USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > West Brookfield > Quabaug, 1660-1910 : an account of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration held at West Brookfield, Mass., September 21, 1910 ; > Part 7
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"The perusal of records will show that no man has ever "dwelt among us, who held so many local trusts,-lived "in such intimate sympathy with the people, cared for "and served them so abundantly and excellently,-and "yet so far excelled them in station and character. He "projected and carried through more that is to be prized "in our town life, than could be recounted. * "We esteem that to be the highest style of citizen man- "hood which gains and holds the affectionate confidence "of the worthiest of the common people through all the "tests of every-day life; and at the same time finds high "position given to it among eminent statesmen, jurists "and scholars of the times. Few men more completely "unite these conditions than Judge Foster." And the Reverend Samuel Dunham, a lamented pastor of the First Church: "Through his life, he enjoyed the confidence of the "inhabitants of this Town and County, perhaps beyond
First Congregational Church and Park
Christ Memorial Church Haston Public Library
Adams Block
NORTH BROOKFIELD, CORNER SCHOOL AND MAIN STREETS, LOOKING SOUTH
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"any man who ever lived here, unless it be his own son, "the Honorable Dwight Foster."
He held military offices from the position of captain and major, to which latter position he was appointed by Governor Shirley September 20th, 1756, during the last French and Indian War, to that of colonel during the Revolution. He was appointed Justice of the Peace by the same Governor in 1754, holding that place until 1775, when he was appointed Judge of Probate for Worcester County. And on March 20th, 1776, he was appointed Judge of the highest Judicial Court of the State, the Superior Court of Judicature. Ten years after his father-in-law closed his legislative career as speaker of the House, he was elected representative from Brookfield to the General Court, held 1761. He was re- elected for fourteen successive years, until 1776, when he accepted his position on the highest bench. And he was again elected for the year 1779. In 1774, he was one of two members chosen to represent the province at large upon the Governor's Council. But he and twelve others were com- plimented by rejection by Governor Gage, for the reason, as has been said by a contemporary: that "he had been one "of the memorable ninety-two, so greatly celebrated, who "refused to rescind the Vote for the circular Letter, and "had always in the General Assembly, and their Com- "mittees of which he was often a member, opposed the "measures of Bernard and Hutchinson for abridging "the Liberties of the Country."
He was a leading member of the Provincial Congress during 1774 and 1775. In July of the latter year, he was elected a member of the Council; but he resigned this posi- tion when he was appointed to the Superior Court, his letter saying: "It has for many years been a prevailing opinion that "a seat at the Honorable Council, and on the Superior "Court Bench ought not to be held by the same Person "at one and the same time: An opinion I think founded "on the Highest Reason, and should be supported in a
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"free Constitution." During the darkest hours of the Revolution he never expressed a doubt of his Country's success. Upon the dispersion of the Congress at Philadel- phia, General Washington inquired upon what men in Mass- achusetts he could rely. He was told that Mr. Foster of Brookfield was the one in the centre of the State, in whom he could place implicit confidence, and from whom he could expect unwavering patriotism and fidelity. He died during the early part of the Revolutionary War from a disease con- tracted in military service, while he was also discharging the duties of important civic offices. Had he survived to the age allotted to men by the Psalmist, he would undoubtedly have left a national reputation. Two of his sons were at the same time in the Senate of the United States, sent there by different States.
His first conspicuous action in the town affairs took place in 1753, during the dispute that resulted in the division of the First parish into two. He drew the petitions and re- monstrance and other papers, which set forth the arguments in the support of the position then taken by his neighbors. In 1759, he was elected Deacon of the Second Church, now the First Church in North Brookfield. The records state: "Suspended his answer till ye church consented to intro- "duce Tate and Brady's Psalms upon trial; then gave it "in the affirmative." It was part of the diaconal duties to line out and tune the psalms sung by the congregation. The ravages of small pox were checked by his example and that of William Ranger. Not long before the Revolution, they were inoculated at a hospital in Esopus, New York, where they had the disease and returned in good health. The practice of inoculation was then introduced into the town and hospitals were established for that purpose. Pa- tients came from the neighboring villages, even from Wor- cester. In fair weather, when convalescent, they were al- lowed to visit the cave and ledges on Slate Hill and even, it is said, although they were descendants of the Puritans,
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to play cards there. House parties were formed by young men and women for that purpose and courtships were con- ducted during the incubation of the microbe. Sweethearts were forced to meet among sad surroundings in those serious times. Lovers' Lane was in the burying-ground. Matches were often made while a pair were watching the dead.
