USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Walpole > The story of Walpole, 1724-1924; a narrative history prepared under authority of the town and direction of the Historical Committee of Bi-Centennial > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
These bounties did produce results, as various muster-rolls, sworn statements, and entries in
1 Town Rec., II, 8. 2 Ibid. ' Ibid., 11. ‘ Ibid., 23.
" Ibid., 62, 63. 6 Ibid., 75.
[152 ]
------
4
1
THE REVOLUTION
the town records prove. 6 There were Walpole men with Washington's armies through the periods of all the great campaigns. Among them were Holland Wood and Josiah Barden. Of the former it is told that in one battle, when the day was going against the Americans, he drew off a cannon from the field without assist- ance, thereby preventing its loss to the enemy. Wood was a large, powerful man, fully capable of doing the work thus credited to him.
Barden was in the Battle of Trenton and, in after years, often told of his experiences. At one time a soldier standing near him was struck by a bullet which passed through his canteen. "Damn them, they have spoiled my canteen," the soldier exclaimed. And in the next moment he fell dead at Barden's side.2
David Wilkinson of Walpole was under Bene- dict Arnold when he went over to the enemy and saw Washington when he returned to camp and learned of the treason.3
In addition to these and other Walpole men, there were soldiers credited to Walpole who were natives of other places and were nothing but
1 Rev. Rolls, XXVII, Docs. 5-81-83-86-90-95-96-99-100-101- 103-107; XL, Docs. 183-202-230-131-152; XLV, Doc. 282; XLI, Doc. 30; XXVIII, Docs. 176-147; XXXII, Docs. 152-165-77-78- 79. Town Rec., II, 62, 63.
? Recollections of James Hartshorn in Mss. of George A. Plimp- ton.
3 Mss. Recollections of Sarah Wilkinson Lewis Vaille, in posses- sion of George A. Plimpton.
[ 153 ]
THE STORY OF WALPOLE
hired men. One came from far-away Ireland. Others were so unfamiliar with the town they represented, that their best rendition (or pos- sibly it was wholly the fault of the company clerk) was "War Pool" and "War Pole." These "War Poolites" were at Valley Forge.1 On one occasion, in 1780, the town agreed to pay £1500 each to "two french soldiers that ware hired for Six Months." 2
A committee named 3 to check up the service records of townsmen and arrange for compensa- tion brought in a report in March, 1778; 4 but, instead of settling anything, the committee's recommendations, though accepted in town meeting, started a tremendous row. A number of the influential townspeople objected to being taxed for the payment of bounties, just as there are some opposed to paying a bonus to World War Veterans today. So the town voted to petition the General Court to authorize it to levy a tax for the purpose. Further, the ma- jority, in town meeting, instructed their repre- sentative to oppose any attempt made by the opponents "that shall tend to obstruct town's carrying on the war by way of rate," that is, taxes. 5
The battle raged for more than a year. Con- ferences between the opposing factions were 1 Rev. Rolls, XXVI, Doc. 142. ? Town Rec., II, 68. ' Ibid., 15. 4 Ibid., 21. 5 Ibid., 24, 25.
[154 ]
TATE
THE REVOLUTION
resorted to, and failed. In December, 1778, three outsiders, Samuel Leatherbridge of Wren- tham, John Jones of Dedham and Royal Kol- lock of Stoughtonham, were called in to arbi- trate the matter, and a bond was signed by all concerned to abide by the verdict.
