USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Westminster > History of Westminster, Massachusetts (first named Narragansett no. 2) from the date of the original grant of the township to the present time, 1728-1893, with a biographic-genealogical register of its principal families > Part 19
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"That whereas a Request has been Directed to the Selectmen from the Gentlemen, the Selectmen of the town of Boston, to assemble the Inhabi- tants Directly to take into Consideration the present Critical Siteuation into which the province is Involved by means of Dissolving the General Assem- bly; and to consider the messures proposed and Voted by the town of Boston with Respect to a Convention and to see whether the District will appoint a Committee to Joyne the proposed Convention and to make Choice of a Committee therefor."
Upon this article
"The vote was putt whether they would send a Committee to Joyne the proposed Convention at Funiueal Hall at Boston and it passed in the afairmative.
" Then chose Mr. Abner Holden for said service."
The convention met as proposed, ninety-six towns and eight districts being represented in it. Thomas Cushing, speaker of the house of representatives, was chosen moderator, and the clerk of the house, secretary.
A petition was prepared and sent to the governor, asking him to reassemble the legislature. He refused to consider the petition and ordered the convention to dissolve. The order was received with derision. The convention sat for six days, issuing at length a protest against the taxing of the colonies by parlia- ment, against a standing army, and against the presence in their midst of a body of pensioners and hired soldiers. Meanwhile, armed troops arrived in Boston, which, with eight ships of war in the harbor, betokened peril to the liberties of the people. Popular feeling was roused to rage and an outbreak seemed imminent. But the leaders, though firm and determined, coun- seled moderation and no violence ensued.
After an interregnum of a year, during which great excite- ment prevailed throughout the country, a new legislature was convoked. The military had been retained with a view, it was believed, of intimidating the people and securing the election of members favorable to the crown. But the citizens were undaunted and instructed their representatives to maintain freedom of debate, to require that the troops be removed from
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POPULAR DISCONTENT CONTINUES.
Boston, to oppose the raising of money to support the soldiery, and to make inquiry into the alleged misrepresentations of Governor Bernard to parliament in regard to the affairs of the province. Considerable conflict arose between the governor and the legislature, but the popular branch would not yield one jot or tittle of its hostility to all arbitrary measures on the part of the parent government and its provincial agents. So deep- seated and unrelenting was the animosity against the governor, that he withdrew from office, and Thomas Hutchinson was appointed to the place.
To quiet the colonies, the British ministry proposed to re- move the tax from certain articles while retaining it on others, but this was not satisfactory. The principle of taxation was still involved, and only an entire renunciation of that principle would secure the end sought. And so the popular discontent continued. At the same time, the presence of soldiers in Boston was not only regarded as a constant menace to the rights of the people, but was a source of irritation and trouble. Collisions between the troops and individuals frequently oc- curred, culminating in the "Boston Massacre" of March 5, 1770, when three persons were killed and eight wounded, one of the latter dying of his injuries.
Once more Boston was stirred to indignation and wrath. A meeting of the inhabitants was held the next morning at Faneuil Hall, and by adjournment at the Old South Meetinghouse, in which a demand was made for the immediate removal of the troops. The governor hesitated, but the committee chosen to make the demand would not yield, and he at length consented. The troops were at once ordered out of town and the meeting dissolved.
About this time, a call for a retrogressive step on the part of parliament came, not from the colonies, but from the merchants of England. The refusal of the people across the water to buy English goods on account of the tax laid upon them was seriously affecting the commerce of the kingdom. The revenue question was thus reopened, a long controversy ensued, and finally imposts were removed from all articles except tea. But this did not serve the purpose designed. The spirited patriots were not to be pacified by any such halfway legislation. They demanded the repeal of the whole impost system and would accept nothing less. The general court of Massachusetts passed resolutions discouraging extravagance and the use of superfluities, and encouraging industry, frugality, and self- dependence. The people of the province were imbued with the same spirit.
Under its influence domestic manufactures were greatly promoted, and a generous and patriotic rivalry sprang up even among the wives and daughters of the yeomen of New England as to who should spin the most yarn or weave the most cloth. "Homemade was the fashion, and in 1770, the gradu-
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
ating students at Cambridge took their degrees in homespun suits." Nor was this all. The continued tax on tea-a favor- ite and popular beverage in most circles-resulted in the almost entire disuse of the article, a substitute for it being found in certain herbs indigenous to the soil. Thus the very measures taken to reduce to greater subjection the people of the colonies, only served to nurture in them an enterprising, self-reliant spirit, and to fit them for a larger liberty and ulti- mate independence.
