USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Lancaster > History of the town of Lancaster, Massachusetts : from the first settlement to the present time, 1643-1879 > Part 25
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From these lists we learn that eighty-one men enlisted after the second year of the war; and with the exception of the twenty-one men who went on the six months' service at West Point, there were sixty who joined the army either for three years, or during the war. As their average time of service was about twenty-seven months, it follows that Lancaster had, in addition to those who went on the West Point expedition, about forty men continuously in the service of the country. The whole number of soldiers engaged in the Revolution in addition to those who hastened to Lexington and Bunker Hill, exceeded three hundred. We have the authority of the histori- an Willard for saying that " one-half of all the ratable polls, from sixteen years and upwards," were in the field, at different times. Deducting those males under eighteen and over forty- five, there would be but few able-bodied men left. The war drew out all the military strength of the town.
It would be impossible, with any accessible data, to state the cost of the war to the citizens of this town. They paid taxes to the government, paid bounties to the soldiers, and gave them large donations in food and clothing. Their losses in consequence of a changeable and depreciating currency, were immense. But they went through the struggle with an un- faltering heroism, inspired by love of country, of liberty, and of God.
Some may be disappointed that among the hundreds who, first and last, for long or short terms, entered the public ser- vice, no man became distinguished as an officer of high rank. But the explanation is not difficult. In the first place, not many men obtained great eminence as military officers, either in the state, or the confederation. Secondly, the man best qualified to take rank as an officer, in Lancaster, adhered to the king. Col. Abijah Willard was fifty-one years of age, in
316
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
the full vigor of his faculties, with ample experience as a sol- dier, and endowed with a genius for military affairs. If he had been loyal to his country, he might perhaps have filled a bright page in American history. Col. Asa Whitcomb was advanced in life, and soon gave way to younger men. Be- sides, before the war closed he belonged to another town. Col. Henry Haskell made a respectable officer, and the commis- sioned officers, line and staff, acquitted themselves with credit. It is enough for the honor of the town that Lancaster sent her full quota of good men and true, and that her soldiers in the field and her citizens at home, did their part in uphold- ing the great arm of Washington.
CHAPTER XV.
LANCASTER POLITICS FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE YEAR 1800.
A MEETING of the town was held, February 5, 1778, to act, among others, on the following article. "To see if the town will accept the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Un- ion between the United States of America." The first busi- ness after choosing a moderator was a vote, probably unani- mous, "to accept the Articles of Confederation and Perpet- ual Union between the United States of America." From that day to this, Lancaster has been true to the Union, whether under the Confederation, or under the Constitution.
As already stated, the vote on the State Constitution, May 18, 1778, was more than two to one in favor ; but it was re- jected by the people of the state. The subject was kept be- fore the public, however, and the legislature sent out a new proposition, and the selectmen were directed "to take the minds of the inhabitants of the town respecting a new Con- stitution or Form of Government." The question came be- fore the town, May 17, 1779, when, after having heard the proposition, it was voted "to accept the article in the Court's order concerning a new Constitution, with this addition; we do empower our representative to give his vote for choosing a convention for the purpose mentioned, with Proviso that the Constitution shall return into the hand of the people for their approbation or disapprobation." This was a wise pre- caution. Joseph Reed, Esq., was the representative in the general court.
317
318
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
The towns, or a majority of them, having given their ap- probation, the legislature called on the towns to choose dele- gates to a convention for devising the new constitution or form of government. The town, at a meeting, held August 9, voted to send three delegates, and by ballot, chose Will- iam Dunsmoor, Esq., Capt. Ephraim Wilder and Capt. Will- iam Putnam. The convention met on the first of September, in the meeting-house at Cambridge ; on the second of March, 1780, they finished their labors, and submitted their work to the people, by whom the new Form of Government was rati- fied. It remains, substantially, to the present day, though important amendments have been made at different times. The people of Lancaster treated the new constitution with great deliberation. It was laid before the town on the second day of May, and the meeting voted to have it read. The meeting then adjourned till two o'clock. Then it was voted to postpone the consideration thereof till the thirteenth of the month. The voters went home to ponder on the pro- posed fundamental law. The result was satisfactory, and at the adjourned meeting, the vote was "to receive the Consti- tution or Form of Government as it now stands," ayes, one hundred and three ; noes, seven.
