USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Taunton > Quarter millinnial celebration of the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4 and 5, 1889 > Part 35
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His subsequent company raised in 1779 to serve from Mar. 13 to April 15th, contained the following names :
Captain. Jacob Haskins of Taunton; Lieutenant. Abiel Macomber; Sergeants, Seth Paull, Nathaniel Snell, Perez Drake, John McSouth, Joshua Staple; Corporals, Nathaniel Dean, Edward Dean, Philip Dean, Isaac Hall; drummer, Abiel Hayward; fifer, Ebenezer Smitlı; Privates, John Burt, Elijah Briggs. George Darby, Abraham Dean, Zebedee Hackett, Joseplı Hall, Solomon McSouth, John Phillips, Abel Pain, David Padelford. Elijah Richmond, Elkanah Smith, Laban Smith, James Williams Jr., Abiel Dean, Nathan Hall, Nehemiah Leonard, Ele- zer Wilbur, Israel Jones, Zadoc Turner, Elisha Garey, Nathaniel Hall. John Bolton, Peleg Osborn, James Gilmore, John Shaw, Lemuel Briggs.
APPENDIX JJ.
[Page 61.]
One of the receipts of those days reads as follows :
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APPENDIX.
" Taunton, April 2d, 1781. Rec'd. of the Widow Elizabeth Macom- ber, Administratrix on the estate of Jno. Macomber, late of Taunton "disseased," by the Hand of Henry Hodges Twenty Two Spanish milled Dollars, also Four Hundred & Fifty paper Dollars in the old Emission in in the Lew of six silver Dollars; also Five Hundred & Twenty Five Dol- lars in the old Emission in the Lew of seven silver Dollars, which being in full of all accounts,
per Me-Job Godfrey."
And a charge on the books of one of the traders of the day reads thus:
" John McPherson Dr. to R. Caldwell. 1780. £ S.
May To 6 weeks' board 313 4
July To sundries for liquors, 9 18
Sept. 1, To 6 weeks board to this date, 313 4
To Sundries to date 15
" 4 glasses liquor 3 12
654 18
On the credit side is 3 feet of wood 15£
1 peck of corn 3£ 15 s.
The full account of the demonstrations in Taunton, by the insurgents in the Shay's rebellion, may be found in a printed eulogy on Gen. Cobb, by the Hon. Francis Baylies, delivered be- fore the Taunton Lyceum in June, 1830.
The transactions at the September term of the Court of Common Pleas were thus reported by Gen. Cobb to the Governor :
TAUNTON, September 13th, 1786.
Sir: I have the honor of informing your Excellency that the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace sett yesterday at the Court House in this town. The detachments of militia from the Brigades of Plymouth and Bristol which had been ordered out agree- ably to your Excellency's directions of the 2d inst., and at the request of the sheriff of this county, had arrived at this place previous to the re- ceipt of your Excellency's letter of the 11th directed to Mr. Sheriff Leonard. As the militia were here and in possession of the Court House, and happily in numbers sufficient to support the civil authority in the execution of duty, and as very large numbers of people were as- sembled, many of whom were in arms, and all determined wickedly to
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
oppose the authority of the government, it was thought prudent and necessary by the sheriff and court that the troops should continue to protect them in their present session. But as general clamor and dis- content has pervaded this part of the commonwealth, and as the court was now convened at the time and place appointed by law, in which the honor and dignity of government was completely supported, they con- ceived it to be their duty to have some regard to the alarming disturb- ances of the present day and accordingly adjourned the business of this session to the 2d Tuesday of December next. This measure, I am sure, gives great satisfaction to the friends as well as the enemies of govern- ment here, and I hope will meet your Excellency's approbation. The mob shouted "a generous concession on the part of authority," and the militia retired in great order with the thanks of government for their generous firmness on this occasion. I have the honor to be with great esteem and respect, your Excellency's most obedient servant.
DAVID COBB.
His Excellency Governor Bowdoin.
