USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Holden > The history of Holden, Massachusetts, 1667-1841 > Part 4
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6. " We are assured that no political community on earth can truly enjoy Liberty without civil government ; Therefore, civil government is an invaluable divine blessing ; and Anarchy is the greatest of public evils- one only excepted, that is a state of complete and con- firmed Tyranny.
7. " And such Tyranny is evidently the object of some very recent measures of the British administration and
* Some gentlemen have expressed a wish to see these Resolutions print- id, entire
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
government ; particularly those mentioned to us in a letter from our worthy friends, the citizens of Boston ; and the project of despotism and arbitrary government appears to be nearly accomplished and settled, so that nothing but the vigilance and combined efforts of this people, under the auspicious Providence of Heaven can save us from abject Slavery and Total Ruin.
8. " Therefore, we are compelled to speak and divulge our sober and very grievous apprehensions, and are willing all mankind should know that we are far from acquiescing in the many gross violations of our just rights, too conspicuous and palpable now to require a particular enumeration, and truly we should be charge- able with very criminal silence, if we did not remon- strate against every glaring attempt of any persons of what Rank or Denomination so ever, to bereave us of our Liberty.
9. " Resolved, That the right of Kings ( whether it be a human or divine right) is founded on the same princi- ples of public Liberty, which we assert; and the right of our present Sovereign, George III., to the British throne was explicitly by compact derived from the same principle.
10. " And therefore we must behold them as guilty of treason against his sacred Majesty and his illustrious House, who are making attempts to subvert the liberties of his faithful subjects, as nothing can be more repug- nant to the Constitution of England and of this province, than that George should be King of slaves; so if the an- tiquated doctrine of passive obedience and non-resistance should now revive and move abroad, and half the nation were so blind and infatuate as to embrace such a deform- ed Monster, the throne must shake and tremble to its base ! The Lord Almighty avert the horrid catastro-
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
phy ; to prevent it our prayers and endeavors shall not be wanting !
11. "In publishing our sentiments and resolutions we are moved by natural and Christian benevolence to the good people of Britain, whose prosperity is dear to us as our own. It is therefore our hearty prayer that God would preserve them from the depth of political lethargy and mercifully defend them from the iron FANG of tyran- ny, as slavery has ever been abhorrant to the Genius of Britain; it must be peculiarly shameful and painful to Englishmen, till we shall have lost the spirit of our truly worthy ancestors, and forfeited the English name. As we are far from suspecting the people of Britain (our old Ally) of being enimical to us, our ardent brotherly love to them is an additional incitement to assert our own freedom ; it being very certain that if liberty expires, here, it will not long survive, there; we are therefore ambitious of transmitting our names to all posterity, as favored instruments in the hands of God, of having pre- served Britain from destruction, therefore, we supplicate the Throne of Mercy, that God would excite his people in Britain and America to a reformation of morals, be- canse, as sin is the reproach and ruin of any people, so righteousness exalteth a nation to the summit of happi- ness and glory.
12. "Therefore, Resolved, That there is an intimate connection between the Liberty and Virtue of any pco- ple; if Liberty be gone, Religion will infallibly languish to extinction.
13. "We plead for Liberty, because it is the respecta- ble patroness of the liberal arts and sciences. This was doubtless the judgment of our pious and worthy ances- tors, who chose a wild desert with Liberty; rather than the fruitful fields and beautiful gardens of their native
$6
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
land with slavery ; and who were in their first settlement, very zealous to erect a seminary of learning as well as to build and multiply christian churches. We desire to follow their noble example, to promote in our measure learning and liberty, in delightful and harmonious union, and would now recommend it to our children and their successors, forever, to be imitators of us, and of our tru- ly wise, and virtuous and venerable progenitors.
14. " We think it our duty, on this occasion on behalf of ourselves and our dear country, to express our sincere gratitude to the respectable gentlemen of Boston for the light and counsel, they have presented to us in the circu- tar letter, and their many generous efforts in the cause of liberty, and it is our earnest prayer to Almighty God, that they may be animated, still to procced and that they may prosper according to the desire of their hearts, and receive the most ample and durable reward.
"And, 'That the above resolves be recorded on the town. books of records, and that the Town Clerk give an at- tested copy to said Committee of Correspondence at Bos- ton.
"The above being put to vote and passed in the affir- mative."
"JOIIN CHILDS, JONA. WHEELER, ANDREW SMITH, JAMES DAVIS, "JOHN CHILDS, Moderator."
