USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Barre > Memorial of the one hundredth anniversary of the Incorporation of the town of Barre, June 17, 1874 ... > Part 5
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Amongst those who came about the middle of the last century, and who were important acces-
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sions, were Benjamin Jenkins, with three adult sons, from Barnstable County; Seth Perry from Martha's Vineyard; William Buckminster from Framingham; Launcelot Oliver from Georgetown; William Robin- son from Newton. There were also here, at this period, two brothers Bullard and two brothers Bent. Of the latter, one was a magistrate, town-clerk, and town-treasurer.
Of the family of Mr. Seth Perry, from whom de- scended the late Marshall S. Perry, M.D., of Boston, a correspondent furnishes to me a touching and ro- mantic incident, which I cannot relate so well as in her own words: "About the year 1750, a man by the name of Perry, young, ambitious, and desiring an inland home, left Martha's Vineyard, and after long and patient search decided upon a tract of land in the westerly part of what is now called Barre. Hills on the north and west sheltered the little spot he selected for a home. After building a primitive house and barn, and clearing and planting a portion of the land, he left all and went back to 'the Cape' for the prom- ised wife. Meantime, the prospective wife had made ready every thing which the domestic wheel and loom could produce, from damask table-linen to meal- bags. Even the horse, a part of her outfit, was in the stable, and the saddle-bags were in readiness for the expected journey. They were married, and, with all their worldly goods packed upon their two horses, they started on their pilgrimage, and in due time safely arrived at their new home.
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" At the end of ten years of successful farm-life, and having been blessed with five children, the young parents' hearts yearned for a sight of the old friends by the sea and for a sniff of the salt breeze. Finding competent persons to take care of their treasures, they started, one clear June morning, and after five days' ride were again within sound of the surging ocean, and soon the dear familiar voices welcomed them. Before the visit was over, the husband fell sick of fever, and, after three weeks of suffering, died. Hearts were as tender and love was as true then as now. The strong, brave widow must bury her dead, and must go back to her children. She took a last and only look at the grave of her early hopes, neatly folded her husband's scanty wardrobe, fastened it to his saddle, and started on her lonely journey, the faithful horse, with empty saddle, keeping her com- pany, unled. Can greater heroism be imagined ?
"No word could be sent to the waiting hearts at home, and the prolonged absence of the parents was a source of deep anxiety. Night after night the little children would go to the top of the hill and watch for their coming until, with the sinking sun, the tender voice of the housekeeper called them, and, gathering them inside the house, drew in the latch-string for the night. At last, a large company was seen on a distant hill; for a neighbor from each house for miles had joined the lone woman on her way to her home, divining all too well the sorrow that had befallen her. The empty saddle needed no interpreter. It was thus
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that this woman 'gained her residence' in Barre. After a busy and useful life, she left us at the age of ninety-one years! "
I may add, that this heroic woman was mother of the wife of our former deacon Moses Holden; that wife, whom everybody loved in her lifetime, and whose memory is green and fragrant still. Let me also observe, that whoever knew Dr. Perry intimately will trace a close resemblance between traits of his character and those here exhibited in his paternal grandmother.
The Jenkins family, before mentioned, was large and influential. The first of the name had three sons, Benjamin, Jr., Southworth, and Timothy. The father came first, and then returned to bring the others. He purchased of Nathaniel Jennison about three hundred acres of land in the western part of the District, where he lived, and where, at four- score years of age, he died; having first divided the estate into three equal farms, constructed commodious buildings, and settled his three sons, who all lived, died and were buried on the paternal acres. Ben- jamin, Jr., the " old squire," was a man of strong and vigorous understanding, quite distinguished as a mag- istrate, and left, it is said, the best farm and farm- buildings in western Worcester. Southworth, a name traceable to the "old comers " of Plymouth Colony, left six sons whose united height was thirty-six feet seven inches. One of these became a clergyman of eminence, and was settled first at Greenfield, then at
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Portland, Maine, the honored father of the Rev. John L. Jenkins, now a highly respected minister of Am- herst. Timothy married a sister of Seth Perry, whose brief career has been noticed, and had nine children. Of one of these, bearing his name, I shall speak farther on.
