USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 38
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The collision between the British troops and the inhabitants of Boston, on the 5th of March, 1770, was the signal for renewed manifestations of determined resistance to the odious laws; and a meeting of this town was soon after called, to consider what course should be pursued by the inhabi- tants in the critical emergency. The following is a copy of the whole record of the meeting : -
" At a Legall Town Meeting In Haverhill on April 9 : 1770 warned by the Constable by virtue of a warrant received from the Selectmen for his so doing &c:
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Istly To see if the Town will vote something respecting the importers or the Importing British Goods Contrary to the agreement of marchents In General or with respect to the late resolve about them :
2dly To see if the Town will vote something with respect to those who shall or may purchest such Goods or promote the bringing them Into this Town or what they will otherwise Resolve :
3dly To see if the Town will Chuse a Committee to see that all Salu- tary Resovles and agreements about such Goods be Duly observed and to give notice and Expose all such persons who shall violate them."
Mr. Nathaniel Walker was chosen Moderator.
" Voted, That we will by all Lawfull ways & means Exert ourselves and Expose to shame & Contempt all persons who shall offer to make sale of British Goods Imported Conterary to the agreement of marchents or that shall purchase such Goods In this Town or be aiding or assisting to bring them Into it, till a General Importation of such Goods shall take place and that all persons who shall violate or Counter act this vote and resolve shall be rendered Incapable of being Chosen to any office of proffit or Honouer in this Town.
Voted, That Messrs Thomas West, Deac John Ayer, Capt William Greenleaf, Nathaniel Peaslec Sargent Esq, Nathaniel Walker, John Young, and James Carr, be a Committee to Inspect and see that all salutary re- solves and agreements with respect to such Goods be Duly obsarved and to Give Notice & Expose all who shall violate them ; that their names may be remembered with Infamy ; and to have the Custety and keeping of all such goods stored dureing said Term.
Voted the thanks of this Town to the truly patriotic marchants who have acted with firm resolutions for preventing the Importation of British goods for the good of their Country tho much to their private loss and to the Town of Boston and the several Towns In this province & Else whare which have by their spirited resolves prevented the sale of British Goods lately Imported In the principle Towns & places in the Colonies.
Voted that the proceedings of this meeting shall be published in one or more of the public news papers.
The Moderator dismissed the meeting."
Such thorough and determined opposition to the odious laws, induced parliament to modify them, as far as it could without relinquishing its right to legislate over the colonics. In this view, they rescinded the duties upon all articles except tea.
The General Court, which had heretofore met in Boston, was, by " a signification of the King's pleasure," convened at Cambridge, on the 15th
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
of March, 1770. This led to a long controversy between the Governor and the Legislature, the latter protesting against the removal, and well- nigh resolving not to proceed to the transaction of business unless they were removed to the ancient place of sitting-" at the town house in Boston."
Such was the situation of affairs in September, when this town sent the following letter of instructions to its Representative : -
" Instructions given to Mr Bachellor, Representative
Sr.
Understanding that in times past you have voted against the General Assembly's proceeding to business as they are not allowed to meet in the Town of Boston we your Constituents think it our Duty to give our opinion relative to that Important matter ; & Important it is considering the pre- sent state of our Interlal polity ; the expiration of the laws for regulating fees ; Choice of Jurymen ; restraining Excessive usury ; are some of the matters that need Imeadiate redress. The operation at this time of the law for Limitation of actions whereby much of our property lies wholly at the merey of Debtors is a grievance that almost every person In the province is affected with ; and finally an Exorbitant Tax laid on the province this year ; will nearly render the misery of those of our fellow subjects who are now struggling with poverty Compleat ; these things & many others might be mentioned ; we think are more than a ballance for any little In- convenientey that may arise by means of the General Court setting out of Boston ; wee know that some years past it was opinion of many that the Court setting In Boston was an Inconveniencie; and the General Court refusing still to Do Business will be detrimental only to the province ; not to those by whose Influence it was removed ; we therefore now Exercising our Constitusanel right advise and Intruet you to give your vote & use your whole Influance that the general Court should at their next sessions aet upon the Business of the province ; & afford us all Due release from the Grievances above mentioned as well as any others that may be: this we Expect from you as our Representative & wish you success in your Endea ours.º
T Ar Samuel Bachellor Representative for the Town of Haverhill,"
slowly, but surely, the people of the colonies were led, or rather driven, toward open revolt. The embarrassments of the East India Company hastened the final struggle. Through mismanagement, and the continued
" The meeting at which these instructions were agreed upon, was held September 20, 1770.
