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 9
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"Voted that if any person shall speak any thing against the Regulating Acts he shall be called to account by the Committee and dealt with according to his crime."
Oct. 4th. An act of the general court prohibiting the carrying of any goods out of the state was unanimously approved, and the "Town voted to use their uttermost endeavors to carry said act into execution." Also-
" Voted to leave it to the Selectmen and Committee of this Town to order the disposing of those loads of Salt and other articles that were stopped by the Committee the 20th of September last."
" Voted that if said Committee and Selectmen shall think it safe, for the Common Cause, to give permits to carry any part of said Loads into any other parts of this State, said permits shall be signed by two thirds of said Committee and Selectmen."
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" Voted to leave it to the Committee to procure the two men yet wanting to make up the Quota from this town for the Continental Army."
"Chose Nathan Putnam, Capt. James Greenwood, Col. Timothy Sibley, Lient. Simeon Heywood, Capt. Moody Morse as an addition to the Committee of Correspondence."
Oct. 19th. "Voted that the twenty-three men called for, from this Town, by order of the General Court, for three months service be raised at the cost of the Town."
" Chose Stephen Prince, Dea. Aaron Elliot, Caleb Marsh. Thomas Todd, Jonathan Gould, Abijah Tainter, Capt. James Greenwood, John Waters Abel Dudley, John Dudley and Benja. Hicks to procure the men."
"The Town voted to make up thirty pounds per. month to each of those soldiers lately procured by the Officers, to go to Rhode Island."
Nov. 22d. "Voted to raise one thousand pounds for supporting those families whose husbands are in the Conti- mental Service for three years or during the war."
" Voted to raise three thousand, five hundred and fifty eight pounds to pay those soldiers that were procured to serve three months in the Continental Army."
" Voted to raise four hundred and forty-two pounds to pay those soldiers whom the Officers procured, last Septem- ber, to go to Rhode Island to serve two months."
1780.
March 6th. "Chose Major Barthomew Woodbury, Mr. John Dudley, and Mr. Jonathan Gould a Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety for the present year."
"Chose Major John Hathaway, Agent, to go to the Gen- eral Court, and instructed him to give his consent that those men, with their estates, that request to be annexed to North- bridge be granted to go, and none else."
Apr. 10th. The time of the " nine months' men " having nearly expired, the following committee was chosen to set- tle with them :
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
" Lieut. William King, Ens. Nathaniel Carriel, Lieut. Joseph Elliot Jr. Mr. Samuel Waters, Dea. Willis Hall, Mr. John Harback, Mr. Joseph Waters, Dr. James Free- land, Mr. Jonas Bond, Mr. Nehemiah Gale, Dea. Asa Waters.
" Voted that John Adams, Micah Thayer, Stephen Gold- thwait, Ezekiel Goldthwait, and Abner Adams, they and their lands to be annexed to Northbridge."
May 1st. "Chose Dea. Tarrant Putnam, Lieut. William King, Dea. Asa Waters, Capt. March Chase, Col. JJona. Holman, Col. Timothy Sibley, Elder Jeremiah Barstow, Dr. James Freeland and Elder Daniel Greenwood, a Committee to consider the Constitution and make report to the Town of what they do approve of, and what they do not approve of."
At an adjourned meeting "Chose Elder Jeremiah Bars- tow, Dea. Willis Hall, Dea. David Harwood, Dea. Rice, and Mr. Abel Chase to consider the third article in the Bill of Rights, and make report to the Town."
May 19th. A day memorable in New England for its darkness. According to the memoirs of the American Acad- emy referring to the day, "Candles were lighted up in the houses ; the birds having sung their evening songs disap- peared and became silent ; the fowls retired to roost; the cocks were crowing all around, as at break of day ; objects could not be distinguished but at very little distance and every-thing bore the appearance and gloom of night."
May 22d. " Voted to grant a sum of nine thousand pounds to pay the nine months men."
June 12th. A requisition has been made upon the town by the General Court, for thirty-six soldiers to serve in the Continental service.
" The Town voted to hire the thirty-six men called for."
"Chose as a Committee to procure them Lieut. Nathaniel Whitmore, Lieut. Bartholomew Hutchinson, Lieut. Nath- aniel Putnam, Ensign Samuel Rich, Lieut. John Woodbury, Mr. John Hall, Lieut. David Putnam, Lieut. Ezra Lovell, Mr. John Gould, Sergt. David Chase and Mr. Moses Hovey."
