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 7
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The good people of Fitchburg being vexed by the intrusion of 'cattel' belonging to persons having no 'interest' in the town, they promptly forbade the entrance of all such 'cattel,' and proceeded to build a "pound with logs." It was enjoined "that every person in town come and work at said pound, or pay his proportion." It was a common practice for them, however, to vote that their own "Hoaggs Go att Large lawfuly Yokt and Ringd,"-as the erudite Town Clerk has recorded it. .
It is well known that, at this period, the disputes and diffi- culties between Great Britian and her Colonies were fast ap- proaching a crisis. Soon after the French power in Canada had been crushed in 1759, the British Ministry began, to turn their thoughts towards raising a revenue in America, Their
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town-meeting, and then to take into consideration the critical condition of government affairs, and to choose an agent to come to Boston to express there the views, wishes, and deter- mination of the people of Fitchburg on this important subject. A town-meeting was accordingly called, and this town, in con- junction with Lunenburg, chose Hon. Edward Hartwell of the av for place to be their agent. What his instructions were, the Records do not state; but their subsequent proceedings leave no doubt but that thus early the people were resolved upon maintaining their rights.
'The firm resistance, with which the projects of the British government were received, served to strengthen the determin- ation of the Ministry to carry their point at all hazards. Troops were stationed in Boston to overawe the inhabitants. Acts of increased severity were passed. The colonists saw that they must yield or maintain their rights at the point of the bayonet. They did hesitate between the alternatives. They did not prepare for the encounter under the impulse of the moment but calmly deliberated upon the propriety of every measure .- The pens of Otis, Adams and their associates were ever busy. The acts of the government were severely scrutinized, and the rights of the Colonies most ably vindicated and maintained .-- But one sentiment pervaded the community, and that was a fixed determination to preserve inviolate their freedom.
The people of Boston took the lead in these measures of re- sistance, and were nobly seconded by the inhabitants of the other towns. They sought an expression of opinion from ev- ery town on the all-engrossing subject of dispute, in order that they might know what they could rely upon, if it should be necessary to meet the obstinaey of Great Britian with open rebellion.
In November, 1773, another letter was received from the town of Boston, requesting the inhabitants of Fitchburg to pass such resolves concerning their rights and privileges as free members of society, as they were willing to die in main- taining-and to send them, in the form of a report, to the Committee of Correspondence in Boston. The town was not unmindful of this invitation. A meeting was held on the first day of December following. A copy of the records of this meeting will convey a good idea of the views and feelings of the inhabitants on these important subjects. The record is as follows :-
"At a Legal town meeting in Fitchburg on the first day of December, 1773, in order to take into consideration the letters of correspondency from the town of Boston,-the Town made I
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choice of Mr. Isaac Gibson as moderator for the government of said meeting. These said letters were read before the town- and after the town had deliberated thereon with zeal and can- dor, unanimously agreed to choose a committee of 7 men & chose Mr. Isaac Gibson, Capt. Renben Gibson, Messrs. Phin- ehas Hartwell, Ebenezer Wood, Ebenezer Bridge, Kendall Boutelle and Solomon Steward, as a committee to consider of our constitutional rights and privileges in connnon with other towns in this Province, together with the many flagrant in- fringements that have been made thereon, and to report at tl.c adjournment ;- and then this meeting was adjourned to the 15th. of the same month. At the adjourned meeting the com- mittee reported as follows :-