The way was rapidly preparing for an open rupture between England and her American Colonies. The co- ercive measures of the British Parliament required the Colonists to acknowledge principles subversive of true liberty. Petitions and remonstrances failed to reconcile the parties. War came. " Disperse-Disperse-you
Committee."
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
rebels ; throw down your arms and disperse,"* were the words of Major Pitcairn, as he approached the sturdy yeomanry of Massachusetts, assembled upon the plains of Lexington. Then followed the discharge of muskets. Eight brave Americans fell. The shouts of an exulting foc, and the expiring groans of the dying, were harsh sounds, in the cars of men whose grandsires were Puri- tans. They were notes of alarm to every genuine lover of liberty throughout the colonies. This town furnished a company of 70 men, ready to leave their homes, at the first alarm.
The population of the town, at that time, numbered about 750. Nearly one tenth of the entire population was prepared to engage in actual service. During the progress of the war, drafts were made for soldiers from Holden, to serve at various military stations in the Nor- thern States. Wherever troubles existed, or dangers were apprehended, thither marched soldiers from this town. Some went to Rhode Island, others to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The terms of service of individual soldiers in the common militia, when added, amount to 74 years, supposing it to have been performed by one man, at an expense to the town of £1,961-0s-11d.# No reference is made in this caleu- lation to the soldiers in the regular continental army, un- der the immediate command of Washington. In this army 25 soldiers enlisted from Holden, for the term of 3 years, or during the war. Each one of these men re- ceived £20 or more as Bounty money, at the time of their enlistment : So that during the year 1777, £763-08-12d were paid from the town treasury to discharge the lia-
* Ilolmes 'Annals, p. 204.
t See Note E. #Town Records, vol. 2 .- Seo Note F.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
bilities, which had been thus incurred, to enlist soldiers. *
It would be interesting if time permitted, to narrate the history of each soldier, who went from Holden, to contend with the disciplined troops of England, upon the field of battle. I will allude to a few. Thomas Heard was the only person killed in actual service. He fell near Saratoga, N. Y., and his dead body was borne away by William Ebet. Moses Wheeler and Jeremiah Fuller died at Valley Forge, Penn., having suffered most intensely from cold and hunger. David Potter deserted to the enemy, having previously been saved from the ig- nominy of a public execution, by the timely interposition of Lady Washington. The conduct of his brother James was far different. He was among the foremost to o'er- leap the heights at Yorktown, causing thousands of the British soldiers to surrender, whilst their General, Lord Cornwallis surrenders his sword into the hand of Wash- ington.
Capt. George Webb was the only commissioned officer, in the continental service from Ilolden. At the time of his enlistment, he was not an inhabitant of the town. Ile came with his family to this place during the war. Capt. Webb was a fearless soldier, and an high-spirited officer. Whenever an enterprise requiring bravery and skill, was to be undertaken, Washington and Lafayette knew Capt. Webb to be a man to their minds. I hold in my hand the original copy of a letter, addressed by Gen- eral Lafayette, to Capt. Webb. I will read the first sen- tence-" Dear Sir-Your successful skirmish had affor- ded me the most greatest pleasure, and I request you will receive yourself and present to your company my best thanks on the occasion."t It was in the company of
*State Records .- See Note G.
t Letter found among the old papers of Capt. Webb.
0
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Capt. Webb, that Deborah Sampson, an American young lady, served as a continental soldier, for nearly three years. She performed the duties of every station assign- ed to her, with punctual exactness, fidelity, and honor .*
The hours of this day would not suffice, for me to re- hearse an account of the many bloody battles, and hair- breadth escapes, to the recital of which most of this au- dience have listened when a Rice, a Rogers, a Potter, a Nash, or a Flagg, would make himself the hero of his story, whilst perchance, he
" Shoulder'd his crutch, and show'd how fields were won."
The citizens of Holden entered into a solemn covenant to sustain the committee, chosen to watch for the public safety, and voted that such persons as refused to unite with them should have their names published in the Bos- ton Gazette, as enemies of their country. The town, also, "voted that every blacksmith, shoemaker, miller and housewright do not directly or indirectly do or cause to be done any sort of business, in their respective occupa- tions for any of those persons" who would not sign the covenant, which was to " be lodged at John Abbots', one month, for the inhabitants of Holden to sign."f "Tradi- tion reports that a Mr. Goulding, living in the south part, was so offended with this measure of the town, that he immediately commenced building the grist mill, and saw mill now owned by Mr. Bennett.
