USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > History of Framingham, Massachusetts, including the Plantation, from 1640 to the present time, with an appendix, containing a notice of Sudbury and its first proprietors > Part 10
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t Mr. Keith read law with the Hon. R. Hosmer, of Stow, and J. Adams,
Esq., of Framingham; became, in 1833, an associate in practice of the latter, and remained in town but a few years, when he transferred his office to Boston. He died at Brook- lyn, N. Y., March, 1847; and his remains were interred at Cambridge. He was greatly esteemed for his liber- ality of mind, his warm affections, and unbending integrity.
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WARS.
ing the troubles with the Indians, which at various times occurred after its incorporation. A tradition exists, that a fort was con- structed by the first Col. Buckminster. If this account is to be relied upon, it was erected probably in the neighborhood of his own farm, which was subsequently the Brinley farm. Of its lo- cality and history, nothing is known. From the same source we derive the information, that there were garrisoned houses in vari- ous parts of the town .* These are probably referred to in the following vote of the town.
April 3, 1710. " Voted £ 10 to raise a stock of ammunition, to be kept in the four several places in the town."
March 24, 1711-2. Voted to procure an addition to our stock of ammunition : - to John Town, £ 1; to Jonathan Rice, £ 7.10sh .; and for the town stock, £ 4.+
A company of troopers, commanded by Capt. Isaac Clark, was early established in Framingham ; about 30 of whom were inhab- itants of the town. This company was in service about three weeks in the year 1725. A few years earlier, in 1722, we find the muster-roll of a company under the command of Col. Buck- minster, who served from August to November of that year, and also the roll of the so called " Rutland Scout," commanded by Serg. Thomas Buckminster, who served from July 25 to August 26th .¿
This period must have been one of general alarm in all our towns. Tradition faintly shadows the scene, in its relations of
* Aged persons state that there was a garrison at Mr. Charles Clark's, near the school house No. 2 ; one also at Salem end. There were probably still others.
t March 8, 1715-6. The powder and shot of the town stock were weighed by the selectmen. The weight of the barrel, bag and powder was 120 lbs. The weight of the bul- lets, flints, and bags to put them in, 150 lbs. June 15, 1719, Capt. Drury and Ens. Bridges were appointed to take charge of the town's ammuni- tion, and have it brought and secured in the vault, over the body of seats, in the meeting house; and Edward Goddard to procure a lock for the vault. May 28, 1733, voted that Messrs. Tho. Stone and Tho. Winch be desired to view the town stock
of powder and ammunition, to see whether the same be duly preserved, and whether it needs to be changed. Feb. 28, 1788, the town stock con- sisted of nine fire-arms, 150 wt. pow- der, 381 wt. balls, 275 flints.
In 1800, the town accepted the re- port of a committee, recommending that the ammunition be kept in the meeting house. In 1805, a committee was chosen to build a Magazine. As the practice of warming churches is of recent date, their security in for- mer times, as places of deposite, will be understood.
# The names of the men who serv- ed in these companies, as also of others who served during the French and Revolutionary wars, will be found in the Appendix.
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CIVIL HISTORY.
individual exposure in the field, and of midnight assaults upon the ill-protected garrisons, where affrighted neighborhoods sought a precarious shelter. Our town records fail of handing down any distinct memorials of the sufferings and perils of the early settlers in this township. The relations of the aged, though involved sometimes in uncertainty, must therefore possess a high degree of interest, in the absence of documentary information .*
* Of the general insecurity of the period to which we refer above, the accounts handed down by the aged, leave no doubt. Men were obliged to take with them their arms into the field, and neighbors united in labor, for greater security. Women could safely go into the barn-yards at milk - ing, only with the presence of their husbands. An aged woman of this town heard, from her grandmother, an account of this practice ; the lat- ter adding, that her husband's pres- ence was, after all, of no great ser- vice ; for instead of watching for In- dians, he would throw himself upon his back, and sing loud enough to be heard through the neighborhood.
An aged inhabitant of this town re- lates an instance of narrow escape from death, on a like occasion, which occurred to his grandmother. Having gone alone to the yard to milk, about two hours before sunset, she carefully looked around to see if there were Indians in the neighborhood. Sup- posing herself secure, she proceeded to her work, and while in the act of milking, an Indian, (who, as was their custom, had disguised himself with brakes, and crawled along upon his belly), suddenly struck her in the back with a knife. She instantly sprung, and by the effort twitched the knife from the Indian's grasp ; and before he could rise, had ad- vanced so far, that she succeeded in reaching the house, with the knife in her back. An alarm was immediate- ly given, by three successive dis- charges of a musket, which soon brought a reinforcement from the neighborhood of what is now called the Silk Farm, where was a garrison well provided with powerful dogs and arms. On pursuing, however, they found no traces of the Indian. The woman survived her injury.