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" Instructed the above Committee that, in agreeing with such soldiers, they shall confine themselves to the late Court Act regulating the value of Money."
June 26th. " Voted to grant a sum of Twenty thousand pounds to pay the six months men."
" Voted to grant a sum of twelve thousand pounds to procure forty-two men out of the Militia to serve three months in the Army."
" Voted that the Commissioned Officers in each Company be a Committee to procure these men, and that Sergt. Archelaus Putnam, Lieut. Jonathan Gould, Sergt. Isaac Dodge Jr., and Clark Nathaniel Stockwell, be added to the above Committee to procure the men."
" Voted to instruct the Committee that they proceed with all expedition to procure the men as soon as the orders come, and the Town engage to defend them."
Oct. 9th. "Voted to raise the sum of fifty three thou- sand five hundred pounds to enable the Committee to settle with the six months and three months men that are in the Continental Service."
Oct. 16th. "Chose Capt. March Chase, Mr. Moses Hovey and Mr. John Hall a Committee to procure seventeen thou- sand five hundred and twenty (17,520) pounds of beef for the Army."
" Voted to raise a sum of twenty-five thousand pounds to enable the Committee to purchase the beef."
Dec. 4th. The town by vote gave permission to each tax payer, who was disposed so to do, to pay his rate in grain ; the value of corn being placed at twelve pounds per bushel, and rice eighteen pounds per bushel.
Dec. 18th. "The Town voted that one third of all the Town Meetings, both stated and occasional, should be held in the Meeting-house of the second Parish."
A requisition having been made upon the town for thirty three thousand six hundred and forty (33,640) pounds of beef, Capt. March Chase, Mr. John Hall, Mr. Moses Hovey are appointed a committee to purchase the same, and an appropriation of fifty thousand four hundred and sixty (£50,460) pounds is made to meet the expense.
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
The town has been called upon, by the General Court, to furnish thirty-one men for the Continental Army for three years or during the war.
" Chose Col. Timothy Sibley, Capt. Abijah Burbank, Capt. John Putnam, Capt. Andrew Elliot, Lieut. Solomon Leland Mr. Abraham Batcheller Jr. Dr. James Freeland and Mr. Ebenezer Waters to class out the Town into classes in order to procure the thirty-one men for the Continental Army."
At an adjourned meeting, the town "Voted that if any person in any of the classes refuses to pay his proportion as assessed in the class he belongs to, shall be assessed his pro- portion as he was in said class and half as much more."
1781.
Feb. 20th. Dea. Willis Hall and Elder Daniel Green- wood are chosen delegates to sit in a County Convention, called for the purpose of remonstrating with the General Court against an act repealing the late tender act, and are instructed to invite other towns to send delegates to said convention, and notify them of the time and place of the meeting.
" The Town voted that the Constables shall not gather the Soldiers tax at present and the Town will defend them."
March 5th. "Chose Lieut. John Woodbury Lieut. Nathaniel Putnam, & Lieut. David Holman a Committee of Correspondence Inspection and Safety for this present year."
June 18th. "Voted to instruct the Constable to gather the silver tax as soon as possible."
July 9th. "Chose Ens. Nathaniel Carriel, Mr. John Hall and Leut. Moses Hovey a Committee to procure the Towns proportion of Beef for the Army as it is called for."
"Voted that the Selectmen be directed to procure the clothing for the Army, called for by order of Court."
The following is from the Massachusetts Spy :
Sutton, Nov. 14th, 1781. Yesterday a number of the respectable inhabitants of this town assembled at the sign of the soldier, to celebrate the day, on the account of the
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capture of General Cornwallis and his army ; every demon- stration of joy, in their power, was shown on this occasion, and the following toasts were drank :
1. Those noble patriots convened in Congress.
2. His Excellency General Washington.
3. His Most Christian Majesty, Louis XVI.
4. The Count de Grasse and the combined fleets.
5. General Greene with his veterans and heroes.
6. Peace and unanimity in the allied army.
7. May all malicious pimps of British George, and lovers of tyranny, be swept off with the Besom of the thirteen United States of America.
8. May that Traitor Arnold, and all his accomplices, be suspended between heaven and earth, as unworthy of either.
9. May America maintain her independence until time shall be no more.
10. May those heroes, who have nobly bled in defence of their country be heard of in nations unknown, and ever be remembered in ages to come.
11. May peace on honorable terms diffuse itself throughout the Continent of America, like the lustre of the rising sun.
12. May friendship universally extend, and actuate every human breast, throughout the world.
13. May consummate happiness be the reward of heroick actions.
1782.
