Concord, Middlesex co, MA History Chapter VIII ************************************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ transcribed by Janice Farnsworth Farns10th@aol.com p.117 CHAPTER VIII State of Feeling on the 20th of April, 1775 The Tories. College removed to Concord. Committees of Correspondence. Proceedings in Relation to the Monopoly Acts - Revolutionary Soldiers - Table of Different Campaigns - Public pecuniary Sacrifices - Taxes - Constitution Adopted.. p.118 The events just described spread terror over the minds of some, indignation over others, and gloom over all; and predisposed them to new alarms. The death of several fellow citizens, in defence of their rights against British soldiers, was indeed a novel sight of fearful interest. The next day, April 20th, 1775, a messenger brought a report into town by way of Lincoln, that the regulars were again on their march to Concord. For a while this was believed, and the most active preparations were made for their reception, by removing the women and children from the village and concealing them in remote parts of the town, and in the woods, the men parading under arms, determined to defend themselves or perhish. After a few hours the report was contradicted, and the inhabitants returned to their homes. Meantime the patriot-soldiers were continually marching to Concord from remote towns. On the 21st, 700 of them went into the meeting-house where prayers were offered up by the Rev. Mr. Emerson, and an address made by the Rev. Mr. Webster of Salem. In the afternoon Mr. Emerson and several others went to Cambridge. Great commotion prevailed. The next day the town was again alarmed. The minute companies paraded and marched to Cambridge; but finding no enemy, they re- turned. The Provincial Congress met here on the 22nd and orders were given to raise an army forthwith. These occurrences brought out the friends and opposers of liberty. Two or three individuals in town were yet inclined to toryism. It was not strange it should be so. p.119 It was a tremendous step to take up arms against the mother country; and, to say the least, the issue of the contest was doubtful. Men honestly differed in opinion as to the propriety of the measures of England, and others as to the proper course to be taken to obtain redress. Some had sworn allegiance to the King and were afraid they should break their oath. While entertaining such opinions they did not enter warmly into the popular cause. They were, however, sure to receive the unwelcome notice of the people. One individual, who had been a Selectman, was heard to say, "For myself I think I shall be neutral in these times;" and his name was immediately taken from the jury-box. The government was dictated by the force of public opinion. The town assumed, in some respects, the authority of an individual community, - an independent republic. Its committee of correspondence met daily, and acted in a legislative, executive and judicial capacity. All suspicious persons were brought before it for trial, and, if found guilty were condemned. The people supported them in their decisions. The following is a copy of one of these sentences, and most remarkably shows the peculiar spirit of those times. "We the subscribers, committee of correspondence for the town of Concord, having taken into consideration the conduct of Dr. Lee of said town of late, are fully of the opinion, that he be confined to the farm his family now lives upon; and that, if he should presume to go beyond the bounds and should be killed, his blood be upon his own head. And we recommend to the inhabitants of the town, that, upon his conducting well for the future, and keeping his bounds, they by no means molest, insult or disturb him, in carrying on his common affairs on said farm. Signed by the Committee of Correspondence: Jonas Heywood Ephraim Wood, Jr. James Barrett, Jr. Joseph Hosmer Samuel Whitney "Concord, April 26, 1775." Dr. Lee was not set at liberty until June 4, 1776. His house was fired at several times by soldiers who passed through town; and so strong was the feeling against all tories, that he would probably had been killed, had he gone beyond his bounds. p.120 All his privileges were, however, restored to him. Dr. Lee's son, Jonas Lee, was a warm friend of liberty and for his son's sake many were restrained from committing outrages upon him. The estate of one individual only in Concord, that of Daniel Bliss, Esq., was confiscated and sold by the government. The citizens of Boston, called by a notice published in the newspapers, held their town meeting in Concord, July 18, 1775, when they elected a representative, and transacted other town business. At this time that town was occupied by the British troops, and many of its inhabitants removed to Concord. The Provincial Congress ordered that the probate records, "supposed to be at Mr. Danforth's and Dr. Kneeland's houses, and the other records of the county at