USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > History of Spencer, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to the year 1860: including a brief sketch of Leicester, to the year 1753 > 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 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
45
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
The American Revolution originated, not so much by act- ual oppression, or insupportable burthens thrown upon the colonies by the mother country, as by a series of acts by par- liament, tending ultimately, as they believed, to undermine their liberties, and subject them, as had been threatened, to the entire control of Great Britain, in all cases whatsoever. Massachusetts was the first of the Colonies to resist these ar- bitrary measures, the first to sound the aların to her sister Colonies. She led the way, and was foremost in devising ways and means, and furnishing men and money throughout the whole contest.
In this memorable contest, the town of Spencer took an active part, and it is believed, contributed her full share of men and money, towards the consummation of that glorious event. But it cannot be expected that a full account can here be given of what was done by this town in that great struggle, where life and liberty were depending: nor is it necessary. But little more than a mere sketch of their official doings will here be presented.
The town of Boston, which was always foremost to move in every patriotic measure throughout the Revolution, had . transmitted a circular to the inhabitants of the several towns in the Commonwealth, accompanied with a pamphlet " wherein the rights of the Colonists and the infringements thereof are set forth." The towns of Leicester, Spencer and Paxton, as early as Jan. 1, 1773, assembled at Leicester to take the same into consideration. This is the first movement of an official and organized character which was made by this town in opposition to the measures of Great Britain.
At this meeting, a committee, composed of influential gen- tlemen from the several towns, was appointed, to take the matter into consideration. The committee were, Capt. Brown of Leicester ; Capt. Witt and Capt. Brown of Paxton ; Mr. 5
46
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
Moses Livermore and Joshua Lamb of Spencer; William Henshaw and Hezekiah Ward of Leicester ; and Willard Mower of Paxton. They presented to the meeting several spirited and patriotic resolutions, which were unanimously passed. They also presented instructions of the same im- port to their representative, Thomas Denny, Esq., of Leices- ter, which were accepted .. Did room permit, they would be highly worthy of insertion. Suffice it to say, they breathe the most noble and patriotic sentiments, and are expressed in excellent language.
The inhabitants of the same towns met again at Leices- ter, December 27, 1773, when other similar resolutions were passed, among which the following is selected. " Resolved, That we will not use any tea in our families, nor suffer any to be consumed therein, while loaded with a tribute contrary to our consent, and that whoever shall sell any of that destruc- tive herb, shall be deemed by us inimical to the rights of his country, and as endeavoring to counteract the designs of those who are zealous for its true interests." A committee of four- teen was also chosen, " for the inspection of any teas that may be sold or consumed," and to report the names of the offenders at the next meeting.
This resolution was carried into the most rigid effect. No tea was suffered to be drank among the inhabitants, and the ladies, being quite as patriotic as their husbands, agreed to dispense entirely with the use of that " destructive herb," and if any frail sister was found to offend so far as privately to sip a little bohea, she was treated with scorn and neglect by all her acquaintances. And it is related that a female convention was assembled in Boston, and one also in Worces. ter, and probably in other towns, and agreed to discontinue the use of tea, and substitute in its stead the native herbs or shrubs of their native pastures and meadows.
During the year 1774, the inhabitants of the towns of Leicester, Spencer and Paxton, met not less than five times
47
HISTORY SPENCER.
in legal town meeting at Leicester, to take into considera- tion, as they at one time express it, " the melancholy situa- tion of our public affairs at this critical conjuncture."
At their meeting, May 23, Thomas Denny was again cho- sen representative, and a committee, of whom Deacon Oli- ver Watson and Lieut. Joshua Lamb, from Spencer, were cho- sen to draft instructions to him. . At the same meeting, they chose committees of correspondence in each of those towns, delegates to a convention in Worcester, which met Aug. 9, 1774, and continued by adjournment until May 31, 1775.
These several towns assembled again in legal meeting Ju- ly 6. A committee was appointed to " draw up resolves, formed on the sentiments of these towns, on the present mel- ancholy situation of the country." The committee were Thomas Denny, Joseph Henshaw and Joseph Allen of Lei- cester, James Draper and Joseph Wilson of Spencer, Oliver. Witt and Ralf Earle of Paxton.
