, Capt. , 181. Clark, Mr., 261, 433, 545. Clark, physician in Haddam, Ct., 203. Clarke, Adam, D.D., 497, 730, g2i, 954- Clarke, James Freeman, D.D., 525. Clarke, Lydia, 620. Clarke, Miss Lydia, 660. Clarke, Rev. Samuel, 645. Clarke, Major Samuel, 650, 658, 661, 665. Claverack, N. Y., 178. Claverack, Penn., 206. Clay and brick-making, 448. Clay, Henry, 615, 6ig, gg6. Clement, 379. Cleveland, A. P., 8g3. Cleveland, Grover, President, 393. Cleveland, Isaac, 797. Cleveland, Gen. Moses, 234,243,258, 285. Cleveland, Ohio, ig6, 224, 233, 249, 259, 260^, 5S5- Clinton, Gov. De Witt, 139, 758. Clinton, Gov. George, 166, 171, 388, 466. Clinton, N. Y., 161, 162, 167, 169, 337, 339, 346, 375- Clinton Academy, N. Y., 161, 338. Clinton, Ct., i8g, 197, 355. Cobb, Ebenezer, gS, 150. Cobbet, William, 44. Coe, Loring E., 964. Coe, Rev. Harvey, 575. Coe, Rev. Noah, 575. Cogswell, James, D.D., 14, 18, 313, 315, S82. Cogswell, Mason Fitch, M.D., 882. Cogswell, Samuel, 14. Coit, Daniel L., 286. Coit, Joseph, 309, 315. Coitsville, Ohio, 224, 253, 286. Colchester, Ct., 69, 75, 81, too, 183, 517, 596, 656, 728, 736, 908, 1013. Colchester, Vt., 89. Cole, Abner Edgar, 905. Cole, Anna, 897. Cole, Cyrus, 905. Cole, Frederick Wolcott, 905. Cole, Harriet, 871. Cole, Maria, 905. Colebrook, Ct., 33, 37, 65, 70, 80, 82, 86, 94, 144, 147, 158, 183, 194, 198, 284, 294, 300, 302, 305, 309, 316, 319, 326, 329, 332, 335, 362, 364, 372, 433. 46S, 477, 544, 551, 568, 570, 59°, 591, 638, 657, 717, 722, 7S2, 803, 839, 863, 884, 928, 987. Coleman, Lyman, D.D., 941. College of South Carolina, 148. Collins, Rev. Amos B., 665, 666. Collins, Rev. Augustus, 754, 755. Collins, Lieut. -Gov. Charles, ion. Collins, Rev. Daniel, 179, 341, 450, 678. Collins, Levi, 673. Collections for Home Missions, 113. CoUyer, Mary, 166. Colman, Benjamin, D.D., 797, 972. Colson, Robert, 922. Colton, Rev. Chester, 930, 981. Columbia College, 441, 710. Columbia County, N. Y., 154, 178. Columbia County, Penn., 20S. Columbia, Penn., 290. Columbia, Ct., 72, 74, i8g, 363, 376. Columbiana County, Oliio, 215, 243, 271, 273- Columbus, a drama, 413. Columbus, Christopher, 120, 130, 140. Combs, 50. Commencement at Williams College, 88, 122, 370, 449, 938. Commencement at Yale College, 122, 146, 299, 371, 410, 451, 564, 602, 677, 715. 755> 795. JOI7- Commentary', Clarke's, 497, 504, 506, 50S, 514. 536. 565. 620, 621, 647. Commentary, Owen's, 533. Commentar>', Patrick's, 468. Commentary, Patrick and Lowth's, 657, 661. Commentary, Whitby's, 675, 725. Commercial Advertiser, 783. Communicant's Companion, 469. Communion Season, Open Air, 212, 269, 289. Complete View of Episcopacy, 318. Comstock, John Lee, M. D., 951, Comstock's, Dr., School-Books. Concio ad Clerum, 122, 146, 300, 334, 371, 410, 451, 489, 526, 564, 602, 679. 715. 903. 939. 979. io«7- Concord, Ma.ss., 728, gc8. Concordance, Cruden's, 334. Cone, 15, 28. Cone, Rev. Jonathan, 995. Cone, Rev. Salmon, 70, 75, 76, 1013. Cone, Dea., 202. Conecocheague Valley, Penn, 289. Conestoga River, Penn., 290. Confession of Faith, 222, 224, 226, 278- Congregational Churches in Ohio, 266. Congregationalism, 834, 989. Congregationalist, 86, 655. Congress, i, 31, 77. Congressional Representation, law of, 160. Congruity, Penn., 212. Conneaut, Ohio, 508. Connecticut Bible Society, 6S5, 965. Connecticut Courant, 7(3, 217, 563, 791. 1025. Connecticut Education Society, 715 Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, 82, 123, 170, 183, 206, 312, 315, 322, 342, 45g, 463, 469, 475, 485, 492, 49S, 502, 503, 505, 507, 508, 510, 511, 514, 517, 521, 523, 528, 530, 531. 533, 536, 537, 541, 546, 548, 550, 558, 565, 571. 576. 577. 579, 580, 581, 582, 584, 585, 588, 589. 591. 594, 596, 597, S09, 606, 608, 611, 612, 620, 621, 622, 623, 625, 62S, 629, 631, 632, 634, 635, 637. 643, 645, 649, 657. Connecticut Historical Rooms, 526. Connecticut Historical Society, 328, 486, 1005, 1013, 1017, 1025. Connecticut Land Company, 241, 257, 258, 260. Connecticut Land Company, mem- bers of, 285. Connecticut Medical Society, 635. Connecticut Mirror, 446, 519, 563, 579, 791. 794, 801, S42. Connecticut Missionary Society, 68, 81, 82, 137, 184, 195, 196, 200, 202, 209, 216, 231, 238, 241, 251, 262, 264, 265, 27s, 278, 2S2, 294, 29S, 320, 324, 337, 356, 513, 617, 627, 863, 906, 967, 993. Connecticut Obser\er, 9S9, 997. Connecticut Reserve, 130, 195, 215, 244, 322, 414. Connecticut River, 55, 58, 152, 320, 369. 370, 376, 3S3, 44S, 505, 5". 516, 553, 628, 637, 642. Connecticut Society of Good Morals, 626. Connecticut State Convention, 749. Connecticut Theological Institute, 138,301,838,852,855. Connecticut Valley, 563. Connections, Prideaux's, 54. Consociation, 29S, 717, 799, 940, 941, 981, .993. 995- Conspiracy in Congress, 37. Constitution, Sliip, 524, 535. Continental Congress, 366. Continuation of Hume's History, 144. Contrast between Calvinism and Hop- kinsianism, 517. Contributions to Connecticut Eccle- siastical History, 41, 929, 995. Converse, Mr., 987. Cook, E., 172. Cook, Rev. Elisha B., 577, 579, 5S3. 584. 592, 594, 603, 610, 629, 664, 666, 667, 670, 672, 680, 688, 6g6, 749, 754. 757, 760, 787, 813, 871, 893, g33, g40, 972, 1006. Cook, Mrs. Elisha B., 688, 691, 697, 698, 933, 965, 967- 1032 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. Cook, Capt. James, 688, 693. Cook, Col., 214. Cooke, Benjamin, 546. Cooke, Oliver, 965, 970. Cooke, Messrs., 954, 989. Cooke, Mr., 481, 493, 526, 541. Cook's Voyj^es, 68S. Cooley, Daniel, 611. Coolev, Hadassah, 460. Cooley, Rev. Timothy M., D.D., 611, 627, 755. Cooley, Titus, 875. Cooley. Dr., 904. Copenhagen, 138, 139, 336. Corinth, Vt., 153. Cormick, L. M., 144, 145, 147, 185. Com Crop, 125. Comehus, Elias, D.D., 100, 138, 552. Corn.lius, Mrs. Elias, 138, 552. Coming, Betsey, 912. Cornish, N. H., 153, 555. Cora%vall, Ct., 41, 43, 65, 133, 135, iSo, 326, 525, 542, 604, 729, 734, 759. 77i> 778, 992- Cornwall, Eng., 54. Cornwall School, 755. Cornwall, Vt., 83, 85, 91, 150, 953. Corresponding Society of London, Corsica, 63. Conmna, Battle of, 393. Cost of Education, 19. Cotton, Mr. John, 541. Council of Trent, 660, 661, 662, 691, 69S, 699, 703. Court of St. Cloud, 304. Coventry, Ct., 74, 148, 234, 474, 584, 643. 918, 977- Coventry, R. I., 96, 148. Cowles, Clarissa, 724. Cowles, Ebenezer, 657, 986. Cowles, Gen. George, 854, go8, 936. Cowles, Lucinda, 668. Cowles, Rev. Pitkin, 332. Cowles, S., 194, 354- Cowles, Gen. S., 845, 936. Cowles, Solomon, 285. Cowles, Rev. Whitfield, 355, 359, 369, 375. 376. 405, 406, 426. Cowles, 5liss, 970, 987. Cowles's Tavern, 497, 706. Cowper, William, 343, 386. Crane, Sophronia, 981. Cravath, Miss, 717. Crawford County', Penn., 231. Crawford, Rev. WUliam, 996. Credibility of Gospel History, 344. Creeks and Cherokees, 37. Cromwell, Ct., 907. Crook in the Lot, 240. Crosby, Rev. Stephen, 973. Crosby, T., 303. Crosby, Mr., 346. Cross vs. Crescent, 865. Grossman, Rev. Joseph W., 23, 28, 31. 32> 67, 97, 100, 316, 537. Grossman, Col., 97. Croswell, Harry, D.D., 741. Cruden, Alexander, 334. Culver, Capt., 924. Cumberland County, Penn., 210. Cumberland, R. L, 173. Cumberland, Richard, 383. Cunningham, Rev. J. W., 772. Curtis, J., 322. Curtis, Marvin, 643. Curtis, Medad, 41, 45, 177. Curtis, Solomon, 6. Cushman, Rev. Elisha, 818, 874, 899, 903. 940, 955, 960, 9?i- Cutler, Rev. Manasseh, LL.D., 279. Cuyahoga County, Ohio, 215, 234, 249, 259. Cuyahoga River, 259. Cyclopaedia of Biography, Apple- ton s, 985. Dabney, Elizabeth, 708, 709, 712, 713, 896. Dabney, Jonathan Peale, 489, 713. Daggett, Judce Da\-id, 959. Daily Advertiser, N. Y., 145. Dallas, Hon. Alexander J., 652. Dalton, Mass., 179. Dana, Daniel, D.D., 151, 152. Dana, James, D.D., 67, 423, 903, 959. Dana, Mrs. James, 959. Dana, Hon. Samuel Whittlesey, 423. Dana, Mass., 835. Danbury, Ct., 103, 105, 107, 112, 114, 117, 119, 123, 127, 129, 130, 131, 132, 135, 137, 139, 140, 189, i93> 2°3. 218, 224, 292, 319, 329, 331. 391, 394, 510, 5«S, 566, 590, 704, 705, S34, 838, 898, 926. Danes, 138. Daniels, Stephen, 899. Dantzic, 331. Danvers, Mass., 151. Darby, Mr., 10. Darley, Mr., 35, 40. Darling, Dinah E., 800. Darling, Dr., 904. Dartmouth College, 24, 63, 72, loi, 132, 140, 141, 147, 152, 173, 179, 182, 184, 189, 196, 324, 351, 355, 361, 369, 370, 372, 389, 450, 45Si 465, 491, 529, 555, 561, 566, 630, 648, 687, 69s, 738, 765, 771, 774, 822, 845, 891, 966, 969,986, 1022. Dartmouth, Mass., 149. Dartmouth Medical .School, 153. Dauphin County, Penn., 209. Davenport, John, 536. Da\idson, Robert, D.D., 210. DaWes, Samuel, D.D., 15, 75, 291. Da^-is, Judge Daniel, 974. Da\'is, Emerson, D.D., 358. Davis, Rev. Thomas T., 847, 851, 892, 1017. Davis, Mr., 455. Davoust, Marshall, 39. Dawes, Cornelius, 452. Day, Jeremiah, D.D., 60, 61, 147, 215, 216, 302, 553, 715, 756, 832, 857, 859, 932, 944, 972- Day, Miss Molly, 931. Day, Hon. Thomas, 216, 303, 353, 944- Deaf and Dumb Asylum, Hartford, 330, 743, 773- 93°- ' Death of Abel, a poem, 166. Death of Cain, a poem, 166. Death on the Pale Horse, 927. Decades, 171. Decline and Fall of Roman Empire, 150, 767, 769. Dedham, Mass., 279. Dedication at Hartford, 341. Dedication at Norfolk, 601. Dedication Sermon, 430, 431, 432. Deeriield, Mass., 25, 64, 152, 642. Deerfield, N. Y., 177. Deerfield, Ohio, 233, 256, 553. Defence of Constitution, 248. Delaware County, N. Y., 204, 205. Delaware County, Penn., 290. Delaware River, 291. Delaware Sloop of War, 60. Delaware, State of, 165, 166, 194. Delegates from Presbyterian Church, 116. Delhi, N. Y., 204. Deming, JuUus, 439. Deming, Stephen, 1017. Democrats, 56, 60, 83, 84, 123, 133, 135, 139, 141, 147, 190, 191, 192, 194, 196, 199, 211, 228, 240, 244, 248, 320, 323, 354, 363, 370, 372, 37S, 392, 393, 410, 4", 434, 443, 451, 472, 528, 548, 565, 5S7, 664, 680, 697, 699, 700, 716, 738, 742, 744, 749, 757, 778, 815, 887, 929. Denison, Charles, 46, 57, 62, 63. Derby, Ct., 69, 522. De Salle, M., 174. Deserted Village, 390. Destruction of Helvetic Liberty, 102. Detroit, Mich., 240, 525, 553, 567, 568, 707. Devotion, Judge Ebenezer, 188, 1009. Devotion, Rev. Ebenezer, 188, 1009. Devotion, Rev. John, 188, 190, 191, 192. Devotion, Mrs., 188. Dewey, Eleanor, 324. De Winter, J. W., Admiral, 47, 730. De Witt, William R., D.D., 857. De Wolf, George, loio. De Wolf, H., 322. De Wolf, Capt. James, 97, 148, 327, lOIO. De WoU, John, loio. Dexter, Franklin B., 292. Dexter, Samuel, 115. Dialogues, 15, 29. Dialogues for Commencement, 16. Dickinson, Austin, D.D., 771. Dickinson, Baxter, D.D., 920, 922, 1025. Dickinson, John, 164. Dickinson, Rev. Jonathan, 291. Dickinson College, 210. Dickinson, Mr., 205. Dickson, Capt. Gaston, 766, 779,809. Dictionary of American Biography, 32. Dictionary of the Bible, 696, 698. Dictionary of Congress, 702. Diggins, Betsey, 540. Diggins, Esther, 531. Diggins, John, 531,683. Diseins, Naomi, 419, 630. Diggins, Olive, 868. Djgeins, Rhoda, 773. Diggins, the name, 531. Dighton, ^lass., 97, loi. Diinock, Mr., 582. Dionysius, 379. Directory, French, 106. Dismissal of French Consuls, 61. Dissertations on the Prophecies, 27. Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character, 5 84. Dixon, Hon. James, 416. Dixon, Judge William, 416. Divine Agency, 457, Dobson, Peter, 697. Dobson's Factory, 826. Dodd, Thomas, 628. Doddridqe, Philip, 18, 192, 711. Doddridge's Lectures, 711, 712. Dodge, Dav-id C, 502. Dodge, Stephen, 502, 504. Dodge, William E., 502. Dodge, Mr., 932. Dolliver, Joseph, 818. Domestic Discortis, 207. Don Quixote, 257. Dorchester Company, 401, 623. Dorchester, Mass., 150, 697, 840. Dorset, Vt., S3. Dow, Daniel, Dr., 520, 742, 1003. Dow, Horatio, M.D., 876. Dow, Simon, 796. Downs, Rev. Cyrus, 963. Dovvnes, Commodore George, 603. Drake, Abiel, 854. Drake, Anna, 797. Drake, Francis S., 471, 702. Drake, Jonathan, 606. Drake, Mary, 497. Drake, Moses, 661. Drake, Noadiah, 616. Drake, Owen, 494. Drake, Samuel G., 478. Drake, Sarah, 498. Drake, Silas, 870, 876. Drake, Silas, Jr., 871. Dramatic Exhibitions, 128. Drury Lane Theater, 452. INDEX TO VOLUME I. ^033 Dryden's Virgil, 573, 695. Dublin, Ireland, S36. Duchy of Cleves, 959. Duck Creek, Ohio, 273. Ducos, 106. Dummerston, Vt., 152. Duncan, Admiral, 47. Dunbar, Daniel, 3, 14. Dunbar, Elijah, 3. Dunlap, Rev. James, 231. Dunlap, William, 927. Dunse, Scotland, 240. Dupan, Jr.mes Mallet, 102. Durall, Henry, 932. Durfee, Calvin, D.D., iS. Durham, Ct., 44, 1S3, 184, 197, 202, 334, 545. 570. 610, 637, 932. Durham, N. Y., 173. Dutchess County, 117. Dutch Families in Ohio, 240, 256, 286. Dutch Fleet, 47, 98. Dutch Point, loog. Dutton, Rev. Aaron, 593. Dutton, Mar}', 593. Dutton, Samuel W. S., D.D., 593. Dwi;i;ht, Henry, 478. Dvvight, Col. Jonathan, 478. Dwight, Rev. Louis, 885. Dwisht, Nathaniel, M.D., 355. Dwight, Sereno Edwards, D.D., 709, 747. 767. 770, 858. 932. Dwight, Theodore, 145, 446, 449, 159, 809, 96S. Dwight, Theodore, Jr., 96S, 978, 1004. Dwight, Timothy, D.D., President, 12, 59. 155, 174, 175. 210, 215, 355, 410, 439, 452, 499. 505. 534. ^79. (>92, 709, 715, 737. 742, 750. 895, 968. Dwight's Travels, 907. Dysentery, 14. Eagle Bank, New Haven, Ct., 510, 519. 527. 536, 541. 546. 554, 5&4, 597, 656, 674, 692, 710, 727, 751, 769, 7S9, 909, loiS, 1019. East and West Rocks, New Haven, Ct.,353- East Avon, Ct. , 800, 895. East Bloomfield, N. Y., 175, 176. Easter, 434. East Granby, Ct., 95, 352, 355, 359, 369, 375, 406, 40S, 426, 474. 621, 646, 652, S52, SS3, S96. East Granville, Mass., 5ii. East Guilford, Ct., 786. East Haddam, Ct., 95, 183, 184, 187, 194, 195, 196, igg, 202, 208, 219, 284, 478, 520, 545, 737, 740. Easthampton, Ct., 72, 75, 78, 183, 184. Easthampton, Mass., 441. East Hampton, L. L, 439, S12. East Hartford, Ct., 148, 152, 314, 315, 357. 371, 372, 373, 3^51, 394, 404, 405, 407, 415, 417, 420, 423, 426, 432, 434, 44S, .(60, 465, 471, 472, 474, 479, 496. 497, 5^3, 509, 510, 512, 520, 521, 527, 528, 530, 535, 536. 549, 557, 572, 581, 586, 5S8, 589, 591, S92, 595, 597, 598, 599, 600, 602, 605, 609, 610, 615, 616, 618, 620, 621, 625, 626, 630, 631, 632, 643, 649, 650, 651, 652, 656, 657, 667, 668, 671, 672, 674, 677, 679, 694, 696, 704, 708, 710, 714, 717, 728, 734, 739, 740, 753, 7S5, 777, 784, 785. 