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GENEALOGY C
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01114 8761
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/annalsoftownofmeOOmetc
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AN N ALS
Town of Mendon,
Ma
1 659 to 1880.
COMPILED BY
JOHN G. METCALF, M. D.,
MEMBER OF THE HIS. GEN. AND AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETIES, ETC.
PROVIDENCE, R. I.:
E. L. FREEMAN & CO., PRINTERS TO THE STATE.
1880.
NOTE.
The Annals are published by the Town under the supervision of the
following committee, viz. :
JULIUS A. GEORGE,
MICA1AH C. GASKILL,
PUTMAN W. TAFT,
•GUSTAVUS B. WILLIAMS.
INDEX
1189008
A.
Abercromby's expedition 281
Account of Saml. Read 142
do. of J. Chapin 133
do. of Shirts 368
Accounts audited.. 169, 224, 263, 266
Act of Parliament 327
Agreement, Job Hide 9, 35
do. Benj. Allbe 9
do. Samuel Hay ward. . 81
Alexander Caleb, Rev 427
Aldrich Peter 193
Allen Lewis 498
Aldrich Moses, preacher 213
Allen Alexander H 720
Ammidown's bill 283
Ammunition at Mendon 335
Amendments to Constitution, 510,
542, 560, 616, 618, 620, 624, 629,
631, 636, 638, 649.
Anabaptists 245, 305, 306
Animals cared for ' 51
Andros' usurpation 105, 106
Annual meeting changed. . . .. 547
Assessments 125, 131
Assignment of Deed 3
Attack on Mendon 61
Auditors 542, 630
B.
Balch Rev. 311
Ballon Adin, Rev 545
Battle of Lexington 332
Barber Stillman, Rev 628
Beef 393
Bellingham 183, 203, 254
Bills of Credit •. . 189, 192
Bick James 104, 105, 121, 124
Bi-Centennial. . . . 657, 671, 675, 676,
677, 678.
Black staff for Constable 143
Blackstone 604. 608, 613
do. Bridge 568
Bounty on Wolves, 34, 123, 124, 126,
137, 140.
Bounds of training field 251
Boston and Hartford Turnpike. 456
Board of Health 493
Browne Elizabeth 90
Bundy Ruth 90
Burying place 122, 281, 304
Butter for minister 128
Bye-Laws. . . .543, 544, 612, 615, 657,
718, 720.
C.
Census 296, 367
Charming Geo. G., Rev 608
IV.
INDEX.
Church North Cong 532
Clark George F., Rev 697
Coleman Richard, Rev 674
Committee to make a ' 'valid act" 3
Committee to visit Mendon.... 58
do. Cons'l Convention . . 355
Coalition Legislature 611
Comstock Samuel 195
Contract for Corn Mill 91
Contempt of Court 218
Constitution, 506, 510, 542, 560, 618,
620, 624, 629, 631, 636, 638.
Convention at Worcester. . . .38, 408
Cow paid for , 512
County of Worcester 220
do. tax 120, 145
do. map 519
do. new 530
Currency inflated 382, 402
D.
Dam may be raised 626
Deaths 138, 150, 177
Debts, town 190
Decision of Committee 506
Declaration of Independence . . . 343
Deed Indian 5
do. Assigned 7
do. of a Pew 458
Defalcation 538
Depreciation of paper money . . . 398
Delegates to Cons. Convention. 384
Division of Plains 49
do. of Swamps 55
Division Vth 153
do. Vlth 164
do. Vllth 180
do. of Town, 496, 516, 517, 521,
524, 576, 580, 582, 586, 593.
District Cong. No. IX., 549, 551, 552
Dorr Joseph, Rev 173, 237, 307
Dorr Joseph, Jr., 262, 316, 322, 331,
343, 395.
Doggett Simeon, Rev 496
Dogs 543, 544, 605, 636
E.
Emerson Joseph, Rev I9
Eighth minister . .' 496
Eleventh minister 601
Eighteenth minister 682
F.
Families, only six more. ....... 45
Farm for Poor 602, 624, 029, 630
Farm, Edward Rawson's . . . . 185
Fire Engines 701, 708
First Minister 19
do. Town meeting 16
do. Town Clerk 24
do. Miller 9
do. Blacksmith 33
do. Innkeeper 57
do. Cong. Society 415, 416
Fifth minister 307
Fifteenth minister 628
Fish to come up 1 78
Fire Engine 606, 607
Fourth minister 173
do. Highway District 503
Fourteenth minister 618
Frontier Towns 63
Frost Amariah, Rev 249
French War 272
do. Neutrals 275
G.
Governor, one majority 569, 577
Gerrymandering 471
INDEX.
V.
H.
Harrison Hall 581', 604. 606, 608
1 [assail Robert, Rev 618
Hay ward Samuel, Lieut 287
Highways to be mended 31, 641
do. to be ten rods wide. . 93
Highway Districts 280, 547
Hogg Constables 176
Hutchinson, Lt. Gov 301
I.
Illicit trade 409
Illegal meeting 570
Incorporation of Mendon. .... 12
do. of Milford, 388, 400,
403, 407.
Indian War 62
Indians to come to Mendon. ... 65
Inland Fishery 688
Instructions to Selectmen. . .118, 140
do. to Representative, 119, 435
Internal enemies 364
Island in the Pond 23
do. at Millville 559, 564
J-
Jones John 145
Joy David, Hon 710
K.
Kinsley Wm. H. Rev 611
Kansas Resolutions 622
Know Nothings 623
L.
Lancaster petition '. 463
Land Bank 238
Latin School 158
Legislature petitioned 513
Leicester Convention
Letter, Lt. Upham
do. Lt. G-drum
Capt. Henchman
Circular 325,
Joseph Dorr
Alexander Scammell. .. .
Colin McKenzie
Confederate
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Library
Lindsley David P. , Rev
Liquor Agent
428
67
68
71
336
337
339
359
366
638
682
631
M.
Map of County
Masts for the King
Mattoonas
Meeting House
do. do. seated
Mendon Association
do. in the Rebellion
do. and Uxbridge
Methodist Society
Milford... 388, 400, 403,
Mill, saw
Militia to have Snow Shoes. . . .
Mill River Precinct
519
167
79
111
161
263
660
269
660
453
112
149
240
N.
Name of the Town 17
New County 530
do. do 621
do. Tenor 245
do. Meeting House 506
Ninth Minister 545
North Purchase 115
Nineteenth minister 697
do. Cong. Church 532
VI.
INDEX.
O.
Old Tenor 24
Order about fences 56
do. Cedar trees 50
P.
Paper vs. Specie 411
Peck Ephraim 147, 151
Penniman Peter 356
Pest House 363
Pew room to be sold 231
Pewter buttons 336
Perambulation with Dedham ... 38
Petition, Braintree 1
do. Belcher 2
do. Indians 35, 105
do. Inhabitants, 39, 47, 52, 96,
100-, 417.
do. Soldiers 69
do. Matthias Puffer 75
do. John More 77,78
do. Samuel Read 83
do. Sarah Stephens 94
do. Selectmen 129,374
do. David How 205
do. Thomas Sanford 210
do. Samuel Wheelock ... 229
do. Thomas Tenney 238
do. Friends 244
do. John Holbrook 245
do. East Precinct 248
do. Proprietors 259
do. A Committee, 267, 371, 422
do. Jacob Aldrich 292
do. Ezekiel Wood et al. . . 350
do. John Albee et al 351
do. Edward Rawson 394
Place for Town Meetings, 497, 499,
501.
Poor House, 500, 504, 517, 527, 528,
539, 542, 598.
Pout Rock Road 537
Preserved Pickering 504
Protest, Caleb Hayward 527
do. Dan Hill 552
Proprietor's Records 554
Quakers 224, 243, 277, 282
Rate, Minister's, 98, 110, 113, 126, 136
do Town, distributed 148
Rawson Grindal, Rev. 82, 157, 170,249
do. Edward, 325, 328, 329, 331.
335, 336.
Ray nor John, Rev 19
Records to be transcribed 576
Redwood Abraham 421
Remonstrance, division of town, 589
Report of a Committee, 380, 445,
453, 502, 597.
Resolutions, 318, 320, 585. 622, 644,
658.
Resolutions, Stoughton 348
Revision of Constitution.. . .454, 506
Rice George M., Rev 601
Roads reduced 254, 392, 442
Road to Uxbridge 545, 546
do to Bellingham 552, 565
Rules 3, 544, 545, 569
Sawmill, Woonsocket 132
School Dames 222
School Districts abolished 684
School House, new 255, 258
School kept by spells 258
INDEX.
Vll.
do. Districts 280
do. Money divided, 504, 543, 563,
567.
Scull Hock road 520. 543
Second minister 45
Seventh do 476
Seventeenth minister 674
Shay's Rebellion 430, 437
Soldiers, 340, 376, 377, 385, 404, 410
Sixth minister 427
Sixteenth minister 651
Smith Preserved, Rev 476
Streets named 69 1
Sumner Charles 611
Surplus Revenue, 561, 562, 563, 564,
610, 630, 632.
Surveyand Plat of Town 10
Sword-in-Hand Money 412, 413
Taft Daniel 194
do. Moses 262
Tax, King Philip's War 69
do. Town 123
do. for debts 155, 166, 205, 208
do. highway 159
do. paid Henry Gardner 331
do. allowed a discount, 529, 536, 540
do. payer in jail 601
Temperance 101, 515, 540, 553
Tenth minister 545
Thompson Edward 435
Thirteenth minister 611
Three month's men 340
Third minister 92
Topography 13
Town Records 689, 699
Town, valuation 314
do. indicted 558
do. House, 580, 581, 582, 583, 585
do. division of 576
do. Hall. .604, 609, 612, 614, 717
Training Field 251, 463
Tramps 680
Treasurer to give bond 561
Turnpike 541
Twelfth minister 608
U.
Upton incorporated 228
Uxbridge 203
V.
Valuations. .. .314, 405, 430, 432, 592
Villains to be looked after 597
Voting in the road 566
W.
Wardens 361
Warfleld John 141
Walker Hugh 361
War of 1812 494
Warning Out 291, 295
Willard Joseph, Rev 307
Wheelock Benjamin 233
Wolves. . .34, 123, 124, 126, 137, 140
TO^LS OE IT]EI]DOIi.
1659. The first notice relating to the settlement of Mendon
may be found in Vol. 4, Part 1, p. 376 of the Massachusetts
(printed) Records, and is as follows: —
At the Second Session of the General Court, held at Boston May 28,
1659—
"In ansr to the pet icon of the towne of Braintrje, humbly desiring
some releife relating to sev11 persons brought by the owners of the iron
works, yt are likely to be chargeable to them, especially in relation to Jno.
Francis, his poore condition calling for present releife, &c, this Court
referrs this part of their peticon to the next County Court in Suffolke,
where all partjes concerned may have liberty to present theire respective
pleas and evidence; and in reference to theire desire of a new plantation, the
Court judge th it meete to graunt them liberty to seeke out a place and
presente theire desires wtt the names of such persons as will engage to
carry on such a worke,-vnto the next sessions of this Court."
"In answer to the peticon of Samuel Basse, (the Towne of Braintrje
having peticoned for a new plantation), it is ordered, that the peticoner,
wth his sonnes, may have liberty to joyne wth those of his neighbo's woh
will carry on such a worke, wth allowance of one hundred and fifty acres
wt6in the bounds of the sjad plantation, more than his just proportion wth
the rest of his neighbours."
The next session of the General Court was held Nov. 12; hut
no mention is made, in its records, of any action upon the
" petition of the towne of Braintrje," except the following,
which may he found on p. ■¥.)$: —
" In answer to ye peticon of Gregory Belcher, it is ordered that, whereas,
at the last session of this Court there was a plantation granted to severall of
the inhabitants of Braintry where they could find it vngraunted in this
jurisdiction, that the peticoner shall be accomodated, together with his
neighbors wth such a proportion of land as shall be thought meete -by those
y* have the dispose thereof."
2 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1659.
Why Samuel Basse should have "one hundred and fifty acres
more than his just proportion with the rest of his neighbours,"
cannot, at this late day, be very certainly determined. He was
a Deputy from Braintree in 1654, and served on a Committee
in 1665, with Capt. Thos. Savage, Eleazer Lusher, Mr. Colicott,
Mr. Wm. Parks and Thomas Dyer, to see about building a cart
bridge over Neponset river in some place near Capt. Stoughten's
mill, and was a Deputy again in 1657 and 1659. We find, not
unfrequently, in the early history of the Colony, that the Gen-
eral Court made grants of land to those persons who had been
serviceable to the public, and when we reflect that the members
of the General Court did not, in those times, vote themselves
five dollars a day, the grant of one hundred and fifty acres of
wild land, with the Nipmuck Indians for neighbors and fifteen
miles from the nearest settlement, will not be thought a very
exorbitant remuneration for services performed at the bidding
of the General Court.
1660. From this time nothing more is heard of "the petition
of the toivne of Braintrje;" but, at an adjourned session of the
General Court held in Boston, October 16, 1660, we find a peti-
tion from "such persons as will engage to carry on such a
work," and to which the General Court made the following
response : —
"In answer to the Peticon of the inhabitants of Braintry, i. e., Gregory
Belchar, James Penneman, Th° Mekins, Moses Pagne, Edm° Quinsey,
Robert Twelves & Peter Brackett, the Court judgeth it meete to encourage
the petitioners to proceede in thiere setling themselves, & an able minister
with them, in the place desired for a new plantation, wthin thiere time
ljmitted; and that those that beginne the sjad plantation may not want
due encouragement in theire accomodation, & yett the place preserved
from vnnecessary wast, it is ordered, that Capt Dani Gookin, Mr Wm
Parkes, Left Roger Clap, Ephraim Child, & Wm Stiltson, or any three of
them, shall be & hereby are appointed a comittee & hereby impowercd to
appoint vnto each inhabitantt here, any time wthin this three yeeres, as they
shall see meete, & that when a full number of persons appeare, this Court
will, on the comittees imformation, order them due bounds. In further
ansr to sayd Braintry peticon the Court declares, that they judge meete to
graunt a plantacon of eight miles square, and that the persons named have
liberty to enter there vpon & make a beginning thereof, and to take such
persons into theire society as they shall judge meete & that Major Hum-
phray Atherton, Left Roger Clap, Capt Eliazer Lusher & Deacon Parkes,
1660.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
or any three of them, shall & hereby are appointed Comissio1"3, & impow-
red to make a valid act there."
Of the eommittee above mentioned, Grookin was of Cambridge,
Parkes of Roxbury, Clap of Dorchester, Child of Watertown and
Stiltson of Charlestown. Of the Commissioners, Atherton and
Clap of Dorchester, Lusher of Dedham and Parkes of Roxbury.
Peter Brackett, one of the petitioners, was a Deputy in the
General Court, this year, from Braintree.
So far as is known the Commissioners above mentioned held
no meeting until May 22, 1002; when a meeting was held, and
the following rules and regulations, " in regard to the settle-
ment of the Plantation granted at Netmoeke " were ordained, as
follows, viz: —
" Dorchester, 22: 5: 1662.
Wee whose names are hereunto subscribed, being the Committee Impow-
ered by the General Courte to assist the ordering and setling the Plantation
granted at Netmocke, doe agree and declare as followeth, viz: —
1. That the Divisions of land there shall be by these ensuing Rules,
that one hundred pounds estate be granted one hundred and fifty acres of
Land, viz : Thirty acres to the house Lott & tenn acors of meadow and five
acors of Swampy or low land, being capable of being made meadow, and
more, one hundred and five acors for the greate lott ; and according to this
proportion for all estates be they more or lesse, and tins to be the Rule for
the division of all the lands of the Plantation that shall be devided before
the place or the people there shall be allowed to be a Townshipe and enjoy
the priviledges thereof.
2. That the public charges allready disbursed, or that shall lie disbursed
before the time of Town priviledges aforesaid shall be borne and defrayed
according to the proportion of Alotmt5 provided as before said.
3. The persons whose names are presented being (as wee understand) of
honest and good report are accepted and allowed to take up alotmts in said
Plantation.
4. That it shall not be in the power of an Inhabitant now accepted or
hereafter to be accepted before the time of priviledges aforesaid, to sell,
lease or alienate his said Alotmt. or any part or parcell thereof to any
person whatsoever wthout the consent or aprobation of the major part of
the Inhabitants, or of those then chosen to regulate the affairs of the Plan-
tation upon penaltie of forefeiting to the said Plantation all and every pte.
and pcell so sold or alienated.
5. There shall be an able and aproved Minuter settled wth them there
according to the order of Courte in that case made and provided.
6. That whereas experience shows it not to be the best Expedient for
Transaction of Publick worke to be left to the whole Number of Inhabi-
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1660.
tants, wee therefore advise that the said Inhabitants now accepted should
in their first opportunity make choice of 5 or 7 meete persons for the man-
agement of ther said occasions for the space of one year and that Mr.
Peter Brackett and Ensigne Moses Paine be 2 of them, and the men so
chosen should have the whole power of accepting Inhabitants and dis-
posing Lands according to the Rules above written.
7. And whereas it appears that the sd Mr. Brackett & Mr. Paine hath
already taken much paynes and ben at charges to premote this Plantation,
and wee suppose must yett continue theire assistance therein, wee judge but
iust and equall that each of them be gratified wth convenient ffarmes of
uplands and meadow proportionable to the quantities of each in the plan-
tation to be layed out to them at convenient distance from the seat of the
Towne, that is, not less than two miles, and in such places as they shall
accept and that the quantitieof these be not above 300 acors to each of them.
8. It is also further agreed and ordered that each of the persons now
accepted to alottmts there and all others that shall be so accepted before
the time of obtayning Town priviledges shall be settled at the said Planta-
tion before the end of the 7 month 1663 wth these persons and estates.
The names of the persons now accepted are as followeth, viz : —
John Moore
George Aldridge
Nathaniel Hareman
Alexander Plumbly
Mathias Puffer
John Woodland
Fardinandce Teare
Dannell Lovett
John Harber
Josiah Chapin
Joseph Penieman
John Savill
John Gurney
These are of Brantree.
William Sables.
Goodman King, senior,
Walter Cook
William Holbrook
Joseph White
Goodman Thompson
Goodman Rayner (The Minister)
Goodman Bolter, senior.
Abraham Staples
Samll. Pratt
Thomas Bolter
These of Weymouth.
Subscribed by us,
Elir. Lusher
Roger Clap
William Parke.
William Holbrook "]
Josiah Chapin ^ these are chosen
John Rayner [for this year."
John Harber
Inasmuch as the "Plantation at Netmocke" had no corporate
existence at this time, the Indian deed of the "eight miles
square," which, it seems, had been already granted by the Gen-
1660.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 5
eral Court, was made to Moses Payne and Peter Brackett, who
afterwards, in 1670, assigned their rights to the Town.
The Indian deed was partially executed on the 22d of April,
1602, a few days hefore the meeting of the Committee ahove
mentioned; but was not fully completed until Sept. 8, 1662,
when " Great John set to his hand and seal and delivered the
deed to Moses Payne and Peter Brackett."
THE INDIAN DEED.
To all Xpiart people to whom these presents shall come, Anawassanauke,
alis John, and Quashaamiit, allis William, of Blewe Hills, and Great John,
Namsconont and Upanbohqueen, allis Jacob of Natick, sendeth Greeting:
Know Yee that the said Anawassanauke, Quashaamiit, Great John, Nam-
sconont and Upanbohqueen for divers good and vallewable considerations
them theere unto Moovinge and especiall for and in consideration of the
summe of twenty fower pound Ster. to them in hand payd by Moses Payne
and Peter Brackett both of Brantre the receipt whereof they doe acknowl-
edg by these presents, and thereof and every part and parcell thereof, dotb
exonerate, acquitt and discharge them the said Moses Payne and Peter
Brackett, there heyres and assignes forever by these presents, Hath given,
granted, bargained, sould, enfeoffed & confirmed unto Moses Payne &
Peter Brackett of Braintre afore said there heyres and assignes for ever, A
Tract of Lands of Eight Miles square lying about fifteen miles from Med-
field ; and is bounded one Mille to the east of a small river wch lyeth about
three Millea to the Eastward of Nipmng Great Pond and so-from the line
of one Mille on the East of that small River is to runn eight Milles West or
Westerly and is to lye three milles to the south or southward of the
Parth that leads to Nipmugg Great Pond and five Milles on the other side of
that Parth north or Northwards together with all the trees and timber,
woods, underwoods standing, lyeing and growinge thereon, wth all the
meadows, swamps, Rivers and Brooks lyeing within the *d eight milles
square wth with all other privileges and appurtenances belonginge or any
ways apertayninge there unto. To Have and to Hould the said Eight
Milles square as it is bounded, Together with all the trees and timber with
the underwoods standing, lyeing andgroweinge thereon wm all ye Meadows,
Swamps, Rivers, and Ponds and Brooks lyeinge wth in this eight milles
square as it is bounded w»h all other privileges and apertenances belonging
or any wayes apertayning there unto unto the said Moses Payne and Peter
Brackett theire heires and assigns for ever, and to theire only proper
use and behoofe of them the sd Moses Payne and Peter Brackett,
theire heyers and assignes forever, to be holden in fee Sockage and
in Capetye nor by Knights service. And the said Anawassanauke,
allis John, and Quashaamiit allis William, Great John, Namsconont allis
Peoter and Upanbohqueen allis Jacob doth covenant, promise and grant by
these presents that they the sd Anawassanauke, Quashaamiit, Great John,
6 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1660.
Namsconont & Upanbohqueen are the true and proper owners & proprie-
tors of the sd bargayned premises at the time of the bargayne & sale thereof
and that the said premises are free and clere & clerely acquitted, exonerated
& discharged of for & from all and all manner of former bargaynes, sales,
gifts, titles, mortgages, actions, suits, arrests, attachments, judgments, ex-
ecutions, extent or incombrance what soever from the beginning of the
World until the time of the Sale and bargayne thereof. And the said
Anawassanauke, Quashaamiit, Great John, Namsconont & Upanbohqueen
Doth covenant, promise and grant by these presents all and singular the
said bargained premises wth the appurtenances to warrant, acquit & defend
unto the sd Moses Payne and Peter Brackett there heyres & assignes forever
against all Indians or English people by from or under them clayming any
right, title or interest of or into the same or any part thereof forever by
these presents, and that it shall and may be lawful to and for the sd
Moses Payne & Peter Brackett to Record & enroll or cause to be recorded
and enrolled the title or Tenor of these presents according to the true intent
& meaning thereof and according to the usual manner and order of record-
ing Deeds & evidences in such case made and provided.
In Wittnes whereof the said Anawassanauke, Quashaamiit, Great John,
Namsconont and Upanbohqueen have sett to theere hands & seales this
twenty two of Aprill one thousand six hundred and sixty two.
The words " by from or under them " in the sixt line, as also that the
Indians specified in this deed, together with there heyres forever have
liberty to fish, fowle & hunt so far as any law of this jurisdiction alloweth
in other places not wth standing anything in this Deed, this was before the
sealinge hereof.
Signed, sealed and delivered the day and year above written in the pres-
ence of John Eliot, senior, John Eliot, junior, Daniel Weld, senior.
Great John set to his hand & seal and delivered the deed to Moses Payne
& Peter Brackett this 8th day of September 1662.
as witnesses
William Allis, Nathaniel Brackett.
Anawassanauke,
his f% Marke and A seale.
Quashaamiit,
his XL, Marke and A seale.
Namsconont,
his "} Marke and A seale.
Great John ^
his marke and A seale.
A Seale 0 and nee hand.
1662-3.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 7
1662. Moses Paine and Peter Brackett, for some reason,
witheld the assignment of the foregoing Deed to the Town
until directed, by the General Court, so to do; when we find
endorsed upon the deed the following instrument: —
Wee Moses Payne and Peter Brackett doe assigne over all our right,
title and Interest in this Deed unto the Selectmen of the Town of Mendon
for the use of the said Towne, as wittnes our hands
Peoter Brackett
Moses Payne
May ye 12, 1670.
The above is believed to be a true copy of the original Deed;
as it was entered in the first volume of the Town records as
early as 1667, by the person who was especially deputed by the
Committee to enter "the public acts from the beginning of the
Plantation." The original was very probably lost at the deser-
tion of the Town, during King Philip's war in 1675.
1663. "Dedham 30. 10. 63.
Henery Adams, John Frary, Edward Adams, Poet. Adams, John War-
fell, these desire further to consider of it.
Samuel Parker, Ralfe Freeman, Ad**** Lovell, John Blakeman, Bar-
nabus Derifeld presents his desires, Acceptance for Samuell Spencer at
present and himself to settle there according as they shall be ordered.
James Risinge desires acceptance. Walter Cook desires his grant may
be renewed although he hath not been there as formerly ordered.
Willi Skant desires acceptance. John Thompson and Joseph White
desire the renewing of their Graints.
William Sheffield desires acceptance.
Grisell Gurney, Wid. desires acceptance and also for Thomas juell,
her sonn * * * — * (torn off) — * — desires acceptance. Nicholas Rock-
wood desres acceptance * * * illegible * * desires the
renewinge of his grainte * * illegible * * acceptance Henry
Neale desires a grainte. Zachary Thayer desires a grant. John BowTers
and John Metcalf desire acceptance.
At this meeting of the Committee it was agreed that all the persons
whatever that shall be accepted to grants of lands shall be enjoined to be
settled there with their families by the middle of November next 1664,
upon penaltie of forfeiture of all their graints there and all Publicke
charges disbursed there.
David Hime desires acceptance. John Read desires acceptance. John
Thompson and Joseph White had theire grants renewed. Walter Cook,
Nathaniel Hareman and Abraham Staples hath their grants renewed.
8 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1664.
Jonathan Basse and the young Man of Seaconcke that came with him
are accepted ; and Joseph Aldridge and John Rockett are accepted. Good-
man Derifeld and his kinsman are accepted. David Hime is accepted.
John Gurney desires to have his graint renewed.
David Walsby desires acceptance & Goodman White desires acceptance
for his Sonn and Thomas Kingman.
1664. Boston the 24th. of March 166|
The Committee for Nipmug being met the day above written the former
grant of John Gurney is renewed. Goodman Jipson is received an Inhabi-
tant.
It will be remembered that the " Committee for Nipmug "
met at Dorchester May 5, 1662, and, among other rules then
made, directed that those persons who had been accepted to
allotments of land, as Avell as those who might thereafter be ac-
cepted, should be settled at "the said Plantation" before the
end of the seventh month, 1663.
In accordance with this order of the Committee, as near as
can be ascertained, John Moore, George Aldrich, Mathias Puffer,
John Woodland, Ferdinando Thayer, Daniel Lovett and John
Harber, were the pioneers in the settlement of Mendon, they
having removed to the plantation "before the end of the 7th.
month 1663." After this date and before the 24th of March,
1664, so far as can be gathered from the records of the town,
John Gurney, Walter Cook, Joseph White, John Thompson,
Abraham Staples, Joseph Aldridge, John Jepson and John
Rockett had removed to the settlement and joined their fortunes
with the first comers, making, in the whole, fifteen families.
Nathaniel Hareman, Alexander Plumly, Josiah Chapin, John
Saville, William Ilolbrook, Goodman Bolton or Boltor, Jr.,
Samuel Pratt, Thomas Bolton or Bolter, Jr., Jonathan Basse,
the young man from Seeconcke, Goodman Derifeld and his
kinsman and David Hime, who had severally been accepted, did
not remove by the time specified, nor had allotments of land
been made to any of them at the breaking out of King Philip's
war, except to William Holbrook, who did not remove to the
town until 1669.
Of Henry Adams, John Frary, Edward Adams, Poet. Adams
and John Warfell, who "desired further time to consider of it,"
none came to the settlement but John Warfell, who came from
1664.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 9
Dedham, and was the first schoolmaster and a Deacon in the
church.
Of Samuel Parker, Ralfe Freeman, Ad — Lovell or Lovett,
John Blakeman, James Risinge, Willi Skant, Nicholas Rock-
wood, Henry Neale, Zachary Thayer, John Bowers, David
Walsby, Thomas Kingman and John Metcalf, who desired ac-
ceptance, nothing is heard further.
Samuel Spencer, Grizel Gurney, ancestress of Gov. Jewell, of
Connecticut, Thomas and Joseph Juell, her sons, were here
before 1675.
The last act of the "Committee for Nipmug" was as follows:
viz:
"Roxiuky, 5th, 2: .64
Agreed by the Committee (appointed by the General Court) to grainte
for the encouraging of erecting a Corne Mill at Netmocke as followeth
To Benjamin Alby, one twenty acor house l»tt in the Town situation
conveniently layd out according to the quantity of that place and the ac-
commodations pperly belonging to such a lott according to the Rule of
Division here Settled, only whatever the quantity of Meadow to such a
lott Accordinge to Common Rule but yett this lott shall have twelve acors
layd out in a convenient place.
Neere the place where the said Mill shall be erected on that side of the
River that is farthest from the Towne is granted fifty acors of upland of
such land as may be near & convenient for improvement.
Subscribed by the Committee,
Elea: Lusher
Roger Clap
William Parke.
Although this instrument was undoubtedly executed at the
time it purports to be dated, and probably delivered to Benja-
min Alby, it was not brought to the notice of the town until
Sept. 10, 1672, as stated in the record of that date. The Mill
was probably built in 1672, and was erected on Mill River a short
distance above the bridge that crosses that stream, at a little to
the east from the house of Lewis B. Gaskill.
Of what transpired from 1664 to 1667, when the town was
incorporated, neither tradition, legend or official record furnish
us with any information. No record was left by those who were
set apart "to order the prudential affairs of the plantation," or
if left, has long since been lost. As the power of accepting to
10 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
allotments of land such persons as might apply had been surren-
dered by the Committee to the inhabitants, it is presumed that
they to whom they had delegated the power admitted such per-
sons into their company, as, in their discretion, they saw fit.
We, of the present generation, must remember that the
pioneer settlers of this place held, in this direction, the farthest
outpost of civilization; that they were surrounded by Indians
■who were daily growing jealous of a race which, since the land-
ing at Plymouth, had taken no step backward, and that they
were in the midst of a wilderness and fifteen miles from Med-
field, the nearest place of succor in case of distress or disaster.
Considering the circumstances of their situation, we may
properly suppose that most of their time must have been occu-
pied in providing shelter for themselves and their animals, and
in raising the crops upon which they must mainly depend for
sustenance and support. Something had been done, however,
by way of improvement. A noble street, two miles long and ten
rods wide, had been located, and upon which the settlers had
fixed their homesteads. This street extended from near the
present line between Mendon and Upton to Mill Biver.
Another road was also laid out, for the most of the way,
nearly parallel with the main street; beginning near the house
of Austin A. Taft and passing through to near the house of
Gilbert Gaskill, thence over what .are now Emerson and Wash-
ington streets, and connecting with the Main street near the
house (since burned) of the late Watee Davenport.
1667. SUBVEY OF THE PLANTATION.
The desire of the inhabitants to this Honered Courte is that they would
accept of this Retourne of their Plott of theire Plantation wich is layd ac-
cording to their Grainte of eight Miles square by Joshua ffisher.
1667.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
Country land, South line 8 miles.
11
D-
A
The AAA Towne.
A A
o
line between Dedham and Quinshepauge Running
North and South, 4 miles and 40 Rods.
C.
Country land, North'line, 4 miles want. 40 Rods,
r j Parcel of Meadow.
An explanation of this Plott, being the Township of Squinshapauke as it
was layd out according to the Grant of the Generall Courte by me, Joshua
ffisher, Aprill 1667.
From A to B is bounded by Charles River, a white oake beinge marked
on the south side of Charles River at A, a Black oake on the north side of
12 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
Charles River at B, and a line of marked trees and heapes of stones to C,
from C to D a line of marked trees and heapes of stones to C, from C to
D a line of marked trees and heapes of stones, and soe from D to E
and from E to F, a line from F to A of Marked Trees ; And from A
to B is one mile Runninge according to the River East and "West, from B
to C is fower Miles wantinge forty Rodd, Runninge from B North, from C
to D eight miles and halfe west, from D to E eight miles South, from E to
F seven miles and half East, from F to A ffower Milles and 40 Rods.
At O is a parcell of Meadow that the Towne Petitioned for of about
thirty Acors by estimation upon the North line from Charles River.
This Courte Approves of this Plott as it is Returned,
as attest, Edw. Rawson, Secrty.
INCORPORATION OF MENDON.
Att a Generall Courte held in Boston 15th of May 1667,
In answer to the Petition of the Inhabitants of a new Plantation called
Squinshepauke, the Court doth graint them the Meadow lyinge out of
theire lyne it Runninge through that Parcell and that the name of their
Towne be Mendon, and that it belonge to the County of Middlesex, and that
they and theire Successors be invested wth Towne Privilidges as other
Townes of this jurisdiction do enioy and that they be freed from Country
charges for the space of three yeares from the time of this Grant — the Rest
of what they Petition for concernes the County Courte.*
That this a true Copie taken out of the Courte's Records,
as Attest, Edw. Rawson, Secry.
The last act, of the "Committee for Nipmug" is recorded
in the following words: —
"Wee the Subscribers doe nominate and Depute Colonell William Crowne
to enter the Public Acts respecting Mendon from the beginning of the Plan-
tation to this tyme and to finish this worke with speed and make^ Retourne
vis under named.
the Committee Respectinge the prudeutiall affayres
of Mendon,
Elia: Lusher
William Stoughton
William Parke
Dedham2:2: 67."
William Stoughton whose name appears above was not orig-
inally appointed, but took the place of Major Humphrey Ather-
ton, (see p. 3,) who died Sept. 16, 1661, in consequence of a fall
from a horse.
♦Relating to the owners of the Iron Works; see p. 3.
1667.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 13
It will be seen that the persons signing above style themselves
the Committee, &c. By reference to the page just quoted it will
be seen that they were appointed as Commissioners "to make a
valid act there."
The settlement at Netmocke and the Plantation of Squinshe-
pauke having come to an end, the Town Clerk began his record
with the following preamble: —
"The Honoured General! Courte was Pleased to make this Plantation a
Towne the 15th day of May 1667 and named it Mendon and adorned it wth
severall large Priviledges and confirmed theire Lyne and ye land wth in the
hounds thereof to the present Inhabitants and their successors, as by the
said Courte's Act doth appeare wch land before was purchased of the
Indians then in possession as by theire Deed will appeare.
TOPOGRAPHY OF THE "EIGHT MILES SQUARE."
At the date of its incorporation the town was covered with a
heavy growth of oak, pine, chestnut and cedar, save a few acres,
in the vicinity of the rivers and brooks, used by the Indians for
planting grounds.
Rivers and Brooks. — The principal streams are the Black-
stone, Mumford, Mill and Charles Rivers, flowing generally in a
southerly direction following the similar trend of the hills.
The Blackstone river came in upon the northwestern portion
of the town and flowing southeasterly left the town near its
southeastern corner. Its first tributary was the Mumford river,
coming from the west, a little below the present centre of Ux-
bridge. Its name, as related to me by the late Judge Joseph
Rawson, of Barrington, R. I., was derived from the following
incident: A man by the name of Mumford, belonging to
Brookfield, coming to Mendon, was drowned while attempting
to ford the river. A coroner from Mendon was called to view
the body, and he directed it to be buried. A coffin was readily
improvised by cutting down a chestnut tree, removing the bark
whole and binding it strongly about the body with withes. It
was buried on the site of the present public house in Uxbridge,
the remains being discovered when digging the cellar.
The Rivulet, a small affluent, falls into the Mumford just be-
low the Mills at North Uxbridge. Another small stream comes
in from the west at Ironstone.
14 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
The Branch (formerly known as the Monhegin river) empties
into the Blackstone from the southwest, just above the Black-
stone factory, while Fox brook, from the north, comes in just
below.
West river comes in from the north and, flowing southerly,
empties into the Blackstone in Uxbridge.
Misco hill, Fairbanks and Wigwam brooks empty into West
River from the east; Fairbanks brook being the outlet of Men-
don Pond. Andrews' brook, coming from the centre of Upton,
empties into West river some mile or two below.
Mill river rises in Hopkinton and, flowing southerly, empties
into the Blackstone below Woonsocket, R. I. Its affluents are
Muddy, Grave Meadow and Hop brooks, and Quick stream.
School Meadow brook rises near the east declivity of Misco
hill, and, after passing the Saw mill of Putnam W. Taft, takes
the name of Rock Meadow brook and flows westerly into West
river.
Charles river rises in Hopkinton and runs southerly through
the centre of Milford to the southern boundary of that town,
soon after which it makes a sharp turn to the left and flows
northeasterly to the sea between Boston and Charlestown.
Second brook, sometimes called Daly's brook, emptying into
Muddy Brook from the west, is the outlet of Little Pond.
Deer Brook, in the northeast part of Milford, flows into Charles
river from the east.
THE BLACKSTONE CANAL.
As early as 1796 there was a project for connecting Providence
and Worcester by means of a canal. Under the direction of
John Brown, of Providence, the route was surveyed, and a
charter for the organization of a company was granted by the
General Assembly of Rhode Island. The General Court of Mas-
sachusetts refusing its co-operation, the project was, for the
time, abandoned.
In 1822 the subject of a canal was again taken up by the lead-
ing; men of Providence and Worcester. A charter for its con-
str notion was granted by Massachusetts in March, 1823, and by
Rhode Island in the following June. The work was begun in
1824, and July 1, 1828, the " Lady Carrington " started on her
1667.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 15
initial trip from tide water. The first through bout arrived at
Worcester Oct. 6, 1828.
The five Commissioners who had the oversight of its construc-
tion were Edward Carrington, Moses B. Ives and Stephen Smith
of R. I., and John W. Lincoln and Sylvanus Holbrook of Mas^
sachusetts.
Its cost was $700,000, $500,000 being raised in Rhode Island
and the balance in Massachusets. In Providence, so sanguine
was the expectation that its stock would prove a profitable in-
vestment, that, when they had subscribed for their portion of
the capital, a messenger was dispatched in hot haste to Worcester
to take up any portion of the stock not subscribed for there.
Not unlike many enterprises of a later day, the Blackstone
Canal was no bonanza for its stockholders. As the river was
improved in many places as a portion of the canal, not unfre-
quently the boats would, from low water, be unable to enter the
locks, thus causing vexatious delays. Some years the canal
would be closed by ice, four or five months in the year.
It is understood no dividend of profits was ever made; and the
last toll for the passage of boats was paid Nov. 9, 1848.
Much good, however, resulted to the public at large by the
construction of its feeders and reservoirs, as, by their economy,
the volume of water in the Blackstone river was, for manufac-
turing purposes, largely increased and utilized.
PROVIDENCE AND WORCESTER RAIL ROAD.
The Charter for the Providence and Worcester Rail Road was
granted by the Legislatures of Massachusetts and Rhode Island
in 1844, and the commencement of regular trips began Oct. 25,
1847.
Not long after the completion of the road the Canal Corpora-
tion obtained permission to surrender its charter.
Ponds. Shokolog Pond is situated in the south part of Ux-
bridge. It was about this pond that "in ye olden time," certain
squatters from Providence undertook to establish themselves,
claiming to be within the limits of the Rhode Island colony.
Captain Chapin was sent, with a force of eleven men, to dislodge
them, but we hear no report of the killed or wounded, and
16 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
only two were made prisoners. They were carried to Providence,
but after a short captivity, were allowed to return to Mendon.
The controversy with the intruders was afterwards amicably ad-
justed.
Mendon Great Pond lies a short distance westerly from the
centre of the present town, and contains 107 acres. It was
originally called Nipmug Great Pond.
In 1870 the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries leased this pond
for twenty years, "for the cultivation of useful fishes," at a rent
of $650, payable in instalments.
Little Pond is situated south from the road leading to Mill-
ville, and west from the farm owned by Rev. Carlton A. Staples,
of Providence. Its outlet is Second Brook.
Hills. The hills of note are Magormiscok (its northern
and highest part now known as Silver Hill,) and Bear hills, now
in Milford; Condlewood, Waterbug and Chestnut hills in Black-
stone; Goat and Wolf Hills in Uxbridge, while Misco, West,
Wigwam, Caleb's, Pond and Neck hills are within the present
limits of the town. Wigwam and Misco hills were occupied as
•stations for observation in the Trigonometrical Survey of the
State, made, for the construction of a State map, by Simeon
Borden, Esq. Caleb's hill was so called because Caleb, the Indian,
to whom the town paid bounties for killing wolves, had his wig-
wam there. Hungry Hill is mentioned once or twice in the
early records, but its location is not definitely known.
Soil. For the purposes of agriculture the origininal grant
contained a large area of excellent land, a large portion of which
lies in the valley of the Blackstone.
THE FIRST TOWN MEETING.
" The firemen and the rest of the Inhabitants Mett, June 7th. 1667 and
then did choose for theire Selectmen to order their Prudentiall affairs,
Coll. Willi Crowne, Goodman Benjamin Alby, ffardinando Thayre,
Dan : Lovett and John Thompson, seniour
& Coll. Crowne, Register.
Pursuant to the advice of the "•Committee," contained in the
6th Rule, upon p. 3rd, except in the matter of granting land to
new comers or to those already here, the Selectmen were in-
1667.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 17
trusted with the management of all other matters relating to the
affairs of the Town.
Hence, at a meeting of the Selectmen held June 8, KJfIT, they
appointed Goodman' John Woodland and Joseph Alclridge as
Fence Viewers, and Abraham Staples, Hog Reive.
The}' also made orders that all swine should be "eyther
yoaked, kept up or otherwise secured and looked toe," and, pro-
vided the fences were good against " great cattle," that double
damages should be paid for all damage which the swine should
do to "corne fields, orchards, gardens or meadows."
Abraham Staples was ordered "to take care that this order
about swine be duly observed, and for his paynes and care herein
he shall have fower pence for each animal he may find doing-
damage."
They also provided that any person who should bring any one
to reside in the town without the consent of the present towns-
men, (selectmen) should be liable for their support, in case they
could not provide for themselves, and their estates were to be
held responsible for such support. The selectmen also agreed
that this last order "is to be set up that all persons may take
notice at their perills."
THE NAME OF THE TOWN.
If not to general readers it may, to those' fond of antiquarian
research, be thought of sufficient importance to justify an in-
quiry into the origin of the name of the town.
Did the General Court, in the Act of Incorporation, change
tlie orthography of Mendham to Mendonf For the affirmative
side of this question the following reasons may be offered.
Because, up to this period, every town in the colony bore the
name of some city or town in England.
Because, in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, in England,
which are only separated by the small river Waveny, we find the
familiar names of Medfield, Framingham, Ipswich, Needhain,
Sudbury, Attleboro', Wrentham and Mendham.
Because no town by the name of Mendon can be found upon
any map of England, or in any description of its territory.
Because we find that, for some years after its incorporation, it
3
18 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
was a common practice for letters to be dated at Mendham.
Letters written at this town, during King Philip's war, were so
dated by Capt. Henchman, Capt. Sill and by Lieuts. Grorum and
Upham.
The Parish of Mendham, as it is called, is situated on the
south bank of the river Waveny, and is a place of great antiquity.
Its earliest record dates back to the reign of Edward, one of the
Saxon Princes of England, about the year 950. In or about
that year Bishop Theodred, by his will, gave to the church in
Mendham "several lands in that and the adjacent towns."
This will of the Bishop, it will be seen, carries back the history
of Mendham to one hundred and sixteen years before the con-
quest of England by the Normans under William I. In 1135,
in the reign of Stephen, the grandson of the Conqueror, a Priory
for Cluniac Monks* was founded in Mendham, by William De
Huntingfield. He bestowed the whole of Mendham, including a
small woody Island in the river Waveny, on the monks of Castle
Acre Priory, on condition that they should erect a church of
stone, build near it a monastery and place in it, at least, eight
of their brethren. The church and monastery were undoubtedly
built, because we find, at the suppression of the monas-
teries, that the site and revenues were granted to Charles Bran-
don, Duke of Suffolk. Some remains of the Priory were stand-
ing a few years since and a part of it has been converted into a
farm house.
In 1281, being the ninth year of the reign of Edward I., we
find Mendham belonginge to the demesne of the Earl of Oxford
and Roger Fitzwilliam, and, not long afterward, to the demesne
of Roger De Huntingfield, who died in 1297, in the twenty-fifth
year of Edward I. From Roger the estate descended to his son
William, whose son Roger, leaving his kinswoman Alice, his
heir, it passed by her into other families.
About 1422 we find it in the possession of John, Earl of Ox-
ford, in the reign of Henry 6th. In the war of the roses,
between the Houses of York and Lancaster, the Earl of Oxford
was a firm partizan of the house of Lancaster, and so, when the
battle of Barnetfield had decided the contest in favor of York,
the Earl of Oxford was attainted and, being forced to fly, his
*So named from the town of Cluny in France, where resided an order of Benedictine
monks; known in history as the Monks of Cluny.
1667.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 19
estates were confiscated and granted to Richard Dnke of Glou-
cester, (afterward King Richard 3rd,) brother to the then
reigning monarch, Edward 4th. This was in 1461. In 1463,
in the second year of the reign of Edward 4th, the estate of Mend-
ham wass ettled upon the Duke of Gloucester by a special entail;
but in 1485, upon the accession of Henry the 7th to the throne,
thus uniting the houses of York and Lancaster, the estate in ques-
tion was restored to the Earl of Oxford.
Mendham is situated upon the south bank of the river Wave-
ny, in the County of Suffolk, and, seventy-six years ago, con-
tained five hundred and forty-one inhabitants.
July 14. A division of " all the meadows wthin theire lyne"
was voted, and Goodman White, Goodman Cook, Goodman
Harber and Goodman Puffer were "to joynew"1 the Selectmen"
to make the division.
At this meeting granted to Col. William Crowne and to his
assigns, and the present minister, their shares of Meadows.
The following are the names of those who had shares of
Meadow allotted them: —
Col. William Crowne John Jepson
John Rayner Abraham Staples
Benjamin Albee Peter Braekett
Ferdinando Thayer, George Aldrich
John Rockwood Danell Lovett
Thomas Barnes John Moore
John Gurney Sam11 Read
Mathias Puffer Joseph Juell
John Harber Thomas Juell
John Thompson, ye elder, Sam" Spencer
Joseph White The School. The Glebe.
REV. JOHN RAYNER, THE FIRST MINISTER.
Up to a recent period it has been supposed that Joseph Emer-
son was the first minister of Mendon. While he was the first
settled minister, a fact recently discovered shows that he was not
the first minister.
When we remember that one of the rules made by the " Com-
mittee for Nipmug" was that the first settlers should have "an
approved minister settled with them at the Plantation by Nov.,
1664," we can hardly suppose they would neglect to comply with
this condition.
20 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
The only evidence that there was any minister here in 1767,
to be found in the town records, is the single expression that
the present minister had his share of Meadow allotted him. The
following extract from a petition to the General Court, praying
for some parcels of meadow "found outlyinge The Town
Bounds of Mendon," we think, conclusively establishes the fact
that John Rayner was the first and, in May, 1069, the present
minister of Mendon. The extract is as follows, viz: — "And
now God having given us good hope to enjoy the gospel & gather
a church by the help of Mr. John Bay tier, whose labors we have
had comfort of this winter & trust bee will settle, with us, besides
severall good people, members of churches, tender themselves to
come to us had wee meado to supply them." The petition from
which this quotation is taken is dated May 10, 1009.
Mr. Rayner graduated at Harvard College in 1003, and hence
it may be objected that a year was too short a time to qualify
him for the ministerial office. But we must remember that, in
those early days, there was no long training to be gone through
with in theological schools, no lengthened curriculum of meta-
physical study to qualify one for the acceptable discharge of
parochial duties. True and practical piety, a knowledge of the
bible, the command of language arid a resolute will (as they
should be at the present day,) were the essential elements of
success.
John Rayner, senior, came from England, (having entered the
ministry previous to his emigration,) and was settled at Ply-
mouth about 1030. How long he remained there is not known.
In November, 1054, he was recommended by the General Court
to a church in Boston, as will appear by the Colonial Records,
Vol. 4, (1050 to 1000,) p. 210:—
" The Court, reminding the case of the new Church in Boston, and being
sensible of the uncomfortableness of theire present condition, for want of a
teaching officer amongst them, and being very willing to affoord the best
help they cann in this case, do therefore propound the Reverend Mr.
Rayner unto the sajd church, to be by them treated wthall, as also made
choice of and called to office in case of- agreement between them."
This recommendation, it seems, did not succeed in inducing
the church to call Mr. Rayner to Boston, and in 1057 he is found
1667.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 21
settled at Dover, N. H.j where lie continued to discharge the
duties of minister until his death in 1669, 21 2nd mo.
Benjamin Eliot, son of the apostle to the Indians, was invited
to settle at Mendon in 1668; and, it may he asked, why was not
Mr. Rayner, then living at this town, called to the ministerial
offices? It may be that his father might have been in failing
health, as he died in 1669, and the son, hoping to succeed him,
might not choose to enter into an engagement that would stand
in the way of his being called to Dover should .the death of his
father create a vacancy there.
Be that as it may, we find that Mr. Rayner was settled at
Dover in 1671, and that he died in 1676.
From the manuscript memoranda in the interleaved almanacks
of Judge Sewall, we find the following entries: — •
"Dec. 29, 1675. Mr. Rayner came in the evening to our house, (and)
delivered me a letter. Lodged here; in bed we had much and varied
discourse."
"Dec. 30. Mr. R. goes on his journey. Gave him letters of Dec. 28 for
Boston."
In the Almanack for 1670 the following memorandum is
found: —
"Dec. 21. Rayneres occumlict — 28. Sepelitur."
This record establishes the time of the death of Rev. John
Rayner, the first minister of Mendon, to be Dec. 21 1676, and
that the burial of his body occurred on the 28th.
The elder John Rayner married in England for his first wife
a lady by the name of Robinson, and for his second Frances
Clarke, of Hull.
There was some difficulty in settling the effects of both the
father and son, as will be seen by the following petition: —
Mass. Records "Estates Vol. 16, p. 147," under date of June
10, 1079 may be found
THE PETITION OF FRANCES RAYNER.
To the Honrd Gen" Court now held in Boston, Humbly Sheweth,
That whereas by the over Ruleing Providence of Almighty God yr Peti-
tioner is become Executrix to her .late well beloved husband Mr. John
Rayner senr of Dover, (now Dover of N. H.,)and Administratrix to the
22 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
Estate of her late son Mr. John Rayner junr Deceased and findeing her-
selfe Incapable to manage the affairs and Concerns thereof and knoweing
this Court to be the ffathers of ye land and yourselves to be the helpers,
suckerers and Defenders of the ffatherless and widdows therein, am humbly
bold to make my Adress unto You, that as you are a means in the Lord's
hand you would be pleased to help me a widdow and my ffatherless chil-
dren.
First: That you would be pleased to Appoint & Impower Mr. Richard
Martin, Capt. Tho. Daniel and Mr. Anthony Rutter to be helpfull unto yr
Petitioner wherein she is concerned as abovesaid and that they or any of
these three Gen1 may accompt with, demand of and receive from and sue
and recover in her name, as she is Executrix and Administratrix aforesaid
of or from any or all the Debtors to the Estates of the aforesaid. And that
yr Petitioner by herself e or the aforesaid three Gen1, or any of them with
yr Petitioner's consent may sel any or all of the Lands or Estates of the
Deceased aforesaid, to pay just debts and maintayne your Petitioner and
that the same may stand firme and valid in the Law.
Seaceondly : That this Hond Court issue out an order to the Selectmen of
ye Towne of Dover that they make up their accompts with yr Petitioner
within some prefixt time (as your wisdomes shall see fit) and that shall
appear due to her from the said Towne be speedily payd to her.
Thirdly: That this Hond Court would be pleased to desire Maj. Richard
Waldron and Lt. Peter Coffin to secure and gather in the Mill rents due to
yr Petitioner as she is the Administratrix to her son John Rayner, thejr
being the only persons that are capable of doeing the same, and that the
time may be prefixed for doing it, with which she intends to pay part of
the debts due unto themselves from the Estate of said son John Rayner.
And yr Petitioner as in duty bound shall Ever pray.
Frances Raynor.
The Magistrates do grant this petition in the several particulars hereof,
provided that the sale of Lands do not infringe upon the just rights of any
heir or others to whom they may be entayled,
their brethren the deputyes hereto consenting
Edwd. Rawson, Secy.
10 June 1679.
Consented by the deputyes
William Torrey, Clericus.
Tins Court doth order that ye Selectmen of Dover doe take effectual care
to settle ye accompts betweene ye Inhabitants of said Towne and Mrs. Ray-
nor Administratrix to ye Estate of ye deceased Mr. John Raynor Relating
to his Salliiry and ye payment of such arrears as are yet unpaid & that
this be done at or before the last day of September next.
1667.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 23
The deputyes have passed this our Hond Magistrates hereunto consenting.
John Richards Per order.
June 11, 1679. Consented to by the Magistrates.
Edwd. Rawson, Secy.
Sept. 10. At a meeting held this day the Town granted Col.
Crowne's forty acre house lot in the Pond field, and, if the
measure fell short of the forty acres, then to take up the balance
in the adjoining field, called the Fort field. They also granted
him the island in the pond.
Joseph White and John Thompson, senr, were ordered to lay
"A Carte way to goe to the South Meadows for hay and drift of
cattle, through this Pond field and this Fort field." This was
the beginning of the road now leading to Chestnut Hill and
Millville, in Blackstone.
They were also directed to lay out a road through John Jep-
son's land " for the Oollonell, or his assignes, to goe to his Meadow
as is needfull, of 4 Rodd wide in the Most convenient place."
This was the beginning of the road through Pond Hills, by
what is now known as the Doctor's Dam, coming out to the
meadow a little north from the house of Davis Bills. At the
laying out of the Boston and Hartford Turnpike (now a County
Road.) a portion of this road fell into disuse from the Town
pound to the Brook by Mr. Bills.
" Then ordered to build A Minister's house for the first that shall be
settled heere And a 40 acor house Lott layd to it of Land wth all other
proffitts and Privilidges and Meadow proportionable as any other 40 acor
lots shall have to him and his heyres confirmed to him, and to sett it in the
most convenient place in Towne."
A Glebe Lot of 20 acres was also granted "with proffitts and
privilidges as other 20 acre House lots have." This was for the
ministry.
Sept. 17. At a Town meeting, held this day, Goodman
Thompson was chosen a Surveyor "for this end of the towne,"
and John Barnes "for the other end of the towne." John Har-
ber was chosen Constable and Daniel Lovett " Clarke of the
Writts."
The office, " Clarke of the Writts," was created by the General
Court Dec. 10, 1641. The statute is in the following words,
viz : —
24 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
"It is ordered that in every towne one shall bee appointed to grant
sumons & attachments in all civil actions; & attachments are to bee granted
when the pty is a stranger, not dwelling amongst us, or for some that is
going out of or jurisdiction, or that is going about to make away his estate
to defraude his creditors, or when psns are doubtful in their estates to the
plaintiffe ; and the psns to grant replevy, they are to take bond wth suffi-
cient security (of the pty that desireth replevy) to psecute the suite ; & they
are to have for warrants 2d. a peece, for replevy or attachments 3d. a peece
& for bonds 4d. a peece. These are to be directed to the constables in
towns where there is no marshalls; the same pty to grant summons for
witnesses. These have power to send out pees to any towne, & to bee
called Clarks of the Writtes. "
This last record closes the municipal history of the town for
the first year of its corporate existence.
Col. William Crowne was appointed the first Town Clerk
of Mendon by the " Committee Respecting the prudentiall af-
fayres of Mendon," as by their certificate, heretofore recorded,
dated Dedham 2, 2, 1667.
The first mention I have found of Col. Crowne may be seen in
a French publication, as quoted by Hazard in his Historical Col-
lection, page 616, entitled Memoires de L'Amerique, Tom. 2, p.
511. In this document, which is a grant from Cromwell, we
find that "Olivier, Seigneur, Protecteur de la Republique d'An-
gleterre, de E'cosse et d' Irelande," conveyed to Charles de Saint
Etienne, (la Tour) Sir Thomas Temple and Col. William
Crowne the territory of Acadie in Nova Scotia. The concession
was dated August 9, 1656. From this fact it is presumed that
Crowne had held the commission of Colonel in the army of
Cromwell.
That Col. Crowne came to New England in 1657 is quite
probable; as we find, from a note at the bottom of page 206 of
Hutchinson's History of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, that
Sir Thomas Temple came over in that year, "having, with oth-
ers, obtained from Oliver a grant of lands in Acadia or Nova
Scotia, of which he was made governor. "
By the treaty of Breda, Acadia was restored to France, and
thus Col. Crowne lost his interest in the grant made by Crom-
well. In 1660 Col. Crowne was in Boston. Whaley and Goffe,
two of the regicides, who had arrived July 27, were, soon after,
visited by him at Cambridge, as we learn by the diary of (loffe.
At this time he is set down as a noted royalist.
1667.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 25
Upon the restoration of Charles 2d, complaints were directly
made against the Colony hy its enemies, and in 1660 orders were
received from him " that persons should be sent over to make
answer." Upon this, Simon Bradstreet, a magistrate, and John
Norton, one of the ministers of Boston, were chosen by the
General Court as Agents to plead the cause of the Colony before
the King.
In the meantime Gov. Endecott had written the following
letter to Col. Crowne, who was then in England. This letter
may be found in the Mass. Archives, Political, vol. 106 p. 50,-
and is as follows, viz: —
" To Colonell Crowne,
Your readiness to speak in behalf of the churches & people of God in
this wilderness (for which the good Lord requiete you) doth Imbolden us
to desire your farther favor that way as opportunity may be ministered
who may truly say the Lord in his Saints' and Servants here have need yr
of. Our adversaries, you know, are many & wee by means of our great
distance not in capacitie to make our defence and so hath the only wise
disposer of all things been pleased to frustrate our hopes & the expectations
of the General Court & countrie by his hand of visitation on our & yr mch
esteemed Mr. Norton, who wth Mr. Bradstreet was appointed by the Gen-
eral Court to appear before his Majestie & to pfr their petition & take off
the charge made agst us: although the shipp was stayed for 'some space of
time in hope of his recovery, to some considerable charge of the countrie
and hazard of the shipp and voyage, so that we are necessitated to send
without them that woh was prepared to send by them, the commission being
made to both & the extremitie of the season is such that the General Court
can not be convened to Appoint others in their stead. These are therefore
to request you to excuse us what you may for this seeming neglect of ours
who could neither foresee nor prevent the same. And whatever you or
our other friends shall doe for the promoting the cause of Christ in our
concernments will be pleasing to God & profitable to his church and people
both here and elsewhere & both for present and future generations. Thus
committing you to God & the word of his grace who is able to present &
preserve you blameless at the coming of ^his dear son & our alone Saviour
we rest in him.
7th Feb. 1661."
At the same time Sir Thomas Temple, who was in Boston and
a true friend to the Colony, had written to Lord Manchester,
Lord Say and Seale and other persons of note, for them to in-
tercede in behalf of the Colony.
26 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
The following letter, to be found in a foot note in Hutchin-
son's History of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, p. 220, will
testify to the value of Col. Crowne's services to the Colony: —
" London 11th. July 1661.
Gentlemen and honored friends,
Having so safe a hand and so true a friend to convey a line to you as the
hearer Mr. Crowne, I was loth to omit writing, because it may be my last,
my glass being almost run out, and I retiring home. — You have had several
appeared against you, and have been examined against you, as Captain
Breedan and others, of whom and about what, this bearer can more par-
ticularly inform you than I will at this time; and I must say for Mr.
Crowne, he hath appeared, both here in the council and to the Lord Cham-
berlain and others as really and cordially for you as any could do, and had
allaied the ill opinion of your cruelty against the quakers, willingly neg-
lected his passage to stay here to serve you, and by his means and informa-
tion of the state of your government, as it now is, I hope you will have no
governor put upon you but of your own liking; wherefore I must request
you will really own and accordingly requite Mr. Crowne his love, care and
pains for you, of which I have been an eye witness. I have brought him
to the Lord Chamberlain and others, and requested their Lordships to assist
him in your behalf. I have not been wanting, both to the King and coun-
cil, to advance your interest ; more I cannot do, but earnestly to pray the
Lord to stand with you and for you.
I remain your assured loving friend to serve you.
W. Say & Seale.
For his ever honored friends, the Governor of the Massachusetts Colony
in New England, for the time being, to be communicated to the rest of the
magistrates and deputies there.
Col. Crowne continued to reside at Mendon up to or about the
time of the Indian War in 1675. In 1674 it seems that some
" unpleasantness" had arisen between the Col. and some of the
people here, as we find that, at a town meeting held Sept. 4,
1674, "their was a Loving Agreement between the Colonell &
our selves; all differences about ColonelPs acounts & that those
lotts which are conserned shall pay to the Colonell as followeth,
25 shillings for a 35 acer Lott and so others proportionabell,
only what every one has paid shall be deducted provided they
can Clerely proove it. "
I have learned nothing of the residence of Col. Crowne from
this time until 1682, when he is found, in feeble health, in Bos-
1667.]
ANNALS OF MEN DON. 27
ton, in reduced circumstances. Previous to reciting his petition
to the General Court for aid; in order to its clearer understand-
ing, the following is inserted: —
" To tlie Honoured the General Court sitting at Boston,
The Humble Petition of William Crowne
Sheweth
That about six
years since yr petitioner resolved to lease out his Township in ye East wch
Coll. Temple, since Knight & Baronet, by his Articles of Agreement made
upon or division of or several parts, confirmed and settled ye same upon
him and his Heires for ever wth all ye priviledges thereunto belonging, as by
those Articles may appear. Yor Petitioner made his tender of ye lease first
to Sir Thomas out of his love to him & ye peace of or future tranquillity,
but he refusing it, Capt. Corwin & Ensign Scottoe tooke ye lease for several
years at an hundred & tenn pounds per annum, clear rent, to be paid in
Boston. But within one yeare after it so came to pass that Sir Thomas
and they fell out & troubles increased and nothing would compose it but
that I must turn them out and put him into ye lease; and the chief ground
was yr Petitioner verily believeth y' Mr. Scottoe gave out they cleared 300£
y* year & so by over persuasion of all hands & to compose y* difference;
Capt. Breedan & Mr. Usher pressing also & offering their bond to pay me
the rent constantly in Boston, during the tearme, Capt. Corwin and Ensign
Scottoe surrendering up to me ye lease, I made it to Sir Thomas for ye re-
maining parte of theire tyme, wch was 4 year & took Capt. Breedan & Mr.
Usher's bond for ye rent and they paid me ye first year, upon Sir Thomas
his order upon ye bond, but they refused to pay me any more. Upon wch
yor Petitioner complained to Sir Thomas, who very ingeniously confessed
to me before Lieut. Cook, it was my due, but his hands were tied up by
Capt. Breedan & company yt he could not dispose of a skin and wished to
sue them and gave me full leave ; \ipon which I commenced a suite against
them in ye County court upon ye bond for what rent then due & had a
verdict but ye honoured Magistrates not accepting it, it fell in course to ye
Court of Assistants and then neither jury nor Magistrates found for him &
so by yr law yr are pleased in such cases, when they have run ye progress
in other Courts, to seek reliefe of you, therefor I humbly crave the benefitt
of y' law and for that also there is no other Court to be appealed to but
this Honoured Court. There is now due to yr Petitioner £330 certain rent
besides four years forbearance wch maketh near £400.
Premises considered yr Petitioner doth humbly beseech this Honoured
Court to appoint him a day for hearing the whole case & to do therein as
ye justness thereof in yr grave wisdom you shall see fitt. For justice is
God's work & you are his Agents in that worke, so a just sentence is God's
sentence, soe yr Petitioner commits his cause to God & you.
And shall pray,
Wm. CltOWNE.
28 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
The Magistrate judge rneete to grant the petitioner a hearing of the case
mentioned in his petition at the next session of this Court, the petitionr
giving the parties concerned timely notice thereof, their brethren the depu-
tyes consenting thereto.
Edward Rawson, Secy.
28 May 1066. Consented to by the deputyes.
Wm. Torrey, Clericus."
Mass. Archives, Political, Vol. 1638 to 1670, p. 2(55.
" Honoured Magistrates,
I hould it necessary to lay before you ye particular service I did the
Country in England, wch my Lord Say's letter to you doe but hint it leav-
ing it to me to informe yu ye more than he would write at y* time. When
I came to London to his Majtie, which was two weeks after Breedan (for
he took post at Dover) I was informed at Court by severall of my old
acquaintances, of a great Charge given unto the King and ye Lord Chan-
cellor, against this country and Government & Mr. Bellingham. That
Goff and Whalye, two trators declared by Parlam4 were very kindly enter-
tained here and that Mr. Bellingham would not deliver ym up to. Breedan,
although by a letter required in his Maj4-TS name to doe it. And the busi-
ness was referred to a Committy of ye Lords to examine; upon which I
presently sent to my Lord Say into ye Country, my old worthy friend, be-
seeching him, if he ever had love to New England or to Mr. Bellingham,
yt he would come up to London, he being one of ye Councill, and if I were
examined I did not doubt but to cleere this charge both concerning ye
Country & Mr. Bellingham and take off ye charge they lay under. His
Lordship returned this answer, y4 he could not come up until ye parlement
set, he being old and crasye, which was about 3 weekes after, but wrote a
letter to my Lord Chamberlayne, requesting to moove the Committy to
stay their proceedings of examination of y4 case untill he came up, leaving
ye letter open for me to seale and deliver which I did. Ye Councill stayed
these proceedings & now a demur of this business & how it was presented
by Capt. Breedan to ye Lord Chancellor, I prevailed wth a noble person, a
favourite with his Ma'y, to goe to ye King and see how his Majtie felt about
New England. He brought me this answer; he' had been with ye King
about it and he sayed he wondered y4 that they would take Traitors parts
against him y4 never did ym wrong; he looked upon New England to be a
nice people and numerous and a jewell in his Crowne and would be better
informed of ye reporte before he gave indg4 all which I sent my Lord Say
word of, so incouraged him to Come up which he did at his time appointed,
and came to me before he went to ye King. He entreated me to remoove
my Lodgings neare him to Whitehall ye better to joyne to gether to carry
on this business with ye Councill, which I did and Cost me for 2 months
seventeen shillings and six pence ye weeke, before I was dismist by ye
1G67.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 29
Coimcill; and then I had an order sent me by ye Conncill to be examined
and to attend de die in diem.
I was examined of all things of weight y* Consemed both Church, Gov-
ernment and Country, and having given satisfaction to ye Council] of what
they examined me about and about Goff & Whalye, my Lord Chancellor
came to ye Conncill and brought in a copy of your Patent, ye King being
present, which Coppye he sent out by my Lord Say, requiring me in y
Kings name to appeare that Day sennit to answer in behalfe of ye Country
ye particular forpitures of ye Patent which he had marked in ye Coppy of
ye Patent, I appeared ye day appointed & sent ye Coppy of ye patent by
my Lord Say (ye King p'scnf) with this answer. That I lookt upon his
Lordship's person of Honour and wisdome and would not put upon me
-vvch yC Common Law would not doe, for I was noe Agent for New Eng-
land, but as a stranger saving that I had wintered there two winters about
my business of Nova Scotia which was before ye Council]. He sent me out
word againe y' should not serve my turn. Hee would make mee speeke, I
could speake enough for New England and now I should, which my Lord
Say brought me out word. Then I requested my Lord to goe in with this
answer from me, I humbly desired Common justice for New England y'
neither Law or Equity could deny them, for all the Magistrates when I
came from thence were born in this Land, soe had a proper birthright to
yc Common LawT here and ought to have their Charge given them in
writeing under his Lordship's hand of what lie would charge ym in ye for-
fiture of their Patent and coppy s of all depositions y' had been taken
against them, I conseaved there were many, and one year given me to
return it to ym and another for ym to return an answer to his Majte & his
Lordship, and I did not doubt but that they would approve ymselves
faithful subjects to his Mate and that they had not infringed their Patent in
ye least, upon which his Lordship expressed himself, he did not intend to
waite two years for an answer, for under y' time he thought they could not
send it, therefore as his Matie had pardoned his subjects in ye laud of farr
greater ofences than lie had to charge New England with, therefore he de-
sired his Matie to pardon ym all in a lump, for lie had done ; with y ' my
Lord Say came off ye Councill and told me all which is certainly true.
So when I had satisfied ye Councill of all things they examined me of, I
tooke my leave of ym and came for this Country, and having a Bond of
two men in Boston to pay me 440 pound by 110 pound pr anm until yl sum
was paid, and part of it due I was inforced to sue them for what was due
to me and entered my action in ye County Court. Ye persons bound ap-
peared & owned ye debt, ye verdict passed for me, Deacon Parkes ye
foreman, lint ye Court would not warrant it, soe it fell to ye Court of As-
sistants where I met with ye same hard measure, and with much difficulty
I got my petition to ye General Court in May and referred me for a hearing
to the October Court, where I was thrown out, not tryable — this kindness I
met with. Soe I lost 110 pounds a yeare for above seven yeares which yc
persons bound received my profits and could never get anything of it be-
30 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1667.
cause of ye General Court's order. Then in ye time of ye Indian warrs, I
being at Prudence Island by Newport, having lent Mr. John Paine 90
pound upon a tract of land in Mendon for two years, the warrs being
ended, Mr. Payne drowned and ye Mortgage out and ye land forfited to me
I came to show Gov1" Leverett about it who told me Mr. Payne had
forfited it to ye Country for not coming to Mendon to assist ye Towne
against ye Indians, and y° order of ye Council! required him upon
ye forfiture of it, but when I showed him my Mortgage, acknowledged
before Mr. Bradstreet, he sayd I should have it when ye County Court did
sit to have an order to enter upon it. So I went then to my son Henery's
to ye Eastward; but before my return ye Gov'r Leverett was dead, and I
having a chapman here in towne to buy refused to proceed with me till I
had recovered it by law, upon which I sent and attached ye land forlitted
to a tryal to ye next County Court and Summoned in Mr. Kuight, Mr.
Payne's administrator made by y° Court to appear and answer my action,
but when ye day of tryal came, and had entered my action, I desired to be
heard when ye Gov stood up and sayd he did not think it meete to be
tryed. Then I prest my mortgage, acknowledged before him, might be
read. It would not be granted. So I lost all my charges ye 10 shillings
for entrance and before I got possession of ye land mortgaged I was dam-
nified above 4 pound. Soe these seeming unkindnesses lye very heavye on
my Spirit, when I think of the service I have done for ye country. And
God having laid his hand heavy on me these 7 or 8 months hath brought
me so low y4 1 am scarce able to stir out of my bed, do therefore humbly
pray y' you would take my condition into your Serious consideration and
doe yl justice that ye law of God and man requires. And for yl 500 acres
of Land yl ye General Court granted me, considering ye charges in looking
it out and laying it out and ye Indians demanding pay for it of me, all
things considered, it will be little worth to me.*
Soe humbly desiring your answer I remaine
Your Humble Servant
Will. Crowne.
June 10, 1682.
In answer to this request of Coll. Crowne's the Councill have agreed that
five pounds be given him at the prsent and that it be sent out of the contri-
bution in the Gov" hands; withall they have agreed that his case be pre-
sented to the Gen11 Court for a more full consideration of his case.
Signed by Sam11 Nowell, per order.
July 13, 1682."
*The 500 acres here referred to was granted to Col Crowne at a General Court held Oct. 8,
1602, in the following words: "This Court as an acknowledgment of the great paynes of
Col. Wm. Crowne in behalfe of this country when he was in England, judge meete to graunt
liim five hundred acres of land in any place not legally disposed of." This grant was laid
out 25. 3. 1665 by Thomas Noyes, Surveyor on a branch of Sudbury river, at a place called
by the Indians Magnagaucok Hill. The present village of Ashland is said to be located on
this grant.
1668.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 31
Of those mentioned as "accepted" in 1662, it is not found
that Nathaniel Hareman, Alexander Plumley, Josiah Chapin,
Joseph Penieman, John Small, of Brantree, or Goodman King,
sen1'., Walter Cook, William Holbrook, Goodman Bolter, sen*.,
Samuel Pratt and Thomas Bolter, of Weymouth, had lands
granted them up to the close of 1667. Lands were granted this
year to Benjamin Alhee, with whom the " Committee " had bar-
gained (for fifty acres of land,) to build a grist mill, Ferdinando
Thayer, John Gurney, Mathias Puffer, John Harber, George
Aldrich, Daniel Lovett, and John More of Braintree, and to
John Thompson, Joseph White, John Rayner, the Minister, and
Abraham Staples of Weymouth. Lands were also granted to
Col. Crowne, John Rockwood, Thomas Barnes, John Jepson,
Samuel Read, Joseph Juell, Thomas Juell, and Samuel Spencer,
whose places of former residence were not mentioned, and to
Moses Paine and Peter Braekett of Braintree, who held the
Indian deed of the township.
1668. January 27. At a meeting of the Selectmen it was
ordered " that noe Inhabitant shall cutt downe any Chestnutt
Trees, standing upon the Common Land, but shall forfeit to the
use of the Towne five shilling for every tree, there having been
soe great A Spoyle allready Made thereby, meerely for the Nutts
sake, and will yet be more (if not hereby prevented) wch will in
tyme prove A great wronge to ye Towne."
Jan 28. At a general town meeting held this day, were chosen
for Townsmen (Selectmen) Col. Wm. Crowne, Deacon Hide,
Gregory Cook, Ferdinando Thayer and Daniel Lovett. For
Register (Town Clerk) Col. Crowne.
In the early history of the towns the Selectmen were clothed
with powers, that, at the present day, would be thought extra-
ordinary. In fact they transacted most of the business of the
town.
Feb. 2. The Selectmen met this day and made the following
orders : —
"Wee takinge into consideration the great Necessity of Mendinge all
32 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1G68.
highwayes About this Towne wch hath been so long neglected doe order
and Appoint the Surveyors speedily to gitt all the highways well mended
both for cartes and cattle and passengers, and the way by Walter Cook's
house to Joseph White's first repaired, and the way to the Mill w0h was to
be layd out by those men chosen before; and the Surveyors call to their
Assistance the Several Inhabitants of this Towne to worke, and (they) that
have 4 oxen to work A day at A tyme, and soe all the rest doe work pro-
portional) to their tyme, And soe to continue their labor soe long as the
Surveyors shall see cause. And upon 4 days notice to each Inhabitant to
worke, and he shall refuse or neglect it shall pay for his contempt 3s. 4d.
per day for A man and 6s. per day for 4 oxen, a man and a carte, and 5s. a
day for 2 oxen a man and carte. And where any trees are lying in the
highways to Remove them out that noe Damage or hurt may come to any
person thereby. And that A bridge be set up wheere the first bridge was
formerly, goeing to Medfield in the most fittest place to be found for the
public good and care of traivelers. "
At the same time Goodman (George) Alclrich had a grant of
land "in lew" of land taken to widen the road, and Goodman
(John) Harber had a grant for the same purpose.
This road to be widened was not the main road, now (1880)
the Main street; but a road leading from near the house
of Austin A. Taft to near the house of Gilbert Gaskill, (long
since discontinued,) and so continuing through Emerson and
Washington street to the northerly terminus of the latter street,
and from thence to the road over Misco Hill, not far from the
homestead of the late \Vatee Davenport. This section last men-
tioned was also soon discontinued.
From the foregoing order of the Selectmen we should, at first
sight, see no good reason why there should have been any poor
roads in the early days of the settlement, so long as everybody
was required to work as long as the Surveyors should deem it
proper; but, as the Surveyors were directed to remove rocks and
trees from the road and the roads were ten rods wide, we can
readily see that it would be unreasonable to expect such roads as
would command the acceptance of the County Commissioners of
the present day. At any rate, had this rule been continued, we
should have been spared the recent outlay of seven thousand
dollars upon a single mile of our roads, with five or six hundred
dollars for damages sustained by a "traiveler" during its con-
struction. This was for special repairs on the line of road lead-
1668.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 33
ing from the house of Silas Dudley to Milford line, ordered by
the County Commissioners in 1871.
At a General town meeting, held April 24, house lots were
granted to "Deacon Hide and his son Job, with the privilege
that other house lotts of that bigness have only the former in-
habitants must be first supplied their several shares of Mea-
dowes." From this we learn that Deacon Hide and his son Job
were new comers, and that they were the first who came to settle
in the Town after its incorporation.
At this meeting it was also " Ordered to give Mr. Benjamin
Aliot a Call, with his ffather's leave, and A letter sent to that
effect,"
This Mi-. Benjamin Aliot was undoubtedly a son of the Apostle
to the Indians, as he was most appropriately called, but whether
the father withheld his "leave," or whether the son did not see
lil to accept the call we have, at this late day, no means for de-
termining. Perhaps the fact that " A Minister's house for the
first that shall be settled here," which had not yet been erected,
and the further fact that no movement had been made for a
meeting house, may have had something to do with the decision
of Mr. Eliot.
At the same meeting, after the call had been voted, it was
" Agreed on then alsoe by y° Maior pte of ye Inhabitants at this
Towne Meeting that the Meeting house shall be sett on the
highest side or pte of the land wch is a High way neere to Joseph
White's saw pit, in his howse lott, and to erect it with all speed."
Joseph White's house lot was bounded westerly by the present
road leading from Milford to Uxbridge, and extended from
Muddy Brook to the little run west of the house of Gkistavus B.
Williams, and was of sufficient width to contain forty acres. As
the meeting house was to be built upon the highest side of the
way, (the Main street now,) it must have been located some-
where near the brick building formerly used by the Mendon
Bank, now the Hall of Records.
April 20. "Steven Cooke was granted a 20 acre house lot to
ioyn to John Harbor his house lott with the proviso that, when
(bid shall make way for his goinge for England, not to putt it
5
34 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1668.
off to any but to such as the present Townesmen or Towne shall
approve of." Whether Mr. Cook ever went for England is, we
think, a matter of doubt, as we find his name attached to the
settlement of Mr. Emerson in Dec. 1669, and afterwards in the
division of lands in 1672.
Under date of Sept. 6, the selectmen offered a bounty of 20s.
to any inhabitant who should kill a wolf within the limits of the
town, and they further ordered that the Constable "shall gather
it and pay e it them, having a warrant under oar hands to doe
it."
Gregory Cook also had a grant of a forty acre house lot upon
the same terms as " Deacon Hide and his sonn Jobe had theirs,
for all things," only there is to be a highway, if need be, through
his lot.
Deacon Hide had the meadow called the School Meadow (the
meadow near the present residence of Putman W. Taft,) for two
years at one pound yearly, "in such pay as will answer the
Towne's ends."
' ' Ordered againe by us that all ff ences about come fields and orchards be
Made good aud Sufficient according to law, and, if, upon vew by those
that are to vew ym, they are not, the damages are to lay upon the owners
of ye fences, or, if good, upon the owners of the Cattle or Swine yl doe ye
Damage."
At this time we find the Selectmen taking care that the town
should not trespass upon the lands of their Indian neighbors, as
we learn by the following order: —
" Ordered to send to the Indian Plantation called Assonomsit to ther
Magistrate to send some of those Indians that know ther Bounds to us to
consider if we have Runn into their lyne, and to Alter it wthout any wrong
to them or us, aud, if need be, to Rectifie it before the next General Court."
Joseph White was appointed Surveyor, and " Goodman Albe,
if he will, May Measure any Man's bowse lott y' desires him, 2
townsmen with him."
Sept. 25. ' ' Att a Generall Towne Meetinge It is ordered that the Select-
men doe take care to gett the Meetinge house Erected in the Place formerly
1668.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 35
agreed on upon the best And cheapest Tearmes they can for the good of
the Town; the breadth 22 foote square, 12 foote studd, the Ruffe gathered
to A 7 foote square wth A Turret t,
October following we gave Job Hide an order to goe on wth the work
W* is here incerted, the Towne then gave Deacon Hide leave until! May
the first 69 to settle with his family and Job also."
1139008
"AGREEMENT WITH JOB HIDE.
It is agreed on by the Selectmen for the more ease of the People heere and
the speedie carringe on of the buildinge that Job Hide doe undertake the
whole worke for the well Mauagine of the frame of the Meetinge bowse,
and for his Paynes and several! dayes work that bee shall doe at it shall be
allowed 2s. 6d. pr day, but not to deduct it out of his or his ffather8 pay
for theire lotts, but to receive it as wee can Make it, And every person in
Towne that can work, doe assist him as much as shall come to their rates as
shall hereafter be Agreed on for each lott to beare; whose affection to soe
good A work will be known, thereby Carringe for God's glory and the
Publique good, faithfully and speedily to perfect it as the season will per-
mytt."
During this year the Nipmuck Indians submitted themselves
to the government of the English, as will be seen by the follow-
ing document, to be found in the Massachusetts Archives, " In-
dians, Vol 30, p. 146."
" To the Honerd Govern1-, Dept J Governor, Magistrates and Deputies now
sittinge in the General Court at Boston, April 29, 1668:
The humble submission and subjection of the Native Indian Sagamore &
people of Nipmuck, Inhabiting within the bounds of the Patent of Mas-
sachusetts and neare adjoining unto the English Towues settled of Mend-
ham and Marlborough.
We the Inhabitants of Quanutussett, Monuchogok, Chaubunakongkomok,
Asuhodna'og, Ressessnogus, Wabuquoship, and the adjacent parts of Nip-
muck, being convinced of our great sins & how good it is to turn unto the
Lord and bee his servants by praying and calling upon his name: We doe
solemnly before God and this Courte give up ourselves soe to doe.
Also wee, finding, by experience, how good it is to live under laws &
good government & finding how much we need the protection of the
English, doe freely out of our own notion <k voluntary choice submit our-
selve to the Government of the Massachusetts.
To the Honord General Court: to the Honord Governor, Deputy Govern'
36 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1669.
& Assistants, to be ruled and protected by them. And we doe humbly in-
treat that we may be favorably accepted.
May ninth 1668.
The marke of 1 Wutusakompanim.
Job Katteimet.
The mark of J\ Retukhanit,
The mark of yr / TJppehenohtuk.
The mark of ^j Wabumahchein.
The mark of fl Wagesuk.
The mark of O Wussaumaudus.
The mark of ^7 Tuhkomis.
The mark of ^^ Papaumwoit.
The mark of M Wullompeh.
These have subscribed in the name and with the consent of all the rest.
Whether the Nipmuck Indians submitted to the English be-
cause they were "convinced of their great sins," and intended
" to' turn unto the Lord and be his servants," or because they
had come to feel the need of protection against enemies of their
own race we cannot, at this late day, fully determine. When
however we find that the eloquence of Philip soon after per-
suaded them to confederate with him in his contemplated extir-
pation of the English, we can hardly believe that Matoonas,
whom the Apostle Eliot had converted from heathenism, and
Major Gookin had made a Constable at Quinsigamoud, would
have led the attack upon Mendon in 1675 had lie entirely shaken
off the old Adam.
1669. Jan. 1. "It was agreed, at a town meeting, that the
same townsmen that were the last yeare shall be for this yea-re,
1G69.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 37
unless Deacon Hide doe not come to Inhabitt by the first of May
next then it is resolved to choose another in his Roome."
The Selectmen for 1668 were Col. Crowne, Deacon Hide,
Gregory Cook, Ferdinando Thayer and Daniel Lovett. As no
mention was made of a choice for a Register it is presumed that
Col. Crowne continued to discharge the duties of that office.
Samuel Read was chosen Constable, John Woodland, sen., and
Samuel Hay ward. Surveyors of Highways, and Col. Crowne,
Benjamin Alby and Gregory Cook, Commissioners.
Col. Crowne was also chosen "to be Returned to the General
Courte to gaine power to take the verdict of the jury upon ye
death of John Lovett, (killed by an unruly horse), to marry ami
to give the present Constable his oath."
Most of the transactions of the town, in the early settlement
of the place, like all the new towns of the olden time, related to
the division of land among those already removed hither, the
granting of homesteads to new comers and the establishment of
roads.
In regard to the land it will be understood that it was held in
fee by those who were settled upon its soil, and that no title
could be acquired without the consent of the inhabitants.
When, in the allotment of land to new comers, the expression
" with privileges such as lots of that bigness have" was used,
the grantee acquired a right in the unappropriated lands — he
became a proprietor. Without this expression he had no inter-
est beyond the number of acres specified in his grant. The
Proprietors kept records apart from the town records, and had
occasional meetings until a late period. Pearly Hunt, of Mil-
ford, was the last Proprietors' Clerk. By a decision of the Su-
preme Court the town of Mendon was made the custodian <>!'
these records.
" The fifty acres of upland wch the Honored Committee before did de-
signe to Benjamin Alby about his labor concerning the Mill, together \v,h
y* 20 Acor House lott, and the '-20 Acor house lott that his Sonn in law
Thomas Barnes Dwells on is to have all privilidges in the Towne as other
20 Acor house lotts shall have is confirmed."
This fifty acres to Benjamin Alby was laid out on either side
of Mill River "against the Dwelling House by the Mill." The
grist mill has long since disappeared and a shoddy mill has
38 ANNALS OF MENDON. [16G9.
taken its place. Lewis B. Gaskill is the present owner of the
Alby place.
The fifty acres and the twenty acre house lot above mentioned
were granted to Benjamin Alby by the Committee "for ordering
and settleing the Plantation at Netmocke," as will appear by
their grant dated "at Boxbury 5m. 2. G4," and heretofore re-
corded on p. 9.
Feb. 2. " Agreed on that the Townesmen together wth Goodman Alby,
Goodman Harber & Walter Cook doe see that the Minister's house be
speedily sett forward in gettinge all things in A readiness To build it and
erect it where the Place is Agreed on wth the length, breadth, height wth
all dementions formerly agreed to to compleat it wth speed. And to finuish
it to be carryed in A way of A Rate wch is thought the best way to ease
charges and speed ye worke."
At this meeting Joseph Stevens, the Smith, had a thirty acre
lot granted, and which land was formerly reserved for a Smith's
lot.
Matthias Puffer had his thirty acre lot surveyed by Benjamin
Alby, the northeast corner being a "A great Rocke wth A
Springe Bunninge from under it into Muddy Brooke." Puffer's
house stood a little south from the house of the late Daniel
Thurber. At the same time Benjamin Alby surveyed the house
lots of John Rockit, (Bockwood) John Gurney, Samuel Hay-
ward, Gregory Cook and John Jepson.
March 18. A notice was received from the Selectmen of Ded-
ham that they intend " to Bunn the lyne between them and our
towne " the 23d day of this month, and they had appointed the
two Fishers and old Goodman Thurston of Medfield. The Se-
lectmen of Mendon appointed Goodman Thayer, a Townsman.
Matthias Puffer and John Bockett to meet the committee of
Dedbam, and "to settle the bounds between them and us."
Wee whose names are subscribed beinge Deputed by the Towns of Ded-
ham and Mendon to Run the lyne between them. Wee Mett accord-
ingly upon the lyne at the bent of the River where Lieutt. Fisher begun
the lyne To Nipmug River and New Marked it and Raised up heapes of
Stones according to law.
ffardinando Thayre John Thurston
Mathyas Puffer Anthony fhsher
John Rockett Nathaniel fhsher
for Mendon. Nathaniel Graves
for Dedham.
1. 22. 69. (old style)
1669.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 39
May 10. The Minister's house, voted to be built last year, is
not yet completed, as we find by the following orders of the Se-
lectmen : —
"Ordered the speedy carringe on the fframe of the Minister's howse and that
Thomas Jnell doe provide 400 of good Clapboards upon Ins owne account
and bring them to the frame as Goodman Barnes and Goodman Head shall
approve of, and he is alsoe to bring 312 more clapboards upon Gregory
Cook's accompte good and Merchantable as ye said former persons shall
judge, wthin one Month after this day.
Ordered that Gregory Cook doe pay in Nayles in pte of his lot seventeen
shillings and eight pence in eight penny and the rest as the workmen shall
see best, being in full of his purchase.
Ordered that the Constable doe take care to see that the orders about the
Minister's house be complyed wth."
The Selectmen having completed their orders about the Min-
ister's house, concluded their session by repealing the bounty of
20s. for killing a wolf.
It will be remembered that in April, 1668, the town sent a
request to the Magistrate of the Indian Plantation of Assonomsit
" to send some of the Indians that know their bounds to consider
if we have run into their line."
In consequence of this doubt about the correctness of the
boundaries of the town, it seems the inhabitants of Mendon pe-
titioned the General Court for redress, as will appear by the
following copy from the
Mass. Archives, "Towns, Vol. 112, p. 190."
"To the ever honerd Generall Courte Sittinge at Boston, May 19, 1669.
The humble Petition of ye Inhabitants of Mendon
Shewetb. that yr Pettitioners, as in duty bound, owne wth all thankful-
ness the several! flavors this Court bestowed on this place in their settle-
ment weU they shall labor to improve (by God's assistance) for his glory yr
holier8 and yc publique good. In that petition uppon our Settlement wee
Informed that Court of ye very small quantity of meadow wthin our Line.
That although a thirty acre Lott were to have but Tenn acres of meadow
to it and so proportionable, yett was ther then three families without any
& since fowre that have none. And to ye best of our iudgm' the whole but
about two hundred and sixteen acres; therefore we humbly craved all the
meado wee should find within two or three miles, yett not disposed of, to
supply our necessities, wch the Court neither denyed or granted absolutely
because, as wee humbly Conceive wee had not stated the quantity with
bounds wch since is done through so much difficulty & changed to about
ninety acors lying nigh unto our Line in small parcells as p> ye paper
annexed wee show
40 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1669.
And now through God having good hope to enjoy the Gospel & gather a
church by the help of Mr. John, Rttyuer, whose labors we had comfort of
this winter & that hee will nettle with us besides severall good people mem-
bers of churches tender themselves to come to us had wee meado to supply
them, and all hough wee have purchased this Tract of Land twice of the
Indians to above thirty pound price, wee are so beleagred wlli them as wee
Interfere upon youre (other) plantations Aponomisco, Manchaug, Shocko-
logue, Nashwag', and King Philip pretends a great share in our best land
& meddo, so wee must mend our line, for peace sake, by what is within
your good leave, wch we pray.
These premises considered wee are constrained to Renew our Sute and
doe earnestly pray a grant of ye severall parcells of medo in the paper an-
nexed woh not only will Incorridge good poeple to Settle wth us butt inable
us to carry on the publique service more fully as wee desire.
Further wee pray that in regard as we are 25 miles off from any Magis-
trate & beset wth many incumbrances as is the lott of new plantations, to
afford us that succor and ease, that our honered ffrieud, Col. Crowne may
be inipowered to take a Verdict off us wch is about ye death of a boy, sonne
to Daniell Lovett, yf' came by a fall from his father's horse & y° honered
Magistrate Lusher can inform is only to ease some very aged man of ye jury
ffroni travelling so farre, having left their labour already the honerd Major*
being (in) Boston: and allso y* ye Collon11 may give the Constable his oath
marrie and what else may be for good order, wch are acts of grace flowing
from you to other Towns Remote, and none need it more. Lastly we pray
that Mr. Brackett of Boston and Ensign Moses Paine of Brantry may be
authorized to surrender up to us or to yni wee shall depute, our Indian
Grant of this Land w"' all other papers belonging to this place, Acts of
ye honered Committee, being paid the disbursements relating thereto and
ye Acts heere will better strengthen our Indian Grant for us & our Succes-
sors for the future and wee shall pray.
Aid rich Steven Cook, junior Gregory Cook
ett Joseph Stevens fardinando Thayre
torn off John Woodland, senior Dan: Lovett
Staples George Aldrich
John More, senior John Ilarber.
John Thompson, junior
A Particular (description) of the Severall Parcells of Meadow woh is lately
found, outlyinge The Town Bounds of Mendon,
Three Acors lyinge by y' River upon which our Mill stands on the North
side of our Lyne.
Six Acors upon the same side of our Lyne About A Mile off it.
Three Acors lyinge upon the same side of our lyne.
Eighteen Acors or thereabouts bounded on the East wth A great Pyne
♦Probably Major Gookin.
1669. |
ANNALS OF MENDON. 41
Bwampe wth Run of water on ye same side of our Lyne, three acors more on
the east side of our Lyne About A mile off it.
Power Acors lyinge by a run of water wch runs into the North branch of
Charles River next our lyne.
Six Acors on the North side of our Lyne wth A great Hill of Rocks on
y1' BOUth side thereof About a mile off.
Three Acors upon the same branch of y* River on the west.
About Thirty Acors upon A branch of yc same River adioyninge our
towne Lyne on ye north side.
Six Acors on the northeast corner of ouiOyne Adioyninge Toil by a Pyne
Swamp on ye west.
About fifteen Acors lyinge on the west side of Charles River, being the
Third Branch we pass over to Metrield.
Six Acors on the Second Branch of Charles River Towards Metfield and
below that Meadow wch our Lyne runs through.
About twelve Acors upon the same River A bout 2 miles off our bounds
southwest as we goe to Metfield.
Of the several parcells we understand that about 30 Acors of the whole is
taken up, if noe more, soe then there will not be A bove Ninety Acors, and
we want neere soe much to complete the families we have already, soe as if
we get it not some of our families must departe & the Town decayed.
Iii answer to this Petition,
The Committee findinge that ye place is But meanly provided of meddow
& y' ye Distribution already made is but small to ym y' have ye most Doe
Conceive this Court may well Grant that Town ye Meddo Petitioned for
for accommodating such persons among ym as have none or any New
Comers to ym.
As to thare other desire We Conceive Collonell Crowne may be impow-
ered to give the present Constable his oath and to give oath and take ye
verdict according to law, of ye jury for the untimely death in yc case
mentioned; as alsoe that he may be Impowered to solemnize Marriage in
ye Town of Mendon, provided the ptys be residing in yl towne or at least
one of yc ptys & this until! this Court take further order.
As to their last request That Mr. Brackett & Moses Payne may surrender
up theire Indian Purchase & other papers in their hands belonging to Men-
don wee conceive it meete that they should accordingly resigne and dlr all
up to ym they pforning & satisfying to Mr. Brackett and Moses Paine
according to Ingagement to ym
John Pynciion
Edw. Johnson
William Pakke.
May 27, 1669.
Referring to theire lyne Intrenching upon a former grant to ye Indians
42 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1669.
we conceive they may be allowed to extend there lyne on ye other side of
yin according to what ye Indian grant take off.
J. Pynchon
Edw. Johnson
William Parke.
The Deputyes approve of the returne of the Committee in answer to
their ptn ou1 Houerd Magistrates Consenting
William Torrey, Clericus.
Consented by ye Magistrates
Edw. Rawson, Secy.
Pursuant to the recommendation of the General Court, a town
meeting was held Dee. !>, 1000, at which "a full and final ending
of all differences w between Mr. Moses Paine and Mr. Peter
Brackett, of Braintree and Boston, and the Town was happily
accomplished. The Town confirmed all former grants of land
made to Mr. Paine and Mr. Brackett, and agreed that the land
should lie free from all charges until improved by them. Mr.
Brackett and Mr. Paine agreed "for ye encourage of the Minis-
try," to give thirty shillings a year, each, to the Minister of the
Town, at Boston, in goods, and to surrender the Indian deeds'
and all other writings belonging to the town when Mr. Emer-
son, the Minister, shall call for them.
This agreement was signed by Moses Paine for himself and
Peter Brackett, and in behalf of the Town, by John Thompson,
Grigory Cook and William Crowne.
Neither Mr. Paine or Mr. Brackett removed to Mendon, and
finally disposed of their interest here to other parties.
July 5. Notwithstanding the previous orders which had been
given, the Minister's house was not yet completed, as we find,
" The Selectmen met and ordered that the Sellor under the Minister's
house be forth wth digged and that Goodman Steven Cook, John Gurney
and John More wlh Joseph Juell doe it, and two work at a time until it bee
finished and that Gregory Cook and Peter Alderidge doe carry Stones to the
Seller wcU are digged."
The Selectmen, it seems, were as careful to look after the
spiritual as well as the temporal welfare of their constituents in
the olden time, and it is believed it would be of some service,
in the present day and generation, if "the enforcement of the
1669.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 43
laws" were more punctually executed now. To this end the
Selectmen issued the following order: — e
" Ordered by us to Readc the law to ye youth to exhorte them to the due
& careful] observation of the Lord's Day, and thattheire parents be desired
to doe theire duty herein for the promotinge God's glory theres and theire
children's good."
One Job Tyler, it seems, had "carried himself so unworfnily "
that the Selectmen felt bound to notice the matter, and in order
that the authority of the magistrate should be sustained and
the laws enforced,
"July 14. The Selectmen Mett and ordered to send to the Consta-
ble to Summon before us Job Tyler the next fryday at one of the clock at
Gregory Cook's house to answer his contempt of our orders and alsoe why
he refuses to worke aboute the Selor at the Minister's house, at y' tyme ye
Constable Ketourne his answer to us.
July 16. The Selectmen met accordingly and the said Constable made
his Retourne that he had warned in Job Tyler before us; his answer was
he could not nor would come, but if the Selectmen had more to say to him
than he to them they might come to him. Upon this answer of Job Ty-
ler's the Townesmen (Selectmen), Resolved to make their complaint to the
Magistrates of his contempt of several of the Selectmen's orders and of his
Miscarriages of the Lord's day & at Publique assemblies if he doe not Sub-
mytt, wch he did not."
Whether the Job Tyler here spoken of was the same Job Tyler
who was arraigned before Major Gookiu in 1665, cannot now be
determined.
In the Mass. Archives may be found the following: — ■
Sept. 11, 1665. Owannamaug, Indian Chiefe, neere Marlborough com-
plained of Job Tyler, of Roxbury, for cutting and carrying off hay from
his meadows.
Fined two shillings and six pence & cost ten shillings.
Attested by me Danl. Gooktn.
John Elliott certified Sept. 22. 1665, that Job Tyler had paid tine and
costs.
I should be sorry to lav anything at Job's door that lie did
not deserve, but his obstinacy about digging the Minister's cellar
and bis small reverence for municipal authority make it not very
improbable that he who feared not to say to the Constable that
"if the Selectmen had more to say to him than he to them they
44 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1669.
might come to him," would also, feci not any great compunction
in raiding* a load of hay from the Indians. What makes the
supposition the more probable, that Job Tyler of Mendon and
Job Tyler of Roxbury were identical is, that Hubbard, in his
History of the Indian Wars, says that some of the people of
Roxbury removed to Mendon in the early days of its settlement.
But it seems Job Tyler's short comings were readily condoned,
as we find his name among those who, in December following,
confirmed the settlement of Mr. Emerson as the Minister of the
Town.
"Ordered then that the Assessment lie made for 10s. to pay Caleb, the
Indian, for killing- the woulfe neare the town, and alsoean other Assessment
of seaven pounds for seaven wolves by the Inhabitants according to
former order, which were killed and another Assessment for 200£ to dis-
charge all Publique charges belonging to the town to ye 25th day of March
next ensuing to be layd equally upon all lotts and not upon personal estate,
to discharge expenses aboute runniuge the lyne of ye Towne bounds, and
Passinge all our Grain ts in the Generall Courte, building of the Minister's
house, his dyett, and masuringe of all the lands and meadows, and what
else hath been disbursed for the Towne or shall be to the sd 25th day of
March, and Mr. Brackett's lot and Ensign Paynes land is to be assessed to
all these Publique charges as other 40 Acor lotts."
The Minister's house is not yet completed, as others, if not so
obstinate as Job Tyler, are still slow in discharging their obliga-
tions for its completion, as the following order sets forth: —
" Ordered alsoe to allow all that find clap board to ye Minister's house five
shillings for each hundred shaven and brought to the house, good and
Marchantable, and that Thomas Juell provide 200 and bringe them to the
house within three days after notice upon ye penalty of 20s, because he
hath so long delayed it; and that he bring 200 more well shaven good and
Marchantable wth all convenient speed, being his due towards the house as
is charged upon his lot to allow."
We learn from the following record that Malthiis was not the
only philosopher who feared the earth, at an early day, would be
overstocked with inhabitants: —
" Ordered then to take into this Towne but six more families, such as are
godly and lift to carry on the Publique worke in yc Towne for the Glory of
God and the Publique good of this place."
What becomes of Malthus when we find upon the same terri-
1669.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 45
tory which in 1GG9, it was solemnly adjudicated would hold but
six more families, the homes of twenty-five thousand people,
with ample room for more.
REV. JOSEPH EMERSON, THE SECOND MINISTER.
Although the Minister's house was not yet completed, it was
concluded not to defer the settlement of Mr. Emerson any longer,
and accordingly the Rev. Joseph Emerson, of Concord, became
the first settled minister of the town. Mr. Rayner, who had
been with the people from the beginning, it is supposed, on ac-
count of the failing health of his father, declined a settlement.
Mr. Emerson was settled in true Congregational order, as the
following extract from the Town Records will show: —
"Proposalls by Mr. Bulkly (of Concord) to the Towne of Mendon in the
behalfe of Mr. Emerson, his Sonn in law to be setled to him.
ffirst. To give him forty live pounds y and for the two first years pay-
ment As followeth,
Tenu pounds at Boston y and at some shope there, or in Money at this
Towne — the Remayninge of the halfe yeere To be made up Two pounds of
butter for every Cow, the rest in Porke, wheat, barley and so to Make up
the yeares pay In warke, Indian Corne, Rey, Pease & Beefe.
2. ft'or the third yeare after he is settled, to be paid fifty five pounds y
and so on as God shall Inable them.
3. The bowse to be Made fittinge to come into wth all convenient speede
wth two tire places and a little leanto of fifteen foot in length wth A chim-
ney as a Kitchen Towards Goodman Cook's bowse, for Mr. Emerson to
contribute something to it the Towne being not willing to do it alone.
4. To gett for him Twenty Corde of wood yeerely.
5. Then if Mr. Emerson come and Inhabit!,, dyingeiu the Towne or enter
into office then to have the said bowse and the forty acor lott and Meadow
to it wUl all other privileges and Divisions Made or to be Made to that lott
as all other lotts of that bignes shall have settled to him and his hcyrcs for
ever and soe Recorded in the Towne Booke. This being assented to by the
Inhabitants of Mendon Mr. Emerson will settle with them.
Lastly, it is Agreed that if the Maior pte of the People Inhabit inge heere
shall carry it soe unworthilie Towards Mr. Emerson as that there cannot be
A Reconciliation Made amonge themselves Then it is hereby unanimously
Agreed to Refer the difference to the Churches of Metfield, Dedham &
Roxbury to heere and Determine it. And if it shall be by the said Chinches
Judged for Mr. Emerson to leave and Depart the Towne, yett he shall
46
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1670.
enioy the house and land Above expressed to him and his heyres forever
otherwise he is not to leave the Towne and his labors heere Duringe life.
Dated December 1 Anno Dom. '69.
John Alderidge
John Parris
John Thompson sen.
Walter Cook
Samuel Read
John Rockett
Sam. Spencer
Joseph White
Peter Alderidge
John Thompson jr.
ffardinando Thayer
John More
Steven Cook
Abraham Staples
Thomas Juell
I assent to this, Wittnes my hand
Jobe Tyler
Willi: Crowne
Gregory Cooke
John Harber
John Woodland
Mathyas Puffer
Joseph Alderidge.
Joseph Emerson.
Mr. Emerson had been settled in Wells, now Maine, in 1064,
and came from thence to Mendon. In 1075, soon after the
Indian attack upon Mendon, he removed to Concord, where he
died June 3, 1080.
, Dec. 6. The town voted that the parochial year should begin
on the first day of January, and that Mr. Emerson's salary was
to be reckoned from that date.
From the settlement of the town until a recent date the Pro-
prietors, being those who were owners of the soil, by the grant
of the General Court and the extinguishment of the Indian title
by purchase, acted in all matters relating to the disposition of
the land independently of the town, keeping a book of records
and having their own Clerk.
After the grant of the ninety acres of Meadow " without our
line " by the General Court, May 19th, the town chose Dea.
Simon Peck, Josiah Chapin, Joseph White, Ferdinando Thayer,
Abraham Staples, Samuel Read, James Lovett and Samuel Hay-
ward to purchase the Meadow of the Indians with lands adjacent
for convenience to said Meadow. No copy of this deed is found
upon the town records. This meadow was afterward called the
Great Meadow.
1670. Jan. 1. "Att a Generall Towne Meetinge all these severall Acts
and orders made weare Read by the Colonell to the Towne And then
Aproved of.
1670.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 47
Then chose for Tpwnesmen lliis yeare, Colonel] Crowne, William Hol-
brook, Joseph White, ffarthn. Thayer & John Harber.
The Coll. for Regester,
Gregory Cook, Constable."
The only recorded transaction of the Town, during this year,
is the following: —
April 18. At t a General Towne Meeting was granted a 20 Acor house
lott unto Mrs. Tappinge, of Boston, Sister in law to Mr. Emerson, Minister
heere, w,h all rights of the Divisions of land and Meadow to he taken up in
course as other lotts of that bignes shall have, and to pay for it rive pounds
in money or shope goods, and to beare yearly all Publique charges eaquall
w"1 other lotts of that bignes in the same pay in her shopp until she or her
husband shall build on it or Improve it, and not to sell it to any person, or
put any person on it to Dwell but such as shall lie of good Report and
quality, wch lott is to be laid by the Glebe land lott, if it fall out to be pte
of that land wch was once Deacon Hide's howse lott laved out for him but
Resigned up by him to ye Towne againe."
Although the town records make no mention of the fact, we
shall see by the following petition that the grumbling about
taxes is not a modern invention. The following, like all peti-
tions to the General Court, at this early day, has the universal
preamble, that the petitioners are exceedingly grateful for past
favors and do not see ho.w they can get along if their present
application for succor should be unsuccessful : —
Towns, Vol 112^. 208.
"To our Honoured the Generall Court at Boston, May 7, 1670.
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Mendon,
Humbly sheweth, That as in all duty bound we desire to owne with all
thankfulness the severall favors and privilidges that the Generall Court
hath formerly conferred upon this poore place: Yet not wth standing, such
is their condition, that unless this honered Court out of their wisdom,
affection & zeal to show mercy in advancing the Publique heereof by
sparing us 3 years yett longer from Country Rates, as it is wth us we shall
very hardly be able comfortably to subsist oure owne Necessary charges
Relating to the Publique and will be exceeding heavy and the means to
carry on so small, for our Assessment is for 200 £ allready, and the great
losses of cattle together with ye vast quantity of corne they have eaten to
preserve life, that there is scarce a family that hath corn to subsist wth out
buying in other pts farr remote, to their great charge.
The premises considered And our Mite, if it were cast into the Treasury,
will ad little to ye Publique, yett but will to us if spared. And our press-
48 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1670.
ing Necessities urginge us thereunto Earnestly begge the respite of our
Country Rates three years longer. And also we pray, if Dedham or any
others should make their application to you to have their purchase of King-
Philip's land, wch we heare they have bought that wch we have of his (as he
pretends) wth in our bounds, that it be not taken from us and layed to them,
being confirmed to us in our first settell', and we wth our Posterity shall
ever hold ourselves deeply bound to pray for your eternal good and wel-
fare.
Joseph Aldrich Matthias Puffer John *****
Job tiler Abraham Staples Will. Holbrook
John Thompson Samuel Read Wm. Crowne
Gregory Cook Joseph Stevens Joseph White.'
John Alby Perdinando Thayer
John Sprague Walter Cooke
John Rockit John Gurney.
The Deputyes judge meete to graunt the Town of Mendham freedome
from Rates for three yeares next ensuing, according to their petition desir-
ing the consent of o1' Hond Magistrates thereto.
William Torrey, Cleric.
13: 3: 1070 The Magistrates consent not thereto
Edward Rawson, Secy."
This year seems to have been a very quiet one, as we find the
only business transacted was the choice of officers and the grant
to Mrs. Tappinge.
Perhaps the "Acts and Orders" heretofore made by the Select-
men and read to the town, by the Colonel, at the annual meet-
ing, furnished sufficient subjects for consideration to satisfy
them for the year. It was during this year, probably, that the
" onplcasantness" between the Colonel and the Town's people
began, as we find that it found an open expression at the ensuing
annual meeting.
1671. Jan 1. . The Selectmen chosen for this year were Col.
Willi. Crowne, John Thompson " ye elder;'' Walter Cook,
Matthyas Puffer and Daniel Lovett.
The said Lovett, Recorder.
Abraham Staples-and John Sprague, Constables; John Harber
and Sam '1. Read, Surveyors of the Highways for "yeyeare."
The trouble with Col. Crowne, which undoubtedly had been
1*671.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 49
for some time brewing, manifested itself at this meeting-, as will
appear by the following extract from the records: —
" This day Col. Crowne had a vote passed for every 35 Aeor lott t<> give
25 shillings and all other lotts proportionable and soe quitt all Damages be-
tween the Towne and hee. Some for it Many against it. John Thompson,
John Woodland, and Samnel llayward did then oppose it as a very uniust
thing and that (they) would never Yield to it; and many did decline to vote
and many absent ; for it was a day sett to choose men for to do service for
the town, and only such came as were capable According to Law to act.* —
there was noe warning nor doe not use to bee the Tyme being sett from
yeare to yeare."
Jan. 3. The Selectmen sent to William Holbrook, of Wey-
mouth, for the pay for his lot, "for the town had need of it."
-Jan. 20. A vote was passed " by all the Inhabitants"* that
Sergent Whitmarsh, of Weymouth, should be employed to
measure the meadows and some other lands, and that Fardinando
Thayer and Mathias Puffer "should judge of the Meadows and
carry the line or chain.*' They were to have 2s. & 6d. per day
"for their faithful care and pains about the warke."
To defray the expense of this survey the Town voted that
John Sprague and Samuel Hayward should have, each, a 20
acre house lot with all privileges belonging to such lots. They
were "to pay Tenn pounds apeece each of them, a third pte in
Money and the other two thirds to bee paid in English Goods at
A current shope m Boston; and they are here wth to pay the
Survayor and those that assist him in the work of Measuringe
the Meadows and other lands, and that they are to retourne the
remainder of the pay to ye Towne in the same kinde before ex-
pressed. "
June 14. ■* Severall of the Towne drew lotts for the dubling
of their house lotts, as followeth, to be taken in two plains."
The plains designated were the Mill plain, south of Benjamin
Alby's land, and the Pine plain.
DIVISION OF THE PLAINS.
1. John Sprague 4. Joseph Juell
2. Joseph Stevens 5. Thomas Barnes
3. John Thompson 6. Ferdinando Thayer
♦Proprietors and others not proprietors, but having the right to vote.
7
50 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1671.
7.
Gregory Cook
15.
Mrs. Tappin
8.
Joseph White
16.
Walter Cook
9.
Jobe Tiler
17.
Mr. Emerson
10.
William Holbrook
18.
John Harber
11.
John Parri.s
19.
The Ministry
12.
Samuel Spencer
20.
Peter Brackett
13.
Thomas Juell
21.
Samuel Read
14.
George Alderidge
22.
Joseph Alderidge
23.
Stephen Cook, the elder
The following persons did not draw lots for the Plains, but
under the same date had lands allotted them in other places,
viz: — John Woodland, Samuel Hay ward, Daniel Lovett, John
Kockett, John Alderidge, Hope Tiler, William Crowne, Matthias
Puffer, John Gumey, John More, Abraham Staples, John Jep-
son, Benjamin Alby and Grizzel Gumey, (the mother of Joseph
and Thomas Juell).
Thus it will be seen, at this period, there were thirty-six per-
sons who had taken up lots, making, with the Ministry, which
were entitled to future divisions of land, thirty-seven share
holders in the undivided land of the township.
November the last '71. The Selectmen met and made this
order: —
" Wee takinge into due consideration the great charges that lay upon the
Towne for pay to the Minister and the Meetinge house compleatly wth other
charges of great consernment, Doe order that all the lotts of land lately
sould to Samuel Hayward, John Sprugue & Mathyas Puffer, (it was for
him to build a Meetinge house), shall be new Assessed to all the Rates, be-
ginuinge from the day of their Bargaynes wth the Towne for them, As alsoe
William Holbrook's land he bought of Moses Paine.
William Crowne
Dan: Lovett
John Tomson
Walter Cook."
The last record for the year 1671 is the following order of the
Selectmen : —
" Whearas severall of the chiefe of the Towne made theire complainte to
us of the great spoyle made in the Seador Swampes in cuttinge downe Trees
and then let them lay and Rott, and others that divert into clapboards and
shingles and send or carry them away out of the Towne to make a privett
advantage to themselves, wch if not timely prevented will be A means to
1G71. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 51
have none left for Publique in the Towne for the present Inhabitants or
such as shall come heereafter: Wee, the Selectmen holding it our Duty to
prevent such Inconveniences and wrongs to ye Towne do declare and order
that for the future whosoever shall or have already felled any Seador Trees
in the Swampes and shall not clear the same within one month after they
are cutt downe it shall be lawful for any other Inhabitant to take them
Away and make use of them about his howseings. And we doe hereby
prohibit any person in the Towne from carrying out, or cause to be sould
and carryd out, eyther clapboards or shingles or logs to sell, upon the pen-
alty of forfeiting the same To the use of the Towne if taken, or Double the
worth if proved after, and the Informer shall have the one half for his
paynes; and if any shall adventure to fell downe any Seador Trees after
publishing here and make use of them contrary to this order shall forffeitt
twenty shillings for every Tree to be collected by the Constable, by warrant
under the Selectmen's hands and disposed to ye use of the Towne. Wee
have formerly ordered and doe now A gaine that in the Common high
ways there be left standinge the chiefe trees To be for shelter of cattell in
the heat and that noe person doe cutt any of that kinde but shall forfiett
2s. 6d. each Tree to goe to ye use of the Towne.
Signed by us Willi: Crowne
Dan: Lovett
John Thomson, Senr
Walter Cook
Mathias Puffer."
If the cedars of Lebanon have disappeared it is not much to
be wondered at that the cedars of Mendon have failed. The few
that remain in Mr. P. W. Taft's swamp, we suppose, are but
feeble and stunted specimens of the ancient forest which the
Selectmen wisely sought to protect.
In regard to the wise and humane order of the Selectmen,
that the "Chiefe Trees," in the highways, should be left "for
the shelter of cattell in the heat," we find that Mr. Bergh was
not the first who cared for the " dumb animals " if this order had
been continued in force to the present day we cannot doubt that
the dumb animals, at least, would have been thankful to the
conscript fathers for their beneficent thoughtfulness for their
comfort of a hot day.
Inasmuch as the municipal regulations of the town, in its
early history, were mostly intrusted with the Selectmen, it is
supposed that many of their acts do not find a place in the town
records. The few acts recorded in the "town book," it is appre-
hended, do not comprise all the doings of the Selectmen. As
52 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1671.
yet, notwithstanding the town had, this year, for the first time,
chosen Highway Surveyors, we do not hear anything about
repairs of the highways. The caution about the " chiefe trees"
growing in the road, is all the recorded evidence we have that
the condition of the highways had received any attention from
the town. When we remember that the principal street in the
town, upon which almost all the inhabitants were located, was
ten rods wide, and that Mendon was a frontier town, it will be
readily seen that the public travel would not require any great
outlay of labor to render the roads passable from house to house.
The day of iron plows, scrapers and stone crushers was to come
a long way yet in the distant future, and probably the labor
bestowed on the roads was principally bestowed for the removal
of an occasional stone, stump or clump of bushes, somewhere
within the ten rods so that an ox cart could be drawn along
without the danger of being overturned.
It was not unfrequently the case, in the early history of many
of the towns, that the management of affairs, both temporal and
spiritual, gave rise to heartburnings and feuds which were not
always allayed and settled by the local peace-makers. The
General Court was sometimes called upon to act as mediator or
umpire in the adjustment of these family quarrels.
Neither the "town book" or tradition furnish any clew to
the following petition, unless the "unpleasantness" between
some of the townsmen and Col. Crowne, as may be found in the
doings of the annual meeting, may be taken as sufficient»war-
rant.
Towns, Vol. 112, p. 214, Mass. Archives: —
" Much Honoured
Since it hath pleased God to cast us in yr Country and soe under yr in-
spection wee accompt it A hlessinge from God, amongst the rest of his
blessings cast upon us heere in respect of the benefitt wee doubt not of but
shall receive thereby, in granting us yr favour as need shall require for the
advance of God's glory heere and places good ; wee amongst ye rest of the
Inhabitants of this Colony can comfortably and cheerfully speake it, made
happy by such fathers as you are over us, who study and make it yr worke
to advance God's glory and to keepe peace and good order over whom God
hath made you rulers. In which regard wee are constrayned to make our
humble addresses to you; and to bring before you, in some measure, the
state of this poore place; for we are much like the men of Laish, heere is
1671.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 53
noe magistrate to putt the people to open shame for their sinns, and what the
effect of y' may be to us you may please to judge, who hath had experience
of it in former plantations in their minority, especially when they come to
multiply wth your posterity as this cloth, wanting grave and experienced
persons to manadge new Plantations, things will break forth into disorders
w°ii is our case: wee are very unwilling to make complaint but rather
earnestly desire and beseech that by your means the General Court might
be moved to cast this Town under a Committee this yeare. And that the
Committee may be Impowered to looke backe from our first settlement as
well as forwards and to settle all things in a loveing and Peasahle way con-
cerning any Difference y* is or may be A mong us for ye benefitt of any
person heere or y' may come to us, wch will be a great incouragement to us
to promote ye worke of God both in Church and Commonwealth. And
that yourselves or some of you would please to honour us soe farr as To be
yl Committee, if it be not to boulde to present it, or else the last Comtee yt
Settled this Towne first, may extend their favour againe, putting on Mr.
Wheelock, of Metfielde in Captayne Clapp's Rome, beeinge nearer us, who
had before to make A valid Act as by theire herein you will see, to con-
tinue their proceedings : and this will be A great means wth ye blessinge of
God to keepe and maintayne peace and Good order here, wch will weaken, '
if not frustrate Satan's designe. in hindering church work, but will also
give a good sound A brarde y' may invite good company when they shall
see the care of the Honered Generall Courte, to gether wth yrselves proceed
thus to make ye place comfortable and A receptacle of God's Church, as in
a gloomy, stormy day wn>out w°>> wee fear ye place will fall into confusion ;
Thus craving yr pardon for this boldness and ye Trouble wee putt on you
wee remayne yr humble Servants and ever honored to command.
Walter Cook ye mark ( ) of Steven Cook, inn.
The Mark of '^ Joseph Juell Ferdinando Thayer
Joseph Emerson Win. Crowne Gregory Cook
John Thompson Abraham Staples Daniell Lovett ■
John More Stephen Cook, senior.
May 27, 71
The 12 subscribers are all Freemen and all the Selectmen but one.
The foregoing petition was evidently addressed to the Magis-
trates of the County of Middlesex, to which county Mendon was
assigned at its incorporation. Having failed in an application
direct to the General Court the year before, it was perhaps
thought if they could enlist the support of the County Magis-
trates they would fare hetter in a second attempt. By the fol-
lowing Act of the General Court it will he seen that the prayer
of the inhabitants of this "poore place " was granted: —
54 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1672.
" The Courte beinge informed, by some of ye Magistrates of Middlesex,
that the Inhabitants of Mendham do labour under some disquiet in the man-
aging of the Prudentials of the place whereby their welfare is greatly
impeded and many other inconveniences do occur inevitably threatening
the mine of that Plantation; Do nominate and impower Major Eleazer
Lusher, Mr. Wm. Stoughton and Mr. William Parkes a Committee for yt
place to take cognizance of the State of said place & do any act or thing
for the regulating of their prudentiall affaires as to them shall seem meet,
and w' they shall do herein to make return thereof to ye County Court of
Suffolk & from tyme to tyme Majr Lusher to appoint ye tyme and place of
meeting and all persons concerned are required, upon notice given ym to
attend the said Committee accordingly, & to submitt to their conclusions
orderly made and declared. And henceforth Mendham to be and belong to
ye County of Suffolk, any former order or custome otherwise Not wthstand-
ing.
The Magistrates have past this their brethren the Deputys hereto con-
senting.
Edward Rawson, Secrety.
Consented to by ye Deputys
William Torrey, Clericus.
9th, June 1671."
1672. Jan. 1. This day Jonathan Sprague was chosen Re-
corder and William Crowne, Willi: Holbrook, ffarthynando
Tayre, Dan: Lovett and Mathyas Puffer, Townesmen.
An order of the Selectmen was read and allowed of, givinge A
month's liberty, if the season will parmytt, to fetch Away Seader
trees which are felled."
At this meeting a copy of Mr. Emerson's settlement and a
subsequent agreement that the parochial year should commence
on the first day of January, heretofore recorded, was twice read
over and compared with the original; and "delivered to our
Pastor to Keepe."
Attested by us, the Select Men,
the Murk of WH William Holbrook
the Mark I of John Thomson, senior.
Dan: Lovett
Simon Peck.
"And for that clause wch is in the Settlement aboute the buildinge of the
bowse and leanto for me I doe owne heere by the 'T-awne hath performed
It) 7 2.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 55
to mee theire Ingagement there in and doe discharge them concerning the
same.
Witness my hand this 3d. day of March, 72
Joseph Emerson."
"Att a Gcnerall Towne Mettinge April 14, 1672, It was ordered, by
Reson of the Neglect of persons not attending towne meettings, that, If
any person or persons shall neglect Attending the towne metting, heing
Legally warned, they shall pay, as a line to the town's use, two shillings a
pece for Every neglect, with out it bee upon more than ordnery ocation,
and if any depart the metting before the metting bee dismissed they shall
pay as aforesaid."
A good rule, we think; and, had it continued in force to the
present day much saving of time would have been secured, to
say nothing of the bickering and ill blood, (which the votes of a
thin town meeting usually engender), that would have been
avoided.
With all the voters present a free and full discussion, in ordinary
cases, would settle matters at once. A public sentiment would
be manifested that the minority would not care to challenge by
calling another meeting.
At this meeting it was voted there should be a division of the
swamps; " to goe by Lott for the deviding of it, and for quantity
According to the Rule of ya Cmitee." The rule of the Com-
mittee, (of July 22, 1G62,) was that every thirty acre house lot
should have five acres of swamp, and so proportionable to other
lots.
At the same time a twenty acre lot, with all the privileges that
other lots of that size have, was voted to be laid out for the
School. It was to be located by the Ministry lot,
DIVISION OF SWAMPS.
1.
Joseph Stevens
12.
John Parris
2.
Steven Cook
13.
Saml. Spencer
3.
John Sprague
14.
Thomas Juell
4.
John Rockit
15.
Gregory Cook
5.
John More
16.
Mathyas Puffer
6.
John Woodland
17.
James Albee
7.
Samuel Hayerd
18.
Mr. Emerson
8.
Mrs. Toppin
19.
Daniel Lovett
9.
John Bartlett
20.
Joesph White
10.
Walter Cook
21.
William Holbrook
11.
William Holbrook
22.
John Jepson
56 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1673.
23.
Job Tiler
32.
Joseph Juell
24.
Mr. Brackett
33.
ffardin Thayer
25.
John Sprague
34.
for ye Ministry
26.
Samll. Hayward
35.
John Thomson
27.
John Gurney
36.
Mathyas Puffer
28.
John Harber
37.
Abraham Staples
29.
Simon Peck
38.
Colouell Crowue
30.
Hope Tiler
39.
Joseph Aldrich
31.
Samuel Read
40.
for the Scooll
It will be seen that the names of John Sprague, Samuel Hay-
ward, William Holbrook and Matthias Puffer occur twice, they
probably being the owners of two proprietary rights each. De-
duct one for each duplication, and with the School and the
Ministry also deducted, we find the number of persons as pro-
prietors to be thirty-four.
Of the above, Joseph Stevens was the Blacksmith, John
Sprague was the son-in-law of William Holbrook, Samuel Hay-
ward was the Carpenter, Mrs. Toppan kept store in Boston,
Joseph and Thomas Juell were brothers and the children of
Grizell Gurney, Mr. Brackett lived in Boston, Hope Tiler was
the son of Job Tiler, James Albee was the son of Benjamin
Albee.
A division of Upland and the Great and other meadows was
also made this year.
1673. Jan. 1. Dea. WTilliam Holbrook, John Thompson,
senr, Serg. Joseph White, Simon Peck and Samuel Read, Select-
men; Joseph Stevens, Constable, and Mathyas Puffer and Ho])
Tiler " Survuayors of ye Hyways."
The only record of any transactions in the town during this
year, are the following orders of the Selectmen:—
' ' Upon the 3 day of ye 1 month 73 or 4, thos who ware Chosen for the
yere doe agre and order that all fences a bout Corn feelds and gardins shall
be mad suficient by the 10th. of Aprill Next ethir live Raids or equivalent
to 5 Raids fence according to ye judgment of The vewers. It was also
Agred upon that John Sprage and John Thomson junior shall be vewers
of fence for the uper end of the Towne and that Abraham Staples and
James Lovett shall be vewers of fence for the lower end of ye Towne : and
upon the just Complaint of any man after this date the vewers shall vew
the fence.
1674.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 57
We doe further agree and order that all Swine shall be wringed In the
nose to prevent spoiling of the meadows and pastures, and further that
they shall be wringed by the 10th. of May. Next upon the penalty of 6
pence for each swine that Is found un wringed upon the Common (land)
till the Last of October, and If any man rind any Swine upon the Common
un wringed then to give the owners notis and If the said owners do not
within 3 days wring them they shall forfit 6 penc for each swine, one half
to the Informer the other to ye use of the Towne. This order was pub-
lished and aproved by the Towne."
It will be remembered that Col. Orowne was appointed by the
General Court, in 16G9, to administer the oath to the Constable,
take the "virdect" of the jury in the case of John Lovett, who
was killed by falling from a horse, and to solemnize marriages.
His authority was to continue until the Court should take fur-
ther order.
It is supposed that, at this time, Col. Crowne had left or was
about leaving the town. His frequent or continued absence was
the occasion, quite probably, for the passage of the following-
order of the General Court: —
"At a General Court held May 7, 1673. There being no magistrate
neere Medrield or Mendon, upon the motion of the Inhabitants of Mendon
that some course may be taken for their ease and relief, it is ordered that
Mr. Ralph Wheelock, of Medfield, shall & hereby is appointed to administer
oathes to witnesses in or of either place, as also to solemnize marriage
between persons belonging to either Towne, legally published, till the
Court shall take further order."
1674. " Att a Generall Towne Meteing held att Mendon upon
the first day of Janerery sixteen hundered seventy and fower,
The Towne Chose for the towns men for the yere Insuing Dea.
Stephen Cook, Danill Lovet, Farthenando Thayer, John Har-
ber and John Thompson, junior, Richard Post, Constable,
Mathyas Puffer and Job Tiler, Survayors of hy ways."
INN KEEPER CHOSEN.
"John Thompson, senior, Chosen for to kepe an ordenery and publique
Hous of Inter tainement. "
This was the first public house in Mendon, and was located
near the homestead of the late Hon. Charles C. P. Hastings.
58 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1674.
At this meeting the town sold to Ferdinando Thayer twelve
acres of land for five pounds and fifteen shillings. This money
he was to pay to Samuel Read, for which sum said Read engaged
to record all the lands granted to the Inhabitants whether by the
" Hond Committee " or the town, including "the severall pro-
portions granted to be Laid out ate present," the inhabitants
promising to bring in the return of the lands "In faire wright-
inge under the Survayer's hand to the said Read." This was
the beginning of what are known as the Proprietors' Records.
It was, at this meeting, voted to have a second Division of
Meadow, four acres to a forty acre lot and other lots propor-
tional; and if, upon one day's notice, any one should neglect to
attend the Surveyor "he shall Luse his turn and the next man
shall take his place."
April 6, '74, the Selectmen had full power " to act in all pru-
dential affairs for the good of the Towne," except in the dispo-
sition of land.
15, 5, 1674. At a Generall Towne Meeting Daniel Lovett was
chosen " Clark of the Writs."
Samuel Read was chosen "Clerk of the Town of Mendham."
On the same day "ther was a vote passed that all the Land
that Lies between the Mill River and Muddy Brook shall Lye
for perpetuall comon for the towne except it be that Land all
Ready granted. "
Although we gather nothing from the records of the town in
regard to any intestine troubles, except the difficulty with Col.
Crowne, the following extract from the Colonial Records, Vol.
5, pp. 5, 25 and 26, show that the inhabitants were not exempt
from occasional dissentions in the management of their civil
affairs, but had fallen into "doubtful disputations" in regard to
ecclesiastical matters : —
"The Court being sencible of the great distractions of the towne of
Mendon, judge it most in order to a comfortable composure thereof to
order that Edward Tyng, Esq1", Mr. Wm Parkes, Capt. Daniel Fisher &
Mr. Joseph Dudley shall be & hereby are appointed a comittee, and so fully
impowred to repaire to Mendon & to call all parjes before them, and on a
full hearinge and examination of their differences, to compose and setle the
same ; they- or the majo1" part of them whereof Mr Tyng to be one, who is
to apoiut ye time of meeting, making their returne to this Court."
1674.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 59
It will be remembered that in 1671, upon the petition of some
of the inhabitants of Mendon, the General Court ordered Maj.
Lusher, Mr. Stoughton and Mr. Parkes "to take cognizance of
the state of said place/' and make return of their doings to the
County Court of Suffolk. It is presumed that Maj. Lusher and
his associates did not accomplish all that was hoped for by their
mission of peace. Their diplomacy may have succeeded in
establishing a truce for the time, but the difficulties were not
wholly healed. Hostilities again broke out and, for their "com-
fortable composure," the General Court chose a new Committee
as before named, and said Committee, Oct. 7, 1674, made the
following report: —
" In pursuance of an order of the General Court, dated 27th 3 mo, 1674,
appoynting us subscribers to take cognizance of certaine matters of differ-
ence in the towne of Mendon, & make returne to this Court, wee repajed
to the place 13. 5th, 1674, when, being no considerable appearance of the
inhabitants a warrand, issued out, comanding their appearance at eight
of the clock in ye next following day, when they generally appeared ; &
though there seemed great dissatisfaction & differenc betweene severall of
them refferring to church matters as well a civil, yet after large hearing &
discourses betweene themselves & from the comittee, the third after our
appearance, & upon determination of severall differences by ourselves &
read vnto them there appeared real remorse in severall of them, & vniversal
thankfullnes for our pajnes and labour; their church differences were con-
cluded by mutual confessions, appointing a solemn fast & sacrement,
which afterward were mutually and peaceably attended ; their civil differ-
ences were concluded by regulating the manner of voating, and appointing
voaters & choice of officers. Other matters of difference were publiquly,
at the same tjme, set in order of peace & refferred some to ourselves,
which since are issued to mutual satisfaction ; & by severall discourses &
letters from them, since our returne, wee understand not of the remainders
of any old differences or arising of any new disturbances vnless it be some
particular disturbance from some strangers of Providence* winch were ap-
prehended and vnder bond of appearance at the next County Court, which
Court, wee doubt not, will take effectuall order wth them to prevent further
disturbance among them.
Wm. Parkes,
Edward Tyng,
Joseph Dudley,
Daniel Fisher."
July 8. At a town meeting held this day it was voted "that
thos that coold make it apeere thay had wrongs In ther devition
* Squatters near Shokologne Pond.
60 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1675.
of meadow all Redy Laid out should have sattisfactiou In the
next devition of meadow." This vote was also confirmed before
the "Hon4: Committee."
Sept. 4, 1(374. "A Loving agrement between the Colonell
and ourselves, heretofore recited," was, without doubt, brought
about by the advice of Mr. Parkes' Committee.
Job Tiler, it will be remembered, was called to an account by
the Selectmen in 1672 for contempt of their orders and for cer-
tain miscarriages on the Lord's day. Proving contumacious, he
was warned that charges would be preferred against him to the
Magistrates. The probability is that Job did not find himself
comfortable under the ban of the Selectmen, and so, remember-
ing that sometimes discretion is the better part of valor, surren-
dered upon their own terms, as will be seen by the following
record : —
" Whereas their has been complaint against Job Tiler, hertofore recorded,
he has given satisfaction for that ofence."
It seems that, up to this time, there was. some uncertainty
about the bounds of the town, as we find, under date of Oct. 18,
that Matthias Puffer was sent to Natick "to fech " John Ana-
wasanauke to show the boundaries of the land he sold to Moses
Paine and Peter Brackett.
The laying out the Schoolmasters' home lot, between John
Aldrich's house lot and the ten rod highway that leads to the
Mill, closes the transactions of the town for the year.
1675. The record of this year is taken up with the recital of
a single transaction: —
" Att a generall Towne Meetting May the sixt day 1675 the Towne bar-
gained and sold unto Mathias Puffer a tract of land Lieing between John
Bartlett's hous lot and the Mill and also twenty akers of land In som other
place where he shall choose, and for the said Tracts of land Matthias Puffer
doth Ingage to carry on and to mannigge the work of the Towne In settel-
ling the bounds and preambellations of the said Towne att the Generall
Courte or Corts as ned may Require untill it be seteled unto us by the
houered Cort and allso to pay and bare all the Charges that may be de-
manded or may be needful or necessary upon the said a Count and allso
to free the said towne from all dewes or demands upon the said a count."
1675.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 61
No record of any choice of officers is found, and as the above
record is dated in May, it is presumed that the old officers held
over. At any rate, we shall see, by the following record, that
Samuel Read, who was chosen Town Clerk in 1074, signed him-
self as Town Clerk in 1G75.
It must be borne in mind that it was the time of King Philip's
war, and that, of course, the country would be filled with the
rumors of Indian depredations and murders. It was not strange,
Ave think then, that so little attention was paid to ordinary
municipal affairs; especially, when we find that Mendon was to
be the first town within the Massachusetts Colony that was to be
attacked by the Indians, and which actually occurred on the
14th of July.
The only other record for 1675 is the following: —
" To the Selectmen of Mendon : Theas are to Iuforme you by us Wil-
liam ffletcher and John Burge, both of us of the towne of Chellmsford,
apoiuted by the Corts order to be gardians to the child of the widdow Gur-
ney that was and Last of all wife to the a hove said John Burge, she being
of a sound understanding did will unto her son Joseph Juell all that A
Commodation that was there at the Towne of Mendon, Laid and given
unto her the said widdow Gurney, with all the apurtenances and priveledges
In any wise apertaining or be longing there unto, upon this condition that
the said Joseph Juell do pay to Nathaniel Juell and Mercy Juell fifteen
pound and Sherrabya Reby tenn pounds. Our desire and request is unto
the Select men of the said towne of Mendon that ye would Record the said
a Commodation to Joseph Juell for his security.
Witness our hands Chelmsford this 5 of the 4 month 1675.
William ffletcher
John Burge."
"This is a true Coppy of the lettre sente from William ffletcher and John
Burge to the Select men of Mendon and now Recorded by yr order 21, 4
month 1675
as Atest Samuel Read."
This widow Gurney, ''last of all the wife of John Burge/'
was first the wife of Thomas Jewell, of Braintree. Thomas
Jewell was probably born in England; as, on the 24th of the 2d
month, 1639, he had land granted him at Mount Miller, after-
wards Braintree. He then had a wife and one child. He died
in 1654, and administration was granted to his widow, Grisell,
July 21, 1054. In 1655 she married Humphrey Griggs, and
62 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1675.
Aug. 18, 1657, was appointed administratrix on his estate.
Here the " Jewell Register " leaves her. In 1664 she was in
Mendon, with her two sons, Thomas and Joseph Juell, as the
widow Grurney. By her will we learn that she married John
Burge for her fourth husband.
Of King Philip's war, which commenced within the bounds of
the Massachusetts Colony, by an attack on Mendon July 14,
1675, the records of the town do not furnish a single item of
intelligence. An hiatus of five years in the town records, cover-
ing the period from 1675 to 1680, is the only evidence that
anything unusual had occurred. Not a single entry is found
indicating the fact of an Indian war. The first volume of the
town records were carefully preserved during the abandonment
of the town, but still not a solitary entry was made in explana-
tion of the fact. Passing strange is it that the Town Clerk,
who must have known very many interesting facts, should have
neglected to record a single one.
Of the names of the slain in the attack upon the town none
are now known, except the wife and child of Matthias Puffer.
These were discovered by the compiler of these annals in 1859,
while searching for materials of this history among the archives
of the State at Boston.
Among the contemporary historians of King Philip's war we
find no special account of the assault on Mendon, Hutchinson,
in his history of Massachusetts, p. 291, says the Nipnet or Nip-
muck Indians killed four or five people at Mendon, in Massa-
chusetts Colony, the 14th of July." Mather, in his Magnalia,
p. 488, says "the rest were dispatched unto the relief of Men-
ham, where, about July 14, the Nipmuck Indians, another
nation of those who were well wishers to Philip's designs, began
to PMllippize in barbarous murders." In another place, p. 493,
he says "deserted Mendham was, this winter, (1675-6) laid in
ashes." In a foot note, p. 294 of Hutchinson, maybe found
the following extract from a Letter to London: "Sept. 23, 1675,
an alarm was made in the town of Boston, about 10 in the morn-
ing, 1200 men were in arms before eleven and all dismissed
before twelve. One that was on guard, at Mendon 30 miles off,
got drunk and fired his gun, the noise of which alarmed his
neighbors, and soon spread to Boston."
1675,] ANNALS OF MENDON. 63
Undoubtedly there was an alarm at Boston, but that the
report of a musket could be heard by the nearest neighbor,
fifteen miles off, at Medfield or Wrentham, seems rather
apocryphal. But somehow the news of the attack on the
town got to Boston during the day or night following, as we
find, Vol. 67, p. 225, Military Archives: "At a Meeting of the
Governor and Council 15th. July, 1675, an Order in nature of a
Avarrant to Capt. Isaack Johnson forthwith to march out wth
soldiers listed according to ye orders of ye Major Gen!I as also
with such others from Boston sent him to relieve Mendon and
Wrentham. E. E. S."
This outbreak of the Indians was not, it seems, entirely unex-
pected, as we find, Vol. 67, p. 213, Military Archives: —
"At a meeting of ye Governor & Councill, July 13, 1675.
For securing or frontier towns in the County of Suffolk, it is Ordered
that ye maior of the Regiment send forth his order to the respective com-
mittees of the Militia in ye Shire to provide twelve men to be furnished
with amies and ammunition and victuall for a weeke to join 5 or 6 Indians
(our friends) to bee provided by Capt. Gookin. This party are ordered to
scoute and range in the woods from Mendon to Hingham ; and, if they rind
any armed Indians, to sease and disarm them, and if the number of such
Indians are too many for them to ingage withal, then they are to hasten to
the next towne and give information. It is further ordered that the Com-
mittee of militia of Roxbury make provision of victuall and ammunition
what is necessary to supply those Indians from time to time, and to keepe
account thereof which the Treasurer of the country is ordered to pay:
these twelve Englishmen are to be divided into two companies, the one
halfe to scoute one weeke & the other halfe another weeke successively,
accompanied with the Indians aforesaid ; the Major to appoint a time when
they shall begin their motion & appoint the place of Rendezvous & this
order to continue in force untill the Generall Court or Councill take other
order.
past July 13. 1675
Edw. Rawson, Secy."
Military Archives, Vol. 67, p. 221.
"Mr. John Touton yours of 22d instant received before sunset, and
thereupon you are hereby Impowered And Authorized forthwith to require
Peter Sympkins and Isaac Pratt to attend you with all diligence for the
relief of the wounded; that in case of their refusal, you are required, by
the Constable, then forthwith to send them to Capt. Hudson, who is hereby
required to send them to Boston to Appeare before the Gov and Councill
64 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1675.
to answer their neglect, in which case the Inhabitants of or
the authority of that town are hereby required to affoord the Chirurgeon
assistance in such respect.
Dated in Boston this 22 July 1675
Edward Rawson, Secy. By Order of the Councill."
This Dr. Touton was a refugee from France, as will be seen
by the following extract from Vol. 4, Part 2, p. 67, of the Colo-
nial Records: —
" In answer to the peticon of John Touton, of Rochell, in France, doctor
Chirurgeon, in behalf of himself and others, that himself & other Protest-
ants, inhabitants of Rochelle, who, for their religion's sake, are outed and
expelled from their habitations & dwellings &c. might have libaty to come
hither here to iuhabitt &c. as in sd peticon on rile appeares, the Court
judgeth it meete to graunt this peticon."
GARRISON AT MENDON.
" 26 July 1675. the Councill met.
The Councill, on perusing a letter of Capt. Prentice & Capt. Johnson,
Dated 22d. day of July 1675, judged it meet to order Capt. Prentice and
his Troope be presently called home & yk Capt. Johnson wth his souldiers
be also sent to returne leaving of his foot souldiers and the scoute
to remayne as a Guard to Mendon, and of his ffoote at Wrentham
as their guard, Referring it to the said Captain to consult wth the Sarjent
or other chief officer of each Towne how many to leave at each Towne
with their Arms complete, and they to remayne till further order."
Although the following order has no particular reference to
the affairs of Mendon, still, as Mendon was in the midst of the
Nipmuck Tribe, and, as we shall see, their fealty uncertain, the
imminence of a second attack is regarded as a sufficient reason
for its insertion.
Military Archives, Vol. 67, p. 228.
Boston July 27, 1675.
The Councill being informed that the Narragansett Indians are come
down with about one hundred men into the Nipmuck country,
Do order you, Capt. Edward Hutchinson, to take with you Captain
Thomas Wheeler and his party of horse, with Ephraim Curtis for a guide,
and a sufficient interpreter, and forthwith to repaire into those parts and
there labor to get a right understanding of the motions of the Narragansett
Indians & of ye Indians of Nipmuck; and for that end to demand of ye
leaders of ye Narragansett Indians an account of ye grounds of their march-
ing into ye country, and require to understand the order of their Sachems.
1675]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 65
And iilso to demand of the Nipmuck Indians why they have not sent down
their Sagamore, according to their promise unto our Messenger, Ephraim
Curtis.
And further let them know y' wee are informed that there are some
among them that have actually joined with our enemies in the murder and
spoyle made upon the English hy Philip: And that Mattoonas and his
complices who murdered and robbed our poeple at Mendon are now among
them. And that we require them to deliver up to you or forthwith bring
to us these our enemies, otherwise wee must look at ym to be no friends to
us, but ayders aud abettors: And in prosecution of this affayre if you
should meet with any Indians that stand in opposition to you or declare
themselves to be your enemy, then you are ordered to ingage with them (if
you see reason' for it) and endeavour to reduce them by force of arms."
Before this time the Apostle Eliot had organized bands of
praying Indians at Waentug, (now Uxbridge) Hassanamisco,
(Grafton) and at other places. In view, probably, of their
belief that some of the Indians had been truly converted to
Christianity and fearing they might be ill treated should they
refuse to side with Philip, Mr. Emerson, the then minister of
Mendon and others, petitioned the Governor and Council to
allow some of these praying Indians of Hassanamisco to remove
to Mendon, as well " for the security of the Indians as the Eng-
lish," as will appear by the following action of the Governor and
Council: —
" At a meeting of the Council held at Boston Sept. 17, 1675.
Upon the motion and request of Mr. Emerson, Minister and Ferdinando
Thaire, husbandman, messengers sent to the Councill from the Towne of
Mendon, in the County of Suffolk, declaring their willingness in behalf of
said Towne, that the Praying Indians, Belonging to the Church and Towne
of Hassanamisco and such other civil Indians that shall joyn with that com-
pany, being accepted and approved by the English of Mendon, shall and
may be admitted to live and sojourn in said Towne among the English and
build a fort there neere or about the house of the said Thaire, and then to
continue this winter or longer, if the English & Indians agree to it and the
Councill approve thereof, which course is conceived will conduce both for
the security of the English and Indians in these dangerous times.
The Councill having considered of this motion and desire of Mendon do
allow and aprove thereof and do order the said Indians (who have mani-
fested their consent) to remove thither with their families as soon as they
have gathered their corn and provisions any order to the contrary hereof
respecting these Indians notwithstanding; and it is further ordered that
Seriant White and Ferdinando Thaire, with the advice of Mr. Emerson,
9
66 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1675.
shall so inspect the said Indians and look to them that they may not do
any wrong to the English, or sustain any wrong or prejudice from the
English, and furthermore if it be thought expedient, by the said Committee
above mentioned to employ and incourage the said Indians, or any of them,
to range and scoute in the woods to discover and surprise or destroy any
of our skulking enemies, the Councill do order and appoint the said Com-
mittee always to send some one or more English man or men in their
company both for the preservation of the Indians from danger, by any of
our forces as also to see that the said Indians demean themselves truly
and faithfully to the English interest.
And for the accomplishment of the ends aforesaid it is ordered by the
Councill that Lief tenant Rudduck and the rest of the Committee of Militia
of Marlborough do forthwith deliver unto the above said Serjent White or
Ferdinando Thaire, or such other Englishmen as they shall send in the
company of some of those Indians, for all the arms and ammunition seased
by them of Marlborough, belonging to these Indians, which arms and am-
munition shall be kept and Improved for the use and defence of the sd
Indians, the owners of them, and of the English among whom they
sojourne at Mendon.
past by ye Councill
E. R. Sec."
All this negotiation came to naught, as we learn that the
Indians soon after this deserted Hassanamisco, and, most proba-
bly, many of them cast in their fortunes with Philip.
The following letters and orders of Council, with the petition
of "Mathyas Puffer," so far as can be ascertained, furnish all that
is known of the history of Mendon for the year 1675.
Mass. Archives, Vol. 67, p. 276.
" From Mendon ye 1st of Oct. 1675.
Honerd Goviner & Counsell
These are to certify to your worshipps that Capt. Gorum with myself
and our soldiers of both companies are in good heath at pt. through
mercy.
And to give your Honor an account of our severall marches, first we came
to Mendum on the sixt day of the weeke at night, being the 24th. of Sep-
tember and on the 25th. day we marched from Mendum unto Hassanamesitt
(Hassanamisco) hoping there to have had a Indian for our guide butt the
Indians were all gone from thence and wee thereby disappointed of our
expectations, on the next day wee marched to Pachachoag where we found
a field of corne and well fenced, which wee did not think convenient to
destroy, concluding, for aught we knew, some of the neerest Inhabitants
would be willing to save it, but we could not find any Indians, neither the
signe of any being there of late, and wee marched from thence to Man-
1675.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. G7
choag and Chabanamaguncok where we found some Corne fields and some
wiggwams, corn and wiggwams wee burnt and destroyed, but could not
find any of our enemies which was a great discouragement to us, having
taken so much paynes to find them. Then we returned and marched to
an Indian Plantation called Shockologue where we could not find any
Indians, butt a considerable quantity of good Corn which we did not destroy
butt preserved itt at the request of some of Mendum who think to fetch it
home for themselves, and from thence wee came to Mendum on the 30th of
September. Now, seeing, in all our marches, wee find no Indians wee
verily think that they are drawne to gather into grate bodyes fair Remote
from these parts.
If your Honers please to send us on any further service I hope we shall
nott be unwilling butt forward to doe our uttermost endeavour withall,
desiring that you would be pleased to add unto our number seeing thatt,
besides the Garrison men which must be left here in Garrison, wee have
but 30 men besides myselfe, Capt. Gorum being on his march to Mount
Hope ; and, if wee goe further wee desire wee may have a Surgeon and
sum others that may be acquainted with the woods where you shall send
us, the want of which hath been a discouragement to our men.
And as for the towne of Mendum I am desired to commend the desolate
condition of them to your Honers. Severall of these Inhabitants being
Removed from thence and those in Garrison being butt poor herpes in
divers Respects, and in number butt 12 men with their ams very defective.
This plantation is very Remotte and therefore soe much the more stands in
neede of helpes. It is very likely to be a prosperous place if it please God
to putt an Issue to this trouble, and therefore it is the more pitty to have it
deserted by these people, who think it must be if they have not some assist-
ance; they hope that 20 men well fitted, with their own returned, might be
sufficient, if your honers see cause ; and further they desire to acquainte
your Honers that ye Indians of Hassanamissett, which your Honers
apoynted to sift down with them, have deserted their own town and come
not to Mendum.
And soe nott having any more to trouble your Honers with
I Rest your Honrs To Command
Phinehas Upham, Liftenant."
By this letter it will be seen that Lieut. Upham (who was of
Maiden and one of the first settlers of the city of Worcester, and
who was mortally wounded in the attack on the Narragansett
fort, Dec. 19, and died soon after in Boston,) visited what are
now the towns of Grafton, Auburn, .Sutton, Oxford, Webster
and Douglas.
Mil. Arch., Vol. G7, p. 278.
68 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1675.
Mendum Oct. 1675.
Much Houd my servis with all dew Respeckts humbly presented to your-
selfe and unto the Rest of the Counsell, hoping of your helths. I have
made bold to trouble you with these few lines to give your honners an
account of our progress in your jurisdiction. I arrived at Mendum with
fifty men and the day following Lef tenant Upham arrived with Thirty
Eight men and the next day wee joyned our forces together and marched
in persute to find our ennimy, but God hath been pleased to denigh us an
Opertunity therein, though with much labour and travail we have endeav-
oured to find them out, which Left. Upham hath given you a more par-
ticular account: our Soldiers being much worn out, having been in the
ffeeld this foreteen weeks, and little hoops of finding the Enimy wee are
this day Returning towards our Generall, but as for my own part I shall be
Redy to serve God and the Country in this Tuft war soe long as I have Life
and helth. Not else to trouble you I Rest yours to serve what I am able.
John Gorum."
As the Indian war had now been commenced within the
bounds of the Massachusetts Colony, and, as neither its continu-
ance jor cost could be definitely settled, instead of casting its
burden upon posterity, the General Court proceeded at once to
levy a tax upon the several towns to meet the necessary expense
of the same, as follows: —
Mass. Archives, Military, Vol. G8, p. 29.
"The Courte havinge taken into theire Consideration the great and
daylie growinge charge of the present warre against the Indians & the ab-
solute necessity there is of a further supply & recruit of amies and of
Ammunition for the service of the Country and having also pticularly the
present state and ability of the several towns & plantations in this jurisdic-
tion, doe hereby order and Enact that for the defraying the charges afore-
said there shall be Levied seven single country rates, three of the said rates
to be paid at or before the last of November next, and the other four rates
at or before the last of March next : the prises of all sorts of corn (grain)
paid in said rates to be as floth, i. e Wheat at 6s. Rye 4s. 6d., Peas 4s, In-
dian 3s. 6d. Barley 4s. and Oates 2s. pr. bushell. And the said Levie to be
delivered to the Treasurer without charge to the Country, and such as
make payment in money to be abated one fourth part.
And the Treasurer of the Country (Colony) is hereby required accord-
ingly, to issue forth Warrants to the Constables of the several towns, who,
together with the Selectmen of the place, are required to levy the said rates
upon the Inhabitants that they may be duly paid as abovsd.
1675.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
69
The Deputies have past this in steed of that sent downe by our Honered
Magistrates, desiring their consent thereto.
27 October 1675.
William Torrey, Cleric.
Consented to by the Magistrates
Edward Rawson, Secretary."
COLONY TAX FOE KING PHILIP'S WAR.
Boston £300 00 00
Salem 100 00 00
Charlestown 80 00 00
Dorchester 40 00 00
Roxbury 30 00 00
Watertown 45 00 00
Cambridge 42 02 00
Lynn 34 04 05
Ipswich 70 00 00
Newberry 60 00 00
Waymouth 25 09 04
Hingham 30 00 00
Concord 33 19 10
Dedham 28 02 07
Hampton 28 00 00
Springfield 26 05 05
Westfield 11 16 06
Hatfield 8 12 08
Framingham 1 00 00
Rowley 36 00 00
Redding 16 09 11
Brantry 25 00 00
Manchester 2 00 00
Salsbury 22 00 00
Exeter 8 08 05
Lancaster £11 16 00
Sudbury 20 00 00
Haverill 18 00 00
Hull 10 00 00
Wooburn 25 18 01
Mendham 6 06 02
Chelmsford 14 18 00
Maulden 15 10 05
Billerica 14 07 09
Meadfield 27 11 03
Meadf ord, 5 00 00
Northampton 22 02 10
Marlborrow 17 13 00
Hadley 18 10 09
Groaten 1110 00
Beverly 16 00 00
Andover 20 00 00
Marblehead 18 00 00
Glocester 9 00 00
Wenham 5 00 00
Topsfield 12 00 00
Bradford 8 13 00
Amesbury 5 15 03
Milton 15 00 00
Mass. Arch., Military, Vol. 68, p. 32.
" Mendum, ye * * * 0f Ocbr. 1675
To the Honered Councill,
These few lines are for to acctquaint your Honers of ye Towne of Men-
dum in y' wee who are here are Garrison Soulders Lying to ye Mercy of the
Enimay, are nowe building of a garrison in defence of ourselves and the
Towne, doe finde the Town pepell very unwilling for to Ade or Assist at
ye fortyfication wich wee are about: ye Sargientt is willing butt only ye
fences, wich are aboute itt he will not yealde y' wee shoulde Aney ways
pull downe, thoe itt doth stan as a saft garde to shelter y« Enimy: as for
ye Towne pepell thay are very small in number, not above 19 men at this
70 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1675.
present wrightinge In Towne whaireof ffive of them are ould men, not able
for to baire amies, and for Amunition itt is very scarce : if y' ye Indians
sould Make butt Aproach heire ye Sairgentt sayeth that theire would nott
be a pounde of powder for ye Garrison souldiers y» are heire be fore ye
others came up: as for the Towne's Stock thaire is nowne; the helpe here
y4 wee need is very great for theire is some In ye Towne had rather y' ye
Indians wliaire to bee heire than wee : theire are A pepell soe divided that
thay will not heire Reson, in soe much thay say if y' theire ware 1000
Indians and Alarum should be Mayed thay would not stir outt of dores for
to Aid or assist ye soulders, soe wee desire your Honrs for to take itt into
consideration for we are heire only A pray to ye Inimy : Likewise several]
other Complaints we have whenever time doth sarve to Come face to face,
by them thaire subscribed here
Edward Barton John J A Andross his Marke
Henery L» ft Pellenton his Marke Thomas Andrews
William W R Rosway his Marke John Roulstone
Johnath" X Duninge his Marke Joseph Griffinge
Likewise ye Garrison men yl Came up last Can testifie yt the townsmen
will nott any wayes lend or sett their hands for to Make Any fortyfication
but still are in yr same Minde for to haive all theire houses fortified as if
thay weire all ye hoole towne heire, when theire is no Moore in towne butt
whatt before expressed, and those Ganison men y' came up no we can
testify yl theire is noe Aminition provided for the Towne's Stock: wee hoose
names heire subscribed.
Israel Leavitt Theophilus Gushing
Samuel Holbrook John Low
Jonathan Torrey The Marke of Richa Godfrey ^*
John Weld Thomas Linkhorn ^\7 his Marke.
By this time, about Oct. 1, it seems that many of the inhab-
itants of the town had removed, and the few (19) who remained
had, without doubt, become somewhat disheartened. Indians
to the south of them, Indians to the west of them, Indians to
the north of them, and fifteen miles to their nearest neighbors,
could not furnish any very flattering guaranty for succor in case
of another attack. But that Sergeant White would not have the
fence pulled down if it was necessary, or that the town's people,
generally, would not aid in fortifying the town, as is affirmed
above, seems hardly probable.
1G75.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 71
Surrounded as they were, on all sides, by the Indians, they
must have lived in daily fear of a second assault, and, from the
tone of the preceding letter, one can hardly doubt that the sol-
diers as well as the inhabitants were quite ready to be relieved
from their duty of holding the place longer.
Whether in consequence of this letter or not, on the 3d of
November the General Court, after ordering "that Major
Clarke forthwith strengthen Mendon Garrison by adding ten
more unto them and that forthwith,'' also "further ordered
that all such persons as have already quitted their habitations at
Mendon and doe not forthwith returne, or shall hereafter leave
their habitations, license being not first obtained of the Generall
Court or Councill, they shall forfeit theire interest in that place,
for the defraying the charge of the garrison soldjrs."
Capt. Daniel Henchman, (afterwards one of the first settlers of
the City of Worcester,) having been ordered to scout in the
neighborhood of Mendon and Marlborough, was at Mendon
in the beginning of November, as the following letters will
show: —
Military Archives, Vol. 68, p. 32.
Mendam, Novb. 2, 1675.
Hon* Sr
About four of the clock this afternoon we came all safe to Mendam &
found the town in like condition, but cannot at all better my Intelligence
about Hassanamesit. flour horses are prest for scouts to thither at moon
rising till when they cannot with certainty find the place, and will be back
again, I hope before tomorrow morning with somewhat in order to our
further expedition.
The Inhabitants of this place are drawn into two houses and in a pes-
tered condition; and in relation to it as a garrison there are several things
of moment to be considered of, the which I shall state and dispatch to your
Honer with what shall be discovered as before and would have done all
together at the return of the scouts, but that Mr. Pain tells me he has
express order to send away a post, as soon as we came hither, of the state
of the Towne. The which having presented as before, crave leave to sub-
scribe myself
Sr yor Houers Humble Servant
D. Henchman.
Mendam Nov. 3. 1675.
Hon<J Sr
The Scouts, in my last mentioned, now returned, report that the old Wigg-
72 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1675.
warns of the Indian Towne are standing and their dores fast as left by the
Indians when they went to their new place to plant, being about a mile
from the other, and that in a field there is about 60 bushels of Indian Corn
in barns, and at the new place one wiggwam matted and others begun :
in the first an Indian had but just before them gone out, by an apple they
found roasting and a tobacco pouch. Having the opportunity of Mr. Gard-
ner's going now to Boston I send what yet I have, and am considering
whether presently to march to the Indian field, or, in the night, to goe with
some men to see if any of them can be taken, so at present conclude, sub-
scribing myself Sr Yr Hon" Humble Servant,
D. Henchman.
Mendham Nov. 5, 1675.
Hond S'-
Since my last by Mr. Gardner, I marched to Hassanamesit where we
found nothing more than what the scouts, as formerly, discovered. The
Indian not returned by his tobacco still laying and no signs of an enimy
that had been there ; but a flight of Indians, I fear, real or f eined, by apples,
corn, nuts and other things lying up and down, besides the corn and
apples lodged up, the first of which I would have endeavoured to convey
to this place, by help of the Inhabitants here, but was objected against by
some of them. This march for despatch (not hearing from Capt. Sill) I
judged might be safely performed, and intended, this morning to have
sent all the Troopers, being 8, and three files of my post to Boston, reserv-
ing six files here to dispatch my first instructions about this Garrison, and
then come also ; but, at my return hither yesterday about four afternoon, I
received the Hond Councill's further orders by Messengers from Capt. Sill,
who intends this night to be at Magoncok (now Ashland) within 14 miles of
Hassanamesit, at which place I sent him word I would meet him this day
at 2 of the clock at farthest (the Lord assisting) although my men want' rest
and are ill clad and shod for marching, so that I was faine, by inability
and otherwise in my last march, to change a file with the Garrison : and
which is more our provisions are even at an end, severall bringing not any
forth with them, but hope we shall shift with some flesh a little bread &
boy led corn procured in this distressed place, which, in their contracted
room of two houses, have not fire and lodging places to answer the poeple's
necessities and which is more their spirits, by all they suffer, work not
kindly in them.
I have spent much of my little time in meeting with them about a settle-
ment for their safety, but in vane : Most say they cannot subsist if they'
stay, and a few the like if they goe. At length they proposed to apply
themselves to the Hond Councill. I, being now to march away and left
the command with Sergeant White, having prest the sad consequences of
Braking up a Town, Rending a Church, Dismantling a Garrison and In-
couraging the Enemie.
1675.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 73
My humble thanks to the Hon'1 Counsell for their Instructions relating to
Dependence upon the Lord, faith towards him and prayers for us pre-
sented.
from Sr Your Hon8
Humble Servant
I). Henchman.
C'apt. Henchman
Understanding that you and your soldiers may want victuall, the Coun-
cill have ordered five hundred Biskett to bee lodged at Mendon & the like
quantity at Marlborough, unto either of which places *you may have
recourse for recruites and we desire and order that you will be vigilant to
prevent the enemies many attempts upon those parts. Wee had notis this
morning that ye enemy seased a boy & man and carried ym away that were
at Peter Bent's mill in Marlborough, this was done last evening being 5th
of November. Four of the English escaped but left the horses, meal and
arms, so y* the enemy is in those parts : these recruits are ordered to pre-
vent your so speedy return : if there be any thing of moment or yl you
should discover the enemy to be numerous to give us a speedy notice y*
more force may be sent : these supplys and directions are for Capt. Sill as
well as yourself, to whom and yourself wee commend or love, desiring the
Lord to guide, direct and protect you & all yr men & so remane,
Yr Loving freind
E. R., Sec. p Councill.
Boston, 6th. of 9 mo. (Nov.) 1675.
To Left. Tho. Hinchman, you are ordered by ye Councill, by ye Garrison
soldiers, forthwith to secure and bring away the corne on the other side
ye river & secure it from the enimy.
Dated in Boston 6 November 1675. By ye Council
Edw. Rawson, Secretary.
Mass. Arch., Military, Vol. 68, p. 80.
Mendham Nov. 10, 75
Hond Gentlemen.
The last night in the close of it, I marched to Hassanamest with 22 men
mounted, believing that some of the enemy were there, discovered theire
fire, dismounted and marched to it in two files, headed the right myself,
the other led by my Lt. Zekill Curtis, but as we hasted to it their dogg
gave than an alarum when wee in less than musket shot; wee stopped a
little and moved againe but the dogg increased his barking & least they
might draw in to the thicket to lire on us, I ordered some to lire, hollered
and ran on as fast as wee could: my Lt. first got to the wiggwam &
received a mortal shot at the dore: I hasted to surround them in getting
close beyond it, expecting my men had followed, but all that both of us
had was not above five men; one of them, my corporall, Abiel Lamb,
10
74 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1675.
whose strength outstrips me, and hy reason of a fall I had in my running
on: one soldier more was wounded & fell, his name, Thomas Andrews,
who cried out exceedingly disheartening: them wth me at the wiggwam
together with no more men coming up to us, I called upon my men to fall
on & shute into the wiggwam, which no more doing, them up with me fell
off, I cryed to them, for the Lord's sake to stay, for in retreating as wee
did I gave up myself and them with me for lost, and it was a peculiar
Mercie we were not all slaine, for the Indians issued out and fired on us:
the Marlbrow man also shot but not dangerous : One of my old soldiers
kept with me as I think, Jonathan Dunninge, and a horse so soon as
mounted, I would have had my men ride up and fire to get off the wounded
and to secure the reare ; but all were upon flight though I threatened to run
them through, but availed not : some few horse kept with me & by my oft
running back in hopes to save all I could, discovered two on foot, who
said that they also had been lost. At our return we find only the two first
wanting. And although this is a sad frown for I had as likely to fight as
ever here. They soon hollowed and we drew off our horse & by the shout
seemed to be about fifty & the wiggwam seemed to be thronged full, and a
second hollow soon followed, some judge from a second party, for two
other fires were seen at a distance : yet the enemy scaped not for 3 of them
at least were slain without, besides those wounded and slain, as well might
be, in the wiggwam.
If the body of them draw this way the Town may be in distress, for
divers times I have put them to severall things needful and will assist with
all my men, I hope they will now bestir themselves. My Lt. Zekill Curtis
is a great loss to me and have not to supply his place. I cannot inlarg but
begging a sanctified use of this and former frowns, for we might have had
an opportunity to kill all in the wiggwam.
I rest Hond Gentlemen
Yr Humble Servant
D. Henchman.
It is ordered by the Councill yl Major Willard forthwith issue forth his
orders to Capt. Prentiss, to send forthwith twelve troopers well fitted and
furnished with arms, Ammunition and provisions for 10 days & to march
to Mendon or else where Capt. Henchman is or may be and there to be
under his commands and order for the service of the country.
This past by ye Councill,
Edw. Rawson, Secy.
12th Novembr 1675.
Cotton Mather and others say that four or five persons were
killed by the Indians in their attack of Mendon. Until recently
none of the names of the slain were known. The following
petition is here inserted because two of the four or five persons
1675.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 75
who lost their lives on the 14th of July are clearly made out.
It will he remembered that on the 3thd day of November, 1675.
the General Court '"ordered that the people of Mendon should
not remove from the place without leave, and that those who
had done so should immeliately return."
It appears that Matthias Puffer had left the place and returned
to Braintree without leave from proper authority. Fearing that
he should he compelled to return to Mendon is, undoubtedly,
the reason why he addressed the following petition to the Gov-
ernor and Council: —
Towns. Vol. 112, p. 208.
"To the Ilonered Councill now Sitting in Boston, the humble petition of
Matthias Puffer humbly sheweth:
That whereas your petitioner hath been complained of for being absent
from Mendon to ye diseouragement of those that remaine, my answer is
that I departed, at first, with ye consent of the Town provided I carried
away the Widdow Gurney at my own charge, which I accordingly per-
formed, and since the Majors warrant to summon me to go againe, I have
returned thither againe and have been helpful to them by procuring them
ammunition and otherwise.
Indeed I have been forced to return to Braintree to take care of my chil-
dren who are left. My wife was slaine by the Indians and my eldest son;
severall of the best of my cattell killed to maintaine the Garrison, many
more of them I have left; my estate is lost; my Condition is desolate and I
not in ye capacity that others are whose families are not broken. I humbly
beseech the Honered Councill to consider my case & not expose my poor
children to ruin, for I have not Estate to maintain my Children without
my labor and care. To him that is in affliction pitty should be shewed. I
think my case is the case of the Widdow if not worse. My humble petition
is that I may be suffered to Continue at Braintree that I may be a succor
to my children which else will be exposed to ruin and your petitioner will
ever pray.
Matthtas Puffer."
Matthias Puffer's house was not far from the residence of the
widow Hannah Thurber, and some forty years ago the site of the
cellar was pointed out to me by elderly people. As the attack
of the Indians must have been sudden and unsuspected, it seems
probable that Mrs. Puffer and her son were killed in or near the
house. Mr. Puffer married Rachel Farnsworth. of Braintree,
March 12, 1662, and hence their oldest son could not be more
than eleven or twelve years of age. "Whether the Council grave
76 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1675.
an affirmative answer to the petitioner or not • is not known.
There is no date to it and so, as the General Court forbade the
removal of the people from Mendon, on the 3thd day of Novem-
ber, and, as Mather says, the town was burned by the Indians in
the winter of 1675, under the circumstances of his case we may
reasonably conclude that Puffer continued to remain at Brain-
tree-.
Puffer had leave, by consent of the town, provided he "car-
ried away the widow Gurney without charge to the town,"
to go to Braintree. Mrs. Gurney's maiden name was Rachel,
and before 1683 she had married a man by the name of Bundy
and was again a widow. She was first the wife of John Gurney,
who was one of the first settlers of the town. John Gurney
must have died while living in Mendon, but no record of .his
death can be found. Might he not have been one of the persons
who were killed on the 14th of July?
The only tradition relative to King Philip's war that has
survived to the present day is, that the Indians, when they
burned the town, sjjared the house of Joseph Aldrich, because
he was a Quaker. As no mention of any Quakers in Mendon is
made for many years after this event, this tradition may be set
down as of questionable authority.
Although no municipal government was organized until Jan.
3, 1680, there is evidence, I think that, not long after the close
of King Philip's war, which was essentially terminated by his
death, Aug. 12, 1676, some of the inhabitants returned to Men-
don. In the record of births I find that six children are
recorded as being born in Mendon betwen Oct. 1, 1677, and
Jan. 28,. 1680. From this record it is supposed that some of
the inhabitants had returned as early as 1677.
At the breaking out of the war the following persons were
owners of Lots and were presumed to be heads of families, viz: —
John Aldridge, _ John Parris, John Thompson, sen1"., Joseph
White, Walter Cook, Samuel Read, John Rockit, Peter Al-
dridge, Samuel Spencer, John Thompson, jr., Ferdinando
Thayer, Stephen Cook, Abraham Staples, Job Tiler, Wm.
1676.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 77
Crowne, John Harber, John Woodland, Matthias Puffer, Joseph
Aldridge, Thomas Juell, Benjamin Albee, John Jepson, John
More, Thomas Barnes, George Aldrich, Joseph Juell, John Gur-
nev, Daniel Lovett, Samuel Hayward, Stephen Cook, James
Albee, Wm. Holbrook, John Sprague, Simon Peck, Joseph
Stevens, Hope Tiler and John Bartlett, making with the min-
ister. Rev. Joseph Emerson, thirty-eight.
The names of those who returned after the war are as follows,
viz: John Thompson, sen1-., John Thompson, jr., Joseph White,
Walter Cook, John Rockitt, Peter Aldrich, Samuel Read, Fer-
dinando Thayer, Abraham Staples, Matthias Puffer, Joseph
Aldrich, George Aldrich, Samuel Hayward, Job Tyler, Hope
Tyler, Daniel Lovett, James Albee, William Holbrook, John
Sprague, Simon Peck, making twenty in all. Others returned
afterward.
1676. In the Massachusetts Archives the following petitions
may be found, and are here inserted as a part of the history of
Mendon relative to the Indian war.
Military, Vol. 68, p. 124.
" To the Honered Councill sitting in Boston the humble desire and request
of John More, formerly of Mendon.
Whereas yr petitioner, when he lived in Mendon, for ye supply of ye
soulders under ye command of Capt. Daniell Henchman, had three hun-
dred and twenty pounds of Beef, one bushell of Pease and a bag of three
shillings price taken from him, as per ye account under ye Constable's hand
will appear; as also myself and horse impressed to go to Marlborough, and
by reason of my being belated in that expedition, so as in ye night coming
home, being very dark, so that I was much bruised and also fell into the
river, since which time I have been very sick and weak, being deprived
also of any comfortable subsistence, by reason of ye present insolency and
outrage of ye heathen : having had my horse pressed to Narragansett, with
other reasons, yr petitioner's present desire is that he may be ordered to
have some present pay, to supply him with necessaries in his present con-
dition, and yr petitioner shall dayly pray for yr prosperity.
John More
11th. 9th month 167o."
CERTIFICATE OF THE CONSTABLE.
To whom it may concern, that these things menshoned ware taken of
John More, by order of Capt. Henchman for ye use of his solders, three
78 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1676.
hundred and twenty pounds of beef, one bushell of peas and a bag of tbree
shilling price, himself and horse to Marlborrow, his horse to Hassanamest.
As atest Samuel Read, Constable of Mendon, 20th. 11th mo. 75.
The second petition is as follows, and is to be found in Mili-
tary, Vol. 68, p. 247:
To the Honoble Governor and Councill now assembled at Boston May 1,
1676:
" The Petition of John More late of Mendon,
Humbly sheweth, that yr Petitioner is now attained the age of ninety five
or thereabouts, and that, after Mendham was deserted he came to Medfield
where he was severely wounded by the Indians, and by reason of his age is
now disinabled to labor, whereby he may get a livelihood for himself and
family, and having lost all his estate at Mendham, he is reduced to a very
low condition having not any thing left to buy him food and clothing, and
Capt. Henchman when he was at Mendham with his company, received
from your petitioner a Cow and some peas and corn, for provision for his
souldiers and hath not given your Petitioner any satisfaction.
Your Petitioner therefore humbly requests the favor of yr Hon1"8 to con-
sider his age and his low and afflicted condition and to allow him something
for his cow, corn and peas delivered to Capt. Henchman as aforesaid, as
also to grant him a small pension for his reliefe in that little time he hath
to live in this world, that so he may be freed from those extreme wants
that otherwise he must inevitably suffer, so shall he ever pray, &c.
John More."
As will be seen, the first petition was dated Feb. 11, 1675-6.
The attack upon Medfield by the Indians, was made on the 21st
of the same month, and in this attack More received the wound,
as mentioned is his second petition, and for which he petitioned
the Governor and Council for aid. I do not learn that any
action was taken upon either petition; although, from the facts
in his case, some aid may hav'e been granted, the record of which
cannot now be found.
I close the annals of the present year with an account of Mat?
toonas, who commanded the attack upon Mendon in 1675.
In September, 1674, the apostle Eliot and Major Gookin, who
had been appointed Superintendent of the Indians, visited the
several bands of praying Indians; and, at Pakachoag, they con-
stituted John, the Sagamore, and Solomon to be co-ordinate
rulers, with the authority of the English government, and Mat-
toonas, a grave and sober Indian, as Constable. But notwith-
1676.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 79
standing this. Sagamore John, with his tribe, gave way to the
persuasions of Philip and joined with him in his attempted
extermination of the English. The death of Philip soon con-
vinced John that the continuance of the war would only end in
the disruption of the confederacy and the ruin of his tribe.
John now voluntarily buried the hatchet, and resorted to diplo-
macy to save himself and friends from further disaster. To this
end he, with Mattamuck, Sam. Sachem, Simon Pottoquam and
Uppanippaquem, other Nipmuck Sagamores, signed a letter to
Governor Leverett, "Mr. Waban and all the chief men our
brethren, praying to God," sueing for peace. This letter may
be found in Drake's Indian Chronicle, p. 131, and was dated
July 6, 1676.
About this time the Governor and Council put forth a procla-
mation of pardon for all Indians who should voluntarily come in
and surrender.
Sagamore John, taking advantage of this, came to Boston
July 13, and gave himself up to the English. He expressed
much sorrow for joining with Philip, claiming that he only did
so through fear of his life. He guaranteed, for himself and
tribe, hereafter to be faithful and true friends to the whites.
Promising to give further testimonials of his fidelity, with
assurances of protection, he was allowed to depart. July 27 he
returned with an hundred and eighty of his followers and, as a
peace offering, brought in Mattoonas, with his son Nehemiah,
bound with withes. A military necessity was supposed to exist
for the immediate trial of Mattoonas. After a short examina-
tion he was adjudged guilty and condemned to immediate death.
To further propitiate the favor of the English, John begged, for
himself and followers, the privilege of executioners of the sen-
tence of the Court. Mattoonas (who had undoubtedly led the
attack upon Mendon at the dictation of Sagamore John) was
accordingly led out, tied to a tree on Boston Common, and shot
by the Indians. Afterwards his head was cut off and mounted
upon a pole, opposite that of his son, who was executed for a
murder committed in 1671.
Although Hubbard, in his History of the Indian War, speaks
of Mattoonas as an old malicious villain, and Increase Mather,
in a sermon on the prevalence of prayer, puts himself on record
80 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1680.
with equal bitterness, are we quite sure that the Indian of two
hundred years ago acted under a rule so very different from the
martial code of the present day? To King Philip and his allies
it must have been plainly seen, by this time, that the white or
the Indian race must be exterminated at no distant period of
time; and is it strange then that the instinct of self-preservation
should lead him and his followers to an attempt to avert the
imminent danger they so clearly comprehended.
1680. Jan. 3. The following is the record of the first town
meeting since the abandonment of the town, when " Dea. Steven
Cook, Sergant Joseph White, Ferdinando Thayer, Robert Taft
and Samuel Reed were chosen Selectmen, John Cook, Constable,
John Thompson jr. and John Rocket, Surveyors of Highways,
and Samuel Read, Clark of the Writs."
At this meeting no other business was transacted, but as
another meeting was held Jan. 12th, it is supposed that, either
there was some informality about the choice of Selectmen and
Constable, or that those first chosen had resigned. Be that as
it may be, we find that Deacon Steven Cook, John Thompson,
Sgt. Joseph White. Abraham Staples and Samuel Read were
chosen for Selectmen and James Lovet, Constable.
During this month we find that the Town inaugurated meas-
ures for the erection of a Minister's and a Meeting House, as
follows, viz: —
"Jan. 13. Att a generall Towne meeting It pased by A Clere vote to
build A hous 26 foot in Length 18 foot In bredth, 14 foot between joynts,
a girt hous and a gabell end In the Roofe and a Leantowe att one end of
the hous the bredth of it; twelve foot wide 6 foot between joynts, for the
Minister that shall first settle with us."
For the erection of the Minister's house the town voted, Jan.
22, " that they would give twenty pounds, four pounds would
be paid in money and Indian corn at 2 shillings a bushel when
it should be raised, and the remaining sixteen pounds to be paid
in pork at 2 pence per pound and Indian Corn at 2 shillings per
bushel, 011 or before the 25th day of November following."
A Meeting House was contracted for as follows, viz : —
1680.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 81
"Articles of Agreement between Samuel Hay ward on the one party and
the Townesmen (Selectmen) on the other.
The said Samuel Hayward doth ingage to begine and manige the frame
of a Meeting House 26 foot in length and 24 foot in breadth, a girt house,
14 foot between Joynts. From the beginning to the raising of it caling in
what helpe bee scse convenient, and giving A true A count to them of the
days work that are done both by himself and others, and what time they
and how they perform the work, both by carting and other labour, allow-
ing the said Hayward 3 shillings a day for his labor and care in maniging
of this work, to be paid in currnte pay as will pas betwen man and man,
and to procure -him a Cow with a calf or a calf by her side, as soon as the
frame is raised, as part of his pay. Abraham Staples ingaging to pay the
cow if no other be procured, the said Hayward ingaging to have the frame
redy to rais by the last of May next insuing. If help fail him then to make
his order to us and to have pay produced to procure help, and the remain-
der of his pay to be paid at or before the 1st. of January next insuing, and
to take the Cow at the price that 2 indifferent men shall prize her.
In the performance hereof we set our hands this 17th Jan. 1680.
Samuel Hayward.
Steven Cook
Abraham Staples
Samuel Read."
As is generally the case in fixing upon a site for public build-
ings, it is supposed that there was some disagreement in the
present case, as we find, in accordance with the advice of the
Honored Committee, (Eleazer Lusher, William Staughton and
William Parke, who had been appointed by the General Court a
committee for regulating the affairs at Mendon,) a town meet-
ing was held on the 14th of July "to settle matters about
the meeting house," and Ferdinando Thayer and Samuel
Read were chosen a committee to carry the result, what-
ever it might be, to the Hond Committee "the last fryday of
this Instant July." What was done towards settling the meet-
ing house affair is not known, but, as we hear no more of this
matter, it is believed an amicable adjustment of the differences
was arrived at.
Aug. 10. Joseph Aldrich was chosen " sealler of waightsand
mesyours and to keepe the town standerds," being the first
person chosen for that purpose.
" Att a Generall Towne Meetting 4 October 1680 the towne Agreed and
it pased by a Clere vote that they would give Mr. Grindall Rawson a Call
H
82 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1680.
to the work of the ministry for this yere In order to his further settlement;
and all so that they would give him twenty pound In corrent New Eng-
land mony and his bord and a hors to be kept for his servis. Tenn pound
of the said money to bee paid att or before the 25th of March the other tenn
pound aft or before the 25th, of September next Insuing. "
Oct. 21. Samuel Read agreed to board Mr. Eawson for one
year for thirteen pounds, in country pay, at the prices following,
viz: Wheat at 5s., Eye 4s., Indian Corn 3s. a bushel; butter 6
pence a pound, pork 3d., mutton 3d., beef 2d. half penny, and
12 pound of tallow besides the thirteen pound. Joseph White
agreed to keep his horse one year for forty shillings in town
pay.
Edward Eawson, the father of Grindal Eawson, was born in
Gillingham, Dorsetshire, England, April 15, 1615, and married,
in England, Eachel Perne, grand-daughter of John Hooker, the
celebrated divine, whose wife was a Grindal, sister to Edmund
Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury in the reign of Queen Eliza-
beth. Edward Eawson came to this country and was one of the
grantees of the town of Newbury as early as 1637. He was the
first Town Clerk there, and held that office by successive annual
elections until 1649, when he was elected Secretary to the Colony.
This office he continued to hold until the usurpation of the
Government by Sir Edmund Andross, in 1686, when Eandolph
succeeded him. Mr. Eawson, on his removal to Boston, lived
in Eawsoms lane, so called, it is presumed, out of compliment to
him. Eawson's lane is now known as Bromfield street.
Grindal was the twelfth son of Edward Eawson, and was born
in Eawson's lane, in Boston, Jan. 23, 1659, and died at Mendon
Feb. 6, 1715, aged 56. He married Susanna Wilson, daughter of
Eev. John Wilson, the first minister of Medfield, and grand-
daughter of Eev. John Wilson, the first minister of Boston. The
year of his marriage is not established, but as he graduated at
Harvard College in 1678, began to preach in Mendon in 1680,
and the town voted "to transport his goods free of charge in
1682," it is reasonable to suppose he was then married.
The names of Edmund, Grindal, Perne, Hooker, Wilson,
Edward and Secretary are, to this day, favorite names among
the widely scattered and numerous descendants of Edward
Eawson.
1681.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 83
1681. Jan. 2. The town officers for this year are as follows,
viz: Deacon Steven Cook, Serg. Joseph White, John Thompson,
Sen1-., Abraham Staples and Samuel Read, Selectmen; John
Rockit, Constable, and James Albee and Elizer Wheelock, Sur-
veyors of the Highways.
Feb. 2. It was voted that, "if Mr. Raivson settle with us, he
shall have his great Lot laid out before any others that are not
already laid out and his Doubling Lot before any others."
By a vote of the town, passed A})ril 14, 1G72, it was decreed
that every forty acre house lot shall be made up, two hundred
acres of upland, besides swamps and meadows, as was settled by
the Committee 22d of July, 1662. The land taken up beyond
the house lot to make up the two hundred was called the Great
Lot and the land by future divisions the Doubling Lot.
It seems the minister's house was not yet finished, and Walter
Cook, Robert Taft and Samuel Hayward were chosen a com-
mittee to see that it should be completed by the 25th of Novem-
ber next.
John Bartlett, it is supposed, was the contractor for building
the minister's house, from the fact that, Nov. 14, it was voted
that a rate for the sixteen pound " dew to John Bartlett " should
be made to be paid "the one half In Indian Corn att 2 shillings
a bushell and the other half in pork at 2 pence a pound," this
being the sum that was to be paid when the house was finished.
The foregoing items comprise all the matters of interest re-
corded in the town records.
The two following petitions, to be found in the Archives of
the State, will complete the historical memoranda for the year:
" To the Honourable General Court now sitting in Boston:
The Humble Petition of Samuel Read, late Constable of Mendon,
Humbly Sheweth,
That in the summer of 1675, in July, there were two rates committed
to your Petitioner to gather, and in the same mouth the Indians fell in
upon us to our ruin, therein some were slaine, others fled to Rhode-Island
& their rate cannot be had. Your Petitioner with great Paines hath gath-
ered all the said rates except three pounds twelve shillings, which cannot
possibly be obtayned nor myself able to pay it.
I humbly therefore pray this Honoured Court will pleas to remitt the
same, there being no fault on my part why the same cannot be had.
And yr Petitioner shall pray
Samuel Read.
84 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1681.
The Magistrates Grant a remission of the £3. 12s., our brethren the Dep-
utyes Consenting.
J. Dudley, pr. order.
May 17. 81
Consented to by the Deputys,
William Torrey, Clericus.
Ecclesiastical, Vol. 2, p. 13.
To the Honble Court Now Sitting at Boston.
The Humble Petition or Address of the Inhabitants of the Township of
Mendon.
Much Honoured,
As ye deplorable and desolating effects of ye late Indian Warre
(wherein many Townes were wholly ruined and depopulated by ye prevail-
ing and overbearing of ye Insulting Foe,) have made, we doubt not,
impressions on yr minds soe deep and abiding that they can not easily be
forgotten, or erased, so also have we no cause to question that you can in
ye least wise be ignorant that your poor petitioners were great sharers in
those Public Calamities. Our great and speaking losses (which we groan
under to this very day) enforced us to make an Application to yr honod
selves formerly, for reliefe and succor from under ye heavy pressures of
our sad & lamentable conditions : Wee then experienced both a readiness to
hear & a willingness to relieve us when our case was almost hopeless and
helpness also, had not God stirred up your hearts to pitty and commissera-
tion. It was then your pleasure, much Honoured, not only to take
our condition into yr prudent consideration, but also to make us
ye objects of yr compassion & ye subjects of yr pious care, Ordering and
Enacting that we should be freed from Public Rates for three years, and
also, that all Proprietors whether resident or non-resident should bear their
equal proportion in Town Charges ye like space, for ye advancement & en-
couragement of our undertaking ye settlement of ye place & Rebuilding of
our Ruined habitations; neither can we ever be so ungrateful as to bury in
forgetfulness, much less to pass by in silence without due and deserved
thankfulness & acknowledgments, so great and good a favor, that you were
pleased to desire & Appoint yr much honored Joseph Dudley Esq., Capt.
Daniel Fisher & Mr. Thomas Weld to be a Committee over us for ye more
comfortable and prudent management of or public concernments, that
peaceable order & orderly peace, might be continued & maintained amongst
us, (ye want of which doe most commonly proove ye overthrow of new
Plantations) whose pious care and zealous pains for our best good and wel-
fare we have largely experienced, and desire, with thankfulness and grati-
tude, to be reminded of our former experiences of your forward Inclinations
to pitty & commisserate ye low condition of such as make their Address
unto y honerd selves for succor, embolden us to make our further suite for
1681.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 85
your wonted favour and invite us to spread our lamentable condition before
your Honours.
May it please you to consider
That when we made or petition formerly for such favors as we then
obtained (although with a restriction unto the tearme of three years) we
doubted not but that after we had broke through and had underwent ye
first brunt & heat of ye day we should have been seconded by others in ye
undertaking and that mpst if not all of ye Proprieters, would have repaired
to their lands to have built and settled upon ye same. But many under-
standing that they were to bear Town charges no longer than three years
& hoping that, afterwards, their lands should be free of charge, have de-
ferred their coming up, so that, when this time shall be expired (which
will be in May next Ensuing) we shall be in as bad if not worse condition
than ever, utterly unable to carry on anything, either for ye good of Towne,
Church or Commonwealth to affect. Your were pleased to give it to or
Honerd Committee as one of their instructions (and that none of least
weighty & difficult) to endeavour the settlement of a Minister amongst us,
who have earnestly and faithfully laboured to see your godly desires
effected, so far as that we are att present possessed of so great a Mercy, yet
not without fears of a bereavement in y' we are not of ourselves, without
ye help of other Proprietors, able to procure him a comfortable subsistence.
Wee are bold to presume that, as you have solicitously desired our greatest
welfare in that respect, you will also endeavour the continuance of it & not
suffer us to be bereaved, because our shoulders' are too weak, alone, to
sustain so great a burden. Wee desire earnestly not to be (and hope we are
not) of ye number of those who dwell in their ceiled houses & yet say the
time is not come that ye Lord's house should be built. We have gone to
the outside of our strength & have so far laid aside our private concern-
ments that our Meeting and Minister's house are raised, yet, notwith-
standing, must they, of necessity, lie and rot for want of ability (not will)
in us to carry them on to a finishing, unless others, who are proprietors as
well as ourselves (ye price of whose lands is much raysed by our carrying
on public work & will be nothing worth if we are forced to quit the place)
doo beare an equal share in Town Charges with us. Those who are not yet
come up to us are a great and far yet abler part of our Proprietors, without
whose aid and assistance the work and worship of God must lye wast
amongst us we ourselves being unable to carry them on. Many, as we
understand, would come up and settle amongst us were they but assured of
the continuance of ye publick worship of God amongst us by ye ministry
of his word, of which we shall most assuredly be bereaved unless your
seasonable authority be interposed & prevent such a fatall calamity.
Our Request therefore is, That it will please your Hond selves to take or
condition so far into your consideration as to establish and Enact ye con-
tinuance of your gracious order for all Proprietors bearing their share in
Town charges, that so we may not be forced to quit our houses and lands
& desert ye place, which otherwise we shall be necessitated to doe unless
86 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1682.
we will be contentd to live like Heathen, without hearing ye word preached
& so entail a curse instead of a blessing upon ourselves and posterity.
And how can we endure to see the evil that will come upon our posterity
& see ye sad destruction of such dear relations? Our Honoured Committee
who are in no wise ignorant of our condition, can sufficiently acquaint your
Hond selves with ye deplorableness of our affairs, and that it will be rather
more lamentable (if that can be) than we have expressed, unless your
timely favour prevent it. Dunstable, Marlborough, Lancaster & Groton
(as we understand) enjoy the privilege we petition for, and we are not
willing to neglect any means to obtain ye same, least we should be accused
as ye blameworthy cause of our own miseries.
