USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Carver > History of the town of Carver, Massachusetts : historical review, 1637-1910 > Part 13
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Assessors valuation of cranberry bogs in 1900
$335,510.00 Assessors valuation of cranberry bogs in
$1,106,600.00 1912
Total crops of the town as per assessors reports :
1904
66,278 barrels
1905
25,407
1906
62,531
1907
70,383
1908
55,336
1909
85,598
1910
60,640
66
1911
59,545
1912
66,043
While the berries were gathered only from the natural marshes Fall frosts constituted the princi- ple discouragement of the growers. Mud and water, the natural environment of the vines, pre- cluded the development of the various insects and parasites that appeared in such proportions when the vines were removed from their natural con- ditions in the process of cultivation.
Marked changes in the methods of harvesting and packing have followed the development of the industry. The crops were gathered from the natural marshes by hand assisted rarely by the long handle rake. In the early days of cultivation the crops were handpicked and hand screened while the chaff was blown out by a fanning mill. In the decade 1880-90 the snap machine came into use, and in the following decade it was the main means of harvesting. At this time the manufac-
222
HISTORY OF CARVER
turers of fanning mills began to study the theory of bounding boards from which separators that would remove the bad berries were evolved. At the beginning of the new century scoops began to displace the snap machines, while separators were improved and with grading attachments to remove the small and poor berries, and the cost of picking and screening lessened. The practice of grading the fruit on lines of variety, size and color came in with the co-operative packing and selling com- panies .*
* About 1895 an attempt was made to organize a co-operative company through the Cape Cod Cranberry Sales Co., but with little success. The New England Cranberry Sales Co. was organized in 1907.
ALBERT T. SHURTLEFF First Civil War Volunteer from Carver. Lost an Arm at First Bull Run. Clerk in War Department at Washington fifteen years following the War.
MILITARY HISTORY
Under the charter of William and Mary military duty was compulsory. This arose through cus- toms then in vogue among European nations, and through the necessity from the prevailing state of society, and every town had its training green. The dangers from attacks from the Indians had not disappeared, while the scramble for territory between the French and English, rendered prepa- rations for defence a perpetual duty.
This custom accounts for the prevalence of military titles. Captains, Lieutenants, Ensigns and Sergeants appear very common as prefixes in the records of the times, and even followed the holders to the grave where they were chiseled on the slate headstones.
There were two companies in the town desig- nated as the North Company and the South Com- pany.
The Revolution served to renew this custom and after the constitution was adopted, military duty came in as a marked factor in civil govern- ment. For fifty years after the town of Carver was incorporated the old order was continued and annually the commanding officer issued his sum- mons to his subalterns. Following was the form required by law to be served on all non-commis- sioned officers and privates :
223
224
HISTORY OF CARVER
To
Sir :
I warn you to appear at the house of James Ellis, Inn Holder in Carver on Friday the eighth inst., at one o'clock P. M., equipt as the law directs for military duty.
Those who arose to the highest ranks were as follows, with the date of commission:
Colonels
Bartlett Murdock
1823
Benjamin Ward
1826
Majors
Nehemiah Cobb
1790
John Shaw
1796
Benjamin Ellis
1812
Stillman Shaw
1829
North Co.
