History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 223

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 223

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" The effect of this controversy does not appear to have been ultimately injurious to the most conspicu- ous individuals engaged in it. Mr. Hobart, the pastor of Hingham, enjoyed the esteem of his people, and, as has been before remarked, was relieved from severe penalties which he incurred by the liberality of the people of the town. His brother, Joshua, was afterwards frequently a deputy, and in 1674 he was honored by an election to the office of Speaker to the House of Deputies.

" It is to be admitted that the excitement neces- sarily caused by the agitation of this business, served to retard the growth and prosperity of the town ; and while the effects of the displeasure of the goverment were operating to its injury, many of the inhabitants removed to other places."

Hingham, it appcars, suffered but little from the depredations of the Indians. Upon the commence- ment of King Philip's war, in 1675, which carried

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

terror and desolation to New England, it appears that "soldiers were impressed into the country service," and ou the 19th of April, 1673, John Jacob was killed by a marauding band of savages, and subse- quently the houses of Joseph Joanes, Anthony Sprague, Israel Hobart, Nathaniel Chubbuck, and James Whitons were burned by the Indians.

'The following order was adopted by the selectinen in 1676:

" The selectmon of Hingham, taking into consideration the great danger we are in, and damage might ensue on us, by the Indians being our open enemies, and also complaint made to us on that account, do therefore order and agree that no person or persons in this town shall take in any Indian or Indians into the said town, or entertain or keep any Indian or Indians in the said town or in their service or houses, without order from authority, under the penalty of twenty shillings for every such offence," etc.

Garrison-houses were established about this time, and there were also three forts in the town.

In 1662 the town voted as follows :

"No Indian shall set up a wigwam either upon property of the town's common, or dwell in one already set up, from mid- summer next until the last day of September following, upon penalty of twenty shillings for every such offence, and if any Englishman shall give leave and permit any such wigwam to he built upon his land, he shall he liahle unto the same forfeiture, and any man in the town aggrieved is hereby empowered to prosecute this order, and to have consideration allowed him by the selectmen."

In 1665, in the "seaventeenth yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne, Lord Charles the Second, by the grace of God, of Great Brittanie, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the faith," the inhabitants procured a deed of the town of the Indian Wampatuek, called by the English, Josiah, chief Indian, and Squmuck, called by the English, Daniel, son of Chickatabut. This deed was witnessed by Job Noeshteans, William Manananianut, and Robert Mamuntahgin, Indians, and John Hues, Mattias Briggs, and Job Judkins.

CHAPTER III.

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.

Committee of 1768-Proceedings of the Town-The Resolutions of 1770-Sentiment of the Town in 1773-Resolutions of 1773-Benjamin Lincoln, Delegate to Provincial Congress- Various Votes, Resolutions, etc.

THE first reference in the town records to the events which immediately preceded the Revolution, is under date of May, 1768, being the report of a committee1

to devise measures for the encouragement of industry and economy, as follows :

" The Committee appointed by the town of Hingham, at their meeting in March last, to take under consideration thio encouraging and promoting economy and industry in the said town, report the following Resolves : First, that we will by all ways and means in our power, encourage and promote the prac- tice of virtue and suppressing of vice and immorality, the lattor of which seem daily increasing among us, and the decay of the former much to he lamented. [ This part of the first paragraph being read, the question was put whether it be accepted : passed in the affirmative.] And for promoting the one and discourag- ing the other we apprehend the lessening the number of licensed houses would greatly contribute to the purpose, and that not more than three retailers in the North Parish, two in the East, and one in the South, would be as many as would be consistent with the interests of the community. [ This remaining part of the first paragraph being read, the question was put whether it be accepted : passed in the negative.] Secondly, we resolve for the future to improve our lands more generally for raising of flax and inercasing our stocks of sheep, which materials, properly improved among ourselves, may prevent the necessity of using so great a quantity of imported commodities and increasing our own manufactures, and thereby the poorer sort more profitably employed, the medium likewise, in a great measure preserved and increased, for the want of which the industrious are at this time under great disadvantages. [ This second resolve being read, the question was put whether the same be accepted : passed in the affirmative.]