Moreover, the attempts of Governor Hutchinson to overawe and bring into subservience to his wishes the popular branch of the legislature, hastened matters on to their final issue. By special appeal to parliament he obtained new power to enforce his tyrannical decrees. This being made known by him when the general court was not in session, a meeting of the citizens of Boston, as was usual in such crises, was held, with John Hancock as moderator, by which an address relating to exist- ing grievances was sent to the governor. He would not enter- tain it, on the ground that the meeting was an illegal gathering, and to recognize its right to act in the matter would be to encourage other towns to consider subjects beyond their jurisdiction. Whereupon, the meeting manifested great disap- probation and proceeded to a step which is said to have "included the whole Revolution." At the suggestion of Samuel Adams, a committee of correspondence consisting of twenty-one persons was chosen, for the purpose of opening communication with the various towns of the province, in order to obtain the considerate judgment of all parties concerned, and secure united action upon the course to be pursued in the exigency that had arisen in public affairs. James Otis was made chairman of this committee, and William Cooper, min- ister of the Old South Church, secretary. The committee pledged themselves to secrecy in their transactions. Samuel Adams was appointed to prepare a statement of the rights of the colonies; Joseph Warren, one on the existing violation of those rights; and Benjamin Church was to draft a letter upon the duties of the hour. These documents were sent out to all the towns with the accompanying request: -- " A free communi- cation of your sentiments to this town [Boston] of our common danger is earnestly solicited and will be gratefully received." The towns responded almost universally in the spirit of cordial sympathy with the doings of Boston and of patriotic enthusi- asm and self-determination.
When this request of the Boston committee, with accompany- ing papers, reached Westminster, a meeting of the citizens was immediately called to act in the matter. At that meeting the following reply was submitted and adopted :
"To the Committee of Communication and Correspondence att Boston: - Gentlemen - The freeholders and other Inhabitants of Westminster in Town
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COMMITTEES OF CORRESPONDENCE.
meeting Legally assembled on the eleventh Day of February 1773, having with Due attention read and Considered a Letter from the town of Boston together with a State [ment] of the Rights of the Coloneys and of this province in perticular as also a List of infringements of their Rights. Un- faindly thank them in perticular for this Late Instance of their Vigilance in the Glorious Cause of Liberty and for their Constant patriotic Care to Keep Inviolate our Civil Constitution.
"We fully agree with them in the State of the Rights of the Coloneys and of this province in perticular and in the List of the Infringements of those Rights. We shall att all times heartily Joyne with them in all Legall Con- stitutional measures for the Recovery of those Inestemable priveliges wrested from us firmly to secure those that still Remaine, for we are Sence- able that Should we Renounce our Liberty and priveliges, we Should Re- nounce the Quality of Men the Rights of humanity and even our Duty to God and man. We have no Doubt but that the measures adopted by the Town of Boston in Comunicating their Sentiments must be attended with verry Salitearry afects Not only to the province but to all the Coloneys and that the parliment of Great Britan will hearby Understand that it is not the Discontentedness of a faction (as has been Represented) but that the whole people are Senceable of the Burthens they labour under."
This reply was ordered to be attested by the clerk and sent to the Boston committee, which was accordingly done. Most of the towns of the province took similar action, at which Gov- ernor Hutchinson was very much displeased, and denounced it with unsparing severity. A long controversy between him and the legislature in relation to public affairs was carried on, neither party yielding, until he, upon being advised by the English government to avoid the further discussion of all agi- tating questions, quietly withdrew from it. The policy of establishing committees of correspondence, inaugurated by the citizens of Boston, proved most helpful to the cause of the col- onies. It was, at a later day, adopted generally throughout the country, and did much, not only to bind the people of each col- ony together, but to unite the colonies to each other, preparing them to present an unbroken front against the common foe, both in council and in field, as the final crisis came hurrying on.
