Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 43, 1883

The Revolutionary War. - It appears from our records that the citizens of the town took an early and active part in those proceedings which finally led to independence. The spirit of the Revolution began to move the people as early as 1773. They began to discuss the origin and foundation of their rights, and to proclaim in bold language their determination to maintain them. They strenuously denied the claims of the mother-country. This prepared the way for that great contest which was approaching, and which soon after commenced.

Pages might be filled with the spirited addresses and resolutions adopted in town-meeting, but the limits of the work will permit only a brief outline of the transactions of that day.

At a town-meeting, Jan. 18, 1773, a resolute and patriotic address was adopted and sent to the committee in Boston. It is too long to quote entire. A few extracts will afford a specimen.

After due professions of "honor and praise to George the 3d, King of Great Britain," etc., and praying that the "golden chance of succession by which the Protestant kings are held on the throne of Great Britain may never be broken," etc., the address proceeds to say: "Our present trials are very great. A wise king once said that oppression maketh a wise man mad. We hope not to turn maniacs, but to keep the advantage of our spirits. We will pray that all they that are Gods on earth will remember that they must die like men, and the lofty, towering heads of Kings and Princes must be brought as low as the meanest subject. And here we will make a pause and inquire what we have done, what disloyalty there hath been in us that hath incurred the displeasures of our Gracious Majesty, that could be the cause of threatening the ruining of us his American subjects. And to set things in a clearer light we may be justly entitled to a few notes of exultation. In the year 1745, when the British trumpet sounded war from beyond the seas to the Americans, no sooner did our American Parliament understand the certain sound of the martial trumpet but instantaneously a political convention is called, faithfulness aud loyalty in every countenance. Like Babylon of old, one messenger runs to meet another, and one post to meet another, to tell the whole Province that the Kingdom was invaded at one end. Forthwith orders are issued out to the Colonels, and from the Colonels to the Captains, and at the beat of the Drum volunteers paraded the ground like well-harnessed soldiers with courage bold, and like the war-horse mocking at fear, marched with their commanders to the high places of Louisbourg - stormed their intrenchments ; made a discovery of their subterraneous mines and galleries; beat down the strongholds; brake the jaws of the Gallic Lion, and made a conquest of the city to the crown of Great Britain. And in the last war that hath been upon us, we haved joined our British brethren, warring and fighting through seas of blood until we subdued the Canadian Province to the crown of our Sovereign Lord George the 3d. And after all this, shall we be conjugated, enslaved, and ruined? Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, lest they be discouraged on the one hand and encouraged on the other. We esteem our privileges tantamount to our lives, and the loss of them death in consequence; and since there is no new discovered America for us to flee to, we are almost ready to think that we will let go our ploughshares and pruning-hooks to be malleated on the anvil, and not give up our dearbought privileges to any power on earth.

" And now in a few words to say what our privileges are and wherein they are violated: We think that our privileges take their rise merely from nature. As we emigrated from our mother-country at our own expense and without any charge to the Crown of

Great Britain, our subjection to the Crown of Great Britain must be considered as an act of our own election. How far that subjection was made, and in what manner the British government can possibly reach over the Atlantic to have any influence at all upon us, is known only by the stipulation between us and the king of Great Britain expressed in our Charter. Although it be allowed that any Plantation settled by the order and expense of any State remains naturally subjected to that State, yet that not having been the case in our departure from Great Britain, we utterly disallow any right of government over us but what is expressed in the Charter. We have no natural and necessary connection with the Crown in point of government but what springs from our own choice, and that choice can be known but by the stipulation aforesaid, which both expresseth and limiteth the subjection which was our choice. This, we apprehend, is the true and just state of our privileges, as they are interested in the present controversy. So that whatever act of government is exercised contrary to or not expressly provided for in the charter is an open infringement of our privileges.

" The appointment of a Governor altogether independent on us, and who, according to the present state of things, can be under no influence from our interest, but whose personal interest may naturally put him to the utter overthrow of our whole interest, - we apprehend this to be an infraction of our Charter rights and privileges. The appointment of Judges from home, if true, or the maintenance of them independent upon us and dependent entirely upon the Crown, we think an infringement upon our Charter rights, and which tends to corrupt and destroy the very essence of our privileges. The parting our money among a set of men of no use to us or the community, without our consent, is a bold and unjust infringement upon our privileges. The subjecting civil cases to trial by Court of Admiralty instead of Juries, and especially the taking from us the right of trying capital cases in any articles, and carrying our brethren, on suspicion of guilt, from all who are acquainted with their character, or who can possibly do them justice, and ordering them to be transported, at almost infinite expense, three thousand miles for trial, is a most barbarous, unjust, and unconstitutional affair."

