USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Princeton > History of Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, civil and ecclesiastical, from its first settlement in 1739, to april 1852 > Part 3
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And it was found that the American colonists, gener-
* Indian and French Wars.
33
REVOLUTIONARY MEASURES.
ally were so inflexible in their adherence, on all occa- sions, to truth ;- so elevated, expansive, and practical were their views; so keen were their sensibilities to what was wrong and injurious ; so steadfast their deter- mination to secure what was just; so vigilant their guardianship of their inalienable rights ; and so ardently were they attached to the principles of liberty ;- that, with comparatively few exceptions, there existed but one feeling, sentiment and aim, and that was to secure their just rights ; and if this could be effected in no other way, to do it by the Declaration of Independence .- However the colonists were divided in other things, they were united in this. However different in their departments of effort, all converged to this one great point.
The earliest expression of opinion, on the records of the town of. Princeton in relation to revolutionary measures, was entered on the 7th of March, 1768, when the people, at their annual town meeting, manifested their indignation at the promulgation of the act of Par- liament imposing duties on paper, glass, painters' colors and tea, imported into the colonies. They did this by concurring with certain resolutions* to encourage do- mestic manufactures and refrain from purchasing the taxed articles, which were passed by the inhabitants of Boston, at a meeting held October, 1767.
From this period to 1773 no doings of the inhabitants, in their corporate capacity, mark the progress of the spirit of independence. A letter of correspondencet
* The Legislature adopted resolves of similar import, Feb. 26.
t The letter of correspondence to the town, closes with these words :- " Let us consider, brethren, we are struggling for our best birth right and in- heritance, which being infringed renders all our blessings precarious in their enjoyment, and consequently trifling in their value. Let us disappoint the 4
34
RESOLUTIONS.
received from Boston, called the attention of the town, at a meeting held in January, 1773, to the grievances under which the province labored. A committee was appointed to consider the contents of said letter, who presented the following resolutions at the adjournment, January 25, which exhibits the spirit that animated the bosoms of our fathers in those days which " tried men's souls." They were unanimously passed by the town :-
" Resolved, Ist, That the connection between the mo- ther country and these colonies is of great consequence to both, if mutually kept up ; but when digressions are made from established compacts, that connection begins to lessen, and of course, creates an alienation, the ef- fects of which must be attended with bad consequences. For the resolute man, in a just cause, while in a state of freedom, never will consent to any abridgements or deprivations of his just rights, and disdains threats or any measures of compulsion to submission thereto-not like the dog, the more he is beaten the more he fawns ; but on the contrary, with a noble mind, defends to the last, and every stripe stimulates his efforts and endeav- ors, in defence of his own country's cause.
"2 .- That this town, as a part of their province, whensoever their rights, liberties, and properties, are in- fringed upon, by what authority soever, that they, in honor to their forefathers, by whose solicitude and indus- try, under God, they for many years have enjoyed the fruits of their labors-for the regard they bear to pos- terity-as friends to their country, have good right to
men, who are raising themselves on the ruin of this country. Let us convince every invader of our freedom that we will be as free as the Constitution ouy fathers recognized will justify."
35
RESOLUTIONS.
complain, and manifest their uneasiness at such pro- ceedings.
" 3 .- That the repeated attempts to make the people of this province subject to unjust taxation, and absolute dependency upon the crown, together, appear subversive of, and inconsistent with, the constitution of a free people.
"4 .- That such measures are unconstitutional, and demand the attention of all well disposed people, and a mutual connection and joint adherence in proper means for redress, that thereby the rights and liberties, civil and religious, which have been transmitted to us from our illustrious ancestors, might be kept inviolate by us their posterity.
" 5-That they shall be always ready to concur in all just and proper means that this province and the neigh- boring colonies may come into for the common good, and in conjunction with the friends of liberty, shall bear testimony to all invasions upon our rights and liberties.
"6 .- That the report (these resolutions) be put on the town record, that posterity may know they had a sense of their invaluable rights and liberties, and were not willing to part with them, but by their own consent, and that they are determined to vindicate and support them as time and occasions may call .*
Ephraim Woolson, 2 Boaz Moore, Ebenezer Jones, Charles Brooks.
