39317th. (Adams Papers)
Thompson did not attend this day at the Office. Phillips called to see us this afternoon. He has been to Portsmouth, and is now upon his return to Boston: he expects to read law in Mr. Dawes’s office. I walk’d into Newbury this evening with Stacey. The evenings grow long to my great regret. At present I can employ the evening from dusk till nine o’clock in walking; and as I am not over fond of...
39328th. (Adams Papers)
We met this evening at my lodgings, as we have changed the evening in order to accommodate Thompson who wishes to attend Mr. Spring’s lectures. This young fellow, who is possessed of most violent passions which he with great difficulty can command, and of unbounded ambition, which he conceals perhaps even to himself has been seduced into that bigoted, illiberal system of religion which by...
39339th. (Adams Papers)
Thompson went to see Miss Roberts at Newtown. I cannot read with so much satisfaction for some days past, as I usually do, as my eyes are very troublesome. Walk’d in the evening, but quite alone: I finished a day or two since, my performance for the 5th. of next month; and am now very closely engaged in a matter which has been accumulating upon me these two months. According to JQA ’s draft...
393410th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Kimball supplied the place of Mr. Andrews this day. I observed none of Captn. Coombs’s family were at meeting, and heard in the afternoon that his Daughter Polly, had left this world; and I trust for a better, this morning; after an illness of four or five months. In the afternoon I went to Mr. Spring’s, meeting and heard a Mr. Story preach there hammering away in the true stile upon...
393511th. (Adams Papers)
Thompson watch’d last evening; in consequence of which he felt not much disposed to study closely this day, and was but little at the office. Walk’d in the evening with Putnam. For protection against fires and other disorders, the town of Newburyport required the services of two night watchmen, chosen by the constables from a list of all able-bodied townsmen ( Currier, Newburyport John J....
393612th. (Adams Papers)
I called in the afternoon for about half an hour, at the office. Attended Miss Coombs’s funeral. It was very long. I walk’d with Putnam. As we were returning we accosted Miss Jones and Miss Fletcher; and waited on them home. After which we went to see Townsend Who came in town this forenoon; we past an hour or two there and afterwards walk’d till between nine and ten. Townsends cough, still...
393713th. (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Emery who has been very ill these four or five weeks, died last night, leaving to the wide world two orphan children, who three years ago had the fairest prospects of sharing a fortune of ten thousand pounds sterling; but who in consequence of Mr. Tracy’s misfortunes, are now almost destitute of support. I walk’d in the evening with Stacey and Little. Stacey left us. We met Putnam walking...
393814th. (Adams Papers)
This was a day of humiliation and prayer at Mr. Carey’s: on account of his sickness; and to implore the assistance of providence in choosing a colleague to supply his place. Mr. Webster of Salisbury preached in the forenoon; and performed very well. But Dr. Tucker in the afternoon was very interesting and pathetic; in showing how good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together...
393915th. (Adams Papers)
I called in at Mr. Tufts’s to see Mrs. Shaw this morning. I found old Mr. Carter there. Geneological as usual. I dined at his house, with my friends from Haverhill. He asked me to return to tea: I excused myself. He said that tippling business would be going on, every afternoon at six o’clock; if I would call there, I should be welcome. I returned to the Office but felt so much dis sipated,...
394016th. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Townsend, in company with Mr. Andrews, and Thompson. After dinner we took a ride: went down to Mr. N. Tracy’s, but he was not at home. On the road we met the governor, who was coming into Town. We went to Mrs. Atkins’s. She was in fine spirits and consequently very good company. We were however obliged to come away early as the weather was rather disagreeable. I spent the evening at...
394117th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Andrews preach’d for us; this forenoon he was lengthy in his prayer upon the late misfortunes in the several families. In his Sermon he likewise touched upon the subject, in recommending to us, so to number our days, that we might apply our hearts unto wisdom. I past the evening with Townsend. There fell a considerable quantity of rain, in the course of the last night, and of this day. And...
