USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1868, Volume I > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
aringian thril 4 11/115. Shire trouncing Hahacherfelle Fibre to Joseph Sich to going to. haben to Trepone the Kings hoepel transl three milio and Arefunghi -
Aprilia to Befring ne of kings breath at for Mach mand in Lexington
? travel half a mile.
Aprilare de Infring Soon of theking
Troppo.it Ir Buckmansin
Lavinylon Thisday,ations Chilling, po day Breach
april's to going to Lincoln to Grep hos
1 Kings troops travel three miles 0
-3 -6-0
apretão to going to Skinezer phe to dry. three of the king, travel, womiter 0 3-6-0 april28 to paing le Cambridge le Dich one of the rings troops travel
27 fixes. miliar
threetimes
Is to Helping, Ondothings freeper at the Buchmensen de town travel half amile 0
DR. FISKE'S BILL FOR ATTENDING THE WOUNDED BRITISH
CHAPTER IX
FROM THE COMMENCEMENT TO THE CLOSE OF THE REV- OLUTION
Captain Parker's Company called to Cambridge, on the 6th of May and the 17th of June - Quota of Men furnished by Lexington - Prices of Labor and Other Articles - Confederation - Attempts to form a State Constitution - Objec- tions to the First Constitution - Ratified the Second Constitution with Proposed Amendments - Depreciation of the Currency - Efforts to raise the Quota of Men for the Army - Instructions of Representative relative to the Return of the Tories - People devoted to Law and Order.
THE events of the 19th of April, 1775, had spread a gloom over the town of Lexington. The loss of ten of her citizens on that eventful day and the fact that ten more were wounded, some of them severely, brought the horrors of war to their own doors. But their patriotism did not falter. They were not only willing to bear their own grief, but to do what they could to relieve the poor of Boston and Charlestown, who were driven from their homes into the adjacent country. Consequently a committee was chosen to assist the Select- men "in taking care of the poor or suffering people that may come from the towns of Charlestown and Boston to this place." Nor was the gallant company of Captain Parker, which had suffered so severely on the 19th of April, to be driven from the field by the losses they had experienced or by any new dangers which should arise.
On the 6th of May, in consequence of an alarm at Cam- bridge, Captain Parker, with a detachment of forty-five of his company, repaired to the headquarters of the army, where they remained several days, guarding the lines to prevent any further excursions of the King's troops into the country. And on the memorable 17th of June of that year, when a por- tion of our militia were engaged with the enemy on Bunker Hill, the gallant Parker, with sixty-one of his company, re- sponded to freedom's call and repaired to Cambridge; but they were deprived of the honor of participating in that struggle by being kept at Cambridge from an apprehension that the British might cross the river in their boats and attack
226
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
the American camp while so many of our troops were engaged at Charlestown.
The fact that this company was so prompt at every call of duty may be accounted for in part .by the strict rules and regulations they adopted as early as 1773. The following is a paper in the handwriting of Edmund Munroe, containing the Rules and Regulations of the Lexington company of minute- men, under which they acted in 1775, found among the papers of the late Edmund Munroe, of Boston: -
"We, whose names are hereto subscribed, having agreed to asso- ciate ourselves together to improve ourselves in the art of Military, do agree and bind ourselves to the following rules, viz: -
"1. To choose a Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign once a year.
"2. To choose Sergeants and a Clerk once a year.
"3. To meet in order for discipline four times a year.
"4. We agree that every one of us absent, when the Roll is called, being duly warned, shall pay a fine of eight pence, unless a good excuse can be given to the satisfaction of the Company for his absence.
"5. That any person of the Company that shall interrupt the Captain or Commanding Officer, while under arms, by talking, laughing or any indecent behavior, shall pay a fine of three shillings.
"6. That if any person of the Company shall interrupt the clerk, when calling the Roll, or not answering when they are called, shall pay a fine of two shillings.
"7. That none shall enlist into said Company, if under age, with- out the consent of their parents or master.
"8. That if any refuse to pay a fine, when properly demanded, they shall be dismissed from the Company, forthwith.
"9. That any person desiring to be admitted into said Company, or dismissed therefrom, shall have a vote of the Company for the same.
