USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Winchendon > History of the town of Winchendon, from the grant of the township by the legislature of Massachusetts in 1735, to the present time > Part 6
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Voted, That the said meeting house shall be completed as aforesaid by the last day of September, 1762.
Voted, That the meetings be held in Ipswich Canada for the future.
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At a legal meeting of the Proprietors of Ipswich Can- ada at the house of Mr. Richard Day, innholder at Ip- swich Canada, June 30, 1762.
Voted, and chose Messrs. Benjamin Goodridge, Rich- ard Day and Bartholomew Parsons, to be a Committee to view and stake out a meeting house plat.
The following is the report of the Committee chosen by the last vote.
Laid out five acres of land for a meeting house, training field and burying yard, on the Northwest corner of the lot No. 1 in the South division, beginning at the Northwest corner bound, running south 48 rods, on line of said lot, then easterly 16 1-2 rods, then running northerly a paral- lel line with the west line 48 rods, and then to the place where we began.
Benjamin Goodridge, Bartholomew Parsons, Richard Day.
Voted, That the Proprietors will accept the land laid out by the Committee, on lot No. 1 South Division for the use of the meeting house, training field and burying yard* -there being reference made on said lot for that purpose by the Propriety at their meeting on the 27th of Oct. A. D. 1737-nothwithstanding a former vote passed by the Proprietors at their meeting held Nov. 1, 1759, to accept of the report of the Committee to set the meeting house on lot No. 30, finding that place not accommodable : And the Committee chosen to build said meeting house, to raise the house on the plat where they judge most convenient. -Proprietors' Book.
* Besides the cemetery near the middle of the town, there is another grave yard or burying place in the south westerly part of the town.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
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Extracts from the records.
At a legal meeting at the house of Gabriel Pouchey in the Township, June 22, 1763.
Voted, That the Proprietors will join with the inhabit- ants in a petition to the General Court, that Ipswich Can- ada may be incorporated into a Town.
June 23, Voted, That a tax of one penny per acre be laid on all the lands that are already laid out in Ipswich Canada, for the term of three years.
Voted, That Benjamin Goodridge, esq. and Daniel Bix- by be a Committee to draft a petition in order to send to the Great and General Court, that Ipswich Canada may be incorporated into a Town, and the lands taxed according to the above vote .- Proprietors' Book.
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An Act for erecting the Plantation called Ipswich Can- ada into a Town by the name of Winchendon.
Whereas the inhabitants of the Plantation called Ipswich Canada in the County of Worcester, labor under many difficulties and inconveniences by means of their not being a Town : Therefore,
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Representatives, That the Plantation commonly called and known by the name of Ipswich Canada, in the County of Worcester, bounded as follows, viz : South twelve degrees west, seven miles and two hundred rods on Dorchester Canada ; west eighteen degrees south, two hundred and seventy rods on Westminster ; north thirty-six degrees
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west, four miles and two hundred and twenty rods on Tem- pleton line ; north seventy-eight degrees west, six hundred rods on Templeton line; north twelve degrees east, four miles and two hundred and sixty rods on Royalshire ; south seventy-eight degrees west,* six miles on Royalshire line; be and hereby is erected into a Town, by the name of Winchendon : and that the inhabitants thereof be, and hereby are invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities, which the inhabitants of the towns within the province do or may enjoy.
And be it further enacted, That there be laid on the lands already laid out in the said Town of Winchendon, a tax of one penny per acre for the term of three years.
And be it further enacted, That Edward Hartwell, esq. be and hereby is empowered to issue his warrant, directed to some principal inhabitant in said Town, requiring him to warn the inhabitants of the said Town, qualified to vote in Town affairs, to meet at such time and place as shall be therein set forth, to choose all such officers as are or shall be required by law to manage the affairs of the said Town .- Acts and Laws of Massachusetts Bay, fol. Bos- ton Ed. 1759, p. 458.
Origin of the Name.
It seems that Winchendon was so called after the name either of a manor or of a small town in England.
An English historian states that " In the month of De- cember," 1706, " Her Majesty," Queen Anne, " confer- red the following honors, viz: Thomas Lord Wharton"
* There is, evidently, a mistake in the statement of the course of this line ; it should be east twelve degrees south.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
was created " Viscount Winchendon and Earl of Whar- ton."-Etchard's History of England, vol. 4, p. 457.
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It has been handed down by tradition that sometime be- fore the township was settled, a hunter by the name of Denison got lost in the woods, which was tall and thick in that region. He climbed a tree with a view to look out, and descried the pond, which from this circumstance, was named Denison's pond.