The arbitrators decided in favor of making certain payments and laying a tax for the pur- pose. The opponents thereupon refused flatly to pay, as the following record on the town book shows:
"Walpole March ye 8th 1779
"to the Inhabitants of the Town of Walpole in Town meeting assembled
"We the Inhabitants of sd Town the sub- scribers hereof beg leave to enter this our protest against the proceedings of said town respecting the estimation of Services done in the present. . war and the rate Bill made there upon also the Warrant accompanying Sd Bill bearing Date ye 15th Day of Feby 1779 as Said estimation in unreasonably oppressive and as the execution of Said Warrant in our oppinion will involve this Town in Many Difficulties troubles and Charges we beg leave to be exempt from any Cost or Charge that may arise by the execution of the aforesd warrant as we are determined to pay no part thereof [signed] Henry Smith, Nathan Kingsbury, James Dupee, Abner Turner,
[155 ]
1
THE STORY OF WALPOLE
Jethnol Morse, Jacob Kingsbury, John Boyden, Seth Kingsbury, Nathan Pond, Ezekiel Boyden, Henry Smith junr, Samuel Smith, John Boyden, Joseph Boyden, George Payson, Jeremiah Fales, Asa Smith, James Clap, Samuel Guild, Joseph Fales, Jeremiah Dexter, Abel Allen, Ebenezer Fales, Seth Smith." 1
Yet, in spite of this opposition, and the difficulty encountered in getting the tax money in,2 the town went ahead bravely in the work of winning the war. Various appropriations, including one of £18,000 for beef for the army,3 were made, and men were raised and sent away to camp.
After the withdrawal of the British from Rhode Island, the forces of Rochambeau, fresh from France, landed at Newport in July, 1780,4 and thereafter for many months that place and Providence became a centre of activity. Wal- pole saw much of the coming and going of French officers and troops between the Rhode Island camp and Boston.5 In June, 1781, additional French forces arrived at Boston and marched down over the road through Walpole to join
1 Details of this episode are on pages 21 to 40 of Vol. II, Town Records.
3 Ibid., 73.
2 Town Rec., II, 45, 46.
" The French in America, I, 111, 112.
" The French in America, I, 112, 142, 148. There is also a diary by an unknown American, covering the period Aug. 5 to 20, 1780, telling of a march from Walpole to Newport. Mss. owned by Essex Institute, Salem.
[ 156 ]
THE REVOLUTION
their countrymen, preparatory to a long march to Virginia for the Yorktown campaign.1 This marked the beginning of the end. After the surrender of Cornwallis, the French returned north, the whole army, now in command of Baron Viomenil, marching through to Boston. For several days in late November and early December thousands of men with wagon and artillery trains passed over Walpole roads. Maps of march show encampments at Wrentham and Dedham.2
This march of the French gave Walpole almost its last thrill of the war. There was a call for men in the early fall of 1782 to go to Nantasket, where danger threatened, and a force was sent. 3 But the war was now really over.
Yorktown had forced a peace. In the very period in which Viomenil's men were plodding over Walpole ways, papers were signed, Novem- ber 30, 1782, in France between representatives of England and America, in which the inde- pendence of the United States was recognized and the Revolutionary War was brought to an end.
There was rejoicing throughout America, in which Walpole joined with the same fervor that
1 Ded. Hist. Reg., IV, 68; French in America, I, 148-150.
2 French in America, Vol. I at end. Ded. Hist. Reg., XII. 8 et seq. Ded. Hist. Reg., IV, 101. Rochambeau Papers in Library of Congress.
' Town Rec., II, 100, 101.
[ 157 ]
ale was alite tene Ci
£
12 dada
THE STORY OF WALPOLE
had animated her people from the beginning of the long struggle. A peace ball was held in the Ebenezer Fales house on Old Kendall St. This house, which was destroyed by fire in 1922, was on the easterly side of the Wrentham Branch Railroad, near the track, and was known as the Charles Clap house.1
Thereafter, for many years, was an era of peace and progress. And in December, 1787, the town wrote "finis" to this chapter in its history by voting "to Sel the Powder House" 2 that had been erected in the critical days be- fore Concord and Lexington, upon "The Widow Robbin's High hill."
' A photo of the house is owned by the Sharon Historical Society. 2 Town Rec., II, 162.
[158 ]
day. In this house the Peace Ball was held at the close of the Revolution.