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refusal of America to import their teas, - which were thus thrown back upon them in great quantities, - they were on the verge of bankruptcy, and applied to parliament for relief.
A loan was granted them, accompanied by a bill empowering them to export teas direct from their own warehouses, upon their own account, and granting them a drawback of the whole duty payable in England on such teas as were exported to the British plantations in America. The colonial tax of three pence on the pound was still to be paid ; nor would Lord North listen to the proposal that this should be abandoned. America was not to be relieved from taxation. The king was determined " to try the question in America,"-and he did try it, but did not decide it.
Cargoes of the tea were sent to New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. At the two former places, the consignees resigned their trust; but in Boston they declined doing so, whereupon the inhabitants, in public meet- ing, voted, " that the tea shall not be landed, that no duty shall be paid, and that it shall be sent back in the same bottom." Seven thousand per- sons were present at the meeting, and yet the vote was unanimous! The owner of one of the vessels containing the tea had already promised that it should not be landed, but should be returned, but had been refused a clearance. He was instructed " to protest against the custom house, and apply to the governor for his pass." But the Governor had stolen to his residence at Milton, and before the owner returned, darkness had settled upon the town. Within the dimly lighted walls of the "Old South," upon this cold December eve, the audience awaited his return. At a quar- ter before six he made his appearance, and reported that the Governor" had refused him a pass. " We can do no more to save the country," said Samuel Adams; and a momentary silence ensued. The next instant a shout was heard at the door ; the war-whoop sounded ; and forty or fifty men, disguised as Indians, hurried along to the wharf, posted guards, boarded the ships, and in three hours' time three hundred and forty-two chests of tea had been broken and thrown overboard. So great was the stillness that the blows of the hatchets, as the chests were split open, was distinctly heard, and when the deed was done, every one retired and the town wore its accustomed quiet.
The die was now cast. It was impossible to recede. When, upon the news reaching England, it was proposed to pass conciliatory measures, Mansfield exclaimed, " The sword is drawn, and you must throw away the scabbard ; " and besides voting, one hundred and eighty-two to forty-nine, against the repeal of the tax on tea, a bill was carried for "the better
· Hutchinson.
47
.
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regulating the government of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay," which abrogated so much of the charter as gave to the legislature the election of the council ; abolished town meetings, except for the choice of town officers, or on the special permission of the governor; conferred on the executive the appointment and removal of sheriffs at pleasure ; and in- trusted to the sheriff's the returning of juries ; - a bill " for the impartial administration of justice," &c., which transferred the place of trial of magistrates, revenue officers, or soldiers indicted for murder, or other capi- tal offence, to Nova-Scotia or Great Britain ; - and a bill for legalizing the quartering of troops in Boston. Governor Hutchinson was re-called, and Thomas Gage appointed in his stead, and four regiments were ordered to enforce submission. By his instructions, the governor was to close the port of Boston.
General Gage arrived at Boston on the 17th of May, (1774) and on the appointed day, (June 1st) as the clock struck twelve, the port was closed, and the courts were suspended, amid the solemn tolling of bells. The day was improved, not only in Massachusetts, but even in Virginia, and other colonies, in fasting and prayer.
Satisfied that the time had come when a union of the colonies was ab- solutely necessary, the House of Representatives, by a vote of one hundred and seventeen to twelve, decided that " a committee should be appointed to meet, as soon as may be, the committees that are or shall be appointed by the several colonies on this continent, to consult together upon the present state of the colonies." The committee was chosen, and funds provided for their expenses. This was on the 17th of June. On the 28th of July, notwithstanding the new law to the contrary, a town meeting was held in this town, the proceedings of which we think justify an insertion of the full record in this place.
" At a legal Town meeting held in Haverhill on July 28th 1774, warned by the Constable by virtue of a Warrant Received from the Selectmen for his so doing &c
1st For those to whom the Town is indebted, to bring in their Claims in order to be allowed
2dly .To see what Money the Town will Vote to Raise to defray Town Charges the present Year
3dly To Recieve the Report of the Committee chosen to Reckon with the Town Treasurer
4thly In answer to two Petitions from the Inhabitants of this Town, To see if the Town will Vote that they will not Buy or purchase any Goods or Merchandise imported from Great Brittan, from and after the
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HISTORY OF HAVERIIILL.
