History of Dracut, Massachusetts, called by the Indians Augumtoocooke and before incorporation, the wildernesse north of the Merrimac. First permanment settlement in 1669 and incorporated as a town in 1701, Part 11

Author: Coburn, Silas Roger
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Lowell MA : Press of the Courier-Citizen Co.
Number of Pages: 510


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Dracut > History of Dracut, Massachusetts, called by the Indians Augumtoocooke and before incorporation, the wildernesse north of the Merrimac. First permanment settlement in 1669 and incorporated as a town in 1701 > Part 11


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


"They left the ploughshare in the mold The flocks and herds without a fold The sickle in the unshorn grain The corn half garnered on the plain."


The battles which were fought during the first years of the Revolution were those in which only Minute Men and militia were engaged, and until its close the Federal Government ex- ercised but little power.


"Valley Forge was the pivotal, bloodless battle of the Revo- lution, and it marked the disappearance of the state militia levy and the birth of the American army." (Gen. Philip Reade U.S. A.)


"These Minute Men were trained often, the towne paying the expense, when the company after its field exercises would sometimes repair to the meeting house to hear a patriotic sermon, or partake of an entertainment at the Town House where zealous 'Sons of Liberty' would exhort them to prepare to fight bravely for God and their country."


"Lord Percy said at table he never saw anything equal to the intrepedity of the Minute Men. They were of all classes and it was held as a marked distinction to be chosen as an officer in a company."


"The fife, the drum and the trumpet were the only instru- ments then used in the Continental army. The tunes usually played were 'Yankee Doodle' and 'The Road to Boston.' The tune of 'Chester' by William Billings was sometimes heard in camp and before the close of the war several new marches were introduced. Military bands were not formed in this country


12


HISTORY OF DRACUT


until about the commencement of the last century. They were in some instances taught by the Hessions who settled here after the war was over."


At the period when restrictions of commerce, the stamp act, the tax on tea and other oppressive acts were being put forth by the English Government, it is with pleasure that we find a few members of Parliament who recognized the injustice of these acts and were outspoken in their condemnation. In a speech by Walpole he said: "I will leave the taxation of America to some of my successors who have more courage than I have." And Mr. Pitt also said : "I will never burn my fingers with an Ameri- can stamp act." The result of all this agitation, the hardships of the seven years' war resulted in the birth of a nation which eventually was to take its place among the foremost nations of the world. Although the war was not formally commenced until after the battle at Lexington on April 19, 1775, there were indi- cations of trouble which warranted a preparation for the event.


As early as 1770, the citizens of Boston, irritated beyond endurance by the conduct of the British troops, met a company of soldiers in the streets of Boston and, while opposing their advance, received a discharge from the muskets which killed several of the citizens. This is known as the Boston Massacre. In this affray Dracut had no part, but the news was received by the townspeople and the spirit of liberty was aroused. A warrant was issued by the town for the purpose of calling a town meeting on the 12th day of January, 1775: "Then and there to see if the inhabitants will vote to come into any method for raising any support for the poor of the Town of Charlestown and Boston now under oppressed circumstances, in struggling for the liberties of their country."


The records of the disposition of the articles in a warrant are often lacking, but we learn from a record made at a later date that assistance was rendered. "Charlestown Feb. 15 1775 Received from the town of Dracut by the hand of Parker Var- num forty five and a half bushels of rye and indian meal, also twenty eight pounds, eighteen shillings old tenor in cash for the relief of the poor sufferers by the cruel Boston Port Bill, for which we shall account to the town of Boston." This last named town was not incorporated as a city until after the Revolution.


121


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR


At this same meeting Peter Coburn, Sr., was chosen to represent the town at a meeting of the Provincial Congress to be held Feb- ruary 1, 1775, at Cambridge. The people realized the need of a co-operation of the Colonies, and to accomplish this, a committee of the leading men who were known to be earnest in the cause of liberty were appointed. This committee was called the Com- mittee of Correspondence and Safety. The men from Dracut chosen to serve on this committee were: Thomas Hovey, Amos Bradley, Isaac Fox, William Hildreth and Dr. Joseph Hunt. As early as 1770, two volunteer companies were raised in Dracut. One of these was composed of 70 men, who elected Joseph B. Varnum for captain.