One of the great questions which rose to prominence in the already existing conflict between the parent government and its dependencies, related to the importation of tea. By an act of parliament it was made greatly advantageous to the mer- chant and shipping houses of Great Britain to send tea to America, and immense cargoes of that article were forwarded to these shores. But the people here refused, not only to use it, as before stated, but to receive it. The province of Penn- sylvania declared that whoever favored admitting tea to the country was its enemy. The citizens of Boston and vicinity took a similar stand, and when merchant ships, filled with the condemned article, arrived in the harbor awaiting the delivery of their consignments, determined opposition at once arose. Repeated meetings were held, and popular excitement ran high. Masters of vessels made no attempt to unload their goods, and finally expressed to the patriotic leaders a willingness to take
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
them away and find markets elsewhere. But they were refused a clearance by the royal custom house officers. An appeal was made to the governor. Pending his decision, a gathering of seven thousand persons had assembled at the Old South Meet- inghouse, awaiting, under the pressure of intense feeling, his action. At length, long after dark, his refusal to let the vessels go was received by the vast assembly with tokens of mingled resentment and high resolve. "We can do no more to save the country," shouted Samuel Adams, with all the energy he could command. At that moment a cry was heard outside like the warwhoop of native savages, sounded by a band of forty or fifty men in Indian costume, coming from no one knew where, who hurried down the street to the wharf at which the tea-laden ships were moored, and after setting a guard to prevent intru- sion, proceeded to throw into the sea whatever of the con- traband goods they could find. This done, they retired as mysteriously as they had appeared, and the people, returning at once to their homes, left the town as quiet as if nothing had transpired. This was the famous "Boston Tea Party of Dec. 16, 1773."
When the tidings of this event reached London, great con- sternation and wrath were aroused among the ruling forces there. A movement to punish Boston and bring to terms the refractory town was set on foot in parliament, resulting in the passage of retaliatory measures, among which the "Boston Port Bill" was the most conspicuous and offensive. Governor Hutchinson was superseded by General Gage, who, as a military man, familiar with army tactics, was deemed more competent to enforce the arbitrary decrees of the king and ministry.
The Boston Port Bill, which provided for the closing of its harbor to the commerce of the world and putting an end to its trade, with a view of crippling its leading men financially and starving its population into servile submission, was enacted in March, 1774, and went into operation on the Ist of June, fol- lowing. At twelve o'clock on that day the custom house was shut and the courts of the province were suspended. The people made no demonstration. The streets were silent as the grave. Only the meetinghouse bells were heard tolling, as it were, the death knell of liberty. The patriotic citizens were not blind nor indifferent to the deplorable condition of things in the town and province, to the injustice and cruelty perpetrated upon them, nor to the discouraging and threatening aspect of public affairs. But they remained resolute and per- sistent still, sure that under Providence a way would open to them out of all the existing troubles.
General Gage arrived in Boston just before the odious Port Bill went into effect, and on the eve of the convening of the general court. He at once put himself in antagonism with that body and its constituency also, by rejecting several of the most
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FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
able and influential members of the council in whose appoint- ment he had a controlling voice, and by removing its sittings to Salem. In anticipation of coming events, a project was inaugurated by the leading men of Boston to secure a meeting of representatives from all the colonies, that they might confer and take action in regard to the great questions of the times, and delegates were appointed to attend such meeting. Other colonies were consulted, and, generally concurring in what was proposed, the first Continental Congress convened at Philadel- phia, Sept. 4, 1774.
Meanwhile Boston was suffering seriously under the oppres- sive restrictions that had been imposed upon her, as was clearly foreseen. Their effect upon the financial and industrial pros- perity of the town was disastrous. Not only was trade sus- pended and the mercantile portion of the community made to suffer, but the humblest individual had part in the common injustice and in the common sacrifice. "Laborers were thrown out of employment, the poor lacked bread to eat, and a general gloom pervaded the streets. Great sympathy, however, for those thus made to suffer was manifested throughout the province in substantial and helpful ways, and contributions from beyond the confines of the Massachusetts colony were sent for the relief of the needy. Inland towns seemed to vie with each other not only in verbal declarations of friendship and compassion, but in generous donations of the necessaries of life." Droves of cattle were sent from Connecticut even, to feed the hunger of the beleaguered town.
