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HISTORY 
 
 OF TUB 
 
 TOWN OF FITCHBURG, 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 COMPRISING ALSO A HISTORY OF LITNENBTJRO, 
 
 FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 
 
 THE YEAR 1764. 
 
 "Few town histories will ever be written a second time. 
 The pains are too great, and the praise is too little." 
 
 N. A. Reviext. 
 
 -^s^r^^- ^/^ 
 
 BY RUrUS 0. TOAREY. 
 
 '^^j/^j>' 
 
 FITCHBURG, MASS. 
 
 1836. 
 
.F5TS- 
 
 FiTCHBURG J. Garfield Printer. 
 
 / 
 
 id 
 
PREFACE 
 
 •~»e®***^ 
 
 The writer has been induced to undertake the present work by 
 a desire to save from the oblivion, to which they were hastening, 
 some of the events connected with the history of this Town. — 
 Many of these are, treasured up in the memories of a few aged 
 people, and must, in the course of nature, soon be inevitably 
 lost, if not preserved in a connected and tangible form. Though 
 the number'of these relics of other days is now small, much in- 
 formation has been derived from them, and much more might 
 have been obtained, had enquiries been commenced a few years 
 earlier. 
 
 The writer has had full access to the Proprietoi's' Books, and 
 to the Town Records of Lunenburg and Fitchburg, Oral and 
 written information has been furnished with the utmost cheerful- 
 ness, by all those in possession of facta worthy of note. The la- 
 bors of another, who hasjpreceeded me in this department, have 
 made my path one of comparative ease. In 1831, Nathaniel 
 Wood Esq. in a series of Lectures read before the Lyceum of this 
 town, gave an interesting and discriminating sketch of the events 
 connected with its history. Many circumstances were collected 
 and preserved by him, which would have been lost to the j)reg- 
 ent writer. Unrestricted use of Mr. Wood's papers has been 
 generously granted to me, who otherwise would not have been 
 encouraged to undertake the work. While then its merits, if it 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 possess any, are mainly to be ascribed to another, its faults 
 and defects are chargeable to me. 
 
 To N. F. Cunningham Esqr. and J. A. Marshall, M. D. the 
 respective Town Clerks of Lunenburg and Fitchburg, this pub 
 lie expression of my thanks is due, for the readiness with which 
 they have afforded me every facility in their power, in the com- 
 pilation of this work. To other persons, to whom I am more or 
 less indebted for information, I tender my grateful acknowledge- 
 ments. 
 
 If I have succeeded in impressing any with the importance of 
 preserving the records and traditions of the early history of these 
 towns, and if those who peruse this work derive from it a pleas- 
 ure equal to half of the labor I have spent in writing it, I shall 
 not be without a r«ward. 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBURG. 
 
 -«;fS>?lP* 
 
 The town of Fitchburg is situated in the north-eastern part 
 of the County of Worcester, about 47 miles in a northwesterly 
 direction from Boston, and 24 miles nearly north from Wor- 
 cester. It is 30 miles west from Lowell, and 419 N. E. from 
 the city of Washington. 
 
 The general boundaries of the town^are as follows: — north 
 by Ashby in the County of Middlesex, east by Lunenburg, 
 south-east by Leominster, south by Leominster and an unin- 
 corporated district, called Notown, and west by Westminster 
 nnd Ashburnham. The average length of the town, from 
 north to south, is a little more than six and a half miles, and 
 the average breadth somewhat less than four and a half miles. 
 It contains 17,879 acres, according to a survey made by Levi 
 Downe, in 1S30. 
 
 The general surface of the township is extremely uneven. — 
 It consists almost entirely of hills, some of which are very ab- 
 rupt and are of considerable magnitude. Rollstone, a hill ly- 
 ing immediately south-west of the village, rises abruptly 800 
 feet above the bed of the stream which flows at its base; and 
 there are other summits whish rise still higher. Of meadow 
 lands there are scarcely any to be found in the limits of the 
 town. 
 
 The ?oil is very broken, and much labor is required to sub- 
 due it thoroughly. When once put into a good slate of culti- 
 vation, it has produced heavy crops of potatoes, and the various 
 
b HISTORY OF FITCHBUUG. 
 
 kinds ofgTrtiii common to this section of the country. Wheni 
 has been and is still cultivated with considerable success. — 
 The town abounds in good pasturage lands, which, in conse- 
 quence of the moist soil, seldom fail. Nearly the whole of the 
 township was originally covered with a heavy growth of pine, 
 which, being cut off, has given place to oak of diflerent kiiids, 
 beech, chestnut, rock-maple, birch, ash, &c. Walnut was for- 
 merly abundant, but now it is not very common. 
 
 A strange neglect has prevailed in regard to the cultivation 
 of trees for shade and ornament, and the beautiful and easily 
 cultivated fruit trees of New-England. Apples are common, 
 and a few cherries may be seen; but peaches, rareripes, pears, 
 grapes, plums, apricots, nectarines, strawberries, &c. which 
 might be produced in abundance, and with but little care and 
 expense, are almost wholly strangers among us. Not a little 
 beauty would be added to the village, were its streets orna- 
 mented with the majestic elm; and not a little would be added 
 to the comfort of the citizens, were their grounds plentifully 
 stocked with the wholesome and delicious fruits of summer and 
 autumn. 
 
 Rev. Peter Whitney, in his valuable history of Worcester 
 County, remarks thus of Fitchburg — 'This is a very hilly and 
 uneven, but fertile town.' 'The hills are large, high, and 
 steep; howerer, on them there is not broken, poor and waste 
 land. In general the soil is excellent,' 
 
 The soil of this town is a decomposition of mica slate and 
 gneiss. The former produces a soil of a medium quality, and 
 is generally well fitted for grazing. The soil of a greater part 
 of Worcester County is based on gneiss, which differs from 
 granite only in having a slaty structure. The soil resulting 
 from the decomposition of this rock furnishes some of the most 
 fertile and productive farms of the State. The hills of the town 
 (with the exception of Rollstone) are mostly formed of mica 
 slate. Rollstone, which rises 300 feet high, and is nearly a 
 mile in circumference, is a mass of granite, and "might furnish 
 enough to supply the whole State for centuries,'"^ This 
 granite has not been extensively quarried, on account of the 
 little demand for stone. It has hitherto been principally used 
 for door steps, in building the 'Stone Mill,' and in constructing 
 three excellent bridges over the Nashua. The six columns 
 which support the front and projecting part of the 'Nashua 
 River Hotel' are of this granite. The hill is favorably situated 
 for quarrying, and the stone is easily split into blocks of almost 
 
 *Hitchcock's Geology of Massachusetts, p 16. 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBUKO. 7 
 
 any size. This granite is of the same kind and color with 
 that of Westford. Some of it is too coarse for architectural 
 purposes; but blocks can be obtained no wise inferior to the 
 best of Chehnsford granite. 
 
 This granite is sokl at the quarry, well dressed, at tliirty- 
 five and iorty cents the superficial foot.* 
 
 The peculiar appearance of the rock composing Pearl Hill, 
 in the north-eastern part of the town, formerly induced the be- 
 lief that gold or silver ore might be found beneath the surface, 
 and attempts were made to expose the supposed mines. But 
 all search was fruitless. For the want either of funds or per- 
 severance on the part of those engaged in this mining under- 
 taking, the attempt was soon abandoned, and it has never since 
 been resumed. Whitney, in his history of Worcester County, 
 has the following pertinent remarks on this subject: — "In the 
 present state of our population, riches, in these northern parts, 
 are with much greater facility, procured from the surface of 
 the earth, by the various instruments of cultivation, than from 
 deep and latent mines of the richest ore. When the country 
 becomes overstocked with inhabitants, and support from the 
 soil shall not be so easily obtained, it is not improbable that 
 from this mountain will be dug large quantities of those shin- 
 ing metals, as every thing, at present, favors the conjecture,." 
 The population of the place has not yet become so dense as to 
 make it necessary to have recourse to the precious metals, that 
 may be contained within the bowels of Pearl Hill, for their 
 support; and it may be doubted whether the present day and 
 generation will witness that period. The promising indica- 
 tions of the existence of such metals have not induced another 
 search, though the desire for their possession, wdiich so strong- 
 ly incited our fathers, has not diminished in the breasts of their 
 sons. The latter wisely regard the solid granite of RoUstone 
 as a more valuable possession. 
 
 * "The cost of hammerinir and fine dressing granite in Boston, 
 in the style of the Treinont House, I have been credibly inform- 
 ed; is al)out thirty cents the 8Ui)erfieial foot. Ordiniiry work is, 
 however, from twenty-five to thirty cent.«. The cost of the 
 Mocks of the Quiiicy granite for ilie Bunker Hill nionutncnf, de- 
 livered at Charlestown in a rough statr, was thirteen cents, three 
 mills, per foot, and the cost of the uidiewn stone for the church 
 built last yenv in Bowdoin street, Boston, was fifteen cents ; but 
 six years before, the rough Quincy granite, for the United States' 
 Branch Bank, cost two dollars per foot." — [Hitchcock's Geol. of 
 Mass. 
 
b HISTOKY OF FITCUBUKG. 
 
 Upon the elevation, fonnt'rly known as Applelree Hill, situ- 
 ated cast and northeast of the village, there are indications of 
 the existence of mineral coal ; and the high and increasing price 
 of fuel will soon, it is presumed, cause a thorough examination 
 into the matter. 
 
 Till within a few years, the roads of this town were in a 
 wretched condition. The first settlers, as is usual in such ca- 
 ses, located their habitations on the heights of the various hills ; 
 and for the convenince of the inhabitants, the roads Avere laid 
 out in a sinuous course from one hill to another. The princi- 
 pal roads thus passed over the loftiest hills in the town; and 
 it would seem that generally the most direct route between two 
 places was avoided for the purpose of making the public ways 
 both crooked and uneven. Our fathers had as much abhor- 
 rence for a staight road, as nature once had for a vacuum. — 
 The 'flat rock road,' which leads over the hill immediately 
 north of the village, and the road which passes over 'Carter's 
 hill,' by the house of P. Williams Esqr. were once the great 
 thoroughfares between Vermont and Boston. The former is 
 now impassable to carriages of modern construction, and the 
 latter is but little used. 
 
 Within a few years, a great reform in this respect has taken 
 place ; and the town is now as distinguished for its excellent 
 roads, as formerly it was for its bad ones. The reform was 
 commenced by straightening and otherwise improving the road 
 leading to Leominster. "^ A new road to Ashburnham w^as 
 opened in 1830. It generally follows the course of the river, 
 and is a level and well made road. About the same time a 
 new road was opened to Lunenburg, and communication with 
 that place is now easy and agreeable. A new and compara- 
 tively level road has recently deen opened between this place 
 and Westminster. The roads, which aflord communication 
 between the people of Fitchburg and their northern neighbors 
 at Ashby, are hilly and crooked. A few years only will be 
 suffered to elapse before the evil will be remedied. A great 
 amount of travel passes through this town on the Boston and 
 Keene route. Two excellent stone bridges on this road were 
 built over the Nashua River, a few rods west of the village, in 
 1829. They are both built with three arches, having a span 
 of 25 feet, and, with the embankments, cost more S2,100. — 
 They were somewhat injured by the freshet of Feb. 1835. In^ 
 
 *Measures have recently been taken for makinj still further 
 imj)rovements on this route. 
 
IlISTOKY OF FITCHBUKG. 9 
 
 consequence of the foundations of the piers not being laid suf- 
 ficiently firm and deep, they were undermined by tlie force of 
 the water, and settled several inches. The travel over them, 
 however, has not been interrupted, and no farther damage is 
 apprehended from their slightly twisted condition. The beau- 
 tiful stone bridge over the Nashua at the 'Burbank Papermill' 
 was built in the Fall of 1834, at an expense of more than Si, 
 100. It has two arches, each with a span of 30 feet. 
 
 The town has daily communication, by means of mail sta- 
 ges, with Boston, Keene, and Lowell. Stages also depart, 
 three times a week, for Springfield and Worcester, and return 
 on alternate days, xlccommodaticn stages also pass daily be- 
 tween this place and Boston. 
 
 There arc no natural ponds in the limits of the town, though 
 the neighboring towns of Westminster, Ashburnham, and Lu- 
 nenburg arc highly favored in this respect. The artificial 
 ponds, Ibrmed by the dams on the Nashua at the various mill 
 seals, are all small, on account of the fall in this stream, in the 
 greater part of its course through the town. The only stream 
 of much importance in the town, is the north branch of the 
 Nashua,"^'- the sources of wlilch are in the towns of Westmin- 
 ster and Ashburnham. Westminster pond, l^^'ing about 70 
 rods southerly from the Congregational meeting-house in 
 Westminster, contains more than 160 acres ; and Wachusett 
 pond, lying at the base of the mountain of the same name, 
 about 3 miles southeasterly from the centre of the same town, 
 is nearly as large. Two small streams issue from these ponds, 
 and, soon uniting, pass the 'narrows' and enter Fitchburg, 
 flowing in a northeasterly direction. A stream from Ashburn- 
 ham and Gardner flows through the westerly part of West- 
 minster, and, being augmented by two other streams, known 
 as Tophet Swamp brook and Beech Hill brook, takes an east- 
 erly direction, enters this town, and soon unites with the above 
 mentioned streams from the ponds in Westminster. 
 
 Phillips' brook, which has its source in Watatich and East 
 ponds, in the easterly part of Ashburnham, flows in a south- 
 erly and southeasterly direction through the northern part of 
 Westminster, and receiving several minor stream, passes into 
 
 * This river, and the plantation at Lancaster, were formerly 
 called Nashaioay. Nashua is a modern refinement, but by no 
 means an inijjrovemcnt . The ancient name is miidi the better 
 of the two, and it should have been preserved; but as Nashua 
 has been universally adopted, I have thought it proper to con- 
 form to the spirit of the times. 
 
 B 
 
lO HISTOKi' Ol- FITCIIBUIIG. 
 
 Filchljiirg', and uniles wiih the main stream, about a miie and 
 a half vv«st of the village. These several stream?, united, 
 form the North Branch of the Nashua. This continues in a 
 northeasterly direction till it reaches the centre of t'ie town, 
 when it takes a southeaster!}' course and passes into Leomin- 
 ster. It receives several contributory streams in addition to 
 those already mentioned. A small streau) rises in the south- 
 erly part of the town, and runs into the Nashua a little below 
 Sheldon's dam. L. Pratt's chair shop and saw-inill are loca- 
 ted on this stream.. Another small brook runs into the Nash- 
 ua near to Sheldon's & Pillsbury's g-rist-mill. A saw-mill is 
 located upon it. Punch broolc, of aboi'rt the same size v.iih 
 the last named stream, flov.'s through the vilhige and empties 
 into the Stone mill pond. Four dams are built oi; it. Two 
 of these a.Tord water pov.-er for a cabinet maker's shop, and a 
 carriage maker's shop. The otlier two are at present unoccu- 
 pied. Baker's brook enters this town from Ashby. It flows in 
 a southeasterly direction, nearly the whole length of the town, 
 and, receiving Pearl Hill brook, passes into Lunenburg and 
 Leominster, and unites with the Nashua. Two sawmills are 
 located on it. VVanoosnock brook, which rises in Notown, 
 runs through the southerly part of the town, and unites with the 
 Nashua near the centre of Leominster. There is one saw-mill 
 on it within the limits of Fitchburg. There are several saw- 
 mills and other shops on the tributaries to the Nashua, which 
 have been already mentioned. 
 
 Osborn's mills, on the Turnpike, are on the principal stream 
 which comes from Westminster. A large number of shingles 
 are niade here. A saw-mill and grist-mill are at the same 
 place. The latter is, however, but little used. 
 
 Perkins & Baldwin's Factory is on Phillips' brook, about 
 160 rods above its junction with the Nashua, and not far from 
 2 miles west of the village. Shirtings of a good quality are 
 manufactured here. The brook here, which is a constant 
 stream, makes a fall of 80 feet in thirty rods. Sixteen looms 
 are in operation at this place. 
 
 At the junction of Phillips' brook with the Nashua is situa- 
 ted J. Farwell &c Co.s' Scythe Manufactory. Damsare thrown 
 across both streams, the waters of which are thus secured. 
 
 A. Crocker & Go's. Paper mill is located on the Nashua, 
 at the distance of one and a half miles west the village. A 
 good head of water is secured here. At this esta'blishment 
 paper of various kinds, principally however printing and wri 
 ting paper, is manufactured to a considerable extent. The 
 same 'privilege' furnishes water power to A. Kimball & Go's. 
 
niSToHY OF rrrciiRtiso. 11 
 
 Scylhe ivjan;; factor}', sitiKite;! a few rods below the paper mi!!. 
 The i?cyihe.s manufactured by iSlessrs. Kimbiill & Farweli 
 have ha ! an extensive sale, and tljey are well known to he ef 
 a sup( i-iv)r nnali'y. Great numbers of them are sold anriiinllv. 
 
 S!i.!di)n i:c Pillsbury's darn ifi located about ISO rods belowT 
 the oae la^i innntioued. Froiri tliis pond a trench has been 
 dag, neariy i'jO rod^i in length, by means of which the water 
 is conveyed to a saw niiil and yrist mill. A f:iil of £2 feet is 
 obtained, and it may be considered, perhaps, as the best mill 
 seat on the stream. Tiie grist mill is furnished with two rnn.s 
 of stones, a corn-cracker and a fiour-holter. A large quantity 
 of grain is broaght to this mill, some from a great distance. — 
 It is mure paniculsriy noted for the snpeiior manner in which, 
 flour is bolted. 
 
 It this respect it is not inferior to any mills in tliis region. — 
 The average qiiantliy o'i il aur prepared here, during the past 
 year, has been ahout five barrels per day. In the course of 
 the present year it will probably be doubled. 
 
 Town cc Willis' Cotton Mill is situated a few rods west c( 
 the common. Twenty looms are here in operation, in manu- 
 facturing 4--iths siieetiijgs. It is at present leased to Levi 
 Shprwin, 
 
 'j'he Fitcliburg Woolen ?»Ii!l, owned by the same company 
 as the cotton niiillast mentioned, occupies an eligible situation 
 in the very centre of the village. It is a commodious building 
 of brick, and furnished with all the necessary out-buildings. — 
 Sixteen looms are in operation ; eight of which are for bread 
 cloths, and eight for cassimcres. 
 
 Newton's Cotton Factory, about 100 rods below the one 
 last named, was formerly a manufactory for sheetings. Ne- 
 gro cloths are now the principal article manufactured. 
 
 The Stone Mill, a large granite building, is situated in that 
 part of the village known as the Old City. It is four stories 
 high^ and occupied liy Percy Ath.erton, as a Cotton Factor}'. 
 It has 40 looms for weaving sheetings. 
 
 Crocker & Gardner's Paper-mill, generally known as the 
 Burbank Paper-mill, is 80 rods farther down stream. A good 
 head of water is obtained here. This mill is altogether used 
 for the manufacture of wrapping paper. Two engines are 
 kept in almost constant motion, night and day, to furnish pulp 
 .sufficient to supply one machine. Both of the Paper-nn'lls in 
 this town have, in connexion with their machines, a late im- 
 proved drying cylinder. The paper passes from the machine 
 over a heated cylinder (generally from 4 to 6 feet in diam.e- 
 ter,) which completely dries it. At the same time it is cut 
 
12 HISTORY OF FITCIIE'JRG. 
 
 into pieces, of convenient size, ready to be folded into reams. — 
 Water is also furnished, at this dam, for a workshop not con- 
 nected with the Paper mill. 
 
 Next on the stream, situated about 210 rods below the Pa- 
 per mill, is Poor's (formerly Slater's) Woolen Factory. Six- 
 teen looms are in operation here ; on six of which cassi- 
 meres and on ten broadcloths are woven. 
 
 A dam is again thrown over the Nasliua, about 100 rods 
 farther down stream. From this pond, the water is conduct- 
 ed by a trench, about fifty rods in length, to the Woolen Fac- 
 tory occupied by Amos Hill. This is a brick building-, erect- 
 ed within a few years. A part of the Factory is occupied by 
 A. Hill, who has twelve looms in operation in making broad- 
 cloths. In the part occupied by Alfred Messenger there are 
 eleven looms employed in making negro cloths. 
 
 Commencing with Osborn's mills on the Turnpike, and in- 
 cluding Perkins & Baldwin's Factory, which is not on princi- 
 pal stream, there are twelv^e mill seats already occupied. Of 
 these four are sites for Cotton Factories, three for Woolen 
 Factories, two for Paper mills, two for saw and grist mills, and 
 one for a Scythe Factory. This account does not include A. 
 Kimball's Scythe Factory, which is supplied with water from 
 A. Crocker & Go's. pond. There are several saw mills, turn- 
 ing lathes, work shops, &c. connected with most of the Facto- 
 ries above numerated. A dam has been built over the streain 
 between A. Crocker's and Sheldon's dams, and a chair shop 
 is about to be erected on the spot. It is calculated that there 
 are five 'privileges,' yet unoccupied, between Osborn's mills 
 and J. Farvvell's Scythe Factory. There are also several oth- 
 er convenient places on the Nashua, where dams may be con- 
 structed. At the present time not one half of the water pow- 
 er, which may be developed on this stream and its tributaries, 
 is 'improved.' 
 
 Other manufactories and trades must be noticed briefly. — 
 Another chair shop has been opened in the village. Here al- 
 so are carriage 6c coach makers, wheelwrights, carpenters, 
 shoemakers, blacksmiths, window sash & blind makers, sad- 
 dle & harness makers, triink makers, two clock & watch ma- 
 kers & jewellers, book-binders & book-sellers, apothecaries, 
 stone cutters, hatters, bellows makers, brick makers, coopers, 
 painters, (house, sign, carriage and ornametnal,) masons, tailors, 
 glaziers, a bakery, a tannery, a printing office &:c. &c. The 
 first printing office was opened in 1S30 ; since which time a 
 newspaper has been published here. For a short period in 
 1834 three papers (two political and one religious) were print- 
 
HISTORY or riTCIlBURG. 13 
 
 ed. The present paper (Worcester County Courier) aiiJ 
 printing office are owned by J. Garfield. 
 
 There are eight public stores, containing the usual variety 
 Oi'' English, American, & W. I. goods, and two bookstores. 
 
 The Filehburg Bank was incorporated in the year 1S32, 
 with a capital of $100,000, and went into operation in July of 
 the same year. It has usually declared semi-aimual dividends 
 of 3 1-2 per cent, and the stock is about ten per cent, advance. 
 Francis Perkins has been President, and Ebenezer Torrcy, 
 Cashier, of this institution from its commencement. 
 