The following is a copy of the proceedings of the town on the 21st of September, 1768, on the recep- tion of a circular from the inhabitants of Boston :

" At the said meeting the town chose Dea. Joshua Hearsey a committee to join the committees from the several towns within the province, to assemble at Boston on the 22d day of Septem- her, current, tlien and there to consult such measures as shall be necessary for the preservation of good order and regularity in the province at this critical conjuncture of affairs, and voted the following instructions to him, viz. :

"' As you are chosen and appointed by the town of Hingham to join with committees from the several towns within this Province, desired to meet at Boston on the 22d day of Septem- her current, then and there to consult such measures as shall be necessary for the preservation of good order and regularity in the Province at this critical conjuncture of affairs. We advise and direct you that you use your endeavors to preserve peace and good order in the Province and loyalty to the king; that you take every legal and constitutional method for the preser- vation of our rights and liberties, and for having redressed those grievances we so generally complain of and so sensibly feel; that all possible care be taken that the troops (that) should arrive have provision made for them, so that they he not billeted in private families and at so convenient a distance as not to interrupt the people; that you encourage the inhab- itants to keep up military duty whereby they may be in a ca- pacity to defend themselves against foreign enemies; and in case you are exposed to any charges in prosecuting any of the foregoing preparations, wo will repay it, and as these instruc- tions are for your private uso, improve them for that purposo and for no other whatover.'

Thaxter, Esq., Capt. Theophilus Cushing, Deaoon Joshua Her- sey, Dr. Ezekiol Hersey, Caleb Batos, Capt. Daniol Linooln, Capt. Joseph Thaxter, Lazarus Beale, and Doacon Isaao Lincoln.

1 This committee consisted of Hon. Benjamin Lincoln, father of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, of the army of the Revolution, John

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HISTORY OF HINGHAM.

" The foregoing instructions were drawn up by Dr. Ezekiel Hearsey. Benjamin Lincoln, Jr., and Capt. Daniel Lincoln."

March 19, 1770, the inhabitants of Hingham passed resolutions relating to the non-consumption of imported goods and to the Boston massacre. These resolutions do not appear in the town records, but are contained in the following letter from Gen. Lincoln to the committee of merchants in Boston :

" HINGHAM, March 24tb, 1770.

" To the Gentlemen the Committee of Merchants in Boston.

" GENTLEMEN,-At the annual meeting of the town of Hing- ham on the 19th day of March, A.D. 1770, Upon a motion be- ing made and seconded (thongh omitted in tbe warrant), tbe inhabitants taking into consideration the distressed circum- stances of the people in this and tbe neighboring Provinces, occasioned by the late parliamentary acts for raising a revenue in North America, the manner of collecting the same, and the measures gone into to enforce obedience to them, and judging that every society and every individual person are loudly called to exert the ntmost of their ability, in a constitutional way to procure a redress of those grievances, and to secure the privi- leges by charter conveyed to tbem, and that freedom which they have a right to as men and English subjects, came to the following votes :

" Voted, That we highly approve of the patriotic resolutions of the merchants of this Province not to import goods from Great Britain till tbe repeal of the aforesaid acts, and viewing it as having a tendency to retrieve ns from those burtbens so much complained of, and so sensibly felt by us ; we will do all in our power, in a legal way, to support tbem in carrying into execution so wortby an undertaking.

"Voted, That those few who have imported goods contrary to general agreement and counteracted the prudent and laud- able efforts of the merchants and traders aforesaid, have thereby forfeited the confidence of their bretbren ; and therefore, we declare that we will not directly or indirectly have any com- merce or dealings with them.

" Voted, That we will disconrage the use of foreign super- flnities among ns and enconrage onr own manufactures.

"Voted, That we beartily sympatbize with our brethren of the town of Boston, in the late unhappy destruction of so many of their inbabitants, and we rejoice with them that there yet remains the free exercise of the civil anthority.

"Voted, That the town clerk be ordered to transmit a copy hereof to the Committee of Merchants in Boston.

" I cheerfully comply with the above order and herewith send you a copy of the Votes.

"I am, gentlemen, with great esteem, yonr most obedient and most hnioble servant.