At the same time the people at large, as if by instinct, were giving considerable attention to what proved to be preparations for armed resistance to tyranny and wrong. The military com- panies placed themselves under stricter discipline. Unused muskets and old knapsacks were hunted up and put in order for use, powder and ball were provided, and every one seemed anxious to be properly accoutcred for military service. A mar- tial spirit combined with a zeal for liberty seemed to take pos- session of and animate all classes and conditions alike, blending all feelings and interests in one common cause.
In the same behalf, conventions were held at different points for consultation upon the state of public affairs and to devisc ways and means of counteracting and overthrowing the designs of despotic power. The governor attempted to prevent the holding of these gatherings, but in vain. To fortify himself and execute his plans by forcible measures, if he should see fit, he took possession of what arms and ammunition he could, and caused them to be stored at Castle William, now Fort Inde- pendence, in Boston harbor. He also had fortifications erected on Boston neck, thus virtually declaring the town to be in a state of siege, though he protested otherwise.
The interior towns kept themselves well informed of what
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
was going on, and from time to time took such action as was deemed needful for the common safety and for any contingency that might arise. Westminster was not behind other munici- palities in her loyalty to the principles of freedom and her readiness to stand firmly and bravely in their defense. A meeting of "the Votable Inhabitants " was held Aug. 3, 1774,
"To Take Into Consideration the Distressed State of the province, and Consider and Conclude upon some method proper to releve ourselves out of the present Imbaresements."
At this meeting, it was "voted that the Inhabitants would signe a Covenant that might be Drawn up and laid before the Town," and Dea. Nathan Wood, Abner Holden, Doctor Harvey, Ensign John Brooks, and Nathan Howard were chosen a com- mittee to prepare a form of agreement for consideration at an adjourned meeting. On the following Tuesday, Aug. 9th, this committee reported as desired. After a long debate the town voted "almost unanimously" to accept the proposed covenant and affix their signatures thereto.
That covenant was not placed upon the pages of the clerk's book of records, but happily the original document has been found, with the names of the signers in their own hand writing attached, and a copy of it is here submitted.
"We the Inhabitants of the Town of Westminster Haveing att a Town Meeting Duly Considered the Distressing Circumstances of this province by Reason of Several Late acts of the British parlement, (which in a Greate measure afects all the Goverments on the Contenant) whereby our Charter priveliges and Liberties in perticular are greately obstructed and many of them wholey taken away from us which we think is verry arbetrary and opressive therefore think ourselves under a Nessecesity to Deminish our much Im- barised Trade with Greate Britan viz. that we cannot nor will we either by our Selves or any for or under us Directly or Indirectly After the Last Day of August Instant (unlese all our Charter Rights are Restored which are taken from us by the abovesaid acts,) purchase of Greate Britan, or any that shall Import theirfrom after said Day any more Cloathing or anything used theirfor or any orniment thereunto belonging Nor any Tea or any other Kind of East India Comodites Except Saltpeter and Spices and medicenal Drugs that shall be Imported after Said Day-Nor any Liquors used for Drink or any Kind of provision (wine only excepted) and all Earthern and Stone Ware and all Clocks and Watches Imported-
"Our Country being Suffecent to Support us with most of the Nesseces- aries of Life, we promise and Ingage to apply ourselves to Industry and a more plaine way of Liveing, being the only way to save ourselves from Im- pending Ruine-we are further of opinion that Whatsoever method shall be agreed upon by the Congress as they are the Representatives of the Body of the people ought to be adheard to with firmness and Resolution and that we are willing to Defend our Liberties in all proper and Constitutional ways. And We each one for ourselves Covenant and agree with Each other that we will stand to and abide by this our Covenant unless alteration be Nesseces- ary by Reason of the Result of the Congress which is to meet in September Next. The above we Subscribe unto.
" ABNER HOLDEN, ELISHA JACKSON, JOSEPH HOSLEY,
NATHAN WOOD, RICHARD BARNS, JOSEPH SPAULDING,
JOSEPH MILLER, JOSIAH JACKSON,
ANDREW DARBY,
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THE CRISIS HASTENING ON.
