USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 12
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" Mr. Samll Warner
$50.
Lt. Gideon Kibbe 10.
Lt. Eben., Russel
$40.
Mr. John Firmin
7.
Mr. Eleazer Smith
6.
Sergt Daniel Cadwell
30.
Col. John Bliss 45.
Mr. Moses Stebbins
39.
Mr. Latham Burdick 7.
Lt. Thomas King 30.
Lt. John Hitchcock
55.
Mr. Lewis Landgon
$20.
Mr. Rowland Crocker
20.
Moses Stebbins, Jr.
8.
Capt. Abel King
40.
William Brewer
20
Sergt Philip Lion 40.
Lt. Jesse Warner
50
Mr. Wm. Stacy
14.
Serg't Gideon Burt
10.
Mr. John Williams
38.
Capt. Paul Langdon
40
Mr. Ezekiel Russel
30.
Joshua Edy
30.
Lt. Noah Stebbins
17.
Mr. Joel Chaffee 7.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Sergt John Langdon
20
David Warriner, Jr. 32.
Lt. William King
6.
Chileab B. Merrick
30.
Gaius Brewer 30.
Thomas Maxon 30.
Mr. Comfort Chaffee
6.
Noah Warriner
20.
Serg't David Bliss
20
John Glover
30.
Jonathan Bliss
20.
Mr. David Burt
50.
Benoni Atchinson, Jr.
20.
Doct. Sam. F. Mirick
30.
William King, Jr.
50.
Mr. Asa Chaffee
10.
Attest, NOAH WARRINER,
Moses Burt, Jr.
20.
Town Clerk."
In November the town voted £ 2,860 (the sum shows how paper money had depreciated) to the soldiers gone for nine months.
The war is drawing to a close. Washington succeeded in shutting Lord Cornwallis up in Yorktown, and the whole British army, under his command, surrendered October 19, 1781. But the heart of the King was not softened, and men and money, and beef and blankets, and shoes and stockings were yet needed and demanded. The town granted, October 13, 1781, £ 8,000 to procure 8,310 cwt. of beef, and in November they granted £ 2,000 more to finish the purchase, directing their committee "To give no more than one hundred & twenty pound pr. hundred for Sd beef." In the same month, November 23, 1781, the town "voted that the Committee pay out all the money Granted for the nine months Soldiers at 80 Dollars pr. bushel for wheat, 50 dollars pr. bushel for rie, 33 Dollars and two shillings pr. bushel for Indian corn, that is not paid out." In answer to the call for fifteen men for three years, or during the war, it was voted that "150 silver dollars or paper at the exchange" be paid to each man who enlists. It is evident enough from these prices that patriotism was no more fervent and self-sacrificing in those days than it is in ours. More beef is demanded, and £480 "new Corency" is voted "to procure 15,957 cwt. of beef." The difficulty of obtaining silver with which to pay the State Tax had so increased that the wisest could not tell how to procure the money, and the boldest were ready to repudiate the tax. A committee was chosen, February 26, 1782, to petition the General Court about the "Silver rate and all other grievances." They presented their petition to an
130
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
adjourned meeting ten days after. It was "Sagely Debated," but as the meeting was small, no vote was taken at that time, but at the next meeting it was voted to send the petition; then the vote was reconsidered, and after debating the subject at five adjourned meetings, continued into April, the meeting was dissolved. These particulars indicate the strong feeling which was growing up in the town respecting the deranged condition of the State and national finances.