 The number of inhabitants previous to the census of 1791, 
 is a matter of uncertainty. V/hen the town was incorporated, 
 Feb. 3d. 1764, it contained about forty families ; and the pop- 
 ulation, at this period, may be estimated at 250. According 
 to the census of 1791, it amounted to 1151. The taxable 
 polls, in 1793, amounted to 268, — at the same time IS towns 
 of the County contained a greater number, and 30 towns a 
 less. The population in ISOO was 1390 ;— in 1810, 1566;— 
 in 1820, 1736;— in 1830,2179. Within the last ten years 
 the population has increased in a greater ratio than at any 
 former period ; and at the present time the number of inhab-^ 
 itants may be estimated at 26 or 27 hundred. The increase 
 from 1791 to 1800 was 239; from 1800 to 1810, 176; from 
 1810 to 1820, 170; from 1820 to 1830, 443. 
 
 The principal circumstances which tended to retard the pop- 
 ulation of the town in the earlier period of its history, was the 
 expense of maintaining and keeping in repair the roads and 
 bridges. The broken and uneven nature of the soil rendered 
 the construction of roads laborious and costly. The item for 
 building and keeping in repair the several bridges over the 
 Nashua and its tributaries, was not small. The art of con- 
 structing dui'able bridges v/as not understood in those days. — 
 They were built of frail and unsuitable materials, and were 
 constantly in need of repairs. When built in the most appro- 
 ved style of those days, they were liable to be swept away by 
 the first freshet. The rivers, which have since been the source 
 of the wealth and prosperity of the town, were, in the opinion 
 of its earlier settlers, its greatest evils. In 1793, according to 
 Whitney's History, there had been built on the Nashua a saw 
 mill, a corn mill, a fulling mill, a clothier's works, a trip-ham- 
 mer, and works for grinding scythes. These occasioned a 
 great resort of people to the place, and from a considerable 
 distance. At this period there was much travel through the 
 place, by people on their way between Vermont and Boston. 
 With these exceptions, there was nothing to give to the growth 
 
14 HISTORY OF PITCHBURG. 
 
 of iho place an impulse beyond that of the neighboring towns. 
 The people subsisted principally by husbandry; and the soil, 
 upon which they toiled, was by no means peculiarly excellent. 
 The unsettled condition of the country, during the period of 
 the commercial restrictions, and the last war with Great Brit- 
 ain, tended still further to check the business of the place. — 
 Manufacturing establishments might have done a profitable 
 business, but this was the period of their infancy in our coun- 
 try ; and the experiment of introducing them was attended 
 with that varied and uncertain success, which usually marks 
 the first efforts for finding new and untried channels for busi- 
 ness and profit. 
 
 Many of those, who found manufacturing a lucrative em- 
 ployment during the war, had their profits cut ofi' and their 
 business ruined at the termination of the contest, by the intro- 
 duction of foreign goods, with which the markets were glutted, 
 and wiilt which they could not compete. 
 
 Note on the Manufacturj:s. — As the manufacture of cot- 
 ton and woolen goods form so important a branch of the busi- 
 ness of the town, it has been thought that a more particular 
 account of the time at which the several factories were erected 
 and- put into operation, would prove interesting. 
 
 The exact period v.-hen Dea. Amos Kimball and his cousin 
 Ephraim removed from Bradford and settled within the limits 
 of the present town of Fitchburg, is not known ; but it was 
 probably during the year 1745 or 6, when this town constitu- 
 ted a part of Lunenburg. Amos Kimball settled on the farm 
 which Samuel Hale now occupies, and Ephraim lived on what 
 is now known as the Storey farm. They built the first dam 
 across the JYasJiiia in this town, near to the place now occu- 
 pied by the 'Stone Mill,' and erected here a saw mill and a 
 grist mill. This primitive dam, the model of which might 
 have been taken from the structures of the beavers, was a frail 
 piece of workmanship, and was generally swept away by the 
 annual freshet. After the close of the Eevolutionary struggle, 
 a fulling mill and clothier's works, a carding machine, and 
 works for grinding scythes, were erected here. The building 
 occupied by the carding machine was afterwai'ds used for 
 manufacturing tatinetts, and for other purposes — but to little 
 extent, and less profit. These buildings have since given 
 place to the excellent stone structure, which will be mention- 
 ed in the proper place. 
 
 A new dam of granite was built a few feet below the old 
 one, in 1S26. 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIC'JKU. 1-5 
 
 The brick factory, now owned hy Messrs. Town, Willis, and 
 others, was tlie iirat factory erected in the town, and among 
 the earliest (probably the second or third) built in this state. — 
 It was commenced soon after Slater's factory at Pawtucket, in 
 the year 1S07. A factory was built at New Ipswich, N. H. 
 a short time previous ; Plant's factory at Lancaster, and one 
 at Peterborough, N. H. were undertaken very soon after. — 
 The dam belonging to the brick factory was built by Ephraim 
 Kimball in 1S07, and the factory v\t.s conin'.enced at the same 
 time by a company of about thirty individuals, V;-!io took tliares 
 in this novel experiment of spinning cotton. 
 
 The building which they erected, vras 30 feet by CO. The 
 lower part was used as a workshop, while the upper Mas oc- 
 cupied by a picker, and was used as a store house for cotton. 
 Tire Corporation (the comjiany was incorporated in the winter 
 of 1S06-7,) employed one Robbins, who had had some experi- 
 ence at Slater's works in PauiUckel, to make patterns for cast- 
 ings, construct machinery, and 'start' the mill. This Robbins 
 usually drank a quart ojf brandy daily, and was not altogether 
 a very amiable character. Being pulled up as master-work- 
 man and as the possessor of important secrets, he assumed an 
 independent and overbearing demeanor, which was not very 
 pleasing in the eyes of the Corporation. All the workmen 
 here employed had to take shares in the concern, and when it 
 became necessary to lay an assessment upon these, Robbins 
 claimed an exemption, on the ground of being the most impor- 
 tant man. To this the Corporation would not assent; and 
 thereupon the master-workman determined that they should 
 feel his power. Instead, then, of hastening the completion of 
 that part of the machinery, which would be first wanted, he 
 deliberately went to work upon that which would be needed 
 last, and thus retarded the 'starting' of the factory some time. 
 But Robbins soon found that he had over-estimated his own 
 importance; for some of the enterprising young workmen, by 
 climbing the lightening-rod and descending the scuttle of the 
 factory, got possession of his chest, which contained his impor- 
 tant patterns, and made themselves acquainted with all the se- 
 cret knowledge which the said chest contained. Hereupon 
 Robbins was unceremoniously dismissed. 
 
 Afterwards an individual by the name of Field, who had 
 been engaged at New Ipswich, N. H. was hired to take the 
 immediate superintendance of the factory, which went into op- 
 eration under his direction. The operations of the company 
 do not appear to have been very profitable at first, in conse- 
 quence of the imperfections of the machinery, and the great 
 
16 IIISTOKV OF F1TCU13UIIG. 
 
 expenditures necessary in such experimental underSiikings. — 
 In a company, loo, of such heterogeneous materials great unan- 
 imity could not be expected; and complaints were frequently 
 heard, and shares often passed from one owner to another. 
 
 In a few years, however, the Corporation began to do a more 
 profitable business, machinery of an improved construction 
 having been introduced, and the restrictions upon the com- 
 merce of the country, and the subsequent war operating in 
 their favor. 
 
 The Corporation had committed a great oversight in not se- 
 curing a proper title to their dam. The individual who built 
 it was owner of the land on one side of the rirer, and the Cor- 
 poration owned on the other side. The dividing line between 
 them was in the middle of the river. This individual, having 
 lost money b}^ building the dam, demanded four hundred dol- 
 lars of the Corporation to cover his loss. This was refused. 
 He then informed the Corporation that he was owner of one 
 half of the dam, which he oflered to sell them for the sum of 
 l\velve hundred dollars. The Corporation having neglected 
 lo comply with his terms, he sold his title to the dam and a 
 piece of land (now occupied by Capt. Z. Sheldon's carpenter's 
 shop,) for fifteen hundred dollars to two persons, who soon 
 commenced building some works tlicre. They made free use 
 of the water, and finally cut away a part of the dam. This 
 was a death blow to the Corporation. Their business was sud- 
 denly stopped when they were rea])ingan immense profit from 
 it, and they were soon involved in a ruinous law-suit. An 
 unusually large quantity of cotton on hand was, after some 
 time, disposed of at a great sacrifice. They were suffering 
 a loss of undoubtedly more than fifty dollars daily — perhaps 
 nearer a hundred. 
 
 The question at issue between the Corporation and the 
 owners of the other side of the river, was finally decided by 
 referees against the former. The expenses of this suit and 
 the heavy damages awarded against them were more than the 
 Corporation were able to bear. It failed in 1S16. In addition 
 to the factory, they owned the two brick boarding houses, and 
 the brick store now occupied by Messrs. Mclntire & Caldwell. 
 
 After the failure of the Corporation, their property was pur- 
 chased by Messrs. Putnam & Perkins, for about one third of 
 its original cost. It remainea in their hands, and the factory 
 was kept in operation, till 1S22, when it was purchased by 
 Messrs. Town & Willis, who put in machinery for the man- 
 ufacture of woolen goods. It has remained in their hands since 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBURG. 17 
 
 that period. In 1S34 it was enlarged by an addition of forty 
 feet m length and thirty ^iglit in breadth. 
 
 The second attempt at cotton spinning, in this town, was 
 made by Capt. Martin Newton. He had been employed by 
 the Corporation, when their works were first put in operation. 
 The location of the carding machine, near the site of the pres- 
 ent stone mill, has already been mentioned. In this building 
 Capt. Newton put in operation two spinning frames, on 'Elec- 
 tion Day,' in the year 1810. The expense of fitting up this 
 limited concern was about SISOO, — and the profits at the end 
 of the first year were but little short of $1000. It yielded an 
 income of at least 60 per cent, on the capital invested. Cotton 
 yarn, at this period, readily commanded 85 cents per lb. 
 
 This business proving to be so lucrative, Capt. Newton, in 
 connexion with Solomon Strong (at present one of the Justi- 
 ces of the Court of Common Pleas) and Jonathan Flint, (both 
 of these latter then belonged to Westminster) erected, in the 
 year 1812, the building now known as Newton's factory, and 
 continued there the manufacture of cotton goods. 
 
 The dam at the 'Rollstone (cotton) Mill' was built by Jonas 
 Marshall and Dea. Epiiraim Kimball* in the year 1794. — 
 This tvas the second dam built across the JVashua. At the 
 same time they built a saw mill ; and shortly afterwards cloth- 
 ier's works and a trip-hammer were built on the site of the 
 blacksmith's shop a few rods below the factory. No vestiges 
 of these now remain. 
 
 The Red (or Rollstone) Mill was built in 1813, by John and 
 Joseph Farwell and Nehemiah Giles. When Messrs. Put- 
 nam & Perkins purchased the property of the exploded 'Corpo- 
 I'ation,' they bought the Rollstone Mill also, as the pond of the 
 former intruded somewhat upon the water-wheel of the latter. 
 It was owned by Gen. Ivors Jewett, and, in 1833, it was pur- 
 chased by Messr.?. Town, Willis, and others. 
 
 The factory on Phillips' brook, generally known as "Bald- 
 win's fiictory," was built in the Fall of 1814. The persons 
 engaged in this undertaking experienced a fate conunon to ma- 
 ny, who, about this time, embarked tlieir whole fortune in cot- 
 ton manufactories. Soon after the commencement of their 
 operations, peace was declared between this country and Eng- 
 land, and the company failed. The fall of the water at this place 
 
 *He was a son of that Ej)hraitn who was among the earlier 
 settlers of the town. De^. Ephraim Kimball left a large familyj 
 several of whom are now living in this town. 
 
 C 
 
18 
 
 lUSTOUY OF nrCHliUKG. 
 
 is very i;rcat. Tlif hole occupiLMl hy the fiictory was extreme- 
 ly rugged and rocky, and great e.x])ense was incurred in clear- 
 ing: it out. The factory is supplied by two small ponds — the 
 surface of the water in the upper one being- nearly t-n a level 
 with the steeple of the factory, which is aboat thirty rods 
 distant. 
 
 The Red Woolen factory, situated about a mile southeaster- 
 ly of the village, and now owned and occupied by Benjamin 
 Poor of Boston, was built in 1S23, bjr Tyler Daniels «Sc Co. — 
 It was in their possession four or five years, when they dispos- 
 ed of their interest in it. After changing' owners several times, 
 it was purchased by Samuel Slater, whose heirs sold it to the 
 present owner. For several years it was not in operation. — 
 It was put in operation again Ijy John A. A. Laforest & Co. 
 in 1834. An addition was made to this n)ill in 1S27. 
 
 The Stone Mill (cotton) was built in 1826, by Oliver Fox 
 Esqr. It is very near, or partly occupies, the site of the first 
 grist mill and saw mill erected in the town hj Dea. Amos and 
 Ephraim Kimball. The present lessee, and owner of the ma- 
 chinerj% is Percy Atherton. 
 
 The brick (woolen) factory at South Fitchburg was built 
 by HoUis Hartshorn, in 1832. Soon after the commencement 
 of the building, William Whitney of Boston became joint own- 
 er in the concern. It is now owned by him and Capt. Z. Shel- 
 don. It is leased to Amos Hill, as has been mentioned in an- 
 other place. 
 
 The Burbank paper-mill and dam (the third built across the 
 Nashua) were built in the year 1804, by Thomas French. — 
 The mill went into operation the following year. 
 
 A. Crocker & Co's. paper-mill was built in 1S2G ; and the 
 dam there was made in the previous Autumn. This place was 
 exceedingly rough and difficult of access. The dam alone 
 cost $1500. 
 
 The above account embraces the most important items rela- 
 ting to the origin and progress of the manufactures of Fitch- 
 bu rg. 
 
 Previous to the commencement of the manufacture of wool- 
 en cloths in 1822, some attempts had been made in manufac- 
 turing satinetts, in the Old City, but the scheme was a losing 
 one, and was soon abandoned. 
 
 Saw mills were built on several of the minor streams, in 
 different parts of the town, at quite an early period. 
 
 When the town was in its infancy, the opinion was general, 
 that it could never be a flourishing pTace, as its enterjirise and 
 prosperity would always be clieckcd by the burthensome taxes 
 
TTISTOUY OF FlTCIIBL'RG. 19 
 
 necessary to keep in repair the roads and bridges. The Nash- 
 ua river was considered as the curse of the place! The pres- 
 ent condition and future prospects of the town are a singular 
 commentary on the opinion of our fathers. 
 
 The number of ratab'ie polls at this time is about 700. The 
 militia is composed of three companies, viz: — two standing 
 cpmpanies, and one of light i^fantr\^ 
 
 The town is divided into 12 school districts. From the 
 School Returns furnished to the Legislature, for the year 1S35, 
 I gather the following statements : — The number of children 
 attending Common Schools, from 4 to 16 years of age, is males, 
 271 ; females, 2S9. Average attendance, 416. Children not 
 attending Common Schools any portion of the year, — 15 males, 
 26 females. Aggregate time of keeping school in all the dis- 
 tricts is, in winter, 23 months, 21 days ; summer, 28m. 7d. — 
 Number of male Instructers, 11; female do. 14. Average 
 wages per month, exclusive of board, winter, 816,67 ; summer, 
 $4,30. Amount of money raised by tax for supporting Com- 
 mon Schools, S1237,o0. Estimated amount paid for tuition 
 at the Academy and private schools, S70-5,00. 
 
 The Academy is a commodious, two-story building, situated 
 a few rods easterly of the common. It was erected in 1830, 
 at an expense of about 81200,00. It is furnished with two 
 school rooms on the lower floor ; the former of which will ac- 
 commodate 65 scholars, arid the latter 30. The average num- 
 ber of scholars attending, for several years past, has been about 
 30. 
 
 CIVIL HISTORY. 
 
 Before entering upon the civil history of the town, it may 
 he proper to take a glance of the situation and condition of 
 this part of the country, at the time when the white man first 
 placed his foot upon it, and sought an abiding place and shel- 
 ter in the then unknown wilderness. 
 
 What events transpired previous to this period, the imper- 
 fect traditions of the natives do not inform us. The elements 
 of nature were at work upon the soil, but its mould was not 
 ^iisturbed by the arts of civilized life. Trees sprung forth, 
 grew to a majestic height, and then fell to the earth in the nat- 
 ural progress of decay. 
 
 The Nashua wound its devious course through the forest, 
 the stillness of which was not interrupted, save by the shout of 
 the savage, the cry of the beast of prey, or the scream of the 
 wild bird of the wilderness. The current of the stream may 
 
20 HISTORY OF FITCIIBURG. 
 
 have been choked by the trunks of trees, hurled by the vio- 
 lence of the tempest into its bosom. The mass of accumula 
 ting water would then burst forth, perhaps seeking a new chan- 
 nel in its onward course. What changes hare heretofore ta- 
 ken place in the course of the Nashua, we know not — running 
 water is always wearing. 
 
 There is every appearance that the bed of the stream which 
 flows by Messrs. Perkins & Baldwin's factory, once w^s situ- 
 ated 10 or 20 feet higher than at present, in the ledge of rocks 
 near their dam. But the changes, which have taken place on 
 the surface of our township, are more fit speculations for the 
 geologist. We cannot speak with certainty of its appearance, 
 ^ill after it was visited by the white man. 
 
 At this period we know that this section of the country w^s 
 thinly peopled by severallndian tribes. A few years previous 
 to the landing of our fathers at Plymouth, a deadly pestilence 
 raged among the aborigines, and swept nine tenths of them to 
 their graves. The Indian population did not average one in- 
 habitant to each square mile. 
 
 The Indians of New-England were divided into five prin- 
 cipal tribes, all of which extended their jurisdiction into the 
 limits of the present county of Worcester. There were, alsOj 
 several smaller tribes under their own sagamores or sachems; 
 but they were all tributary to the larger tribes. 
 
 The Pequods, whose sovereign resided at New London, Ct. 
 had dominion over the Nipmucks, in the southern and south- 
 western part of the county. The Narrhagansetts occupied 
 what was then the colony of Rhode Island. They, also, had 
 tribute from some of the Nipmucks. The Pokanokets or 
 Wampanoags lived in the Plymouth colony. Their sachem's 
 seat Avas at Mount Hope (Haup) near Bristol. The celebra- 
 ted Philip or Metacom was their chief. They extended their 
 authority over another portion of the Nipmucks. It is not 
 probable that either of these tribes extended their jufisdiclion 
 so far north as Fitchburg. 
 
 The Massachusetts were the next great tribe northward, and 
 extended from the bay of the same name to the Connecticut 
 river. The Nashuas in the vicinity of Lancaster, and the 
 northern portion of the Nipmucks, were under this tribe. If 
 this town was included in the territory of the Nashuas, it was 
 under the jurisdiction of tlie Massachusetts ; but this is not ve- 
 ry probable, as the Nashuas consisted of only fifteen or sixteen 
 iamilies, residing on the interval lands of Lancaster or near th^ 
 ponds of Sterling. 
 
 The Pawtuckets dwelt in the northeastern parts of th? statej 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBURO. 21 
 
 on tho banks of the Meriiinaok and its tributaries. Tbistribo 
 probably extended over tbo northern part of the county. If 
 this supposition be correct, then Fitcliburg undoubtedly form- 
 ed part of the territory of the PawtUL-lans. 
 
 Again, it has been supposed that the town was in the terri- 
 tory of the Penicooks, who principally resided in the region 
 about Concord, N. H. But there is not much foundation for 
 the opinion that their realms extended so far south. 
 
 The Nipmucks, if ever an independent, were now a broken 
 down tribe, as most of the neighboring sachems claimed sov- 
 ereignty over them. They were a harmless, simple minded 
 race, and many of them became converts to Christianity, thro' 
 the preaching of the celebrated Indian Apostle, Elliot. These 
 Indians and the Nashuas conducted with good faith towards 
 their white neighbors, till King Pliilip's war, in 1675, when 
 they were induced to unite with him. When the Nashuas 
 were broken up, most of them joined the Penicooks at the 
 north. 
 
 The Indian population was so extremely sparse, when this 
 territory began to be settled by the whites, that there is no rea-- 
 son to believe that the geographical lines of the different tribes 
 were distinctly marked — they were determined rather by tacit 
 consent or general understanding. Sometimes, when the 
 hunting parties of one tribe pursued their game into the limits 
 of another, or caught their tish in forbidden waters, then feel-, 
 ings of indignation were enkindled in the bosoms of the ag- 
 grieved party, and measures of retaliation were concerted. — 
 Hence feuds, not only between individuals, but between whole 
 tribes, arose, and bloody wars were originated. 
 
 There do not appear to be any well authenticated accounts, 
 which tend to show that the Indians of any tribe ever made 
 any part of this town a permanent place of residence. Stone 
 arrow-heads have been dug up in various places, and other 
 implements of Indian manufacture have been found in the 
 field opposite to the house of Capt. Philip F. Cowdin, but not 
 in sufficient numbers to authorise a supposition that their own- 
 ers ever permanently resided there. They have, however, left 
 behind them sufficient relics for us to conclude that they were 
 neither ignorant nor unmindful of the excellent shad,alewives, 
 or salmon-trout, which sported in the waters of the Nashua, 
 or of the deer and wild turkeys, which found a shelter and a 
 covert under the branches of the majestic pines which towered 
 fibove our bilk. 
 
 It may be an amusing speculation to en(]uire when tlie soil 
 pf Fitchburg was first pressed by the foot of the white man. — 
 
93 niSTOUY OF FITCIIBIIRCt. 
 
 In 161'], hat liltlc more tliaii 22 years after the landing- of the 
 Pilgrims a Plyniouth, the region about Lancaster was in sub- 
 jection to Sliolan, sachem of the Nashuas. He had opened a 
 species of traffic with the people of Watertown, and for great- 
 er convenience in this respect he invited Mr. Thomas King, 
 and others residing there, to remove to the fertile regions of 
 the Nashua. They complied wiih his advice, andcommenced 
 the plantation in 1643. In 1653, the town then containing nine 
 families, was incorporated by the name of Lancaster. From this 
 time the inhabitants dwelt in peace, till the commencement of 
 Plii lip's war, in 1675. 
 
 To the east of us the town of Groton was incorporated in 
 1655. Beyond these points, which were on the verge of civ- 
 ilization, the white population did not extend for a considera- 
 ble time. Perhaps some hunter from these frontier settle- 
 ments, in his solitary pursuit after game, may have traversed 
 our hills, and penetrated the unknown wilderness ; but this is 
 altogether conjecture. 
 
