USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Historical address, bi-centennial and centennial, delivered at Groton, Massachusetts, July 4, 1876, by request of the citizens > Part 4
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* Massachusetts Historical Collections, Fourth Series, Iv. 7, S.
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" We are, gentlemen, your friends and fellow-countrymen. In the name and by order of the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Groton.
"OLIVER PRESCOTT, Clerk. "TO THE OVERSEERS OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON."
The reply * was as follows : -
" BOSTON, July 5th, 1774.
"SIR, - Your obliging letter directed to the Overseers of the Poor of this Town, together with a generous present from a num- ber of the inhabitants of the Town of Groton, for the relief of such inhabitants of this Town as may be sufferers by the Port Bill, is come to hand. In behalf of the Committee of this Town, ap- pointed for the reception of such kind donations, I am now to return to you and the rest of our benefactors the most sincere thanks. The gentlemen may be assured their donations will be applied to the purpose they intend. We are much obliged to you for the wise cautions given in your letter ; and we shall use our best endeavors that the inhabitants of this Town may endure their sufferings with dignity, that the glorious cause for which they suf- fer may not be reproached. We trust that the non-consumption agreement, which we hear is making progress in the country, will put it out of the power of any of the merchants to take unreason- able advantage of raising the prices of their goods. You will, however, remember that many heavy articles, such as nails, &c., will be attended with considerable charge in transporting them from Salem. As the bearer is in haste. I must conclude, with great regard for your Committee of Correspondence and the in- habitants of the Town of Groton.
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"Sir, your friend and fellow-countryman.
" Signed by order of the Overseers of the Poor,
" SAM. PARTRIDGE. " TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF GROTON,
IN MASSACHUSETTS."
The times that tried men's souls were now rapidly approach- ing ; and the rights of the Colonies were the uppermost sub- ject in the minds of most people. Groton sympathized warmly with this feeling, and prepared to do her part in the struggle. A considerable number of her inhabitants had
* Massachusetts Historical Collections, Fourth Series, IV. 9, 10.
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received their military schooling in the French war, as their fathers before them had received theirs in the Indian war. Such persons did not now enter upon camp life as inexperi- enced or undisciplined soldiers. The town had men willing to serve and able to command. Within a quarter of a mile of this very spot the man was born, who commanded the American forces on Bunker Hill; and, as long as the story of that battle is told, the name of Prescott will be familiar."
Before the beginning of actual hostilities, two companies of minute-men had been organized in this place ; and, at the desire of the officers, the Reverend Samuel Webster, of Tem- ple, N. H., preached a sermon, February 21, 1775, before them, which was afterward printed. It is there stated that a large majority of the town had engaged to hold themselves. agreeably to the plan of the Provincial Council, in prompt readiness to act in the service of their country. The sermon is singularly meagre in particulars which would interest us at this time, and is made up largely of theological opinion, perhaps as valuable now as then, though not so highly prized.
The Reverend Samuel Dana was the minister of the town at this period, and, unfortunately for him, he was too much in sympathy with the Crown in the great struggle now going on for human rights. Mr. Dana may not have been a Tory ; but he did not espouse the cause of the Revolution. The state of public feeling was such that every body was distrusted who was not on the side of political liberty. The people said. "He who is not for us is against us; " and the confidence of his flock was converted into distrust. It was easy to seethat his influence was gone ; and almost every minister in New England who held similar opinions shared the same fate. It was important that the public teacher and preacher should be in sympathy with the popular mind on the prominent politi- cal questions. This was a period of great events ; and no man could stand against their crushing force. It was evident
. On the night of May 21, 1775, the countersign at the camp in Cambridge was " Pepperell," and the parole. " Groton." This was undoubtedly i can- pliment to Colonel Prescott
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that his usefulness was ended ; and the relations between him and his parish were severed without the intervention of a regular ecclesiastical council.
Mr. Dana was a conscientious man ; and it was his mis- fortune rather than his fault, that he was not more happily situated in regard to his people. It is but justice to his memory to say that, after Burgoyne's surrender, in the year 1777, Mr. Dana felt that the colonial cause was the winning one ; while before this event he thought that the want of suc- cess on the part of the Colonists would result in their greater misery. He then became satisfied that the power of the country was sufficient to sustain the Declaration of Indepen- dence; and he was ever after the uniform supporter of all measures looking to its acknowledgment by the enemy. It is a little remarkable that Mr. Dana, who had such a Tory bias that he was obliged to leave the ministry in Groton, should have been a candidate in 1782 for the convention to form a constitution for New Hampshire, " as a sovereign and independent body politic."