Time agreed upon by the Colonies in general, or the General Congress to be held at Philadelphia and not to have any Commercial Intercourse with them that will not come into the nonimportation agreament - and to Chuse a committee of Inspection, to inspect and find out those Men or Women who shall expose to Sale, Tea, or any new imported Goods, contrary to the general agreement, and expose their Names to the Publick: that they may avoid them; and to act further on the affair as the Town shall Judge proper
5thly To Chuse a Committee of Correspondence, to Correspond or con- sult with the Committee of the Town of Boston, & other Towns in this Province relating to the distressed Situation the Province in general, & the Town of Boston in particular is brought into by the late Acts of the British Parliment -to consult (if possible) of Some Measures of Redress -and also to Draw up a Solemn Agreement for the Inhabitants of this Town to Sign (if they Judge it proper) that they will not buy or purchase any Goods or Merchandise of any Person, which shall be imported con- trary to the general Agreement of the Colonies in General Congress - if the Town likes not that already drawn and also to act further on the whole Affair as the Town shall Judge proper
6thly To see if the Town will Vote to Draw Three Pounds Nineteen Shillings and Ten Pence out of the Town Treasury, for the use and bene- fit of the Committee to meet at the general Congress, in behalf of the Province - and Chuse a proper Person to draw said Money out of the Treasury, by order from the Selectmen, for the Purpose above said, and be accountable to the Town
7thly To see if the Town will vote to accept of some Person to serve as Constable in the Room of Mr Richard Ayer, if he desires it
8thly To see if the Town will vote to allow Mr John Sawyer liberty to erect a Scale for weighing of Hay in some convenient place in this Town.
Mr Isaac Redington was chosen Moderator for said Meeting.
Voted, agreeable to the 2d Article, To Raise One hundred and Fifty Pounds to defray Town Charges the present year.
Voted, the 4th article in the affirmative - also Voted that Messrs Sam- uel Appleton, Samuel Souter, Thomas West, Samuel Merrill, Nathl Rolf, Thomas Cogswell, Doc William Bachellor, John Sawyer, and Nathaniel Walker Junior, be a Committee of Inspection
5th article voted in the affirmative - also the following Resolves
Whereas The Importation, Sale, or Consumption of East India Teas, is evidently counteracting the peaceable Measures which have been pursued, and are now pursuing, by the province in general, for the Relief of the
,
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Town of Boston, the Restoration and Continuance of our Charter Rights - and whereas it is highly probable the approaching Congress of the Deputys from the respective Colonies, will come into a Determination that a general Plan for a nonimportation and nonexportation of Merchandize to and from Great Britain and Ireland; will be most effectual means for attaining this desirable End; and whereas it is necessary and becoming that every community should communicate their Sentiments and Resolu- tions to their Brethren at this alarming Crisis of Our public Affairs- Therefore
1. Resolved, That we will not import, purchase, vend or consume any East India Tea, until the Duty imposed upon Importation into the Colo- nies shall be taken off ; & the port of Boston opened.
2. Resolved, That we will not purchase any kind of Merchandize of those persons, who shall (by importing, purchasing or vending Said Tea) act contrary to the sense of the above Resolutions.
3. Resolved, That we will abide by any Determination of the approach- ing Congress which shall be rational & generally adopted ; in particular, if a nonimportation and nonexportation of Merchandize to and from Great Britain and Ireland, and a nonconsumation Agreement, shall be their Determination, we will both collectively and individually abide by the Same.
4. Resolved, That if a nonimportation and nonexportation of Merchan- dize to and from Great Britain and Ireland shall be agreed upon and generally adopted and any person should be so lost to every feeling of Humanity and Regard to posterity, as to counteract such Agreement : We will not purchase any kind of Merchandize of them; and will use our influence to deter others from doing the same.
5. Resolved, That there shall be a Committee of Correspondence for this Town to correspond with the Town of Boston, and other Towns in this province, and that this Committee shall consist of Five or more persons.
6. Resolved, That Samuel White Esq, Mr Isaac Redington, Mr Joseph Haynes, Mr Richard Ayer, Mr Jonathan Webster Junior, Mr Daniel Den- nison Rogers, & Mr Timothy Eaton, be a Committee for the above purpose, any Four of whom when met together to proceed on business.
7. Resolved, That there shall be a Committee of Inspection ; to Inspect into the Conduct and inform of those persons who shall counteract the above Resolutions.
