USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 41
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March 10, 1752. Thomas Brown sent his claim to be received for one of the first settlers-1.
Edward Eveleth enters his claim for two of the first ettling families-2.
March 16, 1752. Ezekiel Jewett enters his claim for one of the first settlers-1.
March 31, 1752. The Hon. Thomas Berry put in his claim for two settling families-2.
April 4, 1752. Thomas Brown desires the privilege of being admitted for two more settling rights-2.
.
1056 .
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
April 18, 1752. Col. Thomas Berry clainis a privi- lege for one more of the first settling families-1.
April 23, 1752. Edward Eveleth desires the privi- lege for one more settling family-1.
From this time on new families continued to come into the township. Among the early settlers, besides those already named in the above list, were Richard Day, Gabriel Pouchey, William Holt, John Darling, William Moffat, Benjamin Goodridge, Thomas Jew- ett, Joshua Priest, David Wilder, Benjamin Boynton Nathaniel Burnham, John Moffat and John Brown.
On the 24th of October, 1753, at the first meeting of the proprietors held in the township, it was voted to grant to Thomas Berry the frame of the meeting- house, on condition that he would provide a room in his house for religious worship. During the second French War there were constant alarms in the settle- ment, and, as a precaution against Indian attacks, the houses were fortified and made as secure against invasion as circumstances would permit.
On the 7th of JJune, 1755, a petition was sent to the Province Government, narrating the dangers threatening the settlers, and asking for relief and pro- tection. This petition was signed by Gabriel Pushey, Richard Day, Thomas Jewett, Win. Holt, John Moffat, David Wilder, John Brown, Nathaniel Blodget, Joshua Priest and William Moffat. Between 1755 and 1761 the following persons were added to the settlement : Thomas Brown, Jacob Gould, Charles Tuttle, Henry Hodgkins, William Hodgkins, Samuel Craig, Philip Goodridge, David Poor, Joseph Fuller, Samuel Reed, Samuel Darling, Silas Darling and Timothy Darling.
On the 22d of September, 1761, the proprietors voted to build a meeting-house. Many of the mate- rial features of the town had been attended to, roads had been opened, bridges built, a mill erected, and it was now proposed to furnish better means of satisfy- ing the spiritual wants of the people.' The house was to be forty-five feet long, thirty-five feet wide and twenty-two or twenty-three fect in length of posts, and a committee, consisting of Benjamin Goodridge, Abijah Smith and Philip Goodridge, was chosen to " let out" the house, and were directed to have it completed before the last day of September, 1762. In accordance with this vote the house was built, and on the 15th of December, 1762, a church was organ-
settlement of sixty pounds and a salary of the same amount. On the declaration of peace, in 1763, or soon after, it is probable that about thirty settlers, with their families, were living on the plantation. These thirty are included in the following list, which includes also some who had removed and some who owned lots, but had never effected a settlement :
Thomne Berry. Benoni Boynton. Nathaniel Blodget. Thomas Brown. Nathaniel Burnbam.
Thomas Jewett. William Moffat. Thomas Manning. John Moffat.
Theophilus Mansfield.
John Brown.
Seth Oaks.
William Brown.
William Oaks.
Ephraim Boynton.
Bartholomew Peareon.
Daniel Bixby.
Joshua Priest.
Nathaniel Bixby.
Gabriel Ponchey. Nathan Pouchey.
Samnel Craig.
Stephen Choate.
David Poor.
Richard Day.
Samuel Reed.
John Darling.
John Dunsmore.
Amos Sping. A bijah Smith.
Timothy Darling.
Ebenezer Sherwin.
Joseph Fuller.
Rev. Daniel Stimpson.
Jonathan Foster.
Jonathan Stimpson.
Benjamin Goodridge.
Ephraim Stimpson.
Jacob Gould.
Jeremiah Stewart.
John Gibson.
Thomas Sweetland.
Francis Goodhno.
Abraham Tilton.
Daniel Goodridge.
Charles Tuttlo.
David Goodridge.
Joseph Tuttle.
William Holt.
Samuel Titus.
Henry Hodgkins. Thomas Wilder.
Abiathar Houghton. David Wilder.
William Hodgkins. Barzillai Willard.
Samuel Hart.
Abel Wilder.