 Feby. 10th, (O. S.) 1676, the Indians attacked Lancaster, 
 and after destroying the settlement by burning the houses and 
 murdering many people, they marched with the prisoners tow- 
 ards Canada. Among these was Mrs. Rowlandson, wife of 
 the minister of the place. After her return from captivity, she 
 published an account of her journeyings through the wilder- 
 ness, under the title of "Twenty Removes." From this quaint 
 work and other data, attempts have been made to trace her 
 course. But the country being then entirely wild, and her 
 accounts extremely vague in consequence — her mind at the 
 same time being depressed by the hazards of her perilous situ- 
 ation, and by recollections of the recent calamity which had 
 fallen so heavily upon her — nothing very satisfactory has been 
 elicited. Her descriptions answer to three distinct routes, the 
 most northern of which would carry her through Fitchburg. 
 
 From her account it appears that she spent the, first night 
 of her captivity on a small island in a river. This is suppos- 
 ed to be ill Leominster. There is an island there answering 
 very well to her description. The second night she passed 
 upon (i liigh hill — the third night in Narrhaganselt, which is 
 now Westminster- — and on the eighth day of her captivity she 
 arrived at a place, now in New Braintree. 
 
 If then it be assumed that she staid, the first night in Leom- 
 inster, and the third night in Narrhagansett, there is every 
 reason to believe that — independent of all tradition and all cir- 
 •cumstances related by her — she passed the second night some- 
 where in the limits of the present town of Fitchburg. Taking 
 
HISTORY OF PITCHBURti. 23 
 
 all thinfjs into consitleviUioii, there is good foundation for the 
 conjecture that she passed the second night on RoUstone hill. 
 If this conjecture be true, wliat a scene iruisl have been witnes- 
 sed by her, on the summit of iliat hill, on the night of the ] 1th. 
 of Feby. (0. S.) 1676. The merciless savages, exulting in 
 their success, were celebrating the massacre which they had 
 inflicted upon the innocent people of Lancaster, and testifying 
 by their dreadful rites and hellish orgies, their joy at sheddingr 
 human blood. In the midst of them sat the lone white woman 
 — her spirit crushed to the earth by the weight of her sudden 
 and overwhelming calamities. Torn from her husband, sor- 
 rowing for the destruction of her kindred and friends, with no 
 comforts to supply her necessities — no shelter to protect her 
 from the wintry blasts — and vvilh the dread of a hopeless cap-- 
 tivity in prospect, she was entirely dependent upon the 'tender 
 mercies' of the savages, the murderers of her children. 
 
 I will now leave these matters of uncertain speculation, and 
 proceed with the dull relations of history. 
 
 Previovis to the incorporation of this town, imder the name 
 of Fitchburgh, in 1764, it formed a part of Lunenburg. To 
 begin then at the beginning, and acquire a knowledge of our 
 origin, it is necessary to search into the early records of Lu- 
 nenburg, in the transactions and events of which town the 
 people, who inhabited what is now Fitchburg, had an equal in- 
 terest and an equal share. 
 
 In Whitney's "History of Worcester County," the account 
 of Lunenburg commences as follows: — "On tlie 4[h. of No- 
 vember, 1719, the General Court, at the request of a nundj^T 
 of gentlemen, made a grant to tliein of this territory lor a val- 
 uable consideration," &c. Who these ''genllerrien" were, i,'^ 
 not known ; but it is presumed they Vicre ainor.g those, whose 
 names are preserved in tlic Proprietors' books, as the earliest 
 settlers. The "valuable consideration," above mentioned, will 
 be made known by the terms of the grant. Furthermore, this 
 order or grant of the General Court is of great importance ; — 
 for it is not ordy the foundation of our municipal rights, but it 
 is the basis upon which rest all titles to real estate in this towa 
 and Lunenburg. I will therefore give it entire, from an exact 
 copy of the original records, as furnished by the Secretary of 
 the Commonwealth. 
 
 "Anno Regiii Reikis Georgii Magnas Britanniac; &c. Sexto. 
 
 At a great and General Court or Assembly for his Majesty's 
 Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, begun 
 and held at Boston upon Wednesday the twenty-seventh of 
 May 1719, and continued by Prorogation to Wednesday the 
 
24 HIStORV dp FlTCHriURO. 
 
 fmirth of Novciiiber 1719, and then met; being their second 
 Session. — 
 
 Monday, Pecember 7, 1719. 
 
 In the HoUse of Representativesj 
 the vol^ for gfl'anting two new towns was brought down froni 
 the board, \Vith Amendments, which were read and agreed 
 to — And the said vote is as follows ; viz: — 
 
 Voted that two new Towns, each containing a Quantity of 
 land not exceeding six miles square, be laid out in as regular 
 Forms, as the Land will allow; to be settled in a defensible 
 manner on the Westerly side of Groton West line, and that 
 William Tailor, Samuel Thaxter, Francis Fulham Esqrs. Capt. 
 John Shipley, and Mr. Benjamin Whittamore, be a Commit- 
 tee fully impowered to allot and grant out the land contained 
 in each of the said towns, (a lot not to exceed Two hundred 
 fifty acres) to such persons, and only such as will eftectU* 
 ally settle the same within the space of three years next ensu- 
 ing the laying out and granting such lots by the Committee, 
 U'ho are instructed and directed to admit eighty families ot 
 persons in each Town at least, who shall pay to the said Com- 
 tnittee for the use of the Province, the sum of Five Pounds for 
 feach allotment, which shall be granted and allotted as afore- 
 said; and that each person to whom such lot or lots shall be 
 granted or laid out, shall be obliged to build a good Dwelling 
 House thereon and inhabit it; and also to break up and fence 
 in three acres of land at the least within the Term of three 
 years ; and that there be laid out and reserved for the first st'l- 
 tkd Minister, a good convenient lot ;* also a Lot for the School,! 
 tind a ministerial lot,t and a Lot for Harvard College,^ of two 
 hundred and fifty a.res each ; and that the Settlers be oblioed 
 to build a good, convenient House for the Worship of God in 
 each of the said Towns, within the term of four years ; and to 
 pay the charge of necessary surveys, and the Comniiltee for 
 their service in and about the premiser-; and that the Cotu' 
 mittee give public notice of the time and place when and where 
 they will meet to grant allotments." 
 
 "Consented to — ■ 
 
 Saml. Shute." 
 
 *This lot was where T. & J. Dinis(noor now live, near the 
 north burial place. 
 
 tThe Sirhool lot wa.s in the N. W. part of Lunenburg; and a 
 portion of it came within the limits ofFitchburg. 
 
 JThe Ministerial lot was so divided that it is now difficult td 
 fix the |)recise situation of the several parts. 
 
 §Thc College lot was in ihe N. N. E. i)art of Lunenburg. 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIBURC. 25 
 
 These two townships were designated by the Committee ap- 
 pointed to allot and grant them out, as the North and South 
 townships. The former was afterwards incorporated by the 
 name of Townsend, in the county of Middlesex. The south 
 township included the present towns of Lunenburg, Fitchburg 
 and a large portion of Ashby. 
 
 Whitney, and every other authority which I have seen, as- 
 sert that this grant was made on ihc Fourth of JVov . 1719. A 
 copy of the grant is given on the first page of the book contain- 
 ing an account of the doings of the Committee. It is as fol- 
 lows: — 
 
 "At a Great & General Court or Assembly for His Majes- 
 ties Province of ye Rlassachuselts Bay, Held Nov. 4, 1719 — 
 In ye House of Representatives" &c. This error of 33 days 
 as to the date of the grant was probably made either by the 
 Committee's being furnished with an imperfect copy of the act, 
 or by a mistake of Francis Fullam, the Committee's clerk, in 
 copying it into their book. Tliis latter was probably Whit- 
 ney's authority, and it is not unlikely that others have follow- 
 ed him. However, the authority of the records of the Gener- 
 al Court is not to be doubted. The act passed the House of 
 Representatives and received the signature of the Governor on 
 the 7th of Dec. 1719, old style, which corresponds with the 
 ISth of Dec. new style. 
 
 Whitney's account thus proceeds: — "There is a hill, in the 
 middle of the town, called Turkey Hill, on account of the 
 great number of wild Turkies which frequented the place in 
 that day. It still retains the name ; and gave denomination 
 to the whole tract previous to its incorporation." This account 
 of Lunenburg in Whitnejr's History (which was published in 
 1793) was entirely prepared by Rev. Zabdiel Adams, then 
 minister of Lunenburg, and certainly a good authority in the 
 matters of his own day. This hill is now called 'Clark's Hill,' 
 and is situated about 200 rods southeasterly from the meeting 
 house. I have enquired of several people, who lived in Lu- 
 nenburg previous to the publication of Whitney's History, and 
 hardly one is to be found who recollects that any one hill in 
 particular was called Turkey Hill, but they say that Turkey 
 Hills was the name given to 'all the hills around' — not only to 
 the hills in Lunenburg, but to the loftier hills in Fitchburg, 
 which were equally the resort of immense numbers of wild 
 turkeys, which found a favorite food in a plentiful supply of 
 chestnuts and acorns there abounding. One or two individu- 
 als, however, are quite certain that Clark's Hill was once call- 
 ed Turkey Hill ; and it is their impression that it went by both 
 
26 
 
 HISTORY OF FITCHBURfr. 
 
 names — thai it generally was called Clark's Hill, though aged 
 people still clung'to its ancient designation. The name of 
 Turkey Hill is now entirely superseded. 
 
 There is indubitable evidence that the tract, included in the 
 whole south township, was called, not Turkey Hill, but Turkey 
 Hills. In the "Account of the General Courts Committes Pro- 
 ceedings," written in 1720, it is so called. And in every oth- 
 er place where it occurs, it is written "Turkey Hills." 
 
 What Indian name was given to this territory, is not known ; 
 but the first name applied to it by white men, was Turkey 
 Hills. 
 
 When this order or grant of the General Court passed. Dee. 
 7th, 1719, there was but one family residing in the territory of 
 Turkey Hills. The head of this family was Samuel Page — 
 universally designated by the honorable title of "Old Govern- 
 or Page. This pioneer of the wilderness and patriarch of Tur- 
 key Hills was born, as I have been informed, in this section of 
 the country (probably in East-Cambridge,) in 1671 or '2, and 
 removed at an early age to South Carolina. From thence he 
 returned in poverty to Grotonin this state, where he remained 
 but a short period, and in the summer of 1718 moved west- 
 ward into what was afterwards Lunenburg, where he remain- 
 ed till his death in 1747. ^^^^ 
 
 When the Gen. Court's Committee, (as they were styled) 
 first visited the place in Dec. 1719, in the performance of their 
 duty, they found Governor Page, whose faithful subjects were 
 composed of his wife Martha, and several promising children^ 
 occupying a comfortable habitation on the southerly side of 
 Clark's hill, a few rods to the rear of the barn belonging to 
 the farm of Micah Marshall. It is directly opposite to the 
 principal grave yard, little more than one mile in a southeast- 
 erly direction from the meeting house. Old Governor Page 
 exercised not a little taste in the selection of his place of abode ; 
 for it is not only one of the most beautiful situations, but the 
 land thereabouts constitutes one of the best farms in the town. 
 He had, however, no title to the land which he was cultivating, 
 for it was then public domain, and belonged to his Majesty's 
 Province of the Massachusetts Bay. Accordingly, when the 
 Committee met at Concord, in 1720, for the purpose of grant- 
 
 *The inscription upon his grave stone, executed in rude cap^ 
 italn, reads as follows: — 
 
 "Here lies buried ye Body of Mr Samuel Page. He was ye 
 first that settled in this town, Who departed this Life Sept. ye 7 
 A. D. 17473 in ye 76 year of his age." 
 
msTora' gf fitciiburg. 27 
 
 ing out lots, Samuel_P;io-e purchased one for himself, ancrone 
 for his son Joseph. This Joseph was employed as a 'chain- 
 man,' when the^town was^first surveyed, and probably was a- 
 bout twenty years old. I am inclined to think that he was 
 the Governor's eldest son. This dignitary's nearest neighbors 
 were at Groton on the east, at Lancaster on the ^south,'and on 
 tlie borders of the Connecticut river on the v.-est. The record 
 of the births of his children commences in 1719, and enumer- 
 ates six. Previous to this period there were born Joseph, 
 Daniel, Nathaniel, David, John, and probably one or two more. 
 One or more of them settled in Shirley. Joseph resided all 
 his days in Liinenburg. One of them, (David) as I have been 
 told, removed to the northerly parts of Vermont, and was the 
 first eettler of the town of Lunenburg in Essex county. It is 
 reported that he afterwards returned to his native state, and 
 dwelt in Petersham. 
 
 An elderly gentleman of Lunenburg, from whom'^these data 
 were derived, remarked that he thought that the descendants 
 of this last mentioned son had not entirely disappeared at the 
 present day, and, in support of his opinion, related the follow- 
 ing: — This Page, havinga roving disposition and a speculative 
 cast of mind, took it into his head, when quite young, that he 
 could make more money by trading with the Indians, than by 
 cutting down forest trees and cultivating the soil. According- 
 ly he directed his course towards Canada, and commenced 
 purchasing beaver and otter skins of the ignorant natives upon 
 this principle, — that his foot weighed juslfom^ pounds and bis 
 hand one pound. This they seemed to doubt, but were soon 
 satisfied by his making the declaration that it was as fair for 
 one party as for the other, since he weighed oft" to them, by the 
 same weights, his powder, tobacco, shot &c. This grand field 
 for making an honest living was, however, soon closed ; for 
 some other traders coming that way, explained the trick to the 
 Indians, and the Old Governor's speculating son had to de- 
 camp very suddenly — weights and all— to save his life. 
 
 It appears from the town records of Lunenburg, that "John 
 Page, ye son of Samuel Page, died at Jamaica, being there on 
 the Spanish expedition, Dec. 29th, 1740, as they hear." 
 
 David Page was undoubtedly among the earliest — perhaps 
 the first of the settlers in that part of Lunenburg which is now 
 Fitchburg. The birth of his eldest child is dated Oct. 1735. 
 Some of the aged people of this town think that the first set- 
 tlement made within our present precinct, by a white man, was 
 .en the place now owned by James L. Haynes — and that the 
 occupant was sometimes called Governor Page. Others say 
 
28 HISTORY OF FITCIIBURG. 
 
 that David Page lived there, but from how early a period they 
 cannot tell. Perhaps the title of Governor, appended to this 
 Page, was a hereditary privilege, or these Informants may have 
 blended the accounts of the two Pages in their minds. There 
 can be but little doubt as to the residence of Old Governor Page 
 near the centre of Lunenburg; for the land, on which the first 
 pound was built, and for a 'passage to and from the same,' was 
 purchased of him, and the Gov. himself Avas elevated to the of- 
 fice of pound-keeper. 
 
 There is, however, strong civcnmstnnlial evidence that the 
 first settlement within what is now Filchburg, Avas made by a 
 man named Page — that his house stood a few rods westerly 
 of the house of James L. Haynes, a short distance south of the 
 present travelled road, and near the small brook which flows 
 there. This house was "garrisoned," that is, sticks of timber, 
 hewn on two sides to about the thickness of six inches, were 
 firmly driven into the ground so close together as to touch. — 
 This kind of barricade extended around the house at the dis- 
 tance of about ten feet from it. Port-holes were made through 
 this, of sufficient dimensions to allow the fire of musketry. — 
 These fortified houses, called Garrisons, were frequently a 
 good defence against the attacks of the natives. This Page 
 turned the above mentioned small brook from its natural course, 
 and made it flow for some distance under ground, and then 
 through his garrison. This was done that, if menaced by the 
 savages, he might sit securely in his habitation and defy their 
 efforts. 
 
 Having thus treated of the family of Old Governor Page, 
 the consideration of the affairs pertaining to the township ofTur- 
 key Hills may be resumed. 
 
 The Committee appointed by the act of Dec. 7lh, 1719, to 
 allot and grant out the tov.nship, commenced their duties on the 
 21st of the same month, and began the survey. Beside other 
 expense incurred by the Committee, the future proprietors 
 were charged with the sum of 12s. (id. old tenor* "for Bisket, 
 
 *As many of my readers, at the present day, would probably 
 find it difficult to determine the difference between "Okl Tenor" 
 and "Lawful money," 1 will here add tlint in the year 1702, re- 
 course was had in the New-England provinces to a paper curren- 
 cy, to support the exjienses ot government, and furnish a substi- 
 tute for a circulating medium. The bdls purported that they 
 would be redeenied at a certain time, which was done at first, 
 but it soon became customary to redeem them by new emissions. 
 This being done pretty liberally, they began to depreciate in val- 
 
HISTORY OF FlTCllBURfi. 29 
 
 Cheese & Jenp:cr to carry into ye woods." The survey was 
 resumed and completed in April of the followino- year.* 
 
 On the 11th of May the Committee met at Concord, when 
 the grantees entered their names for lots. They were ohliged 
 to pay at this time the sum of 50 shillings, old tenor, (SI. 11,) 
 and obligated themselves to pay a like sum when they should 
 finally draw their lots. If any individual refused to pay the 
 last 50s, he incurred a forfeiture of his lot, and of his first pay- 
 ment. The eighty lots were subscribed for, and the sum of 
 183/ 10s (881^54) paid. Of the eighty individuals whose 
 names were subscribed, seventeen belonged to Concord, fifteen 
 to Groton, four to Needham, and the others to Newbury, Brad- 
 ford, Reading, Boxford, Weston, Watertown &c. Only one 
 person's residence is put down at "Turkey Hills." This is 
 Samuel Page, who subscribed for two lots — one for himself, 
 and one for his son Joseph. 
 
 In May, 1721, the Committee again met at Concord, when 
 
 ue. In Massachusetts, where their vnhte was kept up better 
 than in the other provinces, the depreciation was at the rate oi' sev- 
 en and a half for one in specie. This currency a'-qiiired the name 
 of Old Tenor — seven shillings and six pence being e(jual to only 
 one shilling in silver, which was called "Lav\ful money," or 
 ninepence sterling of Great Britian. 
 
 In the year 1750, the government of Great Britian made a grant 
 of a sum of money to Massachusetts, to remunerate the province 
 for its exertions in the late war with France. Governor Hutch- 
 inson proposed that this sum, whicii was sent over in dollars and 
 parts of dollars, should be appropriated to redeem the whole of 
 the bills of credit of the province. This proposition, after much 
 opposition, was carried into effect ; and eventually it was pro- 
 ductive of much good. Accordingly the circulation of Old Ten- 
 or bills was finally stopped on the 31st of March, 1750. The 
 last large emission of Old Tenor bills was made by Gov. Shirley, 
 in order to defray the cx{)enscs of the expedition against the isl- 
 and of Cape Brt;ton in 1745. This he did contrary to the cxpiess 
 orders of the king to put a stop to them; but as the j)lan was suc- 
 cessful no notice was taken of this breach of orders. 
 
 *lc will be recollected that the Committee were directed to 
 make the new iownshij> six miles square. An inspection of the 
 map of Lunen!)in-g sliows that this order was not executed. A 
 corner of Leominster ))rojects consirlerably into the southwest 
 part of" the town. When the second grant was marie to Lancas- 
 ter, in 1713, (which grant was incorporated into Leominster in 
 1740) the Indians and whites, who 'ran' the line, first watered 
 their liorses at Massapog pond, and then proceeded in a straight 
 line to file southern point of Oonkeshewalon) pond. This was 
 the boundary line between the domains of the whites and na- 
 tives. 
 
30 HISTORY OF FITCIIBURri, 
 
 the grantees drew their lots and paid for them in full. At this 
 li.ne five more grantees had been admitted, notwithstanding 
 that the south township was "almost full." The number of 
 grantees was subsequently increased to ninety. 
 
 It will be recollected that, according to the act of the General 
 Court, each grantee was to receive 250 acres. 22,500 acres 
 would thus be disposed of. Then a lot was reserved for the 
 first settled minister, for the school, for Harvard College, and 
 there was a ministerial lot. At the first division, forty-five 
 acres, "and that to be the standard of the best land," were allot- 
 ted to each man — and if any lot happened to be of an inferior 
 quality, five or more acres were added to it, "to make each lot 
 equal." 
 
 This, it will be perceived, was taking but a small portion of 
 the whole township. Accordingly, in January, 1724, a second 
 division of about 60 acres additional was made. The mead- 
 ows were also divided into lots and annexed to the several 'up- 
 land' lots ; — and thus they proceeded, making division after di- 
 vision, till nearly all the township of Turkey Hills was taken 
 up by the original proprietors, or their assigns. 
 
 There is one circumstance, connected with the grant of the 
 General Court, worthy of notice. The limits of the new town- 
 ship, according to th;;t act, were not to exceed six miles square. 
 Yet Turkey Hills embraced the present towns of Lunenburg, 
 Fitchburg, and not a small portion of Ashby. It would puzzle 
 a surveyor of the present day not a little, to discover how the 
 worthy and conscientious progenitors of Turkey Hills contriv- 
 ed to get all this territory in a space of six miles square ; for 
 Fitchburg alone is more than six and a half miles long, and 
 nearly four and a half broad — Lunenburg is of about the same 
 size — and add the part afterwards set off to Ashby in 1767, and 
 we have a territory equal to twelve miles in length and six in 
 breadth, containing at the least calculation 45,000 acres. 
 
 No one, however, seems to have found fault with the survey, 
 and certainly people, at this late period, ought to remain satis- 
 fied with it. 
 
 In 1724 the grantees began to move into the town and occu- 
 py their respective lots. The first house built by Old Govern- 
 or Page has already been mentioned. The second dwelling 
 house,* as I have been told, was built by Edward Hartwell, 
 
 * I have not satisfactorily ascertained whether this house, or 
 the one near the centre of the town (marked 115 on the map of 
 L.) owned by B. G. Whitinji^ and occupied by the Widow Good- 
 ridge and Daniel H. Humphreys, was erected first. The latter 
 
 •% 
 
 / 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIBURO. 31 
 
 Esqr.* on or near the place now occupied hy Stephen Gibson. 
 It is about three and a half miles in a southerly direction from 
 the centre of Lunenburg, on the Lancaster road. This indi- 
 vidual, who exercised a great influence over the rising fortunes 
 of the new township, came from Lancaster as early as 1724 — 
 perhaps earlier. The third was built by Dea. Philip Good- 
 ridge, on the place now occupied by his grandson, Phinehas 
 Goodridge, on the road leading to Lancaster, about three miles 
 in a southerly direction from the middle of Lunenburg. This 
 house was built in the Autumn of 1724, or early in 172-5. — 
 This Dea. Goodridge died in January, 1729, and, as I have 
 been informed, was the first person interred in the principal 
 grave yard of Lunenburg.t I find the deaths of several indi- 
 viduals recorded previous to this time, but where they were 
 buried I do not know. 
 
