The Boston news-letter, and city record, Part 50

Author: Bowen, Abel, 1790-1850
Publication date: 1825
Publisher: [Boston] : Abel Bowen
Number of Pages: 850

USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The Boston news-letter, and city record > Part 50

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In Lexington, however, it has always been known, asserted, and attested by oath, when necessary, ever since 1775, not only by every surviving mem- ber of the company, but by every spectator pres-

at the expense of the State, on the spot where most of the sufferers fell.

'The monument is of white or what is called Chelmsford granite, 20 feet in height, and stands near the spot where the sufferers fell.

ent, of whom there were forty or fifty in the tav- ern or in the neighbourhood, that the fire was re- turned by the Americans ; if it killed nobody, it was their misfortune, and a bad shot, which they probably mended in the afternoon. Lexington not only fought alone in the morning, 60 against 800, but the arms of her citizens were nerved with revenge as well as patriotism, during the remain- der of the day, whilst the British were returning, the whole route to Boston. If we even allowed all these writers pretend, still it could not be called Concord battle. Not more than eight or ten men were killed in that town ; we have accounts of only two, killed at the North bridge, The greatest slaughter of the British took place, it is said, while they were on the retrograde, sweating with oil and blood, for thice or four miles through the woody defiles in Lincoln and the upper part of Lexington, and again when their flanking par- ties were intercepted in Cambridge by one or two companies from Danvers. Probably 50 or 100 were killed in Lexing on alone, during their re- turn.

It is desirable that every fact on these minor points should be brought to light for the benefit of future historians, and that Concord should have ber due share of merit ; but the principal fact, the slaughter of the patriots, over whose manes the legislature have erected a monument, is cer- tainly established, and is the only one of moment. The fact of the Americans returning the second fire of the British is as well authenticated as the death of these men; but its importance is com- pletely merged in the principal fact, the great consummating cause of American freedom. There seems to be a ' longing desire' in some of the citi- zens of Concord, at the present moment, to pervert or misrepresent these well-known facts ; and an- other generation, if we go on in doubting, may have scruples hereafter, whether any American or British blood was spilt in the ' affray.' The bios- rapher of Washington, (Marshall) who compiled bis work from Washington's papers, says the fir- ing was returned. Gordon, in his letter to Eng- land, says the same. We have consulted no other authorities, but believe they all agree on this point.

We have never seen the newspaper remarks of the Concord writers, nor,after understanding theit scope and bearing, is it necessary ; they have tak- en ground totally untenable, totally irrelevant to the main question, and they cannot transfer the ' budding honours' of Lexington to their own heads, the only object they have in view. They have endeavoured to pilfer from ber her well- carned fame, the attempt has met (and very de- servedly) with universal disapprobation. The facts are too well known to living witnesses to be invalidated by anonymous slander,

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202

THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,

INSCRIPTION ON THE MONUMENT.

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Sacred to Liberty and the Rights of Mankind ! The Freedom and Independence of America, Sealed and defended by the Blood of her Sons, This monument is erected By the Inhabitants of Lexington, Under the Patronage and at the Expense of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, To the Memory of their Fellow-Citizens, Ensign Robert Munroe, and Messrs. Jonas Parker, Samuel Hadley, Jonathan Ilarrington, jun. Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Harrington, and John Brown Of Lexington, and Asahel Porter of Woburn, Who fell, on this Field, the first Victims to the Sword of British Tyranny and Oppression, In the cause of God and their Country,* On the morning of the ever-memorable Nineteenth of April, An. Dom. 1775, The Die was cast ! The blood of these Martyrs Was the Cen,ent of the Union of these States, then Colonies ; and gave the Spring to the Spirit, Firmness, And Resolution of their Fellow-Citizens. They rose as one Man to revenge their Brethren's Blood, and at the Point of the Sword to assert and Defend their native Rights. They nobly dared to be free! The contest was long, bloody, and affecting, Righteous Heaven approved the solemn Appeal. Victory crowned their arms : and The Peace, Liberty, and Independence of the United States of America was their Glorious Reward.