1774. September 12th. The town chose a committee to join with the committees of the other towns in this county " to consult the safety and peace and prosperity thereof, as well as the whole government and continent, upon any emergency." The committee consisted of five, viz., Mr. Edward Richards, Deacon Eben. Lane, Capt. John Daggett, Lieut. Moses Wilmarth, and Mr. Elisha May. This was the first committee of safety chosen in this town. The practice of choosing such a committee was continued till the close of the Revolution.

representative to the General Court at Salem, and Deacon Eben Lane as a " committee man" to join the Provincial Congress to be holden at Concord on the secoud Tuesday of October next.

December 6th. The town established a " Superior and an Inferior Court, to hear and determine controversies that have arisen or may arise in this town." Five men were chosen to serve as superior judges, viz., Dea. Eben. Larce, first justice, Col. John Daggett, second, Capt. John Stearns, third, Capt. Moses Wilmarth, fourth, and Dr. Bezeliel Mann, fifth. Seven were appointed inferior judges, viz., Mr. Edward Richards, Lieut. Elkonah Wilmarth, Capt. Jacob Ide, Capt. Stephen Richardson, Mr. Elisha May, Capt. John Tyler, Mr. William Stanley. At the same time it was voted " that we will comply with, stand to, and abide by the resolves, instructions, and directions of the Continental and Provincial Congresses," and that " all persons who refuse to comply with them shall be treated as Infamous Persons."

It was also voted to choose a " committee of inspection, to inquire and give notice of all persons who shall presume to make use of an India tea after the 1st of March next." The " affair of the chest of tea at Capt. Richardson's" was left discretionary with the selectmen.

Jan. 2, 1775. Chose Col. John Daggett "to represent us at the Congress to be holden at Cambridge on the 1st of February next, and to serve in that capacity until the month of May next, or until the time fixed for the dissolution of said Congress." At the same time a committee of thirteen was chosen to procure "subscriptions for the relief of the suffering poor in the town of Boston." 1

May 24th. Capt. John Stearns was chosen to represent the town at the Provincial Congress to be held in the meeting-house at Watertown the 31st inst. The committee of correspondence this year were Deacon Eben. Lane, Dr. Mann, and Capt. Moses Wilmarth.

March 19,1776. The Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety were Deacon Lane, Edward Richards, Capt. S. Richardson, Lieut. Alexander Foster, Ens. Noah Fuller, William Stanley, Capt. Wilmarth, Eben. Tiffany, Samuel Atherton, Thomas Starkey, Elkonah Wilmarth, Nathaniel Bishop, and Capt. Jacob Ide.

May 22d. Capt. John Stearns, representative. At his request a committee, consisting of Capt. Elisha May, Capt. Stephen Richardson, Rev. Peter Thatcher,

Levi Maxcy, and Lieut. Alexander Foster, was chosen to draw up instructions for the representative, who made a report, from which extracts are given :

"Sir, - The town, reposing special confidence in your ability and integrity, have chosen you their representative at the Great and General Court for this year. At your request we take the liberty to suggest the following things to your attention as matters of great importance:

" If the Continental Congress should think it best to declare for independency of Great Britain, we unanimously desire you for us to engage to defend them therein with our lives and fortunes.1

"The fortifying and sufficiently providing for the defence of all our sea-port towns, especially the metropolis of this colony, is of such consequence as that parsimony or delay therein will be the worst of policy. We apprehend that the raising of soldiers for the defence of the colony is retarded, and so rendered both more chargeable and less useful for want of sufficient bounty to encourage enlistments: that the raising fewer forces at a time than is necessary, which scatters the officers with whom whoever enlists will desire to be acquainted, is a like hindrance to a speedy raising of forces."

After giving some further specific instructions the report concludes, " Other things in general we refer to your wisdom and fidelity, unless some special difficulty should occur, in which case you will please take our minds as occasion shall serve."

At the same time it was voted that the selectmen should order the money out of the treasury to pay the minute-men who marched on the alarm occasioned by the battle at Bunker Hill.

Jan. 27, 1777. Voted to raise the bounty for the soldiers who went to New York in July last to forty dollars for each man, " to such as will take it."