This decided movement was not regarded as sufficient for the general good. 'To prevent monopoly upon such articles as were considered the necessaries of life, the Selectmen, and Committee of Safety were empowered, by an Act of the Provincial Congress to establish ulti- mum prices.
* Her LIemoirs. t Town Records, vol. 2, p. 15, January 3, 1775. 5
-
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
" Farming labor from the 20th June, not to exceed 3 shillings per day. Wheat, 63 0d
Indian Corn
3s
0d
Id
" in the fall;
6s 6₫
" in the spring;
Beans,
69
0d
Clean flax seed,
68
0d
'Turnips,
0g
8d
per bushel;
Apples,
0s 8₫
Ilorse keeping over night, 1s
4d
Oats, 03
3d per mess;
Lodging,
03
3d
If per night;
Potluck,
09
8d
per meal;
New England flip,
0g
9d
per mug;
West India flip,
Os 11d
Good grass-fed beef,
0g 2d 2f per lb .;
New Milk,
03 2d
per quart;
Tobacco,
03 7d
per lb .;
A glass of New England rum 2 coppers;
Doctor's travel, 6d per mile -- out;
Shop joiner to have 3s per piece for common colored chairs with bottoms; the rest of their work in the same proportion."*
Among papers belonging to the Rev. Mr. Avery, I have found a small memorandum book, which contains some entries of peculiar interest. The book bears date 1782. 'That was a period of great distress among the people. The war had been long. Money was scarce, and it was with some difficulty that Mr. Avery received his annual salary. His parishioners, however, were disposed to share with their pastor, the good things of life. " Mem- orandum of gifts received." "Of Dea. Hubbard, a piece of beef ; a pail of soap ; a loaf of bread ; a few candles ; 2 quarts of milk ; a cheese and 4 lbs. of butter." "Of Mr. Abbott, a piece of beef and of pork ; also a sparc- rib ; 3 candles ; some malt and a piece of bread, also two wash tubs and 30 nails, and a few hops." "Of
* Town Records, vol. 2, p. 40 & 41. - The above list might be enlarged.
per bushel;
Spanish potatoes,
1s
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Lieut. Hubbard, a piece of beef, a cheese and some malt." "Of Mr. Ebnr Estabrook, a leg of pork." "Of Dea. Fiske, a piece of beef, Jan'y 5th." " Of Capt. Samuel Hubbard, a leg of pork and a spare-rib, Jan'y 6th." "Of Mr. Howe, a piece of pork, Jan'y 6th." "Of Mr. Cheney, a cheese and some sausages." "Of Mr. Josiah Cheney, jr., some beans." "Of Mr. Jona. Rice, a leg of pork." "Of Mr. Winch, a piece of fresh meat-lamb." "Of Capt. Davis, a cheese and some sauce." "Of Aaron Wheeler, a broom, soon after I came to my house." "Of Moses Smith, 2 doz. candles, some butter." "Of Mr. Dryden, 1-2 doz. pigeons."
The ladies of that day were equally thoughtful in re- gard to the wants of the Parish Priest. " Of Mrs. Benj. Flagg, a cheese." " Of Mrs. Fisk, a lb. of combed flax." "Of BIrs. Elisha Hubbard, some flax." "Of Mrs. Pot- ter. some butter and a broom." "Of Mrs. Newton, a piece of veal and a calf's head." "Of Mrs. Holt, some cloth for a shirt." " Of Mrs. Mead, some butter, apples, potatoes." "Of Mrs. Heard, a loin of veal."
The most abundant evidence might be adduced, to show, that the people of Holden unitedly, cordially, and manfully engaged with their fellow countrymen in the war of the revolution. The trials, hardships, and dan- gers of eight summer and eight winter campaigns had not quenched the ardent love of liberty in the bosoms of colonists, who could say, "We are two millions, one fifth fighting men. We are bold and vigorous, and we call no man master."* It is not a point of uncertain conjecture, but of sober history, that the principles of liberty set forth in the Declaration of Independence had previously been a subject of discussion in almost every village throughout the thirteen colonies. A rough block
" James Otis.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
of granite may be squared and polished, but that block was granite before the stone-hewer's tool and the burn- isher's instrument prepared its surface. The 14 resolu- tions passed by the citizens of Holden, and similar passed by other towns, contained the elements afterwards com- bined in that memorable document of State, in which the people of this land declared themselves-Indepen- dent, Free, and Equal. Taking the proceedings and re- solves of the inhabitants as evidence of the actual state of things among the colonists, no candid man can rise from their perusal, without the impression upon his mind that each village must have had its Jefferson, Adams, Sherman, Franklin, and Henry.