In December, 1774, the Provincial Congress decided to enlist 12000 men to act as Minute Men. The train band was re- organized with Stephen Russell, captain; Ephraim Coburn, lieutenant; and Abraham Coburn, ensign. Joseph Bradley Varnum, before mentioned, a young man of 23 years of age, was made military instructor. He was well-fitted for the duties hav- ing made a careful study of the tactics which were in use at the time. His commission as captain was dated May 31, 1776.


In those days no house was completely equipped which did not include a musket or "Queens arm," as it was called, with powder, bullets and flints. So when the bells were rung for an alarm or a signal gun fired by a farmer, each man seized his own musket and ran to meet his comrades at the rallying place which had been appointed. Deposited in the Dracut museum is an old assessment and rate book in which is an entry relating to this time. It is entitled, "County and Baggonate rate East part 1774." The book is a curiosity as the cover is made of a piece of oak board about the thickness of cigar box board and covered with brown paper. The number to be assessed is 120 and in addition to the County rates the assessments are to pay for the "purchase of a number of Baggonates for the towns use." This is signed by Ephraim Coburn, Peter Coburn, and Ephraim Curtis, the selectmen and assessors. They were not at first pro- vided with baggonates, or bayonets, as now called, and at Lex- ington and Bunker Hill they were not needed, but later the bayonet charge by the Provincials was so fierce and determined that the trained soldiers of England were forced to retire be- fore them.


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HISTORY OF DRACUT


The courage of the American soldiers was underestimated, and it was said by the British officers that "any two regiments ought to be decimated if they do not beat in the field the whole force of the Massachusetts Province; for though they are numerous they are but a mob without order or discipline and very awkward at handling arms."


The Provincial Congress was not clothed with any authority. Although the Colonies sent representatives, they could only consult in relation to ways and means and to recommend measures. These measures would be received by the towns, but it was optional with them whether they accepted or rejected them. In March, 1775, the town voted : "That we comply with the resolves of the Provincial Congress so far as is in our power." Also "to have Baggonates for a Company of minit men." "To draw out one quarter part of the soldiers as Minute men, as recommended by the Provincial Congress." Voted "To give the Minute Men one shilling for exercising one half day each week for ten weeks to come after they are equipped unless the last act of Parliament-Boston Port Bill-shall be repealed." "Voted That if any of the Minute Men refuse to go when called for that they shall not receive their wages for service."


Thus the town was gradually preparing for the storm which burst upon them and which the wiser ones could foresee. The next step was the enlistment of men and the formation of companies. Officers were elected and the men instructed in the military exercises of the time.


Arrangements were made amongst the members of these companies by which the discharge of a musket in the night would summon each man at once to the training field. One of these fields was located near Hovey Square, westerly of the Henry Richardson house, and is now crossed by Henry street. In 1799, the town built a powder house near the spot and in recent years it was used by Mr. Richardson for a well house.


When, on April 18, 1775, the King's troops marched out of Boston on their expedition to destroy the stores of ammunition at Concord and Lexington, their plans had been so secretly matured that the surrounding towns were taken by surprise. The ride of Paul Revere to notify the townspeople has been recorded in history and verse.


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THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR


"It was twelve by the village clock When he crossed the bridge into Medford town


It was one by the village clock When he rode into Lexington


* *


It was two by the village clock When he came to the bridge in Concord town."


So perfect was the organization and so well understood the system of signals that not only the towns nearby, but those more remote were hurrying forward their Minute Men by daylight. Many of them were too late to participate in the first conflict, but assisted in the demoralization which took place during the retreat of the English soldiers to Boston. "Whenever it comes to blows, he that can run the fastest will think himself the best off." This was said by one of the British officers before the battle, referring to the Provincials, and the words were literally trne on this memorable 19th of April when applied to the British soldiery.