The tradition among the members of the Cobb family, still living, is that on the morning of Sept. 13, 1786, the mob assem- bled in front of the Court House with guns, clubs, &c., and when noisy and clamorous for the adjournment of the Court, Gen. Cobb addressed them in these words: "Away with your whining, and disperse." Not heeding his admonition Gen. Cobb left the Court House and went to his brother Jonathan's house, where his regi- mentals were kept, and having put them on, ordered his horse brought to the door, and as he passed out to mount, his brother Jonathan said, "David, what in - are you going to do with your regimentals?" "I expect trouble," said he, "with that Shay's crowd, and am determined to sit as a Judge, or die as a General." He then sent his wife and children into the cellar for protection from the mob, mounted his horse and rode out to what he expected might be a bloody conflict.
Gen. Cobb's account of the affair at the October term of the Supreme Court may be found in another letter to Gov. Bowdoin, as follows :
TAUNTON, Oct. 30, 1786.
Sir :- As the Hon. Supreme Court returned immediately from this town to Boston, Your Excellency must have been informed of the suc- cessful protection that government received here from the militia of this
415
APPENDIX.
division. This information with disbanding the troops and other conse- quent attention will, I hope, pardon my omission of any earlier commu- nication.
On Sunday evening preceding the sitting of the court, I took posses- sion of the court house and the piece of artillery here with a small com- pany of volunteers of this town. On Monday morning this company was greatly increased in number, and in the afternoon of the same day, were reinforced by the two full companies of militia from the faithful town of Raynham and a small company of volunteers from Reliobotlı.
Lieut .- Col. Orr, with a detachment from the 3rd Regiment of the Plymouth Brigade, arrived in the evening at the meeting house in this town. This body by the active and spirited exertions of the comman- der came to my assistance much sooner than was expected.
The leaders of the insurgents, during the day, were traversing the county to collect their force and frequently threatening that through slaughter they would possess themselves of the court house this night. This gave me no uneasiness as I was secure of my numbers and knew theirs to be trifling. But during the night and on Tuesday morning a report prevailed that a large number were coming from the county of Worcester to join the disaffected here. As it was possible this report might be true, I thought it prudent to call on three companies .of the adjoining militia to re-enforce by Wednesday morning. This day the insurgents collected their force and took up a rendezvous within a mile and a half of this place, but finding their numbers insufficient for an attack they dispersed at sunset with orders to assemble at the same place on the following morning. Their leaders in the course of the night were to ransack all parts of the county so as to collect every possible addition to their force. Their numbers at this time were ninety-eight in arms and forty-three without.
On Wednesday forenoon those companies of militia that had been ordered the preceding day, joined ine; these with what were on the ground before made the government troops 375, rank and file.
About 10 o'clock, being informed that the insurgents were on their march, I ordered the following disposition of troops, viz.
Lieut .- Colonel Orr with part of his detachment on the right-the two companies from Raynham on the left,-the Field piece with its company of volunteers in the centre,-composed the front line. The re- mainder of Col. Orr's detachment with the Rehoboth troops and two companies of militia formed the rear line. The other company of militia was posted at the door of the court house. Soon after this order was completed the insugrents came on the Green with military parade, and with more insolence than force formed their line directly in front of mine, and not more than thirty yards distant. Their numbers were one hundred forty-eight in arms, including officers, and thirty-four without
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
arms. The fear and rage with which they had alarmed the county for some days past, appeared to have vanished, and the sight of government in force made them as peaceable a set of rioters as ever with so much im- pudence advanced so near their enemy.
They continued in the same situation almost three hours, and after presenting a petition to the Supreme Court and receiving their answer, they retired in the same manner they came on. Their commander wish- ing me a good night, as he went off the field, and promised to return the next day with petitions that would be more agreeable to the Honorable Court, but before they had marched a mile, he dismissed them from any further service.
Although the insurgents were dispersed yet I conceived it necessary to continue the troops during the morning session of the court, and accordingly they were not discharged until Friday noon.
The behavior of both officers and men during their continuance here, would have done honor to much older troops. They retired from the town without the least injury to persons or property. Some of the militia that were called upon on this occasion, turned out with alacrity and spirit,-but the exertions of the little town of Raynham deserves every praise from government.
