USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Brimfield > Historical celebration of the town of Brimfield, Hampden County, Mass > Part 27
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Peter Groves
20 | Epheraim Bond
Joseph Groves
10
I Josiah Hill
10
Samuel Grier
10
| Noah Hitchcock Jr
Dea Joseph Hoar
4 10| Benjamin Mirick
20
Joseph Hoar Jr
27 10| Ebenezer Miller
10
Dea Joseph Hitchcock
7 Joseph Morgan Jr
Joseph Hitchcock Jr
16
| Samuel Nichols Jr
20
Obed Hitchcock
10
Zadock Nichols
4
Nathaniel Hitchcock
10
Jonathan Nutting
20
Nathan floar
18
James Nutting
10 12
Jonathan Hubbard
9
| Samuel Nichols
20
Widw Eunice Lambard
10
Jabez Nichols
21
5
Aaron Lombard
3
William Nichols
5
Daniel Livermore
9
| Asher Nichols
5
Aaron Mighell
13
8 | James Nelson
9
Abner Mighell
9 11 | Isaac Powers
20
Tomas MeClure
9
Solomon Russell
20
Oliver Mason
10
Samuel Shaw
20
Joseph Morgan
7 Abner Stebbins
9
Aaron Morgan
15
| Zerah Stebbins
3
Daniel Morgan
12 14| Widow Jerusha Stebbins
23
Jonathan Morgan Jr
8 13 | Judah Stebbins
20
David Morgan
10
| Simeon Hubbard
20
Dr Joseph Moffat
5
I John Harris
9
John Morgan
20
Henry Hooker
5
John Scott
6
| Lemuel Smith
7
James Sherman
13
1 | Thomas Stone
5
Phinehas Sherman
6
William Spring
5
Thomas Sherman
11
2| Reubin Towsley
5
John Sherman
6 15 Ebenezer Wood
6
James Sherman Jr
5 16 Moses Young
10
Levi Sherman
2 11 | John Stebbins
17
Jeremiah Sherman
10
Thomas Lombard
18 12
Samuel Sherman
2
5 | Thomas Lombard Jr
6
George Shaw
16 14
Samuel Lewis
9
Rowland Powell
G
John Blashfield Jr
1 16
James Thompson
13 15
Jonathan Thompson
21 11
Dr Israel Trask
3
9
Joseph Browning
Committee
William Webber
20
Aaron Mighell
1768
Lemuel Sherman
9
Joseph Tucker
Alexander Sessions Jr
9 11 Benjamin Nelson
Sum Total
Voted. That the assessors Deduct on the tax now ordered to be assessed, the several sums placed against each mans name born on the Report of the Committee appointed to adjust past Services in the army. Recorded Jos MOFFAT Town Clerk
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322
APPENDIX.
Town Meeting Aug 16, 1779
" Voted to accept off the Resolves of a Late Convention Held at Concord in the County of Middlesex in order to remedy the Deprecia- tion of our Currency."
"Voted to Choose a Committe to State the Price of merchandise and Country Produce (Viz) Ens Daniel Burt. Lient Jonathan Brown. Capt Aaron Charles. Capt Joseph Browning and Mr Samuel Hitch- cock."
"Voted to Raise the sum of £1857-16 to hire six men for nine months service in the Continental Army."
Town Meeting Oct 19. 1779
" Voted to raise Ten men to join the Continental army and to serve three months."
" Voted to Raise the sum of five hundred and forty Pounds for the Purpose aforesaid."
Town Meeting June 19, 1780
Voted to Raise the 13 men to Reinforce the Continental army
" Voted to give Each man as a Hire who shall Inlist as a Soldier and serve six months the sum of one thousand Pounds or the Benefit of the Everidge or else the sum of thirteen hundred Pounds "
" Voted that the Treasurer Be and he hereby is impowered in said capacity to give his Note to said men for all the money they shall leave in the Towns hands and said money to be made as good as it now is."
" Voted to Raise the sum of twenty thousand Pounds to hire the Towns Quota of men to joyne the Continental army and to Defray Town Charges."
Town Meeting July 3. 1780
" Voted to hire the militia to serve three months
" Voted to give each man the sum of Six hundred and fifty Pound who Inlists for and serves three months "
"Voted to Raise the sum of Eleven Thousand three hundred Pounds to pay said men,"
Town Meeting Oct 11. 1780
"Voted to Raise the sum of Four Thousand Nine hundred and Twelve Pound twelve Shillings to Pay for seven horses and for Cost of Collecting and freighting them to Springfield."
323
APPENDIX.
