USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > History of the town of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, comprising also a history of Lunenburg, from its first settlement to the year 1764 (1836) > Part 5
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In his flight Goodridge lost his hat, and the Indians secu- red it as a trophy. It is not a little remarkable that, about ten years after this, in the succeeding war, an Indian was taken somewhere on Connecticut river, having on his head the iden- tical hat of Deacon David Goodridge, not much the worse for wear. On his getting clear of the Indians, Goodridge betook himself to Page's garrison, and an alarm was forthwith fired. In a short time men poured in from Lunenburg, and even from Groton. It is worthy of notice that in two hours after the a- ların was given, a Major Willard, with a company of cavalry, arrived at the garrison from Lancaster.
The Indians, upon the alarm being given, retired to the top of Rollstene, from whence they could command a view of the movements beneath them, and seeing a great commotion and people flocking in from abroad, they thought it advisable to withdraw into some secret place.
It was on the following morning, according to the accounts of aged people, that the garrison of John Fitch was attacked. He lived at this time several miles distant from his nearest neighbors, and was the farthest west of them all. His family consisted of himself, wife, four children, (one son and three daughters,) and the two soldiers already mentioned. One of these, on going out of the fort to examine about the premises, (thinking from certain indications that Indians were lurking in the vicinity) was immediately shot down. The Indians then commenced the attack upon the garrison, which Fitch
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and the remaining soldier defended for a short time. The fat, ter was soon shot through the port hole, and Fitch was indu- ved to surrender. Surdody was desivous of having him killed on the spot, but he was overruled in this by the others, who. were disposed to carry him and his family into captivity, and so receive the highest bounty from the French, and a large sum for their ransom. Fitch, accompanied by his wife and four children, and under the escort of his captors, was carried to Montreal. His habitation was at such a distance from the principal settlement, that the report of his capture was not spread till the following morning. It reached the middle of Lunenburg, however, long before the rising of the sun, and the alarm (three muskets, heavily loaded, discharged with a cor- tain interval between each report) was immediately fired .- Soldiers arrived in an incredibly short period from Groton, Lancaster, and even from Westford. They immediately put themselves under the command of Major Hartwell, and started in pursuit. They had not proceeded far beyond the smoking. ruins of the garrison before they discovered a paper stuck in the bark of a tree. This contained a request, signed by Fitch, not to have his friends pursue him; for the Indians had given him to understand what his destiny was to be, if they were not mo- lested ; but if they should be pursued and likely to be overta- ken, then they should forthwith kill him, together with his wife and children. The soldiers, on the receipt of this, returned. Fitch and his family were carried to Montreal, where they re- mained for about one year, enduring great hardships. They were then ransomed, principally by means of a subscription raised among the people of Bradford, the place of his formes. residence. They all lived to return to their home, with the exception of Mrs. Fitch, who died, while on her return, at Prov- idence, R. I .*
*I would here correct an error in Whitney's account of this af- fair, which is as follows :- "In the summer of the year 1749, the Indians came into the northwest limits of the town, and killed two soldiers, Jennings and Blodget, who were stationed there, and carried Mr. John Fitch and his family into captivity, who all returned in safety, after enduring incredible hardships and fatigues, except Mrs. Fitch who sickened and died Canada."
There is an error of two years in this statement. In the first place, the war between France and England was concluded in 1748, and the French would not pay a bounty for English pris- oners after that period. Secondly, an aged man of this town, recently deceased, remembered how old he was when Fitch was. taken, and was quite positive that the event occurred on the 16th
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After this period, Mr. Fitch was prospered in his worldly concerns, and became one of the wealthiest men of the place. When the country above him became settled, he opened a pub- lic house. He presents one of many instances of the nueer- tainty of riches. He lived to the good old age of one hundred and five years, and died in the poor house of Ashby!
