USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > North Brookfield > History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Preceded by an account of old Quabaug, Indian and English occupation, 1647-1676; Brookfield records, 1686-1783 > Part 23
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I 733. Voted, that any number of men that are minded to build a school house may set it up in the highway or common land near the middle of the town. Voted, that any number of men have the same privilege in any other part of the town.
Moving school. Nov. 23, 1739, voted to have two school masters for four months in the winter season : To be moved into the several parts of the town. Voted froo for the support of the school.
1741. Granted Jacob Wood's wife 3 pounds for her keeping school in the year 1740.
1744. Granted for support of the school 150 pounds old tenor.
Grammar School. 1746. The town granted 150 pounds, old tenor, for the support of the grammar school, and instructed the selectmen to
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ITEMS OF INTEREST.
see that a place was stated for keeping said school; and voted that School Dames be employed in the summer season.
1748. " Voted, that where there is 15 or 20 children can conveniently come to one school in any part of the town, they shall be allowed a School Dame, at the charge of the town, they procuring sd Dame."
1749. Granted for the support of schools 300 pounds, old tenor.
I 750. Granted $40 lawful money for support of schools.
I754. A reading and writing school was kept at Abraham Adams' house for a short time, by Alexr Stuart.
1756. "Voted, that the school be kept in the several Precincts in this town, each Precinct to have its equal proportion, and to be stated by the inhabitants of each Precinct in their own respective Precinct."
1760. "Voted, that the interest of the money due the town for the sale of Common Land called "The Rocks," and other lands sold last year, be appropriated for the support of a Free School, for the benefit of the Inhabitants of said town, as the selectmen shall order, for this year, and until the town shall further direct in the affair."
ITEMS OF INTEREST. - 1719. Capt. Thomas Baker was sent repre- sentative to the General Court; and in 1723 the town raised money to pay him for his services.
Philip Robitail, a half brother of Capt. Baker's wife, appears to have been in Brookfield this year, and worked on the Captain's farm. Other new comers were, Ebenezer How, blacksmith, from Marlborough ; Alex- ander Stewart, tailor, from M .; Obadiah Rice, also from M., bought the Bettis' place ; Samuel King, alias Rice, from Sudbury ; Jonas Houghton, and Thomas Tucker, from Lancaster, bought the Arthur Tucker place ; Capt. Thomas Perley and Stephen Peabody from Boxford bought a large tract of land near the Brimfield line, of Tilly Mirick.
1720. Voted, not to send a representative this year.
A, wolf's head was brought to the constable by Benj. Walker, and another by Hopestill Hinds.
The settlers this year were, Jacob Abbott, carpenter, from Andover ; Richard Burk, Sen., and his sons Richard and Jonathan, carpenters, from Stow, perhaps later from Northampton ; John Patterson ; Wm Hair ; Josiah Wood ; Obadiah Wright ; Jacob Wood.
1721. Capt. Thomas Baker, Tilly Mirick and Left. Thomas Gilbert were appointed Trustees, to take up the £50. province bills granted to our town by the Great and General Court. Voted, to let out the £50, upon interest, no man to have over £10.
1722. Voted, that all hogs may go at large, being yoaked and ringed as the law directs.
1726. Voted, that all persons that are freeholders, and are of age to act for themselves, shall or may be voters in the town meeting.
202
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
1728. Voted, to take our proportion of the £60,000, out of the Public Treasury of the Province ; that Thomas Gilbert, Samuel Barns and Wm Old be the Trustees to let out the money ; and that no man have less than $5, nor more than fro. Brookfield's share was £203.
1730. Voted, to build a pound near John Green's house, between the two highways.
Voted, to have four contributions this year : the first next Sabbath, and so once a quarter, for to raise money for Mr. Cheney, to make up some- thing of the loss he hath been in the bills of credit.
1731. May 14, Voted, that whoever, within 20 days, shall kill any rattlesnake, and shall bring the last joint of the tail thereof to the select- men, and shall solemnly declare that the said snake was killed in or near our town, shall have 3d. reward.