March 18th. The Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety this year were Ed. Richards, Cyrel Carpenter, Samuel Tiffany, Jr., Elisha May, and Nathan Tyler.

April 2d. A meeting was held to see if the town will give some encouragement' to the soldiery to enlist our proportion of the fifteen battalions granted by this State to join the Continental army.

A committee was chosen to report upon the subject, and also to state what is an average on the whole since the war commenced, who reported that the bounty and wages given by Congress and our court afforded a sufficient encouragement for the first years' service; that for the second year the town allow two pounds per month in addition to the wages, and the same for the last year. Twenty-four pounds in addition to the bounty, instead of the addition to their wages, was offered to those who might prefer it.

1 This seems to have been conceived in something of that holy ardor, that sublime spirit of patriotism and self-devotion, which (in a few months after) dictated those ever memorable words in the closing sentence of the Declaration of Independence, - "We pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." Immortal words, which sent such a thrill to the hearts of our countrymen, and inspired them with such an unconquerable enthusiasm in the cause of freedom !

of Lexington battle, have no allowance; that the six weeks' and two months' men have no allowance; that the year's men be allowed ten pounds per man ; that the Dorchester men have no allowance ; that the men raised for two months in September, 1776, be allowed seven pounds per man ; that the men raised for the northern or Canada expedition be allowed ten pounds per man ; that the opiarter men, or those raised for Howland's Ferry, be allowed six pounds per man.

May 22d. Chose Capt. John Stearns and Mr. William Stanley representatives. Appointed a committee to prepare instructions to said representatives, viz. : Rev. Peter Thatcher, Capt. Elisha May, Col. John Daggett, Capt. Moses Wilmarth, Mr. Levi Maxcy. Their report, it appears, is not recorded.

Excused Capt. May from serving on Committee of Correspondence, etc., and elected Stephen Fuller in his room. Voted to enlarge said committee, and added Zephaniah Bishop, Jacob Cushman, and John Sweetland.

Jan. 12, 1778. A committee, consisting of Rev. Mr. Thacher, Capt. Elisha May, Col. Stephen Richardson, Deacon Stanley, Capt. Caleb Richardson, Lieut. Elkanah Wilmarth, and Mr. John Wilkinson, was chosen to prepare instructions to the representatives of the town relative to the Articles of Confederation. They presented a report, which was accepted. It shows how perfectly convinced at that time our forefathers were of the value and importance of a firm union of the States to the well-being of the whole people.

"The subscribers, being chosen a committee 'to consider what instructions it may be proper for them to give their representatives relative to the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union which are proposed to the consideration of the Legislatures of all the United States as the basis thereof forever,' and also ' relative to the resolves of the most Honorable Congress of the 7th and 22d of November last,' having maturely considered the said Articles and resolves, do humbly offer the following to the consideration of the town on this very important subject :

"To Messrs. John Stearns and William Stanley, Representatives of the town of Attleborough, Gentlemen, We shall rejoice at the arrival of the happy hour when the Independent States of North America have a Union established upon equitable terms to continue as long as the sun and moon endure. We are sensible of the utility and necessity of such a union to our present exertions and the success of them, as welfcis for the strength and flourishing condition of these States hereafter. We would, therefore, be as distant as possible from offering anything to obstruct the speedy accomplishment of a thing so desirable; yet we are constrained to desire explanation of the 4th paragraph in the fifth article which determines, that, in deciding questions in the United States in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote, which, if it exclude a voice in Congress proportioned to the number or estate of the different States, we apprehend, would be very unequal and not to be by any means consented unto, '-tc."

"With the foregoing emendations and explanations we desire yon to use your endeavors that the Delegates in Congress be impowered to ratify the aforesaid Articles of Confederation and Perpetual union. As to the Resolves of the most Hon'ble Congress, we only observe upon the fifth and sixth resolves, that the regulating bill formerly enacted and since repealed, though framed with an honest and good design, yet was, as we apprehend, very inj u rious to the good and honest people of this State, and was of no use to restrain oppressors and monopolizers, but rather put an advantage of oppression into their hands, and was a great means of sinking the value of our money, and, therefore, we expect and desire you to oppose the carrying of the said resolutions into execution."