The immediate and lasting effects of the revolutionary war, upon the interests of this town, deserve a few pass- ing remarks. The unwise policy of England was first felt along our sca-coast. (1.) Numerous families, bith :- erto obtaining their livelihood from the seas, were drivea to other pursuits. For this cause, not less than 10 fami- les removed from Harwich and vicinity (upon the Cape) to Holden. Such were the Rogers settling two miles south. (2.) All lands belonging to persons supporting the cause of the mother country, were confiscated. Many hundreds of acres within this township, were thus trans- ferred to the State. The history of one tract, contain- ing about 600 a., deserves notice. This tract of wood- land belonged to William Brattle, Esq., of Cambridge. Under an Act of the Legislature, passed 1781, it was sold to pay State debts. Monsieur Pierre Matthieu An- dre, captain of the ship Jonathan, belonging to Jean francis Billon of Marseilles, in the south of France, purchased this tract of land, for £1,121, or about $6 per acre. The ship Jonathan having been condemned, as unseaworthy, was sold, and a part of the avails was in-
1
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
vested in the purchase of this land. For many years, it was under the care of Ebenezer Estabrook, senior, and subsequently under the care of his son. Sufficient wood, was, from time to time, cut off to pay the taxes. After much negotiation, it was sold in the year 1826, for about $11 per acre. The proceeds were transmitted to the heirs of the original owner in France; a sufficient amount having been deducted to defray expenses attend- ing the sale. "The origin of the name-French land, will have been apparent .*
(3.) The war of the revolution had scarcely been brought to a happy termination, before internal disorders threatened the overthrow of the general government. The insurrection, known in history as the Shays' Re- bellion, stands prominent upon the annals of our coun- try. The spirit of disaffection very sensibly disturbed the order and decorum, which almost uniformly has char- acterized our town. I would now refrain from an allu- sion to this subject, if our town records, and the voice of tradition were silent. Ilistorical truth, however, often duly checks and properly tempers the glow of admira- tion, which we sometimes feet when contemplating the patriotic exertions of our fathers. The financial inter- ests of our country were most deplorable, immediately subsequent to the war. Money was scarce. The cur- rency was in disorder. Public and private debts were great, and in some parts of the country the load was well-nigh insupportable. ; To remedy a state of things
* A manuscript volume belonging to William Lincoln, Esq.
t " After eight years of war, Massachusetts stood, with the splendor of triumph, in republican poverty, bankrupt iu resources, with no revenue but an expiring currency, and no metal in her treasury more than the conti- * At. nental copper, bearing the devices of union and freedom. * * *
length a flood of suits broke out. In 1784 more than 2000 were entered in the county of Worcester, then having a population less than 50,000, and in 1735, about 1700."-See Lincoln's History of Worcester, chap. 8.
1*
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
so undesirable, some of our citizens resorted to the most unjustifiable measures. Their wrath broke forth upon the Courts of Justice. Capt. Wheeler of Hubbardston, the first week of Sept., 1786, heading a band of armed inen took possession of the Court House in Worcester. 'The standard of revolt, being raised, drew some of our townsmen from the daties of quiet and peaceable citizens. The court adjourned until December following. The in- surgents flushed with their partial success, returned home, to foment greater commotions. Other portions of the State caught the spirit of discontent. As the time approached for the session of the Court of Common Pleas in December, the insurgents (or Regulators as they styled themselves) headed by Daniel Shays, were gath- ering their forces in the vicinity of Worcester. The Court, in the mean time, opened at the Sun Tavern, (U. S. Ho- (1) and adjourned until January 23, without transacting farther business. December 6th, Shays entered Worces- ter mounted upon a white horse. About 800 troops form- el his army. To compose this force numerous soldiers went from Holden. These incidents took place on Timirs- day. "The next day was spent in consultation. A terri- ble storm of snow occurred Saturday. Gloom and des- pondency pervaded the bosoms of Shays' soldiers. Such as went from Holden, returned through the drifting snow to spend the Sabbath with their families. Shays conduc- tel the remnant of his forces to Springfield, to interrupt the Court of Common Pleas, about to commence its ses- sion at that place .*
'The Governor of Massachusetts called upon the Mili- tin of Boston and vicinity, to march under the command of Gen. Lincoln, and to force the insurgents to surrender. Success crowned the efforts of the constituted authorities.