Having with great satisfaction perused the circular letters from the committee of correspondeney for the Town of Bos- ton, wherein are so clearly held forth our rights and privileg- es as Englishmen and Christians, and also a list of the many infringements that have been made thereon, which letters of correspondence we highly approve of and unanimously con- sent unto, and resolve to stand fast in the liberty and rights wherewith our Gracious Sovereign Kings have made us free by an undeniable Charter and Decree from them, their heirs and successors forever,-And we are fully persuaded that lib- erty is a most precious gift of God our Creator to all mankind, and is of such a nature, that no person or community can just- ly part with it, and consequently that no men, or number of men, can have a right to exercise despotism or tyranny over their fellow creatures ;- and to save us from such extreme wretchedness, we believe the vigilance and combined endeav- ors of this people are necessary-and we hope through the fa- vor of Divine Providence, will be effectual. And we think it our indispensable duty as men, as Englishmen and Christians, to make the most public declaration in our power on the side of liberty. We have indeed an ambition to be known to the world and to posterity as friends of liberty-and we desire to use all proper means in our contracted sphere to promote it, and · We are necessitated to view the enemies of liberty, as enemies of our lawful sovereign, King George, and his illustrious fam- ily ;- because tyranny and slavery are fundamentally repug- nant to the British Constitution. But in declaring our pres- ent thoughts and resolutions, we are moved by a principle of humanity and benevolence to the people of Great Britian, whose happiness is so involved with ours that the oppressors and depredations endued on us by tyrannical government, must be essentially detrimental to them. We therefore earnestly
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supplicate the Deity to preserve them from political lethargy, and so from the most shameful and miserable bondage. And we are fond of having our little, obscure names associated with our American brethren as instruments in the hands of God, to save Britian from that complete destruction, which is now med- itating and visibly impending. We wish, therefore, our coun- trymen to join with us in praying for a spirit of reformation on the inhabitants both of England and America, because right- eousness is the exaltation and glory of any society. And we humbly hope that being so late in giving our sentiments upon affairs so deeply interesting to the American Colonies in gen- eral, and to this Province in particular, will not be imputed to our being unaffected with the alarming and unconstitutional encroachinents, that have been made upon our civil rights and privileges,-for we assure you we will not be wanting at all times according to our small ability, in procuring and promo- ting all lawful and constitutional measures, proper for the con- tinuance of all our rights and privileges, both civil and relig- ious. And we think it our duty on this occasion, in behalf of ourselves and our dear country, to express our unfeigned grat- itude to the respectable Gentlemen of the town of Boston, for the light and counsel that they have presented to us in their circular letters, and their many generous efforts in the defence of our privileges, and in the cause of liberty,-and in our ear- nest prayers to Almighty God, that they may be animated still to proceed and prosper in such a noble and generous design, and finally may they receive that most ample and durable re- ward ;- And that these resolves be recorded in our town book . of records, and that the town Clerk give an attested copy to the said committee, to be communicated to the committee of correspondence for the town of Boston .- And with respect to the East Tea-forasmuch as we are now informed that the town of Boston and the neighboring towns have made such noble opposition to said 'Tea's being brought into Boston, sub- ject to a duty so directly tending to the enslaving of America -it is our opinion that your opposition is just and equitable ; and the people of this town are ready to afford all the assist- ance in their power, to keep off all such infringements."
"THOMAS COWDIN, Town Clerk."
We learn from the above what the sentiments of the people of this town were, concerning the course which Great Britian was pursuing towards her colonies. They believed that it was oppressive and unjust, and that they, as freemen, ought by no means to submit to it. Though living far back in the interior, they heartily responded to the noble and patriotic sentiments
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which animated the bosoms of the people of Boston, and ac- quired for their favorite place of niceting (Faneuil Hall) that most beautiful of names-the "Cradle of Liberty."