After his dismissal from the parish, he officiated during perhaps a year and a half, in 1780 and 1781, as the minister of a Presbyterian society, which had a short existence in this town. This was owing chiefly to some of his old parishioners, who were dissatisfied with Dr. Chaplin, his successor. While living here, Mr. Dana was appointed executor of the will of John Bulkley, Esq., an attorney-at-law in this town. This position brought him in contact with a library, which he used in studying law, though, at this time, with no professional eye to business. In the year 1779, Thomas Coleman, who succeeded Mr. Bulkley as a lawyer, had his residence and office in Mr. Dana's house ; and this circumstance helped him in gaining his new profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1781, and began practice at Amherst, N. HI. He soon attained high rank in his new calling, and received many marks of kindness and confidence from his neighbors and fellow-citizens. He was offered the appointment to a judgeship of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas ; but he de- clined it. He afterward accepted the office of Judge of Pro-
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bate, which he kept only for a short time. His success as an advocate before a jury was marked ; and this was due in part to his fluency of speech and clearness of expression, resulting from his pulpit experience.
He died, April 2, 1798, at Amherst, and was buried with masonic honors, when the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, of Groton, delivered a funeral eulogy, which is in print. His name is perpetuated in this town by the Dana School.
During several days before the Battle of Lexington, a hos- tile incursion by the English soldiers stationed in Boston was expected by the patriots. Its aim was the destruction of stores collected for the use of the provincial cause; and. on this account, every movement of the British troops was closely watched. At this time, the Committees of Safety and of Supplies voted that some of the stores should be kept at Gro- ton ; and, if their plan had been fully carried out, it is among the possibilities of the war that another battle might have been fought in Middlesex county, and Groton have been the scene of the action. But open hostilities began so soon afterward, that no time was given to make the removal of the stones. It was ordered by these committees, April 17, that the four six-pounders be transported from Concord to Groton, and put under the care of Colonel Prescott. On the next day, it was voted that all the ammunition should be deposited in nine different towns of the province, of which Groton was one, and that one-half of the musket cartridges be removed from Stow to Groton. It was also voted that two medicinal chests should be kept at different places in the town. and that eleven hundred tents be deposited in equal quantities in Groton and six other towns. .
In the summer of 1777, the Council of the State recom- mended to the Board of War that the magazine + in this town should be enlarged sufficiently to hold tive hundred barrels of powder. This recommendation was carried out within a few days ; and a corporal and four privates were detailed to
. Journals of the Committee of Safety and of the Committee of Supplies of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, 1771 1771. pages ,10615 + Massachusetts Archives, CLANIL 274. 200.319
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guard it. A caution was given " that no person be inlisted into said Guard that is not known to be attached to the Ameri- can Cause." Later in the autumn, the detail was increased to a sergeant and nine privates.
Two years afterward, some glass was wanted for this very building, and for the school-house, as the windows were much broken. The selectmen of the town could obtain the glass only through the Board of War; and to this end they petitioned the Board for leave to buy it. " The re- quest was duly granted ; and I mention this trivial fact to show one of the little privations common in those days.
It is said in the note-book of the Reverend Dr. Jeremy Bel- knap, of Boston, that a negro belonging to this town shot Major Pitcairn through the head, while he was rallying the dispersed British troops, at the Battle of Bunker Hill.t It is known that Pitcairn was killed by a negro, but this is, per- haps, the first time that he has ever been connected on good authority with Groton.
The record of this town during the Revolution was a highly honorable one. Her soldiers achieved distinction in the field, and many of them in after life filled positions of trust and responsibility.
In the year 1776, an Act was passed removing the Novem- ber term of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace and Court of Common Pleas, from Charlestown to Groton. It may be conjectured that the change was owing to the dis- turbances of the war. Two years later, by another Act, this November term was transferred to Cambridge, to take the place of the May term, which in turn was brought to Groton, where it remained till 1787. It is very likely that the sessions of the Court were held in this very building. The Court was sitting in this town during the famous dark day of May, 17So.