Rev. Mr. Harvey.
Reuben Wyman.
Silas Whitney.
At a meeting of the proprietors, held on the 22d of June, 1763, it was voted that the proprietors join with the inhabitants in a petition to the General Court that Ipswich Canada may be incorporated into a town, and that Benjamin Goodridge and Daniel Bixby be a committee to draft a petition for that pur- pose. The petition of the inhabitants had been pre- sented in May, and the name of Epesberry was se- lected and asked for by them in honor of two distin- guished residents of Ipswich-Simonds Epes and Thomas Berry. In compliance with the petitions the following act was passed June 14, 1764 :
An aci for erecting the plantation called Ipswich Canada into a town by the name of Winchendon.
Whereas the inhabitants of the plantation called Ipswich Canada, in the county of Worcester, labor under many difficulties and incon. veniences by means of their not being a town, therefore
Be it enacted by the Governor, Conncil and House of Representa- tives :
Sec. 1. That the plantation commonly called and known by the name of Ipswich Canada, in the County of Worcester, bounded as follows; South twelve degrees: West seven miles and two hundred rods on Dorchester Canada ; West eighteen degrees Sonth two hun- dred and seventy rods on Westminster : North thirty-six degrees West four miles and two hundred and twenty rods on Templeton line ; North seventy-eight degrees West six hundred rods on Templeton line; North twelve degrees East four miles and two hundred and sixty rods on Royalshire ; Sonth seventy eight degrees West six miles on Royalshire line, be and hereby is erected into a town by the name of Winchendon ; and that the inhabitants thereof he and hereby are ized, and Rev. Daniel Stimpson ordained with a 'invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities which the inhabitants of the towns within this province do or may enjoy.
And be it turther enacted :
Sec. 2. That there be laid on the lots already laid out in the said town of Winchendon a tax of one penny per acre for the term of three years.
And be it further enacted :
Sec. 3. That Edward Hartwell be and hereby is impowered to issue his warrant directed to some principal inhabitant in said town, requiring him to warn the inhabitants of the said town, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at such time and place as shall be therein set forth, to choose all such officere as are or shall be re- quired to manage the affairs of the said town.
In accordance with the act, Edward Hartwell, of
1057
WINCHENDON.
Lunenburg, a justice of the peace, issued the follow- ing warrant :
Worcester SS.
To Mr. Richard Day, of the Town of Winchendon in the County of Worcester, yeoman, Greeting:
Whereas I am ordered and impowered by the Great and General Court to issue my warrant directed to some principal inhabitant of said Town, requiring him to warn the inhabitants of said Town, qualified to vote in Town affairs, to assemble in some suitable place in said Town to choose all necessary officers to manage the affairs of said Town, and also to assess and levy, and collect the land tax. These are therefore, in his majesty's name, to require you, the said Richard Day, forthwith to warn the inhabitants of said Town of Winchendon, qualified, as aforesaid, to assemble and meet at your dwelling-house, in said TowD, on Monday, the fifth day of November next, at one of the clock in the afternoon, then and there being as- sembled, to act on the several articles hereafter mentioned, viz. :
Ist. To choose a moderator for the government of said meeting.
2d. To choose Selectmen and all other Town officers for the pres- ent year, as the law directs.
3d. To choose a collector to gather the land-tax and make due return of this Warrant and your doings therein. Hereof fail not. Given under my hand and seal, at Lunenburg, this sixteenth day of Octo- ber, in the forth year of his Majesty's Reigu, A.D. 1764. EDWARD HARTWELL, Justice of the Peace.
In obedience to the within-written Warrant, I have warned all the freeliolders and other inhabitants of the town of Winchendon to ap- pear at the time and place within mentioned. RICHARD DAY.
Winchendon, November ye fifth, 1764.
The meeting was held in accordance with the war- rant, and Richard Day was chosen moderator. The officers chosen for the year were Abel Wilder, town clerk; Theos. Mansfield, Benoni Boynton and Eph- raim Boynton, selectmen ; Richard Day, constable ; Nathaniel Bixby, town treasurer ; Daniel Goodridge, collector of the land tax ; Silas Whitney and Reuben Wyman, church wardens; John Darling, tithing- man; Daniel Bixby, deer-reeve ; Aaron Hodgkins, fence-viewer ; William Oaks, Timothy Darling, Amos Spring and Abel Wilder, surveyors of high- ways; Jonathan Foster, sealer of weights and meas- ures, Silas Whitney, surveyor of boards and shingles ; Reuben Wyman, field-driver ; Nathaniel Bixby, sealer of leather; Stephen Choate, stave-culler; and Na- thauiel Burnham, fire-ward.