1734. A premium of 40 shillings was offered for killing grown wolves within the limits of the town.
I739. Voted, that no bark for tanning, or wood for coaling be cut on the Common or undivided lands in this town.
Chose Hopestill Hinds and Joseph Hamilton a committee to prevent the killing of Deer, as the law provides.
1740. Oct. 16, Rev. George Whitefield preached in Brookfield, from the large rock on the top of Foster's hill.
1741. Voted, that the Land Bank or Manufactory Bills shall pay all town charges for the present year.
1742. The new Town of Western was incorporated, taking in the S. W. part of Brookfield.
1742. Support of the Poor. Up to this date, aid to poor persons was given by abating taxes, granting specified sums to individuals, paying doctor's bills, &c, and only 3 or 4 such instances are on the records. This year the town granted forty pounds, old tenor, " for the support of the Poor." The next year the grant was fifty pounds ; and a like grant was continued from year to year.
1747. Dec. II. Rev. Thomas Cheney died, aged 57.
Temperance. At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Brookfield, Sept. 30, 1754, Capt. Ebenezer Witt, moderator - That paragraph in the Excise Bill which relates to the private consumption of Spirituous Liquors &c., together with his Excellency's speech thereon, being read, the Question was put by the moderator, whether the town will consent to said Paragraph being passed into a Law, it was voted in the affirma- tive.
Bears. William Watson captured a grown bear and a cub; and Reuben Hamilton killed two cubs in Brookfield.
1759. May 22, Voted, that for the future, town meetings be held as
203
FATHER RALLE'S WAR.
follows : in 1759 in the First Parish; in 1760 in the Second Parish ; in 1761, in the Third Precinct, and so successively hereafter.
Coaches. In an official return of wheel-carriages for pleasure, in 1755, Worcester has none ; Lancaster, 3 chaises ; Brookfield, 3 chairs ; Leices- ter, 3 chairs.
FATHER RALLE'S WAR. - This sanguinary conflict with the Indians, was instigated by the French authorities in Canada, Father Ralle, a Jesuit living at Norridgewock, Me., being the chief instrument, and hence the name. It was opened in 1722, and continued four years. The principal field of operations was in the Province of Maine and New Hampshire ; but our Massachusetts frontiers became directly involved, and several of our Hampshire towns suffered greatly. Brookfield suffered most from alarms, and interruption of farming pursuits, and expenses of maintaining a garrison, and watching, warding and scouting. The town records are silent on all matters relating to this, and the succeeding French and Indian wars; and our only means of information are the State Archives.
The lists of field and garrison soldiers, soon to be given, comprise men who then were, or afterwards became citizens of Brookfield.
1722. The Council Records, under date July 9, 1722, note : Advised, that his Excellency give orders for 50 men to be raised to be employed as scouts on the Western Frontiers, viz. 20 men to be drawn out of Col. Partridge's regiment, their scout to be between Brookfield and North- field ; 15 men out of Col. Buckminster's regiment, their scout to be from Lancaster to Brookfield via Rutland.
In Col. Samuel Partridge's Co., in service Aug. 18 to Nov. 26, were Thomas Baker, acting as sergt., Eleazar Warner, corporal, Paul De Land, private. In Maj. John Chandler's Co., same date, were Jona. Burk, John Hamilton, Experience Rich, John Rich, Benj. Walker, Daniel Walker, Joseph Walker, Jacob Wood. In Capt. Samuel Barnard's Co., same date, were Benj., John and Joseph Wait, then of Northampton.
1723. May 14. Col. Partridge writes to Gov. Dummer : "The River is pretty well secured by the forts and men at Northfield and Deerfield ; yet Sunderland, Hatfield, Hadley, Northampton, Westfield and Brookfield and Rutland are too much exposed to invasion from the east and west. ... These towns can't stand the strain upon them to watch and ward, scout and fort, without pay, while their spring work is pressing to be done. They can't get a living." . .. [There was a quarrel of long standing between the Governor and the House of Representa- tives, which checkmated all legislation necessary for making appropria- tions and raising money to garrison these exposed towns.]
