Townsend Town (part 3 of 7)

"Article 7th. To see if the town will consider the baptists, in regard to their paying taxes towards the meeting-house and levelling the common."

On this article, "Voted to abate Joseph Walkers poll tax in a tax called the glass tax, and one-half of his poll tax in a town tax of nine hundred dollars in Seth Lewis' tax list."

The town also "considered the baptists" inasmuch as to grant them the use of the meeting-house a certain number of sabbaths during the year, for quite a number of consecutive 3xars. Usually their meetings were (previous to 1834) held in what was the battery school-house, where they had services part of the time, but not constant preaching.

The church record for May 20th, 1833, shows the following : " Chose Rev. Caleb Brown our pastor." This gentleman labored until the summer of 1S35. The baptist meeting-house ha\ing been dedicated during the early part of the previous winter, and the church being increased some in numbers, so that the surroundings and circumstances began to be more favorable to this denomination, an effort was made to secure the services of some one distinguished in the baptist denomination, for their pastor.

Baptists And Universalists

an invitation to settle with them at the annual salary of five hundred dollars. There is nothing in the church records concerning his installation here, but the time ot' his coming is recorded: "Sept. 28, 1835, Mr. Barnaby removed among us and entered on his labors." A large number comparatively attended the meetings during Mr. Barnaby 's pastorate, but there was no special revival. In 1836, the church contained thirty-seven members. Mr. Barnaby at that time, was of prepossessing appearance and pleasing address. After the short pastorate of about two years, for certain reasons he asked his dismission, which was rather reluctantly granted, both pastor and church being much attached to each other. He was dismissed October 8, 1837, when he removed to Harwich, where he was installed over the oldest baptist church in that part of the state. Since that time he has been settled at Deerfield, New Hampshire, where he occupied a parsonage, the buildings of which were burned, together with nearly all of his personal property. He has also had a pastorate in five or sixother places. He was born at Freetown, June 25th, 1787 ; graduated at Brown University, 1809, died December loth, 1877, at Harwich, leaving a widow six months his senior, with whom he lived sixty-seven years, each of which was devoted to the Master's service. He was an earnest, successful pastor at every place where he labored, and during the latter part of his life, from the deference paid to him by all denominations he was called, the ''Bishop of the Cape." A notice of him at his death says : "He baptized about two thousand eight hundred persons, four hundred of whom he received into the fellowship of this church;" meaning the baptist church, at Harwich, of which he was pastor at the time of his death.

Rev. Oren Tracy, was the next minister. He came from Newport, New Hampshire, to this town, and commenced his Libors February 3, 1838. There was a very pleasant intercourse between Mr. Tracy and this church and people. A baptist church in Fitchburg, being favorably impressed b}' Mr. Tracy, gave him a call with an offer of a larger salary, when "his duty" pointing in that direction, he asked his dismission in January, 1841, and soon departed to that place.

In the spring of 1841, the church gave a call to Rev. Charles W. Reding, who was regularly installed soon after. He remained till July, 1844, when the society "Voted that the pastoral connection , between Rev. Mr. Reding and this church and society be dissolved." He was a polished man.

Rev. W. C. Richards, was the successor of Mr. Reding. He was the pastor for two or three years, when the services of Rev. Caleb Blood were secured for about two 3'ears. He was grandson of his namesake, who was a distinguished man in the baptist denomination.

Rev. F. G. Brown commenced preaching for the baptists in 1850. Rev. Lester Williams, Rev. E. A. Battell and Rev. F. G. Brown supplied the pulpit, each one about an equal length of time, from 1850 to i860. Mr. Williams, although a young man, was a capable, earnest preacher, and gave perfect satisfaction.

Rev. George W. Ryan entered upon the labors of pastor of this church in i860, and continued about three years. Mr. Ryan took considerable interest in education.

and served on the school committee, in which office he was well received. The baptist pulpit has been supplied at different times by the theological students at Newton, for months at a time.

Rev. Willard P. Upham was pastor from 1867 to 1872, or about six years. He was for a long time associated with the Cherokee Indians as missionary and teacher, and afterwards, as pastor of the church connected with that intelligent tribe. He had considerable experience also at other places at the west. His pastorate was the longest of any person in the ministry who has labored with the baptists. Mr. Upham was an acceptable pastor, a diligent student, and a social gentleman. He was an invalid for sometime after leaving this town. He died in 1877.

Rev. Oren K. Hunt, a graduate of Newton Theological Seminary, was installed pastor of this church in June, 1874, ^^^^ ^^^ remained until the spring of 1877. when he was followed b}- Rev. William R. Thompson, who is the present pastor.

In looking over the large number of pastors which this church has had during the half of a century of its existence, the question naturally arises, why has it had so many ? No difficulties have ever disturbed this church by having Kallocks or Beechers for pastors. There always has been extreme unanimity among the church members, its friends and patrons, still the pastorates of its ministers average less than three years, which certainly is at variance with the customs of the fathers, who took t/ie/r ministers, like their wives, " during life."' If a clergyman has integrity of character, piety, learning, and scope of intellect sufficient to make himself acceptable to any church for three years, why cannot he continue to do so for tiye times three years ?

The records of the baptist church are so meagre and incomplete, that it is impossible to giye as many facts and dates as are desirable. From the time of its formation to the present, it has annually been in receipt of pecuniary aid from the same society, which, in 1827, placed Mr. Dean in the missionary field.

The Universalist Restoration Society, at West To\ynsend, was organized March 4th, 1848. The first disciples of Murray, at this yillage, howeyer, had enjoyed meetings for nearl}' ten years, preyious to that time. During the year 1839, Rev. John Pierce, a native of Lunenburg, was invited to preach to this society. This youthful minister supplied the pulpit here on alternate sabbaths for more than a year. He was a ready, extemporaneous speaker, agreeable in his person, and rather attractive in his manner of address. He died the next year, of consumption, much lamented b}^ his friends and the denomination with which he was connected.

At the time this society was organized, it was "Voted to take measures to build a meeting-house,'' and chose a "committee of eleven to carry the same into effect." Chose Zimri Sherwin, Stephen Dyer, Benjamin Barrett, Leyi Sherwin, William Nichols, Albert Howe, Joel Kendall, Ebenezer Rawson, Luke Wellington, Andrews Howe and John Whitcomb tor said committee.

committee to hold those shares in their hands as security tor their payment. It was intended that the money that accrued from the sale of the pews should, in the end, pay for a large portion of the expense of building the meetinghouse. This house was finished in 1848.

After the church building was completed, it was ascertained that there were about fort}' regular paying families of this society (a part of which number belonged to Ashby), so that it was a comparatively easy matter to raise the $400 for a minister's salary. Of these forty families, only a few are now among the people here, and many are not to be found among the living.

This meeting-house was built b}' Mr. Levi Sherwin. and it was dedicated January 25, 1849. Rev. Stillman Clark, of East Jaffrey, New Hampshire, preached an appropriate sermon, which was well received bv a full house.

There never was a universalist church, which worshipped in this building, but in its stead "The Universalist Restoration Societ}-." The Rev. Stillman Clark was the first pastor of this society. He was here at first, about a year, when Rev. Varnum Lincoln succeeded him for about two years, when Mr. Clark returned and supplied the pulpit for a year or more. Both of these pastors were acceptable preachers, and both of them were honored by the town with seats on the board of school committee.

In 1853, this society employed a man b}' the name of R. J. Chapman, who remained here for nearly two years, before the wolf in sheep's clothing was discovered.

four years. After being absent in Pennsylvania until 1863, he returned to West Townsend, and again preached for the same society, about two years and a half, when the connection closed by mutual consent. During all this time, to the present (1877), Mr. Clark has kept his home in West Townsend, where he now resides with his companion, who has been a faithtu help-meet through all the trials and struggles of a ministry of thirty-five years.

Since the close of Mr. Clark's pastorate, there has been no preaching for the universalist society, except at two or three different times during the holidays : yet the people who constituted this society, who are still among the living, consider that their is much more liberality among other denominations, than there was twenty-eight years ago, when the Universalist Restoration Society, in West Townsend, was tbunded.

Mee Ting-Ho Uses

The Fii-st Meeting-house and its Location - "Pew Ground" - -- Seatinj*' the Meeting-house "* - Controversy about the Location of the Second Meeting-house - Memoirs of John Hale. Oliver Prescott and John Dunsmoor, the Committee Chosen to Locate this House - Names of the Pew Holders in the Second Meeting-house- Action of the Town in Regard to Moving the Second Meetinghouse to its Present Location at the Central Village - Tlie First Bell in Town - The Congregational Meeting-house - The Baptist Meeting-house.

It has been heretofore mentioned, that the settlers did not strictly conform to the terms of the grant of 17 19, in several particulars. The ''convenient house for the Worship of God" was not built either at Turkey Hills (Lunenburg), or at The North Town, until nearly ten vears alter these two towns were granted. The condition was that meeting-houses shovild be built within four vears from the date of the grant.

In September, 1728, the town of Lunenburg voted to raise the sum of £200 ($88.88) for building and finishing a meeting-house, "so far as it will do or answer there- Ibr." In 1 73 1, a pulpit and "a body of sects" were built in this house, which was tbrty-hve feet long and t]iirt\'-five feet wide.