Captains
Nathaniel Shaw
1762
Frances Shurtleff
1781
Nehemiah Cobb
178-
John Sherman
1790
Barnabas Cobb
1796
Abijah Lucas
1802
Joshua Cole
1806
Thomas Cobb
1815
Levi Vaughan
1818
Israel Dunham
1822
Charles Cobb
1827
Benjamin Ransom
1829
Anthony Sherman
1833
CAPT. WILLIAM S. McFARLIN
MILITARY HISTORY
225
Lieutenants
Nehemiah Cobb
1781
Isaac S. Lucas
1790
Lemuel Cole
1796
Joshua Cole
1802
Isaiah Tillson
1806
Levi Vaughan
1815
Benjamin Lucas
1818
Israel Dunham
1821
John Lucas
1822
Benjamin Ransom
1827
Asa Barrows
1829
Lewis Holmes
1833
Ensigns
Frances Shurtleff
1762
Joseph Shaw
1781
Barnabas Cobb
1790
Abijah Lucas
1796
Nathaniel Vaughan
1802
Thomas Cobb
1806
Benjamin Lucas
1815
Israel Dunham
1818
John Lucas
1821
Asa Barrows
1827
Anthony Sherman
1829
Thomas Cobb
1833
South Co. Captains
Benjamin Ward
1787
John Shaw
1793
Ichabod Leonard
1797
Gideon Shurtleff
1800
Elisha Murdock
1804
Benjamin Ellis
1808
226
HISTORY OF CARVER
Samuel Shaw
1812
Bartlett Murdock
1815
Joseph Shaw
1818
Benjamin Ward
1819
Lothrop Barrows
1822
Stillman Shaw
1827
Stephen Griffith
1829
Lieutenants
Samuel Shaw
1809
Luke Perkins
1812
Joseph Shaw
1815
Benjamin Ward
1818
Ira Murdock
1819
Stillman Shaw
1824
Stephen Griffith
1827
Daniel Shaw
1829
Ensigns
Benjamin Ellis
1804
Samuel Shaw
1808
Luke Perkins
1809
Bartlett Murdock
1812
Benjamin Ward
1815
Ira Murdock
1818
William Murdock
1819
Daniel Shaw
1828
Oren Atwood
1829
Silas Bumpus
1832
The system died a natural death when the causes that called it into existence once passed, and the last of its May trainings and musters were little less than farces. While the law remained on the statute books, through public sentiment it had be- come obsolete, and the captains "warnings" were
227
MILITARY HISTORY
considered optional by the recipients. It was at one of these last trainings that William S. Mc- Farlin* who was destined to play a prominent part in the modern militia, was initiated in his military career. The annual warning was left at the home of Sampson McFarlin who had lost in- terest in the company of which he was legally a member, and young William, then just entered his 'teens, shouldered the musket and started to obey the summons as a substitute. When the name of Sampson McFarlin was called during the roll call, the boy fairly staggering under the weight of his gun, stepped forward and shouted "here." The shout of laughter that went up from the assembled militiamen, made an impression on the boy's memory that never left it. Thus the old military system passed.
A movement for a company under the modern system was made by Thomas B. Griffith in 1852 in consequence of which, Co. K, 3d Regiment, was organized, and which voted to take the name of "Bay State Light Infantry." The armory of the company was in the South Meeting House, which at that time was remodeled and equipped for the purpose. The first officers elected by the com- pany were as follows :
Capt. Matthias Ellis Lieut. Seneca R. Thomas
William S. McFarlin
Benjamin Ward
66 Joseph W. Sherman
*Solomon F. McFarlin, son of John, also reported as a substitute for his father.
228
HISTORY OF CARVER
Non-commissioned officers :
Sergeant Solomon F. McFarlin 66 John F. Shaw
66 Ansel Ward 66 Philander W. Bump
Corporal Alvin C. Harlow
66 Ira B. Shaw
Augustus F. Tillson
Thomas W. Wrightington
Privates
Robert W. Andrews
Ephraim T. Harlow
Samuel S. Atwood
John B. Hatch
Joseph Atwood
Wilson McFarlin
Simeon H. Barrows
Elisha Murdock
Pelham W. Barrows
John Murdock
Charles H. Bennett
Abisha S. Perry
David M. Bates
Enoch Pratt
J. Henry Bump
John M. Maxim
George Cobb
Josiah Robbins
Marcus E. Cobb
John Shaw, 3d
Erastus W. Cobb
Gilbert Shaw
John S. Cartee
Cephas Shaw, Jr.