But the town was soon obliged to attend to diseases of the body politic. In May, 1773, Jedediah Foster was mod- erator of a meeting which approved "a Letter of thanks "to the town of Boston for their care in Stating a list "of the Infringements and Violations, of Rights * "made by the Court and Parliament of Great Britain, "and to show that the town fully concur with the "Town "of Boston in Sentiment." The letter was written by him, although he did not serve upon the committee that reported it. It declared: "This Town will be ever ready "to assist, and in every legal and proper way maintain "those Rights and Liberties for our children, which with "so much Labor, Blood and Treasure were purchased "by our ancestors, whose memory is and ought to be "esteemed by us." On December 27th, a town meeting considered two letters from the Boston Committee of Cor- respondence and a committee of five. Judge Foster and Captain Baldwin were chosen to report resolutions concern- ing the importation of tea "and such other matters as are
"proper for this town to do at this difficult time." In about an hour, the committee reported resolutions, drafted by Judge Foster, the chairman. These were adopted as follows: "We think it our indispensable duty in the most "public manner to let the world know our utter abhorrence "of the last and most detestable scheme, in the introduc- "tion of Tea from Great Britain, to be peddled out a- "mongst us, by which means we were to be made to swal- "low a poison more fatal in its effects to the national and "political Rights and Privileges of the People of this
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"country, than ratsbane would be to the natural body." In the following May, covenants providing for a boycott of obnoxious imports from Great Britain were voluntarily signed by many. A committee of six was chosen "to inspect "the Traders of this Town and see that they do comply "with the covenants and to see that every person has the "offer of signing the covenant and also to take care that "pedlars do not sell any goods in this Town."
In August of that year, a convention of the committees of correspondence and delegates of the several towns in Worcester County was held at the tavern held by Mrs. Mary Stearns in Worcester. There were present from Brookfield, Judge Foster, Captain Baldwin and Captain Upham, the moderator, clerk and treasurer of the town. After several adjournments in order to obtain representation from some towns in the county which had elected no committees of correspondence nor delegates, on the 10th the convention passed a number of resolutions, amongst others the following:
"Resolved, That an attempt to vacate said charter, by "either party, without the consent of the other, has a "tendency to dissolve the union between Great Britain "and this province, to destroy the allegiance we owe to the "king, and to set aside the sacred obligations he is under "to his subjects here.
" Resolved, That it is the indisputable duty of every "American, and more especially in this province, to unite "in every virtuous opposition that can be devised, in order "to save ourselves and posterity from inevitable ruin. "And, in the first place, we greatly approve of the agree- "ment entered and entering into through this and the "neighboring provinces, for the non-consumption of British "goods. This, we apprehend, will have a tendency to " convince our brethren in Britain, that more is to be gained "in the way of justice, from our friendship and affection, "than by extortion and arbitrary power. We apprehend "that the balance of our trade with Britain has been
B. & R. Rubber Factory NORTH BROOKFIELD, SCHOOL STREET LOOKING EAST
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"greatly in their favor; that we can do much better with- "out it than they can; and that the increase of such trade "heretofore, was greatly occasioned by the regard and "affection borne by the Americans to their brethren in "Britain. Such an agreement, if strictly adhered to, will "greatly prevent extravagance, save our money, encour- "age our own manufactures, and reform our manners.
" Resolved, That those justices of the court of general "sessions, and common pleas, for this county, who, in a "late address to his excellency Governor Gage, aspersed "the good people of this county, have thereby discovered "that they were destitute of that tender regard which we "might justly expect in our present distressed situation. "Voted. That we most earnestly recommend it to "the several towns in this county, (and if it should not be "thought too arrogant,) to every town in the province, "to meet and adopt some wise, prudent, and spirited "measures, in order to prevent the execution of those "most alarming acts of parliament respecting our consti- "tution."
