USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Middlefield > History of the town of Murrayfield : earlier known as Township No. 9, and comprising the present towns of Chester and Huntington, the northern part of Montgomery, and the southeast corner of Middlefield : 1760-1763 > Part 11
USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Huntington > History of the town of Murrayfield : earlier known as Township No. 9, and comprising the present towns of Chester and Huntington, the northern part of Montgomery, and the southeast corner of Middlefield : 1760-1763 > Part 11
USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Chester > History of the town of Murrayfield : earlier known as Township No. 9, and comprising the present towns of Chester and Huntington, the northern part of Montgomery, and the southeast corner of Middlefield : 1760-1763 > Part 11
USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Montgomery > History of the town of Murrayfield : earlier known as Township No. 9, and comprising the present towns of Chester and Huntington, the northern part of Montgomery, and the southeast corner of Middlefield : 1760-1763 > Part 11
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The General Court stood prorogued to the 12th of January, 1774, when the governor again prorogued it to the 26th. In his opening address he particularly alluded to " his majesty's disapprobation of the appointment of committees of correspondence." The House replied to this that " while the common rights of the American subjects con- tinued to be attacked at times when the general assemblies were not sitting, it was highly necessary that they should correspond with each other, in order to unite in the most effectual means for the obtaining a redress of their grievances," and that "as it had been the practice for years past for the governor and lieutenant governor of this prov- ince, and other officers of the crown, at all times, to correspond with the ministers of state and persons of distinction and influence in the nation, in order to concert and carry on such measures of the British administration as have been deemed by the colonists to be grievous to them, it cannot be thought unreasonable or improper for the colonists to correspond with their agents, as well as with each other, to the end that their grievances may be so explained to his majesty as that, in his justice, he may afford them necessary relief."
While affairs were in this attitude in America there was hardly less activity in England, and in Parliament the policy toward the colonists
* See Barry's Ilist. of Mass., 2d period, pp. 445-449.
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was discussed with great spirit; but the councils of the wiser states- men were unheeded, and the colonists were threatened with coercion and further oppression. The insolence of British troops stationed in Boston, and the " Boston Massacre " maddened the colony still more; and added to this was the landing of additional British troops in Boston. In the meantime the colonists were not idle. Military discipline received due attention and encouragement; old guns were repaired; soldiers' accoutrements were anxiously provided for in anticipation of their probable need ; and the towns began to provide themselves with am- munition. Such was the attitude affairs had reached in 1774. On the 25th of July in that year a town meeting was held in Murrayfield, the objects of which were " to see if the town would take into their serious consideration the covenant letters that the committee of correspond- ence have sent to us from Boston, and to sign the same, or pass any vote respecting the same, as the town shall judge best," and "to see what measures the town will come into with respect to getting or col- lecting the money that the General Assembly have desired us to collect in order for the support of the General Congress, and to pass any vote respecting the same, as the town shall think best." At this meeting the town voted unanimously not to "purchase, buy, or consume any goods or wares that shall be imported from Great Britain after the last of August next ensuing, until the meeting of the General Congress at Philadelphia." Also that " we will comply with what measures the General Congress shall agree upon at their meeting in Philadelphia in September next." A vote was also passed "to choose a committee of correspondence to transmit these votes to the committee of corre- spondence at Boston, and to correspond with said committee for this year." And the town appropriated twelve shillings and fourpence toward the support of the Congress.
The persons chosen to act on behalf of the town as a committee of correspondence for the ensuing year were, Capt. David Shepard, Deac. Jesse Johnson, Lieut. Malcom Henry, Deac. Samuel Matthews, and Lieut. James Clark. These persons all lived at or near the center of the town, excepting, perhaps, James Clark.
In the spring of 1774, Governor Hutchinson was superceded by Thomas Gage, whose activity in setting on foot measures for bringing the colonists to submission is a part of the history of Massachusetts.
" Writs were issued early in September convening the General Court at Salem on the fifth of October ; but before that time arrived, a proclamation from the governor dissolved the assembly. For this step the patriots of the province were prepared ; and, pursuant to the
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course which had been already agreed upon, after meeting on the ap- pointed day, they resolved themselves into a PROVISIONAL CONGRESS.