These proceedings will, I hope, meet the approbation of your excel- lency and the Honorable General Assembly. I have the honor to be with great esteem and respect, your excellency's most humble servant,
DAVID COBB.
To His Excellency Governor Bowdoin.
The following extracts from the newspapers of that period, throw some light upon the occurrences at Taunton, alluded to in the Address :
[Mass. Gazette, Oct. 27, 1786,]
Order, on the probability of attempts being made to stop the sitting of the Supreme Judicial Court at Taunton.
On Saturday an order passed appointing a committee of both Houses, to wait on the Governor, to inform him, that information having been given, that there was a degree of probability, that some attempts might be made to prevent the sitting of the Supreme Judicial Court in Taunton on the next Tuesday, although the Legislature entertained full confidence that his Excellency exercise that authority on this occasion, with which the constitution had vested him, yet that they could not forbear expressing their desire, that he would immediately give the most serious attention to the subject.
On Monday, his Excellency sent a message to both Houses, acquaint- ing them of his proceedings upon this subject, which gave rise to an-
417
APPENDIX.
other committee of both Houses who were instructed to thank his Excel- lency for the intelligence he had been pleased to communicate to the Court, respecting the measures he had taken to support the Supreme Ju- dicial Court, at their session in the County of Bristol; and to assure his Excellency, that the General Court, in the earliest part of their session, did bear their faithful testimony against the late outrageous proceedings in several counties within this Commonwealth; and did express their high satisfaction in the measures which his Excellency had taken to sup- press the same, and their firm resolution to support the constitutional authority of the government; and at the same time enquire into and re- dress all real grievances; and did also resolve, that compensation should be made to such officers and soldiers of the militia as appeared in pur- suance of his Excellency's order for the purpose above mentioned, and that like compensation should be made for such of the said officers and soldiers as might hereafter be called fortlı upon similar occasions. And the said committee were further instructed to assure his Excellency, that the General Court would always, on such and other occasions, afford the Supreme Executive, all that aid which should be incumbent on them, in their own department, fully confiding that his Excellency would still persevere in the exercise of such powers as were vested in him by our excellent constitution, for enforcing due obedience to the authority and laws of government, and for preventing any attempts to interrupt the administration of law and justice for the future, upon which the peace and safety of the Commonwealth, in the opinion of the Court, immedi- ately depended. And the committee were further instructed to acquaint his Excellency, that it was the earnest desire of the General Court, that immediate measures might be taken for the support of the Supreme Judicial Court to be holden by law within the county of Middlesex the ensuing week.
[The Centinel, Oct. 28, 1786.]
A gentleman from Taunton acquaints us, that the Supreme Judicial Court opened at that place on Tuesday last, without molestation ;- Gen. Cobb, having previously posted near the Court House about 300 militia, for their protection ;- That "the mob" (as says the gentleman, the in- surgents are called in every place he came through) amounting to about 130 armed with muskets, and about 50 with sticks, assembled on Tues- day, and on Wednesday marched over to the Green near the Court House. Gen. Cobb had his men drawn up to receive them, with a field piece in front, and a corps de reserve at a distance in the rear, and might, as he assured our informant, have made the whole body his prisoners: but they not appearing solicitous for coercive measures, were permitted to stay on the Green, during which time, a David Valentine, of Freetown, drew up, signed and presented to the Court, in "behalf of the County," as he expressed it, a memorial, requesting that all civil actions might be
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
continued to the next term and several other matters which fully desig- nated his ignorance and folly, but his Honor the Chief Judge, question- ing him, on the propriety of his appearing "in behalf of the county," when the county had sent a Grand Jury, and two full Petit Juries to try cases, he thought it advisable to decamp from the Court House and re- join his party, who on hearing his story, returned to their several homes, lamenting their gullibility, and convinced of the folly of their enter- prise.
[Mass. Gazette, Nov. 17, 1786.]
Boston, Nov. 17, 1786.
The following paragraph contains particulars of the transactions at Taunton, during the late sessions of the Supreme Judicial Court, at that place, which we have not yet published.
