USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > History of the town of Westford, in the county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, 1659-1883 > Part 11
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Joseph Underwood, from January 1, 1780, to June 13, 1780, 5 months, 13 days.
Jacob Wendell, from January 1, 1780, to July 13, 1780, 6 months, 13 days.
Jonathan Johnson, from January 1, 1780, to December 31, 1780, I year. " Prisoner in Canada since May 30."
In Captain Parker's company : Jonathan Stratton, January 1, 1780, to April 16, 3 months, 16 days.
In Captain Coburn's company : James Butterfield, January 1, 1780, to January 27, 27 days. Isaac Glenney (corporal), January 1, 1780, to December 31, I year. Jonas Kemp, January 1, 1780, to May 3, 4 months, 3 days. Stephen Temple, January 1, 1780, to April 20, 3 months, 20 days.
Smith Foster "made up for 1780 in Colonel Crane's regiment."
Amos Hardy " made up for his wages in Colonel M. Jackson's regiment."
Jeremiah Robbins was in Captain Ballard's company.
" The amount of pay was multiplied by 32 1-2 to make up for depreciation."
In Colonel Marshall's regiment : Oliver Barrett served from January 2, 1777, to October 7, 9 months and 5 days, and was discharged. Raymond Fletcher, from January I, 1777, to February 1, 1778, 13 months. Died February I, 1778.
In Colonel Reed's regiment and Captain Asa Law- rence's company, which went to the assistance of General Gates, were these: Ephraim Chamberlin, Jacob Bixby, Jonas Hadley, Paul Fletcher, Nehemiah Fletcher, Andrew Fletcher, Josiah Fletcher, Benjamin Robbins, Philip Rob- bins, Benjamin Read, Joshua Read, Leonard Read, Ezekiel
132
HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
Wright, Thomas Nutting, Chandler, Samuel Butterfield, Aaron Blood, John Russell, Abraham Wright, Thomas Cummings (first lieutenant), Ephraim Heald.
1778. Pay-roll of Captain Isaac Woods' company, on guard at Cambridge, from April I to July 3 :
Solomon Spalding, Gershom Fletcher, Zechariah Fletcher, Abel Boynton, Benjamin Esterbrooks, Benjamin Barrett, Benjamin Read, Asa Bixby, Jesse Minott, Oliver Wright, Amos Parlin, Joshua Read, Abel Wright.
Men drafted for nine months' service from the time of their arrival at Fishkill (in Colonel Reed's regiment) :
Peter Hildreth, in Company 8, aged 25 years, stature 6 feet. Arrived June 19.
Jonas Blodgett, in the same company, age 20 years, stature 5 feet 8 inches. Arrived June 19.
Ephraim Chamberlin, in the same company, age 22 years, stature 5 feet 7 inches. Arrived July 2.
Jonas Wright, in Company 4, aged 19, stature 5 feet 4 inches. Arrived July 4.
On pay-roll of Captain Simon Hunt's company, in Colonel Brooks' regiment, John Tidd and Gershom Fletcher, who served from February 3, to April 3, 1778.
In Captain Asa Lawrence's company, Colonel Thomas Poor's regiment : John Pushee, Abner Kent, Ebenezer Stone, each served one month and a few days. Also, Isaac Powers, April 20, 1778. Distance from home 220 miles. In the ser- vice to August 1, 1778 ; and after this their stay in the ranks was prolonged, month by month, to October I. By the record of this company it seems that they went to West Point.
In Captain John Nutting's company, Colonel McIntosh's regiment, Lovell's Brigade : Amos Parlin and Jesse Dutton, served from July 30 to September 12. Also, Thomas Bixby for the same time. Levi Bixby and Isaac Chandler were in Captain Joseph Boynton's company, of Colonel Wade's regi- ment, and served from July I, to January, 1779. Asa Bixby in Captain Joshua Parker's company, Colonel Robinson's regiment, for the same period, perhaps. Also, Oliver Hil-
133
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
dreth, William Spalding, Benjamin Esterbrooks, and Oliver Procter, in Captain John Nutting's company. (Captain Nut- ting was from Pepperell.)
