USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Wheelock, Jonathan. Receipt dated Boston, May 24, 1782, for bounty paid said Wheelock by Samuel Lancey, Chairman of Class No. 2 of the town of Chelmsford, to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 3 years.
RECORDS OF CHELMSFORD MEN IN THE REVOLUTION 351
Whiting, Samuel. Company receipt for mileage, given to Capt. John Ford, dated Ticonderoga, Aug. 28, 1776; also, company receipt, given to Capt. John Ford, for wages to Oct. 1, 1776, dated Ticonderoga; company marched from Chelmsford, July 25, 1776, and was discharged at Albany, Jan. 1, 1777.
Whiting, William. Private; list of men belonging to Capt. Asa Lawrance's Co., Col. Poor's Regt .; depositions affixed made by William Adams and Joseph Dows, sworn to at Chelmsford, April 23, 1841, and in Middlesex Co., May 6, 1841, respectively, state that in the summer of 1778 they enlisted for the term of 8 months and went to West Point; that they served in Capt. Asa Lawrance's Co., Col. Poor's Regt., near King's Ferry and Peekskill; that said company was made up of men from Groton, Westford, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Billerica, Bedford, Tyngs- borough, and Dracut, and was commanded for the most part by 1st Lieut. John Flint.
Wier, Jeremiah, Limerick (also given Chelmsford). Private, Capt. Henry Farwell's Co., Col. William Prescott's Regt .; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; enlisted April 25, 1775; service, 98 days; also, return of men raised to serve in the Continental Army (year not given); residence, Chelmsford; engaged for town of Chelmsford.
Williams, Benjamin. Company receipt for mileage, given to Capt. John Ford, dated Ticonderoga, Aug. 28, 1776; also, company receipt, given to Capt. John Ford, for wages to Oct. 1, 1776, dated Ticonderoga; company marched from Chelmsford, July 25, 1776, and was discharged at Albany, Jan. 1, 1777.
Williams, Jacob. Company receipt for mileage, given to Capt. John Ford, dated Ticonderoga, Aug. 28, 1776; also, company receipt, given to Capt. John Ford, for wages to Oct. 1, 1776, dated Ticonderoga; company marched from Chelmsford, July 25, 1776, and was discharged at Albany, Jan. 1, 1777.
Willis, Zachariah, Chelmsford (also given Westford, Westfield, and Lanes- borough). Private, Capt. Smart's Co., Col. Calvin Smith's (late Wiggles- worth's) 13th Regt .; Continental Army pay accounts for service from Jan. 6, 1777, to Dec. 31, 1780; residence, Chelmsford (also given West- ford); credited to town of Chelmsford; also, Capt. Nicholas Blasdel's Co., Col. Edward Wigglesworth's Regt .; return dated Camp Valley Forge, Feb. 5, 1778; mustered by Col. Barrett, County Muster Master; also, same Co. and Regt .; muster roll for May, 1778, dated Camp Valley Forge; also, same Co. and Regt .; muster roll for June, 1778, dated "Camp Greeage"; reported at Peekskill tending the sick; also, same Co. and Regt .; pay roll for Oct., 1778, sworn to at Camp Providence; also, Capt. Blasdel's Co., (late) Col. Wigglesworth's Regt .; muster roll for March and April, 1779, dated Providence; enlisted Jan. 6, 1777; enlistment, 3 yrs .; reported furloughed April 23, 1779, by Maj. Porter, for 18 days; also, descriptive list dated West Point, Jan. 25, 1781; Col. John Greaton's (3d) Regt .; age, 39 yrs .; stature, 5 ft., 4} in .; complexion, dark; hair, dark; eyes, dark; residence, Westfield; enlisted Nov. 15, 1779, by Capt. Smith; enlistment, during war; also (late) Capt. Smart's Co., 3d Mass. Regt .; account of clothing delivered subsequent to Jan. 1, 1781, endorsed "July 1781"; reported on command at West Point; also, list dated Jan. 18, 1802, returned by John Avery, Secertary, and P. Coffin, Treasurer, of men who had enlisted into the Continental Army and actually served 3 years, and were, accordingly, entitled to gratuities under resolves of March 4, 1801, and June, 1801; 3d Mass. Regt .; residence, Lanesborough.
