USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 11
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
thereof to be transmitted to the committee of Inspection in the Town of Boston in order to be Published.'
"This is the first voice from Wilbraham, five years before the battle of Lexington, and it is in every way worthy of the men and the crisis. Our hearts swell with gratitude as we repeat the words. We feel taller and stronger as we remember they were the words of our ancestors.
"The town clerk, the renowned Master Barker, adds to his record of the above vote, 'N. B. It was moved in the meeting to pass some Votes relating to not purchasing goods of those, who, contrary to the merchant's agreement, continue to Import, and also relating to the Horrid Murther lately committed in Boston by the Soldiers: but a rumour that the Duty acts were repealed, and being an Infant town [mark the modesty as well as the manliness of the fathers, for the town was not yet seven years old] in the Province, the Meeting thought Prudent not to show themselves too forward in passing many votes in the affair.' Their patriotism is surpassed by nothing but their modesty. They desired no quarrel with the mother country, and hoping the 'rumour of repeal' was true, they passed over without action the article 'to see if this town will take care Speedily to Procure and Provide a Stock of Powder and Am- munition.'
"No further action was taken by the town for the next three years. The controversy was carried on mainly between the colonial Governor and the citizens of Boston, though active correspondence was kept up with other towns in the state. At a town meeting held April 6, 1773, Ezra Barker, Isaac Brewer, Eleazer Bliss, John Bliss, and Nath'l Warriner were chosen a committee 'to take into Consideration Corresponding with the town of Boston relative to the Crown fixing Salaries upon our officers without our Consent.' At an adjourned meeting, held April 20th, 'at 3 o'clock P. M.,' this committee make their report in reply to the appeal of the Boston Committee, drawn up in part by Samuel Adams and Joseph Warren, and presented to the town meeting of Boston, November 20, 1772, by James Otis, that flaming torch of the Revolutionary struggle. In what words could these simple citizens of young Wilbraham respond to the sentences of fire which came blazing from the pen of Adams, and thundering from the lips of Otis? Listen to them,-modest, manly, heroic: 'We, the Inhabitants of the town of Wilbraham this 20th day of April A. D. 1773 in town meeting Lawfully assembled by adjournment Take this oppor- tunity to acknowledge the favour of a Pamphlet printed by order
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of the town of Boston at their meeting Nov. 20th, 1772, wherein the rights of the Colonists are stated together with a list of publick Grievances or infringements of those rights, &c., we freely acknowledge that we are a few days later than might justly be expected & perhaps some will say that we are fore- closed on account that the Honorable House of Representatives have taken the matter in hand, others may venture to say that Seeing Wilbraham is but an Infant town, the Inhabitants there of are bold and Imprudent, in meddling with the affair: Since the most anticent towns in the same Country have lain still and done nothing; we answer that we have a call to be VERY BOLD to stand for and MAINTAIN OUR JUST RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES especially at this SO CRITICAL TIME. And if we may be allowed to use Scripture Language we would have recourse to the words of Elihu and say, I am young and ye are very old, wherefore I was afraid and Dust not Show you mine opinion. I said Days should Speak and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a Spirit in man &c.,-Therefore I said Hearken to me I also will Show mine opinion .- Behold, I waited for words, &c. Thus far the Introduction, and after taking thankful notice of the late conduct of the honorable house of representatives we will proceed to a few resolves." In these resolves the committee say it is (1) "the opinion of this town that the rights of the Colonists as stated in the Boston Pamphlet in general are well and Justly Stated and we have too much reason to believe that there is an attempt made to abridge us of those rights, which is Cruel and unreasonable; (2) that in faithfulness to ourselves to our posterity and as friends to the English constitution and nation as well as faithful and loyal Subjects to our Sovereign Lord the King, we may not DARE SIT STILL as Idle Spectators and DO NOTHING, Wherefore Considering ourselves a part of the whole, and members of the same Body and that our Interests are Joint Interests (3) we are willing & will unite and Join with our Brethren in pursuing all Proper & Lawful methods whereby we may gain redress of those Grievances so Justly Complained of and which are like to prove So hurtful to the good Subjects of the King as well as Dishonorable to his Crown. (4). Resolved as the opinion of this town that we are not Sensible that we or our Brethren of this Province have Done anything thus to forfeit our Just rights or to merrit the Displeasure of our Sovereign, but on the other hand we verily Beleive that the People of this Province and throughout the whole British America are as true and as Loyal SUBJECTS as any in the King's Dominions, at the Same time we Cannot omitt Saying that it is with Pleasure
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we observe Stiddiness and firmness of the people in their resolu- tions as well as good temper in standing for and maintaining their Just rights and Priviledges and that all mobs, routs and riots are laid aside-and Furthermore we are of opinion that if petitions for redress in a proper Channel were repeatedly and humbly presented to our King & our earnest prayers Continually put up to the King of kings the same accompanied with a uni- versal reformation this would give us reason to hope that our Priviledges wold be restored and Continued to us and that we might yet remain a happy People.' Resolves every way worthy the age of heroes and sages.