Their report commenced by saying that they were assem- bled " not tumultuously, riotously or seditiously, but soberly and seriously, as men, as freemen and as christians, to take into consideration the distressed situation of our affairs, &c." It presented a very able and luminous exposition of our sit- uation with the mother country, accompanied with several patriotic resolves, all of which were accepted by the meeting.
Another meeting was had September 29, and Thomas Denny was chosen a delegate to sit in a Congress, which was holden at Salem, from October 7, 1774, to December 10 of the same year. A committee, consisting of seven, of whom Deacon Muzzy and Doct. Ormes of Spencer, were two, was chosen to give instructions to their delegate. At another meeting, Col. Joseph Henshaw of Leicester was cho- sen a delegate in a Congress which met at Cambridge, Feb. 1, 1775, and continued by adjournment to other towns until May 29 of the same year. At a subsequent meeting of the
48
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
same towns, Deacon Oliver Watson of Spencer was chosen to attend a Congress which was holden at Watertown, May 31, 1775, and was dissolved July 19 of the same year.
During this time, with the exception of the meeting of the last-mentioned Congress, hostilities had not commenced, nor had American blood been spilt. But the ominous gathering of the clouds of war drew nearer, and the people, far from quailing, or being dismayed at its frightful aspect, made vigorous preparations to meet it. Arms and equipments, and military stores of every description, were put in imme- diate requisition. Companies of men were enlistel to be ready at a minute's warning, and the public mind was in a state of the highest possible excitement. .
From this period, the inhabitants of Spencer met only in their own town, and all their future transactions were done in their individual capacity. In all their votes and proceed- ings, while passing throughout the perils and trials of the revolution, they were nearly unanimous, there never having been found among them a single citizen meriting the name of tory.
The town voted to pay their share of the expenses of the several Congresses, and as Harrison Gray, Esq., the State Treasurer, was a tory, they directed the constables to make their remittances to Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stow, and voted to indemnify them against all damage which might arise by so doing. Congress having recommended a non-importation of all goods and wares with Great Britain, they chose John Cunningham, Oliver Watson and Asa Baldwin, a committee to see it carried into complete effect. They also voted to raise fifty " effective men" immediately, and furnish them with blankets, equipments, &c. And as there was a number of British troops quartered upon the inhabitants of Boston and Charlestown, they voted that a subscription be raised for their relief.
The eventful year of 1775, commenced, bringing with it
49
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
portentous signs of an approaching conflict, and events soon followed which sealed the destiny of the colonies. The town. had raised a company of " minute. men," who were placed under the command of Capt. Ebenezer Mason. They were directed to meet often, to exercise and prepare themselves for military action. A town meeting was called to be hold- en on the 24th of April, to make provision for the soldiers, should they be called into actual service by some emergency, which was highly probable might soon arise. Before the day of the said meeting had arrived, however, General Gage, April 19, had sent a body of British troops to take possession of the military stores in Concord, and on their way, at Lex- ington, they fired upon a few militia there assembled, and eight American citizens were murdered. After having a conflict with our troops at Concord, they were repulsed, and retreated back to Boston with considerable loss. An alarm was immediately spread through the country like an electric shock. The next day, great was the commotion among the people. Like the fiery cross of the ancient Scottish clans, a messenger on horseback, with the speed of the wind, pass- ed through the towns from the East, shouting from the top of his voice, " the war has begun, the regulars are marching to Concord." All business and recreations were immediately suspended. The farmer left his plow in the furrow, the me- chanic his tools upon the bench, and there was an instanta- neous gathering of the people, with stern wills, to do what- ever should be necessary to be done to meet the emergency. The company of minute men buckled on their knapsacks, shouldered their muskets, and were immediately on their march. And although the time appointed for a town meet- ing to make provision for the exigency had not yet arrived, the good wives of the soldiers, with the assistance of the select- men of the town, furnishing them with a hasty and imper- fect supply of clothing and provisions, they marched quick- ly to Cambridge. Finding the enemy disposed to remain in 5%
50
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
his stronghold, the town of Boston, for the present, forty of them enlisted for eight months, to be stationed in the vicini- ty of Boston, and the remainder returned home. Joel Green was the Captain of the company for eight months, and David Prouty Lieutenant, both from Spencer.
