History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 47

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 47

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).

The first meeting for the choice of officers for the organization of this town was held the 18th of Sep- tember, 1738. The freeholders and other inhabitants qualified to vote in town affairs were assembled at the meeting-house, which was new and unpainted. The house was fifty feet long, forty wide, and twenty feet

between sills and plates. It had three doors, east, west and south ; and galleries along the same three sides ; the north side of the hall being occupied by the pulpit. The pews had not at this time been made. The house stood on a knoll, and all about the slopes and the small plain to the eastward were the stumps, half-trimmed logs, broken snags, bushes, and the usual appearances of a recent clearing ; beyond which was a small saw-mill on the brook, and two or three houses and some cleared land along the slope of the rising hill farther on, For two miles westward, and about one mile north and south, lay an unbroken forest-Salstonstal's Farm, held for rise in valne. There were no highways. A path ent through the woods northward by where the cemetery now is to the "Old Springfield Road," and such ways as indi- viduals made for themselves, was all that appeared.

Those who emerged from the woods and gathered at the meeting-house, upon the day above mentioned, were all young men, sangnine, full of the romance of life and the excitement and novelty of their position, They, upon that day, organized a municipal govern- ment, and began the following list of officers, reach- ing down to our time.

The names of moderators, town clerks, treasurers, selectmen and representatives will here be given. Other officers elected by the town have been : Assess- ors, constables and collectors of taxes, wardians-an office of ecclesiastical character, ranking in secular authority next after the minister. They were first elected in this town in 1762, and dropped after 1790. Two, sometimes three or four, were chosen each year. " Informers of the breaches of the law for the preser- vation of Deer," called later deer-reeves, were elected annually as late as 1825. Tythingmen were elected until 1840 or later, "Clerk of the Market," until 1775, after that called sealer of weights and measures. Haywards were elected at first, and the office was continued under the name of field-driver. Surveyors of highways, fence-viewers, hog-reeves, sealers of leather, surveyors of lumber, measurers of wood and bark.

It is designed in the following town officer lists that noindividual should appear more than once nnder the same office, the name of each citizen being followed (1) by the first and last years of his elec- tion to that office; and (2) by the total number of times elected for annual terms of service during the intervening years. The first years after each name, reading downwards, show the order of elections in regular sequence.

Moderators .- Moses Marcy (Col.), 1738, 1773 ; 118. Isaac Newell (Dea.), 1739 ; 1. Edward Foster (Dea.), 1756 ; 1. Joseph Baker (Dea.), 1758 ; I. Nathaniel Walker (Capt.), 1762, 1774 ; 14. Samuel Freeman, 1763, 1764 ; 2. Joshua Harding (Dea.), 1764, 1791 ; 13. Daniel Fisxe (Dea.), 1766, 1773; 4. Moses Weld (Dea.), 1773, 1790; 31. Ebenezer Crafts (Col.), 1779, 1789 ; 11. Timothy Newell (Gen.), 1780, 1804; 24. Timothy Parker (Capt.), 1784, 1791 ; 9. Josiah Walker, 1787, 1800 ; 2. Oliver Plimptoo, 1791, 1812 ; 37. Stephen Harding (Maj.),1793, 1797 ; 3. Erasmus Babbitt, Jr., 1797, 1799 ; 2. Joslima Harding, 1789 ; 1. . Thomas Babbitt (Dr.), 1799 ; 2. Thomas Upham, 1802, 1818; 4. John

