USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Marlborough > Topographical and historical sketches of the town of Northborough, with the early history of Marlborough, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, furnished for the Worcester magazine > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Northborough > Topographical and historical sketches of the town of Northborough, with the early history of Marlborough, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, furnished for the Worcester magazine > Part 5
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Eliphalet Warren, John Carruth, and Adam Fay, joined the ex- pedition to Halifax, in 1754. In the following year, Benjamin Flood and Eber Eager, the latter of whom did not live to return, were at Crown point. In 1758, the eight following persons were with the army under General Abercrombie, at his defeat before Ticondero- ga. Capt. Timothy Brigham, [now living and who retains a per- fect recollection of the scenes he passed through in this ill-fated expedition,] Eliphalet Stone, Samuel Stone, [who died on his re- turn,] Benjamin Flood, Josiah Bowker, Samuel Morse, Gideon How- ard, and Joel Rice. Capt. Brigham says that the attack upon the French lines commenced at 5 o'clock, A. M. and lasted till 7 o'clock, P. M. ; and that over 1900 of our men were missing at the calling of the rolls that evening. Capt. B. says that after this repulse, the army retreated to Lake George, soon after which, the company to
* Capt. Timothy Brigham is a son of Jesse, who was a son of Jonathan, who was a son of Thomas Brigham, one of-the early settlers of Marlborough, He was present at the defeat of the English, under Abercrombie, before Ti- conderoga, in 1758, and Lieutenant of the company of minute men that march- ed down to Cambridge on the memorable 19th of April, 1775. Jonathan Brigham was in the Indian fight, at Lancaster, (now Sterling) Aug. 19, 1707, and stood next to Richard Singletary, who was killed in the action. This fact, Capt. B. had from his own mouth.
+ Capt. Amos Rice is a son of Jacob, who was a son of Jacob, who was a son of Edward, one of the 13 original petitioners for the Plantation of Marl- borough. Benjamin, another son of Edward, was the father of Deac. Matthi- as Rice, and of Simeon Rice, late of this town, and of Zerubbabel Rice, late of Marlborough. Tradition says, that the first person by the name of Rice, who emigrated to New England, had eight sons, all of whom lived to be 90 years old and upwards.
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HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
which he belonged (Capt. Stephen Maynard's of Westborough) was dismissed and returned home.
There is one man, now living in this town, at the age of 88, nearly, [Lieut. Abraham Munroe] who was at Halifax, in the regi- ment of Maj. Rogers, of Londonderry, N. H. in the year 1757, and, at the taking of Ticonderoga under Gen. Amherst, in 1759. Mr. Munroe had there the rank of Ensign; and, in the following year, received a Lieutenancy. He served in the regiment of Col. Saltonstal, of Haverhill; and, at the departure of our army for Mon- treal, received orders to remain at the head of a detachment of men, for the purpose of completing the repairs of the fortifications at Crown Point. Lieut. Munroe continued at Ticonderoga, till his discharge, in May, 1763, under Capt. Omsbury, or Amsbury, to whom the command of the fort had been committed.
Several other persons belonging to this town, whose names I have not learned, were in service at different times during the French wars, some of whom did not live to return.
The following particulars have been collected relating to the part which this town bore in the burdens and privations of the revolutionary war.
It appears from the town records, that the inhabitants of this town, took an early and decided stand in defence of the liberties of our country. So early as March, 22d, 1773, more than two years before hostilities commenced, a number of spirited resolutions were passed at a district meeting, called for the purpose, among which were the following :
" 2. Voted, as the opinion of this district, that it is the indispen- sable duty of all men and all bodies of men to unite and strenuously to oppose by all lawful ways and means, such unjust and unright- eous encroachments, made or attempted to be made upon their just rights ; and that it is our duty earnestly to endeavor to hand those rights down inviolate to our posterity, as they were handed to us by our worthy ancestors.
" 3. Voted, that the thanks of this district be given to the town of Boston for their friendly, seasonable and necessary intelligence ; and that they be desired to keep their watch, and guard against all such invaders and incroaches for the future.
"4. Voted, that Capt. Bez. Eager, Doct. Stephen Ball, and Mr. Timothy Fay, he a committee to make answer to the committee of corres., at Boston, informing them of the opinion of this district in this matter."
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HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
In August of the following year, eight months before the war commenced, at a special meeting called for the purpose, the district passed the following vote .- " That we are determined to defend our charter rights and privileges, at the risk of our lives and for- tunes, and that the town desire the committee of correspondence,* to write to their brethren in Boston, and inform them thereof."