" BENJAMIN LINCOLN, JEN'R."

Pbe views and feelings of the inhabitants of this town, respecting the subjects of controversy between this and the mother-country, may be learned from the following instructions given to their representative to the General Court :

"The committee chosen to draft some instructions proper to be given our representative reported as followeth : We the sub- scribers being appointed by tbe inbabitants of the town of Hingham, at a legal meeting on the 11th inst., and to draft some instructions proper to be given onr representative under the . present alarming situation of affairs in this government, beg leave to report as followetb, viz. :

" TO JOHN THANTER, EsQ.

"Wbereas, your constituents are feelingly sensible of a num- ber of infringements on their rights and privileges until lately unheard of, the whole of which we pretend not to enumerate to you as from your knowledge of our present state they must bear strougly on your own mind ; but would notwithstanding mention the following : First, the act of Parliament passed in the last session thereof, entitled an act for the better preserving his Majesty's dock-yards, magazines, sbips, ammunition, and stores, we look upon to be one of the greatest grievances; that persons accused of capital offences should be carried 3000 miles distant from the place where the crime was committed, to be tried, the inconvenience and injustice of which so fully appear that there needs no animadversion. Second, The act of Par- liament obliging all ships or vessels from Portugal to tbis pro- vince to enter their fruit in some port of Great Britain, by which great expense must arisc, and the fruit often much dam - aged, by which means the trade is burthened, clogged and dis- couraged,-we on the whole instruct you, that you use your utmost endeavors, by dispassionate remonstrance, and humble petition in a legislative way, to the Parliament of Great Britain to have these and all grievances we now labour under redressed, and those we fear from circumstances are taking place.

" And we instruct you, that you use your best endeavours, that a salary be granted by tbis province to the Judges of the Superior Court, as shall be adequate to their important office ; and that you endeavour that a harmony may subsist on a proper foundation betwceu the several branches of the legislative body of this province, which cement is essentially necessary to tbe interest and happiness thereof :

" BELA LINCOLN,

" BENJAMIN LINCOLN, " JOSEPH THAXTER, " JACOB CUSHING, " JOSHUA HEARSEY.

" Committee.

" HINGHAM, January 13, 1773."

1774, Jan. 31. The town appointed a committee to take into consideration a letter and papers sent from the Boston Committee of Correspondence to this town. The committee was composed of the following gen- tlemen : Benjamin Lincoln, Esq., Joseph Andrews, Deacon Joshua Hersey, Dcacon Theophilus Cushing, Caleb Bates, James Fearing, Jacob Cushing, Esq., Thomas Loring, and Hezekiah Cushing. They pre- sented a report at the annual town-meeting in March following, from which the nature of the subjects sub- mitted to their consideration fully appears. It was as follows :

" Wben we call to mind a late Act of the British Parliament, expressly declaring that the King, Lords, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, have ever had, and of right ought to have, full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, subject to the Crown of Great Britain, in all cases whatever, and in consequence thereof an Act of Parliament made for the express purpose of raising a revenue in America, for de- fraying the charge of the administration of justice, &c., in the colonics ; and when also we consider that tbe more effectually to carry into execution the same Act, tbe councils of the nation, in a late session of the British Parliament, bave empowered the East India Company to export their teas to America, free of all

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

duties in England, but still liable to a duty on its being landed in the colonies; und comparing those Acts and others similar to them, with several clauses in the charter granted to this prov- ince by their late Majesties, King William and Queen Mary, of blessed memory, in which it is among other things ordained and established that all and every of the subjects of us, our heirs and successors, which shall go to inhabit in our said province and torritory, and evory of their children which shall happen to be born there, or on tho seas going thither or returning from thence, shall have and enjoy all tho liberties and immunities of free and natural subjeets, within any of the dominions of us, our heirs and successors, to all intents, constructions and purposes whatever, as if they and every of them were born within this our realm of England, and whereas it is hy the said royal charter especially ordained, that tho Great and General Court or Assembly, therein constituted, shall have full power and authority to impose and levy proportionate and reasonable assessments and taxes upon the estates and persons of all and every of the proprietors and inhabitants of the said province and territory for the service of the King, in the necessary defence and support of his government of the province, and the protection and preservation of his sub- jects therein ; the design and tendency of which appear in too conspicuous a light to need any comment, and are too alarming to admit of silence, as silence may be construed into acquiescence. We, therefore, resolve,-

" First. That the disposal of their property is the inherent right of freemen ; that there is no property in that which an- other can of right take from us without our consent; that the claim of Parliament to tax America, is, in other words, a claim of right to lay contributions on us at pleasure.