"10. That all fines recovered of delinquents shall be applied to the sole use of the Company - paying thie Clerk a reasonable sum for collecting the same.
"11. That the Captain, failing of his duty in not calling the Company together four times a year, and disciplining them three hours at each meeting, shall pay a fine of four shillings, unless he can give a reasonable excuse for the same to the satisfaction of the Company."
Such sound and wholesome rules, voluntarily adopted in times of peace, would hardly fail to make prompt and efficient soldiers in time of war.
227
TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION
During the winter of 1775-76, the town of Lexington, in response to a call from the Provincial Congress, furnished a large supply of wood and a quantity of hay for the army stationed at Winter Hill.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lexington, held March 18, 1776, the following persons "were chosen a Committee of Correspondence Inspection and Safety, Agreeable to a Re- solve of the General Court: - Deacon Jonas Stone, Captain John Bridge, Lieutenant Edmund Munroe, Lieutenant Jo- seph Simonds, and Lieutenant Francis Brown."
At a meeting, called for the purpose, May 23, 1776, it was voted "to refer the Important Matter contained in a Resolv of the General Court; relating to the independency of the Colonies, to the Wisdom and prudence of that August Assembly the Honorable Continental Congress & strictly adhere to their resolutions & declaration about that Momen- tous affair: and that if the said Congress should for the safety of these Colonies declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain we stand ready with our Lives & fortunes to Support them in the Measure." By pledges like these, coming from almost every town and Colony, Congress was emboldened to put forth that immortal Declaration which marks an era in our history.
Lexington, having pledged herself to devote life and for- tune to the cause of Independence, met the numerous calls made upon her with fidelity. In the first campaign of eight- months' men in 1775, she furnished twenty men; in the second campaign of the twelve-months' men, she furnished nineteen men; in the campaign to Ticonderoga in 1776, she furnished twenty-eight men; to White Plains the same year, thirteen men, and to the Jerseys, twenty-one men. In the following year she sent twenty-two men; besides these she furnished her full quota to the Continental army in the first instance, and among those who enlisted in 1780, for three years or during the war, Lexington furnished about thirty. We have in this place passed over those who served from two to six months at Cambridge, Dorchester, and Providence, because these will be treated of more fully in another chapter.
In July, 1776, the town voted the sum of £1 6s. 8d. as an ad- ditional bounty to every non-commissioned officer and private who should enlist from the town in the expedition to Canada.
In the unsettled state of things at the commencement of
228
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
the Revolution, it was all-important that public sentiment should be known, and that those who were entrusted with the management of public affairs should have some assurance that the people would stand by and sustain them in the bold measures which the crisis seemed to demand. Being sensible that our public men, whose position would expose them to the vengeance of Great Britain in case of the failure of our cause, took upon themselves a vast responsibility, the people in every part of the Province were willing to encourage their rulers, and assured them in advance that they would share with them the labors and dangers involved in the contest. By putting their names to solemn instruments, by covenanting with each other in a public manner, that they would resist the measures and the military forces of the common enemy of the Colonies and share the common fate of their brethren, a few patriotic citizens could do much to encourage their rulers and to confirm the wavering in their own neighborhood. The sturdy inhabitants of Lexington were willing to put their names to such an instrument, though it might prove their death-warrant.
The following instrument, signed by some of the leading citizens, declaring "before God and the world" that they would be true to the cause of liberty and to each other, does honor to the character and patriotism of our fathers, and may be regarded as their Declaration of Independence. The in- strument was found among the papers of Captain Edmund Munroe, who fell at Monmouth in 1778. The spirit of the doc- ument and the original signatures of so many of Lexington's patriotic sons, render it worthy of preservation; - we give, as a curiosity, a facsimile of their signatures.
"COLONY OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY, 1776.