From the same source, we learn that there was a garrison-house about midway between the houses of the late Col. Brewer and the late Mr. Peter Parker, on the N. side of the road; the cellar hole having been filled by Mr. John Parker, now liv- ing. The garrison house was en- closed by long close-set pickets, with a gate on wooden hinges. On a dark night, when the families were all within the garrison, two men having been stationed in the watch-box at the gable end, the dogs, (of which the largest, most savage, and quick- scented, were selected), began to show signs of uneasiness. The gar- rison was aroused, and guns were fired in the direction of the gate. The alarm soon ceased ; and the fol- lowing morning, blood was discover- ed near the gate, and tracked across the swale of land in the direction of the Badger house, where it disap- peared.
As an illustration of the stealthi- ness with which an Indian could ap- proach his victim, we have heard re- lated the following. An Indian, in time of peace, was boasting to one of our settlers, that he could touch him while at work in the field, without his knowledge. The latter promised him a sum of money upon his doing it. A few days only elapsed, and the man was startled at his work by find- ing himself suddenly seized by the heel; and, on turning, he met the face of the Indian, demanding his reward.
Mr. Uriah Rice, now in his 90th year, distinctly remembers to have seen Indians, rapidly crossing a meadow, where he had wandered while a boy. He also relates, that Capt. John Butler, of this town, had, during the French war, made himself obnoxious to the Indians, three of
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WARS.
FRENCH WAR.
Of the extent to which this town participated in the French war, we are able to afford but little information beyond the mus- ter-rolls to be found in the Appendix to this history. John Nixon, who afterwards distinguished himself in the service of the Revo- lution, his brother Thomas, and Josiah Stone, held the post of Captain in the expedition to Crown Point, in 1755. Several subordinate officers and privates, from Framingham, were also engaged on the same occasion. Colonel Buckminster was at this period in commission, and his name appears in the supply of re- inforcements for the army. Several individuals lost their lives in the service of their country, during this war, whose names, as far as known, will afterwards appear.
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
The inhabitants of this town early espoused and vigorously maintained, the common cause of the country, in the trying events which preceded and accompanied the war of the Revolu- tion.
The passage of the stamp act led to the following instructions to Joseph Buckminster, Esq., representative for the town in the General Court.
Oct. 21, 1765. We instruct you to promote and readily join in, such dutiful remonstrances and humble petitions to the King and Parlia- ment, as have a direct tendency to obtain a repeal of the Stamp Act.
We further instruct you, that you do not give your assent to any Act of Assembly, that shall imply the willingness of your constituents, to submit to any taxes that are imposed, in any other way, than by the Great and General Court of this Province, according to the institution of this Government.
We further add, that you take care that money raised in this Time of Distress and Trouble, may not be used to any other purpose, than
whom came into the town, inquiring for him, with the purpose of reveng- ing some former injury. Information was given to Capt. Butler, which enabled him to secure his safety.
But few Indians have been known residents within the town, since its incorporation. For some years, dur- 8*
ing the last century, a family are said to have lived at the ledge of rocks, lately quarried by Col. Jonas Clayes. A natural recess, formed by overhanging rocks, was their dwelling place. Individuals have been sometimes employed in the ser- vice of families.
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CIVIL HISTORY.
what is intended by the Act for supplying the Treasury ; and as to other Affairs that shall come under consideration, we submit to your wisdom and prudence.
Sept. 26, 1768. Mr. Thomas Temple was chosen to join the committee, in convention with others, at Fanueil Hall, in Boston, to consult upon such measures as may be for the safety of the Province.
March 1, 1773. A committee, consisting of Dea. Wm. Brown, Maj. John Farrar, Jos. Buckminster, Esq., Dr. Eben. Hemen- way, Joseph Nichols, Josiah Stone, and Mr. Eben. Marshall, was appointed, to take into consideration a letter from the Boston committee; who, on the 15th of the same month, presented their report, (which was unanimously accepted), asserting the privi- leges of the Colonies, and concluding in the following language :
" From all which it appears our absolute duty to defend by every constitutional measure, our dear privileges purchased with so much blood and treasure. Let us prudently endcavour to preserve our char- acter as freemen and not lose that of good and loyal subjects. Let us jointly labour after (and Heaven grant we may obtain) that magnanim- ity of soul, by which we may be enabled to resist injuries, and let the world know, that we are not governed by feud and faction."