 At a meeting of the Gen. Court's committee, March 16th, 
 1726, it appears from infonnaiion tlien laid before them, that 
 there were twenty-six houses raised, "and ten of them settled 
 
 was undoubtedly built as early as 1724, by Thomas Prentice 
 Esqr. aiul was afterwards and for a long period occupied by 
 Capt. Joshua Hutchens, as a public house. 
 
 * He was not only one of tlie earliest settlers, but for a long 
 period he was deservedly one of the most influential persons of 
 the place. He possessed a strong mind and an education superi- 
 or to that of most of his fellow citizens. He was continually 
 called upon to fill the most important oflices in the town. He 
 was one of those individuals, whose sound judgement and ener- 
 gy so well qualify them to take the lead in the affairs of a new 
 settlement, when the influence of such persons is so essential to 
 its prosperity. Whenever any iinj)ortant or extraordinary busi- 
 ness was to be accom{)lishcd, Edward Hartwell was called upon 
 to take the charge of it. He passed through several grades of 
 office in the militia, and finally attained the dignity of major — 
 an office at that time of more importance than that of a major 
 general at the present day. In this capacity he took the lead in 
 scouring the woods, when the people were alarmed by the move- 
 ments of the Indians. He vvas a justice of tiie peace; and, in 
 1750, he was ap|)ointed a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 
 which office he held till 1762. He was the representative of the 
 town for a great number of years, even till he was upwards of 
 eighty years of age. He was also a deacon of the church, "and, 
 finally, he died" as Whitney's History says, "in the ninety-sev- 
 enth year of his age, as full of piety as of days." 
 
 tThe inscription upon his grave stone read thus: — 
 "Here lyes ye Body of Mr. Philip Goodridge (2d son of Mr. 
 Joseph and Martha Goodridge) Who vvas born at Newbury and 
 died at Lunenburg, Jan. 16, 1728-9 in the 60 year of his age. 
 
 The first Man interred in this Place." 
 
32 HISTORY OF FITCIIBURG. 
 
 and inlialiited." Of these, though the larger portion wasprob- 
 ably near the centre of Lunenburg, some may h&ve been in 
 tlial part which is now Filchburg. But this is a very doubt- 
 ful mailer. 
 
 Among the names which ajipear on ihe records at an early 
 date, are those of Beiioni Boynton,* John Grout,t Moses 
 Gould, Siunl. Johnson,1: Josiuli Willard,s^ Nathan Heywood.l! 
 Jonas Gillson, Daniel AustcnII, Joshua Hutchens, Thomas 
 Preniice,** (5cc. &c. 
 
 Several years after the grant of the General Court, much 
 complaint began to arise concerning the speculations, which 
 now began to be manifest among the original proprietors — for 
 then, as in modern days, there appeared a strong desire of 
 turning every thing into a money-making matter. Several 
 of the purchasers, totally disregarding the conditions of the 
 g-rant, and the injunctions of the Committee, neglected to per- 
 form any labor on their lots, and kept them from others likely 
 to settle them. Inasmuch as they "traded them from one man 
 to another, for excessive gain and prices, which practice was 
 directly contrary to the written conditions and provisos upon 
 which each person had his lot of the Committee," these latter 
 
 *He probably lived near where O. &. J. Peabody now reside, 
 about one and a half miles in a direction N. N. W. from the 
 meeting house. 
 
 fHe had no fixed habitation, and probably never owned any 
 real estate in Lunenburg. He was a speculating, moveable be- 
 ing, and, if any thing, was a ])ettifogger l)y trade. 
 
 |This Johnson is said to have lived where Luther Farwell now 
 lives — about half a mile northeasterly from the Methodist meet- 
 ing house. 
 
 §Capt. (afterwards Col.) Josiah Willard lived on the "Bil- 
 lings |)lace," on the Lancaster road, a little more than two miles 
 in a southerly direction from Lunenburg meeting house. He 
 was a worthy man and had a great share of influence in the af- 
 tairs of the infant settlement. 
 
 IINathan Hey wood 'settled' in the southern extremity of the 
 town, on the Lancaster road, where Oliver Whitney now dwells. 
 He was a man of considerable note, having been appointed Dep- 
 uty Sheriff, and afterwards Crier of the courts. He also i\ept in 
 his house what, in those days, was dignified with the name of 
 store, but on a very limited scale. 
 
 ITDaniel Austin's habitation was where Calvin Eaton lately 
 lived. 
 
 **The house built by Thomas Prentice Esqr. and afterwards 
 occupied by Capt. Joshua Hutchens, has already been mention- 
 ed in a preceding note. 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIBURG. 33 
 
 ftroceedeii to declare several lots forfeited, and sold them to oth- 
 er persons, from whom more obedience might be expected. — 
 After this summary proceeding, no more complaint was made 
 concerning land speculations. 
 
 In Nov. 1727, the Gen. Court's Committee voted that the 
 proprietors should forthwith proceed to the erection of a raeet^ 
 ing house, to be not less than 45 feet in length and 35 in breadth. 
 From the diminutive size of this house it may be inferred that 
 Turkey Hills, at this period, did not contain many families; 
 yet they I'ad already conceived thoughts of rejecting the fur- 
 ther tutfllage of the Committee appointed by the Great and 
 General Court, and of setting up for themselves. They began 
 to bestir themselves in the matter of procuring an act of incor- 
 poration, and the meeting house, proposed by the Committee, 
 was not built. Yet they were not entirely without religious 
 instruction, though they had no meeting house. May 15lh. 
 J72S, Rev. Andrew Gardner was settled as minister of Turkey ^ 
 Hills. The meetings, of course, were held in private dwel- 
 lings. 
 
 Mr. Gardner was graduated at Harvard University in the 
 year 1712. In the Autumn of 1719 he was ordained the first 
 minister of Worcester. Here he remained till his dismission 
 in Oct. 1722. Where he was during the interval between this 
 time and his instalment at Turkey Hills I do not know. He 
 built and occupied the house now standing on the west side of 
 Clark's Hill, and now the residence of the heirs of David 
 Wood 2d> It has quite an air of antique decay about it — a 
 small portion of the old diamond form glass still remaining in 
 some of the windows. 
 
 It was voted to raise the sum of SO/. (35,55) on landed es- 
 tate, for the annual salary of the minister for the next six years* 
 This is apparently a very inadequate sum ; but it will be rec- 
 ollected that money then, in consequence of its scarcity, was 
 much more valuable than now — transactions between individu- 
 als being carried on principally by barter, — and that it was inten- 
 ded that the minister should derive his principal support from 
 the lands appropriated by the General Court. Dissatisfaction 
 soon arose between Mr. Gardner and his people. He accord- 
 ingly asked for a dismission, which the town voted in Feb. 
 1732 ; and the church received his acquittance and gave him a 
 discharge from his pastoral relations in the Nov. following.* — 
 He thus continued in the pastoral ofBce about four and a half 
 
 •The following is a copy of ii request or proposition subm.'t- 
 
 E 
 
34 
 
 HI.^TORV OF flTCHBUSG. 
 
 year?, and gave his jeceipl for his settlement and salary dnr- 
 iiio- this period, to the town, for the sum of 394/. 12s (S175,32.) 
 Tie remained in the town several years after this, and was em- 
 ployed as the first school-master — the school beintf kept in his 
 own house. He was also allowed the privilege of building, at 
 his own charge, "a sufficient pew at the right hand of going in 
 at the great doors of the meeting house" — which was. a very 
 honorable station. He finally removed to New Hampshire^ 
 nigh to Connecticut river, where he died at a very advanced 
 age. 
 
 The reasons of his dismission, so far as I have been able to 
 learn them, appear to be these: — He was not a man of that 
 grave and sober demeanor, which the people of his time thought 
 essential to the sacredness of his office. He was apt to in- 
 dulge in a levity of manner on the Sabbath, vvhich was not in 
 keeping with the solemnity of the day. He had also quite a 
 ])redilection for hunting, and, it is said, wild turkeys and other 
 game, even on the Sabbath, sometimes bore testimony of his 
 skill as a marksman. For the truth of these reports I cannci 
 vouch. 
 
 On the first day of August, 1723, the proprietors of Turkey 
 Hills, with their lands, were incorporated by the name of Lu- 
 nenburg, in the county of Middlesex. It was so named in 
 compliment to George H who, in the proceeding year, succeed- 
 ed to the British throne. One of his titles was Duke of Lu- 
 nenburg, he having a town or province of that name, in his 
 German dominions. 
 
 ted by Mr. Ganhinr to his chm-.-h, Se|)t. 1730. 
 
 To the Brethren of the CImrcli of Christ in Luiieril)urg: — 
 
 Beh)ved Brethren — I cannot but think, from what 1 have 
 heard, and also from what I liave oliserved, of the trnnsactions 
 and behaviour of this jieople relating to me and in\' afthirs, that 
 there is not tiiat affection borne towards me that there should be 
 from a people to th ir Gospel minister, or that tlieie is where a 
 people are likely duly to profit under their minister, — the consid- 
 eration whereof has Ix en very grievous and disconraCTing to me, 
 and therefore think it best to separate; — and if effectual care he 
 taken that my dues be honestly ])aid ir.e, the first minister's lot 
 with its ain)urtenances be i)ut upon record and accepted, and a 
 siifhcient Pew at the ri;j:ht hand of going in at the wreat doors of 
 the meetinsr-house, I shall be free to be dismissed fiom my pas- 
 toral relation, olhce, and obligation to you, as soon as it can reg- 
 ularly be performed. 
 
 From your loving Pastor, who wisheth you the Divine di- 
 rection and blessing, and desires your p/ayers for the sante to 
 him. Andrew Gardner, Pastor. 
 
 Lunenburg, Sept. 18, 1730. 
 
«rsTorxV or FiTCHBuPG. -35 
 
 The ^tA 'town' meeting- was held at the house of 'Ensi<>-n 
 Jonathan W'ilhird,'* on the 1911). of the same month, by au- 
 thority of an order in Council, directed to "Capt. Josiah Wil- 
 lard, a prin^:ij)le inlsabitant," &c. The first 'Selectmen' were 
 James Colliurn, Josi.ih Willard, Hilkiah Boynlon, Ephraiin 
 Pearce, and S.imuei (Gov.) Page. 
 
 ■In So|>t. it was voted to raise the sum of £200 (SSS,SS) for 
 building and linisliini^r a meeting-house, "so far as it will door 
 answer therefor." This, the lirst meeting-house, a building of 
 small dimensions and a mere shell, was located a few rods to 
 the north ctf the dwelling house of Edmund Cashing, and 
 nearly opjiosiie to th.e present Town Meeting House. A pul- 
 pit and "a body of seets" were built in 1731. The persons, 
 'preferred' to have pews, had to build them at their own cost. 
 A committee was chosen "to state places for building the pews, 
 and order who shall have them," — and it was further ordered 
 "that the rule the committee shall go by shall be according to 
 the inhabitants' improvemeiils and slations, and having some 
 regard to pay.'" In April, 1733, it was voted to finish the gal- 
 leries in the laeetina- house, and to build "stears up into 
 lhem."t 
 
 The worthy people of Lunenburg toak good and seasonable 
 care that all vagrants and rogues should meet with their de- 
 serts ; and accordingly in 1732, th-f-y voted "the sum of 8 shil- 
 lings for building a pair oi stocks."' 
 
 In 1729 they chose Capt. Josiah Willard their agent "to join 
 with others to consider what may be best in order to divide 
 the oounly of Middlesex." This object was effected Apr. 2d. 
 1731, wlien VV^orcester County was incorporated. At this time 
 grand and "Petty" jurymen were chosen by the people in town 
 ineeling assembled. 
 
 In a little more than two years after this, attempts were 
 made to form a new county out of the counties of Worcester 
 and Middlesex, of which Groton was to be the shire town. — 
 These attempts in a .short time were abandoned. 
 
 *The bouse \\ hich first had the honor of containing the people of 
 LunenburiT assembled in their corporate capacity, is now owned 
 l)y Jacob Hadley, and situated on tlie Lancaster road, about one 
 and a half miles distant from tiie meeting house. 
 
 fin 1736, the town "granted all the room behind the front gal- 
 lery in the meeting house to Jona. Wood, Sanmel Reed, Phine- 
 fias Osgood, Ezekiel Wyman, David Page, Stephen Boynlon, 
 John Fitch & Jona. Abbott, for to build a long pew or seet for 
 themselves and wives forever to set in." 
 
36 TIISTOIIY 01' FITCnEUIiG. 
 
 The subject of schools appears to have first engaged tlie at" 
 tenlion of the town in 1732, when Eev. Mr. Gardner was em- 
 ployed to teach a school for three months, in his own houses 
 Next year it was kept at the houf«=! of several, individuals in 
 rotation, and in Dec, 1734, 40/ (S17,77) were voted for a 
 "Lawfull School," 'for the year past and present.' In 1735 
 the selectmen were directed to provide for a school "according 
 to the best manner for the town's saftlij and interest," and the 
 year following they were directed "to hire School Dames as 
 they shall see fit, and otherwise as tlie Law requires." In 
 1737, 50/. and in 1738, 60/. (S26,66) were appropriated tow- 
 ards the support of schools. During six months of the latter 
 year, "School Dames" were employed. 
 
 In 1740 the town resolved to build two "school housen," 
 one at the north and one at the south end. But this vote was 
 soon reconsidered, and they resolved to build one school house 
 near the meeting house — and all persons residing more than 
 two miles distant from it, had liberty to support schools among 
 themselves, the money which they paid to the town for this 
 purpose being refunded to them. Whether this school house 
 was ever built I do not know, as for the several subsequent 
 years the school committee were directed to provide places to 
 keep the school in, and to move it as they thought best. 
 
 Some years after this the town resolved to build four school 
 houses in the four quarters of the town, but they could not de- 
 termine upon the place for their location. The schools con- 
 tinued to be kept in different quarters of the town till Fitch- 
 burg was set off. The money for iheir support was gradually 
 increased from 25/. to 50/. in bills of credit. The exact sun? 
 cannot easily be estimated in consequence of the depreciation 
 in the value of the bills. 
 
 Immediately after the dismission of Mr. Gardner, in the Au- 
 tumn of 1732, Rev. David Stearns* of Watertown, was hired 
 to preach. He was invited to become the Pastor of Lunen- 
 burg in the February fallowing, a;id he was ordained in April. "f 
 
 *Mr. Stearns was graduated at Harvard College in 1728. He 
 was one of fourteen children (liy the same mother) who follow- 
 ed their father to the grave. Mr. Stearns himself became the fath- 
 er of thirteen children. One of his daughters sidjsequently was 
 married to Rev. Zabdiel Adams, of Lunenburg, and was the 
 mother of eleven children. 
 
 fOn tills occasion the sum of 23Z. IS.s. &d. "was paid to Col. 
 Josiah Willard for entertaining the Ordination Connceil." It 
 was raised, "one half on the Pools and one half on the Estates'^ 
 — as the Records state. 
 
HISTORY OF FlTcf!r>TfTia. 37 
 
 He received a settleinent of 300/., 200/. of which were paid 
 the same year and 100/. the following- year. His f^alary was 
 to be 120/. in 'bills of credit,' per amuiin, to be incrased 5/ per 
 annum, till it should amount to 140/ "to be quiiliiled by the 
 present value." 
 
 Generally speaking, during the ministry of J\Tr. Stearns, 
 the towm enjoyed a profound peace in their ecclesiastical af- 
 fairs. They went through the process of building a new meet- 
 ing house, and of course were not exempt from the troubles 
 and divisions usually consequent on these occasions. 
 
 Mr. Stearns occupied the dwelling house which stands im- 
 mediately north of the present Methodist meeting house, where 
 John Thompson now dwells. In 1736 & 7, and several sub- 
 sequent years, additional sums of 2-51. and 30/. were ap- 
 propriated to 'make good' his salary, in consequence of the de- 
 preciation of money. 
 
 The currency, at this period, w^as in a wretched condition. 
 Bills of credit had been issued so early as 1690, to meet the 
 expenses of the expedition against Canada. The expense of 
 of the wars for several years caused an extensive issue of 
 these bills, beyond the means of the province to redeem them, 
 and they consequently began to sink in value. There was 
 not specie enough even in the country to redeem them, the 
 bills themselves causing the precious metals to disappear. In 
 1714, a public bank was established, loaning bills on land se- 
 curity. These continued to sink in value, causing so much 
 loss to the community. The bills were loaned on mortgage, 
 with interest and one fifth part of the principal payable annu- 
 ally. When the time of payment arrived, the paper money 
 having sunk below its nominal value, the creditors were obli- 
 ged to pay a much larger amount of it, or sacrifice their es- 
 tates in payment of the mortgages. It was attempted to re- 
 lieve this state of things by extending the limits of payment, 
 but this course served only to prolong this state of things. — 
 The most intelligent men of the time were ignorant of what 
 are now deemed the first principles of banking. 
 
 The land bank of 1741, like that of 1714, loaned bills, taking 
 real estate for security, but possessed no meatis of redeeming 
 them. In 1749, specie was introduced from England, in pay- 
 ment of the provincial expenses in the expedition to Cape Bre- 
 ton. This, in a great degree, checked the evil. 
 
 In 1749, after having used their first meeting house for 20 
 years, the town passed a vote for building a new house for pub- 
 lic worship, and appropriated the sum of 300/. 'new tenor,' 
 (SIOOO) for the purpose. The building committee were in- 
 
38 MISTORY OF F11'C1IBUR<J. 
 
 slriicled lo lei out the job to some one man, who would do the 
 work "cheapest and best." This house, which was demolish- 
 ed but a few years since, was located on the slope of the hill, 
 a few rods to the south east of the present meeting house, on 
 the spot now occupied by the school house last built in the 
 centre district. 
 
 The town voted 3/. 5s. £d. "to pay for the Rum and other 
 articles used at the rai>ing of the meeting house," and "ISs. 
 8d. to Josiah Dodge for the use of his Rope" on the same oc- 
 casion. The conduct of the building committee, though they 
 probably exerted themselves to have the work done 'cheapest 
 and best,' did not give satisfaction. When they had expend- 
 ed the sum of 522/. it was not allowed to them by the town ; 
 and a motion was made in town meeting to "proceed against 
 them in the steps of the law," but this did not prevail. The 
 difficulty was afterwards adjusted, and the committee was 
 
 Mr. Stearns continued to preach till his death, which occur- 
 red in March, 1761. His funeral expenses were defrayed by 
 the town. They also voted to his brothers "weeds and gloves, 
 to his sisters, veils, handkerchiefs, gloves and fans, and to his 
 sons-in-law weeds and gloves." 'i'he whole of Mr. Stearns' 
 salary for 1761, was paid to his widow. 
 
 The condition of the high ways, in the early history of the 
 town, can hardly be imagined at the present time. For the 
 most part they were merely "bridle paths," winding through 
 the woods, over one hill after another, and making the travel- 
 led distance between two places nearly double what it is now. 
 Wheel carriages had not then been introduced. Travelling 
 was performed on horseback. In order that people might not 
 lose their direction, trees were marked on one side of the way. 
 A few roads, which would soon prove the destruction of one 
 of our modern carriages, were laid out at an early season, near 
 to the centre of the town. But in that part of the town which 
 is now Fitchburg, there was nothing of the kind, till in 1743 
 a committee was chosen "to lay out and mark a way to the 
 west line of our town, in order to answer the request of the 
 Honorable Thomas Berry, Esqr. in behalf of Ipswich Canada, 
 (Winchendon) and to accommodate Dorchester Canada (Ash- 
 burnham) and the new towns above us." The two most im- 
 portant roads, which led from this part of the town to the cen- 
 tre, were the one by David Page,s (J. L. Haynes') and corres- 
 ponding nearly with what is now denominated the old road, 
 and the one by David Goodridge's, who lived on the place now 
 occupied by Wm. Be mis, near the brick factory at South 
 Filchburcr. 
 
KlStORV OF FITCHBURG. 39 
 
 In 1745 the town voted "that the men that live in the bounds 
 of Maj. Hartwell's company build the bridqe over the^North 
 Branch in the way that fjoes to David Goodridge's, and the 
 bridg-e over the sd North Branch in the way that cfoes to Da- 
 vid Page's." At the same lime the men rej^idina: in the 
 bounds of Capt. Wilhird's company, were directed to buihl the 
 bridge over "Mullepus Brook," in the northerly part of Lunen- 
 burg, The first of these bridges was where the arched bridge 
 is in South Fitchburg, and the second near to where the stone 
 mill is, in the "Old City." In 1748, the road was laid out 
 from the -'south side of Appletree Hill," over the bridge in the 
 Old City, thence over the hill, and so on to Narrhagansett^ 
 No. 2, (Westminster.) 
 
 The bridge near David Goodridge's was rebuilt in 1749, 
 and at the same time a new one was built between James 
 Poole's (where Joseph Farnsworth nnw liv(-s)and Narrhaiian- 
 sett. This bridge was probibly near Oshiu-n's mills. In 1750 
 the selectmen were empowered to cul aivay the trees in the 
 road to Dorchester Canada. At this time the armual expense 
 of maintaining the high way? was about equal to the salary of 
 the minister, viz: — 60/. '-lawful money." It was afterwards in- 
 creased by the necessary e.xpenses of the roads in the westerly 
 part of the town. 
 
 What little communication there was between Lunenburg" 
 and "the new towns above," was principally made through the 
 road by David Page's, already mentioned. This road proba- 
 bly passed the village of Fitchburg, nearly in the same place 
 with the present travelled way. It then wound up the hill by 
 Enoch Caldwell's — over Flat rock — through the land lately | 
 owned by Sylvanus Lapham — and thence to what was then / 
 Lunenburg west line and into Dorchester Canada. Johrt f 
 Scott, who lived where Benjamin Scott now resides, had been f 
 for a long time desirous of a more direct route to the centre of > 
 Lunenburn^; but the town would not accede to his wishes. — ^ 
 He accordingly procured a Court's committee, who laid the 
 present Scott road, "to the great satisfaction of Mr. John 
 Scott," as the Records say. This road passed from the mid- 
 dle of Lunenburg by the log housa where John Battles Jr. now 
 lives, then by Ebenezer Bridge's, where Dea. Jaquith now 
 resides, and then by Scott's ovvn house, and so on to the road 
 before mentioned. This Scott road was for some years quite 
 a celebrated thoroughfare, and used to be called the Crown 
 Point road. 
 
