History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 195

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 195

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" Being secured in the garrison, they were able to defend themselves, but could afford no protection to their property, much of which was destroyed, or carried away. Thirteen of their dwellings, and eleven barns, were laid in ashes ; their fences thrown down; their fruit-trees hacked and peeled ; their cattle killed or maimed; so that their ravages were visible for many years. But what would be more distressing to our pious ancestors, than any other loss of mere prop- erty, was that of their meeting-house, and the house they had erected for their faithful minister-both of which shared in the general conflagration. There is a common tradition, that the Indians set fire to Mr. Brimsmead's house, and that the flames communi- cated with the meeting-house which stood near by, and that that was the cause of its being burnt. This might have been the case; but the Indians, engaged in a war of extermination, had no more regard for the white man's religion than for the white man's life, which they were taking every measure to destroy. And it is possible, that the fact of this house being located upon the Iudian planting field, which gave some offense to the Indians, might have been one cause of its destruction.

" Subsequent to this attack upon Marlborough, the. Indians, about three hundred stroug, who undoubt- edly felt that they were masters of this region of coun- try, retired to the woods not far distant, and encamped for the night. Lieut. Jacobs, of the garrison at Marl- borough, conceived the bold design of surprising them in their camp. Accordingly, on the night of the 27th, with a party of his men, and a portion of the citizens of the town, he attacked them when they were wrapped in profound slumber, and killed and wounded about forty, without sustaining any loss himself."

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR .- During this war Marlborough was in a constant state of alarm, and twenty-six garrisons were organized as follows :

1. Capt. Howe's Garrison : Samuel Stevens, James Howe, Jonathan Howe, Samuel Stow, Jonathan Morse.

2. Mr. Breck's Garrison.

3. Capt. Kerly's Garrison : Nathaniel Joslin, Joseph Maynard, Dea. Woods, Nathaniel Johnson, Thomas Amisden, Simion Gatew, Joseph Johnson.

4. Capt. Brigham's Garrison : Peter Plimpton, Benjamin Mixer.

5. Isaac Amsden's Garrison : Thomas Newton, Sergeant Maynard, James Woods, Adam Martin, Is. Temple, Deacon Newton, John Amsden.

6. Is. Hence's Garrison : Moses Newton, David Fay, John Newton, Widow Johnson, Moses Newton, Jr., James Cady.

7. Lieut. Williams's Garrison : Thomas Beaman, Peter Bent, Richard Barnes, Edward Barnes.

8. Ensign Howe's Garrison : Ensign Bowker, Joseph Wait, David Church, Benjamin Rice, Peter Rice, Joseph Rice.

9. Samuel Morrill's Garrison : Sergeaut Barrett, John Barnes, Benja- min Bagley, Joseph Ward, Joshua Rice, Thomas Martin, Saomuel Bush.

10. Thomas Brigham's Garrison : Jonathan Brigham, Oliver Ward, Increase Ward.

11. John Howe's Garrison : Zach: Eager, Abraham Eager, Daniel Johnson, Samnel Wheelock, Obadiah Ward, Thomas Axtell.

12. Samuel Goodnow's Garrison : Nathaniel Oakes, Jonathan Forbush, Gershom Fay.

13. Lieut. Howe's Garrison : Thomas Ward, Edward Rice.

14. Nathan Brigham's Garrison : Joseph Stratton, Henry Bartlett, Alexander Stewart.

15. Samuel Ward, Sr.'s, Garrison : William Ward, Wid. Hannah Ward, Jonathan Johnson, Sr., Caleb Rice.

16. John Matthews' Garrison : William Johnson, Samuel Ward.

17. Daniel Rice's Garrison : Wid. Sarah Taylor, Supply Weeks, Eleazer Taylor.

18. Samuel Forbush's Garrison : James Bradish, Thomas Forbush, James Gleason.

19. Edmund Rice's Garrison : David Brigham, Isaac Tomblin, David Maynard.

20. Thomas Rice's Garrison : John Pratt, Charles Rice.

21. Thomas Hapgood's Garrison : John Forbush, John Wheeler, Josiah Howe, B- Carly, Sr., James Carly.

22. Mill Garrison : Thomas Barrett, John Banister.

23. Simon Maynard's Garrison : Adam Holloway, Benjamin Whitney, Joseph Newton, John Keyes, Abiel Bush.

24. John Newton, Jr.'s, Gurrison : Eleazer Bellows, James Eager, James Newton, Benjamin Newton, Ephraim Newton, John Woods, Abraham Newton.