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Proceedings of the First Town Meeting.
At a meeting legally warned, Nov. 5, 1764, of the free holders and other inhabitants of Winchendon to assemble and meet at the house of Richard Day : then and there being assembled proceeded in manner as follows, viz :
Ist. Chose Richard Day, Moderator to govern said meeting.
2d. Proceeded to the choice of town officers.
Abel Wilder, Town Clerk.
Theophilus Mansfield, Benoni Boynton,
Selectmen.
Ephraim Boynton, Richard Day, Constable.
Nathaniel Bixby, Town Treasurer.
Daniel Goodridge, Collector of the land tax. Silas Whitney, Church Wardens. Reuben Wyman, William Oak, Timothy Darling, Amos Spring, Abel Wilder, ' 1
Surveyors of Highways.
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Daniel Bixby, Deer-reeve.
Aaron Hodskins, Fence-viewer.
Jonathan Foster, Sealer of weights and measures. Silas Whitney, Surveyor of boards and shingles. Reuben Wyman, Field driver. Nathaniel Bixby, Sealer of leather. Stephen Choate, Stave-culler. Nathaniel Burnam, Fire-ward.
These officers were chosen and sworn as the law directs. A true record, per Abel Wilder, Town Clerk. See the Records of the Town of Winchendon, Book 1, pp. 2,3.
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Extracts from the records.
At a meeting legally warned of the free holders and other inhabitants of Winchendon to assemble at the public meeting house in said town on Monday the 11th day of March, 1765. Then and there, being assembled, pro- ceeded in the following manner, viz.
1. Chose Theo's Mansfield Moderator for the govern- ment of said meeting.
2. Voted, That all freeholders shall be allowed to vote in said meeting.
3. Proceeded to the choice of town officers and chose Abel Wilder, Town Clerk.
Theo's Mansfield,
Nathaniel Bixby,
Selectmen.
Benoni Boynton,
Ephraim Boynton, Constable.
Richard Day, Town Treasurer.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Jonathan Foster, Theo's Mansfield, Daniel Bixby,
Wardens.
Tithingmen.
Samuel Crage,
Reuben Wyman, Timothy Darling,
John Darling, Samuel Titus,
Jonathan Stimson, William Oaks,
Deer-reeves .
Surveyors of Highways and Col- lectors of highway rates.
Abner Hale, Jonathan Foster,
Silas Whitney,
Samuel Titus,
Hog-reeves.
Daniel Bixby, Sealer of leather.
Richard day, Sealer of weights and measures.
Joseph Stimson, Field driver.
Bartholomew Pearson, Surveyor of boards and shingles. Daniel Goodridge, Collector of the land tax.
The officers for the present year were chosen and sworn as the law directs.
Attest Abel Wilder, Town Clerk. Town Records, Book 1, pp. 5, 6.
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Record of a town meeting Feb. 15, 1773.
At a legal meeting of the freeholders and other inhabi- tants of Winchendon qualified by law to vote in town af- fairs, on the fifteenth day of February, A. D. 1773.
Chose Moses Hale, Moderator for the government of said meeting.
Voted, and adjourned until one o'clock, P. M. And then met.
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Voted, and adjourned further until three o'clock. And then met.
Voted to take into consideration the distressing and dangerous circumstances of our public affairs.
Voted to chose a Committee consisting of five persons to prepare a draft to lay before the town, of such measures as may be thought proper for the town to come into, in order to defend their rights and liberties.
Chose Messrs. Moses Hale Levi Nichols John Boynton John Homer Dudley Perley
1
Committee for the purposes aforementioned.
Voted, and consented to the proceedings of the town of Boston in their stating the rights of the Colonists, as they are set forth in a pamphlet sent by a Committee of Cor- respondence in Boston to the Selectmen of Winchendon.
Voted, and adjourned this meeting to Monday the first day of March next, two of the clock in the afternoon, at the meeting house in Winchendon.