 Who were the earliest settlers in the territory which now 
 constitutes the town of Fitchburg, it is impossible to determine 
 
40 HIsTuHY OF FITCHBURG. 
 
 with arc urn rv. Enougli has been said respecting Da vitl Page* 
 John Scoli. above irirnitioned, appears to have been residing 
 on his farn) iu 17M — ^ho^v niuch earlier I cannot tell. In this 
 year was r "or 1^1 the birth of his eldest son Edward. Jona- 
 than Wood, who was a man of considerable note, was living 
 on the pliii-p where Widow Grace Wood lately lived (the last 
 house in Fiiohburg previous to passing Baker's bridge,) in 
 1735, when the birth of his first child was recorded. It is 
 probable tint 'lehid been living there for some time. Sam- 
 uel Poole lived on Charles Beckwiih's place before 1740, and 
 his brother James Poole was living at the same time where 
 Joseph Farnsworth now lives. David Goodridge, at quite an 
 early period, commenced on his farm at South Fitchburg. — 
 His hous.; was pirtly on, or very near to, the spot now occu- 
 pied by the dwelling house of William Bemis. David Carlilei 
 lived where there is (or lately was) a cellar hole near to the 
 bridge over Baker's brook, on the road leading to Isaiah Put- 
 nam's. Before 174-5 Isaac Gibson was living where widow 
 Prudence Gibson now resides, and his brother Reuben where 
 Arrington Gibson lives. Timothy Bancroft lived on the farm 
 now owned by Joseph Marshall. Ephraim Whitney lived 
 Were Stephen Lowe now lives — Thomas Dutton on Capt« 
 Benjamin Wheeler's place — Wm. Henderson on Abel F.Ad- 
 am's farm — John White on the French place, now occupied 
 by William Wyman. 
 
 In the year 1745 or 6, Amos Kimball and his cousin E- 
 phraim moved from Bradford into this town. Amos built the 
 house where Samuel Hale now lives, and Ephraim the house 
 on the Story farm. They probably owned land down to the 
 river, and so up the same, including Rollstone. They built a 
 gristmill with one run of stones, soon after they came here, on 
 the place where the stone factory now stands. The dam 
 which they built is said to have been not more than forty feet 
 in length, in consequence of a natural bank, on the south side 
 of the river, confining the water to a narrow channel at this 
 place. This dam was made of a log laid across the river, having 
 'spoilings' driven in above it. Almost every year a freshet 
 would sweep round the south end of the dam and oblige them 
 to extend it several feet further. 
 
 The Kimballs living at rather too great a distance to take 
 immediate charge of their mill, they employed one Hodgkins 
 for tender. He built for himself a little hut or stall on the 
 ground between I. Phillips' store and the house below. This 
 habitation of Hodgkins was the first building, with the excep* 
 tion of the mill, erected in what is now the Old City. 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIBORG. . < - 41 
 
 At this time Samuel Poole had a garrison — Capt. Samuel 
 liunt, who lived where David Page previously lived, had one 
 — there was one at Isaac Gibson's, and one at Joseph Spaf- 
 ford's. 
 
 Between the years 1740 and 1750 the Indians did not cease 
 to keep the inhabitants of the frontier towns, — and this town 
 may fairly have been considered as such — in a state of con- 
 stant alarm. England at this lime was waging a war with 
 France ; and their colonists suffered dreadfully from the incur- 
 sions and attacks of the savages, who were instigated by the 
 French in Canada. The French government paid a large 
 bounty for English scalps, and a still larger one for English 
 prisoners. Prisoners were also ransomed for large sums of 
 money, which was a further inducement to the Indians to save 
 their prisoners alive. Tliough the war with France was clo- 
 sed by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, in 174S, the dread of In- 
 dian depredations did not cease till several years after. In- 
 dian scouts were frequently reported to have been seen — a- 
 larms, many of which undoubtedly arose from false apprehen- 
 sions, were excited — and fears were daily aroused from a con- 
 sciousness of insecurity. 
 
 In the summer of 1747, a body of Indians made their ap- 
 pearance within the borders of this town, and committed sev- 
 eral acts of depredation. As this was the only occasion, of 
 which we have authentic accounts that the Indians made their 
 appearance in this town, as enemies, I have thought that it 
 would not prove uninteresting to notice the incursion with 
 some degree of particularity. 
 
 Beside the bounty paid in Canada for English prisoners, 
 and the exposed condition of this settlement, another reason 
 for the attack upon this place, as I have been informed, was 
 the following: — — 
 
 There was living, at this time, in the neighborhood of Mr, 
 John Fitch, who then resided upon a spot very near to the 
 place where the brick house of Oliver Kendall stands in Ash- 
 by, a certain half tamed Indian, called Surdody. This part of 
 Ashby was then included in Lunenburg. Mr. Fitch acciden- 
 tally felled a tree, one day, onto the wigwam of Surdody, while 
 the latter was absent on some hunting expedition. Surdody, 
 on his return home at evening, found his dwelling crushed to 
 the earth, and his wrath was kindled. Fitch did not seek 
 him with an apology, or with any offer of reparation ; neither 
 did Surdody request any recompense of, or shower any re- 
 proaches upon, his white neighbor. He sought a recompense 
 more congenial with the Indian disposition. He immediately 
 
42 llliiTORY OF V) TO a BURG. 
 
 took up his line of march for the north, iiwd ^oom hid hisy^ 
 grievances before his copper coh)ured brellircn in Canada. — 
 He described to them the defenceless state of the whites in 
 this region, and prevailed upon a band of them to accompany 
 him back npon a laudable expedition of ven^creance and booty. 
 
 Mr. Fitch, feeling insecure, had previously pi-titioned the 
 government for assistance. Two soldiers, named Jmning-s 
 and Blodyet, were accordingly stationed at his house for liis 
 protection. Upon the arrival of tlie Indians, some of them 
 posted themselves in lurking- positions about Fit'-h's dwelling 
 — a body of them passing over the hill where John Turner 
 lives to the hill where Vv''m. Cogswell and Edmund Proctor 
 live, and even to the south part of the town to the hill where 
 Stephen Houghton lives, lurked about in the thick woods 
 there, to take a view of the state of tilings in Lunenburg. As 
 it happened to be Sunday, and as our fathers v.'ere more in 
 the habit of going to meeting than their descendants at the 
 present day, the Indians were not a little surprised and disap- 
 pointed at seeing such a concourse of Vv'hite faces, and men 
 armed for attack — for at that time people went armed to church. 
 
 They accordingly skulked back to their comrades, telling 
 them that the pale faces were as thick as the leaves in 
 tlie forest, and that it was utterly hopeless to attack them 
 there. But they determined not to go back empty-handed. — 
 So they killed an ox, which was quietly browsing in the 
 woods ; made an encampment, roasted their beef, and made 
 merry with one another. This camp was afterwards discov- 
 ered in a field then belonging to John Scott, and is not a great 
 distance from Mclntire's saw-mill on the Scott road. It was 
 (if it is not now) called the camp pasture, from this circum' 
 stance. 
 
 Before making an attack upon John Fitch, they divided in- 
 to partjps and reconnoitered the neighborhood. On the brow 
 of Pearl Hill they anxiously looked down npon the Gibsons, 
 and longed to lay their hands on them. But these giants, 
 whose size and strength would have done honor to the days 
 of chivalry, were hardy looking men, and to use the words of 
 one of their descendants, "the Indians didn't dare to tackle 
 them." In a kind of cave on the hill were afterwards found a 
 gun barrel, an axe, and several implements of Indian manu- 
 facture — supposed to have been left here on this occason. 
 
 They proceeded to David Goodridgc's, one evening, and 
 one of them, as he afterwards informed Mr. Fitch when in 
 captivity, climbed into a tree near to the house, for the purpose 
 of rcconnoitcring the promises through the window. 
 
tnSTOPY OF FITCIIBUKG. 4'1 
 
 He saw n white squav) feeding licr papoose with milk.— 
 They retired iVoni thisJiousc without doing any damage. 
 
 On tile i'ullovving day Mr. Goodvidge was out on horse- 
 back, in searcli of a cow, which did not return home the pre- 
 vious ni^ht. lie was on the hill, near the place where S. 
 Ward Harris now lives, when the Indians suddenly started 
 lip in the path, a few paces in front of him, and commanded 
 him to surrender. He immediately turned his horse in order 
 to retreat, when lo ! another Indian, completely armed, faced 
 him there to cut him otF in that direction. He then made a 
 circuit, aiming lo come down the hill towards Kimball's mills. 
 The savage run in a direct line to cut him olT in this direc- 
 tion also. It was a fair race, but the horseman gained upon 
 the footman — and as Good ridge passed in front, the Indian, 
 perceiving that it was in vain to think of taking him alive, 
 fired — but fortunately, owing to the rapidity of Goodridge's 
 motion or some other cause, missed his mark. The leaps of 
 the horse down the steep part of the -hill were afterwards 
 measured, and found to be eighteen feet in length. 
 
 In his flight Goodridge lost his hat, and the Indians secu- 
 red it as a trophy. It is not a little remarkable that, about ten 
 years after this, in the succeeding war, an Indian was taken 
 somewhere on Connecticut river, having on his head the iden- 
 tical hat of Deacon .David Goodridge, not much the worse for 
 wear. On his getting clear of the Indians, Goodridge betook 
 himself to Page's garrison, and an alarm was forthwith fired. 
 In a short time men poured in from Lunenburg, and even from 
 Groton. It is worthy of notice that in two hours after the a- 
 larm was given, a Major Willard, with a company of cavalrj'', 
 arrived at the garrison from Lancaster. 
 
 The Indians, upon the alarm being given, retired to the lop 
 of Rollslone, from whence they could command a view of the 
 movements beneath them, and seeing a great commotion and 
 people flocking in from abroad, they thought it advisable to 
 withdraw into some secret place. 
 
 It was on the following morning, according to the accounts 
 of aged people, that the garrison of John Fitch was attacked. 
 He lived at this time several miles distant from his nearest 
 neighl)ors, and was the farthest west of them all. His family 
 consisted of himself, wife, four children, (one son and three 
 daughters,) and the two soldiers already mentioned. One of 
 these, on going out of the fort to examine about the premises, 
 (thinking from certain indications that Indians were lurking 
 in the vicinity) was immediately shot down. The Indians 
 ihcn commenced the attack upon the garrison, which Fitch 
 
44 HISTORY OF FITCHBUKG- 
 
 and the remaining soldier defended for a short time. The lat- 
 ter was soon shot through the port hole, and Fitch was indu» 
 ced to surrender. Surdody was desirous of having him killed 
 on the spot, but he was overruled in tliis by the nthers, who 
 were disposed to carr\^ him and liis family into captivity, and 
 so receive tlie highest bounty from the French, and a large 
 sum for their ransom. Fitch, accompanied by his wife and 
 four children, and under the escort of his captors, was carried 
 to Montreal. His habitation was at such a distance from the 
 principal settlement, that the report of his capture was not 
 'spread till the following morning. It reached the middle of 
 Lunenburg, however, long before the rising of the sun, and the 
 alarm (three muskets> heavily loaded, discharged with a cer- 
 tain interval between each report) was immediately fired. — 
 Soldiers arrived in an incredibly short period from Groton, 
 Lancaster, and even from Westford. They immediately put 
 themselves under the command of Major Hartwell, and started 
 in pursuit. They had not proceeded far beyond the smoking 
 ruins of the garrison before they discovered a paper stuck in 
 the bark of a tree. This contained a request, signed by Fitch, 
 not to have his friends pursue him; for the Indians had given him 
 to understand what his destiny was to be, if they were not mo- 
 lested ; but if they should be pursued and likely to be overta- 
 ken, then they should forthwith kill him, togetherwith his wife 
 and children. The soldiers, on the receipt of this, returned. 
 Fitch and his family were carried to Montreal, where they re- 
 mained for about one year, enduring great hardships. They 
 were then ransomed, principally by means of a subscription 
 raised among the people of Bradford, the place of his former 
 residence. They all lived to return to their home, Aviih the 
 exception of Mrs. Fitch, who died, v/hile on her return, at Prov- 
 idence, R. L* 
 
 *I would here correct an error in Whitney's account of this af- 
 fair, which is as follows: — "In the summer of the year 1749. the 
 Indians came into the northwest liiaits of the town, and killed 
 two soldiers, Jennincs anil Blodsct, who were stationed there, 
 and carried Mr. John Fitch and hi.s family into captivity, who 
 all returned in safety, after enduring incredible hardships and 
 fatitiues, except Mrs. Fitch who sici^ened and died Canada." 
 
 There is an error of two years in this statement. In tlie first 
 place, the war i)Ctwecn France and England was concluded ii> 
 1748, and the French would not \>ay a bounty for Em^lish pris- 
 oners after that periotl. Secondly, an aged man of this town,, 
 recently deceased, reniemhercd how old he was when Fitch wn.s 
 takeuj and was quite positive that the event occurred on the 16ih 
 
HISTORY OF TITCHBURG. 45 
 
 After this pcrioil, Mr. Fitch was prospered in his worldly 
 oonccnis, and l)<.H;inie one of the weiilthiest men of the phice. 
 When llie country above liim became settled, he opened a pub- 
 lic house. iJe presents one of many instances of the uncer- 
 tainly of riches. He lived to the good old age of o?ie hundred 
 and Jive years, and died in the poor house of Ashby! 
 
 A few Indians remained behind, after the capture of Fitch, 
 to observe its effects. They continued several days skulkinjj 
 about, and on ilie watch for more prisoners or scalps. Dca. 
 Amos Ivimball was hoeing corn in his field, and hearing a 
 rustling in ibe brush fence near him, he looked in tl'at direc- 
 tion and saw a gun pointed at him through the fence by an 
 Indian. The latter seemed to be reserving his fire till his vic- 
 tim should draw a little nearer. Kimball knew that if he ran, 
 it would be sure death, as he was then so near; so he pretend- 
 ed not to see any thing, and kept scratching with his hoe and 
 working olF — looking down as ifbusily at work — till he sup- 
 posed that he had attained to a sufficient distance to give him 
 a chance to escape. He then made good use of his heels. — 
 The Indian, as his only chance, fired-and the ball struck a tree a 
 short distance in front of his intended victmi. As Kimball im- 
 mediately gave the alarm, this scout thought it best to be off. 
 A few of them made a circuit through Westminster — killed 
 one man named Bowman, who was at work in a field, and, ac* 
 
 of July, 1747. Thirdly, the Records of Lunenburg state that 
 "Susanna Fiicli ye wife of Mr. John Fitch Dcceast December 
 ye 24th 1748, at "Providence in ye Coliony of Rhod Island." — 
 Now Mrs. Fitch could not die at Providence in 1748, and be 
 taken captive by the Indians in the foliowinfj sunmicr. The au- 
 thority of the Records cannot be disputed. Furtliernioro, the in- 
 tentions of in;!rria,i,'o l)etween Mr. Fitch an<l his se(;ond wife wore 
 recortied in Doc. 1750— (juite too early, if he was tidvcn in 1749, 
 and his first wife lived nearly or quite a year after the event. 
 
 There is a story current, respecting this second wife of John 
 Fitcii, to this cirect: — She undertook, one day, to make some 
 candles, and .accordingly put the ingredients — tallow and wick- 
 ing — together in a kettle over the fire, and conunenced stirring 
 them together. This she continued to do till she was reduced 
 ne;u'ly to the state of the liquid over which she svas engaged. — 
 One of her neighbors enquiring the moaning of such uiuisual 
 coniluct, sh<; repiitd that she was making candles, and vvoiidcre<l 
 very much "why they did not come."' 
 
 Jacob Fitch, who was an infant when he was carried into 
 Canada, was afterwards a clerk in the store of Dr. John Taylor 
 iii Lunenburg. Though in other respects well formed, his low- 
 er liud)s were of a dwarfish size, in consequence of the rigor with 
 which he ^^as bound. 
 
'^S Hlf^TOUV OF FiTCirllUKG. 
 
 cnnling- to the stateinoiit of my iiifornvant (Arriiigtnn (iihrcoii,) 
 "carried iiis sc:ilp into captivity" — ih^-n passed rapidly on tow- 
 ards Canada, and overtook their companions wit!-. Fiich, iK-foro 
 their arrival at Montreal This v/as the lusl of indiuu warlure 
 and depredations within our borders. 
 
 After the events above detailed, and previous to tljo incor- 
 poration of the town of Fitchburg, several families moved into 
 the westerly part of Lunenburg, whose names will bo given 
 \vhen I speak of tliose living in Fitchburg when it was ertrcted 
 into a separate town. Capt. Samuel Hunt came into 'his town 
 (from Worcester, as I have been told) and built a part of th.j 
 house now occupied by James L. Haynes. In the year 1701 
 he connnenccd keeping tavern there. This Vv'as the lirsl pub- 
 lic house ever kept in the precincts of Fitchburg. 
 
 At this period considerable difliculty was experienced in the 
 cyllcction of taxes. The paper money was of uncertain value, 
 and the constables, upon whom this duty devolved, had not 
 fcuiiicient authority to enforce prompt payments. They were 
 required to pay over the sums, which they had been ordered 
 to collect, within a certain period ; and if they failed to collect 
 them, the loss fell upon their own shoulders. It was not un- 
 common for them to pay their fines rather than accept oOlce. 
 In January, 1763, a town meeting was held in "Capt. Joshua 
 Hutchens' Long Chamber," when Abijah Hovey was chosen 
 constable. He being absent, a messenger was despatched for 
 him, who reported "that Mr. Hovey would not serve the town 
 as constable, would be glad if the town would excuse him, if 
 they would not, he would pay the fine." And so he paid his 
 fine. "Then chose Jonathan Pearcc constable. He replied 
 that he did not choose to serve, unless he could be sufficiently 
 authorized to collect the taxes. After a long disputation and 
 debate Mr. Pearce was again desired to declare to the town 
 his acceptance or non-acceptance of the office. He desired 
 more time for consideration ; and finally refused to serve." — 
 Jonathan Bradstrect was then chosen. "Pvlr. Bradstrect being 
 immediately notified of the town's choice, presented himself 
 to the town, and being asked by the modeTalor whether ho 
 would accept the office of a constable, Sir. Eradstreet replied 
 that he scrupled whether the line could be recovered of him ; 
 the moderator insisting upon a jieremptory answer, ho replied 
 he scrupled whether the line could bo recovered of him," — and 
 finally ho refused to serve. I'ichard Taylor was next chosen, 
 "who made his appeiirance and declared he would not serve 
 once and again.'' The town excused him. Paul Wetherbcc 
 was then chog^n) ^^'^io accepted the office. 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBURG. 47 
 
 1 h.ive already mentioned the death of Rev. Mr. Stearns, 
 the second minisier of Lunenburg, which look place in March, 
 17G1, in the -52d year of his age and 28ih of liis ministry. — 
 He was much behived by liis p-.-ople, wlio built a innminient to 
 I'.is memory.* They a\>:o paid the whole amount ol'his salary 
 for the year 1761 to his widow "Madam Ruth Sl-earns." 
 
 Immediately after the decease ofMr. Siearns, Rev. Josiah 
 Bridge (Harvard University, 17oS) was hired to preach ; and 
 in August of the same year, Rev. Samuel Pay^on, a class-mate 
 of Mr. Bridge, was hired. In the following Feb. the town 
 'gave him a call,' oifering him an annual salary of SO/, and 
 200/. "for his encouragement and comfortable settlement." — 
 He was ordained in Sept. 1762. A committee was chosen "to 
 make suitable provision for the venerable Council and other 
 gentlemen of note and distinction who shall attend the ordina- 
 tion." 
 
 Mr. Payson continued but five months in the ministry, hav- 
 ing died in Feb. 1763, aged 24. He was a native of Walpole, 
 Mass.t Rev. Ebenezer Sparhawk of Templeton was invited 
 "to come and pray with the town" and the nighboring minis- 
 
 *The following is a copy of the inscription upon the tomb* 
 stone of Rev. Mr. Stearus: — 
 
 " THIS MONUMENT, 
 
 EUECTED BY THE TOWN OF LUxVENBUKGHj 
 
 IS SACRF.D TO THE MEMORY 
 
 OK THE REVEREND DA VII) STEAK NS 
 
 THEIR MUCH BELOVED AND RESPECTED PASTOR, 
 
 WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 
 
 IN THE JOYFUL E.\ I'ECT ATION OF A i'r.TTER 
 
 ON THE 9tll DAY OF MArxCH A. 1). 1701 
 
 AND !N THE 52(1. YEAR OF HIS AGE. 
 
 IN HIS PRIVATE CAPACl'lY 
 
 HE WAS A KIND HSSEAND, A TENDER PARENT 
 
 AN AFFECTIONATE BROTHER AND A FAITHFUL FRIEND, 
 
 IN HIS MINISTERIAL CHARACTER 
 
 HIS CONVERSATION WAS PUPvE ENTERTAINING 
 
 AND INSTRUCTIVE 
 
 HIS DOCTRINES PLAIN AND SCRIPTURAL 
 
 AND HIS LIFE TRULY EXEMPLARY. 
 
 He was adorned 
 with hospitabty, with singular ])riideuce and a most endearing 
 benevolence; wilh a good knowledge of men and things, with a 
 fervent zeal for llio Glory of Clirist, and the salvation of souls j 
 and was governed by the iuiluciice of these accomplisliincuts. 
 Help, SiOrdj for the Godly man ceascth." 
 +Thc inscription upon the tomb-stone of llev. Mr. Payson is 
 
49 HISTORY OF FITOHBURG. 
 
 ters were invited to attend the funeral. The town also "voted 
 torjivo to Miss Elizabeth Stearns (affianced to Rev. Mr. Pay- 
 son) a neat handsome suit of mourning," "to the father and 
 brothers of the deceased, weeds and gloves — to his mother and 
 1-2 sister veils, handkerchiefs and gloves." 
 
 Rev. Messrs. Champnoy, Fiske and Davis were hired to 
 preach after Mr. Stearti?^ death. Mr. Davis received an invi- 
 tation to 'settle,' which he declined. May 19th. the town 
 coiicurred with the church in appointing "a fast on Thursday 
 come fortnight." In Nov. Rev. Zabdiel Adams was procured 
 to preach. He was settled soon after Fitchburg was incorpor- 
 ated. 
 
 For several years previous to this event (the incorporation 
 of the town) the inhabitants of the westerly part of Lunenburg 
 began to have shrewd suspicions that they were able to walk 
 alone — that they were sufficient in knowledge and numbers to 
 manage their own affairs — and that it was an unnecessary bur- 
 then upon them to be compelled to travel the distance of five 
 or ten miles to attend Divine service and transact the ordinary 
 business of town affairs. 
 
 as follows : — 
 
 "q,uiescunt 
 sub hoc tumulo 
 
 RELIQUIiE 
 
 REV. SAMUELIS PAYSON A, M. 
 