The Moderator of Walpole's first Town Meeting and one of its foremost citizens in his
THE HOME OF EBENEZER FALES
-
-----
الكوافير
١٠٠٠٠
-----
ماجد جديد جد نييعيشى وو
-----
جرواتب مص صابون دماء بير -مق بقدسية
التيديايعج بك في مج / أوري جونبيديا
-
CHAPTER TEN
THE END OF A CENTURY
T HROUGH the Revolutionary period Walpole had not only done her share in a military way, but had taken an active part in the equally important civil affairs. She had been repre- sented in the various sessions of the Provincial Congress; 1 had maintained her Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety; 2 had declared for the Independence of the Colonies from Great Britain; 3 had authorized the General Court to draw up "a Constitution and form of Government" for the State; 4 had approved the Articles of Confederation submitted by the Continental Congress in 1777 to provide a closer bond of association between the Colonies, and had instructed its representative in the General Court to vote in favor of the Confederation when the matter came before the House for action. 5
When the proposed form for a Massachusetts Constitution was submitted to the town in the spring of 1778, it was approved by vote of 33 to
1 Town Rec., I, 281, 282; II, 12.
2 Ibid., I, 287; 'II, 13.
' Ante, p. 149. 4 Town Rec., October, 1776. 5 Ibid., II, 16.
[159]
-1
L
=
THE STORY OF WALPOLE
14,1 whereas many of the surrounding towns rejected it by overwhelming majorities, and in some cases unanimously.2 Most of the towns, however, neglected to vote at all; and so the proposed Constitution fell by the roadside.3
The State government, which really had no legal standing, struggled along as best it could. In February, 1779, the legislature again brought up the matter of establishing a form of govern- ment; and Walpole, in May, "Voted to have a constitution 59 yeas and 4 nays." 4 The Legis- lature called for a constitutional convention to meet at Cambridge, September 1, 1779. Walpole chose Joshua Clap to represent it at this important gathering. 5
The form of State Constitution produced by this convention was chiefly the work of John Adams.6 When a copy was received in Walpole the people voted to have its selectmen look the document over and "make such amendments as they shall see fit." 7 The changes proposed by the town included that of abolishing the Council, or Upper House of the Legislature,8 but the Constitution was finally adopted by the State without change. Though the last State
1 Town Rec., II, 22-25.
2 Mass. Arch., CXLVI, Docs. 341a, 342, 345, 363, 390.
3 Const. and Govt. of Mass., 21-22. 4 Town Rec., II, 43.
' Ibid., 47. 6 Const. and Govt. of Mass., 25 et seq.
7 Town Rec., II, 58.
* From Provincial to Commonwealth Govt. in Mass., 271, note 2.
[160 ]
க்ஸ்
-
1
THE END OF A CENTURY
to adopt a Constitution, Massachusetts was the first to submit it to a vote of the people. 1
Major Seth Bullard was chosen first repre- sentative from Walpole under the Constitution; 2 and on September 9, in the first Massachusetts state election, the town cast 35 votes for John Hancock for Governor and 6 for James Cushing, and 1 for Caleb Davis, for Lieut. Governor.3
This setting up of a substantial structure of civil government, followed two years after by the successful conclusion of the Revolution, ushered in a period of comparative quiet-the first of long duration since the Spanish War of 1739.
Up to this time Walpole had been a part of Suffolk County, despite early and repeated efforts of herself and her neighboring towns to break away. Back in 1727 all towns in the county other than Boston had petitioned to be set off as a separate county. They complained that it was a hardship for jurors to have to go to Boston and that their allowance for such a journey was insufficient.4 Again, in 1732, Wal- pole voted to join with Medfield and neighboring towns in-petitioning the General Court for a new county, and Ezra Morse was deputed to represent the town.5 A similar move was made
1 From Provincial to Commonwealth Govt. in Mass., 19.
? Town Rec., II, 61. 3 Ibid., 68 and 69.
' Mass. Arch., LXXXVII.
" Town Rec., I, 38.
