USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dedham > History of Dedham, Massachusetts > Part 40
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The Stamp Act, the first of the oppressive parliamentary measures, was passed March 22, 1765. The news of its passage fired the hearts of the people of Boston and vicinity with intense indignation. It was the subject of frequent town meetings. The Stamp Commission was forced to resign. The act was to take effect November 1, 1765. That day in Boston was ushered in by the tolling of bells and the display at half-mast of the flags of the vessels in port; the English ministry were hung in effigy; busi- ness was practically suspended; the Courts were compelled to pro- ceed without stamped paper as the act required, because none was permitted to be sold; and all the officers of the Province were obliged to disregard the requirements of the act.
Foremost among the friends of America in the English Par- liament was William Pitt who maintained that "America being neither really nor actually represented in Westminster, cannot be held legally or constitutionally or reasonably subject to obed- ience to any money bill of the Kingdom," The Stamp Act was re- pealed March 18, 1766 and the news was received in Boston on the 16th of the following May. The repeal was hailed with the greatest demonstrations of joy. May 19th was set apart for general rejoicing, the booming of cannons, the ringing of bells, the decoration of houses and steeples with flags and
* Pillars of Liberty were also erected in New York City and Charleston, S. C. The latter is still standing in the public square in that city.
** For an extended account of William Pitt by Carlos Slafter, see Dedham Historical Register, October, 1896.
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streamers. In the evening there was an illumination of houses and a display of fireworks on Boston Common.
After hearing of the repeal the Sons of Liberty in Dedham and vicinity decided as early as May 21st, to erect a monument to William Pitt in gratitude for his service in the repeal of the Stamp Act. The Monument* was erected in the presence of a large concourse of people on July 22nd. A public Thanksgiving for the repeal of the Stamp Act was observed in Dedham on July 24th.
The granite face bears some quaint inscriptions, (believed to have been composed by Dr. Nathaniel Ames). As shown in the illustration. Due to the turmoil in Boston the November session of the General Court in 1775, passed an act by which Dedham was made, for the time being, the shire town of Suffolk County. The Courts of General Sessions of the Peace, and Inferior Courts of Common Pleas were held in Dedham on the first Tuesday of Janu- ary. The Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and Gen- eral Goal Delivery were held in Dedham on the third Thursday in February. This act was repealed at the November session of the General Court in 1776. The Register's office for Suffolk County, with the books and papers, was removed to Dedham and it can be stated upon good historic evidence that the Records of Suffolk County were kept for more than a year in the Dexter house ** in Dedham. In the removal from Boston two volumes of records were lost and never found. It is generally supposed that the loss occurred about the time of the evacuation of Boston, March 17, 1776, and that they were carried to Halifax with the British fleet, or by Ezechiel Goldthwaite, the loyalist Register of Deeds up to 1775.
SOME VOTES OF THE TOWN PREVIOUS TO THE REVO- LUTION. On October 21, 1765, a town meeting was called to which all the articles in the warrant related to public affairs of the country. At this meeting a committee was chosen to prepare instructions to be given its representative, Samuel Dexter, Es- quire. The committee presented the following draft which the town accepted.
* For a fuller aceount of the Pillar of Liberty see Proceedings at the Cele- bration of the 250th Anniversary of the Town of Dedham.
** For a fuller account see Worthington's "The Dexter House During the Siege of Boston." Dedham Historical Register, Vol. 5, Page 150.
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The Pillar of LIBERTY. Erected by the Sons of Liberty in this Vicinity .. Laus Deo. Rear, et Tramita" autoribusy, maxime Patronu PITT, qui Rempub, perfum sulfit. Faucibus Orci.
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The Pillar of LIBERTY Erectd bythe Sons of Liberty inthis Vicinity Laus DEO REGI, et Immunitat" autoribusq.maxime Patrono PITT, qui Rempub.nufumevulfit. Faucibus Orci
The Pillar of LIBERTY To the Honor of WILLM PITT EfqR y other PATRIOTS who faved AMERICAfrom impending Slave ry, uconfirm'd our moft loyal Affection toKG GEORGE III by pro curing aRepeal of the Stomp Act, 18$MARCH, 1766.
