USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Princeton > History of Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, civil and ecclesiastical, from its first settlement in 1739, to april 1852 > Part 4
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
Aug. 9, fourteen men were drafted to join the north- ern army three weeks under Gen. Lincoln.
The inhabitants expressed their approbation of the articles of confederation of the United States, and their determination to support the government by their ut- most exertions.
A constitution for the State reported by a committee of the General Court, in December 1777, and approved by that body in January following, was submitted to the people in April, and approved by a very small majority. Of 37 votes given in Princeton, twenty were in favor and seventeen opposed to acceptance.
Several of the citizens of Princeton were drafted, under the resolve of June 12, 1778, for raising 180 men for an expedition to Rhode Island. On the 23d of June two were required, as guards to the captured troops of General Burgoyne. Voted £72, be granted for boun- ties to soldiers and the support of their families. The town voted to obtain on loan the money necessary for the payment of bounties.
In 1779 severe distress was experienced, from the de- preciation of the currency, the exorbitant price for the necessaries of life, and also the distrust of public credit. A. convention assembled at Concord, by the invitation of Boston, July 14th, composed of delegates from all parts of the State, for the purpose of consulting on measures to give effect to the recommendations of Congress to the United States for the relief of the people. Princeton was represented by the committee of correspondence.
48
CONVENTIONS.
Prices were regulated by a moderate apprizal of the value of articles of produce and merchandize; loans to government, provision for the support of the clergy, and attention to schools as the means of good education, were earnestly recommended.
The town at a meeting August 6th, expressed cordial approbation of the proceedings of said convention.
Thomas Parker was elected a delegate to attend a county convention, to be held at Worcester, on the 11th of August, when a scale of prices was fixed, and resolu- tions adopted to adhere to and execute the regulations.
The same gentleman was deputed to attend the second State Convention, at Concord, Oct. 12, where a more detailed regulation of prices was made, resolutions pass- ed, and an address framed, not essentially different from those of the former meeting.
The town delegated seven men in addition to the com- mittee of correspondence to carry the resolutions of the Convention into effect.
Nine soldiers were raised Oct. 9, to join Gen. Wash- ington, at Claverick, on Hudson river ; and were sup- ported by the town, at a charge, in the aggregate of £450.
In November the town voted to petition the General Court to refund one of the fines paid by the town for a deficiency in raising their quota of men for the conti- nental army.
The exertions of preceding years had almost ex- hausted the money market, and means of the country. The difficulty of complying at the commencement of 1780 with the increased requisitions for public defence was severely felt, and the burdens of the war rested with heavy pressure on the community. Yet strenuous efforts
49
PAY OF SOLDIERS.
were made to sustain the army and meet the frequent demands of the government.
In compliance with a resolve of June 22d, twelve men were raised for the Continental Army at Claverick. Provisions being needed for the army, Princeton pur- chased beef according to resolve of Sept. 25, to the amount of ££8460. At another time, to the amount of £1600. The town obtained a loan also of £15,000 to raise men for the army. At another time, ££22,305, 16s, 7d.
May 29th, the Bill of Rights and Frame of Govern- ment were submitted to the people, and accepted by a large majority, thirty-two in favor, five against.
The first elections under this constitution, ratified by the people, took place in September. The votes of Princeton were divided ; Hancock received 27, and Bow- doin 17 for Governor ; James Warren, 27 and Artemas Ward 17 for Leiut. Governor.
In 1781, the supplying of soldiers had become so dif- ficult, that they were only procured by exorbitant boun- ties, and the most zealous exertions. Hence for the en- couragement of soldiers, the town, Jan. 17, " Voted, that each soldier that shall enlist in the continental ser- vice for three years, or during the war, receive one hun- dred hard dollars, in the following manner, viz : twenty hard dollars, and twenty more in paper, at the exchange, viz : seventy-five for one to be paid before he marches ; thirty dollars to be paid in six months after marching ; and thirty more in one year after marching ; to be deliv- ered to the soldier in camp if required. And at the end of three years, each soldier shall receive twelve three- year old cattle, of a middling size, or current money equivalent to purchase said cattle. And each soldier
5
50
THE CURRENCY.
shall receive the aforesaid encouragement only in pro- portion to the time he shall be in the service." Security was given for said cattle.
