USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Orleans > History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, Barnstable Co., Mass from 1644-1844 > Part 7
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, Barnstable Co., Mass from 1644-1844 > Part 7
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Wellfleet > History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, Barnstable Co., Mass from 1644-1844 > Part 7
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employ the time of the Court, and it was therefore thought to be unnecessary for the sessions of the Court to be held so frequently.
Voted to raise £160 lawful money to pay the schoolmas- ters, and other town charges.
1761. Agents were appointed to agree with the agents of Harwich, respecting the taxing of real estate lying in each town, where the owner lived in the other town.
The report of the committee respecting the taxing of the inhabitants of this town and Harwich, was as follows: 'Hav- ing considered the circumstances, and the quality of the land lying in each town, we have mutually agreed that the town of Harwich shall assess the inhabitants in said town, for all the real estate they own in the town of Eastham; and the town of Eastham the inhabitants in said town, for all the real, estate they own in Harwich.'
Capt. Pepper was appointed an agent to divide the fence with Harwich, by Skaket River, or to do what might be thought proper to prevent the cattle from gaining on the flats and sedge ground.
Money was raised to support the poor of the town. This is the first notice of a poor tax.
1762. Eastham, in number of inhabitants, wealth and importance, was the first township in the county of Barnsta- ble. Billingsgate, then called Wellfleet, being separated from it, four townships immediately rose above it.
The north precinct sent a petition to the town to be set off into a separate district, and it was agreed by the town that their request should be granted.
It was also agreed by both parties, that the privileges for whaling, fishing, oystering and harboring, should be enjoyed as before, and that the district be a part of the town of East- bam so far as in the choice of a representative.
From this time the town felt a deeper interest in the cause of education, and were more liberal in the support and in- crease of town schools than before. Several. schools were kept in the different sections of the town. The schools had been kept in private houses, but school-houses were now
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built, and large committees were chosen to regulate and pro- mote the interests of education.
Much labor and expense was laid out to preserve the beaches, shores and sandy lands, from injury by violent winds and storms; and other public and useful improvements were made in the town.
The boundaries between the lands of individuals, and be- tween this town and Harwich, Chatham, and the district of Wellfleet, were renewed.
A settlement was made by a committee of the accounts between the town and the district of Wellfleet. The town paid to the district, as due to them, £21, 10s. 8d. as their part of the money in the town treasury, raised for the purpose of schooling.
New highways and roads were laid out, and old roads re- paired.
These townships continued to flourish till the revolutiona- ry war stopped their further progress.
Jonathan Higgins was one of the deacons of the church, and was one of a committee, at this time, to request the Court of Quarter Sessions to lay a fine of eight shillings on any person or persons who should be exposed to the small- pox, and not give notice of it to the selectmen.
1763. A number of petitions were sent by the town to the General Court, and agents chosen to present them, for different objects, the most of them being of a local nature.
Edward Knowles was one of the deacons of the church at this time. He was appointed, with others, to draw up a me- morial to the General Court, against the petition of a number of persons, belonging to Harwich, and living at Potanuma- quiet, to be set off to the town of Eastham. Afterwards the town concluded to receive them, with the Indian inhabitants who were included within the line.
1764. The towns of Eastham and Harwich ordered the respective selectmen of each town to meet, and run a line and make bounds between the towns. They marked anew the north bounds at Namskaket, and then run southerly to a black oak tree near Baker's pond, marked E. H. with a
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stone; thence to the southwest part of the pond, to a heap of small stones in the edge of the pond; thence southerly, to a stake and stones, near Chatham road; thence southerly, fol- lowing the road; thence to the southeast, into the bay, by a rock at the edge of the water; thence to Potanumaquiet har- bor, as the channel runs .*
Signed by Jonathan Higgins, Simeon Doane and James Paine, selectmen of Eastham; and by Benjamin Freeman and Elisha Smith, selectmen of Harwich.
The Rev. Mr. Crocker died March 2d, 1772, in the fif- ty-eighth year of his age, and the thirty-third of his ministry.