Let it therefore please your Honour*1 selves by your clemency to prevent
such great calamities as will otherwise befall us & Ensue, namely ye loss of
y" means of Grace or else our deserting our habitations to ye utter undoing
of ourselves & children.
And your poor Petitioners shall ever pray,
Stephen Cook, James Lovett,
Joseph White, Senr, Abraham Staples,
Ferdinando Thayer, John Rockett,
Saml. Read, John Cooke,
John Thompson, Jr., Saml. Cooke,
Robert Taft, Dennis Darling,
Samuel Hayward, Jona. Thayer,
Eleazer Wheelock, Peter Holbrook,
John Thompson Sen1*, John Dayley.
Walter Cook,
In answer to this Petition the Magistrates judge Meete to continue their
late order referring to y" proprietors of lands in Mendon who are not resi-
dent nor do improve their sd lands, to be rated in Town Charges as those
that are present upon the place for the next three years after ye former
time, and ye Committee of this Court for ye managing of the affayrs of ye
Towne Continue their Care and Government as formerly.
The Magistrates have past this their brethren the deputyes thereto con-
senting.
Edward Rawson, Secy.
Consented to by y« Deputyes
William Torrey, Clericus.
1682. Jan. 1. The first business transacted was tlie adop-
tion of instructions to the Selectmen. In the first place they
were to make such orders as should clear the town from the
penalty of the law. Among other directions they were to see
1682.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 87
that the minister was promptly paid, that the bounds he sought
out and established between the common lands and those of
proprietors, between man and man, and that the boundaries of
the highways be settled. They were to see that the boundaries
were recorded and that each proprietor had a good right and title
to the land he claimed.
Having completed their instructions the town then chose for
Selectmen, Simon Peck, Sergt. Josiah Chapin, Abraham Staples,
James Lovett and Samuel Read. John Rocket for Constable,
and Ferdinando Thayer and John Thompson, Jr., Surveyors of
Highways.
THE FIRST SAW MILL.
At this meeting it was voted to grant Josiah Chapin (who had
bought the lot and land of Joseph Juell,) eighty acres of land on
the east side of Muddy Brook, if he would build a saw mill on that
stream. At the present day one would hardly think of investing
his money in a saw mill on Muddy Brook. But we must remem-
ber that the face of the country has become very much changed
since the days of Sergeant Chapin. The water shed, which sup-
plied the brook above the contemplated mill in 1682, was
undoubtedly covered with the primeval forest. This would so
retard evaporation that during the late fall, winter and spring
months a sufficient supply of water would be furnished for the
proposed water power. At this time but little remains to mark
the spot where the first saw mill in Mendon was erected.
Jan 5. Ferdinando Thayer, Simon Peck and Abraham Sta-
ples were chosen a committee to " Rectifie Mr Rawson's Chim-
neyes." It is supposed there was some radical fault in them, as
they were to be wholly taken down and rebuilt.
Jan. 18. " Att a general Towne meeting It pased by a Clere vote that
Mr. Rawson, for the yere in being shall have forty five pounds for a Con-
sideration of his Labours amungst us; fifteen pounds money starling of
New England, ye Rest in such other Country Commoditys as wee Pays
amungst us, and, if he shall desire at a sixt part abatement of the Country
prise as it goes between man and man ; for the next yere fifty five pounds,
fifteen In Corent mony of New England, the Rest in the same specie above,
and afterwards as his Necessity shall apparently Call for, and In case any
Inhabitant shall see Reson he shall have liberty to pay all his wholl propor-
tion in mony upon ye same abatement,"
88 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1683.
July 21. Joseph White, Josiah Chapin, Simon Peck, Samuel
Hay ward and James Lovett were chosen a committee "to Re-
new our hold of Mr. Rawson for his continuance with us for the
futer, and doe give them full power to acte in the behalf of the
Towne, as If themselves ware present, and to Rest satisfied In
what they doe."
Ministerial candidates were not so numerous at this time as
with us of the present day, nor were the people then so readily
blown about by every wind of doctrine, consequently our ancestors
were saved from the usual wranglings and heart-burnings which,
in modern times, too frequently grow out of the settlement of a
new minister.
Oct. 25. Sergeant Josiah Chapin was chosen Surveyor, and
Dennis Darling, John Rocket and Edward Lineford had grants
of land.
The Selectmen at the beginning of the year made rules that
all swine over eight weeks old should be "yoked and wringed "
before the 25th of March; that "stone horses," going at large,
should be "aproned off according to law;" that horses "that
Continually Keep and feed in the road," shall be sufficiently
shackled or clogged; that all fences should be repaired before the
25th of March, and that all trees felled within half a mile of any
house should be cut up within three months, under a penalty of
five shillings for every tree. The danger of leaving combustible
matter in proximity to the buildings is supposed to be the reason
for this last rule.
1683. Jan. 1. Josiah Chapin, Simon Peck, Ferdinando
Thayer, James Lovett and Samuel Read were chosen Selectmen;
Samuel Cook, Constable, and Josiah Chapin and Ferdinando
Thayer, Surveyors of Highways.
At this meeting a committee of nine were chosen, of which
Joseph White was chairman, " to purize the Town book and to
see what there was upon Record that might bee prejudyshall to
the peace of the town, and allso to take a draught oute of the
Town Booke of all those Records that doe Interfere one upon
another and present them to the towne, "
1683.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 89
It wtis voted that none but those who have allotments of land
should have the privilege to cut trees for wood or timber or
other ways upon common lands, without liberty from the town.
Sent. 17. The Selectmen were instructed to draw up an
instrument to convey to Mr. Eawson "that land which was
formerly Common Land & that Land which was formerly ye
Ministryes Home lot together with all Meadows belonging to ye
Ministreye's Lott & ye Lott called ye Schoole lot with all rights
and privileges belonging to ye same."
The Selectmen were also instructed to appoint Surveyors of
the Highways who, according to their discretion, shall mend the
same. They had power to call upon any man for work, and
upon four days notice should any refuse to work, they were to
pay a fine of five shillings, and if summoned with a team, ten
shillings.
"The Returne of Mr Rawson's Home Lott, containing forty Acres.
Butting North East upon a small piece of Common Land Lying between
ye said Lott and the hyway Leading to Simon Peck's ; south east upon the
north side of Mr. Emerson's Home lott, Returning upon a southeast line
heading Mr Emerson's John Harber's and, partly George Aldrich's Home
Lott ; thence upon a south west line of marked trees partly upon a piece
of common Swamp and partly upon the north end of Mr. Emerson's second
division; westerly and northerly upon a hyway Leading by Philip
King's Lott to Common Land and partly upon a hyway leading to the
South Meadowes."
In consideration that the town could not give a good title to
the ministry lot, they voted him thirty acres of land where he
shall choo'se it, and also the improvement of the ministry lot, he
to lie paid for any betterment he shall have made, "as Eashonall
men shall judg " which shall be reimbursed to him or his
heirs.
Oct. 23. A survey of the town was made, Serg. Ellis, of Ded-
ham, being employed as Surveyor, and was settled as follows,
viz: — Starting upon Charles Eiver and running four miles, want-
ing forty rods, to the northeast corner at a stake and stones in
Hoppins meadow; thence turning and running westerly to the
northwestern corner one hundred rods beyond the Great Eiver
(now Blackstone,) eight and one-half miles; thence turning and
running due south eight miles to the southwest corner to a
12
90 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1683.
chestnut tree, upon the northern side of a great hill; thence
turning easterly about three miles to the Monhegin river, (now
the Branch,) crossing it several times, and so on to the Great
River, upon the south side of the Falls, (Woonsocket) and then
with said river to Dedham line; thence turning and running
northerly four miles and forty rods. This last line, not men-
tioned in the description, is taken from the original survey.
From this we learn nothing about starting from the Dedham
Tree and running one mile east to the point where this survey
began.
Nov. 18. The Selectmen ordered that all timber cut down in
the pine and cedar swamps should be removed on or before the
last day of February next, upon the penalty of forfeiting the
timber and five shillings a tree to the informer; and if in the
future any trees or buts for clapboards or shingles shall remain
longer than six days, they shall be subject to the same penalty,
one half to the informer and one half to the town.
The following items • complete the town record for the year
1683:—
Nov. 19. Those whose names are underwritten were found to
be indebted to the town for unpaid taxes and grass, viz : —
Peter Aldrich, for 1680—1681 & 1683 £1.08.02
Mrs. Elizabeth Browne, for 1683 2.00.00
Wid. Ruth Bundy, for 1680, 1681 & 1683 6.08.01
John Aldrich, for 1682, for Grass, per Walter Cook 0.12.10
Mrs. Elizabeth Browne was the relict of Rev. Joseph Emer-
son,- the second minister of the town.
The widow Ruth Bundy, as she is recorded as the relict of
John Gurney, formerly of Mendon, was, without much doubt,
the widow Gurney that Matthias Puffer took from Mendon when
the town gave him liberty to go to Braintree to look after his
children, in 1675; and the fact of her marrying and again be-
coming a widow, and no mention made of John Gurney since
that time, seems to corroborate the truth of the supposition that
he was among the slain in the Indian attack upon Mendon in
1675, as heretofore inferred.
1684.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 91
1684. Jan. 9. Simon Peck, Josiah Chapin, Abraham Sta-
ples, James Lovett and Samuel Eead were chosen Selectmen;
Jonathan Thayer, Constable, and John Kockett and Samuel
Read, Highway Surveyors.
When the town was burned in the winter of 1675-6, Benjamin
Albee's grist mill was embraced in the general calamity. Dur-
ing the four or five years since the return of the inhabitants
there was probably no mill nearer than Medfleld or Wrentham,
and with no means of transportation but the cart and oxen, or
a bag and boy on a horse, the privilege of "going to mill"
could not be regarded as a sinecure, especially when the journey
must have occupied two days and a night.
To remedy this inconvenience the town entered into the fol-
lowing
" CONTRACT TO BUILD A CORN MILL.
Articles of Agreement made and concluded (Jan. 9, 1684) between
Matthias Puffer and the Town of Mendon
First, that ye sd pufer doth agree to and with the Inhabitants of Mendon,
to build a sufficient Corne Mill in some convenient place for the town's
use upon the same stream the former Mill stood upon, and in case ye sd
puffer build ye Mill below ye place ye former Mill stood and thereby pond
in the Country Road, then the sd puffer by these presents dus bind himself
to make and maintain a sufficient Cart bridge for the Country's use.
2ndly. In case ye sd puffer build the said Mill above the other mill pond
upon the Town's land, then ye said puffer shall have ye land that he ponds
and also Ingress and Egress to the Mill during the time of the Mill's stand-
ing and Remaining serviceable for the town's use ; afterwards ye sd Land
Returne to ye Town again.
3dly. The sd puffer dus Ingage to maintaine the sd Mill twenty years for
ye town's use and to provide a Miller from time to time as may be satisfac-
tory to ye mair part of ye towne.
4thly. The said puffer doth Ingage to erect ye sd Mill and furnish the same
att or before the last of October Next insuing the date hereof.
Matthias Puffer
Signed in presents of us His M. Mark "
James Albee
Joseph White, Junr.
Upon the performance of every part and particular specified,
the town contracted to pay said Puffer the sum of fifteen pounds,
92 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1684.
ten pounds in current money of New England, and five in mer-
chantable country pay.
It will be seen that Puffer was to build the mill, keep it in
order and provide a miller for twenty years, and for the due
fulfillment of these covenants he bound himself in the penal
sum of thirty pounds to pay back the fifteen pounds, "ten
pounds in money and five pounds in Country pay. " This bond
was dated April 16, 1685.
SETTLEMENT OF REV. GRINDAL RAWSON, THE THIRD MINISTER.
7 Aprill 1684 att a gneral towne nietting of the Inhabitants,
It pased by Clere vote that In order to the Settelrnent of Mr. Grindal
Rawson In the work of the Ministry amonst us they would doe for him as
followeth.
Imp9 that they will give for yerely Sallery Fifty five pounds to bee paid
as followeth, fifteen pounds per annum in Starling money of New England
and forty pounds more to bee paid in good marchantabell country pay such
as the towne Rayseth.
2ndly, that they will give him, for a forty acre lott, one Cord of wood
yerly and so pro portionably for Lotts of Lesser quantity to be delivered
att his dore.
31y, that they will upon the twenty lift October and the twenty rift of
March pay him his Sallery, the one half upon the one day and the other
half upon the other day.
41y, that they will give their Selectmen Anuall Instructions to make A
Rate for his Sallery and that they take order for the gathering of it and de-
livering it to him : this wee promis to give att present and afterwards as
God shall Inable us and the wants of his family shall call for, hee settling
with us, ministering to us and not Removing from us with out just grounds
Arising from ourselves as shall be judged by a Counsell of Congregationall
principals, mutually chosen.
51y, That they will upon his taking office Relation w*h them settell that
hous and forty acre House lott which he is now in possession of with all
devitions of Land and Meadow (a Cording to the agreement he made with
the towne fifteenth of October sixteen hundred eighty and three as apeers
upon the town records p.p. 74 & 75 (and also in this book, p. 89,) belong-
ing there unto as much as to any other lot of that bigness, with all other
Comon Rights and privileges there unto belonging; he taking office
amonst them, they there upon promise to Record sd Lott, the grant and
title there of free and clere and in the same terms their own Lands are Re-
corded in.
These proposals and every particular of them I doe freely accept of &
1684.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 93
fully acquiesce in, in order to ye end therein specified, ye day and year
above mentioned as witness my hand
GUINDAL RaWSON.
Signed as above in presence of
Joseph White
Josiah Chapin
Simon Peck ,
James Lovett
Samuel Read.
Mendon Nov. 2, . 84
Although Mr. Rawson was not settled until the present date,
we have seen that he had been preaching here since October 4,
1680, when he received a call from the town to be their min-
ister.
Then and there Reconed with ye Selectmen for ye three Last years past
and all accounts betwen myself and them as they stand Engaged on the
towne's behalf to see the severall payments for that terme discharged upon
the receipt of which payments allready made I aequitt them, and ye towne
by them, of every part and persell hereof, as witness my hand ye day and
year above Expressed.
Grindal Rawson.
20: 11 : 84. Ye Selectmen do order and agree that the orders of 1683 shall
continue in force, and that John Rockett and James Albee be fence
viewers for the south end of the town and John Thompson jr. and Joseph
White jr. for the north end of the town, Jacob Aldrich and John Cook to
look after stone horses and swine.
The committee heretofore chosen to examine the bounds of
of the highways very probably reported about this time, as we
find the town voted " that all thos that any ways had Intrenched
upon the hyways are to leve sd lands and make the hyways strait
ye full breadth of ten Rod"
It is supposed the pine plains were not at this time consid-
ered so valuable as in the early settlement of the town, as we
find this year that a number of the inhabitants had liberty to
leave land " in ye pine plain and take it elsewhere."
Simon Peck, Abraham Staples and Samuel Read were chosen
a committee to have seats made in the meeting house, which, as
no mention is made of any other location, is supposed to have
been erected on the site of the one burned by the Indians.
The following petition is inserted to show the method in
94 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1684.
which Probate business was transacted in early times, and the
minuteness of the inventory: —
To the Honerd General Court now sitting in Boston This 8th. of May
1684, The Humble Petition of Sarah Stephens of Mendon, Humbly
Shewe'th,
That whereas Your Poor Petitioner, a Distressed Widdow having been
left with three small Children (all of them Daughters) by her late husband,
Joseph Stephens, who deceased in the Time of the late Indian war, Intes-
tate. Your poore petitioner, according to law, brought in a true Inventory
of her said husband's estate, as by said Inventory sworn in Court Dec. 3.
1677 doth appear. The substance of the Moveables (Therein Mentioned)
consisting of things Necessary for familjr use are, for the most part, spent
upon your petitioner and her children, save only such as could not be any
ways by her improved. The other part of his estate, viz, Lands amount-
ing (according to apprizement) to about thirty pounds, which is, at present,
the substance of what is left for your poor petitioner and her children to
live upon. Your Petitioner having Administration granted upon the
estate hath hitherto, for the most part, provided for herself and children,
viz, for her owne and their wearing apparel & most of their provision ;
likewise your poore petitioner humbly prays that this Honerd Court would,
according to their wonted favor to such in her condition, please to settle
fhe land aforesaid upon your petitioner, who Desires that said land may be
bound over to respond whatever your Honers shall see cause to settle upon
them, either upon the coming to age or dayes of marriage (besides what
your Honers shall see cause to allow your petitioner for their education until
the aforesaid times) your petitioner desiring still to extend that motherly
care which, hitherto, she hath not been wanting in, being through God's
goodness in a capacity to Jet out said land to some advantage, not only for
discharging what rates and dues may arise there upon but also producing
some bread corne for herself and Children.
Your Honours granting your petioner's request will still oblige her to
pray as in duty bound &c
Sarah Stephens.
In answer to this Petition The Magistrates judge meet to order the one
half the land to the Widow to enjoy to her and her heires to dispose of,
the other half of the land to be to the children as they come of age, part &
part alike, the bringing up the children with the improvement of the land
Their brethren the Deputies thereto consenting
Edward Rawson, Secy.
9 May 1684 Consented by the Deputies.
William Torrey, Cleric.
Brantry, Dec. 3. 1677.
An Inventory of the Estate of Joseph Stephens taken by Caleb Hubbard
and Benjamin Thompson.
1684.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 95
Imp8. To wearing apparel £04 00 00
To Bedding and bed 04 00 00
To 2 pair of sheets coarse 1 fine. 01 10 00
To 5 Pillow beers, 2 shirts, 1 pr. drawers 4 coars nap-
kins ■ 00 09 00
To small wearing linen bands, neckcloths &c 00 10 00
To gloves, stockins, mittens 00 07 00
To 1 file, 2 knifes, Razor, 1 pen knife, chalk line, tongs,
a lock, starch, mithridate 00 05 00
To pewter 10s. 1 brass kettle 16s. skillet 5s 01 12 00
To 1 iron pot 12s. 1 skillet 4s. a Cutlace 7s 01 03 00
To a musket 15s. a back sword 12 01 07 00
To hats 5s. axe 2s. 6d. bed cords 4s. bellows 2s. 6d 00 14 00
To Earthen ware & wooden utensils 00 10 00
To Yarne and fflax 01 15 00
Ditto, 00 05 00
To 2 Spinning wheels 00 10 00
To Beans & salt ... 00 02 00
To bed stead 5s. chairs 3s. tubs 5s. pails 2s. 6d., 3 bar-
rels 7s. 6d 01 03 00
To seives 2s. cards 2s. Wool 3s. chest 7s. box 3s. fry-
ing pans 3s 01 00 00
To old iron 1-2 cwt 00 10 00
To corne 6s. remnants of cloth & yarn 02 05 00
To suit lamp, baskets, chaires, stooles 00 18 00
To a mat 2s. Indian 4 bush. Beefe 7 00 15 00
To an heifer and calf ' 02 14 00
To Land at Mendam
To 1-2 an acre of Land at Manaticot 03 00 00
£30 14 00
Sarah Stevens made oath before John Leveret Esq. Govr and Ewd.
Tyng Esq. Assistant Dec. 11. 1677 that it is a just and true Inventory of
the estate of her late Husband Joseph Stevens, deceased, to her best knowl-
edge and that when she knows more she will discover the same.
As atest Isa: Addington, Cler.
This may certify whom it may concern that we apprize the lot £30 00 00
of Joseph Stevens deceased at 30£ and an anvill at 10s. 00 10 00
Brought by the Administratrix as addition to the Inventory
I. Addington, Cler.
This is a true Coppie of the Original Inventory and addition thereto.
I. Addington, Cler.
96 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1684.
Joseph Stevens, having died during the Indian war, may it
not be reasonably inferred he was one of those slain by the
Indians?
The following petition, besides giving an account of the con-
dition of the town at the time, also establishes the fact that a
large number of the proprietors had not returned, although
nine years had elapsed since their abandonment of the town in
1675.
Towns, Vol. 112, p. 367, Mass. Archives.
To the much honered generall Cort now Sitting in Boston the 10th Sep-
tember 1684 the humble address of the Selectmen of Mendon, in behalf of
the Inhabitants there at present Residing,
much honered.
three years are not yett fully expired since the pressing neces-
sity of our low condition enforced us to crave Relief from this honorable
Cort, from whose hands we experienced such favor & acceptance as doth
still embolden us, yet continuing in the like condition, to spread our State
before yower honers, not at all doubting but the justice of our cause will
avayl with yower selves so far that our following request and desire shall
receive yower answer of peac expected by us. May it please your Honers
to consider that the one half of our proprietors, two only excepted, are
dwelling in other places, we are inforced (the Birthen of the day lying upon
so few of us) to petition yower Honers that an order might be issued out
wheare by they might be oblidged to be helpful to us in maintaining the
ministry of the word & other town charges with us which hitherto they
have don, but the time being almost expired and our case as bad as ever,
we have no other way left us save this, to give the honerable (Court) a nar-
rative of our present condition, a thorow consideration whereof wee doubt
not will give your Honers cause to continue your order longer and oblidge,
by such a continuance, to a contribution of relief to us, by whose abiding
upon the place, thayer Land Receive considerable advantage. Wee desire
to bless God who, in the riches of his boundless grace, hath seen cause to
advantage us with an able, faithful, prayerful minister of the word, by
whose labors wee doe heare the ioyful sound, a famine whereof we hope is
esteemed by us a more fatal punishment than a famine of bread; therefore
we doe and are willing to doe to the outside of our ability, to main tayn
our minister, and God hath so far owned our endeavours, that we farther
hope that this church will be resettled in this place, not only in the faith
but the order of the gospell, the maintenance of which is impossible for us
without help trom our fellow proprietors, for our inhabitants pay to the
outside of thayer abilities to raising of public charges, and, in particular to
the maintenance of the minister. Wee pay at least ten singall country rates,
besides other charges, notwithstanding what Relief wee have had by our
1684.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 97
fellow proprietors, who have bourn with us a bout twenty hve pounds
annually, there being twenty-two of them to do it. If they are freed from
it, and it be laid on the present inhabitants, it is plain how unable they be
to bare it. They must of necessity quit their stacion and leave the town,
as a place that eateth up her inhabitants: or how soone wee and our poore
children must be again deprived of the means of grace and live like hea-
then, doth both amaze and grieve us to consider, which wee hope will stor
up so much pity from your Honers, that it may be redressed. Our pro-
prietors abroad object that they see no reason why they should pay as much
for thayer lands as we do for our Land and stok, which we answer that if
there be not a noff of reason for it, we are sure there is more than enough of
ne cessity to supply that if wanting in reason, but because we study peace
and a good conscience that the objection may be removed.
We are willing to the valew of two single country rates for our stock
trusting God will appear for us, who desire the churche's settlement, our
soul's good and that things may be carried on amongst us to God's glory,
our condition being so sadly sircumstanced causes fears to many least we
should be deprived of the means of grace, which we desire not only to call
but accompt our Benjamin, unless our fellow proprietors bee still inioyned
to sett too their blessing hand with us in the way and manner proposed, as
we hope your Honers will see sufficient ground & reason. We further
implore and crave a further order for the continuance of what we have all
redy, by your favour, enjoyed, that we may be enabled, by thayer help, to
the maintenance of our dispencer of the word unto us and to carry on other
town charges amongst us that there may be no complaining in our gates.
So shall your petitioners dayly pray.
Ferdinando Thayer
Simon Peck
Samuel Read
James Lovett
Josiah Chapin.
In answer to this petition the Deputys judge meete & do allow and em-
power the Inhabitants of Mendon to assesse the proprietors of lands that
live not in that towne as thay do thare own not improved lands, in all
manner of rates, as well for their minister as otherwise, provided they rate
their own Inhabitants in sd rates, both heads, stock & improved lands as
the law directs for the country (State) rate, desiring the consent of our
Hond magistrates thereto.
William Torrey, Cleric.
Consented to by the Magistrates
Edward Rawson, Secy.
Oct. 21, 1684.
As we hoar no more of this matter, it is supposed the absen-
tees, if they did not come back, paid their rates hereafter
without grumbling.
98 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1685.
1685. Jan 3. Chose Dea. Simon Peck, Serg. Joseph White,
Serg. Josiah Chapin, Ferdinando Thayer and Samuel Read,
Selectmen; Peter Cook, Constable, and James Lovett and Saml.
Read, Surveyors of Highways.
In 1(369, it will be remembered, that the General Court
granted the town some meadows "without their line," and
hence the reason that May 25, 1685, the town chose Joseph
White, Ferdinando Thayer and Samuel Hayward a committee
" to purchase the Indian title" to the same. This deed was
given by the Indians and was afterwards lost.
June 6. For the payment of Mr. Rawson's salary and all
other public charges, it was voted to rate the inhabitants "head
and ratable estate as the law directs," and what falls short "to
raise it upon ye lands of ye Inhabitence and proprietors, as for-
merly. "
The only remaining entry for this year is the following assess-
ment:—
A Rate made this 11 of Jauuery 1685, to Defray Mr. Rawson's salery for
half the yere beginning att the 25th. of October 1685 to the 25th. of March
1686.
Ser. Joseph White £01 02 01
Ser. Josiah Chapin 01 13 02
Ferdinando Thayer 01 07 03
Walter Cook 00 17 09
Dea, Simon Peck 00 16 03
Capt. John Smith 00 10 09
Josiah Torrey 00 12 11
Angell Torrey 00 10 09
George Sumner 00 10 09
Thomas Thayer 00 16 01
Savill Simpson 00 10 09
Robert Taft 00 09 05
Jacob Aldrich 00 11 04
Sarah Fairbank 00 16 01
Samuel Hayward 01 14 09
Philip King 00 10 09
William Holbrook 01 05 02
Samuel Shepherd 00 18. 11
Widdow Ruth Bundy 00 10 09
Peter Holbrook 01 05 00
James Lovett 01 04 00
John Warfield Senr 00 09 08
1685.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 99
Edward Lineford 00 10 09
Abraham Staples Sen 00 11 06
Samll. Tiler 00 16 01
Epheriam Wilder 00 10 09
Samll. Read 01 00 01
Eliazer Wheelock 00 07 05
Ebenezer White 00 10 09
Joshua Lazell 00 10 09
Wid. Elizebeth Sprague 00 10 09
James Albee 00 08 09
Samll. Cook 00 08 00
John Rocket 01 08 00
John Cook 00 08 08
Peter Aldrich 00 07 02
Elizabeth Parker 00 16 01
Matthias Puffer 01 01 06
John Dike 00 05 04
Mrs. Elizabeth Browne 01 01 06
John Warfield jr 00 05 08
Abraham Staples jr 00 05 00
John Darling, 00 07 08
John Andrews 00 07 04 .
Benjamin Wheaton 00 01 10
Robert Hall 00 03 04
Edward Pratt 00 05 02
Nathanill Fox 00 03 07 •
Denes Darling 00 02 08
Jonathan Thayer 00 08 10
Robert Corbit 00 13 02
John Thomson 01 07 04
Walter Cook & Abraham Staples for ye Widow Har-
ber's Lot 00 18 09
Joseph White jr 00 05 02
The widow Elizabeth Browne was formerly the wife of the
Rev. Joseph Emerson.
The foregoing assessment amounts to £3G.14s, and as nothing
is said about "country pay," it is supposed to have been paid in
money. This sum was to pay Mr. Rawson's salary for the half
year and other public charges. Mr. Rawson's salary for the half
year was £27. 10s, which taken from the assessment would leave
£9. 4s. as the amount which was required to liquidate the whole
indebtedness of the town. Happy that town when so small a
sum would extinguish its municipal obligations.
100 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1685.
We learn by the following that the burden of taxation is not
a grievance of modern times. It will be borne in mind that the
Selectmen, under some general instructions of the town, trans-
acted most of the business.
Towns, Vol. 112, p. 420.
To the much honered general Cort now Sitting in Boston this 13th day
of March 1685, the humble address the of Selectmen of Mendon in behalf
of ye town
humbly Sheweth,
much honored, the former experience that we have had of
yower lioners redynes to heare the address of yower poor suppliants doth
imbolden and a sence of our low condition doth inforce us to renew our
supplication. If the servants of Benhaded could apply themselves to the
Kings of Israel upon a report that they were mercifull how much more
may we be incorridged to plead our cause before yower selves who have so
many times experienced yower willing ness to grant our Just Request still
hoping that our desires shall find a favorable answer. Much honered, not
withstanding the help granted to us upon our last petition that our fellow
proprietors non resident should help carry on public charges in our town,
year, our number is so small and Rates so great that we cannot comfortably
sub sist under them without som Respite, who want not will but purses to
help beare all public assessments with the rest of our brethren. Ware we
able we are as willing as could be expected. This yeare the country,
county, church and town hath called upon us for rates which have risen so
high yl a man whos ratable estate amounts to but two shillings and fower
pence hath paid five pounds od money, & so proportionable through the
town. In consideration of this our low estate wee humbly crave some
further time of Respite for paying of country rates during yower pleasure
therein that thereby wee may the better able to carry on the maintainance
of the gospell which wee desire to accompt our chief ioye, and other neces-
sary charges, so as thare may be no complaint in our streets.
So shall your poore suppliants pray.
Simon Peck
Abraham Staples
Samuel Read
James Lovett
Josiah Chapin.
In answer to this petn the Deputys judge meete to Graunt petitioners
freedome from Country Rates for this year ensuing Or honed magistrates
hereto consenting.
William Torrey, Clericus.
The Magist3 consent hereto provided they pay the rates already due.
Ed. Rawson, Secy.
1685.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 101
The following petition will explain itself, and is recorded as
the
FIRST TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT IN MENDON.
To the Honored Generall Court now assembled at boston May 27, 1685,
The petition of the In habitants of Mendon Humbly Sheweth that about
two years since your petitioners applyed themselves to the much honered
General Court then assembled, for relief from the Indians, by reason of
whose great Intemperance wee considered ourselves in noe small danger,
from time to time. The order that wee thereby received being, by sad ex-
perience, found ineffectual to the end proposed, and our bliefe of your
Redynes to Rectify such disorders, gives birth to a second petition. Much
Honored, notwithstanding those good and wholesome laws that are In force
against selling of drink to the Indians and our care to detect such men as
are transgressors of them, yet the prevailing of that sin is such, being prac-
ticed by some Amongst us, who drive a trade with the Natives out of a
designe of gain from that source, that we are in continual fears what the
dismal effect thereof will prove. The glory of God is not a little wronged
by the almost dayly Drunkenes of the Heathen and Religion much dis-
graced, but also our lives and the lives of our wives and children In dayly
Hazard. Tis not a month since there have been three murderous attempts
by Drunken Indians amongst us, so that if some effectual Care be not
taken there will be no comfortable abiding for us unless we will expose
our selves and ours to the Rage and fury of such as are not masters of their
weapons, but are ready to murther all that stand in their way. Our
Ernest petition is that all Indians whatsoever, may be prohibited from
coming within our township or pass threw our towne without order from
Authority and that their Arms and Ammunition may be forfeited to any
person that shall apprehend them so doing, and that any amongst ourselves
who give entertainment to or trade with them may be laid under severe
penalty for the same, and that all licenses may be called, or such who trade
under others prohibeted the same; or some other way as God shall direct in
wisdom, which shall oblige your poor supplience to pray.
Mendon 25th. of May 1685.
Walter Cook Ferdinando Thayer
Joseph White John Warfield, senior.
Josiah Chapin William Holbrook
Samll. Read Samll. Shepherd
Peter Holbrook John Rocket
James Lovett Jonathan Thayer
James Albee John Warfield Jr.
Samll. Cook Benjamin Wheaton
John Cook John Thompson, senr
Eleazer Wheelock Abraham Staples
John Thompson Jr.
102 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1686.
Ill this petition reference is made to a first petition, and which
was lost, as it cannot be found among the archives of the State.
In regard to the first petition, it seems the inhabitants prayed
for an abatement of taxes and that something should be done
about the drunkenness of the Indians and about Eobert Taffe for
"irregular trading with them."
The following is the answer of the General Court to the first
petition : —
" At a General Court held May 27. 1682, In answer to the petition of the
Inhabitants of Mendon craving the Court's favor for abatement of country
rates for this year, 1682, which the Court judgeth meet to grant: and as to
that part concerning Indians the petitioners may take notice that the Court
hath provided in this case, by a law made in October last, in which they
may rest satisfied. Touching Robert Taffe, the person complained of
' for irregular trading with the Indians,' that matter is wholly left with the
County Court of Suffolke, to doe therein as they shall judge meete, unto
whom the petitioners may apply themselves for relief."
Tbe law of 1081, to which the petitioners were referred, au-
thorized the Selectmen to apprehend any Indian found at large
and commit him to the House of Correction or to prison until
he should engage to go to and abide in the Indian towns of
Natick, Punkapauge or Wamesit, which had been set apart by
the General Court as homes for the Indians. Eobert Taffe is
supposed to be Robert Taft, but whether any complaint was
preferred against him, or if preferred, whether any proof of his
''irregular trading with the Indians" was made out or not, is
not known.
1686. Jan. 3. Chose for Selectmen, Dea. Simon Peck, Ser.
Joseph White, Ser. Josiah Chapin, Ferdinando Thayer and
Samuel Read; Constables, Angell Torrey and John Andrus;
Surveyors of Highways, John Rocket and Sam'l Tiler.
It was voted at this meeting that the first Monday in January,
the first Friday in April and the first Tuesday in July and Oc-
tober should be public town meetings. It was also voted that
the injunction against transporting timber out of town be
repealed.
March 12. The Selectmen appointed John Thompson, Sen.,
1686.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 103
Joseph White, Jr., John Rocket and James Albee fence viewers.
April 19. Perambulated town line with Sherborne; Edward
West, Jonathan Morse and Jonathan Fairbank for Sherborne,
and Ser. Joseph White, Ser. Josiah Chapin, Ferdinando Thayer,
Saml. Hayward and Saml. Read for Mendon.
Notwithstanding the votes which had been passed from time
to time, the width of the highways was still a troublesome sub-
ject, as we find a report of the Selectmen certifying that abuttors
had encroached upon the highways in seventeen different places;
that Abraham Staples' house stood two rods and Samuel Read's
barn six feet over the line of the road. In consequence of this
report the Selectmen were directed to remove all the fences that
stand upon the highways or on the town's common land. Thus
it seems 'the town was determined to have the roads everywhere
ten rods wide.
June 31. It is supposed the Selectmen did not succeed very
Avell in their effort to remove the fences as we find the town
voting "that any one who does not remove his fence from the
road at or before the last of March, 1687, should pay a fine of
five shillings a rod annually, and appointed Saml. Hayward,
William Holbrook and Saml. Cook for that affaire"
Joseph Stephens, who died during the Indian war, was the
first blacksmith, and although the town had got along without
one up to this time, it was now found necessary to make pro-
vision for another.
Nov. 15. To this end at a town meeting it was voted that
James Bick should have a ten acre lot, with all the privileges
belonging to the same, "provided he doe the town's smithery
work for the next ten years upon reasonable conditions, unless
death or disablement hinder." And if for any other reasons he
should remove from the town, or fail to do the smithery work,
then the land was to revert to the town, unless he chose to pay
£15 lawful money- He was, as a condition jjrecedent, to bring
letters of recommendation "as shall be accounted, by the Select-
men, in being, sufficient encouragement for his entertainment
amongst us."
The committee chosen in 1G83 "to view the towne book of
what they apprehend will be prejudyshall to the town," reported
104 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1687.
that many mistakes had occurred relative to the highways and
laying out of land; that the highway through Jepson's lot for
Crowne's use, and the grants of land to Mr.. Stoughton and Mr.
Dudley were " pre judyshall " and should be disallowed.
Pursuant to the recommendation of the committee the town
voted that all votes, grants and records referred to by the com-
mittee, "that hence forward they nor any of them shall be of
noe force nor valee."
1687. Jan. 2. Tbe Selectmen were Ser. Joseph White,
Dea. Peck, Ensign Josiah Chapin, Sainl. Bead and James
Lovett; Constable, Samuel Tiler, and Surveyors of Highways
Ferdinando Thayer and John Thomson, Sen.
It will be remembered that Mr. Rawson's salary was to be paid
punctually, " the one half on the one day and the one half on
the other day," but somehow the town found itself in arrears,
and chose Deacon Peck, Ens. Chapin and Ferdinando Thayer a
committee "to Recon with Mr. Rawson and to do their utmost
to se yl all ye Areers of ye Rates dew to him for his salery be gath-
ered and paid to him with in one month by those persons from
whom it is dew in the towne."
At the same time a road was laid out between Goodman Win-
ter js lot and the pine swamp.
John Puffer was granted a ' ' Neck of Land " near the mill in
full satisfaction for whatever was due his father, Matthias Puffer,
from the town, and that he would build upon the land and
maintain a miller in it during the time his father was bound to
maintain the mill. .
The following petition is inserted because Mendon was situ-
ated in the Nipmuck country, and was entirely surrounded by
territory claimed by the Indians: —
Toe tbe Right Worshipful the Gov Deputy Gov and the rest of ye Honor*
Magistrates and ye Deputies of the General Courte sitting in Boston May
11. 1687.
The humble Petition of us whose Names are Under written & other In-
habitants of y« towns of Natiek, Punkapoge & Wamesit,
Humbly Sheweth, that your Petitioners Being subject to his Majesty &
his Government In this jurisdiction And having approved our selves faith-
1688.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
105
ful to ye English Interest In ye late Warr and served then Most of us as
souldiers, wherein some of our Relations lost their lives. Wee doe hereby
declare to the Hond Court y* wee and our predecessors had and have a Nat-
ural Right to much of the Lands Lying In the Nipmuck Country within
this jurisdiction, for which wee humbly desire the Country and Generall
Court will give us a compensation for or Natural Rights to those Lands,
that so, Before God and Man, things may Be Clear In after time Between
us and our Posterity & the English and theire Posterity Referring to ye said
Lands. Wee desire in this our Petition to Bee understood not to intend
some particular towns and farms in the Nipmuck Country that were for-
merly solde by the Indians that had a right thereunto, unto Englishmen pr
leave of authority and confirmed by this Court, nor yett the towns granted
to ye praying Indians In that Country. Wee humbly desire and pray the
Honourable Court Seriously to Consider our petition and grant us our
request.
We have referred the management of this our petition unto the psons
Under Named, viz : John Awassamug senr, Andrew Pittome, James Rum-
ney Marsh and Peter Ephraim and give us our answer pr ym. And wee
shall pray for your happiness and prosperity.
The marks of
Waban %£
Pqam Bow fir
Sam Awassamug
Eliazer Eegan
Zachry Abraham
Tom Awassamug
Andrew Pittome
Tom Tray
John Awassamug 2T
Antony Tray x
Peter Ephraim
Tom Dublit
k
sa sa nit
V^
X
John Awassamug 2nd
Jethro his (V) mark
Benjamin his ^^ mark
John Magus his *%(i mark
Nathaniell his rfN mark
James Kumney Marsh CQ Wattertown William his ^ mark
1688. May 21. Chose for Selectmen, Townesmen or Over-
seers, Ser. Joseph White, Ensign Josiah Chapin, Ferdinando
Thayer, Samuel Read and John Thomson; for Commission-
ers, Peter Holbrook and James Lovett; for Constable, Jacob
Aldrich.
14
106 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1689.
James Bick, who had covenanted to do the town's " smithery
work," having neglected to comply with his agreement or to pay
the £15 for his short-coming, and the town growing impatient
at his delay, the Constable was directed " to warn James Bick
forthwith to take off his frame and fence from the town's land,
and no more to In Comber the same." Nevertheless, James
proved contumacious, taking, as we shall see, no notice of the
official warning.
July 2. The Selectmen gave orders to the Constable to pro-
vide town brands, to renew the half bushel and peck measures,
and see that they agree with the country standard, and one ale
quart and one wine half pint for town standards.
The Country Rate (State tax) this year was £9.06.10, as re-
ceipted for to Jacob Aldrich, Constable at Boston, Dec. 12, 1688,
by Michael Perry for John Usher, Esq., Treasurer.
1689. Jan. 24. Selectmen chosen were Capt. Joseph White,
Left. Josiah Chapiu, Samuel Read, Sen., Ser. James Lovett and
Ser. Peter Holbrook; for Constable, Samuel Tiler, and for Sur-
veyors of Highways, Timothy Winter, Angel Torrey and James
Albee.
In April of this year the people, tired of the usurpation of
Andros, which had continued about three years, rose in arms,
and in a few hours the Governor and some of his principal ad-
visers were made prisoners without bloodshed. The rumor
(which came at this time by way of Virginia) was soon confirmed
that William, Prince of Orange, had succeeded his father-in-
law, James II. as King of England, and thus the arbitrary and
despotic rule of Andros was terminated without further diffi-
culty.
The Government of the Colony was then assumed by William
Stoughton and his associates. Dudley Bradstreet was chosen
President; Isaac Addington, Clerk of the Council; Wait Win-
throp, Commander-in-Chief of the Militia, and John Foster and
Adam Winthrop, Treasurers.
Feeling, it may be supposed, the need of a more secure settle-
ment of government, as they were holding no delegated author-
ity, and having, no doubt, as Hutchinson says in his History of
1689.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 107
Massachusetts Bay, received advice of the Convention called by
the Prince of Orange in England, to settle the form of govern-
ment there, they recommended to the several towns in the Col-
ony to choose delegates, to constitute an Assembly to meet for
consultation on the 9th of May.
Pursuant to this call, sixty-six persons met, and after due de-
liberation, it was agreed that the whole Council should continue
to exercise the functions of government until the 22d of July,
when there should be a meeting of delegates of all the towns in
the Colony, who were to be specially instructed by the towns.
Pursuant to the foregoing invitation of the Council,
" Att a publike Meeting of ye Inhabitence of Mendon May ye 6th 1689,
Ensign Josiah Chapin was, by a full vote chosen by sa town and by them
fully Impowered to consult, advise, joine and give his assistance with the
the Houerable Councill for the Safety of the poepell and conservation of the
peace, In their Consultations tending to direct unto the exercise of that
power and authority which shall direct be judged necessary in ye present
exigent and to signify their Cordiall acknowledgments of their worthy
servis forye public safety."
This meeting (for consultation) was held in Boston, May 9th,
and sixty-six persons were present. It is reasonably presumed
that Ensign Chapin was one of that number. They recom-
mended that those who had assumed the government should
continue to exercise authority, and that a meeting of the repre-
sentatives of all the towns should be held May 22d, to hear the
instructions given by the towns to their delegates.
May 17. The town gave the following instructions to their
representatives :
"The town being orderly convened the day and year above, at their
usual place of meeting, it was their unanimous desire that the Honered
Governor Deputy Governor and assistants, chosen and sworne in ye yeare
1686 (the year of Andros' usurpation) together with such other Worthy
Gentlemen, who by the Generall concurring votes of the Respective Towns,
as above sd (to make up the number 20) shall be chosen and elected, would
accept of and enter upon ye Government of sd Colony so far as shall be
Requisite and expedient for the Common Safety, and the Consirvation of
the peace, and exercise such Acts of Authority as shall be necessary in
the exigence and emergency as shall occur, untill there can be a more
orderly settlement of Government for the which, with all due submission
we shall Humbly waite."
108 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1689.
Upon the 24th of May, the Governor and Magistrates chosen
in 1686, consented to exercise authority until an orderly settle-
ment arrived from England. This they contrived to do until
the union of the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies by the
Charter of 1692, and the arrival of Sir William Phipps, as Gov-
ernor, on the 14th of May.
Eev. Record, vol. 107, p. 153.
In accordance with a declaration, which had been adopted by
the convention, which met for consultation, the Governor (Simon
Bradstreet, now 87 years of age) and Council and House of Rep-
resentatives assembled at Boston, June 14, 1689, for the reinstat-
ing and confirmation of all such officers of the several companies
and regiments within the Colony, who were standing in com-
mission upon the 12th day of May, 1686, and for filling up of all
vacancies forthwith, according to said declaration.
" At a meeting of the Householders and Soldiers of Mendon above 21
years old 24th. of June, it was unanimously agreed on by them to nominate
Joseph White for their Captain, Josiah Chapin Sen1' for their Leftenant
and Samuel Read Sen. for their Ensign, and to present them to the Gov-
ernor and Council and Representatives for their Allowance and Confirma-
tion.
By Order of the Householders and Soldiers of Mendon.
Jeams Lovet
June 29, 1689. The Representatives do allow and confirm the above
nomination of officers in their Respective offices.
Attest, Ebenezer Prout, Clerk.
Consented unto by the Governor and Council 29 June 1689.
Isaac Addington, Secretary."
By the following record, it would seem that great danger from
the Indians was apprehended at this time; but whether the fear
of an Indian outbreak or the fears that the recent deposition of
Andros might lead to serious trouble, predominated in sending
out an urgent call for 300 men, "to be at their places of rendez-
vous by ffryday next," we cannot, at this late day, determine.
Mass. Arch., Rev. Vol. 107, p. 161.
" Ordered that 300 men be forthwith raysed and detached out of the sev-
eral Counties, in proportion following, viz: — Boston Regiment, sixty; Suf-
folke South Regiment, sixty; Essex Lower Regiment, seventy; Essex
1680.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 109
Upper Regiment, sixty and Middlesex Lower Regiment fifty to be put
under meete conduct for the Security and Safeguard of the out Frontier
Towns (Mendon had been declared a frontier town) as well with this Colony
as the Eastern parts, and for the distressing and destruction of the Indian
enemy, as they shall have orders and opportunity. Warrants to be forth-
with issued by the Secretary unto the Majors or Commander in Chiefe of
the said severall Regiments Requiring them to grant out their warrants to
the Captains of the several Companies in their Respective Regiments to de-
tach or impress a certain number of soldiers out of each company by an
ecpial proportion, well appointed with arms and Ammunition to be at their
places of rendezvous by ffryday next or sooner, the fifth of July instant at
Newbury or where else ye -Majors shall be directed.
The Governor and Councill to nominate and Commissionate suitable
Comanders for them and to give orders and Instructions for their disposal
& proceeding.
Voted by the Representatives in the Affirmative July 2. 1689.
Atteste Ebenezer Prout, Clerk.
Consented to by the Governorand Councill July 2. 1689.
Isaac Addington Secretary."
" Boston Nov. 1689.
Resolved by the Representatives Nemine contra dicente.
That sixt rates, one to be in money, be Levied forthwith on the Inhabi-
tants of the Collonie for paying of ye soldiers & public charges that have
arisen since the Revolution by reason of the War & securing the Castle and
prison &c. and that the Treasurer forthwith issue forth his Warrants for
gathering the same.
The prices of Corne are as followeth.
Wheat at five shillings and six pence per bushel.
Barley and Barley Malt at three shillings & six pence.
Rye at three shillings.
Pease at four shillings.
Those that pay money on the five rates for pay to have a third abated.
Desiring the Hond Gov & Magistrates Consent
Ebenezer Prout, Clerk.
Consented to by ye Magistrates.
J. Russell, by order."
The closing record for the year was:
" A Rate for Mr. Rawson's salary for ye yeare beginning att ye 25 of Oc-
tober 1688 to 25 October 1689."
110
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1690.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Capt. Joseph White.... £02 04 01
ffardin Thayer 03 13 07
Lieut. Josiah Chapin.. 01 18 09
Mr. Josiah Torrey.'.... 00 16 08
Dea. Warfield 01 07 00
Samll. Read 02 02 04
James Lovet 01 17 00
John Thomson 01 03 06
Peter Holbrook, 01 03 07
Abraham Staples senr. . 01 13 0
Jacob Aldrich 01 07 09
Joseph White 0018 09
Samll. Sheperd 01 00 03
John Rocket 01 06 07
James Albee 01 13 09
Jonathan Thayer 01 03 07
William Holbrook.... 01 02 06
Eliazer Wheelock 01 01 00
John Cook 00 19 08
Samll. Cook 00 19 08
Denis Darling 00 16 03
John Darling 00 16 07
John peck 01 00 00
Angel torrey 00 16 03
25. Abraham Staples Jr. .. £00 16 01
26. thomas White 00 17 01
27. ben Wheaton 00 11 06
28. Benjamin Wheelock... 00 18 07
29. James bick 01 01 02
30. Timothy Winter 00 18 01
31. John Read 00 19 01
32. Walter Cook, (Nicolas). 02 00 02
33. Job & Sam tiler 01 14 04
34. Robert Taft 01 10 0.1
35. Samll. Hay ward ..... . 01 08 03
36. John Warfield Jr 00 16 01
37. Isack Stapels 00 13 01
38. John Thomson Jr 00 13 01
39. Robert Hall 00 14 07
40. Seth Chapin 00 19 07
41 . Joseph Rocket 00 13 07
42. Willm. Hay ward 00 10 06
43. Joseph Plumly 00 15 01
44. Thomas thayer 00 17 01
45. John Andrus 00 17 01
46. Nath fox 00 10 01
47. Robert Corbet 00 17 06
48. Cornelius pete 00 10 06
1690. Jan. 6. The day being short and cold, "the town met
the sixteenth of sd month, and chose for Selectmen Dea. John
Warfield, Sergt. James Lovett, Timothy Winter [illegible];
Joseph White, Jr., Constable, and Timothy Winter, John
Rocket, and Angel Torrey, Surveyors of Highways."
James Bick still proves contumacious, as he paid no attention
to the warning of last year. The patience of the town was get-
ting exhausted, so they ordered the Constable to pull up a por-
tion of his fence, which stood upon the town's land, and (as a
peace offering, it is supposed) then chose Mr. Josiah Torrey and
Angel Torrey a committee to see if they could not come to some
agreement with Bick to leave the land without further trouble.
Bick left some time after this, and was the owner of land and
resided upon territory now comprised in the town of Woon-
socket.
April G. 1G90. It was ordered "that every soldier should
1690.] ANNALS OF MENDON. Ill
forthwith, at his own charge, provide himself with one pound
of powder, twenty bullets and six flints, and produce them to
the Captain in ten days, upon penalty of ten shillings for every
default."
The reason of this preparation was, undoubtedly the fear of
the French and Indians upon the easter frontier of the Colony.
The Pennicook Indians had murdered Maj.Waldron at Cocheco,
June 27, 1687, taken the fort at Pemmaquid, and murdered the
garrison, after capitulation, and taken another fort at Casco with
an hundred prisoners.
In 1087 the collections, for Mr. Rawson's salary, fell short
£7. 10s and which sum he remitted to the town provided a like
amount "be imjn-oved in the next public work or building."
In 1G80 it will be remembered that the second Meeting House
was built (the first one having been burned by the Indians in
the winter of 1675-6) and that its size was twenty-six feet by
eighteen with fourteen feet posts. It was now determined to build
the tli ird Meeting House and it was to be thirty feet square with
sixteen feet posts. It was " let out at a price to John Andruse
of our town," but at at what price is not known, as no further
mention is made of its cost.
It was built by subscription as Lieut. Josiah Chapin, Lieut.
Josiah Torrey, Samuel Read, Ser. James Lovett, Ser. Peter Hol-
brook, Robert Taft, John Rocket, James Albee and Thomas
Thayer were chosen to collect the subscriptions and had the en-
tire control of the work. It was understood that portions of the
work were to be done by the inhabitants and the committee were
instructed to consider the convenience of the people in letting out
the work and especially that "poor persons be not unnecessarily
burthened." If no one would take work at the prices agreed on
by the committee then they were to do it themselves or hire it
done, at the fixed price. This committee were to keep an ac-
curate account of their subscriptions and of their disbursements.
The subscriptions were to be collected by the 15th of May, " so
that ye work may not be obstructed or letted for the want of nails
and glass." The committee were also instructed to consult and
advise with the Pastor in regard to the seating of the house and
in placing the doors, windows and alleys.
It is presumed that the doings of this committee were sat-
112 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1691.
isfactorily discharged as no further mention is made of the
Meeting House.
The location of the house cannot now be determined. It was
not, as some have supposed, erected upon the site of the old one;
for we find that, in 1694, John Thompson, sen., bought the old
Meeting House for four pounds.
1691. Jan. 5. Selectmen, Lieut. Josiah Chapin, Mr. Josiah
Torrey, Serg. James Lovet, Serg. Peter Holbrook and Samuel
Bead. Constables, Nicolas Cook and Thomas Thayer. Survey-
ors of Highways, Angel Torrey, Timothy Winter and John
Rocket.
When the inhabitants laid out their land, after a division had
been granted, they made very crooked lines, in order to inclose
only good land. By and by, when the number of inhabitants had
increased, and the lands had become improved, it was found nec-
essary to build fences "on account of the damage from neat
cattle and swine in the meadows." In building the fence about
his lot a man, " to straighten his fence," could take in " such
corners and necks of land," as might be necessary, not to exceed
four acres.
THE SECOND SAW MILL.
It was voted that Josiah and Angel Torrey have liberty
" (without any molestation)" to build a clam upon the town's
land between School and Rock meadows and so much land as
shall be thought necessary for damning, laying timber or boards,
&c. And also to have ingress and egress to and from the same.
They were also allowed " to drown so much of the pine swamp
and other lands " as their dam would cover and to keep the
same constantly flowed for four years. After that the water was
to be drawn off on the first day of April and not to be flowed
again before the twenty-ninth of September following. They
and their "heirs, executors, administrators and assigns" were
to enjoy the grant so long as they maintained the mill or mills.
The saw mill now standing upon or near the original dam is now
the property of Putnam W. Taft.
1691.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
113
The following assessment for Mr. Rawson's salary was made in
two half rates and committed to the Constables Thomas Thayer
and Nicolas Cook to collect and pay to Mr. Rawson.
1. Capt. Joseph White.. £02 02 08
2. Leut. Chapin 02 02 00
3. ffardin Thayer 02 08 10
4. Walter Cook & Nicolas 01 14 00
5. Josiah Torrey 01 01 06
6. Samll Read 02 09 10
7. James Lovet 02 00 08
8. Benjamin Wheelock.. 01 14 08
9. James Albee 01 04 08
10. John Rockett 1 03 06
11. Joseph Rocket 00 19 08
12. William Holbrook. ... 00 15 00
13. Samll. Cook 1 13 02
14. John Thomson, Jun. . . 00 10 06
15. Peter Holbrook 01 17 00
16. John Thompson, sen. . 01 12 10
17. Jacob Aldrich 01 08 10
18. Joseph White 00 15 10
19. Abraham Staples, sen. 01 11 08
20. Decpn Warfield 01 02 00
21. Angel Torrey 00 13 04
22. John Andrus 00 14 00
23. Joseph Plumley 00 18 02
24. Job Tiler & Samuel. . . 01 18 00
25. Eliazer Wheelock 00 18 04
26. Abraham Staples, jr.. 00 13 00
27. Robert Taft 01 15 02
28. Tim Winter 01 05 08
29. John Cook 00 15 08
30. Robert Hall 00 10 00
31. Samll. Hayward 01 14 02
32. William Hayward 00 07 00
33. Widdow Thayer 00 09 00
34. Thomas Thayer 00 10 04
35. Samll. Thayer 00 10 04
36. Denis Darling 00 11 02
37. John Warfield, jr 00 15 00
38. John Darling 00 13 04*
39. Thomas White 00 14 10
40. Seth Chapin 00 15 00
41. Benjem Wheaton 00 10 10
42. Robert Corbit 00 09 08
43. James bick 01 13 04
44. Nicholas Mead 01 00 00
45. Josiah Thayer 00 09 04
46. Jacob Staples 00 15 02
47. Samll. pecok 00 06 08
48. John Peck 00 18 00
49. Estate of late Samll.
Shepard 00 14 08
50. Capt. John Smith 00 04 08
51. Georg Sumner 00 04 08
52. Samll. More 00 07 00
53. John Jones 00 04 08
54. Savill Simpson 00 04 08
55. Widow Harber 00 08 02
56. Ruth bundy 00 04 08
57. Steven Lazell 00 04 08
58. Sarah Fairbanks 00 07 00
59. Samll. Chapin 00 02 04
60. Thomas Lewis 00 02 04
61. Lineford's Lot 00 04 08
62. John Dicks 00 02 04
For the above rate it was voted that one-third part should be
levied upon "ye Lotts proportionably," one-third part upon "y8
heads of ye severall persons Rate abell a.nd one-third part upon
Chatels & Improved Land " as the law directs. The Select-
men were to take a new valuation forthwith.
Eleazer Wheelock was granted a piece of land on the backside
15
114 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1692.
of his now dwelling house provided "ye said Whelock shall not
debar any person from fetching stones out of said land. "
Land was granted this year to Eleazer Wheelock, Eobert Hall,
*Mr. Rawson and Capt. John Smith. Mr. Rawson had the south
part of a pond (north of Wheelock's factory in Uxbridge) "as
a full Allowance for what land the other part of said pond doth
take up of his land," his line running through it.
April 7. The Selectmen with Dea. John Warfield, Jacob Ald-
•rich and Nicolas Cook, a committee chosen by the town, laid
out the highways to the North meadows, one by Hope Tiler's
cellar and the other through Josiah Torrey's great lot.
1692. Jan. 4. Selectmen chosen were Capt. Josiah Chapin,
Mr. Josiah Torrey, Samuel Hayward, James Albee and Samuel
Read. Seth Chapin and Samuel Thayer, Constables, and Tim-
othy Winter, John Rocket and Angel Torrey, Surveyors of
Highways.
The instructions to the Selectmen, passed Jan. 1, 1682, were,
by a vote of the town, still continued.
Feb. 12. The Selectmen ordered that " no person shall cutt
or peal any pine trees upon ye Towne Common, In order to ye
making of Rozen, upon ye penalty of one shilling a tree, one-
half to the Informer ye other half to ye use of ye town. "
March 11. The Selectmen laid out a highway to Eleazer
Wheelock's house near the Great (Blackstone) River, also a way
by Abraham Staples1 house towards said river and also a four rod
way to go into the neck of land below Mr. Rawson's farm.
From this we find that Abraham Staples and Eleazer Wheelock
lived in what is known as Rist's city in the northeasterly part of
Uxbridge.
March 28. In consideration of ten acres of land and a small
swamp, Mr. Rawson discharged the town of four pounds, due
from William Holbrook and Edward Pratt, on the rate for his
salary. A convenient way of settling parish taxes while the
common lands held out, but as all things come to an end, the
common land was finally used up. The parish tax came to be
paid like all other taxes.
* The Minister.
1692.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 115
THE NORTH PURCHASE.
It would seem that fifty families, for some time, at least,
would have been content with the eight miles square, the origi-
nal grant, but, like larger communities, we find them, thus
early, eager to extend their jurisdiction as well as to enlarge
their borders. To their credit, be it said, they acknowledged the
Indian title to the desired tract, and by their committee, amica-
bly negotiated with them for its purchase. Lying upon the
north line of that part of Mendon, now Milford, to this day it is
familiarly known as the North Purchase.
The following deed, supposed to be authentic, is copied from
a record in the Proprietors' book:
" To all Christian Poeple to whom these presents may come, Know
ye that John Awassamog, Amos Awassamog and Peter Ephraim heirs to
John Awassamog, late of Natick deceased, for good and valuable considera-
tions them thereunto moving, and especially for & in consideration of the
sum of three pounds Sterling money to them in hand paid by Ferdinando
Thayer, Joseph White, Josiah Chapin, Abraham Staples, Samuel Hay-
ward, James Lovet and Samuel Read, seniour, Committee for the Town of
Mendon in the County of Suffolk in the Colony of Massachusetts in New
England the receipt whereof they do acknowledge themselves by these
presents and thereof and of every part and parcel thereof, doth exhonerate,
acquit and discharge the said Ferdinando Thayer, Joseph White, Josiah
Chapin, Abraham Staples, Samuel Hayward, James Lovet and Samuel
Read, their heirs and assigns forever by these presents have given, granted,
bargained & sold, enfoeffed & confirmed, unto Ferdinando Thayer, Joseph
White, Josiah Chapin, Abraham Staples, Samuel Hayward, James Lovet
and Samuel Read their heirs and assigns forever by these presents have given,
granted, bargained & sold enfoeffed and confirmed and do by these presents
give, grant, bargain, sell, enfoeff and confirm unto Ferdinando Thayer,
Joseph White, Josiah Chapin, Abraham Staples, Samuel Hayward, James
Lovet and Samuel Read of Mendon aforesaid their heirs and assigns forever.
A Certain Tract of Land lying upon the north side of the Township of Men-
don, butted and bounded as follows: Southerly upon Mendon line and
easterly upon Sherborne line to the height of Mispenock Pond and north-
erly upon a line of marked trees until it comes to Mispenock Pond, west-
erly partly upon the above said Mispenock pond and partly upon a river
commonly known as Mendon Mill River home to the Mendon line afore-
said, with all the trees, timber, woods and underwoods standing, lying or
growing thereon with all the meadows, swamps, water courses, ponds and
brooks lying within the said tract of land as it is bounded, with all the
116 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1692.
privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or any wise appertaining
thereunto togetherer with a full and free confirmation of all lands formerly
sold by John Awassamog, father of the above said Awassamogs, late of
Natick, deceased, to the Town of Mendon aforesaid, as it is butted and
bounded in the deed and confirmed by the General Court. To Have and
to hold, the said Tract of land as it is butted and bounded, together with
all the trees, timber, woods and underwoods standing, lying and growing
thereon, with all the meadows, swamps, brooks and waters courses within
the said tract of land with all other privileges and appurtenances any way
appertaining or belonging thereunto unto Ferdinando Thayer, Joseph
White, Josiah Chapin, Abraham Staples, Samuel Hayward, James Lovet
and Samuel Read their heirs and assigns forever. The said John Awassa-
mog, Amos Awossamog and Peter Ephraim do covenant, promise and
grant by these pi^esents that the said Awassamogs and Peter Ephraim are
the proper owners of the said tract of Land, that they are free from all
manner of bargains, sales, gifts, grants, titles, mortgages, actions, suits,
arrests, attachments, judgments, executions, & incumbrances whatsoever
from the beginning of the world to the time of the sale and bargain thereof.
And the said Awassamogs and Peter Ephraim do covenant, piomise &
grant by these presents all and singular the bargained promises with all the
appurtenances to warrant, acquit and defend unto the said Ferdinando
Thayer, Joseph White, Josiah Chapin, Abraham Staples, Samuel Hay-
ward, James Lovet & Samuel Read their heirs and assigns forever against
all Indians or any other person or persons whatsoever from by or under
them claiming any right title or interest in or unto the same or any part
thereof by these presents, and that it shall and may be lawful far the said
Ferdinando Thayer, Joseph White, Josiah Chapin, Abraham Staples,
Samuel Hayward, James Lovet and Samuel Read their heirs and assigns to
record and enroll or cause to be recorded and enrolled the title and tenor of
these presents according to the true intent and meaning thereof and ac-
cording to the usual manner, of recording deeds and evidences in such case
made & provided and to acknowledge the same before lawful authority
wheu called thereunto
In witness whereof the said John Awassamog, Amos Awassamog, and
Peter Ephraim set to their hands & seals this nineteenth day of February,
in the year of our Lord sixteen hundred ninety one or two and in the third
year of the reign of William & Mary, King and Queen of England.
Signed, sealed and delivered and John Awassamog, [l. s.]
possession given in presence of us his Ik mark.
Joseph White, Jr., «. Amos Awassamog, [l. s.]
Saml. Read, Jr. his Q mark.
Peter Ephraim, [ii. s.]
his PE. mark.
1693.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 117
The record of this year is closed by a' copy of the rate made
for the payment of Mr. Eawson's salary from the 25th of Octo-
ber 1G91 to the 25th of October 1692. On it I do not find the
names of Robert Corbit, Estate of Samuel Sheperd, Capt. John
Smith, George Sumner, Saml. More, John Jones, Savill Simp-
son, Widow Harber, Ruth Bundy, Steven Lazell, Sarah Fair-
banks. Saml. Chapin, Lineford's Lott and John Dick's, which
appeared on the assessment of 1691; and Saml. Read, Jr., and
Nathaniel Fox are found on the assessment of 1692, and not on
that of 1691.
1693. This year the Selectmen and other town officers were
not chosen until March.
At a meeting, Jan, 2, the town voted that "every person listed
in the train band shall give one days work, annually, for cutting
and carting wood to the Minister." The Selectmen to give one
day's notice of the time and place.
March 1. For Selectmen, Ensign James Lovet, Serg. Peter
Hoi brook, Thomas Lewis, Robert Taft and James Albee; Town
Clerk, Samuel Read; Commissioner of Assessments, Timothy
Winter; Constables, William Holbrook and Angel Torrey; Clerk
of ye Market, Capt. Josiah Chapin; Tything Men, Benjamin
Wheelock, Samuel Hayward and Samuel Tiler.
This is the first time mention is made of the Commissioner of
Assessments, Clerk of the Market and Tything Men.
The Commissioner of Assessments was chosen to assist the
Selectmen in taking a valuation of the ratable property with the
number of polls.
The poll tax for this year was ten shillings, and all were to be
taxed except members of the Council, settled ministers and
grammar-school masters and others devoted to the ministry and
students of the college. The feeble-minded to be free of the
poll tax, at the direction of the Selectmen. This act, by which
towns were authorized to choose a Commissioner of Assess-
ments, was, by its closing section, only to remain in force for
the year 1692. The tax upon property was one-quarter part of
the income for the year, and it was granted "their most excel-
118 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1693.
lent majesties " (William and Mary) to carry on the war with
the French and Indians.
Tithing Men were to present all idle and disorderly persons,
profane swearers or cursers, Sabbath-breakers and disorderly
persons, that they may be duly punished and discouraged. They
were also to look after the licensed houses. Their badge of
office was a black staff, two feet long, tipped at one end with
brass about three inches.
The Clerk of the Market was principally engaged in looking
after the assize of bread.
" The undersigned having been chosen a Committee by the town for the
purpose of giving the Selectmen instructions, have agreed upon the fol-
lowing :
1. That they make such orders which may clear or secure the town from
the penalty of the law.
2. That they take care to make a Rate for Mr. Rawson's salary and see
the same discharged according to the town's Agreement.
3. That they make effectual orders for the preservation of woods and
timber upon the town's commons.
4. That they see that all bounds be kept up and maintained between all
particular persons and the town's commons, and where any have taken and
broken up any part of ye highways that they see that ye first stated bounds
be still continued and kept up till ye towne take further order.
5. That they take order, as the law directs, for the making and issuing
forth a Town Rate as whereby all such of the town's debts as shall appear
to be justly due from the town to any particular person or persons since
the year one thousand six hundred eighty and five may be discharged.
6. For the Encouragement of keepiu Sheep, that they make such an
order as may be effectual for the cleaning such highways as lie within the
towne, so as that the bushes may be thoroughly subdued; provided they do
not impose or require more than six days in a year upon a single poll or
head about clearing of bushes.
7. That they Impower the Surveyors of Highways to repair all such
Bridges that stand in need of Reparation, for the Town's use and for mend-
ing of highways.
Jo si ah Chapin
Timothy Winter
Samuel Read
josiah torrey-"
March 16. Deacon Warneld had his parish tax foregone,
" provided that he take care of ye Meeting House, to sweep and
take care of the clores that they be not damnified."
1693.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 119
May 1. Oapt. Josiali Cliapin had a grant of "four score and
ten acres of land ?' for services as Eepresentative, and Samuel
Read had forty-five acres for a like purpose.
Capt. Cliapin was chosen in 1689 "to advise with the Counsel
for the Safety of the Poeple," at the time of the deposition of
Andros; but no mention, in the town record, is made of the
election of Samuel Read as Representative.
This year Mr. Rawson's salary was raised by an assessment of
half a crown upon the poll and the rest upon land and stock
• ' from a year old and upwards. "
May 23. Timothy Winter was chosen Representative to the
General Court, and Josiali Cliapin, Sanil. Read, Saml. Hayward
and Josiali Torry were chosen a Committee to give him instruc-
tions.
The Committee met and agreed upon the following instruc-
tions.
" Imp1" You shall take effectual care to represent to the General Court
the great wrong we doe Conceive is done to us by the County Commission-
ers In Returning that for our Town's proportion to the thirty thousand
pounds granted Their Majes^8- which is far greater than Law or Reason
Recpiers; and to evince this You are to lay before them these severall
things, Inserted in the Law entitled an Act for regulating ye former Assess-
ment, which law, as all others, looke we upon to bee a parte of our Inheri-
tance and Eaqually binding to all.
1. In the law passed Dec. 15, 1G92, it is Enacted that the Country Com-
missioners shall pass into ye several Towns of such County for which they
shall be chosen, at or before the twenty-second of February, 1692, and
there joyn themselves to the Selectmen and town Commissioner of each
town who made the former list and doe all further things with them, as in
said section are Required, which thing was never don although we Ex-
pected their coming and ware prepared to Intertain them.
2. That in order to theire being insolved into a grand Committee to take
an account of ye sum to tall* off of each list, they must first have ye second
List of each Towne In ye severall Counties examined, regulated & perfected
as ye former law directs and therefore wee, who thought ourselves well
defended by that which each English subject accounts his right and privi-
lege, are surprised to see ourselves Doomed Contrary to Law and Reason,
especially considering that ye Law as their Rule Is all along referred unto,
and therefore wee cannot look upon ourselves as any ways Concerned In
what Acts the sd Commissioners of Suffolk have made as a Comittee, hav-
ing been noe ways transacted According to Law, and further then soe wee
take not ourselves obliged.
* Contraction of tallar (Spanish) to cut off.
120 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1693.
3. In case that the Bridg over Nipmuck River (the Blackstone) should be
brought into Discourse In the Generall Assembly then you are to goe to
the Secretary and take out of ye Records a Copy, If not gotten before, of
what was done by the Court In ye year 82 or three, Conserning a bridg
over sd River and Labor what possibly you can that it may be continued a
County bridg, and If need further direction or Assistance from the Town
In this or any of your Instructions then you are by the first opportunity to
signify it to the Committee.
josiah chapin
Samll. Read
Saml. Hay ward, his ^ mark.
JOSIAH TORREY.
The reasons for these instructions were based, undoubtedly,
upon the following considerations: 'June 24, 1692, the General
Assemby, as we have before seen, passed an act for raising money
to prosecute the French and Indian war, and set forth the mode
and manner in which it should be assessed and collected. The
act mentioned no definite sum to be raised, but fixed the poll
tax at ten shillings and the property tax at one cptarter part of
the tax payer's annual income. Certain defects were found to
interfere with the assessment and collection of the tax, and Dec.
15 of the same year another act was passed intended to be ex-
planatory of the first, and fixing the sum to be raised at £30,-
000. Under this act two Commissioners of Assessments for each
County were chosen by the General Court; who were to visit each
town in their respective counties and, with the Selectmen and
Town Commissioner of Assessments, review the assessments
made under the first act and revise and correct the same. It is
understood, from the instructions, that the County Commission-
ers did not come to Mendon before the new assessment was
made and the town was doomed for its proportion of the £30,-
000. Hence it was held that the assessment was invalid and
the Kepresentative to the General Court was instructed to pro-
cure a redress of the grievance.
The County tax made July 15, was for forty shillings, as will
appear by the following receipt :
" Rec this 27 October 1693 of Mr. William Holbrook forty shillings in
Current money for Mendon County Rate
£2:00:00 pt. Jer. Dummer, County Tresyer."
1694.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 121
Iii the rate for Mr. Rawson's salary we miss the names of Dea.
Warfield, (tax commuted by taking care of the meeting house)
John Andrus, Job Tiler, Seth Chapin, Nicolas Mead, Nathaniel
Fox and Samuel Pecok, and find the names of Isaac Thayer, John
Lovet, Thomas Taft, Elicksander Bogle and Isaac Linerson not
hefore assessed.
1694. Jan. 1. It was voted at a town meeting held this
day, that John Thompson should have the ''old Meeting
House," he paying for the same the sum of four pounds in
current money of New England on or hefore Jan. 1, 1695,
and Capt. Chapin was chosen to receive the same and " im-
prove it towards the finishing of the new meeting house."
At this meeting the inevitable James Bick is still " master of
the situation" in his controversy with the town about the
" smithery work," as we find Mr. Josiah Torrey, Timothy Win-
ter and Samuel Hay ward were chosen a committee "to agree
with him, if it may be, or other waves to prosecut In Cors of
Law untill the Controversy be Issued and that they doe it with-
in six months."
It was also voted that the annual meeting for the choice of
officers should be held on the first Monday in March.
It seems, this year, the town was determined to have a correct
valuation, as they directed the Selectmen and the Commission-
ers of Assessments " to go from house to house so as to arrive
at a true and correct valuation," and in case any one did not an-
swer truly " he to pay duble for ye same, one half to the In-
former and one-half to the town."
March 5, being the first annual meeting held in March, Capt.
Josiah Chapin, Samuel Read, Sergt. Staples, Sergt. Holbrook and
Thomas Thayer were chosen Selectmen; Eliazer Wheelock and
John Darling, Constables; Ensigne Lovet, Commissioner, and
Samuel Read, Clerk. Surveyors, Fence Viewers and Tithing
men were also chosen.
Notwithstanding the labours of the committee, chosen Jan. 1,
James Bick is still refractorv. He won't do the blacksmith work
nor quit the town's land; and so Mr. Josiah Torrey was to have
16
122 ANNALS OF MENDON. (1694.
a letter of attorney, in the name and hehalf of the town, to
bring the controversy to an end by due course of law.
It seems the training field was not in a proper condition for
any very extensive military evolutions, as it was, at this time,
leased to Peter Holbrook for seven years, in consideration that
he should clear it of hushes and have it " fitt for Pastur."
It was voted that any of the proprietors of the town might im-
prove a portion of the highway against their own land for six
years, in consideration that they should clear the other part, at
the beginning of the six years, and at the end, lay down the part
they had improved, and leave the road at its full breadth as it
was originally, that is, ten rods wide.
Up to this time we do not learn that any labor had been be-
stowed on the highways, except to keep the bushes down, so that
a way for a cart and oxen could be found somewhere, within the
ten rods wide, by shunning the trees and rocks.
This year the office of assessors is mentioned for the first
time. In pursuance of a warrant from the Province Treasurer,
the town assembled July 17, 1694, and chose Capt. Joseph
White, Jacob Aldrich and William Holbrook as Assessors for
the year ensuing. Capt. White declining to serve, James Lovet
was chosen in his stead, and the first Board of Assessors was then
sworn into office, as the law directs:
It was voted that Jacob Aldrich might improve the whole
tract laid out for " a burying6 place,'" for a pasture (only ex-
cluding all swine) so long as he shall keep it inclosed with a five-
rail fence, and allow Deacon Warfield the privilege of a passage
to the brook for water, he, the said Aldrich, " to subjoine his
Ingagement under his hand In the publick Records."
No engagement of Jacob Aldrich being found upon record it
presumed that he found pasturage elsewhere, and that Dea. War-
field continued to cross the graveyard for water without let or
hindrance.
In a settlement between Elizabeth Parker, relict of John
More, formerly of Mendon, and the town, it was found that the
balance of the accounts due her was £1.02.04. Among the
items with which the town was charged was one of £1.15.00,
" for making ye pound and stocks." By this it will be seen that
1694. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 123
the town early provided the means of restraining damage fea-
sant whether committed by man or beast.
BOUNTY OX WOLVES.
Although the order of the Selectmen offering a bounty of 20
shillings for killing a wolf was repealed May 10, 1669, "upon
Goodman Thayer's motion and reason he gave," we still find, by
the following memorandum, that a price had been again set upon
his head.
' ' Wolves killed.
Eliazer Wheeloek : one woulf killed Jan. 25, 1964 £1.00.00
William Holbrook, two wolves; one Apr. 13 & one May 1, 1694. . . 2.00.00
Thomas White, one wolf Mar. 3, 1694 1 00.00
John Thomson, one wolf May 4, 1694 1.00.00
£5.00.00"
A rate was made this year to defray the indebtedness of the
town from ye year 1685 until 1693, and delivered to William
Holbrook then Constable, " with an order upon the back side"
to pay the several sums to the persons whose names where there-
upon written and which are as follows, viz:
To Timothy Winter for service as Representative & other ser-
vices £10 08 0
To Capt. Chapin 01 18 02
To Ferdinando Thayer 01 13 06
To Capt White 00 11 03
To Decon Warfield 01 03 04
To Angell Torrey 00 01 02
To Joseph White 00 02 00
To Jonathan Fairbanks 00 17 06
To Samuel Hayward 00 15 06
To John Thompson, Sen 00 08 08
To Peter Holbrook 00 07 08
To Samuel Read 01 16 00
To Nicolas Cook 00 02 03
To John Lovet 00 04 06
To Sergt, Staple 00 08 00
To Ensigne Lovet 00 08 00
To John Thomson & Thomas White 00 13 04
To Seth Chapin & John Thomson 00 06 08
To Eleazer Wheeloek & Abraham Staple 01 00 00
124 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1694.
To William Holbrook 02 06 08
To Jacob Aldrich 00 06 08
To Robert Taft 00 00 10
To John Rockit 00 02 03
To John Darling 00 02 03
More (balance) to Samll. Read for ye town's use 00 06 08
£26 10 10
The above accounts were for services rendered to or money
paid for the town. They were audited by the Selectmen and
and directed to be paid, as above, without being reported to the
town. Happy the town whose aggregate indebtedness for nine
years could be liquidated for the sum of twenty-six pounds ten
shillings and ten pence.
Two rates for Mr. Rawson's salary and one for £8.10.03 "to
procure a town stock of ammunition as the law directs " com-
plete the record for the year.
1695. This year opens with the closing of the controversy
with James Bick (the Toavii Clerk always spelled bis name with
a small b), who, for some reason, had failed to fulfil his contract
with the town to do "the smithery work."
His ten-acre lot, with all the rights and privileges belonging
to it, was sold by the town to Samuel Cook for twenty-five
pounds, "Current money of New England;" and Mr. Josiah
Torrey was empowered by the town to give a deed in behalf of
the town, and take security of Cook for the purchase money.
By the law of Nov. 16, 1692, any person coming into town
and residing there for the space of three months without being
properly warned out, gained a settlement therein. In accord-
ance with this law, Jan. 24, Thomas Fuller, his wife and child,
were "duly warned to Departe the town." They came into the
town Dec 11, 1694.
Josiah Chapin, Robert Taft and Samuel Read were chosen a
committee, in 1693, to ascertain whether Timothy Winter had
enclosed any of the town's land within his fence. January 24th
they reported that he had taken in one acre and thirty-two rods,
and to which they set up definite metes and bounds. The mat-
ter was amicably adjusted by Mr. Winter for the trespass, he
1695.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 125
paying the sum of fifteen shillings; "and which fifteen shillings
is to be allowed to sd Winter for part of his wages for attending
the General Assembly."
This one acre and thirty-two rods, being situated in the vicin-
ity of Pond Hills, may have been the identical tract of land, for
the ownership of which, some thirty years ago, there was carried
on a protracted and expensive course of litigation.
March 4. At a "Generall Towne meetting," Capt. Josiah
Chapin, Samuel Read, sen., Sergt. Staples, Sergt, Holbrook and
William Holbrook were chosen Selectmen; Robert Taft and
Josiah Thayer, Constables; Samuel Read, Clerk; and Ensign
Lovet, Commissioner of Assessments. Tithing Men, Surveyors
of Highways and Fence Viewers were also chosen.
At this meeting it was voted " that all persons that have taken
in any of the highways or town's common and do not, at or be-
fore the fifteenth of March Instant, Lay downe the same for
Common and move there fences off the same, (or Come and
Agree with the Selectmen for the same at a price, and have the
same entered upon the towne Record, att or before the fifteenth
of April Next Insuing the date hereof. ) shall pay to the towne,
as a fine, the sum of twelve pence per rod, for every Rod so Im-
proved or In combered for the space of one month after the fif-
teenth of April Afore said and so from month to month untill
laid downe againe." It will be remembered that the early roads
were laid out " to the full breadth of ten rods wide," and up to
this time, the record shows that the towns were disposed to keep
their ancient limits,
In the olden time, as well as at later date, the good people of
Mendon, it seems, sometimes complained of the doings of the
County Commissioners. In 1693, Timothy Winter was chosen
Representative to the General Court, and was instructed to rep-
resent to the General Court the wrong done the town by the
County Commissioners of Assessments, in rating them too high
(dooming them) for their proportion of the £30,000 granted to
William and Mary to carry on the French and Indian war.
It seems the Representative did not meet with success in bis
endeavors to abate the grievance complained of, for at this time,
1695, we find the town voting as follows, viz:
• • Att a publicke towne meeting, the towne beinge Legaly Convened to
126 ANNALS OF MENDON. | 1695.
take notice of and act upon A Warent Received by the Select men from the
Treasurer Comanding the payment of sixty five pounds, said to bee
y town's proportion to ye two last payments of the thirty thousand
pounds."
" That they saw noe Reson to proceed to a New Valuation, It being in
their apprehension. Contrary to y<= Act Intitled an Act for Regulating the
former Assessment and for granting an Addishanall supply, which Act they
fully acquisce in & doe hereby declare their Resolution to stand by, and
that If the Tresurer shall pleas Transmitt a list qualified According to sd
Act they will Redely yeeld them selves obliged to pay their Respective As-
sessment determinable thereby."
For the security of the Selectmen "for not acting according
to any other method " in the premises, and in case they should
be put to cost, they were authorized "to reimburse themselves,
ther heyrs, Executors or Administrators by making a town rate
to be paid to them or their order forthwith."
Thomas Thayer, Abraham Staples, Joseph White, Jr.. Josiah
Thayer and Samuel Read agreed with the Selectmen " to take
in portions of the highway adjoining their several estates, not
exceeding five rods in width, provided they cleared up Ye other
part of ye highway for ye space of six years and then laying it
down for ye town's use."
At the same time a piece of land was granted Robert Taft be-
tween the four-rod highway leading to the South meadow and
the Pond, being one half an acre, more or less, not to intrench
upon the road, nor come within four rods of the bank of the
pond, and so leaving a way, straight, from the four-rod highway
by his house to the pond, of six or eight rods wide.
The Selectmen " filed a bill No. 40 "to pay the bounty on
wolves this year.
"Two killed by Eleazer Wheelock, 1 March 12 and 1 April 10.
One killed by John Thomson May 6."
The two semi-annual rates for the payment of Mr. Rawson's
salary were made as usual, in one of which were two columns.
The first column was country pay, such as the town raised (see
Mr. Rawson's Settlement), and the second was money, as fol-
lows:
Names. Country pay. Money.
Capt. Joseph White £00 16 08 £00 04 05
Capt. Chapin 01 02 04 00 06 01
1695.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. ' 127
ffardin Thayer £01 00 10 £00 06 00
Josiah Torrey 00 11 08 00 03 02
Samll. Read* 01 02 10 00 06 04
Ensigne Lovet 00 12 05 00 03 04
Abraham Staples sen 00 17 10 00 04 09
Peter Holbrook 00 12 03 00 03 04
John Thomson, senr 00 15 10 00 04 02
Jacob Aldrich 01 02 02 00 06 00
Angel Torrey 00 06 04 00 01 06
Joseph Plumley 00 06 11 00 01 07
Job Tiler 00 05 01 00 01 03
Eleazer Wheelock 00 09 00 00 02 06
Abraham Staples, Jr 00 07 08 00 02 00
Samll. Tiler 00 13 03 00 03 08
Robert Taft 00 14 06 00 03 09
Widow Winter 00 05 09 00 01 06
John Cook 00 09 02 00 02 06
Samll. Hayward 00 12 06 00 03 04
Wm. Hayward 00 09 03 00 02 06
Thomas Thayer 00 12 02 00 03 04
Samll. Thayer 00 12 02 00 03 04
Denes Darling 00 07 04 00 02 00
John Darling 00 09 06 00 02 07
Benje Wheelock 00 15 10 00 04 04
James Albee 00 13 09 00 03 10
John Rocket 00 11 08 00 03 03
Joseph Rocket 00 11 00 00 02 10
Willi Holbrook 00 13 03 00 03 09
Samll. Cook 00 06 02 00 01 08
John Thomson Jr 00 05 05 00 01 03
Joseph White 00 09 08 00 02 07
Thomas White 00 06 05 00 01 09
Seth Chapin 00 11 02 00 03 01
James Bick 00 14 11 00 04 00
Benjtt Wheton 00 05 07 00 01 03
John Peck 00 07 11 00 02 02
Josiah Thayer 00 10 06 00 02 11
Jacob Stapls 00 07 05 00 02 01
Samll. Read, Jr 00 11 03 00 03 00
Isaac Thayer 00 06 01 00 01 00
Decon Warfield 00 05 11 00 01 06
John Lovet 00 04 03 00 01 03
Thomas Taft 00 06 09 00 01 09
Benje Albee 00 04 01 00 01 02
Isaac Linerson 00 08 02 00 02 03
Elieksauder Bogle 00 05 07 00 01 06
128 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1696.
John Tiler £00 10 07 £00 02 10
Nicolas Cook 00 10 02 00 02 08
Samll. Coy 00 04 05 00 01 03
Samll. Warfield 00 03 04 00 01 00
James Ford 00 03 00 00 01 00
Cornelius Darling 00 04 01 00 01 02
£23 03 09 £ 8 00 00
From this assessment we find that the " Country pay"
amounted to £23.03.09, while the " Money" amounted to but
£8.00.00. The country pay was comprised in the items of pork,
wheat, barley, Indian corn, rye, peas, beef and work, and two
pounds of butter from every cow. The different articles were to
be taken at the mean price of the market. The minister's salary
for 1695 would hardly supply the means for a flying visit to
Europe, or even a lengthy travel at home. The minister of
1880. it is supposed, would have no objection to the two pounds
of butter for every cow.
A Country tax was also levied of £4.05.11, four pounds of
which was to be paid to Jeremiah Dummer, Esq., Treasurer,
and the balance to the Town Clerk.
1696. March 2. Capt. Josiah Chapin, Lieut. Josiah Torrey,
Samuel Read, Samuel Hayward and Samuel Cook were chosen
Selectmen, Benjamin Wheelock and William Hayward Consta-
bles, and Samuel Read Town Clerk.
The selectmen were to be governed by the instructions given
for the Selectmen of 1693 (to which, reference may be had),
thus leaving to the people but few subjects for municipal action.
The occasional orders of the Selectmen, recorded in the town
book, it is presumed, furnish but few of the doings of the Se-
lectmen; and hence we are left in ignorance of many transactions
which would be matters of interest in the present day and gen-
eration.
There are but few recorded transactions of the town during
this year. " Deacon Warfield was to have fifteen shillings for
sweeping the Meeting House (thirty feet square & no pews) the
past year and the same for the year to come, to be assessed with
Mr. Rawson's salary."
1696.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 129
The controversy with James Bick, the blacksmith, was finally
closed this year, by choosing Capt. Chapin, Ensign Lovet and
Samuel Read, sen., a committee to adjust the account of Mr.
Josiah Torrey, "for his pains and truble about ye land James
bick was possessed of," and to receive the balance of the money
which may remain in his hand "after his charg is responded;"
and also to receive the bond which Samuel Cook gave for the
payment of the purchase money for Bick's land. As Mr. James
Bick would not do "the town's smithery work," nor pay for the
land according to his agreement, it is probable that there was no
amicable adjustment made with him, but that the matter was
settled by "process of law."
The following Power-of- Attorney is copied from the Town
Book, to show a more excellent way for settling controversies
about the division of land, or reconciling the disagreements
about boundaries:
" Know all Men by these presents that I, Thomas Lewis of Bristoll, Doe
Constitute And Appoint ray wTell beloved friend Capt. Josiah Chapin, of
Mendon, In my Roome and stead for to Joyne with sergent Abraham Sta~
pies, of Mendon aforesaid to Devid A percell of medow that belonged to
John Parris's Lot in Mendon Now Eaqually belonging to me the said Lewis
and ye Above sd Staples, and doe by these presents bind myself my heyers,
Executors, administrators and Assignes to stand to their Agreement about
ye devision of sd medow, and after the decision is made to cause the same
to be recorded, as witnes my hand this 9th of January 1695-6.
Thomas Lewis."
How many costly and vexatious law-suits that, not very infre-
quently, drag their slow length along, engendering strifes and
bitterness through two or three successive generations, might be
avoided by referring the issue to the kindly arbitration of neigh-
bors and friends.
Happy the town that can conclude its transactions for the
year by a record of equal love and good will writh the above.
I find that Thomas Lewis was taxed in 1691, 1692 and 1693.
He was chosen one of the Selectmen in 1693, but declined serv-
ing, and Samuel Bead was chosen in his stead. From whence
he came is not known.
The following petition, although dated in 1695. was not in-
serted in the transactions of that year, from the fact that it was
not acted on by the General Court until 1696:
Town's, Vol. 113, p. 130.
17
130 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1696.
' ' To the Much Honoured General Court Now sitting In Boston this fourth
of December 1695. The address of Josiah Chapin Peter Holbrook &
Josiah Torrey, Selectmen for the Town of Mendon, for this yeare, beinge
in behalfe of said Town.
Humbly Sheweth,
That by virtue of an order of the Honorable
Council your petitioners were ordered to attend upon this Honered Assem-
bly to answer for Contempt or Neglect of attending a warrant Sent by the
Treasurer, by order of the General Assembly, for the assessing of Sixty-
five pounds upon our towne. In obedience to which Your Petitioners
made their appearance and made answer that no such warrant ever came to
their hands; nor did wee (considering what steps the regulating that tax
required) ever judge that sum due from us, but being assured that the order
of the General Court, since that Law enacted, must be complied with, we
are bold to represent the low and extraordinary afflicted Estate of our town
to your honered selves, hoping that we shall find that relief in your mercy,
which we are out of hopes of obtaining In any other way. May it therefore
please your Honers to be informed that our town, being a Frontier Town,
hath, for diverse years past, for two months together, and that the chiefest
time in ye year, been enforced to spend our time In watching and warding
for the security of our lives and estates, which beside all the losses we sus-
tain by being driven into heapes, amounts to a great deal more than the
sum demanded of us ; unto which we take ye liberty of subjoining that, by
reason of ye blast on ye English grain & the frost taking the Indian Corn
there is not enough left to us as will (we are fully assured) serve the Town
till ye end of May and how we shall be able to subsist we know not. There
is nothing but a small stock of cattle left to us, the most being already en-
forced to sell a considerable part of ye stock to answer their assessments.
For our own part, we dread to think what will become of us and how we
shall be able to uphold ye Ministry of ye word amongst beings so extraor-
dinarily reduced & most every way unable to assist themselves,
Our humble request is that the sum above expressed may be remitted to
us & that, for the future, we may be considered with respect unto those
yearly troubles that have been upon us & which we cannot but be in ex-
pectation of, that we not be inforced to spend our time in securing other
towns who are, having such an outwork, following their business without
any such diversions and troubles & yett have small charge to grapple with,
which will force us to pluck up stakes & seek relief and shelter where God
shall open a door for us.
Not further .to trouble your Honers we subscribe our selves,
Your Honours bounded Servants.
Josiah Chapin
Peter Holbrook
Josiah Torrey,
June 16. 1696. Read in the House of Representatives.
In answer to said petition, voted that the sum of twenty pounds be abated
1697. J ANNALS OF MENDON. 131
to the sd Town out of the tax of sixty five pounds assessed upon said town
as their two last parts of the tax of £30,000 and sent up to the Lt. Governor
& Council for Concurrence.
Penn Townsend, Speaker.
Read in Council & Voted a Concurrence,
Isaac Addington, Sec."
1697. March 1. Capt. Josiah Chapin, Samuel Read, Sen.,
Peter Holbrook, William Holbrook and Thomas Thayer were
chosen Selectmen: Samuel Read, Sen., Town Clerk, and Samuel
Read, Jr. and Joseph Rocket, Constables.
At this meeting it was voted that " Mr. Rawson's salary should
be raised according to our former law and 9 pence upon the head,
and then double the whole until it makes up the sum." How
this doubling was effected, no explanation is found in the record.
The modern tax-payer sometimes thinks the modern assessor has
discovered this process of doubling the whole until it makes up
the sum.
It was also voted " that the £18 demanded of us by the Colo-
nial Treasurer should be raised the same way as Mr. Rawson's
salary is raised. "
Dec. 3. 1697. Amy Staples, with her child, was warned "to
Leve and Depart the Towne," by John Rocket, one of the Con-
stables.
" Meudon 22d. December. Then Receaved of Lieutenant Samll. Read
the Ten pound Ordered to me by the town vote as above to the end therein
specified, I say Red.
£10.00.00. pr. me, Grindal Rawson."
These ten pounds were probably the last payment of Samuel
Cook for the James Bick lot, as we have seen that Samuel Read,
as Town Clerk, held the bond of Cook, and that the last pay-
ment was to be made on or before the 25th of December, 1697.
The record of the two semi-annual rates for the payment of
Mr. Rawson's salary completes the doings of the year. In both
rates fifty persons were taxed. In the first one the amount of
the assessment was £25.12.04, of which £20.10.04 was to be in
"country pay, such as the town raiseth," and £5.02.00 in
money.
The renewing the line between the Ministry and School
meadows and Mr. Emerson's meadow, completes the transac-
tions for the year.
132 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1698.
1698. March 7. Chose for Selectmen, Capt. Josiah Chapin,
Samuel Read, Sen., Ensign James Lovet, William Holbrook and
Samuel Thayer; Town Clerk, Samuel Eead, Sen. ; Constables,
James Albee and Thomas Taft.
It was voted at this meeting that Mr. Rawsoir s salary should
be made in one rate, and in the month of September, and also
that he should have forty cords of wood yearly, to be assessed as
a tax and paid in at or before the 25th of October annually, and
"if any person fail to pay his proportion, then to pay after the
rate of four shillings a cord In marchantable pay."
Some difference, we see, between the price of wood (4s.) in
1698 and the price of wood (9.00) in 1875. Few parishes, we
think, would be willing to employ a minister, nowadays and add
forty cords of wood to his yearly salary.
At this meeting it was voted "to grant a Streame for the In-
coradgment of a Corn Mill within the bounds of the town;" and
Capt. Chapin, John Rocket, Robert Taft, Sen., John Tiler and
William Holbrook were chosen a committee "to view the streams
and pich upon a place for that purpose and make Return of
ye same." The records do not show that this committee made
any report.
The town now reconsidered the vote about Mr. Rawson's salary,
and then voted there should be two half rates, and said nothing
about the wood.
' ' SAW MILL AT WOONSOCKET FALLS.
Mendon, 21. November 1698.
The Selectmen met and by virtue of a Towne vote upon a Training day,
ye seventh of November instant (no record of any meeting on this day),
whereby ye Towne Impowered ye Selectmen to give proprietors, now In-
gaging to Erect a Saw Mill att the Falls upon the Great River, free liberty
to Cutt timber upon the Town's Common to Erect a Saw Mill att the sd
place, We ye subscribers Doe give Samuel Comstock, in behalf of the Pro-
prietors, free Liberty to Cutt so much timber as will be necessary for their
use, viz. to build the saw mill and dam.
Samuel Read, 1
James Lovet, Select
Willi. Holbrook, f ™ „
Samll- Thayer, j
The following account of Josiah Chapin is inserted here, as
showing the manner in which accounts with the town were dis-
1698.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
133
posed of. Finding it among the recorded transactions of the
town, it is presumed that it was presented and read in open town
meeting, and there became the subject of inquiry and criticism,
by any one who might be disposed to doubt the truthfulness or
accuracy of its items:
JOSIAH chapin 1683.
24 June .82 for carting stone and sand for Mr. Rawson's
cellar £00 04 00
7 May, .83 for one day Josiah to fall timber for Mr. Raw-
son's house 00 02 00
ye year .83 for making forty rod of hedg for Mr. Rawson. 01 06 08
for renewing bounds of church land 00 03 00
10 Sept. .83 for killing a wolf. 10 0. one day work 2 oxen
Is. 6 00 11 06
28 April, 83 for one day to run line between us and Sherborn 00 02 03
Josiah 3 days work about Mr. Rawson's frame.. 00 06 09
for carting timber 00 01 06
for 13 hundred 80 foot of slit work 04 11 08
for 2 days bounding highways 00 04 06
Sept., 84 for preferring a petition to ye General Court. . . 00 02 06
March, 85 for timber and boards, seating of ye meeting
house 02 10 09
for balister for the Galery In money 00 10 00
for five days searching Town Record 00 10 00
19. Aprill 1686. for one day running ye line with Sherborn 00 02 03
28 Ap ,90 for running line with Sherborn 00 02 03
for 67 days Attending ye Court 10 01 00
paid to ye Indian purches* 00 07 07
for Laying ye Ministry's dubling Great Lott 00 04 00
for 2 days time purchasing ye Indian Lands*. . . 00 04 00
feb. 1693 for 3 days work by ye Selectmen's order In as-
sisting the Clerk to enter ye Town Deeds and
Comites Acts & Orders in the Second Book . . j
for 2 Jurnis to Court December ,95 and June ,96 01 00 00
28 October .97 for running lines about ye scoll medow, Min-1
istry's medow and Mr. Emerson's medow y
and between the pine swamp j 00 02 00
26 May ,98. to boston to prefer a petition to ye court 00 10 CO
May, 98 to bounding hy way one day 00 02 00
1697 for one quarter of a year's sweeping ye meeting
house by his 00 06 00
£24 12 05
1 The North Purchase.
134 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1698.
josiah chapin debtor JNov. 83
to his proportion of a towne Rate bearing
date 24 £02 10 00
by Josiah Torrey 00 18 00
by Peter Holbrook 01 00 00
by Constable Rockit, In come 00 12 06
by John Warfield, seniour 00 13 04
by Constable Rocket with ye money part of )
his rate f 00 04 10
by Constable Rocket 7 yards of Camblet 01 03 06
26 Jan., 84 by Constable Rocket by 2 bushels of corn 00 06 00
Sept., 85 to his proportion of a town rate bearing date
Sept., 85 02 02 07
Jan 18, 93-4 Paid by Samll. More 01 00 00
by William Holbrook Constable, 93 01 02 02
by Ninety Acres of Land granted to the said
Chapin by the Town att a General Towne
Meeting May first 1693 J 10 01 00
£22 09 05
If all public accounts had always been stated as clearly and
fully as the above, and brought as plainly to the knowledge of
the tax-payers, we should have heard but little of the venality of
the modern office-holder, and the millions which have been
stolen and squandered by corrupt "rings" would have remained
in the pockets of the tax-payers or been profitably and economi-
cally expended for the public good.
The transactions of this year were brought to a close by the
record of the location of three roads.
The first was named the Wrentham road, and is, substantially,
the present road leading from the Third District School-house
over Mill River to Bellingham, in the direction of Wrentham.
This road was two rods wide.
The second road was laid out from Dedham line, between
Peter's River and our Mill River, it being the road to Rehoboth,
and was four rods wide. It is a portion of the present road to
Providence, R. I., through the easterly part of Blackstone.
The third road began at the " Iron works at the Falls," and
was laid out northerly until it came to the Rehoboth road at
Grave Meadow Brook. This road, with little alteration, is the
1699.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 135
present road from Mention to Woonsocket, by the way of the
Five Corners (so called) in Blackstone.
Grave Meadow Brook was so named from its proximity to an
Indian burying place; and is the brook whereon Solomon
Pratt's trip-hammer shop once stood. Possibly the site of this
burying yard may have been the same with the location of the
present burying place near Blackstone line.
1699. Jan. 16. At a town meeting held this day, our pas-
tor. Mr. Grindal Rawson, Deacon John Warfield and Samuel
Read were chosen a committee "to seat the Meeting House.''
From this vote it is presumed that the pew had not yet found
its way into the meeting house, and that there had been no per-
manent appropriation of seats. The duty of this committee, it
is supposed, was to assign the seats, for the time being, so that
each family should readily find its allotted place.
March 6. It being the annual meeting, Capt. Josiah Chapin.
Samuel Read, Sen., Peter Holbrook, Thomas Thayer and John
Bridges wTere chosen Selectmen; Samuel Read, Town Clerk and
John Rocket and Samuel Cook, Constables.
At this meeting various tracts of land, varying in extent from
one acre to thirty, were granted to Nicholas Cook, Samuel
Cook, John Cook, John Tyler, Joseph White, Benjamin Albee,
Samuel Read, Benjamin Wheelock, Ferdinando Thayer and
Jonathan Hayward.
The grant to Nicholas Cook was "two acres of land or swamp In
the corner of the pine swamp next to brak neck hill." This tract
must have been located upon the north side of the county road
(formerly the Boston and Hartford turnpike), and adjoining the
woodland of John G. Metcalf on the west, and the woodland of
H. P. Butler on the south, across the road.
A ten-acre lot, with all the rights and privileges, was sold to
Jonathan Richardson for twenty pounds. The " rights and
privileges " constituted Richardson a co-partner in all the land
yet unappropriated. It was laid out by Josiah Chapin, on a hill
the east side of the Great River, adjoining lands of James Wal-
ling and John Bollcom.
136 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1699.
April. The line was run and the bounds (trees) new marked
between Mendon and Sherborn by Peter Holbrook, Joseph
Rocket and Jacob Aldrich for Mendon, and Lieut. Jonathan
Morse and William Rider for Sherborn.
June 26. " Att a generall Town meeting Legally warned," it
was voted that the next division of land (formerly agreed on)
shall be forty acres to a twenty-acre house lot and in like pro-
portion for all other lots.
Sept. 5. "It was voted that, for this present year, from the 25th. of
March 1699 until the 25th. of March 1700, that the Towne will give Mr.
Rawson fifty-five pounds, the one half in current money of New England,
the other half in current pay, such as the Towne Raiseth, vict : wheat 4
shillings per bushel, Rye 3 shillings, Indian Corn 2 shillings, Pork att 2
penc half penny per pound, beef at 2 pence per pound good and marchant-
able, the whole to be paid to Mr. Rawson Att his house In Mendon att or
before the 25th of October next Insuing the date hereof."
Oct. 10. A rate for Mr. Rawson's salary, as above, was made,
including the forty cords of wood, a copy of which is here sub-
joined:
Wood.
Capt. White £01 02 00 7 ft.
Deacon Warfield 00 11 09 3
Capt. Chapin 01 16 02 10
Samuel Read 02 06 04 12
Ensigne Lovet 01 14 02 10
Peter Holbrook 02 05 10 12
Benje Wheelock 01 15 02 11
John Bridges 01 19 03 11
John Thomson 01 11 03 10
Widow Winter 00 16 00 5
Joseph Plumley 00 13 08 4
Eliazer Wheelock 00 05 00 0
Abram Staples 00 10 09 3
Robert Taft, Sen 01 04 08 7
John Cook . . 00 18 06 5
Samll. Hayward 01 06 06 7
Denice Darling 00 13 00 4
John Darling 01 02 00 7
Thomas Thayer 01 10 03 9
Samll. Thayer 01 10 00 9
John Rocket 01 03 00 6
Joseph Rocket 01 07 05 8
Willi Holbrook 02 07 09 15
1699.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 137
Samll. Cook 00 10 07 5
Joseph White 00 15 08 5
Thomas White 00 13 09 4
Seth Chapin 01 01 00 6
Bcnje Wheton 00 10 09 3
John Peck 00 12 00 3
Samll. Keed Jr 01 06 03 7
Josiah Thayer ". 00 18 01 5
Eben: Thayer 00 12 02 4
Isaac Thayer 00 14 02 5
Thomas Taft 00 17 07 5
James Albee 01 13 02 10
John Tyler 01 00 06 6
Nicolas Cook 01 02 06 6
Jonathan Hayward 00 18 00 5
George Pike 00 12 08 4
Robert Taft Jr. 00 11 03 4
John White 00 08 00 2
Eben White 00 06 06 2
Samll. Warfeeld 00 07 06 3
Roger Corery 00 08 09 3
Ebenezer Staples 00 17 06 5
Jacob Aldrich 00 14 08 4
Abell Aldrich 00 05 00 2
Willi Cheney 00 09 03 3
Joseph Chapin 00 10 00 3
Ebenezer Staples for his wife's estate 01 09 09 8
William Hayward 00 15 08 5
Benje Albee 00 09 00 2
Benje Thayer 00 13 02 4
Danill Taft 00 07 06 2
John Post 00 07 00 2
John Lovet 00 08 03 2
Samll. More 00 04 00 0
Ferdinando Thayer 00 13 08 4
Memorandum. "Wouls killed In the yeare 1699 betwen the Last of
March and ye last of September and ye heads brought to ye Constables and
the Ears cut off by them as the Law diricts.
by Jonathan Richorson five grown wouls 5
by Robert Hall, five whelps 5
by Samll Read three grown wouls 3
by Eleazer Wheelock, one grown wolf 1
by William Holbrook, oue grown wolf 1
by Joseph White, one grown wolf 1"
William Danser came into town in July and was warned out
18
138 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1700.
Sept. 6, 1699, unci return made to the General Sessions of the
Peace Oct. 3, 1699.
The last record for this year is as follows:
"Boston 13 December 1699. .
then Received of Samll. Read forty shillings mony in full for Mendon
County Rate In ye year 1696.
Received per Jer. Dumer.
By an Act of the General Court passed March 20, 1699, Wells,
Kittery, York, Amesbury, Haverhill, Dunstable, Chelmsford,
Groton, Lancaster, Marlboro, Brookfield, Deerfield, Mendon and
Woodstock* were declared to be "Frontier Towns."
Of those who were settled in Mendon, up to the present time,
and were supposed to be heads of families, the following persons
had died, viz:
George Aldrich March 1, 1682 Samuel Shepherd Sept. 8, 1690
John Sprague April 6, 1683 Timothy Winter May 2, 1694
Daniel Lovet Jan. 24, 1691 Walter Cook Jan. 5, 1695
John Warfield April 12, 1692 Jacob Aldrich Oet. 22, 1695
John Thomson, sen. . . .Nov. 9, 1685 Samuel Tyler Dec. 17, 1695
Dea. Simon Peck Mar. 27, 1688
1700. March ye 4. Chose Samuel Read, sen., Ensigne James
Lovet, Sergt. William Holbrook, Samuel Thayer and Benjamin
Wheelock, Selectmen; Samuel Read, sen., Town Clerk; Sergt.
Peter Holbrook and John Bridges, Constables.
' ' Att the above-said Meeting It passed by vote that the five pound that
is In Capt. Chapin's hands Received ye last May shuld be Improved for the
use of procuring a new drum and a burying cloth and the Remainder If any
be for procuring Amunition for A town stock."
John Cook was granted leave to exchange his land at Magor
Miscok for land elsewhere, "provided he dus it within a fort-
night,"
Mr. Rawson was allowed to leave his land upon West Hill, on
the road to Eliazer Wheelock's house, and take it up on the
other side of the Great River.
Capt. Chapin and Ensigne Lovet were chosen a committee to
give allowance and lay out the next division of land.
* Now in Connecticut.
1700.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 139
Jonathan Eichardson was granted ten acres of land "adjoin-
ing to the Great Eiver upon the east side, wheare the Mill River
Emptys Itself In to the Great River."
When it is understood that the Mill River empties into the
Great River (now Blackstone) below Woonsocket Falls, it will be
seen that the town virtually claimed jurisdiction beyond any of
the three surveys which had, at that time been made. The
southern boundary of the Colony was then, and for a long time
afterwards, unsettled, 'and, perhaps, remembering that posses-
sion is held to be nine points of the law, our shrewd ancestors
considered it the part of wisdom to set up a claim sufficiently
large enough to cover what, in the final adjustment of the boun-
dary line they might be obliged to surrender.
About this time beds of iron ore had been discovered in that
part of the town now Blackstone, and the inhabitants, fearing,
it is supposed, the supply for home consumption would run
short, on the 17th of September voted " that noe person should
carry any mine or iron ore out of or from the Town's Commons
upon the penalty and forfeiture of twenty shillings a load, the
one half to the Informer, the other half to ye use of ye Towne. "
The iron works at the Falls, which have been mentioned before,
were probably furnaces for smelting the ore.
At the same time the timber supply became a matter of con-
sideration, and as their eyes had been opened in regard to the
value of things under the earth, it was quite natural for them
not to forget the prospective value of things upon the earth, and
hence at the same meeting they enacted " that noe person shall
fall, Cut or Carry away any Trees, Logs or any other sort of
timber Either wrought or un wrought off of or from the Towne's
Commons upon the penalty and forfeiture of twenty shillings a
tree, the one half to the Informer and the other half to ye use of
ye Towne."
Oct. 14. Samuel Thayer had liberty to dispose of or carry
away the iron ore that had been dug near Jonathan Richardson's
land, he paying twenty shillings to Capt. Chapin within three
months, for the town's use. Capt. Chapin was to settle with
those "who made discovery and Report of the digging and Re-
move of sd mine or Iron ore," and "the overplush to be Re-
turned to the town if any be."
140 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1701.
This year William Holbrook killed five wolves and had their
ears cut off by the the Constable.
Oct. 8. A County rate for forty shillings was made, and
John Rocket, the Constable, was directed to collect and pay the
same to the County Treasurer, at Boston, before the last of De-
cember next.
Nov. 28. The usual rate for Mr. Rawson's salary, including
the forty cords of wood, was made this day, completing the re-
corded doings of the town for the year.
1701. March 3. Selectmen for this year were Capt. Josiah
Chapin, Samuel Read, Sergt. Peter Holbrook, Sergt. William
Holbrook and John Darling; Town Clerk, Samuel Read; Con-
stables, Thomas White and Ebenezer Staples. Besides Tithing
Men and Fence Viewers, Joseph Rocket and Jacob Aldrich were
" to take care that the law about swine be put in execution."
Ensign Lovet, Benjamin Wheelock and John Tyler were
chosen a committee to give the Selectmen instructions, and
which were as follows, viz:
Imprimis. That they make a Rate seasonably for the payment of Mr.
Rawson's salary, according to the town's agreement.
21y. That they forthwith take care to examine all men's claims of debts
owing to them from the town and lay them before the town, at a general
town meeting warned by them, or the major part of them, and, upon the
town's allowance of them, to emit a rate for the discharging them.
31y. That they make orders and present them for allowance and confir-
mation, as the law directs, for the preservation of wood and timber grow-
ing on the town's commons and for the preventing of carrying out of town
or transporting timber or iron ore from the town's commons.
41y. That they make effectual orders for the preserving and keeping up
the bounds of particular men's lands that abut upon the town's commons
and take care that if any person or persons have transgressed by mowing
or tilling the town's commons, without towne order, that they be effectually
proceeded with and made to lay them down.
It would have been well had instructions like these been contin-
ued to the present day. Honest disbursing officers would have no
objections to such scrutiny, and dishonest ones should be watched
for the public good. Had this watchfulness been continued
until the present day our ears would not be so frecpiently pained
1701.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 141
with the startling revelations of defalcation and embezzlement so
often brought to our notice by the daily papers.
At this meeting the Selectmen, with Mr. Grindal Rawson,
were instructed —
" To Treat with Deacon Warfeeld, upon his refusal, with sume other per-
son whom they shall Judg sutable, to be A schoole Master to Teach the
Children of the Towne to Read : and for this or any other person's Encour-
agement In said work the Town shall pay ten pounds In good Current pay
alt money price, and each person sending children to schoole to pay one
penny A Week."
THE SECOND TOWN POUND.
May 27. The Selectmen agreed with Joseph Plumley —
" To erect a Pound for the Town's use, of thirty foot square, of six rails,
all square posts and the Rails tenanted In to the posts, and a cap framed on
upon the head of the posts, and a gate of four feet wide, to hang the gate
and finish the work on or before the last of May next Insuing, for which he
is to be paid forty shillings out of a town rate."
The Pound was to be set up between Joseph White's and
Sergt. Staple's "by or in the ten rod highway." This designa-
tion woitld locate it in the neighborhood of the present Metho-
dist meeting-house.
At the above-said meeting (March 3) the Selectmen agreed
with Deacon Warfield —
" To keep scool half a yeare and to begin on munday ye 14th of April
Next, and for his pains to have rive pounds In good Current pay att money
price, and one penny a week for Every Child that Corns to scoolle. "
So Deacon Warfield was the first public-school master, and by
the terms of his contract, he was simply to teach his pupils to
read. Nothing was said about writing, arithmetic or grammar.
April 18. The Selectmen met and gave the oath, as the law-
directs, to the Town Clerk, Samuel Read; Thomas Thayer, Sur-
veyor of Highways; John Bridges and Joseph Plumley, Fence
Viewers, and to Samuel Thayer and Thomas White, Constables.
This is the first record we find that the town officers made oath
to the faithful discharge of their duties.
March 17. The Selectmen, at a town meeting held this day,
presented a schedule of claims against the town, and after they
were considered, Ensigne James Lovet, John Tyler and Joseph
142 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1701.
Rocket were chosen " to goe about the town and Take a valua-
tion and bring it to the Selectmen In order to ther making of
the towne Rate."
Nov. 21. Those persons who had neglected, until now, to
bring in to Mr. Rawson their proportion of wood, were directed
to do so by the first day of December next, or in default to pay
after the rate of four shillings a cord in current pay.
Capt. Chapin declaring his inability to go on with the meas-
uring of the lands, Thomas White was chosen a surveyor " to
lay out Either with Capt Chapin or without 111111."
At this meeting it was voted that —
" Samuel Read, sen. for his service in keeping of the towne booke and
Recording Towne votes, Rates and other transactions of the towne, from the
first beginning of his keeping them (1680) until the beginning of March
next Insuing the date hereof, shall have six pounds in money or marchat-
able pay at money price, and the price of wheat was fixed at 5s. per bushel,
Rye at 4s. and Corn at 3s. per bushel."
The record for this year closes with the entry of the account
of Samuel Read and the annual rate for Mr. Rawson's salary.
" SAMLL. READ, CREDIT 1686.
for one day Running Line wh. Sherborn 19th. Ap £00 02 00
for money paid Mr Adiugton for ye towne Deed 00 03 00
for transcribing acts of Counsel 1687 00 03 06
for ten shillings money Lent to prcuer black staff 00 10 00
for twenty-three days attending ye Court 1692 03 09 00
for money paid for purches of land of Wansamoge (Awas-
samog.) 00 16 04
for four days time about said Land In purchasing, Deed
possession and Running ye Line 00 08 03
for helping to lay out ye Ministry's dubling & great Lot 00 02 06
for 2 days & half takin ye valuation Jan. 1693-4 00 04 00
for expenses of ye Selectmen In ye year 1693 00 17 00
Feb. 1694 for Recording the Towne deeds and Court grants,
Committees Acts and ye names of ye proprietors In ye
new book by order of ye Selectmen 00 08 00
Dec. 1695, to Capt Chapin & Serg. Holbrook in money when
they went to Court 00 06 00
28 October ,97 to stating the bounds betweene the pine swamp
and Mr. Emerson's medow, ye Ministry's medow and ye
scooll medow and Renewing the bounds of said medow.. . . 00 02 00
January ,97 one jurney to boston by order of the Selectmen
to answer the towne's presentment for the hy way between
Metfeeld and Mendon • 00 12 00
1701.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 143
May ,98 to bounding and Laying towne byways, 2 days 00 04 00
1697 to my girls sweeping ye meeting house one Quarter of ye
year 00 04 00
April ,99 to one day Running tbe line from the North Pond to
Sherborn line & Recording the Returne 00 03 00
for expenses of the Selectmen 1699 00 12 00
for one day with the Snrvayor to lay out ye Ministry's
great Lott 00 03 00
for taking care of ye Towne books and writing of Town
votes and orders In tbe first book from the year 1679 till
March 1701 06 00 00
for expense of tbe Selectmen 1701 00 18 00
£16 08 00
SAMLL. READ, debit.
To forty-five Acres of Land Granted to the sd. Read by tbe
town att a General meeting May ye 1. 1693 05 00 00
of William Holbrook, Constable 1693 as part of a towne
rate 01 16 00
£6 16 00
The black staff for which Mr. Eead paid ten shillings was for
the Constable. By law he was to have his staff with him when
in discharge of the duties of his office, "so that none could
plead ignorance." What its length and size were cannot now be
determined, but as it sometimes proved "inconvenient by giving
oppertnnity to delinquents to escape," by an act passed May 12,
1675, it was allowed to the Constable "when he acted by virtue
of a warrant to him directed from authority," to carry his staff
or not as he might choose.
The money paid Mr. Addington was probably for recording
the deed of the North Purchase. The twenty-three days at
Court, he was probably serving the town as Representative,
although no record is found of his election. The money paid
to Capt. Chapin and Serg. Holbrook was when they were sum-
moned before the General Court for contempt about the assess-
ment of the sixty-five pounds.
In the rate for Mr. Eawson's salary this year, the forty cords
of wood were included, each man being assessed the proper
number Of feet.
144 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1702.
1702. March ye 2. Selectmen, Josiah Chapin, Samuel Read
Sen.. James Lovet, John Tyler and Joseph Rocket; Samuel
Read, Sen., Town Clerk; John Cook and Thomas Thayer, Con-
stables; Hay wards and Field Drivers chose for the first time, viz:
John Rocket and Joseph Plumley.
It will be remembered that in January, 1684, the town made
an agreement to put up a grist mill, with Matthias Puffer, upon
the site of the mill burned by the Indians, being the mill built
by Benjamin Albee.
By the following proceedings it is supposed that Puffer had
failed to keep the mill or dam in proper repair for twenty years,
according to the terms of his contract with the town. It is
probable that the dam had failed and that the pond had disap-
peared, as the town voted " to prohibit any person from taking
up ye Land or Pond upon any Accounte. "
For building the mill, Puffer was to have fifteen pounds,
which he was to refund to the town if he failed to fulfil any por-
tion of the agreement, under a penalty of thirty pounds. Josiah
Chapin and Simon Peck were chosen to see that the agreement
with Puffer was fulfilled. In the meantime, Deacon Peck, hav-
ing deceased May 27, 1688, Samuel Read was now chosen "to
Joyne with Capt. Chapin in the Management of ye Agreement
with Matthias Puffer about the Grist Mill."
Whether Puffer refunded the fifteen pounds, or whether he
repaired the dam or mill is not known.
Denice Darling, William Holbrook, Thomas Taft and Peter
Holbrook had liberty to leave land in one place and take it up
in another.
Jonathan Richardson had land laid out on Quick Stream,
where it empties into Mill River, a portion of which is now
overflowed by the factory pond of the late Edward Harris, of
Woonsocket.
Dec. ye 11- The Selectmen agreed with Samuel Read to take
care of Ephraim Peck, who, it is supposed, was feeble-minded.
This year William Holbrook killed two wolves, and Ebenezer
Thayer one, and their ears were duly cut off by the Constable,
"in the presence of sum of ye Selectmen."
A schedule of the town's debts, which had accrued between
the 18th of January, 1694, and the 21st of January, 1702,
1703.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 145
amounting to £27.19.05, was presented, and a rate was ordered
for their payment. Upon the hack of the Constable's warrant
was written the names of the creditors and the amount to be paid
to each.
A County tax for £00.01.04 was also assessed this year, as well
as the usual one for Mr. Rawson'js salary.
Besides these, a second County tax was assessed, pursuant to a
warrant from Addington Davenport, Clerk of the Court of the
General Sessions of the Peace, for the sum of £02.00.00. The
warrant was dated Boston, November 14, "In ye first year of
her Majesty's (Queen Anne) Reigne annocpie Domini 1702." In
this rate, sixty-two persons were taxed in various sums, ranging
from one shilling and eight pence to two pence.
1703. March 1. . Capt. Chapin, Samuel Read, Ensign Lovet,
John Darling and Samuel Thayer were chosen Selectmen;
Samuel Read, Town Clerk, and William Holbrook and John
Farnum, Constables.
In 1674, the town had voted that all the land betweeen Muddy
Brook and Mill River " shuld lye for perpetuale comon," but at
different times the town had allowed land to be taken up within
the prohibited limits, and the attention of the town having been
now called to the fact, it was voted that the title to the lands
already granted should not be disturbed, and that, for the pur-
pose of straightening their fences, they might take in such cpian-
tity of land as the Committee on Allowance for the Fourth Di-
vision should deem proper.
John Jones, of Hull, was granted twenty acres of land near to
Seth Chapin's land, provided he improve it for Ms house Jot.
Here he built his house, upon the east bank of Mill River. It
was the first house in what is now known as Hopedale, in the
town of Milford. This grant remained in the possession of the
Jones family until a late period, and the house was taken down
in 1874.
At this meeting the Selectmen, with Mr. Taft and James
Albee, were chosen a committee to devise a way " for the Inlarg-
ment of ye seats and making more room for the present conve-
19
146 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1704.
nience of ye poeple in ye meeting house," and they were to see
that the matter was speedily attended to.
William Holbrook or any other person or persons had 'liberty
to build horse sheds near the Meeting house, in the highway,
provided they build them on the east side of the way, " close to
the fence. " Close to the f ence„ indicates that the ten-rod high-
way was not to be embarrassed by obstructions.
Although there is no record of the choice of a Representative
to the General Court, Capt. Josiah Chapin served the town in
that capacity, as the following record will show: April 23, the
town voted that " Capt. Chapin should have his pay for his ser-
vices as Representative to the General Court for the Town in
March 1703, it being £3. 10s, out of the money in his hands that
came from Jonathan Richardson towards his Lott."
A committee was also chosen to ascertain the total indebted-
ness of the town and present the same for audit and adjustment.
May 24. The town voted that horses and sheep that are not
unruly "might goe att Liberty this yeare," and that the Hay-
wards should be indemnified for any costs resulting from the
abeyance of their official duty. The principal difficulty about
this arrangement seems to be the unruly horses and sheep.
Sept. 27. A country rate (State tax) was assessed for £36. 15. 00,
and "John Arnold and ye rest of ye owners in ye saw Mill" were
taxed three shillings. This was the saw mill, without doubt,
built by Samuel Comstock at the Falls on the Great (Blackstone)
River. Another country rate for the same amount was also
made, as well as a county rate for twenty-six shillings and two
p'ence, in which Capt Josiah Chapin was set at nine pence, ami
Benjamin Albee at one penny.
The usual rate, for Mr. Rawson's salary, was also made, in-
cluding a separate rate for the forty cords of wood.
1704. Jan. 14. The following accounts were audited and
allowed, viz:
Capt. Chapin to have the balance in his hands paid him by
Jonathan Richardson, for a part of what is due him for services
at the General Court.
1704. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 147
The Selectmen to hare forty shillings for their expenses for
1702 and 1703.
Samuel Read, Ehenezer Staples and Christopher Winter to
hare seven shillings "for earing Kitt Portengall to Marlbor-
ough." Kitt must have been a hard customer to recpiire the
services of three men to transport him from Mendon to Marl-
borough.
John Rocket and Daniel Lovet to have four shillings and six
pence for running the line between us and Sherborn in 1702.
William Holbrook to have ten shillings for his "jurney" to
Boston as Commissioner (of assessment) in May, 1703.
John Darling and Samuel Thayer to have five shillings "dewe
to them'' for repairing the seats in the Meeting house in 1703.
Joseph White to have twenty shillings and ten pence for
sweeping and taking care of the Meeting house in 1702 and
1703.
The town then voted to raise and appropriate, to pay these
debts, the sum of eight pounds four shillings and eight pence,
and ordered the same to be paid "in Marchantable Corn; wheat
at four shillings per bushill, rye att three shillings and Indian
corn att two shillings per bushill."
March 6. Chose Capt. Chapin, Sergt. William Holbrook.
John Cook, Thomas White and Samuel Read for Selectmen;
Samuel Read, Town Clerk, and Ehenezer Thayer and Daniel
Taft, Constables.
It was voted the Selectmen should have twenty shillings an-
anully for their time and services.
March 6. William Holbrook was paid for four grown wolves.
The following copy of an official record will explain the status
of Ephraim Peck:
Suffolk ss. Anno Regina.
Att her Majesty's Superior Court of Judicature Begun and held att
Boston, for and within the County of Suffolk Aforesaid on Tuesday the
second of May, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and four, upon
Reading the Petition of the Select Men of Mendon, Therein showing forth
that Ephraim Peck, son of Simon Peck, Deceased, an In habitant In there
Towne is so Defective in his under standing as that he is incapacitated to
Manage his Estate and in no sort Able to take care for himself, so will soon
become a Towne Charge, If not timely prevented. And further that the
said Ephraim Peck hath sunie Real Estate in sd Towne, the Income of
148
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1704.
which is In considerable, that it will doe little Towards his subsistence: —
Wherefor Pray that they may be Impowered to make sale of the Real Es-
tate of the sd Ephraim Peck In order for his maintenance and Paying
the Charges on that be halfe all Redy Expended. Its Therefore Con-
sidered by the Court (Pursuant to an Act for the Relief of Ideots &c.)
That the Select Men of Mendon be and are hereby Impowered to make sale
of the Real Estate of the sd Ephraim Peck for the ends and uses Aforesaid
and Pass and Execute good and sufficient Deeds and Conveyances In the
law for the same.
December. A County rate for £01.06.02, and a Town rate
for £04.10.00, as well as the usual rate for Mr. Rawson's salary,
was made and committed to the Constable.
It seems the recent rate for the payment of town debts did not
comprise all its indebtedness, as the Selectmen met the 25th day
of December and issued their warrant (the first one of which
mention is made, though not recorded) "to Constable Thayer to
warn all the Inhabitants to meet on the 29tb instant, and to
bring in their demands against the town, so that a town rate
could be made to discharge the same."
This "' recent rate '' was made Jan. 17, and as no further as-
sessments are found matters of record, and as new names are
being added and familiar ones dropped out, the rate is here in-
serted, with the names of the several persons among whom the
Constable was to distribute the amount of the rate.
Capt. Joseph White £00
02 08
04 10
Capt. Josiah Chapin
05 02
Sergt
Peter Holbrook. . . .
06 06
04 02
Sergt
William Holbrook..
09 06
Robert Taft
03 05
Samuel Hay ward . . .
06 00
02 10
Benje Wheelock,. ..
06 01
John Tyler
04 10
James Albee
04 01
John Thomson
05 03
John Rockit
02 06
Joseph Plumley. . . .
01 08
Thomas Thayer. . . .
04 00
Aleixander Plumley
01 05
Saml. Thayer
05 01
John Cook
05 00
Josiah Thayer
Ebenezer Thayer . . .
04 02
Nicolas Cook
01 06
02 06
Samuel Read Jr. . . .
03 07
Isaac Thayer
02 03
Seth Chapin
02 11
Joseph Rockit
02 06
John White
01 00
George Pike
01 00
Danil Taft
01 06
00 11
John Post
01 08
01 06
Eben Read
01 03
Willi Cheny
01 03
Eben White
01 00
Joseph Taft
01 01
1704.]
:. | ANNALS OF
MENDON.
14H
Samuel Thomson. ..
01 00
Benje Thayer
03 03
Woodland Thomson
00 10
Benje Albee
01 01
Jacob Aldrich
01 09
Saml. Cook
02 08
Abell Aldrich
01 01
Willi Hay ward. . . .
02 07
Seth Aldrich
01 11
Denice Darling. . . .
01 06
Samuel More
01 06
John Darling
03 08
Joseph White
03 04
Danill Darling
00 10
John Farnum
03 08
John Lovet
01 08
Thomas Taft
02 02
Benje Wheelock Jr
01 10
Kobert Taft Jr
02 00
John Albee
01 02
Tim Winter
01 02
Saml. Warfeeld...
00 10
01 01
Elihue Warfeeld. . .
00 10
Thomas White
02 01
Philip Amidown. .
01 00
01 07
Ebenezer Staples. .
03 08
James Emerson ....
01 04
Ebenezer Sumner.
01 00
01 08
Joseph Sumner. . . .
01 00
Decon Warfield. . . .
00 11
William Sprague . .
01 00
£10 05 01
William Holbrook, the Constable, (collector) was directed to
pay the following persons the several sums set against their
respective names:
Capt. Chapin £01 10 00
Saml. Read 03 02 00
Joseph White 01 10 00
Willi Holbrook. ... 00 17 00
Heirs of Chris. Win-
ter 00 03 00
Eben Staples 00 01 04
Denice Darling 00 01 00
Thomas Thayer 00 01 00
Josiah Thayer 00 01 04
John Cook 00 00 08
Eben Thayer 00 01 00
Samll. Read Jr 00 04 00
Em
Lovet
Joseph Rocket.
John Tyler. . . .
John Darling. .
Samll. Thayer.
John Rockit. .. .
James Albee
Isaac Thayer . . .
Benje Thayer. .
John Thomson.
Seth Chapin. . .
.£00
. 00
. 00
. 00
. 00
. 00
. 00
. 00
. 00
. 00
. 00
Peter Holbrook 00
02 03
03 03
05 08
02 06
02 06
01 04
01 00
01 00
01 00
00 08
01 00
01 00
£8 15 06
The General Court, by an act passed June 14, published June
30, 1704, entitled "An act directing that the militia of the fron-
tiers be provided with snow shoes," '•' for the more ready and bet-
ter pursuit after the Indians in the winter, upon the snow,"
provided that so many of the soldiers in each company in the
frontier towns (of which Mendon was one), as the commanding
officers shall judge most able and of best estate (being not less
150 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1705.
than one-half of the company), shall, each of them, at his own
charge, be provided with a pair of good serviceable snow-shoes
and mogginsons at or before the 10th of November next, under
a penalty of ten shillings and ten shillings for every three months'
neglect afterwards, and the fines, in case of neglect, to be levied
by distress.
The soldiers were to keep the snow-shoes and mogginsons in
good repair and fit for service, and if upon inspection, they were
found in good order, they were to be reimbursed three shillings
out of the next poll tax.
This act was to continue in force during the present (Indian)
war, and not afterwards.
The " present Indian war " was with the eastern Indians, when
Major Waldron was killed and the fort at Pemmaquid, with a
hundred prisoners was taken by the Indians.
Since 1699, when the known deaths of the early settlers were
noted, it is found that Abraham Staples, Sen., Abraham Staples,
Jr., Christopher Winter and Samuel Thomson had died. Chris-
topher, the son of Timothy Winter, and Samuel, the son of
John Thomson. Probably some others had died, but whose
deaths were not recorded..
1705. March 5. At a general town meeting, Capt. Josiah
Chapin, Samuel Read, Ensign James Lovet, John Darling and
Josiah Thayer were chosen Selectmen; Town Clerk and Treas-
urer (the latter for the first time), Samuel Read; and Ebenezer
Read and Benjamin Thayer, Constables.
At this meeting it was voted that Benjamin Wheelock and his
successors should "•enjoy the Mill Pond"' so long as he should
keep it in repair and serviceable for the town's use and no longer,
and keep within fence.
By the following it will be seen that Mendon claimed jurisdic-
tion to the Blackstone River, as its southern boundary, for they
granted Samuel Cook six or eight acres of land near Dedham
(now Bellingham) line on the east side of the Great River.
William Cheney had liberty to leave some land on Magor Miscok
and take some instead, " Neer to Seth Chapin house Neer the
1706.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 151
Road Leading to Sherborn." Magor Miscok is the ridge of land
on the east side of the valley of Mill River.
June 6. Robert Hall and his " ' heyres '' forever had forty acres of
land, bounded easterly by Androses brook, northerly upon Men-
don north line, and westerly and southerly upon the town's com-
mon land; provided he should once in two or three years run the
bounds with some of our town from our North Meadow to
ye Northwest corner. This corner was one hundred rods west
of the Great (Blackstone) River, in what is now the to.wn of
Northbridge.
The Selectmen having met a Committee of Providence, and
conferred with them about their claim on the west side of the
Great River, made their report to the town September 11th, upon
which the town directed Capt. Chapin *' to trans mitt ye above
Report or Complaint to the General Court and to transact that
Affair with sd Court."
Rev. Mr. Rawson was granted fifteen acres of meadow upon
the third branch of Charles River, that we pass over in going to
Medfield; provided, at his own charge, he defends the claim
which Sherborn makes to the same, and carry the same from
Court to Court until the title shall be confirmed.
The closing record for the year was the allowance of an account
of John Darling, in which was a charge of four shillings and six
pence "for hewing timber for ye wach hous."
1706. March 4. Chose Samuel Read, James Lovet. Sergt.
William Holbrook, Sergt. Peter Holbrook, and Sergt. John Dar-
ling, Selectmen; Samuel Read, Clerk, and Samuel More and
Jacob Aldrich, Constables.
March 21, In pursuance of an order from the Superior Court,
at Boston, the Selectmen met at John Peck's house to divide the
land devised by the will of Simon Peck, to John and Ephraim,
his sons. To John was adjudged the south side, next to Samuel
More's lot, with the house, barn and orchard. To Ephraim was
given the north side, next to George Sumner's lot, thirty rods
wide, and in length from the ten rod highway to Joseph Plum-
ley's and John Bridges' home lots. The division of some out
lands, and the agreement of John to keep his brother, Ephraim,
152 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1707.
from April 8, 1706, to April 8, 1707, for forty shillings, closes
the record for the year.
1707. 'Ian. 0. At a town meeting held this day the follow-
ing accounts were audited and allowed:
Sergt. William Holbrook for serving as the Town's Representa-
tive 61 days and money expended £09 05 00
Corperall Joseph White for sweeping the meeting house 00 15 00
Sergt. Peter Holbrook for one jurney to boston 00 09 00
Saml. Read, senior, for money expended of Repairing the
glass and procuring naills for fastening the same att the
meeting house 02 08 06
Saml. Read, senior. The Town's allowance to the Selectmen. . . 01 00 00
Benje Thayer 10 shillings paid for Rumsey's Rate 00 10 00
£14 07 06
FIFTH DIVISION OF LAND.
The first division of hmd was without recourse to the drawing
of lots for choice. The second, heretofore tabulated, and the-
choice decided by lot, was for a division of swamp land. The
third was for completing the amount of upland, and the fourth
for taking up the meadows.
In the fifth division two hundred acres were granted to a forty-
acre lot, and all other lots in like proportion. Previous to this
division, large tracts were voted to lay ''for perpetual common."
Certain rules were adopted to govern the division, as that the
proprietors should draw lots, "as it shall be, by Divine Provi-
dence, Disposed to them " that the land should be be taken in
not more than two places, that care should be taken to lay out
their lands in manner and form "as may not Spoill the Lands
and make it In convenient for such as follow," and for poor land
the Committee were authorized " to make It up In Quantity by
giving two acres for one or Les If they Judge It sufficient." The
committee were to take care that convenient highways were to
be left, and alter the line ''wheare the way Cannot so conve-
niently ly by the sides or ends of the Lotts." When -one's turn,
by lot, should come, he shall, in three days, if in town, or upon
one week's notice, if out of town, proceed to lay out his share,
and should he so neglect, he shall lose his turn, and so on so long
as he neglects. The Surveyor was to give each man timely
1707.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
153
notice of his turn, so that the devidant may not be hindered from
proceeding, and proprietors, by needless delay, kept from their
right. Any two of the Selectmen, with the Surveyor, were con-
stituted a committee to oversee the division.
The meeting was then adjourned to the next day, Feb. 4,
1707, when the lots were drawn as follows, viz:
1.
Benjc Thayer.
39.
John Thompson, jr.,
2.
James Emerson.
40.
Joshua Lazell.
3.
Peter Holbrook.
41.
John Peck.
4.
John Sprague.
42.
Ebenezer Staples.
5.
Woodland Thomson.
43.
Joseph Plumley.
6.
Danil Taft.
44.
Mr. Grindal Rawson.
7.
Saml. Read.
45.
Joseph White.
8.
Saml. Cook.
40.
James Albee.
9.
Saml* Tyler.
47.
Saml. Thayer.
10.
Timothy Winter.
48.
Nicolas Cook.
11.
Jonathan Thayer.
49.
Ebenezer Thayer.
12.
John Farnum.
50.
Joseph Rocket.
13.
John Rockit.
51.
Saml. Hayward.
14.
Savill Simpson.
52.
Ebenezer White.
15.
Thomas Taft.
53.
Ebenezer Sprague.
16.
Thomas White.
54.
Robert Taft.
17.
Benjamin Wheelock.
55.
Ephraim Staples.
18.
ye daughters of John Sprague.
56.
Jacob Staples.
19.
John Jones.
57.
John Bridges.
30
George Sumner.
58.
Saml. Read, Jr.,
21.
Ephraim Chapin.
59.
Saml. More.
22.
Joseph Chapin.
60.
Abraham Staples.
23.
John Cook.
61.
Ephraim Peck.
24.
William Sprague.
62.
Jacob Aldrich.
25.
Nathaniel Morse.
63.
Angell Torrey..
26.
John Corbet.
64.
John Staples.
27.
John White.
65.
William Hayward.
28.
Benjamin Wheton.
66.
Benjamin Wheelock, jr
29.
Isaack Thayer.
67.
Decon Warfeeld.
30.
Jonathan Richardson.
68.
Jonathan Hayward.
31.
John Thomson.
69.
The Ministry Lot.
32.
Thomas Thayer.
70.
Ebenezer Read.
33.
John Green.
71.
John Post.
34.
John Albee.
72.
John Darling.
35.
Saml. Hayward, jr.
73.
Elxsander Plumley.
36.
Josiah Thayer.
74.
Seth Chapin.
37.
Capt. Josiah Chapin.
75.
The Scool Lot.
38.
James Lovet.
30
154 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1707.
Previous to this division the town set apart large tracts of
land " to Lye for perpetuall common for the town's use," as fol-
lows, viz:
1. All that laud from the West River at Abraham Staples'
meadow to Wigwam Hill, then to Chestnut Hill, including both,
then to the lower end of Hopp brook meadow and then home
to the Mill River, "to lye for perpetuall common for the use of
the Proprietors, their heyres and suck sessors, except that land
is all Redy granted," home to the centre of the town.
2. All the land between the several places before mentioned
and the Great River, except land already laid out or may be
taken up, in the fifth division.
3. All the land from Mill River to Quick Stream and from
thence, by our line, to Dedham tree at Second Bridge (Charles)
River and so home to the town, except what is already granted.
4. All the land from Second Bridge River, at the mouth of
Beaver Pond brook to the upper end of Beaver Pond meadow,
thence, taking in Bare Hill, to the upper end, then home to
Sherborn road, by Ensigne Lovet's plain, home to the centre of
the town, except what is already granted.
5. All that land east from the Mill River, at John Jones'
house, one-half mile wide, to the town line; also, all the land from
the Mill River at the upj)er end of the North Meadow over to
the south side of Hungry Hill, thence to the falls upon the saw
mill brook, then home to the West River, then down said river
to Abraham Staples' meadow, home to the centre of the town,
except what may already be granted.
March 3. For Selectmen, Saml. Read, Robert Taft, John
Darling, Saml. Thayer and Josiah Thayer. Clerk, Saml. Read.
Constables, Ephraim Chapin and Benjamin Wheelock, jr.
It seems the contract made with Mr. Rawson (the minister)
to prosecute and defend the Sherborn claim against a piece of
meadow, had been annulled and set aside; (probably by mutual
agreement) and, in consequence, the town took action upon the
matter, as follows viz: "Voted that Capt. Chapin shuld In the
behalf of the towne discourse with and, If he think It be for the
Town's Interest, to Retaine a Lawyer to Manig our Afaire with
Sherborn concerning the Claime they make to our Meadow Within
their Line." This dispute, without doubt, arose from the Gen-
1708.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 155
eral Court's grant, May 19, 1669, of ninety acres "without our
line." How the controversy was terminated neither record or
tradition informs us. As the coveted meadow was within the
territorial limits of Sherborn it is not probable the matter was
adjusted without resort to the law.
At this meeting the Selectmen were instructed "to take ac-
count of the former Treasurer of what money he had disposed
of of the town's."
The only record we have of the choice of a Treasurer is in
1705, when Saml. Eead was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer.
While Sherborn men were vexing us on the east side of the
town other troubles were brewing on the west side, as is learned
by the following action of the town. Oct. 17th, it was voted
"that Capt. Chapin shuld have money out of the Towne stock
for the carrying on of the Afaire about our Land on the west
side of the Great River, that is now in controversy with the
Providence men."
Oct. 20th. A road was laid out from the country road, a lit-
tle beyond the School meadow brook, to the land of Saml. More,
on the pine plain, on this side of West River. The old Streeter
road.
The road from Nathan R. George's old house over Muddy
Brook and Neck Hill to the road leading to the mill, near where
Lewis B. Gaskill now lives, as also the road now known as Gas-
kill street were laid out this year.
1708. February 6. At a toAvn meeting held this day Capt.
Josiah Chapin was chosen Commissioner of Assessments and
Ensigne Lovett, William Holbrook and John Tyler, Trustees to
take a valuation.
At the same meeting the town debts were found as follows,
viz:
To Sergt. William Holbrook for service at the General Court,
seventy-five days £11 07 00
To Joseph White for sweeping the meeting house, 1707 00 15 00
To Selectmen the Towne's allowance for ye yeare 1707 01 00 00
To the Town Clerk for 1706-7 01 00 00
To Capt. Chapin for the charge of 11 men to Shokalog 01 02 00
156 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1708.
To Capt. Chapin and 4 men to boston & 7 horses 3 days 01 14 00
To Capt. Chapin & 4 men to boston att the Superior Court 02 00 00
To Robert and Joseph Taft in Recompence for being carryed to
Providence 00 12 00
To Sergt. Darling and Thomas White for running the line be-
tween Dedham and Mendon 00 04 06
To the Towne for two pounds drawn out of the towne stock
by order of the town to defray the charges about Providence
men 02 00 00
£21 14 06
The Selectmen were ordered to make a town rate to pay the
debts above stated.
The charges of Capt. Chapin and of Eobert and Joseph Taft
undoubtedly had reference to the then existing controversy about
the boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Inasmuch as Eobert and Joseph Taft were to be recommenced for
the carrying them away into Rhode Island, it is presumed they
were made prisoners during the campaign about Shokalog under
Capt. Chapin. How long they were held in durance vile, over
the border, we do not know, but, as their charges for the indig-
nities they were subjected to were moderate, we presume their
sojourn in the enemies' country was not of long duration.
March 1. The town chose for Selectmen, Ensign e James Lov-
et, Sergt. John Darling, Thomas Thayer and Saml. More; Town
Clerk, Saml. Read; Constables, Robert Taft, jr., and Isaac
Thayer.
About this time, it is supposed that the increasing number of
the inhabitants led them to the consideration of the timber supply
for the future. One would suppose that the extent of territory
which must, at this period, have been covered with forest would
not be likely to impress upon the people the danger of a timber
famine. Be that as it may the town voted "that no more
Cedar swamp should be laid out in any division of land, and also
that any one transporting shingles or clapboards out of town,
or selling them to any one out of town, should forfeit three shil-
ings and six pence for each hundred of clapboards and five shil-
lings for each thousand of shingles so transported or sold."
Capt. Chapin, William Holbrook and Thomas Wbite were
chosen to give the Selectmen instructions for this year.
1709.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 157
John Peck was to have fifty shillings for keeping his brother,
Ephraim, from Feb., 1707, to April 8, 1708.
Mendon, Sept. 27, 1708.
Received of the several Constables, or their order, According to Town
Agreement, the whole of the Annual Salarys due to me by the town vote,
until] the twenty-fifth of March one thousand seven hundred and five for
which this is the discharge of,
Grindal Rawson.
1709. Jan. 8. At a public town meeting it was voted to
erect a school house twenty feet in length, sixteen feet wide and
seven feet between joints.
This was the first school house built, and was situated upon
the hill below Deacon Warfield's house, being, as near as can be
ascertained, upon the site of the family cemetery of the Messrs.
George. Serg. Peter Holbrook, John Tyler and Saml. Thayer
were chosen as the Building Committee and were instructed to
have the house finished by the last day of June next.
March 7. Selectmen, Deacon Peter Holbrook, John Tyler,
John Darling, Saml. More and Saml. Read, jr.; Town Clerk,
Saml. Read, sen.; Constables, James Emerson and John Albee;
Town Treasurer, Ensigne James Lovet; Highway Surveyors,
Tithing men, Fence Viewers and Field Drivers were also chosen.
This year the assessment for wood for Mr. Rawson could be
paid in wood or money at the option of the tax payer.
The persons living on Mr. Rawson's farm had liberty "to
build a place for their Relief upon the Sabbath day, between
the meeting house and the town pound." Mr. Rawson's farm
was in what is now'Uxbridge, a little to the north of the mills
of C. A. & S. M. Wheelock. The place of Relief was what, in
later times, was called a Noon House. It consisted of one room
with a large hearth in the centre and a square hole in the roof
immediately over the hearth. When the weather required it a
fire of charcoal was kindled upon the hearth in the morning, and
the baskets and pails containing the dinners were arranged upon
its outer edge. At noon the room would be found warm and com-
fortable, and the occupants, having eaten their frugal meal, re-
turned to the meeting bouse to partake of the spiritual food
158 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1709.
furnished by the afternoon service. As riding upon horse-back
was the principal mode of conveyance, the inevitable horse-
block always stood near the door of the Noon House.
Deacon Warfield was installed as school master in the new
school house this year, and was to be paid (salary not stated) out
of the first town rate.
March 10. At an adjourned meeting from March 7th, it was
voted to " Inlarg the present Meeting hous the full breadth of
sd house, and ten feet down street and ten feet up street, the
full bight of the body of the house. A Rooff to cripple on
upon the Ruff of the former house att each end." Galleries
were to be built in both the new ends with stairs. To cover the
expense an appropriation of fifty pounds was made.
Whether the carpenter was to have the fifty pounds in addi-
tion to ' l what is useful of the timber and bords of the present
house," the record furnishes no intimation. The following was
the vote of the town:
' ' That what is useful of the timber and bords of the present house
should be his that doth the work, by finding Nails for the whole, and Re-
move and sett up the windows to be Removed In the places In sd New
ends and find sleepers & bords for and Lay the floores and to Carry the
body of the seats so far as to make it flush at the outside of ye present
house and to make the seats in both new ends below."
A Latin School Master.
" Where as A scoole Master is wanting to teach the Children to Reed,
writ and cifer, as the Law Diricts; and Mr. Rawson offering the Towne
that if the Towne would Retain A Latin Scoole Master for four years he
would give said Scooll Master his bord all the said time, therefore voted
that the Towne accept of sd offer and doe Resolve to Retaine a Latin
scoole Master for sd Towne for four years and to give Twenty pounds A
year for that service. "
Whether a Latin school master was retained by the town is a
matter of some uncertainty as no further mention is made of
the subject.
Aug. 29. Further alterations were directed to be made in
the meeting house. The front gallery was to be removed to the
same breadth with the new gallery and new floored, seated and
fronted as the new ones are to be and that Mr. Evans was to
have ten pounds and sixteen shillings for making the alteration.
1710.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 159
Mr. Rawson and Mr. Coffin each had liberty to build a pew in
the meeting house.
Nicholas Cook had liberty to leave two acres " Near Brak neck
hill." This Brak Neck Hill is now called Pond Hill, and lies
upon the north side of Mendon Pond, formerly called Nipmuck
Great Pond.
1710. March ■ 6th. For Selectmen the town chose Lieut.
James Lovet, Samuel Thayer, Saml. Eead, jr., Seth Chapin and
Samuel More; Town Clerk, Saml. Read, sen., and Saml. Read,
jr., to take care of the Day Book in his father's absence; Con-
stables, Danil Hill and Eliazer Daniels; Treasurer, James Lovett.
The absence of Saml. Read, sen., was occasioned by being
Representative at the General Court, at Boston, where he served
fifty-six days, for eight pounds and eight shillings.
It seems that there was something unusual in the conduct of
swine, this year; as the town voted they should be "yoked and
wringed as the law directs," and then, fearing their vote would
not be duly observed, or that, being yoked and wringed, would
not afford sufficient protection against their depredations, a com-
mittee of thirteen good men and true were charged with
the faithful execution of their order. The names of this com-
mittee were Samuel Cook, Seth Chapin, Danil Taft, Joseph
Rockit, Eliazer Daniels, John Darling, jr., Francis Green, Alex-
ander Plumley, Joseph White, jr., Timothy Winter, Nathan
Tyler, Banjamin Albee and Benjamin Darling.
The practice of instructing the Selectmen was still kept up,
aud this year, Josiah Chapin, Esq., Robert Taft, sen., and
Thomas White were chosen a Committee for that purpose.
For the first time we find that repairs of the highway were to
be defrayed by a tax. By this we learn that "standing out the
highway tax " is not an innovation of modern times; for, when
the town voted the highway tax, they gave, as a reason, for the
novel procedure, " that every man may know and doe his pro-
portion of work seasonably."
160 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1711.
171 1. March 5. Lieut. James Lovet, Samuel Read, jr.,
Samuel More, Thomas Thayer and Thomas Sanford were chosen
Selectmen; Samuel Read, Town Clerk; James Lovet, Town
Treasurer, and Danil Lovet and Ebenezer Sumner, Constables.
John Thomson, John Corbit and others, had liberty to build
a saw mill on the town's common, "on Second Bridge (Charles)
River," below the Dedham Tree. This tree was upon a bend of
Charles River, a little north from the house of Ellis Bullard in
Bellingham. Dedham trees were also mentioned at other points
on the line between Dedham and Mendon. The saw mill was on
the north bank of Charles River, a short distance to the north-
west from the Bellingham Station on the Air Line Railroad.
George Pike had twenty acres of land granted him upon the
west side of Mumford's River, southerly from Ebenezer Read's
grist mill.
The late Judge Rawson, of Barrington, R. I., gave me the fol-
lowing account of the origin of the name given to this river. A
man by the name of Mumford, journeying from Brookfield to
Mendon, in the spring of the year, was drowned in attempting to
ford it during a freshet. This was before there was any settle-
ment in the westerly part of Mendon, now Uxbridge. The
body was recovered in due time, and, as the body was fast de-
composing, and the weather warm, a chestnut tree was cut down
and the bark removed, at a suitable length, for, a coffin. In this
the body was placed and strongly bound with withes. It was
buried upon the site of the present public house in Uxbridge;
and, many years afterwards, when a cellar was dug at the place,
the remains of the coffin and the bones of Mumford were found.
The mystery was soon explained, as a man, living in Mendon,
remembered, when a boy, riding on a horse behind the Coroner
to view the remains. The drowning of Mumford had already
given the river its name and the finding these relics satisfac-
torily identified his place of burial.
It seems the controversy with Sherborn about the meadows
had not been amicably adjusted, as the town voted " to stand
by benjemin Thayer In the Defence of his meadow within
Sherborn Line." Benjamin Thayer's meadow was undoubtedly
a portion of the ninety acres, "without our line," granted by
the General Court in 1669.
1-711.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 161
Samuel Read was to have six acres of land " In ye pine
plaine or upon Mumford's river, in full for services as Town
Clerk for three years, viz. for 1708, 1709 & 1710."
About this time the enlargement of the meeting house, we
suppose, was nearly or quite completed, as the town chose a
committee of nine " to seat the meeting house." This seating
the meeting house undoubtedly meant the assignment of seats
to the congregation, as no one had a pew except Mr. Rawson
and Mr. Coffin. The seating the meeting house was probably a
delicate matter, as we find this committee was made up of the
leading men in the town, consisting of Josiah Chapin, Esq.,
Samuel Bead, James Lovet, Robert Taft, William Hollbrook,
Seth Chapin, Samuel Thayer, Joseph White and Thomas
Sanford.
Mr. Rawson was allowed to build a pew for the use of his
family, "between the two middle posts wheare the Great door
is," the town to allow him thirty shillings for his present pew.
Robert Evans was to have six acres of land for building two
pews, one on each side of Mr. Rawson's pew. The forty cords
of wood to be furnished Mr. Rawson, annually, were commuted
by the addition of ten pounds to his yearly salary, thus lessening
the military duty of the train band, by the amount of time and
manual exercise it would take to prepare the forty cords for the
fire.
Samuel Warfield had an acre and a half adjoining his other
land, "near the old Saw Mill upon Fall brook." The name of
Fall brook is not elsewhere mentioned in the records, and as the
farm now (187G) improved by Richard G. Gaskill, had, until
recently, long been in possession of the Warfield family, the
most reasonable presumption seems to be that the "old saw mill
upon Fall brook " stood near the machine shop of Mr. Westcott,
familiarly known as Spindleville.
Abel Aldrich, Seth Aldrich and Jonathan Richardson were
this year exempted from "the meeting house rate, and also their
pole money to the minister rate for the future. " As no reasons
are given for this action of the town, we can only conjecture
that they had become converts to the doctrine of the Friends in
this regard.
From a settlement with James Lovet we learn that the
21
162 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1712.
enlargement of the meeting house cost forty-nine pounds and
ten shillings.
1712. March 3. Chose for Selectmen and Assessors, Josiah
Chapin, Esq., Samuel Read, William Hayward, John Jones
and Samuel More; Town Clerk, Samuel Read; Town Treasuer,
James Lovet; Commissioner, William Holbrook; Constables,
John Thomson and Alexander Plumley.
"In answer to a paper presented to the Towne att this time by William
Hopkins bearing Date third day. Concerning sum Iron Mines wh sd
Hopkins and Daniel Jenks call theirs, within our bounds, the towne att sd
meeting pased A vote In answer to the sd paper, and forthwith sent them
this Answer, that all the mines that was in the towne's Comon was pro-
hibited from being transported att a public towne meeting Sept. 1700, and
as for any that was In Impropriated Lands they might repair to the
owners."
These iron mines were in the south east part of what is now
the town of Blackstone, in the vicinity of Mill River.
At this meeting the Cedar and other swamps to the amount
of nine hundred acres it was voted should be divided by the fol-
lowing rule: A forty acre lot should have thirty acres, and other
lots in the same ratio.
A road was laid out, this year, from the country road on the
west side of the Great River to the saw mill and corn mill on
Mumford river, being the present road leading from Taft's
bridge to Uxbridge centre.
Jabez Bellows had twenty acres of land granted him in Shoc-
olog Woods, near Shocolog Pond. This is in the southerly part
of Uxbridge.
Dec. 22. At a public town meeting, called for the purpose,
the following accounts were audited and ordered to be paid:
To Josiah Chapin Esq. for 7 days at Court and 2 days Laying
highways £01 05 00
To David Thompson for sweeping the meeting house 01 00 00
To Saml. Read for 56 days att Court 08 08 00
And service as Clerk and laying highways and other service, 02 02 00
To our School Master's Salary from ye 1 December to 1 May, ... 05 00 00
To his bord ye said time 04 00 00
To William Hayward 00 10 00
1713.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 163
To John Jones 00 14 00
To John Tyler for 4 days about ye Ministry and Scool lots 00 10 00
To Thomas White 4 days laying out sd lots & 2 days running
lines 00 18 00
To Saml. Read Jr. for 4 days about sd lots 00 10 00
To Saml. More 01 01 00
To Ebenezer Read for one Journey of his horse to boston 00 03 00
To Lieut. Lovet to 1 day running line 00 02 00
To John Thomson to 1 day running line 00 02 00
To Daniel Lovet for 20 s. Lost by John Elice & still, their
rates 01 00 00
£27 13 08
Colonial tax for this year £99 14 00
County tax " 15 00 06
Minister's salary " 66 00 00
Town rate " 27 19 08
£208 14 02
Deacon Warfield having retired from his position as the Jirst
school-master of the town, the following action was had in rela-
tion to
A NEW SCHOOL-MASTEK.
"MendonNov. 12. 1712 the Select men mett In order to Procure a
Scoole Master, the Towne being destitute of one, and being Informed of
one Robert Husse att boston, who had been formerly Imployed In that
service att Eastham and of his termes: Agreed to Indever the obtaining of
him, ordered the Clerk, In their name, to send him word and desire him
to be In Redynes when soever A hors was sent for him to come up, which
was don the Next day; but, weather preventing, the hors was not sent
until the 10th. of December and he came to Mendon the 12th. of sd
Month : ye 13th. the Select men mett to conclude of his farther proceeding
and that his time shall begin the first of December and end ye first of May,
for which he shall have five pound paid him for his service and his Diet
the sd time, and to begin at John Farnum's and ther continue untill the
28th of January."
1713. March 2. Chose Robert Evens, Thomas Sanford,
Saml. Thayer, Saml. Cook and Ebenezer Sumner, Selectmen;
Saml. Read, Town Clerk; Robert Evens, Saml. Cook and
Thomas Sanford, Assessors, and Daniel Thurston and Setli Al-
1G4 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1713.
drich, Constables. Seven Surveyors of Highways, four Tithing
men and six Fence Viewers were also chosen.
March 23. Josiah Chapin, Esq., was chosen Commissioner of
Assessments, and James Lovet Town Treasurer, and "to have
ten shillings a year for ye four years past."
Moses Aldrich had liberty to continue his shop upon the
Common " so long as he Improves the Shop for Smithery
work."
It seems the controversy with Sherborn about the "meadows
without our line " had not yet been adjusted, as will appear by
the following vote: —
" Whereas the Town of Sherborn, In the County of Middlesex, Pretend
an Interest In Meadows Granted to this Towne, It is Necessary that A
Tryall be made in the Law to Defend the Towne's Interest, other ways to
accommodate the Difference being found fruitless, it was voted, that if
Benjamin Thayer, who claims a portion of the disputed meadows would
make a test case, the town would guarantee him their proportion of the
costs of the law-suit. "
The Committee of Nine, chosen in 1711, "to seat the meet-
ing house," did not succeed in making satisfactory assignments,
as we find that Deacon Tyler, Deacon Jones and Deacon San-
ford were deputed to see if a more satisfactory arrangement
could be devised.
Before proceeding to lay out the " Cedar and other swamps,"
it was voted to divide 300 acres of the Cedar swamps — ten
acres to a forty acre lot and others in the same proportion.
Every man was to lay out his proportion of Cedar swamps first,
before "the other swamps " — to draw lots for choice — to notify
the man who came next after him, and to layout his share within
three days after notice, or else stay "untill all other Lotts " are
laid out, (except hindered by Providence) "then to fall in the
next opportunity."
THE DRAUGHT OF THE SIXTH DIVISION.
1.
Mr. Grindal Kawson.
7.
Daniel Lovet.
2.
Ebenezer Staples.
8.
Benjamin Wheelock jr
3.
John Farnum.
9.
Danil Taft.
4.
John Corbit.
10.
Moses Aldrich.
5.
Jacob Aldrich.
11.
Benjamin Thomson.
6.
Samuel Bridges.
12.
Benjamin Wheelock.
1713.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
165
13.
Abraham Staples.
58.
Benjamin Wheaton.
14.
Ebenezer Cooke.
59.
Jabez Bellows.
15.
Sylvanua Holbrook.
60.
Abell Aldrich.
16.
Josiah Thayer.
61.
Joseph Chapin.
17.
Benjamin Albee.
62.
John Arnold.
18.
Seth Chapin.
63.
Joseph Sumner.
19.
Woodland Thomson.
64.
James Albee.
20.
James Emerson.
65.
John Aldrich.
21.
Robert Taft.
66.
Ebenezer Tyler.
22.
Joseph Taft.
67.
Samuel Cook.
23.
Ebenezer White.
68.
Thomas Taft.
24.
John Darling, sen.
69."
Elihue Warfeld.
25.
Thomas White.
70.
Samuel More.
26.
John Thomson jr.
71.
Ebenezer Thayer.
27.
John Daniels.
72.
John Cook, junior.
28.
Obadiah Wheelock.
73.
John White.
29.
Joseph White.
74.
Joseph Rockit.
30.
Richard Holbrook.
75.
John Sprage.
31.
John Holbrook
76.
Seth Aldrich.
32.
John Thomson, sen.
77.
William Hayward.
33.
John Cook, sen.
78.
Joseph Plumley.
34.
Alexander Plumley.
79.
35.
James Lovet.
80.
Holbrook.
36.
Thomas Prentice.
81.
John Jones.
37.
Capt. Josiah Chapin.
82.
Peter Aldrich.
38.
Samuel Thayer.
83.
Jonathan Hayward.
39.
John Peck.
84.
Robert Evens.
40.
Peter Holbrook.
85.
Thomas White.
41.
Mary Warfield.
86.
Samuel Warfeld.
42.
Samuel Read jr.
87.
Benjamin Hayward.
43.
David Aldrich.
88.
Samuel Thayer.
44.
Robert Taft jr.
89.
Benoni Benson.
45.
Benjamin Taft.
90.
Danil Hill.
46.
Jonathan Thayer.
91.
Isaac Thayer.
47.
Jonathan Richardson.
92.
Joseph White jr.
48.
John Green.
93.
Benjamin Darling.
49.
John Albee.
94.
Ebenezer Read.
50.
Wilson Rawson.
95.
James Albee jr.
51.
Philip Amydowne.
96.
John Sprage's Children
52.
Ebenezer Sumner.
97.
Joseph Holbrook.
53.
Nicolas Cooke.
98.
Daniel Thurston.
54.
Nathaniel More.
99.
Timothy Winter.
55.
John Post.
100.
John Gardner.
56.
Ephraim Peck.
101.
David Thomson.
57.
Thomas Thayer.
102.
John Darling jr.
166 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1713.
103. Jethro Coffin. 107. Jonathan Cook.
104. Saml. & Wm. Holbrook. 108. Edmond Rawson.
105. Ephraim Chapin. 109. Benjamin Thayer.
106. William Sprage.
May 12. Josiah Chapin, Esq., was chosen Representative to
the General Court "for ye yeare Insuring." This is the first
record of the choice of a Representative; but that others had
been chosen before we learn from their accounts rendered to the
town for such service. Timothy Winter, Josiah Chapin, Wil-
liam Holbrook and Samuel Read had already served the town in
that capacity. William Holbrook, who served in 1707, was paid
£11.07, for seventy-five days, that being the length of the ses-
sion.
Rev. Grindal Rawson, for some time before his death, was
unable to supply the pulpit. We learn this from the following
record: "Nov. 23. 1713. Josiah Chapin Esq. was to have three
pound paid him for bording Mr. Joseph Adams for one quarter
of a year past and fifteen shilling for keeping of his hors."
Deacon Tyler "was also authorized to take money out of the
town treasury to pay Mr. Adams for his Labor the two last Sab-
baths; and If sd money conies In by Contry bution, within one
month, then to Return the same to the Treasurer, otherwise to
lie made up by the Towne."
Upon examination of the Cedar swamps they were found to
fall far short of giving to each proprietor ten acres, as the town
had formerly voted. In this dilemma Thomas White, the Sur-
veyor, Left. Robert Evens, Thomas Thayer and Ebenezer Read
were chosen a committee "to take a Cir cumferance of the
Cedar Swamps " and to apportion to each of the proprietors
their proper number of acres, according to their several rights as
their lots are already drawn.
John Gardner's ear mark (the first one on record) was as fol-
lows, viz: "A fork in the Right Eare."
Nov. 23. The town's debts, incurred during the present mu-
nicipal year, and for the payment of which a rate was made,
was found to be as follows, viz: —
To pay the Scool Master, 20 00 00
To build the Scool house ; 15 00 00
To Josiah Chapin Esq. for serving as Representative 12 03 00
1713.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 167
To the Assessors 01 12 O9
To the Town Clerk 00 10 00
To Mr. Coffin for hinges for doors in ye Meeting house 00 06 00
To John Thomson for sweeping the Meeting house 01 00 00
Money In the Treasurer's hands 04 11 03
£55 02 09
How long Mr. Adams supplied the pulpit is not known, and
whether any one else was called to Mr. Rawson's assistance up to
the time of his death, in 1715, the records are silent; but as his
salary was voted in 1714, it is probable that he continued his
ministerial labors to within a short time of his death.
MASTS FOR THE KING.
To his Excellency the Governor and General Assembly of her Majesty's
Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, at Boston the 27th. of
May 1713.
The Petition of Jethro Coffin, of Mendon,
Humbly Sheweth,
That whereas the General Court of the late Colony of the Mas-
sachusetts, in the year 1672, did Grant unto your Petitioner's Father, Peter
Coffin, Esq. two hundred Acres of upland and about Thirty or Forty Acres
of Meadow, which Grant your Petitioner's said Father was pleased, by
deed, to give and make over to your Petitioner, who herewith presents a
Piatt of the Taking up and laying out of the same on the west side of the
Township of Mendon,
And humbly prays your Excellency and Honors Confirmation therefor,
And as in duty bound he shall pray,
Jethro Coffin.
In Council May 2. 1713.
Bead and Granted a confirmation of the Land contained in the Piatt so
that it be free from any former grant.
Isaac Addington, Sec.
Sent down for concurrence.
In the House of Bepresentatives June 13. 1713.
Bead and Concurred.
John Burrill, Speaker.
• In the Colonial Records, book 3d, p. 709, may be found the
grant made to Peter Coffin, as follows:
At the Second Session of the General Court for Elections held at Boston
8th. day of October 1672 on their adjournment.
Wee the Subscribers being appointed by the Honorable General Court
May 15 1672 to Examine and State Lieut. Peter Coffin's account Belating to
168 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1714.
the Masts Contracted for with him Anno 1666 by a Committee Appointed
for that end; which Masts were sent a present to his Majesty Anno 1668,
having examined the same do finde one hundred pounds Due to him from
the Country (colony) besides his own care and paines in procuring the said
Masts, which he Leaving to the pleasure of the General Court, Wee do pre-
sent to the Consideration the Allowing him Two Hundred Acres of up
Land and about Thirty or Forty Acres of Meadow where he can find not
yet laid out, which we Suppose he may well deserve and will be no less
satisfactory to him.
Dated in Charles Town June 11, 1672.
John Leverett,
Richard Russell,
Lawrence Hammond.
The Court approves of this Returne and orders the Treasurer of the
Country (Colony) to make him, the said Peter Coffin, satisfaction accord-
ingly, and the Land Desired is Granted unto him
Copy as of Record,
Isaac Addington, Sec.
A survey and plat of this grant was made by Thomas White,
Surveyor of the town of Mendon, April 1, 1713, and the same
may be found in the Archives of Massachusetts — "Ancient Plans,
Grants &c. 1641 to 1715 p. 241."
Mumford's River and the west line of Mendon are designated
upon this plat. The present village of Whitinsville is situated
upon the northeastern portion of this tract. A road called the
French Road passed the northeastern corner.
1714. March 1. Lieut. James Lovet, Capt. Seth Chapin,
Dea. John Jones, Dea. Thomas Sanford and Ebenezer Read were
chosen Selectmen; Josiah Chapin,, Esq., Commissioner of As-
sessments; Samuel Read, Town Clerk, James Lovet, Treasurer,
and John Corbet and John Post, Constables.
March 3. The Selectmen agreed with Martin Pearse to keep
school at seventeen pounds for one year, "with board and
Dyett."
July 20. It was voted that the school be kept six months in
the centre of the town and the other other six months "upon
the out scirts of the town. "
John Post was chosen Constable at the annual meeting, and
then refused to serve; but, as such refusal subjected him to a
fine of five pounds, as set forth in a Province law, passed Nov.
1714.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 169
16, 1692, it is supposed that John Post reconsidered the matter
and presented himself before John Chandler, Esq., one of her
Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, and
took the oath of Constable for the ensuing year.
At a town meeting held Sept. ye 21. 1714, the following ac-
counts were audited, and they were ordered to be paid, viz: —
To Mr. Rawson's Salary £65 00 00
To the School Master's Salary & subsistence 12 00 00
To Josiah Chapin for 9 days attendance at the General Court &
(1) one copy of record 01 08 00
To Capt. Seth Chapin 2 days about ye North Purches 00 04 00
To Joseph Holbrook for 1 day running with Sherborn 00 02 00
To Samuel Read for 1 jurney upon the account of the North Pur-
ches, to proove ye deed and to brantry .. . 00 10 00
To Thomas White for his first survey of ye Cedar swamps 01 01 00
To Thomas White, for surveying and plotting ye North Purches. 00 06 00
To Ser. Joseph White to boston to prove ye deed 00 06 00
To Thomas White for 4 days sur cumfrencing Cedar swamps and
running line with Sutton 2 days 01 01 00
To pay our Representative for this year, 1714 08 00 00
To the Committee for sur comfering the Cedar swamps. ........
To Lieut Evens 4 days 00 10 00
To Thomas Thayer, 3 days 00 07 00
To Ebenezer Read, 4 days. 00 10 00
To the Towne Treasurer 00 15 00
To the Selectmen 01 00 00
To Thomas Sanford for 1 jurney to boston 00 06 00
To Thomas White and benje Green 1 jurney to Marlborough 00 06 00
To Woodland Thomson, for sweeping the meeting house. ....... 01 00 00
To the Town Clerk 00 10 00
£95 02 00
Before this it seems that Thomas Taft had built a bridge over
the Great (Blackstone) River, and attempts had been made to
get a road laid out to it from the town. This bridge is supposed
to have been in an easterly direction from the house of the late
Hon. Bezaleel Taft, but the land damage demanded by Thomas
Taft was thought to be excessive, and so the project of building
a road to it was abandoned.
This year the town lines between Mendon and Sherburne, and
Mendon and Sutton were perambulated by committees from each
town. Between Mendon and Sutton for the first time.
22
170 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1715.
1715. Jan. 11. The Proprietor's held a meeting this day,
pursuant to a warrant from Josiah Chapin, Esq., one of his
Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, and
chose Capt. Seth Chapin Moderator, and Samuel Bead, Sen., for
Clerk.
At the first settlement of the town, all were proprietors; that
is, all the unappropriated land was held in common. Out of
this common land, when a new comer desired a grant, if he were
to become a proprietor, the words "entitled to his share in all
future divisions of land," would be embodied in the vote of con-
cession; if this phrase was not found in the vote, the grantee ac-
quired no interest in the unappropriated lands — he did not be-
come a proprietor.
Although lands were disposed of in town meetings, it is pre-
sumed that such votes were only passed by the proprietors.
It may be seen, from time to time who were proprietors, by
consulting the record of the various divisions of land.
The Rev. Grindal Rawson, after a ministry of thirty-five years,
died Feb. 6, at the age of fifty-seven years. From these figures
we learn that he began to preach at the age of twenty-two.
Mr. Rawson was the twelfth and youngest son of Edward
and Rachel (Perne) Rawson, and was born Feb. 1, 1659, accord-
ing to the inscription on his grave stone, in the burying yard at
Mendon. The Rawson Memorial, by E. B. Crane, gives Jan.
23, 1659, as his birth-day.
Edward Rawson was born in Gillingham, in Dorsetshire, Eng-
land, and came to New England in 1636, or 1637, and settled in
the town of Newbury, in the County of Essex. He was one of
the grantees of that town, and its second Town Clerk, and which
office he held, by successive annual elections from 1638 to 1647.
He was chosen as Representative to the General Court in 1638,
at the age of twenty-three. He was at other times also a mem-
ber of that body until 1650, when he was elected Secretary of the
Colony. This office he held until the usurpation of Andros,
when Randolph succeeded him, in 1686. He removed to Boston,
upon being chosen Secretary, and lived in Rawson's lane, after-
wards known as Bromfield street.
Rachel Perne was a grand-daughter of John Hooker, whose
wife was sister to Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury,
1715.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 171
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Hence the names of Perne,
Hooker, Edward and Grindal often occur, as Christian names,
in the families of the Rawsons.
Grindal Rawson graduated at Harvard College in 1678, and
studied divinity with his hrother-in-law, the Rev. Samuel Torrey,
of Weymouth. He married Susanna Wilson, daughter of Eev.
John Wilson of Medfield. He began to preach in Mendon, Oct.
4, 1680, and was permanently settled April 7, 1684.
At his graduation, President Oakes, when conferring the de-
grees, made special mention of John Cotton, Cotton Mather and
Grindal Rawson. Mr. Rawson was an excellent scholar and a
learned divine, as the General Court, it is said, sometimes re-
ferred grave and knotty questions of ecclesiastical polity to him
for solution.
He published a work, entitled "'Confession of Faith," in the
English and Indian languages. He preached an Artillery Elec-
tion sermon in 1703, and also an Election sermon before the
Governor and the General Court in 1709, and they were both
printed. In 1698, in conjunction with the Rev. Samuel Dan-
forth, of Taunton, pursuant to instructions from the Commis-
sioners for Propagating the Gospel, he made an extended tour
among the Indians. An interesting report of this mission may
be found in the First Series of the Massachusetts Historical Col-
lections, vol. 10.
Mrs. Rawson long survived the death of her husband. She
continued to reside at Mendon, and died at an advanced age.
The following epitaphs are copied from the tablets erected to
their memories, in the old burying yard:
Here Lyeth Interr'd
the body of the Reverend Mr.
GRINDAL RAWSON,
The late faithful and learned Pastor
of the Church of Christ in Mendon,
who died April 6. 1715,
and entered 6 days into ye 57 year
of his age Deceased the 35th
year of his Ministry.
The memory of the Just is Blessed.
172 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1715.
Here lies inter'd ye
Remains of Mrs. Susan-
na Rawson Relict of
ye late Rev. Mr. Grindal
Rawson Pastor of ye
Church of Christ in
Mendon and daughter
to ye Rev Mr. John Wil-
son 1st. Minister of ye
Gospel in Medfield
Who departed this life
July 8th. A. Domini 1748
In ye 84th. year of her age."
March 7. Thomas Sanford, Samuel Thayer, Sergt. John
Thomson, Capt Seth Chapin and Samuel Read, Jr., were chosen
Selectmen; Thomas Sanford Town Clerk; James Lovet, Town
Treasurer; Justice Chapin, Commissioner; and John Holbrook
and Benjamin Taft, Constables.
As usual, a committee was chosen to instruct the Selectmen,
but their instructions were not, as formerly, made the subject of
record.
March 28. Justice (Josiah) Chapin, Elder Read, Deacon
Tyler, Samuel Thayer and Thomas Sanford were chosen a com-
mittee "to take care to jirovide a Minister for the Town, from
time to time, until they shall provide a man, so far to the Town's
acceptance, as to give a call to settlement." Whether this com-
mittee were sufficiently diligent in -the discharge of their duty,
we do not know, but up to September no one had been found to
the town's acceptance for a call to settlement; and so, on Sept.
8, the town chose Sergt. Joseph White and James Emerson " to
strengthen the Committee to provide a Minister."
At this meeting sixty pounds were raised to pay town debts
and contingent charges " so far as it will extend."
Thomas Hill had his tax of seven shillings and six pence
abated, " provided ye sd Hill never Return into ye towne again as
an Inhabitant."
June 21. It was voted "for the first Minister that shall settle
in this towne one hundred pounds, or the Ministry Lot, in said
town, and for a yearly salary seventy pounds in money.
1716.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 173
1716. Jan. 28. A town meeting having been warned for this
clay, the inhabitants met, and (for some reason not mentioned)
without transacting any business, adjourned until the next day
at 8 o'clock A. M., when the road and "the bridge that Taft
built,'" being called up, the town voted that all directions here-
tofore given to the Selectmen to lay out said road "should be
hereby Recalled and forever stand Repealed in the Town Book.''
March 5. Thomas Sanford, Lieut. Eobert Evens, Robert
Taft, Jr., Josiah Thayer and Jacob Aldrich were chosen Select-
men; Thomas Sanford, Town Clerk and Treasurer; Josiah
Chapin, Commissioner, and John Marsh and John Gardner,
Constables.
This year, instead of choosing a committee to instruct the Se-
lectmen, the town simply voted that those functionaries "should
secure ye towne from the penalties of The Law for ye ensuing
year. "
A committee was also chosen " to vew the accommodation of
a way from the Iron Works to Declham Line."
The Iron Works were situated in the eastern part of Avhat is
now the town of Blackstone, known as Lower Canada or East
Blackstone. The contemplated road was undoubtedly the road
leaving the main or Rehoboth road at the Seth Kelly house, and
running to Bellingham.
It seems there must have been a contest about the road to
Taft's bridge, as August 13th the town chose Thomas Sanford,
Josiah Thayer and Jacob Aldrich a committee "to go to the
Great River to view &, if They see cause, to lay out a way over
the Great River and to agree with the owners of the land the
Road may go through, Either over the Taft's bridge or Down
streem by the Scull Rock, as they shall see fit."
This road left the old road to Uxbridge a little to the east of
West River and ran southerly by the factory of Samuel Scott.
It is wholly in the town of Uxbridge and Blackstone.
At this meeting the Selectmen were instructed to prefer a
petition to the General Court "Relating to the Settling the
Province Line."
SETTLEMENT OF REV. JOSEPH DORR, THE FOURTH MINISTER.
Feb. 9. "Atta publick Town Meeting Leagally warned for Choice of a
174 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1716.
Minister, as the law directs, it was then proposed to the Town to Bring in
their votes for Their Concurrence in the Church's choice of the Rev. Joseph
Dorr to Be Their Pastor, which was accordingly Don and voted to he the
Town's Minister."
Feb. 20. "Att A Publick Town Meeting Leagally warned to agree with
the Rev. Mr. Joseph Dorr, when both the Church and Town have allredy
Made choice of for their Minister (both Relating to his Settlement and Sal-
ary) it was voated to add unto the one hundred pounds heretofore granted
to the first Minister that shall settle among us and Confirme the same on
the Rev. Mr. Joseph Dorr the sum of Sixty pounds to be paid in Labour
and Materials Towards building him a house, in said Town, as there may
be occasion thereof. Also to add to the sixty pounds, as aforesaid, and the
same confirmed unto the Rev. Mr. Joseph Dorr so long as he shall remain
the Town's Minister, the sum of five pounds per annum."
A committee, consisting of Justice (Josiah) Chapin, Elder
Read, (Samuel) Deacon John Tyler, Samuel Thayer and Thomas
Sanford, were chosen by the town Feb. 24th, " To settle and
Confirm the above mentioned Agreements with the Rev. Mr.
Joseph Dorr and enter the same upon Record in the Town Book,
and They, together with him, to signe the Agreement."
Mendon, Feb. 24, 1716.
Att a General Town Meeting for Election of a Minister on ye 9th Day of
February Current (Voated) Mr. Joseph Dorr to settle among us in The
work of the Ministry, we whose names are hereunder written, being a
Committee Chosen by the Town at a Public Town Meeting, upon the
Twentieth Day of february Current (in the Town's behalf) To Confirm the
agreement by voat, made with him Relating to his Settlement and Sallery
which are as follows, do Agree.
Imprimis. That they will give him for a yearly Sallery The sum of
seaventy-five pounds per annum, after ye first year & the first year sea venty
pounds To be paid in money. The one Moiety to be Collected and paid
in unto the Town Treasurer on or before ye last day of October yearley
and The other Moiety on or before The first day of March yearly, and the
Treasurer to Issue and make up his accompt with Mr. Joseph Dorr on or
before the last day of March annually. The above sd Sallery to be and
continue unto him so long as he shall carry on The work of the Ministry
in and for the Town.
2ndly. That they will give for Settlement or Encouragement the sum
of One hundred and sixty pounds, One hundred pounds in money. The
one Moiety To be assessed, Collected and paid in unto the Last day of
November in the year of our Lord 1716, and the other moiety on or before
that day twelve mouth and Sixty pounds to be paid in Labour & materials
for and towards the building of him an house amongst us, to be assessed
and paid in unto him as There shall be occation Thereof.
1716.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 175
3dly. That the time of Mr. Dorr's Sallery to begin to Commence The
first of April, 1716.
Committee, Josiah Chapin,
Saml. Read,
John Tyler,
Thos. Sanford.
The Proposals Above written I accept And freely Acquiesce in, In order
to the End therein Specified, the Day and year above written.
As witness my hand
Signed in presence of us, Joseph Dorr.
Seth Chapin
his
Josiah / Thayer.
mark.
Mr. Dorr was the youngest son but one of the Rev. Edward
and Elizabeth Dorr, and was born in Roxbury about 1689 or
1690, the day of his birth is not found upon the Church Records
of Roxbury. He married Mary, daughter of Rev. Grindal Raw-
son, his predecessor in the ministry, April 9, 1724, and contin-
ued in the ministry, at Mendon, until his death March 9, 1768,
aged 79.
Mr. Dorr graduated at Harvard College in 1711 and received
the degree of A. M. in course. His wife was the great grand-
daughter of the Rev. John Wilson the first minister in Boston.
Tradition corroborates the truth of the inscription on his
tombstone in the ancient burying yard at Mendon, and which
is as follows: " He was endowed with good sense. His tem-
per was mild and placid. He excelled in the virtues of meek-
ness, patience, temperance, sobriety, gravity, benevolence and
charity; was a good scholar, a learned Divine and exemplary
christian."
Sept. 6. At a town meeting it was voted to raise money by
contribution to prepare for the ordination of Mr. Joseph Dorr,
and that Deacon Nathan Tyler, Mr. James Keith & Nathaniel
Rawson be men appointed by the town to take care of the
provision & attend at Mrs. Rawson's thereabouts, &c.
Also voted that those "that went jorneys from time to time
to provide ministers for the town, since Mr. Rawson's decease,
should have their Reasonable expenses of money allowed them
by the town."
176 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1717.
At this meeting forty pounds were raised to defray town
charges, and sixty pounds to build Mr. Dorr's house, and it was
also voted that the Selectmen should repair the meeting house.
Mr. Dorr's house was built near the present house of James
J. Nutter, nearly opposite the road leading to Northbridge.
The last record for the year was the doings of a Proprietors'
Meeting, held Dec. 24, when they voted that all the Proprietors
should furnish the Clerk (of the Proprietors) with an account
of their several rights so as to have the same recorded by the
middle of January next.
The falling short of the cedar swamps and the failure to enter
at the Clerk's office many tracts already laid out, had hitherto
prevented the laying out of the Sixth Division already voted.
It was now decided that " none of the sixt Devision shuld be
Laid out untill the Next June Insuing the date hereof.
171 7. It seems the Proprietors were careless in heeding the vote
passed as above, for, at a meeting held Feb. 12, 1717, they voted
" that all former Devisions of Land, that are not put upon the
record before the Middle of May Next after this date, shal be
Acounted for C onion and be Liable to be Laid out in the sixt
Devision, to any of the Proprietors of sd Towne."
March 4. Lieut. Eobert Evens, Thomas Sanford, Lieut.
Saml. Thayer, Sergt. John Thomson and Samuel Eead, jr.,
were chosen Selectmen; Elder Samuel Eead, Town Clerk;
Thomas "Sanford Treasurer; Joseph Hay ward and Jonathan
Hayward, of the town, Constables.
"Hogg Constables" chosen for the first time, and Joseph
Balkcom, Benjemin Taft, Thomas White, the third, Jonathan
Thayer, John Thomson, jr., and Alexander Plumley were the
successful candidates.
May 28. A Proprietors' meeting was held, and was adjourned
to the 3d Tuesday in October next, at 8 o'clock, A. M., " upon
the Consideration that the Province Line yett Eemains unset-
tled."
Aug. 6. The Selectmen were instructed to lay out a road
from Thomas Taft's house to Scull Eock and so over the Great
Eiver to the road, on the west side of the river, that leads to
1718.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 177
the corn mill. This corn mill was at the centre of the present
town of Uxbridge.
At the close of this year it is found that, since the year 1099,
when a record of previous deaths was made, the following per-
sons had died.
Serg. Abraham Staples, Oct. 20, 1703. Ebenezer Bead, Nov. 11, 1709.
Christopher Winter, Jan. 9, 1704. Dea. Peter Holbrook, May 3, 1712.
Samuel Thomson, Oct. 10, 1704. Samuel Hay ward, sen, July 29, 1713.
Capt. Joseph White, Mar. 23, 1706. Ens. William Holbrook, Nov. 19,1714
Benjamin Thayer, Feb. 23, 1708.
It is not to be understood that the above were the only deaths
which had occurred in the time specified, bat that they were
among the leading men of the town.
1718. Jan 24. A town meeting was held this day " To
Chose a Town Clerk & Take care of ye Town Books," Samuel
Read, sen., the Town Clerk, having died January 10th.
Elder Bead was first chosen Clerk in 1674 and, with the ex-
ception of two years, held the office to the day of his death,
thus holding the office for the long period of forty-two years.
The Town Clerk's office was filled by the election of Thomas
Sanford.
Lieut. Samuel Thayer, Ensign John Thomson aiid James
Keith were chosen a Committee " to Beceive and Take Care of,
from ye heirs of Elder Samuel Bead, Dec'd, the Town's Book
& wrightings of the Town's Concerns which were in their hands
as Executors To Their Father's Estate, &c, and on the Beceipt
and over Looking Thereof to deliver to ye Clerk for the Town's
use."
Up to this time the divisions and sales of land were made by
the Proprietors, who still retained the ownership of all the land
yet unappropriated.
Town meetings were sometimes called " legal town meetings"
or "town meetings legally warned," and, sometimes "general
or public town meetings." The first were supposed to be meet-
ings of the Proprietors ; the latter were meetings of all the in-
habitants for the transaction of the ordinary municipal business.
Feb. 10, at a meeting of the Proprietors it was voted "that
23
178 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1718.
hence forth They Resolve Themselves into ye way of a Town as
They were originally, according to ye town grant and To manage
Their Proprietary Interest according to ye Laws for the Regula-
tion of Townships."
Sergt. Thomas White, Samuel Read and Lieut. Samuel Thayer
were then chosen a Committee, with ye Clerk "to Receive
the Town's (Proprietors?) Books and such Loose papers as were
in ye former (Proprietors) Clerk's (Samuel Read) hands, not Re-
corded and examine all such loose wrightings if they ought to he
Recorded & Them together with ye Town's Books to Commit to
ye Town Clerk for the Town's use. "
The town voted again to lay out the sixth division, and no
lands were prohibited except the Mill pond the Burying place
and the Training field.
The Surveyor was to have 3s 6d per day and each committee
man 2s 6d per day, and all were to be sworn to the faithful dis-
charge of their duties.
The inhabitants were still negligent in making return, to the
Clerk, of the lands they had laid in former divisions, and so, as
a last resort, the town voted "that all who did not make return
to the Town Clerk should have no land laid on to them in the
Sixth Division."
James Keith had liberty " to lay down eight score and two
acres of land on ye west side ye Great River, after the middle of
May 1718 provided the Colony Line be not settled Before That
Time."
March 3. Selectmen for this year, Thomas Sanford, James
Keith, Samuel More, Corp. John Holbrook and Serg. Thomas
Thayer; Thomas Sanford, Town Clerk; Samuel More, Treas-
urer; Robert Taft and Samuel Rich, Constables, and they were
severally sworn "before the Selectmen."
FISH TO COME UP PAWTUCKET FALLS.
March 17. William Sargent to have twenty acres of land,
between the Little Pond and Caleb's Hill " when he hath fin-
ished his work at the Falls, so as the fish may come up Paw-
tucket (Blackstone) River, he bringing from John Arnold's
hand that y8 work is' Don at his judgment.".
May 6. Josiah Chapin, Esq., was chosen Representative to
1718. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 179
the General Court, and June 23, Jethro Coffin was chosen
"granjuriman," being the first notice of such an election. He
was the son of Peter Coffin of Dover, N. H.
At this time further regulations were made for the Sixth Di-
vision, and the titles of all lands, "according to ye Records in
ye Town Booke " were duly confirmed. A Committee was also
chosen to renew the bounds of the school lands and to see that
the income derived from them "be Improved for ye Ends for
which sd land was granted. " A wood lot of twenty acres was
also granted to " our Pastor ye Rev. Mr. Joseph Dorr.'"
The Selectmen were directed " to take care that four posts be
set up at the Town's charge, viz: One at ye parting of ye ways
by John Albee's, one at ye parting of ye ways by ye School House,
one in the Street Leading to Sergt. Joseph White's, a Little dis-
tance from ye Country Road and one at the parting of ye ways by
Joseph Plumley's, and that a Notification by the Constables be-
ing set up on each of said posts, Ten days beforehand, according
to ye tenure of ye warrant for a Town Meeting Committed to
him to warn, shall be a sufficient warning for any Town Meeting."
It was also voted that any person "have liberty to pull Down
any Notification set up at ye Meeting House Relating to Strays.*"
Aug. -20. Voted to take a valuation to raise money to pay
the School Master and £35 to pay town debts and procure a town
stock of ammunition.
