USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832; and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle; containing various notices of county and state history not before published. > Part 28
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832 : and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle > Part 28
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290
HISTORY OF ACTON.
forming the Constitution, September, 1779; Capt. Joseph Rob- bins to the Convention, in Concord, to regulate the prices of articles of produce, &c. October, 1779 ; Simon Tuttle and Thomas Noyes, to Concord, 23d of May, 1786 ; and Asa Parlin, to the Convention in Boston, in 1788, to ratify the Constitution of the United States.
Samuel Jones, Esq. resided here, as an Attorney, in 1805 and 1806, but left the town, and died at the south.
Dr. John Swift, noticed among the native graduates, was the first physician.
Dr. Abraham Skinner, was from Woodstock, Conn., and com- menced practice in Acton, in 1781, where he died April 16, 1810, aged 53. He married Sarah, daughter of Francis Faulkner, Esq. 1788.
Dr. Peter Goodnow was from Bolton, commenced practice in Acton, 12th of October, 1812, left 18th of February, 1827, and is now a merchant in Boston.
Dr. Bela Gardner resided here from 1823 to 1828, removed to Vermont.
Dr. Harris Cowdry, born at South Reading, graduated at the Berkshire Medical Institution, 1824, commenced practice in October, 1826.
Dr. Paul C. Kittridge, from Littleton, commenced practice in Acton, August 30th, 1830.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Francis Faulkner
Stevens Hayward John Edwards
Jonas Brooks David Barnard Francis Tuttle
Winthrop Faulkner
John Robbins Simon Hosmer.
Joseph Noyes
Abraham Conant
GRADUATES AT COLLEGE.
NATHAN DAVIS, son of Samuel Davis, born 30th of November, 1737, graduated at Harvard College, 1759, ordained minister at Dracut, 20th of November, 1765, dismissed about 1735, removed to Boston, and was appointed chaplain at Fort Independence, and a review officer. Died 4th of March, 1803, aged 65.
JOHN SWIFT, only child of the Rev. John Swift, born 18th of November, 1741, graduated 1762, and settled as a physician in Acton, where he died of the small-pox about 1775.
291
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
ASA PIPER, son of Josiah Piper, graduated 1778, and was ordained at Wakefield, New-Hampshire, 1785. He still resides in that town, retaining his relation to the church, though dismissed from his pastoral charge.
SOLOMON ADAMS, son of Lt. John Adams, born 18th of March, 1761, graduated 1788, ordained pastor at Middleton, 23d of October, 1793, and died September, 1813, aged 53.
DANIEL BROOKS graduated 1794, and settled as a trader in Westmoreland, where he held the office of Justice of the Peace. Died, several years since, at Springfield, Vermont.
THOMAS NOYES, son of Thomas Noyes, born 5th of February, 1769, graduated 1795, and ordained pastor of the 2d Church in Needham, 10th of July, 1799, dissmissed in 1833 by mutual consent.
LUTHER WRIGHT was born 19th of April, 1770, graduated 1796, ordained pastor of the first parish in Medway, 13th of June, 1798, dismissed September, 1815, installed at Barrington, Rhode-Island, 29th of January, 1817, and dismissed, 5th of July, 1821. In both instances he was dismissed at his own request by a council who recommended him to the employment of other churches. He now resides at Holliston.
MOSES ADAMS, son of the Rev. Moses Adams, was born, 28th of November, 1777, graduated 1797, settled as a physician in Ellsworth, Maine, and was sheriff of the county of Lincoln.
WILLIAM EMERSON FAULKNER, son of Francis Faulkner, Esq. was born 23d of October, 1776, and graduated 1797. He read law with his brother-in-law, the Hon. Jabez Upham, of Brook- field, with whom he formed a partnership in business. He died October 1, 1804, aged 28, and left a most worthy character.
