USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dedham > Dedham tercentenary 1636-1936 > Part 11
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SCENES 3 TO 6
Kitchen-Same. Abiab is placing Elizabeth in cradle before the fireplace. Mother is mixing meal in a bowl. Hanuab, at the fireplace working with flint, steel, and old cloth.
HANNAH. Now, Sarah, this should teach thee a lesson-no tinder in the box. No fit rags to make it. Breakfast late because of your neglect.
SARAH. But Comfort should have been up to start the fire from the embers. That was his to do.
HANNAH. Now, Now! Bear your own burdens,-and don't lay them on another.
Comfort enters with coals, which be throws upon the heap of faggots in the fire- place. Father stirs them in and blows until smoke and blaze appear. Soon the room is cheery in the firelight. Mary swings kettle of water over the fire. Mother brings por- ridge to be warmed over the fire. Abiah and Susanah set the table for breakfast.
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MOTHER. Now Hannah, let Judith watch the baby whilst you go and get the candle grease. Such a day as we have before us,-there's baking for the Sabbath, and I want Mary to get that scarf off the loom today,-and there's yarn to be spun, and now see the state we are in with the tinder gone, and the candles burnt out and com- pany tomorrow. Lord help us!
MARY. Why Mother!
FATHER. (Enters with milk pails-washes bands) Breakfast? Comfort, my boy, there's a long winter ahead, and there will be many cold mornings. The wood box must always be full. Ye will see to it mornings and evenings, and on baking days the girls must lend a hand. (All surround the table.)
FATHER. The Bible, Comfort. (Comfort brings Bible from shelf near the fire- place. Father opens and reads.) "Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers, yea upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city. Because the palaces shall be forsaken the multitude of the city shall be left. Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness shall be quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in quiet resting places." May God bless the reading of his word. (The passage is from Isaiah XXXII and was used as text for a sermon by Rey. William Adams in 1678.)
(Breakfast proceeds)
COMFORT. I know who's comin' to see Mary this afternoon,-John Sabin.
MARY. Can't you hold your tongue, you little-
FATHER. Comfort!
MOTHER. Not on Saturday, with all the work to do!
SUSANAH. And I know who's coming to see Mary to-morrow,-William Eaton.
HANNAH. Ho, hum, one today and one tomorrow, and I have none at all.
MOTHER. That will do, now, all of you. Let not your minds be filled with silly thoughts. To work! Hannah, you will dip the candles, Comfort will get the logs on the fire against the baking. Susannah, do the dishes, Sarah tend the baby, Abiah tidy up the house, Judith help me clean the pewter.
SCENE 7.
Later in the morning. ( Hannah is alone in the kitchen dipping candles and spin- ning yarn by turns. There is a tap at the door. Wm. Eaton is admitted. Hannab is surprised.)
WILLIAM. Good morning to you, Hannah. Is, ah,-is your sister at home?
HANNAH. (coyly) Which one?
WILLIAM. Need I say? Mary.
HANNAH. Do you really want to see Mary?
WILLIAM. Yes !- and quickly.
HANNAH. (returning to her candles ) She's well,-She's-(lifting candles from the dip). Here, hold this frame, while I look. (William holds frame above the tallow awkwardly,-Hannah peeps through a knot hole in the door. Returns looking con- cerned.) What would you do if I told you there was some one else in there with Mary? (William drops candle frame. There is a splash of bot tallow on bands of both. Mary and Sarah rush in.)
SARAH. What's up? Oh! the candles. They are melting off.
MARY. William! What-
WILLIAM. (embarrassed ) My hands-they are blistered.
HANNAH. (returning from meal barrel) Here, William, douse your hands in this, it will take out the fire.
MARY. But what happened? (William and Hannah look at each other sheepishly as they treat their burns. Sarah has brought some bandages. Mary helps do them up.)
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SARAH. Was it hot?
MARY. But what brings you at this hour, William? I was not expecting you till afternoon.
WILLIAM. I see you were not. I-I came to borrow a horn of powder of your father.
SARAH. Are you going to fight the Indians?
WILLIAM. Not exactly; no. I was going to hunt wolves.
HANNAH. That's a likely story-
WILLIAM. ( nettled ) Haven't you heard of the new bounty,-thirty shillings for the pelt of a wolf.
SARAH. New bounty! Father has been getting thirty shillings for years.
MARY. Are the wolves so troublesome?
WILLIAM. Where is your father? I want to borrow a horn of powder from him.
HANNAH. (brightening ) I'm sure you can; but he is in the woods beyond the village, and I don't know where he keeps his powder.