In November, 1774, the district voted to appropriate money in the treasury to buy one hundred pounds of powder ; three hundred pounds of lead, and two hundred and forty flints ; and on June 3d, 1776, it was resolved, "that it was the mind of this town to be inde- pendent of Great Britain, in case the Continental Congress think proper ; and that we are ready with our lives and fortunes, if in Providence called, to defend the same."
Some time before the war broke out, a company of fifty minute men was raised in this town, under the command of the late Capt. Samuel Wood, who held themselves in readiness to march at a mo- ment's warning, whenever and wherever hostilities should com- mence.f At length the memorable 19th of April arrived, on which day, the first blood in our Revolutionary struggle was shed, at Lex- ington and Concord. On the same day, before one o'clock, P. M. the tidings reached this place. The company of minute men be- longing to this town was collecting at the time to listen to an oc- casional patriotic discourse from Rev. Mr. Whitney. They were directed without a moment's delay, to put themselves in readiness to march; and in three or four hours from the time when the news arrived, they had taken leave of their families, and were paraded in the yard of Capt. Woods' house, whence (the Rev. Mr. Whitney having in a fervent prayer commended them to the protection of the God of armies,) they immediately set out on their march for the field of danger and of blood.}
*The following persons were a standing committee of Correspondence, in 1774. Bezaleel Eager, Seth Rice, Jr. Levi Brigham, Gillam Bass, and John Ball. In the following year, the ever memorable 1775, there were seven on the committee of correspondence, viz. Thadeus Fay, John Ball, Joel Rice, Amos Rice, [now living] Artemas Brigham, Jethro Peters, and Nathan Green.
1 April 10th, 1775, the town voted to pay fifty minute men one shilling each, for each half day they shall meet to learn the Military art, for sixteen half days ; and granted £40 for that purpose. The town also voted that Mr. Timothy Brigham, Constable, pay to Henry Gardner, Esq. the Province tax, which he has now in his hands, for the year 1773, and the District will in- demnify him. Also Voted, to indemnify the Assessors for not making the province tax for the year 1774.
¿ Of the fifty men belonging to this company, the following persons are now living in this town. Capt. Timothy Brigham, then the Lieut. of the
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HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGHI.
Nor did the spirited resolutions, above adverted to, end in idle words. They were the result of reflection and patriotic principle ; and they led to the cheerful endurance of privations and hardships, of which the descendants can probably form no adequate concep- tion,
At one time five, and soon after three, at another five, at anoth- er seven, and on one occasion seventeen men, were called for from this small town by the General Court, and were marched in some instances, several hundred miles, to mingle in the scenes of war .*
In the spring of 1781, agreeably to a resolve of the General Court, this town was divided into eight classes, each class being re- quired to furnish a man to serve in the Continental Army for the term of three years, or during the war. And what is worthy of re- mark, as it is an evidence of the patriotic spirit which prevailed among this people in the preceeding autumn, viz. December 28, 1780, the town, taking into consideration the hardships undergoue by those who had entered into the service of their country, and es- pecially the losses they had sustained, by being paid in a depreciat- ed currency, generously voted to raise their quota of men, and to pay and clothe them at their own expense, allowing them 40 shill- ings each, per month, in hard money, and £21 per year, also in hard money, in addition to their clothes.t
Six men more were called for from this town in the following summer; five to go to West Point, and one to Rhode Island, who were accordingly raised, and the town granted £122 5s. in hard money, (or $407,50,) to pay the same. At the same time, they were required to purchase, for the use of the army, 3518lbs. of beef, for which the town granted £77, in hard money (or $256,66.) The whole amount granted at this meeting, and which went to the sup- port of the war, was therefore $664,16 in hard money ; which, con- sidering the population of the towo and the value of hard money at that period, was a great sum and must have been felt as a heavy burden. Previous to the June, 1778, it appears from the town
company, Capt. Amos Rice, Mr. Isaac How, Mr. Joseph Sever, Mr. Reuben Babcock, and Mr. Nathan Rice. Capt. Samuel Wood, the commander of the company, died September 21, 1818, aged 75 years. He was present, and received a slight wound, at the battle of Bunker Hill. The Ensign of the company was Mr. Thomas Sever, now of Townsend, in this state.
* "July 13th, 1780, the town voted and granted the sum of ten thousand pounds to pay seventeen men hired into the service, nine for the term of six months, and eight for the term of three months,"
+ Town Records, I. p. 212.
