USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 12
USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 12
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 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
101
INSTRUCTIONS.
1774.]
with its inhabitants, and express grateful recognition of friendly do- nations ; and the appointment of a commander in chief for the whole militia. Strict observance of the advice of the Continental Con- gress was enjoined.
It is said, ' If all infractions of our rights, by acts of the British Parliament be not redressed, and we restored to the full enjoyment of all our privileges, contained in the charter of this province, grant- ted, by their late majesties, King William and Queen Mary, to @ punctilio, before the day of your meeting, then, and in that case, you are to consider the people of this province as absolved, on their part, from the obligation therein contained, and to all intents and purposes reduced to a state of nature : and you are to exert yourself in devising ways and means to raise from the dissolution of the old constitution, as from the ashes of the Phenix, a new form, wherein all officers shall be dependent on the suffrages of the people for their existence as such, whatever unfavorable constructions our en- emies may put upon such procedure. The exigency of our public affairs leaves us no other alternative from a state of anarchy or sla- very.'1
A more explicit declaration of independence can scarcely be found in the splendid document, which in 1776, in more glowing words proclaimed the dissolution of all ties of colonial relation.
Gov. Gage, alarmed by the spirit of the instructions, and the stor- my aspect of the times, issued his proclamation, Sept. 28, declaring, that it was expedient, the session of the General Court summoned for the fifth of October, should not then be held; discharging the members from attendance at that time ; and announcing his intention not to meet the assembly. The current of popular feeling was not thus to be diverted. The representatives elect, convened at Salem, resolved themselves into a provincial Congress, elected John Han- cock, President and Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary, and immediately adjourned to Concord.
The Committee of Worcester county waited on Gen. Gage, Oct. 20, and presented a well written remonstrance against the oppressive acts of the ministry, to which, they say, ' this people are determined, by the Divine favor, never to submit, but with their lives.' The military governor returned a very brief and unsatisfactory answer.
The patriotic resistance of invasions of liberty was not confined
1 These instructions were reported by David Bancroft, Jonathan Stone, Nathan Bald- win and Stephen Salisbury, They have been printed at length in the appendix to the address of the Hon. John Davis, al the dedication of the town hall, 1825.
102
BLACKSMITH'S CONVENTION. [1774.
to municipal corporations or general assemblies of citizens. The fervid enthusiasm, pervading the whole fabric of society, manifested itself in varied forms. Meetings of artisans and craftsmen, as dis- tinct bodies, were held, and spirited resolutions adopted. One spec- imen, selected from many, will afford example of their proceedings.
A convention of the Blacksmiths of the County, was held at Worcester, Sept. 8, and continued by adjournment to Nov. 8, 1774. Ross Wyman, of Shrewsbury, presided, and Timothy Bigelow, of Worcester, was clerk. The result of their session, subscribed by forty three members, was widely distributed in handbills. It was as follows :
' Whereas, at a meeting of the delegates from the counties of Wor- cester, Middlesex and Essex, with the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston, in behalf of the county of Suffolk, holden at Boston, the 26th day of August, 1774, it was resolved : That all such officers or private persons as have given sufficient proof of their en- mity to the people and constitution of this country, should be held in contempt, and that those who are connected with them ought to separate from them ; laborers to shun their vineyards, merchants, husbandmen and others to withhold their commerce and supplies :
' In compliance therefore, to a resolution of so respectable a body as aforesaid, so reasonable in its contents, and so necessary at this distressing day of trial, we, the subscribers, being deeply impressed with a sense of our duty to our country, paternal affection for our children and unborn millions, as also for our personal rights and lib- erties, solemnly covenant, agree and engage, to and with each other, that from and after the first day of December, 1774, we will not, ac- cording to the best of our knowledge, any or either of us, nor any person by our direction, order, or approbation, for or under any or either of us, do or perform, any Blacksmith's work, or business of any kind whatever, for any person or persons whom we esteem ene- mies to this country, commonly known by the name of tories, viz. all counsellors in this province appointed by mandamus who have not publicly resigned said office, also every person who addressed governor Hutchinson at his departure from this province, who has not publicly recanted, also every officer exercising authority by virtue of any commission they hold tending to carry any of the late oppressive acts of parliament into execution in America ; and in par- ticular, we will not do any work for Tim. Ruggles of Hardwick, John Murray of Rutland, and James Putman of Worcester, Esq'rs ; nor
103
1774.]