Erected here July 22,1766, by Doct: Nath! Ames 2"} Col. Eben" Battle, Maj Abijah Draper& other Patriots friendly to the Rights of the Colonies at that day
Replaced by the Citizens July 4. 1828.
INSCRIPTION ON PILLAR OF LIBERTY
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To Samuel Dexter, Esq.
SIR :- The Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Dedham, greatly alarmed at the late burdens which the Parlia- ment of Great Britain has laid upon the Colonies, particularly at the Tax imposed upon us by the Stamp Act, so called, and being desirous by all regular and legal methods to do what lies in our power, to prevent the difficulties in which we shall be involved by the operation of the said Act, if the same should take place in this province, do now instruct you that while you appear at and repre- sent this Town in the Great and General Court, you do, by no means, join in any public measures for countenancing and assist- ing in the execution of the said Act. It being the sense of the town, that our rights as British Subjects, which are founded in those that are common to all mankind, are by this Act greatly infringed upon, and that our invaluable Charter Rights are also thereby in a great measure violated, and not being sensible that this Province has by any disloyal or unworthy conduct, forfeited the privileges it enjoyed, we do therefore, in justice to ourselves and our posterity, direct you that you be not wanting in your endeavor in the General Assembly, to have these rights in direct terms asserted and vindicated; which being left on record will be a testimony for us in future generations, that we did not tame- ly acquiesce in the loss of our liberty. To do this we think it our duty and we desire thus in the way of our duty, to trust in the good providence of God, which often has, and we hope will again appear for our relief, however dark the prospect may appear.
At a meeting of the Town held in November, 1767, the fol- lowing vote was passed: Voted; that this Town will strictly ad- here to the new regulations respecting funerals. That no gloves shall be used on such occasions, but such as are manufactured in this Province-that no articles of mourning shall be purchased except a weed and black gloves for men and a black bonnet with- out gauze on it, a black handkerchief, ribband, fan, and gloves for women.
At a general meeting of the inhabitants of Dedham as- sembled in the meeting house in the First Parish on March 5, 1770, the following motion was presented :
The Town, taking into serious consideration ye great distress to which the people are reduced by means of ye oppressive Rev-
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enue Acts, and the troops sent to enforce obedience to the same, and being desirous of contributing all in their power to restore and preserve their liberties, according to the laudable example of many other towns in this Province, and being deeply sensible that the patriotic resolutions of the merchants and traders not to im- port goods and merchandise from Great Britain, ought to be seconded by such as have usually been purchasers of such goods and merchandise.
Voted nem. con. that as the duty on tea furnishes so large a sum towards ye maintenance and support of an almost innum- erable multitude who live upon the fruits of the honest industry of the inhabitants, from the odious Commissioners of the Cus- toms down to the dirty informers that are employed by them, therefore we will not make use of any foreign tea, nor allow the consumption of it in our respective families, till such time as the Duty being first taken off, this town shall by some future vote, grant an indulgence to such persons to drink tea, as have not vir- tue enough to leave off the use forever.
Voted that Messrs. Sam'l. Damon, Richard Woodward, George Talbot, Eliphalet Baker and Deacon Ralph Day be a committee to see that the foregoing votes be complied with.
A meeting was called at the request of the inhabitants on June 4, 1773, to take into consideration the violations and in- fringements of the rights of the people in this Province particu- larly with respect to the independency of the Judges of the Su- perior Court. A letter was read from the town of Boston con- taining their vote and proceedings of the 20th of November last after which the Town passed the following votes:
Voted; that in the opinion of this town, the invaluable rights of the Colonies and of this Province in particular, have of late been greatly infringed upon by the Parent Country, and that the infringement and violations of these rights threaten this province and continent with certain and inevitable destruction.
Voted; that our Representative in the general assembly be, and he hereby is instructed, to exert himself to the utmost that the public grievances which are now become so many, may be redrest and our rights and liberties fully restored to us, and that if he, upon examination shall find, that the salaries granted by the general assembly to the Judges of the Superior Court are insuf-
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ficient, that he in said Court use his influence that an adequate sum be granted to them.