The Townsend records of this period are lost, but from this account of the transactions in Lunenburg, it may be inferred that our house of worship was of similar size and value. It was a mere shell. The amount, £15, which the proprietors voted to raise, to "ease the hard bargain" of the contractors, when reduced to federal money, is only about $3.90, from which fact it may be inferred that the meeting-house in Townsend could not have been very expensive. Money was quite scarce at that time, and most business was transacted by barter trades.

As has been shown by Samuel Danforth's report to the Great and General Court, our meeting-house was erected before 1730, so that both of these towns erected houses of worship at about the same time.

The first meeting-house in Townsend was located on the summit of the hill, about a mile easterly of the common at the centre of the town, on the west side of the road leading over the hill, in the extreme northeast corner of land, now enclosed at that part, by stone walls, with the parsonage left by Lieut. Amos Whitney. A portion of the land that was the town's common when this house was built, is now enclosed with the parsonage farm at that cornfer, and some of the coarser stones of the foundation of this house, may now be seen in the walls at that place.

It is a singular circumstance, that there never were more than two or three frame houses on this hill, near the spot which the town had selected for its religious and municipal centre.

The prospect, from this stand-point, is exceedingly beautiful and picturesque. Large portions of the towns of Lunenburg and Groton at the south and southeast, with the steeples, landscapes and white farm-houses of these old towns ; together with the hills and mountain slopes, at the west and northwest, dotted over with dwellings, fields and forests, all present a charming panorama. This location must have had peculiar attractions for our ancestors, as this house of worship was placed more than two miles from the centre of the town as it was incorporated.

A pulpit and some body seats were made in this house soon after the church was gathered. In February, 1735, the "pew ground" was laid out. and the committee appointed to do this work ''Being again meet together prefered men to their pitches as followeth."

Then follow the names of the most prominent men of the town, "Capt. John Stevens" being the first name recorded. The following extract from the record will sufficiently explain the language above quoted : -

"Voted that the rule that the committee chosen to lay out the pew ground in the meeting-house in Townshend shall be as follows (viz) that they shall prefer those persons in said town to their choice of pew ground, that have paid the most towards the preaching of the Gospel, in said town, and towards building the meeting-house."

For about half a century after the town was chartered, a committee was chosen, at each annual town meeting, in March, to seat the meeting-house, sometimes called "dignifying the meeting-house." Two rows of long, plain benches, with an aisle in the centre leading from the pulpit to the front of the house, and passage wavs around the walls of the building, constituted the seating accommodations of the ground floor of the first meeting-house.

ground" at that time was the committee chosen to seat the meeting-house. Several times, the town instructed their committee in the manner the house was to be seated.

Persons who paid the most towards preaching were allowed "the uppermost seats in the synagogue." The selectmen, deacons of the church, and other officers of acknowledged rank, generally had the first seats. A town in this vicinity "Voted that the committee be instructed to seat the meeting-house according to quality."

From this it may be inferred that even in the days of the puritans, there w-as an aristocracy ; tor this word "quality" signified nothing else except the degree of wealth and good clothes which these worshippers possessed. So far as the apparel was concerned, this was a good rule according to the maxim, "cleanliness is next to Godliness."

The custom of leaving the meeting-house in those days, and long afterwards, was quite commendable. After the benediction, the minister would walk out of the house, gracefully bowing to the people on both sides of the aisle, hat in hand, all remaining standing ; then the deacons would follow their pastor, and after they had passed nearly out the congregation would quietly leave without any noise or confusion. It is said that this practice had its origin from the fact that the people regarded it as a matter of disrespect to turn their backs upon the clergy. However this might have been, the exits of these congregations w^ould strike any orderly person much more favorably, than the present careless and jostling manner in which our churches are vacated at the close of service.

The folloNving extracts from the town records will show that this house was rude in the extreme, and never finished. A building of this kind would not well comport with our ideas of a church edifice ; but considering that this was the first building in town that was covered with sawed lumber, all of which was brought from Groton. and the scanty means and small number of inhabitants the town contained one hundred and forty-six years ago, it may be fairly supposed, that this house was the result of an extraordinary effort.

In May, 175 1, "Secondly, voted to finish two seats round in the gallery and place two pillars under the galler}" sills. Thirdly, voted to choose a committee of three men to finish the same."

In 1753, "Voted to sell the pew ground in the southeast corner of the meeting-house at a vandue ; the same being sold to John Stevens Jun'". : he being the highest bidder, for twenty pounds old tenor."

In 1759, or about thirty years after the house was built, "Voted to grant the ground where the platform is now laid in the front gallery of the meeting-house, to Jonathan Patt and others to build a pew on, provided they build the same and seal up the four side of the meetinghouse between the stairs up to the plait b}- the first of September next."

In 1763, a window was made back of the pulpit, and at the same town meeting which ordered the window. "Voted to give Capt. Daniel Taylor and Lieut. Emerv £6 13s. 4d. to lath and plaster and whitewash the meetinghouse overhead." Rescinded this vote in 1769.

In 1768, "Voted to give liberty to William Stevens and others petitioners with him to build a pew in the meetinghouse over the mens stairs."

this tirst meeting-house was never finished. There was no ceiling or plastering overhead, and but little of either kind of finish on the inner walls. At this time the house needed considerable repairs and was too small to accommodate the congregation that went to hear the sound of the gospel as proclaimed by Rev. Mr. Dix, so that in May, 1769, the town "Voted to build a new meeting-house within thirty feet north of the old one if that will accommodate better."

Previous to the time that it was found necessary to build a new meeting-house, there was complete unanimity among the people of Townsend. The combativeness of its citizens had nearly spent itself, in the controversy with Dunstable about the dividing line, but at this period considerable feeling, among themselves, was manifested in regard to the location of the new meeting-house. The south part of the town wanted the house to be located on the southerly side of the hill, near the parsonage, while the north part were anxious to have it at the north side of the hill, near the burying ground ; others thought that the new house should be located where the old one stood.

From May to October, 1769, the merits of these two chosen places were discussed quite freely and with considerable excitement. There was about an equal number on each side, and finding it almost impossible to agree upon a site upon which to build their meeting-house, it was decided to refer the matter to three disinterested men, and their decision was to be final and binding in every particular.

October 12, 1769, "Voted to choose a committee of three men to state the place where a new meeting-house shall be ; whether at or near where the old meeting-house now Stands or at either of the places that shall be appointed by the north or south part of inhabitants of said town, on said meeting house hill. Chosen for said committee John Heald Esq. of Hollis, Doctor Prescott of Groton and Doctor Densmore of Lunenburg."

This meeting adjourned till October 31st, when the committee of doctors, who healed this fracture, appeared and submitted the following report, which was accepted and adopted : -

"The subscribers, a committee appointed by the inhabitants of the Town of Townshend at a legal town meeting holden October 12, 1769 for the purpose within mentioned, have this day attended upon the business, and having full}- heard all parties concerned, and duly considered of the affair, are of the opinion that it will be most ornamental for the Town, and most convenient for the inhabitants thereof, to set the front sill of the new meeting house, sixteen feet from the back sill of the old meedng house, or thereabouts, which we submit to said town for their acceptance.

It would appear on the face of this report, that the removal of the location only sixteen feet, needed some explanation. A flat, broad ledge, of the peculiar kind ot rock on this hill, cropped out just at the front of the old meedng-house, over which the travel had passed for more than forty years. The slight difference of sixteen feet would leave the ledge in the form of a terrace in front of the new meeting-house. This also explains the language

It may be interesting to know who these men were who chose this location, and in whom the good people of Townsend placed such unreserved confidence. The tbllowing memoir of John Hale is from Kidder's History of the First New Hampshire Continental Regiment : -

John Hale was in early life settled in Hollis, New Hampshire, as a physician. In 1755, he was surgeon's mate in Col. Blanchard's First New Hampshire regiment, in an expedition to Crown Point against the French, and in 1758, was surgeon in Col. Hart's regiment, which was at the Crown Point expedition of that vear. In 1768, he was representative to the Legislature from the associated towns of Hollis and Dunstable, and at the beginning of the Revolution, he was colonel of a regiment of militia, composed of soldiers from Hollis and the adjoining towns. He was a member of the convention that sat at Exeter, in April, 1775, and assisted in inaugurating the measures to organize the regiments that fought at Bunker Hill, and was also in the field a large part of that year. His sister (Abigail Hale,) was the wife of Col. Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, and as their residences were only three miles apart, their intercourse was frequent and always friendly. During 1775 and 1776, he was much engaged in aiding the cause by raising soldiers as well as assisting in the councils of the State. On the re-organization of the First New Hampshire Regiment he was appointed surgeon, and entered on his duty May 8, 1777. It is supposed that most of the regiment was then at Ticonderoga, or on the way there. He was with the regiment, through the campaigns and battles of that year and the next, and in the expedition to the Indian country in 1779. Resigned June nth, 1780. Returning home his influence was exerted in raising men and means till the end of the war. He was often a member of the Legislature. He was distinguished as a physician and had a large practice.

