USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Hardwick > History of Hardwick, Massachusetts, with a genealogical register > Part 9
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1 The members of the Congress pro- fessed a desire for a peaceful close of the existing controversy, notwithstand- ing they had made preparations for forci- ble resistance by recommending a new organization of the militia under trust- worthy officers, the enlisting of minute- men, the procuring of arms and am- munition, the manufacture of saltpetre,
gunpowder, and fire-arms, and the pay- ment of all taxes to a treasurer appointed by themselves. See their Journal, pp. 45- 64. The town of Hardwick expressed the same sentiments, and promptly adopted the measures recommended by the Con- gress.
2 Journals of each Provincial Congress, pp. 68, 69.
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ing my mistake, now take the liberty to send copies to your sev- eral offices, to be published in your next papers, that so the public may be made more acquainted therewith than at present, and be induced to associate for the above purposes. And as many of the people for some time past have been arming themselves, it may not be amiss to let them know that their numbers will not appear in the field so large as was imagined, before it was known that independency was the object in contemplation ; since which, many have associated in divers parts of the province, to preserve their freedom and support Government; and as it may become neces- sary in a very short time to give convincing proof of our attach- ment to Government, we shall be much wanting to ourselves if we longer trample upon that patience which has already endured to long-suffering, and may, if this opportunity be neglected, have a tendency to ripen many for destruction who have not yet been guilty of an overt act of rebellion, which would be an event dia- metrically opposite to the humane and benevolent intention of him, whose abused patience cannot endure forever, and who hath already by his prudent conduct evidenced the most tender regard for a deluded people. TIMOTHY RUGGLES.
" Boston, 22ª Dec. 1774."
" THE ASSOCIATION.
"We the subscribers being fully sensible of the blessings of good Government on the one hand, and convinced on the other hand of the evils and calamities attending on Tyranny in all shapes, whether exercised by one or many, and having of late seen with great grief and concern the distressing effects of a dissolution of all Government, whereby our Lives, Liberties, and Properties are rendered precarious, and no longer under the Protection of the Law; and apprehending it to be our indis- pensable duty, to use all Lawful means in our power, for the defence of our Persons and Property, against all riotous, and lawless violence, and to recover, and secure the advantages which we are intituled to, from the good and wholsome Laws of the Government ; Do hereby associate and mutually covenant, and engage to and with each other as follows. Namely
" 1st. That we will upon all occasions, with our Lives, and Fortunes, stand by and assist each other, in the defence of his Life, Liberty, and Property, whenever the same shall be attacked, or endangered by any Bodies of Men, riotously assembled, upon any pretence, or under any authority, not warranted by the Laws of the Land.
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
" 2ndly. That we will upon all occasions, mutually support each other in the free exercise, and enjoyment of our undoubted right to Liberty, in eating, drinking, buying, selling, commun- ing, and acting, what, and with whom, and as we please, con- sistent with the Laws of God, and the King.
" 3dly. That we will not acknowledge, or submit to the pre- tended authority of any Congresses, Committees of Correspon- dence, or other unconstitutional Assemblies of Men ; but will at the risque of our Lives, if need be, oppose the forceable exercise of all such authority.
" 4thly. That we will to the utmost of our Power, promote, encourage, and when called to it, enforce obedience to the right- full Authority of our most Gracious Sovereign King George the third, and of his Laws.
" 5thly. That when the Person or Property of any one of us shall be invaded or threatened by any Committees, mobs, or un- lawful Assemblies, the others of us will upon notice received forthwith repair, properly armed, to the Person on whom, or place where such invasion or threatening shall be, and will to the utmost of our Power, defend such Person and his Property, and if need be, will oppose and repel force with force.
"6thly. That if any one of us shall unjustly and unlawfully be injured in his Person or Property, by any such Assemblies as before-mentioned, the others of us will unitedly demand, and if in our Power compel the Offenders, if known, to make full repar- ation and satisfaction for such injury ; and if all other Means of Security fail, we will have recourse to the natural Law of Re- taliation.