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Paine, 1806; I. Gershom Plimptoo, 1809, 1815 ; 15. David Wight, Jr., 1813 ; 1. Simeon Fiske (Capt.), 1813, 1815 ; 2. Edward Phillips (Col.), 1816, 1855 ; 50. Sylvester Watkins, 1817, 1824 ; 4. Simeon Bort, 1818 ; 1. Georga Davis, Esq., 1819, 1821 ; 3. Roswell Warner, 1819, 1847 ; 5. Hiram Wheelock (Col.), 1826; 1. Avery P. Taylor, 1827, 1870; 14. Gardner Watkins, 1832; ]. Pliny Freeman (Capt.), 1833, 1837 ; 5. David Wight (Col.), 1834, 1841 ; 2. Thomas Merrick, 1837; 1. Caleb Weld, Jr. (Capt.), 1840, 1849; 9. Benj. D. IIyde, Esq., 1849, 1856 ; 12. David Wight (Cupt.), 1845, 1867; 7. David K. Porter, 1847 ; 1. Wil- liam H. Sanders (Dr.), 1850 ; 1. Trumao Charles, 1851, 1852 ; 3. Simeoa A. Drake, 1851, 1861; 14. Nelson Bennett, 1853, 1870; 6. Simeon F. Mursh, 1853, 1883 ; 47. Alpheus Shumway, 1855; 2. Henry Haynes, Jr., 1862, 1877; 8. Emerson Jolinson, 1863, 1865 ; 3. Henry E. Hitch- cock, 1866, 1879 ; 2. Noah D. Ladd, 1868, 1888 ; 9. Edmond Nichols, 1869 ; 1. A. B. Chamberlain, 1875 ; 1. John A. Gould, 1878; 1. Clar- enca Fowler (Rev.), 1879 ; 1. Arthur C. Moore, 1881 ; 1. C. B. Car- penter, 1882; 1. Frank H. Gleason, 1883 ; I. Henry D. Haynes, 1884, 1. H. C. Wales, 1885 ; 2.

Town Clerks -Daniel Fiske (Dea.), 1738. '42 ; 4. Isaac Newell (Dea.), 1739; 1. Moses Marcy (Col.), 1743, '61 ; 18. Joshua Harding (Dea.); 1759, '82 ; 22. Joshua Harding, Jr., 1783, '90 ; 7. Isaac Clark, 1785 ; I. David Wight, Jr., 1791, 1808 ; 13. Jacob Corey (Dr.), 1809, '19 ; 8. Samuel Freeman, 1815, '17; 3. Benj. Bullock, 1833, '34 ; 2. Alfred M. Merrick, 1835, '36 ; 2. Jacob Corey, Jr., 1837, '41 ; 5. Truman Charles, 1842, '43 ; 2. Georga V. Corey, 1844; 1. Georga Davis (Esq., Dea ), 1845, '49 ; 5. David K. Porter (Dea.), 1850, '59 ; 10. Samuel H. Hobbs, 1860, '62; 3. Heury Haynes (Dea.), 1863, '65; 3. Emery L. Bates, 1866, '69 ; 4. Amasa C. Morse, 1870, 179; 9. Henry D. Haynes, 1873 ; 1. Alvin B. Chamberlain, 1880, '88 ; 9.

Town Treasurers .- Daniel Fiske (Dea.), 1738, '42; 5. Moses Marcy (Col.), 1743, '50; 8. Joseph Baker (Dea.), 1751, '57; 5. George Wat- kins, 1753, '54; 2. Joshua Harding (Dea.), 1758, 'G1 ; +. Ralph Wbee- lock (Capt.), 1762, '81 ; 20. Samnel Hobbs, 1782; 1. Moses Weld (Dea.), 1783, '86 ; 4. Erasmus Babbitt (Dr.), 1787, '89 ; 3. David Wight, Jr., 1792, '08; 17. Jacob Corey (Dr.), 1809, '19 ; 8. Simeon Fiska (Capt.), 1816, '17; 2. Simeon Burt, 1818; 1. David Wight (Col.), 1820, '34; 15. Alfred M. Merrick, 1835, 136; 2. Jacob Corey, Jr. (Dr.), 1831, '41 ; 5. Truman Charles, 1842, '44 ; 3. Georga Davis (Esq., Dea.), 1845, '49 ; 5. David K. Porter (Dea.), 1850, '50 ; 10. Samual H. Hobbs, 1860, '61 ; 2. Elisha Southwick, 1862, 174; 13. Emery L. Bates, 1875, '85; Il. G. Norval Bacon, 188;, '88; 3.

