USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > History of Framingham, Massachusetts, early known as Danforth's Farms, 1640-1880; with a genealogical register > Part 28
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
" And whether these Measures are not oppressive, let the English Annals determine; if they be, he that runs may read the natural operation.
259
War of the Revolution.
" From all which, it appears our absolute Duty to defend, in every Constitutional way, our dear Privileges, purchased with so much blood & treasure. Let us prudently endeavour to preserve our character as Freemen, and not lose that of Good & Loyal Subjects : Let us jointly labour after (and Heaven grant we may obtain) that magnanimity of soul, by which we may be enabled to resent Injuries, and let the world know that we are not governed by Feud & Faction.
" Per order of the committee,
"WM. BROWN."
"The foregoing Report, being several times distinctly read, the question was put, whether the same shall be accepted, and it passed in the affirmative, nemine contradicente.
" Voted, That the said Report be recorded in the Town Book, and an attested copy thereof be transmitted to the Committee of Corres- pondence at Boston."
December 16 of this year is memorable for the destruction of Tea in Boston harbor. Col. Joseph P. Palmer, afterwards a resident of this town, was one of this famous "Tea party."
1774. Framingham was prompt to espouse the cause of Boston at this juncture.
At a meeting of the selectmen, January 10, 1774, a warrant was issued as follows: "To Isaac Gibbs, Constable - You are required forthwith, to notify and warn the freeholders and other inhabitants of Framingham, qualified by law to vote in town affairs, by posting up notifications at Col. Buckminster's, John Trowbridge's, and Ebenezer Marshall's Tavern Houses, and at Stone's Mills, That they meet at the Public meeting-house in said town, on Tuesday the 25th day of this instant, at eleven o'clock in the morning, then and there to vote and determine on the following article, viz. Whereas of late years, great disputes have been between the Mother Country and the Colonies, with regard to the dutys laid on Teas, payable in America, by force of an Act of Parliament, for the purpose of raising a Revenue in the Colonies ; and said controversy seems now to be come to a crisis ; Therefore, To see if the town will come into any Determina- tions relating to these matters, whereby to contribute their mite, with other towns in the Province ; That if possible an End may be put to the Disputes aforesaid ; And vote and act on these important Matters, as the town shall judge proper.
"JOSIAH STONE, MATTHIAS BENT, I'M. BROWN, JAMES CLAYES, JOHN TROWBRIDGE,
Selectmen of Framingham."
260
History of Framingham.
" At the meeting Jan. 25, Josiah Stone was chosen moderator.
"The town took into their deliberate consideration, the subject matter contained in the warrant. A Letter from the Town Clerk of Boston, was read, with the papers accompanying it. The principles and guaran- tees of Magna Charta, of the Charter of this Province, and the sev- eral Acts of Parliament, were considered ; and after several hours' debate had on the Premises, The Town unanimously came into the following Determinations, viz. -
"Life and Property are so nearly connected, that the former with- out the latter is but an empty sound. It is for the preservation of these, that we choose to be in a political state, under such rules and regulations, which, if justly attended to, will preserve the State in peace and Good Order. For this very reason are men placed in and vested with Authority. So happy is our constitution, that the ruler and the ruled, when acting in their appropriate spheres, are under this glorious directory, viz. the advantage of the whole.
"Nor is it in the rightful Power of any in Authority, in what capacity soever, to take from the people their estates of whatever nature, without their voluntary consent. Witness the Statute of Edward the First : 'No tallage or aid shall be taken or levied by us or our Heirs in our Realm, without the good will and assent of archbishops Burgesses, and other Freemen of the land?' Our Charter grants and confirms the same Privilege. Therefore whoever presumes to violate this Privilege, exposes himself to the penalties specified in the Statute above named.
" It is upon the Honour of our Sovereign ; the Permanency of Magna Charta, and the Charter of this Province, that we build our political Faith; and we trust it will not prove a sandy foundation. Whoever endeavours to undermine this Faith, or will not earnestly defend it, gives up the name of free born Englishmen, for that of slaves. And however others may think of these things; from the considerations now brought forward, we find ourselves driven to the necessity of defending our Privileges as we would our Lives.