(William edges toward the inner door trying to catch a glimpse of the room whence Mary came; but)
HANNAH. (pushing bim out of doors) Comfort will show you the way.
MARY. Now Hannah, you little vixen, what does this mean? What happened? HANNAH. (hesitating) Well-I was-dipping the candles and William came in and wanted-
MOTHER. (entering) What's all this to-do about?
HANNAH. William came this morning and I was dipping candles, and-and we burnt our hands.
MOTHER. You know what the Good Book says about sinners,-that boiling tallow is ice cold beside the fire and brimstone that will blister ye for eternity if ye do not tell the truth.
HANNAH. (in terror) He asked to see Mary.
MARY. And you told him I was not in!
HANNAH. No. I had him hold the candle dip while I went to see if you were at the loom, and then,-he-he dropped the candles.
MOTHER. That isn't all, surely. What made him drop the candles? HANNAH. I,-I said, -- I asked him: "What would you do if I told you there was someone else in there with Mary?"
SARAH. (dancing with delight) And then he dropped the candles and burnt you both.
MARY. (wild with rage) So you,-O you-may the brimstone boil hot when you go down. You are a liar!
HANNAII. (stoutly) I am not. There was some one else in there. Besides, I only asked him what he would do if I told him,-and that's what he did. (Indicating burnt hands.)
MOTHER. (secing the bumor-grimly) Thou art right, Hannah. Thou art burnt enough.
SCENE 8. Early Afternoon.
(Mary at loom in tears --- trying to weave.) HANNAH. (soothingly) I didn't mean to Mary, really I didn't.
MARY. But now he will never come back. He will go off to Deerfield or some- where else and get killed. All because of you.
HANNAH. I tell you it was not my fault.
MARY. But you made him think there was another ---- HANNAH. (looking through the window) Well, there is, you know, and he is coming up the field right now.
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MARY. Who? HANNAH. John Sabin.
MARY. O, horrors, I can't see him. What is to do now?
HANNAH. You stay right here. I'll send Sarah in to help you like she did before.
HANNAH. (in kitchen bastily begins to spin) Sarah, go in and help sister Mary, will you, she is trying to finish.
(Exit Sarah)
(Knock at door-Hannah opens-admits John Sabin, gracefully returns to the spinning wheel. Motions John to be seated. Makes pleasant conversation.)
HANNAH. Ye have come a long way, John.
JOHN. It is always long when my hope is dim.
HANNAH. And what hopes of yours can be dim? We are at peace with the Indians, the harvest was good,-but what brings you today, John? Mother was not expecting you till tomorrow.
JOHN. Thy Mother! Why dost thou say thy Mother! Tell me really now, --- was not your-
HANNAH. Yes-John.
JOHN. Hannah, could you tell me one thing?
HANNAH. Yes, John.
JOHN. Is she,-does she, -- do you think ---
HANNAH. Yes,-John.
JOHN. (exasperated) Yes what?
HANNAH. She is, she does, I think.
JOHN. You know what I mean.
HANNAH. (tangling ber yarn) Oh, John, do help me get this unsnarled. (He springs to her assistance) Careful, now, it goes around here. But that peg is forever dropping out, and then it all goes smash. You hold it while I get a hammer or some- thing. (John in awkward position with yarn in one hand and wheel in the other. Han- nah goes softly to the door and listens. Peeks through the knot hole as before, and whis pers: ) What would you do if I told you that she is in there with some one else? (John, looking the last word of despair, but keeping bis hold on both yarn and wheel. Hannab looks at him in ansions wonder expecting a crash, but as it does not happen she grasps the wheel and his hand as if accidentally saying) : There John you are a hero- the day is saved.
JOHN. (bewildered ) What day is saved? Who-What?
HANNAH. (motioning silence as she struggles with the wheel) Here John can't you poke that peg in there. Tap it in with this. (She smiles upon him-as he does ber bidding. He begins to respond.)
HANNAH. (eyes downcast ) Did you truly come to see Mary?
JOHN. Well you see I am going off with Major Metcalf's expedition tomorrow- HANNAH. O John -- tomorrow -- what expedition?
JOHN. Haven't you heard of the massacres at Deerfield? The Indians are on the war path.
HANNAH. So many dreadful things have happened at Deerfield.
JOHN. We start tomorrow, and I was hoping to see --- to see-
HANNAH. (archly) But she wasn't expecting you today.
JOHN. Who is in there? Tell me ---
HANNAH. What will you give me if I tell?
JOHN. The half of my kingdom.
HANNAH. (sbyly) I didn't say any one was in there with her.