The first session of this body, so memorable in our annals, was held at Salem on Friday, the seventh of October; the meeting was tempo- rarily organized by choosing John Hancock chairman and Benjamin Lincoln clerk, and was adjourned to the following Tuesday, then to meet at the court house in Concord. Finding the court house too small for their purpose, however, the meeting-house was procured; the Con- gress was permanently organized by choosing John Hancock president and Benjamin Lincoln clerk; and provisions were made for opening the session each day with prayer. A committee on the state of the province was next appointed; and an address to his excellency the governor was reported, which was ordered to be printed in the Boston newspapers: the several constables and collectors throughout the prov- ince, having moneys in their hands payable to the order of Harrison Gray, Esq., were advised to retain the same, subject to the advice of a constitutional assembly: and the convention was adjourned to the town of Cambridge." (See Barry's Hist. of Mass., Second Period, p. 495.) The business of the Congress was transacted for several days with closed doors, and everything was done that could be to prepare for the crisis that was approaching. The several towns and districts in the province were advised to " see that each of the minute men not already provided therewith should be immediately equipped with an efficient fire arm, bayonet, pouch, knapsack, and thirty rounds of cartridge and balls, and be disciplined three times a week and oftener as opportunity may offer;" and that whenever there was any deficiency in arms and accouterments, the selectmen supply the same "out of the town stock; and in case of a deficiency there, to apply to such in- habitants as can best spare their arms and aecouterments, and to bor- row or purchase the same for the use of the inhabitants so enlisting."
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Murrayfield, held December 26th, 1774, " To see if the town will take into their serious consideration the resolves of the Continental and Provincial Congress and come into some measures in the town to see that the same be put in execution or kept, and pass such votes in the town respecting the same as the town shall judge best." Also, "to see if the town will adopt any measures in order that the town may be provided with a stock of ammunition, and to pass such votes respecting the same as the town shall think best and most prudent." The town voted that " Capt. Abner Smith, Mr. Timothy Smith, Lieut. JJames Clark, Lieut. Malcom Henry, Mr. Archelus Anderson. Ensign George Williams,
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Ensign Stephen Lyman, Mr. James Black, and Capt. David Shepard be a committee of inspection." And also voted that the town would stand by this committee in the execution of their office.
It was the duty of constables, who were also collectors of taxes, to collect the province tax upon the towns, and to pay it directly into the provincial treasury. At this meeting the town passed the following vote: "That the town will indemnify the constables if they will pay the province money they have in their hands into the town treasury to procure ammunition for a stock; and that the selectmen lay out said monies, when they get it, for a stock of ammunition." At its March meeting, 1775, the town voted that eight pounds be paid out of the treasury to provide a stock of powder and lead. Another meeting was held 24th April, 1775, and Malcom Henry was chosen a delegate to the Provincial Congress.
Although the town records do not show how many men were sent to the army, it is certain that several men had been sent; for at a meeting held May 4th, the town voted that the selectmen provide a supply of blankets and clothing "for our men now at Cambridge."
The Provincial Congress had addressed letters to the towns, urging the raising of troops and entreating them to " hasten and encourage by all possible means the enlistment of men to form an army."
By a vote of the committee of safety the Provincial Congress reas- sembled, after they had adjourned to May, in the town of Concord, and adjourned from that place to Watertown, and immediately, about April 20th, entered upon measures " indispensable for the salvation of the country."
The town of Murrayfield, at a meeting held June 19th, 1775, voted " that the committee shall attend to the orders of Congress respecting tory goods."
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
A meeting was held July 11th, 1775, " To see if the town will choose one or more representatives to attend and represent the town of Mur- rayfield in a great and general court or assembly to be convened at the meeting house in Watertown upon Wednesday the nineteenth day of July inst." Ensign Stephen Lyman was moderator. Lient. Enoch Shepard was chosen representative; and the committee to instruct the representative was composed of the following persons: John Kirtland, David Scott. Stephen Lyman, Samuel Matthews, and Abner Smith.
The British troops evacuated Boston in March, 1726. In April the
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General Court passed a resolve to alter the style of writs and other legal processes, substituting " The People and Government of Massa- chusetts " for George III. and in dating them using only "in the year of our Lord " instead of giving also the year of " his majesty's reign." In May the General Court passed an order advising the people in the several towns to instruct their representatives on the subject of independence.