At a legal meeting of the freeholders and other [inhab- itants] of Winchendon, upon adjournment from the fif- teenth day of February last, the Committee appointed the fifteenth day of February last, by the town of Winchendon legally assembled to consider the letter from the town of Boston, with their statement of rights of the Colonies, and the infringements made upon them, which was publicly read at the said meeting, beg leave to report, That from a full conviction of the propriety and expediency of the measure, they do recommend to the inhabitants of this town to pass the following Resolves, namely :
1. Resolved, that having taken into serious consider- ation the state of the rights of the Colonies, and of the
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Province in particular, as men, as christians, and as sub- jects, and a list of infringements and violation of rights, as specified and set forth by the Committee of the town of Boston. We are of opinion that the rights of this Prov- ince are well and truly stated in said list, as they are well supported and warranted by the laws of God, of nature, of the realm of Great Britain and the charter of this Prov- ince; that a list of infringements and violations of those rights and privileges inherent to the inhabitants of this Province are well stated, vindicated and supported by a great variety of uncontestable facts, whereby it appears to us, by a list of the violations and infractions of our liber- ties and privileges as British subjects, transmitted to us as aforesaid, that the time is speedily hastening when we shall be reduced to the most abject slavery.
2. Resolved, that having consulted our charter, we find that, by the aforesaid infringements and violations, our rights and liberties, thereby derived, are sapped to the very foundation.
3. Resolved, that it is of the utmost importance [that] the Colonies in general, and the inhabitants of this Prov- ince in particular, stand firm as one man to support and maintain all their just rights and privileges.
4. Resolved, that this town will, at all times, heartily join with our brethren of this Province, and with every true friend to liberty in all lawful measures which may be proper, salutary and effectual for the redress of our griev- ances and the establishment of our charter rights, privi- leges and liberties.
5. Resolved, that this town choose a Committee to cor- respond with the Boston Committee and the Committees of other towns, to receive and communicate to the town all
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salutary measures that shall be proposed or offered by any other towns for removing the common grievances of this Province, and to communicate the sentiments of this town to the correspondent Committee of the other towns of this Province.
6. Resolved, that the united thanks of this town and of every true son of liberty and friend to the constitution of the Province is due to the town of Boston for their early and indefatigable zeal in endeavoring to preserve the con- stitutional rights and liberties of this Province.
7. Resolved, that the town of Boston be served with an attested copy of our proceedings.
Moses Hale, Levi Nichols, John Boynton, John Homer, Dudley Perley.
Committee to consider of Grievances.
Winchendon, February 22, 1773.
The above Resolves being publicly read, it was put to vote.
Accepted by unanimous vote.
Voted, and chose Messrs. Moses Hale, Levi Nichols, John Boynton, John Homer, and Dudley Perley, a Com- mittee of Correspondence.
Voted, That the Town Clerk be directed to record the, foregoing Resolves in the town book of records, and to. return an attested copy of the same to the Committee of Correspondence above chosen.
Moses Hale, Moderator.
A true copy, Attest,
Abel Wilder, Town Clerk.
Town Records, B. 1, pp. 138 -- 142. 8
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
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At a meeting of the town of Winchendon, August 4, 1774, Chose Mr. Eli Smith, Moderator for the govern- ment of said meeting. Chose Mr. Amos Merriam to join the Committee of Correspondence in the town in the room of John Homer, deceased.
Chose Mr. Moses Hale to meet the Committees that may be appointed by the several towns in this county at the widow Mary Stearns', at Worcester on the 9th day of August instant at 10 of the clock in the morning. Ad- journed.
August 25, 1774. Then met according to adjourn- ment.
Voted, That Dea. Moses Hale go to Worcester upon the adjourment of the County Convention.
Voted, and accepted of the following Resolves, namely :
1. Resolved that we acknowledge ourselves true and liege subjects to His Majesty, King George 3d, and that we will, to the utmost of our power, defend his crown and dignity.
2. Resolved, that the charter of this Province is the basis of allegiance to His Majesty, the sacred obligation he is under to protect us his American subjects, and that all Acts of the British Parliament which tend to vacate our charter without our consent, have a tendency to destroy our allegiance to the king, and also the obligation he is under to protect us, his most loyal subjects, which, conse quently reduce us to a state of nature.
3. Resolved, that those unconstitutional Acts lately passed in the British Parliament, wherein they claim a right to tax the Americans without their consent, and to
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'alter our free Constitutions at their pleasure, has a direct tendency to break off the affections of His Majesty's true and loyal subjects in America, from the king, and there- fore most certainly weaken the British nation, and will, if persisted in, unavoidably endanger, if not actually be a means of the destruction of the king, at the whole Brit- ish realm.
4. Resolved, that we will, to the utmost of our power, oppose all such unconstitutional acts, which in our opinion are directly against the dignity of the king and the con- stitution of this Province, and are ready to risk our lives and fortunes in defence of our rightful sovereign, and to maintain our free constitution, in order to save ourselves and posterity from ruin and slavery, which seem, like a torrent, rushing in upon us.
