USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Centennial celebration at Braintree, Mass., July 4, 1876 > Part 8
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Voted, That the Selectmen be a Committee to settle with those persons that have imburseted the moneys to pay the Troops aforesaid.
Voted. To raise a Committee to procure the first Levy of every twenty- fifth man in this town, agreeable to a Resolve of the General Court, when calltedy for, upon the Reasonablest Tearms they can & lay their acct. before the Town.
Voted, that this committee consist of three, vlz : Capt. Edmond Billing, Deacon James Penniman & Decn. Peter Thayer.
Voted, to exempt those persons from their Poll Tax that are in the Con- tenantel army that marched out of this town before the first day of June last.
Sept. 23, 1776. Voted, that each soldier that shall engage to go to New York in Complyance with the Requisition of the Continantel Congress shall have six pounds per month, including what is allowed by the Congress during the time of his being in the service.
Voted, to advance to each soldier that shall engage as above Two Pounds, to be paid him previous to his marching.
NOTE. - At this point in the records the Declaration of Independence is written out in full.
May 22. 1777. Voted, To allow those persons that was in the Continen- tal Army last May and marched out of New England, who are not engaged in said Army at this time, the sum of Ten Pounds for the sufferings the last year, provided they will now engage in said Continental Army for three years.
Sept. S. 1777. Voted, That the Town now raise another Committee to use their utmost endeavors in this Town or elsewhere to procure a sufli- cient number of men to make up their quota for the Continental Army, if possible, and likewise to indemnify Colo. Ebenezer Thayer. Junr., from any Time that may be laid on him in omiting to draft the men agreeable to a Resolve passe the 15th day of August last past. The aforegoing vote being read several times in the Town meeting was accepted.
Voted, The aforesaid Committee consist of six men. Then. Dean. Eben- ezer Adams, Messrs. Joseph Baxter, William Penniman. Capn. Silas Wild, Majr. Seth Turner, & Lient. Ephraim Thayer be a Committee for the afore- said purpose.
Voted. To supply the families of those persons belonging to this Town who shall enlist into the Continental Army with necessarys of Life at the stipulated price during the Time they are in actual service.
Voted, The Selectmen furnish the said Committee with money to hire the men.
Dec. 22. 1777. Voted, That the men that shall be called for from this Town for the future for a Reinforcement for the Army & for Guards shall be paid by the Town a Bounty that shall encourage them to inlist, and that there be a Committee appointed to procure the men whenever there may be orders for any.
March 10, 1778. Voted, The Selectmen provide for the families of those In the Continental Army, & also settle with the Committee who was appointed for that purpose.
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March 20, 1773. Voted, To pay the men that marchd with Capt. Penni- man last fall as a Reinforcement for the northern Army from the Time they marched to the last day of November, provided they were in the service at that time.
Voted, To supply the families of those in the Continental Army, agreea- ble to a Resolve of the General Court.
June 22, 1778. Voted, To make up the subaltern's wages equal to a Pri- vate Soldier.
Voted, To pay each soldier from the time they march to the time they gitt home, allowing them a day's pay for every twenty miles' travel they shall be from home when they leave the service or are discharged.
Voted, To consider those Persons that was from this Town in the Con- tinental service in the year 1776 who marchd out of this State, & that there be a Committee chosen to take the matter into consideration & to report to the Town at their next annual meeting of what sum those persons are worthy off for their sufferings. Then, Colo. Thayer, Maj. Penniman, Captn. French, Captn. Arnold, & Captn. Sawin, was chosen a Committee for that purpose.
Voted, To allow those persons that was in the Continental Army from this Town in the year 1776, who are now in sd army, that engaged for before the twenty-second day of May, 1777, ten pounds being the same sum that was voted to those that engaged after said 22d day of May.
June 5, 1780. Then, it was moved and seconded that the Town should choose a Delegate to meet in convention on Wednesday next for the pur- pose of compleating the Constitution or Form of Government.
Voted, To choose a delegate by written vote.
Then, the Honble. Joseph Palmer, Esqr., was chosen for that purpose.
June 27, 1780. The Familys of such men as shall engage for the Term of six months shall be suppyd by the selectmen with corn, wood or such other articles as they stand in need off, which is to be charged & Reducted from the wages of that Person, which is to be paid him in corn upon his returning home.