" And since by a late Act of Parliament, the East India Company are encouraged to send their Teas into America, subject to a Duty, and consigned to designated parties, not only is the right to levy tallage asserted, but the sinews of our mercantile Interest are cut. No advantage accrues, but what redounds to Particular Individuals, and not to the Body Politick.
" We therefore Resolve, That we ourselves, and any for or under us, will not buy any Teas subject to a Duty : Nor knowingly trade with any merchant or Country Trader that deals in that detestable commodity.
261
War of the Revolution.
"And since such means and methods are used to Destroy our Privileges, which were purchased by the best blood of our Ancestors - Those that stand foremost in a proper defence of our Privileges, shall have our greatest Regards : And if any shall be so regardless of our Political Preservation and that of Posterity, as to endeavour to coun- teract our Determinations, We will treat them in that manner their conduct Deserves."
The destruction of the Tea, Dec. 16, filled up the measure of colonial iniquity, in the estimation of the Ministry ; and the mighty power of a mighty nation was to be concentrated upon the town of Boston.
Lord North, in introducing the "Boston Port Bill " into Parliament, gives Massachusetts the pre-eminence in disloyalty, by saying, " Boston had ever been the ringleader in all riots, and had at all times shown a desire of seeing the laws of Great Britain attempted in vain in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. That the act of the mob in destroying the Tea, and the other proceedings, belonged to the acts of the public meeting ; and that though the other colonies were peaceable and well inclined towards the trade of this country, and the Tea would have been landed at New York without opposition ; yet when the news came from Boston that the Tea was destroyed, Governor Tryon thought it would be prudent to send the Tea back to England. Boston alone was to blame for having set the example ; therefore, Boston ought to be the principal object of our attention for punishment."
The Boston Port Bill received the royal assent March 31. By its provisions, the port of Boston (which included Charlestown) was pre- cluded from the privilege of landing or discharging, or of loading and shipping goods, wares and merchandise.
A second bill, which was passed at this time, essentially altered the Charter of the Province, making the appointment of the Council, justices, judges, sheriffs, etc., dependent upon the Crown, or its agent, and removable at his pleasure. It also provided that no town meet- ings, except the annual meetings for the choice of town officers in March or May, should be holden without the consent of the Governor.
A third bill immediately followed, authorizing and directing the Governor to send any person indicted for murder, or any other capital offence, to another colony, or to Great Britain for trial.
These acts not only destroyed the trade of Boston, bringing bank- ruptcy upon men of business, and great suffering upon the laboring poor, but they virtually destroyed the impartial administration of justice, and practically annulled that great prerogative of the citizen, trial by jury.
On the 13th of May the people of Boston met in Faneuil Hall, chose Samuel Adams moderator, and adopted a vote. inviting all the other
262
History of Framingham.
Colonies " to come into a joint resolution to stop all importations from Great Britain and the West Indies, till the Act for blocking up the harbor of Boston be repealed."
One of the remarkable features of that time of the marshaling of the forces of oppression on the one hand, and the forces of resistance on the other, was the almost simultaneous beating of the heart of the people of the whole Commonwealth, which led to the adoption of measures in the smaller towns, in a sense anticipatory of the British acts of coercion. How else can we explain the action of Framingham at a town meeting, held as early as March 14 of this year, at which it was " voted, that it shall be at the discretion of the Selectmen, on sud- den emergencies, where necessity requireth, to warn meetings without fourteen days' posting, and the same shall be due warning notwith- standing."
And it was at this juncture that the far-sightedness of the policy of Samuel Adams, adopted in 1772, for the appointment of a central Committee of Correspondence, to be in ready communication with like committees in all the Colonies, and in all the towns of this Province, was made apparent. These local committees were composed of trusted men ; and by themselves, or in co-operation, constituted a sort of head of authority to which the public looked for advice and protection. This town had not formally appointed such a committee, though virtually the committees chosen when occasion required a special expression of opinion, had that character. But May 30, in town meeting, "On a motion made and seconded by several persons, voted to choose a Committee of Correspondence, whose business it shall be to correspond with our sister towns on any matters of importance, at this Day of Publick Distress: and chose Joseph Haven Esq. Capt. Josiah Stone, Dea. Wm Brown, Ebenezer Marshall, Lieut. David Haven, Joseph Buckminster Esq. and Maj. John Farrar.
