USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sutton > History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1704 to 1876, including Grafton until 1735, Millbury until 1813 and parts of Northbridge, Upton and Auburn > Part 7
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No action was taken upon the petition of Stephen Gold- thwait and others.
1773.
Jan. 11th. A special meeting was called " To see if the Town will hear the Request of the Town of Boston," and
* Town Records.
t Town Records.
# Town Records.
TOWN OF SUTTON ... 89
" To see if the Town will Choose a Committee to consider the Difficulties as represented to us by the Town of Boston, and to make Report; and the Town to act upon the same as they shall think proper."
At the meeting the town " Voted that a Committee be appointed, consisting of seven men, to consider the several Articles of Grievances (Imposed on this Government by the British Parliament) as represented in a printed Pam- phlet from the Town of Boston and to make Report at the Adjournment of this meeting - then the following Gentle- men were appointed a Committee accordingly - (viz) Capt. John Sibley, Lieut. Samuel Trask Deacon Ebenezer Pierce, Messrs. Edward Putnam, Daniel Marsh Nathan Putnam, and Willis Hall."
Jan. 18th. The committee reported at an adjourned meeting as follows : . Having well perused the above said pamphlet and the Charter of this Province, together with the English Liberties, - we do apprehend that our Charter Privileges are Infringed in many Instances and that there is just Cause of Complaint : Therefore we think it advisable that this Town recommend to Capt. Henry King, the Repre- sentative of this Town in General Assembly, that he use his best Influence with his Brethren, the members of s'd assembly, that a humble and pungant address be made to his Majesty and Court at home-that we may Obtain redress under such pressing and alarming Grievances. Further, that whereas it has been thought that the Judges of the Superior Court have not had salaries adequate to their Important ser- vice that he make due Enquiry into that matter, and if he should find it to be fact, that he use his utmost Endeavours that their Salaries may be enlarged and made Adequate to their Merit and Station."
March 1st. The petition of James Adams and others relative to their being set off to the town of Northbridge was denied.
May 17th. The petition of John Adams and others to be set off to Northbridge was again denied.
12
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ANNALS OF THE
1774.
July 25th. A town meeting was called "To see if the Town will Grant Money to supply the Town Stock with Arms and Ammunition according to Law." Whereupon it was "Voted to Grant the Sum of Forty-two Pounds Ten Shillings to Supply the Deficient Town Stock with Ammu- nition." It seems that several meetings had been held dur- ing the summer, for the discussion of public affairs, no record of which was made.
In the warrant for a meeting called for Sept. 26th we find the following articles :
"To see if the Town will choose one or more persons as a Committee or Delegates to meet and act with the General Congress of this Province whenever said Congress shall meet.
"To see if the Town will approve of the proceedures of the several meetings of the Inhabitants of the Town of . Sutton in the Summer past and record the same upon the Town Book.
" To see what method the Town will come into in order to Regulate the Militia in this Town as the Commissioned Officers have proposed to resign their Respective Offices.
"The Town chose Mr. Edward Putnam a Delegate to meet and act with the General Congress of this Province when and where they shall meet.
"Voted to approve of the proceedings of the Town in their several Town Meetings, the summer past, aud that all Papers, relating to those proceedings that may be procured, be lodged with the Town Clerk.
"Voted that it be Recommended to the Military Com- panies in this Town to Choose their own Officers as the present Commissioned Officers have proposed to Resign."
Nov. 15th. "Voted that the Selectmen of the Town purchase such a Quantity of Powder as to complete the Town stock according to Law." *
* Town Records.
91
TOWN OF SUTTON.
1775.
Jan. 5th. "The Town made choice of Capt. Henry King, & Elder Amos Singletary as Delegates to Represent the Town in the Provincial Congress to be held at Cam- bridge on the first day of Feb. next." *
This action was taken in accordance with the recommen- dation of the Provincial Congress, which had been held at Cambridge on the tenth of December last.
The warrant for the town meeting upon this date con- tained the following articles :
To see if the Town approve of what the Continental Congress have done.
To see if the Town will approve the Association of said Congress.
To see if the Town will choose a Committe of Inspec- tion to see that said Association is duly observed and to choose such Committec.
To see if the Town will order the Constables not to pay any money, due to the Province, to Harrison Gray Esq.
To see if the Town will order the Constables to pay such money to Henry Gardner Esqr. of Stow and take his Receipt for the same.
To see if the Town will Indemnify the Constables upon their Conformity to such orders.
To see if the Town will give any Instructions to the Representatives that may be chosen to attend a Provincial Congress at Cambridge and to give such Instructions as the Town shall think proper.