Willson, Ephraim, Chelmsford. Sergeant, Capt. Turner's Co., Col. Henry Jackson's Regt .; Continental Army pay accounts for service from June 1, 1777, to Dec. 31, 1780; also, Capt. Joseph Fox's Co., Col. Henley's Regt .; pay roll for Nov., 1778; also, Capt. Thomas Turner's (9th) Co., Col. Jackson's Regt .; muster roll for April, 1779, dated Pawtuxet; appointed June 1, 1778; term, 3 yrs .; also, same Co. and Regt .; return dated Camp at Providence, July 10, 1779; engaged for town of Chelms-
352
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
ford; also, Capt. Turner's (5th) Co., Col. Jackson's Regt .; pay roll for Oct., 1779; also, same Co. and Regt .; regimental return made up to Dec. 31, 1779, dated Camp at Providence; engaged June 1, 1777; also, return certified at Camp near Morristown, April 30, 1780, of officers and men belonging to Col. Lee's, Col. Henley's, and Col. Jackson's Regts., and men belonging to Massachusetts in Col. Henry Sherburne's Regt., who were incorporated into a regiment under the command of Col. Henry Jackson, agreeable to the arrangement of April 9, 1779; Capt. Turner's Co .; rank, Sergeant; residence, Chelmsford; engaged July 2, 1778; term, during war; also, Capt. Thomas Turner's Co., Col. Jackson's (16th) Regt .; pay roll for June and July, 1780; reported sick and absent. Willson, Joseph. Company receipt dated Chelmsford, April 19, 1776, for wages for service from Feb. 5, 1776, to April 1, 1776, in Capt. John Ford's Co., Col. Roberson's (Robinson's) Regt.
Willson, Leonard. Company receipt dated Chelmsford, April 19, 1776, for wages for service from Feb. 5, 1776, to April 1, 1776, in Capt. John Ford's Co., Col. Roberson's (Robinson's) Regt.
Willson, Samuel. Enlistment agreement dated Jan. 29, 1776, signed by said Willson and others, engaging themselves to serve until April 1, 1776; also, company receipt dated Chelmsford, April 19, 1776, for wages for service from Feb. 5, 1776, to April 1, 1776, in Capt. John Ford's Co., Col. Roberson's (Robinson's) Regt.
Wilson, Ephraim, Chelmsford. List of men mustered by Nathaniel Barber, Muster Master for Suffolk Co., dated Boston, July 5, 1778; Capt. Fox's Co., Col. Henley's Regt .; reported received State bounty; also, descrip- tive list dated Hutts, three miles from West Point, Jan. 28, 1781; Capt. Turner's Co., 9th Mass. Regt. commanded by Col. Henry Jackson; rank, Sergeant; age, 21 yrs .; stature, 5 ft., 6 in .; complexion, light; hair, light; occupation, blacksmith; residence, Chelmsford; engaged, Jan. 1, 1780, by Col. Jackson; term, during war.
Wilson, Samuel, Chelmsford. Capt. John Ford's Co., Col. Bridge's Regt .; company return dated June 15, 1775; age, 21 yrs .; stature, 6 ft .; com- plexion, light; occupation, farmer; residence, Chelmsford; enlisted April 25, 1775; also, Private, Capt. Ford's Co., Col. Ebenezer Bridge's (27th) Regt .; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; enlisted April 25, 1775; service, 3 mos., 14 days; also, company return dated Sept. 25, 1775; also, Capt. Zaccheus Wright's Co., Col. Brooks's Regt .; company return dated Camp at White Plains, Oct. 31, 1776; said Wilson reported as in Camp at White Plains and fit for duty.