F See Note II.
£
55
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Peace was again restored to the country. I have freely spoken of the part taken by some of the citizens of Hol- den, because I became acquainted with many of the par- ticulars from the lips of a Regulator. In perfect good humor, he gave me a list of such Regulators, as went from Holden, not forgetting to enrol himself.
Resolutions, disapproving the measures deemed jus- tifiable by some of the inhabitants of Holden, were pas- sed by a highly respectable body of men in town. Their. names I feel myself honored to read .* The document, to which they were appended, is supposed to have been drafted by the Rev. Mr. Avery. These gentlemen caus- ed their protest, with some accompanying documents to be published in the Worcester Magazine, for the third week of January, 1787.+
If this was a proper occasion, many palliating consid- erations might be suggested, which would go far to re- move the charge of treason from persons attempting, by military force, to arrest the legal Court sessions at Wor- cester and other places.
The first meeting-house, exhibiting signs of decay, the question was discussed in Town Meeting, December 10, 1787, " Shall the old meeting-house be repaired, or a new house built ?"; It was the opinion of the town to build a new house. A committee was appointed to draft a plan and estimate the probable cost. The house was erceted during the year 1789.§ Many of this audience
* They were read at the time. + See Note I. # Town Records, vol. 2. § A vote of the Town, May 10, 1790 :
" Voted-That the committee chosen to provide rum and sugar, to treat spectators at the raising of the meeting house be appointed to settle with Capt. Davis for the money he laid out forsd rum and sugar and to take part of the above said fourteen pounds of fine-money to settle it with."
After the House was completed, and the people had become located in their respective pews, it was provided, that "the wives sit in the seats opposite to, and equal in rank with, their husbands." Also-that the audience should not leave their seals, until the Pastor and Deacons had passed out.
56
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
remember to have worshipped in that house, which was rebuilt during the years 1827 and 8. An acre of land, in nearly the centre of which, this house stands, was. given to the town of Holden for a public common, and the accommodation of a public meeting house, 1789, by the Hon. John Hancock .*
No sooner were the citizens of Holden permitted to worship in their new house, than a vigorous effort was made to erect good and convenient school houses in dif- ferent parts of the town. In the year 1793, the sum of £ 100 was raised for this purpose. ; It is most interesting to trace in the history of Holden, or any other communi- ty, the progress of the gospel and the public instruction of the young. When one is neglected the other languishes. They appear mutually to affect each other.
An unpleasant controversy relating to church music. disturbed the peace of society in town, near the close of the ISth century. Some of the regular attendants upon public worship, refused to occupy their seats in the meet- ing-house, unless the psalms and hymns could be sung without the aid of the unconsecrated viol and the unhal- lowed pitch-pipe. The venerable pastor exerted most strenuously his peace-making talents. An uncommon share he was acknowledged to possess. A reconciliation between the parties was effected by the counsel and ad- vice of so wise a mediator.# After a few weeks had e- lapsed, it was discovered to be more than a poctical truth. that
" Music had charms to socthe the savage breast."
We are approaching the limit, where I proposed to
* For and in consideration of the sum of five shillings, and of the love, good will and affection which I have and do bear to the town of Holden, und from a respect to the public worship of God, do hereby give, grant, and convey to the said town of folden-one acre of land." The Hon. Ms. Hancock's deed to the town of Holden.
t Town Records, vol. 2. # Church Records.
1
57
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
close a connected narrative of the history of Holden. The last event in the 18th century deserving notice on the present occasion, is the just tribute of respect paid throughout the country to the lamented WASHINGTON. He died at Mount Vernon, December 14. 1799. Congress recommended and set apart Feb. 22, 1800* as the day when the nation unitedly might render becoming public testimonials of their sorrow and grief for the illustrious DEAD.
'The citizens of Holden observed the day by engaging in appropriate exercises. The military parade was con- ducted by Capt. George Webb. A. long procession pas- sed between files of soldiers, whose inclining heads res- ted upon their "arms reversed." An eulogy was pro- nounced by the Rev. Mr. Avery. The singing is repor- ted to have been excellent, and was conducted by Mr. Joseph Estabrook. The following lines, set to appropri- ate music, were sung :---
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