VOTE IN FAVOR OF A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
The selectmen of Murrayfield called a meeting to be held June 17th, 1:76. " To see if the inhabitants will sign an agreement or oath that the General Court have sent out to see who are friends to liberty and their country and who are not;" also " to see if the town as a body are willing to have the thirteen united colonies declared an independent State from Great Britain if the Continental and General Courts shall judge best, and to pass any vote respecting the same as the town shall judge best and most prudent." The following votes were passed: " Voted to sign an agreement or oath sent out from the General Court:" also " voted that it is the mind of this town that the Conti- mental Congress declare independence from Great Britain, to a man, in a full meeting."
MONEY FOR SOLDIERS.
September 19th. 1776, the town voted " to hire a sum of money for the use of the soldiers in their march to Horse Neck;" also " to hire a sum of money for the town to provide a drum and fife." A commit- tee of inspection was chosen consisting of the following persons: " Deac. Jesse Johnson, Lieut. Samuel Matthews, Mr. Joel Seaward, Lieut. James Clark, and Ensign Stephen Lyman." Another town meeting was held October 17th, at which, under the article, " To see if the town are willing that the present House of Representatives, to- gether with the Council of this State, should form a charter and make laws for the present and future generations, and to pass such votes respecting the same as the town shall judge best," and also under the article " To see whether the town choose that the laws that are made by this House should be sent through the State to every town before they are ratified, for the perusal of the people," the town voted "yes."
WAR CHARGES.
During the year 1:77 the records of the town do not show much activity on the part of the town touching the war; probably much was
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done that does not appear. At the November meeting the town voted " to do something toward bringing the charges of the war equally on the town," and chose a committee to accomplish it. The town also " voted that it will pay for all the Continental clothing that the town is required to get or provide for the soldiers at the rates clothing goes for now among us." It was also voted " to allow Sergeant John Mc- Intire the interest of the money that he shall borrow in order to pay the province rates of those soldiers that are gone into the Continental Army from the time that he borrows it till he gets it back of them or somewhere else." The stirring events and excitements of the war did not come within the limits of Massachusetts in the form of battles, after the British troops departed from Boston. But Massachusetts men were no small factor of the Continental army. The State of Massachusetts was represented at the posts of danger. She shirked no duty-the cause was her cause-her weal or woe hung in the same balance with the other States.
So far as towns like Murrayfield were concerned, their duty lay in furnishing each its quota of men and supplies for the Continental army; and they were faithful to the demands of the hour. At the March meeting, 1778, Deac. Jesse Johnson, Lieut. James Clark, Lient. William Campbell, Lient. Larkin Williams, and Gideon Matthews were chosen as the committee of inspection and safety. The records of subsequent town meetings held this year show the action of the town touching the new constitution which the General Court, acting as a convention by the consent of the towns in the state, framed as a form of government and sent to the several towns in the state for their approval, February 28th, 1778. A copy of the Resolve which the Gen- eral Court sent out to each town, with a copy of the proposed constitu- tion, will enable the reader to better understand the votes passed by the town of Murrayfield:
" A Constitution & Form of Government for the State of Massachusetts Bay, agreed upon by the Convention of this State, February 28th, 1778-to be laid before the several towns and plantations in said State, for their approbation or disapprobation.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY, IN CONVENTION, February 28, 1778.
Whereas, Upon the Declaration of Independence, made by the Representa- tives of the United States, in Congress assembled, by which all connections between the said States & Great Britain were dissolved, the General Assembly of this State thought it expedient, that a new Constitution of Government for this State should be formed; &, apprehending that they were not invested
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with sufficient authority to deliberate and determine upon so interesting a subject, did, on the fifth day of May, 1777, for effecting this valuable purpose, pass the following resolve:
Resolved, That it be, & hereby is recommended to the several towns & places in this State, empowered by the laws thereof to send members to the General Assembly, that, at their next election of a member or members to rep- resent them, they make choice of men in whose integrity and ability they can place the greatest confidence; &, in addition to the common & ordinary pow- ers of representation, instruct them with full powers, in one body with the Council, to form such a Constitution of Government as they shall judge best calculated to promote the happiness of this State; &, when completed, to cause the same to be printed in all the Boston newspapers, and also in hand bills, one of which to be transmitted to the Selectmen of each town, or the commit- tee of each plantation, to be by them laid before their respective towns or plantations, at a regular meeting of the inhabitants thereof, to be called for that purpose, in order to its being, by each town & plantation, duly consid- ered, & a return of their approbation or disapprobation to be made into the Secretary's office of this State, at a reasonable time, to be fixed by the General Court; specifying the numbers present at such meeting voting for, & those voting against the same; &, if upon a fair examination of said returns by the General Court, or such a committee as they shall appoint for the purpose, it shall appear, that the said Form of Government is approved by at least two thirds of those who are free, & twenty-one years of age, belonging to this State, & present in the several meetings, then the General Conrt shall be empowered to establish the same as the Constitution & Form of Government of the State of Massachusetts Bay; according to which the inhabitants thereof shall be gov- erned in all succeeding generations, unless the same shall be altered by their express direction, or at least of two-thirds of them. And it is further recom- mended to the Selectmen of the several towns, in the return of their precepts for the choice of Representatives, to signify their having considered this resolve, & their doings therein.'