On the 17th of June, the memorable battle of Bunker Hill was fought. A company, commanded by Capt. Seth Wash- burn of Leicester, grandfather of the Hon. Emory Wash- burn, was in the battle, nine of whom, including Joseph Liv- ermore as Lieutenant, belonged to Spencer.
This year, the town of Boston being occupied by British troops, the General Court held their sittings at Watertown. The inhabitants of Spencer were notified to meet in their own town, July 17th, at one o'clock in the afternoon, to see if they would then proceed to Leicester, as the meeting in that town was to be holden at three o'clock, to join in elect- ing a representative, or otherwise, choose one for themselves. When the day of meeting arrived, the inhabitants decided, for the first time, to assume the right of an independent town, and choose a representative for themselves, and Deacon Oliver Watson was elected to that office.
During the whole series of the acts of British wrong and oppression, which was borne by the colonies for ten years, commencing with the Stamp act in 1765, they never com- plained, as one cause of grievance, that they were in some measure subjects of Great Britain ; but the port of Boston was closed, shutting off our intercourse from abroad, and the town besieged with an armed and licentious band of sol- diers ; after our citizens were slaughtered at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill, and the town of Charlestown wantonly burnt, they began seriously to think of assuming the position of an independent nation.
In anticipation of this, the town voted, June 24, 1776, " that should Congress think it expedient to declare the col- onies independent of the kingdom of Great Britain, we do
51
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
hereby, fully, freely and solemnly, engage with our lives and fortunes, to support Congress in such a measure," and they instructed Oliver Watson, who was their representative this year also, to communicate the same to the General Court. This crisis, which, probably, for more than a year past, had been anticipated by most of our patriotic and intelligent cit- izens, had now arrived, and Congress, July 4, 1776, by a unanimous vote, declared the colonies to be free, sovereign and independent States. A copy of this declaration was sent to all the towns, and the General Court ordered the same to be read in all the churches after divine service, and the town clerk to record this manifesto in the town records, " there to remain a perpetual memorial thereof," with all which, this town complied.
In 1777, the General Court passed " an act to prevent monopoly and oppression," and the selectmen and committee of safety in the several towns were directed to set a price upon all the articles usually bought and sold, as well as of labor, and none were allowed to exceed those prices in their dealings. The following are the prices of some of those ar- ticles, as fixed upon for this town. For the better under- standing of the present generation, the prices are here set down in Federal denomination. A days work for a man in summer 50 cents, a days work for a yoke of oxen 25 cents, a bushel of wheat $1.00, bushel of rye 67 cts, bushel of corn 50 cts, imported salt $2.17 per bushel, salt made from sea water $2.42 per bushel, charcoal 4 cts per bushel, sheep's wool 30 cts per lb., cotton wool 61 cts per lb., brown sugar $1.33 per lb., coffee 22 cts per lb., molasses 75 cts per gal- lon, a meal of victuals 12 1-2 cts, a night's lodging 4 cts. It will be perceived the great disparity between these prices and those of the present time, those articles of our own pro- duction being much less, and those imported much larger, the article of brown sugar in particular, being fourteen hun- dred per cent. higher, owing to the destruction of our com- merce by England.
52
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
Being called upon to furnish their quota of soldiers to fill up the continental army, the town voted to allow £20 ($67) bounty to each man who should enlist for three years or during the war. The town was also called upon to furnish blankets, and one pair of shirts, stockings and other clothing at the rate of one set for every male person in the town over sixteen years of age. The General Court passed an- other act, calling in four hundred thousand pounds of the State's outstanding debts, which were lying without interest, and ordered each town to raise its proportion of that sum, and place the same on interest until paid. This injudicious act disturbed the minds of the people, as another large sum for continental debts became due about the same time. They instructed their representatives, Oliver Watson and John Bisco, to use their influence that the act might be repealed. In this, however, they were unsuccessful, and they raised their proportion by a tax, being nine hundred and ninety- one pounds seventeen shillings." This sum, allowing for the depreciation of the currency in 1777, would probably be about $1300, which would be quite as burthensome for the town to pay at that time as $5000, at the present.