1779. On the pay-roll of Captain John Porter's com- pany, second regiment of Massachusetts Militia, Colonel Denny, for three months' service (October, November, and December), are Abel Parker, Thomas Robbins, Benjamin Barrett, Jonas Blodgett, Isaac Chandler, Benjamin Read, Samuel White. In Captain Nathaniel Lakin's company, of Colonel John Jacobs' regiment, November 19, 1779, were Ezekiel Procter, Leonard Procter, Elihu Read, Ephraim Wright, and Samuel Read.
In the new levies from Massachusetts, for service done in the State of Rhode Island : Timothy Adams, Josiah Procter, and Philip Procter. These enlisted July 12, and served 4 months, 19 days.
In Captain Moses Barnes' company, Lieutenant Colonel Pierce, were : Aaron Parker, Joshua Read, Amos Parlin, and Eliakim Read, who served from May I to July I.
CONTINENTAL TOWN AND COUNTY ROLLS.
NAME.
AGE.
STATURE.
COMPLEXION.
Isaac Patch
16
5 ft. 5 in.
Sandy.
Isaac Powers .
17
5 ft.
Light.
Aaron Blood .
39
5 ft. 81/2 in.
Light.
Thomas Scott .
17
5 ft. 6 in.
Light.
In Captain Sargent's company of guards, for service in and around Boston, Aaron Parker.
[Two persons bearing the name of Aaron Parker were in the army. . One rose to the rank of captain; the other, a young man of 19, served as a private, and is sometimes called junior. ]
A
134
HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
1780. Pay-roll for the six months' levies that were in the Continental service for 1780, for the town of Westford :
NAMES.
When Marched.
IN SERVICE.
PAY.
Distance From Home.
Mos.
Days.
S.
d.
David Bixby
July 2, 1780.
5
19
11
8
8
240 miles.
Isaac Patch
July 2, 1780.
5
18
11
4
0
240 miles.
Asa Patch
July 2, 1780.
5
18
11
4
0
240 miles.
Joshua Read
July 2, 1780.
6
10
12
13
4
240 miles.
Winthrop Robinson
July 2, 1780.
5
18
11
4
0
240 miles.
Abel Procter
July 2, 1780.
5
20
11
6
8
240 miles.
Philip Procter .
July 2, 1780.
5
14
10
18
8
240 miles.
Josiah Procter
July 2, 1780.
5
20
11
6
8
240 miles.
James Procter .
July 2, 1780.
6
10
12
13
4
240 miles.
Ebenezer Barrett
July 2, 1780.
6
10
12
18
4
240 miles.
Job Spalding
July 2, 1780.
6
10
12
18
4 240 miles.
John Russell .
July 2, 1780.
5
20
11
6
8 240 miles.
Charles Keyes .
July 2, 1780.
5
17
11
2
8
240 miles.
Simeon Russell
July 2, 1780.
5
20
11
6
8
240 miles.
Amos Parlin
July 2, 1780.
5
12
10
16
0
240 miles.
Total
173
12
0
.
These were in the seventh division of six months' men, raised to reinforce the Continental Army, which marched from Springfield July 7, 1780, under the care of Captain Dix. A descriptive list is to be found in the muster-rolls (vol. 35, page 188), giving the age, stature, and complexion. The age of each one is quoted, in order to show the material of which the army was composed. David Bixby, 30; Isaac Patch, 17; Asa Patch, 17; Joshua Read, 17; Winthrop Robinson, 17 ; Abel Procter, 17; Josiah Procter, 17; James Procter, 16; Ebenezer Barrett, 18; Job Spalding, 18; John Russell, 20 ; Charles Keyes, 16; Philip Procter, 18; Simeon Russell, 19; Amos Parlin, 21 - all under 20 except three.
During this year Hildreth Dutton, Peter Wright, Thomas Cowdry, and Joshua Parker, Jr., served for three months in Rhode Island, in Captain John Porter's company.