5. Resolved, that we will do all that lies in our power to maintain peace and good order amongst us accor- ding to the laws of this Province; and that we will break off all dealings, as far as possible, with all officers who hold their commissions under unconstitutional laws.
6. Resolved, that those men who are appointed Coun- sellors by a mandamus from England, directly contrary to the charter of this Province, and have taken the oaths required to serve in that office, are destitute of any regard for the good of their country, and ought to be treated as open enemies to the once free constitution of this Prov- ince.
Voted and adjourned this present meeting to the third Thursday of September next at two of the o'clock, P. M. -Town Records, B. 1, pp. 184-187.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
II
Sept. 15, 1774. Then met according to adjournment. Voted to send a person to the Provincial Congress to meet at Concord the second Tuesday of October next.
Chose Mr. Moses Hale to go to Concord.
Voted, That every person from the age of 16 to 60 years old appear at the meeting house in Winchendon on Tuesday the 20th day of this instant September, at one of the clock in the afternoon.
Voted, That the town will indemnify Mr. Jer. Stuart, Constable, in his not returning a list of the persons quali- fied to serve as Jurors agreeable to a late Act of Parlia- ment ; and he is hereby directed never to make such re- turns.
A true record, per Abel Wilder, Town Clerk. Town Records, B. 1, p. 187.
JJ
Extracts from the records of a town-meeting held Jan. 10, 1775.
Voted, That the province taxes granted and levied upon the town of Winchendon, for the years 1772, 1773, and 1774, committed and soon to be committed to Thom- as Sawyer, and Jeremiah Stuart, Constables of Winchen- don, be paid to Henry Gardner, Esq. of Stow, as soon as conveniently may be : and the Constables are hereby or- dered to pay the above said money as above voted; and the town will hereby indemnify the above said Thomas Sawyer and Jeremiah Stuart in so doing, upon their pro-
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ducing receipts from the above mentioned Henry Gard- ner, Esq.
Voted, and chose Levi Nichols Thomas Sawyer Moses Hale Abel Wilder John Boynton Eli Smith and David Poor.
A Committee to see that the Association of the Continental Congress be put in execution.
Voted, That the town will assist the above Committee in carrying the above mentioned Association into execu- tion, provided they proceed agreeably to the directions of the Provincial Congress.
Levi Nichols, Moderator.
A true Copy, per Abel Wilder, Town Clerk. Town Records, B. 1, pp. 193, 194.
KK
At a legal meeting of the freeholders and other inhabi- tants of Winchendon, qualified by law to vote in the choice of a Representative, on the 4th day of July, 1776.
Chose Thos. Sawyer Moderator, for the government of said meeting.
Whereas this town has been called upon by the Hon- orable House of Representatives of this Colony to signify their minds in regard of American independency ; being duly sensible of the cruel and oppressive measures which are pursued by the King and Parliament of Great Britain in order to enslave the Colonies, and consequently the difficulty that will attend our being ever again united with Great Britian, therefore,
Unanimously Resolved, That if the Honorable Conti-
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
ted to receive no more paper money for town rates." Town Records B. 2.
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The building Committee chosen by the town were Abel Wilder, Esq. Capt. Thomas Graton, and Mr. Benjamin Hall.
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As the locating of this meeting house was, at the time, attended with much uneasiness, altercation and trouble, a more extended view of the transactions of the town may appear desirable, therefore such will be here transcribed from the records.
At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Winchendon, Sept. 10, 1790,
Voted, and chose Dea. Moses Hale Moderator.
Voted, to build a new Meeting House in this town.
Voted, to set the new meeting house on the meeting house common.
Voted, That said house be 60 feet in length, 50 feet in width, 27 feet posts, and a porch at each end of the house 10 feet on the house, 14 feet deep.
Voted, 54 pews on the lower floor, and 24 in the gal- leries, and 3 seats on each side below, and 3 in the gal- leries.
Voted, That there be 20 windows, 40 squares in each window, below, and 21, 35 squares in each, in the galle- ries ; the pulpit and gable end windows excepted.
Voted, That the pews be sold at public vendue to the inhabitants, to procure materials and workmen for build-
ing for
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ing the house : That the purchasers of pews give security for the same to the acceptance of the Committee.
Voted, That the materials be divided into small lots, and let out to those persons who will procure the same the cheapest.
Voted, That the frame be raised in the forepart of the season in the year 1792.
Voted, That the materials for building be delivered at such time and place, as the Committee for building the meeting house shall direct.
Voted, To choose a Committee to see to the building of said house.
Voted, The Committee to consist of three persons.