In 1765, a line was agreed upon and run, by a committee from each town, between Eastham and Wellfleet. Beginning at a white oak tree, at the head of Indian brook, marked on the south side with the letter E, and on the north side by the letter W; thence running due east, by marked trees, to a pine tree, marked on the south side E, and on the north W; thence east to the back side; and from the first mentioned bounds at the head of Indian brook, running westerly, as the brook runs, to a stake on the beach, at the mouth of said In - dian brook, crossing the end of Billingsgate poini, to Barnsta- ble bay.
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THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND DOINGS OF THE TOWN FROM 1772 TO 1797, WHEN ORLEANS WAS SEPARAT- ED FROM IT ;- INCLUDING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Rev. Jonathan Bascom was ordained over the church and society in the south part of the town, in 1772.
We come now to a period in the history of Eastham, and of the whole country, of deep and thrilling interest, 'a time .
* This is the present line between Orleans and Brewster.
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which tried men's souls.' Difficulties and troubles arose be- tween this and the mother country, of the most alarming and threatening aspect, in consequence of the heavy taxes and unendurable burdens which England imposed on the colo- nies. Eastham was not backward to assert the liberties and rights which were guarantied by the charters and constitu- tions of Great Britain to the colonies.
1773. A town meeting was called, and assembled the twenty-seventh of February, to deliberate and act relative to the public grievances. Capt. Solomon Pepper being chosen moderator, the town voted to give their representatives in- structions touching this matter, and chose a large committee to make a report on this subject, which was done as follows:
'Your committee chosen for this purpose, now report the following resolutions, to be passed by this meeting-
'1. That the several acts of the British Parliament, which are so generally complained of by these colonies, are manifest violations of our rights.
'2. That we should be happy if the connection might be continued between Great Britain and these colonies, and they be governed ac- cording to the true spirit and meaning of our several charters and the British constitution.
'3. We justly dread the consequences which the burdens we groan under, if not removed, must produce.
'4. That every true friend of his country who shall have the offer of a seat as a judge in the session or court of judicature, upon such a detestable plan, as we hear is established, will bless his memory, by rejecting it with abhorrence ; and that all who accept as above, in- stead of being esteemed the dispensers of justice between man and man, will be objects of contempt.
'5. That we have a right to meet, deliberate and act on all matters worthy of our attention, and we look upon that man or society of men, who can sit still and see their rights and privileges and money daily taken from them without their consent, not worthy of the name of freemen.
'6. That we have a right to communicate our sentiments and ask advice of any or all the towns in the province or elsewhere, if need be.'
These resolutions being offered and read by the commit- tee, in a full town meeting, they were passed in the affirma- tive.
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"Then it was voted, that the rights of Americans, as stated by the committee of Boston, are agreeable to our sentiments, and that the inhabitants of the town of Boston deserve the thanks of their country, for their zeal and activity in the cause of liberty, as surely they have of this town. It was then vot- ed, that the above sentiments and resolutions be registered in the town's book of records, for a memorial of the value that we put upon our rights and privileges. Barnabas Freeman, Thomas Paine and Joseph Cole were a committee to trans- mit a copy of these proceedings to the committee of the town of Boston.'.
Such were the resolutions and doings of the town of East- ham, and they had wise and good men to carry them out.
They imbibed largely the spirit and resolution of their fa- thers, who left their native country, where they were oppress- ed and persecuted, that they might enjoy here religious and civil privileges.
'They were by charter, when they came here, entitled to all the liberties and immunities of free and natural subjects of Great Britain.
They had not, by coming to this country, forfeited any of these rights, but were, and their descendants were, entitled to enjoy all such of them as were applicable to their circum- stapces and condition here. English liberty was founded on the right of the people to participate in their legislative coun- cils; and as the colonies were not represented in parliament, they had the sole and exclusive right of making laws in all cases whatever, subject only to the king's negative, in the way provided for by the charter of William and Mary. The allegiance of the colonies was due, not to the parliament, but to the king, because he was entitled to the crown, and because they had bound themselves in allegiance to him in that capacity.
The parliament had for many years passed acts, not only imposing heavy duties on imported articles of consumption into the colonies, but also to regulate their internal policy.