A few Indians remained behind, after the capture of Fitch, to observe its effects. They continued several days skulking about, and on the watch for more prisoners or scalps. Dea. Amos Kimball was hocing corn in his field, and hearing a rustling in the brush fence near him, he looked in that direc- tion and saw a gun pointed at him through the fence by an Indian. The latter seemed to be reserving his fire till his vic- tim should draw a little nearer. Kimball knew that if he ran, it would be sure death, as he was then so near ; so he pretend- ed not to see any thing, and kept scratching with his hoe and working off-looking down as if busily at work-till he sup- posed that he had attained to a sufficient distance to give him a chance to escape. He then made good use of his heels .- The Indian, as his only chance, fired-and the ball struck a tree a short distance in front of his intended vicum. As Kimball im- mediately gave the alarm, this scout thought it best to be off; A few of them made a circuit through Westminster-killed one man named Bowman, who was at work in a field, and, ac-
of July, 1747. Thirdly, the Records of Lunenburg state that "Susanna Fitch ye wife of Mr. John Fitch Deceast December ye 24th 1748, at Providence in ye Collony of Rhod Island."- Now Mrs. Fitch could not dic at Providence in 1748, and be taken captive by the Indians in the following summer. The au- thority of the Records cannot be disputed. Furthermore, the in- tentions of marriage between Mr. Fitch and his second wife were recorded in Dee. 1750-quite too early, if he was taken in 1749, and his first wife lived nearly or quite a year after the event.
'There is a story current, respecting this second wife of John Fitch, to this effect :-- She undertook, one day, to make some candles, and accordingly put the ingredients-tallow and wick- ing-together in a kettle over the fire, and commenced stirring them together. This she continued to do till she was reduced nearly to the state of the liquid over which she was engaged .- One of her neighbors enquiring the meaning of such uansual conduct, she replied that she was making candles, and wondered very much "why they did not come!"
Jacob Fitch, who was an infant when he was carried into Canada, was afterwards a clerk in the store of Dr. John Taylor in Lunenburg. Though in other respects well formed, his low- er limbs were of a dwarfish size, in consequence of the rigor with which he was bound.
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cording to the statement of my informant ( Arrington Gibsan,) "carried his scalp into captivity"-then passed rapidly on tow- ards Canada, and overtook their companions with Fitch, before their arrival at Montreal. This was the last of ludian warfare and depredations within our borders.
After the events above detailed, and previous to the incor- poration of the town of Fitchburg, several families moved into the westerly part of Lunenburg, whose names will be given when I speak of those living in Fitchburg when it was erected into a separate town. Capt. Sammel Hunt came into this town (from Worcester, as I have been told) and built a part of the house now occupied by James L. Haynes. In the year 1761 he conneneed keeping tavern there. This was the first pub- lic house ever kept in the precinets of Fitchburg.
At this period considerable difficulty was experienced in the collection of taxes. The paper money was of uncertain value, and the constables, upon whom this duty devolved, had not sufficient authority to enforce prompt payments. They were required to pay over the sums, which they had been ordered to collect, within a certain period ; and if they failed to collect them, the loss fell upon their own shoulders. It was not un- common for them to pay their fines rather than accept office. In January, 1763, a town meeting was held in "Capt. Joshua Hutchens' Long Chamber," when Abijah Hovey was chosen constable. He being absent, a messenger was despatched for him, who reported "that Mr. Hovey would not serve the town as constable, would be glad if the town would excuse him, if they would not, he would pay the fine." And so he paid his fine. "Then chose Jonathan Pearce constable. . Ile replied that he did not choose to serve, unless he could be sufficiently authorized to collect the taxes. After a long disputation and debate Mr. Pearce was again desired to declare to the town his acceptance or non-acceptance of the office. He desired more time for consideration ; and finally refused to serve." --- Jonathan Bradstreet was then chosen. "Mr. Bradstreet being immediately notified of the town's choice, presented himself to the town, and being asked by the moderator whether he would accept the office of a constable, Mr. Bradstreet replied that he scrupled whether the fine could be recovered of him ; the moderator insisting upon a peremptory answer, he replied he scrupled whether the fine could be recovered of him,"-and finally he refused to serve. Richard Taylor was next chosen, "who made his appearance and declared he would not serve once and again." The town crcused him. Paul Wetherbee was then chosen, who accepted the office.
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I have already mentioned the death of Rev. Mr. Stearns, the second minister of Lnnenburg, which took place in March, 1761, in the 521 year of his age and 29th of his ministry .- Ile was much beloved by his people, who built a monument to his memory .* They also paid the whole amount of his salary for the year 1761 to his widow "Madam Rath Stearns."