Soldiers could not be raised in the usual way, and the town was divided into classes, and a soldier assigned to each class. Fifteen districts were made of the town, according to population or wealth, and each one of these districts furnished a man, either of their own number or from some other place, or paid the fine imposed for noncompliance, which at this time was about £45. As the town could not pay the money in hand which they had agreed to give the soldiers on entering the service, they gave a note for the principal, and paid the interest. The town is also required to furnish 6,585 cwt. more beef, and £132 are granted, July 25, to purchase it. A new requisition of men is made, and it is voted to give the soldiers who were to serve for three months "50 s. per month and they draw their own wages [i. e. of the State or nation] or £4 per month and the town draw their wages" and also voted to pay "each soldier 40 s. before he march." The men could not be obtained; and a week after, the town granted 20 s. in addition to the £ 4 per month, and voted that "each soldier be paid £ 3 before he marches," and to pay the whole £ 180. In November, £ 60 more are granted to purchase the balance of the beef of the old requisition, and £140 to purchase what a new requisition required; and in pay- ing rates it is voted that one Silver Dollar Should answer 75 Dollars" [in paper money].
It becomes more and more difficult to raise money; and the town in their perplexity and distress went so far, May 12, 1783, after the treaty of peace had been signed, as to vote to "Instruct their Representative not to grant Congress the impost Re- quested by them for the express purpose of raising a revenue Independent of the States nor to supply Congress any way untill
131
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
the half pay to the officers of the army in the Communication thereof be settled and entirely given up." The war closed, but not the financial difficulties. Paper money sank in value rapidly, sank to worthlessness very soon. It would not pay debts, nor buy bread! The attempt to collect debts in silver which were contracted in paper currency was calculated to provoke a rebellion. A man who borrowed a hundred dollars must pay four thousand or lose his farm. The first emission became worthless after the issue of the second. A pound of the bills was not worth a pound of butter.
"Eldad Stebbins was constable in 1776. There is a tradition preserved among the papers of Calvin Stebbins to this effect :- The depreciation of paper money was such that he, having lost an ox, took the town's money in his hands, and bought a pair of oxen, for forty dollars, and before he was required to make his final settlement with the town treasurer, cider would sell for twelve dollars a mug,-three and one-third mugs of cider would pay, did pay, for the oxen."
Creditors began to press their helpless debtors. Silver, the only legal tender, could not be had. The unprincipled took advantage of the times and forced the payment of debts, secur- ing liens on real estate worth immensely more than the amount of the real indebtedness. The courts were thronged. It is said that twelve hundred suits were presented at one term of the court at Northampton. There was no peace, though peace was proclaimed. Men who had poured out their blood, either from their own veins or from those of their sons, were now to be deprived of the farms they had cleared, the houses they had built. The blessings of liberty and prosperity, for which they had fought, seemed to be escaping their grasp. Their own friends seemed to have become foes. The people were enraged, and their rage was fanned into a consuming flame by deluded and designing demagogues, and especially by one Samuel Ely, a discarded minister, who had preached for a time in Somers.
In regard to this Samuel Ely, I find that he had been preaching as a candidate at Somers, Conn., previous to 1769, and a council
132
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
had been called to ordain him as a minister but had refused to do so, but he had continued preaching. Among papers left by John Bliss, Esq., of South Wilbraham, I find that another council was called for the same purpose. The following is part of their report. "April 12, 1769, Council called at Somers Ct. to ordain Mr Samuel Ely as Minister and reported against it." Eight reasons were given why they refused. Part of the 7th reason is: "Mr. Ely appears to us to be totally void of the most esential qualifications to a Gospel Minister and to be at best but a Novice."
"8th He has used some of the most Horrid and abomniable Expressions in 'some of his Sermons, as for Instance 'That if God is the author of Sin the hotest place in Hell is too good for Him,' and at another time said this to his audience: 'I have done my duty, God will do his, and if you dont do yours You will be Damned' &c." (Signed) Sam11 Raynolds, Daniel Sexton, John Fuller, Noah Chapin, Charles Sheldon, Stephen Holmes Scribe of Sd Council."