During the period we are now reviewing, a new minister was chosen. The dismission of the Rev. Mr. Frink had been advised by a mutual council, June 18, 1766. On the 16th of July the qualified voters, assembled by warrant in town meeting, formally accepted the " Result." On the 9th day of Septem- ber a town meeting was called to take measures for securing a successor; and "Deacon John Mason, Jonathan Fletcher, and Ezra Jones were appointed a committee to engage candidates." The pulpit was supplied by one and another for about the space of a year, when the choice fell, with great unanimity, on Mr. Josiah Dana, of Pomfret, Ct. Mr. Dana was a graduate of Harvard University of the class of 1763. His letter of acceptance is dated July 9, 1767, and his ordination took place on the 7th of October following. So much was accomplished for the church. Mean- while, as before, the schools received their share of attention. Liberal appropriations were made annually for their support. In 1765 the town voted "that school be kept in six places." These were private houses in different neighborhoods. The sums paid to the several masters each year are duly recorded, the largest, £10. 75. 2d., having been received by Jonas Howe, in 1768.
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Passing now into the next period of ten years, - the period of the rise and progress of the American Revolution, - we must trace, as rapidly as possible, the part borne by this town in the great contest.
On the 23d of February, 1773, a town meeting was called " to consider of a Circular Letter from the town of Boston concerning the State and Rights of this Province." The letter was referred to a committee, consisting of John Caldwell, Esq., Nathan Sparhawk, Ezra Jones, Matthias Stone, and Asa Hapgood, who made the following report: -
" The committee appointed at a meeting in Rutland District, legally assembled on the 23d day of February, A.D. 1773, to con- sider of the letter from the town of Boston, with their statement of the Rights of the Colonies and the Infringement made upon them, which was publicly read at said meeting, beg leave to report : That, upon a full consideration of the propriety and expediency of the measure, they do recommend to the inhabitants of said District to pass the following Resolves, viz. : I. Resolved, That the rights of the colonists and of this province in particular as stated by their respectable brethren of the metropolis of this province are agreeable to the real sentiments of the inhabitants of this District, and that it is of the utmost importance that the in- habitants of the Province stand as one man to support and main- tain all their just rights and privileges. 2. Resolved, That the inhabitants of this and the other British Provinces have an equal right with the people of Great Britain to enjoy and dispose of their own property, and the same cannot be taken from them but by their own consent. 3. Resolved, That the Parliament of Great Britain have passed several acts in the execution of which American subjects are burdened with unconstitutional taxes. 4. Resolved, That to render the Governor and Judges of the Superior Court of the Province independent of the grants of the General Assembly is an innovation and infraction on the Chartered Rights, as it destroys that check which should remain in the hands of the
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people. 5. Resolved, That the thanks of this District be given to the town of Boston for their zeal shown in defence of Charter Rights."
This report was signed by the whole committee, and adopted unanimously March 1, 1773. It was cer- tainly a spirited beginning.
The grave questions then agitating the colony made it important to the District to be represented in the General Court. Its population had more than doubled since its incorporation, and it was therefore entitled to all the rights of a town. Accordingly, in a war- rant issued March 15, 1773, the article numbered eight reads: "To see if the District will petition the Great and General Court to be set off as a town, or to act anything relative thereto." The meeting was held in April, when the proposition was adopted unanimously; and John Caldwell, Asa Hapgood, and Nathan Sparhawk were chosen a committee to present the petition. This petition was entered, as appears by the Journal, June 22, 1773, when an order of notice to the adjacent towns was passed. "Thursday, Feb- ruary 10, 1774, William Sever, Esq., brought down the petition of Rutland District." " Read again and ordered, That the prayer be so far granted as that the petitioners have leave to bring in a bill for the pur- poses mentioned. Sent down for concurrence. Read and concurred." " Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1774. A bill for incorporating Rutland District into a town, by the name of Barre, read the third time and passed to be engrossed." "Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1774.
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Upon a motion, ordered, that the Secretary lay on the table the bill for erecting Rutland District into a town. The Secretary laid the same on the table ac- cordingly."