In March the sum of £2025 old currency was levied to defray the expenses of the continental army. And in May following the selectmen reported, as having paid to the war committee, at sundry times £19,273 : 13s: 6d : If. Subsequently £9000 for beef, and £784: 10s in money* for soldiers.
The minute recital we have followed seemed necessa- ry, as the only means of giving adequate idea of those municipal exertions whose merit has almost passed from remembrance, in the triumphant results they aided to ac- complish.
* " The amount of money raised by the inhabitants for the support of the war, was really very great. The depreciation of the paper currency rendered the nominal amount of taxation excessive. The true value of grants and ap- propriatiens may be estimated by reference to the subjoined scale. The figures indicate the number of dollars, in continental currency, equivalent to one hundred, in gold or silver. To April, 1780, the value was fixed as stated be- low, by the act of Massachusetts. From that date, it has been ascertained by taking the average depreciation through the month.
1777.
1778.
1779.
1780.
January
.. 105
325
742
2934
February
.107
350
868
3322
March
.109
375
1000
3736
April.
112
400
1104
4000
May
115
400
1215
5450
June
.120
400
1342
€650
July.
125
425
1477
6900
August
150
450
1630
7000
September.
.175
475
1800
7100
October
.275
500
2030
,200
November.
,300
545
2368
7250
December.
.310
634
2595
7400
In 1721, one dollar of specie, was equal to 187 cents, in new emission bills, from Feb. 27 to May 1 : 225 to May 25 : 300 to June 15 : 400 to Oct. 1. Below these dates the depreciation approached total worthlessness.
The whole expenses of the Revolutionary war to the States were, in paper money :- $359,547.027 ; estimated in specie $135,193,707."' Lincoln's Iliz. cf Worcester, p. 125.
51
INSTRUCTIONS.
The supplies and expenditures of the towns, were charged to the Commonwealth, and allowed by the U. States. But they went only to discharge taxes and assessments, consequently, they were in reality, uncom- pensated gratuities to the public.
Princeton furnished a large proportion of her male population to the army of the Revolution The exact numbers in service cannot be ascertained with cer- tainty .*
The last doings of the town in reference to revolution matters, were the instructions given to Mr. Asa Whit- comb, Esq., Representative to the General Court in 1783, which were as follows :-
" As it is the undoubted right of all constituents to instruct their Representative from time to time as they shall see occasion ; we your free and independent elec- tors take this opportunity to claim and to exercise that right, and to transmit to you our sentiments upon two points, which we look upon to be of the utmost impor- tance at this juncture to the whole Continent :-
" Ist. We have observed with concern a late resolu- tion of Congress granting to the officers of the army five years pay upon the army's being disbanded, which we apprehend is unnecessary, impolitic and unjust-a bur- den this people are unable to bear, and are unwilling to submit to-we recommend to you, therefore, to promote a strict inquiry into the power of Congress established by the confederation, and that you use your utmost en- deavors to secure the liberties of the people from all arbitrary and unconstitutional stretches of authority ;
* A document found in the appendix contains an imperfect account of the number of men furnished at the expense of the town.
52
INSTRUCTIONS.
and that you join in a remonstrance to Congress touch- ing the injustice of such a resolution and warmly solicit a repeal of it. That the public monies may be admin- istered with as much frugality as possible, and not be squandered away with prodigality and profusion.
"2d. We strictly enjoin it upon you-that you do not under any pretence whatever consent to the return of those persons whose names are mentioned, in an act of this State entitled ' an act to prevent the return to this State of certain persons therein named, and others who have left this State, or either of the United States and joined the enemies thereof;' but that you use your influence to prevent their return, as they are the objects of popular jealousy and dislike-that the minds of the people be no longer agitated with repeated returns of the refugees."*
* Messrs. Moses Gill, Sadey Mason, and Joseph Sargent, were a committee who reported said instructions-which were also adopted by the town.
CHAPTER IV.
Insurrection-Distress of the People-County Convention-Instructions to Col. Sargent-Grievances-Courts suspended-Capt. Gale at the Court House-Court of Sessions Interrupted-Preparations of Government- Daniel Shays-Forces of Insurgents-Insurgents occupy the Court House ; Consultation of the Insurgents-The Retreat-Gen. Lincoln's Army- Termination of the Rebellion-IIenry Gale.