In an address delivered by Dr. M. G. Parker at Dracut Center, he said: "The British in their report of this battle com- plained of the Americans to the King calling them murderers be- cause they took aim in battle; they did take aim and they hit the mark, not only at Lexington and Concord, but when they aimed at old England as well." Until a later period there was no army organization, and no authorized call for the Minute Men. Each company was independent and each man depended on his captain for orders. At the battle on April 19th, Major Buttrick assumed command, not by appointment but by virtue of his rank being higher than that of the other officers. After the affray at Lexington, the British hurried to Concord. They were met by Colonel Barrett, who, as ranking officer ordered Major John Bnttrick to advance at the head of the militia and Minute Men. As the British retreated through Lexington, they encountered more of the minute men, but the Dracut companies under Cap- tains Peter Coburn and Stephen Russell, were too late to en- gage in the fight and continued their march to Cambridge.


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HISTORY OF DRACUT


Frank W. Coburn in his "Battle of April 19, 1775," records that: "In Dracut, twenty five miles from Boston, the alarm was given soon after two-oclock by the firing of a gun by Captain Trull across the Merrimack river in Tewksbury, a signal previously agreed upon, which aroused Captain Joseph Bradley Varnum. Two companies marched immediately, one under Captain Peter Coburn and the other under Captain Stephen Russell."


In volume XIII, "Lexington Alarms," we find the "Muster Roll of the Company of Militia under command of Captain Stephen Russell of Dracut in Col. Greenes Regt, that marched on ye 19th of April A. D. 1775 against ye manisterial troops."


Stephen Russell Capt.


John Harvey


Eph™ Coburn Ist Lt.


James Mansur


Abra. Coburn 2d Lt.


Wm Lyndsey


Matthew Parker Sgt.


Wm Coburn


Benja. French Sgt.


Francis Sawyer


Timo. Barker Sgt


Joshua Pilsbery


Reuben Sawyer


James Harvey


David Jones


Wm Taylor


Samuel Brown


David Trull


Moses Goodhue


Thomas Taylor


John Austin


David Jones Jr.


Jos. Hebbard


Ephraim Hall


Thos. Lindsay


Ephraim Parker


Jona. Crosby jr.


Ezekiel Cheever


Obadiah Richardson


Timothy Frye


Zacha. Goodhue Jr.


John Wood


Wm Hildreth


Stephen Wood


Robert Nicklas


John Gilchrest


Caleb Austin


Job Coburn


Ezra Coburn


Wm Clough


Saml. Piper


Nehh Flint


Ephraim Wright


Hugh Jones


Eliphalet Fox


Jesse Adams


Caleb Sawyer


George Burns


David Austin


Kindall Parker


Wm Farnum


James Davis


Hincher Parker


Mitchell Calley


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THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR


James Sprague


John Bowers


Moses Davis


John Taylor


Green Parker


Wm Harvey


David Blood


John Hancock


Joseph B. Varnum


Dan1 Clough


Abijah Wood


Solo Jones


Jacob Coburn


Moses Barker


Thomas Varnum


David Clement


James Reed


David Lyndsay


Jonª Coburn


Timº Davis


Jona Taylor


John Barron


Wm Wood


John Thissell


Jonas Richardson


John Roper


Bartho Massey


Thomas Wright


Uriah Coburn


Simon Fox


"Mdx S.S Dec 18, 1775 The above & within named Capt Stephen Russell appeared & made solemn oath that this roll by him subscribed is just and true according to the best of his un- derstanding & that the carefullest examination had been made by him in his power relating thereto.


Sworn before me


JNº VARNUM, Just. Peace."


The total number of names on the roll in 87 and the time of service two to seven days.


Roll of Capt. Peter Coburn's Company of Minute Men who marched to Lexington :


Capt Peter Coburn Lieut Josiah Foster


Ebenezer Varnum


Sgt. Miles Flint


" Isaac Bradley


" Parker Varnum


Drummer Wm Webster


Privates Josiah Hildreth


Samuel Barron


John Bowers Jr


Edward Wyman


Wm Hildrick


Leonard Coburn


David Fox


Timº Brown jr


David Adams


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HISTORY OF DRACUT


Hezekiah Coburn


Jona. Hamblet


Bradley Varnum


John Varnum


Peter Hazleton


Benja. Barron


Jonathan Parkhurst


Jonas Varnum


Isaac Merrill


John Bradley


Jonathan Hills


Jonas Whiting


Samuel Coburn


Josiah Fox


Henchman Richardson


Abijah Fox


Zebulon Jones


Solomon Wood


Micah Hildreth


Jona. Richardson


James Varnum


Abijah Hill


James Hunt


Benja. Crosby


Phineas Coburn


Jona. Jones


Total number on the roll 39


These names appear as spelled on the original rolls, so causing some peculiar spelling, thus William Hildreth's name is spelled Hildrick, which was a not unusual way of pronoun- cing the name in later years.