As the officers chosen at the first meeting of the town are here given, it may be as well at this point in the narrative to present a list of those who, up to the present year, have occupied the various positions of moderator, selectmen, town clerk and treasurer. The moderators have been, since 1764:
1765. Theos. Mansfield.
1786. Moses Hale.
1766. Ephraim Boyutou.
1767-70. Theos. Mansfield.
1788-92. Samnel Crosby.
1771. Richard Day.
1793. Samnel Prentice.
1772. Johu Cheney.
1773. Richard Day.
1795. Amos Heywood.
1774. Seth Oaks.
1796-1806. Desire Tolman.
1775-76. Moses Hale.
1807. Jacob B. Woodbury.
1777. Thomas Kimball.
1808. Desire Tolman.
1778. Moses Hale.
1809. Paul Raymond.
1810. Amos Heywood.
1811. Paul Raymond.
1781. Ebenezer Sherwin.
1812. Ephraim Murdock.
1782. Samuel Crosby.
1813-16. Isaac Morse.
1817-18. Horatio G. Newcomb.
1819. Isaac Whitcomb.
1820. H. G. Newcomb.
1842-45. E. Murdock, Jr.
1821-28. Isaac Morse.
1846. Calvin R. Whitman.
1829. Jacob Wales.
1847. E. Murdock, Jr.
1830. Foxwell N. Thomas.
1848-49. Milton S. Morse.
1831. Jacob Wales.
1850-53. E. Murdock, Jr.
1832. Elisha Gregory.
1833. Mark Whitcomb.
1856. Gilman B. Parker.
1834. Reuben Harris.
1857. E. Murdock, Jr.
1835-36. John Cutter.
1858-82. Giles H. Whitney.
1883-88. Charles J. Rice.
1840-41. John Cutter.
The town clerks since 1764 have been :
1765. , Abel Wilder.
1798. Moses Hale.
1767. Theos. Mansfield.
1799-1800. Samuel Crosby.
1768-82. Abel Wilder.
1801-06. Amos Heywood.
1783-86. Benjamin Brown.
1807-28. Samuel Prentiss.
1787 91. Amos Heywood.
1829. Isaac Morse.
1792. Samuel Crosby. 1830-31. Joshua Smith.
1793. Amos Heywood.
1832-72. Webster Whitney.1
1794-95. Moses Hale.
1876-88. George M. Whitney.
1796-97. Amos Heywood.
The treasurers since 1764 have been :
1765-72. Richard Day.
1810-16. Benjamin Adams.
1773-76. Moses Hale. 1817-28. Amasa Whitney.
1777-80. Abel Wilder.
1829-33. Benjamin Adams.
1781-82. Benjamin Brown. 1834-36. Webster Whitney.
1783. Moses Hale. 1837-38. Isaac Morse.
1784-87. Amos Merriam. 1839-44. E. Murdock, Jr.
1788-92. Moses Hale.
1845-48. C. R. Whitman.
1793. John Burr.
18.49-50. Benjamin R. Day.
1794. Samnel Prentiss.
1851-60. E. W. Webster.
1795-97. Levi Moor.
1861. Wul. Brown (2d).
1798-1800. Amos Heywood.
1862-64. John H. Fairbank.
1801. Levi Moor.
1865-83. Anson B. Smith.
1802-03. Samnel Prentiss.
1884-86. Waldo C. Corey.
1804-06. Paul Raymond. 1887. Frank F. Hapgood.
1807-09. Thomas Graton.
1888. Alfred H. Whitney.
The selectmen since 1764 have been as follows :
1765. Theos. Mansfield.
1775. Abel Wilder.
Nathan Bixby.
Levi Nichols.
Benoni Boyuton.
John Boynton.
1766. Theos. Mansfield. David Poor.
Richard Day.
Gideon Fisher.
Abel Wilder.