JOSIAH ADAMS, son of the Rev. Moses Adams, was born 3d of November, 1781, graduated, 1801, read law with Thomas Heald, Esq., was admitted to the bar, June, 1807, and settled in Framingham, where he now resides.
LUTHER FAULKNER, son of Francis Faulkner, Esq. was born 7th of May, 1779, graduated 1802, and has since been a mer- chant in Boston.
JONATHAN EDWARDS SCOTT was a native of Nova Scotia, but a resident in Acton for some time before he entered College. He graduated 1802, and has since commanded a vessel at sea.
292
HISTORY OF ACTON.
JOSEPH ADAMS, son of the Rev. Moses Adams, was born 25th of September, 1783, graduated 1803, and settled as an Attorney in West Cambridge, where he died, 10th of June, 1814.
JOHN RUGGLES CUTTING, son of Mr. William Cutting, grad- uated at Dartmouth College 1802, ordained at Waldoborough, Maine, August, 1807, dismissed, March, 1812, and has since been a teacher of youth.
HENRY DURANT graduated at Yale College, 1828, and is a tutor in that College, and pursuing theological studies.
All these excepting the two first and the last were prepared for College under the instruction of the Rev. Mr. Adams.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE.
Col. Francis Faulkner was born in Andover, 29th of Septem- ber, 1728, and died, 5th of August, 1805, aged 78. His great- grandfather, Edmund Faulkner, who emigrated from England, was one of the founders of the church in Andover, in 1645, had his house burnt by the Indians, in 1676, and died in January, 1687. His wife was Dorothy Robinson ; and his sons, Francis and John. The former was born 1651, and died 1732, aged 81, leaving sons, Edmund, Ammiruhammah, and Paul, of whom the second, father to Col. Francis, removed to Acton, in 1735, and erected the mills, which have since been owned by his descendants, where he died, 4th of August, 1756. Col. Francis was early employed in public business, and was 35 years, from 1762, successively chosen town clerk. He was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1774, and a representative in the General Court, in 1783, '84, and '85 ; and also a member of the committee of safety, and of several important conventions, held during the revolution. He held a military commission under George III ..; but the oppressive and arbitrary acts of Great Britain induced him to renounce his allegiance to the crown, and step forward as one of the foremost opposers to the measures of the govern- ment. Accordingly, in February or March, 1775, he was elected major of a regiment organized at that time to oppose any antici- pated invasion. On the morning of the 19th of April, Doct. Prescott was sent on express to him with information that the
293
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
British troops were on their way to Concord. He immediately fired three guns in quick succession, which was the pre-concerted signal for an alarm. The express arrived at day-light, and at the rising of the sun he marched with a considerable number of men, who constituted a part of the troops collected at the North Bridge, in Concord. He was in the engagement there that morning, and with his men pursued the British troops to Charlestown. He was afterwards several times engaged in actual service during the war ; was Lieut .- Colonel in the regiment of Middlesex militia, called in to reinforce the continental army, when they took possession of Dorchester Heights, in March, 1776 ; was in service when Burgoyne was taken ; and com- manded the regiment which guarded the prisoners, taken on that occasion, to Cambridge. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1781, and on the 29th of September, 1775, was chosen one of the deacons of the church. In all places he exhibited the character of a gentleman of sound judgment, of a cultivated mind, and of good, practical common sense. He was a courageous military officer, an able legislator, an impartial justice, and an exemplary Christian.
He married, first, Elizabeth Muzzy of Lexington, in 1755, with whom he lived 2 weeks only before her death ; and, secondly, in 1759, Rebecca, daughter of Capt. Keyes of Brook- field, who was killed in Lovell's fight, by whom he had 11 child- ren. 1. Francis, Esq., Billerica ; 2. Rebecca, married to the Hon. Dwight Foster of Brookfield ; 3. Sarah, married to Dr. Skinner of Acton ; 4. Elizabeth ; 5. Mary ; 6. Ammi; 7. Lucy, married to the Hon. Jabez Upham of Brookfield ; 8. Susanna, married to Hannibal Hamlen, Esq., sheriff of the county of Oxford, Maine ; 9. Winthrop, Esq. died in Acton, very much lamented, 17th of March, 1813, aged 39; 10. William Emerson, H. C. 1797; and 11. Luther, H. C. 1802.
