USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212
146
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
law directs and make return of this warrant with your protest signed by nineteen citizens was sent to the doings herein-unto the Selectmen." So, as will be | General Court and also entered on the record of the observed, an effectual road was opened to rid the town town. The Legislature decided that the March 6th meeting was legal and the after-vote void, much to the satisfaction of the officers first chosen. The town neglected to choose town officers in full in 1765, and a command so to do was sent by the court at Boston. The result of this action was a meeting in which Bel- I lingham was burdened that year with nine selectmen and seven assessors. This action stood but one year ; the town choosing the usual number of selectmen and three assessors at the next annual Assembly. At the March meeting in 1773, the condition of the country being in an unsettled state, and the town being greatly inconvenienced by the excessive taxation, a committee consisting of John Metcalf, John Corbett, Samuel Scott, William Holbrook, and Benjamin Partridge were chosen to look into the condition of affairs, and report at the next meeting. The town being so neg- ligent about sending a representative, a fine was again imposed, and a petition of abatement was sent as pay- ment. Some expense accruing in the conveying of the petition, and no immediate action being taken on the part of the Legislature, the town voted Oct. 22, 1773, as follows : " Put to vote to see if the town will send to Court any more to get the fines of that we are fined for not sending a Representative in years passed. Passed in the negative." of those people liable to become paupers. The old meeting-house location having become obnoxious, or at least not desirable, on Feb. 1, 1754, a new build- ing stood completed near the town centre, concerning which more will be said hereafter, and a town-meeting was straightway called about money matters. In searching records we find it no uncommon thing to see the result of a negative vote recorded as " passed in the nagetive." In 1755, John Corbet asked the privilege of building a mill and dam on the Charles River, but the town refused to grant him the right. In the same meeting the first call (we have observed) for a member to the General Court was brought up, and the town decided not to send anybody. The Great and General Court being not only surprised but incensed at this answer to its decree, promptly fined the town. A town-meeting was straightway called, and a vote passed to draw up a petition asking the General Court to abate the fine. In addition to this, the town voted two pounds and ten shillings to carry on the petition and to cover unforeseen charges. On the same day the town decided to assess the soldiers who enlisted in his Majesty's service, and not being quite decided as to the effect of this vote, an addi- tional vote was recorded that the town would stand by the assessors in the assessment of said soldiers.
In the early part of the year 1757 a demand was again made for a representative, and the town again voted "in the nagetive" at its May meeting. At about this time the first continuous town pauper came to the surface, and being considered an evil, but neces- sary fixture, he was passed from hand to hand in a manner not to be envied even by a convict of our late day.
At the meeting of 1759 the abatement of a tax was first requested, but the town decided not to abate. In April, 1761, the town again voted not to send a representative. In 1761 a town-meeting was con- vened, and a committee chosen to find the centre of the town. At an adjourned meeting it was voted to build a second meeting-house (Baptist), and to locate
Taxation becoming more and more burdensome, the people asked the General Court in May, 1774, to assess the town for a less sum, and the committee laid before the court the poverty of the people; in addi- tion to which they sought to be excused from sending a representative and from being fined. On Sept. 2, 1774, nineteen shillings were voted to the General Court to assist in carrying on expenses ; also to agree to the the same on the knoll in the crotch of the roads at | covenant whereby the citizens declared the purchase the town centre. In May, 1762, the General Court again asked for a delegate, but the town passed over the warrant by a large vote. On March 6, 1764, the townsmen came together and elected officers for the year. On the 15th of the same month, at an ad- journed meeting, the town voted to annul the votes of March 6th, and then proceeded to elect other and different officers in their stead. At this action, a
The industry of the town, as also that of nearly every other town surrounding, was agriculture. The largest farm ever known here went by the name of Rawson's farm, and its area amounted to nearly nineteen hun- dred acres, and was located at the north end.
The public business up to the time of the Revolu- tion appears to have been the settlement of town lines and the consideration of church affairs.
of no goods imported from Great Britain. The sum of twenty-five dollars was voted for ammunition, and delegates were chosen to the convention 'at Dedham,' wherein prudential measures were adopted on current affairs. On Sept. 30, 1774, the town chose Luke Holbrook as its first delegate, he to attend " the Provincial Congress to be held in Concord on the second Tuesday of Oct. next." December 19th, seven
147
BELLINGHAM.