Mr. Foxcroft's, should be removed to Dr. Minot's in Concord." The buildings of Harvard College were occupied as barracks for the American army, while stationed at Cambridge, and the students were dispersed. The college was removed to Concord and commenced its operations on the first of October, 1775. President Langdon lived at Dr. Minot's (now the Middlesex Hotel); Professor Sewall lived at James Jones's; Professor Wigglesworth at the Bates place on the Bedford road; and Professor Winthrop at Darius Merriam's, near which was the library and philosophical apparatus; and other officers in different parts of the town. Twelve of the students boarded in the house now (1835) owned by Joseph Barrett, Esq. and others in many different places. The recitations were at the court-house and meeting-house. Prayers were attended at the latter place. The following pro- ceedings of the government of the college were communicated to the town when it was about to be removed to Cambridge. "Concord, June 12, 1776. "At a meeting of the President, Professors, and Tutors of Harvard College, voted, that the following address of thanks be presented by the president to the Selectmen, the gentlemen of the Committee, and other gentlemen and inhabitants of the town of Concord, who have favored the college with their encouragement and assistance, in its removal to this town, by providing accomodations. "Gentlemen, "The assistance you have afforded us in obtaining accomodations for this society here, when Cambridge was filled with the glorious army of freemen, which was p.121 assembled to hazard their lives in their country's cause, and our removal from thence became necessary, demands our grateful acknowledgments. "We have observed with pleasure the many tokens of your friendship to the college; and particularly to thank you for the use of your public buildings. We hope the scholars while here have not dishonored themselves and the society by any incivilities or indecencies of behaviour, or that you will readily forgive any errors which may be attributed to the inadvertence of youth. "May God reward you with all his blessings, grant us a quiet re-settlement in our ancient seat to which we war now returning, preserve America from slavery, and establish and continue religion, learning, peace, and the happiest government in these American colonies to the end of the world. (signed) Samuel Langdon, President (Harvard College) Per Order." The committee of correspondence, etc., chosen March, 1776, were: John Cumming, Esq. Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq. Capt. Jonas Heywood Capt. Joseph Hosmer James Barrett, Esq. Capt. David Brown Capt. George Minot. In 1777, the Committee members were: Colonel John Buttrick Josiah Merriam Isaac Hubbard Capt. Abishai Brown Capt. David Wheeler Mr. Ephraim Potter Lieut. Nathan Stow. In 1778: John Cumming, Esq. Colonel John Buttrick Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq. Jonas Heywood, Esq. James Barrett, Esq. Capt. David Brown Mr. Josiah Merriam. These were re-elected in 1779, 1780, 1781 & 1782. In 1783: James Barrett, Esq. Jonas Heywood, Esq. Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esg. Capt. David Wood Lieut Joseph Hayward. A convention of about 100 members of committees of correspondence from 32 towns in the county, called by the members in Concord, was held here August 20, 1776, and passed some spirited resolutions in relation to the duties of committees and guarding against any efforts of the enemies of liberty. Ephraim Wood, Jonas Heywood and James Barrett, Esquires, were chosen a county committee to call other meetings. p.122 Efforts were often made during the Revolution to regulate the prices of labor and merchanise. In 1777, a committee, chosen by the town for the purpose, reported the prices of various kinds of "common labor, carpenters', cordwainers', blacksmiths' women's labor, firewood, charcoal, live swine, horse-hire, chaise-hire, upper leather, saddlery, entertainment at public houses, flax, spirits, milk, clothiers' work," etc. All who varied from the established prices were prosectuted and treated as enemies. Colonel John Buttrick was chosen to collect evidence against such as might be brought to trial. It does not appear, however, that any prosecutions took place in Concord. A state convention met in Concord, July 14, 1779. The delegates from this town were: John Cumming, Esq. Jonas Heywood, Esq. James Barrett, Esq. Colonel John Buttrick Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq. Capt. David Brown Mr. Josiah Merriam From Bedford: Mr. John Merriam From Acton: Capt. Joseph Robbins Mr. Seth Brooks Mr. Thomas Noyes From Lincoln: Capt. Samuel Farrar Abijah Pierce, Esq. the whole number was 174. The object of this convention was to establish a state price-current, and to adopt other means to prevent monopoly, extortion, and unfair dealing. The meeting was opened and closed with prayer by Rev. Mr. Ripley. The Hon. Azor Orne, of