USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Brookline > History of the town of Brookline, Massachusetts > Part 13
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GRIDLEY-HULTON HOUSE, WALNUT AND WARREN STREETS (1740-1886) Residence of Jeremy Gridley and of Henry Hulton, king's tax commissioner
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The relator of all these experiences asserted that though her brother was in danger, it was not because he was personally disliked, but merely because he was hated in his official capac- ity. When at last he and his family found it safe to land in Boston, they discovered that no patriot owning a suitable house there would rent it to them, and Henry Hulton was obliged to buy a country place several miles out - as it hap- pened, at 'Brooklyne near Boston.' I
THE HULTONS IN BROOKLINE
Here he introduced a number of horticultural innovations to New England. At a time when little attention was given to the raising of cabbages and other common green vegetables, and, according to Anne Hulton, 'All Greens & roots are calld by the name of Sause,' the Commissioner erected a green- house. There he raised fine celery, planned to try artichokes and broccoli, and started early plants for his garden. He set out what was reckoned the finest orchard in the province, and in other ways proceeded on the apparent assumption that he might spend the rest of his days there.
But some of the colonists were most inhospitable. It should be said for the people of Brookline that they appear to have been neighborly and well-behaved toward the Hultons, whether they were in sympathy with the loyalist group or not. Thus, when a mob threatened the Commissioner's home one night, Brookline neighbors were ready to help the victim get to the bottom of the plot. Anne's account of the affair is far too vivid and dramatic to be summed up in other words.
Between 12 & I o'Clock [on the night of June 19, 1770] he was wake'd by a knocking at the Door, he got up, en- quired the person's name and business, who said he had a letter to deliver to him, wch came Express from New York. My Bro' puts on his Cloaths, takes his drawn Sword in one hand, & open'd the Parlor window wth the other. The Man ask'd for a Lodging - said he, I'll not open my door, but give me the letter. The man then put his hand, attempt- ing to push up the window, upon wch my Bror hastily clap'd it down, instantly wth a bludgeon several violent blows were
I The location may be found on the map on the end-papers of this volume.
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struck wch broke the Sash, Glass & frame to pieces. The first blow aimed at my Bror Head, he Providentially escaped, by its resting on the middle frame, being double, at same time (tho' before then, no noise or appearance of more Per- sons than one) the lower windows, all round the House (ex- cepting two) were broke in like manner. My Bror stood in amazement for a Mint or 2, & having no doubt that a num- ber of Men had broke in on several sides of the House, he retired Upstairs.
You will believe the whole Family was soon alarm'd, but the horrible Noises from without, & the terrible shrieks within the House from Mrs. H: & Servants wch struck my Ears on awaking, I can't describe, & shall never forget.
I cou'd imagine nothing less than that the House was beating down, after many violent blows on the Walls & windows, most hideous Shouting, dreadful imprecations, & threats ensued. Struck with terror & astonishment, what to do I knew not, but got on some Cloaths, & went to Mrs H: room, where I found the Family collected, a Stone thrown in at her window narrowly missd her head. When the Ruf- fians were retreating with loud huzza's & one cry'd he will fire, - no says another, he darn't fire, we will come again says a third - Mr and Mrs H: left their House immediately & have not lodged a night since in it.
The next day we were looking up all the Pockit Pistols in the house some of wch were put by, that nobody could find 'em & ignorant of any being charged, Kitty was very near shooting her Mistress, inadvertently lets it off. the bullets miss'd her within an inch & fixed in a Chest of Drawers. here was another miraculous escape, so that we have reason to be thankful, we are all safe & well, tho' truly Prisoners in a Castle, the old place of refuge.
THE POWER OF PUBLIC OPINION
Some Brookline friends told Mr. Hulton that they had been out fishing that night, and had met a gang of suspicious char- acters on the road, who inquired the way to his home. A little investigation seems to have been leading in the right direction, when those who would have helped Mr. Hulton were convincingly warned that discretion would be the wiser course. Efforts to identify the guilty ones were thereupon dropped.