Selectmen .- Daniel Fiske (Dea.), 1738, '78 ; 21. Moses Marcy (Col.), 1738, '73 ; 34. Heary Fiske (Lieut.), 1738, '80; 5. Isaac Newell (Dea.), 1739, '48 ; 3. Joseph Cheney, 1739, '71; 14. Rowland Taylor, 1740, '54; 6. Hezekiah Ward, 1740; 1. James Denison, 1740, '58; 17. Joseph Baker (Dea.), 1741, '59; 5. David Shumway, 1742, '68; 11. Moses Allen, 1743; I. Edward Foster (Dea.), 1743, '44 ; 2. Nahemiah Allea, 1747, '49 ; 2. Jolin Morse, 1747, '62; 12. Jonathan Perry, 1747 ; 1. John Harding, 1748, '54; 4. Ezekiel Upham (Capt.), 1750, '65 ; 6. Nathaniel Walker (Capt.), 1752, '74; 5. John Weld, 1755; I. Aaron Alleu, 1758, '80; 3. Samuel Freeman, 1759, '69 ; 7. Moses Weld (Den.), 1760, '81 ; 18. Daniel Plimpton (Col.), 1760, '76 ; 4. Joshua Harding (Dea.), 1761, '89 ; 4. James Johason (Easign), 1761, '74 ; 10. Abijahı Shumway, 1772 ; 1. John Holbrook, 1772, '87 ; 8. Erasmus Babbitt (Dr.), 1773; 1. John Tarbel, 1774; 1. Samuel Ellis, 1774, '89 ; 5. Daniel Faulkaer, 1775, 176; 2. Ralph Wheelock (Capt.), 1777, 181 ; 5. Samuel Hamant (Capt.), 1777, '79; 3. David Wigbt, 1781 ; 1. Timo- thy Nawall (Gen.), 1781, 1803 ; 9. Lamuel Saaders, 1781, '98; 5. Eben- azer Crafts (Col.), 1782, 184 ; 2. Jonathan Gould, 1782 ; 1. Eli Towne, 1782, '84; 3. Benjamia Freeman (Col.), 1782, '96; 8. Jacob Allen (Capt.), 1782, '90; 6. Henry Fiske, Jr. (Dea.), 1783, 1808 ; 10. Joha Boyden (Capt.), 1785, 1830; 4. Stephen Harding (Maj.), 1786, 1806 ; 9. Jonathan Phillips (Dea.), 1786 ; 1. John Salmon (Lient.), 1787 ; 1. Isaac Upham, 1787, '94; 5. Josiah Walker, 1788, 1805 ; 15. "Jeddidiah " Marcy, 1790; 1. Simeon Fiske (Capt.), 1790, '92 ; 3. Simeon Allea, 1790; 1. David Richards, 1791, '94; 4. Abel Mason (Capt.), 1792, 1801 ; 6. Eleazer Hibbard (Dea.), 1795, '96 ; 2. Comfort Johnson, 1796, 1810 ; 5. Stephen Gerould (Capt.), 1796, '99 ; 4. Oliver Plimpton (Esq.), 1797, 1808; 10. Samuel Hobbs, 1797, 1809 ; 9. Samuel Hooker (Maj.), 1798 ; 1. Elijah Shumway, 1800; 1. David Fiske, 1800, '03; 4. John Holbrook, 1801; I. Natban Fiska, 1804; 1. Perez Walker, 1806, '17; 5. John Watson, 1807, '08; 2. Gershom Plimpton, 1809, '15; 7. John Phillips (Dea.), 1809, '17; 6. Jered Lamb, 1810, '12; 3. Jonathan P. Curtis, 1811, 137 ; 3. Sylvester Watkins (Capt.), 1811, 125; 12. John Plinip- ton (Lient.), 1812; 1. John Taylor (Lient.), 1813, '15; 3. Ebenezer Cutting, 1813, '15 ; 3. Oliver Hooker (Maj.), 1813, '15 ; 3. Jabez Hard- lag, 1816, '17 ; 2. Stephen Newell, 1816 ; 1. David Wight (Col.), 1817,