1776. Abel Wilder.
1767. Theos. Mansfield.
Wm. Whitney.
Joseph Boynton. Silas Whitney.
Joseph Boynton. Eli Smith.
1768. Ahel Wilder.
James Murdock.
Seth Oaks. Jonathan Stimpson.
John Boynton.
1769. Same.
1770. Ahel Wilder. Seth Oaks.
Wm. Whitney. Eli Smith. Amos Merriam.
John Boynton.
1778. Moses Hale.
1771. Richard Day. Jobu Cheney. . Thomas Sawyer.
Joseph Bacon. Abner Curtiss.
1772. Abel Wilder.
John Boynton.
1779. Amos Merriam. Ebenezer Sherwin.
1773. Richard Day. Amos Merriam.
Solomon Bigelow. Seth Oaks. Samuel Noyes.
John Homer.
1774. Abel Wilder.
1780. Abel Wilder. Samuel Prentiss.
Levi Nichols.
Ahner Hale. Wm. Whitney. Eli Smith.
Benjamin Brown. Samuel Stone. Francis Bridge.
1 Mr. Whitney died after election in 1872, and David H. Barnes was chosen to fill the vacancy, and was rechosen in 1873 and '74, and died in the middle of his term. Frank B. Spalter was appointed in 1874 by the selectmen, and chosen in 1875.
1779. Benjamin Brown.
1780. Dr. Israel Whiton.
1783-84. Moses Hale.
1785. Abel Wilder.
67
1787. Samnel Prentice. Dudley Perley.
1794. Moses Hale.
1777. Abel Wilder.
Miles Putnam.
Daniel Goodridge.
1837-39. Ephraim Murdock, Jr.
1854-55. John Cutter.
1058
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
1781. Amos Merriam.
Joshna Gale. Bill Hancock. Paul Boynton. Jehn Day. 1782. Amos Merriam. Samuel Crosby. Amos Ileyweod. Edward Withingtoo,
1799. Samuel Crosby. Ezra Ilyde. Desire Teloian. Themas Graton. Benjamin Hubbard.
Ara Hale. Israel Whitcomb. Samuel Noyes. David Beaman.
1817. Same.
1x18. Israel Whitcomb.
Asa Perley. Gideon Balcom.
Levi Brooks. Moses Hale.
1847. Elisha Beaman. Harvey Wyman. Levi Raymond. 18.18. Same.
1784. Benjamin Brown. Samuel Prentiss. Samuel Litch. James Steel. James Coolidge.
1785. Same.
1786. Benjamin Brewn. Samuel l'rentiss. Samnel Cresby. John Barr.
Levi Moer.
1787. Ames Heywood. Abiel Buttrick. Jeremiah Stuart. Daniel Hey wood.
1788. Amos Heyweod.
Abiel Buttrick. Jeremiah Stuart. Daniel Hubbard. Paul Boynten.
1806. Themas Green wood. Samuel Brewn. Samuel Prentice. George Coffin. Timothy Hancock.
1828. Isaac Morse.
1858. Webster Whitney.
Abiel Buttrick. Jeremiah Stuart. Paul Boynten.
Ebenezer Richardson.
1791. Same.
Themas Knowlton.
Edward Loud.
Henry Greenwoed.
Jacob Wales. Reuben Harris.
1861. Oliver Adamıs.
Abiel Buttrick. Paul Boynton. Ebenezer Richardson. Desire Tolinan.
1793, Amos Heyweed.
1809. Paul Raymond.
1863. Bethuel Ellis.
Abiel Buttrick. Jeremiah Stuart. Peter Robinson. Ames Hale.
Samuel Prentice. Samuel Brown. Ephraim Murdock. Asa Perley.
Edward Lond. Seth Tucker, Jr.
1864. Same.
1794. Moses Hale.
1810. Isaac Morse.
1833. Benjamin Adamıs. Israel Whitcomb. IIenry Greenwood.
1865. George B. Raymend. Jeho D. Heward. M. B. White.
Desire Tolman. Paul Beynton. Ezra Hyde. Benjamin Wilder.
[8]]. Isaac Morse.
Isaac Merse. Levi Greenwood.