Scarcely were the struggles of the revolution over, and the smoke of its burning lost in a clear sky, before internal dissensions threatened the overthrow of the general government. Difficulties presented themselves,
53
INSURRECTION.
which, in their progress, brought the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the very verge of ruin.
We would refrain from an allusion to the insurrection known in History as the Shays' Rebellion could its ex- istence be effaced from memory. But those events cannot be forgotten, since they stand with prominence upon the annals of the State. Neither is the voice of tradition silent upon this subject. " Historical truth, however, not unfrequently checks and properly tempers the fervor of admiration which we sometimes experi- ence, when contemplating the patriotic exertions of our ancestors. That there existed circumstances, which palliated, though they did not justify, the conduct of those who rebelled against the government of their own enactment, is clearly evident." " After eight years of war, Massachusetts stood with the splendor of triumph, in republican poverty, bankrupt in resources, with no revenue but of an expiring currency, and no metal in her treasury more precious than the continental copper, bearing the devices of union and freedom. The coun- try had been drained by taxation for the support of the army of independence, to the utmost limit of its means ; public credit was extinct, manners had become relaxed, trade decayed, manufactures languishing, paper money depreciated to worthlessness, claims on the nation accu- mulated by the commutation of the pay of officers for securities, and a heavy and increasing pressure of debt rested on the Commonwealth, corporations and citizens. The first reviving efforts of commerce overstocked the markets with foreign luxuries and superfluities, sold to those who trusted to the future to supply the ability of payment. The temporary act of 1782 making property a tender in discharge of pecuniary contracts, instead of
54
COUNTY CONVENTIONS.
the designed remedial effect, enhanced the evils of gen- eral insolvency, by the postponing collections. The outstanding demands of the royalists' refugees, who had been driven from large estates and extensive business, enforced with no lenient forbearance, came in to in- crease the embarrassments of the deferred pay-day. At length a flood of suits broke out. In 1784, more than 2000 actions were entered in the county of Worcester, then having a population less than 50.000, and in 1785, about 1700."* Property of every description was seized and sold at great sacrifice, the general difficulties having driven away purchasers.
Amid the great distress of the people, many were ex- cited to frenzy by the actual evil of enormous debt, and by the supposed grievances of a defective constitution, a corrupt administration, and unequal and unjust laws. It is not surprising that in such a state of affairs a reme- dy should be sought by resort to the most unjustifiable measures. Previous to the close of the revolutionary war, there were some indications of uneasiness mani- fested, on the part of the people, in reference to some of the acts of the Legislature, as the operation of laws conflicted with their views of expediency and their in- terests. In 1782, however, the complaints of grievan- ces were of a more general character. As early as April of that year, a Convention was held at Worcester, composed of delegates from twenty-six towns in the County. This Convention attributed the prevailing dis- satisfaction of the people to a want of confidence in the disbursement of the enormous sums of money annnally assessed, and recommended instructions to the represen- tatives in General Court, to require immediate settle,
* See Lincoln's History of Worcester, Chap. VIII.
55
INSTRUCTIONS.
ment with all public officers entrusted with the funds of the Commonwealth, to reduce the compensation of the members of the House and the fees of lawyers, to pro- cure sessions of the Court of Probate in various places in the County of Worcester,-the revival of confessions of debt, enlargement of the jurisdiction of Justices of Peace to ££20,-contribution to the support of the con- tinental army in specific articles instead of money,-and the settlement of accounts between Massachusetts and Congress. At an adjourned session, May 14, the Con- vention recommended, that the account of public ex- penditures should annually be rendered to the towns ;- that the General Court be removed from Boston, a sepa- ration of the business of the Court of Common Pleas and Sessions, and also an inquiry into the grants of lands in the State of Maine in favor of Alexander Shepherd and others. Princeton was represented in this assem- blage by Lieut. Charles Brooks.
Although these complaints were unnoticed by the Le- gislature, the spirit of discontent was hushed and quieted for a season. But the murmurs of the coming storm were again heard here in August, 1786. On receipt of the invitation of a Convention holden at Leicester, June 26, requesting the participation of the town, at an ad- journed meeting, to be held in the month of August, at the same place.
