USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Fitzwilliam > The history of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, from 1752-1887 > Part 14
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The schools not being in a satisfactory condition, the town met the second Wednesday in June, 1779, to consider the mat- ter, when it was
Voted to choose a Commity of Five men to provide Schools in Eictch Squadron and also to provide houses for to Ceept the Schools in and also to see the money Laid out in the proper season-and this Commity is as Below, Mr. Caleb Winch, Mr. Levi Brigham, Mr. Joseph Nurse Mr. John Locke Mr. Samuel Kendall.
It is supposed there were five squadrons at this time, and that one member of the committee was chosen from each squadron.
A Convention sitting at Concord on June 5th, 1779, pro- posed among other things a plan of government for the State of New Hampshire, and the town assembled July 13th, 1779, to express approbation or disapprobation of the same ; but its
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aetion (which was recorded on the bottom lines of one page, and the upper lines of the next page of the record book) it is impossible to ascertain.
At this meeting the subject of a new valuation of the town was considered, and a committee of five was raised to report upon this subject at the next March meeting.
December 7th, 1779. The town met " to joyne with the town of Swanzey to act upon the following articles," one of which appears to have had reference to the choice by the united towns of a representative in the General Court, when the town " Voted, and chose John Mellen, Esq., for their Repre- sentative to sarve in the General Court at Exeter."
1780. June 28th. The town " Voted and excepted (ac- cepted) the Cariage made by the Committee chosen for that purpose, " and also raised " £2500 for the pay of the sholders in the Continental Army."
And July 26th, 1780, the town raised £5000 for the same purpose, and " £6000 to purchase 5467 weight of beef " for the army.
Also the town ordered the horse-sheds near the church "to be move oft the grown they now stand on."
Also it was voted that "the Inhabitants mit build horse stables on the Common, if they should think fit," only that " the Selectmen should mark out the grown on the Common where the stables should be made."
Other requisitions were made by the Council and House of Representatives of New Hampshire for beef to support the Continental army, and the printed copy of one of these has been found among the ancient papers in the town clerk's office of Fitzwilliam. This is a call " for raising 1,400,000 weight of Beef," and it was done by requiring the several towns, parishes, and districts in the State to furnish their proportion. The act for this purpose was adopted by the House of Repre- sentatives, January 26th, 1781, and enacted by the Council on the day following. One third of the quantity was to be ready " by the last day of March next, in Order to be salted, one fourth part by the fifteenth day of July next, one other fourth part by the first day of Sept. next, and the Residue of
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COLLECTION OF BEEF FOR THE ARMY.
said Beef, being one sixth part thereof," by the first day of December following. All the arrangements necessary for carrying this requisition into effect were made, and the propor- tion for each town to raise definitely stated. Fitzwilliam was to provide six thousand eight hundred and thirty-four pounds, Jaffrey nine thousand one hundred and fifty-eight, Rindge thirteen thousand seven hundred and fifty, Richmond twelve thousand five hundred and eighty-eight, Keene fourteen thon- sand one hundred and thirty-six. The beef was all to be " good, well salted and packed in Barrels, each barrel to con- tain 240 weight, net," but good pork would " be received of any Town and allowed after the Rate and Proportion of eleven pounds of pork for fifteen pounds of Beef." The penalty for failure to meet this requisition was a fine equal to " double the value of the beef required of them, for the use of the State," "and the same shall be added to their next State and Continental Tax, without any other proof or Evidence than the want of a Certificate that the same has been delivered."
The large amounts raised by the town for the pay of the soldiers, and to purchase beef as given above, it is to be remem- bered, were to be collected from the taxpayers in the depre- ciated currency of the times, when it took seventy-five dollars or more in paper money to make one dollar in silver. And the same fact is to be borne in mind when we find the town allowing twenty shillings per hour for work upon the high- ways.
As was stated in the sketch of John Mellen, Esq., given in the chapter concerning the early settlers of Fitzwilliam, he was appointed an assistant collector to carry into effect the requisi- tion of the Council and House of Representatives respecting the above-mentioned supply of beef for the army, and Cheshire County was assigned to him for this purpose. It was a re- sponsible and delicate office for any one to hold because of the poverty of the people generally, and the urgency of the call for immediate supplies ; and notwithstanding all the efforts of the collector, and in the very face of the threatened fine, some of the towns were slow to respond to the call or furnished only a part of their quota. This failure led the Committee of
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Safety to associate John Mellen and Colonel David Webster as special officers to visit the delinquent towns and to do every- thing possible that the needed supply might be forthcoming.