To see what method the Town will come into for the effectually carrying into Execution said Association or any orders of the Provincial Congress, or of this Town relative - thereto, and to determine how such shall be treated as Transgress, as the Town shall think proper.
To see if the Town will Choose a Committee to Receive and forward Donations given for the Relief of the Towns of Boston and Charlestown, suffering under the operation
Town Records.
,
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ANNALS OF THE
of the Port-Bill and to choose such Committee, if the Town think proper.
To see what money the Town will raise for supplying the Town stock of Ammunition.
To see what the Town will do with respect to ordering that the Minute men should be equipt and paid according to the Recommendation of the Provincial Congress at Cam- bridge the tenth Instant.
At the meeting as above called the following action was taken :
" Voted to approve of what the Continental Congress have done.
" Voted to adopt the Association of the Continental Con- gress.
" Voted to choose a committee of Inspection to see that the Association of the Continental Congress be duly observed.
" Voted to choose a Committee of Seven Persons - nom- inated and chose Messrs. Arthur Dagget, Edward Putnam, Samuel Marble, Asa Waters, Abraham Waters, Capt. Sam- uel Sibley and Mr. Seth. Chace.
" On the 5th article of the warrant, unanimously voted to approve of what the Provincial Congress have done, so far as what is said with respect to the Continental Congress, their Association, and of not purchasing Imported Commodities, and their choice of members for the next Continental Con- gress.
" Voted that the Constable shall pay no monies, due to the Province, to Harrison Gray Esqr."
(Harrison Gray, Esqr., was collector of taxes for His Majesty.)
" Voted that the Constables pay all monies, due to the Province, to Henry Gardner Esqr. of Stow, and take his Receipt for the same.
" Voted to Indemnify the Constables upon their Conform- ity to such orders.
" Voted to give Instructions to the Representatives.
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
" Voted to Instruct the Representatives to be careful that they do nothing that shall be inconsistent with what the Continental Congress have done."
On the tenth article of the warrant -
" In order effectually to carry into execution the Associa- tion of the Continental Congress or any orders or Reccom- mendations of the Provincial Congress or of this Town relative to the non-consumption of Imported Commodities : It is Resolved that we will most strictly and Conscientiously adhere-to and prosecute the measures proposed in the eleventh article of said Association (viz.) To break off all Dealings with any one convicted of violating said Association and we will in like manner treat any convicted of transgressing any orders or Reccommendations of the Provincial Congress relative to the Importation or Consumption of foreign Com- modities. And where as the Inhabitants of this Town, in a meeting on the fourth of July last - Voted to concur with the Reccommendations of the late House of Representatives, altogether to renounce the Consumption of India Teas : There fore Resolved that any who shall be convicted of bringing in, purchasing, or using any India Teas in this Town, after this Day, shall be treated in the same manner as those that violate s'd Association.
" And it is also farther Resolved that when the major part of the Committee of Inspection have, upon due Tryal, found any one guilty of any of s'd Crimes they shall cause a notifi- cation thereof forth with to be posted up at the several Taverns, Mills and Smiths in this Town, that all the Inhabi- tants may know and avoid all Dealings with him or her. But, if there should appear any symptoms of sorrow and hopes of Repentance, the publication of it in the News, may be suspended until the next Town meeting, in order that said offender may have opportunity for Consideration, and space to repent, which if he manifests at such meeting to the satis- faction of the Town, and promises a Reformation, the Town may then restore such offender to Fellowship; otherwise he shall be published in the News according to s'd eleventh article of the Association as being Incorrigible.
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ANNALS OF THE
" And it is also farther Resolved that, if any one shall disregard such sentence against any Person transgressing in Articles above, and still continues to Deal with him or her, in any manner whatever, and be there-of Convicted before the Major part of the Committee of Inspection, he or she shall be treated in the same manner as the original Offender. Provided, nevertheless, that, if upon Trial, it shall appear to the Committee that such person did no more than to help in case of absolute sickness or some casualty, in which a Building or the Life of some person or creature was in danger of immediately perishing, or spake nothing other to offender than to demand, or pay a Debt or Tax, or about the Things of the Eternal World, or to convince him or her of his or their error in transgressing as above, or if he only spake a' word inadvertently, and desisted upon being Reminded of the state of such Offender, he shall not be adjudged or treated as being guilty of Criminal dealing with such Offender.
" And it is also farther Resolved, that, if any person refuse or neglect to appear before the Committee or to make Defense. having six Days previous notice of the Time, Place and Charge. such person shall incur the same punishment, for such Con- tempt, as he or she would be subjected to, in case the Charge should be found against him or her.
