USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > History of the town of Medfield, Massachusetts, 1650-1886 : with genealogies of the families that held real estate or made any considerable stay in the town during the first two centuries > Part 13
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1777. Selectmen, Robert Hinsdell, Asa Hamant, Asa Clark, Joseph Morse, and Jonathan Wight, 3d.
Daniel Perry, Representative.
Eleazar Wheelock was chosen town clerk. He served four years.
A statement was made to the town in January of what
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MEDFIELD IN REVOLUTIONARY TIMES.
had been done thus far in sustaining the war. The fol- lowing soldiers had been furnished : -
14 men 8 mos. at Roxbury. 24 men 4 mos. at Ticonderoga.
17 "
20 2
3 " 2 " York. 8 12 York. 4 " 4 " Dorchester.
A bounty of £29 was paid by the town to one William Ankles, of Boston, who was certified as having "passed muster, and being entitled to pass for any town that will pay the bounty."
The total expense of the war to this time had been £526. Voted that the cost of the war be levied on polls and es- tates. 40s. a month was granted to every man enlisting into the Continental Army after the first year of his enlistment.
Voted, To Prohibet the meetinghouse bell being rung or tolled at any time without Liberty from the Saxon or one or more of the Selectmen on Penalty of Five shillings.
£555 granted to hire soldiers to fill up the Continental Army.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE REPRESENTATIVE.
1. That he be instructed not to give his vote for a constitution of government at present, on account of the great number of our friends and brethren being absent in the army that have an undoubted right and ability to act therein ; also on account of other things that the minds of people are much engaged.
2. That the laws of the State of Massachusetts Bay, made and pro- vided for the settling and supporting ministers, building and repairing meeting-houses, may be repealed, so that the Gospel may be the only rule submitted to in the above cases.
3. That no African or other person be held in Slavery for the future.
4. That every town pay their own representatives for attendance in the Great and General Court.
5. That every prudent measure may be taken to support faith as expressed in our paper currency, and by no means to suffer any emis- sions of money on a loan. As also that our present currency be not redeemed by loan certificates, but by the continual [?] currency.
l'oted, To put a stop to Innoculation of the small-pox in this town for the future.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Selectmen were directed to have the house owned by Joseph and John Baxter, which had been used as a hospital, immediately cleansed from the infection. This house appears to have been that near the old saw-mill at Noon Hill; the physician in charge, Dr. Aaron Wight.
September 30, Captain Ezekiel Plimpton's company, sixty- six officers and men, marched on the secret expedition to Rhode Island. October 4, the head-quarters were at Little Compton. October 28, they were discharged from further service.
NEWSPAPERS IN WAR TIME.
The following copy of an old paper shows the arrange- ments made for obtaining the news : -
MEDFIELD, Sept. 15, 1777.
We whose names are hereunto subscribed do indent and engage to enter our names for the Newes Papers printed at Boston, and to go down for them weekly in our turns, and convey them to some convenient place in this town where we shall agree.
1
Joseph Morse. Ephraim Chenery. Jabez Fuller.
Eliakim Morse. James Gerauld.
Daniel Perry.
John Fisher, Jr.
Adam Peters. Moses Wight.
Silas Allen. Eleazar Wheelock. Jona. Plimpton.
Joseph Plimpton.
Thomas Prentiss.
Philip Blake.
Henry Harding.
Seth Smith.
Joshua Seaver.
Nathan Partridge.
Seth Clark.
Fisher Allen.
Joseph Boyden.
1778. Selectmen, Adam Peters, Asa Clark, Joseph Morse, Ephraim Wheelock, and Henry Harding.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE REPRESENTATIVE.