Jan. 25, 1774. The town resolved, "That we ourselves, or 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. And since such means and methods are used to destroy our privileges, which were purchased by the dearest blood of our ancestors, those that stand foremost in a proper defence of our privileges, shall have our greatest regard ; and if any shall be so regardless of our political preservation, and that of posterity, as to endeavor to counteract our determination, we will treat them in the manner their conduct deserves."
May 18, 1774. The town chose a committee of correspon- dence ; viz. Joseph Haven, Esq., Josiah Stone, Dea. Wm. Brown, Mr. Eben. Marshall, Lt. David Haven, Jos. Buckminster, Esq., and Maj. John Farrar.
June 27. The town met on notice, " the fullest and most gen- eral 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
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WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
correspondence presented the following covenant, and the same was read distinctly several times, and considered, and very large- ly debated several hours; after which the question was put, whether the town do accept the said covenant as it now stands; and it passed in the affirmative, almost unanimously."*
Sept. 9. Capt. Josiah Stone, Joseph Haven, Esq., and Dea. Wm. Brown, were chosen delegates to the Provincial Congress, to assemble at Concord in October. Voted, that the selectmen be directed to procure and purchase, at the town's expense, five bar- rels of powder, and 4 or 5 cwt. of bullets or lead.
Sept. 30. The town voted to instruct their representative, Capt. Josiah Stone, "to adhere firmly to the charter of the Province, and not consent to any act that can possibly be con- strued into an acknowledgement of the validity of the act of the British Parliament, for altering the government of the Massachu- setts Bay ; more especially to acknowledge the Hon. Board of Counsellors, elected last May, by the General Court, as the only rightful and constitutional Council of the Province."
The town at the same time ordered the purchase of 20 fire arms and field pieces; on the 3d Oct. the organization of two militia companies, besides the troop ; and a resolve was passed the 8th Nov., " that all public monies, belonging to the Province, shall be paid to the Receiver General appointed by the Congress."
Jan. 2, 1775. Voted that a contribution be made to the town of Boston under their present distress. Capt. Josiah Stone, and Dea. Wm. Brown were chosen delegates to the Congress, and a company of minute men was ordered to be formed, according to the advice of the Provincial Congress.
1775. Raised a Province tax of £ 100.
May 6, 1776. The first call of a town meeting " in the name of the Government and People of the Massachusetts Bay." }
July 1, 1776. Granted £ 7 per man, for all that will volunta- rily enlist themselves into the continental service.
* It is to be regretted that this paper was not placed upon record.
t It is worthy of remark, that this was the sole change caused by the revolution, in the municipal organi- zation and management of our towns, the meetings having been summoned as above, instead of " in his Majesty's name," as was before the practice.
Similar revolutions in other coun- tries, have introduced radical altera- tions in the civil and social institu- tions of the community. The Ameri- can revolution introduced no exten- sive organic change; the elements of the newly constituted government having existed previously.
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CIVIL HISTORY.
July 8, 1776. Voted, that Lt. Wm. Maynard be employed to purchase 10 good fire arms, and Mr. John Pratt to purchase 20 blankets.
A company marched with Capt. Edgell to Ticonderoga.
March, 1777. Chose a committee to engage men for the ser- vice, on any terms. A bounty was granted of £ 30 to every soldier who enlisted for 3 years, (and in Sept. £ 40 for the same service).
The treasurer was authorized to hire the sum of £ 1000.
June 23, 1777. Voted, that Maj. John Trowbridge inspect any that shall be thought inimical to the U. S. of America.
March, 1778. A committee was appointed to provide clothing for the soldiers in the Continental Army from this town.
May, 1778. A requisition was made upon the town for 10 men, - 8 to fortify North River.
June 5, 1778. The town voted upon the proposed Constitu- tion or form of government. Ycas 5. Nays 77.
June 18, 1779. A requisition was received for 9 men to complete the town's quota. (The families of those in service were at this period supplied by a committee of the town).
June 18, 1779. The town secured the services of 6 French- men as substitutes.
Aug. 9, 1779. Capt. Benj. Edwards and Josiah Stone, Esq .. were chosen delegates to the convention at Cambridge.