'42; 6. Penuel Belknap, 1818, '20; 4. Jonathan Lyon, 1818, '37 ; 6. Ephraim MI. Lyon, 181x, '19 ; 2. Penuel Cheney, 1818, '19 ; 2. Edward Phillips (Col.), 1820, '36; 8. Amasa Child (Capt.), 1820, '22 ; 3. David K. Porter (Den.), 1821, 123; 3. Peter Belknap (Capt.), 1821, '45; 7. Hezekiah Allen, 1823, 125; 3. William Dwight, Jr., 1823, 124; 2. James Johnson, 1823, '30; 3. Cyrus Merrick, 1824; 1. Abijah Prouty, 1824. '34 ; 2. Zenas Duuton, 1825, '26 ; 2. Daniel Fiske, Jr., 1825, 139 ; 4. Nathaniel Walker, 1826, '36; 3. Pliny Freeman, 1827, '35; 3. George Watkins, 1827, 128 ; 2. Richard Arnold, 1827, '28 ; 2. Philemon Shepard, 1827, 129 ; 3. Thomas Merrick, 1828, '40 ; 5. Samuel llobbs, 1829, '45; 3. Jeptha Plimpton, 1830, '42; 3. Lemuel Ilooker, 1831, '35; 6. Benjamin Bullock, 1831, '39 ; 5. Festns Wight, 1831; 1. Jacob Upham, 1832, '49; 3. Ziba Plimpton, 1833, '34; 2. Daniel Mason (Dr.), 1833, '34 ; 2. Simeon Allen, 1833 ; I. Alpheus Wight, 1834; 1. Erasmus Holbrook (Gen.), 1834; 1. Caleb Weld, Jr., 1835, '46 ; 6. John Plimpton, 1835; 1. Hiel Nichols, 1835, '42; 2. Edward Richardson, 1836; 1. Lyman Morse, 1837, '43; 2. Chester Stone, 1838, '39 ; 2. John Fay, 1838, '39 ; 2. Jonah Gifford, 1840; 1. Priace Bracket, 1840, '44 ; 2. Cheney P. Sbeddon, 1841 ; 1. Livingston Shumway, 1841, '61; 3. Simeon F. Marsh, 1841, '79; 6. Elisha Southwick, 1841, '65 ; 8. Ben- jamia D. Hyde, 1842, 156 ; 2. Simeon Hooker (Capt.), 1843, '44; 2. Jobb Smiith, 1843; 1. Liberty Allen, 1843, '55 ; 3. James M. Belkaap, 1844, '48 ; 4. Dwight P. Johnson, 1844 ; 1. James Batchelor, 1844 ; 1. Free- dom Nichols, 1845; 1. Charles G. Alleo, 1846, '50 ; 3. Aretas Hooker, 1846, '47 ; 2. Simeon A. Drake, 1847, '48 ; 2. Liberty Nichols, 1848, '49 ; 2. Abiel D. Williams, 1848 ; 1. Henry Haynes, Jr., 1848, '85 ; 6. Lewis W. Marsh, 1849, '50; 2. Ethan Allen, 1840, '76 ; 9. David Wight (Capt.), 1850; I. Jabez Harding, 1850, '72; 8. Linus L. Bel- koap, 1850 ; 1. William II. Sanders, 1851 ; 1. Estes Boad, 1851 ; 1. Georga Davis, Esq., 1852; 1. Eliakim Chamberlain, 1852, '65; 6. Dexter Nichols, 1852, '53; 2. Joha W. Draper, 1852, '69 ; 3. Amos Munroe, 1854; 1. Winthrop Nichols, 1854; 1. Fraacis V. Plimpton, 1854, '55; 2. Melville Soell, 1855, '67; 2. Chester Walker, 1855; 1. Avery P. Taylor, 1856, '58 ; 2. Lious Leonard, 1856; 1. Aaroo Lyon, 1857 ; 1. Peauel Plimpton, 1859, 1869 ; 5. Nathaniel Upham, 1859, '78 ; 8. Emery L. Bates, 1862, '65 ; 4. Lorenzo Plimpton, 1862; 1. Edmund Nichols, 1866, '69 ; 3. Amasa C. Morse, 1867; 1. William Wight, 1868 ; 1. Noah D. Ladd, 1870, '88; 7. Thomas Talbot, 1870; 1. Samnel F. Bemis, 1870, 178 ; 2. Samuel M. Edgerton, 1873, 174; 2. Malvin Haynes, 1873 ; 1. Charles Anderson, 1874, '75 ; 2. Marvia Clark, 1875, '77; 3. Elias M. Gifford, 1876; 1. Henry W. Nichols, 1877, '80; 2. Charles H. Allen, 1877, '79 ; 3. William Whittamore, 1879; I. William H. Shumway, 1880, 188; 4. Edward Nichols, 1881, '82 ; 2. P. S. Calla- han, 1883, '87 ; 4. David B. Wight, 1883, '84; 2. Elibu W. Moffit, 1885, '86; 2. Charles V. Corey, 1885, '87; 3. George N. Bacon, 1887; 1. James Nolan, 1888 ; 1.