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HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
records, that this town had expended in money and service towards carrying on the war £1474 14s. 1d. in a depreciated currency probably, the precise value of which, it is difficult now to deter- mine .*
Such, we presume is no more than a fair specimen of the bur- dens borne by the community in support of the war of our Indepen- dence, and of the spirit with which they were borne.
In many, very many instances indeed, the people were impov- erished and brought low. But they were not disheartened; and, by the smiles of a merciful Providence, their efforts were crowned with complete success. Let us who have entered into their labors not forget what we owe to that far-famed generation, who support- ed the privations and hardships of a long and harrassing conflict, in support of our cherished liberties.t
The number was small of those who had refused to embark in the cause of liberty, the names of four only being recorded as ab- sentees, whose estates were confiscated near the close of the war.#
The patriotism of two others was indeed suspected, and they were subjected to a good deal of inconvenience in consequence of it.§
* The town records contain a list of the names of 90 persons (probably the whole number who paid taxes) with the amount contributed by each.
"October 30, 1780, the town granted £6660 to purchase beef for the army." This I suppose was when the depreciation of money was nearly, or quite at the lowest ebb, about which time, £2933 6s. 8d. were granted to Rev. Mr. Whitney by an unanimous vote of the town, in addition to his yearly salary.
"May 17, 1781, the town granted the sum of £3300 Os. Od. to pay for three horses for the use of the Continental army."
t Among the survivors of the soldiers of the revolution, in this town, five received pensions from the U. States, agreeably to the law passed, April, 1818.
From all these, however, with the exception of two, one of whom has since died, their pensions were withdrawn, after the modification of the law, in 1820. Since that time, two of the number, reduced to poverty, have recovered their pensions ; and the only remaining one from whom it was withdrawn, and who, depending on the pension, had involved himself in debt in erecting a small building for his accommodation, has been compelled to part with his snug little farm, and is now, in his old age, reduced to the very verge of abso- lute want. Such, so far as I have witnessed it, has been the operation of the laws respecting pensions to Revolutionary Soldiers. It may be remarked moreover, that the two to whom the pensions were continued, had been a town charge, and were not regarded as very valuable members of the com- munity.
These were James Eager and his son, John Eager ; and Ebenezer Cutler, and Michael Martyn, sons in law of the late Capt. James Eager, of this town.
§ These were John Taylor, and Sylvanus Billings. The former, a gen- tleman of handsome property and who had been one of the leading men of the town ; the latter also a man of considerable estate.
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HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
After the close of the war, the embarrassments arising from the want of a circulating medium, when almost all were deeply involv- ed in debt, caused much uneasiness, and led the people to devise measures for their removal. August 7th, 1786, Isaac Davis was chosen as a delegate to attend a County Convention, at Leicester, on the 15th inst. to whom the following, among other instructions, were given by a committee appointed by the town. The delegate was to use his influence "that the Convention petition his Excel- lency, the Governor, and Council, to call the General Court togeth- er, in the month of October next, at fartherest ; and that the Conven- tion present a humble and decent petition to the General Court to set up and establish a mint in the Commonwealth, &c." Complaints were also made of the salaries of the civil list, being so high, and of various other grievances under which the people labored .* There was nothing, however, of the spirit of rebellion or insubordination in the resolutions that were passed at this meeting, or in the con- duct which followed ; and though it appears from the representa- tions of all, that the people generally were reduced to the greatest straits, yet only three or four individuals were found willing to join in the rebellion of that year, and to seek redress by measures of violence.t
SCHOOLS, &c .- Previous to the year 1766, I can find on record, no appropriations made for the education of youth. But I am in- formed that several instructors had, before that period, been em-
* There prevailed, at this time, very generally through the country, the most violent prejudices against the profession of the law. One of the instruc- tions given to the delegate, at this time, was, that he was to use his influence in the convention, by petitioning and remonstrating to the General Court, " that the whole order of Lawyers be annihilated ; for we conceive them not only to be building themselves upon the ruins of the distressed, but said order has increased, and is daily increasing, far beyond any other set or order of men among us, in numbers and affluence ; and we apprehend they may be- come ere long somewhat dangerous to the rights and liberties of the people."
t The following is a list of the names of those who have represented this town in the General Court, from 1775, to the present time.