In April, 1782, a mob led by Ely disturbed the holding of the court at Northampton. He was arrested and im- prisoned at Springfield but was released by a mob. Feb- ruary 22, 1782, "Deacon John Hitchcock, Dr. John Sterns, and Abner Chapin were chosen Delicates to set in a county convention, to be holden in Hatfield on the first Tuesday in April next." Suits became more and more vexatious, and money more and more worthless. In October, 1783, another delegate was chosen-Dr. John Stearns-"to set in a County Convention to be holden in Hatfield at the Dwelling house of Colonel Seth Murry." The tumult increased in different parts of the state, and arms were not seldom resorted to by the mob. In April 25, 1786, Capt. Phineas Stebbins and Mr. David Burt were chosen delegates to sit in a county convention at Hatfield; and in August of the same year "Lt. Noah Stebbins is chosen to Represent the town" in another convention to be held at the same place; and in the ensuing, November, Elijah Parsons is chosen to represent the town in a convention to be held in
133
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Hadley the next day. So the flames raged. Soon after this time, Luke Day, of West Springfield, had organized his forces, on the west of the river, and Daniel Shays was coming on, with what forces he could muster, from the east. It was the purpose of these men to take the arsenal, on the hill at Springfield, and seize the arms. General Shepard had assembled about 1,000 loyal men at Springfield to defend the arsenal, and General Lincoln was pressing on with his army from Worcester. It was important that Shays, and Day, who had 1,900 men, should attack General Shepard before General Lincoln could reinforce him. On the 24th of January, Shays reached Wilbraham and spent the night, with his soldiers quartered on the inhabitants. That day he had sent a messenger with a letter to Day to be ready for the fight the next day; but the messenger, on his way back, pinched with the cold, went into a tavern in Spring- field to warm himself, and some young men present, suspecting all was not right, so plied him with friendly draughts that they soon put him into a drunken sleep and got from his pocket Day's letter to Shays, saying that he could not fight till the 26th. Of this Shays knew nothing. But worse was to befall him. The men of Wilbraham were not idle. "Asaph King, at that time deputy sheriff, Col. Abel King, Dr. Samuel F. Merrick, and Dea. Noah Warriner met to devise a way of conveying to General Shepard intelligence of the proximity of the force. It was at last decided that the job belonged to the sheriff. On the morning of the 25th, Shays moved toward Springfield, 'on the Bay Road;' when King mounted a splendid young horse, that stood saddled in his barn, and started him across the fields to the 'stony hill road.' The snow, knee-deep to his horse, was covered with a crust, and he was obliged, in some instances, not only to make a path for his horse, but to pull down or leap fences. When he came out upon the road, the legs of his horse were streaming with blood. He was far ahead of Shays, and, spurring on, reached the arsenal in forty-five minutes from the time he left Wilbraham." Shepard now learned all the particu- lars of the number and proximity of the force of Shays, which were important to him, and prepared to meet him. The
134
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
marching was bad, and Shays did not make his appearance on the road till about four o'clock in the afternoon. After some parleying, and some boasting on the part of Shays, his column moved on toward the loaded cannon of Shepard, who had threatened to fire if he did not halt. The insurgents passed on, not believing that Shepard would dare to fire. It was no time for dallying; yet Shepard, to show all possible forbearance, fired first to the right, then to the left, then over the heads of the column. But still they came on, the harmless roar of the cannon frightening the village more than the insurgents. They are within fifty rods of the battery, and pressing on. It was now time to fire in earnest. The cannon are trained on the centre of the column; the match is whisked in the air; the column comes on; the priming is touched; the smoke belches forth, and the shots fly. Soon the smoke lifts. The column is broken and flying, crying, "MURDER!" Three men lie dead, and four are mortally wounded. Shays could not rally his men, and they fled with the utmost precipitation till the scattered column, the disorganized mob, reached Ludlow, where they spent the night. I am not aware that any Wilbraham men joined Shays; but John Langdon, the hero of two wars, then over sixty years of age, who was in Shepard's army, used to take keen delight in narrating how, with his old "Queen's Arm" at his eye, he frightened a whole squad of Shays-men to throw down their arms and surrender. The insurrection was, soon after this, wholly put down. The insurgents dispersed to their homes, and an amnesty almost general was declared. By special legislation the pecuniary affairs of the state were adjusted so as to relieve to a great extent the sufferings of the people, and soon prosperity filled the purses and garners of the town. The popularity of Shays was very great, however, among some people, and, as late as forty years after the rebellion, "Hurrah for Shays!" was as common an exclamation, in the mouths of many persons, as "Hurrah for Jackson!" was twenty years later.