RICHARD GRAVES,
ELISHA BIGELOW,
NATHIAN HOWARD,
JABEZ BIGELOW,
SAMUEL MERRIAM,
JONA WARREN SMITH,
JEREMIAH EVERETT,
JOSHUA EVERETT,
SIMON GATES,
NATIIAN WHITNEY,
SAMUEL SAWIN,
EDMUND BEMIS,
JOHN RAND,
EDWARD JACKSON,
NATHANIEL WOODWARD,
JOHN BROOKS,
ZECHARIAH RAND,
SAMUEL NORCROSS,
JOHN WOODWARD,
WILLIAM BICKFORD,
JOHN FOSKETT,
DAVID MAYNARD,
NATIIAN DARBY,
NORMAN SEAVER,
DAVID BEMIS,
JAMES CLARK,
ASA TAYLOR,
NATHAN PIERCE,
ZACCHEUS BEMIS,
ABRAHAM STONE,
THOMAS CONANT,
EPHRAIM WETHERBEE,
AMOS CONANT,
SOLOMON GEARFIELD,
JOIIN DARBY,
SAMUEL WHITNEY, JR. SETH HERRINGTON."
JOSIAH WHEELER,
The document is complete as far as it goes, and with the sig- natures fills the two pages of a half sheet of foolscap paper. There are indications tending to show that the other half has been torn from the one preserved, and it may be presumed that there were upon it names of other well-known residents, who would be likely to take the same self-sacrificing and heroic stand in behalf of their own and their country's liberties.
At an adjournment of the same meeting, held Sept. 28th, Abner Holden was chosen a delegate "to the General Congress att Concord on the Second Tuesday of Oct. next." Meanwhile, the convention of delegates from all the colonies, already re- ferred to, met at Philadelphia and organized "the Continental Congress," with Peyton Randolph of Virginia, president, which transacted important business of a public and uncompromisingly patriotic character, calculated to consolidate the different sec- tions of the country in one common purpose, and to give hope, courage, and inspiration to every friend of justice and liberty.
Thus were things moving quietly but steadily on to a great crisis -a crisis precipitated by the stupid perversity and obsti- nacy of Governor Gage. His blunders were the opportunities of the patriotic leaders. Having prorogued by arbitrary decree the provincial legislature in June, he did nothing towards calling a new one till September, when he ordered an election of members to meet in Salem on the 5th of October following, but before that day arrived, deeming the assembling of that body inexpedient, revoked the order. The members who had been previously chosen, however, after mutual consultation, resolved to come together agreeably to the original summons. About ninety were in attendance, Dea. Nathan Wood of Westminster, who was elected to the house of representatives on the 28th of September, being among them. Convened without authority from the royal governor, they could do nothing as a branch of the existing government, but, as per preconcerted arrange- ment, proceeded to establish a legislative body by themselves, claiming to act, not by authority of the crown of England, but by authority of the people whose agents they were. This body they denominated "the Provincial Congress." Having organ- ized, it adjourned to meet at Concord, Oct. 11th, when Mr.
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
Abner Holden appeared as special delegate from this town, removing thence to Cambridge, in which place two sessions were held, beginning Oct. 17th and Nov. 23d, respectively, making four in all. This was "the First Provincial Congress." Its founding opened a new epoch, not only in New England affairs, but in American history.
During its proceedings this congress appointed Henry Gard- ner of Stow receiver general of the province, in place of Har- rison Gray, treasurer, elected by royal authority, and all persons and towns having charge of public moneys were advised to make payment to him; £20,000 were voted for the public defense, and it was ordered that 12,000 men be enrolled in the different towns, one-third of whom should be "minute men," prepared to march, in a case of emergency, to a given point at a minute's notice. The towns and districts were counseled to see that each minute man, not already provided therewith, be furnished with arms and ammunition and put under discipline in preparation for military service. Corresponding action was taken in other important regards, and provision was made for a second congress which convened at Cambridge on the first day of February, 1775, and continued to hold sessions at Concord and Watertown till May 29th, when it was dissolved. A third met at Watertown, May 31st, and continued in session till July 19th, when it adjourned sine die. So was there a new government established, equipped, and in actual control of the affairs of the province, before the governor seemed to realize that his power had gone from him and gone forever. When he attempted to convene a legislature under royal auspices, at the usual time in May, 1775, he found how weak and impotent he was. Indeed, before that time arrived, Lexington and Concord took their places in history, and British rule in Massachusetts had come to a perpetual end.
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