THE MEETING HOUSE, (OLD SOUTH,) 1763. And as it appeared in 1776. WORCESTER IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION: EMBRACING THE ACTS OF THE TOWN FROM 1765 TO 1783 INCLUSIVE, AVITH AN APPENDIX. Br ALBERT A. LOVELL. WOECESTER, MASS.: Pkinted by Tyler tfc Seagrave, 442 Main Street, Spy Building, opposite City Hall. 1876. Entorud acoonling to Act of Congress in 1876, By A. A. LOVELL, In the Office of Librariau of Congress at Washington. PREFACE. Perhaps it is unnecessary for the writer to state that this is an unpretentious work. He has endeavored to tell the story of Worcester in the Revolution, as much as possible, in the language of the men and documents of that time. Pie is well aware that some of the facts narrated have become twice told tales, but he flatters himself that by far the greater portion, which has heretofore lain buried in dusty nooks and corners, is now published foi* the first time. In these busy times, when the thoughts and energies of the people are directed in so great a degree to the pursuit of wealth, comfort and enjoyment, it cannot be otherwise than profitable to pause and look back upon the acts of those whose wisdom, foresight and self-denial, laid the foundations of that prosperity which we their descendants enjoy-"-to spend a while with them and catch the inspiration of liberty and freedom from a con- templation of their sacrifices and sufferings— that we be not de- generate sons of worthy sires. There is much material accessible for an exhaustive history of Worcester daring this j^eriod of its existence, some of which is carefully preserved, some hidden in the rubbish of garrets and closets, soon to find its way to market at a pittance per pound ; and other still floating down through the closing years of a century in tradition, soon to be lost in distance, and buried in oblivion. Worcester has a revolutionary history to which her sons may point with pride ; and " by honoring the parent, the child honors himself." 4 Preface. The Work of collecting and compiling, \Vas entered into by. the author through a natural taste for the gathering of me- morials of the past, without the most distant thought of pub- lishing any of the results of his labors ; but with a feeling, that at the close of a century of the nation's life, when our thoughts naturally revert to the days of its birth, those who shall honor him by a perusal of these pages will overlook all shortcomings and demerits, he has yielded to solicitation, and presents this volume to a forbearing public. He takes great pleasure in expressing his obligations to IMr. Samuel F^ Haven, Librarian of the American Antiquarian So- ciety, Mr. Edmund INI. Barton, Assistant Librarian, Mr. Daniel Seagrave, Rev. George Allen, Mr. Samuel Smith, City Clerk, and others, for many favors received at theip hands. Worcester, May 15, 1876. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Page. Worcester ;it breaking out of the Revolutionary War — Population — Valua- tion — Means of postal communication — General aspect of town — Roads — Gallows and Stocks — Notices of eminent men and their residences- Common and burial ground — The Old South Meeting house, " 9 CHAPTER II. State of Public opinion previous to the war — Instruclions to the Repre- sentative to the General Court concerning the Stamp Act in 1765, and against slavery in 1767 — Agreement not to buy or use any article that had paid a duty, 1768 — Committee of Correspondence chosen in 1773 — Formation of the American Political Society in 1773, together with its proceedings up to its dissolution in 1776 — Action of the Town on the Tea Act, 1774 — Protest of the Tories to this action — Instruction to Representative concerning the Tea question — New Town Meeting called by the Tories to reconsider instructions — Great battle at the Polls and victory of the Patriots — Long protest of the Tories clan- destinely entered on records of Town — Town Clerk obliged to ex- punge the same in open meeting, by dipping his fingers in ink and drawing them over the page — Recantation of 43 of the 52 Tories, 17 CHAPTER III. The Port Bill — The Mandamus Councillors — Preparation for armed resist- ance — Court suspended — Recantation of Mr. Campbell — Instruction to Representative to General Court and Delegate to Provincial Congress — Action of the Committee of Safety concerning Supplies, Arms, Am- munition, &c., — Drilling of the Minute Men — Call "to arms!" '"to arms!" April 19, 1775 — March to Boston — Press of Isaiah Thomas re- moved to Worcester — Letter of John Hancock to Committee of Safety — Tories severely looked after — Worcester men at Bunker Hill — In- struction to Delegate to Provincial Congress — Dr. Willard's Recanta- tion, ___._-._..-. 43 CHAPTER lY. Col. Ward's Regiment petition the General Assembly concerning the tories — The tories address Gen. Gage on his departure for England — Clark Chandler committed to jail for assisting a prisoner of war to escape — He petitions the General Court and Committee of Safety for enlarge- ment — Town voted to sustain the measure if Congress should declare the American Colonies independent — Troops armed and forwarded to Boston, New York and Canada — The price of Bohea Tea and otiier articles fixed by Congress, -....--- 08 6 Contents. c n A r T E R V . Declaration of Independence — Subscciuent celebration of the event — Calls for more troops promptly met — New York sends its tories to Worces- ter jail — Address of Committee of Correspondence recommendinir milder measures concerning suspected persons— One-seventh male in- hal)itants drafted — Escai)e and capture of a portion of the New Yoik captives — Town excited because of change of basis of Representation to General Court — Bounty voted to recruits — Money raised by gene- ral tax — Tories prosecuted — Soldiers march to the relief of Northern Ai'my — 'Another (h-aft — ^A company inarch to oppose Burgoync — Bur- goyne's captive army pass through town — Town voted to approve of Confederation of States — 'Town voted not to approve Constitution rec- omended for State— Banishment and confiscation of the property of certain tories, ----------- 81 CHAPTER VI. Convention to consider the (juestion of Finance — Action of the town thereon — -County Convention for the same purpose and its proceedings, fixing prices of labor and produce — Delegates elected to a Constitu- tional Convention — Further requisition for men and means answered — Bill of Rights and Constitution accepted, with some exceptions — First election under the Constitution — More men and provisions supplied for the army-^Worcester thinks she has contributed more money and men than her proportion — Surrender of Cornwallis — Jubilation — In- structions to Representative on grievances, ----- 94 CHAPTER VII. Slavery abolished by decision of the Court at Worcester — Treaty of Peace — Celebration — The question of absentees and refugees considered, 105 APPENDIX. Town Officers from 1774 to lT83j - - 115 Jury List for 1776, - - - . II7 List of Voters, 1775, ----.----- 118 Roll of Capt. Timothy Bigelow's Company of Minute men, - - 110 Roll of Benjamin Flagg's Company of Minute men, . . - - 120 Roll of men from Worcester under Capt. Jonas Hubbard, - - - 120 List of men in Col. Thomas Craft's liegimeut of xVrtiliery, 1775, - - 121 Men from Worcester in other Companies, 1775, ----- 12I Roll of Capt. William Gates' Company, 177(5, 121 Men from Worcester in Col. Thomas Craft's Regiment of Artillery, 177(5, 122 Ljist of men in Col. Thomas Craft's Regiment of Artillery, 1777, - - 122 Roll of Capt. David Chadwick's Comi)auy, 1777, ----- 12;J Nine Months' men, 1778, - . . - 12;? Men from Worcester in Continental Service, 1778. - . - - ii>4 Nine Months' men, drafted in 1779, - - - - - - - 124 List of Six Months' men — Resolve of June, 17S0, - - - - 124 List of men from Worcester, 1780 — Returned Dec. 27, 1781, - - 124 Six Months' men from Worcester, 1780, - - 124 Memorandum from Army Books, 1780, ------- 125 Memorandum from Army Books in Land Olllce, . - - _ 125 Quaint Advertizements of the Period, .--.-- ]2(> Prices of Pews in Meeting House, 17G3, -...-- 128 CHAPTER I Worcester at breaking out of the Ilevolutionary War — Population — Valuations-Means of postal communication — General aspect of town — HoaJs — Gallows and Stocks — Notices of eminent men and their resiiences — Common and burial ■'round — The Old South Meeting house. It would be desirable, if it were possible, to present a full and detailed representation of Worcester as it was at the time of the Revolution, but as the records of that day are meagre, and we so far removed in point of time, it is impossible to produce any full and complete picture of the town at that period of its existence. At the breaking out of the war in 1775, Worcester contained about nineteen hundred inhabitants. Accord- ing to a census taken in the year 1763, the population was fourteen hundred and seventy-eight, and by a cen- sus taken in the year 1776, it was found to be nineteen hundred and twenty-five, an increase in thirteen years of four hundred and forty-seven, or nearly thirty-one per cent. In 1790 the population was ascertained to be two thousand and ninety-five, an increase in fourteen years of nearly nine per cent. As to valuation, we find by the list for the year 1772, the town ranked fourth in the County, being exceeded by Lancaster, Brookfield and Sutton. According to the list of 1778 it then ranked third, Brookfield occupying the first place on the list and Lancaster the second. From the returns of the Assessors in the office of the Secretary of State, the following estimate of the prin- cipal articles of property for the year 1781 is obtained, lO Hisioiy of Worcester in Anno Dom. 1775 viz: houses 21G, burns 207, shops 11, other buildings 32. Live Stock — cows and steers 778, horses 277, oxen o6o, swine 212. Lund — tilluge 1034 acres, mowing 1074, meadow 1606, pasture 2881, woodhxnd and uniu]- proved 14,012. The means of communication between Worcester and the other parts of the Province previous to the war and during its continuance were very hmited. \\\ 1774, tlie only regular communication was by a post going once a week between Boston and Hartford, occupying six days in the journey. On the establishment of the Spy in the town in 1775 by Mr. Thomas, he made extensive ar- rangements for its distribution, sending post riders to Cambridge, Salem, Providence, Fitchburg and other places. The roads were poor and almost all travelling was performed on horseback. On the 15th of Novem- ber, 1775, the first post office of the town was estab- lished, Mr. Isaiah Thomas being postmaster.^'' Perhaps in no way can a clearer idea of the general aspect of the town at that time be obtained, than by commencing at the northerly end of the village on the Boston road, and following that and the main road to a point just south of the meeting house, taking note of the more prominent land-marks. About a quarter of a mile above what is now known as Lincoln Square, on the Boston road, on the west side, stood the residence of the Hon. Timothy Paine, for man}' years a member of the General Court, and a stout government man in the controversies in that body during the years which pre- ceded the Revolution. Near the residence of Mr. Paine a short distance below Avas the house of Levi Lincoln, Sen., afterwards Governor of the State and Attornev General of the United States under President Jefferson. *Lincoln's History of AVorcester. Anno T)om. 1775. War of the RcvohUion. 1 1 The grounds connected with this estate were considered the finest in the town. Still further down, stood the Hancock Arms Tavern, the principal rendezvous of the patriots. At this house most of the people in attend- ance at the courts were accustomed to stop. It was formerly owned by the Hon. John Hancock, and here he usually spent a portion of the summer after the courts had adjourned, and entertained his friends. South of tliis tavern stood the jail built in 1753. This jail was during the war crowded with prisoners from the British army and tories from this and the other Prov- inces. On the north side of the present Lincoln Square was the Salisbury Mansion erected in 1770. This house is still standing, and is almost the only remaining relic of those days which preserves a semblance of its origin- al appearance. It has been remodelled to some extent, and raised so that it stands a few feet higher than when built. As originally constructed it provided a commo- dious residence for Mr. Stephen Salisbury and his mother, while a portion was fitted for and occupied as a store, where he carried on an extensive business, after having abandoned the one which stood on the site now covered by the Worcester & Nashua Railroad Station. On the south side of the Square was the blacksmith shop of Timothy Bigelow. The only roads converging at this point at that time were the Boston road, now Lincoln street, the road now known as Salisbury street, the road which is now Sum- mer street, and the main road of the village. On the west side of the main road, on the elevation occupied at the present day by the Court Houses, stood the Court House of that day, erected in 1751, a wooden building 36 feet by 40 in size. It was afterwards removed to make room for a buildinii: furnishinir laruer accommoda- I 2 History of Worcester in Anno Doin. 1775. tions, and now stands at the Intersection of Franklin and Green streets. The main road, as it left what is now the Square. \vas very narrow, the bank on the west side extending much farther east than at present. The road to the Court House left the main road near where the Central Church now stands, and terminated at the Court House, although there was a path down the hill toward the Salisbury Mansion, in the rear of a store which stood near where the bank wall now terminates. In front of the Court House was the pillory, whipping post and gallows. This gallows was not used for executions but for the punish- ment of those guilty of minor crimes, the culprit being compelled to sit with a rope around his neck in view of passers by. The stocks w^ere located near the meeting house, (the Old South,) and stored in that building when not in use. Nearly opposite where School street now enters Main, w%as the store of Dr. Elijah Dix, where as physician and drut'' iahClark.Jr. Entrance through South Porch. No. 8 James Nichols. No. 7. John Chandler, Esq. Assignee of Asa Flagg No. 6. John Maban. No. 5. .lohn Chandler, Ksq CHAPTER II State of Public opiniou previous to the war — Instructions to the Representative to the General Court concerning the Stamp Act in 1765, and against slavery in 1767— Agreement not to buy or use any article that had paid a duty, 1768 — Committee of Correspondence chosen in 1778 — Formation of the American Political Society in 1773, together with its proceedings up to its dissolution in 1776 — Action of the Town on the Tea Act, 1774 — Protest of the Tories to this action — Instruction to Representative concerning the Tea question — Xew Town Meeting called by the Tories to recon- sider instructions — Great battle at the Polls and Victory of the Patriots — Long protest of the Tories clandestinely entered on records of Town — Town Clerk obliged to expunge the same in open meeting:, by dipping his fingers in ink and drawing them over the page — Recantation of 43 of the 52 Tories. In taking a retrospective survey of the acts of the town and people of Worcester during the War of the Revokition, it will be necessary, in order to properly understand the bearing of the great ques- tions with which they had to deal, the apparently in- surmountable obstacles with which they had to contend, and, at the same time, to fally appreciate their undying attachment to those principles of liberty which finally gave birth to the republic, to review their acts and doings to some extent during the decade which pre- ceded the final appeal to arms. In this review we shall see they were loyal subjects of Great Britain, having been at all times ready to take up arms in defence of the mother country, and in thus defending her, w^ere willing to peril both life and fortune. But while firmly loyal to King George and his Parlia- ment, they could but realize that the chains of slavery were being forged for them, and unhesitatingly, yet calmly and reluctantly resolved, that loyal though they wished to be, that loyalty should not be maintained at the expense of the God-given right of freedom. 3 1 8 History of Worcester /« Anno Dom. 1765. Going back ten years previous to the breaking out of hostilities, we find that at a town meeting held October 21, 1765, Capt. Ephraim Doolittle, Representative to the General Court, was instructed to join in no measure countenancing the Stamp Act. On the 18th of May, 1767, at a town meeting, a committee consisting of Capt. Ephraim Doolittle, Nathan Baldwin and Jonathan Stone reported instructions to be observed by Mr. Joshua Bigelow, Representative, as follows : First: That you use your influence to maintain and continue that harmony and good will between Great Britain and this Province, which may be most conducive to the prosperity of each, by a steady and firm attachment to English liberty and the charter rights of this Province, and that you willingly suffer no invasions, either through pretext of precedency, or any other way whatsoever ; and if you find any en- croachments on our charter rights, that you use your utmost ability to obtain constitutional redress. Second: That you use your influence to obtain a law to put an end to the unchristian and impolitic practice of making slaves of the human species. Third: That you use your influence that the pay of sheriffs be so regulated that the fees may not be double as much as the service may be done for, and that jurymen be not obliged to do service at the ex- pense of their own private estates, or be subjected to large fines or penalties. Fourth : That you endeaver to relieve the people of the province of the great burden of supporting so many Latin schools, whereby they are prevented from attaining such a degree of English learning as is necessary to retain the freedom of any state. Fifth : That you inquire into the cause of such general neglect of tke militia of this Province. Sixth : That you take special care of the liberty of the press, and in all matters to have a single eye to the public good, and a watchful eye over those who are seeking the ruin of this Province, and endeavor to make this Province reciprocally happy with our mother country. In 1768 an agreement was signed by the patriotic people of the town to the effect, that " as the happiness Anro Pom. 1767. War of the Revolution^ 19 and well being of civil communities depend upon indus- try, economy and good morals," and taking into consid- eration the stagnation of business, scarcity of money, and the heavy debt contracted in the French and Indian War, they would use their utmost endeavor in order to retain money in the Province, suppress extravagance and promote industry, economy and good morals, to discountenance the use of all foreign superflui- ties, and encourage the manufacturers of the Province ; and they resolved, that as Parliam^ent had passed an act imposing duties on various articles for the purpose of raising a revenue, which they regarded as an infringe- ment on their just rights and privileges, they solemnly promised and engaged each with the other, to encourage our own manufacturers, to avoid paying the tax by not buying any European commodity but such as was abso- lutely necessary, to trade with no importer or person buying his goods of importers, and holding him who should break this agreement as dishonored and an enemy to the liberties of his country. As illustrating the loyalty of the people to the King and Parliament. A glance at the report of a committee, consisting of William Young, David Bancroft, Samuel Curtis, Timothy Bigelow and Stephen Salisbury, will suffice. This committee was appointed at a town meet- ing held in March, 1773, to consider the contents of the celebrated Boston Pamphlet; which committee presented an elaborate report at the adjournment in the May following. Appealing to the record of the past as proof of their loyalty, they declare "the fond affection that has ever subsisted in our hearts for Great Britain audits sovereign, has ever induced us to esteem it above any other country ; and as fond children speak of a father's house, we have ever called it our home, and Anno Dom. 20 History of Worcester in \ ^"hts.' always have been ready to rejoice when they rejoiced, to weep when they have wept, and whenever required, to bleed when they have bled ; and in return, we are sorry to say, we have had our harbor filled with ships of war, in a hostile manner, and troops posted in our met- ropolis in a time of profound peace ; not only posted in a manner greatly insulting, but actually slaughtering the inhabitants; cannon leveled against our senate house ; the fortress or key of the Province taken from us ; and as an addition to our distress, the commander- in-chief of the Province has declared he has not the power to control the troops. Nevertheless we are ready and willing to stand forth in defence of the King of Great Britain, his crown and dignity, and our noble constitution, and when called to it, risk our lives ; and in that day let him that hath no sword, sell his garment and buy one." At this meeting a Committee of Correspondence was chosen to correspond with committees in the other towns in this Province, this committee consisting of William Young, Timothy Bigelow and John Smith. The origin of the scheme for forming Committees of Correspondence is credited by Tudor in his life of James Otis, to the Hon. James Warren of Plymouth. He communicated it to Samuel Adams who was mak- ing him a visit. Mr. Adams consulted with his friends on his return to Boston, the plan was adopted, spread with rapidity throughout all the colonies, and became one of the most powerful means for uniting and direct- ing public sentiment in favor of the Revolution. At the close of tlie year 1773, a Society was formed, which became a most efficient means toward efiectiuij: the purposes of the patriots of the town. This organ- ization had its origin in the necessity for unity of pur- Anno Dom. no Dom. j ^r^^ ^jr ^/^^ Revolutiou. 