and I meant to have provided for her during life. Took
Physick.
29. Felt very much debilitated — and have been for 2
1 Edwarrl Dillingham Bangs, the son of Edward and Hannah Lynde Bangs,
studied law with his father, and was admitted to' the bar in 1813. For the four
succeeding years he was in partnership with his father's old associate, William
E. Green, and was also, during a part of this time, the editor of the National .figis.
In 1816, 1817, 1820 and 1824 he was a representative in the General Court, and
in 1820 was a member of the convention for the revision of the Constitution. In
1824 he succeeded Rejoice Newton, as county attorney, but in the same year was
elected secretary of the Commonwealth, and removed to Boston. His love of
historical study and his familiarity with the early records of the Commonwealth
made him peculiarly fitted for this position, and the years in which he held the
office were the happiest of his life; for, although he was a good lawyer, he had never
liked his profession. Compelled to resign in 1836, on account of ill health he re-
turned to Worcester, and lived again in his father's old house, which stood opposite
the Court House, on the present site of Bangs Block.
Mr. Bangs married, 12 April, 1824, Mary, daughter of Moses Grosvenor, of
Worcester.
[Born, Worcester, 24 August, 1790. Died, Worcester, 1 April, 1838.]
280
American Antiquarian Society.
or 3 months disturbed in the family, chiefly on account
of the conduct of our imprudent housekeeper.
30. Went to church once — unwell — rode out.
31. Rode out. Mr. Allen, a young Candidate preached
yesterday for Dr. Bancroft.
My absconding Domesticks, viz. Mrs. Frazer, our
housekeeper, and Joel Lawrence, my late Coachman,
returned this morning after being married in Providence
by a justice of the Peace — They asked forgiveness for
absconding and begged to be restored to their former
places. I think she already repents her folly. — Have not
yet determined respecting — I have some delicate feelings
on this occasion — and think receiving them again would
be attended with many inconveniences. — Neither have
property and she has forfeited nearly 2000 dols. which I
had provided for her in my will. He brought a Certificate
of his marriage, by which it appeared that instead of being
married to Frazer, he was married to Hannah L. Fiske —
how that name was inserted he could not tell. He returned
to Providence to get another Certificate with her proper
name. Frazer remained in the family. I had in my will
provided for her during her life if she remained in my
family till my decease & remained single.
July
Cash received.
11.
Of Mr. F. Rice for half
25.
Sikes pew rent, 10.00
a year,
3.50
28.
Received Rent from
13.
Of Lazell & Grafton,
10.00
Boston, 180.00
22.
Holden Turnpike,
6.00
Cash pa
id away.
3.
Lemons & peas,
1.50
17.
Gave Charles, .50
5.
Post Office quarterly
Contribution to sufferers
bill,
9.38
by fire, 60.00
7.
Weighing Hay,
1.34
Paid N. Patch, 25.00
Ringing 9 "Clock bell,
0.39J
18.
Paid for meat, &c, .50
8.
Caroline's schooling,
5.50
20.
Cash for a Straw Hat, 3.00
Mrs. Thomas,
20.00
For quarter Cask Ma-
9.
Mrs. Fuller 1.00 Caro-
deira Wine, 95.00
line .75,
1.75
24.
* Gallon Port Wine, 1.25
12.
Chad wick, old debt,
1.00
26.
Paid Mann for labour, 10.00
13.
Lawrence,
25.00
28.
Mrs. Thomas, 20.00
Tumblers,
.50
Sundries, 2.00
14.
Howe 1 days work,
Silver Pen,
1.25
.50
31.
Lawrence Wages 60.00
Diary of Isaiah Thomas. 281
August, 1815.
1. Am better in health today. Began yesterday to
take an account of Stock in the Store, which for 18 months
past I let to Lazell & Grafton. Attended at the Bank.
3. Sent Lawrence to Boston to sell a horse, and to
try to get into some business for the support of himself
& wife, late our housekeeper. Judge Bangs & family
visited us.
4. Went to Holden to carr} r home Mary Stratton,
who had left a sick friend to come and assist us. Miss
Betsey Maccarty, an aged Maiden Lady broke her arm
by a fall. Bought and this day received a quarter cask
of old Madeira Wine, Quantity 27 gallons. Cost with
charges about 100 dollars.