" In witness of all which we hereto subscribe our Names this day of
In a letter written by Lord Percy, at Boston, in October, 1774, a copy of which is in possession of Rev. Edward G. Porter, of Lexington, it is stated that a body of "Loyal American Asso- ciates " had been organized for the defence of the Government, of which " Brig. Hon. Timothy Ruggles " was " Commandant," and Abijah Willard, James Putnam, and Francis Green were captains ; but it does not appear that they were ever called into service. It has been said that after hostilities commenced, and the British army evacuated Boston, Brigadier Ruggles went to New York, and served in the army ; but I have not seen any satisfactory proof that he ever bore arms against his country.
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On the contrary, the uniform tradition among his relatives and townsmen, while his contemporaries were still living, was, that he utterly refused to take an active part in the conflict of arms, on the one side or the other. He had eaten the King's bread, and he would not lift up his heel against him ; he had repeatedly sworn allegiance, and he would not violate his oath. And just as firmly he refused to aid in the effort to crush his kindred and his fellow countrymen by brute force. He retired to Nova Scotia, and devoted himself to agriculture on a tract of land granted to him in consideration of his services and his losses.
It may be added, that he was highly distinguished in an act, passed in September 1778, forbidding the return of refugees, providing that if any such should return they should be forth- with sent out of the jurisdiction, and if they returned a second time without permission, they should " suffer the pains of death without benefit of clergy." The preamble of the act commences thus : " Whereas, Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., late governor of this state, Francis Bernard, Esq., formerly governor of this state ; Thomas Oliver, Esq., late lieutenant-governor of this state, Timothy Ruggles, of Hardwick, in the county of Worcester, Esq." Then follow the names of more than three hundred persons, arranged alphabetically in the several counties and towns, including the late Secretary and Treasurer, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and other Judges, members of the Mandamus Council, and at least one Baronet, Sir William Pep- perell. Brigadier Ruggles alone was selected from the mass of offenders, and associated with the former governors and lieu- tenant-governor, as the most conspicuous group. He deserved this distinction, for he was confessedly their most powerful sup- porter for several years before their government was overturned and terminated.1
1 Even the most stalwart Sons of sion on the members. Otis rose after Liberty sometimes quailed before him, and shrunk from a contest in debate. Tudor mentions an instance of this kind, in his life of the younger Otis. At the session of the House, in Cambridge, May, 1769, by adjournment from Boston (where cannon had been placed in front of the State House), " on some question in dispute between the Legislature and In the same connection it may be added that the following paragraph in the Boston Chronicle, October 10, 1768, prob- ably refers to Brigadier Ruggles. In reference to the report that Governor the Governor, Brigadier Ruggles, the staunch friend of the latter, had delivered a very powerful and ingenious argument, which seemed to make a strong impres-
him, and with the fullest tone and most impassioned manner, that seemed to ar- rest the very breathing of the House, be- gan : ' Mr. Speaker, the liberty of this country is gone forever ! and I'll go after it !' He immediately turned around and walked out of the chamber." Life of James Otis, Jr., p. 356.
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
While he remained in Hardwick, General Ruggles contributed more than any other person to the agricultural prosperity of the town, by improved methods of tillage, the introduction of choice breeds of cattle and horses, and the culture of engrafted fruits.1 In the performance of his various public duties, he reflected honor on his constituents. As colonel and as brigadier-general in the French War, as representative and as speaker of the House, as president of the Congress at New York, and as chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, he was equal to his position and adorned it.2 He closed his long and eventful life at Wilmot, near Annapolis, N. S., August 4, 1795, aged nearly 84 years, leaving behind him the well-earned reputation of loyalty to his king, love of his country, and strict honor, faithfulness, skill, and energy in the performance of every duty incumbent on him.
To this estimate of his character I do not recollect to have seen any objection until recently. But a respectable writer in
Bernard might be appointed Governor of Virginia, the writer says: "If his Ex- cellency accepts of the above offer, it is said his Honor the Lieut. Governor will be appointed to succeed him ; and that a certain Honourable gentleman, a Briga- dier of the Colony Troops in the late war, during which he distinguished himself, and who is equally esteemed for his pro- bity and firmness, will succeed the Lieut. Governor."