2 1 pose and action, in counteracting royal influence \ and although it existed less than three years, it was, during its existence, a powerful medium for carrying out the popular will. The prominent part assumed by this so- ciety, in the proceedings of the times, would seem to justify a reproduction of its Rules and Regulations, showing the objects to be attained, the methods of pro- cedure, and a partial insight into the customs of the period. THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SOCIETY. * Worcester, New England, Dec. 27, 1773. At a meeting held at the house of Asa Ward, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Joshua Bigelow was chosen chairman. A motion was made and seconded, that a vote be put whether the meeting shall be continued from time to time, to take under our consideration and debate upon, such matters and things as concern ouf rights and lib- erties, and whether the members present would enter into a society covenant for said purpose under good and wholesome rules and regulations. Carried Unanimously. A committee was chosen, consisting of Nathan Bald- win, Samuel Curtis and Timothy Bigelow, to report a code of Rules and Regulations, and the meeting ad- journed to the 3rd day of January, 1774. At that time the committee presented the following, which was ad- opted. RULES AND REGULATIONS. Whereas, at this present time, the good people of this country in general (and with resjiect to some particular circumstances the town of * From the original records in possession of the American Antiquarian Soci- ety. 2 2 History of Worcester in l^Trs*""' Worcester in particular,) labor under many impositions and burdens grevious to be borne, which we apprehend would never have been im- posed u):)on us, if we had been united, and opposed the machinations of some designing persons in this Province, Avho are grasping at power, and the property of their neighbors ; for the prevention whereof, and the bettter securing our liberties and properties, and counteracting the designs of our enemies, we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do by these presents incorporate ourselves into a society by the name of The American Political Society, and to meet at some public house in Worcester, at least once every month, to advise with each other on proper methods to b^ pursued by us, and each of us, respecting our common rights and liberties, civil and religious ; and for the regular ordering and conducting our said society in their meetings, they shall choose some one of the members of said society as a chairman to pre- side in said meeting or meetings ; to keep up good order, and an obser- vance of the rules hereafter mentioned ; and one other member as a clerk, to keep an exact journal of the acts and proceedings of this our society, in their said meetings, and for the well ordering our said society, the following rules shall be strictly observed and complied with by each and every member thereof, viz : 1st. That no discourse or transaction in any of our meetings shall be communicated or divulged to any person or persons not belonging to our said society, by any ways or means whatever, (such only except- ed as are allowed to be made public by the unanimous vote of our said society,) and that if any person or persons shall be guilty of a breach of this article, he or they be punished with expulsion from our said society. 2nd. That we will avoid all law suits with all men as much as pos- sible in general, and in particular with any or either of the members of this our society, and if it shall so happen that a difference shall arise between any two or more of the members thereof in any of our meet- ings, and the parties cannot settle it to their satisfaction between them- selves, they shall submit it to the determination of the society thereon or be expelled the society. 3rd. That each member of the society shall, as he hath opportun- ity, promote the interests of every member of this society, in all honest ways and methods that he can, without hurting his own or the inter- ests of any other member of this society. -1th. That in our said meetings, if any member knows of any in- frinircnients of the common ri^rhts of maidcind, he shall make the same known. AnnoDom. j J^^^ ^jr ^/^^ ReVolutioU. 2 7, 5th. That whenever any member hath anything to offer in a speech to the society assembled, he shall address himself to the chairman then presiding, and during the time of his speaking he shall not be broken in upon or interrupted by any person whatever but by leave of the chairman. Gth. That in all and every of our monthly meetings, our expenses for liqvior, «fec., shall not exceed six pence per man upon an average, and in our quarterly meetings, it shall not exceed two shillings per man as aforesaid upon an average. 7th. That each member of the society is debarred the liberty of asking, inviting or inti-oducing any person whatever into our company, without first having obtained leave of our society for so doing. 8th. That each member shall constantly attend all our said meet- ings, and if any member shall fail of attending, he shall forfeit and pay into the hands of the clerk, six pence for the use of the society, for such, his non-attendance, and at that rate for every such offence, except he can assign reasons for his non-attendance satisfactory to the society. 9th. That every member of our said society shall have full power to dismiss himself from said society in the following manner, viz : by in- forming them in any one of their meetings, in Avriting, that he will in- violably keep all the secrets of said society, as faithfully as if he still belonged to it himself and as they desire, but that he desires a dismission by a vote of said society, and that it may be entered on the journal of the transactions of said society, that he was dismissed by his own de- sire. 10th. That each particular member of this our sai^ society, re- posing special trust and confidence in every other member of the soci- ety, looks upon himself as bound, and hereby binds himself by the ties of honor, virtue, truth, sincerity, and every appellation that is dear to him in this life, faithfully and truly to keep and perform for himself, each and every of the articles herein mentioned and expressed, to all intents and purposes. At an adjourned meeting Jan. 10, the following were added. llth. That there shall be a new choice of officers in said society, at each meeting next following a quarterly meeting. 12th. That no member be admitted into this society but by a ma- jority of the votes, and that the vote be by ballot. 24 History of Worcester in Anno Dom. 1773. 13tli. That each of our said meetings begin at five of the clock P. M., and not to continue over four hours, quarterly meetings ex- cepted. 14th. That our monthly meetings shall be on the first I\Ionday of February, second Monday of March, first Monday of May, June, August, September, November and December. And that our quarterly meetings shall be on the first Afonday of April, July, October and January, and all quarterly meetings to begin at two of the clock P. M. The origirical membership consisted of thirty-one in- dividuals; others joining from time to time, made a total membership of seventy-one. Joshua Bigelow, Benjamin Flagg, Thomas Wheeler, William Young, Timothy Bigelow, John Smith, Robert Smith, Jacob Hemenway, Francis Harrington, David Thomas, Silas Moore, Cyprian Stevens, Jona. Gleason, Samuel Whitney, Thaddeus Bigelow, John Woodward, Benjamin Chapin, Jno. Barnard, Daniel Harris, Phinehas Jones, Jacob Holmes, Ebenezcr Wiswall, Wm. Jennisou Sterne, ORIGINAL MEMBERS Samuel Woodburn, Josiah Pierce, Samuel Curtis, Jonas Hubbard, Joshua W^hitney, John Kelso, Ebenezer Holbrook, Jr Amos Wheeler, Nathan Baldwin, John Pierce, Edward Crafts, Ebenezer Lovell, Joseph Barber, Samuel McCracken, David Chadwick, James Barber, William Dana, .Thomas Lyndes, Samuel Fullerton, William Johnson, John Emerson. JOINED SUBSEQUENT Joseph Ball, William Treadwell, Ezekiel Howe, Jonathan Rice, Daniel Beard, Ephraim Miller, Moses Miller, Reuben Gray, Asa Ward, James Moore, Jonathan Stone, Thomas Knight, Levi Houghton, Josiah Knight. LY. Jonathan Lovell, Ebenezer Willingtou, Robert Gray, Samuel Brown, Oliver Pierce, Dr. John Green, Elijah Harrington, Robert Crawford, Benjamin Flagg, Jr., William Taylor, Samuel Miller, David Bancroft, Phinehas Ward, Anno Dom i?74°"') War of the Revolutio7i. 25 Feb. 7, 1774. A debate was had upon the impro- priety of choosing any person to any ofhce, who was not an open and professed friend to constitutional liberty. Feb. 25. They agreed upon a plan of procedure for the March meetinii;. April 4. It was voted " that the Committee of Cor- respondence be directed to notify the committees in the several towns in the county, that the vote for County Treasurer had not been counted at the late Court of General Sessions of the Peace, as had been customary, and warned them of the dangers consequent thereupon, that the people might be on their guard against fraud and deception." And also voted that " this society will each one bear and pay their equal part of the fine and charges that may be laid upon Messrs. Joshua Bigelow and Timothy Bigelow, for their refusal to be empan- neled upon the Grand Jury, at our next Superior Court of Assize, for the County of Worcester, if they shall be chosen into that office; and their refusal is founded upon the principle that they cannot consistently with good conscience and order, serve, if Peter Oliver, Esq., is present on the bench as Chief Justice, or Judge of said Court, before he is lawfully tried and acquitted from the high crimes and charges for which he now stands im- peached by the Honorable House of Representatives, and the major part of the Grand Jurors for the Avhole county join them in refusing to serve for the reasons aforesaid." A committee w\as chosen to prepare instructions for the Representative that should be chosen to serve the town in that office, at the annual meeting in May. May 2d. It was debated whether the Rev. Mr. Mac- carty's additional salary of the sum of £20 be taken off 4 26 History of Worcester in P"" Anno Pom. 775. for the year. John Kelso was chosen Grand Juror for the year. June 10. It was voted unanimously, " for the better securing our injured rights and privileges," to sign a Solemn League and Covenant, not to purchase any English goods, until the port and harbor of Boston shall be opened. Jul}^ 4th. Voted that each member of the society be provided with powder, flint and lead. Aug. 1st. Nathan Baldwin, Joshua Bigelow, Benjamin Flagg, Dr. John Green, Ebenezer Lovell, Timothy Bigelow and Lieut. Samuel Curtis, were chosen a committee to pre- pare a plan of action to be pursued at the town meeting, to be held Aui?. 22d. Auc^. 18. " Voted that Nathan Perry be moderator of our next town meeting, if he shall be chosen to that office ; if not, then Josiah Pierce shall preside." Oct. 3d. The instructions to Joshua Bigelow and Timothy Bigelow, to be adopted at town meeting Oct. 4, were considered and approved. Nov. 7- David Bancroft and Jonathan Stone were chosen a committee to wait upon and present the Solemn League and Covenant to the following persons : Eev. Thaddeus Maccarty, Col. Gardner Chandler, Dr. Elijah Dix, Ste- phen Salisbury and Timothy Paine, Esq. Dec. 5th. Joshua Bigelow was instructed to lay before the County Congress, the refusal of Gardner Chandler to sign the Solemn League and Covenant. Sept. 5, 1775, a com- mittee consisting of Samuel McCrackeri, Josiah Peirce, David Bigelow, SamuelWoodburn and Nathan Baldwin, was chosen to inspect the tories going and coming from Lancaster or any other way. In 177G, divisions having sprung up on some points, among which was the pro- priety of the society controlling the town meetings, and assuming powers properly belonging to the Committee of Correspondence, an attempt was made to harmonize con- flicting opinions, and a committee of in(|uiry was chosen \nnn 'Dom. 1776 War of the Revolution. 27 to iDvesti<2:ate the matter and endeavor to effect a com- promise. After several meetings, and affairs remaining unimproved, and also in view of the fact that a large proportion of the members were absent in the army, it was voted, May 20, 1776, " that we separate at the next meeting," which was probably done, as there is no record of the June meetinur. While a majority of the people of this town were aware that the acts of the British Ministry were tending to deprive them of all participation in the affairs of government, and to reduce them to a condition of de- pendance and servility, there was a formidable party composed in great part of the leading citizens of the town, persons in high standing who had held high civil and military offices, and enjoyed the confidence and es- teem of all the people, who considered all acts designed to resist the encroachments of the English Government as treasonable and rebellious, and who cast the whole weight of their wealth, talents and influence on the side of royal prerogative. The patriots of Worcester found these " internal ene- mies" or tories, one of the greatest obstacles to over- come ; the royal influence being far more powerful in the interior of the Province, than in the eastern coun- ties. In a warrant issued for a town meeting to be held at the meeting house March 7th, 1774, an article was inserted calling upon the town " to consider, and act, and vote as they may think proper," upon a request of twenty-seven of the free holders and other inhabitants of said town, relating to an act of Parliament giving a privilege to the East India Company to export teas to America, sub- ject to duty, to raise a revenue for his Majesty. At this 28 History of Worcester in ' ^""" "'°'- 1774. meeting, a committee consisting of William Young, Josiah Pierce and Timothy Bigelow, was chosen to take the article into consideration, and report in two hours. At the expiration of that time they presented a report, which was accepted. After particularizing some of the most intolerable grievances from which they were suf- fering, they came to the consideration of the main sub- ject named in the article, the exportation of teas to America, subject to duty. The committee submitted a resolution, which w^as accordingly adopted, refusing to buy, sell, or in any way to be concerned with India teas of any kind, until the act imposing such a duty be re- pealed ; and also resolving, to break off all. commercial intercourse with those persons, in this or any other place, who should act counter to these resolutions ; and further resolving that •' we have an indisputable right, at this time, and at all times, boldly to assert our rights and make known our grievances, being sensible that the freedom of speech and security of property always go together. None but the base tyrant and his wicked tools dread this liberty; upright measures will defend themselves. It is not onlv our indubitable rio-ht but a requisite duty, in this legal and public manner to make known our grievances. Among the many benefits that will naturally result therefrom will be, we hope, that important one of undeceiving our gracious sovereign, who from the wicked measures practised against us we have just reason to suppose has been artfully deluded; in defence of whose sacred person, crown and dignity, together with our natural and constitutional rights, we are ready at all times boldly to risk our lives and for- tunes." Accompanying this report on the record, is the follow- ing protest signed by some of the leading royalists of the town. Anno Dom. 1774. War of the Revolution- 29 We whose names are underwritten, beg leave to enter our dissent and protest against the vote of the town of Worcester, relating to the fourth article in the warrant for the town meeting March, 1774, and do accordingly sign this as protest against the acceptance of the re- port of the committee thereon. March 7, 1774. William Paine, Nahum Willard, David Moore, James Hart, Jr. Samuel Moore, Cornelius Stowell, Andrew Duncan, Palmer Goulding, Samnel Mower, James Putnam, John Chandler, Daniel Ward, "^ John Curtis, Daniel Boyden, William Campbell, Nathaniel Moore, Rufus Chandler, ,John Mower, James Goodwin, Samuel Bridge, David Bancroft, Jacob Stevens, Jonas Nichols, Gershom Rice, Jr. Darius Boyden, Josejih Blair. Although the protest was entered on the record, it was rejected by the town. At a town meeting held May 16, Mr. Joshua Bio^elow was chosen Representative, and a committee consisting of Messrs. Josiah Pierce, Samuel Curtis, Stephen Salis- bury, Timothy Bigelow, John Kelso, Joshua Whitney and Edward Crafts, was appointed to draw up instruc- tions for his observance. At an adiourned meeting'- held May 20th, this committee reported the follow- ing which was adopted. Mr. Joshua Bigeloav, Sir : As English America is in a general alarm, in consequence of some late unconstitutional stretches of power, we are sensible this is the most difficult jDcriod that hath ever yet commenced since the arrival of our ancestors into this unexplored, uncultivated wilderness ; and beino- fully sensible that the wisest-head, uprightest heart, and firmest resolu- tion, are the necessary qualifications of the person fit and suitable to represent us in the Great and General Court of this Province, the present year, we have honored you with our sufi:rages for that impor- tant office. Notwithstanding our confidence in your virtue and abilities, we think it necessary to prescribe some certain rules for your con- duct. 30 History of Worcester hi Anno Dom. 1774. And first, as there is a late act of the British Parliament, to be en- forced in America, with troops and ships of war, on the first day of June, in order to stop the jjort and harbor of Boston, thereby depriv- ing us of the winds and seas, which God and Nature gave in common to mankind, we are induced to believe that the Ministers of Great Britain, through misinformation, are led to a prostitution of that power which has heretofore made Eurojie tremble, to abridge us, their breth- ren in this Province, of our natural and civil rights, notwithstanding. Exclusive of our natural rights, we had all the privileges and immuni- ties of J-Cnglishmen confirmed to us by our royal charter. And as we view this hostile maneuver of Great Britain as a blow aimed, through Boston, at the whole of American liberties, being emboldened through a consciousness of the justice of our cause, we, in the most solemn manner, direct you, that whatever measures Gi'eat Britain may take to distress us, you be not in the least intimidated, and thereby induced, that whatever requisitions, or ministerial mandate there may be, in order to subject us to any unconstitutional* acts of the British Parlia- ment, to comply therewith. But to the utmost of your power, resist the most distant approaches to slavery. But more particularly, should the people of this Province, through their representatives, be required to compensate the East India Company for the loss of their tea, we hereby lay the strictest injunction on you not to comjjly therewith. As the destruction of the tea was not a public act, we cannot see the justice of a jiublic demand. As the civil law is open to punish the of- fenders, we rather think instead of an equitable compensation, it would be the means of encouraging riots and robberies, and of consequence, render the courts of justice of no use. We also earnestly require that a strict union of the colonists be one of the first objects in your view, and that you carefully and immedi- ately pursue every legal measure that may tend thereto, viz : that Committees of Correspondence be kept up between the several Houses of Assembly through the colonies ; and that you by no means fail to use your utmost endeavor, that there by a general Congress formed of deputies from the same ; that so we may unite in some safe and sure plan, to secure and defend the American liberties at this important crisis of affairs. Also, we direct you, as soon as may be, to endeavor that Peter Oliver, Usq., be brought to answer to the impeachment against him,' preferred by the Representatives of this Province in the name of the whole people. There are a number of other matters respecting the internal policy of this Province, that in our opinion, at this season, require tiie atten- Anno Dom. ' 1774. : War of the Revolution. 3 1 tiou of the legislator; but, at a time like this, when Britain in return for the blood we have, on every needful occasion, so freely shed in her cause, has reduced thousands, through a wanton exercise of power, in our metropolis, to the most distressing circumstances, which, at first view, is siifficient to excite in the human breast every tender and com- pasionate feeling. This is enough to engross your whole attention* Should other matters come under your consideration, in the course of the present year, relative to the common and ordinary exigencies of government, we make not the least doubt, you will on your part, make the peace and prosperity of the whole Province your ultimate aim and end, and by that means honor yourself and us, your constituents, in the choice we have made." Strong efforts were made on the part of the royahsts to prevent the acceptance of the report of the commit- tee. Col. Putnam, than whom there were few, if an}-, abler lawyers in North America, threw the whole weight of his influence, learning and ability against its adoption, his efforts being seconded by many of the ablest and most influential men in town. On the question of the acceptance and adoption of the report the adherents of the King were defeated. In the hope of obtaining a reconsideration of the votes, a petition signed by 43 freeholders was presented to the selectmen, requesting them to call. a town meeting for that purpose, and in accordance with this request, the following warrant was issued. WARRANT. Worcester, ss. To Samuel Bridge, one of the Constables of the Town of Worcester, Greeting. "^Vhereas a great number of the freeholders, inhabitants and voters in said town of Worcester, preferred a petition to us, the subscribers, Selectmen of said Town, setting forth that there have been of late divers commotions and disturbances in many towns and places within the Province, and many actions of a riotous nature and dangerous ten- dency have been done and committed, whereby the property of many of his Majesty's good and peaceable subjects has been destroyed, their 32 History of Worcester in Anno Dom 1774. persons insulted, and their lives endangered, more especially in the town of Boston, and that by the artful practices of some people there, under the pretence of Patriotism, but with evil intentions and making unrighteous gain to themselves by the ruin and destruction of others, a spirit of opposition to all law, order and good govei-nment has been raised and propagated in many towns and places within this Province, and some having been so far seduced that they have unwarrantably adopted measures subversive of public liberty and the good order of the State, and destructive of the peace of society, and in some places votes and resolves have been passed which they have seen published, approving or justifying the unwarrantable and riotous proceedings of the said town of Boston, and have thereby, as they fear, in some measures made themselves partakers of their guilt, and wishing to avoid the reproach and imputations of any such guiltiness falling on them, they desire to bear their public testimony against all riots, unlawful assemblies, acts of violence, oppression and robbery, more especially would they manifest their utter detestation and abhorence of that un- paralleled act of violence, the destruction of the teas, the last winter in Boston, and also against the unlawful force and violence in divers rio- tous acts committed on the persons and properties of sundry good peo- ple in this Province, to whom said teas were consigned, and at the an- nual meeting in Worcester, in March last, certain resolves were passed and voted to be entered on the records of the town of Worcester, against the express will and opinion of the respectal^le inhabitants of the town then assembled, and had not the members of the committee who made or copied the resolves, voted for their being accepted and re- corded, there would have been a majority of the town against the ac- ceptance of them, and at that time many of the sober, judicious j^eople of this town thought that those resolves were calculated to serve seditious i:)urposes, and some of them did therefore enter their protest in writing against the said resolves and proceedings, and desired the same might be entered and recorded with the records of the town, yet hoping to prevent it, the town did unreasonably and hastily vote that the said protestation should not be received or recorded, and they have reason to apprehend there are many more persons of consideration and interest within said town that did not then protest for want of op- portunity to do it, that would be glad of a fit time for doing it, and discovering their mind on many late acts and proceedings, in a public manner, and they are of opinion that were the same matters now again t;) be considered and acted on by the town, their proceedings would be very (Klferent from what they were before, at least that such a number Anno__Boin.j WdT of tJie RevoluHon. i2> would now protest, and would before had they been present as are owners and jaroprietors of by far the largest share of the interest and property of the whole town, and praying that a meeting of the said town may be warned that the inhabitants being voters may be assem- bled, as soon as may be, and so have an opportunity of declaring their sentiments, and acting with freedom in a legal way, with respect to the votes, resolves, protestations and so forth, before referred to, and to examine into the proceedings and conduct of certain persons in the town of Worcester, styling themselves the Committee of Correspon- dence for the town, and that their power and authority may be exam- ined into, and they required to lay before the town, all their proceed- ings and doings as a committee, together or apart, since they have as- sumed that character, and that they lay before the town, all such ad- vices, letters and intelligence as they or any of them shall have received, and from whom they had it relating to public matters, and produce true copies of all such advices and letters as they or any of them in the course of their correspondence have communicated to others, that the town may have a full and fair opportunity of publicly examining into their whole conduct and proceedings, as by said petition appears. You are therefore hereby required in his Majesty's name, in the usual way and manner, to warn and give notice to the freeholders and other inhabitants of the said town qualified according to law to vote in town affairs, to meet and assemble at the meeting house in said town, on Monday the twentieth day of June next, at three o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to choose 1st. A Moderator. 