The first election of state officers under the new constitu- tion, took place on the fourth day of September, in the sec- ond precinct. The summons was "to the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Lancaster, of twenty-one years of age, having a freehold estate, within the state of the Massachusetts Bay, of the annual income of three pounds, or any estate of the value of sixty pounds." The vote was as follows.
For governor, The Hon. John Hancock, Esq., 69.
The Hon. James Bowdoin, Esq., 9.
Lieut. governor, The Hon. James Warren, Esq., 40.
The Hon. Artemas Ward, Esq., 13. The Hon. Samuel Adams, Esq., 2. The Hon. James Bowdoin, Esq., 1.
319
GRIEVANCES.
Nineteen men, all " esquires" but three, were voted for to represent the county of Worcester in the senate and coun- cil; among them was John Sprague, Esq., of this town, who received twenty-four votes.
October 9, Capt. William Putnam " was chosen to repre- sent the town in the first general court under the new consti- tion."
The state election for the year 1781 took place on the second of April. The town meeting was held in the meeting- house of the second precinct, with the following result. John Hancock had fifty-six votes for governor, and Thomas Cush- ing thirty-eight votes for lieut-governor. Thomas Gerrish had one vote for each of those offices. William Dunsmoor and John Sprague, Esqr's, of this town, received a few votes for senator and councillor.
The surrender of Gen. Cornwallis at Yorktown, occurred on the nineteenth day of October, 1781, when the war of the revolution was virtually ended, although the treaty of peace, acknowledging the independence of the United States, was not signed before 1783. The pressure on the people to sup- port the war being somewhat lessened, there was opportunity to consider local and state grievances. Steps were taken which culminated in the Shay's rebellion a few years later. The people of Lancaster felt the difficulties of the times, and joined with others in seeking redress ; but refused to enter into any violent or illegal measures. The meeting held on the first day of April, 1782, acted on this question. "Will the town choose one or more persons to meet at convention to be held at Worcester on the second Tuesday of April next; there to take into consideration the many grievances the good people of this county at present labor under, and to petition the general court for redress ?" The town sent Capt. Timo- thy Whiting and Capt. Ephraim Carter as delegates.
The same day occurred the annual state election, when the vote showed an inclination to drop Gov. Hancock. He received but twelve votes, while thirty-two were cast for
320
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Hon. James Bowdoin. It was supposed that Hancock had a stronger sympathy than Bowdoin towards the party seeking redress of alleged grievances. Three years later Bowdoin was chosen over Hancock on this account. Thomas Cushing had twenty votes for lieut-governor, and Gen. Artemas Ward, had eight votes. John Sprague, Esq., was chosen senator for the county, in March, 1783.
At the election, April 7, 1783, the votes were for Bowdoin, twenty-three ; for Hancock, twenty-one. Thomas Cushing received all the votes for lieut-governor, which were thirty.
In 1784 the state election resulted in the re-election of Gov. Hancock, but Lancaster adhered to Mr. Bowdoin. The vote was for James Bowdoin, fifteen votes ; John Han- cock, seven; Gen. Lincoln, seven; Artemas Ward, Esq., twelve. Ward led in the vote for lieut-governor, having re- ceived twenty-one, to nineteen for Gen. Lincoln, and a few scattering.
The next year, 1785, the Shay's fever was at its height, and the conservative feeling of Lancaster was decisively express- ed at the election, on the fourth of April, as follows.
For governor, James Bowdoin, . 38
Thomas Cushing, 3 .
Oliver Prescott,
·
1
60 Moses Gill, .
2
John Hancock,
1
Thomas Cushing had twenty-four votes for lieut-governor, with several for five other candidates.
Conventions were held, from time to time, in different towns of the county, by those who were in the movement which ultimately led to rebellion ; but it does not appear that Lancaster was again represented in any of them except that which was held at Leicester, August 15, to which Ebenezer Allen was sent as delegate. A committee of seven, viz., Timothy Whiting, Moses Smith, John Sprague, William Willard, Benjamin Houghton, Michael Newhall and Samuel
321
SHAY'S REBELLION.
Ward, were chosen to draw up "instructions for the said Allen, and lay them before the town." The committee re- ported to an adjourned meeting, on the fourteenth, and the instructions, after being " read paragraph by paragraph," were adopted. It may be taken for granted that the town author- ized no revolutionary action. The delegate attended, and made a report to a town meeting on the twenty-first of Au- gust, when the meeting was adjourned to the first Monday in October. At the adjourned meeting, some of the points pre- sented by the convention were approved, and some rejected. There was a proposition for a change of the constitution, and also for the issue of paper money. These were voted down. Those articles which asked for a redress of certain grievances were approved. The town steadily held to peaceable and constitutional methods of securing reform.
