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 14
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 14
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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
Six of our citizens were drafted, under the resolve of June 12, for raising 180 men for an expedition to Rhode Island. On the 23d of June, four more were required, as guards for the captured troops of General Burgoyne. In November, £ 736. were granted for boun- ties to soldiers and the support of their families.
The names of six inhabitants of Worcester1 are included in the banishment act, forbidding the return of the former citizens of the state who had joined the enemy, requiring them, if they once re- visited their native country, forthwith to depart, and denouncing the penalty of death if they should be found, a second time, within the jurisdiction. One thus designated, had afterwards permission to reside in the town, regained the confidence, and long enjoyed the respect and esteein of the community.
In March, 1779, the sum of £ 2000 was assessed to support the war, and the militia officers were directed to engage men for the public service, by enlistment or draft. In April, three teams were furnished for the transportation of warlike stores to Springfield. Ten soldiers were raised, in June, to reenforce the army, and sixty two sets of articles of dress supplied. A voluntary contribution of £ 78, was taken up, in the church, after divine service, for the
1 John Chandler, James Putnam, Rufus Chandler, William Chandler, Adam Walk- er, William Paine.
121
REGULATION OF THE CURRENCY.
1779.]
distressed inhabitants of Newport. The town obtained, on loan, £ 5200 for the payment of bounties.
The anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was com- memorated, on the Sth of July, by the ringing of bells in the morn- ing, the discharge of 13 cannon at noon, illumination and the dis- play of 13 rockets at night.
Severe distress was experienced, from the depreciation of the cur- rency, the exorbitant price of the necessaries ef life, and the dis- trust of public credit. A convention assembled at Concord, by the invitation of Boston, on the 14th of July, composed of delegates from all parts of the state, for the purpose of consulting on measures to give effect to the recommendations of Congress for the relief of the people. Worcester was represented by David Bigelow and Jo- seph Barber. Prices were regulated by a moderate appraisal of the value of articles of produce and merchandize ; loans to government, provision for the support of the clergy, and attention to schools, as the means of good education, were carnestly recommended. Ano- ther convention was proposed, in October, and an address was adopt- ed.
The town, at a meeting in August, expressed cordial approbation of these proceedings, and joined a committee to the standing board of correspondence and safety to enforce their execution.
Resolutions1 were adopted at the same time, which indicate the condition and spirit of the country. Some extracts follow.
' As many of the respectable merchants and fair traders have re- tired from business, their places have been supplied by an augmen- ted number of locusts and canker worms, in human form, who have increased, and proceeded along the road of plunder, until they have become odiously formidable, and their contagious influence danger- ously prevalent : Therefore, Resolved, That such persons ought not to be admitted to bear a part in any mercantile consultation, but should be considered pestilential mushrooms of trade, which have come up in the night of public calamity, and ought to perish in the same night.
' Whereas regrators in the public markets, forestallers, engrossers of the produce of the country, and higlers, have had a great share in depreciating the public currency by their pernicious practices : Re-
1 Not having been entered of record, by a singular omission, they have been preserved by their publication in the Massachusetts Spy, August, 12, 1779. They were reported by William Stearns, Nathan Baldwin, and Joseph Allen.
16
122
AMERICAN REVOLUTION. [1779.
solved, That all such persons are guilty of a dangerous opposition to the measures necessary to promote the well being and prosperity of this country, and ought to be subjected to the resentment and indig- nation of the public, whether their conduct proceeds from a general disaffection to public measures, and the independence of these states, or from private motives of sordid interest.
' Resolved, That whoever refuses to sell the surplus of the pro- duce of his farm, and retains the same to procure a higher price by means of an artificial scarcity, is very criminally accessory to the calamities of the country, and ought to be subjected to those penal- ties and disabilities which are due to an inveterate enemy.'
Delegates from Worcester attended a county convention, on the eleventh of August, when a scale of prices was fixed, and resolutions adopted to adhere to and execute the regulations. 1
The same gentlemen were deputed to attend the second State Convention at Concord, Oct. 12, where a more detailed regulation of prices was made, resolutions passed, and an address framed, not essentially different from those of the former meeting.
In August, Levi Lincoln, Joseph Allen, and David Bigelow, were elected delegates to the convention for framing a constitution.
On a requisition for blankets, Sept. 14, Worcester supplied 31.