We see also that with respect to the tax on tea, the oph- ions of the people of this town accorded with those of the in- habitants of Boston. They were not only willing to ferego that luxury, but even to take up arms against it, rather than submit in the least to an arbitrary mode of taxation. They offered support and assistance in an hour when none but the most faithful remain firm. They were determined and coura-
geous, but with their courage was mingled discretion. That their zeal had no kindred with outrage is shown in the follow- ing instructions, which they gave to their representative, in May, 1774. This representative, Dr. John Taylor of Lunen- burg, was chosen jointly by the towns of Lunenburg and Fitchburg, and a committee consisting of Isaac Gibson and Phinehas Hartwell of this town, and three gentlemen of Lu- nenburg, was directed to draft instructions, by which he should be governed in the House of Representatives. They were as follows :-
"Dr. John Taylor -- Sir, As you are chosen by the towns of Lunenburg and Fitchburg to represent them in the Great and General Court for the present year, we think it our duty funder the present alarming circumstances of public affairs, to give you the following instructions, Viz :- That you bear testimony against all riotous practices, and all other unconstitutional pro- ceedings, and that you do not, by any means whatsoever, ci- ther directly or indirectly, give up any of our charter rights "and privileges, and that you use your endeavors that those, that we have been abridged of, may be restored to us, and that you use your influence that provision be made for the discoun- tenancing all unwarrantable practices with respect to bribery . in those that set themselves up as candidates for representa- tives for the people, either by the way of treats or entertain- ments, which may have been too frequent a practice in many places,-and further we would have you move in the General Assembly, that there might be a Congress and union with all the Provinces, and in case any thing extraordinary should hap- pen or appear, that you should immediately notify your con- stituents. There are many things of lesser importance, that we must leave discretionary with yourself, trusting that you will offen revolve in your mind how great a trust is devolved upon you, and that you will give constant attendance, so far as you are able, to the business to which you are appointed ; -and we hope that you will be actuated by a spirit of impar- tiality, free from private views and sinister ends."
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Whether Dr. John Taylor moved in the General Assembly for the Congress, in accordance with his instructions, I do not know, but the deputies of such a congress met in Philadelphia in Sept. 1774.
A Provincial Congress, of which John Hancock was the president, met at Concord on the 2d Tuesday of October, and after adjourning to Cambidge, drew up a plan for the immedi- ate defence of the Province. They resolved that at least one fourth part of the Militia should be enrolled as minute men, i. e. should be prepared to march at a minute's warning, on any emergency. To the Congress which took this decisive step, this town sent Capt. David Goodridge as delegate. The members were supported and paid for their services by contri- ' bution ; and this town voted that if there should be any over- plus, after paying their delegate, it should be appropriated to the purchase of powder-the people seeming to be well con- vinced that something more noisy than talk would be expended, before the dispute should be finished.
At this time (October) the Selectmen paid 141. 48. (47,33) for powder, lead and flints; and in November, in accordance with the vote of Congress, forty men were enlisted to form a company of minute men. The town also voted to indemnify the constables for refusing to pay over the money, which had been assessed by the Province, into the hands of Harrison Gray Esqr. It was also voted to indemnify the assessors for refusing to return the names of such constables, though re- quested. These were certainly very bold measures, and well calculated to bring on the tug of war.
On the 10th. day of January, 1775, the town chose Capt. David Goodridge a delegate to the Provincial Congress which was to meet at Cambridge on the 1st day of February. A Com- mittee was also chosen to review and inspect the Minute Company,' as it was called,-and Joseph Fox was appointed to receive any article, which the inhabitants of the town might see fit to contribute to the relief of the poor of Boston, who were now suffering under the vengeance of the British Far- liament for the tea affair, &c.
It will thus be seen that the town was prepared for the im- portant crisis, which was now at hand-the opening scene of the Revolution. A small detachment of troops had been sent from Boston in February to destroy the military stores collec- ted at Salem, and those at Concord were exposed to the same danger.
The 19th. of April, the day on which the troops of Great Britain and her Colonies first came in hostile collision, had
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now dawned. The British troops reached Concord at 7 o'clock A. M. and the 'Alarm' was fired in Fitchburg at 9 o'clock, io front of the store of Dea. Ephraim Kimball, which then stood on the site of the present Stone Mill in the Old City.' This was the appointed rendezvous of the 'Minute Men,' where their guns and equipments were kept ready for instant action .- 'This company had spent the previous day at drill. They as- sembled here as soon as possible, when the alarm was given, and, being joined by several volunteers, about fifty men took up the line of march for Concord, under the command of Capt. (afterwards Col.) Ebenezer Bridge. They arrived at their destination in the course of the same evening, but in sufficient season only to witness some of the effects of the action viz. some dead bodies, and several wounded British soldies, whom their brethren, in the rapidity of their flight, had left to the mercy of the people. The remains of the British detachment were, by this time, safely entrenched on Bunker Hill.
