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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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the day. It is said some English ships have arrived at Newport. Monday. Hear that we had lost in 1 {the} battle of Saturday 60 killed & 160 or 180 wounded: but that we kept the ground. The action it seems ws not general; but lasted several hours. A fleet wd seen below Boston, but it remained a matter of speculation & of uncertainty what, or whence it was. Tuesday. This day Mr. Payson of Chelsea saw 25 sail of large ships, which appeared to be beating into 1 {the} habor. At night they disappeared. They permitted [--asters] to pass & repass. Wednesday. A number dined with us in 1 {the} hall & took a glass of wine with me, after dinner. I then went to 1 {the} President's & with 1 {the} other gentlemen in our habits, waited upon Mr Tucker into the Chapel, at 3 o'clock. He preached the Dudleian Lecture, which is upon 1 {the} first Wednesday in Sept. The subject ws 1 {the} Validity of

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of Presbyterian [Ordination?], which he arranaged very well. ---- {Colonel} Bridge returned from Rhode Island. Said our army made a safe retreat from the Island last Sunday night and were in detached or separate bodies upon [the?] mainland. --- {Sir} [Sherbarne?], a volunteer from dartsmouth, lost his leg in {the} engagement upon {the} Island, by a cannon ball. Several officers of my acquaintance were killed or wounded. A report prevailed this afternoon {that} {the} Britons had landed at Bristol, but it was from [dis-------d?] Last night {the} town of Boston [was?] [alarmed?], & {the} troopes & militia in arms, [this?] of {the} [right?]: but {the} alarm did not spread. {Doctor} Eliot was confined, unwell. Thursday. Rode to Boston round in a shaise with {[Misses?]} Wendell. Dined at {Doctor} Mather's with several of the clergy. Saw {Mister} Winthrop in Boston on his return from Rh. Island. He had a [fit?] upon {the} day & field of action, but escaped unhurt by {the} enemy. By {the} best accounts it appears that {General} Sulivan

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conducted thro 1 whole expedition at grt regularity I spent: that he effected an exceeding good retreat: and that 1 failure of his attempts was owing to the shattered condition of 1 French fleet which obliged [ym?] to put round to Boston; & to 1 arrival of about 6,000 as a reinforcement to [Pigor?] from New York.

Fryday & Saturday. Read Terence, an account of his life, writings & a disertation upon ancient tragedy & comedy, prefixed to his works. This author is esteemed one of 1 purest Latin comic writers. He ws a Carthagenian by birth but a Roman by education. He is remarkable for 1 [justness?] of his characters & purity of his diction, but is rather an imitator of Menander than an original pact.

Sunday. Preached at Newton. Saw 1 officer who married Miss Berrett. The [chh?] I heard objected to her continuing to commune w you because she married a British

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prisoner & some left [a?] table upon her being at it. Ridiculous!

Monday. The junior began Terence instead of reciting [Cosaris?] commentaries. I had some symptoms of 1 dysentery. Look physic.

Tuesday & Wednesday. About this time Bedford ws burned by that party who left New-York to reinforce [Pigor?] upon [?]. Having found that our troops had found a retreat from [?] ya did not land, but anchored off New-London; then proceeded to Bedford when they destroyed 1 chief stores & about 15 or 20 houses. Is this an indciation of humanity, sound policy or a pacific disposition? By gentlemen from Newport it is said that 1 enemy in 1 late engagment had between 1,000 & 1100 killed wound & missing, & that thier officers suffered very much. This agrees with 1 most [judicious?] of our army & is not altogether improbable.

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Thursday Sept[ember] 10, 1778

Heard Dr. Mather preach & lecture; after which he mentioned that public prayers were to be offered up at [the?] New North for Dr. Eliot, whose life was almost despaired of. A large number of French officers collected round [the?] old Brick during [the?] lecture, even to [the?] interception of [the?] service, but soon drove off to Cambridge. Called at Dr. Eliot, found [the?] family in [the?] [?] [distress?]; having no hopes of his recovery. Attended public prayers at 3 o'clock, where Dr. Cooper preached a sermon; Mr. Lathrop made [the?] first & Mr. Wight [the?] last prayer. The whole assembly which was very large appeared very much affected. Fryday. We had a meeting to settle some college accounts , etc. at [?] we heard [?] Dr. Eliot was dead; we considered it as a very [?] loss to [the?] college & were [?] mourn [?] for him, but with joy heard [the?]

Last edit about 4 years ago by omandica
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