The selectmen being required to report the expenditures for rais- ing soldiers, made return of 48 persons then in service, who had received $ 1906, for bounties on enlistments of three years. The supplies furnished for nine of their families, requiring public assis- tance, during the year, amounted to ££599. Os. 6d. at the current price : reduced to the stated convention price, £39. 17s. 6d. In August, & 892 was granted to pay for clothing.
Eight soldiers were raised, Sept, 21, at an expense of & 638, for the Rhode Island department : and thirteen under the resolve of Oct. 9, to join Gen. Washington, at Claverack, on Hudson's riv- er ; they received a bounty of £ 30 each, and were supported by the town, at a charge, in the aggregate, of &2515. 10s. These
1 The following prices stated August, 1779, on comparison with those of November, 1776, will show the depreciation of the currency in the interval.
Corn, bushel, £3.12s .: Ryc, £5.2s .: Wheat, £8. 2s. : Oals, £1. 16s. : Cider, bar- rel, £4: Hay, ewt. £1. 10s .: Labor in husbandry, day, £2. 14s. : Women's labor, week, £2 .: Beef, pound, 5s. 6d .: Mutton, Veal, 3s. 6d. : Butter, 11s : Cheese, 5s. 6d .: Wool, £1.4s .: Men's shoes, pair, £6 .: Stockings, £3. 1ºs .: Shirts, tow cloth, £ 4. 16s. In June, 1779, farmer's produce had advanced in the ratio of 363 lo 1: West In- dia goods as 41 1-9 to 1 : Labor as 15 to 1 of the price in March of the same year.
123
CONSTITUTION.
1780.]
sums were advanced by individuals, and the credit of the town pled- ged for payment.
The exertions of preceding years had almost exhausted the mon- ey, men, and means of the country. The difficulty of complying with the increased requisitions for public defence, was severely felt, and the burdens of the war rested with heavy pressure on the com- munity. Yet redoubled efforts were made to sustain the army, and meet the frequent demands of the government.
In compliance with a resolve of May 4th, 1780, Worcester fur- nished 43 sets of blankets, shirts, shoes and stockings. On the 5th of June, 3934 men were levied for the continental army, to remain in service 6 months. The quota of the county was 636: Worces- ter supplied 22 : Lancaster 40 : Sutton 36 : Brookfield 35 : Mendon 29. Each soldier enlisting for the town, received & 27 in agricul- tural produce, at the prices of 1774. In July, 12 horses were pro- vided for transportation and cavalry service. The quota of 4726 men for three months, under the resolve of June 22, was raised with great labor. Worcester county was required to enlist 766: Wor- cester 28: Lancaster 48: Brookfield 42: Sutton 42: Mendon 35. The sum of £ 30,000, of continental currency, was assessed, as a tax, for the payment of the troops of the town. A further re- quisition for men was made, on the same day, to be levied in the pro- portion of one to every four detached on the 5th of June, to march to Springfield and await orders. Worcester raised 5 soldiers. Pro- visions being needed for the army, Worcester was called on to deliver 17,640 pounds of beef, purchased for &529. On the 4th of De- cember, another assessment of 33,871 pounds was provided for, at the cost of £ 1270. 3s. 3d.
In May, the Bill of Rights and Frame of Government were sub- mitted to the people, and accepted. The town disapproved of the 3d article of the Bill of Rights, relating to the support of religious worship and instruction, and the 20th, providing that the power of suspending the execution of the laws should only be exercised by the legislature : the first was supposed to interfere with the rights of conscience, and the latter to restrict too much the authority of the executive department. Some articles of the constitution were not accepted. The 4th article of the Ist section, chapter Ist, invest- ing the General Court with powers deemed too extensive for the legislative branch : the 1st article of the 3d section of the same chapter, containing the principle of representation : the 9th article following, fixing the quorum of representatives for the transaction
124
CLASSIFICATION. [1780.
of business : the 7th article, section Ist, of the 2d chapter, defining the power of the governor : the 3d article of the 6th chapter, estab- lishing the value of money, and thereby determining the amount of salaries : and the 7th article, prohibiting the suspension of the privi- lege of the writ of habeas corpus, except upon most urgent occa- sion, and for a limited time, were all negatived. Our citizens were desirous of strengthening the executive, and giving more efficiency to government. This course, in conflict with the prevalent princi- ples before the revolution, was founded on the necessity of an en- ergetic administration, as it was made apparent by the progress of the war and the embarrassments of the times.