March 4th. "Chose Ens. Nathaniel Carriel Capt. Joseph Sibley and Mr. Jonas Bond a Committee of Correspondence Inspection and Safety this present year."
Nov. 12th. "Follansbe Chase, Capt. March Chase, Mr. Josiah Goddard, John Pierce were added to the above Com- mittee of Inspection."
"Voted that the Committee of Correspondence, Inspec- tion and Safety of this Town be, and hereby are desired to be particularly watchful of those who are suspected of being concerned in Fraud or intercourse with the enemy, and to communicate, with the Attorney General, any discoveries they may make."
1783.
Jan. 20th. "The Town voted to instruct their Repre- sentative not to allow the Continental Officers any sum of money as half pay or any other way in lieu thereof, and to use his influence to secure the repeal of the Tender Act."
Feb. 3d. The following article was inserted in the town warrant ;
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
" In order to Consider of the conduct of sum of the Inhabitance of this Town going to Douglass this Day, and their Joyning in a Mob To Resiest authority and the Dew oppration of the Law."
The vote upon this article was as follows : " Voted to divide the house to see what will support good government and will endeavor to pay their taxes and to suppress all mobbs in opposition to the laws of this State."
The fact in this Douglass affair, according to the Leland papers, was, that one of the members of a class in Douglass, for hiring and supporting a soldier in the army, was sued for his proportion of the tax, and refusing to pay it, a war- rant was issued to enforce its collection. Property was attached, and when the sale took place, a mob collected and attempted to seize the property and restore it to the owner, who, it is said, was a brother of Noah Crossman.
The sale was prevented, and several persons from the south part of Sutton were concerned in the affray.
The officer who attempted to collect the tax having been driven away, went to Sutton or Worcester and procured a warrant for the arrest of some of the leaders, and while on his way met the Hon. Jonas Sibley (who had been a court- ing) and commanded his assistance in making an arrest of the rioters.
He accordingly returned, and four of them were seized and put into jail. One of them was Crossman, above referred to, and another by the name of Bondsey, a foreigner, and one of the Burgoyne prisoners.
The officer was Amariah Preston of Uxbridge.
Dea. Leland says : "I have the above story from the Hon. Jonas Sibley. He does not remember the names of the other two who were arrested. An attempt was made about the same time to prevent a sale in Sutton under simi- lar circumstances."
March 3d. "Chose Aaron Elliot, Abel Dudley and Moses Hovey a Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety for the present year."
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1784.
March 1st. " Chose Ens. Nathaniel Carriel Mr. Moody Morse Jr. and Mr. Jonas Bond a Committee of Correspon- dence Inspection and Safety this present year."
" Chose Dea. Willis Hall, Ebenezer Waters Daniel Green- wood delegates to sit in County Convention to be held at Worcester the third Tuesday of March next."
The object of this convention, and the prominent part taken by Sutton in calling it, and molding its deliberations, are clearly set forth in the following communication to the Massachusetts Spy, written a few days after it was held, by one opposed to its action.
" Mr. Thomas :
I am informed you have lately had a County Conven- tion (so called) in your town, the last week, to consult and remonstrate against grievances. That it was debated in this Convention, who should be promoted to the principal offices in government, and what laws should be repealed, whether the resolves of the United States in Congress assembled and the general assembly of this State should be obeyed or not? and in general to alter and new model the constitution. Is it not a disagreeable circumstance that we have among us certain restless spirits, who would never have been taken notice of but for the disturbance they excite: Who, not from any real emmity or design against their country ; but a low passion for popular applause, which they despair to obtain any other way, than by being elamorous and noisy, at the expence of the publick peace.
Could any man in the hour of calm reflection, imagine the United States in Congress assembled, and the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, would repeal or reverse their acts at the instigation or threat of the town of Sutton, or even the county of Worcester, should the whole country combine together, which, thanks to the prudence of the greater part, is far from being the case.
"When the loose mountain trembles, from on high,- Shall gravitation cease," while Sutton passes "by !"
The town of Sutton, or any other town, or individual per- son have a right to petition the General Court for relief,
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
under any grievance whatever, real or imaginary ; but for a town to traverse the county by messengers, or circular let- ters, and form alliances and combinations with other towns, to make head against the General Court, is, in fact, what Bernard called "direct oppugnation" to the government which the people of this State, have themselves set up. *
As to the commutation or pay to the officers, I would ask the chairman of the Sutton Committee, if he would, after engaging to pay a labourer three shillings for a day's service, refuse payment after receiving the service? A private knave might, perhaps, evade payment by catching hold of some shadow under which he could take shelter; but for a publick body to do the like, it is but one step below the Unpardonable Sin. Public credit is already quite low, and needs not the assistance of the Sutton Committee to run it lower.