CHAPTER XIX. HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
General History. - Ecclesiastical History. - Description. - Statistics. - Biographical Notices.
THE inhabitants in the southeasterly part of Concord, petitioned that town several times, between 1734 and 1743, to be set off into a separate precinct or town ; but, being unsuccessful, a petition was preferred to the General Court, August 10th, 1744, which obtained favor, though opposed by a committee of the town ; and the following individuals, living in the easterly part of Concord, westerly part of Lexington, and northerly part of Weston, were incorporated as the Second Precinct of Concord, April 24, 1746, viz. Joshua Brooks, Thomas Garfield, Benjamin Brown, James Brooks, Robert Gage, Ephraim Segard, John Whitney, Benjamin Allen, Ebenezer Hunt, Thomas Baker, Samuel Dakin, Joseph Parks, John Wright, Ambrose Tower, Daniel Reed, Mary Co- nant, Jeremiah Clark, Thomas Garfield, Jr., Benjamin Brown, Jr., Hannah Corey, Jonathan Wellington, Jonathan Gove, George Pierce, Joseph Brooks, Jordan Clark, Amos Merriam, Joseph Pierce, James Pierce, Zebediah Smith, Ebenezer Lampson, John Headley, Timothy Wesson, Benjamin Monroe, John Gove, Samuel Bond, Thomas Wheeler, Ephraim Flynt, Joseph Pierce, Jr., Joshua Brooks, Jr., John Garfield, Ebenezer Cutler, Nathan Brown, Edward Flynt, Stephen Wesson, John Adams, John White.
The following individuals, living within the limits of the pro- posed precinct, did not sign the petition ; and were exempt in the act of incorporation, unless they should choose voluntarily to comply with its provisions : Daniel Brown, Thomas Nelson, Nehemiah Abbott, Jabez Stratten, Nathaniel Billings, Daniel Billings, John Billings, Timothy Billings, Joseph Billings, Daniel Parks, Zaccheus Parks, Amos Heald, Samuel Farrar, Joseph Wheat, Joseph Wheat, Jr., John Wheat, Jonas Wheeler, Ben- jamin Wheeler, Nathaniel Whittemore, Samuel Billings, George
295
GENERAL HISTORY.
Farrar, George Farrar, Jr., Job Brooks, Daniel Brooks, Samuel Brooks, Hugh Brooks, Joseph Brooks, Jr., Timothy Lampson, Ephraim Hartwell, Josiah Brown, John Jackson, William Hager, Joseph Underwood.
Several attempts were made to procure an incorporation as a town, and in 1753 the exempted persons were consulted on the subject, and Chambers Russell, Esq., Capt. Samuel Bond, and Deacon Joshua Brooks, were chosen to present a petition to the General Court. The town of Lincoln, named by Chambers Russell, Esq. after Lincolnshire, England, the residence of his ancestors, was incorporated, April 19, 1754. The bounds were then the same as they now are.
The estates in Concord in 1753 were £15,007 9s .; and the polls, 442. That part set off to Lincoln contained £3372 15s .; and of the polls, 88 ; about one-fifth.
The proceedings of the town appear to have been conducted with harmony, and no occurrence worthy of notice marks its history till the great question of opposition to England was agitated. In this controversy, it became early enlisted, and uniformly on the popular side ; and was distinguished for its ardent, decided, and independent patriotism, and for its intel- ligence and originality.