The first elections under this constitution, ratified by the people, took place in September. The votes of Worcester were divided : Hancock received 56, and Bowdoin 20, for governor : James War- ren 23, and Artemas Ward 28, for Lt. Governor.
On the 2d of December, 1780, 29 men were required as the town's proportion of 4240, to be enlisted for 3 years, or during the war. The usual means of procuring the quota were employed without effect. The companies of militia furnished no volunteers : drafts had become unpopular : committees to seek recruits in other states had been unsuccessful : and, at length, a system of conscrip- tion was resorted to, as the only remaining resource for maintain- ing the army.
The citizens were divided into twenty nine classes, according to the valuation and amount of taxes paid by the individuals. Each class was required to furnish a soldier, and provide for his wages and support. Each member contributed to this expense, in propor- tion to his property, ascertained by the returns of taxation. The delinquents were reported to the assessors, and the sums due from each to his class was included in the next tax and demanded by the collector. By this strong measure, the men were procured in Feb- ruary, and mustered into service.
The inhabitants of Sutton, who seem to have been alike discon- tented at the passing or repeal of acts, in March, addressed letters to the towns, inviting a convention, to remonstrate against the re- solve of the Legislature, suspending the tender of the depreciated paper in payment of debts at the rate of 40 for 1. Three dele- gates from this town were elected. The assembly was small, and no important consequence followed from the meeting.
Although the line of the continental army had been filled by per- manent enlistments, troops were required for occasional service.
125
REQUISITIONS. CURRENCY.
1780.]
In June, a detachment of 500 men was ordered to march to Rhode Island, and Worcester granted £ 414, in hard money, for the pay- ment of its troops in the expedition. June 22, the town was re- quired to procure 13,980 pounds of beef, and appropriated £ 400 in gold and silver for that purpose. On the same day, another re- solve levied on the town 29 blankets, and 59 sets of articles of clo- thing. On the 30th, 23 men, for three months service were raised. The supplying of soldiers had become so difficult, that they were only procured by exorbitant bounties, and the most zealous exer- tions.1
In anticipation of an attack on New York, Gen. Washington asked for reenforcements, and one quarter part of the militia were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to move. The town voted to grant pay to them, should they march, in the same proportion with the regular troops.
The surrender of Cornwallis diffused general joy throughout the country, as the omen of a triumphant termination of the war. The event was commemorated here, on the 7th of November, by the usual festive observances of days of rejoicing. ' In consequence of this glorious intelligence,' says the Spy, with singular extravagance of expression, ' the morning was ushered in by ringing of bells, dis-
1 The amount of money raised by the inhabitants for the support of the war, was real- ly very great. The depreciation of the paper currency rendered the nominal amount of taxation excessive. The true value of grants and appropriations may be estimated by reference to the subjoined scale. The figures indicate the number of dollars, in conti- mental currency, equivalent to one hundred, in gold or silver. To April, 1780, the value was fixed as stated below, by the act of Massachusetts. From that date, it has been ascertained by taking the average depreciation through the month.
1777.
1778.
1779. 742
1780.
January,
105
325
February,
107
. 350
868
3322
March,
109
. 375
1000 3736
April,
112
400
1104
4000
May,
115
. 400
. 1215
5450
Junc,
120
4.00
1477
6900
August, .
150
425 450
1630
7000
September,
175
475
October,
275
500
1800 2030 2308
. 7200
November,
300
7250
December,
310
515 634
2595 7400 In 1781, one dollar of specie, was equal to 187 cents, in new emission bills, from Feb. 27 to May 1 : 225 to May 25 : 300 to June 15 : 400 to Oct. 1. Below these dates, the depreciation approached total worthlessness.
The whole expenses of the Revolutionary war to the States were, in paper money, $ 359,547,027 : estimated in specie, § 135,193,703.
. 1342 6650
July,
125
. 7100
2931
126
EXCISE ACT. [1782.
charging of cannon, displaying of colors, attended with the shouts of a grateful populace, and even Aurora advanced and unlocked the ruddy gates of the morning with a sympathetic smile.'