1781. The town " Voted to pay the Remainder of the Beef and the hier of the Sholders which is two thousand four hundred and thirty-four pounds." This was done at a meet- ing Jannary 15th ; and February 14th, 1781, the town, among other acts for raising the quota of soldiers for the Continental army, voted " Twelve thousand dollars for to pay our Con- tenentles at their passing muster."
March 15th, 1781, at the annual meeting after the choice of the usual town officers, fifteen hundred pounds were appro- priated for the schools, and three thousand pounds for the highways, " to be worked out at eighteen shillings per oner." Also that the assessors should "make a new Valuation this present year." The town allowed "Stephen Harris four bushels of Ingun corn or the value of in money for taking car of the meeting house in 1780."
Fitzwilliam March 15, 1781. The Town of Fitzwilliam Dr. to fifteen Dayes of making Rates at 2 shillings and eight pence per day Lawful Money old way equal to rie at Four shillings per bushel, £2. 0. 0.
Daniel Mellen.
Fitzwilliam March 9, 1781. The Town of Fitzwilliam Dr. to me for two days' service to attend a Convention at Temple on the seventh Day of March £45. Daniel Mellen.
The use of horse and expenses of travel were doubtless in- cluded in this charge, which at seventy-five for one, would be in silver, six shillings (one dollar) per day, or at ninety for one, five shillings per day.
July 25th, 1781, the town " voted to raise our Cotto (Quota) of beef, for the army which is 6834 pounds," already al- luded to.
Voted to give Sixth Dollars in hard money per hundred for said Beef.
Voted to raise 4 hundred and Ten hard Dollars for pay for said Beef.
Voted that our Continental Shoulders shall have-Dollars in the
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OTHER SUPPLIES FOR THE ARMY.
Rume of one thousand paper Dollars. (This blank cannot be tilled.)
Voted that the Sessexsors (assessors) shall tax the non-residents.
Voted to give five shillings per bushel for rye.
Voted to raise £126 to pay the Continental Shoulders their first year's pay.
The selectmen were appointed a committee to petition the General Conrt to " grant us liberty to have a recorder of deeds in said town."
September 26th, 1781, an article being in the warrant to pay certain soldiers, the town
Voted to pass over the article till the Selectmen shall see how they can agree with mr. muzzey and Mr. harris and Samuel winch in hard money.
At a meeting October 5th, 1781, the town " Voted to pay Forty nine Gallons of West India Rum." This was for the army. November 5th, 1781, the town " voted to pay the three months' men their hier," and to raise " Forty nine Dol- lars to pay for the Rhom."
Voted twenty pounds for the Chools in the Town in Ine of the fifteen hundred pounds old Emission which was granted last March for that purp[ose].
Voted and chose Joseph Nichols, Deacon John Locke, Samuel Patrick a Committee to give our Representative instructions, and that this Com- mittee should make Report of their proseinds (proceedings) at the jurn- ment of the meeting.
At an adjourned meeting in November the town met and received the report of the committee named above, and " then the Instructions was given of Mr. Abner Stone." Mr. Stone was the Representative elect. In the warrant for this meeting, article fifth was,
To know the minds of the Town if they dont think necessary to give their Representative Instruction and to Enquire [if] Reasons can be given that we have such Burthens laid when their is such a Searciety of Cash among us by [reason] of the Old Emission being called in and the silver not [being ready] for circulation, and that new Emission Bills is as nothing-and act thereon, etc.
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IHISTORY OF FITZWILLIAM.
The exact words of this article cannot be determined, nor is there any other record of the election of Abner Stone as Representative. That he was chosen and instructed is plain. but the copy of the instructions given was probably consumed with the town clerk's office about three or four years later. A copy of the instructions given Major Elisha Whitcomb about two years later has been preserved and is inserted in the proper place.