25. Jonathan Newton's Garrison : Is. Woods, Thomas Witherbee, Is. Amsden, Moses Lenard, Roger Bruce.

26. Joseph Morse's Garrison : Thomas Bigelow, Samuel Bigelow, Sam- nel Morse, John Bigelow, John Sherman, Daniel Harrington.

The committee to assign these garrisons consisted of Thomas Howe, Samuel Brigham, Isaac Amsden, Eleazer Howe, Daniel Howe, John Bowker, Jonathan Johnson, Nathaniel Joslin, Peter Rice, John May- nard and John Barrett.

CHAPTER LVII.

MARLBOROUGHI-(Continued).

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.

The Lexington Alarm-The Minute Men-List of Soldiers -- Votes, etc .- Henry Barnes the Royalist.

As early as September 19, 1768, the people of Marl- borough in town-meeting assembled, voted as follows relative to the action of Boston in connection with the odious Stamp Act, " that it is their opinion that what the town of Boston has done respecting the present difficulties, is proper, and have accordingly

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

chosen Mr. Samuel Witt to meet the committee of Boston, at the time and place named and proposed."

March 29, 1770, at a meeting of which John War- ren was moderator, it was

" Voted, That we highly approve of the noble and. manly-spirited con- doct in those Merchants who have agreed (aod firmly abide by the same) not to import goods from Great Britain, till the revenna acts are re- pealed, sacrificing thoir own private interest to the public good.

" Voted, The thanks of this town to the town of Boston, for the noble- spirited resolutions and measures they have taken to promote the cause of Liberty.

" Voted, That we will, as far as lies in our power, in and by avery con- stitutional way, encourage, strengthen and support those Merchants and others, who have discovered such a patriotic spirit as by the Noo-Impor- Iation Agreement, appears.

" l'oted, That those who have not come into or do not abide by the Non-Importation Agreement, and those that buy goods of the importers, or purchase goods of those traders who bave them of the present im- porters, are enemies to their country nad posterity, and that they ought to be treated as suchi.

" Voted, That we ourselves, or by any from or under os, will not di- rectly or indirectly purchase any goods of Jobn Bernard, James and Patrick McMasters, Wm. Jackson, John Mein, Nathaniel Rogers, The- ophilus Lillie, John Taylor, Anne and Elizabeth Cummings, all of Boston; Israel Williams, Esq., and son, of Hatfield, and Henry Barnes, of Marl- borongb aforesaid, (being importers), until a general importation shall take place, or they come into the Non-Importation Agreement of the Merchants to their satisfaction.

" Resolred and Voted, That the names of those who purchase goods of the importers, or of those who buy of importers, shall be made public, as far as we have the knowledge of them."

December 21, 1772, Ifezekiah Maynard, Alpheus Woods, Edward Barnes, Jonas Morse and Daniel Harrington were chosen a committee to draft instrue- tions to their Representative, and also to correspond with the Committee of Correspondence of Boston. At a meeting held January 1, 1773, the committee submitted a report and resolutions, which were unan- imously adopted. Among the resolutions were the fol- lowing :

" Resolved, As the opinion of this town, that the whole British Em- pire in under very alarming circumstances, in that the constitution of the nation being io part broken over, the rights of the peopde invaded, great inroads made upon their liberty in an arbitrary muoder, their freedom, property and privileges, civil and religions, being wholly taken from them, notwithstanding all the constitutional remonstrances end petitions that have been made nse of.

" Resolred, That the British Colonies in America, and this Province in particolar, have a right to all the immunities, privileges and liberties granted to them by the royal charter and acts of Parliament.

" Resolved, That the people of this Province have ever been a loyal people, and have never forfeited their charter rights by any disloyalty whatever, and that they have good right to hold and enjoy their prop- erty and privileges ; and no power on earth hasnny just right to alienate them from their jnat owners, without the consent of themselves or rep- resenintives

" Resolved, That the many acts of Parliament imposing in late years duties on this as well as the other Colonies, and the tolerating a Roman priest, and appointing papists to high places of trust in the British do- minions, and also establishing the salaries of several of the first men of this Province, and also of the Judges of the Superior Court, and mak- ing them independent of the people, the great extension of whmuiralty jurisdiction, the quartering soldiers upon ns in time of peace, the arbi- trary demanding and the treacherous giving up of Castle William, our chief fortress, the shedding innocent blood, as in the horrid massacre in Boston, March 5, 1770, all of which is unconstitutional, and carrles a bad aspect, &c."