2d. To act on the several matters and things contained in said pe- petition, and to receive the report of the Committee of Correspon- dence in i-elation to their proceedings, as therein mentioned, and for the town to act on all matters mentioned in said petition, as they may judge proper. Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant with your doings to some of the Selectmen before said meeting. Dated at "Worcester, the thirtieth day of May, in the Fourteenth year of his Majesty's Reign, Anno Domini, 1774, Timothy Paine, ] William Young, I ^ i ^ rri -WT r oelectmen. Ihomas Wheeler, ( JosiAH Pierce, 34 History of Worcester in {"^"m'?'""' In accordance with this warrant a meetinii: wns held at the designated time and place, and after a long and stormy debate, the patriotic party prevailed. The tories still unwilling to yield, offered a protest, which was re- fused. The Town Clerk, Mr. Clark Chandler, a firm and persistent royalist, entered a copy of this protest on the records of the town. Copies were also inserted in the Boston News Letter, of June 30, and the Massachusetts Gazette of July 4, 1774, being prefaced with the follow- ingr note. o Messrs. Printers : If you please you may give the following protestation of ns a few friends of truth, peace and order, a place in your paper ; for it is believed that we and many others through the Province, have too long already held our peace. " At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of "Worcester, held there ou the 20th day of June, A. D., 1774, pursuant to an application made to the Selectmen by 43 voters and freeholders of the same town, dated the 20th day of May last, therein among other things, declaring their just apprehensions of the fatal consequences that may follow the many riotous and seditious actions that have of late times been done^ and perpetrated in divers places within this Province ; the votes and proceedings of which meeting are by us deemed irregular aud arbi- trary : Wherefore we, some of us who were petitioners for the said meeting, and others, inhabitants of the town, hereunto subscribing, thinking it our indispensable duty, in these times of discord and con- fusion in too many of the towns within this Province, to bear testi- mony in the most open and unreserved manner against all riotous, dis- orderly and seditious practices, must therefore now declare, that it is with the deepest concern for public peace and order, that we behold so many, whom we used to esteem sober, peaceable men, so far deceived, deluded and led astray, by the artful, craft}^ and insidious practices of some evil-minded and ill-disposed persons, who, under the disguise of patriotism, and falsely styling themselves the friends of liberty, some of them neglecting their own projjer business and occupation, in which they ought to be employed for the support of their families, spending their time in discoursing of matters they do not understand, raising and propagating falsehoods and calumnies of those men they Anno Bom. 1774. War of the Revolution. 35 look up to with env3% and on whose fall and ruin they wi.sh to rise, intend to reduce all things to a state of tumult, discord and confu- sion. And in j^in's^i^nce of those evil purposes and practices, thev have imposed on the nnderstanding of some, corrupted the principles of others, and distracted the minds of many, who under the influence of this delusion, have been tempted to act a part that may prove, and that has already proved, extremely prejudicial to the Province, and as it may be, fatal to themselves ; bringing into real danger, and in many instances destroying, that liberty and property we all hold sacred, and which they vainly and impiously boast of defending at the expense of their blood and treasure. And, as it appears to us, that many of this town seem to be led aside by sti-ange opinions, and are prevented coming to such prudent votes and resolutions as might be for the general good and advantage of this town in particular, agreeably to the request of the petitioners for this meeting, — And as the town has refused to dismiss the persons styling them- selves the Committee of Correspondence for the town, and has also refused so much as to call on them to render an account of their past dark and pernicious proceedings, — We therefore, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do each of us declare and jirotest, it is our firm opinion, that the Committees of Cor- respondence in the several towns in this Province, being creatures of modern invention, and constituted as they be, ai'e a legal grievance, having no legal foundation, contrived by a junto to serve particular designs and jjurposes of their own, and that they, as they have been and are now managed in this town, are a nuisance. And we fear, it is in a great measure owing to the baneful influence of such committees, that the teas of immense value, lately belonging to the East India Company, were, not long since, scandalously destroyed in Boston, and that many other enormous acts of violence and oppression have bean perpetrated, whereby the lives of many lionest worthy persons, have been endangered and their property destroyed. It is by these committees also, that papers have been lately published, and are now circulating through the Province, inviting and wickedly tempting, all persons to join 'them, fully implying, if not expressly denouncing the destruction of all that refuse to subscribe those unlaw- ful combinations, tending directly to sedition, civil war, and rebellion. These and all such enormities, we detest and abhor, and the authors of them we esteem enemies of our King and country, violators of all 36 History of Worcester in Anno Dom. 1V74. law and civil liberty, the malevolent disturbers of the peace of soci- ety, subverters of the established constitution, and enemies of man- kind : William Elder, Daniel Ward, John Walker, Nathaniel Adams, William Cami)bell, Samuel JNIoore, John Mower, Joseph Blair, Micah Johnson, Edmund Heard, Thomas Baird, Jr. Samuel Mower, Samuel Bridge, Jacob Chamberlin, Andrew Duncan, James Goodwin, Clark Chandler, Israel Jennison, Nathan Patch, Samuel INIower, Jr, Isaac Moore, Joshua Johnson, John Chandler, Gardner Chandler, James Putnam, Daniel Boyden, John Curtis, Thomas Baird, James Hart, Elisha Smith, Tyrus Rice, Nahum Willard, Rufus Chandler, Palmer Goulding, Adam Walker, Daniel Moore, James Hart, Jr. Cornelius Stowell, Israel Stevens. Jonathan Phillips, Samuel Brooks, Isaac Willard, Jacob Stevens, Joseph Clark, Isaac Barnard, AVilliam Paine, Thaddcus Chamberlain, John Chamberlain, William Curtis, Abel Stowell, Daniel Goulding, William Chandler. The patriots were not aware for .some time, that this protest was entered on the records of the town, and when this fact was discovered, a storm of indignation was aroused, so violent that many of the royalists were alarmed for their personal safety. A petition signed by Joshua Bigelow and fourteen others, was presented to the Selectmen, characterizing the protest as a false and scandalous attack on the inhabitants, the committee and their doings, charging the Town Clerk with violating his trust, and requesting them to issue their warrant for a meeting to take the subject into consideration. A meet- ing was called August 22d, at which Nathan Perry was chosen moderator, and it was voted that Joshua Bigelow ^ Jonas Hubbard, David Bancroft^ Samuel Curtis, Jonathan Stone, Benjamin Flagg nnd Josiah Pierce be a committee to take under their consideration the protest of William Anno Pom. j Wav of tJu RcvolnHon. ^j Elder, John Curtis and others, and make report to the town of then' doings thereon, at the adjournment of the meeting. At the adjourned meeting held on the 24th, the committee reported the following resolutions, which were adopted : " Whereas, the publication in the Massachusetts Gazette of June 30th, was made as a protest of the signers of it against the proceedings of the town of Worcester, and contains in it a number of groundless reflections and aspersions against the inhabitants of the town, for it seems to be implied in the direction to the printer, published at the front of the protest, that the signers were the only j^ersons in the town who were friends to truth, peace and order, and that they were the only per- sons, that had any just apprehensions of the ill consequences arising by mobs, riots, &c., and that all the rest of the inhabitants acted irregu- larly and arbitrarily, notwithstanding the matters voted in said meet- ing were fairly considered; and that they were so destitute of under- standing as to be led astray, by evil minded persons, who were endea- voring to reduce all things to a state of disorder and confusion, there- by making themselves the sole judges of what is rule and order, and what is not ; and proceed to stagmatize the inhabitants as holding to such bad opinions, as to jirevent the town's dieting prudently and for the general good. It is also implied in the publication, that this town al- lows a number of persons in it, to assume the character of a Commit- tee of Correspondence for the town, and to act darkly and pernicious- ly with impunity, contrary to rule and good order, and in violation of the truth, after, with unparalleled arrogance, representing themselves as the only friends to it, they assert that the town has refused to dis- miss the persons styling themselves a Committee of Correspondence for the town, when, setting aside the inconsistency of the towns dismissing persons who had arrogated the character of a committee, and consequent- were in fact not chosen by the town, they well knew that the town had not been requested, either to dismiss persons styling themselves a committee, or those gentlemen so denominated by the town ; neither was there any article in the warrant for calling said meeting, to dis- miss any persons whatever from oflfice, nor so much as proposed in the meeting. There is also a malignity cast upon Committees of Corres- pondence in general through the continent, and in particular against the committee chosen by this town, without any reason assigned for the same, but the opinion of the protesters, too slender a foundation 38 History of Worcester in j ■^"■J2.i^""^- to asperse the character of town officers upon, and they have endeav- ored to insinuate into the minds of the public, tliat the men of which Committees of Correspondence are composed tlirough tlie Province, are a parcel of unprincipled knaves, who are endeavoring to destroy the lives and property of the peaceful and well disposed, and also al- leging that it is by these committees that papers have been lately pub- lished, and that they have wickedly tempted all persons to sign them, which they call an unlawful combination, tending directly to civil war and rebellion. This town knows of no such paper ; if it be the non- consumption agreement, entered and entering into, through this and neighboring Provinces, that is pointed at, we take it upon us to say, that Ave much approve of the same, that if strictly adhered to it will save our money, promote industry, frugality, and our own manufac- turers, and tend directly to prevent civil war and rebellion. " After offering their opinions of mobs, riots, tumults and disorder, and the proceedings of the town, so cruelly and with such temerity, as shows them to be destitute of that humanity and christian charity which we in all duty owe one to the other, that brand all wdio do not join with them, with the characters of ememies of the King and country, violators of all law and civil liberty, the malevolent disturb- ers of society, subverters of the established constitution, and enemies of mankind. And as it appears by the said publication, that the same is recorded in the town book, notwithstanding the many aspersions it contained against the people of this town, and without the liberty or knowledge of the town. Therefore, "Voted, that the town clerk do, in the presence of the town, obliter- ate, erase, or otherwise deface the said recorded protest, and the names thereto subscribed, so that it may become utterly illegible and unintelligible. " Voted, that the method taken by the leaders, in protesting, and procuring a very considerable number to sign the protest who are not voters in the town, we think was a piece of low cunning, to deceive the public, and make their party a2)pear more numerous and formid- able than it was in reality. '' Voted, that the signers of said protest, on some of whom the town has conferred many favors, and consequently might expect their kind- est and best services, be deemed unworthy of holding any town office or honor, until they have made satisfaction for their offence to the accep- tance of the town, wliich ought to be made as jtublic as the protest was. An«oDom,[ ^/^^ ^JT ^J^^ RcVoluUoU. ' 39 " Voted, that as it is highly needful that those of the signers who have not made satisfaction as aforesaid, should be known in future, it is therefore necessary that their names be inserted as follows, viz : James Putnam, William Paine, Isaac Moore, John Walkei-, Joshua Johnson. " Voted, that the following admonition be given to the town clerk, " J/r. Clark Chandler: Whereas this town, at their annual meet- ing in March last, as well as for several years before, honored you by choosing you for their clerk, relying on your fidelity, that you would act for the honor of the town, and find themselves much disappointed, by your conduct in recording on the town book the scandalous protest of- William Elder and others, filled with falsehood and reflections against the town, we have just reason to fear you were actuated in the matter by unjustifiable motives, and, at this time, exhort you to be more circumspect in the execution of the duties of your office, and never "ive this town the like trouble of callins; a town meeting anain on such an occasion. The town wish to see your behavior such as may restore you to their former good opinion of you. " Whereas the Committee of Correspondence for this town willingly laid all their proceedings before the town, when requested, and it there- by appears, notwithstanding the ungenerous abuse heaped on them by the protesters, that they have acted with care, diligence and caution, therefore, voted, that the thanks of this town be given to the commit- tee for their circumspection, and that they be directed to go on, with their former vigilance, in corresponding with the other committees of the several towns in this Province." In accordance with the vote, the clerk was required to expunge the recorded protest from the town book, which he did by scrolhng with a pen, but the tem- per of the meeting was such that it would not al- low a word to remain legible, and he was required to dip his fingers in the ink and draw them over the first page of the protest several times. These pages are an interesting memento of the times, and speak in tones not to be mistaken, of the stern determination which Anno Doin. 40 History of Worcester in { ^""i?;? possessed the patriotic party of the town. They are contained in Vol. 4 of the town records, in custody of the City Clerk. At this meeting, it was voted that the selectmen be a committee to receive any article of provisions which the inhabitants should contribute for the relief of the poor of the town of Boston, and also voted that Daniel Beard, Dr. John Green, John Smith, David Bigelow, and Samuel Miller, be a committee to take under their consideration the acts of the British Parliament respect- ing America, and report to the town of their doings at the adjournment of the meeting ; and also voted, that Jonathan Stone, David Bancroft, Josiah Pierce, Jonathan Rice, and David Chad wick be a committee to offer those persons who had not signed the agreement or covenant for the non-consumption of British goods, an opportun- ity to do the same. On the evening previous to the meeting of the 22d, the protesters, having been notified by the Committee of Correspondence that satisfaction would be demanded from them by the town, met at the King's Arms Taverq,* and signed a recantation of the protest. This docu- ment afterwards appeared in the Massachusetts Gazette and Boston News Letter of Sept. IStli, and the Boston Evening Post of Sept. 19th, 1774, and. was prefaced by the note below. Whether the reasons given in the preface w^ere those which prompted their recantation, or whether the indignation of the people caused them to seek refuge from the storm that they had aroused, is a question perhaps as yet unsolved. "To THE riUNTEHS: The following i-ecautatioii, signed b}^ forty- three of the Worcester Protesters, in part serves to show how the now more conspicuously corrupt measures of the British Ministry in the *t)ii llic site occupii'd at present by the Liucohi House. Anno Dom. 1774. War of the Revolution. 41 Canada Papist Act, etc., unites all parties. Those among us that have heretofore seemed to favor the side of Prerogative, have, since their conduct became so barefaced, joined themselves to the jjeople ; all indis- criminately flying to arms, and marching to the defence of our country when we had intelligence that our brethren were again butchered by a merciless soldiery, is a sufficient proof that we are one and all deter- mined not to survive our liberties, however, we might before differ in some unessentials. "WoRCKSTER, Sept. 5, 1774. " Whereas, we the subscribers, have given the good people of this Province in general, and the inhabitants of the town of Worcester in particular, just cause to be offended with each of us in that unguarded action of ours in signing and protesting in the Massachusetts Gazette of June 30th, a certain piece of our protest against the vote and pro- ceedings • of the town of Worcester, on the 20th of June, 1774, wherein we acknowledge we have cast cruel aspersions ujion the town of Worcester and upon the Committee of Correspondence for said town, and upon all Committees of Correspondence throughout the Province, for which we are sorry, and take this opportunity publicly to manifest it, and declare we did not so well consider the contents, and that we had no other intention than to bear our testimony against mobs and riots, notwithstanding anything in said protest to the con- trary ; and that we have that charity to our fellow townsmen, as to believe that they will heartily join with us in this particular, for to the best of our knowledge we declare that the present generation in this town has never been concerned in any mobs or riots in this or any other place. And we hei'eby beg their forgiveness, and all others we may have offended ; also that we may be restored to their favor, and be made j^artakers of that inestimable blessing, the good will of our neighbors and the whole community. William Elder, Nathaniel Adams, Samuel Moore, John Mower, Joseph Blair, Micali Johnson, Edmund Heard, Thomas Baird, Jr. Samuel Mower, Samuel Bridgje, 6 Gardner Chandler, Daniel Boyden, John Curtis, Thomas Baird, James Hart, Elisha Smith, Tyrus Rice, Nahum Willard, Rufus Chandler, Adam Walker, Isaac Willard, Jacob Stevens, Joseph Clark, Isaac Barnard, John Chamberlain, William Curtis, Abel Stowell, Daniel Goulding, William Chandler, John Chandler, 42 Andrew Duncan, Clark Chandler, Israel Jennison, Nathan Patch, Samuel Mower, Jr. History of Worcester in Anno Dom. 1774. Daniel Moore, James Ilart, Jr. Cornelius Stowell, Jonathan Phillips, Jacob Chamberlain, Palmer Goulding, James Goodwin, Samuel Brooks, Of the 52 Protesters, 43 signed the above recantation at the Kinor's Arms Tavern ; 5 are mentioned in the town vote of Aug. 24, as refusing to give satisfaction, leaving 4 unaccounted for, viz : WilHam Campbell, Daniel Ward, Israel Stevens and Thaddeus Chamberlain, Camp- bell afterwards publicly recanted. Possibly the other three gave satisfaction in open meeting, or possibly they were not voters, as Implied in the resolutions. CHAPTER III. The Port Bill — The Mandamus Councillors — Preparation for armed resistance — Court suspended — Recantation of Mr. Campbell— Instruction to Representative to General Court and Delegate to Provincial Congress — Action of the Committee of Safety concerning supplies, Arms, Anmiunition, &c — Drilling of the Minute Men — Call " to arms'." " to arms 1" April 19, 1775 — March to Boston — Press of Isaiah Thomas removed to Worcester — Letter of John Hancock to Committee of Safety — Tories severely looked after — Worcester men at Bunker llill — Instruction to Delegate to Provia- cial Congress — Dr. Wiilard's recantation. The rapid succession of oppressive measures enacted by the British Parhament and Ministry, served more and more to inflame the pubUc mind ; among these, the Port Bill, that prohibiting the holding of town meet- ings, and the placing the government of the Province in the hands of the dependents of the King and inde- pendent of the people, were especially adapted to in- crease the irritation. Among the Councillors appointed by mandamus from the King, was the Hon. Timothy Paine of Worcester, a man of marked intellect, high culture, good judgment, sterling integritj' and upright life, possessing the high- est esteem of his fellow townsmen, who had viewed with alarm the proceedings of the town and people, -which he considered rebellious and treasonable. Not- withstanding the high position he had held in the com- munity, it was determined that he should not sit as Councillor. Accordingly on the 22d of August, the people of the neighboring towns Avere summoned by the Committee of Correspondence to meet with the people of Worcester for the purpose of demanding of him a resignation of his office. " On that day the peo- Anno Dom. 44 History of Worcester in \ ^"n;" pie to the number of about fifteen hundred '•* assembled on the common and made choice of five of their num- ber as a committee, viz : Messrs. Joseph Gilbert, John Goulding, Edward Ravvson, Thomas Denney, and Joshua Bigelow, to wait on the Hon. Timothy Paine lately ap- pointed Councillor by mandamus from his Majesty, to demand of him satisfiction to the people for having qualified himself for said office ; and having waited upon him accordingly, he asked them what satisfaction they wanted. They answered a total resignation of his office, and desired him to write it, upon which he with- drew, and in a few minutes, returned with what he had written, which was a total resignation of his office, and a promise never to sit again as Councillor unless agreeably to the charter. He then asked if that was satisfactory. They replied that he must wait on the people, which he thought imreasonable after he had complied with their demands ; but they said it was in vain, unless he made his personal appearance the people would not be satis- fied, and after their promising to protect him from in- sult, he waited on them to the body of the people, when Mr. Denney read the resignation, with which numbers were dissatisfied, requiring that Mr. Paine should read it himself, and that with his hat off; he then told the com- mittee that he had complied with all they desired on their promising protection, and that he called upon them for it; but they gave him to understand that the people would not be satisfied till he complied with their de- mand, which he did, and was then conducted near to his own house by the committee and dismissed. The peo- * This account differs essentially from that given by Lincoln in his History of Worcester. Tiie above is from Gaines' New York Gazetteer and Weekly Mer- cury of Sept. .5, 1774, and also Rivingston's New York Gazetteer of Sept. 8, 1774. It was probably written by some tory, possibly by Mr. Paine himself, ;iu(l is undoubtedly correct. Anno Dom. 1774. War of the Revolution. 