1782. March 21st, the usual town officers were chosen, and at an adjourned meeting in May of the same year a com- mittee consisting of Lientenant Levi Brigham, Stephen Har- ris, and Lieutenant Caleb Winch was raised " to provide the Beef, if needed, for the Continental Army." A vote was also taken which seems to refer to a return to specie payments in paying the State tax. A large committee was raised to divide the school money and " provid Choolmasters in eicth Squadron."
Also the town voted to send Joseph Nichols to attend at convention at Concord.
1783. At the annual meeting no special business of im- portance was transacted, but considerable attention was paid to the matter of roads, and one hundred and forty pounds were raised " to pay the last three years' men their second years' pay."
July 29th, 1783. A committee was appointed to prepare instructions to be given to Major Elisha Whitcomb. Repre- sentative elect for the district comprising the towns of Fitzwill- iam and Swanzey and report at an adjourned meeting.
Also " voted not to pay the obligation which the selectmen have given to Joseph Fassett." From the warrant for the meeting it appears that this has reference to a note given to Mr. Fassett for one year's service in the Continental army, but we have no means of judging correctly respecting the merits of the question upon which the town acted.
Angust 14th, 1783. The committee to prepare instructions made their report. A copy of the instructions is here given.
Instructions to their Representative in the General Court, 1783 :
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INSTRUCTING REPRESENTATIVE.
At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Fitzwilliam, held upon adjournment August 14th, 1783 ; Voted to give their Repre- sentative for the ensuing year, the following Instructions :
To Major Elisha Whitcombe Sr. You being chosen to represent the Towns of Swansey and Fitz William for the present year in the General Assembly of the State of New Hampshire ; - The Town of Fitzwilliam, a part of your Constituents, in Complyance with the request of said assembly, and from a Sense of Duty at this Critical period, do now openly, candidly, and Sincerely Speak and instruct you, not only with respect to the Article recomended, but other things we conceive neces- sary to the well being of the Community. We shall begin with the Reccommendation of the Honorable Congress, relative to an alteration proposed in the Eighth Article of the Confederation and perpetual union between the thirteen united states of America.
Congress, we find, View it Expedient and even Necessary, that such an alteration, as they have reccommended be made ; and the General Assembly of this state appear to be of the same mind ; for they say " they are fully convinced of the Expediency and utility of the Measure" -with all Due Defference to the collected Wisdom of the Continent and of this State ; as we are called upon to shew our minds, we would say, that we have taken this matter into deliberate and mature consider- ation ; and are of opinion that the proposed alteration is neither Expedi- ent or necessary. We conceive that it cannot be so just and equitable a Mode of proportioning Taxes, by the number of Inhabitants, of every age, Sex and condition as by the Value of Land, etc., which each State is possessed of & which enables each State to pay the proportion -- we apprehend, that, according to the present proposed method of Propor- tioning Taxes, there is a door opened for Some States to be eased and others burdened, but Reason, Justice, and Revelation Demand an Equality, that each State pay in proportion to what it is worth ; and no more- And as the number of Inhabitants according to the proposed alteration, is to be taken triennially-and as it is found necessary for proportioning taxes within each State to take the valuation of all Lands, etc., we conceive that by the proposed alteration much needless Cost must arise to the good people of these States, already Loaded with Taxes ; and know not which way to discharge them-nor can we think that the numbering of Souls is a justifiable method ; witness the con- duct of David and dismal consequences thereof-left no doubt upon Sacred Record for national admonition.
We think it advisable, that one mode of Valuation, both as to poles and possession, should be adopted throughout the united States ; and as this appears to us the most Rational and equitable plan that can be devised ; altho we are Sensible there can be no mode fixed upon, but that some objections may be raised against it.
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We do therefore recommend it to you, Sir, to use your influence to prevent any alteration being made in the above-mentioned Eighth Article of the Confederation.
We shall now take the liberty to address you upon some other sub- jects, which we conceive important and necessary, iu our present Situa- tion of Affairs.
