History of Gardner, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1860, Part 6

Author: Glazier, Lewis
Publication date: 1860
Publisher: Worcester, [Mass.] : Printed by C. Hamilton
Number of Pages: 176


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Gardner > History of Gardner, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1860 > Part 6


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Major General Warner was left in command at Worces- ter, with a regiment of infantry, a corps of artillery, includ- ing Capt. Treadwell's company, two field-pieces, and a party from the legionary battalion of volunteer cavalry. Infor- mation having been given that a body of about two hundred insurgents had assembled at New Braintree, intercepting travelers and insulting the friends of government, twenty horsemen, supported by about 150 infantry in sleighs, were


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sent out on the night of the 2d of February, to capture or disperse the disaffected. Upon approaching the place of their destination, the cavalry were ordered to advance at full speed to surprise the enemy. The insurgents, apprised of the expedition, had abandoned their quarters at the house of Micah Hamilton, and taken post behind the walls of the road-side, and having fired a volley of musketry upon the detachment, fled to the woods : Mr. Jonathan Rice, of Wor- cester, a deputy sheriff, was shot through the arm and hand : Dr. David Young was severely wounded in the knee ;* the bridle rein of Theophilus Wheeler, Esq., was cut by a ball. Without halting, the soldiers rapidly pursued their way to the deserted head quarters, where they liberated Messrs. Samuel Flagg, and John Stanton, of Worcester, who had been seized the day previous, while transacting private busi- ness at Leicester. Having dispersed those who occupied the barracks at Rutland, the next day the companies returned with four prisoners.


The career of Shays was fast drawing to its close. Driven from post to post, he suddenly retired from Pelham to Pe- tersham, where he expected to concentrate the forces of expiring rebellion, and, make his final stand. Intelligence of this change of position reached Gen. Lincoln at Hadley, February 3d, and he determined by prompt and decisive action, to terminate the warfare. When the troops took up the line of march at 8 o'clock, the evening was bright and mild. Before morning the cold became intense : the dry and light snow, whirled before a violent north wind, filled the paths and rendered them almost impassable. The sever- ity of the cold prevented any halt for rest or refreshment.


* Dr. Young afterwards recovered £1000, in a civil action, against those by whom he was wounded.


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At a distance from shelter, without defence against the in- clemency of the weather, it became necessary to press on without pausing, to the camp occupied by men possessing all martial advantages, except courage and a good cause. The heavy sufferings of the night were terminated by the arrival of the troops in the very center of Petersham. The followers of Shays, trusting to the violence of the storm and the obstruction of the highways, rested in careless secu- rity. The first warning of danger was from the appearance of the advanced guard of the forces of government, after a journey of thirty miles, in the midst of their cantonment. Had an army dropped from the clouds upon the hill, the consternation could not have been greater. Panic struck, the insurgents fled without firing a gun or offering resistance to soldiers exhausted by fatigue, and almost sinking under the privations and hardships of the severe service.


The rebellion being terminated, the infliction of some punishment for the highest political crime was deemed expe- dient. Some of those who had been in arms against the laws, were brought to trial, convicted of treason and sen- tenced to death. Henry Gale, of Princeton, was the only insurgent found guilty of capital offence, in this county .*


On the 23d of June, at the hour fixed for his execution by the warrant, he was led out to the gallows erected on the common, with all the solemn ceremony of such exhibitions. A reprieve was there read to him, and afterwards full pardon was given.t Proceedings for seditious practices, pending


* The Court assigned as his counsel, Levi Lincoln, sen. and James Sullivan. The warm support of government by the former had rendered him obnoxious to the insurgents. During their occupation of the town, they sent parties to seize his person, who surrounded and searched his house. Seasonably in- formed of their intentions, he was able to disappoint them.


t Six were convicted of treason in the county of Berkshire, six in Hamp-


8*


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against several prisoners, were suspended. The mercy of government was finally extended to all who had been involved in the difficulties and disorders of the time, upon taking the oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth, after some tempo- rary civil disqualifications .*


4


NOTICE OF DANIEL SHAYS. [ From the Same.]