Committee."
At the annual town meeting in March, 1774, it was voted "to choose a committee of correspondence to com-
* A copy of the above resolutions- were transmitted to the inhabitants at Boston, by the Clerk.
36
COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE.
municate with committees of correspondence in other towns in this province, to give the earliest intelligence to the inhabitants of this town, of any designs that they shall discover, at any subsequent period, against our natural and constitutional rights." Accordingly, Capt. Benjamin Holden, Joseph Everleth, Samuel Woods, Wil- liam Thompson, John Jones, Adonijah Howe, and Sadey Mason, were elected a committee of correspondence,- four of whom were to constitute a quorum.
The records of the town of Princeton exhibit the brightest evidence of the devotion of its inhabitants to their country's inalienable rights. They were not only ready to pass resolves which breathed the spirit of pa- triotism ; but they were also ready to seal their devo- tion to their country's cause, by death on the battle- field, if need be. Hence, when the alarm* reached the place, that a band of the King's troops had made an ex- cursion by night, up the Mystic river, and carried off a quantity of gunpowder deposited in the arsenal in the 'northwest part of Charlestown, the effect was electric. And tradition says that a part of the night was spent by ·some in changing pewter platters into musket bullets, and in preparation for immediate engagement. As soon as these arrangements could be completed, several of the inhabitants marched, and were on their way, when the return of messengers from Boston assured them their further advance was unnecessary.
It has been supposed by some that the occasion had been seized to try the spirit of the inhabitants at large, that they might thereby ascertain the extent and strengthi of the resolution of resistance. And such was the spirit animating the community, that men who had
* The exact date of this alarm we are not able to state.
37
ALARM.
never seen the tents of an enemy, left the plough in the furrow, and the sickle in the harvest, and went out to meet the trained foe, without discipline, equipments, or munitions .* It is said by one historian : " There came men without officers, and officers without men, long fowling pieces and short blunderbusses, muskets of all sorts and sizes, some without locks, others without stocks, and many without lock, stock, or barrel ; car- tridge boxes, shot belts, powder horns, swords, hatchets, snickersees, crow bars, and broom sticks all mingled together." Ample evidence was afforded of steadfast determination to meet even the dreadful appeal to war, and a sufficient pledge was given of the support every town might hope from its neighbors in extremity.
One beneficial result from this excitement, was the admonition of the necessity of a better preparation for the contest which was now evidently approaching. At a meeting held in Princeton, but a short time subse- quent to that period, the selectmen were instructed to purchase two barrels of gunpowder, one hundred weight of lead and three hundred flints, to add to the town stock. This vote evinces both a foresight of conse- quences and determinateness of action on the part of the town.
In October, Moses Gill was elected representative to the General Court to be held in Salem, and Benjamin Holden delegate to the provincial Congress to be as- sembled at Concord. The former was instructed, " ab- solutely to refuse to be sworn to represent said town by any unconstitutional oficer," and, "In case the General Court is prevented setting constitutionally to repair to Concord, and join the provincial Congress." The in-
* 6000 from Worcester County.
.4*
38
INSTRUCTIONS.
structions to the latter required that he should " use his greatest influence to prevent all arbitrary acts of Parlia- ment taking place, evidently tending to destroy the lib- erties and privileges of this and the other provinces," and also to " endeavor to make provision for and come into such measures as shall be for the peace and good order of this Province."
Gov. Gage was a royalist, and becoming alarmed by the spirit of the instructions that were given to the rep- resentatives in most towns, and the stormy aspect of the times, issued his proclamation, declaring that it was expedient the session of the General Court, summoned to be held the 5th of October, should not be held ; at the same time discharging the members from attend- ance ; and announcing his intention not to meet the as- sembly. But the current of popular feeling was not thus to be diverted. The representatives elect assem- bled at Salem, and, resolving themselves into a provin- cial Congress, elected John Hancock President, and Benjamin Lincoln Secretary, and immediately adjourn- ed to Concord. Here measures were taken for arming the whole province ; twelve thousand men were to be raised, and to hold themselves ready to march at a mo- ment's warning.