About the 5 th of this month nearly 15,000 squares of
glass were broken in the houses of Salem and Marblehead
by a hail Storm.
6. Went to Church twice.
8. Went to Boston in the Coach with my new Coach-
man, Drury — dined at WiswelPs in Newton. Miss R.
Ewer accompanied me to Boston. Arrived there at 3
°Clock.
9. Walked over to Charlestown to see Miss A. L.
Sheldon. Soper went on to Newyork.
10. Went to Salem with my Son. Dined with the Rev.
Mr. Bentley. Returned to Boston.
11. Settled our Annual Account with my partner
Andrews in Boston. Our partnership has continued 26
years.
12. Returned to Worcester — accompanied by Miss
Rebecca Armstrong and Miss Sheldon.
13. Went to Church once.
2S2 American Antiquarian Society.
14. Joel Lawrence, my late Coachman, who ran off
with our Housekeeper Frazer to Providence & married,
returned from Boston on Tuesday last, and sat off for
Boston again this morning to get some employment. I
dismissed him my house. My mind is and has been greatly
disturbed for some months past.
17. My brother came on a visit from Lancaster.
18. My brother returned home.
20. Dr. Bancroft returned yesterday from Vermont and
preached today. Went to Church twice.
22. Attended at the bank.
23. Settled and closed my concern with Lazell & Grafton
& took back my book stock. Directors of the Worcester
Social Library met in my house.
24. Mrs. Thomas went to visit my brother in Lancaster,
accompanied by Miss R. Armstrong.
25. Mrs. Thomas returned from Lancaster. Frazer our
late housekeeper had all her things packed — notwithstand-
ing her bad conduct I gave her articles to the amount of
60 Dollars.
27. Unwell for 3 days past — did not go to Church.
28. Went to Boston. Frazer our late housekeeper I took
with me as far as Framingham — where she was met by her
husband who carried her to Boston. She was greatly agita-
ted on parting, and expressed her folly with real anguish.
29. Much fatigued with walking in Boston. A number
of women waited on me who wished for the berth of a
housekeeper. Went to Roxbury Plains.
30. Greatly fatigued again with walking. Engaged Mrs.
Frances Thurston as a housekeeper — a genteel widow of
about 32 years. — Engaged also a woman as a Cook —
Parted with Frazer, who came to see me. She appeared
greatly grieved.
Diary of Isaiah Thomas.
283
31. Returned to Worcester with the women I engaged
to live as housekeeper & Cook.
September, 1815.
1. Mrs. Frances Thurston came to live with us as a
housekeeper in the room of Frazer. Bowditch, a maiden
woman, came to live with us as a cook. Dismissed Anne
Read.
2. Attended at the Tanyard.
3. Went to Church half of the day.
4. Nathan Patch who has been with me 3 years &
4 months — left my employment — he goes to Newyork
State to purchase Land for himself — a steady clever fellow.
Wm. Andrews left Worcester, Lazell & Grafton quitted
my Book Store— Sent Letters to Boston by M r . Maccarty.
5. Sent two trunks full of family goods and a bed,
all belonging to my son to Boston. He sent them here
during the War. Received medicine for myself to take
from Dr. Green.
7. Worcester Bible Society first met and organized.
Aug.
Cash received.
8.
Rent of Store in Boston,
16.
3 doz n . Primers,
1.00
1 quarter, 27.50
30.
Rent in Boston, New-
9.
Of the Treasurer of the
bury St. House,
80.00
Worcester Turnpike, 100.27
In the Store,
14.70
Cash pa
id away.
3.
Mary Stratton, 8.00
Mrs. Frazer (alias Law-
5.
Family, 1.00
rence),
25.00
8.
Expenses to Boston, 1.75
Paid Frazer, — do. for
9.
Miss Burns, 20.00
D r . Green,
23.00
10.
Expenses to Salem, 3.00
Mrs. Thomas,
30.00
11.
Barker, .50
Frazer, sent to Mrs.
Teapot mending, .75
Thomas & Cash,
2.00
Horses
19.
Cash for freight to
Children, 4.00
teamster.
1.67
Expenses home, includ-
25.