135
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
1781. Enlisted for three months to reinforce the army of the United States: Silas Procter (lieutenant), Abijah Reed, Leonard Procter, Isaac Corey, Isaac Corey, Jr., Hezekiah Hildreth, Benjamin Robbins, William Bixby, Asa Holden.
In Captain Asa Drury's company : John Chamberlin and Joshua Parker, Jr., served from July I to December I - five months.
1781. The following is a descriptive list of men who enlisted for the town of Westford :
STATURE.
ENLISTED.
NAMES.
AGE.
Ft.
In.
Complex- ion.
TRADE.
TIME.
May 7,
York Hambleton
31
5
7
Black.
Laborer.
3 years.
April 14,
William Burrows
50
5
3
Light.
Painter.
3 years.
April 26,
John Nutting .
42
5
10
Light.
Laborer.
3 years.
April 5,
John Patch
20
5
10
Light.
Farmer.
3 years.
March 16,
David Johnson
17
5
5
Light.
Farmer.
3 years.
April 9,
Simeon Russell
17
5
7
Light.
Farmer.
3 years.
April 5,
Asa Patch .
17
5
5
Light.
Farmer.
3 years.
March 16,
Charles Keyes .
18
5
4
Light.
Farmer.
3 years.
March 16,
Peter McEwen .
22
5
5
Light.
Farmer.
3 years.
March 16,
Oliver Heald
23
6
1
Dark.
Farmer.
3 years.
May 1,
Josiah Brooks .
24
5
41/2
Light.
Farmer.
3 years.
April 25,
Amos Parlin
21
5
9
Light.
Farmer.
3 years.
July 31,
William Spalding .
18
5
91/2
Light.
Farmer.
6 months.
March 20,
Thaddeus Read
42
5
9
Dark.
Farmer.
3 years.
July 26,
Jonas Blodgett .
24
5
91/2
Light.
Farmer.
3 years.
In the same year William Dutton, Joshua Fassett, Samuel Craft, and Isaac Glenney enlisted in the Seventh Massachu- setts Regiment, for three years. Joshua Parker (Jr .? ) and John Chamberlin were in Capt. Asa Drury's company from July I to December I ; and William Bixby, Silas Procter, Hezekiah Hildreth, Benjamin Robbins, Abijah Reed, Peter Wright, Isaac Corey, and Asa Holden, served in Captain Bowker's company, from August 4 to December 4.
136
HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
1782. It does not appear from the records that any sol- diers were hired this year for the Continental Army ; but on a roll of officers and seamen belonging to the State sloop " Winthrop," commanded by George Little, 1782, appear the following names: Philip Procter, Leonard Procter, James Procter, Josiah Procter, Zachariah Robbins, Zack Hildreth, and Job Spalding.
May 30, Simeon Kent and Lieutenant Aaron Parker were each paid a bounty for three years' service, of class No. 5 ; perhaps for time already spent.
Jonathan Jones was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown ; but it is not known in what regiment he served. He was at Bunker Hill and served through the war. Was at Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777-'78.
Paul Fletcher died at Valley Forge.
David Prescott was wounded at Bunker Hill.
Thomas Rogers was killed by the bursting of a cannon on Lake Champlain, October II, 1776, aged 26 years, 9 months.
Applicants for Pensions. Of those who were in Captain Joshua Parker's company, and who enlisted in April or May, 1775, for eight months' service : Isaac Parker, Obadiah Perry, Silas Procter, John Parker, John Pushee, Nathaniel Prentice, Levi Parker, William Read, Stephen Read, Oliver Read, Solomon Spalding, Ephraim Spalding, Silas Spalding, Robin Skinner, Simeon Senter, Francis Smith, and Joseph Under- wood.
In Captain Wyman's company : Thaddeus Read, Jeremiah Robbins, Philip Robbins, and Thomas Robbins.