Erected To The Memory Of Doctor John Hale

"How soon our new-born light attains full aged And then how soon the gray haired night. We spring, we bud, we blossom and we blast, Ere we can count our days, they fly so fast."

Oliver Prescott was the son of Hon. Benjamin Prescott, who has been partially sketched in another part of this work, born at Groton, 1731, and was graduated at Harvard College, 1750. He settled in Groton, and was a pracdcal physician in that town lor nearh' half a centurv. He was very successful and popular in that profession. For the period of thirteen years he was town clerk of Groton. He held many civil offices. He was appointed by the King major in the militia, then lieutenant-colonel and colonel. When the revolutionary war broke out he espoused the cause of freedom, and early in the vear 1776. he was appointed brigadier-general, and he mustered and organized the miHtia of Middlesex county. His judgment on military matters was very valuable at that time. In 1778, he was appointed the third major-general of the militia throughout the commonwealth. In 1799 he received the appointment of Judge of Probate for the count}' of Middlesex, which office he held until his death in 1804. He was the most influential man in this vicinity and well worthy of being a brother of the hero of Bunker Hill. He was learned without ostentation, popular without being a demagogue, and extremely prepossessing in his appearance, apparently without knowing it.

John Dunsmoor was born in Scotland, in 1720. He had some of the advantages of the literary institutions of his native country, but probably neither his culture in general, or his preparation in particular, lor the profession of his choice, entitled him to a high rank. A correspondent says of him : "He was a remarkable man." He came to this country in his early manhood, and soon after settled in Lunenburg, where he resided till his death, in 1794. He possessed excellent natural abilities, joined with a good amount of perseverance. He was very eccentric withal, and occasionally put on a rough deportment almost repulsive. He had a large practice and was considered not only a verv skilful physician but a good surgeon.

Mav 28, 1770, "Voted to choose a committee to carry on the aflair of raising the new meeting-house. Voted that this committee be directed to provide jins and roaps nesesarv for the same, also to choose such hands to raise the same as they think proper, and to make suitable provisions for their entertainment, and to provide some person

Meeting-Houses

This house was finished so far that it was occupied during the latter part of 1771. Among the list of baptisms by Rev. Mr. Dix, this is recorded: "Oct. 27, 1771, Baptized Gains, son of Eleazer Spaulding, in y*^ new meeting house."

This is the only instance where any meeting or ceremony is represented as having occurred in the new meetinghouse. This edifice was a great improvement on the house for which it was substituted, it being amply capacious for the population of the town, which, according to the colonial census of 1770, contained about seven hundred inhabitants. The precaution in regard to raising this building was timely and judicious, considering the heavy square timber used in the frame thereof, some of which may now be seen beneath the roof of the old meeting-house on the common. This house was clapboarded, and the window, and door frames and the doors, were painted on the outside during the summer of 1771.

October 20, 1772, "Voted that those persons who purchased the pews on the lower floor of the meeting house, should have their names recorded on the town book, and the number of the pew they drawed, which stands in course as they drawed them."

It appears that thirty-five citizens shared equally in the expense of making as man}- pews on the ground floor of this house, and in regard to a choice in them, the owners agreed to decide the matter by "casting lots." Considering that these men were the "solid men" of Townsend, one hundred years ago, and that their descendants constitute quite a number of the inhabitants of this town at

In May, i'J^3-, "Put to vote to see if the town will alter the deacons' seat in the meeting house and it past in the Negative." At a town meeting the next October, "Voted to provide handsome door stones for the meeting house, and chose a committee to do the same."

This second meeting-house was at this time finished in a manner well adapted to the wants of the town. It was about the same style, both in architecture and finish, as were most of the New England church buildings of that period. Within its consecrated w^ills, the followers of the Master worshipped, the citizens devised plans to meet all the wants of the town in its corporate capacity, the training band assembled to organize and listen to the reading ot' the militia law, the "committee of safety" held consultations, the selectmen discussed their duties, and the smouldering patriotism of an oppressed people burst into a flame.

This house was the Faneuil Hall of Townsend. During the war of the revolution, our continental soldiers, with dark forebodings, turned back in their outward journey, to take a last look at this structure, endeared to them by tender associations ; and after long years of anxiety and suspense, after many eyes had been made tearful by the loss of brothers, husbands and lathers, who never returned : when the news of victory came, what sincere gratitude to the God of battles, whxit songs of thanksgiving and praise ascended from the altar in this humble sanctuarv.

Through the year 1797, considerable dislike was manifested towards the uncentrical location of this meetinghouse ; besides, the house itself needed some repairs. The expense of maintaining a road over the ledges and steep grades of meeting-house hill, was an objection that had an influence with many. In some seasons there was no water to be obtained at or very near the summit of this hill.

In March, 1798, an article was inserted in the warrant calling a town meeting, in the following words : "7th. To see if the town will find the centre of their town and say where their meeting house ought to stand."

It ma}' be presumed from this record, that there was at that time considerable conversation about a new meetinghouse. At the meeting of the town, this article was passed over, but this action of the town did not stop the current in favor of a new meeting-house. From this time till 1803. for more than five years, when the moving of the old meeting-house and making of a new one was finally agreed upon, the town met at thirteen different times to deliberate upon the subject, several of these meetings however, were adjourned meetings. The particular difficulty in the way, and what was most discussed was the disposal of the pews in the old meeting-house, or rather how much the old pew should go towards a new one in the contemplated house.

In October, 1799, "The town voted to find a suitable place near the centre of the town for the meeting-house to stand on, by taking an actual survey of the town and travel collectively ; having due respect to the lands unsettled, which by its quality may become inhabited in future time," and chose a committee for that object and purpose.

This committee consisting of sixteen citizens of which Jonathan Wallis was chairman, reported the next month, recommending the spot where this house now stands at the centre of the town, for the location of their new meetinghouse. The chairman and three others of this committee were of the number who, in 1772, drew lots for their pews in the house about to be removed.

The town at different times while the matter was under consideration, passed votes and then rescinded them, chose committees but refused to listen to their suggestions, debated the subject both in public and in private, agreed to a certain style of architecture, but afterwards altered it, and "agreed to disagree," until midwinter of 1804, when the job was let out, to Messrs. Moses and Aaron Warren, to move and finish this second meetinghouse of Townsend, into the third meeting-house in town, to be completed during the year 1804. The building committee reported that the house should have three porches.

but subsequently, January 6, 1804, "Voted to build a belfry and a suitable place to hang a bell according to a former vote of the town in lieu of a porch, on condition that there shall be money subscribed, sufficient to purchase a bell."

Previous to the removal there was considerable talk about enlarging this house, but it was finally agreed to remove it, set up and renovate it, without any enlargement, except the porches.

This house is sixty feet in length and forty-five feet in width. It was "situated due east and west," in its new location, the belfry on the west end, a porch on the east end and a porch on the south side. Above the entrance on the south porch were the gilded letters. "Built 1804." There were three entrances, one at each end and one in front. The pulpit was on the north side of the house, opposite the front door, a broad aisle extending from one to the other, dividing the ground floor of the house into two equal parts. There was also an aisle surrounding the house, next to the wall pews. There were two entrances to the galleries by flights of stairs, one in the east porch, and the other in the belfry at the west end. The galleries were well supported by large turned pillars. There was a row of wall pews, twenty-four in number, surrounding the house both above and below. They were not like the sloping, sofa-like slips now in fashion, but were about six feet square ; the walls were high and had a railing around the top, supported by nicely turned, little, hard-wood balusters, fitted into round holes both at the top and the bottom, which on the slightest touch would revolve and squeak like a nest of young mice. A row of uncushioned seats surrounded the interior of these pews, and often a flag-bottomed chair was place in the centre thereof. The seats were hung by hinges so that they might be turned up as the congregation rose for prayers ; and at the close of the invocation they were carelessly let down witli a noise similar to an irregular volley of small-arms. Over the stairs, at the west end, were the seats for the negroes, the small remnant of the race that were here at the commencement of the present century. The singers had the front of the gallery opposite the pulpit, which was lofty, finished with curious panel work and mouldings. "The pulpit had a recess or rostrum in which the speaker stood ; behind him was a curtainless arched wundow^ ; above him was a curious canopy, about six feet in diameter, resembling in form a turnip cut in two transversely. It was called a sounding-board, and hung near the speaker's head, by a slender iron rod from the ceiling, so slender as to have excited apprehensions and speculatipns in many a youthful mind as to the probability of its falling ; and beneath him in front of the pulpit, were the deacons' seats in a sort of pen, where they sat facing the congregation, with the communion table hanging by hinges in front of them."

It must not be forgotten that this house, for more than a quarter of a century from the time of its erection, was well tilled with attentive listeners, coming from all parts of the town, at each returning sabbath. Moses Warren, the principal contractor for moving and renovating this house, had just completed the tavern house now standing at the west side of the river at the central village, besides there were three or four dwelling-houses and John Giles' saw and grist mill at or near what is now Townsend Centre.