:
pounds additional were set out to the purchase of pow- der and bullets. Stephen Metcalf was elected the con- gressional delegate for February. In the January meeting the motion was put to see if the town would pay those men ready to go at a minute's warning in defense of the colonies, and " not a hand was raised in the affirmative." On April 25, 1775, the town " Voted six dollars bounty to its share of men (each) of the thirteen thousand six hundred enlisted, if Congress does not give it." Dr. John Corbett was then chosen to the Congress assembled at Watertown. Stephen Metcalf was also empowered. At the meet- ing of November 3d the first vote to establish a new county was taken, and Bellingham voted " no" unani- mously. At the next meeting, held shortly after, the town resolved " that it is the opinion of the inhabit- ants of this town that it is constitutional and necessary for each county in this colony of Massachusetts Bay to have county assemblies erected and established in them, the members to be chosen one or more in each town each year, with power to grant county taxes and establish roads, and to perform all acts proper for county assemblies. All that are chosen to be paid for by those that chose them." Bellingham was heartily in accord with the popular feeling con- cerning the stand taken by Great Britain, and so deeply did she feel the injustice that on July 4, 1776, a town-meeting was convened, and the people declared (almost at the same moment the declaration was proclaimed in Philadelphia), " that in case the Hon- orable Continental Congress should think it necessary for the safety of the United Colonies to declare them independent of Great Britain, the inhabitants of this town with their lives and fortunes will cheerfully support them in the measure." The sum of two hundred and forty pounds was voted to pay enlisting | soldiers. Concerning the form of a new government for the State, Bellingham responded to the General Court as follows, "dated Sept. 17, 1776, concern- ing a form of government for this State, as voted in town-meeting, called in conformity to said resolve, on due notice for that end, held at Bellingham on the 20th of October, and by adjournment on the 2d of December after :
"We are of opinion that the settling a form of government for this State is a matter of the greatest importance of a civil nature that we were ever concerned in, and ought to be pro- ceeded in with the greatest caution and deliberation. It ap- pears to us that the late General Assembly of this State, in their proclamation dated Jan. 23, 1776, have well expressed that 'power always resides in the body of the people.' We understand that all males above twenty-one years of age, meet- ing in each separate town and acting the same thing and all their acts united together, make an act of the body of the people. We apprehend it would be proper that the form of government
for this State to originate in each town, and by that means we may have ingenuity of all the State, and it may qualify men for public station, which might be effected if the present Hon- orable House of Representatives would divide this State into districts of about thirty miles diameter, or less if it appear most convenient, so that none be more than fifteen miles from the centre of the district, that there may be an easy communica- tion between each town and the centre of its district, that no town be divided, and that each town choose one man out of each thirty inhabitants to be a committee to meet as near the centre of the district as may be; to meet about six weeks after the House of Representatives have issued their order for the towns to meet to draw a form of government, and the same committee, to carry with them the form of government their town has drawn at the district meeting and compare them together, and propose to their towns what alteration their town in their opinion ought to make, and said committee in each district adjourn to carry to their several towns, and lay before them in town-meeting for that end, the form of government said district has agreed to, and the town agrees to or alters as they see meet ; after which the district committee meet according to adjournment and revise the form of government; after which each district committee choose a man as a committee to meet all as one committee at Watertown at twelve weeks after the order of the House of Representatives for the town, first meeting to draw a form of government, which committee of the whole State may be em- powered to send precepts to the several towns in this State to choose one man out of sixty to meet in convention at Water- town, or such other town as each committee shall judge best. Six weeks from the time of said district's last sitting the said one man out of sixty to meet in convention to draw from the forms of government drawn by each district committee one form of government for the whole State; after which said convention send to each town the form of government they have drawn for the town's confirmation or alteration, then ad- journ, notifying each town to make return to them of their do- ings at said convention, and at said adjournment said conven- tion draw a general plan or form of government for this State, so that they add nothing to nor diminish nothing from the general sense of each town, and that each town be at the charge of all they employ in the affair.
" DOCTOR JOHN CORBETT, " CORONER JOHN METCALF', " ELDER NOAH ALDEN, " DEACON SAMUEL DARLING, " LIEUT. SETH HALL,
" Committee."
