USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sudbury > The history of Sudbury, Massachusetts, 1638-1889 > Part 31
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" Waste are those pleasant farms and the farmers forever departed ; Scattered like dust and leaves when the mighty blasts of October Seize them, and whirl them aloft and sprinkle them far o'er the ocean."
Feb. 10, 1763, a treaty of peace was signed at Paris, and the long, arduous struggle between the two great nations ceased. The announcement brought great joy to New Eng- land. Days of public thanksgiving were observed, and praise was offered unto Him " from whom all blessings flow." No longer was Canada to be a place from which a foe could sally forth to harass the exposed frontier, and to which he could return with his captives and booty. The same flag was to float over New England and beyond the northern border, and the Canadian fortresses were to be manned by English or American soldiers.
In yet another way did this war bring its benefits to Americans. It gave them a knowledge of the military tactics of Europe, by which they were the better able to cope with the British when, in after years, they met them on the memorable fields of the Revolutionary War.
About ten years after the close of the war both precincts lost their pastors. The first that died was Mr. Cook, who passed away in 1760. That year the town voted "sixty-five pounds to each of the Reyd ministers for the year ensuing
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including their salary and fire wood; in case they or either of them should decease before the expiration of the year, then they or either of them to receive their salary in propor- tion during the time they shall live and no longer."
This may indicate that their death was anticipated. An- other record indicates that Mr. Cook had been sick some time when this vote was passed, as the town book goes on to state, " The same meeting granted thirty-three pounds, six shillings six pence to pay persons who had supplied the pulpit in Mr. Cook's confinement, and also granted thirty pounds more to supply the pulpit during his sickness, and chose a committee to provide preaching in the meantime." May 11, 1761, the town appropriated seventeen pounds, six shillings, eight pence " out of the money granted for the Rev. Mr. Cook's salary in the year 1760, to defray the Rev. Mr. Cook's funeral expenses."
Mr. Cook had one son who taught the grammar school for years in Sudbury, and died of a fever in 1758. After the decease of Mr. Cook, another minister was soon sought for on the east side. A little disturbance, and perhaps delay, was occasioned by a petition sent to the General Court relating to the settlement of another minister on the east side the river. But the matter was amicably adjusted by a vote of the town; whereby it decided " not to send an agent to the General Court to show cause or reason why the petition of Deacon Adam Stone and others relating to the settlement of a Gospel minister on the East side the river should not be granted." The town furthermore voted, that the " prayers of the petition now in Court should be granted, Provided the Court would Grant and confirm the like Privi- lege to the West Church and Congregation when there shall be reason. John Noyes Moderator."
The way cleared of obstructions a new pastor was soon found. Choice was made of Rev. Josiah Bridge. Oct. 14, 1761, Capt. Moses Maynard was allowed twelve shillings " for his travel to Lunenburg to wait on Mr. Bridge ; " and, at the same meeting, it was " voted to grant to Mr. Bridge his settlement and salary as he had contracted with the East
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Precinct for, and ordered the assessors to assess the inhabi- tants of the town for the same."
Delegates were duly chosen by the West Side Church, Nov. 3, 1761, to attend Mr. Bridge's ordination, - Deacon Haynes, John Haynes, Josiah Richardson, and Cornelius Wood. Mr. Bridge was a native of Lexington, and graduate of Harvard College in 1758. He was ordained Nov. 4, 1761, and died June 19, 1801, aged sixty-two, and in the fortieth year of his ministry. A few years after Mr. Cook's decease Rev. Mr. Loring also passed away, his death occurring March 9, 1772.
The West Church voted, April 7, 1772, "to set apart Thursday next as a day of Fasting and prayer to seek ye direction and blessing of heaven on the endeavor to settle another Gospel Minister among them." Also, " voted that the Rev. Mr. Stone of Southboro, Rev. Mr. Bridge of the East Precinct, Rev. Mr. Bridge of Framingham, and Rev. Mr. Swift of Marlboro be requested to give their presence and assistance. Exercises to commence at 10 o'clock." May 6, 1772, the town " granted Eighteen pound Lawful money for to pay the charge of Rev. Mr. Loring's Funeral," also at the same date it was " voted that the remainder of the [money] granted to pay the Rev. Mr. Loring's salary should be applied for supplying the pulpit."