"And it is also farther Resolved, that it shall be the Duty of every Individual in this Town, upon any knowledge or Information against any one, to forward said Information to some one of the Committee of Inspection, as soon as conve- niently may be, in order that it may be properly examined into by the Committee.
" Resolved that if any person, who would, by Law, be a proper witness, shall refuse to give Evidence, being called there-to by the Committee, or shall wilfully give a partial or false Testimony, such person shall be adjudged to the same Punishment as the person upon Trial would be adjudged to, if found guilty.
" Resolved, that it is the Duty of every Head of a Family, in this Town, to use his or her Parental Authority in oblige- ing all under them strictly to observe said Association and all the orders, Resolves and Recommendations of the
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
Provincial Congress, and of this Town relative there-to, or concerning the non-Importation and non-Consumption of foreign Commodities. Voted nem. con.
" Voted to choose a Committee of Donations.
" Voted to choose six for said Committee.
.. Chose Capt. Moody Morse, Messrs. Stephen Prince, Willis Hall, Abraham Waters, Capt. Trask and Wm. Waite.
Voted to Raise Thirty-two Pounds for the purchasing Town stock of Ammunition."
Jan. 16th. "Voted that the assessors of the Town make Return of their Assessment of the Province Tax Granted by the General Court last May to Henry Gardner Esq. of Stow, Receiver General," and also "voted to defend the Assessors in so doing."
"Voted that the Minute Men shall be provided with a Bayonet and other Accutriments agreeable to the advice of the Provincial Congress, and also Voted, that all others from 16 to 60 years of age shall be equip'd according to the Province Law, or may get Bayonets in the room of swords or Cutlashes if any please; and that every Householder provide himself according to Law."
" Voted, that every person from 16 to 60 years of age (excepting such as the Province law exempts from Training) that refuses to submit to their respective Military Officers in this Town by not attending Trainings when warned, (without a sufficient reason given to their respective Offi- cers) and to provide themselves with a good Fire-Arm and other Accutriments required by the Law of this Province, shall be treated as those that Transgress the Association of the Continental Congress, and shall be treated by the Com- mittee of Inspection as such."
"Voted that all Alarm men that shall neglect or refuse to be equip'd according to Law and to bring or send their Arms and Ammunition into the Field upon a time appointed for recieving arms, shall be treated in the same manner as above."
" Voted training soldiers shall be treated upon their De- linquency."
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ANNALS OF THE
Feb. 20th. The committee of donations having made their collection, write as follows :
Sutton Feb. 20th 1775.
To the Committee of Donations for the Town of Boston. Gentlemen :
These may inform you that the Town of Sutton has made a small Collection for the District poor of the Town of Boston & Charlestown and Desire you would write to us when and where we shall convey it.
From your friend & fellow citizen,
WILLIS HALL.
In behalf of the Committee of Donations for said Town of Sutton." *
March 6th. Samuel Goldthwait and others continue petitioning the town, to be set off to the town of North- bridge.
A committee, consisting of " Dea. Tarrant Putnam, Dea. Ebenezer Pierce, and Lient. Caleb Chase," were chosen "to view the lands of the Petitioners and make Report to the Town at the next May meeting."
The committee reported as instructed, and the town voted to take no action on the petition.
The news of the bloodshed at Lexington and Concord, April 19th, produced in this town as in others the most intense excitement. It was felt that all hope of a peaceable solution of difficulties with the mother country was des- troyed by her action in attempting to subdue by force of arms the spirit of her hitherto loyal subjects, and no alter- native was left but to meet force by force. The challenge thus given was accepted, and, as is seen by a record of pro- ceedings, action prompt and decisive was taken to furnish men and material at a moment's call.
May 22d. "Voted to choose two Delegates to Represent this Town in a Provincial Congress to be held at Watertown on the thirty-first Day of May Instant and for six months after to serve alternately but one at a time."
* From a Letter Book in the Mass. Historical Library.
TOWN OF SUTTON. 97
Made choice of "Capt. Henry King and Elder Amos Singletary agreeably to the proceeding vote."
"Voted unanimously to approve of the Recommendation of the Provincial Congress to disregard Gen. Gage's Precept for a Representative- his Proclamations &c."
Sept. 18th. "Lient. William King and Elder Amos Singletary were nominated by the Town for Justices of the Peace for s'd Town."
Oct. 7th. "The Town nominated Mr. Nathan Putnam for a Field Officer." *
1776.
Feb. 3d. "Monday and Tuesday our people mustered ye Companies and raised 24 more soldiers who set off to-day for ye camp." t
March 4th. " Voted that the Committee of Donations keep those Benefactions they have now in their Hands until the next May Meeting, unless they are wanted before that time by those for whom they were given."