"Then the meeting was adjourned to such day as the selectmen shall hereafter judge expedient that the town shall come together, when they shall give notice of said meeting by posting the same in writing at the meeting-house."
" June 13, 1774. To the inhabitants of the town of Framingham -- Gentlemen : Whereas your meeting stands adjourned to meet when the Selectmen shall give notice thereof ; and as we have received a Letter from the Committee of Correspondence at Boston, containing (as we apprehend) Matter of great importance to the Public; These are to notify and desire all the inhabitants that are of the age of 21 years, to meet at the publick meeting-house, on Monday the 27th instant, at 2 o'clock afternoon, To hear, consider, and act on any Matters or Measures that they judge proper, relating to the present Distrest and alarming Circumstances of our publick affairs."
263
War of the Revolution.
"June 27, 1774. The town met, on the notice aforesaid; the fullest and most general ever known in this town on any civil occasion ; when the meeting was opened by solemn prayer for Divine direction. And after reading some Letters and other Papers, the Committee of Correspondence presented the following Covenant, and the same was read distinctly several times, and considered, and very largely debated several hours ; After which the question was put, whether the town do accept said Covenant as it now stands, and it passed in the affirmative almost Unanimously."
Unfortunately this covenant is not preserved on our records; but as it was adopted at the suggestion of the Boston committee, it was probably in substance the " Solemn League and Covenant," drawn up by said committee, and forwarded to the towns for general signature. All who signed the Covenant bound themselves from henceforth not to buy or use any goods of British manufacture, until their charter rights should be restored. And to insure the carrying out of the plan, they provided for a Committee of Inspection, who should have power to inquire into the transactions of traders, so far as to find out who was exposing for sale teas, or other newly imported goods, contrary to said Covenant, and post their names in public.
That this was one term of the Covenant adopted, and that it was interpreted by some to give authority to any individual to make domiciliary visits at his option, is evident from the following vote passed at a town meeting, Sept. 9: "Voted that no person or persons shall attempt to pay any visit to any particular person, for any sup- posed misconduct of a public nature, but by the advice and direction of the Committee of Correspondence, or the major part of them."
This Agreement was generally signed by the people in all our towns, and became an important factor in the union of effort, which gave promise of ultimate success.
To Middlesex county belongs the honor of hokling the first delegate convention, which adopted measures looking to organized opposition to the schemes of the British ministry. This Convention met at Concord, Aug. 30. Framingham was represented by two delegates, viz .. Capt. Josiah Stone and Dea. Wm. Brown. Every town in the county sent delegates, one hundred and fifty in all. A committee of nine was appointed (of which both the delegates from this town were members), to consider the late Acts of Parliament, and report thereon to the convention. This committee drew up and brought before the body a preamble and nineteen resolutions, which, for comprehensive grasp of principle, and boldness of statement, and calm determination to uphold their threatened liberties, had not been then, and were not afterwards, excelled. The preamble recites :
264
History of Framingham.
It is evident to every attentive mind, that this Province is in a very dangerous and alarming situation. We are obliged to say, however painful it may be to us, that the question now is, whether, by a submission to some late Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, we are contented to be the most abject slaves. and entail that slavery on posterity after us, or by a manly, joint, and virtuous opposition, assert and support our freedom. There is a mode of conduct, which in our very critical circumstances we would wish to adopt ; a conduct, on the one hand, never tamely submissive to tyranny and oppression, on the other, never degenerating into rage, passion and confusion. This is a spirit which we revere, as we find it exhibited in former ages, and will command applause to the latest posterity.
The late Acts of Parliament pervade the whole system of jurisprudence, by which means, we think, the fountains of justice are fatally corrupted. Our defence must therefore, be immediate in proportion to the suddenness of the attack, and vigorous in proportion to the danger.
We must now exert ourselves, or all those efforts which, for ten years past, have brightened the annals of this country, will be totally frustrated. Life and death, or, what is more, freedom and slavery, are in a peculiar sense now before us; and the choice and success, under God, depend greatly upon ourselves.