Wood, Solomon. Company receipt for mileage, given to Capt. John Ford, dated Ticonderoga, Aug. 28, 1776; also, company receipt, given to Capt. John Ford for wages to Oct. 1, 1776, dated Ticonderoga; company marched from Chelmsford, July 25, 1776, and was discharged at Albany, Jan. 1, 1777.
Worren, Jeduthan. Company receipt for mileage, given to Capt. John Ford, dated Ticonderoga, Aug. 28, 1776; also, company receipt, given to Capt. John Ford, for wages to Oct. 1, 1776, dated Ticonderoga; company marched from Chelmsford, July 25, 1776, and was discharged at Albany, Jan. 1, 1777.
Wyer, Jeremiah, Chelmsford. Private, Capt. Henry Farwell's (1st) Co., Col. William Prescott's (10th) Regt .; company return (probably Oct., 1775); reported enlisted April 19, 1775.
Vault Receiving
Path
Path
Gate
Tombs
Path
F 28
41 16 20 13
A
22
24 !!
27
Path
Path
2|30
26
[S][35]
19]
1703
37]
1391
[>
Allen
Gate
Hedge
[36]
W -
9(31)
u
-Z
Fisk
E
Clarkel
1704
Gate
[12]
[9]
Bridge
Foster 1702
10 11337
17/
Stoddard
Monument to Soldiers of the Revolution. Erected 1859.
[40]
257
Sketched by W. W.
No. 21.
3.4]
1802
)Large Elm
Chamberlaine 1692^^
Liuermoar 1690
Path
Fletcher 1697
Waldo 1700
[29]
16/27
Richardson
1693 Hildreth
Hinchman
Path
Old Brick School House
Forefathers' Burying Ground. Chelmsford, Mass.
[18]
32 ]
PLAN SHOWING GRAVES OF REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS, EARLY MINISTERS, AND SOME OF THE OLDEST REMAINING HEADSTONES.
1877
RECORDS OF CHELMSFORD MEN IN THE REVOLUTION 353
LIST OF MEN ON ROLLS OF CHELMSFORD COMPANIES, BUT NOT CREDITED TO ANY TOWN.
Adams, Benjamin Adams, Capt. Jesse Annis, Ezra Annis, Jacob
Green, Ebenezer
Griffin, Uriah
Hardee, Moses
Harris, Chas.
Bailey, James
Harris, Sampson
Bailey, William
Harwood, Lieut. Jonathan
Bancroft, Caleb
Hill, Jeremiah
Bancroft, Ebenezer
Hunt, Israel
Barrett, Joseph
Kilmot, Thomas
Barrett, Stephen
Lane, Zibon
Barrit, John
Liveston, Isaac
Barron, Lieut. Jonathan Bell, Joshua
Loyd, John
Blanchard, Cuff
MacGould, Noah
Blanchard, Jeremiah
Maskel, Samuel
Blodgett, Lieut. William
Mearel (?), David
Blood, Able Blood, Edmund
Merrick, John
Boldwin, John
Mills, John
Bowers, Lieut. Jonathan
Monroe, Aaron
Bowers, John
Morrill, Nicholas
Morrison, Corp. Wm.
Burge, John
Peak, Samuel
Capron, Jonathan
Perham, Lemuel, Jr.
Carleton, John
Person, James
Carleton, John, Jr.
Petingal, Daniel
Chamberlin, Capt. Samuel
Pettingal, Joseph
Clark, Benjamin
Pollard, Solomon
Clark, Col. Jonas Clough, David
Proctor, Gershom
Coburn, Nathan
Richardson, John
Coburn, Samson
Richardson, Capt. Zechariah
Colburn, Eleazer
Robbins, Ensign Jonas
Colburn, Jerahmel Colby, James
Small, Aaron
Corey, Elijah
Smith, Thomas Smith, Wm.