Tlie New Hampshire turnpike was finished about this time, passing directlv in Iront of this church, and convergent town roads were commenced and finislied to this common centre of the town. The citizens appreciating the eligibihty of the location for their meeting-house, and desiring to make it more easy of access, August 28, 1804, before the house was ready for occupancy, "Voted to raise three hundred dollars, to be worked out in levelling the new common around the new meeting-house ; and chose Lieut. Samuel Stone, John Giles and Ebenezer Stone a committee to conduct the same."

In May, 1852, after sectarianism had done its work, after the unitarians had decreased to a small number, its influential men at the start being either gone or dead, Charles Powers and others, in the interest of the methodists, bought this house from the unitarians, turned the west end of the same to the south, and fitted it up in its present style. Since that time, the methodists have rented the lower part of it to the town for a town hall, and occupied the upper part as an auditorium, in which thev have enjoyed an uninterrupted preaching of the Gospel to the present time.

It has been conceded by competent judges, that the steeple, or tower, on this edifice has good architectural proportions, and is as well adapted to the main building as anything of the kind in this vicinit}'.

The first church bell ever in Townsend, was obtained by mone}^ subscribed for that purpose, in the summer of 1804. The tradition that a bell was given to this town by the Englishman for whom Townsend was named, and that the same was sold to pay the freight, and subsequentlv was hung on one of the Boston churches, is without doubt incorrect. It has been ascertained that the town of Mason and one or two other towns have the same legend ; besides, if the town had been in expectancy of such a gift, an effort would have been made to erect a tower suitable for its reception. This bell came to this town soon after the second meeting-house was taken down and before its erection where it now stands, and it was stored in the shed at the parsonage. During the pleasant sabbaths of that summer, meetings were held under the shading elms easterl}^ of the parsonage, and this bell was struck to announce the hour for commencement of services.

To the people of 1876 this would appear to be an extravagant charge, from the fact that one of our townsmen, by the same name (Mr. Levi Richardson), during this year hung three church bells in this town gratiiitoiislx ; one on each of the churches at the Centre, and one at West Townsend. The bell hung b}' the aforesaid Hezekiah, was cracked in the year 1818, when a new bell weighing about 1500 pounds was purchased by subscribers, the old one going in part to pay for the new one. This bell, after the church pi'operty, including the parsonage, passed into the hands of what was called the tirst parish, or the unitarians, was removed by them to their new meeting-house at the Harbor, and subsequentl}- it was sold to pay the debts of that society.

From that time till 1876 this church was minus a bell, when the methodists experiencing a revival which added considerably both to their spiritual and pecuniarv strength, - and the town having inaugurated a tire department and desiring a heavier bell, the liberal citizens at the central village, and some others, by subscription, furnished the money for the purchase of the present bell, which tolls regularly and gently for the presence of the evening worshippers, and occasionally sends forth the clangorous notes of alarm, for brave hearts and willing hands to subdue the insatiable element.

The orthodox congregational meeting-house was completed and dedicated in June, 1830. Some of the men who seceded from the old church, just previous to that time, possessing a good amount of wealth, and not lacking in either enterprise or will, were determined to have a first class church edifice. With much unanimity this society agreed both on the location for their meeting-house and the manner in which it was to be built. This fourth meeting-house of Townsend is made of brick, and in every particular, is much superior to any church building ever built in this town ; and it reflects credit upon the taste and good judgment of the men who designed the same and furnished the money with which it was erected.

With the exception of a change in the pulpit and some internal wall decorations, it remains substantially the same as when it came from the hands of Josiah Sawtelle, its architect and builder. The clock in the tower of this church was presented by Deacon Joel Adams and Samuel Adams, his son. A bell weighing about 2000 pounds, purchased by subscription, was hung on this house soon after it was finished, which was in constant use from that time till 1876, when it was cracked and another one was put in its place.

The dme-piece, which graces the front of the singers' gallery, was the gift of Mrs. Lucv Stone, at a cost of fifty dollars. The flagons, cups and plates, at present in use by this church, as sacramental furniture, and a baptismal basin, were purchased by the legacy of one hundred

The baptist church, at the west village, w^as the fifth church edifice erected in Townsend. A committee was chosen in the autumn of 1833, consisting of Levi Warren, Levi Ball, Jacob Sanders, Ralph Warren, and Jeptha Cummings, to receive proposals for building a meetinghouse, sixty-four feet long, forty-five feet wide, with posts twent}-four feet in height ; and this committee closed a contract, with Josiah Sawtelle, to build this house, which was to be completed before October i, 1834. Some deviation from the written agreement, mutually understood, delayed the completion of this house for nearly two months. It was dedicated January 15, 1835. A number of dignitaries of the baptist denomination, including three or four doctors of divinity, besides a large and appreciative audience, were in attendance. Dr. Sharp, of Boston, preached the sermon, and Dr. Hague, of that city, assisted in the services on that occasion. Ample preparations were made by the citizens of the village for a sumptuous dinner, after the dedicatory services were ended, and at several tables in different parts of West Townsend, peculiarly appetizing spreads were presented ; and many visitors and friends attested to the hospitality of the patrons and members of the "First Baptist Society of Townsend."

This meeting-house is a fac simile of a meeting-house that was in Fitchburg, which so favorably impressed the building committee, in regard to its proportions and convenience, that it was the model for their house. This building was renovated in 1873, by being newly plastered, painted, and paper-frescoed : a new pulpit, an appropriate chandelier and side lights, were inserted at that time. For this improvement the baptist people are under special obligations to Messrs. Edward Ordway and John M. Bruce, who solicited the money for that purpose. It would be difficult to find fault either with the location, the internal arrangements, or the taste exhibited in the finish of this neat, unostentatious chapel.

From the day it was decided to erect this house of worship, to the present time, the baptist church has been continually the recipient of the favors of the Warren family. Mr. Levi Warren not only gave the land on which this building stands but he gave nearly one-third of the money required to build this house. Mr. Moses Warren gave the bell, which was hung in the belfry when the edifice was completed. Mr. Charles Warren* gave both the clock on the tower, and the one inside which hangs in front of the singers' gallery. Among those who contributed liberally towards the funds necessary to build this house, nine, by the name of Warren, gave freely; and, ever since that time, when the money needed to defray the expenses of preaching has not been easily obtained, Levi, Moses, Aaron, Ralph, Dorman, and other Warrens, and those who intermarried with the Warrens, have "come to the

* Charles Warreu was tlie son of Tliomas Warren. He amassed a large fortune in business, in Boston, and lost it. On account of his integrity, he was afterwards appointed agent of a large establishment engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. During the war of the rebellion, he went out to Central America, and engaged m the cultivation of cotton. This business was a success. While passing from one part ot the country to another, in company of guides, he was murdered by them lor his money. He was an amiable, benevolent gentleman, who kindly remembered his birthplace in the days of his prosperity. He was unmarried.

Militaby. Cemeteiues. And Bequests

"- The Trainiiio- Band" - "-The Alarm List" - Division of the Town into Two Military Companies - The North Company - The South Company - List of the Captains of these Companies - Townsend Light Infantrj^ - Its Captains - Cemeteries-Land Given by AVilliam Clark - Burying Ground Near the Common at the Centre of the Town - Its Enlargement m 1854 - Gift of [.and for a Cemetery at West ToAvnsend by Levi Warren - The Stocks, an Instrument of Torture to the Flesh - Amos Whitney's Will - His Epitaph.

The militaiy spirit among the people of the province of Massachusetts, from the time of the incorporation of the town to 1775, was rather on the wane. Most of the collisions between the settlers and the Indians occurred previous to 1732. There is no record concerning any military company in this town, previous to the revolutionary war, w^hereas, every town of sufficient inhabitants had an organized military company. It was customary in those days to give every man his title, civil as well as military, whether he was addressed orally or by manuscript. In the town records, at an earh' period, the names of Dea. Isaac Spaulding, Capt. John Stevens, Lieut. Daniel Taylor, Ensign John Farrar and Ensign Amos Whitney, are of frequent occurrence. Twenty years afterwards, more or less, the names oi Capt. Daniel Taylor, and Lieut. Amos Whitney, are in the records, which is sufficient proof that they were a part of the military officers of the town, for a long time. These puritans were slow in their movements in discharging an officer, as long as he was faithful to his trust. No whim or caprice was allowed to disturb a captain, a deacon, or a minister, and their offices in man^ instances ended with their lives.

It is impossible to describe, with any degree of accuracy, the military organizations of the town from the breaking out of the revolution to the commencement of the present century. The "training band" of the records, consisted, as is supposed, of the robust yeomen of the town, able-bodied, and in the full vigor of manhood, who were liable, at any and all times, to be called to the defence of the province. The "Alarm List" contained the names of persons who were either too young or too old to endure the hardships of war, but on an emergency, or as a home guard, could render efficient service. Persons less than eighteen or over fifty years of age are supposed to have belonged to the alarm list. It is probable, considering the excitement caused by the Shay's rebellion, and owing to other causes, that nearly every man in town during the next ten years, after the British troops were withdrawn from our borders, was well acquainted with the use of the flint-lock musket.

The first record of an}- military organization was the division of the town, in order to have two militar}- companies ; all persons liable, living north of the county road, made up the north company, and all south of that highway, the south company. This arrangement was observed till 1801, when the turnpike was built and that road was made the dividing line between the two companies.