Resolved, That this town will at all times heartily join with any other town in this province, in such measures as might be proper, salutary and effectual for the redress of our grievances and the establishing our Charter rights and privileges.
Voted; that this town do highly approve of the proceedings of the numerous assemblies of the people of Boston, and the neigh- boring towns convened at once and again of late at the Old South meeting house in said Boston, to consider and determine what was proper to be done, to prevent the landing of the teas shipped hither by the East India Company, and the consequent payment of the unconstitutional tax of three pence sterling a pound laid thereon by the British Parliament.
Voted; that as so many political evils have been brought about by an unreasonable liking to the use of tea, and as we are convinced that it is baneful to the human constitution, we will do all in our power to prevent the use of it in time to come; and if any shall refuse to comply, at least till such time as the Act imposing a Duty thereon shall be repealed, we shall consider them as unfriendly to the liberties of the people, as well as giving a flagrant proof of their own stupidity under a most grievous op- pression.
It was moved and seconded that as this Town did, at their meeting held on the 4th day of January last, resolve that they would "at all times hereafter join with any Town in this Province in such measures as might be proper, salutary and effectual for the redress of our grievance and the establishing our charter rights and liberties" but did not, at that time, choose a committee to correspond with the several towns as occasion might, that such a committee be now chosen.
They then chose Dr. Wm. Avery, Mr. Richard Woodward, Nath'l Sumner Esq., Capt. Daniel Gay, Deacon Ralph Day, a com- mittee for that purpose.
It was moved and seconded and thereupon voted; that as the Town have several times received very respectful letters from the town of Boston communicating such intelligence and pro- posing such measures as tended to promote the interest of the public, that the Committee of Correspondence prepare a letter to
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said town to be sent to their Committee of Correspondence and report the same to this town.
The warrant for a town meeting to be held Sept. 1st, 1774, contained the following preamble:
Whereas a number of gentlemen from and belonging to the several towns and districts in the County of Suffolk, assembled at Stoughton on Monday the 16th inst. have earnestly and unani- mously recommended to the said towns and districts to appoint members to attend at a County Convention at the house of Mr. Richard Woodward in this town on Tuesday the 6th day of Sep- tember next at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, to deliberate and deter- mine upon all such matters as the distressed circumstances of this province may require.
At the town meeting held under the above call, it was,
Voted; that this town look upon it to be their indispensable duty to do everything in their power, in a peaceable and orderly way to prevent the operation of the Acts of Parliament lately passed, so destructive of the rights, liberties and priviliges of this people, and that with this view, they will immediately proceed to the choice of persons to meet in a convention for this County on the sixth day of Sept. next.
The town then made choice of Dr. Wm. Avery, Mr. Richard Woodward, Nath'l. Sumner Esq., Capt. Daniel Gay and Deacon Ralph Day to meet at the convention aforesaid.
The convention of delegates, from every town and district of Suffolk County, which met at Woodward's tavern in Dedham on September 6, 1774 and appointed a committee of which Dr. Joseph Warren was chairman, made the first declaration of armed re- sistance to Great Britain. This committee reported the cele- brated Suffolk Resolves* that were adopted by the Convention at an adjourned meeting held in Milton three days later.
SUFFOLK RESOLVES. Whereas the power but not the justice, the vengeance but not the wisdom, of Great Britain, which of old persecuted, scourged and exiled our fugitive parents from their native shores, now pursues us, their guiltless children, with
* Three towns, Stoughton, Dedham, and Milton share the honor in the birth- right of American Liberty. At the Doty Tavern in old Stoughton the first formal meeting was held on August 16, 1774. The Second meeting was held at the Wood- ward Tavern in Dedham "to complete there business", and the third meeting at Vose's Tavern in Milton when the "Suffolk Resolves" were unanimously adopted September 9, 1774.