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
8. Resolved, That A. B. & C. as Recorded under the 6th Resolve be a Committee for this purpose of Inspection or Correspondence.
9. Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence be desired to trans- mit a Copy of these Resolutions to the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Boston.
6th article in the Warning Voted in the affirmative, Nemine Contradi- ciente also voted that Mr Jonathan Webster Jun Draw out said money & be accountable to the Town.
By Vote this Meeting is Adjourned to the 15th day of September next 1774 to this Place at 3 of the Clock afternoon."
Though there were then three companies of Militia in the town, the patriotic citizens determined to organize a fourth. The latter was formed as an " independent " company, and it being the first one in the town, and organized at a time when serious work was expected, and counted on, we feel justified in giving a somewhat extended notice of it.
We copy the following from the original paper : -
" Haverhill Sept, 5th. 1774.
We the Subscribers, sensible of the importance of a well regulated Military Discipline, do hereby eovenant and engage, to form ourselves in to an Artillery Company at Haverhill according to the following Articles, -
First. That there shall be four officers (viz) a Capt., Lieut, Ensign and Sergeant, who is to act as Clerk, To be chosen by a majority of the Com- pany when met together,
2d. That we will meet together (on the first and third Mondays of September, October and November following, and on the first and third Mondays of the six Summer months annually till the Company shall agree to dissolve the same) for the exercise of Arms and Evolutions, And that the role shall be called two hours before Sunset, and the Company shall be dismissed at Sun set N. B. If it be fowl weather the Day appointed, the Company shall meet the next fair Day -
3dly. Any one neglecting Due attendance shall be subject to a fine of eight Pence, for the use of the Company; unless on a reasonable Plea, excused by the Company,
4thly. That no new member be admitted without the vote of the Company,
5thly. That each member shall be Equiped with Arms, Accoutriments and Dress, according to Vote of Company,
6thly. That each member shall be supply'd with one Pound of Powder and Twenty Balls; to be reviewed twice a year; upon the Days of chusing
*
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Officers, to commence the first Monday in October, from that time, the first
Monday in May and August annually,
James Brickett,
James Duncan junr,
Edward Barnard,
William Greenleaf,
John Cook,
Benj. Mooers junr.,
Nathaniel Marsh, John Wingate,
William Greenough,
Phineas Carleton, Bailey Bartlett,
Daniel Kenrich,
Oliver Peabody, Daniel Greenleaf,
David Marsh junr,
Joshua B. Osgood,
Paul Thomson,
Samuel Duncan,
Thomas Cogswell,
Eben. Greenough,
Enoch Marsh,
Israel Bartlet,
James Harrod,
Thomas West,
Jonathan Barker,
Samuel Greenleaf,
William Lamson,
Isaac
Moses Clements junr,
John Sawyer,"
Daniel Appleton,
Timothy Eaton junr,
Abraham Swett, D W, D N Rogers,
The first meeting of the subscribers was held the same day the agree- ment is dated, when James Brickett was chosen Captain, and Israel Bartlett Clerk, of the company. They voted to meet twice each week for drill, - one hour before sunset. October 3d, the organization was com- . pleted, by the choice of Doctor James Brickett, Captain ; Israel Bartlett, Lieutenant ; Joshua B. Osgood, Ensign; and Edward Barnard, Clerk and Sargeant. November 12th, it was " Voted, that this company look upon themselves to be an Independent Corps; also upon their Officers to be equal in Rank and Command to Field Officers, of any Regiment in this County, and subject to the Command of no officer, but such as the Field Officers of the several Regiments are subject to." November 21st, the · company " voted to use the exercise as ordered by His Majesty in the year 1764." Several of the members immediately sent to England for a copy of the " Norfolk Militia Book," which arrived in due time. The work cost them £6.15. The names of those who thus manifested their zeal in the pursuit of correct military knowledge, were " Bailey Bartlett, Israel Bart- lett, Thos Cogswell, Nathl Marsh, Doctr Brickett, Nathl Walker."
The following extracts from the records of the company are worth pre- serving, (November 21, 1774,) : -
" Voted, to meet Mondays, at 6 o'clk in the evening, precisely, for the above purpose. Voted, to pay a fine of 6d for non-appearance. Voted, that we meet once a week (Mondays) as Volunteers. Voted, that the Clerk provide candles for the use of the Company out of the fines. Voted, that N Saltonstall, D Marsh, J McHard, & John Sawyer be of this Company."