Nathaniel S. Cushing
Oliver Shaw, 2nd
Charles H. Cole
Abiel Shurtleff
Thomas C. Cole
Joseph F. Shurtleff
Charles H. Chase
Perez T. Shurtleff
Joseph S. Chandler
William F. Shurtleff
Ebenezer Dunham
Andrew G. Shurtleff Levi Shurtleff, Jr.
Henry A. Dunham
Marcus M. Tillson
Charles W. Griffith
Hiram O. Tillson
Andrew Griffith
Hiram Tillson
Rufus Hathaway
Alvin S. Perkins
Marstin F. Cobb
Bartlett Shaw
Elisha M. Dunham
229
MILITARY HISTORY
Thompson P. Thomas
James Waterman
Andrew S. Tibbetts
Adoniram W. Vail
Isaac C. Vaughan John Witham
Two years later, Capt. Ellis, having been pro- moted to the rank of Lieut .- Col., Lieut. Seneca R. Thomas was elected Captain and Second Lieut. William S. McFarlin advanced to the rank of 1st Lieut. In 1858, Capt. Thomas resigned and Lieut. McFarlin was chosen Captain. The new captain was a military enthusiast and excellent drill mas- ter, and he brought his command to such a degree of proficiency, that it was reputed the best drilled company in the regiment. In 1860, George F. Cobb had been elected 1st Lieut .; Thomas B. Grif- fith 2nd Lieut .; and John Dunham, 3d Lieut.
The third regiment being one of those selected from which to make up the State's quota of the first call of Pres. Lincoln, Capt. McFarlin and a few of his command went down as "Minute men of '61." Thomas B. Griffith started with the de- tachment, but was ordered back as recruiting officer to fill the depleted regiment.
The Civil war ended the career of the company as an organization, and it was depleted to fill the various calls for volunteers. In 1868, a company was organized which elected Thomas B. Griffith as captain, but it held but a brief sway, for Captain Griffith was promoted to major and the members of his company who desired to remain in the militia were merged in other companies. Since that time young men of the town who have desired a place in the militia, have been connected with the Standish Guards of Plymouth.
-
CARVER IN THE REBELLION
United in spirit, but differing as to methods, the town entered enthusiastically into the struggle for the preservation of the Union. From the stormy days of '61 to the fateful April 19th of '65, there was no cessation of labors. In Bay State hall and in town hall beneath, public meetings were continually fanning the spirit of patriotism and made it possible to say, when the battles were over, that the town in the woods had done her share.
Many special town meetings were called to con- sider war problems. In May, 1861, it was voted to add enough to the pay of volunteers in addition to the allowance of the State and national govern- ments, to make it twenty-six dollars per month. In July, 1862, the town committed itself to the policy of paying bounties. Strong opposition to this system was encountered from those who doubted its wisdom. At the same time, it was voted to constitute the first to enlist as the recruit- ing officer and to give the first five an additional five dollars.
In December following, it was voted to recall all offers of bounties for nine months men and a pledge of one hundred dollars for each enlistment necessary to fill the town's quota substituted. This amount was raised in 1864 to one hundred and twenty-five dollars and made to cover all calls
231
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HISTORY OF CARVER
or anticipated calls. In December, 1864, an offer of fifteen dollars for a raw recruit and twenty-five dollars for a veteran, was offered to anyone who would produce those volunteers before the fifth of the ensuing January.
Of the volunteers from this town, nine died on battle fields and twelve in hospitals, making a toll of twenty-one lives sacrificed in the conflict. Five of these viz. : Bartlett Shaw, John S. Robbins, Wil- son McFarlin, Joseph F. Stringer and Allen S. Atwood, lost their lives through the second battle of Bull Run.