45 pie then drew off, those of each town forming a. com- pany, and marching to Rutland, the town in which the Hon. John Murray, another Councillor resided," where after being re-inforced by nearly a thousand men from the Western part of tlie county, they by a committee called at the house of that gentleman, but not finding him at home left a letter demanding his resignation, with a threat that unless this demand was complied with by the 10th of September they would call on him again. The decided measures adopted by the patriots alarmed some of the tories, who retired with arms, ammunition and provisions to Stone House hill in Holden, where they remained two or three weeks, after which they re- turned to their homes. The ao-o-ressive acts of the British authorities in Bos- ton, admonished the people that they must innnediately prepare themselves for armed resistance. A company of minute men were enrolled under the command of Capt. Timothy Bigelow, and were daily instructed in the manual of arms, and muskets were procured for their use. The town ordered four cannon to be procured and mounted. An artillery train was organized, of which Edward Crafts was Captain. Below is an extract of a letter dated Worcester, Sept. 27, 1774. " Yesterday we had a meeting of all the male inhabitants from the age of 1 G to 70, who formed themselves into companies and proceeded to choice of officers — (those who had held commissions under Gov. Hutchinson except a few who resigned them) — one third part of the in- habitants were appointed to be in readiness to march to whatever place their assistance may be wanting. On Friday next, there will be a meeting of the County Committee, in order to remonstrate with Gen. Gage respecting his fortifications at the only entrance by land into our much esteemed capital." Anno Dom. 46 History of Worcester in j ^"'l^r^ The people being determined that the officers ap- pointed by the Crown should not hold the court sessions, they assembled by invitation of the Committee of Correspondence to the number of several thousand, took possession of the Court House, and compelled the justi- ces to promise in writing never to attempt to exercise their authority contrary to the will of the people. The Court held no sessions for nearly two years, when it was opened under the new government. At a town meeting held Sept. 26, Joshua Bigelow, David Bancroft, Jonathan Stone and Stephen Salisbury were added to the standing Committee of Correspon- dence. A County Convention of Committees of Correspon- dence was held in Worcester, Sept. 27, and assumed leg- islative authority, which authority was recognized. The strength of the royalist party was by this time seriously impaired, a few remained defiant and unsubdued^ and concluding that "neither hell, Hull nor Halifax" could afford worse shelter than Worcester gave them, fled to Boston, and placed themselves under the protec- tion of Gen. Gage, and after the evacuation of that town, retired to Halifax. Others sought safety in sub- mission and asked forgiveness in humiliating terms. In the records of the town meeting, held Oct. 17th, occurs the following : " Voted, that the recantation of William Campbell be recorded in tlie town book and that he be restored to favor." RECANTATION. " To the inhabitants of the town of Worcester, Gentlenuin : Whereas, I, the subscriber, with a number of others, signed a protest against the proceedings of the town, and the same was published in the Boston Gazette of June last, wherein the inhabitants were unjustly reflected upon in general, and also tlic whole body of Conunittees of Correspon- Anno_Don,.| Wav of Uw RevolutioTi. 47 deuce throughout this whole Province, for which I am heartily sorry and ask the forgiveness of all the inhabitants of the town, and the justl}'' of- fended public ; and also for any other offence that I may have given by any means, whether in word or action. I heartily request your acceptance of this sincere acknowledgment ; and that if either of the inhabitants hath any other charge against me in regard to my conduct, that he would make it known, that I may have an opportunity of giving christian satisfaction, which I shall ever stand ready to afford. Witness my hand, William Caiipbkll." At a town meeting held October 4, 1774, Joshua Big- elow was chosen Representative to the General Court, and Timothy Bigelow, Delegate to the Provincial Con- gress. A committee was chosen to draw up instructions for their g-overnment. The committee consisted of Da- vid Bancroft, Jonathan Stone, Nathan Baldwin, Samuel Curtis, and Stephen Salisbury ; and they reported the followino; : " To Mr. Joshua Bigelow, Sir : The Free Electors of the town of Woi'cester, being greatly alarmed by the unconstitutional authority assumed by the British Par- liament in several of their late acts, some of which already have, and others which are intended to 02:)erate in this province to the entire subversion of all we hold valuable in our Charter, and which we have indubitable right to enjoy by the laws of Nature and by the principles of the Christian religion, as well as the compact contained in said Charter, therefore that the cruel acts that have been already been put into execution to the great detriment and distress of this Province, and dangerous to the inhabitants of the whole Continent of America, may cease to operate any longer to the entire stoppage of commerce with Great Britain, to the dishonor of his Majesty and the Parliament, and that those other acts which have not yet operated may be prevented from ever being carried into execution, and we thereby reduced to pay obedience to the acts of any future venal, corrupt administration which may deprive us of life and property with impunity, for the prevention whereof, and the security of all and every of our natural and charter rights, we have chosen you to represent us in the Great and General Court of this Province ; reposing special trust in your 48 History of Worcester in \ "^"^ Anno I)oni. 4. wisdom and fortitude, give you the following instructions as the rule of your conduct respecting the particulars hereafter mentioned, and direct you not to recede from the most rigid virtue in recovering and defending all other of our rights and liberties, not expressly mentioned, that may come under your consideration. First. Agreeable to the recommendation of the Committee of Cor- respondence for this county in convention, we instruct you absolutely to refuse to be sworn by any officer or officers but such as are or may be appointed according to the Constitution, or to act as one branch of the legislature in concert with any other, except such as are or may be appointed or supported according to the charter of this Province, and that you refuse to give your attendance at Boston while the town is in- vested with troops or ships of war ; and should there be anything to pre- vent your acting with such a Governor and Council as is expressly set forth in the charter, that you immediately repair to the town of Con- cord and there join in a Provincial Congress with such other members as are or may be chosen for that purpose, to extricate this Colony out of its present unhappy circumstances. Thus far, sir, has the body of this country resolved as the proper instructions for the Repi'esentatives that might be chosen in their sev- eral towns to meet at Salem ; the former part of which, we should have ado})ted verbatim with the addition of several other articles as proper rules for you to have observed as a member of the Great and General Court, provided you have not been excused and discharg- ed therefrom by the Governor's proclamation, the latter we do adopt as proper to direct you to attend at Concord aforesaid, with Mr. Tim- othy Bigelow, whom we have chosen to represent us in the Provmcial Congress to be holden there, and strictly adhere to the instructions given him, for the rule of your conduct in said Congress respecting the particulars therein contained. By order of the Committee, David Bancroft, Chairman." " To Mr. TniOTiiY Bigelow, Sir : As you are delegated to represent the inhabitants of the town of Worcester in a Provincial Congress to be convened at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October, instant, the following is offered and enjoined upon you as the instructions of us, your constituents, which you are to observe and follow as a member of said Congress, viz : As the first Charter given to this Colony was violated and as we think wrongfully wrested from us by Great Britain, and that our second and Anno Pom 5^,^om. j ^^^ ^y- ^^^ RevoliLtion. 49 late Charter is nullified and destroyed by late acts of the British Par- liament, by their assuming the authority of making laws binding upon us in all cases whatever, and to enforce our compliance have sent ships of war and blocked the port and harbor of our metropolis, and troops are posted in hostile array to dragoon the people, and the Gov- ernor made independent of the people for his support, and mantling our Capital in such a manner as may reduce the worthy inhabitants to a military government : therefore that you endeavor in the most l^eaceable way and obtain a redress of the following grievances : First. That ■ the port and harbor of Boston be opened, and the freedom of trade restored, and the King's troops be removed out of this Province, and the command of the fortifications, so called, at the south end of Boston be resigned to the inhabitants, and the commander of the King's troops be prohibited from erecting any fortress or making any intrenchment within the town of Boston or near any of the ave- nues leading to it. Second. That the Provincial store of ammunition lately removed by the King's troops from the arsenal at Charlestown be returned to the place from whence it was taken, or into the care of such person or persons as you shall appoint to receive and keep the same for the use of this Province, and that all the ammunition in the magazine in Boston be delivered to the proper owners, if by them requested. Third. That every one of those incorrigible enemies to this country who have lately been appointed by mandamus from his Maj- esty as Councillors, and have accepted a seat at the Council Board of this Province, and shall not resign their said office before the second Tuesday of this instant, be impeached as traitors to the Constitution of this Province, and that they be taken into custody and secured for trial. Fourth. That you endeavor that the Provincial Congress depute an agent or agents from that body, to go to Canada and there treat with its inhabitants in the name and on behalf of the people of this Province, and establish such rules of conduct to be observed by them, as is or may be for the mutual benefit of both, and give assurance to them on our part, of that friendship which some of their inhabitants have nobly displayed in a late generous donation to the oppressed, suf- fering poor of Boston, for which, we would in this public manner re- turn our grateful thanks ; and while we would willingly refund in the same species, if a change of circumstances required it, which, God grant, may, never be the case with any of our generous benefactors. 7 50 History of Worcester in j "^^ " Anno I)om. 4. Fifth. That if all the infractions of our rights, by acts of the Brit- ish Parliament, be not redressed, and we restored to the full enjoy- ment of all our privileges, contained in the Charter of this Province, granted by their late Majesties, King "William and Queen Mary, to a punctilio, before the day of your meeting, then, and in that case, you are to consider the people of this Province as absolved, on their part, from the obligation therein contained, and to all intents and purposes reduced to a state of nature ; and you are to exert yourself in devis- ing ways and means to raise from the dissolution of the old Constitu- tion, as from the ashes of the Phoenix, a new form, wherein all ofHcers shall be dependent on the suffrages of the people for their existence as such, whatever unfavorable constructions our enemies may put upon such procedure. The exigency of our public affairs leaves no other alternative from a state of anarchy. Sixth. You are to give diligent attention to the advice which you may receive from the Continental Congress now sittting at Philadel- phia, and we shall esteem it the greatest happiness to have the appro- bation of our sister colonies in all matters resj^ecting our mode of gov- ernment, and therefore if your advices from said Congress should not perfectly coincide with these, our instructions respecting the mode of government for tliis Province, you are to desist from acting any further on that matter until you have our further instructions, any- thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. Seventh. That whereas, the commissioned officers in the militia of this Province have generally resigned their commissions and the peo- ple have formed themselves into military companies and chosen officers of their respective companies, field officers, «S:c., notwithstanding all which, it is highly necessary that there be a Captain General to pre- side over the whole, we therefore instruct you that you endeavor that there be such a Captain General advised to by the Provincial Con- gress as soon as may be. Eighth. The foregoing you are to adhere to and religiously ob- serve in all respects, according to the nature of your office, and as the way and means for the recovery and defence of our rights, liberties and privileges. By order of the Committee, David Bancroft, Chairman. On the 25th of October, a committee consisting of Nathan Baldwin, John Kelso and Ebenezer Lovell, was Anno Dom nowj War of the Revolution. 51 appointed to see that the merchants and' traders of the town offered no goods for sale in violation! of the " Sol- emn League and Covenant." The Massachusetts Committee of Safety recommended to the Committee of Supplies, the procuring of pork, flour, rice and peas, and depositing the same j^artly at Worcester, and partly at Concord, They further ad- vised the procuring of all arms and ammunition that could be got from the neighboring Provinces, and also spades, pickaxes, bill-hooks, iron pots, mess-boards, can- non balls, etc. In Committee of Safety, Nov. 2d, 1774,* it was "voted to procure supplies as soon as may be, and that 200 bar- rels of pork, 400 barrels of flour, 150 bushels of peas, be deposited at Worcester; also at Concord, 155 barrels of pork, 300 barrels of flour, 50 tierces of rice and 150 bushels of peas." Jan. 25, 1775, " voted, that all the cannon, mortars, cannon balls and shells, be deposited at the towns of Worcester and Concord in the same proportion that the provisions are deposited." Feb. 2 2d, " voted, that Mr. Abram Watson on the ar- rival of more troops, take possession of the Province arms, now in the college, and send them to Worcester ; and also voted that the Province amis now in Boston and Roxbury be removed by Moses Gill, Esq., to Wor- cester." March 7, "voted, that watches be kept constantly, at places where the Provincial magazines are kept, and that the clerk write on the subject to Col. Barrett of Concord, Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stowe, and Captain Timothy Bigelow of Worcester, leaving it to them how many the watches shall consist of" *From Journals of the Committee of Safety and of the Committee of Sup- plies of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, 1774, — 1775. Anno Dom. 52 History of Worcester in {^°^2.d« April 17, "voted, that all ammunition shall be de- posited in nine towns in this Province, viz : Worcester, Lancaster, Concord, Groton, Stoughton, Stowe, Mendon, Leicester and Sudbury." April 18, "voted, that the town of Worcester, Con- cord, Stowe and Lancaster be furnished with two iron three-pound cannon, each. That 500 iron pots be de- posited at Sudbury, 500 at Concord, and 1000 at Wor- cester. That 2000 wooden bowls be deposited as are the pots, and the spoons in the same manner, also can- teens, two medical chests in Worcester in different parts of the town : 1600 yards of Russia Linen : 1100 tents to be deposited in equal parts in Worcester, Lancaster, Groton, Stowe, Mendon, Leicester and Sudburj^" April 30, " voted, that an order be given to Maj. Tim- othy Bigelow to have the Province arms, either at Wor- cester or Concord inniiediately brought to this town.'"^ At a town meeting held January 3d, 1775, Timothy Bitrelow w^as chosen Deles-ate to the Provincial Con- o-ress, and a committee comsisting of Nathan Baldwin, David Bancroft and Jonathan Stone was appointed to draw up instructions for him and lay the same before the town at the adjournment of the meeting. At the adjourned meeting, the Committee submitted the following, which were adopted : To Mk. Timothy Bigelow, Sir : At this day of difficulty and trial in general, and in this Prov- ince in particular, by means of several acts of the British Parlia- ment whereby we are deprived of the advantages of Civil Government agreeable to the rights, liberties and privileges of Englishmen, the Governor of this Province, invested with a power of making and un- making many of our officers in such manner as renders our executive courts dangerous to the lives, liberties and properties of all such as *The Committee of Safetj- were then holding their sessions at Cambridge. AnnoDom-J WaT of tJu RrJOlutioH. ^^ shall oppose the establishment of a despotic government in this Prov- ince, and his being made independent of the f>eople of this Province for his salary, we apprehend has such an influence npMjn his conduct, that we have just ground to fear he will pay more regard to the in- structions he may receive from the British Ministry than to the wel- fare of this Province or the English Constitution of Government. He has already, (we think wantonly.) dissolved our General As- sembly of this Province, and issued writs for calling another, and in an unprecedented manner dissolved said writ before the day on which the said Court was to meet, and no other like to be called that we know of, by these means we being deprived of the advantages of such a General Cotirt or Assembly as the Charter of this Province entitles ns to. we are constrained instead thereof, to hold a Provincial Congress agreeable to the recommendation of our late Congress held at Cam- bridge. Therefore we have made choice of you to represent us in said Congress at this critical and important crisis of our public a5airs. when the fate of millions dej>end5 upon our wise, cool and prudent conduct : you. we make no doubt, will be duly sensible of the great and important trust reposed in you by us, your constituents, the uncer- tainty of events may cause many matters to come under your consid- eration which will require your xitmost fortitude, which we cannot oive definite instructions upon at this time, but the following we give vou as the rule of yomL conduct respecting the matters hereinafter men- tioned, viz : Fir^. That you endeavor that if the Provincial Congress should meet at Cambridge, agreeable to the recommendation of our late Con- gress, that they immediately adjourn from Cambridge to some other town in the country at a greater distance from Boston. Setond. That you are very careful in disposing of the public mon- ies, especially that you do not give your consent to extravagant grants if any such shotdd be proposed to be made to any person or persons for their services. Third. That you endeavor that the members chosen by our late Provincial Congress to sit in a Continental Congress to be holden at Philadelphia in May next, may be instructed as early in their ses- sion as possible to obtain the advice of the members thereof, what measures are the most proper for this Province to adopt respecting civil government which we at this time are deprived of. And we de- termine to rest quietly in this sittiation. however perplexing, agree- able to the recommendations of our late Continental Congress until 54 History of Worcester in Anno Dom. 1775. tlie operations of their petition to his Majesty be known, excepting the commencement of liostilities against us should require the adopt- ing a form of civil government for the defence of our lives and prop- erties ; and under such exigency you are to conduct yourself accord- ngly, and endeavor the best form possible be adopted for the support of good order and the liberties of the people which we think must and shall make every servant of the public dependent upon the suffrages of the people for their authority. Nathan Baldwin. JoxATHAN Stone. At a town meeting held in January, 1775, it was " vot- ed, to recommend to the company of minute men, that they discipline themselves in the military art, until the month of March next, and then the town to give them proper encouragement after that time." In accordance with the above, at the March meeting it was "voted, that each of the minute men belonging to the town, attending drill one-half day of each week, shall be paid by the town one shilling per man for each one-half days' service, for so many half days as they shall train more than other companies shall do that belong to this town, and all who have enlisted as min- ute men who do not punctually attend when notified by their commanding officer, shall pay one shilling out of their wages for each and every one-half day of their neglect." These men were soon called into active service. On the 19th of April, the day of the battle of Lexington, a little before noon, a mounted messenger dashed through the town, with the alarm '' to arms ! to arms ! the war is begun ! " His horse covered with foam, and bleed- mg from the effects of his rider's spurs, fell exhausted near the church ; another was procured, and the mes- senger hurried on with his summons to the held. The bell was rung, cannon were fired, and the minute men, Anno Bom. j ^^^ ^y ^j^^ RevoluHon. 