Corey, Samuel
Spalding, Thomas (or Spaulding)
Didson, John Didson, Seth
Sprake, John
Durant, John Emerson, Joseph
Sterns, Wm. Storrs, John
Estabrooks, Joseph Fips, Charles
Underwood, Jonathan
Foster, Jonath Fox, Abijah Fox, John
Webber, John
Welsh, Daniel
Whitney, Samuel
Winning, John
Woodward, Jonathan
Frost, Sart. Joseph Frothingham, Jabez Gordin, Wm.
Spaulding, Artemas
Spaulding, Ashbel
Stearns, Wm.
Cummings, Sim(eo)n
Russell, Amos., Sergt.
Craford, John
Palmer, Aaron
Butterfield, Nathaniel
Longon, Daniel
Mears, Abraham
Brown, John
Porter, Asa
354
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
Names of men found on the Town records who received bounty for going into the service, and whose names are not on the other lists:
Chambers, Matthew; Blodgett, Henry; Blodget, Simeon; Fitzgerald, James; Hildreth, Zachariah; Hutchins, Thomas; Snydam, Thorn; Woods, Samuel.
RECAPITULATION.
Number of records of Chelmsford men given 504
Number of names on Chelmsford rolls not credited to any town . 120
Number of men who received bounty from the Town of Chelmsford, whose names are not on the above lists
8
Total 632
Number twice mentioned
88
Number of Chelmsford men who served in the Revolu- tionary War 544
CHELMSFORD MEN WHO ANSWERED THE ALARM OF APRIL 19, 1775.
Abbot, William; Abbott, Jeremiah; Adams, John; Adams, Robert; Adams, Thomas; Ausgood, Benjamin; Ausgood, Joseph; Barrit, Benjamin; Barritt, Simeon; Barron, Moses; Barron, Oliver; Bates, John; Blood, Josiah; Bowers, William; Bridge, Ebenezer; Bridge, William; Britton, Samuel; Burge, David; Butterfield, Benjamin; Cambel, William; Chamberlin, Isaac; Chamberling, Aaron; Chambers, David; Chambers, John; Cham- bers, William; Cleaveland, Enoch; Dammon, Daniel; Danforth, David; Daverson, Francis; Davis, Joshua; Dunn, James, Jr .; Dunn, John; Dunn, William; Durant, Joshua; Esterbrooks, Moses; Farly, Benjamin; Farrar, Nathaniel; Fletcher, Charles; Fletcher, Henry; Fletcher, Josiah; Fletcher, Oliver; Fletcher, Samuel; Fletcher, William; Fletcher, William, 3d; Fletcher, Zaccheus; Ford, John; Foster, Isaac; Foster, Isaiah; Foster, Nathaniel; Foster, Reuben; Freland, John; Goold, Ebenezer; Hastings, Walter; Howard, Jacob; Howard, Willard; Keent, Isaac, Jr .; Keyes, Daniel; Keyes, John; Keys, Solomon; Marshal, Samuel; Marshall, David; Marshall, Isaac; Marshall, Joseph; Marshall, Samuel; Marshall, Thomas, Jr .; Mastes, Amos; Mears, John; Mears, William; Melvin, Benjamin; Minot, John; Osgood, Joseph; Parker, Benjamin; Parker, Benjamin, Jr .; Parker, Isaac; Parker, John; Parker, Moses; Parker, Reuben; Parker, Willard; Parker, William; Parker, William, Jr .; Park- hurst, Benjamin; Parkhurst, Ephraim; Parkhurst, Samuel (Family tradition); Peirce, Benjamin; Peirce, Jonas; Peirce, Jonathan; Peirce, Levi; Peirce, Robert; Peirce, Stephen, Jr .; Perham, Samuel, Jr .; Procter, Azariah; Reed, Supply; Richard- son, Josiah; Richardson, Oliver; Roby, John; Sillaway, Daniel; Spaulding, Benjamin; Spaulding, David; Spaulding, Henry, Jr .; Spaulding, John; Spaulding, Joseph; Spaulding, Joseph, Jr .; Spaulding, Micah; Spaulding, Silas; Spaulding, Simeon; Spauld-
RECORDS OF CHELMSFORD MEN IN THE REVOLUTION 355
ing, Jephthah; Sprage, Jonathan; Stevens, Samuel; Twiss, John; Tylor, Joseph; Walker, Benjamin; Walker, David; Warren, Benjamin; Wyer, Jeremiah.