According to the desire of the General Court, a vigilance committee was chosen on March 5, 1777, consisting of Jonathan Draper, Daniel Penniman, Asahel Holbrook, David Scott, and Ezekiel Bates. In April, a certain party being sick, a town-meeting was straightway convened, and it was voted that the man had the smallpox, and in consequence of this vote a hospital was established in the woods. On the records we find, " Voted that the town forbid any person from having the smallpox in the house of Daniel or Silas Penniman, except said Silas, now sick, and if any person or persons be so presumptuous as to have the smallpox in either of them two houses they shall forfeit to the town ten pounds, to be recovered by the treasurer." Ezekiel Bates was chosen to look
148
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
into, receive evidence, and decide on Tory cases. The form of government proposed on May 28, 1778, by the General Court was voted on by the town, and unanimously adopted by a vote of seventy-three per- sons. The names of those citizens of this town who served in the Continental army are as follows :
Amos Ellis.
Samuel Pickering.
Nathan Holbrook.
Simon Alvison.
Abijah Holbrook.
John Chilson.
Seth Holbrook.
Robert Smith, Jr.
Nathaniel Thayer, Jr.
Elisha Alden.
Dennis Darling.
Caleb Thompson. David Cook, Jr.
Nathaniel Scott.
David Scott.
Jabez Metcalf.
Lot Perry.
Joseph Perry.
Joshua Darling.
Asahel Holbrook.
Levi Daniels.
Henry Holbrook.
Daniel Trask.
Joel Leg.
Nathan
Joseph Frost.
Abner Wight.
Stephen Wyman.
Phineas Holbrook.
Elisha Hayward.
Sylvenus Scott, Jr.
Abel Bullard.
Samuel Arnold.
Benjamin Twitchell.
David Jones. Joseph Ward, Jr.
John Rockwood.
William Chase, Jr.
John Arnold.
Thaddeus Gibson.
Capt. Jesse Holbrook.
John Phillips.
George Slocomb.
Moses Hill.
Silas Penniman.
Ichabod Bozworth.
Ezekiel Hayward.
Amos Thompson.
Jonathan Scott.
Benjamin Clark.
Levi Rockwood.
Josh Phillips.
Silas Adams.
Caleb Phillips, Jr.
John Chilson.
James Bailey.
Ezekiel Thayer.
Asa Holbrook.
Samuel Wight, Jr.
John Cook.
John Upham.
Daniel Cook, Jr.
John Hall.
Samuel Adams.
Noah Alden, Jr.
Oliver Perry.
Ichabod Draper.
David Staples.
Ichabod Seaver.
Nathan Freeman.
Joseph Partridge.
Cyrus Thompson.
Richard Darling.
Joseph Rockwood, Jr.
Aaron Hill.
Joseph Dartridge. Amos Adams.
Eben Darling.
Samuel Twist.
David Belcher.
David Thompson.
Elias Thayer.
Stephen Eastey.
John Coombs, Jr.
Hennery Holbrook.
Moses Darling, Jr.
Elijah Holbrook.
Levi Darling.
framing a Constitution or form of government for the Massachusetts Bay Colony, we, your constituents, being legally assembled in town-meeting on this 16th day of August, 1779, claim it as our inherent right at all times to instruct those that represent us, but more necessary on such an important object as that of a form of government, which not only so nearly concerns our interests, but our posterity. We do, in the first place, instruct you, previous to your entering upon the framing the form of government, you see that each part of the State have properly delegated their power for such a purpose, and that a bill of rights be framed wherein the natural rights of in- dividuals be clearly ascertained,-that is, all such rights as the supreme power of the State shall have no authority to control,-to be a part of the Constitu- tion ; that you use your influence that the legislative power consist of a Senate and House of Representa- tives, the representatives to be annually chosen from the towns, as they were previous to the year 1776. That the Constitution be so framed that elec- tions be free and frequent, most likely to prevent bribery, corruption, and unchaste influence. That the executive power be so lodged as to execute the laws with dispatch. The Senate to have knowledge of the House, but to revise and propose amend- ments to it, and when not agreeing to act as one body, the senators to be annually chosen by the peo- ple. That the holding the Court of Probate, granting | of license, and registering deeds in but one town in the county, as heretofore established, has been a grievous burden to us. That you use your influence that the Constitution be so framed that each incor- porated town may have power to hold and exercise powers of a Court of Probate, and to grant licenses, and to record their deeds within the several towns. We further instruct you that, when you have drawn a form of government or the outlines thereof, you | cause a fair copy thereof to be printed. That you use your influence that the convention adjourn to some future day, and the copies so printed be laid before your several towns for their consideration and amendment, to be returned. to the convention at their adjournment. In this way we think the sense of the State at large will be most likely to be collected. That the judicial be so established that justice may be impartially demonstrated without being obliged to be at such an enormous expense to gentlemen of the law to argue causes. That right of trial by jury be
In early days the delegates were not allowed their own judgment in public affairs, but were instructed. Rev. Noah Alden, pastor of the Baptist Church at that time, was chosen a delegate, and the town in- structed him as follows : "Sir,-You being chosen by | kept sacred and close, as has been the late usual the inhabitants of this town to represent them in a practice in this State. That the statutes of Old England, or any part thereof, nor any foreign laws convention proposed to be held at Cambridge on the 1st day of September next, for the sole purpose of be adopted in this Constitution. That a county as-
Stephen Perry.