CARVER VOLUNTEERS
Under the ante-rebellion, State militia Co. K, 3d Regiment, was known as the Carver company, William S. McFarlin, captain. When Pres. Lin- coln's first call reached him, Capt. McFarlin gathered as many of his soldiers as possible in the time given and started for the front. Those who answered this summons and who are now designated as "The Minute Men of '61" were:
Capt. William S. McFarlin 1st Lieut. John Dunham
2d Sergeant Hiram O. Tillson
3d Sergeant Robert P. Morse
3d Sergeant (rank) Henry White
Hiram B. Tillson James H. Stringer
Isaac B. Vail
George E. Bates
Josiah W. Coggeshall John M. Cobb
Joseph F. Bent
John D. Sanborn
George H. Shaw
Jonathan W. Shaw
Linas A. Shaw Joseph F. Stringer
MAJ. THOMAS B. GRIFFITH
233
CARVER IN THE REBELLION
The company was mustered into service, April 23 and May 6, 1861, and sent to Fortress Monroe and Hampton, Va. Mustered out of service at Long Island, Boston Harbor, July 22, 1861.
Co. D. 1st Reg. R. I. M. Albert T. Shurtleff
Enlisted April 17, 1861. Mustered out of service November 30. Wounded at first battle of Bull Run and taken prisoner. Right arm amputated July 24. Confined in Libby prison and released October 7, 1861.
Co. B. 1st Battalion Maine Volunteers Ezra F. Pearson
Enlisted at Augusta, Me., March 25, 1865. Mustered out of service April 5, 1866.
Co. D. 44th Reg. M. V. M. William E. Savery
Mustered into service Sept. 12, 1862; mustered out of service at Readville, June 18, 1863.
Co. B. 3d Reg. M. V. M.
Mustered into service Sept. 26, 1862. Mustered out of service at Lakeville, June 26, 1863.
Capt. Thomas B. Griffith
2d Sergeant Charles W. Griffith
Corporal George H. Shaw
Corporal Andrew D. Merritt Corporal John M. Cobb
Jonathan W. Shaw. Mustered out June 2, 1863. John Murdock, musician.
Alonzo D. Shaw. Died at Stanly hospital, Newberne, N. C., April 18, 1863.
James H. Bates, musician. Mustered out at Boston, 1863.
William H. O'Connell. Discharged May 9, 1863, on account of disability, and died Sept. 30.
234
HISTORY OF CARVER
Stephen T. Atwood
Joseph F. Cobb
Ebenezer E. Atwood
Nathaniel B. A. Bates
Josiah W. Atwood
Joseph G. Washburn
Jesse M. Shaw
Nathaniel Shaw, Jr.
Charles H. Chase
George W. Tillson Ellis D. Dunham
Ansel B. Ward
Sidney O. Cobb
Henry A. Dunham
John B. Chandler
Lorenzo N. Shaw (wagoner)
William B. Chandler
Edward W. Shaw
William Irwin John A. Stringer
This company was in engagements at Winston, Golds- boro and Whitehall, North Carolina.
Co. C. 18th Reg. M. V. M.
Mustered into service between Nov. 2 and Dec. 16, 1861, for three years.
Capt. William S. McFarlin. Resigned on account of dis- ability Oct. 19, 1862.
1st Sergeant Bartlett Shaw. Killed at Bull Run Aug. 30, 1862, before receiving commission as 1st Lieut. 2nd Sergeant Linas A. Shaw. Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 30, 1862. Discharged for disability Aug. 1863. 3d Sergeant Henry White. Mustered out Sept. 2, 1864. 3d Sergeant Pelham W. Barrows. Discharged for dis- ability at Harrison's Landing, July, 1862.
4th Sergeant Albert W. Perkins. Discharged for dis- ability, January, 1863.
Corporal James H. Stringer. Died at Camp Winfield Scott before Yorktown, April 29, 1862.
Corporal Eli Atwood, Jr. Died Dec. 14, 1862, from wounds received at battle of Fredericksburg. Corporal Wilson McFarlin. Supposed to have been killed at Bull Run Aug. 30, 1862.
Corporal Levi Shurtleff, Jr. Died at Governors Island, N. Y., Oct. 7, 1862.
FORT SUNTER 1851
THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT
235
CARVER IN THE REBELLION
Isaac B. Vail. Discharged for disability Jan. 3, 1863.
Josiah W. Coggeshall.
