USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Centennial celebration at Braintree, Mass., July 4, 1876 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
1
t
1
1
t
(
15
pounds. I do forever acquit and discharge the town of Braintree, from all dues and demands, this being a mutual and everlasting discharge." I think there can be no doubt that after that receipt, the account might be considered as settled.
It appears that in 1697 certain parties from Boston, probably the " Boston Clique " of that period, laid claims to some disputed lands in Braintree, and seventy freeholders agree, by signature, "to defend their ancient rights and oppose the pretenders in a course of law." A year after, they made choice of four "loving friends" to look after the case. This act savors somewhat of a kind of labor latterly called " lobbying," only instead of "loving friends" such agents term themselves "members of the third house."
The controverted grounds were known as the "Blue Hill Lands," and Boston rapacity was finally appeased, and she quitclaimed to the territory, on the payment of seven hundred- pounds.
An examination of the rather monotonous flow of town- meeting affairs shows a different method of providing for the poor and insane from that now in practice with us.
It sounds somewhat harsh and severe, and squints toward " ways that are dark," to read that the authorities "treated with Josiah Owen, to clear the town forever of Ebenezer Owen's distracted daughter," especially as we never hear anything more in relation to her. It would be impossible not to become intensely interested in the melancholy and mysterious misfortunes of Abigail Neale, whose condition is tragic, and whose fate is unknown. We learn first of this afflicted sister from an offer of the town of five pounds " for the healing of Abigail Neale, now underhand."
One of the last acts of the seventeenth century, under date of January, 1699, is an endeavor to become emancipated from the aforesaid Abigail Neale, by subsidizing a Roxbury man " five pounds" to take her. Dr. Bayly, the man of Roxbury, does not "put in an appearance " to relieve the town of the Neale dispensation, and she is still a burden
-
10
upon its hands. The matter is now absorbing. As knowing nothing of her complaint or history, the town problem seems to be, What is to be done with her? But the musty records have a new charm in the possibility of solving the vexed question. In 1701 the town offers Dr. Bayly, of Roxbury, " eight pounds more for keeping Abigail Neale, provided he takes up therewith and gives the town no further trouble." There appears a payment on an old account to John New- comb, of twelve shillings, "for keeping Abigail Neale." Nowcomb also gets thirty shillings, by reason of Abigail. In 1702 and 1707 it is voted that the selectmen " discourse, if they see cause, with Sammel Bullard, of Dedham or Dorchester, in order to the care of Abigail Neale, to agree upon terms following ; that is. to lay down twenty shillings in order to said care, and to engage no more to helping than the eighteen pence per week. If in case a cure is performed that may prove sound for one whole year, then to give satisfaction for said cure not exceeding ten pounds, nor to pay such sum until twelve months have expired after the eure, and said twenty shillings to be a part of the said sum ; and if no cure be performed, to pay no more than said twenty shillings for the keeping." This looks as though the town, in those days, could drive a close bargain, holding religiously to the motto, " No cure, no pay." How vividly the sufferer must have realized, as she was bounced about. the truth of the lines, -
" It is a poor relief we gain To change the place and keep the pain "
Here we must drop the final tear over the memory of our unhappy and suffering Abigail, for the pages of the journal that this far follow her sorrowing steps are silent concerning her evermore.
The stlary question, after much backing and filling and "change of base," at last stands " ninety pounds for the minister, he finding wood." A new church association and meeting-house was the consequence of the exigencies of the
tl
t a
e
1 0)
t
a
d
S
b to e t I e e f
n
t
i
b
1
17
town's growth, aided by the serious disagreement in church matters.