* The above inscription is copied from the original tablet, and was written by the patriotic Jonas Clarke, the minister of Lexington. On the new tablet, however, this line, the most forcible in the in- scription, is omitted. If it is a blander of the engraver, we would recommend to our Lexington friends, when they procure a new tablet, to employ Mr Cary, stone-cutter, of this city, who, to the skill and taste of the artist adds the correctness of the scholar.

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AND CITY RECORD, JUNE 10, 1826.

The wounded, in the morning, were Jedediah Munroe, Thomas Winship, Nath'l Farmer, John Robbins, Solomon Pierce, John Fidd, Joseph Comec, Eb- enezer Munroe Jr. Jacob Bacon, and Prince, a negro. In the afternoon, as the British were returning from Con- cord, Jedediah Munroe, John Rav- mond, and Nathaniel Wyman were killed, and Francis Brown was wound- ed severely by a ball passing through his head ; he commanded the Lexing- ton company, however, two years af- terwards, and lived many years.

During the whole of this day the houses on the great road in Lexington were deserted ; the women and chil- dren had fled to the woods, or to the neighbouring towns at a distance from the Concord road. During the British retreat or flight from Concord to half a mile below Lexington meetinghouse, they had but little time to destroy fur- niture, &c. in these deserted houses ; but now that they deemed themselves in comparative security, the work of destruction was prosecuted with perse- vering malice. The regulars became very irregular. Their rage and re- venge knew no bounds. 'Clothing, furniture, provisions and goods were plundered, broken, carried off, or de- stroved. Buildings, (especially dwel- ling houses) were defaced, battered, shattered, their windows broken, and as if this had not been enough, num- bers of them were doomed to the flames. Three dwelling houses, two shops, and a barn were laid in ashes in less than a mile and a half below Lex- ington meetinghouse. Many others were set on fire, in this town, Mino- timi (West Cambridge) &c. and must have shared the same fate, had not the close pursuit of the militia prevented, and the flames been quenched.' A clock in one house stood unhurt, amid the universal wreck of furniture.

In supposing that they were perfect- ly secure, after being joined by Lord Percy's brigade, however, the British had counted without their host. No sooner were they in motion, but our men renewed the pursuit with the same ardor as before, and the fir-

ing continued, with little intermission, to the close of the day, when the reg- ulars crossed Charlestown neck, and during the night were conveyed in boats across Charles River to Boston.

The loss of the Americans, during the whole day, was 49 killed. 34 wounded ; the British loss, in killed, wounded. and missing, about 300.

In concluding this imperfect sketch of the occurrences of the 19th April, 1775, in Lexington, we would remark such was the enthusiasm and love of country throughout New England at that time, that we believe the same or similar opposition would have been manifested wherever the enemy had struck the first hostile blow. The pe- culiar meed, due to Lexington, there- fore. is, that her soil, under the dispen- sation of Providence, was the chosen altar, on which (if we may be allowed to compare earthly with sacred things) the firstlings of the American flock were offered a sacrifice which propitia- ted the nation ; after this event therc was comparatively but one mind, and one purpose ; even those who doubted of success were willing to avenge in- nocent blood. Her sons were the cho- sen but humble instruments, under Heaven, of bringing into collision with the_ power and resources of Britain, the nerve and talent and persevering firmness of United America. ' What is well begun is half accomplished ;' no concurrence of circumstances, nothing that skill could manage, could have been more fortunate for our cause, or placed our country on better ground than the occurrences of this day. The spirit and patriotism of the yeomanry of Middlesex were more than a match for the discipline of the British, and encouraged a simultane- ous rising through the land, and the final expulsion of their foe.

TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. There are two establishments in this town for the manufacture of muffs, tippets, fur caps, mocassins, fur borders, gloves, &c. employing more than 50 females and about half as many males. Considerable quantities of shoes and boots are manufactured for the Boston

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THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,

and southern markets. There is one cigar factory ; six West India goods and two English goods stores ; four smitheries ; one chaise and harness factory, two or three wheelwrights, &c. &c.

