S. Williams's journal continued from Oct. 11th 1782 till Novr 19th 1782

S. Williams's journal continued from Oct. 11th 1782 till Novr 19th 1782

Journal of Stephen Williams

[Woodstock, Conn.?] 1782

[16] p. ; 17 cm. (8vo)

MSS L1991.1.62

"Tuesday 29th ... At evening a dozen married people collected, supp'ed, drank brandy, danced, played blind Buck & David, & carried on high &c till after X the whole concluded with several of Doctor Waldon's songs; the company dispersed ...." p. 8|Between Saturday the 2nd and Tuesday the 5th, much discussion of the deaths of Hezekiah Smith of Ashford, who had been thrown from his horse and a Mr. Ainsworth who had fallen while working on the barn.|"BeneziahChild came ... [and traded] a 6 year old oxen [for] our 8 year old one. agreed to pay us 26 shillings in 6 weeks or two months." p. 14|In cleaning out the well of Wednesday the 13th, "Peter Sanders helped me to draw out ... 2 pewter porringers, a quart bason, the tea kettle's cast [cast iron?] cover &c" p. 14|"Sunday 17th - ... Sylvester Marcy came over with Sylvester Smith from N. London. He has been at sea chief of 3 years, was captured & carried into N. Nork but returned & cam home & left [in] March he went again & was taken & carried to Bermuda ..." p. 16

Identity of author determined by mention of his father (Rev. Stephen, 1693-1782) preaching on Nov. 3rd, 17th, and other times and praying with parishoners ; and mention of "uncle Warham", his father's brother.
Journal kept by Stephen Williams, showing books read, farm tasks undertaken, visits, and other daily occurrences.
Farm tasks include killing rats; shucking corn; picking, grinding, and "cyderyzing" apples; shaking trees for nuts; driving pigs and gogs from their pen; shooting and dressing squirrels; and pulling turnips.
"Sat. Oct.r 12th ... [T]ook my horse & rode to town. Stopped at Col McClellans, but Willm & John being not at home, made to Mrs. Holmes's ..." p. 1. William and John McClellan are mentioned again on the 30th, p. 9.
"Paid three dollars to doctor for medicine & attendance last spring when I had the smallpox by incoulation .... Went to burying yard & saw where our friend and classmate Ripley who died of the smallpox was buried ... Went to Mr. Crafts paid him for my boards when inoculated for 16 days 14 shillings ,...." p.1
:Sunday 13th ,,, Went to meeting Uncle Warham preached .... After meeting, Mr. Hadlock Marcy came & conversed till 11 oclock on politicks commending himself & blaming everybody else...." p. 2
The next several days mention reading in Elements of Criticism and the Spectator. On Sunday the 3d and following, he reads Mason on self knowledge. On Nov. 17th, he mentions Mr. Edwards's Inquiry into the Qualifications for Full Communion
Sunday 27th: "Capt Ezra Chaffee had a pair of twins christened, ... Prudence & ...Mary. After meeting a man unknown to us came here & desired Father to attend the funeral of Mr. Brice's infant child ...." p. 7

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