And whereas the good people of this State in pursuance of said resolution, & reposing special trust & confidence in the Council & in their Representatives, have appointed, authorized and instructed their Representatives, in one body with the Council, to form such a Constitution of Government as they shall judge best calculated to promote the happiness of this State, & when completed, to cause the same to be published for their inspection & consideration.
We, therefore, the Council & Representatives of the People of the State of Massachusetts Bay, in convention assembled by virtue of the power delegated to us, & acknowledging our dependence upon the all wise Governor of the Uni- verse for direction, do agree upon the following Form of a Constitution of Government for this State, to be sent out to the People, that they may act thereon, agreeably to the aforesaid resolves."
The Form of Constitution proposed and sent out with the aforesaid resolve, for the people to act upon, was as follows:
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I .- There shall be convened, held & kept, a General Court, upon the last Wednesday in the month of May of every year, & as many other times as the said General Court shall order & appoint. Which General Court shall consist of a Senate & House of Representatives, to be elected as this Constitution hereafter directs.
II .- There shall be elected annually a Governor & Lieutenant Governor, who shall each have, by virtue of such election, a seat & voice in the Senate; & the style & title of the Governor shall be His Excellency; & the style & title of the Lieutenant Governor shall be His Honor.
III .- No person shall be considered as qualified to serve as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senator, or Representative, unless qualified respectively at the time of their several elections, as follows, viz .: The Governor & Lieu- tenant Governor shall have been inhabitants of this State five years immedi- ately preceding the time of their respective election; the Governor shall be possessed, in his own right, of an estate of the value of one thousand pounds, whereof five hundred pounds value, at the least, shall be in real estate within this State; the Lieutenant Governor shall be possessed, in his own right, of an estate of the value of five hundred pounds, two hundred and fifty pounds thereof, at the least, to be in real estate, within this State; a Senator shall be possessed, in his own right, of an estate to the value of four hundred pounds, two hundred pounds thereof, at the least, to be in real estate, lying in the dis- trict for which he shall be elected. A Representative shall be possessed, in his own right, of an estate of the value of two hundred pounds, one hundred pounds thereof, at the least, to be in real estate lying in the town, for which he shall be elected. Senators & Representatives shall have been inhabitants of the districts & towns, for which they shall be respectively elected, one full year immediately preceding such election; provided, that when two or more towns join in the choice of a Representative, they may choose an inhabitant of either of said towns, being otherwise qualified as this article directs.
IV .- The Judges of the Superior Court, Secretary, Treasurer General, Com- missary General, & settled Ministers of the Gospel, while in office; also all Military Officers, while in the pay of this or of the United States, shall be con- sidered as disqualified for holding a seat in the General Court; & the Judges & Registers of Probate, for holding a seat in the Senate.
V .- Every male inhabitant of any town in this State, being free and twenty- one years of age, excepting negroes, Indians & mulattoes, shall be entitled to vote for a Representative or Representatives, as the case may be, in the town where he is resident; provided he has paid taxes in said town (unless by law excused from taxes) & been resident therein one full year, immediately pre- ceding such voting, or that such town has been his known & usual place of abode for that time, or that he is considered as an inhabitant thereof; & every such inhabitant qualified as above, & worth sixty pounds, clear of all charges thereon, shall be entitled to put in his vote for Governor, Lieutenant Gov- ernor, & Senators; and all such voting for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senators or Representatives, shall be by ballot, & not otherwise.