793, 794, 798, 799, 801, 80s, 814, 816, 817, 818, 821, 82s, 826, 827, 82S, 831, 832, 836, 838, 841, 843, 850, 854, 858, 866, 869, 871, 886, 894, 902, 906, 926, 929, 930, 935, 939, 940, 946, 957, 965, 966, 982, 993, 1017, 1019, 1022, 1023. East Hartford Mills, 961. East Hartland, Ct., 284, 295, 771. East Haven, Ct., 122, 146, 189, 312, 4'5, 429, 489. 728, 907. East India Company, 411, 733. East Lyme, Ct., 951. Eastman, Mr., 160. Easton, Jane Ann, 1022. Easton, Ct., 632. Er.ston, Mass., 61. Eastovv-n, N. Y., 156. E.iton, Sylvester, 679, 680. Eaton, Mr., 817. East Windsor, Ct., 201, 358, 360, 363, i'H, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 373, 375, 37'>, 377, 380, 3S6, 387, 392, 394, 397, 400, 402, 405, 409, 411, 413, 422, 426, 432, 433, 435, 443, 445, 447. 458, 466, 467, 468, 472, 47S, 479, 486, 490, 491, 505, 506, 510, 513, 515, 523, 524, 543, 544, 547, 560, 5^5, 5^6, 567, 583, 584, 592, 612, 616, 618, 628, 629, 635, 637, 645, 648, 649, 657, e-is, 667, 670, 675, 680, 681, 685, 688, 701, 706, 709, 717, 722, 728, 729, 739, 744. 74S, 750, 75'^, 762, 763, 764, 770, 785, 788, 793, 799, 801, 802, 803, 808, 812, 816, 817, S23, 825, 830, 831, S32, 835, 836, 838, 850, 852, 855, 864, 865, 870, 888, 903, 907, 922, 923, 924, 934, 941, 945, 946, 947, 954, 957, 959, 993, 102 1, 1023. East Windsor Hill, 378, 380, 400, 411, 422, 425, 470, 513, 522, 572, 574, 513, 602, 622, 637, 640, 649, 655, '^58, 660, 663, 667, 700, 727, 727, 795, 827, 838, 871, 873, 874, 8S0, 894, 922, 946, 951, 982. Ebersbur.L', Battle of, 3^5. Ecclesiastical Convention in Ohio, 286, 287. Ecclesiastical History', 41, 54, 597, 598. Ecclesiastical History of Connecti- cut, S29. Echo, and Other Poems, 384, 387. Eckmiihl, Battle of, 395. Eclipses of the Moon, 357, 506, 934. Edgar, Samuel, D.D., 967. Edinburgh Encyclopsedia, 515, 518, 520, 527, 534, 540, 549, 600, 603, 621, 64S, 650, 664, 697, 699, 703, 733, S02, 84S, 8S2. Edinburgh, .Scotland, 32, 41, 43, 159, 448, 740, 848. Edmond, David, 155. Education, Early Societies, 602. Edwards, Jonathan, 6, 15, 24, 32, 36, 38, 42, 159, 196, 291, 319, 365, 454, 456, 457. 512, 649, 709, 782, 853, 907. Ed\\prds, Jonathan, D.D., 33, 35, 41, 43, 60, 62, 63, 65, 70, 86, 94, 167, 7S2. Edwards, Lucy, 17. Edwards, Martha, 984. Edwards, Pieroont, 2S5. Edwards, Richard, 513. Edwards, Rev. Timothy, 365, 385, 402, 43S, 512, 531, 730, 907, 9S4. Edwards, Mr., 269. Edwards's Works, 695. Eclls, Rev. Ozias, 5^4, 923. Eells, Rev. Ozias .Sheldon, 874, 894, 899, 907, 912, 919, 922, 923, 926, 936, 939, 940. 941, 942, 943, 944, 949, c)t;2, o5S. Eells, Rev. Samuel, 122, 299, 324. Effingham, N. H., 443. Eggleston, Maria, 525. Egremont, Mass., 42. F/jvpt, 68. 77, 142. Eldridge, Azariah, D.D., 99S. Eldridge, Joseph, D.D., 431, 457, 99S. Eldridge, Mrs. Joseph, 431, 457. Election Day, 33, 323. Election in Ohio and Pennsylvania, 267. Election Sermon, Dr. Stiles's, 62. Electoral Vote, 27, 388. Elegant Extracts in Verse, 427, 434, 469. Eliot, Rev. Andrew, 781. Eliot, Rev. Andrew, Jr., 781. Eliot, Mr. John, 306, 786. Elizabethtown, N. J., 291, 857, 978. Ellington Academy, 959. Ellington, Ct., 139, 363, 372, 394, 419, 441. 451, 455, 460, 4go, 534, SSo, 618, 655, 669, 675, 688, 775, 785, 79S, 838, 934, 980. Elliott, John, D.D., 270. Ellsworth, Anna, 535. Ellsworth, Hon. Erastus, 838, 855, 859, 864. Ellsworth, Martin, 430, 461, 675. Ellsworth, Mrs. Mary (Moseley), 899. Ellsworth, Moseley, S04, S23. Ellsworth, Hon. Oliver, 366, 430, 4!;i, 657, 658, 661, 753, 892. Ellsworth, Mrs. Oliver, 366, 370, 375, 393, 452, 504, 750, 751, 752, 753- Ellsworth, Mrs. Sarah, 375. Ellsworth, Solomon, 899, 907. Ellsworth, Stoddard, 804, 823. Ellsworth, Timothv, 943, 944. Ellsworth, Hon. William W., 430, 451, 892, 049, 1019. Ellsworth, Mrs., 856. Ellsworth, Ct., 133. Elmer, Mrs. Dolly, 600, 814, 815, 948. Elmer, Eliiah, 799. Elmer, Esther, 575, 66g. Elmer, Harvey, S42. Elmer, Henry, 59.^ Elmer, Huldah, 575, 949. Elmer, Justus, 714. Elmer, Manson, 681. Elmer, Mrs. Mary, 851. Elmer, Oliver, S69. Elmer, Orrel, 600. Elmer, Roger Pitkin, 644, 64S, 649, 651. Elmer, Roswell, 644. Elmer, Mrs. Sarah, 523. Elmer, Timothy, 1016. Elm Trees, 667. Ely, Benjamin, 893, 894, 902, 904, 909, gio, 925, 930, 958, 1006. Elv, David, D.D., 302. Ely, Ezra Stiles, D.D., 410, 517,868. Elv, Rev. John, 105. 112. Elv, Rev. Richard, 190. Ely, Rev. William, 735, 800, 850, 869, 872, qi5. Elv, Rev. Zebulon, 23, 74, 78, 410, 517, 783. 868. Ely, Mr., 301, 364. Embargo, 28, 345, 358, 364, 378, 380, 3S9, 5"- Emerson, Brown, D.D., 891. Emorson, Rev. Joseph, 557, 910. Emerson, Mrs. Joseph, 910. Emerson, Prof. Ralph, D.D., 627, 62S, 629, 644, 646, 650, 669, 670, 671, '''94, 703, 717, 723, 753, 766, 7S2, 803, 848, 884, 889, 925, 928, 939, 944, 1014- Emmons, Nathaniel, D.D., 187,314. Emperor of Germany, 114. Endicott, Gov. John, 521, 582. Enfield, Dr. William, 24. Enfield Bridge, 453, 621, 705, 861. Enfield, Ct., 12, 376, 390, 393, 394, 413, 431, 455, 470, 474, 537, 554, 558, 582, 59', 605, 629, 639, 641, 645, 646, 647, 650, 658, 660, 665, 666. 668, 670, 671, 676, 677, 681, 682, 685, 687, 689, 695, 699, 700, 7''S, 714. 718, 720, 721, 723, 731, 736. 738, 744, 751, 752, 756, 757, 760, 763, 770, 779, 781, 788, 79S, Sii, 813, 818, 823, 827, 833, 835, I034 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. 8j6, 837, 844, 853, 860, 864, 875, 880, 890, 893, 894, S98, 901, 907, 917, 918, 924, 931, 937, 941, 945, 946, 958, 961, 971, 983, 987, 993, 1016, 1019. Enfield Falls, 426, 427. Enfield's Philosophy, 24. English Clergj', 62. English Evangelical Magazine, 448. English Missionary Ship, 97. Epic Poem, 3S3. Episcopalians, 117, 132, 135, 350, 393. ^64. Epistles Second and Third of John, 381. Epistle, Second, of Peter, 379. Epistle of Jude, 379. Epistle to the Hebrews, 379. Erie County, Ohio, 215, 269. Erskine, Dr. John, 41. Esopus, N. Y., 783. Esprit des Lois ^Iontesquieu, 54. Essay on Atonement, 38. Essay on Criticism, Pope's, 102. Essay on Man, Pope's, 102. Essay on Miracles, Hume's, 37. Essay on Moral Agency, 37. Essays, John Foster, 389, 390. Essex, U. S. Ship of War, 586. Essex, Vt. , Sg. Essling, Battle of, 402, 406. Established Church, 117. Etheridge, Samuel, 687, 693, 728, 738- Ettrick, Scotland, 240. Etudes de la Nature, 142. Euclid, O., 234, 249, 259. European Population in Pennsyl- vania in 1803, 214. Eusebius, 379, 381. Evangelist, New*York, 953, 958. Evarts, Rev. Jeremiah, 171, 648, 651. Evarts, Hon. William M., 648. Everest, Rev. Cornelius B., 338, 342, 349> 566, 572, 602. Everest, Edward D., 663. Everest, Sherman, 489, 659, 663. Everest, Solomon, 906, 937, 952. Everest Fund, 971, 978. Everett, Hon. Edward, 489,987,993. Everett, Dr. Josiah, 325. Everett, Rev. Noble, 414. Everett, Esq., 728, 907. Execution, public, 165. Exeter Academy, N. H., 912. Exeter, Ct., 74. Exeter, Eng., 471. Exeter, N. H., 152, 280, 947. Exposition, 464, 846. Eylan, Battle of, 318, 321. Faber, Rev. George Stanley, 363, 405, 410, 411. 413, 458. Faber, Rev. Thomas, 363, 365. Fairchikl, Rev. Joy H., 595, 668, 671, 672, 677, 694, 696, 704, 728, 733> 739. 740, 770, 777. 785. 79?, 801, 814, 826, 832, 854, 884, 886, 892, 902, 924, 967, 983, 999, 1013, 1022, 1023. Fairchild, Mrs. Joy H., 957, 960, 1015, 1022. Fairchild, Robert, Esq., 467. Fairfax, Vt., 89. Fairfield County, Ct., loi. Fairfield, Ct., 12, 102, 193, 320, 692, 711, 781, 782, 892, 1016. Fairfield, N. Y., 177. Fairfield, Vt., 89,91. Fairfield West Association, 609, 744. Fairhaven, Mass., 149, 719, 720, 732, 738, 745. 827, 976. Fairhaven, Vt., 83. Fairlee, Vt., 153. Fall River, Mass., 744. Falls of the Ohio, 326. Families on the Connecticut Reserve, 293. Fansher, Sylvanus, 733, 740. Farmer's Museum, 8g. Farmington,Ct., 19, 80, 82, 115, 130, 147, 161, 162, 167, 183, 194, 200, 295. 3'7. 337, 343. 354, 359, 3^7, 3<>9. 397. 399. 4>6, 426, 428, 474. 479, S'f', 525. 527. 532, 55'. 557, 628, 669, 6S0, 704, 705, 744, 759, 830, 929, 936, 939, 944, 964, 967, 970,983, 1015. Farmington River, 362, 367, 938. Farmington Turnpike, 341. Farrand, Rev. Daniel, 56, 67, 116, iSi, 186, 194, 205. Farrand, Mrs. Daniel, 297. Farrand & Mallory, 874. Farrand, S. , 205. Fast Days, 6, 32, 78, 81, 112, 135, 277, 354, 391, 429, 434, 473, 534, 543. 548, 564, 616, 623, 729, S54. Fay, Hiram, u. Fay, Col. Joseph, 11. Fay, Joseph Dewey, 11. Federalism, Jefferson's View of, 164. Federalists, 113, 192, 199, 240, 248, 320, 323, 354, 357, 370, 372, 393, 411, 434, 451, 472, 522, 528, 548, 565, 587, 580, 700, 716, 738, 748, 749, 757, 761, 763, 778, 81S, 852, 929. Federalists, Anti, 113. Federal Party in Litchfield, Ct., 300. Feeding Hills, Ct., 432. Fellenberg, Emmanuel De, 972. Fellenberg School, 972. Fellows, Gen. John, 30. Female Benevolent Society, 902. Fenn, Rev. Stephen, 204. Fenner, Gov. Arthur, 16S. Fenno, Gov. James, 168, 370. Fenno, Editor, 66. Fenton, Mrs. Dolly, 1024. Fenton, Lester H., 796. Ferdinand VII of Spain, 365. Ferrisburgh, Vt., 88, 156. Ferrs', Rev. Alpheus, 955. Field, Cj-nis, 668. Field, David, D.D., 668. Field, Hon. David Dudley, 668. Field, Henn' M., D.D., 668. Field, Rev. John, 458. Field, Rev. Timothy, 173. Filley, Fanny, S71. Filley, Horace, 1006, 1008. Filley, Jemima, 613. Filley, Sarah, 1025. Filley, William Sylvanus, 432, 433. Fingal, poem, 398. Fireworks, 19. Fisher, Louisa, 751. Fishing Creek, Penn., 208, 209. Fiske, John Boyle, 142. Fitch, Augustus, M.D., 628,, 764, 781, S55. Fitch, Ebenezer, D.D., 58, 88, 93, 180, 181. Fitch, Mrs. Editha (Field), 781. Fitch, Eleazer T., D.D., 454, 474, 578, 585, 734, 795, 957- Fitch, John, 764, 855. Fitch, Sirs. Mary (Backus), 14. Fitch, Mary M., 872. Five Nations, 174. Flage, Rev. Mr., 435, 447. Flanders, 636. Fletcher, Vt., 89. Flint, Abel, D.D., 198, 200, 202, 223, 227, 233, 234, 235, 241, 251, 294, 395, 412, 443, 4^6, 483, 484, 494, 524, 534, 542, 550, 558, 592, 599, 609, 7or, 706, 708, 709, 710, 728, 759, 785, 787, 789, 802, 816, 825, 831, 861, 863, 864, 865, 872, 879, 881, 894, 902, 905, 915, 924, 927. 934, 940, 952, 953, 954. 960, 96S, 973, 978, 996, 997, 1009. Flint, Amelia, 997. Flint, Catharine, 787. Flint, James, 1013. Florida, N. Y., 156. Flowers of Ancient History, 141. Flowers of History, 124, 134, 141. Flowers of Modem Historj', 142. Foot, Daniel, 86. Foot, Freeman, 86. Foot, John, 86. Foot, Rev. John, 761, 811. Foot, Joseph Ives, D.D., 966. Foot, Martin, 86. Foot, Philip, 86. Foot, Hon. Samuel A., 760, 761, 811, 890. Foot, Stillman, 86. Foot, Capt., 122. Foot, Esq., 77, 78. Foote, Eben,204. Foote, Hannah, 473. Foote, Isaac, 473. Ford, .Simeon, 9. Foreign Mission School, Cornwall, Ct., 132. Fort Ann, N. Y., 156. Fort Detroit, 526. Fort Edward, N. Y., 156. Fort Plain, N. Y., 159. Foster, Hon. Augustus J., 495. Foster, John, D^D., 369, 386, 389, 390. 391- Foster, Naomi, 457. Foster, R. I., 95. Fourfold State, 240, 341, 342, 349, 35'- Fourth of July, 141, 709, 1009. Fowler, Rev. Bancroft, 9, 62, 641. Fowler, Elizabeth, 615. Fowler, Jonathan, 225, 227, 286. Fowler, Rev. Orin, 744. Fowler, Samuel, 286. Fowler, Mr., 94. Foxborough, ISIass., 337. Fox, Charles James, 39, 305. Fox, John, 721. Fox's MartjTology, 721. Framingham, Mass., 142. Francis, Amzi, 895. Francis, John, 623. Franklin, Benjamin, 305. FrankUn County, N. Y., 89. Franklin County, Penn., 210, 290. Franklin, Ct., loi, 182, 225, 912. Franklin, Mass., 545, 548, 841. Franklin, N. Y., 204. Franklin's Complete Works, 305. Frankfort, N. Y., 156. Frederick William II, 52, 114. Freedom of the Human Will, 36. Freeman, Hannali, 604. Freeman, Rev. Nathaniel, 742. Freeman, Mr., 117. Freeman's Meeting, 123, 135, 147, 300, 320, 353, 354, 371, 372, 393, 394, 411, 511, 528, 565, 603, 664, 679, 6S3, 699, 714, 715, 716, 738, 757, 778, S15, 816, 888, 923. Free Masons, 15, 63, 76, 87, 90, 105, 170, 171, 172, 198, 224, 326, 327, 362, 714, 785, 787. French Creek, Penn., 232. French Directory, 58. French Fleet, 275. , French Revolution, 58, 171. Frenchtown, 544. French War, 30. Frey, Rev. Joseph Samuel, 897, 90a Friedland, Battle of, 326, 331. Frolic, War Ship, 544. Frome, England, 386. Frothingham, N. L., D.D., 489. Frj'eburg, Me., 372. Fuentes de Onore, Battle of, 482. Fuller, Jahiel, 912. Fuller, Thankful, 915. Fuller, Thomas, 637. Funerals in Pennsylvania, 244. INDEX TO VOLUME I. 1035 Oager, Mabel, 541. Gager, Samuel, 540. Gainesborough, Eng. , 468. Galbreth, Mr., 232. Gallatin, Albert, 161, 605, 6ig. Gallaudet, Thomas H., LL.D., 330. Galloway, N. Y., 178. Galway, N. Y., 863. Gambler, Admiral, 336, 339, 605, 619. Gambling, 29. Gannett, Ezra Stiles, D.D., 975. Ganson's Settlement, N. Y., 174. Gardiner, Col. James, 192. Gardiner, Jonathan, 11. Garfield, President James A., 249. Gates, Aaron, .284, 295. Gates, Sarah, 674. Gay, Ebenezer, D.D., 549. Gay, Ebenezer, D.D., of Hingham, 975- Gay, Ebenezer, Jr., 299, 317, 549, 885, 987. Gay, Julius, Esq., 399. Gaylord, Alexander, 643, S17. Gaylord, Alexander L., 817. Gaylord, Rev. Asahel, 315, 325, 334, 395, 559. 562, 565, 600, 644, 79J, ^839,915, 977, 1021. Gaylord, Delia Ann, 817. Gaylord, Elizabeth Prior, 817. Gaylord, Flavel S., 895. Gaylord, Hezekiah, 1025. Gaylord, Horatio, 460, 595. Gaylord, Justus, 206. Gaylord, Major, 206. Gaylord, Mary Shepherd, 817. Gaylord, Rev. Munson C., 973. Gaylord, Rev. Nathaniel, 57, 399, 529, 556, 619. Gaylord, Sarah, 777, 817. Gaylord, Sophia, 520. Gaylord, Mr., 547. Gaylord, Mrs., 506, 514, 523. Gazette of the United States, 66. Geauga County, Ohio, 244. Gelst'on, Rev. Maltby, 564. Genealogy of the Caesars, 456. General Assembly of Presbyterian Church, 85 7, 858. General Association of Connecticut, 140, 744, 758, 785, 787, 857, 862, 930, 968, 1005, 1006, 1007. General Association of New Hamp- shire, 641. Genesee County, N. Y., 174. Genesee, N. Y., 623, 629, 762, 988. Geneseo, N. Y., 553, 558, 796. Genesis, Book of, 435, 436, 437, 438. Geneva College, 173. Geneva Flats, N. Y., 156. Geneva, N. Y., 173, 176. Geneva, Sv\'itzerland, 161. Genoa, Italy, 120, 121. Geography, Morse's Universal, 69. George II, 144, 185. George 111,813. George IV, 227, 813, 843, 870. Germany, 35, 37, 38, 84, 113. Gemiantown, N. Y., 835. Gerry, Elbridge, 45, 59, 113, 43°, 433, 440. Gertrude of Wyoming, 207. Gessner, 553, 558. Ghent, 605, 615, 619. Giant in London, 60. Gibbon, Edward, 150, 722, 723, 730, 732, 767, 769, 77°, 77I- Gibbs, Ann, 628. Gibbs, Anselm, 738. Gibbs, Prof. Josiah W., 998. Giddings, Rev. Salmon, 651. Gifford, John, 974. Gilbert, Jacob, 130, 134. Gilbert, Mr., 803. Gil Bias, 922, 958. Gilead, Ct., 41, 67, 69, 73, 74, 77, 937- Gile, Rev. Samuel, 975. Gill, Hon. Moses, 85, 95. Gillet, Rev. Alexander, 52, 69, 95, 296, 297, 301. Gillet, Rev. Daniel O., 153. Gillet, Rev. Nathan, 41, 67, 937. Gillet, Rev. Timothy Phelps, 301, 641, 756. Gillett, Benjamin, 617, 747, 1004. Gillett, Mary .