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Meanwhile the report was freely circulated that the victim had arranged the attack himself, either because he was desir- ous of being called back to England, or for some other reason. In another letter his sister wrote:
It may seem strange, but I believe its very true, that the Sunday after my Bror was attackd in his own House, wth an ap- parent design upon his Life, after we were gone to the Castle - Dr Ch-cy preached a Sermon on that occasion & told his people plainly out of the Pulpit, that the Commiss" broke his own windows, to cast an odium on the Country & the next day this Rev Dr went all about, impress& this opinion on the People, & however ridiculous it may seem, it was actually believed by two thirds of the People in Boston, Untill those of our Township of their own accord, exerted 'emselves to bring the matter to light, [and brought] Several Evidences before a Justice of Peace, who swore to meeting the Villains disguised upon the Road & that they enquired the way to M' H: house, nay the Evidences went so far as naming particular persons upon which they were Stop'd & privately threatened that if they proceeded further in Infor- mation they sho'd suffer, so there the enquiry ended.
Another version of the affair was simply that some Brook- fine boys stoned Hulton's windows. In any event, there was little fun in the life of a Commissioner of Customs in those days, even when one owned a flourishing farm in the charming vil- lage of Brookline. Henry Hulton was undoubtedly a man of business ability and of the highest integrity, and one gathers that he was probably also an interesting and stimulating com- panion - altogether a very worthy and satisfactory sort of per- son. But he had been sent to collect some taxes which the people had determined not to pay; he symbolized a cause of revolt, and for his conscientious devotion to duty he sacrificed his domestic security, his comfortable Brookline home, and almost his life.
DISTANT THUNDERS IN THE TOWN MEETING
Perhaps the simplest description of a town meeting would be to say that it is an assembly of citizens whose purpose is to talk over current events in the community and do something
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about them. Such a meeting must reflect the conversation of domestic fireside, crossroads, and tavern. Its records will provide, too, a graphic picture of the economic conditions prevailing from year to year, through the reports on sums to be raised for various purposes, and on the difficulties of tax collections.
At this place we are concerned with two principal aspects of the meetings: their resolutions with respect to tax matters and means of co-operation with other towns in resisting objec- tionable taxes; and the inflation of the colonial currency as reflected in increasing bounties for enlistments, and in special appropriations for the minister. One might with intimate study and some excusable deduction, draw from the records of the Brookline town meeting alone a fairly comprehensive picture of the social and economic aspects of the Revolution, though the military story would be meager.
In these unpromising pages one may view that war as the average citizen of the times viewed it. Here is the first-hand account of a growing consciousness of oppression and of the steps, one by one, which a resentful citizenry felt were neces- sary to oppose it.
As early as December 17, 1767, the meeting unanimously 'Voted, That the town should take all prudent, and legal measures ... to discourage the use of European superfluities.' These included, particularly, glass and tea which were subject to an English tax.
Under the date of September 14, 1768, the selectmen of Boston sent out a circular letter reciting 'the melancholly and very alarming Circumstances to which this Province, as well as AMERICA in general, is now reduced.' Taxation without representation was the burden of the complaint, along with the futility of petitions for redress, and the threat of the send- ing out of British soldiery.
The Design of these Troops [the letter continued] is in everyone's Apprehension nothing short of Enforcing by mil- itary Power the Execution of Acts of Parliament in the forming of which the Colonies have not, and cannot have any constitutional Influence. This is one of the greatest Distresses to which a free People can be reduced ....
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Deprived of the Councils of a General Assembly in this dark and difficult Session, the loyal people of this Province, will, we are persuaded, immediately perceive the Propriety and Utility of the proposed Committee of Convention: And the sound and wholesome Advice that may be expected from a Number of Gentlemen chosen by themselves, and in whom they may Repose the greatest Confidence, must tend to the real Service of our Gracious Sovereign; and the Welfare of his Subjects in this Province; and may happily prevent any sudden and unconnected Measures, which in their present Anxiety, and even Agony of Mind, they may be in Danger of falling into.
This communication, wherein so much may be read be- tween the lines, proposed a meeting in Boston on Septem- ber 22. The inhabitants of Brookline assembled on Sep- tember 21 solely to deal with the matter, and 'Voted To Choose a Committee man to Joine the Committee from the Several Towns at Faneuil Hall.' They also 'Voted that Capt. Benjam. White be the Committee man,' and thereupon adjourned.