On August 26th, delegates from the counties of Wor- cester, Middlesex and Essex, met at Boston the committee of correspondence of that city and resolved: "That all such "officers or private persons as have given sufficient proof "of their enmity to the people and constitution of this "country, should be held in contempt, and that those who "are connected with them ought to separate from them: "laborers to shun vineyards; merchants, husbandmen, and "others, to withhold their commerce and supplies."
Our ancestors did not shrink from enforcing obedience to public opinion by these methods, which their descendants condemn when practiced by trade-unions.
On August 31st, the convention resolved at the Worces- ter County Court House:
"Whereas, the charter of this province, as well as laws "enacted by virtue of the same and confirmed by royal
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"assent, have been, by the parliament of Great Britain, "without the least color of right or justice, declared in "part null and void; and in conformity to an act of said "parliament, persons are appointed to fill certain offices "of government, in ways and under influences, wholly "unknown before in this province, incompatible with its "charter, and forming a complete system of tyranny: and "whereas, no power on earth hath a right, without the "consent of this province, to alter the minutest title of "its charter, or abrogate any act whatsoever, made in "pursuance of it, and confirmed by royal assent, or to "constitute officers of government in ways not directed "by charter, and as we are assured that some officers of the "executive courts in this county, have officially conducted "in compliance with and in conformity to the late acts of "parliament altering our free constitution; and as the "sittings of such courts may have a tendency to affect "the good people of this county, in such manner as may "insensibly lead them to submit to the chains of slavery "forged by our enemies; therefore,
"1. Resolved, That it is the indispensable duty of the "inhabitants of this county, by the best ways and means, "to prevent the sitting of the respective courts under "such regulations as are set forth in a late act of parlia- "ment, entitled, an act for regulating the civil government "of the Massachusetts Bay.
"2. Resolved, That in order to prevent the execution "of the late act of parliament, respecting the courts, that "it be recommended to the inhabitants of this county, "to attend, in person, the next inferior court of common "pleas and general sessions, to be holden at Worcester, "in and for said county, on the sixth day of September next.
"3. Resolved, That it be recommended to the several "towns, that they choose proper and suitable officers, and "a sufficient number, to regulate the movements of each "town, and prevent any disorder which might otherwise
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"happen; and that it be enjoined in the inhabitants of each "respective town, that they adhere strictly to the orders "and directions of such officers.
"4. And whereas, the courts of justice will necessarily "be impeded by the opposition to the said acts of parlia- "ment, therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the "inhabitants of this province in general, and to those of "this county in particular, that they depute fit persons "to represent them in one general provincial convention, "to be convened at Concord, on the second Tuesday of "October next, to devise proper ways and means to resume "our original mode of government, whereby the most "dignified servants were, as they ever ought to be, de- "pendent on the people for their existence as such; or "some other which may appear to them best calculated "to regain and secure our violated rights. The justice "of our complaints and the modes of redress, we submit "to the determination of our sister colonies, being, in our "opinion, the only just tribunal we can appeal to on earth.
"5. Resolved, That it be recommended, that such "innholders and retailers, who shall be approbated by the "selectmen in their respective towns, continue and exercise "their respective functions; provided, they strictly adhere "to the law of this province respecting innholders and "retailers.
"6. Resolved. That it be recommended to the several "towns, that they indemnify their constables for neglecting "to return lists of persons qualified to serve as jurors.
"7. Resolved, That as the ordinary course of justice "must be stayed, in consequence of the late arbitrary and "oppressive acts of the British parliament, we would "earnestly recommend to every inhabitant of this county, "to pay his just debts as soon as may be possible, without "any disputes or litigation.