The anxiety which prevailed throughout the town, on this day, may be imagined. Exaggerated reports of the force and intentions of the enemy were spread, and every thing was veiled in uncertainty. A large proportion of the able bodied men had marched forward at a moment's warning to encoun- ter dangers, how great no one could tell. Many a one, in bid- ding farewell to a father, husband or brother, felt that the sep- aration might be eternal.
Those who remained were not inattentive to the physical wants of the departed. A large baggage wayyou well filled with provisions was umane diate ly sent forward, under the rain of Thomas Condin .I.
It thus appears that when the time of action came, the peo- ple of the town did not fail to make their deeds correspond with their professions.
As there was no immediate need for their services, a large number of the men soon returned home. The provisions, which they did not consume, were afterwards sold, and the proceeds, amounting to $48,50 were given, by a vote of the town, to their minister Rev. John Payson-on the principle, perhaps, that if this money was not wanted by those who fought our battles, it could not be better appropriated than by being given to one who earnestly prayed for our success.
The army which was now assembled around Boston was composed of "minute men" and others, who had rushed to the scene of action upon the first alarm of the battle of Lexington. It was necessary to proceed to organize this body of men im- mediately. Measures to this effect were taken, and the men
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were regularly enlisted, formed into companies and regiments. A company was enlisted (most of them for eighteen months) and organized from among the volunteers of Lunenburg and Fitchburg. Of this company John Fuller of Lunenburg was captain, Ebenezer Bridge of Fitchburg Lieutenant, and Jared Smith of Lunenburg Ensign.
After this period several of the inhabitants joined the army at different periods, and for different lenghts of time. As near as I can learn, about thirty were constantly in the army till the British troops evacuated Boston, in March, 1776.
It is not certainly known how many of the inhabitants of this town were engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill, but the number was not far from ten or twelve. I have been able get the names of four or five. John Gibson, a son of Isaac Gibson (whose name has frequently occurred in the course of this his- tory) was one of these. It is supposed that he was killed there for he has never been seen or heard of since that day. He was last seen in the entrenchments, in the hottest of the fight, bravely opposing the enemy with the breech of his gun. There cannot be much doubt but that he was finally overpowered and killed, though his body could not be recognized among the slain.
It may be worthy of remark that, after this period, no sol- dier belonging to this town was killed during the continuance of the war, and that one only was severely wounded, some years after this.
On the 22d. day of May, Joseph Fox was chosen a dele- gate to attend the Provincial Congress, which assembled at the meetinghouse in Watertown on the 31st. of the same month. At the same town-meeting, it was voted to purchase 40 bayonets, (which cost $26.) These were probably for the use of the standing company, which had been formed several years previous, and of which Ebenezer Woods was command- ing officer. How these bayonets were made to fit guns of dif- ferent calibres tradition has not informed us.
The warrant for a town meeting in July deserves more par- ticular notice, as differing from all previous and several subse- quent ones. They had ever commenced in this form-"In his Majesty's name you are hereby required to warn" &c. But this runs in the following manner-"In his Majesty's name, and in observance to the Provincial and Continental Congress' Re- solves, you are required" &c. This course was probably dic- tated by that sound discretion which suggests the propriety of treating all anthorities with dne respect, they not knowing in- to whose hands they might fall. The town voted not to send
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a delegate to the Provincial Congress at Watertown, "by virtue of that warrant." Several of the succeeding warrants ran in the old forin. In March, 1776, the town, by order of the Gener- al Court, chose a Committee of correspondence, consisting of Renben Gibson, Kendall Boutelle, Asa Perry, John Putnam and Silas Snow. This was the last occasion on which the people of Fitchburg acknowledged the authority of "his Maj- esty's name."