"The state of affairs grew no better, and in December, the tea was thrown overboard in Boston Harbor by a party of citizens disguised as Indians, among whom was Robert Sessions, who soon afterwards settled in this town and became one of our most worthy and influential citizens.
"In June, 1774, Gage filled Boston with troops, and the Com- mon was covered with tents. A special meeting of our citizens was held June 23d. The town meeting was 'very full.' Mr. John Bliss was chosen moderator. It was voted that 'Dea. Warriner Should Desire Mr. Mirick to Come and Pray accord- ingly Mr. Mirick opened Sd meeting by prayer.' This is the first record of a prayer being offered at a town meeting.
"'Afer several Letters or Covenants sent from the town of Boston to the town of Wilbraham were read, it was further voted after Largely Discoursed upon that Some words Should be Dashed out in the first article in the Covenant and some be aded, voted that the Last article in the Covenant should be all Dasht out & voted there Should be words aded under the Last article in the Covenant; voted and chose Decn Warriner Lieut Thomas Mirick and James Warriner a Comte to make Enquiry to See what other towns Do before they send Sd Covenant to the town of Boston & voted that Sd Comte should not send Sd Covenant without further orders from Sd town. This covenant says there being no alternative between the horrors of Slavery or the Carnage and desolation of a Civil war but a Suspension of all Commercial intercourse with the island of Great Britain, we do solemnly Covenant and engage with each other (1) that from henceforth we will Suspend all Commercial intercourse with said island of Great Britain * * and (2) that we will not buy purchase or Consume or Suffer any person by for or under us to purchase or Consume in any manner whatever any goods weres or merchandize which shall arrive in America from Great Britain * and that we will break off all trade Commerce
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and dealings whatever with all persons who Prefering their own Private intrist to the Salvation of their now perishing Country shall still continue to Import goods from Great Britain or shall purchase of those who do Import and (3) we agree to purchase no article of merchandize of any who do not sign this covenant.' Then follow the signatures of one hundred and twenty-five patriotic men, who, it is to be presumed, were heads of families."
Names of those who signed the Non-Consumption Pledge.
1774
Paul Langdon,
John Hitchcock,
Isaac Dunham,
Thomas Coleman,
Thomas Jones,
Joseph Bumstead,
Noah Stebbins,
Caleb Stebbins, Jr.
Zadock Stebbins,
Moses Warriner,
Martin Nash,
Stephen Bliss,
Thomas King,
Nehemiah Abbot,
Zadock Bebee,
Daniel Cadwell, Jr.
Abner Warriner,
Moses Colton,
Jonathan Bliss,
Gideon Burt,
Simeon Chaffee,
Aaron Alvord,
Amos Hutchinson,
Moses Bartlett,
Peleg. Woodworth,
Abner Chapin, Jr.
Ezekiel Russel,
Henry Ely,
John Chaffee,
Jabes Hendrick,
Stephen Cotton,
William Stacy,
Joseph Mason,
Noah Warriner,
Jesse Lambfaire,
Ebenezer Crocker,
Moses Stebbins, Jr.
Rowland Crocker,
Samuel Dunham,
Moses Bartlett, Jr.
Thomas Lewis,
Thomas Bliss,
Nathaniel Bliss,
Enos Stebbins,
Ebenezer Stacy,
Gabril Burnham,
Joel Chaffee,
John Plumbey,
Jonathan Ely, Jr.
Soloman King, John Langdon,
Moses Stebbins,
Levi Bliss,
Samuel Bartlett,
Samuel Sexton,
Abner Badger,
Ephraim Chapin,
Asa Chaffee,
Calvin Stebbins,
Samuel Warner,
Justin Stebbins,
John Bliss,
David Perry,
. Asa Waukor,
Ezra Barker,
Lieutt. Thomas Mirick
David Chapin, William Orsborn,
Joseph Chaffee,
Serg't Moses Burt,
Paul Hitchcock,
Dea. Natha. Warriner,
Zenas Jones,
Rheuben Hitchcock,
Joseph Burnham,
Benjamin Wright,
Moses Burt, Jr.
