be a President appointed, to act as Moderator, to propose all matters to the club, etc.; that there should be a Scribe to record the transactions of each meeting, and that we should be known and distinguished by some appropriate appellation. I had the honor to be appointed their President, Dr. Ames was appointed Scribe. Resolved, that we should be known as the Honorable Free Brothers' Club. Several regulations were then considered respecting our entertainments, etc., after which we spent a most agreeable social evening. Every member enjoyed the conversation without restraint, while their hearts glowed with fraternal affection, mutually wishing to each lasting happiness in the full enjoyment of the rights and liberties that are inherent privileges of the true born sons of freedom. At 9 o'clock, when we had in a frugal manner entertained ourselves-with no kind of spirits but our own country produce, viz., metheglin-the President adjourned till 6 o'clock next Friday evening, at the same place. Absent from necessity: Rev. D. West and Mr. Thomas Adams.

April 1, 1766. Concluded my school-between ninety and one hundred scholars. Bade them farewell, with some counsels, etc. In the afternoon only spelled, and concluded with catechising them.

Apr. 2. Studied; read Trapp on Popery, Mr. Edwards' Life, etc.

Apr. 4. At 6 o'clock the Free Brothers' Club convened at Mr. Ellis'. All the members present except Mr. Fisher. Present besides the members: Mr. Townshend, and Mr. West, student at college. Some further regulations were considered. Every mind was impressed with a lively sense of the pleasures and advantages arising from our fraternity. The opening rose breathes sweetness from its own nature, and the gentle clouds drop upon the earth, producing fruits, herbage, and flowers; so this society, formed and constituted to instill generous and catholic sentiments, and promote the edification and prosperity of all it should patronize, distilled tranquillity and happiness on all present. At 9 o'clock, adjourned till Friday next, at 3 o'clock.

Apr. 7, Mon. Mr. Edward Bullard informed me he saw a comet in the west on Friday and Saturday evenings last.

Rainy this evening, which disappointed my seeing the comet. Read a system of morality taken from an Indian manuscript, written by an ancient Brahmin, near China.

Apr. 9, Wed. Dined with Mr. Thomas Adams at Medfield. Dr. Jerauld, Mr. Adams, and I drank tea at Rev. Mr. Townshend's. In the evening a singing meeting in the school-house; sang well. Medfield, twenty miles from Boston, is a small town about four miles square. The land is level and well cultivated, and tolerably thickly inhabited, and the people are generally very good livers. Their Meeting House is large, though it was built sixty years ago.

Apr. 10. Spent the morning in viewing objects in the microscope. We could see that a hair has a path in the middle, by which moisture is conveyed from the nutritive vessels to the extremity of the hair. Fur is full of joints, which occasions its softness. Came home after breakfast by Wrentham and Walpole. Received an account of the meteor of the 2d of February from Miss Boyden. Read the Universal Spectator. Just before the closing in of daylight I discovered the comet of which I had heard. It was a little to the N. of the Sun's apparent path, and I found by a common quadrant that it was about 23° N. W. of the Bat's eye. The Moon was then about 10° to the S. W. of the comet, being the second day after its conjunction. Its train or tail was very long, though considerably dull. It appears to extend one foot and a half from the nucleus directly toward the zenith. Its nucleus appeared pale, much larger, though not so bright, as any of the fixed stars. It set 8 hours, 25 min. Its tail appeared after the nucleus was below the horizon.

April 11, Fri. Mr. Balch's lecture. Mr. Haven, Mr. Ward, Mr. Townshend, and Mr. Adams dined. Mr. Townshend preached a very ingenious sermon. After lecture, the singers came into Mr. Balch's, and sang very well. At 3 o'clock this afternoon, the Free Brothers convened at the usual place. Present: Dr. Ames, Mr. West, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Battelle, Dr. Jerauld, Mr. Adams, and myself. Free Brothers absent: Mr. Ames. Likewise present, Mr. Haven and Mr. Ward. The latter was admitted as a member. The peculiar and real advantages of the society were sensibly enjoyed by

each member. At 9 o'clock, adjourned till the first Wednesday in May, at the house of Thomas Adams, in Medfield, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when the Free Brothers will again associate.

[Mr. Cutler left Dedham before the date of the next meeting of the club, and it is not mentioned again in his journal.] Apr. 16, Wed. My brother and Caleb Clark here from Killingly. Went with them to Boston. Spent the evening with my old friend, Jack Watson.

Apr. 17, Thurs. Dined with Mr. Watson at Friend Bagnal's. P. M. we rode in the chaise to Cambridge. We drank tea in Whipple's chamber (though he has gone to Boston) with Austin and Hill, his chums, both from Boston. They treated us very genteelly, waited on us into the library, hall, dining-room, etc., which are very neat. The chief of the books in the library was Mr. Hollis' donation, neatly gilt and lettered. We had a very pleasant ride to Boston in the evening, and lodged at Bagnal's. News of the repeal of the Stamp Act. A large bonfire in King Street. Met sundry Connecticut gentlemen. Apr. 19, Sat. My brother set out for Killingly. Painted my coat of arms.