Marblehead, was Chairman, and Samuel Ruggles, Secretary. After passing some very spirited resolutions, fixing the prices of several articles of merchandise and agreeing upon an address to the people, the convention adjourned on the 17th, recommending another similar one to meet again in October. Their pro- ceedings were laid before the town, July 30th, when they were approved, and a committee of thirteen chosen, "more fully to regulate the prices of articles of produce among us." This committee reported, August 9th, when another, of six, was chosen in conjunction with the committee of correspondence, "to keep a watchful eye over the people, and proceed against any who should dare trangress the regulated prices of articles enumerated, either in or out of the town, by taking more than they are set in the report; and to treat them as enemies to their country." The town voted also "to support their committee in every regular method they shall take to punish those that voilate them." Another convention, having similar objects in view, of delegates from Concord, Billerica, Lexington, Westford, Stow, Bedford, Acton and Lincoln, was held here, August 5th, which revised previous price-currents, and endeavored to make one which should be uniform through the towns represented. John Cumming, Esq., was Chairman, and Ephraim Wood, Jr., Secretary. p.123 A state convention met in Concord again, October 6th, and continued in session seven days. Colonel Cumming and Captain David Brown were delegates from Concord. A revised edition of the state price-current, several new spirited resolutions, re- lating to trade, currency, etc., and an address to the people, were adopted and published. County, town, and district meetings were recommended to carry these resolutions into effect. They were laid before the town, November 1st, and a committee of fourteen chosen, to fix the prices of such articles as were not therein enumerted. They reported, the next week, "that, as the regulations agreed upon by the late convention had been broken over by the inhabitants of Boston and many other places, they thought it not proper to proceed in the business assigned them, but to postpone the matter." Thus ended the proceedings relating to this difficult subject. It was indeed a fruitless attempt to enforce a system of uniform prices of merchandise, while the currency was constantly depreciating in value. And it is believed, that the attempts just noticed were means to increase private property, more than to promote the public good. The value of money was regulated monthly. January 1, 1777, $100 in silver was worth $105 currency; in 1778, $328; in 1779, $742; in 1780, $2,934; and in February, 1781, $7,500. Such a rapid depreciation introduced great embarrassment and distress into all commercial transactions, which by no body of men could remove by resolutions, addresses, price-currents or pro- secutions. The number of men furnished by Concord for actual service in the war of the Revolution was very great in proportion to her population; but how great cannot now be fully estimated. From the commencement of the war till May, 1778, unless voluntary enlistments could be procured, the militia officers were called upon to make drafts. These drafts were often made on the property, and sometimes included females and persons ordinarily exempted from military duty, who were obliged to hire a man. These were hired in or out of town, as was most convenient. From this time the town by its committees, or in classes, procured men. p.124 On the 10th of May, 1777, the 9th of December, 1778 and the 4th of April, 1780, estimates were made by the town of the "several services done in the war, 3 years' men excepted, by the town, classes, or individuals," and an average of the same made and assessed upon the inhabitants, and called average or war taxes. The amount of the first average was £2161 Os.3d; the 2nd, £5192; and the 3rd (in silver), £1295. 4s. 11d. The following table, compiled with labor and care from these estimates and other authentic sources of information, exhibits, though imperfectly, the number of men from Concord, the date of the resolve of the Council, or General Court, when they were required, at what price they were employed, and the bounties paid by the town. In this abstract are not included many who enlisted voluntarily, or marched on a sudden alarm for a short period, or were procured in classes, or where it is doubtful to what campaign they belonged. This would swell the list very much. In some instances, they were not exclusively stationed as mentioned in the table, but marched to other places. When required men time where employed bounty amount 1 Jan 1, 1775 100 Minute Men 58 pounds 2. April 20, 1775 56 8 mos. Cambridge 5-1/4 380 3. Dec 1, 1775 18 2 Cambridge 1-1/2 27 4. Jan 20, 1776 36 2 Cambridge 1-4/5 63-4/5 5. Mar 1, 1776 145 10 days Dorchester Hgts. 6. April 9, 1776 31 9 mos. Near Boston 55-4/5 7. June, 1776 19 12 mos New York 10 190 8. June 25, 1776 48 6 mos Ticonderoga 9 432 9. Sept 12, 1776 23 3 mos White Plains 8 184 10. 