USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Bernardston > History of the town of Bernardston, Franklin county, Massachusetts, 1736-1900, with genealogies > Part 5
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Petition for Town Government .- Up to this time the territory in- cluding Bernardston, Leyden and a part of Colrain had been known as " Fall Town." Now the question of incorporation arose and speedily found many adherents, the settlers feeling that if they were invested with the privileges arising from such a form of gov- ernment they would be materially benefited and taxes lightened. It had been found that the northern boundary of the township was an encroachment upon New Hampshire's territory (then including
38
PETITION FOR TOWN GOVERNMENT.
the present State of Verment), hence a belt a half mile in width had been surrendered to that State. Consequently the following peti- tion for incorporation and an additional grant was presented to the General Court December 16, 1761.
"To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq., Capt. General &c. To the Honorable his Majesties Council and House of Representatives .-
The Memorial of some of the proprietors of Fall town Humbly sheweth, that whereas the Proprietors of Fall town did in the year 1744 settle a Minister who was obliged to leave said town on account of ye War, and the said Proprietors did the last year settle another minister, which has been very heavy upon ye said proprietors your Memorialists therefore hum- bly pray that the Inhabitants of said Fall Town may be incorporated into a town by the name of Barnard and be invested with all the privileges of the rest of the Towns in this province and may be directed to raise their taxes and defray their charges as the rest of the towns do excepting a reasonable tax upon the unimproved lands for the present-and considering the large number of the proprietors in said Township, their great expense in settling two ministers, and a large tract of land falling into New Hampshire, your Memorialists humbly pray the proprietors of said Fall Town may have a tract of land granted to them to make them equal with other grantees of the government for service Done and Your petitioners shall as in duty bound ever pray &c.
Fall town Dec. 16, 1761.
EBENEZER SHELDON, JR. JOHN SEVERANCE. ELIJAH SHELDON. JOSEPH ALLEN. JOHN BURK. DANIEL DEXTER. JONATHAN ASHLEY. THOMAS WILLIAMS."
The Act for erecting the New Plantation called Fall Town, in the County of Hampshire, into a town by the name of Barnardstown was passed to be enacted in the House of Representatives and also in the Council on the fifth of March, 1762, and the next day March 6, it received the signature of Governor Bernard. Also a grant of 7544 acres was made, which land is now within the township of Florida, upon Hoosac Mountain.
Barnardstown now took its place beside other towns in the State and its first town meeting was called in the church on Tuesday,
39
TOWN ORGANIZATION.
May 11, 1762. Mr. Joseph Allen was chosen moderator. At an adjourned meeting, held 14 days later, these town officers were chosen:
Town Clerk, Maj. John Burk, (an office which he held 22 years.) Town Treasurer, Dea. Ebenezer Sheldon. Selectmen and Assessors, Maj. Burk, Moses Scott, Remembrance Sheldon. Constable, Aaron Field. Tithingman, Joseph Allen. Wardens, James Couch, Re- membrance Sheldon. Surveyors of highway, David Ryder, Moses Scott, Samuel Hastings. Deer reaves, James Tute, Samuel Hast- ings. Hog reaves, Moses Scott, John Foster. Joel Chapin. Fence viewers, (for which office it was customary to choose the tallest men), Samuel Cunnable, Joel Chapin. Sealer of weights and meas- ures, Sgt. John Severance.
At the second annual March meeting in 1763 the offices of sur- veyors of wheat, and of shingles and clapboards, were added with Joel Chapin, Lt. Sampson Howe, and I.t. Howe, with David Rider as the respective incumbents.
The next year a pound about 34 feet square was projected, but of its proposed location, or as to whether it was really built, there is nothing to determine. Upon it was to be expended 12 days' work and as much team work as was necessary.
A commendable order was at this time passed ensuring the pres- ervation of all trees bordering the roads, and as we enjoy the many beautiful drives about our place ought we not to hold in grateful remembrance these many wise acts of our forefathers? Truly their deeds live after them !
In 1762 the townspeople petitioned the Legislature for relief from the Province tax. In the petition `they give as reasons that the whole of the land under improvement was but 34 acres. Of the 20 years which had elapsed since the first settlements were made, 12 had been spent in warfare. The war began in 1744, when there were but 17 families in town, and proved very disastrous. May 6, 1746, Burk's Fort was attacked by a large party of Indians, there being but three soldiers within the fort at the time. They successfully defended it, however, till a man some 40 rods distant suceeded in giving the alarm to one farther away. The Indians seeing that their presence was discovered, quickly withdrew, leav-
40
COMMISSIONS OF JOHN BURK.
ing two of their number mortally wounded. Maj. Burk was also slightly wounded near his shoulder blade. In 1747 Dea. Sheldon's house was burned, while at Lt. Sheldon's Fort, Eliakim, son of Lt. Sheldon, was shot by the Indians, 10 cattle were killed and all save two families fled the place.