On Sunday, previous to the sitting of the Supreme Judicial Court at Taunton, Gen. Cobb received information that the mob intended oppo- sition. In consequence of this, the night following, lie directed fifteen or twenty men to take possession of the Court House, and secure the field piece. Also, called upon the same militia, who had so effectually supported the Court of Common Pleas, to make their appearance once more on the present occasion. They arrived in season, and consisted of two or three companies from Bridgewater, under the command of Col. Orr; two companies from Raynham-a town celebrated for its unani- mous attachment to government, led on by their Captains Hall and Washburn ;- a spirited Volunteer company from Rehoboth, headed by Lieutenants Peake and Carpenter ;- and a Volunteer Company from Taunton, under Captain Williams. The mob assembled on Tuesday, but under such apprehension, they did not choose to approach nearer than a mile and a half of the scene of action. Pearse, one of their leaders re- turned in the evening, advising the rest before he withdrew to disperse; telling them he had been deceived relative to the disposition of the county, and if they persisted, it would certainly terminate in disgrace. How- ever, a David Valentine, who pretended to the principal command, had influence enough to prevent this; and sent into every town of the county, and other towns adjacent, for a reinforcement. On Wednesday about two o'clock in the afternoon, they ventured to show themselves on the green, in front of the militia, under the command of Valentine. Their numbers were 144 armed, and about 36 unarmed. The militia at this time were reinforced by a large company from the south of Taunton, under Capt. Townsend, and two companies from Dighton, under Cap- tains Walker and Talbot. The mob appeared to have an inclination to march into the rear of the militia; but the bayonets which were ready to receive them, and charging the field piece in their sight, soon brought them to their senses; and they retreated to a proper distance. They had
1
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APPENDIX.
foolishly imagined that some of the militia would join them; but instead of that, some of their own party withdrew and went over to the militia. Valentine then asked permission to wait on the Court, which was granted. He then presented a petition, signed only by himself, in be- half of the county of Bristol, that all civil actions might be continued to the next term. He no sooner presented this, than he was seized with a panic, and discovered an inclination to withdraw without an answer. But his Honor, the Chief Justice, called after him, stop man, with an au- thority that occasioned his instant return. He was then reprimanded for his folly and presumption, in such a manner, that he has since con- fessed he shrunk into nothing, and seemed to himself dropping through the floor of the Court House, which would have been a relief to him had it taken place.
He after this joined his party, and sometime in the evening they all dispersed, and were heard of no more. The militia were not dismissed until Friday in the afternoon, when the business of the Court was over. They justly derived to themselves great honor and applause for their order, regularity and firmness. They one and all acted from principle- from a thorough conviction that they were securing the good and happi- ness of their country ;- and held the mob in such detestation, that they solemnly declared, if the national vengeance slumbered on, and did not reach them in a constitutional way, they themselves would execute it, and in that complete and exemplary manner, that very few hereafter in the county of Bristol would be disposed to disturb the common peace, and thus daringly insult the majesty of the people.
[The Centinel, Dec. 23, 1786.]
We have the pleasure of informing our readers, that the spirit of op- position to government, in the county of Bristol, has very much abated -The Court of Sessions set there the 19th inst, without any opposition. The vast quantity of snow on the ground, prevented two of the Justices of the Common Pleas from attending-the other two, who were present, adjourned the Court by Proclamation.
It is a common remark, that the people in that county were never known to be so industrious in agriculture as they have been the last sum- mer-they had a very fine season for everything but cider-their store- houses are consequently well filled-their cider barrels empty. They are now busily engaged in nail making -- no less than 300 are said to be daily employed in that business in the town of Taunton, besides nearly as many more in preparing the coal and rods-They in general support their families from week to week by their labor; their earnings in the summer are consequently saved for the payment of their debts or in- crease of their estates-Would the three western counties engage in some similar employment, they would soon be contented at home, and be happy under the present government-In a country like this, with the constitution and laws of Massachusetts, an honest, industrious people will never be poor, discontented or rebellious.
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
APPENDIX KK.
[Page 68.]