In January, 1782, the town expressed strong disapprobation of an act imposing duties on spirituous liquors, teas, and other articles of luxury. The instructions to the representative, reported by 'Timo- thy Paine, Esq. Nathan Baldwin, and Cornelius Stowell, illustrate the change of principles with times. The denunciations of tea in the votes, resolutions, and solemn covenants of 1774, had been for- gotten, and opinions of the value of spirits are expressed which have been demonstrated to be entirely unsound by the philanthropists of recent days.
' Whereas, the town, at a meeting held on the 21st day of Janua- ry, 1782, dissapproved of a late act of this commonwealth, laying an excise on wine, rum, wheel carriages, &c. and did then vote to in- struct Samuel Curtis, Esq. their representative, to use his utmost endeavors to have that act repealed :
'The town now, January 25, taking the matter again into con- sideration, do give the following reasons why said act ought to be repealed.
' 1. It is an indirect method of levying monies ; as those who de- fray those duties cannot know what sum they pay; which is contra- ry to the genius of a free government, which should equalize bur- dens.
' 2. It multiplies oaths, and subjects a great number of persons to be sworn, in matters wherein they are deeply interested : and, consequently, instead of suppressing. immorality, has a contrary tendency.
' 3. If it is necessary to lay duties for the support of government and the suppression of extravagance, such duties ought to be levied on such articles as are merely luxurious, and not on some of those mentioned in this act : spirituous liquors, being absolutely necessary for our seafaring brethren, coasting along our shores in boats and lighters, at all seasons of the year, to supply the markets with wood, lumber, and fish : also for the farmer, whose fatigue is almost un- supportable in haytime and harvest ; and for the beginners in bring- ing forward new townships where they have nothing to drink but water, and are, perhaps, exposed to more hardships than any other persons : nor on Bohea Tea, which, in populous towns, and in many places in the country, is substituted, by many poor persons, in the room
127
EXCISE ACT.
1782.]
of milk, which is not to be had, and they find it to be a cheap diet : nor on common chaises and other carriages, such as are kept in the country, for the necessary conveyance of families to meeting, &c : the use of them very often saves the keeping of a horse extraordina- ry, and enables the farmer to keep more cattle and sheep, which are more profitable ; and all carriages being manufactured among our- selves, laying a duty upon them has a tendency to discourage all those mechanics who are employed in making them.
' 4. The mode pointed out in the act, for collecting duties, is much more expensive than necessary, however small the commis- sions allowed the collector may appear : for if the collector can afford to ride into every town of the county for three per cent, the com- mon collector of taxes in each town can afford to collect the same in his own town for one per cent : and convey the money to the treasury with his other public money.
' 5. All consumers of spirituous liquors at taverns, will pay about eight times as much as the duties amount to : for it is well known, that the tavern keeper sells his mixed liquors for two pence more in a mug than before the excise was laid, when, in fact, the duties on each mug do not amount to more than a farthing.
' 6. All persons living upon the borders of this government, will purchase liquors for their own consumption of the neighboring gov- ernments, and thereby avoid paying any of said duties.
' 7. The act laying an excise upon tea, exempts all persons from paying a duty who buy at one time fifty pounds or more of Bohea tea, or twenty five pounds or more of other India tea, which appears to be calculated to lay a tax upon the poor and exempt the rich.
'S. The consumers of spirituous liquors are charged by the retail- er and tavern keeper with the whole of the excise, and they are obliged to pay it, when, at the same time, the seller is allowed ten per cent for leakage and waste, which, with three per cent allowed the collector, amounts to nearly thirteen per cent out of the duties in- tended to be raised by said act : as also a further allowance to be made to the seller for as much more as he shall see cause to swear that he may have lost by extraordinary leakage or other casualty.
' 9. There is no check upon the collector's accounts, nor any thing to prove that the whole money he shall collect is contained in the accounts he shall render to the Receiver General : when, by for- mer excise acts, the collector, when he received any duties, was obliged to give two receipts of the same tenor and date, one of which was to be lodged with the clerk of the Sessions, and the clerk was
128
WAR TERMINATED. [1782.
obliged to transmit the same or copies, to the Treasurer, in order to compare with the accounts of the Collector.
' Lastly. The act is attended with many difficulties, and has a di- rect tendency to embarrass and obstruct trade, and, it is the opin- ion of this town, if continued, it will create great uneasiness among the good people of this Commonwealth, and not answer the design of government in passing the same.