SKETCH OF MR. LORING.
The service of Mr. Loring in the church at Sudbury was long and fruitful. He died in the ninetieth year of his age and the sixty-sixth year of his ministry. It was said of him that " as he earnestly desired and prayed that he might be serviceable as long as he should live, so it pleased God to vouchsafe his request, for he continued to preach 'till the last Sabbath but one before his death, and the next day prayed in the town meeting, which was on the 2nd day of the month. The night following he was taken ill, and on the 9th of March 1772, he expired." Mr. Loring had pious parentage. His father, Mr. John Loring of Hull, came from England, Dec. 22, 1634. It has been said of him that, like
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Obadiah, " he feared the Lord greatly." His mother was also religious, and " prayed with her family in her husband's absence." Mr. Loring was born at Hull, Mass., April 6, 1682. It is supposed he was converted in his youth. He graduated at Harvard College in 1701. He began to preach at Scituate, lower parish, Aug. 1, 1703, and preached first at Sudbury July 29, 1705. In the year 1723, on the 25th of July, he removed to the west side of the river, where he continued in service until flesh and strength failed. He left two sons and four daughters, his son Jonathan having died some years before the death of his father. Elizabeth, born Nov. 16, 1712, married Richard Manson of Sudbury, June 6, 1746. Mary, born Sept. 14, 1716, married Elisha Wheeler, and died, Jan. 22, 1801. Nathan, born Nov. 27, 1721, mar- ried Keziah Woodward, Dec. 31, 1747, who died July 28, 1754. He married a second time, and died April 25, 1803. " He was a farmer, and lived on the place afterwards owned by Loring Wheeler 1st." On the fidelity of Mr. Loring's ministry we need offer no comments: his works are his memorials. At the time of his installation at Sudbury the church numbered one hundred and twenty, - forty-one males and seventy-nine females. During his ministry four hundred and fifty were added to it; of these, forty-two males and seventy-two females were added before the divi- sion of the church, and, after the division, there were added to the West Church one hundred and twenty-nine males and two hundred and seven females. The whole number of children baptized by Mr. Loring in Sudbury was fourteen hundred.
It has been said concerning his service on the West Side, " Thus did this excellent and venerable man thro' a long series of years, burn and shine in eminent Piety, indefati- gable Dilligence, faithfulness, and distinguished usefulness of truly primitive stamp. Heu Pietas ! heu prisca Fides !" It is said, further, that he was " honored and revered by all whose regards were worth receiving ; and for a great number of years was the head and the glory and delight of the ministry." Beside these substantial testimonials of merit,
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he has left various publications which also set forth his worth. Some of these printed works are as follows : -
" The nature and necessaty of the New Birth. (a ser- mon.) Printed for and sold by D. Henchman, over against the British meeting house. MDCCXXVIII."
" Serious thoughts on the miseries of hell. (Preached at Sudbury, Sunday, Feb. 20, 1731-2.)"
Several other sermons on important religious subjects were published, also an election sermon, of date 1739; a convention sermon, 1742, and others not mentioned here, making in all eleven publications. He also kept a succes- sion of diaries, some of which are still extant. They are closely written and somewhat hard to be read, but contain valuable matter that pertains to the affairs of both province and town. Mr. Loring was a strong Calvinist, an earnest preacher and somewhat noted minister. It is said he did not like the ways of Mr. Whitefield, the evangelist, and the excitement attendant upon his revivals; and this, together with some other matters, led to some unpleasantness for a time. He was fine looking, tall, slender, and of dark com- plexion. When he lived on the East Side, he occupied the parsonage which the town provided for Mr. Sherman. In 1778, the town voted "to give to Mr. Isreal Loring our present minister ye 4 acres of land and ye building now upon it yt ye bought of John Loker to him and his heirs forever, on yesd Mr. Isreal Loring relinquishing ye £50 which ye town granted him." (See Chapter XV.)
Thus lived and died a good and great man ; but " though dead he yet speaketh."
" The precious memory of the just Shall flourish when they sleep in dust."