March 15, 1770, the town voted, "that they will not pur- chase any one article of any person that imports goods contrary to the agreement of the merchants of Boston"; and in a long answer to a circular sent to the town, they say, February, 1773, " We will not be wanting in our assistance according to our ability, in the prosecuting of all such lawful and constitutional measures, as shall be thought proper for the continuance of all our rights, privileges, and liberties, both civil and religious ; being of opinion that a steady, united, persevering conduct in a constitutional way, is the best means, under God, for obtaining the redress of all our grievances."
The first committee of correspondence was chosen November 2, 1773, - Deacon Samuel Farrar, Capt. Eleazer Brooks, and Capt. Abijah Pierce ; a similar one was elected annually till 1784. The _sentiments of the town, on several questions then agitating the province, being requested by the citizens of Boston, were com- municated in the subjoined very interesting letter, on the 20th of December.
296
HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
" Gentlemen, - We have read your letter, enclosing the pro- ceedings of the town of Boston at their late meeting ; as also another letter enclosing the proceedings of a collective body of people, not only of Boston, but the adjacent towns ; in which, after some very pertinent observations on the alarming situation of our public affairs, you desire our advice and to be acquainted with the sense of this town respecting the present gloomy situation of our public affairs. We rejoice at every appearance of public virtue, and resolution in the cause of liberty ; inasmuch as, upon our own virtue and resolution, under Divine Providence, depends the preservation of all our rights and privileges.
" We apprehend, that we, in America, have rights, privileges, and property, of our own, as well as the rest of mankind ; and that we have the right of self-preservation, as well as all other beings. And we are constrained to say, that after the most careful and mature deliberation, according to our capacities, weighing the arguments on both sides, we apprehend our rights and privileges have been infringed in many glaring instances, which we mean not to enumerate, among which the late ministerial plan, men- tioned in your letter, is not the least.
" The Act imposing a duty on tea is alarming, because, in procuring the same, our enemies are dealing by us, like the great enemy of mankind, viz. endeavouring to enslave us by those things to which we are not necessitated, but by our own contracted ill habits ; although, if tea were properly used, it might be of some advantage. When we speak of our enemies, as above, we mean those persons on either side of the water, who by many ways, either secret or open, are sowing the seeds of strife and discord between Britain and her colonies ; or are in any way the active instruments of our distress.
" Now since it must be granted, that our rights and privileges are infringed, and that we have the right of self-defence ; the important question is, by what means to make such defence. Doubtless the means of defence in all cases ought to quadrate with the nature of the attack ; and since the present plan seems to be to enslave us, we need only (had we virtue enough for that) to shun the bait, as we would shun the most deadly poison. Notwithstanding, considering so many are so habituated to the use of tea, as perhaps inadvertently to ruin themselves and their
297
GENERAL HISTORY.
country thereby ; and others so abandoned to vice, expecting to share in the profits arising from the ruin of their country, as to use all means in their power to encourage the use of tea ; we cannot, therefore, but commend the spirited behaviour of the town of Boston, in endeavouring to prevent the sale of the East India Company's teas, by endeavouring to persuade the consignees to resign their office, or any other lawful means; and we judge the consignees, by refusing to comply with the just desire of their fellow-citizens, have betrayed a greater regard to their pri- vate interest than the public good and safety of their country, and ought to be treated accordingly.
" The situation of our public affairs growing more alarming, and having heretofore tried the force of petitions and remon- strances and finding no redress ; we, the inhabitants of this town, have now come into a full determination and settled resolution, not to purchase, nor use any tea, nor suffer it to be purchased or used in our families, so long as there is any duty laid on such tea by an act of the British Parliament. And we will hold and esteem . such, as do use such tea, enemies to their country ; and we will treat them with the greatest neglect. And we beg leave to recommend it to the several towns within this province, who have not done it, to go and do likewise.
" How easy the means ! How sure the event ! But be the event what it may, suppose this method should not obtain a repeal of the act, which we judge to be unrighteous, but the event should be a total disuse of that destructive article, we might then (if we may so express ourselves) bless God, that ever he permitted that act to pass the British Parliament.