This petition portrays most vividly the hardships our progenitors experienced, about which we in our peaceful homes can hardly form an adequate idea. In 1764 it was voted that Maj. John Burk should represent the town in the General Court, and he accordingly went as Bernardston's first representative.
John Burk's Commissions .- Bernardston did well to thus honor one of her founders and one who had always done so much for her protection. He probably did "more for the improvement of the town and for advancing its reputation than any other man. He went through all the regular grades of military offices, from that of corporal to that of major. And let it be remembered a military title in those days was a mark of superiority." His first commis- sion was as follows:
" Province of the Massachusetts Bay. (Seal.)
William Shirley Esq .-
Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of the Massachu- setts Bay in New England &c.
To John Burk-Gentleman-Greeting:
By Virtue of the Power and Authority in and by His Majesty's Royal Commission to Me granted to be Captain General &c. over this His Majes- ty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, aforesaid I do, (by these presents) reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct, constitute and appoint You the said John Burk-to be Ensign of a Company of Volunteers for his Majesty's Service for the Defence of the Western Frontiers under the command of Capt. Phineas Stevans to be posted at the Fort called Number Four. *
You are therefore carefully and diligently to Discharge the Duty of an Ensign. * * * in leading, Ordering and exercising said Company in Arms, both inferior officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good order and Discipline; here- by commanding them to obey you as their Ensign -- and yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from time
41
HOBB'S FIGHT.
to time receive from Me as the Commander in Chief for the time being, or rather, your Superior Officers for His Majesty's Service, according to Mil- itary Rules and Discipline, Pursuant to the Trust reposed in you.
Given under My Hand and Seal at Arms at Boston, the first Day of March - In the twenty first Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Second, Anno; Domini 1747.
W. SHIRLEY.
By His Excellency's
Command.
J. Willard, Secr'y."
In 1748, Major Burk participated in what is known as " Hobb's fight," a severe skirmish which occurred on Sunday, June 26, be- tween the Indians and a scouting party of about thirty under com- mand of Capt. Melven. This contest took place some 35 miles from Fort Dummer, up West River, (Vt.) and lasted several hours, "man to man as it were-each one relying upon his personal skill to hide himself behind trees and logs, and to kill the Indians, who were finally compelled to retreat." There were three men killed and four wounded. Zebulon Allen of Bernardston was also in this affray, at that time holding the office of Sergeant.
His second commission appointed him "an Ensign in the fort Company in Fall Town under the Command & Ebenezer Shel- don Jun. is Lieutenant in the northern Regiment of Militia in the County of Hampshire whereof Israel Williams Esq., is Colonel," and is dated Aug. 14, 1754, signed by W. Shirley, Governor.
His third commission, dated the 10th of the next September ap- pointed him " Ensign of the forces raised and posted at Greenfield and Fall Town in the Regiment of Militia under the Command of Col. Israel Williams."
March 29, 1755, he was commissioned as "Capt; Lieutenant of a company of foot under the command of Col. Ephraim Williams be- ing part of the forces raised within the Province for the defence and protection of his Majesties territories from the encroachments of the French at Crown Point and upon the Lake Iroquois - com- monly called by the French, Lake Champlain - and for removing the encroachments already made thereof which forces Col. Wil- liams is Commander in Chief."
It was during his service in this campaign that he wrote the let-
42
EXTRACTS FROM JOHN BURK'S DIARY.
ter already given. From his diary is extracted the following, which will still further show the demands made upon soldiers at this time :
JOHN BURK'S DIARY.
" Thursday, 31st. (1755) I was ordered up the river with about 30 men to see what I could discover, but saw nothing. Tarried still at Saratoga. Our men went out to Saratoga Fort and dug out of the earth 1114 cannon ball. The men, about 300, went up the river to make the road. I tarried in the camp.
Friday, Aug. Ist. The army all moved to the second falls above Saratoga, 4 miles. We drew the Batteaux up the first falls, load and all; it was fatigu- ing, but the men worked like lions, some to the neck in water. We had about 180 batteaux. This day the men had half a pint of rum more than the allowance.
Saturday, 2nd. We tarried at the falls and got our batteaux in the river. The Dutch came up with 32 wagons, carried all our provisions by, and some tents. Our guard that went up the river to make ready, saw. 4 or 5 Indians.