Having settled with Thomas Sanford, Town Treasurer, for ye
years 1716 and 1718, the Selectmen then agreed with William
Boyce to be "y6 Town's School Master from ye day of ye date
hereof until ye fourth Day of March Next, to keep sd school at
ye direction of ye Selectmen and that ye Selectmen pay ye sd Boyce
after ye Rate of twenty-eight pounds a year, and likewise after
that rate for the Time ye sd Boyce has kept School in ye said
Town of Mendon from ye Twelveth day of May last to ye day
of ye date hereof ; the sd Boyce giving account to ye Selectmen
what time he hath lost or shall Loose from sd School to ye ex-
piration of ye Term aforesaid and to Deduct so much out of his
wages, and the sd William Boyce is hereby obliged to keep ye
School as aforesaid.
Thomas Sanford, Town Clerk, in
behalf and by Order of ye Selectmen.
William Boyce. Schl. Master."
180 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1719.
Nov. 17. The Selectmen met and went and warned out of
town sundry newcomers, viz: Daniel Macmains and his family
and Joseph Wiley and his family, who came to sojourn in ye town
on ye 19th day of September, 1718; and William Noble and
family, Robert Patrick and his family, John Carmichel and
family, Malkam Henry and family and Robert Malkam and
family who came into the town Oct. 17, 1718. At this period,
and for many years afterwards, a residence in a town for a year,
without being warned out, gave the party a settlement there.
Dec. 22, 1718. Then Received of Deacon Thomas Sanford the sum of
Two hundred and forty-five pounds which is in full of all sums due
to me for my settlement and Sallery for the Years one thousand 700 sixteen
and seventeen, I say received by me.
Joseph Dorr.
In the early days of the settlement the roads were laid out in
common land, or, when granted or sold, reservations for roads
were frequently made.
The first claims for damages for roads were made this year.
A road had been laid out, from the Rehoboth road, near Eleazer
Daniels to Hop Brook, passing over lands of Eleazer Daniels,
Josiah Thayer and Lieut. Samuel Thayer. They demanded
damages and were paid in land, two acres for one taken up by
the road, if the land was valuable, but in rough land not to ex-
ceed three acres for one.
1719. Feb. 16. Being a Public Towne Meeting Legally
warned, Thomas Sanford was chosen Moderator.
This meeting was taken up in framing rules and regulations
for completing the Sixth Division and in drawing lots for the
Seventh Division.
"An account of ye Lots as Drawn for ye Seventh Devision."
1. Daniel Lovet. 9. Josiah Wood.
2. SethAldrich. 10. Joseph Taft.
3. 11. William Sargent
4. Ebenezer Thayer. 12. Thomas Taft.
5. Benjamin Albee. 13. John Emerson.
6. Ens. John Thomson. 14. Thomas White 3d.
7. 15. James Emerson.
8. Isaac Thayer. 16. Thomas White, senr.
1719.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
181
17.
Mr. Joseph Dorr.
63.
John Aldrich.
18.
Ebenezer Staples.
64.
Daniel Hill.
19.
John Arnold.
65.
John Albee.
20.
John Darling.
66.
John Thomson, jr.
21.
William Hayward.
67.
James Harres (Harris.)
22.
John Joans.
68.
23.
John Tiler.
69.
Alexander Plumbley.
24.
70.
William White.
25.
John Peck.
71.
William Rutter.
26.
72.
James Bick.
27.
73.
y Ministry Lot.
28.
74.
29.
Oliver Hayward.
75.
Ebenezer Read.
30.
Josiah Thayer.
76.
Benjamin Rockwood.
31.
Wilson Rawson.
77.
Joseph Emerson.
32.
Daniel Thurston.
78.
Peter Holbrook.
33.
David Tiler.
79.
34.
Simon Peek.
80.
Benjamin Darling.
35.
Richerd Rockwood.
81.
36.
Lt. Samuel Thayer.
82.
Jonathan Richardson.
37.
John Gardner.
83.
38.
84.
Nathaniel Morse.
39.
Jethro Coffin.
85.
Ebenezer Wood.
40.
Thomas (illegible.)
86.
Thomas White, jr.
41.
Samuel Rockwood.
87.
John Cook.
42.
Abraham Staples' heirs.
88.
Elihue Warfield.
43.
Thomas Sanford.
89.
James Wood.
44.
Joseph Plumbley.
90.
45.
Josiah Chapin.
91.
46.
Jonathan Thayer.
92.
Richerd Holbrook.
47.
Samuel Wheaton.
93.
Samuel Read.
48.
Josiah Rockwood.
94.
Benjamin Hayward.
49.
Eliphalet Holbrook.
95.
Ephraim Staples.
50.
John Holbrook.
96.
John Daniels.
51.
David Thomson.
97.
Joseph White.
52.
98.
Ebenezer White.
53.
99.
54.
100.
Ebenezer Sumner.
55.
101.
56.
Benjamin Thayer.
102.
Samuel Bridges.
57.
103.
James Keith.
58.
Solomon Wood.
104.
John Far num.
59.
Samuel Cooke.
105.
Roger Corrary's heirs.
60.
Benjamin Taft.
106.
Sylvanus Holbrook.
61.
107.
Robert Tiler.
62.
108.
Timothy Winter.
182
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1719.
109.
The Scool Lott.
130.
110.
Deacon Tiler.
131.
William Holbrook.
111.
132.
112.
Sanill. Warfield.
133.
Joseph Taft, jr.
113.
Capt. Seth Chapin.
134.
Benjamin Thomson
114.
135.
115.
John Green.
136.
Capt. Robert Evans.
116.
Jonathan Hayward.
137.
Lt. Thomas Thayer.
117.
Ebenezer Cooke.
138.
Joseph Sumner.
118.
Obadiah Wheelock.
139.
John Corbet.
119.
Joseph Chapin.
140.
Thomas Tenney.
120.
Lieut. John Darling.
141.
John Rawson.
121.
142.
Samuel More.
122.
Benjamin Wheelock.
143.
Nathan Tiler.
123.
Jonathan Cook.
144.
Seth Chapin, jr.
124.
Joseph Rockwood.
145.
125.
James Emerson, jr.
146.
Ebenezer Thomson.
126.
Woodland Thomson.
147.
John Post.
127.
John Rockwood.
148.
Joseph White, jr.
128.
149.
Mary Warfield.
129.
150.
Robert Evens was chosen Surveyor and Capt. Seth Chapin,
James Keith and Jacob Aldrich a committee to oversee the lay-
ing out the seventh division. The Surveyor was to have 3s. fid.
and the committee each 2s. fid. per day.
March 2. Annual Town meeting for the choice of officers.
Capt. Robert Evans, Moderator, being the second man chosen
to that office.
Chose for Selectmen, Sergt. Thomas White, Samuel Moore,
Lieut. Samuel Thayer, Robert Evans and Robert Taft, Jr. ;
Town Clerk, Sergt. Thomas White; Town Treasurer, Samuel
Moore; Constables, Sergt. Joseph White, Jr., and James Keith.
Seven persons were chosen Tithing men, who, by the act of
March 3, 1694, were to be fined forty shillings each if they
refused to serve. They were to carry a black staff two feet long,
tipped at one end with brass about three inches, as a badge of
their office.
May 25. It is supjjosed that, at this time, there had arisen
one of the periodical agitations about the boundary line between
Massachusetts and Rhode Island; and that fears of a settlement
of the question adverse to the interests of the town were enter-
tained, as May 25. Thomas Sanford, Samuel Thayer and
1719.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 183
Thomas White were chosen a committee to petition the General
Court for a recompense for what the Province Line takes off
from our Town.
INCORPORATION OF BELLINGHAM.
Nov. IT. The following petition was laid before the General
Court:
To his Excellency Samuel Shute Esq. Capt. General and Governor-in-
Chief in and over his Magesty's (George 1st.) Province of ye Massachusetts
Bay in Newengland, and to ye Honorable Council and House of Represen-
tatives, in General Court, convened at Boston,
To Petition of the Inhabitance of a Tract of Land belonging to Dedhain,
westward of Wrentham and ye Inhabitance of a Considerable Farm ajoyn-
ing thereto, granted to Edward Rawson, Secretary of the Colony, and ye
Inhabitance of a small corner of ye Township of Mendon a jacent thereto
(to ye number of four families),
Humbly Sheweth,
That Whereas ye above sd Inhabitance are Situated at
a Remoat Distance from ye Respective Towns where they, at present,
belong, viz : — The Inhabitance of the Town of Dedham to ye number of
three and twenty families are about Twenty miles Distant from the Town
where they belong and do duty & being very Remoate from ye Public Wor-
shipe of God & The Inhabitance, to the number of 13 families, of the
above said Farms being six or seven miles Distance from ye place of public
worshipe & ye Inhabitance of Mendon afore sd being about four miles Dis-
tance: and Considering our Remoatness & ye Inconveniencys we Labour
under by Reason of The same : and that ye uniting and Incorporating the
said Tracts & making of Them a Town may put us into a way, in Some
Convenient Time to obtain ye Settlement of ye Gospel among us &c. (the
uniting of ye abov sd Tracts of Land Together will make a Town of a boute
seven Miles Long & Three miles & half wide.) And further Considering
yl the Inhabitance of ye abov sd Tract of Dedham Land and ye Farms are
already Incorporated into a Training Companie and that they have Little
or no Benefit of Town Priviledges or by haveing Benefit of ye Schools we
do Respectively Pay to. The whole Number of Families belonging to ye
above sd Tract being Forty & Land already Laid out to accommodate 20 or
30 more: The Inhabitance of Dedham Land being voated off by ye Town
for that end.
Our Prayer Therefore is That your Honours would Graciously plase to
Consider our Difficult Circumstances and grant us our petition which is
That ye abov Mentioned Tracts of Land (as by one Piatt hereto affixed
and Described) may be Incorporated to geather & Made a Town & Invested
with Town Privelidges, That so we may be Enabled in Convenient time
to obtain ye Gospel & Public Worship of God Settled & our Inconveni-
184 ANNALS OF MENDON. [^1719.
ences by Reason of our Remoatness be Removed : granting us such Time
of Dispence from Public Taxes as in Wisdom you shall Think Convenient
& in your so Doing you will greatly oblige us who are your Humble peti-
tioners; and for your Honours, as in conscience we are Bound, Shall
forever Pray,
Dated ye 17th clay of November 1719.
John Darling Zuriel Hall
Nicholas Cook Daniel Corbet
Pelatiah Smith William Hayward
Tho. Burch James Smith
Jolin Thomson Nicolas Cook jr.
Ebenezer Thayer Jonathan Hayward
Cornelius Darling Seth Cook
Samuel Hayward Samuel Thomson
John Marsh Samuel Darling
Oliver Hayward Joseph Thomson
Samuel Rich Nathaniel Weathersby
John Thompson jr. Samuel Smith
Isaac Thayer The Inhabitance of Mendon.
Ebenezer Thayer John Holbrook
Richard Blood • John Corbet
Joseph Holbrook Peter Holbrook
Eliphalet Holbrook.
There was a Plat of the Township, as prayed for, upon a scale
of one mile to the inch, and which may be found in the Massa-
chusetts Archives among "Ancient Plans, Grants, &c."
In the House of Representatives,
Nov. 26. 1719 Read &c.
Ordered That the Prayer of this Petition be Granted & That a Township
be Erected & Constituted according thereunto & the Piatt above, Provided
They Procure & Settle a learned orthodox Minister within the space of
three years next coming.
And that John Darling, John Thomson and John Marsh be Impowered to
Call a Town Meeting any time in March next to choose Town officers &
manage the other prudential affairs of the Town. The name of the Town
to be Westham.
Sent up for Concurrence.
John Btjrrill, Speaker.
In Council Nov. 27. 1719.
Read and Concurred with this vote, excepting the name to be Belling-
ham.
Jos. Hiller, by order.
In the House of Representatives
Nov. 27. 1719, Read & agreed.
John Burrill Speaker.
1719.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 185
Mendon, however, did not consent to be shorn of a por-
tion of her territory without a protest; as we find that, at
a town meeting held soon after, they directed the .Selectmen to
petition the General Court, "for that part of our town they
have taken from us and laid to Bellingham."
THE FARMS.
It may not be uninteresting to learn something of the history
of " The Farms," mentioned in the above act incorporating the
town of Bellingham. They were located in the northeastern
part of the town, and were north of Charles River. They were
purchased of the Natick Indians by Edward Bawson, Secretary
of the Colony and father to Grindal Bawson, then the Minister
of Mendon, as the following evidence will show.
In the 5th Volume of the Records of Massachusetts, 1674 to
1686, p. 531, may be found a power of attorney from John
Awosomog, "now not likely to continue long before his de-
cease," to Thomas Awossomog, his son, empowering him to sell
" any of the land the Indian title of which do yet belong to
me," to any English person or persons. This Instrument
was signed by John Awosomog and witnessed by Obadiah Morse
and Peter Ephraim, Dec. 1, 1684.
Jan. 21, 1685. John Awassomog, Samuel Awassomog, John
Mooqua, Peter Ephraim, and Eleazer Pegan assigned to Thomas
Awassomog all the right, title and interest claimed by the Natick
Indians in " that tract of land lying between the bounds of Natick,
Charles River, Marlborough and a point of Blackstone River,
beyond Mendon." This assignment was signed by the Indians
above-named, and witnessed by Edw. West and Benonj Learned,
the day above written. It was acknowledged before a Court
held at Natick by Daniel Gookin, Feb. 18, and recorded by Ed-
ward Rawson, Secretary of the Colony April 21, 1685.
April 21, 1685. Thomas Awassamoag and Abigail Awassamoag
sold two thousand acres of this tract to Edward Rawson. The
deed was witnessed by Hopestill Leland and Jonathan Fairbank,
and acknowledged before Samuel Seawall, assistant, on the day
of its date. It was recorded June 4, 1685, by Edward Rawson
(the grantee), Colonial Secretary, having been, on the same day,
24
186 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1719.
confirmed to him by the General Court, as may be seen in Vol.
5, Mass. Records, p. 485.
By the following, we shall learn that the administrators of Mr.
Eawson's estate had sold the tract to different persons, as thir-
teen families were now settled there.
It seems that up to this time they had paid public and coun-
try taxes, but not county or town, as will be seen by the follow-
ing petition:
" To the Honourable the General Assembly of her Majesty's Province of
the Massachusetts Bay now sitting in Boston May 31. 1710.
The Petition of the Selectmen of Mendon, In the Name and on the be-
half of the said Town,
Humbly Sheweth,
That there are a few families settled on a large Farme, con-
sisting of near two Thousand Acres of land and meddow, formerly Granted
(purchased first of the Indians for fourteen pounds) to Mr. Edward Raw-
son, of Boston, deceased, by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay,
and purchased of the Administrators of his estate, which adjoins to us, and
the said Families Generally attend the public worship of God with us,
being nearer to our Public place of "Worship than to any other where they
can attend. They have paid publique and Country taxes with us, but as
to County and Town charges are exempt. We have been been forced to
enlarge our Meeting House the last year, the Old one, being built by us, by
reason of our Poverty, very streight and the public charge heavy on us,
considering the disadvantage of our ffrontier & exposed Condition, We
humbly (pray) they may be laid to us to the support of the Gospel Ministry
amongst us and our other Country & Town charges; and if, at any time
hereafter, they can be provided with better accommodations as to the
means of Grace nearer, We shall, in no sort desire to obstruct their comfort
therein & in the meantime rest
Your Honours most humble Servants,
James Lovet
Samll. Thayer
Samll. Moore
Samll. Read
Seth Chapin
- Selectmen.
In the House of Representatives
• Read &c.
Ordered That the prayer of the above Petition be so far Granted as that
the abovementioned Tract of Land shall be annexed to the Town of Men-
don & be esteemed Part thereof until this Court shall order otherwise.
John Clark, Speaker.
June 7, 1710 Sent up for Concurrence.
June 28, 1710 In Council Read and Concurred.
Isaac Addington, Secy.
1720.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 187
When the persons living on this territory were " hetter accom-
modated as to the means of grace nearer/' the people of Mendon,
it is presumed, " in no sort desiring to obstruct their comfort
therein," quietly yielded the right of eminent domain, and the
Farm became an integral portion of Bellingham.
JOSIAH CHAPIN'S TWO HUNDRED ACEES.
May 31, 1719. Josiah Chapin had two hundred acres of land
laid out "on the west side of the township of Mendon, on the
north side of the road leading to Killingly." These two hundred
acres have a somewhat curious history. May 18, 1664, the Gen-
eral Court granted to Samuel Chapin, of Springfield, for services
rendered the Colony, two hundred acres of land, "where he can
find it not granted to person or towne." In the Massachusetts
Archives, "Ancient Plans, Grants, &c, 164 to 1715, Vol. 1, p.
71, " a plat of these two hundred acres may be found. It was
laid out by Joseph White and Benjamin Alby, of Mendon, May
11, 1669, and included most, if not all, of the present site of the
town of Woonsocket, K. I., north of the Blackstone River.
Samuel Chapin never removed from Springfield, and June 24,
1668, by a deed, gave his son Josiah Chapin, of Braintree, all
his right and title to the grant above mentioned. This deed was
witnessed by Elizur Holyoke and John Pynchon, and acknowl-
edged before John Pynchon, Assistant.
In 1716 the General Court granted Josiah Chapin, of Mendon,
liberty to lay down this piece of land, and to take it up else-
where. May 31, 1719, Joseph White, Surveyor of Mendon. at
the order of Samuel Chapin, laid out the same and made a plat
of it. It was 200 rods long and 160 rods wide, and June 11,
1717 the General Court confirmed the title to Mr. Chapin.
1720. March 7. Being the annual Town Meeting, Lieut.
Samuel Thayer, was chosen Moderator.
For Selectmen, Lieut. Samuel Thayer, Capt. Robert Evens,
Jacob Aldrich, Daniel Taft and Jethro Coffin; Constables, Moses
Aldrich and Saml. Thayer, Jr.; Town Clerk, Thomas White;
Treasurer, Samuel Moore; Leather Sealer, Thomas Sanford, and
School Master, William Boyce.
188 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1720.
We have seen that the " Farms" had become incorporated in
the new town of Bellingham (named after Gov. Bellingham),
and at this meeting the inhabitants petitioned the town " to Re-
imbnst or pay back to them the money they had paid towards
Mr. Dorr's settlement, and the Town did not see cause to grant
it att present. "
At this time the inhabitants in the west part of the town (now
Uxbridge) began to agitate the question of dividing the town or
of being allowed to be a precinct by themselves; but upon their
petition to that effect the town took no action.
In April, the Court of General Sessions recommended towns
to choose collectors "to gather the Minister's salary distinct
from the Constables," but the town voted not to follow the
recommendation of the Court.
May 10. Josiah Chapin, Esq., was chosen Representative to
the General Court, which met on the 25th day of May, and, after
a session of five days, in which nothing was done, was dissolved
by Gov. Shute.
June 13. Being a public town meeting to choose a Repre-
sentative, "after desolving ye Court," and chose Josiah Chapin,
Esq., Representative, and Thomas White, Grand Juryman.
May ye 19. 1720. the General Court having granted a part of Mention in
order to make another Town which was called Bellingham, on the day
above sd the Selectmen of Mendon and the Committee of Bellingham mett
and stated the line according to ye Court's grant, Beginning at Deadham
Tree so Running up stream, with Second Bridge River, one mile and an
half to John Rockwood's ford way, thence Running East 31 degrees north
to the norwest corner of the Farm at Mendon East line at ye corner of
Sherbond Township, which line was agreed on By Both Committees and
Run by Robert Evens, Surveyor.
Samuel Thayek ~i John Corbet 1 Committee
Thomas White I Selectmen Samuel Hayward V of
Daniel Tapt of Mendon. Joseph HolbrookJ Bellingham.
Jacob Aldrich J
It seems the Province line between Massachusetts and Rhode
Island had not yet been settled, at least to the satisfaction of
the people of Mendon, as the following vote will show:
Dec. 10. Voted, that Thomas Sanford, Samuel Thayer and
Samuel Read be a committee " to make search after the Court's
1721.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 189
confirmation of our towne platt as itt was Returned by Joshua
Fisher and to endeavour to gett Recompence for what the Pro-
vince Line takes from our township."
In pursuance of this vote the Selectmen petitioned the Legis-
lature to reverse their orders on the petition of Samuel Comstock
and John Foster, and to stay any further proceedings thereon
until the petitioners be heard.
The Legislature then ordered that a hearing be had at the
next session of the Court in May, 1721. " The adverse party
being Served with a Copy of this Petition and order thereon
Seasonably, Provided that the Town of Mend on be at the charge
of a Skilful Surveyor to go to Mendon & make a Platt of the
Township, conformable to the Return of Joshua Fisher on the
General Court's Grant to Mendon May 15. 1667 and then Con-
firmed; and that Capt. William Ward be the Surveyor."
Nothing appears upon the town or colony records to show
that the town put in an appearance at the time appointed for a
hearing.
The town tax, including Mr. Dorr's salary, for this year was
£131 03 04.
1721. The annual town meeting was convened and forth-
with adjourned to the 14th of March. No reason was given for
this adjournment, and this meeting was adjourned to the 21st
of March, also without any reasons given.
March 21. Thomas Sanford was chosen Moderator; Thomas
Sanford, Samuel Read, Josiah Thayer, John Farnum and Daniel
Lovet, Selectmen; Thomas Sanford, Town Clerk; Saml. Read.
Town Treasurer, and Sergt. Seth Chapin and Nathaniel Raw-
son, Constables.
April 17. The Selectmen appointed Capt. Seth Chapin Sealer
of Weights and Measures.
May 11. Perambulated the boundary line between Belling-
ham and Mendon, and renewed the bounds and marks.
May 17. Thomas Sanford chosen Representative to the Gen-
eral Court.
The act for " making and emitting" fifty thousand pounds in
Bills of Credit was passed March 31. These bills were to serve
190 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1721.
as "a medium of exchange in the merchandize, trade and busi-
ness of the Province." They were to be distributed among the
towns in proportion to their respective proportion in the last
Province tax, but it was optional with the voters of the town
whether they would receive their proportion or not. Trustees
were to be appointed in each town to loan out the town's pro-
portion at interest, on good real estate or personal security. The
Trustees were to be sworn, and were to have a reasonable com-
pensation for their services. As a fund for the redemption of
these bills a tax of £50,000 was granted "the King's most ex-
cellent majesty," to be paid in annual instalments of £10,000
until the whole should be paid. These bills when redeemed
were " to be burnt to ashes."
In the schedule of distribution Mendon was set down at
£313. 10s., and, on May 17, they voted they would receive it,
notwithstanding Joseph Taft, sen., Benjamin Taft, Joseph
Taft, jr., Samuel Read, Seth Aldrich, Ebenezer Read and Nathan
Tyler entered their protest against the measure.
Thomas Sanford, Cornet Josiah Thayer and Daniel Taft were
chosen Trustees, and were directed to loan these Bills of Credit
in sums of not above twenty nor less than five pounds, the rate
of interest to be five per cent.
William Boyce was hired to keep a "Reading and Wrighting
School during the year, unless the Town should be presented
for want -of -a Grammar School, when he was to cease keeping at
ye Selectmen's order."
If the schoolmaster was not disturbed by the grand jury he
was to keep through the year. If he kept constantly at the
school house he was to be paid at the rate of £28 per annum;
if he kept a moving school he was to be paid at the rate of £30
per annum, and if he kept the school throughout the year he
was to be paid three-fourths in money and one-fourth in pro-
visions at money price. Any lost time was to be " Reducted."
Mendon Sept. ye 8th. 1721 being a Town meeting Leagally warned to
take an account of Town Depts and to agree about a Town Rate,
Thomas Sanford was chosen Moderator.
Then took an Account of and allowed the Several accompts hereafter
specified, viz:
To Jacob Aldrich for keeping Peter Frost (a pauper) £2 10 00
To Daniel Lovet for 1 day's service & Repairing the Pound 04 00
1721.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 191
To Thomas White for 2 days service to Survey land taken from
the Town by ye Province Line & 1 day to lay out a way 12 00
To Samll. Read for 2 days to measure Land taken off from ye
Town as aforesaid & 1 day to Cambridge for ye town 12 00
To Cornet Thayer for 2 days to measure ye above sd Land and one
day's journey to Cambridge for ye town 12 00
To James Keith for 2 days to Measure ye Land and 1 day to per-
ambulate with Bellingham 08 06
To justice Chapin 1 journey to Cambridge 06 00
To Thomas Sanford for 3 days time spent in boston to wait on ye
Secretary's office to obtain Coppies for the town's use .10s. to
ye Coppies 5s. to one day to lay cut a highway 2s 17 00
To Thomas Sanford serving the Town as Representative, with
journeys to and from ye Court from the 30th. day of May to yc
21st day of July, 53 days 10 12 00
To £12 .00 00 for ye support of ye poor that are a town charge. . . 12 00 00
To £15 00 00 to pay a School Master 15 00 00
To £6 00 00 to Defray ye succeeding charges with Respect to a
Representative 06 00 00
To £75 00 00 for Mr. Dorr's salary 75 00 00
Amounting to £124 14 00
In 1709 it was voted that if Mr. Taft (Robert?) and his sons
would build a bridge over the Great River to their land on
the west side of sd river, they should be released from working
on the highway ''until other men's work Come to be propor-
tionable to theirs in working on the byways."
Up to 1721 Mr. Taft and sons had done no work on the
highways save what they had done to the bridge, and, at this
time, a Committee was chosen "to Discourse with Mr. Taft and
sons with reference to their falling in with the Town to work on
the highways, and to report to the Town their terms."
Sept. 21. The Surveyors were instructed to repair the bridge;
" the Reparations to be done by hy way work as ye Repairing
of other byways & bridges."
"The Town also proposed to ye Tafts to Chuse a man to joyn with ye
Man the Town chuse to adjust the accounts with them about their build-
ing a bridge over the Great River, but said Tafts refused to choose as afore-
said. "
Whereupon it was voted that Mr . Taft and his sons who had been freed
by the town from working on the highways on account of building the
above sd bridge, Do henceforth work atye highways Equal with the rest of
ye Inhabitants of ye town, and that ye Surveyors warn them to work at the
192 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1722.
highways as other men, and on their refusal, to prosecute them for their
Neglect as ye Law Directs and that the town will stand by them in their
prosecution.
1722. Jan. 9. It seems the Trustees of the town's propor-
tion of the £50.000 of Bills of Credit had met with some diffi-
culty in the discharge of their duties; as, this day, the town
chose a Committee of seven to consider the subject. At the
same meeting the Committee reported that the Trustees, "first,
Let out none of said Bills to any man without sufficient securi-
ty, and 2nd. that, in their opinion, it was Most Conveniant to
Let no sums of money above ten pounds nor under five."
Feb. 26. The road or allowance for a way, that leads out of
the County road leading towards ye Great River from the ten
rod way by Joseph Plumley's, northward towards Deacon Tiler's,
was discontinued. This road led from the northerly terminus
of what is now Washington street to near the barn of Luther E.
Taft, on what was, formerly, the estate of the late Watee
Davenport.
After the warrant for the meeting had been disposed of, the
following record was made by the Town Clerk " The aforesaid
Moderator, viz: Daniel Taft, assumed to himself the power to
appoint and warn a town meeting (without any writing from ye
Selectmen to order ye same, which is contrary to law, nothing
being inserted in ye warrant for calling said meeting to that
purpose) for the choice of Town Officers, which time he ap-
pointed to be ye first Monday in March next, and calling for a
vote thereupon obtained ye same by ye holding up ye hand of the
superior number of them that were present at said meeting."
As the next town meeting was held on the 12th of March it is
plain the meeting was not held as it was adjourned by Daniel
Taft.
March 12. At the meeting this day Daniel Taft was chosen
Moderator and then adjourned to the 26th instant at 8 o'clock
A. M.
March 26. Selectmen, Thomas Sanford, Dea. John Jones,
Ebenezer Read, Lieut. Thomas Thayer, and Daniel Taft; Town
Clerk, Samuel Read; Town Treasurer, Capt. Seth Chapin; Con-
1722.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 193
stables, Peter Aldrich, who refusing to serve or pay his Hue had
his name referred to the General Sessions, and John Cook was
then chosen for this end of the town and Thomas Thayer, jr.,
for the lower end*of the town.
March 30. The school to be kept in four places viz: " at the
school house, over the Mill River, at ye south end of the town
and about the Great River," William Boyce to he the school
master.
May 16. Thomas Sanford was chosen Representative to the
General Court.
July 19. Josiah Chapin, Esq., and Cornet Josiah Thayer
were added to the Committee "to endeavour to defend the
Town's Rights against ye Providence Petitioners &c." The Se-
lectmen were also instructed to repair the meeting house.
It seems that there was some uncertainty about the vote agree-
ing to take the allotment of the bills of credit assigned to the
town, as we find a meeting was afterwards called by warrant of
the Selectmen (being the first warrant upon record) "to Con-
sider and Resolve what further to do " about the £313. 10s of the
bills of credit &c. At this meeting it was again voted to receive
the £313. 10s of the bills of credit and Thomas Sanford, Daniel
Taft and Jacob Aldrich were chosen Trustees.
Sept. 5. Voted to raise £52 including the loan money being
the interest on the bills of credit, to pay town charges.
Oct. 16. The inhabitants of the western part of the town ob-
jecting to being assessed for repairs to the meeting house, the
toAvn voted they would reimburse them provided they are set off
as a precinct or a town within the space of three years.
William Boyce still continues the schoolmaster at £30 a year
in bills of credit, one-half in November and one-half in March;
and to keep the school one quarter at the south end of ye town
(now Blackstone), the second quarter over Mill River (now Mil-
ford) the third about ye Great River (now Uxbridge) and ye
fourth at the school house.
Ebenezer Staples, John Darling and Josiah Chapin, Esq.,
were appointed by the Selectmen as guardians of Ephraim
Staples, they adjudging him to be " non compis mentice."
25
194 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1723.
1723. March 4. The annual town meeting was held and
Daniel Taft was chosen Moderator.
Chose for Selectmen Daniel Taft, James Keith, William
Boyce, Ebenezer Eead; Town Clerk, Samuel Eead; Town Treas-
urer, Capt. Seth Chapin; Constables, Ebenezer Cook and John
Thompson.
March 5. The Town Treasurer was directed to call in the in-
terest on the loan money (bills of credit) and give a discharge
for it for 1722.
A committee of thirteen were added to the committee already
chosen to make a new measurement of the township.
April 6, 1723. The town was surveyed by Samuel Thaxter by
order of the General Court; and by his plan, as may be seen in
"Ancient Plans,. Grants &c 1716 to 1734, vol. 2, p. 97," the
town contained 60,896 acres. By this plan the western bound-
ary was 10 miles and 110 rods, while the eastern was 10 miles
and 90 rods long, whereas the original grant was 8 miles square,
giving- 40,960 acres as the area of the town.
June 24. Jacob Aldrich was chosen grand juryman; and it
was also voted "to build two new windows, one in each end of
the meeting house and to have them set above the beams of said
house."
It seems the action of Daniel Taft, Moderator of the town
meeting held Feb. 26, 1722, and the record of the Town Clerk,
at that time, had given rise to a controversy in the town as the
following action of the toAvn testifies.
" Whereas at a meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Mendon on the 26th day of february in the year 1722, Daniel Taft
of said Mendon was chosen Moderator of said Meeting and a Record made
thereof, together with an entry thereunto annexed and inserted in the Town
Book by the Town Clerk of that year; said Entry tending to the Defama-
tion of him the aforesaid Moderator, by saying that he unto himself as-
sumed Power to Call for a Vote of the Town, which, in said entry is men-
tioned his obtainment of by holding up the hand, and it not appearing to
the Town of Mendon afore sd y* ye Moderator did unto himself assume
Power as afore sd expressed but by and at ye motion unto him sd Moderator
made by a considerable number of ye persons at sd Meeting qualified and
the Town having considered the dangerous Consequences that attend such
an unordered Entry doth hereby disaprove of and Utterly Make Null and
Void the afore sd Entry, Rendering the same to be improper and out of
Joynt any thing therein to the Contrary Contained Notwithstanding."
1723.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 195
Why the record of the Town Clerk should have been found
fault with does not appear, as it is not charged that the facts
were not as he recorded them. At any rate the town meeting
appointed by Daniel Taft was not held, which goes to show that
the meeting if held would not have been legal.
At a meeting held July 19th, "it was voted that the Town
will agree to Confirm Ten Hundred Acres of Undevided Laud
Bounded upon the Province Line where it is now stated and upon
the West Line in the southerly part of our Township unto
Samuel Comstock of Providence and his Associates (William
Jenks representing the same company) for the Nine Hundred
Acres of Land granted by the General Court to be laid out in
the Country Land, Provided it may put a final issue to all the
Controversies that are or may arise Between Samuel Comstock
and his Associates and the Town of Mendon forever about sd
farms.''
All the trouble with Samuel Comstock and Company arose
from the error which the people of Mendon entertained that the
southern boundary of the town was identical with the southern
boundary of the Province, whereas there was, at least, the width
of a mile between them.
A perusal of the action of the General Court in this matter,
which will be found in the following extracts from the Colonial
records, will set the controversy with the Providence petitioners
in a clearer light than can be gathered from the records of the
town. Believing that the truth of history should be verified,
and that it will be interesting to know how such matters were
conducted in the olden time, the doings of the General Court in
the premises will be found in the following pages.
At a town meeting held June (!, 1705, the town chose a com-
mittee to confer with a committee of Providence, and " if they
Com or send over concerning our Land they claim on the Weast
side of the Great River take theire account and present the same
to the town."
Sept. 11. 1705. The Conference Committee made their report
to the town, which we infer was not satisfactory, as they voted
that "a Complaint should be made to his Excellency and the
General Court, and Capt. Josiah Chapin was chosen a Committee
to trans Mitt ye abov mentioned Report or Complaint to ye abov
sd Court and to Transact that Afair with sd Court."
196 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1723.
This complaint was, without doubt, based upon the claim of
Samuel Comstock to the 900 acres granted him by the town of
Providence, which, it was affirmed, encroached upon the bounds
of the town.
The General Court's answer to the complaint may be found in
the 8th volume, p. 253, of the Colonial Eecords:
"Nov. 6, 1706. Upon reading this day, at the Board, a Complaint ex-
hibited by the Selectmen of Mendon of Encroachments and a Claim made
by the Inhabitants of Providence, on Pretense of an Indian Deed, to near
one half of the Township of Mendon and other lands lying within this
Province."
"Ordered that Nathaniel Bytield, Nathaniel Payne Esq., Mr. Nathaniel
Blagrow, Major Samuel Thaxter and Capt. John Ware, or any three of
them, be a Committee to go upon ye ancient stated line of the boundaries
between this Province and the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations to the extent of the late Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, ac-
cording to the Grant and the Royal Charter of this Province, and to renew
the Bound Marks where they shall be needed ; and that his Excellency, the
Governor, be desired to write to the Government of Rhode Island and ac-
quaint them with the Court's appointment of a Committee for the service
afore said, that they may appoint persons on the part of that Government,
if they see fit, to attend at the Time and Place, to be agreed upon by ours,
to see and take knowledge of our Line, That their Government may give
the necessary orders to restrain their poeple from Making any Encroach-
ment or Disturbance. The said Committee to make Report of their Doings
to this Court, at the next session, after they have performed the said ser-
vice.
Wch Order being sent, the Representatives was agreed to by that House
And is consented to by
J. Dudley, Govr.
Maj. Thaxter, under the direction of the Committee, surveyed
the township April 6, 1723. Upon his plat "Ancient Plans,
(< rants, &c, 1716, to 1734, vol. 2, p. 97," we find, first, the
Patent line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island; second,
and north of this line, another line being the line as between
Massachusetts and Connecticut, extended across Maj. Thaxter's
plat, and still farther north a dotted line eight miles from the
1 1 < irthern boundary.
Colonial Records, Vol. 12, p. 21.
"At a General Court held Nov. 7, 1723 It was voted that Samuel Corn-
stock might have the 900 acres provided the Government of Rhode Island
1723.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 197
and Providence Plantations quitclaim a mile northward of the Colony
Line."
Colonial Records, Vol. 12, p. 304.
"Paul Dudley, from the Committee of both Houses gave in their Report
upon the Petition of William Jenks of Providence and his Associates, are
of opinion that the Nine hundred Acres of Land mentioned in the petition
should he confirmed to the Petitioners by the Court, Provided that this
Government or those claiming by or under them be, in no wise, at any
time hereafter, Defeated or Molested in their Rights and Possession of the
Mile of Land, described in the Petition, which was formerly Granted to the
Colony of Rhode Island but lately quit-claimed by them to this Govern-
ment, in consideration of the Petitioners having their 900 acres confirmed
to them by this Court, Provided also that the Petitioners make satisfaction
to such persons as may have entered upon any part of the said 900 acres
for any buildings, fences or other Improvements by them made upon the
premises, the value thereof to be appraised by three persons, viz: — the
Surveyor to be appointed by the Court and two others to be chosen by the
Petitioners and Occupants respectively, and whereas it appears by a late
survey (Major Thaxter's) that the Town of Mendon have extended their
Line beyond their original grant from this Court, and the platt of said
Township is said to have been burnt in the Town House in Boston, for it
cannot be found in the Public Records of the Province, wherefore some
Difficulties and Controversies might arise in and to the Proprietors of the
Town of Mendon, for the quieting & Remedying thereof it is proposed that
the Southern Bounds of the said Township of Mendon should extend Home
to the Colony Line Saving the property of the Nine Hundred Acres as afore
sd to the Petitioners,
In the name by order of the Committee
Paul Dudley.
In Council Read it Ordered that this Report be accepted.
In the H. of R. Read & Concurred.
Consented by Wm. Dummer, Govr."
The burning of the plat in the Town House at Boston may
have taken place; but as all the plats mentioned in the town
records can be found in the Massachusetts Archives, it is sup-
posed the report of the burning may have been a mistake.
There are four plans of the Township of Mendon to be found
in the Archives at the State House. The first one is the original
plan, by Joshua Fisher, of Dedham, and may be found in "An-
cient Plans, Grants, &c, Vol. 1643 to 1715, p. 54." The second
was made by Joseph White and Samuel Read in Nov. 1674, accord-
ing to the grant of the General Court to mend our line, and accord-
ing to the direction of the man that sold the land, he being
198 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1723.
present. (Ancient Plans, Grants, &c, 1643 to 1715, p. 93.)
The third was made by Samuel Thaxter, April 6, 1723, on
account of the difficulty about Mr. Jenks' 900 acres, and the
fourth was made (by whom not known) in 1727, at the incorpo-
ration of Uxbridge.
Colonial Records, Vol. 12, p. 319, Friday, Dec. 14, 1724.
"In the H. of R. Ordered that John Chandler Esq be the Surveyor
and he is hereby fully Authorized and Impowered to take a Survey of the
Nine Hundred Acres of Land petitioned for by William Jenks, of Provi-
dence, and his Associates and granted to them by this Court, passed the
Eleventh day of this Instant December, and to do all things Directed and
Ordered to be done by the said Surveyor & by said vote
In Council Read & Con.
Consented to Wm. Dttmmer."
Colonial Records, Vol. 12. Friday, June 11, 1725.
John Chandler, Esq., gave in the following report of the sur-
vey of lands near Mendon, granted to Wm. Jenks and his as-
sociates, viz:
" Pursuant to an Order of the Great and General Court of Assembly of
the 18th. of December last past, I, the Subscriber have laid out to Wm.
Jenks Esq. and his Associates the Nine Hundred Acres of Land granted
them within this Province on the 11th. day of said December; wch said
Land lies in six pieces and were shown unto me by the Grantees. The
said Tracts lay formerly (as was supposed) within the Township of Provi-
dence in the Woods called Shacanoc'k (Shokolog) now in the Township of
Mendon, the Surveys & Plans whereof are hereunto annexed. The work
was performed on the thirtieth day of April and the first day of May fol-
lowing. There assisted the sundry persons who claimed the Lands, who
brought with them from the Records of the town of Providence, Attested
Copys of the former Surveys, also James Walling and Jona. Sprague Jr.
who declared on oath that they were upon the original Surveys. And the
sundry Tracts now Surveyed we laid out in the same place as formerly as
near as may be. But the Measure being large the said Tracts were reduced
to a just and true Measure. The said Jonathan Sprague and William
Chandler were appointed Chairmen & I put them on Oath for the faithful
discharge of their Trust.
Four of said Tracts happen to have no improvement upon them viz: —
John Arnold, Hezekiah Comstock, Capt Sylvanus Scott and Capt. Daniel
Abbott, There are Considerable Improvements within the bounds of
Daniel Comstock's Land but no house. The occupant of the Land brot
no person to Set a valuation on his Labour, although Mr. Comstock brot
one on his part viz: Capt, Foster, who was present for that service. But
the parties concerned seemed induced to agree among themselves.
1724.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 199
On Mr. Jenk's Tract there is a House built & Land under Improvement
done by Mr. Seth Aldrich, whose son lives on it, and although Mr. Jenks
sent word for Mr. Aldrich to come and see the Survey and bring a man to
assist in valuing the Labour Yet we heard nothing from him & have as yet
made no valuation, all which is respectfully submitted by
Your most Dutiful Servant
John ('handler, Surveyor.
Boston June 2. 1725.
June 11. In Council Read ifc Ord. that, this Report be accepted and that
the Land Mentioned therein be confirmed to William Jehks and his Asso-
ciates According to the Survey thereof made and Returned by John
Chandler Esq.
In H. of R. Read and Non Concurred.
June 19, 1725 The H. of R. reconsidered their vote of non concurrence
upon the Petition of William Jenks passed June 11 iiist. and then con-
curred with the Council with this amendment, "If it do not interfere with
any grant made to the Town of Mendon."
In Council R. & C.
Consented to W.\r. Dummek.
The controversy about William Jenks' nine hundred acres
being- brought to a close, the Town, like all parties at the end of
a law suit, set themselves about the business of raising funds to
defray its cost. To this end they sold to Seth Aldrich twenty
acres at nine shillings per acre; to Peter Aldrich, Benjamin Taft
& Solomon Wood ten acres each, at ten shillings per acre.
To Edmond Rawson, Ebenezer Read and Joseph White ten
acres each at ten shillings and six pence per acre.
This year the boundaries between Mendon and Hopkinton
were perambulated by Seth Chapin and Daniel Lovet of Mendon,
and John How and Jacob (libbs of Hopkinton, and "renewed
what marks tliev could find."
1724. Jan 13. "A Committee was chosen to sue for and
Receive Pay for Damage done or may hereafter be done to the
Pine or Cedar Swamps belonging to the Town."
It was voted "that David How and his heirs and assigns
should have the Improvement of the Mill Pond so Long as he or
they shall keep and maintain the Corn Mills for the use of the
inhabitants and to their satisfaction." The two corn mills were
200 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1725.
probably two run of stones in the same building, and were located
where Benjamin Albee built the first mill.
Robert Benham, William Rutter and Benjamin Hayward had
their taxes forgiven them.
Feb. 3. A committee of nine were chosen to consider the
subject of selling the ministry land, and, if thought expedient,
in what way and manner to dispose of the same.
Feb. 17. Voted, that the Trustees of the Bills of Credit for
the first year shall have twenty shillings for their service, and
afterward "as the Town shall agree."
Then voted the Trustees should have one-fourth of the inter-
est accruing from the loans of the Bills of Credit, they giving
security " for Endemnyfying the Town from any Charge or Dif-
ficulty."
March 3. Chose John Brown, Thomas Thayer, Samuel Read,
William Boyce and Joseph Taft for Selectmen; Capt. Seth Cha-
pin, Town Treasurer, and Samuel Thayer and Joseph Taft, Jr.,
Constables. As no record is made of the choice of a Town
Clerk, it is presumed that Samuel Read continued in that
office.
Aug. 19. Oliver Coller and family and David Provender and
family, and on Oct 19, Felsha were severally warned to depart
and leave the town.
1725. Jan. 4. Being a " Public Town Meeting to Manage
our Land Concerns," the town added four more to the commit-
tee already chosen to manage the land concerns against the Prov-
idence petitioners.
Notwithstanding the General Court had surveyed and con-
firmed the 900 acres to Jenks & Company, and notwithstanding
Maj. Thaxter's survey shewed that the boundaries claimed by
the town gave 20,000 acres more than the eight miles square in
the act of incorporation, still the town did not give up the idea
that William Jenks and his associates were interlopers, and were
attempting to seize a portion of their goodly heritage, hence
Jan. 18. It was voted ''that Capt. William Ward should be
the Surveyor, with liberty to appoint the chain men, to New
Run the bounds of the Town."
1726. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 201
Whether any survey was made by Capt. Ward, the further
records of the town furnish no evidence, nor is any plan, drawn
by him, to be found in the Massachusetts archives.
March ye 1st. Annual Meeting, John Brown chosen Moder-
ator.
Chose. John Brown. Thomas White, Ebenezer Read, Eleazer
Daniels and Daniel Taft, Selectmen; Thomas White, Town
Clerk; Jacob Aldrich, Town Treasurer; and Wm. Boyce, School-
master. No record of the choice of Constables.
July 10. A complaint was made by several persons living in
the northwest part of the town, on the east side of the Great
River, "about the place where a way was formerly laid out over
the Great River." and a committee was chosen "to vew sd way
and the River thereabouts, att the charge of the nebourhood
there dwelling, and so make Report to the town where they
think the way may be most convenient for the Intrest of the
Town and good of the nebarhood."
Aug. 3. The Treasurer acknowledges the receipt of £39, 15s.
in full for lands sold Seth Aldrich, Peter Aldrich, Benjamin
Taft, Solomon Wood, Edmond Rawson, Ebenezer Read and
Joseph White, to pay the costs arising in the Providence contro-
versy.
Aug. 30. Voted to raise £42, to defray town charges this
year.
1726. March 4. Being the annual town meeting, chose
John Brown, Thomas Sanford, Thomas Thayer, Seth Chapin,
Jr., and Ebenezer Read. Selectmen; Thomas White, Town
Clerk; Daniel Lovet, Town Treasurer, and Thomas Tenney and
Daniel Darling, Constables. John Boyce was continued as
Schoolmaster.
March 26. •"After debate concerning Mr. Dorrs salary,''
voted, not to alter his salary, but to make quarterly contribu-
tions for his relief this present year.
Voted to accept the road laid out by the Selectmen, from
Scull Rock bridge to the iron works on the east side of the Great
River.
Voted to allow a penny per head "for the great sort of birds,
202 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1727.
that is so many as are killed between April 1st. and the middle
of June."
May ye 9th. John Brown was chosen Representative to the
General Court.
Sept. 5. After taking the valuation of those who were pres-
ent, " considering the great number of the inhabitants of said
town who by reason of sickness could not attend." the meeting
was adjourned to Oct. 18.
What this sickness was neither record or tradition informs us.
During the supposed period of its prevalence the only recorded
deaths were Ebenezer White, son of Joseph White, Benjamin
Wheaton and Josiah Chapin, Esq. Quite likely other deaths
may have occurred, but whose names were not recorded.
Sept. 16. After choosing Ebenezer Wood, Grandjuryman, the
only other business transacted was to vote "" that considering the
great sickness which is now in the town, swine should be allowed
to run at large the remainder of the year, being yoked and
ringed as the law directs."
Sept. ye 28th. Sarah Green and her son were warned "to de-
part & leave the town," and afterwards John Lindsey and wife,
Oliver Watson and family, Elizabeth Dobbinna, Frank Allen
and Mary Cormick, " intruders in the town of Mendon," were
warned out.
Oct. ye 18th. Voted to raise £50 to defray town charges this
year.
Dec. ye 14th. Chose Josiah Thayer, James Keith and Seth
Aldrich a committee " to see that the highways in our town are
not incroached upon or straitened by fences or other incom-
brances. "
At said meeting, in answer to our western inhabitants peti-
tioning to be set off as a town or precinct, the vote passed in
the negative. This was the first mention of the agitation which
finally resulted in the division of the town and the incorporation
of Uxbridge.
1727. March 0. Chose Thomas Sanford, Thomas Thayer,
Joseph White, jr., Seth Chapin, sen., and James Keith, sen.,
Selectmen; Thomas White, Town Clerk; Benjamin Green and
Benjamin Darling, Constables, and then adjourned till to-mor-
1727.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 203
row morning, and then chose Daniel Lovefct, Town Treasurer &c.
Although the disagreement between Bellingham and Mendon
in regard to a portion of the boundary line between the towns
lias been recently settled by an Act of the General Court in favor
of the claim of Mendon, that Charles River, from the bridge at
Bellingham factory to the monument north of Ellis Bullard's
(formerly the Dedham Tree), still it will not be uninteresting to
know how that matter was regarded by the two towns one hun-
dred and fifty years ago.
Bellingham April ye 24th, 1727. Wee the subscribers Being apointed
By the selectmen of Bellingham to preambulate with Mendon, we accord-
ingly met Jacob Aldrich and Nathaniel Rawson, sent by the select men of
mendon. We Began at the farm corner of Mendon line and so marked
eight trees on four sides, ye first a walnut tree, ye second a white oak tree,
ye 3d a walnut, ye 4th. a white oak, ye 5th. a walnut, ye 6th. a Black oak,
ye 7th a White oak and ye 8th. a white oak near Second Bridge River Be-
low John Rockwood's house and so down said River to Dedham Tree and
from thence to the Great River. Renewing the Bounds upon said line.
John Thomson,
Joseph Holbrook,
Jacob Aldrich
JNathaniel Rawson.
March 31. After debate concerning the Rev. Mr. Dorr's sal-
ary it was voted " to have a monthly contribution for his sup-
plyment the present year."
Also voted, after the reading of the petition of the western
inhabitants of the town for a division of the town, that the
boundaries should be as follows, viz: Beginning at the south-
west corner of the town at the Province line, thence east four
miles with said line, thence turning north and running parallel
with the west line of the town until it comes to a small brook
running westerly between West and Misco Hills, thence down
said brook to the West river, thence up said river to Andruss's
brook and thence up said Andruss's to the township line.
In the Massachusetts Archives " Towns vol. 113, p. 714,''
may be found the act for incorporating the town of Fxbridge,
and which is in the following words:
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Decimo Tertip.
An Act for dividing the Town of Mendon and Erecting a new town by
the name of Uxbridge.
204 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1727.
Whereas the westerly part of the Town of Mendon, in the County of
Suffolk is completely filled with Inhabitants who labour under great diffi-
culties by their remoteness from the place of Public Worship &c, and
have thereupon made application to the said Town of Mendon and
have likewise addressed this Court that they may be set off as a distinct
and separate Town and be vested with all the powers and privileges of a
town; and the Inhabitants of Mendon having consented to their being set
off accordingly :
Be it Therefore Enacted by the Lieutenant Governor, Council and Repre-
sentatives in General Court assembled and by the authority of the same,
that the westerly part of said Town of Mendon is hereby set off and con-
stituted a separate Township by the name of Uxbridge, the bound of said
Town to be as f olloweth ; That is to say, Beginning at the South West cor-
ner of the Town of Mendon at the Province South Line, thence to run four
miles east with the Province line, then North a parallel with the West line
of the said Town until that line meets with a small Brook that runs be-
tween West Hill and Misco Hill, then ye said Brook to be the bounds to
the West River, then the West River to be the bounds to a brook known
by the name of Andreu's brook, which brook shall be the bounds to the
north line of the Township.
And that the Inhabitants of the said Lands as before described and
bounded be and hereby are invested with the powers, privileges and immu-
nities that the Inhabitants of any of the Towns of this Province are or
ought by law to be invested; Provided the Grant of the sd Township be
not construed to Affect the Rights and privileges of any Persons to lands
within the same.
Provided also that the Inhabitants of the said Town of Uxbridge do
within the space of two years from the Publication of this Act, Erect and
finish a suitable House for the Public Worship of God and procure and
settle a learned Orthodox Minister of good conversation and make provis-
ion for his comfortable and honourable support and that they set apart a
Lot of not less than one hundred acres of Land in some convenient place
in said town near the meeting House for the use of the Ministiy and like-
wise provide a School Master to Instruct their youth in writing and reading.
In Council June 21, 1727 Read.
June 22. Read a second time & Sent down for concurrence.
J. Wtllard, Secj'.
Passed to be Engrossed.
In the House of Representatives, June 23, 1727.
Read a first time. The 24th. Read a second time and passed in con-
currence with amendment.
Dele x& Sent up for concurrence.
Wm. Dudley, Speaker.
Agreed.
The Council passed the bill with the following words inserted
after " reading" at the end.
1727.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 205
" And that thereupon they be discharged from any further payment for
the maintainance of the Ministry and School in the said Town of Mendon
for any estate lying within the said Town of Uxhridge.
This the Rep9 struck out by the Dele $$£ "
The Lieutenant Governor, acting at the time of the passage
of this act, was William Dummer. Gov. Slmte, after a long and
acrimonious quarrel with the General Court, suddenly left the
country Jan. 1, 1723, and until July, 1728, when Governor Bur-
net arrived at Boston, Mr. Dummer acted as Governor.
At this period, for the first time, we find the record of a war-
rant for a town meeting.
Aug. 28. At a town meeting held this day the warrant con-
tained the following articles:
1. To give in a valuation of the rateable estates.
2. To ascertain the Town debts and provide for their liquidation.
3. To choose another Selectman.
4. To settle the line with Uxhridge.
5: To see whether they would build a new meeting house.
At this meeting the town's debts, amounting to £5. lbs. . were
found to be due to the following persons, viz:
Thomas Thaver
09 00
Nat hi. Rawson
04 00
James Keith
15 06
Nathan Tiler
16 00
Thomas White
11 00
04 00
03 00
17 06
07 06
07 06
One hundred pounds were raised and appropriated to pay Mr.
Dorr's salary and the ordinary town charges.
Jacob Aldrich, Thomas Sanford and Oapt. Thomas Thayer
were chosen a committee to settle the line with Uxhridge.
Voted not to build a new Meeting House and then dissolved
the meeting.
DAVID HOW'S PETITION ABOUT THE MILL POND.
The Petition of David How humbly sheweth as the Town of Mendon in
times past hath Been pleased to propagate and incourage persons who have
been oficious in their service By gratuity &c, and your petitioner having a
purpose to erect, set up and maintain another Grist mill near to where the
present fulling mill now standeth which may render the matter convenient
206 ANNALS OF MENDON. | 1728.
for Grinding of corn in a scarcity of watter, that you Gentlemen would be
pleased to grant your petitioner his heirs and assigns the full liberty and
peaceable possession & improvement of the present Mill Pond which to the
town is now appertaining so that he your said petititioner his heirs and
assigns as aforesaid may draw off the aforesaid pond in the spring and sum-
mer time viz: from and after the first day of May until the first day of
October and make improvement thereof for mowing if he or they shall
see fit so to do, for such a time and not longer than your said petititioner
his heirs and assigns shall do, well and truly keep up and maintain, at his
and their own and proper cost and charge the aforesaid Corn mill or mills
for the accommodable use of the town of Mendon aforesaid for the grind-
ing of their corn, is the prayer and Request of your humble petitioner.
David How.
This petition was dated in 1723, but whether it was then pre-
sented cannot now be determined. Following its record in 1727,
the town voted that its prayer be granted and be entered upon
the Record.
atest Thomas Sanford, moderator for sd meeting.
Nov. 29. The subject of building a new meeting house was
again brought before the town, and, "after a considerable De-
bate,"' it was voted "to dismiss ye article until a new sum-
mons."
At this meeting the rates of Capt. Robert Evens, the two Lin-
seys' rates and the rate of Joseph Emerson were foregone, pro-
vided the Constables could not collect them. The rates against
the widow Brown, widow Rawson, Isaac Benson, Nathan Gaskill
and Joseph Chilson were foregone without condition.
1728. March ye 4. For Selectmen, Thomas Sanford, Capt.
Thomas Thayer, Daniel Taft, Seth Chapin, jr., and Nathaniel
Rawson; Town Clerk, Thomas White; Town Treasurer, Daniel
Lovet, and Jonathan Thayer, sen., and John Tiler, jr., for Con-
stables.
Voted, that sheep might run at large without a shepherd.
The Board of Assessors at this period consisted of the Com-
missioner of Assessments and a majority of the Selectmen. By
the Act of the General Court, passed Nov. 16, 1693, a Commis-
sioner of Assessments was to be annually chosen; but, since
1716, when Josiah Chapin, Esq., was elected to that office, we
1728. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 207
do not find that the record of another choice was made. As
Josiah Chapin died in 1726, it is presumed that .some one was
appointed in his stead.
Sept. 26. 1728. The Selectmen met and agreed with Mr. Grindal Raw-
son to keep school in and for the Town for six months from and after the
24th day of October next att the direction of the Selectmen, and to make
up such time as he shall loose until the six .months are completed, and as a
recompence the Selectmen in behalf of the Town have iugaiged to pay him
the sum of twenty-two pounds and ten shillings as witness our hands
acquiesed therewith. Thomas Sanford 1
Grindal Rawson. Thomas Thayer „ ,
„ -Selectmen.
Seth Chapin
Nathaniel Rawson ]
The schoolmaster above contracted with was the eleventh
child of the Rev. Grindal and Susanna (Wilson) Rawson. the
third minister of the town. He was born Sept. 6. 1707, and
was probably the first person to graduate from Harvard College.
He graduated in 1728. He afterwards taught here in 1729 and
1730.
Mr. E. B. Crane, in his Rawson Family Memorial, was mis-
taken in supposing that Grindal Rawson taught the first public
school in Mendon. John Warfield, William Boyce and others
had taught the public schools for some years prior to the advent
of Mr. Rawson, Deacon Warfield having been chosen schoolmas-
ter many years before. According to the town records, neither
Deacon Warfield, Mr. Boyce, or the others, instructed the
scholars in any branch beyond reading and writing.
There being but one school-house as yet in the town, the
schools were kept in different portions of the town, and were
called moving schools.
Mr. Rawson. being the graduate of a college, was. without
doubt, hired to teach something besides reading and writing;
and so. if he was not hired to teach the first public school, his
was the first of an advanced grade.
By this time the subject of a new meeting house was again
agitated.
Feb. (J, 1728. The town " voted to build a new meeting
house and it passed by a clear vote to sett sd meeting house
within twenty Rods of the place where the meeting house now
208 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1728.
stands; this vote was tryed By dividing the house and number-
ing the poles."
At this meeting a disagreement in regard to the line between
Mendon and Uxbridge began to be mooted, and although at-
tempts were made, from time to time, to settle the question of
boundary, yet no final adjustment was made until 1754. At
this meeting it was asked whether the town would grant the
town of Uxbridge "sixt Rod for Sagg of Chain," and the vote
passed in the negative.
Thomas Sanford protested against the vote fixing a location
for the meeting house, and James Keith protested against the
whole doings of the meeting.
This meeting was adjourned to March 25, when the town met
and, after "a considerable discourse," about what does not ap-
pear upon the record, again adjourned to the 25th of August,
and at that time "it passed by a clear vote that every article
that was acted on by virtue of a warrant bearing date February
ye 19, 1728 is and shall Be and Remain for ever to be of no value
nor virtue Butt shall forever be accompted to be of no force nor
virtue."
The General Court having voted to issue £60,000 in Bills of
Credit, Capt. Seth Chapin, Jacob Aldrich and Nathan Tyler
were chosen Trustees to manage the share of Mendon, which was
£270.
May 15. Daniel Taft was chosen Representative to the Gen-
eral Court, and it was again voted "to build a new meeting
house within twenty rods of the place where the meeting house
now stands."
July 12. Thomas Sanford, Thomas Thayer and Jacob Aldrich,
a committee, met John Farnum, Solomon Wood and Joseph
Taft, a committee of the town of Uxbridge, and run the line
betAveen the two towns, as is recorded by the town clerk. It is
not found that this committee made any report of their doings,
and so, it is supposed, the controversy was held still in abeyance.
August 30. Town debts were audited as follows:
Thomas Sanford £2 01 00 Jacob Aldrich £1 16 00
Capt. Thomas Thayer. . . 1 03 00 Thomas White 1 10 00
Philip Leasure. 0 04 00 Capt, Seth Chapin 0 05 00
Voted to raise £40 to defray town charges the present year.
1729.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 200
A committee was chosen to lay out 200 acres of land for the
proprietors, but for what purpose does not appear, inasmuch as
the proprietors owned all the unappropriated lands.
About tin's time a division of the County (Mendon still be-
longed to the County of Suffolk) began to be agitated, but Men-
don " voted not to come in with Johnson's petition for a new
county."
The interest for the school money this year was nine pounds.
as receipted for by Daniel Lovet, Town Treasurer.
1729. March 3. Chose Daniel Taft Moderator.
Chose Samuel Thayer. Daniel Lovet, Capt. Thomas Thayer,
Thomas Sanford and Nathaniel Rawson, Selectmen, and then
adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock A. M., Deacon John
Tiler and Thomas White, Town Clerk, protesting against irregu-
larities in the choice of town officers.
March 4. The town met, pursuant to adjournment, when,
" after some discourse and in a tumult," the Moderator (Daniel
Taft) adjourned sd meeting until March 11th.
March 8. The following record shows that, although they
usually kept the bonds of peace, the inhabitants did not always
work together in the spirit of unity.
For some reason, though not stated, the Town Clerk refused
to record the proceedings of the meeting held March 3d, as will
be seen by the following order:
"March 8. Thomas White, Town Clerk of Mendon; these are to order
you to record all the votes passed in our town meeting for the choice of
Town officers on March ye third current and continued by the town ad-
journment to March the fourth current and also by whom said meeting was
ajorned to sd fourth day of March current and likewise Record this order
therewith
pr us Thomas Thayer |
Thomas Sanfokd Select
Nathaniel Rawson '• men
Samuel Thayer I 0f Mendon."
Daniel Lovet J
March 11. At this meeting Capt. Seth Chapin, Daniel Taft,
Capt. William Rawson, Jacob Aldrich and Nathan Tiler were
chosen Selectmen; Thomas White, Town Clerk; Ebenezer Staples,
210 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1729.
Town Treasurer, and James Wood and John Legg for Asses-
sors. As showing the increase of the length of roads in town,
nine Highway Surveyors were chosen.
March 18. At a town meeting " for compleating the choice of
officers &c" legally warned,
James Keith was chosen Moderator by 44 votes.
Thomas Sanford was then chosen Town Clerk by 40 votes;
Daniel Lovet was chosen Town Treasurer by 36 votes; Nathan
Penniman was chosen Constable for the south end of the town,
and William Hay ward, Tershus, for the north end of the town.
All the minor offices were then filled.
April 4. The records of the General Court, Vol. XIV., pp.
212, 226 and 227, will set forth the end, if they do not explain
the nature of the irregularities of the town meetings in March.
On page 212 may be found a reference to —
"A Petition of Thomas Sanford, Clerk of the Town of Mendon, com-
plaining of sundry Irregularities Committed by Daniel Taft Esq., Modera-
tor of their late meeting in March last and of others at the said meeting, as
particularly set forth in said petition (Petition not found) by which means
great Confusions are brought on the said Town Praying that this Court
would please to interpose their Authority and direct to some proper method
for Redress and Relief of the Inhabitants of said Town.
In Council Read and Ordered That the Petitioners serve Mr. Daniel Taft,
Moderator of the late Town Meeting at Mendon and Mr. Thomas White
(chosen Town Clerk on the 11th of March) with copies of this Petition so
that they may put in their answer thereto on Fryday the 11th. current.
April 15. In the House of Representatives Read again the Petition of
Thomas Sanford, Town Clerk of Mendon, with the answer of Daniel Taft
Esq. and the same being fully considered, voted that the Proceedings of the
Town of Mendon at their meetings on the third and eighteenth days of March
last be and are hereby declared regular, legal and valid, and the Proceed-
ings of the said Town on the fourth and eleventh days of March are declared
null and void."
The irregularity of Daniel Taft, Esq., in part, at least, was
his adjournment of the town meeting to March 11th without a
vote of the town. What the other irregularities were that
created the "'great confusions'' in the absence of the petition,
Ave fail to discover.
May 17. Being a meeting for the choice of a Representative
to the General Court, after four trials there was no choice, and
the meeting adjourned.
[1729. ANNALS OF MENDON. 211
August 27. Being a town meeting legally warned, Daniel
Taft was chosen Moderator. After the meeting was opened
there was some debate, but about what, the record is silent, and
then the meeting adjourned for half an hour. Being called to
order, after some debate (about what, is still in the dark), the
Moderator offered to the town in order for a vote, saying, "You
that are of a mind not to act any thing on the warrant, Signifie
it by holding up your hands," which vote passed in the affirma-
tive by them that were present, and then said Moderator with-
drew and carried away the warrant, and so the meeting ended.
Dec. 3. The Selectmen agreed with William Rawson to keep
school for three months, at the rate of forty-five pounds per
annum.
('APT. WILLIAM RAWSON.
This William (afterwards ('apt. William) was the son of Wil-
liam and Anne (Glover) Rawson. and the grandson of Edward,
for a long time Colonial Secretary. He was born in Boston, in
Bromfield street, then called Rawson' s lane, Dec. 2, 1682, and
graduated at Harvard College in 1703. In 1689 he removed,
with his father, from Boston to Dorchester, and, not along time
afterwards, to Braintree. In 1710 he married Sarah Crosby, of
Billerica and settled in Mendon. and there died in October, 1769.
He was the eighth of a family of twenty children. He was a
cousin of Rev. Grindal Rawson. who was born Sept. 6, 1707,
graduated at Harvard College in 1728, and settled, for life, in the
ministry at East Haddam, Connecticut, where he died March 27.
1777, *. 70. William Rawson succeeded him as the fourth
school-master of Mendon.
He was chosen one of the Selectmen March 11, 1729, but the
General Court declared all the doings of that meeting null and
void. March 1, 1731, lie was chosen Town Clerk.
The town granted £22. 15s to cover the expense of the recent
appeal to the General Court about the March meetings, and £50
to defray town charges over and above Mr. Dorr's salary.
It will be remembered that the Trustees for the town's share
of the bills of credit, issued by the Province, were under bonds
for a proper management of the same. They were to loan tho
money upon proper security and collect the interest. It seems
-12 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1729.
they had failed in their duty in this regard as the Town Treas-
urer was directed to sue the Trustees, their heirs, executors and
administrators for the interest due on the bills of credit.
Dec. 10. It was voted to add ten pounds to Mr. Dorr's salary
for the present year. It was also voted ''that they that have any
sheep in their Custody that are not their own shall bring such
sheep to the pound on the first Tuesday of December, annually,
or give the marks of such sheep to Jacob Aldrich on that day. "
The subject of a new meeting house was again brought up as
will appear by the following votes.
It was proposed to the town " wheither they would Build a new
meeting House for the accommodation of the town in General
Both for a place of Public worship and also for a place for the
Town's public Conventions to Manage their Civil affairs,'' and it
passed in the affirmative.
' ' Voted to submit the fixing of a site for the new meeting house
to a Committee of indifferent persons not residents of Mendon,"
and then adjourned to Monday, the 15th, current at 10 o'clock
a: m.
Dec. 15. At the town meeting this day Dea. John Tiler,
Eleazer Taft, Samuel Torrey and Daniel Hill entered their pro-
test against choosing a committee "for stating the jilace for the
Meeting House.*'
Notwithstanding the protest the town chose Mr. Ebenezer
Stone, of Newton, Jonathan Ware, Esq., of Wrentham, Eben-
ezer Ward, Esq., of Southborough, Capt. Edward Clark, of
Medway, and Capt. Nathan Brigham, of Marlborough, a quo-
rum of whom were to establish the site for the meeting house.
Jacob Aldrich, Capt. Thomas Thayer, James Keith and Seth
Chapin, jr., were chosen a Committee to notify the Committee
above chosen and request them to attend, and also "to accom-
panie them and Inform ym of the Circumstances of the Town
Relating to the Business. "
To make the matter more sure the town "voted they would
Stand to and Abide the Judgment of the Committee, or the
major part of them that should attend said service."
The Committee were to meet " at the house of Thomas San-
ford, on Wednesday, the 31st, current, in order to proceed to
business, where they are to be entertained, at free cost to the
1729.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 2l3
Town, the First night, the second night at Dea. John Tiler's, the
third night at Capt Thomas Thayer's on free cost as the first
night.'*
It seems various parties, in town, had incurred divers ex-
penses about the matter of the meeting house and that the town
had assumed the charges of those living at the south end of the
town, but, for reasons not known had refused to asssume the ex-
penses of those living at the north end of the town.
The first Friends' Meeting House in Mendon was built tins
year.
By the kindness of friend Richard Battey, of Smithfield, E.
I., I am enabled to give the following account of its erection
and of its final removal.
In a note dated 12th, 22d, 1878, he says the first record con-
cerning the erection of this house, dated 10th of ye 7th mo 1729,
is in the following words: "The Undertakers of Mendon Meet-
ing House are desired to bring in an account to next Monthly
Meeting of their proceedings therein.''
The second and last record, relating to its building, is in the
following words: " The 4th of ye 12th. mo. 1729, Samuel Thayer
having ballanced his account about Mendon Meeting House
there is due him the sum of £9.12.7."
From the completion of the house "A Meeting for Public
Worship was held there, at the regular stated times, until 3d
mo. 1841, when it was discontinued by Smithfield Monthly
Meeting."
This house was sold to Col. Israel Plummer, of Northbridge.
in 1850, who took it down and with its timbers a depot was
built on the line of the P. & W. railroad in Northbridge, at the
granite quarry.
The present Friends' Meeting House in Blackstone (then
Mendon) was built in the summer of 1812 and was known as
South Mendon Meeting House.
The following '■'testimony,'' of Smithfield monthly meeting,
concerning Moses AM rich of Mendon, is in the following words:
" He was born in Mendon 4th mo. 1690; united himself with
Friends about the 21st year of his age and four or five years af-
terwards engaged in the service of the ministry, in which work
he was well approved.
214 ANNALS OF MENDON. 1730.]
Iii 1722 he visited the Island of Barbadoes laboring in the
work of the ministry. In 1730 lie visited most of the Colonies
on this continent going as far south as the Carolinas. In 1734 he
again visited Barbadoes. and in 1^39 crossed the Atlantic and
spent the most of two years in Great Britain and Ireland, in the
service of truth.
He is spoken of as a man of cheerful mind, pleasant in con-
versation, of exemplary life and endowed with a sound under-
standing as a man.
In his last sickness, noticing that his children were troubled
at the apparent near approach of death, he said " mourn not for
me, but mourn for yourselves: it is well with me and as well to
depart now as to live longer." He retained his senses to the last
and died the 9th of 9th mo. 1761, in the 71st year of his age.
He was buried in Friends' Burying ground in Mendon.
He was the son of Jacob and the grandson of George Aldrich,
who came from England, and was one of the First settlers of
Mendon. The late Waitee Davenport was one of his grand-
daughters."
1730. Feb. 15. Upon a report of a Committee previously
chosen for that purpose, the town ''voted to Build the Meeting
House fifty feet long, forty-five feet wide and twenty-four feet
high and the house to be a studded house."
Mr. Joseph Sumner, Mr. Benjamin Wheelock and Mr. Na-
thaniel Bawson were chosen a Committee and ''Impowered to
agree with workmen to Build sd House and to have yeover sight
of ye work until sd House be raised."
Voted also "to Raise by a Tax the sum of Two hundred
Pounds, the one half to be paid into the Town Treasury on or
before the last day of October next and the other half on or be-
fore the last day of December following; and to be drawn out
thence by the above sd Committee or their Successors in sd
Trust to be Imploied and Improved for and towards the Building
and setting up the fraim of sd House and to provide Meterials
for Covering, Enclosing and finishing sd House so far as sd
Money will extend."
Upon the petition of certain inhabitants 011 the east side of
1730. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 215
Mill River, provided that the land, or any pari of the same, on
the easterly side of said river, should be set off as a particular
town within ten years, then the town voted "to Reinburst to
the Petitioners so Much Money as shall be their part or propor-
tion of money as shall be assessed on them for and toward
Building the Present Meeting- House for the Town."
At this meeting, at the request of John Tiler and others, it
was put to vote whether the town should repair the old meeting
house or the town be divided, and it passed in the negative;
whereupon Samuel Torrey, Gapt. Seth Ohapin, Benjamin Green,
Nathan Tiler. Daniel Taft, Esq., William Torrey, Eleazer Taft,
Ebenezer Wood, Deacon John Joans, Samuel Moor. John Sad-
ler, Deacon John Tiler, Robert Tiler. Thomas Beard, Jr.,
Thomas Tenney, John Perry, Abraham Jones, John Tiler, Jr.,
Joseph Tiler, Israel Taft, William Green, John Rawson, Thomas
Beard, William Johnson. Ebenezer Wood, Jr., Moses Tenney,
Samuel Wood and Samuel Nelson entered their protests against
" Building a Meeting House on the Spot which the Committee
had stated as the place and against any money to Build the
same. "
March ye 2, 1730. Being a legal towiT meeting for the choice
of town officers, &c, at said meeting Mr. James Keith, by a
majority of votes, was chosen Moderator, and, after some demur,
chose Capt. Seth Ohapin, Jr., Moderator, and "after some fur-
ther Demur the poeple went away and the meeting ceased.''
March 15. Voted not to send a Representative to the General
Court this year, forty-three to thirty-nine.
The Selectmen, it is presumed, presided at the choice of a
Representative, as the Moderator was not chosen until after that
question had been decided.
Jacob Aldrich was now chosen Moderator, and, after the war-
rant was amended, the following motions were submitted, and.
seriatim, severally defeated: to build a new meeting house within
twenty rods of the old one; to build two meeting houses; to
repair the old one. and to divide the town.
March 1G. Jacob Aldrich, Deacon John Jones, Joseph Sum-
ner, Lieut. Daniels and David How were chosen Selectmen:
Capt. William Rawson, Town Clerk; Daniel Lovet, Town
Treasurer, and John Sadler and John Legg, Constables.
216 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1730.
April 6. Voted, that five feet be taken from forty-five feet
in the width of the new meeting house, and two feet from the
twenty-four feet in the height, when the meeting was adjourned
for the space of half an hour. After being called to order, it
was put to vote "wheather the Town would Alter the Scituation
of the New Meeting House layd out by the Committee, and it
passed in the Negative."
Mr. Grindal Rawson was again chosen to keep school for one
year.
Notices for town meetings were directed to be set up, ten
days before the meeting, at Philip Chase's, at Capt. Rawson's
house, at David How's, and at Samuel Thompson's mill.
The town, it seems, was not satisfied with the failure to elect
a Representative in March, as, July 3, they chose Thomas San-
ford and Daniel Taft, Esq., " to Prefer a Petition to the House
in order to obtain a Precept."
The subject of a new county again began to be agitated about
this time, and, Aug. 27th, the town voted "to prefer a Petition
to the Honorable General Court to grant a new County at the
west end of our County, (Suffolk) and, if not granted, not to
carry us out of our County."
Daniel Taft, Esq., and Lieut. Daniel Lovet were sent to treat
with those gentlemen whe were appointed to meet at Mr. Le-
land's, in Hasanamisco, concerning a new county.
Sept. 8. At a town meeting the question of a new meeting
house was again brought up for consideration. Motions were
made to build a new meeting house within twenty rods of the
old one; to make void all votes passed contrary to the first vote
concerning a new meeting house, and to divide the town, all of
which were again defeated.
Sept. 17. Lieut. Daniel Lovet, Nathan Tyler and Capt.
Thomas Thayer were chosen a committee to treat with the Ux-
bridge committee concerning the ministry and school laws, and
report to them.
Oct 20. The new meeting house being still the subject for
consideration, and Jacob Aldrich having been chosen Moderator,
the town meeting Avas adjourned for half an hour, then to meet
at the old meeting house.
Tbe following motions, in succession, were then made and
1730.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 217
severally failed of an affirmative vote, viz: To set the new meet-
ing house by the heap of stones made by the committee chosen
by the town; to set it up within six or eight rods of the same
place; to build two meeting houses and give the minister liberty
to preach in which he will, and to set off a part of the north end
of the town to join with Hopkinton.
It was then voted to set the new meeting house at the westerly
end of the burying place, where the timber lies.
Deacon John Tiler, Capt. Seth Ghapin, Ebenezer Wood, Na-
than Tiler, John Green, Benjamin Green, John Saddler, Deacon
Samuel Moor, Joseph Tiler, Jabez Bellows, Thomas Beard, Jr.,
William Torrey and William Johnson, protested against build-
ing a meeting house any nearer the burying place than within
twenty rods of the old meeting house, and against allowing any-
thing more or less for raising the same, except it be within
twenty rods of the old meeting house.
Notwithstanding this protest the town '"voted that money be
raised by a Rate to defray the Charge's of raising the meeting
house as to the provision part.'' No instructions were given as
to the quantity or quality of the provisions to be furnished, ex-
cept what may be learned by the following vote: —
Voted, that "the Town provide a barrel of Rhuni towards
the Raising the New Meeting House."'
Capt. Thomas Thayer, Lieut James Lovett and David How
were then chosen a committee "to take care of the Victuals and
Drink & other materials Necessary for Raising the New Meeting
House."
In the mean time the General Court had been appealed to by
the opponents to the new meeting house, as by the following
record will appear:
Dec. 1. Deacon Thomas Sanford, Lieut. Daniel Lovet and
Nathaniel Rawson were chosen a committee " to answer Samuel
Moor's petition, in defence of the Town."
Court Record, Vol. XIV., p. 441.
Oct. 28. 1730, A Petition of Samuel Moor and fifty others, Inhabitants
of Mendon, Shewing that there are great divisions among them as to the
Place for setting up their Meeting House; that a disaffected party have
prevailed so far as to obtain a vote for setting it in a very inconvenient
place, Therefore praying that this Court would appoint a Committee to re-
28
218 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1730.
pair to Mendon and state the place they may think most convenient for
erecting their Meeting House.
In Council, Read and Ordered that the Petitioners serve the Town of
Mendon with a Copy of this Petition, that so they may give their answer
thereto on the first Thursday of the next Session, and that they desist
from raising the Meeting House in the mean time.
In the House of Representatives Read & Concurred.
Consented to J. Belcher.
Notwithstanding this injunction of the General Court, " the
disaffected party" (being a majority of the voters) stood upon
their dignity, (another name for squatter sovereignty, we sup-
pose,) to say nothing of the regard they might have for the
"victuals and drink" to be provided for the occasion, forth-
with raised the meeting house, whereupon Deacon Moore and
others again appealed to the General Court, as may be seen in
the Court Records, Vol. XIV p. US.
Dec. 17, 1730 A Memorial of Samuel Moore and divers Inhabitants of
Mendon complaining of the great Neglect & Contempt cast on the
Order of the Court (passed on the 28th. day of October last.) for staying
the proceedings of the said Town in building their Meeting House, by the
Selectmen and others there, who have prdceeded, notwithstanding said
Order, to raise the said Meeting House.'
In Council. Read and Ordered that the Selectmen of Mendon attend
this Court on Wednesday the twenty third instant at ten of the clock in the
Fore noon there to answer the Contempt (alleged therein to be) by them
cast on the Order of this Court within referred to, and the memorialists
notify them of this Order accordingly.
In the House of Representatives, Read & Con.
Court, Vol. XIV., p. 452.
Dec. 23. This Day being appointed for the Hearing of the Selectmen of
Mendon to answer the Complaint of Samuel Moore and others for their
Casting Contempt on an Order of this Court referring to the Meeting
House there, and only three of the five attended, the other two neglecting to
appear.
The following vote was passed in the affair, viz: —
In Council, Whereas David How and Joseph Sumner two of the Select-
men of the Town of Mendon have not attended this Court according to
Order to answer a Complaint of Samuel Moore; Ordered that the said David
How and Joseph Sumner, with Jacob Aldrich and Eleazer Daniels (two
other Selectmen of the same Town,) attend this Court without fail on
Wednesday the thirtieth Instant at ten of the clock in the Fore Noon then
1731. | ANNALS OF MEN DON. 219
to answer to the Complaint of the said Moore for Showing Contempt to the
Order of this Court.
In the H. of R. Read and Con.
Consented to, J. BELCHER.
Court. Vol. XIV.. p. 4.-)!).
Dec. 31, 1730. The Selectmen of Mendon having attended yesterday to
answer the Complaint of Samuel Moore, the following vote was passed, on
the said affair, at the Board and sent down to the House, viz: —
In Council, whereas upon a hearing had upon a complaint of Samuel
Moore of Mendon, It appears that said Selectmen have heen guilty of a
Great Contempt of the Authority of this Court, Except Mr. Jones who
fully acquitted himself thereof,
Voted that his Excellency, the Governor, he desired to Reprimand the
said Selectmen for their said offence & that the said Selectmen pay the
charge of this Complaint to Mr. Moore, the Complainant, and thereupon
he discharged from their attendance.
1731. About this time warrants for town meetings began
to be recorded, and they were issued " in his Majesty's name."
Jan 25. Seth Chapin Jim., was chosen a Deputy for the Gen-
eral Court to be held at Boston on the 10th day of February
next.
Daniel Taft was then chosen Moderator.
Then voted that the town would not go on and finish the
Meeting House; and when the vote was "scrupled" the house
was divided, and the vote was still found to be in the negative.
After voting out the other articles, the Moderator dissolved
the meeting.
March 1. Daniel Taft was chosen Moderator.
For Selectmen, Thomas Taft, Lieut. Daniel Lovet, Ensign
Seth Chapin and Capt. Thomas Thayer; Town Clerk, Capt. Wil-
liam Rawson; Town Treasurer, Capt. Seth Chapin, and for Con-
stables, Thomas Thayer, Jr., and Samuel Warfield.
A motion was made to set off a part of the town known by the
name of Mill River, and the motion was lost.
Although Mendon had once agreed to the creation of a new
County, when it was found that a new county was to be created,
they voted to petition the General Court that the town might
continue to lie a portion of the County of Suffolk; but as no
further steps were taken in the premises, it is presumed the
question was not further controverted.
220 ANNALS OF MENDON. |~1731.
THE COUNTY OF ^WORCESTER.
In the Massachusetts Archives, Colonial, Vol. VI. pp. 10 to
21, may be found the following record:
Auno Reguii Regis Georgii 2do Quarto.
The following Towns made the County of Worcester Feb. 18 1730 (o. s.)
J. Quincy, Speaker H. of R.
J. Willard, Secy. Council.
Worcester, Lancaster, Westborough, Shrewsbury, SouthboroUgh, Leices-
ter, Rutland, and Lunenburg, all in the County of Middlesex; Meudon,
Woodstock, Oxford, Sutton, including Hassanamisco, all in the County of
Suffolk; Brookfield in the County of Hampshire, and the South Town laid
to the Narragansett Soldiers, with all other lands lying within said Town-
ships with the Inhabitants thereon, shall, from the 10th. day of July 1731
be the County of Worcester, with the Town of Worcester for the shire
town.
May 18. Oapt. Thomas Thayer was chosen Representative to
the General Court.
Daniel Lovett^was then chosen Moderator, when a motion was,
made to choose a committee and "Impower them to Agree with
ITxbridge Committee and to conclude what Uxbridge shall have
for their part of the School Money and it passed in the Nega-
tive."
The location of the new meeting house, although raised, was
not yet satisfactorily settled, as a motion was made to apply for
a committee of the General Court to state a place for the new
meeting house, and said motion was lost.
A motion was then made to raise money to finish the new
meeting house where it now stands, and the motion was "Tryed
by Hand Votes but not determined by reason Several of the
House Scrupled ye vote, which was further Tryed by Dividing
the House and it passed in ye Affirmative for Raising Money to
finish sd House."
June 21. Voted to allow Uxbridge two hundred pounds out
of the money the school land sold for, with the interest of one
hundred and fifty pounds already in their hands, in full, for
their right in said land, to be improved by them for the use of
their school, as it has been heretofore in Mendon.
The meeting house, in face of the injunction of the General
Court, was raised some time in November, 1730, but as yet
1732.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 221
nothing had been done towards finishing it. The opposition was
not yet appeased, as we find.
Aug. 30. After scrupling the vote and dividing the House,
it was voted to finish the house, and Lieut. Eleazer Daniels,
Lieut. Daniel Lovett and Benjamin Darling were chosen a com-
mittee for that purpose.
As" a last resort, other methods than dividing the House had
been resorted to by some of the disaffected, as will appear by the
following vote:
Voted whether the town would choose a committee "to See if
they could find out who hath, by cutting, damnified the Meeting
House, and it passed in the Negative." This last vote shows
that the friends of ti. e new meeting house were willing to "bury
the hatchet;" and, it is believed, that it had the effect that acts
of kindness usually have, as we hear of no more opposition to
the completion of the meeting house. The damnification was
made by an abortive attempt t.o cut off the southwest corner post,
as was verified when the structure was taken down in 1846.
Sept. 13. The affair of the meeting house having come to a
conclusion, the town, at this meeting, began to audit and allow
accounts and bills that had been held in abeyance by the recent
troubles. Oapt. Thomas Thayer, Lieut. Daniel Lovet and Na-
than Tiler were allowed three shillings each for treating with
the Uxbridge Committee about the school lands; six others had
eighteen pence each for laying out highways; Gapt. Thomas
Thayer, Oapt. William Eawson and Ensign Seth Chapin had
half a crown each for agreeing with the Trustees concerning the
loan money; Daniel Taft, Esq., and Lieut. Daniel Lovett had
four shillings each for meeting some gentlemen at Hassanamisco
about the new County, and thirty pounds were added for school
purposes.
After refusing to add to Mr. Dorr's salary for the present
year, and foregoing a few taxes, among which was one against
"ye owners of the Saw Mill in Mendon adjoining to Providence
Line," the transactions of the year were brought to a close.
1732. March (!. Chose for Selectmen, Jacob Aldrich. Wil-
liam Torrey. Daniel Brown, Benjamin Wheelock and Ensign
222 ANNALS OF MENDON. | 1732.
Seth Chapin; Town Clerk, William Rawson; Town Treasurer,
Daniel Taft, Esq., and for Constables, Benjamin Green and
William Hayward.
Mar. 7. Adjournment from yesterday. Voted against setting-
off about thirteen families with parts of other towns to be a new
town. Where the thirteen families were located does not appear.
Voted not to allow the present Town Clerk to put a former
vote on record presented by Mr. Thomas White. What subject
was embraced in the vote does not appear. Collectors of taxes,
in the olden time, were sometimes slow in their collection, as well
as the collectors of later days, and hence the former Treasurers
were directed to sne the former Constables (collectors) who were
delinquent in completing their collections.
It will be remembered that the principal roads were originally
laid out ten rods wide, so, it is inferred, that an ox cart could
be driven in the road without hindrance from rocks and trees.
But as times progressed, and the roads were improved, it was
found that their width might be abated; and hence, about this
time, the town began to sell off portions of the road to the abut-
ters. A strip thirty-five rods long was at this time sold to
Eleazer Taft.
May 15. Capt. Thomas Thayer was chosen Representative. .
Daniel Taft, Esq., Lieut. Daniel Lovett and Nathan Tyler were
chosen a committee "to finish that affair with Uxbridge about
the school money according to the former vote."
One hundred pounds were raised to repair highways and
bridges.
For work on the highways the town voted to allow eight shil-
lings per diem to a man with a team of three cattle, from May
15th to the last of September, and to a single man four shillings
per diem, within the time mentioned, and to begin at 8 o'clock
in the morning. From October 1 to March 1 six shillings for a
man and team and three for a single man.
Voted to choose " School Dames (for the first time) to keep
School in the Out Skirts of the Town," and thirty pounds was
raised for that purpose.
Voted that for every ram running at large, contrary to a town
vote, the owner should pay five shillings, "or not have him"
and six pence a week for keeping him.
1732. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 223
May 16. Joseph Haven and and Paul Langdori, Selectmen of
llopkinton, and Seth Chapin, Jr., and John Jones, Selectmen
of Mendon, perambulated the line between the the two towns,
beginning at a heap of stones near Deer Brook, at Mendon old
town line, and so home to Uxbridge line.
At this time Samuel Thompson owned a grist mill on the
island in the Blaekstone River at what is now Millville, but there
was no bridge from the east bank of the river to the island.
Now, if the town would build a bridge on the east side, Samuel
Thompson bound himself, his heirs and assigns forever, or so
long as the town shall see cause, to finish and maintain a bridge
from the island to the west bank of the river. Pursuant to this
agreement, the town, Feb. 7, 1732, laid a road from the east
bank of the river to the island, and thence to the common land
on the west side of the river. On the east side the road was to
be three rods wide, and on the west two rods.
June 1. The committee chosen to make a settlement with
Uxbridge had a conference this day with the committee of Ux-
bridge, and which resulted in the following receipt in full.
Mendon June 1st. We the Subscribers being a Committee chosen by the
Town of Uxbridge on April 4. 1732 to Receive our part of the School
Money granted us by ye town of Mendon June 21. 1731, Mett with Mendon
Committee and Received said Money According to the true Intent of said
Grant Which we have Received as our part in full of the school lands in
Mendon and Uxbridge.
As witness our hands, John Farnum ) r, ..
Ebenezer Read \ ^om lee-
July 3. The town voted to pull down the old meeting house,
and chose Daniel Taft, Esq., and Mr. Nathan Tyler to be added
to the former committee (Eleazer Daniels, Daniel Lovet and
Benjamin Darling) to see the new meeting house finished.
Voted that the above committee —
" Deliver to the Workmen to do the work for the Finishing the New
Meeting House, Such part of the Old Meeting House as may or Shall be
necessary for the Finishing the New Meeting House, and the remainder of
the Old Meeting House the said Committee to Sell and Dispose of at the
best advantage they can & the money arising by said Sale or Sales to be
returned and paid in to the Town Treasurer for ye use and benefit of the
Town."
Notifications for town meetings were to be set up ten days be-
224 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1732.
fo^'e the meeting at William Rawson's house, at Thomas Baker's,
at William Sheffield's and at Samuel Thompson's mill for this
present year.
" Mendon August 25th. Anno Domini 1732.
A list of the Quakers Names that are freed by Law from paying any
Rates Towards the Support of our Minister or the Building of any Meeting
House.
Moses Aldrichj* Benjamin Boyce,
Samuel Thayer, Ebenezer Cook,
John Cass, Eliphalet Whartield,
Benjamin Thayer, John White,
Daniel Boyce, Stephen Swett.
Certified by
Jacob Aldrich, "|
Benja Wheelock, I Selectmen
William Torrey, y of
Seth Chapin, Jr., | Mendon.
Daniel Brown. J
Sept. 6. The following accounts were audited and allowed in
open town meeting:
William Rawson (T. C.) entering highways £00 05 00
David Brown, irons for the Town Stocks 00 04 06
Jacob Aldrich 7 days perambulating & laying out roads 01 08 00
Seth Chapin 6 " " " 01 04 00
John Jones perambulating a day 00 04 00
Jonathan Hayward do. " 00 04 00
William Torrey do. " 00 05 00
Daniel Brown, do. " 00 04 00
Daniel Lovett, 8 days, journey to Boston, perambulating c%c 02 12 00
Nathan Tyler, treating with Uxbridge about School money 00 04 00
Benjamin Wheelock, taking care of powder &c 00 04 00
Daniel Taft Esq. for three days service r ! 00 10 06
Philip Lesure, for mending School House 00 10 00
Hannah Rawson, for service by her husband, deceased 00 08 00
Thomas White measuring land 00 03 00
Nathan Penniman, himself and horse 11 days 01 10 00
Daniel Lovett, service as Town Treasurer, 2 yrs 03 10 00
To defray Town charges 20 10 00
Towards ye finishing of our New Meeting House 150 00 00
Addition to Mr. Dorr's salary this year 25 00 00
Oct. 3. Voted not to provide a Minister to preach with us
while Mr. Dorr remains sick. James Wood and Ebenezer Wood,
Jr., had liberty to build a dam over Rock Meadow Brook, which
*See p. 213.
1733.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 225
dam is now (1880) improved by Perry Wood for irrigating por-
tions of his land.
Oct. 27. Voted not to hire a minister, at the town's charge,
or to have Mr. Terry* preach upon a free contribution, but to
hire a minister, out of town, by a free contribution.
1733. -bin. 29. Oapt. Thomas Thayer, Deacon Thomas
Saiiford and Mr. Thomas White were chosen a committee to
look after the school money and make" report to the town.
The Committee on the New Meeting House were instructed to
report at the next town meeting "how the money voted for that
purpose had been expended."
March 6. Selectmen chosen were Deacon Ebenezer Thomp-
son, John Albee, Nathan Tyler, Ensign Seth Chapin and Robert
Taft; William Rawson, Town Clerk; Ebenezer Staples, Town
Treasurer, and William Torrey and John Sanford, Constables.
The Committee on Sale of School Lands reported that the sum
amounted to £380.
The Committee on the Meeting House were instructed "to
finish as soon as possibly they can; to ceil it with boards to the
lower girt, below and from the upper girt to the bottom of the
windows above."
Voted to repair the roads by a rate, and for this purpose
raised £100. Voted that those who did not work out their high-
way rates last year might work them out this year at ye bridge
by Samuel Thompson's Mill (Millville) or pay in money.
Heretofore the money accruing from the sale of the school
lands had been in the hands of a committee, but, for some rea-
sons, it was now placed in the custody of the Treasurer, and he
was authorized to sue for the same, if necessary, at the cost of
the town.
It was proposed, at this time, to set off ''part of the North
End poeple to join with part of Sutton and part of Hopkinton,"
providing ye General Court consent, but the consent of the town
was not procured.
July IT. The school was to be kept the three summer and the
* School master, 1733.
27
226 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1734.
three winter months at the school house, and the other six
months where the Selectmen should direct.
" Sept. ye 1st, The Selectmen met and agreed with Mr. Samuel Terry to
keep a Grammar school in said town for four months next coming after
the ninth current and for his Reward to give him Twenty pounds.
As witness our hands
Seth Chapin, Jr., ) Selectmen
Ebenezer Thompson, j- of
Nathan Tyler. ) Mendon.
Consented: Samuel Terry.
Aug. 21. Voted to petition the General Court to lay them to a
new county, petitioned for by Dedham, Medfield and other towns
adjacent, if the General Court shall erect a county there. This
was the beginning of the agitation for a new county which, in
1738, resulted in the creation of the county of Norfolk.
Sept. 11. Dr. John Corbet, of Bellingham, was allowed 16s.
for services to James Thompson during his sickness; John Hay-
ward 10s. for keeping James Thompson eleven days, during his
sickness, and Daniel Brown 2s. G, for conveying James Thomp-
son out of town. So far as the records show these were the first
bills paid on account of paupers.
The Rev. Mr. Dorr had twenty-five pounds added to his salary
this year.
1734. For some reason, not stated, it was agreed by both
parties that Samuel Terry, at the end of three months, "do not
keep school and that he sink five pounds of what ye agreement
was." This transaction was dated Feb. 13, 1734, and signed by
both parties.
March 4. Chose for Selectmen, Ebenezer Thompson, Jacob
Aldrich, Nathan Tyler, Daniel Brown and William Torrey;
Town Clerk, William Rawson; Town Treasurer, Ebenezer Sta-
ples, and for Constables, Nathaniel Morse and Joseph Pen-
niman.
May 21. Daniel Lovett was chosen Representative to the Gen-
eral Court.
By the following vote we learn that measures were being inau-
gurated for the incorporation of Upton.
1735.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 227
Daniel Taft, Esq., Oapt. Eleazer Daniels, Mr. Jacob Aldrich,
Ensign Nathan Tyler and Mr. Daniel Brown were chosen a com-
mittee, one of which was to assist the Eepresentative in the
General Court in the matter of John Hazeltine's petition for a
new town, afterwards Upton.
Aug. 27. It was voted that £25 be added to Mr. Dorr's salary
this year; also, that Mr. Daniel Brown be allowed £3. 14s. for a
journey to and services at Boston to answer to John Hazeltine's
petition for a new town.
Voted, that the town would not build pews in the new meet-
ing house, or allow individuals to do so.
Oct. 7. Jonathan Hayward and Benjamin Green were chosen
and impowered "to take care of the youth of this Town & to
make complaint of any disorders, if any there be, on the Sabbath,
till next March."
1735. Jan. 20. Lieut. Seth Chapin was chosen to attend
the Inferior Court at Worcester on the 4th day of February
next, to make answer to the petition of John Harwood, of Ux-
bridge. The petition set forth that Mendon was held liable to
contribute towards the building and repairing of bridges in Ux-
bridge. From the fact that nothing further is heard of Har-
wood's petition, it may be reasonably inferred that its allegations
could not be established.
Feb. 11. William Sheffield's request that he might be allowed
to draw off his mill pond for five months in the year was denied.
March 3thd. Chose for Selectmen, Capt. Daniel Lovett,
Capt. Eleazer Daniels, Lieut. Seth Chapin, Mr. Nathan Penni-
man and Capt. Eobert Taft; Town Clerk, Thomas Sanford;
Town Treasurer, Daniel Taft, Esq., and James Wood for ye
north end of ye town and Benoni Benson for y° south end of
ye town for Constables.
It seems the General Court, upon the petition of John Hazel-
tine, had chosen a committee to consider the matter and perhaps
to visit the town, as we find that at this time (March 3,) the town
chose Jacob Aldrich, Seth Chapin and Daniel Brown a com-
mittee to meet the General Court's committee, and "to give in
their reasons why John Hazeltine's petition should not be
granted."
228 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1735.
May 25. Capt. Daniel Lovett was chosen Representative to
the General Court, and Mr. John Field, the present schoolmas-
ter, was continued for three months.
Lieut. Seth Chapin, Samuel Thayer and Benjamin Wheelock
were chosen a committee —
' ' To Treat with William Sheffield with Respect to his Breaking up the
Damm Enclosing the Town's Mill Pond and thereby Rendering the said
Sheffield's Corn Mill unserviceable to Grind Corn for the Town's use ; and
for Instructions to said Committee the Town then voted that the said Com-
mittee as soon as they can Repair to the said Sheffield and Treat with him
Relating to the premises and Advertise the said Sheffield to make a repair
of the Breaches he hath made in said Damm & that he Do the Best he can
to git his said Mill into a posture fit to Grind Corn for the Town's use, accord-
ing to the ancient agreement made by & with the Town Relating to ye said
Mill and Milpoud; and also to advertize ye sd Sheffield that, at ye next Town
meeting he appear and make his peace with the Town for the Damage he
hath Done in the premises, and, if said Sheffield refuse to hear ye said Com-
mittee, then ye said Committee forthwith make Report thereof to the Se-
lectmen."
UPTON INCORPORATED.
The opposition to Hazeltine's petition proved of no avail, for,
June 14, 1735, the General Court, " setting forth that the out-
lands of the several towns of Mendon, Uxbridge, Sutton and
Hopkinton are completely filled with Inhabitants, and by reason
of their remoteness from the places of public worship in said
town, thereupon incorporated a new town by the name of Up-
ton." By the act the whole of Nathan Tyler's farm was,
although included within the bounds of Upton, -to be and re-
main forever in the town of Mendon, as heretofore. The people
of the new town were to build a place of public worship, and
settle a learned orthodox minister within three years, and
provide for his comfortable and honorable support.
Aug. 25. At this time there was but one school house in
town, as it was this day voted that the school be removed some
part of the time into some remote parts of the town.
A new committee was chosen to finish the meeting house;
twenty-five pounds were added to Mr. Dorr's salary, and forty
pounds were raised to pay town debts and the schoolmaster.
Oct. 3. Deacon Thomas Sanford, Capt. Daniel Lovet and
Lieut. Seth Chapin were chosen a committee "to joyn with the
1735.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 229
Reverend Mr. Joseph Dorr, to lease out. the Ministry Land,"
and the following Quakers were exempted from ministerial
charges, viz: Samuel Thayer, Moses Aldrich, John Cass, Benja-
min Boyee, Ebenezer Cook and David Boyce.
The success which had attended the petition of John Hazel-
tine in procuring the incorporation of Upton, it is supposed,
encouraged the inhabitants living on the easterly side of Mill
River to apply to the General Court for another new town, as
may be learned from the following record from the
Mass. Records, Court, Vol. XVI., p. 216.
Nov. 28. 1735. A Petition of Samuel Wheelock & a Great Number of
the Inhabitants of Mention living on the East side of Mill Eiver, Setting
forth the difficulty's these are under in attending the Public Worship of
God at the Meeting House in said Town, by reason of the distance and the
badness of the roads, and forasmuch as the said Town of Mendon is large.
Therefore Praying that all the lands in Mendon on the East side of Mill
River to the Country Road by Sheffield's Mill, and lying between the towns
of Hopkinton, Bellingham, Holliston and Mendon may be set off and erect-
ed into a separate Township.
In the H. of R. Read and Ordered that the Petitioners Serve the Town
of Mendon with a copy of the Petition that they Shew Cause on Thursday
the 18th. day of December next, if the Court be sitting, if not, on the first-
Thursday of the next sitting of the Court, why the Prayer thereof should
not be granted.
In Council Read & Concurred
Consented to, J. Belcher.
The notice being served upon the town by the petitioners,
Dec. 10. The town chose Thomas Sanford, Jacob Aldrich.
Eleazer Taft, Jonathan Hay ward, Jr., and James Keith "a Com-
mittee who were to depute two of their number to. go to Boston
and joyn with Capt. Daniel Lovett, the Town's Representative,
to make answer to the Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants on
the East side of Mill River with Reference to their being set off
as a Town."
The parties were heard at the appointed time, and with what
result the following doings of the General Court will show:
Dec. 20. 1735.
On the Petition of Samuel Wheelock and other Inhabi-
tants of the East part of Mendon praying as above, Nov. 28th ult.
In Council. Read again together with the answer of the Town of Men-
don, the Petition of Obadiah Wheelock and fourteen other Inhabitants on
230 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1736.
the East side of Mill River and within the bounds mentioned for to be a
Township, praying this Petition may be granted; and the parties being
heard at the Board and the matter fully considered, the question being put
whether the prayer of the Petition should be granted, and it passed in the
Negative, and therefore ordered that the Petition be dismissed.
In the H. of R. R. & C.
Consented to J. Belcher.
1736. March 1. Chose Capt. Daniel Lovett, Lieut, Seth
Chapin, William Torrey, Lieut. Thomas Thayer and Capt,
Robert Taft, Selectmen; Thomas Sanford, Town Clerk; Town
Treasurer, Daniel Taft, Esq. ; John Joans and William Thayer,
Constables. Jacob Aldrich was chosen Surveyor of Hemp.
March 8. John Field was continued as schoolmaster for this
year, and to keep six months in the town and six months in the
outskirts of the town.
The meeting house was not yet completed, as the town voted
to raise £100 to pay John Lyon, "when he hath finished the
Meeting House."
For the accommodation of persons living at a distance, liberty
was granted that stables might be built near the meeting house,
Oct o
at the direction of the Selectmen.
At the same time it was voted to enclose the burying place
with a stone wall, and also to oppose the petition of fifteen of
the inhabitants on the east side of Mill River to be set off as a
separate town.
May 17. Chose Capt, Thomas Thayer Representative to the
General Court,
At this meeting the petition of Thomas Tenney and fifteen
others to have that part of the town east of Mill River set off as
a Precinct, was denied.
At the same time a motion was made to choose a committee
to join with a committee of Uxbridge to confer about the min-
istry land, and it passed in the negative, "nemine contra
dicente."
Mr. John Field, the schoolmaster for the present year, was to
have £45 for his services.
Among other appropriations were the following, viz: —
1737. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 231
For paying John Fish for hinges for the table £00 05 00
do do William Torrey, mending the Pound 00 06 00
do do Daniel Darling for 1500 feet of plank for the
bridge over the Great River, (sawing the plank, ) 2 12 00
do do the Committee which made answer to the petition
of Samuel More & others, in Dee. 1730 8 00 00
do do Mr. Dorr's salary, additional 25 00 00
do do Town debts and contingent charges 50 00 00
do do do do additional 20 00 00
do do The Committee which made answer to the petition
of Samuel Morse & others for a division of the
Town 10 00 00
Oct. 25. Voted not to build pews in the meeting house, nor
ttllow " particular persons to do so."
It was then voted to sell the Pew Room in the meeting house,
and chose Benjamin Wheelock, Eleazer Taft, William Torrey,
Benjamin Darling and Robert Taft a committee to appraise the
rooms. " The Elderly men that Bear the most considerable
Charge in Town to have the first offer to buy the same, and if
the Elderly men refuse to Bye, then such persons as the Com-
mittee Shall judge proper and will pay for the same. The Com-
mittee to guarantee the sale and the money to be paid into the
town treasury."
Nov. 26. Capt. William Eawson was hired to keep a gram-
mar school for three months. This Capt. William Eawson was
the son of William Eawson, and graduated at Harvard College
in 1703. His father, William, was a Presbyterian minister, and
was settled in England; his son, Capt. William, was a lawyer,
and settled in Mendon, being the first one of that profession
who settled in the town.
1737. March 7. Chose Benjamin Wheelock, William Tor-
rey, Eleazer Taft, Robert Taft and Benjamin Darling Select-
men; William Eawson, Town Clerk; Daniel Taft, Es<p, Town
Treasurer, and Nathaniel Nelson and John French, Constables.
April 25. The Selectmen agreed with William Eawson to
keep a grammar school for ten months at the rate of £50 per
annum.
" Voted, that those poeple of ye town who send their children
to school shall also send wood."
232 ANNALS OF MEN DON. [1738.
Whether the town had heretofore provided a Sheepherd to
watch the sheep on the common land is not known for a cer-
tainty, but inasmuch as this year they voted not to choose one,
it is presumed such had been the case heretofore.
May 18. Chose Capt. Thomas Thayer Representative.
At this meeting Mr. Dorr was allowed £25, old tenor, as an
addition to his salary.
Raised £60 to pay the schoolmaster and town debts, and also
£40 to let the fish up Pawtucket Falls, provided other towns will
pay in proportion, and Capt. Nathan Tyler was chosen a com-
mittee to attend to that matter.
Dec. 6. The Selectmen laid out a road from the Falls (Woon-
socket) to Bellingham, as prayed for by William Arnold, Esq. ;
"provided Ebenezer Cook, through whose land the road was
mostly laid, would bind himself to pay back the £40, which was
allowed him for damages, within a year after said farm shall
fall into Rhode Island Colony, if it ever should be so."
This year, for the first time, we find roads laid out by any
other authority than that of the town. This year the Court of
General Sessions of the county of Worcester appointed a com-
mittee to' view Ebenezer Cook's farm, in order to lay out a road
across the same. The town chose Daniel Lovett, David Al-
drich and Samuel Thayer to meet the Court's committee, and
give in the reasons why the town is not willing to have a road
laid out across said farm at the town's cost. This is the road
that leads from Woonsocket to Bellingham by the Social factory.
The location of this road was returned to the Court of General
Sessions, at Worcester, and may be found in the Mendon Re-
cords, Vol. 2, p. 71. Whether Ebenezer Cook ever refunded
the £40 allowed for damages, after the annexation of Woon-
socket to Rhode Island, is a matter of doubt.
1738. March 6. Lieut. Seth Chapin, Ensign Nathan Tyler,
Deacon Jacob Aldrich, John Legg and Lt. Thomas Thayer were
chosen Selectmen; Thomas Sanford, Town Clerk; Daniel Taft,
Esq., Town Treasurer, and Benjamin Albee, Jr., and Samuel
Thayer, Constables. During all these years the minor offices of
1739.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 233
Surveyors of Highways, Tithing Men. Fence Viewers, Hog
Reaves, &c, were always filled.
March 13. The road was laid over Dam Swamp, and James
Muzzey and Joseph Verrey were allowed to put up gates where
the road passes through their lands, for one year, *' so that, in
the mean time, they may have opportunity to measure how far
said way runs through their land."
Josiah Marshall, A. M., was hired to keep school for six
months "according to the direction of the Province Laws," for
£30 old tenor, in bills of credit of the Province of the Massachu-
setts Bay.
May 22. Benjamin Wheelock was chosen a Representative to
the General Court, and refused to serve. Mr. Ehenezer Merriam
Avas then chosen, and there is no record that he refused to serve.
Thomas Sanford, Daniel Lovett and Seth Chapin were chosen
a committee to settle the bounds of the Ministry home lot, and
contest the same in law with the abutters, if they refuse to join,
so that the bounds may be established and be put upon record.
Aug. 28. Nathan Tyler was chosen Grand Juryman and
Thomas Thayer and John Legge for the Jury of Tryals, and the
Town Treasurer's salary for the year was fixed at £1 10s.
Sept. 11. Allowed Rev. Mr. Joseph Dorr £75, old tenor, over
and above his stated salary.
Among other bills that were audited and allowed by the town,
at a town meeting held Sept. 18th —
Timothy Clark was allowed for canying Mary Thoit out of town.. £00 10 00
Daniel Lovett, Seth Chapin and Thomas Sanford for services
about the Ministry Land & Copies &c 05 11 06
Da n ief Lovett and Samuel Thayer service and expense about
Ebenezer Cook's Road 04 10 00
Town charges, the Schoolmaster &. Ebenezer Cook 88 00 00
1739. Jan. 8. The town met and chose Capt. Daniel Lovett
Moderator, and after some debate the meeting was adjourned to
the 16th instant.
Jan. 10.' Voted to sell that twenty acres of land that was the
Ministry Home Lot, or first division in said town, to the highest
bidder, but not under three hundred of the old tenor; and that
30
234 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1739.
the money arising from said sale "shall Lye in bank upon inter-
est for the ends and uses that the said land was granted for, for-
ever. The interest to be paid out by orders from the Selectmen
of the town, for the time being, to and for the support of a Con-
gregational Minister or Ministers that are or may be regularly
settled in said town of Mendon, forever, and to no other use for-
ever; except the said town shall, hereafter, think it best to buy
a piece of land with the principal and establish it for the ends
and uses aforesaid, forever."
Thomas Sanford, Daniel Lovett and Seth Chapin were author-
ized to sell the land and to give a sufficient title thereto, by deed,
in the town's behalf.
It is presumed that the burying place was not yet "fenced
with a stone wall," pursuant to a former vote, as a committee
was chosen at this time "to state and settle the bounds thereof."
March 5. Chose for Selectmen, Daniel Taft, Esq., William
Torrey, Jonathan Hay ward, Jr., Benjamin Wheelock and John
French; for Town Clerk, Edmund Morse; for Town Treasurer,
Daniel Taft, Esq., and for Constables, Uriah Thayer and George
Bruce; for Schoolmaster, Josiah Marshall, A. M.
It was voted that town meetings be warned by posting up
notices of the same fourteen days before the day of meeting, at
the Meeting house, at Capt. William Kawson's and at Samuel
Thompson's mill.
Aug. ye 28th. Upon reckoning with Daniel Taft, Town Trea-
surer, it was found by the Selectmen that the town was indebted
to him in the sum of £5.14.03, he having disbursed, on the
town's behalf, that amount more than he had received.
May 21. Voted to repair the roads by a rate, and that a man
should have six shillings a day, and a man and team twelve shil-
lings per day, old tenor.
It was then voted that every man should have notice to work
out his rate by the last day of October, and that the names of all
those who had failed to do so on or before that day, should be
reported to the Assessors, when they, the Assessors, should issue
out their warrant on the back side of the rate list, and deliver
the same to the Constables to collect the same in money.
May 21. It seems that Mendon was entitled to more than one
Eepresentative, as, at this meeting, it was put to vote whether
1740.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 235
the town would choose more than one Representative, and they
voted to send but one.
Ebenezer Merriam was chosen, "by a clear vote," Representa-
tive.
The petition of John Joans and others was presented to the
town praying that the easterly side of Mill River be set off "a
particular town by themselves," and it was voted in the nega-
tive. The vote being "scrupled," it was tried by dividing the
House, and it still passed in the negative.
A motion was made to sell the remainder of the Ministry land,
but the town voted it should not be sold.
Dec. 7. Lieut. Thomas Thayer and Ensign Nathan Tyler
were chosen to take care for the preservation of deer, pursuant
to Chap. 3, Sec. 4 of the Acts of 1739, passed July 10th. This
act provided that whoever should kill any buck, doe or fawn, or
having the flesh or raw skin of such, after the 10th day of De-
cember till the first day of August, shall for each buck, doe or
fawn, and for each skin or flesh found in his possession, pay the
sum of ten pounds. By Sec. 4, any town which neglected to
choose two meet persons to enforce the law, was liable to a fine
of thirty pounds. Make what laws we will, the deer, as well as
the Indian, will always be found only in advance of the frontier
line of civilization.
The Province Treasury, it seems, was bankrupt at this time,
as, upon motion of Ebenezer Merriam, Representative at the
General Court, the town voted to pay him, he promising to re-
fund the amount, provided the General Court should make pro-
vision for the same.
Sixty pounds were granted this year for town charges.
The burying place, notwithstanding former votes, was not yet
enclosed, as we find the Selectmen were ordered to let out the
same "to some good man or Men," for a term not exceeding
thirty years, providing he or they will " fence it with good stone
wall according to law and erect a good gate with iron hinges."
Josiah Wilkson, his wife and children, were warned out of
town, and Benjamin Thayer was warned "to entertain them no
longer."
1740. March 3. Chose Deacon Jacob Aldrich, Capt. Robert
236 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1740.
Taft, William Hay ward, Lieut. Thomas Thayer and Jonathan
Hay ward, Selectmen; Edmund Morse, Town Clerk; Daniel Taft,
Esq., Town Treasurer, and Samuel Torrey and David Thayer,
Constables.
Capt. Daniel Lovett, Nathan Penniman, Joseph Chapin, Ben-
jamin Green, John Fish and John Green, Gentlemen were cliosen
In keep order on the Sabbath Days. Mr. Josiah Marshall was
cliosen Schoolmaster, and William Torrey and Benjamin Dar-
ling, Deer Beaves.
Voted that those who were delinquent in working their high-
way rate last year may work them out this year, and that those
who did overwork last year shall be abated the amount this year.
Voted that Doctor Samuel Morse have liberty to shut up the
road between the land of Bev. Mr. Dorr's and Eliphalet Wood's
land to Muddy Brook.
May. 19. Edmund Morse was chosen Bepresentative to the
General Court.
A motion was made to grant the petition of sundry inhabitants
on the easterly side of Mill Biver, dated April 10, 1740, praying
the town to set off the land east of the Mill Biver into a separate
town; " those who 'were in favor of the motion having placed
themselves, by direction of the Moderator, on the women's side
of the house and those who were opposed on the men's side of
the house and a count having been made, it was found there ap-
peared a clear vote in Negative by 25 poles."
Aug. 2.6. Among other bills that were audited and allowed at
this meeting, Mr. John Lyon had £8 for building a new pound;
and the Selectmen 10s. for rum to raise the pound. Uriah
Thayer for "taking men for the highway rate," had £1.
Baised and appropriated £75 as an addition to Mr. Dorr's
salary, £70 to defray town charges, and £400 for highways.
The "taking for the highway rate/' it seems, was a distraint
for non-payment- of highway taxes, and resulted in a complaint
to the Courts, as we find that, Oct. 31, Samuel Thayer and
Uriah Thayer (the Constable.) were chosen to answer and de-
fend any case against the town in the next Superior Court, to be
holden at Worcester, relating to a distraint made by Uriah
Thayer.
1741.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 237
1741. March 2. Selectmen, Lieut. Thomas Thayer, Lieut.
Eleazer Taft, Capt. William Rawson, Capt. Robert Taft and
Ebenezer Merriam; Town Clerk, William Rawson; Town Treas-
urer, Deacon Jacob Aldrich, and for Constables, William Shef-
field and John Thayer. Josiah Marshall was chosen School-
master.
At this time there appears to have been much dissatisfaction
in the church, as an ex parte Council had been called and a
judgment bad been rendered against the minister relating to his
administration.
At this meeting the two following votes were passed, being
proposed by the Rev. Mr. Dorr.
"Gentlemen, In as much as an opposing party in this Town have Ob-
tained a judgment of a Council Against the Minister of the Town, without
a Tryal, Relating to his administration viz: — of a Council Chosen by them
Selves in so private a manner that the Pastor of the Church had No Coppy
of the Letters Missive until after the Letters were Sent out to the Churches —
If you Judge that the Minister of this Town Ought to be defended against
Such Proceedings and you will defend him Signify it by Lifting up your
hands.
Gentlemen, if you will choose three persons as a Committee chosen by
the Church, or by that part of it that adheres to the Pastor to advise and
concur with them in the choice of a Council, if they shall think fit, to
judge of the Result of the late Council Chosen by the opposite party here
by Lifting up your hands."
The foregoing votes both passed in the affirmative. The
meeting was then adjourned to March 16, instant, the following
persons protesting against the adjournment as well as against
the votes passed upon the motion of the Rev. Mr. Dorr:
Daniel Taft Esq., Samuel Rawson,
Capt. Daniel Lovett, Benjamin Green,
Ens. Nathan Tyler, John French,
Samuel Thayer, Thomas White,
Dea. Nathaniel Nelson, Samuel Hayward,
William Torrey, George Aldrich,
Jonathan Hayward, Robert Aldrich,
Josiah Adams, Ichabod Robinson,
John Chapin, David Tafi,
John Rockwood, Josiah Chapin.
Attest, Edmund Morse, Town Clerk.
March 16. Ye Rev. Mr. Dorr came into the Meeting and Proposed to
the Town to choose three Gentlemen as a Committee to joyn with ye
238 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1741.
Church Committee in order to Choose a Council to judge of the Result of
the Late Council, Relating to ye Difference in ye Church in Mendon &c.
Lieut. Eleazer Taft, Lieut. Thomas Thayer and Capt. Robert
Taft were chosen as said committee.
What the troubles in the church were does not appear from
the records, but as Mr. Dorr, continued the minister until his
death, in 1768, the difficulties, whatever they were, were soon
adjusted.
Voted, not to sell any part of the Ten Rod Highway or of any
of the roads in town. Also voted not to sell the Ministry Land.
March 30. Voted that the money "Called Land Banck"
should pay the interest that is due to the town for the school
land, and town debts for this year.
This money called the "Land Banck" is supposed to be the
proceeds of the sale of the ministry and school lands.
May 18. The town, as usual, voted to choose but one Repre-
sentative, and Capt. Robert Taft was chosen to attend the
General Court.
The inhabitants on the easterly side of Mill River (now Mil-
ford) again, by their petition of May 4, 1741, prayed the town
to support their minister in a mutual way, (supposed by volun-
tary contribution,) or " give them leave to go off as a Particular
Precinct;" but, although it must have been a hardship for the
petitioners to attend public worship at Mendon, the town still
refused either to relieve them from ministerial taxes or allow
them to set up for themselves.
We have seen that Capt. Robert Taft was chosen Representa-
tive for this year, May 18, and June 29, under a new warrant,
he was again chosen Representative for this year. No explana-
tion is found in the town records of this procedure.
But, upon consulting the Province Laws of 1741, p. 1102, we shall
find that the General Court, which was convened on the 26th of
May, was dissolved on the next day by Gov. Belcher, no acts being
passed, and a new assembly was called to meet on the 8th day of
July. On this account another town meeting was called July
29, and Capt. Robert Taft was again elected Representative.
Court Records, 1741 to 1743, pp. 15 and 16.
July 16. A Petition of Thomas Tenney and a great number of other In-
habitants of Mendon, setting forth the Controversies they have had, and
1741.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 239
still have, with their Minister, Mr. Joseph Dorr, upon which they have
had the advice of an Ecclesiastical Council, which the said Mr. Dorr re-
fuses to comply with or to do anything to give the Petitioners reasonable
satisfaction, and therefore praying that they may be set off as a separate
Precinct or otherwise relieved in the premises.
In the H. of R. Read and Ordered that the Petitioners serve one or more
of the Selectmen of the Town of Mendon with a Copy of this Petition that
they may shew cause, if any they have, on Tuesday the 28th. day of July
current why the prayer thereof should not be granted.
In Council R. & C.
Consented to J. Belcher.
July 18. The town chose Eleazer Taft, Nathan Penniman
and Samuel Morse a committee to "'Make Answer to a Petition
put into the General Court by those who have stiled themselves
A grieved in sd Mendon.''
Court Records, 1741 to 1743, p. 42.
Wednesday, July 19, 1741. On the Petition of Thomas Tenney and
others of Mendon praying as entered July 16 instant,
In the H. of R. read again, together with the answer of Samuel Morse
and others, Agents for the Town of Mendon, and
Ordered that Mr. Speaker Fairfield, Capt. Choate, Dr. Hale, Capt. Watts,
Mr. Walker and Col. Minot, with such as the Hon. Council shall join be a
Committee to hear the parties and forthwith Report thereon.
In Council Read and Con. and John Jeffries, Anthony Stoddard, Jere-
miah Moulton, Richard Bill and John Greenleaf are joined in this affair.
Court Records, 1741 to 1743, p. 68.
Aug. 8. 1741. On the Petition of Thomas Tenney and other Inhabi-
tants of Mendon with the Report of a Committee of both Houses thereon,
In Council, Read and Ord. that this Pet. be accepted.
In the H. of R. Read and Non concented and Ordered that this Petition
with the Report thereon be referred to the Fall Sessions for further consid-
eration.
In Council Read, R. & Non Con. & the Council adhere to their own
vote.
In the H. of R. Read, R. & Non Con. and the House insist upon their
own vote.
In Council, Read and unanimously Non Con.
Sept. 14. Among other accounts audited and allowed was
one of Uriah Thayer's of £3. 09s. for time and expenses for dis-
training on some persons in the Gore for their rates. At this
meeting it was also voted not to sell or let the ministerial land.
240 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1741.
All the town lines were perambulated this year, and the several
charges for the service were ordered to be paid.
Sept. 22. Voted to forego Richard Rubey's rate for 1739.
Query. Did he marry Sherebiah, daughter of Grizzel Gurney,
mentioned in her will. See 1675.
Voted not to allow David Thayer's account, it being £6.1(3.06,
for carrying a certain woman and child out of this town, and
delivering them to the Uxbridge constable.
Voted not to allow the accounts of Eleazer Taft, Nathan Pen-
niman and Dr. Samuel Morse, for services at the General Court
to answer Thomas Tenney's petition, it being £54.19.06.
At this meeting the town voted that the territory east of Mill
River might be set off as a separate town, but that they would
not allow the new town any portion of the ministry or school
land or of the money accruing from the sale of any part of the
same.
Mass. Archives, Ecclesiastical, Vol. 12, pp. 194, 5, 6, 7.
MILL KIVER MADE A PRECIKCT.
Nov. 25. Sundry inhabitants of Mendon petitioned the Gen-
eral Court to be set off as a town or precinct, as follows:
To his Excellency William Shirley Esq, Capt. General and Governor in
Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay &c. and
to the Honble the Council of the House of Representatives of sd Province in
General Court or Assembly this 25th. day of November 1741.
The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of the Town of Mendon in sd Pro-
vince thereunto subscribing,
Humbly Sheweth,
That the said Town of Mendon, in answer to a Petition of Sun-
dry Inhabitants on the Easterly side of Mill River in sd Town, at their
meeting on Sept. 22, 1741, voted their consent that the land in sd Town-
ship lying on the Easterly side of Mill River to the County road by Shef-
field's Mill, then bounding on said road to Bellingham & bounding on Bel-
lingham, Holliston and Hopkinton, with all the lands and Inhabitants who
dwell on those lands within said lines be a Township.
That the said Lands set off as a Town as aforesaid with the Polls and
Estates ratable to the support of the Ministry & being within said boun-
daries are not (as your Petitioners Conceive) more than about one third part
of said town considered as by the Polls and Estates.
That there are five families on the Westerly side of said Mill River who
choose to Congregate with your Petitioners & to be laid to them, whose
1741.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 241
Lands also, at least some of them, will be much incommoded by remaining
in the old Town, which families, if Added to your Petitioners, as your
Petitioners hope, will render the charge of maintaining the Gospel feasible.
Your Petitioners Are Nevertheless humbly of Opinion That it would be
more conducive to the Peace and Welfare of the whole That yr Petitioners &
others living within the bounds as aforesaid, with the addition of these few
families, be Enacted a Separate Precinct rather than a Separate TovmsMp;
and that it would be more So if the Ministry of both the Churches & Con-
gregations in said Town may be supported by a joint Stock & every one
attend the Ministry that is the most Convenient and Agreeable.
Your Petitioners humbly Pray Your Excellency and this Honble Court
That the Inhabitants of Mendon, dwelling on the Easterly side of Mill
River and adjoining as aforesaid to Bellingham, Holliston and Hopkinton
with their lands in said Township with other lauds on the westerly side of
Mill River up to a Road called the Eight Rod Road and Including Nathan
Tyler's House & Lands up to Upton Line may be Enacted a Separate Town
or Precinct; Or That the public Ministry of both the Churches and Con-
gregations in the Town of Mendon be supported by a Tax or Assessment
upon the whole Town As Yr Excellency & Honrs shall Judge most Meet
and Convenient.
And Yr Petitioners shall Ever Pray.
Samuel Scammell, Habijah French,
Joseph Jones, James Godman,
Ephraim Daniels, Moses Gage,
Moses Tenney, " William Legg,
Joshua Underwood. Ichabod Thayer,
Dearing Jones, Amos Binney,
James Sumner, Nathaniel Nelson,
John Thwiug jr. , Thomas Chaddock,
Josiah Chapin, Abraham Jones,
Eliphalet Wood, John Chapin,
John Jones, William Cheney jr.,
William Cheney, Nehemiah Nelson,
Nathaniel Jones, Benjamin Hayward,
John Binney, Samuel Hayward,
Ebenezer Boynton.
And we whose names are hereunder written (being the owners of the
Lands of the 5 families above mentd) humbly pray we wth or Lauds may be
annexed to the New Town or Precinct unless the Ministry be jointly sup-
ported. Nathan Tyler,
John Thwing,
Thomas Waire.
In the H. of R. Nov. 27. 1741 Read and in answer to this Petition, Or-
dered that the'prayer thereof be so far granted as that the Petitioners be
31
242 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1741.
allowed to bring in a Bill for a Township agreeable to a vote of the Town
of Mention at their meeting Sept. 22, 1741.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Hobson, Speaker.
In Council Read and Concurred with the amendment at A.
Sent down for Concurrence.
J. Willard, Secy.
In H. of R. Read and Non. Con. and the House insist on its vote.
J. Hobson, Speaker.
In Council Nov. 30. Read & Non Con.
J. Willard, Secy.
In Council Dec. 4, 1741. Upon a motion made by a Message from the
Honll,e House of R. that the Board would reconsider their vote above, the
vote was accordingly reconsidered and the Question being put, whether
the Board will concur with the vote of the House on this Petition, It
passed in the Negative, and the Board adhere to their own Amendment.
Sent down for Concurrence.
J. Willard, Secy.
In the II. of R. Dec. 16. 1741 R. & Non Con.
J. Hobson, Speaker.
The Amendment at A, is not found in the Court Records.
It will be seen that the House voted the Petitioners liberty to
bring in a Bill for a Township, and that the Town had not been
heard. The amendment might have reference to one or both of
these facts.
Dec. 14. The town having been cited to make answer at the
General Court to a petition to make Mill River a precinct, chose
Lieut. Eleazer Taft, Deacon Thomas Sanford, Mr. Joseph John-
son, Mr. John Jones, Jr., and Mr. John Fish a committee to
draw up reasons why the prayer of the Mill River petition should
not be granted, and directed that Lieut. Eleazer Taft and Mr.
John Jones, Jr., should present said reasons to the General
Court, and make answer to said petition.
In the II. of R. Dec. 22d 1741. Read again with the answer of the Town
of Mendon & thereupon voted that the prayer of the Petitioners be so far
granted as that the Inhabitants of Mendon, with their Estates, lying on
the Easterly side of Mill River and bounded by said River, Bellingham,
Holliston and Hopkinton, including the Families, with their Estates, on
the West side of said River to the Eight Rod Road as expressed and de-
scribed in the Petition, together with Nathan Tyler and his lands, Samuel
Rawson, Daniel Lovett, William Hayward, Thomas White, Danl. White,
William Hovey, Josiah Adams, Benj. Green, Samuel Green and Ebenezer
Albee, with their Estates in the old or standing part of said Town, or so
1742.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 243
many of them as shall joyn with the Petitioners in building a Meeting
House and settling a Minister, are hereby Erected into a Distinct and Sep-
arate Precinct, and the Inhabitants thereof be invested with the same-
Powers and Privileges as other Precincts do enjoy.
Saving Nevertheless that Jonathan Hay ward, John Green, Obadiah
Wheelock, Jas. Albee, Jos. Corbit, Thomas Beard, Benjamin Albee, Jr.,
Jno. Kilburn, Jno. Hayward, William Sprague Jr. and Jno." White, liv-
ing within the above mentioned bounds, or so many of them as shall
desire it, together with their Estates, may continue to the standing part of
sd Town, so long as they attend the public worship there in a stated way
and no longer. Also Provided that the said Inhabitants so set off shall,
within the space of 2 years from this time, Erect a Convenient Meeting
House & settle a learned and Orthodox Minister for the Public Worship of
God.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Hobson, Speaker.
In Council Dec. 23. 1741 Read and Con,
J. Willard, Secy.
Consented to, W. Shirley.
This year Mr. Dorr was allowed an addition to his salary of
£75, and £100 were raised to defray town charges.
The vote heretofore passed, appropriating the Land Bank
money (the income from the sales of the ministry and school
lands,) for the payment of town charges, was reconsidered.
Dec. 20. 1741. We the Subscribers in assessing the Ministerial Rates
have Excluded ye Persons, as f olloweth, that is to say as the Anabaptists ;
and the bind of Nicholas Cook of Bellingham.
David Aldrich, Henry Bozworth,
Edward Pickerin. Benjamin Force,
William Sprague, William Phillips,
Samuel Thompson, Peter Aldrich.
William Rawson, ) a e . ,
Ebenezek Meriam, - /assessors of the.
Thomas Thayer. Town of Mendon.
1742. Jan. 4. Mr. Dorr was allowed £18, " over and above
what had been paid him," being the income of the Ministerial
land.
Eleazer Taft and Dr. Samuel Morse, with what had been
allowed them before, were allowed a further sum, making in the
whole £40:
March 1. Chose Nathan Penniman, Samuel Thayer, Uriah
244 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1742.
Thayer, Capt. Daniel Lovett and Jonathan Hay ward, Jr., for
Selectmen; Edmund Morse, Town Clerk; Daniel Taft, Esq.,
Town Treasurer, and Daniel Hazeltine and William Hayward,
Constables.
March 17. At a meeting held this day the following " Be-
quest" was presented:
"To the Freeholders & Other Inhabitants, of the Town of Mendon,
Qualified by Law to Vote in Town affairs in Lawfull Townmeetting As-
sembled, by Ad journment from March 17. 1742.
Wee the Subscribers Your Friends and Neighbors of the Society of Poe-
ple Called Quaquers for our Selves and Others of our Society finding the
Yard belonging to our Meettinghouse Too Little for Our Conveniancy,
Request ye favour of Some Enlargement, Particularly that you will
please to Allow us Two Rod of ye Ten (Rod) Road at the Front of Our sd
Meetting house, to Run an equal length with Our Own Land to the same
belonging, Or otherwise as, in your Judgement and good Neighbourhood
you shall think convenient in ; and Your Kindness to Us therein will Oblige
Our Love and Gratitude.
The foregoing Request was granted by a Clear Vote Always Provided ye
Rod mentioned in width Doth not Extend More than fourteen Rod Long or
fourteen Rod and a half in Length at Farthest."
Who the subscribers were to the foregoing request does not
appear, as the names were not copied into the town record.
The yard that was enlarged by the above addition is still owned
by the Eriends, and within its inclosure are quite a number of
graves, but except in one instance there are no monuments to
designate the name or age of the sleeper beneath. The meeting
house that stood in the yard has long since disappeared, having
been taken down and removed in 1850.
July 5. Josiah Marshall, A. M., was hired by the Selectmen
to keep school; "that is the Grammar School in said Town," for
one year for £19 lawful money or in bills of the last emission or
in other bills equivalent thereto. This contract is signed by
Josiah Marshall and Daniel Lovett, Nathan Penniman and
Samuel Thayer, Selectmen of Mendon.
May 21. Capt. Bobert Taft was chosen Bepresentative to the
General Court.
At this meeting James Albee, Joseph Bockwood, Benjamin
Bockwood, Nathaniel Thayer and others petitioned the town to
be set off to Bellingham, they living in the south part of Men-
don, but the town refused to grant their request.
1742.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 245
Upon this, John Holbrook and others of Bellingham, and
James Albee and others, of Men don, appealed to the General
Court.
Mass. Archives, Court 1741 to 1743, p. 395.
"A Petition of John Holbrook and others of the Town of Bellingham
and James Albee and others of the Town of Meudon, Shewing that, by
reason of the great number of Sectaries* in Bellingham, the remaining part
are not able to Support a Gospel Minister, and that the Petitioners of Men-
don are commodiously situated for Bellingham, and therefore praying that
part of Mendon, particularly described in the petition may be set off from
that Town and joined to the said Town of Bellingham.
In the H. of R. Read and Ord. that the Petitioners serve the Town of
Mendon with a copy of this Petition that they show cause, if any they
have, on the first Tuesday of the next session of this Court why the prayer
thereof should not be granted.
In Council Read & Con. June 8. 1742.
Consented to, W. Shirley.
Court, 1743 to 1745, p. 143.
"Sept. 3. 1742, The Petition of John Holbrook, James Albee and others
of Bellingham and Mendon, praying as entered June 8. 1742
In Council Read again together with the answer of a Committee of the
Town of Mendon, and the matter being fully considered, the question was
put, Whether the prayer of the Petitioners should be granted, and it passed
in the Negative ; Whereupon Ordered that the Petition be dismissed,
In H. of R. Read and Con.
Consented to, W. Shirley."
The committee appointed to settle with Ebenezer Staples,
Town Treasurer for 1733 and 1734, reported that they "find
difficulty" (what difficulty the record saith not), and that "he
hath Complyed to pay to the Town for a Discharge y" sum of
five pounds in the Old Tenor Bills of Credit, as is Complyed with
by both Parties." The Treasurer having paid the five pounds,
the town voted to confirm the settlement.
OLD AND NEW TENOE.
For some years past the General Court had issued Bills of
Credit, as they were called, to serve for its presefit necessities, to
be redeemed at a definite time. After paying its present in-
debtedness, the balance of the issue was loaned, in various sums,
to the towns, and placed in the hands of trustees. The trustees
*The Anabaptists supposed to be the Sectaries.
246 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1743.
again loaned it, bnt not in large amounts, to the inhabitants,
taking security for the principal and interest'. When a new
issue was made it was called New Tenor, the one previously
issued was called Old Tenor. When an issue of Bills of Credit
was made the General Court fixed their value. Thus, in 1742,
they issued £30,000, and by the second section of the act, they
"enacted that any debt of four shillings, heretofore contracted,
may be discharged by one shilling of the bills hereby to be emit-
ted, specialties and express contracts in writing excepted, and
so, pro rata, for a greater or less sum."
•The bills were printed in the following form and signed by a
Committee of the General Court appointed for the purpose.
Their denominations ranged from two pence to forty shilllings.
(No. ) - • Twenty Shillings,
This bill of twenty shillings, due to the possessor thereof, from the Pro-
vince of Massachusetts Bay, shall be equal to three ounces of coined silver,
Troy weight, of sterling alloy, or gold coin at the rate of four pounds
eighteen shillings per ounce; and shall be so accepted in all payments, and
in the Treasury. Boston 1742. By order of the General Court or Assembly.
- Committee.
— and so, mutatis mutandis, for a greater or less sum. "
Raised £45 to defray town charges this year.
1743. March 7. For Selectmen, Major Daniel Lovett, Daniel
Taft, Esq., Mr. William Torrey, Mr. John Legg and Coroner Wil-
liam Rawson; Town Clerk, Edmund Morse; Town Treasurer,
Daniel Taft, Esq.; Constables, William Hay ward and Samuel
Daniels, Jr. ; Assessors, William Torrey, John Legg and William
Rawson.
At this meeting the town voted to dismiss the article from the
warrant, ''Signifying they would Defend the Rev. Mr. Dorr
against his opposers." It is not certain what the difficulty with
Mr. Dorr was. The extensive religious agitation, the ''Great
Awakening," as» it was called, of 1740, about which men were
divided in opinion, may have given rise to the coldness of some
of his parishioners, as it is related that Mr. Dorr strongly sympa-
thized with that movement. The struggle, which resulted in
the erection of the Mill River Precinct, may also have given rise
1743.] . ANNALS OF MENDON. 247
to or intensified the ''recent unpleasantness," but, as we hear no
more of the opponents of Mr. Dorr, it is presumed that the
autonomy granted the Mill Kiver people, in matters ministerial,
or the subsidence of the Great Awakening, one or both, con-
tributed to the return of a lasting peace.
Voted not to hire a Schoolmaster this year.
March 25. Maj. Daniel Lovett, Mr. Benjamin Wheclock and
Mr. George Bruce were chosen a committee to treat with Ux-
bridge or their committee concerning the Ministry land. What
was the question about the Ministry land does not appear.
May 16. Oapt. Robert Taft was chosen Representative to the
General Court.
Aug. 29. Daniel Taft, Esq., Major Daniel Lovett and Dea-
con Jacob Aldrich were allowed £1.15 each for five days work
and Major Lovett and Deacon Aldrich 3s. 6d. each for half a
day's work in selling the Ministry land. The surveyor of the
Ministry land was allowed £1.05 for the survey, and Major
Daniel Lovett, Mr. Benjamin Wheelock and Mr. George Bruce
Avere allowed £1.10 for treating with the Uxbridge Committee.
These several sums were to be paid out of the money arising
from the sale of the land, or the interest due therefrom. " .
Among other accounts audited and allowed was one of £12 to
Sergt. William Hayward, for a road through his land, bought of
Dr. Wilson.
Raised £50 to defray town charges.
All the grants for this year were in Old Tenor.
There was an article in the warrant to see if the town will be
at any charge in " Joyning to Lett up the fish in the Grate
River," but it was not acted on, and the meeting was dissolved.
The East Precinct in Mendon was created by the General
Court Dec. 23, 1741, and it Avas, without doubt, soon afterward
organized. It seems that from some irregularities in the man-
ner of voting the legality of the Precinct meetings were called in
question, and we find that in 1743 they applied to the General
Court for relief. To this end Deacon Daniel Corbett and Mr.
Jonathan Hayward were chosen, on the 23d of August, 1743,
" to the General Court to Desire Relief and Direction under our
present Difficulties." They, in the behalf of the Precinct, peti-
tioned the General Court as follows:
Mass. Arch. Towns, Vol. 115, p. 168,
248 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1^43.
" To his Excellency William Shirley Esq., Capt. General and Governor
in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, the
Honorable his Majesty's Council & House of Representatives in General
Court assembled Sept. 1743.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Easterly Precinct in Mendon
Humbly Sheweth,
That yr Petitioners, at their General Meeting in March
1743 were so ill advised as to permit a considerable number of persons not
duly qualified by Law to vote at that meeting & have so continued to do at
all other meetings since, being induced thereto by an apprehension that it
would be a means of preserving peace and unity among ourselves; but in-
stead turns to the contrary, for now divers of our Society refuse to pay any
of the taxes levied for building a Meeting house & Supporting a Minister,
giving for reason that all the votes passed at said meeting and all other suc-
ceeding ones are null and void because passed by unqualified persons; so
that, by this means, we are likely to be in the greatest confusion imagina-
ble, without the aid of the Great and Honourable Court; Therefore Yr Pe-
titioners humbly pray Yr Excellency and Honours would be pleased to
confirm all the votes passed at said Meetings to this time and by yr order
make them as effectual as if all the voters were lawfully qualified, or other-
wise relieve us in the premises as in your Goodness you shall think best &
as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Daniel Corbett ) In the Name & Behalf of the East
Jonathan Hayward [ Precinct of Mendon.
In the House of Representatives Sept, 9. 1743 Read and Ordered that the
prayer of the Petitioners be so far granted as that the respective Parish
Meetings held in the Easterly Precinct in Mendon since the year 1740 be
deemed and hereby are declared Valid & Legal; and all affairs, votes,
Grants, Assessments and other things passed or transacted at any such
meeting, or in consequence thereof is declared good in Law, and all per-
sons concerned are hereby required to conform themselves thereto any De-
fect in said Meetings to the contrary notwithstanding.
Sent up for Concurrence
T. Cushing, Spkr.
In Cdnncil Read & Concurred with the amendment as taken into a new
draft, viz: —
Whereas it appears to this Court the irregular proceedings within men-
tioned were not in wilful Contempt of the Law, but through Inadvertance,
and Inasmuch as rendering void the same would greatly perplex their
Affairs, if not prove destructive to them in their weak and infant state.
Therefore Ordered that the several meetings held there & every thing
done or in consequence thereof be & hereby declared valid & all persons
concerned or that may be concerned are hereby directed to conform them-
selves thereto any defect in their proceeding notwithstanding.
Sent down for Concurrence
T. Willard, Secy.
1744.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 240
In the House of Representatives, Sept. 12. 1743.
Head and Concurred
T. Gushing, Spkr.
Consented to W. Shirley.
The second Precinct in Mendon (now Milford) was organized
in 1741. and the Eev. Amariah Frost was ordained over the
Church Dec. 21, 1743. He was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth
(Rice) Frost, and was born in Framingham Oct. 4, 1720. He
graduated at Harvard College in 1740, and continued in the
ministry, at Milford, until his death, March 14, 1792, at the age
of seventy-two.
Mr. Frost was thrice married, for his second wife, marrying
Susanna, the youngest daughter of the Rev. Joseph Dorr, of
Men do u.
Mr. Frost was reputed an excellent man, and one of the most
popular preachers of his time. It is a sufficient indication of his
reputation and of his attainments, to state that he was exten-
sively resorted to as an instructor of young men, fitting for col-
lege and for the ministry.
1744. March (i. Major Daniel Lovett, Deacon Nelson,
Daniel Taft, Esq., Jonathan Hayward and Lieut. Thomas
Thayer were chosen Selectmen; Edmund Morse, Town Clerk;
Daniel Taft, Escp, Town Treasurer, and Daniel Taft, Jr., and
John Chapin, Constables.
Daniel Taft, Esq. , Major Daniel Lovett and Sergt. John Legg
were chosen a committee " to order a Monument over ye Grave
of the Revd Mr. Grindal Rawson, Late Minister of Mendon."
Mr. Josiah Marshall, A. M., was again chosen schoolmaster.
A motion was made to build a new school house, but it passed
in the negative. The next motion found more favor, as it was
passed in the affirmative, being a motion that the Second Pre-
cinct (Milford) should have the old law book during the town's
pleasure.
May 18. Chose John Tyler and John Thayer " to Take Care
for the Preservation of ye Deer."
Capt. Robert Taft was chosen Representative to the General
Court,
32
250 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1745.
It was voted that the amoitnt of interest money derived from
the sale of the ministry land, for the present year, shall be
equally divided between the first and second Precincts.
Granted £30 in order to complete the Town's stock of ammu-
nition.
Samuel Davenport's rates for 1741 were forgiven, he not
having removed to this town at that time.
Aug. 31. Various bills were audited and ordered to be paid,
among others, Peter Thayer's, for looking after a child,
£15.00.00.
If the account of Peter Thayer could be found, perhaps we
should get some further light upon the reasons of. this extraor-
dinary entry, and if the General Court would create a new office,
the incumbent of which should be provided with suitable books
of record, and whose duty it should be to note all events, other
than official doings, occurring in the town or' elsewhere, that
would aid in elucidating the history of the town, we should have
a far better understanding of our public records, and besides
have our town histories,, without any great labor at revision,
ready at all times for publication.
The grant for the disbursement of town charges this year was
£127.
The records says all the grants were to be paid in old tenor.
At the close of the town records for 1744 the following entry
is made: —
Mendon, March 16. 1743, Then Received of the Town of Mendon such
sums of Money which I accept in full satisfaction of my Salaiy and Prof-
fitts of Ministry Lauds from the time of my first Settlement to the Date of
these Presents. I say Received by the hands of Daniel Taft Esq. and
Town Treasurer, by me Joseph Dorr,
Minister of the Town.
The town lines with Upton, Hopkinton, Holliston and Bel-
lingham were perambulated this year, but the committee for
Bellingham, for some reason which does not appear, refused to
sign the certificate.
1745. March ye 4. Chose for Selectmen Major Daniel
Lovett, John French. William Thayer, Thomas Tenney, and
1745.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 251
Nathaniel Nelson; for Town Clerk, Edmund Morse; Town
Treasurer, Daniel Taft, Esq., and for Constables, Eliphalet
Warfield and David Daniels.
THE TRAINING FIELD.
Mendon, April 13. 1744
Then the Selectmen mett and Measured the Training Field, beginning
att a heap of Stones Bounded Northerly twenty Rods upon Major Daniel
Lovett's Land; then Bounded Easterly Thirty five Rods on Phinehas
Lovett's Laud ; Then Bounded Southerly Upon Ebenezer Merriam's Land
Nineteen Rods; then Bounded Westerly Upon the Ten Rod Road Thirty
five Rod to the first Bound, the whole containing four Acres and a Quarter
and two Rod & a half.
Daniel Taft Esq., )
Jonathan Hayward, [• Selectmen.
Thomas Thayer. )
March 19. Voted to sell to Phinehas Lovett a portion of the
Training Field, on the east side, adjoining his other land, thirty-
five rods in length, seven rods at the sonth end of the Training-
Field, and six rods at the north end, containing one acre, three
score and eight rods. The consideration was £5.00.00, old
tenor.
The interest of the ministry land was voted one half to the
First Precinct and the other to the Second Precinct.
The bill of Dr. Daniel Hews for doctoring, and the bill of
William Hayward for nursing Elizabeth Nox or Eose? was disal-
lowed.
March 19. Voted, That all the roads that are reputed to be
more than four rods wide in the town of Mendon, be reduced to
four rods, and the Selectmen state the roads.
Sept. 23. The committee to reckon with Daniel Taft, Esq.,
Treasurer, reported that they find due him the sum of
£30.13.11, old tenor. They also find in former constables hands
£13, old tenor, and interest due on school money £13, old tenor
— in the whole £33.10.02, and about £33 in last year's orders
unpaid.
The committee to review Ebenezer Staples' account as Treas-
urer for 1733 and 4, find due him £1.15.7, and that a note of
£5.00.00, given by him on a former settlement, should be given
up to him.
1st Tuesday in October, Nathaniel Nelson was allowed £2.07
252 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1746.
for a journey to Worcester to answer a presentment against the
town, and for laying out roads. This presentment probably
had its origin in an alleged claim of the town of Uxbridge that
Mendon was held to contribute to the maintenance of a bridge
over the Great (Blackstone) River.
William Hay ward, Constable (collector) was allowed £0.11.08
for rates in 1743, "on Account of Men Living in ye Gore."
Raised to pay town debts £150, old tenor.
1746. March 17. Daniel Taft, Esq., Benjamin Whcelock,
Jun., Uriah Thayer, Jonathan Hay ward and Samuel Scammell
were chosen Selectmen; Edmund Morse, Town Clerk; Daniel
Taft, Esq., Town Treasurer, and Samuel Rawson and Ichabod
Robinson were chosen Constables.
The vote passed March 19th, 1745, to reduce the roads to four
rods wide was reconsidered.
Crownr (Coroner) William Rawson was chosen Grand Jury-
man.
May 22. The Selectmen were instructed to hire a school-
master.
Samuel Thayer, Deacon Nelson, John French, Capt. Robert
Taft, Jonathan Hayward, Thomas Thayer and George ,
were chosen a committee " to consider the affair of building a
School House or School Houses and make a Report at the next
Town meeting."
Capt. Robert Taft was chosen Representative to the General
Court.
Voted, that "the interest of the money the Ministry Land
sold for should be divided equally between the 1st. & 2nd. Pre-
cinct."
A committee was chosen to see "if any one wishes to buy any
part of the Ten Rod Road And See what they will give for it,"
and report to the town.
Sept. 22. Voted to pay Dr. John Scammell £8.10 "for his
Doctrin Bethiah Bridges."
Voted "to raise £133.00.00 to defray town Debts."
At the same meeting the following votes were passed:
1747.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 253
" The Selectmen having reduced the roads more than four rods wide, by
metes and bound, to the width of four rods, it was voted to accept of the
Report of the Selectmen.
Voted that Nathan Penniman and Abraham Staples be a Committee to
take an account of the land adjoyning to each particular person that is
ajoyning to the roads or highways Reputed to be more than Four Rods
wide, in order to Sell the same ; that is all above four rods wide in said
roads and report at the next town meeting. "
Voted that Mr. George Brace and Cr. William Eawson be
a committee to refer tlie said return of said road to the Court of
the General Sessions of the Peace in and for the County of Wor-
cester for a confirmation.
In December following, Capt. Nathan Tyler, William Torrey
and Edmund Morse were chosen a committee to make a
"Draught'' of all land which is to he disposed of as above said,
in order for the town to act on at their next meeting.
1747. March 2. Selectmen, John French, Maj. Daniel
Lovett, Deacon Nathaniel Nelson, George Bruce, and John
Chapin; Town Clerk, Edmund Morse; Town Treasurer, Daniel
Taft, Esq. ; Constables, George Aldrich and John Fish.
March 30. It seems that the town did not think it best to
have any school this year, as they voted not to hire Mr. Josiah
Marshall as Schoolmaster.
May 26. Maj. Daniel Lovett and Lieut. William Sheffield
were chosen a committee to assist Daniel Taft, Esq., Town Trea-
surer, "To Look After the Money, Both principal and Interest,
Arising by virtue of the Saile of the Ministry and School Land
in Mendon."
Aug. 31. This meeting was occupied by auditing and allow-
ing various bills and foregoing taxes, among which was one in
the following words: "Voted to forego £2.14.05.3 New Tenor
which is, in old Tenor, £10.17.11, in Constable David Daniels'
Rate in ye year 1747, which was Rated to men in the Gore,',' known
afterwards as Attleboro Gore.
To defray town charges, £150, old tenor, was raised.
Tbe Town Clerk was directed " to Send to the Selectmen of
Bellingham to give the Reason, if any they have, why they will
not sign the Preambulation between Mendon and Bellingham
254
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1747.
According as the Line hath been Preambulated by both Parties
for Several years past and that by fair Meets & Bounds."
The old school house was sold to Samuel Thayer for £14, old
tenor.
This year the roads were reduced to four rods in width, and
sold to the abutters, as by the following schedule:
Jonathan Wadsworth 1 Acre & 14 rods.
George Bruce 1
Moses Aldrich 4
Benjamin Green
Seth Chapin's heirs
William Torrey
Nathaniel Nelson. 1
Ebenezer Chapin
John Post
John White 1
George Aldrich
Eliphalet Wharfield
Elihu Warfield
Daniel Lovett, Esq
Nathan Tyler 4
Jonathan Wadsworth
Samuel Green 1
George Bruce 1
Samuel Torrey 2
Benjamin Green
Thomas Rawson
Grindal Rawson
Mary Morse
Rev. Joseph Dorr 1
William Torrey 2
Ebenezer Chapin 2
Samuel Thayer : 1
Joseph Chapin 2
Ichabod Anmidown
Ebenezer Staples. 1
Moses Aldrich and Samuel Thayer*
Moses Aldrich
Maj. Daniel Lovett 1
Phiuehas Lovett 4
Benjamin Meriam 2
Edmund Morse 3
Joseph Penniman 2
Samuel Rawson 3
•e & 14 rods
£ 1 10 00
" 54 "
2 00 00
" 114 "
7 02 00
105 "
1 00 00
140 "
1 07 06
146 "
1 18 00
" 40 "
1 17 00
120 "
1 02 06
30 "
0 05 00
" 98 "
2 08 00
3 00 00
140 "
1 06 00
108 "
1 00 00
124 "
2 08 00
" 00 "
10 Rod Road 6 00 00
2 10 00
" 69 "
6 00 00
" 100 "
12 00 00
'• 27 "
10 16 10
65 "
2 08 09
24 "
19 00
135 "
3 07 06
148 "
11 11 00
" 32 •'
5 18 09
" 76 "
14 16 00
" 18 "
10 11 03
" 120 "
15 11 00
•' 70 "
12 07 06
112 "
7 00 00
" 120 "
6 00 00
30 "
2 00 00
72 "
5. " 3 00 00
" 92 "
6 05 00
" 00 "
20 00 00
12 00 00
" 40 "
20 00 00
" 80 "
6 00 00
" 40 "
8 00 00
♦Friends Meeting House yard, 2 rods on each 6ide.
1748. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 255
Sarah Daniels (Wid. of Saml.).. . 1 Acre. 1(1 Rod Road 3 10 00
John AJbee 4 Acres 100 rods. " 23 00 00
Lieut. William Sheffield 1 " 120 " " 4 10 00
Joseph Corbitt " 3 00 00
Capt. Eleazer Taft 4 " " 10 00 00
Elilme Whartield 142 " " 5 00 00
Cro. William Rawson 3 " " 10 00 00
Joseph Aldrich 1 " 20 " " • 4 10 00
JosephAllin 3 " " 12 00 00
The following record is found in the latter end of the second
volume of the Town Records, the book being turned upside
down:
January yc 13, 1747. After choosing a Committee to audit the Treasu-
rer's account the meeting was adjourned to the March meeting, then to the
25th. of May, then to the last Monday in August and then to the 21st day
of September, no business being transacted until the last adjournment.
At this lust meeting the town voted to build one new school
house, and to set it "on ye Training Field where it will be most
Accommodable, that is at ye North End of Said Training Field,
adjoyning to the road." It was also voted that " the School
House should be twenty foot in Length and sixteen foot in width
and Seven foot Studd betwixt Joynts." Major Daniel Lovett,
Mr. Samuel Thayer and Capt. Nathan Tyler were chosen a com-
mittee to build the house.
This was the second and only school house in town, at the
time, the old one having been sold to Samuel Thayer. The old
school house stood on the road at the north side of the Friends
meeting house. The new one was to stand near where the barn
of Albert W. Gaskill now stands.
The money accruing from the sale of portions of the roads was
to be paid into the Town Treasury, and so much as may be
necessary was appropriated for building the school house.
1748. March 7. Chose for Selectmen, William Torrey, Na-
than Tyler, Thomas Thayer, Daniel Corbett and Phinehas
Lovett; Town Clerk, Edmund Morse; Town Treasurer, Daniel
Taft, and Constables, Daniel Taft, Jr., and Joseph Corbitt.
March 21. Josiah Marshall was chosen Schoolmaster for the
current year.
256 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1749.
May 17. Deacon Nathaniel Nelson was chosen Representative
to General Court.
Voted that the Assessors "for Time to Come Lodg the yearly
valuations and other papers Serviceable to the Town's use in the
Clerk's Office."
Aug. 29. Capt. Thomas Thayer, Ensign John Legg and Cr.
William Rawson were chosen a committee "to Examine the Ac-
counts of the Committee Chosen to Build a School house for
y'Town and report at the adjourned meeting; and also to reckon
with the Treasurer."
The income from the Ministry land to be equally divided be-
tween the First and Second Precincts.
The town voted they would have but one school, and that but
for four months. Raised £100, old tenor, for town charges, and
£8 to mend Trask's bridge.
1749. March ye 6th. Selectmen, Abraham Staples, William
Thayer, George Aldrich, Ensign John Rockwood and Benjamin
Wheelock; Town Clerk, Edmund Morse; Town Treasurer,
Daniel Taft, Esq., and Phinehas Lovett and Moses Gage for
Constables.
Ensign John Legg and Capt. Thomas Thayer were chosen "to
take care of the Deer."
All the abutters on the roads had not yet agreed to purchase
against their lands, and a committee was chosen to treat with
them and agree with them, if they can, "according to the Gen-
eral Proceedings of the Town in that Affair."
In the early laying out of the divisions of land, in many places,
a way for a road was reserved. Some of these reservations had
been used and others had not. The town now voted that Capt.
Thomas Thayer and Lieut. William Sheffield be directed "to
sell the Allowance for Roads where there is No occasion for
Roads."
They also voted "that the Grammar School should not be
kept in the School House." This school heretofore had been
kept a portion of the time in the old school house.
May 22. Nathaniel Nelson was chosen Representative.
Warrants for town meetings were to be posted at the meeting
1749.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 257
house in Mendon; at the Second Precinct meeting house; at
Sheffield's Mill, and at Trask's mill.
Voted to raise £300, old tenor, to defray town charges.
It will he remembered that, in the divisions of the common
lands, the school and the ministry were both reckoned. For
some reason laying out of some of the divisions of land belong-
ing to the ministry had been neglected, and, at this meeting,
Capt. Nathan Tyler and Deacon Jacob Aldrich were directed
"to Lay out the Remainder of the Ministry Land."
Voted that, by and with the advice of the Rev. Joseph Dorr, Present
Minister, Abraham Fletcher Have the Use- of the Ministry Meadow belong-
ing to the Town of Mendon, for Twenty years from the date hereof, Pro-
vided he, the said Fletcher, Shall Clear up all the said Meadow and finally
Subdew the same within the Space of three years from the date hereof and
have the same under good and sufficient fence and Leave it under good
Leagal Fence at the end of said Time; and further the Said Abraham
Fletcher is (for the Use of Said Meaddow) to mow and make all the Grass or
produce of said Meadow yearly, and seasonably and Deliver the one third
part of the Hay to the said Mr. Dorr at his barn yearly, the said Mr. Don-
continuing to be the Minister in this place; but, and if the said Mr. Don-
Discontinue to be Minister in this Place, before the said Time be Expired
then the said Fletcher, or his order, Shall Deliver to the Town of Mendon,
or their order, the said third part of the Hay, as they shall order the same
not exceeding the same distance from the town.
Deacon Nelson, Benj. Wheelock, Abraham Staples and Capt.
Thomas Thayer were chosen a committee "to reckon with the
Committee to build the School House, and to view the School
House and to Except (accept) or noun except the same to Re-
port at the next meeting."
August yc 24. 1749. As we hear no more about the school
house, it is supposed the committee found it properly construct-
ed. The settlement they made with the Treasurer is as follows,
viz: —
Then Wee the Subscribers met and Reckoned with the Town Treasurer
(Daniel Taft Esq.) and found due to him, in Old tenor,
The sum of £41 10 00
And wee found to Several others, in Old tenor GO 00 00
£101 10 00
And we find due to the Town (from) Particular
Persons, viz: upon ye School Bonds, about. £8 00 00
and in Constable Taft's hands 10 00 00
33
258 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1750.
In Esq. Taft's hands Intress money 8 00 00
In debt (to) the Town for Laud on (side) of the
Roads 12 00 00 38 00 00
The Town remains in debt, Old tenor £63 10 00
Daniel Taft, Town Treasurer.
John Rockwood, "]
Abraham Staples, | Selectmen of
George Aldrich, f Mendon.
Benj. Wheelock. J
The above Reckning was Excepted (accepted?) by the Town at their
meeting
Attest, Edmd Morse, Town Clerk.
1750. March ye 5th. Chose Oapt. Nathan Tyler, Daniel
Sumner, George Bruce, Icliabod Robinson and William Rawson,
Selectmen; Edmund Morse, Town Clerk; Daniel Taft, Esq.,
Town Treasurer, and Ebenezer Chapin and David Pond, Con-
stables.
May o. It was voted to have a grammar schoolmaster, but
voted they would not have Mr. Foster " by the whole town save
one."
May 25. At a town meeting held this day, " Voted and chose
Mr. Dorr's son Joseph and Cant. Eleazer Taft's son Moses to Keep
School by tipetts as they can agree with them at a reasonable
rate, for this present year."
Chose Nathaniel Nelson Representative to the General Court.
At this meeting it was voted —
' ' To Sett the Town Pound on the Land of Ebenezer Chapin, in the Cor-
ner by ye Road leading to John Post's, He the said Chapin giving the land
to Sett said Pound on, and, on said Pound being sett up on said Lands as
aforesaid, by the Town, the said Chapin or his heirs or order, is Obliged to
Maintaine the said Pound, a good and Lawful Pound, for the Town's use,
During ye Term of Fifteen years, from the date hereof, at his own cost and
charge. Said Ebenezer Chapin being present, freely CoDsented to ye fore-
going vote and Promised to Preform ye same."
Voted " to build a School House near the East Precinct Meet-
ing House for ye use of the Town, and that the interest money
arising from the sale of the School lands be erpially divided be-
tween the two precincts."
1750.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 259
Dr. Scammell was paid £2.14.00 "for Looking after Eunice
Wilson and Marthay Bridges."
Raised £40, lawful money, to defray town charges.
MR. KAWSON'S FAEM.
Iii 1685, Secretary Rawson bought of the Natick Indians a
tract of land, afterward annexed to Mendon by the General
Court, containing about 2,000 acres. The consideration in the
deed was £14, lawful money.
The following document continues the history of this pur-
chase, although we are still left in the dark how the controversy
was finally adjusted.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England.
To the Honourable Spencer Phipps Esq. Lieut. Governor and Comman-
der in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay,
in New England, the Honourable his Majesty's Council and House of Rep-
resentatives, in General Court Assembled at Boston this twenty second day
of January A. D. 1750.
The Petitioners of The Proprietors of Rawson's Farm in Bellingham,
Humbly Sheweth.
That about Sixty years ago Mr. Rawson, a Secretary of this
Province having a Grant of the General Court of 1840 acres according to a
Plan drawn on Parchment, by Capt. Thomas Thurston of Medfleld; sd
Rawson and son sold sd Farm to William Haward, Thomas Sanford &
others, who agreed each to Build a house and live therein, which they did
after some time, & sd Purchasers formed themselves into a Propriaty, Chose
a Clerk & a Committee to Devide said Farm not into Equal parts but ac-
cording to the different sums Each Paid purchase money, from one acre
lots to 100 acre lots; and from year to year, as the Committee made returns
of their Devisions, the Clerk recorded them in a Book Provided for that
end.
That about 20 years since James Smith, as he sales, was chosen Clerk &
the Original Deed from sd Rawson & Plan Both drawn on Parchment & ,
scaled and fasned together and sd Book of Records Came into said Smith's
hands with the papers belonging to the sd. Propriaty, the Number of which
is Uncertaine, the first Purchasers being all Ded but one & he is removed
at a Distance from us, and sd Books & Papers &c. being very much Secreted
by sd. Smith.
That about 15 years ago there were several Bounds of sd. Devision lost
& there was like to have been a law suite by reason of one selling to Bounds
contrary to sd. Records; sd Smith was applyed to for copyes, but he said
he was chosen Clerk of sd. Proprietors, But his choice was not recorded
neither was he sworn and that he could not attest copys.
260 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1750.
That soone after the Proprietors met & chose Joseph Holbrook their
Clerk who went to James Smith & Desired sd. Book &c. of him, but said
Smith Put him off from time to time by saying he wanted to make him
copyes from said Book of his own Interest; at other times that he had the
gout and Rumatism in his hand & as soone as he was well he would copy
what he wanted and Deliver the Book &c. the above sd difference being
made up & the Proprietors hoping he would Deliver the Book &c. and,
being loth to see them out of his hands, let them remain there.
That last Winter sd Smith sold a number of pine trees to several Mendon
poeple out of a lot of land claimed by another man. About that time tres-
passes were committed in another place on sd Farm, the lots not to be
known but by sd Book, which said Smith secreted : which Drove the Pro-
prietors to their action against said Smith. But in April he non suited
them.
That in July his attorney made Several pleas in abatement which were
Overruled in the Inferiour Court at Boston & a Plea in Bar (that the cause
of action did not arise within three years of commencing his action) which
was an action Detinu, the judges of the Inferiour Court, as we understand,
were of opinion that the law of limitation referred to was not Intended to
Extend to Real actions and they gave judgment that sd Smith Deliver the
Book, Plan and Papers sued for in fourteen Days after entering up the
same judgment & Pay Costs, or in Default thereof the Proprietors afore sd
shall recover judgment against the said James Smith the sum of one hun-
dred pounds, lawful money & Costs of sute; from which judgment sd Smith
appealed to the Superior Court in August. When sd action was tried there
were 4 judges Present who were unanimously of opinion that as the act of
Detinue made no distinction between Real and Personal actions, that this
action was Included and gave judgment that the action afore sd be barred
and that sd Smith Recover his costs against sd Proprietors.
Which has put sd Proprietors into the utmost concern, for that there is
now on sd Farm 16 or 17 families that sd Smith witholds from them the
Original Title to their lands and all their bounds being no where recorded
but in said Book of Records.
That sd Smith is by his indolence and Tavern-spending reduced from a
fair Estate and that his Estate is accounted Insolvent.
That he has neither family nor any cattell — lives at a Tavern — kept said
Book etc with him in Boston jail about 8 months, as he has told some of us
lately & we fear is sulied if not spoilt aired}'.
That he has threatened to burn said Book &c.
That we are without Relief at Common Law.
Your Petitioners therefore Repaire to this Honourable Court, Praying
Relief as in such cases is Equitable & just, and that you would order the
said James Smith to Deliver sd Book, Original Deed, Plan & Papers to
Joseph Wight Jr. of sd Bellingham for the use of sd Proprietors and
That sd Proprietors may be released from paying to sd Smith the above
sd Costs of sute, and
1751.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 261
That your Honours would order said Proprietors to recover against said
Smith their costs as if judgment had been for them at the above sd Supe-
rior Court; or, that you would grant the Proprietors a Review of the case
at the Superior Court for Suffolk County in Feb. next, and said action to
stand as though brought in due time & that execution be stayed in the
mean time, or other waies Relieve us as in your Superiour Wisdom shall
judge Best.
And Your Petitioners as in Duty Round shall Ever Pray.
The Subscribers interest is as follows.
Samuel Wiswall, 295 acres.
Elezer Hay ward, 290 "
Peter Thomson, 130 "
Elnathan Wight, 100 "
Thomas Baxter, 60 "
Ebenezei~Hayward, 150 "
John Metcalf, 180 "
Petitioners interest. 1205 "
In Council Jan. 22. 1750, Read and Ordered that the Petitioners serve
James Smith, the adverse party with a Copy of this Petition that he may
shew cause, if any he hath, on Friday the 25th Last, why the Prayer thereof
should not be granted.
Sent down for Concurrence
Samuel Holbrook, Depy. Sec.
In the House of Representatives Jan. 22. 1750 Read and Nou Con-
curred and Ordered that this Petition be dismissed.
Sent up for Concurrence.
T. Hubbard, Secy.
In Council Jan. 22. 1750
Read and Concurred
Saml. Houbrook, Depy Sec.
Consented to.
1751. "Jan. 10. Being a Town Meeting (legally called) Principally
to Consider of the Demur which has Lately a risen Conserning a Line or
Bounds which ought to be Settled Betwixt the Township of Mendon and
the Township of Uxbridge; and after Debate on the Premises, the Town,
by several votes Chose a Committee of Nine Men, viz: — Capt. Nathan
Tyler, Capt Robert Taft, William Torrey, Edmund Morse, John Chapin,
George Bruce, Ichabod Robinson, Samuel Thayer and Corp; David Taft,
and they were impowered to joyn with the Town of Uxbridge, or their
Committee to Preambulate a Line Between the Town of Mendon and the
Town of Uxbridge if there be any Such Line to be found agreeable to the
Grant Made to ye town of Uxbridge and the Court's Sanction thereon But
if there Be no such Line to be found, Then the Said Committee be Impow-
ered to joyn with Said Uxbridge or Committee to Run, Make and Es-
262 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1751.
tablish A Line between the said Towns agreeable to said Grant to Said
Uxbridge. But if the said Town of Uxbridge will not Comply to Settle a
Line according to said Grant &c. then the Said Committee or such Man or
Men out of Said Committee as they shall Order or Depute May Do and Act
any thing or things Advisable in the Law, or by applying to any Legal
Authority for their Assistance In Or Der to Make a final Settlement of said
Line Betwixt the said Towns &c.
Attest, William Torrey, Moderator,
Edmund Morse, Town Clerk.
March 27 (warrant says 28.) At a town meeting held this
day, Capt. Thomas Thayer, William Torrey, David Taft, John
Chapin and Jonathan Whitney were chosen Selectmen; Edmund
Sanford, Town Clerk; Daniel Taft, Esq., Town Treasurer, and
James Sumner and Samuel Green, Constables.
May 20. Voted "y* Mr. Dorr's son should be the Town
School Master as soon as he can be had, and when he cannot be
had, then Mr. Taft's son to be ye Town's School Master." Mr.
Dorr's son was Joseph, who graduated at Harvard College in
1752, took an active part in the war of the Revolution, was
afterwards Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester, and
died at Brookfield. Mr. Taft's (Eleazer) son was Moses, who
graduated at Harvard College in 1751, married Mary Dorr (sister
to Joseph) Aug. 15, 1753, studied divinity, settled at Randolph,
Massachusetts, and had four sons, who all graduated at Harvard
College.
Elder (Nathaniel) Nelson was chosen Representative to the
General Court.
Aug. 25. The following appropriations were made, viz:
To Daniel Taft Esq. services as Treasurer, for 1749 & 1750 £ 1 00 00
1 ' James Sumner, Constable, for carrying out of Town Robert
Macfarling & Alexr Claton and their families 2 00 00
For Town Charges 15 00 00
These appropriations were in lawful (sterling) money, not old
tenor.
Voted to forego Thomas Seaben's rate bills, being £1.07.04,
for double money. By double money is meant that the property
had been taxed to another person, as it is found more clearly
expressed in other places.
Benjamin Wheelock, George Aldrich and David Taft were
chosen "to reckon with the Committees formerly chosen to Sell
1751.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
263
(lit1 Land Lying in t lie Reputed Ten Rod Roads or other Roads
more than four Rods wide,'" and make a report at a future
meeting-.
REPORT OF A COMMITTEE.
Wee the Subscribers Chosen by the Town of Mention to Reckon with the
Committee Chosen by the Town to Build a Shool House Mett and Viewed
said School house and wee Excepted (accepted) The Said House to be
finished according to the Agreement the said Committee made with Ed-
mund Morse.
As for the Account of the said Committee, appointed to Build Said
House, it is as followeth viz: —
Mendon Oct. 7. 1751 Wee ye Subscribers whose names are annexed to.our
Account, as it here stands, have Recd full satisfaction for our Labour etc.
Maj. Daniel Lovett £ 8 16 00 Phinehas Lovett.
('apt. Nathan Tyler 4 14 00 Nathan Tyler.
Jona. Wadsworth 2 05 00 Jona Wadsworth.
Jacob Aldrich 5 00 00 Jacob Aldrich.
Benjamin Merriam 4 15 00 Benjamin Merriam.
Joseph Allen 4 00 00 Joseph Allen.
Benjamin Thayer 1 16 00 Benjamin Thayer.
John Legg 14 18 00 John Legg.
Moses Aldrich 15 00 Moses Aldrich.
Joseph Corbitt 1 00 00 Joseph Corbitt.
Ebenezer Merriam .. . 13 00 Ebenezer Merriam.
Phins Lovett 12 00 Phinehas Lovett.
George Aldrich 1 00 00 George Aldrich.
Edmund Morse 134 12 00 Edmd. Morse.
Samuel Thayer 28 00 00 Samuel Thayer.
£212 11 00
Capt. Thomas Thayer, ")
Ens. John Legg,
El. Nathaniel Nelson, [r Committee.
Benjamin Wheelock, |
Abraham Staples. J
If the accounts of our public servants were always subjected to
as searching a scrutiny as was the committee for building this
insignificant school house, we should hear little of ring thieves
and less of peculation from the public treasury.
THE MENDON" ASSOCIATION.
-Mr. Dorr, was, with three others, the founder of the Mendon
Association of Congregational Ministers, as will appear by the
264 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1752.
following extract from the record of the proceedings of its first
meeting:
"A number of the Pastors of chhs. viz., of ye 1st chh of Christ in Men-
tion, of ye chh of Christ in Uxbridge, of ye 3d Church of Christ in Mendon,
of ye ch. of Christ in Upton, being conven3 at ye house of ye Revd Mr Frost
in sd Mendon (now Milford) Nov ye 8th. 1751
Being thotful that it might tend to the Advancement of ye Glory of Christ
and of his Kingdom and Interest in this Vicinity for them to Associate
have thot it duty, and Accordingly
1st. Voted themselves associated, and
2nd. Voted ye Rev. Mr. Dorr the Moderator of the Association.
3thd. Mr. Webb ye scribe for the pres' Meeting."
At this meeting David Thurston, a graduate at Princeton in
the Class of 1751, was licensed to preach, as will be seen by the
following certificate:
"This may Certify that we, the Subscribers, Associated Pastors of chhs.
of Christ, Have, upon the application of Mr. David Thurston, admitted
him to examination in order to his Regular Introduction to the preaching
of the Gosp1; and upon a proper Examination Respecting his Moral Char-
acter, his Learning, his Orthodoxy in the Doctrines of the Gosple and
Christian Experience in Religion are Well Satisfied as to his qualifications
for or Entrance upon ye Gosple Ministry, and can very freely recommend
him to ye churches and Poeple of God as a suitable person to preach the
Gosple, wheresoever he shall, by ye Providence of God, be calld.
Joseph Dorr
Nathan Webb
Amariah Frost
Elisha Fish.
Mendon Nov. 8. 1751."
Thus Mr. Thurston was the first Licentiate of the Mendon
Association. He was the son of David and Deborah (Pond)
Thurston, of Wrentham, where he was born, May 9, 1726. He
Avas ordained over the church in West Med way, June 23, 1752.
After he had been settled seventeen years, owing to ill health
and the troubles growing out of the revival of 1740, he asked a
dismission, and was never resettled.
The Mendon Association still keeps up its organization, and
has occasional meetings.
1752. March ye 2d. Anno Domini 1752. Chose for Selectmen,
William Thayer, Samuel Wheelock, James Sumner, Benjamin
1753.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 265
Crag-gin and Ebenezer Chapin; Town Clerk, Edmund Morse;
Town Treasurer, Lieut. William Sheffield; Constables, Samuel
Penniman and Samuel Green. Deacon Jacob Aldrich was
chosen Clerk of the Market. At this meeting it was voted that
swine should not run at large, but March 1G, they were allowed
the liberty of the town.
" Mention April ye 7. 1752. Taken up the fifth Day of April Instant A
Leather Purs of Money amounting to Three pounds Fifteen Shillings and
seven pence, Lawful Money, found in Mendon Streets, by Hannah Lovett,
Daughter of Phinehas Lovett, of Mendon. Jonathan Foster owned the
above mentioned money and had the same delivered to him."
May 15. Chose William Torrey, Ens. John Legg, Phinehas
Lovett, Samuel Thayer and Cor' (Cornet) David Taft, a com-
mittee to settle and establish a line between the town of Mendon
and Uxbridge, in conference with a committee of Uxbridge, ac-
cording to the grant made to Uxbridge by the General Court;
and the committee to be continued until the last Monday in
October next.
May 18. Capt. Nathan Tyler was chosen Representative to
the General Court.
The Ministry money, as usual, was divided equally between
the First and Second Precincts. Daniel Taft, Esq., was allowed
£3 for his services as Town Treasurer, and £20, lawful money,
was raised and appropriated to defray town charges.
*7 '53- March 5. Selectmen, Thomas Thayer, Ichabod Robin-
son, Samuel Hay ward, Samuel Thayer, Jr., and Samuel Thayer;
Town Clerk, Edmund Morse; Town Treasurer, William Shef-
field; Constables, Josiah Chapin and William Hay ward.
March 26. Voted to choose four more Selectmen, and chose
Elder Nathaniel Nelson, William Rawson, Esq., Benjamin AVhee-
lock and John French.
Trash's (formerly Samuel Thompson's) mill was situated on
an island in the Great (now Blackstone) River, at what is now
Millville, and, it seems, there were at this time no bridges con-
necting the grist mill with either bank of the river, or, if there
were any, they had become unsafe for use.
34
266 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1753.
At this meeting the town voted they would neither build a
bridge over the Great River or erect more school houses. As
there was no school house west of the Blackstone River, it seems
probable that the people living there had asked for building the
bridge over the river, and, in default of that, for a school house,
as otherwise there would be no other way to go to mill or to
school except by a ferry across the river.
Voted to raise £150, old tenor, to mend the highways, and
that a man should have two shillings, and a man and team five
shillings a day for labor on the roads.
Town meetings were to be warned by notices posted at the
Town's Meeting House, at the East Precinct Meeting House,
and at Oargill's Mill, now East Blackstone.
Capt. Robert Taft was chosen Grand juror man.
May 14. The town again voted against allowing the East Pre-
cinct to be set off as a distinct town, and, on the same day, chose
Capt. Nathan Tyler, Representative to the General Court.
August 20. Raised, to defray town charges, £26.13.04, law-
ful money.
As usual, the income of the Ministry lands was ecpially divided
between the two precincts.
William Sheffield, Town Treasurer, was instructed to collect
the amount due for lands sold out of the highways, and convert
the same to the town's use.
"Mendon Oct. 7. 1753.
Wee, the Subscribers, being a Committee Chosen by the Town of Men-
don to Reckon with the Committee, formerly chosen by the Town to sell
the Land or, at least, to Despose of the Land, in Reputed Ten rod Roads
and other Roads in town more than four rods wide, Mett and Reckoned
with said Committee, which is as followeth, viz: —
Wee find in Daniel Taft Esq.'s hand, one of the said Commit-
tee, due the Town, old tenor £ 6 00 00
In William Torrey's hand, one of the Committee, old tenor 14 03 03
Received of William Torrey sundry Notes viz : —
One Note due from George Bruce old tenor 14 00 00
" do. " " Samuel Torrey " 10 16 10
" do. " " Rev. Mr. Dorr " 5 18 00
" do. " " Joseph Allen..* " 5 00 00
In Edmund Morse's hands a balance of 7 1110
Note of Joseph Corbett, old tenor 2 00 00
do. " Weddow Sarah Daniels old tenor 3 15 00
1753.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 267
Cash of Phinehas Lovett due the town 1 00 00
Due from Capt. Nathan Tyler 05 00
In David Taft's hands we find 6 00 00
Total, old tenor. £76 09 11
Benjamin Wheelock )
David Taft [■ Committee.
George Aldrich )
Voted the above Reckoning be Excepted (accepted) as it now stands."
The above account stands, footed in the record, at £84.09.11.
It is probable that an item of £8 was left out in copying.
The committee chosen to confer with the committee of Ux-
bridge in regard to the boundary line between the towns, find-
ing they could come to no satisfactory settlement, petitioned the
General Court for an adjustment of the controversy, as follows:
Mass. Archives, Towns, Vol. 116, pp. 509, 510 and 511.
" To his Excellency, William Shirley Esq. Captain General and Governor
in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in
New England and the Honble his Majesty's Council and House of Repre-
sentatives Convened and Sitting in General Court or Assembly for said
Province December ye 4. 1753.
The Petition of Samuel Thayer, William Torrey, John Legg, David Taft
and Phinehas Lovett, a Committee for and in behalf of the Town of Men-
don in said Mendon,
Humbly Sheweth,
That whereas the Grant to the western Inhabitance of Mendon on
their request to said Town in order to make a Township, which is now
Uxbridge, was as followeth viz : — To Begin their Bounds at the Southwest
Corner of Mendon at the Province South Line ; Thence to Run four Milles
East on sd Line ; Then to turn a North Line parallel with the West Line of
sd Town until that Line meett with a small Brook Called Mischo Brook,
and so on said Brook and other Bounds Mentioned in said Grant to the
North Line of said Town, The which Grant the Honble Court was pleased
to confirm to the Town of Uxbridge; whereupon the Town of Mendon
Chose a Committee to joyn Uxbridge Committee in order to make and set-
tle a Line Between The Said Towns According to said Grant, But said
Committee Did not bring any return of what they Did Relating to sd Line
to the Town of Mendon, for their Exceptance (acceptance) nor yet ever
Signed any Return as we can find. But the Surveyor who was employed
to assist sd Committees in Settling said Line was then Town Clerk of Men-
don, who was pleased to make an entry of what the Committee Did (as he
saith in his Entry) was according to said Grant, How Ever the sd Towns
Made no fourther Search in that Day but since then Made Several Attempts
268 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1754.
to preambulate according to said Entry or reputed Bounds But found Diffi-
culty ye said Bounds being uncertain.
And in the year 1750 Uxbridge Selectmen Denied the Old Reputed Bounds
on the Spot.
And afterwards one of their Principle Gentlemen, then one of the Select-
men of Uxbridge, Come into our Public Towne Meeting and openly De-
claired for him Self and the others of them Selectmen that they would Not
Preambulate as heretofore and that there was no reguler Bounds according
to the Grant &c.
Tbereupon wee were Oblidged to make further Tryal And that feeling in
Deed there was not any just Line Betwixt said Towns Neither by Length of
Lines nor by Point of Compass Wee friendly offered the Town of Uxbridge
to Joyn and Measure and Settle a Line or Bounds Betwixt said Towns
According to said Grant which they Utterly Refused although they first
Denied ye Line &c.
Wherefore in order to prevent any further Difference or Perplexing Lawr-
sutes that might arise here after it is the Humble Request of your Petition-
ers That Your Excellency and Honors would Be pleased to take into your
wise Consideration And Send a Committee in Order to make and Establish
a Line or Bounds Betwixt the Town of Mendon and the Town of Uxbridge
according to the Grant above said.
As your petitioners in Duty Bound shall ever pray.
Samuel Thayer, "]
William Torrey, |
John Legg. J- Committee.
David Taft,
Phinehas Lovett, J
In the House of Representatives, Dec. 14, 1753.
Read and Ordered that the Petitioners Serve the Town of Uxbridge with
a Copy of this Petition that they Shew Cause (if an}' they have) on the
Second Thursday of the Next Sitting of the Court why the prayer thereof
should not be granted.
Sent up for Concurrence
T. Hubbard, Spkr
In Council Dec. 15. 1753 Read and Concurred.
Thomas Clarke, Deputy Secy.
1754. March ye 3d. 1754. Chose for Selectmen, George Al-
drich, Habijah French, Benjamin Merriam, Jasper Daniels and
Silas Wheelock; Town Clerk, Edmond Morse; Town Treasurer,
George Aldrich, and for Constables, Nathaniel Rawson and
Daniel Holbrook.
The General Court being in session the petition of the Select-
1754.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 269
men of Menclon was again brought up, and the following action
was had thereon : —
In Council March 29. 1754.
Whereas by the Order upon the Petition of the Selectmen of Men-
don the Town of Uxbridge were directed to make answer to said Petition
on the Second Thursday of the present Session of this Court, and whereas
the Public Fast has been appointed to be kept on that Day; Therefore Or-
dered that the said Town of Uxbridge give in their answer thereto on
Wednesday the tenth day of April next to which time the consideration of
the aforesaid petition is referred.
Sent down for Concurrence,
Thomas Clarke, Dep'y Secy.
In the House of Representatives March 29. 1754
Read and Concurred
T. Hubbard, Spk'
In Council April 10. 1754.
Read, and it appearing that the Towns of Mendon and Uxbridge have
agreed in Relation to the boundary Line betwixt them, Ordered that this
Petition be dismissed.
Sent down for Concurrence,
Thomas Clarke, Depty Secy.
In the House of Representatives April 10. ,1754
Read and Concurred,
T. Hubbard, Spkr
Consented to W. Shirley.
BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN MENDON AND UXBRIDGE SETTLED.
Memorandum of an Agreement made at Mendon this Second Day of
April 1754, Between Samuel Thayer, William Torrey, John Legg, David
Taft and Phinehas Lovett, as a Committee for ye Town of Mendon on ye
one part and John Harwood, Josiah Taft and Nicholas Baylies, as a Com-
mittee of ye Town of Uxbridge on ye other part as follows, viz : — Whereas
there is Risen a Dispute or Difference between said Towns do mutually
agree in order to accommodate and make a final end of sd aforesaid Dis-
pute do agree on ye following conditions, viz : That we the aforesaid Com-
mittees in behalf of the aforesaid Towns do agree to acknowledge and
Confirm ye heap of stones near a place called Benson's Sellar to be ye South
East Corner of ye Town of Uxbridge, and from thence to run Northly a
Direct Line to a Maple Tree Marked for Uxbridge Corner on Misco Hill
Brook, called Uxbridge Jogg, and also to run and measure and make and
Erect Bounds from said South East Corner of Uxbridge to ye above sd
Maple Tree and further we mutually a Gree to go and perambulate and make
ye above Bounds on Wednesday ye 3d Day of this Instant April and to
meet on sd Day at ye hour of Eight o'clock in ye morning at sd South East
Corner of Uxbridge, near Benson's Sellar & do ye above work & to finish
directly & then to make return of said Perambulation and bounds above
270 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1754.
sd. in a joint Petition to ye General Court & to Desire and Request of ye sd
Honourable Court to Confirm and Enact and Establish ye above sd Corners
and Bounds ' we shall then erect to be Corners and Bounds between
said Towns of Mendon and Uxbridge; and further do agree to
withdraw all Petitions &c. to ye General Court and all other Differ-
ences and Disputes that have already Risen between sd Towns, and
also it is a Greed that ye Compass shall be carried by John Harwood Esq.
& Wm, Torrey or either of them — it is further agreed that ye above sd work
shall be accomplished by Monday ye Eighth Day of this April Instant and
to be mutually agreed to & Signed by us ye above sd Committee in a Peti-
tion to the General Court for their Confirmation.
In Confirmation of ye above sd Agreement, we ye said Committees in
behalf of ye above, sd Towns do Mutually sign this Agreement ye day and
year above sd.
Samuel Thayer, 1
William Torrey, I Committee in ye behalf
Test. David Taft, J of ye Town of Mendon.
Chas. Brigham, Phinehas Lovett. J
Wm. Rawson Jr. John Harwood j Committee in ye behalf
N bTylieI fofrTownofUxbridge.
To His Excellency William Shirley Esq. Capt. General & Governor in
Chief in and over his Majastie's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New
England and to ye Honourable Council and the Honered House of Repre-
sentatives in General Court assembled ye 10th day of this Instant April
1754.
Humbly Sheweth,
That we ye Petitioners being a Committee for ye Towns
of Mendon aud Uxbridge, in order to settle ye Dispute between said Towns
Relating to the Dividing Line have been agreeable to ye foregoing Agree-
ment & have acknowledged and confirmed the heap of Stones near a place
called Benson's Cellar to be ye South East Corner of ye Town of Uxbridge,
and so Northerly a direct Line to a heap of Stones about a Rod East of
John Darlings Dam, so called, thence Northerly to a heap of Stones on ye
North side of ye Road between John Fish jr. and Ebedezer White's, thence
Northerly to a heap of Stones in ye Road about 18 Rods West of ye house
formerly George Patterson, thence Northerly to aheap of Stones on a Rock
ye north side ye Road, called ye upper West Hill Road, a little East of ye
Land formerly Ebenezer Read's, thence Northerly to a Maple Tree, formerly
Markt, on Misco Hill Brook', being a Corner called Uxbridge jogg. All
which Corners and Bounds above Mentioned we pray, with humble sub-
mission, of this Honourable Court may be the Corners and Bounds between
said Towns of Mendon and Uxbridge.
Wch in Duty Bound wee Ever Pray
William Torrey, } Committee for John Harwood, ) Committee for
David Taft, [• the Town of Josiah Taft, [- the Town of
Phinehas Lovett, i Mendon. N Baylies. ) Uxbridge.
1755. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 271
In Council April 10. 1754. Read and Ordered that the Prayer of the
foregoing' Petition be granted and that the Boundary Line between the
Towns of Mendon and Uxbridge, as described in the afore written Agree-
ment, be and the same is hereby established to all Intents and Purposes
whatever
Sent down for Concurrence
Thomas Clarke, Dep'r Secy.
In the House of Representatives, April 10. 1754.
Read and Concurred, T. Hubbard, Spkr.
Consented to W. Shirley.
May 20. Voted to raise £100, lawful money, to mend the
highways.
Capt. Nathan Tyler was chosen Representative to the General
Court.
It will be remembered that the town had reduced the roads to
four rods wide, and had, in many instances, sold to the abutters
the quantity of land beyond the stipulated width. But others,
it seems, had fenced in portions of the road without consent or
purchase of the town, and the committees chosen by the town to
negotiate with the trespassers had accomplished little or nothing
in that direction; hence the town directed the Selectmen "to
prosecute in a regular way or manner as may be advisable to get
the said Roads so fenced up, opened to their former width and
So to Ly open for the Town's use."
