USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Townsend > History of the town of Townsend, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from the grant of Hathorn's farm, 1676-1878 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
The firm resistance with which the projects of the British government were received, served to strengthen the Ministry to carry their points at all hazards. Troops were stationed in Boston to intimidate and overawe the inhabitants, and acts more severe were passed by Parlia- ment. The colonists saw that they must either yield with abject submission, or gain their rights by a resort to arms, and they did not hesitate between the alternatives. Thus their decision was arrived at with the greatest deliberation and a count of the cost. The people of Boston were fore- most in resisting the unjust measures of the mother country,
171
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
and they were nobly seconded by the inhabitants of other towns. Every town in the province was consulted upon this all absorbing subject, that they might know what they could rely upon in case of open rebellion against the government of Great Britain.
In January, 1773, another letter and a printed pamphlet were received from the town of Boston, requesting the in- habitants of the town of Townsend to pass such resolves, concerning their rights and privileges as free members of society, as they were willing to die in maintaining. These resolves the Bostonians requested might be sent in the form of a report, to their committee of correspondence. The town responded to this suggestion in an appropriate manner, as will be seen from the following extract from the record :-
"At a town meeting of the inhabitants of Townshend legally assembled at the Public Meeting-house in said town on Tuesday January 5, 1773 at Eleven Oclock in fore noon. James Hosley was chosen Moderator.
"Voted to choose a committee of five men to consider the Letter of Correspondence from the town of Boston. concerning the rights and privileges of this Province and report such Resolves and measures as may be proper for the town to come into, respecting the same. Chosen for said committee Capt. Daniel Adams, Deacon Jonathan Stow, Capt. Daniel Taylor, James Hosley and Jonathan Wallace.
"Voted to adjourn this meeting till to-morrow at twelve of the clock to this place.
"Met at the adjournment on Wednesday. Jan. 6. 1773. The committee chosen by the town at a meeting on the 5th
172
HISTORY OF TOWNSEND.
of said month, to consider the present state of our public affairs, particularly as pointed out to us by the metropolis of this Province reported as follows :
"Inasmuch as the situation of our Public Affairs in this and the other colonies, in respect to the enjoyment of our Rights and Privileges is truly alarming, we consider it a Duty which this town owes to their Maker, to themselves and their posterity to manifest in a public, solemn manner their sentiments on this occasion, in order to which they form the following Resolves (viz)
"I. That it is the opinion of this town that the Rights of the colonists of this Province in particular, as men as christians and as subjects, are justly stated in the pamphlet sent us from the town of Boston.
"2. It is our opinion that our rights and liberties do labor under divers infringements, particularly in respect to the way in which our money is taken from us, by which our governor is supported, and in respect to the extensive power vested in the commissioners of the customs, and by a military force being employed to keep us in awe and so forth.
"3. Resolved that if the prevailing report concerning the Judges of our Superior Court being supported any other way than by the free grants of the people be true, it is a very threatening and dangerous innovation, directly tending to corrupt the Streams of Justice.
" 4. Resolved that our natural and constitutional Rights. our civil and Religious liberties were confirmed to us by our charter, purchased by our ancestors at the expense of much fatigue and blood, which renders the possession of them more dear to us, and the parting with them more grevious, and lays us under stronger obligations to defend them in all constitutional and scriptural ways.
"5. Resolved that the following instructions be and are hereby given to our Representative ; (viz) that he use
.
173
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
his utmost influence to obtain a removal of our present burdens and to defend our liberties from all further en- croachments, and to enquire into the report concerning our Superior Judges being independent of the people : to have our unhappy circumstances represented in a true Light to our Rightful Sovreign and that the General Assembly recommend to the people of this Province to set apart a day, they the assembly shall think fit to name, for Humil- iation and Prayer : that we may in a united Public manner spread our grievances before the King of Kings.
"6. Resolved that the town of Boston have shown a true spirit of patriotism and a tender concern for the wel- fare of the Province, and that our sincere thanks are due to them for their spirited endeavors to discover the danger of our situation, and to lead us in the way of seeking redress.