The 'Committee of Convention' which met the next day was the practical result of Governor Bernard's refusal to con- vene the General Court. It was sought to make the convention resemble as closely as possible a regular meeting of the Gen- eral Court, and many towns chose as delegates their regular representatives.
Accomplishments of the convention, however, were neg- ligible. It composed two petitions to the Governor to call the Assembly, wrote a letter to the colony's agent in England, and prepared a set of resolutions.
SERIOUS REMONSTRANCE
The town meeting of December 11, 1772, chose a com- mittee 'to take under Consideration, the Violations & In- fringements of the Rights of the Colonists & of this Province in particular; and make Report at the Adjournment of Said Meeting.' To these duties of the committee, which was made a standing committee, were added the obligations of com- munication and correspondence 'with the Town of Boston & any other Towns on the Subject of our Present Difficulties.'
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Already there was enough concern to make frequent town meetings desirable, and adjournments were not, as usually, without a day. The one just mentioned set December 28 for its reassembly, and then passed unanimously a resolution of the highest importance, based upon the report of the com- mittee previously appointed. The town:
It. Voted that the Rights of the Colonists, and this Prov- ince in particular as men as Chrystians, & as Subjects, as Set forth in the Said Votes and Proceedings of the Town of Boston, are in the Opinion of this Town well Stated and appear to be founded on ye Laus of Nature Divine Revela- tion, the British Constitution, and the Charter of this Province
2d. Voted that the Infringement & Violation of those Rights, as also Set forth therein are in the Opinion of this Town great Grievances which this People have for years past been burdened with, and for the Redress of which Petitions & Remonstrances have been made but hitherto in Vain
3d. Voted The Raising a Revennue within this Province by an assumed Power in the Brittishe House of Commons, to give and grant our Money without our Consent & appro- priating the Money so Raised for the Support of the Govern- ment of the Province and the Payment of the Charges of the Administration of Justice therein so repugnant to the first Principles of a free Constitution and the obvious mean- ing & Spirit of the Royal Charter of this Province
4th. Voted that an Establishment for the Support of the Governor of the Province, and the Judges of the Superior Court, &c. (if the latter be already made as we have Just reason to apprehend) to be paid out the Monies raised as aforesaid, independent of the free Gifts and Grants of the Commons of this Province are in the Opinion of this Town leading and alarming Steps towards rendering the whole executive Power independent, of the People, and setting up an despotic Government in the Province.
5th. Voted that the Representative of this Town be and hereby is instructed to exert his utmost Powers and Abilities in the General Assembly with constant Perseverance in pro- moting such Measures there as will [tend] speedily and effect- ually to Remove these and other intolerable Grievances enumerated in the aforesaid Votes and Proceedings of the Town of Boston
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6th. Voted that the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Boston in thus clearly stating our Rights, and hold- ing up so many of our Grievances in one View, have done an acceptable Service to this Town and Province and that the sincere & hearty Thanks of this Town be hereby given to them therefore
7th. Voted, that there be Committee now Chosen to Write to the Committee of Correspondence in Boston and commu- nicate to them a true attested Copy of the foregoing Votes, and also further correspond with said Committee of Boston or any other Town if they shall think it needful.
AGAINST 'DESPOTICK MEASURES'
Of the committee thus instructed, in whose hands rested the expression of Brookline's revolutionary spirit and devo- tion to the general cause, were William Hyslop, Isaac Gardner, Deacon Ebenezer Davis, Captain John White, Isaac Child, John Goddard, and John Harris.
This group acted with little delay. As soon as they had had an opportunity to meet and discuss their responsibilities, they framed this letter to 'the Committee of Communication & Correspondence at Boston.'
Brooklyn January 4, 1773
Gentlemen,
The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of this Town at a meeting Legally assembled upon the 28th of Decem'r last by adjournment, having duly considered a Letter from the Town of Boston, directed to the Select Men of this Town, accompanied with a State of the Rights of the Colonies, and of this Province in particular, as also a List of the Infringe- ments of their Rights to be communicated to this Town, take this Opportunity to Return you our hearty and unfeigned Thanks which was Voted by said Town; for the early Care that you took in clearly and Truly Stating our Rights and Priviledges and making manifest the many and glaring Vio- lations and Infringements there of, which if not speedily prevented must inevitably ruin the Constitution of this Province as Settled by the Charter granted by King William and Queen Mary of glorious Memory, and also that this Town think themselves happy in being always ready to add their Mite to wards with-Standing any arbitrary despotick
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Measures that are or may be carried on to overthrow the Constitution and deprive us of all our invaluable Rights and Priviledges which are & ought to be as dear or dearer than Life it selfe.