"We, the subscribers, do each of us severally for ourselves, pro- fess, testify and declare before God and the world, that we verily believe that the war, resistance and opposition in which the United American Colonies are now engaged against the fleets and armies of Great Britain, is, on the part of the said Colonies, just and neces- sary. And we do hereby severally promise, covenant, and engage to and with every person of this Colony, who has or shall subscribe this declaration, or another of the same tenor and words, that we will not, during the said war, directly or indirectly, in any ways, aid, abet, or assist any of the naval or land forces of the king of Great Britain, or any employed by him, or supply them with any kind of provisions, military or naval stores, or hold any correspondence
229
TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION
with, or communicate any intelligence to any of the officers, sol- diers or marines belonging to the said army or navy, or enlist or procure any others to enlist into the land or sea service of Great Britain, or take up or bear arms against this or either of the United Colonies, or undertake to pilot any of the vessels belonging to the said navy, or in any other way aid or assist them. But, on the con- trary, according to our best power and abilities, will defend by arms the United American Colonies, and every part thereof, against every hostile attempt of the fleets and armies in the service of Great Britain, or any of them, according to the requirements and direc- tions of the laws of this Colony, that now are, or may hereafter be provided for the regulation of the militia thereof."
Josiah Smitty Nehemiah Ofthrock Thomas Parker Jason adams. John Grandler Joseph Simonds Daniel Harrington
Philip Rufsel
William 2fed
Francis Brown
Jonathan Swift
John Simong "
Hammond Ried Jasamich Crof By
anh& Tidg
Joshua Band 8dm mumo
Robert Reed This Trafendes
Henry Harrington Tv Jonas Stone Jaseph BushJunk Jevi Mead Isacco Blodgett John Bridge
Henry Har matton L
230
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
But while the Colony of Massachusetts Bay was actively engaged in the war of the Revolution, and was shedding her blood freely on almost every battle-field in the country, she felt, in a serious manner, the want of a more efficient govern- ment; and hence the General Court submitted to the towns the question, whether they should be empowered to form a constitution of government. When this subject was brought before the inhabitants of Lexington, they chose a committee, who, at an adjourned meeting, held October 21, 1776, sub- mitted the following able and patriotic report, which was adopted unanimously : -
"That always desirous of being impressed with the just Senti- ments of the Wisdom Integrity & Fidelity of so respectable a Body as the Honorable House of Representatives of the State in the high Department assigned them by their Constituents, it is with the most peculiar Anxiety, we find ourselves Obliged in Faithfulness to Ourselves and Posterity, to withhold a Cheerful Compliance with any Resolve or Proposal of theirs, as we are constrained to do upon the Question before us, by the following Considerations, which to us (at least) appear interesting and important.
"1. It appears to us that as all Government Originates from the People and the Great End of Government is their Peace, Safety & Happiness, so it is with the People at large, or where that is Imprac- ticable, by their Representatives freely and equally elected and empowered for that Purpose, to form and agree on a Constitution of Government, which being considered and approved by the Body of the People, may be enacted, ratified & established.
"2. That the present House of Representatives were not elected for the Purpose of agreeing upon, & enacting a Constitution of Gov- ernment for this State, neither had their Constituents the least Inti- mation of anything of this Kind in the Precepts upon which they were elected, and therefore, the proposing themselves to the People and asking their Consent as Candidates for this Service appears to us to be a Clog to that Freedom of Election, which Ought always to be exercised by a Free People in Matters of Importance more especially in an affair of Such lasting Concernment as this.
"3. That no Provision is made in the Resolve for those Towns which have not chosen so many Representatives as they have a Right to Send, to Chuse others to Compleat their Number upon this Important Occasion, by which it may happen, not through the Neglect of the People, but for want of Opportunity, the Represen- tation may be Unequal.
"4. That in Case we do not see our way clear to Consent as pro- posed in the Question before us, it does not appear that any Provis-
231
TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION
ion is made in the Resolve for our having any Voice at all in the Matter, as Our Representative will not be Considered as Impow- ered by his Constituents for this Purpose.
"5. That it is greatly to be feared, if the Proposal in the Resolve is complied with by the People of this State, upon this most Inter- esting occation, it will be pleaded as an established Precedent in all Future Time, for the Decency & Propriety of Persons Offering themselves Candidates for the Election of the people, to Offices of Trust and Importance, a Practice which hath always been held by the Judicious & Virtuous, dangerous to the Liberties of a People, and a Practice by which corrupt & designing Men in every Age, have too often Availed themselves of Places of Power & Authority to the great disadvantage of those that elected them, if not to the gross Violation of their most Sacred Rights.