The resolves are in the same spirit. And the report was adopted by a vote of one hundred and forty-six yeas, to four nays.
Before adjourning, the Convention recommended the assembling of a Provincial Congress at Concord, on the second Tuesday in October.
On the return home. of our delegates with a report of the action of the Convention, a town meeting was called, which met Sept. 9, notice by the Selectmen being previously given. "I. The Resolves, passed by the Concord Convention, were several times distinctly read, and maturely debated ; when the question was put, whether the town accepts said Resolves, and it passed in the affirmative nem con."
At this meeting the town also "Voted 2, that the Committee of Cor- respondence attend the Court at Concord, on Tuesday next, and in behalf of the town, desire said Court not to sit or act on any cause whatever at this term.
"Voted 3, that Capt. Josiah Stone, Joseph Haven Esq., and Dea. Wm Brown be, and they are hereby appointed delegates from this town, to appear and act on our behalf, at a Provincial Congress to meet in Concord, on the second Tuesday of October next, To consider and determine on such measures as the said Congress shall judge conducive to the public peace and tranquility.
"Voted 4, that the selectmen are hereby directed to procure and purchase at the town's expense, five barrels of powder, and four or five hundred weight of bullets or lead, for an addition to the town's stock."
265
War of the Revolution.
Nine days before this, i. e., on the first of September, Governor Gage had issued writs, convening the General Court at Salem on the fifth of October.
In pursuance of this order, a town meeting was held in Framingham, Sept. 30, at which Capt. Josiah Stone was elected representative. A committee was appointed to draft instructions to the representative elect. This committee drew up the following instructions, which were adopted by vote of the town :
"To Capt. Josiah Stone.
"Sir: As we have chosen you to represent us in a Great and General Court to be holden at Salem on Wednesday the 5th day of October next ensuing, we do hereby instruct you, that in all your doings as a member of the House of Representatives, you adhere firmly to the Charter of this Province granted by their majestys King William and Queen Mary ; and that you do not act nor consent to any act that can possibly be construed into an acknowledgement of the validity of the Act of the British Parliament for altering the govern- ment of the Massachusetts Bay : More especially that you acknowledge the honourable Board of Councillors elected last May by the General Court as the only rightful and constitutional Council of this Province.
" JOSEPH HAVEN BENJ. EDWARDS Committee.
JOSEPH NICHOLS
" Framingham Sept. 30, 1774."
"At the same meeting it was "Voted, That there be a chest of 25 Fire Arms purchased at the expense of the town for the town's use ; and Joseph Winch and Daniel Sanger were chosen a committee for that purpose." "Voted also, to purchase two Field Pieces of such size as the selectmen and the committee shall judge proper ; and James Glover and Capt. Benj. Edwards were chosen a committee to purchase the cannon. Granted for the purchases aforesaid the sum of £56.
"On a motion made, relative to the Militia officers, and a large debate had thereon, voted, that this meeting be adjourned to Monday next, 12 o'clk M ; and that every person above the age of 16 years be desired to attend, and consider and determine with regard to the Militia, as the whole body shall judge proper."
"On Monday, October 3, the town met according to adjournment : A very full meeting. Voted, that there be two militia companies, besides the Troop, in this town ; and that each company choose such officers as they judge best to have command at this day of distress in our public affairs.
" Voted, that the laws of this Province, relative to the Militia, be the rule of duty both for such officers and for the soldiers when the companies are thus settled."
266
History of Framingham.
On learning that the towns were giving instructions to their repre- sentatives elect, like those given in Framingham; and especially on receiving information of the action of the several county conventions, some of which denounce all persons who attempt to carry out the late Acts of Parliament as "unnatural and malignant enemies," and one of which recommended that " the representatives elect refuse to be sworn, except by an officer appointed according to the charter of the Province," Gov. Gage issued his proclamation, Sept. 28, adjourning without day the General Court, which he had summoned to meet at Salem October the fifth. The reasons he assigned for this arbitrary and suspicious course were, that many tumults and disorders had taken place since he called the meeting; and that "the extraordinary Resolves which had been passed in many counties, and the instruc- tions given by the town of Boston, and some of the other towns, to their representatives; " these and other things rendered it "highly inexpedient that a Great and General Court should be convened," at the time specified.