After the death of Mr. Loring, the church did not remain long dependent upon a temporary supply. On July 27, 1772, it proceeded to select a Gospel minister, and the Rev. Jacob Bigelow was unanimously chosen. He was to have a salary of seventy-four pounds. He was ordained Nov. 11, 1772. The following churches were represented on the occa-
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sion of ordination : East Precinct, Josiah Bridge ; Waltham, Jacob Cushing; Weston, Samuel Woodward; Sherburn, Elijah Brown ; Framingham, Matthew Bridge; Lexington, Jonas Clark ; Westborough, Ebenezer Parkman.
MISCELLANEOUS.
For a time preceding the Revolution, the West Side was divided into the North and South Wards. In 1765, Richard Heard offered to collect the taxes on the East Side the river for three pence per pound if they would appoint him col- lector and constable ; and Aaron Haynes offered to collect . them for the North Ward, West Side, and Jedediah Par- menter for the South Ward at the same rates.
In 1765, the town " voted to build a new stone pound between Lieut. Augustus Moors' dwelling house at the gravel pit, on Col. Noyes land which he promised to give the town to set a pound on by Dead." The pound was to be " 30 feet square from Enside to Enside 6 ft high with pieces of timber locked together round the top 8 inches square, for six pounds and the old pound."
In 1771, the town voted to build a powder-house in which to keep the town's stock of ammunition. It granted for this object " 7 pounds 9 shillings and 4 pence, and agreed with Col. John Noyes to build it, and place it near or on Wm Baldwin's land near Major Curtis'." Another record of the same year states that " the town voted to erect the powder house on the training field near Mr. Elisha Wheel- ers." In 1773, it " voted to remove the powder house to some suitable place on or near the gravel pit hill, and chose a committee to remove the same, if the committee should think the house will be sufficient for the use it was built for, and rough cast and underpin said building."
In 1772, the town "gave leave to John Balcom, Joseph Willis, Abijah Brigham, and Jonathan Smith, to set up a small House on the town land near the west meeting house for the people to repair to on the Sabbath day." There may have been other similar buildings erected near. They were intended as a convenient resort for the people, during the
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interval between services on Sunday, for the purpose of warming themselves and eating their dinners.
May 17, 1773, the town chose a committee " to consider and report what is proper to be done in order to suppress that set of men in this town, who make it their business to trade with and cheat strangers." The committee reported as follows : -
" That for the benefit of the public, the names and char- acter of the persons belonging to and residing in Sudbury hereafter named . ... are persons who go about the country and cheat honest men by purchasing their horses, cattle and other effects, by telling fair stories, and promising short pay, should be published in the several newspapers, that the Public may be cautioned against trading with or trusting them on any account."
The town accepted of the report, and chose a committee to find out the persons who aided and assisted in the work, " by purchasing the horses and cattle &c at a low price which they know are obtained in such a clandestine way and manner, that their names may be exposed in like man- ner. Also voted, that the town Clerk send an attest copy to the several Printers in the town of Boston, to be printed for the benefit of the public."
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CHAPTER XX.
1775-1800.
War of the Revolution. - Causes of It. - Attitude of the Town Relative to the Stamp Act. - Instructions to the Representative Concerning It. - Report of the Committee Relative to the Importation of Tea. - Patriotic Resolutions of the Town. - Instructions to its Represen- tatives. - An Old Document Descriptive of the Times. - Military Preparations. - Choice of Militia Officers. - Organization of Minute Companies. - Names and Captains of Companies. - Muster Rolls. - Equipments. - Drill. - Call Roll of Captain Nixon's Company. - Military Stores Removed to Sudbury. - The Alarm. -- The Muster- ing and March. - The Arrival at Concord. - The Encounter at the North Bridge. - Retreat of the British. - The Pursuit. - Encounter at Merriam's Corner. - At Hardy's Hill. - Incident. - Sudbury's Loss. - Sketch of Deacon Josiah Haynes. - Sketch of Mr. Asahel Read.
Far as the tempest thrills Over the darken'd hills, Far as the sunshine streams over the plain, Roused by the tyrant band, Woke all the mighty land, Girded for battle from mountain to main. O. W. HOLMES.