Immediately after the decease of Mr. Stearns, R .v. Josiah Bridge (Harvard University, 175S) was hired to preach ; and in August of the same year, Rev. Samuel Payson, a class-mate of Mr. Bridge, was hired. In the following Feb. the town 'gave him a call,' offering him an annual salary of Sol. and 2004. "for his encouragement and comfortable settlement." __ He was ordained in Sept. 1762. A committee was chosen "to make suitable provision for the venerable Council and other gentlemen of note and distinction who shall attend the ordina- tion."
Mr. Payson continued but five months in the ministry, hav- ing died in Feb. 1763, aged 21. He was a native of Walpole, Mass.f Rev. Ebenezer Sparhawk of Templeton was invited "to come and pray with the town" and the nighboring minis-
*The following is a copy of the inscription upon the tomb- stone of Rev. Mr. Stearus: -
"THIS MONUMENT, ERECTED BY THE TOWN OF LUNENBURGH, IS SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THE REVEREND DAVID STEARNS THEIR MUCH BELOVED AND RESPECTED PASTOR. WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE IN THE JOYFUL EXPECTATION OF A BETTER ON THE 9th DAY OF MARCH A. D. 1761 AND IN THE 524. YEAR OF HIS AGE. IN HIS PRIVATE CAPACITY HE WAS A KIND HUSBAND, A TENDER PARENT AN AFFECTIONATE BROTHER AND A FAITHFUL FRIEND. IN HIS MINISTERIAL CHARACTER HIS CONVERSATION WAS PURE ENTERTAINING AND INSTRUCTIVE HIS DOCTRINES PLAIN AND SCRIPTURAL AND HIS LIFE TRULY EXEMPLARY. HIe was adorned
with hospitality, with singular prudence and a most endearing benevolence; with a good knowledge of men and things, with a fervent zeal for the Glory of Christ, and the salvation of souls; and was governed by the influence of these accomplishments.
Help, Lord, for the Goilly man ceaseth."
tThe inscription upon the tomb-stone of Rev. Mr. Payson is
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ters were invited to attend the funeral. The town also "voted to give to Miss Elizabeth Stearns (affianced to Rev. Mr. Pay? son) a neat handsome suit of mourning," "to the father and brothers of the deceased, weeds and gloves-to his mother and 1-2 sister veils, handkerchiefs and gloves."
Rev. Messrs. Champney, Fiske and Davis were hired to preach after Mr. Stearns' death. Mr. Davis received an invi- tation to 'settle,' which he declined. May 19th. the town concurred with the church in appointing "a fast on Thursday come fortnight." In Nov. Rev. Zabdiel Adams was procured to preach. He was settled soon after Fitchburg was incorpor- ated.
For several years previous to this event (the incorporation of the town) the inhabitants of the westerly part of Lunenburg began to have shrewd suspicions that they were able to walk alone-that they were sufficient in knowledge and numbers to manage their own affairs-and that it was an unnecessary bur- then upon them to be compelled to travel the distance of five or ten miles to attend Divine service and transact the ordinary business of town affairs.
ns follows :-
"QUIESCUNT SUB HOC TUMULO RELIQUIE REV. SAMUELIS PAYSON A. M. QUI ECCLESIA LUNENBURGENSIS PASTOR DOCTUS FIDELIS PRÆSTANTI VIR INGENIO MORUMQUE GESTU AMABILI VIRTUTIS POTIUSQUAN DIERUM PLENUS ATROPILE MORBO OCCUBUIT ID, FEB. SALUT, M. DCCLXIII. ET. XXIV. A FATHER ERECTS THIS MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF A BELOVED SON."
It may be translated thus:
Here rest, within this tomb, the remains of Rev. Samuel Pay- son A. M. the learned and exemplary Pastor of the church of Lunenburg. He was a man of superior abilities, and of an amiable disposition; more distinguished for virtues than for length of days. Ifc died of an atrophy in February A. D. 1763, aged 24.