" A wit's a feather, and a chief's a rod, An honest man's the noblest work of God."
The town of Sutton have a worthy man to represent it at General Court, who has served it for many years to general acceptance ; if it has aught against him, it is at liberty to choose another (the time being not far off ) but where they will find another more worthy, I know not, unless it be the important chairman before mentioned : Both he and I have grey hairs, and they are worthy when found in the ways of righteousness ; but surely it must afford but painful sensa- tion, to a mind flowing with gratitude to its Maker for the blessings of peace, and good will and complacency for the tranquillity and happiness of his fellow-men, to observe with what zeal and heat some restless and troublesome persons, and some just entering upon the Eternal World, striving with all the impetuosity of a sanguine temper to disturb the publick tranquility.
I am, sir, a friend to the Constitution, and the County of Worcester. WORCESTERIENSIS.
Massachusetts Spy.
March 25, 1784.
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The convention to which reference is made, met at Leicester June 17th, and again by adjournment at the same place August 17th, and again by adjournment in Paxton, September 26th.
Dea. Willis Hall of Sutton was its President.
1785.
May 12th. In the warrant for a meeting this date was the following article :
" To see if the Town will choose a Committee to refer a Petition to the General Court, praying that said Court would favor the town of Sutton with a Committee from said Court, to view the Town, upon condition that our Taxes are not settled according to our last valuation."
"Chose Joseph Hall, Dea. Willis Hall, Mr. Ebenezer Waters, Dea. Asa Waters, Amos Singletary Esq. to draw up a Petition to send to the General Court praying for a Com- mittee to view the Town."
1786.
Jan. 9th. " Voted to instruct our Representative to use his influence, at the General Court, to bring forward a Ten- der Act, that real and personal Estate may answer Execu- tions, and that it stand two years."
May 1st. Willis Hall, Nathan Putnam, Daniel March, Ebenezer Waters, and March Chase were chosen a Commit- tee to contract with the Representative to the General Court for his compensation.
The committee report as follows :
" In obedience to the Directions of the Town of Sutton, We, the subscribers, have agreed with Col. Timothy Sibley, our Representative, for the present year, to serve at the General Court of this Common Wealth at two shillings and six pence per day provided his necessary expenses be paid by the Town."
June 10th. A town meeting was called " To choose one or more Delegates to meet in Convention at Leicester, in the County of Worcester, on the 17th of this Instant, agreeable to an invitation of the Town of Spencer."
-
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
. Chose Dea. Willis Hall & Dr. James Freeland as Dele- gates for the above purpose."
Sept. 25th. An article in the warrant calls upon the town "To see what instruction the Town will give their Delegates, that are chosen to represent them in County Convention, respecting the Peoples stopping the Courts of Common pleas in this or any of the Counties in this Com- monwealth & to see what instructions they will give their Representative at the General Court.
"Chose a Committee of five to draw up instructions for our Delegates at the County Convention, & for our Repre- sentative at the General Court."
" Chose Dea. Harwood, Lt. Whitmore, Mr. Ebenezer Rich, Esq. Singletary & Nathan Putnam for that purpose."
The following are the instructions given to the commit- tee :
1st. "That the Town of Sutton approve of the proceed- ings of their Delegates in County Convention at Leicester on the 17th of August last and those matters, as published by said Convention, appear to us as real grievances.
"2d. And that our Delegates Dea. Hall and Dr. Free- land meet in County Convention, at Paxton, the 26th of this Instant and they are instructed to use their influence in Convention, that the minds of the good people of this Com- monwealth be obtained, whether the things stated by Con- vention, which appear to us as grievances, are grievances in their minds, -and that they agree with the rest of their Brethren, on measures for the redress of this same, or any other grievance, agreed on by Convention or otherwise by petitioning the G. Court by Town, or County, or State Committees, or as s'd Convention shall think proper. They are likewise instructed to use their influence to prevent any rising of the people in riotous manner, but to persevere in petitioning the Gen. Court for a redress of grievances, & not to disolve said Convention until the same be obtained, for it is our minds that is every way agreeable to the Con- stitution.