THE period from 1775 to 1800, in this country, may truly be termed the period of the Revolution. It witnessed the commencement and close of armed opposition to the British Crown, and the establishment, in America, of a new nation- ality. In the work of overthrowing the old and establishing a new government, the several provincial towns had a common concern ; each supplied its quota and each stood , ready to respond to the country's call. Sudbury, on account of its situation and size, bore a prominent part. It was the · most populous town in Middlesex County ; its territory was extensive, and for a time in close proximity to the seat of
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war: for these reasons, much was expected of it, and its patriotism was equal to the demand. Before a consideration in detail of the part taken by the town in this stormy period we will notice in brief the causes of the war. The thirteen original States were, for the most part, settled by English emigrants. They loved the mother country, its institutions and laws, and had no desire to throw off alle- giance so long as England respected their rights. The two countries had stood together on the fields of successive wars, they had things in common to be shared and kept, - one language set forth their traditions, one literature contained their history and laws. It was natural and desirable that they should have but one flag and sustain one general gov- ernment. But causes worked to alienate and bring about a final rupture. The colonies were oppressed with excessive taxation, denied the rights of their ancient charters, refused representation in council and the right of petition at court. Misguided and rash officials were placed in their midst, and they were subject, in various other obnoxious ways, to checks on their peace and prosperity.
Before hostilities broke out, protests were repeatedly pre- sented to the Crown against its despotic proceedings; but the colonies had little hope of English concession, hence, great activity prevailed in council, and the people prepared to meet the worst. Resolutions were passed, and such plans laid for aggressive and defensive measures as the exigencies of the province required. In these measures Sudbury had her share. The town was usually present, by delegates, in response to all calls, and her vote was stanch for the conti- nental cause. In 1770, the people manifested their hearty appreciation of the agreement of merchants in Boston " to stop the importation of British goods, and engaged for them- selves and all within their influence, to countenance and encourage the same." At an early day, they chose a com- mittee to prepare and present instructions to Peter Noyes, Representative to the General Court, in regard to the Stamp Act, which set forth their opinions very strongly concerning that petty piece of tyranny. Record after record appears on the Town Book, of resolutions and acts that show how posi-
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tive the people were in their patriotism, and how pronounced they were in declaring it. These are of such a character that to give a few of them will suffice.
1773. The Town being met, the committee appointed by the town to take into consideration the affair relating to the Tea sent here by the East India Company, reported as follows, viz." -
Taking into Consideration the late Conduct of administration, to- gether with an act of Parliament enabling the East India Company to export their Teas unto America Free of all Duties and Customs, Regu- lations and penalties in America as are provided by the revenue Act ; we are justly alarmed at this Detestable Craft and Policy of the Min- istry to deprive us of our American Liberties Transmitted to us by our Worthy Ancestors, at no less expense than that of their Blood and Treasure. That price our Renowned Forefathers freely paid, that they might transmit those Glorious Liberties as a free, full, and fair inher- itance to Posterity, which liberties through the Indulgent Smiles of Heaven, we have possessed in peace and Quietness, till within a few years Past (Excepting in the reign of the Detestable Stewarts) but now Behold ! the pleasing scene is changed, the British ministry, assisted by the Inveterate Enemies to American Liberty on this as well as on the other side of the Atlantick, Combining together to Rob us of our dear Bought freedom; have Brought us to this sad Dilemma, either to resolve like men in defense of our just Rights and Liberties, or sink under the weight of their Arbitrary and unconstitutional measures into a State of abject Slavery. Therefore as Freeborn Americans Intitled to all the immunities, Liberties and Privileges of Freeborn Englishmen, we look upon ourselves under the Strongest Obligations to use our utmost Exertions in defense of our just Rights in every constitutional method within our Power, Even though the Cost of the Defense should equal that of the purchase. Therefore resolved
1st That as we are entitled to all the Privileges of British Subjects, we have an undoubted and exclusive Right to Grant our own monies for the support of Government and that no Power on Earth has a right Lo Tax or make Laws binding us, without our consent.
2dly That the British Parliament laying a Duty on Tea Payable in America, for the express purpose of Raising a Revenue, is in our opinion an unjust Taxation, and that the specious method of permitting the East India Company to export their Teas into the Colonies, has a direct tendency to rivet the Chain of Slavery upon us.