At a meeting held in 1778 it was resolved:

"That although our land is very fruitful, yet being taxed without onr consent, we may he brought to a morsel of bread, or but one menl of meat in a week, which is the case with Ireland, a very fertile land ; and

as our great Lawgiver, and the law of nature, require self-preservativo, we are determined by no means to snberit to such arbitrary measures, duties, tythes, taxes, &c., but will unite with our bretbren in this and the neighboring Provinces, and oppose them to the last extremity.

" That peace and barmony will never be enjoyed between Great Brit- ain and the Colonies, until the interests of both be inseparably connected ; wbich will be accomplished by nothing short of n repeal of all uncon- stitutional acts, and the removal of all sinecures, pensioners, pimps, mn- formers and bad governors.

"That we look upon every person who does not oppose the present unconstitutional measures of administration, especially Edward Winslow nud others, of the ancient and memorable town of Plymouth, who with- out giving one reason, havs protested against the proceedings of said town, as inimical to the interests of America, and ought to be despised by all the human race."

September 29, 1774, Peter Bent was elected repre- sentative, and the town instructed him as follows :

" We hereby instruct you that you adbere strictly to the Charter of this l'rovince, stipulated and agreed to between their Majesties, King William and Queen Mary and thie Province, and that you pay no acknowledgment to nay unconstitutional and new fangled Counsellors, and that you do not give your consent to nny act or thing that may be construed a tacit acknowledgment to any of the late oppressive, wicked und unjust Acts of the British Parliament, for altering the Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay."

In the mean time the town directed the selectmen " to make an addition to the town's stock of ammuni- tion-powder, bullets and flints." They also instruct- ed their constables not to pay the Province tax over to the Royal Treasurer, but to the Treasurer appoint- ed by the Provincial Congress. In 1775 fifty-five ad- ditional guns, with bayonets, were procured; drums were furnished to the companies, blankets were pro- cured for the minute-men, ete.

This was the condition of the public mind of Marlborough when, on the 19th of April, 1775, the in- telligence reached the town that the British had left Boston, and were marching on Concord. Within a few hours four companies from Marlborough, consist- ing of 190 men, were marehing to the seene of action.

LIST OF SOLDIERS .- The following is a list of sol- diers who were in the service from this town :

Roll of Captain Howe's company, which marched on the 19th of April, 1775, to Cambridge, and were absent from home sixteen days :

Cyprian Howe, captain; Amasa Cranston, lieutenant ; Uriah Eager, ensign ; Solomon Bowers, sergeant; Robert Hunter, sergeant; Ebenezer lager, sergeant : William Hager, Matthias Moseman, Josiah Wilkins, John Baker, Abner Goodale, Jabez Bush, Asa Barnes, Hiram Stow, For- tunatus Wheeler, Aaron Eager, Joel Brigbam, William Speakman, Francis James, Peter Howe, Ephraim Maynard, Silas Barnes, David Hunter, Joseph Miller, Simon Maynard, Luke lager, Amos Wait, Adon- ijah Newton, Jacob Priest, James Bruce, Joel Barnard, Timothy Bruce, Nathaniel Bruce, Thomas Goodale, James Priest, Ebenezer Eames, Wil- Jinm Brown, Alphens Morse, Jahez Rice, Jonathan Temple, Jeduthun Alexander, Joseph Baker, Nehemiah Howe, Abner Dunton, Thaddeus Shattuck, Frederick Walcutt, Timothy Darling, Abraham Whitney.

Roll of Captain Brigham's company, which marched to Cambridge, April 19, 1775, and were in the service from ten to thirty days :

William Brigham, captain ; Silas Gates, first lieutenant; Ithamar Brigham, second lieutenant ; Henry Brigham, sergeant; Noah Benman, sergeant ; Joseph Brigham, sergeant; Ichabod Jones, sergeant ; Thomas Rice, corporal ; Ephraim Word, corporal ; Josinh Priest, corporal ; Lewis Brigham, corporal ; Gershom Rice, Jr., Samuel Enmes, Ephraim Wilder, Oliver Hale, Simeon Howe, Ezekiel Clisby, William Loring, Rediat

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MARLBOROUGH.

Stewart, Jabez Bent, Jonathan Barnes, Jr., Samnel Howe, Silas Carly, Samuel Ward, Jr., Isaac Merse, James Ball, Frederick Geedaew, John Bagley, Timothy Baker, Ephraim Howe, Abraham Beaman, Robert Horn, Luke Howe, Lovewell Brigham, Reuben Howe, Renben Wyman, Jonah Newten, Themas Joslin, Phinehas Hewe, Alexaoder Church, Itbamar Goodnew, George Brigham, Moses Williams, Jr., Williard Rice, Samuel Howe, Gershom Brigham, Jabez Bice, Abraham Brigham, Abijab Berry.