"3d. Voted that our Representative be instructed to use his influence that the G. Court move out of Boston into
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some commodious part of the Country & that the seat of Government in Boston be sold to the best advantage, to pay publick charges, or to build a seat of government in the Country. - Also that the Court of Common Pleas, under the mode of their present preceedure, are a scourge to the people for the interest of the Court, partly under the present mode, is to distress the people ; we pray that they may not be under that undue influence. - We further instruct you to use your influence, that the servants of Government may be put on such footing as will be for the intrest of the people.
"For the rest of our instructions we refer you to the pro- ceedings of our County Convention at Leicester on the 17th of August last.
" The above instructions were laid before the Town and met with their concurrence."
Dec. 4th. " Chose a Committee of nine to treat with the Court of Common Pleas & with the Insurgents-viz. Capt. Jon'a Woodbury, Capt. John Woodbury, Col. Woodbury, Dea. Harwood, Elder Greenwood, Lieut. Hazeltine, Lieut. Whitmore, Col. Holman, Capt. Smith."
The " Insurgents " referred to, were those who were con- nected with the insurrection known as " Shay's Rebellion."
1787.
Jan. 15th. A town meeting was called for this date - " To see if the Town will choose a Committee to draw up instruc- tions for their Representatives at the next Session of the General Court of this Commonwealth.
" To see what instructions the Town will give their Dele- gates for County Convention."
" To hear and be informed of the several Acts and Laws passed by the General Court of this Commonwealth at their May and last Sessions in regard to their easing the burdens · of Government according to the Prayers of the several Towns and Counties of this State and to hear what has become of the Monies raised by the Government."
" To hear the report and request of a Committee in behalf of the Regulators (as they call themselves) bearing date - Dec. 7th, 1786."
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
" Amos Singletary Esq., Dea. Harwood, Capt. John Woodbury, Lient. Whitmore and Ens. Carriel, Esq. King and Elder Greenwood were chosen a Committee to give instructions to the Representative and Delegates."
Jan. 17th. At a meeting adjourned to this date " Voted that the Delegates of Convention be instructed to dissolve."
Jan. 24th. " Chose Esq. Singletary, Dea. Harwood and Col. Woodbury to treat with the Hon. Gen. Lincoln to see if there could be any plan of accommodation laid to settle matters between Government and the Regulators, as they call themselves."
" Voted that our Representative be instructed to use his influence in the General Court that any man may be per- mitted to keep an half score of sheep that may not be liable to be taken from him by Warrant or Execution."
March 7th. "Chose Dea. David Harwood, Dea. Willis Hall and Mr. Daniel March a Committee of Correspondence Inspection and Safety."
March 22d. It appears from the following record that several of the citizens of the town had incapacitated them- selves from holding office by participation in the Shay rebel- lion. Several take the oath of allegiance.
" Be it remembered that Ezra Wheelock of Sutton, hus- bandman, Delivered up his arms to the subscribers and took and subscribed the oath of allegiance as prescribed in the Constitution in Compliance with a Court act Dated Feb. 16th 1787 for indemnifying certain persons who are or may be guilty of treason.
Before me, BENJ. GODDARD, Justice of the Peace.
Nathaniel Carriel, Daniel Greenwood, Jedediah Barton, Follansbe Chase, Bartholomew Woodbury, John Pierce, Asa Goodale, Stephen Marsh, Noah Stockwell also took the oath of allegiance. All had been Shay's men."
Oct. 23d. The Society, for the encouragement of singing. " chose Capt. John Woodbury, John Hall, William Slocomb, Seth Carpenter, Joseph Hicks, Stephen Monroe and David Trask to be leaders in singing," and
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" Voted that the singers set such tunes as they shall think proper."
Dec. 10th. " Chose Dea. David Harwood, Amos Single- tary Esq. delegates to sit in a State Conventien to be holden in the State House in Boston the ninth day of Jan. next." Also " Chose the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Chaplin Dea. Willis Hall, Dr. James Freeland, Col. Timothy Sibley, Dr. Stephen Monroe, Lieut. Nathaniel Whitmore, Elder Daniel Green- wood, Capt. Johnathan Woodbury, and Capt. John Holland a Committee to draw up some instructions for the delegates."
This convention was called for taking into consideration the Federal Constitution, and ratifying it if approved.
1788. .
Feb. The Federal Constitution was adopted in state con- vention. Its ratification was attended by great rejoicings on the part of the people, in which this town heartily joined.
1789.
May 8th. The pastor of the Congregational church, Dr. David Hall, died. His ministry in this town covered a period of more than sixty years. His pastorate was nearly sixty.
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