55 true to their agreement, were ready at a minute's no- tice, and rallied on the common, where they were parad- ed by Capt. Timothy Bigelow. After prayer by Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, at about five o'clock in the after- noon they took up their line of march through Shrews- bury, Northboro, Marlboro, Sudbury, Weston, Waltham, to "Watertown, where they arrived the next morning, and after a short halt, proceeded to Cambridge. Capt. Big- elow was soon followed by Capt. Benjamin Flagg, with a company of thirty-one men, and overtook the former at Sudbury. On that 19th of April, 108 men left Wor- cester to repel British invasion. The organization of the army which had gathered at Cambridge, was immediately begun. Captain Big- elow was appointed Major in the regiment of which Jonathan Ward was colonel. A greater part of the Worcester men enlisted on the 24th of April, in a com- pany of which Jonas Hubbard, who was 1st Lieutenant of Bigelow's company of minute men, w^as captain. Many joined other companies in Ward's and Doolittle's regiments, and others still, enlisted in the artillery un- der Col. Thomas Crafts. On the day following the battle of Lexington, there arrived in Worcester, a man Avho was destined to act a leading part in promoting the cause of the people, in Worcester. The bold and resolute course adopted by Mr. Isaiah Thomas, proprietor of the Massachusetts Sp}^, had rendered him obnoxious to the British authorities. With the assistance of a few of the patriots, he suc- ceeded in removing a portion of his presses and types from Boston and reached Worcester on the 20th, and on the third day of May, he issued the first number of tke Spy printed in Worcester. His utterances through its columns were powerful in sustaining the cause in the heart of the Province. 56 Histoij of Worcester m { ^"nTs"""- Five (lays after the battle of Lexington, the Hon. John Hancock, on his journey to Philadelphia to attend the Continental Congress, was detained in this town two days awaiting the arrival of his colleagues, delegates from Massachusetts, and the attendance of an escort. While here, he sent a letter to the President of the Provincial Congress at Watertown, giving information of the arrival of a packet at New York, with dispatches for General Gage, and recommended that care be taken to intercept the same. He also sent the following letters to the Committee of Safety : Worcester, 24th April, 1775, Monday Evening. " Gextle^men : — Mr. S. Adams and myself, just arrived here, find no intelligence from you and no guard. We just hear an express has just passed through this place to you from New York, informing that administration is bent upon pushing matters ; and that^four regiments are expected there. How are we to procceed ? Where are our breth- ren ? Surely we ought to be supported. I had rather be with you ; and, at present, am fully determined to be with you before I proceed. I beg, by the return of this express, to hear from you ; and pray fur- nish us with depositions of the conduct of the troops, the certainty of their firing first, and every circumstance relative to the conduct of the troops, from the 19th instant to this time, that we may be able to give some account of matters as w^e proceed, and especially at Philadelphia. Also I beo- you would order your Secretary to make out an account of your proceedings since what has taken place ; what your plan is ; what prisoners we have, and what they have of ours ; who of note was killed on both sides ; who commands our forces, &c." '' Arc our men in good spirits ? For God's sake, do not suffer the spirit to subside until they have perfected the reduction of our ene- mies. Boston must be entered ; the troops must be sent away, or [blank] Our friends are valuable but our Country must be saved. I have an interest in that town ; what can.be the enjoyment of that to me, if I am obliged to hold it at the will of General Gage, or any one else? I doubt not your vigilance, your fortitude and resolution. Do let us know how you proceed. We must have the castle. The ships must be [blank] Stop up the harbor against large vessels coming. You know better what to do than I can point out. Where is Mr. An„o_nom. j j^^^ ^jr ^f^^ RevoluHoii. 5 7 Gushing ? Are Mr. Paine and Mr. John Adams to be with us ? What are we to depend ui^on? We travel rather as deserters, which I will not submit to. I will return and join you, if I cannot travel in reputation. I wish to hear from you. Pray spend a thought upon our situation. I will not detain this man, as I want much to hear from you. How goes on the Congress ? Who is your president ? Are the members hearty ? Pray remember Mr. S. Adams and myself to all friends. God be with 3^ou. I am, gentlemen, your faithful and hearty countryman, JOHN HANCOCK." " To the gentlemen Committee of Safety." "Worcester, April 24, 1775. " Gf:ntlemen : — From a conviction of your disjiosition to promote the general good, I take the freedom to request your countenance and good offices in favor of Mr. Edward Crafts,* of this place, that he may be appointed to the command of a company. I know him well ; he is capable. I beg your attention to this. It will give great satisfac- tion to Mr. Adams and myself, and to the people of this county : do grat- ify us. I also beg leave, you would recommend to the notice of Gen- eral Heath, in my name, Mr. Nathaniel Nazro, of this town, Avho is desirous of being noticed in the army. He is lively, active and capa- ble. My respects to Heath and all friends. Pray General Heath to take notice of this recommendation. God bless you. Adieu. I am your real friend, JOHN HANCOCK." " To the Committee of Safety." " Worcester, April 26, 1775. "Gentlemen: — Having had the honor to command the Cadet company at Boston, and knowing the ability of those who composed that corps, I cannot withhhold mentioning, and recommending to the notice of you and the general officers, Mr. John Smith and Mr. John Avery, two excellent good soldiers and gentlemen, who will advance the reputation of the Province in that department of command where they may be jjlaced. I therefore most strongly recommend them, and earnestly pray they may be noticed. I will be answerable for their conduct. There are several other gentlemen of that corps, who may be useful, particularly Mr. Brent and Mr. Cunningham. Do notice Messrs Smith and Avery.* They will be useful. I set out to-morrow *Messrs. Smitli and Crafts received Commissions and jiroved valuable officers. 58 History of Worcester in Anno Dom. 1775. morning. God bless you. Why don't you send to Mr. Crafts. Pray improve him. He is a good man, and one on whom you may depend. Don't miss him. I am your real friend, JOHN HANCOCK." •' To the Committee of Safety." After the battle of Lexington, the Committees of the town turned their attention to the " internal enemies," as may be seen from the following papers"-' issued by them. "Worcester, May 8, 1775. The committee appointed by the inhabitants of the town to take in- to their consideration what is requisite to be done with a number of peo- ple who have shown themselves disaffected to their country, do report: That in their humble opinion, William Campbell, as he has broken through his engagements with the fathers of the people, and presumed to go out of the town and Province, before the resolves of the Provin- cial Congress were known, in order to injure the good people of this place, and has been, and by his conduct still appears to be an inveterate enemy to the rights and privileges of this country, notwithstanding his declarations to the contrary, that he should be sent to Watertown or Cambridge, to be dealt with as the Honorable Congress, or the Com- mander-in-Chief shall think necessary, it being judged highly im- proper that he should tarry any longer in this town. That Jacob Stearns, Samuel Paine, Micah Johnson, David Moore, Samuel Brooks, Cornelius Stowell, Capt. Curtis, Jacob Chamberlain, James Hart, Joseph Clark, Capt. Rice, Joseph Blair, Joshua Johnson, Adam Walker, Capt. Samuel Mower, Samuel Moore, Dr. Willard, Nathan Patch and Lieut. John Mower, as every person in this day of distress, who is not an enemy of his country, should aid and assist all in their power to exti'icate it out of its present difficulties, that the above gentlemen have an opportunity offered them of retrieving the good opinion of their fellow townsmen, by heartily consenting to join the American troops, or find others in their stead, otherwise they must be looked upon as unworthy of the further confidence of their fellow countrymen, and willing to join an unlawful banditti to mur- der and ravage. By order of the Committee." This Report was accepted : *From original papers in possession of the American Anti(inari;iii Society. Anno Bom. j Wav of tJie Revolutio7i. 59 "Worcester, May 17, 1775. To Gardner Chandler, Esq., Sir : The Committee of Correspondence for the town of Worces- cester, have resolved that David Moore, Micah Johnson, Micah John- son, Jr., Samuel Moore, Samuel Moore, Jr., Jacob Chamberlain, John and Thad., John Curtis, William Curtis, Joseph Blair, Joshua John- son, Cornelius Stowell, P. Goulding, C. and N. Chandler, Nahum Willard, Andrew Duncan, John Mower, Elisha Smith, Joseph Clark, Adam Walker, Nathan Patch, Nathaniel Adams, Isaac Barnard, Tim- otliy Paine, Samuel Paine, Samuel Moore and Noah Harris, meet said Committee Monday next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, at the house of Mrs. Sternes,* in Worcester, with their arms and ammuni- tion. You are desired by said Committee to notify said persons thereof. By order of the Committee, WILLIAM YOUNG." "Worcester, May 22d, 1775. In Committee of Correspondence, determined that the persons here- in namedf be, agreeable to Resolution of Provincial Congress, forth- with disarmed, and that they do not depart the town without a per- mit in writing from the Committee of Correspondence of the town of Worcester, or such person or persons as they shall appoint for that purpose ; and that if any of said persons shall be so daring as to vio- late this resolve, and depart the town contrary thereto, that he or they be immediately advertised in the public papers, and when brought back, be dealt with as shall be thought proper ; and that for the future they desist from meeting together in larger or smaller com- panies. N. B. It is to be understood that we do not mean to prevent any persons from laboring on their own land in this or the adjacent towns. Per Order, WM. YOUNG." While these things were transpiring at home, the Worcester soldiers were taking an important jDart in the investment of Boston. Capt. Hubbard's company in Col. Ward's Regiment was stationed for about six weeks near Charles River in Cambridge, opposite the *Kiiig"s Arms Tavern. INaines as in preceding Document. 6o History of Worcester in j '^"'J Anno Dom 775. Colleges ; after which, until the latter part of July, they were at Fort No. 2, which they assisted in constructing ; they were then ordered to Dorchester, where they re- mained until their term of service expired. At the Bat- tle of Bunker Hill, the regiment was marched down w^ithin a little over a mile of the scene of action, when they were ordered to halt. Half of the regiment was ordered to remain on the ground they occupied for fur- ther orders; in this part was Capt. Hubbard's company; the other half advanced and took part in the engage- ment. After occupying the ground for an hour or two, that part of the regiment wdiich included Hubbard's company, were ordered to advance, and marched within about a mile of the hill, where they met soldiers from the other part of the regiment returning from the battle, under a cannonade from the British. Col. Word ordered a halt, and the regiment remained near the ground un- til the next morning, when they returned to Fort No. 2. At a town meeting held May 22, 1775, Mr. David Bancroft was chosen Delegate to the Provincial Con- gress to be convened in Watertown the 31st of May, and continue in said office six months and no longer. A committee consisting of William Young, Josiah Pierce, Nathan Baldwin, Jonathan Stone, and Samuel Curtis, was chosen to draw up instructions to be observed by him, and report at an adjourned meet- ino-, at which the following were adopted unanimously. To Mr. David Bancroft, Sir : The Town of Worcester having chosen you tlieir Delegate to represent them in the Provincial Congress, to be convened and held at "Watertown upon the 31st of May inst, and so de die in diem during their session and sessions, for six months from the said -'51st of May and no longer ; and notwithstanding the high oi)iuiou we have of your eidightened wisdom and fortitude, think it our duty, to give you our AnnoDom.j Wav of tlie Revohitiou. 6i particular instructions, relative to some matters that may come under your consideration ; and when anything extraordinary of a public na- ture occurs, that concerns your duty as our Representative, we enjoin upon you that you take our further jjarticular instructions upon the matter if in your power, especially at this time wdien a corrupt and despotic ministry, with a wink or a nod, rules both the King and Par- liament of Great Britain with such absolute sway, that they are but a mere nose of wax, turned and moulded any and every way, to an- swer despotic purposes, overthrow the English Constitution of Govern- ment and plunder the Americans of both liberty and property. From hence our Charter nullified ; our Governor made despotic and indepen- dent of the people ; our Judges of our Courts dependent upon the King for both place and pay ; Jurors to be ^sacked by a dependent Sheriff ; u law purporting for the King's officers, if they please, to murder the King's subjects in this Province with impunity ; the port and harbor of Boston blocked up, and our trade stopped until we shall pay for tea we know not how much, and destroyed -by we know not whom, (and if we do not comply and pay for said tea, then all the wharves, docks, quays, landing places and shores within the port and harbor of Boston are forfeited unto the hand, and are to be at the disposal of his present Majesty and his successors forever ;) the town of Boston re- duced to military government, the Governor of this Province sending out troops into the country frequently, who have robbed and plundered public stores, magazines and so forth, and destroyed private property, and to complete the scene have mvirdered and butchered a great num- ber of our peaceable, quiet inhabitants, and loyal subjects of his Maj- esty ; our Legislative authority according to charter destroyed, and we driven to the necessity instead thereof to hold a Congress ; and as though spiritual ruin was designed against us as well as temporal, the Romish religion is established iu the largest government upon the con- tinent ; civil government, the former security of life and property, we are deprived of, and under the disagreeable necessity of taking up arms and defending ourselves against Britons who ought to join with us in the defence of our lives, rights, liberties and the English Consti- tution", the only safe basis of his Majesty's throne. These are but a part of the acts of that Legislature that claims a right to make laws that are binding upon us in all cases whatever. Under these accumu- lated oppressions, and tyrannical acts of the British Parliament, it be- hooves you to ^teer clear of those rocks that have dashed the constitu- tional liberties of our fellow subjects in Great Britain, and that threaten us in America. The millions upon millions of the national 62 History of Worcester i7i r^irrs!""" debt hath arisen (as we think, not by misfortune but) by c'xorl)itant grants to phice-men and pensioners. You are tlierefore in all grants of the public money to be especially careful that no more is given to any person for his services than an adequate pay for the same, and that no person be allowed to live in luxury and idleness or become opulent- ly rich, at the public expense. There is nothing in a well ordered government that requires it ; and in whatever community it is allowed, they are raising such another tribe of tyrants to destroy themselves, as we are now fighting against. This requires nothing for its illustra- tion but to take a retrospective view of the conduct of some persons in this town, as well as other parts of the Province. God grant tliat this country may never produce any more such ingrates. The difficul- ties we labor under for want of an established civil government, neces- sitates us to enjoin it upon you, that you endeavor that advice of the Grand Continental Congress be obtained upon that matter, and that we have such a form of government established as that every officer in it be dependent upon the suffrages of the people for their place and pay. And as Gen. Gage, commander-in-chief of his Majesty's forces in America, hath since he has been in Boston, sent out his troops into the country, who have robbed plundered and murdered a number of his Majesty's loyal subjects, and by fraud disarmed the inhabitants of Boston, and by breach of solemn contract detained some of them pris- oners in Boston, and been guilty of such conduct, as is not only un- christian and derogatory to the character of a good soldier, but would be a disgrace to a savage, — you are therefore, as far as ,is consistent with the nature of your office, to give all the aid and assistance in your power, toward subjecting him and the army under his command, and recovering the property both public and private, that they have unjustly taken away, and that he and the murderers under his com- mand, may be brought to condign punishment, and that the estates of our domestic enemies may be secured for the public use. You are also to endeavor, that proper measures be taken, to supply this Colony with arms, ammunition, and all war-like stores necessary for defence, and to take proper measures for keeping up harmony and union, with all our sister Colonies. In the spring of 1775, captives from the British army began to arrive, and during the remainder of the year the jail was filled to its utmost capacity with prisoners of war. Many were put out to service among the in- habitants of the town on i)arole, when proper persons Anno^Dom.J ^^^ ^jr ^J^^ ReVoluUon. 63 appeared to hire them; those hiring them being required to obtain a certificate from the Committee of Safety recommending them as friendly to the American cause, and to give a receipt to the Sheriff, at the same time engaging to return the prisoners whenever re- quired. In May, the Continental Congress provided for the removal of the poor of Boston, and a number were supported here. The Selectmen, were required to furnish blankets for the soldiers of the town, which was promptly done. In June, a requisition was made for 30 muskets and bayon- est, which were furnished, also 2^ barrels of powder. In September, the march through the wilderness to Quebec, and the subsequent attack on that fortress, was conceived, and in that most disastrous expedition, Wor. cester was represented ; her soldiers showing themselves possessed of a true soldierly spirit and undaunted hero- ism. Major Bigelow, Capt. Hubbard, and twelve soldiers of this town took part in the attack on the fortifications, on the last day of the year 1775. Capt. Hubbard was mortally wounded, and refusing to be moved, perished in the violent snow storm which was raging at that time ; two others were killed, and Major Bigelow and the remain- der were taken prisoners and confined nearly a year, when they were exchanged. On the 10th of July, Mr. David Bancroft was chosen Representative, and a committee consisting of Nathan Baldwin, David Bigelow, Asa Moore, John Nazro and Samuel Curtis, was chosen to report instructions at the adjournment, on the 14th. At this adjourned meeting, Mr. Joshua Bigelow was chosen as colleague with Mr. Bancroft. 64 History of Worcester in \ ^"^^ts""' The committee reported the following instructions which were adopted. To Mr. David Bancroft and Mr. Josuua Bigelow, Representa- tives for the Town of AVorcester, Gentlemen : We, your constitutents, having invested you with au- thority to act for us in a legislative capacity, and as this is a jjower you received from us, to use and exercise for our safety and benefit, you are therefore accountable to us for all your conduct in said office, and under indispensible obligation to observe and obey such instructions as we may at this or any other time give you respecting the discharging the duties of your office, so long as you remain. At this crisis, when the British Parliament, regardless of our natural and constitutional rights, has annihilated our Charter and demanded of us an implicit obedience to their acts and laws in all cases what so- ever ; and to reduce us to subjection to their mandates. His Majesty has appointed Thomas Gage, Esq., Govei-nor of this Colony, with an army under his command, who has actually robbed and murdered a great number of his Majesty's loyal subjects, and by proclamation has established martial law to be the only rule of government in this Col- ony, and imprisoned a great number of the peaceable inhabitants of the town of Boston, and has been guilty of many other actions that are a disgrace to humanity ; and as we have good reason to believe that the Deputy Governor is aiding and assisting in these cruel operations, we highly approve the advice of the Honorable Continental Congress, viz: to consider the Governor and Deputy Governor as absent, and for the House of Representatives to choose a Council, and that Coun- cil to act as Governor until his Majesty shall please to appoint a Gov- ernor and Deputy Governor, that shall act agreeable to th(! Charter of this Colony, or it be otherwise ordered by the authority of the United Colonies of North America. The accumulated difficulties that we labor under at this time, added to those passions that too often lead men into error, makes the task of a virtuous representative truly arduous. An inordinate desire of riches and power has induced some men to barter the riglits and liberties of their constitutents for a lucrative office, or some post of command ; from hence we think that the national debt hath, the greatest part of it arisen, and tlie liberties of Englishmen invaded, for by the accounts we often receive, the members of the British Parliament are very gen- erous in granting pensions and places to eacli other. You are there- Anno^nom. j J,y^^ ^JT ^/^^ ReVOluHoH. 