"6. Lastly that though the Resolve give us to expect a Publica- tion of the proposed Form of Government for the perusal of the Inhabitants before the Ratification of the same; Yet it does not Appear from thence, that there is any just Provision made for the Inhabitants as Towns or Societies to express their Approbation or the Contrary, in Order to such Ratification by the Assembly.
"For these Obvious Reasons therefore, we cannot see our Way clear to comply with the Proposal of the Honorable House of Repre- sentatives in the Question before Us.
"Voted & resolved that as our former Constitution (the Charter) is at an End, and a New Constitution of Government, as soon as may be is absolutely Necessary, if not to the Being, Yet to the well- being of this State, and as the present General Court are considered as the Eyes of the People, and the Guardians as well as Watchmen of the State it be most earnestly recommended to our Worthy Representative, and that He hereby is Instructed to Use his utmost Endeavors and Influence, that either by Precepts for a New Assem- bly, impowered for this Purpose, or by Special Notification for the Choice of Persons for the express Purpose of Forming a New Con- stitution; or in any other way which their Wisdom may direct, Consistent with the Liberties of the People, Measures may be taken to give the People an Opportunity to carry this Matter to Effect, and as soon as may be, consistent with the Exigency of the Public Affairs, freely to give their Votes for Such Persons as they judge will best serve the Public, themselves, and Posterity, in a Concernment of so great Importance to the Present & all succeeding Genera- tions."
No one can read this document without seeing the patriot- ism and prudence of the writer and those who adopted this report. They were patriots, jealous of their rights, and deter- mined to guard them, not only against the encroachments of
232
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
a foreign foe, but also against all ambitious and designing men that might spring up among themselves. The patriot priest was too well versed in the history of the past to suffer any dangerous practice to grow into precedent, and thereby jeopardize in any degree the rights and liberties of the people.
In March, 1777, when the duties imposed upon these officers were arduous and responsible, in consequence of the peculiar situation of affairs, Daniel Harrington, Josiah Smith, Thomas Parker, Joshua Reed, and Philip Russell were chosen Selectmen, and Deacon Benjamin Brown, John Parkhurst, Captain Francis Brown, Daniel Harrington, and Amos Muzzy were chosen a Committee of Correspondence, Inspec- tion, and Safety.
At the same meeting a committee was chosen "to Compute the Cost of a Suitable & Decent Monument to Set over the Grave of Our Brethren in this Town, who fell the first Victims to British Tyranny, on the Morning of the 19th Day of April, 1775, and make a Report at May Meeting."
During the year 1777, the attention of the town was di- rected to the subject of raising its quotas of men for the differ- ent campaigns, and especially to the cost of the campaigns; also to what was more difficult than raising men, namely, pro- viding means to pay them. They also chose Deacon Jonas Stone, Representative, and gave him full power to act in the formation of a State Constitution.
The Continental Congress, having formed Articles for the Confederation of the States, submitted them to the States, and the States to the people. At a meeting held January 5, 1778, a committee was chosen to consider and report upon the subject. At the adjourned meeting, held on the 12th of Janu- ary, they reported that the Representative be instructed to vote for the ratification of those Articles; at the same time they expressed a strong desire that there might be some amendment adopted by which alterations may be proposed to them by the people.
In the midst of the trials and sufferings which naturally fell upon the brave and patriotic men who were fighting the bat- tles of their country, they had from time to time some tes- timonials, showing that they were not forgotten by their brethren who were at home. At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, March 10, 1778, the following vote was passed :-
233
TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION
"That Our Brethren of this Town in the Continental, be forth- with Supplied each of them with One Good pair of Shoes made of Neats Leather, One Good pair of Stockings and a Good Shirt made of Cotton & linnen, to be Given to them free of Charge, and paid for by the Town."