Joseph Dennie, the poet, was rusticated from college in his senior year, and placed under the care of Dr. Chaplin, the minister of this town. Dennie used to say that he was sent
* Massachusetts Archives, CLXXV. 647.
t Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1875-76, page 93.
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away from Cambridge to let his class catch up with him in their studies. After he had been here a short time, he writes . to a classmate, under date of Feb. 24, 1799, giving his im- pressions of the place. He says: " A better, more royal, social club of Lads cannot be found in America, college excepted, than at Groton."
During a part of the first half of the present century, Groton had one characteristic feature that it no longer pos- sesses. It was a radiating centre for different lines of stage- coaches, until this mode of travel was superseded by the swifter one of the railway. A whole generation has passed away since the old coaches were wont to be seen in these streets. They were drawn usually by four horses, and in bad going by six. Here a change of coaches, horses, and drivers was made.
The stage-driver of former times belonged to a class of men that have entirely disappeared from this community. His position was one of considerable responsibility. This important personage was well known along his route, and his opinions were always quoted with respect. I can easily recall, as many of you can, the familiar face of Mr. Corey. who drove the accommodation stage to Boston for so many years. He was a careful and skilful driver, and a man of most obliging disposition. He would go out of his way to bear a message or leave a newspaper : but his specialty was to look after women and children committed to his charge; I recall, too, with pleasure, Horace George, another driver, popular with all the boys, because in sleighing-time he would let us ride on the rack behind, and would even slacken the speed of his horses so as to allow us to catch hold of the straps.
In the year ISo2, it is advertised that the Groton stage would set off from I. & S. Wheelock's, No. 37 Marlboro (now a part of Washington) Street. Boston, every Wednes- day at 4 o'clock in the morning, and arrive it Groton at 3 o'clock in the afternoon ; and that it would leave Groton every Monday at 4 o'clock in the morning, and arrive in Boston at 6 o'clock in the afternoon. It seems from this that
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it took three hours longer to make the trip down to Boston than up to Groton. In the succeeding year, a semi-weekly line is mentioned, and Dearborn Emerson was the driver. About this time he opened the tavern, at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets, long since given up as an inn, and sub- sequently burned. There were then two other taverns in the place, - the one kept by Mr. Hall, and continued as a tavern till this time; the other kept by Jephthah Richardson, on the present site of the Baptist church. About the year 1807, there was a tri-weekly line of stages to Boston, and as early as 1820 a daily line, which connected with others extending into New Hampshire and Vermont. Soon after this there were at times two lines to Boston, running in opposition to each other, - one known as the Union and Accommodation Line, and the other as the Telegraph and Despatch. Besides these, there was the accommodation stage-coach that went three times a week, and took passen- gers at a dollar each.
In the year 1830, George Flint had a line to Nashua, and John Holt had one to Fitchburg. They advertise " that no pains shall be spared to accommodate those who shall favor them with their custom, and all business intrusted to their care will be faithfully attended to."
There was also at this time a coach running to Lowell, and another to Worcester.
Some of you will remember the scenes of life and activity that were to be witnessed in the village on the arrival and ' departure of the stages. Some of you will remember, too, the loud snap of the whip which gave increased speed to the horses, as they dashed up in approved style to the stopping- place, where the loungers were collected to see the travellers and listen to the gossip which fell from their lips. There were no telegraphs then, and but few railroads in the country. The papers did not gather the news so eagerly nor spread it abroad so promptly as they do now, and items of intelligence were carried largely by word of mouth. But those days have long since passed. There are persons in this audience that have reached years of maturity, who have no recollection
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of them ; but such is the rapid flight of time that, to some of us, they seem very near.
Groton was situated on one of the main thoroughfares leading from Boston to the northern country, comprising an important part of New Hampshire and Vermont, and extend- ing into Canada. It was traversed by a great number of wagons, drawn by four or six horses, carrying to the city the various products of the country, such as grain, pork. butter, cheese, eggs, venison, hides ; and returning with goods found in the city, such as molasses, sugar, New-Eng- land rum, coffee, tea, nails, iron, cloths, and the innumerable articles found in the country stores, to be distributed among the towns above here. In some seasons, it was no uncommon sight to see in one day thirty such wagons.