Voted to raise £70 to defray town charges.
1755. March 3. Chose Edmond Morse, Thomas Taft, Nehe-
miah Nelson, Capt. Robert Taft and Josiah Chapin, Selectmen;
Edmund Morse, Town Clerk; George Aldrich, Town Treasurer,
and Nathaniel Rawson and David Holbrook for Constables.
The Ministry money divided, as usual, between First and
Second Precincts.
Voted "'that Dea. Edward Rawson have Liberty to Shut up
the Road between ye Rev. Mr. Dorr's land and his land to Muddy
Brook the Present Year for one dollar." This is the first time
the word dollar occurs in the Town Records.
May 19. Capt. Phinehas Lovett chosen Representative to the
General Court.
272 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1755.
Aug. 25. Raised £50, lawful money, to defray town charges
this year.
So far as the Town Records are to be relied on, no evidence is
found that Mendon furnished any soldiers for the French war;
and this seems the more strange, as it is found that, quite prob-
able, Mendon furnished her full quota.
MENDON IN THE FRENCH WAR, 1755.
The war against the French, for this year, was known and
recorded, in the Muster Rolls, as the Expedition to Crown Point.
But one battle was fought, and that near the south end of Lake
George. The campaign closed Sept. 8, when the French were
sorely defeated, and Baron Dieskau, the Commander-in-Chief,
was wounded and taken prisoner.
In this expedition the names of the following men, purporting
to belong to Mendon, may be found upon the Muster Rolls in
the State Archives:
Muster Rolls, Vol. 95, p. 203.
Iu Capt. Nathl. Thwing's Com. Col. Gridley's Reg. (Boston.)
NAMES. TIME OP SEKVICE. "VV. A. PAY.
Nathan Tyler Jr., 1st Lieut Feb. 18 to Dec. 23 38 6 £39 14 07
Joseph Clark, Sergt. (died in service) . Nov. 30 to Nov. 26 34 2 16 08 07
Peter Aldrich, do. (do. " do.). , .Apr. 21 to Nov. 20 30 4 14 13 00
Eliphalet Wood, Corp " 22 to Dec. 3 32 2 13 10 05
William Hutchins, do " 22 to " 3 32 2 13 10 05
John Watkins, Private, Drummer,
Servant to Jos. Johnson " 19 to " 3 32 5 13 14 00
Joseph Aaron, Private Servant to
David Daniels Mar. 17 to " 3 37 3 14 19 06
William Barron, Private, (died in
service.) Ap. 12 to " 7 25 4 10 04 07
Benjamin Blake, Private, (Servant to
Daniel Taft, Jr.) Mar. 1 to " 3 39 5 15 17 09
Thomas Bryan, Private Mar. 1 to " 3 39 5 15 17 09
Joseph Clark, Jr., " " 30 to " 3 35 4 14 07 07
David Davidson, " " 5 to " 3 39 1 15 13 02
AsaDaniels. " Ap. 22 to " 3 32 2 12 18 04
JohnHolden, " Mar. 1 to " 3 39 5 15 17 09
Stephen Johnson, " " 1 to " 3 39 5 15 17 09
Neal McNeal, " Apr. 22 to " 3 32 2 12 18 04
John Passmore " Mar. 25 to " 3 36 2 14 10 04
William Rawson, " " 1 to " 3 39 5 15 17 09
1755.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
273
John Spawford, private Sept. 7 to Jan. 4 17 1 6 17 02
Stephen Johnson, •' Ap. 22 to Dec. 3 32 2 12 18 04
John Vickery, Private (died in the
service) Mar. 23 to Sept. 11 24 5 9 17 09
Aaron White, Private, (died in the
service) Apr. 16 to Oct. 5 24 5 9 17 09
£325 12 07
Muster Rolls, Vol. 95, p. 205.
In Capt Wm. Bacon's Co. (Dedham) Col Gridley's Reg.
Eleazer Thayer (son of Uriah Thayer)
(died) Ap. 22 to Oct. 29 £10 18 03
Muster Rolls, Vol. 94, p. 21.
In Capt. John Jones' Co (Bellingkam)
Ahner Aldrich, Sergt Apr. 5 to Dec. 17 36 5 £15 12 10
Joseph Clark, do " 5 to Oct. 6 26 3 1105 02
Uriah Thayer, Corp " 5 to Nov. 3 30 3 11 06 11
John Timing, Drummer " 5 to " 12 315 1110 07
Ebenezer Thayer, Centinal " 5 to Oct. 6 26 3 8 16 00
John Gage, do " 5 to " 6 26 3 8 16 00
Daniel White, do " 5 to " 25 29 1 9 14 00
Asa Daniels do " 5 to " 20 28 3 9 09 00
Eleazer Thayer do " 5 to Nov. 12 315 10 1106
Marmaduke Williams, servant to
Saml. Hayward " 5 to " 5 30 5 10 04 10
Joseph Cody, servant to Saml. War-
ren " 5to " 12 315 10 1106
John Gage Jr. servant to Ebenr Taft " 5 to " 12 315 10 1106
JosiahTenney do. Moses Tenney " 5 to Oct. 24 29 0 9 13 04
A sel Thayer do. Jona. Thayer. " 5 to JNov. 12 315 10 1106
John Marsh, private, " 5 to " 5 5 30 10 04 10
Ebenezer Wheelock, private, " 5 to " 11 314 10 10 07
John Hill, private, " 5 to Sept. 8- 22 3
do. do. Sergt. Sept. 9 to Dec. 17 14 2 13 11 04
Muster Rolls, Vol. 95, p. 66.
In Capt. John Fry's Co. (Sutton) Col. Willard's Res
Nathan Tyler, Ensign Aug. 8 to Nov. 5
Elijah Tyler, Sergt July 16 to Dec. 24
Thomas Howard, Corp " 16 to " 24
Joseph Woodbury, pr. (taken sick) " 10 to " 14
Simeon Evans, " " 23 to Nov. 27
Fortune Bnrne, " Aug. 18 to Dec. 12
Jones Parkes, " July 16 to Nov. 27
35
£193 17 05
12 6
£ 6 17 02
21 5
9 05 00
21 5
8 01 11
18 2
6 01 11
16 5
5 11 05
19 2
6 08 07
274
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1755.
Daniel Davidson,
Jeremiah Thayer
Thomas Byon
pr July 16 to Dec.
" " 16 to "
" " 26 to "
21 5
21 5
20 2
7 04 09
7 04 09
6 15 03
Muster Rolls, Vol. 94, p. 50.
In Capt. Andrew Dalrymple's Co. (Petersham.)
William Rawson, private May 5 to May
Clerk " 16 to Dec.
Joseph Rawson, private Mar. 30 to "
Oliver Thayer, Corp " 28 to "
Jonathan Cook, private " 30 to "
Joseph Darling, " Apr. 22 to Oct.
Jonas Dyer, " Mar. 22 to Dec.
" " . " promoted. . .Dec. 17 to Mar.
Joseph Jackson " Mar. 9 to Dec
do. do. " promoted Dec. 17 to Mar.
Ebenezer Thayer, ' ' promoted — Mar. 27 to Dec.
do do " Dec. 17 to Mar.
John Thayer, " Apr. 2 to Sep.
Abner Hazeltine " Aug. 9,
Moses Benson, " Aug. 19 to
John Williams, " Deserted.
£63 10 09
16
1 5
£00 13 09
19
31 1
14 18 06
19
37 6
15 02 11
19
38 1
15 19 06
19
37 6
15 02 11
7
25 4
10 14 07
19
39 0
22
13 6
15 12 00
10
40 6
9
12 0
16 06 11
19
38 2
27
21
14 4
23 2
13 16 5
15 06 04
9 06 03
5 11 06
£134 15 02
Muster Rolls, Vol. 95, pp. 121 and 122.
In Capt. Philip Richardson's Com.
Abraham Thayer, Jr Apr. 22 to Dec. 2, 32 1 £12 17 02
Jonathan Wheelock May 4 to June 9, 5 2 2 02 04
£14 19 06
Muster Rolls, Vol. 95, p. 142.
In Capt. David White's Co. of Douglass.
Joshua Thayer, pr. Died in service. .Mar. 30 to Sep. 26, 25 6 12 06 10|
John Gage, " " 28 to Nov. 3, 314 12 12 07
Elijah White, " Died in service. . " 30 to Oct. 17, 28 6 11 10 10*
Abner Thayer, " " 30 to Nov. 3, 31 2 12 10 03*
John Gage Jr. , apprentice to Eliazer
Taft, died in service " 28 to " 28, 35 1 14 0101*
£63 01 09i
This year another expedition was undertaken against the
French in Nova Scotia. The Massachusetts troops were under
the command of Gen. John Winslow, of Mansfield, great grand-
son of Gov. Winslow, His commission was dated Feb. 10, 1755.
1755.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 275
By the middle of June the French forts were reduced, and the
English were masters of the country. The inhabitants had
been settled in the country of Acadie, as it had been called, for
more than two hundred years. They were, originally, emi-
grants from France and were Roman Catholics. They were an
agricultural people. They were represented by contemporary
historians as a peaceable inoffensive race, and had taken no part
in the present war, and were recognized by the English as
FRENCH NEUTRALS.
Even by the laws of war we do not see how the subsequent
treatment of the Acadians could be justified. They had not
resisted the conquest of their country — had not borne arms
against their invaders, but remained in their homes, peaceable
and quiet. Nevertheless, when the power of the French had
been overcome, they were treated as captives, and their forcible
expatriation Avas determined upon — they were not allowed the
privilege of voluntary emigration. During the succeeding
winter, to the number of seven thousand, they were, distributed
to the various sea ports on the Atlantic coast from New Hamp-
shire to Georgia.
At the opening of winter about one thousand were landed at
Boston, without the means of support, many of them being
aged and broken down in health and spirits by the unjustifiable
treatment to which they had been subjected.
The Colonial Legislature soon took the case in hand, as we
shall see by the following: —
Mass. Archives, Court, Vol. 21, p. 51.
Dec. 29. 1755 Monday. In the House of Representatives. Whereas a
considerable number of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia (Acadia) arrived
the 26th. instant, being removed by the Governor and Council of that
Province, for the security thereof, and no provision being made for their
support here, they are in great danger of suffering during this rigorous
season, without the interposition of this Court.
Ordered that Mr. James Russell, Mr. Cooper and Mr. Hall with such as
the Honble Board shall join, be a Committee to provide for the Support of
such inhabitants of Nova Scotia, until advice may be had from Gov. Law-
rence (of Nova Scotia) and his orders concerning them, or until there may
be an opportunity of applying to his Excellency, General Shirley, Com-
mander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces in North America, for his dircc-
276 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1756.
tions concerning them. And the Committee are to dispose of them, in the
meantime, in such Towns, in this Province, as they shall judge least incon-
venient to the public; and the Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor of the
several Towns to which they may be sent as. aforesaid, are hereby author-
ized and required to receive them and employ or support them in such
manner as shall incur the least charge : and the said Inhabitants of Nova
Scotia being so received and entertained in any town shall not be construed
or understood to be an admission of them as inhabitants; the Court relying
upon it that some provision will be made for them without any expense to
this Government.
In Council P. & C. and Samuel Watts and William Brattle, Esqs are
joined in the affair.
How many of the French Neutrals were assigned to Mendon,
and how long airy of them remained in town, the town records
furnish no evidence. As late as 1764 five of them were still
living in Mendon.
In 1761 there may be found in the
Mass. Archives, Court, Vol. 23, p. 725,
A Petition of the Selectmen of Mendon, Setting forth that the Commit"
tee appointed to Distribute the French Neutrals (so called) in the County
of Worcester have (for want of due information as they apprehend) assigned
to the Town of Mendon such only as are soon like to be a public charge,
and praying that said Committee may be impowered to reconsider the
matter and make such alteration in the distribution as they shall judge
proper.
In the H. of R. Read and Orel, that the prayer of the petition be so far
granted that the Committee mentioned in the petition be impowered, at the
charge of the petitioners, to new apportion the French Inhabitants in the
County of Worcester if they judge reasonable.
In Council R. & Con.
Consented to by the Governor.
So far as is known nothing came of this petition, and, as the
petitioners were to pay the charges of a new distribution by the
committee, and as some of the French neutrals were found here
some years afterwards, it is quite probable nothing further was
done.
Of the seven thousand . that were taken away from .Nova
Scotia, many of them found their way to St. Domingo, while
the balance of them settled in the Southern States.
1756. March ye 1st. Chose for Selectmen, John French,
1757.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
277
William Sheffield, Ichabod Amidown, Ichabod Robinson and
Daniel Darling; Town Clerk, Edmond Morse; Town Treasurer,
George Aldrich; Constables, Noah Cook and Nathaniel Jones.
The ministry money was divided equally between the two
Precincts.
May 3. Capt. Phinehas Lovett chosen Representative to the
General Court.
Voted to raise £200, lawful money, to repair highways.
As yet it appears there were but two school honses in town,
viz: one in each Precinct. At this meeting, upon motion made,
it was voted to build no more school houses.
Aug. 30. Raised £8, lawful money, for town charges.'
QUAKEKS IN MENDON.
Benjamin Cook,
Samuel Thayer,
Benjamin Thayer,
Joseph Allen,
Moses Aldrich,
Luke Aldrich,
Aaron Aldrich,
George Aldrich,
Jacob Bartlett,
A true List
John Smith,
John Cass,
Jonathan Cass,
Samuel Gaskill,
Ebeoezer Gaskill,
Benjamin Gaskill,
Anthony Chase,
Samuel Cook,
James Cargill,
pr. me Moses Aldrich
Daniel Southwick,
Daniel Southwick, Jr.,
Lawrence Southwick,
Jonathan Southwick,
Benjamin Southwick,
Edward Southwick,
George Smith,
Ehenezer Cook.
Josiah Ball is certified as belonging to the Anabaptist Church
in Leicester, and Joseph Darling as "usually attending'' the
Anabaptist meeting in Bellingham.
Perambulation of town boundaries were made this year, be-
tween TJxbridge, Upton, Hopkinton, Bellingham and Mendon.
1757. March ye 7th. Chose Daniel Taft, Jr., Joseph Jones,
Samuel Green. Aaron Thayer and Nathaniel Rawson for Select-
men; Edmund Morse for Town Clerk, and Town Treasurer;
David Daniels and Isaac Tenney were chosen Constables, but it
is found that Jasper Daniels served the Selectmen's warrants as
Constable. Robert Taft and Gershom Chapin were chosen Deer
Reives.
Voted to leave the " affair of a Schoolmaster," for this year in
the hands of the Selectmen.
278 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1757.
Voted to lodge indentures of children bound out by the town
in the Town Clerk's hands for the future.
Voted that the Selectmen of Mendon, for the time being or
time to come, shall not have liberty " to Draw Orders on the
Town Treasurer of Mendon to pay Them selves as Selectmen."
John French was chosen Grand Juryman.
The road from the Ten-rod highway to Muddy Brook, be-
tween the lands of the Rev. Mr. Dorr and Deacon Edward Raw-
son, about which there seems to have been a long-standing con-
troversy, was again brought before the town meeting, by a
motion to open the same, but which motion was not carried.
Upon this a motion was made and carried that Deacon Rawson
have the use of the road the present year for eight shillings.
Upon this, James Lovett entered his protest against the vote,
"and Declared he would apply to the Court for Relief if the
Town did not open the Said Road Down to Muddy Brook for
his Cattle to come at the water in ye Summer. "
Voted to raise £200, lawful money, to mend the highways this
year.
Voted that a man shall have two shillings a day for work on
the highways and a man and team four shillings per day, pro-
vided they begin their work by eight o'clock A. M. ; and a cer-
tificate from the Surveyor that any one had worked out his rate,
should authorize the Constable forthwith to cross out said rate.
A vote was passed to sell the remainder of the Ministry land,
but the vote was afterward reconsidered on the 22d of August.
Voted to sell the pew in the Easterly Precinct Meeting house,
which the town bought of Oliver Hayward, to Samuel Wheelock
for the sum of £5.06.08, lawful money, in order to support said
Oliver Hayward and his family, as the Selectmen shall order the
same.
Aug. 22. Voted to dismiss the committee heretofore ap-
pointed to sell the Ministry land.
Last Monday in September Noah Cook was chosen "to serve
on the Grand Jury the Next Superior Court."
Raised £20, lawful money, to defray town charges.
The war with France still continued, and, but for the Muster
Rolls in the State Archives, we should not know that Mendon
furnished any soldiers for this year's campaign. They saw no
1757. I ANNALS OF MEN DON. 279
active service, however, except a forced march for the relief of
Fort William Henry, as far as Westfield, whence, learning that
Col. Munro had been obliged to surrender the fort to the French,
they were ordered home by Gov. Pownal, who was then at
Springfield.
Muster Rolls, Vol. 95, p. 545.
A Muster Roll of the company under the command of Phine-
has Lovett, belonging to the Regiment whereof Abraham Wil-
liams is Colonel, that marched on the alarm for the relief of
Fort William Henry in August 1757. Arrived at Westfield,
they heard of the surrender of the fort to the French and In-
dians, and so returned home.
Days
Miles at Whole Pay
travel. West- time per Horse. Pay.
field, out. day.
Phinehas Lovett, Capt. March* Aug. 16. . 165 3 14 5s.0d 2 £3 12 00
William Thayer, Lieut, " .. do. 3 14 3 09 2 2 14 06
Samuel Wheelock, Ensign " .. do. 3 14 3 00 2 2 04 00
Samuel Hay ward Sergt. " . do. 3 14 2 10 2 2 01 08
Joseph Daniels " " .. do. 3 14 2 10 2 2 0108
Edward Rawson do. 3 14 2 10 2 2 0108
Samuel White do. 3 14 2 08 2 110 04
Gershom Nelson do. 3 14 2 09 118 06
Silas Aldrich do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
Elias Staples do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
John Holden(N Tyler Esq. Master).... do. 3 14 2 08 2 119 04
Joseph Marsh do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
Ebenezer Marsh do. 3 14 2 08 2 119 04
Turner Ellis do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
George Bruce do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
Stephen Johnson do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
John Craggin do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
Gershom Chapin do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
John Perry do. 3 14 2 08 2 119 04
Moses Gage do. 3 14 2 08 1 17 04
Daniel Wedge do. 3 14 2 08 1 17 04
Benjamin Atwood do. 3 14 2 08 2 1 19 04
William Legg do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
Peter Brown do. 3 14 2 08 2 119 04
Calvin Smith do. 3 14 2 08 2 119 04
Joseph Benson do. 3 14 2 08 117 04
Abraham Thayer do. 3 14 2 08 2 119 04
Joseph Darling do. 3 14 2 08 1 17 04
Moses Thayer do. 3 14 2 08 2 119 04
Jonas Sartell do'. 3 14 2 08 117 04
280 ANNALS OF MENUON. [1758.
Besides these thirty names against which is entered, in the Muster Roll
the amount paid to each, the names of twenty-nine others are borne on the
Roll, as follows, viz : — Robert Kelly, Zebulon Goss, William French, John
Watkins, John Crooks, Elisha Hale, Paul Rawson, Asa Fletcher, Joseph
Jackson, Moses Tenney, Nathaniel Rawson, Josiah Wheelock, Gideon
Albee, Isaiah Corbett, Nathaniel Cheney, Ebenezer Sumner, John Chapin,
Seth Thayer, Jesse Sumner, Jonathan Whitney, Jonathan Sterns, Samuel
Warren, Benjamin Hayward, Hezekiah Hayward, Abner Thayer, Jonas
Dyre, Bezaleel Jones, Daniel Thompson and Edward Hunt.
Errors Excepted
Phinehas Lovett.
Suffolk ss. Boston Jan 3, 1759.
Capt. Phinehas Lovett made oath that the above is a True Roll of a
company under his command, in the time of the Alarm.
Before me Jacob Wendell, Just. Peace.
The probable reason why the jurat was delayed so long was
that the war expenses were to be discharged by the British Gov-
ernment; and so, after the expenditure of the necessary quantity
of red tape, the voyage from Boston to London and back per-
formed, the muster rolls properly made out and sworn to, the
soldier finally got his pay.
1758. March 6. Chose for Selectmen, Daniel Taft, Jr.,
Jasper Daniels, Ebenezer Chapin, Ichabod Thayer and Peter
Wheelock; Town Clerk, Edward Rawson; Town Treasurer, Ed-
mond Morse; Constables, Joseph Bruce and John Thayer; Deer
Reeves, Benj. Wheelock Jr., and Stephen Torrey.
HIGHWAY AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Up to this time the town had not been divided into highway
or school districts. At this meeting Edward Rawson, Daniel
Taft, Jr. Samuel Penniman, James Sumner and Nathaniel
Rawson were chosen a committee " to divide the whole Town
Into Districts To be Stated for the Better Convenience For
Mending The Highways and Schooling."
Benjamin Merriam was chosen Grand juryman.
May 8. Benjamin Craggin, Edward Rawson and Ebenezer
Chapin were chosen a committee "to VieAV the Burying Place
by the Brook which Capt. Phinehas Lovett petitions to purchase
of the Town of Mendon, and said Committee to view the Sir-
1758.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 281
cumstance thereof and Sett a Value thereon and Report to the
Town."
May 22. Voted to raise £150, L. M., to mend the highways
this year.
Voted "to sell Capfc. Phinehas Lovett fifteen Rods of the
Burying Place Lying North of his own Land to the Bank of the
Brook for the sum of £3.10.00 Old Tenor, the Said Lovett To
Agree with Lieut. Ichabod Ammidown for the said Land During
the term of Ammidown's Lease."
Lieut. John French was chosen Representative to the General
Court.
May 31. Voted not to divide the town into districts this
year.
Aug. 23. Voted, to raise £50, L. M. to defray town charges.
Chose Ichabod Ammidown Grand jury man for the Superior
Court.
The war with France still dragged its slow length along.
Three expeditions for the reduction of Canada were inaugurated
this year. In the one under the command of Gen. Abercrombie
the muster rolls furnish evidence that Mendon furnished some
of the soldiers for that unfortunate campaign. The following
names, credited to Mendon, may be found in
Muster Rolls, Vol. 97, p. -248.
In Capt. Andrew Dalrymple's Co. (Petersham) Col. Preble's Reg. in the
Expedition to Canada, 1758.
Lieut, Ahner Aldrich Mar. 13 to Nov. 30, 9 mos. 11 days. £75 03 11
Drummer, Ebenezer Trask . . Apr. 19 to " 6, 6 " 8 " 15 08 08
Private, Joseph Clark " 14 to " 7,7 " 18 " 13 1104
Charles Scott " 5 to " 6, 7 " 24 " 14 02 11
Aimer Thayer Mar. 29 to " 8, 8 " 3 " 14 11 11
Eben Thayer " 29 to " 8, 8 " 3 " 14 1111
Moses Thayer Apr. 14 to " 10,7 " 15 " 13 1104
George Thayer " 21 to " 10,7 " 8 " 13 02 04
Nathaniel Farrow " 5 to " 10,7 " 24 " 14 02 11
Nathanil Freeman " 5 to " 7,7 " 24 " 14 02 11
Benjamin Hay ward Mar. 29 to " 7, 8 " 3 " 14 1111
Dependence Hay ward " 29 to " 7, 8 " 3 - 14 1111
£231 13 00
Suffolk ss. Boston, Feb. 1. 1759, Capt, Dalrymple was sworn before
36
282 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1758.
the Committee on Accounts to make true answers to such questions as they
shall ask him on this Roll.
Jacob Wendell, Jus. Pac.
Muster Eolls, Vol. 96, p. 495.
In Capt. Simon Slocomb's Co. Col. Jos. Williams' Reg. Reduction of
Canada.
Seth Jones Apr. 11 to Oct. 9, 6 mos. 14 days. £11 14 00 Wages
Moses Tenney " 11 to Aug. 4, 4 " 4 " 7 09 02
Josiah Tenney May 2 to Nov. 21, 7 " 8 " 12 19 08
£32 02 10
Boston, Feb. 20, 1759. Sworn to
S. Slocomb.
The above, as will be seen by the muster rolls of 1759, does
not include all the soldiers from Mend on, that were out in 1758.
Although a search was made for the rolls containing their names,
they were not found.
About this time, it will be seen by the following list, that the
number of non combatants living in Mendon was on the increase:
THE QUAKEE LIST.
To Edward Rawson, Town Clerk of the Town of Mendon ; The follow-
ing List of the Names of Those called Quakers within the Military Com-
panies in Mendon.
IN CAPT. PHTNEHAS LOVETT's COMPANY.
George Aldrich, Joseph Allen, Luke Aldrich, Moses Aldrich, Benjamin
Thayer, Charles Aldrich and Dan Aldrich.
IN CAPT. WILLIAM THAYER'S COMPANY.
Benjamin Cook, John Wilson, Samuel Cook, Joseph Southwick, Job
Handy, Samuel Bassett, Daniel Cook, Jacob Bartlett, Ebenezer Callum,
George Smith, Jonathan Southwick jr., Daniel Southwich 3d., Edward
Southwick, Ebenezer Cook, John Smith, Daniel Southwick, Larrance
Southwick, Daniel Southwick jr., Jonathan Cass jr., Ebenezer Gaskill,
Anthony Chase, Benjamin Gaskill, Jonathan Southwick and Larrance
Southwich jr.
IN CAPT. THOMAS WISWALL's COMPANY.
Aaron Aldrich.
We The Subscribers do Verily Believe that Those Persons whose Names
are above written are sincerely of the Perswasion of the Poeple Called
1759.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 283
Quakers, and that they usually attend our meeting of Worship on ye Lord's
Day. Moses Aldrich,
Moses Farnum,
Joseph Allen.
Seth Aldrich.
Mendon March ye 27. 1758.
Mendon July 26. 1758.
The acct. of Ichabod Ammidown, Vittelling Soldiers Returning Back to
the Lake, by his Honour Thomas Hutchinson's order.
In Capt. Gamaliel Bradford's Company.
Wait Bradford, Benj. Bryant, Nehemiah Bosworth jr.
Lemuel Dellano, Isaac Weston, Jos. Morse,
Joshua Pratt, Dominicus Hove}', Jos. Barlo,
Jacob Wright, Amasa White, Silas Burges.
John Meggs, Charles Foster,
Nathl. Cole, Lot Co well,
Edward Cole, Ishmael Tripp,
Ephr. Waterman, Eben. Dexter,
John Sno, Nathl. Bassett,
Benias Samson, Wrilliam Cobb.
In Capt. Josiah Thatcher's Company.
Obed Hatch,
Eben Parker.
In Capt. James Andrews'es Company.
John Rouse, Josiah Drew,
Eben Barrows, Josiah Perkins.
here is the account of sundry of the same soldiers which eat the nex
morning.
Dominicus Hovey, Lot Cowell, Amasa White, Josiah Drew, Eben
Barrus, Jos. Rouse, Ishmael Tripp, Isaac Weston, Josh. Pratt, John Sno
and Obid Hatch.
Suffolk ss. Boston Dec. 7. 1758 The above Forty three meals sworn to
by Mr. Ichabod Ammidown to be true.
Coram, John Phillips, Just. Pacis.
1759. March 5. Chose Capt. Robert Taft, Josiah Chapin,
John Albey, Jonas Parkhurst and Peletiah Darling, Selectmen;
Edward Rawson, Town Clerk; Edmond Morse, Town Treasurer,
and James Simmer and Edward Rawson, Constables.
After the choice of Constables the meeting was adjourned to
March 19, when the choice of Town officers was completed by
the choice of Peter Wheelock and Eli Partridge Deer Reeves.
"Voted that the Destricts in the Town of Mendon be Sett of for School-
284 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1759.
ing and Mending Highways as they are drawn by the Committee Chosen
for That Purpose in the year 1758."
This is the first time we hear of school or highway districts.
The committee who reportedthem undoubtedly fixed meets and
hounds, hut their report not being recorded, and the report
itself lost, we know nothing of the number or size of each.
Raised £200 for highways and £60 to defray town charges.
May 21. " That the List Drawn for jury men and Read in
Town Meeting shall be put into the Jury Box for jurymen."
This is the first mention of a list of jurors or of a jury box.
Ebenezer Ohapin was chosen Grand juryman.
John French was chosen Representative to the General Court.
Although most accounts at this date were still kept in pounds,
shillings and pence, we find that dollars and cents began to be
mentioned occasionally. For instance, Samuel Thayer was
allowed to have the use of a piece of road this year for fifty
cents, and Nathan Tyler another piece for half a dollar.
Jacob Aldrich was appointed Sealer of Weights and Measures
by the Selectmen, and sworn before Nathan Tyler, Esq.
The campaign this year for the invasion of Canada ended in
the conquest of Quebec by the army under the command of
Wolfe, on the 13th of September, and the capture of Ticon-
deroga and Crown Point by the forces under the command of
Lord Amherst. The soldiers furnished by Massachusetts were
attached to the army of the latter General. The names of 'Men-
don soldiers are found in the
Muster Rolls, Vol. 97, the following on p. 95.
Return of men enlisted or impressed for his Majesty's Service within the
Province of Massachusetts Bay, in Col. Whiting's Regiment, under the
Command of Jeffrey Amherst, Gen. and Commander in Chief of his
Majesty's Forces for the Invasion of Canada.
Ezra Thompson Apr. 2, 1759. Out in 1758 at Crown Point, Age 23
Moses Tenney " 2, 1759. Yes. 53
Jolm Marsh " 2,1759. do 41
Eliphalet Wood " 2,1759. do 43
Peter Brown " 2, 1759. do 27
Ezra Marshall " 2, 1759. do 19
Thomas Hay ward " 2,1759. do 38
Silas Rawson " 2, 1759. do 19
1759.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
285
Joseph Day Apr. 33
. " 6
1759.
Joseph Wheelock " 6, 1759.
Joshua Daniels " 6, 1759,
Beth Warren " 6, 1759.
Saml. Hay ward. Sergt. " 6, 1759.
Daniel Davidson " 6,1759.
Nathaniel Rawson " 6,1759.
John Gage f . . . Mar. 29, 1759. Out in
Joseph Clark , Apr. 2, 1759.
Joseph Darling Mar. 24, 1759.
Daniel Darling Apr. 6, 1759.
Eheneze'r Trask Mar. 28, 1759.
Gideon Arnold " 26, 1759.
William Darling Apr. 6,1759.
Edward Pickering " 6,1759.
Aaron White " 6, 1759.
Ben Benson. " 2, 1759.
Simeon Thayer Mar. 21, 1759.
New Marlborough April 10. 1759.
A true Return,
In John Jones Esq's Reg. under Lord Amherst's Ex. to Canada.
John Galloway Mar. 21, 1759. At Lake George in 1758.
347.
Not out in 175S.
22
do
17
do
17
do
17
Impressed.
40
Hired.
40
Impressed.
40
1755 Crown Point
57
do
19
do
23
Not out.
24
Out.
24
do
21
do
28
do
27
do
18
do Son of Jos. Benson,
18
do Son of Uriah Thayei
, 19
Abraham Williams, Colonel.
Aace 27
Muster Rolls, Vol. 97, p
In Capt. John Furness' Com. (Boston) to Crown Point from March 31 to
Dec. 20 1759. (Cost of whole Company, 112 in number was £1841.08.03)
The following of Mendon, viz:
John Holden, Sergt Mar. 26 to Dec. 3, 36 weeks 1 day £19 09 03
26 to " 3, 36 " 1 " 19 09 03
2 to " 3, 35 " 1 •• • 16 19 00
26 to " 10, 37 " 1 " 17 18 03
2 to Nov. 30, 34 " 5 " 15 12 06
3 to Dec. 3, 35 " 0 ' 15 15 06
2. Deserted.
2 to Dec. 4,
Ezekiel Hunt, do "
Benj. Stewart, Corp Apr.
John Watkins, do . . . .Mar.
Jonathan Allen, pr Apr.
Thomas Baker, pr "
Peter Brown, pr "
Moses Comstock, pr "
Joseph Day. pr Mar. 23 to
Joshua Daniels, pr Apr. 6 to "
Asa Fletcher, pr " 11 to "
John Hooper, pr Mar. 26 to "
Thomas Hay ward, pr. .Apr. 2 to "
Joseph Jackson, pr. . . .Mar. 26 to "
David Liudsey, pr Apr. 2 to Nov.
James Long, pr Mar. 30 to Dec.
Samuel Morse, pr.
Timothy Madding
John Marsh
. " 26 to
. " 28 to
.Apr. 2 to
3,
4,
3.
3,
12,
3.
29,
8,
3,
3.
3,
35
36
34
33
36
36
36
34
36
36
36
35
15 17 07
16 09 02
15 12 06
15 04 09
16 05 04
16 11 07
16 08 04
15 11 02
16 06 07
16 05 04
16 02 09
15 16 09
286
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1759.
Ezra Marshall Apr.
Samuel Pond. Mar.
William Parsons Apr.
William Rawson Mar.
Silas Rawson Apr.
Elias Rawson, s. of Nathl. "
Joshua Thornton Nov.
George Thayer "
Gideon Taft Apr.
Israel Taft Apr.
Ezra Thompson Apr.
Moses Tenney Apr.
Thomas Wood Apr.
John Wilson, (Gun) — Apr.
Nathan Wood Apr.
Samuel Wright Apr.
Eliphalet Wood Apr.
John Wheelock Apr.
Seth Warren Apr.
John Wright Apr.
Daniel White Apr.
Ephraim Warfield Apr.
£594 12 06
Boston March 6. 1760, Errors Excepted.
Suffolk ss. Boston March 6, 1760, Capt. John Furness made oath that
the foregoing is a True Roll of a Company under his Command in the
service of the Province.
Before me, Jacob Wendell, Just. Pac.
Muster Rolls, Vol. 97, p. 376.
In Capt. Timo. Hamant's Co. (Medfield) Expedition against Canada from
May 4, 1759 to Jan. 2. 1760.
William Thayer, Lieut May 17 to Dec. 16. 7 mos. 18 days £38 04 03
Jesse Darling, pr May 8 to Dec. 15. 7 mos. 26 days 14 05 05
Abner Darling, pr May 8 to Dec. 15. 7 mos. 26 days 14 05 05
Ralph Hay ward, pr Apr. 27 to Dec. 3. 7 mos. 6 days
(Gun) s. Benj. 14 04 02
Edward Trask Apr. 30 to Dec. 16. 8 mos. 17 days 14 17 00
Ebenezer Thayer May 17 to Nov. 27. 6 mos. 27 days 12 10 09
2 to Oct.
19,
28 vv
reeks 5 days,
12 18 06
26 to Nov.
27,
35
" 2 "
15 17 07
2 to Dec.
2,
35
" 0 "
15 15 00
2 to "
8,
36
„ 4 «
16 09 02
2 to "
3,
35
<< 1 '!
15 16 04
6 to Oct,
28,
29
" 3 "
13 14 11
26 to Dec.
3,
36
" 1 "
16 15 04
26 to "
3,
36
" 1 "
16 15 04
6 to "
3,
34
<< 4 •<
15 11 02
2 to "
7,
35
" 5 "
16 01 06
2 to Nov.
29,
34
- 4 -
15 11 02
2 to Dec.
3,
35
" 1 "
15 16 04
6 to Dec.
4,
35
" 5 "
15 12 06
2 to Dec.
7,
35
" 5 "
16 01 06
2 to Dec.
3,
35
" 1 "
15 16 04
6. Deserted.
2 to Dec.
4,
35
" 2 "
15 17 07
6 to July
14,
14
" 2 "
6 08 07
6 to Dec,
8,
35
" 2 "
15 17 07
6. Deserted.
2 to Dec.
3,
35
" 1 "
15 16 04
6 to Dec.
7,
35
" 1 "
15 16 04
Boston Feb. 9. 1760
Sworn to Before me,
Muster Rolls, Vol. 97, p. 382.
£108 07 04
Timothy Hamant
Jacob Wendall, Just. Pac.
1759. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 287
In Capt. William Jones' Com.-(Holliston) Ex. to Crown Point, from May
7 1759 to Jan. 4. 1760.
W. D.
Ebenezer Cheney, Sergt Apr. 27 to Nov. 26 30 4 £16 09 03
Stephen Thompson, Corp Apr. 26 to Dec. 10 32 5 15 15 07
Caleb Cheney pr Apr. 27 to Nov. 27 27 1 12 04 04
Isaiah Corbett, do May 9 to Nov. 2 25 3 1108 11
Daniel Davidson, do May 1 to Nov. 2 26 4. 1119 02
Ichabod Marshall do s. of Josiah Apr. 29 to Nov. 2 26 6 12 0109
Ichabod Robinson do Apr. 26 Rejected (not found) ser-
vant to Nathl Nelson.
Ebenezer Read do Apr. 28 to Nov. 2 27 0 12 03 00
Joseph Wheelock do Apr. 27 to Nov. 26 30 4 13 12 12
£105 14 02
Boston Feb. 26. 1760.
Sworn to, Before m. Jacob Wendell, Just. Pac,
Muster Rolls, Vol. 97, p. 390.
In Capt. Abijah Hall's Com. (Wreutham) Ex. to Crown Point from May 9
1759 to Jan. 12. 1760.
W. D.
Ebenezer Taft 1st. Lieut May 9 to Dec. 16 31 5 £39 12 06
Jacob Aldrich, Sergt May 4 to Dec. 10 31 4 16 19 05
Gideon Aldrich, Corp Apr. 21 to Sept. 26 22 5 10 19 01
Benj. Blake, pr. (Danl Taft, Guar-
dian) May 1 to Dec. 10 32 0 14 08 00
Stephen Benson, pr., (s. of Benoni) May 9 to Dec. 16 31 5 14 05 06
Jonas Dyer, pr., May 1 to Dec. 10 32 0 14 08 00
ObedRutter, pr., (s. of William). Apr. 22 to Dec. 16 34 0 15 07 04
Edward Wood, pr., (s. of James). May 3 to Oct. 5 22 2 10 00 07
£136 00 05
' Boston Feb. 23. 1760.
Sworn to Before me
Jacob Wendell, Just. Pac.
The commission of Gov. Pownall to Lieut. Hayward is in-
serted here as a relic of olden time. The original, of which the
following is a true copy, was kindly loaned me by Mrs. Ariel
Cook, a lineal descendant of the Lieutenant:
Province of the Massachusetts Bay,
THOMAS POWNALL, Esq; Captain General and Governor in Chief, in
and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-Eng-
land, and Vice- Admiral of the same &c.
To Samuel Hayward Gentleman Greeting.
By Virtue of the Power and Authority in and by His Majesty's Royal
288 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1760.
Commission to Me granted to be Captain General, &c over this His Majes-
ty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay aforesaid I do by these Presents
(reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good
Conduct) constitute and appoint You the said Samuel Hayward to be Lieu-
tenant of the second military foot Company in the Town of Mendon under
the Command of Captain Samuel Wheel ock in the third Regiment of
Militia in the Counties of Middlesex and Worcester whereof Artemas Ward
Esq. is Colonel.
You are therefore cai'efully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a
Lieutenant in leading, ordering and exercising said Company in Arms
both inferior Officers and Soldiers and to keep them in good Order and
Discipline and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Lieutenant
and you are your self to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions, as
you shall from time to time receive from Me or the Commander in Chief
for the time being or other your Superior Officers for his Majesty's Service
according to Military Rules and Discipline pursuant to the trust reposed in
you.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Boston, the Seventeenth Day
of October, In the thirty third Year of the Reign of His Majesty
King GEORGE the Second, Annoq; Domini, 175'J.
By His Excellency's
Command,
Tho8. Clarke Dp". Secry. T. Pownall.
1760. March 3. For Selectmen, Oapt. Phinelias Lovett,
Elder Nathaniel Nelson, Mr. John Fish, Dr. William Jennison
and Lieut. Samuel Penniman; Town Clerk, Edward Rawson;
Town Treasurer, Edmond Morse, and Joseph Bruce and Nathan
Very for Constables.
Raised £200 for repairing the highways.
Voted to forego James Eead's rates, provided if the Constable
" can Git The Rates of said Read he shall pay them back again."
Alio-. 25. Voted " that the Scholls in Mendon be Divided
Into Districts as they are Stated for Mending the Highways, this
Present year, and that Every District Shall have as Much Money
Appropriated to them for the Use of Schooling as they Pay to
the School Tax this Present year."
Aug. 25. Raised £50, lawful money, for schooling, and £100,
lawful money, including the interest of the school money bonds,
to defray town charges. The school money bonds were the notes
of those persons who had bought portions of the school lands.
1760.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 289
By the vote above recorded it is seen that the Highway Districts
and the School Districts were identical, and if but one Surveyor
of Highways was chosen to a District there were eleven School
Districts, and Each District drew just the amount of money
they paid to the appropriation for schools.
About this time the question of a workhouse, where the poor
should he kept, began to be mooted; but a motion at this meet-
ing to build a workhouse passed in the negative, as the phrase
was in the olden time, when a motion failed to be carried.
The war with France still continued, and Mendon still contin-
ued to furnish her quota to the army under Lord Amherst. The
campaign this year virtually closed the war, so far as America
was concerned, and the surrender of Montreal, by the Marquis
de Yaudreuil, completed the conquest of Canada.
The following copies from the Muster Rolls gives the number
of men furnished by Mendon, in the campaign for this year:
Muster Rolls, Vol. 98, p. 279.
In'Capt. Ebenezer Taft's Co. (Mendon) From Feb. 14 to Dec. 19, 1760
(120 m. home.)
w. D.
Ebenezer Taft. Capt Feb. 14 to Dec 19 44 2 £99 02 10
Samuel White, Sergt June 11 to Nov. 29 24 4 13 04 08
Adam White, Drummer June 16 to Nov. 23 23 0 11 01 10
Daniel Hill, pr June 1 to Nov. 29 24 4 11 01 02
Silas Thayer, do June 26 to Nov. 22 22 3 10 01 11
£145 02 05
Boston Feb. 12, 1761, Sworn to, Before me
T. Hubbakd, Jus. Peace.
Muster Rolls, Vol. 98, p. 302.
In Capt. Wm. Jones' Com. (Holliston) From Feb. 14 to Dec. 26, 1760
(120 miles home)
Ichabod Marshall pr. Apr. 3 to Dec, 3, 35 weeks 0 days £15 15 00
Boston Feb. 12. 1761. Exd T. Hubbard.
Muster Rolls, Vol. 98, p. 311.
In Capt, Timo. Hamant's Com. (Medfield) from Feb. 14 to Dec. 26, 1760
{one sheet missing) W5 m. home
W. D.
Luke Lesure, pr. dead (son of Philip) Mar. 25 to May 15 7 2 £03 06 11
Ichabod Robinson, pr., servt. to N.
Nelson Mar. 25 to Nov. 30 35 6 16 02 09
Moses Ramsdell, pr., dead (son of
Moses) Mar. 25 to Oct. 10 28 4 12 17 02
37
200
ANNALS OF MEN DON.
176]
Joseph Sprague, pr. .
Stephen Taft. pr
..Mar. 25 to Dec. 4
. Mar. 27 to Dec. 4
36
36
16 07 11
16 05 04
€64 17 00
T. HUBBAKD.
Boston Feb. 10 1780 Ex.
Muster Rolls, Vol. 98, p. 311.
In Capt. John Dunlap's Com. (Westboro') from June 10 to Uee 26 1760.
Nathl. Corbett, pr. June 13 to Dec. 3, 24 weeks 6 days, servant to
Lem Perham (120 m. home) £11 03 09
Boston Feb. 10. Ex. T. Hubbard.
Muster Rolls, Vol. 98, p. 325.
In Capt. Daniel Reed's Co. (Abington) From Feb. 14 to Dec. 30, 1760.
Jonathan Shores of Taunton is also set down in the Boll as Captain.
John Watkins, Sergt.
Nathan Aldrich do.
John Holden, do.
Samuel Morse, Corp.
EbenrAmmidown pr.
John Hooper, pr.
George Thayer, pr.
Joshua Thornton pr.
Mar. 14 to Dec. 3 37 6 ( 120 miles home)£20 07 00
John Watkim
pr.
Mar. 14 to Dec. 3 37 6
Apr. 25 to Dec. 3 31 6
Mar. 14 to Dec. 3 37 6
Mar. 14 to Dec. 3 37 6
Mar. 14 to Dec. 2 37 5
Mar. 14 to Dec. 3 37 6
to IchabOd
s. of David
20 07 09
17 03 02
18 15 02
17 00 09
16 19*06
17 00 09
Mar. 14 to Dec. 3 37 6 servant to Josiah
Adams 17 09 00
Mar. 14 to Dec. 10 38 6 dead, son to Pa-
tience W 17 09 09
Boston March 5th. 1761.
Sworn to before me.
£162 05 04
E. E. Daniel Bead.
T. Hubbard.
1761. Jan 5. At a town meeting held this day the assessors
were ordered, by a majority of three votes, to assess the soldiers
that were out in the last campaign that belong to Mendon, " In
The Taxes Laid on and Arising in this Town the present
year."
Capt. Robert Taft and William Rawson, Esq., entered their
protests with the Town Clerk that the proceedings were illegal.
March 2. Selectmen, Benjamin Wheelock, Daniel Chapin,
Edward Rawson, David Daniels and Samuel Torrey; Town
Clerk, Edward . Rawson; Town Treasurer, Edmond Morse;
Constables, Peter Penmman and Joseph Bruce; Joseph Darling
«
1761. "I ANNALS OF MENDON. 291
and Josiah Darling, Deer Reives; John French. Nathl. Nelson.
Win. Sheffield and Pelatiah Darling, Wardens.
Raised £150, "to be worked out on the Highways and £35 to
defray the Charge of the Small Pox In John Gage's Family last
year."
May 20. Nathaniel Nelson chosen Representative to the
General Court.
August 31. Voted " to raise £70 L. M. to defray town
charges and £30 for Schooling this year: and each District may
draw out the amount they respectively pay to the amount raised,
and may expend it for schooling in such manner as they shall
see fit.'5
In case any person came into town to abide therein, the law
was imperative that the Selectmen should he immediately notified
by the person who entertained them. Robert Morton and family
had removed to Mendon, and was residing with Eliphalet Whar-
lield, and he, having neglected to give notice to the Selectmen.
the town voted that Lieut. John French, Edmond Morse, Elder
Nathaniel Nelson, Edward Rawson and Nathan Tyler should be
a committee " to proceed against the Estate of Eliphalet Whar-
iield, Dec* for his bringing in Robert Morton and his Family
and not giving notice to the Selectmen as the law directs, which
family are now become a Town charge."
Although the law creating the office of Warden was enacted
in 17<)0, the town of Mendon had never elected men to that
office until this year. These Wardens were Overseers of the
Poor, and formerly were appointed by a Justice of the Peace
and the Selectmen. It was made their duty, by the law of 1700,
to govern, inspect and take care of all persons of the same town
employed at the work house, or sent thither by two Justices of
the Peace, quorum uiiiis, to be kept at work there, to he held
and kept strictly to work ; and that all idle and disorderly per-
sons, and such as do not duly perform such reasonable task or
stint as shall lie set them, he punished by moderate whipping or
setting in the stocks.
Although the whipping post and the stocks are no longer
invoked in the administration of justice, still, if some means could
be devised by which the fnt/i/j)* who now patrol the country by
day and encamp in our poor houses by night, could be held to
292 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1762.
the performance of some appropriate labor in exchange for the
supper, lodging and breakfast, neither party would be the
worse off.
Although the French war, so far as America was concerned,
was virtually ended by the capture of Quebec and Montreal, still
the war continued between England and France until the treaty
of peace in 1763.
The forces which had been raised by the Colonies to aid in the
conquest of Canada, were not entirely disbanded until the
declaration of peace in 1763. So far as the muster rolls show,
however, but few of the Mendon soldiers remained in the field
after 1760. The following are found on the
Muster Rolls, Vol. 99, p. 113.
In Capt. Thomas Cowdine's -Com. (Worcester) in Col. Saltonstall's Reg-,
from April 18 to Dec. 29, 1761.
John Darling pr July 1 to Dec. 1. 22 weeks. £9 IS 00
In Capt, John Dunlap's Com. (Westboro) from May 22. 1701 to Jan. 4.
1762.
Samuel Morse, Corp. May 22, 1761 to Jan. 4, 1762 8 mos. 4 days, £15 14 02
George Thayer, pr. . .May 22, 1761 to Jan. 4, 1762 8 " 4 " 14 13 02
In the Massachusetts Archives, Court. Vol. 24, p. 92, may be
found the following petition:
A Petition of Jacob Aldrich Jr. of Mendon, Setting forth That in the
year 1758 he Enlisted as a Soldier in the pay of the Province, and carried
hi* own gun with him, but that being taken sick he was sent to the Hos-
pital, at Albany, where, being in a debilitated state, he could not take care
of his gun and so lost it, and praying for an allowance.
In the II. of Rep. Read and Ordered that the sum of Two pounds be
paid out of the Public Treasury to Mr. Nathaniel Nelson (Representative
for the use of the Petitioner in full.
In Council July 10, 1761 R. & C.
Consented by the Governor.
1762. Jan. 25. At a town meeting held this day, Messrs.
James Sumner, John French and Ebenezer Ohapin were chosen
a committee "to Reckon with Capt. Phinehas Lovett and make
a final settlement with him."
March 1st. ('hose Peter Wheelock, Daniel Sumner, Joseph
Benson, Capt. Samuel Wheelock and Josiah Adams, Selectmen;
1702."] ANNALS OF MENDON. 293
Edward Rawson, Town Clerk; Edniond Morse, Town Treasurer,
and James Lovett and Joseph Thayer, Constables.
This year perambulated town lines with Bellingham, Hollis-
ton, Hopkinton, Upton and Uxbridge.
Raised £150 "to mend the Highways this year; and that 2s.
be allowed for a man and 4s. for a man and team per day and
that the Highway Rate shonhl be made in April/'
Dr. Joshua Wood was allowed 20s, lawful money, for doctor-
ing William Dolbear and his widow, in 1761.
David Daniels "may build a New Pound, Provided lie will
build it Thirty feet Square and according to law." According
to law. it is supposed, meant that the pound should be so high
that no animal could scale its walls, and the rails so close to-
gether that no animal could escape between them.
It seems that David Daniels was to build a pound at his own
charge; and, once before, Ebenezer Chapin had liberty to build
one, find the land for its site and take care of it for fifteen years,
without charge to the town. The fees of the pound keeper for
impounding stray animals, it is supposed, furnished satisfactory
compensation to those who built the pounds.
May 15. Oapt. Phinehas Lovett was chosen Representative
by a majority of one vote.
Oct. 25. Voted that the Selectmen of Mendon "Shall Lay
Their Accounts Before The Town for their Acceptance for the
future."
Aug. 30. Voted to raise £70, lawful money, to defray town
charges, and £40 for schooling.
Voted to give the Town's Old Law Book "to the First Precinct
in said Mendon for their Future Benefit." Some years before
this the Old Law Book had been loaned to the Second Precinct
for their benefit, but for some good reason the town now saw tit
to reclaim it.
Some of the soldiers of Mendon still in the service.
Muster Rolls, Vol. 99, p. 215.
In Capt. Ebenezer Cox's Com. (Hardwick) from May 4 to Dec. 29. 1762
Nicholas Trask, pr Mar. 31 to Nov. 13 8 mos. 4 days. £14 13 02
Edward Trask, " Mar. 31 to Nov. 1 7 " 20 " 13 17 09
In Capt. Timo. Hamant's Co. (Medway) Nov. 2. 1762 to July 218. 763.
Aaron Comstock pr. .Nov. 2 4762 to June 9. 1763 7 mos. 7 days, £13 01 00
294 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1763.
The treaty of peace with .France secured Canada to the pos-
session of England, and henceforward the Indians,, who had
heretofore made frequent and bloody raids upon the frontiers of
!Sew England, became peaceable and quiet.
1763. March 7. The town meeting was opened, and Lieut.
John French was chosen Moderator, and, without any reason
mentioned, immediately adjourned to March 21, inst.
March 21. Chose Lieut. John French, Lieut. Josiah Chapin,
Joseph Allen, Capt. Thomas Wiswall and Benoni Benson, Se-
lectmen; Edward Bawson, Town Clerk; George Aldrich, Town
Treasurer, and Moses Aldrich and Benjamin Wheelock, Con-
stables.
Voted to build a Work House this year, but' upon further
consideration —
Voted " to hire a House for a Work House, in some Conve-
nient place in town and put it in Bepair fit for That Building;"1
and the subject was referred to David Daniels, George Aldrich,
Ebenezer Chapin, Jasper Daniell and Samuel Torrey to report
at the next town meeting.
Voted to raise £90 to repair highways this year. A man to
have 2s. and a man and team 4s. a day from April 1 to Sept. 30.
The School Districts, it seems, did not always draw out their
portions of the school money during the year in which the
appropriation was made, and, from the following vote, it is sup-
posed they sought to have interest allowed on the sums which
had not been drawn from the Treasury; be that as it may,
the town voted not to allow interest in such cases, intending the
school money should be expended during the municipal year in
which it was raised.
Raised £20, lawful money, "to Provide Stock, Tools and
Material to Set the Poor at Work and that the rate be made
forthwith."
Aug. 29. Baised £70 for town charges and £40 for schooling.
As no record is found of the choice of a Representative it is
presumed the town was not represented in the General Court
this year.
17(U. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 2!*.")
1764. March 5. George Keith., Samuel Warren, Capt. Jo-
seph Daniels, Dr. Samuel Scammell and Noah Cook were chosen
Selectmen; Edward Rawson, Town Clerk; George Aldrich,
Town Treasurer, and Ebenezer Holbrook and Moses Aldrich,
Constables.
Raised £100 for mending highways this year.
Voted " to pay a debt for Oliver Hay ward to Dr. Corbett 14)011
a Note, of the sum of two pounds, which Note Corbett hath now
against him." it will lie remembered that the town, as trustees,
held the estate of Oliver Hayward for the support of himself
and family.
Voted to raise £20 to hire a house and buy materials " to set
the Poor to work on.*'
Voted to buy a book for the Selectmen to keep the- town's
account in for the future.
May 23.. Chose Joseph Dorr, Jr., Representative of the
General Court, which, after being prorogued by Gov. Bernard,
from month to month, was finally called to meet at Concord.
The General Court held that the Court, should have been held
at Boston, and they denied the right of the Governor to change
the place of meeting.
Aug. 30. Raised £60 for schooling and £40, lawful money, to
defray town charges for the present year.
A list of jurors were accepted, and ordered to be put in the
jury box.
The Selectmen who served last year were voted twelve shillings
each, " tho there was Nothing in the Warrant for That busi-
ness."
Pursuant to a vote of the town the Selectmen made the fol-
lowing return:
The Names of Persons that have been Warned out of Mendon.
John Wilson, Sarah his wife and two children from Wrentham; William
Froleigh and his son Hezekiah from Boston; Charles Phillips from West-
terly, in the Colony of R. I.; Zebulun Swift, his wife Rebecka and eight
children from Bellingham; Mary Bolster, from Uxbridge; Nathan Free-
man, his wife Anne and one child from Bellingham; Mary Eames, from
Hopkinton; Benjamin Head, from Uxbridge; Stephen Powers, his wife
and one child, from Grafton; Benjamin Blake, his wife Sarah and one
Child, from Uxbridge. These in 1763. Isaac Bates', Martha, his wife and
lour children, viz: Olive Bates, Lucretia Bates, Laban Bates and Micah
296 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1764.
Bates from Bellingham ; Robert Taft, Deborah, his wife and six children,
viz: Elizabeth, Dorothy, Mary and Hannah, their Daughters, Lovett their
son and Abigail their Daughter.
John French, ]
Josiah Chapin, ! Selectmen
Joseph Allan, f of Mendon.
Benoni Benson, J
Attest, Edward Rawson, Town Clerk.
"Mass. Archives, Miscellaneous, 1048 to 1775, p. 2o2.
Worcester ss. Whereas his Excellency, the Governor (Bernard) by his
order to me directed, that the Great and General Court did, on the second
day of February last pass an Order " That the Select Men of each Town
and District in this Province, to be chosen for the year 1764, do, as soon as
conveniently may be, take an exact Account of the Number of Dwelling
Houses, Families and Poeple in their respective Towns and Districts,
agreeable to the Schedule thereto annexed," and hath required me forth-
with to make out a precept directed unto the Select Men of each respective
town or District within my Precinct requiring to Take an exact account of
the Number of Dwelling Houses, Families and Poeple as aforesaid and to
return the same unto the Secretary's Office on or before the last day of De-
cember next.
In Observance of the said Order to me directed,
These are to will and require you, as soon as conveniently may be, to
take an Account of the Number of Dwelling Houses, Families and Poeple
within Your Town, including as well Indians civilized, Negroes and Mo-
lattos, as White Poeple and Females as well as Males, distinguishing them
in the form, as on the other side hereof, agreeable to the said Order of the
Great and General Court: And make Return of this Precept to me, so that
the same may be transmitted into the Secretary's Office, on or before the
last Day of December next. Hereof you are not to fail.
Given under my hand and seal, at Worcester, the sixth of August, In
the Fourth Year of his Majesty's Reign, Annoq. Domini 1764.
Gaud" Chandler, Sheriff. (L. S.)
To the Selectmen of the Town of Mendon, Greeting.
MENDON.
Houses 284
Families 336
White Poeple under Sixteen years Males, 466
do do " do do Females, 425
White Poeple above do do Males, 441
do do " do do Females, 497
Negroes and Molattoes Males, 5
do " do Females, 4
Indians 0
1765. j ANNALS OF MENDON. 297
French Neutrals under Sixteen years Males, 1
do do " do do Females, 2
French Neutrals, above do do Males, 1
do do " do do Females, 1
Pursuant to the above Precept, We have taken an Exact account of the
Number of Dwelling Houses, Families andPoeple in the Town of Mendon,
and do Certify that the foregoing Schedule contains a True and exact
Account of the same.
Dated in Mendon aforesaid the Seventeenth Day of December, 1764.
Geo. Keith, "1
Samuel Warren, | Selectmen
Noah Cook, V
Samuel Scammell, | of Mendon.
Joseph Daniels. J
1765. March 4. Selectmen, Ens. Ebenr Chapin; Ens. Samuel
Torrey, Lieut. Benjamin Wheelock and Peter Penniman; Town
Clerk, Edward Rawson; Town Treasurer, George Aldrich, and
Samuel Warren and Joseph Bruce, Constables.
May 20. Although but two school houses had, as yet, been
built in the town (one in the First Precinct and one in the
Second), and although nine of the eleven School Districts were
without school houses, still the town, at this meeting, voted they
would build no more.
Chose Joseph Dorr, Jr., Representative to the General Court.
Aug. 26. Raised £40 for defraying town charges and £40 for
schooling.
Voted to build a new pound thirty feet square and seven feet
high, and to be set on the Training Field, the location to be
designated by the Selectmen.
Lieut. John French, George Aldrich and James Sumner were
chosen a committee to build said pound, and were instructed as
follows, viz: —
" To Build said Pound with sufficient large Stones six feet high and then
put on a Chestnut Logg hewn one foot square and Locked in the Corners,
and make a Good Gate and Mortis the Studs into the Loggs that are to be
laid on said wall : and Build Said Pound at the Cheapest Lay or Rate it can
be done, and Lay all the Charge of Building Before the Town, when said
Pound is Finished For the Town's Acceptance."
With instructions so full as these, the committee would be
under no necessity to consult an engineer or architect.
38
298 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1765.
To defray the cost of the pound, the town raised and appro-
priated the sum of £4, lawful money.
Some years hef ore this time Abraham Fletcher leased a portion
of the Ministry land for twenty years, conditioned to clear it and
subdue the bushes. In the meantime he had died, and the
probability is that his heirs found the bargain a hard one; and,
at this meeting, the town released them from all obligations
under the lease.
Voted that the Selectmen for 1764 shall have two dollars for
their services.
The Stamp Act became a law on the 22d clay of March of this
year. In August, Andrew Oliver was appointed a Distributor of
Stamps for Massachusetts, and on the 8th of the same month he
was hung in effigy from a limb of the Liberty Tree, which stood
at the corner of Washington and Essex streets, in Boston. This
was followed, on the 26th, by the sack of Lieut. Gov. Hutchin-
son's house. From this time excitement ran high, not only in
Massachusetts, but through all the Colonies.
Oct. 14. A town meeting was legally warned in Menclon to
consider the subject of the Stamp Act and some part of Gov-
ernor Bernard's speech.
Nathan Tyler, Esq., was chosen Moderator.
1. Voted to Give Mr. Dorr Jr. the Representative of said Town, Instruc-
tions Respecting his Conduct at the Great and General Court, Relating to
the Stamp Act and some part of the Governors Speech.
2. The Town voted to stand by the Charter Privelidges.
3. Voted that they would not comply with the Stamp Act.
4. Voted they would not make any Compensation to the sufferers in
Boston by Mobbs.
5. Voted to choose a Committee of Five men to draw up and put the
Town's Instructions in order for the Representative : — The five men chosen
were Edward Rawson, James Sumner, Ichabod Ammidown, Peter Pcnni-
man and Joseph Johnson.
This committee undoubtedly furnished the Kepresentative
with instructions pursuant to the above vote, but as they were
not recorded, we can only judge of their tenor by supposing that
the committee were in full sympathy with the sentiment of the
meeting.
STATE PAUPERS.
Mass. Archives, Miscellaneous.
1765.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 299
To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq. Capt. General and Governor in
Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New-
England and Vice Admiral of the same and to the Honourable his Majesty's
Council at Boston October ye 23d. 1765.
The Select men of Mendon in the County of Worcester humbly show to
your Excellency and Honours that one John Cole, A Regular Soldier (as
he says) as he was on his journey from Boston to New York with his wife
and two children, on the twenty ninth day of July last, was Taken Sick,
in This Town of Mendon, of a fever, and he, being a poor person, made
Application to us for Relief in his sickness for things Necessary for him-
self and for support for his Family; and that he was supported by us, at
the expense of this Town both himself and family Twenty One Days: and
he and his family being Transient Persons, not belonging to any Town
within this Province, We your Humble Petitioners pray that the expense
we have been at for him in his sickness and for supporting his family may
be allowed a Province Charge by your Excellency and Honours and pray
that we may be allowed the same; as soon as he recovered he leftsd Town.
The Accompt in Particular is as Followeth,
Paid John Rawson for Providing a house and bedding and for
Sundries he found them £2 14 00
Paid Dr. Thomas Steel for Doctoring him in his Sickness 1 05 04
For providing Necessaries for him and for fetching the Doctor,
sundry times, which we did ourselves 12 00
£4 11 04
A True Accompt Errors Excepted.
Ebenezer Chapin, ]
Benjamin Wheelock, | Selectmen
Samuel Torrey, V of
Josiah Wheelock, | Mendon.
Peter Penniman. J
Mendon August ye 19. 1765 The Town of Mendon to John Rawson Dr.
To Nursing John Cole & Boarding his Wife and two Children and
finding them House room and bedding and necessaries for him-
self when sick & for his wife and Children, at 2s. lid. pr. Day
for 21 days £2 14 00
A True account Errors Excepted, pr. John Rawson.
August ye 19, 1765. Then Recd the above Accompt of the Selectmen of
Mendon, I say
pr. me. John Rawson.
The Selectmen of Mendon to Thomas Steel Dr. for John Cole.
1765 July 31. To Visit. Spt. nit dul. Tine, croc camphorata £ 0 2 03
Aug. 1. " do. Emet. & cathart. Syr. croc. &c 0 2 08
2. " do. Elect. Pectoral. Lac. ammon &c 0 3 04
" 3. " do. Pulv. febrif. Spt, nit. dul 0 2 02
" 4. " do. Haust, Purg. Elix. asthmat. Lac. ammon
&c 0 3 00
300 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1766.
Aug. 6. To Visit Cardiac Julep 0 1 03
" 7. "do. Spt. nit. dul. Pulv. febrif 0 2 00
" 9. "do. Rasur. C. C. Icthyocol. Ball. Polychrest. 0 3 08
" 10. " do. Ingred. Corrobrat 0 2 00
"13. " do. Pil. coch. Gra Man. Emet. Venae Sect... 0 3 00
£1 5 04
Menclon Feb. 3. 1766. Then recd of the above sd. Selectmen this Ac-
conipt in full. Thomas Steel.
Feb. 12. 1766. This account, by order of the HonbI. Col. Lincoln hath
been perused & examined by me the Subscriber and the same I judge to be
reasonable.
W. Brattle.
1766. March 3. Selectmen, David Daniels, Ebenezer
Chapin, Samuel Torrey, Gershom Nelson and Benoni Benson.
Voted to raise £150 to mend the highways this year.
Voted to allow Abigail Wheat £1.18.08, being the amount
which the Selectmen took into their hands in 1764, when she
became a town charge. It is not often that paupers pay their
way and have a balance in their favor.
Voted to grant £3 towards building the bridge over the river
at Wilson's Mill, (now Millville). This was probably from the
island to the west bank of the river, as before this the town had
refused to build one there.
" Voted that the Highway Rates shall be made in the month of April
next and Committed to the Constables to Collect, but not to begin their
Collection until the 15th. day of October next following, and that each
Surveyor shall have a copy of his respective District Rates, and each of the
Inhabitants shall have liberty to work his respective proportion of sd As-
sessment, Provided he or they shall faithfully work out the one half of his
proportion of said Assessment before the last day of June next, at such
place, on the Highways, where his respective Surveyor shall order him, at
3 shillings per day for a man with suitable tools for said work, and 3 shil-
lings per day for a team of 3 cattle and cart: And the other half by the
15th. day of October next, at 2s. 6d. per day for a man and 2s. 6. per day
for a Team as aforesaid, and that a receipt from his respective Surveyor
shall be accepted by the Constable for his proportion of said Assessment or
any part thereof: And that the Assessors shall deliver a Warrant to the
Constables to gather the sum of Said Rate Bills on or before the first day of
January next and pay the money that shall be gathered into the Town
Treasury, and that the same be drawn out and paid to the Surveyors, by
1766.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 301
order of the Selectmen, to pay for what they shall hire in lieu of those that
are delinquent & do not procure receipts of their Respective Surveyors."
May 26. Chose Joseph Dorr, Jr., Representative to the
General Court, he having 112 votes, and Elder Nathaniel Nel-
son 44 votes.
Voted that they would not build, but would hire a work-
house this year.
July 7. At a town meeting held this day, it is recorded that
the town brought in their votes for a Register for the County of
AVorcester, but for whom or how many votes were cast does not
appear on the record.
Voted they would have no more Pounds than one, even
though " Perticular Persons should build them at their own
charge."
Aug. 25. Raised £30 for town charges and £30 for schooling.
Voted "that the Representative of this Town may act dis-
cretionary at the Great and General Court, Respecting the Suf-
ferers in Boston."
The sufferers in Boston were Mr. Story, the Deputy Register,
whose office was broken open, and from whence the records of
the Vice Admiralty Court were taken and burnt; Mr. Hallo-
well, the Comptroller of the Customs, whose house was ravaged,
and Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson, whose house was ransacked and
whose furniture and plate was thrown into the street.
After many discussions in the General Court, a bill of indem-
nity for the sufferers was passed in December by a vote of 53 to
35, but in which bill was incorporated a full and free pardon to
the rioters.
Sept. 1. At a town meeting this day it was voted " to Recon-
sider the vote passed at the last meeting, relative to Mr. Joseph
Dorr, present Representative, acting discretionary at the Great
and General Court, Relating to the Sufferers in Boston." This
vote left the Representative instructed to vote against the in-
demnity bill which had been offered in the General Court.
Copies of this bill were directed to be sent to all the towns,
and,
Oct. 27, the town of Mendon passed the following vote: —
That with regard to those Gentlemen who suffered by said disturbance
on the 26th of August A. D. 1765, upon application of said Sufferers to
302 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1767.
the General Assembly, in a parliamentary way, the Representative of the
said Town of Mendon be directed and is hereby accordingly directed, in his
best discretion, to use his influence that such losses be made up, as far as
may be, in a manner the most Loyal respecting his Majesty and the most
Constitutional and Safe with Respect to the Just Rights and Privilidges of
British Subjects.
Dec. 24. Then it was put to vote "to See if the Town would
vote off the Easterly Precinct, according to the bounds thereof,
to be a Separate Town by Themselves," and there was but one
hand held up.
The motion to allow the said Precinct to become a District
was negatived by ten votes.
THE SOUTH PRECINCT.
Colony Laws, 1762 to 1770, Vol. II, p. 304.
By a vote of the General Court, passed Nov. 8, 1766, the
south part of the First Precinct in Mendon was made a separate
Precinct by the name of the South Precinct. Nathan Tyler
was to call the first meeting.
BOUNDS OF THE SOUTH PRECINCT.
Beginning at the SW. corner of Mendon, then on Uxbridge 3 miles 128
rods to stake and stones (:!:) on Capt. Daniel Taft's farm; thence turning
and running E 8° S to stake and stones ( : ! :) by road leading from Thomas
Taft's to John Boyce's; continuing the same course to a (:!:) by road lead-
ing from Dam Swamp to Ens. Benjamin Darling's; continuing the same
course to a (:!:) on the east side of Rehoboth road, S of Darius Daniels'
orchard, then the same course to a pine tree at Bellingham line, with
Daniel Taft's and Joseph Day's farms on the N. side of Line.
This Precinct has since become the Town of Blackstone.
I767. PETITION OF THE EAST PRECINCT.
Court, Vol. 26, p. 355.
Feb. 3. 1767. A Petition of sundry Inhabitants of the Eastwardly Pre-
cinct in Mendon Setting forth That they have been set off as a Precinct
about twenty-five years, but find it very inconvenient for them by reason of
their distance and other reasons to remain a part of said Town and praying
that they with their Lands and Estates may be erected into a separate Dis-
trict, agreeable to the boundaries of said Precinct and that they may be
assigned to them their proportionable part of the Ministry Land and Money
and Town Stock of Arms and Ammunition.
1767.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 303
In the House of Representatives Ordered that the Petitioners notify the
Town of Mcndon, by serving the Town Clerk with a copy thereof, to shew
cause, if any they have, on the last Tuesday of this instant February why
the prayer should not be granted.
In Council Read and Concurred.
Feb. 16. Then the Town voted unanimously to Send Reasons into the
Great and General Court to Shew Cause why the Prayer of the Petition of
the Inhabitants of the Easterly Precinct in Mendon should not be granted.
Then, by a vote, chose Nine men for a Committee to draw up the Town's
reasons, in the Town's behalf. The men choseu were Messrs. Edmond
Morse, Edward Rawson, John French, Joseph Benson, William Torrey,
Benoui Benson, George Aldrich, William Sheffield and Peter Penniman.
Then the town, by a vote, chose Edward Rawson, Samuel Green and
William Sheffield for a Committee or Agents for the Town of Mendon, to
carry in the Town's Reasons into the Great & General Court and make
answer to a petition of a Number of the Inhabitants of the Easterly Pre-
cinct in said Town and Shew Cause in the Town's behalf why the Prayer
thereof should not be granted.
Feb. 24. 1767. A Petition of sundry Inhabitants of the Easterly Precinct
in Mendon, praying to be erected into a separate District as entered the 3d.
day of February inst.
In Council Read again together with the answer, and Ordered that Jere-
miah Powell Esq. with such as the House shall join be a Com. to take said
Petition into Consideration, hear the parties and report.
In H. of R. R. & C. and Capt. Sherman and Capt. Farley are joined in
the affair.
Feb. 25. Jesse Penniman, Nathan Tyler & others, George Aldrich &
others and Samuel Aldrich pray to be set off from the E. Precinct to the
Town of Mendon, and their petitions are referred to the above Com.
In Council May 4. 1767 Ordered that the Pet. of sundry Inhabitants of
the East Precinct in Mendon together with the petitions of J. Penniman,
N. Tyler, G. Aldrich and Aaron Aldrich of said Mendon, with the papers
accompanying the same, be referred to the next session of this Court.
March 6. 1767. The following Order passed on the Petition from Men-
don which was recommitted the 4th inst. viz : —
In Council the Com. appointed upon the within petition reported that
they had heard the parties and well considered the matter prayed for, and
that, upon the whole, they were of opinion the Petition ought to be dis-.
missed. Therefore Resolved that the said Petition be dismissed accord-
ingly.
In the H of R. R & C.
March 2d. Chose Aaron Thayer, Ichabod Thayer, Benjamin
Staples, Peter Darling and William Sheffield, Selectmen; Ed-
304 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1767.
ward Rawson, Town Clerk; George Aldrich, Town Treasurer;
and Joseph Bruce and Benoni Benson, Constables.
Voted not to build or hire a work house this year.
Voted to accept the new Pound in the place it is now built.
By a former vote it was to be located on the Training Field,
between the present barn of Albert W. Gaskill and the house
of Austin A. Taft. John and Thomas Legg were allowed
£5.17.04 for building it.
Voted "to pass over the article in the Warrant to see whether
the Town would make the Country Road from Dr. Thomas
Steel's to Uxbridge line, or to make the Bridge over the Great
River by Wilson's Mill, a town charge for the future."
May 21. Chose Joseph Dorr, Jr., Representative to the
General Court, to represent the town of Mendon at the Court
House, in Boston, on the last Wednesday in May current.
Voted "to help the Inhabitants that Live near to Israel Wil-
son's Mills respecting the Charge of the Bridge for the future."
The subject of setting off the East Precinct into a separate
town or district was again brought before the town, and, upon
motion made to that effect, it was voted not to set off the said
Precinct. The vote being scrupled the house was divided by
the Moderator, and, upon a count, it was found that there were
57 in the affirmative and 64 in the negative.
The Selectmen were voted two dollars each as pay for their
services for the year.
Lieut. Ichabod Ammidown, it will be remembered, some years
before this had hired the burying yard of the town, and as some
doubts had been raised whether he had fulfilled all the con-
ditions of his lease, Edmond Morse, Edward Rawson and John
Tyler were chosen a committee to treat with Lieut. Ichabod
Ammidown " to See whether he had kept close to his Agreement
with the Town of Mendon Respecting the Burying Place. "
At this date the British Parliament were endeavoring to
establish their claim to tax the Colonies without their consent.
The Stamp Act had been repealed, as well as duties on all other
articles except tea.
Upon this fact becoming known the leading merchants of
Boston, in which they were joined by the great mass of the
people, entered into an agreement that they would not sell or
1768.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 305
use any article upon which the British Parliament should lay a
duty.
Sept. 7. The town voted to concur with the Town of Boston
in the foregoing agreement.
Voted to raise £00 for schooling, including the interest of the
school bonds in the sum.
Raised £00 to defray town charges.
ANABAPTIST CERTIFICATE.
To the Assessors of Mendon, Gent. men.
These may Enform you that Joseph Darling doth usually attend the
public worship of God with us and we believe he is conscienciously of our
opinion & that he doth belong to us.
Bellingham July 23. 1767.
Hezekiah Herenden ) Signed by 3 of the principal mem-
Hezekiaii Cook >■ hers of the Anabaptist Church in
Samuel Scott ) Bellingham, South End.
Copy Examined, Attest, James Sumner, Town Clerk.
1768. March ye 7. Peter Wheelock, Ensign Samuel Torrey,
Benoni Benson, Luke Aldrich and Joseph Penniman were
chosen Selectmen; James Sumner, Town Clerk; George Aldrich.
Town Treasurer, and Samuel Warren and Jonathan Wheeleck,
Constables.
May 10. Voted that the South Precinct in Mendon have the
privilege of building a pound in said precinct, at their own cost,
and ''to be Stoiled the Town Pound."
Joseph Dorr, Esq., James Sumner and Dr. William Jennison
were chosen a committee "to Give Reasons to the General Court
why the Lancaster Petition Should not be Granted, with Respect
to one half the Courts for the County of Worcester being held at
Lancaster."
It was tried by a vote of said Town whether the town would
send a person or persons to Represent them in the Great and
General Court of this Province, and the town made no choice.
Aug. 29. Raised £60 for schooling, and allowed the accounts
of Dr. Daniel Hews and Dr. John Corbett for doctoring Oliver
Hayward.
June 27. In a settlement with some of the Selectmen there
39
306 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1769
was found due from Joseph Benson II which was carried in the
statement as £2 5s., old tenor, thus showing that the paper
money of the Province had become so far depreciated that £2 5s.
was only worth one dollar in silver.
Leicester Sept. 5. 1768
This may Certify To all Poeple to Whome it may Concern That Josiah
Ball of Mendon doth Belong to the Anabaptist Church of Christ in Leices-
ter Under the Pastoral Care of Elder Thomas Green and he Does Usually
& Frequently Attend the Anabaptist meeting and he desires the Liberty the
Law Gives in being Cleared from Payiug of Rates for the Support of those
of other Principles.
We who are chosen by the Church to give Certificates to such.
Thomas Green,
Thomas Holman,
Samuel Green.
Copy examined, pr. James Sumner, Town Clerk.
Sept. 19. A motion to sell the Ministry land was again passed
in the negative, as was also a motion to divide the Ministry
money and bonds (notes for land already sold) equally among the
three precincts.
Raised £100 to defray town charges the present year.
1769. March 6. For Selectmen, Lieut. Benjamin Wheelock,
Dr. William Jennison, Benoni Benson, Lieut. Calvin Smith and
Ensign Samuel Torrey; Town Clerk, James Sumner; Town
Treasurer, George Aldrich, and Peter Penniman and Samuel
Warren for Constables.
It seems there was much difference of opinion in regard to
disposing of the Ministry land, for although a vote was passed at
the last meeting not to sell the Ministry land, it was now voted
to sell the Ministry land and meadow, not already sold, to the
highest bidder or bidders, the principal to be kept in bank (at
interest) forever and the interest to be paid annually for and
toward the support of a Congregational minister or ministers
that have been or may hereafter be settled in said town. Nathan
Tyler, Esq., James Stunner and Pelatiah Darling were chosen a
committee to sell the lands and also authorized, in behalf of the
town, to make and execute a lawful deed or deeds to convey the
same.
1769.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 307
It was also voted to divide the interest money arising from the
Ministry lands already sold, or that may hereafter be sold,
equally among the three precincts.
REV. JOSEPH WILLARD, FIFTH MINISTER.
April 14, 1767. Mr. Dorr, being now well stricken in years,
and of infirm health, gave his consent to the choice of a colleague,
as will be seen by the following proposals made to the Precinct,
and which proposals were duly accepted:
Mendon April ye 14th. Anno Dom. 1767
To the First Precinct in Mendon, in Precinct meeting assembled by ad-
journment.
Whereas the Precinct at their meeting on the 6th. instant Chose a Com-
mittee to confer with me and to see what sum I would accept of annuall}'
during my Natural Life and to report to the Precinct at their adjournment,
the said Committee having attended that Service and desiring me to Give in
my Proposals to the Precinct in writing: I have Duly Considered the Same
and accordingly Propose as follows, viz. Considering the difficulty you
Labour under and to preserve Peace aMong you and to enable and encour-
age you to proceede with Unanimity and Chearfulness to the Settlement of
another Gospell minister, I find in myself a freedom to accept of the sum
of Thirteen Pounds, Six Shillings and Eight pence, Lawful Money, Annu-
ally, During my Natural Life, tho at the same time, as my Worldly Estate
is small, Labour dear and I am unable by reason of my great age and In-
firmitees to manage my affairs to advantage, I am apprehensive that said
sum will fall short of a Necessary Support, yet Considering the Long Term
of years I have Laboured among you in the Gospel of Christ, I am Per-
suaded, my Brethren, you will not See me suffer with Extreem want. I
can therefore Trust in the Providence of God and Rely on your Generosity
for what further support may be neeessary : Now that the Spirit of Wis-
dom may rest upon you to Direct you and succeede you in all your Im-
portant Transactions, and that the Redeemer's Kingdom may be Advanced
and Abundantly flourish in this place is the Sincere Desire and Prayer of
your Servant in Christ.
Joseph Dorr.
Post-Script. Upon the Precinct Accepting this Proposal, that I Acquit
the Precinct from my whole Stated Salary when they shall Improve another
Minister in the Service with me.
June ye 27, 1767, a Mr. Balch was hired to preach two or
three months by 22 votes. He afterward was settled over the
South Parish, now Blackstone.
March 11, 1768. There was an article in the warrant for a
308 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1769.
precinct meeting, to see if they would hire Mr. Messenger to
preach beyond the four Sabbaths already agreed for, and, upon
this article, it was voted " not to act upon it."
At a precinct meeting held March 8, 1769, the nineteenth day
of April next was appointed for the ordination of Mr. Willard,
Mr. Edmond Morse offering "to dine the Council and ordained
Ministers, Gentlemen of Liberal Education and Mr. Willard's
Relations after the Ordination was over, upon his own cost and
charge."
This decision of the Precinct was arrived at after a Mr. Mes-
senger, a Mr. Penniman and Mr. Willard had been heard as can-
didates, Mr. Willard being chosen by "Thirty written votes"
majority. From the Precinct Records, we learn that the con-
tract with Mr. Willard was made two days before his ordination,
as follows, viz:
Mendon First Precinct April ye 17. 1769.
We, the Subscribers, being chosen a Committee to agree with Mr. Joseph
Willard in the Precinct's behalf, Relating to his Settlement and Sallary so
long as he shall Carry on the work of the Gospel Ministry in said Precinct,
Do, in behalf of sd. Precinct, agree with sd. Mr. Joseph Willard to give
him one hundred thirty and three pounds six shillings and eight pence, one
half part thereof to be paid to him in one year from the time that his call
was completed which will commence on the sixteenth day of November
next in the year 1770, as an encouragement to settle among us in the Ministry.
And also to pay him annually from the Nineteenth day of April Current,
the sum of Sixty pounds Lawful Money, and the Interest of the Ministry
money and Lands belonging to this Precinct, for his stated Salary so long
as he shall Carry on the work of the ministry among us in this Precinct,
agreeable to said Precinct's votes on record Nov. ye 16. 1768 and February
ye 6. 1769 and March ye 8th. 1769, and Provided Mr. Willard should be
taken off from his Ministerial Labours a mong us by sickness or any other
Providence, in that case we will viz. that the sd Precinct will do what is or
shall be Judged Just according to the Rules of the Gospel.
In witness whereof we hereunto Set our Hands the Day and year above
written.
Nathan Tyler 1
Edward Rawson |
Joseph Dorr V Committee.
John Albee
Caleb Taft. J
To the above written Agreement I, the Subscriber, do concur.
Josep Willard.
The Rev. Mr. Dorr died March 9, 1768, and Joseph Dorr,
1769.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 309
Esq., was the executor of his will. The length of Mr. Dorr's
ministry was fifty-two years. At his decease, the Precinct was
indebted to him in the sum of £31.2.7, and which was paid to
the executor April 10, 1770.
As early as 1771, discontent began to show itself in the Pre-
cinct, by the number whose ministerial taxes were foregone, and
by an action brought by Thomas Taft against the Precinct As-
sessors.
March 13, 1777. This day Rev. Joseph Willard, being pres-
ent, freely gave ten pounds to the First Parish toward the war.
Oct. 19, 1778. At a Precinct meeting a motion was made to
dismiss Mr. Willard from his pastoral relation with the Precinct,
but the motion failed. A motion was then made and carried to
give Rev. Joseph Willard three hundred pounds "to case his
grievances the present year." So the meeting broke up without
acting on any other of the articles in the warrant or being dis-
solved by said Precinct properly. Edward Rawson, Levi Rawson
and James Lovett, the Clerk of the Precinct, entered their pro-
test against the proceedings, but without assigning reasons.
Nov. 2. It was voted " to recall all the votes Passed on the 1 9th
of October Respecting raising Mr. Joseph Willard's Sallery. Then
it was further voted further not to act any other matter or thing
respecting Mr. Joseph Willard's Sallery, and so they rapt it up,
and the meeting was Desolved."
The troubles with Mr. Willard, supposed to have arisen prin-
cipally from the difficulty of raising his salary, were now, for a
while, held in abeyance, as we find that, Jan. 23, 1780, the Pre-
cinct voted to raise twelve hundred pounds for Rev. Mr. Wil-
lard's support for the present year. This was undoubtedly in
the depreciated Continental currency of the day, as in 1781, they
raised sixty pounds of the new emission of this Commonwealth
for Mr. Willard's support the present year. In 1781 sixty
pounds "in hard money" was raised. It seems his salary for
1780 Avas not yet paid or collected, as Jan. 15, 1782 they voted
that the sixty pounds for 1780 should be assessed with the sixty
pounds for 1782.
The difficulties in the Precinct finally culminated in the dis-
missal of Mr. Willard, Dec. 4, 1782, when the Precinct, in con-
currence with the church, accepted the result of the council
310 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1769.
recommending the dismission of Mr. Willard. On the same day
the Precinct chose Ezra Whitney, Esq., of Douglass, Capt.
►Samuel Warren, of Milford, and James Hawes, Esq., of West-
borough, as arbitrators "to settle all pecuniary matters between
the Eev. Joseph Willard and the First Parish in Mendon."
The choice of arbitrators did not succeed in effecting a settle-
ment with Mr. Willard, as we find, soon after, that he brought
an action against the Parish (precinct) for the arrears of salary
claimed to be due him. Aug. 14, 1783, the parish voted to de-
fend the suit, and Capt. Peter Penniman, Capt. John Tyler and
Levi Rawson were chosen a committee for that purpose. The
Precinct Records furnish no information in regard to the suit of
Mr. Willard, except that Sept. 3, 1785, it was voted to raise
£16.10 to discharge Peter Wheelock's execution against the Pre-
cinct, and that the committee give orders to those persons "that
paid in the average that was made to discharge the execution
that Mr. Willard had against the Inhabitants."
May 22. Mr. Edward Rawson was chosen and deputed to rep-
resent the town at the Great and General Court of the Province
of the Massachusetts Bay for the ensuing year.
The controversy about the road between the. land of Deacon
Edward Rawson and land improved by the Widow Mary Dorr
(relict of Rev. Joseph Dorr), whether it be shut up or remain
open down to Muddy Brook, was still unsettled. Having been
shut, it was now voted that it should be opened. This road
divided the lands now owned by Homer W. Darling and James J.
Nutter.
The poll tax for the year 1768 was 3s. 8d., as we find that
Israel Wilson's rate was foregone to that amount, he being rated
for one poll which he had not.
It seems the road from Jacob Aldrich's, Jr., to Uxbridge line
had been complained of to the Grand Jury, and, at this meeting,
the town refused to raise any money to amend the same.
Aug. 28. Raised £40, lawful money, to defray town charges,
and £60, lawful money, including the interest accruing from the
school notes, for schooling.
The town again refused to raise any money to repair the road
leading from Jacob Aldrich's to Uxbridge line.
The Selectmen of 1768 were allowed 12s. each for their services.
1770. | ANNALS OF MENDON. .*> 1 1
Sept. 14, 1708, the Rev. Balch was settled over the South
or Third Parish, which had been incorporated in 1766, at a salary
of £100 a year, to which private persons made an addition of
£20 a year, " to be paid in Provisions and other Necessaries of
Life, to continue until he should have a Farm, and then to be
done in Labour on his Farm till the Parish should raise his Sal-
ary to £50 L. M."
Soon after his settlement, however, according to a pamphlet
published by "an Inhabitant of said parish and printed in Bos-
ton in 1773," troubles began to occur in the Parish. Mr. Balch
demanded that his wood should be given him and brought to his
door. This demand, so the pamphlet says, "was so extraordin-
ary that it was very dissatisfactory to some of the principal In-
habitants, by Means of which there arose some Discourse between
him and them, in which they say he said many Things they
look upon not reconsileble with Truth." From this time, dur-
ing his ministry, there was but little concord between him and
the Parish. His ministry closed in 1773. The pamphlet says:
" On Saturday Morning March 27. 1773 before it was Light (as it after-
ward appeared) Mr. Balch went off, carrying away one of his Children with
him, and on Monday following he sent Teems to carry off his Goods to
Dedham, having sold his House and Land to a Quaker."
1770. March 5. Chose for Selectmen, Capt. Silas Wheel ock
James Sumner, Ens. Peletiah Darling, John Fish and Josiah
Nelson; Town Clerk, James Sumner. No record is found of
the choice of a Town Treasurer. John Tyler and Joseph
Thayer were chosen Constables.
Dr. Aaron Wight was voted 12s. for doctoring Oliver Hay-
ward, now dead.
Voted " to sell the Ministry Common Rights in said town,
being a Twenty acre Right, from and after the Eleventh Di-
vision, and the money said Rights shall draw since said Division,
to the highest bidder, and Mr. William Torrey, James Sumner
and Ens. Peletiah Darling were chosen a Committee to Set up
Said Rights, to vendue the same to the Highest bidder and to
Report to the Town at the next town Meeting."
Voted "that Mr. Benoni Benson have liberty to set up a Grist
312 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1770.
Mill a little beyond the first Bridge over the Great Eiver Near
where Samuel Thompson's Grist Mill stood provided he doth
not damnify the road, as said Mill will stand a Little part on
the road." This first bridge was the one from the east bank of
the river to the island at Millville.
About this time there was trouble again about Sheffield's grist
mill, and a committee was chosen to inquire why Mr. Sheffield
did not keep his mill in repair for the benefit of the town,
agreeable to original agreement made with Benjamin Albee,
his heirs and assigns. Once before Mr. Sheffield was complained
of for not keeping his mill in order, but the matter, it is be-
lieved, was soon adjusted.
■ Then, upon complaint made to the town by Mr. John Hay-
ward, that a Hogreave was very necessary in his neighborhood,
Mr. John Hayward was chosen Hogrieve.
Lieut. Ammidown's lease of the burying yard being about to
expire, Capt. Silas Wheelock, Capt. William Torrey and Lieut.
Samuel Penniman were chosen a committee to consider of and
report what method should be adopted in regard to its future
care.
May 24. Edward Rawson was chosen Representative " by a
Were Vote."
The committee on Sheffield's mill reported "that his Grist
Mill is not in Eepare to Grind the Town's Grain according to
the former Contract; and then the Town voted to disist pro-
ceeding against Lt. Sheffield till an other Town Meeting in
order that he may have convenient time to Repare said Grist
Mill."
Dec. 3. The town meeting assembled at the Meeting House,
but immediately adjourned to the house of Mr. George Keith,
innholder in said Mendon, by reason of the coldness of the
weather, having first chose Edward Rawson, Moderator.
The town then voted "to make Defence against the Petition
of the Town of Brookfield, Relative to one Zebiah Allen." This
is supposed to relate to the settlement of a pauper. The town
then voted " to Send Two Agents to the Court of General Sessions
of the Peace, and chose for sd Agents Mr. Edward Rawson and
Joseph Dorr Esq. who were instructed to Give in the Town's rea-
sons why the Petition of the Town of Brookfield should not be
1771.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 313
granted/' If they saw fit they were authorized to employ
counsel.
1771. Selectmen, Caleb Tuft, James Sumner, Joseph Thayer,
Joseph Bruce and Nehemiah Nelson; Town Clerk, James Sum-
ner; Treasurer, George Aldrich, and Joseph Benson and Joseph
Bruce, Constables.
Chose Capt. Joseph Daniels, Lt. Benjamin Wheelock and
Ens. Benjamin Merriam a committee " to Lease out the Burying
Ground in the first Precinct, Not for a Longer time than ten
years, and to let or lease it to the highest bidder, and that the
walls be Kept up in Good Repair, the Bushes to be kept down
& not to be fed for any other use than feeding Calves and
Sheep."
The record says that the votes were then brought in for a
County Register; but how many votes or for whom they were
cast we have no information.
For two dollars, Benjamin Merriam was sold a strip of land
at the south end of the Training Field, two rods wide on the
road, and running to a point on the other end.
May 22. The warrant for the meeting to choose a Represent-
ative to the General Court was addressed to the "Freeholders
and other Inhabitants of the Town that have an estate of free-
hold in land within this province or territory of forty shillings
per annum, or other estate to the value of forty pounds."
Edward Rawson was chosen Representative by 108 votes to 7
scattering. The General Court was appointed to be kept, for
his Majesty's service, in Cambridge, at Harvard College.
Voted " that the town would raise no more money, beside
the £20 already voted, to repair the bridges at Benony Ben-
son's Grist Mill, the bridge being Rifted or destroyed by the late
rains last winter."
Sept. 2. Voted to raise £60, lawful money, to defray town
charges the current year, and £60, including the interest of the
school notes, for schooling.
There had been a long dispute about repairing the road over
Pond Hill to Uxbridge, the town having refused to raise any
money for that purpose. After an attempt to have the town
40
314 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1772.
indicted, the Court of the General Sessions of the Peace new
located the road or ordered special repairs, which, for a time,
the town refused to make. At this meeting, however, the town
withdrew its opposition by dismissing the article from the war-
rant relating to the laying out of a road from Thomas Rist's, in
Uxbridge, to Ichabod Ammidown's, in Mendon.
A general perambulation of town lines was made this year.
TOWN VALUATION.
Mass. Archives, Valuation of Towns, Vol. 133, p. 181.
Annual worth of Real Estate in Mendon without any deduc-
tion for more than ordinary repairs, 1771 £1160 15 02
Acres of Tillage in Mendon 708
Money at interest £2558 05 04
Ratable Polls 403
John Tylek )
James Sumner i- Assessors.
Benj. Read. )
Sworn to Sept. 9. 1771
Before Joseph Dorr, Justice of the Peace.
At this meeting Edward Rawson and John Tyler, gentlemen,
were chosen agents to take out an execution against the town of
Brookfield for costs relating to the case of Zebiah Allen, a
pauper.
Whether the Town Clerk had any misgivings as to the ballot
at the next annual town meeting, we cannot say, but he closed
his record for the year as follows:
"Finis! wishing Much joy to the Next Town Clerk."
1772. March ye 2. Chose for Selectmen, John Tyler, Daniel
Sumner, Joseph Day, Peter Penniman and Seth Nelson; Town
Clerk, (notwithstanding his valedictory,) James Sumner; Town
Treasurer, George Aldrich; Joseph Benson, Joseph Bruce and
John Jones, Constables.
March 16. Raised £200 for repairing roads, and the tax was
to be levied on the valuation of 1771, as heretofore recorded,
and made by April 1. Three shillings a day were allowed for a
man and three shillings a day for cart and oxen before July 1,
1773.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 315
and two shillings a day for a man and two shillings a day for a
cart and oxen in September, work to begin at 8 A. M.
May 18. Edward Eawson was chosen Representative to the
Great and General Court, to be held at Harvard College, in
Cambridge, May 27th instant.
A list of jurors was accepted, and one quarter part to serve at
the Superiour Court, were selected by the town and put in one
box, and the remainder in another box, for the Superiour Court
— one hundred and fifty in all.
The long controversy about opening or closing the road be-
tween the lands of Deacon Edward Rawson and the estate
of the Rev. Mr. Dorr, quite probably gave rise to a peti-
tion to the Court of General Sessions of the Peace to lay out a
road from near the house of the late Rev. Mr. Joseph Dorr
through the East Precinct to Holliston line, and Peter Penni-
man and Joseph Dorr, Esq., were chose to oppose the location.
The road was not laid out.
Sept. 7. Raised £60 for schooling, including the interest of
the school money, and £80 for town charges.
Oct. 5. Voted that the Selectmen assist the Town Treasurer
in renewing the bonds and notes due the town for Ministry lands
and rights sold, and that they all be made payable or out on or
about the first day of January, agreeable to a former vote of the
town.
During the latter part of the winter of 1770 and 1771. the
floods in the Great River had carried away the bridges near
Benoni Benson's grist mill, and the town had voted £20 for new
bridges. This sum, it is supposed, was not sufficient for the
purpose, as the town was called upon for another appropriation.
This they refused, and also voted that the inhabitants in the Sixth
Highway District (in which district the bridges were located)
should not be excused from other charges for bridges, provided
they would build the bridges in the Sixth District, nor should
they be relieved from paying their proportion of the £20 already
appropriated. The bridges, however, were rebuilt.
1773. In a warrant for a town meeting to be held Feb. 10,
1773, the second article is in the following words, viz: "To see
316 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1773.
what the town will act relative to the Letter of Correspondence
from the Town of Boston to this Town."
At a town meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of
the town of Mendon, legally qualified, warned and assembled, at
the First Precinct Meeting House, in said Mendon, February
ye 10th, 1773, Mr. John Tyler was chosen Moderator.
Then was laid before the meeting the letter or pamphlet of the
Committee of Correspondence of the town of Boston, " Shewing,
in Sundry Respects, where sundry of our Invaluable Charter
Rights and Privileges were Infringed upon, by sundry late Acts
of the Parliament of Great Britain, Imposing Duties or Taxa-
tions on the Colonists in America and the Province or Colony of
the Massachusetts Bay in particular."
It was tried by a vote if the town would act on the important
matter, and voted in the affirmative.
Then voted to choose a committee of seven freeholders of said
town " to Consider a matter of so Great Importance and prepare
Resolves proper for said meeting to Act and Resolve on, at the
adjourment of this meeting.''
Chose for said committee Joseph Dorr, Esq., James Sumner,
John Tyler, Deacon Edward Raw son, Lieut. Joseph Johnson and
William Torrey, when the meeting was adjourned until the first
day of March at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, at the meeting house.
March 1. At a town meeting by adjournment from Feb. 10,
1773, the chairman of the committee appointed to prepare re-
solves to be laid before the town for their consideration at this
time, relative "to our Rights and Privileges as Men, Christians
and Subjects, and the Infringement of them by Sundry Acts of
the British Parliament, acquainted the Moderator that he was
ready to make Report and read the same as follows, viz:
1. Resolved, That all men have naturally an Equal Right to Life, Liberty
and Property.
2. Resolved, That all just and lawful Government must necessarily
originate in the free Consent of the Poeple.
3. Resolved, That the Good, Safety and Happiness of the Poeple is the
great end of Civil Government, and must be considered as the only rational
object in all Original Compacts and Political Institutions.
4. Resolved, That a principle of Self Preservation, being deeply planted
by the God of Nature in every human breast, is as necessary not only to the
well being of Individuals, but also to the Order of the LTniverse, as Attrac-
1773.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 317
lion and Cohesion are to the preservation of material 1 todies and the order
of the Natural World, Therefore
5. Resolved, That a Voluntary Renunciation of any Powers or Privileges,
included or necessarily connected with a principle of Self Preservation is
necessarily acting counter to the Great Author of Nature, the Supreme
Legislator, Therefore,
6. Resolved, That a Right to Liberty and Property (which is one of the
Natural Means of Self Preservation) is absolutely unamenable, and can
never, lawfully, be given up by ourselves or taken from us by others.
7. Resolved, That the claim of the Parliament of Great Britain to the
power of Legislation for the Colonies, in all cases whatever, is extremely
alarming and threatens the total deprivation of every thing that is dear and
valuable in life, and is, we humbly conceive, abhorrent from the spirit and
genius of the British Constitution which is Liberty; destructive of the
Immunities and Privileges granted us in our Royal Charter, which assures
to the Inhabitants of this Province all the Liberties and Immunities op
free and natural born subjects of England ; and in reality is not
reconcilable to the most obvious principles of Reason, as it subjects us to a
State of Vassalage and denies those essential Natural Rights, which,
being the gift of GOD ALMIGHTY, is not in the power of man to alienate.
8. Resolved, That the late Revenue Act, by which the. Commons of
Great Britain have assumed and exercised a Power of Giving and Granting
to his Majesty the property of the Colonists, without their consent, is a
grievous Infringment of the Right of disposing of our own Estates.
9. Resolved, That the unlimited power vested in the Commissioner of
the Customs of creating inferior Officers and Collectors and the exhorbitant
power to these under officers and Ministers to enter, at pleasure, any houses
or other places and to break open trunks, chests, &c. upon bare suspicion
of goods concealed, is a grievous Violation of the Sacred Right of Do-
mestic Security.
10. Resolved, That introducing and quartering Standing Armies in a free
country in times of peace, without the consent of the People, is a violation
of their rights as Free Men.
11. Resolved, That the enormous Extension of the Power of the Courts
of Vice Admiralty, in a great measure deprives the Poeple in the Colonies
of the Inestimable Right to Trials by Juries.
12. Resolved, That the Act passed in the last session of Parliament, en-
titled "An Act for the better preserving his Majesty's Dock Yards, Maga-
zines, Ships, Ammunition and Stores," by virtue of which Act the Inhabi-
tants of the Colonies may, for certain supposed offences committed against
said Act, be arrested and carried, from their families, to any part of Great
Britain, there to be tried, is an Infringement not only of our Constitutional
Privileges as Colonists, but of our Natural essential Rights as Men.
13. Resolved, That the Acts for prohibiting Slitting Mills for manufac-
turing our own iron and restraining the Manufacture and Transportation of
Hats, as they deprive us of the natural advantages of our own climate, the
318 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1773.
produce of our own country and the honest fruits of our own Labour and
Industry are very unreasonable and injurious.
14. Resolved, That the Act restraining the transportation of Wool (the
produce of our own Farms) even over a ferry, subjects the Inhabitants of
this Province to a great an unreasonable Expense, and a violation of our
Charter Privileges, whereby all Havens, Rivers &c. are expressly granted
to the Inhabitants of the Province and their Successors, to their own proper
use and behoof forever.
15. Resolved, That the fixing a Stipend to the Office of the Governor of
this Province, to be paid out of the American Revenue, rendering him in-
dependent of the free Grants of the Poeple, has a necessary tendency to
destroy that Balance of Power which ought to exist between the several
branches of the Legislature.
16. Resolved, That the affixing Stipends to the offices of the judges of
the Superiour Court of Judicature and rendering them independent of the
Poeple and dependent on the Crown for Support may hereafter (consider-
ing the depravity of human nature,) be improved to purposes big with the
most fatal consequences to the good Poeple of this Province.
17. Resolved, That the wresting out of our hands Castle William, the
principal fortress of this Province, and garrisoning it with his Majesty's
regular Troops is a violation of our Charter Privileges.
18. Resolved, That it is the mind and desire of this Town that the
judges of the Superiour Court of Judicature and all other Officers who
receive grants from the Province should have an honourable support
agreeable to the dignity and importance of their respective stations.
19. Resolved, That the Representative of this Town be and he is hereby
instructed to use his utmost endeavours, in a constitutional manner, for the
Redress of the aforementioned grievances ; and that he in no wise consent
to the giving up of any of our Rights, whether derived to us by nature or
by Compact or Agreement.
Finally, When we reflect on the arduous enterprize of our Forefathers
in transporting themselves to the wilds of America, the innumerable
fatigues and dangers, the vast expense of treasure and blood that attended
their beginning and carrying on a Settlement here among the Savages of the
Desert and at the same time consider the prodigious accession of wealth
and power to the mother Country from their extended settlements, it still
sets a keener edge on a sense of our numerous grievances and we cannot
help viewing the late rigorous and burdensome Impositions laid on us by
the hand of the Parent country, as a departure from those truly noble and
magnanimous Principles of Liberty which used heretofore to add a
distinguishing Lustre and Glory to the British Crown.
Voted that the foregoing Resolves be entered in the Town Book that our
Children, in years to come, may know the sentiments of their Fathers in
Regard to our Invaluable Rights and Liberties.
Voted that the Town Clerk be directed and he is accordingly directed to
transmit a fair attested copy of the foregoing Resolves and proceedings of
the Town to the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Boston.
1773. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 319
The committee heretofore chosen to report on the subject of a
work house reported in favor of building one, and, upon the
acceptance and adoption of their report, the vote was a tie, but,
upon a second trial, 27 voted in the affirmative and 21 in the
negative.
March 1. George Aldrich, James Sumner, Levi Aldrich,
Abraham Staples and .Samuel Warren were chosen Selectmen;
Joseph Dorr, Esq., Town Clerk and Treasurer, and John Albee.
Joseph Jones and Seth Kelly, Constables.
March 18. Voted to reconsider the vote passed Feb. 10, "to
Build a Work House."
Raised £200 to repair highways, and that 2s. 6d. per day be
allowed a man and the same for a team in the months of May
and June, and that Is. 8d. per day for a man and the same for
a team in the months of September and October.
Voted not to grant Mr. Dix's petition, but neither the war-
rant or the proceedings inform us what Mr. Dix prayed for.
The road from the County Road to Muddy Brook, between
the lands of Deacon Edward Rawson and the Rev. Mr. Dorr's
heirs, came up again for consideration. A committee reported
that since 1758, Deacon Rawson had had the use of the road, (the
same being shut up,) and that for the rent he was indebted to
the town five pounds. Deacon Rawson presented his account
against the town and a balance of seven shillings and eleven
pence was found due the town.
John Chapin, objecting to a road laid out by the Selectmen,
from his house to Ellis's Mill, (recently R. Gr. Graskill's) the
subject was mutually referred to Timothy Rockwood of Bel-
lingham, Deacon Samuel Scott of Bellingham, and Col. John
Spring of Northbridge, who located the road, awarding John
Chapin £11 and Stephen Chapin £1 10s. as damages.
May 7. Chose Deacon Edward Rawson Representative to the
General Court.
Aug. 30. Voted to raise £120 for town charges, and £00,
exclusive of the interest of the school fund, for schooling.
Committees were chosen to consider what repairs should lie
made to the bridge over Mill River, near Seth Kelley's, and also
to the bridge near Eliphalet Wood"s.
320 ANNALS OF MEN DON. [1774.
1774. March 7. Chose for Selectmen, Henry Penniman, Gideon
Albee, Joseph Benson, Jr., Benjamin Wheelock, Jr., and Azariah
Newton; Joseph Dorr, Esq., Town Clerk and Treasurer, and
Peter Penniman, Samuel Warren and Joseph Benson, Jr., Con-
stables. Benjamin Staples was chosen Tithingman for the First
Precinct, Caleb Boynton for the second, and Aaron Everett for
the third; Ens. Benjamin Merriam and John Crooks, Deer
Reives.
Voted not to set off Ebenezer Hbl brook to Bellingham.
The road between Deacon Edward Rawson and. widow Mary
Dorr, is again up for consideration, and this time the town
accepted the laying out a road four rods wide, located by the
Selectmen Oct, 13, 1773, from the County Road across Muddy
Brook to the Eight Rod Road, and voted not to rent the same
to Mrs. Mary Dorr, who desired to have the same. This road,
from the County Road to Muddy Brook, was between the farms
at present owned by Homer W. Darling and James J. Nutter.
May 16. Upon a motion made, ''Voted that the Inhabitants
of Mendon do not approve of, but, to the utmost of their power,
will discountenance all Mobbs, Riots and disorderly assemblies,
and especially night mobbs." It is probable that the sacking of
Governor Hutchinson's house in the night time by a mob,
although it occurred eight years previous, must have been the
occasion of the passage of this vote.
Deacon Edward Rawson was chosen Representative to the
General Court.
July 14. A legal town meeting was held this day and Deacon
Gideon Albee was chosen Moderator.
The following preamble and resolutions were then passed.
By whom they were proposed the record does not inform us.
The Inhabitants of the Town of Mendon having taken into serious con-
sideration the precarious state of the Liberties of North America, and more
especially the present distressed condition of this Province, embarrassed as
it is by several Acts of the British Parliament, tending to the entire sub-
version of our Natural and Charter Rights, among which is the blocking
up the Harbor of Boston: and being fully sensible of our indispensible
Duty to lay hold on every means in our power to recover and preserve the
much injured Constitution of our Country, and conscious, at the same time,
of no alternative between the Horrors of Slavery or the Carnage and Deso-
lation of a Civil War, but the suspension of all Commercial Intercourse
1774.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 321
with the Island of Great Britain, We the Inhabitants of said Town of Men-
don do come into the following Resolutions:
1. Resolved, That from henceforth we will suspend all Commercial In-
tercourse with the Island of Great Britain until the said Act for Blocking
up the said Harbor of Boston be Repealed and a Restoration of our Charter
Rights be obtained.
2. Resolved, That we will not, knowingly, purchase or sutler any one
under us to purchase or consume, in any manner, any goods, wares or
merchandize we shall know or have good reason to suspect to be imported
into America from Great Britian aforesaid from and after the last day of
August next ensuing.
'3, Resolved, That if any persons, preferring their own private interest to
the Salvation of their now perishing Country, shall still continue to import
goods from Great Britain or shall purchase of those who do import, they
shall be looked upon and treated by us as persons inimical to their
country.
Voted to choose a Committee of Correspondence to correspond
with the Committees of Correspondence of the several towns
within the Province, or with the Committees of Correspondence
of other Governments.
COMMITTEE OF COKKESPONOENCE.
Capt. Nathan Tyler, Deacon Edward Rawson, Mr. James
Sumner, Elder. Nathaniel Nelson and Mr. Benoni Benson.
Voted that the Selectmen make such addition to the town
stock as in their judgment they think necessary. By the town
stock was undoubtedly meant arms and ammunition, thus get-
ting ready for the 4th of July, 1770!
Sept. 28. Deacon Edward Rawson, was chosen Representa-
tive to the General Court, to meet at Salem, Oct. 5, but, before
t hat day, the General Court was dissolved by Governor Gage.
Notwithstanding this action of the Governor, those who had
been chosen as Representatives met on the appointed day and
resolved themselves into the first Provincial < 'ongress. On the
7th, this Congress was organized by the choice of John Hancock
as Chairman, and Benjamin Lincoln, Clerk, and provision was
made to open the daily sessions with prayer. The Congress
was then adjourned to meet the next Tuesday at Concord, being
Oct. 11th.
It seems to have been determined, before the dissolution of
the General Court, that a Provincial Congress should be held at
41
322
ANNALS OF MENDON.
1774.
Concord on the 11th day of October, for on the same day (Sept.
28th), when Deacon Rawson was chosen Representative to the
General Court, Joseph Dorr, Esq., was chosen a Delegate to
attend the Provincial Congress to he held at Concord on the
11th of October next.
This Congress recommended the towns "to see that each
minute man should be immediately equipped with an effective
lire arm, bayonet, pouch, knapsack and thirty rounds of cart-
ridges and balls, and be drilled three times a week." Before the
adjournment, provision was made for calling a future Congress,
and Henry Gardner was appointed Treasurer and Receiver Gen-
eral of the Province.
At this meeting Capt. Nathan Tyler, Doct. William Jeunison
and Mr. Benoni Benson (one from each Precinct) were chosen. a
committee to report what sum would be necessary for the public
defence, at this time, and to report as soon as may be.
Then Doct. Jeunison proposed to make a present to the town
of a six-pounder field piece; the town voted to accept of the same,
and also voted the thanks of the town to Doct. Jennison for his
donation.
Voted to purchase a twelve-pounder field piece, with carriage
for the same and equipments, and Doct. Jennison, Capt. Joseph
Daniels and Mr. Henry Penniman were chosen a committee to
procure the same.
The sixth article in the warrant was "to see if the Town will
allow any that are or may be employed in the Town's service any
wages therefor. "
"Voted that the sixth article subside."
Elder Nelson, Joseph Dorr, Esq., Mr. James Sumner, Capt.
Tyler and Ens. Peletiah Darling were chosen a committee to give
instructions to the Representative to the General Court.
The vote to purchase a twelve-pounder field piece was recon-
sidered, and, in lieu thereof, to purchase two six-pounders, and
Doct. Jennison, Capt. Joseph Daniels and Mr. Peter Penniman
were chosen a committee to purchase the field pieces, fire arms
and ammunition.
Voted that one-third part of the soldiers on the military list
be enlisted as Minute Men, and that Lieut. Smith, Lieut. War-
ren and Mr. Henry Penniman be a committee to provide sup-
1774. I ANNALS OF MKNDON. 323
plies for the Minute Men, if called to march on an expedition.
Sept. 5. Raised £100 to defray town charges, and £60, in-
cluding the interest of the school money, for schools.
The Treasurer was directed to collect the interest on the Min-
istry money, and, if payment was delayed, then to call in the
principal.
The fifth article in the warrant for this meeting was dismissed,
and which was, " to see if they would allow the South Precinct
to draw their portion of the interest of the Ministry money when
they do not have a minister."
Nov. 7. At a town meeting held this day for some reasons,
which do not appear upon the record, after some " filibuster-
ing-;'" the meeting was adjourned "to this day come sev' night
at 10 o'clock a. m."
At the adjourned meeting, although there was no article in
the warrant for that purpose, Joseph Dorr, Esq., was chosen a
Delegate to the Provincial Congress, which was to meet at Cam-
bridge, Feb. 1, 1775. Deacon Edward Rawson was also directed
to attend the Convention, agreeable to the instructions already
given him as a Representative to the General Court, which met
at Salem on the 28th of September last. This was the second
Provincial Congress, and was soon adjourned to Concord.
The "filibustering" at the meeting Nov. 7 may have been
occasioned b}T the efforts of Timothy Ruggles, of Hard wick,
who was endeavoring to develop the loyal sentiment in the
Province by circulating papers in every town, "calling upon the
friends of Government to form Associations to counteract the
designs of the Provincial Congress." The fillibustering con-
sisted in efforts to dismiss the Committee of Correspondence, to
dissolve the meeting and to reconsider the votes passed at a for-
mer meeting; but, as the malcontents met with little success, no
further attempt was made.
Nov. 14. At a meeting specially held to consider the recom-
mendation of the Provincial Congress passed Oct. 28th ultimo.
when Henry Gardner was appointed Treasurer and Receiver
General, the town
Voted, That the public Provincial monies uncollected or such
monies as are in the hands of the Constables of said town, be
paid Henry Gardner, Esq.. Receiver General, agreeable to the
324 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1774.
resolve of the Provincial Congress, and that the sums of money
as were granted at the last session of the General Court he as-
sessed and paid in as aforesaid.
Voted, that the respective Constables (collectors) he directed,
and they are hereby directed, to collect and pay in the Provin-
cial tax to Henry Gardner, Esq., and that the town will indem-
nify the Constables, agreeable to a resolve of the Provincial Con-
gress.
Dec. 27. Voted to order the present assessors to assess the
sum of £113. 10s, reported by the committee Sept. 28 last, to pur-
chase field pieces, fire arms, &c, as expressed in said report.
Chose Deacon Edward Rawson, Col. Silas Wheelock, Capt.
Gershom Nelson, Capt. Nathan Tyler, Capt. Jasper Daniels,
Lieut. Samuel Warren. Capt. Samuel Green, Lieut, Benoni Ben-
son and Capt, John Tyler, "to look into the state of the Soldiery
with regard to arms and to view said arms."
In consequence of shutting up the harbor of Boston and other
tyrannical measures of Gov. Gage, the inhabitants of Boston and
Chaiiestown had come to be in straightened circumstances, some
of them being in want of the necessaries of life. In consequence
of the recommendation of the Provincial Congress, many towns
took up contributions for their relief. Mendon made choice of
Capt. Nathan Tyler, Doct. William Jennison and Capt. Joseph
Daniels as a committee to receive the collection for the towns of
Boston and Charlestown.
Voted that a Committee of Inspection of seven persons be ap-
pointed "to carry the Association Resolve into Execution, agree-
able to the lOtli. Resolve of the Continental Congress for Inven-
torying Goods imported from Great Britain from and after the
first day of December current to the first day of February next,
and to make sale of the same, if need be, agreeable to the Re-
solves of Congress respecting the same."
The following are the names of the committee, viz: Joseph
Dorr, Esq., Mr. Josiah Wheelock, Lieut Benoni Benson, Deacon
Edward Rawson, Mr. James Sumner, Capt. Nathan Tyler and
Ensign Pelatiah Darling.
Voted to choose one delegate "to represent this town in a Pro-
vincial Congress, to be held at Cambridge on the first day of
February next, or at such other time and place as the delegates
1774.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 325
of Oharlestown, Cambridge, Roxbury, Brookline and Dorches-
ter, or a major part of them, shall appoint, agreeable to the
recommendation of the last Provincial Congress."
Chose Deacon Edward K.a\vson, Delegate. But it will be seen
that Deacon Rawson was unable to attend the Congress and
another was chosen in his stead.
Voted unanimously " that the Town do approve of the Resolves
of the Continental Congress passed at Philadelphia in September
last."
In the journal of the Provincial Congress, p. 319, may be
found the "Journal' of the Convention of the Committees of
Correspondence and Delegates of Worcester County, Aug. 0.
1774."
From Mendon were Capt. Nathan" Tyler, Deacon Edward
Rawson, Mr. James Sumner, Elder Nathaniel Nelson and Mr.
Benoni Benson.
A committee of ten, of which Deacon Rawson w.as one, and
Timothy Bigelow, of Worcester, was chairman, was chosen " to
send a Letter to all the Towns and Districts in the County,
which have not Chosen Committees of Correspondence; desir-
ing them to choose such Committees or send Delegates to rep-
resent them at the adjournment of this Convention."
The following Circular Letter was their report:
Worcester August 9. 1774.
Friends and Brethren
The Committees of Correspondence from a majority of
the Towns in this County have now convened at Worcester, in order to
consult and determine upon the most regular steps to be taken and recom-
mended, to the several Towns in this County, at this truly critical and
alarming crisis; when it no longer remains a doubt that the acts annihi-
lating our free Constitution are actually come authenticated, attended with
three more transports and a ship of war, and the Council, appointed by
his Majesty, are about to take the oaths required for that office. •
In the first place we beg leave to observe that a considerable number of
Towns, in this County, have not yet chosen Committees and by that means
may not have received the letter notifying the Convention : therefore we
earnestly recommend, as brethren and fellow-sufferers, when all that is
valuable in this life is at stake, that you choose Committees of Correspon-
dence, or such other Delegates as you may think proper, to meet this
Convention at their adjournment, when the united wisdom and aid of the
whole is wanting to oppose the torrent of tyranny rushing upon us
326 ANNALS OF MENDON. | 1774.
In order to avoid a second disappointment, by having our Letters fall
into unfriendly hands, and you thereby deprived of a proper notification,
we shall be careful to have them transmitted by such of our members as
live nearest those Towns which have not sent their Committees.
Tbis Convention stands adjourned to the last Tuesday of August instant
at the House of Mrs. Mary Sternes, Innholder, in Worcester, at 10 o'clock
before noon.
By Order of the Committees of Correspondence in Convention.
Timothy Btgelow.
Jour. Prov. Congress, p. 643.
" At the adjournment every Town and District was represented by 130
members of Committees of Correspondence beside a number of Delegates
and Gentlemen from several towns.
On the 31st, of August the Convention, prefaced by a stirring and
eloquent preamble, setting forth the tyrannical attempt of the Parliament
of the British Government to usurp absolute dominion over us — that no
power on earth hath a right, without the consent of this Province, to alter
the minutist tittle of its charter, or abrogate any Act whatever, and, as the
sittings of the Courts in this County, conducted in conformity to the late
Acts of Parliament may insensibly lead the good poeple of this County to
submit to the chains of Slavery forged by our enemies; therefore
Resolved, that we recommend the poeple of this County to attend in
person at the next sitting of the Court on the 6th. of September next; — that
suitable and proper officers be chosen in each town to regulate the move-
ments of the Poeple on the occasion: — that they depute fit persons to repre-
sent them in One General Convention at Concord on Oct. 2d., Tuesday
next, to devise ways and means to resume our original mode of govern-
ment, whereby the most dignified servants were, as they ought to be, de-
pendent on the poeple for their existence as such : — that the several Towns
should indemnify their Constables for neglecting to return a list of jurors:
— that, as the ordinary course of justice must be stayed, every inhabitant
of this County should pay his just debts as soon as may be possible with-
out any disputes or litigation: — that as the dark and gloomy aspect of
affairs has thrown this Province into great convulsions, we recommend to
every one and engage ourselves to suppress all riotous and disorderly pro-
ceedings in our respective towns."
This Convention also voted that if any town should he at-
tacked, the Committee of Correspondence should send, by
express, posts to the towns adjoining that they come armed and
accoutred to protect and defend the place attacked.
They also recommended the towns to pay no attention to the
late Act of Parliament, which, among other things, undertook
to regulate the calling of town meetings, hut to proceed in their
1774. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 327
usual manner; to detain all money due the Province Treasury
until the public tranquillity is restored; — to ascertain what
number of guns are wanting to arm the people in case of inva-
sion, and that each member of this Convention will purchase at
least two pounds of powder in addition to any they have on
hand, and recommend his neighbor to go and do likewise.
In the Statutes at Large, British Parliament, Vol. 30, p. 381,
to be seen at the State Library at Boston, may be found the late
Act of Parliament above referred to.
An Act for the better regulating the Government of the Province of the
Massachusetts Bay in New England.
Anno decimo quarto Georgii III.
1. After April 1. 1774 the Charter to be void.
2. Couueillors to be appointed by the King, not more than i>0 nor less
than 12.
3. Councillors to hold office during the King's pleasure.
■1. The Governor to appoint and remove judges and other officers.
5. The Governor to appoint Sheriffs without consent of the Council.
(5. No Town Meetings to be called except for the election of Town Officers
and Representatives to the General Court, without the consent of the
Governor, or, in his absence, the Lieut. Governor, in writing, and then
no business be acted on except what may be mentioned in the warrant.
7. Jurors not to be elected, nominated or appointed by the Freeholders or
inhabitants, nor summoned or returned by the Constables, but to be sum-
moned and returned by the Sheriffs, to whom all venires shall be issued.
8. Constables to return to the Sheriffs the names of all persons qualified to
serve as jurors.
With such an act of tyranny hanging over their heads, is it
strange that our fathers became rebels, or that Gov. Gage should
write to the Earl of Dartmouth that in Worcester " they keep no
terms, openly threatening resistance by arms — have been pur-
chasing arms and preparing them, casting balls, providing pow-
der and threaten to attack any troops that dare oppose them."
Sept. 6. Pursuant to the recommendation the Convention
met and
Voted that the Court should not sit on any terms.
Voted " that the b*>dy of the Poeple, about six thousand,
being now present in town, assemble on the Common."
Then chose a committee of three to inquire of the Committees
of Towns how long before the determination of the towns respect-
ing the Courts and Judges would be known, and adjourned to
the Green beyond Mr. Salisbury's.
328 ANNALS OF MBNDON. [1774.
They then chose a committee of three, viz: Capt. Mundell, of
Hardwick, Deacon Rawson, of Mendon, and Samuel Jennison to
inform the Grand Jurors of thecletermination of the Convention
as to the Courts being held.
The Convention met in the afternoon and again adjourned to
the Green '"to attend the body of the Poeple."
Voted to choose a committee of three "to inquire of the occa-
sion of the delay of the Judges in making their appearance be-
fore the body of the Poeple."
Voted to choose a committee of three "to acquaint John
Chandler, Esq. and the other protestors that they must follow
after the Judges, through the ranges of the body of the Poeple,
and that they go immediately after the Judges and read their
recantation." The protestors here mentioned were John Chand-
ler, Esq., and forty-two others, of Worcester, who entered a pro-
test against some resolutions of the town, and which was recorded
by the Town Clerk without authority. ' The Clerk was after-
wards compelled, in open town meeting, to expunge the same,
and the pen marks, not being deemed sufficient, he dipped his
lingers in the ink, and so completely obliterated the protest.
Voted "to thank the Rev. Mr. Chaplin of Sutton (the Rev.
Benjamin Conklin prayed the first day); to recommend the Mili-
tary officers to resign their commissions to the Colonells of Regi-
ments; the Field officers to resign their offices and publish the
same in all the Boston newspapers; to Towns to choose officers;
to provide themselves with Field pieces, ammunition and gun-
ners; to take notice of those Judges who aspersed the poeple in a
late letter to Gov. Gage; that the recantation of the principals in
the protest shall be accepted for those who signed them; that
four men be desired to attend in addition to those who are to
walk with Col. Gardner Chandler, Sheriff of the County, through
the ranges of the Poeple."
Voted that Deacon Rawson, Mr. Asa Whitcomb and Dr.
Crosby, a Delegate,- be a committee to wait on a number of Jus-
tices and give them an opportunity to sign the Declaration which
has been signed by the Justices and officers of the Inferior Court,
and is as follows:
Worcester Sept 6. 1774.
Worcester ss. The Justices of the Iuferiour Court aud Justices of the
1774. J ANNALS OF MENDON. 329
Court of the General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Worcester, to
the Poeple of the County now assembled at Worcester.
Gentlemen, You have desired, and even insisted upon, that all Judicial
proceedings be stayed by the Justices of the Court appointed to be held this
day, by law, in Worcester, within and for the County of Worcester on ac
count of the unconstitutional Act of the British Parliament, respecting the
administration of Justice in this Province, which if effected will reduce the
Inhabitants thereof to mere arbitrary rule, do assure you that we will stay
all such Judicial proceedings of said Courts and will tfot endeavour to put
said Act in execution
Thomas Steel, Chas Bigelow, Saml. Wilder,
Joseph Wilder, Robert Goddard, Joshua Upton,
Art. Ward, Francis Whipple, John Chandler Jr..
Timo. Paine, Joshua Willard, Daniel Oliver,
John Chandler, Ezra Taylor, Joseph Dorr,
Daniel Henshaw, John Caldwell, Ezra Houghton,
Abel Willard, Ephm. Wilson, Nathan Tyler
We the Officers of the Court do for ourselves give the Poeple the same
assurance as above.
Gardner Chandler, Sheriff,
Rufus Chandler,
John Sprague,
Nathl. Chandler, Attornies.
Voted to choose a committee of nine to draw up a form of vote
for administering justice and to psotect the Justices in the exe-
cution of their offices.
Chose Oapt. Samuel Ward, Lancaster; Capt. Joseph Henshaw,
Leicester, Dea. Edward Eawson, Mendon; Ee v. Joseph Wheeler,
Harvard, Samuel Jennison, Douglass; Lieut. Joseph Baker,
Delegate; Capt. Paul Mandell, Hardwick, Timothy Bigelow, of
Worcester, and Lieut. Jona. Holman, of Bolton, as the aforesaid
committee.
This committee was to confer with the Justices to-morrow,
and to them was committed the Justices' address to Gov. Cage.
Thomas Steel, Joseph Wilder, Timothy Paine, John Chand-
ler, Abel Willard, Joshua TJpham, Duncan Campbell, Jedediah
Marcy, Fras. Whipple, Ezra Houghton and Isaac Barnard, Jus-
tices, declared they precipitately entered into the measure, and
were sorry for it.
The Justices of the Peace for the County, except Timothy
Ruggles, John Murray and James Putnam are requested to con-
tinue in the discharge of their offices.
42
330 ANNALS OF MENDON. . [1775.
Gardner Chandler, Sheriff, was called upon and recanted his
signature to the address to Gov. Gage.
The Convention adjourned to March 28, inst.
This account of the mass meeting at Worcester is^ introduced
for two reasons. First, because it was, at the instance of the
Worcester Committee, that the Boston Committee called a meeting
of the different Committees of Correspondence to meet at Faneuil
Hall in Boston, on the 20th of August, when it was resolved
that a Provincial Congress was necessary " to counteract the sys-
tem of despotism" — that, previous to the meeting of such Con-
gress, the Courts ought to be opposed, and the officers holding
them branded as traitors, and that the military art ought to be
attentively practised. Second, because Mendon was fully repre-
sented in the Worcester Convention of Aug. 9, and one of its
Delegates, Deacon Edward Bawson, was one of the leading spirits
of the meeting.
1775. At a town meeting held this day, by adjournment,
being Jan. 17th,
Voted that the Captains of the several companies in this town
use their utmost endeavors that the delinquent men in their
respective companies be speedily equipped with arms and ammu-
nition.
Voted that the Committee to take up the Collection for the
Towns of Boston and Charlestown be directed to convey the
same to the Committee of the Town of Boston.
Henry Penniman having offered to present the town with a
four-pounder field piece, the vote passed Sept. 28th to purchase
two six-pounders was reconsidered, and the money then appro-
priated to pay for the six-pounders was now appropriated as fol-
lows, viz: £10.17.09 to pay for powder heretofore purchased, and
the balance of the £113.10 was to be expended in purchasing, as
soon as possible, firearms, lead, flints, powder, iron balls for two
field pieces, and carriages to mount the same.
Voted to accept of a four-pounder field piece in lieu of a six-
pounder, offered by Dr. Jennison.
Capt. Nathan Tyler, Capt. Nelson and David Daniels were
chosen a committee to purchase small arms as soon as may be,
1775.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 331
and that they procure carriages and mount the field pieces as
soon as possible.
Feb. 6. Voted to send a Delegate to the Provincial Congress,
now sitting at Cambridge, in the place of Deacon Edward Raw-
son, who is unable to attend by reason of sickness.
Chose Dr. William Jennison as a Delegate, and that Joseph
Dorr, Esq., and Capt. Nathan Tyler should give him instruc-
tions the same in substance as those voted for Deacon Rawson.
March 6. Chose for Selectmen, Joseph Dorr, Esq., Lieut.
Joseph Gribbs, Mr. Henry Benson, Ens. Seth Taft and Mr.
Ichabod Thayer; Town Clerk and Treasurer, Joseph Dorr, Esq. ;
Constables, Darius Daniels, Joseph Benson, Jr., and Josiah
Nelson.
Raised £100 for repairs of highways this year, and any rate
not worked out by October 1, to be collected by the Constable
in money. One shilling and six pence per day for a man. and
one shilling and six pence per day for a team were allowed.
The meeting was then adjourned to the May meeting, when
the votes relating to the highway were reconsidered; and then
voted to allow the Delegates who attended the Congress at Cam-
bridge and Concord four shillings per day for attendance, and
five shillings for a journey to Concord and five shillings for a
journey to Cambridge each session.
March 20. Under a new warrant Lieut. Benjamin Wheelock
was chosen Moderator.
Voted " that this town's part of the Provincial Tax for the
year 1774 be paid to Henry Gardner Esq. who is appointed
Receiver General for the Province by the late Provincial
Congress."
Voted that the Assessors for 1774 "be directed and they are
hereby directed to make out warrants to the several Constables,
in this town, to pay their respective collections of the Province
tax to Henry Gardner Esq. Receiver General, recently appointed
by the Provincial Congress."
Voted to choose a County Treasurer, but who he was or how
many votes he had the record saith not.
Voted not to choose Overseers of the Poor.
332
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1775.
BATTLE OF LEXINGTON.
April 19. This day occurred the Battle of Lexington, and,
upon the general alarm which followed, Mendon furnished the
following Minute Men. Their names may he found on the
muster rolls in the State Archives, at Boston, and were copied
by the late Maj. Dexter F. Parker, of Worcester, who was col-
lecting materials for a history of the County of Worcester. By
the kindness of Mrs. Parker, T am allowed the privilege of
co) tying from his minutes.
Capt. John Albee,
Lieut. Joseph Bruce,
Lieut, Seth Taft,
( 'lcrk, William French,
Serg. Beuj. Wheeloek,
Serg. John Penniman,
Serg. Philip Ammidown,
Corp. Peine Rawson.
Corp. Seth Chapin,
Corp. Silas Richardson,
Corp. Edmund Merriam,
Dr. Zuriel Albee,
Dr. John Crooks,
Prs. Barlow Carpenter.
Samuel Gage,
FIRST COMPANY.
John Hill,
Ralph Hayward,
Stephen Legg.
Aaron Legg,
Douglass Marsh,
Eben Merriam.
Stephen Johnson,
Josiah Penniman,
Levi Rawson,
Mark Rawson,
Edmund Rawson, 4th.,
Thomas Staples,
Caleb Taft,
Stephen Torrey.
John Tyler,
William Torrey jr.
Seth Taft jr.,
Calvin Wheeloek,
Jesse Wheeloek,
Grindall Wood,
Benjn. White.
Capt. Willian Jennison.
Lieut, Caleb Cheney,
Sergt. Jones,
Corp. Josiah Brown.
Pr. Saml. Bowditch.
Joseph Gibbs,
John Hayward,
Jesse Hayward,
Jona. Hayward,
Jacob Hayward,
Joshua Hayward,
Warfield Hayward,
Joseph Jones jr. .
John Jones.
SECOND COMPANY.
Abraham Jones, jr. ,
Eli Patridge,
Seth Thayer,
Josiah Wheeloek,
William Ward,
Daniel White,
Benjn. Vickery,
Enlisted in the Army.
Lieut, Samuel Cobb,
Serg. Adams Chapin,
Corp. William Lesure,
Drummer. Saml. French,
Fifer, Daniel French,
Pr. Edmond Bowker,
Samuel Davis.
Ebenr Davis,
Aaron Davis,
William Cheney,
Benjn Norcross,
Henry Nelson,
Serg. William Jennison jr., Amos Shefferson,
Serg. John Gibbs, Abraham Stevens.
Corp. Sheffield Partridge. Eli Whitney jr.,
Corp. Asa Albee, Samuel Warren.
1775.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
333
Capt. Joseph Daniels,
Lieut. Benoni Benson,
Lieut. Peter Penniman,
Serg. Abraham Staples.
Serg. Moses Thayer,
Serg. John Darling,
Corp. Stephen Benson,
Asa Fletcher,
Benj. Thayer,
William Thayer,
Ebenezer White,
Thomas Legg,
Abner Benson,
Benj. Thayer jr.,
Nahor Staples,
Capt. Gershom Nelson,
Lieut. Jesse Whitney,
Lieut. Josiah Nelson,
Serg. Moses Chapin,
Serg. Simeon Wiswell,
Serg. Joseph Cody,
Serg. Nathl. Parkhurst,
THIRD COMPANY.
Preserved Baker,
Benjamin Blake,
Silas Aldrich.
Pa. Thayer,
Benoni Benson,
Caleb Wheelock.
Increase Thayer.
Elijah Darling,
Turner White,
Joshua Lazed?
Benj. Jones,
Benj. Pickering jr.
Oliver Fisher?
James Thayer jr.
FOURTH COMPANY.
Elisha White,
John Robinson,
Aaron Merrifleld,
Stephen Chapin,
Daniel Wedge,
Ichabod Corbett,
Daniel Hayward,
Corp. Eph'm Parkhurst, James Albee,
Corp. Levi Thayer,
Corp. Daniel Legg,
Corp. Ichabod Nelson,
Pr. Gershom Legg,
Robert Corbett,
Ebem Read,
Jonas Parkhurst,
Ephr. Chapin,
Enoch Parry,
Darius Sumner,
Levi Hayward,
Nathan Beal,
Gershom Twitched,
Levi Legg,
Seva Pond?
Nathl. Taft,
Moses Daniels,
Saml. Freeman,
Danl. Thompson,
Seth Hayward,
Hezekiah Fletcher,
Oliver Morse?
James Blake,
John Hayward,
John Benson,
Benj. Hayward,
old soldier.
Joseph Wood,
died July 21.
Samuel Jones,
Daniel Chapin,
Josiah Kilborn,
Isaac Littlefield,
Moses Gage,
Isaac Chapin,
Daniel Chapin,
Samuel Thayer,
David Legg jr. ,
Alexander Wheelock.
James Sprague,
James Twitched,
Darius Holbrook,
Silas Brook?
May 29. Capt. Thomas Wiswall was chosen Delegate to the
Provincial Congress, to set at Watertown May 31, current.
Oapt. John Tyler, Mr. James Sumner and Lieut. Benson were
chosen a committee " to inquire back as far as 1770 and ascer-
tain what Province money, collected or uncollected, there may
l»e in the hands of the Constables or Deputy Sheriffs, and report
what measures may be necessary to compel said Constables and
Sheriffs to pay the same to Henry Gardner Esq. the present
Receiver General instead of Harrison Gray the Eeceiver General
appointed by the Governor, under the late act of Parliament."
Adjourned to this day fortnight, (June 12,) at 2 P. M.
Met according to adjournment.
334 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1775.
The committee chosen May 29th, report this day, June 12th,
" that they find Monies in the several Constables hands and in
the hand of George Bruce, Deputy Sheriff, together with money
assessed and uncollected, to the amount of £291.17.04,"' where-
upon,
Voted " that the several delinquent Constables, of said town,
and George Bruce, Deputy Sheriff, pay in to Henry Gardner
Esq., Receiver General for Massachusetts Bay, the several sums
of the public monies, in their hands, without delay."
Voted " that said Constables and Sheriff paying the above-
said monies as before expressed and producing said Receiver Gen-
eral his receipt therefor, be and hereby are indemnified, by said
town, in so doing."
Voted that James Sumner, Deacon Rawson and Peletiah Dar-
ling be a committee to examine the accounts of sundry persons
who found provisions for and were employed in the service of
our soldiers who were called forth in the late alarm. The late
alarm was undoubtedly the battle of Lexington, April 19th.
At a town meeting held July 10th, Deacon Edward Rawson,
Capt. Nelson and Capt. John Tyler were chosen a committee
''to repair to Mr. George Bruce and desire his attendance, im-
mediately, in this meeting.'' Mr. Bruce attended accordingly,
and offered to deliver up the notes which he had in his hands,
for the Province money, to the town or their order.
Then Henry Penniman, Capt. John Tyler, and Peter Penni-
man were chosen a committee to receive the notes, collect the
same as soon as may be, and pay it to Henry Gardner, Esq.,. or
his successor or successors in the office of Receiver General, and
to take his or their receipt for the same.
It seems that Sheriff Bruce hesitated about paying over the
Province money, but whether on account of loyalist notions or
fear of pecuniary accountability is not now known.
Sept. 4. Voted £100 to defray town charges, and £60, in-
cluding the interest on the School bonds, for schooling the pres-
ent year.
Deacon. Edward Rawson was allowed £12. 13. 08 for his services
at the General Court and at the Provincial Congress.
Dr. William Jennison was allowed £2.05.00 for his services at
the Provincial Congress, and then the vote was immediately re-
considered.
1775.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 335
Capt. Wiswall was allowed £7.06.00 for his services at the Pro-
vincial Congress at Watertown.
Lient. Benjamin Wheelock and Capt. Nelson were added to
the committee "to examine the accounts of certain persons who
found provisions for our soldiers in the late alarm in April last,
and also for conveying said provisions to camp, and report at the
next meeting."
Adjourned to the last Monday in October.
Voted that the committee last above chosen, when they shall
have completed the accounts of certain persons, &c, transmit
the same to the General Court for allowance, and to pray that
what may be allowed may be made payable to the Selectmen of
Mendon, or their order, for the Town's use.
Voted that the Selectmen, when they shall have received the
abovesaid money, shall deliver the same to the abovesaid commit-
tee, and said, committee pay out the same to those persons to
whom it shall be found due.
The committee transmitted the accounts to the General Court,
and in Vol. 205, p. 290, Revolutionary Resolves, may be found
the following action of the Court:
In the House of Representatives, Watertown Sept. 27, 1775.
Resolved, that there be paid out of the Public Treasury fifteen pounds to
Dea. Edward Rawson, for the use of the Selectmen of the Town of Men-
don, in full for Six small Arms, delivered to the Committee of Safety, by
the hand of Stephen Patridge for the use of the Army, as appears by the
receipt of July 13. 1775, amounting to that sum.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Warren, Speaker.
In Council, Read and Concurred
Perez Morton, Depty. Secy.
Consented to by J. Palmer and fourteen others of the Council.
Journal of Com. of Safety and Supplies. Journal Prov. Con-
gress, p. 516.
April 18. 1775.
Voted that all the Ammunition be deposited in Nine different towns in
this Province, that Worcester be one of them, that Concord be one, that
Lancaster be one (Col. Whitcomb is there) that Groton, Stoughtonham,
Stow, Mendon, Leicester and Sudbury be the others. Also (p. 517) two
Medecine Chests at Mendon, also (p. 518) 1100 Tents to be deposited, in
equal parts, in Worcester, Lancaster, Groton, Stow, Mendon, Leicester and
Sudbury.
Journal Provincial Congress, p. 77,
336 ANNALS OF MEN DON. [1775.
May 1. 1775. Meadon to take 76 of the 5000 indigent persons of Boston
whom Gen. Gage has permitted to remove — said persons not to be consid-
ered the poor of the towns to which they remove. Accounts to be kept and
laid before Congress.
May 25. A Committee report that Mendon could spare 2£ bbls. of
Powder.
May 31. The Third Provincial Congress met in the Meeting House at
Watertown. Capt. Thomas Wiswall, Delegate from Mendon.
Journal Prov. Con., p. 335.
Towns advised to deposite Fire arms with the Town Treasurer for the
use of the Army. Mendon to deposite 24. June 15. 1775.
Form of a Receipt for the same.
The day of 1775.
Recd of A. B. firelock to the use of the Colony of the Massachusetts
Bay of the value of £ s. d. which sum the Receiver General of said Col-
ony is directed, in 40 days after the date hereof, to pay to the said A. B. or
order, in Bills of Credit of this Colony.
Form of a receipt for Powder.
The day of 1775 Recd of A. B.,
Selectman of the Town of the Town stock of Powder, contain-
ing lbs weight, to the use of the Massachusetts Bay, which
powder is to be replaced again, as soon as the Colony Magazine will admit
of it, or paid for in money.
Jou. P. C, p. 431. July 5. In the apportionment for coats,
with pewter buttons, for the soldiers, Mendon was to furnish
eighty-eight coats.
This, it will be remembered, was just after the battle of Bun-
ker Hill, when the whole country was in a state of great alarm,
and hence the effort to strengthen the army by the accumulation
of munitions of war and clothing for the soldiers.
Jou. P. C, p. 431. Mendon "to take 30 of the poeple of
Charlestown;" the town having been burned during the battle of
Bunker Hill.
July 10. Deacon Edward Kawson was chosen Representative
to the General Court.
Revolutionary Letters, Vol. 193, p. 88.
Circular Letter from the Provincial Congress to the Towns.
Gentlemen,
The barbarous Murders committed on our innocent Brethren on
Wednesday the 19th. inst. have made it absolutely necessary that we imme-
diately raise an Army to defend our wives and children from the butcher-
1775.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 337
ing hands of an inhuman Soldiery, who, incensed at the obstacles they met
with in their bloody progress and enraged at being repulsed from the field
of slaughter, will, without the least doubt, take the first opportunity in their
power to ravage the country with fire and sword.
We conjure you therefore, by all that is sacred, that you give all assist
ance possible in forming an Army; our all is at stake — Death and Devasta
tion are the certain consequences of delay — every moment is infinitely pies
ions — an hour lost may deluge your country in blood and entail perpetual
Slavery upon the few of your posterity who may survive the carnage. We
beg and intreat as you will answer to your country, to your consciences
and, above all, as you will answer to God himself, that you will hasten and
encourage, by all possible means, the enlistment of men to form an army
and send them forward to head quarters, at Cambridge, with that expedi-
tion which the vast importance and instant urgency of the affair demands.
Mendon to take 30 of the poeple of Charlestown.
Rec. Prow Congress, Vol. 31, p. 137.
The Prov. Congress adjourned this day from Concord to meet the same
day at Watertown, at 4 o'clock P. M.
Dea, Edward Rawson was chosen to wait on the Rhode Island Congress
to inform them of our Resolutions and request their concurrence.
In the H. of Representatives Nov. 8. 1775.
Resolved that there be paid, out of the Public Treasury of this Colony,
to Edward Rawson the sum of £1.17.06 in full of his Account for a journey
to Providence by order of Congress.
The following is an answer to the request of the Commit tec of
Supplies appointed by the Provincial Congress:
Mendon June 15. 1775.
Rouble. Gentlemen
Agreeable to your Request we have collected and sent
down a Load of Grain. Another load may be had but not without cash,
which (as the times are) we are not able to command. If the Receiver
General would order our Constables to pay us a sum of money for that
purpose perhaps we may procurse it. We have also sent 203 lbs. weight of
gunpowder; more we could not well spare, as we have been obliged to fur-
nish our Soldiers with a large quantity out of the town stock; two of the
casks are new, for which the town gave 6s. which you may keep or send
back as suits best.
The Selectmen live at a great distance from each other and could not be
gotten together, without considerable trouble, in order to certify with respect
to the price of the above articles and the carriage of them, but as the bearer
is a Selectman and worthy of credit
I am Gentleman your very Humble and Obt. Servant
J. Dork, one of the Selectmen of Meudon.
43
338 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1775.
COL. EZRA WOOD AND LIEUT. ELIJAH TAFT COMPLAINED OF.
At a meeting of the Committees of Inspection of Cumberland, Wren-
tham, Medway, Bellingham, Hopkinton, Holliston, Mendon, Upton, Ux-
bridge and Smithfield, convened at the House of Dr. John Corbett, in said
Bellingham, on ye 18th. day of September 1775, and continued by adjourn-
ments to the 16th. day of October 1775; upon the complaint of Col. Joseph
Read against Col. Ezra Wood and Lieut. Elijah Taft for Carrying Pro-
visions to Rhode Island, and said it was suspected that he sold the same to
the Tories, whereby said Provisions were conveyed to the enemy at Boston,
and said Read desired me to inform of the same to the Committee of
Inspection forthwith that the affair might be inquired into.
Edward Rawson.
Oct. 16, 1775.
On the Above Complatnt,
Voted that it is the opinion of this Body that the said Wood and
Taft have not done anything that is inimical to the American Cause.
Extract from the Minutes
Nathan Tyler, Clerk.
The following letter is introduced in this place because its
author was a native of Mendon, and because it belongs to the
history of the times.
Alexander Scammell was born in Mendon and graduated at
Harvard College, 1769. Studied law with Gen. Sullivan, and
was appointed Brigade Major in New Hampshire in 1775, and
Colonel of a New Hampshire regiment in 1776. He was wound-
ed at the battle of Saratoga, in 1777, and became Adjutant-
General of the Continental Army in 1780. In 1781 he was
taken prisoner September 30, while reconnoitering, at the siege
of Yorktown, mortally wounded after he surrendered, and died
at Williamsburg, Va., Oct. 6. At the time of his death he was
the confidential friend of Gen. Washington.
Portsmouth, May 3. 1775.
Hon. Sir,
Your leaving New 'Hampshire at a time when your presence was
so extremety necessary to cherish the glorious ardor which you have been
so instrumental in inspiring us with, spread a general gloom in Durham
and, in some measure, damped the spirit of liberty through the Province,
and nothing but the important business in which you are embarked would
induce to dispense with your presence, with any degree of patience or per-
severance. But when the horrid din of civil carnage surprised us on the
20th. of April, the universal cry was, "Oh! if Major Sullivan was here —
I Avish to God Major Sullivan was here " ran through the distressed
multitude.
1775.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 339
April Court, which was then sitting adjourned immediately. To arms!
to arms! was breathed forth in sympathetic groans. I went express to
Boston, by desire of the Congressional Committee then sitting at Durham,
proceeded as far as Bradford (Mass.) where I obtained credible information
that evening. Next morning I arrived at Exeter where the Provincial
Congress was assembling with all possible haste.
Here I reported what intelligence I had gained; that the American Army
at Cambridge, Woburn and Charlestown was more in need of provisions
than men ; that fifty thousand had assembled in thirty six hours, and that
the Regulars who had retreated from Concord had encamped on Bunker's
Hill in Charlestown.
The Congress, upon this report, resolved that the Durham company, then
at Exeter, (armed complete for an engagement, with a week's provision,)
should return home and keep themselves in constant readiness. All the
men being gone from the westward and southward of Newmarket, and
Men-of-war expected hourly into Portsmouth, it was with the greatest dif-
ficulty your Durham soldiers were prevailed on to return.
Six or seven expresses arrived at Durham in the night after our return ;
some desiring us to march to Kittery, some to Hampton and some to
Ipswich &c. which places, they said, sundry Men-of-war were ravaging. The
whole country was in a continual alarm, but suspecting that the Marines,
at Portsmouth, might take advantage of the confusion we were then in and
pay a visit to Durham we thought proper to stand ready to give them a
warm reception ; and supposing that your house and family would be the
first mark of their vengeance, I kept guard to defend your family and sub-
stance to the last drop of my blood * * * * Men, women and children were
engaged, day and night in preparing for the worst. Many towns in this
Province have enlisted Minutemen and keep them under pay, and the Con-
gress before this would actually have raised an army had they not waited
for the General Court, which sits to-morrow, in order to raise as much
money as they can to pay off their army when raised. I am extremely
mortified that I am unable to join the Army at Cambridge.
The particulars of the skirmish between the Regulars and Americans
will, long before this, have reached you. In longing expectation your safe,
happy and speedy return is hoped for by all your friends, but by none
more sincerely than
Your dutiful, humble servant
Alexr Scammelt-
To John Sullivan Esq. Philadelphia or New York.
The four companies which responded to the alarm on the 19th
of April from Mendon, except those who enlisted for three
months, soon returned home.
The Muster Eolls at Boston credit Mendon with the following
three months men. whose service expired in August, 1775:
340
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1776.
THREE MONTHS MEN, 1775.
Lieut. Levi Aldricli,
Serg. Rufus Aldricli,
Nehemiah Aldricli,
Phineas Aldricli,
Amasa Aldricli,
Alexr Aldricli,
Jabez Albee,
Eleazer Albee,
Asa Albee,
Jacob Ammidown,
Peter Brown,
Silas Brown,
Samuel Boyce,
Jona. Boyce,
Serg. Jeremiah Battles,
Justus Battles,
Timothy Bruce,
Edmund Bowker,
Serg. Samuel Craggin,
Eli Craggin,
Amos Craggin,
Capt. Samuel Cobb,
Cor. Peter Corbett,
Cor. William Cheney,
Lt, Joseph Cody,
Ser. Adam Chapin,
Isaac Chapin,
Josiah Chapin,
Peter Daggett,
Joshua Daggett,
John Deming?
William Drown,
Lt, William Darling,
Enoch Darling,
Job Darling,
Peter Darling,
Levi Darling,
Drum. Aaron Davis,
Samuel Davis,
Serg. Turner Ellis,
Maxwell Ellis,
Ser. Samuel French,
David French?
Cor. Saml. Fairbanks,
Cor. Simeon Fish,
Amariah Ford,
Hezekiah Fletcher,
John Green,
John Gibbs,
Darius Hoi brook,
Reuben Holbrook,
Samuel Hill,
John Hunt,
William Hall,
Cor. David Legg,
Cor. Caleb Legg,
Moses Legg,
David Legg, Sr.,
William Legg,
William Lesure,
Levi Lesure,
Moses Lovett,
Joshua Lazell,
Ichabod Maynard,
Robin Meinyo,
Henry Nelson,
Daniel Norcross,
Benjn Norcross,
Benjn Oliver,
Capt. Andrew Peters,
Cor. Sheffield Partridge,
Amariah Partridge,
Eben"' Partridge.
Joseph Passmore,
Edward Pickering,
Ser. Benjamin Read,
Aquilla Ramsdell,
Arthur Rawson,
Jonathan Rawson,
Amos Shepardson,
Alex1" Sterns,
James Sprague,
Fifer, Jesse Smith,
Calvin Smith,
Simeon Staples,
Jona. Staples,
Enos Taft,
Ebenr Taft,
Artemas Tafi,
Amos Thayer,
Amasa Thayer,
Samuel Thayer,
Joel Thayer,
Nathl. Torrey,
Jonas Twitchel,
Benjn Vickery,
Vose,
Amariah Vose,
Bethuel Washburn,
Samuel Washburn,
Theophilus Waterman,
West Waterman,
Serg. Benjn Walker,
Benjn White,
Daniel White,
Gideon White,
Daniel Ward?
Josiah Wood,
Stephen Wood,
Wood,
Lt. George Whipple,
Alexr Wheelock,
Jonathan Whitney,
Elias Whitney,
Joseph Woodward,
Capt. Samuel Warren.
1776. March 4. Chose for Selectmen, Lieut. Peter Penni-
111 an, Mr. Jonathan Jones, Mr. Samuel Fairbanks. Ensign Pele-
1776.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 341
tiah Darling and Mr. Ebenezer Sumner; Joseph Dorr, Esq.,
Town Clerk and Treasurer; John Penniman, Ichabod Thayer,
Jr., and Jesse Darling, Constables; Committee of Correspon-
dence, Inspection and Safety, Capt. John Tyler, Lieut. Joseph
Gibbs, Deacon Joseph Day; Capt. John Albee and Deacon
Gideon Albee.
Voted to accept of a road leading by the Widow Huhlah
Thayer's to the road leading by Elisha Thompson's to Arnold's
mills, at Winesokett.
Voted to sell the powder sent to the Colony Magazine at 5s.
per pound.
Voted to allow the First Precinct the profits and benefit of
the burying place in said Precinct, said Precinct keeping the
fences about the same in suitable repair.
Adjourned to the May meeting.
Voted to allow the Selectmen for 1775, 30s., cash in full.
Voted to allow the Selectmen two dollars for a blanket, which
they purchased for Edward Pickering, 20s., which Capt.Wiswall
gave the town, and 15s. more to make up the sum which the
Selectmen lost in blankets, and for which they never got any
pay.
Voted to allow Ichabod Thayer, Edward Rawson, Jr., and
Stephen Benson 20s. each for carting the baggage for Capt.
John Tyler's company to the lines at Roxbury in December last.
This was probably at the time when it was expected that the
British, from Boston, would attack the lines at Eoxbury.
Rev. Resolves, Mass. Archives, Vol. 209, p. 163.
In the House'of Representatives May 9. 1776.
Resolved that it he and is herehy recommended to each Town in this
Colony which shall send a member or memhers to the next General Assem-
hly, fully to possess him or them with their sentiments relative to the Decla-
ration of Independency of the United Colonies of Great Britain to he made
by Congress, and to instruct them what conduct they would have them oh
serve with regard to the next General Assembly instructing the Delegates
of this Colon}' on that subject.
Passed. Sent up for concurrence.
Samuel Freeman, Secy. P. T.
In Council May 10. 1776.
Read and Non concurred,
Perez Morton. Dep. Sec
342- ANNALS OF MENDON. [1776.
The warrant for the last town meeting was the last one called
in his Majesty's name. His Majesty's name and the year of his
reign had heretofore been inserted in every warrant for a town
meeting, from the date of incorporation in 16G7.
It now reads, "in the Name of the Government and Poeple of
the Massachusetts Bay.'"'"
May 27th, being a meeting called, as above, for the choice of
a Representative to the General Court, to meet at Watertown,
May 29th hist., Joseph Dorr, Esq., was chosen Representative,
and, notwithstanding the non-concurrence of the Council with
the House of Representatives, as before recited, the town in-
structed their Representative in the following patriotic and elo-
quent terms:
"Voted that the town advise and instruct their Representative to acquaint
the General Assembly, That if the Honourable the Continental Congress
shall think it for the Benefit and Safety of the United American Colo-
nies, to Declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, said
Town will approve the measure, and, with their Lives and Fortunes, sup-
port them therein."
Voted that Lieut. Joseph Bruce, Lieut. Joseph Gibbs and
Lieut. Benoni Benson, as a committee, be directed to look after
those persons who took ammunition out of the town stock, on the
alarm of last year, and have not returned the same. This com-
mittee were allowed to compound with those who make no return
of ammunition at 3s. per pound for powder and the common
price for lead and flints.
Voted to allow those persons who transported provisions .to
Cambridge and Roxbury on the alarm in April, 1775, £2.01.10,
which was deducted out of the Selectmen's account to the Gen-
eral Assembly for the same.
The evacuation of Boston by the British, on the 17th of March,
transferred the theatre of war from Massachusetts to New York,
and a new call was now made for reinforcements for the army.
As in all wars, the patriotic ardor which the first call to arms
inspired in the masses began to cool, and volunteers came in
slowly.
July 8. The following circular letter of the General Court
was read in a town meeting this day. It may be found in the
Massachusetts Archives.
1776.1 ANNALS OF MENDON. 343
CIRCULAR TO THE COMMITTEES OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS.
The General Court have received from his -Excellency, General Wash-
ington a pressing Letter that the Troops destined for New York, may be
sent with all despatch, as he is well informed that General Howe is arrived
from Halifax at the Hook. You will please communicate this to your
brethren that you and they, with all possible expedition, may raise and
march the Troops going from your county. The General Court expect
you will not let any thing prevent their marching as fast as possible as you
see the emergency of the case requires.
By Order of the General Court.
To the Chairman of the Committe for raising men.
Upon this the town voted "to allow those persons who shall
enlist in this Town into the service of the United Colonies, at
New York, six pounds per man, except Commissioned Officers;
also, that those now in the service, as well as those who served
eight months last }rear, shall be exempted from a poll tax.1'
Here follows, in the Town Record, a copy of the Declaration
of Independence. It is engrossed in the bold and beautiful
hand writing of Joseph Dorr, Esq. , the Town Clerk.
The following is a literal transcript from the Record:
In CONGRESS, July 4. 1776; A DECLARATION by the REP-
RESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA in GEN-
ERAL CONGRESS Assembled: When in the Course of Human Events it
becomes necessary for a Poeple to dissolve the Political bands which have
connected them with another and to assume, among the Powers of
the Earth, the separate and Equal Station which the Laws of Nature
and Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the Opinions of
Mankind requires that they should declare the Causes which impel them to
the Separation.
We hold these Truths to be self-evident; that all Men were created equal;
that they are indued, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights:
that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness; — That to
secure these Rights Governments are Instituted among Men, deriving their
just Powers from the Consent of the Governed; that when any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the
Poeple to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its
Foundation on such Principles and organizing its Powers in such Form as
to them shall seem most.likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence indeed will dictate that Governments long established should
not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all Expe-
rience hath shown that Mankind are more disposed to suffer while Evils
are sufferable than right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they
are accustomed- But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pur-
344 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1776.
suing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under
absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty to throw off such
Government and provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has
been the patient sufferance of these Colonies, and such is now the Neces-
sity which constrains them to alter their former systems of Government.
The History of the Present King of Great Britain is a History of repeated
Injuries and Usurpations all having in direct object the Establishment of
an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this let Facts be sub-
mitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws the most wholesome and necessary
to the public good.
He has forbidden Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing im-
portance unless suspended in their Operation until his assent should be
obtained, a'nd when so suspended he has utterly refused to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Dis-
tricts of Poeple unless those Poeple would relinquish the Right of Repre-
sentation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to
TYRANTS only.
He has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomforta-
ble and distant from the Depository of their public records, for the sole
purpose of fatigueiug them into Compliance with his Measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly for opposing, with
manly Firmness, his Invasions on the Rights of the People.
He has refused for a long time, after such Dissolution to cause others to
be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of annihilation, have
returned to the Poeple at large for their exercise, the State remaining, in
the meantime, exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without and
Convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent Population, for that purpose obstructing
the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to
encourage their Migrations hither and raising the conditions of new Appro-
priations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of justice, by refusing his assent to
Laws for establishing judiciary Powers.
He has made judges dependent on his Will alone for the Tenure of their
Offices and the amount and payment of their Salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices and sent hither Swarms of
Officers to harrass our Poeple and eat out our Substance.
He has kept among us, in times of Peace, Standing Armies without the
consent of our Legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the
Civil Power.
He has combined, with others, to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to
our Constitution and unacknowledged by our Laws, giving his assent to
their Acts of pretended Legislation.
For quartering large Bodies of armed Troops among us.
1776.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 345
For protecting them by a mock Trial from any punishment for any Mm
ders they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States.
For cutting off Trade with all parts of the World.
For imposing taxes upon us without our Consent.
For depriving us, in many cases, of the Benefits of Trial by jury.
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for supposed offences.
For abolishing the Free System of English Laws, in a neighboring
Province, establishing therein an arbitrary Government and enlarging its
boundaries, so as to render it at once an Example and fit Instrument for
introducing the same absolute Rule into these Colonies.
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and
altering, fundamentally, the Forms of our Governments.
For suspending our Legislatures and declaring themselves invested with
Power to legislate for us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER.
He has abdicated Government here by declaring us out of his Protection
and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns and
destroyed the lives of our Poeple.
He is, at this time, transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to
Complete the Works of Death, Desolation and TYRANNY already begun,
with circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy scarcly paralleled in the most
barbarous Ages and totally unworthy the Plead of a Civilized Nation.
He has Constrained our Fellow Citizens, taken Captive on the high Seas
to bear arms against their Country; to become the Executioners of their
Friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited Domestic Insurrections among us and has endeavoured to
bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers the Merciless Indian Savages,
whose known Rule of Warfare is an undistinguished Destruction of all
Ages, Sexes and Conditions.
In every Stage of these Oppressions we have petitioned for Redress in the
most humble Terms ; our repeated Petitions have only been answered by
repeated Injury ! A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every Act
which may define a TYRANT, is unfit to be the Ruler of a FREE
POEPLE.
Nor have we been wanting in attention to our Brethren. We have
warned them, from time to time, of Attempts by their Legislature to extend
an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us; We have reminded them of the
Circumstances of our Emigration and Settlement; We have appealed to
their native magnanimity and we have conjured them by the Ties of our
Common Kindred, to disavow these Usurpations which would inevitably
interrupt our Connexions and Correspondence. They too have been
deaf to the Voice of Justice and Consanguinuity. We must therefore
acquiesce in the Necessity which announces our separation and hold them,
as we hold the rest of Mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace friends.
We therefore, the REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA in GENERAL CONGRESS assembled, appealing to the SU-
44
346 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1776.
PREME JUDGE of the World for the rectitude of our Intentions, do, in
the Name and by the Authority of the good Poeple of these Colonies, sol-
emnly publish and declare that these United States are and of Right ought to
be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES : that they are absolved from
all Allegiance to the British Crown and that all Political Connexion be-
tween them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dis-
solved, and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES they have
full Power to carry on War, Conclude Peace, to Contract Alliances, estab-
lish Commerce and to do all other Acts and things which INDEPENDENT
STATES may of Right do.
And for the Support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the
Protection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, We mutually pledge to each our
LIVES, our FORTUNE and our SACRED HONOR.
Signed by ORDER and in BEHALF OF CONGRESS.
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
ATTEST. CHARLES THOMPSON, Secy.
In Council, Watertown, July 17, 1776.
ORDERED That the Declaration of Independence be printed and a copy
sent to the Minister of each Parish of every Denomination within this
State, and that they severally be required to read the same to their respec-
tive Congregations, as soon as Divine Service is ended in the afternoon, on
the first Lord's Day after they shall have received it : — And after such Pub-
lication thereof to deliver the said Declaration to the Clerks of their several
Towns or Districts, who are hereby required to record the same in their
respective Town or District Books, there to remain as a perpetual MEMO-
RIAL thereof.
In the Name and by Order of the Council.
R, DERBY, Juu. President.
A true Copy, Attest, JOHN AVERY, Dep. Secy.
A true Copy, Attest, JOSEPH DORR, Town Clerk.
At this time Congress had called for recruits for the expedi-
tion to Canada, but the enlistments progressed slowly; and con-
temporary historians tell us that one reason was that, in Massa-
chusetts, they felt they were not secure from a return of the
British, as a portion of their fleet were still at anchor in the
lower harbor; and another reason, that weighed heavily with
many, was that the troops east of the State of New York were
not treated with the same consideration as those who were drawn
from the Southern States.
The General Court had voted to raise five thousand men for
six months, and, to encourage enlistments, offered a month's pay
in advance.
1776.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 347
The following items arc considered of sufficient interest to
merit an insertion in these annals:
Records of the Provincial Congress (Mass. Archives), Vol. 34,
p. 705, April 17, 1776.
In the H. of R. Resolved that there he paid out of the Public Treasury
of this Colony to the Selectmen of the Town of Mendon £38.04.04 in full
of their account for provisions and transporting the same to Head Quarters,
in April last for the use of the army.
Court (Mass. Archives), Vol. 34, p. 859, May 7, 1776.
In II. of R. Resolved that there he paid out of the Public Treasury of
this Colony to Edward Rawson the sum of £6.00.00 for the use of Daniel
Druce in full for his Pension granted to him by the General Court in the
year 1772.
Court, Vol. 35, p. 109, June 29, 1776.
A letter was received from the Chairman of the Committee of Mendon,
giving information against one George Gage, of Mendon for Mai Conduct ;&c.
Read and Committed, with the papers accompanying the same, to Joseph
Cushing and David Sewall Esqrs. with such as the HonbIe House shall join.
What became of this last matter is not now known.
July 22. The Town of Mendon voted to pay a bounty of £10
to each man who shall voluntarily enlist in the public service in
the Northern or Canada Department.
The Selectmen were directed to borrow a sufficient sum of
money to pay the bounties offered.
Sept. 11. Voted to raise £40 for schooling, exclusive of in-
terest arising from the school bonds, and £380 to defray town
charges, including bounties to the soldiers.
Henry Benson was chosen one of the Committee of Corres-
pondence, &c, in the room of Deacon Joseph Day, in the service.
Up to this time recruiting for the army, as every fifth man
enrolled in the militia was called for, was progressing at a tardy
pace. To expedite the matter the town, Sept. 16, voted to allow
each soldier and non-commissioned officer, who shall march to
New York, on the present alarm, 20s. each, and 20s. per month
so long as they shall continue in the service as militia.
Sept. 30. A County Register and County Treasurer were
chosen, and, as usual, no record is made of the names of the
successful candidates.
The subject of a State Government had by this time very gen-
348 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1776.
erally engaged the attention of the people, and hence, in the
warrant for a town meeting, to he held Sept. 30, the following-
article is found:
" To see if the Male inhabitants of twenty one years of age and upwards,
being free, will give their Consent that the present Representatives of the
Massachusetts Bay, together with the Council, if they consent in one body,
may agree on a Form of Government for this State, pursuant to a Resolve
of the House of Representatives of the 17th. instant."
Upon the consideration of this article, the town voted in the
negative, and chose a committee of nine persons to instruct our
Representative (Joseph Dorr, Esq.) relative to the form of civil
government.
Chose for the committee James Sumner, Edward Rawson,
Esq., Ensign Pelatiah Darling, Mr. Ebenezer Holbrook, Oapt.
Peter Penniman, Mr. Aaron Everett, Lieut. Seth Nelson, Capt.
John Tyler and Maj. Joseph Daniels.
This committee was to report a draft of their instructions at
the next meeting. They made a report as directed, but it was
not recorded, nor is the same to be found in the archives of the
town.
At this meeting it was voted not to allow an Inoculating Hos-
pital for the small-pox to be opened in the town.
Oct. 14. The town again voted they would not impower the
present General Court to form and establish a Constitution of
Government for the State.
After accepting the report of the Committee of Nine, chosen
above, whatever it was, they voted an approval of the Resolves of
the town of Stoughton relative to the manner of proceeding in
forming a Constitution of Government.
The Resolves of the town of Stoughton are as follows, and for
a transcript, from which they are a copy, I am indebted to the
kindness of Henry C. Kimball, the Clerk of that town:
We the Subscribers being chosen, by this town, at a Town Meeting legally
assembled at Stoughton on the 30th. of September last, a Committee to draft
a vote upon an article in ye Town Warrant respecting Choosing the Present
General Court to form a Plan of Government for the State, have attended
that service and beg leave to report the Following Resolutions, viz : —
1. Resolved, that Good Government is the Basis of Liberty and abso-
lutely necessary to ye safety and well fare of a poeple.
2. Resolved, that, as the End of Government is ye happiness of ye poe-
1776.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 349
pie, so ye sole power and right of forming and establishing a Plan thereof
is Essentially in the poeple.
3. Resolved, that, as this State [is] at present Destitute of a fixed and
Established form of Government, it is absolutely necessary that one be im-
mediately formed and Established, agreeable to the Recommendations of
the Grand Congress.
4. Resolved, that, as the present House of Representatives have passed a
Resolve to see if the several Towns in this State would Empower them the
sd House, together with the Council, to enact a form of Government for
this State, it appears to us unadvisable and irrational and a measure that
ought not, by any means, to be complied with, for these reasons, viz: —
that we are totally unacquainted with the capacities and Patriotism and
Characters of ye members that compose the sd House and Council, Except-
ing our own members; also because they were never elected by the poeple
for that purpose and also because the present Embarrassed state of our
public affairs calls for the steady attention of every member of sd House.
5. Resolved, that it is the Duty and Interest of this Town immediately to
Choose one or more members to join with the members of the other Towns
in this State to form and publish a plan of Government for said State.
6. Resolved, that in order to Carry the aforegoing resolution into execu-
tion as soon as the importance of ye matter may admit, it appears to us
best that the members of the several towns in each county in this State,
chosen for the Express purpose aforesaid, should meet together in County
Conventions and when so met should draft a form of Government for ye
whole State. Then that the members of the several Towns of this State
should meet together by themselves, or by their Committees in a State
Convention or Congress and compare the several forms of Government
together whereby the wisdom of the whole State may be collected and a
form of Government may be extracted.
7. Resolved, that it appears to us absolutely necessary for the Liberty
and Safety of the State that the Plan of Government when formed and
published should not be Established till the Poeple of this State have had
time and opportunity of thoroughly examining the same and consent that
it be established by the said State Convention or Congress. All which is
humbly submitted by us.
John Kenny, 1
Chrisr Wadsworth, I
Jonathan Capen, [ Committee.
Abner Crane,
Elijah Dunbar. J
Stoughton Oct. y« 2. 1776.
On motion made that the foregoing Report be published in the Public
newspapers, it was then voted in ye affirmative, Nomine Contradicente
Attest, Theophtlus Lyon, Town Clerk, pro. tern.
A true Copy from the Records of the Town of Stoughton.
Attest, Henry C. Kimball, Town Clerk.
Stoughton, Aug. 9. 1875.
350 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1776.
As near as can be ascertained the three months men recorded
on page 340, remained in the service until January 1776, when,
upon a new call for 4,308 men, the quota for Mendon was thirty-
three for three months. In June another call was made for
1,136 men, and the quota for Mendon was set down at forty
for eight months. The names of these last quotas are not found,
as the muster rolls at the State House have been mislaid or lost.
During the latter part of the year 1775,- it seems that there
had been an election of field officers in the 3d regiment of the
militia, and that the election of Joseph Chapin as Lieut. Colonel
and Caleb Whiting as second Major, of Uxbridge, had given
rise to great dissatisfaction, and, at last, resulting in the follow-
ing appeal to the General Court:
Revolutionary Resolves, Vol. 209, p. 168, et sequitur.
The Petition, address and Remonstrance of the Freeholders and Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Uxbridge, assembled this 8th. day of February 1776,
at the House of Ezekiel Wood, Innholder, in said Uxbridge at the desire
of Col. Wood.
To the Honorable Council and Representatives of the Colony of the
Massachusetts Bay, now sitting at Watertown, We Humbly and Dutifully
beg Leave to Lay before you our unhappy Situation Respecting the affair
of Field Officers for the Regiment we belong to and to acquaint you with
matters of fact Respecting the same. About the 19th. of October Last, a
few of the Officers met at Mendon and went to Col. Wheelock and pre-
vailed on him to Give out a Notification to assemble all the Officers of the
Regiment. First: At Mendon at one side of the Regiment. 2udly. Sd
Notification artfully drawn for the Col. to Sign, Not setting forth one
word, what the business of the day was to be, but in a private way inform
Some So that their Clamor Gave Strength to the Designing party. 3dly.
And, in order to carry their pint first, past a previous vote that he that had
the most votes Should be the person to be Recommended Whether he
had one quarter of the votes or not. 4thly. The Notification was not dis-
covered to Some of the officers till it was time to set out for Mendon, for
fear the minds of their constituents would be had ; and it is easy to see that
a few Designing persons beginning, and being Kerful to admit none but
their own Seek, by taking a few at first and Gradually Growing Larger
may prevail upon a large body at Last and Get the Greater part to Lean
that way. If both branches of the Honourable Court have put in the
Officers without their works of Recommendation and it had been Never So
mortifying we should have endeavored to have been Submissive and Duti-
ful under it and with all Submission we humbly beg Leave to have the
Man Commissioned from Uxbridge, which the Court has appointed, whome
we understand is Capt. Joseph Chapin. If that is denied we pray that the
1776.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 351
Town may have Liberty, by your direction, and so have a fuller attendance
and Recommend one to be Commissioned — if that is denied we humbly
pray we may be Laid to the Regiment that Sutton belongs to, and so
be separated from Mendon, tbe cause of all our Difficulty, together with
two of our pretended Officers who were Chose only for one year, which
time expired Long ago, and we wholly Disown them and the hand bill
Sent to our Town for a new Choice wholly secreted.
These matters we suppose to be the cause why the Men Lately sent for
Did not Go, but if our humble Petition Can be Graciously Received and
we Relieved. Send a new order for the Men, that was last sent for and you
shall have them immediately. When the Last men were marched out of
Uxbridge, which through a mistake was double our Shair, our two pre-
tended abovesaid officers followed the Drum and used their influence and
could prevail upon but [one] person to Go with them, but when Capt. Cha-
pin, whose Sircumstances would not allow him to be Gone from home,
was desired to turn out the men to there full Number followed him Im-
mediately. Respecting the man in Uxbridge that they Recommended, we
humbly refer your Honours to Many of your brethering who are members
of the House which belong Nither to Mendon or Uxbridge who attended
the County Convention and heard what he had to offer, if they have forgot
we will send you matters of fact Respecting the affair. If we are laid to
Sutton, officer or no officer, we will be Content if you cannot be persuaded
to relieve us no way, which [is] as Reasonable as any petition that Ever
went from North America to Great Britain, then with the same Reluctancy
that they Contend with Briton, we must with Sorrow and Grief inform
you that Nothing is to be Expected from us but a passive obedience and
Non Resistance.
Signed by Ezekiel Wood and 62 others.
COUNTER PETITION.
To the Honourable the Council and Honourable the House of Represen-
tatives for the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay in General Court assem-
bled:—
We the subscribers, Members of the Third Regiment in the County of
Worcester once more crave your Honour's indulgence to lay before you the
present unsettled and unhappy State of our Regiment & pray that you will
kindly exert the power and authority we acknowledge to be vested in you,
to restore that Peace and Harmony among the Regiment with Regard to
Field Officers, which we earnestly wish to enjoy. We humbly hope that
your Honours will not impute it to a turbulent, factious disposition that
we thus petition you: Such is the Difficulty if not impossibility of settling
the Regiment in Peace and Quietness under the present arrangement of
Field Officers and such the Exigency of the times and Necessity of every
Regiment being in the best Posture for action and Defence, that we find
ourselves under the disagreeable Necessity of doing what, in ordinary
times, might be deemed a violation of the Rules of Decency, viz:— A Peti-
352 ANNALS OF MEN DON. [1776.
tioning for an Alteration in the Appointment of Field Officers for said
Regiment even after Commissions are made out. We beg your Honours
would permit us speak our sentiments freely — we mean to do it with De-
cency. The poeple of Uxbridge in the last remonstrance which they sent
into the Court against the proceedings of the Regiment had the assurance
to assert that all the uneasiness in the Regiment arose from the poeple of
Mendon and one or two pretended Officers in Uxbridge, which (to say the
best of it) is a barefaced misrepresentation. The truth is a little knot of
Poeple in Uxbridge who, for years past, have been notorious for party
spirit in Town affairs, and the set of poeple, actuated by the same Spirit,
affect to take the lead in conducting the affairs of the Regiment. When
the Militia Officers of the Regiment first met for the purpose of Recom-
mending to your Honours such persons as they judged best qualified for
Field Officers, these were the poeple who began the opposition and took it
upon themselves to nominate persons according to their own humour.
And it is to be regretted that the Honble. General Assembly have paid so
much Attention to them, (we think more than they merit) while the repeated
petitions and general voice of the Regiment has been disregarded. We will
not however tell your Honours as the above said Remonstrants (we think
indecently) did, viz: That unless you think proper to gratify us in this,
that and the other particular, that nothing is to be expected but passive
Obedience and non resistance, yet we are constrained to say, that while we
possess the True Spirit and Liberal Sentiments of Englishmen, we can
never contentedly submit to be led and governed by a junta of sixty six,
which is about the fourteenth part of the Regiment. We think we
merit as well of the Public as the persons who oppose us; we have
been always ready to risk our lives and Fortunes for its defence in the
present dispute. We even vie with the most zealous in this matter which
our ready obedience to the Requisitions' of the Honorable Court and large
drafts of our men, now in the field, clearly demonstrate, which our Neigh-
bours, who would fain be thought so high in the cause of Liberty, have
been greatly deficient in furnishing their Quota of Men for the Public Ser-
vice at a time when they were greatly needed. As we are well acquainted
with the Character and Abilities of Gentlemen in our own Regiment, we
recommended those to your Honours, at first, of whose attachment to the
General Cause of Liberty we have the most assured confidence, and in
whose Military Abilities & Accomplishments we are entirely satisfied, and
who, all things considered, we must believe are the most suitable Persons
to fill the several Departments to which they were recommended. We still
hope your Honours will be disposed to gratify the Regiment in this Regard,
as we 'doubt not your wisdom will enable you to do it in a way consistent
with your own Dignity. If your Honours still remain unsatisfied with our
Representations of these, we would beg this favour viz: — That your Hon-
ours would appoint a Committee of Gentlemen from some other County,
with orders to convene either the officers of the Regiment or the whole
Regiment as may be thought most proper, in order to satisfy yourselves
17 76. J ANNALS OF MENDON. 353
more fully in Regard to its true State; or that your Honours, in your great
wisdom, would devise some other way and means to restore peace and har-
mony to the Regiment. And as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
March 15. 1776.
Signed by John Albce and 630 others of the Regiment.
In the House of Representatives May 3. 1776.
Read and referred to Brigadier Godfrey and Deacon Stickney with such
as the Honorbl Board shall join.
Sent up for Concurrence,
Samuel Freeman, Speaker pro tern.
In Council May 4. 1776.
Read and Concurred and Edad Taylor Esq. is joined.
Perez Morton, Dep. Secy.
The Committee above mentioned forthwith made the following Report.
The Committee of both Houses appointed to take into consideration the
foregoing Petition beg leave that they are of opinion that it would be ex-
pedient that a Committee of both Houses be appointed to repair to Mendon
before the next meeting of the General Court and hear the Petitioners upon
the subject matter of their Petition and that they take such measures as
shall appear to them most salutary to Restore to the Third Regiment in the
County of Worcester that Peace & Harmony which is necessary at all times
and more especially at this time, when the aid of every member of this
Community is needed to repel the force of our enemies. The said Com-
mittee to make a Report of their doings herein on the Second day of the
next Session of the General Court.
All which is humbly Submitted
Eldad Taylor, pr. ord.
In Council May 4. 1776.
Read and Accepted and Ordered that Jabez Fisher, with such as the
Honorable House shall join be a Committee for the purpose mentioned in
the above Report.
Sent down for Concurrence
Perez Morton, Dep. Sec.
In the House of Representatives May 4, 1776.
Read and Concurred & Josiah Stone and Stephen Metcalf Esq. are joined.
J. Warren, Speaker.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The Committee of both Houses appointed at the last Session of the Gen-
eral Court to repair to the Town of Mendon to hear a number of Petition-
ers on the subject matter of their Petition, Having attended to that service
Beg leave to Report.
Notice being given to the Petitioners and all others concerned in the
Regiment of our appointment and the Order of Court respecting the same,
two Committees from the Company in the Town of Uxbridge and a Com-
mittee from each of the other seven companies in the Regiment were pres-
45
354 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1776.
cnt before your Committee and were severally heard fully ; after which it
appeared to your Committee that six of said Companies and, at least, one
half of the Company in Uxbridge appeared much dissatisfied with ye ap-
pointment of Mr. Joseph Chapin for Lieut. Colonel and Mr. Caleb Whiting
for Second Major in said Regiment, who were recommended without the
knowledge and contrary to the inclination of said Regiment.
The Officers had met and agreed to recommend Capt. Nathan Tyler for
Lieut. Col. & Ezra Whiting Esq. for Second Major, which they appeared
to be highly in favor of. The other part of the Company in Uxbridge
appeared well pleased with the appointment of Messrs. Chapin and Whiting
and doubtless will be uneasy should their appointment be superseded.
The remaining eighth company, being the South Company in Douglass, it
appeared to your Committee that they were somewhat divided but not
strenuous. This being the state of the facts, as near as your Committee
have been able to collect and there being more than seven to one dissatisfied
with the present appointment of Lt. Col. and 2nd Major, your Committee
are humbly of opinion that the most likely method to restore harmony to
the Regiment will be to indulge the petitioners with a new appointment
of Lt. Col. and 2d Major agreeable to their request, and in case that part
of the Company in Uxbridge who are against a new appointment, should
renew their request to be joined to the Regiment to which Sutton belongs,
that they be indulged in that request and be joined accordingly.
All which is humbly submitted
Jabez Fisher, pr. order.
In Council June 4. 1776.
Read and sent down,
John Lowell Depy. Secy. P. T.
In the House of Representatives June 5 1776,
Read & accepted & sent up for concurrence,
J. Warren, Speaker.
In Council June 6, 1776.
Read & Concurred by 15 of the Council.
John Lowell, Depy. Secy. P. T.
From Barry's History of Massachusetts, Vol. 3, p. 122, we
learn that from June 10th to the 17th, privateers from Marble-
head and elsewhere, had captured four or five transport ships,
from England and Scotland, each having on board from eighty
to one hundred Highlanders. Soon after this we find some
Highlanders were sent to Mendon on parole, and, quite proba-
bly, they were a portion of those who had recently been captured
at sea, as there had been no battle on the land where they could
have been made prisoners.
The following extracts from the Massachusetts Archives and
1776.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 355
Letters will furnish, if nothing more, an amusing account of
their stay in Mention:
Revolution Council Papers (Mass. Archives), Vol. 1G5, p. 22.
COLONY OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
Council Chamber, June 20, 1776,
Ordered that Colin McKenzie, Colin McKenzie, Peter Fraser, Colin Mc-
Kenzie, Alexr McTavish, Dngald Campbell and Donald McBean;> Officers
belonging to the Highland Regiment which have lately been made prison-
ers of war by the Forces of the United Colonies in North America, be put
under the parole agreed upon this day by the Council and that they shall
be destined to the Town of Mendon, in the County of Worcester there to
remain, or within six miles of the place agreed upon for their residence in
said town during the present war between Great Britain and said Colonies,
or until the Congress of the United States or the Assembly or Council of
the said Colony of Massachusetts shall order otherwise; and that each of
said Officers shall have liberty to take one servant with him, who shall be
under the same restrictions as the Officers. Each officer to be accountable
for the conduct of his servant.
John Lowell, Depy. Se<;y. P. T.
Watertown June 20. 1776.
Gentlemen
The Council have ordered seven officers, lately taken prisoners by
the American Forces, to the Town of Mendon, there to reside till further
order. You are therefore directed to afford said Officers your aid and as-
sistance in procuring them some suitable lodgings. We enclose you the
Resolves of Congress respecting Prisoners by which you will find that such
as are officers are to supply themselves and are allowed to draw bills to pay
for their subsistence and clothing.
In the Name and by the Order of the Council.
Council Chamber June 20. 1776.
Ordered that the Sheriff of the County of Suffolk be and hereby is di-
rected to employ some proper persons to conduct the Officers, lately taken
prisoners of War by the American Forces, to the several towns to which
they are destined.
John Lowell Dep. Secy. P. T.
terms of the parole.
We Capt. Colin McKenzie, Lieut. Colin McKenzie, Ens. Peter Frazer,
Colin McKenzie, Alexr McTavish, Dugald Campbell and Donald McBean,
volunteers in the 71st. Regiment of Highlanders, being made Prisoners of
War by the Forces of the Thirteen United Colonies in North America, do
promise and engage on our Words and Honors and on the Faith of Gentle-
men to depart from hence to Mendon, in the Colony of the Massachusetts
Bay and to remain there or within six miles of the place of our residence
356 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1776.
in said Town during the present War between Great Britain and the said
United Colonies, or until the Congress of the said United Colonies or the
Assembly or Council of the said Colony shall order otherwise : and that we
will not, directly or indirectly give any intelligence whatever to the enemies
of the United Colonies, or do or say any thing in opposition to or in preju-
dice of the measures and proceedings of any Congress for the said Colonies,
during the present troubles, or until we are duly exchanged or discharged.
And each of us engage that our servants, being under the same restric-
tions by Order of the Council, as we ourselves are, shall severally observe
the same.
Given under our hands this twenty second day of June A. D. 1776.
Colin McKenzie, Captain,
Colin McKenzie, Lieut.,
Peter Fraser, Ensign,
Colin McKenzie, Volunteer,
Alexr McTavish, Volunteer,
Dugald Campbell, Volunteer,
Donald McBean, Volunteer.
Revolutionary Letters, Mass. Archives, vol. 195, p. 193.
Mendon 20th. of August 1776.
Sir,
Soon after the arrival of the Scotch Officers to this Town, pursuant to
the Orders of the Honbie Board, we wrote a few lines to your Honor request-
ing a solution of certain cpiestions relative to the manner of conducting
ourselves with Regard to said Officers and their Servants. One of the Se-
lectmen was ordered to sign said Letter in the name of the rest, but, it
seems, inadvertently omitted it, and which, we suppose might be the reason
of our not being favoured with an answer, and by way of excuse that we
were not apprized of the abovementioned omission (at least most of us) till
a few hours ago. And as the same difficulty still remains on our minds we
are under a Necessity of troubling your Honor with another Epistle on the
subject.
As we observed in our former Letter there are two large Roads pass
through this Town, one leading from Worcester to Providence R, I., the
other from New York and Connecticut to Boston. The latter of these has
for many years been called the Middle Post Road. Now these Officers, at
least some of them, are desirous of boarding in the center of the Town,
where these roads intersect each other. The Selectmen were not willing to
gratify them in this request, thinking it would not be altogether agreeable
to the Spirit of the Resolves of Congress. The Officers take it as an
abridgement of the Liberty granted them and insist that have a right to
board where they like, in any part of the town. We beg to be instructed
in this matter. Another difficulty lias arisen with regard to these Officers-
Servants or Waiters. They have brought five men servants and two women,
wives, they say, to two of their men servants. The Resolves of Congress
1776.] ANNALS OF MENDON.
357
make no provision for Servants, nor did your Honor mention anything
concerning them in your Letter to the Selectmen. The officers refuse to
pay for their board and we cannot find any one willing to trust to any other
pay. A Difference having arisen between one of said Officers and his Ser-
vant, the Officer has left the house where he used to board and left his
servant behind, refusing to pay his board. The Entertainer, to secure his
pay, detains the Officer's Trunk and part of his clothing. We must entreat
your Honor to explain our Duty to us in these matters.
We are, with the greatest, your Honor's most Obedient, humble servant,
Peter Penniman, in the Name and by
Order of the Selectmen.
This letter was undoubtedly directed to John Lowell, Dep.
Sec. P. T. of the Council. Rec. Council Papers, (Mass Ar-
chives) vol. 165, p. 143.
The following order was passed upon the reception of a letter
(the first one lost) from the Selectmen of Mendon.
Council Chamber, Aug. 23, 1776.
The Board thinking it proper that the Officers, viz: Colin McKenzie,
Capt., Colin McKenzie, Lieut., Peter Frazer, Ensign,. and Colin McKenzie,
Alexr McTarish, Dugald Campbell and Donald McBean, Volunteers, with
their Servants, Prisioners of War, who were sent to the Town of Mendon,
in the County of Worcester, should be removed to the Town of Grafton in
said County.
Ordered that the Sheriff of the aforesaid County be directed, Immedi-
ately, to remove the said Officers and their Servants, except the one who
has been dismissed, to the said Town of Grafton and deliver them to the
care of the Committee of Safety and Inspection ; and he is further Ordered
to deliver to said Officers their Parole for their residence in Mendon upon
their signing a like Parole for their tarrying in Grafton.
For some reason, which does ndt appear, the order failed to
reach the Sheriff, as will appear by the following:
Rec. Letters (Mass. Ar.) vol. 205, p. 353.
Mendon Nov. 13. 1776.
Sir,
The Committee of Correspondence &c. of the Town of Mendon have
reed, a Letter from the Honble Council of this State informing us that they
have ordered your Honor to remove all the Prisioners in Mendon to the
Town of Grafton, and the Committee have been waiting impatiently for
their removal, for the following reasons, that is that they have got ac-
quainted with all parts of the town, or the people in all parts of it; and some
persons in said town, seem to favour their cause, and further persons from
different Neighboring Towns come lurking round them, for what reason
we are not able, at this time, to assign, but we believe for no good intent.
Committee of Correspondence,
Inspection and
Safety,
For the Town
358 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1776.
and we think it best for the Good and Safety of the State that they be re-
moved from this Town immediately, to some other Town. In so doing
you will oblige yrs, &c. ,
John Tyler,
JOS. GlBBS,
John Albee,
Gideon Albee,
Henry Benson, j of Mendon.