Sunday, 3rd. We moved to carrying place, Col. Lydies' house, about 45 miles from Albany. It rained hard this night: some provisions got wet.
Monday, 4th. I was ordered to attend the court, which adjourned to this day. It was adjourned again to Friday next in the afternoon. I was or- dered with 5 men to scout round the camps, but made no discovery.
Tuesday, 5th. I was ordered to take 9 men and go to the Lake Sacra- ment. Lieut, May, Ensign Stratton and Ensign Stevens went to make the number. As we marched we saw 3 deer, I bear, and an old mare and a wolf, which was at the lake. "We came a little back from the lake and camped.
Wednesday, 6th. We returned to our camps, brought in an old mare, picked some huckleberries, brought some to General Lyman. Made no discovery; got back by 3 o'clock. This day the man confined for sodomy was whipped 100 stripes and drummed out of the company.
Thursday, 7th. I tarried in the camps. The men got timber for a store house and bark to cover it, &c. A scout was sent to the drowned land, at the place called by the Dutch Ziahorter.
Friday, 8th. Tarried at the camp; help about the fort. Captain Patter- son set out for Wood Creek with 30 men. He was ordered to go to the mouth of the creek.
Saturday, 9th. I tarried at the camps; worked at drawing lumber, &c. The scout that went for the drowned land returned, but did not find it.
43
EXTRACTS FROM JOHN BURK'S DIARY.
Sunday, 10th. We work at forting our company; set up 15 foot of stock- ades. Mr. Williams preached two sermons. The scout returned from Wood Creek; they saw signs of Indians, viz. a piece of bread stuck up in the path. Maj. Hoar and Lieut. Nixson set out for Albany.
Monday, 11th. I help get some timber. I tarried at the camps. A scout set out for Crown Point, another for the South Bay, and another for Lake Sacrament. The two last returned. 'They reported that they saw Indians, but upon examination it was their own men. Some men went to Saratoga, to kill some Dutch cattle.
Tuesday, 12th. I tarried at the camp and help get timber. Some went to clear roads. The men that went to Saratoga returned, brought some beef, and brought news that the rest of the army was coming near by.
Wednesday, 13th. I tarried at the camps; went over on the island after- noon to get gate timber. General Lyman had an express from Gov. Fitch, and some newspapers which gave an account of the death of Gen. Brad- dock, and that the army was defeated.
Thursday, 14th. Gen. Johnson, Col. Titcom, and Col. Williams, with a great number of forces, came to the carrying place, with some Indians and 20 cannon, 2 of which were thirty-two pounders, and a great many wagons. The general was waited upon with a number of men, and on his arrival saluted by the officers and the discharge of field pieces. Connecticut boys and Rhode Island all came.
Friday, 15th. A council was held; it was determined to send for more men to join us at our head quarters. Little or no work done this day. . A scout from Crown Point returned; no news.
Saturday, 16th. I tarried at the camps; did little or nothing. A scout came from Fort Massachusetts. I heard from home.
Sunday, 17th. I was ordered by Gen. Johnson to scout, with 11 men and 7 indians, to the Lake Sacrament. Capt. Passore, bound for the So. Bay, with 30 or 40 white men and 6 Indians, marched 4 miles with us, and turned off. I marched 10 miles. Connecticut and New York forces ar- rived with women; a man was drowned.
Monday, 18th. We marched to the Lake; made no discovery of an enemy. Six of the Indians went farther westward. We sat out from the lake at one o'clock, and got home before dark.
Tuesday, 19th. Tarried in the camps; did nothing. A general Court martial was held. Gen. Lyman, Cols. Ruggels, Williams, Goodrich, were ordered to be ready to meet at all hours.
44
EXTRACTS FROM JOHN BURK'S DIARY.
Wednesday, 20th. Tarried at the camps. A general court martial was held in trial of Lieut. Noble and others. Capt. Ayres began to dig a trench. A great number was employed at digging.
Thursday 21st. Tarried in camp. Saw Nelly and Polly, in great taking for the women, -were all ordered away. Five Indians of the Six Nations came from Canada. General court martial. About 120 men employed digging in the trenches. The Indians brought news from Canada, that 17 ships were at Quebec, 600 regulars; that 8000 were expected at Crown Point, 300 out.
Friday, 22nd. I tarried at the camp. A council sat; determined to go by Lake Sacrament. I sent a letter to my wife. Trenching yet, sawing boards.
Saturday, 23rd. Four hundred men were ordered to go upon the road; I went pilot. Cleared 6 miles. The women were sent to Albany. When they went off there was a great huzza. Trenching and sawing with whip- . saw yet.