'The town clerk is, therefore, hereby directed, to furnish Samuel Curtis, Esq. our representative, with a copy of our vote of the 21st inst. and the foregoing reasons : and the said Samuel Curtis is di- rected to use his endeavors, not only to cause the said act to be re- pealed, but to prevent in future any excise or duty being laid upon the necessaries of life.'
The last requisition for men to join the army was in March, 1782, when 6 were drafted, for three years. 1
The minute recital we have followed seemed necessary, as the only means of giving adequate idea of those municipal exertions, whose merit has almost passed from remembrance, in the triumphant results they aided to accomplish.
The supplies, and expenditures of the towns, were charged to the commonwealth, and allowed by the United States. But, as they only went to discharge taxes and assessments, they were, in reality, uncompensated gratuities to the public.
Worcester furnished a large proportion of her male population to the army of the revolution. The exact numbers in service cannot be ascertained with certainty. If we include with the troops of the regular line, those called out for short periods of duty, the following may be considered as a correct statement of the numbers of men from Worcester in military service during seven years of war :
1 colonel, 2 lieutenant colonels, 2 majors, 7 captains, 10 lieuten- ants, 5 ensigns, 20 serjeants, and 389 privates.
A letter from the committee of correspondence of Boston, in rela- tion to the absentees and refugees, was received in May, and a committee 2 elected to express the sentiments of the town in reply.
1 Quota of Worcester county, 217 : Brookfield 12 : Sutton 12: Shrewsbury 9 : Lan- caster 7, (Sterling having been taken off) : Mendon 5, (Milford being set off). This and some earlier requisitions for men, clothing, and provisions, were apportioned, not on the basis of population, but property according to valuation : which explains the difference in relative proportions.
2 Levi Lincoln, William Stearns, Joseph Allen, David Bigelow, Isaiah Thomas, Jo- seph Wheeler, Jonathan Rice.
129
ROYALISTS.
1783.]
The following, selected from many votes reported to and accept- ed by the citizens, May 19, 1783, contains the substance of their doings.
' Voted, That this town consider every country, in times of inva- sion, as having equally a right to the assistance, personal services, and property of all its subjects, in opposing its assailants. That this country, more than eight years since, was invaded, and has been scourged by a war, which, for the purpose of reducing it to the servile subjection of foreign domination, has been, by sea and land, wasting, and by every species of barbarity, distressing its innocent inhabitants : a war that has desolated and burned whole towns, and rendered wretched and turned out thousands of virtuous Ameri- cans, destitute, despoiled, and unprovided for by the treaty of peace, which leaves them dependent on the gratitude and generosity of the country : a war promoted, encouraged, and invited by those, who, the moment the bloody banners were displayed, abandoned their native land, turned parricides, and conspired to involve their coun- try in tumult, rnin, and blood.
' Voted, That, in the opinion of this town, it would be extreme- ly dangerous to the peace, happiness, liberty, and safety of these states, to suffer persons of the above description to become the sub- jects of and reside in this government : that it would be not only dangerous, but inconsistent with justice, policy, our past laws, the public faith, and the principles of a free and independent state, to admit then ourselves, or have them forced upon us without our consent.
' Voted, That, in the opinion of this town, this commonwealth ought with the utmost caution, to naturalize, or in any other way admit as subjects, a common enemy, a set of people who have been by the united voice of the continent, declared outlaws, exiles, aliens, and enemies, dangerous to its political being and happiness.
' Voted, That while there are thousands of the innocent, peacea- ble and defenceless inhabitants of these states, whose property has been destroyed and taken from them in the course of the war, for whom no provision is made, to whom there is no restitution of estates, no compensation for losses, that it would be unreasonable, cruel, and unjust, to suffer those who were the wicked occasion of those losses, to obtain a restitution of the estates they refused to protect, and which they have abandoned and forfeited to their country.
' Voted, That it is the expectation of this town, and their earnest 17
130
INSURRECTION. [1782.
request of their committee of correspondence, inspection and safety, that they, with care and diligence, will observe the movements of our only remaining enemies : that until the further order of govern- ment, they will, with decision, spirit and firmness, endeavor to en- force and carry into execution, the several laws of this commonwealth respecting these enemies to our rights, and the rights of mankind : give information should they know of any obtruding themselves in- to any part of this state, suffer none to remain in this town, but cause to be confined immediately, for the purpose of transportation, accor- ding to law, any that may presume to enter it. '
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