The great struggle for independence is over; The rebellion, consequent on a state of universal bankruptcy, is put down; the constitution of the state is adopted; the ordinary channels
135
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
of business are opening to the enterprising; prosperity, peace, and happiness succeed the poverty, tumult, and anxiety of war.
It is reported that there were a few Wilbraham men in the mob of Shays. There were many of our men with General Shepard. Nine Chaffees are said to have answered to the roll- call of Shepard's army, on the morning of the battle. As their names were called in succession, it caused no little amusement: "Asa Chaffee, Asa Chaffee, Jr., Comfort Chaffee, Comfort Chaffee, Jr.," etc.
It is also reported that four or five men from the south part of the town, who were on their way to join the insurgents, were met near the Sessions place, by one who was returning from the affair, and informed that Shays was defeated, and that, "it is all over."
There is a curious story about the Deacon Nathaniel Warriner house, in connection with the Shays Rebellion. On the after- noon of the 24th of January, the day that Shays had quartered his soldiers for the night on the people of Wilbraham, he sent an outpost, or picket, of four men down to that house. The four men went over the house to see that everything was safe and clear for their stay over night. They found the door to the north front chamber locked. They knew the chamber was occupied by someone, because of sounds they had heard, but their demand for admittance was not answered. After shaking the door in an effort to open it, one of them said, "Let's smoke him out!" "Smoke him out" they all shouted. They climbed up on to the roof, put a wet blanket over the north flue of the chimney, put more fuel on the fire that was already burning in the fireplace downstairs, and rushed back to the locked chamber door. The smoke from the fire below poured out through the fire place in the room above, and filled it with the stifling fumes. The door flew open and a woman, carrying a boy about half a year old, staggered out from the smoke filled chamber, choking and gasping for breath. They had succeeded in "smoking him out," but he wasn't very dangerous to them, and I believe they apologized for the trouble they had made. I have always thought there must have been some reason for that woman's
136
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
act, and it may be that it was done to keep those men of Shays engaged around the Warriner house, while sheriff Asaph King and the others mentioned were holding their conference in a near-by house, to arrange a way to inform General Shepard of their presence.
I insert here a copy of Dr. Merrick's Journal, as printed in the "Stebbins History."
JOURNAL OF SAMUEL F. MERRICK, M. D. ON THE EXPEDITION OF THE WILBRAHAM COMPANY AT THE "BENNINGTON ALARM."
1777. Sept. 29. About two in the afternoon set out from home on an expedition to the northern army, arrived at Spring- field, tarried till night then dismissed till to morning nine o'clock passed the river with Leut. King in order to lodge with Uncle Merrick. 30, met according to order and after deliberat- ing till about four o'clock we proceeded on our march. Leut. King returned to bring up the rear. Went to my uncles to lodge again the company proceeded forward.
Oct. 1 about nine o'clock set out, overtook the company at Peas, went in company with them about four miles, put up at Crockers lodged at the next house.
Oct. 2. Seargant Lamb and Brewer with Solomon Warriner & myself proceeded forward in order to put out our horses, went as far as Lanesborough, after much difficulty got entertainment at one Powels near the middle of the town
3d Turned to the Eastward Bush Meadow, after much diffi- culty got our horses put out at East Hoosuch at Major Roger Rose where we lodged.
4th Took my horse in to Williamstown, sent him back to Sd Rose and marched on foot about four miles on the road to Bennington then turned to the left and went about six miles to one Co1 Plat.
6th Set out in the morning and arrived there soon, found that our troops were all ordered up the River, Ordered to encamp until further orders. In the afternoon heard canon briskly toward head quarter; very anxious to hear the event.