At the same meeting a committee was appointed to draft a petition, which was sent to the General Court, earnestly praying for the repeal of an act culling in the bills of credit, or State money. In this petition the people expressed their fears of the consequences which would result from that act to the interests of the poor, etc. " We have waited a long time," say they, " in hopes that you would repeal that act without our troubling you with petitions ; but as we have hitherto been disappointed, we are obliged, in justice to ourselves and to our posterity, earnestly to pray for the speedy repeal of that act." They express their opinion that the money ought to be called in by degrees as it was issued, - that is, one emission at a time, by taxing the inhabitants of the State until the whole is withdrawn.

May 12th. Voted to pay thirty pounds to each soldier who shall enlist in the Continental army to complete the number (thirteen) required of this town by a late resolve of the General Court ; also voted to give thirty pounds more as a bounty.

May 21st. The committee, chosen at a former meeting to consider the constitution 1 lately submitted to the people, not agreeing upon a report, the town appointed another committee of seven, viz., Rev. P. Thatcher, Rev. Habijah Weld, Elder Job Seamans, Dr. Bezaliel Mann, Col. John Daggett, Col. Stephen Richardson, Capt. John Stearns, who finally made a report. The vote in town stood fifty-one affirmative, seventy-six negative.

May 18th. Elisha May, Esq., was chosen representative. Voted to empower our representative to vote for the calling of a convention for the sole purpose of framing a new constitution.

June 21st. Voted to raise thirteen soldiers (to serve nine months) as this town's proportion of the fifteen battalions furnished by this State to fill up the Continental army. On the question of having a new constitution there were one hundred and twenty-one votes in favor, and none in the negative recorded.

1 This was the first frame of government submitted to the people of this State. It was framed by a convention, 1778-79, and is commonly called the Rejected Constitution.

The town then took into consideration the proceedings of the convention held at Concord for regulating articles of merchandise and country produce, and voted unanimously to accept of the doings of said convention and to conform ourselves to the proposed regulations.

Chose Col. Stephen Richardson, Mr. Levi Maxcy, and Mr. Edward Richards members of the convention to be held at Concord on the first Wednesday of October next.

June 14. Voted to raise twenty-nine soldiers for six months, as this town's quota to reinforce the Continental army, according to a resolve of the General Court of June 5, 1780. They were to be paid by a tax on the town.

Sept. 4. Voted to raise twelve thousand pounds to defray the expenses of the town the current year. Also voted to raise fourteen hundred pounds, hard money, to pay the soldiers who may engage to serve in the Continental army for three and for six months, according to resolves of the General Court of June 5th, 22d, and 23d. Elisha May, Esq., was chosen representative the two following years, which brings us to the close of the Revolution. There were no transactions of particular interest relating to the war during these two years.

Military Services. - To furnish a full statement of the military services which the citizens of this town rendered during the Revolutionary war - to ascertain the number of soldiers who enlisted and the time for which they served - is not, perhaps, possible at this day. But some general accounts may be collected which will afford a tolerable view of their services.

In December, 1774, the Committee of Safety gave notice that one Nathan Aldis, a Tory, who lived in Franklin, Mass., was selling British goods, contrary to the resolutions of the General Court. Col. John Daggett, of this town, a determined and resolute patriot, immediately issued orders to the several companies of this town to furnish a certain number of men, who being collected, marched in a bitter cold night for the place of Aldis' residence, to put a stop to his business. They were joined on the way by volunteers from the neighboring towns. They arrived met and continued till November 11th, and adjourned to Jan. 5, 1780, at the representatives' chamber, Boston; then met and continued till March 2d, and adjourned to June 7th ; then met and continued till June 16th, when it was dissolved.

late at night, and surrounding his house, ordered him out. He (and his associates who had assembled to defend him) at first attempted to resist with arms, threatening to fire upon them from the windows ; and assuming a tone of confidence ordered them to depart. Upon tli is the besiegers were directed to point their guns towards the house. But finding that his opponents were in earnest, and that threats could not intimidate them, Aldis at last came out. He was ordered to pull off his hat while in the presence of the people's soldiers! Here, before the whole company, he was compelled to enter into an engagement not to "vend anymore British goods during the present unhappy controversy between the king and his colonies." The prisoner was then released. The next morning he fled to Boston, and was never after known in these parts.

The captains from this town who were engaged in this adventure were Capt. S. Richardson, of the Northeast Company ; Capt. Moses Wilmarth, Southeast Company ; Capt. Jacob Ide, Southwest Company ; Capt. Jonathan Stanley, Northwest Company.