Whereas the Continental Congress has adopted certain articles of confederation and perpetual union, and proposed them to the several States for consideration, in order that, if they be approved, they may be- come conclusive; and whereas the Assembly of this State has thought fit to consult their constituents in a matter of so much importance,- we, therefore, the inhabitants of the town of Medfield, in legal town-meeting assembled, after taking the matter into our most serious and dispassion- ate consideration, cannot but admit the thirteen articles of confederation to be a plan wisely adapted to the securing of the freedom of America, with this small addition to the eighth article, viz. : that the common
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MEDFIELD IN REVOLUTIONARY TIMES.
treasury be supplied by the several States in proportion to the number of Polls and all personal estates as well as all lands and buildings within each State ; which addition we think ought to be inserted, provided we as a people had a disposition or abilities to yield that inviolable obedi- ence required in the thirteenth article : but, if we may be allowed free- dom of speech, we, in faithfulness to our selves, to you, and to our rulers at large, confess the decay of virtue and the want of a disposition and ability to comply. Therefore, where is the propriety in pledging faith, or the safety in conforming to and ratifying the articles of confederation ?
It may be asked wherein we are indisposed or unable to comply with the articles aforesaid ? . . .
Witness the Continental battalions : how short are they of the quota ; or the State regiments for the defence of a sister colony ; or with what difficulty do we maintain and man our lines within our own State by draft from the militia. In any of these dothi there appear a disposition to comply with either State or Congress? . ..
It may be said we generally procure our quota of men when called for. We admit a part of the number is (raised), but seldom all; and rarely ever by the time fixed. But how are they raised? As volun- teers, or (if we may be allowed the term) as venal troops for the sake of an extra extravagant bounty. Witness the continental men who received £30 to {60, or even £100 bounty ; or even for a three months' campaign, an extra bounty must be given from f10 to £20 or £30. Is here any proper disposition to maintain independency or compliance with the confederation proposed? or, rather, when we add the vast and unavoidable expense the State is at for paying and maintaining the army, to the extra bounties given to men to take up arms, can any one suppose the ability of the State sufficient therefor ? ... On these con- siderations, we desire to be cautious where we pledge our faith, as you, in this case, must look to us for direction in the beginning, and protec- tion in the end. Doth it not immediately become us to recollect our former covenants and pledges of faith to each other, and see to the fulfilment thereof? Though late in the day, let us one and all rise to justice, and yet once more determine to be free at the risk of life and fortune. Let extortion and avarice be expelled, virtue and benevolence introduced; which, if we do not, we are constrained to think the army must quit the field, and disunion spread its baneful tenets through the State. Therefore, to do justice to our army, and to that part of our brethren whose estates lie in bills of credit, and to the poor, and to the people at large who are daily suffering by the violent extortions of the times, and the unwarrantable fivefold depreciation of our currency and debasement of public faith, we, your constituents, therefore seriously recommend to your consideration the introduction to the resolve of Congress Nov. 22, 1777, together with the resolves at large that are there earnestly recommended.
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IHISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
We, therefore, reposing special trust in your loyalty and good con- duct, do instruct you to use your best influence that said resolve be complied with, excepting the loaning any more bills of credit; also in the following particulars : -
1. That the third resolve be inviolably observed, to the effect that your laws be praise and support to those who do well, and a terror to all on the contra.
2. Respecting the fifth resolve, which gives us pleasure to hear that your delegates are now setting on so important a matter, we therefore instruct you that on a careful consideration of the report of your dele- gates, to use your influence that suitable laws be enacted as in said resolve recommended, remembering to consult your constituents before you finally ratify and confirm the method of establishing prices or fixing the time when a regulation shall take place. We leave to the Assembly whether to begin at once and fix a standard, or to sink the present extor- tion as gradually as it rose.
3. We instruct you to use your best endeavors that the sixth resolve be complied with without loss of time.
4. As the plan above mentioned is immediately or as soon as may be to take place, and the prices of commodities lessened, while the public debt remains to be paid, therefore to introduce economy into the public expense agreeable to the sixth resolve, we instruct you to use your best endeavor for the immediate putting the late loan certificates into circulation, the interest to cease, and they to be received in all payments and at the treasury until the expiration of the time fixed in the certificate; and, in case there should be more than sufficiency of continental bills of credit and State certificates for a circulating medium, reduce it by tax, etc.