1866. Bethuel Ellis. W'in. Beaman. Win. L. Woodcock.
1795. Moses Hale.
1835. Same.
1867. Same.
Desire Tolman. Benjamin Wilder. Jacob Wales. Thomas Greenwood.
1812. Isaac Morse.
Themas Greenwood. George Coffin. Asa Hale.
1837. Levi Greenwood. Mark Whitcemb. Renben Vose.
1869. Same,
1870. Bethuel Ellis.
Amasa Whitney.
1838. Sanie.
M. W. Chandler. Edward Lend.
1813, Thomas Green wood.
1839. Mark Whitcomb. Ilenry Greenwood. John Ferrestall.
1871. Bethuel Ellis. George B. Raymond. Wm. H. Whittemuore.
Sammel Prentice. George Cethin. Asa Hale. Amasa Whitney.
1814. Same.
1815. Thomas Green wood.
1841. Ssme.
1873. George B. Raymond. W'm. H. Whitteniere. Wm. Beaman.
Asa Hale. Asa Perley. Israel Whitcomb. Samnel Noyes.
1842. Henry Greenwood, Levi Parks. Webster Whitney.
1874. Bethuel Ellis. E. Murdock, Jr. WmD. H. Whittemore.
1843. Same. 1844. Webster Whitney.
Levi Raymond. Ephraim W. Weston. 1×15. E. W. Weston. John Cutter. Moses Ilancock.
1846, Webster Whitney. Henry Greenwood. Ephraim Mordeck, Jr.
1783. Amies Merrianı. Samuel Cresby. Benjamin Brown. David Foster. Daniel Hubbard.
I801. Amos Heywood. Panl Raymond, Jr. Samuel Prentice, Jr. Ephraim Murdock. Isaac Noyes.
1819. Israel Whitcemb). Gideon Balcom. Daniel Henshaw.
1820. Gideon Balcom.
Asa Hale. Win. Telman.
1821. Isaac Morse. Ephraim Murdock. Benjamin Adanıs.
1822. Same.
1803. Ames Heywood.
Paul Raymend, Jr. Themas Greenwood. Samuel Brown. Hananiah Whitney.
1824. Isaac Merse. Ephraim Murdock. Samuel Prentiss.
1854. Oliver Adanie. Maynard Partridge.
1805. Themas Greenwood. Samuel Brown. Hananiah Whitney.
1826. Benjamin Adams. WE. Brown. Jacob Woodbury.
1856i. Webster Whitney. Orlando Mason. George Brown.
1857. Same.
1790. Amos Hey weed.
1807. Paul Raymond. James Raymond. David Beaman. Daniel Day.
Israel Whitcenb.
Lnke Parks.
Orlando Mason. Oliver Adams.
1829. Same.
1859. Same.
1830. Wm. Browu.
1860. Oliver Adams. J. B. Sawyer. Luke Ilale.
1792. Samuel Crosby.
1808. Paul Raymend. James Raymond. David Beaman. Isaac Morse. Abijah Pierce.
1831. Wm. Browu.
Henry Greenwood, Jacob Wales.
1862. Same.
1
1832. Heory Greenwood.
George B. Raymend. Wm. Beaman.
Ephraim Murdock. Asa Perley.
1834. Wm. Brown.
Thomas Greenwood. Samuel Brown. George Coffin. Asa Hale.
1836. Issac Morse.
Levi Greenwood. Elisha Beaman.
1868. Bethuel Ellis. Seth Tucker. Edward Loud, Jr.
1796. Anios Heywood. Benjamin Wilder. Samuel Prentice, Jr. Thomas Wilder. Phinebas Whitney. 1797. Ames Hey wood. Benjamin Wilder. Samuel Prentice, Jr. Phioehas Whitney. Jonas Bruce. 1798. Moses Hale. Ezra Hyde. Amasa Browo. Benjamin Hubbard. Levi Heywood.
1x75. Bethuel Ellis. J. H. Fairbank.
1850. Webster Whitney. Ephraim Murdock, Ir. Grover S. Whitney.
1851. Moses Hancock. Nelsen D. White. Oliver Adams,
1823. Israel Whitcomb. James McElwain. Paul Baymond, Jr.
1852. Same.
1853. Oliver Adams. Seth Tucker, Jr. Levi Parks.
1804. Amos Ileywood. Themas Green wood. Hauaniah Whitney.
1825. Isaac Merse. Ephraim Murdock. Israel Whitcomb.
David Caswell. 1855. Maynard Partridge. Jeho Cutter Jeshna B. Sawyer.