The contributions referred to were those of money, grain, etc., for the poor of Boston.
" Voted to choose a Committee of Correspondence, Inspec- tion and Safety for the year ensuing."
" Chose Capt. Moody Morse, Dea. Willis Hall, Mr. Nathan Putnam, Col. Timothy Sibley, Dea. Ebenezer Pierce, Mr. David Holman and Capt. James Greenwood for the Com- mittee."
May 20th. In the warrant for town meeting are the following articles :
"To see whether -That if the Honorable Congress should, for the safety of s'd Colonies, Declare themselves Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain: They, the s'd Inhabitants, will solemnly engage, with their lives and Fortunes, to support them in the measure."
" To see what Measures the Town will take with the Donations collected for the poor of Boston."
* Town Records.
t Dr. Hall's Diary.
13
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ANNALS OF THE
Upon the first of these articles no action was taken. Upon the second, " Voted that the Committee of Donations return to the Donors, the Benefactions the s'd Committee have now in their Hands : the Donors calling upon the Committee for the same."
A special town meeting was called for July 1st to take action upon the article passed over at the last meeting.
At this meeting it was " Voted. That if the Honorable Congress should, for the safety of these Colonies, Declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain : the Inhabitants of this Town will Solemnly engage with their Lives and Fortunes to support them in the Measure."*
July 4th. The independence of these colonies was solemnly declared, and the people of the town felt themselves pledged in accordance with the above vote to support the measure with their lives and fortunes.
July 8th. "Voted to grant a sum of Fifteen Hundred Pounds in order to raise our Quota, or procure men, to join the Continental or Provincial Army in defence of America."
" Voted to make a consideration to those persons who have voluntarily served, or by hiring Men to serve in Defence of America Since the 19th of April 1775 to this time."
" Chose Wm. King Esq., Dea. Tarrant Putnam, Lieut. Enoch Marble, Dea. Ebenezer Pierce & Elder Daniel Green- wood, a Committee to adjust, to every person, their equal part for Service done in Defence of America Since April ye 19th 1775."
Sept. 21st. " Monday our companies met and drew out every 5th man of ye militia to go to New York."t
Oct. 7th. " Voted. That the Selectmen (provided that the state of the State will admit of) should return the Field pieces borrowed by Capt. George Dodge and Esq. Gardner of Salem ; they, the s'd Dodge and Gardner, giving the Town a full Discharge for them, and sell the Carriages to the state if wanted, or other-wise bring them back for the use of the Town."
* Town Records.
t Dr. Hall's Diary.
99
TOWN OF SUTTON.
The town was also called upon to take action on the fol- lowing article in the warrant for the meeting October 7th :
" To see whether the above mentioned Inhabitants will give their Consent that the present House of Representatives, of this State of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, together with the Council, if they Consent in one Body with the House, and by equal voice should consult, agree on, and enact such a Constitution and Form of Government for this State, as the said House of Representatives and Council, as afore said, on the fullest and most mature Deliberation, shall judge will most conduce to the Safety, Peace, and Happiness of this State, in all after Successions and Generations : and if they would direct that the same be made publick, for the Inspection and Perusal of the Inhabitants before the Ratifi- cation there of, by the Assembly."
" Dea. Willis Hall, Mr. Samuel Dagget, Dea. Ebenezer Pierce, Mr. Nathan Putnam, and Col. Timothy Sibley were appointed a Committee to draw up a Form of vote upon the above article."
The committee brought in the following report, which was accepted and adopted :
" At a legal meeting of the Town of Sutton, upon the Hand-Bill, sent out by the House of Representatives, to see if Towns will consent, that the present House of Representa- tives and Council should form and ratify a Constitution for this State.
" Resolved that this Town can, by no means, consent to what is there proposed, for the following reasons (viz.)
" 1. Because we think it irrational for us to consent to the setting up any Constitution unknown to us, or to vote for any thing, before we see what it is we vote for.
".2. Because we look upon the present House of Repre- sentatives, not only, to be a very unequal Representation of the State ; But also an illegal one, many of them being chosen by virtue of a pretended Law, made after the Pre- cepts went out for the Election of the House.
" 3. Because we look upon it irrational and unjust for us, to act any-thing that shall operate, in any measure, for such an everlasting effect, while so many of our Brethren and
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Neighbors are gone into the army, and would be plainly a voting away their Right, in their absense."
Dec. 2d. " Voted to choose an Agent for to make enquiry and confer with others upon the article of Salt ; to see, upon what terms, it may be procured for the Inhabitants of the Town."