The success of the British arms at the north, under Gen- eral Burgoyne, spread consternation and terror throughout New England, and every sixth man in the county of Wor- cester, capable of bearing arms, was drafted to join the northern army. Companies of men, under the command of Capt. Josiah White and Capt. David Prouty, a large propor-
" In making the valuation for a basis of taxes, this year, the assessors were directed by the town to fix the following value on the taxable proper- ty. Unimproved land $3.33 per acre-Horse $23.33-two years old colt $13 .- 33-yearling colt $10-Spring colt $6.67-ox $16.67-cows and three year old steers $10-two year old cattle $6.67-yearling do $3.33-spring calves $1.67-sheep $0.83-swine one year old $3.33-pigs $1.00-wheat 83 cts per bushel-rye 56 cts per bushel-corn 42 cts-barley 42 cts-oats 21 cts- beans 67 cts-potatoes 11 cts-cider 50 cts per barrel-flax 10 cts per lb .-- English hay $4.44 per ton-meadow hay $2.21 per ton.
53
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
tion of whom belonged to Spencer, went to Bennington and other places in that vicinity, to meet the invading army, who by rapid marches, was passing through and ravaging our northern borders. A battle was fought at Bennington un- der General Stark, which partly put a check to their depre- dations. And when the British forces reached Saratoga, an alarm was immediately sent through the country, and the people in Spencer, like their brethren elsewhere, rose to arms, almost en masse, and marched to the rescue, but a por- tion of them did not arrive at the scene of battle until after the surrender of Burgoyne and his whole army.
The town appointed a committee to ascertain what ser- vices each person had rendered towards the war, either by ' men, money or otherwise, since April 19, 1775, but the task proved so difficult that it was abandoned.
January 5, 1778, the town voted to accept " the articles of perpetual union between the States," called the confeder- ation, as proposed by Congress. The General Court having formed a constitution for the State of Massachusetts, the town assembled May 20, to take it into consideration. It was rejected, there not being a solitary vote for its accep- tance, and against it 102 votes. It was rejected throughout the State by a large majority.
March 10, the town voted that the selectmen make pro- vision for the families of the continental soldiers who were out in the service of their country. Seven men enlisted in- to the army for the term of nine months, and the sum of £30, ($100) was allowed as bounty to each, amounting when paid, including the interest, to £219 9s. The selectmen were called upon by the State to provide thirty-seven pairs of shirts, shoes and stockings for the use of the army.
1779. The town was called upon to furnish six soldiers to go to Rhode Island for six months. This requisition was granted, and the money voted to pay them for their services. Sixty pounds was also voted to provide for the families of
54
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
the soldiers who were out in the public service. This year, a number of tories, who in the beginning of the revolution had fled from the country, to avoid the resentment of the people, had returned again, and the town of Boston sent cir- culars to the several towns, advising them of this fact. Thereupon, the town called a meeting to take the matter in- to consideration. Resolutions were passed, declaring that " the town highly approve of the spirited conduct of the town · of Boston, in their endeavors to take up and secure such odi- ous persons, who had the impudence to appear in that town, that they may be dealt with according to a good and whole- some law of this State ; and this town is in full sentiment with the town of Boston with respect to those professed enemies to the rights and liberties of mankind; and that we will, to the utmost of our power, aid and assist the civil magistrate in the execution of all laws made for the purpose of exclud- ing all such hateful creatures from among us, &c."
While we must admire the devotedness of the patriots of the revolution to the sacred cause of liberty, not only for themselves, but also for us their posterity ; such entire de- votedness as we may never expect to witness again in this or any other country ; while we are astonished at the great sacrifices they made, and the fortitude with which they sus- tained their burthens, their often great and discouraging re- verses of fortune in war, and other deprivations, such as were sufficient to overwhelm ordinary minds ; it is not surprising that they should be exasperated at those, who not only stood aloof from the perilous work which demanded the united aid of all hearts and hands, but opposed all their patriotic exertions, and cruelly mocked at their sufferings and derided . their cause. Yet some of them were, undoubtedly, treated with too much severity. Many of these suspected persons were good citizens at heart, and friends to their country, but who desired to wait a little longer, and were for trying fur- ther pacific measures before coming to actual hostilities with
55
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
the mother country. Perhaps they were inexcusable for their hesitation and timidity, but many of them were not inten- tionally enemies to their country, and a few who, after the revolution was completed and peace restored, were permitted to return and dwell among their former friends, proved to be good citizens, and became perfectly reconciled to the inde- pendence of their country.