. "8. Resolved, That as the dark and gloomy aspect of "our public affairs has thrown this province into great
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"convulsions, and the minds of the people are greatly "agitated with the near view of impending ruin; we "earnestly recommend to every one, and we engage our- "selves, to use the utmost influence in suppressing all "riotous and disorderly proceedings in our respective "towns. "
It was also "Voted, That if there is an invasion, or "danger of an invasion, in any town in this county, then "such town as is invaded, or being in danger thereof, shall, "by their committees of correspondence, or some other "proper persons, send letters, by express posts, imme- "diately, to the committees of the adjoining towns, who "shall send to other committees in the towns adjoining "them, that they all come properly armed and accoutred "to protect and defend the place invaded.
"Voted, That it be recommended to the towns in this "county, to pay no regard to the late act of parliament, "respecting the calling town meetings, but, to proceed "in their usual manner; and also, that they pay no sub- "mission to any acts altering our free constitution.
"Voted, That it be recommended to each town of the "county, to retain in their own hands, what moneys may "be due from them severally to the province treasury, "till public tranquility be restored, and more confidence "can be reposed in the first magistrate and his council. "Voted, To postpone the consideration of the petition of "Doct. William Paine, respecting the establishment of "a hospital for the small pox, to the adjournment of this "meeting.
"Voted, That each member will purchase at least two "pounds of powder in addition to any he may have on "hand, and will use all his exertions to supply his neighbors "fully.
"Voted, That the members and delegates endeavor to "ascertain what number of guns are deficient to arm the "people in case of invasion."
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Town House NORTH BROOKFIELD, MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTH
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On September 6th, a convention met at the house of Mr. Timothy Bigelow. It was "Voted, As the opinion of this "convention, that the court should not sit on any terms. " Voted, That the several committees inform the people "of their respective towns, of this vote of the convention, "and, that they choose one man from each company, as a "committee to wait on the judges to inform them of the "resolution to stop the courts sitting, if the people concur "therein.
"Voted, That the body of the people in this county "now in town, assemble on the common.
" Voted, To choose a committee of three persons to "inquire of the committees of the towns, how long it will "be before they make the determination of the body of the "people respecting the courts, known to the judges, and "to inform the convention thereof.
" Voted, To adjourn to the green beyond Mr. Salisbury's, "where the convention proceeded.
"Voted, That a committee of three, viz .: Capt. Man- "dell, Deacon Rawson, and Mr. Samuel Jennison, be a "committee to inform the grand jurors of the determina- "tion of the county as to the courts being held.
"Voted, to adjourn to the court house at two o'clock, "P. M.
" Afternoon.
"Met according to adjournment, and again adjourned "to the green, to attend the body of the people.
"Voted, To choose a committee of three persons to "proceed to wait on the committees of the towns, to inquire "the occasion of the delay of the judges in making their "appearance before the body of the people.
"Voted, That three persons be chosen a committee, to "acquaint John Chandler, Esq., and the other protesters, "that they must follow after the judges through the ranges "of the body of the people; that they go immediately "after the judges, and read their recantations."
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At that time, the people from Brookfield, New Braintree and other towns of the county, to the number of about six thousand, had assembled on the green. The town companies were under officers of their own election and marched in military order. The people then formed in two lines and the royalists, justices and other officers were forced to pass between them, stopping at intervals to read the following declaration :
"Worcester, Sept. 6, 1774.
"Worcester, ss. The justices of the inferior court, and "justices of the court of general sesssions of the peace, "for the county of Worcester, to the people of the county, "now assembled at Worcester:
"Gentlemen :- You having desired, and even insisted "upon it, that all judicial proceedings be stayed by the "justices of the court appointed this day, by law, to be "held at Worcester, within and for the county of Worces- "ter, on account of the unconstitutional act of the British "parliament, respecting the administration of justice in "this province, which, if effected, will reduce the inhabi- "tants thereof to mere arbitrary power; we do assure you, "that we will stay all such judicial proceedings of said courts, "and will not endeavor to put said act into execution."