In Captain Joel Fletcher's company : Philip Smith and Samuel Reed ; also, Ezekiel Procter, who had removed to Hollis, and Abel Procter, who had gone to Littleton.
In 1818, Jonas Kemp of this town, was receiving $8.00 per month as a pension, and in 1832, Samuel Read had an allowance of $57.98 per year during his natural life.
In 1832, the following names were on the roll of pen- sions : Aaron Parker, Aaron Parker, 2nd, David Parker,
137
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Ephraim Reed, Levi Fletcher, Isaac Green, Reuben Leigh- ton, Simeon Procter, Jonas Kemp, Benjamin Robbins, John Pushee, Thaddeus Spalding, Isaac Patten.
Abijah Reed, of Colonel Brooks' regiment, received a bounty of 200 acres of land in Somerset County, Maine, Lot No. 2, 3rd Range.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Abbot, Joel
Chandler, William
Abbot, John
Corey, Ebenezer
Adams, Samuel
Corey, Isaac
Adams, Timothy
Corey, Isaac, Jr.
Barrett, Benjamin
Cowdry, David
Barrett, Ebenezer
Cowdry, John
Barrett, John
Cowdry, Thomas
Barrett, Oliver
Craft, Samuel
Barrett, Thomas
Cummings, Ephraim
Bates, Oliver
Cummings, Nathaniel
Bason, Cæsar
Cummings, Timothy
Bixby, Asa
Cummings, Thomas
Bixby, David
Darbee, Samuel
Bixby, Isaac
Dodge, Job
Bixby, JJacob
Dodge, Josiah
Bixby, Levi
Dudley, Daniel
Bixby, Thomas
Dudley, Jesse
Bixby, William
Dutton, David
Blanchard, Calvin
Dutton, Ephraim
Blodgett, Jonas
Dutton, Hildreth
Blood, Aaron
Dutton, William
Boynton, Abel
Esterbrooks, Benjamin
Brooks, Josiah
Esterbrooks, Joel
Brown, Peter
Farmer, Benjamin
Burrows, William
Fassett, Joshua
Butterfield, James
Fish, David
Butterfield, Samuel
Fisk, Davis
Chafin, David
Fitch, Thomas
Chamberlin, Ephraim
Fletcher, Andrew
Chamberlin, John
Fletcher, Gershom
Chamberlin, Nathaniel,
Fletcher, Jeremiah
Chamberlin, Samuel
Fletcher, John
Chandler, Ebenezer
Fletcher, Joshua
Chandler, Isaac
Fletcher, Joshua, Jr.
Chandler, Jesse
Fletcher, Josiah
Chandler, Silas
Fletcher, Levi
18
138
HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
Fletcher, Nehemiah
Keyes, Charles
Fletcher, Paul
Keyes, Daniel
Fletcher, Pelatiah
Keyes, Samuel
Fletcher, Raymond
Kidder, Francis
Fletcher, Sampson
Kidder, Thomas
Fletcher, Solomon
King, Rogers
Fletcher, Thomas
Larkin, Peter
Fletcher, William
Leighton, Francis
Foster, Ebenezer
Magerr, James
Foster, Elias
McEwin, Peter
Foster, Samuel
Mason, Abijah
Foster, Smith
Meads, Stephen
Glenney, Isaac
Minot, Jesse
Goodhue, Daniel
Minot, Jonathan
Goodhue, David
Minot, Jonathan, Jr.
Green, Isaac
Minot, Joseph
Green, Nehemiah Guy, Thomas
Nichols, William
Hadley, Jonas
Nutting, John
Hadley, Jonathan
Nutting, Thomas
Hadley, John
Osgood, Benjamin
Hambleton, York
Parker, Aaron
Hardwick, William
Parker, Aaron, Jr.
Hardy, Amos
Parker, Abel
Heald, Ephraim .
Parker, David
Heald, Oliver
Parker, Ebenezer
Hildreth, Amaziah
Parker, Isaac
Hildreth, Elijah
Parker, John
Hildreth, Hezekiah
Parker, Joshua
Hildreth, Hosea
Parker, Joshua, Jr.