We have already seen that an effort was being made to form a constitution of government, for the safety and well- being of the State; and that the people of Lexington had empowered their Representative to act on the subject. A constitution was formed and submitted to the people. In Lexington the subject was referred to a committee of the most prominent citizens, - the result of which was to draw from the Rev. Mr. Clarke another of his valuable papers on the subject of civil government, which may be read with profit at the present day : -
"The Freemen of the Town of Lexington, having upon Mature Consideration Voted that they do not Approve of the Constitution and Form of Government, sent out by the late Honorable Conven- tion to the Inhabitants of this State for their Approbation, or Disap- probation, cannot look upon it improper to Suggest some Reasons why they could not chearfully Accept of said Constitution and Form of Government, as calculated to Answer the important Ends proposed.
"Accordingly it may be Observed, That it appears to Us That in immerging from a State of Nature, into a State of well regulated Society, Mankind give up some of their natural Rights, in order that others of Greater Importance to their Well-being Safety & Happiness both as Societies and Individuals might be the better enjoyed Secured & defended: That a Civil Constitution or Form of Government is of the Nature of a most Sacred Covenant, or Con- tract, entered into by the Individuals which form the Society, for which such Constitution or Form of Government is intended, whereby they mutually and Solemnly engage to Support and defend each other, in the Enjoyment of those Rights which they mean to retain: - That the main & Great End of establishing any Constitution or Form of Government among a People or in Society, is to maintain, secure and defend those retained Rights inviolate: And Consequently, That it is of the highest Importance, both to the Public Peace and Utility and to the Safety and Security of Indi- viduals, that said Rights intended to be retained, at least those that are fundamental to the Well being of Society & the Liberty & Safety of Individuals, should be in the most explicit Terms de- clared: - And that not only that Government and Persons in Authority might know their stated Limits & Bounds; but also that
234
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
Subjects and all Members of such Society might know when their Rights & Liberties are infringed or Violated; And have some known & established Standard to which they might with becoming Confi- dence Appeal for the Redress of Grievances & oppressions, whether real or supposed: and we must readily acknowledge, That the total Omission of a Declaration of Rights of this Kind, is no small Objection to the Constitution before Us.
"Next to a Declaration of Rights, it is humbly conceived, That cquallity of Representation, is of the Greatest Importance to the Preservation of the Liberties of the Subject, and the Peace & safety of Society. But we cannot think that the Provision made in this Form of Government is adequate to this Purpose. And we are of Opinion that it is not without Ground to be feared that through the Imperfections of Mankind in some Future Times, small Towns may become an easy Prey to the corrupt influence of designing Men to the no small Danger of the Public Tranquillity, as well the Liber- ties of the People: As hath been frequently & Notoriously the Fact in England and many other States.
"A Rotation in the Members in the Supreme Council of a Nation, & the Legislative Body of a State (even where such are Elective) hath been frequently Suggested & earnestly recommended, by the best Writers on Policy & Government, and by Practice & Experi- ence found to be a Powerful Check to the Arts & Schemes of Ambi- tious & designing Men, and a Means under Providence of pralong- ing the Liberty Safety & Tranquility of Such States & Common- wealths as have adopted it: Of this the Commonwealth of Rome was a Striking Instance; where no Citizen, could be legally elected to the Consulship which was the office of the Supreme Magistrate, but once in Ten Years. And we could have wished that the example of the Honorable Congress in the Articles of Confederation had been adopted in this Matter. And that no Citizen of this State had been eligible to the office of Supreme Magistrate, or as a Member of the General Court more than Two Years in Five, Three Years in Seven, or at least for some limited Time.
"We have complained of it in Times past, under the Charter, and Still look upon it of dangerous Tendency, to have the Legisla- tive & Executive Powers blended in the same Persons. And the Wise & Judicious in all ages have Spoken of it as a very great Grievance to have in the Supreme Council or Legislative Body of a State, Plaicemen & Pensioners, or which amounts to almost the same Thing, Persons who hold Lucrative Posts in the Gift of that Court or are dependent thereupon for their Offices & the Salaries and Perquisites annexed thereto. And We cannot persuade our- selves that the Provision made in this Constitution would be an adequate Remedy.
"Canvassing for Elections, corrupt Influence and open Bribery,
235
TO THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION
have had their most baleful effects to the Subversion of Liberty and the destruction of Good Government in free States, and that in almost all Ages. And Yet We cannot find anything in this Constitu- tion to give the least Check to Practices of this Kind.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.