We have inclosed you a Copy of the Votes and Proceed- ings of the Town so far as we have gone. May he that ruleth in the Kingdom of Men direct all our Counsels, & grant Success to all our Lawful Endeavors, that are or may be taken for the Preservation of the civil & religious Rights & Priviledges, of the Colonies & of this Province in particular. So as that we the Children of so worthy Progenitors may be enabled to transmit to our Children those invaluable Rights & Priviledges, as we had them transmitted to us. they were many times in Trouble on various Accounts, and in their affliction they cryed to God, and he delivered them; and if we their Children follow their Example, may depend upon the same Success they had: which God grant may be the Case with us in our Present Difficulties
We wish all Prosperity to the Town of Boston and may unerring Wisdom direct all her Consultations and Counsels. We are with great Respect, Gentlemen,
Your Friends and Servants, In the common Cause of our Country,
William Hyslop per Order
Attest Isaac Gardner Town Cler.
Here was a splendid spirit of vigorous co-operation. Here was courageous devotion to an instinctively recognized com- mon cause. Here, perhaps most significant of all, were the words: 'the common Cause of our Country.' In 'our Country' is a consciousness that did not come to unquestioningly loyal colonials in 1773. When the people of Brookline, in town meeting assembled, expressed the views that made it possible for their committee of correspondence to write of 'our Coun- try,' they were pregnant with the public consciousness of a new nation to be born.
But not all the signs and portents were expressed in these resolves, and this correspondence. The wind of revolution was freshening, and there were abundant straws to indicate its direction - significant, however, only if there were those capable of observing the straws, and interested in the direction of the wind.
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A SYMBOL OF GRIEVANCE
The meeting of November 26, 1773, added to the now established committee of correspondence, 'Four other gentle- men Viz. Major Wm. Thompson Capt. Elisha Gardner, Capt. Thos. Aspinwall & Lieut. John Heath,' who were 'desired to git all the Intelligence from the Committee of Corrispondence of the Town of Boston Respecting the Landing & Sale of the East India Company's Tea and make Report to the Town at the Adjournment.'
This was a more than normally protracted meeting, for interest must have been at the flood. In fact it was a three- days' meeting; and the principal purpose of its coming to- gether was 'To consider what was propper for this Town to do, relative to the large Quantitys of Tea belonging to the India Company, hourly expected to arrive in this Province, Subject to any American Duty.'
Tea had become a symbol, more than an actual grievance. With the repeal of the Townshend Act in 1770, Boston mer- chants had at first voted to adhere to their sweeping non- importation agreement so long as even the tax on tea was re- tained, but less than six months later they reversed their de- cision. Many were facing business ruin, and their basic patri- otism was even questioned by citizens who struggled with the rising cost of living.
There was a demand for English goods, and there were profits to be made in handling those that were untaxed. The merchants had won a virtually complete victory, and the tax on tea was so minor a matter that they felt they could overlook it, rather than see their commerce destroyed.
But there was a vigorous political agitation afoot. Samuel Adams and his radical followers were unrelenting in their efforts, and with the passage of the Tea Act of 1773 they seized upon it as a prime grievance. Now this act, which had been passed to aid the all but bankrupt East India Company, im- posed no new duty that had not been paid throughout the years after non-importation was given up. It therefore was not an attempt by Parliament to prove its right to tax the col- onies. Nor did it increase the cost of tea to the consumer, but ,rather cut it in half by the elimination of middlemen. The
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act really hurt only the merchants, who resented it as an unfair monopoly.
Fiery oratory inflamed patriotic meetings, however, and it was freely urged that the tea must not be permitted to land, and that none should be imported until the offensive act was repealed. Here, at last, was a symbol which might be used to unite the radical patriots and the conservative merchant class. Propaganda spread rapidly throughout the Province, and effected the expression of a remarkably unanimous opinion.