" This individual acquired an unenviable notoriety, which imparts some degree of interest to the incidents of his life. He was born in Hopkinton, in 1747; the son of parents not in affluent circumstances, he worked with Mr. Brinley, a respectable farmer of Framingham. The activity and energy of his youth promised at maturity more desirable elevation than he attained. That his education was neglected, is apparent from his official letters, bidding defiance alike to government, grammar and good spelling. Just before the revolution, he removed to one of the towns beyond Con- necticut river, and afterwards resided in Pelham. When the war commenced, he entered the army, at the age of


shire, one in Worcester, and one in Middlesex, all of whom received sentence of death, but were subsequently pardoned. The only public punishment ac- tually inflicted, except limited disqualification from civil or military office, was on a member of the house of representatives, guilty of seditious words and practices, who was sentenced to sit on the gallows with a rope about his neck, pay a fine of £50, and to be bound to keep the peace and be of good be- havior for five years.


* The facts stated in the foregoing chapter have been derived from the Worcester Magazine, published by Isaiah Thomas, 1786, 1787, Independent Chronicle, Columbian Centinel, Minot's History of the Insurrection, Files in the office of the Secretary of State, Correspondence of Levi Lincoln, sen., American Antiquarian Society's MSS.


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twenty-eight, with the rank of ensign, in Capt. Dickinson's company, in Col. Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge's regiment. His ambition, activity, and plausible manners covering the want of acquirements, joined with personal intrepidity, obtained promotion, and in 1776, he was appointed Lieu- tenant in Col. Varnum's regiment. At the time when the line peculiarly needed reinforcement, he was detached on the recruiting service, with the promise of some suitable reward for the enlistment of twenty men. For this purpose he visited his native state, and his unwearied exertions were crowned with ample success. When the complement assignd to him was filled, a plan suggested itself for grasping honor and pay at once. Finding the pulse of patriotism beat high, and the men of New England were ready to devote them- selves for their country, he continued his enlistments. In- sinuating address and bold representations, produced im- pressions of his ability and influence, easily turned to his own advantage, and by holding out expectations of indul- gence to those who should serve under his command, a com- pany was raised, on the condition that he should be their captain. With these men he returned to the camp, where they were mustered. When the inspector was about to dis- tribute them to different corps, Shays produced the enlist- ment papers ; pointed to the condition which held them to serve under himself alone ; and requested the appointment of Captain. The necessity of the times prevented the sac- rifice of so many recruits, and after indignant remonstran- ces, it was deemed expedient to yield to his demands. The commission was promised, and issued after long delay, in September, 1779, to relate back to Jan. 1st, 1777. Such is the account tradition gives of his military rank. The honors, ill won, were not long worn. He was discharged


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October, 14, 1780, at Newark, in New Jersey, from Col. Rufus Putnam's regiment.


The deficiency of honorable sentiment in his mental con- stitution, may be inferred from a characteristic incident. Lafayette had presented in 1780, to each of the American officers under his immediate command, an elegant sword. Such pledge of regard from the patriot chief, a soldier with a spark of generous feeling, would have cherished as his dearest possession, and transmitted to his posterity as an heirloom of inestimable value. Shays sold the gift of his commander for a few dollars.


After being disbanded, he retired to Pelham, and lived in obscurity. Bankrupt in fortune and in fame, Shays was ready to embark on the flood of any desperate adventure. Without the energetic decision or enlarged conceptions, the strong spirit or the bold daring, which befit a leader, by some accident, he was elevated to the command of the in- surgents. Of capacity too humble to direct the movements of an army in those moments when the force of talent makes itself felt by triumphant results, and turns even obstructions into encouragements, he was weak, vacillating and irresolute. It was providential that the physical power of the arm of rebellion had so feeble a head to direct its blow.


With the first shade of adversity, he made indirect over- tures to the agents of government, to abandon his comrades to their fate, on assurance of personal safety : and when his base propositions were rejected, and promises of indemnity and pardon were offered to his followers, his persuasions in- duced them to reject the proffered mercy and retain the arms of hopeless controversy, to purchase by their sacrifice, secu- rity for himself.


When the insurrection was crushed, he retired to Ver-


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mont. After the lapse of a few years, the General of the rebellion passed through the streets of Worcester, which he once entered at the head of an army, and received assistance from those whose homes he had threatened with desolation.


At length he removed to Sparta, in New York. As a pensioner of the United States, he derived his daily bread from the government whose forces he had encountered in arms. Declarations filed in the department of war, by him- self, show that his family consisted of an aged wife, and that he lived in extreme poverty. He died September 29th, 1825, aged 78 .**


However much the honor and integrity of Daniel Shays were questioned, his courage was never disputed. He was in the battle of Bunker's Hill, at the capture of Burgoyne, and at the storming of Stony Point : was under Lafayette, and did good service in many bloody encounters. A severe wound, received during the revolution, was honorary testi- monial of intrepidity."


The first annual town meeting was held the 5th of March, 1787.