Here the matter abruptly drops. Why, after the bill had passed to be engrossed, it was recalled and laid upon the table, does not appear; but it is conject- ured that the reason lay in the name proposed to be given; and that it came to the knowledge of those entrusted with the bill that Governor Hutchinson would not give his assent to it unless the name were changed.
On the last Wednesday of May following, the leg- islature met and organized the government for the year by the usual election of councillors. On the next Saturday it was unexpectedly prorogued, to meet, after ten days, at Salem. The second day of the ses- sion bears this record: "June 8, 1774. A bill to incorporate Rutland District into a town. Read the first and second time. Ordered, that the bill be read again to-morrow at ten o'clock." "June 9. Read the third time, and passed to be engrossed." "June 14. An engrossed bill for incorporating Rutland District into a town. Read, and passed to be enacted." On the 17th the famous message of Governor Gage dissolv- ing the General Court was read from the steps of the Court House, the Secretary being refused admission ; but before the message was sent, we have the au- thority of the "Massachusetts Spy" of that week for saying that several acts, and amongst them that for
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the erection of Rutland District into a town, passed the Council and were consented to by the Governor. So that there can be no doubt that this is our legal birthday.
The following is the act of incorporation : -
" An act for incorporating a tract of land in the county of Wor- cester by the name of Rutland District into a town by the name of HUTCHINSON.
" Whereas, the north-westerly part of the township of Rutland, in the county of Worcester, at the session of the General Court held on the 28th day of March, 1753, was incorporated into a district by the name of Rutland District, and invested with all the powers and privileges that towns in this province do or may enjoy, that of sending a representative to the General Court only excepted ; and whereas the said District, which is of the contents of six miles square, is now completely filled with inhabitants, who have made it appear to this court that it is very inconvenient for them to join with the town of Rutland and the District of Oakham and Hubbardston in the choice of Representatives, as by law they are now obliged, by reason of their great distance from the place of election, they living many of them more than sixteen miles therefrom. Be it therefore enacted by the Gov- ernor, Council, and House of Representatives, that the said Rutland District be and hereby is incorporated into a town by the name of Hutchinson, and that the inhabitants thereof be and hereby are invested with all the powers, privileges, and immuni- ties that the inhabitants of towns in this Province do or ought to enjoy.
" And be it further enacted, that all the several District officers in said District that have been chosen into and have actually been legally in office in said District until the passing of this Act, shall be and hereby are empowered to continue to exercise all the powers in the several offices in said town that they might by law exercise in said District if this law had not been made, until new officers may be chosen in said town in the month of March next, when the selectmen shall call a meeting for the choice of all town
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officers in all respects as they might have called a meeting of this said District if this act had not been passed.
" Passed to be enacted at Salem, June 14, 1774.
" Consented to by the Governor, June 17, 1774."
Between the action of the legislature in February and that in June, Hutchinson had been succeeded in office by Gage, who, it is believed, caused the name of his predecessor to be inserted in the bill instead of BARRE. How much honor accrued to his distin- guished friend by this change we shall soon see.
Pending this petition, what stirring events had transpired! The tea had been emptied into the Bay. The Port bill had been passed, and with it the bill abolishing town meetings "except for the choice of town-officers or on the special permission of the gov- ernor." Gage had landed at Long Wharf, amidst salutes from ships and batteries, to take the place of Hutchinson, who had embarked for England. Boston harbor had been blockaded. The "King's Own " and "The Forty-third " had encamped on Boston Com- mon. "The solemn league and covenant" had been agreed upon. And, last of all, on the very day when Governor Gage gave his consent to our act of incor- poration, the legislature at Salem had adopted the motion of Samuel Adams for THE CALL OF A NA- TIONAL CONGRESS TO MEET AT PHILADELPHIA ON THE FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER FOLLOWING, - the most pregnant event of all.
Thus it is seen that we came into existence as a town amid the birth-throes of the Revolution, in the
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last day of the existence of a House of Representa- tives under the Provincial Charter. Since the day- spring of History, when has there been a more momentous epoch? As Mr. Webster said, in one of his memorable orations, the election of delegates under the resolution of Adams, and the proclamation which dissolved the General Court at Salem, " ter- minated for ever the actual exercise of the political power of England in or over Massachusetts."