We are now in our history passing through a period of centennial anniversaries, and we shall do well to study care- fully their lesson. They are appearing unto us at different times and in different places. Their proper observance will kindle anew the patriotic fires of the Revolution, and bring out all over the land a common devotion to the Republic.
Time rolls on rapidly, and a century is soon completed. There are many in this audience who will see those that will be living a hundred years hence. To look ahead, a century appears to be a long period ; but, to look back to the extent of one's memory, it seems a short one. The years fly on wings, and change is a law of Nature. I can recall non but two families in the village, that are living in the same houses which they occupied in my boyhood ; and those two are Mr. Dix's and Mr. Blanchard's. A familiar sight at that time was the venerable form of Mr. Butler, whose character was well shown in his benignant face. His accurate "History " will be an abiding monument to his memory, and his name will be cherished as long as the town has a political existence. At that time the Common was the playground of the boys, - it had not then been fenced in, and there was but a single row of elms along the main street. Of the boys that played there, many are dead, others have left the town, and only a few remain. And the same can be said of the school-girls.
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The lines are fallen unto us in pleasant places, and we all have much to be thankful for. What a contrast between our lot and that of our fathers ! They had to struggle with many hardships. Their life was one of stern, unremitting toil, . surrounded by cares and anxieties. They had to subdue the wilderness, while exposed to the assaults of a huirking savage foe. We, on the other hand, now enjoy much of the material results of their labor. We have but to cast our eyes about us, and see the comfortable homes and fertile fields. They left us the means of religious instruction, a system of public schools, and an attachment for the government which they labored so hard in founding. All these they placed in our keeping, and it rests with us to preserve them intact for the generations to come. The duty with us now is to see that the Republic shall receive no harm ; to see that no moral decay - the sure precursor of physical decay - shall sap the structure which they reared. Our aim should be to leave to our children an example as noble as the one that was left to us.
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APPENDIX.
: I. - PAGE 16.
The Humble Request of Joseph Parker to the Honoured Gov- erno' the Honourd magistrates & deputyes, Humbly Requests in behalfe of the towne of Grawton that the letter GR may bee Re- corded as the brand mark belonging to the towne I being chosen Counstible this year make bolde to present this, to the Honoured Court it being but my duty, in the townes behalfe thus Hopeing the Honored Court will grant my request I rest yor Humble ser- vant
JOSEPH PARKER BOSTON : 31th may : 1666
In answer to this motion the Deputies approve of ye letter GR to be ye brand marke of groaten
WILLIAM TORREY Cleric Ye Honored magists consenting hereto Consented by the magists EDW : RAWSON Secrety
[Massachusetts Archives, 1. 21.]
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2. - PAGE 17. To the Constable of Groaten
These. Require yo" in his Majte name, to sumone & require John Page & such other of yo toune y' went up to Inquire for y'in catle. at Pemicook presently on the death of the Englishman mur- thured by ye Indians there lately in a drunken fitt. as is sayd & others y' yo" know to make their Appearances before the Generall [Court] now sitting in Boston on 27th Instant. at eight of " cloche in the morning to give in their evidences in y." Case relating to ye sd murthe' & yo occasion thereof by selling strong liquor & by
whom as they know or have heard making yo' return of this war- rant to the Secretary at or before y' time hereof you are not to faile dated in Boston the 15" of October 1668.
Enw RAWSON Secre' By the Court
[ Endorsed]
These thre men namly John Page Thomas an Robard Tarball Juni' & Joseph Blood are Summaneed Parish to apear at the Generall Count according to the premises: by mee
MATTHIAS FARNSWORTH
Constable of Grawton. To the Constable Grawten
[Massachusetts Archives, XXX. 155.]
The words " an Robard Parish " appear in the original as given above. They were evidently put in after the docu- ment was written.