The most prominent men in town were selected as military officers. Men of w^ealth only could afford to hold a commission, for all officers were subject to considerable expense to conform to the custom of that period in furnishing liquors for the men. It was considered a great honor at that time to be dubbed with a militar}- title, and very dishonorable in any officer not to furnish ardent spirit in abundance.

The orderW books of these two companies, that of the south company, as early as 1788, and that of the north company, commencing 1792, are still in good condition, from which the names of the captains are taken.

Military, Cemeteries, And Bequests

organized. After that time it appears that all soldiers in town, not belonging to the light infantry, were gathered into one company. The records of this corps are not to be found, but the following are the names of most, if not all, of the captains of this company : - Whitney Farmer, Daniel Giles, Samuel Brooks, Elnathan Davis, Solomon Jewett, Noal Ball, Robert T. Woods, and Beriah Blood.

The interest in the militia began to decrease about the time the temperance cause commenced. Previous to this time, the social principle among the people caused the two or three days of the 3'ear devoted to military duty to pass away in an agreeable manner. Notwithstanding the large quantity of liquor foolishly used at that time, perhaps there was no more drunkenness then, than at present. It is well, however, that a large portion of the citizens of the town, gave up painting their faces and commenced painting their dwellings.

In 1837, ^ ^^^""^ ^^'^^ enacted making all military duty voluntary, which set aside all the uniformed companies. Many considered the expense of the system as unnecessary. It grew unpopular from many causes. The clergy preached against it ; peace societies were formed and peace conventions assembled. The excellent advice of Washington, "In time of peace prepare for war," was regarded as old-fashioned, and applicable to some other nation. Had it not been for a few regiments of volunteer militia, from Massachusetts and New York, in 1861, the capitol of the nation probably would have fallen into rebel hands.

1817. This company commenced under favorable circumstances, and it was kept up, with much interest, for .more than thirty years. Its ranks were kept full for more than ten years after military duty was not compulsory. It lived long enough to wear out three sets of uniforms in different styles and colors. This company was a well disciplined corps, and on various occasions upon its appearance out of town on parade, for its soldierly bearing and general good appearance, it received many compliments from military men. The Prescott Guards, of Pepperell, and the Townsend Light Infantry, were considered the best companies in the regiment to which they belonged.

On the fourth of July, 1822, at a celebration on the common, at the centre of the town, this company received the present of a standard, from the ladies of Townsend. The company orderly book contains the following record : -

"The standard was escorted to the common by nearly an hundred respectable ladies of this town, and presented by the amiable Miss Susan Pratt,* and received by Ensign Ebenezer Stone, after which the ladies were escorted back to the tavern by the company.

Persons who were in attendance at this celebration inform the writer that the ceremony was impressive, and the presentation speech, composed by Aaron Keyes, Esq..

* Daughter of Benanuel Pratt. Married. August 29, 1823, Ptolemy Edson, M. D., a practical plivsiciau at Chester, Vermont, for fifty-five vears. She died September 8, 1844. He "died December 20, 18«6.

Asa Turner, from incorporation till 1821. Levi Warren, thence till April 3, 1822. JosiAH G. Heald, thence till March 21, 1823. William Park, thence till August 6, 1825. Ebenezer Stone, thence till November 7, 1826. Jeptha Cummings, thence till March 13, 1828. Levi Stearns, thence till August 6, 1829. Joseph H. Hildreth, thence till August 20, 1831. Samuel Adams, thence till December 2. 1834. Horace Warner, thence till x\pril 18, 1837. Abram S. French, thence till November 29, 1839. Ai Sherw^in, thence till April 15, 1842. Alexander Craig, thence till April, 1844. Prentice Stone, no record. Jonathan Pierce, no record. Eliab Going, no record. William Adams, no record. Walton Bancroft, thence till 1852.

It shows a lack of good judgment for a civilized people or municipality to be without a suitable military force. At this time, the country is in as defenceless a condition as it was in 1861, notwithstanding the lesson then learned. Should the nation be embroiled in another war, and as long as human nature remains the same it is liable, to become so at most any time, a long routine of preparation would be required, and the delay in organization and discipline would give the enemy a great advantage, and perhaps, be at the expense of many lives. People lull themselves to sleep in talking about the horrors and wickedness of war. Clergymen and pious citizens pray that all wars may cease, and exhort to non-resistance ; and statesmen trust in diplomacy. Now moral suasion is a great power ; but in an exigency like a riot, sixty-four rifles, in the hands of disciplined men, under a clear-headed commander, are worth more than eloquence, argument, or prayers.

In 1742, the town ''Voted to accept of an acre of land, from Mr. William Clark, for a burial place." It is probable, that this ''God's acre" was given to the town a considerable length of time before this vote was passed. There must have been some burials in Townsend during the first twelve or fifteen years of its settlement, and from its proximity to the meeting-house, this was undoubtedly the first place selected for the interment of the dead. The graves first made here are marked by rough slabs of slate, minus any inscriptions, and the first stones on which are any records, date back no further than 1745.

In 1744, "^ Voted to choose a committee of three men to clear up the burying place, and dispose of the timber for the best advantage of the town. Chose for this committee, Nathaniel Richardson, Joseph Baldwin, and Josiah Robbins." In 1747, the town evinced a deeper interest in this cemetery, and "Voted to fence the burying place with a stone wall four feet and four inches high." Mr. William Clark, the giver, was the owner of a large amount of land in this town. His name appears on the list of the seventytwo persons quoted in this work, who were present at Concord, in May, 1720. He subscribed tor a "Lott" in "y® North Town" but did not pay at the time. He was a shoemaker, owned slaves, came from Concord to this town, and settled on the south side of the river, at the base of the hill on the South Row road leading from the old meeting-house, on the west side of the road, w^here one Isaac Spaulding afterward lived. The bridge, at the west of the Harbor pond, has always been known as the Clark bridge, and was called for him.

A slate gravestone, now in a good state of preservation, was erected to his memory, situated near the centre of this burial place, from which it appears that he died in 1756, aged seventy-seven years.

About 1816, the people began to talk about a new burying place, the acre of ground given by William Clark being nearly full ; besides, there are no avenues in this acre; and "dust to dust" is so closely commingled, and the headstones are so numerous, that the part farthest from the road is not easily approached by a funeral cortege. In 181 8, the town voted to bu}' the land now used for a cemetery at the centre of the town, then owned b}" Rev. David Palmer, Deacon Daniel Adams, and Richard Warner, Esq., each of whom had an angle of land needed to make the grounds eligible, both in distance from the meeting-house and quadrangular in shape. In 1854, ^he town chose a committee, consisting of the selectmen, to buy land at the east of their new burial place in order to enlarge the same. The east line of the land, bought in 1818, commenced near the site of the receiving tomb; thence southerly in a line nearly parallel with the west line of the cemetery. This committee bought about six acres of land, of Richard Warner, at the eastward of this line, enclosed it with a picket fence, and took up the east line fence of the original plot. The gentle hill in the land, making it an eligible location for building tombs, was probably considered in selecting this spot in 1818. The summit of this hill contains only a few graves, from which it may be inferred that this elevated part of the ground was disliked as a burial place.

The tombs on the west side of this cemetery were built in 1819. The fashion, of making tombs like those, was quite general in this vicinity at that period. From the time of Cheops, the pyramid man, to the present, mankind in all grades of civilization and religion, have evinced the most absurd ideas in. regard to the burial of the dead, from the Indian, whose steed and war weapons were inhumed with his corse, to the nabob, or senator, reposing beneath the ponderous and elaborately hnished marble at Mount Auburn. The un coffined and unknelled remains of the soldiers at Andersonville prison, sleep as well "after life's fitful fever" as though placed beneath the gorgeous monuments erected to their memory in the principal cities of this great nation, the liberties of which they fell to perpetuate. The genius and wealth of the world combined cannot make death either welcome or lovely.

In 1836, Mr. Levi Warren set apart a tract of land for a cemetery, on the south side of the road from West Townsend to Ashby, not far from the baptist meetinghouse. Two or three bodies were buried there. For good reasons, Mr. Warren altered his mind about the location and had the bodies moved in 1838, at his own expense, to the cemetery now at the north of the river, and then gave the town a deed of the land.

The stocks used by our ancestors tor reformatory purposes more than one hundred years ago, were placed at the west end of the meeting-house, in the open air.

They were made with two heavy, hard wood, three inch plank, each about a foot in width and seven or eight feet long. In the edges of these planks placed edge to edge, four holes were cut, one-half in each plank. They were firmly set together in that position, with a hinge at one end and a padlock at the other. When a culprit was to be punished, he was taken to this spot, when the upper plank would be raised sufficiently to admit the persons ankles into these holes, then the plank would be shut dow n and locked, leaving the offender to remain, either sitting, or on his back, to reflect on the condition of his allegience to the constituted authority. No record has been found showing what class of crimes were punished b}' this instrument of torture to the flesh. It probably never was used many times, and then only in extreme cases of civil offences.