Assonett Expedition. - Information having been received from the vigilant Committees of Safety that the British had made a deposit of arms and ammunition at Assonett village (Freetown), for the use of the loyalists, Col. Daggett, of this town, on the 9th of April, 1775, undertook an expedition for the purpose of seizing these arms and breaking up the combination which had been formed to favor the royal cause. He was accompanied by the several companies from this town with their captains (as before named, except Elisha May in the room of Jonathan Stanley), and by some of the militia from Rehoboth and other towns. How many others were concerned in the adventure is not known.

They discovered forty stands of arms and equipments in the possession of the Tories, together with a large quantity of ammunition, the whole of which was taken by the patriots. All who were suspected of favoring the British interest were required to swear not to bear arms against their country. Nine stanch Tories who refused to take the oath of fidelity to the colonies were made prisoners and put under the charge of the company from East Attleborough, and forthwith marched to Taunton. Here their captors threatened to convey them to Sullivan's mines in Connecticut if they would not comply. To avoid this alternative they at last submitted, and took the oath of allegiance. They were then dismissed.

This expedition deserves commemoration from the circumstance of its having been accomplished previous to the commencement of open hostilities in any other part of the country. It preceded a few days the first scene in the great drama which opened on the plains of Lexington. It was appearing in arms (though on a comparatively small scale) against the royal government. The patriots expected resistance, and were prepared with sufficient force to meet it.

The company of minute-men, sixty in number, under the command of Capt. Jabez Ellis, Enoch Robinson, lieutenant, on the day of the battle at Lexington received orders to march instantly to Roxbury. We set out at night,1 stopped a short time at Maxcy's, now Hatch's Tavern, then went directly to Dedham, where we found two tables by the roadside generously provided with food for the soldiers who might pass that way, thus arranged to prevent any unnecessary delay. We snatched a hasty breakfast and marched on ; reached Roxbury about daylight, and were then marched round and round Roxbury meeting-house, to make as much show of numbers as possible in view of the British. Our company remained there seven or eight days, and then were permitted to return home.2

The same company went down to Roxbury the day of Bunker Hill battle ; stayed about a fortnight. While there a small party of us went round to the Cambridge side to look at the British, but soon the captain of a fort called out to us that we had better not go in company, for the enemy would see us and fire at us ; and sure enough, in a minute or two, a cannon-ball came whizzing along close by us. and soon after they sent us a bomb.

May 1, 1775. A company of sixty- four men enlisted for eight months, under Capt. Caleb Richardson, in the Massachusetts line (so called), and were stationed at Roxbury.

July, 1776. Another company, principally from this town, enlisted five months in the recruits called the new levies, under Capt. Caleb Richardson, and Stephen Richardson, lieutenant, both of Attleborough, in the regiment of Col. Cary, of Middleborough, Brig.-Gen. Fellowes, and did duty in and about New York, and were at the disastrous retreat from Long Island, etc.3 Some of the other members of this company were from the neighboring towns.

2 Of one of these soldiers an anecdote was current among the survivors of that day. One Henry Richardson, of this town, a bold and honest but heedless fellow, on his way to Roxbury swore he would have one of the red-coats before he went back. On his arrival at headquarters, the moment he bad opportunity, he charged his long musket, and not thinking with Falstaff that "discretion is the better part of valor," coolly marched down in frontof our lower guard, and taking deliberate aim at the opposite British sentinel, discharged bis musket, and badly wounded him, as his companions were seen to lead him off the ground, and his place was supplied by another. Much to his astonishment, our hero was immediately arrested (for doing, as he thought, so good a service) and put under guard ; hut, on the representations of his friends, was soon after discharged without further punishment, in consideration of his good intentions !

3 Capt. Moses Wilmarth, though he had served as a captain at home, yet from a spirit of patriotism entered the service as a private soldier in the expedition to New York. He was afterwards promoted, and continued much attached to the service during the war.

In October, 1777, a whole company from this town marched to Rhode Island, under Capt. Stephen Richardson, and served one month in Spencer's " secret expedition," so called.

Militia - Rhode Island. - The militia in this town and' the vicinity were subject to frequent drafts of men (more or less) from December, 1776, until after the evacuation of Rhode Island. Drafts were made in January, February, March, May, June, July, and August, 1777, and at many other times. The men were stationed, the most of the time, at Hovvland's Ferry (Tiverton) and at Warwick.

The British took possession of Rhode Island in December, 1776, and kept the surrounding country in a continual state of alarm. They occupied it above two years.