There were five selectmen elected anuually until 1835; since then three members have constituted the board.

In reference to Representatives previous to 1771, particular record has not been found. It is believed that Moses Marcy, Esq. (Capt., Col.), served in that capacity anterior to that time. The dates given in the following list are the years in which the election occurred :

Daniel Fiska, 1771; Timothy Parker, 1775 ; Joshua Harding, Jr., 1787, '88 ; Josiah Walker. 1789-97, and 1800-02; Frederick Plimp- toa, 1798 ; Thomas Babbitt (Dr.), 1799 ; Thomas Upham, 1803, '04; Oliver Plimpton, 1805-07, David Wight, Jr., 1806, '13; Rev. Zeaas L. Leonard, 1808-12; Gersham Plimpton, 1809-12; John Phillips, 1814- 16; Samuel Freeman, 1816 ; Sylvester Watkins, 1817, '18, '20, and in 1825.1 None seut 1819, '21 and 123. Cyrus Merrick, 1824; Amasa Child, 1826, '27 ; Pennel Belknap, 1829 ; James Johason, 1830-32; Ros- well Warder, 1831 ; Thomas Derrick, 1832; David Wight, 1833 ; Edward Phillips, 1822, '28, '33, '38 ; Jared Lamb, 1835 ; David K. Porter, 1835-55 ; Jonathan P. Curtis, 1836, '87; Lemuel Hooker, 1836, '39 ; Abijub Prouty, 1838 ; Cromwell Bullard, 1839 ; Caleb Weld, 1810 ; Nathaniel Walker, 1841 ; Benjamin D. Hyde, 1842; Hezekiah Allen, 1843 ; Prioca Bracket, 1844 aad 1849; Simeon Hooker, 1845; George V. Corey, 1846 ; Francis W. Emmons, 1847; Dwight P. Johason, 18:18 ; Emersoa Johnson, 1850 ; Seneca Richardson, 1851 ; Jabez Harding,

1 Not to attend unless so instructed by the town.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1852; Hiel Nichols, 1853 ; Simeon F. Marsb, 1854 ; Vincent B. New- land, 1856. From Twenty-fourth Worcester District .- Heory Haynes, 1858 ; James M. Belknap, 1860; Elisha Southwick, 1862; Emery L. Bates, 1864 and 1882. From Eighteenth District of Worcester County. -Amasa C. Morse, 1867 ; Rev. Martin L. Richardson, 1870; Noah D. Ladd, 1872; George T. Lincoln, 1874 ; Charles Fuller, 1875; Alvan B. Chamberlain, 1877; G. Norval Bacon, 1879; David B. Wight, 1884 From Fifth Worcester Representative District .- Henry D. Haynes, 1887.

Senators .- General Timothy Newell, also member of the Governor's Council ; Hon. Emery L. Bates, 1874, Third Worcester District.

Population in 1765, 896; 1776, 1374; 1790, 1740; 1800, 1846; 1810, 1927. Territory and inhabitants taken to be a part of the new town of Southbridge in 1816. Sturbridge population in 1820, 1633; 1830, 1688; 1840, 2005 ; 1850, 2119; 1860, 2291; 1865, 1992 ; 1870, 2101; 1875, 2213.

Town appropriations for highways and bridges : 1739, £200 (old tenor), "ten shillings a day allowed for each man ; " 1756, £20, or allowing 2s. per day ; 1770, £150, allowing 3s. per day in June, or 28. in September; 1800, $1,000, $1.00 a day in June, or 67 cents in September; 1820, $700; 1840, 8600; 1870, $1,000; 1888, $3,300.

Schools: 1742, £20; 1756, £16; 1770, £40; 1777, £60 (L. M.); 1793, £120; 1810, $600; 1831, §800; 1860, $1,500 ; 1871, 83.500; 1888, $3,200.

Total appropriation: 1800, 82,300; 1820, $1,900; 1840, 83,600 ; 1860, $4,907.08; 1865, $15,588.94; 1870, $14,300 ; 1880, $13,580; 1888, 811,575.