"In the name of God, amen, I Amos Whitney of Townshend in the county of Middlesex in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England Gentleman, being in health of body and of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God, calling to mind my mortality, knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say principallv and first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it and my bod}' to be buried in a decent manner, at the discretion of my executor, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection to receive the same by the mighty power of God ; and touching such worldly goods and estate as God has blessed me with, I give and demise in manner and form, viz; Imprimis : I give and bequeath to my kinsman Levi Whitney of Townshend, his heirs and assigns, all the lands in Townshend which I purchased of the heirs of Major Jon'' Hubbard as bounded in said deed with the buildings thereon ; Also all my right or share in the undivided lands in the towns of Tow^nshend and Ashby ; also my right or privilege in the meetinghouse in Townshend. I also give and bequeath to said Levi Whitney all and singular my other estate both real and personal not hereafter or otherwise disposed of. I also constitute and appoint said Levi Whitney sole executor of this my last will and testament.

"Item. I give and bequeath to the town of Townshend all the lands I am now possessed of in Townshend, not particularly given to Levi Whitney, with the buildings and appurtenances belonging thereto ; (my right in the meeting house excepted) to lye as a parsonage forever, as long as the gospel is preached in said town, to be appropriated to the use of the settled ministry for the benelit of the town ; also my clock I give and bequeath to the town as aforesaid for the use and improvement of the settled ministry, and it is my will that the said clock be not carried, used or improved off said farm by me bequeathed to the town. And it is my will that the town of Townshend take possession of the above bequeathed premises on the fifteenth day of April next after my decease. I also give and bequeath to said town of Townshend, one hundred pounds of lawful money, to be paid by my executor, lifty pounds in one year and the other tifty pounds to be paid in two years next after my decease, to be by the town put at interest forever, and said interest to be appropriated to

"Item. I give and bequeath to the town of Ashby four pounds lawful money to purchase a cushion for the ministerial desk, to be paid by my executor in one year after my decease.

"Item. I give to the district of Shirley four pounds Lawful money, to purchase a cushion for the ministerial desk to be paid by my executor in one year after my decease.

"Item. I give to the town of Mason four pounds of lawful money to purchase a cushion for the ministerial desk to be paid by my executor in one year after my decease. Furthermore my will is that my executor do speedily after my decease pay all my just debts and funeral charges and speedily after my decease and interment, procure and erect upon my grave a decent and large pair of grave stones, for which purpose and the payment of the several legacies before mentioned, I give and bequeath to him the said Levi Whitney all my notes, bonds and book debts : Furthermore I do by these presents utterly revoke and disannul and disavow all other former wills, testaments legacies and bequests, and do ratify this and this only to be my last will and testament.

"In WITNESS WHEREOF I havc hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-eighth day of August, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine.

This document is given entire, to show the character of the testator, and the strong religious feeling which governed everything at that time. In this place, nothing need be said concerning the manner in which the parsonage was disposed of, sixty years after the death of Mr. Whitney. The "hundred pounds lawful money" disappeared from the town records at about the time when the continental scrip became worthless. The executor carried out the wishes of the testator to the letter in every particular. He erected the "decent and large pair of gravestones" and put on the larger one this inscription : -

Lieut. Amos Whitney

The luiiii is gone no more to visit eartli : And Lo. a new scene opens at his death. His Public views in Lustre do appear. And men enjoy his bounties far and near. This town by gi'atitude and justice led Owns him a benefactor now he's dead; On children yet unborn his gifts descend. Which will remain till time shall end.

Amos Whitney, a bachelor, was born at Watertown, in 1704. He held several town offices, and was a representative for Townsend in a convention held at Faneuil Hall, in 1768. He was one of the pillars of the church, an estimable townsman, sqviare and upright in all his transactions.

His epitaph reads: "The man is gone, no more to visit earth." This is fortunate, for if he should ever come this way again, and learn anything about his hundred pounds, and the fate of his parsonage, he might get a little excited at the careless and stupid manner in which his money and land were expended and lost.

The principal stable, or barn, on the premises that once was the parsonage, is all that remains of the buildings which has any resemblance to their appearance when they were put in possession of the town, by the executor of the will of Lieut. Whitney.

In 1875, the house, which was a convenient cottage, one and one-half stories in height, was remodelled, enlarged, and converted into a two-story dwelling, by the proprietor, Mr. Henry Williams. The location, about midway between the central village and the Harbor, is just elevated enough to be pleasant.

At a convenient shade distance, just eastward of this spot, stands one of the largest old elms in Townsend, under the spreading branches of which, the children of Dix and Palmer whiled away many cheerful hours.

It is a temple not made with hands ; a shrine rendered almost sacred by the pious acts of Whitney, who, with prophetic wisdom, planted and trained it to "live through the centuries." The memory of the good and true is around it and with it ; and, although storms and winters have mutilated its massive members, still they droop gracefully athwart the lawn and beckon the heated and thirsty toiler in summer, to the well-curb beneath its refreshing shadow. This also will crumble to dust like the busy actors, who from time immemorial have played around it.

Concerning the clock given by the foregoing will, tradition saith not ; but it undoubtedly marked the hours for rest, pleasure, refreshment, for school, and particularly the time for a faithful pastor to go forth to his consecrated work.

The cushions for the several desks given b}' these legacies have all faded, and with them the manly forms which bent reverently over their glossy damask.

But notwithstanding all these changes, the benevolent disposition of Lieutenant Amos Whitney will remain fresh in the memory of the good people of Townsend, as long as it retains a written historv.

Chapter Vii Wab Of The Revolution

Excitement Previous to the War - A Pamplilet Received from the Selectmen of Boston - Committee of Correspondence and Safety - Action of the Town in 1773 - Action of the Town in 1774 - Delegates to the Provincial Congress - Assistance Rendered by Townsend to the Citizens of Boston During its Seige - Efforts to Obtain Salt - The Alarm on the 19th of April. 1775 - Roll of Capt. James Hosley's Company of Minute-Men that Marched to Defend the Colony - Roll of Capt. Samuel Douglass* Company - Roll of Capt. Henr}' Farwell's Compan}^ - Capt. Thomas Warren's Company - Attempt to Regulate the Prices of Goods and Labor - The Tories of Townsend - Letter from Boston Concerning the Return of the Absentees - Privations and Struggles for Independence - Story of Eunice Locke - Some Account of Her and Her Brother - Roll of Capt. James Hosley's Companj' of Volunteers from Townsend, Pepperell. and Ashby, which Went to the Assistance of Gen. Gates in 1777 - Adoption of the State Constitution, 1778 - Depreciation of the Continental Monej' - Names of the Townsend Soldiers in 1780 - List of Prices - Retrospective.

In September, 1768, the selectmen of Townsend received a letter from the selectmen of Boston, requesting them to call a town meeting, and then to take into consideration the critical condition of government affairs, and to choose an agent to come to Boston, to express there, the views, wishes, and determination of the people of Townsend on this important subject. A town meeting was accordingly called expressly for this purpose, when, "Put to vote to see if the town would comply with the town of Boston in sending a man to join with them in the convention, proposed to be held at Faneuil Hall, and it was unanimously complied with. Unanimously voted and chose Lieut. Amos Whitney, as a committee man to join with the convention as aforesaid."

It will be recollected that the five years, which preceded the time of this action of the town of Boston, were exciting times for the colonies. Commerce had come to a stand-still by the operation of the "Stamp Act" and the "Sugar Act." The operation of both these obnoxious acts were defeated by non-importation and smuggling. In 1766, the Stamp Act was repealed, to the great joy of the colonists, and importation of goods was greater than ever before. Everything w^as prosperous for a short time, but in 1768, the obnoxious "Revenue Act" was passed, which threw a cloud over the enterprise and chilled the prosperity of the entire people. It was at this juncture that the town of Boston consulted the other towns in this province, in regard to asserting their rights and maintaining their liberties.

The firm resistance with which the projects of the British government were received, served to strengthen the Ministry to carry their points at all hazards. Troops were stationed in Boston to intimidate and overawe the inhabitants, and acts more severe were passed by Parliament. The colonists saw that they must either 3'ield with abject submission, or gain their rights by a resort to arms, and they did not hesitate between the alternatives. Thus their decision was arrived at with the greatest deliberation and a count of the cost. The people of Boston were foremost in resisting the unjust measures of the mother country, and they were nobly seconded by the inhabitants of other towns. Every town in the province was consuUed upon this all absorbing subject, that they might know what they could rely upon in case of open rebellion against the government of Great Britain.

In January, 1773, another letter and a printed pamphlet were received from the town of Boston, requesting the inhabitants of the town of Townsend to pass such resolves, concerning their rights and privileges as free members of society, as they were willing to die in maintaining. These resolves the Bostonians requested might be sent in the form of a report, to their committee of correspondence. The town responded to this suggestion in an appropriate manner, as will be seen from the following extract from the record : -

"At a town meeting of the inhabitants of Townshend legally assembled at the Public Meeting-house in said town on Tuesday January 5, 1773 at Eleven Oclock in foi-e noon. James Hosle}- was chosen Moderator.