This year the taxes and burthens of the war were so on- erous that the town refused to grant any money for the sup- port of schools or highways. The highway surveyors were directed to invite those within their limits to work on the roads as much as they were willing to do voluntarily, and no more. A committee was again chosen to make provision for the destitute families of the continental soldiers, who were probably suffering more in the field and in the camp than their families at home.
Deacon John Muzzy was chosen representative, and he was instructed "to use his best endeavors to support the credit of our currency, and not to give his consent to any act for making up the sink of money between debtor and creditor, either public or private, soldiers and officers in the continental army excepted." The town was called upon to fur- nish seven men for the continental army and four men to go to Rhode Island. For paying these men, and others who had been sent to guard the prisoners in Rutland, a tax of five thousand four hundred pounds was assessed upon the inhabi- tants of the town. This tax, allowing for the depreciation of the currency in 1779, was probably about $900.
August 7. Deacon John Muzzy was chosen to attend a convention at Worcester, " to act on business of importance," and the 17th of the same month, Maj. Asa Baldwin was cho- sen a delegate to attend a convention at Concord for regu- lating the prices of the necessaries of life. These conven- tions prepared a detailed statement of prices, with an ad- dress, which were sent to the several towns for approval.
56
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
The following are the prices fixed by the convention, and they will serve to show the depreciation of the currency in two years, which are again reduced into Federal money to make it intelligible to modern readers.
A bushel of corn $14.00-rye $17.00-wheat $27.00- oats $6.00-barrel of cider $13.33-hay per cwt. $5.00- labor in husbandry per day $9.00-women's labor per week $6.67-beef per lb. $0.92-mutton and veal $0.58-butter $1.83-cheese $0.92-wool $4.00-men's shoes per pair $20.00-stockings $12.00-shirts, tow cloth, $16.17.º
John Bisco, Esq. was chosen a delegate to attend a con- vention at Cambridge, for forming a State Constitution.
1780. In the beginning of this year, the currency be- came depreciated in the proportion of 40 to 1, and before the close of the year, as low as 240 for 1! The pressure was so heavy upon the people of this town, that forty-one persons were unable to pay their taxes for this and the last years, and they were abated by the town.
A number of men were required in the service for six months, and the town voted that each soldier who enlisted
" At the close of the year 1779, a committee was chosen of the Massa- chusetts line of the army, to adjust and settle the accounts of the officers and soldiers, with regard to the depreciation of the currency. This com- mittee formed their scale of depreciation for three years, upon the mean prices, throughout the State, of beef, Indian corn, sheep's wool and sole leather, as follows :
1777.
1778.
1779.
January 31st,
1.03 for 1
4.64
9.34
February
1.03
4.80
10.87
March
1.28
5.19
12.35
April
1.57
5.80
14.14
May
1.69
5.91
16.02
June
1.82
6.34
22.57
July
2.38
6.30
20.38
August
2.50
6.90
16.95
September
3.82
6.90
17.14
October
3.96
6.97
23.87
November
4.34
7.47
30.35
December
4,50
8.38
32.50
57
HISTORY OF SPENCER.
should receive a bounty of one hundred dollars, to be paid at the rate of fifty cents for corn and sixty-seven cents for rye, per bushel, or stock in that proportion. This was a standard which would regulate the paper money currency, so that the poor soldier would for once receive something more solid than promises, or what proved to be no better.
Oliver Watson was again chosen representative. Agree- able to a resolve of the General Court, the town furnished 7150 lbs. of beef, as a part of their quota for the army. Sixteen thousand pounds, in the currency of the day, was raised by a tax, in part payment for what was then due for soldiers' wages.
May 22. The town assembled in legal meeting, to take into consideration the Constitution, or new form of govern- ment, then lately formed for the State. All the articles re- ceived the approbation of the town, with the exception of the 2d article of section 3d, of chapter 1st. They thought the provision for representation to be unequal,-that those towns and plantations not having 150 rateable polls should have the privilege of uniting together, or with some adjacent town, for the purpose of choosing a representative. The constitution was since amended in conformity to the propo- sition, as expressed by the town.
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.