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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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Seq. 16 July 30. Tuesday.

Collected some th[?] for [?] & again a [?] after Dinner. Wrote I afternoon again ‘N.

July 31. Wednesday. Wrote all day & after I finished, Lern^n.

Aug. 1. 1776. Thursday. This day was[?] appointed to the [?] as a fa[?] by 1 Morsa church [fate/hate?] & as a congregational society or chiefly formed out of you & after you, y^e (the), conform to yr faith & c. I preachd all day. But as I was offered by no other Society in Rouilew[?] I did not feel like [?]. Stopped after [?] at Dr Bowen’s, saw Mis. Dolly who appeard agreeable, —

Aug. 2. Fryday. Read Shedach & Lyatator. Took a walk w Mr Chalkley up to his [?], found all vegetables very Nourishz & a very promising Season.

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Some skirmishes have been had at Southward. [Dunmore?] driven from Sullivan’s Island & said to be wounded in {the} leg. Several ships damaged. It is said {that} {we} a have in & about New-York above 50,000 men. —

Aug 3. Saturday. The largest ship had her foremast carried away & almost all her mast sprung in attempting leave Dawn. Virginia have altered their common prayer & yr litany. The Colonies begin respectively, by [reforms?], to [affirm?] {the} names of States. — Just before sunet I set out for Palmen’s Rivers, went over, upper ferry & got to Mr. Rogerson’s about dark. Spent a pretty sociable evening {with} him.

Aug. 4. Sabbath Preached all day at Palmer’s River. Found that an handsome fund was established there for {the} support of a mnister. ---

Aug. 5 Monday Went to Bristol to see Mr Leonard; but

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he was gone to Taunton. I {therefore}] directed my course for Providence. Din'd at Hunter. Read some in Watt..[?] [scripture?] [History?]. ----

Aug 6. Tuesday Read chiefly in [Sherlock?]. ---- Several [primers?] have been lately taken. --- Eleven privateers [are?] [sitted?] or setting out from Providence ---- Heard that some of the Hessians had got to New York & that 70 transports of [guns?] had got to Halifax. ---- But no such [?] seem to terrify or affect us at all. ---Since we defeated the Britons at Sullivan's & [Guiner's?] Islands we have had no engagements. Spent {the} remainder of this week chiefly in reading Wynne's? his. of British America, Spectator, etc. Wednesday was public speaking at College where a number of ladies attended as is {the} custom. Chief of {the} scholars had some performance {which} was done with different degrees of [grauxtuity?].

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Aug. 11. Sabbath At Providence ---- In {the} course of {the} week we heard that Burgoin had retreated to Quebec & Montreal & that we were like to make a stand at Ticonderoga. Had about 8,500 men there with some few at Crown Point. More [prisoners?] taken ---- Innoculation began at Providence. We hear {they} have {the} small pox hard in Boston, many by {the} natural way ---The latter end of {the} week I drew [off] some maps, one of {the} holy land, one of New York, &c I found I [could?] draw [them?] much better than I expected. Studied but little. Found that I should sermonize but little only when I was drove to it. We expected every day to hear of a general Battle at New York - heard that {the} Hessians had arrived there & were joined by Dunmore & Cornwallis who were drove from {the} Southward. W attacked two men of war up N. [River?] with row gallies: but did not carry them.

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