Aug. 14. The Indians made a descent on Rutland, killed the minis- ter, Rev. Jos. Willard, and two lads, Joseph and Samuel Stevens, and
204
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
carried away two other Stevens boys. Nathaniel Gilbert and a party of men from Brookfield went to the relief of Rutland ; and Col. Partridge was ordered to engage men to scout in the exposed towns, viz. 5 men from Brookfield, and 4 from each of the other frontier towns, to be kept in regular and constant duty. These men were placed in command of Lieut. Samuel Wright of Rutland, with Eleazar Warner of Brookfield as sergeant. Of the men in service Jan. 8, 1724, there were Ammiel Weeks and Wm. Thompson of Sudbury, Nathaniel Harwood of Concord, Benj. Bartlet, Jona. Burk, John Hamilton, Jos. Walker, and John Wool- cott, Jr., of Brookfield. In the spring, Sergt. Warner with 9 men were stationed in garrison at Brookfield, and remained from Apr. 13 to Nov. 20. A Daily Journal of duty done at Brookfield was kept by Sergt. Warner, and is preserved in the State Archives. A few extracts will be given, which will furnish a picture of the times. The 9 men were, Corp. John Hamilton, Benj. Bartlett, Jona. Burk, Daniel Colton (of Spg.) Ephm Hayward, Ebenezer Metcalf (of Wrentham), Wm Virgin (of Concord, later of Brookfield), Joseph Walker, Josiah Wood.
Tuesday Apr. 14. Two men guarding, the rest warding.
15. Three men guarding, the rest warding.
66 16. Four men sent scout to Rutland, the rest warding.
I7. The scout returned from Rutland. No discovery. 18. To ward the garrisons.
Sabbath, " 19. One man to guard the meeting-house.
66 20. Warding, one man guarding.
66 21. Two men to guard, the rest warding.
22. All the men warding.
Sabbath, “ 26. Two men guarding the meeting-house.
May 15.
News from the Block house, of Indians discov- ered. Scout sent to inform Capt. Wright.
Received an addition of ten men. Two men guarding the meeting-house.
Warding at the garrisons.
Sabbath, " 31. June II.
A scout sent up to the turn of Ware River.
14.
We had news from Albany that there was some Indians come from Canada, designing for our western frontiers.
66 15. A scout sent to the branches of Swift River.
Sabbath, “ 2I. Two men to guard the meeting-house.
66 22. Five men guarding, the rest warding. When winter set in, Capt. Wright took command of the scouting parties, with headquarters at Rutland. Some extracts from his Journal follow :
Nov. 29. Scouted towards Wachusett, and cross towards Brookfield.
Dec. 4. Snow deep & soft, could not go out with snow-shoes nor without.
Sabbath, " 24.
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FATHER RALLE'S WAR.
1725. Jan. 3. Guarded to Brookfield mill, with grain.
Jan. 11. Some to Bkfd., some to Worcester to mill.
" 19. Scouted over Ware River ; 20. and back of Brookfield ; 21. back into the woods again.
Feb. 2. Scouted ; discovered some tracks ; 3. went out after them, but they scattered, we could not follow them; 4. came in ; 5. kept garrison ; 10. guard to mill to Brookfield ; 26. sent a company to buy corn at Brookfield. Mar. 4. went to Brookfield to fetch provisions. Mar. 18-19. guarded the people fencing their meadows. Apr. I. guarded the people at the corn mill. Apr. 26. guarded the people to plow. May 4-13. guarded the people to plant. 10. scouted, discov- ered Indian tracks by Ware River. 28. Indians came about the garri- sons ; 29. scouted the swamps in pursuit of the Indians ; 31. watched without the garrisons, and ranged the swamps with dogs. July 10. guarded 23 men at work in the meadows making hay.
Rev. Mr. Cheney's Letter. Brookfield May 25, 1725.