Roll of Captain Barnes's company, which marched to Cambridge, April 19, 1775. A portion who went on the 19th returned home after a few days, and were succeeded by others-some of whom were in service forty days :

Daniel Barnes, captain ; William Murse, first lieutenant; Panl Brig- ham, second lieutenant; John Lering, sergeant; Ephraim Baker, sergeant; Antipas Brigham, corporal ; Jedediah Tainter, corporal ; Obadiah Barre, Levi Fay, William Rice, Peter Bent, Jenathao Brig- ham, James Bowers, John Baker, Jonas Darling, Robert Eames, Abra- ham Gould, Elizur Holyoke, Asa Witt, David Wyman, Moses Barnes, Jonathan Weeks, Ivory Bigelow, Nathan Baker, Daniel Stevens, Isaac Sherman, Benjamin Beyd, Benjamin Howe, Hezekiah Mayoard, Eliliu Maynard, Stephen Phelps, Daniel Rice, Daniel Robbins, Meses Roberts, Prentice Russell, Oliver Russell, John Rice, Joho Rice, Jr., Robert Saintclair, Ephraim Stow, John W. Woods, Francis Walkup, Stephen Felton, Thaddeus Howe, Dudley Hardy, John Lamb, Nalinm Newton, Jabez Rice, William Williams, Aaron Wheeler, Jehn Harrington, Fran- cie Merse, Heman Stew, Benjamin Stevens.

Marlborough men in Capt. Silas Gates' company, called out on the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775 :

Silas Gates, Capt., Henry Brigham, Francis Morse, Luke Howe, Thomas Williams, Asa Barnes, Benjamin Bartlett, Abraham Beaman, George Brigham, Elisha Barnes, Uriah Brigham, Juel Brewer, Alex- ander Church, Jehn Dexter, Aaron Eames, Matthias Felton, Almer Goodale, Aaron lowe, Robert Horn, Joel Hager, John Kelly, Joshua Lamb, William Loriag, Jeseph Maynard, Ashbel Bice, William Goed- ale, Gershom Rice, Samuel Gates, Quartus Stow, Abraham Howe, San- nel Ward, Meses Williams, Joseph Williams, Jeduthun Wyman, David Hunter.

Eight months' men :

Lt. Cel. Edward Barnes, C'apt. Paul Brigham, C'apt. Daniel Barnes, Capt. Amasa Cranstoo, Capt. Silas Gates, Lient. Moses Barnes, Lieut. William Morse, Lieut. Obadiah Bruce, Simon Adams, Jeduthun Alex- ander,' Stephen Allen, William Boyd, James Ball, John Baker, James Bowers, Elihu Maynard, Hezekiah Maynard, William Rice, Joseph Mil- ler, Paul Newton, Daniel Rice, John Rice, Jolin Rice, Jr., David Wy- man, Peter Bent, Jonathan Brigham, Abraham Brigham, George Bender, Artemas Brigham, Ephraim Barber, Jonas Darling, Robert Eames, Abraham Gonld, Frederick Goodnow, Nebemiah Howe, Elizur Holyuke, Obadiah Johnson, John Kidder, Ephraim Simonds, Daniel Robbins Oliver Bussell, John Sawin, Francis Walkup, Asa Witt, John W. Woods, Reuben Wyman, John Wright, Moges Robbins.

The following Marlborough men were also in the service :

William Brigham, John Barnes, Elisha Barnes, Uriah Brigham, Joel Bubbett, Silas Baker, Richard Bradford, Henry Brigham, Asa Barnes, Benjamin Bartlett, Abraham Beaman, George Brigham, David Hunter, Joel Hager, Edward Knapp, William Loring, Francis Measurve, Joseph Newton, Roger Phelps, Ashbel Rice, Jeseph Robbins, John Stow, Quar- tus Stow, Samuel Spofford, David Sale, William Shield, Robert Scott, William Weeks, David Wait, Asa Witt, John Wiggins, Joseph Williams, Josephi Waters,2 Joel Beamao, Alexaoder Church, John Dexter, Aaron

1 He was killed at Bunker Hill, where a portion of the Marlborough men were engaged. They were under the command of Lt. Col. Jon- athan Ward and Maj. Edward Barnes, of Marlborough.