Joseph F. Stringer. Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, 1862. Marshall A. Washburn. Discharged for disability, Sept.
1862, at Fortress Monroe, Va.
Elbridge A. Shaw. Died at Gaines Mill, Va., June 14, 1862.
Peleg B. Washburn. Discharged from service on account of disability.
Thomas S. Dunham. Discharged for disability Oct. 10, 1863.
John B. McFarlin. Discharged for disability April 3, 1863.
John M. Maxim. Promoted to Corporal. Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 30, 1862. Taken prisoner and paroled. Discharged for disability April 8, 1863.
Daniel B. Dunham. Lost left arm at Petersburg, July 15, 1864. Discharged Oct. 20, 1864.
Micah G. Shurtleff. Promoted to Sergeant July 1, 1863; to Orderly Sergeant Sept. 1. Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 30, 1862; and at Fredericksburg Dec.
13. Mustered out at Boston Nov. 25, 1864.
James F. Shurtleff. In battles with his brother, Micah G., and mustered out with him at Boston Nov. 25, 1864.
Charles F. Pratt. Musician, Regimental band. Re- enlisted for three years Feb. 1864.
Henry F. Shurtleff.
Isaac Shaw, 2nd. Discharged from the service, April 8, 1863, at Annapolis, Md.
Benjamin W. Dunham. Died at Convalescent Camp, Alexandria, Va., Oct. 26, 1862.
Isaiah F. Atwood. Transferred to Invalid Corps March 16, 1864. Discharged from service Sept. 17, 1864.
236
HISTORY OF CARVER
Allen S. Atwood. Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 30, 1862, and died Sept. 7, at Carver hospital at Washing- ton, D. C.
Harvey Finney. Wounded in battle May 10, 1864, and died June 26 at Campbell hospital, Washington, D. C.
Samuel B. Barrows. Promoted to Corporal.
Thomas Atwood. Discharged for disability June 28, 1862.
Co. C. 32nd Reg. M. V. M.
Sergeant Hiram O. Tillson. Mustered in Nov. 27, 1861; promoted to Orderly, Nov. 12, 1862; to 2nd Lieut .. April 21, 1863. Wounded at Shady Grove church, May 30, 1864, and discharged for disability Oct. 26, 1864.
3d Corporal Lucian T. Hammond. Died at Harrison's Landing, Va., July 30, 1862.
Co. E. 20th Reg. M. V. M.
Lucius E. Griffith. Mustered in Aug. 8, 1861. Died at Mt. Pleasant hospital, Washington, D. C., Nov. 6, 1862.
Joseph F. Bent. Mustered in Sept. 10, 1862. Wounded at Balls Bluff Oct. 21, 1861; and at Charles City Cross Roads, Va., June 30, 1862; taken prisoner to Richmond and paroled after thirty days and ex- changed. Discharged for disability Aug. 29, 1863.
Co. G. 38th Reg. M. V. M. Mustered in Aug. 20, 1862.
Sergeant Josiah E. Atwood. Died at Brashear City, La., July 11, 1863.
William W. Pearson. Musician. Discharged Feb. 1, 1864, from disability resulting from accident on the steamer Morning Light. -
George E. Bates. Died at Baton Rouge, La., May 21, 1863.
237
CARVER IN THE REBELLION
George H. Pratt. Wounded Oct. 19, 1864, and died the following day at Winchester, Va.
Levi C. Vaughan. Discharged for disability April 16, 1864.
Perez T. Shurtleff. Discharged for disability, April 16, 1864.
James McSheary. Died at Fortress Monroe, Jan. 13, 1863. John B. Hatch. Discharged for disability, May 27, 1863. Jesse F. Lucas.
Job C. Chandler.
John Breach. Died at New Orleans, May 11, 1863.
Benjamin H. Savery. Discharged for disability, May 14, 1863.
Levi Ransom, Jr.
Co. E. 23d Reg. M. V. M.