By a Resolution of Congress of the 21 of October, 1780, we find they have promised the officers of the american army, half pay during life - and by a resolve of said Congress, bearing date March 22, 1783, they have engaged them five years full pay instead of the half pay promised before -upon which we would observe that we have ever been and still are ready to Exert ourselves in Supporting our army, and to Reward those who have jeoparded their lives for us in the High places of the field, fought our battles, Bled in our Cause, and under God, have been our defence-we are willing, we say, amply to reward them -" none deserve more highly than our brave army -none shall have our money more freely, so far as is Justly Due ; and if there has been any failure on the part of the government in fulfilling their contracts, let the injury and all their just Demands be made up to them as soon as may be" --- Yea, so ready and cheerful are we to have them fully compensated for their services, that we are willing, if it cannot otherwise be effected, To allow Both officers and Soldiers, over and above their Stipulated wages, one years full pay-far be it from us to wrong our Soldiers ; - we are desirous to settle honorably with them ; and seasonably aud fully dis- charge all our public & foreign Debts.
But we cannot See the Reasonableness and Justice of giving the officers half pay during life or full pay for the term of five years, after they are Discharged from the Service-we think that the soldiers who have born the burden and heat of the day as well as the officers, have an equal Right to claim a share ; in proportion to their pay.
We doubt not but that Both officers and Soldiers have suffered much in their Countries Cause and the temporal interests of many have hereby been diminished-and has not this been the case with thousands that have generally been at Home-they have many a time been called off from their employments, been obliged to gird on the harness and take the field for a time in the common defence ; & why ought they not to be rewarded over and above their Stipulated pay, in proportion to the time they were gone and Services which they performed ?- it appears to be as reasonable as that the officers of our army should thus be re- warded.
Besides do not the officers of our army hope & expect to share in the Blessings of Peace and independence ? We are willing they should ; why then are they not willing to Suffer with us, to lend a helping hand to support us under our Burdens ?- We think they ought to be-and not
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INSTRUCTING REPRESENTATIVE.
make government instead of Being a Blessing, an insupportable Burden to the people.
We cannot see if they have a reasonable recompense for their services, why they do not stand upon an equal footing with their Brethren. We therefore request you, Sir, to use your influence to prevent this pay being given to the officers of our army, as we cannot consent to it or anything that is so subversive of the Principles of the american Revolution.
Further, we must Depend upon your Exertions, and if need be, that you Strain every nerve to prevent the return of those persons called Tories, or absentees, who have withdrawn themselves from ns, gone over to the Enemy, and either virtually or actually taken up arms against us. And many of them Shed the Blood of their Brethren-in the judgment of charity we cant but view them in an odious light-they deserve cen- sure-yea, many of them have long since, forfeited their heads as well as their estates to their countries Justice-we doubt not but their situa- tion is disagreeable, and that things have turned out quite contrary to their wish and Expectation ; but are we to blame for that ? had they chose it they might have continued with us & enjoyed their estates which we view they have now forfeited and all the priveledges and im- munities of free citizens ; and Shared in the Blessings of independence, but they have chosen their side and we desire they would abide their choice, and not Presume to trouble us any more-Friendship to them and Safety to ourselves and dear Country forbid them to be any more incorporated with us-We have sufficiently proved them and under- stand their tempers and disposition by their inhuman and savage conduct toward us. We are convinced that we cannot put any confidence in them, they have proved themselves traitors to their country-Can we then receive you into our Bosoms again ? by no means, let them there- fore depart and repair to the frozen Regions of Acadia, the place destined for them by their Royal Master, and spend the rest of their days in deep Repentance for their Past follies.
And as Religion is much Decayed in our Land, the Lord's Day shame- fully profaned, the holy name of God abused and all manners of vice prevalent and Barefaced, we expect that you will use your Best endeav- ors to have such Laws enacted and put in Execution, as shall tend to suppress Vice, Secure the honor of God's holy name and the Sanctifica- tion of the Sabbath, and to promote Religion and useful Literature among us.
And that you give your constant and seasonable attendance at Court, in the time of its Sessions that neither your Constituents nor the Public may become Sufferers by your neglect, but a word to the wise is suffi- cient.
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Fitzwilliam on the 14th day of this instant, August. Voted That These Instructions
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Should be Deliver to you, Sir, by the hand of Ens" Samuel Kendall, at your house in Swansey.
December 8th, 1783. The town " voted to reconsider a former vot that had been past in a former Town meeting for a Lottery in said Town." As a close examination fails to bring to light anything further about this lottery, the record of the vote authorizing it must have been made in that part of the record book that was burned. Of course it is impossible to state the object of the lottery.