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It will be seen, upon an inspection of the case," that "there was a pretty good foundation for these opinions. By an ex- amination of the Records, it will be seen that a very fair pro- portion of those who were selected to manage the most impor- tant affairs of the town, was taken from among those afterwards belonging to Fitchburg. It ought furthermore to be consider- ed, that a ride of ten miles then, was quite a different affair from a ride of that distance now. Of the roads at that period men- tion has already been made. They were but little better than cow-paths. When this town was incorporated, there were no wheel carriages here, of a higher rank than ox-carts. Any vehicle of lighter construction would have soon gone to des- truction over such roads. Journeys were then made on horse- back or on foot. A spruce young gentleman, in treating the mistress of his affections to a ride-or the sober-minded husband in carrying the partner of his life to church-brings the sure- paced animal to the horse block and mounts-the lady places herself on the pillion behind him. The horse starts off on a walk,-the greatest speed at which it would be considered safe to drive him, through roads so rough. They thus pursue their journey, winding along up one hill, and then another. The horse leaps over the smaller streams, for fear of wetting his feet, and wades boldly through the larger ones, even to endan- gering the feet of his riders. Now the gentleman dismounts to 'let down' the bars, and then proceeds along, dodging under the boughs, twigs and limbs of trees. He must start very ear- ly, or arrive at his journey's end very late. It is therefore not to be wondered at that the early settlers of this town began, so early as they did, to desire a separation from the parent stock, that they might be nearer home in the performance of their public duties, whether they were such as they owed to the community or to their Maker.
From the record of the town meeting, March, 1757, it ap- pears that Samuel Hunt and others petitioned to the town of Lunenburg to have the westerly part of the same set off, in order to have it incorporated into a separate town. This pe- tition was referred to a committee. with directions to report at the next May meeting. At the May meeting, the committee reported-but whether in accordance with the prayer of the petitioners or not, we are not informed. The report, however, excited considerable debate, and was recommitted for an a- mendment-and the committee was directed to report at the following Sept. meeting. Among the recorded proceedings of the Sept. meeting, not one word is said respecting the re- port, or Samuel Hunt's petition. Nothing further respecting G
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this subject is recorded, till May, 1761, when the town voted that the request of Sammel Hnet and others "be so far granted that one half of the land in the township of Lnneuburg, and the westerly part thereof-running a parallel line with the west line of said township-be and hereby is set off a sepa- rate Parish by itself, Provided they shall place ftheir meeting house as near the cenlure of said parish as may be, so as to ac- commodate the whole, and that as soon as? they are able and do maintain the Gospel among themselves, that they shall be freed from all costs and charges of maintaining the Gospel in the first parish." But this grant did not satisfy the petition- ers ; for the record states that immediately a motion was made that the request be granted in full -- which passed in the nega- tive.
In the following Angast the request of Amos Kimball and others, to be set off into a separate town was presented. It shared the same fate with that of Sammel Hunt-with the ex- ception that it did not live nearly so long, for it was killed on the spot. "After debate thereon, it passed in the negative."
In the warrant for town meeting in March, 1763, there was an article to hear the petition of Dea. Benjamin Foster and nine others, "to set off into a district and precinct by them- selves" all the inhabitants on the westerly side of Pearl Hill brook, and Dorchester farm, so called. The town refused to act on this article.
In the warrant far town meeting in the May following, there was an article of similar import -- with the exception that it said, "To see if the town will consent that application may be made to the General Court, to incorporate the wester- ly part, &c. into a town. This article was negatived. But the advocates for this measure made another attempt in the following January, and with much better success, for the town then voted to 'let the people go.' This vote was passed Jan. 25th. 1764, at "the request of Dea. Benjamin Foster, Dea. Samuel Putnam and others," which was as follows :- That the town vote "the lands in said Lunenburg, which lie west and west- wardly of the line hereafter described, should be set off from said town, that so the said lands, and inhabitants thereon, may be formed by the General Court into a town or district, as they shall think proper." (Here follows a description of the line, which corresponds with the easterly boundary of Fitchburg.) This was granted, on condition that "the inhabitants should pay their minister's tax, as heretofare they had done, until they should be formed into a district."
The long sought for object of the people of the westerly part of
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HISTORY OF FITCHBURG.
Lunenburg having been obtained, a committee consisting of Messrs. John Fitch, Amos Kimball, Samuel Hunt, Ephraim Whitney, and Jonathan Wood, was chosen to wait upon the General Court, to procure the act of incorporation ; and they performed their duty so promptly and perseveringly, that on the 3d. of February, 1754,-just nine days after the passage of the above vote -- the act passed the Legislature and receiv- ed the signature of the Governor.
Feb. 3d. 1761, was therefore the birth day of Fitchburg, which was 72 years old on the 3d. of Feb. 1836.