June 30, 1780. The Committee reported that they had inlisted thirty- one men, & that there was a prospect of inlisting the other 5 men which is wanting to compleat the first 36 men called for, & likewise a part or all of the nine men required by the aforesaid Resolve of June 23d. General Palmer generously made the same offer to the nine men as he did to the 36 men, - that was thirty dollars each, for which the thanks of the Town was again voted him.
July 17, 1780. The Town being assembled again, the Committee reported a proposal that was agreed to & signed by a number of men, which was as follows, viz. : We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, agree to go into the publick service for Three months, upon the following conditions, pro- vided the Town agree thereto, viz. : We to receive Five hundred Dollars Currency in hand, half a bushel of corn per Day, or the value thereof in cur- rent money at six months from the date hereof, & also Five hundred Dollars more on our return, provided we serve the sd three months, or in propor- tion to the Time of service, the said last 500 Dollars to be increased or
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diminished, according as Depreciation or Appreciation shall take place. Witness our hands this 17th day of July, 1780. N. B. We to receive the State's pay & mileage, to be paid as usual for travel home.
The Town by a large majority voted to agree to the above proposals.
Voted, the Selectmen supply the familys of such soldiers who are now gone & going into the Publick service, with money as they may want for the support of their families.
Voted, such Persons as will lend the Town money may receive Receipts therefor from the Selectmen, which receipts shall answer for Taxes on the next town tax.
Sept. 4, 1780. The Freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of Braintree qualified to vote in the choice of a Governor, Lt. Governor, Council and senators, being assembled at the meeting house in the middle precinct in said Town agreeable to the Resolves of the convention June 16, 1780, Proceeded to bring in their votes which are as follows, viz : -
For Governor.
Hon. John Hancock, Esqr. .95
HIon. James Bowdoin, Esqr. .11
For Lt. Governor.
Hon. James Warren, Esq. . 80
Hon. Joseph Palmer, Esq. . 1
Hon. James Bowdoin, Esq. 1
Hon. Samuel Adams, Esq. 1
For Council and Senators.
IIon. Thomas Cushing, Esqr. . 45
Hon. Jabez Fisher, Esqr. . 65
Hon. Samuel Niles, Esqr. . 39
Hon. Cotton Tufts, Esqr. 36
Hon. Caleb Davis, Esqr. 36
Hlon. John Lowel, Esq. .35
Hon. Benja. White, Esqr. . 34
Hon. Joseph Palmer, Esqr. . 25
Hon. James Bowdoin, Esqr. 27
Ilon. Increase Sumner, Esqr. .10
Hon. Jeremiah Powel, Esqr. . 17
Hon. John Pitts, Esqr. 9
7 Hon. Richard Cranch, Esqr. Hon. Solomon Lovel, Esqr. 4
Hon. Benja. Austin, Esqr. 6 Hon. Norton Quincy, Esqr. 2
Hon. William Cooper, Esqr. 2
April 2, 1781. The Freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of Braintree qualified to vote in the choice of a Governor, Lient. Governor, Councillors and Senators, agreeable to the Constitution of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, being by a Legal warrant for that Purpose assembled at the meeting House in the middle Precinct in said Town, Proceeded to bring in their votes which are as followeth, viz : -
Votes for Governor.
His Excelleney John Hancock . . 35
The Hon. James Bowdoin . .27
For Lieut. Governor.
The Hon. Thomas Cushing . 25
The Hon. Bepjn. Lincola 14
Collo, Azor Orrin . . 5
The Hon. James Warren
For Councillors and Senators.
The Hon. Samuel Niles . 37
The Hon. Jabez Fisher 46
Cotton Tufts, Esqr. . 37
Caleb Davis, Esqr. . 37 The Hon. Samuel Adams 34
The Hon. John Pitts 30
The Hon. Joseph Palmer
The Hon. Jeremiah Powel . 14
The Hon. Increase Sumner 15
John Lowel, Esqr. 12
Richard Cranch, Esqr. 9
The Hon. Benjn. Lincoln 7
Ebenzr. Wales, Esgr. . 3
April 2, 1781. Then, Captn. Joseph Baxter, one of the Town Committee to hire soldiers for the Continental Army, reported to the town that one
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John Williams had engaged as a soldier to serve in the army for three years, or during the War, and that he had engaged to serve for the Town of Boston, to be reckoned one of their quota of men for the army, and that said John Williams did by Law belong to the Town of Braintree, and that he, the said Joseph, in behalf of the Town of Braintree, laid in his clame for the Priviledge of said Williams that he should answer as a soldier for the Town of Braintree, and was opposed by the Committee of the Town of Boston, and by said Comm. was drove to every extremity to prove the justice of his clame to said Williams, but finally obtained him. Then, the Committee of Boston Requested of said Baxter fifteen guinies, which they had given sd John Williams as a bounty. Said Baxter reports that he denyed complying with said Request, but told the Committee that he wanted to lay the afare before his Town to act upon as they should think Proper, said Baxter desiring to Know the minds of the minds of the Town upon that afare. The Vote was Put whether the Town would order that the said Boston Committee should have their Fifteen Guinies Refunded back to them by the Town of Braintree, and passed in the negative.