Voted, and chose Abel Wilder esq. Mr. Thomas Gra- ton and Benjamin Hall esq. for the above Committee.
Nov. 1, Voted to reserve one pew in said house for a ministerial pew.
Voted, Pew west of the pulpit, next to it, for the minis- terial pew.
Voted, to choose a Committee of three persons to pitch upon a spot to set the new meeting house upon.
Voted and chose Mr. James Steel, Dea. Moses Hale, and Doct. Ziba Hall for the above Committee.
Voted, to set the south sill of the new meeting house 30 feet north of the north sill of the old meeting house.
Voted, to accept of the plan of said house that the Com- mittee has drafted and laid before the town.
Voted and accepted of the conditions of the sale of the pews the Committee has proposed.
Nov. 29, Voted and accepted the conditions of sale the Committee has draughted for the materials,
Voted, to appoint a person as Vendue-master to vendue the materials.
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Voted and appointed Dea. Moses Hale for the above Vendue-master.
19| Voted, That the posts of said meeting house be 28 feet the in length ; and that there be 40 squares of glass in each the gallery window.
Dec. 20, Voted to have banisters in the pews.
Voted, That the Committee shall procure the glass.
Winchendon Nov. 1, 1790. At a public vendue held for the sale of the pews in the meeting house voted to be built at a meeting held on the 10th day of Sept. 1790, at the meeting house in Winchendon aforesaid, the pews were sold as follows, viz. No. 1 struck off to Capt. Dan- iel Hubbard for $40. No. 2 to Abner Curtice for $71. No. 3 to Moses Hale for $40. No. 31 to William Whit- ney for $62. No. 32 to Joseph Sweetser for $51. No. 33 to Dea. Moses Hale for $47. No. 44 to Doct. Israel Whiton for $49. No. 45 to Lieut. Joseph Boynton for $50. No. 50 to Abel Wilder for $50. No. 47 to Desire Tolman for $40, &c. Gallery pews. No. 1 struck off to Dea. Moses Hale for $24. No. 2 to Abel Wilder jun. for $17, &c. &c.
Abel Wilder, Thomas Graton, Committee.
Benjamin Hall,
Voted to establish and confirm the pews, mentioned in the foregoing report, to the purchasers whose names are thereunto annexed and to their heirs and assigns forever.
Nov. 7, 1791, Voted to agree with some person or per- sons to make provision for the raisers to raise the meeting house.
Voted, and granted &30 to make provision for the rais- ing of the new meeting house. Town Records, B. 3 pp. 75-80.
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Nov. 21, Voted to reconsider a vote passed in a former meeting in Nov. 1, 1790, which was to set the south sill of the new meeting house 30 feet north of the north sill of the old meeting house. Yeas 47, Nays 25.
Voted, to choose a Committee of seven persons to pitch upon a spot to set the meeting house on, and report at the adjournment of this meeting.
Voted, and chose Abel Wilder Esq. Dea. Samuel Pren- tice, Doct. Ziba Hall, Lieut. John Burr, Mr. Thomas Graton, Mr. James Steel and Samuel Crosby Esq. for the above Committee.
Dea. Hale resigned being Moderator, and Dea. Samuel Prentice was chosen Moderator in his room.
Nov. 24, Voted, and accepted of the Report of the Com- mittee, which is as follows, viz.
Winchendon Nov. 24, 1791.
The Committee appointed on the 21 of this instant to view and report the most convenient spot to build a meet- ing house upon, have attended that service, and a majori- ty of that Committee agree that the meeting house be set 120 feet south of Luther Stimson's house, and 39 feet east of the stone wall by Mr. Brown's garden.
By order of the Committee, Abel Wilder, Chairman.
Dec. 26, voted to chose a Committee of six persons to review and pitch upon a spot to set the new meeting house and report at the adjournment of this meeting.
Voted, and chose Abel Wilder Esq. Dea. Moses Hale, Samuel Crosby Esq., Mr. William Whitney, Benjamin Hall Esq., and Dea. Samuel Prentice, for the above Committee.
Town Records, B. 3, pp. 81, 82.
May 3, 1792. The town met according to adjourn- ment, and voted to adjourn the meeting for half a hour,
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HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
for the, purpose of viewing the northerly part of the com- mon, in order to see if the town can agree, unanimously, upon a spot of ground to set the new meeting house upon. After taking a view, the town met again : and after some debate, it was tried by a vote to see if the town will re- consider the vote passed at a late meeting respecting plac- ing the meeting house in the northerly part of the common. Passed in the negative.
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