"Dec 5 1774. Met at Mr Osgood's Still house. Voted, that the Offi- cers of this Company shall not assist in choosing the Field Officers of the Regiment."
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
"Jan 1775. Met at Mr West's Distill House. Toted, that any Mem- ber who shall leave the Company before he is discharged by the Command- . ing Officer, shall pay a fine of 4d.
" Feb. Met at Mr West's Distill House. Voted, that we hire Mr George Marsdin for 4 days at 12s a day, & that he be paid out of the fines. " March 21, 1775. Met at Capt Greenleaf's. Voted, that Nathan Blodget and Heman Ladd be admitted as members of this Company. Voted, that we Dress in a Uniform consisting of a Blue Coat, turned up with Buff, and yellow plain Buttons, the Coat cut half way the thigh; and the Pockets a Slope. Voted, Also, that we have Buff, or Nankeen Waistcoat & Breeches, and White Stockings with half Boots or Gaiters. Also that the Hats be cocked alike. And that each one have a bright gun, Bayonet, & Steel Ramrod. Voted that the Company be equipd in this Uniform by the first Monday in May.""
" May 1st. Made choice of Edw Barnard as Clerk. Voted, that Wil- liam Greenleaf be Capt of this Company - that Israel Bartlett be Lieut. Voted, that N Marsh be Ensign of this Company. Voted, that the Clerk act as Sargeant."
" May 18th. Met on the Parade. Voted, that we meet on Mondays at sunrise for Exercise of Arms."
" May 24th. Voted, to meet Sun an hour high for the future."
The above is the last vote entered in the record book as that of the Artillery company. The first entry upon the next page is "Records of the first Company in Haverhill." This is followed by the records of that company, and we find no subsequent allusion to the artillery company. In the records of the first company, we find the names of most of the pre- vious members of the artillery company. These facts, with the absence of record or reliable information to the contrary. lead us to the conclusion that the heavy drafts and constant activity and readiness required of the militia, (to whichi, of course, every member of the artillery also belonged, by law,) led to the necessity of a disbandment of the latter. Whether it was afterward resuscitated, or not, we cannot say.t
On the 15th of September, (1774) the town again met, agreeably to the previous adjournment. The first vote passed, was to lay an additional
" Though organized under the name of an Artillery Company, they never had any artillery, but were strictly a Company of Light Infantry.
+ In 1788, there were " four companies in Haverhill." These four companies were divided into "two Bands," viz. : the Training, or " Train Band," and the " Alarm List." An allusion to "both bands," in the records of 1776, was probably the occasion of the statement by Mirick, that there were then but two companies in the town. He was evidently mistaken, as there had been for many years three companies of militia in the town.
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HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
town tax of one hundred pounds for the present year. They next " voted to buy 800 lbs powder with Balls and Flints answerable, as the Towns Stock." Then it was " voted that the Town Treasurer hire money to pro- cure 600 lbs of powder towards the Town's Stock ;" and, that nothing should be wanting in the time of need, a committee was chosen " to ex- amine the stock of powder in the powder house." Having thus unequivo- cally committed the town to the cause of American liberty, the meeting adjourned to the 10th of October.
The proceedings at the adjournment were brief, but significant. The following was the only business done, or vote passed : -
" By Vote the Constables are to pay no more Money into the Province Treasury until further Orders from the Town-but that They pay it im- mediately to the Town Treasurer; and take his Security for the Same without Interest."
While the almost universal sentiment of the inhabitants of the town was that indicated by their proceedings at these meetings, there were a few among them who did not sympathize with them. They were " Loyalists," - those who adhered to the cause of their sovereign, - and deprecated the revolutionary measures so vigorously carried on by the " Patriots ; " and while they doubted their success, they hoped (and some of them labored also) for their defeat. Among the most prominent and influential of these loyalists in this town, were Colonel Richard Saltonstall and Rev. Moses Badger, (brother-in-law of the above). Colonel Saltonstall was a man who had always commanded the confidence and respect of his towns- men, and the esteem of all who knew him. At the early age of twenty- two years, he was commissioned as Colonel, and was in active service through the whole of the French War. But he was now a loyalist, and, as a consequence, there could be but little sympathy between him and the large majority of the people of the town. This wide difference of opinion, upon what was then a matter of the most vital importance, as may readily be supposed, gradually led to a feeling of coldness toward him, and finally to that of distrust, and uneasiness at his presence. Sometime not long after the July meeting above noticed, an incident occurred which is. thus recorded by Mirick : -
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