Voted, to divide the town into four school dis- tricts. Also, to raise $66 for schooling the pres- ent year, and $50 to defray town charges. Now follows a long list of roads laid out and accepted by the town. See town records, book 1st, page 58.


* He married Nancy Haven, a widow. The schedule of his property in 1820, filed in the pension office, exhibits a condition of almost utter destitu- tion. It is as follows :


1 mare, $25 : 1 old saddle, $2.50 : 1 bridle, 50 : 1 old cutter, $5 : 1 old axe, 6232 cents : 1 hoe, 6212 cents : 1 table, $3 : 3 chairs, 1.1222 : 1 old scythe and snath, 1.1212 : 1 old pail, 1212 cents : 1 large bible, $1 : amounting to $40.6212.


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At a legal meeting of the town held June 6th, Voted, to choose a Committee of nine to pro- vide a number of hands to raise the meeting house, also to provide refreshments for the same. The raising Committee made application to Capt. Samuel Sawin, of Westminster, Esq'r Smith, of Ashburnham, Dea. Moses Hale, of Winchendon, and Mr. Joshua Wright, of Templeton, to come with a number of good hands to assist in raising the house. Accordingly, they all appeared on the common early in the morning of June 27th, each with a company of choice men. The rais- ing commenced early and went on rapidly until about noon, when an accident occurred; as a number of men standing on the ground in the frame were drinking water, a joist fell from the upper loft and struck two of them on their heads, wounding them severely : one was Mr. Day, of Winchendon ; some thought, had it not been for the pail he was drinking from, it would have killed him. The other was Mr. Gregory, from Templeton. The raising went on and the frame was completed before sundown : it was thought to be put together so strong, that if turned down on one side and rolled across the common, it would not wreck the body of it. There are but two men now living, who had any thing to do


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with this affair ; those are brothers, by the name of Glazier, and they have arrived to the advanced ages of 86 and 90 years. The church was com- pleted at a cost of about $1,600. The pews in the meeting-house were sold at auction, June 24th, 1788 ; the highest brought $40; the whole amounted to $1,577.50.


The town being legally assembled in March, 1791,


Voted, to grant $12 to be laid out for singing ; the first act we have to record that reveals a shade of music.


In 1796, the town granted $833.33* to build school-houses.


In 1797, the town voted to procure a standard of weights and measures. Also, to make up to those militia men who turned out to stand at a moment's warning: if they march, $10 per month including what the Continent and State give them.


Voted, to give Rev. Mr. Osgood a present of £25, (or $83.33.) In January, 1798, the same amount was again presented him by the town.


At the annual meeting in March, 1802, the town voted to provide powder and balls sufficient to equip the training soldiers in Gardner: that


* It may seem strange to the reader that they had a fraction in dollars, but money was then reckoned in pounds and shillings instead of dollars.


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the Selectmen provide the same and carry them to the commanding officer of the company for his inspection before the first of May.


At the annual town meeting, March, 1808,


Voted, to grant $400 to defray town charges ; $300 for the use of schools, and $500 for repair- ing roads.


At a legal town meeting, June 13th,


Voted, to grant $1,500 to build a county road, and pay the damages, laying between Winchen- don and Westminster.


In 1812, the town granted $50 to build a powder-house.


In 1814, a vote was taken by the town, that if any damage be done to any of the school-houses in town, by a scholar, the parent or guardian shall repair the same.


In 1816, the town granted $200 to repair the meeting-house. A meeting was called Novem- ber, 1817, for the purpose of selling the new pews in the meeting-house.


In 1818, the town voted to choose a Committee of nine, to divide the town into school districts.


In 1819, the town voted to sell the oak trees (eight or ten in number) on the common, and in the burying-ground, to the highest bidder : they were struck off to Mr. Benjamin Heywood, at $9.99.


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At a meeting in April, 1821, the people met to express their minds respecting the amendment of the Constitution of this Commonwealth. See town records, book 3d, page 37th.


In 1822, a Committee was chosen to establish the line between Westminster and Gardner.


At the annual town meeting in March, 1833,


Voted, to raise $600 school money, to be equal- ly divided between the six school districts : $1,200 to repair roads and bridges : $700 to de- fray town charges ; and $200 for purchasing engines.


In 1834, the town voted to raise $550, to build a bridge over Otter river.


At a legal town meeting held July, 1839,


Voted to raise $300 to repair the road from Dea. Fairbanks' to Templeton line.


August 31st, 1840, the town voted to raise $1,000 by tax, and authorized the Treasurer to borrow $3,500 to make and keep roads in repair.