Paid Reed for labor in
ing Toll, 4.50
Haytime,
28.52
Tobacco 60 Cents, Horse
Mrs. Simmons,
5.00
Shoeing 1.75, 2.35
28.
Loaned Joel Lawrence,
70.00
12.
Mrs. Thomas, 30.00
29.
Paid away,
28.00
284 American Antiquarian Society.
A Lecture on the occasion at the north meeting house
to which I attended. Sermon by D r . Bancroft.
8. Forwarded Pamphlets to the new members of the
Am. Antiq". Society. Mr. E. T. Andrews, his wife, his
son William, his daughter, Miss Hannah Weld — came to
visit us.
9. Rode out. Attended Tanyard meeting.
10. Went to Chh. twice. Wrote again to Mr. Sheldon.
Mrs. Andrews & Wm. Andrews sat out this Evening in
the Stage for Stafford.
11. Mr. Andrews, Miss Weld, and Mr. Andrews little
daughter, with Eliza Bancroft sat out in his carriage for
Boston. I sat off in the Coach, with my Coachman, only
for Walpole. Lodged in Fitzwilliam — A young woman at
the tavern deranged. She belonged to Walpole.
12. Arrived in W T alpole at one °Clock. Visited Sey-
mour Sheldon's grave in Walpole, and planted some grey
ash seeds around it.
14. Sat out from Walpole for Worcester, at 5 °Clock
in the morning — Lodged in Templeton.
15. Arrived home nt noon. Found Mrs. Thomas unwell.
She has kept in bed two days.
16. Wm. Andrews came from Stafford last evening.
17. Went to Chh. twice. Mr. Cotton preached.
18. Wm. T. Andrews went to Boston.
19. Attended at the Bank. Mrs. Thomas fully re-
covered from a few days illness.
20. Spent the Evening with Mrs. Thomas at Judge
Bangs's.
21. Storm appears to be approaching. Rain in the
night.
22. Storm. Rain all day & night.
Diary of Isaiah Thomas. 285
23. Violent Storm. Vast numbers of trees blown up
by the roots. Eight on the Court house hill and in my
yard, most of the fruit trees in my garden wholly des-
troyed—Fences blown down & broken — Several Chimnies
in Worcester blown down, and some houses partly unroofed.
1 barn removed 20 feet. All the fruit blown from
trees in all parts of the country and great numbers of the
Fruit trees destroyed, and whole acres of forest trees.
80 Squares of glass broken in my buildings. 1
1 For several weeks preceding this storm, there had been strong indications of
atmospheric disorder, and on the morning before a northeast rain set in, accompanied
by a high wind, which increased at nightfall, but then gradually subsided. On
the following morning, however, it renewed its violence, blowing from the east
with accumulating force until eleven o'clock, when it suddenly shifted to the south-
east, and broke into the most disastrous hurricane which has ever visited this part
of the country. It lasted for an hour, and made a path about eighty miles in width
through southern and central New England. It was severe in parts of New Hamp-
shire, while in Portland, Me., and in Albany N. Y., it merely took the form of a
heavy gale; and the city of New York was little affected. The shipping and the sea-
port towns suffered the greatest damage, especially along the southern coast, and
many vessels and some lives were lost. In Providence it was estimated that one
hundred and fifty buildings were entirely demolished, including one church and
most of the wharves and warehouses on the water front. Women and children
were rescued in boats from second-story windows, and the streets were rendered
impassable by the debris of buildings, vessels, furniture and merchandise. All
the vessels in the harbor, with the exception of two, from five hundred tons down,
broke their fasts, and were driven with the rapidity of lightning up the cove, cutting
through the town bridge on their way, and were beached, some of them five or
six feet above water level. One sloop of sixty tons floated across Weybosset street,
and leaned upright against a three-story brick house in Pleasant street, with its
mast projecting above the roof. In one place the tide rose seventeen feet above
its ordinary level, and at Braintree, Mass., it was held back in the river for two
hours, by the force of the wind. The change in the wind so checked the flood of
the tide at Boston, that although the shipping and wharves suffered considerably,
the town itself escaped with much less damage than those in its immediate vicinity.