3dly. That we will lend all the aid and assistance in our Power in every Rational Method, to hinder the Importations of Teas, so long as it is subject to a duty ; and that this Town are well pleased with, and highly approve of that Resolution in particular entered into by the Town of Boston, viz that they will not suffer any Tea to be imported into that Town while subject to an unrighteous Duty; and it is the
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desire and expectation of this Town that said resolution be not relaxed in any Degree; which if it should it would much lesson that confidence (which we hope we may justly say) we have reason to place in that respectable metropolis
4thly That the Persons appointed by the East India Company to receive and vend their Teas (by their obstinate refusal to resign their odious Commission) have shown a ready disposition to become the Tools of our Enemies, to oppress and enslave their Native Country, and have manifested such stupidity and wickedness to prefer private Inter- est to the good of their Country, and therefore can expect no favor or respect from us ; but we leave them to accumulate a load of Infamy, proportionate to their vileness.
5 That whoever shall sell, buy, or otherwise use Tea, while sub- ject to and poisened with a Duty, shall be deemed by us Enemies to their Country's welfare ; and shall be treated by us as such. The Town by their Vote Ordered the foregoing resolves to be recorded in the Town Book, and a Copy of the same to be forwarded to the Committee of Correspondence at Boston, with our sincere thanks to that Respect- able Town, for their Manly Opposition to every minsterial measure to enslave America.
Thomas Plympton, Ezekiel Howe, John Maynard Committee Sampson Belcher, Phinehas Glezen, Josiah Langdon S
With like spirit the town expressed itself in the following instructions to Peter Noyes, its Representative to the Court :
Sir, you being chosen by the inhabitants of this town to represent them in the Great and General Court or Assembly of their Province, we think proper at this critical Day, when our invaluable rights and privileges are so openly invaded to give you the following instructions.
That you invariably adhere to and steadfastly maintain (so far as you are able) all our Charter Rights and Priveleges and that you do [not] consent to give them or any of them up, on any pretense whatever. That you make use of all your influence, that some effective method be devised and pursued for the restoration of our violated rights and redress of all our grievances. That you use your endeavors that the Governor be prevailed upon to make a grant for the payment of our agent chosen by the Representative body of the Province to present our complaint to the ears of our King
John Maynard. r Sampson Belcher. John Balcom. Wm Rice, Jr. Phineas Gleason. Aaron Merriam.
Committee.
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Nov. 14, 1774, the town voted " their approbation of the several measures of the Provincial Congress so far as has been communicated to them." It also voted, at the same meeting, " to choose a committee to observe the conduct of all persons touching the association agreement entered into by the Continental Congress, whose business it shall be to see the articles contained therein are strictly adhered to by the inhabitants of this town."
In 1774, the town chose Thomas Plympton, Capt. Richard Heard, and James Mossman to represent it at the proposed Provincial Congress. The records just quoted are a few from many that show the fidelity of Sudbury to the great cause of freedom in those tumultuous times. It was decided as to the true principle of action, and equally prompt and consistent in carrying it out. Enough has been said to show the town's place in that preparatory period that led to the · clash of arms ; but we will quote a paper written by a Revo- lutionary soldier of Sudbury, which shows the spirit of the age and gives a synopsis of events and the way in which they were viewed by one living in town at the time of their occurrence ; and although, in presenting this paper, we may anticipate some of the events we are about to narrate, yet we think it proper to do this, rather than make a break in a paper so valuable both to local and general history.
" The Causes that led the Colonies to Take up armes Against the Mother Country is proper to be Shown To Prove the Necessity the Colonies were under to resist the oppressive Measures which the Colonies were laid under; namely the stamp act; on the Stamp act Being Repaled, an act called the Declaritory act, more oppressive and Hostile to American Rights than any thing that had Preceded it. A Cargo of Tea was consigned To the Friends of the Royal Governor Hutchinson with a duty [of] three pence on a pound, but the inhabitants of Massachusetts [being] Deter- mined not to pay that Duty, a Party of men in Disguise Entered on bord the Ships and Destroyed Three Hundred and Forty Two Chests of Tea. After these proceedings were received in England The Excitement was very strong
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against Massachusetts and Particularly against Boston, which was considered The seat of Rebellion. A Bill was then Brought forward that was called the Boston Port Bill ; the Port of Boston was Precluded the Privelege of Landing and Discharging or Loading and Shiping goods. The words Whigs and Tories was introduced about this Time. To the Honor of Sudbury there was Not any of the latter Class to be found within the limits [of] Sudbury.
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