On Monday, February 27, 2017 the Westborough Historical Society presented their annual Civic Club Lecture: “The Worlds of Ebenezer Parkman, Westborough’s Minister from 1724-1782.” Holy Cross History Professor Ross Beales described the life of Ebenezer Parkman (1703-1782) who, for 58 years, was the town’s spiritual and intellectual leader. Watch the full presentation here.
Beales discussed Parkman’s life as described in his extraordinary diary and surviving manuscripts, revealing details of his family life, his ministry, and the growing community. Parkman’s detailed notes on his family life cover his two marriages, the birth and rearing of 16 children, and his struggles as a farmer/minister to provide for his family. Entries also tell of his spiritual life and ministry, including the Great Awakening and the American Revolution.
Beales’ research centers on the history of family life, religion, and community. “Parkman left an extraordinary record of everyday life in rural New England. The surviving portions of his diary — combined with correspondence, the church records, and other documents from 18th-century Westborough — provide an unparalleled window into the dynamics of family and community life.”
The World of Ebenezer Parkman: Westboro’s Minister, 1724-1782 added by Karen Henderson on
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thank you so much for posting this video. My ancestors are often mentioned by Parkman (Cornelius Cook, the blacksmith and his family) and I am looking for as much information as I can find on them. This lecture was not about them directly, but so rich in its detail about the social context of their time. Thank you!