To conclude, we think it imprudent to ratify the confederation, unless we comply with the before-mentioned recommendations and resolves ; for, without the latter, we are utterly unable to comply with the former, and, as we regard the good of our country, we earnestly wish to see each town in the State preparing the way for a public and private reformation and return from vice to virtue, or bid farewell to independency.
Granted £14 "to pay the selectmen of 1776, that pro- cured Camp Equipage for our soldiers on their march to York." Granted £111 15s. 4d. for procuring shirts, stock- ings, and shoes for the Continental soldiers.
Voted that "the town will grant money for to Carry on the War for the future on Polls and Estates." Twenty-one voters entered a protest against this action as being illegal.
Voted to sell the wood that had been cut on the burying- place, the proceeds, £15, to go into the school fund. The
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MEDFIELD IN REVOLUTIONARY TIMES.
selectmen were instructed to make three axes for the three school-houses out of the town's steel.
Granted £30 for the purchase of steel, lead, flints, and gunlocks.
The new State Constitution was submitted to the towns for ratification or rejection. The vote of this town stood twenty-seven in favor and thirty-three opposed. This was in accordance with the expressed will of the State, which rejected the Constitution of 1778.
1779. Selectmen, Silvanus Plimpton, Oliver Ellis, Dan- iel Perry, Ephraim Chenery, and James Gerauld. The question of calling a convention to frame a State Constitu- tion was submitted to the towns: the vote here was nine- teen in favor and twenty opposed. The State generally having decided in favor, a convention was called to sit at Cambridge September 1. Dr. James Gerauld was chosen a delegate to that convention.
A committee was chosen to take care of the families of soldiers serving in the Continental Army.
The town accepted the report of the committee which had been chosen to fix the prices of the necessaries of life and other articles. Voted that attested copies of the report be posted up at the public houses in town.
REVOLUTIONARY ARMY RATIONS.
One and one-half pounds of Beef or eighteen oz. of pork per man per day. One pound of bread or flour per man per day. Three pints of peas per man per week at 6s. per bushel. One quart of Beer per man per day at one dol- lar per barrell. Three Pints Indian meal per man per week at 2s. 8d. per bushel. Eight pounds of soap per one hun- dred men per week at 4d. per pound. Six pounds of candles per one hundred men per week at 5d. per pound. Six ounces of butter per man per week at 8d. per pound. One gill or half a gill of rum when on fatigue or extra duty.
1780. Selectmen, Silvanus Plimpton, Oliver Ellis, Dan- iel Perry, Adam Peters, and James Gerauld.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
A TIME OF HIGH PRICES.
Fabulous sums were voted for all purposes at this period, owing to the depreciation of the currency. $5 was the bounty offered for crows, and Indian corn was rated at $50 a bushel.
The selectmen were directed to purchase materials for clothing the town's quota of men in the Continental Army.
July 27, Captain Adam Peters and fifty-one men marched on the occasion of the Rhode Island alarm.
Three men were hired for six months, thirteen men for three months, and three horses purchased, for the Continen- tal Army. The town's quota of beef for that army was also furnished.
The new State Constitution having been submitted to the towns, Medfield objected, fifty-eight to one, to the third article in the Bill of Rights. A committee was chosen to give the reasons and propose amendments. The Constitu- tion being, however, adopted by a large majority of the voters of the State, that committee probably did not report.
The third article was essentially changed by the amend- ment of 1833, which shows that the Medfield men of 1780 were only about fifty years in advance of the times in which they lived.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE REPRESENTATIVE.