The manufacturing interests of Taunton, at the beginning of this century appear in the following objections to a bridge being built across Taunton Great River below the Weir bridge, drawn up by Taunton people for the Legislature of 1800-1 :
"First. There are sixteen coasting vessels owned and employed above the place where the said bridge is intended to be built, drawing from six to seven and a half feet of water, ten of which pass and repass to Providence, Bedford, etc., twenty-five times each year at least; the other six pass and repass to and from New York, Philadelphia, Connect- icut, New Jersey, etc. at least eight times each a year, freighted wholly with the manufactures of Taunton and the neighboring towns about, and generally bringing back raw materials and grain, making in the whole five hundred and ninety-six times the said vessels will have to pass said bridge in a year, being a damage to the voyages of the smaller vessels of at least twelve shillings, and of the larger vessels of at least twenty-four shillings each time they have to pass said bridge, amount- ing to four hundred and five pounds four shillings a year.
Secondly. As there are three difficult, rocky and dangerous places to pass above and below the place said bridge is to stand, unless at slack water, by reason of the rapidity of the current, from five to fifteen min- utes detention would render it unsafe attempting to pass said places, by which detention they would frequently lose a fair wind, and be de- tained several days; besides, the said vessels now pass up and down at all times of the night, which they could not do if said bridge is built, to their great damage. There are also frequently vessels passing up and down that are not owned in the river.
Thirdly. That there are at least three millions of bricks made in Taunton a year, nearly all of them transported down said river, which business gives employment to a large number of men and teams, and which must be stopped if there is any additional expense in getting the bricks to market.
Fourthly. That there are manufactured in Taunton and vicinity eight hundred tons of iron-ware at least, the furnaces at which it is made depending in a great measure upon ore freighted up Taunton River, and that there are seven hundred tons of bar-iron slit and rolled in Taunton and made into nails, shovels, etc., giving employment to a large number of men, the greater part of said manufactures being car- ried down said river, the vessels engaged in the business bringing back corn and provisions to supply the workmen employed, and we believe
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APPENDIX.
that if there is any further obstruction to the navigation of said river the said business will eventually be destroyed.
Fifthly. We believe that a bridge across said river will be of no considerable advantage to the public, as there is no considerable place of business on the river below Taunton, and but very few people cross the ferries, at one of which not a mile below where it is intended to build said bridge, does not bring into the ferryman more than six or seven younds a year, and the other ferry, about two miles below where the said bridge is intended to be built, does not more than pay the ex- pense of boat and tender."
APPENDIX LL.
[Page 71.]
The following tables show the population and valuation of Taunton at various periods, from 1775 to 1889 :
A. D. Population.
A. D. Valuation.
Colonial Census, 1775- 2,735 6. 1776- 3,259 1790- 3,804 1800- 3,860
1784-£3743-14s. 1791-£5433-5s. 5d.
1801- $26,069
1811- 29,598
1821- 42,326
U. S. Census,
1810- 3,907 1820- 4,520 1830- 6,042
1841- 2,260,401
1851- 3.701,472
1861- 7,937,007
State Census,
1870-15,002,099
U. S.
1860-15,376
1880-15,218,848
State
1865-16,005
1887-17,291,740
State
1875-20,445
U. S.
1880-21,213
State
1885-23,674
Estimated
1889-25,000 to 30,000
1889-About $19,000,000, includ- ing the property taxed by the State.
U. S.
1870-18,629
1831- 1,450,323
1840- 7,645
[ 1850-10,441 1855-13,750
ERRATA.
Page 39, line four from top, strike out I after days, and sub- stitute I for 2 in line seven.
Page 39, line thirteen from top, add 2 after the words "might coake him "
Page 70, line eighteen from top, strike out after vastness, the words, "the product of " and in next line insert "our city's " after the word hum.
Page 140, line seven from bottom, read keeps for lets.
Page 233, Appendix A for Walluspaquin read Wattuspaquin. Page 259, line fourteen from bottom, for "1669" read "1689." Page 263, line twelve from top, strike out "of" before "other." Page 287, line two from top, for 1618 read 1681.