A few roofs were blown off, and one building — the Glass Worics — was destroyed
by fire. About twenty of the large trees on the Mali, skirting the Common, and
five elms, averaging nearly eight feet in circumference, on "Paddock's Walk,'
in front of the Granary burying-ground, were uprooted. In Dorchester seventeen
houses were unroofed, about forty barns destroyed and over five thousand fruit
trees were levelled. In all places to the leeward of salt water the pastures were
ruined by salt spray, and all the standing trees and vegetables were blighted as by fire.
The damage in Worcester was confined chiefly to the fruit trees and timber. The
28(i American Antiquarian Society.
24. Went to Chh. twice. Had 4 or 5 men Saturday
afternoon and today repairing damages by the Storm.
The repair of fences, &c. will cost me at least 500 dollars.
25. Employed with 4 or 5 persons clearing off wrecks
made by the Storm on Saturday. Drury went to Grafton.
26. Employed as yesterday. Supreme Court. My son's
wife & daughter came from Boston.
27. Frazer came up from Boston. Wretched evening.
28. Rode out. Unwell. Moses Thomas dined with us.
29. My Son came up from Boston. Disagreeable
Controversy in the family. Dismissed Wm. Drury jun r .
my Coachman.
30. More disagreeable controversy. Dismissed Matilda
Allen, our Chambermaid. Rode to Holden with my son
in a Chaise. Nicholas Johnson came to live with me as
Coachman.
October, 1815.
1. Went to Chh. once. Continue untranquilised.
Massachusetts Spy says: "Neither the memory of man, or the annals of the country
can furnish any parallel to this storm, and it is estimated that the ordinary consump-
tion of ten years of the whole town will not exhaust the wood which is now prostrate."
At its height there was a suffocating current of hot air, as from a bath, and the
rain which fell in the vicinity was so impregnated with salt as to make incrustations
on the windows. On the morning of the storm flocks of sea gulls were seen in the
meadows in Grafton and Worcester, but after the wind had gone down, they took
their flight again towards the sea.
Cash received.
Sept, 1. In the Store, 1.50 I 14. Pec' of I. Thomas & Co., 20.00
13. R*c a . in Walpole of Mr. 23. Boots Manning, 6.00
Thomas for T. & T., 22.37 | 30. Of Mr. Harris Pew Kent, 7.00
Paid away.
1. Flour, 10.00
Sundries, 1.00
4. Nathan Patch, 50.00
Sikes & Sundries, 1.50
7. Glass to mend Windows, 0.40
9. Cyder 1.50 Boards 2.00, 3.50
Hal for Andrew, 1.00
11. Paid Mrs. Thomas, 10.00
15. Expenses to »t from
Walpole, 15.50
18. Do., 1.00
19. Mary Anne, 10.00
25. Cash— Anne, 2.00
30. Paid Matilda Allen, 13.50
Paid Eliza for work, 2.00
Diary of Isaiah Thomas. 287
2. Attended the tryal at the Supreme Court of the
first Parish against the town for the recovery of the
parsonage. The action was brought against me I own-
ing the premises, in the name of the late pastor D r .
Sam. Austin. The cause went against the town by the
verdict of the Jury. But the Verdict is of no consequence,
as the issue depends on questions of law to be decided by
the Court. Attended at the Bank. A new director chosen
in my room. I find myself not able to attend longer in
this office. Have served 12 years.
Mrs. Andrews arrived from Stafford Springs. Matilda
Allen left us. Sub council of the A. A. S. met at my house.
3. Mrs. Andrews went to Boston in the Stage. At-
tended Supreme Court. The jury on the Action first
Parish vs. the town of Worcester, gave a Verdict in favour
of only one charge of the parish against the town for 1500
dollars. The parish sued for 11,000 dols. The town
review the action.
4. Went to Boston — Miss Sheldon with me in the
Coach — and Johnson, a Dane, my new Coachman.
5. Called on Mr. Joseph Steadman, who I found to
be the husband of my new housekeeper, and whose name
is Frances Steadman, and not Frances Thurston, as she
called herself. I could not prevail with him to receive
her again.
6. Dined with Mr. E. T. Andrews.
7. Returned to Worcester with Miss Sheldon. Mr.
Whipple came from Walpole.