DRACUT MEN AT BUNKER HILL


After the affray at Lexington and Concord, the men en- gaged in it, being enlisted for no particular term of service, re- turned to their homes. But they were well aware that the British commander at Boston would soon take measures to quell the incipient rebellion, and they at once prepared to resist. In a list of Revolutionary soldiers kept in a private journal and discovered many years after the war in a secret compartment of a desk, there are names of men who served in the war. This was probably kept by Ephraim Coburn whose name appears as First Lieutenant in Captain Russell's company and now in possession of his lineal descendant, Clarence G. Coburn. The whole list is given, although some names have been recorded in the two preceding lists.


"The Lists of the men that have been in the American Servis Since the Battle at Lexington" "Those that were Engaged at Cambridge Eight Months"


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THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR


Jonas Whiting Samuel Whiting John Fox Moses Clement


Ser. James Varnum


Ser. William Harvey


Corp1 John Hancock


Corp1 John Taylor


Nehemiah Jacquest


Corp1 Jesse Fox


Capt Peter Coburn


Corp1 John Barron


Lieut Josiah Foster


Jonas Varnum


Lieut Ebenezer Varnum


Josua Varnum Seth Ditson


Ser. Phineas Coburn


Jonathan Jones


Josiah Fox


Benjamin Barron


Moses Barker


Jonathan Richardson


Elijah Hildreth


Amos Sawyer


David Clough


Abijah Hills


Major Joseph Varnum Hird £18-0-0 Solomon Jones Abijah Fox


The company encamped at Cambridge was the one that par- ticipated in the battle at Bunker Hill. The complete roll of the company is on file and is entitled, "Minute Roll of Capt. Peter Coburns Co. in Col. Bridges Regiment at Battle of Bunker Hill June 17 1775 and in the siege of the British Army in Boston in the Autumn of 1775." The additional names besides those at Cambridge were as follows:


Moses Richardson


William Emerson


John Varnum (Methuen)


David Lindsay


Henry Barron


Tobias Briggs


John Bradley


John Thissell


Nathaniel Kittredge


Peter Coburn Jr.


Samuel Jenness


Thomas Right John Roper


Solomon Wood


Timothy Patch


Thomas Gardner


Gardner Gould


Zebdiel Fitch


William Varnum Timothy Davis


Joseph Tuttel Elijah Tuttel


Daniel Clough (Methuen)


William Parker


Benjamin Crosby John Hoit


Jonathan Hamblett Total number of members in Company 58.


Ser. Micah Hildreth


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HISTORY OF DRACUT


Peter Coburn, Jr., was the youngest member of the Company, being only ten years old. His presence was due to the fact that after his father's company had marched, he ran away from home and joined them while on the road to Cambridge. The names of the Dracut men who lost their lives at Bunker Hill are Joseph Hibbard, a member of Captain John Davis's Methuen Company ; John Thissell and Benjamin Crosby of Captain Peter Coburn's Company.


Bronze tablets have been erected at Charlestown on which are placed the names of those who fell at Bunker Hill. Joseph Hibbard is erroneously credited to Captain Sawyer's Company as he, as above stated, was a member of Captain Davis's. John Thessill's name appears on the tablet as a member of Captain Coburn's, but through some oversight the name of Benjamin Crosby is omitted from them. John Thessill, as the name is spelled, was the son of Richard and Mary Thissell and unele of Nathan, Daniel and Joshua Thissell and was born June 20, 1755. Benjamin Crosby was the son of Jonathan and Rebecca (Co- burn) Crosby, born August 12, 1754, and was a brother of the great-grandfather of the late Frank L. Crosby. Joseph Hibbard was the son of Joseph, who, in 1787, owned real estate in Dra- cut. We are not dependent on the muster rolls for information for there was another class of documents to which reference may be made, called the Coat Rolls.