But the proclamation came too late to prevent the meeting. Many of the representatives from the distant towns were already on their way to Salem. And there was time, between Sept. 28, and Oct. 5, for the earnest patriots of Boston and the eastern counties to mature a plan of action. The Committee of Correspondence privately issued their call; and as a result, on the day appointed, nearly one hundred members elect met at Salem. After waiting one day, to see if any public officer would appear to administer the oath of office, or other- wise direct them, these representatives resolved themselves into a Provincial Congress, and made a temporary organization by choosing John Hancock chairman, and Benj. Lincoln clerk. The same day, Oct. 6, the body adjourned to meet at the court house in Concord, Oct. II. This was the day already designated for the meeting of a Provincial Congress at the same place, and to which delegates had been chosen. On this day, 288 delegates appeared, seventy-nine of whom were from Middlesex county. The names of the three delegates from this town have been given. The Congress organized by choosing John Hancock president, and Benj. Lincoln secretary. The court house proving too small for their accommodation, the meetings were held in the meeting-house, and the pastor, Rev. Wm. Emerson, acted as chaplain.
After a session of three days at Concord, the Congress adjourned to Cambridge, where their sittings were continued from Oct. 17, eleven days.
This Congress, which was composed of delegates duly elected by the people of the towns, virtually took upon itself the power to frame a government for the people. It proceeded to mature plans for
267
War of the Revolution.
putting the Province of Massachusetts in a state of preparation and defence.
Measures were taken for organizing, arming, and calling out the militia, in case of emergency. The plan provided that all able-bodied men should be enrolled, and that these should assemble immediately, and elect their proper officers ; that these company officers should assemble as soon as may be, and elect field officers.
A Committee of Safety, consisting of nine persons, was appointed, with power to call into active service the whole militia of the Province, whenever they should deem it necessary.
A Committee of Supplies, consisting of five persons, was appointed, with authority to purchase cannon, mortars, muskets, and ordnance stores, and to provide for the subsistence of such troops as the Committee of Safety might call into the field. Three general officers were appointed, viz., Jedediah Preble of Falmouth, Me., Artemas Ward, a delegate from Shrewsbury, and Seth Pomeroy, a delegate from Northampton. Subsequently two others were added, viz., John Thomas, a delegate from Marshfield, and William Heath, a delegate from Roxbury.
And to meet such an emergency as the creation of the Committee of Safety contemplated, the field officers of regiments were authorized to enlist from their commands, companies of fifty men each, to be fully armed and equipped, which should be held in readiness to march at " the shortest notice" from the Committee.
The Congress then proceeded to elect Henry Gardner, Esq. of Stow, as Treasurer and Receiver General, in place of Harrison Gray of Boston, and directed that all taxes which had been granted, and all moneys in the hands of collectors, should be paid over to the new Treasurer, instead of being paid into the royal treasury.
The delegates from this town were active and influential members of the Congress; and the town promptly indorsed the proposed measures.
" At a meeting of the town of Framingham on the 8th of November 1774, duly warned, It was voted, To accept the Resolve of the Pro- vincial Congress, passed the 26th of October last, relative to the Militia.
" Then the Resolve relative to the Public Moneys was several times read, and fully considered ; and it was voted, That the several col- lectors in this town that have, or may have any Public Moneys either in their hands or to collect, belonging to the Province, in consequence of any grant or tax heretofore ordered by the Great and General Court ; all and every such collector is hereby ordered and directed, as soon as possible, to pay the same in unto Henry Gardner Esq. of Stow. And this town do hereby engage to the collectors aforesaid
268
History of Framingham.
and each of them severally, That on their producing a receipt under the hand of the said Henry Gardner, such receipt shall save him or them harmless from the Province, for the sum named therein. And further, this town do hereby engage to aid and assist said collectors in gathering, and also to defend them in paying said Moneys, according to the intent and meaning of the Provincial Congress Resolve above mentioned."
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.