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VI .- Every incorporated town within this State shall be entitled to send one Representative to the General Court; any town having three hundred voters may send two; having five hundred & twenty voters may send three; having seven hundred & sixty may send four; & so on, making the increasing num- ber necessary for another member, twenty more than the last immediately preceding increasing number, till the whole number of voters in any town are reckoned. And each town shall pay the expense of its own Representative or Representatives; & the inhabitants of any two or more towns, who do not in- cline to send a Representative for each town, may join in the choice of one, if they shall so agree.
VII .- The Selectmen of each town shall, some time in the month of April, annually, issue their warrant or warrants, under their hands and seals, directed to some constable or constables, within their towns respectively, requiring him or them to notify the inhabitants qualified to vote for a Representative, to as- semble in some convenient place in such town, for the choice of some person or persons, as the case may be, to represent them in the General Court the ensil- ing year; the time & place of meeting to be mentioned in the warrant or war- rants for calling such meeting. And the Selectmen of each town respectively, or the major part of them. shall make return of the name or names of the person or persons elected by the major part of the voters present, & voting in such meeting to represent said town in the General Court the ensuing year, into the Secretary's office, on or before the last Wednesday of May then next ensuing; & when two or more towns shall agree to join for such choice, the major part of the Selectmen of those towns shall, in the manner above directed, warn a meeting to be held in either of the said towns, as they shall judge most convenient for that purpose, & shall make return as aforesaid, of the person chosen at such meeting.
VIII .- The number of Senators shall be twenty-eight; (Exclusive of the Gov- ernor & Lieutenant Governor) their election shall be annual, & from certain districts, into which the State shall be divided as follows, viz .: The middle district to contain the Counties of Suffolk, Essex, & Middlesex, within which ten Senators shall be elected; the southern district to contain the Counties of Plymouth, Barnstable, Bristol, Duke's County, & Nantucket, within which six Senators shall be elected; the western district to contain the Counties of Hampshire, Worcester, & Berkshire, within which eight Senators shall be elected; the northern district to contain the Counties of York & Cumberland, within which three shall be elected; the castern district to contain the County of Lincoln, within which one shall be elected. And as the number of inhab- itants in the several districts may vary, from time to time, the General Court shall, in the way they shall judge best, some time in the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety, & once in twenty years ever after, order the number of the inhabitants of the several districts to be taken, that the Senators may be apportioned anew to the several districts, according to the number of the inhabitants therein. And the General Court may, at such new apportionment, increase the number of Senators to be chosen as they may see fit ; provided
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that the whole number shall never exceed thirty-six, exclusive of the Governor & Lieutenant Governor.
IX. - The inhabitants of the several towns in this State, qualified as this Constitution directs, shall, on the first Wednesday in the month of November, annually, give in their votes in their respective towns, at a meeting, which the Selectmen shall call for that purpose, for Senators for the year ensuing the last Wednesday in May then next. The votes shall be given in for the mem- bers of each district separately, according to the foregoing apportionment, or such as shall be hereafter ordered ; & the Selectmen & town Clerk of each town shall sort & count the votes, &, by the third Wednesday in December then next, transmit to the Secretary's office a list, certified by the town Clerk, of all the persons, who had votes as Senators for each district at such meeting, & the number each person had affixed to his name. The list, so sent in shall be examined by the General Court at their next sitting, & a list for each dis- trict of those voted for, to the amount of double the number assigned to such district (if so many shall have votes) taking those who had the highest num- bers, shall be made out and sent by the first of March, then next after, to the several towns of this State, as a nomination list, from which said towns shall, at their meeting for the choice of Governor in the month of May, vote for the Senators assigned the respective districts ; which votes shall be counted & sorted & lists certified as before directed, made out & sent in to the Secretary's office, by ten o'clock in the forenoon of the last Wednesday in said May, & not afterwards ; which lists shall be examined by the House of Representatives for the first time of the election of Senators, & ever afterwards by the Senate & House of Representatives on said last Wednesday of May, or as soon after as may be ; and those persons in each district, equal to the number assigned such district, who have the greatest number of votes, shall be Senators for the ensuing year, unless it shall appear to the Senate that any member or mem- bers thereof were unduly elected or not legally qualified ; of which the Senate shall be the judges. And the Senate, when so constituted, shall continue in being till another Senate is chosen, & the members thereof gone through all the steps necessary to qualify them to enter on the business assigned them by this Constitution.
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