The interest in passing events at this time became all-absorbing. Not confined to the metropolis and its vicinity, it extended to the far-away towns and settlements of the Province, where what was done in Faneuil Hall was heartily indorsed and ap- plauded. Eagerly the people waited for news by each opportunity from Boston and London. At the fireside, when at night the pine-knot had been lighted for a candle, the father related to his listening house- hold each new step in the exciting and ominous controversy; and in the daytime, when he could snatch a few hours from the labor of the farm, he mounted his horse and rode to the village for con- sultation with others gathered there, or to be fired up by the appeals and denunciations of some citizen more "tonguey" than the rest on the momentous theme. The tavern was their place of resort; and there, as the foaming mug went round from hand to hand, and faces grew ruby under the dispensation, the love of Liberty, kindled into an intense passion and resolves to maintain it or die, came solid as cannon- balls from their united and invincible will.
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All public proceedings soon became as well known at Gates's tavern as in King Street. Caldwell, Mason, Sparhawk, Hapgood, Buckminster, Parker, and many others, fully understood their portentous significance, and the whole population responded in burning words to the suggestions and appeals of their brethren in Boston.
The District did not assume its functions as a town until the January following its incorporation. But in the August previous it voted, to "pay the town's pro- portion for support of Congress to be holden at Phila- delphia;" and, also, chose Asa Hapgood, Nathan Sparhawk, Andrew Parker, John Mason, and Peter Fessenden, the "Committee of Safety." And on the 12th of September, eight days before the assembling of Congress, a movement was made for reorganizing the militia under the following preamble and vote: -
" Whereas, the state of our publick affairs in this province at the present day is very alarming, and in consequence hereof the militia officers have resigned their respective posts, thereby throw- ing the militia of the town, as it were, into a state of nature : Whereas, we being exposed to be called upon by our brethren in the metropolis of this Province for our attendance, we judge it Highly necessary that some method be prescribed immediately for the regulation of the militia; and Whereas, it is recom- mended by the Committee of Correspondence for the county of Worcester that every town in this county, under the situation, should immediately meet and unanimously choose officers to lead them wherever they may be called until the government shall be brought under a proper Regulation, these are, therefore, to desire the Inhabitants of Rutland District to meet at the meeting-house in said District on Monday, the twelfth day of September current, at one of the clock in the afternoon, for that purpose ; and it is earnestly recommended by the selectmen of said District and said
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committee that the Inhabitants of said District would unanimously meet at the hour above mentioned, inasmuch as a former meet- ing stands adjourned to the twelfth day of September, and there will matters of importance be brought under consideration.
ASA HAPGOOD,
NATHAN SPARHAWK, Committee of Correspondence
JOHN MASON, ANDREW PARKER, 7
for Rutland District.
ASA HAPGOOD,
NATHAN SPARHAWK, EZRA JONES,
Selectmen of Rutland Dis- trict.
" RUTLAND, September 12, 1774."
" The District met at time and place, and, after solemn prayer to God, the following votes were passed: I. To form into two companies as usual. 2. Voted to the company I. of this District as follows, viz. : Captain, Ezra Jones ; Lieut., Nathan Sparhawk ; Lieut., Andrew Parker ; Ensign, Benjamin Nye. Company II. in said District, Captain, William Buckminster; Lieut., Josiah Holden ; Lieut., William Henry ; and Ensign, James Black.
" And that, they will obey them till further orders.
" Attest, NATHAN SPARHAWK, Town Clerk."
One article of a warrant dated February 24, 1775, was, "To see what sum or sums the town will grant to the MINUTE-MEN in said town for their encourage- ment, or to act any thing relative thereto." "March 7th. A committee was chosen to confer with the Min- ute company, and the meeting was adjourned to the fourteenth." " 14th. The committee appointed to con- fer with the Minute company report as follows: " That it is reasonable the captain should have five shillings for each half day that the said company shall be by the town appointed to be under arms, and that the two lieutenants shall have four shillings
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each, and sergeants two shillings each, and the pri- vates one shilling and sixpence each for each half day as aforesaid; and that they shall be paid for four half days previous to the above date. And, further- more, said company shall not exceed fifty men, includ- ing officers; that they shall attend to discipline two half days in each month during the term of eight months, unless it shall be thought by the said town hereafter to be unnecessary; and if the company shall be called by the Committee of Safety of the Province to march to any part of the Province within the term above-mentioned, that each private shall re- ceive as a bounty out of the town treasury the sum of six shillings upon their marching.