The Chelmsford men at Bunker Hill were those found on the roll of field and staff officers of Bridge's regiment, those on the roll of Ford's first enlisted company, and those on the roll of Walker's company.
Chelmsford men who were wounded in the Battle of Bunker Hill, as given by Allen:
Col. Ebenezer Bridge, Lieut. Col. Moses Parker, Captain Benjamin Walker, John Keyes, Moses Barker, James Dunn, Elijah Hazelton, Samuel Marshall, John Parker, Benjamin Hay- ward, Solomon Keyes, Robert Richardson, Joseph Spaulding, Noah Foster, Francis Davidson. The last name is from Bridge's Diary.
These Chelmsford men were at Valley Forge during the army's terrible experience in the winter of 1777-78. The first four are from a List of Officers at Valley Forge, prepared by Brig. Gen. Philip Reade:
Isaac Parker, 1st Lieutenant, 8th Infantry (M. Jackson); Walter Hastings, Surgeon, 8th Infantry (M. Jackson); Zachariah Hildreth, Ensign, 16th Infantry (H. Jackson); Benjamin Pierce, Ensign, 8th Infantry (M. Jackson); Joseph Warren, William Mears, Josiah Blood, Benjamin Chamberlain, Zachariah Willis, William Blazedell, Henry Blazedell.
Names of soldiers from Chelmsford who died or were killed in the Revolutionary War:
Lt. Col. Moses Parker, wounded at Bunker Hill, died a prisoner in Boston, July 4, 1775. Buried at Boston.
Capt. Benjamin Walker, wounded at Bunker Hill, died a prisoner in Boston, in ye latter end of August, 1775. (Aug. 15, Bunker Hill Mem. Tablets, p. 123.) Buried at Boston. "He died, not of his wound, but of sickness." Allen says that both Parker and Walker had a leg amputated.
Lt. Robert Spalding, died at Milford, Ct., in 1776, "returning from ye Army at New York." "The Spalding Memorial" says: "While on his way to join the American Army."
John Bates, died in the Army at Cambridge; buried at Cambridge, December 4, 1775.
David Spalding, Jr., died at Ticonderoga, of the smallpox, August 28, 1776.
Peletiah Adams, killed at Cherry Valley, 1778, in the fall (Nov. 11).
Ezra Corey reported died May 9, 1777.
Noah Foster, killed at Bemis's Heights, Stillwater, October 7, 1777.
Henry Fletcher, killed at White Plains, February 3, 1780.
Ebenezer Foster, died "in the Army," before Nov. 5, 1777.
Samuel Wilson never returned from the army, nor were the time and manner of his death ever known. [Allen.]
CHAPTER VI. SHAYS' REBELLION-WARS OF 1812, 1848, 1898. SHAYS' REBELLION.
T THE War of the Revolution brought great economic distress to the country, and this, with a certain spirit of lawlessness, was the cause of Shays' Rebellion, so called from the leader, Daniel Shays, who had been a Captain in the Continental Army. The seat of the rebellion was western Massachusetts, where the people were under a burden of private debts and heavy taxes. The courts were over-crowded with lawsuits. Debtors were pressed. "Attachments were put upon the poor man's cattle and teams, and his little homestead was sacrificed under the sheriff's hammer." Conventions met and drew up statements of grievances. Demand was made that the Court of Common Pleas be abolished, that large amounts of paper money be issued, taxes reduced, and "that the General Court should no longer sit amid the baleful influences of a merchant-and-lawyer-infested Boston."