Town Meeting Oct 13. 1780
" Voted to raise the sum of thirteen Thousand Pound to Purchase 7530 lbs of Beef."
Town Meeting Dec 21. 1780
Voted to Pay the Thirteen men monthly During the three years or those that ingage During ya war
Town Meeting January 1. 1781
" Voted to choose a committee of three men to Purchase the 14458 lbs of Beef assigned to the Town of Brimfield or to agree with the Committee of Supplies for the County of Hampshire to Pay a Part in grain or money."
" Voted to Raise the sum of thirty four Thousand Pound to Pur- chase said Beef and to part Pay the thirteen men to join the Conti- mental Army for three years."
Adjourned Meeting March 26, 1781
" Voted to Give each of the thirteen men raised in ye Town of Brimfield to serve three years from the Date of their Inlistment each man three hundred Silver money or the Exchange in Continental Currency at the time of Payment."
" Voted to Direct and Do Direct the Town Treasurer to Give his Note as Treasurer to Each Soldier according to the above vote."
Town Meeting July 23. 1781
" Voted to raise the Town Quota of Beef and Voted to Raise £120 for the purpose aforesaid Voted and Directed the former Constable Capt JJohn Sherman not to Receive any more money that is now Due to said Town at any other rate than will answer or pay the Debts of said Town."
" Voted & Directed the Town Treasurer to hire Thirty six Pound hard money and to give his notes the same and to give his notes to Each man Inlisting as aforesaid to make up Each man fifteen Pounds in full for said service the Town to have the wages of said men."
Town Meeting March 28. 1782
For the Purpose of Raising Five men to Join the Continental Army &c
2 " Voted to Raise the sum of Fifty Pounds to fit out sd men."
3 . Voted to Raise the Sum of Two Hundred & Two Pounds nine shillings to make the full of the first years Bounty for the first three years men "
324
APPENDIX.
" Voted to Pay the Interest of what money the former Constables shall Borrow to pay the five men now to be Raised and that they be a committee for the Purpose aforesaid."
Town Meeting May 16. 1782.
" Voted to Except the Report of a Committee appointed to Inlist five men to serve three years in the Continental Army."
" Voted to Direct and impower the Town Treasurer to give his Notes to each of said five men to make up said men in money and in Notes the sum of Sixty Pound Each."
REPORT OF SETTLEMENT WITH TOWN TREASURER. 1784.
We the subscribers Being Appointed as a committee to reckon with L' Aaron Mighill Treasurer of sd Town have this Day reconed with sª Treasurer and find accounts as follows (Viz) That he has re- ceived in certificates upon the Constables of sd Town with what was in his Hands
the last Reckoning the sum of
£973-19- 1
and has paid out by order of the town the sum of £328-16- 4 £645- 2-9
and there remains in the Treasurers hands the sum of
which belongs as follows (Viz) to the Reverend Mr Williams the sum of .£160 to compleat his Salary for the year 1782 & 1783 .£160-00-00 and Town money £105-16- 3 £ 79- 6- 6
and School money
And the notes that stand against the Town are as fol- lows (Viz)
A note to Capt Aaron Charles of £ 25- 2- 0
A note to Lemuel Parker of £ 17- 0- 0
A Note to Gen" Danielson by Benj Nelsons order of
£ 5-5-0
Also another Note to Gen11 Danielson of being part of Dan Townsley second note £ 10- 9-4
£270-00-00
And nine £30 notes that was out the first of April 1783 Twelve £30 notes to be out the first of April 1784
£360-00-00
the above notes are due to the first three years men Likewise a note to David Janes Jr of £10 and one of £34 £ 44-00-00
And a note to Julius Coulton of .£10 and one of .£5 and one of .£35 And two notes to Samuel Lewis of £5 Each and one of €35 And a note to Luke Chapin of £5 and one of £40 And one note to Thomas Janes of
.£ 50-00-00
£ 45-00-00
£ 45-00-00
£ 34-00-00
£912-16_ 4
325
APPENDIX.
The above notes are all that stand against the Town and all In- dorsements that shall appear on the above mentioned notes are in favor of the Treasurer, and the Treasurer has still in his hands 2000 Old Continental Dollars
JOSEPH BROWNING
Committee
AARON MORGAN
SHAYS' REBELLION.
THE town of Brimfield does not appear to have taken any action upon the causes that led to the Shays' Rebellion. At a Town Meet- ing held May 8, 1786, the town voted and chose Capt John Carpen- ter, Lt. David Morgan, Dea. Issachar Brown, Dr. Israel Trask and Aaron Morgan, as a committee to look into the state of our Town Stock of ammunition.