"7. Resolved that a committee of five suitable men be chosen to correspond from time to time as occasion may require with the town of Boston and any other towns that have or shall, from a sense of our difficulties, come into such a method of correspondence and communication.
"The above Report being several times read, and debated upon. and put to vote to see if the town would accept of the same, passed in the affirmative.
"The committee chosen to correspond from time to time with the town of Boston and other towns is as follows (viz) Daniel Adams. Deacon Jonathan Stow, Capt. Daniel Taylor; James Hosley and Samuel Manning.
"Voted that the town clerk transmit an authentic copy of the foregoing proceedings of this town meeting to the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston.
DANIEL ADAMS Town Clerk."
From the above extract may be learned what the sentiments of the people of this town were, in regard to
23
174
HISTORY OF TOWNSEND.
the attitude of Great Britain towards her colonies. They considered that the course of the mother country was oppressive, and unjust, and their rights had been violated.
In 1774, after having received another letter from Boston, and having also heard from other towns, by letters, concerning the tax on tea, a town meeting was called January II, when the following was recorded :-
"The town taking into consideration certain intelligence received from the committee of correspondence in Boston, together with their request for intelligence and advice from the several towns in this Province, passed the following resolves (viz).
"Being informed of the late proceedings of our fellow countrymen in Philadelphia, relative to the East India Company being allowed to send large quantities of tea into these colonies, subject to the payment of a duty upon its being landed; we do agree with them and readily adopt their sentiments upon this affair.
"Resolved that we have ever been uneasy with the plan laid down by the British Ministry for raising revenue in America, and that the present situation of our public affairs, particularly in respect to a late act of Parliament in favor of the East India Company requires our attention and therefore further
"Resolved that we stand forth in the cause of liberty. in union with other towns, and in gratitude to the spirited. patriotic town of Boston in particular.
"Resolved that we earnestly advise that no tea be im- ported into this. or any other American Colony, so long as it is subject to a duty. payable upon its being landed here.
" Resolved that we are sorry for the unhappy disagree- ment between this and the mother country, and we earnestly wish to see harmony restored.
175
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
"Voted that the preeceeding resolves be recorded and a copy of the same attested by the town clerk be transmitted to the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston.
DANIEL ADAMS Town Clerk."
It thus appears that His Majesty's subjects in the Province of Massachusetts, while deliberating on the injustice and wrongs which had been inflicted on them, were not entirely without hope that their rights might be respected and "harmony restored." An armed resistance as yet had not been agreed upon by the colonists.
The first public meeting of the people, in Massachu- setts, outside of Faneuil Hall. was a Provincial Congress, holden at Concord, October II, 1774, which adjourned to Cambridge, and of which John Hancock was President.
At a town meeting "Oct. 3. 1774. Jonathan Stow was chosen to appear in behalf of the town of Townshend to join the provincial congress to be holden at Concord on the IIth of Oct. Inst."
At a town meeting "Nov. 21. 1774, Capt. Daniel Taylor was chosen to appear in behalf of the town of Townshend to join the provincial congress to be holden at Cambridge Nov. 22ª Inst.," and January 2, 1775, Israel Hobart was chosen to attend the same Congress, at Cam- bridge, on the first day of February. 1775. This Congress enacted that at least one-fourth of all the militia should be enrolled as minute-men, or men who should be prepared to march at a minute's warning, on any emergency. This was a decisive step, which shows the grit of the revolu- tionary fathers. Some of the members of this Congress from different towns, gave their time and expenses, others were paid wholly or in part by subscription.
176
HISTORY OF TOWNSEND.
The town voted to indemnify the constables for refusing to pay over the money, which had been assessed by the Province, into the hands of Harrison Gray ; also voted to indemnify the assessors for refusing to return the names of such constables, although requested to do so.
The people were exceedingly aroused at this time. These were the defiant measures which brought on the war, and started the King's troops en route for Concord, on the memorable 19th day of April, 1775.