Edward S. Carnes. Mustered in Dec. 4, 1861. Re-enlisted Dec. 2, 1863. Wounded in skirmish near Cold Harbor, June 9, 1864.
John D. Sanborn.
Benjamin F. Fuller. Mustered in Sept. 28, 1861; mus- tered out Oct. 13, 1864.
Co. G. 45th Reg. M. V. M.
Jonathan W. Shaw. Mustered in Sept. 27, 1862; mus- tered out June 2, 1863.
Co. E. 32nd Reg. M. V. M.
William H. Barrows. Mustered in Feb. 20, 1862. Killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Co. E. 18th Reg. M. V. M. Mustered in Aug. 23, 1861.
John S. Robbins. Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862. Joseph S. Robbins. Wounded at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862, and discharged for disability, April 9, 1863. Austin Ward. Discharged for disability Nov. 12, 1862.
238
HISTORY OF CARVER
Co. B. 7th Reg. M. V. M.
Frederick Atwood. Mustered in Feb. 17, 1862, and dis- charged for disability Feb. 6, 1863.
Co. E. 29th Reg. M. V. M.
Charles Atwood. Mustered in May 22, 1861.
William R. Middleton. Mustered in May 22, 1861. Dis- charged for disability Aug. 8, 1862.
Co. F. 38th Reg. M. V. M.
Henry T. Ward.
Co. C. 11th Reg. M. V. M.
John Kilroy. Mustered in Aug. 12, 1863; mustered out July 4, 1865.
Co. E. U. S. 1st Light Artillery
Hosea B. Morse. Mustered in Aug. 27, 1861. In 14 general engagements and 27 Cavalry fights. Wounded at Gettysburg. Mustered out at Fort Strong, Washington, D. C., Aug. 27, 1864.
Co. C. 1st Mass. Cavalry
Nathan Maxim. Mustered in Aug. 19, 1862. Taken pris- oner at Aldie, Va., June 17, 1863; paroled July 23d ; exchanged Sept. 1st. Mustered out with the regi- ment Oct. 3, 1864.
12th Battery
Robert B. Pearson. Mustered in Dec. 11, 1862; promoted to Sergeant.
Co. M. 4th Cavalry
Ansel B. Maxim. Mustered in March 1, 1864.
Co. B. 4th Mass. Cavalry
Edson C. Blake. Mustered in Dec. 23, 1863.
Co. I. 2nd Heavy Artillery Manoah Hurd. Mustered in Jan. 1, 1864.
THOMAS SOUTHWORTH
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CARVER IN THE REBELLION
Co. G. 4th Mass. Cavalry Lucian B. Corban. Mustered in Feb. 21, 1864. Co. G. 2nd Mass. Cavalry Andrew A. Fuller. 4th Cavalry Henry A. Hunting. Mustered in Sept. 17, 1864. George Shurtleff.
2nd Mass. Heavy Artillery
Samuel Langley. Mustered in Sept. 20, 1864. John Rardon. Mustered in Sept. 20, 1864.
3d U. S. Artillery
Edward Miller.
Mustered in Sept. 17, 1864.
3d U. S. Infantry
Nelson Trudo. Mustered in Sept. 21, 1864.
11th Mass. Infantry John Caples. Mustered in Sept. 17, 1864.
Veterans Reserve Corps Thomas McMahon. Mustered in Sept. 17, 1864. Samuel Ham, Jr. Mustered in Sept. 17, 1864.
George F. Tarbox. Mustered in Sept. 21, 1864.
2nd Mass. Infantry Mustered in April 28 and 29, 1864.
Thomas McCabe
Thomas Haverty
William Wade John Kelley
2nd Mass. Cavalry Mustered in April 28, 1864.
Thomas Lalor John Ray Philip Anderson Thomas Sullivan
240
HISTORY OF CARVER
In the Navy
On the Matthew Vassar, Sophronia and Eureka. Stillman W. Ward. Ordinary seaman ; mustered in Dec. 6, 1861; promoted to Masters mate, Dec. 1862; later promoted to Signal officer. In engagements at Fort Jackson, La., and at Vicksburg.