To Simeon Dwight, Sheriff of the County of Worcester, Dlr. these.
Western Nov. 16, 1776. ■
To the Honble Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay:
I send you Inclosed
a letter I received from the Committee of Correspondence &c. &c. of the
Town of Mendon wherein your Honors may observe that they Inform me
that your Honors have Informed them, by a letter, that you have ordered
me to remove the Prisoners in Mendon &c.
I beg leave to inform your Honors that I have received no such Order,
but shall be ready to obey when I shall receive it.
I am your Honor's most Obedient and most Humble Servant.
Simeon Dwight.
Rec. Council Papers (Mass. Ar.) vol. 166, p. 12.
Gentlemen
I take the liberty of appealing to your justice from the Ignorance
and Brutality of the Committee and Selectmen of this Town which have
reduced the British Prisoners on their Parole here to a situation which
(to borrow an expression of your late proclamation) is less a favor than the
Grave. Notwithstanding our utmost endeavours to live on good terms with
the people we have been constantly insulted from the very day of our ar-
rival. Their threats of Assassination we have overlooked as the least
considerable in the whole Catalogue of our Grievances, the idea of Death
being familiar to Soldiers. We have been restricted to houses unfit to pro-
vide for us and to bounds far narrower than those prescribed by Congress.
I do not mean to involve all the Inhabitants in an indiscriminate censure.
Some few there are of a more ingenuous nature, but they must be cautious
of showing any symptoms of sympathy, unless they choose to be branded
as Enemies of America. It is the- conduct of our Prosecutors which mil-
itates, in every view, against the cause they pretend to support.
One of our Gentlemen was sent to jail the other day for saying, if he
was clear of his parole and at the head of a thousand Tories and four hun-
dred Highlanders that he thought he could force his way to a sea port ; and
even this expression (which never can be construed into a breach of his
parole) he was provoked to by the most indecent reflections on the Brit-
ish Troops. Two soldiers were imprisoned at the same time for Crimes too
trifling to be mentioned. Another of our Gentlemen had a narrow escape,
having been accused of saying that he held fast his integrity and I was on
177(). | ANNALS OF MENDON. 359
the Briuk of being brought to Trouble for threatening to set the North
River on Fire. Such are our judges! May they never be so judged.
A jail, such as the British jail at Quebec has been described to me by
American prisoners, who have passed some time there, were a welcome
Asylum to the miseries we feel ; but Worcester Jail is only another name
for Horror! A wretched pittance of the most wretched provisions, a total
want of fire, bedding and every other comfort and deprivation, in some
degree, of the blessed light of heaven, constitute only the most tolerable
part of the accumulated calamities of those unhappy men who are on the
Brink of falling victims to Barbarity in that Mansion of Despair. Reflect,
Gentlemen, how hard such usage as we meet must bear on men fostered in
the bosom of British Liberty. That you are ignorant of our sufferings, I
firmly believe, nor is it to be supposed you could bear the thoughts of ad-
dressing the All Seeing Deity, on the approaching occasion* under the con-
sciousness of so enormous a Breach of the Laws of God and Dictates of
Humanity! We seek not to interest your passions — we implore not your
Pity, but we appeal to your Justice — from that we expect an immediate
alleviation of our Hardships.
I have the Honor to be with all due Respect,
Gentlemen
Your most obedient and most humble Servant,
Colin McKenzie, Capt.
in the 71st Regt Foot.
Mendon, Nov. 3, 1776. The Pres. & Council.
Memorandum RecM by the Ticonderoga Post, Dec. 16, 1776.
State of Massachusetts Bay,
Council Chamber, Dec. 17, 1776.
Ordered that the Secretary be and he is hereby directed to serve the Se-
lectmen and Committee of Correspondence &c. for the Town of Mendon,
with an attested copy of a letter, now before the Board, signed by Colin
McKenzie, Captain in the 71st Reg. of Foot dated Dec. 3, 1776 and also a
Copy of this Order, and said Selectmen and Committee are hereby directed,
immediately, to make answer to this Board to the contents of said Letter.
Although nothing was found in the State Archives at Boston
of the doings of the Council upon the appearance of the Select-
men and the Committee, still it is presumed a hearing was had,
as may be inferred by the following letter.
Rec. Council papers, vol. 166, p. 170.
Gentlemen,
I yesterday received the Honour of your Letter of the 17th.
and it is with pleasure I acknowledge the ready Condescension with which
you have considered my complaint against the Selectmen and Committee
♦Thanksgiving.
360 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1776.
of this place. I might have greatly swelled the charge, by informing you
of their confining, without any cause, the Master of a Transport* who
came here to visit us, and sending him to Boston, under a Guard of their
own Members, after having extorted money from him by threatening to
commit him to Worcester Jail; of their searching the country, in the gen-
uine spirit of the Inquisition, for Women whom they might persuade to
swear a Rape againt uss; of their assaulting our Lodgings at Midnight with
a Mob ; of their obliging us to quit a house in which we were civilly treated
for that of a Man whom they knew to be of an infamous character as well
as to have constantly discovered a particular Inveterancy against us.
These and some further particulars of the same kind I might have enu-
merated, as well as added many aggravating circumstances; but I confined
myself to what I judged sufficient to engage your Interposition in our Fa-
vour, and which we seem already to have experienced the good effects, for
we have lately been Enlarged from close confinement to which we had been
hauled away from our Lodging in the Night Time without any reason as-
signed for such usage. We have also obtained a privilege of which we
apprehend neither the Congress nor you ever thought of depriving us, that
of choosing our own Lodgings in which we have yet met no disturbance,
so that, if the Selectmen and Committee abstain from further Injuries we
are willing to forget the past.
Indeed I never meant to enter into any contest with such unreason-
able Men, much less to trouble you with calling to an Account Men who
seem not to have been designed by Nature for accountable beings. Some
of the Excesses, they would have us believe, they were compelled to by
the Inhabitants, but this wretched Apology of those unhappy men, is flatly
contradicted by the respectable part of the Inhabitants, who e'ntertain too
great contempt for their Meanness and Incapacity to countenance their Pro-
ceedings. That men of their own stamp should concur in their Enormities
is natural enough.
I now take the liberty of soliciting your Honorable Boards Approbation
and concurrence upon a proposal which has just been made to me from
Capt. Simeon Thayer of the Continental Troops, now on his Parole at
Providence, of an exchange betwixt him and me. And that you may have
no further Trouble in the Transaction I beg leave to propose that I may be
permitted to go to Rhode Island, on my parole, in order to conclude it. If
an exchange cannot be effected, my next wish is to be sent to Rhode Island,
New York or Halifax, on the same terms on which so many American Of-
ficers have been dismissed by our Generals. Your extending this indul-
gence to the rest of the Gentlemen will be an additional obligation on all of
us particularly on
Gentlemen
Your much obliged humble Servant,
Colin McKenzie, Capt. 17th Regt. Foot.
Mendon, Dec. 31, 1776.
The Honbie President and Council.
*Huc;h Walker.
1777.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 361
The following extract from the "Record of the Boston Com-
mittee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, May to Nov.
1776," now (April, 1880,) being published in the N". E. His.' and
Gen. Register, will, at least, settle the matter that Hugh Walker
and the Master of the Transport, mentioned in Capt. McKen-
zie's letter, was the same person.
Boston Com. of Correspondence &c. p. 58.
" The Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety for the
Town of Mendon, acquaints this Committee by a printing on file, that they
had sent one Hugh Walker to this Town, who was taken up at Mendon as
a Stroller & corresponding with Capt. McKenzie, an officer placed in that
Town on Parole — and they pray that proper care may be taken of him by
this Committee.
Mr- Thomas directed to order said Walker's attendance to-morrow Even-
ing at this place.
At a Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety,
at the Council Chamber, September 24th.
Mr- Hugh Walker attended according to order, and, being inquired of
respecting his business at Mendon ; he assured the Committee that his being
in that Town was in order to settle an Account and receive a balance to him
from Capt. McKenzie. Mr- Walker was dismissed, being first cautioned
against leaving this town without a permit for his doing it being obtained
from this Committee."
1777. In Council Jan. 8, 1777.
The above Letter- Read and Committed to Richard Derby Esq., to con-
sider the same and report.
John Avery, Depy. Sec.
State of Massachusetts,
Council Chamber, Apr. 16, 1777.
Ordered that Capt. Colin McKenzie be and he is hereby permitted to go to
New York to procure the Liberation of Capt. John Johnson in the service
of the United States of America, detained a prisoner aforesaid, Giving his
Parole and engaging to do all in his power to obtain the exchange or return
himself within five weeks from the date hereof. Said Capt. McKenzie to
go with Capt. Thomas Jenner Carnes to the Lines at or near New York.
State of Massachusetts Bay,
Council Chamber, April 16, 1777.
I, Colin McKenzie, Captain of a Company in the 71st Regiment of Foot,
a prisoner, being permitted to depart this State, by the Honble Council to
46
362 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1777.
go to New York to procure the exchange of John Johnson, Captain in the
service of the United States, giving my Parole of Honor and engaging to
do all in my power to procure the liberation of said Johnson, if he is yet
detained as a prisoner in New York, if not, and he is already exchanged, I
promise upon my Honor to procure the liberation of some other officer of
equal rank with myself, or will return within the term of five weeks from
the date hereof, and that I will not directly or indirectly give any intelli-
gence whatever to the Enemies of the United States, or do or say any thing
in opposition to or in prejudice of the Measures and proceedings of any
Congress or Assemblies for the said States during the present war or until
I am duly discharged.
Colin McKenzie, Capt. 71s. Regt. British.
G. Patridge,
Wm. Greenleaf, Jr.
State of Massachusetts Bay,
Council Chamber, Apr 16, 1777.
Ordered that the Sheriff of the County of Suffolk be and he is hereby
directed to take into custody and safely keep the body of Colin McKenzie,
now a prisoner in this State and upon his parole of Honor, so that he may
be had before this Board tomorrow morning at ten o'clock to answer for
his conduct.
It is presumed that the Colin McKenzie who was ordered
under arrest by the Sheriff of Suffolk County, to be produced
before the Council the next day at ten o'clock in the forenoon,
was the Colin McKenzie, Captain, who had just given his parole
in the Council Chamber. Something had come to the knowl-
edge of the Council, after the acceptance of hie parole, which
led to the order for his arrest. '
What became of the matter, or how long any of the prisoners
remained at Mendon is not known.
March 3. Chose for Selectmen, Edward Rawson, Esq., Lieut.
Seth Nelson, Jonathan Cass, Maj. Joseph Daniels and Moses
Chapin; Town Clerk and Treasurer, Joseph Dorr, Esq.; Samuel
Fairbanks, Eben'r. Sumner and Seth Taft, Jr., for Constables;
Committee of Correspondence, Edward Rawson, Esq., Capt.
Samuel Warren, Ens. Henry Benson, Maj. Joseph Daniels and
Ebenezer Holbrook. Deer Reeves and Wardens still chosen.
Voted that each military company shall have the disposal of
the fines incurred during the late levy. From this it would
seem that there had been a draft, and that the service required
could be commuted by the payment of a fine.
1777.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 363
At this meeting it was voted to grant every non-commissioned
officer and soldier who shall voluntarily enlist into the Continen-
tal service, for the defence of the American States, the sum of
£12 until the town's quota be completed.
Voted that Capt. John Tyler, Capt. Peter Penniman, Capt.
Samuel Warren, Mr. Henry Benson, Lieut. Seth Nelson, Mr.
James Sumner and Lieut. Philip Ammidown be a committee "to
inquire what persons in the town have done more than their
proportion towards the War and make an average between them
and those who have done less. And that said Committee use
their utmost endeavours to Inlist soldiers into the Continental
Service upon the additional encouragement voted by the town."
March 12. Voted that the Selectmen borrow £12 for each
man who shall enlist to make up the town's quota in the Conti-
nental Army, and to pay that sum upon their passing muster,
and take their receipt for the same.
Voted to pay the. Soldiers that marched in the Militia to New
York, in the month of September last (1776) for two months
and eight days, at the rate of 20s. per month, and the Selectmen
to borrow the money.
March 17. Voted to pay Henry Benson for extraordinary
services on the Committee of Correspondence for 1776, £2.07.07.
March 31. It seems recruiting went on a slow pace, as, at a
town meeting held this day, it was voted to add £18 per man to
the £12 already granted to encourage soldiers to enlist into the
Continental service for three years or during the war.
Voted that the Militia officers be desired to convene their
respective companies, and to do all in their power to promote the
enlistment of their men.
In the olden time, before vaccination had been introduced,
hospitals would be opened for inoculation for the small-pox.
At this time Dr. Samuel Willard, of Uxbridge, and his brother,
Dr. Levi Willard, of Mendon, had opened a hospital in Mendon,
located, as learned from tradition, a little way north from the
house of Thomas J. Nugent. It seems, however, the town was
averse to a pest house, as the hospital was called, and at this
meeting it was
Voted "that the Inoculating Hospital carried on by Dr.
Samuel Willard and Dr. Levi Willard be immediately discontin-
364 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1777.
ued," and to make the matter sure, voted not to have an inocu-
lating hospital.
May 23. Lieut. Seth Nelson and Oapt. John Tyler were
chosen Representatives to the General Court.
The second article in the warrant for this meeting reads as
follows, viz: —
"To choose by ballot some meet person, who is firmly attached to the
American Cause to procure and lay before the Court (described in An Act,
entitled an Act for securing this and the other United States, against the
Dangers to which they are exposed by the Internal Enemies thereof) the
evidence that may be had of the Enemical Disposition toward this army
of the United States, of any Inhabitant of this town who shall be
charged by the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of said Town, in manner
mentioned in said Act, of their being persons whose Residence in this State
is dangerous to the public Peace and Safety."
Under this article Maj. Joseph Daniels was chosen by ballot,
as the meet person to procure evidence, if any there be, to lay
before the Special Court of Sessions.
At this time we find the first recorded petition for a town
meeting, praying the town to put a stop to any further inocu-
lating for the small-pox in the Widow Rachel Taft's house; to
prevent any who may have been inoculated from being kept in
any other house in town except the Pest House and to put a
stop to any one freopienting the Pest House except on particular
business. At the town meeting the prayer of the petition was
granted.
At a town meeting June 30, the second article in the warrant
was in these words: "To choose 3, 5 or 7 persons to be put
under oath to Prosecute all Breaches of the Acts, made by au-
thority of the State, for Preventing Monopoly and Oppression
that shall come tc their knowledge."
Upon this article the town voted "to suspend action for the
present."
The town again voted they would not have a work house.
Sept. 1. Voted that Joseph Dorr, Esq., Capt. John Tyler,
Coroner James Sumner, Mr. Aaron Everett and Capt. Gershom
Nelson be a committee to draft a petition to the General Court
to give reasons why the town should not be held to raise an ad-
dition of men to those raised for one-seventh part of the militia
last summer, 177G.
1777.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 365
At the time of the call for one-seventh of the militia in 1776,
there were four companies in Mendon, commanded respectively
by Captains John Albee, William Jennison, Joseph Daniels and
Gershom Nelson, and numbering one hundred and sixty-three
men. One-seventh of this number is twenty-three, and which
number, it is supposed, had been duly mustered into the service.
Sept. 15. Voted to raise £2,000 to pay the soldiers and other
town charges for the present year.
Voted to raise £60 for schooling, exclusive of the interest of
the school bonds.
Voted to allow Capt. John Tyler £1 for his expenses for two
journeys, viz: — One to Worcester and one to Watertown on ac-
count of the British prisoners.
Nov. 24. Voted, as the minds of the town, that the late act
of the General Court for calling in the State money and issuing
Treasury notes on interest ought to be repealed; and Maj. Dan-
iels, Ens. Pelatiah Darling, Lieut. Joseph Johnson, Mr. Nehe-
miah Nelson and Mr. Samuel Fairbanks were instructed to draw
up a remonstrance against said act, and present the same to the
General Court.
Chose Capt. John Albee, Lieut. Seth Thayer, Mr. John Ben-
son, Mr. Samuel Fairbanks and Mr. Ebenezer Read to provide
for the families of the officers and soldiers now in the army-
Voted to raise £600, in addition to the sum already raised, for
the disbursement of town charges.
Rev. Court Papers, Vol. 173, p. 182,
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
Council Chamber May 9. 1777.
Ordered that the Commissary General of this State be and he is hereby
directed immediately to forward one ton and a half of lead and Five thou-
sand flints to the Town of Mendon and deliver the same to Ichabod Ammi-
down, Inholder, to be by him delivered to Governor Trumbull's order
Read and accepted —
John Avery, Depy. Secy.
MENDON SOLDIERS.
The following are the names of Mendon men who enlisted for
three years. Second Company (Mill River) 19:
366 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1778.
Joseph Passmore James Battles Amariah Albee
Joel Thayer Henry Nelson Boyce Kimball
Phineas Tanner? Isaac Chapin Ebenr Thompson
John Brown Jonan Whitney Oliver Chapin
Wm. Lesure Josiah Chapin Simeon Smith
Stephen Lesure John Hayward Silas Brown
David or Daniel Cutler.
Note. The above said Oliver Chapin is one of Gen Washington's Life
Guards, and the above said Simeon Smith is in the Corps of Artillery under
Lieut. Thomas Bailey.
The following men enlisted in the cavalry: Ezra Marshall,
Elijah Stockier, Wm. Taylor, Noah Smith, Thomas Goodwin,
Thomas Welch, Jack Allen, Joshua Dix or Dise, and Eben1'
Wheelock.
On the roster containing the above names is the following en-
try: "John or Jacob East, seaman, taken prisoner in the Vixen
and brought into Boston 1777."
On another roster, the following names are found, being "the
names of men whose terms of service will expire in 1780, viz: —
Benj. Hayward, Gustavus Aldrich, John Albee, Levi Darling,
Peter Darling, Jona. Boyce, Jabez Albee or Allen, and Wm.
Phillips."
1778. Jan. 6. Maj. Joseph Daniels, Joseph Dorr, Esq.,
Coroner James Sumner, Mr. Joseph Benson, Jr., and Edward
Rawson, Esq., were chosen a Committee to instruct each of the
Representatives in the General Court, in regard to each article
in the Confederation proposed by Congress, and sent by the Gen-
eral Court to each town in the State; and report to the town at
the adjournment of this meeting.
At the adjournment of the meeting held Jan. 12, the Com-
mittee probably made a report although none appears on the
record.
The town then voted to approve the thirteen articles of Con-
federation proposed to the United States for a perpetual Union,
and also of eight resolves passed in Congress. The Representa-
tives were instructed to vote for the articles whenever they came
up in the General Court, and the Clerk was directed to furnish
each Representative with a copy of this vote.
1777.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 367
Voted that the town would assess themselves with their pro-
portion of the £400,000 voted hy the General Court, and the
Assessors were directed to assess the same forthwith. Instead of
£400.000 the sum raised, as may be seen in a foot note in Bar-
ry's History of Massachusetts vol. 3, p. 147, was £314,520.01.09
of which sum £8883.07.06 was appropriated to pay the Repre-
sentatives to the General Court for 1776.
Valuations vol. 161, p. 158, Mass. Ar.
The following is an Account of the Number of Male Inhabitants in the
Town of Mendon, in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts
Bay, who were Sixteen years old and upwards, on the first day of January
1777, taken by us the Subscribers in observance of a Resolve of the Great
& General Court of this State, dated Dec. 9, 1776.
The whole Number is Five Hundred and Seventy Two.
In which number are included four Negroes, and also Fifty Males of the
Denomination of Christians Called Quakers, which were so reputed before
the 19th day of April 1775, though they have never produced certificates
according to law, but have always refused to do military duty.
There are also included in the above number the following persons viz:
John Torrey and his son Joseph Torrey and William Torrey and Jonathan
Williams all of Boston. Eliezer Dunton from Newport, Rhode Island and
Clemence Peckham, Apprentice to said Dunton.
Peter Penniman "]
Jonathan Jones | Selectmen
Peletiah Darling V of
Samuel Fairbanks | Mendon
Ebenezer Sumner J
Mendon, Jan 31, 1777.
Worcester ss. 11th Feb. 1778.
I certify that the above named Selectmen of
Mendon for the year 1776, previous to making the above Return of the
Number of Male Inhabitants in said Town of Mendon which were Sixteen
years old and upwards on the first day of January 1777, personally appear-
ed and made oath, that in the performance of said trust they acted with
faithfulness and impartiality, and that the foregoing Return, according to
the best of their knowledge contained a true account of the number of
Male Inhabitants in said Town which were Sixteen years old on the first
day of Jan. 1777.
Joseph Dorr, Justice of the Peace.
March 2. Chose for Selectmen Joseph Dorr, Esq., Dea. John
Chapin, Mr. Stephen Benson, Mr. John Penniman and Mr. Ich-
abod Thayer, Jr.; for Town Clerk and Treasurer, Joseph Dorr,
Esq. ; Constables, Levi Eawson, Jonathan Jones and Ens. Pele-
tiah Darling. Dea. Josiah Adams was chose Grand Juryman.
368 ANNALS OF MEN DON. [1778.
March 16. Voted that the Assessors and those chosen to as-
sist them in taking the valuation should have 10s.. per day.
Voted not to build a Work House, but to hire one, and chose
Maj. Joseph Daniels, Capt. Samuel Warren and Mr. James
Blake, Overseers of the Poor. This is the first election of Over-
seers of the Poor, the Wardens, heretofore, performing that
duty.
Maj. Daniels, Capt. Warren and Mr. James Blake were chosen
a Committee to provide for the families of the Continental sol-
diers that went out of this town.
By the following vote we shall learn that, at this time, Men-
don had seventy-five men, in actual service, in the Continental
army.
Voted to procure one pair of shoes, one pair of stockings and
one shirt for each Continental soldier for this town, viz: 75 pairs
of shoes, 75 pairs of stockings and 75 shirts, and then voted to'
double the number of shirts and stockings.
Lieut. Philip Ammidown, Mr. Josiah Wheelock and Mr. John
Benson were chosen a Committee to procure the aforesaid arti-
ticles and bring in their account to the Selectmen who were in-
structed to allow and pay the same.
The shirts were to be made of good tow cloth, whitened,
seven-eighths in width, three and one half yards in a shirt. The
stockings to be made of good large size white yarn and well
knit. The shoes to be made of good neat leather and soles of
well tanned leather with straps for buckles. The articles were
to be got ready by April 1, and the Committee was to agree with
some one to convey them to the soldiers.
Mass. Arch. Rec. and Miscel', vol. 141, p. 232.
May 1, 1779, the following account of the town of Mendon
for supplies was allowed and paid to the Selectmen, viz:
75 Shirts at 43s £161.05.00
75 Prs. of Shoes at 48s 180.00.00
75 " •' Stockings at 33s 123.15.00
40 Miles transportation 6.00.00 Total £471.00.00
Receipted for by JosEPn Dorr
Nov. 26, 1779. The following account was directed to be
paid, viz:
1778.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 36!)
75 Shirts at 120s £450.00.00
75 Prs. Shoes " 144s 540.00.00
75 " Stockings " 80s 292.00.00
12 Miles transportation 15.00.00
Allowed Selectmen 33.00.00 £1330.00.00
It is presumed that the difference in price of the same articles
from May to November was the rate of the depreciation of the
Continental currency between the two periods.
April 13. The steel belonging to the town was sold this day
by public auction to Capt. Philip Paine at 8s. 6d. per lb. Capt.
Paine, it is presumed, lived at Woon socket, as he was taxed in
Khode Island.
At the same time the town voted that they would not insist on
his paying a tax for £800 in this town for which he is taxed in
Providence, E. I.
The subject of a Hospital for Small-pox was again brought up
for consideration, but the town adhered to their former refusal.
May 11. Joseph Dorr, Esq., .Tames Sumner, Peletiah Dar-
ling, Edward Eawson, Esq., Samuel Jones, James Lovett, Aaron
Everett, Nehemiah Nelson and Levi Aldrich were chosen a Com-
mittee to make an estimate of the service of all the men who
have done a Tour in the War, since the commencement thereof.
Capts. Samuel Craggin, Nelson and Penniman, Samuel Green,
Levi Aldrich, Samuel Warren, John Tyler, and Lieuts. Seth
Nelson and Abraham Staples were chosen a Committee to hire
the several quotas of men the town may be called to furnish
from time to time.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to borrow money to
supply said committee in the town's behalf.
Voted to raise £2000 to defray town charges and that the same
be assessed immediately.
May 21. . A meeting of the male inhabitants, twenty-one
years of age and being free, was held this day to take into con-
sideration the draft of a constitution which had been framed by
the General Court of May 28, 1777. At a previous meeting a
committee, of which Josejjh Dorr, Esq., was Chairman, was
chosen to consider the subject and report to the town at the May
meeting.
The report of the committee having been read, but of which
47
370 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1778.
no copy is found, the Moderator, Edward Rawson, Esq., took a
vote on the Constitution, as follows: " Those members of the
meeting who approve the Constitution or form of Government
are desired to repair to the west end of the Meeting House, and
those who do not approve of the Constitution or Form of Gov-
ernment-are desired to move to the east end of the Meeting
House;" and upon counting the members upon each side it ap-
peared there wer.e two members who approved and fifty-seven
who disapproved said Constitution.
Voted that the Town Clerk attest the report of the committee,
and that the same be sent to the General Court, that the Court
may be informed in what particulars the town dislike said Con-
stitution. Just what the town's objections were Ave have, at this
day, no means of knowing, as the Town Clerk (Joseph Dorr,
Esq., and who was also chairman of the committee, and very
probably drew up the report) failed to enter it in the record of
the meeting. In this regard the Town Clerks of later days are,
in most cases, equally at fault. The reading of the report served
its purpose at the time, but, considering the subject and the
ability of its probable author, it would undoubtedly have been
an interesting document for the reader of the present day.
May 21. Edward Rawson, Esq., was chosen this day Repre-
sentative to the General Court.
Voted to raise £15,000, including £2,000 raised before for
town charges, and £300 for schools. These sums were undoubt-
edly in the depreciated Continental currency of the day.
Chose Capt. John Albee, Deacon Albee (supposed Gideon) and
James Sumner a committee to look up the matter of Puffer's
land and grist mill.
It will be remembered that there was an original grant of fifty
acres of land to Benjamin Albee, his heirs and assigns, provided
he or they should always keep up a grist mill for the town's use.
The probability is, that at this time the present owner had let
the mill fall out of repair, and hence the present action of the
town.
Sept. 21. Voted to accept the estimate and average last pre-
pared by the committee, of the time served by the soldiers in the
war, &c.
Dec. 16. Voted that the committee who formed the last aver-
1778.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 371
age of the services done (by the soldiers) .and money paid by in-
dividuals since the commencement of the present war be ordered
to furnish the several [Constables] in the town with a list of the
names of all the persons who are entitled to receive their part of
the estimate or average and what part each individual is to
receive.
Voted that the Constables [collectors also] in the town be and
they are hereby directed to pay each individual or order the sums
set against their names respectively in said lists delivered to them
by the committee.
Voted that the Selectmen purchase what guns the town is
allowed to purchase of the Board of War and sell them to the
inhabitants, but not more than one gun to any one man.
Till-: TORIES.
For the better understanding of the following petition, it
should be stated that the British were in possession of Newport,
in Rhode Island, and, without doubt, there were some persons
in the towns adjacent to Rhode Island who still remained loyal
to the British Crown, and, when occasion offered, might some-
times furnish aid and comfort to their friends. We believe,
however, that there were but few in Mention, as tradition has
brought down the names of only one or two who were suspected
of dealing with the enemy.
Rev. Petitions, Vol. 184, p. 3:38.
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives of the State
of Massachusetts Bay in General Court assembled.
We the subscribers, Committees of Correspondence, Inspection and
Safety of the Towns of Mendon, Hopkinton and Holliston, Beg leave to
represent to your Honors that, in the course of their Inspection they have
conceived strong suspicions that sundry persons (either Inimically disposed
to the Freedom of the United States, or who, for the sake of Aggrandizing
themselves with a little Sordid gain, tho' perhaps, at the expense of their
own and their Country's Freedom) have, in a Traitorous, Clandestine man-
ner (as we have reason to fear) carried on a Commercial Correspondence
with our most cruel, Insidious and Merciless Enemies, by purchasing and
Conveying, all the Necessaries of life that lie in their power, to the Towns
and places near Rhode Island, and other parts of this State, which, we
have too much reason to fear are conveyed from thence to our Cruel and
Merciless Invaders, thereby not only encouraging and Feeding those who
arc, ny every artifice and low cunning in their power, endeavouring to
372 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1778.
carry Fire and Sword into the Bowels of these Infant States, but, as we fear
will, if not speedily prevented, prove very distressful, if not distructive to
the good people of this State, not only by advancing the price of provisions
at an enormous Rate, but, in our opinion, Highly Threatens Poverty and
Famine to the good people of this State.
Whereupon your Informants have been frequently called upon, by well
Affected Persons and by their own observation to exert themselves in their
capacity to the utmost of their Power to put a stop to such pernicious prac-
tices. But upon due examination of the Resolutions of the Legislature of
this State thereon, cannot find the Laws of this State do afford your In-
formants sufficient Support therefor; Wherefore as friends to our much
injured and bleeding Country whose Distress loudly calls on all her Friends
and Servants to use every precaution in their Power to save her from Im-
pending Ruin, and, as we esteem Freedom far Superior to any other earthly
enjoyment, we do now appeal to your Honors as the Chief Guardians (next
under Heaven) of our Liberties and privileges and in whose hand are in-
trusted the most weighty affairs of State, Humbly Pray your Honors would
take this Information into Consideration and enact such laws or give such
directions to your Informants and others in like capacity as your Honors
in your great wisdom shall judge proper to prevent such Dangerous prac-
tices from being carried any Further into Execution, and your Informants
as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
James Lovett, ' Joshua Heminway, Jacob Gibbs,
James Brattle, James Perry, Abel Fisk,
Ebenr. Read, Drury Fairbanks, Samll. Daniels,
Robert Mellen, Timothy Rockwood Jr.
Holliston Jan. 15. 1778.
This petition, it appears was referred by the General Court to
a committee, who made the following report:
Boston Feb. 1778.
<
The Committee on the Petition of Jacob Gibbs and others, Beg leave to
Report that it is their opinion that a bill should be brought in to prevent
the carrying on a Commercial Correspondence with persons inimical to the
United States. It is our opinion that no person or persons should have
liberty to purchase any of the necessaries of life in any Town within this
State without first obtaining a Certificate from the Selectmen or Commit-
tees of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety of the Town to which they
belong that they are Persons Friendly Disposed to the United States.
How State Paupers were determined in 1778.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives of said
State at Roxbury Assembled April ye 13, 1778.
1778.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 373
The Petition of the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Mendon iu
the County of Worcester in said State,
Humbly Sheweth,
That in the year 1775 one Elizabeth Cummings, a Tran-
sient person, came to reside within the said Town of Mendon, who informs
us that about 1770 she came from Ireland, passenger with Capt. Harry Bow-
ers and Mr. Caldwell who bound her out to Mr. Joshua Hayward of East
Town, for the term of four years, to pay her passage, she then being about
14 or 15 years old. That in ye said year 1775 as aforesaid she came to re-
side in the Town of Mendon, that since that time she has been delivered of
two Male Bastard Children. She not being able to support herself and
children, threw her-self on the Town for the maintenance of herself and
Chidren; and she not having gained a settlement in any town within this
State the Town of Mendon have been at Great cost for her support.
We the Subscribers in our capacity as Overseers of the Poor in said
Town, Pray that your Honors would take this affair into your wise and im-
partial consideration and order payment of the account herewith exhibited
by said Town and order that the said Elizabeth and her two children be
made a State charge for the future ; the Town of Mendon not having pow-
er to remove her to any other Town before they were born, and one of the
men charged to be the father Inlisted into the Continental service, the other
a Prisoner of war.
The State of Massachusetts Bay To the Town of Mendon. Dr.
To Supporting Elizabeth Cummings and boys at the Widow Bethiah Taft's
from ye 23d. of Sepf- to Oct, 14th at 18s. pr. week £2 14 00
For her nursing & lying-in charge & boarding children @, 30s pr
week 7 16 00
Nov. 23. Paid Caleb Wilder for keeping said Elizabeth and
children 4 days at 4s per day •. . . . 16 00
Paid John Holden for 8 days at 4s. per day 1 12 00
Paid Seth Wheelock for 5 days at 4s. pr. day 1 00 00
Paid Philip Ammidown for 20 days at 4s. pr. day 4 00 00
Paid Jonathan Cass for 6 weeks & 1 day at 30s. pr. week 9 12 03
Paid Joseph Blake for 5 weeks & 2 days at 30s. pr. week 7 18 07
Paid Philip Ammidown for tremoving her and two children 5
miles in the Winter & Bad Travelling 1 00 00
£36 08 10
The above account being thirty-six pounds, eight shillings and ten
pence which the Town of Mendon have paid for ye said Elizabeth Cum-
mings and her two children for which we pray allowance and pray that
the same may be made payable to Capt. John Tyler or Mr. Seth Nelson for
the use of the Town of Mendon, as your Humble Petitioners in duty
bound will ever pray. ■
Joseph Daniels, \ Overseers of the Poor
Samuel Warren, [• of the Town of
James Blake. ) Mendon.
374 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1778.
Worcester ss. April ye 13, 1778. Personally appeared Messrs. Joseph
Daniels, Saml. Warren and Jas. Blake, Overseers of the Poor of the Town
of Mendon, and made solemn oath that the foregoing Account is just and
true in all its parts to the best of their knowledge.
Before me, Edward Rawson, Justice of the Peace.
Rev. Resolves (Mass. Ar.) vol. 218, p. 342.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
In the House of Representatives April 29, 1778.
On the Petition of the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Mendon,
praying that the charges they have been at in Maintaining and Supporting
Elizabeth Cummings and her two children may be allowed and paid out of
the Public Treasury of this State to Mr. Seth Nelson, and that she, the said
Elizabeth Cummings and her two children be made a State charge for the
future for reasons set forth in said Petition.
Resolved, that the Prayer of said Petition be Granted and that there be
paid out of the Public Treasury of this State to Mr. Seth Nelson, the sum
of Thirty six pounds eight shillings and ten pence L. M. for the charges
the town of Mendon have been at in maintaining and supporting the said
Elizabeth Cummings and her two children, he the said Nelson giving his
receipt to the Treasurer of the State for the same : and it is further Resolved
that the said Elizabeth Cummings and her two children be made a State
charge for the future.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. Pitts, Speaker P. T.
In Council April 29, 1778.
Read and Concurred,
John Avery, Depy. Secy.
Consented to, Jer. Powell, A. Ward, T. Oushing, John Whetcomb, D. Hop-
kins, Josiah Stone, A. Fuller, Jabez Fisher, Benj. Austin, of the
Council.
(Warrant drawn.)
It seems the town had some doubts whether the estimate and
average which had been made, of money advanced and personal
service rendered, conlcl be maintained by existing laws and hence
they petitioned the General Court to recognize their doings as
valid and legal.
Rev. Petitions vol. 184. p. 269.
To the Honble the Council and the Honble House of Representatives of the
State of Massachusetts Bay in Gen. Court Assembled.
The Petition of us the Subscribers, Selectmen of Mendon Shews,
That the said Town of Mendon having considered that many of its In-
habitants, who, in the course of the present war, have been called forth as
1778. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 375
Soldiers into the service of this and the other United States, and have, in
conjunction with others, been exposed to great Perils, fatigues and Hard-
ships and performed great and Essential services for their Country, whose
wages and pay (by Reason of the advanced price of the various Articles of
Commerce, especially of the Necessaries of Life) have fallen far short of an
adequate reward.
The town having considered further the great Inconveniances and une-
qual Burthens that many Individuals have been subjected to by being-
drafted to serve in the War, especialty, in some instances, where heads of
families have been drafted and obliged to procure others to serve for them,
or to lie considered Soldiers themselves; which reduced them to the unhap-
py alternative either of leaving their families or of giving an exhorbitant'
sum demanded of them to hire others to serve in their stead.
To prevent which Inconveniences the Town came to a Resolution that
all Men that should be sent for in future and ordered into the service as the
Town's quota of Soldiers should be hired at the expense of the Town, by a
Committee appointed for that purpose.
But it was perceived that from this Measure another Inconvenience would
result viz That those who had done already more than their proportion
either in personal service or by their money would be involved, in common
with others, in supporting the expense.
To the Intent therefor, that the Burden of War should bear as nearly as
possible, with equal Weight on all the Inhabitants, the Town, at a regular
meeting for that purpose on the Uth day of May last, appointed a Com-
mittee to consider of and Estimate the services of all who had done duty in
the war since the commencement thereof, either by personal service or by
money, so that a tax might be granted and levied in order that those who
had done more than their proportion might receive an equivalent for
their service and those who had been deficient might be brought upon an
average.
Said Committee have carefully attended to the subject, have made an
Estimate or Average of said services and Reported the same to the town
which Estimate was, at a meeting on the 21st day of September last ac-
cepted by the Town, and at said Meeting a Tax was granted to be levied on
the Inhabitants of the Town for the payment of the same.
But inasmuch as Doubts have arisen whether said Estimate or Average
falls fully within the Intent and Meaning of the Resolve of the General
Assembly for enabling Towns to grant money to tax themselves for hiring
Soldiers to carry on the war, and to prevent any Disputes or Difficulties
that might otherwise arise in collecting said Tax, the Town thought it con-
venient that application should be made to the Great and General Court to
establish the doings of said meeting, and have directed us, the Selectmen of
said Town to make application accordingly.
We Therefore, the said Selectmen, in behalf of said Town, Pray that
your Honors would take the matter into your wise Consideration, and
would be pleased to confirm and Establish the Doings of said Town at
376 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1778.
their meeting on the said 21st day of September last, relative to said Esti-
mate and the Tax granted to pay the same.
And in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Joseph Dorr
John Penniman
Stephen Benson.
Mendon Oct. 14. 1778.
MENDON SOLD1EKS.
Although the rosters in the State Archives make no mention
of Mendon soldiers in the year 1776, the Town Kecords attest
that during that year there were many persons from Mendon in
the army. During the year indicated there were two special
calls for troops, one for New York and one for the Northern
Army, to both of which the Town Kecords show Mendon re-
sponded.
For 1778 the rosters give the names of eight and nine months'
men, and also of those serving during the war, but of these last,
it is not certain whether they enlisted in the army in 1778 or
before that time.
The following are set down as nine months' men for the Ehode
Island service, viz: —
John Brown John Howard* Abijah Legg
Joseph Chapiu* Samuel Holden Ezra Haskell*
Isaac Chapin Boyce Kimball Elijah Stodder*
David Cutler David Legg Jared Smith
Zelek Darling Nathan Legg Ebenr Thompson
Laban Fairbanks Wm. Lesure Benj. White.
The following are also nine months' men, without designation
as to their place of service, probably to reinforce the Northern
Army:
Calvin Smith Darius Holbrook Jonan Pickering
Wm. Foster Asa Albee Artemas Cheney
Moses Lovett Caleb Holbrook John Dewing
John Torrey Jonan Kimball Wm. Cutting
Joel Legg John Pickering.
The following are eight months' men, and were drafted :
Levi Darling Joel Aldrich John Phipps
Jesse Darling Thomas Taft John Wilson.
The following are the names of those who had enlisted for
service during the war:
♦Dead in Service.
1778.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 377
Gustavus Aldrich Benj. Hayward Jonathan Rawson
Jona" Boyce Nathan Jackson Samuel Ramsdell
Silas Brown John Martindcll Jona" Taft
John Clark Henry Nelson Joel Thayer
Aaron Davis Amariah Partridge Samuel Thayer
Paul Davis Joseph Passmore Jona" Whitney (killed).
Solomon White
Besides the foregoing, on the same page, the following names
are found:
Amariah Albee, 3 yrs. dead. Oliver Chapiu, Dragoons; Amariah Vose,
Art. and Amasa Aldrich.
The following served as three months' men at Dorehester:
Serg. Beuj. Pickering, Corp. Levi Albee, Barak Bullard, Josiah Nelson
and Samuel Twiss.
The following names are set down as serving in 1T78, at Rhode
Island, but the time of service not stated:
Jesse Davis Drum. George Staples Stephen Torrey
Douglass Marsh Silas Aldrich Samuel Tucker
Jesse Darling Eleazer Daniels Joseph Torrey
Serg. Elijah Darling Elias Jones Jona. Holbrook
Serg. Artemas Taft Nat Torrey Jona. Hayward.
In the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment were the following men
from Mendon, viz: — Capt. John Holden, John Clark, Jared
Smith. Samuel Ramsdell, Calvin Smith and Serg. Samuel Hol-
den? No date was given of this entry. It must have been later
than 1778, as Calvin and Jared Smith both served in the nine
months service of that year.
The men. who enlisted to reinforce the Northern Army, were
in the company of Capt. March Chase, of Sutton.
An extract from the Rev. Council Papers, Vol. 174, p. 375,
will complete the record of the year:
ELECTION DINNER.
1778. To Dressing the Election Dinner for the Couucle (Gen. Court?) id'
This State.
To 250 Dinners, («)30s £375 00 00
To 144 Bottles of Madare Wine, @24s 172 16 00
To 80 Double Bowles of Punch, @20s 80 00 00
To 2 Doz. of Glass Brock or Stole 7 04 00
To 2 Large Dish & 9 Fine Plates Brock 10 10 00
' 48
378 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1779.
To Making Tables & Cleaning Hall 17 10 00
£663 00 00
Deduct $2.00 or 12s. per dinner £150 00
& 4s pr. Bottle of Wine 28 16 178 16 00
£484 04 00
Boston July 13. 1778, Errors Excepted
John Marston.
1779. March 1. Chose for Selectmen Capt. John Tyler,
Samuel Jones, Deacon Aaron Everett, Jesse Wheelock and Oba-
diah Wood; Joseph Dorr, Esq., Town Clerk; Peter Penniman,
Town Treasurer; John Albee, Joseph Cody and Joseph South-
wick, Constables. Jonathan Jones was chosen Grand Juryman.
Captains John Albee, Samuel Warren, Gershom Nelson, Levi
Aldrich and Samuel Craggin were chosen a committee to revise
the School Districts and report necessary alterations.
The eighth article in the warrant for this meeting was " to
see if the Town would order the Selectmen or Treasurer to refuse
payment of certain Notes given to certain men who engaged as
part of the Town's quota for six weeks service in Rhode Island
and who deserted."
Voted that the committee chosen last year to hire soldiers be
a committee to report on this article.
Voted March 15. That the notes which the Selectmen gave
to James Sprague and Joseph Pierce in 1778, for engaging as
part of the town's quota for the six weeks' service in Rhode
Island in August last, be not paid, and that the town will indem-
nify and save them harmless against any suits which may be
brought against them, as these men were probably deserters.
Thus we see-there were bounty jumpers in ye olden time as well
as in modern times.
Voted that the Easterly Precinct (now Milford) may be set off
as a separate town, there being 67 in the affirmative and 60 in
the negative.
Voted not to set off the South Precinct (now Blackstone) into
a separate town.
The Overseers of the Poor, Maj. Joseph Daniels, Capt. Samuel
Warren and Mr. James Blake, were allowed £6 each for their
services.
1770.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 379
The Assessors were allowed 20s. per day for taking the valua-
tion; Capt. John Tyler twenty-four days, and James Sumner and
Aaron Everett eighteen days each, at 12s. per day. For assess-
ing tax each ten days.
Allowed the Committee who formed the Average or Estimate
15s. per day each.
Nehemiah Nelson, 8 days. .£6 00 00 Aaron Everett, 8i days. .£6 07 06
Peletiah Darling, 6£- " ..41706 James Lovett, 7£ " .. 51206
SamnelJoues, 8£ " .. 6 07 06 Joseph Dorr Esq. 7 " .. 5 05 00
Levi Aldrich, 6£ " .. 4 17 06
£39 07 06
The report of the above committee must have heen an inter-
esting paper, hut as it was not recorded, and if filed, long since
lost, we can only conjecture the value of its contents. It was
plainly an effort to adjust the burdens of the war so that they
should bear equally upon all.
Voted that the Selectmen shall constitute "the Committee of
Correspondence, Inspection and Safety for the present year.
March 22. Met by adjournment from March loth, but there
being a severe storm and few in attendance, the meeting was
again adjourned to the 29th inst.
March 29. Voted to allow—
('apt. Green for going to Northbridge twice and to Providence
once £9 00 00
Capt. Tyler for going to Worcester with the Continental men. ... 5 10 00
Capt. Penniman do. " " 3 00 00
The Committee for hiring men the year past 5 00 00
The Selectmen for 1777, except John Cuss, £15.00.00. each
for 1778, £7.00.00 each.
Chose Lieut. Philip Ammidown, Abraham Jones, Daniel Taft,
Samuel Fairbanks, Caleb Cheney and Moses Thayer a committee
to hire soldiers the ensuing year; and the Selectmen were in-
structed to furnish the committee with money, if needed.
April 12. The second article in the warrant was "To see
whether the town, in consideration of the People called Friends
or Quakers, their paying their part 'of the Average or Assess-
ment (for equalizing the cost of the war) for the year 1778, will,
in case of said Quakers, should hereafter be assessed or taxed,
as a Distinct body, by a Resolve of Congress or an Act of the
380 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1779.
General Court or Assembly, towards defraying the expenses of
the war prior to this day, that in such case the Town will bear
an equal part with said Quakers in the payment of such Conti-
nental or State tax."
Upon this article the town voted in the affirmative.
William French, Daniel Corbett and Benjamin Boyce were
chosen a committee to provide for the families of the soldiers in
the service.
Capt. John Tyler, Peter Penniman and Deacon Aaron Ever-
ett were chosen a committee to confer with a committee of the
Second Precinct (Milford), to see how and in what manner said
Precinct shall be set off as a town.
The Second Precinct chose Jonathan Jones, Seth Nelson and
Ichabod Thayer, Jr., as a Committee of Conference on their part.
May 3. The Joint Committee made the following
REPORT.
We the subscribers, being a Committee chosen by the Town of Mendon
at their last town meeting to meet a Committee of the 2nd Precinct of said
Mendon to consult and agree with said Committee on such conditions and
articles as would be proper for said Town and Precinct to come into in
case said Precinct should be set off by the General Court of the State into
a distinct Town, and to make report of our doings at the next meeting of
said Town for the choice of a Representative ; We have attended to said
Service with the Committee of the 2nd. Precinct, chosen for that purpose,
and have agreed upon the following articles viz:
Article 1. That the Meadow or Land usually flowed by the Mill Pond
formerly occupied by Lieut. William Sheffield, on the north side of the
County road, belonging to said Toavii shall remain and continue the
Property of said Town of Mendon although the said 2nd Precinct should
become a separate town; and in case said Town of Mendou should have
occasion to eject Jeremiah Kelley the present occupier of said Pond or any
other person or persons who may hereafter occupy said Lands from the
possession of said premises by reason that he or they shall not keep a good
Grist Mill in repair at or near the premises, agreeable to the Original Agree-
ment between said Town and Mathias Puffer and David How, then the
said 2nd. Precinct, although they shall become a separate Towm, shall
have the three-eighth part of what the said Town of Mendou shall recover,
they the said 2nd. Precinct paying the three-eighth part of the cost and
charge that may accrue in recovering the same.
Article 2. That the said 2nd. Precinct draw their equal proportion of
the School Money according; to the valuation of said Town also one-third
1779.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 381
part of the Ministry money belonging to said Town also their equal pro-
portion of the Town's stock of Arms.
Article 3d. That the said 2nd. Precinct take their equal proportion of
the Poor maintained by the Town according to the Tax said 2nd. Precinct
pays, and also, if after said 2nd. Precinct is set off as a separate town,
there shall be any Poor sent to this town from proper authority to be main-
tained by this town, and it shall appear that the persons so brought were
the usual original inhabitants of said 2nd. Precinct, then the said 2nd. Pre-
cinct shall receive and maintain them as their poor.
Article 4. That the said 2nd. Precinct pay their equal proportion of all
the charges that have or shall arise within the Town of Mendon prior to
their being incorporated as a separate Town, of whatever name or nature.
Article 5. That if there appear to be a surplusage of money over and
above paying all the town's costs and charges when they the 2nd. Precinct
shall become a separate town, then the said 2nd. Precinct to draw their
equal proportion according to their valuation.
All which is submitted to the. Town.
John Tyler ) Committee
Peter Penniman > of
Aaron Everett. ) Mendon.
We the subscribers, being a Committee chosen by the 2nd. Precinct in
Mendon to meet the Committee chosen by the Town of Mendon to consult
and agree with said Committee on such condition and Articles as would be
proper for said Town and Precinct to come into in case said Precinct
should be set off, by the General Court of this State into a distinct town,
we have this day attended said service with said Committee and have
agreed upon all the foregoing Articles, and in case the said Town of Men-
don should accept the foregoing Report, we, in behalf of the said 2nd.
Precinct ingage that all the foregoing Articles shall be punctually fulfilled
on said 2nd. Precinct's part after they shall be set off as a Town.
Jonathan Jones ) Committee of the
Seth Nelson [- Second Precinct
Ichabod Thayer, Jr. \ of Mendon.
Mendon May 8, 1779.
Voted that the boundary line between the town of Mendon
and the Easterly Precinct, when set off into a separate town, be
the middle of the Eight Rod Road (so called) to Upton line.
June 21. Voted to raise £3000 to hire soldiers, and for other
town charges.
Voted that the average money (being a tax granted to equalize
the burdens of the Avar) be paid in by the Constables to the Town
Treasurer, and the Treasurer to pay such sums as are allowed to
any of the soldiers to their wives, or any part thereof as they
stand in need of, taking their receipt.
382 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1779.
TROUBLE WITH AN INFLATED CURRENCY.
Voted that the inhabitants of this town are determined, to the
utmost of their power, to support the credit of the Continental
currency, and are desirous to come into any salutary measures
that may be adopted by the community in general for that pur-
pose, and earnestly wish that such measures may speedily take
place; and, for the present, we are resolved that no kind of pro-
duce or article of commerce shall be sold at a higher price than
has hitherto been usually given for such article or produce; and
that said inhabitants will exert themselves to carry into execu-
tion "An Act of this State entitled an Act against Monopoly and
Forestalling; " that the practice of buying and selling silver and
gold at such discount [premium?] as to disparage and lessen
the credit of the Continental currency shall be effectually dis-
couraged among us.
Voted to choose a committee of nine to see the foregoing vote
and resolution put in execution, and Joseph Dorr, Esq., Capt.
Gershom Nelson, Lieut. Benoni Benson, Capt. Alhee, Capt.
Samuel Penniman, Capt. Aldrich, Lieut. Philip Ammidown,
Samuel Jones and Capt. Read were chosen as the committee.
July 28. Voted to accept the Resolves of the State Conven-
tion held at Concord, July 14, 1779.
The Convention was held at the request of the inhabitants of
the town of Boston, " to take into consideration the present dis-
tressed situation of the people at large; and especially the ex-
cessive high prices of every article of consumption, and, by
tracing to their causes these evils, to discover and point out the
safest and best remedies."1
This Convention was composed of 27 members from the coun-
ty of Suffolk, 19 from Essex, 65 from Middlesex, 5 from Hamp-
shire, 6 from Cumberland, 10 from Plymouth, 8 from Bristol
and 34 from Worcester, being 174 in all. The Hon. Azor Orne,
of Marblehead, was chosen President, and Mr. Samuel Ruggles,
of Boston, Secretary.
This Convention fixed the highest price for which twenty-four
of the leading articles of produce and merchandise were to be
sold in the sea ports, and the tenth day of August was fixed as
the day when the regulation should go into effect. Capt. John
Tyler was the delegate from Mendon.
177!). I ANNALS OF MENDON. .'58.3
The Convention resolved Unit those who should refuse to ac-
cept its recommendations, "under any pretense whatever, should
be held and deemed as enemies to this country, and treated as
such."
But it seems the Resolves of this, Convention failed of their
intended effect, and Capt. John Tyler was chosen a delegate to
attend the Convention to be held at Concord in October next,
and Dea. Aaron Everett, Capt. Peter Penniman and Mr. Jona-
than Jones were chosen a committee to give him instructions.
This Convention met October 6, and by adjournment, October
14, added 110 articles to the 24 to which they had affixed the
highest prices, at which they should be sold, in July. A few
examples, with the highest prices attached, will answer for the-
whole: Indian corn or meal was to be sold not higher than
£4. 04s. per bushel, rye and rye meal at £5. 14s., wheat flour at
£80 per hundred, beef at 5s. per pound, butter at 12s. per
pound, W. I. rum at £5. 14s. per barrel or hogshead, per gallon,
and a single gallon at £6. 06s. Of this Convention, W. Spooner
was President, and Thomas Lloyd Halsey, Secretary.
August 3. A County Convention was held at Worcester,
''for the purpose of carrying into effect the several interesting
and important measures first recommended by Congress to the
inhabitants of the United States, and since to the inhabitants of
this State by a Convention of their delegates at Concord, on the
14th of July last.'" Col. Joseph Reed, of Lancaster, was chosen
Chairman, and Capt. Phineas Upham, of Brooktield, Clerk.
This Convention, in the main, adopted the prices agreed upon
by the Convention. A few new articles, however, are intro-
duced. Lodging was to be charged not exceeding 3s. per night,
West India flip, 15s. per mug, West India toddy, 15s. per bowl,
New England flip or toddy, 12s. per mug or bowl, cider, 3s. per
mug, &c, &c.
The third resolution of this Convention was in the following
words: "Resolved, that it be recommended to each town to
choose large committees in their respective towns, and, by all
means, such men as have ever proved themselves the most firmly
attached to the cause of liberty, to see that these resolves be
effectually carried into effect."
Lieut. Seth Nelson was the delegate to this Convention.
384 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1779.
May it not be safely inferred that the high prices, for every-
thing, which ruled in 1780, was the legitimate result of a re-
dundent paper currency, then known by the name of Continental
money? Have we not reason to fear that an unlimited issue of
paper money in 1880 would react to the same calamitous result
which the experiment did a hundred years ago? If, in 1780,
the fiat of Congress could not keep the Continental money at
par with gold, what reason have we to believe that the fiat of
any future Congress can noat'an unlimited issue of paper money,
at par with gold,, with the word irredeemable printed across its
face ?
Voted to choose a delegate to meet in County Convention, at
Worcester, on the first Tuesday of August next, in order to reg-
ulate the price of labour, &c, and chose Lieut. Seth Nelson,
delegate.
Voted to choose a committee of nine to assist the Committee
of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, to put said Resolves
(resolves of the Concord Convention it is supposed) into execu-
tion. The committee chosen were Joseph Dorr, Esq., Capt.
Samuel Warren, Capt. Read, Lieut. Philip Ammidown, Mr.
Caleb Cheney, Lieut. John Benson, Capt. Albee, Ichabod Thayer
and Asa Thompson.
Voted that three of the committee chosen above, or three of
the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, when
the committee in general are not together, or cannot conveniently
be called, be a quorum to act to put the Eesolves into execution.
DELEGATES TO THE FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Voted to choose two delegates to attend the Convention at
Cambridge, on the 1st day of September next, for the sole pur-
pose of forming a new Constitution, and the votes being brought
in. sorted and counted, it appeared that Joseph Dorr, Esq., and
Capt. Peter Penniman were chosen delegates.
August 30. Voted to raise £5000 to defray town charges the
present year, and £600, exclusive of interest on the School bonds,
for schooHng.
Capt. John Tyler was chosen delegate to the Convention to be
held at Concord on the first Wednesday in October next, and
1779.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 385
Dea. Aaron Everett, Capt. Peter Penninian and Mr. Jonathan
Jones were chosen a committee to give him instructions.
Voted to accept the regulations that were drawn up by the
committee to be additional regulations for the town. These
regulations had reference to the act against Monopoly and Fore-
stalling. Through the neglect of the Clerk to record the com-
mittee's report, or its loss if put on tile, we know not what the
regulations were.
Oct. 27. Voted to accept the Resolves of the late Convention
at Concord, Oct. 6, instant, and chose Lieut. Seth Chapin, Capt.
Cershom Nelson, Capt. Levi Aldrich, Mr. Otis Whipple, Dea.
John Chapin, Mr. Benjamin Blake, Samuel Fairbanks, Elijah
Thayer and John Darling.
Rev. Council Papers, vol. 170, p. 413.
( OMMITTEE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The Convention to draw up a State Constitution met at Cam-
bridge on the first day of September, 1779, and chose a commit-
tee to report a Constitution of Government for the State. The
following is the Roll of the Committee, the days' attendance,
wages per day, and amount of compensation for the service:
For the Co. of Suffolk, James Bowdoin Esq.
John Adams, "
18 days at 72s.
£64 16
Essex.
Theophilus Parsons Esq.
12 "
43 04
Jona. Jackson,
18 "
64 16
Saml. Phillips, - "
16 "
57 12
Middlesex,
James Sullivan,
Eleazer Brooks,
19 "
68 08
Nathl. Gorham,
Hampshire,
Noah Goodman,
15 "
54 00
Mr.
Ezekiel Smith,
23 '•
82 16
Mr.
John Billings,
10 ••
36 00
Worcester,
Jedediah Foster Esq.
Joseph Dorr,
23 "
82 16
Israel Nichols,
23 "
82 16
Plymouth,
John Cotton,
Rev.
Gad Hitchcock
22 "
79 04
Bristol,
Robert T. Paine Esq.
15 "
54 00
Rev.
Samuel West,
24 "
86 08
York,
David Sewall Esq.,
Benj. Chadbourne,
19
386
ANNALS OF MENDON.
1779.
Berkshire,
Barnstable,
Dukes Co. &
Nantucket.
At Large,
Capt. William Walker
James Harris Esq.
Enoch Hallett "
Mr. Samuel Small,
Mr. Benj. Brainerd,
22 days at 72s.
24 "
£79 04
86 08
Samuel Adams, 16 " 57 12
John Pickering, 21 " " 75 12
Caleb Strong, 24 " " 86 08
In Council Oct. 1, 1779 Bead and Ordered That a Warrant be drawn on
the Treasury for £1259.12 in full of this Boll.
John Avery, Depy. Secy.
The following vote was quite probably plain enough to those
who were present at the meeting, but, at this late clay, we are
left somewhat in the dark as to the precise amount voted.
Voted to raise a sum of money which shall amount to as much
as the sum of the late State tax, including what is already raised
in said town and county tax.
Voted to allow Ichabod Thayer, Jr., £15 for transporting the
soldiers clothing to Brookfield, in 1778.
SOLDIERS IN THE AVAR IN 1779.
9 months Men, in Rhode Island service, under Capt, Samuel Hamant.
Caleb Legg,
Reuben Legg,
Joel Legg,
David Marsh,
Darius Holbrook,
Jona, Kimball,
Wm. Cutting,
Arthur Bawson,
Aaron Taft,
Alii jab Legg.
Serg. Jesse Chapin,
John Pickering,
Jotham Pickering,
Artemas Cheney,
John DewingV
Calvin Smith,
AVm. Foster,
Moses Lovett,
Marvel Taft,
Samuel Tucker,
Seth Johnson,
AVm. Johnson,
John Torrey,
Jesse Davis,
Douglass Marsh,
Jesse Darling,
Asa Albee,
Caleb Holbrook,
Joel LeggV
Moses Bamsdell,
Samuel Thayer,
Moses Parkhurst,
John Leug.
It seems quite probable that Mendon furnished more soldiers
for this year than are enumerated above, although the Rosters
at the State House give only the above names as being in the
service. The Rosters, it should be remembered, are imperfect,
some of them missing, and others without date and without
specifying the date, time or place of service.
1780.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 387
The following Act of the General Court will complete the
memoranda of the year.
Rev. Resolves (Mass. Ar.) vol. 221, p. 297.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
In the House of Representatives Feb. 25, 1779.
On the Petition of the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Mendon.
setting forth that they have an opportunity to put out the eldest son of
Elizabeth Cummings, a State pauper, until he is twenty one years old, they
paying thirty pounds: And also to allow them to draw the money that
they have expended for said Elizabeth Cummings and her two children, as
per account exhibited with said petition.
Resolved that the prayer of the Petition be granted and that the Over-
seers of the Poor of the Town of Mendon be and hereby are empowered to
put out said boy, and that there be paid thirty pounds for the purpose
aforesaid, they giving a receipt for said money; and also four pounds and
eight shillings in full of the account exhibited with said petition.
Sent up for Concurrence
John Pickering, Speaker.
In Council Feb. 26, 1779.
Read and Concurred
John Avery, Depy. Sec.
Consented to. Jer. Powell, B. Greenleaf, T. Gushing, Jed1' Preble, P.
Austin, Moses Gill. J. Stone, B. White, N. Cushing, A.
Fuller, Sam Niles, J. Simpson, John Pitts and E. Brooks.
Councillors.
1780. March 0. Chose for Selectmen Mr. Stephen Torrey.
Lt. Jesse Whitney. Lt. John Benson, Lt. William Thayer and
Mr. Caleb Cheney; Joseph Dorr, Esq.. Town Clerk; Mr. Peter
Penniman, Town Treasurer; and for Constables. John Albee,
Benjamin Read and Levi Rawson.
Voted to allow Peter Penniman for services as Treasurer, £100.
Voted to allow John Tyler, as delegate to the Concord Con-
vention, for time and expenses, £00.
Voted to allow Joseph Dorr, Esq., his expenses at two sessions
of the Constitutional Convention. £50; for his time, 17 days at
£3 per day, £51.
Voted to allow Peter Penniman his expenses at the Constitu-
tional Convention, £85; for his time, 20 days at 48s. per day, €4S.
Voted to allow the Selectmen, £30 each; Assessors. €50 each.
388 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1780.
Capt. John Tyler was chosen an Overseer of the Poor and a
Committee man to provide for the soldiers families, in the place
of Moses Aldrich, who ceased to hold office in Mendon by reason
of the incorporation of the East Precinct into a separate town.
INCORPORATION OF MILFORD.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
In the year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Eighty.
An Act for Incorporating the Easterly Precint in the Town of Mendon
in the County of Worcester, into a Separate Town by the name of Mil ford.
Whereas, it appears that the Inhabitants of the Easterly Precinct in the
Town of Mendon in the County of Worcester labour under many Difficul-
ties in their present Situation, for Remedying of which they earnestly re-
quest they may be Incorporated into a Separate Town.
Be it therefore enacted by the Council and House of Representatives in
General Court Assembled, and by the Authority of the same, that the East-
erly Part of the Town of Mendon, in the County of Worcester, bounded
as follows, Viz': begining at a heap of Stones on Bellingham Line, on the
North side of the Country Road then running West and bounded South
on said Road until it comes to a Rpad called the eight rod Road, now
reduced to four rod Road, then North and bounded westerly on said
Road, as it is now Stated by the Town of Mendon until it comes to Upton
Line, thence on Upton Line, to Hopkinton Line, thence on Hopkinton
Line to Holliston Line, thence on Holliston Line to Bellingham Line,
thence on Bellingham Line to the Bounds first mentioned be and here-
by is Incorporated into a Town by the Name of Milford, and that the
Inhabitants thereof be and they are hereby Invested with all the powers,
Privileges & Immunities which the Inhabitant of the Towns in this State
do or may by Law enjoy.
And Provided Nevertheless, and be it further Enacted, that the Inhabi-
tants of the said Town of Milford shall be held to take and maintain their
Proportionable part of the Poor of said Town of Mendon that are now
maintained as such or that shall hereafter Returned from any other town
as belonging to said Mendon before the said Town of Milford was Incor-
porated.
And be it further Enacted that the Inhabitants of said town of Milford
shall be held to pay their proportionable part of all Town, County and
State Taxes that are already raised or granted to be assessed on the Inhabi-
tants of said Town of Mendon or that shall be granted to be assessed on
said Town of Mendon during the present Sitting of the Great and Gen-
eral Court, and be held to repair and Build one half of the Bridges, and
mend and repair one half of the Roads on which they are bounded, lying
in the said Town of Mendon forever.
And Be it further Enacted, that all the Proprietors belonging to the Pro-
1780.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 389
priety of the Town of Mendon, that shall be Incorporated into the Town
of Milford shall hold all their Common Rights in the Common and Undi-
vided Lands in the Propriety of the former Township of said Mendon as
though they had not been set off into a Separate Town. And their Propor-
tionable part of the Ministry and School Money belonging to said Town of
Mendon that have accrued to them by the sale of the School and Ministry
Lands.
And Be it further Enacted That Joseph Dorr, Esqr be and he is hereby
directed and impowered to issue his Warrant directed to some Principal In-
habitant of said Town of Milford requiring him to warn the Inhabitants of
said Town of Milford qualified by Law to vote in Town affairs to Assem-
ble and meet at some suitable time and Place in said Town to choose all
such Officers as Towns by Law are required and impowered to choose in the
month of March annually, and to transact all other matters & Business nec-
essary to be done in said Town.
In the House of Representatives, April 11, 1780. This Bill having been
read three several times pass'd to be enacted. John Hancock, Speaker.
In Council, April 11th, 1780. This Bill having had two several readings,
passed to be enacted. John Avery, D. See-'y.
We consent to the enacting of this Bill.
Jeri Powell, T. dishing,
Artemas Ward, Jabez Fisher,
Walter Spooner, Moses Gill,
S. Adams, B. White,
T. Danielson, H. Gardner,
Tim. Edwards, A. Fuller,
Sam1 Niles, Jno. Pitts.
Noah Goodman.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Secretary's Department,
Boston, February 6, 1877.
A true copy of the original act.
Witness the seal of the Commonwealth.
Henry B. Peirce,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
STATE CONSTITUTION.
April 24, 1780. The Address of the Convention, the Declara-
tion of Rights and the Constitution, or Frame of Government,
for the People of the Massachusetts Bay, was first distinctly read.
Then it was voted that one or more persons in every School
District in the town should he appointed to receive for his or
their District one printed copy of said Constitution, or Frame
of Government, to the end that every member of the town may
2nd
do.,
3thd.
do..
4th.
do..
5th.
do.,
6th.
do..
7th.
do..
gth.
do..
9th.
do..
10th.
do.,
11th.
do.,
390 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1780.
come to the knowledge of and have the opportunity and advan-
tage of duly weighing and considering the same in the interval
between this and the adjournment of this meeting, and the per-
son so appointed to return the copy which he receives to the
person from whom he received it. The persons chosen were as
follows, viz: —
1st. School District, Capts. Philip Amidown & Peter Penniman & Lt.
Abraham Staples.
Major Thompson.
Mr Jonathan Jones and Mr. Caleb Cheney.
Capt. Samuel Warren.
Lieut. Seth Thayer.
Dr. Penniman.
Mr. Joseph Allen and Mr. Joseph Bates.
Lieut. Joseph Johnson.
Capt. Benjamin Bead.
Ens. Pelatiah Darling.
' Lt. Peletiah Thayer & Capt, Levi Aldrieh.
Voted to adjourn for three weeks from this day. Then met
and adjourned to the May meeting.
May 25. Met and adjourned to Monday next at 9 o'clock A.
M. These adjournments were made, as the record says, "to
give further time for the consideration of the Constitution."
At the appointed time the inhabitants met and the Constitu-
tion being taken up. the following votes were passed:
As will be seen, the Constitution was voted on Chapter by
Chapter, Section by Section, Article by Article.
Chapter 1. Sec. 1 Article 1 is accepted, Art. 2nd. 15 for 21 against,
Art, 3. accepted. Art, 4, 20 for 17 against,
Chap. 1 Sec. 2, Art 1. amendment proposed viz: The Senate to consist
of 19 members, 36 for 2 against it, The Governor's Council proposed to
consist 9 men 25 for 11 against it, — that there be not more than 1 Coun-
cillor elected out of any one County, 37 for and 1 against it, Art.
2d. Voted with amendment, but amendment not on record. Art, 3. 20 for 8
against. Art. 4. 12 for 1 against it, Art, 5, 16 for 2 against it, Art. 6,
accepted. Art. 7, accepted. Art. 8 accepted with the amendment of 11
for a quorum instead of 16.
Chap. 1. Sec. 3. Art, 1, accepted. Art 2 not accepted and in lieu
thereof voted that the Bepresentative body of this Commonwealth do not
exceed the number of 150 — that the whole Commonwealth be divided into
equal Districts, each to send one Bepresentative, making in the whole 150.
The 3. 4. 5. 6 & 7 articles unanimously accepted. 8th. Art, accepted with
1780.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 391
the amendment of 40 instead of 00. Art. 10 accepted. Art. 11, 8 for 2
against it.
Chap. 2. Sec. 1. Art. 13 for 3 against it. Art. 2 voted with the amend
ment of Protestant instead of Christian. Articles 3. 4 & 5 accepted.
Voted to adjourn to Wednesday next at 1 P. M.
Met and proceeded with Chap. 2, Sect. 1. Articles 7. 8 & *J accepted.
Art, 9 accepted with this amendment viz: — That Judges, and Registers of
Probate and Registers of Deeds be appointed by the several towns, ami that
all Probate business and the Registry of Deeds be done in every town, and
that the Selectmen of the several towns both approbate and license Taverners
and Retailers of Spirituous Liquors. Arts. 10. 11. & 12 accepted. Art. 13
not accepted, and Voted reasonable and adequate grants for their respec-
tive services be annually made to the Governors and Judges of the Su-
preme Judicial Court, according to the discretion of the General Court for
the time being.
Chap. 2. Sec 2. Articles 1. 2 & 3 accepted.
Chap. 2. Sec. 3. Articles 1. 2 & 3 accepted. Art. 4 not accepted and
voted as before not more than one Councillor to be chosen out of any one
County, Articles 5. 6 & 7. accepted.
Chap. 2. Sec. 4. Articles 1 & 2 accepted.
Chap. 3 Art 1. not accepted and voted that judiciary Officers shall not
hold their offices exceeding 5 years unless appointed anew. Art, 2. Ac-
cepted. Art. 3, voted with the amendment of 5 years instead of 7 years.
At this point we find, by a reference to the meeting of June
19th, that the meeting was adjourned to June 1. As there is
no record of any meeting on June 1st, it is not known what
business was then transacted; but, it is supposed, the remaining
chapters of the Constitution were acted on, and that there was
no record by the Clerk remains a mystery.
May 25, held under a new warrant, Ebenezer Thompson,
Esq., was chosen Representative to the Great and General Court
or Assembly appointed to be convened, held and kept for the
Government service at the State House in Boston, in the County
of Suffolk, on Wednesday the thirty first day of May current and
so do die in diem during their Session or Sessions.
Chose Edward Rawson a Delegate to the Constitutional Con-
vention to attend, at their next session, in the room of Joseph
Dorr Esq. and Peter Penniman who have hitherto attended.
No mention is made of the declination of Messrs. Dorr and
Penniman. The coming session of the Convention is supposed
, to be held simply to count the votes which had been given for
and against the Constitution.
392 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1780.
Chose Capt. John Tyler, Ens. Peletiah Darling, Gapt. John
Albee, Capt. Levi Aldrich and Capt. Peter Penniman a com-
mittee to settle and adjust matters between this Town and the
Town of Milford.
Voted to allow Constable John Albee seventy dollars to
make up his loss sustained in receiving counterfeit money for
taxes.
June 1!). Voted to leave it discretionary with the Com-
mittee for hiring Soldiers, how much to give or engage to give
in Paper, Silver or Produce as they can agree with the soldier.
Voted to raise £10,000 to defray town charges, and that the
same be assessed immediately. * The immediate assessment was
probably directed on account of the rapid depreciation of the
Continental currency.
June 29, 1780. This day the committees of Mendon and
Milford met and agreed on a division of the roads between the
two towns, as to what parts each town should mend and keep in
repair for travelling, viz: —
Mendon's part beginning at Belliughaui Line at the middle of the bridge
upon the Country road between Dr. John Corbett's and Lieut. Samuel Pen-
niman's and so the whole of the road till it comes opposite to Lieut.
Samuel Penniman's house.
Then Milford to keep the whole of the Country Road and bridge over
the Mill River, so called, till it comes to a large Rock near John Sprague's
house.
Then Mendon to mend and keep in repair the Country Road until it
comes to the Eight Rod Road.
And the Division of the Eight Rod road is as follows viz : Mendon to
begin at Upton line by the east corner of the land belonging to the heirs of
Micah Bates, late of Upton, deceased; thence to mend the road until it
comes to where the Eight Rod Road (so called) meets with the road that
leads from Milford to Upton.
Then Milford to take and mend the road from thence until they shall
complete one half of the said Eight Rod Road ; that is to say, one full half
of the distance from Upton line to the above said Country Road.
Then Mendon to mend the remainder of the sd Eight Rod Road, after
Milford's part ends.
John Tyler, )
John Albee, j- Com. for Mendon.
Peter Penniman. )
Samuel Warren, )
Ichabod Thayer, Jr., '-Com. for Milford.
Samuel Jones, )
1780.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 393
FIRST STATE ELECTION UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
Sept. 4. At a town meeting held this day, no warrant being
recorded, the following State officers were voted for, viz: —
For Governor, John Hancock, had 23 votes.
do. do. James Bowdoin, " 1 "
Lieut.Gov., James Bowdoin, " 24 "
do. do. John Hancock, " 1 "
FOR SENATORS AND COUNCILLORS.
Hon. Moses Gill had 21. Brig. Gen. Warren, had 12.
Hon. Samuel Baker " 15. Col. Read, " 1.
Maj. Seth Washburn " 15. Joseph Dorr Esq. " 20.
Sept. 11. Voted to raise £1500 for schooling.
Voted to raise £1000 hard money to pay the six months men
and 3 months men hired by the committee.
Voted to raise £4150 "to pay for Continental Horses pur-
suant to a Resolve of the General Court."
Voted to raise £10,400 in the present currency to defray town
charges the present year.
Voted to allow Mr. Edward Rawson £180 for his expenses at
the late Constitutional Convention and £4.10 per day for twelve
days attendance at the Convention, £54.
Voted to forego Baruch Bullard's Rate £10.03.00
" Daniel Callum's " 44.11.10
" John Wilson's " 44.05.04
Oct. 11. Edward Rawson, Esq., was chosen Representative
to the General Court.
Voted to pay the men who went to Tiverton on the Alarm
eighty dollars per day, exclusive of State pay.
Voted that the Militia officers return the number of men who
went, in order for an assessment for the money.
Voted to raise £13,000 to purchase the town's quota of beef
for the Army. As the requisition for this beef was probably
issued before Milford was set off, it will be understood that both
towns were to be held for the supply. The quota of beef for
Mendon to furnish, as is found among the Revolutionary ar-
chives, was 26,962 pounds. Levi Rawson and Increase Thayer
were a committee to purchase this beef; the first was allowed
eighty dollars per day for services and expenses, and was em-
50
394 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1780.
ployed for ten days. Mr. Thayer was employed two and a half
days, at seventy dollars per day.
Dec. 4. Town meeting by an adjournment from Nov. 27.
Met and adjourned to Landlord John Hill's (Tavern), to meet
in one quarter of an hour.
In the meantime, a new warrant was issued for a meeting on
Dec. 25, and under that warrant it was voted to raise £25,000
to purchase beef, pursuant to a requisition of the General Court
of Dec. 4, 1780.
Capt. Philip Ammidown and Capt. Benj. Read were chosen a
committee to purchase the beef, or pay the money to the Super-
intendent of Purchases, as shall appear most to the advantage
of the town. The £25,000 was to be immediately assessed and
collected, and no town orders were to be received by the Collec-
tor for any part of the tax.
Chose a committee of sixteen, to hire men for the town's
quota of soldiers to fill up the Continental battalions. The
names of the committee are as follows, viz: —
Capt. Amidown, Lieut. Increase Thayer,
Capt. B. Bead, Col. Craggin,
Capt. John Tyler, Mr. Nahum Taft,
Mr. Henry Penniman, Mr. Joseph Thayer,
Lieut. John Benson, Ens. Turner Ellis,
Capt. Levi Aldrich, Mr. Peletiah Penniman,
Mr. Stephen Torrey, Mr. Levi Bawson &
Mr. John Hill, Mr. Benj. Thayer.
As this Committee was instructed, each one, to procure a sol-
dier, it is supposed that 16 was the quota for Mendon. Massa-
chusetts was called on for 4240 men for 3 years; and Dec. 2, the
quotas were determined and the different towns notified to fill up
their respective quotas. The number set clown for Mendon was
27; but, as in war matters, the separation of Milford was not yet
recognized, we may suppose that of the 27, Mendon was to sup-
ply 16 and Milford 11 men.
The Committee was chosen Jan. 1, 1781, to which day the
meeting of Dec. 25 was adjourned.
MEMORANDA FOR 1780.
Court (Mass. Ar.) vol. 40, p. 232.
The petition of Edward Rawson [of Mendon] and others of
1780.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 395
Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, praying for a permit to
transport goods to the said State Jan. 6, 1780.
Resolved that John Caldwell, Theodore Hopkins and George Merrill be
and they hereby are permitted to Transport out of the State from Otis
Whipple's Store in Mendon, 3 tierces of N. E. Rum, 1 do of salt, and from
Peter Reeds store in Douglass, 12 tierces and 2 hhds. of N. E. Rum and 2
Casks of salt into the State of Ct. for the reasons mentioned in the Petition,
any Act or Law of this State to the contrary notwithstanding.
In Council R. & C.
Consented to by 15 of the Council.
As the Council " concurred," it is evident that the House of
Representatives had previously granted the prayer of the peti-
tion.
At this time Councillors were chosen by the Legislature from
those who had been elected Senators by the people. Joseph
Dorr, Esq., having been chosen a Councillor, the following is a
copy of his letter of acceptance of that office.
Mass. Arch. Rev. Letters vol. 202, p. 245.
Mendon, 5th of June 1780.
Sir,
By your Official Letter of the 1st. inst. I am informed of my having been
elected a Member of the Honble Board of Councillors for the year ensuing.
I am very sensible of the dignity conferred upon me by this Election,
and feel the warmest emotions of Gratitude to the Honble Gentlemen of the
General Assembly for their suffrages on the occasion ; at the same time,
conscious of .my Inability to discharge the important Duties of this ele-
vated station with that benefit and real service to the public as I could ear-
nestly wish, I shall enter upon this arduous business with great Diffidence
and some degree of Reluctance.
The circumstances of my Family & domestick Affairs are such as will
render my Constant attendance at Court extremely inconvenient. I doubt
not therefore that the Houble Board will readily grant me all reasonable In-
dulgence, and excuse my absence when the urgency of my affairs shall re-
quire my Particular attention. The next week, being the term of holding
the Court of Common Pleas, at Worcester, will prevent my giving so early
an attendance at the Board as I should otherwise have done.
I have the Honor to be Sir,
With every sentiment of Duty & Respect
To the Honble General Assembly
Your most Obed1. Humble Serv't,
Joseph Dorr.
Hon. Samuel Adams Esq.. Secretary.
396
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1780.
HON. JOSEPH DORR, JR.
Hon. Joseph Dorr, Jr., was born in Mendon May 24, 1730.
He was the only son of Rev. Joseph Dorr. He graduated at
Harvard in 1752 and received the degree of A. M, in course.
He preached occasionally for several years but was never or-
dained. He early turned his attention and energies to the polit-
ical affairs of the times and became an earnest, unceasing and
vigorous co-laborer with the earliest patriots of the Revolution.
It was said of him that he devoted himself three hundred days
of each year, from 1773 to 1780, to the public service, and with-
out compensation.
Mr. Dorr filled many important offices. He was Town Clerk
and Treasurer, Justice of the Peace, Member of the Committees
of Safety and Correspondence, one of the Committee chosen to
call upon the Mandamus Councillors and demand the surrender
of their commissions. He was a member of the Legislature and
of the Governor's Council, a Justice of the Court of Common
Pleas (was a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas at the time
of his election as Councillor) and Judge of Probate, which latter
office he held to near the close of life. Judge Dorr died in
Brookiield, Dec. 6, 1808, to which town he had, a few years
before, removed, aged 78 years.
MENDON SOLDIERS IN THE WAR IN 1780.
William Torrey,
Nat Torrey,
Lemuel Green,
David Green,
Cyrenus Rawson,
Jonathan Taft,
Seth Johnson,
John Hayward,
Daniel? Stone,
Caleb Legg,
Joseph Passmore,
Samuel Ramsdell.
John Pickering,
Elisha Chase,
Zelek Darling,
David Legg, •
Benj. Hayward,
The foregoing names are taken from a Roster entered as six
months men.
It is believed, however, that there were other men at this time
serving in the Continental army. A paper, without date, is
found among the Archives of the war containing the names,
arranged in alphabetical order, of more than a hundred men as
serving at some time in the army. The dates or places of their
service is not mentioned.
1780.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
397
THE ROSTER WITHOUT DATE.
Burg's Mate Jos. Adams, Nehemiah AUlrich,
Lieut. Samuel Cobb, Phineas Aldrich,
Lieut. Wm. Darling, Eleazer Albee,
Adj. John Holden, Amasa Aldrich,
Qr. Mas. "Wm. Jennison, Abraham Aldrich,
Capt. Andrew Peters, Jacob Ammidown,
Maj. Calvin Smith, Silas Brown,
Surg. Stephen Wilkins, Ed. Bowker,
Capt. Levi Willard, Timothy Bruce,
Lieut. Samuel Warren, Justus Battles,
Lieut. Levi Aldrich
Asa Albee,
Serg. Rufus Aldrich,
Ebenf. Craggin,
Saml. Davis,
Ebenr. Davis,
John Deering,
Drum. Aaron Davis,
Lieut. Enoch Darling,
Job Darling,
John Daniels,
Joshua Daggett.
Peter Darling,
Levi Darling,
Serg. Turner Ellis,
Fifer, Marvel Ellis,
Corp. Simeon Fish,
Corp. Saml. Fairbanks,
Amariah Force?
Hez\ Fletcher,
David French,
Serg. Saml. French,
Cleophas Green,
Ichabod Hay ward,
Darius Holbrook,
William Hall,
Benj. Vickery,
Joseph Woodward,
John White,
Benj. White,
Jabez Albee,
Ichabod Bosworth,
Oliver Chapin,
Isaac Chapin,
Arthur Corey,
Wm. Chase,
Josiah Chapin,
Lieut. Joseph Cody.
Serg, Adam Chapin,
Corp. Peter Corbett,
Corp. Wm. Cheney,
Benj. Clark,
Amos Craggin,
Corp. Eliphalet Phil-
brook,
Serg. Benj. Read,
Fifer Jona Rawson,
Edward Rawson,
Arthur Rawson,
Aquilla Ramsdelk— lared
Smith,
Master,
Calvin Smith,
Saml. Smith,
Simeon Staples,
Jona. Staples,
Amos Sheparson,
Abraham Stearns,
Enos Taft,
Ebenr. Taft,
Artemas Taft,
Saml. Thayer,
Joel Thayer,
Jonas Twetchel,
Nat Torrey,
Amasa Thayer,
Corp. Sheffield Patridge, Aaron Thayer,
Saml. Washburn, Ens. Art. Amariah Vose?
Serg. Benj. Walker, Elias Whitney,
Corp. Thomas Watson Stephen Wood.
Jona. Whitney,
Jonathan Boyce,
Serg. Jere. Battles,
Samuel Boyce,
Samuel Hill,
Reuben Holbrook.
John Hunt,
Winsor Jones,
Joshua Lazell,
Moses Lovett,
Moses Legg,
William Legg,
Wm. Lesure,
David Legg Jr. ,
Corp. David Legg,
Corp. Caleb Legg,
Gideon Lesure,
Levi Lesure,
Robin Meinyo,
Henry Nelson,
Daniel Norcross,
Benj. Norcross,
David Owen,
Benj. Owen,
Amos Patridge,
Eli Patridge,
Joseph Passmore,
Return of Clothing for the Town of Mendon, under a requi-
sition of May 4, 1780. (Rev. and Miscellaneous, Vol. 141, pp.
292, 293.)
398
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1781.
Dec. 28.
33 Shirts,
33 prs. Shoes,
34 " Stockings.
16 " Blankets,
26 Miles travel,
7 Days out,
£40 £1320 00 00
40.. 1320 00 00
24 816 00 00
100 1600 00 00
104 00 00
243 00 00
£5403 00 00
Stephen Torre y.
Receipted for by
Rev. and Mis., Vol. 141, p. 331.
Allowed the Selectmen of the Town of Mendon:
Mileage paid 6 men to Rhode Island, 60 miles £18 00 00
Also, " 10 men to Springfield, 70 " 70 00 00
Also, " 10 men to Boston, 37 " 37 00 00
Also, " 20 men to Claverick, 180 " 360 00 00
Also, " 6 men to Rutland, 30 " 18 00 00
£503 00 00
Rev. & Mis., Vol. 141, p. 437.
Allowed the Selectmen of Mendon :
For 6 Horses and expense in procuring & transporting
Old Money £5865 00 00 in the new, £146 12 06
Rev. & Mis., Vol. 141, p. 205.
The following Table, showing the depreciation of the Conti-
nental money, will explain the high prices found in the preced-
ing pages:
DEPRECIATION TABLE.
MONTHS. 1777-
Jauuaiy 105
February 107
March 109
April 112
May 115
June 120
July 125
August 150
September 175
October 275
November 300
December. ... 310
1778.
1779.
1780.
1781.
325
742
2934
7400
350
868
3322
7400
375
1000
3736
7500
400
1104
4000
400
1215
4600
400
1342
6400
425
1477
6900
450
1630
7000
475
1800
7100
500
2030
7200
544
2308
7300
634
2593
7400
1 781. Feb 6. Voted to choose thirty-two men in addition
1781.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 399
to the former Committee of Sixteen ehosen to hire soldiers for
the army. The mimes of the Committee are as follows, viz:
Ebenezer Merriam, Lt. James Lovett, Aaron Thayer Jr. ,
Benoni Benson, Moses Smith, Jos. Bates,
Saml. Fairbanks, Jesse Wheelock, Lt, Abraham Staples,
Phineas Aldrich, Col. Silas Wheelock, James Blake,
Seth Taft, Peter Wheelock, John Crooks,
Jepthah Clark, Dea. Josiah Adams, Moses Thayer,
Lt, Seth Wheelock, Capt. Peter Penniman, John Penniman,
Benj. Boyee, Benj. Ellcry Esq., Zebulon Goss,
Lt. Seth Chapin, Ens. Peletiah Darling, Daniel Taft.
Lt. Peter White, Robert Lawton,
Feb. 6, 1781. Voted that the Treasurer of this town give security to any
three, or less number of men, chosen as a Committee, by this town, for the
purpose of hiring this town's quota of men now raising for the Continen-
tal Army, pursuant to a Resolve of the General Court of this Common-
wealth of the 2nd of December 1780, who shall produce proper certificates
that they have hired such men to enlist into the army as aforesaid, and
have given him such a sum or sums: said security to be given similar, with
regard to manner and time of payment, with those said town's Committee
may have given to the soldier, and be worded agreeable to the following.
Mendon, Feb. 1781.
In behalf said Town of Mendon I, the subscriber do hereby promise
and oblige myself and successors in the office of Treasurer of said town,
to pay unto A. B. the sum of pounds in Spanish milled dollars, or
gould to the value thereof, it being for his or their paying same to C. D.
for enlisting in the Continental Army, as one of said town's quota of men
now raising pursuant to a Resolve of this Commonwealth of the 2d. of
December last
Witness my hand E. F. Treasurer.
March 5. Chose for Selectmen, Dan. Aldrich, Lt. Reuben
Thayer, Turner Ellis, Nairn in Taft and James Lovett; Levi
Rawson, Town Clerk; George Aldrich, Treasurer; Constables,
Lt. Increase Thayer and Peter Darling.
Voted that one-third of the Town Meetings be held at the
South Parish Meeting House in future.
Voted to allow the Selectmen for the year past three hard dol-
lars, or paper money equivalent, for their services. The Over-
seers of the Poor and the Assessors were allowed two hard dol-
lars and the Treasurer 20s hard money..
April 2. State Election.
For Governor, John Hancock had 26 votes.
For Lt, Governor, Thomas Gushing had 22 votes.
400 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1781.
For Senators and Councillors, Moses Gill, Samuel Baker, Joseph Dorr,
Seth Washburn and Israel Nichols, Esqrs. had 27 votes each.
SETTLEMENT WITH THE TOWN OP MILFORD.
We the Subscribers, being Committees chosen by the Towns of Mendon
and Milford to settle sundry affairs between said Towns have attended that
service and have divided the Poor Peopel, which were supported by the
town of Mendon before the Town of Milford was incorporated into a town,
to each of said Towns their proportionable part of said Poor. Also we have
divided that part of the Country Road and the Eight Rod Road (so called)
which is between the said town of Mendon and Milford to each town then-
equal half, to mend and keep in repair forever and have committed a writ-
ten division of said Poor (not now found) and said Roads with Town Clerks
of each town, to be recorded, they being signed by the Chairman of each of ■
the abovesaid Committees.
We the Committee of Mendon have delivered said Committee of Milford
their part of-the Arms and Ammunition belonging to said town of Mendon
before said Milford was set off and have taken their receipt therefor
We have also found that the Town of Mendon owes the Town of Milford
the sum of two thousand pounds old emission and also said Town of Mil-
ford's proportionable part of two State Notes, one dated Dec. 1, 1779 for
£1169.09, two years' interest paid, the other, dated April 1, 1778 for £1234.04,
one year's interest paid, they the said Town of Milford pa}ing or discharg-
ing the said Town of Mendon from the several debts which said Town of
Mendon owes to the several persons hereafter named, viz :
Mr. Ichabod Thayer's Note dated Aug. 19, 1776 for £15 00 00
Capt. Ichabod Thayer's " " Apr. 25, 1779 " 30 00 00
Elijah Stoddard's " " May 23,1777 " 18 00 00
Ezekiel Bates' " " " 27,1778 " 50 00 00
Boyce Kimball's " " " 31,1777 " 30 00 00
Saul Ramsdell's " " Apr. 22, 1777 " 18 00 00
Capt. Gershom Nelson's " " Mar. 12, 1777 " 30 00 00
Ebenezer Read's " " Aug. 1,1778 " 20 00 00
Obadiah Wood's " " May 1777 " 30 00 00
We say that in case said Town of Milford discharged the abovesaid debts,
then the Town of Mendon owes the Town of Milford Two Thousand Pounds,
Old Emission, to be on interest until paid, and also their proportionable part
of the abovesaid State Notes,
And in case there should any more debts appear against said Town of
Mendon that were due before said Town of Milford was incorporated into
a Town then said Milford is still held to pay their proportionable part save
that there is in the Treasury of said Town of Mendon six hundred pounds
to be adjusted.
And also we have delivered to the said Town of Milford their proportion-
able part of the Ministry Money and School Money which formerly belonged
to the said Town of Mendon before Milford was set off as a town.
1781.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 401
The Town of Mcndon is to pay and discharge the following debts that
were contracted before the Town of Milford was incorporated viz:
To Col. Andrew Peters, the sum of £156 00 00
Edward Rawson Esq. " 168 12 07
Josiah Nelson 3 Notes, " 140 00 00
Widow Rawson " 39 00 00
LeviAlbee " 36 00 00
Capt. Samuel Green, " 15 00 00
Samuel Twiss " 24 00 00
Henry Penniman " 12 00
Relative to the Town of Mendon owing the Town of Milford $2000, as
also said Town of Mendon and said Town of Milford discharging the above-
said is submitted to said Towns.
Peter Penniman,
John Albee, Committee of
Samuel Warren, Mendon
Jonathan Jones, f and
Ichabod Thayer Jr. Milford.
Saml. Jones, J
Mendon 26th. March 1781.
Milford March 19, 1781. Then we the Subscribers in behalf of the Town
of Milford Rec'd of the Committee of the Town of Mendon the whole of
sd. Town of Milford's part of the Ministry Bonds and School Bonds which
Belonged to the Town of Mendon before sd town of Milford was incorpo-
rated into a town.
Saml. Warren,
irBo'oTHAVER Jr. I* Committee of Milford.
Saml. Jones. J
May 30. Voted to accept the report of the committee for
settling affairs with Milford, provided that the town of Milford
receive the £2000, old emission.
Voted that the Treasurer go and make immediate payment of
the aforesaid £2000.
Maj. Thompson, Capt. Penniman and Dan. Aldrich were
chosen a committee to search into the state of the town respect-
ing their debts.
At an adjournment of this meeting it was voted not to
instruct the Constable to proceed in collecting "the old paper
money."
At this time the Continental money became worthless, as the
last quotation was 7500 for one hundred dollars in silver.
May 14. Capt. Benjamin Read was chosen Representative to
the General Court.
51
402 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1781.
The warrant for this meeting (which was held at Chestnut
Hill,) was to see if the town would elect one good and lawful
man to represent the town in the General Court, "agreeable to
the Directions given in the Constitution." This warrant was
dated in the fifth year of American Independence.
April 2. .Voted to raise £370, silver money, and that the
assessors immediately assess the same, to be jmid into the Treas-
ury to discharge the first third of the money borrowed to pay
the soldiers who enlisted for three years; £500 for the second
third, to be assessed on or before the first day of January, 1783,
and the remaining third on or before the first day of January,
1784.
July 2. Chose Col. Samuel Craggin, Lt. Increase Thayer.
Jr., and Lt. John Benson a committee to procure the town's
quota of beef for the army. The quota for Mendon is set down
in Archives of the War, at the State House, at 6782 pounds,
and Milford at 4375 pounds.
Chose Capt. Philip Amidown, Mr. Nahum Taft and Lt. Seth
Chapin a committee to hire soldiers, when called for, the pres-
ent year.
AN INFLATED CURRENCY.
Voted that the Constables proceed forthwith to collect the remainder
part of the Town's paper money rates (old emission) and to collect them in
the new money (new emission), and to make distress on all that neglect
payment, and to sell it (the property levied upon) for new money only;
and that the Constables be indemnified in that proceedure, and that the
Town Risque all the cost and charge that may be brought upon the Con-
stables in consequence of said vote, and that the Town will clear the
Constables from any costs that may come upon that account.
July 23. Voted to allow 5s. per bushel for Indian Corn and 6s. per
bushel for Rye, on Grain notes.
Voted that the Selectmen help John Hayward to some corn or money
directly.
Voted to raise £474 silver money to pay the men now gone for three
months, and the Town's quota of Beef for six months, with three yoke of
Oxen on hand, not paid for.
Aug. 29. At a town meeting held this day, Dan Aldrich
being chosen Moderator, then Capt. Amidown, Lt. William
Thayer, Lt. Increase Thayer and Henry Penniman, of Mendon
and freeholders, came before the meeting and scrupled the
1781.] ANNALS OF MENTION. 403
fidelity of Dan Aldrich and Lt. Reuben Thayer, to whom the
oath of allegiance was tendered, and said Aldrich put it off for
further consideration, but said Thayer took the oath.
Then Lt. Reuben Thayer, Jesse Tourtelotte, William Darling,
Peletiah and Gideon Thayer, of Mendon, freeholders, ques-
tioned the fidelity of Capt. Tyler, Capt. Amidown and Gapt.
Benj. Read, and they took the oath; and Dan Aldrich being
disqualified, Turner Elis was chosen Moderator and took the
oath, and then the town went on business.
Sept. 10. Voted to raise £520, silver money, to discharge old
debts the town owed, £40 for the support of the poor the pres-
ent year and £54 for the support of the soldiers' families, being
£G14 in the whole, all in " silver or gould."
Dec. 17. Voted to raise £30 in addition to the sum already
raised to procure the three years' men not yet hired.
Voted not to raise any money for schools this year.
At this time it was found that there was due, for taxes uncol-
lected from the Constables of 1777, 1778, 1779 and 1780 the
sum of £1029.09.03, whereupon the town voted that the Town
Treasurer order all the delinquent Constables to pay in their
respective balances immediately.
Voted that the committee for settling affairs with Milford
make a final settlement with them of the £2000, old emission,
due said Milford.
Mendon 19th. of Dec. 1781.
Then the Committees of Mendon and Milford that were to adjust and
settle all Accounts between said Towns met and settled and paid said Mil-
ford £2000 that Mendon owed Milford in the former Report, and adjusted
the several debts as follows, viz : — For the Town of Milford to pay
John Battles two notes, dated Aug. 2, 1778, each for £22 00 00
The Town of Mendon to pay the following debts, viz : —
Lydia Taft, two notes dated Mar. 12. 1777, each for £18 00 00
Caleb Boynton jr.'s note " May 18. 1778, " 50 00 00
Joiia Boyce's ' 26.1778, '■ 3116 00
Laban Fairbanks' " " " 30.1777, " 18 00 00
JonN Tyler, ^|
John Albee, Committees
Peter Penniman, [ ,.
Samuel Jones, I()1
Samuel Wahken, | Mendon & Milford.
Jonathan Jones.
404 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1781.
Milford Feb. 22. 1782.
The Committees of Mendon and Milford met and adjusted the several
debts following viz : — The Town of Milford to pay
Jeduthan Rttwson's Note dated May 30. 1777 for £30 00 00
The Town of Mendon to pay
Lt. Solomon White's Note, dated May 30. 1777 for £30 00 00
Benj. Blake's " " Aug. 5. 1776 for 1100 00
Three pounds being endorsed thereon.
And the Town of Mendon to pay the Town of Milford £2.11.00, by
reason that the abovesaid Note to Jeduthan Rawson is more than their part
to pay. And the abovesaid £2.11.00 to be paid when the Town of Milford
shall call for it.
John Tyler, )
John Albee, [- Com. for Mendon.
Peter Penniman, )
Samuel Warren, )
Ichabod Thayer, Jr., VCom. for Milford.
Samuel Jones. )
MENDON SOLDIEKS IN THE WAR OF 1781.
Three months men at West Point.
Serg. Nathl. Torrey, Daniel, Holbrook,
Stephen Nelson, Ichabod Benson,
Marble Taft, Peter Holbrook,
Isaac Bates, Jona. Taft,
Benj. Hayward, Saul Ramsdell.
Sixth Mass. Regiment 1781.
Capt. John Holden, Samuel Ramsdell,
John Clark, Calvin Smith,
Jared Smith, Serg. Samuel .
N. B. Joseph Wood died in the service.
The call for Massachusetts of June 30, was for 2700 men for
three months, and the quota for Mendon and Milford was 21.
REVOLUTIONARY MEMORANDA.
Rev. and Mis., Vol. 141, p. 293.
Mendon Return for Cloathing for 1781, viz: —
March 8, 23 Shirts @ 10s £11 10 00
27 prs. Shoes " 10s 14 10 00
27 prs. Hose " 6s 8 02 00
5 Days 2 02 00
30 Miles travel :
£36 04 00
Receipted for by James Lovett.
Rev. & Mis. vol. 141, p. 12, (Mass. Archives.)
1781.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 405
Apr. 11, 1781. Allowed John Passmore of Mendon for sundry Cloathing
lost in a neccessary Retreat from New York Sept. 15, 1776 as pr. account
rendered and sworn to amounting to £13.16 hard money equal to £25.17.00
in paper.
April 13, 1781. Allowed Cyrenius Rawson, on his receipt as a
six months soldier for the use of his blanket in the New Cur-
rency £0 07 00
Apr. 16, 1781. Allowed Caleb Legg, of Mendon, on his receipt
as a six months soldier, for the use of his blanket, in the new
currency 0 07 06
Apr. 27, 1781. Allowed Samuel Tucker, of Mendon, on his cer-
tificate of Bounty and use of gun and blanket the sum of sev-
enty pound in the Old Emission, equal in the New to 1 15 00
May 10, 1781. Allowed Seath Johnson, of Mendon, on his cer-
tificate, the sum of fifteen pounds in the old emission, equal in
the New, to 7 10 00
Aug. 17, 1781. Allowed William Foster, of Mendon, for the use
of blanket, he being a soldier in the service to Reinforce the
Continental Army for Nine Months in 1779, Sixty pounds old
emission, equal in the New to 1 10 00
Allowed the Selectmen of Mendon on their Acct. for Mileage paid
13 men to Springfield, distance 70 miles at 6s. pr mile in the
Old Currency, equal in amount in the New Currency to 6 16 06
Also for 22 men to Claverick (N. Y.) distance 170 miles, at 6s. per
mile in the Old Currency, equal, in the New, to. 28 01 00
making in the whole £34 17 06.
VALUATION OP MENDON IN 1781.
296 Polls.
165 Houses @ 45s £375 05 00
136 Barns "18s •. 122 08 00
75 Stores, &c. " 6s 22 10 00
8 Distill Houses, Mills &c. "12s 28 00 00
891 Acres & parts of an Acre. English Mowing, @ 12s 534 12 00
643 Barrels of Cider ' " 2s. 6d. . . . 80 07 06
900 Acres of Tillidge Land " 8s 360 00 00
1104 do. " Salt & Fresh meadow, " 6s 331 04 00
4000 do. "Pasturing " 3s 600 00 00
8857 do. " Wood & unimproved Land, "30s 265 15 00
£1000 Money on interest & on hand £1000 00 00
£250 Amt, Goods, Wares & Merchandize 250 00 00
127 Horses, @ £6 762 00 00
179 Oxen, " 7 1253 00 00
688 Cows, " 4 2752 00 00
764 Sheep & Goats, " 6s 229 04 00
130 Swine, 12s 78 00 00
£100 Coaches, Chaises &c 100 00 00
Income,
406 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1782.
4 Ounces of Gold, coined or not coined 20 06 08
300 do. " Silver coined or not coined 100 00 00 392 16 10
€3108 18 04
Mass. Archives vol. 178 p. 290.
To His Excellency the Governor and the Honb,e Council for the Com-
monwealth of Massachusetts.
We, the Subscribers beg leave to exhibit our Accompt for supporting-
James Thompson a Native of who is a State Charge.
Paid for Boarding James Thompson from the twentieth day
of March last to the twenty sixth of Sept., 26 weeks £8 02 00 silver.
More to two Shurts 06 08
To Mending Shews & Shurts 104 00 "
To one pare of Shews 12 00
$10 04 08
Mendon Sept. ye 26, 1781.
James Lovett, 1
Reuben Thayer, I Selectmen
Turner Ellis, f of Mendon.
Nahum Taft. J
Worcester ss. Sept. 26, 1781.
Personally appeared the above named James Lovett, Reuben Thayer,
Turner Ellis & Nahum Taft, Selectmen of Mendon, and made solemn oath
that the above Account, by them exhibited, is a Just and True Account, in
all its parts, According to the best of their knowledge.
Sworn before me,
Edward Rawson, Justice of the Peace.
In Council Feb. 7, 1782, Read and advised that a Warrant be drawn on
the Treasurer for £10.04.08 in full for the above Acct.
John Avery, Secy.
Capt. Benj. Read.
1782. March 1. Chose for Selectmen, Capt. John Tyler,
Capt. Levi Aldrich, Wm. French, Lt. John Benson and Benja-
min Smith; Town Clerk and Treasurer, Capt. Philip Amidown,
Jr. ; Constables, Lt. William Thayer and Daniel Taft. The Se-
lectmen to be the Committee of Correspondence.
Voted that the Selectmen, for the future, shall make a fair
record of alb the orders they shall draw on the Town Treasurer,
setting forth who they are to, what they are for and when given;
and that they transmit to the Town Treasurer once every three
months a list of all the orders they have given out, setting forth
who they are to, the date and the sum of each order.
1782.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 407
April 1. Voted that the town would not act anything for tak-
ing off the Excise (tax) on spirituous liquors.
Voted that the annual March meetings, for the future, be held
at the First Precinct Meeting House, and that one third of all
other meetings be held at the Second Precinct Meeting House,
adjournments excepted.
Voted to pass over the 6th article in the warrant, which was,
" To see if the Town will bring in their votes, for any person in
town, for a Justice of the Peace, and order the Selectmen to rec-
ommend the same to the Governor and Council for a Commis-
sion."
Also voted to pass over the 8th and 9th articles. The 8th was
to see if the town would choose a Committee to audit accounts
before they were laid before the town; and the 9th Avas to see if
the town would allow the Constable to receive orders on the
Treasurer, in payment of rates.
Voted that the committee to settle accounts between Mendon
and Milford shall have 2s. per day for their services while on
that business, viz: —
Capt. Peter Penniman, 13 days at 2s. per day is £1 06 00
Capt. John Tyler, 11 " " " " 102 00
Capt, John Albee, 11 " " " " 1 02 00
Ens. Pelatiah Darling, 4 " " " " 00 08 00
Capt. Levi Aldrich, 5 " " " " 00 10 00
£4 08 00
Voted that Lieut. James Lovett, Ens. Pelatiah Darling and
Edward Rawson shall have 2s. per day for their services as a
committee chosen by the town to collect some objections against
the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Lt. James Lovett 2 days at 2s. per day is £0 04 00
Ens. Pelatiah Darling " " " 0 04 00
Edward Rawson " " " 0 04 00
May 29. Voted that the Selectmen 1781 have two silver dol-
lars each for their services.
Voted to forego Michael Callunrs rates in Mr. Levi Rawson's
rate bills for 1780, which is 10 shillings silver money, and 99
pounds 8 shillings in paper money, old tenor.
March 25. Voted that Capt. Peter Penniman, Capt. Philip
408 ANNALS OF MBNDON. [1782.
Amidown, Capt. Levi Aldrich be a committee to hire the five
men for the Continental Army, pursuant to a resolve of the
General Court, passed March 8, 1782.
Capt. Peter Penniman, Capt. John Tyler and Lieut. John
Benson were chosen a committee to make inquiry why there is
so much old Continental money in the hands of Mr. George
Aldrich, and in the hands of the last year's Selectmen.
Voted to choose one Delegate to join in Convention at Wor-
cester on the second Tuesday in April next, pursuant to a Cir-
cular Letter from the town of Hardwick, and Capt. Peter
Penniman was chosen Delegate.
This Convention met April 9th, and was organized by the
choice of Caleb Curtice as Moderator and Timothy Whiting as
Clerk.
The Convention complained that they were not satisfied with
the manner the numerous sums of public money which have
been assessed upon the people have been disposed of. Among
the remedies they proposed, they urgently recommended that an
immediate settlement should be made with the State Treasurer
and all other disbursing officers, and immediate measures adopt-
ed to recover all monies found in the hands of delinquents.
They recommended to the several towns in the county to
instruct their Representatives to bring the matter to the notice
of the General Court, and should no effectual methods be taken
to accomplish the above purposes, the Representatives were to be
instructed to withdraw from their attendance on the Court.
The Convention resolved that those in the public service
should not receive extravagant compensation, and that the fees
of the gentlemen lawyers should be reduced; that the Court of
Probate should be held in four different places in the county;
that justices may be empowered to determine all actions of
twenty pounds and under; that the people could supply beef
and other articles for the support of the army easier than to be
assessed in money; that the State should urge a settlement with
Congress, and that in future we should not be called on for
more than our just proportion for the support of the Govern-
ment.
Voted that Mr. Isaiah Thomas, printer of the Massachusetts
Spy, be requested to publish them in his next paper.
1782.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 409
After choosing Peter Whcelock, Lieut. Jos. Johnson and John
Brooks to give the Delegate instructions, it was then voted that
the Delegate's attendance at the Convention should be free of
charge to the town.
STATE ELECTION.
April 1, 1782. After the meeting was called to order by the
Selectmen, " they repeatedly called for votes for Governor, Lt.
Governor and Senators & Councillors, but no votes were brought
in when called for."
May 13. The first business of this meeting was for the choice
of a Representative to the General Court, but as no votes were
brought in when repeatedly called for, the meeting proceeded to
the consideration of the other articles in the Warrant.
After excusing Capt. Peter Penniman from attending the
Convention at Worcester, and choosing Lt. Joseph Johnson in
his stead, a committee consisting of Joseph Dorr, Esq., Lieut.
Joseph Johnson, Capt. Peter Penniman, Dan Aldrich and Capt.
Benjamin Read, were chosen to render reasons why the town
did not choose a Representative the present year. What the
reasons were neither the record or tradition furnish any intima-
tion. Neither do we learn from any source why, at the State
election, in April, no votes were given in for Governor, Lieut.
Governor, Senators and Councillors.
Voted that Philip Amidown, Jr., Town Treasurer, with the
advice of the Selectmen, issue executions against the delincjuent
Constables, and also call in all other debts due the town as
conveniently may be.
Nov. 18. Voted to act upon a Circular Letter from the town
of Boston.
Voted to choose a committee of three men to assist the Com-
mittee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety in detecting all
illicit trade with our present enemy.
The committee chosen were Philip Amidown, Capt. Benjamin
Read and Capt. John Albee.
Voted that we will exert ourselves individually to detect and
52
410 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1782.
bring to clue punishment all persons who trade or import goods
or any manufactures from any post held by the British, our
enemies.
It is not known that Mendon furnished any men for the Con-
tinental Army in 1782, other than those who had enlisted for
service during the war, and whose names are as follows, viz: —
Gustavus Aldrich, John Clark, Benj. Hayward,
Jonathan Boyce, Aaron Davis, Nathan Jackson,
Silas Brown, Paul Davis, John Martindale,
Henry Nelson, Said Ramsdell, Jon'th'n Whitney (killed),
Amariah Partridge, Jonathan Taft, Solomon Whitney,
Joseph Passmore, Joel Thayer, 19.
Jeduthan Rawson, Samuel Thayer,
It will be remembered that some of the Rosters are sivpposed
to be lost, and thus it is not absolutely certain that the names
of all the men who served in the different quotas for Mendon #
have been preserved.
The war being virtually ended in 1782 may account for the
fact that Mendon was called upon for only five men. It is sup-
posed they were furnished, although a second committee of five
men was chosen to fill the quota, the five first chosen having
failed to do so.
So far as may be learned from the Archives at the State
House, the following are the names of those who died in the
service, viz: —
Amariah Albee, John Hayward, Elijah Stoddard,
Joseph Chapin, Ezra Marshall. Jonath'n Whitney,(killed)
Joseph Wood, died July 21, 17— in Capt. Batcheller's Co. 7.
The old emission of Continental money having become worth-
less in March, 1781, a new emission was made, which however,
almost immediately fell below par. For a better understanding
of the state of the currency at this time, the following table is
introduced. It may be found in the Massachusetts Archives,
Rev. and Mis., Vol. Ill, upon the last page.
1783.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 411
A TABLE TO REDUCE THE NEW MONEY INTO SPECIE, 1782.
100 £ is £53 06 08 100 £ is £ 53 06 08 18 £ is £ 9 12 00
90 •'
48 00 00
200 "
106 13 04
19 "
10 02 08
80 "
42
13 04
300 "
ICO 00 00
20 "
10 13 04
70 "
60 "
37
32
06 08
00 00
400 "
500 "
213 06 08
266 13 04
10 s. is
s. 5 04 0
50 "
26
13 04
600 "
320 00 00
9 "
4 09 I
40 "
2t
06 08
700 "
373 06 08
8 "
4 03 o
30 "
16
00 00
800 "
436 13 04
7 "
3 09 0
20 "
10
13 04
900 "
480 00 00
6 "
3 02 $
10 "
5
06 08
1000 "
533 06 08
5 •'
2 OS 0
9 "
8 "
4
4
16 00
05 04
4 "
3 "
2 01 i
1 07 0
10 £ is
£ 5 06 08
7
3
14 08
11 "
5 17 04
2 "
1 01 0
6 "
3
00 00
12 "
6 08 00
1 "
06 4
5 "
4 "
0
13 04
02 08
13 "
14 "
6 18 OS
7 09 04
2
3 "
1
12 00
15 "
8 00 00
2 "
1
01 04
16 "
8 10 08
1 '•
10 08
17 "
9 01 04
1783. Chose for Selectmen, Capt. John Tyler, Capt. Benj.
Read, Benjamin Smith, Lt. John Benson and Joseph Bates,
also to serve as Overseers of the Poor; Philip Amidown, Town
Clerk and Treasurer; Moses Smith and David Daniels, Con-
stables.
Voted to forego part of Nathaniel Ingraham's rates for 1780,
£06.00.00.
Voted to scale Nathan and Nehemiah Beals' rates according
to the scale for the month of September, 1780; that is, £'100
silver worth £7100 currency, old emission.
Last Monday in March, by adjournment.
Voted to allow each of the Selectmen and Assessors $2.00 for
their services in 1782.
STATE ELECTION.
April 2. For Governor, Benjamin Lincoln, Esq., had 24 votes.
" % " James Bowdoin, Esq., had 2 "
Wm. Heath, Esq., had 1 "
For Lieut. Governor, Nathaniel Gorliam, Esq., had. 24 "
" " " Thos. Cushing, Esq., had . . . . 1 "
For Senators, Artemas Ward, Esq., had 20 "
Moses Gill, Esq., had 20 "
Samuel Baker, Esq., had 20 "
Jonath". Warner, Esq., had 20 "
Nathan Tyler, Esq., had 20 "
412 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1783.
It may not be uninteresting to state, in this place, that no
person could be elected to the offices of Governor and Lieuten-
ant Governor unless they had been inhabitants of the State for
seven years preceding, and unless, at the same time, they were
seized, in their own right, of a freehold within the Common-
wealth of the value of one thousand pounds, and unless they
declare themselves to be of the Christian religion.
Senators were to be seized in their own right of a freehold
within the Commonwealth of three hundred pounds at least, or
possessed of personal estate to the value of six hundred pounds
at least, or of both to the amount of the same sum, and to have
been an inhabitant of the Commonwelth for five years preceding
their election, and at the time of their election an inhabitant of
the district for which they shall be chosen.
Representatives were to be inhabitants at least one year pre-
ceding their election, be seized in their own right of a freehold
of the value of one hundred pounds within the town they should
be chosen to represent, or any ratable estate to the value of two
hundred pounds; and they shall cease to be representatives im-
mediately on ceasing to be qualified as aforesaid.
To be qualified as voters, every person must be twenty-one
years of age, a resident of the town where he claims the right to
vote for one year preceding, have a freehold estate within the
same town of an annual income of three pounds, or any estate
of the value of sixty pounds.
The qualification of voters will, in a measure, account for the
thin vote at the election of State officers, as above.
May 14. Dan Aldrich, Nathan Very, Levi Aldrich, Capt.
John Albee, Philip Amidown and Lieut. Benoni Benson were
chosen a committee "to look into the circumstances of certain
persons of whom, it is said by the Constables, they cannot pay
their Rates."
"Voted to allow Samuel Fairbanks for a counierfeiUhirty six shilling
bill Sirord in Hand Money."
Why called sword in hand money will be seen by an inspection
of the plate on next page. It was first issued in 1775. An
emission in 177G differed from the first only that the word
Independence was substituted for the word Magna Cliarla. I
am indebted to Mr. Barton, Assistant Librarian of the Ameri-
1783.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
413
414 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1783.
can Antiquarian Society, for the loan of the bill from which
this fac simile was produced. From him I learn that the ori-
ginal plate is now in the possession of the Natural History and
Antiquarian Society of Montrose, Scotland.
May 14. Chose Peter Penniman, Representative to the Gen-
eral Court; and Capt. John Tyler, Capt. Benj. Read, Benjamin
Smith, Peletiah Darling and Nathan Terry were chosen a Com-
mittee to give him instructions.
This meeting was adjourned to meet May 26th inst. at the
house of John Hill, Innholder, at which place, without the
transaction of any business, the meeting was dissolved. John
Hill's tavern stood upon or near the site now occupied by David
Adams' house.
Jnne 16. Voted to forego John CI. White's Rate in Constable,
Wm. Thayer's rate bills for 1782. This is the first instance,
since the settlement of the town, when airy person was recorded
as having more than one given name.
July 7. Philip Amidown, Capt. John Tyler and Capt. Benj.
Read were chosen a Committee "to prosecute and recover of
James Lovett and other Selectmen for 1781, all the securities
which they unjustly withhold from the said Town of Mendon."
Sept. 1. At this time, as appears by the record, the School
and Highway Districts were identical, and were seven in num-
ber. A Committee of fourteen was chosen to new arrange them,
but no report is found of their doings.
Sept. Voted to raise $30 to build a Trussell under the Great
Bridge, near Nullum Taft's Mill (Millville); and 115 to repair
the road over Pond Hills.
Oct. 6. Voted to raise £200 including £13.10 already raised,
to defray town charges this present year.
Joseph Dorr and others having 'petitioned the General Court
to be incorporated as the First Congregational Society in the
First Parish in Mendon,
Nov. 10. The Town voted " that the Town of Mendon have
no objection to the prayer of the Petition being granted," and,
on the same day, the Parish also voted their consent.
Voted that the Town Clerk record all the warrants given out
to warn persons out of the Town of Mendon and also the ser-
vices of said warrants.
1783.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 415
Voted that the care of the action commenced by James Lovett,
against the Town of Mendon, he committed to the care of the
Selectmen.
MEMORANDA.
Mass. Archives, Court vol. 15, p. 162.
In the H. of K, July 17. 1783. On the Petition of Joseph Dorr and oth-
ers, Inhabitants of the First Parish in Mendon, praying, amongst other
things to be incorporated into a Society by the name of the First Congre-
gational Society in Mendon.
Ordered, that the prayer of said Petition be so far granted that the Peti-
tioners be and are hereby authorized to notify the Inhabitants of the Town
of Mendon, by serving the Town Clerk of the said Town and the Parish
Clerk of the 1st Parish in said town of Mendon, to appear on the second
Tuesday of the next sitting of the General Court (the said Notice to be
given 15 days before said Tuesday) and shew cause, if any they have, why
the prayer of said Petition should not be granted.
In Senate Read & Concurred.
Laws of Mass. vol. 1, p. 100.
March 16, 1784. Joseph Dorr, Peter Pennimau, John Tyler, Henry Pen-
niman, John Albee, John Penniman, Zebulon Goss, William Thayer Jr., In-
crease Thayer, Calvin Smith, Josiah Adams, Samuel Fairbanks, Stephen
Torrey, Abraham Staples, Jacob Ellis, Andrew Peters, Hezekiah Hayward,
John Hayward, Levi Rawson, William Torrey, Joseph Adams, John Hay-
ward Jr., Philip Amidown, Otis Whipple, Joseph Adams Jr., Beth Whee-
lock, John Crooks, Josiah Penniman, Saul Ramsdell, Moses Smith, Calvin
Smith Jr., Peter Thayer Jr., Aquilla Robbins, Matthew Hill, Alexander
Thayer, Stephen Wood, Grindall Wood, David Ellis, Barlow Carpenter,
Thomas Rawson, Nathaniel Torrey, Stephen Johnson, Seth Davenport,
Samnel Fairbanks Jr., Elijah Hayward, George Staples, John Craggin, Seth
Taft, Artemas Taft, John Torrey, Benjamin Staples, Jacob Aldrich Jr. and
John Hill, together with their estates which they now have or may hereaf-
ter have and possess in their own right in the First Parish in Mendon be and
are hereby incorporated into a Society, by the name of the First Congre-
gational Society in Mendon.
In the act Peter Penniman, John Tyler and Henry Penniman
were made Trustees of the Fund, which, at the time of the in-
corporation, was £1321.
The interest of the Fund, or so much as the Society may di-
rect, to be paid to " a minister of the Congregational Church,
resident and officiating in the work of the Ministry in said Town
forever."
416 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1783.
The town and the parish granted the Meeting House and
ground properly appertaining thereto to the Society, reserving
the right of all " to meet in said Meeting House for Public Wor-
ship and also for Town Meetings."
The Ministry Money (so called, arising from the sale of the
Ministry Land) was granted to the Society by the Town, of
which however they could only expend the accruing interest.
By the terms of the act, if, at any time, the annual income
of the fund should be more than enough to pay the minister
then the overplus was to be put at interest to repair or build
a new Meeting House; and if the annual income should be more
than enough then the overplus shall be for the support of a school
for the benefit of said Society. The 3thd. Wednesday of May to
be the annual meeting.
For some reasons, it seems, after a few years, the corporators
became dissatisfied with the transaction of business under the
act of incorporation, and finally, in 1792 petitioned for its re-
peal which was accomplished by An Act to repeal an Act entitled
An Act for incorporating a number of the inhabitants of the
First Parish in Mendon, in the County of Worcester, into a So-
ciety by the name of the " First Congregational Society in Men-
don," passed March 16, 1784.
Whereas the Act above mentioned " does not produce those
salutary effects which were expected," therefore the same is here-
by repealed and made null and void.
The Society was held to pay all its debts heretofore contracted,
and the subscribers to the fund to pay the interest due on their
obligations at the first day of June, 1792.
Samuel Fairbanks, Joseph Adams and Stephen Johnson, the
present Trustees of said Society, or any two of them were au-
thorized to collect all debts due from persons, not members of
the Society, for the use of the members; and directed to return
to the Members of the Society the bonds, notes or other proper-
ty they may have or receive into their hands belonging to said So-
ciety; and the said Society shall account with the First Parish
in Mendon, or any individual thereof for any monies or proper-
ty which said Society have received, and which did belong to
them before the act of incorporation.
This Act may be found in the Mass. Special Laws, vol. 1, p.
393.
1784.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 417
1784. At this time, the war having just come to an end, and,
by the treaty of Paris of Sept. '.), 1783, the Independence of the
United States haying been acknowledged by Great Britain, we
rind the country deeply in debt and suffering under the evils
of a depreciated paper currency. The old emission of Conti-
nental bill had become worthless and the new emission was fast
following in the footsteps of its predecessor. Relieved from the
pressure of the war and struggling along under the Articles of
Confederation, the General Government could do little or noth-
thing to relieve the general distress. With such a state of af-
fairs it was not strange that the prevalence of a general feeling
of discontent should soon manifest itself; culminating, at last,
in 1786, in Massachusetts, in the Shay's Rebellion.
The good people of Mendon were not exempt from this wide
spread dissatisfaction with the condition of public affairs, and
hence,
Jan. 22. They voted " that it is the opinion of this Town
that the pay of the Commutation (so called) will, if taxed on
the peojde, be an insupportable burden, together with other bur-
dens already laid upon us; and we think (it) unconstitutional.
and not supported by Confederation: and it is further
Voted, that our Representative use his utmost endeavours that the He-
solve of Congress of the 22d. of March last, so far as it respects the Com-
mutation be repealed, and that he use his utmost endeavours to obtain an
Act of restriction, or a total repeal of the impost Act; and also use his en-
deavours that no money be granted into the Fund of Congress whereby
the said Commutation may be paid.
Not satisfied with- the preceding Protest and Instructions, the
town, in May afterwards, petitioned the General Court for a
redress of grievances.
Mass. Ar. Mendon, p. ■* 1322, Case II. L.
COMMONWEALTH. OF MASSACHUSETTS.
To the Hon. the Senate and House of Representatives in General Courl
assembled : —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Mendon, Humbly Sheweth;
That notwithstanding the good people of this Commonwealth have [by
the hand of a kind Providence | been preserved through a long & distress-
ing war, which is now happily terminated, and the Blessings of Peace
restored to our borders. Although partaking of divers other Blessings,
53
418 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1784.
both public & private, Yet there are certain matters of grievances which
we labor under and look up to this Honorable Court for a redress of some,
among which we beg leave to mention the following viz:
1. The granting an Impost to Congress for their sole use and improve-
ment, and paying the same into their hands, we conceive to be unconstitu-
tional and dangerous.
2. We conceive the half pay or commutation to the officers of the Con-
tinental army, to be a public grievance, and pray that the Honorable Court
will take every constitutional measure to prevent the payment of the same.
3. The burden of large sums of Continental Currency, lying on the
hands of the good people of this Commonwealth in general & the neglect
of other States to redeem their proportion of the same we regard as a griev-
ance and pray that this Court will still continue their exertions to have it
taken off our hands, and, if further neglected, to stop a sufficiency of
appropriations to Congress for the redemption of the same.
4. The good people of this Commonwealth are greatly distressed for
want of a circulating medium, by means of which a part of the community
become a prey to the avarice and extortion of others ; we therefore pray
that every possible means may be used to increase the quantity of circula-
ting medium to prevent the mischief that will otherwise come.
In the name, and by order of the Inhabitants of the Town of Mendon.
Philip Amidown, Town Clerk
Mendon, May 24. 17«4.
March 1. Chose for Selectmen, Capt. John Tyler, Capt.
Benjamin Eead, Philip Amidown, Lt. John Benson and Lt.
Increase Thayer; Philip Amidown, Town Clerk; Capt. Peter
Penniman, Town Treasurer; Benjamin Thayer and David
Daniels, Constables; Seth Chapin and John Darling, Wardens,
and John Crooks, Deer Reave.
Upon a report of Peter Penniman, Benjamin Read and John
Albee, (all Captains,) a committee chosen for the purpose,
" The Town voted to raise £150 for the purpose of mending Highways,
building and repairing Bridges and keeping the Roads and Bridges in good
repair through the present year; and that the Assessors of the Town assess
the Inhabitants on or before the first day of May next in the sum above-
said, and that lists of said assessment be committed to the respective Con-
stables of the town, with a Warrant to collect the same, each Inhabitant
having liberty to work out the sum assessed on him at the prices hereafter
set, viz. each man to be allowed 3s. per day until the first day of Sept.
next and 3s. for a team, and from that time 2sh. per day until the first day
of Nov. next and the same for a team, viz : a yoke of good Oxen and cart.
Each person so assessed and producing a certificate from the Surveyors of
the sum or sums they may have worked out as abovesaid, shall discharge
so much of said tax, and said Surveyors are directed to give said certificates
1784.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 419
as abovesaid : and in case said Inhabitants shall refuse or.neglect to work
out their rates as aforesaid by the first day of November and the said cer-
tificates shall not be produced and delivered to the said Constables, then
the said Constables shall proceed to collect and pay in, as their warrant
directs, all and every part of the assessment not worked out as aforesaid."
Voted that Capt. John Tyler he a Delegate to attend the Con-
vention at Worcester on the 3d Tuesday of March, inst.
Capt. Benjamin Read and Dan Aldrich were chosen a com-
mittee to settle all matters in dispute between James Lovett and
the town of Mendon. This dispute was about the settlement of
his account as a former Treasurer, and Lovett had commenced a
suit at law against the town.
The committee, it appears, immediately entered upon the
duty assigned them, and soon brought the matter to a final set-
tlement, as the following receipt will show: —
Mendon, March 8. 1784.
Received of the Town of Mendon two pounds four shillings and eight
pence, in full of all demands, accounts, debts, dues or services done for
said town at any times before this date, especially for all services done, as
a Selectman, for said Town in the year 1781, and cost brought of any name
or nature soever from the Beginning of the World to the End thereof
Witness my hand,
James Lovett.
Joseph Sibley
Robert Taft.
N. B. Mr. Lovett's part of pay for hiring a three years man is not in-
cluded in the above receipt.
March 9, Voted to allow Amariah Vose forty-five dollars as
Town's Bounty, due him for enlisting into the army in the late
war.
Voted to allow Jonathan Boyee forty-five dollars upon his
giving up a note he holds against the town, given him by the
(Selectmen. This was probably a note given him at the time of
his enlistment in the army.
It seems that, at this time, there was some dispute about the
line between Mendon and Milford and Upton, as
Capt. John Tyler, Dea. Josiah Adams and Stephen Johnson
were chosen a committee to settle the line at and near the north-
erly part of Mendon with Milford and Upton. The matter was
probably amicably adjusted, as no further mention is made of
the subject.
420 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1784.
Capt. Peter Penniman, Capt. John Tyler, Capt. Benj. Read
and Lt. Reuben Thayer were chosen a . committee to divide the
Bonds for the Ministry money between the First Congregational
Society and the South Precinct in said Mendon.
STATE ELECTION.
April 5. For Governor, John Hancock had 18 votes.
" James Bowdoin had 5 "
ForLt.Gov. Thomas Cushing had LI
For Senators and Councillors:
Moses Gill had 18 votes.
Seth Washburn had 18 "
Jonathan Warner had 18 "
Caleb Amidown had 17 "
Samuel Curtis had 11 "
Israel Nichols had 6 ' '
Samuel Baker had 2 ' '
Having disposed of the election of State officers the foil owing-
town business was then transacted: —
Voted that all the Notes and Orders now taken up by the Treasurer and
Selectmen and properly settled for be deposited in the First Parish Meeting
House in Mendon, and under lock and key.
Voted that no orders or notes be settled with the Treasurer but such as
arc recorded in his book and properly receipted for.
May. 11. Voted to allow Capt. John Tyler eighteen shillings
for his service in attending the Convention at Worcester, and
that the Selectmen and Assessors should be paid twelve shillings
for their services in 1788.
Voted to allow Capt. Benj. Read eighteen shillings for hunt-
ing up a Beef Receipt that was lost, This receipt was. probably.
one for beef bought for the army in 1 782.
Capt. Peter Penniman was chosen Representative to the Gen-
eral Court, and Joseph Dorr, Esq., Capt. John Tyler, Capt.
Benjamin Read, Dan Aldrich and Peletiah Darling were chosen
a committee to give him instructions.
By the following vote we learn that certain suits at law had
been brought against the town, but for what reasons or by whom
the record is silent: —
Voted that the Selectmen take care of the suits brought against the
Town trvahle at the June term next.
1784.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 421
August 24. Voted to allow Joseph Southwick the value of
158, paper money, which he took when Constable that proved
to he counterfeit.
Voted to forego David Killey's rates in said Southwick's hills,
iu paper £2.05.00' or in silver £0.06.00.
Voted that the Selectmen wait on Mr. Abraham Redwood*
and desire him to pay the money or work out his highway rate
on the Pond Hills, (so called) and that Ensign Seth Taft take
charge of the workmen while employed.
Voted to raise £200 to discharge town debts and support the
poor of the town the present year.
Sept. 13. Voted that Daniel Kalham (Callum) may give his
note of hand, payable in one year, for his rates in Daniel Taft's
and David Daniels' bills.
Voted that Reuben Legg, procuring a note against Benjamin
Smith, or any other good man, to the satisfaction of Daniel
Taft, payable in two months, said Taft shall cross out said Legg's
rates.
Voted that Daniel Taft shall cross out John King's rate, pro-
vided said King shall procure Jonathan Cass' note for the
amount, payable in six months.
Vote for County Register:
Capt. Benjamin Read had 70 votes.
Timothy Paine Esq., had 6 "
Jos. Dorr Esq. , had 1 . "
('apt. Ben j. Hey wood, had 1
Oct, 18. Voted that Dr. Joseph Adams and Dan Aldrieh lie
a committee to examine Dr. Dupee's account for doctoring the
poor of the town.
Capt. John Tyler, Capt. Levi Aldrieh, Philip Amidown, Dan
Aldrieh and Capt. Benjamin Read were chosen a committee to
meet a committee from TTxbridge and Douglass, in order to
petition the General Court for a lottery to defray the expense of
repairing the road through said towns.
It seems there was no choice for County Register, (Register
of Deeds) and hence a new choice was ordered, with the follow-
ing result: —
Capt. Benjamin Read, had 44 votes,
Timothy Paine Esq., had 2 "
* Mr. Redwood removed to Mendon from Newport, R I., during the war. lie finally
returned there, and founded the "Redwood Library in that city.
422 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1785.
Dec. (!. George Aldrich, Oapt. Peter Penniman and Oapt.
Benjamin Read were chosen a committee to make a settlement
with Philip Amidown, former Treasurer.
1785. The committee chosen Oct. 18, ultimo, to consult with
committees of the towns of Uxhridge and Douglass in regard to
a lottery for repairing the road through said towns, met and
agreed upon the following petition to the General Court, and
which petitition may he found in the
Mass. Ar. Mendon, p. JJ 1697, case H. 4.
COMMONWEALTH OP MASSACHUSETTS.
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Court assemble.
The Petition of the Subscribers a Committee appointed by the Towns of
Mendon, Uxhridge and Douglass for the purpose of preferring a Petition
to your Honors in behalf of said Towns for the Grant of a Lottery,
Humbly Sheweth,
The Inhabitants of said Towns have been and still (every
year) at great expense in mending the Road and repairing the bridges
which leads from Boston, through said Towns, to Hartford, called the
Middle Post Road, it running nearly 20 miles through the abovesaid towns,
and a great part of said road unfit, at present for travelling; and the said.
Towns having large roads leading through them to Providence, with great
expense in building and repairing other large bridges; and, wishing to ac-
commodate every part of the public, are desirous to mend said Post Road
and build and repair such bridges, over the rivers crossing said Road, as to
make it safe and easy for travellers to pass them at all seasons of the -year
(as some of them, at this time, are unsafe and almost impassable) and our
resources are so much exhausted in supporting our part of the late cruel
war, that we feel ourselves unable to make such reparations on said Road
as, otherwise, we should feel a willingness to do: — and being unwilling the
Publick should suffer the loss of such an extensive benefit, as such a road
being rendered unfit for travelling, are bound in duty to ask the assistance
of the Honorable, the Legislative Authority of the Commonwealth that
they would be pleased to grant us the sum of £750, to be raised by a Lot-
tery, for the sole purpose of mending and repairing said Road from Belling-
ham Line, through said Towns to Connecticut Line, and' building such
bridges over the rivers crossing said road as shall make the travelling safe
and easy, which sum, we think, (with such assistance as the Inhabitants of
said towns are able to afford) will be adequate to make the reparations
thereon, and paying the charge and expense of said Lottery; and also to
appoint such Gentlemen, Managers of said Lottery, as you in your wisdom
1785.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 42.'>
shall see meet; or make such other grants or provisions for mending or
repairing said Roads and Bridges as you, in your great wisdom, shall think
best for the public good.
All which your Humble Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray,
John Tyler, j
Benj. Read, - Com. for Mendon.
Phil. Amidown. )
Abner Rawson, )
Saml. Read Jr., - Com. for Uxbridge.
Benj. Green. )
Josiah Read, )
Elijah Moore, j- Com. for Douglass.
Isaac Martin. )
Jan. 31. 1785.
Mass. Ar. Mendon, p H 1613, case H. 4.
House of Representative Feb. 17, 1785.
On the Petition of John Tyler and others, committee of the Towns of
Mendon, Uxbridge and Douglass, praying for leave to raise £750 by a Lot-
tery for the purpose of repairing their Roads and Bridges,
Resolved, that the Petitioners have leave to bring in a Bill agreeable to the
prayer of said Petition.
As nothing more is heard of this lottery it is supposed the
project was abandoned.
Jan. 3, Oapt. Peter Penniman, Capt. John Tyler and Capt.
Benjamin Read were chosen a committee to confer with a com-
mittee of the town of Milford "in order to settle matters in
regard to the Poor brought into Milford and this town, and to
settle the cost that has already risen with those Poor that have
already been brought into the abovesaid towns."
January 18, 1785.
The Committees appointed by the Towns of Mendon and Milford to
settle all disputes between said Towns respecting the Poor that have been
brought back to said towms from other towns; have agreed that the town of
Mendon should take and maintain Luther Easting, son of Rhoda Easting as
their poor and pay to the town of Milford forty rive shillings, and acquit the
town of Milford from all the charge the said town of Mendon has been at
in supporting and transporting the said Rhoda Easting and her children, at
any time before this date: and the town of Milford to take the daughter,
or other child, of the said Rhoda Easting and support it as their poor, and
to acquit the town of Mendon from all costs and charges they have been at
in supporting and transporting the said Rhoda and children at any time
before this date.
And that Priscilla Dolbear be supported by the said town of Milford,
and that Hannah Arnold and Abigail Hews be supported by the town of
Mendon.
424 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1785.
And it is the opinion of this Committee that the original Agreement made
between the towns before the town of Milford was set off, be and remain in
full force with this explanation thereon, that is to say, that all persons
brought back to either town of said towns, those born in either town shall
return to the town in which they were born; and those brought back
which have otherwise gained a residence in either of said towns, then they
shall return to the town in [which] they last gained a lawful residence and
to be accordingly maintained, and also all persons, old and young, shall be
supported in and by the town in which they lived or had their home when
the Town of Milford was set off into a separate town.
Seth Nelson, )
Samuel Jones, :- Com. for Milford.
Samuel Wakren. )
Peter Penniman, )
John Tyler, .- Com. for Mendon.
Ben.t. Head. i
Adopted by Milford.
Voted to accept the above report provided the town of Milford has or
shall accept of the same and that it be so understood relative to the sup-
porting Hannah Arnold that the town of Mendon shall be at all the cost the
said Towns of Mendon and Milford has or may be at for her support.
March 7. There being no choice for Register of Deeds at the
last trial, a ballot this day resulted as follows, viz :
Capt. Benjamin Read 105 vote being all the votes cast.
Chose for Selectmen, Luke Aldrich, Daniel Taft, Seth Daven-
port, Jonathan Cass and Benjamin Thayer; Seth Chapin, Town
Clerk; Capt. Peter Penniman, Town Treasurer; Constables,
David Daniels and Benjamin Thayer.
Voted that Capt. John Tyler and Stephen Johnson have 12s.
each for burying William Kenny, Avho died of small pox in the
year 1777.
April 4. Voted that David Daniels be a Selectman in the
room of Jonathan Cass.
April 4. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, James Bowdoiu had 26 votes.
" Thos. dishing had 16 "
Lieut.Gov., Thomas Cushing had 22 "
Senators, Artemas Ward, Moses Gill, Samuel Baker, Jonathan
Warner and Seth Washburn had 29 votes each and Israel Nichols 2.
April 2.5. Voted to accept of the report of a committee chosen
to "new lay out" the districts for work and for schooling, and
1786.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 425
that the same be entered in the town book. By tins report we
find the town was divided into thirteen districts, the highway
and school districts being identical.
May 11. Chose Capt. Peter Penniman Representative to the
Great and General Court.
As the lottery scheme for repairing the road through Mendon.
Uxbridge and Douglass had failed to become a law, we learn by
the following vote that application had been made to have it
relocated as a county road, for, at this meeting,
George Aldrich, Capt. John Tyler and Nathan Very were
chosen a committee to meet the Committee of the Court of the
General Sessions of the Peace at the house of Ezekiel Wood, in
Uxbridge, who were deputed " to view a place for a new County
road."
Sept. 5. Moses Smith, it seems, had money in his hands be-
longing to the town, which he is unable or unwilling to refund,
as it is found this day Capt. John Tyler, Capt. Peter Penniman
and Capt. Benjamin Read were chosen a committee to hear any
proposals said Smith shall see tit to make to the town.
Whether Moses Smith was, at this time, in jail or not cannot
now be determined, but we find that he was there retained in
the December following, as there was an article in the warrant
for a meeting Dec. 12, " To see if the Town will do any thing-
relative to releasing Moses Smith from jail, upon the conditions
mentioned in said Smith's letter, dated the first day of Decem-
ber instant, or any other way that shall or may be proposed at
said meeting." At the meeting, however, the subject was not
acted upon.
At this meeting, Sept. 5, it was voted to raise £80 to defray
town charges, and £40 for schooling.
Dec. 12. The Representative was instructed to use his en-
deavours that the General Court pass "An Act, making Real
and Personal estate a tender for the settling of Executions and
other debts."
1786. March <J. Chose for Selectmen, Stephen Johnson,
John Darling, Seth Wheelock, Joseph Thayer and Simeon Fish;
54
426 ANNALS OF MBNDON. [1786.
Sethi Chapin, Town Clerk; Capt. Peter Penniman, Treasurer,
and Dan Aldrich and Benjamin Blake for Constables.
Voted to hire the Constables the present year, they procuring
bondsmen to the town's satisfaction.
Voted that the Selectmen hire a Workhouse the present year
to put the poor of the town into, and for the Selectmen to take
care of them and set them to work.
Voted that Joseph Taft have liberty to put his son out to learn
a trade if the Selectmen think it best.
The Selectmen were voted 12s. each and the Assessors Us.
each for their services in 1785.
Voted to raise £150 for repair of highways and bridges the
present year.
Voted that the Town Treasurer put off the old Continental
money now in his hands to the best advantage for the town he
can.
Capt. Benjamin Read, Capt. John Tyler, Col. Andrew Peters,
Dan Aldrich and Edward Thompson, Esq., were chosen a com-
mittee to see what sum Moses Smith can make out towards
discharging the taxes due from him to the State and to the town.
The taxes were undoubtedly the State and town taxes committed
to him to collect.
March 20. Voted that the Selectmen be a Committee of Cor-
respondence for the present year.
Voted that all delinquent highway taxes of this year shall be
added to the highway taxes of the next year.
Dan Aldrich was voted two pence on the pound for collecting
the taxes this year, he procuring his father and Edward Thomp-
son, Esq., for his bondsmen.
Benjamin Blake was allowed the same commission for collec-
tion, he procuring Stephen Benson and Lt. Peletiah Darling as
bondsmen.
A ballot was taken this day for Register of Deeds, and
Daniel Clapp had 42 votes.
April 3. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, James Bowdoin 24 votes,
do. Samuel Holton 3 " "
" Lt. do. Thomas Cushino- 22
1786.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 427
For Senators, Moses Gill, Seth Washburn, Abel Wilder and Samuel
Curtis had twenty two votes each, Amos Singieterry eight and Artemas
Ward 14.
April 12. REV. CALEB ALEXANDER, SIXTH MINISTER.
Mr. Alexander was born in Northfield July 22, 1755. He
graduated at Yale College in 1777, and studied Theology with
Rev. Ephraim Judson, of Taunton. He was ordained at New
Marlborough Feb. 28, 1781, and dismissed June 28, 1782,
and was installed at Mendon April 12, 1786. In 1801 he was
appointed by the Massachusetts Missionary Society to visit the
churches and Indians in Western New York. Upon his return
he was dismissed from his charge in Mendon Dec. 7, 1802, and
re-entered the western field as a teacher, for which work he was
eminently fitted. He was first located in Fairfield, Herkimer
Comity, N. Y., where he was elected Preceptor of Fairfield
Academy, which had recently been erected. Under his direc-
tion the Academy soon became a prominent resort for education.
In 1812 he removed to Onondaga, Onondaga County, and took
charge of a newly established academy there. He was also
greatly instrumental in founding Hamilton College and Auburn
Theological Seminary. During all this time he preached almost
every Sunday in the adjoining towns, and gathered many now
flourishing churches in that region.
Mr. Alexander died at Onondaga, N. Y., April 12, 1828, aged
72 years, 8 months and 20 days. His epitaph is as follows: —
His Industry and Zeal,
In the Cause of Literature and Religion
were untiring and benevolent.
"Preeious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
Mr. Alexander published many books. Among these are an
Essay on the Deity of Christ, with strictures upon Emlyn, 1701;
Translation of Virgil, Latin, Greek and English Grammars, and
several Occasional Sermons.
May 13. The ballots for a County Treasurer this day were as
follows, viz: —
Samuel Flagg and Nathan Perry each had IS votes.
The second article in the warrant was, " To see what measures
428 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1786.
the town will come into in order to obtain the Estate of Robert
Trask, an Absconding Person, supposed to be in the hands of
Jesse Darling."
Upon this the town chose Edward Thompson. Esq., and Na-
than Very a committee " to see if they can accomodate a settle-
ment with Jesse Darling."
What the claim was which the town had upon Robert Trash's
estate does not appear.
Col. Benjamin Read having been chosen this day, May loth.
Representative to the General Court, Capt. John Tyler, Capt.
Peter Penniman, Edward Thompson, Esq., Capt. Philip Ammi-
down and Capt. Levi Aldrich were chosen a committee to give
him instructions, and report at an adjourned meeting.
May 22. This committee made a report, which was adopted,
and the Town Clerk was directed to sign it. When the meas-
ures to come before the Legislature are definitely known, would
not a revival of the practice of instructing the representative,
inasmuch as he would thereby learn the will of his constituents,
be of no inconsiderable aid in the matter of legislation?
Voted to raise £80 to defray town charges.
Voted that the Selectmen provide a Grammar School so far as
to clear the town from any fine.
The committee respecting the matter of Robert Trask (the ab-
sconding person,) were instructed to prosecute the matter in the
law, unless it could be settled some other way, and Col. Benja-
min Read was added to the committee for that purpose.
May 0. Then voted to choose two more members " to joine
the County Convention to meet at Leicester on the loth hist."
Although no record is found that a Delegate had already been
chosen to the Leicester Convention, still such had been the
case, as we find afterwards that Capt. John Tyler was paid
£2. 14s. and Edward Thompson, Esq., £2. 12s. for attending the
former Convention, (the one at Leicester,) as an adjournment
was afterwards held at Leicester the last Tuesday in September.
Edward Thompson, Esq., and Lt. Joseph Johnson were chosen
as the ''two more members."
A committee of five were chosen, of which Col. Benj. Read
was chairman, to give instructions to the Delegates.
Tbe Convention at Leicester was composed of Delegates from
1786.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 429
thirty-seven towns, who, after voting that their meeting was "a
lawful and constitutional affair," set forth in a memorial issued
to the public, a list of grievances which they desired to have
abated :
1. The sitting of the Gen. Court in Boston.
2. The want of a circulating medium.
3. The exhorbitauce of the lawyers' fee table.
4. The present mode of administration by the Court of Common Pleas.
5. The appropriation of the impost and excise duties to the payment of
the interest of the State debt.
(?. The grants made by the Gen. Court to the Attorney General & others.
7. Too many office-holders and their salaries too large.
8. The State furnishing money to Congress while our account with Con-
gress l'emains unsettled.
This Convention was adjourned until the last Tuesday in Sep-
tember, and,
Sept. 18. The town voted that the Delegates which attended
the first Convention should also attend at the adjournment, viz:
Capt. John Tyler and Edward Thompson, Esq.
The town voted to approve of the doings of the Convention, and
Col, Benjamin Read, Capt. Levi Aldrich, Ens. Peletiah Darling,
Capt. Peter Penniman and Dan Aldrich were chosen a com-
mittee to give the Delegates to the Convention and the Repre-
sentative in the General Court instructions.
What these instructions were are neither found on record or
on file, and hence we are left in ignorance of the mode or manner
by which the committee proposed to redress the grievances com-
plained of by the Convention.
Voted to indemnify and keep harmless the Assessors*of the
town in case they are presented by the Treasurer of this Com-
monwealth for neglecting to assess the inhabitants for money
due from Moses Smith to said Treasurer.
Chose Col. Benj. Read, Capt. Peter Penniman and Capt.
John Tyler a committee to take care of the matter of the execu-
tion which the Town Treasurer has issued against Moses Aldrich.
It seems Moses Aldrich, as Constable (Collector) had become a
defaulter in the matter of the State tax, and that the Town
Treasurer had issued an execution against him, and that the
Assessors were threatened by the State Treasurer for neglect of
dutv. as understood by that officer.
430
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1786.
MEMORANDA.
Mass. Arch. Valuations, Vol. 163, p. 310.
Ratable Polls 257. Not ratable but not supported by the town
53
n a king
Not ratable 7 supported by the town.
[310. '
160 Dwelling Houses, 3 bouses,
163 houses, i
E2 10 00
£407
11 00
4 Shops, 12 Shops,
16 Shops,
14 00
11
04 00
121 Barns, 12 Barns,
133 Barns,
17 00
113 01 00
0 Grist & Saw Mills, 1 Mill,
.7 Mills,
3 00 00
21
00 00
13 buildings £5 value, 30 Buildings
43 Buildings,
04 00
8
12 00
508 Acres tillage, 300
808 Acres,
08 06
343 08 00
806 do. English, 60
866 do.
10 06
454
13 00
1060 do. Fr'shMe'dow
05 00
269
00 00
2371 do. Pasture, 1500
3871 do.
03 09
580
13 00
866 Bbls Cyder,
00 02±
8 02 04f
2693 Acres Woodland ) qr.^ , „-
5832 do. Unimproved f 00/S0 <u aos>
£14 918 15 00-
-2 pr. ct.
298 07 05 i
1697 do. Unimprovable,
Nothing.
155 Horses, 3 Years old,
@.06 00
£46
10 00
7 Colts, 2 do.
.04 024-
1
09 03i
10 do. 1 do.
.02 04f
1
03 1U
163 Oxen, 4 do.
.05 04*
43
19 06f
82 Neat Cattle, 3 do.
.03 07
9
16 054
145 do. 2 do.
.02 04f
17
07 04f
96 do. 1 do.
.01 02±
11
10 00
676 Cows
.03 07
121
02 04
286 Swine, 6 months
.00 09
10
14 06
£1040 debts due,
6 per cent.
62
08 00
Potash AVorks,
.02 10
' o
10 00
Tan House,
£3 00 00
3 00 00
Ounces of Plate. 40 oz
12 06 OS @ 6
pr. cent.
13 Hi
Monies on hand. £40 00 00
do.
£
o
08 00
1
2269
11 04f
Add Is. on a thousand.
180 00 00
£2449 11 04|
SHAYS' RERELLION.
Although the town sent Delegates to the conventions at Lei-
cester, which put forth a list of grievances under which, in their
opinion, the country was suffering, it is not known that any
citizen of the town was engaged in any of the overt acts which
constituted what is called Shavs' Rebellion.
1786.
ANNALS OF MENDON.
431
The fifth dav of September was the day appointed for the
sitting of the Court at Worcester; hut. on that day, the Court
House was surrounded by a mob of two hundred persons, with
arms in their hands, who debarred the entrance of the judges.
The Chief Justice (Ward) remonstrated in vain, and the Court
was compelled to adjourn.
Dec. 3. The Court House, at Worcester, was again taken
possession of by the disaffected. The judges met at' the Sun
Tavern, but could not proceed to business. The Governor had
previous to this issued his orders to the officers of the militia to
have their men armed and equipped to take the held at the
shortest notice. Troops were called into service at once upon
tiiis new outbreak.
Mass. Arch. Shays' Rebellion, Vol. 11)2, p. 155.
A Pay Roll of Capt. William Torrey's Company, in the Third Regiment,
in the County of Worcester, commanded by Col. Benjamin Read, in the
service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the month of Dec. inst.
agreeable to orders from Gen. Warner, to march to Worcester Dec. 4, 1786.
NAMES.
Kut.Ser.
Discligd.
Time.
per mo.
Pay. Rat's.
Hat.
Total
William Torrey, Capt.,
Dec. 4,
Dec. 7,
4 days.
£8.00 00 £1.01.04 :
12
.07.06 £1.08.10
Saml. Fairbanks, Lieut.,
4,
7,
4
5.06.08
.14.02
8
05.04
.19.06
Elijah Penniman, Sergt,
4,
6,
3
2.08.00
.04.10^
3
.02.00
.06.10^
Peter Holbrook, Sergt.,
4,
6,
3
2.08.00
.04.10^
3
.2.00
.06.10^
Esek Wheelock, Corp.,
4.
6,
3
2.04.00
.04.10^
3
.2.00
.06.04^
David Davenport, Corp.,
15,
7,
2
2.04.00
.02.11}^
2
.1.04
.04 03
John Tyler, Private.
4,
6,
3
2.00.00
.04.00
3
.2.00
.06.00
Stephen Johnson, do.
4,
6,
3
200 00
.04 00
3
.2.00
.06.00
John Tyler, Jr , do.
4,
7,
4
2.00.00
.05.04
4
.2.08
.08.00
David Kingman, do.
6,
7,
a
2.00.00
.02.08
2
.1.04
.04.00
Joseph Torrey, do.
6,
7,
o
2.00.00
.02.08
o
.1.04
.04.00
Thomas Stone, do.
(3.
7,
o
2.00.00
.02.08
2
.1.04
.04.00
Rowland Latham. do.
C,
7,
2
2.00.00
.02 08
2
.1.04
.04.00
Jos. Mc. Clintock, do.
0,
7,
2
2.00.00
.02 08
2
.1.04
.04 00
Seth Hastings, do.
6,
7,
2
2.00.00
.02.08
2
.1.04
.04.00
£5.16.08
William Tohrey, Capt.
Endorsed Capt. William Torrey's Pay Roll Dec. 4. 1786. Examined
and found due, £5.16.08, per Johx Fkost.
Mass. Arch. Shay's Rebellion, Vol. 192, p. 49.
A Pay Roll of the Field and Staff Officers in the Third Regiment of
Militia in the County of Worcester, commanded by Col. Benjamin Read,
in the service of this Commonwealth, Sept. 6 and Dec. 2. 1786, agreeable
to the orders of Mai. Gen. Warner.
432
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1787.
NAMES. S
Ent.
ervice.
Dis-
missed.
Days
Rations
Detained,
Amt. of
Rati'ns.
Pay per
Mouth,
Amount
of Pay.
Amount
Benj. Read, Col.,
Sept.
6,
Sept.
2,
12
.08.00
£15.00.00
£1.00.00
£1.08.00
Philip Ammidown, Lt. Col
6,
7.
2,
10
.06.08
12.00.00
.16.00
1.02.08
Ben.j. Read, Col.,
Deer,
o
Deer.
6,
36
1.04.00
15.00.00
3 00.00
4.04.00
Philip Ammidown, Lt. Col
, 4,
7,
4,
20
.13.04
12.00.00
1.12.00
2.08.04
David Bachelor, Maj.,
4,
7,
4,
16
.10.08
10.00 00
1.06 04
1.17.00
Lemuel Green, Adjt.,
4,
6,
3,
6
.04.00
6.13.04
.13.04
.17.04
Jona. Adams, Qt. Master,
4,
6.
3,
6
.04.00
6.13.04
.13.04
.17.04
Henry F. Dupee, Surgeon,
4,
6,
3,
10
.08.04
11.00.00
1.02.00
1.10.04
John Torrey, Sur. Mate,
4,
6,
3,
3
.02.00
2.14.00
.05.04
.07.04
£1204.04
Benj. Read
, Col.
The Original sworn to before Mr. Justice Cranch.
Mass. Arch., Vol. 162, p. 254.
Number of Polls and Income in the Co. of Worcester 171:
TOWNS.
Polls.
Worcester 357
Lancaster 304
Mendon 310
Brookfield 666
Oxford 228
Charlton 392
Sutton 640
Leicester 240
Northborough 156
Shrewsbury 421
Lunenburg 297
Fitchburg 207
Uxbridge 281
Harvard 306
Dudley 220
Bolton 216
Upton 184
Sturbridge 347
Leominster 359
Hardwick 340
Holden 233
Western 192
Douglass 231
Spencer . 308
Income.
£ eh. d.
4794 04 10
2799 11 02*
2269 11 04*
6337 12 04*
1363 12 02^
2683 19 08*
5278 01 07*
2941 18 11|
1319 02 08*
3976 11 06
2603 16 03*
1698 15 03i
2370 01 10
2529 00 08*
1841 14 08|
1894 08 07
1245 03 07±
2735 07 02
1945 19 09|
3773 16 05*
1762 14 07*
1911 07 10
1239 09 08
2175 08 07|
TOWNS.
Rutland 268
Paxton 145
Oakham 161
Barre 373
Hubbardston. ... 163
New Braintree. . 203
Southborough..l86
Westborough . . .222
Grafton 225
Petersham 349
Royalston 196
Westminster. . ..291
Templeton 274
Princeton 198
Ashburnham .... 197
Northbridge 95
Ward ...108
Athol 193
Milford 195
Sterling 339
Berlin 118
Winchendon. ..231
Polls. Income.
£ sh. d.
3230 09 01*
1382 15 09f
1167 18 04
3922 13 08£
1288 10 06
1714 01 09£
1484 01 06 £
2064 06 00*
2009 08 08*
3147 19 02i
1201 14 06
2511 06 09
2204 01 07±
2258 03 05
1205 08 01
697 11 03
1219 02 10±
1686 07 08f
1973 16 01*
3044 10 04 i
956 11 08
1538 08 04 1
Polls— 12,165 £105,490 18 01*
1787. Jan. 11. At a town meeting held this day a com-
mittee was chosen to give the Representative in the General
1787.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 433
Court further instructions. The committee were Edward Thomp-
son, Esq., Capt. John Tyler, DanJAldrich, Lt. John Benson,
and Capt. Levi Aldrich.
This meeting was opened at the South Parish Meeting House,
but was immediately adjourned to Lieut. John Benson's house,
being, it is presumed, on account of a cold day.
Jan. 22. The second article in the warrant for this meeting
was, "To see if the Town would choose a Committee to treat
with General Linkham (Lincoln) to inform him of the senti-
ments and disposition of the inhabitants of this town respect-
ing the requisition of Government for a number of militia that
were conformable to order." The Selectmen, with Lt. Joseph
Johnson, Lieut. William Thayer and Dr. Joseph Adams were
constituted a committee to treat with Gen. Lincoln.
As this committee made no report, (or if they made one it
escaped record,) we have no means of knowing the result of their
labors with the General.
It seems they did not have a personal interview with General
Lincoln as, immediately upon the passage of the vote choosing
the committee, it was voted that Lieut. Daniel Taft be desired
to carry whatever the committee shall see fit to send.
Jan. 29. Edward Thompson, Esq., was chosen to attend as a
Delegate the County Convention, which stands adjourned to
meet at Mr. Patch's, in Worcester, on the first Friday in Feb-
ruary next.
Voted to allow Capt. John Tyler for his time and expenses in
attending the former Convention £2.14.00, and Edward Thomp-
son, Esq., for the same service, £2.12.00.
Voted to postpone the reading of the address of the General
Court to the next meeting.
This address was an appeal to the people to refrain from vio-
lence, and assuring them that in case of resistance, all the
insurgents would be dealt with in a summary manner. The
rebels under Shays had just, by force of arms, prevented the
sitting of the Court at Springfield, and the Government hesitated
no longer. Orders were at once issued to raise 4400 men, with
four regiments of artillery, to be commanded by Maj. Gen. Lin-
coln. Twelve hundred of these troops were called for from the
55
434 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1787.
County of Worcester, and Mendon had been called to furnish
her quota.
From the fact that the address of the General Court was
refused a reading, and that a committee was chosen to treat
with Gen. Lincoln, it may be presumed that the people of Men-
don were not exempt from the very general discontent which
pervaded the Commonwealth. But the re})ulse of Shays, in his
attack upon the Springfield Arsenal, by the troops under Gen.
Shepard, and the general dispersal of the insurgents by Gen.
Lincoln in January and February, put an end to the insurrec-
tion. That the people had a just cause of complaint, and that
there were grievances which should be redressed, there was no
doubt.
As Mendon, as will be seen, furnished her quota of men, it is
presumed that the inhabitants were averse to the endeavour to
procure a redress of the grievances under which they labored by
an appeal to the arbitrament of arms.
At this meeting, Jan. 29, voted to choose a committee to meet
and consult Avith a committee from Uxbridge, Upton and Mil-
ford, and report at an adjournment of the meeting. As there
was no article in the warrant authorizing the choice of this com-
mittee, and as the committee (Stephen Johnson) made no report,
Ave are left in the dark about the Avhole matter.
The committee heretofore chosen to give instructions to the
Representative to the General Court made their report, and the
same Avas accepted. These instructions may have been directed
to Col. Benjamin Eeed, Representative for 1786, and we find
they Avere also directed to Edward Thompson, Esq., avIio Avas
not elected Representative until the May folloAving, as will be
seen. These instructions, it Avas voted, should be signed by the
Town Clerk in behalf of the toAvn.
It was also voted to accept of the instructions reported by a
committee chosen for that purpose to the Delegate to the County
Convention. As the Toavii Clerk failed to record the instruc-
tions, and, in that regard, failed as we think, to discharge his
whole duty, we are left in ignorance of their import.
April 2. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, John Hancock, Esq., had 124 votes.
" Lt. do Thos. Cushing, Esq,, had 107 "
1786.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 435
For Senators, Joseph Stone, Peter Penniman, Jonathan Grout, Nathan
Adams and Samuel Curtis had 96 votes, and Seth Washburn, Abel Wilder,
John Fessenden and Bezaleel Taft had 3.
Chose for Selectmen, Dan Aldrich, Darius Daniels, Moses
Daniels, Lt. John Benson and Dr. Joseph Adams. Dan Aldrich
and Darius Daniels neglecting to take the oath of allegiance,
Israel Mowry and Oliver Carpenter were chosen in their stead.
This oath was an oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and was designed by the General Court to secure
the magistracy from the feigned repentance of those who had
been compromised by Shays' Rebellion. For Town Clerk, Seth
Chapin; Town Treasurer, Capt. Peter Penniman; Constables,
Benjamin Thayer, provided Lt. Seth Wheelock be his bondsman,
and Benjamin Blake, provided Lt. Peletiah Thayer be his
bondsman.
Voted that the Selectmen be directed to provide some suitable
house or houses for the reception of the poor the present year.
Voted to raise £60 to defray town charges the current year.
Voted to give one shilling as a bounty upon every crow that
shall be killed by any of the inhabitants of this town before the
first day of July next, and shall deliver the same to the Select-
men.
May 14. Voted to raise £150 to be worked out on the roads
and bridges the present year. The Assessors were to assess the
tax immediately and furnish each Constable with a list, and on
the first clay of November a certificate from the Highway Surveyor
that the whole or such part of each man's tax ajs had been
worked out, should be received by the Constables in payment.
The Assessors of this year were to have 12s. each for their
services.
Edward Thompson, Esq., was chosen Representative to the
General Court and May 28, was instructed by the town as fol-
lows, and which instructions may be found in the Massachusetts
Archives " Mendon, V. 'J? 2708^ Case H. 4." They were not
found in the towrn record: —
To Edward Thompson Esq.
Your constituents having chosen you to represent the Town of Men-
don in the General Court the present year, think fit to give you some hints
(by way of instructions,) of what we apprehend might be beneficial to the
public.
436 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1787.
• 1st. To use your influence to have the General Court removed out of the
Town of Boston to some convenient inland town as soon as may be.
2nd. That you use your influence that the Troops raised by order of the
Government and now under pay, be immediately discharged.
3dly. That you use your influence that a free pardon and indemnity be
granted to all those that have been any ways concerned in the late Insur-
rection in this Commonwealth, so long as they demean themselves quiet
and peaceable subjects, without exception.
4thly. That you use your influence to have all those acts repealed known
by the name of Disqualifying Acts, as we conceive they are unnatural, un-
just and oppressive.
5thly. That there be a Bank of paper money emitted upon as good foot-
ing as can be.
Gthly. That you use your influence that all public securities be scaled at
the going price.
7thly. That you use your influence that all Courts of Common Pleas be
entirely abolished and some other mode be adopted in lieu thereof that is
more agreeable and less chargeable.
Sthly. That the Probate business be done in each Town and likewise a
Register of Deeds be appointed in each of said Towns; also that all licensed
persons obtain their licenses in the towns where they dwell, from the
Selectmen.
9thly. That there be a large Duty or impost laid on all foreign articles
imported, except Salt, Cotton, Wool and Warlike Stores, and that all ex-
cise be collected by the respective towns where such excise shall become
due, free from any charge to the State.
lOthly. That all monies arising from Impost and Excise be appropriated
to the payment of the foreign debt only.
1 lthly. That the Salaries of all public officers of Government be reduced
in proportion as Country produce has fallen since such salaries were
granted.
12thly. That all encouragement be given to raising Sheep and Flax and
Manufacturing the produce of our own Country.
lBthly. That a settlement of accounts with Congress be obtained as soon
as possible, so as this State's Quota of the Continental debts may be ascer-
tained.
14thly. That some other mode of taxation be adopted, and that the tax
be not laid so high on the landed interest, and that all Polls under the age
of 21 years be exempted from taxation.
lothly. That there be a completion of the Revision of the Laws so that
we may have a code of laws of our own.
We further instruct you to move for leave that the instructions given by
each town be read in the House of Representatives in order that the Court
1787.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 437
may know what are the minds of the people at large, and you give your
constant attendance while the Court sits and not depart without said Court
is Prorouged, adjourned or dissolved.
Signed by order of the Town.
Dan Aldrich, Moderator.
Attest, Seth Chapin, Town Clerk.
Mendon May 28. 1787.
Aug. 27. Voted to raise £40 for schooling the present year.
Voted to allow Capt. Peter Penniman and Col. Benjamin
Read 3s. per day, cash, for services in settling with Col. Philip
Amidown, late Treasurer.
A7oted to allow Capt. Peter Penniman £1.10s. for his services
as Treasurer the past year.
Voted to allow the Selectmen for the year past, for their ser-
vices, 12s. each.
Voted to allow Stephen Johnson 12s. and John Darling Gs.
for their extraordinary services as Selectmen.
Oct. 3. Monday. Voted to allow Edward Thompson, Esq.,
12s. for attending the Convention at Worcester in March last.
Voted to join with Capt. Hayward and Esq. Paine, of Wor-
cester, in carrying on a suit against the Justices of the Court of
Common Pleas of the County of Suffolk, or the Sheriff of the
County of Worcester, respecting Moses Smith's matter.
Moses Smith had heen a Collector of Taxes, and having failed
to account for the proceeds, was in jail on that account in Dec.
1785. The town records furnish no evidence of the character of
this suit, but it is supposed to be connected in some way with
Smith's defalcation and imprisonment.
Dec. 17. Edward Thompson, Esq., was chosen a Delegate to
the State Convention, to be held at Boston on the second Wednes-
day in January next, for the purpose of ratifying or rejecting
the Continental Constitution, or Frame of Government, agreed
on by the late Federal Convention.
shays' rebellion.
The following are the names of Mendon soldiers who were
mustered into the service of the Commonwealth, under Maj.
Gen. Lincoln, for the overthrow of the rebellion. The follow-
ing Pay Rolls are copied from the Mass. Archives, Shays' Rebel-
lion. Vol. 191, p. 07.
438
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1787.
A Pay Roll of Capt. William Torrey and two officers with him in the
service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the months of January
and February 1787, in Col. Lowell's Regiment.
Names.
William Torrey,
Bezaleel Guild,
Elisha Murdock
Capt.
Lieut.
Ens.
>
p o
Jan. 29 Feb.
•D
: &>
7 £7.00.00
£1.17.04
14
.9.04
£2.06.08
5 5.06.08
.17.08^
10
.6.08
1.04 04J4
5 4.10.00
.15.00
10
.6.08
1.01.08
A Pay Roll of Capt. Rufus Aldrich's Company in Col. Lowell's Regi-
ment for service done for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in January
and February 1787.
Names.
Rufus Aldrich,
Samuel Fair-
banks,
Nathaniel Park-
hurst,
Amariah Preston,
Nathan Tyler,
Daniel Hill,
Ichabod Keith,
JosiahPenniman,
Joseph Torrey,
Joel Sibley,
Paul Nelson,
Isaac Bates,
Josiah Fuller,
Comfort Martin,
Israel Taft.
Nathan Goldth-
wait,
Joseph Goldth-
wait,
Joshua Slocomb,
Joseph Cleveland,
Paran Batcheler,
Aaron Batcheler,
Nathaniel Brown,
Thomas Aldrich,
a w
Capt. Jan
1st
Lieut.
2 do.
Serg't.
Maj.
Clerk
Sergt.
Corp.
Drum
Maj.
Priv.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
. 30 Feb. 20 22 £8.00.00 .05.04 £5.17.04 9 .0 08 .6.00 £6.03.04
"22 5.06.08 .03.06J6 3.18 02 6
11 13 4.10.00 .03.00 2.06.02 6
20
12
2.1400
.01.09J4
1.19.07
"
22
2.14.00
.01.09^
1.19.07
"
22
2.08.00
.01.07
1.14 02
10
13
2 08.00
.01.07
1 09.09
30
22
2.08.00
.01.07
1.14.02
11
13
2.04.00
.01.05J4
.19.01
20
22
2.04.00
.0105)4
1.12.03
"
22
2.04.00
.01.05^
1 12 03
92
2.04 00
.01.05}$
1.12.03
»
22
2.08.00
.01.07
1.15.02
22
2.00.00
.01.04
1.09.04
.4.00 4.02.02
.4 2,10.02
.2 2.01.07
2.01.07
1.17.02
1.02.09
1.17 02
1.01 01
1.14.03
1.14.03
1.14.03
1.17.02
1.11.04
1787.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
439
£- W so
Perry Chapiu,
Asa Darling.
Amos Hayward,
Seth Nelson,
Alpheue Stone,
Jesse Whitney,
Nathan Keith, do.
Zibu Hill, do.
Ebenezer Read, do.
Edward Seagrave do. '.
Samuel Craggin, do
Comfort Claflin, do.
David Chase, do.
Thomas Bigelow, do.
Aaron Balcom, do.
Aaron White, do.
Barna Howell, do.
Jabcz Comings, do.
John Amidown, do.
David White, do.
Elijah Bailey, do.
Keith Taft, Sergt.
Leonard Taft, Cap.
Joseph Daniel, Priv.
Nathan Hall, do.
Micajah Taft, do.
Josiah Taft, do.
Gideon Thayer, do.
Jacob Taft, do.
Aaron Taft, do.
Stephen Benson, do.
Samuel Warfield, Corp.
John Holbrook, Priv.
John Jefferson, Sergt.
Phinehas Wood, Priv.
Cyrenus Rawson, do.
Ephraim Taft, do.
Sworn to
Capt. Jan. 30 Feb. 30 22 2.00.00 .01.04 1.09.04 3 .9.08 2 1.11.04
6
6
10
9
9
9
10
10
10
10
2.00.00 .01.04
2.00.00 .01.04
2.00 00 .01.04
2.00.00 .01 04
2.00.00 .01 04
2.00.00 .01.04
2.00.00 .01.04
2.08.00 .01.07
2.04.00 .01.05^
2.00.00 .01.04
2.00.00 .01.04
2.00.00 .01.04
2.00.00 .01.04
2.00.00 .01.04
2.04 00 .01.05^
2.00.00 .01 04
2.08 00 .01.07
2 00.00 .01.04
2.00.00 .01.04
2.00.00 .01.04
.16.00
.14.08
.17.04
.09.04
1.02.08
.02.08
.02.08
.02.02
.02.11
.02 08
.04.00
.04.00
.02.08
.04.00
.04.04
.04.00
.03 02
.02.08
.02.08
.02 08
.18.00
.16 08
.19.04
.10 08
1.04 00
.04.00
.04.00
.04.06
.04.03
.04.00
o
.06.00
**
.06.00
M
.04.00
2
.06.00
"
.06.04
"
.06.00
y*
.04.06
"
.04 00
"
.04.00
"
.04.00
£66.13.10^
Rufus Aldrich, Capt.
Before Mr. Justice Read.
It is supposed the above roster comprised the whole Company;
but that only those, thirty-five in number, who were paid off,
were mustered into the service.
Amount of provisions delivered by Mendon, to Major Joseph
440 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1788.
Rogers and Major James Prince, Deputy Commissary Generals
to the Army raised for the Support of Government, under the
command of the Hon. Map Gen. Lincoln in Jan., Feb. and
March, 1787.
Bread 414 lbs. Pork 267 lbs. Beef 63 lbs. Pease & Beans 1 barrell.
1788. April 7. Chose for Selectmen, Seth Chapin, Lt. John
Benson, William French, Lt, Peletiah Thayer and Aquilla Rob-
bins; for Town Clerk, Seth Chapin; for Town Treasurer, Hon.
Peter Penniman; Beuj. Thayer and Benj. Blake, Constables.
Voted to raise £120 for repairs of highways and bridges, and
that those who did not work their highway taxes the last year
may work them out this year by the first clay of June.
Voted to accept of the list of persons, recommended by the
Selectmen, for the Jury box.
Chose Benjamin Read, agent or attorney for the town, to
prosecute any suits brought by, or defend any suits brought
against the town.
STATE ELECTION".
For Governor, John Hancock, 27. For Lieut. Governor, James War-
ren, 71. Elbridge Gerry, 50. Samuel Adams, 3. Benj. Lincoln, 2.
Senators, Hon. Peter Penniman, 49. Jonathan Grout, 48. Amos
Singleterry, 49. Dr. John Taylor, 33. John Fessendeu, 49.
Moses Gill, Samuel Peckham, Abel Wilder, Bezaleel Taft, Samuel
Baker, Samuel Curtis, Seth Washburn, Dr. Samuel Willard & Jona. War-
ren had from one to thirteen each.
May 12. Voted to allow the Treasurer £1.10 for his services
the past year, " the whole" of the Selectmen £3, and the Asses-
sors 9s. each.
Voted that the Selectmen inquire respecting two orders which
Capt, John Albee and Esq. Penniman hold against the town,
and also a receipt held by Benj. Read, Esq., and for this pur-
pose Dan Aldrich and Doct. Joseph Adams were joined with the
Selectmen.
Edward Thompson, Esq., was chosen Representative to the
General Court.
May 26. The taxes against Amasa Aldrich, Samuel Hill,
John Cook, Samuel Brown and John Pickering were foregone.
1789.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 441
June 16. Capt. John Albee was allowed five dollars for his
order, upon the recommendation of the committee.
Aug. 29. Voted to raise £70 to defray town charges this
year.
" It was put to vote to see if the town would raise any money for school-
ing the present year and the vote passed in the Negative."
Nov. 26. It seems the household furniture of Dr. Steel had
been attached for debt, and the Dr. being absent, the town voted
"that, provided there can be a quantity of Miss (Mrs.) Steel's
furniture appraised that she have them and the Selectmen are
directed to give security for them in behalf of the town, she
giving a note signed in her husband's name for the same."
It is supposed Dr. Steel gave the name to the Dr.'s Dam, on
the old road west from the present town Pound.
Dec. 18. Met and adjourned to Col. Amidown's tavern at 5
o'clock P. M.
Voted to allow Capt. John Albee £2.05 for an order he holds
against the town.
Dec. 18. Pursuant to a warrant for the purpose, the town
voted for a Representative in Congress, and for two persons as
Electors for President and Vice President of the United States,
being the first election held under the Constitution. The votes
were as follows, viz : —
For Representative in Congress, Jonathan Grout, Esq., 14 votes. John
Sprague, Esq., 12 votes. Timothy Paine 1 vote.
For Electors, Artemas Ward, Esq., 17 votes. Timothy Paine, Esq., 17
votes.. Joseph Dorr, Esq., 11 votes. Timothy Newell, Esq., 9 votes.
Abel Wilder, Esq., 2 votes.
At this meeting it was voted to restore the annual town meet-
ing to the first Monday in March.
1789. Jan. 29. Voted to sell the road between the land of
Dr. Levi Willard and the Pond to said Willard, and Dan Aldrich,
Benj. Thayer and Benj. Read, Esq., were chosen a committee
to contract with said Willard on the price of said land, and
report at the next annual meeting.
The Meeting was then adjourned to meet at Lt. John Ben-
son's at 6 o'clock P. M.
56
442 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1789.
Representative to Congress, Timothy Paine 6. Jonathan Grout 31.
It seems there was no choice of a Representative at this
election.
March 2. A ballot was again taken, and resulted as follows:
Jonathan Grout, Esq., had 65, and Timothy Paine 1.
At the same time the following town officers were chosen,
viz: Seth Chapin, Edward Thompson, Esq., Zebulon Goss, Ben-
jamin Blake and Dr. Joseph Adams, Selectmen; Seth Chapin,
Town Clerk and Treasurer; Simeon Fisk and John Benson,
Constables.
Voted to raise £140 for mending highways and bridges.
Voted to accept the report of the committee respecting the
road between the Pond and the land of Dr. Levi Willard and
which is as follows, viz: —
Mendon, Jan. 30. 1789.
We the Subscribers, being a Committee appointed by said Town to con-
tract with Dr. Levi Willard and agree with him on the price of the land
voted by said town on the 29th of this present month to sell to the said
Willard, have attended that service and rind there to be about four acres of
land lying between the Pond and said Willard's land, and said Willard
agrees with your Committee to give the town the sum of twelve pounds
and keep up good gates or bars and that no other incumbrance shall be in
the way to hinder passiug and repassing at all times forever hereafter.
Benjamin Read )
Dan Aldrich j- Committee.
Benjamin Blake. )
I hereby agree to the above contract and will fulfill the same.
Levi Willahd.
Voted that the abovesaid road be discontinued.
April 6. Voted three shillings per day for a man, and three
shillings a day for a yoke of oxen and cart, for work on the
highway, until the last of September, and after that two shil-
lings a day for each.
Voted to raise £100 to defray town charges.
Voted to allow the Selectmen and Assessors twelve shillings
each for their services.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, John Hancock, Esq., 57. James Bowdoin 5.
Lt. Governor, Samuel Adams 44. Benj. Lincoln 19.
Senators — Amos Singletery, Esq., 25. John Fessenden, Esq., 25.
1790.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 443
Peter Penniman,* Esq., 22. Israel Nichols, Esq., 2."i. David Bigelow,
Esq., 22. Moses Gill, Esq., 21. Samuel Baker, Esq., 22. Abel
Wilder, Esq., 24. Andrew Peters, Esq., 19. Jonathan Warner, Esq.,
21. Artemas Ward, Esq., 4. Timothy Paine, Esq., 2. C'apt, Jo-
siah Sterns, 2.
May 13. Benjamin Read, Esq., was chosen Representative to
the General Court.
Voted that the Town Treasurer call in £19.13.07 of the £100
voted to be raised March 2, 1789, and pay the same to the
County Treasurer, in order to pay so much that is due to said
Treasurer out of the hills that were committed to Moses Aldrich
to collect in the year 1783.
Voted to sell the road leading from the county road, near
Seth Chapin's house, to the Eight Rod Road, now known as
Post's Lane. Sold to Seth Hastings, Esq.
Aug. 26. Raised £G0 for schooling, and £30 for town charges
for the current year.
Voted that the Selectmen divide the school money among the
several districts according to the number of scholars in each
district between the ages of three and twenty-one.
At this meeting Benjamin Read, Esq., Dan Aldrich and
Darius Daniels were chosen a committee to inquire into the
matter "respecting the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas
for the County of Suffolk."
This matter with the Court is supposed to have reference to
the State tax for 1783, in the hands of Moses Smith, Collector
for that year, which he failed to pay over.
1790. March 1. Chose for Selectmen, Seth Davenport.
Capt. Rufus Aldrich, Benjamin Thayer, Ichabod Cook and
Darius Daniels; Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Andrew Peters,
Esq., Town Treasurer; John Benson and Ezra Thayer, Consta-
bles; John Crooks still continued to be chosen Deer Rieve.
County Treasurer, Nathan Perry had thirty-nine votes; when
the meeting was adjourned to April 5, when the meeting was fur-
ther adjourned to May 6.
March 29. state election.
For Governor, John Hancock Esq., 50 votes. For Lt, Governor, Sam
nel Adams, Esq. , 49 votes.
444 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1790.
Senators, Moses Gill, John Fessenden, David Bigelow and Jeremiah Lam-
ed had 40 each, Amos Singletery 30, John Tyler 9 and Peter Penniman and
Abel Wilder had 2 each.
May 6. Voted to raise £150 to defray town charges the pres-
ent year, and £50 for the support of schools.
Seth Davenport, Philip Amidown, Luke Aldrich, Joseph Al-
len, Benjamin Thayer, Edward Thompson, Lt. Abraham Staples,
Darius Daniels, Lt. Daniel Taft, Joab Aldrich, Benjamin Blake,
Benjamin Thayer and Asa Smith were chosen a Committee to
make a new arrangement of the School Districts for the hotter
accommodation of the schools.
At this time there were thirteen Highway and thirteen School
Districts in town.
Voted to sell the old school house that stands on the Training
Field, " for the most it will fetch."' This school honse stood
near the house of Andrew Peters, and not far from the present
barn of Albert W. Gaskill.
Voted that the Selectmen procure a house for the poor of the
town if they think it expedient.
May 11. Chose Benjamin Read, Representative to the Gen-
eral Court.
May 26. Raised £140 to repair highways and bridges, at -3s.
a day for a man and the same for oxen and cart from June 1 to
Sept. 30; and 2s. a day after that date until the 1st day of
March.
Voted not to divide the school money according to the num-
ber of scholars between the ages of three and twenty-one.
Voted the Highway Surveyors have warrants of distress against
those who refuse to work out their Highway Tax in their respec-
tive districts; and that the money collected be laid out in their
respective districts.
July 5. Made choice of Benjamin Read as agent to carry on
the cause against the town of Wrentham for the support of
Adolphus Cook now at the charge of the town of Mendon.
Aug. 30. Taxes were foregone against Nathaniel Scott, Elea-
zer Albee, Jeduthan Rawson, Calvin Smith, Gustavus Aldrich.
Turner Ellis and Ichabod Bosworth.
Voted to divide the school money equally between the scholars
between the ages of three and twenty-one.
1791.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 445
Oct. 4. REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS.
Nathan Tyler 33, Jonathan Grout 18, John Sprague 5 and Artemus Ward
and Timothy Paine one each, no choice at March 12 being made.
1791. March 7. Selectmen, Dr. Joseph Adams, Benjamin
Thayer, Jr., Oliver Carpenter, Jacob Taft and Oapt. William
Torrey: Town Clerk, Seth Chapin; Town Treasurer, Andrew
Peters Esq.; Constables, Ezra Thayer, Benj. Blake and Edward
Thompson.
Voted to raise £100 to defray town charges, £50 for schools and
£140 for repair of highways and bridges for the current year.
Chose Benjamin Bead Esq. Agent for the town this year.
County Register, Daniel Clapp had 29 votes. Samuel Flagg 15 votes.
County Treasurer, Samuel Allen had 34. Nathan 'Perry 2, and Benjamin
Hay ward 1.
April 4. STATE ELECTION.
For Gov. John Hancock Esq. , 42.
" Lt. Gov. Samuel Adams Esq., 42.
Senators, Moses Gill 38, Samuel Baker 35, Abel Wilder 37, John Fessen-
den 37, Benjamin Read 30, Samuel Curtis 2, Jonathan Grout 4, Nathan Ty-
ler 1 & Timothy Newell 7.
Instead of auditing accounts against the town in town meet-
ing, as had usually been done heretofore, the Selectmen were
instructed to examine and allow the accounts against the town.
May 11. The report of the Committee on the new arrangement
of the School Districts was recommitted for further examination
and amendment should the Committee think necessary, and the
meeting was adjourned to Aug. 22.
Chose Benjamin Bead, Esq., Representative to the General
Court.
Aug. 22. REPORT OF A COMMITTEE.
We the Subscribers being appointed a Committee to make a new arrange-
ment of the Districts in said town, for the better accommodation of said
town for Schooling have met and maturely considered the matter and do re-
port as follows.
1st. District. North on Upton line, East on Milford line till it comes to
Sherborn Boad (so called) then westerly by the south side of said road to
446 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1791.
Amariah Vose's house, thence to William Maynard's excluding him, thence
with a direct line to Uxbridge line, thence north on Uxbridge line to North-
bridge line, thence on Northbridge line to Upton line.
2nd. District. Beginning at Muddy Brook (so called) where it crosses the
Sherborn Road and bounded westerly on the line of the first District to Ux-
bridge line, thence to the south side of the County road (so called) thence
on the south side of said County road to Jacob Aldrich's including him,
thence to a heap of stones on the road back of the Pond thirty rods south,
thence across the Pond to Dr. Levi Willard's including him, thence to Asa
Penniman's including him, thence to Increase Thayer's including him,
thence to Ebenezer Streeter's including him, thence to George Aldrich's in-
cluding him, thence to first bound.
3rd. District. Beginning at Asa Penniman's excluding him, thence to
the house where Israel Hill lives including him and including Dan Aldrich,
thence to the Widow Margaret Daniels's including her, thence easterly on
Mill River up to Capt. John Albee's, thence to Win. French's including
him, thence to the bound first mentioned.
4th. District. Beginning at Milford line where the Mill river crosses said
line, thence down said river until it comes directly east of George Smith's,
it being the whole of the inhabitants on the east side of said river.
5th District, Beginning at the Wid. Margaret Daniels's excluding her,
thence east on the Mill River to where David Handy lives including him,
thence to Hop Brook bridge (so called) on Smithfield road, thence to Benja-
min and Nicholas Thayer's including them, thence northward to the first
bound.
6th District. Beginning at Hop Brook bridge, thence to Anthony Chase
including him, thence to Cumberland line, thence to Belliugham line, thence
to Jotham Pickering's including him, thence to Ichabod Pickering's includ-
ing him, thence to Seth Kelly's including him, thence to first mentioned
bound.
7th. District, Beginning at Asa Penniman's excluding him, thence to
Ensign Seth Taft's including him, thence to Laban Fairbanks' including
him, thence to John Craggin's including him, thence to the house where
Levi Lesure now lives including him, thence to Thomas Taft's including
him, thence to the house where David Southerland lives including him,
thence to Col. Silas Wheelock's including him, thence to the first mentioned
bound. It is meant to include Lt, Keith and Samuel Fairbanks in the above
District,
8th. District. Beginning at Silas Aldrich's including him, thence to Ux-
bridge line including Acpiilla Robbins and Barlow Carpenter, thence south
to Darius Daniels including him, thence to Laban Fairbanks, thence to the
Pond, thence to first mentioned bound.
9th. District, Beginning at Nathaniel Taft's including him, thence to
Col. Joseph Chapin's old house including that, thence to Uxbridge line to
1791. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 447
Jacob Tuft's including him, thence to Levi Young's including him, thence
to Jesse Tourtelotte's including him, thence to first mentioned bound. The
remainder of the 9th. District bounded as follows. Beginning at Timothy
Alexander's including him and Simon Alexander, thence to David Legg's
including him, thence on Uxbridge line until it comes directly west of the
Widow Warfield's house, thence to Asa Blake's including him, thence to
Benjamin Blake's including him and his son Zaccheus, thence to the first
mentioned hound.
10th. District. Beginning at Uxbridge line directly west of the Widow
Warfield's house, thence to Benjamin Blake's excluding him, thence to
Mathew Darling's including him, thence south to the Great River (Black-
stone,) thence up stream said river till it comes to Uxbridge line, thence to
first mentioned bound.
11th. District Beginning at Dam Swamp road where the Parish line
crosses, thence to Timothy Alexander's excluding him, thence to Benja-
min Blake's excluding him, thence to the road south of said Benjamin
Blake's house, thence to Gideon Thayer's including him, thence east to
Hop Brook bridge, thence up stream said brook to the first mentioned
bound.
12th. District. Beginning at George Gaskill's including him, thence to
Conwell (Cogswell) Chase including him, thence up stream to the Great,
river until it comes south of Mathew Darling's house, thence to Jacob Al-
drich's including him, thence to Gideon Thayer's excluding him, thence to
first mentioned bound.
13th. District. Beginning at Uxbridge line where it crosses the Great
river, thence down stream the Great river to the Colony line, thence west
on said Colony line to Uxbridge line, thence on Uxbridge line to the bound
first mentioned.
N. B. Upon the petition of a number of Friends hereafter named, we
report that they draw their proportion of the School money and school the
same agreeable to their own discretion. The names of the petitioners are
as follows, viz: Daniel Cook, Josiah Shove, Edward Southwick, Daniel
Southwick, Jacob Bartlett, Benedict Remington, Seth Kelly, George Smith,
Samuel Smith, Joseph Southwick jr., Jonathan Fowler, John Southwick,
Asa Smith, George Smith jr. Lawrence Southwick's family to be schooled
with the petitioners.
Signed by the Committee, Joseph Allen, Edward Thompson, Benjamin
Thayer, Benjamin Blake, Daniel Taft, Abraham Staples, Jacob Aldrich,
Benjamin Thayer jr., Asa Smith and Luke Aldrich.
May 11. Benjamin Read was chosen Representative to the
Great and General Court.
Sept. 19. Voted that the Treasurer be directed to loan the
money that arises from the sale of the State .Securities, he being
under the direction of the Selectmen,
448 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1792.
Voted not to build a school house in each district.
Voted to pay Dr. Levi Willard for doctoring the poor of the
town.
Dr. Willard lived in the house now owned bv Dennis Holeran.
1792. March 5. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Dr. Jo-
seph Adams, Capt. Daniel Taft, Enos Taft, Ichabod Cook and
John Hayward, Selectmen; Andrew Peters, Esq., Treasurer;
Capt. Wm. Torrey and Benjamin Blake, Constables; Tithing-
men, James Lovett and Edward Thompson; John Crooks, Deer
Reeve; Luke Aldrich, Surveyor of Hemp,' and Seth Davenport,
Sealer of Weights and Measures. Adjourned to April 2.
April 2. Voted to raise one hundred pounds to repair high-
ways and bridges in said town the ensuing year.