Apr. 28, Mon. Much engaged in study. Mr. Daniel Leonard and Josias Quincy drank tea here. My horse, from home, per Captain Daniels.

Apr. 29, Tues. Rode to Boston. Heard nothing respecting the Stamp Act. Subscribed for the Universal Museum. Apr. 30, Wed. Preparing to go home. Daniel Leonard and Josias Quincy drank tea again at Mr. Balch's. Non nihil significat!

[On the 1st of May Mr. Cutler returned to his Connecticut home; and on the 7th of the month went to Hartford, to attend the general election.]

May 7, Wed. Set out for Hartford. Dined at Waterman's, Mansfield, in company of the representatives, Colonel Putnam and Esq. I. Sumner. Arrived at Hartford, and put up at Colonel Wyllys'. Spent the evening with Bull, Howe, Walker, and Woodbridge (his college friends).

May 8, Thurs. General election. A large number of people here. Mr. Lee preached. Sundry of my class in town.

In the afternoon the votes were counted. His Honor, Thos. Fitch dropped, and Mr. Pitkin elected Governor; Jonathan Trumbull, Deputy Governor. Four of the Assistants dropped, and six new ones elected. A high campaign. Major Durkee and Colonel Putnam at the head.

[About two weeks after the last date, Mr. Cutler's home was visited with a heavy affliction in the unexpected death of Ephraim, his only brother; a young man of much promise, of a fine physical development, and a bright, genial nature, who had not yet completed his twenty-second year. The following extract from the journal gives an account of this event.]

May 21, Wednesday. Rode to Pomfret with Lyon in the morning and returned about 4 o'clock. Soon after I came home, my dear brother brought up his horse in order to ride to Mr. Rickards with Simeon and Joseph Lee, but had ridden only a few rods from the house when a hog started suddenly from the side of the road, and threw his horse upon him so as to nearly beat the breath out of his body. When first taken up and carried into the house, we could scarcely perceive that he breathed at all. Dr. Moffat, coming in immediately, let blood, which seemed in some measure to help his breathing. In a few minutes Dr. Torrey came in, and the doctors agreed to cup his neck, but it was of no service; he never opened his eyes or showed the least sign of reason or sense. About midnight he had strong convulsive struggles and was thought to be dying, but he got over them and breathed as before. Rev. Mr. Brown made two prayers, and he and Madam tarried all night. Many people in

May 22. Just after day-break, as he appeared to be dying, Mr. Brown was called to make another prayer. As he recommended his soul to God who gave it, and prayed that his angels might guard him safe to eternal joy and happiness, he resigned his breath without a struggle, only straightening himself out on the bed. O, an awful instance of sudden and unexpected death! His head was much jammed and bruised as well as his body. It was thought he could not be kept till the next day; therefore his funeral was appointed at 5 o'clock. Notwithstanding it was so sudden, a very great number of people attended. Rev. Mr. Russel showed us his respect by coming

down without being sent to. Our friends from Pomfret, Thompson, etc., came and returned back with us. Mr. Brown also tarried in the evening. He was well and in his grave in less than twenty-four hours. God grant that this may be an awakening to all to be always ready for so important a change, more especially those who are nearly concerned. My parents are very disconsolate.

[With the exception of a trip to New Haven in company with his classmate, Mr. Howe, and two or three short visits to Massachusetts, Mr. Cutler spent the summer of 1766 with his parents. His journal indicates the books with which he occupied his leisure: "Borrowed of Mr. Russel, Owen upon Hebrews and Hicks upon the Revelation of St. John." "Borrowed of Mr. Fisk, Mr. Williard and Poole's 2d vol." "Read Clapp's Ethics-much pleased." "Read Dr. Doddridge's Proofs of the Christian Religion, in three sermons. He makes it extremely clear." "Reading Mr. Edwards on the Freedom of the Will." "Read Dr. Young's Night Thoughts."

That Mr. Cutler felt at this time the importance of religion, and the claims of God upon him, is shown by his seeking the counsel of his pastor, and presenting himself as a candidate for church membership before "Mr. Brown's Committee, Deacon Larned and Elder Whitmore." He writes: "The questions asked were principally doctrinal; some were practical." "July 27, Lord's Day. Mr. Brown preached two very good discourses. After the sermon, P. M., I was admitted as a member of the church in full communion."

He probably at this time intended to prepare himself for a professional life, but was temporarily turned from his purpose. Mrs. Hannah Newman, the widow of Colonel John Newman, who had left a large estate, proposed to him to go to Martha's Vineyard and take charge of her business there. He accordingly visited the island, was satisfied with the prospect of a lucrative business, and decided to accept the situation offered. On his return, he was married to the eldest daughter of Rev. Thomas Balch,* of Dedham, and thus records the event.]

*The Rev. Thomas Balch was graduated at Harvard College in 1733; and settled as the first pastor of the South Church, in Dedham, in

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