" We trust we have courage and resolution sufficient to en- counter all the horrors of war in the defence of those rights and privileges, civil and religious, which we esteem more valuable than our lives. And we do hereby assure, not only the town of Boston, but the world, that whenever we shall have a clear call from Heaven, we are ready to join with our brethren to face the formidable forces, rather than tamely to surrender up our rights and privileges into the hands of any of our own species, not distinguished from ourselves, except it be in disposition to enslave us. At the same time, we have the highest esteem
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298
HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
for all lawful authority ; and rejoice in our connexion with Great Britain, so long as we can enjoy our charter rights and privileges."
This able paper is attributed to the pen of the Hon. Eleazer Brooks. The original agreements of the town about the disuse of tea and non-consumption of imported articles of merchandise have been found among his papers, and are now deemed worthy of preservation.
" Whereas, the town of Lincoln did, on the 27th day of December current, by a full vote, come into a full determination and settled resolution, not to purchase nor use any tea, nor suffer it to be purchased or used in their families, so long as there is any duty laid on such tea by act of the British Parliament ; and that they would hold and esteem all such as do use such tea, as enemies to their country ; and that they will treat them with the greatest neglect ; - We, the subscribers, inhabitants of said town, pursuant to the same design, do hereby promise and agree to and with each other, that we will strictly conform to the tenor of the abovesaid vote. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.
" Lincoln, Dec. 27th, 1773."
This was signed by 52 of the principal inhabitants. The following by 82.
" We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Lincoln, do sincerely and truly covenant and agree to and with each other, that we will not for ourselves, or any for or under us, purchase or consume any goods, wares, or manufactures, which shall be imported from Great Britain, after the thirty-first day of August, seventeen hundred and seventy-four, until the Congress of Dep- uties from the several colonies shall determine what articles, if any, to except; and that we will thereafter, respecting the use and consumption of such British articles, as may not be excepted, religiously abide by the determination of said Con- gress."
This was a time when it was impossible to stand on neutral ground and escape censure. Those who were not decided in opposition to the measures of Great Britain, were supposed to favor them. Of the suspected was the minister of the town ;
299
GENERAL HISTORY.
and, though the suspicion was groundless, and of short duration, the people in September assembled around the meeting-house on a Sabbath, and prevented him from entering to preach. Two or three individuals were subsequently obliged to leave the town for not conforming to the prevailing sentiments of the people. One of the largest estates in the town was for some time in the hands of government.
March 6, 1775, "voted, that £52 4s. be granted to provide for those persons, who have enlisted as minute-men, each one a bayonet, belt, cartridge-box,' steel rammer, gun-stock, and knapsack ; and that they attend military exercises four hours in a day twice a week, till the first day of May next. In case any one refuse to attend, 2s. for each four hours, and in proportion for a smaller time, shall be deducted from their wages."
The part performed by Lincoln in the county conventions at Concord, and by her minute-men and militia on the 19th of April, has been noticed in the History of Concord, and was highly honorable to her patriotism and valor.
At length, on the 24th of June, 1776, the town passed this important vote : "That, should the Honourable Congress, for the safety of the United American Colonies, declare themselves independent of Great Britain, we, the inhabitants of this town will solemnly engage, with our lives and fortunes to support them in the measure."
About this time the town was requested to instruct their rep- resentative, according to the general custom at that period ; but it was thought more proper to " empower him to act according to his best judgment and discretion."
The following table, compiled from a report, made May 8, 1778, to the town, by its committee to estimate the services rendered by the citizens in the war, furnishes important information.
Date.
Men.
Places.
Service.
£. s. d. £. s. d.
1775
32
at Cambridge
8 months, hired at 8 0 0=256 0 0.
1776
7
ditto.
2
66
2 00
14 0 0.
1776
7 " Canada
12
66
18 00
126 0 0.
1776
6 " the Southward 12
66
12 0 0
72 0 0.