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unrelenting severity; and whereas, this then savage and uncul- tivated desert was purchased by the toil and treasure, or acquired by the valor or blood of those our venerable progenitors, who be- queathed to us the dear-bought inheritance, who consigned it to our care, and protection,-the most sacred obligations are upon us to transmit the glorious purchase, unfettered by power, un- clogged with shackles, to our innocent and beloved offspring. On the fortitude, on the wisdom, and on the exertions of this import- ant day is suspended the fate of this New World, and of unborn millions. If a boundless extent of continent, swarming with mil- lions, will tamely submit to live, move and have their being at the arbitrary will of a licentious minister, they basely yield to voluntary slavery, and future generations shall load their memo- ries with incessant execrations. On the other hand, if we arrest the hand which would ransack our pockets; if we disarm the par- ricide who points the dagger at our bosoms; if we nobly defeat that fatal edict which proclaims a power to frame laws for us in all cases whatsoever, thereby entailing the endless and number- less curses of slavery upon us, our heirs and their heirs forever ; if we successfully resist that unparalleled usurpation of uncon- stitutional power, whereby our capital is robbed of the means of life; whereby the streets of Boston are thronged with military executioners; whereby our coasts are lined, and our harbors crowded with ships of war; whereby the charter of the colony, that sacred barrier against the encroachments of tyranny, is mutilated, and in effect annihilated; whereby a murderous law is framed to shelter villains from the hands of justice; whereby that inalienable and inestimable inheritance, which we derived from nature, the constitution of Britain, which was covenanted to us in the charter of the province, is totally wrecked, annulled and vacated-posterity will acknowledge that virtue which preserved the free and happy; and while we enjoy the rewards and bless- ings of the faithful, the torrent of panegyric will roll down our reputations to that latest period, when the streams of time shall be absorbed in the abyss of eternity.
Therefore we have resolved and do resolve: ,
1. That whereas His Majesty King George the Third is the rightful successor to the throne of Great Britain, and justly entitled to the allegiance of the British realm, and, agreeable to
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compact, of the English colonies in America-therefore we the heirs and successors of the first planters of the colony, do cheer- fully acknowledge the said George the Third to be our rightful sovereign, and that said covenant is the tenure and claim on which are founded our allegiance and submission.
2. That it is an indispensable duty which we owe to God, our country, ourselves and our posterity, by all lawful ways and means in our power, to maintain, defend and preserve these civil and religious rights and liberties for which many of our fathers fought, bled and died, and to hand them down entire to future generations.
3. That the late Acts of the British Parliament for block- ing up the harbor of Boston, and for altering the established form of government in this colony, and for screening the most flagi- tious violators of the laws of the province from a legal trial, are gross infractions of those rights to which we are justly entitled by the laws of nature, the British Constitution and the charter of the province.
4. That no obedience is due from this province to either or any part of the Acts above mentioned; but that they be rejected as the attempts of a wicked Administration to enslave America.
5. That so long as the justices of our superior courts of judicature, court of assize and general goal delivery, and inferior courts of common pleas in this county are appointed, or hold their places by any other tenure than that which the charter and the laws of the province direct, they must be considered as under undue influence, and are therefore unconstitutional officers, and as such no regard ought to be paid to them by the people of this country.
6. That if the justices of the superior court of judicature, court of assize, &c., justices of the court of common pleas, or of the general sessions of the peace, shall sit and act during their present unqualified state, this country will support and bear harmless all sheriffs and their deputies, constables, jurors and other officers who shall refuse to carry into execution the orders of said courts. And as far as is possible to prevent the inconveniences that must attend the suspension of the courts of justice, we do earnestly recommend it to all creditors to exercise all reasonable and gener- ous forbearance to their debtors, and to all debtors to discharge
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their just debts with all possible speed; and if any disputes con- cerning debts or trespasses shall arise, which cannot be settled by the parties, we recommend it to them to submit all such cases to arbitration; and if the parties, or either of them shall refuse to do so, they ought to be considered as co-operating with the ene- mies of this country.
7. That it be recommended to the collectors of taxes, con- stables and all other officers who have public monies in their hands, to retain the same, and not to make any payment thereof to the province or county treasurers, until the civil government of the province is placed upon a constitutional foundation, or until it shall be otherwise ordered by the proposed Provincial Congress.