In 1845, Voted, to authorize the Treasurer to borrow $150 for town charges.


In 1847, a vote was taken that a tomb be built for the use of the town.


In 1849, Voted, to appropriate $20 annually. for the ringing of each bell in town.


Voted, to accept of the report of the Commit-


9


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tee chosen to purchase a town farm. Voted to accept of the following rules and regulations for the government of the Work-house in the town of Gardner. The duty of the Overseers of the Poor, the Master, the Physician, and the inmates of said house.


Power and Duty of the Overseers of the Poor.


" It shall be their duty to provide for all poor, indigent persons, who are unable to take care of themselves. At all times when circumstances will admit, they shall be supported on the farm, . which the town have purchased for that purpose and shall hereafter be known by the name of Gardner work-house. They are to provide suita- ble stock, farming utensils and household furni- ture : also, make such additions and repairs as are necessary for the establishment. They are to manage the concern in the best possible man- ner, and to provide suitable places for all poor children, as soon as they can earn their living, and see that they are brought up to some trade or calling, and suitably schooled. They shall constantly keep suitable persons for a Master and Mistress, and such other help as they shall deem necessary.


A Physician shall be employed to attend the


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sick, (when requested by the Overseers, or Mas- ter,) who shall keep a record of his visits, the price, and for whom they were made ; and shall receive such compensation as may be agreed upon by him and the Overseers, and may be re- moved at the pleasure of the Overseers. It shall be the duty of the Overseers to meet at the work- house on the last Saturday in February, May, August, and November annually, for the purpose of inspecting the concerns of the establishment, and giving directions to the master. It shall be the duty also for one of the Overseers to visit the work-house as often as once a month, for the purpose of inspecting the management of the concerns, the usage of the inmates, and giving directions to the master, &c. At their meeting in February, they shall take an inventory of all the personal property, and the betterments, if any, which shall be recorded in a book kept by them for that and other purposes. They shall keep a record of all persons who are supported in the work-house; the time when they came, and when they go away ; and to record all other matters which they shall deem necessary : all of which shall be reported by them at the annual March meeting."


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Power and Duty of the Master.


" The Master shall have the immediate care and control of the inmates, and all the property belonging to the institution ; and shall give an account of the same to the Overseers, when called upon by them : he shall see that the inmates are suitably provided with lodging, clothes and food, and shall call on the Overseers for such things as are necessary for that purpose. It shall be the duty of the Master to see that all who are able to labor, are employed in such a manner as shall be most advantageous to the town; and to in- struct in regard to the moral character of all persons in his care, and see that the Sabbath is duly observed; and to take care of all the fires, see that the lights are put out, that the inmates retire in proper season, and the children in his care are suitably schooled; it shall also be his duty to punish any one of the inmates who are refractory, or disobedient, and perform all other duties which may devolve on him by the direc- tion of the Overseers."


Duty of the Inmates.


" All persons who are maintained in the work- house, shall be under the immediate care and control of the Master and Mistress of the house,


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and shall not absent themselves from the prem- ises without their consent; and such as are able to labor, shall labor according to the directions of the Master. There shall be no ardent spirits used on the premises, except by the special di- rection of the Physician.


The above rules and regulations shall be laid before the town at a regular meeting, and when accepted by them, shall be the Rules and By-laws of the Gardner work-house; and shall be read in the work-house in the presence of the Master and Inmates, at the commencement of each year, by one of the Overseers.


These Rules and Regulations may be altered or amended at any legal meeting of the town."


At the annual meeting in March, 1849,


Voted, to give Levi Heywood, Charles W. Bush, Francis Richardson and others, leave to fence off a portion of the common, and set out ornamental trees on the same.


At the annual meeting in March, 1859,


Voted, to raise $4,500, to defray town charges the present year.


Voted, to raise $2,000, for the support of schools ; voted to leave $300 of the school money in the hands of the Committee to expend in the 9*


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several districts at their discretion, so as to make the schools as near cqual as possible; and to give district No. 4, $50. No. 5, $50. No. 6, $75, and the remainder divided equally in pro- portion to the number of scholars.


Voted, that the tax on polls and personal property, &c., be paid to the Town Treasurer, on or before the 20th of July next, and there shall be allowed on the same, and also all who shall voluntarily pay their tax on real estate at that time, a discount of six per cent .; and all taxes on polls and personal property not paid at that time, be placed in the hands of a constable for collection ; and all who shall voluntarily pay their tax on real estate, on or before the 1st of October next, a discount of four per cent., after which, all taxes not paid on the 1st of De- cember, to be put in the hands of a constable for collection.


