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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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June 9. 1776. Sabbath

Preached all day at Andover, & Mr Symms went to Haverhill. He came home in {the} evening & Esqr Philips came in.

June. 10. Mond.

My horse got out & ws {posting} home {which} hinder me sometime. Dined at Mr Williams's {who} seemed to know but little of {the} state of Haverhill. He said he believed I {might} settle {without} much difficulty, {that} all {would} blow over. I went down to see Prince {who} {wa}s {keeping} School at {the} lower end of Bradford. He seemed to know more & think {the} difficulties {greater}. I spent my time agreeably {with} him upon one topic & another. Chatted till break of day {without} any sleep. ----

June 11. Tuesday. Over Russell's ferry & to Mr Clemens's {who} said I must go to Mr Reddington's where the committee & deter\ my plan of board. I dined there. Mr Cary came down {whom} I ws very glad to see. I drak coffee {with} him & {the} committee directed me to board {with} him

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{which} ws extremely agreeable to me. I found Miss Nancy well & very sociable & friendly. I soon found from Mr Cary {that} it ws as I expected; {that} my settlement {would} make {confusion}. I had {this} however for my comfort {that} my most inveterate opposers threw out {nothing} injurious to my character.

June 12. Wednesday. Dined at Mr Harrod's {with} Capts Mansis & Barnard. Found Capt Barnard ws publishd to Phebe Harrod. I visited both among friends & opposers. Found it ws expected but by few {that} I shd tarry. The latter end of {the} week I drew up a negative answer & shewed to Mr Adams {who} approved of it well. He said he ws sorry w must part; affraid ya wd never be better united, but as a friend to me he cd not urge my settlement. I ws much pleased {with} my lodgings & spent much of my time very agreeably {with} Miss Nancy.

June 15. Saturday. Dined at Deac Ayer's {with} Mr Mash of Withersfield & his lady. He agreed to preach for me half {the}

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day. June 16. Sabbath. Made {the} improve of {the} only Sermn I had made since I left Haverhill & preachd it in {the} forenoon. It was a critical time, some wr expecting I shd shew my best, some {hoping}, I suppose, I shd appear to {the} worst; but I determined to take my old track as near as possible, {which} I tho't upon {the} whole did {the} best. I neither shewd by my prayers or my sermon {which} way I shd answer. Mr Mash preach in {the} afternoon & drank coffee {with} us. June 17. Monday. Had proposed to give my answer to {the} committee {this} day, but tho't best to postpone it a little. Shewd it to Mr Williams {who} approved of it. June 18. Tuesday. Studied but little: & visited but little; I meant to give my opposers an opportunity of {offering} yr objections by {calling} at yr houses &c, but none wr mentioned. No one ever expressed to me any dislike to my settlement at Haverhill: I yvs had no objections to clear up.

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June 19 Wednesday. I drew off my answer & in {the} evening presented it to {the} committee. I had a good deal of talk {with} ym. They desired me to postpone it in hopes {they} wd come right, but I ws sensible it wd only make it worse: As many made no difficulty because ya expected I shd go off. After ya had received my refusal ya invited me to tarry longer & supply ym till ya cd make some provision. I consented to supply ym by change one day. June 20. Thursday. I felt in high good spirits. Nothing seemd to lie heavy upon me. I ws clear in giving my answer & no ways concerned as to a future settlement. Rode down {the} river to see Prince {with} Mr Cary & Miss Nancy. Drank coffee {with} him, took a sweet walk upon {the} river bank, had a fine prospect, an agreeable time & a good ride home. June. 21. Fryday. Attended {the} funeral of Mr West's negro and then walked up to Mr Adams,

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{with} Miss Nancy, & Mr Cary rode. We drank coffee there & had a very agreeable walk back. June 22. Saturday. Rode up to Deac White's {with} Mr Cary & Miss Nancy, went after strawberries, had an agreeable walk but found very few strawberries. Drank coffee and returned. Spent my time after I gave my answer very agreeably and sociably. June 23. Sab. All day at Bradford. Mr Williams ws at Haverhill & read my answer. Prince went over {with} me. We drank tea {with} Mr Williams at Mr White's & yn coffee at Mr Cary's ----------Spent {the} evening sociably -- Just run over to Billy White's {with} Miss Nancy. & took my leave of her; he had not come back from having {the} small pox. June 24. Monday. The treasurer payed me all off. Prince & I set out for Boston directly after breakfast. I left Mr Cary & Miss Nancy {with} {the} sincere affection for ym as I had receiv'd so many kinnesses from ym.

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