At another meeting held soon after December Sth, the town " Chose Ensign Samuel Kendall as a member to and in the General Court of this State until the first Wednesday of June next."
" Voted and empower said member to vote in House of Delegates for the Continental Congress."
" Voted that the Clerk should not send the votes for Coun- sellor to the Cort Committee who are to sent." The last.men- tioned vote is not easily explained, but the vote immediately before it would indicate that the General Court elected men- bers of the Continental Congress.
1784. The town " chose Mr. Josiah Hartwell a member to send to the County Convention to be convened at Peter- borough by adjournment on the last Tuesday of February next."
" Voted that the wife and child of Abraham Rice, Jr., should be set up at a public Vandu at the lowest Bider."
Of course this action refers to the support of these persons as panpers, and they were bid off by Lieutenant Benjamin Boyem (Byam) at ten shillings per week.
" Voted to choose a committee to send to Mr. Abraham Rice to hear (if) Mr. Rice wont du Sumting to support his sunes wife." And Deacon John Fassett, Ensign Samuel Kendall, and Mr. Josiah Hartwell were chosen to attend to this business.
March 15th, 1784. A meeting was held " pursuant to a precept From the General Court" for the choice of " a presi- dent for said State of New Hampshire." Mesheck Weare was elected, but enfeebled by age and long and laborious service for the State, he resigned his office before the close of the year.
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ACTS OF TOWN, 1784-1786.
At the same meeting the town voted for two senators for the county of Cheshire, and cast twenty votes for Benjamin Bellows, Esq., and twenty votes for Thomas Aplin, Esq.
This was the first election of President of New Hampshire and senators, of which we have any account, and it took place very soon after the adoption of the State Constitution in 1784.
March 18th, 1784. The office of collector was put up to be given to the lowest bidder, and Stephen Harris' bid for twenty-two silver dollars was the lowest. Moses Drury and Reuben Pratt were Mr. Harris' bondsmen. A committee of seven was raised to divide the school money " and to provide school Masters and Misters." A committee was raised "to say where the school houses should stand in Ech Squadron," and to build them, consisting of Abner Haskell, Jonathan Whitney, Joseph Haskell, Josiah Hartwell, Abner Stone, and John Sweetland, and one hundred and fifty pounds were raised to build the same.
The record of this meeting, March 18th, 1784, is the last which was entered in the record book that was saved from the burning of the town clerk's house.
1785. The town was no longer united with any other for the choice of a Representative.
September 26th. The town "voted to Except (accept) Rev. Mr. Brigham's orders for part or all his sallery for the year Eighty five."
This was many years before the town assumed the support of the pastor.
" the town voted to have the Selectmen distress Joshna Wil- lard for his collection if not recovered without." Joshua Willard was collector of taxes in 1780.
1786. " Voted to give Abraham Rice, Jr., two months to com and settle with the town for the cost his wife has been to the Town."
The town voted to Abner Stone among other services and expenses incurred " for a horse to Walpole and himself and horse to Hubbardston to settle with Mr. Willard" 2 pounds 10 shillings. Mr. Willard, collector in 1780, had removed o Hubbardston, Mass. t.
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The town also voted to pay Elisha Whitcomb (of Swanzey) its part of his expenses while " in the house."
What appears in the above vote respecting Mr. Abner Stone's journey to Walpole may, very probably, be explained in this manner.
Under the administration of the royal Governor, Benning Wentworth, New Hampshire claimed that its territory in- eluded all that now constitutes the State of Vermont. At the same time New York claimed that its castern boundary was the Connecticut River in the region north of Massachusetts, while the last-mentioned State regarded itself as the owner of at least a part of the disputed territory. Governor Went- worth went so far as to give charters to one hundred and thirty-eight towns west of the Connectient River, but New York treated all his acts in this direction as null and void. In 1777 the people of what is now the State of Vermont took measures to become an independent State under the name of the State of Vermont. Sixteen towns on the east side of the Connecticut River asked to be admitted and become a part of this new State. So far as Vermont was concerned, there was no serious objection to this proposal, but New Hampshire made a vigorous opposition to such an inroad upon her territory.
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