Boston at this time was suffering under the vengeance of Parliament, for throwing over the tea, and being the head and front of disloyalty. There were many poor people in that town, out of employment, and having a scanty allowance of provisions. To them the inland towns extended the hand of charity and relief.
At a town meeting, January 2, 1775, "Voted and chose a committee of five men to forward the donations for Bos- ton and Charlestown. Chose for said committee Mr. Israel Hobart, Capt. Benjamin Brooks, Lieut. Zachariah Emery, and Mr. John Conant." Probably each man of this com- mittee took a well packed sled-load of provisions to their suffering friends at the tide-water. There is no other record concerning that transaction. The warrants for calling town meetings were not often recorded at that time. At a town meeting, June 19, 1775, "Voted to purchase 50 Hogsheads of salt for a Town Stock. Deacon Richard Wyer chosen to go to Salem to purchase said salt, and ordered him to take his directions from the Select Men, who are to give security in the name of the town for the same."
It will thus be seen that the town was preparing for the tug of war, which was about to commence-the open- ing scene of the revolution.
177
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
So far as the actual means of gaining a living were concerned, the people at that time, were comparatively in- dependent. They took the wool from the sheep, cleansed, spun and wove it, ready to be made into their clothing. Lighter fabrics were made from their flax. spun by a foot- wheel, the thread being graded by running through be- tween the thumb and fore-finger of the operative. They ground their grain into flour for their bread, produced vegetables and meat plentifully for their tables, and laid the rock maple under contribution for their sugar. Luxury was a word not to be found in their vocabulary ; and tea they would not use after it was subject to the duty. Salt they could not produce, but they exercised great prudence in sending to the coast in season for an abundant supply. For the expense of getting it, a separate tax was assessed on all the polls and estates in town.
The alarm to the minute-men was given on the 19th of April, 1775, by the firing of a cannon on the com- mon about three o'clock in the afternoon. Without doubt. quite a number of Paul Reveres tested their horsemanship in warning the patriots of the approach of the "ministerial troops." Ephraim Warren was plowing on the farm now owned by Samuel F. Warren, where he then lived, when the alarm was given. He immediately detached his team from the plow, rode one of his horses to his house, and called, "Molly" (he married Mary Parker of Chelmsford ) . "the regulars are coming and I am going, give me my gun," and he quickly reined his horse toward the coast and started. He arrived at Concord early in the evening. only in season to see a few dead bodies and some wounded British soldiers, who had been left by their comrades in their hasty flight.
178
HISTORY OF TOWNSEND.
"Muster Roll* of Capt. James Hosley's company of minute-men belonging to Col. William Prescott's regiment, who marched from Townshend, April last. to Cambridge. in defence of the colony against the ministerial troops :-
JAMES HOSLEY, Capt. JOSEPH BALDWIN.
RICHARD WYER, Ist Lieut. WILLIAM CLARK.
JAMES LOCKE, 2d Lieut. DAVID GRAHAM.
PETER BUTTERFIELD, Sergt. THOMAS EATON.
BENJAMIN BALL, Sergt. EBENEZER BALL, JR.
LEMUEL MAYNARD, Corpl. JOSEPH SHATTUCK.
EPHRAIM BROWN, Corpl.
THOMAS WEBSTER, JR.
NATH'L BAGLEY, Drummer. LEVI WHITNEY.
EBENEZER BALL.
NOAH FARRAR.
DANIEL HOLT.
JOSIAH RICHARDSON.
DANIEL CONANT.
JOSEPH RUMRILL, JR.
ASA HEALD.
JONAS FARMER.
JOSEPH RUMRILL.
DANIEL SHERWIN.
OLIVER PROCTOR.
ELEAZER BUTTERFIELD, JR.
DANIEL CLARK.
ISAAC BOYNTON.
RICHARD WARREN.
EPHRAIM BROWN.
ISRAEL RICHARDSON.
JOHN CLARK.
ROBERT WAUGH.