The Militia Companies of Brimfield, the West Company under the command of Capt. Joseph Hoar, and the East Company under the command of Capt. John Sherman, were ordered to Springfield for the support of the Government, Sept. 25, 1786, and remained in service six days ; the same companies were ordered to Springfield a second time ; January 17, 1787, and continued in service twenty-four days. Capt John Sherman enlisted a company of volunteers numbering sixty-three men, who were in service fifteen days from Feb. 7th 1787. March 12, 1787. The town voted to draw £15. immediately out of the Treasury to be laid out in Town Stock of ammunition.
April 2, 1787. A committee was chosen to settle accounts that any person may have against the town for services done towards sup- pressing the late rebellion. Nov 30, 1787. The town chose a com- mittee to allow for things that were lost in the Alarm at Springfield.
Under the above votes bills were allowed and paid amounting to £61-178-9ª.
WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 1812.
Town Meeting July 7, 1812
ART 2 To see if the town will elect a delegate or delegates to meet in Convention at Northampton on the 14th instant to take into con- sideration the propriety of adopting any legal and constitutional measures to avert the calamity of War, and prevent an alliance with France.
Voted to send two delegates to Northampton on the 14th instant for the purposes expressed in the second article in the Warrant. Voted, That Stephen Pynchon Esq and Deacon. Issachar Brown be the delegates
326
APPENDIX.
Voted, That the town concur in the sentiments expressed in the resolutions passed in the town of Boston on the 15th of June last.
Whereas the American Government has recently declared that war exists between the United States and the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ; and in the opinion of the Inhabitants of this town, this great national war is not the result of sound policy impartial Justice or of any necessity which the Government of the United States should not control ; and whereas a war, whether just or unjust, undertaken under such disadvantageous circumstances, will produce incalculable distress upon every class of our fellow citizens especially on the Sea board. and in our opinion will eventuate in the great loss of our prop- erty and the destruction of many valuable lives as well as in a fatal alliance with the most formidable tyrant upon the Globe.
And whereas we consider it a duty we owe to ourselves, as well as to our beloved country to embrace every opportunity and to use all lawful and constitutional means to avert the calamities of this great national event, and to restore our Country to its late peaceful state.
Therefore voted That the delegates this day chosen to represent this town in a general County convention at Northampton on the 1.4th instant be instructed to Unite with the several town delegates in said Convention. in all lawful and constitutional measures which may then and there be proposed and adopted, in order to obtain the above desir- able objects and the re-establishment of that unparalleled. national prosperity which for many years, was the lot of these United States.
Also all proper and legal measures in order to procure a constitu- tional senate of this State by a fair and just districting of the same, and all such other proper measures, as may be thought advisable to be adopted for our benefit at this important period.
TOWN MEETING SEPT 30, 1814.
Voted. To choose a committee of five to report Instructions for the Representatives in the General Court in relation to the present alarm- ing situation of the Country on account of the War.
And that Abner Morgan Esq. Col [Israel] Trask, Deacon [Issachar] Brown. Charles Prentiss and Major [Solomon] Hoar be that com- mittee
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
The committee this day appointed to prepare instructions for the Representatives of this town in the ensuing legislature beg leave to report the following
ABNER MORGAN
Per Order
327
APPENDIX.
To Stephen Pynchon Esq and Col Alexander Sessions Representa tives from this town in the General Court of this Commonwealth
While we acknowledge that officers, chosen by ourselves for legisla- tive duties, must at all times be governed by their own sentiments, of what is necessary or expedient, we consider the opinions and wishes of constituents, entitled to the most attentive regard. On this principle the town of Brimfield in legal town meeting assembled, previous to your departure to join the legislature of this State in its approaching extraordinary session, assume the liberty of stating to you our opin- ions and wishes, in the present unfortunate and critical situation of this country at large, but more immediately, of this Commonwealth. We believe the war in which we are now engaged to have been levied from no considerations of political necessity, justice or expediency, but rather as the sacrifice on the altar of party spirit and personal in- terest, of all that is dear, ennobling and profitable, of all that is, or might be prosperous and beneficial for the country, so far as the gen- eral government has possessed power to injure or destroy the pros- pects and prosperity of the nation.
We believe the war in which we are involved, has arisen from the unjustifiable partiality, the evident insincerity, the apparent corrup- tion, the notorious weakness and inconsideration. of our national rulers. A war thus proclaimed and continued, when the ostensible cause for it has long since been removed under its present directors, and under the spirit which appears to pervade its authors, so distressing to the country generally, so ruinous to numberless individuals, so wasteful of needless expenditure, so wanton in the useless forfeiture of human life, must shortly be terminated, or must soon prove most injurious to this state.