Voted that Dr. Joseph Adams, as a Selectman, together with
the Town Clerk, be directed to search the records to see if there
was any allowance for a road through the land of Ensign John
Legg, late of , deceased, that has been taken up by the
town, and make report at the adjournment of the meeting.
The reason of this vote was that, in the original laying out of
lands to individuals, reservations for roads were sometimes made,
should the town see fit at any time to locate a road over the
grant.
At this time the Highway and the School Districts were iden-
tical, and as at this meeting the Seventh District was divided,
there were fourteen Highway and School Districts in the town
at that time.
Made choice of Levi Albee as Pound Keeper, being the first
person chosen to that office.
Voted to give the powder that was drawn out of the town's
stock by the militia officers of this town, and burnt by the sol-
diers at the general muster in September last.
Dr. Joseph Adams was chosen agent to carry on a suit against
the town of Uxbridge for the support of Job Keith's family.
CHOICE OF STATE OFFICERS.
For Governor, Samuel Phillips Esq. had 35.
" " John Hancock Esq. " 5.
■• Lt. " Samuel Adams " 46.
1793.] ANNALS OF MENUON. 449
Senators, Samuel Baker, 27. Abel Wilder, 29. Jona. Warren, 29.
Timo. Newell, 13. Beuj. Read, 8. Nathan Tyler, 2. Dwight Foster, 15.
Andrew Peters, 18. Josiah Sterns, 1. Moses Gill, 2.
May 16. Chose Benjamin Read, Esq., Representative to the
General Court.
Voted £40 for town charges, and £100 for schooling.
Aug. 23. Chose Andrew Peters, agent, to oppose the accept-
ance of a road laid out by the Court's committee, from the
burying ground to the house where Levi Albee now lives. At
this time the Court of Sessions, exercised the authority, as re-
garded roads, now in the hands of the County Commissioners.
Sept. 17. Voted not to allow a small pox hospital to be set uj)
in the town.
Voted that the Selectmen call upon Edward Rawson, Esq., of
Leicester, (he having removed to that town,) to deliver up all
the papers in his hands belonging to the Town of Mendon.
Nov. 2. Federal Representatives and Electors chosen by
general tickets, and the votes given in were as follows, viz: —
For Representatives to Congress — William Heath, Esq., 32. Jonathan
Warner, Esq., 32. Artemas Ward, Esq., 32. Samuel Lyman, Esq., 32.
Theodore Sedgwick, Esq., 32.
For Electors of President and Vice President — Abel Wilder, Esq., 21.
Beuj. Read, Esq., 20. Wm. Shepard, Esq., 25. David Smeed, Esq., 25.
Thomas Skinner, Esq., 25. Seth Davenport, Esq., 5. Caleb Ammidon,
Esq., 5.
Voted that the Treasurer call in the interest due on the bonds
that were given in Dec. last, and loan it to such persons as the
Selectmen shall direct.
Voted that inoculation for the small pox may be carried on
under the restrictions required by law, and that Dr. Josepb
Adams have the care of the hospitals.
Voted the time for inoculating be sixty days from the time it
begins.
1793- J;l11- 14. Agreeable to a precept from His Excellency
John Hancock, Governor of the Commonwealth, at a town
meeting held this day, for two members of Congress,
Samuel Lyman, for the County of Hampshire, had 36 votes.
Dwight Foster, for the District at large, had 35 votes.
57
450 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1793.
It is presumed that this meeting was to fill vacancies hy fail-
ure to elect at the first election, as Samuel Lyman was a candi-
date at both elections.
March 4. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Dan Aldrich,
John Benson, Seth Chapin, Benj. Thayer, Jr., and Oliver Car-
penter, Selectmen; Andrew Peters, Esq., Town Treasurer; Wil-
liam Torrey and Benj. Blake, Constables.
May 6. Raised £120 for town charges, £80 for schooling, and
£150 for highways and bridges. Work to be three shillings per
day until Oct. 1; after that to be two shillings per day.
April 1. VOTES FOR STATE OFFICERS.
For Governor, John Hancock had 40 votes:
Elbridge Gerry " 1 "
For Lt. Governor, Samuel Adams had 54 votes.
For Senators and Councillors — Moses Gill had 47 votes. Samuel Baker
had 18 votes. Jonathan Warner had 53 votes. Timothy Newell had 53
votes. Elijah Brigham had 22 votes. Benjamin Read had 30 votes. Jo-
siah Sternes had 27 votes. Philip Amidown had 5 votes.
Having failed to fill the vacancies in the Congressional dele-
gation at the meeting in January, the town again voted, and
with the following result:
Samuel Lyman had 63 votes. D wight Foster had 72 votes.
Voted to accept the report of a committee of fifteen, of which
Dr. Joseph Adams was chairman, concerning the division of the
school money, and which is as follows, viz: —
" Provided £100 be raised for schooling, that £10 be struck off and that
£90 be divided according to the number of scholars in each District, and
that the £ 1 0 struck off shall be added to the Districts which are or may be
injured by the way of dividing it by the number of scholars, or so much of
that sum as may do them justice, and, if any remain, then to be equally
divided by the number of scholars in each District, by the Selectmen."
Voted to hire a house for the poor the ensuing year.
May 6. Chose Benjamin Read, Representative to the General
Court.
Voted to petition the General Court to have the line straight-
ened between Mendon and Upton, and Andrew Peters to make
a plan showing the proposed alteration, and report at an ad-
journed meeting.
1794. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 451
May 26. Chose Seth Ohapin and Col. Philip Ammidown a
committee to present a petition to the General Court for the
alteration of the Mendon and Upton line.
August 26. Voted to raise £15 to make the road recently
laid out by the Court's committee, by Col Peters'.
Voted to raise £60, £25. 13s. to be assessed on the polls and
estates of the inhabitants, and the balance to be taken out of the
interest money due the town. By a note upon the back of the
warrant it is found that this sum of £60 was to pay Mr. Ellery
and George Aldrich for land damages by reason of the location of
the road. This road extended from nearly oppposite the old
house of N. E. George to opposite the house of Austin A. Taft,
and is the present travelled road.
Benjamin Read Avas chosen agent to settle with Dr. Richard-
son for the support of Lyman Thayer, one of the poor.
Taxes against Nathaniel Scott, Isaac Lawrence, Wheelock
Wood and Daniel Cook to the amount of £1.10s. Td. were fore-
gone.
1794. March 3. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Seth
Chapin, Lt. John Benson, Oliver Carpenter, Benj. Thayer, Jr.,
and Baruch Penuiman, Selectmen; Seth Hastings, Esq., Treas-
urer; Dr. Joseph Adams and John Darling, Constables.
Raised £150 for repairs of highways and bridges, and voted
that a man shall have three shillings a day and three shillings a
day for a yoak of oxen till the last of September, and then two
shillings a day until March 1, next.
Voted to raise £600 to build a school house in each District,
and that the Selectmen shall order the Assessors to assess the
same immediately.
Voted that each District shall draw their own money that they
pay towards the abovesaid £600, towards building or repairing a
school house.
Seth Davenport, Philip Ammidon. Oliver Carpenter, Moses
Daniels, Aaron Thayer, Ichabod Cook, Saml. Fairbanks, Enos
Taft, Darius Daniels, Benj. Read, Esq., Lt. John Benson,
George Gaskill. Ebcnr. Taft, Alexander Wilson and Asa Smith
were chosen a committee "to inspect the School houses that are
452 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1794.
built in said Town and also those that shall hereafter be built,
and, in case any District cannot agree upon the spot to set their
School House on, this Committee shall fix the spot upon which
the School House shall be built. The School houses are to be
completed by the last day of November next."
Adjourned to April meeting.
April 7. Voted to raise £100 to defray town charges, and £80
for schooling.
Adjourned to May 12th next, at the
STATE ELECTION.
Vote for Governor, Lt. Governor and Senators:
For Governor, Samuel Adams, Esq., had 39.
" William Gushing, Esq., had 27.
Lt.Gov. Moses Gill, Esq., had 45.
" Samuel Adams, Esq., had 10.
Senators — Moses Gill, 44. Samuel Baker, 61. Jona. Warner, 61. Jo-
siah Sterns, 61. Beni Read, 55. Andrew Peters, 5. Bezuleel Taft 1, and
Daniel Bigelow 17.
Chose Benjamin Eead, Esq., Representative to the General
Court.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at -the March meeting to
raise £600 for building school houses.
Voted then to raise £300 for the purpose of building or repair-
ing school houses.
Voted not to sell the old road from the Potash up to George
Aldrich's. Jr., being the road on the south side of the Friends"
Burying Yard. The Potash was at the east end of this road, on
land now owned by Albert W. Gaskill, where the site can be
plainly distinguishtd. By the word Potash was meant a manu-
factory of that article.
Aug. 22. In a warrant for a town meeting this day, the sec-
ond article in the warrant for the .meeting reads thus: " To see
if the town will pay their quota of men ordered to be raised by
Congressj the ninth of May last, any thing in addition to their
Continental pay.*'
Upon this article it was "voted to make each man's pay three
pounds pr. month, with their Continental pay, provided they
march."
It was also "voted to allow each soldier twelve shillings that
1794.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 453
will enlist into the service of the United States for three
months."
No cause can be assigned for this call of troops by the General
Government, unless it was the fear that the whiskey insurrec-
tion, then in progress in Pennsylvania, should extend to other
sections of the country.
Sept. 11. Chose Benj. Read, Esq., Seth Chapin, Lt. John
Benson and Benj. Thayer, Jr., a committee " to carry into effect
the Resolve of the General Court of the 26th. of June last
respecting making a Survey of the Town of Mendon."
At this meeting a committee was chosen to fix on the site for
a Pound, and agree with some person to build the same. After
seven adjournments, finally, on May 0, 1795, the town voted to
raise £10 to build a Pound.
Nov. 3. Voted to give the powder that the soldiers drew out
of the town's stock for the General Muster on the 8th of October
last.
For Representative to Congress — Levi Lincoln, Esq. , had all the votes, 40.
Luke Aldrich, Seth Chapin and Col. Philip Ammidon were
chosen a committee to join with a committee that may be chosen
by the Town of Milford, to establish the line and set up bounds
between the two towns, and Nov. 27 the two committees met
(the committee of Milford being Ephraim Chapin and Ichabod
Thayer,) and agreed to the following
REPORT'.
Mendon Nov. 27, 1794 Then we, the subscribers, Committees of the
towns of Mendon and Milford met and settled the line between the town of
Mendon and the town of Milford, (over the North Hill, so called) begin-
ning at a heap of stones being the Southeast corner of Paul Nelson's land,
thence North 37+° East 40 rods to a walnut tree with a heap of stones round
it, thence South 26^° East 196 rods to a Avhite oak tree being the northwest
corner bound of Seth Davenport's land, on the South side of the road lead-
ing from the Widow Tyler's to Milford.
Philip Ammidon, )
Seth Chapin, [ Com. for Mendon.
Luke Aldrich,
Ephraim Chapin,
Ichabod Thayer.
;- Com. for Milford
454 ANNALS OF MENDON. (1795.
1795. March 2. Seth Ohapin, Town Clerk; Oliver Carpen-
ter, Lt. John Benson, Ebenr. Chapin, Jr., Benj. Thayer, Jr.,
and Nahor Staples, Selectmen; Seth Hastings, Treasurer; Seth
Davenport and John Darling, Constables; Joseph Torrey, Pack-
er of Beef.
Voted to raise £100 to defray town charges, £100 for school-
ing and £150 for repair of highways and bridges. The price for
labor on the highways to be 3s. per day for a man and 3s. per day
for a team from May 1st to Oct 1 and then 2s. per day for each.
Voted to raise £150 in addition to what has already been raised
for the purpose of building a school house in each district.
April 6. Voted to let swine run at large the ensuing year they
being yoked and ringed according to law.
Voted that the Assessors be directed to call on the Surveyors
of Highways, the present year, to make return of all delinquents
who have not worked out their highway tax.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Samuel Adams had 65 votes.
" Lt, Governor, Moses Gill " 68 "
For Senators — Samuel Baker 20, Jonathan Warner 59, Daniel Bigelow 57,
Josiah Sterns 62, Benj. Read 58, Elijah Brigham 3, Levi Lincoln 3, Beza-
leel Taft 4, and Salem Towne 43.
May 6. Voted that the Treasurer be directed to call upon all
those persons that have moved out of town and hold any of the
town's money, to pay in the same by the third day of December
next.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed March 2d last for raising
£150 in addition to £600 for building school houses.
REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
Upon the question " of the necessity and expediency of revis-
ing the State Constitution,'" there were 60 yeas, and no nays.
May 6. Benjamin Read, Esq., was chosen Representative to
the General Court.
It seems the road from near William French's to Muddy Brook
had, for some time, been a source of contention, and that, at this
time there were fears that the town would be indicted. The road
had been made but not accepted, and hence the report of the
Committee which follows, viz:
1796.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 45")
" Mendon Nov. 27, 1795. The Committee appointed to view the road by
William French's house have attended that service and are of opinion
that the road now made is good and will be accepted by the public, if ap-
plied for, and their opinion is to apply to the Court of Sessions for a com-
mittee to view the same at the expense of the Town, and prevent, if pos-
sible, any presentment against the town, and that a Committee or Agent be
appointed for that purpose."
Benjamin Read )
Benjamin Thayer Jk [- Com.
Bakuch Penniman )
Pursuant to the report Benjamin Read was chosen agent.
Voted that the town consent that the town of Harvard be
taken from the County of Worcester and set to the County of
Middlesex.
1796. March 7. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Ebenezer
Chapin, Jr., John Benson, Aaron Thayer; Benjamin Thayer,
Jr., and Samuel Fairbanks, Selectmen; Oliver Carpenter, Treas-
urer; John Darling and Benjamin Blake, Constables.
THE FIEST SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Peter Penniman, Seth Hastings, Benj. Bead, Esq., Joseph
Thayer and Baruch Penniman.
Voted to raise $400. to defray town charges, $400. for school-
ing, $500 for roads and bridges.
Voted to raise one thousand dollars in addition to the sum of
£600 already raised, to be immediately assessed upon the old val-
uation.
Voted that one quarter part of the money belonging to the
town be called in, at the close of this year, and loaned to other
inhabitants as the Selectmen may direct.
This "town money" was what the town had taken at the
different issues of Bills of Credit, as they were called, which
were loaned by the State to the towns, the interest of which was
to be appropriated to defray town charges.
Old tenor money was when the General Court enacted that an
ounce of silver should be reckoned Gs. 8d. or an English crown,
and that fifty shillings should be equal to (Js. 8d. or an ounce of
silver. After March 3, 1750, it was established that all business
transactions should be conducted upon the basis that three
456 ANNALS OF MENDON. [17(J6.
ounces of silver should be reckoned as £1 or twenty shillings.
This was called lawful money.
April 4. STATE ELECTION.
For Gov. Samuel Adams had 55 votes.
Increase Sumner, " 1
Senators. — Benj. Read 64, Jonathan Warner, Daniel Bigelow and Salem
Towne 65 each, Josiah Stearns 64 and Elijah Brigham and Samuel Jones 1
each.
Voted to forego Simeon Hay ward's rate 5s. 7d., Isaac Adams
Greene's rate 2s. 2d. and John Green White's rate Is. 7d.
Benjamin Blake chosen Collector of Taxes, and to collect the
same for 115.00 for the present year, provided he procure suffi-
cient bondsmen.
Benjamin Blake was also chosen Constable.
Voted that the Selectmen settle with Benj. Blake for collect-
ing the loan.
This loan money was money received from the State to be
loaned to the inhabitants, the interest of which could be used to
defray municipal charges.
May 11. Benj. Read, Esq., was chosen Representative to the
General Court.
The second article in the warrant was in these words:
" To see if the Town will petition the Representatives in Congress to car-
ry the Treaty made by the Supreme Executive of the United States with
the King of Great Britain into fair and honorable effect, agreeable to a re-
quest of a number of the Inhabitants of the town of Boston."
Upon this article it was voted to pass it over which was equiv-
alent to its rejection, as it was not again called up.
After an adjournment of ten min ales it was voted to raise £30 in
addition to what had already been raised to defray town charges,
and that the Selectmen, at their discretion, might shut up any
part of the road from William French's to the house where Israel
Hill lives,- and then the meeting was dissolved.
August 8. Chose Philip Aminidon and Seth Hastings Esqrs.
to proceed to Ashford in the State of Connecticut or elsewhere
in said State to meet the Commissioners appointed by that State
to survey and lay out a road from Hartford to the line of this
Commonwealth or to the State of Rhode Island. This was the
1796.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 457
beginning of the Boston and Hartford Turnpike, which was af-
terwards continued in this State pursuant to the petition of Phil-
ip Ammidon, Ben]. Read, Aaron Marsh, James Mellen, Moses
Whitney, Samuel Willard, Benj. Adams, Paul Dudley, Benj.
Craggin, John Miller, David Farnum Jr., Adolphus Spring,
Samuel Bead, John Capron, Asa Thayer, Job Knapp, Seth
White, Timothy Craggin, Ebenezer Spring, Peter White, Fred-
eric Taft, Daniel Carpenter, Daniel Tillinghast & Co., Israel Aid-
rich, John Whiting, Daniel Day, Benj Thayer, Abijah Keith?
Benj. Wood, Obadiah Wood, Seth Rawson, Ezekiel Wood, Asa
White, Abel Aldrich, Benj. Thwing, Benj. Thwing Jr., Stephen
Williams, Joel Sibley, Joseph Rist, Benj. Legg, Benj. Thayer 2d,
Amory Wood, and their associates who were organized under
the laws of this State, as the " Ninth Massachusetts Turnpike
Corporation," to build a road from the Connecticut line, at
Thompson, to the east line of the Town of Bellingham, with
the privilege of two toll-gates, one near the house of Dr. John
Scammell in Bellingham, east of the Taunton road, and the oth-
er a little west of the meeting house in Douglass.
It will be remembered that in the year 1785 the towns of
Douglass, Mendon and Bellingham petitioned the General Court
for the grant of a lottery to repair the Hartford road through
those towns. That project failed, for although the petitioners,
at a General Court held Feb. 17, 1785, had leave to bring in a
bill, it is not learned that they did so. It was proposed to raise
£750 by this lottery.
The Boston and Hartford Turnpike (the Uth Mass. Turnpike)
was built about this time, but it is understood that the stock-
holders never received a dividend in Massachusetts. In 1826
there was a toll gate near the house where Moses Aldrich now
lives, but as the turnpike was not kept in good repair, travellers
sometimes failed to pay the toll, and the franchise was soon
afterwards abandoned and the road was laid out by the County
Commissioners of AVorcester County as a county road. As the
town of Milford was not notified when the turnpike was laid out
and accepted as a county road by the Commissioners, that por-
tion of the turnpike within the limits of that town is supposed
to be all that is left of the Boston and Hartford Turnpike in
Massachusetts.
58
458 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1796.
Oct. 3. A town meeting was called to see if the town would
furnish powder to the militia to he used at the regimental re-
view, to be held October 6th.
Peter Penniman was chosen Moderator of this meeting, and
the town voted that each soldier should have six ounces for the
occasion.
Nov. 7. For an Elector of President and Vice President — Levi Lincoln
had 44 votes. Joseph Allen had 1 vote.
For Representative to Congress — Levi Lincoln had 41 votes. Dwight Fos-
ter had 3 votes.
At this meeting Benj. Thayer, Jr., was chosen to expend 120
in repairing the bridge by Jesse Darling's mills.
Ownership in a pew in the church can now be transferred by
an ordinary bill of sale. It was not so, however, eighty years
ago, as may be learned by a perusal of the following Deed:
"Know all People to whom these Presents shall come: — Greeting.
Know ye that I, Thomas Stone of Mendon, in the County of Wor-
cester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Hatter, for and in considera-
tion of three pounds Lawful Money to me in hand, before the ensealing
hereof well and truly paid by Peter Thompson and Pardon Aldrich of the
same Mendon &c. yeomen, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge
and myself therewith fully satisfied and contented, and thereof, and every
part and parcel thereof, do exonerate, acquit and discharge them the said
Thompson and Aldrich their heirs, executors &c. forever by these presents
have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed and confirmed, and
by these presents do truly and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, alienate,
convey and confirm to them the said Thompson and Aldrich their heirs
and assigns, forever, one moiety or full half part of a certain Pew, situate
in the First Parish Meeting House, in said Mendon, and is bounded as fol-
lows viz: — northerly by the north side of said house, westerly by a pew
belonging to John Penniman and the heirs of John Penniman, late of said
Mendon, decd, southerly by the alley or pass way leading from the north
door of said house to the east gallery steps of said house and easterly by a
pew belonging to Zebulun Goss, and it is the intent and meaning of the
grantor to sell and convey the east half of the above described pew and to
have and to hold the said granted and bargained premises, with all the ap-
purtenances, privileges and accommodations to the same belonging or in
any wise appertaining to them the said Peter Thompson and Pardon Al-
drich their heirs and assigns forever, to their own proper use, benefit and
behoof forever, and I, the said Thomas Stone for myself, my heirs, execu-
tors and administrators do covenant, promise and grant to and with them
the said Thompson and Aldrich, their heirs and assigns, that before the
1797.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 459
ensealing hereof I was the true, sole and lawful owner of the above bar-
gained premises and was lawfully siezed of and possessed of the same in
my own proper right as a good, perfect and absolute estate of inheritance,
in fee simple, and have in myself good right, full power and lawful authori-
ty to grant, bargain, sell and convey and confirm said bargained premises
in manner aforesaid, and that they the said Peter Thompson and the said
Pardon Aldrich their heirs and assigns shall and may, from time to time,
and at all times and forever hereafter, by force and virtue of these presents,
lawfully, peaceably and quietly have hold, use, occupy, possess and enjoy
the said demised and bargained premises with all the appurtenances, free
and clear and freety and clearly exonerated, acquitted and discharged of
from all and all manner of former or other gifts, grants, bargains, sales,
leases, mortgages, judgments, executions &c of what name or nature
soever, that might, in any measure or degree obstruct or make void this
present deed: — furthermore, I the said Thomas Stone for myself, my heirs,
executors &c. do covenant and engage the above demised premises to them
the said Thompson and Aldrich, their heirs and assigns against the lawful
claims or demands of any persons whatsoever forever hereafter to warrant,
secure and defend the same by these presents.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth
day of April seventeen hundred and ninety six.
Thomas Stone [l. s. ]
Signed, sealed and delivered in
presence of Joseph Fox
Philip Ammidon
Worcester ss. Feb. 6. 1797
Thomas Stone acknowledged the within written instrument to be his free
act and deed
Before me, Petkr Penniman, Justice of the Peace.
Received at Mention Feb. 6. 1707 and Recorded by me
Attest, Seth Ohapin, Town Clerk.
1797. March 6. At a town meeting chose Seth Ohapin,
Town Clerk; Philip Ammidon, Benj. Read, Oliver Carpenter,
Samuel Warfield and Nahor Staples, Selectmen; Oliver Car-
penter, Treasurer, and Benj. Blake, Constable.
Voted to hire a Collector the present year, and to give Augus-
tus Neat $15. 00 for collecting the taxes the current year. For
some reason Augustus Neat did not collect the taxes as after-
wards Benjamin Blake was chosen to collect them for $25.00.
Seth Hastings, Esq., was chosen agent to maintain an action
brought hv Mention against the town of Bellinsdiam.
460 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1797.
April 3. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, James Sullivan had 38 votes.
" Increase Sumner had 18 "
" Lt. Gov. Moses Gill had 52 ■'
For Senator* — Salem Town, Daniel Bigelow and Levi Lincoln had 47
each. Elijah Brigham, 46. Benj. Read, 34. Bezaleel Taft, 13, and Sam-
uel Flagg and Josiah Stearns, 1 each.
In years past appropriations had been made for building school
houses in the several districts, and it is supposed they were
nearly or quite completed. Enos Taft. Peter Penniman and
Benjamin Thayer, Jr., were chosen a committee to audit the
accounts of the committees in the several School Districts, who
have built the school houses in the same, and also to see whether
the money has been laid out in a proper manner, and to report
to the town at the next meeting what further sum may be neces-
sary to complete them.
Voted to give Benjamin Blake twenty-five dollars for collect-
ing the taxes the present year, he procuring sufficient bondsmen
for the faithful performance of that service.
Voted to raise $400 for schooling the present year.
Voted to raise $500 for repairs of roads and bridges.
Voted that the Surveyors of Highways be the collectors of high-
way taxes the present year.
Voted to allow 4s. per day for a man, and the same for a yoke
of oxen and cart; that one half the tax lie worked out by the
first day of July next, and the remaining half by the first day of
October next, and that ten hours be considered a day's work.
May 1. Voted to raise $800 to defray town charges.
Voted to allow William French seven dollars for damages for
the road laid out through his land by the town's committee.
Voted to raise $666 in addition to the various sums heretofore
raised for the purpose of building and finishing school houses in
said town.
Voted that Benjamin Read Esq., Philip Ammidon, Esq.,
and Seth Hastings, Esq., be a committee to meet the Court's
committee, that are appointed by the General Court to view the
several roads from the Connecticut line to Boston.
Voted to take all the money now loaned by the town, both
interest and principal, to defray town charges, which will be-
1798.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 461
come due Dec. 1, next, excepting two thousand dollars, which
shall he left in the hands of the Treasurer.
FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL COURT.
Benjamin Read had 53 votes.
Philip Ammidon had 38 "
This is the first instance when there was more than one candi-
date for Representative, so far as the record shovs.
Voted that the Selectmen be directed to view the several roads
in the town that are encroached by the inhabitants of the town,
and proceed so far in the matter as they shall think best.
Oct. 6. The second article in the warrant was as follows, viz:
" To see if the town will vote to give any sum or sums of money to the
soldiers now to be ' draughted,' by order of the President of the United
States, as wages or bounty, to encourage them to march or hold themselves
in readiness to march."
John Adams was at this time President of the United States,
and our relations with France were so uncertain, especially after
Jay's treaty with England, that it Avas thought best to be pre-
pared for the belligerent attitude of the French Directory.
Hence this call for men; but, so far as is known, none were
called to march.
Upon this article the town first voted its indefinite postpone-
ment, but afterwards, at the same meeting, that vote was recon-
sidered, and it was voted "to give each soldier that shall muster,
on muster day, one dollar, and nine dollars to each soldier that
shall march into actual service." At this time party feeling ran
high. Mr. Adams was supposed to be more favorable to Eng-
land, although he had issued the call for troops, than to France,
and, upon this point, the country was divided. The first vote
of indefinite postponement was probably carried by those favor-
able to France, but, upon further consideration, the vote was
reconsidered and the bounty and pay was agreed to.
1798. March 5. Seth Chapin was chosen Town Clerk;
Philip Ammidon, John Benson, Luke Aldrich, Jr., Seth Kelley,
Jr., and Ezra Allen. Selectmen; Oliver Carpenter, Treasurer;
4G2 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1798.
Benjamin Blake and Doct. Joseph Adams, Constables; Dr.
Joseph Adams, Collector, and to be paid for that service twenty-
four dollars.
Voted to raise $700 for repair of highways and bridges, and to
allow seventy cents per day for work.
Voted that the school money be divided in each district ac-
cording to the number of scholars in each district.
Voted that all persons chosen and employed by the town shall
exhibit their accounts to the town for allowance.
Voted that any person having any of the town's money in their
hands, who shall neglect to pay in the annual interest and such
part of the principal as the town shall see fit to call in at the
day the year is out, the Treasurer shall be ordered to prosecute
said bonds and collect them in and loan to other persons; and
said persons so prosecuted are to be prohibited from ever having
any of said money afterwards.
Voted that town meetings shall hereafter be warned by posting
up notifications at each parish meeting house.
Voted that every person having demands against the town
shall apply for settlement within one year.
April 2. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Increase Sumner had 13 votes.
" " James Sullivan had 37 "
" Lt.Gov. Moses Gill had 31 "
William Heath had 22 "
For Senators — Josiah Stearns and Salem Towne had 43 each. Levi Lin-
coln, 33. Bezaleel Taft, 46. John Sprague, 29. Benjamin Joslin, 15.
Benj. Blake, 6, and Thomas Hale, 12.
On a proposition to divide the County of Worcester the vote
was found as follows, viz: Yeas 68, nays 2.
May 7. Col. Chose Philip Ammidon Representative to the
General Court.
Dr. Joseph Adams to collect the taxes the present year for the
sum of twenty-four dollars, he procuring satisfactory bondsmen.
Voted to raise $400 to defray town charges the current year,
and $400 for schooling.
Swine were still allowed to run at large, being yoked and
ringed as the law directs.
April 23. At a town meeting held this day, the second article
was —
1798.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 4(i3
" To see if said Inhabitants will express^their minds on the Great Ques-
tion before Congress respecting arming merchant ships, and to supplicate
Congress to pass an act against arming merchant ships, as your Petitioners
deprecate the Horrors of War."
Voted to adopt the Lancaster petition and the memorial to
Congress respecting arming merchant ships, and Peter Penni-
niitn, Benj. Read, Dr. Joseph Adams, John Benson and Capt.
William Torrey were chosen a committee to forward the same to
Congress.
It seems that the petition of Lancaster and Mendon did not
prevail with Congress, as by a vote, on page 344 of Barry's His-
tory of Masssachnsetts, it is found that Congress, about this
time, ordered the building of three frigates, (the Constitution,
United States and Constellation,) and that letters of marque
had been issued to 3G5 private armed vessels, mounting 2,723
guns and manned by 6,874 seamen.
The "Horrors of War " Avere happily averted by a successful
negotiation with France, she agreeing to indemnify the United
States for the spoliations she had made upon our commerce.
France was dilatory in the settlement of the claim and they were
not liquidated until the administration of Gen. Jackson.
The doings of the town, in this matter, were directed to be
published in the Boston Chronicle and the Worcester papers.
Voted that the Selectmen should get a guardian appointed over
Jonathan Pickering.
NOV. 5. FOR REPRESENTATIVE IX CONGRESS.
For Levi Lincoln Esq., 24 votes,
" Dwight Foster, Esq., 16 "
Voted to allow John Darling rive dollars for collecting the
school house tax.
Col. Philip Ammidon, Peter Penniman Esq., and Luke Aid-
rich were chosen a committee to view the proposed land to be ex-
changed with Col. James Mellen, and report at the next meeting.
Nov. 7. At an adjourned meeting held this day the Commit-
tee made the following report:
"That the land proposed by said Mellen for exchange begin at a stake
aud stoues at the northwest corner of his land on the West road thence run-
ning easterly twelve and a half rods to a stake and stones in the wall on the
464 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1799.
east road, and including all the laud southward of the above mentioned line
and between the said East and West road, containing, by the estimation of
your Committee, one hundred and nine rods.
In exchange for the above piece of land your Committee conceive it ex-
pedient that the town should convey to the aforesaid James Mellen a piece
of the north part of the Training Field, bounded as follows, viz : Beginning
at the southwest corner of said Mellen's laud on the east road, thence run-
ning southwardly nine rods and three feet to a stake and stones, thence east-
wardly thirteen rod to a stake and stones adjoining said Mellen's land north-
wardly then and bounded on said Mellen's land seven and one half rods,
thence westwardly and bounded on said Mellen's land thirteen and one half
rods to the first mentioned bound."
Which is submitted by
Philip Ammidon, ) ,, ...
Peter PENNiMAN,!"CommilteC-
Upon this report the Selectmeu, by a vote of the town, were
empowered to give said Mellen a quit-claim deed of the above
mentioned piece of land and also take a quit-claim deed of said
Mellen's land.
1799. March i. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Dr.
Joseph Adams, Lt. John Benson, Capt. Aaron Thayer, Seth
Kelly, Jr., and Ezra Allen, Selectmen; Oliver Carpenter, Treas-
urer; Seth Davenport, and Ahaz. Allen, Constables and Collect-
ors; Seth Hastings, Dr. Joseph Adams, Baruch Penniman, Benj.
Bead, Esq., Dr. Daniel Thurber, John Benson and Ichabod Cook,
School Committee.
Voted to raise $600 for repairs of highways and bridges and
that 70 cents shall be allowed for a day's work.
Voted to accept of the list of names reported by the Selectmen
to be put in the jury box.
Aroted that Col. James Mellen shall have the privilege of pur-
chasing the land which the town is to receive of him in exchange
for part of the training field, provided the town shall ever sell
said land, at the price the other part of the training field may be
sold for according to the quality thereof.
April 1. Voted to raise $400 for defraying town charges, and
$400 for schooling.
Seth Davenport to have six dollars for collecting the town tax-
1800.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 465
es in the First or North Parish and Ahaz Allen to have ten dol-
lars for collecting- in the 2nd. or South Parish.
Voted to allow Oliver Carpenter's account, viz:
Nov. 23, 1795. An account of labor done in making the road
by William French's.
Eleazer Daniels 3 days his Oxen 4 days @ 2s £0 14 00
Ahaz Allen 4 days & his oxen 4 " " 16 00
Nahum Wheelock 5 days Ins Oxen one " 0 12 00
to 2 qts. of Rum bought of Augustus Neat 3 04
"(5 " of Rum " " Solomon Johnson 10 06
" use of Wm, Thayer's Plow to plow down the hill 6 00*
" Myself and Oxen 5 days and boarding part of the men 1 00 00
Errors and omissions excepted £4 01 10
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Increase Sumner, had 4o votes.
William Heath, "33 "
"' Lt. Governor, Moses Gill, "32 "
For ISenatovs — Josiah Stearns 46, Salem Towne, Bezaleel Taft and Thomas
Hale had 44 each, Nathl. Paiue 31, Elijah Brigham 13, Benj. Read 1, Sam-
uel Jones 5, Benj. Joslin 2, Peter Penniman 5 and Ezra Wood 1.
May G. Col. Philip Ammidon, Representative to the General
Court.
The Selectmen were directed to supply any deficiency in the
town's stock of powder which the town, by law, is required to
keep.
Aug. 14. Chose Seth Hastings and Philip Ammidon. Esqrs.,
to defend the suit brought by the town of Uxbridge against the
town of Mendon to determine the habitancy and support of Cuf-
fee Bushee and of Cuffee Darling and his wife.
1800. March 3. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Lt. Joseph
Adams, Moses Daniels, Andrew Dexter, Benj. Blake and David
Davenport. Selectmen; Oliver Carpenter, Treasurer, and Levi
Kawson and John Benson, Constables and Collectors, the first
for the North Parish and second for the South Parish, each to
have eight dollars.
Voted to raise 1500 for the repairs of highways and bridges.
59
46(i ANNALS OF MENDON. [1800.
and to allow eight cents an hour for a man and the same for a
yoke of oxen and cart.
Voted to raise $400 for schooling the present year.
Voted that the Treasurer supply a sufficient quantity of Stamp
Papers to supply the inhabitants of the town.
Voted that the Selectmen be directed to give no orders to any
School Master, that may keep school in said town, not qualified
as the law directs.
April 7. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Elbridge Gerry Esq. had 71 votes.
Caleb Strong Esq. "19
" Lt. Governor, William Heath Esq. "58 "
Moses Gill Esq. "10
For Senators & Counsellors — Hon. Levi Lincoln had 49. Hon. Salem
Towne 77. Hon. John Whiting & Hon. Samuel Flagg 54 each. Hon.
Samuel Jones 56. Hon. Elijah Brigham, Hon. Bezaleel Taft & Hon.
Thomas Hale 20 each. Hon. Josiah Stearns 14 and Hon. Joseph Wood 7.
Voted to raise $500 for town charges the current year.
May 5. Chose Philip Ammidon Representative to the General
Court.
The qualification of voters was defined in the warrant for this
meeting as follows, "'a freehold estate within the Commonwealth
of the annual income of ten dollars or any estate to the value of
two hundred dollars.''
Benj. Read, Seth Kelley, Ezra Allen, Joseph Adams and
Benj. Thayer, Jr., were chosen a committee to make some new
arrangement in the Districts for highways, and report at the
next meeting.
This committee reported thirteen Districts and gave the boun-
daries to each, and exempted the Second, Third, Seventh, Eighth
and Fifth Districts from making any repairs upon the Boston
and Hartford Turnpike, Avhich passed through said districts.
The committee also reported that George and Luke Kelly and
Dr. Parkman be assessed in the '*'3thd. District, and that Naa-
man Aldrich shall be assessed in the 9th. District for highway
taxes." These j)ersons were non-residents.
May 5. The following roads, which had been laid out by the
Selectmen, were accepted, viz: —
1800. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 467
A road from Northbridge line near where John Walker lately lived to
the County road leading over School hrook to West Hill.
Another road from Quisset hrook (so called) to the road leading by Ezra
Allen's.
Another of two rods wide from Asa Fletcher's to the road leading over
Wigwam Hill (so called).
June 5. The only article in the warrant was —
"To see if the town would oppose the acceptance of a road, laid out, by
the Court's committee, from Mendon to Milford."
Benjamin Read, Esq., was chosen an agent to oppose the ac-
ceptance of the road leading from Mendon to Milford. This
was the road now leading from the house of Silas Dudley to the
corner at Henry L. Patrick's store, by the house of Samuel
Walker.
REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS.
The qualifications of voters for this election were stated in the
warrant to he that the person claiming to vote must be twenty-
one years of age, a resident of the town for one year next pre-
ceding the day of election, to be possessed of a freehold within
the town of the annual income of three pounds, or any estate to
the value of sixty pounds.
The votes were for Levi Lincoln, Esq., G6. Seth Hastings, Esq., 18.
Pliny Merrick, Esq., 1. Bezaleel Taft, Esq., 1.
This election was held to supply a vacancy consequent upon
the resignation of the Hon. 1) wight Foster, who had been elected
a Senator in Congress.
Aug. 25. No choice having been made at the first trial,
another trial was had this day and with the following result:
Hon. Levi Lincoln had 68 votes. Hon. Seth Hastings had 22 votes.
Hon. Salem Towne had 1 only.
Nov. 3. Voted Lt. John Benson, Benj. Thayer, Jr., and
Ezra Allen be a committee to repair the bridge by Jesse Dar-
ling's mills, to get what subscriptions they can, to get out the
timber next winter, and to see how cheap they can get the
bridge built by the job.
Voted that the selectmen be directed to compromise the matter
with Benjamin Legg, Luke Aldrich, Simeon Staples and Naaman
468 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1801.
Aldrich, in relation to damages on account of roads laid over
their lands.
THIRD TRIAL FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS.
No choice having heen made at the second trial, at this elec-
tion
Hon. Levi Lincoln had 110 votes. Hon. Seth Hastings had 18 votes.
Hon. John Upham had 1 vote. Hon. Salem Towne had 1 vote.
Dec. 15. Again there was no choice, and a meeting held this
day the votes were as follows, viz:
Hon. Levi Lincoln had 78. Hon. Seth Hastings had 1 only. •
This election resulted in the choice of Hon. Levi Lincoln to
represent the Fourth Western District, as it was then called, in
Congress.
1801. March 2. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Joseph
Adams, John Benson, Thomas Taft, Ichabod Cook and Ahaz
Allen, Selectmen; Oliver Carpenter, Treasurer; Nairn m Whee-
lock, Constable and Collector.
Voted to allow Nahiim Wheelock 17.00 for collecting the
taxes in the First Parish and $7.50 for collecting taxes in the
South Parish.
Voted to raise $300, and to take $100 of interest due the town
for schooling.
Voted to raise $500 for the repair of highways and bridges,
and that eight cents an hour be allowed for a man and eight
cents an hour for one yoke of oxen and a cart.
April 6. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hon. Elbridge Gerry had 90 votes.
" Hon. Caleb Strong had 25
" " Edward H. Kobbins had 2 "
" Lt. Gov. William Heath, Esq., had 88 "
Edward H. Bobbins, Esq., had 17
Samuel Phillips, Esq., had '4
For Senators and Councillors — Elijah Brigham, Josiah Strong, Bezaleel
Taft and Thomas Hale, Esqs , had 22 each. Salem Towne 23. John Whit-
ing, Esq., 85. Saml. Jones, Esq., 84. Jonathan Grout, Esq., 83. Josiah
Wood, Esq., 17. Edward Bangs, Esq., 84. Daniel Henshaw, Esq., 61.
Josiah Stone, Esq., 2, and Daniel Bigelow 1.
1802. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 4b'9
May 6. For Representatives to the General Court — Dr. Joseph Adams had
68 votes. Benj. Read, Esq., had 49 votes. Dr. Daniel Thurher had 3
votes.
May 4. Voted to appropriate $400 of the money that the
town has on loan over and above the $100 (already appropriated
for schooling), to defray town charges the present year.
Voted to raise $400 in addition to the above sum to defray
town charges the present year.
Voted that Mr. Dexter, pursuant to the recommendation of a
committee heretofore appointed, have the old road by his land,
he paying the sum of four dollars for the same.
June 22. The Hon. Levi Lincoln having resigned his seat in
Congress, an election was held this day to choose his successor,
and
Gen. John Whiting had 63 votes. Hon. Seth Hastings had 13 votes.
No choice being effected at this trial another meeting was
called.
Aug. 24. At a town meeting held this day,
Hon. Setli Hastings, Esq., had 44 votes. Gen. John Whiting had 82
votes.
At this trial Hon. Seth Hastings, of Mendon. was elected.
l802. March 1. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Joseph
Adams, Ichabod Cook, Chas. Allen, Henry S. Benson and Jo-
tham Taft, Selectmen; Oliver Carpenter, Treasurer; and Nahum
Wheelock, Constable.
Benjamin Read was chosen agent to defend an action brought
against the town by John Cooper.
April 1. STATE ELECTIOX.
For Governor, Hon. Elbridge Gerry had 90 votes.
" " Hon. Caleb Strong had 33 "
" Lt. Governor, Hon. William Heath had 92 "
Hon. Edward H. Bobbins had 30 "
For Senators and Councillors — John Whiting, Edward Bangs and Pliny
Merrick, Esqrs. , had 99 each. Moses White and Samuel Jones, Esqrs., 98.
Elijah Brigham, Salem Towne, Bezaleel Taft, Thomas Hale and Daniel
Bigelow, Esqrs., 32 each, and William Putnam, Esq., 1.
470 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1802.
April 5. Voted to accept of the list of voters presented by
the Selectmen, qualified to vote for Governor, Lieut. Governor,
Senators and Representatives in the General Court and Repre-
sentatives in Congress.
William Torrey, Benj. Read and Moses Daniels were chosen a
committee to sell or let any useless pieces of road.
May 3. For Representatives to the General Court,
Dr. Joseph Adams had 90 votes. Benj. Read, Esq., had 2 votes.
Voted to raise $600 to defray town charges the present year.
Voted to raise $300 for the support of schools, and that $100
be taken from the loan money, in addition, for the same purpose.
Voted to raise $500 for repair of highways and bridges, and
that eight cents an hour for a man and the same for a yoke of
oxen and cart be allowed.
The bridge at Darling's Mills, (now Millville), notwithstand-
ing the examination and report of two or three committees, and
notwithstanding the town had voted to have "the string pieces
cut in the winter," still remained unbuilt. A new committee,
consisting of Darius Daniels, Ezra Allen and John Benson, were
directed "to make some proposals to some person or persons to
repair the bridge by Darling's Mills and report to the town at
some future meeting.'' It seems this committee failed to accom-
plish anything, at any rate they failed to build the bridge, and
August 30, the town chose a new committee by an addition to
the old one of Enos Taft, Benjamin Read, James Paine and
Moses Daniels, who were instructed to view the bridge, make an
estimate of its probable cost, get the lowest terms they can, and
report to the town.
Voted to raise $300 to he laid out for repairing the bridge at
Darling's Mills, and that the committee contract with some
person to do the work at a cost not to exceed $300.
Sept. 6. Voted that the Selectmen be directed to enter into
writings with the abovesaid committee, or any other persons
who shall undertake to rebuild the abovesaid bridge, and "to be
as explicit as they can in what Construction the abovesaid bridge
shall be rebuilt."
Voted to petition the Court of Sessions (which, at this time,
exercised the same powers over roads as that hoav discharged by
1803.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 471
the County Commissioners,) to grant that further time be al-
lowed for opening the new county road (to Milford) just estab-
lished, and Peter Penniman and Benjamin Read, Esqrs., were
chosen agents for that purpose.
Nov. 1. The committee, it seems, did not succeed with the
Court of Sessions, as on this day the town
Voted to take $500 of the money the town has on loan to pay
for the damages assessed for the New County Eoad, and that the
Treasurer be directed to call upon individuals to each pay in his
proportion of that sum, according to their bonds.
An election for a Representative in Congress from the Worces-
ter South District took place at this time. The State having
been redistricted during the administration of Gov. Gerry, the
Fourth Western District had become the Worcester South Dis-
trict. This revision of the Congressional Districts was claimed,
by the opponents of Governor Gerry, as a device to increase the
Democratic vote in Congress, and hence, by way of derision, the
State was said to have been Gerrymandered. The vote at the
election was as follows, viz:
Edward Bangs, Esq., had 60 votes. Seth Hastings, Esq., bad 46 votes.
and Mr. Bangs was elected, there being a Democratic majority
in the District.
1803. March 7. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Joseph
Adams, Ichabod Cook, Ahaz Allen, Caleb Thayer and Baxter
Johnson, Selectmen; Oliver Carpenter, Treasurer; Benj. Blake
and Nahum Wheelock, Constables.
Voted to choose a committee "to look into the state of the
School Districts " in the town, and report at the adjournment of
this meeting.
One from each District was chosen, viz: Joseph Adams, Ahaz
Allen, Aaron Thayer. Nahor Staples, Caleb Thayer, Nathan
Very, Benj. Read, Moses Daniels, James Paine, Solomon Wood.
Jacob Southwick, George Gaskill and Nathl. Capron.
April 4. Met and adjourned to May 2.
Under another warrant for April 4, the inhabitants met for
the
472 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1803
STATE ELECTION.
For Gov., His Excellency Caleb Strong bad 38 votes
Hon. Elbridge Gerry had 104 "
For Lieut. Governor, James Bowdoin, Esq., bad 98 "
Edward H. Robbins, Esq. , bad 27 "
For Senators and Councillors — John Whiting and Pliny Merrick, Esqrs.,
had 88 each. Samuel Jones, Esq., and Edward Bangs, Esq., had 89 each.
Daniel Bigelow and Thomas Hale, Esqrs., 27 each. Bezaleel Taf t 25. Eli-
jah Brigharn 23, and Salem Towne 2.
May 2. For Representative to the General Court — Doct. Joseph Adams
had 47 votes. David Davenport had 29 votes.
Voted to accept the report of the committee appointed " to
look into the state of the School Districts,"' which is as follows,
viz: —
" To divide the School money the present year, one half to be divided
according to the valuation and one half according to the number of
scholars."
Voted to raise $500 for repairs of highways and bridges, and
to allow eight cents per hour for a man and the same for one yoke
of oxen and cart.
Voted to raise $600 to defray town charges and $400 for
schooling.
Voted to forego the taxes of Samuel Smith, George Harris,
Abraham Wilson, Paul Whitcomb and Morris Twitchel.
Voted that Benjamin Blake be Collector of Taxes, and he be
paid fourteen dollars for that service.
May 23. Voted to discontinue the Old County Road, (so
called) from Mendon to Uxbridge, that is not used by " the
Corporation,"' meaning the Boston and Hartford Turnpike, it is
supposed.
Voted to discontinue the Post Road (now Post Lane,) to
Milford.
Voted to sell and dispose of the Old County Road leading
through Mendon from Uxbridge to Bellingham, and Moses
Daniels, James Mellen and Benj. Read were chosen a com-
mittee for that purpose.
The above proceedings were transacted under the March meet-
ing warrant by adjournments from time to time.
In a warrant for a meeting, May 23, the qualifications for a
1804.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 473
voter were .stated as follows, viz: "Such as pay to one single
tax, besides the poll or polls, a sum equal to two thirds of a
single poll tax."
Voted to sell the piece of land set off to the town by virtue of
an execution against Nathan Aldrich.
Voted that the selectmen call upon Benoni Benson and Asa
Fletcher to renew their old School Bonds (so called). These are
supposed to have been given as securities for lands heretofore
assigned for the benefit of the schools.
The Selectmen having reported to the town a list of names
for the jury boxes, thereupon it was
Voted that the Selectmen be directed to select out one third
of the names to be put in the Superior box, one third in the
Inferior box, and the remaining third to be laid aside as the
law directs.
Voted that, in future, the Constable give personal notice to
the Selectmen and Town Clerk to attend "'the appointment of
jurymen."'
1804. April 2. Chose Seth Chapin, Town Clerk; Joseph
Adams, Nathan Very, Aaron Thayer, Benj. Pickering and Na-
hum Wheelock, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen, Treasurer, and Benj.
Blake Constable and Collector. No Tithing men or Deer Rieve
chosen.
Voted to raise $500 to defray town charges the current year.
Voted to raise 1400 for schooling, and to divide the school
money according to the number of scholars, deducting $33. 33
from the whole sum to be sub-divided by the Selectmen among
such districts as they, in their wisdom, shall think just.
Voted to pass over the ninth article, which was, " To see if
the town will erect a work house for the Poor of the town."
Voted to inspect the Selectmen's and Treasurer's accounts,
and chose Benj. Read, Dan Aldrich and David Davenport a
committee for that purpose.
STATE ELECTIOX.
For Governor, James Sullivan, Esq., had Gti.
Caleb Strong, Esq., had 32.
•• Lt. Governor, William Heath, Esq., had 78.
Edward H. Robbing, Esq., had 21.
00
474
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1804.
For Senators and Councillors — Edward Bangs, John Whiting, Moses
White and Samuel Jones had 76 votes each, and Salem Towne, Daniel
Bigelow, Elijah Brigham and Thomas Hale 22 votes each.
This was the first State election when there were no scattering
votes.
May 7. For Representative to the General Court — Doct. Joseph Adams
had 59 votes. David Davenport had 20 votes.
Nov,
ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.
i Hon. David Cobb, Gouldsborough Dist., Me., 32 votes.
Electors at large, -j Hqq 0Hver Wendell; Boston District, Mass., 32 '
Suffolk District— Hon. John Coffin Jones, Boston, Mass., 32 "
Essex South District — Hon. Benj. Goodhue, Salem, Mass., 32
Essex North District— Bailey Bartlett, Haverhill, Mass., 32 "
Middlesex District — Eleazer Brooks, Lincoln, Mass. , 32
Hampshire South District — William Shepard, Westtield, Mass., 32
do North District — Ebenezer Mattoon, Amherst, Mass., 32
Plymouth District — William Seaver, Kingston, Mass., 32 "
Barnstable District — Ebenezer Bacon, Barnstable, Mass., 32 "
Bristol District — George Leonard, Norton, Mass., 32 "
Worcester South District — Joseph Allen, Worcester, Mass., 32
do North District — Josiah Stearns, Lunenburg, Mass., 32 "
Berkshire District — David Rossiter, Richmond, Mass., 32 "
Norfolk District— Cotton Tufts, Weymouth, Mass. , 32 "
York District— John Lord, Berwick, Me.. District, 32 "
Cumberland District — Isaac Parker, Portland, Me., " 32
Lincoln District — Thomas Rice, Wiscasset, Me., " 32 "
Kennebeck District — Samuel S. Wilde, Hallowed, Me.," 32 "
The foregoing composed the Federal ticket.
c James Sullivan, of Boston, Mass.. Ill votes.
Electors at large, -j Elbridge Geny of Cambridge, Mass., Ill »
Suffolk District — James Bowdoin, of Boston, Mass., Ill "
Essex South District — John Hathorne, of Boston, Mass, 111 "
do North District — Thomas Kittredge, of Andover, Mass., Ill
Middlesex District — James Winthrop, of Cambridge, Mass., Ill "
Hampshire South District — Jonathan Smith, of West Springfield,
Mass., Ill "
do North District — Edward Upham, New Salem, Mass, 111 "
Worcester North District — Gen. John Whiting, Lancaster, Mass., Ill "
do South District — Timothy Newell, Sturbridge, Mass., Ill "
Plymouth District — James Warren, of Plymouth, Mass, 111
Bristol District — Josiah Deane, of Raynham, Mass., Ill "
Barnstable District— John Davis, of Barnstable. Mass., Ill "
180f). | ANNALS OF MENDON. 475
Berkshire District — Jolm Baron, of Stockbridge, Mass..
Norfolk District— William Heath, of Roxbury, Mass..
York District — John Woodman, of Buxton, Me., Dist
Cumberland District — Charles Turner, of Turner, Me.,
Kennebeek District — Thos. Fillebrown, of Hallowell, Me.,'
Lincoln District — John Farley, of New Castle, Me., '
For Representative in Congress — Edward Bangs, Esq.,
Seth Hastings, Esq., had 35 votes.
Nov. 2o. The Selectmen of Mcndon and the Selectmen of
Bellingham perambulated the line between the towns and agreed
to the bounds.
111
votes.
111
■'
rict,
111
111
111
111
"
had
104
votes.
1805. March 4. Cho.se Joseph Torrey, Town Clerk; Joseph
Adams, Artemas Thayer, Aaron Thayer, Benj. Pickering and
Xahum Wheelock, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen, Treasurer, and Par-
don Aldrich, Constable and Collector, and he to he paid 118.50
for collecting the taxes.
Voted to raise 1500 for schooling, to be divided among the
number of scholars, except £10, which is to be distributed by
the Selectmen as they shall see tit.
Voted to raise $1000 for repairs of highways and bridges, and
to allow eight cents an hour for a man and the same for a yoke
of oxen and cart.
Voted that swine and neat cattle may run at large, the swine
being yoked and ringed according to law.
Voted that the Selectmen "'look into the matter respecting
hiring a house to put the Poor of the town in the present year,
and report at the time of the adjournment of this meeting.'"
April 1. STATE ELECTION'.
For Governor, James Sullivan had 144 votes.
Caleb Strong had 42 ' '
For Lt. Governor, William Heath had 142 "
Edward H. Bobbins had 44 "
For Senators and Councillors — EdWard Bangs, John Whiting, Samuel
Jones and Pliny Merrick, Esqrs., had 145 each. Salem Towne, Elijah
Brigham, Daniel Bigelow and Thomas Hale had 42 votes each.
April 1. Chose Joseph Adams, Joseph Torrey and Benj.
Read a committee to sell Post Lane, (so called) and the Old
47fi ANNALS OF MENDON. [1805.
County Road from Joseph McClintock's and so on over Pond
Hills, (so called), that is useless. Also the road leading from
the new County Road to Post Lane.
Voted -to raise 1400 for defraying town charges the current
year.
May 6. Votes for Representative to the General (hurt — Dr. Joseph Adams
had 84 votes. David Davenport had 12 votes.
KEY. PRESERVED SMITH, THE SEVENTH MINISTER.
The Rev. Preserved Smith succeeded Mr. Alexander, and was
installed Oct. 2, 1805. over both Parishes, preaching alternately
at the old meeting house, (which was sold to Holland Allbe,
Sept. 20, 1843, and taken down by him soon afterwards,) and at
the meeting house at Chestnut Hill, now in Blackstone.
He was born in Ashfield, Mass., June 25, 1759, and was the
son of Elder Ebenezer Smith, who was for many years pastor
of the Baptist Church in that town, and died at the advanced
age of 90.
At the age of 10 he entered the army and served five cam-
paigns during the war of the Revolution, and was at the surren-
der of Burgoyne. Leaving the army at the age of 19 he bought
his time of his father and set out in the world for himself.
Purchasing a few acres of land, he was enabled to pay for the
same from the proceeds of his first crop of grain, and soon after
sold it at a handsome advance. He now commenced preparing
himself for college under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Hubbard.
of Shelburne. and the Rev. Mr. Murdoch, of Pawlet, Yt., teach-
ing school in the winter and working for his board in the
summer.
He had not only to struggle with penury, but with the oppo-
sition of his. parents and relatives, who belonged to the Baptist
denomination — a denomination which, at that period, believed
that preaching was a special gift, not to be acquired by "college
larninV They used to say that they who wrote their sermons
went to college to learn that r-e-a-d spelled preach. Our Baptist
friends have long since outgrown this idea, and no longer dis-
regard the advantages of the academy and the college in their
preparation for the ministerial office.
He entered Dartmouth College in 1782, and at the close of the
1805.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 477
academic year dissolved his connection with that institution,
and entered a year in advance at Rhode Island College, (now
Brown University), graduated in 1786, and commenced the
study of divinity with the Rev. Mr. Emerson, of Conway, Mass.
It is probable that the Baptist dogmas, in which he had been
educated under the parental roof, had been gradually losing their
influence over him during his collegiate course
In the spring of 1787 he was appointed to preach by the
Hampshire Association, and in November following was settled
in the ministry at Rowe, Mass. In January. 1788, he married
Miss Eunice Wells, daughter of Col. David Wells, of Shelburne.
Of this lady it is sufficient to say that all who knew her could
bear a- willing testimony to her social and domestic virtues and
her Christian character.
In the summer of 1780 Mr. S. made a visit to Niagara Falls
on horse back. This journey occupied six weeks, and sixty
miles of the way was made through an unbroken forest, fording
rivers, encamping on the ground at night, and often meeting
the wild deer and wilder savage. On his return he published an
account of his trip in the Greenfield Gazette.
Mr. Smith remained at Rowe as the minister until May, 1804.
One of the deacons became estranged "from him. and, although a
large majority of the church adhered to him still, he thought
best to sever his pastoral connection with the people with whom
he had so long labored. His farewell discourse was preached
from the 10th verse of the loth chapter of Proverbs, which is in
these words, " Better is a dinner with herbs where love is. than
a stalled ox and hatred therewith." In this discourse something-
was said which irritated the good deacon, who afterwards sought
his revenge, while Mr. S. was preaching in Mendon, by causing
a pamphlet, containing slanderous accusations against him, to
be distributed there. Whatever the libels were, they failed of
disturbing the kindly relations subsisting between Mr. S. and
the people of Mendon.
During Mr. Smith's residence in Mendon, besides a prompt
attention to all his parochial duties, he taught school and fitted
a number of young men for college.
In 1812, after a service of eight years here, the people of Rowe
gave him a unanimous call to return and be resettled with them.
478 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1805.
This rare and novel circumstance in the history of New Eng-
land churches may properly be quoted as an ample refutation of
the charges made by his quondam deacon, who died soon after
their publication. This invitation he was led to accept in con-
sideration that the pastoral care of two parishes was becoming
too onerous for its faithful discharge, and that if he resigned
one of the parishes, the other did not have the means to provide
the necessary support for himself and family.
Mr. .Smith, while in Mendon, was an Arminian, although he
did not reject the Divinity. He afterwards, about 1820, reject-
ed that doctrine and became a Unitarian, though he preferred
the simple name of Christian.
After sustaining the relation of pastor to the people of Rowe
a, second time, for the period of twenty years, and having com-
pleted a ministry, at Rowe and Mendon, of forty-five years, he
felt Clod, in his providence, had called him, like Aaron of old,
to lay aside his sacerdotal robes to be worn by another. He was
succeeded by the Rev. W. L. Stearns.
Although Mr. S. was an industrious student and an indepen-
dent thinker through life, he committed but very little to print.
He published a farewell sermon and two Masonic discourses,
A distinguishing feature of Mr. Smith's character was his love
of truth. So strong was this element developed that he seemed
instinctively to revolt from anything like hypocrisy and cant.
With his cordial and affectionate nature, the shake of the hand
and the friendly salutation meant what they ought to mean, as
outward tokens of inward feelings.
After the close of his resettlement at Rowe in 1832, the follow-
ing spring he went to reside with his son in Warwick, Mass., the
Rev. Preserved Smith, who was then pastor of the First Con-
gregational Church and Society in that place. Here he con-
tinued to reside until August 15, 1834, when,
" Like him who wraps the drapery of his couch around him,
And lies down to pleasant dreams,"
he quietly, at the age of 75, yielded up his spirit to God who
gave it, with the assured faith in the blessedness of the new life
to come.
1806.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 479
1806. March 3. Joseph Torrey was chosen Town Clerk;
Joseph Adams, Artemas Thayer, Aaron Thayer, Benj. Picker-
ing and Henry Sweeting, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen, Treasurer,
and Pardon Aldrich, Constable, and Luke Aldrich, Constable
and Collector.
Voted to raise lb'00 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Adjourned to the first Monday in April.
April 7. Met according to adjournment.
Voted to the Collector, Luke Aldrich, $24.50 for collecting
taxes this year.
Voted to allow eight cents an hour for a man, and the same
for a yoke of oxen and cart for work on the highways.
Voted to raise $600 to defray town charges the current year.
Voted to raise 1500 for schooling.
Adjourned to the May meeting.
April 7. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Caleb Strong, Esq., 47 voles.
James Sullivan, Esq., 131 •'
Lt. Governor, Edward H. Bobbins, Esq., 43 "
William Heath, Esq., 135 "
For Senators and Councillors — Edward Bangs, Pliny Merrick and Samuel
Jones had 133 each. Moses White, 133. Salem Towue, Daniel Bigelow,
Thomas Hale and Elijah Brigham had 47 each, and John Whiting, Esq 1.
For County Treasurer — Samuel Allen, Esq., had 49 votes.
Voted to accept a road laid out by the Selectmen, beginning
near Lt. Seth Wheelock's house, &c, and through Ahaz Allen's
land.
May 5. Adjourned April meeting.
Voted to take so much of the town's money arising from the
sale of the old roads as to furnish each soldier with twenty-four
rounds of cartridges, and said cartridges to be kept in the public
town store and be renewed yearly as the property of the traini no-
soldiers.
May 5. Voted to sell such useless roads as the committee that
may be hereafter chosen for that purpose may think proper to
sell, and Seth Davenport. Aaron Thayer and Moses Daniels were
chosen the Committee.
Voted to forego Ealph Freeman's tax, $3,73; Wilder Johnson's
tax. $1.36; Calvin Alexander's tax, $1.00; Amasa Holden's tax.
$1.00.
480 ANNALS OF MENDON. | 1807.
For Representative to the General Court — Dr. Joseph Adams had 78 votes.
David Davenport had 8 votes.
Nov. 3. For Representative in Congress, Tenth District — Edward Bangs,
Esq., had 92 votes. Jabez Upham had 39 votes.
Nov. 11. This day the Selectmen perambulated (by their
committee) the town line between Mendon and Upton and Men-
don and Northbridffe, with the Selectmen of those towns.
1807. March 2. Chose Joseph Torrey, Town Clerk; Joseph
Adams, Elijah Thayer, Aaron Thayer, Nathan Very and Warren
Rawson, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen, Treasurer; Hezekiah Fletcher,
Constable and Collector.
The town had been divided into thirteen School Districts,
and this year the School Committee consisted of one member
from each District, as follows, viz:
1st I)
'istrict,
Joseph Adams.
8th District,
Obadiah Wood.
2d
do.
Warren Rawson.
9th
do.
Elijah Thayer.
3d
do.
Ahaz Allen,
10th
do.
Mussey Southwick,
4th
do.
Moses Daniels.
11th
do.
Nathan Very.
5th
do.
Amos Thayer.
12th
do.
Benedict Remington,
6th
do.
Setli Kelley.
13th
do.
Archelus Smith.
7th
do.
Thomas Taft.
No further business wras transacted at this meeting, except to
aeeept of the list of jurors reported by the Selectmen, and, for
first time for many years, to vote that swine should not ran at
large.
April 6. At an adjourned meeting held this day.
Voted to raise $500 for schooling.
Voted to raise $600 for repair of roads and bridges.
Voted to pay Hezekiah Fletcher for the collection of taxes
$24.50.
Adjourned to the May meeting.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Caleb Strong, Esq., had 53 votes.
James Sullivan, Esq., had 156 " Elected.
FovLt. Governor, Edward H. Robbins, Esq., had 51 "
Levi Lincoln, Esq., had 156 "
For Senators and Councillors — Pliny Merrick, Edward Bangs, Samuel
Jones and Moses White, Esqrs., had 149 votes each; and Salem Towne,
1808.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 481
Elijah Brigham, Thomas Hale and James Kendall, Esqs. , had 49 vote-
each.
Voted to raise $000 to defray town charges the present year.
Voted to raise $300 for rebuilding the bridge near Darling's
Mills.
Voted that Moses Daniels, Israel Mowry and Elijah Thayer
be a committee to see if it is expedient to allow Stephen Cook
to shut up the road from near his house to the north end of the
pond, provided he will build another road farther west.
Elijah Thayer, Nathan Very and Nathaniel Capron were
chosen a committee to repair the bridge by Oapron's Mill.
(Darling's).
The fourth article in the warrant was, " to see if the town
will encourage the uniforming the militia in said town."
Voted " not to do anything to that end/'
May 4. For Repi'esentative to the General Court — Dr. Joseph Adams had
80 votes. Nathan Very, Esq., had 12 votes.
1808. March 7. Chose Joseph Torrey, Town Clerk; Joseph
Adams, Seth Kelley, Aaron Thayer. John Southwick, 2d, and
Warren Rawson, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen, Treasurer, and John
Thayer Constable and Collector.
Voted to raise $800 for the repair of highways and bridges.
Chose Warren Rawson, Moses Daniels, Ahaz Allen, Elijah
Thayer and Nathan Very a committee to revise the Highway
Districts, and "make return accordingly."
Voted that $33.33 of the school money shall be apportioned
among such school districts, after the rest of the school money
has been divided, as the Selectmen shall judge proper.
The eleventh article in the warrant for this meeting was as
follows, viz: —
"To see if the town will grant to the soldiers of the two companies in this
town, who volunteered their services for the support of their country on
the late requisition a sum of money and, if any, what sum, out of the
money remaining in the treasury unappropriated or otherwise?"
Upon this the town
" Voted that every person who volunteered his services on the late emer
131
482 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1808.
gency of our country, to march at a moment's warning, who shall person-
ally appear, shall be entitled to receive three dollars, as a bounty out of
any unappropriated money now in the treasury."
For some time past the relations between the United States
and England had assumed a somewhat belligerent character,
especially after the unprovoked attack made upon the frigate
Chesapeake by the British frigate Leopard, June 23, 1807. In
November, 1807, Congress made a requisition for 100,000 men
to be held in readiness when wanted. The volunteers here
spoken of were a part of that call. This alarm soon subsided,
in a measure, and the war was put off until 1812.
April 4. Voted that the Collector, John Thayer, be paid ten
dollars for his services. As twenty-four dollars and fifty cents,
for collecting the year before was paid, it is supposed, as now,
(1880) the collection of the taxes was given to the one who would
collect them for the least sum.
Voted to raise $500 for town charges the present year.
Voted to raise $500 for schooling, reserving $33.33 to be dis-
tributed as before provided.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, James Sullivan, Esq., had 143 votes. Elected.*
" do Christopher Gore, Esq., had 54
" do Levi Lincoln, Esq., had 1
" Lt Governor, Levi Lincoln. Esq., had 138 "
do Daniel Cobb, Esq., had 54 "
" do James Sullivan, Esq., had 1
For Senators and Councillors — Pliny Merrick, Edward Bangs, Samuel
Jones and Moses White, Esqrs., had 135 each. Salem Towne, Elijah Brig-
ham, Thomas Hale and Jonas Kendall, Esqrs., had 56 each.
May 2. Vote for Representative to the General Court — Dr. Joseph Adams
had 85 votes. Nathan Very, Esq., had 7 votes.
Sept. 12. The disposal of such portions of the roads as had
become useless seems to have been a difficult matter, as numer-
ous committees heretofore chosen had been unable to accomplish
that object.
At this meeting another attempt was determined upon, and
Ahaz Allen, Levi Rawson and Seth Chapin were chosen a com-
mittee to sell the Eight Rod Road (so called); the remainder of
Post Lane; a road leading from Muddy Brook (so called) through
*Died Dec. 10.
1809.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 483
lands of Stephen and William Torrey to the Right Rod Road,
and also the Old County Road (so called) over the Pond Hills.
Vote for Representative in Congress — Edward Bangs, Esq., had 120 votes.
Jabez Upham, had 35 votes.
1809. March 6. Joseph Torrey was chosen Town Clerk;
Joseph Adams, Elijah Thayer, Warren Rawson, Asa Kelley and
Amos Thayer, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen, Treasurer, and John
Thayer, Constable and Collector.
Voted to pay the Collector $10.50 for collecting the taxes.
Voted to raise $500 to defray town charges; 1600 for school-
ing, and $800 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted to restrain neat cattle and horses from running at large.
April 3. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hon. Levi Lincoln had 183 votes. .
Hon. Christopher Gore had 60 " Elected.
" Lt. Governor, Joseph Varnum, Esq., had 175 "
do David Cobb, Esq., had 61 "
For Senators and Councillors — Edward Bangs, Samuel Jones, Pliny Mer-
rick and Moses White, Esqrs., had 166 votes each, and Salem Towne, Elijah
Brigham, Thomas Hale and Jonas Kendall, Esqrs., had 59 votes each.
May 8. For Representatives to the General Court — Joseph Adams, Esq.,
had 111 votes. Dr. Daniel Thurber had 82 votes. Moses Daniels had 16
votes. Elijah Thayer had 12 votes.
This is the first year when the town sent two Representatives.
Joseph Adams and Dr. Daniel Thurber, the successful candi-
dates, were both Democrats.
Adjournment of the April meeting.
May 8. The eighth article in the warrant was, " to see if the
town would raise a sum of money, and, if any, what sum to pa}'
the soldiers of the two Companies of this town who volunteered
their services in November last."
Upon this article the record by the Town Clerk is, "it was
not noticed by the meeting."
Chose Richard George, Esq., to prosecute or defend any suits
which may be. brought by or against the town.
Voted to accept of Artemas and Henry Thayer as bondsmen
for the Collector, John Thayer.
May 8. Under a new warrant.
484 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1810.
Voted to pass over the second article, which is in these words:
" To see if the town will vote to give Nahum Taft seventy dollars by his
giving bonds sufficient to indemnify the town against his or his wife ever
coming to said town for any further support hereafter. "
For some reason the proposed arrangement of Nahum Taft
did not succeed; but, could satisfactory indemnifying bonds be
furnished the town at this time (1880), seventy dollars per
capita, we think, would be considered a profitable investment
by the town to be relieved from all further support of its poor.
Voted to raise $35 for the purpose of building a Pound, and
Ahaz Allen, Moses Daniels, Aaron Thayer and Enos Taft were
chosen a committee to contract for its erection.
Voted to forego the following taxes, viz: — John Brown's,
$1.46; Eben Pickering's, $1.40; Calvin Alexander's. $1.00, and
Amasa Holden's, $1.00.
Nov. 11. Joseph Torrey, as agent for the town of Mendon.
and Samuel Nelson, Pearley Hunt and Amasa Parkhurst, Select-
men of Milford, this day perambulated the line between the two
towns, giving course and distance; and the same may be found
in the fifth volume of the Mendon Records, under the foregoing
date, the pages of this volume not being numbered.
l8lO. March 5. Joseph Torrey Avas chosen Toavu Clerk;
Warren Rawson, Elijah Thayer, Amos Thayer, John Thompson
and Obadiah Wood, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen, Treasurer, and
Edward Rawson, "2nd, Constable and Collector, he agreeing to
collect the taxes for the sum of $14.50.
Voted to raise $500 for schooling the current year.
Voted to raise $700 for repairing highways and bridges.
Voted that swine and neat cattle shall not run at large.
Adjourned to April meeting.
To vote for town officers and the ordinary business of the
town, the person claiming to vote must have resided in the town
six months, be twenty-one years of age and pay, besides a poll
tax, a sum equal to two-thirds of a single poll tax. To vote for
State offices and Representative to Congress, must be twenty-
one years of age; must have a freehold within the Common-
1810.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 485
wealth of an annual income of three pounds or any estate to the
value of sixty pounds, and have resided in the town one year
preceding the election.
April 2. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hon. Christopher Gore had 61 votes.
Hon. Elbridge Gerry had 170 " Elected.
William Gray had 1 "
For Lt. Governor, Hon. David Cobb had 50
Hon. William Gray had 169 "
For Senators and Councillors — Hon. Elijah Brigham, Jonas Kendall, Hon.
Seth Hastings and Francis Blake, Esqrs., had 45 votes each. Hon. Pliny
Merrick, Moses White, Edward Bangs and Samuel Jones, Esqrs., had 161
votes each, and Charles A. Smith, Nathan Aldrich, Asa Fletcher and Na-
than Streeter had one each.
The adjourned meeting met, and
Voted to raise 1-400 for defraying town charges.
Voted to pay the Collector, Edward Rawson, 2nd, $14.50 for
collecting the taxes the present year.
Adjourned meeting.
May 7th. Election of Representatives to the General Court.
Voted to send two Representatives.
Dr. Daniel Thurber had 94 votes. Elijah Thayer had 61 votes. Wil-
liam Torrey had 25 votes. Dr. Gustavus D. Peck had 4 votes. Warren
Rawson had 7 votes.
Adjourned to May meeting.
Voted to forego the following taxes, viz: — Stephen Tourtelotte,
$1.55; Dexter Westcott, $1.17; George Turner, $1.17; John
Thompson, .45; Reuben Shove, $1.17; and Richard Buffum, .45.
Voted to raise $100 in addition to the $400 already raised to
defray town charges.
Voted to chose a committee to make some new arrangement
in the highway districts.
('hose Thomas Taft, Moses Daniels and Joseph Adams as the
committee.
Chose Richard George, Esq., as agent to prosecute any action
which the town may commence, and to defend any action that
may he brought against the town the ensuing year.
Sept. 18. The Hon. Jabez Upham having resigned his seat
in Congress, an election was held this day to supply the vacancy,
and
48G ANNALS OF MENDON. [1811.
Gen. John Spun- had 61 votes. Joseph Allen, Esq., had 14 votes.
At this election there was no choice, and
Nov. 5. Another meeting was held with the following result:
Gen. John Spun- had 83 votes. Hon. Elijah Brigham had 17 votes.
At this meeting the Collector, Edward Rawson, 2nd, having
removed out of the Commonwealth, Thurber Warfield was
chosen Collector and Constable, and agreed to collect the taxes
for 114.50.
l8ll. March 4. Joseph Torrey was chosen Town Clerk;
Warren Rawson, Elijah Thayer, Obadiah Wood, Moses Daniels
and Ariel Cook, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen, Treasurer, and Thurber
Warfield, Constable and Collector.
Voted to pay the Collector $26.50 for collecting the taxes.
Enos Taft, Nathan Very, Esq., Johnson Legg, John South-
wick, 2d, and Moses Aldrich were chosen a committee to revise
the School Districts.
Adjourned to April meeting.
April 1. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hon. Elbridge Gerry had 135 votes. Elected.
Hon. Christopher Gray had 33 "
William Gray, Levi Lincoln and William Philips had one vote each.
For Lt. Governor, Hon. William Gray had 126 votes.
Hon. William Philips had 27 "
For Senators and Councillors — Hon. Pliny Merrick, Edward Bangs, Samuel
Jones and Moses White had 118 votes each, and Hon. Jonas Kendall, Seth
Hastings, Francis Blake and Silas Holman had 26 each.
The adjourned April meeting was again adjourned to the May
meeting.
May 6. Voted to raise $500 to defray town charges the cur-
rent year.
Voted to raise $600 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $600 for schooling.
Voted to accept Andrew Penniman and Daniel Hill as bonds,
men for Thurber Warfield as Collector.
Joseph Torrey, Ahaz Allen, Moses Daniels, Aaron Thayer,
Asa Kelley, Obadiah Wood, Elijah Thayer, Jacob South wick
1812.] ANNALS OF MEN DON. 487
and Esek Pitts were added to the committee heretofore chosen
to revise the School Districts, and to report at the adjournment
of this meeting.
For Representatives to the General Court — Dr. Daniel Thurber had 73 votes.
Elijah Thayer had 77 votes. Capt. William Torrey had 7 votes.
Sept. 2. Then met and voted to accept and adopt the follow-
ing report of the committee above chosen, and which is as
follows, viz: —
" Your Committee who were appointed to take into consideration the
expediency of Revising the School Districts, after being duly notified by
their chairman have attended that service and beg leave to report that it is
the opinion of your Committee that the 10th. and 13th districts constitute
hut one district to he called the tenth District, with the following excep-
tions, that Alexander Wilson, Timothy Engley and David Andrews be set
to the 11th. district with liberty to be set back to the 10th. if they choose
after there is a school house erected in said 10th. district, that Ruth Dar-
ling he set to the 9th., and that that part of the 12th district called the Vil-
lage, the property of the Blackstoue Manufacturing Company, he set off as
a District to he called the 13th. district.
All which is cheerfully submitted by
Enos Taft, Chairman."
l8l2. March 2. Chose Joseph Torrey, Town Clerk; Joseph
Adams, Elijah Thayer, Johnson Legg, John Thayer and Nairn m
Bates, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen Treasurer, and Benj. Blake, Con-
stable and Collector.
Voted to pay the Collector $20 for collecting the taxes.
Chose Ahaz Allen, Moses Daniels, Nathan Very, Aaron
Thayer and Caleb Thayer a committee to consider the matter of
dividing the school money.
Voted not to accept the report of the committee chosen March
4-, 1811, to revise the Highway Districts. As the report is not
recorded, its purport cannot be ascertained.
Voted to hold one half of the town meetings at the South
Parish Meeting House for the future.
Voted to pass over the fifteenth article in the warrant, which
was "to see if the town would purchase a hearse."
Adjourned to April 6.
Voted that Joseph Torrey be excused from serving as Town
488 ANNALS OF MENDON. f_1812.
Clerk, and Warren Rawson was chosen Town Clerk in his stead.
Adjourned to May 6.
April 6. STATE ELECTION.
For Goveruor, Elbridge Gerry had 198 votes.
Caleb Strong, Esq., had 74 " Elected.
For Lt. Governor, William King had 195 "
William Philips had 73 "
Far Senators and Councillors — John Spurr had 196. Levi Lincoln, Jr.,
195. Bezaleel Taft 73. Francis Blake 73.
Elbridge Gerry had been chosen Governor in 1810, and was
re-elected in 1811. During the last year of his administration,
the State was districted anew for the election of Senators, which
gave the Democrats a majority in the Senate, the Federalists still
holding a majority in the House of Representatives. By this
new arrangement Mendon belonged to a district which was en-
titled to two Senators instead of five.
At this election Caleb Strong was elected Governor by 1,370
majority.
May 4. Representative to the General Court.
Voted to send two Representatives.
Dr. Joseph Adams had 58 votes. Elijah Thayer, Esq., had 53 votes.
Nathan Very, Esq. , had 29 votes. Johnson Legg, had 3 votes.
Adjournment from April G.
Voted to raise $500 to defray town charges the current year.
Voted to raise 1600 for schooling.
Voted to raise $1000 for repair of roads and bridges.
Warren Rawson, Esq., was chosen agent to attend to any law
suits brought by or against the town.
Forty-three persons had taxes foregone, mostly poll taxes,
amounting to $55.61. The poll tax appears to have been $1.11).
The fifteenth article in the warrant, " to see if the town would
buy a Hearse," and the seventeenth, " to see if the town would
accept of any roads laid out by the Selectmen," were dismissed
from the warrant, and the meeting was dissolved.
June 5. Voted to set off all the inhabitants on the west side
of Blackstone River, except Esek Pitts, Daniel Southwick and
Nathaniel Capron, as a school district, and that it be numbered
and constitute the 14th District.
1812.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 489
Voted to refer the third article in the warrant which is ''to
see if the town will make any alteration in the division of the
school money among the several Districts," to a committee of
one from each school district, and the committee was constituted
as follows, viz: —
District No. 1. Seth Davenport, Jr. District No. 8. Obadiah Wood.
2. Warren Rawson. 9. Caleb Thayer.
3. Ahaz Allen. " 10. Isaac Silsby.
4. Moses Daniels. 11. Nathan Very.
5. Aaron Thayer. il 12. Peter Gaskill.
6. James Paine. " 13. Samuel Remington.
7. Elijah Taft. " 14. Pascho Cook.
Voted to accept of a road from near John Thayer's store
(known as the Five Corners,) to the Ehode Island line at Black-
stone village, the Blackstone Manufacturing Company agreeing
to give the land from the Ehode Island line to the old road near
Washington Hunt's house, and fence both sides of the same.
June 22. Voted that the Tenth and Eleventh School Dis-
tricts shall hereafter form one school district.
August 25. Voted to choose one or more agents to claim and
prosecute an appeal from the decree of the Judge of Probate in
the matter of Seth Hastings as guardian to John Hill.
Dr. . Joseph Adams was chosen agent, and instructed to use his
endeavors to submit the matter to men respecting Seth Hast-
ings' account as guardian of John Hill, which was allowed by
the Judge of Probate, and if he will not submit it to men on
honorable terms, then prosecute an appeal to the Supreme Court
of Probate.
Voted to allow the militia lately detached in this town seven
dollars per month in addition to their pay allowed by law, pro-
vided they are called into actual service.
Nov. 2. CHOICE OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
William Walker had 102 votes. Benj. Haywood had 65 votes.
Pliny Merrick had 102 " Eleazer James had 65 "
Moses White had 102 " George Bliss had 65 "
Thomas Shepard had 102 ." Ephraim Williams had 65 "
Solomon Smead had 102 " Isaac Maltby had 65
Jeremiah Stebbins had 102 " John W. Hurlbert had 65
Nov. 2. For Bepreseatative in Congress — Hon. Elijah Bingham had 6.1
votes. Estes Howe, Esq., had 128 votes.
62
490 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1813.
Nov. 27. Voted not to reconsider a vote passed at the last
town meeting, respecting a division of the school money, which
was that sixty dollars should he distrihnted among the largest
districts at the discretion of the Selectmen, and the remainder
be equally distributed among all the districts.
Voted that the Constable post notices for town meetings, in
addition to other places, at Blackstone.
1813. March 1. Chose Warren Eawson, Town Clerk; Jo-
seph Adams, Caleb Thayer, Johnson Legg, Artemas Thayer and
William Gordon, Selectmen; Ahaz Allen, Treasurer; Benjamin
Blake, Constable, and Joseph Bates, Collector and Constable.
After the choice of town officers no other business was trans-
acted, except
Voted to discontinue the old road leading through the lands
of Nathan Very, Esq., late of Mendon, deceased, relinquishing
the same to the heirs of said Very in compensation for the new
road laid out through said lands over and above the damage
assessed.
Adjourned to April 5, proximo.
April 5. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Caleb Strong had 74 votes. Elected.
" " Joseph B. Varnum had 165
William Phillips had 2 "
" William King had 1
" Lt. Governor, William Phillips had 72 "
" " William King had 158 "
Caleb Strong had 2 ' '
" Ruf us King had 1 "
For Senators — Bezaleel Taft and Francis Blake had 75 votes each. Levi
Lincoln had 2 votes. Pliny Merrick and Sumner Bastow had 152 votes
each.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at the March meeting to
choose Overseers of the Poor. In which case the Selectmen be-
came Overseers.
Voted to. raise $800 to defray town charges.
Voted to raise $700 for schooling.
Voted to raise $1000 for repairs of roads and bridges.
1814.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 491
Voted to restrain swine and neat cattle from running at large
without a keeper.
Adjourned to May 3.
May 3. Choice of Representatives to the General Court.
Voted to send two representatives, and to choose them on sep-
arate ballots. Joseph Adams had 52 votes and Elijah Thayer 40
votes and were elected.
Voted to give Joseph Bates $20 for collecting the taxes he pro-
curing satisfactory bondsmen,
Chose Joseph Adams, Esq., as agent to prosecute or defend
any action which may be commenced by or brought against the
town.
Caleb Thayer, Enos Taft, Moses Daniels, Amos Thayer and
Elijah Taft were chosen a Committee to consider the matter of
making any alteration in the boundaries of the School Districts
and make a report at some future meeting.
In a new warrant for a meeting the 2nd. Article was " to reg-
ulate the Jury Box as the late law directs."
Voted that the following be a list of Jurors whose names are
to be put in the Jury box, viz :
William Torrey.* Henry Sweeting.* Stephen Wood.* Enos Taft.*
Samuel Fairbanks.* Obadiah Wood.* Elijah Taft.* Samuel Gaskill.*
Alexander Thayer.* Johnson Legg.* Aaron Thayer.* Amos Thayer.*
Ahaz. Allen.* Andrew Penniman.* Thomas Taft,* Caleb Thayer.*
Artemas Thayer.* Nathan Very.* Elijah Thayer.* John Southwick.*
Nicholas Thayer.* Asa Kelly.* William Gordon. John Benson, Jr.
Aaron Burden.* Samuel Silsby. Joseph Thayer.* Esek Pitts.* John
Thompson.* Henry Thayer.*
1814. March 7. Chose Warren Rawson, Town Clerk; Joseph
Adams, Caleb Thayer, Samuel Smith, Andrew Penniman and
John Southwick, Selectmen; Elijah Thayer, Treasurer, and
Thurber Warfield, Constable and Collector.
Voted not to accept a road laid out by the Selectmen through
Solomon Wood's land and others, on the 28th of February, 1814.
Adjourned to April 4.
*Dead 1880.
492 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1814.
April 4. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hon. Samuel Dexter had 175 votes.
His Ex. Caleb Strong •« 75 " Elected.
William Gray "3 "
Joseph Story " 1
For Lt. Governor Hon. William Gray " 179 "
Hon. William Phillips " 72 "
For Senators & Councillors. — Moses White, Joseph Adams, Edmund
Cushing, and Sumner Bastowhad 156 each. Francis Blake, Silas Holman,
Benjamin Adams, and Moses Smith had 67 votes each and Levi Lincoln Jr.
and Samuel Dexter had one each.
Voted to raise $800 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $600 for schooling.
Voted to raise $900 to defray town charges the present year.
Voted to pay Tlmrber Warfield $25 for collecting the taxes the
current year.
Voted to postpone the consideration of the 10th. article in the
warrant ("to see if the town will build a Powder House ") to the
1st, Monday in November.
Voted that Nathaniel Capron, Daniel Southwick and Esek
Pitts, with their estates, be annexed to the 10th. School District.
THE FIRST BOARD OF HEALTH.
Voted to choose a Board of Health and that it consist of five
members, viz: John S. Eddy, Aaron Burden, James Paine,
Obadiah Wood and Peter Thompson.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at the March meeting re-
jecting a road laid out by the Selectmen and Toted now to accept
the same.
This road was laid out from near the house formerly occupied
by Caleb Mowry (afterwards purchased of him for a Poor Farm)
to the Boston and Hartford Turnpike (now a County road) near
the house of Henry M. Goldthwait.
May 2. For Mepresentatives to the General Court — Joseph Adams Esq.
and Dr. Daniel Thurber had 59 votes each. Enos Taft had 40 votes.
May 11. Voted to accept of a road of 4 rods wide (being the
westerly side of the 8 rod road (so called) beginning at the north-
west corner of Seth Davenport's Milford Pasture (so called),
thence running southeasterly parallel with and bounding north-
1814.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 493
easterly upon the line between the towns of Milford and Mendon
to a heap of stones by the Turnpike (now County road) at the
southwest corner of the town of Milford.
Voted to choose an agent to prosecute and defend any action
which may be commenced by or brought against the town, and
Seth Hastings, Esq., was chosen agent.
Voted to forego the following taxes, viz: Samuel Eamsdale
$1.31, Elkanah Spear $1.42, Ellis Albe $1.32, Nathan Picker-
ing $1.11 and Silas Wheeler $1.32, amounting to $0.78.
Adjourned to the next legal town meeting.
August 13. Voted to postpone the consideration of the 2nd.
article in the warrant, which was "to see if the town will vote
to raise the monthly pay of those soldiers that are detached and
those that may hereafter be detached."
John Benson, Jr., Andrew Penniman, Johnson Legg, Caleb
Thayer, Obadiah Wood, John Thompson and Washington Hunt
were chosen a Committee to consider the expediency of forego-
ing the collection of any taxes in any of the Collectors tax-
bills, and report at the next town meeting.
Joseph Adams, Moses Daniels, Caleb Thayer, Andrew Penni-
man and Johnson Legg Avere chosen a Committee to report, at
some future meeting, whether any alteration should be made in
the School Districts.
Adj. to Nov. 7. The Committee in the matter of foregoing-
taxes, then reported that the following taxes should be foregone,
viz:
In Tlmrber Warfleld's bills for 1610 and 1811, the taxes against William
Braley, Aaron Fuller, Daniel Hopkins, Ebenr Handy, John King 2 polls,
Benedict Mann, Dickson Morris, DavidTlumer, Arnold Remington, Wil-
liam Tomkins, Elias Whiting, Elihue Chapin, Seth Davenport, Thomas
Low, Baley Legg, Israel Mowry Jr., Adam Wheelock, Isaac Silsby, Amasa
Albee, Ira Aldrich, David Legg, William Bushee, Constant F. Daniels, Na-
than Green, Henry Green, Clark Hunt, David Hopkins, Joseph Hayward,
William Johnson, Wid. Susannah Legg, Gideon Mowry, Elijah Perrin,
George Riddle, Samuel Remington, Samuel Taft, Samuel Taber, Philip
Wakefield and Nathan Pickering.
The above were mostly poll taxes, amounting, in 1810, when
the poll tax was $1.11, to $22.81, and in 1811, when the poll tax
was $1.20 to $21.92; in both years to the sum of $17.81.
Voted to accept of the foregoing report.
494 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1814.
The Committee also recommended that the collection of the
following taxes, in Joseph Bates' tax bills for 1813, be foregone,
viz:
The taxes against Israel Mowry, Josiah Brown, Duty Cook, Richard
Mann, Albion Cook, Dana Perry, Roswell Potter, Daniel Burchard, Leon-
ard Allen, Amos Albee, Luther Ebeberendon, Asahel Warner, Paul Kim-
ball, John Aldrich, Ellis Albee, Lemuel Berry, Thomas Cheney, Nathan
Pickering, and William Aldrich, amounting to $32.51.
The poll tax for this year was $1.64.
Voted not to raise the monthly pay of the soldiers that are now
or may hereafter be detached for actual service.
Under a new warrant, at a meeting held this 7th of November,
the following votes were given for a
Representative in the lith Congress. — Hon. Elijah Brigham had 34 votes.
Gen. John Spurr had 64 votes.
THE WAR OF 1812.
War was declared by the United States against Great Britain
July 18, 1812. William Pinckney, then Attorney General, drew
up the declaration, and for which the following reasons were as-
signed:
1. The impressment of American seamen by British ships of war.
2. Their doctrine and system of blockade.
3. The adoption and continuance of the Orders in Council which oper-
ated disastrously upon our commerce.
4. An unsatisfied demand for remuneration for depredations on the law-
ful commerce of the United States.
The cjuota of Massachusetts of the 100,000 men ordered to be
raised by Congress was 10,000. Caleb Strong, then Governor of
Massachusetts, declined to call out the militia, at the requisition
of Gen. Dearborn, who commanded the United States troops in
Massachusetts, but issued orders that they should be in readiness
to march for the defence of the inhabitants, agreeable to the direc-
tion of their immediate officers. In consequence of this decision
of the Governor it was only after a negotiation of many years
that the account for the services of the Massachusetts soldiers
was allowed by the general government. At the settlement the
rosters of the Massachusetts soldiers were taken to Washington
and lodged in the office of the Third Auditor of the Treasury,
by whom the following list is certified to be correct:
1815.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 495
"List of names of a company of Massachusetts Militia in the war of
1812, commanded by Capt. Wright Curtis, in the Regiment commanded by
Lt. Col. Valentine, in service Sept. and Oct., 1814.
Wright Curtis, Capt. Isaac Silsby, Lt. Jared Benson, Ens. Sargts. —
Ethan Tourtelotte, Danl. Southwick 3d, Thaddeus Curtis. Privts. — Wil-
lis Ahlrich, Stephen W. Cook, Collins Capron, John Cass, Jr., Amos Dan-
iels, Elbridge G. Daniels, Smith Daniels, Riley Daniels, Moses Daniels, Jr.,
Newton Darling, Sutton Gillson, Ebenezer Kingman, Stephen Lieuett,
Richard Mann, George Merriam, John Merriam, Alvah Paine, Allen Rich-
ardson, Washington Rhodes, Thompson Thayer, Willard Wilson, Stephen
Tourtelotte, Horace Parkhurst, David Boyden. Svt. — Noah Cook. Saml.
Brown.
1815. March 6. Andrew Penniman was chosen Town Clerk;
Joseph Adams, Caleb Thayer, Samuel Smith, Ahaz Allen, and
John Southwick 2nd, Selectmen; Elijah Thayer, Treasurer, and
Lewis Allen, Constable and Collector of Taxes, he agreeing to
collect the same for $20.50.
Voted that the Selectmen be the agents to prosecute and de-
fend for and in behalf of the town should occasion require.
Voted to raise $600 for schooling.
Voted to raise $800 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted that the Selectmen be a Committee to examine the con-
dition of the Town's Bonds and report at the April meeting.
Moses Daniels, Ahaz Allen and Asa Kelley were chosen a Com-
mittee to view the highway districts and report whether any al-
teration of their boundaries be expedient.
Adjourned to April 3, and then met and
Voted that the Treasurer collect $600 of the loan money.
Voted that the Selectmen shall decide who shall pay their part
or parts of the above sum and what part.
Voted that they pay one-half of their several sums in three
months and the other half in six months.
Voted to build a Powder House and Richard George, Aaron
Burdon, Moses Daniels, Enos Taft and Caleb Thayer were chosen
a Building Committee.
Voted to pass over the reading of the laws until the May
meeting.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hon. Caleb Strong, had 61 votes. Elected.
496 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1816.
For Governor, Hon. Samuel Dexter had 207 votes.
" Lt. Governor, Hon. William Phillips, " 61 "
Hon. William Gray, "205 "
For Senators and Councillors — Hon. Silas Holman, Benjamin Adams,
Moses Smith and Oliver Crosby, Esqrs., had 61 each. And Moses White,
Joseph Adams, Edmund Gushing, and Jonas Sibley, Esqrs. , had 208 votes
each.
Adjourned to the May meeting.
May 1. Voted to raise $1000 to defray town charges this year.
Voted to forego the taxes of Abijah Adams, Moses Herrin,
Newell Whitney, Moses Aldrich, Isaac Aldrich, Freeman Ar-
nold, Wm. Aldrich 2nd, Collins Aldrich, James Couples, Moses
Haskell, Wm. Bushee, Dana Perry, Caleb Potter, Robert Thay-
er, David Smith, Samuel Tabor and Silas Wheeler, amounting
to $23.62.
Nov. 4. The Selectmen of the two towns perambulated tiie
line between Bellingham and Mendon.
The following petition is the first indication of a desire for the
division of the town.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Mendon. — We the subscribers, free-
holders in the town of Mendon, desire yours Honors to call a special meet-
ing of the Inhabitants of said town to act upon the following articles, to
wit:
1. To see if the inhabitants will vote to have the South Parish set off into
a town by itself.
2. To choose a Committee to agree upon the division line of said town.
3. To act upon any other business relative to said division that the town
shall see fit.
John Pond, Lewis Allen,
Henry Thayer, Daniel Darling,
John Thompson, Timothy Chase,
Smith Daniels, Nicholas Thayer,
Elisha Thompson, Luther Warfield.
Upon this petition the Selectmen issued their warrant for a
town meeting to be held on the 1st. day of January, 1S1G, at
the Second Parish meeting house.
The meeting was accordingly held at the time and place ap-
pointed. Joseph Adams, Esq., was chosen Moderator.
The only vote recorded is the following:
" Voted to adjourn this meeting without day."
KEY. SIMEON DOGGETT, THE EIGHTH MINISTER.
The Rev. Luther Bailey, having declined a call for settlement,
1816.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 497
at Mendon, the Rev. Simeon Doggett was ordained Jan. 17,
1815, and was dismissed, at his own request, Dec. 4, 1830. He
was a graduate at Brown University in 1788, where he remained
as tutor until 179G. While in Mendon many young men were
attendant upon his instruction, quite a number becoming mem-
bers of Colleges. Mr. Doggett was a native of Middleborough,
and removed to Raynham, at his dismissal from Mendon, and,
for some years, was engaged in the ministry there. He died in
1852.
1816. March 4. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk;
Ahaz Allen, Aaron Burden, Caleb Mo wry, Asa Kelly and John
S. Eddy, Selectmen; Elijah Thayer, Esq., Treasurer, and Joseph
Bates, Constable and Collector.
Joseph Adams was chosen agent, to prosecute and defend ac-
tions which may be brought by or against the town.
Voted to raise $1200 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted to allow 10 cents an hour for a man and the same for a
yoke of oxen and cart for work on the highway.
Swine and neat cattle were not allowed to run at large.
Voted to forego the taxes against twenty-eight persons
amounting to the sum of $27.89.
Vote for Register of Deeds — Oliver Fiske, Esq., had all the votes, being 39.
Adjourned to the April meeting.
April ] . Voted to commit the collection of the taxes to the
lowest bidder.
Joseph Bates, being the lowest bidder, he offering to collect
the taxes for twenty-seven dollars ($27.00) was thereupon chosen
Collector and Constable.
Voted to raise $600 for schooling.
Voted to choose a Committee to make some alteration in some
of the highway districts, if required, and Capt. Caleb Thayer,
Capt. Aaron Burden and Col. Warren Rawson were chosen said
committee.
Voted that two-thirds of the town meetings be held at the
First Parish Meeting House, and the annual March meeting over
and above.
Adj. to the next town meeting.
63
498 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1816.
April 1. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hon. Samuel Dexter had 173 votes.
" " Hon. John Brooks " 49 " Elected.
" Lt. Governor, Hon. Wdliam King " 173
Hon. William Phillips " 43 "
For Senators and Councillors — Joseph Adams, Edmund Gushing, Jonas
Sibley and Zadock Gates had 173 votes each, and Timothy Whiting 1.
Silas Holrnau, Oliver Crosby, Daniel Waldo and Thomas H. Blood had 49
votes each & Daniel Crosby 1.
May 6. After filling vacancies among the town officers,
Voted to raise $1200 to defray town charges.
CHOICE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
The record says Dr. Daniel Thurber and Joseph Adams were
chosen, without giving the number of ballots cast.
In a new warrant for a meeting this day the second article was
as follows, viz: —
"To see what measures the town will take to pay their debts on account
of their Collector (Lewis Allen) absconding."
The meeting was accordingly held, and after the choice of
Ahaz Allen, Moderator,
Voted to dissolve the meeting without day.
It is believed that this, with one other (Moses Smith), are the
only instances in the history of the town where any of its officers
had embezzled the funds entrusted to their care. Happy the
town that can say that through its transactions of two hundred
years it has met with but two defaulters.
June 7. Under a new warrant,
Voted to choose a Collector to perfect the collection of Lewis
Allen, and Joseph Bates was chosen.
Voted that the Assessors make a warrant in due form of law
to Joseph Bates to perfect the collection of Lewis Allen's tax
bills.
Voted that the Treasurer be directed to call in the town's
money (bonds) that they have loaned out, one half to be paid
in in three months and the other half in six months.
Voted that the Treasurer be directed to receive town orders
dated after April 1, 181G, in pay for the loaned money above
mentioned.
1816.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 499
At a meeting held the same day, (June 7,) by an adjournment
from the March meeting, it was
Voted not to accept the bondsmen brought forward by Joseph
Bates as surety to the town, for his receiving and collecting tbe
tax bills the present year.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at the last April meeting-
respecting the places of holding the town meetings.
Voted to hold all the town meetings at the South Parish Meet-
ing house.
Adjourned for one week.
June 14. Voted to hire a Collector in the room of Joseph
Bates.
Johnson Legg agreed to collect the' taxes for $37.00, and to
procure satisfactory bondsmen to secure the town.
Johnson Legg was then chosen Collector of Taxes.
Johnson Legg was chosen a Selectman to fill the vacancy occa-
sioned by the resignation of Col. John S. Eddy, about to remove
from the town.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at the last meeting respect-
ing the places of holding the town meetings.
Voted that one half of the town meetings shall be held at the
North Parish Meeting House and the other half at the South
Parish Meeting House.
August 26. Votes for Representative in Congress — For Abraham Lincoln,
Esq. , 42 votes. Benjamin Adams, Esq , 14 votes.
This election was held to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death
of Hon. Elijah Brigham, who was elected Nov. 7, 1814.
Votes for County Register — Oliver Fiske, Esq., had 24 votes. B. Kimball
8. J. Wilson 23, and S. Allen 1.
Nov. 4. No election for a member of Congress having been
effected, a meeting was held this day for another trial, and with
the following result:
Abraham Lincoln, Esq., had 27 v.otes. Benjamin Adams, Esq., had 6
votes. Levi Lincoln, Esq., had 1 vote.
No County Begister (Begister of Deeds) having been elected
at the first trial, another meeting Avas held this day, and the
votes given in were as follows, viz: —
Oliver Fiske, Esq., had 42 votes. Benj. Kimball, Esq., had 1 vote.
James Wilson, Esq., had 1 vote.
500 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1817.
1817. March 3. Town Clerk, Andrew Penniman; Select-
men, Capt. Esek Pitts, Amariah Taft, Capt. Jared Benson,
Capt. Elisha Wood and James Southwick; Andrew Penniman,
Treasurer; Moses Daniels, Jr., Constable.
After completing the choice of the remaining town officer's,
the meeting was adjourned to April 7.
April 7. Moses Daniels, Jr., bid off the collection of the
taxes at $28.50, and to procure a bond satisfactory to the Select-
men.
Voted to raise $600 for schooling.
Voted to raise $1200 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted that swine and neat cattle do not run at large.
Chose Dr. Joseph Adams, agent, to prosecnte and defend, &c.
Moses Daniels, Thomas Taft and Darius Smith were chosen a
committee to make alterations, if any are wanted in any of the
school districts.
Caleb V. Allen, Johnson Legg and Seth Davenport were
chosen a committee to make alterations, if any are wanted in the
highway districts.
Warren Kawson, Johnson Legg, Richaard George, Elijah
Thayer and Seth Davenport were chosen a committee to con-
sider the subject of providing a house for the poor, or any thing-
respecting the poor, and make a report at the next town
meeting.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $13.12.
Voted to hold the annual March meeting at the North Parish
Meeting House, and other town meetings one half at the North
and the other half at the South Parish Meeting House.
Voted to reject the laying out of a road through land of
Nathan Very and Ichabod Thayer to Washington Hunt's house.
Adjourned to May 5.
April 7. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, His Ex. John Brooks had 47 votes. Elected.
" " Hon. Henry Dearborn had 120 "
" Lt. Governor, Hon. William Phillips had 46
Hon. William King had 120 "
For Senators and Councillors — Hon. Oliver Crosby, Daniel Waldo, Thomas
H. Blood and Gen. James Humphrey had 46 votes each. Joseph Adams,
Edmund Gushing, Jonas Sibley and Zadock Gates, Esqrs., had 118 votes
each.
1818.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 501
Voted to reconsider the vote rejecting the laying ont of a road
from Nathan Very's to Washington Hunt's house.
Voted to accept the said road as reported by the Selectmen
Dec. 23, 1816, and to pay Nathan Very $34.08, Ichabod Thayer
$83.00 and the heirs of the widow Very $50.07 as land damages.
May 5. Voted to raise $2,000 to defray town charges this
year.
Joseph Adams and Elijah Thayer were chosen Representatives
to the General Court.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at the April meeting in
regard to the places of holding town meetings.
Voted that one half of the town meetings be held at each
Parish meeting house, the annual March meeting to be held at
the North Parish Meeting House out of their half.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $10.35.
Adjourned to June 10.
June 10. Voted to reconsider the vote accepting the location
of a road from Nathan Very's to Washington Hunt's house;
also, a vote accepting a road through Nathaniel Taft's land and
others.
I8l8. March 2. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk;
Esek Pitts, Seth Davenport, Aaron Burden, Caleb V. Allen and
Asa Kelly, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer, and
Ephraim Lee, Collector and Constable.
Voted to raise $1000 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted that the Selectmen advertise for proposals for support-
ing the poor the ensuing year.
Adjourned to April meeting.
April 0. Voted to raise $000 for schooling the current year.
Voted to pay Ephraim Lee $23 for collecting the taxes.
Voted that the sum of $80 be reserved from the $000 for
schooling, and be apportioned by the Selectmen among the larger
districts.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $12.57.
Voted to accept the report of the committee heretofore chosen
to consider the subject of supporting the poor, and which is as
follows, viz: —
502 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1818.
The Committee to whom was referred that Article in the warrant of last
year respecting the Poor of said town, have attentively considered the sub-
ject committed to them and beg leave now to Report, that they find the
expenses of supporting the Poor have been rapidly increasing for a number
of years and have, for the year past, arisen to a most enormous sum. In
searching for the causes of this great and growing evil they are of opinion
that the principal one is the present method of supporting the Poor. Now
they are boarded out separately, by individuals, each at a weekly sum.
This mode your Committee conceive is liable to many weighty objections.
It tends to increase the number of paupers, and, as they increase in townx
boarding will then consequently be higher. They therefore are strongly of
opinion that some other way of supporting them be adopted, at least, to try
the experiment for one or two years. Among the number of opinions that
have been suggested no one, at this time, presents fewer objections and
difficulties than that of putting out all the Poor, collectively, to the person
in town who will take them at the least sum by the year.
The Committee think this way will not only lessen the number of pau-
pers but will also deter others from asking assistance from the town, and
will also, as is believed, diminish the expenses of supporting them one third
or one half. The Committee therefore recommend that the town direct
their Overseers of the Poor, for this year, to enter into contract, under the
direction of the town, with some person, at the best terms they can, to pro-
vide for and support all the Poor of the town for one year; the said person
to have suitable accommodations for all the poor — to be obligated to take
good care of them in sickness and in health — to furnish them sufficiently
with fire wood and good wholesome provisions — to provide them with com-
fortable lodgings and clothing; and also, if thought best and finally, said
Overseers to make such rules, regulations and conditions as they may judge
most proper for the benefit of the town and the comfort of the Poor.
All which is submitted
Seth Davenport,
Johnson Legg,
Warren Rawson.
Mendon March 2, 1818.
Voted not to make any alteration in the places for holding
town meetings.
Adjourned to the May meeting.
April G. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, His Ex. John Brooks, had 31 votes. Elected.
" " Hon. Benj. Crowningshield had 112 "
" Lt. Governor, William Phillips, Esq., had 30 "
Thomas Kittredge, Esq., had 112 "
For Senators and Councillors — Joseph Adams, Edmund dishing, Jonas
Sibley, Zadock Gates, Esqrs., had 112 votes each, and Oliver Crosby,
1819.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 503
Daniel Waldo, James Humphreys and Stephen P. Gardner, Esqrs., had 21
votes each.
May 4. Met pursuant to adjournment from the March meet-
ing.
Voted to raise #1,400 to defray town charges this year.
Voted that the inhabitants of the Fourth Highway District
divide their highway work agreeable to their own minds.
I find no report of the amount of work done in this district.
' Voted to reconsider the vote passed at the last meeting, divid-
ing the school money, and that $G0 instead of $80 be distributed
among the larger districts.
Voted to accept the laying out of a road from Bellingham line
to the road from the Five Corners to Woonsocket Falls, by the
houses of Ichabod. Cook and Seth Kelley. The [road to be two
rods wide and the damages were appraised as follows, viz: —
Amos Thompson, $15.00; Ichabod Cook, Jr., 130.00; Seth
Kelly, $15.00; Joseph and Nicholas Thayer L$10. 00, and Asa
Kelly, $10.00.
May 4. For Representative to the General Court — Dr. Daniel Thurber had
68 votes. Obadiah Wood had 3 votes.
Voted that the names reported by the Selectmen be put in the
jury box, as follows, viz: —
Elijah Taft, Caleb V. Allen, Amos Thayer, Henry Thayer, Enos Taft,
Johnson Legg, Seth Davenport, George Southwick, Ahaz Allen, Aaron
Burden, Simon Thornton, Andrew Penniman, Asa Kelley, Nathan Very,
Samuel Bills, Benjamin Drake, James Paine, Esek Pitts, Ephraim Lee,
Jared Benson, Samuel Gaskill, Obadiah Wood, Benjamin Davenport, Na-
than Fisher, Elijah Thayer, George Wall, Washington Hunt, Caleb Thayer,
Luther Warfield, Ariel Cook.
Nov. 2. For Representative to Congress — Sumner Bastow, Esq., had 36
votes. Benj. Adams, Esq., had 21 votes.
Dec. 7. Seth Davenport, of Mendon, and Ezra Wood and
Daniel Holbrook, of Upton, in behalf of the Selectmen of their
respective towns, perambulated the dividing line between said
towns.
1819. March 1. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk;
Esek Pitts, Obadiah Wood, Elijah Thayer, Johnson Legg and
504 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1819.
Amos Thayer, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer, and
Thurber Warfield, Constable and Collector of Taxes.
Voted to raise $1000 to repair highways and bridges.
Chose Johnson Legg, Nairn m Bates and James Paine a com-
mittee to make alterations in the school districts, if any are
wanted.
Seth Hastings, Esq., Warren Rawson, Esq., Richard George,
Esq., Asa Kelley and Caleb V. Allen were chosen a committee
on the subject of providing a poor house.
Caleb Hayward, Ahaz Allen and Arthur Cook were chosen a
committee on the petition of Preserved Pickering.
Voted to let horses and neat cattle run at large this year.
Voted to divide the school money — one half equally among
the school districts and one half equally among the scholars.
Voted to raise $800 for schooling.
Adjourned to April meeting.
April 5. Met and voted to give Thurber Warfield $20.50 for
collecting the taxes the present year.
Voted to accept the report of the committee on the petition of
Preserved Pickering as follows, viz :
' ' That the town allow him fifty cents per week as an act of charity dur-
ing the term of one year, for the support of his aged father, provided said
gratuity do not invalidate the bond of said Preserved Pickering gave the
town for the maintenance of his father."
Johnson Legg, George Wall and Ahaz Allen were chosen a
committee to abate taxes.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, His Ex. John Brooks had 36 votes. Elected.
" " Hon. Benj. Crowningshield " 173 "
" Lt. Governor, Hon. William Phillips 37 "
Hon. Benj. Austin 172 "
For Senators and Councillors — Jonas Sibley, Joseph^ Adams, Edmund
Cashing, and Zadoc Gates, Esqrs., had 171 votes each, and Stephen P.
Gardner, Aaron Tufts, Lewis Bigelow and Samuel Eastman had 36 votes
each.
May 3. Voted to raise $1200 to defray town charges.
Representative to the General Court— Dr. Daniel Thurber was chosen hav-
ing 57 votes.
Nov. 8. Voted to discontinue the road that was lately laid
out through Nathaniel Taft's land.
1820.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 505
Voted to forego the taxes of Hon. Jonathan Russell for the
years 1818 and 1819.
Chose Esek Pitts, Esq., as town agent to prosecute, &c.
Voted to accept the bridge and causeway recently built at
Blackstone, as a town bridge and causeway.
1820. March G. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk; Esek
Pitts, Obadiah Wood, George Wall, Ahaz Allen and Amos Thay-
er, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer, and Dan Hill,
Constable.
Voted to raise $1000 for repairs of highways and bridges.
A committee of ten were appointed to consider the expedi-
ency of accepting the road laid out from Jesse Tourtelotte's to
the road between Thomas and Nathaniel Taf t's. Richard George
■Esq., Warren Rawson, Esq., Nathan Fisher, Maj. Washington
Hunt, Moses Daniels, George Wall, Enos Taft, Seth Davenport,
Nathan Very and Andrew Penniman constituted the committee.
Swine, horses and neat cattle were restrained from running at
large.
Adj. to the April meeting.
April 3. Voted to raise $800 for schooling the present year.
Voted to dismiss the 7th. article from the warrant, which was,
" To see what method the town will adopt for the support of
the Poor."
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, His Ex. John Brooks had 37 votes. Elected.
. " . Hon. William Eustis "131
" Lt. Governor, Hon William Phillips " 37
" Hon. Benj. Austin " 131 "
For Senators and Councillors — Hon. Stephen P. Gardner, Aaron Tufts,
Samuel Eastman and Lewis Bigelow, Esqrs., had 37 votes each. Levi Lin-
coln, Jr., Calvin Willard, James Estabrook.
Voted to raise $800 for town charges the present year.
Dan Hill was chosen Collector and to collect the taxes for
$25.00.
Voted to discharge the Road Committee of Ten and to accept
the road from Jesse Tourtelotte's to the road between Thomas
64
506 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1820.
and Nathl. Taft's provided no land damages shall be claimed.
Adj. to the next town meeting.
May 1. Representatives to the General Court — Hon. Jonathan Russell, Dr.
Daniel Thurber.
No record of the number of votes given.
Voted to allow Preserved Pickering 40 cents per week for the
support of his father, Jonathan Pickering.
Aliaz Allen, Capt. Caleb Thayer were chosen a committee "to
see if the town will make any alteration in the highway districts
or any alterations in the roads, in particular in the- districts in
which George Wall and Jonathan Russell live."
Voted that whatever may be the decision of the above com-
mittee, it shall be valid for one year, by their reporting to the
town clerk, to be recorded.
Suppose this committee had altered every district and road in
town, it would have been valid for one year. Committees are
not often entrusted with such plenary power.
Aug. 21st. In the warrant there was but one article which
was " Is it expedient that Delegates be chosen to meet in Con-
vention for the purpose of Revising or Altering the Constitution
of Government of this Commonwealth."
The votes, 113 in number, all in the affimative.
Voted to raise 1400 in addition to the $800 already raised for
town charges.
Oct. 16. Voted to choose two Delegates to the Constitutional
Convention.
Chose Hon. Jonathan Russell, Dr. Daniel Thurber.
Nov. 6, Representative to Congress — Hon. Jonathan Russell had 123 votes.
Hon. Benjamin Adams had 18 votes.
VOTE FOR ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.
For Electors at Large — Hon. Benj. W. Crowningshield had 101 votes.
Hon. Levi Lincoln had 101 votes.
For Worcester South District — Jonas Sibley, Esq., had 101 votes. Hon.
Seth Hastings had 24 votes. Richard George, Esq. had 1 vote.
THE NEW MEETING HOUSE.
The Old Meeting House getting dilapidated and also entirely
out of fashion, having no spire, tower or bell, the question of a
new meeting house began -to be mooted, and
1820.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 507
Nov. 24, 1819, a meeting was called " to consider the subject
of building a New Meeting House."
Hon. Jonathan Russell was chosen Moderator. Benjamin
Davenport, Clerk.
At this meeting committees were chosen to report a suitable
site and the cost of the building whether built of brick or wood;
and also to canvass for subscriptions to defray the cost.
Dec. 3. Hon. Jonathan Russell offered the Society one and a
half acres of land, opposite his house, for the site for the house
and to fence it without expense to the Society, and to add $-400
to his subscription.
Dec. 4. Hon. Seth Hastings offered to give one acre and tAVo
rods (being the present location) and raise his subscription to
$600.
The offer of Mr. Hastings was accepted and the meeting pro-
ceeded to choose a Building Committee, as follows, viz: Hon.
Jona. Russell, Hon. Seth Hastings, Enos. Taft, Richard George,
Esq., Seth Davenport, Andrew Penniman, Caleb V. Allen, Caleb
Hayward, Benjamin Davenport, Amariah Taft and Elijah Taft.
William S. Hastings was chosen Treasurer.
Dec. 11. The following is the subscription paper for the erec-
tion of the Meeting House.
Whereas it has become necessary to erect a New Meeting House for the
uxe of the Congregational Society in the First Parish in Mention, and whereas
a Committee consisting of the following persons, viz: Seth Hastings, Jona-
than Russell and Richard George, Esqrs. , Enos Taft, Seth Davenport, Ben-
jamin Davenport, Caleb V. Allen, AndreAV Penniman, Elijah Taft, Ama-
riah Taft and Caleb Hayward were duly chosen, by the majority of the sub-
scribers, for the purpose of contracting with some skilful architect to erect
said house and of making all necessary arrangements for the completion of
the same: —
Now be it known, in consideration said Committee shall contract with
some skilful architect for the erection and completion of said building and
make themselves personally liable for the amount of the consideration to
be paid to said architect for the erection and completion of said building,
we the Subscribers do hereby promise and agree, severally and not jointly,
to pay the sums of money set to our respective names to any person duly
authorized by said Committee to receive the same. And we do hereby fully
authorize said Committee to make all necessary contracts for the erection
and completion of said Meeting House.
And we do also empower said Committee to collect such instalments on
the amount of money hereunto subscribed, as shall, from time to time, be
508
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1820.
necessary to the erection and completion of said building, in due propor-
tion upon each subscription, and we do hereby promise to pay the same on
demand to any person didy authorized by said Committee to receive the
same.
Jonathan Russell $830
Seth Hastings 650
Benj. Davenport 650
Seth Davenport. 625
Richard George 500.
Caleb V. Allen 300
Caleb Hay ward 250
AmariahTaft 225
Andrew Penniman 150
Joseph Prince 125
Daniel Childs... 125
John Fisher 100
Warren Rawson 125
Ephraim Lee 100
EnosTaft 100
ElishaWood 100
Benj. Peirce 50
Daniel R. Newhall 100
Henry Russell 50
Moses T. Chapin 50
Stephen Willard 50
Henry Goss 50
Saml. D. Torrey by B. Daven-
port 100
Moses Davenport
Zalman Green
Joseph Adams
Stephen Wood
Anna Torrey
Horatio Stone
Chloe Davenport
Peter Holbrook . '.
Alexander Thayer, Jr
Nancy Rawson.
Lendol Staples
Verville Taft
David Legg
Asa Legg
Elijah Taft
Nathan Hay ward
Phebe Keith by Jas Mellen.
James Mellen
William S. Hastings -
Jabez Aldrich
$50
75
100
100
50
10
100
20
100
50
50
15
50
10
125
100
25
25
50
50
Amount $6,460
At a meeting- of the Building Committee, held June 17th, it
was voted that no person be permitted to sell spirituous liquors
on the Meeting House Common, or on the public highway near
it, on the da)Ts of raising said House, and that the committee
shall prosecute any one who shall violate this rule.
Voted that the Clerk give notice of the last mentioned vote
by posting up a copy of the same at each of the stores and taverns
in this vicinity.
The meeting house having been raised and the structure ap-
proaching completion, the Building Committee, Sept. 15, were
authorized to procure a bell. For this purpose a committee to
solicit subscriptions was raised, consisting of Messrs. Russell,
George, Hay ward, A. Taft, and W. S. Hastings.
The subscriptions for the bell were made subject to the same
1821.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
509
conditions with those for the Meeting House, and were as fol-
lows, viz: —
Amariah Taft $25
Stephen Torrey 5
Warren Rawson 10
Joseph Prince 10
Gustavus Aldrieh, 2nd 5
Thomas Stone, Jr 5
Luke Aldrieh 10
Jos. G. Davenport 5
Nathl. Torrey 5
Benoni Staples 5
Welcome Staples 5
Abijah Hall, in iron work 5
Sumner Ballou 2
Joseph Allen 2
Alexander Thayer 5
Winsor Wheelock 5
Henry Mowiy 5
Saml. W. Doggett 5
Stephen Willard 5
Simeon Doggett, (Rev.) 50
John L. Doggett 25
Daniel Thurber, (Dr.) 20
Samuel Gaskill 5
Alex'. H. Allen 10
Alexander Thayer, Jr., (Dr.). . . 10
Henry Russell 3
John Hay ward 5
Lyman Daniels 6
William Green 5
EnosTaft $ 2
Caleb Hayward 30
Elijah Taft 10
Seth Davenport 40
Benj. Davenport 40
Seth Hastings 40
Andrew Penniman 10
Jonathan Russell 60
Grindal Wood 10
Israel Mowry 20
George C. Branch 5
Alonzo Taft 5
Samuel R. Beals 5
Horatio Stone 5
Zaccheus Taft 5
Wm. S. Hastings 10
Chloe Davenport 12
Plrila Baker 3
Hezekiah Fletcher 5
Rufus Coffee 1
Dennis Wheelock 5
Zebulon Goss 5
George L. Davenport 5
SethR Adams 10
Daniel Childs 10
Abram Staples 3
Nahum Wheelock 5
Richard George 25
Abijah Staples 3
George W. Taft 1
George Wood 7
Amount $665
The Meeting House having heen completed, the bell hung in
the belfry and the communion table in its place, the edifice was
formally dedicated to the public worship of God Thursday, Nov.
30, 1820.
l82I. March 5. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk; Esek
Pitts, Obadiah Wood, George Wall, Ahaz Allen and Amos
Thayer, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer, and Dan
Hill, Constable.
510 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1821.
Voted that the Selectmen view the road leading from Kelly &
Paine's factory to the Smithfield road, by Benj. Pickering's
house, and make such alteration of the hounds of said road as
they shall think best, and report at the next town meeting.
Voted to adjourn to the April meeting.
April 2. Voted the Selectmen be instructed to look into the
case of Preserved Pickering and report at the May meeting.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, William Eustis, had 128 votes.
" " Levi Lincoln had 126 "
" Lt. Governor, His Ex. John Brooks had 12 " Elected.
Hon. William Phillips had 12 "
As John Brooks was elected Governor from 181 G to 1823, the
Clerk made a mistake in his record, and the names of Brooks
and Lincoln should be transposed.
For Senators and Councillors — James Sihley, Warren Rawson, James Es-
tahrook and Moses Thomas had 129 votes. Aaron Tufts, Salem Towne,
Jr., John Shepley and Nathaniel Jones had 9 votes each, and Seth Hast-
ings, Richard George and Bezaleel Taft had 2 votes each.
Votes for County Register — Artemas Ward had 51 votes. Otis Corbett had
25 votes. Oliver Fiske had 2 votes.
April 9. A town meeting was held pursuant to a resolution
of the Constitutional Convention, held at Boston Nov. 15, 1820,
to vote on the proposed amendments to the Constitution of the
Commonwealth.
The votes on the several amendments were as follows, viz: —
Article 1,
Yeas
! 5
Najrs
103
Article 8,
Yeas 88
N;
ays 13
Article 2,
"
74
"
38
Article 9,
" 11
" 90
Article 3,
"
61
"
42
Article 10,
" 13
" 88
Article 4,
"
13
"
98
Article 11,
" 32
" 68
Article 5,
"
1
"
109
Article 12,
" 35
" 65
Article 6,
"
73
"
37
Article 13,
" 47
" 55
Article 7,
"
14
"
93
Article 14,
" 67
'-' 35
Nine of the preceding Articles were adopted, and are num-
bered in the amendments to the Constitution from one to nine
inclusive.
May 7. Representative to the General Court — Chose Dr. Daniel Thurber,
Representative.
Under the adjourned March meeting warrant,
1821.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 511
Voted to raise #800 to defray town charges the current year.
Voted to raise $800 for schooling.
Voted to raise 11000 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Luther Warfield bid off the collection of the taxes at I1G.00,
and was chosen Collector and Constable.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of 134.01.
Voted that town meetings be warned by posting notices at the
meeting houses of the North and South Parish, and at the store
of Henry Thayer, at the Five Corners.
Voted to allow Preserved Pickering forty cents per week for
the support of his father, and the meeting was then dissolved.
Esek Pitts and George Wall for Mendon, and Daniel Day and
Nahum Morse for "Oxbridge, Selectmen, perambulated the line
between the two towns May 9.
Nov. 21. There having been no choice for Register of Deeds,
another meeting was held, and the votes were as follows, viz:
Seth Hastings, Esek Pitts, Obadiah Wood, Jobnson Leggand
A. Thayer were chosen to count the votes.
Hon. Oliver Fiske had 2 votes. Artemas Ward, Esq., had 56 votes.
Mr. Luther Warfield had 1 vote.
Nov. 12. The report of the committee chosen at the March
meeting to revise the highway districts being made,
Voted to choose a committee to revise and establish the high-
way districts in said town, and Seth Davenport, Jabez Aldrich,
Caleb V. Allen, Moses Daniels, Nahum Bates, Seth Kelley, Eli-
jah Taft, Obadiah Wood, Jared Benson, George Wall, Nathan
Very, Washington Hunt and Esek Pitts were chosen.
Voted to accept of the list of Jurors, as follows, viz:
*Caleb V. Allen. *Amos Thayer. *Henry Thayer. *Johnson Legg.
*Seth Davenport. *George Southwick. *Ahaz Allen. *Aaron Burden.
*Audrew Pennimau. *Asa Kelley. *Sumuel Bills. *Esek Pitts. *James
Paine. *Ephraim Lee. *Jared Benson. *Samuel Gaskill. *Obadiah Wood.
*Benj. Davenport. *Elijah Thayer. *GeorgeWall. *Washington Hunt.
*Caleb Thayer. *Luther Warfield. *Ariel Cook. *Artemas Thayer.
*Jabez Aldrich. *Caleb Hayward. *Luke Aldrich, Jr. *Collins Caprou.
*Lebbeus Gaskill. *Daniel Southwick, 2d. *Jesse Tourtelotte, Jr. Wil-
lard Wilson. Stephen Tripp. *John Kelley. *Ichabod Cook, Jr. *Na-
hum Bates. *Peleg Aldrich. *Welcome Thayer. *Luke Aldrich. Anson
Aldrich. *Moses Aldrich. *Maucy Thornton. *Leonard W. Darling.
*Arnold Taft.
*Dead 1879.
512 ANNALS OF MEN DON. [1822.
Voted that the Selectmen pay the widow of the late Henry S.
Benson #15.00 for a cow which was killed by Elijah Ramsdell, a
pauper, belonging to this town.
l822. March -4. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk;
Elijah Thayer, Esq., Richard George, Esq., George Wall, John-
son Legg and Nahum Bates, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman,
Treasurer; Thnrber Warheld, Constable; and Alpheus Free-
man, Collector and Constable; Caleb Hay ward, Richard George
and William S. Hastings, School Committee for the North
Parish, and Esek Pitts, George Wall and Welcome Thayer for
the South Parish.
Esek Pitts, Obadiah Wood, Richard George, Seth Davenport,
Elijah Thayer, Amos Thayer, Caleb Thayer, Benjamin Daven-
port and Caleb Hayward were chosen a committee to consider
the subject of purchasing a house and farm for the support of
the poor.
Ahaz Allen, Esek Pitts and Enos Taft were chosen a com-
mittee to inquire into the encroachments made upon any of the
roads of the town, and report.
April 1. Voted to raise #1000 for repair of highways and
bridges.
Voted to raise $10 for repair of the old meeting house in the
North Parish, in consideration of the use of the house for hold-
ing town meetings there.
Voted to discharge the committee heretofore chosen to arrange
the highway districts from further service, and the subject was
referred to Esek Pitts, Seth Davenport and Washington Hunt.
Voted to reconsider the acceptance of the report of a com-
mittee made in November last, revising the highway districts.
STATE ELECTION".
For Governor, His Ex. John Brooks had 28 votes. Elected.
Hon. William Eustis had 120 "
Hon. Henry A. S. Dearborn had 1 "
For Lt. Governor, Hon. William Phillips had 28 "
Hon. Levi Lincoln had 127 "
Hon. William Gray had 3 "
For Senators and Councillors — Jonas Sibley, Edmund Gushing, James
1822.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 513
Easterbrook, Warren Rawson and David Wadsworth had 119 votes each,
and Aaron Tufts, Salem Towne, Jr., Nathaniel Jones, Beuj. Adams and
Stephen P. Gardner had 26 each. Esek Pitts had 4 votes.
May 6. Alpheus Freeman bid off the collection of the taxes
for #16.00, and was then chosen Collector and Constable.
Esek Pitts was chosen Town Agent.
Voted to raise $1000 for defraying town charges this year.
Voted to raise $800 for schooling.
Voted to accept a road laid out by the Selectmen from a town
road near Otis Taft's to the road near James and Southwick
llarkness' house.
The Selectmen were instructed to consider and report in what
method the roads should be opened the proper width.
Voted to accept the Highway Committee's report, but as the
report was not recorded, nor can be found, it is uncertain what
committee's report is meant.
Representative to the General Court — Dr. Daniel Thurber was chosen.
May 6. Under a new warrant,
Voted to accept a road laid out by the Selectmen, from near
Maj. Eufns Aldrich's to the widow M. Hill's house, provided
said road is made and fenced without expense to the town.
Voted to allow Preserved Pickering forty cents per week for
the support of his father.
Voted that the Assessors be directed to furnish the Surveyors
of Highways with warrants of distress.
Adjourned to the next town meeting.
June 11. It seems there had been, as was supposed, some
illegalities in the doings of the town; and, at this meeting, a
committee was chosen to petition the Legislature to have the
doubtful proceedings legalized.
Hon. Jonathan Russell, Joseph Adams and Dr. Daniel Thur-
ber were chosen the committee, and Dr. Thurber was consti-
tuted agent to present the petition.
Oct. 4. Vote for Representative in Congress — For Jonas Sibley, Esq., there
were 68 votes. For Hon. Seth Hastings there were 22 votes. For Hon.
Benjamin Adams there were 4 votes.
No choice for a Representative having been effected at this
trial, another meeting was called, and which met as follows.
65
514 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1823.
1823. March 3. A second trial for a representative in Con-
gress was held this day and with the following result:
Hon. Scth Hastings, had 23 votes. Hon. Benj. Adams, had 2 votes.
Hon. Jonas Sibley, had 117 votes. Bezaleel Taft, had 1 vote:
Under another warrant the following business was transacted:
Andrew Pennimanwas chosen Town Clerk; Esek Pitts, John-
son Legg, Jared Benson, Jabez Aldrich and Lnke Aldrich 2d.,
were chosen Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer, and El-
bridge Cass, Constable and Collector, and to have $13.00 for col-
lecting the taxes.
Esek Pitts chosen Town Agent to prosecute, &c.
Adj. to the next town meeting.
April 7. Caleb Hay ward, Ahaz Allen, Asa Kelly, Washington
Hunt and Luther Warfield were chosen a Committee to consider
the expediency of redistricting the Town as to School and High-
way districts.
Voted that the town pay Preserved Pickering $15.50 for extra
expenses in the late sickness and burial charges of his late father,
Jonathan Pickering.
Voted that Esek Pitts, Johnson Legg and Ahaz Allen be a
Committee to repair the bridge by Wall & Capron's mills, if
necessary.
Voted to forego taxes amounting to $45.77.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hon Harrison Gray Otis had 27 votes.
Hon. William Eustis, " 212 " Elected.
" Lt. Governor, Hon. Daniel Noble, " 27
" " Hon. Levi Lincoln, " 207 "
Hon. William Gray, " 1 "
For Senators and Councillors — Hon. Aaron Tufts, Hon. Benj. Adams, Hon.
Stephen P. Gardner, Nathaniel Jones and Nathaniel P. Denny had 27 votes
each; and Warren Rawson, James Estabrook, Josiah Howe, Daniel Gilbert
and Edward D. Bangs had 205 votes esch.
May 5. Voted to raise $1000 for the repairs of highways and
bridges; eight hundred dollars ($800) to be assessed and worked
in the usual way; two hundred dollars ($200) of the above sum
of $1000 to be assessed according to law and be paid into the
treasury in money, to be subject to the orders of the Selectmen
who are to apportion it among the several highway districts as
they shall see fit.
1823.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 515
Voted the Selectmen cull on the Surveyors of Highways for
the last two years to present their tax bills for inspection and,
should they neglect or refuse to do so, to prosecute them.
Voted that the bridge by Wall & Capron's Mills be rebuilt un-
der the direction of the Selectmen.
Voted to reject the report of the Committee herefore chosen
on the reorganization of the School Districts.
Voted to dismiss the Article for the division of the 6th. School
District.
Voted to raise $1200 to defray town charges the current year.
It should be remembered that among town charges the support
of the Poor was a large sum.
Under a new warrant the 2nd. Article of which was in these
words, " To see Avhat measures the town will adopt or recom-
mend in order more effectually to suppress Intemperance and
immorality and their consecpiences, one of which is Pauperism.'"
Voted to choose a Committee of one from each School Dis-
trict, to meet the Selectmen to consult and determine on some
measure that may be expedient to adopt for the suppression of
Intemperance and immorality in said town. This Committee
consisted of Seth Davenport, Seth Hastings. Ahaz Allen, Moses
Daniels, Nahum Bates, Asa Kelly, Thomas Taft, Obadiah Wood,
Aaron Burden, George Wall, Artemas Thayer, John S. Eddy
and Jonathan M. Shove. No Report of this Committee is found.
Voted to raise $10 to repair the Meeting House in the 2nd.
Parish.
Voted to choose a Committee to report on a road laid out by
the Selectmen from near Nathan Very's, Esq., house, to the
road near Washington Hunt's, and Caleb Hayward, George Wall
and Asa Kelly were chosen.
Adj. to June 2.
June 2. At this meeting the above Committee made a report
which was accepted, rejecting the road.
Under a new warrant June 2.
Voted to dismiss the 2d. Article, calling for a division of the
Gth. School District, from the warrant.
Voted to dismiss the remaining article in the warrant, which
was to see if the town would sell the Training Field, near Sam-
uel Gaskill's.
516 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1824.
June 29. Voted to divide the Gth. School District into three
districts agreeable to the petition of the residents there.
Voted to refer the road from Jesse Tourtelotte's to road by
Thomas Taft's to Caleb Hayward, Obadiah Wood and George
Wall, to report at the adjournment of this meeting.
Adj. to Sept. 9.
Sept. 9. Voted to reconsider the vote dividing the Gth. School
District, and then dissolved the meeting.
Adjournment from June 28th and June 2.
Voted to dismiss the 2nd. Article, "to divide the Gth School
District."
Voted to accept of the Tourtelotte road as it is now travelled.
Sept. 26. A new meeting was called for Sept. 2G with two
articles, viz:
1st. " To see if the town will vote to be divided into two separate towns."
2d. "To see if the town will vote to divide the 6th. School District."
Upon the 1st. Article to divide the town, it was decided as fol-
io #s, viz: Yeas 45. Nays 62.
Upon the 2d. Article, to divide the district, it was decided as
follows, viz: Yeas 29. Nays 43.
Dec. 5. Chose Capt. Caleb Thayer, Johnson Legg and Luke
Aldrich 2d., " to look into the situation of the School Districts
and report at the next town meeting."'
Voted to dismiss the 3d. Article which was as follows, viz:
" To see if the town will allow Thomas Taft's claim, being $17.50 being
for work done on that road, as he says, which the town hired Jesse Tour,
telotte, Jr., to make and paid him for the same."
1824. March 1. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk;
Chose Esek Pitts, Johnson Legg, Col. Joseph Ray, Caleb Hay-
ward and Aaron Burden, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treas-
urer, and Elbridge Cass, Constable; Dau Hill, Collector and Con-
stable, at $29.00 for collecting the taxes.
Voted to raise $1000 for repairs of roads and bridges.
It seems that, at this time, the school districts gave the town
a great deal of trouble. We hear of no report from the com-
mittee chosen at the last meeting to report at this, and so the
town voted to choose a new committee " to arrange anew and
fix limits to the several school districts."
1824.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 517
Nalium Bates, Col. Joseph Buy, Ahaz Allen, Jabez Aid rich
and Esek Pitts were chosen the committee.
Richard George, Esek Pitts, Elijah Thayer, Benj. Davenport
and Caleb Hayward were chosen a committee to consider the sub-
ject of buying or hiring a place whereon to support the poor.
Adj. to April meeting.
April 5. Voted to raise $800 for schooling the present year.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $51.39.
Voted to purchase a farm whereon to support the poor.
Voted to choose a committee of seven to make said purchase,
and Johnson Legg, Esek Pitts, Caleb Hayward, Richard George,
Ahaz Allen, Ichabod Cook and Obadiah Wood were chosen said
committee.
Voted to dismiss the second article, which proposed a division
of the town.
Adj. to May meeting.
April 5. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, His Ex. William Eustis had 275 votes. Elected.
Hon. Samuel Lathrop had 33 "
" Amos Southwick had 1
For Lt. Governor, Hon. Marcus Morton had 275 "
Hon. Richard Sullivan had 33 "
For Senators and Councillors — Hon. Edmund Gushing, Dr. Daniel Thur-
ber, Nathaniel Houghton, Joseph Davis and John Brown had 275 each,
and Hon. Aaron Tufts, Benj. Adams, Stephen P. Gardner, Nathl. P. Den-
ny and Joseph G. Kendall had 33 each.
May 3. Adjourned from April meeting.
Voted to raise the sum of $1500 to defray town charges.
Representatives to the General Court — Dr. Daniel Thurber, Hon. Jonathan
Russell, Warren Rawson, Esq.
June 28. Adjourned from March meeting.
Voted to build a bridge over the north branch of the Black-
stone River at the Mills, and Esek Pitts was chosen to superin-
tend its erection.
Johnson Legg was chosen agent to prosecute or defend suits
brought by or against the town.
Among the records of the doings of the town for this year will
be found the report of a committee, which was accepted, fixing
the boundaries of the highway districts, sixteen in number.
518 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1824.
The report is signed by Joseph Adams, Johnson Legg and Jabez
Aldrich.
At the same place may be found the report of a committee,
which was also accepted, fixing the boundaries of the school dis-
tricts, fourteen in number. This report is signed by Nairn m
Bates, Ahaz Allen, Jabez Aldrich, Joseph Ray and Esek Pitts.
Nov. 1. For Representative to Congress — Hon. Jonas Sibley had 88 votes.
Sumner Bastow had 52 votes. John Davis had 48 votes. Richard George
had 1 vote.
FOR ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.
At large — Hon. William Gray had 170 votes.
" Hon. Levi Lincoln had 170
" Hon. William Baylies had 42
Hon. William had 42 "
Suffolk District, Hon. Thomas L. Winthrop had 170 "
Hon. Samuel Hubbard had 42 "
Essex South District Hon. Nathaniel Silsby had 170
Hon. William Sutton had 42
Essex North District Dr. Joseph Kittredge had 170
David Howe, Esq., had 42
Norfolk District Hon. John Endicott had 170 "
Hon. Benj. Reynolds had 42
Plymouth District Hon. Thomas Weston had 170
Benj. Hobart, Esq., had 42 "
Worcester North District. .Edmund Cushing, Esq., had 170
Hon. Solomon Strong had 42
Worcester South District. ..Gen. Jonathan Davis had . .170
Dr. Daniel Thurber had 42 "
Bristol District Cornelius Grinned, Esq., had 170
Hon. John M. Williams had 42 "
Middlesex District Augustus Tower, Esq., had 170 "
Hon. Edmund Foster had 42
Barnstable District Hezekiah Barnard had 170 "
Nymphas Marston, Esq., had 42
Berkshire District Hon. William Walker had 212 "
Franklin District Oliver Smith had 170 "
Gen. Samuel Porter had 42
Hampden District Enos Foot, Esq., had .170
Dr. Timothy Horton had 42 "
Voted that it is inexpedient that a road should belaid through
the town, beginning near the house of Col. Ezekiel Preston, in
Douglass, and leading to Peter Cook's house, in Milford.
1825. I ANNALS OF MENUON. 519
Chose "Caleb Hayward iigent to oppose its location. The road
was not located.
Voted to raise $2800 by a loan, provided it can be hired for
five per cent, or under, for the purpose of paying for a farm
whereon to support the poor.
Caleb Hayward was chosen as agent to hire the money in be-
half of the town and take a deed of the farm.
The record is silent as to where the proposed farm was; but,
as this vote (as we shall see) was soon reconsidered, it is of little
consequence to be informed of its location.
Dec. 22. Voted to reconsider the vote to hire 12800 for the
purpose of paying for a farm whereon to support the poor.
Johnson Legg and Caleb Hayward, for Mendon, and Ezra
Nelson and Elijah Warren, for Upton, perambulated and renew-
ed the bounds of the line between the two towns, Oct 4.
1825. No choice for Representative in Congress having been
made at the November meeting, another trial was had Jan. 3,
and resulted as follows, viz:
Hon. Jonas Sibley had 68 votes. John Davis, Esq., had 25 votes. Sum-
ner Bastow, Esq., had 3 votes. Bezaleel Taft, Esq., had 3 votes.
March 7. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk; Johnson
Legg, Elijah Thayer, Joseph Ray, Benj. Davenport and George
Wall, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer, and Nathan
Very, Jr., Constable and Collector, and to collect the taxes for
$25.50.
In a new warrant for a meeting this clay,
The second article was, " to see if the Inhabitants of the
town will request the Court of Sessions to cause a Ma}) of the
County of Worcester from actual survey to be made at the ex-
pense of the County, on which the County and Turnpike Roads
shall be accurately marked together with such other things as
said Court shall judge necessary."
Upon this it was voted not to request the Court of Sessions to
make a map of the County of Worcester.
Voted not to accept a road laid out by the Selectmen, from
near the house occupied by Capt. William Green, to near the
house lately owned and occupied by Henry Thayer, deceased.
520 ANNALS OF MBNDON. [1825.
April 4. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hon. Levi Lincoln had 72 votes. Elected.
" Hon. Marcus Morton " 13 "
For Lt. Governor, Hon. Marcus Morton "70
" " Hon. Levi Lincoln " 10
For Senators and Councillors — Hon. Nathl. P. Denny had 32 votes.
Joseph G. Kendall 53. Bezaleel Taft, Jr., 39. Warren Rawson 29.
Nathl. Houghton 51. William Crawford and William Eaton 16 each.
Richard George 5. Jonas Sihley 8. Sumner Bastow 3. Elijah Thayer,
John Capron, Peter Farnam and Joseph Davis 6 each. Pearley Hunt 8.
Daniel Thurber 10 and John Brown 1.
No election resulted from the last ballot for Eepresentative in
Congress, and another trial was made this day as follows, viz:
For Representative in Congress — Hon. Jonas Sibley had 93 votes. John
Davis had 11 votes. Sumner Bastow had 34 votes.
Voted to accept the list of jurors containing fifty-six names.
May 10. Esek Pitts chosen Eepresentative to the General
Court.
Chose Hon. Jonathan Russell, Hon. Joseph Rawson, Asa Kel-
ley, William S. Hastings and Ahaz Allen, Esqrs., to view the con-
templated new road from Uxbridge line, near Skull Rock (so call-
ed) to Blackstone Factory, also the old road from the mills (now
Millville, in Blackstone,) to said factory and report whether in
their opinion it is expedient to be built; also to inquire what offer
any person or persons may make for defraying the expense of
constructing said road and report at the next meeting.
May 16. Voted to accept the report of the committee chosen
May 10th, provided nothing in said report shall be construed to
oblige the town to be at any extra expense for repairing the old
road or making any new road unless said new contemplated road
be wholly extinguished.
Chose Warren Rawson, Esq., as agent to oppose the contem-
plated new road "in every stage of it."
June 8. Voted that Warren Rawson, as agent to oppose the
location of the road from Skull Rock, at Uxbridge line, to Black-
stone Factory, be authorized to state, to the locating committee
of the said road, that Darling Hill shall be reduced to the same
grade as the Southwick Hill.
Aug. 1. No Representative in Congress for the South Wor-
1825.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 521
cester District, being yet chosen, a new election was held this
day, when
Hon. Jonas Sibley had 7-t votes. John Davis, Esq., had 30 votes.
Sept. \2. Voted to chouse a committee of ten persons, live
from each parish, to take into consideration and consult on
measures relative to a division of the town and make report at
the next town meeting.
For the North Parish were chosen Seth Hastings, Johnson
Legg, Richard George. Benjamin Davenport and William S.
Hastings.
For the .South Parish. Ichabod Cook. Asa Keller. Elijah
Thayer, Nathan Very and Esek Pitts.
Voted to make a survey of the town together with a survey
of the dividing line between the two parishes, and William S.
Hastings and Elijah Thayer were chosen a committee for that
purpose.
Oct. 3. Voted to remonstrate against the petition for a divis-
ion of the town; and that the number of votes in favor and
against such remonstrance be recorded.
Upon taking the vote it was found that ninety (U0) were found
in favor and forty (40) against the remonstrance.
Voted to choose a committee of three to draft a remonstrance
against said petition (signed by Seth Hastings and others) and
that the chairman of said committee be agent for the town to
present said remonstrance, to oppose said division and to appear
before any committee that is or may be appointed by the Legis-
lature of this Commonwealth respecting a division of the town
of Mendon.
Hon. Jonathan Russell, Dr. Daniel Thurber and Elijah Thay-
er, Esq., were chosen as the committee.
Oct. 17.- Voted not to raise any money to build the new road
lately laid out from TJxbridge line, near Skull Rock to Black-
stone Factory.
Nov. 28. Voted not to choose a committee to impure into the
inconveniences, complained of by a portion of the inhabitants,
in attending town meetings and transacting the municipal affairs
of the town.
Voted to indefinitely postpone the second article in the war-
522 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1825.
mnt which was, " to instruct the Selectmen and Assessors to
make out a list of the legal voters in both or either of the Par-
ishes, with the valuation of taxable property set against each
name, and to complete the list ten days, at least, before the first
Wednesday in Jan. next."'
A motion to adjourn was now made and defeated.
Voted that the town will not take any further measures to op-
pose the incorporation of a new town within the limits of the
North Parish in said town, but will cease to oppose the petition
now pending before the Legislature praying for such incorpora-
tion, and direct the agents and committees of the town neither to
remonstrate against said petition, nor to appear in behalf of said
town in opposition to said petition, nor to take any further meas-
ures in relation thereto.
Voted not to record the number of votes that were given on
the last above vote.
Dec. !). Voted to choose a committee to take into considera-
tion the inconveniences complained of by a portion of the inhab-
itants in regard to the attendance upon town meetings and the
transaction of municipal business, and to report at the next
town meeting.
The committee chosen were Joseph Adams, Jonathan Russell,
Ahaz Allen, Moses Daniels, David Thurber, Asa Kelley, Len-
-doll Staples, Obadiah Wood, Aaron Burden, Esek Pitts, Nathan
Very, Washington Hunt, Jonathan M. Shove and James S.
Warner.
Voted that the Selectmen and Assessors make out and deliver
to the Clerk of said town a list of all the legal voters in the
town with the valuation of each person's estate against his name,
ten days before the first Wednesday in January next.
Voted unanimously to choose two agents to oppose the divis-
ion of the town of Mendon or the incorporation of a new town
within the territorial limits of said town, likewise to oppose the
petition now pending in the General Court of this Common-
wealth for a division of this town, and Hon. Jonathan Russell
and Dr. Daniel Thurber were chosen agents.
Dec. 15. The committee heretofore chosen made a report,
but as the same was not recorded and the copy said to have been
placed on file, cannot be found, its purport cannot be now ascer-
1 8 2 ( ) . | ANNALS OF MENDON. 523
tained. That it was in opposition to a division of the town is
quite certain.
Voted to accept the first article in said report by ls.'J yeas to
78 nays.
Voted to accept the second article in said report.
Voted to accept all the report.
Voted to dissolve the meeting.
1826. March (3th. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk;
George Wall, Benj. Davenport, Joseph Ray, Arnold Taft and
-Tared Benson, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer, and
James A. Paine, Constable and Collector, and to be paid $30.00
for the collection of the taxes.
Voted to raise $800 for schooling the present year.
Voted that Washington Hunt be an agent to call on the Black-
stone Canal Company to make good the damage done to the road
between Fox Brook and Rhode Island line.
Voted that the Selectmen exhibit at the May meeting a de-
tailed account of the money expended the preceding year, spec-
ifying what each charge was for.
April 3. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Levi Lincoln had 34 votes. Elected.
Marcus Morton " 78 "
" " Samuel Hubbard " 11 "
Aaron Tufts " 1 "
For Lt. Governor Thomas L. Winthrop " 14 "
Nathan Willis "61 "
Samuel Hoar, Jr " 15 "
Elijah H. Mills " 3 "
William Baylies, Jonathan Russell, William Craw-
ford, Jr., and Daniel Thurber had 2 votes each, and
Alden Bradford, Aaron Tafts, Jonas Sibley and
Levi Lincoln had 1 vote each.
For Senators and Councillors — Jonas Sibley had 77 votes. Daniel Thur-
ber 72. William Eaton 83. Nathl. Houghton 78. And William Crawford
had 46 votes. Bezaleel Taft, Jr., 23. Joseph G. Kendall 28 and Josiah
Howe 61. N. B. Denny 9. Benj. Davenport and Esek Pitts 8 each. Jon-
athan Wheeler 7. Pearley Hunt 4. John Capron 3 and four others had 1
each.
Voted to raise $1000 to repair the highways and bridges.
524 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1826.
Voted not to dismiss the agent to oppose the location of a road
from Uxbridge line to Blackstone Factory.
Voted to dismiss the sixteenth article in the warrant, which
was, " to see how much money the town would raise to build the
road from Uxbridge to Blackstone Factory."'
Adj. to May meeting.
May 1. A7oted to raise #3000 to defray town charges this year.
Chose for Representatives to the General Court — Esek Pitts, Esq., Dr. Daniel
Thurber.
Voted to choose a committee of five persons to attend to the
duties required by a late school law passed by the Legislature of
this Commonwealth, and the following persons were chosen as
said committee, viz: Caleb Hay ward, Dr. Daniel Thurber,
George Wall, Dr. Abel Wilder and Dan Hill.
May 27. Voted that the Selectmen be directed to allow and
settle all claims against the town upon the principles of justice,
equity and law.
Voted that the town continue to oppose a division of said
town, and that the Hon. Jonathan Russell, their agent, take the
necessary and proper measures to that effect.
Voted that the town's two Representatives use all honorable
means to oppose the division of said town.
The history of this attempted division of the town is as fol-
lows:
June 30, 1825. Seth Hastings and 118 others, petitioned the
General Court for the incorporation of a new town to include the
first or north parish in Mendon.
On the 10th, 20th and 21st of October, 1825, a hearing was had
before a special committee who had visited Mendon and viewed
the premises. This committee reported to the Committee on
Towns Feb. 7, 1826, with the recommendation that the prayer
of the petition should be granted.
March 2. The petition was referred to the next General
( !ourt.
Dec. 17, 1825. Joseph Adams and 61 others remonstrated
against granting the prayer of the petitioners.
Dec. 20. James S. Warner and 72 others and Rufus Aldrich
and 72 others also remonstrated.
1827-) ANNALS OF MENDON. 525
Jan. 9, 1820. Jesse Tourtelotte and 30 others remonstrated
as "centre inhabitants."
The subject of a division of the town was. at this time brought
to n close, as will appear by the following record:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
In Senate, June Session, 1826.
Upon the suggestion of the Committee on Towns that the Petition of
Beth Hastings and others for a new town, cannot be found, it was
Ordered, that the Committee have further time allowed them until the
next Session of the Legislature to report on the subject matter of said Pe-
tition and that the Petitioners have leave to file a new Petition, in the mean
time.
Attest: Pail Willard.
Tradition affirms that this petition was stolen, but whether
stolen or not, it was not found, nor did the petitioners file a new
one, and so the subject of a division of the town was postponed
for twenty years.
No new petition was filed; but as opportunity had been
granted to do so, should the petitioners see fit, the subject was
not wholly put at rest until the beginning of the coming year,
as will be seen by the following proceedings.
1827. Jan. 12. A town meeting was called "To see if the
town will agree upon any and, if any, what measures, respecting
a division of the town and the Petition therefor, with a view of
saving any further unnecessary expense in relation to that sub-
ject,"
Hon. Jonathan Russell was chosen Moderator.
A motion to adjourn without day was then made and carried,
by a vote of 91 to 22,
Another meeting was immediately called, " To see if the town
will adopt any further measures in relation to the proposed di-
vision of the town or give any instructions to their Agent or
Representatives respecting the Petition therefor, now pending
before the Legislature."
Jan. 20. At a town meeting held this day Mr. Nathan Tyler
submitted the following motion: "'That a Committee, consist-
ing of an equal number from each Parish be raised to take into
526 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1827.
consideration the article above ({noted and report at an adjourned
meeting."'
After some discussion, Col. Warren Rawson offered the follow-
ing motion, as a substitute: '"'Inasmuch as the town, at a legal
meeting held in June last, by their vote, directed that their
Agents and Representatives should take the necessary and pro-
per measures to oppose a division of the town, therefore voted
that it is unnecessary, at this meeting, to take any further vote
on the subject."
The motion to substitute was carried, and with it the agita-
tion on the subject of dividing the town at this timeAvas brought
to a close.
March 5. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk; George
Wall, Amariah Taft. Joseph Ray, Arnold Taft and Jared Ben-
son, Selectmen; Aaron Burden, Constable; Dr. Abel Wilder,
Collector, and to be paid $28.00 for collecting the taxes, and
Caleb Hayward, Dr. Abel Wilder and Samuel Allen were chosen
School Committee.
Notices for town meeting were directed to be posted at the
store of George Wall, at the store in Blackstone village and at
George Bates' store.
April 2. .STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Hod. Marcus Morton, had 67 votes.
" " His Ex. Levi Lincoln, " 43 " Elected.
" " Hon. Harrison Gray Otis " 9
Mr. Joseph B. Cook, " 1 "
For Lt. Governor, Hon. Thomas L. Winthrop, " 50
" Mr. Collins Capron, " 1 "
For Senators and Councillor.? — Jonas Sibley had 84 votes. Edmund
Cashing 77. Pliny Merrick 82. Joseph Davis 122. Aaron Brooks, Jr..
77. Aaron Tufts 42. Jos. G. Kendall 44. Joseph Bowman 43. John W.
Lincoln 42. And Jonas Kendall, Wm. Eaton, Nathl. P. Denny, Richard
George, Rejoice Newton, Lewis Bigelow and Benj. Adams had one vote
each.
May 7. Voted to raise $1000 for schooling.
Voted to raise $2000 to defray town charges.
Voted not to send any Representatives.
Voted to dissolve the warrant.
Voted to reconsider the last vote.
Voted to reconsider the first vote.
Voted to send three Representatives.
182 7. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 527
Dr. Daniel Thurber was chosen a Representative.
Voted to reconsider the vote to send three Representatives, so
far as that it shall he understood that we send hut one.
Voted to purchase a farm whereon to support the poor of said
toWll.
Richard George, Ahaz Allen. George Wall, Washington Hind
and Obadiah Wood were chosen a committee "to look out said
Farm and report at the next meeting."
Warren Rawson, Esek Pitts and Obadiah Wood were chosen a
committee to oppose the location of a road from Horatio .Stone's
Inn to John Thompson's, near the Five Corners.
June 30. Chose F^sek Pitts first committeman on the com-
mittee to purchase a poor farm, in place of Richard George, who
resigned.
Ausr. 25. First choice of Prudential School Committees, viz:
Is
t District,
Benj. Davenport,
8
District,
Simon Thornton,
2,
do.
Adam Wheelock,
9.
do.
Aaron Burden,
3.
do.
Sumner Ballou,
10.
do.
Edwin D. Sergent.
4.
do.
John Kelley,
11.
do.
Artemas Thayer,
5.
do.
Nalmm Bates,
12.
do.
George Hill,
6.
do.
Samud Cook,
13.
do.
Joseph B. Cook,
i .
do.
Benoni Staples,
14.
do.
James S. Warner.
Voted to accept the location of a road laid from near Jediah
Wilson's to Rhode Island line providing the whole cost shall not
exceed $100.00.
Voted to accept the location of a road laid out from Benj.
Pickering's to George Gaskill's, provided the whole cost does not
exceed #450.00.
Oct. G. Voted to purchase the farm of Anson Aldrich where-
on to support the poor, provided it shall not cost more than
#24.00 per acre.
Voted to hire the money to pay for said farm.
Voted that Esek Pitts. Ahaz Allen, George Wall. Washington
Hunt and Obadiah Wood he a committee to buy said farm and
hire the money to pay for the same.
At this stage of the proceedings, Caleb Hay ward offered the
following protest to the Town Clerk, viz:
•' In behalf of my absent fellow citizens and myself, I do hereby solemn-
ly protest against the proceedings of a town meeting of the town holden
528 ANNALS OF MEN DON. [1828.
by adjournment this day and of all the acts and proceedings of the Com-
mittee appointed at said meeting for the purpose of making a purchase on
behalf of the town of the Farm belonging to Anson Aldrich, of said Men-
don, and of hiring the money on behalf of said town for the payment of
the purchase money of said Farm.
Because said meeting was very small, containing but about forty-five
voters out of a number of more than four hundred who have a legal right
to vote in our town meetings.
Because after many efforts to procure an adjournment of said meeting,
upon the ground of being so thin and of giving all the voters of the town
an opportunity to better understand and to act upon the important subject,
the most important in a pecuniary view, that was ever agitated in this
town, the vote in favor of purchasing, &c, by the declaration of the Mod-
erator stood twenty-two in favor and fifteen against.
And because the said proceedings were ex-parte, unjust and oppressive.
To the Town Clerk of the Town of Mendon.
Caleb Hayward."
Oct. 20. Voted to reconsider the votes passed at the last town
meeting respecting purchasing Anson Aldrich's farm and hiring
money for said purchase.
Voted that the authority of the committee chosen at the last
town meeting be revoked and that said committee be discharged
from any further duties.
Voted to dissolve the meeting.
1828. Feb. 9. Benj. Davenport, George Wall and Elijah
Thayer were chosen a committee to consider the expediency of
dividing the Sixth School District, and report at the next town
meeting.
March 3. Upon the report of the above committee the sixth
district, after many trials, was finally divided.
Under an adjournment from Feb. 9 ultimo,
Voted that the deed of the Anson Aldrich farm be produced
in town meeting. (Deed not produced.)
Voted not to keep the Anson Aldrich farm.
Voted that Amariah Taft be and is hereby appointed agent
for the town of Mendon to deliver to Anson Aldrich aforesaid
the deed said Anson has made to said town of Mendon of the
farm upon which he now resides, situated in said Mendon, if
.said deed can be obtained by said agent and to receive of said
1828.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 529
Anson Aldrich the note or notes made to him by Esek Pitts,
Esq., and others, in behalf of said town, the same being made
and given to the said Anson for the consideration named in said
deed'.
And the said agent is also hereby fully authorized and empow-
ered in the name and on behalf of the inhabitants of the town
of Meiidon, to make, execute and deliver to the said Anson
Aldrich, upon the delivery to said agent said note or notes, a
deed of release and quit-claim, of all the right, title, interest and
estate which the said inhabitants of said town of Mendon now
have or ever had to the said Anson Aldrich's farm aforesaid in and
by virtue of bis deed to said inhabitants as aforesaid; provided
nevertheless that the said Anson Aldrich shall pay the said com-
mittee for their services about said purchase, and also for survey-
ing said farm, and all the necessary expense that the town has
been put to relative thereto, not exceeding twenty dollars.
Voted to dissolve the meeting.
March 3. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk; Aaron
Burden, Benj. Davenport, Joseph Ray, Amariah Taft and
Joseph B. Cook, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer;
Willard Wilson, Constable and Collector, and Dr. Abel Wilder,
Dr. John G. Metcalf and Dan Hill, School Committee.
April 7. Voted to raise $1000 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $1500 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted (in pursuance of a recent law) that the inhabitants of
tin's town may take pickerel out of the ponds and rivers in said
town.
Voted that all taxes paid before the first day of January next
shall be entitled to a discount of five per cent, and for the col-
lection of all taxes not paid by that time, the Collector shall re-
ceive a commission of four per cent.; and Willard Wilson, the
Collector, agreed to these terms.
Voted to accept a piece of road between Lendol Staples' and
Dam Swamp bridge, provided the petitioners build the road
and pay land damages, for the sum of $200.
Voted to accept of a road laid out from near Nathan Very's
house to near John Mann's house provided the petitioners build
the road and pay all land damages for the sum of $300.
07
530 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1828.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Levi Lincoln had 89 votes. Elected.
Marcus Morton "21
" " Harrison Gray Otis " 2
Thomas L. Winthrop "2 "
" " Samuel Hoar, Jr. "1
For Lt. Governor, Thomas L. Winthrop " 89
Nathan Willis, "21 "
Aaron Tufts, "1 "
William C. Jarvis, " 1
James Draper, " 1
For Senators and Councillors — Joseph Davis had 29 votes. Joseph Bow-
man 5. Joseph Estarbrook 83. William S. Hastings 102. Edmund Gush-
ing 114. Jonas Sibley and John Brown 18 each. Warren Rawson 19.
Samuel Mixter 98. John W. Lincoln 86. Josiah Howe 12. Charles Allen
8. Silas Holmau 13 and Joseph Willard 1.
In the warrant for the State Election was also an article to see
and " ascertain the sense of the town " whether the towns of
Royalston, Winchendon, Leominster. Lunenburg, Princeton,
Hubbardston, Phillipston, Lancaster, Bolton and Harvard in the
County of Worcester, and Groton, Shirley, Pepperill, Ashby and
Townsend in the County of Middlesex, should be made a new
county, as prayed for in the petition of Ivers Jewett and others,
and the vote was directed to be taken by yeas and nays.
The records furnish no evidence that this article was taken
into consideration by the town. Considering its importance it
seems hardly probable that it should lie overlooked. Possibly,
if any vote was passed it might have been unintentionally left
out when the Clerk made up his record.
May 5. The Prudential School Committees were again chosen
by the town.
Voted not to send any Representative the present year, but the
vote was immediately reconsidered and William S. Hastings was
chosen Representative.
Voted that the territory east of the Blackstone bridge and be-
tween the Rhode Island line and the Blackstone River together
with ten acres on the north side of the river be a new School Dis-
trict.
Voted to oppose the contemplated road about to be laid out
from near Bezaleel Taft's house, in Uxbridge, to the Rhode
Island line, near the factory of W. & 1). D. Fariium, and that
1828.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 531
the Selectmen be constituted agents for this purpose. This lo-
cation has, once before, been before the town and was then
known as the Skull Rock route.
Voted that the Highway Surveyors exhibit their bills to the
Selectmen on or before the first day of October next, and in de-
fault thereof shall be subject to a fine of 20s.
Jared Benson, Esek Pitts, Nahum Bates, Benjamin Daven-
port and Abel Wilder were chosen a committee to report whether
any alteration in the mode of dividing the school money is ex-
pedient.
Voted that the School Committee be entitled to the same pay
that the Selectmen have for their services and all other commit-
tees to have nothing.
Nov. 3.
VOTE FOR ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.
At large— Hon Thomas L. Winthrop, of Boston, had 104 votes.
Hon. Samuel Lathrop, of West Springfield, had 104 "
Hon. Nathan Willis, of Berkshire, had 72 "
" Hon. David Henshaw, of Suffolk, had 72 "
o « n t>- u- * i Hon. Jesse Putnam, Boston, had 104 "
Suffolk District. .- tj t 1 v- c- "D * r~o "
/ Hon John K. Simpson, Boston ra
Essex South Dis- \ Hon. Stephen White, Salem 104 "
trict "/ Col. Josiah Newhall, Lynnfleld 92 "
Essex North Dis- j Hon. Bailey Bartlett, Haverhill 104 "
trict I John Russ, Esq , Methuen 72 "
Middlesex Dis- (Hon. Nathan Chandler, Lexington 104 "
trict / Hon. William Austin, Charlestown 72 "
Worcester South \ Gen. Jonathan Davis, Oxford 104 "
District J Hon. Jonas Sibley, Sutton 72 "
Worcester North ( Hon. Silas Holman, Boston 104 "
District. . ( William Willard, Esq., Lancaster 72 "
v i r tv * • * ( Col. Eliel Gilbert, Greenfield 104 '■'
rranklin District - T , ^. -^ ' r, , -.„ ,«
( John Drury, Esq., Coleraine 72
Hampden Dis- ( Hon. Joshua Frost, Springfield 104 "
trict i Gen. Joseph M. Forward, Southwick 72 "
Berkshire Dis- ( Samuel Jones, Esq., Stockbridge 104 "
trict ( Hon. Phineas Allen, Pittsfield 72 "
at t ii n' ( ■ . I Hon. Edward H. Robbius, Milton 104 "
JNoitolk District. • n -p, a t> i ^o <•
I Hon. Ebenezer Beaver, Roxbury i2
Plymouth Dis- \ Hon. Seth Sprague, Duxbury 104 "
trict I Hon. Peter H. Pierce. Middleborough 72 "
B,.; * i tv * -„f \ Hon. Oliver Starkweather, Pawtucket 104 "
Bristol D strict. .- T,,., ,-. .. -^ A .., \ , „.-,
( Ehhu Daggett, Esq., Attleborough 72
Barnstable Dis- < Hon. Braddock Dimmick, Falmouth 104 "
trict j John P. Norton, Tisbury 72 "
532 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1828.
Voted to accept the report of the committee on the division
of the school money, but of which there is no record.
Representative in Congress — Hon. John Davis had 104 votes.. Hon. Jonas
Sibley had 53 votes.
Voted to adjourn this meeting to Horatio Stone's Inn and then
dissolved.
Doc. 9. Voted to accept of a road laid out from Jillson Dar-
ling's to the road leading from Millville to Blackstone.
Voted to accept of a road laid out from near George Graskill's
house to the road from Blackstone to Woonsocket, at the follow-
ing cost, viz:
To Ariel Thayer as land damage $40.00
'• George Gaskill " " 12.00
" Peter Gaskill " " 200.00
Amount of damages $252 . 00
" Making the road 100.00
Total cost of road $352.00
The owners of land having signified their satisfaction for the
damages above awarded, Capt. Aaron Bunion was chosen agent
to superintend the making of the road.
Taxes abated or foregone this year to the amount of $127.86.
THE NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
In 1828 two members of the First Church in Mendon, three
members of the Second Church in Mendon, together with seven
others, members of other churches, organized themselves into a
church by the name of the North Congregational Church in
Mendon.
Before this they, with others, not members of churches, had,
for some time, held meetings and Rev. Thomas Riggs had been
employed as their spiritual teacher. They adopted the shorter
Covenant which had been used in the First Church for near half
a century.
An Ecclesiastical Council, convened at the Old Meeting House
Aug. 13, 1828, duly recognized Dea. Seth Chapin, Br. Nathan
Tyler and others associated with them as a regular Congrega-
tional Church, when a Confession of Faith and Covenant was
adopted. The Confession of Faith was very plainly Calvinistic.
1828.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 533
Meetings were held until Nov. 1831, when, on the 9th day of
that month, Rev. John M. S. Perry was ordained ;is pastor: his
father, Rev. David L. Perry, of Sharon, Ct., preaching the or-
dination sermon.
June 13, 1834, the church voted to admit no person to its
membership who should refuse to sign a pledge of total abstin-
ence from the use, manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors.
July 5, 1834, they also voted to use pure water at the commun-
ion. Jan. 2, 1835. Learning that Messrs. Pomroy & Hull, of
New York, were importing pure wine, expressly for the com-
munion, they directed their Deacons to procure such wine im-
mediately.
May 11, 1835. Mr. Perry (having concluded to enter into
the field of missionary labor) by the advice of a Mutual Council.
was dismissed from his charge at Mendon.
Mr. Perry and his wife soon afterwards sailed for Ceylon,
where, after a short residence, they both died of cholera and
both in the same hour.
Dec. 28, 1830. Rev. Thomas Edwards was ordained over the
church and Evangelical Society, the Rev. Dr. Jacob Ide preach-
ing the ordination sermon. Mr. Edwards was dismissed, at his
own request, Feb. 15, 1840.
He was born in London, England, and was the son of Miles
and Ann (Debenham) Edwards. He was afterwards installed
over the church in Acworth, N. H., Aug. 19, 1841, and dismissed
Fel). 13, 1843. Since then he has preached in Salem and other
places.
March 18, 1841. The Church and Society unitedly gave Rev.
Andrew H. Reed a call to the ministry here, at an annual sti-
pend of three hundred and fifty dollars, and the use of the par-
sonage. Mr. Reed accepted the call April 17, and a note of the
same date says " owing to particular circumstances the question
of Installment was postponed for a year." During his minis-
try, Mr. Reed was never installed but continued to preach until
he closed his labors April 1, 1848.
Since then he has continued to reside in Mendon, having pur-
chased the parsonage of the Society. He was born in Rutland
and is the son of Silas and Elinor (Hunter) Reed, and gradu-
ated at Amherst College in 18^0 and at Andover Theological
534 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1828.
Seminar}- in 1829. He was first settled at Raymond, N. H., in
1834 where he remained until 1837, and was installed the same
year at Mason, N. H. From this place he removed to Mendon.
From this time, for nearly six years, no minutes are found in
the church records, "owing,"' as the records say, "to the neg-
lect and carelessness of those in whose hands the Book of Re-
cord was."
From memory, as the subsequent record says, the following'
facts are put down. The Rev. Mr. Dwight supplied the pulpit
for about three months.
Rev. Chas. Chamberlin remained nearly three years, until
April 1, 1851.
Mr. Chamberlin was born in Holliston, Mass. , and was the son
of Enoch, Jr., and Lucy (Hoi brook) Chamberlin. He gradua-
ted at Brown University in 183G, and was a tutor in that in-
stitution during the years 1837 and 1838. He fitted himself for
the ministry at Andover, in part, and with Rev. Dr. Ide of
Medway, and completed his course of study at the Union Topo-
logical Seminary.
After laboring two years at the West as a missionary, he re-
turned to Massachusetts and was ordained over the church in
Berkley, Mass., July 8, 18-12. He was dismissed in 1844 and
afterwards preached in New York, Freetown, Mass., and Men-
don. July 9, 1851, be was installed at Auburn, Mass.
Then a majority of the Society voted to supply the pulpit
with a Methodist minister. Against this act the Trustees of the
meeting house remonstrated as a violation of the Deed of Trust;
but the Society continued to occupy the same until May 28,
1853, when the trustees took legal possession of the house and
closed its doors. They then granted the use of the house " to
those who wished to have orthodox preaching." June 5, 1853,
the Church and Society commenced to hold meetings, the Rev.
Mr. Dennis supplying the pulpit for a few Sabbaths.
From this time a few of the members of the church, at vari-
ous times withdrew from the communion; some of them to join
the Methodist church which, in the meantime, had been organ-
ized.
Sept., 1855. The Standing Committee were instructed to
hire the Rev. E. Demond for six months. He continued to
182!). | ANNALS OF MENDON. 535
preach until Oct. 31, 1858, when he was dismissed at his own
request.
From this time but few meetings were held, and the meeting
house was finally sold to the Methodist Society, which had heen
some time organized, at $650.00.
The meeting house was built in 1830 and dedicated in Decem-
ber of that year.
1829. Jan. 31. The Selectmen of Bellingham and Mendon,
this day, perambulated the line between the two towns. From
Cumberland line to the stone monument upon the south bank of
Charles River, near Ellis Bullard's house (formerly the Dedham
tree) the parties were agreed. From the stone monument to the
bridge over Charles River, near the Bellingham Cotton and
Woolen Manufactory, at Milford line, the Selectmen of Belling-
ham claimed a straight line, while the Selectmen of Mendon
claimed that the river should be the line.
The perambulation was signed by Hamblet Barber, Stephen
Lievett, for Bellingham, and by Aaron Burden, Benj. Daven-
port, Amariah Taft and Joseph Ray, Selectmen of Mendon. As
will hereafter be learned, the General Court finally established
the river as the boundary between the towns.
March 'i. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk; Aaron Bur-
don, Benj. Davenport, Joseph Ray, Jabez Aldrich and James
S. Warner, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer; Willard
Wilson, Constable and Collector, without compensation, and Dr.
John G. Metcalf, Amos \Y. Pitts and Dr. Phineas W. Leland,
School Committee.
Voted to rescind all the votes about the road from George
Gaskill's to road near Fox Brook.
April 6. Voted to raise 11800 to defray town charges.
Voted to raise 11100 for schooling.
Voted to raise $1500 to repair highways and bridges.
Voted to accept the list of Jurors reported by the Selectmen,
as follows, viz:
Caleb V. Allen, Johnson Legg, Setli Davenport, Ahaz Allen, Aaron Bur-
don, Andrew Penniman, Asa Kelley, Samuel Bills. Esek Pitts, Jared Ben-
son, Obadiah Wood, Elijah Thayer, Nahuni Bates, Peleg Aldrich, Luke
536 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1829.
Aldrich, Anson Aldrich, Leonard W. Darling, Arnold Taft, Lendol Staples,
Benj: Davenport, George Wall, Elbridge G. Daniels, Caleb Mowry, Joseph
B. Cook, Henry Goss, Charles A. Smith, William Legg, Daniel Kimpton,
Amariah Taft, Dan Hill, George Wood, Hezekiah Fletcher, Jonathan M.
Shove, Alexander Wilson, Jr., Joseph Ray, David Kelley, Edwin D. Sar-
gent, Nathan Hayward, Adam Wheelock, Abram Staples, Clark Cook,
Washington Hunt, Caleb Hayward, Luke Aldrich, Jr., Collins Capron,
Lebbeus Gaskill, Jesse Tourtelotte, Jr., Willard Wilson, John Kelley, Icha-
bod Cook, Jr., Jotham Hayward, Elias E.Thayer, Caleb Cook, Moses Dan-
iels, Jr., Willard Wilcox, George Southwick.
April G. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Levi Lincoln had 24 votes. Elected.
Marcus Morton " 72 "
" Harrison Gray Otis " 2 "
Henry Spurr " 2
For Lt. Governor, Thomas L. Winthrop " 26
Nathan Willis " 72 "
William Sullivan " 2 "
For Senators and Councillors — Joseph Thayer had 71 votes. Benj. Adams
4. Lewis Bigelow 25. David Wilder 28. Austin Denny, Lovell Walker
and John Homans had 2 each. Jonas Sibley 1. Samuel Mixter 28. Jo-
siah Howe 74. William S. Hastings 29. Daniel Thurber 74. John W.
Lincoln 24. John Spurr 78, and Isaac Davis 72.
At a meeting held this day, " to see if the town would direct
the Selectmen to estimate the cost of making a road from near
George GaskilFs house to the road near Fox Brook;" after the
choice of a Moderator,
Vote to dissolve the meeting.
May 4. Voted to send three Representatives to the General
Court.
Chose Dr. Daniel Thurber, Capt. Aaron Burdou, Col. Warren Rawson.
Voted that all taxes paid before the first day of January shall
be entitled to 5 per cent, discount.
Voted to raise $100 in addition to what has already been
raised for completing the road from Nathan Verv's house to the
inn recently kept by John Mann.
The following is a list of Guide Boards lately ordered by the
Selectmen:
2 Boards near Josiah Shove's house. 2 Boards near N. Yen's Inn.
2 do. " George Cook's " 2 do. " Wid. Martha Fairbank's
house.
1829.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 537
2 Boards near Mellon Benson's house. 2 Boards near William Green's Inn.
2 do. " E. D. Sargent's " 2 do. " Lewis Boyden's house.
1 do. " S. Parish Meeting " 2 do. " Col. Lebbeus Gaskill's
house.
1 do. " Emor Tourtelotte's " 2 do. " Seth Davenport's house
2 do. " Amos Boyden's " 2 do. " Upton Line.
1 do. " Thomas Taft's " 2 do. " Seth Kelly's house.
2 do. " Simeon Wheelock's " 2 do. " Benj. Pickering's "
Hon. William S. Hastings was chosen agent to petition for a
jury in the case of the road recently located from Uxbridge line
to W. & D. D. Farnum's Factory.
Dec. 2. At a meeting this day, " to see what further opposi-
tion the town would make to the new County road recently lo-
cated by the County Commissioners by Pout Rock, being the
road last mentioned," it was voted to dismiss the warrant.
Dec. 16. At this meeting the vote for Moderator stood as fol-
lows, viz:
For Dr. Abel Wilder there was 130 votes. For Benj. Davenport there
was 190 votes.
At this time there was cpiiite an excitement about building the
Pout Rock road, and, as will be seen by the vote for Moderator,
the meeting was very fully attended. The meeting was held at
the hall at the inn of Laban Bates in the South Parish, now
Blackstone.
The first action of the town was to vote the meeting should be
held out of doors, as there was not sufficient room in the hall
to transact business correctly.
It was then voted that Darling Hill, (on the old road from Mill-
ville to Blackstone Factory) be reduced to 4| degrees — that
public notice shall be given to all who will volunteer their ser-
vices with their teams, that ten cents an hour will be paid for a
man and the same for an able yoke of oxen with a cart or drag.
Washington Hunt was chosen agent and was authorized to buy
powder, procure drills and such things as may be found neces-
sary to complete the work.
Voted that the agent (William S. Hastings) continue to pros-
ecute the application for a jury with power to substitute a com-
mittee instead of a jury.
Voted that a committee of three be chosen to meet and confer
538 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1830.
with the General School Committee of the present year relative
to the financial concerns of the town with said General School
Committee and with the booksellers up to the first day of April,
1829, and that said committee file immediately a statement of
the state of the accounts with the Town Clerk.
Caleb V. Allen, Amariah Taft and Johnson Legg were chosen
as the committee.
It will be remembered that the first General School Commit-
tee, under the then recent law of the State, was chosen in 1827,
and that it was a part of their duty to determine what books
should be used in school and to furnish them to the scholars at
prices barely remunerative.
Somehow reports were put in circulation that the matter of
the purchase of school books had got into confusion, that the
committee had been careless in keeping their accounts and were
probably in debt to the town in considerable sums.
Pursuant to a notice from the Investigating Committee, John
G. Metcalf, of the School Committee, met in conference, and,
upon due investigation, it was shown that there was no defalca-
tion as had been reported, but that there was a credit to the
town, over and above all indebtedness for school books, in the
sum of $4.40.
1830. March 1. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk;
Aaron Bnrdon, Benj. Davenport, James Coinstock, Jabez Aid-
rich and William Legg, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treas-
urer; Willard Wilson, Constable and Collector, and Dr. John G.
Metcalf, Amos W. Pitts and Arthur Cook, Jr., School Com-
mittee.
The School Committee's report was accepted and ordered to be
placed on file in the Town Clerk's office.
Voted that the School Districts may choose Prudential Com-
mittees.
Voted to refer the sixth article in the warrant, " to see if the
town will purchase a farm whereon to support the Poor," to the
Selectmen.
Voted to dismiss the ninth article of the warrant which was
' ' to see if the town would build a town house. "
1830.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 539
Vote for County Treasurer — Samuel Allen, Esq., of Worcester, had 21
votes, being all that was cast.
April 5. Voted to raise $1200 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $3000 to defray town charges. It should he
remembered that this included the support of the poor.
Voted that the Highway Surveyors be directed to remove all
incumbrances from the highways, first giving ten days' notice to
any and all persons who may have erected any fences, stone- walls
or other incumbrances upon the highways or commons to remove
the same.
POOR FARM BOUGHT.
Voted to purchase a farm whereon to support the poor.
Voted to accept the report of the Selectmen recommending the
purchase of the farm of Caleb Mowry for a Poor Farm.
Voted to raise $100, in addition to $300 already raised, to com-
plete the making of a road from near George GaskilFs house to
the road near Fox Brook.
Voted that the Overseers of the Poor (Obadiah Wood, John-
son Legg and Kufus Paine) be authorized and directed to fur-
nish the farm and buildings, which the town have this day
agreed to purchase whereon to support the poor, with all neces-
sary stock, farming tools, household furniture and utensils, with
such other things which they may find necessary for the cultiva-
tion of said farm and the maintenance and support of the poor
thereon.
STATE ELECTION".
For Governor, Levi Lincoln had 123 votes. Elected.
'" Marcus Morton, " 80 "
" John Brooks, " 1 "
" " Harrison Gray Otis " 2
" Samuel Hubbard, " 1 "
For Lt, Governor, Thomas L. "Winthrop, " 125
Nathan Willis, " 83 "
Marcus Morton, " 1 •■
For Senators and Councillors — John W. Lincoln and Samuel Mixter had
120 each. William S. Hastings 121. David Wilder 119, and Lovell Walk-
er 118. Daniel Thurber, Jonas L. Sibley, Isaac Davis, Henry Prentice and
Isaiah Howe 92 each. Pliny Merrick and Bezaleel Taft had 1 each.
Voted to purchase the farm of Caleb Mowry whereon to sup-
540 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1830.
port the poor for $3,400.00, provided said Mowry make a good
and sufficient deed of the same to the inhabitants of the town.
Voted that the Selectmen take a deed of said farm and be au-
thorized to hire the purchase money provided they can hire it at
5 per cent, or less, giving security for the same in behalf of the
town.
Obadiah Wood, Johnson Legg and Rufus Paine were chosen
Overseers of the Poor.
Under this date was made the following:
MEMORANDUM.
Voted that the Inhabitants of this Town approve so much of the re-
cent law passed by the Legislature, in relation to the Militia, as prohibits
treating with spirituous Liquors at the Election of officers; and hereby rec-
ommend that, in future elections of Representatives and town officers that
the practice of treating, which is alike dishonorable to the Electors and the
Elected, be entirely discontinued and abolished.
At the suggestion of many, the vote being unanimous, the above was re-
corded, although there was no article in the warrant authorizing its passage.
Attest A. Penniman, Town Clerk.
May 3. The following persons were chosen Representatives to
the General Court, viz: Aaron Burdon, Benjamin Davenport and
Caleb V. Allen.
Voted that all taxes paid by the first day of August shall be
allowed a discount of 8 per cent. ; and all that are paid by the first
day of January next shall have a discount of 4 per cent. ; and the
Collector to make return to the Selectmen and Treasurer the
amount collected at each of the foregoing days.
Voted the Collector (Willard Wilson) shall have one per cent,
on all taxes that remain unpaid at the latter date, Jan. 1, 1831.
Voted to raise $1,200.00 for the support of highways and
bridges.
Voted to pay Caleb Mowry $25.00 for sowing afield of rye on
the farm lately purchased of him.
Voted that all applicants for town aid shall be provided for at
the Poor House, unless life would be endangered by their re-
moval.
June 17. Perambulated town lines with Northbridge, Upton
and Bellingham.
Nov. 1. Vote for Bepresentatwt in the 22d Congress. — Hon. John Davis
1831.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 541
had 89 votes. Dr. Daniel Thurber had 47 votes. Pliny Merrick, Esq., had
3 votes.
Voted that the town do oppose the discontinuance of the 9th
Mass. Turnpike, in this town, and the laying out of the same as
a County road, and Caleb Hayward, Obadiah Wood and Esek
Pitts were chosen agents for that purpose.
Nov. 22. Voted to rescind the doings of the last town meet-
ing in reference to the 9th Mass. Turnpike.
Perambulated town line with Uxbridge June 18, 1830.
1831. March 7. Chose Andrew Penniman, Town Clerk; Ben-
jamin Davenport, James Comstock, Johnson Legg, Jared Benson
and Collins Capron, Selectmen; Andrew Penniman, Treasurer;
Millins Taft, Constable and Collector, at $33.00; School Com-
mittee, John (t. Metcalf, James S. Benson, Preserved S. Thayer,
Stephen Taft and Darius D. Farnum.
Votes for a County Treasurer — Otis Corbett had 79 votes. Anthony Chase
had 47 votes. Chas. G. Prentice had 19 votes. William Jennison had 12
votes. Asahel Bellows had 6 votes.
April 4. Voted the subject of making any allowance for
breaking out roads the past winter be referred to the Selectmen,
to be, by them, adjusted on the principles of justice and equity.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Levi Lincoln, had 58 votes. Elected.
" " Marcus Morton, " 92
" '• William Baylies, " 4 "
" William Ingalls, " 1 "
For Lt. Governor, Thomas L. Winthrop, " 58
Nathan Willis, "93 "
For Senators and Councillors — John W. Lincoln had 54 votes. David Wil-
der 58. William S. Hastings 53. Rufus Bullock 61, and James Draper 58.
Daniel Thurber had 94 votes. Jonas L. Sibley 80. Isaac Davis 80. Henry
Prentice 91 and Josiah Howe 92. Samuel Mixter and Aaron Brooks had 12
votes each. Charles Russell had 4 and Stephen P. Gardner, Joseph Davis,
Adolphus Spring and Tyler Batchelor had 3 votes each.
For Register of Deeds — Artemas Ward 19 votes. All that were cast.
May 11. Voted to raise and appropriate 11200 for schooling.
Voted to raise and appropriate $2000 to defray town charges.
542 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1831.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1200 for repair of highways
and bridges.
Representatives to the General Court — Dr. Daniel Thurber, Benjamin Dav-
enport, Welcome Farnum, Dan Hill.
The following is the vote on the tenth article in the amend-
ments to the constitution of this State, the same having been
passed by two successive Legislatures.
The amendment changed the beginning of the political year
from the last Wednesday in May to the first Wednesday in Jan-
uary.
Yeas 166. Nays 15.
Voted that the Collector collect the taxes as soon as the money
is wanted.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to hire a sum of
money sufficient to pay for so much of the road, leading from
Uxbridge, at Skull Rock, to W. & 1). D. Farnum's Factory, as
may be made the current year, and also the expenses incurred in
consequence of a jury on said road.
Voted that the Assessors direct the Collector, in their warrant,
to collect and pay in to the Treasurer 11000 by the 1st day of Au-
gust and $500 by the 1st day of September and the remainder by
the first day of December.
May 21. Voted to choose three persons as Auditors, to ex-
amine the accounts of the several town officers, and Elijah Thay-
er, Asa Kelley and Caleb Hayward were chosen by ballot.
Voted that the School Committee be instructed to inquire
whether any alteration in the manner of dividing the school
money is expedient.
Voted to establish the following Bye-Laws for the government
and regulation of the inmates of the Poor House in said town:
1st. No person shall leave the premises provided by the town whereon
to support the Poor without leave from the Master of the Poor House.
2d. No ardent spirit shall be brought to or used on the premises without
leave of said Master.
3d. All the inmates of the Poor House shall be under the direction of
the Master and in case of disobedience of his orders, he is authorized to
confine such disobedient person within the basement room of the small
house, at his discretion and put them on such diet as he shall think proper.
He shall report the same to some one of the Overseers within twenty-four
hours from the time of such commitment.
1831.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 543
4th. The Master of the Poor House shall he required to keep a record
of all persons maintained in the house, the time they enter and when they
leave or die.
May 28. Voted to raise $50 in addition to a previous appro-
priation to make the road from Jediah Wilson's to Rhode Island
line, when the same shall he completed to the road from Slaters-
ville and he free from all charge for land damages. To be made
to the acceptance of the town.
Voted to accept of the report of the School Committee, to
whom was referred the division of the school money, and which
is as follows, viz:
" The rule as it now stands (in which an alteration is asked) is that " no
district shall draw more than 12 per cent, of the whole sum granted hy the
town." This rule, we suppose, was made expressly for the 14th School
District (Blackstoue. ) Taking into consideration the great number of schol-
ars in that District, which is about 400 that draw school money, and about
200 who actually attend school ; and considering that the same advantages
cannot be derived from their present proportion of the school money that
other districts draw, we recommend that this rule be altered'so as to read
thus, "No District shall draw more than 14 per cent, of the whole sum
granted by the town, for the support of schools."
John G. Metcalf, for the Com.
Voted that the town cease opposition to the Pout Rock Road
(so called), from Uxbridge, at Skull Rock, to near W. & D. D.
Farnum's Factory, provided that bonds of similar tenor and of
equal amount to those filed before the last jury that sat upon the
case, be furnished and made satisfactory to the town's agent, at
any time before the next Session of the Supreme Judicial Court
in this County.
Voted to raise $150.00 to repair the old turnpike road, recent-
ly laid out as a County road through this town, and that the Se-
lectmen be agents to make suitable repairs on the same, and draw
orders for the payment of said repairs payable in six months with
interest.
Voted that the owner or keeper of any dog in this town shall
restrain his or her dog from running at large under a penalty of
ten dollars, unless the owner or keeper of such dog shall obtain
a license from the Selectmen and pay into the treasury, for the
use of the town, the sum of two dollars, and keep a collar around
such dog's neck with the owner's name thereon.
544 ANNALS OF MEN DON. [1831.
This vote to take effect next Monday and continue for one
year.
Sept. 5. Voted that the Tenth School District be directed to
erect a school house in said district.
Voted that the sum of $400 be raised in the Tenth School Dis-
trict for the purpose of erecting said house.
Oct. 22. It having been voted, as above, the Selectmen were
constituted agents to contract for and superintend the erection
of a school house in the Tenth School District The Selectmen
to decide the location for said house unless the district agree
upon a site.
Nov. 5. Voted to accept the road recently laid out near Maj.