It is the general report that the town was named in honor of John Fitch, who was the first man on the committee ap- pointed to procure the act of incorporation, and was the same individual taken captive by the Indians in 1747. Some peo- ple think that the town was named in honor of a Col. Timothy Fitch, a wealthy merchant of Boston who owned extensive tracts of land in the town, and was considered, in those days, as a man of 'note and distinction.' It is true that John Fitch, at this time, was an extensive landholder, and perhaps a man of some influence-and he may have taken an active part in getting the town incorporated. Yet there were many in the town who were held in higher estimation than he. Previous to this period he seems to have been elected to only three offices by the good people of Lunenburg. In 173S, he was chosen one of the "Hogge reives ;" afterwards he was chosen "to take care of Deer," and again "to take care of fire and burn the woods." These certainly were not distinguished stations. But whether the town was named in honor of this individual, or of the above named Col. Fitch, is a point which will probably re- main forever in obscurity. This is a circumstance not a little surprising, when it is considered how recently the town recei- ved its name, and that there are people now living who re- member the event perfectly well.
The act of incorporation, which the committee was so prompt in procuring, is as follows :-
"Anno regni Regis Georgii tertii Quarto.
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Rep- resentatives, That the inhabitants, with their lands, in the westerly part of Lunenburg-beginning," &c. (Ilere follows the boundaries of the town by 'stakes and stones,' which it is not necessary to repeat)-"be and hereby are set off and erec- ted into a separate town, by the name of Fitchburgh ; and that said town be invested with all the powers, privileges, and im- munities that other towns in this Province do, or may, by law, enjoy ;- that of sending a Representative to the General As-
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sembly only excepted ;- and that the inhabitants of said town shall have full power and right, from time to time, to join with the said town of Lunenburg in the choice of a Representative or Representatives, and be subject to pay their proportionable part of the charges, who may be chosen either in the town of Lunenburg, or in the town of Fitchburgh, in which choice they shall enjoy all the privileges, which by law they would have been entitled to, if this act had not been made ; and the Select- men of the town of Lunenburg shall issue their warrant to one or more of the constables of Fitchburgh, requiring them to notify the inhabitants of the town of Fitchburgh of the time and place of meeting for such choice,-Provided, nevertheless, .And be it further enacted, that the said town of Fitchburgh shall pay their proportion of all town, county, and Province taxes, already set on, or granted to be raised by, said town of Lunenburg, as if this act had not been made ;-
And be it further enacted-That Edward Hartwell, Esq. be, and hereby is empowered to issue his warrant directed to some principal inhabitant of said town of Fitchburgh, requir- ing him to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town, qual- ified by law to vote in town affairs, to meet at such time and place as shall therein be set forth, to choose all such officers as shall be necessary to manage the affairs of said town."
This bill passed the House, Feb. 2d. 1761, and the Council on the following day-when it also received the assent of the Governor.
At this period there were in the whole town not more than 43 or 4 families, and the whole number of inhabitants did not much, if any, exceed 250 .* At the present time it contains more than ten times that number.
Perhaps a more accurate picture of the town, in 1764, could not be presented, than by stating the place of residence of each family, living in the town, when it was incorporated. Consid- erable pains have been taken to make this statement correct. Amos Kimballt lived where Samuel Hale now lives.
*To the brief account of Fitchburg in an old edition of Morse's Gazettoer,some unknown person has appended a manuscript note, stating that the population of the town, in 1765, was 259. What degree of eredit this statement is entitled to, I know not.
+He was a man of unblemished reputation, and was always highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. He died in 1774, at the age of 57. None of his descendants now remain in the town .- George Kimball Esqr. of Lunenburg, who built the house where Jacob Caldwell now resides, was a brother of Amos.
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HISTORY OF FITCHBURG.
Ephraim Kimball lived where
the Storeys now live.
Samuel Pierce & ) "
Capt. James Cowdin &
William Steward
Jacob Tollman live.
Solomon Steward* " 66 there is a cellar hole, and a barn lately stood on the farm now owned by O. H. Fox.
Phinehas Steward "
the "Poor House" now stands.
Robert (?) Wares
66
Joseph Battles now lives.
Samuel Poole
66 Charles Beckwith
James Poole 66 66
Joseph Farnsworth 66
Kendall Boutelle
66
Capt. A. Boutelle
Francis Fullam 66
Jacob Fullam 66
Silas Snow 66 66
Win. Downe 66
Nehemiah Fuller 66
Thomas B. Goodhue "
Ephraim Osborne
Joseph Downe Esqr. "
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