Sept. 10, 1781. Voted, That the sum of Four Hundred Pounds be assessed upon the Polls and Estates within this Town for the Purpose of procuring the Town's quota of Beef required for the army.
April 1, 1782. The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree, qualified agreeable to the Constitution of this Commonwealth of Massachusetts to vote in the choice of Governor, Lieut. Governor, Coun- cillors, & Senators, being by a Legal Warrant for that purpose assembled at the Meeting House in the Middle Precinct in said Town, Proceeded to Bring in their Votes, which are as followeth, viz .: -
Votes for Governor.
His Excellency John Hancock . . 47 The Hon. James Bowdoin . 47
For Lieut. Governor.
The Hon. Thomas Cushing . 20 The Hon. Joseph Palmer . 24
For Councillors & Senators.
The Hon. Samuel Niles 20
The Hon. Jabez Fisher 23
The IIon. Cotton Tufts 23
The Hon. Jeremh. Powel 9
The Hon. John Pitts . 9
The Hon. Samuel Adams 15
The Hon. Increase Sumner 12
Samuel Austin, Esqr. . 12
Thomas Penniman, Esqr. . 14
1808. Town votes to pay those who inlist under President's call for one hundred thousand.
1814. Town votes to pay soldiers in actual service.
. APPENDIX D. - PART II. - NOTE 1.
1783. Town appoints Committee upon the Act of the General Court, regulating the time "included in the Lord's Day."
1784. Selectmen authorized to make the "Best Market of the certifi- cate money of the town in their hands."
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1786. Committee appointed to prepare instructions for Representative, and Report. articles as given in text. Same year an Alms House is projected.
1787. Another Committee of Instruction to Representative Appointed, and then Reported in Public Print, as follows (a Copy of which was served upon Representative) :
To COLO .! EBENEZER THAYER :
SEPT. 25, 1786.
Sir, - This Town having made Choice of you to represent them in the Great and General Court this present year, apprehend it their indispensa- ble Duty as well as undoubted right to instruct you relative to some very important matters which ought to be so far a rule of your political con- duct, as we have but just immergd from the horrors of a most tedious and unnatural war and taken Rank among the Royal Powers of the World, or ever had entered the possession of that darling freedom which cost us almost everything that was dear. The Clouds are gathering over our heads pregnant with the most gloomy aspect. We abhor and detest violent measures. To fly to clubs or arms, to divert the impending ruin the consequences of which would render us Easy Victims to Foreign and inveterate foes, No as Loyal Subjects & Citizens inflamed with true Patriotism we feel ourselves cheerfully willing to lend our aid at all times in Supporting the dignity of Government but inasmuch as there are numerous Grievances or intolerable Burthens by some means or other lying on the good subjects of this republic Our eyes under Heaven, are upon the Legislature of this Commonwealth and their names will shine Brighter in the American Annals by preserving the invaluable Liberties of their own People than if they were to carry the Terror of their arms as far as Gibraltar. We therefore under these considerations do instruet you that in the next session you give your close attention and use your utmost Efforts that the following grievances and unnecessary Burthens be redressed, viz :
First - that the Public Salarys of this Commonwealth be reduced in an `Equitable manner. We feel ourselves willing that every Public officer should receive a Quantum Meruit but not an Extravagant Salary and also that the number of Salary men be reduced.
2ndly - That the Court of Common Pleas and the General Sessions of the Peace be removed in perpetuam rei memoriam.
3rlly - That the money raised by Impost and Excise be appropriated to pay our Foreign Debt.
Athly : We are of opinion that there are unreasonable Grants made to some of the officers of Government.
Joly - We object against the mode adopted for Collecting and paying the Last Tax.
Goly : We humbly request that there may be such Laws compil as may crush or at least put proper check or restraint on that order of Gentlemen denominated Lawyers, the constitution of whose modern Conduct appears to us to tend rather to the destruction than the preservation of this Commonwealth.