Benoni Atchinson,
Aaron Bliss,
David Warriner, Jr.
Eleazer Smith,
Isaac Orsborn,
Abel King,
Ser. William King, David Warriner,
Samuel Warner, Jr.
Jonathan Sikes,
David Lyon,
Henry Chandler,
Phinias Stebbins,
Abner Chapin,
Charles Warriner,
James Warriner,
Samuel Bebee,
Ephraim Wight,
John Langdon, 2d.
Oliver Bliss,
Ephraim Wight, Jr.
Nathaniel Warriner,2d John Jones,
Jonathan Ely,
Levi Cadwell,
Joseph Sikes,
Nathaniel Hitchcock, John Lumis,
Henry Wright,
Jesse Warner,
Amos Chaffee,
David Bliss,
Elijah Parsons,
Serg't Aaron Stebbins,
Joseph Abbot,
Joseph Jones,
Serg't Daniel Cadwell,
Ebenezer Bebee.
Benoni Atchinson, Jr. Silas Hitchcock,
Lewis Langdon, Jr.
Caleb Stebbins,
Gideon Kibbee,
Ebenezar Thomas,
Rowland Thomas,
Nathan Ainsworth,
Abel Bliss,
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
These fathers of ours felt that higher wisdom than man's was needed in the "great crisis" and they finally "Resolved that as God in his providence is frowning upon the Inhabitants of this Land in the Civil Distresses which we begin to feel & many others which we Can Easily fore bode, we think it proper to Set apart one Day in three months as a Day of fasting & prayer to All Mighty God for his help in our Deliverance and in this way Look to that being for Releif by whom Kings reign & princes decree justice, Sensable for our Encouragement that in this way God was wont to releive people of old, and that the appoint- ment of the particular Day be left to our Revd Paster or the Select [men] of the town." They then "voted very unanimously & Granted twenty-five pounds to provide a town Stock of ammunition as the Law directs."
There were tories in town and some professedly neutral persons who needed attention, and, January 2, 1775, a commit- tee of fifteen was chosen "to see that the Continentil and Proventil Congresses associations and resolves are Strictly attended to." At the same meeting they chose "Maj. John Bliss a Deligate for a provential Congress proposed to be held att Cambridge the first day of febuary next or Sooner if Cald for;" and chose a committee of seven "to Collect a Donation for the poor of the town of Boston and See that the Same is Transported as soon as may be." A body of "minute men" had already made "Extraordinary preparation" for "immediate Service" and that was soon to be called for and promptly rendered.
General Gage, commander of the British troops in Boston, had determined to get possession of the ammunition and arms of the province which he heard were stored at Lexington and Concord. On the night of the eighteenth of April the troops stole out of Boston hoping to reach Lexington without being discovered, but the concerted signal flashed from the spire of the New North Church, and Paul Revere was instantly on his way from Charlestown to Lexington, rousing the inhabitants on the road, so that when Major Pitcairn who led the advance of the troups reached the Common he found the "minute men" of
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Lexington drawn up in arms before him. He ordered them to disperse. They stood their ground. He ordered his men to fire. That volley opened the Revolutionary War. Couriers were despatched on the fleetest horses to arouse the people everywhere and carry the flaming torch of alarm through the country. On the 20th, we may suppose, just as the sun was passing the meridian, a rider was seen coming down the Bay Road at full speed, his horse dripping and smoking with sweat, who barely checked his pace before Samuel Glover's door, and announced the fight, calling upon the "minute men" to hasten to the rescue. He was off and out of sight on his way to Spring- field in a moment. Blood had been shed! Glover mounts his horse and rides, as he never rode before, down by Jones's and Bliss's calling on them to come on as he goes. Brewer and Merrick, and Warriner the captain of the minute men, rush in from the field. The long roll is beaten by Charles Ferry, so that the mountain answers it from Oliver Bliss's to Noah Stebbins. Merrick mounts his horse and flies down the west road to the Hitchcocks, and the Stebbinses, the Chapins, and the Langdons, by the Scantic. Burt tells his most vigorous son to cross the mountains by Rattle snake Peak as swift as the winds ever swept over them, and rouse the Crockers, the Cones, the Russels, the Kings, and to stay not his speed till all the men of the south valley, from the corner to Isaac Morris's were sum- moned to the march; then to return without delay along the east road by the Chaffees,' Hendricks,' and Carpenters,' and over the mountains by Rev. Noah Merrick's, home. It was done as quick and as well as said. "Edward" said Isaac Morris to his son, "bring the horse." And as soon as he had slung his powder-horn over his shoulder, put his bullets into his pocket, and taken down his trusty gun from its hooks, the faithful steed was at the door. Breathing a prayer for his heroic wife, standing by in speechless submission, he was off at full speed on the track of young Burt, and passing up the same road, Comfort Chaffee and Jesse Carpenter joined him, and rode for the mountain, while Enos Stebbins and Asa Chaffee, from south of the Scantic, rushed over to William King's and together up the
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
middle road, taking Ezekiel Russell and Rowland Crocker in company, and all joined those coming up the west road and over the mountain, at the Nathaniel Warriner barn, about a half mile south of the center of our main village.