" And furthermore, in case said company shall be called to march as above-mentioned, then their pay above-mentioned to cease as to the town."
This is the meagre account which our records fur- nish of the " Minute-men." It is enough, however, to show that they were not that undisciplined mob of soldiers they have sometimes been represented.
The first legal meeting of the town of Hutchinson was held January 10, 1778, when it was voted, “to accept the Continental Congress Resolves in full;" and John Mason was chosen delegate to the Provin- cial Congress at Cambridge. A committee was also appointed to prepare Instructions to the Delegate and report at an adjourned meeting. The committee, on the day to which the meeting stood adjourned, re- ported Instructions as follows : -
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"TO DEACON JOHN MASON, OF HUTCHINSON.
" Sir, - You being constituted by the Inhabitants of said Hutch- inson legally assembled to act for and in behalf of said town in Provincial Congress to be holden at Cambridge the first day of February next ensuing, - and we, on intimation that it was the opinion of the former Provincial Body in general and your desire in particular (being now elected again as a member of said Body) that we your constituents afford you some particular Instructions in this difficult and troublesome day, in which is needed the great- est wisdom and most profound knowledge in matters of a politick nature - We therefore, in a united manner, filled with the deep- est concern for the public Weal, and our fears being much alarmed by the oppressive and arbitrary measures concerted and really in Execution upon us by the British Parliament, think it our duty to instruct you in every consistent way in our Rights by compact to stand for and vindicate the same in a firm, steady, and uniform manner. And secondly and particularly, as Civil Government at this present juncture seems to be a point that labors in the minds of the inhabitants of this Province in general - whether to assume it or not- every circumstance considered, We your constituents having deliberately weighed the matter in our minds, and finding, upon the most mature consideration, that it will be attended with danger to assume civil government at the present day (unless there is something of more importance turns up to view than what comes within the reach of our comprehen- sion at this time). Union hath been looked upon as our Life under God, and if so, when broken, destruction ensues. And as the Continental Congress hath advised to the suspension of civil government in this Colony upon their Deliberations upon the state of the colonies, we mean to coincide with their determination in general and in this matter in particular -unless sad necessity should oblige you to do it [otherwise ?]
" We leave it, sir, with you, in connection with the Honorable Provincial Body, to judge and determine as to what may turn up to view during your session that doth not come within our com- prehension at this time.
Signed, "JOHN CALDWELL, Chairman, In behalf of the Committee.
" HUTCHINSON, January 23, 1775."
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Evidently John Caldwell, Esq., found the business of inditing Instructions not very easy. " He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument." But Deacon Mason put the Instruc- tions in his pocket, went to the Congress, and voted straight, as a true patriot, every time.
This was the Year of years! The minute-men were soon needed. The bugle-blast of the Revolu- tion sounded from Lexington and Concord, and re- verberated amongst these hills. It was a summons to arms. The men were ready, and, on the " minute," obeyed; being led by their brother-farmer, the cool, brave Buckminster. Is there pluck in these tillers of the soil? Will they go to the front without flinching? We shall see. Trained to the use of a fire-arm from the hour when they were big enough to lift it and rest it on a stump or in the crotch of a tree, it was to them a plaything. It had been aimed hitherto at destructive birds and dangerous animals. It will now be pointed, with as good a will and as steady an aim, at any red- coat who comes within its range. The day which is to try them is at hand. The 19th of April has al- ready scored itself in the calendar of days immortal. Another of equal significance and sublimity is shortly to be registered. In a little less than two months a hill in Charlestown, undistinguished except by its natural features from others in and around Boston, suddenly blazes into everlasting renown. Lexington received the first bloody shot of the usurping foe; Concord resisted, and turned him back with dauntless
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