\lice, 674. Gillett, Mrs. Mary, 1016, 1017. Gillett, Samuel, ioi8. Gillett, Seth, 1004. Gillett, Mr., 811. Gillies, J., D.D., 140, 304. Gilman, Arthur, 1014. Oilman, Benjamin I., 41, 47, 218, 239, 260, 271, 272, 277, 2S0, 281, 2S2, 326, 352, 434, 492, 627, 644, 853, 851, 85S, 8O1, 1014. Gilnian, Mrs. B. I., 855. Gilman, Caroline, 965. Gilman, Joseph, 280. Gilman, Rebecca, 2S0. Gilman, Robert, 644. Gilman, Mrs. Robert, 644. Glasgow, Scotland, 448, 733, 740. Glastonbur)', Ct., 67, 71, 96, 204, 396. 434, 435, 437, 438, 459, 479, 501, 504, 590, 598, 607, 675, 771, 803, 809, 866, 868, 875, 884, 893, 908, 911, 933, 952, 959,962, 1023. Gleason, P. B., 411, 463, 498, 536, 54', 550, 554, 582, 583, 671, 684, 777, 844- Glen's Falls, N. Y., 986, 989, 1022. Goddard, Rev. Joseph Bacheller, 855- Goddard, Mr., 314. Goffe, the Regicide, 725. Goldsmith, Oliver, 306, 390, 396, 397, 466. Gold, Thomas, 180. Gold, Thomas A., 180. Goldthwait, Mr., 1008. Goodale, Nancy, 496. Goodell, Mrs. Docia, 657. Goodell, Luther, 657. Goodell, William, D.D., 904. Goodman, Col., 955. Goodman, Rev. Epaphras, 822. Goodrich, Rev. Charles A., 109, 647, 853, 860, 900, 965. Goodrich, Hon. Chauncey, 44, 637. Goodrich, Prof. Chauncey A., D.D., 44, 625, 674, 675, 681, 770, 888, 890, 894, 952, 959- Goodrich, Dr. Elizur, 44, 45. Goodrich, Elizur, LL.D., 44, 143, 147- 3'^°, 548. Goodrich, Rev. Samuel, 109, 112, 114, 131, 860. Goodrich, Samuel G., 109, 170, 171, 753, 754, 762, 764, 780, 799, 804, 860, 874, 917, 959- Goodrich's Geography, 170, 171. Goodwin, Benjamin, 2, 61, 686. Goodwin, Caleb, 697, 711, 728, 805. Goodwin, Christopher, 2. Goodwin, Francis Le Baron, 282. Goodwin, George, 120, 664, 804, 917. Goodwin, George, Jr., 120, 837. Goodwin, Mrs. Hannah (Le Baron), 61, lOIO. Goodwin, Joseph, 2, 38, 40, 61, 64, 141, 1S2, 321, 332, 341, 370, 678. Goodwin, Mrs. Joseph, 443, 444. Goodwin, Nathaniel, 2, 97, 1010. Goodwin, William, 547. Goodwin, Gen., 98. Goodwin, Mrs., 574, 575. Good Friday and Fast Days, 434, 437, 5S6. Gore, Gov. Christopher, 392, 430. Gorham, Nathaniel, 286. Goshen, Ct., 10, 35, 41, 58, 61, 65, 67, 71, 83, 88, 100, loi, 129, 134, 138, 19S, 297, 303, 329, 33S, 336, 339, SS2, 573, 578, 968, 1008. Gospel, its own witness, 188. Gottingen University, 54. Goulbum, Henry, 605, 619. Gould, Henry, 442. Gould, Judge James, 339, loii. Gould, J., 9, i4'- Gould, Lewis, 59. Goidd, R., 151. Gould, Rev. Vinson, 96. Gould, William, 9, 141, 151, 442,493. Gould, Rev. William, 605, 976. Gould, Mr., 160. Governor's Guards, 437. Governor's Island, 11. Grace Church, 123. Graham, Sir Thomas, 474, 475. Graham, Mrs., 985. Granby, Ct., 41, 343, 360, 376, 408, 466, 474, 504, 516, 591, 605, 606, 630, 66g, 704. Grand River, Ohio, 259, 260, 269. Granger, C, 255. Granger, Hon. Francis, 138. Granger, Hon. Gideon, 138, 286. Grant, Alfred, 798. Grant, Alfred .Skinner, 674. Grant, Alraena Walker, 876. Grant, Anna, 897. Grant, Charles, 798. Grant, Chloe, 535. Grant, David, 532. Grant, Rev. Ebenezer, 489. Grant, Edward, 532. Grant, Epaphras, 871, 876, 1005. Grant, Flavel, 532. Grant, Frances Maria, 1005. Grant, Gideon, 708, 853. Grant, Mrs. Gideon, 708. Grant, Hannah, 674, 804. Grant, Hiram, 878. Grant, Joel, 6. Grant, Lowell, 475. Grant, Lucina, 860. Grant, Lucretia, 923. Grant, Lydia, 871, 876. CJrant, M'arilda, 833. Grant, Mary Lucretia, 876. Grant, Olive, 776. Grant, Roswell, 477, 484, 644. Grant, Sally, 871. Grant, Samuel, 846. Grant, Solymon Ward, 876. Grant, Sylvester, 477. Grant, Trj'phena, 547. Grant, President Ulysses S. , 306. Grant, Warren, 1022. Grant, Wyllis, 826. Grant, Z. P. (Mrs. Banister), 6. Granville, Mass., 173, 440, 611, 636, 755. ¥m, 984- Granville, N. Y., 84. Grave Creek, Ohio, 273, 282. Gray, Rev. Robert, 440. Great Awakening, 365. Great Barrington, Mass., 10, 181. Great Britain, 15, 19, 24, 53, 170, 329. "Great Stir,'* 853. Greek Church, 942, 943. Greek Independence, 951. Greek Lad, 959, Greek Testament, 61. Green, Ashbel, D.D., 212, 857. Green, Eunice, 842. Green, Joel Utley, 674. Gt-een, J. R., 974. Green, Sally, 842. Green, Rev. Samuel, 975. Green, Thomas, 728. Green River, N. Y., 71. Greenbush, N. Y., 178. Greene County, N. Y., 204. Greenfield, Ct., 155, 692, 709. Greenfield Hill, poem, 155. Greenfield, Mass., 152, 636, Greenland, N. H., 151, 152. Greenleaf, Editor, 66. Greenleaf, Mr., 291. Green's Farms, Ct., 1017. 1036 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, Green's Settlement, N. Y., 205. Greensburgh, Penn., 211, 212, 226, 227, 22q, 267, 269, 484. Greenwich, Ct., 33, 135, 575, 609, 953- Greenwich, Mass., 335. Grenville, Lord, iii. Grew, Mr., 949. Gridley, Elijah, 359, 360. Gridley, Rev. Elnathan, 929, 957, ^953- Gridlev, Elnathan, 365. Gridley, Rev. R. W., 678. Gridley, Timothy J., M.D., 3S5, 941, 942, 94.^. 945. 946, 968, 971. Gridley, Rev. Uriel, 123. Gridley, Mr., 199, 526. Griesback, John James, 436. Griiiin, Edmund D., Jr., 208. Griffin, Edward Dorr, D.D., 95, 133, 208, 430, 431, 432, 938. Griffin, George, 53, 208, 215, 291. Griscom, John, LL.D., 971, 972. Griswold, Alexander Vietts, D.D., lOIO. Griswold, Gen. George, 620, 621,932. Griswold, Rev. John, 83. Griswold, Gov. Matthew, 531, 552. Griswold, Mrs. Rhoda (Tudor), 8ig, 910. Griswold, Gov. Roger, 51, 66, 416, 433. 434, 437, 472, 473, 476, 5", 519, 522, 53', 548, 552. 567. 786. GriiwoM, Solomon, 285. Griswold, Rev. Stanley, 52, 57, 121, 122. Griswold, Sylvanus, 432. Griswold, Thomas, 819. Griswold, Ursula (Wolcott), 531, 552. Griswold, Hon. Mr., 568. Griswold, Mr., 833. Griswold, Mrs., 785. Griswold, Ct., 314, 875. Groton, Ct., 75, 260. Grove Hall School, 593. Grover, Ebeiiezer, 610. Guadaloupe, 429. Guardian, 368. Guerriere, War Ship, 524, 535. Guide to Domestic Happiness, 339. Guilford Council, 993. Guilford, Ct., 118, 122, 176, 179, 183, 189, 450, 593. Guilford, N. C, 856. Guilford, Ohio, 993. Guilford, Vt., 152. Gurdon, servant, 329. Gurley, Henry H., 99. Gurley, Rev. John, 7^, 99. Gurlsy, John Ward, 99. Gurley, Mrs. Mary (Porter), 99. Gurley, Mary (Mrs. Gillet), 99. Gurley, Rev. Ralph R., 74, 99. Gustaviis, Ohio, 220, 223, 250, 25S, 26S, 269. Guthrie, Rev. James, 211. Gwin, Rev. Mr., 230. Hackney, Eng., 846. Haddani, Ct., 184, 188, 189,194, ig6, •9". 199. 200, 202, 203, 204, 221, 233, 256, 312, 481, 494. Haddington, Eng., 696. Hadley, Mass., 33, 152, 612, 635, 641, 706, 938, 947. Hadlyme, Ct., 184, 196. Hale, Adino, 138. Hale, David, 592, 597. Hale, Rev. David, 592. Hale, Nathan, 138. Hale, Timothy, 138. Hale, Judge Timothy, 317, 329. Hale, Mrs. Timothy, 329. Hal.< & Horner, 607. Half Centurv Sermon, 514, 515, 539. Half Moon,'N. Y., 178. Half Way Covenant, 74, 205, 223, 359, 602, 725. Halifax, Mass., 149. Hall, Abraham, 77. Hall, Andrew, 680. Hall, Rev. Gordon, 520. Hall, John, 367, 371, 374, 381, 838. Hall, Mrs. John, 955, 959. Hall, Keziah, 6S0. Hall, Robert, D.D., 682, 727. Hall, Capt., 443, 579, 5S7, 607, 736, 769, 805, 956. Hall, Deacon, 88, 92. Hall, Doctor, 90. Hall, Judge, 773. Halle, Battle of, 308. Hallock, Jeremiah, 12, 52, 68, 69, 70, 7'. 294, 338, 340, 353, 410, 412, 897, 926, 938, 940, 953, 954, 958, 978, 1004. Hallowell, Me., 99, 361, 740, 743. Hamburg, Ct., 196. Hamden Association, 9S3. Hamden, Ct., 169. Hamilton, Hon. Alexander, 136,237, 47S. Hamilton, Mrs., 288, 294. Hamilton College, 12, 115, 161,337, 527,691,963. Hamilton, Mass., 151. Hamilton, Oneida Academy, 161. Hamldt, 6S7. Hammatt, Abraham, 364. Hammatt, Mrs. Abraham, 150. Hammatt (or Hammond), 364. Hammatt, Priscilla, 377. Hammersmith, Eno'. , 870. Hampden County, Mass., 149. Hampshire County, Mass., 140, 440. Hampton, Ct., 315, S55. Hampton Falls, 151. Hampton, N. H., 151. Hampton, N. Y., 156. Hampton, Vt., 83. Handbook of Springfield, 343. Hannah, servant, 348. Hanover, N. H., 153. Hanover, Penn., 20S. Hanover Theological Seminary, Ind., 856. _ Hardwick, Mass., 179, 458. Harmony of the Gospels, 644. Harper, Capt. James, 222. Harpersfield, 222, 250, 26S. Harrisburg, Penn., 209, 210. Harrison, Rev. Fosdic, 648, 651. Harrison, Rev. Roger, 440. Harrison, President William H., 138, 567. Harrow, Eng., 772. Harrower, Rev. David, 204. Hart, Rev. Ira, 1012. Hart, Levi, D.D., 23, 114, 314, 6S7, 1017. Hart, Gen. William, 197, 285, 323. Hart, Rev. William, 323. Hartford Bank, 563, 573, 574, 597, 651, 672, 684, 692, 701, 707, 709, 729. 737, 751, 755, 759, 7^7, 7S7, 794, 812, 816, 832, S62, 882, 905, 944- Hartford Bridge, 9:',2. , Hartford Convention, 145, 3S8, 470, 60S, 6ii, 615, 664, 755, 756, 968. Hartford County Missionary Soci;tv, 864, 865, 868, 869, 876, 884, 89b, 891, 93 7, 944. 946, 947- Hartford, Ct., 38, 42, 49, 54, 56, 58, 69, 7', 72, 76, 77, 80, 82, 100, 102, 105, 109, 120, 129, 134, 139, 142, 145, 147, 148, 160, 198, 199, 202, 210, 217, 223, 227, 233, 235, 241, 205, 251, 252, 294, 29S, 299, 303, 309, 312, 314, 317, 324, 328, 330, 334, 352, 355. 357, 361, 362, 366, 369, 37', 372, 383, 384. 393. 394. 398, 401, 406, 410, 412, 418, 424, . 431, 432, 434, 435, 436, 437. 438, 442, 443, 444. 452, 453, 4.58, 459, 460, 464, 466, 469, 472, 474, 47S, 481, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 490, 492, 493, 494, 498, 499, 501, 502, 504, 505, 507, 510, 512, 514, 515, 516, 5'7, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 527, 528, 529, 530, 532, 534, 53''. 537. 540, 54', 542, 543, 547, 548, 549, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 55f'. 559. 5'''2, 5''>3, 5^5, 570, 573, 574, 578, 580, 5S1, 5^2, 583, 585, 586, 589, 591, 592, 594, 595, 59S, 600, 602, 604, 606, 607, 60S, 609, 610, 611, 612, 615, 616, 618, 620, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 629, 631, 632, 634, 637, 638, 639, 642, 643, 645, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 657, 658, 659, 662, 664, 667, 663, 669, 670, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 679, 6S1, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 6S7, 688, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 701, 703, 704, 705, 707, 708, 709, 710, 712, 716, 719, 722, 725, 730, 732, 733, 734, 738. 740, 742, 750, 751, 752, 755, 757, 759, 760, 762, 770, 771, 779, 780, 781, 785, 787, 788, 789, 790, 79', 792, 793, 794, 79'3, 802, 803, 804, 807, SoS, 810, 811, 813, 816, 8iS, 819, 822, 823, 827, 828, 830, 831, S36, 840, 843, 846, 847, 850, 851, 854, 855, 860, 864, 865, 869, 873, 874, 875, 879, 8S0, 881, 884, 887, 892, S97, 899, 900, 905, 908, 912, 921, 92S, 930, 933, 936, 937, 940, 946, 947, 948, 951, 952, 954, 957, 958, 959, 962, 963, 964, 965, 968, 970, 971, 972, 980, 984, 986, 987, 989, looS, 1015, loig, I02I. Hartford Female Beneficent Society, 637, 639, 641, 643. Hartford North Association, 326, 360, 386, 504, 516, 566, 5S0, 608, 630, 670, 694, 730, 731, 784, 810, 847, 860, 884, 954, 966, 1006. Hartford, Ohio, 219, 220, 221, 225, 226, 228, 229, 231, 232, 233, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 241, 243, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 261, 262, 263, 265, 269, 274, 275, 283, 286. Hartford & Providence Railroad, 697. Hartford South Association, 176, 1006. Hartford Theological Seminary (Con- necticut Theological Institute), 838. Hartford Tract Society, 697. Hartland, Ct., 224, 241, 284, 295, 40S, 409, 412, 418, 426, 440, 452, 470, 516, 554, 556, 5f>5, 566, 591, 559, 630, 651, 669, 681, 704, S22, 8^7, 929. Plai-vard College, 59, 62, 65, 67, 96, 97, 136, 148, 150, 151, 162, 178, 179, iSS, 242, 292, 306, 342, 361, 466, 474, 478, 489, 630, 631, 697, 707, 713, 728, 742, 746, 747, 869, 873, 910, 947, 967, 974, 987. Harvard, Mass., 152. Harvard Medical School, 153. Harvey, Rev. Joseph, 573. Harwinton, 32, 1S5, 944. Haskell, L armaralzaman, 637. Haskell, Rev. Daniel, 372. Haskell, Eli 1,., 445, 448, 476, 479, 490, 510, 512, 519, 530, 537, 541, 547, 5S6, 595, 596, 599, 637, 638, 639, 661, 674, 708, 77S, 794, 877, 880, 946, I002, 1016. Haskell, Elizabeth, 1013. Haskell, Elizabeth (Bissell). 637. Haskell, Mrs. Frances (Walcott), 921, 1013, 1023. Haskell, Harris, 646, 669, 877, 8S0, 8S2, 886, 901, 907, 929, 946, 9S2, 1013, 1023. Haskell, Herlehigh, 901, 934, 946. Haskell, Jabez, 669, 677, 901. Haskell, Ralph, 632. Haskell, Ralsaman, 637. INDEX TO VOLUME I. 1037 Hatfield, Mr., 152, 478. Hathaway, Asahel, 285. Haverhill, Mass., 152. Havre, France, 144. Haweis, Thomas, 469. Hawes, Joel, D.D., 696, 71S, 724, 728, 732, 734, 735. 743> 750, 751. 