Before the mountain ceased to glow with that day's departing sun, thirty-four men, with the blessing of their wives, and the prayers of the fathers who were too old to go into battle, were on the "great Bay Road," hastening on their way to defend and, if need be, to die for their rights. But the "red-coats" had returned to Boston in fewer numbers and more rapidly than they left it, and our "minute men" returned after ten days to the quiet and security of their own homes. Such was the "Lexington alarm."
A company of forty-five men, thirty-four of whom were of this town, was at once organized under the command of Capt. Paul Langdon, as eight months' men; they were encamped in Roxbury and formed part of the army which besieged Boston. It is evident that a very close watch was kept upon those who were suspected of faithlessness in heart or weakness in knee, for, at a town meeting, September 2, 1776, an unsuccessful attempt was made, after a "Large Debate" to remove "Lt Wm. King and Mr. Enos Stebbins" from the committee "of Correspondence, Inspection and safety & in the rome and Sted thereof Chuse two other members for Sd Comtte." The Article to see if the town "will immediately furnish themselves with a town stock of ammunishon & fire arms if it can be procured" was also "past over & not acted upon."
In the autumn of 1776, there was fear of an invasion from Canada, and the town furnished thirty-two men, under the command of Capt. Daniel Cadwell, who rendered service "at Ticonderoga from December 5, 1776, to April 2, 1777." The town, as well as the whole state, was startled September, 1776, by what was called the Bennington Alarm, and a company of fifty-two men, under the command of Capt. James Shaw, left town September 24, for the seat of danger. They were present on the opposite side of the river at the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga. As there was no call for further service, they returned
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
and were discharged, October 18, after a campaign of only thirty-two days. The next November the town voted to pay the soldiers who marched on the alarm towards Bennington, £ 11. It was found very difficult, after the first gush of patriot- ism was spent, to obtain men for the war, especially for any long period of service, and £ 12 bounty was offered for volunteers, March 18, 1777, to fill up the town's quota of "every seventh man."
From organizing the militia, and furnishing soldiers for the army, the town turns to framing a constitution; and instruc- tions were given, May 23, "to [Maj. John] Bliss and [Capt John] Shaw," representatives from the town, to form "Such a Constitution of Government as other Representatives of this State in one body with the Council Shall Judge best Calculated to promote the happiness of this State," which body they are directed to join; but they are "to take head in all their doings and be Strictly careful in forming Said Constitution that the JUST RIGHTS, LIBERTIES & PRIVILEDGES OF THE PEOPLE in general be well guarded & Secured against all unjust Incroach- ments whatever * that in all their proceedings they have Special recorse (as an assistance) to a Little book or Pamplet Intitled 'THE PEOPLE THE BEST GOVERNORS, or a Plan of Government, &c.,' " and finally, that "they use their influence and endeavors that such acts or Laws as have ben already anacted and are like to prove hurtful to this or any State be amended or repealed." Jealousy of power in the hands of government is shown most distinctly in these instructions, and will be found deeply ingrained in the very hearts of our fathers all through their history.
At this time, the trouble with the depreciating paper currency begins to make its appearance. Silver coin, in which taxes must be paid, could not be obtained except at a high premium, and it was very difficult, almost impossible, for the people to pay their taxes. Instructions are therefore given by the town, November 21, 1777, to Col. John Bliss and Capt. John Shaw, representatives, "to use their influence to repeal the act made for Calling in the States money."
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
The sufferings of the soldiers in the field and of their families at home were becoming so severe as to call for the action of the town, and at a meeting, held January 5, 1778, five men were chosen a committee "to Collect Donations for the Continential Soldiers belonging to this town." And "Lt John Hitchcock, Lewis Langdon and Lt Ebenezer Russel" were "chosen a com- mittee to take care of those families that their husbands are gone into the war for the term of three years or During the war."