JEDEDIAH JEWETT.
ELIJAH WYMAN.
DUDLEY KEMP.
ELEAZER BUTTERFIELD.
ABEL RICHARDSON.
BENJAMIN HOBART.
JOHN MANNING.
JOHN BROWN.
JOHN EMERY.
DANIEL EMERY.
THOMAS WYMAN.
EPHRAIM SHEDD.
HENRY DUNSTER."
ZACHERIAH EMERY.
JONATHAN PATT.
JAMES SLOAN.
WILLIAM KENDALL.
ISAAC KIDDER.
These men were paid for their services, by order of the General Court, in December, 1775. They marched on
* From the Massachusetts Revolutionary Rolls, vol. 12. page 115.
179
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
the 19th of April, late in the afternoon, and were in the field, most of them twenty-one days.
It appears that there were two companies of minute- men in Townsend at that time.
Massachusetts revolutionary rolls, volume 12, page 42 : "A Roll of the travel and service of Capt. Samuel Douglas of Townshend in the county of Middlesex and belonging to Colº. James Prescotts Regiment, and also of the men under his command, who in consequence of the alarm made on the 19th of April 1775, marched from home for ye defence of this colony against the ministerial Troops, and continued in the service till called back to take care of the Tories in sd Townsend.
"SAMUEL DOUGLAS, Captain. JAMES HILDRETH. Drummer.
PRIVATES :
OLIVER HILDRETH. BENJAMIN BROOKS.
JONA. HILDRETH.
ABEL FOSTER.
ABIJAH HILDRETH.
DANIEL CAMPBELL.
EPHM. ADAMS.
SAMUEL SCRIPTURE.
JOEL DAVIS.
ROBERT CAMPBELL.
ISAAC HOLDEN.
BENJAMIN ADAMS.
ABNER ADAMS.
JOSEPH GILES.
ABNER BROOKS.
ANDREW SEARLS.
BENJAMIN WILSON.
JONATHAN GOSS."
These men were in the service five days, and on the twenty-second of March, 1776, the General Court ordered them to be paid. Capt. Douglas received £1 7s. Id., and the men 12s. 9d. 2qr., each.
It is not known beyond a doubt, why the company under command of Capt. Douglas should be so much
180
HISTORY OF TOWNSEND.
smaller than the other company. The men who went with Capt. Douglas all lived on Nissequassick hill, within a radius of less than a mile. There is reason for the belief, that Douglas, and his neighbors, were so anxious to leave for the fray, that they marched earlier in the day, with less preparation, and with only a part of the company, and that the remainder of their companions were willing to fall in under Capt. Hosley.
These rolls, in the archives, are copies of the rolls of these two companies, taken just before they were paid. The Captains made oath before Israel Hobart, Esq., that they were correct in regard to travel, term of service, and the days of the month on which the service was rendered, from which it appears that Townsend had seventy-three men who started at a moment's warning, on that memo- rable 19th of April, "to defend the colony against the min- isterial troops."
The title of the roll of Capt. Douglas' company is instructive in regard to the feeling here among the people. at the commencement of the revolution ; for it appears that this company "was called back to take care of the Tories of sª Townshend." Most of the Townsend men who did not favor the cause of American Independence, were neighbors of Douglas and his men. Further on in this work, the names of the most prominent of the tories will appear. Both of these rolls designate the British soldiers as " ministerial troops" instead of the King's troops, which rather indicates that the colonists considered that the King had bad advisers, and that the British ministry might. per- haps. be induced, in using deliberation and reason, and guided by wisdom, to reconsider some of the acts that bore so heavily upon them.