78b) 787, 792, 810, 813, 821, 850, 928, 957. Hawes, Rev. Prince, 429, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 475, 607, 675, 809, 841. Hawkes, Robert, D.D., 471. Hawkins, Adolphus, 490. Hawkins, Joseph A., 1023. Hawkins, Nancy, 842. Hawkins, Rndolphus, 704. Hawkins, William Henry, 490. Hawley, G. W., 287,288. Hawley, Rev. Rufus, 80, 268, 524, ,533, '542, 561- 592, 955, 965- Hay, Rev. James, 290. Hayden, Capt. Daniel, 445, 623,871, 905, 942. Hayden, Edward, 905. Hayden, Elizabeth, 905. Hayden, Julius, 905. Hayden, Mary Ann, 942. Hayden, William, 623, 624, 901. Hayden, Major, 754, 807, 812. Hayden, Mr., 792. Hayden, Mrs., 191. Hayden & Imlay, 457. Hayes, Rev. Joel, 942. Hayes, Laura, go6. Hayes, Rockwell, 777. Hayes, .Sophia, 610. Hayes, Rev. Stephen, 192. Hayioy, William, 343. Haynes, Gov. John, 523, 541. Haynes, Rev. Lemuel, 93. Hazard, Ebenezer, 297. Hazel Grove, Wis., 1017. Hazen, Rev. Henry A., 576. Heath, Chauncey, 536. Hebron, Ct., 41, 67, 69, 77, 78, 85, 94, 96, 99> '83, 298, 389, 451, 742, 793, 860, 9S6. Hempsted, John A., 943. Heniy III, 813. Henry, Joseph, 682. Henrv, Matthew, 464, 846. Herd's Ferry, Ohio, 271. Herkimer, N. H., 455, 465. Herkimer, N. Y., 177. HerocUtus, 451, 452, 459, 460, 463, 464, 467, 469, 470, 471, 472. Herriden, William, 866. Herrick, Edward, 19. Henick, John Pierrepont, M.D., 953- Hewitt, Nathaniel, D.D., 939. Heylin, Peter, 143. Heyward, Benjamin, 19. Hickok, Capt., 156. Hickok, Prof. Laurens P., D.D., LL.D., 105. Higgins, Rev. David, 176. Higgins, Mr., 203. Hig.einson, Mr. John, 192, 315. Higley, Hannah, 970. Higley, Horace, 549. Hi'^ley, Silas, 326, 331. Higley, Mr., 137, 370. Higlev, Mrs., 144. Hill, Bethiah, 438, 780. Hill, Tacob, 438. Hill, Rev. Oliver, 852. Hill, William, D.D., 858, 869. Hillhouse, James, LL.D., 891. HilUiouse Avenue, 891. Hillhouse Mansion, 891. Hills, Ashbel, 1002. Hills & Phelps, 582. Hillyer, Asa, D.D., 369. Hinckley, Oramel Strong, 981. Hinckley, Samuel, 2S6. Hinesburgh, Vt., 89, 90. Hingham, Mass., 975. Hinsdalj, Daniel, 717. Hinsdale, Mr., 957. Hippo Council, 379. Hiram, Ohio, 234, 235. Histoire de Charles XII, Voltaire's, 79- Hiotoire de Pierre le Grand, Vol- taire's, 79. Historica Literaria, 789. Historical Collections, Barber's, 863, 962. Historical Gazetteer of Vermont, 91. Historical Society of Connecticut, 328. Historical Society of Massachusetts, 32S. Historical View of First New Eng- gland Planters, Robbins's, 4j2, 495, 499, 50;, 504, 505, 520, 536, 543, 546, 549, 607, 6ii, 613, 616, 617, 627, 631. History of American Revolution, Ramsay's, 55. History of Charles V, Robertson's, 1S8. History of Connecticut, Peters's, History of Connecticut, Trumbull s, 46, 47, 55, 58, 94, 5to, 742, 758, 784, 905, 913, 915. History of England, Goldsmith s, 390- History of England, Hume s, 125, 126, 127, 140, 1S5, 292. Histoi-y of French Revolution, 974. History of Greek Revolution, Com- .stock's, 952. History of Gustavus Vasa, 102. History of Proident John Adams's Administration, 178. History of Massachusetts, Hutchin- son's, 361, 362, 363, 365, 366. History of New England, Hubbard's, 306. History of New England, Neal's, 164, 708. Historj' of Popery, 63, 349, 322, 350, 351, 352, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359- History of the Puri.ans, Neal's, 164, 316, 485, 4S7, 490, 492, 502. History of Redimptic, Edwards's, 41, 43, 45, 54, 159, 162, 163. History of Roman Empire, 480. History of Rome, Goldsmith's, 390. History, Secret, of St. Cloud, 304. History and Testimonies of Euse- bius, 3S1. History of the Turks, 866. History of United States for Schools, 900. History of Virginia, Capt. John .Smith's, 1023. History of Western N. Y., Hotch- kiss's, 23, i6g, 176. Hitchcock, Mr., 548. Hoadley, Charles J., 5.86. Hoadley, Rev. Loammi Ives, 898. Hobart, John Henry, D.D., 713, 743- ^ Hockanum, Ct., 834, 964, 1019. Hochkirchen, Battle of, 560. Holbrook, Daniel, 2S5. Holden, George, 618. Holden, Mass., 719. Holkins, Major, 523. Holland, 57, 103, 348, 3^9^ Holland Land Company, 373. Holland Purchase, 373. HoUis, N. H., 627, 910. Holman, John, 599. Holmes, Abiel, D.D., 12, 103, 151, 691, 693, 974- Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 12. Holmes, Rev. Sylvester, 719. Holmes, Uriel, 239, 241, 286. Holraesburgh, Penn., 859. Holt, Capt, Isaac, Jr., 42. Holy Alliance, 665. Homer, 49. Homer, Cowper's Translation, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329. Hooker, Rev. Asahel, 61, 65, 67, 100, 138, 198, 200, 297, 317, 333, „552, 573. 1008. Hooker, Mrs. Asaliel, 552, 553, 1008. Hooker, Edward W., D.D., 138, 552, 1016. Hooker, Mrs. Heber, 923. Hooker, Henry B., D.D., 999. Hooker, Rev. Horace, 821, 903, 986, 1018. Hooker, John, 3. Hooker, Rev. Samuel, 936. Hooker, Mr. Thomas, 103, 192, 532, 536, 541, 936, 949. Hooker's Company, 192. Hopewell, Ohio, 253. Hopkins, Dani.l, JJ.D., 151. Hopkins, D. P., 946, 948. Hopkins, Josiah, 1008. Hopkins, Samuel, D.D., 18, 37, 38, 39, 62, 64, 76, 149, 15s, 296,297, 426, 454, 493, 495, 649, 711. Hopkins, Mr., 292. Hopkinsian Divinity, 232, 233. Hopkinsian Scheme, 149, 155. Hopkinton, Mass., 1012. Hi)ra5 Mosaics, 458. Hor^e Solitaris, 347, 348, 350, 354. Home Tooke, 58. Horseback Age, 115, 202, 336. Horseback journey to Ohio, 280. Horse bought, 202. Horton, Ezra, 850. Horton, John S., 839. Hosford, A., 937. Hosmcr, Charles, 446. Hosmer, Horace, 833. Hosmer, Joseph, 928. Hosmer, Juliette, 736. Hosmer, Mar)', 878. Hosmer, Robert, 568. Hosmer, Thaddjus, 878. Hosmer, Mr., 547. Hotchkin, Rev. Beriah, 176. Hotchkin, Rev. James H., 23, 169, 176, 177. Hotchkiss, Rev. Frederick W., 190, 192, 197, 334, 552. Hotchkiss, Minor, 1005. Hough, Rev. Allan, 759, 867, 903. Hough, Rev. John, 315, 977. Housatouic Indians, 36. Housatonic River, 174, 293. House of Commons, 518. House of Lords, Eng., 139. House of Stuart, 320. House of Rev. Timothy Edwards, 572. Hovey, Rev. Jonathan, 91. Howe, Gen. Hezekiah, 233, 30S, 319, 410, 425, 429, 527, 529, 556, 668, 683, 684, 686, 687, 692, 711, 724, 809, 810, 832, 863, 892, 979, 982, 102 1. Howe, Nehemiah, 88. Howe, Silas, 88. Howe, Capt., 748. Howe, Dr., 88. Howe, Mr., 677. Howe & Beers, 532. Howe & Deforest, 532, 533, 564, 56S, 622, 623, 640. Howe & Spaulding, 771, 773, 774, 799, 812, 9>5.933- Howland, Joseph, 255, 285. Howland, Ohio, 255. Howland's Ferr)', 149. Hoyt, Mr., 208. Hubbard, Rev. Ansop, 771. Hubbard, Anson, 803. Hubbard, Jonathan, 24, 27, 31. Hubbard, Rev. Jonathan, 24, 450. Hubbard, Moses, 30. Hubbard, Nehemiah, Jr., 243, 2S5. 1038 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. Hubbard, Noah, 450. Hubbard, Ohio, 223, 227, 239, 243, 253, 254, 263, 265. Hubbard, Mr. William, 306. Hubbard, Capt., 81. Hubbard's Mill Pond, 17. Hubbardston, Vt., 85. Hudibras, 660, 803. Hudson, Barzillai, 120. Hudson & Goodwin, 77, 78, 555. Hudson County, N. J., 360. Hudson, N. Y., 61, 178, 203. Hudson, Ohio, 233, 257, 266, 284, 285. Hudson River, N. Y., 156, 167, 178, 291. Hughes, Mr., 229, 265. Hull, Rev. Hezekiah, 799. Hull, Commodore Isaac, 524, 535. Hull, Gen. William, 522, 525, 526. Hull, Dr., 547- Hume, David, 37, 125. Hume's Essays, 834, 851. Humphrey, Heman, D.D., 301, 316, 320, 709, 711, 782, 942, 958, 971. Humphrey, Hon. James, 595. Humphrey, Mrs. James (Urania Battell), 595. Humphrey, Rev. Luther, 602. Humphrey, Michael, 372. Humphrey, Polly, 372. Humphrey, Dr., 95. Humphreys, Rev. Daniel, 74, 299. Humphreys, Col. David, 74, 299. Hunn, Rev. Zadok, 182. Hunter, Rev. Hem-y, 234, 358. Hunter, Dr. John, 38. Huntington, Rev. Dan, 2,3, 14, 16, 18, 67, 100, 131, 137, 381, 450, 474, 629, 634, 63s, 674, 947. Huntington, Rev. David, 23, 72, 78, 196. Huntington, Rev. Enoch, 450. Huntington, Frederic Dan, D.D., 2, 67, 100, 635. Huntington, Joseph, D.D., 21, 49, 234- Huntington, Rev. Lynde, 183. Huntington, Nathaniel G., 399. Huntington, Gov. Samuel, i, 2, 34, 433- Huntington, Samuel H., looi. Huntington, Gov. Samuel, of Ohio, 234, 259- Huntington, Mrs., 334. Huntington & Hopkins, 873. Huntington, Ct., 74, 189, 302, 899. Huntington, Penn., 208. Huntley, Eunice, 484. Huntley, Lydia H. (Mrs. Sigoumey), 6S2, 959, 1014. Hurd, Dulcinea, 831. Hurd, Dr. WilUam, 954, 965. Huron County, 215, 269. Huse, Rev. Nathaniel, 446, 495, 519, 587, 685. Husking, 43. Huss, John, 345. Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas, 361, 365, 366. Hyde, Alvan, D.D., loi, 141, 182, 19S, 321, 619, 647, 666, 678, 766. Hyde, Elisha, 285. Hyde, Rev. Lavius, 949. Iliad, Homer's, 49. Illuminati, 63, 64. Illuminations in London, 172. Imlay, James H., M. C, 136. Imlay, Mr., 805, 844, 908. Independence Day, 60, 199, 260, 897. Independent Press, 961. Indian F'ortifications, 172. Indian Mission at Stockbridge, Mass., .67. Indian Nations Reformed, 337. Indian Predictions, 159. Indian Wars, Hubbard's, 306. Indians, Oneida, 162. Indians, Seneca, 162. Infant Baptism, Prcs. Edwards's, 196. Infant Baptism, Loomis's, 742. Infant Baptism, Dr. West's, 57. Ingalls, Rev. Calvin, 324, 337. Ingersoll, Hon. Ralph I., 820, 840. Inglis, James, D.D., 441. Ipswich Female Academy, 6. Ipswich, Mass., 157. Ira, Vt., 93. Ireland, 37, 63, 64, 73, 112. Irene, drama, 452. Irish Mayor, 39. Isham, Rev. Chester, 929. Isham, Major, 987. Israel, Lost Tribes of, 6S3. Italian Nun, 175. Italians, 103. Italy, 21, 29, 35. Ives, Capt., 44. Jackson, President Andrew, 616, 619, 773- Jackson, F. J., 418, 420, 423. Jackson, Thomas, 746. Jackson, William, D.D. ,83. Jacksonville, la., 725. Jacobs, Mr., 153. Jahn, John, 962. James I, of England, 916. James VI, of Scotland, 916. Jamieson, John, D.D., 448, 455, 457. 459. 740. Janeway, Jacob J., D.D., 290, 790, S58. Jay, Gov. John, 56, 126. Jeiferson, Pres. Thomas, 27, 44, 51, 114, 118, 123, 126, 127, 129, 132, 133, 138, 141. 142, 143, 144, 160, 164, 177, 181, 184, 1S5, 186, 201, 214, 244, 291, 306, 340, 347, 376, 377. 378, 495, 547, 697. Jefferson College, 212, 231. Jefferson County, Ohio, 219, 273. Jena, Battle of, 308. Jenks, Gen. Charles, 495, 519, 664, 823, 890, 931, 991. Jennings, Rev. Ebenezer, 179, 766. Jennings, Mrs. Hannah, 522. Jennings, Mary, 477. Jenyn, Soame, 60. Jericho, N. Y., 205. Jericho, Vt., 89. Jerome, Rev. Amasa, 34, 62, 199, 361, 578. Jerome, of Prague, 345. Jersey Families in Ohio, 288. Jerusalem, N. Y., 173. Jews' Letters to Voltaire, 427, 429. Jews, Literal Return, 267. Jilson, John, S31. Joan of Arc, 939, 941, 944. John Bull, the tlothier, 112. Johns, Rev. Evan, 187, 335, 467, 521, 579- Johnson, Almira, 796. Johnson, Beulah, 805. Johnson, Bishop, 438, 457, 553, 771. Johnson, Clarissa, 553, 572. Johnson, E., 974. Johnson, Fenn, 800. Johnson, Horace, 771. Johnson, Jacob, 480. Johnson, Rev. James, 117. Johnson, N., 374 Johnson, Naomi, 897. Johnson, Peggy, 798. Johnson, Robert C, 285. Johnson, Dr. Samuel, 152, 163, 451, 523- Johnson, Samuel, D.D., 710. Johnson, Sophia, 796. Johnson, William Samuel, LL.D., 710. Johnson, Sir William, 174. Johnson, Lawyer, 394. Johnson, Mr., 646. Johnson's Dictionary, 481. Johnston, James, 241, 242, 285. Johnston, Ohio, 241, 274, 287. Johnston, R. I., 96, 148. Johnstown, N. Y., 177. Jones, Miss P., 205. Jones, Pomeroy, 165. Jones, W., 233. Jones, Rev. William, 58, 59. Joi es. Sir William, 549, 915, 918, 919. Jones, Lady, 549, 915. Jones, Mr., 412, 9S7. Jones, Rev. Mr., 257, 260. Josephus, 171. Journal of Commerce, 592. Journal, Winthrop's, 492. Judd, Jehiel, 590. J add, William, 285. Judd, Miss, 906. Judiciary Law, 164. Judson, Rev. Ephraim, i, 16, 17, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 44, 64, loi, 125, 138, 177, 321, 343,9<'9- . Judson, Mrs. Ephraim, 969. Judson, Ephraim, Jr., 30, 31, 321. Juanita River, 210. Keene, N. H., 89, 641, 989. Keeney, Charles, 572. Keep, Rev. John, 17, 25. Keeping Saturday Night, 848. Keith, Susannah, 61. Kellogg, Rev. Bela, 800, 805, 8ii, 817, 895, 1007. KeUogg, D., 346. Kellogg, Rev. Ebenezer, 595, 600, 700, 735- Kelsey, Mr., 188. Kendall, James, D.D., 97, 98, 150, 74^., 974. Kensington, Ct., 580. Kent, Ct., I, 34, 35, 44, 51, 68, 127, 131, 318, 525. Kent, Rev. Daniel, 83. Kent, Chancellor, James, 44. Kent, Duke of, 813. Kentucky, 178, 191. Kenyon College, 555. Key to Old and New Testament, 440, 447- Keyes, Cotton, 605. Keyes, Elnathan, 89. Keyes, Col., 89. Kilbum, Levina, 687. Kilburn, Roxey, 999. Killam, James, 60S, 663. Killam, Mrs. Mar)', 663, 664. Killam, May, 663. Killing\vorth, Ct., 189, 190, 197. Kinde'rhook, N. Y., 178. King, Barnabas, D.D., 424. King, Chloe, 842. King, David, 2S6. King, Ebenezer, Jr., 286. King, Elijah, 469. King, Col. Francis, 361, 427, 442, 474, 1000. King, Hezekiah, 87S. King, Joel, 505, 535, 967. King, Col. Oliver, 363, 394, 402, 427, _437, 442. King, Roderick, 575. King, Salmon, 50, 55, 69, 73, 74, 77, 315, 402, 426, 427, 437, 456. King, Rev. Walter, 333. King Lear, 349. King Philip, 96, 148. Kinne, Rev. Aaron, 590. Kinne on the Prophecies, 590. Kingsbridge, N. Y., lo, 11. Kingsbur.gh, Vt., 153. Kingsburj', Andrew, 738, 787. Kingsbury, Rev. Ebenezer, 89. Kingsbury, Hon. James, 234. Kingsbury, S., 51. Kingsbury, Mr., 153. Kingsbury, N. Y., 156. INDEX TO VOLUME I. 1039 Kingsley, Prof. James L., LL.D., 911, 932, 936,981. Kingsley, Esq., 179. Kingston, Mass., 99, 150. Kingston, N. H., 152. Kingston, Penn., 207. Kingsley, E., 154. Kinsman, Mr., 261. Kinsman, Ohio, 220, 226, 231, 238, 239, 251, 253, 261, 262, 268, 274, 275, 288. Kirby, Ephraim, 184, 193, 195, 285. Kirkland, Daniel, 162. Kirkland, Eliza, 169. Kirkland, John Thornton, D.D., 162, 747, 974. Kirkland, Sally, 169. Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, 161, 162, 167, 169, 177, 747, 974. Kirkland, N. Y., 162. Kirtland, Turhand, 259. Kirtland, Jared Potter, 259. Kirtland, Ohio, 249, 259. Kittering, Eng., 188. Koran, 102 1. Knapp, David, 20. Knapp, Rev. Isaac, 133, 343, 358, 374. 375, 491. 567, 642. Knapp, Rev. Joshua, 23. Knapp, L., 106. Knickerbocker, Mr., 162. Knights Hospitalers, 535. Knights of Malta, 535. Knowles, Sarah, 1004. Kno.x, Normand, 624, 625. Krassnoi, Battle of, 543. La Baume, Eugene, 1004. La Fayette, 976, 97S. La Fayette College, 903. Lake Champlin, 695. Lake County, Ohio, 215, 249. Lake Erie, 174, 219, 249, 568. Lambert, Daniel, 40S. Lamech, 513, 514. La Moille River, 89. Lancaster, Mass., 152. Lancaster, Penn., 55. Landing of the Pilgrims, S41. Landshut, Battle of, 395. Lane, Asa, 231. Lane, Ebenezer, 559, 560. Lane, Mrs., 219. Lane Theological Seminar}', 921. Lanesborough, Mass., 9, 10, 13, 103, 179. 341, 370, 45°. 