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 (1865) > Part 7
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In a few years after the incorporation of the town, several roads were opened, and a considerable sum was expended upon bridges. The road from South Fitchburg (leading over the arched bridge, and so by the dwelling-house of Alonzo P. Goodridge. to the Old City) was opened in 1765. The road from Pearl Hill by the dwelling-houses of Isaiah Putnam and Amos Wheeler, till it comes into the old road to Lunenburg, was accepted in 1766. It is worthy of remark that in these, and in many other instances, the land which was needed for the roads, was given by the owners thereof. They asked for no jury to de- cide upon the amount of damage which they sustained by these improvements. In the spring of 1770, the town found it nec- essary to rebuild the bridges carried away by the " late freshet." But they did not rebuild them sufficiently high from the water, for in 1771, the records say that it voted "to rebuild the
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bridges carried away and dumnified by the floods." The town also very magnanimously " voted to pay for the rum expended at the bridges."
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 jay his proportion." It was a common practice for them, how- ever, to vote that their own "Hoaggs Go at 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 Britain and her Colonies were fast ap- proaching a crisis. Soon after the French power in Canada had been erushed in 1759, the British Ministry began to turn their thoughts towards raising a revenue in America. Their first step in this proceeding was to direct the collector for the port of Boston to apply to the civil authority for "Writs of Assistance," to command the aid of all sheriff's and constables in breaking open houses, stores, ships, and packages of all sorts, to search for articles prohibited by the " Acts of Trade,"-a series of acts which had been passed to favor the West India merchan's, and which had nearly annihilated the commerce of the Colonies. These act- had been mostly evaded by non-importation and smuggling.
The legality of the " Writs" was doubted, and the question cam . before the Superior Court, for decision, in February, 1761. By the powerful assistance of James Otis, the Writs were defeated. His masterly speech on this occasion first awakened the Colonists to the real danger of the threatened course of the ministry. They saw, in the pretended right of Parliament of taxing them to au unlimited extent, the germ of tyranny which would destroy their liberties; and they wisely resolved to destroy the monster in its helt, before it should acquire sufficient strength to crush them in
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its folds. They knew that their charter gave them the right to tax themselves, and that every exercise of this right on the part of the parliament was an infringement upon their chartered priv- ileges. They were not actuated by the sordid love of money, but by the nobler love of liberty. They had freely poured forth their treasure and their blood in the preceding wars, and now they claimed the privilege of taxing themselves. They contended that " Taxation and Representation were inseparable ;" while Par- liament claimed the right to "bind the Colonies in all cases whatever." This was the point on which the dispute turned.
In the years 1763, 4 and 5, the commerce of the Colonies was nearly at a stand, in consequence of the "Sugar Act," and the "Stamp Act." Their operation was defeated by non- importation and smuggling. To the great joy of the Colonists, the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, and the importation of goods was greater than ever. A cloud was soon thrown over the prosperity which everywhere began to be visible. The " Rev- enue Act" was passed in 1768. Again the people of Massa- chusetts took the lead in asserting the liberties of the Colonies, and they acted promptly and effectually.
By means of associations, speeches, circulars and pamphlets, the rights of the Colonies, and the dangers with which they were threatened, were fully discussed and laid before the people.
In September, 1768, the Selectmen of Fitchburg received a letter from the Selectmen of Boston, requesting them to call a 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 determination of the people of Fitchburg on this important subject. A town meeting was accordingly called, and this town, in conjunction with Lunenburg, chose Hon. Edward Hartwell, of the former 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.
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The firm resistance with which the projects of the British gov- ernment were received, served to strengthen the determination 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 hes- itate between the alternatives. They did not prepare for the en- counter 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 com- munity, and that was a fixed determination to preserve inviolate their freedom.