 QUI 
 
 ecclesijE lunenburgensis pastor 
 
 j _ DOCTUS FIDELIS 
 
 ' PRiESTANTI VIR INGENIO 
 
 MORUMQ,UE GESTU AMABILI 
 
 VIUTUTISP0TIUSQUA31 DIERUM PLENUS 
 
 ATROPH^E MORBO 
 
 OCCUBUIT 
 
 ID. FEB. SALUT, BI, DCCLXIII, 
 
 jET. XXIV. 
 
 A FATHER 
 
 ERECTS THIS MONUMENT 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF A BELOVED SON." 
 
 It may be translated thus: 
 Here rest, within this toral>, the remains of Rev. Samuel Pay-^ 
 soil A. M. the learned and exemplary Pastor of the church of 
 Lunonl)urg. He was a man of superior abilities, and of an 
 amiable disjjosition; more distinnuished for virtues than for length 
 of days, lie died of an atrophy in February A. D. 1763, aged 24, 
 
. HISTORY 01^ FITCHBURG. 4d 
 
 It will be seen, upon an inspection of the case,' that there 
 was a pretty good foundation for these opinions. By an ex- 
 amination of the Kecords,|it will be seen that a very fair pro- 
 portion of those who were selected to manage the most impor- 
 tant aflliirs of the town, was taken from among those afterwards 
 belonging to Fitchburg. It ought furthermore to be consider- 
 ed, that a ride often miles then, was qiaitG a different affair from 
 a ride of that distance now. Of the roads at that period men- 
 tion has already been made. They were but little better than 
 cow-paths. When this town was incorporated, there were no 
 wheel carriages here, of a higher rank than ox-carts. Any 
 vehicle of lighter construction would have soon gone to des- 
 truction over such roads. Journeys were then made on horse- 
 back or on foot. A spruce young gentleman, in treating the 
 mistress of his afTections to a ride*-or the sober-minded husband 
 in carrying the partner of his life to church — brings the sure- 
 paced animal to the horse block and mounts — the lady places 
 herself on the pillion behind him. The horse starts off on a 
 walk, — the greatest speed at which it would be considered safe 
 to drive him, through roads so rough. They thus pursue their 
 journey, winding along up one hill, and then another. The 
 horse leaps over the smaller streams, for fear of wetting his 
 feet, and wades boldly through the larger ones, even to endan- 
 gering the feet of his riders. Now the gentleman dismounts 
 to 'let down' the bars, and then proceeds along, dodging under 
 the boughs, twigs and limbs of trees. He must start very ear- 
 ly, or arrive at his journey's end very late. It is therefore not 
 to be wondered at that the early settlers of this town began, so 
 early as they did, to desire a separation from the parent stock, 
 that tJiey might be nearer home in the performance of their 
 public duties, whether they were such as they owed to the 
 community or to their Maker. 
 
 From the record of the town meeting, March, 1757, it ap- 
 pears that Samuel Hunt and others petitioned to the town of 
 Lunenburg to have the westerly part of the same set off, in 
 order to have it incorporated into a separate town. This pe- 
 tition was referred to a committee, with directions to report at 
 the next May meeting. At the May meelinc;, the committee 
 reported — but whether in accordance with the prn^'er of the 
 petitioners or not, we are not informed. The report, however, 
 excited considerable debate, and was recommitted for an a- 
 mendment — and the committee was directed to report at the 
 following Sept. meeting. Among the recorded proceedings of 
 the Sept. meeting, not one word is said respecting the re- 
 port, or Samuel Hunt's petition. Nothing further respecting 
 
 G 
 
50 HISTOrtY OF FITCHBURG. . 
 
 this subject is recorded, till May, 1761, when [the town voted 
 that the request of Samuel Hunt and others "be so far granted 
 that one half o{ the land in the township of Lunenburg-, and 
 the westerly part thereof — running a parallel line with the 
 west line of said township — be and hereby is set oflf a sepa- 
 rate Parish by itself. Provided they shall place their meeting 
 house as near the cenlure of said parish as may be, so as to ac- 
 commodate the whole, and that as soon as they are able and 
 do maintain the Gospel among themselves, that they shall be 
 freed from all costs and charges of maintaining the Gospel in 
 the first parish." But this grant did not satisfy the petition- 
 ers ; for the record states that immediately a motion was made 
 that the request be granted in full — which passed in the nega- 
 tive. 
 
 In the following August the request of Amos Kimball and 
 others, to be set off into a separate town was presented. It 
 shared the same fate with that of Samuel Hunt — with the ex- 
 ception that it did not live nearly so long, for it was killed on 
 the spot. "After debate thereon, it passed in the negative." 
 
 In the warrant for Iowa meeting in March, 1763, there was 
 an article to hear the petition of Dea. Benjamin Foster and 
 nine others, "to set off into a district and precinct by them- 
 selves" all the inhabitants on the westerly side of Pearl Hill 
 brook, and Dorchester farm, so called. The tow^n refused to 
 act on this article. 
 
 In the warrant for town meeting in the May following, 
 there was an article of similar import — with J the exception 
 that it said, "To see if the town will consent that application 
 may be made to the General Court, to incorporate the wester- 
 ly part, &c. into a town. This article was negatived. But 
 the advocates for this measure made another attempt in the 
 following January, and with much better success, for the town 
 then voted to 'let the people go.' This vote was passed Jan. 25tb. 
 1764, at "the request of Dea. Benjamin Foster, Dea. Sanmel 
 Putnam and others," which was as follows: — That the town 
 vote "the lands in said Lunenburg, which lie west and west- 
 wardly of the line hereafter described, should be set off from 
 said town, that so the said lands, and inhabitants thereon, may 
 be formed by the General Court into a town or district, as they 
 shall think proper." (Here follows a description of the line, 
 which corresponds with the easterly boundary of Fitchburg.) 
 This was granted, on condition that "the inhabitants should 
 pay their minister's tax, as heretofore they had done, until 
 they should be formed into a district." 
 Tile long sought for object of the people of the westerly part of 
 
HiSTOKV OF HTCHBURG. 51 
 
 Lunenburg having been obtained, a committee consisting of 
 Messrs. John Fitch, Amos Kimball, Samuel Hunt, Ephraim 
 Wiiitney, and Jonathan Wood, was chosen to wait upon the 
 General Court, to procure the act of incorporation ; and they 
 performed their duty so promptly and perseveringly, that on 
 the 3d. of February, 1764, — ^just nine days after the passage 
 of the above vote — the act passed the Legislature and receiv- 
 ed the signature of the Governor. 
 
 Feb. 3d. 1764, was therefore the birth day of Fitchburg, 
 which was 72 years old on the 3d. of Feb. 1836. 
 
 It is the general report that the town was named in honor 
 of John Fitch, who was the first man on the committee ap- 
 pointed to procure the act of incorporation, and was the same 
 individual taken captive by the Indians in 1747. Some peo- 
 ple think that the town was named in honor of a Col. Timothy 
 Fitch, a wealthy merchant of Boston who owned extensive 
 tracts of land in the town, and was considered, in those days, 
 as a man of 'note and distinction.' It is true that John Fitch, 
 at this time, was an extensive landholder, and perhaps a man 
 of some influence — and he may have taken an active part in 
 getting the town incorporated. Yet there were many in the town 
 who were held in higher estimation than he. Previous to 
 this period he seems to have been elected to only three offices 
 by the good people of Lunenburg. In 1738, he was chosen 
 one of the "Hogge reives ;" afterwards he was chosen "to take 
 care of Deer," and again "to take care of fire and burn the 
 woods." These certainly were not distinguished stations. But 
 whether the town was named in honor of this individual, or of 
 the above named Col. Fitch, is a point which will probably re- 
 main forever in obscurity. This is a circumstance not a little 
 surprising, when it is considered how recently the town recei- 
 ved its name, and that there are people now living who re- 
 member the event perfectly well. 
 
 The act of incorporation, which the committee was so 
 prompt in procuring, is as follows: — 
 
 "Anno regtii Regis Georgii tertii Quarto. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Rep- 
 resenfaiives, That the inhabitants, with their lands, in the 
 westerly part of Lunenburg — beginning," &c. (Here follows 
 the boundaries of the town by 'stakes and stones,' which it is 
 not necessary to repeat) — "be and hereby are set off and erec- 
 ted into a separate town, by the name of Fitchburgh ; and that 
 said town be invested with all the powers, privileges, and im- 
 munities that other towns in this Province do, or may, by law, 
 enjoy ; — that of sending- a Representative to the General As- 
 
52 HISTORY OF FITCIlBtrrvG. 
 
 seriibly only excepted ; — and that the inhahitants^of said towtt 
 shall have full power and right, from time to time, to join with 
 the said town of Lunenburg in the choice of a Eepresentative 
 or Representatives, and be subject to pay their proportionable 
 part of the charges, who may be chosen cither in the town of 
 Lunenburg, or in the town of Fitchburglj, in which choice they 
 shall enjoy all the privileges, which by law they would have 
 been entitled to, if this act had not been made ; and the Select- 
 men of the town of Lunenburg shall issue their warrant to one 
 or more of the constables of Fitchburgh, requiring them_ to 
 notify the inhabitants of the town of Fitchburgh of the time 
 and place of meeting for such choice, — ProrjJec/, nevertheless, 
 .Snd be it furlher enacted, that the said town of Fitchburgh 
 shall pay their proportion of all town, county, and Province 
 taxes, already set on, or granted to be raised by, said town of 
 Lunenburg, as if this act had not been made; — 
 
 And be it further enacted — That Edward Hartwell, Esq. be, 
 and hereby is empowered to issue his warrant directed to 
 some principal inhabitant of said town of Fitchburgh, requir- 
 ing him to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town, qual- 
 ified by law to vote in town afiairs, to meet at such time and 
 place as shall therein be set forth, to choose all such officers 
 as shall be necessaay to manage the affairs of said town." 
 
 This bill passed the House, Feb. 2d. 1764, and the Council 
 on the following day — when it also received the assent of the 
 Governor, 
 
 At this period there were in the whole town not more than 
 43 or 4 families, and the whole number of inhabitants did not 
 much, if any, exceed 250.*" At the present time it contains 
 more than ten times that number. 
 
 Perhaps a more accurate picture of the town, in 1764, could 
 not be presented, than by stating the place of residence of each 
 family, living in the town, when it was incorporated. Consid- 
 erable pains have been taken to make this statement correct. 
 Amos Kimballt lived where Samuel Hale now lives. 
 
 *To the brief account of Fitchhurg in an old edition of Morse'* 
 Gazcttecr,son!e unknown person has appended a manuscript note, 
 Btating that the population of tlie town, in 17G5, was 259. What 
 degree of credit this statement is entitled to, I know not. 
 
 ■file was a man of uiibleniislied reputation, and was always 
 highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. He died in 1774, at the 
 age of 57. Nor\c of his descendants now remain in the town. — 
 Cieorgo Kimball Esqr. of Lunenburg, who built the house where 
 Jacob Caldwell now resides, was a brother of Amos. 
 
HISTOKV OF FifClIBURGi 
 
 53 
 
 Ephraim Kimball lived where 
 Samuel Pierce & ) " " 
 -William Steward \ " " 
 
 Solomon Steward* " " 
 
 '^Phinehas Steward " 
 
 ^^- Robert (?) Wares " 
 •»-~Samuel Poole " 
 
 —=- James Poole " 
 
 .,.. Kendall Bou telle " 
 — Francis Fullam " 
 ^,,.— Silas Snow " 
 
 Nehemiah Fuller " 
 Ephraim Osborne " 
 ^Hezekiah Hodf>kins 
 James Leach (Litch?) 
 Abraham Smith 
 . Charles WiUard 
 ~,- Edward Scott ' 
 
 Ebenezer Bridge 
 Ezra Whitney 
 ^Reuben Gibson ' 
 
 Isaac Gibson! ' 
 
 the Store 3's now live. "~\ 
 ("apt. Jauies Cowdiu Sc ) \ 
 Jacob Tollman live. 5 I 
 
 there is a cellar bole, and 
 a barn lately stood on tlie 
 farm now owned by (_). II. ; 
 Fox. I 
 
 the "Poor House" now 
 stands. 
 
 Joseph Battles now lives. 
 Charles Beckwith " 
 Joseph Farn.sworth " 
 Capt. A. Boutelle " 
 Jacob Fullarrt '* 
 
 Wm. Downe " 
 
 Thomas B. Goodhue " 
 Joseph Downe Escir. " 
 Benj. Whitney " 
 
 P. Williams Esqr. " 
 Daniel Works " 
 
 Adin H. Hammond " 
 Joseph T. Scott " 
 
 Dea. Jacob Jaquith " 
 Daniel Lowe " 
 
 Arrington Gibson " 
 Widow P. Gibson " 
 
 *Martha, wife of Solomon Steward, died in 1777. She was 
 buried in tlie lower ijrave yard at liiuiciiburg. Her grave stone 
 declares that "She Was a Vartus Wife a Kind ^Neighbour &, a 
 Tender Parent. 
 
 Mournful] Children Hear I Lay 
 as You are Now So Once Was I 
 as I am Now So You Must be 
 Prepare Your Selves to Follow Me," 
 
 fThe personal prowess of these Gibsons was quite proverbial. 
 On one occasion Isaac Gihson, in his rambles on Pearl Hill found 
 a bear's cub, which he immediately seized as his legitimate prize. 
 The mother of the cub came to the rescue of her oflspring. Gil)- 
 son retreated, and the bear attacked him in the rear, to the man- 
 ifest detriment of his pantaloons. This finally compelled him to 
 face his unwelcome antagonist, and they closed in a more than 
 fraternal embrace. Gibson, being the tnorc skillul wrestler of 
 the two, "threw" bruin, and they came to the ground togetiier. 
 Without relincjuishing the hug both man and beast now rolled 
 over each other to a considerable distance down the hill, receiv- 
 ing sundry bruises by the way. When they reached the bottom, 
 
54 
 
 MIS^TORV OF FITCHBUKG. 
 
 William Cliatlwicl 
 Nicliulas Daiiforlh 
 
 lived near to, and a little north of 
 
 where John Hapgood lives. 
 " in the pasture nearly. oppo- 
 
 site I. I'utnam's. 
 " where Laiah Putnam now lives. 
 " " Joseph Fairbanks " 
 
 " in the log house where John 
 
 Battles Jr. " 
 
 " " Stephen Lowe " 
 
 " " William Wyman " 
 
 " " Joseph Marshall " 
 
 " where there is a tan yard, 
 
 near to Nathan Battles'. 
 
 " " Jacob H. Merriam " 
 
 " Capt. Benj. Wheeler " 
 
 " Abel F. Adams " 
 
 " James L. Haynes " 
 
 in the garrison house, for- 
 merly David Page's. 
 " John Younglove lives. 
 
 " Wm. Bemis " 
 
 opposite the house of Avery 
 Stockwell. 
 
 a little to the south of the 
 Old City Store. 
 " C. Marshall now lives. 
 
 in the southwesterly part of 
 the town. His place of resi- 
 dence's not exactly known. 
 The above mentioned individuals, and their families, com- 
 posed the population of Fitchburg. Their dwellings, in almost 
 every instance, were far apart — here and there a house, scat- 
 tered over a large territory. A single dwelling house stood in 
 the 'Old City,' and in the village, where the population is now 
 so thickly clustered together, not a single house was erected. 
 The winds, which swept down the valley of the Nashua, sigh- 
 ed throuf^h the pines which here formed a dense forest. 
 
 both were willing to relinquish the rontest, without any further 
 experience of each other'.s j-.i-ovvess. it was a drawn game — tjie 
 bear losing lier cub, and Gibson iiis pantaloons. 
 
 *He was a Inilf crazy Irislmian, and went to Coh-aiue soon af- 
 ter tlie incorporation of P'itchliurj;. In about ten 3 cars lie re- 
 turned in poverty, and involved Fitchburg anil Lunenburg in a 
 law-suit respecting bis maintenance. 
 
 -Isaiah Witt 
 ' Thomas Gerry 
 Joseph Spaflbrd 
 
 Ephraim Whitney 
 John White • 
 Timothy Bancroft 
 Thomas Demary 
 
 Jesse French • 
 "Thomas Button 
 AVilliam Henderson* 
 Samuel Hunt • 
 Timothy Parker 
 
 Jonathan Wood 
 David Good ridge 
 Jonathan Holt 
 
 Samuel Hodgliins 
 
 Samuel Walker 
 Phinehas Goodell 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIC'JRG. 66 
 
 Within the first few years after the incorporntinn of the 
 town, several new families selected it as their place of resi- 
 dence. It would be tedious to enunierate all these new com- 
 ers; but there is one, who, by the iiillucncc which he exerted 
 over the affairs of the town, ill its infnicy, by the character 
 which he helped to give it, ami by the hiiih e^timaticn in 
 which he seems to have been lield, merits a more particular no- 
 tice. 
 
 Thomas Cowdin Esqr. moved iiUo Fitciiburg in the July 
 following its incorporation. He ajipears to have been one of 
 those persons, who, without the advantages of birth, education 
 or fortune, unaided by the influence of patronage or favor, but 
 relying solely upon the energies of a sound intellect and active 
 mind, frequcntlj' elevate, themselves to a rank above their 
 neighbors. 
 
 He was born in Stow in 1720, and went as an apprentice to 
 the blacksmith's trade to Marlhorough, where he served his 
 time. He then removed to Worcester, and commenced his 
 business on the main street. He belonged to a compatiy of 
 cavalry in that town. Several years previous to the old French 
 War — as it is called — but at a lime when the Indians were 
 exceedingly troublesome, he was pressed into the service, and 
 marched up to Charlestown No. 4, under the command of one 
 Capt. Stevens. Here it was his fortune to encounter some 
 dangers, and make some hair-breadth escapes from the sava- 
 ges. He was, on one occasion, selected to convey some des- 
 patches from that place to fort Dummer. He buckled them in 
 his knapsack, and, accompanied by two other soldiers, com- 
 menced his dangerous journey. They had not proceeded ma- 
 ny miles when, on coming to the brow of a rather abrupt prec- 
 ipice, they looked down and beheld a very interesting group 
 of savages. The latter perceived Cowdin and his associates 
 at the same instant, and sounded the war-whoop in pursuit. — 
 As they were obliged to make some little circuit before they 
 could climb the precipice, the whites improved the opportunity 
 to get the start. Each of the three wisely took a diflcrent di- 
 rection. Cowdin showed the red men a light pair of heels, 
 and escaped by dint of running. One of his comrades took a 
 "bee line" for Charlestown, where he arrived in safety, and 
 gave the information that Cowdin and his despatches were 
 probably taken. The third, being slow of foot, fiiidinc it im- 
 possible to escape his pursuers by running, crawled into some 
 high grass, before they came in sight, and thus escaped unno- 
 ticed. Cowdin bent his course for Ashuelot (now Keene) 
 where he arrived unharmed. From thence a company of sol- 
 
56 niSTORV OF FITCUBUKG. 
 
 diers was sent with him to fort Duinmer, where he delivered 
 his despatches. 
 
 On his return to Chnrleslowu he met companies, which had 
 boon sent in pursuit of him ; and other despatches of the saine 
 tenor iiad been sent forward to fort Dummer, upon the pre- 
 6un>plion that he had been taken and slain. 
 
 While he was at Charlestown, he was one of a detachment 
 of thirty men, which was sent out to scour the woods of the 
 neighborhood, to see if any Indians were lurking in that quar- 
 ter. In this detachment was also the famous Chamberlain, 
 who distinguished himself in that most bloody battle with the 
 Indians, known as Lovell's fight, by killing with his own 
 hands the Indian chief, Paugus. 
 
 Chamberlain had a dog with him, which had been nurtured 
 in Indian wars. He could 'scent' an Indian as far as a com- 
 mon dog could a pole cat. In this ramble the dog came speed- 
 ily in to his master. Chamberlain looked in his face and read 
 his intelligence. "Stop," says he, "my dog says the red skins 
 are near." They halted, and in a moment they heard the 
 sound of an arrow whizzins: by their heads. They look a- 
 bout, and Chamberlain soon discovers the lurking foe. He fi- 
 red, and in a moment the Indians, in large numbers, rose a- 
 round them and fired. The whites charged upon them, and 
 they fled. The scouring party returned to the fort, having a 
 few of their number wounded. 
 
 Cowdin, in the capacity of sergeant, was at the siege and 
 capture of Louisburg, and faced the enemy in the hottest of 
 the fight, when the place was attacked in 1745. 
 
 When the war broke out between England and France, in 
 1755, Cowdin enlisted as ensign ; and in that year he was en- 
 gaged in the expedition against Nova Scotia. He served sev- 
 en years during this war, and rose to the post of captain. — 
 Two of these j^ears he was employed in this state, for the 
 double purpose of forwarding invalids, when they had suffi- 
 ciently recovered to join the army, and for arresting deserters. 
 
 While engaged in this latter capacity, an incident occurred, 
 which serves very well to illustrate his determined persever- 
 ance. He had intimation of a certain deserter, who was ma- 
 king his way towards the state of New York. He started in 
 pursuit of the fugitive, and finally burrowed him — so to speak 
 — one Sunday morning-, in a Dutch meeting house. It was 
 during divine service; but Cowdin rushed in and seized upon 
 him. A scuffle ensued, much to the amazement of the sedate 
 congregation. The fellow attempted to kill his captor, but 
 Cowdin succeeded in overpovvering and binding him. He 
 
HISTORY OF FlTCilBURG. S7 
 
 then brought his prisoner from New York to Boston, for the 
 purpose of pultinir liim onto the castle ; but on his arrival 
 there, it was ascertained that the soldier had last deserted from 
 Crown Point, and therefore Cowdin was ordered to convey him 
 to the latter place. Tliis journey through the wilderness he 
 accomplished alone with his prisoner, who very well knew 
 that death would be his portion when delivered over to the 
 proper tribunal. At Crown Point the prisoner was recognised 
 as a man who had enlisted and deserted, in a short space, no 
 less than thirteen times. He was conveyed to Montreal and 
 shot. 
 
 Such circumstances as these serve, better perhaps than oth- 
 er means, to set forth in its true light the character of one of 
 tlie early pioneers, who, from the period when he made this 
 town his residence, to his death in 1792, took the lead in its 
 public affairs. 
 
 When Cowdin came into this town, he purchased the tav- 
 ern stand of Samuel Hunt, who thereupon removed to Wor*- 
 cester. Cowdin continued to keep a public house here (J. L. 
 Haynes') for about ten years, when he removed to the Bou- 
 telle house, so called, in the Old City which has lately beea 
 taken down. 
 