The molasses and sugar act was a revenue measure, and as such was pronounced a violation of their rights, of the
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English constitution, and all the charters and compacts with the colonies. So strong and determined was the opposition to this act, that James Otis declared that if the king of Eng- land in person was encainped on Boston common, at the head of twenty thousand men, with all his navy on our coast, he would not be able to execute it. As to the laws for regulat- ing our internal policy, some of them, as the hatter's act, and that against rolling and slitting mills, and forges, were never carried into effect.
These and all other oppressive acts of parliament were firmly resisted. The officers charged with the execution of the stamp act were compelled to resign. Associations were formed throughout the province, not to import or use any foreign merchandise on which a duty tax was imposed. The teas sent to Boston by the East India Company were taken by force out of the vessels in which they were imported, and thrown into the dock. Many officers appointed by the king were compelled to decline.
1774. This town took measures in regard to the use and sale of tea, as a heavy duty had been lately put upon it by the parliament of Great Britain, and chose a committee of correspondence.
Thomas Paine and Joseph Cole, with seven others, were made a committee to report to the town concerning the sale and use of teas, who reported:
'1. That the seven late resolves of the citizens of Philadelphia, which the town of Boston and several other towns have adopted, are hereby adopted, as the expression of the sentiments of this town con- cerning it.
'2. That the disposal of their own property is the inherent right of freemen, and that it cannot be rightfully taken from them without their consent.
'3. That the duty imposed by parliament on tea landed in America, is levying contributions on us without our consent; and that the claim of parliament to tax America, is a claim of right to lay contributions on the country at their pleasure.
'4. That the express purpose for which the tax is levied on our country,-for the support of the government, and the administration of justice, and the defence of his majesty's dominions,-has a strict ten- dency to render our constitutional assemblies useless, and to introduce an arbitrary government and slavery.
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'5. That a virtuous and steady opposition against this ministerial plan of governing America, is necessary to preserve even a shadow of liberty ; and it is a duty which every freeman owes to himself, to his country, and to posterity.
'6. That the determination which the East India Company have lately adopted, to send their tea to America, subject to the payment of a duty, is an open attempt to enforce the ministerial plan, and a vi- olent attack on our liberties.
'7. That it is the duty of every American to oppose it.
'8. That whosoever shall, directly or indirectly, countenance this attempt, is an enemy to his country.'
These with several other resolutions were offered, and a- dopted by the town of Eastham, at this time, and were sent to the towns of Plymouth and Boston, with the thanks of the town, for their vigilance and care, in giving them the most early intelligence of this alarming state of public affairs.
The town appointed a large committee of vigilance and correspondence, who were required to make the most dili- gent and careful search for any persons who should buy, sell, or use this detestable article, that their names might be known abroad, as well as at home.
On the first day of September, of this year, his Excellen- cy Thomas Gage, Governor of Massachusetts Bay, sent out precepts to the several towns and districts in the province, commanding the inbabitants to return representatives to the great and general Court, ordered to be convened at Salem, on the fourth day of October then next. But the governor becoming alarmed by the preparations for resisting the usur- pations of chartered rights, by the bold spirit of the country resolves, and the patriotic instructions of the people to their delegates, issued an order countermanding the summons for the meeting of the Assembly, and postponed its session by a proclamation. Notwithstanding this, ninety of the rep- resentatives, who had been elected in pursuance of the writs for calling the General Assembly, met at Salem, at the time appointed, and after waiting a suitable time for the governor to administer the usual oaths, they proceeded to organize the convention. His Honor John Hancock was chosen chair- man, and Benjamin Lincoln, Esq., clerk.
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After passing several resolves in reference to the conduct of the governor and other royal officers, and also in reference to the condition of the country, upon a motion made and seconded, it was voted that 'the members present do now re- solve themselves into a Provincial Congress, to be joined by such other persons as have been, or may be chosen for that purpose, to take into consideration the dangerous and alarm- ing situation of public affairs in this province, and to consult and determine on such measures, as they shall judge will tend to promote the true interests of his majesty, and the peace, welfare and prosperity of the province.'