181
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
In the margin, opposite the record of a town meeting on June 19, 1775, (page 157 T. R.) the following is written : "Mr. Lock protested against the warrant coming out in the King's name." The assembling of these minute-men around Boston, in 1775, was a great advantage to the colonists, as it showed them the great need of arms, blankets, and munitions of war. The acquaintances there formed, the discussions of future operations against their enemies, and the necessity of well-concerted action, all tended to strengthen their determination to be free. A large portion of these seventy-three minute-men re-enlisted in other companies, and served more or less during the war, with different captains and in companies from dif-
-
ferent towns. The summer of 1775 was extremely dry and hot, much more so than any since the settlement of the town; there were small crops of corn and potatoes, and on dry land failed entirely ; of hay not over half a crop was raised. There was also much sickness in town. Many families suffered by the diseases of dysentery and fevers, which in many cases were long and severe. The number of deaths in town was unusually large. Add to all this, the absence of so many heads of families in the army, and the keen anxiety concerning the affairs of the province, and we can have some idea of the de- pressed condition, the trials and struggles of this first year of the war.
The following roll contains the names of the Townsend men, who were in the battle of Bunker Hill, in Capt. Henry Farwell's company. The reader will observe that most of these soldiers marched under Capt. Hosley, as minute-men, on the 19th of April previous. This roll in the archives is some mutilated, so that two Christian
24
182
IIISTORY OF TOWNSEND.
names cannot be made out. The exact chirography of this document has been preserved. The town Limbrick should have been Limerick, which was the original name of Stoddard, New Hampshire, named in honor of Col. Sampson Stoddard, one of the original grantees. The Sergeant Sartwell, of this company, and the private from Rindge, were both of the same name, and distant relatives. although their names are quite differently spelled.
About one-half of these thirty-five men from Town- send whose names appear on this roll, have descendants in this town at the present time.
A muster roll* of the company under command of Capt. Henry Farwell, in Col. William Prescott's regiment. to the first of August, 1775 :-
HENRY FARWELL,
Groton, Captain.
LEWIS WHITNEY,
Townshend, Ist Lieut.
BENJAMIN BALL,
Townshend, 2d Lieut.
JOSIAH STEVENS,
Groton, Sergent.
NATHANIEL SARTWELL,
Groton, Sergent.
PHINEAS HUBBARD,
Groton, Sergent.
EPHRAIM BROWN,
Townshend, Sergent.
SAMUEL LAWRENCE,
Groton, Corporal.
AMOS FARNSWORTH,
Groton, Corporal.
EPHRAIM WARREN,
Townshend, Corporal.
Groton, Corporal.
JOSEPH PAGE, TIMOTHY STONE,
Ashby, Drummer.
JOEL JENKINS,
Groton, Fifer.
EPHRAIM ADAMS,
Townshend, Private.
BENJAMIN BROOKS,
Townshend, Private.
ISAAC BOYNTON,
Townshend, Private.
ELEAZER BUTTERFIELD,
Townshend, Private.
JONAS BROOKS,
Groton. · Private.
JOHN CLARK,
Townshend, Private.
*Revolutionary Rolls, volume 14, page 196.
183
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
MOSES CHASE,
Groton,
Private.
WILLIAM DIRUNEPHEL,
Groton,
Private.
JAMES DAVISE,
Groton, Private.
JONAH DAVISE,
Townshend,
Private.
HENRY DUNSTER,
Townshend,
Private.
JOEL DAVISE,
Townshend,
Private.
JOHN EMERY,
Townshend,
Private.
JONAS FARMER,
Townshend,
Private.
JOSEPH FROST,
Groton,
Private.
NOAH FARWELL,
Townshend,
Private.
ABEL FOSTER,
Townshend,
Private.
DANIEL FOSTER,
Groton,
Private.
MORIAH GOULD,
Townshend, Private.
OLIVER HILDRICK,
Townshend, Private.
ABIJAH HILDRICK,
Townshend, Private.
OBADIAII JINKINS,
Groton,
Private.
DAVID JINKINS,
Groton,
Private.
ZAKEOUS FARWELL,
Groton, Private.
EBENEZER KEMP,
Groton, Private.
ISAAC KIDDER,
Townshend, Private.
JOHN MANNING,
Townshend, Private.
HENRY MCNEIL,
Groton,
Private.