The town, with the solemnity of a recorded vote, recog- nized "the right of the congregation to worship God in the new meeting-house at the south end"; and in 1707 the quar- rel concerning the school appropriations, that had arisen because of the division of the town into two "precincts," led to the appointment of a committee to reconcile the differ- ences, and a vote, "done in the name of peace and satisfac- tion," harmonized the difficulties, and Braintree went on peacefully, with its north and south precincts, each nearly equal in population and importance, and both starting off in excellent spirits and temper. It would surprise any one not familiar with the details of town government, to find how much attention has been given in bygone times to the animal kingdom. Much of the time of town-meetings is occupied during the first century and a half by such questions as pre- miums on bulls and boars, restrictions on stray swine, restraints on wandering rams, and bounties for the slaughter of blackbirds and squirrels. Year after year the annual ses- sion opens with these important subjects, which are voted in the affirmative, with creditable persistency. Increase of stock and protection for the somewhat scanty products of the New England farm were commanding matters in the struggling era of our fathers. How careful and far-sighted the town guardian was in discharging his duties may be inferred from the regulation requiring of each school-boy, as his tribute to the temple of knowledge, "to cut one load of wood per annum." The " six thousand acre grant" I never having been marketed or located, is confirmed or again given to the town by the General Court in 1717, and for a number of years it proves a "bone of contention " to the town mind. It seemed impossible to divide or sell the grant to suit all concerned, and the votes on this question have a look as though some good Braintree people of that period had a sharp "eye for business " and a scent for a keen trade, for an attempt was
1 See Appendix B, note 4.
2
18
made to limit the benefactions of the gift to those who would have been entitled to it under the first grant in 1666. This was, however, thought by the majority to be a "little thin," and it was voted down. For a peaceful settlement of the affair, it was decided to give the town one half the proceeds, ordering that " all the inhabitants that paid charges in 1715 shall have property in the remainder." But this did not settle the irrepressible conflict, for in 1726, in order again to secure a more peaceful settlement, it was determined that the lands be divided as equally as possible between the two precincts. "to be divided and disposed of by each precinct respectively, from time to time forever hereafter," and this turns out to be a finality. In 1750 the town of New Brain- tree was chartered by the State, and settlers from the old town went there, where these lands had previously been located ; and this pleasant agricultural town, in the " heart of the Commonwealth," may be claimed as one of our success- full colonies. At this point we can learn wisdom from the past. It was a period of great business depression through- out the Province, and to relieve it, the financiers then in power resorted to the fatal policy of inflation, increasing the volume of paper money, or rather medium, for paper never can be money unless redeemable. The cause of the com- mercial prostration was further extended by the issue of "Bills of Credit?" by the Province, portions of which were placed with the towns, and by them loaned on security. 1 Braintree, in 1721, took her proportion of this unsubstantial circulation, and when England paid Massachusetts the money she had expended in the war with the French, these " bills " were redeemed, the "old tenor," or the issue prior to 1740, at the rate of "forty to one," a later issue at the rate of "eleven for one." After a fixed date all contracts were based on "gold and silver," and the currency, under this arrangement, was termed " lawful money." The universal experience and testimony of those who have gone before us, on the direful road of forced expansion, should now make us
1 See Appendix B, note 3.
R
f
P
n
f
i
1
(
i
t
t
f
t
a
t tl
0
le
di
t
19
very earnest for a speedy return to the only correct financial policy the world has yet invented, " hard or lawful money."
Situated on the Monatiquot River, in the east part of the town, are the remains of a dam or building, once known as the Iron Works. The right to construct this industry was given to John Winthrop, Jr., in 1643, and with his asso- ciates he built the furnace that, with changing fortunes, was in a flourishing condition as the property of Thomas Vinton in 1721.1 But at that time it was found that the dam of Furnace Pond interfered with the inalienable right of the freeman to his fish, as it obstructed the passage of the multi- tudinous herring in their spawning expedition, and a some- what bitter and vigorous war was waged in behalf of the alewives against the foundry. The contest raged violently for eleven years, and in 1736 the deadly blow was struck : the dam was demolished, the stream cleared of obstructions, and the iron interest yielded to the all-conquering herring. Most of the sea-coast towns of New England have indulged in " fish fights," and the nimble alewife has played an active part in our legislative annals.
The predisposition of the " sovereigns of Braintree" in those days to stand by fish, "through thick and through thin," manifested itself very lately, when an endeavor was made by some of our public-spirited citizens to stock with bass one of our local ponds. Remembering the uprising of and for herring, from 1720 to 1730, and the fate of the "old forge," at the earliest symptom of discontent the " Bass Ring " of 1872 began to weaken, and had under consideration for a time a proposition to sell their rights to the town, and quietly and perhaps wisely abandon the field, or rather pond, thus leaving the "hornpouts " once more to reign supreme.