JOHN. You did,-you little- HANNAH. No, I am not a liar! I only said, "What would you do if I told you some one was in there?"
(John rushes toward the door)
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(Hannah, blocking his way, tips over the spinning wheel. He is caught in a tangle of yarn.)
SCENE 9.
Later Afternoon.
Mother, Mary, Hannab, Sarah and Elizabeth in the kitchen.
MOTHER. Mary, look in and see if the oven is hot.
MARY. (looking in) It's piping hot. Where is Comfort? He should help rake it out.
SARAH. He went over to the woods with Mr. Eaton to see father.
MARY. They should be home before this. . Sarah, blow the horn. (Sarah takes cow born and exits.)
MOTHER. Are the beans ready to go in?
HANNAH. I haven't put in the molasses yet.
MARY. (examining the spinning wheel) I don't see how you ever did it, Hannah.
HANNAH. ( mournfully) It was an accident.
MOTHER. And that's your pay for being so light-headed and frivolous.
. SARAH (entering) They're coming-both of them.
MARY. Both?
SARAH. Mr. William Eaton and Mr. John Sabin, and they are not coming to see me.
HANNAH. What, together?
SARAH. With Father and Comfort.
(Enter the four of them)
MOTHER. Ye are just in time --- and not a minute too soon. The oven's to be raked out for the baking.
FATHER. Comfort, get the shovels. Powder is dangerous to have around the house, William. Like our passions it may do us damage if it flares up, but a wonderful weapon if rightly used. (Fills a born of powder for William.)
JOHN. (going to the spinning wheel) This is what caused my fall.
FATHER. Mother, the boys are to stay for supper.
MOTHER. (startled) Of course they're welcome,-but-(stares at them and at the girls.) HANNAH. Yes, Mother, I am sure we can manage it.
MOTHER. Is that oven ready? We'll never get the baking done. (All bands help fill the oven)
ACT IV. 1736 - 1786 - THE REVOLUTION.
Historical Notes. While the tide has already turned toward the Revolution there is little to suggest it in the opening years of this period. The most fitting scene is the Thanksgiving service of Nov. 23, 1738. Our characters shall be drawn from those active at that time. The sermon delivered by Rev. Samuel Dexter was a celebration of the first century of Dedham history. Among those present we may well imagine Ruth and Ephraim Cleveland, who were married by Dr. Dexter only two days earlier, (Nov. 21) and another young couple who are to be married sometime in the spring, (May 3, 1739) Ruth Whiting and Nathaniel Metcalf.
Dr. Nathaniel Ames, who had come from Bridgewater in 1732, has already become a substantial member of the community. His sons are to figure largely in the Revolu- tion. Nathaniel, Jr., was born Oct. 9, 1741. He followed his father's profession. Seth, also a physician, served as a surgeon in the Revolutionary army. (Born Feb. 14, 1743 ). Fisher, born April 9, 1758, came to prominence at the close of the Revolution and will be noted again in Act V.
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In 1745 a number of Dedham men joined expedition against Louisburg, among them Rev. Thomas Balch, (Born 1711) minister of the South Parish.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was repealed Mar. 18, 1766, and the news reached Dedham May 16. Three days later (May 19) a general celebration was held. In honor of the event a memorial was later set up in the form of a wooden pillar bearing the bust of Sir William Pitt. Dr. Nathaniel Ames records in his note book that he went with Rev. Mr. Haven and Mr. Battle to Boston and engaged Mr. Skillin to carve the bust. The "Pillar of Liberty," as it was called, was erected July 22, 1766, by Dr. Nathaniel Ames, Ebenezer Battle, Abijah Draper and other patriots. Daniel Gookin was engaged to turn the wooden column. The Patriots who erected the Pillar called themselves the "Sons of Liberty."
Abner Ellis was a deputy to the General Court before the Revolution.
The Suffolk Resolves, which "lighted the match that kindled the mighty conflagra- tion," had their beginning in Dedham. On Sept. 6, 1774 sixty delegates from 19 towns met at Woodward's Tavern. General Joseph Warren was made chairman. The next meeting was held three days later in the house of Daniel Vose in Milton. The resolves were finally drawn and a committee of fifteen was appointed to wait upon His Excel- lency the Governor. Two Dedham men, Nathaniel Sumner, Esq., and Richard Wood- ward, were on this committee.
Dedham was made the shire town of Suffolk County by act of General Court at its November Session, 1775,-beause Boston had become "the common receptacle for the enemies of America," and repeated at the November Session, 1776.