We therefore consider it the most solemn and most immediate duty of the legislature of this state to provide for its own welfare by the adoption of such measures of pacific tendency as shall be deemed most adequate for securing the safety and prosperity of the commonwealth with the least risque of a disunion of the states, and of the surest tendency to compel the authors of this war to abandon their ambitious views of foreign conquest, and to meet the enemy, no longer with a pretended, but with a sincere desire of adjusting mutual complaint, and restoring the reciprocal blessings of peace.
We join in the sentiments, expressed by the present Chief Magis- trate of this nation just before our present constitution was adopted, that when the general government is pursuing measures adverse to the good of the whole they may be brought to duty by the resistance of a powerful state, or a combination of states, and we believe the
328
APPENDIX.
time has now arrived when it has become the duty of this state in conjunction with such states as may be actuated by a similar sense of duty, to resist the present wild and destructive proceedings of Con- gress, so far as they respect this war.
We are not insensible to the inconveniences and possible danger of a partial and we hope but temporary separation of the general inter- est ; but policy and duty alike recommend our own security ; a secu- rity we apprehend, which, in the present state and aspect of public affairs, can be obtained only by a co-sentiment and co-action of such states as feel the obligation and necessity of joining in a refusal to continue, perhaps for many years, the present needless and destructive war. But to remain as we are, with a conviction of the destitution of talent and patriotism in the general government, and with no just ground for expecting a speedy termination of the war; to sacrifice time, blood and money in defence of our soil. property and altars, with no infringed right to maintain and no object of national benefit in view, is demanded neither by discretion, necessity, nor patriotism.
The extension of the boundaries of the United States, and the ad- mission therein of new states without the consent of the partners to the original compact, the gradual destruction of that commerce, to maintain which was one principal cause of the adoption of our abused constitution, together with many other infractions, by the national legislature of that constitution has, to use the language of an eminent patriot and statesman of this Commonwealth, absolved the individual states from all moral obligations to maintain the union. We never- theless most ardently wish for the preservation of that union; and at the same time believe that the most secure mode for its maintenance will be by a prompt and vigorous opposition to the unconstitutional and pernicious pursuits and determinations of our untoward general administration. To traverse the extensive grounds of just complaint over which we might go, would require volumes. These complaints, are known and their justice fully recognized.
We consider it now, ere too late, immediately necessary, not longer to memorialize and pour our grievances into the ears of the deaf, but to act. We therefore request that, in the ensuing session of the leg- islature, if, after due consideration it shall be deemed by the General Court advisable or necessary, you would use your influence, to pro- pose an immediate confederation and co-operation of such states as are desirous, and feel the necessity of checking the mad and destruc- tive measures of the national government, and thus recovering the blessings of which, we have long been and still are unnecesarilly de- prived.
329
APPENDIX.
This town has not the presumption to dictate or advise the enlight- ened and patriotic legislature of which you are members with regard to what measures it would be wisdom to pursue : it only wishes, as one member of the family of the state, that its slender voice may be heard, and in conjunction with others stimulate and authorize the General Court to the adoption of such means as will in their view, have the most immediate and most certain tendency to save from jeopardy our rights, and restore the comforts and advantages of peace and commerce such as we enjoyed when able and upright rulers swayed the resources and destinies of this once happy empire.
Voted, That the late drafted Soldiers now in service by themselves or substitutes be entitled to receive from the town a sum of money which with their pay from the Government shall be equal to fourteen dollars per month while they are out."
Under the above vote twenty-eight persons were paid $5.25 each.
TOWN MEETING NOV. 7, 1814.
Voted, "That the drafted soldiers who furnished their own Ammuni- tion and expended it in their late expedition to Boston be allowed therefor and that the selectmen draw one general order for it in favor of some person in behalf of said soldiers at the discretion of the selectmen when they ascertain the amount of ammunition furnished and expended."
TOWN MEETING JANUARY 23, 1815.
Voted, " To choose a committee of seven to take into consideration the present alarming state of our country in relation to the war, the means of carrying it on, and in relation to the internal duties now do- manded by laws of the United States, and report to this meeting, and that Deacon Issacher Brown, Esq [Abner] Morgan. C. Prentiss, Mr. [Philemon] Warren Capt Thomas Sherman Dr [Asa] Lincoln, and Sylvanus Thompson be this committee."