The inhabitants determined, by a great majority, to comply ; and accordingly elected Col. Sargent a dele- gate, with the following instructions :-
" As the safety and happiness of a people depend upon the support of Government and good and wholesome Laws are to be enacted by the Legislature for that pur-
56
GRIEVANCES.
pose, and that no people or body of men can be safe without it,-and that justice ought to be administered in a way least expensive to the people-it is therefore the sense of this town at this day of public distress that the number, and salaries of public officers ought to be reduced,-and that in our opinion Government might be supported at. a less expense than it is at present,- and that the granting moneys from time to time to per- sons employed in the public service, other than amply to reward them for their service, is oppressive, and ought not to be done under any pretence whatever ; that it is the sense of this town that petitions be sent to His Ex- cellency the Governor, by the people of this Common- wealth, praying him to call the General Assembly to- gether as soon as may be, to take under consideration the distresses of the good people of this Commonwealth, that some measures may be taken for their relief, par- ticularly that industry and manufactures may be en- couraged, and superfluities as much as possible be avoid- ed. And it is the sense of this town that the making a paper currency will, instead of granting relief, involve us in confusion, and that it be recommended to the good people, to cultivate a benevolent temper, and disposition towards their fellow mortals at this day of distress, and those that are strong, bear the infirmities of the weak."
In addition to the grievances referred to in the previ- ous Conventions, the following were enumerated at this in Leicester :- abuses in the practice of the law ; the number and salaries of public offcers ; grants to the At- torney General and to Congress while the State accounts remained unpaid, together with some others.
To this period the people had sought redress by the
57
COURTS SUSPENDED.
constitutional appeal to the Legislature. The first open act of insurrection followed immediately after the close of the Convention last named. The September following, Capt. Adam Wheeler, of Hubbardston, heading a band of eighty armed men, entered Worcester and took pos- session of the Court House. Their numbers were soon augmented to more than four hundred; " half with fire- arms, and the remainder furnished with sticks." The Colonels in the brigade were ordered on the part of gov- ernment to call out their regiments, and march, without a moment's delay, to sustain the judicial tribunals ; but the order was unavailing, for the militia shared in the disaffection, and generally favored those movements of the people directed against civil government, and tending to the subversion of social order. Hence the Court finding that no reliance could be placed on that right arm, on which the government rested for defence-it be- ing paralyzed, and of consequence entertaining no hope of being permitted to proceed with business, adjourned until December following, continuing all causes to that term. Announcement was made by the sheriff to the people, and a copy of the record communicated .- The Court of Sessions also considering their deliber- ations controlled by the mob, of insurgents-or Regu- lators as they styled themselves,-deemed it expedient to imitate the example of the superior tribunal and there- fore adjourned to the 21st of November. Before night closed down on the day in which the courts were sus- pended, the Regulators, elated with their partial success returned home to foment greater commotions; and thus terminated the first interference of the citizens in arms with the course of justice."
The success of the insurgents had an unfavorable in-
6
58
CAPT. GALE AT THE COURT HOUSE.
fluence on the state of feeling in Princeton. Other por- tions of the State also caught the spirit of discontent. As the time approached for the sitting of the Sessions, whose jurisdiction was principally over criminal offences, and its powers exercised for the preservation of social order, no opposition had been anticipated, and conse- quently no defensive preparations on the part of the government had been made. In the meantime, however, the disaffected had been active in their preparations to interrupt the Sessions on the 21st of November ; and on that day Capt. Abraham Gale, of this town, entered the north part of Worcester with about sixty armed men .- The day following their numbers were augmented to more than two hundred, mostly from Shrewsbury and Hubbardston. A petition was presented to the Court, at the United States Arms' Tavern, by a committee chosen for that purpose, for their adjournment until a new election of representatives to the General Court .- The petition, however, was not entertained.