The "Lexington Alarm" came to Dedham at a little after nine on the morning of April 19, 1775. Over 100 minute men immediately responded under the command of Capt. Joseph Guild. On the march they met a man who tried to counteract the alarm by declaring it false. Capt. Guild instantly seized and gagged him, and detailed a min- ute man to keep him silent.
Militia companies formed quickly; Capt. Aaron Fuller led the First Parish Com- pany with 67 officers and men. Dedham Island and part of West Roxbury sent 17 men under Capt. George Gould, and Richard Woodward. Capt. Wm. Ellis led 31 men from Third Parish. Capt. W'm. Bullard brought 60 men from South Parish. Capt. Ebenezer Battle brought 67 officers and men from Fourth Parish (Dover).
In May the town voted to raise 120 men in the Parishes, and appointed a com- mittee to prepare the great gun of King Philip's War for action.
On April 4, 1776, General George Washington spent the night in Dedham,- doubtless at the home of Mr. Samuel Dexter, who had offered his services as representa- tive of the town in Congress at his own expense.
The $4th Encampment of the French army on its march from Yorktown to Boston, was in Dedham, Dec. 2-5, 1782.
SCENE 1. Interior-Thanksgiving address by Rev. Samuel Dexter, Nov. 23, 1738.
"Where is that holiness and love, the purity and faith, which the first planters of these New English settlements were eminent for? Our fathers, where are they?
We are fallen from their first love, and we do not the first works.
Is not the dissesteem of learning too evident in a prevailing temper to be wholly without a grammar school (was it not for this the law of the province?). Do not we see too much of this in the negligence of parents and masters in sending their children to school?
My brethren, what will the next or succeeding generations be in our country towns, unless a love to, a value for, and esteem of learning revive?
I entreat you to bear with my plainness and freedom of speech; and suffer me to add, O let us endeavor to recover that spirit of family government and authority which our fathers had; they ruled their houses well, and had their households in good subjec- tion.
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Verily in family government is the foundation laid for good order, peace, and a regular conduct in church and state." (Page 269)
I have endeavored to show you the profit and advantage of a serious reflection on the great good things which the glorious God hath done in the course of his providence.
Very various have been the divine dispensations towards our fathers, and towards us, as their and our ways have pleased the Lord. Many have been the almost insuperable difficulties that we have passed through from the tongues and pens of false brethren, and from the arrows, guns and hatchets of a barbarous enemy.
Very threatening the time when our charter was taken away from us and the gov- ernment dissolved. Very dark the time when the land and churches were filled with perplexity and concern for what happened by the righteous permission of Heaven. Nevertheless, through the patience of Heaven, we are continued a people, and are still in the enjoyment of very valuable privileges and from small beginnings are become great."
Meeting closes-citizens gather outside the meeting house. Men emerge from one door, women from the other.
Nathaniel Metcalf and Ruth Whiting furtively drift toward each other. They are to be married in the spring. (May 3, 1739)
Ephriam Cleveland and his bride, Ruth, quickly find each other. They have been married ouly two days. (Nov. 21, 1738)
RUTH WHITING. (to Ruth Cleveland) Good day to you-the new bride, and here is the groom. It was only the day before yesterday that you were being married.
RUTH C. It seemed to me this blessed Thanksgiving day that Mr. Dexter was adding a blessing to our marriage. Is it true that you and Nathaniel are to be married in the spring?
RUTH W. Yes, but here comes Dr. Ames; don't tell him.
EPHRIAM. It was a solemn word about the province which Parson Dexter gave us this day. I take it as a warning that we have storms ahead.
NATHANIEL METCALF. Is it not so? Our ancestors came here to win freedom, to build their own schools, form a new church, and to govern themselves, as they'd a right to under their original charter.
DR. AMES. (who has drifted into the circle) Well said, Nathaniel, and it's well I remember the time Daniel Fisher went to Boston and helped to capture that renegade, Andros, that King Charles sent over as Governor.
Rev. Mr. Dexter appears among them.
DR. AMES. It was a powerful sermon, Parson Dexter, and I hope it may be pre- served for our children's children.
DEXTER. It was the children of this generation I. had under my eye, Dr. Ames. Our liberties are fast going. The Crown of England hates our independence-Mark my word, the time will come when we will have to defend ourselves more against the en- croachments of the crown, than the hatchets of the Indians or. the. guns of the French.
DR. AMES. Aye-they plan to make it the strongest garrison on the Atlantic, and the word is around that they are coming up the great river of the west, the Mississippi.
RUTH CLEVELAND. Come Ephriam-Thanksgiving dinner must be got. Let us be grateful while we have it.
Scene changes to a great table under the trees with abont thirty people gathered around. Mr. Dexter returns thanks, and all partake. It is a time of general rejoicing.