The warrant for a meeting in May ran thes-"In observ- ance of the Colony Writ to us directed-These are in the name of the Government and People of the Massachusetts Bay to will and require you" &c. At this meeting it was voted not to send a representative to the General Court at Watertown.
The next town meeting, which was held on the first day of July, 1776, shows what was the disposition of the inhabitants, when the important question of National independence was submitted to them. The General Conrt, then in session, had assured the Continental Congres, that if they, in their wisdom, should deem it expedient to declare the colonies free and inde- pendent, the people of this colony would undoubtedly support them in the measure. The State Legislature, however, to make the thing certain, passed a resolve that each town should act individually on the important question. By virtue of this resolve, this town assembled on the Ist. day of July. The pro- ceedings of this meeting are recorded as follows-
"Voted, that if the Honorable Continental Congress should, for the safety of these United Colonies, declare them indepen- dent of the Kingdom of Great Britian, that we, the inhabitants of the town of Fitchburg, will with our lives and fortunes sup- port them in the measure." This took place only three days previous to the adoption of the Declaration by Congress. The question was introduced there on Friday, the 7th of June, and was discussed ou that day, on Saturday, and on the following Monday. Further debate was postponed till July Ist. It was during this interval that the question was submitted to the sev- eral towns of this Province. On the very day, on which the question was resumed in Congress, the people of Fitchburg de- clared themselves ready to peril their lives and fortunes in the cause of freedom.
The declaration having been adopted, copies were sent, by order of the Council, to the several towns of the state, where they were read from the pulpit, and then copied into the town Book of Records -- "there to remain as a perpetual memorial thereof."
In October, the question was submitted to this town, wheth-
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er they were willing that the then Representative House, to- gether with the Council, should make a form of government for the state of the Massachusetts Bay. The town expressed their unwillingness to this course, and drew up their reasons in the form of a report, which was transmitted to the Legisla- ture. It is as follows-"As we are sensible that our situation demands a particular attention and due consideration in mat- ters of the greatest importance, on so interesting concern for the public good, and for the good order and benefit of the com- munity and peace of this state-that as the end of government is the happiness of the people, so the sole right and power of forming and establishing a plan thereof is essentially in the people .- We are therefore unwilling that the present House of Representatives, together with the Council, should make a form of goverment for this State.
Firstly-Because the present House were never elected by the people to establish a form of government for this State, but for ordering and governing the prudential affairs of this embarrassed State, as necessity calls for their strict attention thereto.
Secondly-Because a large number of our worthy inhabit- ants of this State is now engaged in the service of the United States, in opposing our unnatural enemies, who we apprehend ought, of right, to have an equal voice in establishing a form of government for this State, as those that are not engaged in the army .- But provided the present House of Representa- tives, together with the Council, should proceed to make a form of government, Resolved, That it is the opinion of this town that said form of government should be made public for the perusal and inspection of the inhabitants before the ratification - thereof by the assembly."
It will be readily imagined that, under the severe pressure of a harassing war, when all resources were heavily drawn upon to furnish arms, ammunition, clothes and provisions for the army, to supply funds for the payment of the soldiers, and to meet other expenses incident to the state of public affairs, money among the inhabitants was not only exceedingly scarce, but that, in consequence of the successive draughts for soldiers, laborers were in great demand, and their services commanded exorbitant prices. The result of this was that the prices of all commodities and articles of consumption rose in proportion .- The embarrassed condition of our trade, previous to the com- mencement of the war, had also tended to increase the scarcity of money ; so that this anomaly now presented itself-every thing was exceedingly dear, and no one had money to buy J
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with. The General Court felt the evil, and endeavored inef- fectually to apply a remedy. They passed an act for dividing the Commonwealth into districts, and ordering that a commiit- tee should be chosen in each district, to fix upon certain pri- ces for labor and provisions,-which prices, when thus estab- lished, it should be unlawful for any one to exceed. This scheme continued in operation for a few weeks, when it fell to the ground by common consent. It was found to operate un- equally, and the people would not submit to it.
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