Hildreth, Jeremiah
Parker, Levi
Hildreth, Jonathan
Parlin, Amos
Hildreth, Oliver
Patch, Asa
Hildreth, Peter
Patch, Isaac
Hildreth, William
Patch, John
Hildreth, Zechariah
Patten, Isaac
Holden, Asa
Perry, James
Holden, David
Perry, Obadiah
Holden, John
Pike, James
Holden, Jonas
Powers, Isaac
Holmes, Nathaniel
Prentice, Nathaniel
Howard, Silas
Prescott, David
Johnson, David
Prescott, Joseph
Johnson, Jonathan, Jr.
Prescott, Timothy
Jones, Jonathan
Prince, Jethro
Kemp, Ephraim
Procter, Abel
Kemp, Jonas
Procter, Charles
Kemp, Simeon
Procter, Ezekiel
Kent, Abner
Procter, James
Kent, Simeon
Procter, Josiah
Morgan, Henry
139
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Procter, Leonard
Russell, Simeon
Procter, Oliver
Scott, Thomas
Procter, Philip
Senter, Simeon
Procter, Silas
Skinner, Robert
Pushee, John
Smith, Francis
Read, Abijah
Smith, Thomas Spalding, Ephraim
Read, Benjamin
Read, Eleazer
Spalding, Job
Read, Eleazer, Jr.
Spalding, John
Read, Eliakim
Spalding, Philip
Read, Elihu
Spalding, Silas
Read, Elnathan
Spalding, Solomon
Read, Joseph
Spalding, Timothy
Read, Joshua
Spalding, William
Read, Leonard
Stratton, Jonathan
Read, Oliver
Stone, Ebenezer
Read, Simeon
Temple, Levi
Read, Stephen
Temple, Stephen
Read, Thaddeus
Tidd, Amos
Read, William
Tidd, John
Richardson, Abijah
Underwood, John
Richardson, Wylie
Underwood, Joseph
Robbins, Benjamin
Underwood, Timothy
Robbins, Jacob
Wendell, Jacob
Robbins, Jacob, Jr.
White, Samuel
Robbins, Jeremiah
Whitney, Daniel
Robbins, John
Wilkins, Jethro
Robbins, Peter
Wright, Abraham
Robbins, Philip
Wright, Amos
Robbins, Thomas
Wright, Ezekiel
Robbins, Zachariah
Wright, James
Robinson, John
Wright, Joseph
Robinson, Winthrop
Wright, Jonas
Rogers, Thomas
Wright, Oliver
Rowe, Tony
Wright, Pelatiah
Rumrill, Peter
Wright, Peter
Russell, Abel
Wright, Stephen
Russell, Amos
Wright, Zaccheus
Russell, John
Youngman, Peter
FORMATION OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
" May 4, 1778. Voted to choose a Committee to take under their consideration the new form of Government, and make report to the Next meeting. Chose Dr. Asaph Fletcher, Capt. Joseph Read, Dea. John. Abbot, Na- thaniel Boynton, Francis Leighton, Timothy Prescott,
140
HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
Capt. Zaccheus Wright, Capt. Amos Fletcher, and Lt. Samuel Read, as a committee for said service."
" May 20, 1778. Voted to send but one man as a Repre- sentative from this town, and chose Capt. Joseph Read to represent this town. After hearing the Committee's Report Respecting the new form of government and debat- ing the same, it was moved to be put to vote, and voted for the new form as it now stands four persons ; voted against the new form as it now stands fifty four."
" 1779. Agreeably to Resolves of the General Court of Feb. II, 1779, the Inhabitants of the Town qualified to vote for a Representative, assembled on May 21, 1779, to consider and Determine upon the questions contained in sd Resolves ; then being present and voted seventy voters, and on the first question, viz, whether they chuse at this time to have a new constitution and form of Government made, voted unanimously in the affirmative on the following con- dition, viz, that the freeholders and other Inhabitants of this State at large exercise (being called upon therefore) the Right of chusing a State Convention for that purpose. Otherwise, voted unanimously that no Constitution or form of government be made for the present."