This morning an express arrived from head quarters 8 informing that Gen. Gates had caried sundry Redoubts & all the Enemys out lines and twas expected by the motions that they would retreat soon, likewise with orders for us to Press
137
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
forward with all dispatch, accordingly half after twelve we marcht and travilled till sunset about twelve miles.
9 Gen. Barly from N. Hampshire lodged in the same house with us last night, two expresses arrived informing us that the enemy were actually on the retreat, orders for us to make no delay in order to harass them upon their retreat, set out very early and arrived at Batter Hill before noon about three miles from Saratoga. a very rainy afternoon. soon after our arrival there was an alarm that the Enemy was upon us, but it proved to be false.
10 Lodged in a corn house last night, about midnight there was another allarm but this likewise Proved false. In the morning concluded to join Col. Porter, but before we did he marched down to the river, we followed on but was ordered more to the southward, which we obeyed and reconoitering the shore found a boat ashore which we were guarding when a num- ber of others came floating down which we took, lodged here this night.
12. Continue still to guard the boats, the Enemy are now about a mile below the church, there has been a scattering fire ever since the retreat began and still continues nothing material hapening the army excepting Gen Gates sent in a flagg demand- ing a surrender, but I have heard no answer. This morning Gen. Nickson made an attack upon the enemy but by mistake Gen Learned who was to attack them in the west at the same time delayed about fifteen minutes after a severe fire a few minutes was obliged to retreat.
14 Ordered that there be a cessation of arms til sun set. Sundry flaggs passing back and forth, in the evening reported that Gen. Burgoine had agreed to resign himself and army Prisoners of War, to march out to morrow morning.
15 Went over to Saratoga in expectation of seeing the Enemy march out, and after waiting the whole day was obliged to return without having my expectations answered but with great confidence reported that the stipulation was actually signed and that it was to take place to morrow.
16 Waiting to see the army march out but by some reason or other is delayed, towards evening heard that it was put off till to morrow.
17 A day never to be forgotten by the American States. About Eleven O clock A. M. Gen. Burgoine with a number of Other officers rode out, escorted by sundry officers of the Continental army and a little south of the church was met by Gen. Gates, and after a polite compliment proceeded to head quarters;
138
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
about two the army began to march out. I taried till after four when I returned. They had not all then marehed out, but I believe nearly, the number ean by no means ascertain but should be inclined to think between five and six thousand but I am by no means a competent judge, tho' I had a good view of them. The Lord be praised for this wonderful token of divine favor for which we cannot be sufficiently thankfull."
SOLDIERS OF WILBRAHAM WHO SERVED IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR (Copied from the Stebbins History.) "Dec. 5th 1775.
"A Roll of Capt. James Warriner's Company of Wilbraham who marehed in defence of Ammerican Liberty on ye Alarm last April occasioned by the Lexington Fight. Time of service, ten days:
"James Warriner Capt. Moses Colton
Darius Chaffee
Wm King Lit.
Chiliab Mirick
Ebenr Cadwell
John Hitchcock Lit. Jona Cooley
Joshua Eddy
Enos Stebbins St Isaac Dunahm
Enos Clark
Thos King St
Ezekiel Russell Ezek1 Wright
Aaron Alvard St
Reuben Thayer Calvin Stebbins
Elear Smith
Benj. Farnham Thos Coleman
Sam11 Day Comfort Chaffee Gideon Burt
Josh Chaffee
Jesse Warner Abel King
Samll Mirick
Jesse Carpenter
Charles Brewer
Asa Chaffee
Josh Jones
Benj. Colton
Isaac Morris
Rowland Crocker John Stearns
"A return of Capt. Paul Langdon's Company, in Col. David- son's Regt-on Command at Quebeck Oet. 6, 1775:
"Paul Langdon, Capt.
John Langdon 2nd
Daniel Cadwell 1st Lieut.
Daniel Simons
Noah Warriner Sargt.
Simon Stacy
John Langdon
John W. Chaffee
Philip Lyon
Ephraim Wright Dischd
Aaron Stebbins Corp.