Col. Levi Brigham, from 1775, to 1777 .- John Ball, 1778, 1782, and 1785 .- Deac. Paul Newton, 1779, and 1780 .- Deac. Seth Rice, 1783 .-- Deac. Isaac Davis, seven years-between 1787 and 1798 .-- Deac. Nahum Fay, 1800 and 1801 .- James Keyes, Esq. eighteen years, from 1802, to the present time.
From the above account, it appears that this town has been represented thirty six years since the commencement of the Revolutionary war.
The following persons have been commissioned Justices of the peace. The first commission is dated July 3, 1793. Nahum Fay, Seth Grout, Isaac Davis, Stephen Williams, James Keyes, Phineas Davis, and Cyrus Gale. Of this number, three, Seth Grout, Isaac Davis and James Keyes, have since deceased.
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HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
ployed to teach, at private houses, in different parts of the town, and who were paid by the voluntary contributions of the parents. The first school house that was erected in this town, stood on the meeting house common, whence it was afterwards removed, and now forms part of the dwelling house of Mr. Joel Bartlett .* In 1770, the district was divided into four squadrons ; but it was not till 1780, that the town passed a vote to build school houses in the several squadrons, and granted money for that purpose. The town granted £4000 for building four school houses, which, at the time it was expended, amounted to only £52 6s. 8d. to which they added £110 6s. 8d. amounting to £163 13s. 4d.
Since that period two new School districts have been formed ; so that there are now six districts in the town, in each of which, a school is kept from eight to twelve weeks, both winter and summer.
The following is an abstract of the return of the School com- mittee, made in May last, to the General Court.
Amount paid for public Instruction, $600. 1825
Time of keeping school in the year, 6 months each district.
Males under 7 years, 47 Females under 7 years, 39
From 7 to 14, 98 From 7 to 14, 75
From 14 and upwards, 68
From 14 and upwards, 47
Males, 213
Females, 161
213
- -
Total, 374
There are, in this town, three respectable Libraries, containing in all about 500 volumes, exclusive of the Juvenile Library, which contains nearly 150 volumes, suited to children and youth.
The Juvenile Library, commenced in 1824, is supported by an annual contribution, and, under a few simple regulations, is accessi- ble to all the children and youth, over the age of 7 years, residing in the town.
Many young men, educated in our schools, have been employed as Instructors, both here and in other towns, and have generally proved worthy of the confidence reposed in them.
Besides several professional gentlemen educated in our schools, and in the neighboring Academies, twelve young men have receiv- ed a public education, eight of whom are graduates of Harvard
* Mr. Thomas Goodenow was the first Instructor, supported at the ex- pense of the town. Mr. James Hart, a foreigner, was employed about this time, (1770) and is frequently spoken of as the father of the many excellent penmen for which this town has, in former years, been famed.
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HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
University, at Cambridge, one of Brown University, and one each, of Yale, Dartmouth, and Williams' Colleges.
Their names, professions, &c. are as follow :
1. Jonathan Livermore, son of the late Deac. Jonathan Liver- more, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1760; settled in the ministry at Wilton, N. H. in 1763; was dismissed, but remained in that place, where he died, July, 1809, in the 80th year of his age.
2. Ebenezer Rice, son of the late Simon Rice,* was graduated at Harvard University, in 1760 ; was a Physician, and a justice of the peace, in Marlborough ; afterwards removed to Barre, where he died.
3. Jacob Rice, son of the late Jacob Rice, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1765; settled in Henniker, N. H. being the first minister in that place ; was dismissed, on account of ill health ; was installed at Brownfield, Oxford County, Me. where he remain- ed till his death, which took place suddenly, Feb. 1, 1824, Lord's Day, having preached to his people in the morning.
4. Elijah Brigham, son of the late Col. Levi Brigham, was graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1778 ; commenced the study of Divinity, which he soon relinquished, and engaged in mercantile business with his brother in law, Breck Parkman, Esq. of Westbo- rough : in 1795, he was appointed one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas ; for several years was a Senator and Counsellor of this Commonwealth, a Justice through the State, and a Repre- sentative of this District in the Congress of the United States, from 1810 to the time of his death. Judge Brigham died suddenly, at Washington, Feb. 22, 1816, aged 64.
5. John Taylor, son of the late John Taylor, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1786; is now a Counsellor at Law, in North- ampton, and one of the Representatives of that town in the Gen- eral Court.
6. Peter Whitney, son of Rev. Peter Whitney, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1791; now the minister of Quincy, in this State, where he was ordained, Feb. 5, 1800.