BLACKSMITH'S CONVENTION.
for any person or persons cultivating, tilling, improving, dressing, hiring or occupying any of their lands or tenements. Also we agree to refuse our work of every kind as aforesaid, to all and every person or persons, who shall not have signed the non-consumption agreement, or have entered into a similar contract or engagement, or that shall not strictly conform to the association or covenant agreed upon and signed by the Continental Congress lately convened at Philadelphia.
' We further agree that we will not do any work for any mechan- ic, tradesman, laborer, or others, that shall work for, or in any ways, or by any means whatever, aid, assist, or promote the business, or pecuniary advantage, pleasures, or profits of any of the said enemies to this country.
' Resolved, That all lawful ways and means ought to be adopted by the whole body of the people of this province, to discountenance all our inveterate political enemies in manner as aforesaid. There- fore, we earnestly recommend it to all denominations of artificers, that they call meetings of their respective craftsmen in their several counties, as soon as may be, and enter into associations and agree- ments for said purposes, and that all husbandmen, laborers, &c. do the like : And that whoever shall be guilty of any breach of any or either of the articles or agreements, be held by ns in contempt, as enemies to our common rights.'
A volume might be collected from the instructions, resolutions, memorials, and addresses spread on the records of the town, and scattered through the documents of its committees, conventions, and political associations. The same decision, intelligence, and in- dependence, woven into the papers which have been copied, were continually embodied in language, always forcible and energetic, usually simple and correct, often eloquent and elegant. Many of the productions of later periods were marked by distinguished abili- ty. It is only possible to select a small portion from the great mass of materials : the omissions are less to be regretted, as action soon gave stronger illustration of feeling, than could be derived from written declarations. In the primary movements of the revolution, Worcester was the central point from which animating influences were diffused over the surrounding country. If the first impulses were derived from the metropolis of the state, the motion was com- municated and wonderfully accelerated by the vigorous exertion of the capital of the county. If the impressions made by that capital
104
DEPOSITE OF STORES.
[1774.
on her neighbors, were less distinct during the progress, than at the commencement of the struggle, it was not because the flame of pat- riotism burned less bright, but that the most ardent of her citizens laid down the pen to take up the sword, and the efforts to produce union and excite resolution in the assemblies of the people, were exchanged for demonstrations of their practical effects in the camp and on the battle field.
Towards the close of the year, efforts were made to establish a de- pot of provisions and munitions of war, at Worcester. Beef, pork, grain, and flour, were collected from the inhabitants, and probably from other sources, as subscriptions for the purpose were made by some of the patriotic leaders in Boston. A quantity of lead was obtained, and some of the committee of correspondence exhibited so much zeal, as to solicit the gift of the broad pewter platters of family use, to be converted into bullets. As compared with the col- lections which gave to Concord the glory of the visit of the British troops, on the nineteenth of April following, the deposites here were very inconsiderable.
CHAPTER VII.
1775 to 1783. American Revolution. Preparations for war. Instructions, 1775. Sur- vey of British officers. Commencement of hostilities. Alarm of April 19. March of minute men. Tories disarmed. Memorial of officers. Royalist confessions. Clark Chandler. British prisoners. Poor of Boston. Military requisitions. Fourth of July, 1776. Regulation of prices. Detail of levies of troops, contributions, exertions, and proceedings, during the war. County conventions. Constitution. Excise. Peace restored. Proceedings as to refugees.
On the commencement of the year 1775, was a period of intense interest. The difficulties between the mother country and the colo- nies were fast hastening to a decision by the appeal to battle. The whigs, who mnight at the outset have been contented with the redress of grievances, and by reasonable concessions, now looked forward to the accomplishment of independence. The royalists, driven by the course of events into a position from which they could not recede, were separated from their countrymen. The inflexible perseverance of the ministry left no hope of conciliation. The language of mod-
105
INSTRUCTIONS.
1775.]
eration was still on the lips of men, but stern determination in their hearts. It was like the pause on the eve of fight, when the signal for engagement is impatiently awaited.
Preparations for the conflict were actively, though silently made. In January, 1775, it was recommended to the company of minute men, to exercise frequently and perfect themselves in discipline, and payment was promised for their services. Efforts were strenuously made to procure a supply of arms and munitions. The collectors of taxes were instructed, as all public moneys ought to be appropriated for the greatest benefit, and the Provincial Congress had appointed Henry Gardiner, Esq. receiver general, to pay over to him all sums which might come to their hands from assessments, and it was voted, to indemnify them from the consequences of obedience to this in- junction.