Sir,- You being appointed to represent the town of Medfield in the General Court, to be holden at Boston on the last Wednesday of this month (October), agreeable to the new Constitution, we therefore, having an inalienable right to direct and instruct you from time to time as we shall find occasion, which instruction you are closely to observe, and use your best endeavors to accomplish what we wish for and instruct you in a constitutional manner; relying, therefore, on your best exertions for the liberties and properties of the commonwealth, as also the pureness of legislative authority which is absolutely essential both to liberty and property, we instruct you in the following particulars : -
I. Respecting taxation, we mean not to desert the cause, rebel, or revolt, nor even to faint under heavy burdens and taxes, but are cheerful and willing to pay to the utmost of our abilities, as we know it is abso- lutely necessary ; but any more, as we regard the good of mankind, in sound policy we must protest against, seeing the consequences are
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MEDFIELD IN REVOLUTIONARY TIMES.
inevitably dangerous and disagreeable : namely, a revolution, or a valua- ble part of the inhabitants at once crushed and dispossessed of property. Our earnest wish is that authority may not take us by the throat, but forbear, and we will pay to the utmost. We therefore instruct you to use your best endeavors to prevent authority over taxing in future; and, for these taxes which are ordered by the late Assembly, we direct you, if possible, to prevent the executions going forth until some future day, and that you in your legislative capacity exert yourself to the utmost to devise some salutary method to maintain the army in part otherwise than by taxation, as authority in their wisdom shall or may think fit. We further direct you to endeavor, as soon as may be, to have the pub- lic funds of this State liquidated; and, to conclude this matter of taxa- tion, we instruct you to use your influence to prevent the new Court from ever assessing this town any more until we shall have had release and allowance for what we have already paid over and above our just proportion.
2. Whereas, authority has not been heretofore able to raise money, men, or supplies, sufficient for the field and magazines, we instruct you to use your utmost efforts to regain public faith, to the end that author- ity may become respectable, and be able at all times to furnish the field with men and the magazines with all sorts of supplies without the least derogation from legislative honor and authority as may be justly ex- pected in a free State.
3. Whereas the inhabitants of this town did unanimously reject the third article of the Bill of Rights, we therefore instruct you not to act anything thereon.
Lastly, and to conclude our instructions at this time, we enjoin it upon you as you regard your own honor and interest, and the honor and interest of your country, to remember, as you are a representative of a people who wish to be free, " That there is no safety where there is no strength, no strength without a union, no union without justice, no jus- tice where faith and truth in accomplishing public engagements are wanting." Therefore, we flatter ourselves that, could we be possessed of the above union, faith, and truth, we should be both safe and strong ; and, by the assistance of Him who judges the councils of the just, we should be able to maintain our cause, and return from the field of war in peace. Therefore, as we wish to be free from slavery and tyranny, we have given you the above instructions, which you are not to fail of exercising your best ability to accomplish.
DIVISION OF THE COUNTY.
A convention was called with reference to a division of the county. Recommended that the towns of Medfield, Medway, Wrentham, Franklin, Bellingham, Foxboro, Stough-
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
ton, Stoughtonham, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Walpole, Natick, Sherborn, Holliston, and Hopkinton be formed into a new county, with Medfield as the shire town.
1781. Selectmen, Barachias Mason, Sabin Mann, Na- than Adams, James Morse, and Elijah Adams.
Oliver Ellis, Representative.
Jonathan Metcalf was chosen town clerk. He served four years.
The town resources were examined ; and it was found that the treasurer had £199 15s. in counterfeit or dead money ; £9,816 old Continental money ; £3,497 in notes ; and $160 new emission, equal to £1,920 old money. A large amount was due from the collectors; and it was voted to receive the paper money taxes in new currency, at the rate of forty for one.
Medfield's quota of men for the Continental Army this year was eleven.