The people of Boston took the lead in these measures of resist- ance, and were nobly seconded by the inhabitants of the other towns. They sought an expression of opinion from every 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 obstinacy of Great Britain 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 maintaining-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 choice of Mr. Isaac Gibson as moderator for the government of said
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meeting. These said letters were read before the town-and after the town had deliberated thereon with zeal and candor, unani- mously agreed to choose a committee of seven men, and chose Mr. Isaac Gibson, Capt. Reuben Gibson, Messrs. Phinehas Hart- well, Ebenezer Wood, Ebenezer Bridge, Kendall Boutelle, and Solomon Steward, as a committee to consider of our constitutional rights and privileges in common with other towns in this Province, together with the many flagrant infringements that have been made thereon, and to report at the adjournment ;- and then this meet- ing was adjourned to the 15th of the same month. At the ad- journed meeting the committee reported as follows :-
" Having with great satisfaction perused the circular letters from the committee of correspondency for the Town of Boston, wherein are so clearly held forth our rights and privileges as Englishmen and Christians, and also a list of the many infringements that have been made thereon, which letters of correspondence we highly ap- prove of and unanimously consent 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 per- suaded that liberty is a most precious gift of God our Creator to all mankind, and is of such a nature that no person or community can justly 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 wretch- edness, we believe the vigilance and combined endeavors of this people are necessary-and we hope through the favor 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
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George, and his illustrious family ;- because tyranny and slavery are fundamentally repugnant to the British Constitution. But in declaring our present thoughts and resolutions, we are moved by a principle of humanity and benevolence to the people of Great Britain, whose happiness is so involved with ours that the oppressors and depredations endned on us by tyrannical government, must be essentially detrimental to them. We therefore earnestly 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 Ameri- can brethren as instruments in the hands of God, to save Britain from that complete destruction which is now meditating and visibly impending. We wish, therefore, our countrymen to join with us in praying for a spirit of reformation on the inhabitants both of England and America, because righteousness is the exalta- tion and glory of any society. And we humbly hope that being so late in giving our sentiments upon affairs so deeply inter- esting to the American Colonies in general, and to this Prov- ince in particular, will not be imputed to our being unaffected with the alarming and unconstitutional eneroachments 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 promoting all lawful and constitutional measures proper for the continuance of all our rights and priv- ileges. both civil and religious. And we think it our duty on this occasion, in behalf of ourselves and our dear country, to express our unfeigned gratitude to the respectable Gentlemen of the Town of Boston, for the light and counsel that they have presented to ns in their circular letters, and their many generous efforts in the defence of our privileges, and in the cause of liberty,-and in our earnest 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 sample and durable reward :- And that these resolves be
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recorded in our town book of records, and that the town Clerk give an attested copy to the said committee, to be communi- cated 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, subject to a duty so directly tending to the enslay- ing 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 assistance in their power to keep off all such infringe- ments. THOMAS COWDIN, Town Clerk."
We learn from the above what the sentiments of the people of this town were concerning the course which Great Britain 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 which animated the bosoms of the people of Boston, and ac- quired for their favorite place of meeting (Faneuil Hall) that most beautiful of names-the "Cradle of Liberty."
We see also that with respect to the tax on tea, the opinions of the people of this town 'accorded with those of the inhabit- ants of Boston. They were not only willing to forego that luxury, but even to take up arms against it, rather than sub- mit in the least to an arbitrary mode of taxation. They offered support and assistance in an hour when none but the most faithful remained firm. They were determined and courageous, but with their courage was mingled discretion. That their zeal had no kindred with outrage is shown in the following instructions which they gave to their representative, in May, 1774. This representative, Dr. John Taylor, of Lunenburg, was chosen jointly by the towns of Lunenburg and Fitchburg, and a committee consisting of Isaac Gibson and Phinchas Hartwell, of this town,
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and three gentlemen of Lunenburg, was directed to draft in- structions 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, under 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 proceedings, and that you do not, by any means whatsoever, either 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 discountenancing all unwarrantable practices with respect to bribery in those that set themselves up as candidates for representatives for the people, either by the way of treats or entertainments, 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 anything extraordinary should happen or appear, that you should immediately notify your constituents. There are many things of lesser importance that we must leave discretionary with yourself, trusting that you will often 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 impartiality, free from private views and sinister ends."
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 September, 1774.