The men under Capt. Gale then took posession of the ground around the Court House, which they guarded in a martial form ; and sentinels were posted along the front of the building. " When the Justices approached, the armed men made way, and they passed through the opening ranks to the steps. There, triple rows of bayo- nets presented to their breasts, opposed further advance. The Sheriff, Col. William Greenleaf, of Lancaster, ad- dressed the assembled crowd, stating the danger to them- selves and the public from their lawless measures .- Reasoning and warning were ineffectual, and the proc- lamation in the riot act was read for their dispersion .- Amid the grave solemnity of the scene, some incidents were interposed of lighter character. Col. Greenleaf
59
PREPARATIONS OF GOVERNMENT.
remarked, with great severity, on the conduct of the armed party around him. One of the leaders replied, they sought relief from grievances ; that among the most intolerable of them was the Sheriff himself; and next to his person were his fees, which were exhorbitant and excessive, particularly on criminal executions. 'If you consider fees for executions oppressive,' replied the Sheriff, irritated by the attack, 'you need not wait long for redress ; for I will hang you all, Gentlemen, for noth- ing, with the greatest pleasure.' Some hand among the crowd, which pressed close, placed a pine branch on his hat, and the county officer retired, with the Justices, dec- orated with the evergreen badge of rebellion. The clerk entered on his records, that the Court was pre- vented from being held by an armed force, the only no- tice contained on their pages that our soil has ever been dishonored by resistance of the laws."
To this period government had resorted only to leni- ent measures, hoping that these might have been suffi- cient to have induced her revolted subjects to lay down the arms assumed under strong excitement, and that re- viving order would rise from the confusion. But the insurgents, animated with their temporary success, and mistaking the mildness of forbearance for weakness, or fear, had extended their purposes from present relief to permanent change. In their early movements they pro- fessed to have but one object in view,-to stop the flood of executions which wasted their property and made their homes desolate. Consequently, a large portion of the community, though they condemned the measures resorted to by the actors in the scenes we have describ- ed, sympathized in their sufferings, and therefore they
60
THE INSURGENTS.
were disposed to consider the offences venial. But on this renewal of the 21st of November, of opposition to the administration of justice, the sympathizers with the insurgents, were materially lessened. Defiance of the authority of the Commonwealth could no longer be tol- erated, without demolishing her institutions.
The crisis had fully arrived when government was compelled to appeal to the sword for preservation, even though its destroying edge, turned on the citizen, might be crimsoned with civil slaughter. " Information was communicated to the chief magistrate of the extensive levies of troops for the suppression of the judiciary, and the coercion of the legislature. Great preparations were being made to prevent the session of the Court of Com- monPleas, in Worcester, in December following." The Governor* with the advice and consent of his council, in the meantime had determined to adopt vigorous measures to restrain the Regulators. Orders were dis- patched to Maj. General Warren, to call out the militia of division, and five regiments were directed to hold themselves in readiness to march without a moment's delay. But in this hour of utmost need, the troops shared in the disaffection, and the Sheriff reported that it was out of his power to muster a sufficient force. The first instructions were therefore revoked. And it was resolved to make a desperate effort to raise an army whose power might effectually crush all resistance. At the same time, the Judges were instructed to adjourn the Court until the 23rd of January following, at which time it was confidently expected that the contemplated arrangements, could be matured to terminate the unhap- py agitation, and disturbances.
Gov. Bowdoin.
61
DANIEL SHAYS.
" The insurgents, unapprised of the change of oper- ations, began to concentrate their whole strength to in- terrupt the Courts at Worcester and Concord. They had fixed on Shrewsbury as the place of rendezvous .- On the 29th of November, a party of forty from Barre, Spencer, and Leicester, joined Capt. Wheeler, who had established his head quarters in that town during the preceding week and succeeded in enlisting about thirty men. Daniel Shays, the reputed commander-in-chief, and nominal head of the rebellion, made his first public appearance in the County* soon after, with troops from Hampshire. Reinforcements came in, till the number at the post exceeded four hundred. Sentinels stopped and examined travelers, and patrols were sent out to- wards Concord, Cambridge, and Worcester. On Thursday, Nov. 30, information was received that the Light Horse, under Col. Hitchborn, had captured Shat- tuck, Parker and Paige, and that a detachment of cavalry was marching against themselves. This intelligence disconcerted their arrangements for an expedition into Middlesex, and they retreated, in great alarm to Hol- den." As the Light Horse retired, it was discovered that they did not exceed twenty. Learning this fact, nearly one hundred of Shay's men rallied, and pursued their foe whose velocity of movement was such that it left no cause to fear they could be brought in conflict.
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.