A meeting was held, January 4, 1787, when an address from the general court to the people was presented. This address was a sober appeal to all good citizens to abide by the regular mode of administering the government, and prom- ising to give due consideration to the complaints of the suf- fering citizens. This address was referred to a committee, Samuel Ward, Timothy Whiting, jr., John Sprague, Esq., Moses Sawyer, Jonathan Wilder, Cyrus Fairbank and Jonas Goss. They reported to a meeting held on the twenty-second of January. On the same day the town voted to " discon- tinue the delegate to the county convention."
No man, so far as known, joined the insurgents, but a num- ber of the citizens, according to Willard, joined Gen. Lin- coln's army, and "continued with him till the rebels were dis- persed." Their names, though worthy of remembrance, have not been found.
The question of revising the state constitution came before the town May 6, 1795, when the vote for revision was sixty- one ; against it, twenty-five. Nothing came of the movement at this time.
At the election, April 3, 1786, Gov. Hancock did not re- ceive a single vote. James Bowdoin had forty-four, and there
21
322
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
were two scattering. Thomas Cushing was the favorite for the second place. The rebellion having been resolutely squelch- ed by Gov. Bowdoin, the people, in 1787, called Gov. Han- cock again to the gubernatorial chair, and kept him therein till 1794. The vote in this town was eighty-four for Han- cock, to thirty-eight for Bowdoin. Gen. Lincoln who led the troops against the rebels, received eighty-one votes for the office of lieut-governor.
In the meantime the states had succeeded in getting a con- vention together for the purpose of forming a National Con- stitution. This body completed its labors on the seventeenth day of September, 1787, and reported to the " United States in congress assembled a Constitution for the people of the United States." In accordance with a resolve of congress, submitting the Constitution to the people, a convention was called by the general court, to be held in Boston, to act on the proposed constitution. The meeting to choose a delegate was held, November 27, 1787, when the town voted and " chose the Hon. John Sprague, Esq., a delegate to represent the town in the convention to be holden at Boston on the second Wednes- day of January next." At the same time a committee of seven was chosen "to draw up instructions for the said del- egate." The committee were Benjamin Houghton, Samuel Ward, Ephraim Carter, Timothy Whiting, jr., Cyrus Fair- bank, Josiah Ballard and Jonathan Wilder. Three of this committee were deacons, and two or three were captains. The town was opposed to the ratification of the constitution, and the committee, reflecting the views of the town, instructed the delegate to oppose it; but qualified their instructions so as to leave him to vote according to his discretion. Mr. Sprague was a wise man, and in opposition to the prevailing feeling in the town and county, gave his voice and vote in favor of the constitution. There were fifty delegates in the convention from Worcester county. Only seven of these voted in the affirmative ; and Mr. Sprague was one of the honorable seven. Ephraim Wilder, of Sterling, a child of Lancaster, also voted in favor of the constitution.
323
VOTES FOR GOVERNOR.
At the annual meeting for choice of state officers, April 7, 1788, John Hancock received sixty-eight votes, Samuel Adams and Elbridge Gerry, each received one. Samuel Adams had fifty-five for the second office.
The constitution having been duly ratified, it was time to choose a representative to the congress of the United States, and a meeting for this purpose was held, January 29, 1789, when the voting was as follows. Hon. Timothy Paine had forty-eight votes ; Hon Artemas Ward, five ; Jona. Grout, Esq., seven. There was no choice in the Worcester district. There is no record of a meeting to vote for presidential elec- tors, but the town and state voted unanimously for George Washington. John Adams became vice-president.
The votes for governor from 1789 to 1800 were always for the winning man, except in one year, when Increase Sumner received more votes in Lancaster than Samuel Adams, though the latter was elected by the state.
1789. For governor,
John Hancock, 47.
James Bowdoin, 15.
William Cushing, 2.
1790.
John Hancock, 76.
James Bowdoin, 6.
Samuel Adams received every vote for lieut-governor.
1791.
John Hancock,
66.
1792.
John Hancock, 67.
Francis Dana, 4.
1793.
John Hancock,
58.
Elbridge Gerry,
2.
1794.
Samuel Adams,
52.