[ 161 ]
L
THE STORY OF WALPOLE
in 1740,1 and again in 1784, when a representa- tive was sent to a convention held at Dedham to further the matter. On this occasion Walpole had an idea that she might be chosen as shire town .? It was not until June, 1793, that a new county, called Norfolk, actually was set off, and Dedham made the shire town.3
This period of peace was not altogether with- out its alarms. There were certain rather re- mote Indian troubles, a war scare arising from our relations with France, and finally a brief naval struggle with Tripoli. These served to keep alive a martial spirit and to make men follow the ancient counsel to prepare for war in time of peace. A well-regulated State Militia was maintained, in which Walpole had her home company. We read in Nathaniel Ames' diary under date of Oct. 12, 1790, that "General Ponds Brigade paraded at Walpole 2 days." 4 This was probably the annual muster.
In 1802, in addition to the regular militia company of the town, a company of Light Infantry was authorized to be raised and annexed to the State establishment. It was expressly provided, however, that this new outfit must not so interfere with Walpole's regular militia company as to reduce its number below the strength called for by law.
1 Town Rec., I, 72.
* Hist. Norfolk County, 57 and 58.
With this provision
' Town Rec., II, 126, 129.
' Ded. Hist. Reg., V, 173.
[ 162 ]
L
THE END OF A CENTURY
attached, the petition of "Sundry Inhabitants of Walpole" (the original of which I have not found) was approved by the Council; and orders for establishment of the Walpole Light Infantry were accordingly issued by Governor Caleb Strong on July 5, 1802.1 Of this new company Samuel Fales was first captain.2
Eight years later, in 1810, Joseph Carroll of Walpole appears as a lieutenant in one of the artillery companies of the 1st Division, 1st Brigade of the militia3-the first Walpole man to hold a commission in that unit. It was from that organization that the famous old Walpole Artillery seems to have developed.
When our relations with England approached . a breaking point in 1811, Walpole citizens ap- pointed a committee to find a suitable place to build a powder house (the old one of the Revo- lution having been destroyed) + and voted to have the structure "seven feet one way and eight the other & to Build with Brick." 5 In due time the house was erected on a small hill near where the Walpole Freight office now stands and remained there until about 1840.
The Massachusetts records of the War of 1812 are, unfortunately, fragmentary, nearly
1 Military Arch .; Orders of the Governor and Council and General Orders 1801-1804, pp. 135 and 136.
2 Hist. Norfolk County, 712.
3 Military Arch .; Mass. Militia Rosters.
‘ Ante, p. 158. 5 Town Rec., II, 304.
[163 ]
·
THE STORY OF WALPOLE
all original muster rolls having been sent to Washington a century ago.1 Hence, it is im- possible to write with any assurance of complete- ness or accuracy regarding the services of Walpole men. It is probable, however, that the first two years of the struggle, though marked by frequent scares in various parts of the State, brought little or no general military activity. Early in May, 1812, certain townsmen had been detached for some sort of war service .? That seems to have been the only flurry.
Caleb Strong, the Governor, was not in favor of the war, and there were many who stood with him. Among them, it seems, was Walpole's venerable minister Rev. George Morey. One night some of those in the town who did not approve of his views smeared his front door with tar in token of their displeasure.3
Gov. Strong took no decisive steps until the summer of 1814, when nearly all Maine was overrun by the British, and Boston itself threatened. Then, September 6, he called large forces to Boston and ordered the entire military establishment of the State to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice.4
1 Annual Report Commission on Economy and Efficiency, 1914, p. 147.
? Town Rec., II, 311.
3 Mss. Account in possession of George A. Plimpton; also notes by Lucy Morey Ellis, owned by The Walpole Hist. Soc.
" Records of the Mass. Volunteer Militia 1812-1814, pp. xi, xii.
[164 ]
£
L
الحارة
THE END OF A CENTURY
The Walpole Light Infantry, at this time commanded by Capt. Warren Clap, was among the first troops called. It hastened to Boston, where it remained until October 30, prepared to meet an attack that never came. The available muster roll, a copy of the original, shows 42 officers and men on duty,1 Samuel Nason was Clap's lieutenant, and Daniel Harts- horn, the ensign. There is nothing in the State Military Archives to indicate that the regular Walpole militia company, at this period com- manded by Capt. Metcalf Clap, with John A. Gould as Lieutenant and Ebenezer Hartshorn as Ensign,2 or the artillery company captained . by Nathan Ware 3 (though probably at this time not a distinctively Walpole unit), took any active part in this war.