The total valuation of the town in 1815 was $325,- 233, deducting that part taken for Southbridge, $83,- 783. Sturbridge valuation in 1816 was $241,450. In 1860, $815,850; in 1871, $992,547; 1888, $975,107. The town is now out of debt, and owning property valued at $33,612.

Thirty-five years after the incorporation of this new town the central valley was still, for the most part, wild, unoccupied land. Five hundred acres adjoin- ing Sturbridge Common on the northeast and north- west sides, extending to the brow of Fisk Hill on the one hand, and to the fair grounds on the other, and northward to the "Old Pauper farm " and Mrs. Hamant's, was owned by Dr. Francis Borland, of Boston, and so remained for fifteen years afterwards. West of that, and southward, was one thousand acres of unoccupied land owned by Mr. William Brattle, of Cambridge, which was purchased in 1774 by Mr. David Wight.

Good roads had been made each way through this central valley, and in all other parts of the town highways had been constructed, all tending toward the meeting-house, or the "great road." Large and productive farms had been wrought from the wild land, and more than a hundred homesteads, many of them commodious and substantial, had been built.

Two hundred times had sympathizing neighbors gathered at the house of mourning. The story of hardship and privation is told by the records of mor- tality among women and children.

Of the seventy early settlers mentioned on a pre-

ceding page, ten only had passed away. These were: Adam Martin, Noah Mason, Solomon Rood, John Streeter, Rev. Caleb Rice, Deacon Isaac Newell, Nathaniel Bond, Samuel Freeman, George Watkins and Jonathan Mason. Most of the first settlers who, when young men, had organized the municipality, were still active in the affairs of the town.

Their early assumption of responsibilities without the presence and support of elder men, their practi- cal and long experience in the affairs of social gov- ernment, bred self-reliance and a positive and strong feeling repellant of all foreign intervention.

The spirit and the enlarged view taken here upon the affairs of the public in the time of the Revolution are abundantly shown by the following extracts from the records. At a meeting called by the selectmen "y" 27th day June, 1774, to consider of some measures proper to he adopted for the safety and defence of the Province in this distressed condition by reason of several late Acts of the British Parliament." After solemn prayer to God for direction, they proceeded after this manner, the selectmen to preside in the meeting -Deacon Daniel Fisk, speaker. "After considerable debate . . . " it appeared to be the mind of the town, universally, "not to purchase anything which shall be imported from Great Britain after the time stipu- lated and agreed to." "After making some small alterations" in the Worcester and Berkshire cove- nants, both were at that time signed, " universally."

September 28, 1774, in accordance with an article in the warrant, the town chose " military officers for the companies, and for their movements," viz .: Dan - iel Plimpton was chosen major; Timothy Parker, Timothy Newell and Ebenezer Crafts were chosen captains. The same day the town voted to provide four half-barrels of powder, five hundred pounds of lead and five hundred flints. Also a committee of seven, viz .: Ensign James Johnson, Captain Joseph Cheney, Lieutenant Henry Fiske, Mr. Hins- dale Clark, Captain Ezekiel Upham, Mr. Stephen Gerould and John Marsh, were appointed to make provision for the men in case they should be called into the service, and a vote was passed " by a great majority," to pay the men, if called, for the service rendered.

Voted, November 17, 1774, unanimously, "that the constibles of this town pay the Province tax to Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stowe; and his receipt therefor shall ever hereafter opperate as an effectual discharge to them for the same."

The November meeting was adjourned " to Monday, December 1st, at ten o'clock A. M., with the request that all the men in town, from sixteen years old and upwards, then assemble at the meeting-house with arms and ammunition, in order for reviewing." The old men formed a company of "alarm men." The young men were organized in companies called " minute men." They were marshaled and marched into the meeting house in military order. After ap-

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propriate exercises, conducted by Rev. Joshua Paine, business was resumed.

The alarm men, to the number of one hundred and three. some sixty and some over seventy years old, were, many of them, found to be deficient in equip- ments. The clerks of the other companies reported most of them present and generally equipped, or would be soon. Captain Crafts reported his company of cavalry well equipped and prepared. A few men belonging to the alarm list, who did not make their appearance at the review, were visited by a com- mittee, who took their names and an exact account of their preparations. Report being made, the town voted : "It is the sense of this meeting that every man in town able to furnish himself with arms and ammunition do forthwith fix himself complete; and be it further recommended in the strongest terms to all in town unprepared to defend our just rights and privileges, and all that is dear to us, in this time of great danger and distress, to exert themselves to the utmost to be prepared immediately."