"Voted to choose a committee of five men to consider the Letter of Correspondence from the town of Boston, concerning the rights and privileges of this Province and report such Resolves and measures as may be proper for the town to come into, respecting the same. Chosen for said committee Capt. Daniel Adams, Deacon Jonathan Stow, Capt. Daniel Taylor, James Hosley and Jonathan Wallace.

of said month, to consider the present state of our pubhc affairs, particularly as pointed out to us by the metropolis of this Province reported as follows :

"Inasmuch as the situation of our Public Affairs in this and the other colonies, in respect to the enjoyment of our Rights and Privileges is truly alarming, we consider it a Duty which this town owes to their Maker, to themselves and their posterity to manifest in a public, solemn manner their sentiments on this occasion, in order to which they form the following Resolves (viz)

"i. That it is the opinion of this town that the Rights of the colonists of this Province in particular, as men as christians and as subjects, are justly stated in the pamphlet sent us from the town of Boston.

"2. It is our opinion that our rights and liberties do labor under divers infringements, particularly in respect to the way in which our money is taken from us, by which our governor is supported, and in respect to the extensive power vested in the commissioners of the customs, and by a military force being employed to keep us in awe and so forth.

"3. Resolved that if the prevailing report concerning the Judges of our Superior Court being supported any other way than by the free grants of the people be true, it is a very threatening and dangerous innovation, directly tending to corrupt the Streams of Justice.

"4. Resolved that our natural and constitutional Rights, our civil and Religious liberties were confirmed to us by our charter, purchased by our ancestors at the expense of much fatigue and blood, which renders the possession of them more dear to us, and the parting with them more grevious, and lays us under stronger obligations to defend them in all constitutional and scriptural wavs.

War Of The Revolution

his utmost influence to obtain a removal of our present burdens and to defend our liberties from all further encroachments, and to enquire into the report concerning our Superior Judges being independent of the people ; to have our unhappy circumstances represented in a true Light to our Rightful Sovreign and that the General Assembly recommend to the people of this Province to set apart a day, they the assembly shall think fit to name, for Humiliation and Prayer : that we may in a united Public manner spread our grievances before the King of Kings.

"6. Resolved that the town of Boston have shown a true spirit of patriotism and a tender concern for the welfare of the Province, and that our sincere thanks are due to them for their spirited endeavors to discover the danger of our situation, and to lead us in the way of seeking redress.

"7. Resolved that a committee of five suitable men be chosen to correspond from time to time as occasion may require with the town of Boston and any other towns that have or shall, from a sense of our difficulties, come into such a method of correspondence and communication.

"The above Report being several times read, and debated upon, and put to vote to see if the town would accept of the same, passed in the affirmative.

"The committee chosen to correspond from time to time with all the town of Boston and other towns is as follows (viz) Daniel Adams, Deacon Jonathan Stow, Capt. Daniel Taylor; James Hosley and Samuel Manning.

"Voted that the town clerk transmit an authentic cop}' of the foregoing proceedings of this town meeting to the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston.

the attitude of Great Britain towards her colonies. They considered that the course of the mother country was oppressive, and unjust, and their rights had been violated. In 1774, '^fter having received another letter from Boston, and having also heard from other towns, by letters, concerning the tax on tea, a town meeting was called Januar}' 11, when the following was recorded : -

"The town taking into consideration certain intelligence received from the committee of correspondence in Boston, together with their request for intelligence and advice from the several towns in this Province, passed the tbllowing resolves (viz).

"Being informed of the late proceedings of our fellow countrymen in Philadelphia, relative to the East India Company being allowed to send large quantities of tea into these colonies, subject to the payment of a duty upon its being landed ; we do agree with them and readily adopt their sentiments upon this affair.

"Resolved that we have ever been uneasy with the plan laid down by the British Ministry for raising revenue in America, and that the present situation of our public affairs, particularly in respect to a late act of Parliament in favor of the East India Company requires our attention and therefore further

"Resolved that we stand forth in the cause of liberty, in union with other towns, and in gratitude to the spirited, patriotic town of Boston in particular.

"Resolved that we earnestly advise that no tea be imported into this, or any other American Colon}-, so long as it is subject to a duty, payable upon its being landed here.

"Resolved that we are sorry t'or the uniiappy disagreement between tiiis and the mother country, and we earnestly wish to see harmony restored.

"Voted that the preeceeding resolves be recorded and a copy of the same attested b}' the town clerk be transmitted to the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston.

It thus appears that His Majesty's subjects in the Province of Massachusetts, while deliberating on the injustice and wrongs which had been inflicted on them, were not entirely without hope that their rights might be respected and '^harmony restored."' An armed resistance as yet had not been agreed upon by the colonists.

The first public meeting of the people, in Massachusetts, outside of Faneuil Hall, was a Provincial Congress, holden at Concord, October ii, 1774, which adjourned to Cambridge, and of which John Hancock was President.

At a town meeting "Oct. 3, 1774, Jonathan Stow was chosen to appear in behalf of the town of Townshend to join the provincial congress to be holden, at Concord on the nth of Oct. Inst."

At a town meeting "Nov. 21, 1774, Capt. Daniel Taylor was chosen to appear in behalf of the town of Townshend to join the provincial congress to be holden at Cambridge Nov. 22 -^ Inst.," and January 2, 1775, Israel Hobart was chosen to attend the same Congress, at Cambridge, on the first day of February, 1775. This Congress enacted that at least one-fourth of all the militia should be enrolled as minute-men, or men who should be prepared to march at a minute's warning, on any emergency. This was a decisive step, which shows the grit of the revolutionar}' fathers. Some of the members of this Congress from different towns, gave their time and expenses, others were paid wholly or in part by subscription.

The town voted to indemnify the constables for refusing to pay over the money, which had been assessed by the Province, into the hands of Harrison Gray ; also voted to indemnify the assessors for refusing to return the names of such constables, although requested to do so.

The people were exceedingly aroused at this time. These were the defiant measures which brought on the war, and started the King's troops en route for Concord, on the memorable 19th day of April, 1775.

Boston at this time was suffering under the vengeance of Parliament, for throwing over the tea, and being the head and front of disloyalty. There were many poor people in that town, out of employment, and having a scanty allowance of provisions. To them the inland towns extended the hand of charity and relief.

At a town meeting, January 2, 1775, "Voted and chose a committee of tive men to forward the donations for Boston and Charlestown. Chose lor said committee Mr. Israel Hobart, Capt. Benjamin Brooks, Lieut. Zachariah Emery, and Mr. John Conant." Probably each man of this committee took a well packed sled-load of provisions to their suff'ering friends at the tide-water. There is no other record concerning that transaction. The warrants for calling town meetings were not often recorded at that time. At a town meeting, June 19, 1775, "V^oted to purchase 50 Hogsheads of salt for a Town Stock. Deacon Richard Wyer chosen to go to Salem to purchase said salt, and ordered him to take his directions from the Select Men, who are to give security in the name of the town for the same."

So far as the actual means of gaining a living were concerned, the people at that time, were comparatively independent. They took the wool from the sheep, cleansed, spun and wove it, ready to be made into their clothing. Lighter fabrics were made from their flax, spun by a footwheel, the thread being graded by running through between the thumb and fore-flnger of the operative. They ground their grain into flour for their bread, produced vegetables and meat plendfully for their tables, and laid the rock maple under contribution for their sugar. Luxury was a word not to be found in their vocabulary and tea they would not use after it was subject to the duty. Salt they could not produce, but they exercised great prudence in sending to the coast in season for an abundant supply. For the expense of getting it, a separate tax was assessed on all the polls and estates in town.

The alarm to the minute-men was given on the 19th of April, 1775, by the firing of a cannon on the common about three o'clock in the afternoon. Without doubt, quite a number of Paul Reveres tested their horsemanship in warning the patriots of the approach of the "ministerial troops." Ephraim Warren was plowing on the farm now owned by Samuel F. Warren, where he then lived, when the alarm was given. He immediately detached his team from the plow, rode one of his horses to his house, and called, "Molly" (he married Mary Parker of Chelmsford), "the regulars are coming and I am going, give me mv gun," and he quickly reined his horse toward the coast and started. He arrived at Concord early in the evening, only in season to see a few dead bodies and some wounded British soldiers, who had been left by their comrades in their hasty flight.

"Muster Roll* of Capt. James Hosley's company of minute-men belonging to Col. William Prescott's regiment, who marched from Townshend, April last, to Cambridge, in defence of the colony against the ministerial troops : -

Massachusetts revolutionary rolls, volume 12, page 42 : "A Roll of the travel and service of Capt. Samuel Douglas of Townshend in the county of Middlesex and belonging to Col^. James Prescotts Regiment, and also of the men under his command, who in consequence of the alarm made on the 19th of April 1775, marched from home for y*' defence of this colony against the ministerial Troops, and continued in the service till called back to take care of the Tories in s'^ Townsend.

These men were in the service five days, and on the twenty-second of March, 1776, the General Court ordered them to be paid. Capt. Douglas received £1 7s. id., and the men 12s. 9d. 2qr., each.

smaller than the other company. The men who went with Capt. Douglas all lived on Nissequassick hill, within a radius of less than a mile. There is reason for the belief, that Douglas, and his neighbors, were so anxious to leave for the fray, that they marched earlier in the day, with less preparation, and with only a part of the company, and that the remainder of their companions were willing to fall in under Capt. Hosley.