Page 324, for John Winthrope read John Winthorpe,
Page 399, line six from top, for Elisha Banney read Elisha Barney.
NOTE BY THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION.
The variation in the spelling of names in different parts of this book may call for a word of explanation. The names of Pole and Hook, for example, in the 17th century are Poole and Hooke in later times. The same variation appears in many other names.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
1. TAUNTON GREEN, 1786, Frontispiece
2. TAUNTON GREEN, 1889, . Opp. p. 25
3. NECK OF LAND, A Business Centre in the Olden Time, Opp. p. 95
4. OLD ANCHOR FORGE, Site of First Iron Works,.
5. MORTON HOSPITAL, former residence of Gov. Morton, Opp. p. 102
6. CITY HALL, .
7. PROCESSION passing through Main street, . Opp. p. 176
8. DIGHTON ROCK, First approach of Civilization,
9. COHANNET, The Land of Snow, Opp. p. 179
10. ELIZABETH POOLE MAKING HER PURCHASE, (As represented on the City Seal.) Opp. p. 183
11. CAPT. CHURCH AT ANAWAN'S ROCK, ..
12. MODEL OF LEONARD HOUSE, in Raynham, . Opp. p. 187
13. PURITAN PARSON, Leader of his people, .
14. CHURCH OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY, . Opp. p. 189
15. HISTORICAL HALL,
16. ANCIENT LEONARD MANSION, "House of Seven Gables,' 17. OLD GAMBREL ROOFED HOUSE, Opp. p. 223 (Opposite the Ancient Iron Works.)
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Prefatory Notice of the Committee of City Government.
Page. 3
Committees of City Government, 1886-89, 4
City Government, 1889,. 5
Note of Committee on Publication, 6
Introductory Notice, 7-14
Officers of the Day and Joint General Committee, 15
Sub-Committees, 16-23
Proceedings in Music Hall : Scripture Reading and Prayer by Rev. S. Hopkins Emery, 25-27
Address by Hon. Richard Henry Hall,. 27-29
Historical Address by Hon. Edmund H. Bennett, 29-77 Poem by Henry W. Colby, Esq., 77-94
Benediction by Rev. Charles H. Learoyd, 94
The Banquet in Agricultural Hall:
Invocation by Rev. John P. Forbes, 95
Introductory Address by Mayor Hall,. 96
First Sentiment of Judge Fox, the Toastmaster, .. 96
Letters from President Harrison and Vice-President Morton, .. 97-98
Address of Governor Oliver Ames, 98-99
Address of Chief Justice Marcus Morton, 100-102
Address of Rev. Dr. Henry M. Dexter, 103-108
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QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Address of Rev. Dr. George E. Ellis, . 108-110
Letter from the Mayor of Taunton, England, 110-111
Address of Hon. Josiah H. Drummond, 112-117
Address of Hon. Robert Treat Paine, 117-120
Address of Hon. Edmund H. Bennett, 121
Poem by Miss Mary E. N. Hatheway 121-122
Address of Rev. S. Hopkins Emery,. 123-125
Address of Hon. William W. Crapo,. 125-127
Address of Capt. George A. Washburn,.
128-131
Address of Hon. William E. Fuller,
131-133
Address of Hon. Hugh O'Brien,
134-135
Address of Hon. William Reed, Jr., 135-136
Address of Hon. H. W. Ladd, Governor of Rhode Island, 136-137
Address of Hon. Elijah A. Morse,. 137-139
Address of George A. Shove, Esq., 139-142
Festival Ode, by Mrs. E. S. Deane, 144-145
Music by Mr. George W. Dean,
Anniversary Hymn, by Mrs. E. S. Deane, 146-150 Music by Mrs. Annie M. (Soule) Lewis,
Invited Guests of the City, 151-153
Letters from invited guests, 154-166
Correspondence with Taunton, England, 166-172
Reception and Ball, 173-175
The Grand Procession, on the second day, 176-188
Donation and Loan Exhibition in Historical Hall, 189-222
Memorial Tablets, 223-232
Appendix, 233-421
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