A committee of inspection was elected, to carry into direct exe- cution the resolves of the Continental Congress against the con- sumption of teas and the importation of foreign goods.
The instructions 1 to Timothy Bigelow, reelected delegate to the Provincial Congress, attest the reluctance which was felt to become aggressors. After commenting on the violations of rights, and so- liciting ' the advice of the general Congress, as to what measures are most proper for the province to adopt respecting civil govern- ment, which at this day we are deprived of,' they say, 'and we de- termine to rest quietly in this situation, however perplexing, agreea- bly to the recommendation of our late Continental Congress, until the operation of their petition to his majesty be known : excepting the commencement of hostilities against us, should require the adopt- ing a form of civil government for the defence of our lives and prop- erty. And under such exigency, you are to conduct yourself ac- cordingly, and endeavor that the best form possible be adopted, for the support of good order and the liberties of the people, which, we think, make every servant of the public dependent upon the suffra- ges of the people for their authority.'
The severity of the winter prevented any movements of the British troops from Boston, to repress the revolutionary spirit manifesting itself in military arrangements, as well as in municipal resolutions. Preparations were, however, made for the march of the forces, in the spring, into the counties of Worcester and Middlesex, to inflict vengeance on those styled rebels. Capt. Brown of the 53d, and En-
1 Reported by Nathan Baldwin and Jonathan Stone, Jan. 24, 1775.
14
106
SURVEY BY BRITISH OFFICERS.
[1775.
sign De Bernicre, of the 10th regiment, were ordered by Gen. Gage, to make an expedition, examine the roads, note the distances from town to town, sketch the positions of the streams, heights, passes, and posts, and collect such topographical information as would be useful for the advance of a detachment. The report of their journey, made by the latter officer, was found after the evacua- tion of the metropolis.1 They left Boston disguised as countrymen, without uniform, and passed through Cambridge, Watertown, and by Framingham, to Shrewsbury, on the old road. The following is the account of their visit in Worcester.
' We came into a pass, about four miles from Worcester, where we were obliged to stop to sketch. We arrived at Worcester at five o'clock in the evening, very much fatigued : the people in the town did not take notice of us as we came in, so that we got safe to Mr. Jones' tavern :2 on our entrance he seemed a little sour, but it wore off by degrees, and we found him to be our friend, which made us very happy : we dined and supped without any thing happening out of the common run. The next day, being Sunday, we could not think of travelling, as it was contrary to the custom of the country : nor dare we stir out until the evening, because of meeting : and nobody is allowed to walk the streets, during divine service, without being taken up and examined : so that, thinking we could not stand the examination so well, we thought it prudent to stay at home, where we wrote and corrected our sketches. The landlord was very attentive to us, and on our asking what he could give us for breakfast, he told us, tea, or any thing else we chose ; that was an open confession what he was: but for fear he might be imprudent, we did not tell him who we were, though we were certain he knew it. In the evening, we went round the town, and on all the hills that command it, sketched every thing we desired, and returned to the town without being seen. That evening, about eight o'clock, the landlord came in and told us there were two gentlemen who wanted to speak with us. We asked him who they were? On which he said, we would be safe in their company : we said we did not doubt that, as we hoped two gentlemen, who travelled merely to see the country and stretch our limbs, as we had lately come from sea, could not meet with any thing else but civility, when we behaved ourselves properly. He told us he would come in again in a little
1 This paper was first printed in 1779, and republished in 2 Mass. Hist. Col. iv. 204. 2 A few rods south of the Old South Church.
107
SURVEY BY BRITISH OFFICERS.
1775.]
time, and perhaps we would change our minds, and left us. All hour after he returned, and told us the gentlemen were gone, but had begged him to let us know, as they knew us to be officers of the army, that all their friends of government at Petersham were disarmed by the rebels, and that they threatened to do the same at Worcester in a very little time : he sat and talked politics, and drank a bottle of wine with us; and also told us, that none but a few friends to government knew we were in town : we said, it was very in- different to us whether they did or not, though we thought very dif- ferently : however, as we imagined we had staid long enough in that town, we resolved to set off at day break the next morning, and get to Framingham. Accordingly, off we set, after getting some roast beef and brandy from our landlord, which was very necessary on a long march, and prevented us going into houses where, perhaps, they might be too inquisitive. We took a road we had not come, and that led us to the pass four miles from Worcester. We went on un- observed by any one, until we passed Shrewsbury, when we were overtaken by a horseman, who examined us very attentively, and es- pecially me, whom he looked at from head to foot, as if he wanted to know me again : after he had taken his observations, he rode off pretty hard, and took the Marlborough road, but, by good luck, we took the Framingham road again, to be more perfect in it, as we thought it would be the one made use of.'