The Deposition of Danll Waldron being called to Speak what 1 know about the Death of Thomas Dikison who was killed by an Indian as they say : my selfe with many others was sent up by my father to see the corps and enquire into his death when we came there we found the man dead and an Indian lying dead by him and examining the Indians how he came by his death they said the Indian that lay dead by him killed him with his knife : and enquir- ing further why he killed him the Indians told us they asked him and he gave them no answer but bid them shoott him : and further enquiring whether the Indian were Drunk they answered that he was not Drunk and after this we saw him buried presently myl we returned home the next Day
This was taken upon oath : this 20: [of y: 8:{ mo 1668 before us
SIMON WILLARD I'M HATHORNE
[Massachusetts Archives, XXX. 157 ]
Wee whose names are hereunto subscribed Doe testifies that in or aboute y" Month of June last past going to Pennycanke to un- quire after Cattle yt were lost, Hideing to y' fort at the sand Point- cooke, meeting with some of the Indians belonging thereto told us. y'an Englishman was Killed by an Indian, and that all our Eng.
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lishmans Laws they had Killed the Indian, wee farther enquireing of them how and whether the Indians were drunke when the Eng- lishman was Killed and they answered all India's were then drunk or else they had noe Kild Englishman; And farther wee Evidence Tohaunto a Sagamore being afrayd that wee had brought Liquors to sell desired us if wee had any, that wee would power it on the ground for it would make yo Indians all one Divill, And farther wee meeting with Thomas Payne, who told us he was Cip' Waldern's serve, asking him whether the Indians were drunke when the Englishman was Killed, and he answered not drunk, and atter farther discours with ye s' Payn" he says that s' person that was Killed was Peter Coffins man and farther sayd That if the Killing of the Man did not prevent it his the sayd Payn's Master Cap' Walder. and Peter Coffin did intend to send Carpenters to build there and also to have ground broake upp to be improved, and wee finther affirme that wee saw a Rundlett which would hold at least six Gallons in the Trucking House near the saved fort ; after weh wee meeting wh the Indians then they" and telling them y' Thomas Payn" told us that they were not drunk when The Englishman was Killed the Indians then say" s' Payne much Loved, for wee hal Divers Quarts of Liquors the same day that the sayd Englishman was Killed upon and one of the Indians Commanded his Spagh to wash a Bladder, wherein the Indian sayd there was a Quant of Liquors and wee doe adiudge it to be as much ; or using words to the same effect
Octobr 27'h 166S
Sworne in Court, 27, october 166S : EDW : RAWSON Secret" [Massachusetts Archives, xxx. 161.] ---
JOHN PAGE Ronn PARRIS THOMAS TARBALL JOSEPH BLOUD
3. - PAGE 20. Honderd Gentlemen the Gover & Councill
This afternoon, we had acordinge to your order, discourse with Capt Hincksman, in reference to his actings in his wave as to the comisions he reed from you, he is to take: So men frome omte Garisons, that is all we have or mor, & we ; stand in need of more but we dare not be so bold, our corne, that httill we have, is time it weare gathered, but if our scouts be taken off heer is httill be
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gathered, & many will be hardly kept with vs, but will rune awaye frome all our townes, you hapily may thinke we are affayd, we will not bost therabout, but we dare saye, out lines are not dear unto vs, in any way that God shall call us to, our thoughts are that it is not advisable to march up to penicooke, wher ther are many Indians at the p'sent, yet many abroad about all our towns as apears dayly, but our p'sent thoughts are, that it might be for p'sent saftie for the country, that a Garison wear settled oner Mer- rimake River about donstable, that ther mave be enttercorse be- tweene our towns & that Garison, we have apoyntted Capt Pakr & left Hinckesmen who will relatte things to give you reall light, much further then is meet now to do or then time will pmitt, we are not willinge to truble you any further, but rest your humble servants
GROATON this 25'! 7 : 75.
SIMON WILLARD, SALOM ADAMES JAMES PARKER : JAMES KIDDER
[Massachusetts Archives, LXVH. 265. ]
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To the Honor Council convened at Boston Aug 17th 1676.
The humble Petition of John Morse
Sheweth. That yo! petition' being an Inhabitant of Groton ; bath together (with many others) been deprived of his Estate by the calamity of the warr; and himselfe carried away captive by the Enemy ; and about five pounds in mony laide down by M' John Hubbard of Boston for his ransome, and understanding that there hath been some Stock raised by a contribution towards the ransom- ing of the captives. Yo' petition! doth humbly pray that hee may bee considered in the distribution of the s? Stock, and that M' Hubbard may be reimbursed thereont ; hee having not of his own wherewith to pay him, and yo! petitionr' shall for ever thankfully acknowledge yo! Hono" flavo! therein and for ever prayer.
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