THE 'TEA SCHEEM'
Any Tory who might have been present at the Brookline town meeting of November 26-29, 1773, must have known that some rascality would soon be afoot. Consider the reso- lutions:
It. The Town came unanimously into the following Re- solves Viz. That the Act of the British Parliament imposing a Duty on Tea, payable in America, for the Express pur- pose of raising a Revenue, is unconstitutional, has a direct Tendency to bring the Americans into Slavery, and is there- fore an Intolerable Grievance
2ly. That this Grievance which has been so Justly com- plained of by the Americans, so far from being redressed, is greatly aggravated by another Act, passed in the last Ses- sions of Parliament for Benifit and Relief of the India Com- pany, permitting them to Export their Teas to America or Forring Parts, free of all custom and Dutyes usually paid in Great Britian, but Subject to the Duty payable in America; thus have the Parliament discovered the most glaring Par- tiality in making one & the Same Act to operrate for the Ease & Convenience of a Few of the most opulent Subjects in Britian, on the one hand, and for the Oppressions of Millions of Freeborn & moast loyal Inhabitants of America, on the other.
3ly. That the last mentioned Act, can be considered no otherwise than as Subtle Plan of the Ministry to ensnare and enslave the Americans, and that whoever shall be instru- mental in carrying the Same into Execution, is in the Judge- ment of this Towne, an inevitable Enemy to this Country 4ly. That Richard Clark & Son, and Thomas & Elisha Hutchinsons of Boston (who brought themselves into Con-
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tempt by their Conduct in the Non Importation Time) and the other Persons appointed Consignees of the India Com- pany's Teas in Boston, have by their repeated Refusal to Resign their Appointment and send send Back the Said Teas manifested to the full conviction of this Town - their utter Disregard to the Interest and welfare of this their na- tive Country, to which Such unfeeling Wretches are a Dis- grace and have discovered the most Sordid Attachment to their private Interest, and have in curred the highest Dis- pleasure of the good People of this Province in general, & of the Inhabitants of this Towne in particular who are deter- mined to afford them not the Least Favour or Protection now that they are become Fugitives from the Just Resentment of their affronted Townsmen
5ly. That we fully approve of the Proceedings, & Resolu- tions of the Town of Boston on this Alarming Occasions and while we see them Earnestly consenting for the general Lib- erty of America, Should we fold our Armes & Calmly look on we should be justly chargeble with the most shameful Supeneness & criminal Neglect - therefore Resolved
6ly. That this Town are ready to afforde all the Assistance in our Power to the Town of Boston, and will hartily unite with them and the Other Towns in this Province to oppose and frustrate this most detestable and dangerous Tea Scheem and every Other that shall Appear to us to be Subversive of the Rights and Liberties of America, and consequently dis- honorably to the Crown and Dignity of our Sovereign Lord and King.
zly. That whoever shall hereafter presume to import any Teas into this Province while Subject to the Odius Duty shall be considered and treated by this Town as an Enemy to his Country.
The situation by this time was sadly complicated. Public sentiment would not permit the landing of the tea. The Gov- ernor would not permit the ship to leave without unlading. And the customs officers were preparing to seize the vessel and sell the tea at auction, as they were required to do in the case of ships which remained in the harbor for more than twenty days without formal entry.
It was obvious that some attempt would be made to put the tea ashore. And it was obvious that something radical would
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be done to prevent it. Accordingly, the Boston tea party was held, and Brookline may at least be said to have aided and abetted.
NEW GRIEVANCES
The opinion of Boston merchants, and of conservatives gen- erally throughout the province, was that this party was alto- gether too rowdy. They took the view that it was not unrea- sonable of the British government to require restitution for such destruction.
But the Committee of Correspondence in Boston was defi- nitely in the hands of Adams and Warren and their adherents. On March 7, 1774, this group addressed a message to the Brookline committee, saying:
We think it our duty to acquaint you that a Brigantine Ben- jamin Gorham Master is just arrived from London with a quantity of Tea on board liable to a duty: We ask the favor of your Company at the Selectmens Chamber in Boston to- Morrow afternoon 3. OClock in order for a joint consulta- tion, relative to this matter -.
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