John Davis
Othniel Hitchcock"
Reuben Shayler
Charles Ferry Drumr
Nathaniel Mighets
Abner Warriner fifer
Ephraim Dunham
Daniel Carpenter
Ephraim Wight Jr. Dis.
Aaron Cadwell
Benjamin Chubb Dead
Jonathan Sikes Seth Clark
Moses Rood
Eli Beebe
Abner Chapin
Simeon Bates
Nathan Sikes
Moses Simons
Phanuel Warner
Joseph Dunham Also thirteen others not residents of Wilbraham.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
"Service at Ticonderoga, Dec. 5, 1776 to Apr. 2, 1777. Capt. Daniel Cadwell's Co. Col. Timº Robinson's Detachment:
"Daniel Cadwell, Capt.
Zadock Beebe
Daniel Parsons, 1st Lt
Jesse Carpenter
Robert McMaster, 2 Lt
Asa Chaffee
John Colton, Sr.
Amos Chaffee
Joseph Abbott
John Hancock
John McKlewain Sr.
Jabez Hancock
Stephen Wright
John Hitchcock
Medad Stebbins Cor.
Isaac Morris
Abner Warner Aaron Colton
James Shaw
Joseph Colton
66
Samuel Warner
Judah Moore Dr.
Daniel Chapin
William Colton Fifer
Judah Chapin
Luther Bliss
Jesse Lampeare
Ebenezer Beebe
John Stebbins
Steward Beebe
Perez Hitchcock
"180 miles travel £7. 7S. bounty "99 Days Service "Wages per month 60S.
"Bennington Alarm, 1777:
"Capt. James Shaw's Company. Charles Pynchon Esq. Col. Sep. 24, to Oct. 18. Time of service 32 days:
"James Shaw, Capt.
Timothy Worthington
Noah Stebbins, Lieut.
Daniel Sweetland
Ebenr Colton
Solomon Lothrop
Joseph Sexton Sergt.
Oliver King, Lieut.
Charles Ferry
Jabin Cooley
Gad Lamb
David Wood-
Gaius Brewer
John Chaterton
Josiah Cooley Cor1.
Luther Cooley
Aaron Chanwell "
Reuben Warriner
Abenor Chapin
Israel Chapin, Lieut.
Calvin Stebbins, fifer
John Colton
Gordin Percival
Lem1 Whitney
Samuel F. Merrick
Elijah Parsons
Edward Colton
Judah Ely
Jona Leech
John Langdon
Jona Merrick
Edward Morris
Luther Hitchcock
Jesse Lamphere
Benj. Howard
Aaron Stebbins
Solomon Loomis
Judah Willey
Geo. Cooley
Isaac Morris
Nath1 Warner
David White Matthew Keep
David Bliss
Asa Jones
Asa Simonds
Solomon Warriner
Aaron Howard Zadock Stebbins
Phinehas Hitchcock
Comfort Chaffee
Moses Stebbins
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Eight Months' Service, 1778:
"In Capt. Malcom Henry's Co. Col. David Brewer's Regi- ment.
"Levi Bannister fifer. Paul Newton In Capt. Isaac Colton's Co. Luther King fifer. Solomon King Samuel Calking, Drafted Jonathan Polley
Daniel Colton
"Nine Months' Service, 1778:
"Lewis Langdon Moses Albert
John Huntley
Zadoc Benton
John Colkins John Russell Joseph Cutt, a negro.
"Moses Albert did not pass muster, having lost half of one of his feet.
"Six months' Soldiers, serving in the Continental Army of the United States in 1780:
"David Allin, Ebenezer Thomas, Joseph Bumpstead, Daniel Mason, Gad Warriner, Zenas Cone, John James Sikes, John White, Gaius Stebbins, Reuben Abbott, Isaiah Chaffee, Stephen Simons, Ethan Smith, Titus Amidown, Kittridge Davis, Seth Warner, Henry Wright, Emmons Lillie, John Orcutt,
"In Continental Army for three years, about 1778:
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