8. None of the family went to Church. Unwell.
9. M r . Whipple sat out for Walpole. Nathan Patch
returned and began work.
10. Eliot came to work. Informed our housekeeper
Mrs. Frances Steadman, alias Thurston, by Mrs. Thomas
desire, that she did not wish for her services any longer.
288 American Antiquarian Society.
11. Felt better. Anne Sheldon unwell.
12. Getting in Potatoes.
13. Do. Paid and dismissed our housekeeper Mrs.
Frances Thurston, whose real name is Steadman, her
husband by this last name, being now living in Boston,
from whom she separated by agreement. A likely, genteel
woman. She returned to Boston in the Stage. Anne L.
Sheldon very unwell, has a Dr.
14. Mr. Soper, his sister Rachel, and his little son.
came to visit us.
15. Went to Chh. once.
16. They returned to Boston. Two Misses Morris, of
Halifax, maiden Ladies, came in the Stage from Boston
to visit us.
17. Mrs. Legate of Leominster, and her sister, Miss R.
Calef, of Boston, came to visit us.
18. Mrs. Legate and Miss Calef returned to Leominster.
This Evening the two Miss Morris, went in the Stage to
Stafford.
19. Got in a load of Corn. Spent the Even s . with
Judge Bangs.
21. Got in Corn from the field. Went in the Coach,
with only Johnson as far as Framingham on my way to
Boston. Lodged at Eaton's, in Framingham.
22. Went from Framingham to Boston.
23. Attended the Meeting of the American Antiq"
Society. 1 Dined with them at the Exchange Coffee house.
Officers elected. In the afternoon the Ancient & Hon.
1 The members elected at this meeting were Stephen Sewall of Montreal; George
Baxter Upham. Samuel Fiske and Caleb Ellis, of Claremont, N. H.; John Curtis
Chamberlain, of Charlestown, N. H.; Benjamin J. Gilbert, of Hanover, N. H.
Samuel Elliot, of Washington; Dr. William Bowen, of Providence; Henry A. S.
Diary of Isaiah Thomas.
289
Artillery Co y . waited on the Society and escorted them
to the Chapel, where an Address was delivered by D r .
Paine, and there were other Exercises. 1 I was again chosen
President.
Dearborn, Edward St. Loe Livermore and James Cashing Merrill, of Boston; Rev.
Thomas Robbins, of East Windsor, Conn.; and Samuel F. B. Morse, of Charles-
town Mass.
1 order of performances,
AT THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY CELEBHATION
OF THE
AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY,
ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1815.
/. " We praise thee, God"... .By a select choir: Organ by Dr. Jackson.
II. PRAYER.
III. HYMN. " Before Jehovah's awful throne." (Denmark.)
IV. LESSONS.
V. HYMN. " Thou, the first, the greatest friend." (Colchester new.)
VI. ADDRESS.. ..By Dr. WILLIAM PAINE, M. D.
VII. HYMN. "To Thee! great Sovereign of the skies." (Old Hundred.)
VIII. BENEDICTION.
Bf.fork Jehovah's awful throne,
Ye nations bow. with sacred joy ;
Know that the Lord is God alone.
He can create, and he destroy.
His sovereign power, without our aid,
Made us of clay, and form'd us men ;
And when like wandering sheep we stray'd,
He brought us to his told again.
We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs,
High as the heaven our voices raise;
And earth with her ten thousand tongues,
Shall fill thy courts with sounding praise.
Wide as the world is thy command ;
Vast as eternity thy love;
Firm as a rock thy truth shall stand,
When rolling years shall cease to move.
O Thou the first, the greatest friend.
Of all the human race!
Whose strong right hand has ever been
Their stay and dwelling place!
Before the mountains heav'd their heads
Beneath thy forming hand ;
Before this pond'rous globe itself
Arose at thy command;
That pow'r which rais'd, and still upholds
This universal frame.
From countless, unbeginning time,
Was ever still the same.
Those mighty periods of years.
Which seem to us so vast.
Appear no more before thy sight
Than yesterday that's past.
To Thee! Great Sov'reign of the skies.
Tins day our grateful notes resound;
From ev'ry heart shall incense rise.
And praise throughout our land be found.
New empires never rise by chance, —
No veering sales dominion blow,
A Sov'reign power doth states advance.