1 After his removal to Nova Scotia, he seems to have abandoned politics and to have devoted himself entirely to agricul- ture. In an obituary notice, published in a Halifax newspaper immediately after his death, it is said that " At the conclu- sion of the late war, General Ruggles came to this Province, and with a degree of philosophy rarely to be met with at the age of 74 [his age was 64 in 1775] sat himself down in the wilderness, and began to cultivate a new farm, which he carried on with wonderful perseverance and suc- cess. The idea that his advanced age would not admit him to reap the fruit of his labor never damped the spirit of im- provement by which he was in a most em- inent degree actuated ; and the district of country in which he lived will long feel the benefits resulting from the liberal ex- ertions he made to advance the agricultu- ral interests of the Province. It may not be without its use to remark that for
much the greatest part of his life General Ruggles ate no animal food, and drank no spirituous or fermented liquors, small beer excepted ; and that he enjoyed to his advanced age almost uninterrupted health."
2 .In person, General Ruggles is said to have been somewhat more than six feet in height, and well proportioned. When ar- rayed in the costume then fashionable, surmounted by the formidable wig and cocked hat, his aspect must have been im- posing and majestic. And in manner he was equally dignified. President Adams (who was his kinsman), in contrasting him with Gridley, the Attorney General, in 1759, says, "Ruggles' grandeur con- sists in the quickness of his apprehension, the steadiness of his attention, the bold- ness and strength of his thoughts and expressions, his strict honor, conscious su- periority, contempt of meanness, &c. Peo- ple approach him with dread and terror. Gridley's grandeur consists in his great learning, his great parts, and his majestic manner; butit is diminished by stiffness and affectation. Ruggles is as proud, as lordly as Gridley, but he is more popular ; he conceals it more ; he times it better ; and it is easy and natural in him, but is stiff and affected in Gridley. It is an ad- vantage to Ruggles' character, but a dis- advantage to Gridley's." Life and Works, ii. 67.
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the " History of Worcester County," published in 1879, while he bears frank testimony that " though living in style, he was tem- perate in his habits, prudent and sagacious in the management of his affairs, and capable of filling any position to which he might be raised," yet on the same page, speaking of the ill-fated daugh- ter, Mrs. Spooner, he makes the astonishing statement, that " the father, with all his talents and public spirit, was a man of low moral principle, and it is believed that he set his children an ex- ample of conjugal infidelity."1 I doubt not that this writer " be- lieved " his statement to be true ; but to me it is utterly incred- ible. I was born, and resided for the first twenty-four years of my life, within a few rods of Brigadier Ruggles' homestead ; and during that period I often heard his character discussed by his townsmen who had personally known him, and had opposed him politically. I have also read much concerning him in contempo- rary newspapers, and in authentic history. I have heard and I have read most bitter denunciations of his political opinions and conduct. But never, until now, have I known him to be charac- terized as a " man of low moral principle." And as to his domes- tic relations, although an unhappy incompatibility of temper was notorious, and was the subject of free conversation among those who personally knew the parties, I do not remember to have heard the slightest suspicion of " conjugal infidelity " on the part of either husband or wife. On the contrary, there are unmistak- able indications that his townsmen had full confidence in his high " moral principle," and in the general uprightness of his conduct.
Equally destitute of truth, I am confident, are the stories which have been current concerning the outrageous conduct of his towns- men. I have seen no evidence that they ever treated him with personal disrespect, or maimed his cattle, or wantonly destroyed his property. Mob law was never countenanced in Hardwick.
Before taking final leave of this eminent citizen, the insertion of a few anecdotes, illustrative of his grim humor and plainness of speech, may be pardoned.
It is related that while he was a young lawyer an old woman entered the court-house, at recess, and desired a seat. Ruggles gravely pointed to the judges' bench, which she gladly accepted. When the Court came in and sternly questioned him, he replied that he considered the seat to be very convenient for old women.
Under the Provincial Charter, "the General Sessions of the 1 Hist. Worcester County, i. 56.
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
Peace was composed of all the justices within the county, who commonly attended and decided the matters presented for ad- judication by vote. . .. General Ruggles, the Chief Justice, in stern derision of the constitution of this Court, on one occasion, reprimanded a dog who had taken his seat beside his master, for appearing on the bench before he had been qualified as a Jus- tice of the Peace, and directed him to go and be sworn before he came to vote there." 1
The famous bull story rests on a slight foundation. That a bull chased the Brigadier into his house, and was there shot after having demolished a valuable looking-glass, is probably true ; but the remainder of this oft-told tale is so utterly incon- sistent with the Brigadier's high sense of honor, that it may without hesitation be pronounced apocryphal and unworthy of repetition.