65 fore to endeavor that none be elected Conncillors but persons of es- tablislied character for probity and virtue, and as it is expected that they will appoint executive officers, and may perhaps appoint each other into the most lucrative offices, and continue the fees as hereto- fore established, or refuse to give their concurrence to a more equitable law for the regulation of that matter, you are to use your influence that the legislative and executive authority be kept in separate hands as much as may be ; for we look upon it as incompatible with the privileges of equity for men to ajipoint themselves into executive offices, as it would be for a plaintiff that had sued for a quantum meruit to sit upon the jury and determine how much he should re- cover of the defendant. You are therefore to endeavor that an act be passed, that whenever any member of the Legislature be appointed to accept of an executive office, he shall be debarred a seat in the Leg- islature until he shall be re-chosen, and that his constituents shall be forthwith served with a precept to choose some suitable person to rep- reseut them. And whereas, executive officers being persons in good re- pute among those whom their respective offices immsdiately concern, and it is of great utility in civil society as it greatly facilitates subordination, you are to endeavor that no person be appointed to the office of a Judge of the Probate, or Register in the Probate Office, or a Justice of ' the Court of Common Pleas, or a Clerk of the same, or Clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, or Sheriff of the County, before he 'or they are recommended to be suitable persons for their respective offices by a vote of the inhabitants of the major part of the towns of the County in which they are to exercise their offices. We also further instruct you to endeavor that we have Executive Courts established, that criminals may be punished in due form of law, and that creditors may recover their just debts ; but as the long discontinuance of Courts of Justice and other circumstances have stopped the circula- tion of money among us, to enter precipitately into civil actions might be attended with bad consequences to the public, you are therefore directed to endeavor that such a limited time be set for the commence- ment of civil actions, as shall be the most impartial between debtors and creditors and best serve the public. And whereas. Gen. Gage has broken faith with the iidiabitants of Boston by retaining many of them and their effects there, and sending out the poor only ; and as there are a number of persons inimical to the liberties of this country who have taken refuge in Boston and left their families and considerable interests in the country, you are to en- deavor that some method be provided that those families may be sent 66 History of Worcester in i''"j?75°'" to Boston, and that their estates be appropnated to the public use ; the law of restoration and self preservation suggests it, and there is no breach of faith in doing it. In all other matters that may come under your consideration adhere strictly to our constitutional rights, and that you may be prospered and acquit yourself with honor is our fervent prayer. The summary manner in which the Committees dealt with the tories at home, may be seen by the Ibllow- ing from the Spy of August 30, 1775. " Dr. Nahum Willard of this town, having at divers times and in the presence of sundry persons, most scandalously aspersed the charac- ter of some, and the proceedings of the whole of the Continental and Provincial Congresses, the Selectmen of this Town, and the Commit- tee of Correspondence in general, the good people of this town from a knowledge of his character, for some time passed it unnoticed, from an apprehension that his character was so well established for a retailer of falsehoods as to render him incapable of doing any public injury ; but from the preverseness of his vile heart whereby he persisted in his wickedness, they were apprehensive he might be capable of doing some hurt in the neighboring towns, which he often frequented, and where his character perhaps may not be so well known, and from an apprehension the inhabitants of this town might hazard the imputa- tion of having deserted the glorious cause for which this continent is now contending, in suffering such an offender to escape with impunity, did on the 21st inst., summon said Willard to appear before them in the presence of the Selectmen and some of the Committee of Corres- pondence, when witnesses were produced in support of the charges alleged against him, which were fully proved and committed to writ- ing and deposited in the hands of the Selectmen, (open to inspection.) the witnesses being ready to make oath to the same. A committee was then chosen to consider the best methods for a further procedure with said Willard. They reported that said Willard should have tendered to him a paper they had drawn up, containing a C3nfession of his notorious scandals and falsehoods, (without mention- ing a word of his promising a reformation, as they would be very sorry to be the means of his adding to his falsehoods ;) this paper if he believed to be true, he was to sign that evening, and as it was late, to prevent disorder, he was next morning to read it in such public parts of the town as the company desired, with which he complied. Ai,no_Dom j ^^^ ^JT ^/^^ ReVolutio7l. 67 There was another scandalous aspersion upon the guard that con- ducted the prisoners from hence to Springfield, wherein he asserted he was told they used them extremely cruel, frequently pricking them with their bayonets ; he was often called upon to name his author, and as often refused it, until the day of general enquiry, when he laid it upon a person four miles off, who has since declared he never told him so, nor ever heard of it before ; this is only mentioned to take off any bad impression that might be made, to the prejudice of the gentle- men who conducted this matter, whose character is so well known here, especially for humanity, that it never affected it in this place. But as this matter was not of so public a nature, it was thought most advisable the persons who had suffered should do themselves jus- tice ; an apprehension that they would, it is supposed, has caused the Doctor's flight, without the least regret of any of the inhabitants ex- cept the tory gentry." Confession of Dr. Willard. " Whereas I, the subscriber, have from the j^erverseness of mv wicked heart, maliciously and scandalously abused the characters and proceedings of the Continental and Provincial Congresses, the Select- men of the town, and the Committees of Correspondence in general ; I do hereby declare, that at the time of my doing it, I knew the said abuses to be the most scandalous falsehoods, and that I did it for the sole purpose of abusing those bodies of men, and affronting my towns- men, and all the friends of liberty, throughout the continent, being now fully sensible of my wickedness and notorious falsehoods, humbly beg pardon of those worthy characters I have so scandalously abused, and of my countrymen in general, and desire this confession of mine may be printed in the American Oracle of Liberty, for three weeks successively." Signed, Nahum Willakd. Attest, Benjamin Flagg, Josiah Pierce, Jonathan Stone, David Bigelow. Samuel Miller, CHAPTER IV. Col. Ward's Regioient petition the General Assembly eoncerning tlic tories — The tories address Gen. Ga^e on his departure for England — Cl-irk Chandler committed to jail for assisting a prisoner of war to escape — He petitions the General Court and Committee of Safety for enlargement — Town ToteJ to suitiin the measure if Congress should declare the American Colonies independent — Twiops armed and forwarded to Boston, New York and Canada — The price of Bohea Tea and other articles fixed by Congress. In September,' 1775, the officers and men of Col. Ward's regiment at Dorchester, which regiment was composed mostly of men from Worcester county, peti- tioned the General Assembly then in session at Water- town, that the internal enemies or royalists, who had fled to Boston, might be prohibited from returning to their former habitation.^, and if they attempted to re- turn that they might be severely dealt with. PETITION. " To the Honorable Board of Councillors and House of Representa- tives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in the General Assemfjly now sitting at Watertown : The memorial of the company of foot, raised in the town of Worces- ter, and now in the Continental army, in the regiment whereof Jona- than Ward, Esq., is Colonel, together with the principal part of said regiment, being raised out of the county of Worcester, humbly shewetli : — That the said town and county, has been intolerably infested with a cruel and merciless set of tories, who have exerted all their wit, sophis- try and influence, to proselyte slaves to the supreme legislative power of the British Parliament, and to disconcert every method used by the wise and zealous friends of a free, happy and most noble constitution of the Empire, and discovered a most merciless, inimical temper toward our Provincial and Colony Charters, styling the sous of freedom or friends to the constitution, as rebels and traitors, and menacing death and cruel tortures as their just and remediless portion. Anno Dom. 1775. War of the Revohiiio7t. 6g Tluit when the bloody era commenced, and the brave appeared in arms to defend their invahiable rights against troops, formed, posted, aud ordered to massacre all that would not submit to their merciless decrees ; and all America with one heart and voice, cordially united to take up arms as their dernier resort for their defence, then these wretches trembled, some confessed, and like vermin crawling among the roots of vegetables, endeavoring to secrete themselves, while they are a nuisance to the cause of justice and judgment ; or in sheep's clothing secretly watching for prey to gratify their voracious appetites, or availing themselves of the good opinion of the prudent, ascend into places of power and jirofit, and rendered capable of acting their pre- decessor Judas' j)art, when opportunity favors their designs, and be- betray the good cause with " all hail," and a hypocritical kiss. Tliat others fled to Boston, there to advise and act as open and avowed enemies to their brethren ; encouraging the disheartened and chagrined troops to all merciless acts of violence and bloody scenes ; stimulating the British Ministry and all the tools of tyranny to pursue their bloody decrees with all vengeance upon us, by Avhich means, in our humble opinion they have forfeited all right to American propert}', and even their lives with every aggravation of guilt, as did ever a bloody set of merciless robbers, or desperate pirates. That as some of these vermin, or worse, emissaries of tyranny, are crawling out of Boston to their forfeited seats in Worcester, there is reason to suspect, that either their expectations fail, and therefore they would gladly return to their former seats and profits, until a more fav- orable opportunity presents to carry their evil machinations into exe- cution, or, they are contriving, by degrees, to slide back to their seats, and there avail themselves of the good opinion of the people, in order to play their parts, to divide and subdivide, or by some method weaken our union, or to form some diabolical plan for the Ministry to save the supremacy of Parliament, under some soft, sophistical, reconcilia- tory terms. Wherefore, we, your humble memorialists, entreat your honors not to suffer any of those who return, however humble and penitent they may appear, to go at large, or return to their former seats, or even to be so far favored as to be confined within the limits of Worcester, but treat them as they deserve, enemies in a superlative degree ; con- fine them close, and render them incapable of doing harm, or return them to Boston their favorite asylum. Your Honor's petitioners can but flatter themselves with a most sanguine expectation of this so rational request being fully granted. 70 History of Worcester in Anno Doin 1770. espQcially as we arc risking our lives in our country's cause ; it must greatly dishearten us to hear our most notorious enemies are tolerated and winked at, while on the other hand we find no necessity to jiray to our commander-in-chief for a detachment to apprehend and confine ene- mies who are secured properly by our civil fathers under whose juris- diction they appear ; and thus encouraged as in duty bound, shall ever pray. DoRCHESTKR, Sept. 27, 177;1. " The sientlenien who were driven from their habita- tions in the country, to the town of Boston " issued an address to Gen. Gage on his departure for England, in the most loyal terms. " To his Excellency, Thomas Gage, Esqr., Captain General and Commander-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of Mas- sachuetts Bay in New England, May it please your Excellency : AVhen we reflect upon the surpris- ing effects of that enthusiasm and infatuation which are so generallj'' prevalent in the country, and the variety of dangers to which the loyal and obedient have been exposed, we feel the most grateful sen- sations towards your Excellency, and are anxious to acknowledge our obligations to your wisdom and prudence. We consider ourselves in- debted to j'ou for protection from the lawless fury and unbridled vio- lence of our countrymen, and had not events taken place beyond what human wisdom could foresee, and contrary to any human calculation upon rational principles, we might in all probability have been further indebted to your Excellency for a reconciliation of the unhappy dif- ferences that subsist, and a restoration to harmony, happiness and peace. It is with regret we think of your Excellency's departure from this Province, but we are relieved in some degree, by a consideration of the very important services you will render this countrj', by a just rep- resentation of its present state at the Court of Great Britain ; by the confidence we repose in the abilities of your successor to the civil and military command, the hopes of your speedy return, and the anticipa- tion of an establishment of the rightful supremacy of Parliament over this part of his Majesty's dominions. Justly meriting and pos- sessed of the esteem and applause of the virtuous and good, happy in the pleasing reflections of an approving conscience, and blessed with Anno_Dom. j j^^^ ^jr ^/^^ RevoluHon. 7 1 the gracious plaudits of the best of Kings, your opportunities will be equal to the inclination you have ever discovered, to restore and settle on the most lasting basis, that union of the interests of Great Brit- ain and the Colonies, so indisjiensably necessary to the happiness of both. We sincerely lament that the number who have dared to stem the torrent of rebellion and sedition in this Province is so small, but we trust that the cordial thanks of even a few, (who have fled from op- pression, who have sacrificed their properties and every domestic en- joyment, and are now ready to risk their lives to manifest their loy- alty to the best of sovereigns,) will not be unacceptable to your Ex- cellency. Be pleased, sir, to accejjt the ardent wishes of these few faithful and grateful subjects, that your voyage may be prosperous and agreea- ble, and that your unwearied endeavors for the public service may be crowned with success. Boston, Oct. 7, 1775." , Seventy-six royalists signed this address, among whom were the following, who had fled from Worcester : James Putnam, Samuel Paine, Adam Walker, WilliamCampbell, John Chandler, Nathaniel Chandler, William Chandler, James Putnam, Jr. Gen. Gage replied, acknowledging the steady attach- ment they had always shown to the true interests of their King and Country in the worst of times, and as- sured them that his successor would afford them every favor and protection. On the 20th of September, Mr. Clark Chandler was charged by the Committee of Correspondence with hav- ing in the month of June, assisted one Budd, a prisoner of war in escaping, in violation of the said prisoner's parole of honor, of having spent the summer in Boston and elsewhere with the enemies of America, also of be- ing an enemy to his country ; and he was committed to jail in Worcester, and kept in close confinement, his relatives being allowed to furnish him with such neces- saries as he stood in need of 72 History of Worcester in { ^"in^.^"'' Oil the 3d of October, he petitioned the Council and House of Representatives for enlargement from close confinement, setting forth that in the month of June he went from Worcester, his place of abode, to Newport, wliere he went on board one of his Majesty's vessels in which he obtained a passage to Boston, designing to sail from thence to Quebec, where he proposed to reside and engage in trade. Accordingly after a short stop in Boston he sailed for Annapolis in Nova Scotia, having had the , misfortune to be cast away, and hearing discouraging reports of the state of trade in Quebec, he determined to return to his home in Worcester, and accordingly re- turned to Boston, where he arrived on the 28th day of August, and after staying in that town 21 days, he went by water to Newport, from Avhence he returned to his home in Worcester, arriving on the 20tli of Septem- ber, and considering the situation of public affairs, and being sensible that he had rendered himself justly sus- pected as an enemy to his country, he voluntarily sur- rendered himself to the Committee of Correspondence, by whom he was closely confined, to the great detriment of his health, and compelled to endure the nauseous stench of a jail crowded with prisoners taken from the enemy ; he therefore petitioned that he might be allow- ed to w^alk and breathe in a wholesome air, within such limits and under such bonds and obligations as the Council and House might prescribe. The petition was referred by the Council to the Com- mittee of Correspondence for the town, they being the authorities who imprisoned him, and who w^ere cognizant of the crimes laid to his charge. On tlie 2 1st of November he sent a lengthy state- ment and petition to the Committef!, which was as fol- lows : Anno_pom.j j^y^^ ^jr ^/^^ RevolutioTl. ^2> [From MSS. in possession of American Antiquarian Society.] To the Committee of Correspondence for the town of Worcester : The address, memorial and petition of Clark Chandler, a pris- oner in close confinement, humbly showeth, — That in consequence of his own imprudent and misjudged conduct, he has been more than two months without the least prospect of a trial upon the merits of his case, subjected to endure the accumulated distresses resulting from a total deprivation of liberty, and the inclemen- cies of a jail imprisonment. He complains of nothing that is past, nor has he the most distant wish to elude an impartial examination, the consequent decisions of justice, or the full demands of the public ; confiding in the rectitude and humanity of his country men, the in- habitants of his native town, he cheerfully resigned himself into their hands, and acquiesed in his destination to the severities of a jail impris- onment. In this situation he must have been wanting to himself, regardless of a primary law, the great law of self-preservation, im- i:)lanted by the finger of God in the heart of all his creatures, whose happiness was the benevolent design that gave being to the universe, not to be meditating some means consistent with the safety of the community, to extricate himself from almost intolerable scenes of suf- fering, to obtain a partial restoi'ation to freedom, and a blessing com- mon to the brute creation, the privilege of breathing an wholesome and pure air. Surely it must be crimes of the blackest dye, a necessity for the general good, that shall deny to an Englishman, under a free government, these common enjoyments. On these principles, from the advice qf his friends, your memorialist was induced to address the lenity and justice of the Honorable Council of this Province, for his relief and the public security, but as his commitment was not by this body, they could not with any propriety sustain his petition, being no ways privy to the suspicions he was under, or the crimes laid to his charge. This transaction, and the reason of the thing, necessarily refer .him back to the authority of this town, to the authority that confined him, and who alone can, with any propriety grant him en- largement. Your petitioner has no where else to resort; the town are acquainted with his conduct, with the alleviating and aggravating cir- cumstances attending it. He relies on your recollection, repairs to your goodness, and appeals to your justice. If his conduct has been such as to deny him relief at this bar his misery for the present is perfectly complete. He is now pleading for liberty, without which existence is a burden, and which you all professedly hold dearer than life. Be pleas- ed therefore to hear him with patience, to determine with caution, and 9 74 History of Worcester in Anno Pom. 1775. consider with attention. His cause is before a people where liberty is sure of finding protection and support, where innocency can never want friends and guardians. It would be injurious to your character, a reflection on your humanity and your justice, to suppose that you would wish your petitioner to suffer out of proportion to the demandi* of his crimes, that you would not rather spare the unfortunate and afflicted, than to add keenness to anguish, and make wretchedness more wretched. It is only necessary therefore to convince you he is entitled to indul- gence, that the public will be safe, and his enlargement is gi'anted. He does not ask a restoration to your confidence, for this he has no pretensions. He does not solicit an acquittal from the charges he is under ; he acknowledges his imprudence, censures his own conduct, confesses the justness of your suspicions, and tenders sufiicient securi- ties. He asks not a general enlargement, he asks not what every Englishman has a right to demand, be his crime ever so gi'eat, his vil- liany ever so atrocious, either a trial by his peers, a general bailment, or full discharge. Your petitioner asks only to exchange the walls of a loathsome prison, for the limits of this, or a neighboring town, to go from the custody of a jailor to the care of a sufiicient number of res- ponsible bondsmen. He tenders you sureties for his continuing within prescribed boundaries, for his imexceptionable behavior, and for his appearance whenever demanded. It is only on these conditions he prays for enlargement. That this will be safe, he even dares to ap- peal to precedents, and his past behavior, bad as it is, which will give some little security for his future conduct. It is always unfortunate when a man must vindicate his innocency against general presumptions, unfortunate, because however faultless, it is seldom in his power. Be pleased to recollect circumstances, and listen candidly to the sugges- tions of truth ; if your memorialist is guilty, he is criminal but in de- gree, and the actions of his life ought to mark the degree of that guilt. Two years have not yet elapsed since your own unsolicited suffrages bore testimony to the goodness of his heart in a political view. It is since that jieriod that he has lost your confidence, and exposed himself to the resentments of those with whom he was wont to live in mutual good friendship, familiarity and affection ; unhappily about six months since in the distresses of the times, in the differences of opinions, in the variety of prospects, in the uncertainty of events, in the stagnation of trade, at a time when some anticipated, and m.any were fearful of the worst of consequences, seduced by example, and allured by prospects of emolument, in the indiscretions and spirits of youth, Anno Dom. 1775. War of the Revolution. 