 He owned a great portion of the land included between the 
 two roads leading to Lunenburg and Baker's brook. He also 
 owned a tract on ths westerly side of the road leading from 
 his then dwelling house to Kimball's mills in the Old City. — 
 The first meeting house built in Filchburg, was placed on land 
 given by him, and which was then called his wheat field. — 
 This meeting house was nearly on the spot now covered by 
 the brick school house. 
 
 I have already mentioned the condition of the village at 
 that period. It was covered by a forest. After leaving Jesse 
 French's house and Kimball's mills there was not a single 
 dwelling house before arriving at Leach's where P. Williams, 
 Esqr. now lives. The pitch pine trees afTorded an excellent 
 shelter for deer, partridges, and wild turkeys. David Bou- 
 telle's "muster field" was covered with a beautiful growth of 
 white pine timber, which was not cut down till 1775, when 
 Thomas Cowdin built a large addition to the Boulelle house, 
 and opened it as a public hous«. 
 
 A Judge Oliver, of Salem, owned a range of lots, commen- 
 eing on Cowdia's land, near the Fox house, so called, and 
 thence extending on the river to where Pliillips' brook unites 
 with the Nashua. This tract embraced the whole of the vil- 
 lage and Crockersville. He also owned a tract a mile square 
 
 H 
 
58 
 
 nisTony of fitciibur&. 
 
 on Dean hill, so called, in the westerly part of the town.— 
 Judge Oliver or his heirs sold both of these tracts to one Elias 
 Haskell, who came into this town, and built the house now 
 owned by Capt. Dean. 
 
 This Haskell, by selling lots and loaning his money, was 
 reputed to'be veryjich ; but he Iwas doomed' to experience a 
 reverse of fortune. He was compelled to receive his pay in 
 the pernicious paper currency of the times, which depreciated 
 80 rapidly that it soon came to be but little better than so much 
 brown paper. He afterwards purchased a small sandy farm 
 in|the norlheastefly part of Lancaster, where he lived for some 
 years, and died in poverty. 
 
 Col. William Brown and Burnet Brown,' the one belonging 
 to Salem, the other to tlie south, owned a large tract of land 
 in the region where Levi Farwell now resides. In the west- 
 erly part of the town they owned another tract, a part of which 
 is now included in the Hilton and Sheldon farms. Another 
 tract was owned by them in the northerly part of the town. ^ 
 
 In the southwesterly part, several hundred acres were given 
 to the committee appointed by the General Court to allot the 
 original proprietorships. This committee, it will be recollect- 
 ed, consisted of Win. Tailor, Samuel Thaxter, Francis Ful- 
 1am, John Shipley, and Benjamin Whittemore. The land 
 owned by Col. Timothy Fitch was in the southerly part of the 
 town. 
 
 On the 5th day of March, 1764, the first meeting, which 
 the town ever held in its corporate capacity, was called, ac- 
 cording to the act of incorporation, by virtue of a warrant is- 
 sued by Edward Hartwell Esqr. of Lunenburg, directed to A- 
 mos Kimball, one of the Constables of Fitchburg. It was held 
 in the tavern of Capt. Samuel Hunt. Amos Kimball was 
 moderator of this meeting, and Ephraim Whitney was chosen 
 town clerk. Amos Kimball, David Goodridge, Samuel Hunt, 
 Ephraim Whitney and Reuben Gibson were chosen Selectmen. 
 
 In September following, at a town" meeting, it was voted 
 that "two miles on the westerly line of said town, beginning 
 at the northwest corner, and half a mile on the easterly line, 
 beginning at the northeast corner on Townsend line, then run- 
 ning a straight line from one of these distances to the other, 
 be set off to Mr. John Fitch and others, in order for them to 
 join a part of Townsend and a part of Dorchester Canada, in 
 order to make a Town or Parish among themselves." This 
 was giving away a large slice from the northern part of the 
 town ; and the liberal conduct of the people of Fitchburg is 
 contrasted favorably with that of the people of Lunenburg, in 
 
History of fitckbukg. S9 
 
 the aiTiir of the incorporation of this town. Notwithstanding- 
 ihe willingness of Filchburg to gratify Mr. Fitch in tliis res- 
 pect, Ashhy was not incorporated till three years afterwards, 
 viz. in ]7G7. 
 
 In October, 1764, a committee was chosen on the part of 
 this town, to confer with those of Lunenburg, Groton, and oth- 
 er towns, for petitioning the Great and General Court for a 
 new county to be formed of several low^ns in the counties of 
 Middlesex and Worcester. Several attempts had been made. 
 in years previous, to attain this object, but they were always 
 unsuccessful. The attempt now made shared the fate of the 
 others. At this period, though the amount of business, which 
 the people of Fitchburg had to transact at the shire town, w'as 
 but little compared with it now, they felt great inconvenience 
 in being compelled to travel the distance of twenty-five miles, 
 to have a deed recorded, or to transact any other county bu- 
 siness. 
 
 Until this time, there had been no burying yard in the pre- 
 cincts of Fitchburg. The dead were carried the distance of 
 nearly seven miles to Lunenburg. The first 'grave yard' in 
 Fitchburg was purchased near to their meeting house, on the 
 hill a little in the rear of the brick school house, in the old 
 city. But few bodies were ever deposited here, in conse- 
 quence of ledges of wck and other obstructions in the soil. — 
 In 1766 ^ea. Amos Kimball, in consideration of the love and 
 respect which he bore to the people of Fitchburg, gave to them 
 one acre of land, on the southerly side of the river, between 
 the bridge and his house. The bodies buried in the first bu- 
 rying-place were exhumed, and re-interred in the new yard. 
 
 In Nov. the town voted to have six weeks preaching, and 
 directed their committee to apply to Eev. Peter Whitney, who 
 accordinjjly came and preached in the tavern of Thomas Cow- 
 din. The people of those days were less scrupulous in regard 
 to the place where they met for public worship, than we, of 
 the 19th. century are ; a tavern then was no belter than a tar- 
 em now, but they probably thought that their Maker regarded 
 more the feelings, with which his creatures offered up their 
 petitions and adorations, than the place in which they assem* 
 bled for this purpose. 
 
 At the same meeting in Nov. they voted to proceed to build 
 a meeting house. Their manner of proceeding in this afTair 
 was quite different from that usually pursued now ; for the 
 town determined to find the "stuff'," and then employ people to 
 work on the house, and finish a part at a time. Their first 
 step was to get the frame raised and covered with rough 
 
60 Histotiy OF FrrcHBUE<y. 
 
 boards; afterwords the lower floor was laid, then the outsieftf 
 was 'finished ;' a place was made "for the minister to preach 
 in," the pew ground was "dignified," and the house was "seat" 
 ed." Then galleries, and stairs lending to the same, were to 
 be made, the house was "glassed" and finally "coloured." — ■ 
 The town employed different persons to perform these jobs, 
 which were not all completed till the lapse of several years. 
 The town was thinly peopled, and money was by no means 
 plenty. The sum 50/. (S166,66.) was voted to begin the 
 house, which, built piece meal, and with such slender means, 
 would make but a sorry appearance in comparison with our 
 modern temples. The people were obliged to act with rigid 
 economy. Fortunes were not made in a day, and the expen- 
 ses of maintaining the minister, and keeping the high-ways 
 in repair, bore heavily upon a population whose income was 
 very limited. They thought it best to build no more at a 
 time than they could pay for, and to humble themselves a lit- 
 tle, as they arranged themselves on temporary seats around 
 their preacher — and so proceed with the work of building as 
 their means allowed. Such a course was preferable to that 
 ■which is sometimes adopted in these latter days — of erecting 
 a splendid edifice at once, contracting a large debt to pay for 
 it, and then to be able barely to pav, year after year, Uie inter- 
 est, and perhaps a small portion of the principal. 
 
 Although the people of Fitchburg thus early menifested a 
 proper spirit in supporting the public institutions of religion, 
 and doing other things for the prosperity of the town, it must 
 be acknowledged that they did not exhibit that zeal in the cause 
 of education, which its importance demanded, and which might 
 be reasonably expected from them. During the first year of its 
 incorporation, it does not appear that there was any school in. 
 the town. In 1765, it was voted that two schools should be 
 kept in the town daring the ensuing winter, and the sum of 
 three pounds (SIO) was appropriated to this purpose. Mr. 
 John Fitch and Dea. Kendall Boutelle, who lived in the north- 
 ern and southern extremities of the town, were exempted from 
 any portion of this tax, and had permission to establish schools 
 among themselves. How much benefit to the town was deriv- 
 ed from two schools, each drawing from the treasury the pal- 
 try sum of five dollars for the pay of the teacher and all mci* 
 dental expenses, I cannot pretend to say. Incidental expenses, 
 however, were but trifling. There were no school houses in 
 the town ; but the dwelling-houses of individuals, who had va- 
 f ant rooms that would answer for this purpose, were freely of- 
 fered for the public good. A school was 'kept' for some time 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBORG. 61 
 
 in Wm. Chac!wick's''corn-barn.' The 'master' boarded in the 
 several families of the district, which bore the burthen or hon- 
 or of his presence, for a slated number of weeks, in rotation. 
 The people also furnished fuel gratuitously ; and it is probable 
 that the teacher received nearly the whole amount of the mon- 
 ey raised by the town. 
 
 In the succeeding year a more magnanimous disposition was 
 manifested. The sum of 8/. ($26,66) was voted for the sup- 
 port of the schools — and this was the standing sum appropria- 
 ted for the purpose for a considerable number of years. Dur- 
 ing the same time they were paying to their minister annually 
 the sum of $200, or $300 (in addition to his 30 cords of wood) 
 — eight times the amount which they paid for the education 
 of their children. At the present time, the amount of money 
 paid by the people for instruction, is just about equal to that 
 paid to all the ministers in the town. It is but just to add 
 that, previous to the incorporation of Fitchburg, Lunenburg ap- 
 propriated a handsome sum to purposes of education.^ 
 
 There were some peculiarities exhibited in the conduct of 
 the fathers of this town, which savored strongly of their puri- 
 tan origin. They were not so tolerant in all their notions as 
 their children have become, and according to their sense of 
 propriety and duty they maintained a strict watch over all 
 things pertaining to the moral and spiritual welfare of the good 
 people of the town. In these days of modern degeneracy, their 
 inquisitorial proceedings would have excited no small degree 
 of indignation, and their prying committees would have met 
 with many a severe rebufT. 
 
 Soon after the settlement of Rev. Mr. Payson, a committee 
 was chosen to see that all the inhabitants duly and constantly 
 attended meeting on the Sabbath, and to report the names of 
 those who were delinquent. The latter were inevitably fined. 
 
 A Mr. Abel Baldwin, who lived on the farm where Moses 
 Hale now lives, once came within the number of the unfor- 
 
 *Before Fitchburg was setoff, two or more school-houses hnrl 
 been built in the precincts of Lunenburg, and the people of what 
 was afterwards Fitchburg paid their proportion of^the tax tor the 
 support of schools. It would be injustice to many j)ersons not 
 to mention the exertions, which they made in their individual ca- 
 pacity ,'for the education^of tlieir children. Many private or sub- 
 scription schools were opened — some witli very competent teach- 
 firu. The children received ///refybwr^As of their instruction in 
 this way. This is quite a palliation for the conduct of the town 
 in its corporate capacity. 
 
63 . HISTORY OF FITCHBUR*. 
 
 tunate delinquents. He wns consequently fined. He made 
 his appearance before Thomas Cowdin Esqr. who was then 
 living- in what is now called the Old City, and paid his fine ; 
 hut he did so with evident reluctance, and an unwilling mind. 
 He looked about him and seemed to think that the place, as 
 well as the people, was entitled to a share of the blame, for so 
 rig-id a restriction upon his liberty. He expressed his opinion 
 that the place would not prosper, and that a curse would follow 
 it. He accordinoly gave to it the name of Sodom — and it is 
 called Sodom unto this day.* 
 
 At this period of our history, when there was a paucity of 
 subjects to engage public attetition, many trivial circumstan- 
 ces, which now would excite no interest beyond the sphere of 
 the individuals imnnediately interested, gradually worked them- 
 selves into affairs of public importance, and came under the cog- 
 nizance of the town. The minister, the meeting-house, the 
 pews, and even the petty difTerences between man and man, 
 frequently presented questions which were decided by the 
 town. 
 
 To show the views and understanding of the people then, 
 their disposition to assume a general interest and oversight 
 over each other's affairs, I will mention several circumstances, 
 as they appear on the towm Records. 
 
 Phinehas Steward and Edward Scott respectively laid claim 
 to a certain pew in the meeting-house. This important affair 
 coming before the town it was "Voted and agreed upon by the 
 two parties on account of the Pew in contest, and by Phinehas 
 Steward, which Pew Edward Scott claims is given up by said 
 Steward to said Scott, upon condition that said Scott pays 30 
 shillings, and pays also what money the Town's committee 
 dignified the Pew ground at to said Steward, — and further- 
 more, both parties, that is, said Edward Scott and said Phine- 
 has Steward, each of them agreed and actually signed the 
 Town's vote, both of them never to make any more uneasi- 
 ness further about said Pew, if the money be paid by said Scott 
 in one w^eek from this day, being the 23d day of May, 1768. 
 
 / o- j\ Edward Scott. 
 ^ ° ' Phinehas bxEw^AiiD. 
 tSltcst, Tiios. CowDiN, Totvn Clerk. 
 
 *He wns n earppnfer and joiner by trade, and withnl n very 
 rpspectnble tiian. Being a Baptist — a raia avis \iJ those days — 
 he did not choose to unite in rlie worship of tliose of n Hiflerent 
 pfrsuasion. The town wickedly persecuted him for coBscience' 
 
 »ake. 
 
HISTORY OF riTCIlBURS. ©3 
 
 It nppears that one Eliphalel Mace, then living where Jacob 
 H. Merriam now lives, in sfivina: in his invoice to the assessors, 
 was actuated by a disposition, which has not become e::Urely 
 obsolete in the town at the present day. He quietly kept back 
 some few articles of his property — not wishing to appear too 
 vainglorious about his worldly possessio;:s. The town took 
 eognizance of the matter, and soon came to the conclusion that, 
 though the said Mace might be poor in spirit, he was not so 
 very poor in earthly goods. They accordingly voted that he 
 should be fined 40 shillings for giving in a false invoice. — 
 Some time afterward, the anger of the town was considerably 
 abated, and the fine of Mace was abated in proportion. It was 
 voted that 28 shillings of it be deducted — so the unfortunate 
 man was fined only 12 shillings for his untimely modesty. 
 
 In a few years after the incorporation of the town, several 
 roads were opened, and a considerable sum was expended up- 
 on bridges. The road from South Fitchburg (leading over the 
 arched bridge, and so by the dwelling-house of Alonzo P. Good- 
 ridge, to the Old City) was opened in 176-5. The road from 
 Pearl Hill, by the dwelling-houses of Isaiah Putnam and Amos 
 Wheeler, till it comes into the old road to Lunenburg, was ac- 
 cepted in 1766. It is worthy of remark that in these, and in 
 many other instances, the land which was needed for the roads, 
 was given by the owners thereof. They asked for no jury to 
 decide upon the amount of damage which they sustained by 
 these improvements. In the spring of 1770, the town found 
 it necessary to rebuild the bridges carried away by the "late 
 freshet." But they did not rebuild them sufficiently high from 
 the water, for in 1771 the Records say that it voted "to re- 
 build the bridges carried away and damnified by the floods." 
 The town also very magnanimously "voted to pay for the rum 
 expended at the bridges." 
 
 The good people of Fitchburg being vexed by the intrusion 
 of 'catteV belonging to persons having no 'interest' in the town, 
 they promptly forbade the entrance of all such 'cattel,' and 
 proceeded to build a "pound with logs." It was enjoined "that 
 every person in town come and work at said pound, or pay his 
 proportion." It was a common practice for them, however, to 
 vote that their own "Hoairgs Go att Large lawfuly Yokt and 
 Ringd," — as the erudite Town Clerk has recorded it. 
 
 It is well known that, at this period, the disputes and diffi- 
 culties between Great Britian and her Colonies were fast ap- 
 proaching a crisis. Soon after the French power in Canada 
 had been crushed in 1759, the British Ministry began to turn 
 their thoughts towards raising a revenue in America. Their 
 
64 HlSTOIlY OF ?lTCMCURCf. 
 
 first Step ill tliis proceeding was to direct the collector for the 
 port of Boston to apply to the civil authority for " Writs of As- 
 sislauce'' to command the aid of all sheriffs and constables in 
 breaking open houses, stores, ships, and packaoes of all sorts, 
 to search for articles prohibited by the ''Acts of Trade" — a se- 
 ries of acts, wliich iiad been passed to favor the West India 
 merchants, and which had nearly annihilated the commerce of 
 the Colonies. These ads had been mostly evaded by non- 
 importation and smuggling. 
 
 The legality of the "Writs" was doubted, and the question 
 came before the Superior Court for decision in Feb. 1761. By 
 the powerful assistance of James Otis, the Writs were defeated. 
 His masterly speech on this occasion first awakened the Colo- 
 nists to the real danger of the threatened course of the minis- 
 try. They saw, in the pretended right of Parliament of taxing 
 them to an unlimited extent, the germ of tyrany which Would 
 destroy their liberties ; and they wisely resolved to destroy the 
 monster in its shell, before it should acquire sufficient strength 
 to crush them its folds. They knew that their charter gave 
 them the right to tax themselves, and that every exercise of 
 this right on the part of the parliament was an infringement 
 upon their chartered privileges. They were not actuated by 
 the sordid love of money, but by the nobler love of liberty. — 
 They had freely poured forth their treasure and their blood in 
 the preceeding wars, and now they claimed the privilege of 
 taxing themselves. They contended that "Taxation and Rep- 
 resentation were inseparable ; " while Parliament claimed the 
 right to "bind the Colonies in all cases whatever." This was 
 the point on which the dispute turned. 
 
 In the years 1763, 4, and 5, the commerce of the Colonies 
 was nearly at stand, in consequence of the 'Sugar Act,' and 
 the 'Stamp Act.' Their operation was defeated by non-im- 
 portation and smuggling. To the great joy of the Colonists, 
 the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, and the importation of 
 goods was greater than ever. A cloud was soon thrown over 
 the prosperity which every where began to be visible. The 
 "Revenue Act" was passed in 1768. Again the people of 
 Massachusetts took the lead in asserting the liberties of the 
 Colonies, and they acted promptly and .efTectually. 
 
 By means of associations, speeches, circulars and pam- 
 phlets, the rights of the Colonies, and the dangers with which 
 they were threatened, were fully discussed and laid before the 
 people. 
 
 In September, 1768, the Selectmen of Fitchburg received ft 
 letter from the Selectmen of Boston, requesting them to call a 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBDKG. - 65 
 
 lown-meeting, and then to take into consideration the critical 
 condition of government affiiirs, and to choose an agent to 
 come to Boston to express there the views, wishes, and deter- 
 mination of the people of Fitchburg on this important subject. 
 A town-meeting was accordingly called, and this town, in con- 
 junction with Lunenburg, chose Hon. Edward Hartwell of the 
 former place to be their agent. What his instructions were, 
 ihe Records do not state ; but their subsequent proceedings 
 leave no doubt but that thus early the people were resolved 
 upon maintaining their rights. 
 
 The firm resistance, with which the projects of the British 
 government were received, served to strengthen the determin- 
 ation cfthe Ministry to carry their point at all hazards. Troops 
 were stationed in Boston to overawe the inhabitants. Acts of 
 increased severity were passed. The colonists saw that they 
 must yield or maintain their rights at the point of the bayonet. 
 They did hesitate between the alternatives. They did not 
 prepare for the encounter under the impulse of the moment 
 but calmly deliberated upon the propriety of every measure. — 
 The pens of Olis, Adams and their associates were ever busy. 
 The acts of the government were severely scrutinized, and the 
 rights of the Colonies most ably rindicated and maintained. — 
 But one sentiment pervaded the community, and that was a 
 fixed determination to preserve inviolate their freedom. 
 
 The people of Boston took the lead in these measures of re- 
 sistance, and were nobly seconded by the inhabitants of the 
 other towns. They sought an expression of opinion from ev- 
 ery town onjthe all-engrossing subject of dispute, in order that 
 they might know what they could rely upon, if it should be 
 necessary to meet the obstinacy of Great Britian with open 
 rebellion. 
 