John Godman.
David Perry.
Peter Albee.
Amariah Holbrook.
149
BELLINGHAM.
sembly be established to grant county taxes in each county, and to act in all other matters appertaining thereto."
In October, 1780, a committee was chosen to favor a new county to be set off from Suffolk. At the meeting of April 2, 1781, the town assisted in the election of John Hancock, Governor, and his honor, | Thomas Cushing, Lieutenant-Governor. Stephen Metcalf was again elected representative. The name of no other man appears as representative from Belling- ham for a long term of years. On the 6th of May, 1782, he was again elected, and instructed by the town as follows :
" Sir,-Having chosen you to represent the town in the Gen- eral Court the ensuing year, we think meet to give you the following instructions : Whereas, the Governor's salary for a year has been eleven hundred pounds, and Counselors seven shillings for one day, and Senators 10 shillings a day, we think them sums exorbitant, and we instruct you to use your utmost endeavors and influence to have those salaries lessoned and all others in this Commonwealth to be set at a reasonable rate, and that all persons under pay from the Commonwealth that are not absolutely necessary for the business thereof be dismissed, and that there may be a law made that every representative be paid out of his own town treasury such sums as he and his town shall agree upon for his attendance while he is sitting, and that the General Court be removed out of Boston and set in some other town, and that the annual expense of this State be ascer- tained that is used for its own support, and the annual income thereof, and how the money has been expended that has been granted toward its support, and how much it is in debt when what is granted is all paid, that so the people, who have a right to know, may know how the money is expended that they pay ; and a separate account of the annual expense this Common- wealth is at for and toward Continental charges, and how much this State is in debt for Continental affairs, and that there be printed, published, and sent to each town in the State every year the state of its treasury and of what money has been and from time to time is granted and how expended, that for this Government and Continental affairs, separate, and whereas the mode of trials in our common law courts, the attorneys' fees that they demand is so extravagant that poorer sort of people are necessitated to suffer every injury without being able to obtain redress in common course of law of which a redress ought to be obtained."
The same gentleman was chosen by the town at its first affirmative action on a new county to represent its will. In 1784 the town voted not to send any one to the General Court. On the following year Stephen Metcalf was again empowered to attend, but before leaving the town instructed him to use his " utmost endeavor that the Stamp Act made last session of the General Court be repealed, and that a law be passed allowing no action in any other county than where the defendant resides. Also that the Governor's salary and other servants of the State be made less, and all other needless expense reduced." The town being interested in fishing to some extent, chose Joseph
Holbrook to join with the other towns on the Charles River in a petition to the General Court, for " ways to be opened through dams on the river to allow the free passage of fish." In 1787 the town cast sixty- seven votes for Governor, sixty-three of which were for John Hancock ; also in the same meeting Lieut. Aaron Holbrook was chosen representative in place of Judge Metcalf, who alone had represented the town previously. Lieut. Holbrook was instructed to influence the establishment of courts in a small circuit, also that he do his best to establish credit, " that he use his power to have what was called a dry-tax light, and that the banefull 'gugaws' of Briton and all West India goods that the Publick can best do with- out be heavily dutied. We charge you to encourage home manufactorys." In December, 1787, Rev. Noah Alden was sent to the convention in Boston to give expression to the town's mind on the proposed Constitution, and which expression had been previously | declared in that it was against the adoption. The first action taken by the town in national govern- ment affairs was at a meeting held Dec. 18, 1788, in which, as national representative, Fisher Ames re- ceived eight votes and William Heath six. Electors for choice of President, Jabez Fisher and Caleb Davis, two votes each. As representative to the General Court, Lieut. Holbrook served two years, the town in the year 1789 sending no one. In 1791, Lieut. Holbrook was returned to the General Court, and specially empowered to seek a division of Suffolk County. At the same meeting it was " put to vote to see if the town will provide a house for the inocula- tion of the smallpox, and voted no. Secondly, voted that the town disapprove of the smallpox coming into town Contrary to Law."