In May, 1815, the war then being over, the town voted to petition the legislature "to make up the Soldiers Wages equal to their services," or at least to grant authority to the town to do SO. 4 Walpole finally settled the matter in 1816 by voting to pay "those of the Militia who were detached to defend the forts and harbors in the town of Boston in the year 1814" enough to make their pay $15 per month. 5
1 Records of the Mass. Volunteer Militia 1812-1814, 97. The company was on duty at Dorchester Heights according to Mss. recollections of Elizabeth Plimpton, owned by George A. Plimpton.
' Military Arch; Mass. Militia Rosters.
4 Town Rec., II, 332. " Ibid., 339.
3 Ibid.
[ 165 ]
١
Г
THE STORY OF WALPOLE
While on military matters it may be appro- priate to mention something more of Walpole's Light Infantry and Artillery companies. The artillery company presumably reached the height of its popularity in the period when Samuel Hartshorn, Jr., was Major of the Artil- lery Battalion, from April, 1823 to November, 1825. Hartshorn, the first and only Walpole man to hold this command, was, at the time of his election, Captain of the Walpole company, having been commissioned May 1, 1821. He was succeeded by Capt. George P. Ellis, who held the command until March, 1825.1
The general interest in military affairs at this period is evidenced by the acceptance by the town in 1821 of a proposed amendment to the State Constitution allowing members of mili- tary companies who were below 21 years of age to cast votes in the election of military officers, though 13 other proposed amendments were rejected.2
In the spring of 1831 there was a general reorganization of the Massachusetts Militia, in which the 2d regiment of the 2d Brigade, First Division, was disbanded, and with it its artil- lery battalion, "lately commanded by Capt. Jabez Morse." 3 Morse, who had been captain of the Walpole company, seems to have been
1 Military Arch .; Mass. Militia Rosters.
? Town Rec., II, 394.
* Military Arch. Genl. Orders, No. 6, 1826-1833, pp. 225-226.
[ 166 ]
TA
THE END OF A CENTURY
acting major of the infantry units of the old 2d regiment. The Walpole Militia company and the Walpole Light Infantry, the latter com- manded by Capt. Bacon, became thereafter units of the 1st regiment; and the Walpole artillery company also was annexed to the same command.
But the old martial spirit was gone. Mem- bership in the companies fell off. In the sum- mer of 1835 it was found that the Walpole Artillery, Capt. Lovett Bonney, numbered only 13 men, including officers, and the Light In- fantry company, Capt. Charles W. Farrington, only three officers and two privates. Both were ordered disbanded September 7, 1835.1
1 Military Arch. Genl. Orders, No. 7, 1833-1846, p. 102-103.
[ 167 ]
الـ
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE COMING OF REV. MR. STORER
THE HE early years of Walpole's second century ushered in a controversy which shook the community to its foundations. Though purely religious in its nature, it not only worked a change within the meeting house, but left its impress upon the social and political life of the town as well. In its local aspect it represented a detail or a cross-section of a greater struggle that was going on through the country within the long established Congregational Churches, and which was to have a national influence upon the religious, political and intellectual life of the American people.
Walpole's original old meeting house, begun nearly a century before, which had loomed so large in the town's early life, now was long since gone, and with it those who had spoken from its pulpit. Back in the spring of 1772 the town voted to build a seat in that pulpit, for the minister, Phillips Payson, was getting old-close to 70. The fire of his youth was gone; and those who could not look back to the early days, when Payson had served them well, now, as infirmities
[ 168 ]
-
الت عارض:
Г
THE COMING OF REV. MR. STORER
came upon him, wondered if he was worth his salary. And so the town appointed Ensign Theodore Man to treat with Mr. Payson "Respecting his Sallery." No change was made,1 however, and matters rested for three years.