"Secondly. That the duty imposed by Parliament upon tea landed in America, is a tax on the Americans, or levying con- tributions on them without their consent.

"Thirdly. That the express purpose for which the tax is levied on the Americans, viz., for the support of government and administration of justice, and the defence of his majesty's dominions in America, has a direct tendency to render as- semblies useless, and to introduce arbitrary government and slavery.

"Fourthly. That a virtuous and steady opposition to the ministerial plan of governing America is necessary to preserve even a shadow of liberty, and is a duty which every freeman in America owes to his country, to himself, and to his pos- terity.

"Fifthly. That the resolution lately come into by the East India Company, to send out their teas to America subject to the payment of duties on its heing landed here, is an open attempt to enforce the ministerial plan, and a violent attack on the liberties of America.

"Sixthly. That it is the duty of every American to oppose this attempt.

"Seventhly. That it affords the greatest satisfaction to the inhabitants of this town to find that his Majesty's subjects in the American colonios, and of this Province in particular, are so thoroughly awakened to a sense of their danger, arising from encroachments made on their constitutional rights and liberties, and that so firm a union is established among them ; and that they will ever be ready to join their fellow-subjects in all laudable measures for the redress of the many griovances we labour under.

" After the said report having been sevoral times read, upon a motion made, the question was put, whether the same he ae- cepted and he recorded in the town's book of records and a copy thereof sent to the town clerk, to the Committee of Corro- spondence of the town of Boston ; and it passed in the affirma- tive."

In 1774, Aug. 17, the town adopted the following agreement1 as reported by a committee, but stayed all further proceedings until the report of the Continental Congress :

" We the subscribers taking into our serious consideration the present distressed state of America, and in particular of this devoted Province, occasioned by several late unconstitu- tional acts of the- British Parliament for taxing Americans without their consent,-blocking up the port of Boston,-va- cating our charter, that solemn compact between the king and the people respecting certain laws of this Province, heretofore enacted by our General Court and confirmed by his Majesty and his predecessors. We feel ourselves bound as we regard our inestimable constitution, and the duty we owe to succeeding generations, to exert ourselves in this pcaccable way, to recover our lost and preserve our remaining privileges, yet not without grief for the distresses that may hereby be brought upon our brethren in Great Britain, we solemnly covenant and engage to and with each other, viz. :

"Ist. That we will not import, purchase, or consume, nor suffer any person or persons to, by, for, or under us to import, purchase, or consume, in any manner whatever, any goods, wares, or merchandize which shall arrive in America from Great Britain, from and after the first day of October, one thou- sand seven hundred and seventy-four, until our charter and constitutional rights shall he restored ; or until it shall be de- termined by the major part of our bretbren in this and the neighboring colonies, that a non-importation, or a non-consump- tion agreement will not effect the desired end ; or until it shall be apparent that a non-importation or non-consumption agree- ment will not be entered into by this and the neighboring col- onies, except drugs and medicines, and such articles, and such only as will be absolutely necessary in carrying on our own manufactures.

"2dly. That in order to prevent, as far as in us lies, any in- conveniences that may arise from the disuse of foreign com- modities, we agree that we will take the most prudent care for the raising and preserving sheep, flax, etc., for the manufac- turing all such woollen and linen cloths as shall be most useful and necessary, and that we will give all possible support and encouragement to tho manufactures of America in general."

1774, Sept. 21. (Col.) Benjamin Lincoln was chosen to attend a Provincial Congress at Coneord. In Oe- tober, 1774, the town "recommended to the militia officers to assemble their men once in a week, and in- struet them in the art of war, &e." In November the colleetors of taxes were directed to pay all moneys collected to Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stow, appointed treasurer by the Provincial Congress.