Dea. Tarrant Putnam was appointed " Agent for s'd pur- pose " and instructed as follows :
" We instruct you, to inform as many of the members of the several Towns in this County, as you have opportunity, and to motion to them to come into some measures to promote the Manufacture of Salt : and enquire how salt can be made, and to see how any person, or Towns, upon the Sea Coasts, will undertake to make salt, in exchange for Grain and Meat or Money ; and if any person or Town will undertake to set up making Salt for us, if we will take off one Thousand Bushells of Salt in a year for five years, or a less time than that, as the undertaker may propose : and if you find that it will be an Advantage to have any other Towns join with us, See, who of the Neighboring Towns will join, and to make Report to this Town of what you find upon these things as soon as may be."*
Dec. 14th. " This week, on Wednesday, a great part of our Militia went to Providence, a large fleet of ye enemy being come in to Rhode Island."+
It is interesting to take note of the loyal sentiment of the people of the town, as it revealed itself in the authority which is recognized in the warrants for the town meetings called after the battle of Lexington. The last one issued in his Majesty's name, bears date May 15th, 1775. Then fol- low three " In the name of America," then three " In the name of the United Colonies" or " United Colonies of America," then several " In the name of the people of this Province," or " In the name of the people of this Colony," or " In the name of the people of the Colony of the Mass. Bay." After September 27th they are issued " In the name
Town Records.
t Dr. Hall's Diary.
.
101
TOWN OF SUTTON.
of the Government and people of the State of the Massachu- setts Bay." Near the close of the record for the year 1776 the full text of the Declaration of Independence is recorded. There is also an entry of the following order of the Council :
" Ordered. That the Declaration of Independence be printed, and a Copy sent to the Ministers of each Parish, of every Denomination, within this State : and that they, sever- ally, be required to read the same to their respective Congregations, as soon as divine service is ended, in the afternoon of the first Lords-Day after they shall have received it. And after such Publication there of, to deliver the said Declaration to the Clerks of their several Towns, or Districts, who are hereby required to record the same in their respec- tive Town or District Books, there to remain as a perpetual Memorial thereof.
In the name and by order of the Council.
A true copy.
Attest, JOHN AVERY, Dep. Sec. R. DERBY, Jun., President."
1777.
Jan. 20th. The principal matter to be acted upon in the town meeting of this date was :
" To see if the Town will choose one or more Delegates, to meet in County Congress, with any such other Towns as will join with us in this method for a redress of the Grievance by the Law made last Spring for the new modelling the Representation of this State; or any other Grievance that shall be thought proper by any of the Towns joining in such Congress. And also, to see if the Town will invite the other Towns in the County, to join with them in such Congress, by a note of our proceedings in the Worcester News Paper."
The town " Voted to choose delegates, and made choice of Capt. Henry King and Capt. Samuel Trask as such ;" also " Voted to give invitation to the other Towns in the County to join with us in such Congress, by a Note in the Worcester News Papers," and " To give instructions to the delegates." ยท The Instructions were as follows :
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"The Inhabitants of the Town of Sutton in legal Town Meeting assembled Jan. 27th.
" To Capt. Henry King and Capt. Samuel Trask, whom we have now chosen Delegates, to join in County Congress with such other Towns in this County as shall adopt the like method for the obtaining redress of the grievance by the Law made last Spring, for the new modelling the Represen- tation of this state ; or any other grievances that any of the Towns joining in such Congress shall think proper. We hereby direct you to repair to the House of the Widow Stearns, Inn holder, in Worcester, on Wednesday the 26th day of Feb., next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon; then and there, to join with such other Towns as may meet you by their Delegates, and form into a County Congress, to con- sult, deliberate upon, and unite, in some method, for the redress of the grievance aforesaid or any other grievance there moved, either by petition to the General Court, or by recommending a form of Instructions to the Several Towns, to give their Representatives, or both, as shall be thought most effectual. And that you invite the other Counties in this State, to adopt the like method, and to correspond with you by Committees, that this County and others, may harmonize in their measures. And we farther direet and order you to continue yourselves by adjournment, (if the other Towns will join in it) so that you remain a County Congress, until next May meeting, for choosing Representa- tives, at which time, if it be agreeable to the County in general, we propose to continue such Congress by the choice of new Delegates, for a future time, as shall be thought proper. You are also to make return to us, at next March Meeting, what you find and agree upon at your first Congress ; and so on, from time to time, as we shall require. And we think, that your first adjournment ought not to be deferred longer than the beginning of May next ; in order that, if the above grievous act should not by that time be repealed, some other Constitutional measures might be agreed upon for redress ; or if it should be repealed, any other matters, then thought of, for the good of the public, might be agreed upon to instruct the Representatives, at the
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