Still farther south the tide of population flowed, until by legislative consent the settlement upon the "Cocheto " was permitted to become a " precinct," and with the usual hin- drances that attend all town alterations, Braintree ultimately recognized three centres, known as the North, Middle, and
1 See Appendix B, note 6.
20
South precincts. At the start. the young member was treated a little roughly, for we find the town voting down, in 1728, a proposition to allow "the schoolmaster of the south part to keep school some part of the time in the new precinct." The new precinct then asked " whether the town would abate its proportion of the charge of the other schools in the town, provided they would maintain one among themselves," and on this also, the town "voted in the negative." This spirit of selfishness. however, did not last. for the proper educational facilities were not long withheld by a town always noted for it- devotion to the common or free school system.
Motions to divide the town were offered and rejected in 1728 and 1756; but after the selectmen were taken from different sections, allowing a just representation in affairs, the agitation of separation was hushed for nearly sixty years.
The selection of the meeting-house in the middle precinct as the place for holding the town-meetings was assented to with unanimity and cordiality, not only because of its cen- trality,' but if hearsay in this case is evidence, because of its proximity to Ebenezer Thayer's, whose " open house " made it a popular resort on election and other public days.2 The State constable has, of late years, been the subject of some discussion with us, but the town constable evidently gave much more uneasiness in the days that are gone. By the records, it is clear that the constabulary duties then were not sought after with much zest. To refuse service, when elected constable, made the reensant liable to a fine of " five pounds." and the declinations were so general, that quite a revenue came to the treasury, if the dues were collected. Whether it was the habit of the "independent voters " of that era to Fleet persons who were certain to decline, in order to get the
In the old meeting-house, located where is now Dr. Storrs's or Emerson's church willy was built in 1750, and torn down in 182%, all the meetings of the town were belit when all it's important actions were taken, and it was There that the Winners Franche, and Adannes participated.
In the old " Eben Thayer house," very near the meeting-house, it was the ecabo, -and is remembered by many now living. - all hands used to meet after Hertog of town officers, representatives, etc., and have a grand treat all round.
tl tl W
B of
a
t
1
1
€ 1 1 q t h
u
21
forfeiture, cannot be accurately known ; but it certainly has that appearance, and the matter was not properly adjusted until the constables were adequately paid for their services.
No one can faithfully scan the town books, without observ- ing the exceeding vexation that grew out of the stones on the "common" lands. The authorities remonstrated, forbade, and pursued the trespassers who filched the wood and stone of the town. It was a struggle of more than fifty years in settlement. A price was fixed for the " stones by load," and that did not work; the price was doubled, and still there was trouble. Committees were appointed to look after the property and the pilferers, yet the difficulty went on. It was attempted to divide the estate by "polls "; even that did not succeed. The lands were "leased," by order of the town, but after a while the "lessees" of the "South Common or Ministry Lands" petitioned for relief from their agreement, giving as a reason " that during the whole time of the lease, they had labored under the greatest discouragements, inas- much as every attempt on their part to build a stone wall about the property " was frustrated by " certain unknown and evil-minded persons," "who, as fast as we built up the wall by day, did in the night time throw the same down " This petition resulted in a vacation of their lease, and subse- quently the "common lands " were sold. This was before the "quarries," of which they made a part, became famous by making it a rival with ice, as one of the most extensive products of New England traffic. Though the pastures of Braintree supplied in 1752 the stones for the building of King's Chapel, in Boston, it was not until the monu- ment on Bunker Hill was in process of erection, that the granite of this locality became celebrated and so generally utilized.
Our earnest temperance reformers will learn with regret that, in the year of our Lord 1761, the town did not have that sense of the great evil of intemperance which now wisely prevails. It was in that year decided to approbate an innholder for each precinct, and the town voted, "That the
22
persons who are approbated for innholders, for the coming var. oblidge themselves by written instruments, under their · hands and seals,' to retail spirituous liquors to the town inhabitants, as they shall have occasion therefor, at the same price by the gallon or smaller quantities, as the same are usu- ally sold, by retail, in the town of Boston, and upon the performance of the above condition there be no person or persons approbated by the selectmen as retailers." It took a hundred years to find out that licensing the sale of rum, whether furnished as low as "Boston prices" or not, is as grave a mistake, if not crime, as an intelligent community em commit.