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A Provincial Congress, of which John Hancock was the pres- ident, met at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October, and after adjourning to Cambridge, drew up a plan for the imme- diate 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 mem- bers were supported and paid for their services by contribution ; and this town voted that if there should be any overplus, after paying their delegate, it should be appropriated to the purchase of powder-the people seeming to be well convinced that some- thing more noisy than talk would be expended before the dis- pute should be finished.
At this time, (October) the Selectmen paid 147. 4s. ($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, Esq. It was also voted to indemnify the assessors for refusing to return the names of such constables, though requested. 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 first day of February. A committee 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 Parliament, for the tea affair, &c.
It will be thus seen that the town was prepared for the impor-
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tant 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 collected 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 now dawned. The British troops reached Concord at seven o'clock, A. M., and the " Alarm " was fired in Fitchburg at 9 o'clock in 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 assem- bled 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. (after- wards Col. ) Ebenezer Bridge. They arrived at their destina- tion 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 soldiers, 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 uncer- tainty. A large proportion of the able bodied men had marched forward at a moment's warning to cucounter dangers, how great no one could tell. Many a one, in bidding farewell to a father, husband or brother, felt that the separation might be eternal.
Those who remained were not inattentive to the physical wants of the departed. A large baggage wagon well filled with pro- visions was immediately sent forward, under the care of Thomas Cowdin, Jr.
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It thus appears that when the time of action came, the people 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 the money was not wanted by those who fought our battles, it could not be better appropriated than by being given to one who earn- estly prayed for our success.
The army, which was now assembled around Boston, was com- posed 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 immedi- ately. Measures to this effect were taken, and the men were regularly enlisted, formed into companies and regiments. A com- pany was enlisted (most of them for eighteen months) and organ- ized from among the volunteers of Lunenburg and Fitchburg. Of this company, John Fuller, of Lunenburg, was captain, Eben- ezer Bridge, of Fitchburg, lieutenant, and Jared Smith, of Lu- nenburg, ensign.
After this period, several of the inhabitants joined the army at different periods, and for different lengths 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 num- ber was not far from ten or twelve. I have been able to get the names of four or five. John Gibson, a son of Isaac Gibson, (whose name has frequently occurred in the course of this history) 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,
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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 soldier 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 delegate to attend the Provincial Congress which assembled at the meet- ing house in Watertown, on the 31st of the same month. At the same town-meeting, it was voted to purchase forty bayonets, (which cost $26.) These were probably for the use of the stand- ing company which had been formed several years previous, and of which Ebenezer Woods was commanding officer. How these bayonets were made to fit guns of different 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' Resolves, you are required," &c. This course was probably dictated by that sound discretion which suggests the propriety of treating all authorities with due respect, they not knowing into whose hands they might fall. The town voted not to send a delegate to the Provincial Congress at Watertown, " by virtue of that warrant." Several of the succeeding warrants ran in the old form. In March, 1776, the town, by order of the General Court, chose a committee of correspondence, consisting of Reuben Gibeon, Kendall Bontelle, Asa Perry, John Putnam and Silas Show. This was the last occasion on which the people of Fitchburg acknowledged the authority of " his Majesty's name." The wayrond for a meeting in May ran thus: "In observ-
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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 Water- town.
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 sub- mitted to them. The General Court then in session, had as- sured the Continental Congress that if they, in their wisdom, should .deem it expedient to declare the Colonies free and independent, 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 indi- vidually on the important question. By virtue of this resolve, this town assembled on the first day of July. The proceedings of this meeting are as follows :---
" Voted, That if the Honorable Continental Congress should, for the safety of these United Colonies, declare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, that we, the inhabitants of the town of Fitchburg, will, with our lives and fortunes, support them in the measure." This took place only three days previous to the adoption of the Declaration by Congress. The question was intro- duced there on Friday, the 7th of June, and was discussed on that day, on Saturday, and on the following Monday. Further debate was postponed till July 1st. It was during this interval that the question was submitted to the several towns of this Province. On the very day on which the question was resumed in Congress, the people of Fitchburg declared themselves ready to peril their lives and fortunes in the cause of freedom.
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