Other anecdotes have been preserved by tradition, which I do not recollect to have seen in print. Among these may be men- tioned that which describes one of his boyish pranks while he was a student in Harvard College. A sign had been removed from some store or tavern, and conveyed to his room, by him or by some of his associates. Search was made for it in the even- ing, but the door was bolted, and the sign was placed on the fire. When the footsteps of the tutors were heard approaching, Ruggles began to pray, very audibly, and in his prayer repeated the language found in Matthew xvi. 4: " A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it but the sign of the prophet Jonas." In due time the sign was consumed, the prayer ceased, and the door was opened to admit those who had scrupulously abstained from interrupting the devotions of the students.
The account of another youthful extravagance indicates that some of the son's facetiousness was inherited from the father. Having purchased a horse, and agreed to pay for it on the next Election day, he wrote a promissory note, in which, instead of Election day, he inserted the words Resurrection day. When Election day arrived and payment was demanded, he insisted that the note had not yet matured, and called for the reading of it ; he would pay when it became due. The father, overhearing the conversation, exclaimed, " Timothy, if you owe that man anything, pay him. You will have enough else to attend to at the Resurrection, besides paying for old horses."
1 Lincoln's Hist. Worcester, p. 59.
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There is yet another horse story : The father, Rev. Timothy Ruggles, had a favorite horse which became sick. The son was requested to give his opinion in the case. After due examination, he said, " The difficulty is plain enough, father; the horse has the same disease which troubles the larger portion of your parish ; he has been very severely priest-ridden."
Two military anecdotes must close this list, already perhaps too long.
Before the attack on Ticonderoga, in 1758, Brigadier Ruggles earnestly objected to the order of battle proposed by General Abercrombie, and suggested another, which involved much greater personal hazard to himself. Abercrombie, however, with true English obstinacy, persisted in his own plan, and was re- pulsed with disastrous loss. When they met, on the next morn- ing, to the General's formal salutation the Brigadier responded, " Good-morning, General Abercrombie; I hope your terrible defeat yesterday may be sanctified to you."
" On the morning of the battle of Bunker Hill, General Gage said to him, that the rebels would disperse at the sight of his cannon ; that he should not be under the necessity of discharging a gun ; ' without discipline, without officers, and under the disad- vantage of being engaged in an unjust cause,' continued he taunt- ingly, ' it is impossible for them to withstand our arms a moment.' Ruggles replied with warmth, 'Sir, you know not with whom you have to contend. These are the very men who conquered, Canada. I fought with them side by side; I know them well ; they will fight bravely. My God ! Sir, your folly has ruined your cause.' " 1
1 Worcester Magazine, ii. 59.
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CHAPTER VII.
CIVIL HISTORY.
Committee of Correspondence .- County Convention. - Courts of Law ob- structed. - New Organization of Militia, and Officers elected. - Minute Men. - Alarm List. - Provincial Congress. - Constables indemnified. - Contribution to Boston Sufferers. - Tories treated with Neglect, disarmed, confined, and advertised as Public Enemies. - Temporary State Govern -. ment organized. - Few Tories in Hardwick. - Sharp Controversy with One of the Number ; settled by Appeal to the General Court. - The Con- flict succeeded by Peace. - Anecdote.
AT a meeting, on the 22d of August, 1774, the town " Chose a committee of fifteen men for a Committee of Correspondence, nine of whom being met shall have power to act, to correspond with the Committees of other towns within this Province respect- ing the important matters relating to our civil and political rights and privileges, as may be necessary from time to time, and to agree to such measures as may be thought most proper to be taken in order to frustrate and disappoint the purposes of wicked and designing men to deprive us and our posterity of our just rights and privileges ; and that said Committee shall have power from time to time, as they shall think necessary, to appoint some person or persons from among themselves to attend upon any Convention of members from the Committees of any other towns within this Province, to consult upon matters relating to our civil rights and privileges, and that said person or persons, so delegated, shall have power to agree with the majority of such Convention in any method that they may think proper to come into, to answer the above purposes ; and that the town will pay the expenses of those persons, and their horses, that may attend upon such convention. And furthermore, the town chose a com- mittee of three men, viz. : Capt. Paul Mandell, Mr. Stephen Rice, and Lieut. Jonathan Warner, as a Committee to meet the Committee of Correspondence at Worcester, on Tuesday the 30th instant."