2 Waters was a Scotch Highlander, In the English service, and was sent ever with others to reinforce General Howe at Bostoo. The transport arrived after the British left Roston, and was captured. Waters came to Marlborough and enlisted into the Americao service, and served in almost every campaign during the war. He married in Marlborongh, and after the prace made it his place of abode. He died at an advanced age, retaining, to the day of his death, the air of a soldier.

Eames, Jonathan Cresby, Zerubbabel Eager, Matthias Felton, Samuel Hudson, William Geedale, Samuel Gates, Luke Howe, Aaron Nurse, Robert Horo, Samuel Kelley, Jonathan Lumb, Francis Morse, Samuel McNair, Pomerey Greve, Josepb Pulling, Gershom Rice, Abraham Howe, Peter Stevensen, Alexander Watson, Thomas Williams, Fertn- natus Wheeler, Samuel Ward, Meses Williams, Jonathan Wyman, Sam- nel Wyman, Samuel Willard.

The following men were drafted in 1777, for two months : John Sawin, James Bruce, Stephen Baker, James Hunter, Ebenezer Howe, Jacoh Priest, Zelo- tus Whitcomb, Samuel Hunting, John Barnes, Aslı- bel Rice, Matthias Felton, Reuben Priest, Lovewell Brigham, Jonathan Wyman, Phinehas Rice, Jona. Smith, Eli Goodnow, Theophilus Hardy, Elizur Holyoke, John Fay, John Gott Brigham, Jason Harrington, Joseph Williams, Josiah Newton, Jonas Darling, Robert Eames and John Harrington.

In 1778, Lt. Jonathan Weeks, Abner Dunton, David Hunter, Prentice Russell, Samuel Howe, Ir., John W. Woods, Aaron Eager and Aaron Brigham, were in service three months.

Capt. Amasa Cranston, Edward Wilkins, Abner Goodale, James Gleason, Josiah Wilkins, Robert Hunter, Silas Barnes and Daniel Barnes, were at White Plains.

Among the nine months' men were Silas Baker, Josiah Priest, Phinehas Moore, Abner Ward, Reuhen Priest, Timothy Rand and Joseph Johnson.

Capt. Moses Barnes was in the service two months, from first of May to first of July, 1779, and had under him, of Marlborough men, Quartns Stow, David Brig- ham, Phineas Brigham, Aaron Benman, William Gates and Nathan Riee.

Among the six months' men were :

Elihu Maynard, David Sale, Alexander Watson, John Stow, William Weeks, Joseph JJohnson, David Wait, Stephen Baker, David Holloway, Sammel Gates, Aaron Brigham, Joseph Robbins, Asa Witt, David Brig- bam, Paul Brigham, Aaron Beaman, Abraham Stow, Joshua Bailey, Josepb Waters, Joseph Newton, Roger Phelps, Zerubbabel Eager.

The following were in the service in Rhode Island :

Jacob Brown, William Dawson, Joseph Waters, Thomas Williams, Uriah Eager, Elihn Maynard, Abraham Stow, Alexander Watson, Dao- iel Brigham, John Gates, Israel Brown, Israel Greenleaf, Putnam Phelps, Jonas Wilkins, Moses Eames, Paul Brigham, David Holloway, Moses Williams, Winelow Stow, Morris Clary, Silas Gates, Jr., William Gates, Aaron Eager, Stephen Eager, Smumel Gates, Aaron Beaman, Joseph Robbins, Jotham Bayley, David Wait, Samuel Brigham, Jonathan Goodnow, Silas Wilson, William Rice, Lovewell Brigham, William Weeks, Tolman Howe, Roger Phelps, Asa Witt, Aaron Brigham, Steplien Brigham, David Greenleaf, Abraham Priest.

At Claverack, in 1780, under Capt. Amasa Cran- ston, were

Alexander Watson, Ephraim Jewell, Nathan Rice, Samuel Dunton, Aaron Brigham, Willnun Goodale, Silas Baker, Noah Beaman, Jr., John Dunn.

The following is a list of three months' men in 1780.

William Cory, Gardner Howe, Stephen Smith, Solomon Howe, Eher Keyes, Caleb Parker, Daniel Harrington, John Dunn, Joseph Temple, Juhn Jennison, Adam Harrington, Samuel Dunton, Aaron Brigham, Noah Beaman, Silas Stow.