1776 7 Dorchester 11. Nov 21, 1776 34 3 mos New York 10 340 12. Dec 1, 1776 8 Boston 13. December 1776 6 Rhode Island 14. Jan 26, 1777 44 3 yrs. Continental Army 20 880 15 April 12, 1777 11 Rhode Island 6 66 16. ___ 30, 1777 5 6 mos. Continental Army 8 40 17. July, 1777 29 Rhode Island 10 290 18. Aug 9, 1777 16 5 mos. Northward 35 560 19. Sept 22, 1777 46 41 days Taking of Burgoyne 16 640. 20. Nov 28, 1777 23 5 mos. Guard - Cambridge 9 207 21. Mar 3, 1778 22 3 mos ditto 10 220 22. April 12, 1778 11 Rhode Island 18 198 23 20, 1778 10 9 mos. Continental Army 130 1300 p.125 24 April 20, 1778 9 8 mos Guard - North River 100 900 25. June 23, 1778 8 6 mos. Guard - Cambridge 15 120 26. 27, 1778 26 6 wks Rhode Island 30 780 27. Sept 6, 1778 7 4 mos. Rhode Island 73-1/2 514-1/2 28. 19, 1778 46 March to Boston $ 3 $ 183. 29. April 27, 1779 5 6 wks. Rhode Island 30. June 8, 1779 8 9 mos. Continental Army ) 3,248. 31. 1779 4 6 mos Rhode Island ) 32. Aug 9, 1779 9 Rhode Island 33 . Sept, 1779 4 Works at Boston 12. 48. 34. 1, 1779 20 2 mos. Rhode Island 35. June 5, 1780 19 6 mos. Continental Army 1000. 16,000. 36. 22, 1780 19 3 mos. Rhode Island 17,090. 37. Dec 2, 1780 16 3 yrs. Continental Army Hired in Classes 38. Dec 28, 1780 10 9 mos. Cont. Army, Fishkill 39. June 15, 1781 3 5 mos. Rhode Island 40. 30, 1781 14 4 mos Continental Army 41. Mar 1, 1782 3 yrs. Continental Army Hired in Classes. Some particulars respecting each of these campaigns will be given in the Appendix The pecuniary sacrifices made by Concord on account of the revolution were also very great; but how great, it is impossible fully to estimate. p.125 cont'd Whilst Boston was occupied with the British troops, in 1775, the poor endured great sufferings. In January and February 70 pounds in money, 225 bushels of grain, and a quantity of meat and wood were, at difference times contributed by Concord for their relief. May 1st, the provincial Congress ordered that they should be supported by the country towns; 66 were assisgned to Concord, 32 to Acton, 29 to Bedford and 29 to Lincoln. It appears, however, that 21 families containing 82 persons were supported here. Eighty pounds was paid for them between May 13th and October. In the winter of 1775, and 1776m the town carried to Cambridge, for the use of the Army, 210 cords of wood, 5 tons of hay and some other articles for which it paid 150 pounds. In July, 1775, the town was required to furnish "37 pairs of shirts, breeches, and stockings, and 75 coats." In January, 1776, Concord provided 20 blankets, Bedford 12, Acton 10 and Lincoln 14. In November, 1777, and at several other times, the town voted to provide for the families of those engaged in the continental army. 1,210 pounds p.126 was paid for this purpose before September 1779. The town voted, in March, 1778, to procure at an expense of 285 pounds, "shirts, shoes, and stockings, equal to the number of soldiers in the conti- nental army, or the seventh part of the male inhabitants of the town over 16 years of age: " 60 were assigned to Concord, 19 to Bedford, 28 to Acton, and 28 to Lincoln. Captain Joseh Hosmer was the receiver for the whole county. From October, 1780 to the July following, 42,779 lbs of beef were furnished by the town for the army. Every aid, whether in men, money, clothing or provisions, re- quired for the public service during the war, was readily furnished. As a specimen of the enormous expenses of the town at this period, I select, from its records, the taxes actually assessed and collected during 1780 and 1781. In 1779, the taxes amounted in silver, to $6,281.88; in 1782 to $9,544.98 and in 1783 to $5,208.69. When it is remembered that the town then contained about 1,300 inhabitants only, their sacrifices will appear still greater. The annual taxes principally for the public benefit, were then double what they had been for some time past with a population more than one third greater. The currency having been fluctuating, I have reduced the several sums to their real value in silver at the time they were assessed, according to the authorized tables of depreciation. When assessed For what object. Currency In Silver Feb 2, 1780 Continental tax 12,433 pounds 4s. Od. = $1,412.54 April 4 3d town "ave. or war tax." 1,295 4. 11 115.56 22, Half of Minister's salary 3,438 15.0 286.56 Highway Tax 1,800 0.0 150.00 June 14, To hire continental soldiers 16,921 12.6 818.92 30, To pay drafted militia 17,090 5.6 837.75 July 14, State tax to call in bills of credit 26,852 18.0 1,297.24 Sept 2 ditto in silver 346 18.0 1,156.33 Oct. 25, To purchase 11,520 lbs beef 18,731 2.0 879.39 County tax 1,158 10.0 54.39 Town charges 15,495 11.0 727.49 Dec. 21, Hire soldiers for 6 & 3 mos. 40,801 3.0 1,837.89 Half of the minister's salary 7,101 3.0 319.81 28, State tax to call in bills of credit 26,880 0.0 1,210,81 Total amount of the assessments in 1780 11,104.68 p.127 When assessed For what object Currency In Silver March 1, 1781 To purchase 22,125 lbs beef 33,259 8.0 1,478.19 July State tax to be paid in silver 692 2.9 2,307.12 To pay town debts 229 10.8 765.12 Sept. 15, Half of the minister's salary 85 9.2 268.20 18, To purchase clothing for soldiers 57 10.9 191.79 Nov. To purchase beef 216 0.1 720.01 Dec 30, Continental tax 2,369 9.9 4,564.96 Total amount of the assessments in 1781 $10,295. 