At the falls, S. E. where the great meadows disembogue, there is a grist mill, a malting establishment, house for curing bacon, &c.

Another corn mill is situated at the N. part of the town on the stream emp- tying into the Shawshin and Merrimac

A saw mill was erected in 1817, on a stream which takes its rise in the S. part of the town and empties into Charles river at Waltham.

Farming is the principal occupation.

During nine months of the year it is not an unreasonable calculation to es- timate that there are 200 gallons of milk sent daily to Boston, making 54,800 gallons in nine months. Prob- ably half that quantity is sent during the other three months, which is 9,100 gallons, making an annual total from Lexington of 63,900 gallons, a greater quantity, perhaps, than was sent 20 years ago from the whole vicinity of Boston. The vegetables sent to Boston market from this town are considerable

There is an unusual number of tav- erns in Lexington, nine, we believe, or one to every 133 inhabitants ; yet this is easily accounted for, without im- peaching the morals of its industrious inhabitants. It is the great thorough- fare to the inland counties of Massa- chusetts, New Hampshire, and Ver- mont ; not only stages stop here, but it furnishes accommodations for wag- gons loaded with produce, which, tar- rying here over night, reach Boston market the next morning ; droves of sheep and neat cattle, especially ou the Sunday, at some seasons of the year, are so numerous, that half a dozen different droves may be met in the same number of miles, on their way to Brighton, where a cattle fair is held on Mondays throughout the year. The location of Lexington favours the increase of taverns, presenting two or three great roads through the whole length of the town 5 or 54 miles. Two

of these are turnpike roads, one to the N. and the other S. and the great Concord road runs between them, giv- ing 12 or 15 miles of thoroughifare road. (To be continued.)

HISTORY OF LEICESTER.

From time to time we have made mention of the excellent character of the Worcester Magazine, which, for originality, vies with any periodical in the New England States. The editor, like all conductors of public journals, must subject himself to great labour, if he would sustain a purely historical publication, and then, indeed, there will be seasons, when a feeling like discouragement, will operate in a pow- erful degree. The able assistance which this work has had from those literary gentlemen in the different sec- tions of Worcester County, who have contributed those interesting memoirs of towns, which have recently been given to the public, have added much importance to the previous character of the Magazine. These remarks have been the result of our opinion, on reading the history of Leicester, in the June number, by Emory Washburn, esq. an attorney of rising eminence in the town, who is a member of the present legislature.

The article before us seems to have been written in too much haste, for which the author makes some reasona- ble apology, but the facts are no less valuable and worthy of preservation.

From this sketch, we learn that Leicester is bounded north by Paxton, east by Worcester, south-east by Ward, south by Oxford, North Gore, and Charlton. It is seven miles from the Court House in Worcester, the shire town, and forty-five miles from Boston.

POPULATION .- The population of this town has gradually increased in numbers from its settlement till the present time ; but much more rapidly of late, than at any former period, on account of the manufacturing estab- lishments, from which a large number find employment and support. We

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AND CITY RECORD, JUNE 10, 1826.

do not possess documents to ascertain || the precise number of inhabitants in the town at the different periods of its history ; nor do we deem these very important facts. At its first settlement it contained fifty families. In 1786, there were 838 inhabitants, of whom 24 were negroes. In 1810, there were 1181 ; in 1820, 1252, and, at present, the town probably contains 1500 inhabitants ; of whom, there are not more than 3 or 4 blacks .* In 1781, there were 102 effective men on the rolls of the militia companies, and 49 conditional exempts, and at present there are about 200 men borne on the rolls of these companies.

MANUFACTURES, TRADE, &c .- There are five tanneries, in which leather to the amount of $10,000 at least, is annually manufactured ; and the amount of scythes annually made here is about $2000.

The manufacture of cotton and wool machines, and hand cards, has been carried on extensively, for a much greater length of time than that of cloths. It was commenced here about the year 1785, by Mr Edmund Snow. A few cards had been made in Boston, and some other places in the United States, before they were manufactured here. We believe, that the first con- siderable establishment ever carried on for this purpose in the country, was in this town. There are ten es- tablishments for the manufacture of cards here, and more than $200,000 in value, are manufactured annually.