The following, in the possession of the writer, will serve as a sample of the documents relating to this period.
To the Honbl. The Court of Common Pleas to be Holden Att Worcester the 5 day of Septr. Instant. The Petition of the Inhabitants of The Town of Athol Humbly Sheweth that By Reason of the Great Scarcity of a Circulating Medium The Good People of this County are Unable to Satisfy the Executions that May Come Out against them Without their Property Being Sold Much Under the Real Value. We Your Petitioners Therefore Pray Your Honrs That all Sivil Causeis Might be Suspended Except Whare the Parties are agreed to have a trial or Where itt appears to the Court That the Creditor is in Immediate Danger of Loosing His Property.
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray. Athol Septr. ye 4th, 1786. Simon Goddard Moderater.
In the summer of 1786 the Courts at Northampton, Worcester, Great Barrington, and Concord were prevented from sitting. The Supreme Court at Springfield was broken up. At Worcester the bravery of Gen. Artemas Ward, then Chief Justice, in facing the bayonets of the insurgents, is well known. (See "Old Times in Shrewsbury," Elizabeth Ward.) At Concord the insurrec- tionary leader was Job Shattuck of Groton, who had been a captain in the Revolution. (For an account of him, see Green's "Groton in the Revolution.") Governor Bowdoin raised a force of militia under General Lincoln, and put down the rebellion.
357
SHAYS' REBELLION-WARS OF 1812, 1848, 1898
At Petersham, 150 of the insurgents were captured, and the rest were dispersed and fled into New Hampshire.
The rout of Shays' men at Petersham was complete, February 4, 1787. The vanquished rebels were treated with marked clemency. Governor Bowdoin's energy lost him his re-election.
A free pardon was finally offered by Governor Hancock to all who had taken part in the insurrection, provided they should take the oath of allegiance. Fourteen of the leaders had been tried and sentenced to death, but were not executed, for the authorities saw that the great mass of the people were in sympathy with them. (See Minot, "Insurrections in Massachusetts.")
McMaster (Hist. of People of U. S.) quotes this specimen of poetry and wit on the retreat of Shays.
"Says sober Will, well, Shays has fled, And peace returns to bless our days. Indeed! cried Ned, I always said, He'd prove at last a fall-back chaise; And those turned over and undone Call him a worthless Shays to run."
When in 1787 the State pardoned political offenders, one hundred and seven from Groton, sixty-two from Shirley, sixty- seven from Townsend, thirty-nine from Pepperell, three from Ashby, ten from Westford, one from Chelmsford, and one from Framingham took the oath of allegiance. There were no others in Middlesex County.
A meeting was held in Chelmsford, and an account of the proceedings was sent with a letter to the selectmen of Cambridge to influence them to join with others in securing the pardon of Shattuck. This is the reply.
Gent.
Cambridge July 13. 1787
Your letter of the 6. inst. directed to the Selectmen of this Town containing the proceedings of a number of Gentlemen met at Chelmsford, & also the form of a petition in behalf of Capt. Shattuck We have received, & having considered them with that Attention they deserve when coming from such respectable Characters, We take the first Opportunity to return an Answer.
In Order to justify an Oppinion that does not seem to coincide with yours, it may be necessary to make some Observations, which We hope will be received with that Candor that We are led to expect from persons of your known moderation.
Mr. Shattuck was unknown to us till since the conclusion of the late War, We are therefore unable to bear testimony to his former life, either with respect to his Character as an Officer, or his charitable disposition as a private person. Since that time We have chiefly known him by the publick Inquiries that have been made by the Supreme Judicial Court at different times; but in every case it appears he has been connected with the
358
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
Tumults & opposition to Government. These Circumstances surely cannot Operate as an inducement for us to think very favorably of him.