And lay oppressive kingdoms low.
Led by that power, th' advent'rous band.
The trackless "waste cf waves" explor'd-—
That power upheld the warrior's hand
Which drew tor right the conq'ring sword.
Then high the pealing organ swell,—
From every tongue let praises rise;—
Loud let the choral anthems tell
TllY row's, Great Sovereign of the skies!
(After the original broadside in the possession of the society.)
19
290
American Antiquarian Society.
25. Returned to Worcester in the Coach, with only
Johnson the Coachman, as far as Framingham, — there
took Judge Paine's daughter Sarah 1 to Worcester.
26. Lawrence came to see his wife. He is desirous
she should remain in our family this winter, and Mrs. T.
wishes it, — his visit appeared to make her deranged.
1 Sarah Chandler, daughter of
Nathaniel and Elizabeth Chandler Paine.
[Born
Worcester, 29 November
1794.
Died.
Worcester, 15 October, 1
o 1816
340.1
Gifts, Charity &e. 1812 t
1812
Jan. 1.
Gifts, Cash 10 dols. goods
23.
M. B. board,
1.75
6.00
16.00
Ch.
3.00
8.
Ch. & Gifts,
8.00
Wm. Sheldon 80. and
10.
M. B. books, &c.
2.00
order for 150.00
230.00
Seymour Sheldon, over-
JunelO.
Ch. and other gifts
5.00
alls.
4.00
27.
Several small gifts,
5.00
17.
Ch.
1.00
July 4.
Anne Sheldon
1.00
18.
Do.
.40
7.
M. B.
.50
22.
Char'.
2.00
9.
M. B's board
5.00
M. B.
1.00
15.
Cha*.
2.00
24.
Charity,
55.00
16.
Gifts,
3.00
29.
Do.
2.00
Caroline Schooling 2qters
. 10.00
Feb. 4.
Ohio College
30.71
20.
My brother.
5.00
10.
Ch.
81.00
21.
M. B.
.45
14.
M. B's board,
3.00
22.
M. B.
.55
15.
M. B's do.
2.00
29.
My brother, sundries,
14.00
M. B.
1.80
Aug. 4.
My Brother, sundries
20.
Cotton yarn
.50
Cash,
6.80
Feb.28.
Charity
1.00
Ch>'.
3.00
Mar. 2.
do.
.50
Gifts,
5.00
5.
A. Sheldon, at twice,
3.50
29.
Ch- V .
7.00
Charles,
.50
Sept. 5.
Anne Sheldon,
5.00
Mary S.
.50
9.
Sundries, Seymour,
5.00
Mary A.
.12*
11.
M. B's board,
1.50
Ch.
.43
Sept. 24.
do. Say,
3.50
14.
Cash paid Miller, towards
25.
do.
.50
M. B's board,
1.00
26.
Ch v .
2.50
16.
M. B.
.50
30.
do.
1.00
Pd. Miller, for M. B's
Oct. 1.
do.
.50
board,
5.00
9.
M. B's board,
5.00
22.
My brother, Cash,
10.00
M. B.
1.00
do. Sundries,
5.00
13.
Frances & Hannah,
May
Charity, at twice,
20.00
Schooling,
5.00
10.
Sundries, to sundry per-
M. B's Tuition,
5.00
sons,
5.00
21.
Gifts,
4.00
17.
M. B. board.
5.00
My brother, sundries,
1.00
Ch.
.50
Frances's Schooling,
5.00
19.
M. B.
10.00
Nov. 7.
M. B.
5.00
20.
Mrs. Parker,
13.00
My brother Cash, &c.
12.00
Miss Ewer,
1.00
19.
Gifts,
2.00
My brother,
1.70
26.
Mrs. Soper, Bible,
17.00
21.
Anne Sheldon,
3.00
Sundries,
1.50
Diary of Isaiah Thomas.
291
27. Frazer alias Lawrence still continues troubled in
mind.
28. Frazer, alias Lawrence agreed to continue with
Mrs. Thomas as a housekeeper this winter, and everything
respecting our domestic concerns had the appearance of
going on well after 3 months derangement, but the visit
of Lawrence to his wife, which she greatly dreaded and