The year 1761 closed the life of Deacon John Adams, who acts a continuous, if not eventful, part in this story. Nothing strikes the searcher through the archives of a New England town with more force than the sturdy. unostentatious demean- or of those who filled the minor stations of usefulness. They arr the men of the neighborhood, and at their posts are as true and constant as those higher and more celebrated offi- cials. who win the laurels of history. Long service is the evidence alike of their capacity and integrity. The names of Quiney and Thayer represent more than a century and a quarter of service, for this single town, at the General Court. John Quincy was chosen forty times as representative, Edmund and other Quineys serving in the same and other capricities 1 Col. Ebenezer Thayer was elected representa- tive seventeen times, besides being one of the governor's Commeil,? and his son, Gen. Ebenezer Thayer, served at court twenty years,3 was councillor, senator, and the first sheriff of Norfolk County.
Minot Thayer, me of the patriarchs of the town and heloved of all, according to Vinton, was chosen represent-
IN Appendix B. note 7.
4Thayer's Pauply Memorial. p. 139.
" Thayer's Family Memorial, p. 140, says : " Hon. Ebenezer Thayer served todo Jelly years as towhy clerk and treasurer; was chosen their representative wat For war senator for Norfolk County for several years, was chosen and isj & coabline an l was appointed first sheriff of the county of Noorfalk."
0
a
: I
S
t
t
0
S 1 t S 1
S t i
0 0
a
e
t I
23
ative thirty times.1 Dr. Alden - and no better authority exists - says, "The Thayers were the dukes of Monatiquot, in the days of the patriarchs." Of this trustworthy class was Deacon John Adams, whose sterling qualities and virtues have been transmitted, and whose descendants of the fourth remove, with this generation, take creditable places in law, literature, learning, and statesmanship.
In 1714 Joseph Adams, grandson of Henry Adams, whose son Henry was first clerk of the town, is recorded among the town officers, as surveyor of highways, and for two years he is one of the selectmen. His son, John Adams, is " sealer of leather " in 1722, eminently suited for his duties, being by occupation a cordwainer.2 In 1724 he is one of the tything- men ; in 1727 he is chosen constable, and does not refuse to serve. In 1734 Ensign John Adams is made selectman ; later, Lieut. John Adams is reported as having disposed of the "town's powder," and in 1740 Lieut. John Adams is selectman ; from 1742 to 1749 he is lieutenant and select- man ; and in 1752, 1753, 1754, 1755, and 1758 he is Deacon John Adams and selectman.
In 1759 a committee was appointed to view the "way " through Deacon John Adams's land. In these days when we hear so much of " jobs " and " contracts " in modern under- takings, it is refreshing to notice the unsophisticated manner of carrying on public improvements in the days of " lang syne." The records give the report of the committee, which is as follows : -
" The Committee having been upon the spot on Deacon John Adams's land, do find that one part of the old road on his land will be much to his Damage, to establish the same, and whereas it was his Property, and he was not notified when laid out, and hath never been satisfied for the same, doth at this day offer to the town a more strate road, on which he hath bestowed much Labour, as we see, and offers
1 A note to Vinton's Memorial says of Minot Thayer: "He was representative of Braintree about thirty years, and he was very popular."
2 Extract from ancient records of Braintree.
24
still to bestow more ; and it is to be Remembered that the town is at no charge, in fencing of said way, so that upon the whole we think that any Person, making it his own case, would think it meet not to be heard, and favorably answered by the town, so we say it may be well for the town to give up the old Road, so far as to make the new Road more straight.
"SAMUEL BASS, BENJAMIN BEAL, CALEB HOBART,
" Committee.
" AvGUST, 18, 1759."