75 he foolishly and imprurlently left Worcester, and found his way into the place garrisoned by your enemies, but at the same time inhabited by many of your best friends. It was not to give information, but purely from a motive of procuring trade. It was not to take arras in opposition to the country, as the event sufficiently proves. He defies his greatest enemy, man, woman or child, he challenges the world to prove that he did one single act there, inimical to the public, but on the contrary, such was his conduct, as in some measure, to reader him obnoxious to government, and to expose him to its displeasure. That your memorialist was pushing for trade, is apparent from facts. It is matter of notoriety, from the discouragements of a shijjwreck, from the , bad prospects of trade either at Annapolis or Canada, he returned to Bos- ton, and embraced the first opportunity to recover his native town. Simply being in this devoted town, was deserving neither of praise or of blame. The criminality of an action depends entirely on its motive and its consequences. Is there any evidence that your memorialist either designed, or did an injurj' to the cause you are supporting? May not his views have been innocent, he means with respect to the pub- lic? Is not the presumption always in favor of innocence until guilt is proved ? Is not the best construction always to be put ? By what then consists the great guilt of ycflir memorialist? It is said in repair- ing to Boston conti-ary to restrictions, and in the seduction of one Budd a prisoner upon parole, and assisting him in his escape. The former of these charges he frankly confesses, and certainly it can never be justified, but it is rather a fault in morality than a crime in politics, for which he must answer to God and his own conscience. That your petitioner was previously knowing to Budd's going off is not to be denied, but that he either persuaded him to it, or assisted him in it, is certainly false ; you will consider the weight of a person's evidence, if he has forfeited his word and his honor, whether he is entitled to full credit, whether when retaken he would not naturally endeavor to ob- tain favor, and exculpate himself by placing his crimes to the account of another ; certainly he who excuses at the expense of his companion is very suspicious. Did the misfortunes of your petitioner stop here, his case would be less difficult. The peculiar circumstances attendant upon the attempt- ed escape of another prisoner has its perplexities. But are misfor- tunes a substitute for evidence ? Will not the sufferings of your petitioner suffice that he must be made to bear the crimes of every offender ? Can innocency be safe, or villainy in danger, if convic- tion rests upon the word of a confessed liar ? Which of his two sto- 76 Histojy of Worcester in Anno Dom. iv;5. ries is true, is worthy of belief ? One is from necessity false. If you arc satisfied tliat he lies, that he is not to be regarded in his last account, is the first entitled to your credit? "Would your memorialist have hazarded a token, not only known to his confidents, but to the whole countrj- ? What sufficient motive could have induced him to run such a risk and to part with his money ; if he is not to be credited, where is the evidence ? Your petitioner asserts that he was ignorant of the matter that the money and the seal Avere stolen, and that he complained of it in time. If he is now to be convicted on a matter of evidence, that would fix upon a person of a different character not the slightest suspicion, where is the equality and impartiality of that im- proved constitution, that knows of no difference between any of its* subjects ? If one man's crimes cannot be proved by evidence consist- ent with his innocence, can another's be fixed by proof incompatible with guilt? If this is the case, innocency is unsafe, and the fences and barriers against vice are all prostrate. You will remember, gen- tlemen, that the first examination of the witness was officious, sudden, upon surprise in the perturbation of heart, where were many leading OBO. lOO History of Worcester in j ^"""si £1270 3s. 3d. were granted January 21,st., 1781, for the town's quota of beef, and on Feb. 9th, £339 9s. Sd. to discliare-e contracts made with the 6 and 3 months' men. June 22nd, a requisition was made for blankets, and 59 sets of articles of clothing. July 9th, £400 in gold or silver were voted for the purchase of beef in accordance with a requisition of June 22th. On the 23rd, £414 in hard money were granted for the purpose of raising soldiers. Aug. 6th, £197 10s. in gold were voted for the purpose of paying for the horses that the Selectmen had procured the year before, according to a resolution of the General Court. On the 13th, £116 5s. 4d. in gold were voted for the purchase of the town's quota of clothing. The people of Worcester feeling that they had been called upon for more than their just proportion of money and men in support of the war, instructed Samuel Cur- tis, Esq., Representative, on the 30th of August, to lay the following petition before the General Court. " To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonweahh of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled. The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Worcester, humbly sheweth : — Tliat for several years last jiast, your petitioners have been called upon by Government, for larger sums of money, and greater numbers of soldiers than their just proportion, which they can make evidently to appear if your Honors would indulge them with an op- portunity therefor. Your petitioners have heretofore applied to your Honors for relief, but are informed that their omission in not return- ino- a valuation in the year 1778, bars them from a possibility of re- dress ; a circumstance so unfortunate to your petitioners as compels them, as well to vindicate themselves from any supposed contumacy towards Government as to open a way to their relief, to state that matter in its just light. The town knew nothing of the omission of the assessors with respect to the valuation before mentioned, until a dis- proportionate assessment led them to inquire the cause ; your petition- ers afterwards called ujion the assessors whose duty it was to have re- turned the valuation, to declare their motives for the supposed neglect, Anno Dom. 1781. War of the Revohiiion. loi and were by them informed that the orders for taking a new valua- tion did not reach them in season ; your j^etitioners would beg leave to observe, that admitting the assessors were culpable, as it was with- out the consent or even knowledge of the town, yet in their apjDrehen- sion they have a full claim to be considered and relieved in the prem- ises. Your petitioners, therefore, again most earnestly pray your Honors to take their case into your wise consideration, and as they wish not to elude the burthen of the day, that a full inquiry may be made as to the justice of their complaint, and that they may experi- ence that equity which they apprehend their case entitles them to, both with respect to future taxes and those that have been made since the last general valuation, and as in duty bound, your petitioners shall ever pray." The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, having taken place on the 19th of October, 1781, the Massa- chusetts Spy of Nov. 8th, announced the event in lan- guage at once extravagant and expressive. " On Friday evening arrived in this town a further coufirmatior:, with some of the articles of capitulation (as published under the Hart- ford head) of the surrender of Lieut. General Earl Cornwallis and his Whole Army, composed of the flower of the British troops in America, to the allied army, commanded by our illustrious General Washington, and the fleet of his Most Christian Majesty, commanded by Count de Grasse ; an event that must affect every patriotic Ameri- can with joy and pleasing sensibility. In consequence of this glorious intelligence, yesterday morning was ushered in by ringing of bells, dis- charging of cannon, displaying of colors, attended with the shouts of a grateful populace, and even Aurora advanced and unlocked the ruddy gates of the morning, with a sympathetic smile. At noon a number of gentlemen assembled and dined together at the Sun Tav- ern, after which the following toasts were drank, with the discharge of cannon. In the evening were illuminations, &c. 1. The Sages of America in Congress assembled. 2. America's Royal friend, his Most Christian Majesty. 3. The Saviour of his Country, General Washington. 4. The Illustrious Count de Grasse. f). The Victorious General Greene, and his band of Heroes. G. Our Brethren in the field. 7. The Army and Navy of our brave Allies. I02 History of Worcester in r"i7S2"'"' 8. JM:iy every American Soldier be a Hector .iikI his wife a Penel- ope.* 9. The memory of those Heroes whose blood has nourislied our Independence. 10. The friends of America throughout the Globe. 11. May America ever breed a race of Heroes, whose actions will be sounded in the Trump of Fame. 12. Ma}'' America support her Independence until the ravages of time shall annihilate the World. 13. May meek-eyed Peace, supported by Honor and Glory soon fertilize the deserts of America." * Though we are sensible that Penelope was not the wife of Hector, yet her life and lier fortune were more consonant to our wishes than tliat of Adromache. The General Court having passed an Act imposing duties on spiritous Hquors, teas, &c., the town, througli a Committee consisting of Timothy Paine, Esq., Nathan Baldwin and Cornelius Stowell, instructed Samnel Curtis, Esq., Representative, to endeavor to have the Act re- pealed. Six men w^ere drafted for the army in March, 1782, this being the last requisition made on this town. A petition, signed by Ebenezer Lovell, David Moore, Asa Moore, Robert Smitli, Joseph Barber, Nathaniel Hi\r- rington, Nathaniel Brooks, Ephraim Miller, Moses Miller, and John Mow^er, was presented to the Selectmen on the 18th of May, praying that a town meeting might be called for the purpose of instructing Mr. Curtis, the RejDresentative, to endeavor to obtain a redress of griev- ances, which they considered they were laboring imder. In accordance with this petition, a meeting was held on the 8th of June, and the followino; instructions were re- ported and adopted. Worcester, June 8, 1782. To Samuel Curtis, Ksq. " Sir: We, reposing special trust and confidence in your great pa- triotism, conduct and fidelity, have elected you to rt'present us iti the Anno^Dom.j Wav of the Revolutio7u 103 Great and General Court the present year ; notwithstanding our reli- ance on your wisdom and integrity, we think it necessary to instruct you relative to some particular matters of grievance, which we think we labor under, viz : 1. That a Receiver General of this extensive Commonwealth should he a Justice of the Pleas in the county of Middlesex, hy which he is rendered unable to attend his office as Treasurer of the Com- monwealth, during the time he attends the courts in said county, by Avhich many persons have been, and others no doubt, will be put to considerable expense, besides loss of time and disap^^ointment, who have business with him as Treasurer. 2. As there is a recommendation of Congress, that such officers as have been deranged, and not in actual service, have half jiay during life, if said recommendation has, or should take 23lace, we look upon it as a great grievance. 0. That the members of the General Court, when acting as com- mittees of the same, have large wages over and above their pay as Representatives, is a grievance, which we justly comi^lain of. 4. That Representatives having nine shillings per day, considering the scarcity of money, and the difficulty of obtaining thereof, being almost double what they formerly had, when money was much plentier and easier to be had, we think a grievance. 5. We think it a great grievance that there has not been general settlement with the Treasurer of this Commonwealth, and w^ith all others who have been entrusted with the expenditure of public monies, and have not accounted for the same. G. We think it a grievance that the state of the Treasury is not known to the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, and would have you use your influence, that in future, the General Court transmit to every town, annually, an account of the expenditures of all public money. 7. As the sitting of the General Court in the town of Boston, is attended with many inconveniencs, we think said Court's sitting in said town a grievance. 8. That the sitting of the Court of Common Pleas, and General Sessions of the Peace, at the same time, much interfere with each other, by which means the county is put to the cost of paying many Justices many days, when much less time would answer the purpose as well. 9. It has been represented that there have been large grants of land made to^ Alexander Sliepard and others, lying in the old Pro- I04 History of Worcester in {"^"its!]""' viiicc of Maine, that there has uot been a more strict enquiry made whether their claims do not far exceed their original grants, is com- plained of. These, Sir, are our sentiments as matters of grievance, which we in- struct you to use your utmost exertions to guard against, and obtain re- dress, as becomes an indivit]ual member of the General Assembly." ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^m ^^^^^*>**'^*'''^^^p^^^^_3I*-^^( ^^^^^^^s CHAPTER VII Slaven' abolished by decisiou of the Court at Worcester — Treaty of Peace — Celebratiou — The question of absentees and refugees considered. The subject of slavery had for a long term of years caused much uneasiness among the people. The hearts and minds of patriots and philanthropists had been quick- ened to a sense of the atrocious wickedness of man hold- ing property in man, and the jD^^blic conscience was gradually becoming susceptible to appeals for its aboli- tion. The traffic was never sanctioned in this Province, and under the Colonial and Provincial Charters the slave trade was deprecated as a disgrace to humanity. The holding of slaves was not general, being confined to the wealthier classes. In 1767, Joshua Bigelow, Representative to the Gen- eral Court, had been instructed to use his influence to " obtain a law to put an end to the unchristian and im- politic practice of making slaves of the human species in this Province." In 1774, it had been resolved in a County Conven- tion held in this town, " that we abhor the enslaving of any of the human race, and particularly of the negroes in this country, and that whenever there shall be a door opened, or opportunity presented for anything to be done towards the emancipation of the negroes, we will use our influence and endeavor that such a thing may be brought about." 13 io6 History of Worcester ill I'Th!!"'"' The new Constitution of 1780, bad in its first article declared that " all men are born free and equal." In 1783, final judgment was given. A citizen was charged with beating and imprisoning a negro servant whom he claimed as his slave. The public would not overlook the offence, and the case was tried and judg- ment rendered in Worcester. The defendant was found guilty and fined forty shillings. This decision was the downfall of the system. Many who had been in bon- dage continued as servants in the families of their mas- ters, and the institution died an easy death.'^' The preliminary treaty of peace having been signed in November, 1782, and a cessation of hostilities having been proclaimed in the American Army, on the 19th of April, 1783, preparations were made for a proper cele- bration in this town of the return of peace. The fol- lowing account is from the "Spy" of May 8, 1783. "The gentlemen of this town having fixed upon the seventh of this month for a celebration of tlie return of peace, after an eight years tedious war, a peace honorable to these States as having established us as the first civilized, Independent Empire in this new world, — yester- day morning was ushered in by the ringing of bells, the discharge of 13 cannon, and the display of the American flag. At one o'clock, the gentlemen assembled at the Sun Tavern and dined ; after which, a number of sentimental toasts were given, each accompanied by a dis- charge of cannon. The day was spent with feativity, decency and good order." The following toasts were given : 1. The American Constellation of Sages tliat enlighten the world. 2. His Excellency General Washington : May his fame be im- mortal, as his virtues are unrivalled. 3. The nations of Europe that have been friends to liberty. 4. Love and honor to the blooming Sister States. 5. Happiness to the American heroes that have enfranchised the world. *lJarry'.s Ilistoi-y of MassacIuisoUs. ""liss!" } ^V(ir of the Revolution. 107 6. jMomunents in our breasts to heroes in the bed of honor. 7. IVIay Americans ever act worthy of the liberty they have estab- lished, and propagate heroes worthy of their sires. 8. May the Freedom of America with the force of electric fire, give a fatal shock to despotism. 9. May the auspicious dawn of peace conciliate our jarring senti- ments, and plant the olive branch in our hearts. 10. Arts and Sciences. 11. Agriculture and Commerce. 12. May the Temple of Virtue reared in America, attract the ad- miration of mankind. 13. Perpetual Peace, Independence and Happiness to the United States of America. At sundown, the bells ceased to ring, and thirteen cannon were again discharged. In the evening there was a ball, where the ladies made a brilliant appearance, and heartily joined their expressions of joy on this happy occasion. A letter was carried in May, from the Committee of Correspondence of the town of Boston, in relation to absentees and refugees. A Committee consistinur of Levi Lincoln, William Stearns, Joseph Allen, David Big- olow, Isaiah Thomas, Joseph Wheeler and Jonathan Rice, was appointed to draw up an expression of the sentim.ent of the town. This committee reported on the 19th of May, and their report was accepted. It was 1. Voted : That this town, with an ecpial and sacred regard to treaties of peace and alliance ; to the Resolves of Congress and the solemn Acts of the Commonwealth, passed from time to time for its preservation, safety and defence, and especially to those great and important princi- ples of Liberty and a Free Government, for which they have been struggling at the risk of their lives, will continue with spirit and firm- ness, their most vigorous efforts to render glorious, and secure from danger, interruption or diminution, the ends of their past exertions, Peace, Safety and Happiness. 2d. Voted : That this town considers every country, in time of inva- sion, as having equally right to the assistance, the personal services io8 History of Worcester in \ ^"itss^""' and property ot" all its subjects in opposing the assailants. — that this country more than eight years since, was invaded and has been scourg- ed by a wai-, which for the jiurpose of reducing it to the servile subjec- tion of foreign domination, has been, by sea and by land, wasting, and by every species of barbarity, distressing its innocent inhabitants ; a war that has devastated and burned whole towns, and rendered wretched, and turned out thousands of virtuous Americans, destitute, despoiled and unprovided for by the Treaty of Peace, which leaves them dependent on the gratitude and generosity of their country ; a war promoted, encouraged and invited by those, who, the moment the bloody banners were displayed, abandoned their native land, turned ])arricides, and conspired to involve this country in ruin, tumult and in blood. 3d. Voted : That such traitorous conduct, upon every principle of policy and justice, in all ages and in all countries, would in the opinion of this town, operate a forfeiture of the conspirators' civil and politi- cal relations to their injured and betrayed country ; cut them off for- ever, from a standing therein, render them enemies and aliens, and justify those necessary laws, and that general voice of the people, by which they have been thus declared. 4th. Voted: That considering, while the sword Avas slumbering in its scabbard, when this country was in the hour of quiet, and at peace with the world, only pleading and petitioning for its rights, for a free government, the sentiments , of the absentees, their principles, their language and their feelings were fixedly opposed to those rights, and to that freedom, they then preferring, and to evince the sincerity of that preference, engaged to risk their all for its possible attainment, a government totally inconsistent with the principles of the one we have established and for the destruction of which, they have been waging a cruel war ; that therefore this town cannot conceive it to be their duty, or their interest, ever to provide for the return of such ingiates, to naturalize them, or admit them to the privileges and im- munities of citizens. 5th. Voted : That whereas the said absentees and conspirators, have at all times uniformly by their rei^resentations, adih'csses, and avowed principles, considered the subjects of these States, of our great and illustrious ally, and the treaties of alliance, amity and com- merce, as the proper subjects of abuse, calumny and reproach, the former as the deluded tools of a party spurred on to treason and rebel- lion ; the second as the cowardly machines of a IMonarcli, jicrHdionsly A»no^Dom.| Wav of tlic Revolutio7i. 109 plotting the ruin of the former ; and the latter as originating from the worst of motives, delusive, treacherous, artful, insincere, and not to be adhered to, and have even attempted to seduce the subjects of these States to violate their faith, and those sacred treaties ; That therefore, in the opinion of this town, to admit persons of such principles, and such practices, to incorporate with, and reside among us, would betray the want of a due regard to a generous friend, who has been fighting and bleeding by our side, endanger the treaty and injure our national character. Gth. Voted : That whereas ^^ersons of the above description, have been of opinion, which they have been assiduous to propagate, that these States could find happiness or protection, nowhere but in a re- union with the Kingdom of Great Britain ; thatleft to themselves, they, would become the sport of each other, break to pieces and crumble into ruin ; that no calamity was more to be deprecated for our own sakes than Independence established, and no blessing more earnestly to be sought for than Independence desti'oyed ; And whereas, by a change of British councils, and British measures, there was a prospect of peace, they reprobated that change, and solicited for the purpose above, the continued utmost exertion of British power and British resources, and even after the commencement of the Pacific treaty, with malicious intention, equally hostile to both countries, dared to represent Amer- ica as the proper subject of an easy conquest ; That therefore, in the opinion of this town, our independence must ever be in danger of an- noyance from such persons, who can never have our confidence, friend- ship or society. 