To facilitate the transaction of the business of the town, a Bank with a capital of $100,000 was chartered at the last session of the Legislature. It has not yet gone into operation, but

the Directors and President of the in- stitution were elected on the 26th of April, 1826, when John Clapp, esq. of Leicester, was chosen its first Presi- dent.

SCHOOLS, ACADEMY, &c .- The sum annually raised for the purpose of schooling is, at present, $600, and the compensation usually given to teach- ers has been from $10 to $20 per month to men, and from $4 to $7 per month to ladies.

Leicester possesses a valuable acad- emy, which has long received the fos- tering care of the community : it is one of the oldest academies in the State, and the character of its instruc. . tion is elevated and liberal. It was incorporated under the name of Lei- cester Academy, March 23, 1784. It owes its foundation to the generosity and public spirit of Col. Jacob Davis, and Col. Ebenezer Crafts. They pur- chased the commodious dwelling house then recently occupied by Aaron Lo- pez, and its appendages, together with an acre of land, which they conveyed to the Trustees of Leicester Academy. During the same year, (1784,) Dr. Austin Flint conveyed one hundred and twenty four square rods of land to said trustees. The town of Leicester, in its corporate capacity, gave 8500 ' consolidated securities '

The available funds of the institu- tion, exclusive of the buildings, occu- pied for the schools, was, in May, 1825, $10,655.

Among those whose names we would mention with respect, as having offici- ated as teachers in this Academy, are the Rev. Dr. Pierce, now of Brook- line, Drs. Jackson and Shattuck of Boston, Chief Justice Richardson. of New Hampshire, and Hon Timothy Foller, of Cambridge. The Late emi- Bent and lamented Bishop Dehon, of Charleston, S C. was a pier plor here in 1796 .* Mr Adams was succeeded by the late. Res. Dr. Noore.

* The population of this town includes, at pres- ent, three ministers of the Gospel, two Physicians, two Preceptors of the Academy, and two practising Counsellors and Attorneys at Law. Of the Cler- gymen, we shall hereafter speak. The Physicians are Austin and Edward Flint, the latter a son of the former. The Attorneys at Law are the Hon. Nathaniel P. Denny, who was the fist Attorney that established himself here, and Emory Wash- burn. Bradford Sumner, esq now in Boston, was in business bere, as an Attorney at Law, from 1812 till his removal to Boston, in 1320.

* Pistaup Dehon was a native of Boston, and was born Der. 8, 1776. He entered Harvard Uni- versity at the age of 14years, and graduated in 1795. The next year, though but 19 years old, he was employed in the English department of Lei-

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THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,

In 1824, a respectable philosophical apparatus was procured in London, through the agency of Rev. Dr. Prince, of Salem, by individuals of the town . of Leicester, and given to the Acad- emy.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY .- Zeph- aniah Swift Moore was employed to preach here, and, in October, 1797, was unanimously invited to become the minister of this church and society. He was ordained here, January 10, 1798, upon a salary of $400 per ann. Be continued here till October 28, 1811, when, having been appointed Professor of the Languages in Dart- mouth College, he was dismissed at his own request.

A part of his course of study prepar- atory to admission into college, he pursued at Bennington. He gradu- ated from Dartmouth College in 1793, with a high character as a scholar. He studied Divinity with Rev. Dr. Backus, of Somers, in Connecticut, He was appointed Professor of Lan- guages in Dartmouth College, in 1811, and continued there till 1815, when he received and accepted the appoint- ment of President of Williams Col- lege, in Massachusetts, where he con- tinued till his appointment of Presi- dent of Amherst Collegiate Institu- tion, which has, since his death, been chartered as a college. This appoint- ment was made in 1321, and he held the office at the time of his death, June 30, 1823. He died at the age of 52 years, leaving a wife, but no chil- dren.