1789. Same.
1827. Benjamin Adamıs. Israel Whitcomb. Jaceb Woodbury.
1849. Levi Greenwood. Oliver Adams. Grever S. Whitney.
1802. Amoe Heywood. Panl Raymond, Jr. Sammel Prentice, Jr. Benjamin Hubbard. Abel Jones.
1800. Samuel Crosby. Thomas Grateu. Paul Raymend, Jr. Jacob B. Weodbury. Benjamin Adams.
1816. Themas Greenwood.
1840, Henry Green wood. John Forrestall. Webster Whitney.
1872. Same.
J. B. Sawyer. George B. Raytuond.
1059
WINCHENDON.
Edward Loud.
Fred A. Heywood.
1876. Edward Loud.
1884. Edward Loud.
Orlaodo Masoo, of Wiocheodoo 187]
Albert G. Sioclair, of Wincheodon 1872
Anstio Whitney, of Ashburoham, 1873
Charles A, Loud, of Wiochendou 1874
Wilbur F. Whitney, of Ashburnhanı. .1875
Charles A. Loud, of Wiochendon
1876
Under the apportionment based on the census of 1875 Ashburnham, Gardner, Princeton, Westminster and Winebendon constituted the Seventh Represent- ative District of Worcester County and were repre- sented until the next apportionment as follows :
Wilder P. Clark, of Winchendon. 1877
Simeon Merritt, of Ashburnham. 1877
Charles Webster Bush, of Gardner. 1878
Artemas Merriam, of Westminster 1878
Wm. H. Brown, of Princeton 1879
Wilder P. Clark, of Wiocheadoo 1879
George W. Eddy, of Ashburnham 1880
Edwin J. Cushing, of Gardner 1880
Giles H. Whitoey, of Wincheadon 1881
J. Henry Mellen, of Westminster 1881
John D. Edgell, of Gardner. 1882
John B. Fay, of Priocetoo. 1882
Walter O. Parker, of Ashborohan 1883
Wilder P. Clark, of Wiocheodon 1883
Roderic L. Bent, of Gardner. 1884
Edwin L. Burnham, of Westminster. 1884
Roderic L. Beut, of Gardoer
1885
18 9-11. Israel Whiton.
1842.
Henry Greenwood.
1812-16. Samuel Preotiss.
1843.
Wareham Raud.
1817, Daniel Heoshaw. 1844.
Noge.
1818-19. None.
1845,
Wareham Rand.
1820.
H. G. Newcomb.
1846.
None.
1821-22. None.
1847.
None.
1823. Isaac Morse.
1848.
Elisha Murdock.
1824. Samuel Simonds.
1849, Moses Hancock.
1825. Isaac Morse.
1830. Alvah Godding.
1826.
None.
1851. Elisha Murdock.
1827. Reuben Hyde.
1852-53. None.
1828-29. None.
1854. John L. Reed.
1830-34. Wm. Brown.
1855. Maynard Partridge.
1833. Wm. Donbar.
1856-57. Jacob B. llarris.
The twenty-first article of amendment to the Con- stitution was adopted by the Legislatures of 1856 and 1857, and ratified by the people May 1, 1857, provid- ing for Representative Districts based on a census taken in that year, and under the new arrangement Ashburnham and Winchendon constituted the First Representative District of Worcester County. This district was represented nntil the next apportionment by the following persons :
Jacob B. Harris, of Winchendon. 1858
J. D. Crosby, of Ashbnruham. .1859
Win. Murdock, of Winchendou 1860
Albert H. Andrews, of Ashburnham 1861
Nelson D. White, of Wiochendon 1862
Thomas Bontelle, of Ashburnhanı 1863
Giles H. Whitney, of Wiachendon 1864
George C. Winchester, of Asbbornhar 1865
Giles H. Whitney, of Wiochendon .1866
Under the apportionment based on the census of 1865 the same towns constituted the same Represent- ative district and were represented until the next apportionment as follows :
George E. Fisher, of Ashburnham 1867
Windsor N. White, of Winchendon 1868
George H. Barrett, of Ashburnbam 1869
Wm. L. Woodcock, of Wiocheodon 1870
Levi G. Smith.