May it please yr Honour : I would by these humbly entreat yr Honour would think of our Poor afflicted Town, and that you would please to grant our Town some garrison soldiers. I would beg yr Honour not to be Troubled that I take upon me to request this favour of you to my people, for their interest and welfare in a great measure is mine; and if they can't have some help, by reason of the danger of the enemy they will not be able to improve their lands, and so not be able to live themselves nor to pay me my sallary ; and several of my people desired that I would write a line to your Honour in their behalf. This Sir with hearty thanks for the care your Honour hath taken of us, and with hearty wishes of all prosperity upon yr person, Family and Government - is from yr dutiful
and ob d t Servant
THOMAS CHENEY.
In response, ten men were ordered to Brookfield, from the upper County. They had been with Capt. Samuel Willard from June 10; were given in charge of Lieut. Eleazar Warner, and remained in Brook- field till Nov. 28. Their names are as follows : Corp. Wm. Old, Eben" Ayres, Daniel Bowker, Daniel Colton, Joseph Davis, Thomas Gibbs, Samuel Gilbert, Nathaniel Gilbert, Josiah Wood. Other Brookfield men, in service July 26, to Nov. 18, were, Hopestill Hinds, Tilly Mirick, Joseph Ayres, Joseph Jennings, Jr., Samuel Davis, Joseph Marks, Edw. Walker, William Virgin, Richard Burk, Jona. Burk, Samuel Walker, John Davis. Joseph Perry was in Capt. Jos. Kellogg's Co. May 19, to July 5. John Woolcott, Jr., was in Capt. Timothy Dwight's Co. June I, to Nov. 30. [He was the boy taken by the Indians Oct. 13, 1708 ; and was killed by the Indians, on the Connecticut river, Apr. 17, 1728.]
Capt. Samuel Wight in a letter of Oct. 16, 1725, says : "Our scout
206
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
of 7 men is too little to range from Watchusett hills, on the back side of Ware River, and so to the back side of Brookfield. ... The Indians lye on the back side and hunt about 12 miles from the towns ; we hear their guns, but are not strong enough to track and follow them."
A treaty of peace was signed at Boston, Dec. 15, 1725, and ratified at Falmouth, Aug. 5, 1726.
Maj. Chandler's Letter. Woodstock, Mar. 8, 1727-8.
Sir : On Tuesday last, at 3 P. M., Moh-gun-neat a Norwich Indian, with Mo-as-quin-ne and Chausham, two Pequods, came to my house and gave me the following Relation, viz : 'That two Maqua men and a squaw with an infant of about 6 months old, came into a house somewhere on the road between Springfield and Brookfield [not far from the house of Robert Old ] the beginning of last week, who having affronted the woman of the house (the only person then at home) by hanging their kettle over her fire and turning away her kettle. Either the men of the house or some other men coming in, fell foul upon one of the Maqua men, and with a great stick has very much wounded his shoulder and back : And the child very narrowly escaped with its life, having been grazed on the belly with a stick of wood, thrown at the squaw, the sharp end whereof carried away part of the child's clothing. He also destroyed and ruined the Maqua's kettle. That the Maqua is full of resentment and has vowed revenge on the man with his hatchet in May next (unless satisfaction be made him), at which time he proposes to return with 30 of his countrymen, who will, if he shall be seized, fall upon the English. The Indians, my informers, (who have been with the Maquas since the violence done them) were sober, and seemed very much concerned lest a war should ensue with the Maquas. They also say, the Maquas were urgent with them to go with them at their drawing off. But altho' they declined it, yet they expressed great dissatisfaction at the treatment the Maquas met with. I thought it my duty to transmit this account to yr Honor, who best know what method will be proper to take.
JOHN CHANDLER.I
Capt. Joseph Kellogg was in command of Fort Dummer, above North- field, from 1726 to 1740. Jos. Perry and Eph™ Kellogg of Brookfield, enlisted in Capt. Kellogg's Co., May 12, 1735, and continued in the service till May 1740.
THE OLD FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, 1744-1749. - War was declared by France against England, Mar. 15, 1744; and on the 29th, England declared war against France in return. This contest between the powers over the water, meant for New England a war with the Indians, with a
I Mass. State Archives, LXXII. 365.