Sunday, 24th. I was not well; I had a bad cold. Kept in the tent all day. Mr. Williams preached two sermons. A number of men went upon the road. Some Indians came to us; informed of more coming. Lieut. Noble read his acknowledgment before the assembly.
Monday, 25th. I tarried at home in the camps. A scout sent to Fort Massachusetts, -Serg. Avery, who was one ordered to Deerfield. I wrote to my wife. Trenching and sawing and making a powder house. All go- ing forward briskly.
Tuesday, 26th. Gen. Johnson, Cols. Ruggels, Williams, Goodrich's regi- ments, and some Rhode Island and york forces, about 1500 men and 200 wagons, marched forward for Lake Sacrament. March 6 miles and camped.
Wednesday, 27th. We all marched 4 miles and camped. We had some clearing and large causeways to make this day.
Thursday, 28th. We cleared the road 10 miles; got to the lake. The men worked very hard this day. One of the men found a gun and Indian pack.
Friday, 29th. Went to clearing by the lake, making a causeway, &c. The wagons returned for more stores. About 20 Indians came to us.
Saturday, 30th. I was made captain of the guard. Hendrick, with about 170 Indians, came to us, they were saluted with a round of guns, and the men all drew up to receive them. The clearing went off briskly. One man killed, I taken, 3 escaped. They were keeping cattle at the great carrying place.
45
EXTRACTS FROM JOHN BURK'S DIARY.
Sunday, 31st. A number of wagons and cannon came up, guarded by the Rhode Islanders and Yorkers. Clearing carried on still. At night the In- dians had a great dance.
Monday, Sept. Ist. Capt. Porter, with some Indians marched to the So. Bay to intercept the enemy that did some mischief. Some canoes were seen by our Indians up the lake. I tarried by the camp and cleared for tenting. Alarm at night; a sentry shot at a horse.
Tuesday, 2nd. Capt. Porter and men returned. The Indians marched forward. Five Indians that went out five days ago, that went to the carry- ing place at the north end of lake, saw 15 of the enemy. Could not come to speech. Our scout returned from Fort Massachusetts. I tarried at the camps. Moved our tents.
Wednesday, 3rd. Gen. Lyman, Col. Titcomb, Col. Gilbert came to us at Lake George. Some Indians came and joined us. It is said that they came 1100 miles. I tarried the camps. 3 Indians went a scalping to Crown Point.
Thursday, 4th. I was ordered to go up the lake with Capt. Stoddard and Capt. Ingersoll, and 3 other white men to carry 3 Indians, who were going to Lake West, and we sailed 15 miles. Landed the Indians; returned by II at night. Began to build a fort.
Friday, 5th. I was very bad with a cold; tarried at the camps. No news this day.
Saturday, 6th. I went to get a cask out of the store-house, &c. Heard that eight or nine of the sick were dead at the other forts. Batteaux, stores, daily coming up. Fort building, scows making.
Sunday, 7th. A scout of Indians came in who have been to Crown Point, and inform us that they saw as they returned the signs of a large army marching south in 3 files; designed as they suppose, for our fort, at great carrying place. A man who was thought to have deserted was found dead at the other fort; killed by the fall of a tree it is supposed.
Monday, 8th. Col. Williams was sent out with 1000 men in search of the enemy; determined to march toward the south bay. They marched so in the road 3 miles, when they were waylaid by the enemy and fired upon. The enemy having the advantage of the ground, obliged our men to retreat to the camps; killed and wounded a great many by the way. The enemy made a very smart attack upon the camps, but we stood ground and drove them back. Took the general and aid.de-camp, and about 25 prisoners. New Hampshire and york men at the other fort, at the carry-
46 .
FIFTH AND SIXTH COMMISSION OF JOHN BURK.
ing place, heard the great guns, came up and met the enemy stripping our dead; drove them from the ground and took 2 prisoners. They fought them three hours, and we fought them from between 10 and 11 till between 6 and 7 afternoon. No such battle before in North America.
Tuesday, 9th. About 300 we sent out to bury the dead. I went with them. The men forward took a start, ran back; were stopped by the offi- cers. Found it too late to do the business. Returned to the camps, brought one wounded man of ours, a great deal of plunder, &c.
Wednesday, 10th. We went out again, buried 136 dead of ours, and some French. Brought in a great deal of plunder and French provisions, and one of our wounded, a scout from the other fort and from Hoosuck, Capt. Wyman. I sent a letter to my wife. All a-fortifying at the camps. Col. Willard, Capt. Symers, came up with a number of wagons with provi- sions, &c. The wagoners went back, the Indians went off home. A great number of men went plundering; found a great deal. Buried 4 more of our men."