SCENE 2. Powderhouse, 1766.
Men building powder house and conveying kegs of powder to it.
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SCENE 3. Pillar of Liberty, Church Green.
DANIIL FISHER. The Stamp Act is an outrage. The King has no right to levy taxes upon us. We are an independent colony.
SAMUEL DEXTER. I was to a meeting in Faneuil Hall a short while ago and you should have heard Samuel Adams. He shouted till the old hall rocked like a cradle.
HEZEKIAH GAY. I says, as James Otis has it right, "Taxation without representa- tion is tyranny."
JOHN BAKER. Do you think there's a chance the King will repeal it?
DR. AMES. If he knows which side up to wear his crown he'd repeal it-quick enough.
Men returning to village green, only to meet a horseman who shouts News from England (May 16, 1766). Men gather quickly.
COURIER. The Stamp Act has been repealed. 'Twas Sir William Pitt as fought it through for us-They say as he is defendin' our rights in Parliament as if it was their own homes they was fightin' for.
JOHN COBB. A monument to Sir William! (The cry is taken up. All available men are brought into the work. A granite boulder is rolled into place and set on end. A log is trimmed and set upon the boulder.)
DR. AMES. There is a ship carver in Boston,-Skillin by name, I say we hire him to carve us a head of Wm. Pitt to put atop the pillar. (Dr. Ames, Rev. Jason Haven and Mr. Battle are designated to see Mr. Skillin.)
DANIEL FISHER. Pillar of liberty-that's what it is.
DR. AMES. And may the Sons of Liberty defend it with their lives.
JOHN COBB. It is our solemn vow.
DR. AMES. But it seems to me boys that we should have a better stone than that; and a turned column, if it's to stand as I hope it will, for years to come.
DANIEL FISHER. Where's Dan'l Gookin? He has a lathe that will turn us a decent column.
DR. AMES. And we'll put the stone cutters to work on the boulder.
SCENE 4.
Woodward's Tavern, Dedham, Sept. 6, 1774. Citizens of Suffolk County framing the Suffolk Resolves. Joseph Warren, Chairman. Nathaniel Sumner and Lieut. Rich- ard Woodward officially representing Dedham.
WARREN. Gentlemen, we have met to consider a grave matter. The conditions under which we labour have become intolerable. Every man here has seen the insolence of the King's soldiers to citizens passing on the highways. We are growing more and more alarmed at the fortifications making on Boston Neck. It means that the power, not the justice, the vengeance but not the wisdom of Great Britain, which of old perse- cuted and exiled our fugitive parents from their native shores, now pursues us, their guiltless children, with unrelenting severity.
This, our beloved country was then a wilderness. It was settled by the toil and treasure, or acquired by the valor or blood of those, our venerable progenitors, who con- signed it to our care and protection. The most sacred obligations rest, therefore, upon us to transmit that glorious purchase, unfettered by power, to our innocent and beloved offspring.
WOODWARD. Mr. Chairman, fellow citizens,-These eloquent words of our Chair- man should reach the ears that need them most. We are of one mind. I move that a committee be appointed and that they draw up a resolution which we may send to his Excellency, the Governor.
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SUMNER. Mr. Chairman, I second the motion and I move by way of amendment that we meet again soon to hear the report of the committee.
WARREN. Do you accept the amendment? All in favor make it known by saying aye.
WARREN. Where shall be our next meeting-place?
VOSE. Ye are welcome to my house in Milton.
WARREN. Shall it be then, that we meet on Sept. 9 at the house of Mr. Daniel Vose of Milton to hear the report of the committee which shall now be appointed.
SCENE S. Dedham Town Meeting, 1775.
MODERATOR. The meeting will come to order. Citizens of Dedham, "these are the times that try men's souls." We have suffered and endured, but the time has come to act. Lieut. Woodward has a matter to bring before you.
WOODWARD. Mr. Moderator, and fellow citizens of Dedham: First I have the honor to announce that Dedham has been made the Shire Town of Suffolk County. The dangers about Boston have grown too great. The records have been brought here for safe keeping. May our town prove worthy of the trust. Second, I bring to you a set of resolves which were drawn up by 60 delegates from 19 towns who met first in Woodward's Tavern and then in the home of Mr. Daniel Vose in Milton. These Re- solves protest the insolence of the King's soldiers, the burden of taxation unjustly im- posed upon us, and a long list of abuses which we now suffer at the hands of an unjust tyrant. As your delegate to that convention I helped to frame these resolves and as one of 15 I helped to carry them to His Excellency the Gov. Did I do right?
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