On the Matthew Vassar
Atwood R. Drew. Ordinary seaman. Entered service Dec. 6, 1861. Discharged for disability Nov. 10, 1862.
On the Racer, Columbia, Iron Age, and Montgomery. Everett T. Manter. Sailor entered service as Masters mate Dec. 15, 1861; promoted to Ensign Dec. 14, 1862; in engagements on the Mississippi reducing Forts Jackson and Phillips and at Vicksburg. Taken prisoner Jan. 17, 1863, near Wilmington, N. C. In Libby prison five weeks.
On the Mystic
Levi Cobb.
On the King Fisher
Charles H. Holmes.
On the Saco
Adam Nicol, Jr.
Samuel Parker. Carpenter's mate.
On the Midnight.
Edwin O. Drew. Acting Ensign. Samuel B. Runnels. Philander J. Holmes. Frances Y. Casey. Joseph Y. Casey.
WAR OF 1812-14. POST OFFICES. SMALL POX. CEMETERIES. POPULATION
Although an inland town, Carver felt the in- fluences of the second war with Great Britain, not only in the impetus given her industries, but in the conflicting political sentiments of the people. As a result of the division in sentiment, a special town meeting was called in 1812 as per the follow- ing petition signed by Thomas Hammond and others :
"Carver, Aug. 6, 1812.
.
To the Selectmen of Carver:
Gentlemen :
We, the Subscribers, Inhabitants of Carver, Pray you to Call a Town Meeting as soon as May be for the purpose of choosing some person of good and Regularity Character as a Committee of Safety in this time of Commotion and Political Division, and to adopt any other measures sd. town shall then think proper for the safety and well being of sd. town."
A world of insinuation can be read in this peti- tion and we can see between the lines a glimpse of the issues of the day, but the majority did not share the consternation of these Federalists, and
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HISTORY OF CARVER
the committee was refused. On the contrary the town, against the prevailing sentiment of New England, supported the nationalist administration and voted an appropriation to bring the pay of the soldiers detached for actual service up to four- teen dollars per month, provided the State or national government refused to do it. This was later made to cover the services of those who were sent to Duxbury.
The furnaces of the town were in operation night and day, fulfilling contracts for shot and shell and this was resented by the ultra ante-war sentiment. Threats to burn the buildings of these plants were in circulation, and one plant situated in the woods, kept a night watch on duty as a safe- guard against incendiarism.
Excitement reached its highest pitch, when the British took temporary possession of Wareham. Rumors of an invasion spread and Capt. Gideon Shurtleff who, as a boy had seen service in the Revolution, took his sword and riding through town on horseback, strove to arouse the patriotism of the people. Col. Bartlett Murdock was an eye witness of the British manœuvres in the neighbor- ing town and on his way home at night, he stopped along the road to advise the farmers of their dan- ger, but as the Colonel was well known as a prac- tical joker he did not succeed in arousing the fears of the people. Several from the Carver militia shouldered their muskets and marched to assist in driving the enemy from the neighboring town, and one was worked to such a state of excitement, that he advocated firing on the ships as they made out
243
POST OFFICES
of the harbor. When advised that the British had hostages for their protection he retorted: "The hostages no need to have been taken." The march of the militia from Plymouth up the Federal road to Wareham excited the imaginations of the people and doubtless created visions of carnage not justified by the circumstances.
POST OFFICES
The Carver post office was established in the first decade of the 19th century. Mail was de- livered from the offices of Plymouth and Middle- boro. John Shaw was the first postmaster and his successors have been James Ellis, Eliab Ward, Daniel Shaw, E. Watson Shaw, James A. Vaughan and Frank E. Barrows.
The North Carver office was established about 1835, with Rev. Plummer Chase as postmaster. He has been succeeded by William Barrows, Alvin C. Harlow, Benjamin Ransom, Jr., Rufus L. Brett, James C. Whitehead and Stewart H. Pink.
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