The committee reported as follows, and the town voted to accept their report, viz :
" That we will aid and assist the General Court with our lives and property whenever they call upon us in resisting and repelling all oppressive, unconstitutional acts made or to be made by the Gov.ª of . the U. States, or attempted to be put in operation in this State.
42
330
APPENDIX.
WAR OF THE REBELLION, 1861.
At the commencement of the Rebellion in 1861, there was no mili- tary organization in Brimfield, or this part of the State, and although much feeling was manifested and expressed by the citizens of the town, so confident were the people as a whole that the Government would soon bring the war to a close, that during the first year no concerted action was held by the people; every man seemed to read, think and act for himself.
As the war progressed and the wants of the Government became better known, it was found that here and there a man unsolicited and from his own sense of duty, had volunteered in the defence of his country.
Especially was this the case in the organization of the 15th, 21st and 27th Regiments; in the latter. Brimfield furnished twenty-one men.
The number of enlistments from Brimfield previous to July, 1862. was forty, who had enlisted from love of their country and without any inducement other than the pay offered by the Government.
The first action by the town was at a meeting held June 29, 1861. when on motion of Francis D. Lincoln it was
Toted. "That the Selectmen be authorized to draw from the Town Treasury, such sums of money as they shall deem proper, not exceed- ing Two Dollars per week for the wife. and One 50-100 Dollars for each additional member of the family dependent for their support on any one of the citizens of this town who has been or may be enlisted into the service of the United States, in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, 1861, Chap. 222."
At an adjourned town meeting March 18th, 1862, it was
Foted, "That the Assessors be authorized to abate the Poll Tax of all the citizens of Brimfield who have volunteered in the service of the United States, and that to those who have paid the same, the amount be remitted."
Town Meeting, July 31, 1862.
Toted, " That the Selectmen be authorized to pay a bounty of One Hundred Dollars to each man who has, or may enlist from this town as one of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and is mustered into 'the service of the United States as one of the Quota of the town of Brimfield under the call of the Governor. General Order No. 26. dated Head-Quarters, Boston, July 7. 1862, until the Quota of the town of Brimfield as therein set forth [twenty men, ] is filled, and draw their order upon the Town Treasurer for the amount so paid out.
331
APPENDIX.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to allow the same aid to the families of those volunteers from this town, who have died in the service of the United States, as is paid to the families of those in ser- vice."
ENLISTMENT ROLL.
" Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Brimfield, August 22, 1862.
We whose names are hereunto affixed severally enlist in a company of volunteer militia in Brimfield and vicinity, subject to orders of the Commander-in-Chief and all laws and regulations governing the mili- tia of this Commonwealth, and agreeing to serve upon any requisition of the Goverment of the United States issued during the present year, as a militia-man for the term of nine months consecutively, if orders therefore shall be issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the Mi- litia of Massachusetts. Provided the town of Brimfield, or individuals shall pay to each man enlisting as above the sum of One Hundred and fifty Dollars when he is mustered into the service of the United States. Also that the full quota of [thirty-two. ] men for the town of Brimfield, under the order of the President for Three Hundred Thousand men for the period of nine months, dated August 4, 1862, is filled by vol- untary enlistments." Signed by Francis D. Lincoln and 29 others.
Town Meeting, August 28, 1862.
The following was adopted by the town, viz. :
.. Whereas the President of the United States, on the 4th day of Au- gust, A. D., 1862, ordered that Three Hundred Thousand Militia be immediately drafted into the service of the Government of the United States, to serve for nine months, unless sooner discharged ; also, that if any State shall not by the 15th of August furnish its quota of the ad- ditional Three Hundred Thousand Volunteers authorized by law, the deficiency in that State shall be made up by special draft from the Militia; and whereas the aforesaid order has been so far modified that volunteers will be received from the several States and communities for their respective quotas if furnished forthwith; and whereas we be- lieve it to be more in accordance with the spirit of our Institutions, the dictates of Patriotism, and the past history of this town, that the quota of the town of Brimfield should be filled by volunteer enlist- ments, rather than be selected by arbitrary military draft, therefore
Resolved, That it is expedient and eminently proper that an earnest effort should be made by the citizens of Brimfield to secure their full quota of men under the aforesaid orders by volunteer enlistments
332
APPENDIX.
Resolved, That as a partial remuneration to the men who may thus volunteer, for the loss incurred by so abruptly leaving their business avocations, also to enable them to provide for the present and future necessities of their families and friends dependent upon them for sup- port, it is proper that they should receive a compensation in addition to that paid by the Government, and for this purpose it is
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