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7thly. That the General Court be removed from Boston.
8thly - That Real and Personal Estate be a Tender for all debts when calld for provided the Interest be punctually paid.
9thly. That certain premiums be granted to encourage our own Manu- factures.
10thly -That if the above grievances cannot be redressd without a revision of Constitution, in that case for that to take place.
11thly - It is our earnest Request that every Town Clerk by a Register of Deeds for the same Town.
The foregoing instructions were Read this day in Town meeting and the Town then Voted that their Clerk should serve their Representative with a Copie of the same and that he record them in the Town Book and that they be Published in the Publick Print.
1789. Voted to employ a school-master to "teach English as well as Latin."
1790. Agents appointed to oppose division of the town.
1791. Town authorizes a committee to examine accounts of a town officer, and they report " a falling short." Treasurer is authorized to sell continental money " for what it will fetch."
1792. Committee chosen to make full settlement with "the town of Quincy " and to oppose " division of the South Precinct."
1793. Voted to stop distillation of "rye into spirits."
1793. First town meeting held after incorporation of Randolph.
1794. Votes to be reannexed to Suffolk County.
1795. Town refuses again to send representative to General Court.
APPENDIX D. - NOTE 2.
Whitney, page 45, says, " Capt. Vinton's company, in the Revolutionary struggle, was marched to Cambridge for the defence of the place. This company afterwards went to New York, but many of its members died through fatigue."
Vinton Memorial, page 59, states that John Vinton " commanded a com- pany of minute-men" who marched from Braintree, belonging to the regiment of Col. Benjamin Lincoln, afterwards General (Lincoln), upon the "Lexington Alarm."- Mass. Archiv s.
Vinton Memorial, page 77, says of Stephen Penniman, " He was captain of a company of militia, called to Dorchester Heights in March, 1776."
Vinton Memorial, page 55, gives an account of Col. Seth Turner, who removed to Braintree, South Precinct, about 1751. "He was," says Vinton, " a true patriot, and was much in his country's service. He served in the old French war, and was at the taking of Quebec in 1761. He also served in the war of the Revolution. The 'Turner Genealogy' says he served through that war, but the proof is not found in the Massachusetts archives. Very few men served through that war. It appears, however, from the archives, that a company of sixty men, all from Braintree,
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enlisted under his orders in the beginning of May, 1775, and served eight months. This was one of two companies that went from the town of Braintree at the same time, -a fact highly creditable to that ancient and most respectable town."
APPENDIX D. - NOTE 3.
Charles Francis Adams, in his Town Hall Oration, says of Braintree's public men, " She has had many not unknown beyond her borders, - many not prized less because of virtues known only within them, -learned and faithful pastors, eminent lawyers, liberal merchants, honest statesmen, brave and accomplished soldiers." Whitney gives a list of eighty gradu- ates of Harvard College. Hancock finds "John Bass" a "great mathe- matical genins." Arthur St. Clair, "distinguished general of the Revolu- tion," resident 1763. Richard Cranch, from England, came to Braintree 1750; died here, "distinguished for piety," etc., Judge of Suffolk Com- mon Pleas. Win. Cranch, Chief Justice District Court of Columbia, and an honest patriot. Thos. Phillips, eminent physician, etc., etc.
APPENDIX D. - NOTE 4.
MINISTERS OF BRAINTREE. - FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD PRECINCTS.
Wm. Thompson, ordained
1639
Henry Flint, teacher
1640
Moses Fiske, settled
1672
Joseph Marsh, ordained
1709
John Hancock, ordained 1726
Lemnel Briant, ordained
1745
Antony Wibird
1755
and was minister when the town was divided.
First Congregational Church of Braintree was organized 1707.
HIngh Adams was ordained
1707
Samuel Niles
6.
1711
Ezra Wekl
1762
Sylvester Sage
1807
R. S. Storrs 66
1811
Edward A. Park 66
1831
APPENDIX D.
CONDITIONS OF THE SEXTON.
Hotel. That the Intermission on the Lord's day be the same as the last year, and the Following was Voted as the Conditions : The Sexon shall be
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obliged to comply with the ensuing year, viz., Take good care of the House; sweep it once every month, especially the first week after each Town meeting; shovell the snow from the doors and horse blocks to the steps of the Doors ; ring the Bell on Lords day, public town meeting, and Lecture day ; Toll the Bell at Funerals, and carry the burying cloth to the house where the Funeral is to be from; and clean the snow out of the garret and dust the seats and pews, &c. Provided the person who under- takes the Business shall not comply with the above, he shall not be enti- tled to more for his services than the Town shall vote him next March. The office of Sexon was then put up for the lowest bidder. Capt. Jona- than Thayer bid it of at Ten Dollars, upon the above conditions.