There was, from 1777 till 1783, a society of Jews resident in this town. They removed here in the winter of

cester Academy, and there won the respect and esteem of every one connected with the institution. He was admitted to the order of Priest in 1800, and took charge of the Church in Newport, R. I. where he was remarkably popular and acceptable as a preacher. His ill health, in 1809, induced him to become rector of St. Michael's Church, in Charleston, S. C. In 1812, he was unanimously elected Bishop of the Diocess of South Carolina, which office be sustained till his death, August 6, 1817, when he fell a victim to the yellow fever. He died at the age of 41, and of him, it might with propriety be said, ' his epitaph should be his name alone.1

1777, from Newport, in Rhode Island, to escape from the war then raging so violently along our coast, and espec- ially threatening the devoted island upon which Newport is situated, then in possession of the enemy. There were in the whole, including servants, about seventy who removed here ; though many of the servants were not of the Jewish faith. Among the most respectable Jews, were Aaron Lopez, and four others of the name of Lopez, Jacob Revera, and Abraham Mendez. Most of them engaged immediately in trade, and Aaron Lopez, in particular, was extensively engaged. He occupi- ed, and in part built, the house after- wards occupied for the Academy. Licences to these are recorded in the town records, ' to sell Bohea and other Indian teas.' They all resided here until after the peace of 1783.

The synagogue where they wor- shipped, is now desolate and forsaken ; the grass waves luxuriantly in the court yard; and the little furniture remains, as when last used for holy service more than thirty years ago. "The church yard, in which most of this number are buried, is still preserv- ed in a state of uncommon neatness and beauty.

Besides the foregoing extracts, which might be continued to consid- erable length, there are others of equal consequence, but it would be a piece of injustice to copy too freely, and here we leave the topography of Leicester, which has done Mr Washburn substan- tial honour.

NORTH EASTERN BOUND. ARY.

At the last session of the Council and House of Assembly of the Prov- ince of New-Brunswick, an address was voted to the king, setting forth, with much apparent irritation, the conduct of the land agents of Maine and Massachusetts, who visited a ter- ritory claimed by the two states as common proprietors on the one part, and the colonial government as sole owner on the other. The right which this Commonwealth and Maine assum-

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AND CITY RECORD, JUNE 10, 1826.

ed to the jurisdiction of the immense tract which has long been in dispute, results from an article in the definitive treaty concluded in 1783, which es- tablished as the Eastern boundary of the union, a line drawn along the river St. Croix to its source, due north, to the highlands, separating the rivers flowing into the Atlantic from those streams that fall into the noble St. Lawrence ; thence to the northern- most source of the Connecticut ; and thence, by that river, to the 45th de- gree of north latitude. The Commis- sioners of the United States and Eng. land succeeded in fixing a monument at the head of the St. Croix, but from that point of departure, a difference of opinion arose, which will most mate- rially affect the pecuniary interests of Massachusetts, as it shall be decided by negociation in favour of the one party or the other. Rejecting the course of those highlands, marked on the maps as those designated by the treaty, the English insist on assuming a little elevation, called Mars hill, sit- uated far west and south of the line of demarkation claimed by the Ameri- cans ; thence turning westwardly, they would seize on the rich and fer- tile regions spread along the St. John's river, and watered by its tributaries. The right to the free navigation of this noble stream, as well as an attendant privilege of communication along the coast, would be lost by the concession of the soil.

The settlement on the Madawasca, was last year visited by the Agents of the Republican Governments, and their proceedings in relation to the inhabi- tants of this out-lot of the empire, have furnished the substance of a long rep- resentation from the guardians of the colonial authority, pouring a most lamentable tale of usurpations and wrongs into the ears of the great king beyond the waters. It was fortunate for the American Agents that they walked on the pretended territory of his Majesty under the shadow of the thick cloud of smoke ascending from the blazing forests of the East ; for we learn, by the words of the document

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The Boston news-letter, and city record, Part 50

Author: Bowen, Abel, 1790-1850 Publication date: 1825 Publisher: [Boston] : Abel Bowen Number of Pages: 850

Author: Bowen, Abel, 1790-1850
Publication date: 1825
Publisher: [Boston] : Abel Bowen
Number of Pages: 850