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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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oration in Cicero. I went to Boston & heard Mr. Clark preach his first Thursday-Lecture. He was sensible & popular. Heard nothing very particular from [Mr. Ward?], only [?] our troops had advanced very near [?] enemy & that after being driven once from [?] [works?] [?] [?] you. The prospect seemed to indicate that [{the?}] expedition would take up more time than was first expected. I spent some agreeable hours with my friends, as I had not seen [?] for some time.

Fryday. In [{the}] afternoon to Medford. Mr. Osgood was unwell but not bad: unable to preach. Mr. Payson of Chelsea, Mr. Woodward of Weston & Mr. [Adams?] of Watertown unwell. The extremes of weather, it is proposed, have affected [{the?}] constitutions of many. Spent [{the?}] evening at {Captain} [Brooks's?] & returned to College about 10 o'clock, where I found a number somewhat noisy, but whom I dispersed

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after some appearances of obstinacy. Saturday. Heard that {a?} French fleet had returned to Thashland somewhat shattered by [a] storm. The Languedor, a [74?, [parted?] in the storm, after which she fell in with an English Gh. A [fever?] engagement ensued. Both were damaged. The Languedor [put?] into Boston to refil. The Captain lost his arm & a number of his men wr killed & wounded. Sunday. Aug 23. Preached at Little Cambridge. Told [?] after meeting I should supply for 1 present & [?] but 5 L per day. Drank tea at Mrs Greaton’s Monday. Mr Willard came in after I ws a bed; upon which I got up, eat [?] & [?] & chatted with him till very late without being sleepy, althou’ I went to bed by 10 o’clock because I could not keep awake. Tuesday Carried my [?] up to Grentish

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to have 1 {the} top cleaned. The weather ws extreme hot. The Thermometer flood at 9 1 1/2. Mr Dana returned from Congress. Bro't nothing important. Said they moved immediately into Philadelphia after 1 {the} troops left it. That the enemies fortifications around 1 {the} city wr not strong or formidable. Wednesday. Spent some part of 1 {the} evening at Dr Winthrop's wt Misses Dana, & Wainwright: the rest at Mr Dana's with him, Judge Trowbridge, Mr Willard &c. Mr Dana said Govr. Johnson has lost his reputatio on both sides by his duplicity, & his ineffectual attempts to bribe some of 1 {the} Americans. We heard at 1 {the} President's that 1 {the} expedition ws like to prove abortive. That w wre moving off our heavy artillery: and that, as we could not be assisted by 1 {the} French fleet we must leave 1 {the} Island. Thursday. Mr Gannett & I applied to the [bene-] [?]

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-tory of Council for 1 {the} civil & military lists, that we might obtain them for a continental register. Dined at Mr Welles's near 1 {the} Fortification. The French fleet ws said to be below but not yet in fight. Drank Tea at Dr. Eliot's. Watched with Mr Foxcroft who ws very delirious & very droll. I slept but very little. Read a Treatise upon 1 {the} grounds & reason of 1 {the} Contempt of 1 {the} Clergy, by Echard. And altho' it ws wrote about a century ago it ws replete with learning, wit & good sense. Fryday I was sleepless all day, except a small nap before dinner. By which I found I could do with much less sleep than heretofore. My inclinations to wakefulness or sleep are, however, very various. This day ws chiefly spent in 1 {the} business of 1 {the} College; as we had a quarterly meeting to make up 1 {the} bill to 1 {the} last of August according to 1 {the } desire of the

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Treasurer. Saturday Heard that 1 {the} Volunteers had left, or were leaving 1 {the} Island: and that Messrs Newcomb & Winthrop wr the only dissentients in 1 {the} independent company, who voted or protested against it. The French admiral, & 1 {the} Marquis de la Fayette attended 1 {the} board of war at Boston. Sunday. Aug. 30 Preach'd all day at Little Cambridge. Mr Fuller told me ten oxen wre drove to Boston for 1 {the} French fleet. Eat very harty of water melon, for 1 {the} first time. Attended club at Dr Appleton's as usual. Heard there had been an engagement upon 1 {the} Island; that the enemy had sallied out upon our advanced parties, but that we had driven them back again. The particulars we could not learn. A Frenchman wrote to Fayette that we might be well satisfied with

Last edit about 4 years ago by bmcmanus
Displaying pages 36 - 40 of 92 in total