7. Henry Gassett, son of Henry Gassett, was graduated at Har- vard University, in 1795 ; is now a merchant, in Boston.
8. Israel Munroe, son of Abraham Munroe, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1800; was for some years a Counsellor at Law, in Boston ; he now resides in the city of New York.
* Simon Rice, the father of Dr. Ebenezer Rice, was a brother of the late Deac. Matthias Rice, of this town. He lived just within the limits of North- borough, near the dwelling house of Mr. Ephraim Barnard.
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HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
9. Warren Fay, son of Nahum Fay, Esq. was graduated at Har- vard University, in 1807 ; ordained at Brimfield, Nov. 3, 1808 ; dis- missed, June 26, 1811 ; installed at Harvard, Jan. 26, 1814; dis- missed, at his own request, Jan. 5, 1820; installed as minister of the First Congregational Church and Society in Charlestown, Feb. 23, 1820.
10. Luther Rice, son of Capt. Amos Rice, was graduated at Williams College, in 1810; ordained at Salem, Feb. 6, 1812, as a Missionary ; sailed for Calcutta in company with Messrs. Hall & Judson, Feb. 18, 1812. Soon after his arrival he changed his views on the subject of baptism ; was baptised by immersion ; and, in the autumn of 1813, returned to this country. He now resides in Wash- ington, D. C. and is Treasurer of Columbia College.
11. John Davis, son of the late Isaac Davis, Esq. was graduated at Yale College, in 1812; is now a Counsellor at Law, in Worcester, and represents this District in the Congress of the U. S.
12. Isaac Davis, son of Phineas Davis, Esq. was graduated at Brown University, in 1822 ; is now an Attorney at Law, in Wor- cester.
There are, at present, two physicians in this place, Docts. Ste- phen Ball, Sen'r. and Jun'r. The only other physician who made Northborough his permanent residence, was the late Doct. Stephen Ball, father of Stephen Ball, Sen'r. There has never been a law- yer residing in the place, with the exception of John Winslow, Esq. who remained here only a few years. And, it is a singular fact, that with this exception, and that of the three successive min- isters, all of whom were educated at Harvard University, none of the permanent inhabitants of the town, at this or at any former pe- riod, received a public and liberal education.
ECCLESIASTICAL, &c .- Measures were taken immediately after Northborough became a separate precinct, to support the public worship of God, by building a church, and procuring a minister. '
December 31, 1744, the parish voted to build a meeting house, and to raise £50, lawful money, for that purpose. This led, as fre- quently happens, to a controversy respecting the location of the edifice, which, after several months continuance, was finally sub- mitted to the arbitration of three respectable men from the neigh- boring towns, Capt. Daniel Heywood, of Worcester, Capt. John Haynes, of Sudbury, and Capt. Thomas Hapgood, of Shrewsbury, who fixed on the spot, near the site of the present church. The land on which the house was erected, was given to the town for
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HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
the use of its inhabitants, by Capt. James Eager, by a deed bear- ing date April 26, 1745, "so long as the said inhabitants of the north precinct shall improve said land for the standing of a meeting house for the public worship of God."
The committee reported, April 24, 1745; and, on April 30, only 6 days after, the house was raised ; a vote having previously pas- sed, that "every man should provide for the raising as he was spirited."*
New difficulties now arose respecting the settlement of a minis- ter. Several candidates had been employed ; and, as usually hap- pens in such cases, the minds of the people were divided between them. Under these circumstances, the precinct appointed a fast for the 12th Sept. 1745, and sent for five of the neighboring minis- ters " to give them their advice who they should apply to for can- didates, in order to a choice."
The following gentlemen attended on the occasion ; viz. Rev. Mr. Prentice, Rev. Mr. Parkman, Rev. Mr. Cushing, and Rev. Mr. Morse, who recommended that the parish should hear a few sab- baths each, two candidates from Cambridge, Rev. Mr. Rand, and Mr. Jedediah Adams, in order to a choice. Mr. John Martyn was one of the candidates, who had previously been employed by the parish ; and although they complied with the advice of the neigh- boring ministers, so far as to hear the other candidates two sab- baths each, yet on the 19th of December, 1745, " Mr. John Mar- tyn was chosen by a clear vote"; and a salary was offered him of £50 in bills of the last emission, (which was at 7s. 6d. per ounce,) or £200 in bills of the old form and tenor, after the rate of silver at 30s. per ounce, or in other bills of public credit, equivalent to the said sum, and to be paid at two payments annually." Besides this, a settlement of $300, old tenor, was voted by the parish.
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