The following copy of an ancient paper shows how the first attempt to raise them was made : -
Agreeable to a Resolve of the Commonwealth, June 16, 1781, Both the Train band and alarm List ware assembled for the purpose of Com- pleating the Town's Quota of the Continental Army for three years. Many experiments ware Tryed for to enlist them, but all faild. At length the Dusk of the evening came on, and I found my selfe under the disa- greble Nessesety of makeing a Draght, upon which the following Per- son ware Draughted (viz.), Jonathan Allen, Jacob Clark, Asa Hamant, Jonathan Wight, Jr., Francis Hamant, Elihu Chenery, Gershom Adams, John Fisher, Jr., Dyer Lovell, and Eleazar Ellis.
The officer, whose name is not given, goes on to say that they "payd no Regard to my warning."
The town finally voted to raise eleven men to serve three years in the Continental Army, and to pay them £24 a year in gold or silver, the town to have all subsequent bounties granted to the men.
£166 10s., "hard money," granted to furnish the town's quota of beef, and £54 to furnish the quota of clothing for the Continental Army.
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MEDFIELD IN REVOLUTIONARY TIMES.
£5 a month granted to those soldiers who would enlist for three months.
The selectmen were instructed "to inform the Superin- tendent that the town has a prospect of procuring their full quota of men for the Continental Army."
Seth Smith and Benjamin Callender were licensed to sell " the Article of Tea," according to the statute.
1782. Selectmen, Eleazar Wheelock, Robert Hinsdale, Joseph Morse, Amos Plimpton, and Edward Cleaveland. Oliver Ellis, Representative.
The collection of taxes was this year sold to the lowest bidder. Eleazar Ellis was collector.
£15 granted for the schools. The selectmen were in- structed to sell one hundred and eighty-two pounds of lead in the town's possession.
A charitable collection was taken up in the two churches, as shown by the following receipt : -
Received from Medfield for the suffering inhabitants of South Caro- lina,
By Rev. Thomas Prentiss, £3 135. 5d.
By Rev. Thomas Gair, Baptist, {1 IOS.
A LYCEUM.
During this year, social meetings were held at the house of Mr. Wheclock, led by Mr. Prentiss and Mr. Gair. They were devoted to the discussion of certain subjects, among which were " Slavery " and "Newton on the Prophecies."
Several members contributed firewood, candles, etc. Phillips Blake was clerk of the Association.
1783. Selectmen, Daniel Perry, Oliver Ellis, John Baxter, Simeon Cutler, and Nathan Harding.
John Baxter, Jr., Representative.
A great amount of business was transacted this year in settling up the accounts of the war. Seth Smith, collector, had received a counterfeit eight-dollar bill : the value was remitted to him by the town.
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IHISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
At this date, it was stated as a remarkable fact that there were living in town fifteen families that had to buy their firewood. In earlier times, every man had his wood lot ; but, during the war, several families resided here that had been obliged to leave their own homes, in places occupied by the enemy. These did not remain long, however, after the close of the war.
EVIDENCES OF PATRIOTIC SPIRIT.
It cannot be denied that the town manifested a spirit of genuine patriotism. When the first burst of enthusiasm was over, and the difficulties and discouragements incident to a prolonged struggle came to be understood, the people of Medfield responded to the calls for men and money in a manner which proved their sturdy devotion to the cause of liberty. The cost to them in labor, self-denial, and personal suffering, should never be forgotten by their grateful pos- terity.
From first to last, one hundred and fifty-four men from this town are known to have been in service during the War of the Revolution. The following forty-two were in the Continental Army : -
Col. Ephraim Wheelock.
Jabez Clark.
David Onion.
Capt. Sabin Mann.
Zimri Cleaveland.
Joseph Plimpton.
James Arculas.
Samuel Cole.
Ezekiel Plimpton.
Nathan Allen.
Joseph Cole.
Ephraim Smith.
Matthias Armsby.
John Fuller.
Lebbeus Smith.
John Baxter, Jr.
Jabez Fuller.
Eli Smith.
Jabez Boyden.
Warrick Green.
Peter Smith.