The constitution or frame of government which had been framed for the state during the past year was submitted to the people for acceptance, and this town, March 26th, 1778, voted against it, "24 votes in favor and 51 against." There is no record of its objectionable features. A call was made upon the town for its quota of seven men to join General Washington's army at Fiskhill, New York, and a bounty of £ 60 was offered, May 11, 1778, to those who should volunteer; and if none volunteered, the same sum was to be given to the seven men who might be drafted. Two days after, at another town meeting, clothing was voted to the soldiers "equal to one- seventh part of the male Inhabitants agreeable to a late act of the General Court." Also an article, in a warrant for a town meeting to be held in August "to see if the town will make Choise of Some person or persons to procure Shirts, Shoes and Stockings for the Continential Soldiers agreeable to a Late act of the general court of this State." There is no record of choosing such a committee. The town clerk was absent and a clerk pro tem officiated. It is probable he did not make full returns, for money is appropriated at the November meeting "to pay for cloathing procured for the Continential Souldiers, £ 101, and for one pair of shoes omitted for a Continential Soldier £ 2, 25."
The difficulty of raising men increased as the war went on. Paper money was rapidly depreciating, and the volunteer could not rely, for a month, upon the nominal value of his pay. The town endeavored to obviate this difficulty by offering grain, at a fixed price, instead of paper money, to all who would "Inlist."
It was voted, June 22, 1779, "that Each man who would
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Inlist into the Continental army for the Term of nine month and Join the Continental Army for that Term for Each months Service they shall have Forty Shillings Pr. month, wheat at 6s. Pr. Bushel, Rie at 4 Shillings Pr. bushel, Corn at 3 shillings Pr. Bushel, oats at 1 s. 6 d Pr Bushel, wool at 2 Shillings Pr Pound, flax at 10d. Pr. Pound in addition to their Continental Pay & State Bounty." A committee is chosen "to procure the above articles," and to draw on the treasury for money. After an adjournment of half an hour, apparently for free consulta- tion, wheat is put at "4 s. Pr. Bushel, Rie at 3 shillings Pr. Bushel and Indian Corn at 2 Shillings Pr Bushel." The meeting adjourned for half an hour, then for six days, when it is "voted, June 28, that, if men do not volunteer, the men who are drafted shall have the same bounties;" and, also, to quicken action, it is "voted that this town will advance 200 dollars advance pay to be Reducted out of their forty Shillings a month according as the above Sd Committee Shall adjudge Right and Equitable Between the Town and Said Soldiers."
Agreeable to the advice of the delegates, who met at Concord, another convention is called to form a new constitution for the state to meet at Cambridge, and Capt. Phineas Stebbins was chosen "Deligate," August 16, and the following carefully pre- pared instructions were given him-which show most signally that our fathers were scrupulously, if not wisely, jealous of the personal rights of the people and of the power of the govern- ment,-namely, " (1) As to the Choice of Govenor Lieut. Governor and Counsil that they be Chosen Annually by the people; (2) That all Civil officers be Chosen Annually by the People; (3) That no Town in this State be allowid to send more then two Representatives in one year to the General Court; (4) that no Civil officer be a Legislative Officer at the same time : (5) that all of the above officers Shall be Professors of the Protestant Religion." Thus instructed, their "Deligate" joined his associates at Cambridge on the first Wednesday of September.
The prices of commodities had become so irregular and uncer- tain that an invitation was sent out from a "Committee who set
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
at South Hadley, Signed E. Porter," to the towns "To choose Delegates to meet in convention at Northampton to adopt a scale of prices which shall be uniform and permanent." "Lieut. John Hitchcock and Doctor Sam'1 F. Merrick" were chosen Delegates. In September, a committee of eight is chosen to take their report into consideration, and to report "to the Town what they think the Prices of the Several Articles (therein set down) ought to be." No report was made by this committee. It was found, probably, that the subject was too complex to admit of the application of any specific rules.
The enemies of their country grow bolder as the burdens of the war increase, and renewed vigilance is demanded of the friends of freedom. A committee of seven was chosen in Sep- tember "TO TAKE CARE OF PERSONS IN THIS TOWN SUSPECTED TO BE ENEMICAL TO THE AMERICAN STATES," and they are "directed to demean themselves according to the Present Laws of this State.".
The difficulties which hindered the raising of men continued to accumulate. The demand was imperative, the work well- nigh impossible. A desperate rally was made in October, and £ 400 were raised for the soldiers' bounty and mileage money, and subscriptions were opened that the money might be promptly obtained, the sums subscribed to be deducted from the taxes of the persons subscribing. Forty-three names are recorded as subscribers. Lieut. John Hitchcock subscribed the largest sum, fifty-five dollars. The following are the names of the Subscribers for Soldiers' Bounty:
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