678, 938. Lang, Mr., 153. Langdon, Gov. John, 370. Langdon, Rev. John, 566, S96. Langdon, Rev. Timothy, 103, 104, 106, loS, no, HI, 112, 113, 115, 117, 118, 120, 121, 124, 125, 126, 127, 130, 131, 193, 292, 566, 896. Langhome, Dr. John, 170. Lanman, Charles, 702. Lanman's Dictionary of Congress, 702. Lansing, Hon. John, 336, 408. Lansingburgh, N.Y., 156. Lardner, Nathaniel, D.D., 371, 372, 373, 374, 376, 377, 37S, 379, 381, 383, 384, 387, 388, 389, 393, 394, 396, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 407, 415, 416, 418, 420, 421, 657, 661, 671. Lamed, Prof. Wm. A., 496. Last End in Creation, Edwards's, 38, 319- ^ Lathrop, Joseph, D.D., 284, 344, 793, 797- Latimer, Thomas, 297. Latimer, Mr., 85S. Latin Church, 379. Latin Oration, 13, 17. Latin Studies, 459. Laurel Hill, Penn., 211. Lawrence, Eliza (Mrs. Henry Olm- sted and Mrs. Timothy J. Gridley), 384, 536, 539, 542, 603, 606, 618, 641, 651, 666, 670, 676, 679, 681, 687, 689, 691, 695, 696, 706, 709, 710, 713, 718, 724, 744, 748, 755, 756, 760, 789, 834, 836, 837, 83S, 875, 928, 934, 9381 940, 941, 942, 944, 946, 992- Lawrence, Francis, 992. Lawrence, J. William, 966, 973, 1004. Lawrence, Sally, 325, 651, 666, 766, 789, 899, 9S5. Lawrence, William, 820, 893, 895, 915, 966. Lawrence, Capt. William, 3. Lawrence, Col., 182. Lawrence County, Penn., 265. LawTence Grove, 21, 28, 157, 173, 199, 335, 539, 606, 7S9, 820. Law School at Litchfield, Ct., 291, 339- Leavitt, M. E., 314, 316, 317, 322, 332, 345- Leavitt, Thaddeus, 299, 300, 301, 312, 314, 316, 317, 345, 352, 375, 430, 515, 919, 923, 925- Lebaner, Rev. Philip, 427. Lebanon Crank, Ct., 74, 363, 376. Lebanon, Ct., 56, 72, 74, 78, 99, 152, 189, 196, 199, 201, 368, 404, 410, 517, 744, 783, 868. Lebanon, N. H., 153. Le Baron, Eliza, 832. Le Baron, Francis, M. D., 2, 174. Le Baron, Frank, 566. Le Baron, Hannah, 686. Le Baron, Isaac, 174, 571, 745, 807. Le Baron, J,, 99. Le Baron, John Allen, 372. Le Baron, Lazarus, M.D., 2, 807. Le Baron, Rev. Lemuel, 2, 17, 22, 59, 98, 141, 149, 181, 372, 414, 719, 745, 807, 832, 95S, 975, ion. Le Baron, Lemuel, Jr., M.D., 98, 746. Le Baron, Lucy, 745. Le Baron, Martha, 150, 745. Le Baron, Mar>', 96. Le Baron, Polly, 745. Le Baron, Priscilla, 150, 364, 738, 745, 833- Le Baron, Thomas Mayhew, 976. Le Baron, W., 98. Le Baron, Capt. William, 976. Le Baron, William, 685, 719, 738, 745, 746, 832, 934- Lee, Andrew, D.D., 18. Lee, Rev. Chauncey, D.D., 140, 198, 305, 326, 329, 332, 398, 551, 553, 570, 573, 577, 580, 590, 717, 987. Lee, Elisha, Esq., 29. Lee, Gen. Henry, 106. Lee, Rev. Jonathan, Sen., 476. Lee, Rev. Jonathan, Jr., 476, 597. Lee, Mass., 3, loi, 140, 182, 381,647, 67S, 766. Lee's Arithmetic, 50. Leete's Taveni, 510, 692, 715. Legislature of Massachusetts, 328. Legislature of Vermont on Religious Taxation, 340 Leicester, Mass., 152, 273. Leicester, Vt., 92. Lenox, Robert, 565, 566, 597. Lenox, Mass., 2, 8, 10, 38, 40, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 141, 143, 182, 321, 370, 408, 414, 443, 449, 450, 512, 525, 562, 607, 619, 67S, 766, 907, 938. Leonard, Rev. Joshua, 139. Leonard, Rev. Samuel, 154. Leopold, Prince, 727. Le Sage, Alain, 922, 958. Letters of Rev. John Newton, 47, 49- Letters to Paine, Levi s, 51. Letters on Unitarianisra, 928. Letters to William E. Channing, D.D., 796. Levi, David, 51. Lewis, Rev. Amzi, 120. Lewis, Isaac, D.D., 33, 135, 292, 609. Lewis, Rev. Isaac, Jr., 135, 609, 615. Lexington, Mass., 151. Leyden, Alass., 64. Liberty, Ohio, 227, 232, 253, 254, 270, 274. Life of Benjamin Colman, D.D., 972. Life of Cowper, 343, 345, 346. Life of Jefferson, Randadl's, 165. Life of Joseph, 247, 248. Life of Leo X, 862. Life of Samuel Hopkins, D.D., 316, 420. Life of President Stiles, Holmes's, 90, 103. Life of Washington, Marshall's, 201, 203, 30S, 309, 3n, 323, 324, 325. Limner, 31. Lindsley, Rev. Jacob, 272, 278, 279. Lindsley, Rev. Stephen, 271, 278, 279, 280. Lindsley, Capt. W., 546. Lines, Ebenezer, 65. Linonian Hall, 146. Linsley, Rev. Ammi, 771. Linsley, Joel H., D.D., 953, 954, 956, 970, 994, 1007. Linsley, Noadi, 13. Linsley, Mr., 704. Lion, 119. Liquor Case, 439, 443. Lisbon, Ct., 18, 592. Lisle, N.Y., 173, 205. Litchfield County, Ct., 39, 41, 45, 75, 250, 258, 284, 317, 320, 328, 425, 552- Litchfield, Ct., 2, 19, 45, 54, 66, 94, 100, lis, 125, 129, 130, 131, 132, 135, 137, 140, 184, 193, 2i6, 225, 239, 294, 302, 330, 335, 381, 404, 408, 427, 434, 439, 450, 502, 545, 561, 565, 567, 634, 668, 704, 812, 817, 1007. Litchfield, Eng., 27, 992. Litchfield Law School, 1008. Litchfield North Association, 65, 116, 336, 372, 3S6, 427, 602. Litchfield, Penn., 205. Little Cambridge, Mass., 151, 369. Littleton, Mass., 152, 372. Little Falls, N. Y., 178. Little Hocking, Oliio, 272. Little Kanawha River, 281. Liverpool, Eng., 707. Lives of the Apostles, 721. Lives of the Fathers, 721. Lives of the Judges, Stiles's, 725. Livingston, Edward, no. Livingston, Rev. Gilbert R., 360. Livingston, Henrj', 203. Livingston, Henrj' W., 178, 203. Livingston, John H., D.D., 136, 178. Livingston, Robert, 17S. Livingston County, N. Y., 601. Livingston Manor, N. Y., 178, 203. Livv',"98S. Llov'd, Thomas, 185, 186. Locke, John, 306, 910. Locke's Works, 910. Lockport, N. Y. , 935. Lockwood, Rev. James, 76, 96, 971. Lockwood, Rev. William, 76, 96. Logan, the Mingo Chief, 273. Logic, Best's, 306. Lombard, Horatio J., 701, 904. Lombardy Poplars, 324, 354, 355. London City, 44, 51, 76, 102, 114, 140, 155, 191. London Missionary' Society, 448, 934. Long Hill, Ct., 423, 452, 545, 584, 617, 622, 657, 662, 732, 777, 805, 822, 82S, 830, 840, 850, 882, 887, 922, 947. 969- Long Island, 122, 167. Longmeadow, Mass., 443, 446, 555, 1040 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, 641, 658, 779, 798, 898, 907, 911, 920, 922, 946, 1025. Long Run, Penn., 212. Loomis, Abner, 854. Loomis, Mrs. Agnes, 994. Loomis, Dea. Amasa, 412, 529, 551, 572, 666, 759, 776, 800, 812, 814, 822, 826, 900, 947, 954. Loomis, Rev. Amasa, 466, 471, 472, 529. 55'. 57', 615. Loomis, Amelia, 871. Loomis, Arethusa, 610. Loomis, Henajah, 661. Loomis, Mrs. Betsey, 658. Loomis, Chauncey, 495. Loomis, E., 1015. Loomis, Eliza Ann, 493. Loomis, Mrs. Esther, 514. Loomis, Mrs. Experience, 660. Loomis, Flavel, 621. Loomis, Capt. Giles, 506, 514, 516, 523- Loomis, Harry, 438. Loomis, Henry, 706. Loomis, Horace, 438, 516, 633, 672, 73^. 750. 772, 7SS. Loomis, Rev. Hubbell, 742, 967, 1019. Loomis, Jerusha, 866. Loomis, Julia, 627. Loomis, Laura, 600, 877, 888. Loomis, Lorrain, 355, 415. Loomis, Lucy, 1023. Loomis, Luke, 469. Loomis, Luther, 285. Loomis, Mrs. Olive, 534. Loomis, Olive Elmer, 495. Loomis, Oliver, 562. Loomis, Mrs. P., 892. Loomis, Polly, 470, 536. Loomis, Mrs. Priscilla, 660, 661. Loomis, Sally, 600. Loomis, Serajah, 772. Loomis, Simeon, 493. Loomis, Susan, 627. Loomis, Tryphena, 445. Loomis, Dea., 770. Loomis, Mr., 596, 609, 969. Loomis & Richards, 604, 608. Loomis, the name, 506. Lord, Samuel P., 285. Lord, Esq., 69. Lord, Mr., 913. Lord, Rev. Mr., 616. Lorenzo De Medici, 494. Lorraine County, Ohio, 215, 285. Lottery Ticket, 179, 308. Loudon, LawTence, 545. Loudon, ]Mass., 143. Louisville, Ky., 326. Louisiana Purchase, 199, 201, 214, 43.5-. Louisiana, 99. Louis XVII, the Lost Prince, 107. Louis XVIII, 591, 638. Louisburg, 818. Lounger, 161. Love, William, 285. Lower Neshannock, 212. Lowman, Rev. Moses, 63, 64. Luckey, Rev. Samuel. Ludlow, jNIass., 205, 605, 834. Luneville, 135. Lusiad, 985. Lusk, Gen. Levi, 692. Lutheran Church, 601. Luzerne County, Penn., 206. Lyman, Backus, 664. Lyman, Capt. Joseph, 612. Lyman, Judge Joseph, 150, 612, 615, 642, 677, 941, 942, 943. Lyman, M., 968. Lyman, Mrs. Mary, 944. Lyman, Rev. Orange, 23, 562. Lyman, William, 285. Lyman, William, D.D., 183, 478. Lyme, Ct., 195, 196, 416, 552, 559, 560. 567, 568. Lynn, 151, 518, 519, 537, 540, 588, 625. Maccabaeus, Judas, 374. Maccabius, Mathias, 374. Maccabees, two Books of, 374. MacCarthy, Nathaniel, 877, S86. Macdonough, Commodore Tlioraas, 603, 695, 1023. Macedon, Kingdom of, 444. Macedonian, War Frigate, 543. Machiavel, 979. Mack, Mrs. Betsey, looi, 1002. Mackenzie, Henry-, 161. Macpherson, James, 398, 425. Madison, President James, 348, 362, 378, 3S8, 3S9, 391, 424, 459, 482, 495> S32> 534, 537, 547, «"&, 686. Madison County, N. Y., 169. Madison, Ct., 173, 195, 270,396, 786. Madrid, Spain, 380. Maffit, Rev. John Newland, 836, 846. Magnalia, Mather's, 150, 487, 488, 490, 497, 527, 542, 546, 805, 824. Magnano, Battle of, 87. Mahomet, Life of, 163. Mahometanism, 496, 499. Mahometans of Barbary, 532. Mahoning County, Ohio, 215, 216, 218, 224, 240, 253, 255, 256, 267. Mahoning, Ohio, 285. Mahoning River, 227, 244, 253, 275. Maine Hall, Bowdoin College, 889. Maitland, Capt., 638. Maiden, Mass., 465. Maiden, Mich., 568. Malta Island, 125, 130, 132. Malta, N. Y., 178. Manchester, Ct., 73, 77, 315, 426, 434, 472, 577, 935, 93^, 965, 969, 970, 978, looi, 1020. Manchester, Vt., 9, 16, 82, 141, 151, 448, 595- Manlius, N. Y., 177. Man of Feeling, 161. Man of the World, i6r. Mann, Rev. Joel, 969, loio, 1912. Mansfield, Rev. Achilles, 189, 190. Mansfield, Ct., 33, 91, 148, 446, 5 78, 678. Mantua, 97. Mantua, Ohio, 2^8, 284. Marble, Danforth, 682. Marble, Emily, 6S2, 923. Marble, Frederic, 6S2. IMarble, Julia Wolcott, 765. Marble, Laura, 870. Marble, INIaria, 682. Marble, Marv, 6.S0, 682. Marble, Mari,' Skinner, 58. Marble, Merrow, 894. Marble, William, 682, 765, 870. Marble, William TnimbuU, 682. Marblehead, Mass., 630. Marcellus, N. Y., 169, 173, 176, 177, 182. Marcy, Rev. Bradford, 143, 159, 926. Marengo, Battle of, 120, 121. Marietta College, 279, 953. Marietta, Ohio, 41, 47, 90, 218, 239, 242, 266, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 277, 278, 280, 282, 2S4, 322, 326, 377, 380, 392, 406, 430, 490, 492, 524, 550. 596, 644, 693, 748, 789. 857. Marlborough, Ct. , 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 78, 80, 96, 724, 946, 987, 1000, 1020. Marlborough, Mass., 902. Marmon & Marshall, 52S. Marrow of Modern Divinity, 240. Marsh, Rev. Frederic, 301, 328, 286, 429. Marsh, George, 674. Marsh, John, D.D., Sen., 427, 455, 475. 487, 5'2, 555, 612, 708, 869, 870. Marsh, John, D.D., Jr., 427, 487, 537, 597. 694, 732, 870, 926, 927, 984, 994. Marsh, Peleg .S., 543. Marsh, Rev. Truman, 134, 135. Marsh, Rev. Mr., 204. Marshall, Judge John, 45, 59, no, 151, 201, 308, 399, 434. Marshall's Tavern, 80. Martha's Vineyard, Mass., 181, 719, 972, 1002. Martinique Island, 392. Marwin, Mrs., 133. Maryland, 3'^, 39, 166, 194. Mason, David, 8, 18, 21, 37. Mason, Rev. Elihu, 455, 465, 591. Mason, John, 61. Mason, John, D.D., 371. Mason, Capt. John, goi. Mason, John Mitchell, 371. Massachusetts Colony, 505. Massachusetts Constitutional Con- vention, 844. Alassachusetts General Association, 557- Massachusetts Historical Society, 328. Massachusetts Legislature, 61. Massena, Marshall, 105, 457, 464, 482. Mather, Charles, M.D., 803. Mather, Mrs. Charies, 803. Mather, Cotton, D.D., 580, 824, 972, ion. Mather, Increase, Life of, ion. Mather, Rev. Samuel, 697. Mather, Samuel, Jr., 285. Mather, Timothy, 697. Mattapoisett, Mass., 2, 98, 372, 832, 95S. Matthews, John, D.D., 856. Matthews, Mr., 266. Mattoon, Gen. Ebenezer, 942. Maxey, Jonathan, D.D. , 148. Maximilian, Duke of Sully, 822. May, Betsey S., 1021. May, Chloe R., 550. May, Rev. Eleazer, 145, 184, 194, 197. May, Rev. Hezekiah, 145. Mayhew, Rev. Experience, 992. Mayhew, Mather, 992, 1002. Mayhew, Dr. Matthew, 992, 1002. Mayhew, Gov. IMatthew, q92. Mayhew, Gov. Thomas, 976, 992. Mayhew, Rev. Thomas, 992. McClure, Mrs. Betsey (Martin), 799, 8r3, lOio, 1012. McClure, David, D.D., 358, 361, 362, 370, 383, 389, 390, 395, 396, 398, 400, 401, 402, 404, 407, 419, 420, 433, 435, 450, 4S9, 499, 526, 556, 562, 563, 570, 579, 586, 602, 610, 622, 627, 629, 630, 647, 652, 664, 667, 679, 710, 714, 749, 771, 780, 788, 799, 802, S12, 813, 814, 816, 818, 823, 824, 828, 836, 842, 867, 875, 887, 933. McClure, Mrs. Hannah (Pomeroy), 389, 391, 446, 508, 509, 5S4, 586, 587, 799, 976. McClure, Rachel (Mrs. Elihu Wol- cott), 887. McCurdv, Judge Charles J., 7S6. McDowell, John, D.D., 857. McEwen, Abel, D.D., 45, 302,338, 638, 702, 743, 818, 856, 1012. McGowan, John, 248. McGregor, M. D., 945. McHenr\-, Hon. James, 115. Mcintosh, Penn., 215, 229, 231. McKay, Prof., 14. McKinney, Elizabeth Reed, 674. McKinney, Esther, 470. McKinney, Samuel Treat, 478. McKinstrj', Rev. John, 943. McKinstiT, Family of, 943. McLean, Rev. Allen, 335, 336, 367, 386, 399, 403, 407, 440, 444, 474, INDEX TO VOLUME I. 1 041 494> 516. 543, 554, 5^4, 604, 645, 672, 704, 764, 7S5, ^29> S33, 845. 888, qo8, 940, 944, 945, 947. McLean, Col. Francis, 600. McLean, Mr., 160. McLean, Mrs., 529,935. McMillan, Rev. John, 231. McMillan, Rev. John, D.D., 231. McPherrin, Rev. John, 230. McPherrin, Rev. Thomas, 230. Meadville, Penn., 231, 232. Medfield, Mass., 96, 153. Medford, I\Liss., 930. Medical Convention, 892. Medina County, Ohio, 215. Mediterranean Sea, gi. Medway, Mass., 751, 976. Meeting-House of First Church, Hartford, 369. Meeting-Houses, Old Fashioned, 53. Meeting-Houses, in Providence, R.I., 148. Meigs, Col. Return Jonathan, 282. Meikle, James, 515. Mellen, Mr., 975. Mellish, John, 930. Memoirs, Sully s, 2S2, 826. Mentor, O., 249. Mercer County, N. J., 291. Mercer County, Penn., 267. Mercer, Penn., 267. Mercury, Boston, 85. Meredith, N. Y., 204. Meriden, Ct., 371, 715, 879, 883. Merrill, B., 142, 154. Merrimac River, 152. Merrow, Joseph M., 455. Merwin, Rev. Samuel, 510, 590, 789, 861, 862, 958, 959, 9S0, 981. Mesopotamia, Ohio, 247, 248, 264. Messenger, Col., 168. Messer, Asa, D.D., 148. Metallic Tractors, 94. Methodists, 87, 90, 92, 95, 223, 233, 251, 253, 257, 261, 262, 263, 274, 350, 86r, 876, 887, 1024. Methuen, Mass., 148. Mexico, 312. Mexico, Northern, 328. Miami College, 290. Michilimackinac, 174. Middleborough, Mass., 97, 99, 421, 490, 719. Middlebury College, 12, 82, 87, 115, 155, 179, 290, 315, 340, 527, 590, 598, 758, 797. 862, 895, 906, 93S, 937. 946, 953, IOI4- Middlebury, Ct., 301. Middlebury Falls, Vt., 86. Middlebury, Vt., 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 90, 91, 92, 95, 100, 155, 156, 194, 340. Middlefield, Ct., 192. Middlefield, Mass., 140, 143, 180, 755, 76'^. 774, 779, 805. Middlefield, Ohio, 244, 247, 248, 260, 264. Middle Haddam, ig6. Middlesex, Vt., 153. Middletown, Ct., 183, 188, 192, 194, 196, 200, 2S2, 450, 545, 584, 604, 608, 625, 629, 634, 635, 636, 656, 674, 675, 681, 756, 907, 908, 927, 971. Middletown, R. L, 149. Milford, Ct., 45, 189, 300, 330, 386, 590, 703- Millan, 941. Millard, Chauncey, 686. Miller, Asher, 285. Miller, Samuel, D.D., 904. Miller, Rev. William Fowler, 318, 335, 349, 352, 359, 395. 626. Millington, Ct., 1S3. Millot, French Historian, 6, 9. Milner, Joseph, 865. Milner's Church History, 860, 861, S65, 874. Milo, N. Y., 173. Mills, Mrs. Anna, 651. Mills, Asa A., 72, 73. Mills, Elijah H., LL.D., i8. Mills, E. W., S59. Mills, F., Esq., 639. Mills, G.,982. Mills, Rev. Gideon, 35. Mills, Jeremiah, Si. Mills, Rev. Joseph L., 182. Mills, Marv, 543. Mills, Michael, 397, 497. Mills, Michael F., 397, 401, 556, 573. Mills, Dr. Philo H., 857. Mills, Capt. Ro.swell, 913. Mills, .Samuel, 613. Mills, Dea. Samuel, 270, 408. Mills, Rev. Samuel, i8g, 190. Mills, Rev. Samuel J., 49, 50, 51, 404, 559, 606, 725, 822. Mills, Rev. Samuel J., Jr., 3, 187. Mills, Sydney, 982, 998. Mills, Dea., 155. Mills, Mr., 236, 545. Mills, East Hartford, 417. Milton, John, 27, i8g. Milton, Ct., 125, 129, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 147- Milton, Mass., 150, 615, 805, 824, 873, 941, 974, 975- Milton, N. Y., lyS. Minden, N. Y., 156. Miner, Austin, 680. Miner, Marvin, 6S0. Miner, Nancy, 680. Miner, Russell, 6S0. Miner, Thomas, M.D., 635. Mingo Indians, 273. Ministers in Berkshire County, Mass., 179. Minister s Wooing, 149. Mirick, Rev. E. A., 272. Mirror, Connecticut, 161, 519, 562, 770, 783, 808, 880, 952. Miscellanies of Oliver Goldsmith, 306. Miscellanies of President Edwards, 32- Missionary Herald, 952. Missionary Societies of Connecticut and Massachusetts, 20. Missionary Society, Baptist, of Eng- land, 42. Missionary Society in New York, 32. Mississippi College, 911. Missolonghi, 951. Missouri Compromise, The, 811, 840, 849. Mitchell, Rev. Justus, 120, 137, 292, 300. Mitchell, Mrs. Justus, 300. Mitchell, Mr., 956. Mitchell, Rev. Mr., go. Mix, Mrs. Anna (Goodwin), 399. Mix, Ebenezer, 399. Mix, John, Esq., 399. Mix, Rev. Joseph, 580, 5S3, 593, 608, 611, 621, 711, 785, 802, 888, 933. Mix, Mrs. Joseph, 802. Mix's Museum, 527. Mobile, Ala., S36. Mode of Settling Ministers, 31. Mohawk River, 45, 156, 158, 177. Mohrungen, Battle of, 316. Monkton, Vt., 87, 90. Monongahela River, Penn,, 213,214, 215, 218, 289. Monroe, President James, 105, 188, 697, 707, 723, 9", 988. Monroe, Ct., 189. Monson, Mass., gii. Montagu, Edward Wortley, 739. Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley, 739, 741, 742. Montague, Mass., 284, 641. Monteith, Rev. Walter, 858. Montesquieu, Charles de Secondet, 16, 38, 54. Montgomery, Gen. Richard, 11. Montpelier, Vt., 153. Moore, John, 856. Moore, Sir John, 393. Moore, Sally, 819, 821. Moore, Rev. Zephaniah Swift, 678. Moore, Mrs., 256. Moore's Tavern, 316. Morals, State of, 29. Moral Society, 667, 716, 740, 741. Moral Taste, 301, 303. Moretown, Vt., 153. Morgan, Gon. Daniel, 213. Morgan, Elias, 285. Morgan, John, 258, 286. Morgan, Juliana, 260. Morgan, Rev. Solomon, 54, 57, 58, 75- Morgan County, Ohio, 264. Morgan, Ohio, 220, 222, 223, 250, 258, 269. Morristown, N. J., 859. Morristown Presbytery, Penn., 206. Morrow County, Ohio, 241. Morse, Jedediah, Dr., 20, 60, 151, 162, 906. Morse's Gazetteer, 906. Mortimer, Thomas, 191. Morton, Luc)', 801. Morton, Nathaniel, 494. Moscow, Russia, 160, 530, 534, 535, 540. Moseley, Col. Jonathan, 199. Mosheim Von, John Lawrence, 41, 42, 43, 45. 46, 54, 874. Moulthrop, Mary L., 146. Moulthrop, Reuben, 146, 299, 312, 318, 415, 429, 526. Moulthrop, William, 146. Mount Carmel, Ct., 169. Mount Hope, R. L, 96,97, 148, ion. Mount Monadnock, 835. Mount Vernon, Va., 963. Mozeley, Dr., 543. Murdock, James, D.D., 54. Munger, Elizur, 669, 887. Munger, Nathaniel, 95, 100, 194. Munson, Dea., 130, 147. Muskingum Association, 392. Muskingum River, 272, 277, 282, 392. Munsell, Charlotte, 798. Munsell, Louisa, go5. Munsell, Timothy, 469, 798, 905. Nantucket, Mass., 178. Naples, 348. Nash, Rev. Ansel, 557, 700,903,934, 935, 961. Nash, Rev. Jonathan, 142, 143, 180, 765. Nash, Thomas, no. Nashannock, Penn., 269. National Fast, 54, 55, 56. Natural and Revealed Religion, 659. Nature and Danger of Infidel Philos- ophy, 59. Nature of True Virtue, 38. Naugatuck, Ct. , 300. .Neal, Rev. Daniel, 164, 316, 319, 320, 323, 325, 492, 708. Neill, William, D.D., 85S. Nelson, John, D.D., 973. Nelson, Lord, 69, 70, 118, 138, 275, 298, 300, 302, 336. Nelson, Ohio, 234,244, 258, 260,284. Nettleton, Asahel, D.D., 622, 852, 854, 856, S98. Nettleton, Roger, 258, 973. Neuchatel, France, 325. New Albany, Ind. , 326. New Ashford, Ma,ss., 10, 938. New Bedford, Mass., 57, 149, 685, 719, 720, 738,745. New Britain, Ct., 199, 408, 466, 506, 517, 579. 753- ^^ , New Brunswick, N. J., 136. Newark, N. J., 291, 859. Newberry, Gen. Roger, 247, 285, 581. I042 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. New Canaan, Ct., 119, 137, 292, 300, 859. Newcastle, Del., 695. New Connecticut, Oliio, 30, 161, 177, 195, 204, 213, 253, 256, 267, 282, 288, 290, 294, 295, 296, 299, 301, 302, 303, 309, 311, 320, 322, 345, 346, 355, 402, 408, 438, 491, 492, 506, 514, 516, 548, 564, 604, 657, 672, 6S3, 695, 706, 738, 750, 772, 785, 788, 791, S35, 879, 888, 950, 973, 1008. New Danbury, Ct., 107. New Durham, N. Y. , 204, 360, 800. New England Almanack, 398. New England Memorial, 494, 507. New England Planters, 485, 508. New Fairfield, Ct., 102, 103, 109, 114, 123. New Hampshire Missionary Society, 641. New Hartford, Ct., 44, 62, 68, 82, 95, 147, 199, 200, 202, 216, 250, 361, 392, 484, 497, 542, 578, 632, 638, 706. New Hartford, N. Y., 141, 142, 154, 157, '58, "Ji> ^('-y 168, 169, 177, 178, 2'l6. New Haven, 8, 10, 12, 19, 33, 65, 86, 94, 122, 127, 131, 143, 144, 146, 152, 153, 155. 11^7. 1S5, 189, 193, 201, 202, 233, 303, 330, 333, 334, 348, 352, 366, 371, 396, 410, 425, 432, 434, 43S, 45>, 455, 45^, 489, 5^5, 509, 510, 519, 526, 527, 528, 532, 536, 541, 545, 546, 548, 551, 560, 56S, 587, 590, 593, S9&, 597, 602, 603, 606, 607, 622, 623, 625, 640, 645, 646, 656, 668, 674, 67s, 676, 679, 683, 686, 692, 693, 710, 711, 7'5, 724, 727, 734, 741, 760, 770, 771, 774, 781, 794, 799, 804, 808, 809, S12, 814, 818, 819, 821, 831, 832, 836, 840, 847, 851, 859, 863, 870, S79, 884, 891, 892, 902, 903, 904, 910, 918, 936, 939, 948, 959, 962, 963, 97S, 981, 987. New Haven East Association, 195, 633. New Haven, Vt., 83, 85, 86, 88, 90, 92, 155,401- New Haven West Association, 204. New Jersey, 164, 167. New Lebanon Springs, N. Y., 154, 455, 457, 561, 562. New Lisbon, Ohio, 271, 277. New London Association, 865. New London County, Ct., 6g, 314. New London, Ct., 45, 63, 66, 302, 338, 552, 555, 565, 703, 728, 743, 818, 1012. New Marlborough, Mass., i, 10, 22, 67, 71, 82, 90, 95, 135, 137, 138, 140, 141, 185, 362, 424, 518, 721, 734, 736, 766. New Milford, Ct., 8, 10, 52, 102, 112, 121, 122, 127, 128, 130, 133, 137, '74, 193, 216, 293, 511, 548, 707, 781. New Orleans, La., 99, 193, 199, 222, 224, 456, 585, 772- New Preston, Ct., 216, 302, 553, 744, 792, 909. New Salem, Ct., 551, 571. New Sheshequin, Penn., 206. New Year's Address, 105, 498, 577, 61 1, 612. New Year's Hymn, 128. New Year's Mirror, 423. New Year's Poem, 129, 158, 160. New York City, 10, 15, 25, 40, 43, 63, 66, 94, no, 121, 135, 136, 137, 142, 152, 597, 782, 795, 944. New York Gazette, 66. New York State, 34, 35, 56, 177, 197, 203. Newburg, Ohio, 196, 272, 278. Newbury, Ann, 531. Newbury, Clarinda, 871. Newbury, Cynthia, 796. Newbury, Elizabeth, 518. Newbury, Mrs. Elizabeth, 662. Newbury, Emily, 672. Newbury, Ruth, 873. Newbury, Sally, 575. Newbury, Solomon Ellsworth, 801. Newbury, Sophia, 871. Newbury, Mr., 905, 906. Newbury, Mass., 151. Newburyport, Mass., 6, 151, 152,398, 485, 486, 532, 795. Newcombe, Ruby, 435. Newcombe, Rev. William, 645. Newell, Rev. Abel, 88. Newell, Rev. Gad, 154. Newell, Jacob, 915. Newell, Mr., 138, 153, 165. Newgate Chapel, 626. Newgate Prison, 406, 605, 6o5, 607, 626, 645, 646, 760, 784, 787, 799, 817, 818, 819. Newington, Ct., 455, 656, 692, 714, 759- Newman, Rev. Samuel, 334. Nev^ort, Ohio, 271. Newport, R. L, 37, 62, 149, 826, 980, ion. Newton, Sir Isaac, 691, 695. Newton, Rev. John, 47, 49, 411, 992. Newton, Hon. Rejoice, 648, 774, 776, 808, 850, 879. Newton, Roger, D.D., 636. Newton, Bishop Thomas, 27, 403, 417, 426. Nevrton, Mass., 151, 522. Newton, Ohio, 255, 257, 274, 285. Newton's Chronology, 691, 695, 696. Newtown, Ct., 257. Niagara Fort, 174. Niagara Frontier, 577. Niagara, N. Y. , 173, 174, 178. Niagara River, 174. Night Thoughts, Young's, 71, 102. Nile, Battle'bf, 69, 70. Niles, John, 161. Nisbet, Charles, D.D., 210. Noble, Daniel, 8, 17, 28, 29, 37, 38, 56, 91- Noble, David, 4. Nogglestown, Ohio, 279. Norfolk County, Mass., 150. Norfolk, Ct., I, 10, 20, 22, 27, 34 35, 42, 46, 50, 5', 58, 65, 67, 72, 73 80, 83, 85, 89, 100, loi, 106, 115 129, 137, 138, 168, 169, 17s, 177 178, 193, 194, 20S, 229, 236, 248 250, 284, 293, 295, 301, 302, 321 334, 343, 358, 36=, 374, 392, 395 408, 414, 425, 428, 442, 448, 453 456, 464, 467, 470, 471, 475, 478 484, 495, 496, 507, 5", 5'9, 524; 525, 528, 539, 543, 544, 555, 559: 560, 563, 567, 569, 572, 578, 5S3 587, 588, 590, 595, 600, 604, 606 608, 612, 616, 618, 626, 629, 638 643, 644, 650, 651, 652, 665, 66g 670, 677, 6S1, 685, 693, 694, 703 706, 710, 717, 718, 722, 728, 731 748, 752, 755, 757, 766, 782, 798 803, 825, 832, 839, 859, 863, 887: S93, 895, §99, 903, 906, 925, 928 938, 963, 966, 977, 986, 987, 1021 North, Dr. Elisha, 56, 58. North, Milo L., 593, 606, 622, 640, 684, 700. North, Dr., 934. North Bolton, Ct., 363, 595. North Branford, Ct., 122, 299, 334, 371, 8g8, 932. North Bridgewater, Mass., 150. North Canaan, Ct., 54, 58, 75, 332, 782. North Coventry, Ct., 89, 148, 156, 280, 315, 688, 908, 940, 1019. North Fairfield, Ct., 633. North Hampton, N. H., 151, 824. North Haven, Ct., 509, 510, 546, 715, ^ 742, 758. North Killingworth, Ct., 183, 192, 197, 622. North Madison, Ct., 190, 756, 786. North Mansfield, Ct., 8, 514, 786, 821,877. North Marlborough, Mass., 30, 36. North Milford, Ct., 57. North .Stamford, Ct., 120. North Wrentham, Mass., 458. Northampton, Mass., 150, 152, 321, 499, 612, 627, 645, 650, 677, 902, ', Ct., 105, 106, 107, io8, 109, no. III, 117, 118, 124, 129. Ridgefield, Ct., 10, 105, 109, 112, 131, 292, S60. Rights of Neutrals, 328. Ring, Jonathan, 657. Ring, Roderick, 662. Ripley, Rev. David B., 987. Ripley, Rev. Erastus, in, 119, 715, 896. Ripley, Capt., 241. Ripley, Mr., 157. Ripley, Mrs., 238. Risley, Da\id, 171, 172, 186. Risley, Theodore, 572. Risley, Whiting, 496. Risley, Mrs., 952. Rites and Ceremonies, 954, 961, 965. Robbins, A., S30. Robbins, Rev. Ammi Ruhamah, na- tive of Branford, Ct. — born Sept., 1740 — son of Rev. Philemon Rob- bins — graduated at Vale College, 1760 — Settled in Norfolk, Ct., 1761 — married Elizabeth Le Baron, May 13, 1762 — had been in the ministry at Norfolk thirty-five years at the opening of this diary in 1796. Made Trustee at Williams College, 2 ; kept a family school, 12, 21, 32, 42 ; missionary journey to New York State, 23 ; under medical treatment, 34, 53, 64, 65, 67, 76, 87, 90, 122 ; appointed Commis- INDEX TO VOLUME I. 1045 Moner to Presbyterian General As- sembly, 140, 161, 179, 200, 293; interests connected with his family school, 301, 327, 355,392, 394, 395; number of his pupils, 428, 437; sickness, 449 ; retired from the Cor- poration of Williams College, 450, 473 ; preached his Semi-Centennial Sermon, 493, 497; death, descrip- tion of his person and his ministry, 569, 8S9. Robbins, Mrs. Ammi Ruhamah (Eliz- abeth Le Baron), 2, 364, 603, 710, 717. 73'> S24, 889, 918, 921, 925, 963, 1004. Robbins, Ammi Ruhamah, Jr., 3, 10, 21, 35. 58, 64, 65, loi, 144, 15S, 183, 194, 275. 293, 324, 326, 329, 335. 364, 395. 428, 434. 468, 477, 571, 601, 628, 638, 666, 706, 752, 839, 863, 880, S84, 921, 92S, 969. Robbins, Mrs. Ammi Ruhamah, 803, 808. Robbins, Anne Jean, 615. Robbins, Chandler, D.D., of Boston, 974- Robbins, Chandler, D.D., of Plym- outh, Mass., I, 17, 19, 21, 29, 30, 37. 39, 41, 56. 60, 65. 67, 71, 74. 86, 87, 89, 14), 211, 2i8, 242, 271, 282, 449, 746, 496, 892, 974, 1014. Robbins, Chandler, Esq., of Maine, 892, 894, 930. Robbins, Chandler, M.D., 98, 150, 858, 902. Robbins, E. N.,g9. Robbins, Hon. Edward H., 150, 154, 615, 642, 746, S73, 941. Robbins, Elizabeth (Mrs. Grove Law- rence), 10, 20, 27, 28, 30, 40, 45, 53, 107, 157, 161, 199, 302, 333, 337, 384. 477. 493. 539. 561, 628, 633, 634, 638, 643, 789, 820. Robbins, Esther, of Canaan, Ct., 3. 35,41. 49. 61, Si. Robbins, Rev. Francis L., 12, 25, 46, 100, 179,302,312,324,333,335, 360, 370, 371, 384, 395, 404, 407, 413. 432, 434. 437. 443. 444. 447, 449. 459> 461, 473, 475, 480, 490, 491, 511, 512, 515, 525, 531, 539, 545. 549, 559, 566, 567, 573, 578, 595, 604, 60S, 670, 674, 677, 679, 684, 688, 693, 698, 700, 706, 707, 710, 712, 713, 719, 722, 730. 731, 736, 738, 744, 751, 769, 775, 788, 789, 803, 811, 812, 827, 833, S37, 844, 849, S56, 861, 870, S84, 889, 890, 912, 917, 941, 943. 946, 954. 1016. Robbins, Mrs. Francis L. (Priscilla Le Baron), 870, 880, 884, 889, 912, 943. Robbins, Hannah (Mrs. B. I. Gil- man), 41, 218, 239, 271, 279, 2S0, 449. 457, 459- , , , , Robbins, Hannah Rebekah, 16, 76. Robbins, Rev. Isaac, 95, 98, 102, 211. Robbins, James, 761. Robbins, James Watson, 12, 25, 31, 34. 43. 51, 56, 63, 71, 100. 107, 131, 138, 144, 154, 179, 195, 235, 242, 25s, 266, 275, 294, 299, 30S, 312, 319, 320, 324, 327, 330, 331, 332, 346, 349, 356, 360, 377, 378, 380, 383, 384, 392, 404, 408, 4n, 413, 414, 423, 431, 434, 439. 443. 447. 466, 468, 4S4, 486, 492, 494, 498, 502, 507, 511, 512, 519. 523, 529. 527, 539, 553, 536, 560, 562, 565, 578, 591, 618, 619, 671, 673, 675, 678, 703, 718, 787, 788, 879, 8S0, 8S4, 894, 902, 903, 918. Robbins, Mrs. James Watson, 539, 671, 870, 879, S80, 884, 889, 912, 943* Robbins, James Watson, Jr., M.D., 891, 903, 906, 908, 909, 938. Robbins, Jane Prince, 2S2. Robbins, John, of Wethersfield, Ct. , 199. Robbins, Jonathan, no. Robbins, Rev. Ludovicus, 955. Robbins, Nathaniel, 16, 23, 31, 32, 34, 43, 44. 50. 58, 79. 107, 132, I33, 158, 161, 185, 194, 205, 262, 296, 31', 324, 348, 355, 359, 373, 377, 395, 400, 414, 428, 438, 439, 443, 449, 468, 493, 497, 514, 517, 519, 525, 528, 530, 541, 544, 548, 556, 559, 5S7. ^oi> 620, 628, 631, 633, 64 1 , 890. Robbins, Mrs. Nathaniel, 496. Robbins, Nathaniel, of Cambridge, I, 87. Robbins, Nathaniel, Jr., of Cam- bridge, I. Robbins, Rev. Nathaniel, of Milton, Mass., 150, 154. Robbins, Peter Oilman, M.D., 518, 519. 534. 537. 560. 587. 5S8, 625, 746, 754. 755, 758, 774, 796, 799, 992, 1015. Robbins, Rev. Philemon, of Bran- ford, Ct., I, 9, 17, 76, 87, 97, 9$, 122, 334, 400, 473, 546, 8S9. Robbins, Philemon, 746. Robbins, Rebekah Hannah, 9, 76. Robbins, Richard, of Cambridge, I, 3- Robbins, Rev. Royal, 5S0. Robbins, Royal E., 5S6. Robbins, Samuel, of Canaan, Ct., 3. Robbins, Samuel, 12, 25, 30, 31, 305, 320, 324, 335, 346, 359, 391, 428, 424, 453, 468, 495, 525. 528, 533, 540, 544, 548, 556, 558, 559, 561, 566, 572, 573, 596, 611, 612, 651, 671, 704, 705, 706, 722, 752, 753, 776, 803, 870, 884, 8S9, 896, 966. Robbins, Mrs. Samuel, SS4, 896. Robbins, Rev. Samuel Prince, 59, 60, 62, 67, 71, 90, loi, 134, 137, 140, 141, 163, 183, 19S, 200, 235, 242, 255, 272, 275, 277, 2S2, 284, 296, 340, 365, 380, 391, 392, 400, 406, 425, 430, 435, 437, 447. 4S9, 49°, 524, 550. 