The protestors, who were forty-three royalists of Wor- cester, had persuaded the town clerk to enter on its records their protests to some of the previous resolutions. At a subsequent meeting, the clerk was obliged to obliterate this entry. After he had drawn his pen through the line and it was found that they could still be read, his fingers were dipped in the ink-pot and rubbed over the page until it became absolutely illegible. At the meeting on the green, the convention further "Voted, That it be recommended to "the military officers in this county, that they resign their "commissions to the colonels of the respective regiments. " Voted, That the field officers resign their offices, and "publish resignations in all the Boston newspapers.
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" Voted, That it be recommended to the several towns of "the county, to choose proper officers for the military of "the town, and a sufficient number.
"Voted, That it be recommended to the several towns "and districts of this county, that they provide themselves, "immediately, with one or more field pieces, mounted "and fitted for use; and also a sufficient quantity of ammu- "nition for the same; and that the officers appoint a "suitable number of men, out of their respective com- "panies, to manage said field pieces.
"Voted, To take notice of those justices of the inferior "court of common pleas and general sessions of the peace "of this county, who aspersed the people in a late address "to Gov. Gage." * * * *
"Voted, That it be recommended to the officers of each "company of the people assembled, to keep good order; "enjoin it on their men not to do the least damage to any "persons' property; but to march quietly home: and "that the convention have nothing further to lay before "them.
"Voted, That Deacon Rawson, Mr. Asa Whitcomb, and "Doct. Crosby, be a committee to wait on a number of "justices, to give them an opportunity to sign the decla- "ration, which has been signed by the justices and officers "of the inferior court."
On September 7th, a number of judges were brought before the convention and made to sign the following declar- ation: "Whereas the committees in convention have ex- "pressed their uneasiness to a number of the justices of "the common pleas and general sessions, now present in "the convention, who, in an address to Governor Gage, "at their session in June last, aspersed the people of this "county; those justices, in the presence of the convention, "frankly declare that they precipitately entered into the "measure; they are sorry for it; and they disclaim an
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"intention to injure the character of any; and were the "same measure again proposed they should reject it."
On September 8th, a meeting of the blacksmiths of the county, to the number of forty-three, was held. They formed and subscribed resolutions, saying that they "sol- "emnly covenant, agree and engage to and with each "other, that from and after the first day of December, "1774, we will not, according to the best of our knowledge, "any or either of us, nor any person by our directions, "order or approbation, for or under any or either of us, "do or perform, any blacksmith's work, or business of any "kind whatever, for any person or persons whom we esteem "enemies to this country, commonly known by the name "of tories, viz .: all councillors in this province appointed "by mandamus, who have not publicly resigned said office, "also every person who addressed Governor Hutchinson "on his departure from this province, who has not publicly "recanted; also every officer exercising authority by virtue "of any commission tending to carry any of the late op- "pressive acts of parliament into execution in America: "and, in particular, we will not do any work for Timothy "Ruggles of Hardwick, John Murray of Rutland, and "James Putnam of Worcester, Esquires: nor for any person "or persons cultivating, tilling, improving, dressing, hiring, "or occupying any of their lands or tenements. Also, we "agree to refuse our work of every kind, as aforesaid, to "all and every person or persons who shall not have signed "the non-consumption agreement, or have entered into a "similar contract or engagement, or that shall not strictly "conform to the association or covenant agreed upon and "signed by the Continental Congress lately convened at "Philadelphia."
The first pastor of the Second Precinct of Brookfield, Eli Forbes, whose former name was Forbush, was, to say the least, too lukewarm in his patriotism. Some of his parish- ioners hooted him as a tory, threw stones at his chair and one
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night, left a pot of tar and a bag of feathers upon his door- steps. He took the hint and resigned.
On September 21st, the county convention "Resolved, "That as the ordinary courts of justice will be stayed, in "consequence of the late arbitrary and oppressive acts " of the British parliament, we would earnestly recommend "to every inhabitant of this county, to pay his just debts, "as soon as possible, without any dispute or litigation, "'and if any disputes concerning debts or trespasses should "arise, which cannot be settled by the parties, we recom- "mend it to them to submit all such causes to arbitration; "and if the parties, or either of them, shall refuse to do so, "they ought to be considered as co-operating with the "enemies of the country."
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