Gen. Sullivan, during his expedition to Rhode Island, requested the government of Massachusetts to send him a reinforcement in consequence of the French forces having abandoned him. In compliance with this request the following orders were issued by the Council of this State, directing Col. Daggett, of the Fourth Regiment (including, as now, Attleborough, Mansfield, Norton, and Easton), to take charge of the detachment :

" Whereas, Maj.-Gen. Sullivan lias represented to this Board that by reason of the absence of the French troops, which he expected would co-operate with him, he is in pressing need of a reinforcement, therefore,

" Ordered, that the following colonels be and hereby are directed to detach from their respective regiments the several numbers of men hereafter mentioned, and form tbem into companies of sixty-eight men each, including one captain, two subalterns, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, and one fifer, and see that they be equipped, armed, and accoutred as the law directs, and order them to march immediately to the island of Rhode Island, and there to do duty during the campaign on said island, viz.: From Col. Hawes' regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including officers and one major ; from Col. Carpenter's regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including officers; from Col. Daggett's regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including officers and one colonel; from Col. Hathaway's regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including officers and one lieutenant- colonel ; from Col. Sproat's regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including officers; from Col. 'Williams' regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including officers,

In obedience to these orders a regiment (consisting of nine hundred men) was formed out of the several regiments above named, which repaired to Rhode Island, and served under the command of Col. Daggett, of this town, during the remainder of the campaign. The company furnished by this town as its quota under this levy was commanded by Capt. Caleb Richardson. It was on the island at the time of the battle, and was partially engaged in it.1

Col. Daggett also commanded the regiment (of which this town furnished a portion) from Bristol County in Spencer's expedition. This regiment was supplied by alternate drafts from the companies in the northerly and middle parts of the county.

During the occupation of the island by the British, as before observed, the militia from all the towns in the vicinity were frequently called upon to defend the shore, as constant apprehensions were entertained that the enemy would attempt to land. Attempts were indeed often made, but as often failed. Orders would sometimes come for all the militia to appear at some place near the island. All hands would accordingly muster (whether by night or day) and make all haste for the scene of parade. They were sometimes thus detained a week, three weeks, and even six weeks at a time. On the appearance of a sufficient force the enemy would for the time relinquish their design, and the greater part of the militia obtain leave to go home. But sometimes before they arrived home orders would come for their immediate return. The yeomanry were thus often obliged to leave the plow in the furrow, the mown hay untouched, and the harvest rotting in the field.

While Sullivan was retreating from the island, Fayette, who brought up the rear, just as he was leaving the field, espied a pickaxe belonging to the American army which had been accidentally left on the ground ; he instantly went back, dismounted and picked it up, exclaiming in broken English as he rode off with it on his shoulder, "They sha'n't have de pickaxe /"

The cannonade (which was heavy) between the two armies was distinctly heard and felt in this town, and produced extreme anxiety in every family.

The time of Bunker Hill battle was likewise a day of solemn feeling and fearful expectation. The cannonade was distinctly heard at this distance (thirtyfive miles), and the occasion of it was fully recognized. The town was almost deserted by all able to bear arms. Women were in tears for the fate of fathers, husbands, and brothers who had gone to the scene of action.

From the preceding account of the civil transactions and the military services of this town it appears satisfactorily that our citizens furnished their full proportion to the ranks of the patriot army, and did their duty faithfully in the day of trial.

In reviewing the proceedings in that contest which agitated the country previous to the commencement of the Revolution one thing struck me as worthy of

1 Two men from this town who had belonged to the Continental army were killed in that action, viz., Lamed Hall and one John Dwyer, formerly of Rehoboth.

remark (though not particularly noticed by historians), that the citizens of this State generally, the people as a body, felt a deeper interest, took a more active part, and exerted a more direct influence in the transactions of the day than the people of any other State. The whole mass of our citizens seemed to be acting in concert, animated with one spirit, and in pursuit of one object. Other States were indeed as zealously engaged in the great work, but it was rather through the Legislature or the government than by | the direct influence of the people. But the citizens of this State intrusted it not to a few leaders or to any body of men to vindicate their violated rights, - they were willing to do their part and to bear the burden themselves. Every town and almost every individual felt it a duty to put forth an effort in the cause.

It may be here remarked that previous to this period, viz., 1745, Cumberland was separated from Attleborough by royal charter and annexed to Rhode Island.1