1776 and 1777 6 " Boston
12
4 00
24 0 0.
1776
19
" Ticonderoga
5
66
12 10 0 237 10 0.
1776
4 "
ditto.
4
66
15 0 0 60 0 0.
1776
5 " Roxbury
4
66
6 00
30 0 0.
300
HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
1776 and 1777 17 at Dorchester
3 months, hired at 1 0 0= 17 0 0.
1776
12 " New-York
2
66
6 00
72 0 0.
1776 and 1777 8 " ditto. 3
9 00 72 0 0.
1777 4 " Providence
2 66
4 10 0 18 0 0.
1777 10 " Saratoga
3
66
11 50
112 10 0.
1777 12 ditto. 1
3 00
36 0 0.
1777 and 1778 9 " Cambridge
5
7 10 0 67 10 0.
1777
26 Continental Army 3 years
30 0 0 780 0 0.
1777
8 at Worthington
1 10 0 12 0 0.
£2006 10 0.
These bounties were paid by the town, beside many other charges for the public service. When it is recollected, that the town did not then contain more than 187 male inhabitants over 16 years of age, and that several enlisted into the army not included in the above estimate, it will appear that Lincoln con- tributed a large proportion of men to promote the great revolution. I have no means of ascertaining the precise number furnished subsequently to the above dates, but the town always contributed promptly all required ; though it was supposed at the time the burden was not justly proportionate to other towns. A petition was presented to the council early in 1778, to obtain some relief. In this petition it is said, " The large farm of Dr. Charles Russell, now in the hands of the public, greatly augments the tax on the town, and consequently the number of men required." Several officers were furnished for the army from this town. The Hon. Eleazer Brooks was at Ticonderoga, in 1776, as a Colonel, and the Hon. Samuel Hoar, as a Lieutenant, and both were at the tak- ing of Burgoyne. The former was at Dorchester Heights in 1777. On the 4th of September, of that year, Brig .- General Prescott sent an order to Col. Brooks to have his enlisted men formed into companies and to meet in Concord the following Saturday, to appoint his field-officers. He wrote in this order, that " he never received one of greater importance," and entreated him "not to fail paying attention to it, as he valued his own reputation or the salvation of his country." These orders, like all others, were promptly obeyed. Col. Pierce, Capt. Samuel Farrar, and others, were also distinguished in the service.
March, 1778, £3880 were granted to pay soldiers ; and in 1780 it was voted, " that each person that furnishes one cotton shirt
301
GENERAL HISTORY.
for the continental soldiers, shall receive out of the town treasury, £42 ; and each person that furnishes a pair of shoes for the same purpose shall have £32 ; and each person that furnishes one pair of socks shall receive £2." On the 2d of June, £18,000 were granted to hire men for the war ; and in September, £15,840 for the same object, and £8,500 to purchase beef for the army. On the following January, £16,240 more were granted for the same object. During 1781, large sums were raised to hire men, buy clothing, and for other public objects, till this town, like many others, became exceedingly embarrassed.
Such are a few items selected from the proceedings of the town in relation to the revolution. They are sufficient to show the undeviating and devoted patriotism of the town ; a patriotism not consisting in resolves only, but in a series of noble sacrifices of self-interest for the general good, alike honorable to it as a town and to the individuals composing it, and worthy of being remembered and imitated.
The town guarded their rights with careful jealousy. When the constitution, formed by the State Convention, February 28th, 1778, was submitted to the town, it voted, 39 to 38, to disapprove of it. In May, 1779, it was voted, " that the town will not choose at this time to have a new constitution or form of government made "; but on July 28th, the Hon. Eleazer Brooks was chosen a delegate to the convention in Cambridge, "for the sole pur- pose of framing a new constitution, and the delegate was in- structed to cause a printed copy of the form of a constitution, they may agree upon in said convention, to be transmitted to the selectmen of each town." This constitution was submitted to the town, 22d of May, 1780.
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