" May II, 1780. Chose a Committee of thirteen men to take under consideration the new form of Government." This committee consisted of Maj. Jonathan Minot, Capt. Zaccheus Wright, Doct. Asaph Fletcher, Rogers King, Capt. Joseph Read, Samuel White, Lt. Jonas Prescott, Timothy Prescott, Capt. Amos Fletcher, Francis Leighton, Lt. David Goodhue, Lt. Leonard Procter, and Dea. Jona- than Fletcher.
" May 25, 1780. Voted unanimously to accept the first article of the declaration of Rights. Voted to accept the second article except the last clause. After long debating on the 3rd article of the Declaration of Rights, it was moved and seconded to see if the Town would accept of the said 3rd article, and 21 voted in the affirmative; the negative being called by the moderator 68 voted in the negative. The reasons for Rejecting the said 3rd article and adopting the
141
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Substitute in its room were voted by 71 men, and 22 voted in the negative."
" May 30, 1780. Voted that the former clause of the 16th article of the Declaration of Rights be amended as follows, viz: the Lyberty of the press and of speech are essential to the Security of Freedom in a State. - That it be added to the last of the 2nd article of the Ist Section and Second Chapter, the following words, viz: and protestant profession. That the Seventh article Ist Section 2nd chapter be so amended as to give Power to the Governor in the re- cess of the General Court to march or transport the Inhabi- tants of this State for the Relief of a Neighboring State invaded or threatened with immediate danger. That the ministers of the gospel while they officiate as such, and are free from taxation of the estate under their immediate im- provement, ought not to be eligible to a Seat in the Senate or House of Representatives. That the 7th article in the 6th chapter be amended as follows, viz : instead of the words - upon the most urgent and pressing occations & for a limited time, not exceeding twelve months', the following be inserted - except in time of War or Rebellion & for a limited time, not exceeding six months. That the Constitu- tion, without fail, be subject to a revisal every ensuing fifteen years. That our Deligate in Convention be left to act ac- cording to his Discretion in Regard to Convention (at their next Session) agreeing upon a time when their form of government shall take place without returning the same again to the people.
" Voted to object against the 3rd article of the Declaration of Rights, and that for following Reasons, viz: that it is asserted and taken for granted in the premises of said article '-' that the Happiness of a people and the good order and preservation of civil government, essentially Depends upon Piety, Religion and morality ; & these cannot be generally diffused through a Community but by the Institution of the Public Worship of God and by publick Instruction in piety, Religion, &c.' - When both antient History and modern athentic Information concur to evince that Florishing civil
142
HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
states have Existed and still exist without the Legislature's Instituting the Public Worship or Publick instruction in piety and the Christian Religion ; but rather, whenever such Insti- tutions fully executed by the civil authority, have taken place among a people, instead of promoting essentially their Hap- piness and the good order and preservation of civil govern- ment, it has, we believe, invariably produced impiety, irre- ligion, Hypocrisy, and many sore and oppressive evils.
" We think the third article, if adopted, will be likely to form such a combination between the Court and Clergy that the libertys of the people will be endangered.
" But not to enter into a detail of the many reasons that might be offered to justifie and Require our Rejection of the said 3rd article, we think it sufficient only to add that we cannot conceive ourselves in any case or Degree to be Intitled to such a Right as is attributed to the people of this Common- wealth in said article of Investing the Legislature with power to authorize or require the several Towns, Parishes, pre- cincts, and other bodies, politic or Religious Societies to make suitable provision at their own expense for the institu- tion of the public worship of God, and for the support of the public teachers of piety and Religion ; because we fully believe that the great Head of the Church has in his gospel, made suitable provision for the said Institution of his public worship and for the support of christian teachers of piety and Religion, & that he has never invested any Commonwealth or Civil Legislature as such, by force and penalty to carry these aforesaid Institutions into execution, - all attempts of which, we think, tend to encroch on the unalienable Rights of conscience, and to the marring of the true principles of civil government which last ever ought, in our opinion, to be kept Distinct of Religious gospel institutions. Further it appears to us that the general principles of civil government as contained in the Constitution, without the said 3rd article, properly attended to and acted upon, would much better secure and promote the Happiness of the people and the good order and preservation of civil government, (which we
143
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
would ever zealosly promote) than retaining and adopting the said third article.