Rufus Aldrich's house provided it shall not cost the town more
than $32.00.
Voted that the Treasurer pay back whatever money he may
have received for licenses for dogs to run at large.
Nov. 11. STATE ELECTION.
As will be seen by the date, this election was held pursuant to
the amendment of the State Constitution adopted on the 11th
of May last.
For Governor, His Ex. Levi Lincoln had 133 votes. Elected.
Hon. Marcus Morton " 168
" " Samuel Lathrop " 50 "
For Lt. Governor, Thomas L. Winthrop " 187 "
John Mills "168 "
For Senators and Councillors — Dr. Daniel Thurber, Jonas L. Sibley, Isaac
Davis, Henry Prentiss and Josiah Howe had 169 votes each. These consti-
tuted the Democratic ticket. John W. Lincoln, David Wilder, William S.
Hastings, James Draper had 139 votes each, and Rufus Bullock had 186
votes. These constitute the Whig ticket. Stephen P. Gardner, Pliny Mer-
rick, Tyler Batchelor and Asaph Rice had 51 votes each.
It seems those who voted for the last ticket, voted for Samuel
Lathrop for Governor, for Thomas L. Winthrop for Lt. Gover-
nor and for Rufus Bullock, whose name was on the Whig ticket,
for Senator.
The following rules and orders to be observed at Town Meet-
ings, other than at elections, were this day adopted, viz:
Article I. After the meetings are opened every person shall be seated
when practicable and continue so unless he rises to address the Moderator,
and shall set down as soon as he has done speaking.
1831.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 545
Article II. Every person shall preserve order, propriety and decorum at
the meetings and be silent except when addressing the Moderator or meet-
ing on the business before the meeting.
Article III. No person shall interrupt another while orderly speaking.
Article IV. No person shall speak more than twice on one question
without leave.
Article V. No personalities or personal allusions shall be used in debate.
Article VI. All questions of order shall be decided by the Moderator
subject to an appeal to the meeting.
Article VII. If any person shall, after notice by the Moderator, persist
in this disorderly behaviour, he shall be prosecuted by the Town Treasurer
for the recovery of the penalty prescribed by the Statute for that purpose.
Nov. 14. Choice of Representative!* to the General Court — Voted to send
four Representatives, and then chose Dr. Daniel Thurber, Caleb V. Allen,
Col. Lebbeus Gaskill.
Then voted to reconsider the vote to send four Representa-
tives and to send but three.
Voted that Capt. Jared Benson and Caleb V. Allen be agents
for the town to meet the County Commissioners and act in be-
half of said town relative to the contemplated road the Commis-
sioners are about to locate from near Clark Cook's house to Ux-
bridge.
REV. ADIN BALLOU, THE NINTH MINISTER.
Rev. Adin Ballon commenced his ministry, in Mendon, in
'Feb., 1831. For some years previous he had been the minister
of the Universalist Society in Milford. He was installed May 3,
1832, Eev. Bernard Whitman, of Waltham, preaching- the in-
stallation sermon. Before Mr. Ballou's removal from Milford he
had begun the publication of the Independent Messenger, a pa-
per devoted to the maintenance and propagation of liberal views
of Christianity. Upon his coming to Mendon the paper was re-
moved and, during its continuance, was printed by George W.
Stacy, now of Milford.
During his pastorate in Mendon, Mr. Ballon published an ad-
dress on the subject of Slavery, which was republished in Eng-
land.
At the close of his ministry in 1842, he, with others, removed
to a farm on Mill River, in the westerly part of Milford, where
he was the leading spirit in the organization of the Hopedale
Community. Athough the Community principle has been aban-
546 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1832.
doned, Hopedale litis grown to be one of the largest and most
prosperous villages in the southern part of the County of Wor-
cester.
1832. March 5. Chose Alexander H. Allen, Town Clerk;
Johnson Legg, James Comstock, Stephen Taft, Willard Wilson
and Luke Aldrich, Selectmen; Alexander H. Allen, Treasurer;
Millins Taft, Constable and Collector, at $40.00, and James S.
Benson, Rev. Adin Ballou and Preserved S. Thayer, School Com-
mittee.
April 2. Voted that Benjamin Davenport, Esq., be agent for
the town to unite with the agent from Uxbridge to petition the
County Commissioners (which is the Court of Sessions for the
County of Worcester) to discontinue the road lately laid out by
their honours, from near Clark Cook's, in Mendon, to near Ux-
bridge town, being part in Mendon and part in Uxbridge and not
yet made, or to do anything said agents shall think proper re-
specting the delay of making or the discontinuance of said road.
After choosing one committee of 16 and another one of 5 mem-
bers, to see if any alterations were required in the Highway Dis-
tricts, and then immediately voting that they be discharged from
duty; it was then voted that the Highway Surveyors shall report
at the next town meeting the length of road in each district and
that their report be made under oath, if required.
Voted to raise and appropriate $2000 to defray the exjiense of
making roads now under contract and made or partly made.
Voted to raise $1200 for the support of schools this year.
Voted to raise and appropriate $600 for the support of the
poor.
This is the first instance where a specific appropriation was
made for the support of the poor; the expense, heretofore hav-
ing been paid out of the sums appropriated "to defray town
charges. "
Voted to raise and appropriate $200 to defray the incidental ex-
penses of the town, the first instance also in this case.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized, under the direction of
the Selectmen, to hire such sums of money as may be necessary
to defray such expenses of the town as are not provided for by
the foregoing appropriations.
1832.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 547
Voted to raise I1G00 for repairs of highways and bridges this
year.
Voted that 10 cents per hour he allowed a man for work on
the highways and the same for a yoke of oxen and cart while at
work — 10 cents per hour for oxen while plowing and 5 cents per
hour for a good plow.
Voted that the Assessors issue warrants of distress, with their
bills, to the several Highway Surveyors.
Voted to hold the animal town meeting on the first Monday in
April, in future, instead of the first Monday in March.
No mention being made of any report from the Highway Sur-
veyors who were directed to measure the roads in each district,
it was
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to make such altera-
tions in the highway districts, as they may judge equitable and
necessary, without reporting the same to the town for its accept-
ance.
Benjamin Davenport chosen agent for the town.
Voted that the School Committee be paid $10 each, providing
they are prompt and regular in visiting the schools at their com-
mencement and close and as much oftener as is convenient.
Voted that the agent (Benjamin Davenport) chosen to meet
the agent from Uxbridge, in relation to a road from near Clark
Cook's to Uxbridge, cease further opposition to the same, until
otherwise directed by the town.
Adjourned to the November meeting.
April 18. Voted to accept the alteration, made by the Select-
men, in the road between Leonard W. Darling's house and Mill-
ville.
At a meeting held this day (under a new warrant) to see if the
town would raise an additional sum of money to defray town
charges.
Voted to dismiss the warrant.
Here follows (p. 22, vol. VI of the Town Records) the bound-
aries of the Highway Districts, nineteen in number.
June 16. Voted to accept the following list of Jurors, viz:
Nah urn Bates, Ichabod Cook, Jr., .Tared Benson, Seth Davenport, Caleb
Mowry, Andrew Penuiman, Seth Kelley, Luke Aldrich 2d, William Legg,
Arnold Taft, Henry Goss, Anson Aldrich, Asa Kelley, Luke Aldrich, Jo-
548 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1832.
seph Ray, George Southwick, Hezekiah Fletcher, Edwin D. Sargent, Sam-
uel Bills, Abram Staples, Lebbeus Gaskill, Jesse Tourtelotte, Jr., Joseph
B. Cook, Washington Hunt, Lendoll Staples, Horace Chenery, Jabez Aid-
rich, Nathaniel Torrey, Alexander Wilson, Jr., Benjamin Davenport, Aaron
Burdon, Jotham Hayward, Collins Capron, Clark Cook, Amariah Taft,
Jona. M. Shove, Dan Hill, Riley Daniels, Ariel Thayer, Joseph G. Daven-
port, Welcome Staples, Thomas Taft, Jr., Ebenezer Chase, George Wood,
Willard Wilson, Esek Pitts, Leonard W. Darling, Moses Daniels, Caleb V.
Allen, Obadiah Wood, Johnson Legg, James Comstock, Stephen Taft,
Millins Taft, Peletiah Thayer, Alexander H. Allen, Reuben Thayer, Sam-
uel Cook, Emory Scott, Duty Cook, Preserved S. Thayer, Adam Whee-
lock, Willard Wilcox, John Kelley, Nathan Hayward, Elbridge G. Daniels,
Elijah Thayer, Leonard Taft, Stephen H. Thayer, Albert Fairbanks, Ebenr
W. Hayward, Samuel Gaskill, William Green, Joseph Carroll, Jr., Solo-
man Pratt, Nathan George, Moses T. Chapin, Asa Chilson, Willard Chil-
son, Joseph Allen, Simeon Wheelock, Caleb Colvin.
NOV. 12. STATE ELECTION".
For Governor, Levi Lincoln had 156 votes. Elected.
Marcus Morton " 153 "
" " Samuel Lathrop " 64 "
" " Abner Kneeland " 1
For Lt. Governor, Samuel T. Armstrong " 162 "
John Mills " 156 "
Timothy Fuller "60 "
For Senators— David Wilder 165, Wm. S. Hastings 165, Samuel Mixter
165, Ira Barton 165, Charles Hudson 165, Samuel Lee 165. Daniel Thurber
154, Henry Prentiss 156, Jonas L. Sibley 156, Isaac Davis 156, John Brown
156, Moses Wood 156. Stephen P. Gardner 57, Austin Flint 57, Abiel
Jacques 57, Thos. Chamberlain 57, Tyler Batchelor 57, Theodore Jones 57.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
Electors at large— Middlesex District —
Charles Jackson 171 Nathan Brooks 171
Nathan Willis 159 Eliphalet Case 159
John D. Williams 48 Benjamin Wyshall 48
Suffolk District — Worcester South District —
Thos. H. Perkins 171 Aaron Tufts 171
Charles Hood 159 Richard Olney '. . 159
Jacob Hall. : 48 Pliny Merrick 48
Essex South District — Worcester North District —
Gideon Barstow 171 Samuel Lee 171
John Moriarty 159 Charles Sibley 159
Wm. B. Breed 48 Stephen P. Gardner 48
1833.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 549
Essex North District — Franklin District—
Ebenr Moseley 171 Ebenezer Mattoon 171
Amos Noyes 159 Perley Barton 159
Thos. Payson 48 ' Asa Stebbins 48
Hampden District — Plymouth District —
James Byers 171 Jotham Lincoln 171
W. W. Thompson 156 Peter H. Pierce 156
John Chaffee 48 Zechariah Eddy 48
Berkshire District — Bristol District —
Henry Shaw 171 Cornelius Grinned 171
Phineas Allen 156 John M. Williams 156
Jas. W. Robbins 48 Jos. Ricketson 48
Norfolk District — Barnstable District —
James Richardson 171 Nymphas Marston 171
Ebenezer Seaver 156 Samuel Stimson 156
John Bailey 48 Benj. Hallett 48
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL COURT.
Voted to send four Kepresentatives to the General Court.
1st Ballot — Benjamin Davenport had 161 votes. Daniel Thurber had 167
votes. Aaron Burdon had 54 votes. James Comstock had 2 votes. Wash-
ington Hunt had 1 vote. No choice.
2d Ballot — Daniel Thurber had 173 votes. Benjamin Davenport 155
votes. Aaron Burdon had 45 votes. Jas. Comstock had 2 votes. Pre-
served S. Thayer had 1 vote. No choice.
M Ballot — Dr. Daniel Thurber had 180 votes. Benj. Davenport had 155
votes. Aaron Burdon had 45 votes. James Comstock had 1 vote. Leb-
beus Gaskill had 1 vote. No choice.
After an unsuccessful motion to adjourn until to-morrow, it
was voted not to send any Representative this year and the meet-
ins: was then dissolved.
1833. April 1. For Representative in Congress in District
No. IX.
Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn had 70 votes. Dr. Daniel Thurber
had 110 votes. Ebenezer Seaver had 3 votes. William Jackson had 1 vote.
FOR TOWN OFFICERS.
Chose Alexander H. Allen, Town Clerk; Johnson Legg, Ed-
win D. Sargent, Luke Aldrich, Caleb Colvin and Leonard \Y.
Darling, Selectmen; Alexander H. Allen, Treasurer; Washing-
550 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1833.
ton Hunt, Constable and Collector, for 125.00. Rev. Adin Bal-
lon, Eev. John M. 8. Perry, John G. Metcalf, Emery Scott,
Daniel W. Allen, Baruch Southwick and Putman W. Taft,
School Committee.
Voted not to choose Tythingmen or packers of beef.
Voted to raise $70 to complete the school house in the Tenth
School District, to be assessed upon and paid by the inhabitants
of said district.
Voted to raise $1200 and appropriate the same for support of
schools.
Voted to raise $1600 to repair highways and bridges.
April 15. Voted to raise $2500 for the payment of debts now
outstanding against the town.
Voted to raise $800 for the support of the poor and incidental
expenses.
Voted that the next annual town meeting be held at the South
Parish meeting house, the next at Laban Bates' Inn, and the
next at the North Parish meeting house and so on in this order.
Benjamin Davenport was chosen agent.
Voted that the Selectmen be paid $4.00 per annum for their
services.
Voted to accept the report of the School Committee.
The Prudential Committees were chosen by the town as fol-
lows, viz:
1st District,
Zalman Green.
9th District
Thurber Warfield.
2 do.
Enos Goss,
10
do.
E. D. Sargent.
3 do.
Robert Allen.
11
do.
Millins Taft,
4 do.
E. G. Daniels.
12
do.
Elijah Hayward.
5 do.
Elijah Taft.
13
do.
S. H. Thayer.
6 do.
Duty Cook.
14
do.
James S. Warner.
7 do.
Nathl. Iuman.
15
do.
Lebbeus L. Wood.
8 do.
Jason Staples.
16
do.
Darius D. Farnum.
Votes for County Treasurer — Anthony Chase had 14 and Otis Corbett had
4 votes.
April 15. The only article in the warrant was, "To see if the
town would accept the alterations, made by the Selectmen, in the
road from the Old Turnpike (now County road) near Adin Bai-
lors to Millville."
No vote was had upon this article as the meeting was imme-
diately dissolved.
1833.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 551
May 6. This meeting was called " to see if the town would
accept a road, laid out by the Selectmen, from near Seth South-
wick's to Nathan Very's Cider Mill."
Voted to dismiss the article from the warrant.
There being no choice for Representative to Congress, another
trial was had this day and with the following result, viz:
2d Trial — Heury A. S. Dearborn had 74 votes. Dr. Daniel Thurber had
81 votes. William Jackson had 29 votes. Win. S. Hastings and Ebenezer
Seaver had 1 vote each. No choice.
June 10. Third trial — Henry A. S. Dearborn had 57 votes. Dr. Daniel
Thurber had 78 votes. William Jackson had 29 votes. Hon. William El-
lis had 1 vote. No choice.
Article second of the warrant was " a notice by Thomas Taft,
Surveyor of the 7th Highway District, that the road across the
Tourtelotte swamp would be complained of unless made safe by
fencing it." The article was dismissed.
Aug. 12. There still being no choice for a Representative in
Congress, a meeting was held this day and with the following re-
sult, viz:
4th Trial — Henry A. S. Dearborn had 84 votes. William Jackson had
42 votes. Dr. Daniel Thurber had 133 votes.
Sept 16. Voted to accept of a road, laid out by the Select-
men, from the road opposite the meeting house in Millville to
"Oxbridge line.
NOV. 11. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, John Davis had 90 votes. Elected.
Marcus Morton " 177 "
John Quincy Adams " 45 "
" '• Samuel C. Allen " 32 "
" " Samuel Lee " 1 "
For Lt. Governor, Samuel T.Armstrong " 108 "
James Fowler " 179 ''
Samuel Lathrop " 40 "
Sampson V. S. Wilder " 1 "
For Senators— Samuel Mixter 108, Charles Hudson 108, Ira Barton 108,
Samuel Lee 108, Charles Russell 108, Rejoice Newton 108. Henry Prentiss
179, John Brown 179, John Spun- 179, Moses Wood 179, Payson Williams
179, Joseph Thayer 85. Stephen P. Gardner 45, Theodore Jones 45, Tyler
Batcheller 45, Thos. Chamberlain 45, Wm. M. Benedict 45, Rufus Mix-
er 45.
552 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1833.
Votes for Representative in Congress, 5th Trial — Henry A. S. Dearborn had
95 votes. William Jackson had 43 votes. Dr. Daniel Thurber had 178
votes. No choice.
FOR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GENERAL COURT.
Voted not to send four Representatives to the General Court.
Voted to send three Representatives.
Chose Lebbeus Gaskill, Warren Ravvson and William Legg.
Voted to reconsider the vote to send three Representatives and
to send four.
Chose Jabez Aldrich as the fourth Representative.
While balloting for Jabez Aldrich, Dan Hill entered the fol-
lowing protest:
The undersigned an inhabitant and legal voter in this town of Mendon
hereby protests against the meeting proceeding, at this time, to the choice
of a Representative to represent this town in the next General Court of this
Commonwealth, because, before proceeding to the choice of any Repre-
sentatives the town did, by their vote, decide upon the number that should
be chosen and fixed that number at three.
This number have already been chosen and the voters had right to sup-
pose that no further balloting was to be had for Representatives and many
of them have retired from the meeting. The undersigned also protests be-
cause the town has also chosen all that, by law, they have a right to send.
Nov. 11, 1833. Dan Hill.
Nov. 23. Voted to accept a road, laid out by the Selectmen,
on the westerly side of the road leading through Millville begin-
ning at a point one and one-half rods north of Willard Wilson's
sign post to Uxbridge line.
Voted not to accept a road from a point near Ariel Cook's
house to a point a little south of Nathan Hayward's house.
Afterward the County Commissioners laid out a road from the
road passing by the house of Samuel G. Wilcox to Bellingham
line, near the house of Ellis Bullard, being now the direct road
to Bellingham.
Dec. 16. Qth Trial for a Representative in Congress — Henry A. S. Dear-
born 34. Dr. Daniel Thurber 66. Wm. Jackson 25 and Eli Warren 20
votes, and there was no choice.
Voted to rescind the vote accepting the road from near Willard
Wilson's sign post to Uxbridge line. Before voting Capt. Wil-
lard Wilson protested against the proceedings, because, as he
1834.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 553
said, there was not a sufficient number of freeholders, signing
the petition to the Selectmen for the insertion of the article in
the warrant and requested that his objection should be entered
upon the record.
1834. Jan. 27. There still being no choice for a Representa-
tive in Congress, a meeting was held this day for the
7th Trial — Henry A. S. Dearborn had 37 votes. Dr. Daniel Thurber had
57 votes. William Jackson had 24 votes. Eli Warren had 15 votes. War-
ren Rawson had 1 vote. No choice.
Voted that the town recommend their Selectmen to withhold
their approbation from such persons as may apply for a license
to sell and retail spiritous liquors in said town the ensuing year.
As the town, by the above vote, had granted all that was asked
for it is not seen why they should " indefinitely postpone the
further consideration of the second article in the warrant."
March 3. 8th Trial for a Representative in Congress — Henry A. S. Dear-
born had 2 votes. William Jackson had 110 votes. Dr. Daniel Thurber
had 58 votes. Eli Warren had 63 votes. Adin Ballou had 1 vote.
William Jackson was chosen. At the first trial, in this town,
William Jackson had one vote.
April 7. TOWN OFFICERS.
Chose Alexander II. Allen, Town Clerk; William Legg, Steph-
en Taft, Caleb Colvin, Anson Aldrich and Edwin D. Sargent,
Selectmen; Alexander H. Allen, Town Treasurer; Washington
Hunt, Constable and Collector, at $23.50; Dr. Moses D. South-
wick, Chas. C. P. Hastings, James P. Hayward, Alexander H.
Allen, Willard B. Johnson, Daniel W. xlllen and Perry Thayer,
School Committee.
Voted to defer the further consideration of the annual report
of the Selectmen to the adjourned meeting on the 28th inst.
Voted to raise 12000 and to appropriate one half of said sum to
the payment of outstanding debts and the other half to defray
the contingent expenses of the town.
Voted to raise $1200 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $1600 to repair the highways and bridges,
to
554 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1834.
Warren Rawson, Aniariah Taft and Lebbeus Gaskill were
chosen a committee to see whether any persons have trespassed
upon the highways or lands of the town and report at the next
town meeting.
The same committee were instructed to demand and receive of
Pearley Hunt the records and papers formerly belonging to the
ancient proprietors of Mendon, now in the possession of the said
Pearley Hunt, who was the last Proprietors' Secretary.
Votes for County Treasurer — Anthony Chase had 71 votes. Major Jack
Downing had 1 vote.
April 28. Voted not to instruct the Selectmen to approbate
any innkeepers to be retailers of rum, brandy, gin, &c, in town
during the present year.
June 28. Voted to indefinitely postpone the fourth article " in
relation to the refusal of the Treasurer to give bonds." The law,
at this time did not require the Treasurer to give bonds.
Aug. 18. Samuel Alien, Asa Kelly, George Southwick, Ama-
riah Taf t and Alexander H. Allen were chosen a committee to op-
pose the location of a road as by the petition of William S. Hast-
ings and others, to the County Commissioners.
Nov. 10. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, John Davis had 103 votes. Elected.
Marcus Morton "103 "
Saml. C. Allen " 63 "
John Bailey " 23 "
" Lyman C. Curtis " 1 "
For Lt. Governor, Saml. T. Armstrong " 103 "
Wm. W. Thompson "164 "
George Odiome " 23 "
Gov. Davis having been elected a Senator in Congress, resigned
his office of Governor March 4, and Samuel T. Armstrong, elect-
ed as Lieut. Governor, became the acting Governor.
For Senators — Whig — Samuel Mixter 104, Chas. Hudson 104, Chas. Rus-
sell 104, Chas. Allen 103, Geo. A. Tufts 102, Waldo Flint 104. Democrat
—Henry Prentiss 144, Jos. Thayer 144, John Spurr 117, Nathl. Rand 144,
Alexr De Witt 144, John Boyenton 144. A. S.— Stephen P. Gardner 23,
Tyler Batcheller 23, Theodore Jones 23, Elijah Stoddard 23, Austin Flint
23, Lovett Peters 23.
For Representative to Congress — William Jackson 44. Dr. Daniel Thurher
1835.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 555
122. Eli Warren 39. Win. 8. Hastings 36. Therou Metcalf, Sylvanus
Holbrook, Lebbeus Gaskill, William Lcgg and Chas. B. Jenks bad 1 each.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
On the first ballot, Obadiah Wood was chosen by 5 votes,
Johnson Legg by 8 and Emory Scott by 1 majority. Mr. Wood
was the author of a bill which greatly reduced the number of
Representatives in the General Court.
Three other ballots were taken resulting in the election of Leb-
beus Gaskill as the fourth Representative, and were as follows,
viz :
William Hastings 58 57 49
WilliamLegg 61 33 10
Ichabod Cook, Jr 19 14 15
Lebbeus Gaskill 80 110 130
Chas. C. P. Hastings 1 1 1
Seth Davenport 2 Scat. 4 Scat, 6
Emery Scott 1
Whole number 238 247 243
Necessary to a choice 119 124 122
1835. April 6. Amos W. Pitts was chosen Town Clerk and
Treasurer; Edwin D. Sargent, Obadiah Wood, Ichabod Cook,
Jr., Ebenezer W. Hay ward and Nicholas Thayer, Selectmen;
Washington Hunt, Constable and Collector, at #29.00, and Dr.
Moses D. Southwick, Chas, C. P. Hastings, Obadiah Wood, Jr.,
and Danl. W. Allen, School Committee.
Voted that the town do instruct their Selectmen not to appro-
bate any person to sell ardent spirits during. the ensuing munici-
pal year.
The reports of the Selectmen and School Committee were read
and put on file.
Voted to raise $3900, and appropriate $400 for the support of
the poor, $800 for incidental expenses, $1500 for payment of
outstanding debts, and $1200 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $1600 to repair highways and bridges.
Votes for County Treasurer — Charles G. Prentiss had 34 votes. Anthony
('base had 2 votes,
Voted that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen have $20
556 ANNALS OF MENDON. | 1835.
and the other members of the Board $8 per year for their ser-
vices.
Voted that the Chairman of the General School Committee
he allowed #20 a year for his services, he performing all the du-
ties as set forth in the report of the School Committee made this
day.
Voted that Dr. M. D. Southwick he allowed $5 for extra ser-
vices, as a member of the General School Committee the past
year.
Dan Hill, Warren Eawson and Jared Benson were chosen a
committee to prosecute all trespassers upon the property of the
town.
May 4. Voted to reconsider the vote allowing- the Chairman
of the Selectmen $20 and his associates $8 each per year, and
that they all be allowed $4 each per year for their services.
Voted to reconsider the vote allowing the Chairman of the
School Committee $20, and that -each member be allowed $4 per
year.
The Board of County Commissioners having been recently es-
tablished, the first election of these officers took place this day,
and with the following result, viz:
For Commissioners — Jared Reed had 43. John W. Lincoln 32. Ebenezer
D. Ammidon 31. Obadiah Wood 16. William Eaton and Zachariah Shel.
don 15 each. Sylvanus Holbrook 2. Abiel Jaques and Dan Hill 4 each.
Wm. Crawford 3 and Chas. G. Prentiss, Chas. C. P. Hastings, Win. H.
Crawford, Eli Warren, Wm. Eijton, Alexander DeWitt, Ebenezer L. Bar-
nard, Newell Nelson and Richard Olney 1 each.
For Special Commissioners — Ephraim Stone 36. Benjamin Davenport 35.
Artemas Lee and Richard Olney 15 each. Alexander DeWitt and Eli War-
ren 7 each and Dan Hill, Newell Nelson, Warren Rawson, Pearley Hunt
and John W. Lincoln 1 each.
Dan Hill from the committee chosen to look after trespassers
upon the town's property reported, and then
Voted that Dan Hill be authorized to commence and prosecute
an action in behalf of the town, in such form as he may see fit,
against Henry Chapin of Milford, or any other person, for wood
and timber cut and carried off by the said Chapin or other per-
son from a tract of land in town known as the " Eight Bod
Road."
1835.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 557
June 1. It seems that there was no choice as to one of the
Commissioners at the late election and hence an election was held
to-day to fill the vacancy.
The road from Willard Wilson's sign post to Uxbridge road, is
not yet made and William S. Hastings, Willard Wilson and Dan
Hill were chosen a committee to ascertain upon what terms the
road can be made, whether it will be of public utility and wheth-
er the town ought to be at any expense therefor.
Voted to build two more pounds, to be erected forthwith, and
at such places as the committee may determine; and Jared Ben-
son, Aaron Burdon and Obadiah Wood were chosen the com-
mittee.
Voted to rescind the votes passed May 4th, reducing the com-
pensation of the Selectmen and School Committee.
June 8. Voted that the articles in the warrant relating to the
"Sign Post" road, so called, and the Elijah Trask road be dis-
missed from the warrant.
Voted to rescind the vote passed at the last meeting relating to
the compensation of the Selectmen and School Committee, and
that each member of the two boards have $4 each for their ser-
vices, annually.
June 22. There being still a vacancy in the Board of County
Commissioners, no choice having been effected at the last trial, a
meeting was held this day with the following result, viz :
Jared Weed had 42 votes. William Crawford had 31 votes.
The Sign Post road and the Elijah Trask road were again re-
jected.
Alexander Hayward, Carlisle W. Capron and Clark Cook were
chosen Pound Keepers.
The petitioners for the Sign Post Road and the road running
from nearly the same point (being a rival route) were not dis-
couraged by their repeated defeats, but immediately petitioned
for another meeting.
Aug. 22. Voted to accept the Sign Post road and dismiss the
article relating to the other.
The opponents of the Sign Post road, no ways discouraged,
then petitioned for another meeting which was held
Sept. 26. Then voted to discontinue the Sign Post road (78
rods in length) accepted at the last meeting.
558 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1835.
The town having neglected to repair the Tourtelotte road (so
called) across the swamp, flowed by the mill pond of Arnold Taft
and Brothers, the same was indicted. Upon this the town
Voted that the road complained of should be thoroughly re-
paired across the swamp.
Dan Hill was chosen agent to assure the District Attorney that
the nuisance complained of should be immediately abated.
NOV. 9. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Marcus Morton 128.
Edward Everett 101. Elected.
" " Saml. T. Armstrong 4.
Saml. C. Allen 1.
James F. Armstrong 1.
For Lt. Governor, William Foster 134.
George Hull 94.
For Senators— John Spurr had 128 votes. Alexr DeWitt had 129 votes.
Nathl. Rand had 129 votes. John Boyenton had 129 votes. Chas. Sihley
had 98 votes. Joseph Thayer had 78 votes. E D. Sargent had 32 votes.
Newell Nelson had 40 votes. Dan Hill had 3 votes. Ahiel Jaques had 1
vote. Chas. Hudson had 83 votes. Chas. Allen had 84 votes. Chas. Rus-
sell had 84 votes. Waldo Flint had 81 votes. Linus Child had 85 votes.
Ethan A. Greenwood had 84 votes. Eli Warren had 4 votes. Pearley Hunt
had 2 votes. Adin Ballou had 1 vote. Wm. Crawford had 1 vote.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL COURT.
Voted to send four Representatives to the General Court.
1st ballot. 2d ballot, M ballot. 4th ballot, 5th ballot.
Dan Hill 56 99 106 114 60
Johnson Legg 95 104 119 131 133
Seth Davenport 40 7 2 30
William Legg 23 11 4 6 14
All others 11 14 14 12 12
On the 5th ballot Johnson Legg was chosen by 5 majority. Two
other ballots were had at this meeting resulting in no choice.
Another meeting was held Nov. 23 and after three ballots had
been taken without effecting a choice, on the fourth ballot, Ed-
win D. Sargent was chosen by 48 majority.
Four other ballots were taken but resulted in no choice. Dan
Hill and Ariel Cook were the leading candidates; on the last
ballot. Dan Hill had 101, Ariel Cook 100, and there were 8 scat-
1836.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 559
tering. Dan Hill lacked 4 votes of an election. The meeting
was then dissolved.
In the record, pp. 104, 105, 106 and 107 may he found the re-
location of the road from Mendon to Millville.
1836. April -4. Chose Amos W. Pitts, Town Clerk and Treas-
urer; Benjamin Davenport, Ariel Thayer, Dan Hill, Jared Ben-
son and Clark Cook, Selectmen; Washington Hunt, Constahle
and Collector at $29.00; Amos W. Pitts, Samuel Allen, Stephen
Taft, Daniel W. Allen and Arthur Cook, Jr., School Committee.
Voted that the Selectmen repair the bridge over the Blackstonc
River, at Blackstone Village, ''unless it shall appear to them that
the town is not bound to maintain it."'
Register of Deeds — Artemas Ward, Esq., had 5 votes. Unanimous.
April 25. Voted, pursuant to the recommendation of the
General School Committee, that the Chairman have the general
superintendence of the schools and which he is to visit as the law
requires; his four associates shall each attend the Chairman when
visiting the schools in his section of the town, and their com-
pensation shall be as follows, viz: The Chairman shall have $20
and each of his associates $4 per year.
Voted to raise $1000 to repair highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $4500, to be appropriated as follows, viz: $1500
for the support of schools; $400 for the support of the poor;
$2000 for repair of the roads and bridges and other incidental ex-
penses, and $600 for the payment of arrearages.
In relation to the rejiort of the Selectmen in regard to the road
passing over the island, in the river at Millville; that, in 1770,
permission was given for a grist mill (upon the island) to be part-
ly in the road, and that the road between the mill and Thayer &
Fairbanks' Factory is but 27^ feet wide, the town thereupon
Voted that the owners of the aforesaid buildings be notified to
forthwith remove them without the limits of the road.
Voted that William Soden Hastings, Esq., be an agent, in be-
half of the town, to notify the owners as aforesaid, and, in case
of their neglect, to commence and prosecute an action or actions,
in such form as he may see fit.
560 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1836.
Voted to accept of a road laid out by the Selectmen, from
Blackstone village to Rhode Island line; and that they be au-
thorized to render said road and the bridge over Blackstone river
passable as soon as practicable.
Voted to accept of an alteration in the road near Timothy Al-
exander's house as reported by the Selectmen.
The laying out of these roads may be found recorded on p.
115, vol. VI.
May 14. The discontinuance of the Eight Rod road, so called,
as proposed by an article in the warrant was indefinitely post-
poned.
Dan Hill, Esq., was chosen General Agent.
Voted that William S. Hastings, in behalf of the town, peti-
tion the County Commissioners to lay out anew the road in Mill-
ville, leading from Mellen Benson's dwelling house over Black-
stone river and the island in the same, to the dwelling house of
Collins Capron, or such part thereof as, in their judgment, the
public convenience may require, for the purpose of establishing
the boundary lines of said road.
Nov. 14. The following is the vote on the twelfth article of
the amendments to the State Constitution, which lessened the
number of Representatives in the General Court. This amend-
ment was introduced by Obadiah Wood, a Representative from
Mendon, in the Legislature of 1835 and, having been passed by
the Legislature of 1836 was now before the people for confirma-
tion or rejection.
For the Amendment to the Constitution — Yeas 105. Nays 69.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Edward Everett, 114 votes. Elected.
" Marcus Morton, 214
" " Samuel Hoar, 3
Samuel C. Allen, 1
For Lt. Governor, George Hull, 119
William Foster, 214 "
Senators— Chan. Hudson 120 votes. Chas. Russell 120 votes. Chas. Allen
119 votes. Linus Child 119 votes. Ethan A. Greenwood 120 votes. Wil-
lial Hancock 120 votes. Alexander DeWitt 213 votes. John Spun- 213
votes. Joseph Knox 213 votes. Sullivan Sumner 213 votes. Nathaniel
Wood 213 votes. Chas. Sibley 213 votes.
1837.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 561
ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.
For Electors at Large — For Nathaniel Silsby 124 votes. Edward A. New-
ton 124 votes. Nathan Willis 217 votes. Seth Whitmarsh 217 votes.
For District No— For District No.—
1. Samuel Appleton 124 votes 1. Caleb Eddy 217 votes
2. Leverett Saltonstall. . . 124 ''■ 2. Robert Rantoul 217 "
3. Benjamin Walker. .. .124 " 3. Joseph Kittredge 217 "
4. Loammi Baldwin 124 " 4. Francis Tuttle 217 "
5. Joseph G. Kendall.. .124 " 5. Samuel Taylor 217 "
6. Samuel Lee 124 " 6. Samuel C. Allen 217 "
7. Thomas Longey 124 " 7. Joseph Fitch 217 "
8. Isaac C. Bates 124 " 8. Harvey Chapin 217 "
9. Bezaleel Taft, Jr 124 " 9. Benj. P. Williams. .. 217 "
10. Howard Lathrop 124 " 10. Nathan C. Brownell . .217 "
11. Chas. W. Morgan. ... 124 " 11. Thomas Mandell 217 "
12 Chas. J. Holmes 124 " 12. Jabez P. Thompson. .217 "
For Representative in Congress — William S. Hastings of Mendon had 138
votes. Alexander H. Everett, of Newton, had 212 votes. Eli Warren, of
Upton, had 2 votes.
Representatives to the General Court — Ariel Cook, Jared Benson, Clark
Cook and Washington Hunt were chosen by majorities from 34 to 60.
1837. April 3- Chose Stephen Taft, Town Clerk and Treas-
urer; Johnson Legg, Ariel Thayer, Luke Aldrich, Millins Taft
and Scammell Aldrich, Selectmen; Seneca Hills and Ahab Reed,
Constables; Stephen Taft, Collector of Taxes, and Daniel W. Al-
len, David Davenport and John Cady, School Committee.
Vote for County Treasurer — Anthony Chase had all the votes, 38 in num-
ber.
Voted that the Town Treasurer give a satisfactory bond to the
acceptance of the Selectmen.
Voted that the Treasurer, as Collector, shall have a sum not
exceeding $50 to pay a deputy or deputies which he is hereby au-
thorized to appoint, for the collection of the taxes.
Voted that the annual meeting, in future, be held on the first
Monday in March.
At this period the Government of the United States found its
debts all paid and a large surplus in the Treasury, some twenty
millions of dollars.
This surplus, by an act of Congress, was placed on deposit with
71
562 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1837.
the several States, liable to be refunded when Congress should
make a demand.
The State of Massachusetts decided to deposit its portion of
the "Surplus Revenue," as it was called, with the several towns.
Mendon agreed to receive its portion (amounting to $6921.64,
of which $4803.45 was surrendered to Blackstone at the time of
its incorporation in 1845,) upon the following terms, the motion
being made by William S. Hastings, Esq.
Voted that the town of Mendon hereby agrees to accept and receive, as a
deposite, from the Treasurer and Receiver General of this Commonwealth,
all such sums of money as said town shall be entitled to receive by vir-
tue of an Act entitled an Act, " Concerning the Deposite of the Surplus
Revenue " approved March 31, 1837, on the terms and for the purposes in
said Act. And for this purpose
Voted that the Treasurer of the Town of Mendon be and he is hereby
authorized, for and in behalf of said town, to receive from the Treasurer
and Receiver General of this Commonwealth, said town's proportion of the
money to be deposited with the several towns in this Commonwealth, by
virtue of said Act, and to make, execute and sign as Treasurer, in behalf
of said town, certificates of deposite therefor, in such form as shall be pre-
scribed by the Treasurer of the Commonwealth, binding said town in its
corporate capacity, for the repayment of the money that shall be deposited
with the said town, or any and every part thereof, from time to time, when-
ever the same shall be required by the said Treasurer and Receiver General
of this Commonwealth, to be by him refunded to the Secretary of the
Treasury of the United States, as provided in said Act.
Benjamin Davenport, Nathan George, Robert Allen, Nathan
Hayward, Moses Daniels, Moses Kelly, Arnold Taft, Luke Al-
drich, Leonard W. Darling, Alexander Wilson, Samuel Very,
Ariel Thayer, Willard AVilson, Anson Aldrich and Abel Wilder,
being one from each School District, were chosen a committee to
consider what disposition should be made of the portion of the
Surplus Revenue, deposited or to be deposited with the town, as
before mentioned.
April 17. This committee made a report this day (not record-
ed) which was not accepted; whereupon upon motion of Dan Hill,
Esq., it was
Voted that the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized to loan the money,
which the town shall receive, as their portion of the Surplus Revenue, to
such Freeholders, in this town, as may apply for the same; Provided how-
ever that a greater sum than $1000, nor a less sum than $300 shall not be
1837.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 563
loaned to any individual; and provided also that each individual to whom
a loan shall he made shall give to said Town Treasurer a Note payable at
some future time, not exceeding one year from the day of the loan, and the
payment thereof secured by a Mortgage upon real estate in town to the sat-
isfaction of the Selectmen.
Voted that the interest arising from the Surplus Revenue, be
appropriated for the support of Common Schools.
Voted to raise 11800 for the repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $1600 for the support of schools the current
year.
Voted to raise 1400 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $2000 to defray the incidental expenses this year.
Voted to raise $600 to pay outstanding debts.
Voted to appropriate $75 for the reduction of the grade of the
Pickering Hill.
Voted that one-half of the school money shall be divided equal-
ly among the districts, and the other half equally among the
scholars, pursuant to the recommendation of the School Com-
mittee.
June 17. Voted to reconsider the vote appropriating $75 to
reduce the grade of the Pickering Hill.
The "Sign Post'' road was now located by the County Com-
missioners and damages awarded as follows, viz: To Collins Ca-
pron $33.00, Wm. Capron$23.00, and to the heirs of Esek Pitts,
Esq., $185.00, making in the aggregate $241.00.
July 11. Voted to accept of a road, laid out by the Select-
men, from the road near Washington Hunt's to the road leading
by Samuel Prentice's house.
Voted to establish the Sixteenth School District.
Aug. 29. Charles C. P. Hastings was chosen General Agent
for the town in the place of William S. Hastings resigned.
NOV. 13. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Marcus Morton, 212.
Edward Everett, 145. Elected.
" " Saml. T. Armstrong, 1.
For Lt. Governor, William Foster, 212.
George Hull, 14G.
Senators — Chas. Hudson 144. Linus Child 146. Wm. Hancock 146
James G. Carter 145. Thomas Kinuicutt 143. Artemas Lee 146. Pliny
564 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1838.
Merrick 2. John Spurr 212. Sullivan Sumner 212. Nathl. Wood 212.
Charles Sibley 212. Jedediah "Marcy 212. Nathaniel Rand 212.
Voted to choose three Representatives to the General Court.
Ichabod Cook, Jr., by a majority of 17 votes in a poll of 349;
Hezekiah Fletcher, by a majority of 12 in a poll of 345, and Sam-
uel Allen, Esq., (after a 2nd ballot) by a majority of 6, in a poll
of 344, were chosen Representatives.
Voted to choose a committee of one from each school district
to consider the way and mode of dividing the school money.
Voted to reconsider a vote passed April 17, 1837, concerning
the manner of loaning the surplus revenue.
Voted, upon motion of Dan Hill, Esq., that the Treasurer be
authorized to loan the residue of the Surplus Eevenue in the
Town Treasury, in the same manner and under the same restric-
tions as voted by the town, March 17, 1837, and in case it shall
not be called for and taken in the course of the present month,
the Treasurer shall be at liberty to loan the whole or any part
thereof upon such personal security as a committee, now to be
chosen, shall approve. Amariah Taft, Elijah Thayer and Dan
Hill were then chosen as the committee.
Rev. David Cushman was chosen a member of the School Com-
mittee in the place of John Cady, resigned.
The County Commissioners relocated the road across the Black-
stone river, at Millville, crossing the Island.
1838. Jan. 15. Voted that the School Committee shall have
the same compensation as the Selectmen have.
Voted that a committee of one from each School District, be
chosen to consider and report upon the subject " of establishing
a School for the benefit of the whole town."
Dan Hill, Esq., was chosen agent, and authorized to take such
measures as he may choose, to demand and receive of Washing-
ton Hunt all moneys in his hands belonging to the town.
Feb. 2. Nathan Hayward and others having petitioned the
General Court to be set off to the town of Bellingham, it was
Voted to choose an agent to oppose the granting the prayer of
the petition, and Jared Benson, Esq., was chosen.
John G. Metcalf, Johnson Legg and Amariah Taft were chosen
1838.] ANNALS OF .MENDON. 565
a committee to draw up a remonstrance against the prayer of the
petition aforesaid.
March 5. Chose Stephen Taft, Town Clerk; David Daven-
port, Emery Scott, Alexander Wilson, Welcome Staples and Ri-
ley Daniels, Selectmen; Stephen Taft, Treasurer; School Com-
mittee, David Davenport, Louis Cook and Arthur Cook, Jr.
The Treasurer was chosen Collector and Ahab Reed, Constable.
Voted that the Assessors be directed to issue warrants of dis-
tress to the Highway Surveyors.
April 2. Choice of County Treasurer — Anthony Chase had 30 votes.
Commissioners — William Crawford 200. Samuel Taylor 125. Amory
Holmau 122. .Tared Weed 77. Thos. Chamberlain 76. All others 3.
Special Commissioners — David Davenport 123. Zachariah Sheldon 123.
Sullivan Thayer 76. Hiram Wheelock 75. All others 3.
Voted to raise $2000 for the repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $1000 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $500 for the maintenance of the poor.
Voted to raise $2000 for incidental expenses.
Elijah Thayer, Johnson Legg and Amariah Taft were chosen
Auditors of Accounts.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $184.19, being mostly
poll taxes.
June 18. Ahab Reed, Constable, having removed from town,
Willard Wilson was chosen Constable.
July 2. Taxes were forgone -amounting to $20.00.
Voted to accept the report of the Selectmen giving the bound-
aries of the several School Districts, seventeen in number.
Dan Hill, Emery Scott and Elijah Thayer were chosen a com-
mittee to petition the County Commissioners, in behalf of the
town, to discontinue the road lately located on the petition of
William S. Hastings and twenty-one others. This was the road
now in use from near the house of Samuel G. Wilcox to Belling-
ham line near the house of Ellis Rullard.
Oct. 31. The committee above chosen were authorized to ap-
pear before the County Commissioners on the 5th day of Novem-
ber next for the purpose of opposing the petition above referred
to.
NOV. 12. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Marcus Morton, 285.
" Edward Everett, 199. Elected.
5GG ANNALS OF MENDON. [1838.
For Governor,
Saml. C. Allen,
3.
u
Peter Parley,
Chas. Allen,
1.
1.
For Lt. Governor,
Theodore Sedgwick,
286.
.<
George Hull,
Wm. W. Thompson,
200.
3.
After casting a few votes it was voted that the voters parade
on the Common (the road — the meeting was held at Coverdale's
tavern) and that the Selectmen pass along and receive the votes,
checking the names as they vote.
For Senators — Linus Child 160. William Hancock 161. Thos. Kinni-
cutt 160. Artemas Lee 160. James G. Carter 160. James Allen 160.
Pliny Merrick 86. Amory Holman 88. Aaron Brooks, Jr., 64. Joseph
Thayer 61. Benj. D. Hyde 64. Jubal Harrington 64. John Spurr 241.
Sullivan Sumner 241. Nathl. Wood 241. Chas. Sibley 241. Jedediah
Marcy 242. Nathl. Rand 242. Joseph Davis 25. Ephraim Stone 25. Otis
Hay den 25. Samuel Wood 25. Dan Hill 1.
For Representative in Congress — William S. Hastings 203, elected. Alex-
ander H. Everett 267. Bezaleel Taft, Jr., 1.
For County Commissioners — David Davenport 160. Nathan Heard 99.
Sullivan Thayer 21. Seneca Hills 1. Gaius Ticklepitcher 1. Clark Ellis
3. Emery Scott 1.
This election was held to fill a vacancy in the Board, occa.
sioned by the resignation of Jared Weed, Esq.
Voted to send three Kepresentatives to the General Court.
First Ballot— Emory Scott 193. Millins Taft 110. Ebenr W. Hayward
64. Moses Kelly 28. Seneca Hills 35. All others 12. No choice.
Second Ballot— Emery Scott 200. Millins Taft 114. Ebenr W. Hayward
46. Moses Kelley 22. Seneca Hills 24. Dan Hill 11. LabanBates4. All
others 6. No choice
Third Ballot— -Emery Scott 205. Millins Taft 120. Ebenr VV. Hayward
29. Seneca Hills 27. Moses Kelly 20. Elias Balcome 9. Dan Hill 3. La-
ban Bates 2. Lebbeus Gaskill 2. All others 5. No choice.
Voted to reconsider the vote to send three Kepresentatives.
Voted not to send any and then dissolved the meeting.
No election of Representatives having been effected, another
meeting was called, pursuant to the fifteenth article of the
amendment to the State Constitution.
Nov. 26, (being the last Monday in that month) a meeting was
held to choose Representatives.
The only vote passed was one to dissolve the meeting.
1839.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 567
Dec. The committee on the division of the school money,
made ;i report in which they recommended that the school money
should be divided as follows, viz: No district shall draw more
than 14 per cent, of the whole sum raised. The remainder shall
be divided among the remaining districts, one-third equally
among the districts and two-thirds equally among the scholars.
That all districts shall make an accurate return to the Selectmen
on or before the first day of December, annually, of the number
of children entitled to draw school money, in their respective dis-
tricts; and from all districts, which do not make this return, ten
per cent, shall be deducted from the sum they would have drawn
had they made the required return, and the amount shall be di-
vided among the other districts by the rule above recited.
There being no election of a County Commissioner, at the last
meeting, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Ja-
red Reed, Esq.,
Dec. 31. Another meeting was held with the following result:
Nathan Heard 7. John W. Lincoln 27. Zachariah Sheldon 19. Sulli-
van Thayer, 7. Clark Ellis 1 .
1839. March 4. No choice for County Commissioner having
been made at the last meeting, voted to-day as follows, viz:
Nathan Heard 64. John W. Lincoln 62, William N. Green, Esq., 67.
All others 3.
Chose Stephen Taft, Town Clerk and Treasurer; David Daven-
port, Jared Benson, Anson Aldrich, Alexr H. Allen and Joseph
B. Cook, Selectmen; David Ross, Constable, and Arthur Cook,
Jr., Alexander H. Allen and Rev. William H. Fish, School Com-
mittee. The Treasurer, Collector.
Voted that the salary of the Constable be ten dollars for all the
services he may perform for the town.
The reports of the Selectmen, Treasurer and Overseers of the
Poor were then read, accepted and put on file.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money on
the credit of the town, not to exceed $1400, to meet the liabili-
ties of the town.
The poll was then opened for a County Treasurer, and An-
thony Chase had 59.
568 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1830.
April 1. Voted to raise $3500 and appropriate the same to de-
fray incidental expenses.
Voted to raise $500 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $1600 for the support of the schools.
Voted to raise $2000 to defray the repairs for highways and
bridges.
Alexander H. Allen was chosen agent to sell a certain piece of
land, now common, near Samuel GaskilPs house, being the same
piece of land conveyed to the town by Col. James Mellen. The
same was purchased by Amariah Taft and Samuel Gaskill.
Town taxes for 1838 were foregone to the amount of $84.54.
School taxes in the Sixth School District to the amount of
$37.90
School taxes in the First School District to the amount of
$3.77.
Voted that any one driving faster than a walk over the bridge
at Blackstone shall be liable to a fine of $1.00, and the Selectmen
are recpiired to carry this rule into effect.
The article in the warrant for this meeting in reference to the
establishment of a High School was referred to the School Com-
mittee.
April 11. The rule voted by the town in regard to driving
over the bridge at Blackstone, was approved and allowed by the
the County Commissioners.
May G. Voted to accept of the road located near the house of
Caleb Thayer, and also of a road located near Samuel Prentice's
house.
Voted to refer the claims of Washington Hunt, for a full set-
tlement, to the Selectmen.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $2.26 in bill for 1838.
June 3. It seems the vacancy in the Board of County Com-
missioners was not yet filled and hence another trial was had this
day
Nathan Heard had 7 votes. John W. Lincoln 6. Wm, N. Green 28.
Johnson Legg, Abel Wilder and Jared Benson were chosen a
committee to consider the subject of a division of the highway
districts.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $3.82.
Voted that the Collector shall commit Almond Ballon, Arnold
1839.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 569
Eddy, Daniel Clifford, Lorin Munyan, Parley IL Prentice and
John Rowley, Jr., to the County Jail provided they will not pay
their taxes and that the Collector be paid all necessary charges
and the Treasurer to furnish money to pay their board until fur-
ther orders from the town.
Voted to adopt the following rules and regulations for the gov-
ernment of the Poor House.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
1. No person shall leave the farm without permission first had of the Su-
perintendent or his wife, and shall obey the said Superintendent and his
wife in all reasonable commands or requirements at all times.
2. No person shall bring, or cause to be brought, on to the premises,
without leave first had of the Overseers of the Poor, any intoxicating
liquors, nor shall they grant any leave without the direction of a regular
physician.
3. If any person, having leave of absence, shall return home intoxicated,
they shall not have leave of absence for three months thereafter.
4. Profane or immodest language shall not be allowed about the premi-
ses on any pretence whatever.
5. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent and his wife to preside at
the tables of their respective sexes and see that proper decorum by each in-
dividual is observed and that each one has their proper portion.
6. No person shall be kept in the cell to exceed three hours without no-
tice to the Overseers, nor shall any person be kept in the cell, during the
usual hours of sleep, under any circumstances, but may be put in again if
not sufficiently reformed the following day.
Arnold Taft, )
Elijah Thayer, > Overseers of the Poor.
Johnson Legg, )
Voted to forego taxes in the Thirteenth School District to the
amount of $11.95.
The March meeting warrant, which had been adjourned from
time to time, was now dissolved.
NOV. 11. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Marcus Morton, 284 votes. Elected.
Edward Everett, 174 "
" " Robert Itantoul, Jr., 2
For Lt. Governor, Nathan Willis, 284 "
George Hull, 175 "
Charles Allen, 2 "
For Senators — John Spurr 230 votes. Nathl. Wood 280 votes. Jedediah
72
570 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1839.
Marcy 280 votes. Charles Sibley 280 votes. Benj. Eastabrook 280 votes.
James Estabrook 280 votes. James G. Carter 139 votes. Thos. Kinnecutt
137 votes. Artemas Lee 139 votes. Samuel "Wood 169 votes. James
Allen 139 votes. Chas. C. P. Hasting 132 votes. Pliny Merrick 18 votes.
Amory Holman 37 votes. Seneca Hills 37 votes. Otis Hayden 37 votes.
Aaron Brooks, Jr. 37 votes. All others had 9 votes.
Voted to choose three Representatives on separate ballots.
First Ballot— Emery Scott had 181 votes. Stephen Taft had 115 votes.
Anson Aldrich had 49 votes. Laban Bates had 19 votes. Alexr. H. Allen
had 9 votes. Moses Kelley had 61 votes. All others 3, and there was no
choice.
Voted to reconsider the vote to choose three Representatives.
Nov. 25. A new meeting was called for the election of Rep-
resentatives to the General Court, being the fourth Monday in
November, as provided in the fifteenth Amendment to the
Constitution.
Voted to choose three Representatives to the General Court.
First Ballot— Laban Bates 2d had 179 votes. Moses Kelley had 81 votes.
Stephen Taft had 60 votes. Anson Aldrich had 29 votes. Alexr. H. Allen
had 5 votes. All others had 20. No choice.
Second BaUot — Laban Bates 2d had 192 votes. Moses Kelley had 72
votes. Anson Aldrich had 37 votes. Stephen Taft had 28 votes. George
Southwick had 21 votes. All others had 14 votes. Laban Bates 2d was
chosen by 9 majority.
The meeting was then adjourned until the next day (Nov. 26)
at 10 o'clock, A. M.
Nov. 2G. Voted to proceed to vote for a second. Representa-
tive.
Voted that the meeting be adjourned until 2 o'clock P. M., in
order if ^tossible, to procure the check list of voters.
Two o'clock P. M. the check list having been obtained, the
meeting was called to order and proceeded to vote for a second
Representative and it was found that
Leonard Taft had 151 votes. Thomas Taft had 11 votes.
Leonard Taft was then declared to be chosen.
Upon a second ballot Caleb Thayer had 126 votes. George Southwick
had 18. All others had 4.
Caleb Thayer was declared to be chosen.
As the fifteenth article of the amendments gives no authority
1840.] ANNALS- OF MENDON. 571
for holding a meeting for the choice of Representatives, after the
fourth Monday in November, a remonstrance was laid before the
House of Representatives; and, in due season, Leonard Taft
and Caleb Thayer were not recognized as members of that body.
At this election, Marcus Morton, of Taunton, was elected to
the office of Governor, by the people, by a majority of one vote.
1840. March 2. Voted to choose five Selectmen on one bal-
lot. Chose Stephen Taft, Town Clerk and Treasurer; Jared
Benson, Nathan Hayward, Benj. Ray, Samuel Very and Benoni
Staples, Selectmen; Francis Kelly, David Davenport and Dr.
Moses D. Southwick, School Committee, and David Ross Con-
stable.
This meeting was held at Coverdale's Tavern, and after the
choice of Moderator, it was voted "to adjourn from the hall to
a room on the ground and to receive votes at a window from the
common in front of the house."
Votes for County Treasurer — Anthony Chase had 73 votes.
Voted that the Constable be paid $10 for his services.
April G. The following is the vote upon the adoption of the
thirteenth article of the amendments to the constitution:
Yeas 19. Nays 39.
No election (to fill the vacancy in the Board of County Com-
missioners occasioned by the resignation of Jared Weed Esq.,)
for a County Commissioner having been effected, another trial
was had to-day.
Nathan Heard had 30. Adam Harrington had 83. John W. Lincoln
had 9. All others had 4.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money for
the us.e of the town as he shall find necessary.
Voted to direct the Assessors to issue warrants of distress to
the Highway Surveyors.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $27.80 for 1831).
Voted to raise $3000 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise $1000 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $(100 for the support of the poor.
572 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1840.
Voted to raise $1500 for repairs of highways and bridges.
This tax to be paid in labour at 10 cents per hour for a man,
and 10 cents per hour for a yoke of oxen and cart.
May 1G. Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $61.31 for
1838 and 1839.
Voted that the Collector shall commit to the county jail all
who have not paid their taxes for 1839, and still neglect to do so.
June 1G. By a return of the Assessors made to the Town
Clerk this day, it was found that the enrolled militia were 505.
August 19. Voted to instruct the Selectmen to enter a com-
plaint against the dam at Millville as a public nuisance, provided
the owners do not let down the water, according to the direc-
tions of the Selectmen, for the purpose of building a bridge.
Voted to forego taxes for 1840 to the amount of $19.20.
NOV. 9. STATE ELECTION".
For Governor, Marcus Morton, 323.
John Davis, 283. Elected.
" " George W. Johnson, 3.
David L. Child, 1.
For Lt. Governor, Nathan Willis, 319.
George Hull. 284.
Abel Bliss, 3.
John T. Hilton, 1.
For Senators — John Spurr 316. Benj. Easterbrook 316. Aaron S. Gibbs
316. Adam Harrington 316. Ariel Bragg 316. Samuel Wood 285. Chas.
C. P. Hastings 285. Emory Washburn 285. James Allen 285. Amory
Hoi man 285. Edward Earl, Isaac R. Barbour, Asaph Rice, Cyrus Pitt
Grosvenor and Joshua Titus Everett had 4 votes each. Edward Clark
1 vote.
For Representative to the General Court — Joseph B. Cook had 289 votes.
Stephen Taft had 279 votes. Samuel W. Doggett had 32 votes. All others
had 3 votes.
There was no choice. S. W. Doggett (Democrat) was self
nominated.
For Representative in Congress — Alexander H. Everett, of Roxbury, had
303 votes. William S. Hastings, of Mendon, had 295 votes. Elected.
Others had 6 votes.
ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.
Electors at Large. (Bern.) Electors at Large. (Whig).
William P. Walker 305 Isaac C. Bates 301
Ebenezer Fisher 305 Peleg Sprague 301
1841.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
573
1 Distr
2
do.
3
do.
4
do.
5
do.
6
do.
7
do.
8
do.
9
do.
10
do.
11
do.
12
do.
For Districts*.
ict, Caleb Eddy 305
Robert Upton 305
Nathaniel Stevens. . .305
Timothy Thompson . 305
Samuel D. Spurr. . . .305
. Caleb Hubbard 305
. JohnLeland 305
James Fowler 305
Artemas Brown 305
. Nathan C. Brownell . 805
. Thomas Mandell. . . .305
Jesse Pierce 305
For Districts.
1 District, Richard Horton 301
2 do. Stephen C. Phillips.. 301
3 do. Rufus Longley 301
4 do. Sydney Willard 301
5 do. Ira M. Barton 301
6 do. George Grennell 301
7 do. Thaddeus Conway. ..301
8 do. Samuel Mixter 301
9 do. Thomas French 301
10 do. Wilkes Wood 301
11 do. Joseph Tripp 301
12 do. John B. Thomas.... 301
Electors at Large. {Liberty.) Electors at L^arge.
Jesse Wheaton 5 Henry J. Chapman 2
Sylvester Judd 5 Seth Sprague 2
Districts.
1 District, John E. Fuller 5
Ebenr Hunt 5
George Coggswell 5
James T. Woodbury.. 5
Thomas W. Ward 5
Joel Hayden 5
George W. Sterling. . . .5
Chas. Starkweather. ... 5
Bucklin F. Holliston..5
Benjamin Burt 5
Zenas D. Bassett 5
Azel Ames 5
2
do.
3
do.
4
do.
5
do.
6
do.
7
do.
8
do.
9
do.
10
do.
11
do.
12
do.
Districts.
1 District, John Rogers 2
2 do. John Smith 2
3 do. Richard Plummer 2
4 do. Calvin Temple 1
5 do. Daniel Paul 1
6 do. Asa Howland 2
7 do. J. W. Robbins 1
8 do. John M. Fisk 2
9 do. Cyrus Allen 1
10 do. Samuel Shove 2
11 do. Andrew Marcy 1
12 do. LorinW. Reed 2
Beside the above tickets I find the following record:
No. 4, Josiah Bartlett 1. No. 5, Samuel May 1. No. 7, Tyler Thacher 1.
No. 9, Wm. S. Hastings 1. No. 11, Isaac Austin 1.
There was, during the whole day of the election, a very heavy
rain; but, notwithstanding, it was the largest meeting that had
ever been convened in the town, the whole number of votes cast
being 613.
William H. Harrison was elected President.
1841. Feb. 3. It being supposed that Ezekiel Wood, of
Uxbridge, had trespassed upon the land belonging to the town,
Arnold Taft was chosen an Agent to prosecute said Wood by
574 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1841.
process of law, or to have the question of boundary settled by
arbitration.
March 1. Stephen Taft was chosen Town Clerk, Treasurer
and Collector; Arnold Taft, Thayer Bellows, Willard Chilson,
Laban Bates, 2nd, and Welcome Thayer, Selectmen; David
Ross, Constable, and Louis Cook, Francis Kelly and David
Davenport, School Committee.
Voted not to choose Tithingmen.
For Register of Deeds, Adam Harrington had 125 votes, and
Artemas Ward had 48.
For County Treasurer, Anthony Chase had 45 votes.
April 5. The vote for County Commissioners was as fol-
lows, viz:
For Commissioners — William Crawford 118. Samuel Taylor 101. Zach-
ariah Sheldon 101. David Davenport 50. Charles Thurber 51. Ariel
Bragg 32. All others 3.
For Special Commissioners — Stephen Davis 51. Jerome Gardner 50. Adam
Harrington 101. Sullivan Thayer 32. David Davenport 30. Nathan
George 1.
The following list of Jurors presented by the Selectmen was
adopted:
Adam Wheelock,* Francis Kelly,* Joseph B. Cook, Alexander H. Allen,*
Moses T. Chapin,* Samuel G. Wilcox, Jared Benson,* Samuel Chase,
Albert Fairbanks, Collins Capron, Emanuel N. Paine, Millins Taft, Alan-
son S. Freeman,* William Legg,* Thomas Taft,* Joseph Tucker, Scam-
mell Aldrich,* Jonathan M. Shove, Anson Aldrich,* Samuel Very,* Abel
Aldrich, Jr.,* Peter Gaskill, Jr.,* Reuben Thayer,* Leonard W. Darling,*
Stephen H. Thayer, Lewis Wood, Henry Coverdale,* Perry Wood, Luke
Aldrich,* Ichabod Cook,* Eli Kelley, Jos. G Davenport,* Abram Staples,*
Nathan Hayward,* Luke Aldrich, 2nd,* Ebenezer Chase, Laban Bates,
2nd, Emory Scott,* Thayer Bellows, Daniel S. Southwick, Rufus Hay-
ward,* Naum Gaskill,* Nicholas Thayer,* Benjamin Davenport*, Jason
Staples,* Thurber Warfield, George Bates,* Laban Bates, Leonard Taft,*
Silas Dudley, Clark Cook,* Samuel Thayer,* Welcome Thayer,* Eliab C.
Perham,* Ariel Cook, Jr., Carlisle W Capron, Stephen Taft,* Nathan C.
Aldrich,* Benoni Staples,* Andrus Wheelock.*
Voted to raise $3000 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise $1600 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $000 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $1000 for the repairs of highways and bridges.
*Dead.
1842.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 575
Voted that the Assessors issue distress warrants to the High-
way Surveyors.
May 3. At the recent trial for a choice of County Commis-
sioners, but one Commissioner was chosen, and at a meeting
held this day a ballot was taken for two County Commissioners
and two Special Commissioners, as follows:
For County Commissioners — Samuel Taylor had 45 votes. Zachariah
Sheldon had 45 votes. Abiah Jaques had 8 votes. Clark Ellis had 1 vote.
David Davenport had 20 votes. Charles Thurber had 28 votes. Jared
Weed had 1 vote.
For Special Commissioners — Adam Harrington had 45 votes. David
Davenport had 31 votes. Stephen Davis had 20 votes. Jerome Gardner
had 20 votes. Salem Towne had 8 votes. Edmund Gushing had 8 votes.
All others had 2 votes.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $25.40.
The Assessors returned the number of the enrolled militia at
438.
NOV. 8. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Marcus Morton, 292.
John Davis, 197. Elected.
" Lucius Boltwood, 2.
" " John Q. Adams, 1.
For Lt. Governor, Henry H. Childs, 292.
George Hull, 197.
" " Ebenezer Hunt, 2.
For Senators— John Spurr 292. Isaac Davis 292. Nathaniel Wood 292.
Adam Harrington 291. Benj. Esterbrook 291. Samuel Wood 196. James
Allen 197. Amory Holman 196. Emory Washburn 198. Alexr DeWitt
196.
FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL COURT.
Mendon, by the recent amendment to the Constitution, was
entitled to but one Bepresentative to the General Court.
Willard Wilson had 269 votes. Joseph B. Cook had 200 votes. Others
had 5 votes.
1842. March 7. Chose Stephen Taft, Town Clerk, Treas-
urer and Collector; Arnold Taft, Laban Bates, 2nd, Peter
Gaskill, Jr., Millins Taft, and Henry A. Aldrich, Selectmen;
chosen on a general ticket; David Ross, Constable.
576 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1842.
Benj. Davenport, Warren Rawson, Nahum Bates, Olney Cook,
Laban Bates, 2nd, Benj. Ray, Johnson Legg, Obadiah "Wood,
Jared Benson, Joseph Tucker, Milling Taft, Ariel Thayer, Dan
Hill, Abel Wilder, Luke Aldrich, 2nd, Rufus Hayward and
Willard Chilson were chosen a committee to consider the sub-
ject of building a Town House, &c.
Voted to accept a road near Stephen Tourtelotte's provided the
whole cost shall not exceed $155.00, otherwise that it be not
accepted.
April 4. Voted to choose three School Committee men.
Chose Louis Cook, when a motion was made and carried not
to choose any more, whereupon Mr. Cook resigned. It was
then voted to postpone, indefinitely, the choice of a School
Committee.
Voted that, in future, one half of the town meetings be held
at the South Parish Meeting House, and one half at the Inn of
Henry Coverdale (in the same Parish).
Voted to raise $1600 to repair highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $3000 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise $700 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $1G00 for the support of schools.
Voted to reconsider the vote accepting the " Tourtelotte road."
April 30. Voted that a committee of three be chosen to ex-
amine the records of the town and to determine if any of them
require to be transcribed, and to employ some suitable person to
make such transcript at the expense of the town. Dan Hill,
John G. Metcalf and Dr. Moses D. Southwick were chosen as
the committee, to which the Town Clerk, ex officio, was joined.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at the last meeting not to
choose a School Committee, and now chose Louis Cook, Francis
Kelly and James Sherman.
By the return of the Assessors the enrolled militia were found
to be 420.
July 13. Votes for Representative in Congress, District No. 9 — Ezra Wil-
kinson, of Dedliam, 232 votes. Samuel G. Goodrich, 121 votes. William
Jackson, 3 votes.
Voted that the Prudential Committees of the several School
Districts return the number of children, in their respective dis-
tricts, over three and under twenty-one years of age, on the first
1842.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 577
day of May, to the Selectmen, who shall make the apportion-
ment of the school money, in the month of July, according to
the rule which may exist at that time.
Voted that the Treasurer certify to the Selectmen, on or
before the 20th day of July, in each year, the total amount of
money to be expended the current year. The Selectmen shall
then apportion the money among the several districts and make
return thereof to the Treasurer, who shall then pass the several
sums to the credit of the proper districts. The Treasurer shall
pay all bills for support of schools, properly receipted, and the
same shall be received as valid in the annual settlement with the
Selectmen.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $34.15.
Dan Hill, Dr. Abel Wilder and Silas H. Kimball were chosen
a committee to examine the bridge over the Blackstone Factory
Pond and report its condition at the next town meeting.
Stephen Tourtelotte agreed to bnild a piece of road, near his
house, including all damages, for $155.00.
Nov. 14. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Marcus Morton* had 348 votes.
John Davis " 215 "
Samuel E. Sewall " 7 "
For Lt. Governor, Henry H. Childs " 348 "
George Hull " 215 "
William Jackson " 6 "
For Senators — John Spurr had 348 votes. Isaac Davis had 348 votes.
Nathl. Wood had 348 votes.- Ben]. Estabrook had 348 votes. Ariel Bragg
had 349 votes. Solomon Strong had 210 votes. Alexander DeWitt had
210 votes. James Allen had 210 votes. John Wright had 210 votes.
Dan Hill had 210 votes.
Votes for Representative to the General Court — Thomas Taft had 317 votes.
Nelson Cowen had 183 votes. Saml. W. Doggett had 20 votes. Nine
others had 20 votes.
For Representative in the 28th Congress, in the 5th District — Pliny Merrick,
of Worcester, had 341 votes. Charles Hudson, of Westminster, had 213
votes. Phiueas Crandall had 8 votes. Two others had 2 votes.
For Representative in the 27th Congress, in the 9th District — Ezra Wilkinson
had 340 votes. William Jackson had 220 votes.
*No election by the people, and Marcus Morton elected by the Legislature by one
majority.
73
578 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1843.
This last election was to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death
of the Hon. William Sodo.n Hastings, at the White Sulphur
Springs in Virginia, while a member of the 27th Congress.
Dec. 19. There being no choice of a Representative in the
twenty-seventh Congress, another trial was had this day and
with the following result, viz:
Ezra Wilkinson had 215 votes; Dem. William Jackson had 79 votes;
Whig.
Feb. 13. No election for a member of Congress in the Fifth
District having been effected at the last trial, another meeting
was held this day, when
Pliny Merrick had 200 votes; Dem. Charles Hudson had 110 votes;
Whig. Phineas Crandall had 8 votes; Anti-slavery.
EEV. LINUS H. SHAW, THE TENTH MINISTER.
Mr. Shaw was engaged, without any formal settlement, and
commenced his ministry in April, 1842, and closed his parochial
labors May 1, 1844.
1843. March 6. Stephen Taft was chosen Town Clerk, Treas-
urer and Collector; Milliris Taft, Willard Chilson, Emory Scott,
Olney Cook and Daniel S. Southwick, Selectmen; Rufns Hay-
ward, Constable; Rev. Linus H. Shaw, Francis Kelley and Dr.
Moses D. Southwick, School Committee.
Voted that the Constable be paid $10 for all services.
Voted that 800 copies of the Treasurer's report be printed for
the use of the Town. This was the first instance of having any
report printed.
Anthony Chase had 91 votes for County Treasurer. The vote
Avas unanimous.
Voted that the Treasurer be directed to borrow money only of
inhabitants of the town, payable in current bank bills at an in-
terest not exceeding five per cent.
April 3. There being again no choice of a Representative in
Congress for the Fifth Congressional District, another election
was held this day, when
Charles Hudson, of Westminster had 102 votes; David Henshaw, of
1843.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 579
Leicester had 144 votes; Phineas Crandall, of Worcester had (5 votes; Pliny
Merrick, of Worcester had 1 vote.
Voted to raise $1600 to repair highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $2000 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise $600 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $1600 for the support of schools.
The money for highways to be expended as heretofore — in work.
Voted to choose seven Tything men, and Samuel W. Doggett,
Washington Hunt. Nahor Staples, Peter Bates, Lyman 0. Cur-
tis, Silas Dudley and Enos Hayward were chosen.
Voted that the Town Meetings, in future, be held one-third at
the South Parish Meeting House, one-third at the Inn of Henry
Coverdale, and one-third at the Inn of Ebenezer Marsh.
The fixing the place of meeting at Marsh's Inn was occasioned
by the sale and taking down of the old Meeting House where
Town Meeting had formerly been held. The meeting house was
sold to Holland Allbe, the timbers from which were used in build-
ing the house now occupied by William S. and Frederick P.
Kinsley, at the corner of Elm and Hastings streets.
April 29. Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $42.12.
June 17. Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $74.92.
The Fifth School District divided and the Eighteenth School
District established.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $17.00.
The number of the enrolled militia (being between the ages
of 18 and 45) was found to be 492.
August 16. Met at the Inn of Ebenezer Marsh, in the North
Parish, and voted to accept of an alteration in the road leading
from Seth Kelley's to Bellingham line.
Dan Hill was chosen General Agent for the remainder of the
political year.
Nov. 15. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Marcus Morton had 327 votes.
George N. Briggs " 190 " Elected.
Samuel E. Sewall " 10 "
" Wm. Lloyd Garrison " 1 "
For Lt. Governor, Henry H. Childs " 327 "
John Reed "190 "
William Jackson " 10 "
" George Bradhurn " 1 "
580 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1843.
For Senators. — Isaac Davis 315 votes. John Spun1 327 votes. Ariel Bragg
327 votes. Walter A. Bryant 327 votes. Kilburn Harwood 327 votes. Levi
Lincoln 191 votes. Solomon Strong 191 votes. Linus Child 191 votes.
Alexander DeWitt 191 votes. Den Hill 189 votes.
Thomas W. Ward, Gershom Jones, Nicholas Jenks, Joseph Griggs and
Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., had 10 votes each; Anti-Slavery ticket. Five
others had 15 votes.
Choice of Representative to the General Court. — Peter Gaskill, Jr., had 289
votes. Joseph B. Cook 90. Adam Wheelock 12. Samuel W. Doggett 23.
Samuel Thayer, David Davenport, Caleb Thayer, Francis Kelly and
Alanson Freeman each had 1.
Peter Gaskill, Jr. was chosen by 64 majority.
Doc. 2. About this time the subject of a division of the town
began to be pretty freely and earnestly discussed. One of the
reasons was that there was no convenient place near the centre
of the town, either as regarded its population or its geography,
for the holding of town meetings. Hence the town, at this
meeting,
Voted that the town proceed to build a Town House.
Voted that the Town House be built in Nicholas Thayer's pas-
ture, where a road from Samuel Very's cider mill will communi-
cate with a road from Artemas Thayer's road to Millins Taft's.
Arnold Taft, Dan Hill and Samuel Very were chosen a Build-
ing Committee.
Voted that the Building Committee construct such a bouse
as they may think the convenience and necessity of the town
may require.
Voted to reconsider the vote fixing the site for a Town House.
Voted that the Town House be located at or near the corner
of the roads by Samuel Very's cider mill.
Voted that the Committee proceed to build said house forth-
with.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of 116.66.
Voted that the Collector, Abel Aldricb, be directed to enforce
the collection of all taxes against bankrupts, and that the town
will indemnify him for all costs and damages that may be in-
curred.
Dec. 16. It was moved and seconded to reconsider the vote
to build a Town House, and the motion was not carried.
The second article in the warrant was then disposed of, when
1844.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 581
a motion, made and seconded, to reconsider the vote to build a
Town House, was again defeated, and the meeting was then dis-
solved.
Dec. 30. The meeting was held this day at the Inn of Eben-
ezer Marsh, in the North Parish, but was adjourned to meet at
Harrison Hall, forthwith.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed Dec. 2, 1843, fixing the
location of a Town House near Samuel Very's cider mill.
Voted to pass over the second clause in the second article in
the warrant, which was "to sec if the town will fix upon a site
for a Town House on the road leading from the Five Corners to
the Inn of Henry Covcrdale, or at either of the places before
mentioned."
Voted to discharge the Committee chosen Dec. 2, to build a
Town House.
Voted to pass over the fourth article, which was "to see if the
town will choose a Committee of one from each School District
to select a site for a Town House."
Voted to reconsider the vote passed Dec. 2 inst. to build a
Town House.
Voted to pass over the sixth article in the warrant, "to see if
the town would hire Harrison Hall, in which to hold one-half
of the town meetings."
Voted to pass over the seventh and eighth articles, " to see if the
town will vote to divide the town into two separate towns, so as
to do justice to both towns, and choose all necessary committees
to effect the same."
1844. Jan. 26. Voted that that proportion of the town meet-
ings which have heretofore been held at Ebenezer Marsh's Inn,
be held, in future, at Harrison Hall, in the North Parish.
Voted to strike out the third, fourth and fifth articles from
the warrant, which were "To see if the town would build a Town
House, fix a site for the same and choose all necessary commit-
tees. "
March 4. Chose James P. Ilayward Town Clerk, Treasurer
and Collector; Henry A. Aldrich, Ebenezer Chase, Elbridge (J.
Daniels, Oliver Clapp and Leonard Taft, Selectmen; PufusIIay-
582 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1844.
ward Constable, and Rev. Linus II. Shaw. Dr. Moses D. South-
wick and Rev. Michael Burdett, School Committee.
Voted to build a Town House.
Voted the site for said house be near the corner near Samuel
Very's.
Voted that Arnold Taft, Dan Hill and Samuel Very be a com-
mittee to select a site, procure the materials and contract for
building said house.
Voted to raise a sum of money sufficient to build said house.
Voted to hold one-half of the town meetings at the South
Parish meeting house and one-half at the Inn of Henry Cover-
dale.
For County Treasurer, Anthony Chase had 43 votes and Joseph
Tucker and James P. Hay ward 1 vote each.
Adjourned to Coverdale's Inn.
March 16. Voted to reconsider a vote passed at a meeting
held at the South Parish meetinghouse, on the 4th day of March,
1844, whereby the town voted to locate the Town House near the
corner near Samuel Very's, by a vote of 202 to 165.
Voted to discharge the committee chosen at that time to build
a Town House.
Voted to dismiss the fourth article, which was, "To choose a
committee of one from each School District to select a site for a
Town House.''
Voted to pass over the fifth article, which was, "To see if the
town would make any alteration in the places for holding town
meetings."
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at a town meeting held at
the South Parish meeting house, March 4, 1844, whereby the
town voted to hold one-half of the town meetings at the South
Parish meeting house and one-half at the Inn lately kept by
Henry Coverdale (now Rufus A Young).
Adjourned sine die.
April 1. About this time petitions began to be circulated to
be presented to the next Legislature, to meet in January, 1845,
for a division of the town.
A meeting held this day to choose County Commissioners.
The following was the result of the ballot:
For Commissioners. — William Crawford had 73 votes. Jerome Gardner
1844.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 583
had 7'S votes. Joseph Bruce had 7!5 votes. Adam Harrington had 166 votes.
Warren Humes had 164 votes. Gardner Ruggles had 165 votes. All others
(8) had 18 votes.
Special Commissioners. — Jason Goulding had 72 votes. Stephen Davis had
71 votes. Dexter Gilbert had 167 votes. Sullivan Thayer had 166 votes.
All others (3) had 5 votes.
Voted that the Prudential Committees shall contract with the
teachers for the several School Districts.
Voted to accept of the following list of Jurors, viz:
Olney Cook. Laban Bates. William Cook. Otis Thayer.* Milieus
Taft. Jos. G. Davenport.* Leonard W. Darling.* James P. Hayward.
Andrns Wheelock.* Emanuel N. Paine. Luke Aldrich..* Eli Kelley.
Francis Kelley.* Stephen Taft.* Wm. H. Comstock. Ariel Cook, Jr.
Thomas Taft,* Bpaulding Hervey. * Adam Wheelock.* Stephen H. Thayer.
Arnold Taft.* Aaron Burdon.* Moses Kelley. Lyman Paine. Alan-
son S. Freeman.* Washington Hunt.* Alexander H. Allen.* Samuel W.
Doggett. * Louis Cook. Remington Southwick. Eli Pond. George Bates.*
William Legg.* Moses Daniels.* Daniel Gunn. William Saunders. Thayer
Bellows. Oliver W. Claflin. Joseph Logee. Aaron Marsh. Josiah Web-
ster. Henry Wheelock. Henry H. Benson. Jonathan M. Shove. Daniel
Southwick. Collins Capron. Moses Buffum.* Remington Aldrich. Leb-
beus L. Wood. Enos Hayward. Manning Wheelock. Stephen J. Sher-
man. Austin Greenman. Samuel W. Thayer. Leonard Taft,* Timothy
Ellis. Holland Allbe. James Comstock.*
James P. Hayward resigned his office of Town Clerk, Treasurer
and Collector, and Stephen Taft was chosen in his stead.
Henry A. Aldrich refusing to serve as Selectman, Stephen
Taft was chosen in his stead.
Voted to strike the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and four-
teenth articles from the warrant, which were "To provide for
the erection of a Town House."
Voted to raise $1600 for repairs of highways.
Voted to raise $1000 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise $1000 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $1800 for the support of schools.
Voted to forego taxes, in the Second School Distriet, to the
amount of $124.11.
Voted to forego town taxes to the amount of $19.00.
Voted to hold one-half of the town meetings at the South
Parish meeting house and one-half at the Inn of Henry Cover-
dale.
*Dead.
584 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1844.
April 22. Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow
money at five per cent, to pay town debts that are at six per cent.
Voted to accept a road near Russell Wilson's house.
June 15. The enrolled militia were found to be 580 in number.
Aug. 31. »Silas Dudley, Obadiah Wood, Johnson Legg, Benoni
Staples and Leonard Taft were chosen a committee to view the
proposed road from Samuel Very's to the Dam Swamp road, and
report the best possible route to tbe next town meeting.
NOV. 11. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, George Bancroft had 337 votes.
George N. Briggs "229 " Elected.
" " Samuel E. Sewall " 25 "
" Lt, Governor, Dr. Henry H. Childs "336 "
John Reed "228 "
" " William Jackson " 25 "
For Senators. — Democrats — Walter A. Bryant had 336 votes. Killlmrn
Harwood had 336 votes. Adam Harrington had 336 votes. Jared Benson
had 330 votes. Amasa Walker had 335 votes. Whig — Levi Lincoln had
228 votes. Linus Child had 228 votes. Dan Hill had 225 votes. John G.
Thurston had 228 votes. Joseph Stone had 228 votes.
James G. Carter, Otis Brigham, Gilman Jones, Elihu Burritt and Phineas
Bemis had 25 votes each; Anti-Slavery Ticket.
For Representative in the General Court. — Welcome Staples had 295 votes.
Ebenezer Chase had 219 votes. Willard Chilson had 32 votes. Adam Whee-
lock had 20 votes. Three others had 4 votes.
Welcome Staples (Dem.) was elected by 15 majority.
For Representative in Congress in the Fifth Congressional District. — Charles
Hudson (Whig) had 233 votes. Isaac Davis (Dem.) had 332 votes. Rodol-
phus B. Hubbard (Anti-Slavery) had 26 votes.
VOTES FOK ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.
Electors at Large. (Dem.) Electors at Large. (Whig).
Gay ton P. Osgood 322 Abbott Lawrence 219
Samuel C. Allen 322 Lewis Strong 219
District 1 Chas. G. Greene 322 District 1 Nathan Appletou ...219
do. 2 Ebenezer H. Stacy ..322 do. 2 John Perry Allen . . .219
do. 3 Hiram Plummer 222 do. 3 Homer Bartlett 219
do. 4 Chas. Thompson . . . .322 do. 4 A. 11. Thompson . . . .219
do. 5 J. S. C. Knowlton. . .322 do. 5 Charles Allen 219
do. 6 H. G. Newcomb 322 do. 6 Win. B. Calhoun 219
do. 7 Orriu Sage 322 do. 7 ChaunceyB. Rising. .219
do. 8 Artemas Brown 322 do. 8 Elijah Vose 219
do. 9 Peter H. Pierce 322 do. 9 William Baylies 219
do. 10 John H. Shaw 322 do. 10 Seth Crowell 219
1845.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 585
Electors at La/rge. (Anti-Sbtrery Ticket. )
Joel Hayden 28 John G. Whittier 28
District 1 Timothy Gilbert 28 District 6 J. Dickinson, Jr 28
do. 2 Nathan D. Chase 28 do. 7 Edward Laselle 28
do. 3 Willard Brown 28 do. 8 Jesse Wheaton 28
do. 4 John Fletcher 28 do. 9 Laban M. Wheaton. . 28
do. 5 Phineas Crandall 28 do. 10 Gilbert Richmond. . . 28
Dec. 23. The meeting was held this day at the South Parish
Meeting House.
Votes for Representative in Congress for the 5th District — Isaac Davis, of
Worcester, had 116 votes. Charles Hudson, of Westminster, had 111 votes.
Rodolplms B. Hubbard, of Worcester, had 13 votes.
A^oted to build a Town House.
Voted to build a Town House on Southwick's Hill, near Ab-
salom Daniels' house, if a site can be had free of expense to the
town.
Milling Taft, Obadiah Wood, Stephen J. Shearman, Aaron
Burdon and Willard Wilson were then chosen a committee to
obtain the site, make all necessary contracts and build said Town
House.
Voted to hold one-third of the town meetings in Harrison
Hall in the North Parish.
Voted to forego the taxes in the Second School District to the
amount of 19.03.
Voted to adopt the following resolutions offered by John G.
Met calf:
1. Resolved, that we view the Annexation of Texas to the United States,
as involving most awful consequences; that it is calculated to extend and
perpetuate Slavery, opposed to Republican institutions and subversive of
the foundation principles of our government.
2. Resolved that we earnestly request our Legislature to renew its pro-
test, in more emphatic terms, if possible, against the annexation of Texas.
3. Resolved, that our Representative be instructed and our Senators in
the General Court requested to use all their influence, by vote or otherwise,
against the foul scheme of uniting Texas to the Union.
As will be seen, these resolves were rescinded at the next town
meeting-.
1845. Jan 9. The committee to build a Town House, hay
ing, by its Chairman (Millins Taft), made a verbal report,
586 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1845.
Voted that the town do rescind, revoke and annul the votes of
the town passed on the 23d day of Dec, 1844, whereby it was
voted to build a Town House on Southwick's Hill, near the house
of Absalom Daniels, and that the committee chosen at that meet-
ing to fix upon a site for said house, and to contract for building
the same, be and are hereby wholly discharged from any further
service under said vote.
A motion was then made to adjourn without day, but, by a yea
and nay vote, the motion was defeated, when it was
Voted to instruct our Representative in the General Court to
oppose a division of the town before the Legislature, if a petition
should be presented for that purpose, and the Town Clerk is di-
rected to transmit a copy of this vote to our Representative.
Voted to rescind the resolutions, passed at the last town meet-
ing, respecting the annexation of Texas to the Union.
Inasmuch as the Democratic party of the nation had, by the
election of James K. Polk to the Presidency, committed itself to
the annexation, and as the Democratic majority in this town was
amply sufficient, it was not strange that the vote to rescind should
be carried.
Jan. 30. The petition for a division of the town having been
presented to the General Court, and the order of notice, usual in
such cases, having been served upon the town, it was then
Moved and seconded that the town do oppose a division of said
town and choose an agent for that purpose, and it was directed
that the question be taken by yeas and nays, with the result that
239 were opposed and 168 in favor, so the motion was lost.
Voted to choose four agents, by nomination, to defend the pe-
tition of Joseph G. Davenport and others for a division now
pending before the Committee on Towns of the Legislature.
Washington Hunt, John G. Metcalf, Aaron Burdon and Henry
A. Aldrich were then chosen agents.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at a former town meeting,
directing our Representative (Welcome Staples) to oppose a di-
vision of the town.
Voted to instruct our Representative in the General Court, to
vote for a division of the town of Mendon.
The following is the petition for the division of the town.
1845.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 587
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts to assemble in Legislature on the first Wednes-
day in January, A. D. 1845.
The petition of the undersigned, qualified voters in the Town of Mendon,
in the County of Worcester, respectfully represent that the population of
the town, by the last census, was 3524, since which time it has greatly in-
creased; that the town is divided into two Parishes, viz: the First, or North
Parish and the Second or South Parish by a territorial line running nearly
east and west; that the principal portion of the population is located at the
extreme north and south parts of the town; that the town has no Town
House nor any convenient place near the centre of the town to hold town
meetings or to transact Town business; that the town is well located to di-
vide iifto two towns, there being a thin population along the dividing line
of the Parishes, and a range of hills and wild, uncultivated land; that the
inhabitants of the two parishes have different interests and are engaged in
different occupations, and that it will greatly accommodate the inhabitants
if the town was divided into two towns.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the Legislature will cause a division
of said town to be made by setting off the Inhabitants and their estates of
said Second or South Parish into a separate town by itself, and as in duty
bound will ever pray.
Jos. G. Davenport,* Fras. R. Scixo, Elias Wood,* C. A. Davenport,
James Grady, Lendol Staples,* G. L. Davenport,* Joseph Henry, Henry
W. Wood, S. T. Davenport,* Joseph Miller,* Jesse F. Alderman, Stephen
Leshuer,* Albert Staples, Thomas Child, George Capron, Rufus Tucker,
Henry Goss,* George Wood,* Chas. C. P. Hastings,* John Simonds,*
George H. Wood, Foster Fay,* Calvin Turner, Jr.,* S. W. Doggett,* Benj.
Howard, Chas. A. Smith.* George Bean, Fras. F. Taft, Warren Rawson,*
George Rawson, Samuel Rockwood, Silas Dudley, Silas Leshuer,* George
Moore, Benj. D. Williams,* Charles H. Smith,* Lyman Cook, William T.
Metcalf,* Henry A. Aldrich, J. S. Sadler, Timothy Ellis, Wm. IT. Com
stock, Philo W. Brown, Stephen Cook, 2d, Albert Gould,* L. M. Perham,*
Alfred H. Hastings,* Geo. W. Tucker, Moses T. Chapin,* Isaac M. Tuck
er,* Amos Phipps, Latimer S. Staples,* Ezra Leland,* Lysander Grow, Na-
than George,* John S. Gaskill, Henry Rawson,* John G. Metcalf, Caleb S.
Pike,* Thomas Maguire, Orson R. Wheelock, John Strickland,* Orrin G.
Goodwin, Lorain P. Cummings, Elijah Rockwood, Alexander Peters,* Jo-
seph Staples,* George A. Streeter, Augustus Knights, Lewis Boyden, Cal-
vin Barber, Jr., Benj. Davenport,* Micajah C. Gaskill, Anderson B. Albee,*
Ebenezer Marsh, Wdlard I. Allen, Lewis Stone,* Seth Hastings,* Eliab C.
Perham,* Elisha Wood.* Amos Richardson, Peter Thompson,* Andrew H.
Reed, Liberty Goss, Benj. Wheelock,* Silas Armsby,* Nauru Gaskill,* Ben-
jamin Bates,* Scammell Aldrich,* Frederic Gardner, Simon P. Bicknell,
Levi Perham,* Clark Cook,* John Howe,* Carlisle W. Capron, Welcome
Staples,* Nathan Hayward,* Cyrus C. Dauiels, Ira W. Cook,* Samuel P.
Hay ward, Peter Pickering,* Aaron C. Cook.* John R. Hayward, Olney
588 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1845.
Cook, Ellis Cook,* Nahum Bates,* Gilbert Cook, John W. Alexander, Ca-
leb Adams, Aldrich B. Cook, Holland Albee, Willard Chilson,* George
Taft, Jr., Amariah Taft,* Daniel Lazell. Ellis Taft, 2nd, Eli Pond, Jr., Ez-
ekiel Burr, Elijah Taft,* Eleazer H. Foristall, Willard Wilcox,* Alonzo
Taft,* Jotham Hayward,* Samuel G. Wilcox, Alvin Taft,* Wm. P. Rus-
sell, Clark Cook, 2nd, Simeon Wheelock,* George Bates, Lebbeus Daniels,*
Alanson S. Freeman,* Joseph Bates, Ebenezer Hawes,* Jos. Hallowell, Ed-
ward Woods, Willard Swan.* James Grant, Rufus Russell, Daniel Thur-
ber,* Thomas J. Reed, Elijah Warfield,* Sumner Ballon, John Hill, Jas.
M. Warfield,* Richard E. Mann,* William Smith, Charles Dewing, Ezra
Jenks, Abel Wilder,* Elijah Dewing,* Chas. A. Taft, George Wilder, Elijah
Taft 2nd,*Ariel Cook, Jr., Jas. M. Hopkins, Bennett Wheeler, John Reming-
ton, Wm. B. Arnold, Jas. T. Howard, David Boyden, Benj. Ray,* Ezekiel
Phillips, George Britton, Obed Washburn, John Bates, William B. Peet,
Lyman C. Curtis, Morris Soule, J. Webster, Abjah Esty, Daniel Gunn,
Wm. Oongdon.Jr. , Amasa Kimpton, Francis Kelly,* Lewis Warfield, Henry
Thayer, David Ross,* Michael Burdett, Rufus A. Benson, Elbridge G. Phil-
lips, Silas II. K. Warfield, Daniel Manley, Samuel V. Warfield, Gershom
Remington,* Dan A. Comstock, John C. Warfield, Newton Darling,* Dud-
ley Brown, Adam White, Newbury Darling,* Benj. A. Potter, Amaziah
Harris, Lewis Darling, Peleg Carr, Thomas Wood, Collins Capron, Lyman
Emerson, Jr., Samuel Day, George Capron, 2nd, Charles L. Harding, Dan-
iel Olney, Lawson Warfield,* Alexander B. Hewett, Henry B. Gladding, A.
B. Williams, Philander Darling, Jas. A. Baldwin, Augustus Williams, Au-
gustus Brown, Stephen H. Tabor, Albert Fairbanks, Thos. Hendrick, John
Cady, R. H. Townshend, Levi B. Mowry, John Mann, Atwood Cady-
Amasa Taft, Sem, Matthias M. Nelson, Arnold Southwick, Hiram Gleason,
William Mann, S. A. Aldrich, Caleb Legg, Sen"-, Moses Buffum,*f William
H. Paine, Wm. E. Engley, John C. Scott, John Leach, Daniel'S. Wheelock,
James O'Neil, Jas. M. Gotham, Nathan B. Clark, Loring Emerson, James
Iluid, Joseph Wheelock, Thurber Warfield, Welcome Farnam,* Wm. II.
Morton, Aaron Burdon,* Wm. M. Kimball, M. W. Burlingame, Estes Bur-
don, Fred. M. Ballon, William Sturdy, Emor Tourtelotte, Oliver Clapp,
Jeremiah Keech, Charles Arnold, J. R Walworth. Mathew C. Salsbury,
Stephen Tourtelotte, Channing Smith, \ Reuben R. Studley, Hiram Metcalf,
J. W. Wheelock, Jonas P. Newton, Jesse Tourtelotte, William Sanders,
Samuel J. France, Albert Tourtelotte, Manning Wheelock, Daniel Cross-
man, Squire Shove, Estus Lamb, Samuel W. Thayer, M. D. Southwick.*
Jos. Hollowed, Galen G. Lamb, Reuben Taft, William Phillips,* William
Kelley, Saml. W. Gibson, Horace Ray, Smith J. Studley, Horace Benson,
Jefferson A. Smith, Edward Studley, William H. Benson,* Joseph France,
Euos Hayward,* William H. Brown, Artemas Gardner, Thomas J. Reed,
George C. Ross.f Paris T. Taft, Daniel T. Warfield, Hiram Adams, Robert
Steere, Edward Warfield, John Peavey, Lewis A. Mowry, Rufus Keech,
Esek Phettyplace, James Darling, Eliezer Harris, Samuel Farley, John
Spring.f George W. Cook, Nahor Staples,! David Munroe, Benoni Stone, f
1845.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 589
John B. Salsbury, Ephraim Day.f D. A. Prentice, Fenner Phettyplaee.f
Augustus Maftitt.f Oliver B.Everett,* Frederic Miller, Mathew C. Salsbury,
Warren Grant, Charles Dirk, Win. R. Salsbury, Chas. A. Thayer,* Jas.
Congdon, Emmons Hathaway, Eliab M. Perham,* Gilman G. Pierce, James
G. Luke, Simon E. Thornton,* John Woodworth, Nathan Day, E. G.
Wood, N. B. Hill, Foster Very,* Edward Greenman,* Nathan Day, \ Elisha
Kinsley, Samuel Bills,* Otis Mann, Stephen Brown, Henry K Stratford,
Henry Steere, Phinehas Briggs.f William Kelly,* George M. Carr, Jesse
Darling, Samuel Nelson, Horace Parmenter, Jonathan A. C'omstock, George
Davenport,* Marvin Gould, f Rowland Aldrich, Isaac Green, Daniel Barnes,
Jr., A. Staples, George Varney, Hiel Carr, Remington Aldrich, Thomas
Gardner, Reil Carr, William Aldrich, Willard I. Allen, William Davis, Lu-
ther Warfield, Cyrus Boyden, Stephen Woodworth, Benj. Nichols, Lewis
F. Gardner,* Gardner G. Orswell.f John Sayles, Charles Turner, Edwin P.
Dudley, Scott S. Mowry, William G. Hadley, David Davenport,* Preserved
S Thayer,* H. G. 0. Kimpton, William S. Guild, Daniel T. Howard, Ly-
man Paine, David W. Bennett, Merrill S. Smith, William A. Kelley,* Al-
bert 0. Bennett, Euclid Chadsey, Eli Kelley, f Aldrich Howard, Oushman
Thayer, Preston .VI. Wood, John B. Melleu, Otis Aldrich, Caleb Corey,
Samuel Thurston,* Abijah Esty, Jr., Daniel Darling, Jr. , Francis Hapgood,*
Caleb Whiting, Hosea Cook, Davis Bills, Albert Eugley, Benjamin Dyer,
Henry Wheelock, Mellen Benson, Robert Allen,* Gilbert Gaskill, John
Rowley, Alvin Allen,* Stephen Torre}r,* Edwin Rowley, Samuel Prentice,
John M. Daniels, Joshua W. Trask, David S.Paine,f Ariel Cook,* Pre-
served S. Gunn, Benjamin Paine, f Stephen H. Thayer, William McLel-
lan, Levi S. Ross,f Wm. Anthony, Jonathan M. Shove, Peter Dunbar,
Loring Emerson, Lyman Emerson, William Horton.f Stephen S. Bensou,
Emanuel N. Paine, J. H. Wing, Remington Southwick, Moses Kelty, J. S.
Keach, A. G. Day. John H. Slocum.f Daniel N. Chace, Seth T. Aldrich,
Lyman Sayles, George Aldrich, Willard Holbrook, James Hurd.fJas. W.
Russell, f N. C. Aldrich, Wm. G. Fry.
The whole number of the petitioners was 767.
The remonstrance of Obadiah Wood and others was as follows,
viz:
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled:
The undersigned, freeholders and legal voters of the Town of Mendon.
do respectfully and urgently remonstrate against the division of the town
of Mendon into two towns by your honorable body on the petition of
Joseph G. Davenport and others, or on any other petition, present to your
honorable body the following reasons for so remonstrating:
1. The geographical dimensions of the town is not above the average of
towns in our county of Worcester, being 21000i acres within its claimed
boundaries.
* Dead, t Stricken from Petition.
590 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1845.
2. Rhode Island claims a part of our territory, and which claim is now
pending for adjudication in the Supreme Federal Court.
3. The division of the town will cause great inconvenience in the School
Districts, viz: Between numbers three and five, six and seventeen, and
seven and nine.
4. The town has an almshouse establishment amply sufficient for the
town, as it now is, with paupers, which may lead to expensive and vexa-
tious litigation if the town is divided.
5. The petitions have been prematurely presented to your honorable
body, as we understand the Revised Statutes, Chap. 2, sections seven and
eight. There has never been any notice served upon this town, up to this
day. Some of the petitioners for a division (we understand), have stated
that unfair means were used to obtain their signatures. Almost all our
transient male population (if our information is correct), from twenty-one
years upward, have been induced to petition for a division of the town,
and whether they are all voters is very questionable ; and we think that more
than one-third of the population of Mendon are transient people, leaving a
large proportion of the freeholders to defend themselves against a measure
in which these can have but little interest.
Wherefore your petitioners pray that the prayer of said petition to divide
the town of Mendon may not be granted.
Obadiah Wood,* Benoni Staples,* Doten Smith, Stephen Tourtelotte,*
Elijah Taft,* Peletiah Thayer,* Charles Benson, Stephen Cook, Johnson
Legg,* Sullivan H. Taft, Otis Thayer,* Abram Staples,* Otis Marsh, Francis
E. Wheelock,* Joseph Engley, Putman W. Taft, William Leach, Arnold
A. Taft. Ebenezer Taft, Hezekiah Fletcher, * Dudley Taft, Arnold
'Taft,* William Fletcher,* Zalman G. Wood, Thomas Taft,* Aldrich How-
ard, Adam Wheelock,* Christopher Daniels, Perry Wood, Albert Gardner,
Marcena Daniels, Austin Wood, Andrus Wheelock,* Adolphus Fowler,
Lewis Wood, Lewis W. Taft, Varville Taft,* Calvin Wheelock, Stephen
Taft,* George Taft, 3d, Andre Southwick, Ariel Cook, 2d, Ferd. B. An-
drews, Russell Bennett, Jr., Gilbert Cook, Linus B. Staples,* Augustus
Remick,* Aldrich B. Cook, Seth Southwick,* Arnold Aldrich, Jr. ,*Mowry
Darling,* Enos T. Albee, Royal M. Wheelock,* Ellison Scott,* John W.
Darling,* Elbridge G. Daniels,* John M. Daniels, Dexter Cole, William
Cook, Henry Coverdale,* Lovell Hayward,* Elial Barber, S. E. Evans,
Abraham Fletcher,* Calvin Barber, Willis Southwick, Harris Fletcher,
Austin Fletcher, Asa Thompson,* Adolphus Daniels,* George H. Payson,
Micajah Fuller, John M. Daniels, Nahor Fletcher,* Lansford W. Brock,
Philo W. Brown, Welcome A. Thayer, William Hayden, Jason Staples,*
Caleb Wheelock, John Luke, Abijah Staples,* Charles Fletcher, Charles
Metcalf, James M. Staples, Jas. Burlingame, Solomon Pratt, Simon Corn-
stock, Welcome Thayer, John B. Kelly, Thompson Taft, Daniel Hill, John
Kelly, Elisha H. Wilson, Lyman Sayles, Laban Bates, 2d, Caleb Taft, Leon-
ard Taft,* George W. Colvin, Samuel W. Gibson, Spaulding Hervey, Peter
Bates, Jr., Amory R. Brown, Moses Daniels,* Horace Thayer, Johu J.
1845.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 591
Getchell, Abel Prince, Eli Bates, James Adams, Anson Darling, Elijah
Trask, George Gaskill, Smith Aldrieh, Thomas J. Aldrieh, Samuel H. Gas-
kill, Alison Adams, Jared Benson, Jr., Emory Scott,* John H. Slocuin,
Abijah Estey, Luther Evertou, Jr., Josiah F. Gould, Nathan Southwick,
William Clark, Iehabod Cook, David W. Southwick, Ziba Ross, Rowland
Rathbun, John R. Smith, Arthur Cook,* Russell Estey, Russell Wilson,
Samuel Cook,* Eli Kelly,* Ellis Taft, Albert Gaskill, James Kurd, Alvin
Boutelle, Daniel Harrington, Marvin llowland, Warren Raw son, 2nd, Seth
Harrington, Otis Joslin, Willard Wilson, Samuel B. Pickering, Lebbeus
L. Wood, Willard A. Mowry, David Kelly,* James Comstock,* Dexter
Boutelle, Otis T. Parkhurst, Hosea Cook, Amasa Taft, George Hill, Benj.
Pickering, Eliel Ballou, George Hill, Jr.; Jotham Parkhurst, Caleb S. Wil-
son, Asa Kelly,* Willard Wilcox, Jr., Whitney Alexander, Zaccheus Col-
vin, Andrew Comstock, Wm. W. Thayer, Rufus Jenks, Daniel Southwick,
Joel Glover, Malcolm S. Scott,* Jared Benson,* Arnold Darling, Benj.
Stearns, Daniel S Southwick, John Westhall, Welcome Jillson, William
Legg, Caleb Thayer, Orrin Sargent, Elijah Taylor, Lyman Holbrook,
William Spear, John Thompson, Caleb Sturtevant,* Moody B. Fuller, Ellery
Thomas, Alexander Howard, C. W. Underbill, Job Hart, George Prentice,
Edmond Kimpton, N. M. Thayer, Stephen J. Shearman, Martin D. Boutelle,
John Carr, Thomas Rich, Nelson Holbrook, Nahor Staples, John Spring,
Benedict Shove, Rufus Keach, M. Gould, Daniel Kimpton, Zebedee Young,
Peter Gaskill, Jr., Samuel Very,* Benoni Stone, David Boyden, James P.
Hayward, Gardner G. Orwell, Silas Ballou, Elisha T. Gaskill, Augustus
Moffitt, Samuel Day, Fenner Phettyplace, John Aldrieh, Daniel 01ne}r, Z.
C. Ross. Samuel Farris, Levi S. Ross, Wm. A. Burlingame, Russell Cross-
man, Anthony Sweet, Charles Ross, George W. Gaskill, Thayer Bellows,
David S. Paine, Stacy W. Fenner, Abner Wight, Elbridge G Phillips,
Jeremiah Getchel, Nicholas Thayer, Wellington Hart, Charles Dirk, Phin-
ehas Briggs, Austin Greenman, Lemuel Whitney, John Messenger, Merrill
T. Spring, John G. Robinson, Augustus Moffitt, Oliver Stone, Willard Hol-
brook, Reuben R. Studley, Rhodes Hill, Nathan Day, Reuben Thayer, Jr.,
Russell Bennett, Louis Cook, Stephen Comstock, Absalom Daniels, *
Ephraim Day, Artemas Thayer, Jr., Ariel Thayer,* Elisha Chase, Samuel
Everton, Leonard Thayer, M. H. Warfield, Artemas Thayer, Reuben
Thayer,* William Cass, Sumner Thayer, Gilbert Gaskill, James Davis,
Henry Angell, Daniel Barnes, Enos Hayward, James T. Hayward, Hezekiah
Harrington, Elijah Hayward,* Edwin G. Davis. Benj. Paine, Ariel Thayer,
Jr., George W. Haven, Wm. H. Paine, Peter Gaskill,* Daniel T. Thayer,
Amos C. Albee, Cornelius Metcalf, Joseph H. Logee, Rufus Hayward,*
Samuel Thayer, Jesse Darling, Eber K. Brown,* Seth T. Staples.
Whole number of remonstrants 314.
Jan. 20, 1845.
The order of notice on the petition of Jos. G. Davenport and
others was passed Jan. 17 by the General Court, and was served
* Dead.
592 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1845.
upon Stephen Taft, Town Clerk of Mention, by Charles C. P.
Hastings, Jan. 21, 1845.
The Committee on Towns, after visiting the town, reported a
bill for its division, Feb. 26, 1845, and which was passed by the
General Court and became a law by the signature of the Gov-
ernor, March 25, 1845.
At this time the valuation of the town, as certified by Pre-
served S. Thayer, one of the Assessors, was as follows, viz:
Real Estate valued at $927,673.00
Personal Estate valued at 503,416.00
Total $1,431,089.00
The whole number of polls was 1015.
Valuation of the North Pariah, (Mendon.)
Real Estate valued at $379,374.00
Personal Estate valued at. 137,391.00
$516,765.00
Whole number of Polls was 319.
Valuation of tlie South Pariah, (Blackdone.)
Real Estate valued at $548,299.00
Personal estate valued at 366,025.00
$914,324 00
Whole number of Polls was 696.
March 3. Voted to pass over choosing Town Clerk, Treasur-
er and Collector until the adjourned meeting.
Arnold Taft, Daniel Southwiok, Andrus Wheeloek, Hezekiah
Harrington and James Comstock were chosen Selectmen and Ru-
fus Hay ward, Constable.
The vote for County Treasurer was for Anthony Chase 87.
But little other business was transacted, and the meeting was
adjourned to the first Monday in April, to meet at the South
Parish Meeting House, at 2 o'clock P. M.
The town having been divided by the act of March 25 (the
South Parish having been made a town by the name of Black-
stone) it became necessary to call a new meeting; and as there
was but one Constable and one Selectman chosen at the March
meeting, living in Mendon, Arnold Taft the Selectman chosen,
upon a petition, directed his Avarrant for a meeting to be held
Apri 17, to John G. Metcalf, one of the petitioners, to warn the
meeting.
1845.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 593
The meeting was held at Harrison Hall at the time appointed
and Arnold Taft, Esq., was chosen Moderator.
Chose Stephen Taft, Town Clerk and Treasurer; Arnold Taft,
Willard Chilson and Leonard Taft, Selectmen; James Grady,
Constable; Amariah Taft, Collector, and to be paid -M4.00; Eev.
Linns H. Shaw, Andrew H. Eeed and Samuel W. Doggett,
School Committee. S. W. Doggett declining, Chas. C. P. Hast-
ings was chosen in his stead, and June 14, Rev. Linus H. Shaw,
having removed from town, John G. Metcalf was chosen to fill
the vacancy.
Voted the Selectmen be a committee to make all necessary set-
tlements with the town of Blackstone, resulting from the divis-
ion of the town.
Voted that warrants for town meetings, in future, lie posted at
the Post Office.
April 21. Voted to accept the following list of Jurors, viz:
Moses T. Chapin,* Jason Staples,* Abram Staples,* Stephen Taft,*
Thomas Taft,* Fras. E. Wheelock, * Jesse F. Aldenian, Otis Thayer,* Silas
Dudley, Nathan George,* Welcome Staples,* Ezra Leland,* Elijah Dew-
ing,* Olney Cook, Lewis Stone,* Scammell Aldrich.* Nathan Hayward,*
Alexr H. Allen,* Andrns Wheelock.*
Chose Charles C. P. Hastings as agent to convey the real es-
tate of the town (the Poor Farm) when sold.
Voted to add four more persons to the committee (the Select-
men) chosen at the last meeting, to make all settlements with the
town of Blackstone.
Chose Amariah Taft, Joseph G. Davenport, Scammell Aldrich
and Welcome Staples as additional members of the committee.
Voted that the committee be instructed to sell, at auction, all
the property directed to be sold by the act incorporating the'
town of Blackstone, to the highest bidder, on or before the third
Monday in May next and that the town will hold them harmless
for all acts done in good faith.
Chose John G. Metcalf, Jos. G. Davenport and Johnson Legg
as Overseers of the Poor.
The committee chosen to defend the petition of Joseph G. Da-
venport and others for a division of the town before the Com-
*Dead.
75
594 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1845.
mittee on Towns at the General Court made a report which was
read, accepted and put on file.
The reports of the Treasurer and Selectmen were then read, ac-
cepted and placed on file.
The report of the School Committee was read, accepted and
placed on file.
Voted that the agent to sell the town's real estate be held harm-
less for all acts, in relation thereto, done in good faith.
Voted to raise $600 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $600 for the repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $500 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $500 for incidental expenses.
Voted that the Surveyors of Highways be a committee to bound
anew the Highway Districts.
Voted that the Prudential Committees be a committee to bound
anew the several School Districts.
The enrolled militia were found to be 202.
June 14. Voted that the Assessors be directed not to assess
the State and County tax and that the town will hold them
harmless.
Voted that the Town Clerk be directed to notify the State and
County Treasurers of the foregoing vote and the reasons given
by the meeting for passing the same.
What these reasons were does not appear, as none were entered
in the record and no copy of the Town Clerk's letter was pre-
served. They probably had reference to the recent division of
the town.
Voted that the Town Clerk shall open all future town meet-
ings punctually at the appointed hour named in the warrant, and
that the Selectmen shall insert the word " punctually " before
the hour named in their warrants.
Voted that John G. Metcalf, Stephen Taft and Alexander H.
Allen be a committee to examine the town records, and transcribe
or cause to be transcribed such of said records as they shall think
best, and that the town of Blackstone be invited to join in doing
the same.
The town of Blackstone declining to join, nothing further was
clone in the matter. Since this time the first six volumes of the
records have been substantially rebound, and thus their preserva-
tion has been assured.
1845.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 595
Abram Staples, Leonard Taft and Scammell Aldrich were
chosen a committee to view such farms as may be offered for a
Poor Farm and report on or before the last Saturday in Septem-
ber next.
Voted that town meetings be warned in future by posting up
copies of the warrant at the Post Office and at the school houses,
except in District Number Two.
Voted that the committee heretofore chosen to sell the proper-
ty of the town, be directed to sell the Training Field and give a
warranty deed of the same.
Sept. 6. Charles C. P. Hastings, for the committee, reported
a new arrangement of the School Districts, made necessary by
the division of the town. His report may be found in vol. VII,
p. 475.
Voted that the school money be divided as follows, viz: One-
third equally among the districts and two-thirds equally among
the children between the ages of three and twenty-one.
Benjamin Davenport and Welcome Staples were chosen a com-
mittee to purchase a hearse and harness.
Voted that the Selectmen tender to the agents chosen to de-
fend the petition of Joseph G-. Davenport and others, for a di-
vision of the town of Mendon, before the Committee of the
Legislature on Towns, ten dollars each, for attendance before
said committee and to each a travelling fee, equal to a Represen-
tative's travel, to and from Boston.
These terms the agents did not accept, and finally an action
was brought against the town, and the agents recovered the full
amount of their claim, Avith costs.
Town lines were perambulated with Uxbridge, Blackstone,
Bellingham, Milford, Upton and Northbridge.
By the terms of the division of the town, Mendon and Black-
stone were to vote together for a choice of Representative until
1850.
Blackstone, Nov. 10. This day the voters in the towns of Men-
don and Blackstone met at the Town House in Blackstone, for
the choice of a Representative to the General Court, at 10 o'clock
A. M. The result of the ballot was as follows, viz:
Rufus Hay ward of Blackstone had 163. Alanson S. Freeman of Men-
don had 96. Charles L. Harding of Blackstone had 75. All others had 6.
There being no choice, the meeting was dissolved.
596 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1845.
Mention, Nov. 10. The voters of Mendon met at Harrison
Hall,- to vote for the remaining State officers, at 2 o'clock P. M. ,
and with the following result, viz:
STATE ELECTION".
For Governor, Isaac Davis had 99 votes.
George N. Briggs " 39 " Elected.
Samuel E. Sewell "21 "
" Lt. Governor, George Savary "99 "
John Reed "39 "
" " John M. Brewster "21
For Senators. — Democrats — Walter A. Bryant had 99 votes. Adam Har-
rington had 99 votes. Francis Howe had 99 votes. Ivers Phillips had 99
votes. Orison Underwood had 99 votes. Whig — John G. Thurston had
39 votes. Joseph Stone had 39 votes. Stephen Salisbury had 39 votes.
Calvin Willard had 39 votes. Jason Goulding had 39 votes.
Thomas W. Ward, Rodolphus B- Hubbard, Joseph Griggs, Gil man Jones
and Charles Adams, Jr., (Anti-Slavery) had 21 votes each.
Nov. 22. Voted that any person chosen by the town as Agent,
Committee, or called by any other title, (except such officers as
are required by law to be chosen in the month of March), shall
be paid as follows, viz: For service in town, four cents a mile for
necessary travel each way, and nothing for time. For service
out of town, not to exceed one dollar per day, and five cents a
mile for travel. The Selectmen may allow indispensable, neces-
sary cash expenses, consisting only of food and lodging for him-
self, and feed and stabling for his horse; and furthermore, all
persons serving the town are to consider themselves bound by
the above vote, the same as though it was a contract made at
the time of their election.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to allow the agents
chosen to defend the petition of Joseph G. Davenport and others
before the Committee of the Legislature on Towns a reasonable
compensation for all necessary expenses incurred in preparing
evidence, after being chosen agents, before the sitting of the
Committee, in addition to the former vote on the same subject.
Voted to pay the proprietors of Harrison Hall the sum of $20
for the use of said Hall to hold town meetings in, up to tbe first
Monday in March next, inclusive.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $54.09.
1846.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 597
Nov. 24. A second meeting held this day for the choice of a
Representative to the General Court, resulted as follows, viz:
Rufus Hayward had 191 votes. Alanson S. Freeman had 94 votes. Clias-
L. Harding had 22 votes. All others had 27 votes.
Rufns Hayward was elected by 23 majority.
1846. Jan. 24. Voted to accept the road laid out by the Se-
lectmen from near Verville Taft's to the road by Nahor Fletcher's
house, south of Enos T. Albee's shop.
March 2. Chose Putman W. Taft Town Clerk and Treasurer;
Leonard Taft, Elijah Dewing and Ezra Leland Selectmen; Aaron
C. Cook, Constable^and Collector; Rev. Andrew H. Reed, John
G. Metcalf and Rev. George M. Rice, School Committee.
Voted that the Selectmen appoint a sexton and establish his
compensation.
The votes for County Treasurer were, for Anthony Chase, 73
votes.
The votes for Register of Deeds were: H. Wilder 77. J. S.
C. Knowlton, 1.
The Assessors were instructed to issue warrants of distress to
the Highway Surveyors.
Voted that the Selectmen shall offer suitable rewards for the
detection of the villains who are in the practice of breaking glass,
damaging property, mutilating trees, &c.
March 20. Amariah Taft was chosen an agent to confer with
the agent of the Town of Blackstone upon the subject of the
State and County taxes.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $5.67.
April (5. Voted to postpone the third article in the warrant
of March 20, which was "To see what measures the Town will
adopt in regard to the memorial of the Town of Blackstone to
the Legislature on the subject of the division of the surplus
revenue."'
The report of the School Committee was read, and after a dis-
cussion of its merits and demerits, two hundred copies were or-
dered to be printed, being the first time a report of the School
Committee was printed.
598 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1846.
Voted to raise $1600 for the support of the poor and for inci-
dental expenses.
Voted to raise $600 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $500 for the repairs of highways and to be paid
in labor as heretofore.
The number of the enrolled militia was found to be 205.
Aug. 24. John G. Metcalf, Samuel W. Doggett, Jesse F.
Alderman, David Davenport and Welcome Staples were chosen
a committee to examine farms which may be offered for a Poor
Farm.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $9.31.
Adjourned to the first Monday in January next, (1847).
Nov. 9. Met at Harrison Hall pursuant to warrant.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Isaac Davis (Dem.) had 104 votes.
Geo. N. Briggs (W.) " 43 " Elected.
S. G. Sewall (A. S.) " 23 "
" Lt. Governor, George Hood •" 104 "
John Reed " 43 * "
Jas. M. Brewster " 23 "
For Senators — Democrat — Otis Adams had 104 votes. Francis Howe had
104 votes. Ivers Phillips had 104 votes. Seth Hapgood had 104 votes.
Alfred Bragg had 104 votes. Whig — Stephen Salisbury had 43 votes. Cal-
vin Willard had 43 votes. Jason Goulding had 43 votes. Nahum F. Bry-
ant had 43 votes. George Denny had 43 votes.
James G. Carter, R. B. Hubbard, Joseph Griggs, Gilman Jones and
diaries Adams, Jr., (Anti-Slavery) had 23 votes each.
The voters of Mendon and Blackstone met this (Nov. 9) at
Harrison Hall, in Mendon, to vote for Representative to the Gen-
eral Court, and voted as follows, viz:
Benjamin Davenport had 40. votes. Josiah Webster had 77 votes. Arnold
Taft had 56 votes. Sumner Ballon had 99 votes. All others had 16 votes.
No choice.
For Representative in Congress, Fifth District. — Walter A. Bryant of Barre
had 104 votes. Charles Hudson of Westminster had 43 votes. R. B. Hub;
bard of Worcester had 23 votes.
Charles Hudson (Whig) was elected in the District.
Nov. 23. At a meeting held this day at Harrison Hall,
Voted not to choose a Representative to the General Court,
and then
Voted to dissolve the meeting.
1847.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 599
1847. Jan. 4. The committee heretofore chosen to examine
farms that may be offered for a Poor Farm, made a written re-
port, and which, being accepted, the committee was discharged.
As the report was not recorded nor can be found, its contents
are not known.
Charles 0. P. Hastings, Olney Cook, Silas Dudley, Henry
Wheelock and Carlile W. Capron were then chosen a committee
to view and examine any farm which may be offered for a Poor
Farm, and report at the annual meeting.
March 1. This committee reported that no farm had been
offered for their examination for the above purpose, whereupon
Voted to dissolve the meeting.
Under a new warrant for the annual meeting,
Putman W. Taft was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer;
Leonard Taft, Abram Staples and Welcome Staples, Selectmen;
Aaron C. Cook, Constable; Obed P. Thayer, Collector, and
Andrew H. Peed, Putman W. Taft and Joseph Thayer, School
Committee.
Voted to raise $800 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise $600 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $000 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $400 for repairs of roads and bridges, and to be
assessed separately, in money, and each Highway Surveyor to
draw the portion assessed in his district.
Voted to discontinue the road from the brick house (formerly
the school house) in the direction of Verville Taft's house.
Alexander H. Allen, Amariah Taft and John Gr. Metcalf were
chosen a committee to ascertain if the town has any claim upon
the mill privilege on the Alvin Allen place, on Mill river.
It will be remembered that Benjamin Albee, in 1664, had
granted him a twenty acre house lot and fifty acres on the Mill
Plain, if he would build a corn mill for the use of the town.
The " Corne mill " was built and improved for many years, but
about this time, the mill having got out of repair, was neglected
and soon became a ruin. Its last occupant was Alvin Allen.
Considering the lapse of time since the town had taken any
action in the matter, it was deemed that the interest of the town
would hardly warrant any extended litigation in the case.
Anthony Chase had 85 votes for County Treasurer.
Taxes were foregone to the amount of $25.20.
GOO ANNALS OF MENDON. [1847.
Voted to pass over the tenth article in the warrant relating to
the paying the Selectmen and others their charges for appearing
before the Committee on Elections of the Legislature, in the
case of Dan Hill, claiming to have been elected a Representative
from this town.
At the November meeting in 1846, the meeting being held in
Mendon, (as, by the act incorporating Blackstone, both towns
were to vote together for Representative to the General Court
until 1850,) after the choice of a Moderator, a motion was made
and carried to dissolve the meeting. Those who remained chose
a new Moderator, reconsidered the vote dissolving the meeting,
and voted for Dan Hill, Esq., as a Representative to the General
Court. A hearing was had before the Committee on Elections,
and upon their report Mr. Hill was denied a seat.
The dissolution of the November meeting, it must be con-
fessed, must be regarded as rather sharp practice, as hut few of
the voters from Blackstone had arrived. By a previous vote
of the town of Mendon the Selectmen had been instructed
to insert the word "punctually"' before the hour appointed for
town meetings in their warrants, and the Town Clerk was
directed to call the meetings to order " punctually" at the hour
named in the warrant. These facts were sufficient warrant for
opening the meeting punctually, but proper courtesy would have
extended the time for taking the vote for dissolution.
At an adjourned meeting, the " Selectmen and others" were
allowed 149.50 for their services in this matter.
April 5. votes for county commissioners.
Commissioners — Nathaniel Wood, D., had 40 votes. Wm. P. Marble had
39 votes. Warren Humes had 38 votes. Wm. Crawford, W., had 22
votes. Jerome Gardner had 21 votes. Joseph Bruce had 21 votes.
Special Commissioners — Gardner Ruggles had 43 votes. Otis Adams had
43 votes. Stephen Davis had 18 votes. Jason Goulding had 18 votes.
All others had 4 votes.
Obed P. Thayer was excused from serving as Collector, and
Perry Wood was chosen in his place, and agreed to collect the
taxes for 129.00.
Voted that the Highway Surveyors render their accounts to
the Selectmen on the first day of September, and that the Se-
lectmen issue no orders for labor on the roads and bridges but
1848.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 60]
upon satisfactory evidence that the money has been properly
expended.
Voted that the Selectmen he authorized, at their discretion,
to liberate William (1. Fry from jail, for the non-payment of a
poll tax.
Voted that the Prudential Committee be authorized to con-
tract with teachers for the Public Schools, as, without this vote,
that duty was to be performed by the School Committee.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to hire six hundred
dollars, if necessary, at 5 per cent.
The number of the enrolled militia was found to be 153.
Sept. 14. Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $18.45.
Nov. 8. STATE ELECTION.
Fbr Representative to the General Court — George Rawson had 19 votes.
James P. Hayward had 35 votes. William Cook had 70 votes. Rev. Beuj.
D. Peck had 156 votes. All others had 17 votes.
For Governor, Caleb dishing had 79 votes.
George N. Briggs had 28 ' ' Elected.
Samuel E. Sewall had 16
For Lt. Governor, Henry W. Cushman had 80
John Reed had 28 ' '
John M. Brewster had 16
Senators — Dem. — Otis Adams had 80 votes. Francis Howe had 80 votes.
Ivers Phillips had 80 votes. Seth Hapgood had 80 votes. Arnold Taft
had 75 votes. Whig — Nahum F. Bryant had 28 votes. George Denny had
28 votes. Alfred D. Foster had 28 votes. Alanson Hamilton had 28 votes.
John Brooks had 28 votes. James G. Carter, Thomas W. Ward, Charles
Adams, Jr., Gilman Jones and Edward B. Bigelow, Anti-Slavery, had 16
votes each.
This meeting was held at the Town House, in Blackstone.
At the same time Silas Dudley was chosen agent to defend an
action brought by Stephen Torrey against the town for the
recovery of taxes paid by him.
REV. GEORGE M. RICE, THE ELEVENTH MINISTER.
Rev. George M. Rice was engaged to supply the pulpit, and
commenced his labors April 20, 1845, and remained until July
1, 1847.
1848. March G. Chose William H. Aldrich, Town Clerk;
76
602 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1848.
Alexander H. Allen, Stephen Cook, 2nd, and Elijah Dewing,
Selectmen; Jesse F. Alderman, Treasurer and Colleetor, and
Albert Gardner, Constable.
Voted to accept the following list of jurors selected by the
Selectmen, viz: —
David Davenport.* William II. Aldrich. Perry Wood. David W.
Bennett. Carlile W. Capron. Elijah Dewing.* Willard Chilson.* Ar-
nold Taft,* Linus B. Staples.* Stephen Cook, 2d. William T. Metcalf.*
Seth T. Davenport.* George Rawson. Andrus Wheelock.* Alexander
II. Allen.* Sumner Ballon. Alanson S. Freeman.* Henry Wheelock.
Voted to pay the Treasurer and Constable ten dollars each for
their services.
Voted to purchase a farm whereon to support the poor, and
Silas Dudley, Benj. Davenport, Welcome Staples, Charles C. P.
Hastings, Adam Wheelock, Alexander H. Allen, Abram Staples,
Olney Cook and John S. Gaskill were chosen a committee for
that purpose, and to report at an adjourned meeting.
For County Treasurer, (the poll having been previously
opened,) it was found that Anthony Chase had all the votes,
sixty-three in number.
The usual vote that Prudential Committees may contract with
teachers was then passed.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $20.79.
April 3. Chose Andrew H. Reed, John G. Metcalf and Put-
man W. Taft, School Committee.
Voted that the Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor be paid
six dollars a year for their services.
Elias Alexander was chosen Collector and to be paid $22.50 for
his services.
Voted to raise $400 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise $600 for the support of the Public Schools.
Voted to raise $500 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $600 for the support of highways and bridges,
and that the same be assessed by itself.
The committee of nine chosen at the last meeting making no
report, it was moved to choose another committee to purclnise
a Poor Farm, but the motion did not prevail.
Voted that the Selectmen procure a place in which to hold the
town meetings.
'Bead in 1880.
1848.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
603
The enrolled militia were found to number 178, between the
ages of 18 and 45.
NOV. 7. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Electors at Large.— Levi Lincoln (W.), 13. Samuel Hoar (A. S.), 80. Chas.
G. Greene (D.), 92. Edmund Dwight (W.), 13. William Jackson (A. S.),
80. Henry H. Childs (D.), 92.
District No. 1—
Albert Fearing, W 13
Joseph Willard, A. S 80
James Cheever, D 92
District No. 2—
David Pingree, W 13
JohnB. Alley, A. S 80
Ebenezer H. Stacy, D 92
District No. 3—
Daniel Adams, W 13
John G. Whittier, A. S 80
Edwin Lawrence, D 92
District No. 4—
Isaac Livermore, W 13
Nathan Brooks, A. S 80
Timothy Fletcher, D 92
District No. 5 —
Benj. F. Thomas, W 13
Alexander DeWitt, A. S 80
John S. C. Knowlton, D 92
District No. 6—
Myron Lawrence, W 13
James Fowler, A. S 80
Joseph Smith, D 92
District No. 7—
Asa Howland, W 13
Thomas Robinson, A. S 80
Samuel Gates, D 92
District No. 8—
Henry A. S. Dearborn, W 13
Benj. V. French, A. S 80
William Ellis, D 92
District No. 9—
William Baylies, W. .. 13
Philo Leach, A. S 80
Foster Hooper, D 92
District No. 10—
William R. Easten, W 13
Isaac C. Taber, A. S 80
James D. Thompson, D 92
Nov. 13. Ballot for a Representative in tlie General Court. — Henry A. Al-
drich had 137. Alanson S. Freeman had 65. James P. Hay ward had 114.
Richard Batty had 33. All others 5, and there was no choice.
FOR GOVERNOR AND SENATORS.
For Governor,
78 votes.
64 "
21 "
78 "
64 "
21 "
Elected.
Caleb Gushing, D., had
Stephen C. Phillips, A. S., had
George N. Briggs, W. , had
For Lt, Governor, Henry W. Cushman, D., had
John Mills, A. S., had
John Reed, W., had
For Senators. — Democrat — Otis Adams had 78 votes. Francis Howe had
78 votes. Seth Hapgood had 78 votes. Ivers Phillips had 78 votes. John
Erskine had 78 votes. Anti-Slavery — Alexander DeWitt had 64 votes.
Moses Wood had 64 votes. Cyrus Gale had 64 votes. Edward B. Bigelow had
64 votes. Amasa Walker had 64 votes. Whig — John Brooks had 21 votes.
Alexander H. Bullock had 21 votes. Ebenr D. Ammidown had 21 votes.
Paul Whitin had 21 votes. Ebenezer Torrey had 21 votes.
604 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1849.
For Representative to Congress. — Isaac Davis, D., had 76. Charles Allen,
A. 8., had 67. Charles Hudson, W., had 19.
Nov. 27. Second Trial for a Representative to the General Court. — Henry
A. Aldrich 217. Calvin Barber, Jr., 21. Samuel V. Stone 245. A. S.
Freeman 16. All others had 28, and there was no choice.
It will be remembered that the Constitution provides for the
election of the members of the General Court to be made on the
Tuesday after the first Monday in November; or should no one
be elected on that day, another meeting may be held on the fourth
Monday of the same month. Failing of any choice on the last
mentioned day, the towns of Menclon and Blackstone were not
represented in the Legislature of 1849.
Dec. 9. Voted that the Treasurer take possession of all pro-
perty (mortgaged) within thirty days after the annual interest
has become due.
Voted that Nathan George and Benjamin Davenport be added
to the committee having in charge the settlement between the
towns of Mendon and Blackstone (growing out of the division
of the town).
Voted that the committee be directed to notify the town of
Blackstone, or their agents, to meet them at some stated time
and place, and if they refuse, to commence a suit forthwith,
and that the committee be authorized to take legal counsel.
Jesse F. Alderman, Benjamin Davenport and Henry A. Al-
drich were chosen a committee to consult with the Proprietor of
Harrison Hall in regard to its purchase by the town, and to re-
port what repairs may be necessary.
The State having furnished the town with a new set of Stan-
dard Weights and Measures, the Treasurer was directed to sell
the old Weights and Measures at the next town meeting.
1849. Jan. 1. Voted that Arnold Taft, Esq., be added to the
committee already chosen to consult in regard to the purchase
of Harrison Hall for a Town House.
Voted that this committee, if they do not succeed in their
negotiations with the Proprietors of said Hall, shall request the
Selectmen to insert an article in their next warrant for a town
meeting, to see if the town will purchase a site and erect a Town
House thereon.
1849.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 005
There having been no election for a Representative to Congress
from this district (Fifth), another trial was had this day, and
with the following result, viz:
Isaac Davis (Dem.) had 39 votes. Charles Allen, (A. S.) had 46 votes.
Charles Hudson had 11 votes.
March 5. Chose William H. Aldrich Town Clerk; Amariah
Taft, Jesse F. Alderman and Henry Wheelock, Selectmen; Jesse
F. Alderman, Treasurer; George Staples, Constable, and Ama-
riah Taft, Collector, and to have 120.50 for that service.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $20.18.
Voted that the sum of 1500 be raised and worked out on the
Highways as formerly, and that 1200 be raised and paid in money,
to be laid out under the direction of the Selectmen, without re-
gard to district limits.
Voted to raise $400 for incidental expenses, the ensuing year.
Voted to raise $750 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $800 for the support of the Public Schools.
Voted to take up the seventh article of the warrant relating to
Dogs.
At a town meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Mendon,
holden at Harrison Hall, March 5, 1849, it was
Voted that all persons keeping one or more dogs in the town
of Mendon shall on or before March 15, 1849, have all such dogs
securely muzzled with good, substantial wire muzzles over the
mouth, with a strap or collar about the neck, with the owner's
name plainly written or engraved thereon; and for the privilege
of keeping dogs so muzzled, for a term of one year from said
fifteenth day of March, shall on or before the time fixed as afore-
said, pay the sum of two dollars to the Treasurer of said town;
and all dogs found running at large, off the premises of the
owners thereof, after the said fifteenth of March, without being-
muzzled as aforesaid, may be lawfully killed.
Voted that the Town Clerk be directed to do whatever may be
required to be done in order to establish the above as one of the
Bye-Laws of the town.
Attest: William H. Aldrich, Town Clerk.
Worcester ss: March 7, 1849.
Approved. Thos. Hopkinson, Judge C. C. Pleas.
A copy.
Attest: Charles W. Hartshorn, Clerk.
GOG ANNALS OF MENDON. [1849.
April 2. Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to purchase
62 shares of Harrison Hall, with a quit claim deed from Silas
Dudley of the site upon which the School House in the Second
School District stands, the Hall being the second story of said
house, and that they purchase the remaining 5 shares at a price
not to exceed $5 per share.
Alexander H. Read, John G. Metcalf and Putrnan W. Taft
were chosen School Committee.
Voted that the Collector be instructed to complete the collec-
tion of the taxes for the present year, previous to the 31st day
of December.
George Rawson was chosen Sexton for the ensuing year.
April 18. Voted that the town purchase a Fire Engine with
a 5-inch cylinder, together with a sufficient quantity of hose and
fire apparatus for the same for the use of the town. Yeas 84.
Nays 65.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for the purpose of pur-
chasing the Engine which the town have voted to procure.
Voted that the town purchase a site for and erect an Engine
House 30 feet long by 20 feet wide and two stories high, or pur-
chase some suitable building for the safe keeping of said Engine.
Voted to raise and appropriate $700 for the purpose of pur-
chasing a site and erecting an Engine House; or for purchasing
some suitable building for that purpose.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to hire, upon the credit
of the town, the sum of $700, for the purpose of erecting an
Engine House or purchasing a suitable building for that pur-
pose.
Voted a committee of three be chosen, by ballot, to purchase
the engine, hose and other apparatus.
Chose John G. Metcalf, Joseph G. Davenport and William H.
Comstock as the committee.
A Building Committee was then chosen, consisting of Benja-
min Davenport, Nathan George and William T. Metcalf.
At an adjournment of the March meeting the town chose
Prudential Committees as follows, viz:
District No. 1, Seth T. Davenport. District No. 2, A. H. Allen. Dis-
trict No. 3, Daniel Thurber. District No. 4, Nathan Hayward. District
No. 5, Saml. P. Hayward. District No. 6, Henry Wheelock. District No.
7, Arnold Taft.
1849.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 607
April 26. Voted not to hear the Report of the Committee
chosen at the last meeting to purchase a Fire Engine.
It was then voted to reconsider and rescind all the votes passed
at the last meeting relative to the purchase of a Fire Engine and
the erection of an Engine House.
Then voted to indefinitely postpone the consideration of the
seventh article in the warrant, which was "To see if the town
would raise and appropriate 1500 towards purchasing an Engine,
provided the balance be raised by subscription."
In the meantime the committee had purchased an engine of
Hunneman & Co., Boston, and so another meetingwas called and
an effort made to raise the money, but with no better success.
Hunneman & Co. now commenced a suit against the town,
and the town, Sept. 13, voted to instruct the Treasurer to take
the advice of counsel, and if it should be found the proceedings
of the committee were legal, then to consult Hunneman j& Co.
and learn upon what terms they will take back the Engine.
Hunneman & Co. refused to negotiate with the Treasurer,
and
Sept. 21. The town directed the Selectmen to settle with
them, and dispose of the engine.
The engine was sold to the town of Milford at a loss to the
town of Mendon of about $450.
Nov. 12. Representative to the General Court — Emory Scott, D., 40.
James P. Hay ward, W., 88. Millins Taft, 53. Dan A. Comstock, 64. All
others 4.
There was no choice and the meeting was dissolved.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, George S. Boutwell, D., 99.
Stephen C. Phillips. F. S., 35.
George N. Briggs, W. , 24. Elected.
Samuel E. Sewall, F. S., 1.
For Lt. Governor, Henry W. Cushman, D., 99.
John Mills, F. S., 36.
John Reed, W., 23.
Elihu Burritt, F. S., 1.
For Senators — Free Soil— Pliny Merrick, 124. Alexander Be Witt, 123.
Edward B. Bigelow, 123. John Raymond, 124. Amasa Walker, 123.
Whig — Alexander H. Bullock, 24. Paul Whitin, 24. Ebenezer Torrey,
24. Joseph White, 24.. George Davis, 24.
608 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1850.
Walter A. Bryant, Ivers Phillips, John Erskiue, Horace Armsby and
Cephas Haughten, Dem., 1 each. All others had 3 votes.
KEV. GEO. G. CHAINING, THE TWELFTH MINISTER.
Rev. George G. Charming, brother of Rev. William Ellery
Charming, began a supply in October, 1847, and concluded his
labors Dec. 1, 1849.
1850. March 4th. Chose William H. Aldrich, Town Clerk;
Alexander H. Allen, Thomas Taft and Olney Cook were chosen
Selectmen; Jesse F. Alderman, Treasurer; George Staples, Con-
stable, and Aaron C. Cook, Collector, at 124.00.
Anthony Chase had 73 votes for County Treasurer, and was
the only person voted for.
The Selectmen were to act as Overseers of the Poor and to
have two dollars each for their services in addition to their
salaries as Selectmen.
Rev. Charles C. Chamberlain, Stephen Taft and Rev. A. H.
Reed were chosen School Committee.
Voted that the Treasurer pay out of the Seventh School Dis-
trict's proportion of school money, for the time being, any bill
made and certified by the Prudential Committee of the Chestnut
Hill School District, in the town of Blackstone, and approved
by the Prudential Committee of the Seventh School District, in
Mendon, for the schooling actually received by any scholar living
in the houses now owned and occupied by Andre and George
Southwick, Reuben Taft and Thompson Taft, provided it does
not exceed the amount drawn by each scholar in said Seventh
District.
Voted that hereafter Harrison Hall, (now the property of the
town) shall be known as the Town Hall.
April 1. The reports of the committee to effect a settlement
with the town of Blackstone, (growing out of matters connected
with the division of the town), the Selectmen, Overseers of the
Poor, School Committee and the Town Treasurer were then
read, accepted and placed on file in the Town Clerk's office.
Voted to raise $500 for the support of the poor..
Voted to raise 1800 for the support of schools.
1850.] ANNALS OF MENDON. (509
Voted to raise #500 for the repairs of roads and bridges.
Voted to raise 1400 for incidental expenses.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to appoint one of
their own number or any other person as a Janitor for the Town
Hall.
Voted that he (the janitor) open the Town Hall free for
lectures on all Political, Literary, Scientific and Philanthropic
subjects, always excepting heating, lighting and cleaning of the
Hall.
Voted that the Hall be open for cotillion parties and shows
and exhibitions, not having things immoral in their tendency,
for a reasonable consideration.
Voted that when any person or persons apply for the use of
said Hall, his or their authority for occupying the same shall be
a certificate from the Janitor, stating for what purpose, when
and how long it shall be occupied.
Choice of County Commissioners — Otis Adams, D., of Grafton, had 63
votes. Bonum Nye, D., of North Brookfield, had 38 votes. Asaph Wood,
D., of Gardner, had 62 votes. David Davenport, W., of Mendon, had 44
votes. Jerome Gardner, W. , of Harvard, had 21 votes. Joseph Bruce,
W., of Grafton, had 21 votes.
Special Commissioners — Stephen Davis, W , of Oxford, had 21 votes.
Jason Goulding, W., of Phillipston, had 21 votes. E. II. Hemenway, D.,
of Worcester, had 62 votes. Thomas Billings, D., of Lunenburg, had 62
votes.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $28.37.
April 9. Voted to accept the list of jurors as reported by the
Selectmen, as follows, viz: —
Henry A. Aldrich. Leonard Taft.* Royal M. Wheelock. * Andre South-
wick. Stephen Taft.* Jason Staples.* Elijah Dewing.* David Daven-
port.* Stephen Cook, 2d. Welcome Staples.* Willard Chilson.* Perry
Wood. William T. Metcalf.* Jesse F. Alderman. Silas Dudley. Geo.
Rawson. Labau Bates.* Samuel G. Wilcox. Aaron C. Cook.*
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $4.11.
April 29. Voted to indefinitely postpone the second article in
the warrant, which was " to see if the town would accept a road
laid out by the Selectmen from the S. W. corner of William H.
Comstock's land (now the land of Mary D. Bartlett,) to the road
*Dead. 1880.
77
610 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1850.
opposite the house of Benj. Davenport (now of G-ustavus B.
Williams)."
This road was afterward laid out and made by the order of
the County Commissioners.
Voted that the Treasurer be instructed to loan any monies in
his hands belonging to the "Surplus Revenue "on satisfactory
security.
May 30. The number of the enrolled militia, over 18 and
under 45 years of age, was found to be 245.
June 11. Voted to accept an alteration, made by the Select-
men, in the road near the house of Arnold and Stephen- Taf t.
July 4. William H. Aldrich, the Town Clerk, being absent
from town, John George Metcalf was appointed by the Select-
men Clerk pro tempore, during the absence of said Aldrich.
August 3. William H. Aldrich having resigned his office as
Town Clerk, John George Metcalf was appointed by the Select-
men Clerk pro tempore, until a new election shall be made by
the town to fill the vacancy.
August 31. At a town meeting held this day, Putman W.
Taft was chosen Town Clerk, to fill the vacancy occasioned by
the resignation of William H. Aldrich.
Nov. 11. STATE ELECTION. •
For Governor, George S. Boutwell, D., had 90 votes.
George K Briggs, W., had 28 "
Stephen C. Phillips, F. S., had 49 "
Francis Cogswell, F. S., had 9
For Lt. Governor, Henry W. Cushman had 99 ''
John Reed had 28 "
Amasa Walker had 48 "
For Senators.— 1>. & F. S.— Alexander DeWitt had 149 votes. Edward
B. Bigelow had 149 votes. Moses Wood had 149 votes. Francis Howe
had 143 votes. Giles H. "Whitney had 143 votes. Emory Washburn had
28 votes. Joseph White had 28 votes. George Davis had 28 votes. A. G.
Hill had 28 votes. Francis Deane had 28 votes.
For a Representative to Congress, Fifth District. — Ira M. Barton had 23
votes. Charles Allen -had 56 votes. John S. C. Knowlton had 96 votes.
FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL COURT.
First Ballot— Francis E. Wheelock, D., had 65 votes; Stephen Taft, D.,
had 54 votes. Scammell Aldrich, W., had 23 votes. All others had 7. No
choice.
1851.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 611
Second Ballot — Francis E. Wheelock had 68 votes. Stephen Taft had 42
votes. Scammell Aldrich had 19 votes. All others had 10. No choice.
Third Ballot— Francis E. Wheelock had 70 votes. Stephen Taft had 31
votes. Scammell Aldrich had 21 votes. Six others had 8 votes, and Francis
E. Wheelock was elected.
Voted that the Selectmen be directed to furnish the Town Hull
with suitable seats and apparatus for heating and lighting, at an
expense not to exceed $125.00.
REV. WILLIAM H. KINSLEY, THE THIRTEENTH MINISTER.
Mr. Kinsley succeeded Mr. Channing, and was installed in the
pastoral office in June, 1850, the Rev. E. S. Gannett, D. D.,
preaching the installation sermon. Mr. Kinsley continued to
supply the pulpit until his death, Sept. 7, 1851. He died of
Bright' s disease.
1851. When the Legislature met, in January, it Avas found
that no election of Governor had been made by the people, and
that the Democrats and Free Soilers had a majority in the. Leg-
islature. It was soon understood that Mr. Boutwell should be
made Governor and that Charles Sumner should be elected to
the United States Senate. The first part of the programme was
immediately carried out, and Mr. Boutwell was duly inaugurated
as Governor; but the election of Mr. Sumner was only accom-
plished after many repeated ballotings, continued far into the
session. Mr. Wheelock, the Representative from Mendon, (Black-
stone, by the act of its incorporation, this year choosing a Rep-
resentative of its own) remained faithful to the coalition, voting
for Mr. Sumner at every ballot.
Jan. 20. No election of a member of Congress for the Fifth
District having been effected at the November election, a meet-
ing was held this day for another trial and with the following
result, viz:
John S. C. Knowlton, Dem., had 51 votes. Charles Allen, F. S., had
30 votes. Ira M. Barton, W., had 8 votes.
Voted that an appropriation of 130 be made in addition to the
$125.00 voted at the last meeting for furnishing the Town Hall.
Voted that any citizen of the town may have the use of the
612 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1851.
Town Hall free of any charge, except the expense of warming,
lighting and cleaning the same, for all purposes not prejudicial
to the public morals, except for halls, dancing parties and other
amusements, recreations and exhibitions where an admission fee
is demanded, provided also that no Religious Society shall now
or hereafter, by virtue of this vote, be allowed the free use of
the Town Hall for weekly, public religious worship.
Voted that the Town Hall shall hereafter be lighted, warmed
and cleaned by the town, and that no one entitled to the free
use of the Hall shall be allowed to furnish his own materials for
lighting and warming, but shall pay the janitor for the same.
Voted that the Selectmen forthwith provide a place for storing
the fuel.
To do this the stairs were removed to the outside of the build-
ing, and their place inside utilized for a wood room.
March 3. Chose Samuel Thayer, Jr., Town Clerk; Alexander
H. Allen, Willard Chilson and George Staples, Selectmen; Jesse
F. Alderman, Treasurer; George Staples, Constable and Collec-
tor, appointed by the Selectmen, (Benj. D. Williams, chosen at
the meeting in April, declining to serve), and Eev. William H.
Kinsley, A. H. Reed and John G. Metcalf were chosen School
Committee.
Voted that the Overseers of the Poor be paid $6.00 each for
their services.
Voted to raise $600 for repairs of roads and bridges.
Voted to raise $150 to be assessed in money, and to be expended
under the direction of the Selectmen, upon the highways, be-
fore the first day of July.
Voted to raise $600 for the support and care of the poor.
Voted to raise $800 for the support of the Public Schools.
Vote for County Treasurer— Anthony Chase had all the votes, 97 in num-
ber.
Vote for Register of Deeds— Alexander H. Wilder had all the votes, 93 in
number.
Nathan George, David Davenport and Alexander H. Allen
were chosen a committee to report Bye-Laws for the protection
of the property of the town, and report at a future meeting.
Voted to accept and put on file the Report of the School Com-
mittee, and on account of it being nearly illegible, voted to re-
1851.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 613
commit such portions as regards the statistics of the town as
would answer the law.
Taxes due from Rufus Coffee and thirteen others foregone.
No record of the tax against each or of the amount.
Voted to discontinue so much of the Quaker Lane (so-called)
as lies between the southwest corner of the burying ground and
the road leading from the house of Amariah Taft (now Austin
A. Taft) to the road by Benj. D. Williams' house.
No choice of a member of Congress for the Fifth District hav-
ing been effected at the last trial, another attempt was made this
day, and
John S. C. Knowlton had 66 votes. Charles Allen had 48 votes. Ira
M. Barton had 8 votes.
Voted that Amariah Taft and Jesse F. Alderman be author-
ized and empowered to make a complete and final settlement
with the town of Blackstone of all unadjusted matters growing
out of the recent division of the town of Mendon, upon such
terms as shall appear to them just and reasonable, and that they
be instructed to forthwith notify the Selectmen of Blackstone
of their appointment, and of their readiness to meet any officer,
boards of officers, committee, agent or agents, that said town of
Blackstone shall clothe with adequate power and authority for
the purpose aforesaid. And that they be further instructed, in
case of failure to make a settlement as aforesaid, to notify the
Selectmen of Mendon in sufficient season to assemble the town
for the choice of any committee or agent that may be necessary
to defend the town against any suit the town of Blackstone has
commenced or may commence for the recovery of any money
alleged by said town to be due from the town of Mendon.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to pay the bills for
schooling in future, instead of the Treasurer.
April 30. Voted to discontinue the road from the house of
Scammell Aldrieh, (now Warren Esty,) over the hill commonly
called Caleb's Hill.
Voted to raise 1500 for incidental ex})enses.
Voted to discontinue the road from the house of S. T. Daven-
port to Milford line.
Voted that Alexander H. Allen be added to the committee to
settle with the town of Blackstone.
614 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1851.
Voted, to accept the resignation of Amariah Taft as a member
of the above committee.
May 26. By the return of the Assessors the enrolled militia
were fonnd to be 203 in number.
June 7. Voted to discontinue the Eight Rod Road, so called.
Henry A. Aldrich, Alexander H. Allen, George Staples and
Lysander Grow were added to the committee heretofore chosen,
to paint and repair the Town Hall.
Voted to raise and appropriate $150 to paint and repair the
Town Hall.
August 21. Voted to instruct the Selectmen to procure a
fire-proof safe for the preservation of the publie records.
Voted to discontinue the road from near the house of Joseph
Cummings to Milford line.
^Oct. 4. Voted to reconsider a vote passed April 30th, discon-
tinuing the road from the house of Seth T. Davenport to
Milford line, and that the Selectmen be authorized to repair
said road.
Voted to raise an additional sum of $20 to paint and repair
the Town Hail, should the sum already appropriated be insuf-
ficient.
NOV. 10. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, George S. Boutwell, D., 06. Elected.
Robert C. Winthrop, W., 31.
John G. Palfrey, F. S., 63.
For Lt, Governor, Henry W. Cushman, D., 96.
George Grinnell, W., 32.
Amasa Walker, F. 8., 62.
Senators — D. and F. S. — John S. C. Knowlton, 154. Albert Alden, 155.
Moses Wood, 151. Freeman Walker, 151. Elmer Brigham, 151. Whig
Charles Thurber, 33. George Davis, 33. Joseph White, 33. Augustus
G. Hill, 33. Francis Deane, 33. Alanson Hamilton, Jared Weed, James
Whitcomb, Sullivan Fay and Dan Hill had one each.
FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL COURT.
First Ballot— Henry A. Aldrich, D., had 72. Arnold Taft, D., had 60.
A. H. Reed, W., had 28. Five others had 9 votes. No choice.
Second Ballot— Henry A. Aldrich had 70. Arnold Taft had 56. A. H.
Reed had 25. Four others had 9 votes. No choice.
Third Ballot— Henry A. Aldrich had 88. A. H. Reed had 23. Four
others had 11 votes. Henry A. Aldrich chosen.
1852. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 615
On the Question for a Convention to Revise the State Constitution— Yeas, 107.
Nays, 35.
Voted that, if George F. Allen shall attempt to avoid the pay-
ment of the tax for which he has recently heen imprisoned, by
taking the Poor Debtors Oath, the Assessors and Collector be
instructed, if satisfied of the legality of the tax, to use all legal,
fair and honorable means to prevent the same; and that the
Overseers of the Poor be directed to furnish the jailor, from
time to time, with such sums of money as shall be necessary to
defray the expense of boarding said Allen there for the term of
one year, or until said Allen shall be released from jail in clue
process of law, or until they shall be otherwise directed by a
vote of the town; or if said Allen shall institute any suit against
the Assessors for assessing said tax, or against the Collector
for imprisoning him for the non-payment of the same, that the
town will defend and save harmless all and either of said officers
from all costs and expenses that may arise by reason of the com-
mencement of any such suit or suits.
Perambulations of town boundaries were made this year.
1852. Feb. 1-4. Alexander H. Allen was chosen an agent to
oppose the road now pending before the County Commissioners,
as prayed for by Joseph G. Davenport and others, from the road
(now known as Maple street,) passing by the Meeting House of
the First Parish to the road leading by John G. Metcalf's honse,
(now known as Hastings street).
March 1. Jesse F. Alderman was chosen Town Clerk; Alex-
ander H. Allen, George Staples and Laban Bates, Selectmen;
Jesse F. Alderman, Treasurer; Hamilton B. Staples, David Da-
venport and Samuel P. Bates, School Committee, and George
Staples, Constable.
Anthony Chase, for County Treasurer, had 70 votes, being all
given in.
The committee chosen to settle with the town of Blackstone
on matters growing out of the division of the town, made a
report, which was accepted and put on file.
March 24. Alexander H. Allen was chosen agent to appear
before the Committee on Towns of the Legislature and oppose
616 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1852.
the prayer of George Southwick, to be set off from Menclon to
the town of Blackstone.
April 5. Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow
money, not to exceed five hundred dollars, for the use of the
town.
Silas Dudley was chosen a Special Constable, to be present at
all lectures and exhibitions in the Town Hall, to preserve order
and protect the public property, and for compensation to have
fifty cents for a day or evening.
Voted to raise $800 to repair highways and bridges the ensu-
ing year.
Voted to raise $600 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $800 for the support of the public schools.
Voted to raise $500 to pay the debts of the town.
Voted to raise $300 for incidental expenses.
Voted that the highway taxes be paid in labor.
Amount of taxes foregone $23.85.
A new road (now Elm street,) laid out two rods wide and 36
rods and 15^ links in length. No damages were awarded the
land owners.
May 1. The enrolled militia were returned by the Assessors
.218 in number.
June 12. Voted to instruct the Selectmen to furnish two
rooms in the Town Hall suitable to transact town business in.
Chose Aaron C. Cook Collector.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $13.68.
Nov. 2. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Electors at Large— Stephen C. Phillips, of Salem, had 53 votes. James
Fowler, of Westfield, had 53 votes. Rohert C. Winthrop, of Boston, had
44 votes. George Bliss, of Springfield, had 44 votes. Chas. G. Greene, of
Boston, had 84 votes. James S. Whitney, of Conway, had 84 votes.
1st District— 7th District-
John H. Shaw, Nantucket 53 Samuel E. Sewall, Stoneham. . .53
J. H. W. Page, New Bedford. .44 George Cogswell, Bradford. . . .44
S. B. Phinney, Barnstable 84 Ebeur H. Safford, Haverhill. . . 84
2nd District— 8th District—
fm. H. Wood, Middleboro'. . .53 John W. Graves, Lowell. 53
George A. Crocker, Taunton. . .44 Jacob Coggin, Tewksbury 44
Edward Cazneau, Hinoham 84 Walter Fessenden, Townsend .84
1852.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 617
3d District— 9th District-
Edward L. Keyes, Dedham 53 Charles Mason, Fitchburg 53
John Gardner, " 44 Ebenr. Torrey, 44
Caleb Stetson, Braiutree 84 J. S. C. Knowlton, Worcester. .84
4th District— 10th District-
Timothy Gilbert, Boston 53 R. B. Hubbard, Sunderland 53
Amos Lawrence, " 44 Ruf us Bullock, Royalston 44
Isaac Adams, " .'. 84 O. P. Ingram, South Hadley. . .84
5th District— 11th District-
John G. Palfrey, Cambridge 53 Joel Hayden, Williamsburg 53
Robert G. Shaw, Boston 44 Ezekiel Holt, Pittsfield 44
Benj. P. Hallett, " 84 Jona. E. Field, Stockbridge 84
6th District-
John G. Whittier, Amesbury . . 53
Daniel C. Baker, Lynn 44
Jona. Narjou, Amesbury -.84
Nov. 8. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Horace Mann, Newton, F. S., had 69 votes.
John H. Clifford, New Bedford, W., had 36 ' ' Elected.
Henry W. Bishop, Lennox, D., had 85 "
For Lt. Governor, xVmasa Walker, No. Brooktield, had 69 "
Elisha Huntington, Lowell, had 35
Jas. P. Thompson, New Bedford, had 82 "
For Senators— J. S. C. Knowlton, Worcester, had 146 votes. I vers Phillips,
Fitchburg, had 145 votes. Freeman Walker, No. Brookfield, had 145 votes.
Sullivan Fay, Southboro', had 145 votes. Elisha Murdock, Winchendon,
had 145 votes. Chas. Thurber, Worcester, had 35 votes. George Davis
had 35 votes. Joseph White had 35 votes. Enoch Perkins had 36 votes.
Fras. Deaue, Jr., had 35 votes. Jos. Whitman. Milford, had 5 votes.
R&presentaUw to Congress, District Ko.S. — Charles Francis Adams, Quincy,
had 68 votes, F. S. J. Wiley Edmunds, Newton, had 35 votes, W. Orison
Underwood, Milford, had 75 votes, D.
FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL COURT.
First Ballot— Alexander H. Allen had 70 votes. George Staples had 50
votes. J. F. Alderman had 42 votes. Four others had 4 votes. No choice.
Second Ballot— Alexander H. Allen had 71 votes. J. F. Alderman had 48
votes. George Staples had 46 votes. Scattering 3. No choice.
Third Ballot— Alexander H. Allen had 76 votes. J. F. Alderman had 53
votes. George Staples had 33 votes. No choice.
Fourth Ballot— Alexander H. Allen had 67 votes. J. F. Alderman had
45 votes. George Staples had 27 votes. No choice.
The contest was now given up and the article dismissed from
the warrant.
618 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1853.
Upon the question, "Is it expedient that Delegates should be
chosen to meet in convention for the purpose of revising or alter-
ing the Constitution of Government of this Commonwealth. .
The ballots were:
Yeas 141. Nays 41.
Nov. 22. A second meeting was held this day for the choice
of Representative to the General Court and with the following
result:
First Ballot— A. H. Allen had 81 votes. J. F. Alderman had 77 votes.
Olney Cook had 40 votes. Scattering 4. No choice.
Second 'Ballot — A. II. Allen had 85 votes. J. F. Alderman had 87 votes.
O. Cook had 24 votes. Scattering 4. No choice.
Third Ballot— A. H. Allen had 89 votes. J. F. Alderman had 90 votes.
O. Cook had 21 votes. Scattering 4. No choice.
Fourth Ballot— A. H. Allen had 86 votes. J. F. Alderman had 82 votes.
O . Cook had 24 votes. Scattering 3. No choice.
In the history of elections there can hardly be found an in-
stance where the candidates were so equally sustained through
so long a contest, or where there were so few scattering votes.
Dec. 7. No choice for a member of Congress having been
effected at the last trial, another meeting was held this day with
the following result:
Charles Francis Adams, A. S., of Qnincy had 62 votes. J. Wiley Ed-
munds, W., of Newton had 32 votes. Edward Avery, D., of Dedharn,
had 21 votes. Arthur W. Austin, D., of W. Roxbury, had 2 votes. J.
Wiley Edmunds was elected.
REV. ROBERT HASSALL, THE FOURTEENTH MINISTER.
Mr. Hassall began his ministerial labors in Mendon April 1,
1852, and dissolved his connection with the parish in January,
185G, to take charge of the Unitarian Society in Haverhill,
Mass. After a few years Mr. Hassall retired from the ministry
and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is now living in
Keokuk, Iowa. During his residence in Mendon he visited
England, of which he was a native.
1853. March 7. Jesse F. Alderman was chosen Town Clerk
and Treasurer; J. F. Alderman, George Staples and John S.
1853.] ANNALS OF MENDON. ()19
Gaskill, Selectmen; David Davenport, Silas Dudley and A. H.
Reed, School Committee, and George Staples, Constable.
FOR DELEGATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
First Ballot— Arnold Taft had 65 votes. J. F. Alderman had 48 votes.
■A. H. Allen had 22 votes. Scattering 5. No choice.
Second Ballot— Arnold Taft had 80 votes. J. F. Alderman had 36 votes.
A. EL Allen had 7 votes. Scattering 1. Arnold Taft chosen.
Taxes foregone to the amount of $62.53.
Vote for County Treasurer — Anthony Chase, of Worcester had 71 votes.
Levi Barker, of Worcester, had 42 votes.
April 4. Vote for County Commissioners — Otis Adams, of Grafton, had
58 votes. Bonum Nye, of Brookficld, had 58 votes. Asaph Wood, of
Gardner, had 58 votes. David Davenport, Mendon, had 15 votes. Amory
Holman, Bolton, had 15 votes. Alanson Hamilton, West Brookfield, had
15 votes.
Vote for Special County Commissioners — Edward H. Hemenway, of Wor-
cester, had 58 votes. Thomas Billings, of Lunenburg, had 58 votes.
Charles Brigham, of Grafton, had 14 votes. Seth Tucker, Jr. of Winchen-
don had 14 votes.
April 22. Voted that the Treasurer have discretionary power
to borrow money not to exceed one thousand dollars, at six per
cent.
Chose John G. Metcalf to confer with Holland Allbe in regard
to the damages claimed by him in consequence of a road (now
Elm street) laid over his land, and then adjourned until Dr.
Metcalf returns.
Upon his return he reported that Mr. Allbe says the matter is
in the hands of his counsel.
David Davenport was then chosen agent to oppose Holland
Allbe's claim for damages.
Voted to raise $1000 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $900 for the repair of highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $800 for the support of the public schools.
Voted to raise $1000 for the payment of town debts and inci-
dental expenses.
Voted that the money for repair of highways and bridges be
paid in labor at ten cents per hour, and the bills for work be
returned.
Taxes were fore°;one to the amount of $19.88.
620 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1853.
Voted to instruct the Selectmen to purchase a fire-proof safe
for records, and a book case for books.
June 9. The enrolled militia were found to number 1G4.
N"0V. 14. STATE ELECTION".
For Governor., Henry W. Bishop, D., of Lennox, had 90 votes.
Henry Wilson, F. S., of Natick, had 67 '"'
Emory Washburn, W., of Worcester, had 42
Elected.
Bradford L. Wales, D., of Randolph 3 '•
For Lt. Governor, Levi A. Dowley, of Worcester, had 90 "
Amasa Walker, of North Brookfleld, had 67 "
W. C. Plunket, of Adams, had 42 "
George Osborne, of , had 3 "
For Senators — Elisha Murdock, of Winchendon, had 141 votes. Jos.
Whitman, of Milford, had 141 votes. Alvin Bugbee, of Charlton, had 141
votes. Jos. W. Mansur of Fitchburg, had 155 votes. Isaac Davis,
of Worcester, had 155 votes. Henry S. Washburn, Worcester, had 42
votes. A. C. Mayhew, Milford, had 42 votes. John Eddy, Dudley,
had 42 votes. Eph. Murdock, Winchendon, had 42 votes. Win. Park-
hurst, Petersham, had 42 votes. Another ticket had 3 votes each.
FOR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
First Ballot— John S. Gaskill had 87 votes. Alexr H. Allen had 63 votes.
J. F. Alderman had 33 votes. Scattering 5, and there was no choice.
Second Ballot— John S. Gaskill had 38 votes. A. H. Allen had 59 votes.
J. F. Alderman, 35. Scattering 3, and no choice.
Ihird Ballot — John S. Gaskill had 85 votes and was elected. A. H. Allen
had 53 votes. J. F. Alderman had 29 votes.
Votes given for the proposed amendments to the Constitution,
as recommended by the Convention, held the first Wednesday
in May, 1853, viz:—
Shall Proposition No. 1, containing the Preamble, Declaration of Rights
and form of Government, stand as the Constitution of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts? Yeas 155; nays 55.
Shall Proposition No. 2 stand, respecting the habeas corpus? Yeas 154;
nays 55.
Shall Proposition No. 3 stand, respecting the rights of jurors? Yeas
141; nays 69.
Shall Proposition No. 4 stand, respecting claims against the Common-
wealth? Yeas 154; nays 55.
Shall Proposition No. 5 stand, respecting imprisonment for debt? Yeas
145; nays 64.
1854.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 621
Shall Proposition No. 6 stand, respecting sectarian schools? Yeas 158;
nays 50.
Shall Proposition No. 7 stand, respecting the creation of corporations?
Yeas 154; nays 55.
Shall Proposition No. 8 stand, respecting the security of bank bills?
Yeas 153; nays 55.
All these proposed amendments were rejected by the voters of
the State.
1854. March 6. Alexander H. Allen was chosen Town
Clerk and Treasurer; George Staples. William T. Metcalf and
George Rawson, Selectmen; George Staples, Samuel H. Taft.
and Elijah Taft, Constables.
Voted to raise $800 for the support of the poor.
Voted to raise $800 for the repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted to raise $850 for the support of public schools.
Voted to raise $500 for incidental expenses.
Voted that the money raised for repairs of highways be paid
in labor, at the following prices, viz: twelve and one-half cents
per hour for a man, and the same for a yoke of oxen and cart;
fifty cents per day for a plow; and the Assessors were directed
to commit the tax bills only to surveyors qualified according to
law.
Anthony Chase had all the votes, 79, for County Treasurer.
Voted that the town do oppose the formation of a new county,
as prayed for in the petition of Aaron C. Mayhew and others;
and that our Representative in the General Court be instrncted
to oppose, by all suitable and honorable means, the prayer of
said petition.
April 13. Rev. Robert Ilassall, John G. Metcalf and Andrew
H. Reed were chosen School Committee.
Angnstus Knights, he being the lowest bidder, was chosen
Collector at thirty-five dollars.
The following persons were chosen Prudential Committees for
the several school districts, viz:
District 1, Jos. G. Davenport. District 2, John G. Metcalf. District 3,
Saml. G. Wilcox. District 4, Charles Dewing. District 5, Clark Cook, 2d.
District 6, Perry Wood. District 7, Arnold Taft.
Taxes were foregone to the amount of $70.04.
622 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1854.
The third article in the warrant was "to see what measures
the town will adopt in regard to the bill now pending before
Congress to organize the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska."
The following preamble and resolutions, offered by Dr. John
CI. Metcalf, were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, a Bill is now pending before the Congress of the United States
organizing the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska; and whereas, by a
provision in said Bill, it is proposed to open a vast extent of territory, once
consecrated to Freedom, to Slavery ; and whereas, no free man can absolve
himself from the obligation, to remonstrate against the consummation of a
measure which deliberately violates the solemnly plighted faith of the
nation and, by its reckless disregard of the common laws of humanity,
invites the scorn and contempt of the civilized world, therefore
1. Resolved, that we, the Inhabitants of the Town of Mendon, in the county
of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in legal and open town
meeting assembled, do hereby solemnly and earnestly PROTEST against
the passage of the proposed Bill, while it retains any provision that disre-
gards the treaty obligations of the United States; or that, by inference or
implication or cavil can be tortured, by the most subtle ingenuity, into a
permission even for the possibls extension of Slavery.
2. Resolved, that we dare not subject ourselves to the hazard that our
silence may be construed into a consent to its iniquitous propositions, when
it is openly and shamelessly conceded that this Bill necessarily involves
the repudiation of our national obligations to the Indians, and the violent
infraction of the most solemn agreements deliberately made with that noble
though abused and down-trodden race.
3. Resolved, that the COMPACT made between the North and the
South (usually termed the Missouri Compromise.) that no portion of the
territory, acquired by the purchase of Louisiana, north of the latitude 36°
30', should ever be given up to Slavery, shall never be surrendered, by any
consent of ours, to any argument of political expediency, any reqnirement
of party necessity or to any threat of the dissolution of the Union.
4. Resolved, that while we demand that the law admitting Missouri
into the Union (known as the Missouri Compromise,) shall be acknowledged
by the South as a sufficient GUARANTY that Freedom shall be held
sacred according to the cotemporaueous and universal exposition of that
agreement at the time of its completion; still our allegiance to truth and
our convictions of duty do not allow us to withhold the declaration that
our utter and uncompromising abhorrence of Slavery would be a sufficient
reason, alone, for the rejection of this Bill of abominations.
• 5. Resolved, that should the measure, against which we remonstrate,
become the law of the land, and thereby our doubt be ripened into con-
viction that Freedom can have no surety from Slavery for the fulfillment
of its recorded obligations, thenceforth REPEAL shall be the watchword
for the rescue of Freedem, until that institution, for the security of which.
1854.] ANNALS OF MENDON. (i23
even a slaveholder has confessed, " no attribute of God Almighty could be
invoked," shall cease to be protected by Constitution and Laws, and our
Country, our whole country, become in deed as in name, the land of the
Free.
6. Resolved, that we urgently recommend that meetings in every town,
bolden according to the forms and solemnities of law, and mass meetings
in every Congressional District in every State yet free from the curse of
Slavery, be forthwith convened, so that one united and potential voice of
remonstrance and warning shall be heard in the Halls of our National Leg-
islature against this fearful and disastrous measure.
7. Resolved, that a copy of these Resolutions, together with the Pream-
ble, signed by the Moderator of this meeting and attested by the Town
Clerk, be forthwith transmitted to the Hon. J. Wiley Edmunds, our Repre-
sentative in Congress, and that he be requested to bring them to the notice
of the House of which he is a member.
8. Resolved, that the Clerk be directed to enter these Resolutions and
Preamble ' ' In the Town Book, that our children, in years to come, may
know the sentiments of their fathers " in regard to this momentous issue,
and thereby be strengthened in their LOVE OF LIBERTY and HATRED
OF SLAVERY.
May 1. The enrolled militia, between the ages of 18 and 45,
was found to be 178, as by the return of the Assessors.
NOV. 13. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Emory Washburn, W., Worcester, 15 votes.
H. W. Bishop, D., Lennox, 24 "
Henry Wilson, F. S., Natick, 23 "
Henry J. Gardner, K. N., Boston, 117 " Elected.
Chas. Allen, Worcester, 2
For Lt. Governor, Wm. C. Plunket, W., Adams, 15 "
Caleb Stetson, D., Braintree, 24 "
Increase Sumner, F. S. , G. Barringt'n, 24 ' '
Simon Brown, K. N., Concord, 117 "
For Senators. — Whig — Henry S. Washburn, Worcester, 15 votes. Aaron
C. Mayhew, Milford, 14 votes. John Eddy, Dudley, 15 votes. Ephraim
Murdock, Winchendon, 15 votes. Wm. Parkhurst, Petersham, 15 votes.
Democratic— Geo. W. Bentley, Worcester, 24 votes. Geo. A. Vinton, South-
bridge, 24 votes. Luke Houghton, Barre, 24 votes. Sullivan Sumner,
Milford, 24 votes. Levi Hay ward, Gardner, 24 votes. Free Soil — Augus-
tus Morse, Leominster, 24 votes. Israel Plummer, Northbridge, 19 votes.
Aurin Bugbee, Charlton, 24 votes. George Swan, Hubbardston, 24 votes.
Charles White, Worcester, 24 votes. Know Nothing — Henry W. Benchley,
Worcester, 116 votes. Albert A. Cook, Milford, 116 votes. Jabez Fisher,
Fitchburg, 116 votes. Edward Denny, Barre, 116 votes. A. G. Under-
wTood, Oxford, 116 votes.
624 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1855.
Alexr H. Allen, Meudon, had 4 votes. Royal Cummings, Meudon, had
1 vote.
For Representative in Congress — Nathl. F. Safford, W. Dorchester, 15
votes. Edward Avery, D., Quincy, 12 votes. Wm S. Damrell, K. N,
Dedham, 118 votes. Edward L. Keyes, F. S., Dedham, 7 votes.
For Representative to the General Court — John S. Gaskill, D., had 22 votes.
Stephen Taft, F. S., had 19 votes. Jesse F. Alderman, W., had 12 votes.
Alexander H. Allen had 3 votes. Royal M. Wheelock, K. N, had 105 votes.
For Comity Commissioner — Zadoc Taft, of Uxbridge, had 110 votes. Otis
Adams, of Grafton, had 58.
Nov. 28. Voted to pay Catharine Taft $20 for damage by lay-
ing out of a new road, now known as Elm street.
Voted that the consideration of the third article in the war-
rant, relating "To the purchase of a Poor Farm," be indefinitely
postponed.
1855. March 5. Chose David Adams, Town Clerk and Treas-
urer; George Staples, Henry 0. Steward and Austin Wood, Se-
lectmen; George Staples, Constable and Collector.
Voted to raise 11000 for the support of public schools.
Voted to raise $1000 for the support and care of the poor.
Voted to raise $400 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise $800 for repairs of highways and bridges.
Voted to build a receiving tomb for the use of the town.
John G. Metcalf, Amariah Taft and Perry Wood were chosen
a committee to erect said tomb, at an expense not to exceed $200,
and to have it completed by August 1 of the present year.
For County Treasurer — Anthony Chase had 63 votes. Alexander H. Allen
and J. S. C. Kuowlton had 1 vote each.
May 23. The following are the votes on the ratification of the
XIV., XV., XVI., XVII. , XVIII. and XIX. articles of amend-
ments to the Constitution of the State, the same having been
adopted by the Legislatures of 1854 and 1855.
Article XIV.,
Yes,
11
No, 13
Article XVII.,
Yes, 20
No, 7
do. XV.,
"
21
6
do. XVIII.,
" 28
" 1
do. XVI.,
"
20
7
do. XIX,
" 15
" 10
May 24. By return of the Assessors this day, the number of
enrolled militia was found to be 218.
Sept. 28. Taxes abated to the amount of $4.97.
1856.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 625
Nov. 6. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, H. J. Gardner, K. K, Boston, had 61 votes. Elected.
Julius H. Rockwell, R, Pittsfield, 85 "
E. D. Beach, D., Springfield, had 43 "
S. H. Walley, W., Boston, had 5 "
For Lt, Governor, H. W. Benchley, K. K, Worcester, 01 "
Simon Brown, R., Concord, had 85
Caleb Stetson, D., Braintree, had 42 "
Moses Davenport, W., Newburyport 6 "
Pursuant to the seventeenth amendment to the Constitution,
the offices of Secretary of State, Attorney General, Auditor of
Accounts and Treasurer were filled by a popular election, and the
votes for the candidates of each party very generally coincided
with those cast for the gubernatorial candidates.
The votes cast for Senators of Worcester county were as fol-
lows, viz:
Republican — Fras. H. Dewey, Worcester, had 85 votes. Artemas Lee,
Templeton, had 85 votes. Velorous Taft, Upton, had 85 votes. Salem
Towne, Charlton, had 85 votes. Jabez Fisher, Fitchburg, had 85 votes.
Democratic — John G. Thurston, Lancaster, had 48 votes. John S. C.
Knowlton, Worcester, had 48 votes. Nathaniel Wood, Fitchburg, had 48
votes. George A. Vinton, Southbridge, had 48 votes. Alvin Cook, Ux-
bridge, had 48 votes.
Know Nothing — Edward Denny, Barre, had 61 votes. Chas. L. Putnam,
Worcester, had 61 votes. Wilder S. Thurston, Lancaster, had 61 votes.
Fred. M. Parker, Templeton, had 61 votes. L. C. Boynton, Uxbridge, had
61 votes.
For Register of Deeds — Alexander H. Wilder was elected unanimously,
receiving 196 votes.
County Commissioner — Asaph Wood, R., Gardner, had 85 votes. Cyrus
Thurston, K. 1ST., Fitchburg, had 55 votes. Wm. Bennett, Jr., D., Hub-
bardston, had 48 votes.
County Treasurer — Anthony Chase, R. , Worcester, had 87 votes. Pearley
Hammond, Worcester, had 61 votes. John A. Dana, Worcester, had 48
votes.
It was voted not to choose a Kepresentative to the General
Court.
1856. March 3. David Adams wTas chosen Town Clerk and
Treasurer; Alexander H. Allen, Austin Wood and Gluey Cook,
79
626 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1856.
Selectmen; Aaron C. Cook, Constable, at IG.00 for salary, and
Samuel H. Taft, Collector, at 134.00.
John Gr. Metcalf, Perry Wood and Arnold Taft were chosen a
committee to gather information "relative to adopting a new
mode of repairing our highways, town ways and bridges," and
report at an adjourned meeting.
After amendments the following list of Jurors was adopted,
viz:
Alexander H. Allen,* Philo W. Brown, Olney Cook, Aaron C. Cook,*
Elijah Dewing,* Silas Dudley, Timothy Ellis, Chauncey Aldrich, Nathan
George,* Micajah C. Gaskill, Lysander Grow, Henry Rawson,* Welcome
Staples,* Leonard Taft,* Samuel H. Taft, Perry Wood, Gilbert Cook, Saml.
W. Doggett,* Joseph Gumming, Austin A. Taft, Arnold Taft,* David W.
Bennett.
Voted to raise $800 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise $1000 for the support of tbe poor.
Voted to raise $400 for incidental expenses.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $51.55.
March 31. Voted Willard H. Swan have liberty to raise the
road near his shop and use the same as a dam, provided he have
a waste way 30 feet wide, and indemnify the town against all
damages which may accrue to said roadinconseqnence of raising
the same; and that he have leave to shut up such part of said
road as may be necessary while said road is being raised.
Voted that the Selectmen and Treasurer, in future, have their
annual reports printed and ready for distribution one week before
the time of the annual March meeting.
The committee to whom the subject of repairing the highways
was committed, made a written report, which is recorded on pp.-
279, 280, 281 and 282, vol. 7, of the town records, and which
report concluded with the following specific recommendations,
and the same were adopted, viz:
1. The highway tax, hereafter, to be paid in money.
2. The money to be expended under the general superintendence of the
Selectmen or such other agents, as the town may choose.
3. The Selectmen or agents shall, for the present year, forthwith, and
hereafter, annually, on or before the first day of April in every year, con-
trrct with some suitable person or persons, to work with and oversee those
who may be placed under his or their charge upon the road, and give him
or them such instructions as they may deem necessary.
*Dead 1880.
1856.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 627
4. The Selectmen or other agents shall furnish the Overseers with such
a number of men, oxen, implements and tools as economy and the interest
of the town may require.
5. That the sum of $900 be raised for the repair of the highways and
bridges the ensuing year.
Olney Cook declining to serve as Selectman, Samuel W. Gil-
bert was chosen to fill the vacancy.
John G. Metcalf, Stephen Taft and Samuel W. Gilbert were
chosen School Committee.
The enrolled militia were found to be 177.
Nov. 4. Taxes were foregone to the amount of 144.35.
Aaron C. Cook, Lewis Wood and Luther E. Taft were chosen
a committee to protect the Pickerel fishery in the ponds and
streams of said town, and directed to post up notices, respecting
the same, adjoining the pond.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Electors at Large— Rep.— Julius Rockwell, Pittsfield, had 180 votes.
Thomas Colt, Pittsfield, had 180 votes. Dem.— N. J. Lord, Salem, had 47
votes. Whiting Griswold, Greenfield, had 47 votes. Scattering, 2.
District No. 1— District No. 7—
John Vinson, Edgartown, R. . . .180 Jas. M. Usher, Medford, R 180
A. H. Howland, N. Bedford, D. .. 47 Edward Riddle, Charlestown, D. 47
District No. 2— District No. 8—
A. B. Wheeler, N. Bridge wat'r, R.180 John Nesmith, Lowell, R 180
.Tared Pratt, Middleboro', D 47 Jas. C. Abbott, " D 47
District No. 3— District No. 9—
G. R, Russell, W. Roxbury, R. .180 J. S. C. Knowlton, Worcester, R.180
B. L. Wales, Randolph, D 47 Geo. W. Bentley, " D. 47
District No. 4— District No. 10—
George Odione, Boston, R 180 C. E. Forbes, Northampton, R. .180
Patrick Riley, " D 47 A V. Blanchard, Palmer, D 47
District No. 5— District No. 11—
Lucius B. Marsh, Boston, R 180 Franklin Ripley, Greenfield, R. . 180
David Draper, " D 47 Thos. F. Plunkett, Pittsfield, D. . 47
District No. 6—
Geo. H. Devereaux, Salem, R. . .180 The scattering votes were 2.
Win, Hammond, Marblehead, D. 47
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Josiah Quincy, Boston, R., 86 votes.
Henry J. Gardner, Boston, K. N., 83 " Elected.
Erasmus D. Beach, Springfield, D., 42 "
F or Lt. Governor, H. W. Benchley, Worcester, R. & K. N. 172 "
Albert Currier, Newburyport, D., 42
628 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1857.
For Secretary of State— Fras. DeWitt, Ware, R. & K. N., 176. Jona. E.
Field, Stockbridge, D., 42.
For Treasurer— -Moses Tenny, Jr., Georgetown, R. & K. N, 176. Sted-
man Butrick, Concord, D. , 42.
For Attorney General— John H. Clifford, New Bedford, R. & K. N., 178.
Ezra Wilkinson, Dedham. D., 42.
For Auditor— C. R. Ransom, Roxbnry, R. & K. N, 176. G. R. Whitney,
Winchendon, D., 42.
For Councillor, Second District— LabanM. Wheaton, Norton, R. & K. N,
150. Jona. P. Robinson, Roxbury, D. , 40.
For District Attorney— -P. Emory Aldrich, R. & K. N., 124. Jos. W.
Mansur, D., 41. E. B. Stoddard, D. 56.
For Representative to Congress, Third District — William S. Damrell, Ded-
ham, R. & K. N., 181; Elected. Arthur W. Austin, W. Roxbury, D., 45.
For Senators.— Geo. F. Hoar, Velorous Taft, Ohio Whitney, William
Mixter and J. F. Hitchcock, R., had 123 votes each. Ichabod Washburn,
W. S. Thurston, R. S. Denny, Fred. Parker and Henry S. Mansfield, K.
N, had 55 votes each. James Estabrook, Luke Houghton, George A. Vin-
ton, Timothy S. Wilson and John Erskine, D. , had 42 votes each.
For County Commissioners — Wm. Bennett, D., had 43 votes, James Allen,
R., 123, and D. F. Parmenter, K. N, had 56 votes.
For Special Commissioner — Alvin Cook and Simeon Lamb had 43 votes
each. Thos. Billings, R., had 179 votes, Constant Southworth, R., 123,
and John B. Pratt, K. N., had 56 votes.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL COURT.
Micajah C. Gaskill, R., had 70 votes. H. B. Staples, D., had 11 votes.
Alexander H. Allen, R., had 137. Scattering, 3.
REV. STILLMAN BARBER, THE FIFTEENTH MINISTER.
Mr. Barber began his ministry, in Mendon, May 18,1856, and
closed it in 18G0.
1857, March 2. Chose David Adams, Town Clerk and
Treasurer; Alexander H. Allen, Austin Wood and Samuel W.
Gilbert, Selectmen; Eev. Elijah Demond, Rev. Stillman Barber
and Rev. Gilbert Bent, School Committee; George W. Thayer,
Constable, and Elijah Dewing, Collector, at $42.
April 6. Voted that the money raised and appropriated for
the repairs of highways and bridges be expended under the
supervision of Perry Wood, Aaron C. Cook and Laban Bates, in
the same manner as last year, but the money to be expended on
or before Oct. 10, 1857.
1857.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 629
Voted to raise Jind appropriate $900 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for support of the poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $700 for repairs of highways
and bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for incidental expenses.
The following is the list of jurors adopted by the town upon
the recommendation of the Selectmen:
David Adams, Arnold Taft,* Gilbert Cook, Silas Dudley, Lysander
Grow, David W. Bennett, Micajah C. Gaskill, Austin A. Taft, Henry Raw-
son,* Chris. Daniels, Philo W. Brown, Welcome Staples,* Saml H. Taft,
Leonard Taft,* Chauncey Aldrich, Nathan George,* Alanson S. Freeman,*
Jason Staples,* Laban Bates,* Austin Wood, Elijah Taft.*
April 15. Voted to reconsider all action under the fifth
article of the March meeting warrant, and that the money raised
and appropriated April 6, for the repairs of highways and
bridges, be expended under the direction of the several Highway
Surveyors.
April 18. Voted to purchase a farm whereon to support the
poor.
Voted to appropriate the surplus revenue money towards pay-
ing for a farm, and Stephen Taft, Silas Dudley, Perry Wood,
Amariah Taft and Lewis Wood were chosen a committee for
that purpose.
May 1. The three following Amendments to the State Con-
stitution, being the XX., XXI. and XXII., having been adopted
by the Legislatures of 1856 and 1857, were ratified by the people
May 1, 1857, as follows, viz: —
Article 1. Voters to read the Constitution in the English language.
Yeas 92 ; noes 38.
Article 2d. The State to be divided into 240 Representative Districts.
Yeas 121 ; noes 10.
Article 3d. The State to be divided into 40 Senatorial Districts.
Yeas 131; noes, none.
Hamilton B. Staples having been chosen Moderator,
Voted that the vote " to reconsider all action at a former
meeting under the fifth article of the (March meeting) warrant,
passed at a town meeting held on the 18th day of April last past,
be and the same is hereby rescinded and made utterly null and
void."
♦Dead, 1880.
630 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1857.
Voted that the vote " that the money raised and appropriated
for the repair of highways, townwaysand bridges, to be expended
under the supervision of the several Highway Surveyors," at a
town meeting held on the 18th day of April last past, be and
the same is hereby rescinded and made utterly null and void.
Voted that the town do now choose, by ballot, some suitable
person, not having charge of nor disbursing any monies of the
town, to be Auditor of Accounts; whose duty it shall be to
make a detailed report on the financial affairs of the town at the
annual meeting, and, on or before the day of said meeting, to
cause a sufficient number of copies thereof to be printed, at the
expense of the town, to supply one copy to each tax payer.
John G. Metcalf was then chosen Auditor of Accounts for the
ensuing municipal year.
Voted that the Collector, Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor,
Selectmen, and all other persons or person having charge of or
disbursing any monies of the town, shall make a full return of
their doings and exhibit all the vouchers for their disburse-
ments to the Auditor of Accounts ten clays before the annual
meeting.
May 4. Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow
money to pay the town debts, provided it can be hired at a rate
not exceeding 6 per cent, per annum.
Voted to strike the sixth article from the warrant, which was
"to see if the town would allow a discount on all taxes paid
before a specified time."
Voted that the vote passed on the 18th day of April last, " to
appropriate the surplus revenue towards paying for a Poor
Farm," be and the same is hereby rescinded and made utterly
null and void. The vote was declared thus: — Yeas 50; noes 10.
The meeting was then adjourned without day.
May 23. Under a new warrant,
Voted that the town do purchase the farm of Millins A. Taft
as an Asylum for the Poor.
Voted that the town hereby authorize and instruct the Treas-
urer to hire a sufficient sum of money to pay for said farm, at a
rate of interest not to exceed 6 per cent, per annum.
Voted that the town hereby authorize and instruct the Treas-
urer, out of the monies raised for incidental expenses, to pay
1857.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 631
the interest on the sum of money he may hire for the purchase
of said farm, together with #100 of the principal, annually.
Arnold Taft, Leonard Taft, John CI. Metcalf, Perry Wood
and Elijah Taft were then chosen, by ballot, to be a committee
to purchase the farm of Milling A. Taft, to take a good and
sufficient deed of the same, providing the sum asked and the
terms of payment be satisfactory to said committee.
Voted that the town hereby authorize and instruct the com-
mittee chosen to purchase the farm of Millins A. Taft, out of
the money raised and appropriated for the support of the pour,
to provide all things necessary and proper for the management
of said farm, and for the support of the poor thereon.
Voted that the Overseers of the Poor, whenever they shall be
notified by the aforesaid committee that the Asylum for the
Poor is ready for their reception, be and they are hereby in-
structed to contract with some suitable person to manage said
farm, and have the care and oversight of the poor.
The number of enrolled militia was found to be 143.
July 10. At a meeting .of the Selectmen for the purpose, David Adams
was appointed Agent for the Sale of Spirituous Liquors in said town for
Medicinal, Mechanical and Manufacturing purposes for one year from the
date hereof unless sooner removed by the Selectmen. Said liquor to he
kept and sold at said Adams' dwelling house and he is to receive as com-
pensation therefor the sum of fifteen Dollars and to give bonds as the law
directs.
Alexander H. Allen, j Selectmen
Austin Wood, [- of
Samuel W. Gilbert. ) Mendon.
NOV. 3. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, N. P. Banks, R, had 83 votes. Elected.