Dee. 26, 1774. Benjamin Lincoln was chosen to represent the town in the Provincial Congress to be held at Cambridge, in the ensuing February, and on the same day a committee was appointed to draft a

1 This agreement or covenant was reported by a committeo consisting of the following gontlemen, viz. : Deacon Joshua Hersey, Col. Benjamin Lincoln, Deaoon Theophilus Cushing, Doacon Bonjamin Cushing, Mr. Samuel Norton, Mr. Joseph Andrews, Mr. Israol Beal, Jacob Cushing, Esq., Mr. Enooh Lin- coln, Mr. Heman Lincoln, Mr. Thomas Loring, Capt. ---- Jonos, Mr. James Fcaring, Mr. Jabez Wildler, Jr., Mr. Hozekiah Cushing.

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HISTORY OF HINGHAM.

petition to the clergymen, requesting them, if they thought it consistent with their duty, to encourage the people to comply with the association, so called, of the Continental Congress. A petition was reported by the committee and presented by another committee of nine, to Rev. Messrs. Gay and Shute. They com- plied with the request of the town. Each of them addressed the people at the next town-meeting, for which the town gave them a vote of thanks. In Jan- uary. 1775. the town chose a committee to take into consideration the state of the militia.1

May 24, 1775. Benjamin Lincoln was chosen to represent the town in the Provincial Congress, then sitting at Watertown, and at the same meeting Ben- jamin Lincoln, Benjamin Cushing, and David Cush- ing were chosen a committee to correspond with other towns in this province.

1775. July 10. Benjamin Lincoln was chosen to represent the town in the General Court to be held at Watertown on the 19th of that month, agreeably to a resolve of the Continental Congress. In August, Enoch Lincoln was chosen to attend the General Court then sitting.

During the year 1775, it appears by the select- men's and town records, that money was raised and disbursements were frequently made, to improve the condition of the militia, and to provide arms and ammunition to be used on any emergency.

1776, March 18. Theophilus Cushing, Esq., John Fearing, Thomas Loring. Israel Beal, and Peter Ho- bart were chosen a Committee of Correspondence, In- spection and Safety.

On the 23d of May, Enoch Lincoln, Theophilus Cushing, and John Fearing were chosen representa- tives to the General Court ; and Benjamin Lincoln, Hezekiah Cushing, and Deacon Joshua Hersey were appointed a committee to prepare instructions for the representatives.

" As the important crisis of the declaration of in- dependence of the colonies approached, and with it an excitement which extended universally throughout the country ; when the repeated aggressions of Great Britain upon the rights of the colonies had rouscd a spirit of indignation in some breasts, and created despondency and pusillanimity in others; at a time when energy and decision were most needed, the fol- lowing manly and independent instructions were given by the town to their representatives. They were drawn up by the committee before mentioned :

" To Enoch Lincoln, Theophilus Cushing, and John Fearing : " GENTLEMEN,-You are delegated to represent the Town of Hingham in the next General Court, to be held in this colony ; and although we entertain the highest sense of your integrity, patriotismn, and ability, of which we have given full evidence in appointing you to this weighty trust, yet as matters of the greatest importance, relative to the freedom and happiness not only of this, but of all the United Colonies, on which you may wish to have the advice of your constituents, will come before you for your determination, you are instructed and directed at all times to give your vote and interest in support of the pres- ent struggle with Great Britain ; we ask nothing of her but ' Peace, Liberty, and Safety ;' you will never recede from that claim ; and agreeably to a resolve of the late House of Repre- sentatives, in case the honourable Continental Congress declare themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, sol- emnly to engage in behalf of your constituents, that they will, with their LIVES and FORTUNES, support them in the measure.

"You will also, as soon as may be, endeavour to procure a more equal representation of this colony in General Assembly ; and that it be by fewer members than at present the several towns have a right to return; and when this is effected you will give your vote for calling a new house.

"BENJAMIN LINCOLN, Town Clerk."

The Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety, chosen in March, 1777, were Isreal Beal, Samuel Norton, John Fearing, Peter Cushing, Thomas Loring, Peter Hobart, and Theophilus Cush- ing.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 223

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706