Francis Jones, Nathaniel Brown, Ephraim Wilder, Renben Wilder, Sunnel Gates, William H. Woods, Lake Howe, Moves Williams, Joseph Weeks, Elias Witt, Dann Newton, Isaac Proctor, David Sale, David Wyman, Jedediah Maynard, William Mercer, Elias Morse, John Macca-

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

nella, Timothy Johnson, Eli Howe, Stephen Hudeoo, Charles Hudson,I Samuel Russ, James Whitney, Williato Rice, Elisha Austin, Peter Little, Francie Soames, Stephen Phelps, John Baker, Phinehas Blorse, Joseph Johneou, Jonathan Wiggine.

The following is a list of three years' men :

Joseph Miller, David Harria, Josiah Priest, Reuben Priest, James Mahew, David Hill, John Duon, Thomas Baker, Alexander Crawford, William Foedick, Abner Smith, John Cain, Jonathan Pollard, Euoch Kidder, Joseph Waters, Jacob Groun, Jonah Newton, Joseph Newton, Samuel Little, Stephen Russell, Zerubbabel Eager, John Dexter, Jona- than Dexter, Nathan Pratt, Jobo Rice, Silas Sawin, William Walker, John Newton, Levi Fletcher, Job Spaulding, Sarouel Ditsou, Thomas Ditson, Reuben Wyman, Thomae C. Ridgeway, Josiah Bailey, Thomae Greenongh, Jamee Edy, John Gilliard, Silas Harthorn, William Messer, Thomas Ridgeway, Jamee Parker, Dean Wyman, Andrew Kettle, Pat- rick Mahony, Peter Willard, Joseph Dawson, Robert Mansfield, Wil- liam Rice, John Johnson, Samuel French, Charles Beujean, John Den- mark, John Aosel, Jonathan Newton, John B. Torrey, Sammel Fletcher, Benjamin Roberts, Prentice Russell.

William Goodale, Ephraim Newton, Jonathan Crosby, William Bige- low, Joseph Watere, Peter Stevenson, Samnel Spofford, Israel Greenleaf, John Barnes, Benjamin Gould, Richard Wyman, Abel Ray, Aaron Brigham, Job Spanlding, John Rice, Joel Bartlett, Francie Menford, John Gates, Samuel McNair, Silas Baker, Edward Knapp, Robert Scott, William Shield, Samuel Wyman, Samuel Willard, Thomas Joelin, John Newton, Stephen Phelps.

In March, 1776, the town chose a committee of seven of their prominent men "to devise ways and means for the manufacture of saltpetre in private families," as preparatory to the manufacture of gun- powder. At a meeting held May 28, 1776, the town voted, " That if the Honorable Continental Congress shall, for the safety of the United Colonies, declare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, we, the inhabitants of Marlborough, will solemnly engage, with our lives and fortunes, to support them in the measure."

In 1776, the town voted "to give to every soldier that enlists to go to Canada, seven pounds as a bounty, or twelve pounds as a hire, exclusive of the Court's bounty, as the person that shall enlist shall choose."

In March, 1777, the town voted "to give each soldier that shall enlist to serve in the Continental army the term of three years, or during the war, for this town, the sum of forty pounds as soon as they shall pass muster." They also empowered the Treasurer to borrow, in behalf of the town, such a sum as should be neces- sary to pay the soldiers thus enlisted.

At a meeting December 4, 1777, voted " to leave it with the Selectmen to supply the families of such non-commissioned officers and soldiers as have en- gaged in the Continental army from this town."

In January, 1778, at a town-meeting, " Heard the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union be- tween the United States of America-empowered the Representatives to act and do as they shall judge

most for the advantage of this and the United States, relative to that matter."

At a meeting held March, 1778, “ Voted to pro- vide 32 pairs of stockings, 16 pairs of shoes, 16 pairs of breeches, and 32 shirts for the soldiers ; and that the Selectmen provide them, and send them as soon as may be upon the town's cost."

At a meeting held May, 1778, to act upon the sub- ject of a new Frame of Government, the record reads as follows: " After hearing the Constitution and Form of Government read, and Debates upon it- seventy-six voters present at the meeting-thirty-four were for approving and forty-two for disapproving of the Form of Government." So the town, as far as their vote was concerned, rejected the proposed Con- stitution ; and in this respect their voice was in har- mony with that of the State.

Additional troops having been called for, the town, at a meeting held May, 1778,

"Voted, To give to each soldier that ehall enlist before the 15th inetant, to serve in the Continental army for the term of nine monthe, to do a turn for himself, thirty pounds as a bounty, and eight ponude per mouth wages for the time he shall serve in the army, over aud and above what the Continent givee.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 195

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278