The patriotic resistance to invasions of liberty was not confined to municipal corporations or general asem- blies of citizens. The fervid enthusiasm, pervading the whole fabric of society, manifested itself in varied forms. The following document is found appended to the sec- ond volume of the records of the town, without date .- It appears to be an oath of allegiance or declaration .- It breathes the spirit of the times ; and was probably drawn some time during the year 1774 :
39
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
" I do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, tes- tify, and declare, that the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts is, and of right ought to be, a free, sovereign, and independent State. And I do swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the said Commonwealth, and that I will defend the same against all traitorous con- spiracies and hostile attempts whatsoever-and that I do renounce and abjure all allegiance, subjection, and obe- dience to the King or government of Great Britain, and every other foreign power whatsoever. And that no for- eign prince, person, prelate, state, or potentate, hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, superiority, pre-eminence, authority, dispensing, or other power, in any matter, civil, ecclesiastical, or spiritual, within this Common- wealth-except the authority and power which is or may be vested by their constituents in the Congress of the United States ; And I do further testify and declare that no man, or body of men hath or can have any right to absolve or discharge me from the obligation of this oath, declaration, or affirmation-and that I do make this ac- knowledgment, profession, testimony, declaration, deni- al, renunciation, and abjuration, heartily and truly, ac- cording to the common meaning and acceptation of the foregoing words, without any equivocation, mental eva- sion, or secret reservation whatsoever, so help me God. " Signed,
Sadey Mason,
Samuel Woods,
Benjamin Holden,
Boaz Moore,
Ebenezer Parker,
William Thompson,
William Dodds,
Humphrey Moore,
Enoch Brooks,
Jonas Smith."
This is a most explicit declaration of independence ..
40
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
Whatever may be its age it breathes the same spirit that is found in the splendid document of 1776, which proclaimed the dissolution of all ties of colonial relation
The commencement of the year, 1775, was a period of intense interest. The difficulties between England and her American colonies were fast hastening to a de- cision by the appeal to battle. The coercive measures of the British Parliament required the Colonists to ac- knowledge principles subversive of true liberty. Peti- tions and remonstrances failed to reconcile the parties. The Colonists, who might at the outset have been con- tented with the redress of grievances, and by reasonable concessions, now looked forward to the accomplishment of independence. The indomitable perseverance of the ministration left no hope of reconciliation. " The language of moderation was still on the lips of men, but stern determination in their hearts. It was like the pause on the eve of fight, when the signal for engage- ment is impatiently awaited." Preparations for the conflict were actively, though silently, made, both on the part of the British and the colonies.
The town records show the people of Princeton to have been not behind their neighbors in their prepara- tions for the struggle that was about to commence. In March, " the standing company" were directed to " train once a week," and to " put themselves in a proper position for defence."* At the same time, it was voted to procure seventy-two dollars for the use of the company of minute men, besides the necessary ac- coutrements. This company consisted of thirty-six men. The selectinen were instructed to pay said money "when
* The officers of this company were Ebenezer Jones, Captain ; Joseph Sar- gent, Lieutenant ; and Samuel Hastings, Ensign.
41
MILITIA.
they marched." Their services were soon to be required in their country's defence. On the 19th of April, an express came to the town, shouting " to arms ; the war is begun." As the news spread, the implements of hus- bandry were thrown aside in the field, and the citizens left their homes with no greater delay than was needful to seize their arms. In a short time, the minute men were paraded and took up their line of march towards Lexington and Concord.
While the military strength of the town was arrayed in arms against the troops of the King, the committee of correspondence were dealing with the internal enemies of the country. The following vote is recorded on the town records, May 24 : "Voted on reading the paper received from the Congress, that the committee of cor- respondence retire to receive the complaint of any per- son against any one suspected to be unfriendly to their country, and that they make their report of such persons complained of to the town for their further considera- tion." The committee, upon their return, reported that the Rev. Mr. Timothy Fuller and Lieut. Caleb Mirick are complained of as persons suspected to be unfriendly to their country-Mr. Fuller for refusing to call a Fast* last year, and for his public discourse to the minute company the last Fastt as tending to discourage people in defending their rights and liberties, and for taking cattle suspected to be Col. Jones' property ; Mr. Mirick for taking cattle suspected to be Col. Jones' and for enter- taining tories at sundry times,-which complaint being
* A Fast appointed by the General Court, during its session in 1774 in imi- tation of their pious ancestors, " who on all occasions of common danger and distress devoutly looked to God for direction and favor."
t Mr. Fuller's text on that occasion was the following : " Let not him that girdeth on the harness boast himself as he that putteth it off."