After the minds of many people had been misled with respect to the Government, a circular letter was framed in the upper part of this County in the Course of last Summer & sent to the different Towns, & to this among others, requesting their Assistance at a County Convention. Alarmed at such a proceeding the Inhabi- tants at a Town meeting desired the Selectmen to protest against such an unconstitutional Assembly. You will undoubtedly recollect that their letter was published containing at large the reasons of their dissent. How far those reasons were satisfactory, will appear by the readiness with which they were adopted by many Towns throughout the Commonwealth.
It makes us unhappy to find that the ill consequences which were then easily foreseen, soon came to pass.
If then our sentiments were against joining with an Assembly, which We consider as unconstitutional when apparently justified by the form of an Election it can hardly be expected We should concur in a similar measure where even that form has not been observed. We were then & still are of Opinion, that the Consti- tution & the laws provide for every case. It has invested the Governor & Council with a power to pardon those Criminals that may be convicted in any case where they suppose the publick Good will be promoted, & We conceive that power could not be more properly lodged in any other hands. It must be presumed, they are the best acquainted with all the Circumstances both for & against the Convict; infinitely more so, than persons at a distance & without the means of information; & We think there has been no reason to distrust the Judgment or the Uprightness of those who are invested with that power. And further, We presume that if you had seen the resolve of the General Court passed on the 29 of June last, you would not have desired us to have interfered in matters of Government in the present Instance. In that Resolve, after specifying the particular exceptions from the Act of Indemnity, they declare that any further Act of Grace will not be consistant with the dignity of Government, & with the safety & protection which ought to be afforded to the peaceable & loyal Citizens, it becomes therefore peculiarly improper for individual Citizens to give their Advice in contradiction to the declared sense of two great branches of the Government, the Legislative & Judicial. These Reasons without others that might be added, We presume are sufficient to convince you of the impropriety of our joining in the proposal contained in your Letter. We have only to add that it is our sincere Wish that the happy time may come & that the period may be not far distant, when that Confidence in those who by the Constitution are invested with the Government, may be restored; without which
359
SHAYS' REBELLION-WARS OF 1812, 1848, 1898
We never can expect that the Confidence between Individuals which is so necessary to promote their Happiness, will be revived; that such an Event may soon take place is the earnest desire of
Gent. Your Humble Servant. AARON HILL.
Chairman of the Selectmen of said Town. [Original in the possession of C. O. Robbins.]
The following petition is among the Robbins papers. It indicates the fact that the sympathies of a considerable number of people in this, as in other communities, were with the insurgents.
Comonwelth of Massachusetts
To His Excelency the Govener, and the Honorable the Councel now Setting in Boston; The petition of the Subscribers inhabitence of the town of Chelmsford in the County of Middlesix, Humbly Sheweth, that whareas Job Shattuck of Said County is now under the Sentance of Death For treasanable conduct against this Commonwelth Which conduct we Vew with abhorrance & Disaprobation. But we believe that he was in a grate measure insensable of the fatal tendancy of his conduct, and that through ignorance of the Laws and Constatution of the Commonwelth and by hearing the Complants of the people; together with the Insinuations of rash an inconsiderate men, he was led to Conduct in such a manner as he Did; Which circonstances we think in Som measure extenuates his Crimenallety. Considering the above circonstances together with the character which according To information from undoubted athority the Said Shattock has Hear tofore Sustaned Especially as being a good officer in the Servis of this Commonwelth in the late war with Britain, and also in being Very charetable to the poor. Therefore, your petitioners humbly conceive that it would be Consistante with the Good and Safety of the Commonwelth that his life might be spaired and that it would have a tendancy To restore peace and harmony to the people of this Commonwelth, and prevent the dissafection of many people in the Neighbouring States: There- fore your petitioners humbly and most earnestly pray that his Excelency and your Honours would take the matter into your wise Consideration and if it Can be Consistant with the Good and Safety of the Commonwelth, that the above named crimenal may be pardoned; and your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.