7th. Voted : That the plea for the return of the absentees, of their becoming good subjects, increasing our numbers and our strength, is in the opinion of this town, groundless and fallacious, as it is im- probable that persons who have thus acted, that are thus principled and thus situated would, without any new reason, light or argument, alter their conduct, and at once reject those principles they have em- braced, and embrace those they have rejected, endeavor to support that government they have been struggling to destroy, cultivate that har- mony which they have been industrious to j^revent, prevent that dis- cord they have been assiduous to create, — quell those Riots and Unlaw- fid Assemblies which but of late were the foundation of their darling hope, — and endeavor to strengthen that friendship and alliance, which they have labored to weaken, and lied to asperse, and by a conduct the reverse of their past, become useful and good. Anno Pom. 1 1 o History of Worcester in \ *" 'ij.^g 8th. Voted : That agreeable to tlie Treaty of Peace, tliis town wishes no recollection of past disputes with Great Britain, no repeti- tion of past injuries, but the seeds of discord being excluded, that such a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse may be established be- tween the two countries, as to promise and secure to both, perpetual peace and harmony, which would be extremely diflicult, were those persons to reside among us, whom this country considers as the occa- sion of interrupting that intercourse formerly, and the c >usc of all their sufferings ; especially as these wretched beings have already be- gun a quari'el with that peace, and those who made it, which ter- minates a long, bloody and unnatural war. 'Jth. Yoted : That, therefore, in the opinion of this town, it would be extremely dangerous to the peace, the happiness, the liberties, the interest and safety of these States, to suffer persons of the above de- scription to become the subjects of, and to reside in this government, that it would be not only dangerous, but inconsistent with justice, poli- cy, our past laws, the public faith and the principles of a free and inde- pendent State, to admit them ourselves, or have them forced upon us, without our consent. iUth. Voted: That in the opinion of this town, this Common- wealth ought with the utmost caution, to naturalize, or in any other way admit as subjects, a common enemy, a set of people, who have been by the united voice of this continent declared outlaws, exiles, aliens, and enemies, dangerous to its political being and happiness. 11 til. Voted: That while there arc thousands of the innocent, peaceable, defenceless inhabitants of these States, whose j^i'operty has been destroyed and taken from them in the course of the war, for whom no provision is made, to whom there is no restitution of estates, no compensation for losses, that it would be unreasonable, cruel and un- just, to suffer those who were the wicked occasion of those losses, to obtain a restitution of estates they refused to pi'otect, and which they have abandoned, and forfeited to the justice of their country. 1 2th. Voted: That wheret|s, persons of the above description have already made various attempts to introduce themselves into this government, and thereby to establish principles and precedents by which others might be admitted and restored to their forfeited estates; that this town will adopt every reasonable and consistent measure to prevent so great an evil ; and that it is their expectation and earnest retjuest of Samuel Curtis, Esq., whom they have chosen to re])resent Anno T)oul. 1783. War of the Revolution. 1 1 i them at this critical period, that he will, with firmness and steadi- ness, continue his patriotic exertions for the above purpose ; that he will use his influence to have those good and wholesome laws touch- ing the matter, duly executed, and such others enacted as events and circumstances from time to time tnay render necessary ; that he will receive a copy of the above votes, to the principles of which, the prin- ciples of a sovereign and independent government, the principles of our free constitution and those great principles which have carried us triunii)hantly thi'ough a severe and bloody conflict, to these principles he invariably to adhere, and make them the governing rule of his con- duct, as what alone under heaven, has given energy to war, will give dignity to peace, and make life happy. loth. Voted: That it is the expectation of this town, and their earnest request of their Committee of Cori-espondence, Inspection and Safety, that they will with care and vigilance observe the movements and watch the conduct of our only remaining enemies, that until th5 further order of government, they will with decision, spirit and firm- ness, endeavor to enforce and carry into execution, the several laws of tliis Commonwealth respecting these enemies of our rights, and the rights of mankind ; give information should they know of any obtruding themselves into any part of this State, suffer none to remain in this town but caused to be confined immediately for the purpose of trans- portation according to law, any that may presume to enter it. The Inclepeiidence of the States havlnc^ been acknowl- edtred and Peace declared, the task of reviewinci: the acts of the town and people of Worcester in the war of the Revolution, ends here. The position which this town assumed and maintained in those trying times, was one to which we of this day may look back with pride. Although Worcester was at that time a small provin- cial town, its situation in the heart of the Province, and the fact of its being the shire-town of a large county, enabled it to exert an influence far beyond that indicat- ed by the number of its inhabitants. Responding w^ith readiness to all requisitions for men and means, this town upheld the cause in its darkest hours, and when de- 1 1 2 History of Worcester in | Anno Horn. 1783. sponclency iind gloom prevailed in many portions of the land, and the struggle seemed a hopeless one, no word of discouragement or despair was left for us to record, — save from those who from the beginning were hostile to their country's cause, — but instead, was left a record of hearty coiiperation with every measure calculated to secure the Independence of the Colonies. Out of a total population of a little over 1900, Wor- cester furnished about 400 soldiers. They were found at Cambridge and Bunker Hill, at Quebec, Long Island, and on the Hudson, at Saratoga, Valley Forge, Mon- mouth and Yorktown, and on almost every field render- ed glorious by noble deeds in behalf of a country strug- o-lino; for its freedom. It is a matter of congratulation, that, although differ- ences of opinion existed in the minds of the men of that day, as to the justice or policy of the war, and those dif- ferences led to extreme measures in many cases, their descendants inherit no bitterness of feeling, and all are now striving with earnest and honest purpose to perpet- uate those institutions which were established through toil, suffering and blood. ^f^iE^ieiEinsriDis:. TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1774 TO 1783. Town Officers, 1774. SELECTMEN. Timothy Paine, Benjamin Flagg, Thomas Wheeler, William Young, Josiah Pierce. Clark Chandler, Town Clerk. Hon. John Chandler, Town Trcas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : William Young, Timothy Bigelow, John Smith, Joshua Bigelow, David Bancroft, Jonathan Stone, , Stephen Salisbury. Town Officers For 1775. SELECTMEN : Joshua Bigelow, Benjamin Flagg, William Young, Josiah Pierce, Jonathan Stone, Samuel Curtis, Samuel Miller, Nathan Baldwin, Town Clerk. Lieut. Nathan Perry, Town Trcas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : William Young, Timothy Bigeluw, John Smith, Joshua Bigelow, David Bancroft, Jonathan Stone, Stephen Salisbury. Town Officers For 1776. SELECTMEN Benjamin Flagg, William Young, Josiah Pierce, Jonathan Stone, Samuel Curtis, Samuel Miller, David Bigelow. Nathan Baldwin, Town Clerk. Nathan Perry, Town Treas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. Nathan Baldwin, Nathan Perry, Asa Moore, Ezekiel How, Levi Lincoln. Town Officers For 1777. SELECTMEN : Benjamin Flagg, William Young, Nathan Perry, Jonathan Stone, David Bigelo,w, Benjamin Stowell, John Kelso. Nathan Baldwin, Town Clerk. Nathan Perry, Town Treas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : John Cunningham, William Stearns, Samuel Miller, Samuel Brown, Josiah Pierce. ii6 History of Worcester in APPENDIX. Town Officers For 1778. SELECTMEN '. Joshua Bigelow, Ebenezer Lovell, Robert Smith, William Stearns, Nathaniel Brooks. William Stearns, Town Clerk. Dr. John Green, Town Treas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. Joseph Barber, Nathaniel Hey wood, Daniel Bigelow, Jonathan Rice, William Dana. Town Officers For 1770. SELECT.MEN : W^illiam Stearns, David Bigelow, Robert Smith, Nathaniel Brooks, Thomas Wheeler. William Stearns, Town Clerk. Dr. John Green, Town Treas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : Joseph Barber, Nathaniel Heywood, Jonathan Rice, William Dana, Jonathan Phillips. Town Officers For 1780. SELECTMEN David Bigelow, Dr. John Green, Jonathan Rice, Joseph Barber, Edward Crafts. Nathaniel Ileywood, Town Clerk. W^illiam Gates, Town Treas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. Joseph Allen, Daniel Harris, David Chadwick, Thomas Knight, William Trowbridge. Town Officers For 1781. SELECTMEN : Samuel Miller, Nathan Perry, Wm. McFarland, Samuel Brown, John Gleason. Daniel Goulding, Tow7i Clerk. Nathan Perry, Town Treas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : Joseph Allen, Nathan Baldwin, Isaiah Thomas. Town Officers For 1782. selectmen : Samuel Miller, Nathan I'erry, William McFarland, Samuel Brown, John Gleason. Daniel Goulding, Toicn Clerk. Nathan Perry, Town Treas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. Joseph Allen, Natlian Baldwin, Isaiali Thomas. APPENDIX. War of the Revolution. 117 Town Officers For 1783. SELECTMEN : Nathan Perry, Joseph Allen, Joseph AV heeler, Samuel Brown, David Bigelow. William G. Maccarty, Town Clerk. Nathan Perry, Town Treas. COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE : Joseph Allen, Joseph Wheeler, Isaiah Thomas. JURY LIST FOR 177G. Copied from the original in possession of American Antiquarian Society. The following to serve as Jurors at the Superior Court of Judica- ture, Court of Assize and General Jail Delivery, namely : Ezekiel Howe Noah Jones Jonathan Stone David Bigelow Thomas Wheeler James Goodwin Samuel Woodburn Samuel Miller Silas Moore Stephen Salisbury Ebenezer Lovell Comfort Rice Josiah Pierce Peter Johnson William Dana John Fisk Amos Wheeler Jonatlian Phillips William Gates Asa Moore William Young Timothy Bigelow Samuel Curtis Nathan Perry Nathaniel Moore Benjamin Fiagg John Kelso David Bancroft Benjamin Stoweil Daniel Bigelow, Jr. The following to serve as Jurors in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and Court of General Sessions of the Peace, namely : Thomas Nichols Joseph Barber Samuel Brown Lemuel Rice Thomas Drury, Jr. Jonathan Fiske Ebenezer Wiswall Samuel McCracken Reuben Gray William McFarland Moses Miller Daniel Beard Daniel Harris Thomas Eaton Jonathan Flagg Elisha Gurney James Barber William Johnson Isaac Willard Jonas Nichols Jonathan Lovell John Moore Robert Smith William Taylor Oliver Curtis James Trowbridge Solomon Bixby Jacob Holmes, Jr. Robert Gray Josiah Harrington, Jr. John Barber Nathaniel Brooks Solomon Johnson, Jr. Benjamin Whitney David Chadwick Samuel Clark Joseph Hastings Levi Houghton John Nazro Peter Boyden David Thomas Joseph Sprague James Moore Thomas Beard, Jr. Samuel Goddard Ephraim Miller Robert Crawford Richard Pratt Ebenezer Willington Joshua Whitney Simon Gates Joseph Wyley Jonathan Gleason . Cyprian Stevens Joseph Miller Asa Ward Samuel Bridge John Smith I 1 8 History of Worcester in { appendix. LIST OF VOTERS FOR MARCH MEETING, 1775, Qualifieil according to the Lust List of Estates by which the Taxes are made : Charles Adams NathM Adams ,1 ovinia Bi^elow Daniel Blphraini Miller James Moore Moses Miller Samuel Mower Samuel Mower, Jr. Samuel Moore Joseph Miller Thomas Nichols John Nazro Jona. Orland Timothy Paine, Esq. William Paine James Putnam, Esq. Jona. Phillips Nathan Perry ]\ichard Pratt Josiah Pierce Nathan Patch James Quigley Abraham Pice Jonathan Rice Thoma-i Rice Tyrus Rice David Richardson Zeb. Rice Lemuel Rice John Stearns P.enjamin Stowell Cornelius Stowell Mary Stearns Elisha Smith Elisha Smith, Jr. Robert Smith Ab. Smith ('yprian Stevens William Jennison Stearns John Smith, 2d. Stephen Salisbury Joseph Sprague Othnicl Taylor William Taylor James Ti'owbridge Jabez Tatman David Thomas Naiium Willard James Willard Ebenezer Wiswall Li'vi Newton Joshua \V' hitney Amos Wheeler Ebenezer \\ illington Joseph Wiley APPENDIX War of ike Revolution. 119 rJeiiJarnin Whitney IJenj. Whitney, Jr. Mary Wailver .Sanmol Whitney .lolui Wal'ver Ebenezer Wliite Adam Walker- Asa Ward Samuel Woodburn William Young Daniel Boyden Darius Boyden David Bancroft Thomas Beard Thomas Beard, Jr. Peter Boyden William Bancroft Oliver Curtis James Hart, Jr. Jonas Nichols Gershom Rice Com lor t Hice Jonathan Stone Jacob Stevens Gershom Rice, Jr. Thomas Drury Thomas Drury, Jr. This List is copied from the original List, certified by '1 imothy Paine, Josiah Pierce, Benj. Flagg — Selecttnea, in podsession of Aiuericaa Antiquariau iocuny. ROLL OF CAPT. TIMOTHY lilGELOW'S COMPANY, in the Colony Service, on the Alarm of April 19, 1775. Timothy Bigelow, Captain. Jonas Hubbard, 1st Lieut. John Smith, 2d " William Gates, Sergeant. Nathaniel Harrington, " John Kanady, " William Dana, " John Pierce, Corporal. Cyprian Stevens, "■ " Joel Smith, " Nathaniel Heyvrood, " Eli Putnam, Drummer. John Hair, Fifer. Joseph Pierce, " Peter Boyden, Private. Benjamin Bennett, David Chad wick, Eli Chapin, Philip Donehue, Benjamin Estabrook, Josiah Flagg, Phinehas Flagg, Nathaniel Flagg, Josiah Gates, Thomas Gates, Jonathan Gleason, William Griggs, Edward Hair, Asa Harrington, John Hall, Artemas Knight, John Knower Ephraim Miller, William Miles, Joseph Morse, Jonas Nichols, Solomon Smith, Phinehas Ward, Ebenezer Wis wall. Josiah Pierce, Private. James Wiser, " Daniel Haven, " William Trowbridge, " John Cole, " Joseph Ball, " Jonathan Stone, " Samuel Wesson, " "^ Thomas Nichols, " Thomas Knight, " Samuel Harrington, " Thomas Lynde, " Joseph Cunningham, " Robert Crawford, " Moses Hamilton, " Samuel Bennett, '' Samuel Hemraenway, " William Walker, " Nicholas Powers, " Daniel Willington, " AVilliaia Curtis, '• William Treadwell, " Edward Swan, " Joseph Curtis, " Samuel Cook, " Samuel Duncan, " Asa Ward, Elisha Fuller, John Totman, " Joseph Thorp, " George Walker, " Thomas Drury, " Samuel Brown, " Adam Hemmenway, " James Taylor, " Joseph ]\liller, " Josiah Perry, " i20 History of Worcester in APPENDIX. ROLL OF CAPT. BENJAMIN FLAGG'S COMPANY, in the Colony Service on the Alarm of April 19, 177a. Benjamin Fla' " " " " " '• Cato Dawes, " " " March 27, " " " Samuel Ball, '< " " May 17, " July 9, " William Waters, " " " Aug, 20, " Dec 31, " Ebenezer Whitney, " " " Sept. 14, " " Richard Draper, " " " " 2, " Jan. 31, 1778. AVilliam Cowdin, " " " May 6, " Oct. 21, 1777. James Lanman, " '■ " March 31, " Jan. 1, 1778. John Johnson, <' Capt. Brown's " Apr. 15, " Dec. 31, 1779 Francis Savage, " " Martin's '• March 10, " " ARTILLERY. William Miles, Corporal, Capt. Tread well "s Col. Crane's June 21, !■ 77. Dee. 31, 1779. Peter Slater, Matross, " " April 6, " •' Nathan Johnson, " " " " "i ' " " John Hunter, " " " Mav 7, ' " " Aaron Smith, " " June 12, " " Daniel Johnson, " " " April 10, " Sept 11, 1777 John Fowle, " " " Jau'v 10, < Oct 7, " Elisha Dunham, " " " May 31, ' Dec. 31, " Edward Swan, " " " 17- ■8. Oct. 21, 1779. .Tohn Thompson, Charlton" " " April 18, 17 '7. 31 " Richard Barnard, Private, Col Marshall's Dee. 9, 17 79. Dec. 31, " Isaac Johns, " " Sprout's Julv 1, ' " " Joseph Gamble, " '* " Putnam's Apiill2, 1 777. " " Thomas Taylor, " " " " Jan. 1, 1' 77. July 5, 1777 Uriah Eaton, Sergeant, Capt. Holden's " Nixon's March 1, ' Dec. 31, 1779. Solomon Smith, " " " " April 1, ' July 6, 1777. Elisha Gill, for Leicester, " Capt. Brown's " Jackson's Jan. 10, r '77. " " Simon Crosby, " " Sheldon's Jan. 1, 1 "80. Aug 1, 1780. Lemuel Longley, " " Lamb's Lt. Art. " ' Mar. 16, " These Lists of Men in the Service, are taken from manuscripts of the late William Lincoln, in possession of the American Antiqua- rian Society. 126 History of Worcester in { aitkn-dix. Quaint Advertizements of the Period. TO BE SOLD. BY John Nazro at his store in Worce?ter, West India and Njw England Ruin, Wine, Brandy, Geneva, Jamaica Spirit, Loaf and Br,j\vn Sugar, Rai- ,sins,choic'e, French and Spanish Indigo, Cake Soap, Pimento, Utter, Madder, Coffee, Salt Fish, Fiour, &c., &c. (Spy, Aug. 16, 1775.) TO BE SOLD. BY William Huhbard & Nathaniel Prentice Peabody, at their Store in Worcester, near the Meeting-house, the following Articles for money only. viz : West India and New^ England Rum, by the Hoj^sliead or Barrel, Geneva by the Case : different Qualities of Brown Sugar by the Hogshead, Barrel, Hun- dred, or Single Pound ; good French Indigo by the Dozen, Pound or Ounce ; Molasses by the Hogshead,, choice CoflPee by the Pound, Dozen, Hundred or Thousand AV^eight ; a few squares of 7 by "J Window Glass ; a few Pieces of Coarse Broad Cloth by retail ; German Serges, Shalloons and Tammies by Retail ; also Crimson Broad Cloth and Crimson everlasting suitable for VYomen's Cloaks ; Red Half-Thicks by the yard, and good Writing Paper by the Quire. (Spy, Sept. 29, 1775.) I THOMAS, the late publisher of this paper, is very sorry that so many I of bis customers are so unkind as to neglect paying him the several small sums due to him for services already performed. He has made several jour- neys to Worcester to receive his just dues, but to his surprise finds the old proverb verified, " out of Sight, out of Mind." He once more earnestly begs that those who are indebted to him for Newspapers, &c., (if it is but two pence,) would immediately pay their i-espective balances to Mr. Daniel Big- elow, Jr., one of the publishers, as so many small sums when collected to- gether will be of essential service, and the want of which will be a great detriment to Isaiah Thomas. Boston, July 22, 1776. (Spy, July 24, 1776.) ALL persons indebted to John Nazro, either by bond, note or book, are earnestly desired without delay to call at his store and make payment thereof to said Nazro; the present situation of affairs, and the still darker prospect, being sufficient to influence every honest man to have nothing of that nature undone that can be done. (Spy, Aug. 7, 1776.) rpAKEN UP. A red Cow, supposed to be 6 years old, with a White Tail \_ and Belly and some in her Foreiiead, branded on tiie left Horn, and half crop on her left Ear. Tlie owner may iiave her again by paying charges and applying to Jonathan Lovell. (Spy, Nov. 27, 1776.) APPENDIX. I IVar of the Revolution. 127 TO BE SOLD. A SPRIGHTLY, healthy Negro Wench , 20 years of age, born in the Country, and can do any kind of housework. She will be a valuable servant in a Country tavern, as she has lived in one several years. Enquire of the Printer. (Spy, Dee. 11, 1776.) A TO BE SOLD. VERY likely negro man about twenty-one years of age, has had the small pox, and well understands the farming business. Enquire of the Printer. (Spy, Feb. 20, 1777.) FLAX SEED. Six shillings per bushel given for Good Merchantable Flax Seed, by Elijah Dix, at his Store in Worcester. The crop of Flax being very great this year, the preserving of the Seed will be a great service to the State. It is to be hoped that a regard for the interests of America and a handsome price for the seed will be a sufficient inducement to those who have any to part with. It is collected for the public service only. (Spy, Sept. 4, 1777.) ADVERTIZEMENT EXTRAORDINARY! "ADE their Escape from the custody of the Subscriber, on the niglit of the twenty-fifth, two Barrels of Sugar ; supposed to be inimical to all Sourness. Said Sugar is of a dark complexion, and about Four Hundred Weight in Quantity. Whoever will apprehend said Sugar and imprison it or otherwise secure it so that the subscriber may have it again, shall be en- titled to a reward of four Guineas and all necessary charges paid by me. Lewis Allen. (Spy, Feb. 5, 1778.) HEART AND CLUB GERMAN STEEL. A QUANTITY of Genuine Heart and Club German Steel may be had at Samuel & Stephen Salisbviry's Store in Worcester, if applied for soon. Also, a Quantity of Bar Iron, English Steel, Choice Brandy, New England and West India Rum, Brown Sugar, Coffee, Chocolate, Raisins, Rice, Ginger, Pepper, Allspice, Redwood, Logwood, Alum, Copperas, Brimstone, Powder and Shot, &c. (Spy, Feb. 19, 1778.) TAKEN UP. A few days ago, between the Meeting-house in Worcester and the Meeting-house in Leicester, a certain matter or thing, which the connoisseurs in Female head-dressing term a cushing, but probably it might be designed for some other purpose. It has something of an appearance like a wig, but if it is a wig, it is a female one ; this mass has been penetrated, and its inward part found to be woolly, the top part of it. framed with iron, and its outward coat hairy and rough. The iron, wool and hair of which this curious machine is chiefly composed is supposed to be worth consider- able. The person who has lost it, proving her or his property, and paying charges, may have it again by applying at the Printing Office. (Spy, Nov. 18, 1779.) 128 History of Worcester in } APPENDIX. TO BK SOLD. A LIKELY Negro Woman, about 30 years of age, understands all kinds of household work, and is an excellent Cook. (Si'Y, Aug. 13, 1778.) Enquire of the Printer. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all aspiring heroes, who have a spirit above slavery and trade, and are willing to become Gentlemen Soldiers by bearing arms in the 5th Massachusetts Regiment of foot in the service of the United States of America, that by repairing to Ensign Benjamin Gil- bert, of Brookfield, they will be kindly entertained as recruits; shall enter into present pay and good quarters, and when they join the regiment, shall receive new clothes, arms and accoutrements, and everything else to com- plete a gentleman soldier. Rufus Putnam, Col. Brookfield, April 21, 1780. (Spy, April 27, 1780.) PRICES OF PEWS IN MEETING HOUSE, 1763. No. 1— £8. " 2— £9. " 3— £8. " 4— £4 10s. " 5— £5. " G— £6. " 7— £G 12s. " 8— £G 12s. i« 9— £5 10s. " 10— £G 12s. " 11— £G 12g. " 12— £6 12s. " 13— £5 10s. " 14— £8. " 15— £9. '• 16— £9. " 17— £7. " 18— £9. " 19— £9. " 20— £8. No 21— £5 lUs. 22— £6 13s. 23— £G 12s. 24— £G 12s. 25— £5 10s. 26— £G 12s. 27— £6 12s. 28— £6. 29— £5, 30— £4 10s. 31— £8. 32— £9. 33— £8. 34— £0 10s. 35— £5 15s. 36— £5 15s. 37— £5 15s. 38— £6. 39— £5 5s. 40— £5 5s. 41— £5 153. No. 42— £7 10s. '• 43— £7 10s. " 44— £8. " 45— £8. " 40— £8. " 47— £8. •' 48— £6. " 49— £6. " 50— £ . " 51— £8. " 52— £7 10s. " 53— £7 10s. " 54— £5 15s. «' 55— £5 5s. " 56— £5 5s. " 57— £6. " 58— £5 10s. " 59— £5 15s. " 60— £5 15s «' 61— £6.