The town held frequent public meetings for the purpose of considering and acting on the condition of the troubled af- fairs of the country, chose committees of safety, and passed resolutions of approbation in regard to the proceedings of the Provincial Congress.
This year the town chose a committee to join with one from Wellfleet, to propagate the growth of oysters in that bay.
1776. The town voted to give their representative in- structions to use his influence that the Continental Congress should declare the united colonies independent of Great Brit- ain, and that they would defend the cause with their lives and fortunes; and they made choice of a large committee of correspondence and safety, according to the late resolve of the General Court. To encourage enlistment, a bounty of £8 was given to each man who would enlist in the conti- nental service, and £3 to volunteers in the provincial ser- vice. It was voted to pay five shillings per day to Mr. Amos Knowles, for his services in representing the town in the Provincial Congress ..
1777. A committee was appointed to join with the other committees in the county of Barnstable, that had or might be chosen in the several towns, to meet in convention at such time and place as might hereafter be agreed upon. The ob- ject of this convention was to remonstrate against any civil or military officer or officers who had been appointed by the king, and to petition the Provincial Congress for their re- moval, if they should think necessary, and also for some pro-
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tection to the county, or that so many of our men might not be called away, in our . exposed situation to the enemy; and to consult and deliberate upon any other matters which might appear conducive to the peace and happiness of the county of Barnstable. Solomon Pepper, Barnabas Freeman and Amos Knowles were chosen delegates for this town.
This year the brig Wilkes, Captain Williams, was cast a- way on the back side of the town, and much property was stolen from the wrecked vessel. The town held a meeting and appointed a committee to detect and bring to justice, if possible, any persons who had committed this robbery, and take measures to clear the character of the town in this af- fair.
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1778. Money was again raised to encourage the enlisting of soldiers, to complete the quota of the continental army, as required of them by the government. The town raised £80 old tenor for each man who should go to Fishkill in the service, agreeable to the resolve of the General Court; also raised £1080 old tenor, to encourage soldiers to enlist in the army for different expeditions; and also chose a committee to provide for the families of those men who had enlisted in the continental army for three years or during the war; and at a subsequent meeting raised £1500 old tenor, to carry on the war.
1779. The question was before the town for their con- sideration, whether they would vote to have a new constitu- tion of government. It was taken by yeas and nays, thirty voting in the negative and two in the affirmative.
It was agreed that the salaries of their ministers, Rev. Messrs. Cheever and Bascom, should be £275 old tenor, each.
It was agreed to choose a committee of eleven men to regulate the prices of the necessaries of life, according to a resolve of a state convention held at Concord.
The town had now become poor in consequence of the war, which had destroyed their fisheries and commerce.
The town often petitioned the General Court to abate their state taxes, as it was with great difficulty they could
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support the gospel and schools among them, and pay the sol- diers which they were required to furnish for the service.
Their determination to defend their rights and liberties, however, never for. a moment abated, nor were their hopes of final deliverance from British tyranny lessened.
1780. They agreed to enlist the number of men for the continental service, which the General Court required of them, and , to pay them thirteen Spanish milled dollars per month, in addition to the forty shillings which was paid by the state, and one month in advance before they marched. At this time the paper money of the province was so depreci- ated in value, that sixty dollars of paper were only equal to one of silver.
The governor, lieutenant governor and senators, for the first time were chosen by the people. In this town, John Hancock had forty-three votes for governor; James Bow- doin, twenty-six for lieutenant governor; and Solomon Free- man, thirty-six for senator.
1781. The town hired four men to join the army in Rhode Island, and agreed to pay each of them per month sixteen bushels of grain and two silver. dollars, and to bear their expenses on the way. These men were David Taylor, Benoni Baker, Nathaniel Knowles and Abijah Mayo.
The government passed a resolve that this and the other towns in the county should furnish a quantity of beef for the army, which requisition they felt themselves unable to comply with, and appointed a committee to confer with the other towns, which resulted in the choice of Doctor John Davis as their agent to present their petition to the Court, praying that the requisition of the twentieth of October, 1781, might be remitted, and that a committee of the Court be ap- pointed to inquire into the ability of the lower towns in the county.