TIMOTHY MOORES,
Groton, Private.
RICHARDS,
Townshend,
Private.
PELTIAH RUSSELL,
Coos.
Private.
NATHAN PATT,
Townshend, Private.
JOSEPH RUMRILL,
Townshend,
Private.
EPHRAIM RUSSELL,
Groton,
Private.
EPHRAIM ROBBINS,
Groton, Private.
ABEL RICHARDSON,
Townshend, Private.
ANDREW RICHARDSON,
Townshend, Private.
Townshend, Private.
ISRAEL RICHARDSON, JONATHAN SEARTLE, DANIEL SPAULDING,
Rindge.
Private.
Townshend, Private.
DANIEL SHERWIN,
Townshend, Private.
JOSEPH WILLSON,
Townshend, Private.
Groton, Private.
FRANCIS WHITE, - WEIR,
Limbrick,
Private.
184
HISTORY OF TOWNSEND.
ISRAEL WHITNEY,
Groton,
Private.
JOSIAH WARREN,
Groton,
Private.
THOMAS WYMAN,
Townshend, Private.
OLIVER WARRIN,
Townshend, Private.
WILLM. SMITH,
Townshend,
Private.
JOHN BURGE,
Townshend,
Private.
SAMUEL WESTON,
Townshend, Private.
JONATHAN JINKINS,
Groton,
Private.
ASA WHITE,
Groton,
Private.
As near as it can be ascertained, there were between thirty and thirty-five men constantly in the army from this town, until the British evacuated Boston, in March, 1776. One great mistake in the war of the revolution, as well as in our late rebellion, was the short term of enlist- ments. About as soon as some of the recruits began to be worth anything to the government they were mustered out of service.
"At a legal town meeting of the inhabitants of Town- shend upon June 20th, 1776, at the Public meeting-house in said Town at two o'clock in the afternoon :
"Deacon Richard Wyer chosen moderator for said meeting : voted unanimously that the following instructions be given to Israel Hobart Esq. Representative for said Town (viz).
"The resolve of the late assembly of this Colony recom- mending to the several Towns to express their minds with respect to the important and Interesting Question of American Independence, is the occasion of our giving you the following Instructions. It is with regret and anxiety of mind that we find ourselves driven to the sad alternative either to submit to Lawless Tyrany and Domination or declare Independence from that State from whome we originated and with whome we have been connected ever since we were a people, not only in Trade and Commerce but in the Strictest bonds of esteem and effection ; in this Scituation we thot ourselves happy nor did we wish the
185
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
connection dissolved untill the repeated injuries of Great Britain became Intolerable and an accommodation we conceived Impracticable. The unjust and unconstitutional Claims of Great Britain to the Colonies without their con- sent, and to make laws in all Cases binding upon the Colonies &c. and the most dutifull and humble petitions of the Colonies rejected with scorn and Contempt, the cruel and unjust measures pursued by the King of Great Britain and a vindictive administration in sending fleets and armies to enforce those Unjust acts and measures by fire and sword in a manner unprecidential, the tragical nineteenth of April 1775, the innocent blood since shed, the acts of Parliament declaring the colonies in a state of rebellion and the unjust and piratical Laws consequent thereon we conceive have destroyed all hopes of an accommodation with Great Britain and must we think Justify these Colo- nies in renouncing all connection with and dependance upon Great Britain. We therefore declare it as our clear opinion that an American Republic be formed, provided the internal government be left to the colony, and we your constituents declare ourselves ready at all times, if the Honr. Continental Congress in whose wisdom and fidelity we confide shall declare such a form of Government, to support the same at the expense of our lives and Fortunes.
"Voted to raise fifteen pound to buy powder and lead.
JAMES HOSLEY, Town Clerk."
This is an exact copy of the record in every particular, so far as orthography, use of capital letters and punctua- tion are concerned. The "clear opinion" of the inhabi- tants of this town, uttered just two weeks before Jefferson's incomparable Declaration of Independence was adopted, were in accord with that instrument.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.