Major Burk was also present at the surrender of Fort William Henry, August 10, 1757, escaping from that massacre clad only in his " deer skin breeches and his watch," while his reported losses included 328£ 8s. continental currency, (or about $50), and a "To- bacco box, I pound."
His fifth commission appointed him "Lieutenant of the Forces posted at Fall Town, Colrain, Charlemont, Northfield, Greenfield, Hunts Town, Pontoosuck and Stockbridge under Israel Williams, Esq, (who has the Chief Command of the Forces in the Western Frontier.") This paper was dated June 5th, 1758, and was signed by T. Pownall, Governor, and Thos. Clark, Depty. Secy.
His next commission appointed him "Captain of a Company in a Regiment of Foot whereof Brigadeer General Timothy Ruggles is Colonel, raised by me to be employed in his Majesties Service the ensuing Campaign," dated March 31st, 1759. His seventh com- mission appointing him Major is as follows :
"Province of the
Massachusetts Bay. Seal.
Thomas Pownall Esq. Captain General and Governor in Chief, in and of His Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England and Vice Admiral of the Same &c.
47
COMMISSION OF MAJOR BURK.
To John. Burk Esq. Greeting.
By Virtue of the Power and Authority in and by His Majesty's Royal Commission to Me granted to be Captain General &c. over this His Majes- ty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay aforesaid I do by these Presents (reposing especial Trust and Confidence in Your Loyalty, courage and good conduct) constitute and appoint You the said John Burk to be Major of the First Batallion of a Regiment whereof Timothy Ruggles Esq. is Colonel.
You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Major in leading ordering and exercising said Regiment in Arms both in- ferior Officers and Soldiers and to keep them in good order and Discipline and they are hereby Commanded to obey you as their Major and you are yourself to observe and follow Such Orders and Instructions as you Shall from time to time recieve from the General and commander in Chief of His Majesties Forces in North America I your Colonel or rather your Superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War in pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Boston the day of February In the thirty third Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Second, Anno. Domini, 1760.
T. POWNALL.
By His Excellency's
Command.
A. Olliver, Sec."
The original of the first, fifth, sixth and seventh commissions are in the possession of the "Cushman Library" at Bernardston and the others were presented by Gov. Cushman to the American Anti- quarian Society at Worcester, Mass.
Such is the military record of Major John Burk prior to the Rev- olution. In that crisis he was " ever a firm and unwavering friend of his country, and by his influence did much in our glorious strug- gle for liberty. * He was a man of a sound, discriminating mind, of good education for the times, -a judicious politician - a practical christian - one of the pillars of the church, and a man much beloved in private life. In short, as a man, as a soldier, as a statesman, and as a Christian he was eminent. And what higher eulogium can be pronounced upon any man ?"
CHAPTER IV.
ROADS-VOTES RELATIVE TO ROADS AND BRIDGES-BRIDGES-MILLS -TAVERNS - STAGES-RAILROAD - INDUSTRIES - SHOE-SHOPS - SNATH-SHOPS - LIME-QUARRIES - BLACKSMITHS-STONE-WORK - ROPE-WORK - TAILORS - HARNESS-MAKING- DISTILLERIES -CUT- LERY-STORES.
Highways .- As in all places settled during the colonial period, so here the first roads were little more than mere bridle paths through the forest. The proprietors, when they came, were upon the very frontiers of civilization, and of necessity their attention centered upon their homes and the means of subsistence. Later more time was given to the consideration of other matters, hence, after a few years, we find mention made in the records of their annual meet- ings, of their roadways.
In the early settlement of the place, the inhabitants were located principally upon the river, north from the present iron bridge, north-east onto Huckle Hill, east to the Lt. Sheldon Fort, later known as the " Purple Place." Why the Hill should have been chosen as a site for the Meeting House, or seemed especially desir- able for a home location, it might, perhaps, seem difficult to under- stand, unless because a path from Greenfield, or Deerfield, as the territory was then called, was here laid out. A retrospective glance toward the colonial history of most towns in Massachusetts suggests striking similarities, showing that very often upon the highest ground were the first buildings erected. This may be tracable to two causes; protection from the dampness of the more marshy lowlands, and a greater degree of security from the Indians. Upon the river, the superiority of the land and its ready adaptability to their needs, doubtless had its influence. Therefore we find that the earliest roads were in these sections of the town, seemingly following no prescribed plan other than to pass by the dwellings of the inhabitants.
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