394218th. (Adams Papers)
This morning I perceived a deal of stirring in the Streets; and was finally informed that the governor was reviewing the troops of this Town; after which a number of officers, and other gentlemen escorted his excellency to Haverhill; where he intends to dine; and then I suppose he means to show himself some where else. I passed the day at the Office. And the evening, at home in writing; I...
394319th. (Adams Papers)
Several of the gentlemen who accompanied the governor, yesterday to Haverhill, went on to Salem with him, and did not return till this evening. I was with Townsend. JQA ’s line-a-day entry for this day reads: “Stacey return’d. Rain. Walk with Putnam. Townsend” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 16).
394420th. (Adams Papers)
I was walking with Putnam in one of the Streets in Town, this evening, when we heard a strange noise in a house, and a number of people standing round it. We went up to the window and heard a man exhorting as they call it. That is calling upon God, in every tone of voice, and repeating a number of texts of scripture, incoherently huddled together, so as to make an unintelligible jumble of...
394521st. (Adams Papers)
Upon Stacey’s invitation I went with him and Putnam, and two young lads by the name of Greenough, to Mr. Greenleaf’s; where we had something like a concert of music. The house was soon filled with people; it seemed as if there was nobody within five miles that had ever heard the sound of a violin before. Some of the young Ladies thought it would be pretty to join with their voices in the...
394622d. (Adams Papers)
We assembled this evening at Thompson’s. Mr. Greenleaf called in and past an hour with us. He was apprehensive that we were disgusted with the crowd last evening; but we undeceived him. He talk’d about the war; for he was an officer in our army. “And little of this great world can he speak More than pertains to feats of broils and battle.” Putnam has not yet got over his trick of leaving us to...
394723d. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Thompson’s, with Mr. Andrews and Townsend. In the afternoon I took a ride with Little to Haverhill. I endeavoured to persuade him to go with me the week after next to Cambridge; but my labour was in vain. We had a very smart thunder shower, while we were on the road, but it was very soon over.
3948[24 August–2 September] (Adams Papers)
Here, this journal very abruptly breaks off. I had long doubted whether the utility attending the method which I have pursued were adequate to the time I have devoted to it. But an indisposition, which for two months has prevented me from writing has finally turned the wavering scale. I will not however immediately drop all memorials of my transactions; but the remainder of this volume will...
394924. (Adams Papers)
Parson Dutch preach’d. L. White and Mr. Thaxter.
395025th. (Adams Papers)
Return’d from Haverhill. Somewhat interrupted.
395126th. (Adams Papers)
Office business. Takes from reading. Dined with Mr. Parsons.
395227. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Parsons went to Boston. Wrote. Mr. Cabot &c.
395328. (Adams Papers)
Walk’d with Stacey. Curious conversation. Greenough’s.
395429. (Adams Papers)
Funeral. Mr. Atkins. Met in the evening at Putnams.
395530. (Adams Papers)
Rain. Little past the evening with me.
395631. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Prince. Mr. Marquand’s. Mr. Jackson’s. Religious tattoo. At the bottom of the page of line-a-day entries for Aug. 1788, but not necessarily referring to the date of 31 Aug., appears the following note: “Memorandum: Stacey borrow’d book, for Ipswich.”
3957[September 1788] (Adams Papers)
Rain. Pass’d the evening with Stacey. Finished Hume and Blackstone. Little &c. I went over the river with Stacey and Romain upon a shooting party. We had tolerable success. It was very windy; and with a heavy boat and only one oar, we had some difficulty to get across the river. Bridge arrived this day in town. I proposed to him to go with me to-morrow: and he has partly promised to accept my...
3958September 1. 1788. (Adams Papers)
Rain. Pass’d the evening with Stacey.
39592. (Adams Papers)
Finished Hume and Blackstone. Little &c.
3960Wednesday September 3d. (Adams Papers)
I went over the river with Stacey and Romain upon a shooting party. We had tolerable success. It was very windy; and with a heavy boat and only one oar, we had some difficulty to get across the river. Bridge arrived this day in town. I proposed to him to go with me to-morrow: and he has partly promised to accept my proposal. I this evening informed Mrs. Leathers of my intention to change my...