Aug. 9, 1779. Voted, to approve the resolve of the conven- tion at Concord, to regulate prices, &c., and that a committee of 10 men be chosen to state the prices of labour, country produce. manufactures, inn holders, &c.
Mr. Dan. Sanger and Capt. Simon Edgel were chosen dele- gates to the convention at Concord, in Oct.
June 5, 1780. The town acted on the Bill of Rights. Ac- cepted the 1st and 2d Articles by a vote of 107 to 8; the 3d Article by 113 to 18. The others were also accepted, till the Article on Representation, which was thought unequal, and as to qualifications for voters, exceptionable. Voted, to choose a com- mittee to prepare an amendment.
Dec. 27, 1780. Granted £ 35.000 to purchase the beef now called for.
The town being called upon to raise 20 men, for 3 years or during the war, granted £ 50.000 to hire them.
93
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Nov. 12, 1781. The town agreed with Capt. Jona. Maynard, to supply him with $ 150 for each man, and $ 100 in one year and $ 50 to be paid in two years ; and he engages to procure the men for that money. (The town had been fined for not furnish- ing its quota.)
We have preferred not to interrupt the order of the preceding extracts from the Town Records, to notice the particular events of the war in which the citizens of this town participated. In reference to these, it may be remarked, that when the tidings of the advance of the British on Concord, reached this town, the inhabitants hastened at once to the scene of action .* On this oc- casion, Cols. John and Thomas Nixon had the command of the First Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, and acquitted them- selves with much honor.
The part taken by the citizens of Framingham in the battle of Bunker Hill, was highly creditable to their bravery and patriot- ism. Among the officers present, or in command, were the two Col. Nixons, Col. William Buckminster, and Col. Jona. Brewer ; and the late Hon. Needham Maynard acted as aid to General Warren ; all of whom were natives of this town, and nearly all received wounds in the bloody contest .; Col. Nixon was stationed
* Mr. Ezekiel How informed the author that he and his neighbor Benj. Berry, ran on foot the entire distance to Concord, (near 12 miles), in two hours. The first object that struck him, on his arrival, was a British reg- ular weltering in blood. It being his first experience of the horrors of war, he was so shocked that he almost fainted. "But," he added, "they pushed me along, and a few hours afterward, I could see men dying around me with as much indifference as if they were sheep." Noah Eaton, 2d, and his brother Jonas, were at Lexington. The former, having dis- charged his piece, retired behind a knoll to reload, where he suddenly encountered a British regular, with a loaded gun. Noah presented his emp- ty musket, threatening to kill the soldier ; when the latter surrendered, returned with his captor to Framing- ham, and lived in his service. Dan- iel Hemenway, it is said, was the only man wounded from this town on that occasion.
t Col. Buckminster received a ball through his shoulder, and Colonel Brewer was wounded through the lower part of his arm. Col. John Nixon was severely wounded, and was afterwards commissioned, on ac- count of his bravery and experience in the French war, as a Brigadier General. Lt. Jona. Maynard was in the engagement; and his brother William, an officer, received a bullet in his hip, which he bore with him to his grave. John Maynard, acting ensign, brother of Needham, was dis- covered by the latter, wounded and unable to walk, who happily succeed- ed in carrying him safely to Cam- bridge. The Hon. Needham May- nard, to whom we are indebted for many particulars of this battle, was present at the last celebration of that event in 1843; about which time, he gave a minute account of the inci- dents of the battle, in the presence of several intelligent persons. His nar- rative may be found printed in the Boston Semi- Weekly Advertiser, Ju-
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CIVIL HISTORY.
on the Mystic side. Col. Brewer's regiment, numbering about 150 men, was in the open field during the greater part of the engagement.
In the subsequent engagements of the war, this town was duly represented ; and not a few of its citizens lost their lives in their country's service. The Records of the town enumerate various instances in which the militia were called out, and in which their services were generously remunerated .* The extent of the charges and sacrifices, at this eventful period, borne by this town, in common with others in the Commonwealth, must be left to con- jecture. The distress which pervaded the country, impoverished by harassing and expensive campaigns, and the interruption of regular industry, burthened with debts, and oppressed by a de- preciated and almost worthless currency, was a severer trial of the patriotism and virtue of the people, than the threats of des- potic power, or the dangers of the battle field .;
SHAY'S REBELLION.
Upon the occurrence of this outbreak against the civil authori- ty, the three companies of the town met, Jan. 15, 1787, to enlist
ly 4, 1846. We have already spoken of the exploit of Peter Salem, who is believed to have killed Maj. Pitcairn in this battle.