But in 1775, when the Revolution was on, and when many of the men were away with the army besieging Boston, the matter of Mr. Pay- son's "saulery" was again brought up in town meeting. An increase was proposed and voted down, though the purchasing power of money had fallen away off. Yet when it was decided to appoint a committee to treat with the minister (whether to suggest his resignation or merely to propose that he accept a smaller salary we do not know) no person could be found who was willing to serve upon it. When the townsmen next met they voted Mr. Payson a salary of £33.6.8-a reduction of £20 from what he had been receiving .? We must, in charity, assume that the exigencies of war time demanded such a seemingly thankless act.
-
Rev. Mr. Payson died May 22, 1777 3 and the matter of filling the pulpit once again absorbed the town's attention. After a year (the pulpit being filled meanwhile by various visitors) the people voted a tardy thanks "to the reved minesters that carried on the Publick services 1 Town Rec., I, 249, 250. 2 Ibid., 284. 3 Ibid. II, 19.
[ 169 ]
gling son
THE STORY OF WALPOLE
of our late past[or] for their Good and kind La- bours of love and to apply to them for advice Con- cernine the resettlement of the Gospel amongst us." 1 But this and several other endeavors 2 to get a minister came to nought.
It was not until March, 1783, that a vote was taken that Rev. George Morey "be Desired to Come and Preach in this Town when his time is out at Marlborough." 3 Soon thereafter Rev. Mr. Morey, a graduate of Harvard in 1776, settled in the town for the beginning of a long ministry.
Meanwhile, the old meeting house had been pulled down and steps had been taken towards the raising of a larger structure. In November, 1782, the town voted to build a new meeting house "in the place where the old one now stands ... at the opening of the next Spring"; likewise "to Build a Belfry to Said House" and to cover the sides and ends with "split cla- boards." 4
By May 12, 1783 the old house was down. This necessitated the town meeting of that day being held at "the house late the Property of Deacn Robbins." Whether it was a matter of too limited capacity or a leaky roof in a shower we do not know, but for some reason the meet- ing was shortly "ajourned to the Barn," 5 and it
1 Town Rec., II, 25. 2 Ibid., 107, 117. 3 Ibid., 107, 117. ' Ibid., II, 104. " Ibid., II, 110.
[ 170 ]
V TIP7
THE COMING OF REV. MR. STORER
was voted to have the house repaired. A month later, in June, a committee was named to "git Ministers to pray with us at the Raising" 1 and soon thereafter the new meeting house was begun.
With this second meeting house the activities of Rev. Mr. Morey were identified for more than 40 years, a period of many happy recollections, yet, in its final years marred by dissentions be- tween the minister and his flock.
In 1814 Mr. Morey found it necessary to make formal written complaint to his congrega- tion, through Deacon Benjamin Pettee, that he was not receiving an adequate salary. He said that when he came to be pastor of the town "I had reason to suppose my Annual Support would continue to be the same Value" with the passing years. But such had not been the case. "And now at length, by means of the depreciated State of the publick-circulating Medium, and other Causes, most of the Necessaries and Com- forts of life are double and many of them Threeble in Price. In addition to this," he points out, "you must be sensible that I am ad- vanced in years, and less able to work with my own hands than heretofore for a livelihood," and he asked that more money be provided for . him by the town.2
1 Town Rec., II, 113.
2 Original letter in collection of George A. Plimpton.
[ 17] ]
THE STORY OF WALPOLE
It is not improbable that even at that time the people were wondering how long it would be before their good minister would make way in the pulpit for a younger and more vigorous man. Many of them, too, may have disliked the Calvinism which he preached (mild a type as it was ),1 and which, in some congregations else- where, was beginning to give way before the rising tide of unitarianism. But whatever the feeling may then have been, Rev. Mr. Morey had no misgivings about his own fitness to minister to his people. Even a dozen years later he evinced no purpose of retiring, when his congregation was nearly unanimously agreed that the infirmities of age made it impossible for him properly to carry out the manifold duties of his pastoral position.2
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.