207
OLD FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
repetition of all the atrocities and distress of former struggles with the savages.
Brookfield was no longer a frontier town. Leicester, Sturbridge, Brim- field, Western and Hardwick had been planted on her borders, and served as sentinels and guards. And settlements had been pushed up the Connecticut valley towards Canada, as far as Walpole and Charles- town, where the brunt of first assaults must be borne. The part which our people took in this war was chiefly to furnish officers for field expeditions, and soldiers to defend the distant frontier forts.
The declaration of war took the Provinces by surprise, and in a measure unprepared. Defensive forts were hastily constructed in most of the towns ; and a continuous line of fortifications was built from Groton as far west as Adams. Fire-arms were put in repair ; and the old men "fought their battles o'er again", to arouse the spirit and courage of the young.
At the March meeting, 1745, Brookfield voted, "To choose a com- mittee to require and receive the former Town Stock of Ammunition; and to make a tax on polls and estates of 110 pounds, old tenor, to provide a new Stock of Ammunition."
Some of the old garrisons, particularly Gilbert's fort, must have been still in serviceable condition. And at least one new fort was built within our limits. This was "The old French Fort," which stood on the top of Coy's hill. Mrs. Eunice P. Cutter of Warren, who was born near by, has often heard her father and the old people describe the fort, the foundations of which had not wholly disappeared in her child- hood. It was located on what is still known as "Rich land," north of the Powers' place. Probably it was what was termed a mount, i.e. a heavily timbered ·building, 18 or 20 feet square, and two stories high, with a look-out at the top surrounded by a balustrade and covered with a roof. These structures sometimes formed one corner of a stockade. The one in question appears to have been a part of, or adjacent to Rich's tavern, a noted hostelry on this height of land on the old Hadley road.
Col. Joseph Dwight of Brookfield took an important and honorable part in this war. He was commander of the Ninth Mass. regiment, in the memorable expedition against Louisburg in 1745, the success of which was the distinguishing feature of this war. He was commissioned Brigadier General by Gov. Shirley, Feb. 10, 1745; and in the active operations of the siege had command of the artillery, who, in order to bring their fire upon an undefended part of the town, were forced to draw their cannon by hand across a morass, where oxen and horses could not be used. The siege lasted 49 days ; and the fort capitu- lated June 17. Gen. Dwight received special commendation from
208
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
Sir Wm Pepperell ; and June 20, was appointed judge of a Court of Admiralty.
Capt. Jabez Olmstead took part in this expedition. He commanded the roth Co. in Col. Samuel Willard's 4th Mass. regiment. James Fry was Ist Lieut. ; and John Bell 2d Lieut. Edmund Bemis of Spencer was also a Lieut. in this Expedition. Bell and Bemis were armorers, and were allowed wages as such from Apr. 17, to June 17. Bell was allowed 7 pounds 6 shillings and 6 pence, old tenor, "on account of his sick- ness after his first return from Louisbourg." The French had spiked their guns before surrendering, thus making them unserviceable ; but Bemis built a wood fire around the breech, which so dilated the metal, that the spike was readily driven in, without injury. His ingenuity was rewarded by a handsome premium.
Jonathan Clary of Brookfield enlisted in Capt. Olmstead's Co. as drummer, Feb. 15, and died at Cape Breton June 7.
Benj. Gilbert was commissioned Feb. 7, 1744, ensign in Capt. John Dodge's Co., Exp. against Cape Breton.
Eleazar Heywood of B. went in the same expedition, and died at Cape Breton early in 1746. [Mass. Archives, XVIII. 301.]
Edward Smith of B. enlisted for this expedition. "Capt. Wm Old impressed Seth Banister's gun, worth 7 pounds, for the use of the above named E. S., who never returned - and the Commissary is ordered to deliver sd Banister a gun out of the Province store."
The following spirited letter explains itself, and throws important light on the general situation.
" BROOKFIELD, July 16, 1748.