The horseman was Capt. Timothy Bigelow, sent by the committee of correspondence to observe the officers, whose martial bearing, notwithstanding their caution and disguise, betrayed their military character. Having followed the Framingham road to its inter- section with the highway through Sudbury, they turned back to Marlborough. There they were in great danger of being seized and detained : but, by the aid of the friends of government, they es- caped and reached Boston in safety. Soon after, they explored the the road to Concord and the country round.
It was, unquestionably, the purpose of Gen. Gage, to have march- ed troops to Worcester, to capture the stores reported to be collected here in great quantities, although really inconsiderable in amount. A plan of the village, with the outline of military works, and notes in- dicating the position of two regiments, was seen by a citizen of the town, 1 among the papers left by the British after the evacuation.
1 The late Isaiah Thomas. An extensive encampment, with a fortress, was projected on Chandler hill, the eminence commanding the town on the east.
108
MARCH OF MINUTE MEN.
[1775.
Possibly it might have been proposed to canton a part of the army in the interior. Whatever disposition of troops had been contempla- ted, the result of the April movements, prevented the execution.
In March, the company of minute men were directed to train half a day in each week : payment of one shilling was allowed to each for this service, and a penalty provided, equal in amount, for ab- sence. This company had met almost daily for months. When the weather permitted, they paraded on the common, or occupied the streets. In the storms of winter, they were drilled in some hall. Under the instruction of Capt. Bigelow, they had attained great pro- ficiency in military science, and when afterwards mustered at Cam- bridge, received commendations from the superior officers, for good discipline and celerity of evolution. Captain Bigelow was soon pro- moted, and was succeeded in the command by Lieutenant Hubbard. When new enlistments were made, this company was virtually dis- banded, although the men served in the new corps which were formed.
Their services were soon to be required for the defence of the country. Before noon, on the 19th of April, an express came to the town, shouting as he passed through the street at full speed, ' to arms ! to arms! the war is begun !' His white horse, bloody with spurring, and dripping with sweat, fell exhausted by the church. Another was instantly procured, and the tidings went on.1 The bell rang out the alarm, cannon were fired, and messengers sent to every part of the town to collect the soldiery. As the news spread, the imple- ments of husbandry were thrown by in the field, and the citizens left their homes with no longer delay than to seize their arms. In a short time, the minute men were paraded on the green, under Capt. 'Timothy Bigelow ; after fervent prayer by the Rev. Mr. Maccarty, they took up the line of march. They were soon followed by as many of the train bands as could be gathered, under Capt. Benja- min Flagg. On that day, 110 men marched from the town of Wor- cester for Concord. Intelligence of the retreat of the enemy, met them after they advanced, and they turned towards Boston. When Capt. Bigelow reached the ancient Howe tavern, in Sudbury, he hal- ted to rest his men. Capt. Benjamin Flagg, who had commenced
1 The passage of the messenger of war, mounted on his white steed, and gathering the population to battle, made vivid impression on memory. The tradition of his ap- pearance is preserved in many of our villages. In the animated description of the aged, it seems like the representation of death on the pale horse careering through the land with his terrific summons to the grave.
109
MINUTE MEN AND MILITIA.
1775.]
his march an hour or two later, came up, and insisting on push- ing forward without loss of time, both officers moved on to Cam- bridge.
The rolls of these soldiers of patriotism have fortunately been pre- served in the office of the Secretary of State, where they were return- ed in compliance with a resolution of the Provincial Congress.1
The organization of the army, which had spontaneously collected at Cambridge, was immediately made. Timothy Bigelow was ap- pointed Major in Col. Jonathan Ward's regiment. A company of fifty nine men, enlisted on the 24th of April, under Capt. Jonas Hubbard, with John Smith and William Gates lieutenants, all from Worcester.