William Cushing,
31.
1795.
Samuel Adams,
65.
Samuel Dexter,
3.
1796.
Increase Sumner,
71.
Samuel Adams,
27.
1797.
Increase Sumner,
66.
James Sullivan,
21.
1798.
Increase Sumner, 68.
James Sullivan,
4.
1799.
Increase Sumner,
74.
324
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
The election of Gov. Bowdoin in the years 1785 and 1786, was the result of the confidence felt in him by the more con- servative part of the people. It was thought that Gov. Han- cock was inclined to nurse his popularity by being too lenient towards the lawless and disorganizing elements in the state. It was a time of danger, and power was lodged in hands that would wield it in maintaining the rights of property and the . benefits of social order. As soon as the danger was over, the people, as is their wont, dropped the man whom necessity had constrained them to put at the head of affairs, and returned to their old favorite. But Mr. Bowdoin was held in the highest respect during life, and has an honored place in the history of the commonwealth.
In' 1792, when Washington was elected to his second term of the presidency, the people of Lancaster were doubtless unan- imous in his favor ; but no one could infer this from the votes cast for presidential electors. The record will be copied as a curiosity.
For electors of president and vice-president of the United States, November 2, 1792.
Thomas Dwight, 18 John Sprague,
9
Moses Gill,
20 Samuel Baker,
1
Dwight Foster, .
14 Simeon Learned, .
1
Samuel Lyman, .
10 Jonathan Warner,
2
Elijah Dwight,.
18
Samuel Henshaw,
8
Abel Wilder,
2
The original idea of the college of electors was that they were to use their discretion in voting for president and vice- president. The voters therefore voted for electors according to individual preference, leaving the electors to cast their votes as they pleased. And yet, nearly if not quite all the vo- ters of Lancaster and Massachusetts, and indeed of the whole country, wished and expected that Washington might be elect- ed. But soon this early idea and method became obsolete. The people in the states became divided into two parties, each
325
PRESIDENT ADAMS.
having its candidates for the highest offices in their gift. Elec- tors were nominated simply for the purpose of casting the vote of the state for a pre-determined candidate, and woe be to the elector who should thwart the intentions of his party.
According to the warrant, the freemen of Lancaster were en- titled to vote for five electors " in the district formed by the counties of Worcester, Hampshire and Berkshire." At the same time they cast their votes for five representatives in con- gress. For representative from Worcester county, Artemas Ward received every vote ; in all, forty-seven.
In July, 1794, the town considered the expediency of offer- ing additional encouragement to the soldiers required from this town, as its proportion of the detachment ordered from the militia. This was at the time when war with France was apprehended. The town voted that whenever the "present detachment of militia shall be called into actual service for the term limited by act of congress," etc., the town would make the wages to each man equal to forty shillings per month, pro- vided the pay allowed by the nation, or the encouragement given by the state should not equal that sum.
In 1794, the votes for " one representative to rep- resent the fourth western district were for Levi Lincoln, 38 ; Dwight Foster, 13. In 1796 the preference of the town was reversed, and Dwight Foster had thirty-eight votes to five for Levi Lincoln. This was the year when John Adams was cho- sen president, as successor to Gen. Washington. Perhaps the five votes for the first Gov. Lincoln indicate the number who were friends to Mr. Jefferson. Judge Foster was a strong federalist, and supporter of Pres. Adams. The vote for elec- tor was by single district, and Joseph Allen received thirty- six votes ; one was given for Moses Gill.
Two years later Dwight Foster received fifty-three votes, for representative to congress, and Levi Lincoln four. Under Mr. Jefferson, a few years later, Mr. Lincoln became attor- ney general of the United States.
326
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
During the administration of Mr. Adams, and especially when our relations with France assumed a threatening aspect, the military spirit seems to have received a new impulse. The old song of " Adams and Liberty " was, doubtless, sung with special emphasis, at public gatherings. The French faction which sought to embroil the country in a war with England, in the time of Washington's administration, found little en- couragement in Lancaster. But when the insolence of the revolutionary government of France became intolerable, the people of this place were ready to uphold the government in maintaining its integrity and honor. Probably the following action of the town was inspired in part, by national politics.
" Voted, May 28, 1798, that the selectmen be authorized to furnish each non-commissioned officer and private of the mi- litia companies of Lancaster, on the application of the com- manding officer of said companies, such quantity of powder as may be ordered for consumption at regimental musters, not exceeding at any one time half a pound to each man." Forty dollars were raised for the purpose.