In 1784 (one hundred years ago) Bellingham had as her citizens the following persons :
David Metcalf.
Benjamin Spears:
Stephen Metcalf.
Nathan Holbrook.
John Metcalf.
Seth Holbrook.
John Metcalf, Jr.
Eben Holbrook.
Jonathan Metcalf, Jr.
Amzi Holbrook.
John Coombs.
Aaron Holbrook.
John Coombs, Jr.
Joseph Holbrook.
Jonathan Hill.
Joseph Holbrook, Jr.
Aaron Hill.
Peter Holbrook.
David Hill.
Asahel Holbrook.
Robert Smith.
Asa Holbrook.
Abel Smith.
Jesse Holbrook.
Ebenezer Fisher.
Darias Holbrook.
Amos Ellis.
Amariah Holbrook.
Benjamin Partridge.
Joel Jencks.
Joseph Partridge.
Ezra Forestall.
Elisha Burr.
Job Partridge. John Partridge.
Benjamin Boss.
John Corbit, M.D.
Nathaniel Butterworth.
150
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Samuel Cobb.
Johnson Streetor.
Joshua Bullard.
Joseph Thompson.
Obediah Adams.
Josiah Wheelock.
Samuel Adams.
Eben Wheelock.
Amos Adams.
Gideon Albeo.
Silas Adams.
Nathan Albee.
Jeptha Wedge.
Stephen Albee.
Abel Albec.
Hezekiah Hayward. . Thayer.
Eli Pond.
Jonathan Wright.
Lisa Pond.
Jonathan Howe.
John Clark.
David Lawrence.
Samuel Clark.
David Penniman.
Isaac Bates.
Samuel Penniman.
Timothy Merriman.
Josiah Penniman.
Amariah Jones.
A total of seventy-one, all of whom resided in the thirty-one dwelling-houses then standing, with an accompaniment of twenty-nine barns. John Metcalf, Jr., possessed two saw-mills, and John Corbit one, the only mechanical industry in town. Acres of land cultivated, 127; English mowing land, 170 ; meadow-grass, 151; pasture land, 330; woodland, 171; other land, 1974. Annual amount of cider, in barrels, 110. Number of horses, 35; oxen, 40; cows, 152; young stock, 52; sheep, 86; and swine, 38.
In 1793 and 1796 no representative was sent, and in May of the same year a warrant was issued bear- ing the words " Norfolk County," all previous having "Suffolk SS." upon their face. The nine towns in the new county, through some dissatisfac- tion, considered the proposition of returning to Suf- folk. Bellingham loudly remonstrated against it, and chose a committee to oppose any such action.
In the next annual meeting Joseph Holbrook was elected representative, and his pay placed at one dollar per day, the town-fathers further declaring " if he receive more, he shall pay it to the town." About ! this time the General Court ordered a survey of the different towns in the State, and Judge Metcalf was chosen to the work here, but we cannot give the result of his effort, as it is not a matter of record. In 1796 the town located guide-boards for public convenience, and in the next meeting considered the feasibility of uniting with other towns for the pur- pose of establishing a post-road to Dedham, what is now known as the old Boston and Hartford turn- pike. Two years previous to this, however, the matter was privately agitated, as the following letter will show :
" DEDHAM, March 27, 1794.
" Sir,-After your good wishes expressed toward establishing a line of stages on the middle road between Boston and Hart- ford, we feel a little disappointed at not receiving so prompt an
answer to our proposal, which I had the honor to present with the articles of association of the first branch inclosed to you lately, requesting your speedy answer, which is not yet re- ceived. Here a number of us have associated to run carriages statedly from Boston to Smith's, in Bellingham, as soon as the rest of the line is completed, but cannot proceed to the expense of purchasing eight coach-horses with carriages until some confidential persons along the road shall assure of its being continued through to Hartford. And if you think best to have no connection with us, we request to know it immediately, that | others may be taken into the company, with full resolution to carry it into effect, and we hope yet we shall not have to regret the disinclination of so able a partner.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.