42
REV. MR. FULLER.
read, the town then voted " that Mr. Fuller and Lieut. Caleb Mirick* be inquired of for their conduct touching said complaint."
At an adjournment of this meeting, June 20th, Mr. Fuller presented a "paper to the town for their consider- ation," vindicating himself from the above-named-charg- es. The town, however, voted that said " paper " was unsatisfactory, and at the same time voted " to hear Mr. Fuller a fortnight longer in order to inquire into his late conduct; " and also that an addition of four be made to the committee of correspondence for this purpose, and made choice of Messrs. John Ellis, Ephraim Hartwell, Charles Brooks, and Joseph Phelps accordingly. At the expiration of the time, the committee of correspondence presented a second " paper " from Mr. Fuller, which shared. a like fate with the first.t At this meeting, af- ter the rejection of said "paper," it was moved to choose a committee " to draw up something further for Mr. Ful- ler to sign as satisfactory to the town and to make re- port of the same." The following were elected : Sadey Mason, Capt. Moore, Dea. Howe, Charles Brooks, and Joseph Eveleth. Attempts were made to reconsider the the last mentioned vote, but they were ineffectual. Con- sequently the above-mentioned committee, at a subse- quent meeting, held June 20th, reported a " paper " for the Rev. Mr. Fuller to sign as satisfactory to the town." It was then moved, seconded and voted that Mr. Fuller sign the paper before the town act upon it ; accordingly agreeable to said vote the paper was signed by Mr. Ful- ler, in presence of the town; it was then put, to see if
* No further action was taken on Mr. Mirick's ca e. The inference is tha he satisfied the town of the rectitude of his conduct and intentions.
t Neither of these " papers " are on the records of the town. They are probably among the things that were.
43
REV. MR. FULLER.
the town were satisfied with said papers for his past con- duct, so far as it appeared unfriendly to the common cause, and it was voted not satisfactory.
This procedure on the part of the town was a strange anomaly. It is very evident, whatever might have been the character of this " paper," it having been drawn up by men who were firm supporters of the revolution, and, of course, opposed to all who were royalists, that but one thing should have prevented its being satisfactory- and that was, Mr. Fuller's refusal to sign it. But they did not let the matter rest here. On the 16th of Aug. the town voted to request Mr Fuller to ask a dismission, and also chose a committee to wait on Mr. Fuller and acquaint him with the above request. And on the 28th of the same month, a committee was chosen, consisting of Lieut. Mirick, Dea. Keyes, Mr. Brigham, Mr Woods, and Abner Howe, " to draw up reasons " why the town made said request. At the same time, the committee of correspondence reported, in reference to his political conduct, representing him as being unfriendly to the rights and liberties of America. At the adjournment of this meeting on the 31st, Mr. Fuller presented a third " paper," in accordance with the request made by a committee in behalf of the town. But this, as might be expected, was equally unsatisfactory with the two pre- ceeding. Oct. 5th it was voted by the town to request the assistance of some of the committee of correspon- dence in the neighboring towns "to advise respecting Mr. Fuller's conduct as a tory." Dec. 26th, a commit- tee consisting of John Ellis, Ebeneezer Hartwell, Capt. Moore, William Thompson and Thomas Mason were elected, who in conjunction with a committee of the church, were to prepare allegations against Mr. Fuller,
44
REV. MR. FULLER.