8. That the persons who have accepted seats at the Council Board by virtue of a mandamus from the King in conformity with the late Act of the British Parliament, entitled, An Act for the regulating the Government of the Massachusetts Bay, have acted in direct violation of the duty they owe to the country, and have thereby given great and just offence to this people. Therefore,
Resolved, That this country do recommend it to all persons who have so highly offended by accepting said department, and have not already publicly resigned their seats in the Council Board, to make public resignation of their places at said Board on or before the twentieth day of this instant September; and that all persons neglecting so to do shall from and after that day be considered by this county as obstinate and incorrigible enemies of this colony.
9. That the fortifications begun and now carrying on upon Boston Neck are justly alarming to this country, and give us reason to apprehend some hostile intention against that town, more especially as the commander-in-chief has in a very extra- ordinary manner removed the powder from the magazine at Charlestown and has also forbidden the keeper of the magazine at Boston to deliver out to the owners the powder, which they lodged in said magazine.
10. That the late Act of Parliament for establishing the Roman Catholic religion and the French laws in that extensive country now called Canada is dangerous to an extreme degree to the Protestant religion, and to the civil rights and liberties of all America; and therefore as men and Protestant Christians we are
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indispensably obliged to take all proper measures for our security.
11. That whereas our enemies have flattered themselves that they shall make an easy prey of this numerous brave and hardy people from an apprehension that they are unacquainted with military discipline, we therefore, for the honor, defence, and security of this country and province, advise, as it has been recom- mended to take away all commissions from the officers of the mili- tia, that those who now hold commissions, or such other persons, be elected in each town as officers in the militia, as shall be judged of sufficient capacity for that purpose, and who have evidenced themselves the inflexible friends to the rights of the people; and that the inhabitants of those towns and districts who are quali- fied, do use their utmost diligence to acquaint themselves with the arts of war as soon as possible, and do for that purpose appear under arms at least once every week.
12. That during the present hostile appearances on the part of Great Britain, notwithstanding the many insults and impres- sions which we must sensibly resent, yet, nevertheless, from an affection to his Majesty, which we have at all times evidenced, we are determined to act merely upon the defensive, so long as such conduct may be vindicated by reason, and the principles of self-preservation, but no longer.
13. That as we understand it has been in contemplation to apprehend sundry persons of this country, who have rendered themselves conspicuous in contending for the violated rights and liberties of their countrymen, we do recommend that should such an audacious measure be put in practice, to seize and keep in safe custody every servant of the present tyrannical and unconstitu- tional government throughout the country and province, until the persons so apprehended are liberated from the hands of our adversaries, and restored safe and uninjured to their respective friends and families.
14. That until our rights are fully restored to us, we will to the utmost of our power (and recommend the same to the other counties) withhold all commercial intercourse with Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, and abstain from the consumption of British merchandise and manufacture, and especially of East India teas and piece goods, with such additions, alternations and
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exceptions only as the Grand Congress of the colonies may agree to.
15. That under our present circumstances it is incumbent on us to encourage arts and manufactures amongst us by all means in our power; and that Joseph Palmer Esq of Braintree, Mr Ebenezer Dorr of Roxbury; Mr. James Bois and Mr. Edward Preston of Milton; and Mr. Nathaniel Guild of Walpole,-be and hereby are appointed a committee to consider of the best ways and means to promote and establish the same, and report to this convention as soon as may be.
16. That the exigencies of our public affairs demand that a Provincial Congress be called to concert such measures as may be adopted and vigorously executed by the whole people; and we do recommend it to the several towns in this county to choose members for such a Provincial Congress to be holden in Concord on the second Tuesday of October next ensuing.
17. That this county confiding in the wisdom and integrity of the Continental Congress now sitting at Philadelphia, will pay all due respect and submission to such measures as may be recom- mended by them to the colonies, for the restoration and estab- lishment of our just rights, civil and religious, and for renewing that harmony and union between Great Britain and the colonies so earnestly wished for by all good men.
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