A committee of one from each school district was appointed to obtain signatures to the " Articles of Association," and a pledge for the strict observance of the laws and resolves of Congress.

Agreeable to the advice of the General Congress, the town chose, January 20, 1775, the following Com- mittee of Inspection : Deacon Daniel Fiske, Deacon Joshua Harding, William Mckinstry, Major Daniel Plimpton, Aaron Allen, Benjamin Freeman and Dea- con Moses Weld.

Deacon Daniel Fiske, Major Timothy Newell and Colonel Daniel Plimpton were appointed a committee to prepare instructions for Captain Timothy Parker, the delegate to the Provincial Congress, which were presented to the town and adopted May 29, 1775. The first article was:

"Ist. Respecting civil government (in case the peti- tion or address to his majesty should be rejected), we think it highly necessary to assume government by and with the advice of our sister colonies as soon as may be."

At a special town-meeting, June 27, 1776 (the selectmen presiding), " being duely warned to know the minds of the town respecting Independence, &c .; after the resolve of the late house being read, & some debate thereon: The question was put, whether, should the Honorable Congress, for the safety of the colonies, declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, the inhabitants of this town will solemnly engage with their Lives & Fortunes to sup- port them in the measure :- past in the affirmative by a great majority." 1

For the year 1776 the Committee of Inspection and Safety was : Major Timothy Newell, Captain Ralph Wheelock, Benjamin Freeman, John Salmon, Isaac Stacy, William Mckinstry and Nathaniel Walker.

the present House of Representatives, Council, &c., should form and ratify a plan of government as pro- posed in a late Hand Bill: & it passed in the negative without one dissentant."

A committee was chosen to " draw up some reasons for their so voting ;" viz., Dea. Daniel Fiske, Dea. Moses Weld, Col. Daniel Plimpton, Mr. John 1Iol- brook and Lieut. IIenry Fiskc.

At an adjourned meeting, the first Monday in November, the committee laid before the town their report, from which the following is quoted : " As the end of government is the happiness of the people, so the sole right and power of forming and establishing a plan thereof is in the people; consequently, we think it unadvisable and irrational to consent that any set of men should form and ratify a constitution of government for us, before we know what it is. . . . " " Also, we look upon the present House of Representa- tives to be a very unequal representation of the State." The reasons being repeatedly and distinctly read, were approved by a vote of the town.

Committee on Inspection and Safety (1777): Major Timothy Newell, Col. Daniel Plimpton, William Mckinstry, Capt. Abel Mason, Lieut. Benjamin Free- man, Lieut. Johu Salmon, Mr. Job Hamant.

" Whereas, the Continental Congress have formed and proposed to the Legislative Body of this State articles of Confederation and perpetual union between the States, therefore, voted : To instruct our repre- sentatives to use their influence that the confederation and perpetual union be ratified, & it past in the affirm- ative. January 26th, 1778."

The town had now taken its stand for independence and a "perpetual union between the United States,"- a position which has, first and last, cost so much in the blood and treasure of her citizens.

Colonel Daniel Plimpton died in June, 1777, and Deacon Daniel Fiske in March, 1778 ; and with them passed away something, it may be, of the "Spirit of '76," in this town. The enthusiasm and energy of Colonel Plimpton, the sterling character, superior edu- cation and easy command of language of Deacon Fiske, had done much to mold the sentiment and action of the town. Also died, October 9, 1777, "Moses Marcy, Esq.," who had in his day been one of the principal men of the town-to whom a genera- tion of the inhabitants had looked for guidance, but of whom our records are silent after the opening of the Revolutionary struggle.

The town's financial efforts began 1775, April 27th, when the town, having ordered the constables having money in their hands, to pay it to Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stowe, appointed Deacon Daniel Fiske, Dea- con Moses Weld and Major Daniel Plimpton a com- mittee to see what money was in the hands of the constables and "to stir them up to their duty."

The town having voted in 1774 to pay the minute- men if called into service, a committee was chosen in January, 1777, consisting of Colonel Daniel Plimpton,

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 47

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1576

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576