In the records of the Journal of the Provincial Congress the following appears: "Resolved that thirteen thousand coats be provided, as soon as may be, and one thereof given to each non commissioned officer and soldier in the Massachusetts forces, agreeably to the resolve of Congress on the 23d day of April last." A schedule was prepared and orders sent to the different towns to furnish them. They were allowed four shillings each for making and five shillings and four pence for cloth, seven- eighths of a yard wide, and as far as possible the soldiers from each town were provided with the coats made in that town. This was good policy, as the townspeople would have an addi- tional incentive to perform their work well. The family of the member of a company who had lost his life could demand the coat to which they were as much entitled as they were to his pay. The orders for the return of these coats and pay are re- corded.


Abel Cobran


(See Page 422)


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THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR


"Methuen Feb 2, 1776. To the Committee of Supplies this may certify that Joseph Hibbard the son of Joseph of Dracutt enlisted into my Company in Col. James Fryes Regiment and served from the 19th of April till the Battle of Bunker Hill, and was then wounded of which wound he died, and was en- titled to a Coat which he has not reed


JOHN DAVIS Capt."


"Dracutt Nov 14 1775 We the subscribers do certify that Mr. Richard Thissell is the sole right and proprietor of his son John Thissells wages that was killed at Bunker Hill fight in June last signed by two selectmen of Dracut."


Captain Coburn's company was engaged in the battle, oc- cupying a prominent position and it is remarkable that only these thr e Lost their lives. The clothes worn by Capt. Coburn were pierced by bullets in many places, but he escaped injury. After several repulses and with great loss, the British at length reached the hastily prepared breastworks and an officer called out, as the Americans retreated, "Now, my boys, we have you." As he made this statement, a stone thrown by Capt. Coburn knocked him senseless. A letter written by Capt. Peter Coburn soon after the battle has been preserved and its contents will be read with interest :


"Camp Cambridge June 17, 1775


The regiments were ordered from Cambridge to Charles- town and they arrived there about eleven o'clock at night, and then and there began a breastwork, and pursued until about sun- rise the next morning. About sunrise the troops fired on us from the ships as they lay in the ferry way, and killed one Pollard that lived in Billerica, and they continued their fire at times, all the forenoon, and we finished our breastwork about twelve o'clock, at about which time they began to land nigh our breast- work and landed about 400 men, and in about two hours began to fire at us at our own breastwork, and continued to fire very brisk near about two hours. At length they stormed our breast- work and we were obliged to flee, and they pursued us as far as Bunker Hill, but we killed or wounded fourteen or fifteen hundred, and the loss sustained by us was few, about one hun-


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HISTORY OF DRACUT


dred and fifty killed, wounded and missing and on the 17th day of June I arrived at Cambridge about sunset, alive but much fatigued and tired. Blessed be God therefor."


When reading in this letter that "they pursued us as far as Bunker Hill," we must bear in mind that while the Americans were ordered to erect breastworks on Bunker Hill, they, by mis- take, erected them on Breeds Hill. We are told that the British landed from the boats and marched up the hill in military order. thinking it an easy matter to capture the redoubt. This was the first real battle which was fought, as the others could only be called massacres, and while in reality a defeat, it is considered by the American people of as much importance as a victory, as it showed the courage of the Provincial troops and that the militia could successfully meet the trained soldiers of England. Bunker Hill monument proclaims to the world that we glory in the results of the memorable day.


On the 10th of May, a second session of the Continental Congress was held at Philadelphia. In Masachusetts, General Ward was in command, while other states had their own officers, a state of affairs not conducive to decisive results. It was dur- ing this session, but later than June 17th, that the command was given to George Washington. He arrived at Cambridge on the second of July and his first object was to relieve Boston of the presence of the British soldiers. On account of the need of siege guns and ammunition, the occupation of Bunker Hill for this purpose was a failure and the Commander-in-chief decided to occupy Dorchester Heights, from which Boston could more easily be stormed. Ordering siege guns from Fort Ticonderoga which were drawn on sledges, he took possession of the Heights and menaced Boston. The British General realizing his danger, evacuated the town and the American soldiers occupied the place. The name of one Dracut soldier who participated in this move- ment is William Abbott, born Sept. 8, 1757, son of Daniel and Lucy (Parker) Abbott. He married Patty daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Hall) Coburn.