and on the 8th of January following. the town voted to unite with the church in calling a council, " if upon the advice the church and town committees should obtain, should make it appear proper to have a council." Ac- cordingly a council* was convened at Princeton, to take into consideration the propriety of Mr. Fuller's dismis- sion ; and on the 19th of March the council advised to his dismission, and consequently he was dismissed, by a vote of the church on the 20th, and the town on the 24th. At the same time the town chose a commit- tee consisting of Lieut. Caleb Mirick, Dea. Adonijah Howe, Joseph Haynes, Samuel Moseman, Lieut. Joseph Eveleth, James Mirick, and Nathaniel Cutler, " to keep Mr. Fuller out of the pulpit." This committee were faithful in attending to the duty assigned them, and standing on the pulpit stairs, as required by law, " did on the following Sunday, with force and arms, restrain and keep out of the said pulpit, him the aforesaid Tim- othy Fuller." The dealings of the town with Mr. Ful- ler, were of no gentle character ; and they evince the " revolutionary enthusiasm " which pervaded the inhab- itants at that time. During the whole revolutionary struggle the same spirit was manifested. They cheer- fully met the demands of the State and Congress, to whatever sacrifice it might subject them. In January, as recommended by Congress, a contribution of money and provisions was raised for the towns of Boston and Charlestown.
On the 1st of May, a resolve of the Continental Con- gress provided for the removal of the indigent inhabi- itants of Boston, estimated to number five thousand, and
* The proceedings of said council, and also of the church, narrated under another head. Chapter 6.
45
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
their distribution among the towns of the interior. The proportion of Princeton was 24, which the town voted to receive.
March, 4th, 1776, it was voted to add two persons to the committee of correspondence in the place of Col. Benjamin Holden and Capt. John Jones who had joined the continental army.
Men were drafted, in the early part of the year, for the reinforcement of the army investing Boston, by the officers of the militia and the selectmen. At this time several were levied in Princeton.
On the 14th of June, a motion was made, to see if the town would support independence, if it should be declared ; and it was voted unanimously to " concur with the Continental Congress, in case they shall de- clare independency." July 14, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was received. " This instrument, the eloquent echo of sentiments as boldly expressed, in less splendid form, from almost every village of New Eng- land, long before they were promulgated in that paper which has been reverenced as the Magna Charta of Freedom," was hailed with joy by the inhabitants of Princeton, and stands recorded on the town's records.
On the 10th of September, one fifth part of the mili- tia of the State of Massachusetts were called out imme- diately to march to New York, to prevent the enemy from cutting off the communication between the Amer- ican army in the city and on the island of New York, and the country. One fourth part that remained of the military, were required to be equipped and ready to march at a moment's warning should their services be needed. Frequent demands were made for soldiers for the defence of Boston and other exposed places. Prince-
5
46
REGULATION OF PRICES.
ton answered each call, following in quick succession, to the utmost extent of her means.
On the 30th of September, it was submitted to the people to determine, whether they would consent, that the House of Representatives and Council in Conven- tion, should adopt such constitution and frame of gov- ernment, as, on mature deliberation, they should judge would be most conducive to the safety, peace, and hap- piness of the State in after generations. The town voted that they have the power, to adopt, a "new Consti- tution" and frame a system of government for this State.
To prevent monopoly upon such articles as were con- sidered the necessaries of life, the Selectmen, and com- mittee of correspondence were empowered by an act of the Provincial Congress, to fix and establish ultimum prices. A committee was chosen May 26, to prosecute all breaches of the regulations reported for the sale of said articles, in Princeton.
But a short time elapsed before the beneficial results of the regulations established throughout the Common- wealth, were defeated, by the fluctuations of the curren- cy unsustained by a metallic basis, which finally depre- ciated to worthlessness.
The year 1777, had scarcely commenced when a requisition was made for every seventh of the male in- habitants, over 16 years of age, to complete the quota of Massachusetts, in the continental army to serve for eight months at least. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Princeton, in March, it was voted to give twenty pounds to each man that would enlist in the continental army for three years or during the war.
In March each town was required to procure, and de- liver, shirts, stockings, and other clothing for the Mas-
47
RELIEF-THE CURRENCY.
sachusetts soldiers in the continental army, in the pro- portion of one set to every seven males over 16 years of age of the population. Princeton supplied her propor- tion, for which compensation was subsequently made.
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