APPENDIX D. - NOTE 5.
From "South Braintree Breeze."
REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR OF 1812.
Dear Editor, - Thinking the following incident would not be uninterest- ing to some of your readers, I present it as a reminiscence of an eventful Sabbath in my boyhood : -
About half a century ago, before the affairs of our country were in their present prosperous and settled condition, our quiet town was thrown into a panic of excitement by the announcement that the British had entered the harbor at Cohasset, I think, or somewhere thereabouts.
The announcement was made by Col. Clarke, of Randolph, who, with warlike mien and hurried gesticulation, entered Dr. Storrs's church during service, and cried out, " Our country is invaded ! Our country is invaded ! " and issued the order that preparations should be at once made to meet and drive back the enemy. This outcry caused the utmost consternation to prevail, - the women expressing fear and anxiety, the men assuming a brave, determined attitude, but all uniting in that innate sentiment of patriotism and love of country which enabled the wife to give up her husband, the mother her child, the maid her lover, to aid in the protection of their rights and the promotion of freedom.
Braintree had a well-trained military company under the command of Capt. Ralph Arnold, and in obedience to orders, appeared armed and equipped on the green near the old town-house. Provisions suitable for camp life, and in quantities sufficient to last a week or more, were supplied from a store in the neighborhood. Everything being in readiness, the troops commenced their march, taking a northerly route. Upon reaching Ferry Point Bridge, they were commanded to halt by the tollman. The captain, being somewhat incensed at the interruption, said, "I have come out to repulse the enemy, and since you are the first that I have met, I shall order you to retreat," which the tollman did with much precipitancy, and the company resumed its march without further ado. Arriving at the scene of action, what was their disappointment at seeing the enemy sailing out of
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the harbor, after setting fire to a ship and committing several other devastations !
When the excitement had susided, they found that the women had been busy making lint from every available piece of linen, and the men other preparations, in anticipation of a fierce struggle. Leaving some of our company with the Randolph riflemen to guard the coast for a few days, the remainder returned home the same night, much fatigued, yet thankful that a day commenced so ominously should end so peacefully.
B.
APPENDIX D. - NOTE 6.
Vinton, page 194, says of B. V. French, " The idea of a cemetery in the vicinity of Boston like Pere La Chaise at Paris, originated with Mr. French. Hle examined the grounds, and in connection with Mr. Brimmer, the owner, laid the plan which resulted in Mount Auburn Cemetery. It was at his suggestion, moreover, that the old burying-ground at Braintree, which was formerly a disgrace to the town, was extended by the addition of more land, and fitted up with its present graceful appointments.
APPENDIX D. - NOTE 7.
COPY OF WARRANT.
Jan'y 3, 1790. The following is a Copy of Warrants as Returnd.
Suffolk ss. To either of the Coustables of the Town of Braintree, in said [SKAL .. ] County - Greeting
You are in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Directed to warn and give Notice unto David Smith, Labourer, Ruth Smith, widow, Joshna Briggs, Increase Bates, Jonathan Damon, Jonathan Derbe, Sam- nel Hunt. Joseph Peaks, Ammon White. Captn. Shubiel Cook of Braintree in the county of Suffolk, Laborours or Transant Persons, who have Lately come into this Town for the purpose of abiding therein not having obtained the Town's Consent therefor, that you and each of you whose names are above written, depart the Limits thereof with their children and all others under their cair or Command within fifteen days and of this Precept and your doings thereon, you are to make Return unto the office of the Clerk of this Town within twenty days next coming that further Proceedings may be had in the Premises as the Law directs. Given under our hands and seals this twenty fourth day of December one Thousand seven hundred eighty-nine.
STEPHEN PENNIMAN, JOHN HALL. Selectmen.
JOSEPH WHITE JUN!,
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Suffolk ss. Braintree January 1st 1790.
In obedience to this precept I have warned and given notice to the within named Persons to depart the Limits of said Town as within directed.
A True Copy,
JAMES HOLBROOK, Constable.
Attest, EBEN'R THAYER Jr., Town Clerk.
JAN. 4, 1870.
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