At a meeting, June 18, the selectmen were directed to fur- nish twenty-four cartridges with balls, to each soldier in the two militia companies ; and one hundred and ninety dollars were appropriated to pay the expense. At the same time one hundred and forty dollars were raised to enable the selectmen to "purchase a number of stands of arms for the use of those persons who are unable to supply themselves."
General Washington died on the fourteenth of December, 1799, and the event caused universal mourning. The people of Lancaster evinced their profound sorrow by appropriate action. A meeting was called, on the fifth of February, 1800, to adopt " suitable measures for carrying into effect the proc- lamation lately issued by the president of the United States, and the resolutions passed both houses of congress, in conse- quence of the distressing event of providence, in depriving the world of our illustrious and beloved GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON."
327
DEATH OF WASHINGTON.
The town met at the time appointed, and referred the article to the following committee, to report thereon. Gen. John Whiting, Eli Stearns, William Steadman, Josiah Flagg, John Maynard, Dea. Benjamin Houghton, and Captain Jacob Fish- er. After an adjournment for half an hour the committee made the following report.
" The inhabitants of this town, sensibly affected by the afflic- tive dispensation of Divine Providence, in the removal of their illustrious and beloved patriot and citizen, General George Washington, do pass the following vote, viz.
" That they will form in procession at the house of James Liswell, on the twenty-second day of February instant, and move precisely at eleven o'clock A. M., accompanied by the members of Trinity Lodge, attended by the military of the town, and preceded by the youth, to the meeting-house ; and that the Rev. Nathaniel Thayer be requested to attend with them, and by a suitable eulogy or discourse and prayer to com- memorate the eminent virtues of the deceased, in compliance with the president's proclamation of the sixth of January last.
" That the male citizens on that day, wear a black crape or ribband on the left arm above the elbow ; and that it be rec- ommended to the females to wear a black ribband on their hats or bonnets.
" That the selectmen purchase four yards of decent black cloth to shroud the pulpit, and afterwards present the same to the 'Rev. Mr. Thayer.
" That Gen. Whiting, Joseph Wales and Caleb Lincoln be requested to marshal the procession on that day."
The recommendations of the committee were carried out with an earnest solemnity which evinced the grateful rever- ence of the people for the father of his country. The citi- zens of Lancaster have never wavered in their adhesion to the policy of Washington.
The leading offices of the town were held by the persons named below, between the opening of the Revolution and the
328
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
close of the century, December 31, 1800. The following were the moderators previous to 1782.
Ebenezer Allen,
Joseph Reed, Ephraim Wilder,
John Sprague,
Cyrus Fairbank,
Solomon Jewett.
William Dennison, Benjamin Richardson,
In some years every meeting would have a different moder- ator. William Greenleaf was clerk for several years, with occasional intervals, when Nathaniel Beaman, Cyrus Fairbank and Josiah Leavitt filled the temporary vacancy.
The treasurer from 1777 to 1781 was Cyrus Fairbank. The town was divided in the latter year, and Peter Green was chosen to fill out the term.
During the same term of years the following were the se- lectmen, the first four named having been chairmen.
Ephraim Wilder. Nathaniel Beaman, William Greenleaf,
Solomon Jewett, Samuel Sawyer, William Putnam, ~
Levi Moor, Gershom Flagg, Ebenezer Allen,
Joshua Fletcher,
Joel Houghton, Manasseh Sawyer.
David Jewett, Josiah Kendall, Benjamin Richardson.
The same men were kept in office successive years, but their position was often transferred, the chairman of one year being second or third the year following.
The delegates to the general court were William Dunsmoor, three years ; Samuel Thurston, Joseph Read and William · Putnam, each one year. Dunsmoor was a leading citizen and patriot to the close of the war.
The town was divided in 1781, and the first meeting of Lancaster after Sterling was set off, was in May, when offi- cers were elected for the remainder of the year. At this date several prominent names disappear from our Records. The first town meeting was organized as follows: Josiah Wilder, jr., moderator; William Greenleaf, clerk; Peter Green, treasurer; Nathaniel Beaman, Moses Sawyer and Joseph Carter, selectmen. Beaman lived near the house of Charles Safford ; Sawyer in the south part of the town, and Carter on George hill. Peter Green's house was the present barn of William H. McNeil. The road ran by the east side of
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