568, 596, 6u, 735, 748, 789, 942. Robbins, Sarah (see Mrs. Joseph Battell). Robbins, Thomas, of Charlestown, Mass., 163. Robbins, Thomas Mayhew, 976. Robbins, William H., 740, 743. Robbins & Appleton, 835. Robertson, Dr. William, 18S, 190. Robinson Crusoe, 155. Robinson, Edward, D.D., 169, 983. Robinson, Elijah, 970. Robinson, Gov. Moses, 11, 179, 180. Robinson, Rev. William, 983. Robison, 62, 63, 73. Roby, Dr.,8. Rochester, Mass., 2,98, 149, 372, 414, 669, 719, 746, 749, 805,958. Rockaway, N. J., 424. Rockford, 111., 627. Rockingham, Vt., 152. Rockwell, Mrs. Abigail, 6S0, 842, 868, 1004. Rockwell, Ann Maria, 1006. Rockwell, Mrs. Anna, 47S. Rockwell, Caroline Augusta, 819. Rockwell, Charles, 472. Rockwell, Chloe Adeline, 905. Rockwell, Daniel, 1008. Rockwell, David, 776. Rockwell, Edward Charlton, 682. Rockw-ell, Eleazar Bingham, 454. Rockwell, Eliza, 722. Rockwell, Francis, 798. Rockwell, George, 593, 864. Rockwell, Harriet Tracey, 71S. Rockwell, Helen, 472. Rockwell, Hiram Bumham, 875. Rockwell, James Francis, 905. Rockwell, Jerusha, 868. Rockwell, Joel, 905. Rockwell, John, 585. Rockwell, Joseph, 804. Rockwell, Julia, 631. Rockwell, Maria, 777. Rockwell, Mrs. Mary, 833, 864. Rockwell, Nathaniol, 44:, 6S2, 71S. Rockwell, Noah, 478. Rockw.-ll, Olive, 8. Rockwell, Pegg>', 870, 875. Rockwell, Racliel, 415. Rockwell, Roswell, 854. Rockwell, Rosv/ell Lewis, 875. Rockwell, Russell, 781. Rockwell, Russell, Jr., 781. Rockwell, Ruth, 905. Rockwell, Samuel, 774. Rockwell, Samuel, Jr., 774, 775. Rockwell, Samuel Henry, 868. Rockwell, Sarah, 440, ASo, 6S2. Rockwell, Mrs. Sarah (Sheldon), 774, 775- „ Rockwell, Solomon, Esq., 319. Rockwell, Sydney Williams, 682. Rockwell, William, 923. Rockwell, Capt., 707. Rockwell, Esq., 473. Rocky Hill, Ct., 71, 2S9, 299, 399, 520, 739, 756- Rodgers, John, D.D., ii, 135, 291, 292. Rogers, Jourdan, 9S6. Rogers, Rev. Medad, 102, 103, 109. Rollin's Ancient History, 20, 22, 64. RoUo, Lucy Ann, 1009. RoUo, Ralph, 1009. Rollo, Sybil, 1009. Roman Republic, 452. Romans, 22. Rome, Goldsmith's, 396, 397. Romeyn, Benjamin, 6, 9, 12, 33. Romeyn, John B., D.D., 687, 750, 783, 1005. Romeyn, Thomas, 6, 28, 33. Romulus, 164. Root, Ephraim, 233, 261, 285. Rootstovvn, 233, 257, 2S5. Roscoe, William, 494, 862. Rosetta Bay, 69, 70. Ross, Hon. James, 193. Rossiter, a boy, 534. Roveredo, Battle of, 21. Rowell, William, ggi. Rowland, Rev. David S., 351, 367. Rowland, Rev. Henry A., 351, 367, 395. 399, 400, 429, 445, 453, 4S9. 503, 544, 553, 580, 581, 5S6, 593, 637, 646, 672, 732, 812, 824, 860, 871, 8S4, 907, 940, 946, 954, 997, 1015. Rowland, Sherman, 862. Rowley, Mass., 151, 561. Ro.\bur>', Ct., 648, 651. Ro.\bury, Mass., 83, 85, 150, 519, 719, 754, 755, 796, 799. 974, 9S2, 985, 994. 1015. Roys, Auren, 569. Roys, Mrs., 516, 523, 524. Rudd, James, 152, 1S9. Ruggles, Samuel, 798. Rupert, Vt., 83. Russell, Jonathan, 605, 6ig. Russell, Nathaniel, 150, 745, 80S. Russell, Mrs. Nathaniel (Martha Le Baron), 150, S08. Russell, Capt., 193, 334- Russia, 92, 113, 115. Russians, 86, 97, 105. Rutgers College, 790. Rutgers Street Church, 136. Rutland, Vt., 92, 766. Rutland County, Vt. , 83. Rye, N. J., 135, 137. Saalfield, Battle of, 308. Sabbath Observance, 225. 1046 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. Sabin, Hezekiah, 33. Sabin, Mercy, 33. Sacred Biography, Hunter's, 234, 358. Sacred Historj', Jamieson s, 448, 455, 457, 450, 74°- Sadd, Hcpzibnh, 421. Sadd, Irene, K71. Sadd, Mrs. Mary, 406. Sadd, Noah, 559, 582, 756, 871, looi. Sadd, Ralzaman T., 756. Sadd, Simeon, 415. Sadd, Thomas, 5S2. Sadd, William VV., 559. Sadd, Mr., 932, 933, 948. Saint Cloud, 304, 305. Saint Lawrence River, 167. Saint Leon Island, 797. Saint Pierre Jacques Bernardin, 142, 144. Saint Vincent, Lord, 139. Saint's Rest, 353,354- Salamanca, Battle of, 528. Salaries of Ministers, 3S7. Sale, George, 102 1. Salem, Mass., 151, 316, 471, 527, 642, 671, 713, 754, 8yi- Salem, N. Y., 124, 125, 130, 134. Salem, Ohio, 243, 255, 264, 279, 280. Salem Parish, now Naugatuck, Ct., 300. Salisbury, Ct., 23, 31, 32, 34, 36, 41, 67, 97, 116, 203, 301, 316, 386, 476, 537, 597, 601, Sii. Salisbury, Mass., 151. Salisbui7, N. Y., 172. Salisbury, Ohio, 893. Salisbury, Vt., 91, 92. Salmon Brook, Ct., 474, 885. Salt Springs, 171. Salter, Gen. John, 1009 Salter, Richard, D.D., 798, 1009. Salus Electonim, Owen's, 708. Sampson, Dr., 298, 300. Sand Spring, 5, 7. Sandeman, Robert, 106. Sandemanians, 106, 107, 109, 126, 926. Sanders, Rev. Daniel C, D.D., 86, 154, 603. Sandisfield, Mass., 32, 33, 59, 140, 141, 321,341, 938. Sandusky, Ohio, 269. Sandwich Islands, 132, 688, 734, 798, 853, 904- Sandwich, Mass., 7, 480. Sanford, Peleg, 286. Sanger, Col., 157, 159. Saratoga Springs, 5, 361, 783. Sargeant, Rev. John, 320. Sargeant, Rev. Samuel, 463, 491, 494, 498, 508, 512. Sargeant, a Sectarian, 280, 281. Sargeant, Mr., 578. Sattei-field, Rev. James, 252,265, 269. Saturday Evening, 15. Saugatuck, Ct., 646. Savage, Hon. James, 492. Savannah, Ga., 25. Saxton, Rev. Noah C., 830. Say, Esq., 192. Saybrook, Ct., 177, 184, 186, 188, 189, 190, 192, 193, 195, 197, 198, 323, 601, 608, 612. Saybrook Platform, 190, 340. Sayne, Esq., 203. Scantic, East Windsor, Ct., 363, 368, 371, 376, 398, 4", 415, 422, 435, 440, 456, 463, 471, 472, 474, 483, 491, 5'2, 515, 520, 528, 544, 554. 565, 590, 610, 625, 627, 648, 664, 668, 669, 679, 685, 686, 700, 702, 721, 725, 732, 748, 755, 757, 779, 800, 804, 813, 818, 827, 836, 866, 878, 883, 888, 890, goo, 906, 917, 919, 923, 940, 943, 953, 1025. Scantic Ferry, 363, 463. Scantic River, 363. Scarboro, J. R., 921. Scarborough, ^Ir. , 890. Scarborough, Mrs., 765. Scarcity of money, 44. Schaghticoka, N. V., 156, 162, 178. Schenectady, N. Y., 33, 156, 598, 60J. Schodack, N. Y., 178. School Fund in Ct., 186. Schoolmasters, 230. Schools in Marlborough, Ct., 74. Schools on Western Reserve, 293. Schuyler, N. Y., 177. Schuylkill Bridge, 859. Schuylkill River, Penn., 290. Scituate, Mass., 746. Scituate, K. I., 96, 148. Scotland, 41, 188. Scotland, Ct., 188, 313, 315, 357. Scott, Thomas, D.D., 40. Scott, Sir Walter, 949. Scriptore Romani, 621. Scripture Chronology, 334, 335, 337, 340, 435- Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity, 645. Seabrook, N. H., 151. Searle, Rev. Ambrose, 347. Seasons, Thomson's, 72, 73. Sedgwick, Hon. Theodore, 20, 37, 60, 103. Sedgwick, Mrs. Theodore, 36. Seelye, Julius H., D.D., 105. Selby, William, 965. Seldert, Rev. David, 196. Selden, Edward, Esq., 203, 204, 312, 334, 367, 481. Self-Knov.ledge, Mason on, 61. Self-Scrutipy, 306. Seminole \Var, 773. Seneca Indians, 162, 175. Seneca Lake, 173. Sentimental Journey, Sterne's, 632. Sergeant, Erastus, M.D., 32, 33, 320. Sergeant, Rev. John, 32, 62, 167, Sermon on Eastern Missions, Rev. Gordon Hall's, 520. Sermons on Regeneration, Dr. Chas. Backus, 305. Sermons Read to Congregations, 34, 43- Sessions, Rev. Mr., ion. Sewall, Rev. Samuel, 630. Sewall's, Judge Samuel, Diary, 630. Seward, John, 490. Sewickley, Penn., 212. Seymour, Col., 931. Shad, 33, 741. Shaftsbury, Vt., 82. Shakespeare, 194, 201, 313, 314, 325, 329. 330, 336, 337, 338, 425. Sharon, Ct., 90, 100, 101, 133, 216, 326, 520, 5S4, 760. Shay's Rebellion, g, 33, 56. Sheafe, Gen., 551. Sheffield, Eng., 525. Sheffield, Mass., i, 10, 15, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 34, 36, 58, 64, 125, 138, 161, 177, 1S8, 268, 321, 322, 343, 368, 450, 525, 561, 562, 570, 969. Shelburne, Vt.,88. Sheldon, Rev. Arthur, 527. Sheldon, Daniel, M.D., 32S, 329, 338, 565- Sheldon, Mr., 928. Shepard, Samuel, D.D., 59, 61, 141, 143, 607, 678, 766. Shepherd, Lucy, 850. Sherman, Charles, 418, 536, 541, 560, 596, 597, '''27- Sherman, Rev. Daniel Austin, 497. Sherman, Rev. Heniy, 632, 638. Sherman, Rev. Josiah, 330. Sherman, Martha, 300, 330. Sherman, Roger, 419, 959. Sherman, Ro^er Minot, LL.D., 892. SheiTnan, Sally, 330. Shingle-Kill, N. Y. , 203, 204. Shipman, Judge Nathaniel, 936. Shipman, Rev. Thomas L., 936. Shoreham, Vt., 83, 156. Shrewsbury, RIass., 626, 973. Shuckford, Rev. S., 528, 631. Shuckiord's Connections, 528, 631, 632. Shumway, Dr., 99. Shurtleff College, 967. Sickness in Ohio, 235. Sickness in Sheffield, Mass., 15,17,19. Sideling Hill, Penn., 289. Sideling, Penn., 210. Siey^s, 106. Signing off, 400. Sigouruey, Charles, 959, 1014. Sill, Theodore, 10. Silliman, Prof. Benjamin, Sr., 12,625, 900, gci, 903. Silliman, Prof. Benjamin, Jr., 900. Silliman, Mrs. Gold Selleck, 12. Silliman, Mr., 404. Silliman's Journal, 544. Simsbury, Ct. , 35, 52, 80, 147, 295, 334, 33*5, 339, 34°, 343, 345, 349. 351, 353, 355, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 363, 364, 366, 369, 372, 373, 377. 378, 384, 397, 399, 402, 403, 407, 411, 415, 416, 424, 428, 429, 434, 440, 444, 445, 45°, 45''^, 467, 474, 479, 484, 49', 498, 5 '6, 5S5. 591, 604, 619, 628, 642, 645, 669, 713, 749, 754, 762, 764, 7S5, 794, 805, 829, 845, 849, 884, 888, 893, 894, 902, 904, 910, 916, 923, 925, 930, 945, 958, 962, 1006. Singing Meeting, 15. Singing-Schools, 388. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, 24. Six Nations, 174. Skaneateles Lake, N. Y., 170, 172, 346. Skinner, Mrs. Abigail (Smith), 829. Skinner, Alice, 5, 8. Skinner, Ammi, 798. Skinner, Ann, 871. Skinner, Benjamin, 4. Skinner, Curtis, 531, 871. Skinner, Daniel J., 559, 829. .Skinner, Elias, 435. Skinner, Horace, 532. Skinner, Rev. Ichabod Lord, 74, 940. Skinner, Mary, 871. Skinner, Rev. Newton, 408, 456, 506, 517, 541, 543, 547. 565, 579, 581. 627, 628, 650, 682, 753, 759, 853, 961, 972, 1000. Skinner, Mrs. Newton (Wolcott), 579. Skinner, Oliver, 559, 798, 829. Skinner, Oliver, Jr., 532. Skinner, OiTal, 506. Skinner, Roxey, 674. Skinner, Timothy Loomis, 674. Skinner, Rev. Thomas, 4, 18. Skinner, Hon. Thompson J., 4, 5, 7. 13, 17, 37, 364- Skinner, Dr., 303, 304. Skinner, Mrs., 723, 737,884. Slave trade, 327. Slavery in Connecticut, 413. Slavery in Massachusetts, 413. Slaves, 34S. Slippery Rock, Penn., 212. Sloan, Col., 9. Smalley, John, D.D., 199, 466, 517, 753, 759,972- Small-Pox Hospital, 6, 52. Smith, Rev. Cotton Mather, 100, 548. Smith, Rev. Daniel, 135, 646, 1020. Smith, David, D.D., 1S3, 1S4, 197, 202, 334, 345. 57S, 610. Smith, Rev. David, 230. Smith, Gov. Israel, 375. Smith, Gov. John Cotton, 54S, 5S2, 616, 664, 690, 702. Smith, Prof. Nathan, 153. INDEX TO VOLUME I. 1047 Smith, Norman, 688. Smith, Hon. Robert, 418, 482. Smith, Samuel Stanhope, D.D., 151, 291, 659, 906. Smith, Widow Silee, 617. Smith, Col., 550. Smith, Dr., 156, 214, 243, 261. Smith, Esq., 10, 236, 2S8. Smith, Gen., 263, 288, 290. Smith, Mr., 42, 227, 228. Smith, Mrs., 230. Smith and Williams as family names, 617. Smith on the Trinity, 622. Smithfield, Ohio, 219, 220,221,223, 226, 228, 229, 231, 236, 237, 238, 241, 243, 250, 251, 253, 254, 261, 262, 263, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 273, 274, 2S6, 287, 288, 296, 303- Smithfield, Penn., 206. Smithfield and Russelton Lottery, 291. Smith's Sermons, go6. Smollett, Tobias, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144. Snodgrass, Rev. James, 273. Snow, Rev. Simeon, 298. Snow, Rev. Mr., 230. Snow in Ohio, 245. Snowden, Rev. Samuel F., 164, 169. Snow's History- of Boston, 6. Snuff-box, 424. Snuff-taking, 424. Snyder, Zechariah, 835. Socinianism, 655. Somers, Ct., 59, 62, 116, 194, 295, 3>2> 355. 419. 437. 455. 457. 488, 509, 520, 527, 532, 564, 566, sSSi 625, 652, 655, 673, 777, 780, 896, 927, 928, 955, 967, 1021. Somers, Ohio, 250, 269. * Somerset County, Penn., 211, 2S9. Somerset, Penn., 2S9. Soult, Marshal, 393, 482, 563, 566. South Boston, Mass., 595, 668. South Britain, Ct., 963. South Canaan, Ct., 181, 194. South Carolina, 128. South Church, Hartford, Ct., 198. South Farms, Ct., 146. South Hadley Canal, 677. South Hadley Falls, 677. South Hadley, IMass., 641, 765,811, 942. South Hero, Vt., 84. South Windsor, Ct., 423, 818. Southampton, Mass., 112, 706. Southborough, Mass., 974. ■ Southbury, Ct., 451, 830, 936, 944. Southey, Robert, 343. Southington, Ct., i6g, 332, 355, 782, 902, 983. Southfield, Mass. , 450. Spain, 57, 170, 367, 3S8. Spalding, Asa, 303, 433, 434, 437- Spalding, Rev. John Joachim, 118, 120. Spaniards, 367. Spanish Ewe Lamb, 414. Spanish Fleet, 275. Spanish Territories, 37. Sparks, Jared, LL.D., 399, 742, 967. Spear, Rev. William, 211, 212, 488. Spectator, Addison's, 170, 171, 173, 176, 366, 367, 368, 469, lOII. Spelling-book, Webster's, 127. Spencer, George, 615. Spencer, Rev. John, 167. Spencer, Otis S., 854. Spencer, Mr., 236, 237, 738. Spencer, Mass., 152, 187, 973. Spenser, Edmund, 730. Spi-ague, William B., D.D., 187, 188, 756. 793, 797. 799, 924, 979, 982, 983- Spring, Gardiner, D.D., 584, 795, 856, 857, 9S8. Spring, Samuel, D.D., 536, 541. Springfield Bridge, Mass., 343, 344. Springfic-ld, Mass., 31, 343, 366, 405, 468, 472, 478, 491, 521, 529, 677, 706, 708, 72S, 752, 802, 834, 849, 851. 875, 922, 946. Stafford, Ct., 361, 486, 788, 835. Stafford Springs, 361, 486, 596. Stamford, Ct., 10, 135, 645, 649, 656, 658, 659, 1020. .Stamford, Eng., 408. Standing Order, 819. Stanford, Ohio, 256, 283. Stanley, l^rof. Anthony D., 566. Stanby, Maiy, 904. Stanley, Capt. Matthew, 566. Stanley, Theodore, 566. Stanljv, Mr., 30. Staples, Seth P., Esq., 7, 99, 800, 804, S05, 811, S13. Star in the East, 411, 733. Star in the West, 683. Starksborough, Vt., 88, 90, 92. Starkweather, Clarissa, 721. Starkweather, William, 9. Starkweathers, 9. Starr, Ephraim, 285. Starr, George, 928. Starr, Henry, 292, 333, 33S. Starr, Rev. Peter, 10, 50, 68, 81, 93, loi, 107, ir4, 123, 131, 133, 136, 200, 261, 270, 292, 298, 325, 335, 392, 404, 434. 437, 438, 557, 560, 609, 610, 631, 670, 704, 731, 741, 742, 818, 8ig, 821, 92S, 945, 961, 963, 966, 968, 1003. Starr, Mrs. Peter, 35, 93, 293, 392, 394, 401, 560, 604, 670, 671, 731. Starr, Peter, Jr., 35, 38, 39, 49, 50, 59, 60, 86, 130, 439, 453, 857. Starr, Rachel, 116. Starr, Thomas, 133. State Government, 381. State House, Boston, 151. State Prison, 406. Statistics of Journey to New Hart- ford, N. Y., 157. Statistics of New Haven, Ct., 505. Steams, William A., D.D., 630. Stebbins, Rev. Samuel, 295, 350, 356, 36c-, 754, 755, 757, 794, S29, 845. Stebbins, Mrs. .Samuel, 884, 939. Stebbins, Samuel S., 762, 765, 777, 779, 794, 801, 815, 822, 844, 845, 849, 8S1, 885, 916, 923, 944, 962, 972, 1017. Stebbins, Rev. Stephen W., 476, 587, 592, 801. Stebbins, William, 577, 580, 5S2, 5S3. Stebbins, Student at Yale, 4, 7, 8, 10. -Stedman, Adocia, 572. Steele, Rev. Eliohalet, 42, 161, 163. .Steele, Dea. Josiah, 90. Steele, Sir Richard, 36S. Steele, Mrs., 231. Stent, Old Mr. , 546. •Stepney, now Rocky Hill, Ct., 468. Steriinar, Gen. EHsha,8ii. Sterling, Ct., 58, 75, 96, 148. Sterling, Mass., 152. Sterne, Laurence, 632. Steubcnville, Ohio, 271, 273, 277, 2S2. Stevens, Benjamin Rice, 450. Stevens, Esther, 766. Stevens, Rev. John, 67, 71. Stevens, Nathaniel, Esq., 364, 969. Steward, Rev. Joseph, 688, 701, 721, 723. 