John D. Howard.
Jobo B. Howard.
Jairus Hastings.
1877. Same.
1885. Jairus Hastings (1 year).
1878. Edward Loud.
John D. Howard (2 years).
John D. Howard.
J. H. Fairbank (3 years).
Jairus Hastiogs.
1886. Amos S. Lamb (2 years).
1879. Same.
Wm. L. Woodcock (3 years). Jairus Hastings (3 years).
1881. Sadie.
1887. Joho D. Howard (3 years).
1882. Same.
1888. Joho H. Fairbank (3 years).
1883 Edward Loud.
Joho D. Howard.
The following persons have represented in the General Court since 1776 either the town or the repre- sentative district of which Winchendon has formed a part :
1776-77. Robert Bradish,
1834.
W'm. Brown.
1778-79. Nooe.
Isaac Morse.
1780-85. Abel Wilder.
1835.
Jacob Wales.
1786-99 (when the town was incor- porated), Moses Hale.
1836. Jacob Wales.
1800. Sammel Prentiss.
1801.
None.
1837.
Israel Whitcomb.
1802.
None.
1838.
Elisha Murdock.
1803. Wm. Whitney. 1839.
1804. None.
1840.
Elisha Murdock.
1805-08. Wm. Whitney.
1841.
Elisha Beamao.
Charles J. Rice, of Winchendon 1885
Herbert S. Stratton, of Gardner 1886
Charles J. Rice, of Winchendon 1886
Under the apportionment based on the census of 1885 Ashburnham, Gardner, Templeton and Wincheudon constitute the Second Representative District of Wor- cester County, and have been represented as follows :
Edward P. Noyes, of Gardner. 1887
John H. Wilkins, of Ashburnham. 1897
Charles W. Cooant, of Gardner, 1888
Nathaniel R. Perkins, of Wiocheodoo .. 1888
John H, Wilkins, of Ashburoham 1889
Percival Blodgett, of Templeton 1889
But the new town, entering with promise as it did on its municipal career, was destined to receive in its earliest life a serious check to its development and growth. After a settlement, long delayed by the an- noyances of the French and Indian Wars, an act of incorporation had been secured, after the peace of 1763, which seemed to relieve its people from all doubts as to their future comfort and prosperity. The relations of the colonies with Great Britain becoming daily more critical, as the breach was daily widened by the obstinacy of the crown on the one hand and the determination of the colonists on the other to resist aggression, soon passed into that state in which an open rupture became inevitable. In the patriotic efforts of the people of Boston to assert and maintain their rights the people of Winchendon enthusiastic- ally joined, and though the prospects of war were specially gloomy to a town just entering on its life, they were ready to bear their full share of the sure burdens of a war of revolution.
In 1773, in response to a letter from the selectmen of Boston, a town-meeting was called "to see if the town will take into consideration the distressing cir-
1880. Same.
George II. Ingalls (3 years).
C. R Whitman.
Wm. Browa.
Wm. Brown.
1060
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
cumstances of the present affairs of the province; and so far as concerns particular towns and individnal persons to act thereon by choosing committees or otherwise as they shall see fit." At the meeting held on the 15th of February, in pursuance of the above call, Moses Hale was chosen moderator, and a committee of five, consisting of Moses Hale, Levi Nichols, John Boynton, John Homer and Dudley Perley, was ap- pointed to draft such measures as they might consider proper and report to the town. At an adjourned meeting held on the Ist day of March, the committee reported the following resolves, which were unani- mously adopted :
Resolved, that having taken into serious consideration the state of the rights of the Colonies, and of the Province in particular, as bien, as Christians and as subjects, and a list of infringements and violations of rights as specified and set forth by the Committee of the town of Boston, We are of opinion that the rights of this Proviore are well and truly stated in said list, as they are well supported and warranted by the laws of God, of nature, of the realm of Great Britain and the char- ter of this Province ; that a list of infringements and violations of these rights and privileges inherent to the inbabitants of this Province are well stated, vindicated and supported by a great variety of uncontestable facts, whereby it appears to us as aforesaid that the time is speedily hastening when we shall be reduced to the most abject slavery.
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