Seventeen other soldiers joined the companies of Capts. Wash-
1 ' Muster Roll of a company of minute and militia men, which marehed from the town of Worcester to Cambridge, on the alarm, April 19, 1775, under the command of Capt. Timothy Bigelow, in the regiment of which Artemas Ward, Esq. was colonel.'
Timothy Bigelow, captain ; Jonas Hubbard, John Smith, lieutenants ; William Gates, Nathaniel Harrington, John Kannaday, William Dana, serjeants ; John Pierce, Cyprian Stevens, Joel Smith, Nathaniel Heywood, corporals; Eli Putnam, drummer ; John Hair, Joseph Pieree, fifers.
Peter Boyden, John Hall,
Benjamin Bennet,
Artemas Knight,
William Treadwell,
David Chadwick,
John Knower,
Edward Swan,
Eli Chapin, Ephraim Miller,
Joseph Curtis,
Philip Donehue,
Samuel Cook,
Benjamin Estabrook, Joseph Morse, Jonas Nichols, Josiah Pieree,
Samuel Dunham, Asa Ward,
Phineas Flagg,
Solomon Smith,
Joseph Cunningham, Elisha Fuller,
Nathaniel Flagg,
Ithamar Smith, Phinehas Ward, Ebenezer Wiswall, James Wiser, '
Joshua Harrington, Robert Crawford, Moses Hamilton, Samuel Bennett, Thomas Drury,
William Griggs,
Daniel Haven,
Samuel Hemmenway, Samuel Brown,
Gideon Griggs,
William Trowbridge, William Walker,
Adam Hemmenway, Josiah Perry.
Edward Hair, Asa Harrington,
'Muster Roll of Capt. Benjamin Flagg's company, in the Colony service, on the alarm, April 19, 1775.ยช
Benjamin Flagg, captain ; William McFarland, lieutenant ; Ebenezer Lovell, ensign ; Daniel Beard, Benjamin Flagg, Jr. serjeants.
Eleazer Holbrook, Isaae Morse, Abel Holbrook,
Isaac Gleason,
Robert Smith,
Samuel Sturtevant,
Isaae Knight, Ezekiel Howe, Jr.
Samuel Whitney, Benjamin Whitney, Jr. Josiah Harrington, Jr. Samuel Whitney, Jr.
Jacob Holmes, Jr. Daniel Stearns,
Abel Flagg,
Jonathan Stone,
Simeon Dunean, Edward Crafts, Samuel Clark, Samuel Gates, David Richards,
Levi Houghton,
Oliver Pierce.
Eleazer Hawes,
John Cole,
Nicholas Powers,
Daniel Willington, William Curtis,
Josiah Flagg,
John Totman, Joseph Thorp, George Walker,
Josiah Gates, Thomas Gates, Jonathan Gleason, James Taylor,
William Miles,
Joseph Ball, Jonathan Stone, Samuel Wesson, Thomas Nichols, Thomas Knight, Joseph Miller, Samuel Harrington, Thomas Lynde,
Gershom Holmes, Simon Gates,
110
ROYALISTS DISARMED.
[1775.
burn, Fay, and Jones, in Cols. Ward's and Doolittle's regiments of infantry.
About twenty more were enrolled in the regiment of artillery un- der Col. Thomas Crafts : Edward Crafts served with the rank of captain ; William Dana, and William Treadwell were lieutenants in his company.
While the military strength of the town was arrayed in arms against the troops of the king, the committee of correspondence were dealing with the internal enemies of the country. On the intelli- gence of the commencement of the war, many of the protesters aban- doned their families, their homes and possessions, and took refuge in Boston. Those who remained were summoned before the revolu- tionary tribunal, on the 21st of April, and were compelled to give as- surances that they would not go out of the town without permission from the selectmen. On the 8th of May, Mr. William Campbell, charged with a violation of this agreement, and Mr. Samuel Paine, accused of circulating reports injurious to the honor of the provin- cial army, were arrested, and sent under guard to the Congress, at Watertown, by order of the town. An opportunity was offered to the royalists of redeeming their character by joining the American troops, ' under penalty of being considered unworthy of the future confidence of their countrymen, and willing to join an unlawful ban- ditti to murder and ravage.' As the proposal was not complied with, the committee issued their precept to the sheriff, to notify twenty nine persons to appear before them with their muskets and ammunition. The order was obeyed, and the remains of the party thus summoned, were disarmed, and then permitted to retire.
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.