H. J. Gardner, K. N., had 55
E. D. Beach, D., had 41 "
For Lt. Governor, Eliphalet Trask, R., had 81
Alexr. DeWitt, K. K, had 54 "
Albert Currier, D., had 41 "
For Councillor for District JVo. 6 — Charles R. Train, R., Framiugham, had
83 votes. A. A. Lawrence, D., Brookline, had 52 votes. A. H. Ward, K.
N., Newton, had 40 votes.
By the XX. and XXL amendments to the Constitution,
ratified by the people May 1, 1857, the Commonwealth was
632 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1858.
divided into two hundred and forty Representative Districts and
forty Senatorial Districts.
This was the first election held under the new rule. The fol-
lowing is the result in the several towns composing the Worcester
South East Senatorial District, viz: —
Mention
Sutton
Blackstone
Douglass
Milford
Northbridge
Uxbridge
1126 958 703
The twentieth Worcester Representative District comprised
the towns of Mendon and Uxbridge. The vote in Mendon was
as follows, viz:
Samuel W. Scott, Uxbridge, R , had 83 votes. C. A. Messenger, Ux-
bridge, K. N., had 49 votes. Samuel G. Wilcox, Mendon, D., had 39
votes. Samuel W. Scott was elected in the District.
J. G. Metcalf,
E.
II.
B. Staples.
I).
ll.
S. Mansfield, B
Mendon.
Mendon.
Blackstone.
84
38
55
196
65
67
136
190
145
90
156
70
356
322
210
137
59
103
127
128
53
1858. March 1. After voting to adopt the reports of the
Treasurer, Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Auditor of Ac-
counts, the Committee on Highways, and the Committee to
Purchase an Asylum for the Poor,
David Adams was chosen Town Clerk; Andrew H. Reed,
Treasurer; Stephen Taft, John S. Gaskill and Willard H. Swan,
Selectmen, and George Staples, Constable. Amariah A. Taft
was chosen Collector for $24.00.
Under a new law John G. Metcalf was chosen one of the
School Committee for three years, Samuel W. Gilbert for two
years and Davis Bills for one year.
Voted to strike the eleventh article from the warrant, which
was "to see if the town would appropriate the surplus revenue
money to pay for the Poor Farm," recently purchased of Millins
A. Taft.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for the support of
schools.
1858.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 633
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $000 for the repair of roads
and bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for incidental expenses.
Voted that the Constable have $10 for his services for the
year.
Perry Wood, Aaron C. Cook and Laban Bates were chosen to
superintend the repairs of roads and bridges.
Taxes Were foregone to the amount of $121.94.
Voted to accept the following list of Jurors presented by the
Selectmen, viz : —
David Adams, Lysander Grow, Aaron C. Cook,* Stephen Taft,* Zalmon
G. Wood, Welcome Staples,* Samuel H. Taft, Amariah A. Taft, M. C.
Gaskill, George Staples,* George Bates, Nathan George,* A. S. Freeman,*
Laban Bates,* Silas Dudley, Austin Wood, Elijah Taft,* R. M. Wheelock,*
O. R. Wheelock, Alexr. H. Allen,* Wm. T. Metcalf.*
April 5. Voted that the Selectmen, Treasurer and Overseers
of the Poor, for the present and for each succeeding year, be
instructed to complete their annual reports in sufficient season
to be printed and ready for distribution among the legal voters
of the town three days at least before the time of holding the
annual meeting; and to lodge a sufficient number of copies of
their reports, bound together, at the Post Office at South Mil-
ford and such other places as they may deem convenient for the
early circulation and distribution among the legal voters of the
town.
May 1. The number of persons liable to be enrolled in the
militia in the town was returned by the Assessors, and is 192.
August 18. Voted that the Treasurer be instructed to hire a
sum of money not to exceed $900, at 6 per cent., to pay town
debts.
Voted that the Selectmen give the Collector an indemnifying
bond, so far as the collection of the dog tax is' concerned, and
that the Collector proceed forthwith to collect all dog taxes
remaining unpaid.
Nov. 2. Taxes were foregone to the amount of $57.24.
*Dead 1880.
634 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1859.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, N. P. Banks, Waltham, R. , had 83 votes.
Elected.
Amos A. Lawrence, Brookliue, K. N., had 20 "
E. D. Beach, Springfield, D., had 35 "
For Lt. Governor, E. Trask, Springfield, R., had 83 "
Increase Sumner, G. B., K. K, had 20 "
Chas. Thompson, Charlestown, D., had 35 "
The candidates for Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor and
Attorney General had the same number of votes as the Governor,
and were elected.
FOR SENATOR, WORCESTER SOUTH-EAST DISTRICT.
J. G. Metcalf, R. Alvin Cook, D. Chas. F Chapin, K.N.
Mendon. Uxbridge. Milford.
Blackstone 191 186 86
Douglas 161 137 00
Mendon 82 33 23
Milford 473 451 24
Northbridge 157 51 44
Sutton 162 43 13
Uxbridge 191 115 8
1417 1016 198
Representative for the Twentieth Worcester District — Alanson S. Freeman,
R, Mendon, had 81 votes. A. H. Reed, K. N., Mendon, had 23 votes.
Joshua Garside, D., Uxbridge, had 35 votes. A. S. Freeman elected.
For Representative in Congress — Chas. Francis Adams, of Quiucy, R.,
had 81 votes; elected. Moses G. Cobb, of Dorchester, K. N., had 21 votes.
Arthur W. Austin, of West Roxbury, D., had 35 votes.
At this election John J. Piper, of Fitehburg, was chosen Reg-
ister of Probate; Alex'r. H. Wilder, of Worcester, Register of
Deeds; Anthony Chase, of Worcester, County Treasurer, and
Asaph Wood, of Gardner, County Commissioner.
Dec. 4. Alex'r. H. Allen was chosen agent to defend the suit
now pending between the inhabitants of the town of Douglas
and the inhabitants of the town of Mendon, relative to the
settlement of a pauper.
1859. March 7. The reports of the Treasurer and Selectmen
were accepted and placed on file.
1859.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 635
The Report of the Overseers of the Poor was laid on the table,
and, upon motion of Alexander H. Allen, the report was com-
mitted to three auditors, with instructions, with power to send
for persons and papers, and to report at the next town meeting
on the following matter, to wit:" —
1. The specific items of the reported expenditures that go to make up
the sum of fill. 27, contained in their printed report as the cost of support-
ing paupers away from the town the past year.
2. The specific items that go to make up the sum of $576.40, as the
reported cost of supporting the paupers on the farm the past year.
3. The specific items that go to make up the sum of $400.07, reported
as paid on bills contracted last year.
4. The specific items that go to make up the sum of $299.07, reported as
the amount of produce sold from the farm the past year.
5. The nature and amount of services rendered by R. H. Harback, for
which services the sum of $22.50 is reported to have been paid.
6. The amount of cash paid out by the Overseers, as charged in their
several bills, together with the specific items of services rendered by said
Overseers, as charged in their report.
Amariah Taft, John 8. Gaskill and Arnold Taft were then
chosen to audit the report of the Overseers of the Poor, pursuant
to the foregoing instructions.
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Alexander H. Reed, Treas-
urer; Scammell Aldrich, Sumner Ballon and Stephen Taft,
Selectmen; Lewis Wood, John M. Fowler and Arnold Taft,
Overseers of the Poor, and George W. Thayer, Constable.
The following list of jurors was accepted viz: —
*Aaron C. Cook, *George Staples, * Amariah A Taft, Samuel H. Taft,
Silas Dudley, Orson R. Wheelock, *Wm. T. Metcalf, David Adams,* Laban
Bates, *Welcome'Staples, Austin Wood, Zalmon G. Wood, Saml. G. Wil-
cox, Enos T. Albee, *Elijah Taft, Ezekiel P. Gaskill, *Stephen Taft, John
S. Gaskill, George Bates. *Jason Staples, *Andrus Wheelock.
April 4. Heard the Report of the Auditors chosen to investi-
gate the Report of the Overseers of the Poor, and voted the same
be laid on the table.
Alanson S. Freeman was elected School Committee for three
years.
Chose Elijah Dewing Collector of Taxes, and he to have 125
for his services.
* Dead 1880.
636 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1859.
Perry Wood, Aaron 0. Cook and Laban Bates were again chosen
to superintend repairs of highways and bridges.
The Report of the Auditors of the Overseers' Report was taken
from the table, and then voted that they have further time and
report at the next town meeting.
May 9. Heard the Auditors report, as above, and then voted
that the Auditors be discharged from any further duties.
Then voted that John G. Metcalf, Arnold Taft and Elijah
Dewing be Auditors to examine the Report of the Overseers of
the Poor, and make their report at a future meeting.
Taxes were foregone to the amount of $32.21.
Upon motion of John CI. Metcalf the following By-Law, con-
cerning Dogs, was adopted, viz:
Pursuant to the fourteenth section of an act "concerning Dogs," ap-
proved April 6, 1859, the Inhabitants of the Town of Mendon do ordain
and establish the following additional By-Law, viz:
Section 1. All Dogs owned or kept in the town of Mendon shall wear a
strong and sufficient muzzle made of iron wire.
Section 2. Any person may, and every Police Officer and Constable shall
kill, or cause to be destroyed, all Dogs going at large and not muzzled ac-
cording to the foregoing section.
Section 3. Every Police Officer and Constable refusing or neglecting to
perform the duties imposed by the preceding section, shall be punished by
a fine not exceeding ten dollars, which shall be paid into the town treasury.
Section 4. Whoever keeps a Dog, not muzzled according to the first sec-
tion of this By-Law, shall forfeit the sum of ten dollars to be recovered to
the use of the town.
Section 5. This By-Law shall take effect from and after the sixteenth
day of May, in the year of our Lord 1859.
Voted that the committee heretofore chosen to repair the Town
Hall, be authorized to purchase suitable furniture for the same.
The twenty-third article of amendment to the Constitution of
the State, "defining the right to vote and the eligibility to office
of persons of foreign birth," having been adopted by the Gen-
eral Court of 1858 and 1859, was ratified by the following vote:
Yeas 39. Nays 26.
The number of men liable to enrollment was found to be 162.
Nov. 8. Voted that the Overseers of the Poor be directed to
use their best endeavours for the removal of Mary Marsh, now in
I860.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 637
the Insane Hospital, at Worcester, to the Asylum for the Poor,
in the town of Mendon.
Taxes were foregone to the amount of $54. 75.
The Auditors chosen May 9, to examine the Report of the
Overseers of 'the Poor, having read their report, it was
Voted that the same he emhodied in the annual printed report
of the Selectmen.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, N. P. Banks, Waltliarn, R, had 62 votes. Elected.
Benj. F. Butler, Lowell, D.( had 81 "
For L.t. Governor, Eliphalet Trask, Springfield, had 63 "
S. C. Bemis, Springfield, had 83 "
The ballots for other State and County officers varied but little
from the numbers cast for Governor.
For Councillor, District No. 6— Aaron C. Mayhew, of Milford, R. had 63
votes. A. H. Ward, of Newton, D. , had 80 votes.
For Senator, South-east Worcester District — Simon "Woodbury, of Sutton,
R, had 63 votes. Alvin Cook, of Uxbridge, D., had 81 votes.
Alvin Cook elected by 17 over Simon Woodbury.
Fbr Representative to the General Court, District No. 20 — Scott Seagraves,
Uxbridge, R, had 61 votes. Sumner Ballon, Mendon, D., had 86 votes,
and elected.
i860. March 5. Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Sumner
Ballon, Henry A. Aldrich and Alex'r H. Allen, Selectmen; John
G. Metcalf, Treasurer; A. H. Allen, School Committee for three
years, and George W. Thayer, Constable, and to be allowed $10
for his services.
Voted that the Treasurer be allowed $10 for his services.
Voted that the Overseers of the Poor be allowed $6 each for
their services.
John S. Gaskill, Solomon Pratt and Lewis Stone were chosen
Agents to superintend the repair of roads and bridges.
Voted that the Board of Assessors consist of three persons, to be
voted for on one ballot. A few votes having been cast, it was
discovered by the presiding officer that the voters were not voting
for the persons that they designed to vote for, therefore it was
voted "That the contents of the ballot-box be poured out, and
commence again to vote for Assessors."
638 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1860.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $600 for repairs of highways
and bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for incidental expenses.
Voted that all taxes paid on or before the first Monday in
December shall be entitled to 10 per cent, discount.
March 31. Voted to accept the report of the committee chosen
to repair and furnish the Town Hall, and that it be placed on
file.
The reports of the Liquor Agent and Highway Surveyors
(agents) were also accepted and placed on file.
Voted to strike the eighth article from the warrant, " To see
if the town will alter the mode of dividing the school money."
Voted to strike the fourteenth article from the warrant, "To
see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money equal to
one dollar, more or less, for each poll, for the purpose of estab-
lishing a Public Library for the use of the town."
Voted to strike out the fifteenth article of the warrant, "To
see if the town will instruct the Liquor Agent not to sell any
spirituous and intoxicating liquors to any except an inhabitant
of the town, and also to prosecute all cases of fraud and decep-
tion employed to obtain liquor from him."
Voted to accept the list of Jurors, as follows, viz:
* Welcome Staples, *Wm. T. Metcalf, * Jason Staples, *Elijah Taft,
♦Stephen Taft, *Andrus Wheelock, David Adams, Enos T. Albee, Zalmon
G. Wood, *George Staples, John S. Gaskill, Ezekiel T. Gaskill, Gilbert
Cook, Sumner Ballon, *Ira W. Cook, O. R. Wheelock, *Seth H. Hayward,
Elias T. Bates, Waterman Taft, John R. Hayward, M. C. Gaskill.
The XXVth and XXVIth Articles of Amendment to the State
Constitution, in regard to vacancies in the Senate and Council,
were ratified as follows, viz:
XXV. Article. Yeas 12. Nays 4. XXVI. Article. Yeas 13. Nays 3.
April 27. This day the Selectmen appointed David Adams,
Liquor Agent, and fixed his salary at $20.00.
June 30. Alanson Taft was appointed Collector of Taxes,
and to be paid $24.50, he being the lowest bidder.
*Dead 1880.
I860.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
639
Voted that the 'Selectmen be instructed to enforce the law
(pursuant to an act of the General Court), entitled " An act
concerning Contagious Diseases among Cattle," to its full
extent.
The List of persons enrolled in the militia May 1, I860, as
certified by the Assessors, was found to be 180.
Nov. (J
PK ES 1 1 ) E XT1 A L ELECTION.
Electors at Large — George Mowry, Boston, R., had 157 votes. R. A.
Chapman, Springfield, R., had 157 votes. Scattering, 8 votes. Isaac Da-
vis, Worcester, D. , had 47 votes. Charles Hubner, Lee, D. , had 47 votes. .
Scattering 8 votes.
District No. 1. District No. 7.
Alfred Macy, Nantucket, R 157 George Cochrane, Methuen, R. . .157
Alex'" Baxter, Yarmouth, D 47 G. W. Dike, Stoneham, D 47
No. 2.
J. M. Mitchell, E. Bridgewater.R. 157
B. G. Chase, Somerset, D 47
No. 3.
Jno. M. Forbes, Milton, R 157
Henry A. Aldrich, Mendon, D.. 47
No. 4.
Chas B. Hall, Boston, R 157
W. J. Reynolds, Roxbury, D. .. . 47
No. 5.
P. W. Chandler, Boston, R 157
K S. Chaffee, Cambridge, D. . . . 47
No. 6.
John G. Whittier, Amesbury, R. 157
George Upton, Salem, D 47
For Representative in Congress, Third District. — Charles Francis Adams,
Quincy, had 154 votes; elected. Leverett Saltonstall, Newton, had 61
votes.
No 8.
Jno. Nesmith, Lowell, R 157
Ambrose Sloper, Natick, D 47
No. 9.
Amasa Walker, N.Brooktield, R. 157
Levi Barker, Worcester, D 47
No. 10.
Chas. Field, Athol, R 157
S. C. Bemis, Springfield, D 47
No. 11.
Chas. Mattoon. Greenfield, R ...157
Phineas Allen, Pittsfield, D 47
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor,
John A. Andrew, Boston, R., had 152 votes.
Elected.
E. D. Beach, Springfield, D., had 47 "
ForLt. Governor, John Z. Goodrich, Stockbridge, R., had 152 "
Chas. Thompson, Charlestown, D., had 47 "
Candidates for other State officers had about the same number
of ballots.
For Senator, Worcester South-east District — Winslow Battles, Milford, R.,
had 146 votes; elected. Francis Deane, Uxbridge, D., had 68 votes.
640 ANNALS OF MENUON. [1861.
Representative to the General Court, District No. XX. — Newell Tyler,
Uxbridge, R, had 154 votes. Girdon K. Spaulding, Uxbridge, D., had 58
votes. Newell Tyler was elected by 200.majority.
Sept. Perambulations of the various town lines with the ad-
joining towns were made during the month by the Selectmen.
l86l. March -4. Chose for Town Clerk, David Adams; Alex-
ander H. Allen, Henry A. Aldrichand Austin Wood, Selectmen;
John G. Metcalf, Treasurer and School Committee for three years;
George W. Thayer, Constable, and Aaron C. Cook, Collector,
at $23.00.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for the support of
schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $700 for repair of roads and
bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for incidental expenses.
Taxes were foregone to the amount of $20.64.
Voted, upon motion of Alanson S. Freeman, that all taxes
paid before the first day of July, of the present year, shall be
entitled to an abatement of 6 per cent, upon the amount so
paid; all taxes paid before the first day of August to 5 per cent. ;
all before the first day of September to 4 per cent. ; all before
the first day of October to 3 per cent. ; all before the first day of
November to 2 percent., and all before the first day of Decem-
ber to 1 per cent. ; and all taxes remaining unpaid on the first
day of December the Collector is hereby instructed to collect
forthwith.
Voted to adopt the second section, Chapter 83, of the General
Statutes, as follows, viz:
" Whoever takes or catches any Pickerel or Trout in any Rivers, Streams
or Ponds, in any other manner than by hooks and lines, or takes or catches
any Pickerel from the 1st day of December to the 1st day of May, shall
forfeit one dollar for every pickerel or trout so taken, and if he is a minor
his guardian shall be liable to said forfeiture."
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to hire a sufficient
sum of money to pay Millins A. Taft the note he holds against
1861.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 641
the town, (for the Poor Farm,) at a rate not exceeding 6 per
cent.
The reports of the Treasurer, Selectmen, Overseers of the
Poor, Highway Surveyors and Liquor Agent were severally read
and accepted.
The number of persons between the ages of l.S and 45, and
liable to enrollment in the militia, was found to be 18G.
NOV. FOR REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, THIRD DISTRICT.
Hon. Charles Francis Adams, having been appointed Minister
to England, a meeting was held to fill the vacancy caused by his
resignation, and with the following result, viz: —
Benjamin F. Thomas, of West Roxbury, R., had 37 votes. Elected.
Eleazer Beal, of Randolph, D., had 1 vote.
Upon motion of Dr. John G. Metcalf, the following votes
were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the Inhabitants oi* the Town of Mendou, fully according with
the sentiments of loyalty and patriotism which find such unparalleled
unanimity of expression in all the States still true to the Union and the
Constitution, and fully believing it to be their duty to use all the means in
their power to sustain the Government of the United States until the pres-
ent unprovoked and wicked rebellion against its rightful authority is
effectually overcome,
Therefore voted that the sum of Five thousand dollars be raised and ap"
propriated, and, if necessary, the same be applied, under the direction of
the Selectmen, for the purpose of paying one dollar per week for the aid of
the wife and the sum of one dollar per week for the aid of each of the
children, under sixteen years of age, of any of their inhabitants who, as a
member of the volunteer militia of this State may have been mustered into
or enlisted in the service of the United States ; and the further sum of one
dollar per week for each parent, brother, sister or child who,, at the time of
his enlistment, was dependent on him for support.
This vote was based upon Chapter 223 of the Acts of 1861,
passed May 23, 1861, being " An Act in aid of the families of
Volunteers," &c.
Voted that the Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed, in anticipa-
tion of the assessment and collection of the said sum of five thousand dollars,
whenever thereto notified, in writing, by the Selectmen, to hire in behalf
of the town, such sums of money as the Selectmen shall, from time to
time, judge necessary to carry into effect the preceding vote, not to exceed,
in the whole, the sum of five thousand dollars.
81
642 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1862.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to hire a sum, not to
exceed five hundred dollars, to meet the current expenses of the
town.
Nov. 5. STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, John A. Andrew, Boston, R. , had 88 votes. Elected.
Isaac Davis, Worcester, D., had 59 "
For Lt. Governor, John Nesmith, Lowell, R., had 87 "
Edwin C. Bailey, Boston, D., had 59 "
The other State and County officers, except those of Council-
lor, Clerk of the Courts and Register of Deeds, had about the
same number of votes as the Governor. The votes for James
Ritchie for Councillor, for Joseph Mason, Clerk of the Courts,
and for Alexander H. Wilder, for Register of Deeds, were unani-
mous.
For Representative to the General Court 20th District — William T. Metcalf,
Mendon, R. , had 83 votes. Sumner Ballou, Mendon, D., had 63 votes.
George Cisco, Mendon, had 1 vote.
Wm. T. Metcalf chosen by 102 majority in the district.
1862. March 3. The Reports of the Town Officers were read
and severally adopted.
David Adams was chosen Town Clerk; John G. Metcalf,
Treasurer; Alexander H. Allen, Henry A. Aldrich and Austin
Wood, Selectmen; George W. Thayer, Constable; Alanson S.
Freeman, School Committee for three years, and Francis F.
Wheelock, Collector, at $28.00.
Voted to raise and appropriate $800 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $600 for repair of roads and
bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $800 for incidental expenses.
A motion was made and lost to repair the roads and bridges as
last year, that is, the highway appropriation to be paid in money,
and the same expended under the direction of Agents.
It was then voted that the appropriation for repair of roads
and bridges be assessed and be paid in labor and materials.
Voted that ten cents an hour be allowed for a man and the
1862.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 643
same for a cart and oxen, and five cents an hour for a plough
while in use.
The following persons were chosen Surveyors of Highways in
the several Districts into which the town was formerly divided.
viz:
District 1, Joseph Cummings; District 2, Leonard Taft; District 3, Fras.
F. Taft; District 4, Lewis Stone; District 5, Milton Aldrich; District 6,
George Mowrey; District 7, Luther E Taft; District 8, Benjamin Bates;
District 9, Christopher Daniels; District 10, William Wood; District 11,
Eli Bates; District 12, John S. Gaskill; District 13, Lyman Darling.
Taxes to the amount of $105.36 were then foregone.
Voted that the same abatements be made in the payment of
taxes as last year, provided the Collector shall satisfy the Treas-
urer that the abatements have been made to the persons whose
taxes have been paid.
Voted that Mrs. Catharine Taft (she having received no tidings
from her husband for many years) lie regarded, in future, in the
matter of the assessment of taxes on her real estate, as a Widow.
thus exempting her estate from taxation to the amount of five
hundred dollars.
The following list of Jurors was accepted, viz:
Silas Dudley, Wm. T. Metcalf,* David Adams, Enos T. Albee, Ira W.
Cook,* Charles Fletcher, JohnR. Hay ward, Micajah C. Gaskill, Davis Bills,
Willard Wilcox, Aaron C. Cook,* Eli Bates, Alanson Taft, R. M. Whee
loek,* Orson R. Wheelock, Perry Wood, E. P. Gaskill, Gilbert Gaskill,
Philo W. Brown.
June 6, The number of persons liable to enrollment, as re-
turned by the Assessors this day, was 185.
July 21. Order No. 26 of Gov. Andrew, calling upon the
town to furnish eighteen recruits, as its quota to answer the call
of the President for 300,000 men, being under consideration.
The following Preamble and Resolutions were offered by Dr.
John C Metcalf, which, after amending the second resolution,
by making the bounty one hundred and fifty instead of one hun-
dred dollars, were almost unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Ala-
bama, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and portions of
Tennessee and Virginia are now in open and flagrant rebellion against the
* Dead in 1880.
644 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1862.
Government of the United States, with the avowed intention of substitut-
ing in its stead a government based on Human Slavery ; and
Whereas, the President of the United States (Abraham Lincoln), in the
discharge of his official duty, and for the purpose of bringing said Rebel-
lion to a speedy close, and thereby re-establishing the supremacy of the
Government over those portions of the country now held by the armed oc-
cupation of Rebels and Traitors, has issued his call for three hundred
thousand volunteers, to reinforce the armies of the Union now in the field ;
and
Whereas, a prompt, unhesitating and patriotic response to the call of the
President will be the surest means to accomplish the certain and triumphant
overthrow of the present wicked and inexcusable rebellion, therefore
1. Resolved, that the Inhabitants of the Town of Mendon, in town meet-
ing legally assembled, do hereby solemnly and unitedly, with all the means
which God has placed in our hands, pledge ourselves to sustain said call;
and, to that end, will use our utmost endeavors to furnish the quota of
volunteers allotted them by Order No. 26, of the Governor of this Common-
wealth, in the shortest possible period of time.
2. Resolved, that, having the fullest confidence in the patriotism of its
citizens, but taking into consideration the great and increasing demand for
labor at the present juncture, and as the present is a season of the year
when, especially in an agricultural community, men cannot so readily fore-
go their ordinary avocations, the Town do hereby promise to pay a Bounty
of one hundred and fifty dollars, each, to such able bodied volunteers as
shall promptly enlist into the Army of the United States, pursuant to the
call above mentioned.
3. Resolved, that the Treasurer of the Town, in its behalf and upon a
pledge of its credit, be and he is hereby authorized, empowered and
directed to hire a sufficient sum of money, not exceeding twenty-seven hun-
dred and fifty dollars, for the purpose of paying the bounties, as provided
in the preceding section.
4. Resolved, that when any number of persons, not exceeding eighteen
in number, shall volunteer their services to make up the quota required of
this town, by the order before mentioned, and it shall be made to appear to
the Selectmen that such persons have been duly mustered into the service
of the United States, they are hereby directed to make out and give to each
of such persons as shall volunteer on or before the 10th day of August
next, or to some one by them, in writing, authorized to receive it, an order
on the Treasurer for the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars; and to such
as shall volunteer after that date, to fill up the quota required, or to any
one, by them, in writing, authorized to receive it, an order on the Treasurer
for one hundred dollars.
5. Resolved, that the Selectmen of the town are hereby requested to
communicate, if necessary, with the proper authorities, and to use their
best endeavors to place in Camp John E. Wool, at Worcester, at the earliest
practicable day, the full complement of volunteers allotted to this town.
1862.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 645
6. Resolved, that we remember with emotions of the profoundest grati-
tude, the unselfish and patriotic sacrifices of those who have gone out from
our midst, to do battle with traitors, for the preservation of our dearest
rights as freemen; and, as the most significant and practical expression of
that gratitude, we hereby pledge our utmost and united efforts until the
speedy and efficient reinforcement of the armies in which they are serving
shall be fully accomplished.
7. Resolved, that we affectionately tender to the relatives and friends of
George W. Wilcox, Samuel Hall, Juba F. Pickering and Alanson Bath-
rick, Volunteers from this town, and who have laid down their lives in the
present conflict, the warmest expression of our condolence and sympathy,
commending them, in their bereavement, to the care and keeping of Him
who doeth all things well.
8. Resolved, that we heartily endorse the recent legislation of Congress,
whereby a bill " To suppress insurrection, to punish Treason and Rebel-
lion, to seize and confiscate the property of Rebels and for other purposes,"
has become the law of the land; and believing it can be used as the most
efficient means to overthrow' rebellion and restore peace to the country, we
hereby invoke the President of the United States to carry the same into full
and immediate effect.
Voted, on motion of Alexander H. Allen, that out of the
money appropriated by the town, by a vote passed June 11,
1861, (for raising five thousand dollars,) to aid the families of
volunteers from this town, the Selectmen pay the widow and
children of any deceased volunteer the sum per month they
would be entitled to receive under said vote, and the Treasurer
be directed to provide funds to pay the same as specified in said
vote.
August 10. Voted that the town offer a bounty of two hun-
dred dollars to each person who may volunteer and be mustered
into the service of the United States, to fill up the quota which
may be allotted to the town of Mendon in the draft of 300,000
men lately ordered by the President.
Voted that the town raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of
money to pay to each person, who may volunteer and be mus-
tered into the service of the United States to fill up the quota
which may be allotted to the town of Mendon in the draft of
300,000 men lately ordered by the President of the United
States, the sum of $200.
Voted that the Selectmen be directed to issue their order to
the Treasurer to pay the sum of #200 to each person who may
volunteer to fill up the quota, as mentioned in the preceding
646 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1862.
vote, upon satisfactory evidence that such volunteer has heen
mustered into the service of the United States.
Voted that the Selectmen be requested to use their endeavours
to procure a sufficient number of volunteers to fill up the quota
before mentioned, and for this purpose, if they see fit, they are
hereby empowered and authorized to appoint an agent to act in
their behalf, and under their direction.
August 30. The vote passed at a town meeting held August
19th, inst., "to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money
&c," was now reconsidered, and the following substitute was
adopted, viz: —
Voted to authorize, empower and direct the Treasurer, in behalf of the
town and upon a pledge of its credit, to hire a sufficient sum of money to
pay to each person who may volunteer (and be mustered into the service of.
the United States,) to fill the quota of this town which may be allotted to
it under the Order of the President for a draft of 300,000 men, the sum of
$200.
Voted that the Selectmen be directed to issue their order to the Treasurer
of the Town, to pay the sum of $200 to each person who may volunteer to
fill up the quota as mentioned in the preceding vote, upon satisfactory
evidence that such volunteer has been mustered into the service of the
United States.
October 1. It having been now ascertained that the quota for
Mendon, in the draft for $300,000 men, ordered by the Presi-
dent, was twenty-eight in number, and inasmuch as it was in-
tended to pay bounties only to those who should be credited to
the town of Mendon, the following votes were now passed:
Voted that the town will pay the sum of $200 each to those who have or
may volunteer and be sworn and mustered into the service of the United
States for nine months, pursuant to the late call of the President, not ex-
ceeding 28 in number, provided it shall appear that such persons will be
credited to the town of Mendon.
Voted that the Treasurer be instructed and authorized to hire a sufficient
sum of money to pay $200 to each one who has or may volunteer and be
sworn and mustered into the service of the United States, not exceeding 28
in number, provided it shall appear that they will be credited to the town of
Mendon.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to issue their orders pursuant to
the preceding votes.
October 9. At this meeting two letters were received from
1863.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 647
Alexander H. Allen and Henry A. Aldrieh, resigning their of-
fices as Selectmen.
Voted that said letters be placed on file.
Voted to choose two selectmen on one ballot to till the vacan-
cies occasioned by the resignations of A. H. Allen and H. A.
Aldrieh.
John Gr. Metcalf'and Ira W. Cook were chosen Selectmen.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, John A. Andrew, Boston, R, had 128 votes. Elected.
do. Chas. Devens, Worcester, D., had 55 "
For Lt. Governor, Joel Hayden, Williamsburg, R., had 128
Thos. F. Plunkett, Pittsfield, D. , had 55 "
All the other candidates for State and County offices, except
the District Attorney and Comity Commissioner, received just
the same number of votes as were cast for the candidates for
Governor.
P. Emory Aldrieh, of Worcester, for District Attorney, and
Amory Holman, of Boston, for County Commissioner, had all
the votes cast, 183 in number, each.
For Senator, Worcester South-east District — William R. Hill, of Sutton,
R., had 128 votes; (elected). Warren Hunt, of Douglas, D., had 55 votes.
For Representative to the General Court, District No. XX. — William C. Ca-
pron, of Uxbridge, R. had 127 votes. Charles E. Whitin, of Uxbridge, D.,
had 56 votes. Wm. C. Capron had in the District (Meudon and Uxbridge,)
131 majority.
1863. March %. Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Alex-
ander H. Allen, Henry 0. Steward and John S. Gaskill, Select-
men; John G. Metcalf, Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable;
Ira W. Cook, Collector, at $24.75, and Davis Bills, School Com-
mittee for three years.
Voted to choose thirteen Highway Surveyors.
Voted the highways and bridges be repaired the same as last
year.
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $226.46.
Voted that the town do not abolish the School Districts. This
vote was taken pursuant to section 4, Chap. 39, of the General
Statutes, which required that the question of abolishing the
648 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1863.
School Districts should be acted on by the towns once in three
years.
The following list of Jurors was adopted, viz:
Alexander H. Allen,* David Adams, M. C. Gaskill, Wm. T. Metcalf,*
Willard Wilcox, Aaron C. Cook,* Eli Bates,* Alanson Taft, Perry Wood,
Gilbert Gaskill, Adoniram J. Dawley,* John S. Gaskill, Andre South wick,
Henry O. Steward, Austin Wood, Labau Bates, David W. Bennett, An-
drew H. Reed, Linus B. Staples,* Nathl. A. Iumau, Austin A. Taft.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to hire a sum of money,
not exceeding 1600, in anticipation of the collection of the taxes.
Voted to discontinue a road laid out by the County Commis-
sioners, August 23, 1860, upon the petition of Joseph Cum-
mings.
Chose a Highway Surveyor for each of the thirteen Highway
Districts.
Voted that all taxes paid on or before the first day of July
shall be entitled to a discount of six per cent., and that all taxes
remaining unpaid on the first day of December, shall be put in
process of collection by law, and that the town will indemnify
the Collector for the costs of such collection.
Voted to raise and appropriate $800 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $600 for repair of highways
and bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $900 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for interest on the town
debt.
April 6. On motion of Henry A. Aldrich it was voted that
the Treasurer be authorized to hire a sufficient sum of money to
pay the present indebtedness of the town, provided it can be pro-
cured at a less rate of interest than six per cent., it being under-
stood that preference in making loans shall be given to the in-
habitants of Mendon.
On motion of Henry A. Aldrich it was voted that the Select-
men be authorized and directed to draw their order on the Treas-
urer for the payment of one dollar per week each to the widow,
children, parent, brother or sister, pursuant to chapter 76 of the
Acts of 1863, not exceeding twelve dollars per month to any one
*Dead 1880.
1863. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 649
family; and that the Treasurer be authorized and empowered to
hire on behalf of the town a sufficient sum of money to pay the
orders as above directed.
The committee chosen March 2, ultimo, "To see if the town
can be more equally divided into Highway Districts," made a re-
port which was accepted.
Tbey recommend to divide the town into live Highway Dis-
tricts, the boundaries of which may be found in vol. 8, pp. 12,
13 and 14, and that to equalize the Districts, Nos. 2 and 3 should
be paid fifteen dollars and No. 4 twenty-live dollars. John S.
Gaskill for District No. 1, Erastus Hill for No. 2, Laban Bates
for No. 3, Alanson S. Freeman for No. 4, and Perry Wood for
No. 5, were then chosen Highway Surveyors.
Voted to reconsider the vote choosing thirteen Highway Sur-
veyors, passed March 2d ult.
AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION.
The Article of Amendment being the XXVIth, "Relating to
the right to vote and their eligibility to office of persons of
foreign birth," having been adopted by the Legislatures of 1862
and 1863, was ratified by the following vote:
For the Amendment — Yeas 49. Nays 1.
April 11. Voted to forego taxes to the amount of 112.04.
Voted that a vote passed March 2 ult., allowing a discount of
six per cent, on all taxes paid on or before July 1, 1863, be re-
considered.
Voted that to all taxes remaining unpaid after the 15th day of
July of the present year, interest, at the rate of one percent,
per month shall be added thereto until paid.
May 2. Voted that the Treasurer be and he is hereby author-
ized and directed to issue Bonds, upon the credit of the Town,
for a sum of money not exceeding Eighteen Thousand Dollars,
for the purpose of paying the present indebtedness of the town,
at a rate of interest not exceeding five per cent, per annum; said
Bonds not to be sold at less than their par value, and to be re-
deemed at the office of the Treasurer in five and ten years.
Voted the Treasurer be and he is hereby directed to advertise
for proposals for said loan in sums of fifty, one hundred and
five hundred dollars each, each proposal to be made in writing
82
(350 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1863.
and sealed, stating the amount desired, with the terms and time.
Voted that the Treasurer be and he is hereby authorized and
directed to issue bonds, at the rate and for the time above speci-
fied, for such sums as may be necessary to defray the future lia-
bilities of the town on account of the present war.
June 5. The Assessors returned that the enrolled militia were
128, and that Orrin Cook, John B. Rockwood, Albert Cook.
Martin S. Howe, Frederic Bates, James C. Moore, John F. Moore.
George Wilbur, Alderman C. Cook, Benj. H. Smith, Wm, D.
Cole, Jacob B. Gurley, Abel Weatherhead, Lucius Lowell, Ed-
win M. Wheelock, Nathan Wheelock, Lowell C. Cook, Freeman
Cole, Herbert A. Bennett, John Cross, Waterman Taft, Edward
L. Staples, Franklin Freeman, George H. Payson, John II. Taft.
Elias A. Adams, Henry Bates and James W. Wilson (28 in num-
ber), were found serving in the army.
General P. Taft, John P. Sannders, Capt. Francis A. John-
son and Otis E. Thayer were found discharged.
Capt. Johnson's family had recently removed from Milford.
David Adams was reappointed Liquor Agent for twelve months.
Sept. 26. Voted to reconsider the vote passed March 2, 1803,
discontinuing the road laid out by the County Commissioners,
Aug. 23, 18G0, and appropriate not exceeding $250 for repair of
said road, provided the County Commissioners will consent there-
to. This is the Cummings road.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, John A. Andrew, Boston, R. , had 77 votes.' Elected.
Henry W. Paine, Cambridge, D., had 37
For Lt. Governor, Joel Hayden, Williamsburg, R.,had 77
Tlios. F. Pluukett, Pittsiield, D. , had 37 ' '
The other candidates for State offices received the same num-
ber of votes as the candidates for Governor.
For Councillor, Sixth District — Jonathan D. Wheeler, Grafton, R., had 74
votes. Win. Mixter, Hardwick, D., had 37 votes.
For Senator, Worcester South-east District — Winslow Battles, Milford, R,
had 75 votes; Elected. Daniel Sonthwick, Blackstone, D., had 37 votes.
For Representative to the General Court, District No. 20 — Scott Seagrave,
Oxbridge, R., had 75 votes. Henry A. Aldrich, Mendon, D., had 32 votes.
Scott Seagraves had 108 majority in the District (Mendon and Uxbridge).
John G. Metcalf having been chosen Moderator,
Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $08.01.
1863.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 651
Voted to reconsider a vote passed Sept. 2Gth ult., whereby the
town voted not to accept a road from near the house of James
M. Staples to connect with the Quissett road (so-called).
Voted to accept of said road, as laid out by the Selectmen,
between the termini as above mentioned, and that the sum of
one hundred dollars be appropriated for building said road and
repairing the Quissett road.
Dec. 12. Voted to choose a committee of seven, one from
each school district in town, to aid the Selectmen in filling the
quota under the late call of the President for 300,000 men for
the army.
District 1. Austin D. Davenport. District 5. Clark Cook,
do 2. Lewis Stone, 2nd. do 6. Saml. H. Taft.
do 3. Addison Aldnch. do 7. Royal M. Wheelock.
do 4. Laban Bates.
On motion of John G. Metcalf, it was voted, as instructions
to the Selectmen and Treasurer, and as explanatory of the vote
passed June 11, 1861, that in computing the disbursements
under said appropriation ($5000) only the excess of the sum dis-
bursed in each year for the aid to families of volunteers, over
the sum reimbursed by the Commonwealth for the same, shall
be charged*as the annual expenditure under said appropriation*;
and that all monies reimbursed by the Commonwealth to the
town, for aid furnished the families of volunteers, shall be added
to said appropriation and paid out by the Selectmen, agreeable
to the provisions of said vote, until the full sum of rive thou-
sand dollars, exclusive of the monies so reimbursed, shall have
been paid out.
Voted that the town will pay the same amount (per week or
month), of money for aid to any of the families of any of its
inhabitants who may be drafted into the military service of the
United States, as is paid to the families of volunteers.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow such sums
of money, from time to time, as may be necessary to carry into
effect the preceding vote.
REV. WILLIAM TATE PHELAN, THE SIXTEENTH MINISTER.
The Rebellion breaking out in 1861, the people finding them-
selves heavily, though willingly, taxed for the support of the
652 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1864.
government, abated somewhat in their customary support of pub-
lic religious worship, and for three years the pulpit was supplied
only occasionally.
In May, 1863, Mr. Phelan was engaged to fill the pastoral
office, and continued to discharge its duties until April 27,
1866, when he was dismissed at his own request. Since then he
has acceptably filled the office of Minister-at- Large in the city of
Portland, Me.
1864. March 7. The reports of the Treasurer, Selectmen,
Overseers of the Poor and Licpior Agent, were severally made
and accepted.
David Adams was chosen Town Clerk; Alexander H. Allen,
Dan Hill and John S. Gaskill, Selectmen; John G. Metcalf,
Treasurer; George W. Thayer and Lewis Stone, 2nd, Constables,
and Perry Wood, Collector" at $32.00.
Gustavus B. Williams was elected School Committee for three
years.
Voted to add three members to the School Committee, and
chose Joseph Thayer for one year, David Adams for two years,
and M. C. Gaskill for three years.
Voted to adopt the same method as last year for the collection
of the taxes.
Voted to allow fifteen cents an hour for labor on the high-
ways, the same for a yoke of oxen and cart, and ten cents au
hour for a plough.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1200 for the support of
schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $550 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for repair of roads and
bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for payment of interest
on the public debt.
Voted to forego* taxes to the amount of $42.90.
Lysander Grow and Timothy Ellis were chosen a committee
to examine the hearse and report what repairs are necessary.
1864.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 653
A motion made by Perry Wood that the school money be
divided, one-balf by the number of the districts and one-half by
the number of scholars, received four votes and eighteen against
the motion.
The list of Jurors was adopted by the town as follows, viz:
*Alanson S. Freemau, *Andrus Wheelock, Gilbert Cook, Putmau W.
Taft,* Laban Bates, *A. J. Dawley, Andrew H. Reed, John S. Gaskill,
*Wm. T. Metcalf, Willard Wilcox, David Adams, D. W. Bennett, Eli
Bates, Andre Southwick, Henry O. Steward, Austin Wood, Natbl, A.
Inman,* Alexr. H. Allen, M. C. Gaskill, Perry Wood, Alansou Taft.
April 2. Silas Dudley, Perry Wood and Seth T. Staples were
chosen a committee to repair the hearse.
The' School Committee were required, by vote, to choose a
Superintendent of the Public Schools, and Gastavus B. Williams
was appointed.
Voted to discontinue that part of the road leading from the
house of Timothy Ellis to the Milford road, leading from the
house of Silas Dudley, which lies against the land of Elbridge
G. Cook.
Voted to refer the fifth article in the warrant, " relating to
truant children, &c," to the School Committee.
Voted that the Overseers of the Poor make such repairs or
additions to the Asylum as the present wants and future com-
forts and convenience of its inmates may seem to them to
require.
May 28. Voted to reconsider the vote passed March 7, to
choose three Selectmen, and then voted to add two more to the
Board.
Samuel H. Taft and Albert W. Gaskill were chosen Select-
men.
Voted to appropriate a sum of money, not to exceed four
thousand dollars, for the purpose of procuring the town's pro-
portion of the quota of volunteers in the military service, under
any order or call of the President of the United States, issued
after the first day of March, 1864, and before the first day of
March, 1865.
This vote was passed in accordance with Chapter 120 of the
Acts of 1864.
*Dead in 1880.
654 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1864.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized aud directed to hire a
sum of money, upon the credit of the town, not to exceed $4000,
in such sums as may be needed for procuring recruits to till the
quotas of Mendon, under any call of the President between
March 1, 1864, and March 1, 18G5.
By the Act above mentioned the bounty could not exceed
$125.
Julius A. George was chosen a Selectman, to fill the vacancy
made by the resignation of Dan Hill.
Voted that the seventh article in the warrant, which was "to
see if the Town would purchase a New Hearse," be stricken from
the warrant.
August 15. A motion was made by Perry Wood "that the
town pay in gold the sum of $125 already voted to be paid to
volunteers."
Upon this motion a point of order was raised by Alexander H.
Allen, that inasmuch as the motion, as well as the article in the
warrant, affirmed that the town had voted $125 to each volun-
teer, when they had not done so, therefore the motion was not
in order, and upon this asked for the decision of the Chair.
The Moderator (John G. Metcalf,) decided that the point was
well taken, and ruled that the motion was not in order. Upon
this decision an appeal was taken, when the decision of the
Chair was unanimously sustained.
Nov. 8. Voted that the town do pay the families of persons
not residents of said town, mustered into the service of the
United States as a part of the town's quota, a sum not exceeding
twelve dollars per month for each family; and that the Treas-
urer be directed to hire such sums of money as may be required
to carry out said vote.
Austin Wood, Silas Dudley and William T. Metcalf were
chosen a committee to confer with a committee of the Second
School District to consider and determine, first, whether the
Town or the District is, at present, legally obliged to keep the
roof over the Town Hall (being the second story of the school
house,) and School House in repair. Secondly, if the District
is so obliged, then for them to consider whether, upon the princi-
ples of justice and equity, the town should not assume some
part, or all, of the expense of repairing said roof; and, thirdly,
1864.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. (if) 5
whether said roof can he suitably repaired except by being newly
shingled, and report at the next meeting-.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
For Elector* at Large — Edward Everett, R., Boston, had 158 votes. Whit-
ing Griswold, R., Greenfield, had 158 votes. Robert C. Winthrop, D.,
Boston, had 80 votes. Erasmus D. Beach, D., Springfield, had 80 votes.
District No. 1. District No. 6.
Richard Borden, Fall River, R. .158 George L. Davis, N. Andover, R.158
A. II. Rowland, N. Bedford, D. . 80 J. H. Carletou, Haverhill, D 80
No. 2. No. 7.
Artemas Hale, Bridgewater, R. . 158 StephenM. Weld.W. Roxbury, R.158
Wm. D. Swan, Dorchester, D. . . 80 Leverett Saltonstall, Newton, D. 80
No. 3. No. 8.
George Putnam, Roxbury, R. . . 158 Levi Lincoln, Worcester, R 158
Andrew Pierce, Jr., Boston, D. . 80 Isaac Davis, Worcester, D 80
No. 4. No. 9.
J. M. S. Williams, Cambridge, R.158 William S. Clark, Amherst, R..158
Abram Jackson, Boston, D 80 William H. Fuller, Whately, D. 80
No. 5. No. 10.
John G. Whittier, Amesbury, R. . 158 John Wells, Chicopee, R 158
S. E. Peabody, Salem, D 80 Abram Paige, Springfield, D 80
For Governor, John A. Andrew, Boston, R. , had 156 votes. Elected.
Hemy W. Paine, Cambridge, D., had 80 "
For Lt. Governor, Joel Hayden, Williamsburg, R., had 156 votes.
Thos. F. Plunkett, Pittsfield, D., had 80 "
The other candidates for State and County offices had the same
number of votes with the above.
For Representative to Congress, Eighth District — John D. Baldwin, Worces-
ter, R, had 155 votes; Elected. George Hodges, Oxford, D., had 80 votes.
For Senator, Worcester South-east, District — Dr. Moses D. Southwick, Black-
stone, had 155 votes. James H. Barker, Mill'ord, had 80 votes.
Dr. Southwick was elected in the District.
For lie pre sent) dice to the General Court, District No. 20 — Micajah Collins
Gaskill, Mendon, R., had 147 votes. Amariah Taft, Uxbridge, D., had 87
votes.
M. C. Gaskill, elected in the District (Mendon and Uxbridge), by 15(5
majority.
Nov. 26. The committee heretofore chosen to confer with a
committee of the Second School District, in relation to the re-
pairs of the roof of the Town Hall, made a report, which was
laid on the table, and Saml. H. Taft and Laban Bates were added
to the committee, and
Voted that the committee report at the next meeting.
656 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1865.
Voted that the Selectmen he instructed to mend or repair the
roof over the Town Hall and school house as, in their judgment,
it may seem to require.
Nov. 23. On motion of Samuel H. Taft, it was voted that
the Selectmen be directed to pay bounties to volunteers to the
number of twenty men, the bounty not to exceed one hundred
and twenty-five dollars a man.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized and directed to borrow
a sufficient sum (of money) in addition to the unexpended por-
tion of the appropriation ($4000) of May 28, 1864, to carry out
the preceding vote.
1865. March 6. Voted to pay Mrs. Marcia Gassett, wife of
Win. G. Gassett, the sum of one dollar per week from the time
of the enlistment of her son, Alton G. Gassett, until the time
she commenced to draw pay from the town.
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Alexander H. Allen, John
S. Gaskill and William H. Aldrich, Selectmen; John G. Met-
calf, Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable; John G. Metcalf,
Collector, at $60.00.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1200 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $550 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for roads and bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for the payment of in-
terest.
Voted to raise and appropriate $5000 to reduce the town debt.
Voted that the highway tax be assessed by itself, to be paid in
labor, at the same prices as last year.
Voted that the School Committee shall appoint a Superin-
tendent of Schools, and Eev. William T. Phelan was appointed.
Voted that to all taxes remaining unpaid after the 10th day
of August of the present year, one per cent, per month shall be
added thereto until paid.
Voted to adopt the second section of chapter 83 of the Gen-
eral Statutes relative to the taking of Fish, and
Chose Henry W. Wood, Lewis Wood and Aaron C. Cook a
committee to enforce the law.
1865.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 657
A Draft having been ordered, voted that the Selectmen be
authorized to pay the exjmises of getting struck from the en-
rollment list the names of all such as, in their judgment, are
unlit for military service.
March 25. The Board of the School Committee having re-
signed, it was voted the committee consist of three, and Gusta-
vus B. Williams was chosen for three years, John G. Metcalf for
two years, and Micajah 0. Gaskill for one year.
Voted to choose a committee of three to make arrangements
for celebrating the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Incor-
poration of the Town.
Chose John G. Metcalf, Nathan George and Silas Dudley as
the committee.
Voted to instruct the Selectmen not to permit any School Dis-
trict to draw from the Treasury any money beyond the amount
standing to its credit upon the books of said Selectmen.
April 1. Voted that the Provisions, Arrangements and By-
Laws concerning Habitual Truants and Absentees from School,
reported by the School Committee, be accepted.
Pursuant to section fourteen of chapter eighteen of the Gen-
eral Statutes, these By-Laws were submitted to Judge B. F.
Thomas, the Superior Court not sitting, and by him were re-
turned ■without Ms approved.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed March 25, relative to the
disbursement of money to the School Districts.
Voted that the salary of Superintendent of Schools be $36.00
for the past year.
Voted to abolish the present Highway Districts (five in num-
ber) and re-establish the former thirteen Highway Districts, as
they were formerly bounded.
Voted that all highway taxes not paid by labor or money, shall
be assessed in money, and, when collected, be expended for re-
pairs in the District in which it was originally assessed.
Taxes were foregone to the amount of $16.99.
April 22. Alexander H. Allen and Silas Dudley were chosen
Agents to oppose the laying out of a road as prayed for by Joseph
Cummings and others.
Voted that the Town Clerk do not loan any books of the Town
for a longer period than twenty-four hours.
83
658 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1865.
Voted to reject the report of the committee chosen at a former
meeting to confer with a committee of the Second School Dis-
trict relative to the repairs of the roof of the Town Hall.
The warrant for this meeting having been issued two days
before the ASSASSINATION of President Lincoln, Dr. John
Gr. Metcalf, by unanimous consent, offered the following reso-
lutions, which were unanimously adopted and ordered to be
entered on the Town Eecords:
Whereas, Abraham Lincoln, the beloved, honored, and faithful President
of the United States, while in the discharge of his constitutional duties, has
fallen by the hand of an assassin; therefore, we, the Inhabitants of the
Town of Mendon in public town meeting assembled, desiring to place upon
permanent record our condemnation of the horrible crime which has filled
the whole land with the voice of lamentation and mourning, do hereby
adopt the following Resolutions:
1. Resolved that Slavery is justly chargeable with the inauguration and
continuance of the present most wicked and inexcusable rebellion, that has
brought desolation to every household in the land, and to which no dark
page in the annals of history can furnish a parallel to its crimes and
enormities.
2. Resolved that the assassination of President Lincoln and the attempted
murder of William H. Seward, Secretary of State, is but the natural out-
growth— the legitimate and logical sequence of that covert treason, in the
loyal States, which has been allowed to arraign every effort of the Govern-
ment to put down the rebellion, as unconstitutional and wicked and to
denounce its chief executive magistrate as a tyrant.
3. Resolved that, as the armies of the United States, by God's blessing,
have overthrown the Rebellion in the conflict of arms, to which it was
challenged by traitors, we confidently trust that no act of the civil govern-
ment, in any possible contingency, will recognize the rebel as a party to be
consulted in the reinstatement of its authority over the rebel States.
4. Resolved that the demands of impartial justice to the living and to
posterity ; the memory of Abraham Lincoln and that noble company of
martyrs who have freely offered up their lives upon the altar of patriotism,
that we might enjoy the blessings of free government, require that traitors
should not be allowed to escape that condign and certain punishment justly
due to the enormity of their crimes.
5. Resolved that every pardoned rebel will owe his enjoyment and exer-
cise of any future political rights, not to any claim, either in law or equity,
which may be set up in his behalf, but wholly to the clemency of the gov-
ernment and the humane spirit of the loyal people.
6. Resolved that though the President dies the Republic still lives; and
as Andrew Johnson has become its constitutional representative, having
full faith in his unimpeachable loyalty, in his undoubted integrity and his
1865.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 659
acknowledged firmness of purpose — praying he may be imbued, in full
measure, with the practical wisdom of his thrice honored and immediate
predecessor, and that God will support and protect him in the discharge of
all duty, we hereby pledge ourselves to stand by and sustain his adminis-
tration as becomes an intelligent and loyal people.
May 30. Voted that the town do raise and appropriate such
sums of money as may be necessary to pay and refund any money
which lias already been paid and applied by this town, or con-
tributed by individuals, in aid of and for the purpose of filling
its quotas or furnishing men for the present war under any
requisition, order or call of the President or War Department of
the United States during the year 1864.
The vote having been taken by a show of hands, it was de-
clared, by the Moderator, that there were eighty-four in the
affirmative and eighty-four in the negative.
It was then ordered by the Moderator (Nathan George) that
the vote be taken by written ballots, yea and nay, and it was
found that there were eighty-six in the affirmative and eighty-
four in the negative.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow two thou-
sand dollars at a rate of interest not to exceed seven and three-
tenths per centum per annum.
August 7. Voted to rescind the above votes, passed May 30,
1865, and the vote was taken by yeas and nays, as follows, viz:
Yeas 110. Nays 76.
Xov. 7. Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $31.01.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Alex. H. Bullock, Worcester, R, had 73 votes. Elected,
do Maj. Gen. Darius W. Couch, Taun-
ton, D., had 34 "
For Lt Governor, William Claflin, Newton, R., had 73 "
do Thos. F. Plunket, Pittsfield, D., had 34 "
Candidates for other State and County offices had the same
number of ballots.
For Senator, Worcester South-east District — Dr. Moses D. Southwick,
Blackstone, R, had 72 votes; (elected). James H. Barker, Milford, D.,
had 35 votes.
For Representative to the General Court, XXth Worcester District — Rev.
Rushton D. Burr, Uxbridge, R., had 67 votes. Samuel Gaskill, Meriden,
D., had 37 votes. Mr. Burr elected by 95 majority.
660
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1865.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY.
, Oct. 30. At a meeting in the Town Hall, under a warrant
issued by Nathan George, a Justice of the Peace, the Society
was organized by the election of the following officers, viz:
Nathan R. George, President. David W. Bennett, Vice President.
Royal Peters, Secretary. Royal Peters, Treasurer.
MENDON IN THE EEBELLION.
The flight of Jeff. Davis from Richmond, April 2, and the
surrender of Lee at Appomatox Court House, on the 11th, vir-
tually brought the war to an end. In the following pages I
propose to give some account of the men who filled the various
quotas of the town during the Rebellion.
The following is a complete roster of the names whose resi-
dence was credited to Mendon in the "Record of the Massachu-
setts Volunteers," published by the authority of the General
Court, under the supervision of the Adjutant General of the
State.
In the first column will be found the page in the " Rebellion
Record" (in the Town Clerk's office.) where the date of the
enlistment, &c, &c, may be found, and in the second the page
in "the Record of the Massachusetts Volunteers," where the
name may be found with the corps to which the party belonged,
&c, &c.
They are put down in alphabetical order as a matter of con-
venience in referring to the various facts connected with their
service in the army.
Adams, Elias A 38 370.1
Aldrich, Addison 46 140.1
Albee, Chas. H 48 151.1
Anthony, Moses H .... 46 774. 1
Barrows, Lewis H 50 516,1
Barrows, William E..50 576.1
Barrus, Charles 32 680. 2
Bates, Henry 24 185.2
Bathrick, Alanson. . . .26 452.2
Bennett, Herbert A ... 28 472, 2
Bent, Ferdinand A. des.80 166. 1
Blaisdell, Geo. E 56 430.2
Bolster, Geo. W 56 224.2
Brown, Francis A. . . .50 151.1
Burns, James 46 474.2
Byrnes, Martin 38 370. 1
Barnes, John 58 961.2
Brown, David. (Navy.)
Channell, Moses J. . . 56 678. 1
Chase, Augustus. (Navy.)
Cole, Freeman 34 377.2
Cole, William D 34 430 2
Cole, Edwin L 34 430.2
Coleman, Horace U. . .36 370.1
Congdon, Moses C .... 38 370. 1
Cook, Lowell C 22 2d R. I.
Cook, Alderman C... 28 474.2
Cook, Albert 30 474.2
Cook, Lyman 34 430.2
Cook, OrrinC 42 260.1
Cook, Marcus M 50 596. 1
Corey, Pardon H 52 529.1
Cosgrove, William ... .26 735. 1
Crosby, Bernard 58 604. 1
1865.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
661
Cross, John 32 474.2
Cummings, Walter C . . 50 151.1
Curley, John 38 370.1
Davenport, Daniel D. .28 474.2
Despeanx, Orrin T. . . .50 151.1
Do^o-ett, Lawrence B.26 408.2
Doggett, Philetns W . . 38 370. 1
Drake, Ariel B 32 720.2
Dinegan, Daniel 60 594. 1
Dodge, Lewis P 60 610.1
Donahue, John 60 416. 1
Ellis, Joseph M 28 474.2
Everton, Samuel 44 535.1
Fales, Francis H 54 593. 1
Farrar, Thomas 26 475.2
Fernald, Stephen L. . .38 370.1
Fletcher, Royal H .... 50 151.1
Forbes, James M 32 3d R. I.
Ford, Georoe R 48 140. 1
Freeman, Franklin . . .38 370. 1
Gaskill, Leonard T. ..30 474.2
Gaskill, Edwin C 30 475.2
Gassett, Alton G 36 765. 2
Grady, Michael 38 370.1
Gurley. Jacob B 42 261.1
Harrington, Daniel... 24 409.2
Harrington, Alonzo. . .46 140.1
Hall, Samuel 26 477.2
Hastings, C. C. P 48 140.1
Hastings, William S..48 140.1
Hazard, Rufus 44 749.1
Henry, Edward 52 596.1
Hill, "Davis 52 596.1
Howard, Whitman ... 52 964. 2
Howe, Martin S 32 3d R. I.
Huntress, John 22 42 2
Inman, Dexter 44 524 1
Jacobs, H. F. , deserted. 34 387. 2
Kolb, Christian 52 551.1
Leland, Edward J. . . .36 765.2
Looby, M. , deserted ... 32 667. 1
Lovewell, Baron P... 24 408.2
Lowell, Lucius 36 764 2
Ludy, Simon 24 40th K Y.
Ludy, Timothy 40 371.1
Livermore, William... 60 582.1
Mallon, John E.
Mclntyre, Orlando. . . .22 215.2
McKiiiney, Michael. ..46 908.2
McGaw , Bern'rd . (Garr) 52 537. 1
McKenney, Edward 54 581.1
McSheney, Bernard ..56 473.2
Moore, Peter 44 371.1
Moor, J. F. , deserted . . 32 231 . 2
Moor, J. G, " ..30 221.4
Moore Henry 60 U.S.H.A.
Newhall, James M. . . .32 3d R. I.
Nichols, Stephen D. . .36 431.2
O'Keefe, Cornelius. . ..36 329.2
Pay son , George H .... 50 151.1
Pickering, Juba F. . . .24 387.2
Remiek, Augustus. . . .44 261.1
Remick, Henry A. . . .42 261.1
Rockwood, John B...30 475.2
Ryan, James 40 371.1
Rawson, William H . . .58 964.2
Saunders, John P 36 497. 2
Sawyer, Thomas H. . .42 236.1
Scisco, Stephen H. . . .44 859.2
Scisco, George W 46 775.-1
Seymour, James 54 603.1
Shaw, Burrows 58 1072.2
Sheridan, Patrick 52 371 . 1
Sidney, Alexander. .. .58 1011.2
Shore, G. O., deserted. 56 224.2
Sloan, Peter S 54 581.1
Spear, Seth 60 3d R. I.
Spencer, Charles H.. 26 475.2
Smith, Caleb V. A... 24
Smith, Lewis W 28 475.2
Smith, Benj. H 34 431.2
Smith, Eugene 40 371.1
Smith, Stephen W. . . .56 222.2
Staples, Edward L. . . .40 371.1
Staples, Gust. A., Reg. 58 431.2
Steere, Charles L 40 371. 1
Suba, Stephen 58 1074.2
Taft, Rufus 32 3d R. I.
Taft, Waterman 36 370. 1
Taft, JohnH 40 371.1
Taft, General P 40 371.1
Taft, Frank 48 141.1
Taft, Anthon C 52 ' 129.1
Taft, Arnold A 54 605. 1
Tenor, Columbus 58 1074. 2
Thayer, Otis E 42 261.1
Thurber, David S 22 190.2
Tourtelotte, Benj. H. .54 605.1
Tucker, George P. . . .44 367.1
Underwood, Daniel P. 42 371.1
Underwood, Fisher E . 36 43. 2
Wakefield, Clark 54 595 1
Walden, Charles H ... 42 371 . 1
Walden, Charles H...48 150.1
Wallace, Patrick ....30 487.2
Wallace,Pat'k,(Wallis)34 487.2
Weatherhead, Abel... 24 409.2
Weatherhead, Frank B.48 141.1
Wheelock, Charles H.22 215.2
Wheelock, Edwin M. .28 475.2
Wheelock, Nathan. ...28 475.2
Wheelock, Henry M . . 26 409. 1
Wheelock, Lorenzo S.56 222.2
Wilber, George 42 371.1
Wilber, George 24 Rej.
Wilcox, Franklin 22 40.2
662 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1865.
Wilcox, George W. . .22 2d R. I. Winters, G. F., (Navy). 74
Williams, John 54 785.1 Wood, Joseph M 22 2d R. I.
Wilson, James 34 419.2 Walker, Emory, Navy.
The following are the names of those reported in the "Record of the
Massachusetts Volunteers " as having re-enlisted : John Huntress, probably
in R. I. ; Orlando Mclntyre, 20th Reg. Mass. Vols, ; John P. Saunders,
credited to Milf ord ; Thomas Farrar, 25 Reg. Mass. Vols. ; Chas. H. Spencer,
25 Reg. Mass. Vols. ; Edwin M. Wheelock, 25 Reg. Mass. Vols. ; Nathan
Wheelock, 25 Reg. Mass. Vols. ; Joseph M. Ellis, in R. I. ; John B. Rock-
wood, credited to Milford; James M. Forbes, U. S. Army; Robert Wallace,
25 Reg. Mass. Vols. ; William D. Cole, 23 Reg. Mass. Vols ; Edwin L. Cole,
23 Reg Mass. Vols. ; Benj. H. Smith, 23 Reg. Mass. Vols. ; Elias A. Adams,
19th Unat. Co. Inf. ; Martin Byrnes, Co. B. 2d Reg. H. Art ; John Curley,
57th Reg. Mass. Vols. ; George H. Payson, 19th Unat. Co. Inf. ; John H.
Taft, Co. E., 4th Reg. H. Art.; Charles H. Walden, 19th Unat. Co. Inf.;
Henry A. Remick, Patrick Sheridan, credited to R. I.
The following are the names of those who were born in Men-
don or were resident there at the breaking out of the Rebellion,
credited to other towns, enlisted out of the State, or rejected
after enlistment here:
Franklin B. Wilcox, credited to Westminster; David S. Thurber, credited
to Boston; Henry Bates, John F. Moor, James C. Moor, Milford; George
W. Wilcox, Lowell C. Cook, Joseph M. Wood, 2d Reg. R. I. Vols. ; Simon
Ludy, 40th Reg. N. Y. Vols. ; Caleb V. A. Smith, James M. Forbes, Rufus
Taft, Martin S. Howe, James M. Newhall, 3d R. I. Art, ; Henry Moore,
11th U S. H. Art. ; Seth Spear, 3d R. I. Art,; Gustavus A. Staples, re-
jected; George Wilbur, rejected.
The following are the military organizations among which the
aggregate of Mendon soldiers were distributed:
Second Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — John Huntress, Fisher E. Under-
wood, Co. E. ; Franklin B. Wilcox, Co. D, to Westminster.
Thirteenth Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — David S. Thurber, Co. D., to
Boston; Henry Bates, Co. B., to Milford.
Fifteenth Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — George W. Bolster, Co. K; Or-
lando Mclntyre, Co. E; John F. Moor, James C. Moor, Co. H; George O.
Shore, K; Stephen W. Smith, Co. H; Charles H. Wheelock, Co. E; Loren-
zo S. Wheelock, Co. H.
Nineteenth Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — John E. Mallon, Co. G. ; Cor-
nelius O'Keefe, unattached recruit.
Twenty-first Regiment of Infantry, % years — Freeman Cole, Co. A; Henry
F. Jacobs, Juba F. Pickering, Co. G.
Ttpenty-second Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — Lawrence B. Doggett, Daniel
Harrington, Baron P. Lovewell, Abel Weatherhead, Henry M. Wheelock,
Co. G; James Wilson, unattached recruit.
1865.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 663
Twenty-third Regiment of Infantry, 3 years— George E. Blaisdell, Lyman
Cook, William D. Cole, Edwin L. Cole, Stephen D. Nichols, Benjamin H.
Smith— Co. E.
Twenty-fourth Regiment of Infantry, '6 years — Alanson Bathrick — Co. D.
Twenty-fifth Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — Herbert A. Bennett, James
Burns, Alderman C. Cook, John Cross, Albert Cook, Daniel D. Daven-
port, Joseph M. Ellis, Thomas Farrar, Leonard T. Gaskill, Edwin C. Gas-
kill, Samuel Hall — Co. B. Bernard McSherrey, Co. A. John B. Rock-
wood, Lewis W. Smith, Charles H. Spencer, Patrick Wallace, Robert
Wallace, Edwin M. Wheelock, Nathan Wheelock— Co. B.
Twenty-sixth Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — John P. Saunders. Band.
Thirty-second Regiment of Infantry — Charles Barrus — Co. B.
Thirty-fourth Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — Ariel B. Drake — Co. C.
'ihirty-sixth Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — Alton G. Gassett, Edward J.
Leland, Lucius Lowell — Co. F.
Forty-second Regiment of Infantry, 9 months — Thomas B. Sawyer — Co. B.
Forty-third Regiment of Infantry, 9 months — Orrin C. Cook, Jacob B. Gur-
ley, Augustus Remick, Henry E. Remick, Otis E. Thayer — Co. K.
Fifty-first Regiment of Infantry , 9 months — Elias A. Adams, Martin Byrnes,
Horace U. Coleman, Lieut., Moses C. Congdon, John Curley, Philetus W.
Doggett, Stephen L. Fernald, Franklin Freeman, Michael Grady, Timothy
Ludy, Peter Moore, George H. Payson, James Ryan, Patrick Sheridan,
Eugene Smith, Edward L. Staples, Charles L. Steere, Waterman Taft, John
H. Taft, General P, Taft— Co. K; George P. Tucker— Co. G; Daniel P.
Underwood, Charles H. Walden, George Wilber — Co. K.
Fifty-fourth Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — Stephen H. Scisco — Co. G.
Fifty-seventh Regiment of Infantry, 3 years — John Curley, Co. D; Michael
McHenry, Co. C.
Sixtieth Regiment of Infantry, 100 (htys — Anthon C. Taft, Co. G.
Sixty-first Regiment of Infantry, 1 year — James Barnes, Co. H; Whitman
Howard, William H. Rawson — Co. K.
Nineteenth Unattached Co. of Infantry, 100 day* — Alonzo Harrington, Ad-
dison Aldrich, Frank Taft, George R. Ford, Charles C. P. Hastings,
William S. Hastings, Frank B. Weatherhead.
Nineteenth Unattached Co. of Infantry, 1 year — Charles H. Walden, Elias
A. Adams, Charles H. Albee, Francis A. Brown, Walter C. Cummings,
Orrin T. Despeaux, Royal H. Fletcher, George H. Payson.
Second Regiment of Heavy Artillery, 3 years — Martin Byrnes, Co. B ; Par-
don H. Cory, Co. E; Samuel Everton, Co. G; Dexter Inman, Co. C; Chris-
tian Kolb, Co. M; Bernard McGaw, Co. G.
Third Regiment of Heavy Artillery, 3 years — Edward McKinney, Co. L;
William Livermore, Co. M; Peter S. Sloan, Co. L.
Fourth Regiment of Heavy Artillery, 1 year — Lewis H. Barrows, William
E. Barrows, Marcus M. Cook, Edward Henry, Davis Hill — Co. F. Francis
H. Fales, Daniel Dinegan, Clark Wakefield — Co. E. Bernard Crosby,
James Seymour, Benjamin H. Tourtellotte, Arnold A. Taft — Co. K.
664 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1865.
Fifth Regiment of Heavy Artillery, U. S. Army — Barrows Shaw, U. S. col-
ored troops; Stephen Suba, U. S. colored troops.
First Regiment of Cavalry, 3 years — Michael Looby, unattached recruit.
Second Regiment of Cavalry 3 years — Moses J. Channel, Co. B.
Third Regiment of Cavalry, 3 years— "William Cosgrov'e, J. Tyler Read's
Co. ; Columbus Tenor, U. S. colored troops.
Fourth Regiment of Cavalry, 3 years — Rufus Hazard, Co E.
Fifth Regiment of Cavalry, 3 years— George W. Scisco, Moses H. Anthony,
Co. E; John Williams, Co. M.
Eighth Battery of Light Artillery, 6 months — Ferdinand A. Bent.
Veteran Reserve Corps — Alexander Sidney.
Second Regiment of Infantry R. I. Volunteers, 3 years— George W. Wilcox,
Lowell C. Cook. Joseph M. Wood— Co. I.
Ihird Regiment of Artillery, R. I. Volunteers — John M. Forbes, James M.
Newhall— Co. D. Martin S Howe, Rufus Taft, Seth Spear— Co. M.
Fortieth Regiment, of Infantry, JY. Y. Volunteers — Simon Ludy, Co. A.
Eleventh Regiment Colored Heavy Artillery, U. S. — Henry Moore, Co. D.
Bounties were paid to the volunteers for the different quotas
by the town, State and the United States, as follows:
Town.
Thomas Farrar
Charles H. Spencer
Edwin M. Wheelock
Nathan Wheelock
Edwin C. Gaskill
John B. Rockwood
Michael Looby f 150 00
Ariel B. Drake l.r>0 00
John Cross 150 00
Robert Wallace 150 00
Freeman Cole 150 00
Henry F. Jacobs 150 00
Lyman Cook 150 00
William D. Cole 150 00
Edwin L. Cole 150 00
James Wilson 150 00
Benjamin H. Smith 150 00
Stephen D. Nichols 150 00
Cornelius O'Keefe 150 00
Fisher E Underwood 150 00
Alton G. Gassett 150 00
Lucius Lowell, 150 00
Edward J. Leland 150 00
Horace U. Coleman 200 00
Waterman Taft 200 00
Elias A. Adams 200 00
Martin Byrnes 200 00
John Curley 200 00
Moses C. Cono-don 200 00
State
aiid U. S.
$325 00
325 00
407
32
407
99
325
no
395
33
243
32
325
00
325
(10
325 00
242
00
50 00
325
00
1865.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 665
State
Town. and U. S.
Stephen L. Fernald $200 00
Franklin Freeman. 200 00
Michael Grady 200 00
Timothy Ludy 200 00
George H. Pavson 200 00 242 00
James Ryan.: 200 00
Eugene Smith 200 00
Edward L. Staples 200 00
Charles L. Steere 200 00
John H. Taft 200 00 197 99
General Putnam Taft 200 00
David P. Underwood 200 00
George Wilber 200 00
Charles H. Waldron, 200 00 242 00
Thomas H. Sawyer 200 00
Orrin C.Cook 200 00
Jacob B. Gurley 200 00
Otis E Thayer 200 00
Henry E. Remick 200 00
Augustus Remick 200 00
George P. Tucker 200 00
Peter Moore 200 00
Stephen H. Scisco 325 00
Samuel. Everton 325 00
Dexter Inman 50 00
Rufus Hazard 325 00
George W. Scisco 325 00
Moses H. Anthony 325 00
Michael McKenney 325 00
James Burns 325 00
Alonzo Harrington 65 32
Addison Aldrich 65 32
Frank Taft 65 32
George R. Ford 65 32
Charles C. P. Hastings 65 32
William S. Hastings 65 32
Frank B. "Weather-head 65 32
Chas. H. Albee 100 00 142 00
Francis A. Brown 100 00 142 00
Walter C. Cummings 100 00 142 00
Orrin T. Despeaux 100 00 142 00
Royal H. Fletcher 100 00 142 00
Lewis H. Barrows 325 00 197 99
William E. Barrows 325 00 197 99
Edward Henry 325 00 100 00
Marcus M. Cook 325 00 199 99
Davis Hill 325 00 179 99
Pardon IL Corey 400 00 199 33
Christian Koll 325 00 100 00
Whitman Howard 200 00 89 33
Anthon C. Taft ' 80 00
Edward McKenney 325 00
Peter S. Sloan 325 00
Francis H. Fales 300 00 200 66
Clark Wakefield : 325 00 240 00
84
m>
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1865.
State
Town. and U. S.
James Seymour $325 00
Benj. H. Tourtelotte 325 00
John Williams 300 00
Arnold A. Tcift 225 00
Bernard McSheney 125 00
Moses J. Channell 190 00
John E. Mallon 125 00
Bernard Crosby 325 00
Columbus Tenor
Burrows Shaw
Stephen Suba
John Barnes 100 00
William H. Rawson 200 00
Alexander Sidney 240 00
William Livermore 325 00
Daniel Dinnegan 325 00
Henry Moore
Lewis P. Dodge 325 00
David Brown 240 00
George F. Winters 240 00
Lowell C. Cook 125 00
Joseph Simpson (paid by town) 125 00
Elijah Ward, " " " '. 125 00
Amount of bounties paid
" reimbursed by the State, Dec. 3, 1863
$191) 99
199 99
182 00
199 99
325 00
107 33
325 00
199 99
325 00
325 00
325 00
100 00
108 66
325 00
201 99
201 33
300 00
$30,425 76
4,700 00
$25,725 76
In the preceding statement I am not certain that I have, in
all cases, credited the bounties to the proper source. Schouler,
in his " Massachusetts in the War," puts down Mendon as pay-
ing bounties to the amount of $19,675. The full amount of
bounties paid to the different quotas for Mendon, as found in
the " Kecord of the Massachusetts Volunteers," is $30,425.70.
Of this sum it is found that Mendon paid $21,145.70. Of this
sum the State, Dec. 9, 1803, reimbursed $4,700.00, and $300.00
were returned by recruiting agents, thus leaving the sum of
$16,085.76 paid by the town. Of this sum the town, in its
corporate capacity, paid $13,575.00, leaving the amount of
$2,510.76 to be accounted for some other way. This sum was
raised by the voluntary and patriotic subscriptions of its citizens;
but as the town refused to avail itself of the law allowing its
reimbursement to the subscribers, the exact amount of the con-
tribution paid by each cannot now be ascertained. The data for
this statement were gathered from the Town Eecords, the " Ke-
cord of the Massachusetts Volunteers," and the "Rebellion
Record," in the Town Clerk's office.
1865.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 667
THE ROLL OF THE MARTYRS.
1. Franklin B. Wilcox, the son of Willard Wilcox, and
brother of George W. Wilcox, was killed at the battle of Cedar
Mountain, Va., August 9, 1862. The body not recovered.
2. George W. Wilcox was in the battle of Bull Run, Va., and
escaped unhurt, but was killed March 12, 1862, by the accidental
explosion of a shell, while in camp at Prospect Hill, Va. Body
brought home and buried in the cemetery at Blackstone (East).
3. Charles H. Wheelock, son of Calvin and Mary Ann Whec-
lock, was in the battle of Ball's Bluff, and saved himself by swim-
ming to Harrison Island. Afterwards killed at Antietam, Md.,
Sept. 17, 1862. m The body not recovered.
4. David S. Thurber, son of Daniel and Hannah Thurber,
was killed at the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. The body
brought home and buried at South Milford. Removed to Ne-
cropolis, Mendon.
5. Juba F. Pickering enlisted from Blackstone in the Mendon
quota, and was killed at Camden, N. C, (near Elizabeth City,)
April 19, 1862. Body not recovered.
6. Lawrence B. Doggett was missing at the passage of the
Rapidan, just before the battle of the Wilderness, Va. ; taken
prisoner, carried to the "Slaughter Pen," at Andersonville, Ga.,
where he died Aug. 13, 186-1, of chronic diarrhoea. The num-
ber of his grave is 5,501.
7. Alanson E. Bath rick, supposed to be a native of Westboro',
but had resided in Mendon many years. He died in the Hos-
pital at Newbern, N. C, May 18, 1862. Body not recovered.
8. William Cosgrove was the son of John and Catharine Cos-
grove, and was born in Ireland. He died of fever at Carrollton,
La., Sept. 9, 1862. Body not recovered.
9. Samuel Hall was mortally wounded while storming a fort
on Roanoke Island, N. C, March 5, 1852. Body not recovered.
10. Albert Cook was the son of Lyman Cook, who lived in the
east part of Mendon. Was mortally wounded May 9, 1864, in
an attack upon the Petersburg and Richmond Railroad, and
died the next day. May 10, 1864, at 10 o'clock A. M. Body net
recovered.
668 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1865.
11 John B. RoeTcwood, son of Samuel and Rockwood.
Died in the hospital at Newbern, N. C, Nov. 24, 1863.
12. Patrick Wallace was born in Ireland. While relieving a
picket in the night, got lost and went beyond the picket line,
and finally approached the picket he was to relieve from the
direction of the rebels. When challenged, in his confusion, he
was not able to give the countersign, was fired upon by the
sentry, and was mortally wounded. He died at Newbern, N.
C, Oct. 24, 1862. Body not recovered.
13. Martin S. Howe, son of John and Elizabeth Howe. He
died of quick consumption at Morris Island, Nov. 23, 1863.
Body not recovered.
14. Robert Wallace, was born in Ireland, and was brother
of Patrick Wallace (ante). Was mortally wounded in a skirmish
near Petersburg, Va., May 6, 1864, and died May 8, 1864. Body
not recovered.
15. Samuel Everton, was taken prisoner at Plymouth, N. C,
carried to Andersonville, and there died in August, 1864. Body
not recovered.
16. Benjamin H. Smith, was taken prisoner at Drury's Bluff,
Va., May 16, 1864, and carried to Andersonville, Ga. He died
on an open car, in the night, near Groldsborough, N. C, on his
return to be exchanged. During the night on which he died he
gave a diary, which he had kept during his imprisonment, to a
fellow prisoner, with a request that he should endeavour to
place it in the hands of some Massachusetts soldier. As the
train stopped for a moment at Annapolis Junction, Md., the
diary was given to William D. Cole, a member of the same com-
pany and a neighbor of Smith, and by him was transmitted to
Mrs. Smith. This was sometime in the spring of 1865, and was
the first tidings that had been received from Smith since he was
taken prisoner, May 16, 1864. The Commissioner of Pensions,
not being satisfied with the proof of the death of Smith, upon
her petition, the name of Nancy Smith, his widow, was put
upon the pension roll by a special act of Congress. Body not
recovered.
17. Franklin Freeman was the son of Alanson S. and Caro-
line Freeman. He was drowned while bathing, at Newbern, N.
1865.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 669
0., June 15, 18G3. The body was recovered and buried at Albee-
ville.
18. James Burns. Died at Washington, D. C, of wounds re-
ceived in battle, June 19, 1864. Body not recovered. Born in
County Clare, Ireland, Dec. 14, 1845.
19. Anthon C. Taft was the son of Putman W. and Hannah
Taft. He was mustered into service Aug. 1, 1864, in the 60th
Regiment for one hundred days, and died Nov. 19, 1864, of
typhoid fever, at Indianapolis, Ind. He held the warrant of a
corporal. Body recovered and buried in Mendon.
Rev. Nahor Augustus Staples, although not serving in the
quota of Mendon, in the war, was a native of the town, and de-
serves a place on the roll of those who gave up their lives for
the salvation of their country.
He was the son of Jason and Phila (Taft) Staples, and was
born in Mendon Aug. 24, 1830. He was a lineal descendant
from Sergt. Abraham Staples, one of the first settlers of the
town. After attending the district school and a few terms at
the Uxbridge Academy, he entered the State Normal School at
Westfield, from whence he graduated in 1850.
In the autumn of 1851 he entered the Meadville Theological
School, Pa., and graduated in 1854. He was soon afterwards
called to the pastorate of the First Congregational Church in
Lexington, Mass. In the fall of 1856 he was called to the newly
organized Unitarian Church in Milwaukee, Wis., and soon drew
around him a strong and enthusiastic body of people, giving
himself to his duties, as pastor and preacher, with ardent devo-
tion.
Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, being chosen Chap-
lain of the Sixth Wisconsin Regiment, he gave up the charge of
the church and marched with the regiment to the battle fields in
Virginia. Here he showed the same earnestness and enthusiasm
in his work as characterized his labor in the ministry. But the
exposure and hardships of camp life proved too severe for a con-
stitution which, though originally strong, had already begun to
show symptoms of breaking down. After a long and severe
illness, from which he never fully recovered, he resigned his
commission and accepted a call to the Third Unitarian Church
670 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1865.
in Brooklyn, N. Y. A most inviting field of labor was opened
to him here, and his life was bright in promise and achievement.
But the dark shadow of disease was silently and steadily deepen-
ing upon him. While his intellectual and spiritual life glowed
with intense fervor, his physical life was gradually fading away.
In the third year of his ministry his physical energies became
utterly prostrated, and, his devoted people granting him a leave
of absence, he began to make preparations for a sea voyage.
But it was too late, and he quietly passed away at his house in
Brooklyn, Feb. 6th, 1864, in the 33d year of his age.
His body was brought to Mendon, where funeral services were
held in the Unitarian Church, Eevs. Eobert Oollyer and Samuel
Longfellow officiating. He was buried in the Necropolis, (new
Cemetery) and a simple and appropriate monument was erected
to his memory by his Brooklyn friends.
Eev. Carlton A. Staples, an elder brother of the deceased, is
pastor of the First Congregational Church in Providence, R. I.,
while Henry E. Staples, a younger brother, resides on the old
paternal homestead.
STATE AID.
Seventy-eight families have received State Aid to the amount,
at this time, (Sept. 17, 1880) of $18,602.67. At present but four
families are receiving the bounty of the State, to the extent of
$20.50 per month.
Of those who served in the quota of Mendon, all were honor-
ably discharged, except
Edward McKenney, who was dishonorably discharged, March
1, 1865, and
Henry F. Jacobs, who deserted Aug. 30, 1863,
Ferdinand A. Bent, who deserted Aug. 30, 1862, and
Geo. O. Shore, who deserted Oct. 17, 1862.
I have now brought the history of "Mendon in the Rebel-
lion " to a close. Although the war entailed a burdensome debt
upon the town — although it caused the voice of lamentation and
mourning to be raised in many of its households, still, its crown-
ing success in the overthrow and abolition of American Slavery
is accepted as a compensation for its manifold privations and suf-
ferings.
1866.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 671
1866. March 5. The annual reports of the several town
officers were presented in print, and after consideration were sev-
erally accepted.
David Adams was chosen Town Clerk; Alexander II. Allen,
John S. Gaskill and William II. Aldrich, Selectmen; John G.
Metcalf, Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable, and Calvin
Butler Collector of Taxes, at 135.00.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1200 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate 1550 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate 1500 for repairs of highways
and bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $800 for incidental expenses.
Voted that the Treasurer pay the interest on the town debt
from the money deposited in bank and in hand.
Voted that the balance of cash remaining in the Treasury, not
otherwise appropriated, be appropriated toward the payment of
the town debt.
March 17. M. C. Gaskill chosen a member of the School Com-
mittee.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at the last meeting to raise
$800 for incidental expenses, and now voted to raise $200 for the
same.
Voted that the School Committee be required to choose a
Superintendent of Schools, and that his salary be thirty-six dol-
lars, and Gustavus B. Williams was appointed.
Voted that upon all taxes remaining unpaid after the 10th day
of September, one per cent, per month shall be added thereto
until paid.
The committee heretofore chosen, to whom was referred the
subject of celebrating the Bi-Centennial Anniversary of the In-
corporation of the Town, submitted the following recommenda-
tions:
1. That the town designate the 15th day of May, 1867, to be observed
with appropriate festivities and exercises, for celebrating the Two Hun-
dredth Anniversary of the Act of Incorporation of the Town.
2. That a Committee of Arrangements be now chosen whose duty it
shall be to consider what appropriate exercises and festivities will be proper
for celebrating the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of
672 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1866.
the Town, and to recommend what, in their judgment, will be a sufficient
sum of money to meet the expenses of the same, and report at an adjourned
meeting.
John G. Metcalf,
Silas Dudley.
Voted to accept and adopt the foregoing report.
Voted that the Committee of Arrangements consist of twenty-
five members, two of which, at least, shall be chosen from each
School District.
The committee chosen were as follows, viz:
District 1, Putman W. Taft and Charles A Davenport; 2, John G. Met-
calf and • Silas Dudley ; 3, Samuel G. Wilcox and Andrus Wheelock ; 4,
Lahan Bates and John R. Hay ward; 5, Clark Cook and Adoniram J. Daw-
ley ; 6, Perry Wood and Davis Bills ; and 7, Alanson S. Freeman and Ar-
nold Taft.
Voted the committee now chosen choose the eleven members
required to complete the full committee of twenty-five.
Voted that the committee have power to fill all vacancies oc-
curring in their number.
Voted that the following list of Jurors be accepted, viz:
Alanson S. Freeman,* Andrus Wheelock,* Gilbert Cook, Putman W.
Taft, Laban Bates,* A. J. Dawley,* Andrew H. Reed,* Win. T. Metcalf,*
Lysander Grow, David Adams, David W. Bennett, Eli Bates, Andre South-
wick, Silas Dudley, Jr., Austin Wood, Nathan R. George, M. C. Gaskill,
Perry Wood, Alanson Taft. »
April 7. Voted that the town accept the bridge over the trench
near Samuel G. Wilcox's box shop, built by him, and keep the
same in repair.
A committee heretofore chosen to consider the subject of the
division of the school money, made a report and the same was
rejected.
Voted that the School Committee be authorized to divide the
money raised and appropriated for schools the present year, to-
gether with the interest of the surplus revenue and the dividend
from the State School Fund, among the several School Districts
in such a manner that the school or schools in Districts No. 2
and No. 7 shall be kept seven months, and all the other schools
six months; and that, should there be a deficit after making the
*Dead. 1880.
1866.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 673
division as hereby provided, the Selectmen tire authorized to draw
their order on the Treasurer for a sufficient sum to cover it.
At this meeting, under an article in the warrant, the question
came up whether the town would vote to reimburse, to indi-
viduals, such sum or sums of money as they had contributed for
the purpose of filling the quotas due from Mendon, under any
call of the President or of the War Department, during the
year 1864, pursuant to Chapter 152 of the Acts of 1865.
After a lengthy and at times an acrimonious discussion, with-
out coming to a direct vote, the meeting was adjourned sine die,
by a vote of 129 in the affirmative to 92 in the negative.
June 23. The second article in the warrant for this meeting
was in these words:
' ' To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate any money pur-
suant to Chap. 172 of the Acts of 1866, for the aid of disabled Soldiers and
Sailors and their Families and for the Families of the slain."
Voted that the town do appropriate money for the purpose
mentioned in the foregoing article, and that the Treasurer be
authorized and empowered to raise the same, by borrowing from
time to time upon the credit of the town, upon the best terms
he can, and for a term of time not exceeding two years, such
sums as may be required for the purpose aforesaid, the whole
sum to be borrowed under this vote not to exceed fifteen hun-
dred dollars.
Nov. 6. Voted that the further sum of $300 be appropriated
for the support of the schools the present year, provided the
Second and Seventh Districts have seven months only, and the
other Districts have six months only for the length of the
schools.
Voted that Gustavus B. Williams, John S. Gaskill and Perry
Wood be a committee to buy a hearse, reported to be for sale in
Woonsocket, E. I., or repair the hearse now owned by the town,
as they shall judge will be for the best interest of the town.
STATE ELECTION".
For Governor, Alex'r H. Bullock, "Worcester, had 108 votes. Elected.
" do Theodore H. Svveetser, Lowell, had 38 "
" Lt. Governor, William Claflin, Newton, had 108 "
" do - Horace A. Lee, Springfield, had 38 "'
85
674 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1867.
The other State and County officers had the same number of
votes, except Joseph Mason, Clerk of the Courts, whose vote was
147, being unanimous.
For Representative in Congress Eighth District— JohnD. Baldwin, Worces-
ter, had 109 votes; Elected. William A. Williams, Worcester, had 38
votes.
Senator, Second Worcester District — George S. Ball, Upton, had 108 votes;
Elected. Henry A. Aldrich, Mendon, had 39 votes.
FOR REPRESENTATIVES, FIFTEENTH WORCESTER DISTRICT.
The State having been new districted, Mendon, "Oxbridge,
Blackstone and Milford composed the Fifteenth District, with
three Eepresentatives.
George W. Stacy, Milford, had 107 votes. James H. Putnam, Milford,
had 108 votes. John S. Needham, Blackstone, had 108 votes. Lucius M.
Thayer, Milford, had 39 votes. John C. Baxter, Uxbridge, had 39 votes.
Mellens Taft, Blackstone, had 39 votes.
The three first named were elected in the District by 650 majority.
REV. RICHARD COLEMAN, THE SEVENTEENTH MINISTER.
Eev. Richard Coleman succeeded Mr. Phelan and began his
ministry July 1, 1866. He continued to supply the pulpit until
February, 1868, when he removed to New Hampshire.
i857. March 4. The Town Officers' reports were presented
in print, and severally accepted and placed on file.
David Adams was chosen Town Clerk; Alexander II. Allen,
John S. Gaskill and William H. Aldrich, Selectmen; John G.
Metcalf, Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable, and Charles
C. P. Hastings, Collector, at $40.00.
Chose thirteen Highway Surveyors and voted that the high-
way tax be paid, in labor, viz: 20 cents per hour for a man, and
the same for oxen and cart.
Voted to raise and appropriate $800 for repairs of highways
and bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1200 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for incidental expenses.
1867.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 675
Voted to raise and appropriate $700 to pay interest on town
notes.
Voted to abolish the present five highway districts and estab-
lish the thirteen highway districts into which the town was
formerly divided.
Voted that a committee of three be chosen to consider the
subject of erecting a Monument in memory of the soldiers be-
longing to this town who have died in the service of our coun-
try in the war for suppressing the Slave-Holders' Rebellion, in
accordance with Chap. 100 of the Acts of 1804, and to report at
a future meeting.
Austin Wood, Henry A. Aldrich and John G. Metcalf were
then chosen said committee.
March 16. Voted to raise and appropriate an additional sum
of 1124.25 to pay interest on town notes.
David Adams was elected a member of the School Committee
for three years, and Gnstavus B. Williams, Superintendent of
Schools, at $36.00.
Voted that the report of the Treasurer, in the case of Eli as
A. Adams, which was that the town pay to said Adams the
amount of his tax on a deposit in a savings bank, and adopted
the same.
Voted that the Fifth School District be united to the Fourth
District, and that the consolidated districts be known as the
Fourth School District.
April 1. Voted that the Sixth School District be hereafter
known as No. 5, and the Seventh as No. 6.
Voted to raise and appropriate $300 additional for the support
of schools.
It was certified by the Assessors that the number of persons
liable to enrollment was 163.
BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE INCORPORATION
OF MENDON.
March 25, 1865. It will be remembered that the town chose
John G. Metcalf, Nathan George and Silas Dudley a committee
to make arrangements for celebrating the Two Hundredth Anni-
versary of the Incorporation of the Town.
March 17, 1866, the committee made a report recommending
676 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1867.
"May 15, 1867, as the day for the celebration, and that a com-
mittee of arrangements be chosen, which shall have the charge
of all matters pertaining to the celebration."
The following persons were chosen as the Committee of Ar-
rangements, viz :
Put man W. Taft, Chas. A. Davenport, Austin D. Davenport, John G.
Metcalf, John S. Gaskill, Henry A. Aldrich, Lysander Grow, Gilbert Gas-
kill, Willard H. Swan, Samuel Gaskill, Laban Bates, Perry Wood, Austin
Wood, Silas Dudley, Jr. , Gustavus B. Williams, Olney Cook, Scammell
Aldrich, Alanson Taft, Edward B. Taft, John R. Hayward .and David
Adams.
At a meeting of the committee, the Eev. Carlton A. Staples, of
Milwaukee, Wis., was chosen to deliver an address, and the Hon.
Henry Chapin, of Worcester, a poem on the day of the celebra-
tion.
Mr. Staples was a native of Mendon, and Mr. Chapin of
Upton.
In the discharge of their duties the committee held meetings,
from time to time, at which the. various arrangements were made
and the sub-committees, for their execution, designated.
Mr. William Tufts, of Boston was engaged to furnish a tent
for twelve hundred persons. During a squall, on Sunday, the
tent blew down and another was substituted in season for the
celebration on Tuesday.
The committee completed their labors in the matter of arrange-
ments by the following election of officers of the day, viz:
President— Dr. John G. Metcalf.
Vice-Presidents — Ebenezer W. Hayward, Uxbridge; William Knowlton,
Upton; Paul Whitin, Northbridge ; John S. Gaskill, P. W. Taft, Perry
Wood, Asa Pickering, Bellingham ; Aaron C. Mayhew, Milf ord ; James K.
Comstock, Blackstone; Laban Bates, Henry A. Aldrich, Lysander Grow.
Committee of Reception — Henry A. Aldrich, Perry Wood, Lysander Grow,
P. W. Taft, John S. Gaskill, A. W. Gaskill.
Chief Marshal— Gen. William F. Draper.
Assistant Marshals — Col. James H. Barker, Capt. A. S. Tuttle, Capt.
William Emery, Lucius Lowell, Charles H. Spencer, Herbert A. Bennett,
Nathan Wheelock, Hiram O. Gilson and Henry Bates.
Toast Master — Henry A. Aldrich.
The early morning, on the day of the celebration, opened with
a clouded sky and prospects of rain, Very soon, however, the
1867.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 677
clouds broke away and the appearance of the sun gave assurance
of the propitious day which followed.
Large delegations, with bands of music, soon began to arrive
from Bellingham, Uxbridge, Upton, Milford, Northbridge and
Blackstone, which, with those outside of the family circle,
swelled the number of those present until by the estimation of
competent observers, from four to five thousand had arrived. ,
At 10 o'clock, A. M. a procession was organized by the Chief
Marshal and his Aids, and marched through some of the princi-
pal streets to the Unitarian Church, where the address was to be
delivered. The programme of the procession was as follows:
American Brass Band, of Providence, R. I.
Milford Encampment of Knights Templar.
Chief Marshal and Aids.
Military
Firemen.
Committee of Arrangements.
Selectmen of Mendon.
President of the Day, Vice-Presidents, &c.
Orator, Poet and Invited Guests.
Citizens of Bellingham, incorporated 1719.
Citizens of Uxbridge, incorporated 1724.
Citizens of Upton, incorporated 1735.
Citizens of Northbridge, incorporated 1772.
Citizens of Milford, incorporated 1780.
Citizens of Blackstone, incorporated 1845.
Citizens of Mendon on foot.
Carriages.
Arriving at the church the services were continued in the fol-
lowing order of exercises:
1. Opening Address by Dr. John G. Metcalf, President of the day.
2. Voluntary by the American Brass Baud.
3. Reading of the Scriptures by Rev. Augustus Caldwell, Pastor of the
Methodist Society.
4. Anthem by the choir.
5. Prayer by Rev. Adin Ballon, of Ilopedale, (Milford).
6. Hymn — " Come thou Almighty King."
7. Address by Rev. Carlton A. Staples, of Milwaukee, Wis.
8. Original Hymn, by Rev. Adin Ballou. Tune — " Auld Lang Syne."
9. Music by the baud.
10. Benediction by Rev. Richard Coleman, Pastor of the Unitarian
Society.
678 ANNALS OF MENDON. [18G7.
The church, having been recently thoroughly repaired, seated
among the stately elms and evergreens with which it was sur-
rounded, presented a pleasing prospect. Its interior was decorat-
ed with beautiful flowers and evergreens. The words " Welcome
Home," in large letters, inscribed upon the arch in the rear of
the pulpit, furnished a felicitous motto for the opening address
by the President of the day.
At the close of the services in the church the procession was
then reformed and marched to the spacious tent opposite the
cottage of Amariah A. Taft, where twelve hundred persons sat
down to a substantial repast. A* proper discussion of the various
items in the bill of fare having been accomplished, the Hon.
Henry Chapin, of Worcester, then read a poem, carrying us
back in verse, as the orator of the day had in prose, through the
two hundred years of our municipal life.
The address of Mr. Staples was replete with matters of his-
toric interest, interspersed with suggestion and sentiment,
kindling, it is hoped, in all our hearts a more persistent and
reverent love of home.
Short addresses, in response to sentiments, were made by Rev.
Adin Ballon, of Milford, Francis Deane, Esq., of Uxbridge,
Hon. E. B. Stoddard, of Worcester, (for Upton,) Rev. Lewis F.
Clark, of Northbridge, M. D. Southwick, M. D., of Blackstone,
Gen. John M. Thayer, Senator in Congress from Nebraska, (for
Bellingham), Hon. Ira M. Barton, of Worcester, and Dr.
George B. Loring, of Salem.
In answer to the toast, "The early settlers of Mendon,"
response, in a humorous and witty poem, was made by Putnam
W. Taft, of Worcester.
Letters excusing their absence were received from Gov. Bul-
lock, Ex-Govs. Lincoln, Boutwell, Washburn and Clifford,
Judge Devens, Isaac Davis, Benj. F. Butler, Stephen Salisbury,
J. S. C. Knowlton, Enos N. Taft and Samuel P. Bates, Esqrs.
The proceedings at the celebration were published, and copies
may be found in the libraries of the American Antiquarian So-
ciety, the Massachusetts Historical Society, the 1ST. E. Historical
and Genealogical Society, and the Worcester Society of An-
tiquity.
Nov. 5. Taxes were foregone during the year to the amount
of $52.25.
1868.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 679
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Alexander H. Bullock, Worcester, had 115 votes.
Elected.
" do John Quincy Adams, Quincy, had 59 "
" Lt. Governor, "William Claflin, Newton, had 122 "
do George M. Stearns, Chicopee, had 52
The remaining State and County officers had the same num-
ber of votes.
For Senator, Second Worcester District — Jonathan D. Wheeler, Grafton,
had 95 votes; (elected). Wm. F. Slocumb, Grafton, had 78 votes.
For Representatives, Fifteenth Worcester District — A. A. Cook, Mil ford,
had 80 votes. Estes Lamb, Blackstone, had 80 votes. Chas. A. Whee-
lock, Uxbridge, had 80 votes. Isaac H.r Stearns, Milford, had 89 votes;
elected. Moses Farnum, Blackstone, had 28 votes. Darius Bennett,
Blackstone, had 79 votes. Charles Wing, Uxbridge, had 99 votes. An-
drew J. Sumner, Milford, had 13 votes. Samuel Taft, Uxbridge, had 1
vote.
1868. The several town officers having made their reports,
and the same having been considered and accepted —
David Adams was elected Town Clerk; Alexander H. Allen,
John S. Gaskill and William H. Aldrich, Selectmen; John G.
Metcalf, Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable, and Marcus
M. Aldrich, Collector, at $41.00.
Gustavus B. Williams chosen School Committee for three
years.
Voted that the highway tax be paid in money.
Voted that a committee of three he appointed and authorized
to purchase tools and teams and hire men by the month to keep
the roads and bridges in repair.
Perry Wood, Erastus Hill and Aaron C. Cook were chosen
the Committee and Highway Surveyors, and were to receive a
fair compensation for their services while engaged in that
business.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for repairs of highways
and bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1500 for the support of
schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $600 for the support of the
poor.
680 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1868.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $825 for interest on the town
debt.
Voted that the town authorize the Treasurer to borrow a suf-
ficient sum of money to meet the demands against the town.
Voted not to abolish the existing school districts in town.
Voted that the School Committee appoint a Superintendent
of Schools, and Gustavus B. Williams was appointed.
Voted to accept the following list of jurors.
*Andrus Wheelock, Putman W. Taft,* Laban Bates, *A. J. Dawley, A.
H. Reed, Charles Fletcher, *Linus B. Staples, *Wm. T. Metcalf, Perry
Wood, John S. Gaskill, M. M. Aldrich, Win. P. Wood, David Adams,
*Alexr. H. Allen, David W. Bennett, Andre Southwick, Gustavus B. Wil-
liams, Austin Wood, Austin D. Davenport, M. C. Gaskill, *Royal M.
Wheelock.
Heard a verbal report from the committee, heretofore chosen
to repair the hearse, and voted that the committee be discharged,
and immediately voted to reconsider the vote, and then voted
that the committee be instructed to repair the hearse.
THE TRAMP QUESTION.
Voted that the Overseers of the Poor be authorized to provide
for transient persons, who may call for temporary assistance, at
other places besides the Town Asylum, at the expense of the
town.
March 2G. Voted that the Highway Surveyors of the present
year call upon those persons, Avhose highway taxes were not
worked out last year, and superintend the working out the
same in those districts where the taxes were assessed.
Voted that the Assessors for the present and succeeding year
prepare an abstract of the valuation and the amount of taxes
assessed upon each tax-payer, and have the same published with
the annual town reports.
April 6. Voted that the Superintendent of Schools for the
present year be paid $36.00.
Voted to adopt the second section, Chapter 83, of the General
Statutes, relating to the taking fish from the ponds and rivers.
Voted that Lewis Wood, Aaron C. Cook and Ezekiel P. Gas-
kill, together with Selectmen, be a committee to enforce the
fishing law.
1868.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 681
The subject of a watering basin, in the vicinity of the Post
Office, was referred to the Highway Surveyors.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to allow fifteen cents
per hour for a man, and the same for a yoke of oxen, while em-
ployed in breaking out the roads and clearing them from snow,
who were assessed the present year, and twent}^ cents per hour
to those who work to pay their taxes of last year.
May 4. Voted to establish a High School, to be kept for
the benefit of all the inhabitants.
Voted to appropriate $400 of the money raised and appropri-
ated at the March meeting for the support' of the schools, to
defray the expenses of the High School.
Voted that the Selectmen and the School Committee provide
a suitable room and furnish the same and provide the wood, and
that the expense be paid from the money raised for incidental
expenses.
A'oted that the town authorize the Overseers of the Poor to
pay the widow Catharine Cosgrove for rent of room and taking-
care of Benjamin Wheelock, one year from date, the sum of
fifty dollars.
Voted that the leasing of Mendon Pond be referred to the
Selectmen.
August 10. Voted to indefinitely postpone the consideration
of the fourth article in the warrant, which was "to see if the
town would vote to reconsider and rescind the vote establishing
a High School."
Alexander H. Allen was chosen agent, and, under the advice
of competent counsel, instructed to settle with Mrs. Mary M.
Taft, or defend the suit brought by her against the town, on
account of a tax against her, as in his judgment will best pro-
mote the interest of the town.
Voted that the fourth article in the warrant (a new one) be
indefinitely postponed, which was "to see if the money raised
for schooling should be divided in specific sums among the
several School Districts."
Nov. 3. Taxes were foregone during the year to the amount
of $06.44.
682 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1868.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Electors at Large — David Sears, of Boston, had 157 votes. John H. Clif-
ford, of New Bedford, had 157 votes. Josiah G. Abbott, of Boston, had
57 votes. John R. Briggs, of Sheffield, had 57 votes.
District 1. District No. 6.
11. L. Pease, Edgarton 157 G. Coggswell, Bradford 157
I. T. Jones, Sandwich 57 J. K. Tarbox, Lawrence 57
No. 2. No. 7.
William Mason, Taunton 157 J. W. Edmands, Newton 157
S. B. Thaxter, Arlington 57 W. F. Salmon, Lowell 57
No. 3. No. 8.
Wm. Whiting, Boston 157 Paul Whitin, Northbridge 157
James M. Keith, Boston 57 L. Barker, Worcester 57
No. 4. No. 9.
F. B. Fay, Chelsea 157 C. A. Stephens, Ware 157
E. C. Barnes, Chelsea 57 J. O. Hale, Hubbardston 57
No. 5. No. 10.
J. N. Buffum, Lynn 157 A. B. Whiting, Westfield 157
Jona. Nayson, Amesbury 57 H. W. Bishop, Lennox 57
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, William Clafliu, Newton, had 154 votes. Elected.
John Q. Adams, Quincy, had 61
For Lt. Governor, Joseph Tucker, Lennox, 154
Reuben Noble, Westfield, had 61
Candidates for other State and County offices had the same
number of votes.
For Representative in Congress, Eighth District — George F. Hoar, Wor-
cester, had 157 votes. Henry H. Stearns, Dudley, had 60 votes.
For Representative to the General Court, Fifteenth Worcester District — Albert
A. Burrill, Milf ord,.. had 157 votes. Thos. G. Kent, Milford, had 156 votes.
Alex'r H. Allen, Mendon, had 149 votes. Leonard Wakefield, Milford,
had 59 votes. Edward McGowan, Milford, had 59 votes. Jeremiah Get-
chel, Blackstone, had 57 votes.
The three first named were elected in the District by 469 majority.
REV. DAVID P. LINDSLEY, THE EIGHTEENTH MINISTER.
Mr. Lindsley began his service April 1, 1868, and sustained the
pastoral office until March 31, 1871. He was the author of a
manual on Tachygraphy, and has, since leaving Mendon, been
engaged in teaching the art.
1869. I ANNALS OF MENDON. G83
1869. Jan. 23. Voted that John (I. Metcalf and Perry
Wood be a committee to appear before the Comity Commission-
ers, in the case of the appeal of Stephen Torrey for an abatement
of taxes recently assessed on him as administrator, de bonis non.
of the estate of Benjamin Davenport.
March 1. After the usual disposition of the reports of the
various town officers,
David Adams was chosen Town Clerk; Gustavus B. Williams,
Linus B. Staples and Albert W. Gaskill, Selectmen; John G.
Metcalf, Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable, and Calvin
Butler, Collector, at $44.00.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1650 for the support of
schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate 1500 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for repairs of roads and
bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1001 to pay the interest on
the town debt, now amounting to $16,055.00.
Voted that the Treasurer be directed to borrow, in behalf of
the town, such sums of money as may be necessary to redeem
the town bonds which will fall due the present municipal year.
Chose Laban Bates, Austin D. Davenport and John S. Gas-
kill, Surveyors of Highways.
Voted that the town do not abolish the existing school dis-
tricts; the vote standing yeas 23, nays 64.
Voted that the High School be continued.
Voted that the School Committee consist of two from each
district.
Chose Calvin Butler, John W. Murray, John B. Hayward and
Linus B. Staples for three years.
Perry Wood, Sullivan H. Taft and Eli Bates for two years.
George W. Cromb, Joseph Bates and E. P. Gaskill for one
year.
Voted that to all taxes not paid before the first day of Septem-
ber of the present year, one per cent, per month shall be added
thereto until paid.
Voted that the School Committee be required to appoint a Su-
684 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1869.
perintendent of Schools, with a salary of $30.00 per year, and
Gustavus B. Williams was appointed.
Voted that the fifteenth article he indefinitely postponed.
This article proposed the abolition of the present mode of repair-
ing the roads and bridges with three surveyors, and re-establishing
the thirteen districts into which the town was formerly divided.
Voted that the Selectmen pay twenty cents per hour for shov-
elling snow the past year, and make up the pay to those already
settled with at fifteen cents 'per hour at the same rate.
John S. Gaskill, George W. Cromb and Perry Wood were
chosen a committee to learn at what terms a stone crusher can
be procured.
April IT. By Chapter 110 of the Acts of 1869, the School
District system in this Commonwealth was abolished. By the
second section of the Act it became the duty of the town, forth-
with, to take possession of all the school houses, lands and other
property owned and used by the several school districts; to have
the same appraised and a tax levied upon the whole town equal
to the amount of said appraisal. It was also provided that there
should be remitted to the tax-payers in each district the said
appraised value of its property thus taken; provided that the
appraisal of the school property in any district or the amount to
be remitted shall not exceed the sum that has been actually
raised by taxation in such district for such property.
Pursuant to this act, the town voted to choose a committee of
one from each district and one at large, to make the required
appraisal of the school property in the six school districts into
which the town Avas divided.
Then chose for District No. 1, David W. Bennett; No. 2,
William T. Metcalf; No. 3, Olney Cook; No. 4, Laban Bates;
No. 5, Perry Wood; No. G, Royal M. Wheelock; and Silas Dud-
ley at large.
May 8. Majority and minority reports were made by this
committee, and the town accepted the report of the majority,
and which is as follows, viz:
The following is the value of school property in each School District, viz:
District No. 1 $ 275 00 District No. 4 $365 00
do. " 2 1,350 00 do. " 5 288 00
do. " 3 463 00 do. " 6 444 00
Total value of school property $3,185 00
1869.] ANNALS OF MENDON. GS5
Without further action of the town the assessment of the
ahove appraisal and its subsequent remission to the tax payers in
each district was made.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to appear and defend
the suit of Freeborn I). J. Barney, of Bellingham, for alleged
injury by reason of a defect in the highway.
The result of this was that the damages recovered and the
costs, amounted to the sum of $514.76.
The following list of Jurors was reported and adopted, viz:
*Royal M. Wheelock, Micajah C. Gaskill, Charles Fletcher, Samuel W.
Wilcox, Austin D. Davenport, Perry Wood, Austin Wood, Gustavus B.
Williams, Elias T. Bates, John R. Hayward,* Alexander H. Allen, Calvin
Butler, Audre Southwick, David Adams, *Linus B. Staples, Samuel H.
Taft, John S. Gaskill, William P. Wood. *AaronC. Cook, Willard Wilcox.
August 14. Voted that the town instruct the agent chosen to
defend the suit brought by Mary M. Taft, to settle with her by
paying over to her the amount of taxes paid in 1865 and 1866.
with interest on the same, provided she will abandon the suit
and pay her own cost.
Nov. 2. Amount of taxes foregone during the year, $73.49.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to take, from the
amount raised for incidental expenses, the amount that will be
sufficient for the necessary repairs of the school houses and fur-
nishing the same.
STATE ELEG'TIOX.
For Governor, William Claflin, of Newton, had 54 votes. Elected.
John Q. Adams, of Quincy, had 27 "
E. M. Chamberlain, of Boston, had 54 "
For Lt. Governor, Joseph Tucker, of Lennox, had 54
S. O. Lamb, of Greenfield, had 27 "
Jas. Chattaway, of Springfield, had 54
The other State and County Officers had the same number of
votes.
For Senator, Second Worcester District — Charles A. Wheelock, Uxbridge,
had 54 votes; Elected. J. Henry Wood, Grafton, had 27 votes. Prescott
West, Milford, had 54 votes.
For Representatives, ffifteenth Worcester District — John C. Scott, Black-
stone, had 55 votes. Bainbridge Hayward, Milford, had 53 votes; Elected.
A. A. Sherman, Uxbridge, had 53 votes; Elected. S. J. Onion, Milford,
686 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1870.
had 54 votes. Harrison C. Whitmore, Uxbridge, had 79 votes; Elected.
Patrick Cook, Blackstone, had 54 votes. Leonard Wakefield, Milford,
had 27 votes. Dennis McMullen, Blackstone, had 27 votes.
Nov. 24. Linus B. Staples was chosen an agent to oppose the
laying out of the road (Mendon to Hopedale), described in the
petition of Charles A. Davenport and others, to the County Com-
missioners.
1870. March 7. The several reports of the town officers hav-
ing been presented in print, discussed and accepted, then
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Samuel H. Taft, Austin D.
Davenport and Edward H. Taft, Selectmen; John G. Metcalf,
Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable, and Francis Eaton
Wheelock, Collector.
Chose for School Committee, Edward H. Taft, David Adams,
Ezekiel P. Gaskill and John W. Jennison for three years, and
Samuel W. Wilcox for two years.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1650 for school purposes.
Voted to raise and appropriate 1600 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate 1400 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate 11100 for interest on the town
debt,
Voted to raise and appropriate $1500 for roads and bridges.
On motion of Calvin Butler, voted that the appropriation for
roads be assessed in a separate tax upon the polls and estates.
That we elect thirteen Highway Surveyors in the old thirteen
highway districts.
That the Highway Surveyors have charge of the roads and
bridges, and see that the money is judiciously expended.
That if any of the Highway Surveyors neglect or refuse to
serve, the others shall see that the money is judiciously expended.
That the Selectmen, upon petition of the Highway Surveyors,
shall select and lay any lot or lots of land for the purpose of get-
ting earth or gravel for the repairs of the roads, as provided in
Chap. 237 of the Acts of 1869, and the damages awarded for
such lot or lots shall be taken out of the money raised for repair
of roads and bridges.
1870.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 687
Highway Surveyors were then chosen for the thirteen districts.
Voted that the School Committee appoint a Superintendent of
Schools, and Gustavus B. Williams was appointed.
Voted that to all taxes not paid on or before Sept. 10, one per
cent per month shall he added.
Voted to continue the High School.
Alexander H. Allen, John G. Metcalf and David Adams were
chosen a committee to examine the condition of the town Records
and make a report at the adjourned meeting.
Henry A. Aldrich, Samuel H. Taft and Marcus M. Aldrich were
chosen a committee to .repair the inside of the Town Hall and
establish the price for the use of the Hall, and report at the ad-
journed meeting.
Voted that the School Committee consider the subject of build-
ing a new school house in the First District, and report at an
adjourned meeting.
There having been some difference of opinion, heretofore,
about the use of the school rooms, under the Town Hall,
Upon motion of Nathan George, it was voted that the School
Committee of the Town of Mendon be and said committee is
hereby authorized, instructed and directed, upon receiving from
the party or parties applying therefor, reasonable assurance that
all damage done the school rooms of the school house of the
former Second School District in Mendon, their furniture, school
books and other equipments (beyond the ordinary wear and tear
thereof) shall be immediately made good by or at the expense
of the party or parties aforesaid, and upon the further reasona-
ble assurance that intoxicating liquors shall be prohibited in said
school rooms, to open and allow said school rooms to be used as
ante-rooms whenever the Town Hall shall be used for fairs,
dancing parties or other social gatherings, the applicant or appli-
cants paying for the use thereof one dollar per night.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow, in behalf
of the town, such sums of money as may be necessary to meet
the current expenses, in anticipation of the collection of the
taxes.
Voted that the Treasurer be directed to borrow, in behalf of
the town, the sum of eighteen hundred dollars to pay for bonds
becoming due the current year.
688 ANNALS OF MEN DON. [1870.
INLAND FISHERY.
By tin act of the Colonial Legislature, in the olden time, all
ponds with an area exceeding twenty acres were declared to he
the property of the State. April 1, 1870, the Fish Commis-
sioners on Inland Fisheries leased Mendon Pond, '•'for the cul-
tivation and maintenance of useful fishes," for the period of
twenty years, as will be seen by the following Indenture, viz:
This Indenture made this first day of April in the year of our Lord
eighteen hundred and seventy, by and between the Commonwealth of Mas-
sachusetts, party of the first part, acting by Theodore Lyman of Brookline
in the County of Norfolk, and Edward A. Brackett of Winchester in the
County of Middlesex, two of the Board of Commissioners on Inland Fish-
eries of said Commonwealth duly empowered and authorized by section
nine of Chapter Three Hundred and Eighty four of the Acts of the year
eighteen hundred and sixty nine, and Leonard J. Wilson of Milford in the
County of Worcester and John Bliss of Newton in said County of Middle-
sex, parties of the second part, witnesseth :
That said Commonwealth of Massachusetts doth hereby demise and lease
unto said parties of the second part a certain great pond situate in
Mendon in said County of Worcester, exceeding twenty acres in area, and
commonly known as Mendon Pond, for the purpose of the cultivation of
useful fishes.
To have and to hold the same for the term of twenty years from the day
of the date hereof, yielding and paying therefor unto the Treasury of said
town of Mendon, during the first six years of the period embraced by this
lease, rent at the rate of one dollar per annum, and during the next thir-
teen years rent at the rate of fifty dollars per annum, said rent being in each
case payable on the first day of April in each year.
And the said Lessees hereby covenant with said Commonwealth and its
assigns, that they and their heirs, executors and administrators will pay
said rent in manner aforesaid; that they will not occupy more than one
tenth part of the premises aforesaid with the enclosure and appliances
necessary for the taking and culture of fishes as aforesaid; that they will
not avail themselves of the privileges of this lease to the prejudice of any
public right other than the taking and cultivation aforesaid, and they will
not debar ingress to and egress from said premises, at proper places and at
proper times; that they will not without the consent in writing of said
Board of Commissioners on Inland Fisheries or their successors, assign this (
lease or underlet their right to take and cultivate as aforesaid, as to the
whole or any part of said premises; that they will allow said Commission-
ers and their successors personally or by their deputies, at all times to enter
on said premises to inspect the same and to take fishes for purposes con-
nected with fish culture and scientific observation; that they will observe
all the laws of the Commonwealth relating to Inland Fisheries and that
1870.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 689
which year no rent is hereby reserved, they will not take nor capture any
useful fishes nor suffer the same to be captured or taken within the limits
of said premises.
Provided always that these presents are upon this condition, that in case
of the breach of any of the covenants to be observed on the part of the
Lessees or in case the estate hereby created shall be taken from the
Lessees or their representatives by process of law, proceeding in bankruptcy
or otherwise, the said Commissioners or their successors may, while the
default or the neglect continues or at any time after such taking by process
of law, without any notice or demand, enter upon said premises and there
by determine the estate hereby created and expel and remove, forcibly if
necessary, the lessees and those claiming under them and their effects and
all fishes artificially cultivated and maintained by said Lessees on said
premises and not removed by them at the expiration of the nineteenth
year of this lease shall become the absolute property of said Common-
wealth.
In witness whereof to this and another instrument of like tenor, the said
Lessees individually set their hands and seals, and the said Lyman and said
Brackett, Commissioners as aforesaid, to the same set their hands and
caused the seal of the Commonwealth to be affixed.
The pond hereby leased contains 107 acres.
April 4. Heard the report of the School Committee on the
subject of a new school house in the First School District. They
recommend the building of a new one.
Voted that all bills for breaking out roads and clearing them .
of snow shall be paid when approved by the Surveyor of the
district where the labor was performed.
REPORT OF A COMMITTEE.
The committee chosen at the March meeting "to consider
what measures, if any, should be adopted for the preservation
of the Town Records, and for authenticating, legally, any tran-
scripts of such portions of the same as have been heretofore
made," respectfully submit the following report:
The first volume of the records beginning with the first town meeting in
1667, though with some loose leaves and one cover gone, is still complete,
with the exception of a few words at the bottom of the first four leaves,
and, when one has mastered its quaint chirography, may be readily read.
The second and third volumes are getting somewhat loose in their covers
and, if much longer neglected, will require rebinding. To guard against
the contingency of loss or mutilation, by a longer delay, your committee
87
690 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1870.
recommend that volumes one, two and three be suitably and substantially
rebound and lettered.
In regard to the first volume although we have a transcript which is be-
lieved to be a true copy, still it has never been legally authenticated. The
transcript of Births, Marriages and Deaths is in the same category. These
transcripts may be authenticated by the oath of the Town Clerk, by com-
paring the blind and antiquated hand writing of the original, in many in-
stances to be deciphered with great difficulty, with the copy. This mode
will require much time and, consequently, be attended with considerable
expense.
Your Committee have supposed that, upon the oath or affidavit of the
persons employed for the purpose, that the transcripts were true copies of
the original records, they might be authenticated by a special act of the
Legislature. This would be a more expeditious and less expensive mode
of procedure than that by comparing the copies with the originals by
the Clerk.
In regard to the first volume, although it has been copied and, when duly
authenticated, will be a legal record of the town, we nevertheless regard it
as a treasure of great value on account of its antiquity. We should remem-
ber that its initial record was made more than two hundred years ago ; that
it was preserved through the disasters and casualties of King Philip's War,
when the town was deserted and burned ; that it was carried away, in the
autumn of 1675, when the inhabitants, for the safety of their lives, returned
to Braintree and Weymouth, and brought back in season for the record of
the next town meeting, July 19, 1680.
It is presumed that few towns, whose acts of incorporation date back one
hundred and fifty years, have preserved their records so complete as ours,
and when we remember that their loss or mutilation would, in various ways,
result in pecuniary loss, beside the break it would make in the historical
chain which connects the present with the generations that have gone be-
fore us, we cannot be too careful of their preservation.
The fourth section of Chap. 29 of the General Statutes makes it impera-
tive upon the Selectmen to provide suitable fire-proof safes, at the expense
of the town, of sufficient capacity to hold all its records and valuable
papers. In the opinion of the committee the present fire-proof safe has
not sufficient capacity to hold all its records and papers, which, by law,
are required to be secured from the contingency of loss by fire.
We feel it a duty to bring this subject to the notice of the town, believ-
ing there can be no difference of opinion in the matter of the safe-keeping
of the public records. It should also be borne in mind that, by the thir-
teenth section of the chapter before quoted, of the General Statutes, towns
are liable to a fine of twenty dollars per month for each and every month
they may neglect to provide suitable fire-proof safes for the purpose above
mentioned.
In conclusion the committee recommend that the town choose a commit-
tee to procure the authentication of such portions of its records as have
1870.] ANNALS 0F MENDON. 691
been transcribed; and also consider and report, at the next town meeting-,
such measures as they shall judge meet and proper in the matter of provid-
ing additional room for the safe-keeping of its records and papers of value.
Alexander H. Allen, )
David Adams, - Committee.
John G. Metcalf, )
Voted that the foregoing report he accepted and adopted.
Voted that the above committee he authorized to carry the
recommendations of their report into effect.
Voted that for the use of the Town Hall in future, when occu-
pied by citizens, except for balls and dances, or when an entrance
fee is asked for individual benefit, there shall be paid for its use
one dollar in winter and fifty cents in summer. For balls and
dances the sum of five dollars shall be charged.
May 28. Voted to accept of a road laid out on Wigwam Hill,
northerl}r from the house of Nathaniel Taft, and running easterly
to intersect with the road from Mendon to Millville, and to dis-
continue that part of the road over Wigwam Hill, lying northerly
of the point of beginning of the above new road.
By the return of the Assessors there were 144 persons in town
liable to do military duty.
June 23. Henry A. Aldrich, John G. Metcalf, Perry Wood.
Alexander H. Allen and David Adams were chosen a committee
to designate portions of the public highways as streets, and affix
and establish names by which they shall hereafter be known and
called.
Subsequently the committee made a report, and the same was
adopted, as follows: Main street from the old cemetery towards
Worcester; George street from Main street by the house of B.
D. Williams; Gaskill street from George street to the house of
Austin A. Taft; Blackstone street from Main street by the house
of Gilbert Gaskill; Emerson street from Blackstone street to
Maple street, opposite Washington street; Washington street
from Maple street north; Maple street from Main street by the
Unitarian Church to Emerson street; Hastings street from Main
to Maple street; Elm street from Maple to Hastings street.
Sept. 6. Voted no person be allowed to sell ale, porter, strong
or lager beer in the town of Mendon.
Nov. 8. Voted to forego taxes to the amount of $47.44 dur-
ing the year.
692 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1870.
Voted to indefinitely postpone the fourth article in the war-
rant which was " To see if the town would re-establish the
former school districts."
Voted to indefinitely postpone the fifth article in the warrant,
which was "To see if the town would build a school house in
the former School District No. 1."
Voted to indefinitely postpone the sixth article in the warrant,
which was "To see if the town would build a chimney in the
school house of the Second School District."
David Adams, John G. Metcalf and Alexander H. Allen were
chosen a committee to report, at a future meeting, the probable
cost of indexing the records of births, deaths, marriages and in-
tentions of marriages.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, William Claflin, Newton, had 63 votes. Elected.
John Q. Adams, Quincy, had 24 "
Wendell Phillips, Boston.-had 37 "
For Lt. Governor, Joseph Tucker, Lennox, had 63
Jas. Chattaway, Springfield, had 24 "
Eliphalet Trask, " had 24 "
Henry W. Bishop, Lennox, had 30
The votes for the other State and County Officers varied but
little from the above.
For Senator, Second Worcester District— Charles E. Whitin, Nortkbridge,
had 59 votes. J. H. Wood, Grafton, had 55 votes; Elected. George S.
Ball, Upton, had 9 votes.
For Representative in the General Court, Fifteenth Worcester District — Bain-
bridge Hayward, Milford, had 68 votes; Elected. Henry E. Fales, Milford,
had 63 votes. Lyman Paine, Blackstone, had 67 votes ; Elected. Patrick
Mnlloy, Blackstone, had 16 votes. Lawrence Reade, Milford, had 23 votes;
Elected. Wm. J. McLaughlin, Milford, had 52 votes. George W. Stacy,
Milford, had 5 votes. Prescott West, Milford, had 32 votes. Waterman
Taft, Blackstone, had 2 votes.
Nov. 26. The subject of a new school house in District No.
1; of building a chimney in the school house in District No. 2;
of the re-establishment of the former school districts, &c, were
contained in the warrant. Nothing was done but to adjourn
sine die.
During- December the various town boundaries were nerambu-
lated by the Selectmen of the different towns.
1871.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 693
1871. March G. The usual disposition of the annual reports
of the town officers having been made, proceeded to the choice
of town officers.
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Alexander H. Allen, Albert
W. Gaskill and Marcus M. Aldrich, Selectmen; John G. Met-
calf, Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable, at $10 for his
services, and Francis E. Wheelock, Collector, at $49.75.
Chose Gustavus B.Williams, School Committee for three years.
Voted to adopt the same manner as was followed last year for
repairing the highways and bridges, and Surveyors for the thir-
teen highway districts were then chosen.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1 700 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $400 for incidental expeuses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1100 for interest on the town
debt.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1500 for repair of roads and
bridges.
Voted that the School Committee be instructed to choose a
Superintendent of Schools, and Kev. George F. Clark was ap-
pointed.
Voted to continue the High School the ensuing year.
Voted not to re-establish the former school districts in town.
Yeas 75. Nays 67.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money to
meet the current expenses.
March 18. Voted that the Selectmen audit the accounts of
the Treasurer and the several Collectors since 1803 in the matter
of percentage, and print their report with the annual reports for
1872.
Henry A. Aldrich, Austin Wood and L. B. Staples were elected
Auditors.
Voted that the Highway Surveyors be required to expend 80
per cent, of the money raised for repairing roads before the first
day of July.
Voted that to all taxes not paid on or before the tenth day of
September, one per cent, per month shall be added until paid.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized and directed to hire,
694 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1871.
in behalf of the town, the sum of $1300.00 for the redemption
of bonds becoming due the current year.
Voted a committee of five be appointed to take into consider-
ation the subject of a new school house at the North End (for-
merly District No. 1), and report what, in their opinion, should
be the size, where the site, and its approximate cost, and also the
probable number of pupils to be accommodated in the same.
Chose John L. Davenport, Perry Wood, John G. Metcalf,
Edward H. Taft and Silas Dudley as the committee.
Voted that the Sexton be authorized to purchase a pall and
bier for the use of the town.
The committee chosen Nov. 8, 1870, reported that the records
of births, deaths, marriages and intentions of marriages should
be provided with indexes.
Voted that the Selectmen be required to have the recommenda-
tions of said report carried into effect.
Voted that the town authorize the Selectmen to petition the
Legislature to re-define and re-establish the line between the
town of Mendon and the town of Bellingham.
The town of Bellingham claimed that that portion of the line
running north from the monument, on the bank of Charles
River (formerly known as the Dedham Tree), should be a straight
line to the bridge over Charles River, near the ruins of the Bel-
lingham Factory, while Mendon claimed that the Charles River
should be the boundary.
By Chap. 60 of the Acts of 1872, approved March 7, 1872,
the Legislature established the centre of Charles River, between
the points above mentioned, as the boundary line between the
towns of Mendon and Bellingham.
May 2. Voted no person shall be allowed to sell ale, porter,
strong beer or lager beer in this town for one year from this date.
Voted to pass the over fifth article, relating "to alterations in
roads and specific repairs to the same," as prayed for by Silas Dud-
ley and others, and Perry Wood and others. The petition of Silas
Dudley had reference to the direct road to Milford, and that of
Perry Wood to the Milford road by Gaskill's mill, now known as
Spindleville. The repairs on the direct road, afterward directed
to be made by the County Commissioners, cost $6950.00.
Voted to discontinue the "Salt Box "road (so-called) from
1871.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 695
the dwelling house of the late Seth T. Davenport to Milford line.
Voted that the price for the use of the Town Hall for danc-
ing parties, when not used after twelve o?clock (midnight) be re-
duced to $3.00 per night.
Voted to choose a committee of three to enforce the liquor
law, and Gustavus B. Williams, Marcus M. Aldrich and George
W. Thayer were chosen as the committee.
Voted (under the March meeting warrant) to raise and appro-
priate the sum of two thousand dollars towards paying for the
road recently laid out by the County Commissioners, from near
the house of the late S. T. Davenport to Milford line, in the
direction of Hopedale.
June 13. The Assessors certify that, on the first day of May,
there were 158 persons liable to enrollment, between the ages of
18 and 45.
Nov. 7. Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow,
from time to time, such sums of money as may be necessary for
constructing and repairing the road (recently laid out) from the
dwelling house of Silas Dudley to Milford line.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to construct a chimney
for the Town Hall and the Primary School below said Hall.
The sixth article of the warrant, "To see if the town would
vote to sell the Poor Farm," was referred to the Overseers of the
Poor, with Perry Wood and John S. Gaskill as a committee, for
consideration and report.
Amount of taxes foregone during the year, $50. 69.
Voted to adopt the following Report of a Committee chosen
March 18,1871, relative to a school house at the north part of
the town, formerly the First School District.
REPORT OF A COMMITTEE.
The committee chosen at a former meeting to which was referred the sub-
ject of building a school house at the north part of the town, formerly
known as the First School District, have attended to that duty and now
respectfully ask leave to submit the following report :
The committee recommend that the town erect a school house near the
site of the present house, thirty-seven feet long and twenty-eight feet wide,
and that it be set on underpinning stone, split one foot and six inches wide.
That the posts be eleven feet long; that it be a studded house and be set
with the end to the road, with a suitable jet upon the rafters facing the
road. That there shall be four windows upon each side, to be placed and
696 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1871.
of the size as represented in the accompanying plans, and which plans are
to be received as a part of our report. That the partitions, platforms,
doors, desks and seats, shall be arranged as set forth in the plan of the
ground floor beneath herewith submitted, and which will furnish desks and
seats for fifty-six scholars. That the chimney shall be built at the farther
end of the house. That the outside covering of the house shall be of the
first quality of lumber, and that for the inside shall be of a quality suitable
for the several purposes for which the house is designed. That the outside of
the house shall be painted with two coats of white lead paint, and the in-
side with paint of suitable shade.
Mr. Joseph Albee having offered to sell the town one-quarter of an acre
of laud adjoining the site of the present house, for ten dollars, the commit-
tee recommend that an additional quarter of an acre, should the town con-
clude to build the house upon the location proposed, be purchased of Mr.
Albee at such equitable terms as may be agreed on.
Having now stated such leading points as have occurred to the commit-
tee, in the erection of the proposed school house, and presuming that the
town would hardly find time to settle the various matters of detail in re-
gard to its construction, they recommend the passage of the following vote :
'Voted a Committee of five persons be now chosen whose duty it shall be,
after completing the specifications necessary for carrying out the plan
hereby proposed, to contract with some competent and suitable person or
persons for the erection of the School House hereby proposed; the same to
be completed and finished to the acceptance of the Committee on or be-
fore the 1st day of November, 1872.
Chose John L. Davenport, Perry Wood, John G. Metcalf,
Edward H. Taft and Silas Dndley as the above committee.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, William B. Washburne, Greenfield, had 73 votes.
Elected.
" do Edwin M. Chamberlain, Boston, had 27
" do John B. Adams, Quincy, had 18 "
" do Robert C. Pitman, New Bedford, had 4
For Lt. Governor, Joseph Tucker, Lenox, had 71 "
do Allen Deane, Westfield, had 27
do S. O. Lamb, Greenfield, had 18 "
" do Eliphalet Trask, Springfield, had 5 "
The other candidates for State offices had the same number of
votes.
For Senator, Second Worcester District — Samuel M. Griggs, Westboro', had
75 votes; Elected. J. H. Wood, Grafton, had 45 votes. George F. Clark,
Mendon, had 5 votes.
1872.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 697
For Representatives to the General Court, Fifteenth Worcester District —
George B. Blake, Milford, had 74 votes; (Elected.) Wm. H. Aldrieh.
Mendon, had 77 votes; (Elected.) George W. Hobhs, Uxbridge, had 76
votes; (Elected). Win. J. McLaughlin, Milford, had 27 votes. Edward
H. Taft, Mendon, had 34 votes. Wm. F. Byrne, Blackstone, had 27 votes.
Lawrence Read, Milford, had 16 votes. Edward J. Kelley, Uxbridge, had
10 votes. Jeremah Getchel, Blackstone, had 16 votes. C. W. Redding,
Milford, had 4 votes.
EEV. GEOKGE T. CLAKK, THE NINETEENTH .MINISTER.
Rev. George F. Clark, late minister at Castine, Me., was
called to supply the pulpit, and began his labors in June, 181 1.
He still (1880) continues to discharge his parochial duties to the
general acceptation of the Parish.
The Parish has beeu Unitarian since the pastorate of Mr.
Alexander in 1802. No Parish tax has been made since 1827;
the support of the ministry being provided for by voluntary
yearly contributions.
1872. Jan. G. Being an adjourned meeting from Nov. 7,
1871.
Voted that the report of the committee (now made) relative
to selling the Poor Farm be accepted;
Voted that the Overseers of the Poor be authorized to lease
the farm (called the Asylum for the Poor,) for one year from the
first day of April. 1872, and that said Overseers be required to
make provision for the maintenance of the poor now at said
asylum.
Voted that this meeting be now adjourned to the time and
place of the annual March meeting.
March 4. After the usual annual reports of the town officers
Avere disposed of by being severally accepted, the Selectmen
made a Special Report on the subject of " Percentage " charged
on all taxes not paid on or before any time fixed by the town, as
follows, viz : — whereupon,
Voted that the Assessors, in future, be directed to procure,
for the use of the Collectors of taxes, books ruled with two par-
allel columns for the entry, against each person's tax, of the date
of payment and the amount of percentage, if any, is collected;
698 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1872.
and that Collectors be directed, in all cases, to make the appro-
priate entries against each tax.
Voted that the Selectmen examine the Collectors' books
monthly, and ascertain and report to the Treasurer, from time
to time, the amount of percentage collected.
Voted that, in all cases, the Treasurer, in his receipts to the
Collectors, specify the amount that is received as percentage,
and that he be directed to charge all Collectors with the per-
centage so receipted for at the time of receiving the same, and
should the Collectors, after the monthly return to the Treasurer
by the Selectmen, of the amount of percentage due, neglect to
pay over the same to the Treasurer, they shall be charged one
per cent, a month for the same until paid.
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Alexander H. Allen, Al-
bert W. Gaskill and Thomas B. Staples, Selectmen; John G.
Metcalf, Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable, at $15.00,
and Francis E. Wheelock, Collector, at $-49.25.
Chose Andrew W. Judson, School Committee for three years.
Voted to raise and appropriate 11700 for schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate 1500 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for roads and bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1300 for payment of interest.
Voted to raise and appropriate $400 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $2000 towards paying the pub-
lic debt.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money to
pay bonds and notes that become due the current year.
Voted that the School Committee appoint a Superintendent
of Schools, and Rev. George F. Clark was appointed.
Voted to accept the following list of Jurors, viz: —
Albert W. Gaskill, Charles Fletcher, Samuel W. Wilcox, Austin D. Da-
venport, Austin "Wood, Gustavus B. Williams, Elias T. Bates, John R.
Hay ward, William S. Hastings, *Alexander H. Allen, Andre South wick,
David Adams, Ezekiel P. Gaskill, Moses Aldrich, *Aaron C. Cook, Gilbert
Cook, David W. Bennett, Aldrich B. Cook, John W. Jennison.
Voted that to all taxes not paid on or before the 10th day of
September of the present year, one per cent, per month shall be
added until paid.
Voted to continue the High School another year.
1872.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 699
Voted to authorize the Treasurer to borrow money to pay the
current expenses, in anticipation of the collection of the taxes.
Chose Alexander H. Allen, Collector of Taxes, in place of Cal-
vin Butler, (removed from town,) to finish the collection of
1869.
John G. Metcalf, Samuel H. Taf t and Micajah Collins Gaskill
were chosen a committee to consider if any measures are required
for the custody, preservation and safe keeping of the Town Re-
cords, and report at a future meeting.
Voted that the town do procure, for the use of the town, one
or more tire engines of a kind that makes use of carbonic acid
as an extinguishing power.
Voted that Julius A. George, George W. Cromb, Austin Wood,
John R. Hayward and Stephen C. Taft be a committee to inves-
tigate the matter of a fire engine or engines for the use of the
town, and report at a future meeting. Said committee not to
purchase without further authority from the town.
Voted to reconsider the vote passed at a former meeting to
lease the farm (called the Asylum for the Poor.) for one year.
Voted that the Overseers of the-Poor be authorized to sell the
farm, stock, tools and furniture belonging to the town.
April G. Voted to raise and appropriate $300 in addition to
the amount already raised and appropriated for the support of
the poor.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow $1800 for
the payment of a school house in the former School District
No. 1.
REPORT OF A COMMITTEE.
Heard the report of the committee to which was referred the
matter of the custody, preservation and safe keeping of the
Town Records, which was accepted and adopted by the town,
and which is as follows, viz: —
The Committee chosen at the Annual March meeting, " to take into con-
sideration the custody, preservation and safe keeping of the Town Re-
cords," respectfully submit the following Report:
Upon examination they find that the present Safe will not contain all the
Records of the Town, and, in their opinion, should the Town Hall (where
the Safe is now kept) be destroyed by fire, the heat would be sufficient to
destroy the contents of the Safe. Chap. 29, Section 4, of the General Stat-
700 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1872.
utes, makes it imperative upon the Selectmen of towns to provide, at the
expense of the town, fire proof Safes, of ample size for the preservation of
books of Record or Registry and other important documents or papers be-
longing thereto; and Section 13, of the same Chapter, provides that " for
each month it neglects or refuses to provide suitable Safes for the safe
keeping of its Records the town shall forfeit twenty dollars."
The safe keeping and preservation of the Town Records, liable as they
are, at any time, to be destroyed, while they remain in their present loca-
tion, is a subject which we think the Town cannot longer, for prudential
reasons, neglect to consider. The loss of our Records, as all must agree,
would be an irreparable misfortune, inasmuch as they could never be re-
placed. The pecuniary loss which their destruction might entail especially
in determining the settlement of paupers, in certain cases, might and very
likely would, before the lapse of many years, far exceed the amount of
any present outlay which the town may be disposed to authorize for their
safe keeping.
Believing that all will agree that the present location of our Records does
not insure their safety from the hazard of fire, and assuming that no one
can doubt the importance of their preservation, the Committee report that
they have carefully examined the building (formerly the Mendon Bank)
now owned by Mrs. McCarty, with a view to the expediency of its pur-
chase by the Town as a safe place for the custody and preservation of its
Records. They found the building in good repair except the roof which
requires shingling. The cellar is of the size of the building and its walls,
originally strongly built, still remain in proper position. The vault, for-
merly used by the Bank,, has been removed down to its foundations which re-
main intact. There are brick walls upon three sides of this foundation, and,
in this space, should the future necessities of the town require, a brick vault,
fire proof, might be erected sufficient to hold the archives of the town for
a long series of years. The Committee learn from Mrs. McCarty that she
will sell the buildiug and lot for the sum of four hundred and seventy five
dollars and will accept in payment the town's note with interest at six per
cent, per annum. Should the town conclude to accept the offer of Mrs.
McCarty, the Committee believe that from one to two hundred dollars
wTould pay for slating the roof and putting the building in suitable repair
for its future use.
They close their report by offering the following motion:
" That the town do purchase the estate of Mrs. McCarty for the sum of
four hundred and seventy five dollars and that that sum be raised and ap-
propriated to defray the cost of the same. "
Signed John G. Metcalf, )
Micajah C. Gaskii.l, (• Committee.
Samuel H. Tapt, )
Voted that the Treasurer he authorized to borrow the sum of
1872.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 701
four hundred and seventy-five dollars to pay for the estate of
Mrs. McCarty, (formerly the Mendon Bank,) which the town
have voted to buy.
Voted to raise and appropriate one hundred and fifty dollars
for the repair of said building.
Voted that John G. Mefcalf, Micajah C. Gaskill and Samuel
H. Taft he a committee to carry the above report into effect.
Heard the report of the committee chosen at the March meet-
ing, " relative to purchasing one or more Fire Engines for the
town," and the same was accepted and adopted.
REPORT OF A COMMITTEE.
The Committee chosen by the Town at the Annual March meeting " to
investigate the subject of Fire Engines using Carbonic acid as an extin-
guishing power " and to report at an adjourned meeting, having attended
to the duty assigned them, respectfully submit the following Report:
Your Committee did not deem it necessary for the purposes of this in-
vestigation to visit personally any of the towns where Engines using Chem-
icals were in use, but considered the object for which the Committee was
chosen could be attained by corresponding with prominent gentlemen in
those towns. We accordingly addressed letters of incpiiry in some cases to
Postmasters and in others to some leading citizen, and. in almost all eases,
receiving a prompt reply.
Your Committee considered all of the machines, for the use of chemicals
in the extinguishment of fire, which they could obtain any knowledge of.
1st. We would mention the so called Gardner Fire Extinguisher, made
in Philadelphia. Your Committee found this to be only another form of
the common Portable Extinguisher, at least no better, costing the same
and having the decided objection attached to it, that its proprietors are now
engaged in a lawsuit, brought against them by the American Consolidated
Extinguisher Company, for infringement of its patent, and should this
suit be decided against the Gardner Company, all purchasers would, of
course, be liable for damages.
2nd. The so called Chemical Engine, they find, does not meet with so
much favor where it has been used or exhibited as they were led to believe
from the representations of its agents, and it is open to the same objections
as the last, that is, if the Carlier's Patent is sustained in the present suit, all
purchasers of this too will be liable for damages.
3d. The Portable Extinguisher No. 2, the same as exhibited on the day
of the March meeting, hardly needs commendation from this Committee.
Gentlemen of good standing in their communities, all over this and other
States testify to its merits and many of them have seen for themselves that
it is effectual for extinguishing tire. The large cities and towns of this
State are using them in connection with their other Engines with good sue-
702 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1872.
cess. The city of Boston runs to fires express wagons loaded with these
machines, and they often put out a fire before the arrival of any engine and
prevent a serious conflagration.
They are made and sold by the American Consolidated Extinguisher
Company, who are the owners of the Carlier patent so that no one incurs
any legal risk by using them. These can be obtained at 20 per cent, less
than the usual prices, that is for iron $40 and.for copper $44.
4th. The Self- Acting Fire Engine made by the New England Fire Extin-
guisher Company, we find to be in successful use in several towns. The
replies to our letters of inquiry (any and all of which will be read) full}'
confirm the claims of the Manufacturers and the good opinion your Com-
mittee had previously entertained.
In view of all the facts your Committee recommend that the town do
procure for the use of the town one Self Acting Fire Engine at a cost of
not over $800, to be located in the centre of the Village provided that the
citizens will provide suitable care and storage for the same without ex-
pense to the town. Also that the town procure a number of Portable
Extinguishers the whole cost of which shall not exceed five hundred dol-
lars; and that the same be distributed under the direction of the Selectmen,
or of a Committee at convenient points in the outskirts of the town, pro-
vided that suitable persons will guarantee to take charge of and lie respon-
sible for the same.
Julius A. George, "]
S. C. Taft,
G. W. Cromb, }■ Committee.
.]. R. Hayward, I
Austin Wood,
Voted that the above committee be a committee to purchase
and locate one Self-Acting Fire Engiire in the centre of Mendon
village, at a cost not to exceed $800, and twelve of the small
portable extinguishers, to be located by said committee over the
said town of Mendon, at different and convenient points, as they
in their judgment may think best.
. Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow the sum of
thirteen hundred dollars for the pay of said machines.
Voted that the School Committee be authorized to make such
repairs of the school houses as they may deem necessary.
Voted that the Treasurer be directed to pay a bounty of ten
cents per head for all woodchucks, he having satisfactory evidence
that such woodchucks were caught and killed in the town of
Mendon.
The committee chosen to contract for the erection of a school
house in the former First District, reported that Perry Wood,
1872.]
ANNALS OF MENDON.
703
the contractor for said house, had failed to complete said struct-
ure in accordance with some of the specifications contained in
said contract. This report was accepted, and then
Voted that the Building Committee be instructed, Mr. Wood
consenting, to refer the difference between them to the Select-
men, as referees, each party to abide by their decision.
The Selectmen and Mr. Wood met, next morning, at the
school house, and the objections of the Building Committee
were not sustained by the referees.
The number of persons liable to enrollment, as returned by
the Assessors, was 156.
Nov.
PB KSI DKXTIA L ELECTION.
For Elector* at Dirge — EbenezerR. Hoar, Concord, had 89 votes; Elected.
John M. Forbes, Milton, had 89 votes; Elected. Chester W. Chapin, Spring-
field, had 50 votes. Josiah G. Abbott, Boston, had 50 votes. H. D. Cush-
ing, Boston, had 2 votes. E. S. Conant, Randolph, had 2 votes.
District No. 1.
William T. Davis, Plymouth 89
George Delano, New Bedford .... 50
M. W. Nickerson, of So. Dennis. 2
No. 2.
Harrison Tweed, Taunton 89
James E. Carpenter, Foxboro ... 50
Nathan Beal, East Abington 2
No. 3.
Alvan Simonds, Boston 89
Chas. A. B. Shepard, Boston 50
S. W. Hodges, " 2
No. 4.
Edward H. Dunn, Boston 89
Joseph Everdean, Chelsea 50
G. H. Vibbert, East Boston 2
No. 5.
Amos F. Breed, Lynn 89
Rich'd Frothingham, Charlestown.50
A. E. Whitney, Lynn 2
No. 6.
Luther Day, Haverhill 89
John A. Bassett, Salem 50
J. H. Orne, Marblehead 2
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Wm. B. Washburne, Greenfield, had 92 votes. Elected.
Francis W. Bird, Walpole, had 47 "
District No. 7.
John C. Hoadley, Lawrence 89
Wm. H. Clemeuce, Lowell 50
L. D. Barrows, Lawrence 2
No. 8.
Aaron C. Mayhew, Milford 89
Henry W. Muzzey, Cambridge ... 50
W. W. Brown, " ... 2
No. 9.
Stephen Salisbury, Worcester. . . .89
Isaac Davis, " ... .50
George F. Clark, Mendon 2
No. 10.
Levi Stockbridge, Amherst 89
C. H. B. Snow, Fitchburg 50
E. F. Coffin, Orange 2
No. 11.
Henry Alexander, Jr., Springfield 89
Charles W. Knox, Chester 50
Lucius Holmes, North Adams. ... 2
704 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1873.
For Lt. Governor, Thomas Talbot, Billerica, had 92 votes. Elected.
Win. L. Smith, Springfield, had 49 "
The other State and County officers had about the same num-
ber of votes.
For Representative to Congress, Ninth District — George F. Hoar, Worces-
ter, had 89 votes; Elected. George F. Verry, Worcester, had 50 votes.
For Senator, Second Worcester District — Samuel M. Griggs, Westborough,
had 86 votes ; Elected. Henry A. Aldrich, Mendon, had 47 votes.
For Representatives, Fifteenth Worcester District — George B. Blake, Mil-
ford, had 91 votes; Elected. Henry C. Skinner, Milford, had 91 votes;
Elected. John C. Scott, Blackstone, had 90 votes; Elected. Albert Smith,
Blackstone, had 49 votes. George G. Parker, Milford, had 49 votes. P. C.
Callaghan, Milford, had 49 votes. John S. Needham, Blackstone, had 2
votes.
Taxes foregone during the year, $8.19.
1873. March 3. After hearing and accepting the reports of
the town officers,
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Alexander H. Allen, Albert
W. Gaskill and Thomas B. Staples, Selectmen; T. B. Staples
declined, and May 26 Nathan K. George was chosen in his place.
John G. Metcalf was chosen Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Con-
stable, at 115, and Francis E. Wheelock, Collector at $59.00.
Homer W. Darling and E. P. Gaskill were chosen School Com-
mittee for three years; Elias T. Bates for two years, and Lowell
C. Cook for one year.
Voted to accept Chap. 158 of the Acts of 1871, relative to
Boad Commissioners. By section two of said act, said "Road
Commissioners shall have and perform, exclusively, all the pow-
ers and duties now vested by law in Selectmen and Surveyors of
Highways concerning the laying out, altering, making or discon-
tinuing streets, ways, sidewalks, sewers and drains."
Chose Perry Wood for one year. George D. Whitney for two
years, and Albert W. Gaskill for three years, Road Commis-
sioners.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1700 for support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for repair of highways.
Voted to raise and appropriate $800 for support of the poor.
1873.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 705
Voted to raise and appropriate $1500 to pay the interest on the
town debt.
Voted to raise and appropriate $400 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate #2000 towards payment of
town debt.
Voted that the School Committee choose a Superintendent of
Schools, and the Rev. George F. Clark was appointed.
Voted to accept of the list of Jurors presented by the Select-
men.
Voted that to all taxes not paid on or before the tenth day of
September, one per cent, per month shall be added till paid.
Voted to continue the High School.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money to
pay current expenses in anticipation of the collection of the
taxes.
Voted that the Selectmen dispose of the old school house in
what was formerly School District No. 1.
March 15. Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $300
additional to the sum raised at the last town meeting for repairs
of roads and bridges.
Voted that the Road Commissioners be allowed twenty cents
per hour for their services while employed on or about the roads
in town.
Voted that the town do authorize and instruct the Treasurer
to borrow, upon the credit of the town, the sum of ten thou-
sand one hundred dollars, ($1,100,) to redeem such outstanding-
bonds of the town as may fall due during the current municipal
year.
Voted to accept the report of the Road Commissioners relative
to the acceptance by the town of a short piece of road from near
the house of Roba M. Bennett to the new road leading to Hope-
dale.
Voted to accept the report of the Road Commissioners laying
out several parcels of land for procuring earth and gravel for
repairing the roads.
Voted that the town purchase one-half acre of land for the
better accommodation of the former Fifth School District.
Voted that the Treasurer pay a bounty of ten cents per head
89
706 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1873.
for all woodchucks brought to him having been caught and
killed in this town.
Voted to discontinue a short piece of road leading from the
road near the house of Laban Bates to Bellinghani line.
Voted to discontinue the road leading from the corner of the
road to Milford, easterly of the house of John 8. Gaskill, to
Milford line, over Keck Hill.
Voted that the matter of fencing the ground around the
school house at the north part of the town be referred to the
School Committee to report.
Voted to choose three Engineers, who shall have the general
charge and direction of the machines, the apparatus, fixtures
and everything belonging to the engines, at tires and meetings
for practice.
There is no record of the choice of Engineers.
Aug. 9. A meeting was held " to see if the town would
reconsider the votes discontinuing the Quisset road,"' and the
meeting was dissolved without any action.
Nov. 4. Voted to reconsider the vote discontinuing the
Quisset road.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Win. B. Washbnrne, Greenfield, had 57 votes. Elected.
• William Gaston, Boston, had 46
For Lt. Governor, Thomas Talbot, Bijlerica, had 58 "
William L. Smith, Springfield, bad 46 "
The other State and County officers received the same num-
ber of votes, except Alexander A. Wilder, for Register of Deeds,
for whom the vote was unanimous, he receiving 101 votes.
For Senator, Second Worcester District— Charles E. Whitin, Northbridge,
K, had 49 votes. Jeremiah Gatchel, Blackstone, D., had 46 votes; Elected.
For Representative to the General Court, Fifteenth Worcester District — David
M. Gaskill, Blackstone, had 58 votes. Henry C. Skinner, Milford, had 57
votes. James M. Farnum, Uxbridge, had 57 votes. Lawrence Reade, Mil-
ford, had 43 votes; Elected. Albert Smith, Blackstone, had 45 votes;
Elected. George W. Taft, Uxbridge, had 43 votes; Elected. Henry E.
Fales, Milford, had one vote.
Amount of taxes foregone during the year, $76.94.
1874.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 707
1874. March 2. The usual reports being read and dis-
posed of,
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Alexander H. Allen, Albert
W. Gaskill and Nathan R. George, Selectmen; John G. Metcalf,
Treasurer; George W. Thayer, Constable, at $15, and Francis
E. Wheelock, Collector, at $68.00. George W. Thayer having
died Oct. 23, 1874, the Selectmen appointed (his son) George A.
Thayer, Constable in his place.
Rev. George F. Clark and Lowell C. Cook chosen School
Committee.
Chose Elias T. Bates, Road Commissioner for three years.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1700 for the support of
schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1200 for the support of the
poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1500 for repairs of roads and
bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $800 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1(300 for payment of interest.
Voted to raise and appropriate $2000 towards payment of the
debts.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money to
pay the current expenses, in anticipation of the collection of the
taxes.
Voted that the twelfth article in the warrant be indefinitely
postponed.
This article was in the following words:
"To see if the town will take any measures, by appointing and instruct-
ing a Special Agent, or otherwise, towards collecting of Perry Wood and
Gilbert Gaskill (the contractors to repair the road from the house of Silas
Dudley to Milford line), or their sureties, the amount recently recovered
against the town in the suit of D. C. Howard, with the expenses attending
said suit, or act in any way in relation to said suit."
While the road was being repaired D. C. Howard was injured
while passing over it in the night, and his carriage broken. The
amount recovered by him, as damages and costs, was $400.79.
As the road had been accepted by the County Commissioners,
and the contractors had been paid the full amount of the con-
tract, $0,950.00, it was supposed that they could not be held
responsible.
708 ANNALS OF MENDON. | 1874.
A motion was made to revoke the acceptance of Chapter 185
of the Acts of the Legislature for 1871, providing for the elec-
tion of Road Commissioners, but the motion did not prevail.
Voted to pay the Milford Fire Department $40 for their ser-
vices at the burning of Gustavus B. Williams' barn, March 3,
1873. Upon the arrival of their Steam Fire Engine the barn
had burned down and the fire was subdued.
Voted to continue the High School.
April 4. Voted that the School Committee appoint a Super-
intendent of Schools, and Rev. George F. Clark was appointed.
Voted that to all taxes not paid on or before the 10th day of
September of the present year, one per cent, per month shall be
added until paid.
Voted to pay Aaron C. Cook five dollars for damages received
on the highway.
Voted that the claim of William H. Comstock for damage by
lowering the grade of the road in front of his house, be referred
to the Road Commissioners.
Voted that the collection of the taxes for 1869, now due, be
committed to the person who will collect them for the lowest
per cent, on the amount collected, exclusive of any charge for
legal services.
Aaron C. Cook bid 15 per cent., and he being the lowest
bidder, the collection was awarded to him, and he was then
chosen Collector.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow such sums
of money as may be necessary to pay outstanding bonds which
may become due the present year.
Nov. 3. Voted that the town pay David Adams twelve dol-
lars for the storage and the keeping the contents of the tire
engine from freezing during the winter.
Voted to choose a Collector in place of Aaron C. Cook, de-
ceased, who was to complete the collection of the tax of 1869,
originallv committed to Calvin Butler, removed from town.
Chose Francis E. Wheelock, Collector.
Taxes foregone during the year $38.69.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Thomas Talbot, Billerica, R. , had 66 votes.
William Gaston, Boston, D., had 57 " Elected.
1875.| ANNALS OF MENDON. 709
For Lt. Governor, Horatio G. Knight, Ea.stlnunpt.on, had 70 votes. Elected.
William L. Smith, Springfield, had 56 "
Other State and County officers received about the same num-
ber of votes.
For Senator for Second Worcester District — Thomas G. Kent, Milford, R,
had 63 votes. Jeremiah Getehel, Blackstone, D., had 56 votes; Elected.
For Representatives, Fifteenth Worcester District — D. Gilhert, Ghapin, Mil-
ford, R., had 71 votes. James H. Putnam, Milford, R, had 70 votes.
Alanson Taft, Mendon, R, had 59 votes. James Bergen, Milford, D., had
53 votes; Elected. Albert W. Gaskill, Mendon, D., had 65 votes; Elected.
Albert Smith, Blackstone, D., had 57 votes; Elected.
1875. March 1. The usual disposition of the reports of the
various town officers being made,
David Adams was chosen Town Clerk; Alexander H. Allen.
Albert W. Gaskill and Nathan R. George, Selectmen; John G.
Metcalf. Treasurer; Andrew W. Judson, Constable, at $15, and
Francis E. Wheelock, Collector, at #49.00.
James M. Newhall and Samuel H. Taft were chosen School
Committee for three years.
Chose Waterman Taft, Road Commissioner for three years.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1700 for support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1200 for support of the poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $800 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for repair of roads and
bridges.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for the payment of the
town debt.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1400 for payment of interest.
Voted that the School Committee be required to appoint a
Superintendent of Schools, and Rev. George F. Clark was ap-
pointed.
Voted to accept the list of Jurors as reported by the Select-
men, viz: —
Charles Fletcher, Samuel W. Wilcox, Sullivan H. Taft, Elias T. Bates,
Albert W. Gaskill, Joseph Bates, Homer W. Darling, George D. Whitney,
David Adams, Ezekiel P. Gaskill, Benj. F. Aldrich, Lowell C. Cook, *Ed-
ward L. Staples, George W. Jennison, Aldrich B. Cook, Hiram P. Butler.
710 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1875.
March 12. Heard the report of the committee chosen at the
last meeting relative to the purchase of a Poor Farm.
Voted that the suhject be recommitted- to the committee for
further examination of farms. The following persons composed
this committee, viz: Samuel H. Taft, Eli Bates, Ezekiel P. Gas-
kill, Benjamin F. Aldrich and Putman W. Taft.
May 22. Voted that the Selectmen appear before the County
Commissioners and oppose the relocation of the road leading
from near the late residence of Nathan George, deceased, by the
residence of Hiram Daniels, in Blackstone. The road was not
relocated.
Nov. 2. Mrs. Charlotte A. Joy, widow of the late Hon.
David Joy, who had resided in Mendon a few years, and who
had recently died at Ventnor, in the Isle of Wight, England,
whither he had gone for the improvement of his health,
proposing to erect a watering fountain in town, to the memory
of her late husband, John S. Gaskill, Alanson Taft and Edward
H. Taft were chosen a committee to confer with Mrs. Joy on the
subject.
There being much difference of opinion as to the precise loca-
tion of the fountain, Mrs. Joy made arrangements with Mr.
Silas Dudley to have the fountain located at the intersection of
the roads near Mr. Dudley's house, he obligating himself to keep
the same in repair for the term of fifteen years.
' STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, William Gaston, Boston, had 48 votes.
Alexander H. Rice, Boston, had 54 " Elected.
John I. Baker, Beverly, had 12 "
For Lt. Governor, John Q. Adams, Quincy, had 42
Horatio G. Knight, Easthampton, had 55 ' '
Ezra S. Conant, Randolph, had 12 "
The votes for the other State and County officers were about
the same as above.
For Senator, Second Worcester District— Henry E. Fales, Milford, had 38
votes. Abraham M. Bigelow, Grafton, had 55 votes; (Elected.) Francis
Fisher, Southboro', had 12 votes.
For Representative to the General Court, Second Worcester District— Demo-
crat—George G. Parker, Milford, had 42 votes; (Elected). Patrick Ken-
nady, Blackstone, had 41 votes; (Elected). Charles C. Capron, Uxbridge,
1876. | ANNALS OF MENDON. 711
had 43 votes; (Elected.) Republicans — Nelson Parkhurst, Mil ford, had 55
votes. Zadoe A. Taft, Uxbridge, 54 votes. William A. Cole, Rlackstonc,
had 55 votes. Prohibitionists — A. A. Cook, Milford, had 12 votes. Ed-
ward H. Taft, had 12 votes. J. I). Hunt, Milford, had 12 votes.
1876. The Hon. Abraham M. Bigelow, the Senator from this
(the Second Worcester District,) having died, a meeting was
held this day to till the vacancy, the .Selectmen presiding
Aaron C. Mavhew, Milford, had 51 votes; (Elected). Jonathan H.
Wood, Grafton, had 2(5 votes. Francis Fisher, Southboro', had 3 votes.
Alexander H. Allen was then chosen Moderator.
Voted that the Selectmen be directed to lay a new floor in the
Town Hall of Southern hard pine.
March (J. The Reports of the town officers were first dis-
posed of.
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Alexander II. Allen, Al-
bert W. Gaskill and Nathan Richard George, Selectmen; John
G. Metcalf, Treasurer; Andrew W. Judson, Constable, at $15,
and Andrew W. Judson, Collector, at $-45.00.
Ezekiel P. Gaskill and George D. Whitney, School Committee
for three years.
Albert W. Gaskill. Road Commissioner for three years.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1700 for support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for support of the poor.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1400 for the payment of
interest.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for payment of principal.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for repair of highways
and bridges.
Voted that the School Committee appoint a Superintendent
of Schools, and Rev. George F. Clark was appointed.
Voted that to all taxes not paid on or before the 10th day of
September of the present year, one per cent, per month shall be
added until paid.
Voted that the High School be continued.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money to
pay current expenses, in anticipation of the collection of the
taxes.
712
ANNALS OF MENDON.
[1876.
It was a remarkable fact that it was not found necessary to
call a town meeting from the annual March meeting until the
meeting held for the choice of State officers.
Nov. 7. Voted the Overseers of the Poor be authorized to
take such measures by establishing a Lock-up, or otherwise as
may, in their judgment, seem necessary, in order to abate the
tramp nuisance.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Electors at Large — Thomas Talbot, Billerica, R., had 129 votes; Elected.
Stephen Salisbury, Worcester, R., had 129 votes; Elected. William Gas-
ton, Boston, D., had 74 votes. Edward Avery, Braintree, D., had 74 votes.
George F. Clark, Mendon, T., had 3 votes. Henry D. Gushing, Boston, T.,
had 3 votes.
District No. 1.
Warren Ladd, New Bedford. ... 129
James D. Thompson, N. Bedford. 74
John Blackmar, Provincetown . . 3
No. 2.
Theodore Dean, Taunton 129
Saml. N. Dyer, Jr., Abington. . . 74
C. M. Winchester, Brockton 3
No. 3.
J. Felt Osgood, Boston 129
George P. Baldwin, Boston 74
Magnus Vantres, " 3
No. 4.
Martin Brimmer, Boston 129
Charles Levi Woodbury, Boston . 74
James M. Brown, Chelsea 3
No. 5.
Samuel C. Lawrence, Medford. .129
Alpha E. Thompson, Woburn. . . 74
William S. Oakman, Boston .... 3
No. 6.
George W. Morrill, Amesbury. . .129
James V. Smiley, Haverhill 74
Chas. P. Wellman, Marblehead. . 3
District No. 7.
Carroll D. Wright, Reading 129
James C. Abbott, Lowell 74
Saml. B. Maynard, Marlboro' ... 3
No. 8.
James R. Lowell, Cambridge. . . .129
Edwin A. Alger, Cambridgeport. 74
John Tucker, Watertown 3
No. 9.
John C. Whitiu, Northbridge. . .129
Eli Thayer, Worcester 74
Timothy A. Smith, Westboro'. . . 3
No. 10.
W. B C. Pearsons, Holyoke. . . .129
Timothy S. Wilson, Fitchburg. . 74
E. P. Gibbs, Dana 3
No. 11.
Richard Goodman, Lennox 129
Cebra Quackenbush, Pittsfield.. 74
Solomon F. Root, Hinsdale 3
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Alexander H. Rice, Boston, had 125 votes.
Chas. Francis Adams, Quincy, had 75 "
John I. Baker, Beverly, had 5 "
For Lt. Governor, H. G. Knight, Easthampton, had 125 ''
Elected.
1877. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 713
For Lt, Governor, Wm. R. Plunkett, Pittsfield, had 74 votes.
Daniel C. Eddy, Boston, had 4 "
"Win. W. Brown, Cambridge, had 1 "
Other State and County officers received nearly the same num-
ber of votes.
For Representative to Congress, Ninth District — William W. Rice, Worces-
ter, had 129 votes; Elected. George F. Verry, Worcester, had 74 votes.
Edward W. Clark, Westboro', had 3 votes.
For Senator to the General Court, Second Worcester District — Aaron C. May-
hew, Milford, had 127 votes; Elected. Alvin Hall, Douglas, had 73 votes.
Edward A. Perry, Milford, had 5 votes.
For Representative to the General Court, Second* Worcester District — William
H. Cook, Milford, had 128 votes; Elected. Augustus S. Tuttle, Milford,
had 126 votes; Elected. George G. Parker, Milford, had 73 votes. Phillip
A. Gleason, Milford, had 71 votes. George F. Clark, Mendon, had 4 votes.
Joseph D. Hunt, Milford, had 4 votes. Edward H. Taft, Mendon, had 1
vote.
Amount of taxes foregone during the year, $33. GG.
1877. March 5. The reports of the town officers were dis-
posed of as usual.
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Gustavus B. Williams, Al-
bert W. Gaskill and Samuel Harkness Taft, Selectmen; John
George Metcalf, Treasurer; Andrew W. Judson, Constable; An-
drew W. Judson, Collector, at $68.00; John E. Hay ward, Road
Commissioner for three years; and Gustavus B. Williams and
Lowell C. Cook, School Committee for three years.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1500 for the support of schools.
Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for incidental expenses.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1400 for the payment of in-
terest on the debt.
Voted to raise and appropriate $1000 for repairs of roads and
bridges.
Gustavus B. Williams, Ezekiel P. Gaskill, John R. Hayward,
Eli Bates, Perry Wood, Albert W. Gaskill and Francis F. Taft,
were chosen a committee and authorized to purchase, in behalf
of the town, a farm, suitable for the accommodation of the poor,
and it was voted that five of the committee should be unanimous.
* The State had been districted anew.
90
714 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1877.
Voted tlnit the Road Commissioners shall pay not to exceed
fifteen cents per hour for labor on the highway.
Voted the School Committee appoint a Superintendent of
Schools, and the Rev. George F. Clark was appointed.
Voted that to all taxes not paid on or before the tenth day of
September of the present year, one per cent, per month shall be
added until paid.
The list of Jurors was adopted as follows, viz:
John R. Hay-ward, Edward S. Wortlien, Putman W. Taft, William W.
Nelson, John C. Wood, F. P. Gaskill, Benj. F. Aldrich, Lowell C. Cook,
Charles Fletcher, Aldrich B Cook, Samuel H. Taft, S. W. Wilcox, A. W.
Gaskill, Samuel A. Bennett, George F. Lowell, Silas Dudley, Jr., Hiram
P. Butler, Alanson Taft.
Voted to continue the High School the ensuing year.
Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money, if
necessary, for the payment of bonds becoming due the current
year.
March 17. Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow
money to pay current expenses, in anticipation of the collection
of the taxes.
Voted that Perry Wood, Eli Bates and Francis F. Taft be a
committee to purchase a site and build a lock-up upon the same,
and the sum of 1300 was voted to be raised and appropriated for
the same.
The committee purchased the law office of the late Warren
Rawson, with ground attached to it, and fitted the same for the
reception of Tramps. Within the building a cell was constructed
of stone and iron, for the safe-keeping of criminals.
Voted to raise and appropriate 11000 for the support of the
poor.
The committee chosen March 5, upon the subject of a farm,
whereon to support the poor, having made a report,
Upon a motion made by Perry Wood, that the town do pur-
chase the farm formerly owned and occupied by Eli Bates, the
vote stood 36 in the affirmative and 37 in the negative.
April 1. Pursuant to Chap. 175 of the Acts of 1873, the
Selectmen appointed Andrew W. Judson, Keeper of the Lock-up
in the town of Mendon, and fixed his compensation at the sum
of ten dollars per year. Mr. Judson was then duly qualified,
being sworn before (1. B. Williams, Esq.
187T-] ANNALS OF MENDON. 7 If)
Oct. 13. There being a vacancy in the office of Collector for
the years 1869, 1870. 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874 and 1875. caused
by the decease of Francis E. Wheelock, collector for those years,
the Selectmen, according to law. appointed Andrew \Y. Judson,
Collector pro tempore, to complete the collections for those years.
Mr. Judson was duly qualified, and entered at once upon the
duties of his office.
Nov. 6. Voted that the Selectmen he instructed and directed,
for the future, not to issue orders in payment of the salary or
compensation of any officers of the town before they have fully
discharged all the duties and completed all the services which
they were elected, or were appointed, or were, by contract, to
perform.
Voted that the Selectmen examine the tax lists of Collector of
taxes monthly, and by actual inspection of the sums of interest
collected, if any, set against each tax payer's name, in the col-
umns of the Collector's book for that purpose, ascertain whether
such sums are correctly calculated and stated, and also the total
amount of interest on taxes collected for that month, and report
the same to the Treasurer; and all other provisions defining the
duties of the Collector in relation to interest on taxes to remain
as heretofore established by the town.
Voted that whenever Andrew W. Judson, Collector, or Collec-
tor pro tempore, shall in pursuance of the powers conferred upon
him. by law, commit any person or persons to prison for non-
payment of taxes, and such person is discharged, the town do
exonerate him from the liability to which he is subjected by the
General Statutes, Chap. 12, section 1(3.
Voted that the Selectmen settle with the representatives of
Francis E. Wheelock, deceased, late collector of taxes.
Voted to forego the sum of 1108.94 in A. W. Judson's collec-
tion for 1800.
Voted to forego the sum of $10.81 in A. W. Judson's collec-
tion for 1870.
' Voted to forego the sum of $21.00 in A. W. Judson's collec-
tion for 1871.
Voted to forego the sum of $32.94 in A. W. Judson's collec-
tion for 1872.
716 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1878.
Voted to forego the sum of 168.16 in A. W. Judson's collec-
tion for 1873.
Voted to forego the sum of $81.06 in A. W. Judson's collec-
tion for 1874.
Voted to forego the sum of $94.09 in A. W. Judson's collec-
tion for 1875.
Voted to forego the sum of $63.05 in A. W. Judson's collec-
tion for 1876.
STATE ELECTION".
For Governor, Alexander H. Rice, Boston, had 95 votes. Elected.
William Gaston, " had 60 "
Robert C. Pitman, Newton, had 12
For Lt. Governor, H. G. Knight, Easthampton, had 97 "
Wm. R. Plunkett, Pittsfield, had 60 "
Elijah A. Morse, Canton, had 11 "
Thomas L. Lathrop had 1
Senator, Second Worcester District — William Knowlton, Upton, had 96
votes; Elected. Henry A. Aldrich, Mendon, had 64 votes.
For Representatives to the General Court, Second Worcester District — William
H. Cook, Milford, had 98 votes; Elected. Charles A. Davis, Upton, had
98 votes; Elected. George G. Parker, Milford, had 59 votes. Thomas J.
Hall, Upton, had 59 votes. Charles C. Johnson, Milford, had 10 votes.
George F. Clark, Mendon, had 10 votes.
Amount of taxes foregone this year, $510.18.
1878. March 4. After hearing the reports of the various
town officers. David Adams was chosen Town Clerk; Gustavus
B. Williams, Albert W. Gaskill and Samuel H. Taft, Selectmen;
John Gr. Metcalf, Treasurer; Alexander H. Allen, Micajah C.
Gaskill and Linus B. Staples, Assessors; and Andrew W. Jud-
son, Constable and Collector.
Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $7000.00 for de-
fraying town charges the current year.
Voted that to all taxes remaining unpaid on the tenth day of
September of the current year, one per cent, per month shall be
added.
Voted that the Assessors be instructed to print and distribute
a copy of the valuation and assessment of taxes for the present
year.
1878.] ANNALS OF MENDON. 717
Mrs. Bernette H. Williams was appointed Superintendent of
Schools by the School Committee.
USE OF THE TOWN HALL.
March 16. Voted that for the use of the Town Hall, by the
citizens of Mendon, when no entrance fee is charged, the rent
shall be one dollar, the hall to be closed at 10 o'clock, P. M.
That, when an entrance fee is charged, and the proceeds to be
applied for the benefit of any religions society, moral reform
movement, .Sunday or public schools, in town, the rent shall be
two dollars, the Hall to be closed at 11 o'clock, P. M.
That dancing parties closing at 11 o'clock, P. M., shall pay
three dollars.
That, in all other cases, when an entrance fee is charged, the
Hall to be closed at 12 o'clock, P. M., the rent shall be five dollars.
That members of the High School may have the use of the
Hall one night in the year, free of charge.
Voted that the Hall, in no case, shall be occupied or open
after 12 o'clock, P. M.
LIST OF JURORS.
John R. Hayward, Henry G. Bates, Putman W. Taft, William W. Nel-
son, John C. Wood, Ezekiel P. Gaskill, Austin Wood, Lowell G Cook,
Silas Dudley, Jr., Royal M. Wheelock, *Linus B. Staples, * Austin A. Taft,
Aldrich B. Cook, Samuel H. Taft, Samuel W. Wilcox, Albert W. Gaskill.
Samuel A. Bennett, George F. Lowell, Hiram P. Butler.
STATE ELECTION.
For Governor, Thomas Talbot, R., 109 votes.
Benj. F. Butler, G., 33 "
Josiah G. Abbott, D., 21 "
Alonzo A. Miner, Pro., 5 "
For Lt, Governor, John D. Long, 112 "
John F. Arnold, 29 "
William R. Plunkett, 23 "
George C. Ewing, 5 "
Representative f<> Congress, Ninth District— William W. Rice, Worcester,
R., 114 votes. Eli Thayer, Worcester, Democrat and Greenback, 50 votes.
Timothy A. Smith, Westboro', Pro., 5 votes.
Councillor, Second District — William O Taylor, Boston, R. , 113 votes.
George A. Shaw, Boston, D. & G., 51 votes. Timothy A. Smith, Westboro',
5 votes.
Senator, Second Worcester District — William Kuowlton, Upton, 112 votes.
718 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1878'.
Benj. B. Nourse, Westboro', 35 votes. Sylvester G. Fay, Southboro', 5
votes.
Representatives to the General Court, Second Worcester District — Isaac N.
Crosby, Milford, R, 117 votes; Elected. Homer W. Darling, Mendon, R.,
118 votes; Elected. William H. Scammell, Milford, 22 votes. Albert W.
Oaskill, Mendon, 22 votes. Theodore N. Sherman, Milford, 22 votes. Alex-
ander H. Allen, Mendon, 23 votes. Charles C. Johnson, Milford, 4 votes.
Delano Patrick, Milford, 4 votes.
By the Assessors' return it was found that the number of the
enrolled militia was 132.
Nov. 5. At a meeting held this day it was voted to adopt the
following Provisions, Arrangements and By-Laws of the Town
of Mendon "concerning Truant Children and Absentees from
School."
Section 1. Any of the persons described in the first section of the " Act
concerning truant children and absentees from school, approved May 2,
1873," upon conviction of any offence therein described, shall be punished
by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars, or by confinement for a term not
exceeding two years in the place hereinafter designated.
Section 2. The School Committee shall annually, in the month of March,
appoint and fix the compensation of two suitable persons to be designated
as Truant Officers, who shall alone, in case of violation of these By-Laws,
be authorized to make complaint and carry into execution the judgment
thereon.
Section 3. In case a Truant Officer shall find any person between the
ages of seven and fifteen years, belonging to any of the public schools in
said town of Mendon, during school hours, wandering about, in or near
any street, square, common, lane or by-way, or any public place of resort
or amusement, without sufficient excuse for his absence from school, he
shall apprehend such person and take him to his school, in case he shall
not deem it proper to file a complaint against the offender, and shall, forth-
with, notify the parent or guardian of the child of his doings in the prem-
ises.
Section 4. The Truant officers shall keep a true record of their proceed-
ings, of the number of offences noticed, complaints made, acquittals or
convictions had, the punishments awarded therefor, the names of the par-
ties dealt with, together with the names of their parents or guardians, a
copy of which, with a statement in detail of the cost to the town of their
services and the amount of fines received, shall be delivered to the School
Committee annually, on or about the fifteenth day of February; and the
School Committee shall incorporate the substance of these records into
their reports, for the information of the town.
Section 5. The Truant School established in the city of Worcester is
1870. I ANNALS OF MENDON. 719
hereby assigned and provided as the suitable place for the confinement,
discipline and instruction mentioned in section one of the act aforesaid.
Section 6. The Justice of the court having jurisdiction in the cases aris-
ing under these By-Laws shall receive, for his services, the fees allowed by
law in criminal cases.
1879. March 3. After the choice of Julius A. George, Mod-
erator, and the reading of the reports of the town officers,
Chose David Adams, Town Clerk; Horace C. Adams, Alexan-
der H. Allen and Albert W. Gaskill, Selectmen; John G. Met-
calf, Treasurer; Alexander H. Allen, Mieajah C. Gaskill and
James J. Nutter, Assessors; Andrew W. Judson, Constable and
Collector, and Putman W. Taft, Julius A. George and Walter
M. Wheelock, Auditors.
Voted to raise for schools $1200 00
" " " " highways and bridges 900 00
" " " " support of the poor 1500 00
" •' " " interest on town debt 1100 00
' incidental 300 00
" " " payment town debt 1000 00
" " " " repair of school house 450 00
$6450 00
Voted to continue the High School for the benefit of all the
inhabitants, and that the School Committee appoint a Superin-
tendent. Rev. Geo. F. Clark was appointed to that office.
The Board of Eoad Commissioners having been abolished,
thirteen Highway Surveyors were chosen.
Nov. 4. STATE ELECTIOX.
For Governor, John D. Long, R, had 109 votes.
Benj. F. Butler, G., had 60 "
John Q. Adams, D., had 10 "
Daniel C. Eddy, Pro., had 3 "
For Lt. Governor, Byron Weston had 109 "
Albert C. Woodworth had 58 "
Win. R. Plunkett had 14 "
Timothy K. Earle had 3 "
Councillor, Second District— William O. Taylor had 109 votes. William
A. Hodges had 69 votes. Timothy A. Smith had 3 votes.
Senator, Second Worcester District — William Abbott, Douglas, R., had 109
votes; Charles Bigelow, Grafton. D. and G., had 69 votes. Sylvester C.
Fay, Southboro, Pro., had 3 votes.
720 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1879.
Representatives to the General Court, Second Worcester District — Isaac N.
Crosby, Milford, R, had 109 votes; Elected. Benj. A. Jourdan, Upton, R,
109; Elected. Thos. J. Hall, Upton, D , had 61 votes. Thos. J. Hall,
West Upton, D., had 3 votes. Patrick McGarry, Milford, had 33 votes.
Jas.F. Stratton, Milford, had 30 votes. Danl. Reed, Milford, had 5 votes.
Ebenezer Belknap, Milford, had 1 vote. Ebenezer Belknap had 2 votes.
Joseph D. Hunt, Milford, had 2 votes. J. D. Hunt, Milford, had 1 vote.
Alexander H. Allen having resigned his office as Selectman,
the following resolutions, offered by Saml. H. Taft, were unani-
mously adopted:
Resolved that the voters of Mendou receive with sincere regret the, resig-
nation of Mr. Alexander H. Allen as chairman and member of the Board of
Selectmen and of the Board of Assessors of said Town ; that they tender
him their hearty thanks for the able manner in which he has discharged
the duties of the numerous Town Offices that have been confided to him in
the course of a long series of years, and express the hope that he may be
speedily restored to health, and long remain one of our inhabitants.
2. Voted that the Clerk be instructed to place upon the records of the
town, the resolution just passed and forward a copy thereof to Mr. Allen.
BY-LAWS OF THE TOWN OF MENDON.
March 15. The following By Laws were this day adopted:
1. If any person shall use obscene language or commit any manner of
mischief or otherwise misbehave in a disorderly manner in any street, high-
way or gangway, or in any building or other public place in said Town, to
the disturbance or annojrance of the peaceable inhabitants thereof, or any
portion of them, or shall aid, assist, encourage or promote the same to be
done by any other person or persons he shall be fined not less than two
dollars nor more than twenty dollars.
2. If any person shall, with the alleged object of celebrating the anniver-
sary of American Independence, or on any occasion of public or party
rejoicing, or, at any other time, when peaceable persons are thereby an-
noyed or alarmed, fire or discharge any gun, fowling piece or fire arm, or
make any bonfire or other needless fire, or shall aid, assist, encourage or
promote the same to be done by any other person or persons in any street
or public place within one half mile from the Post Office in said Town, he
shall be fined not less than two dollars nor more than twenty dollars.
3. If any person shall tie or fasten any horse, cattle or team to any of the
trees planted on the public highways or streets or any public lands in said
town for shade or ornament, or any thing put up for their protection, he
shall forfeit and pay for each offence a sum not less than one dollar nor
more than ten dollars.
4. If any person shall, maliciously, wantonly or carelessly, daub with
paint, cut, deface or otherwise injure any public trees, fences, buildings,
1880.]
ANNALS OF MENDON. 721
furniture therein, or other objects useful or ornamental he shall be fined
not less than two dollars nor more than ten dollars.
5. If any person shall throw a carcass of any dead animal into any of the
ponds, streams or waters within the limits of said town, or if any person
shall leave any such carcass of any such animal to decay on the surface of
the ground or insufficiently buried therein, near any building or road or
other highway in said town, he shall pay for every such offence a sum not
less than five dollars nor more than ten dollars.
6. If any person shall coast or run down in, into, across or along any of
the streets or highways in said town on any other thing than a single hand
sled, or in the night time or on any side walk in said town upon the snow
or ice, he shall for each offence be fined not less than one dollar nor more
than five dollars.
7. If any person shall play at ball or throw balls or stones, or snow balls,
or foot balls, or throw any missiles, by hand or otherways, on or within
any portion of any street in said town opposite the land of an abutter
thereon after such abutter shall have forbidden him so to do, he shall be
fined not less than one dollar nor more than five dollars.
1880. March 1. It being the annual meeting, Julius A.
George was chosen Moderator.
The usual town officers were then chosen as follows, viz: —
David Adams, Town Clerk; Gustavus B. Williams, Albert W.
Graskill and Horace C. Adams, Selectmen; John G. Metcalf,
Treasurer; Mica j ah C. Graskill, James J. Nutter and Charles H.
Allen, Assessors; Ezekiel P. Gaskill, Liberty Freeman and Gil-
bert Graskill, Overseers of the Poor; Mrs. Melissa U. George and
Lowell C. Cook, School Committee for three years; Julius A.
George, Putman W. Taft and Walter M. Wheelock, Auditors;
Liberty Freeman, Collector of Taxes, and Martin Thayer,
Constable.
Voted to raise and appropriate the following sums of money,
viz: —
For the support of Schools $1300.00
" repairs of Roads and Bridges 1000.00
" support of the Poor 1000.00
'• interest on the Town debt 1100.00
" payment on account of town debt 1000.00
" incidental expenses 300.00
" publication of the "Annals of Mendon," 1000.00
" furnishing School house in District No. 5 75.00
" conveyance of children to and from school 75.00
$6840.00
91
722 ANNALS OF MENDON. [1880.
The subject of the publication of a Town History was referred
to a committee, and Mieajah C. Gaskill, Putman W. Taft, Gus-
tavus B. Williams and Julius A. George were then chosen as the
committee.
March loth. The committee above chosen made a report
recommending the publication of a Town History, and were
then instructed to ascertain the terms and conditions on which
Dr. John G. Metcalfs manuscript, entitled ''Annals of Men-
don," can be procured for publication by the town, as well as
the total cost of publication, and report at an adjourned meeting
to be held April 3, proximo.
April 3. The committee made a verbal report that the man-
uscript history of the town by Dr. John G. Metcalf could be had
for the sum of two hundred dollars, and the total cost for the
printing, binding and selling four hundred copies would be
about eight hundred dollars more; whereupon the town passed
the following votes viz: —
Voted — that the Treasurer be authorized and directed to borrow, on the
credit of the town, at the lowest possible rates of interest, the sum of one
thousand dollars to meet the expense necessary for the purchase and pub-
lication of four hundred copies or more of the manuscript history of Men-
don of Dr. John G. Metcalf, entitled, by him, "Annals of Mendon;" and
said sum, or so much as may be found necessary is hereby appropriated
for that purpose. The note or notes issued under this vote to run one year
from the date thereof, and before being issued, to be approved by a majori-
ty of the Selectmen and certified by them to come within the limit of the
sum hereby voted.
Voted, that the Committee on the Town History be authorized and
directed to purchase the Manuscript History of Mendon, of Dr. John G.
Metcalf, entitled by him, "Annals of Mendon," and cause four hundred
copies, at least, of the same, to be published for the town on the best pos-
sible terms and as soon as practicable.
Voted that the Committee on the Town History be authorized and
directed to advertise and sell the edition of the Town History, when pub-
lished, in such manner as, in their judgment, is most for the interest of the
town.
Voted, that the Treasurer be authorized to dispose of the Surplus Rev-
enue Investments, in possession of the Town, and apply the proceeds to
the redemption of outstanding Bonds of the town which mature during the
current year.
L880.1 ANNALS OF MENDON. 723
GRADUATES FROM COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS.
Grinds,] Rawscra, (Harvard) 1728
Moses Taft, " 1751
Joseph Dorr, " 1752
Ezra Thayer, " 1754
Alexander Scammell, " 1769
Amariah Frost. " 1770
William Jennisou, " 1774
Samuel Jennisou, " 1774
John Eugene Tyler, " 1786
Daniel Peters, " 1793
Samuel Dexter, " 1801
Warren Ravvsou, " 1802
Seth Chapin, " 1808
Peter Wheelock, " 1811
Samuel S. Adams, " 1812
Preserved Smith, " 1812
Samuel Allen, " 1814
George Taft, (Brown University) 1815
William Soden Hastings, (Harvard) 1817
John Locke Doggett, (Brown University) 1821
George R. Russell, " " 1821
Charles C. F. Hastings, " " 1825
Moses D. Southwick, " " 1828
Theophilus P. Doggett, " " 1829
Nathan George, " " 1830
Edward Freeman, " " 1833
Eli Thayer, " " 1845
George Capron, " " 1847
Enos N Taft, (Yale) 1850
Samuel P. Bates, (Brown University) 1851
Hamilton B. Staples, " " 1851
Julius A. George, (Lawrence Scientific School) 1860
Carlton A. Staples, (Meadeville Theo. School) 1853
Nahor A. Staples, " " " 1854
EREATA.
Page 16. Candlewood for Coudlewood.
" 20. On first line, 1667 for 1777.
" 21. For occumliet read occumbit.
FINIS.
978^