* 1. The men who went to Cam- bridge, to man the lines, Jan. 29, 1776.
2. The men who went with Capts. Broad and Trowbridge, 3 mos. to the Jersies, Nov. 30, 1776.
3. The men who went with Col. Stone and Capt. Gleason to Provi- dence, from May to July, 1777.
4. The men who went to gnard the stores at Sherburne, 1777.
5. The men who went with Capt. Winch, to Ticonderoga, and the tak- ing of Burgoyne, Aug., 1777, 4 mos.
6. The men who went with Lt. Drury, on the secret expedition to R. I., Oct., 1777.
7. The men who went with Lt. Claflin, to Cambridge and elsewhere, to guard the public stores.
8. Those who went with Lt. John Eames, 2d, 3 mos., from 1 Jan. 1778, to R. I.
9. Those who went to Cambridge, with Capt. Holmes, to guard the Convention prisoners, Apr., 1778.
10. Those that went with Capt. Edgell to R. I., June, 1778, 6 mos.
11. Those that went to Cambridge, July, 1778, 5 1-2 mos., to guard the prisoners.
12. Those that went with Maj. Trowbridge, to R. I., when the gallant attack was made on the enemy, and safe retreat, 6 weeks, Aug., 1778.
13. Those that went with Sargt. Abel Stone, to Providence, Oct., 1778, 3 mos. in service.
To all the above, the town voted bounties, " double 9 times their nom- inal sum."
t The extent of the depreciation of the currency, in 1790, is indicated in the following extract from the Journal of Dea. Tho. Buckminster : " Dec. 3. Sold 2710 old continental dollars, to Mr. Jonathan Wheeler, Jr., of Grafton, for 2s. 9d. per hun- dred. Total, £3.14.4."
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SHAY'S REBELLION, &c.
men for 30 days. Volunteers in sufficient force tendered their services, who rendezvoused at Weston on the 20th, and after more than a month's service, reached home, on their return, the 27th of the following month. This force was composed chiefly of young men, the older remaining behind, ready for service if called for. A body of the latter is said to have proceeded as far as Worcester; but finding that the rebellion had been effectively subdued, soon returned.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF FRAMINGHAM.
MEETING HOUSES.
THE first meeting house, as we have already noticed, was built before the incorporation of the township, in 1698 or 9; but of its size, construction or cost, no particulars remain to us. It proba- bly was finished but in part, as appears from the following :
March 31, 1700-1. Voted, to gather £10 of money, by way of rate, for the finishing of the meeting house; and that Peter Cloyes, Sen., John Death, Sen., and Jeremiah Pike, Sen., be a committee to employ a carpenter, and lay out this money for the best advantage .*
Sept. 8, 1700-1. Voted, That Mr. Jos. Buckminster should have liberty to set a pew, upon which side of the great doors he pleased, in the meeting house ; also voted, that there should be a table made and set in the meeting house, before the Deacon's seats.
Jan. 13, 1701-2. Chose to seat the meeting house, Jeremiah Pike, Sen., John Death, Sen., John Haven, John Town, Sam.
* Oct. 3, 1705, an additional rate of £10 was granted, "for the better finishing of the House; and a still further grant of £15, Apr. 5, 1708,
" towards the finishing of our meet- ing house, and the payment of sun- dry debts."
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Winch, Peter Cloyes, Sen., Tho. Walker, Josh. Hemenway, and John How.
Voted, to leave to the Committee's discretion, to seat by age or by rate.
Voted, to set up (for) Mr. Swift a pew.
Voted, that there shall be a pew made for those men's wives that sit at the table, at the N. corner of the meeting house .*
March 6, 1709-10. Voted, that there shall be a decent body of seats set upon the meeting house, with a hanging table before the Deacon's seats.
Jan. 8, 1710-11. The Selectmen made arrangements with Tho. Gleason, to repair damage done by the wind to the roof of the meeting house. Expense £2.0.7.
March 24, 1711-2. Voted, that the Selectmen, &c., procure from the Executors of Mr. Danforth's will, a title to the lands on which our publique meeting house standeth, as it is referred (to) in Mr. Buckminster's lease.
March 23, 1714. Voted, that Mr. Edward Goddard, Jona. Rice, and Tho. Drury, be a committee to see if those persons that have pews, will give liberty to have them removed, that so we may have a decent body of seats set up in the body of the meet- ing house ; and to see about the confirmation of the land, given
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