39 p.127 In addition to these oppressive taxes, large sums were raised in classes to hire soldiers, and by indi- viduals who were drafted and compelled to go into actual service, or hire a substitute. It is as impossible to estimate the exact amount paid by the citizens of Concord to purchase our independence, as it is too much to admire their exalted patriotism. On the first of October, 1776, the town was called upon to act on the question, "whether it would give its consent that the House of Representatives with the Council should enact a constitution or form of govern- ment for this state." The subject was referred to a committee, consisting of: Ephraim Wood, Jr. Nathan Bond Col. James Barrett Col. John Buttrick James Barrett, Esq. who reported the following resolves, which were unamimously accepted by the town. "Resolved, 1. That this state being at present destitute of a properly established form of government, it is absolutely necessary that one should be immediately formed and established. 2. That the supreme legislature, in their proper capacity, are by no means a body proper to form and establish a constitution or form of government, for reasons following, viz. 1. Because we conceive that a constitution in its proper sense, intends a system of principles established to secure the subject in the possession and enjoyment of the rights and privileges against any encroachment of the governing party. 2. Because a constitution alterable by the supreme legislature is no security at all to the subject against the encroachments of the governing party or any or all their rights and privileges. p.128 3. That it appears to this town highly expedient that a convention or congress be immediately chosen to form and establish a contitution, by the inhabitants of the respective towns in the state, being free and twenty-one years of age and upwards, in proportion as the representatives of the state were formerly chosen: the convention or congress not to consist of a greater number, than the House of Assembly in this state here- tofore might consist of, except that each town and district shall have liberty tosend one representative or otherwise, as shall appear meet to the inhabitants of this state in general. 4. that when the convention or congress have formed a constitution, they adjourn for a short time, and publish their proposed constitution for the inspection and remarks of the people of the state. 5. That the House of Assembly of this state he desired to recommend to the inhabitants to proceed to choose a convention or congress, for the purpose above mentioned, as soon as possible." Notwithstanding these wholesome instructions, a constitution was made by the General Court and sent to this town; but it refused, June 15, 1778, unanimously by 111 votes to accept it for reasons above mentioned. A convention to which John Cuming and Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esqrs. were delegates from Concord, met in Cambridge in the fall of 1779, and formed a constitution, which was submitted to the town, May 27, 1780. The bill of rights was approved with the following exceptions: The 2d article had 2 votes against it; the 3d. 8; the 9th, 3; and to the 29th, one desired to add the words, "no longer." The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th chapters were unanimously adopted with the following exceptions: The 1st and 2d article of the 2d section 1st chapter, had 3 votes against it; the 8th article in the same section, 8; the 3d and 6th articles of the 3d section in the same chapter had 1 vote each against them. The 2d article, 1st section, 2d chapter, was pro- posed to be amended by inserting the word, "Protestant"; and the 13th of the same section, by having the "salary of the governor, " etc., state yearly. The word "Protestant" was also proposed to be inserted in the 1st article in the 6th chapter. * footnote: * The votes on the constitution, as revised in 1820, were as follows: The first article 46 yeas and 77 nayes; the 2d, 46 yeas, 81 nays; the 3d, 76 yeas, 49 nays; the 4th, 59 yeas, 68 nays; the 5th, 55 yeas, 72 nays; the 6th, 78 yeas, 50 nays; the 7th, 69 yeas, 58 nays; the 8th, 67 yeas, 60 nays; the 9th, 62 yeas, 65 nays the 10th, 58 yeas, 68 nays; the 11th, 78 yeas, 48 nays; the 12th, 68 yeas, 58 nays; the 13th, 81 yeas; 44 nays; and the 14th, 49 yeas and 69 nays. The first town meeting under the new constitution was held, August 23, 1780, when 121 votes were given for governor, all for John Hancock. End, Chapter VIII.