These rolls, in the archives, are copies of the rolls of these two companies, taken just before they were paid. The Captains made oath before Israel Hobart, Esq., that they were correct in regard to travel, term of service, and the days of the month on which the service was rendered, from which it appears that Townsend had seventy-three men who started at a moment's warning, on that memorable 19th of April, ''to defend the colony against the ministerial troops."

The title of the roll of Capt. Douglas' compan}^ is instructive in regard to the feeling here among the people, at the commencement of the revolution ; for it appears that this company "was called back to take care of the Tories of s'^ Townshend." Most of the Townsend men who did not favor the cause of American Independence, were neighbors of Douglas and his men. Further on in this work, the names of the most prominent of the tories will appear. Both of these rolls designate the British soldiers as "ministerial troops" instead of the King's troops, which rather indicates that the colonists considered that the King had bad advisers, and that the British ministry might, perhaps, be induced, in using deliberation and reason, and guided by wisdom, to reconsider some of the acts that bore so heavily upon them.

In the margin, opposite the record of a town meeting on June 19, 1775. (page 157 T. R.) the following is written: '' Mr. Lock protested against the warrant coming out in the King's name." The assembling of these minute-men around Boston, in 1775, was a great advantage to the colonists, as it showed them the great need of arms, blankets, and munitions of war. The acquaintances there formed, the discussions of future operations against their enemies, and the necessity of well-concerted action, all tended to strengthen their determination to be free. A large portion of these seventy-three minute-men re-enlisted in other companies, and served more or less during the war, with different captains and in companies from different towns. The summer of 1775 was extremely dry and hot, much more so than any since the settlement of the town ; there were small crops of corn and potatoes, and on dry land failed entirely ; of hay not over half a crop was raised. There was also much sickness in town. Many families suffered by the diseases of dysentery and fevers, which in many cases were long and severe. The number of deaths in town was unusually large. Add to all this, the absence of so many heads of families in the army, and the keen anxiety concerning the affairs of the province, and we can have some idea of the depressed condition, the trials and struggles of this first year of the war.

The following roll contains the names of the Townsend men, who were in the battle of Bunker Hill, in Capt. Henry Farwell's company. The reader will observe that most of these soldiers marched under Capt. Hoslev, as minute-men, on the 19th of April previous. This roll in the archives is some mutilated, so that two Christian names cannot be made out. The exact chirography of this document has been preserved. The town Limbrick should have been Limerick, which was the original name of Stoddard, New Hampshire, named in honor of Col. Sampson Stoddard, one of the original grantees. The Sergeant Sartwell, of this company, and the private from Rindge, were both of the same name, and distant relatives, although their names are quite differently spelled.

As near as it can be ascertained, there were between thirty and thirty-five men constantly in the army from this town, until the British evacuated Boston, in March, 1776. One great mistake in the war of the revolution, as well as in our late rebellion, was the short term of enlistments. About as soon as some of the recruits began to be worth anything to the government they were mustered out of service.

"At a legal town meeting of the inhabitants of Townshend upon June 20th, 1776, at the Public meeting-house in said Town at two o'clock in the afternoon :

"Deacon Richard Wyer chosen moderator for said meeting ; voted unanimously that the following instructions be given to Israel Hobart Esq. Representative lor said Town (vizj.

"The resolve of the late assembly of this Colony recommending to the several Towns to express their minds with respect to the important and Interesting Question of American Independence, is the occasion of our giving you the following Instructions. It is with regret and anxiety of mind that we find ourselves driven to the sad alternative either to submit to Lawless Tyrany and Domination or declare Independence from that State from whome we originated and with whome we have been connected ever since we were a people, not only in Trade and Commerce but in the Strictest bonds of esteem and efiection ; in this Scituation wc thot ourselves happy nor did we wish the connection dissolved untill the repeated injuries of Great Britain became Intolerable and an accommodation we conceived Impracticable. The unjust and unconstitutional Claims of Great Britain to the Colonies without their consent, and to make laws in all Cases binding upon the Colonies &c. and the most dutifull and humble petitions of the Colonies rejected with scorn and Contempt, the cruel and unjust measures pursued by the King of Great Britain and a vindictive administration in sending fleets and armies to enforce those Unjust acts and measures by fire and sword in a manner unprecidential, the tragical nineteenth of April 1775, the innocent blood since shed, the acts of Parliament declaring the colonies in a state of rebellion and the unjust and piratical Laws consequent thereon we conceive have destroyed all hopes of an accommodation with Great Britain and must we think Justify these Colonies in renouncing all connection with and dependance upon Great Britain. We therefore declare it as our clear opinion that an American Republic be formed, provided the internal government be left to the colony, and we your constituents declare ourselves ready at all times, if the Honr. Continental Congress in whose wisdom and fidelitv we confide shall declare such a form of Government, to support the same at the expense of our lives and Fortunes.

This is an exact copy of the record in every particular, so far as orthography, use of capital letters and punctuation are concerned. The "clear opinion" of the inhabitants of this town, uttered just two weeks before Jeflerson's incomparable Declaration of Independence was adopted, were in accord with that instrument.

After the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, a copy of the same, printed at Salem, was by order of the council sent to every town in the state, where they w^ere read from the pulpit, and then copied into the town book of records - there to remain as a perpetual memorial. This document is very neatly copied into the Townsend records, done by James Hosley, who was town clerk many years.

In October, 1776, the question was submitted to all the towns in this state, whether they were willing that the House of Representatives and Council, then existing, should frame a form of government for Massachusetts Bay. Townsend expressed an unwillingness to that measure.

At a town meeting, October 15, 1776, upon this subject, chose a committee of three men, consisting of Lieut. James Lock, Samuel Manning, and Major Henry Price, who submitted the following, which was adopted as the opinion of tlie town :^

"Voted that it is the opinion of this town, that although government is essential to the happiness and well-being of a people, and the powers of forming states and setting up governments is essential in the people, and that a government ought to be set up in this state as soon as possible with safety and propriety, yet, we cannot at present give our consent that the present house form a constitution or form of government for the reasons tbllowing (viz).

"That the act made by the late house respecting representation, by which the privilege of many towns is much enlarged, which we think gives the maritime towns a material advantage over the country towns, as the court is held at that side of the state, b}' which we think the mercantile part of the state has a dangerous advantage over the landed part; we therefore judge it of consequence that representation be reduced nearly to the former mode before government is set up."

In 1776, Oliver Prescott, of Groton, was appointed a brigadier-general, and in that capacity he organized the militia of Middlesex county into eight companies, constituting a regiment of drafted soldiers under fifty years of age, and appointed its officers. Eleazer Brooks was colonel, and Micah Stone, of Framingham, lieutenantcolonel. Co. No. 8 : Thomas Warren, of Townsend, captain; James Lawrence, of Pepperell, ist lieutenant : Joseph Rockwood, of Groton, 2d lieutenant.

It will be easily comprehended that, under the severe pressure of a harassing war, when all resources were heavily drawn upon to furnish arms, ammunition, clothes and provisions for the army, to supply funds for the payment of the soldiers, and to meet other expenses incident to the state of public affairs, money, among the inhabitants, was not only exceedingly scarce, but that, in consequence of the successive drafts for soldiers, laborers were in great demand, and their services commanded exorbitant prices. The result of this was that prices of all commodities, and articles of consumption, rose in proportion. There was a peculiar state of ail^airs. Every kind of goods was held at a high price, although no one had money to buy with. The General Court felt the pressure, and attempted to effectually apply a remedy. This body passed an act dividing the state into districts, and ordering that a committee should be chosen in each district, to fix upon the prices of labor and provisions. The prices when thus established, it should be unlawful for any one to exceed. This law operated for only a short time, and was given up by common consent. It operated unequally, and the people would not submit to it.

The towns of Groton, Shirley, Townsend, Lunenburg, and Fitchburg, composed one district, and the following are some of the prices which were affixed to some of the most important articles, by a committee of these towns : -

At this time the people began to feel the heavily pressing burdens of the war, and to devise means to equahze the same among themselves. At the March meeting, 1777, the town "Voted to choose a committee of five men to estimate all the past services done in the war by the men of this town ; Thomas Warren, James Hosley, Daniel Adams, Richard Wyer, and Levi Whitney were chosen for said committee."

These five men had all been in the service, and were as well qualified to discharge this duty as any persons in tow^n. The report of this committee w^as adopted the next month. Some idea of the magnitude of the enterprise in which they were engaged, in daring to assert their rights, as well as the pay which the continental troops received, may be obtained from the report of this committee. It must be borne in mind, that these several sums, here expressed in English money, had more intrinsic value than the same figures would express three or four years afterward : -

Voted £23 to each of the men that shall enlist into the * continental service for three years or during the war, or to such as shall procure a man, or men for said service.

Voted that all the above estimates be made into a rait on the several inhabitants of this town, and that the polls pay one-half of said rait.

Voted that all such as have done more in the war service than their proportion of said rait shall have credit for what they have done, but shall have no right to call for any money out of the treasury till the further order of the town.