Great as the name has since been made by most distin- guished men living and dead, let us turn, with profound reverence, to that plain selectman, who is the type and sample of those traits of character, to whom the country owes the sincerest recognition. Like the rocks of our own hills, older than the stones with which the pyramids were laid, they are still undecayed, because their particles, welded, fused, inter- locked, and clinched in the fires of unknown ages, can only be destroyed by the same elements that fashioned them ; so these men, fashioned and fused by discipline, and welded by calm self-control, are of that indestructible composition, that perpetuates families and makes the enduring grandeur of nations.
Our town, now three distinct communities, each revolving about that natural Puritan pivot, the Christian church, has grown in wealth, numbers, and influence. Its highways are greatly extended, its boundaries determined, and it is pre- paring to take its part in the startling scenes of war, the sue- cessful termination of which a numerous posterity, from ocean to ocean, this day commemorates with unbounded delight, and demonstrations of gratitude and rejoicings.
The Braintree records' breathe and burn with undimin- ished ardor and action, as the mighty conflict for freedom progresses. Fealty to England is urged in name, to the last
1 See Appendix D, note 1.
1
t
(
1 I
t
d (
1
C
n
(
P t t
f
t i
1 1
1
25
moment, though principles are announced and advocated that could never be nurtured in the atmosphere of monarchy.
The brave and patriotic town echoed every sentiment that upheld the assertions of liberty, and responded to every demand for co-operation against the aggressions of the Crown.
In 1765 Braintree remonstrated in vigorous language con- cerning the nefarious Stamp Act. In 1768, considering the " decay of trade," it was voted, "That this Town will use their utmost endeavor, and enforce these endeavors by Ex- ample, in suppressing Extravagance, Idleness, and Vice, and promoting Industry, Economy and good Morals." In order to prevent the unnecessary exportation of money, of which the province had been of late much drained, it was further voted, "That this town will by all prudent means, discounte- nance the use of foreign superfluities, and encourage the manufactures of this Province."
This determination would not exactly please the "free- trade " doctrinaires of the present day. The same year Josiah Quincy and Ebenezer Thayer were sent as delegates to join the committees of " Towns in Convention," they being instructed in cautious terms "that no undutifulness to his Majesty, or disrespect to his Parliament is meant," and a day of humiliation and prayer was appointed by the town, in which the dissenting churches unite.
In 1773 the town adopts resolutions on our "rights and privileges," in which the idea of taxation without approval is firmly condemned, the town declaring " that it is essential to the great end of the greatest good of the whole, that all laws be by the consent of the people," also that they " shall readily join not only with our brethren of this Province, but through- out the wide extended continent, in every lawful, just, and constitutional manner, for recovering and preserving inviolate all our civil and religious rights and privileges."
In 1774 a committee was appointed to draft a covenant for the town, and a vote was carried for a general "Provincial Convention " to consider the " distress of the country."
26
In October, 1774, the town indignantly denies a charge of persecution against members of the English Church, pro- claiming its readiness to allow "private judgment" to all. The resolve of 1774, of the Committee of Correspondence of several Suffolk towns, with reference to military material, was adopted, and in October, 1774, delegates were sent to the Provincial Congress. and the "precincts" of the town were ordered to regulate the militia, agreeable to its recom- mendations. In 1775 a vote was passed to send one delegate to the Provincial Congress, and at the same time the town appoints on committee, one colonel, one captain, one deacon, one doctor, and three plain freeholders to instruct him as to his duty, and they advise him to aid "in preserving the line of the defensive." In January, 1775, an elaborate military organization was accepted by the town. A movement was made for the encouragement of minute-men a few months later, and in March the committee reported a resolution or covenant, the third article of which provides " that we will neither purchase or employ any slave imported since the first day of December last, and will wholly discontinue the slave-trade, and will neither be concerned in it ourselves, nor will we hire our vessels, or sell our commodities or mannfac- tures, to those who are concerned in them."
It is thus to the eternal credit and honor of Braintree that she, so far in advance of public sentiment, expressed her cen- sure of the iniquity of human slavery, condemning the insti- intion which afterwards sought, in an hour of madness, to destroy that fair habitation of hberty, then being founded and reared. Whether Parson Niles of the " middle precinct," the owner himself of slaves, the burial mounds of which, in a retired locality, are well remembered by men of middle age, relished this outbreak against the system he upheld, is uncer- tain, but the " pews were right " if the pulpit was not.1
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.