Jonathan Breck.
Newport Green. Jonathan Townsend.
Nathan Bullard.
Benjamin Hewes. James Tisdale.
Oliver Chickering.
John Gridley.
Lemuel Thompson.
Phillips Clark.
Ebenezer Lyon.
Thomas Trott.
Simeon Clark.
Nathan Marsh.
Peter Warren.
Nathan Clark.
John Morse.
Spencer Wood.
Rufus Clark.
Joseph Morse.
Holland Wood.
Ephraim Smith was one of Major Andre's guard while he was awaiting trial and execution. He often described André's noble bearing, and told how, when he was confined
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MEDFIELD IN REVOLUTIONARY TIMES.
in a small house, the Continental soldiers keeping guard on the outside, he paced the room, anxiously looking out of the windows in this direction and in that, until his swift, sharp fate ended the scene.
Those next succeeding are found on the rolls as having taken arms in various campaigns, for a longer or shorter time, during the war : -
Capt. Adam Peters.
Sergt. Eleazar Ellis.
Ephraim Chenery.
Seth Smith.
Lieut. Joseph Clark.
Edward Cleaveland.
Daniel Perry.
Corp. Uriah Morse.
Silas Bullard.
Benjamin Boyden.
Silas Plimpton.
¥ Henry Harding.
Sergt. Amos Plimpton.
Amos Mason.
Asa Clark.
Joseph Boyden.
Samuel Ellis.
66 Phillips Blake.
Jesse Ellis.
Nathan Harding.
Jacob Clark.
John Bullard.
Billings Tisdale.
William Clark.
Moses Wight.
Gershom Adams.
Asa Cheney. Timothy Cheney.
Obed Hartshorn.
Shem Armsby. Asa Albee.
Benjamin Clark.
Moses Hewes.
James Allen.
Ebenezer Clark.
Joshua Hewes.
Enoch Allen.
Samuel Clark.
Moses Lovell.
Jonathan Allen.
Elias Clark. Pitts Clark.
Dyer Lovell. Rufus Mann.
Elijah Allen. Elihu Chenery.
Abner Mason.
Amos Allen. Peter Cooledge.
Silas Mason.
Eliakim Allen.
Francis Cole.
John Mason. Thaddeus Morse.
Joseph Baxter.
Nathan Ellis.
Samuel Morse, Jr. Jeremiah Morse.
Timothy Battle.
George Ellis. Eliphalet Fisher.
William Morse.
Abner Bullard. Bela Bullen. Ichabod Bullen.
John Fisher. John Foley.
Josiah Morse. James Morse.
Simeon Cutler.
Francis Hamant.
Eliakim Morse.
Simon Cheney.
Charles Hamant. Asa Hamant.
Nathan Partridge.
Levi Cheney.
Joseph Perry.
Joseph Cheney.
Abraham Harding.
Moses Peters.
Abel Baker.
Gershom Dunton.
Nathaniel Lovell.
Silas Allen.
Oliver Allen.
Simeon Chenery.
Moses Hartshorn.
Nathan Adams.
David Clark.
Zephaniah Hewes.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Adam Peters. Samuel Smith.
Calvin Turner.
Jesse Pratt.
Timothy Smith.
Samuel Turner.
David Plimpton.
Titus Smith.
Jacob Turner.
Henry Plimpton.
Eleazar Smith.
Job Wight.
Jonathan Plimpton.
Jonathan Smith.
Asa Wight.
Elzaphan Plimpton.
John Thompson.
Jonathan Wight.
George Smith.
Nathan Turner.
Henry Wight.
Ezra Smith.
The States of Massachusetts and Connecticut during the war sent one soldier for every seven of population, which was a larger proportion than that of any other State. From the above list, it may be seen that the town of Medfield sent one soldier for every five of population. A consid- erable number, however, saw but a brief period of service.
CHAPTER XI.
CLOSING ANNALS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
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