732. Stiles, Ezra, D.D., 62, 103, 149, 725, 907. Stiles, Rev. Isaac, 907. Stiles, Samuel, 1006. Stillman, Samuel, D.D., 826. S'.illwater, N. Y., 178. Stockbridge, i6g. Stockbridge, Mass., 6, 9, 10, 12, 17, 20, 21, 25, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33, 36, 55, 58, 61, 64, 67, 71, 74, 82, 103, 139, 140, 143, 145, 187, 202, 210, 239, 300. 313, 321, 324, 333, 341, 562, 6ig, 666, 678, 701, 766, 875, 918, 936- Stocking, Daniel, 700. Stocking, Joseph, 285. Stockton, Rev. Joseph, 231, 232. Stoddard, Dea. Charles, 900. Stoddard, John, 286. Stoddard, Nathan F., 1004. Stoddard, Rev. Solomon, 152, goZv 940. Stoddard, Mr , 902. Stokach, Battle of, 87. Stone, Adolphus J. , go6. Stone, Rev. Randolph, 863. Stone, Rev. .Samuel, 536, 541. Stone, Rev. Timothy, 759, 798. Stone, Rev. William, 193. Stone, William L., 446, 783, 794, 891. Stonington, Ct., 20, 40, 1012. Stcn-s, Rev. Charles Backus, 898. Storrs, Rev. Eleazer, 33, 181. Storrs, Henry M., D.D., 898. Storrs, Rev. Richard S., of Long- meadow, Mass., 446, 543, 639, 658, 778, 798. Storrs, Richard S., D.D., of Brain- tree, Mass., 446, 52S, 89S. Storrs, Mrs. Richard S., of Brain- tree, Mass., 528, 907. Storrs, Richard S., D.D., of Brook- lyn, N. v., 446, 769. Storrs, Rev. William, 437, 665. Story, Rev. Daniel, 279. Stouchton, Abigail, 454. Stoughton, Alexander, 662. Stoughton, Amelia, 878. Stoughton, Anna, 541. Stoughton, C\mthia, 995. Stoughton, Dorothy, 379. Stoughton, Mrs. Eleanor, 646. Stoughton, Elisha Aver)', 905. Stoughton, Mrs. Elizabeth, 618. Stoughton, Guy, 531. Stoughton, Henry Channing, 878. Stoughton, Hepzibah, 871, 878. Stoughton, Horace, 6S7. Stoughton, Irene, 834. Stoughton, Irwin Fitch, 878. Stoughton, John, 878, 905, 1009. Stoughton, John, Jr., 421. Stotighton, John A., 828. Stoughton, Julia Ann, S78. Stoughton, Lucy, 1009. Stoughton, Lydia, 871. Stoughton, Mary Ann, 987. Stoughton, Oliver, 617. Stoughton, .Samuel, 379. Stoughton, Wyllis, 9S7. Stoughton's Brook, 518. Strafford, Lord, 140, 143. Strange Sickness in Winchester, Ct., 323- Stranger in Ireland, 316. Strasburgh, Penn., 210, 211. Stratford, Ct., 467, 476, 710. Stratham, N. H., 152. Stratton, Ebenezer, 5. Street, Rev. Nicholas, 146. Street, Titus, 285. Stretch, L. M., 49. Strong, Gov. Caleb, 85, 113, 168, 286, 321, 664. Strong, Rev. C\-prian, 300. Strong, Da\-id, 778. Strong, Edward, D.D.,296, 419. Strong, Hannah, gS6. Strong, Col. John, 51, 52. Strong, Jonathan, D.D., 622. Strong, Dr. L. , 743. Strong, Mrs. Nancy, 892. Strong, Nathan, D.D., 49, 75, 80, 100, 147, 182, 183, igS, 199, 200, 202, 210, 217, 224, 234, 240, 243, 244, 250, 258, 284, 294, 299, 309, 315, 316, 410, 475, 499, 512, 537, SS°, 571, 573, 577, 579, 59^, 600, 1048 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D. 610, 617, 620, 623, 625, 626, 631, 634, 649, 659, 664, 673, 685, 686, 6S7, 688, 6yi, 692, 6g6, 701, 709, 711, 718, 728, 883, 986. Strong, Nathan, IM.D., 309. Strong, Sophia, 697. Strong, Wareham, 747. Strong, Hon. William, 296, 419. Strong, Rev. William, 295, 296, 313, 419. 437, 488, 509, 520, 532, 585, 625, 652, 655, 777, 78S, 898, 927, 967, 1019, 1021. Strong, Mrs., 765. Stowe, Mrs: Harriet Beecher, 149. Stowe, Joshua, 2S6. Stowe, Ohio, 257, 285. Stuart, Prof. Closes, 796, 979. Students in Divinity, 297. Student's Pocket Dictionary, 191. Sturbridge, Mass., 603. Sudbury, Vt., 85, 667. Suetonius, 675. Suffield, Ct., 100, 173, 18S, 299, 300, 312, 316, 317, 334, 352, 375. 418, 430> 475. 515, 516, 547. 630, 765, 813, 885, 919, 923, 947. Suffield, Ohio, 257. Suffrage, 349. Sullivan, Gov. James, 321, 328, 332, 352, 358, 392- Sully, 828. Summe of Chuixh Discipline, Hook- er's, 947. Summit County, Ohio, 215, 233, 257, 284. Sumner, George, M.D., 883. Sumner, Gov. Increase, 85, 86, 95. Sumner, Joseph, D.D., 973. Sunbury, Penn., 209. Sunday Evening, 15. Sunday restored in France, 171. Sunderland, Mass., 641. Sunderland, Vt., 82. Susquehanna River, 20, 167, 205, 206, 207, 20S, 209, 210, 235, 290, 324, 390- Sutton, Mass., 279. Swan, Rev. Roswell R., 795. Swan, Rev. William, 212. Swansea, Mass. , 97. Swanzey, N. H.,641. Sweetzer, Seth, D.D., 630. Swift, Rev. Ephraim Griswold, 450, 678, 766. Swift, Job, D.D., 7, 14, 82, 93, 153, 179. Swift, Rev. Seth, i, 15, 93, 180, 318, 333- Switzerland, 57, 102, 186, 972. Synopsis Criticorum Biblicorum, 329. Synopsis, Poole's, i86. Systematic Divinity, 736. Tait, Rev. Samuel, 269. Talcott, Rev. Hervey, 5S4. Talcott, Jared G., 763. Talcott, Mr., 1020. Talcott Mountain, 29S, 317, 323, 353, 397, 530, 707- Tallmadge, Elisha, 761. Tallmadge, Ohio, 266. Tamarind, 562. Tanner, Capt., 242, 243. Tari, Switzerland, 409. Task, Cowper's, 346. Taste Scheme in Theology, 641. Taunton, Mass., 24, 97, 99, 719, 745, 929. Taylor, Clarissa, 127. Taylor, Cyprian, 667. Taylor, Rev. J. P., 9, 81, 9S4. Taylor, Rev. James, 641, 645. Taylor, John, D.D., 36. Tavlor, Rev. Nathaniel, 98. Taylor, Prof. Nathaniel W., D.D., 102, 112, S20. Taylor, Mrs., 189. Teignmouth, Lord, 549. Telemachus, 660, 662. Templeton, Mass., 835. Tennessee, 37. Tenney, Caleb J., D.D., 708, 762, 830, 863, goi, 902. Terreau, (ien., 291. Terry, Mrs. Chloe, 871, 874. Terry, Claris.sa, 761. Terry, Ely, 761. Terry, Horace, 600. Terry, Joseph, S72. Terry, Gen. Natlianiel, 513. Terry, Oliver Grant, S74. Terry, Samuel, 569, 571. Terry, Seth, Esq., 803, 1009. Terry, Silas, 496. Terry, Silas Burnham, S74. Terry, Mr., 5S2, 587. Tewicsbury, Mass., 152. Texel, 98. Thacher, James, M.D., 98. Thames River, 84. Thanksgiving Days, 25, 44, 70, loi, 126, 154, 155, 184, 274, 306, 340, 377, 419, 49C', 534, 609, 624, 649, 686, 722, 759, 760, 763, 764, 828, 878, 911. Thanksgiving, Democratic, 191. Thanksgivings, State and National, 523, 624. The Forresters, 112, 113, 116. The Triangle, 684. The Street, 405. Tlieological Institute of Connecticut, 622. Theological Magazine, 34, 43, 47, 49, 51, 58, 62, 463, 709. Theological Seminary, New Haven, 102. Theology Explained, Dwight's, 737. Thetford, Vt., 153, 641. Thomas, Isaiah, 300, 398, 466, 500, 506, 575, 973- Thomas, Judge Joshua, 612. Thompson, Dr. Augustus A., 83. Thompson, G. D., 53, 98. Thompson, George, 53, 55. Thompson, Joseph P., D.D., 593. Thompson, Dr. William, 83. Thompson, Aunt, 17, 86, 98. Thompson, Dr., 6. Thompson, Ct., 520, 742. Thomson, James, 72, 73. Thornton, John, 411. Thucydides, 684, 686, 687, 1022. Tichenor, Gov. Isaac, 91, 375. Tileston, Dea. Thomas, 721. Tillotson, Dr. John, 977. Tilsit, Peace of, 326, 331, 348. Tioga, Penn., 205. Tioga Point, 205. Tioga River, 206. Tiverton, R. I., 149. Tobacco Crop, 717. Todd, Eli, M.D., 979, loio, 1014. Tolland Association, 55, 204, 1006. Tolland County, Ct., 69. Tolland, Ct., 36, 313, 394, 478,480, 486, 519, 553, 557, 590, 744, 796, S9^>, 903, 934, 935, 9'''i, 967- Tompkins, Hon. Daniel D., 359, 510. Tonawanda, N. Y., 174. Tonawanda River, i7.<. Tonawanda Swamp, 174. Toogood, Rev. Charles, 62. Top boots, 606. Tornado, 563. Torres Vedras, 457. Torrey, Rev. Reuben, 875. Torrey, Rev. William T., 746. Torringford, 45, 46, 47, 50, 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 64, 65, 81, 94, 96, III, 187, 300, 301, 302, 305, 506, 514, 539. 638, 640, 822, 855, 921, 968. Torrington, Ct., 21, 35, 39, 47, 52, 68, 95, 96, 220, 250, 296, 301, 327, 338, 339, 414, 562, 567. Tour to the Hebrides, 523. Tower, G. H., 237, 239,254, 260, 265, 487. Towns in Ohio named from Connec- ticut, 237. Townsend, Jeremiah, 65. Townsend, Mr., 204, 260. Tracy, Gen. Uriah, 137, 225, 286, 330. Trafalgar, Battle of, 275, 292. Training Days, 113, 121, 123, 209, 832. Traits of the Aborigines, 932. Travels in New England and New York, 895. Treadwell, Gov. John, 56, 295, 301, 302, 416, 428, 433, 434, 437, 472, 473, 474, 477, 607, 936, 944. Treaty of Paris, 598. Trenton, N. J., 291, 683, 859. Trenton, N. Y., 204. Trial of Virtu3, a Poem, 305. Trinity College, 103, 883, 891, 964. Trinity, Doctrine of, 420. Triple Alliance, 568. Tripoli, 291. Tristram Shandy, 632, 633, 817. Troy, N. Y., 156. True Holiness, by Dr. Hopkins, 39. Trumbull, Benjamin, D.D., 46, 47, 54, 55, 5S, 94. 510, 742, 758, 7S4. 905, 913, 915- Trumbull, Col. John, 292, 979. Trumbull, Judge John, 855, 886. Trumbull, Gov. Jonathan, Sr., 323, 783- Trumbull, Gov. Jonathan, Jr., 56, 195, 196, 210, 292, 322, 396, 404, 406, 407, 416, 7S3. Trumbull County, Ohio, 215, 216, 218, 219, 222, 223, 227, 229, 233, 240, 241, 243, 247, 250, 253, 25s, 256, 257, 264, 267, 271, 274. Trumbull's Works, 886, 934. Trvixton, Capt. Thomas, 109. Tubbs, Mr., 208. Tucker, Mr., 106. Tudor, Edward, M.D., 75S, S96. Tudor, Elihu, M.D., 368, 456, 495, 512, 537, 5^0, (^15, 632, 688, 703, 725. 732, 758, 760, 772, S05, 819, 821, 863, 881, 910, 913, 919, 945, 1024. Tudor, EUza, S39. Tudor, Lucretia, 846. Tudor, Naomi, 6S3. Tudor, Mrs. Naomi (Diggins), 517, 679, 6S3. Tudor, Oliver, 419, 424, 541, 580, 650, 691, 846, 871, 953. Tudor, Samuel, 376, 419, 421, 425, 432, 517, 683, 7S4, 819, 897, 902, 909, 910. Tudor, Mrs. Samuel, 419, 497, 630, 693- Tudor, Rev. Samuel, 368. Tudor, Sophia, 610, 65o, 691. Tudor, Ursula, 376, 517, 683. Tunij, Bey of, 291. Tunkhannock Creek, Penn. , 207. Turkey Hills, Ct., 95, 352, 353, 355, 356, 357. 359. 369. 375. 405, 474. 621, 626, 630, 645, 647, 648, 661, 668, 669, 697, 724, 730, 738, 760, 761, 784, 799, 817, 829, S30, S34, 852, 860, 862, 864, 885, 896, 942. Turks, 86, 150. Turner, Bates, 89, 91. Turner, John, 449. Turner, Nathaniel, i, 18, 24, 82, 90, 13s, 139, 140, 141. 362, 449. S'S. Turner, Samuel, 449. Turner, Rev. W. W., 981, 984. Turnpikes, 116, 139. Turrell, Rev. E., 972. Tuscarora Indians, 174. Tuscarora, N. Y., 168, 174. Tuthill, Kev. Moses, 984. Tuttle, Misses, 9S4. Twelve Ca:sars, 675. INDEX TO VOLUME I. 1049 Twenty below Zero, 384. Twini-ng, Stephen, 774, 903. Tyler, Bonnet, D.D., 301.' Tyler, Pres. John, 333. Tyler, Rev. Lemuel, 371. Tyler, Rev. Samuel, 23. Tyler Grip, 333. Typhus Fever, 798. Tyringham, Mass., 20, 40, 143, 145, 192. Tyrol, 661. Tytler, Ale.\ander Eraser, 755, 848. Tytler's History, 754, 755. 757, 75S, 762, 764, 799, Soo, 802, 803, 804, 805, 807, 808, 813, 84S, S53, 869, 870, 871, 873, S74, 917- Ufford, Nancy, 528. Unadilla River, 205. Union College, 86, 94, 148, 179, 337, 360, 371, 417, 598, 604, 891, 966, 967. United States Ship of War, 543. Unity, Penn., 211, 212. Universal History, 19S, 296, 302, 410, 417, 419. 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 430, 434, 435, 436, 437, 440, 442, 443, 444, 446, 447, 448, 451, 452, 454. 455, 456, 474, 47S, 480, 481, 482, 483, 4S5, 4S6, 4S7, 495, 496, 49^, 499, 5°!, 502, 5<^3, 504, 505, 506, 5°8, 512, 513, 515, 522, 523, 524, 527, 52S, 529, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 54S, 551, 554, 557, 559, 561, S64, 566, 56S, 572, 573, 578, 579, 580, 583, 5S4, 5S5, 587, 5S8, 589, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 599, 600, 604, 605, 606, 607, 60S, 609. Universal Restoration, in Four Dia- logues, Winchester, 251. Universal Suffrage, 748. Universalists, 49, 206, 20S, 209, 266, 398,425,925,926. University of St. Andrew, 37. University of Vermont, 153, 396,603, 636, 9S0. Upper Neshannock, Penn., 265. Upson, Mr., 194. Upton, Mass., 549, 6S7. Utica, N. Y., 158, 160, 162, 163, 164, 16S, 173, 177. Uxbridge, Mass., loi. Vagabond, 181, 186. Vaill, Rev. Joseph, 184. Van Shaack, Henry, 8. Vancluse, loii. Variations of Popery, 967. Variations of Protestantism, 967. Vasa, Gustavus, 102. Vattell, 6, 9. Venice, 39. Vergennes, Vt., 87, 154, 155, 156, 315. Vermont, 38, 43, 194. Vermont University, 372. Vernon, Ct., 73, 3'35, 363, 386, 394, 401, 407, 437, 447, 469, 595, 610, 638, 642, 697, 700, 735, 789, 800, S26, 850, 876, S77, 878, 894, 908, 912, 915, 934, 937, 943, 947, 949, 952, 994, 995- Vernon, N. Y. , 177. Vernon, Ohio, 243, 26S. Verona, Battle of, 87. Verona, N. Y., 1S3. Vershire, Vt., 153. Version of New Testament, Gries- back's, 436. Verstille, Charlotte, 520, 523, 730. Verstille, Eliza, 657. Verstille, Nancy, 730. Verstille, Peter, 730. Vicar of Wakefield, 303, 390, 466. Victor, Marsha], 474. Victoria, Queen, S13, 815. Vienna, Austria, 410. Vienna, Ohio, 219,221, 226, 228,240, 242, 243, 251, 252, 254, 255, 263, 266, 26S, 2,75, 2S3, 288. View of the Prophecies. !• aber's, 405. Village .Sermons, Burder".-, 431, 448. Villeneuve, Admiral, 275. Viiniera, Battle of, 367, 373. Vindication of the Scriptures, 40. Virgil's . 459, 461, 467, 468, 474, 476, 478, 489, 493, 496, 499> 512, 517, 522, 527, 548, 554. 566, 577, 578, 584, 590, 593, 597, 598, 609, 612, 625, 626, 630, 637, 640, 644, 650, 668, 674, 683, 692, 710, 715, 725, 742, 744, 756, 759. 762, 770, 77'. 774, 782, 793. 795, 798, 799, ■< , 815, 818, 8;9, 863, 865, 869, ,0, 8S2, 883, 8S5, 888, 891, 892, 894, 900, 902, 903, 904, 905, 908, 910, 913, 920, 926, 935, 936, 943, 947, 954, 964, 966, 988, 1017, 1019, Yale College Chapel, 534. Yale College Corporation, 593. I 1052 DIARY OF REV. THOMAS ROBBINS, D.D, Yale College Education Society, 780. Yale College Libraiy, 292. Yale Medical School, 259. Yale Theological Seminary, 112, S88, 926. Yarmouth, Mass., 151. Yates, Andrew, D.D., 371, 372, 381, 390, 407, 415, 417, 419, 42o> 423, 429, 430, 436, 458, 479, 497. 507. 512, 513, 520, 521, 533, 535, 536, 5S0, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 594, York, Pei>n., 20', . 595j 597i 59^- 599> ''OOi ^2, 604, York, Upper Canada, 551 Yorkshire, Eng., 209, 733. Youngstown, Ohio, 21S, 221, 224, 232, 256, .':67, 270, 271, 2S3. 542, 549. 553. 557. 568. 573. 577. York County, Pa., 290. 626, 643, g6'i Yates County, N. Y., 173. Yearby, Alexander, 748, 749. Yellow Fever, 15, 40, 42, 63, 64, 65, 94, 121, 322, 797. Yohogany Forks, Pa., 211, 214, 219, 230,231,237,239,243,254,260,261, Zurich, Battle of, 87, 105 264. Zemora, a Poem, 398. Zion"s Pilgrim, 471 > mm FOUR NON-fi LD-l (AW ^ . DMTKl INTE iHREE IM NON-RENEV\ University of California Library Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. DATE SF^ nOT 1 6 1997 OUtbWEEKSFROIV DATE RECEIVED UCLA URLVILL REC'D LD-URl JAN 2 19B8 APR •>. H 2000 DUE 3 MONTHS FROM DATE RECEIVED, ^EC'DYRL JULiatX)' Form L9- ■•-..'.''.■■]• ■— ^ f' c_u £iZj int i Qni %OJIT> UNIVERSITY OF CAUF0RNIA-L09 ANQELE9 -JfEK 7260 R53A) mmm m m