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Guild, Benjamin, 1749-1792. Diaries of Benjamin Guild, 1776, 1778. HUG 1439.5, Harvard University Archives.

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These diaries of Benjamin Guild document his travels as a Presbyterian pastor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The daily entries describe people Guild met and dined with, the food he ate (including strawberries, currants, watermelon, English cherries, and lobster), the funerals he attended, and the sermons he gave. Many entries relate to his health concerns (the ague and eye trouble), sleeping habits, and widespread public health concerns (including smallpox, dysentery, "nervous fevers," consumption, and "putrid fever"). The diaries also contain passing references to the activities of American, British, French, and German soldiers during the American Revolution; the invasion of Canada and battles occurring in New York are noted. In August 1778, after visiting Providence, Rhode Island, Guild comments on the disordered state of the city after American soldiers passed through it. He also recounts a visit by officers of the French fleet to the Harvard College library in September 1778 and describes his dinner on board the French man-of-war, Sagitaire. One entry describes an elaborate ball sponsored by John Hancock, held for French soldiers and "Boston ladies," and another refers to the "incursion" of Indians. Many of Guild's diary entries pertain to his work as a Harvard College Tutor; these entries describe his lectures at the College, meetings with colleagues, personnel decisions, and the examination of students. He also describes books he is reading and his opinions of them, the purchase and sale of books, and his desire to learn Hebrew and French. In addition, multiple entries refer to a man named Prince, who may have been Guild's cousin, the Reverend John Prince of Salem, who graduated from Harvard in 1776.

Biographical Notes

Benjamin Guild was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts on April 17, 1749; he was the son of Benjamin and Abigail (Graves) Guild. He attended Harvard College, where he received an A.B. in 1769 and an A.M. in 1772. Following his studies, Guild served as a Presbyterian pastor in several Massachusetts communities including Dedham, Haverhill, and Cambridge. He was a Latin tutor at Harvard College from 1776 to 1780. In the late 1770s, he became a bookseller in Boston and opened the Boston Book Store on King Street, later known as Washington Street. Besides selling books, he issued printed catalogues and opened a circulating library. Guild helped found the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Massachusetts (1780), managed the subscriptions for the Academy's journal, and was a member of the editorial board of The Boston Magazine. On May 27, 1784, Guild married Elizabeth Quincy. They were members of the Presbyterian Church in Brattle Square and accumulated a large amount of real estate in the North End of Boston. Benjamin died in Boston and was buried on October 17, 1792. Elizabeth died in August 1825. The Guilds had two children who graduated from Harvard College, Benjamin (1804) and Josiah Quincy (1807).

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Mr Osgood, my principall opposer called after me, said he shd have been glad to have waited upon me. Understood I had called upon him, & shd be glad I cd call whenever opportunity offered. We dined at Wyman's (Woburn) {with} Jones {who} was {preaching} there, & Osgood of Mistick. I ws in very good spirits, seemd to be pleased {with} my {dismission} from Haverhill. That happy for me, & not inconsistent {with} honor. All seemd to allow yt yo wr better united in me than heretofore, & yt I came away {with} reputation. --------------We met Dr Barnard & Mr Poor at Wyman's. They had just come out of {the} hospital at No. 5. Had {the} small pox pretty favorably. --Got into Boston about 4. Took a letter at Mr Lathrop's {who} disired me to inform at Providence {the} beginning of July where I shd be if at leisure. Lodged {with} Prince after {spending} some time at Polly B.'s.

June 25. Tuesday. Up Dr Cutler's steeple & viewed a

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fleet of about 10 or a dozen sail yt had been standing off & on for some days. They durst not put into {the} harbor. Our pl drove off all {the} ships of war {the} 14 of {this} month & as none wr left to guard {the} harbor or {the} coast we took a number of transports {with} highland troops aboard. We wr {wishing} {the} whole of {the} fleet wd come in as w supposed and w wr sufficiently manned & fortified for ym: but ya disappointed & after about a week put off. ------------------- We viewed fort-hill &c ---- In {the} afternoon I went up to Cambridge among college acquaintances, for ya had lately moved down from Concord. June 26. Wednesday. Dined at Little Cambride & went up to Watertown. Stayed {with} my father a little while & went up to see Our Biglow at Westown. We had considerable chat upon Haverhill affairs &c ------------- Lodged {with} him. June 27. Thursday. Attended lecture at Boston. Dr Mather preached. Spent {the} afternoon at

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Dr Eliot's, & Dr Mather's & rode up to Cambridge {with} Mr Gannet. He gave me a hint about {being} tutor saw {the} president in {the} evining {who} said he shd urge {the} matter; & {bring} it on soon. Lodged at Bradishes --------

June 28. Fryday. Valedictory. Heard Tyler pronounce a very good oral. His {introduction} was {the} state of America & of Harvard. Dined at {the} presidents. He said he shd attempt a {corporation} {meeting} {the} nxt Tuesday. Spent {the} afternoon at College. Mr Wadsworth said he shd touch every thing to get me in tutor. It ws unexpected to me to find ym for it in such a manner. {Mister}Hall also expressed his desire of it. ----------- Lodged at Bradishes agn & read some of Prices able orations upon {the} American war.

June 29. Saturday To Little Cambridge where I ws to preach. Finished Price {which} ws a very good {reading} & gave {the} state of {the} {nation} {the} best I had met {with}. Read Mason's student & pastor.

June 30. Sabbath. Preached all day at Little Cambridge

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July 1. 1776. Monday. Rode up to Woodward; to [breakfast?] & home to dinner. Our [?] met to raise men for Canada, as 3000 were wanted immediately, but ya did not seem to have [?]. It was not doubted but eno. stood ready to go, but {the} terms wd not be agreed upon. Spent {the} [week?] at my father's. Studied but little. My two [?] [lift-?] ors wr out keeping [School?] & my father much absent [has?] made it lonesome. We hear yt a fleet of about 130 said have arrived at NewYork. Our pl have retreated from Quebec to Isle aux Noix where, we hear, [yo?] mean to make a stand. The [?] &c to crown [point?] is ya [r?] [fortifying?]. - We have taken a number of {the} Scotch fleet, to {the} amount of abt 750 highlanders, by our privateers.

July 3. Wednesday. Attended [?] at Dedham. Saw several of {the} Clergy. It seemed very much like old times. There ws little or no [?] to {Mister} [Chicherin?]. I received a line from {Mister} Wadsworth it said {the} corporal met yesterday. I

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was bro't upon the carpet: no [objection?] offered & no other person named. But as [?] did not require a choice, it was postponed. I returned, & in company w Wheaten as far as Walpole, who said he was engaged at Providence for 3 weeks. Mr Sanger was ordained this day at Duxbury. Mr Williams at {the} baptist meeting, [west?] part of [?].

July 6. Sat. Went down to Clapboardtrees, & put up at Mr Gay's. Mr. J. Eliot changed with me (for I supplied Little Cambridge) & left his compliments with information that he had {the} honor of preaching his father's sermons & I of Mr Bean's, which he thought was very good. I thought so too. I found that {the} small [po?] was [going?] thro Boston by licence. That none {were} to be innoculated after is [inst?].

July. 7. Sab. All day at Clapboard-trees. Harvard College was [liken?] to break up. That large number {were} dismissed to have {the} small pox.

July 8. Monday. Over to Medfield & home. Told Mr Bean I would go to Boston etc. with him.

Last edit about 3 years ago by elainehinch
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