Agreed to instruct their representative to use his influence concerning the fisheries in the northern states, in case arti- cles of peace should be offered.
John Hancock had forty-seven votes for governor.
1782. The town chose a committee to wait on the com-
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When the war was declared against Great Britain, the Continental Congress had no money to carry it on; and hav- ing no power to lay taxes, their only recourse was to issue bills of credit, and pledge the faith of the colonies for their redemption. These bills of credit for a time passed as cur- rently as gold and silver; but as the amount that was neces-, sary to defray the public expenses very much exceeded the quantity of the specie circulating medium, the bills soon be- gan and continued to depreciate until 1780, when they be- 12
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came worthless. They remained so until 1790, when Con- gress passed an act to redeem this paper money, at the rate of one hundred dollars in bills for one in specie. The whole amount issued at different times during the war, was two hun- dred millions of dollars, and yet they were worth in gold and silver three hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars only. The whole cost of their independence to the people of the United States is believed to have been about one hundred and forty millions of dollars.
John Hancock had fifty-five votes for governor.
1784. John Hancock had forty-eight votes for governor. .
1785. The town again prayed the General Court for an abatement of the public taxes, and appointed Col. Job Crock- er as an agent to present their petition.
This year a petition was sent to the General Court, re- specting the valuation which was to be taken, representing a change in their circumstances. -.
A committee was sent down by the General Court, to view the town, and to inquire into their ability, or otherwise, to pay their portion of the public expenses.
A committee was appointed to procure a grammar school- master.
Measures were taken to prevent the people of other towns from digging clam bait within the limits of the town.
John Hancock had fifty-one votes for governor.
1786. The town was districted for the greater benefit of the schools, and each district drew its proportion of the moon- ey which was raised for school purposes,
Edward Knowles was deacon of the north church.
1790. Elijah Knowles, Amos Knowles and Isaac Spar- row were appointed as a committee to draft a petition to the General Court, for the purpose of regulating the fisheries.
A committee was also appointed to settle the bounds be- tween the proprietors' meadows on the northern part of Po- chet island.
1793. John Hancock had forty-nine votes for governor.
1794. Samuel Adams had fifty-five votes for governor.
1795. Mr. Philander Shaw of Marshfield, son of Rev.
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William Shaw, pastor of the church in that town, was heard as a candidate; when a committee of five, Elijah Knowles, Esq., Dea. Joseph Pepper, Mr. Jonathan Linnell, Dea. Samuel Smith and Col. Elisha Cobb, were chosen to' con- sider the amount of settlement and salary which should be given to Mr. Shaw as an encouragement to undertake the work of the ministry. They reported as follows: That they should give Mr. Shaw £80 salary and £200 settlement. This report was accepted and voted by the town. At an adjourned meeting the town reconsidered this vote, and sent a committee to Mr. Shaw, who returned with the following:
"To the Gentlemen of the Town of Eastham :
'I am informed, by your committee, that you have offered me the sum of £200 settlement, and £80 as an annual salary, to settle with you as minister of the north parish in this town. It is my request that you further add to the salary, the sum of £10. ' PHILANDER SHAW.'
The above request was read and voted; that is, to give Mr. Shaw £200 settlement and £90 salary; and he was or- dained September 23, 1795. .
His father was the son of the Rev. John Shaw of Bridge- water, who had four sons, three of whom received a public education, and were ministers of the gospel, and the other a physician, who practised his profession in his native town.
Mr. Shaw married his first wife in this town, Miss Dor- cas Doane, daughter of Mr. Joel Doane; his second wife was Miss Lucy Crocker, daughter of Mr. Alvan Crocker of Barnstable. He sustained the pastoral relation to this peo- ple till October 10, 1841, a period of a little more than for- ty-one years, when he died, aged seventy-three years. Re- vivals of religion were enjoyed in the town at some periods of his ministry: In the winter of 1837 and '38, be repre- sented the town of Eastham in the legislature of the state with reputation. After his connection with the parish was dissolved, which was about two years before his death, he did not abandon the sacred office, but preached occasionally, with acceptance, in his own and the neighboring parishes. As a preacher his voice was strong, and his articulation clear
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