Sir : We have constant accounts of the enemy their lying upon our bor- ders in great numbers, killing and captivating our people ; and we suffer ourselves to be a prey to them, and through cowardice or covetousness, or I know not what bad spirit in officers and men, we can't so inuch as bury the slain. It appears to me high time for the Government to exert its Power and give more effectual directions to officers posted on our frontiers ; and if need be to raise half the militia of the Province: But I beg we may have 1000 men to drive the woods, and pursue the enemy even to Crown Point - If it be worth while, to send parties into the enemy's country, and give at the rate of £1000 per scalp- Why when they are so numerous on our bor- ders, should we lie intirely still and do nothing - Can't some troops of horse be sent, and may not commissions be given to such as will inlist a number of Volunteers, and by one way or other so many men raised as will a little discourage our enemy - I doubt not I can find many who would undertake (even without pay) for the Honour of the Country, and do good service
I wish to hear that something may be done Excuse my hasty letter
Yr Honour's most obt
and humble Servt
JOSEPH DWIGHT."
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LAST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
The time was very dark. Col. Stoddard, the efficient commander of the Hampshire county forces, had died June 19. The soldiers from Connecticut refused to obey the orders of Maj. Williams. Sergt. Taylor was waylaid above Northfield, July 14, by 106 French and Indians, and two of his party killed, and eleven made prisoners. The garrisons and people at Northfield and Fort Dummer were weakened by sickness.
Gen. Dwight's letter had some result. Orders were issued July 18, to raise a strong and sufficient guard out of the militia for the succor of the exposed garrisons. Dwight himself raised 100 men, and was out from Aug. II, to Aug. 22. Capt. Thomas Buckminster, with 48 Brookfield men went up to Fort Dummer, and staid from Aug. 6 till Aug. 20. The Roll is as follows : Capt. T. B., Lt. Joseph Allen, Ens. Noah Ashley, Sergts Benj. Ruggles, Eph™ Hayward, clerk Gershom Makepeace, Corps. Edw. Walker, Simeon Dwight, John Wait, centinels, Jesse Converse, Andrew Cowee, Obadiah Cooley, John Bell, Joseph Banister, Uriah Bush, John Blair, Thomas Banister, Peter Blackmar, Samuel Bascom, Elijah Bartlett, Jude Converse, Gideon Cooley, Thomas Gilbert, William Dady, Samuel Hinckley, John Hamilton, Moses Hascall, Hopestill Hinds, Nehe- · miah Hinds, Jacob Hinds, Samuel Galloon, Dudley Jordan, Solomon Keyes, Jr., Richard Marks, Silas Newton, Phinehas Powers, Thomas Rich, Solomon Rich, Nathan Smith, Wm Shepherd, John Steward, Sim- eon Wright, Phinehas Warner, Henry White, Isaac White, Joseph War- ner, James Patterson.
The treaty of peace was signed at Aix la Chapelle, Oct. 7, 1748, but was not proclaimed in Boston till May 10th of the next year.
THE LAST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, 1754-1763. - The treaty of Aix la Chapelle proved to be little more than a truce. The Indians contin- ued their depredations till June, 1749, and re-commenced hostilities in May, 1754. Assured that there could be no permanent peace to her American colonies so long as the French power was dominant on the northern frontiers, Great Britain determined to effect the conquest of Canada.
The gates to the French possessions on the St. Lawrence, were, first, by way of the River St. Lawrence ; second, by way of Crown Point and Lake Champlain ; third, by way of Lake Ontario. The reduction of Canada then involved the taking of Louisbourg, which was restored to France by the late treaty ; the capture of Crown Point, and the capture of Fort Niagara and its outpost, Fort Du Quesne.
The English government called on the Provinces to furnish their full quotas of men to these great expeditions, which were placed under com- mand of British officers ; and the intermediate frontiers were left in the main to look out for themselves. The earlier disasters of this war were largely due to the incompetence and arrogance of these British com- manders.
210
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
This general statement seems necessary in order to explain the different and widely-scattered expeditions in which our militia were called upon to take part.
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