Early in the year 1776, the citizens of Dracut took measures to perform their part in continuing the conflict, and to know what military stores were available and what must be procured.


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THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR


At a town meeting held January 12th, a committee of Correspond- ence, Inspection and Safety was chosen, consisting of Samuel Coburn, Dr. James Abbott, Reuben Sawyer, John Bowers, William Hildreth, Parker Varnum, Eliseus Barron, Stephen Rus- sell and Joseph B. Varnum. By the appointment of this com- mittee the different parts of the town were represented. Samuel Coburn and Parker Varnum reported for the west part of the town, Dr. James Abbott for Collinsville, Stephen Russell and William Hildreth for the Center and Navy Yard village and Eliseus Barron and J. B. Varnum for East Dracut. The com- mittee reported a scarcity of bayonets and flints, and advised the purchase of lead for bullets, which were made in the home. Hugh Jones, Amos Bradley and Ebenezer Coburn were chosen as purchasing agents. The battle of White Plains was fought October 28, 1776; this was on the east side of the Hudson river, near Tarrytown. The result was not decisive and as the Ameri- cans withdrew from the field, the retreat was covered by Col. Brooks' regiment, in which was Capt. Zach. Wright's company. The company was composed of men from Chelmsford, Dunstable, Westford and Dracut. The record at the State House is as follows :


"Camp at White Plains


Oct. 31, 1776


Return of Capt. Zach. Wrights Company in Col. Brooks Reigement. The names of the Dracut men are


Jonas Varnum Sergt


Caleb Astens t


Robert foard


Saul Coburn §


John Hancock Corpl. Jonathan Jones


Jonathem Parkhurst


William Hildreth


Henry Coburn


M. Broadstreet Coburn t


Samuel Barron


Daniel Coburn


Moses Davis §


Peter Parker §


Amos Sawyer t Simon Flint *


Leonard Coburn §


Solomon Abot §


Sick Broadstreet Coburn Caleb Asten


t wounded § Sent with the wounded ** killed.


Lost in battle 2 guns 2 Bayonets, 2 Swoards, 10 Napsacks 14 Blankets, 7 coats 4 Jacoats 13 Britches 27 Pairs Stockings 7 Shoes 16 Shirts.


ZACHEUS WRIGHT Captain."


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HISTORY OF DRACUT


THE DRACUT CONVENTION


The Committees of Correspondence and Safety from eleven New Hampshire and Massachusetts towns met at the house of Major Joseph Varnum Nov 5 1776, "To consider the alarming situation of Public Affairs, exorbitant prices etc." After some deliberation it was resolved to call a convention of committees and agents of towns to meet on the 26th of the same month, and to notify other towns to send representatives, if they chose to do so. The Convention met at the appointed time and 50 dele- gates were present from about 26 towns in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The Dracut delegates were Major William Hil- dreth, Samuel Colburn, Ephraim Colburn, Abraham Colburn and Parker Varnum. It was voted that "in the opinion of this convention the unhappy difficulties arising on account of the exorbitant prices that are demanded and taken for many of the necessaries of life, is a matter worthy of our consideration, and that it be a subject of inquiry at this time. Upon a fair inquiry it has been made to appear to the convention that such is the advantage taken by the merchant, farmer, trader and others of those who are obliged to purchase the necessaries of life from them, that unless some speedy and effectual remedy take place, it is the opinion of this convention that those un- righteous practices will prove the inevitable ruin of the states, there resolved that This Convention will petition the Legislative authorities of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, them requesting that they would be pleased to take the premises under consideration, and so to regulate the purchases and sales of the necessaries of life as to obviate the evils we imagine will other- wise ensue." A petition was prepared in substance as follows : The petition "Humbly showeth that notwithstanding sundry resolves and recommendation of the Hon. Continental Congress by which we apprehend they intended that no unreasonable advantage should be taken in the purchase or sale of foreign com- modites, the product of our farms or our own manufactures and did agree and expressly determine that such as are venders of goods and merchandise should sell at the same rate they had been accustomed to do for 12 months then last past, many persons in the states aforesaid altogether disregarding the said proceedings




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