" Therefore from principles of Regard for the good and Happiness of the Commonwealth and the better to secure the unalienable Rights of conscience, and from a sense of Duty to ourselves and posterity, we feel ourselves bound to reject the said third article of the Declaration of Rights, and to enter our sincere protestation against the same-and that our Religious Freedom and the unalienable Rights of conscience may be better secured and established than they are in the Declaration of Rights.
" We recommend the 3rd article thereof to be superceded by the following as a substitute, viz, All men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to their own conscience and understanding, and no man ought or of right can be compelled to attend any Religious worship, or erect or support any place of Worship, or maintain any minister contrary to or against his own free will and consent, nor can any man who acknowledges the being of a God, be justly deprived or abridged of any civil right as a citizen on account of his Religious Sentiments or peculiar mode of religious worship ; and that no authority can or ought be vested or assumed by any person whatsoever, that shall in any case interfere with or in any manner controul the Rights of Conscience in the free exercise of Religious Wor- ship.
" Recorded by NATHL. BOYNTON, Town Clerk."
This " sincere protestation " did not avail; for the third article of the Declaration of Rights, in form as it was agreed upon in Convention held in Cambridge, Sept. 1, 1779, and by adjournment to the 2nd day of March, 1780, was adopted by the people in the following May, and the new form of Government went into effect Oct. 25, 1780. This article remained on the statute-book for more than half. a century, and was amended Nov. 11, 1833 .- It will be seen that
144
HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
the sentiment of the people here was greatly in advance of the opinions of the people at large, for the article cited and opposed by them was adopted by a two-thirds vote of the commonwealth. And when, in 1833, fifty- three years afterward, it was changed, the amendment em- bodied the same principle that was contended for in the little town meeting in Westford.
" February 23, 1781. Pay to Doct. Asaph Fletcher for 52 days' service at the Convention held in Boston and Cam- bridge in settling the Constitution the sum of 936£."
" September 8, 1780. Voted for the Hon John Hancock Esq, to be Governor by sixty votes :
" Voted for Hon. John Perkins Esq to be Lieut Gover- nor by forty three votes.
" For Hon. James Bowdoin Esq. to be Lieut. Governor by one vote.
" Voted as follows for Councillors and Senators :
" For Josiah Stone Esq. of Framingham thirty two votes.
" For Abraham Fuller Esq. of Newtown thirty two votes.
" For Nathl. Gorham Esq. of Charleston Thirty one votes.
" For James Prescott of Groton, twenty eight votes.
" For Eleazer Brooks of Lincoln twenty eight votes.
" For Loammi Baldwin of Woburn four votes."
This was the first election under the State Constitu- tion.
CHAPTER IV.
FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY -STATE OF THINGS AFTER THE WAR-EXTRACTS FROM TOWN RECORDS -THE MIGRATION TO OTHER TOWNS FOR THE PERIOD OF A CENTURY.
ALLUSION has already been made to the severity of the struggle for independence. The present generation know but little about it, and are content to enjoy the blessings secured by it. The resources of the thirteen original States were laid under heavy contribution in order to gain the desired end; and where all did so well, it is perhaps invidious to make comparisons. But the student of history encounters plain facts which should not be overlooked. The Common- wealth of Massachusetts furnished for the war 69,907 soldiers, while New York furnished but 17,781, making a difference of 50, 126 in favor of Massachusetts. In adjusting the war- balances after the peace, Massachusetts, as was then ascer- tained, had overpaid her share in the sum of $1,248,801, in silver money; but New York was deficient in the large amount of $2,074,846.
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