The Committee of Correspondence, elected in Boston, Novem-
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ber 2, 1772, was the first in the Province, and was a device of the sterling patriot, Samuel Adams. " This inaugurated the system of local committees of correspondence. They multiplied and widened under successive impulses, until they constituted the accredited organs of the party that founded the Republic of the United States." 1 The inhabitants of Hardwick did not so soon respond to the message from Boston, nor so promptly as some other towns elect their Committee of Correspondence ; but in due time, and after careful deliberation, they heartily joined in the movement which induced Governor Hutchinson to say : " Thus, all on a sudden, from a state of peace, order, and general con- tentment, as some expressed themselves, the province, more or less from one end to the other, was brought into a state of conten- tion, disorder, and general dissatisfaction ; or, as others would have it, were roused from stupor and inaction to sensibility and activity." 2 The power exercised by this committee was not absolutely unlimited, because, from time to time, they reported their proceedings to the town, for approval. But in the general confusion which prevailed until the adoption of the Constitution in 1780, they exercised to a considerable extent both judicial and executive authority ; and from their known character we may be certain that the individuals first elected did not perform their duty negligently. This committee consisted of " Capt. Benjamin Ruggles, Capt. Constant Merrick, Capt. Paul Mandell, Deac. Joseph Allen, Deac. William Paige, Deac. John Bradish, Lieut. Jonathan Warner, Mr. Daniel Warner, Mr. Stephen Rice, Ens. Ezra Leonard, Ens. Timothy Newton, Mr. Thomas Robin- son, Mr. Seth Paddleford, Mr. Josiah Locke, and Lieut. Joseph Safford." 3
The committee of three, namely, Paul Mandell, Stephen Rice,
1 Frothingham's Rise of the Republic, p. 266.
2
Hutchinson's Hist. of Mass., iii. 370.
3 The same persons were reëlected in 1775. Their successors were, - 1776 : William Paige, Thomas Robinson, Sam- uel Dexter, Samuel Billings, John Brad- ish, Daniel Warner, David Allen, Abra- ham Knowlton, and Gamaliel Collins. - 1777 : William Paige, John Bradish, Thomas Robinson, Stephen Rice, Tim- othy Paige, Barnabas Sears, Samuel Dexter, David Allen, Timothy Newton, Thomas Haskell, John Hastings, and Elisha Billings. - 1778 : Daniel Warner,
Elisha Billings, Thomas Wheeler, Isaac Fay, Denison Robinson, Timothy New- ton, and Zebadiah Johnson. - 1779 : David Allen, Samuel Dexter, Aaron Bar- low, Ephraim Cleaveland, Jr., James Paige, Jr., Daniel Warner, Ezra Leonard, Elisha Billings, John Hastings, Timothy Paige, John Haskell, Thomas Robinson, Timothy Newton, Jonathan Warner, and Ephraim Pratt .- 1780 : Daniel Egery, Oliver Allen, Isaac Fay, John Haskell, and James Wing. Further elections were rendered unnecessary by the estab- lishment of a regular government.
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HISTORY OF HARDWICK.
and Jonathan Warner, elected August 22, 1774, and increased, September 22, 1774, by the election of John Bradish, to "meet the Committee of Correspondence at Worcester," faithfully per- formed their duty, and from time to time reported to the town the proceedings of the Convention. That Convention met at Worcester, August 9, 1774, organized, and adjourned to the thir- tieth day of the same month, in order that, as "a considerable number of respectable towns in this county have not yet chosen committees, and by that means may not have received the letters notifying this Convention," such towns might receive notice and be duly represented. At the appointed time, the Convention re- assembled. Rev. Ebenezer Chaplin, then of Sutton, and after- wards of Hardwick, one of the members, officiated as chaplain at its various sessions until its final dissolution, May 31, 1775 .. Under the form of recommendations, this body exercised sub- stantial legislative authority ; and their fellow citizens yielded a ready obedience to whatever was required. Among the earliest recommendations were the following, adopted August 31, 1774 :-
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