.


In accordance with a vote of the town, a build- ing is being erected at a probable cost of $14,000 or $15,000, which is designed for a town hall, stores and other purposes.


There have been 648 legal town meetings held in Gardner since its incorporation as a town.


The amount of money granted, assessed and collected by the town, is $319,341.


THE FOLLOWING TABLE Shows the Names of the Moderators for the Annual Meetings, with the Town Clerks, Selectmen, Assessors, and Treasurers of the Town, from its Incorporation to the present time.


Moderators.


Town Clerks.


Selectmen.


Assessors.


Treasurers.


1785. Capt. Elisha Jackson.


Seth Heywood.


Elisha Jackson, Samuel Stone, Simon Gates, John Glazier, John White.


Selectmen.


Seth Heywood.


1786. Capt. Elisha Jackson.


Capt. Joseph Bacon.


Elisha Jackson, Samuel Stone, Simon Gates, John Glazier, Joseph Bacon.


Elisha Jackson, Joseph Bacon, Elijah Wilder.


Peter Goodale.


1787. John White.


Capt. Joseph Bacon.


Seth Heywood, Elisha Jackson, David Nichols, David Comee, Nathan Green.


Elisha Jackson, Seth Heywood, John White.


Seth Heywood.


1788. Capt. Samuel Kelton.


Capt. Joseph Bacon.


Elisha Jackson, Samuel Stone, David Nichols, William Bickford, Peter Goodale.


Joseph Bacon, Seth Heywood, Ebenezer Howe.


Seth Heywood.


1789. Ebenezer Howe.


Capt. Joseph Bacon.


Elisha Jackson, Samuel Stone, David Nichols, William Bickford, Ebenezer Howe.


Elisha Jackson, Joseph Bacon, Ebenezer Howe.


Ebenezer Howe.


TOWN HISTORY.


99


TABLE-Continued.


Moderators.


Town Clerks.


Selectmen.


Assessors.


Treasurers.


1790. Capt. Samuel Kelton.


Capt. Joseph Bacon.


Elisha Jackson, Ebenezer Howe, Samuel Stone, David Nichols, Simon Gates.


Joseph Bacon, Ebenezer Howe, Simon Gates.


Ebenezer Howe.


1791. John White.


Capt. Joseph Bacon.


Elisha Jackson, Ebenezer Howe, Samuel Stone, Aaron Greenwood, Josiah Wheeler.


Joseph Bacon, Ebenezer Howe, Elisha Jackson.


Ebenezer Howe.


1792. Ebenezer Howe.


Capt. Joseph Bacon.


Elisha Jackson, Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Greenwood, David Foster, Joseph Payson.


1793. Capt. Samuel Kelton.


Capt. Joseph Bacon.


Elisha Jackson, Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Green wood, David Foster, Joseph Payson.


Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Greenwood, Reuben Haynes.


Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Greenwood, Reuben Haynes.


Reuben Haynes, Jonathan Wood, Jonathan Greenwood.


Reuben Haynes, Jonathan Wood, Jonathan Green wood.


Selectmen.


Ebenezer Howe.


Ebenezer Howe.


TOWN HISTORY.


Ebenezer Howe.


Ebenezer Howe.


1794. Ebenezer Howe.


Jonathan Prescott.


1795. Capt. Elisha Jackson. Jonathan Prescott,


Selectmen.


100


1796. John White.


1797. Capt. Samuel Kelton.


1798. Capt. Samuel Kelton.


1799. Col. Abel Kendall.


1800. Col. Abel Kendall.


1801. Joseph Edgell.


1802. Col. Abel Kendall.


Jonathan Prescott.


Reuben Havnes, James Coolidge, Aaron Wood, Joshua Whitney, Joel Wilder.


Capt. Reuben Haynes. Elisha Jackson, James Coolidge, Reuben Haynes, Aaron Wood, Joshua Whitney.


Capt. Reuben Haynes. Elisha Jackson, Reuben Haynes, Aaron Wood.


Capt. Reuben Haynes.


James Coolidge, Simeon Leland, Abel Kendall.


Capt. Reuben Haynes.


Capt. Reuben Haynes.


Jonathan Greenwood, Thomas Baker, Allen Perley.


Capt. Reuben Haynes.


Samnel Stone, William Whitney, James Coolidge.


Simeon Leland, Samuel Edgell, William Whitney.


Simeon Leland, Samuel Edgell, William Whitney.




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