 In November, 1773, another letter was received from the 
 town of Boston, requesting the inhabitants of Fitchburg to 
 pass such resolves concerning their rights and privileges as 
 free members of society, as they were willing to die in main- 
 taining — and to send them, in the form of a report, to the 
 Committee of Correspondence in Boston. The town was not 
 unmindful of this invitation. A ineeting was held on the first 
 day of December following. A copy of the records of this 
 meeting will convey a good idea of the views and feelings of 
 the inhabitants on these important subjects. The record is as 
 follows: — 
 
 "At a Legal town meeting in Fitchburg on the first day of 
 December, 1773, in order to take into consideration the letters 
 of correspondency from the town of Boston, — the Town made 
 
66 
 
 lilSTORi' OF I-ITClUrjUG. 
 
 choice of Mr. Isaac Gibson as moderator for tliG government of 
 said meeting. These said letters were read before the town — 
 and after the town had deliberated thereon with 2eai and can- 
 dor, unanimously agreed to choose a committee of t* men & 
 chose Mr. Isaac Gibson, Capt. Ecuben Gibson, Messrs. Phin- 
 ehas Hartwell, Ebenezer Wood, Ebenezcr Bridge, Kendall 
 Boutelle and Solomon Steward, as a committee to consider of 
 eur constitutional rights and privileges in common with other 
 towns in this Province, together v.'ith the- many flagrant in- 
 fringements that have been made thereon, and to report at lli** 
 adjournment ; — and then this meeting was adjourned to the 
 15lh. of the same month. At the adjourned meeting the com- 
 mittee reported as follows: — 
 
 Having with great satisfaction perused the circular letters 
 from the committee of correr-pondency for the Town of Bos- 
 ton, wherein are so clearly held forth our rights and privileg- 
 es as Englishmen and Christians, and also a list of the many 
 infringements that have been made thereon, which letters of 
 correspondence we highly approve of and unanimously con- 
 sent unto, and resolve to stand fast in the liberty and rights 
 wherewith our Gracious Sovereign Kings have made us free 
 by an undeniable Charter and Decree from them, their heirs 
 and successors forever, — And we are fully persuaded that lib- 
 erty is a most precious gift of God our Creator to all mankind, 
 and is of such a nature, that no person or community can just- 
 ly part with it, and consequently that no men, or number of 
 men, can have a right to exercise despotism or tyranny over 
 their fellow creatures ; — and to save us from such extreme 
 wretchedness, we believe the vigilance and combined endeav- 
 ors of this people are necessary — and we hope through the fa- 
 vor of Divine Providence, will be eifectual. And we think it 
 our indispensable duty as men, as Englishmen and Christians, 
 to make the most public declaration in our power on the side 
 of liberty. We have indeed an ambition to be known to the 
 world and to posterity ss friends of liberty — and we desire to 
 use all proper means in our contracted sphere to promote it, and 
 we are necessitated to view the enemies of liberty, as enemies 
 of our lawful sovereign, King George, and his illustrious fam- 
 ily ; — because tyranny and slavery are fundamentally repug- 
 nant to the British Constitution. But in declaring our pres- 
 ent thoughts and resolutions, we are moved by a principle of 
 humanity and benevolence to the people of Great Britian, 
 whose happiness is so involved with ours that the oppressors 
 and depredations endued on us by tyrannical government, must 
 be essentially detrimental to them. We therefore earnestly 
 
MiSTonV c:- FITCKBURC. C7 
 
 SllppVicato tho Delly to preserve ihnm from political IclhargVi 
 uiiJ so frora the most shameful aiul miserable bondage. And 
 wo are fond of having our little, obscure narnes^as-sociated wilh 
 oar American brethren as instruments in the hands of God, to 
 save Briiiai! from that complete destruction, which is now med- 
 itating- and visibly impendiiig. AVe wish, therefore, ourcoun- 
 Irymea to join with us in praying for a spirit of reformation on 
 the inhabitants both of England and America, because right- 
 eousness is the exaltation and glory of any society. And we 
 humbly hope that being so late in giving our sentiments upon 
 affairs so deeply interesting to the American Colonies in gen- 
 eral, and to this Province in particular, will not be imputed to 
 our being unafiected with the alarming and unconstitutional 
 encroachments, that have been made upon our civil rights and 
 privileges, — for we assure you we will not be wanting at all 
 times according to our small ability, in procuring and promo- 
 ting all lawful and constitutional measures, proper for the con- 
 linuance of all our rights and privileges, both civil and'V relig- 
 ious. And we think it our duty on this occasion, in behalf of 
 ourselves and our dear country, to express^our unfeigned grat- 
 itude to the respectable Gentlemen of the town of Boston, for 
 the light and counsel that they have presented to us in their 
 circular letters, and their many generous efforts in the defence 
 of our privileges, and in the cause of liberty, — and in our ear- 
 nest prayers to Almighty God, that they may be animated still 
 to proceed and prosper in such a noble and generous design, 
 and finally may they receive that .most ample and durable^re- 
 ivard ; — And that these resolves be recorded in our town book 
 of records, and that the town Clerk give an attested copy to 
 the said committee, to be communicated to the committee of 
 correspondence for the town of Boston. — And with respect to 
 the East Tea — forasmuch as we are now informed that the 
 town of Boston and the neighboring towns have m.ade such 
 noble opposition to said Tea's being brought into Boston, sub- 
 ject to a duty so directly tending to the enslaving of America 
 — it is our opinion that your opposition is just and equitable; 
 and the people of this town are ready to afford all the assist- 
 ance in their power, to keep ofFall such infringements." 
 
 "Thomas Cowdin, Town Clerk." 
 We learn from the above what the sentiments of the people 
 of this town were, concerning the course which Great Britian 
 was pursuing towards her colonies. They believed that it was 
 oppressive and unjust, and that they, as freemen, ought by no 
 means to submit to it. Though living far back in the interior, 
 ♦hey heartily responded to the noble and patriotic sentiments 
 
68 HISTORY OF FITCIlStlRu* 
 
 which animated the bosoms of the people of Boston, ana ac?- 
 quired for their favorite place of meeiiiig (Faneuil Hall) that- 
 most beautiful of names — the "Cradle of Liberty." 
 
 We see also that with respect to the tax on tea, the opin- 
 ions of the people of this town accorded with those of the in-- 
 habitants of Boston. They were not only willing to forcga 
 that luxury, but even to take up arms against it, ra;!ier thaa 
 submit in the least to an arbitrary mode of taxation. They 
 oflered support and assistance in an hour when none but the 
 most faithful remain firm. They were determined and coura- 
 geous, but with their courage was mingled discretion. That 
 their zeal had no kindred with outrage is shown in the follow- 
 ing instructions, which they gave to their representative, in 
 May, 1774. This representative, Dr. John Taylor of Lunen- 
 burg, was chosen jointly by the towns of Lunenburg and 
 Filchburg, and a committee consisting of Isaac Gibson and 
 Phinehas Hartwell of this town, and three gentlemen of Lu' 
 nenburg, was directed to draft instructions, by which he should 
 be governed in the House of Representatives. They were as 
 folloAvs: — 
 
 "Dr. John Taylor — Sir, As you are cliosen by the towns of 
 Lunenburg and Fitchburg to represent them in the Great and 
 General Court for the present year, we think it our duty,jUnder 
 the present alarming circumstances of public ailiairs, to g'\v& 
 you the following instructions, Viz: — That you bear testimony 
 against all riotous practices, and all other unconstitutional pro.-- 
 ceedings, and that you do not, by any means whatsoever, ei- 
 ther directly or indirectly, give up any of our charter rights 
 and privileges, and that you use your endeavors that those, 
 that we have been abridged of, may be restored to us, and that 
 you use your influence that provision be made for the discoun- 
 tenancing all unwarrantable practices with respect to bribery- 
 in those that set themselves up as candidates for representa- 
 tives for the people, either by the way of treats or entertain- 
 ments, which may have been too frequent a practice in many 
 places, — and further we would have you move in the General 
 Assembly, that there might be a Congress and union with all 
 the Provinces, and in case any thing extraordinary should hap- 
 pen or appear, that you should immediately notify your con- 
 stituents. There are many things of lesser importance, that 
 we must leave discretionary with yourself, trusting that you 
 will often revolve in your mind how great a trust is devolved 
 upon you, and that you will give constant attendance, so far 
 as you are able, to the business to which you are appointed ; 
 — and we hope that you will be actuated by a spirit of impar- 
 tiality, free from private views and sinister ends." 
 
HISTORY OF FITCH BURG. G9 
 
 Whethei Dr. John Taylor moved in the General Assembly 
 for the Congici^s, in accordance with his instructions, I do not 
 know, but the de[)uties of such a congress met in Phiiadelphi;i 
 in Sept. 1774. 
 
 A Provincial Congress, of which John Hancock was the 
 president, met at Concord on the 2d Tuesday of October, and 
 after adjourning to Cambidge, drew up a plan for the immedi- 
 ate defence of the Province. They resolved that at least one 
 fourth part of the Militia should be enrolled as minute men, 
 i. e. should be prepared to march at a minute's warning, on 
 any emergency. To the Congress which took this decisive 
 step, this town sent Capt. David Goodridge as delegate. The 
 members were siijiported and paid for their services hy conlri- 
 bution; and this town voted that if there should be any over- 
 plus, after paying their delegate, it should be appropriated to 
 the purchase of powder — the people seeming to be well con- 
 vinced that something more noisy than talk would be expended, 
 before the dispute should be finished. 
 
 At this time (October) the Selectmen paid 14/. 4s. (47,33) 
 for powder, lead and flints ; and in November, in accordance 
 with the vote of Congress, forty men were enlisted to form a 
 company of minute men. The town also 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 Esqr. It was also voted to indemnify the assessors for 
 refusing to return the names of such constables, though re- 
 quested. These were certainly very bold measures, and welt 
 calculated to bring on the tug of war. 
 
 On the 10th. day of January, 1775, the town chose Capt. 
 David Goodridge a delegate to the Provincial Congress which 
 was to meet at Cambridge on the 1st day of February. A Com- 
 mittee was also chosen to review and inspect the 'Minute 
 Company,' as it was called, — and Joseph Fox was appointed 
 to receive any article, which the inhabitants of the town might 
 see fit to contribute to the relief of the poor of Boston, who 
 were now suflering under the vengeance of the British Par- 
 liament for the /£a affair, &:c. 
 
 It will thus be seen that the town was prepared for the im- 
 portant crisis, which was now at hand — the opening scene of 
 the Revolution. A small detachment of troops had been sent 
 from Boston in February to destroy the military stores collec- 
 ted at Salem, and those at Concord were exposed to the same 
 danger. 
 
 The 19th. of April, the day on which the troops of Great 
 Britain and her Colonies first came in hostile collision, had 
 
70 HlSTOliY OF nTClIBUUn. 
 
 now dawned. The British troops reached Concord at 7 u'chjck 
 A. M. and the 'Alarm' was fired in Filchburg at 9 o'clocl<, in 
 front of the store of Dea. Ephrairn Kimball, which then stood 
 on the site of the present Stone Mill in the 'Old City.' Thia 
 was the appointed rendezvous of the 'Minute Men,' where their 
 guns and equipments were kept ready for instant action. — - 
 This company had spent the previous day at drill. They as- 
 sembled here as soon as possible, when the alarm was given, 
 and, being joined by several volunteers, about fifty men took 
 up the line of march for Concord, under the command of Capl. 
 (afterwards Col.) Ebenezer Bridge. They arrived at their 
 destination in the course of the same evening, but in sufficient 
 season only to witness some of the effects of the action viz. 
 some dead bodies, and several wounded British soldies, whom 
 their brethren, in the rapidity of their flight, had left to the 
 mercy of the people. The remains of the British detachment 
 were, by this time, safely entrenched on Bunker Hill. 
 
 The anxiety which prevailed throughout the town, on this 
 day, may be imagined. Exaggerated reports of the force and 
 intentions of the enemy were spread, and every thing was 
 veiled in uncertainty. A large proportion of the able bodied 
 men had marched forward at a moment's warning to encoun- 
 ter dangers, how great no one could tell. Many a one, in bid- 
 ding farewell to a father, husband or brother, felt that the sep- 
 aration might be eternal. 
 
 Those who remained were not inattentive to the physical 
 wants of the departed. A large baggage waggon well filled 
 with provisions was im.mediately sent forward, under the care 
 of Thomas Cowdin Jr. 
 
 It thus appears that when the time of action came, the peo- 
 ple of the town did not fail to make their deeds correspond 
 with their professions. 
 
 As there was no immediate need for their services, a large 
 number of the men soon returned home. The provisions, 
 v/liich they did not consume, were afterwards sold, and the 
 proceeds, amounting to S4S,50 were given, by a vote of the 
 town, to their minister Rev. John Payson — on the principle, 
 perhaps, that if this money was not wanted by those who 
 fought our battles, it could not be better appropriated than by 
 being given to one who earnestly prayed for our success. 
 
 The army which was now assembled around Boston v.'as 
 composed of "minute men" and others, who had rushed to the 
 scene of action upon the first alarm of the battle of Lexington. 
 It was necessary to proceed to organize this body of men im- 
 mediately. Measures to^this effect were taken, and the men 
 
HJSTOIIY OF riTCII£L-KG. 71 
 
 wore rogalar'y cniis'.ed, fjcmed into companies and regiments. 
 A compmy was enlisted (most of them for eighteen montiis) 
 r. nd organized from among the volunteers of Lunenburg and 
 Fitchburof. Of this company John Fuller of Lunenburg was 
 captain, Ebenezer Bridgt^ of Fitchburg Lieutenant, and Jared 
 Smith of Lunenburg Ensign. 
 
 After this period several of the inhabitants joined the army 
 nt different periods, and for dilfarent leiighls of time. As near 
 as I can learn, about thirty were constantly in the army till the 
 British troops evacuated Boston, in March, 1776. 
 
 It is not certainly known how many of the inbnliitants of 
 til is town were engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill, but the 
 number was not far from ten or twelve. I have been able get 
 the names of four or five. John Gibson, a son of Isaac Gibson 
 (whose name has frequently occurred in the course of this his- 
 tory) was one of these. It is supposed that he was killed there 
 for he has never been seen or heard of since that day. He 
 was last seen in the entrenchments, in the hottest of the fight, 
 brav^ely opposing the enemy with the breech of his gun. There 
 cannot be much doubt but that he was finally overpowered and 
 killed, though his body could not be recognized among the 
 slain. 
 
 It may be worthy of remark that, after this period, no sol- 
 dier belonging to this town was killed during the continuance 
 of the war, and that one only was severely v.-ounded, some 
 years after this. 
 
 On the 22d. day of May, Joseph Fox was chosen a dele- 
 gate to attend the Provincial Congress, which assembled at 
 the meetinghouse in Watertown on the 31st. of the same 
 month. At the same town-mcelinc, it v/as voted to purchase 
 40 bayonets, (which cost S26.) These were probably for the 
 use of the standing company, Vvhich had been formed several 
 years previous, and of which Ebenezer Woods was command- 
 ing oflicer. How these bayonets were made to fit guns of dif- 
 ferent calibres tradition has not informed us. 
 
 The warrant for a town meeting in July deserves more par- 
 ticular notice, as differing from all previous and several subse- 
 quent ones. They had ever commenced in this form — "In his 
 Majesty's name you are hereby required to warn" &c. But this 
 runs in the following manner — "In his Majesty's name, and 
 in observance to the Provincial and Continental Congress' Re- 
 solves, you are required" &c. This course was probably dic- 
 tated by that sound discretion which suggests the propriety of 
 treating all authorities with due respect, they not knowing in- 
 to whose hands they might fall. The town voted not to send 
 
VS HISTOUY OF FITCimURG. 
 
 a delegate to the Provincial at Watertown, "by virtue of that 
 warrant." Several of the succeeding warrants ran in the old 
 form. In March, 1776, the town, by order of the General 
 Court, chose a Committee of correspondence, consisting of 
 Reuben Gibson, Kendall Boutelle, Asa Perry, John Putnam 
 and Silas Snow. This was the last occasion on which the 
 people of Fitchburg acknowledged the authority of "his Maj- 
 esty's name." 
 
 The warrant for a meeting in May ran thus — "In observ- 
 ance of the Colony Writ to us directed — These are in the name 
 of the Government and People of the Massachusetts Bay to 
 will and require you" &c. At this meeting it was voted not 
 to send a representative to the General Court at Watertown. 
 
 The next town meeting, which was held on the first day of 
 July, 1776, shows what was the disposition of the inhabitants, 
 when the important question of National independence was 
 submitted to them. The General Court, then in session, had 
 assured the Continental Congres, that if they, in their wisdom, 
 should deem it expedient to declare the colonies free and inde- 
 pendent, the people of this colony would undoubtedly support 
 them in the measure. The State Legislature, however, to 
 make the thing certain, passed a resolve that each town should 
 act individually on the important question. By virtue of this 
 resolve, this town assembled on the 1st. day of July. The pro- 
 ceedings of this meeting are recorded as follows — 
 
 "Voted, that if the Honorable Continental Congress should, 
 for the safety of these United Colonies, declare them indepen- 
 dent of the Kingdom of Great Britian, that we, the inhabitants 
 of the town of Fitchburg, will with our lives and fortunes sup- 
 port them in the measure." This took place only three days 
 previous to the adoption of the Declaration by Congress. The 
 question was introduced there on Frida}', the 7th of June, and 
 was discussed on that day, on Saturday, and on the following 
 Monday. Further debate was postponed till July 1st. It was 
 during this interval that the question was submitted to the sev- 
 eral towns of this Province. On the very day, on which the 
 question was resumed in Congress, the people of Fitchburg de- 
 clared themselves ready to peril their lives and fortunes in the 
 cause of freedom. 
 
 The declaration having been adopted, copies were sent, by 
 order of the Council, to the several towns of the state, where 
 ihey were read from the pulpit, and then copied into the town 
 Book of Records — "there to remain as a perpetual memorial 
 thereof." 
 
 In October, the question was submitted to this town, wheth- 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIBURG. '73 
 
 cr.they were willing; that the then Representative House, to- 
 gether with the Council, should make a form of government 
 forthe'siate of the Massachusetts Bay. The town expressed 
 their unwillingness to this course, and drew up their reasons 
 in the form of a report, which was transmitted to the Legisla- 
 ture. It is as follows — "As we are sensible that our situation 
 demands a particular attention and due consideration in mat- 
 ters of the greatest importance, on so interesting concern for 
 the public good, and for ihe good order and benefit of the com- 
 munity and peace of this state — that as the end of government 
 is the happiness of the people, so the sole right and power of 
 forming and establishing a plan thereof is essentially in the 
 people. — We are therefore unwilling that the present House 
 of Representatives, together with the Council, should make a 
 form of government for this State. 
 
 Firstly — Because the present House were never elected by 
 the people to establish a form of government for this State, 
 but for ordering and governing the prudential affairs of this 
 embarrassed Slate, as necessity calls for their strict attention 
 thereto. 
 
 Secondly — Because a large number of our worthy inhabit- 
 ants of this State is now engaged in the service of the United 
 Slates, in opposing our unnatural enemies, who we apprehend 
 ought, of right, to have an equal voice in establishing a form 
 of government for this State, as those that are not engaged in 
 the army. — But provided the present House of Representa- 
 tives, together with the Council, should proceed to make a form 
 of government, Resolved, That it is the opinion of this town 
 that said form of government should be made public for the 
 perusal and inspection of the inhabitants before the ratification 
 thereof by the assembly." 
 
 It will be readily imagined 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 draughts for soldiers, 
 laborers were in great demand, and their services commanded 
 exorbitant prices. The result of this was that the prices of all 
 commodities and articles of consumption rose in proportion. — ■ 
 The embarrassed condition of our trade, previous to the com- 
 mencement of the war, had also tended to increase the scarcity 
 of money ; so that this anomaly now presented itself — every 
 thing was exceedingly dear, and no one had money to buy 
 
74 HISTORY OF FITCHJJUKfi, 
 
 with. The General Court felt tlie evil, and endeavored fnc5'* 
 fectually to apply a remedy. They passed an act for dividing 
 the Commonwealth into districts, and ordering that a commit- 
 tee should be'Jchosen"'in each district, to fix upon certain pri- 
 fes for labor and provisions, — which prices, when thus estab'* 
 lished, it should be unlawful for any one to exceed- This 
 scheme continued in operation for a few weeks, when it fell to 
 the ground by common consent. It was found to operate un- 
 equally, and the people would not submit to it, 
 
 Groton, Shirley, Townscnd, Lunenburp- and Fitchburgcom' 
 posed one district. I have thought it might prove interesting 
 to mention the prices which were affixed to some of the mo?il 
 important articles, by the committee of these towns. 
 
 Labor of men in summer per day - - SO, 50 
 
 do in winter - - - 0,25 
 
 A carpenter or housewright per day - - 0,50 
 
 Wheat per bushel - - - 1,11 
 
 Rye do - - - - 0,73 
 
 Corn do - . - - d,56 
 
 Oats do - - - - 0,33 
 
 Pork per lb. - - - - 0,0G 
 
 Butter do ... . 0,12 1-2 
 
 Beef do .... 0,06 
 
 Potatoes per bushel ... 0,17 
 
 Good sheep's wool per lb. - - - 0,33 
 
 Men's stockings of the best quality - - 1,00 
 
 Men's shoes - - - - 1,33 
 
 Lamb, mutton and veal per lb. - - 0,04 1-2 
 
 Hay per ton - - - - 10,00 
 
 Pine boards per thousand - - - 3,67 
 
 Clapboards do - - - 10,67 
 
 Wheat flour per 100 lb. - - - 3,67 
 
 For a dinner boiled & roasted - - 0,17 
 
 For a dinner with only one of these - - 0,14 
 
 For a mug of West India flip - - 0,15 1-2 
 
 For a mug of N. E. flip - - - 0,12 1-2 
 
 Good cider per barrel ... 1,83 
 
 Men tailors per day - - - 0,42 
 
 Women tailors per day - - . 0,15 1-2 
 
 Yard wide cotton cloth ■ - - 0,5S 
 
 House maids per week - - - 0,42 
 
 Horse for one person to ride per mile - 0,03 1-8 
 
 There are indications that at this period (1777) the town be« 
 gan to grow weary of its burdens. There was no prospect of 
 
 an immediate terminatiorv of the war — no prospect of 'better 
 
MlSTORV 01- FiTCIlBURG. 7i 
 
 limes.' The inhabitants were dilatory in furnishing their 
 quotas of continental soldiers. Tlie great bounty required for 
 enlistments seemed too enormous to be offered. Those who 
 felt disposed to go forth to the field of battle, looked upon their 
 families, and saw that they must be left to poverty and want, 
 unlesss they could depend upon the bounties for support. Of 
 specie but little was the country, and paper money was rapidly 
 depreciating in value. The resources of the country seemed 
 to be nearly exhausted. It is not surprising, therefore, that 
 the stoutest heart at times yielded to despondency. Yet there 
 is one thing truly surprising. Amid all this gloom, when all 
 were disheartened at the prospect before them, there were no 
 general murmurs heard, as of old among the children of Israel, 
 sighing for the "flesh pots of Egypt" — no vain regrets that 
 ihey had departed from under the protection of the British 
 crown. On the contrary, the utmost vigilance was exercised 
 to spy out, and hold up to public scorn the man who dared to 
 show the least symptom of disaffection towards the American 
 cause. ' 
 
 It was during this year that Piiinehas Hartwell,' whom, in 
 the language of the Records, the town presumed to be firmly 
 attached to the American cause, was appointed a committee to 
 procure and lay before a special Court of Sessions of the Peacei 
 *'the evidence that may be lad of the inimical disposition, tow- 
 ards this or any of the United States, of any inhabitant of this 
 town, who shall be charged by the freeholders, and other in- 
 habitants of said town." Indeed, not only was enmity to the 
 cause severely punished, but persons exhibiting lukewarmnesf-s 
 were watched with a suspicious eye. Every one had to come 
 up to the mark prescribed by public opinion, or expose himself 
 to the effects of popular indignation. More than one inhabit- 
 ant of this town was threatened with a coat of tar and feath- 
 ers, and even with the destruction of his house. Such per- 
 sons had to walk very circumspectly to shelter themselves from 
 ebulitions of popular feeling. They were even compelled to 
 mount the head of a barrel, and in this conspicuous though 
 humbling condition, promise to the assembled majesty of the 
 town, a greater love for the American cause and a more strict 
 obedience to the will of the people. Among this unfortunate 
 class was our old friend, Thomas Cowdin, who, though in oth- 
 er respects a very popular man, and a very noted inn-keeper, 
 was shorn of all his municipal honors in 1775, and was not 
 again admitted to the confidence of the town till towards the 
 close of the war. This summary process induced those who 
 entertained inimical dispositions, to keep their opinions to 
 ihemselre-s. 
 
?G HISTORY OF FITCHBURG. 
 
 Though tlie burthea of the war was now prcssuig lieavi'fy 
 upon a lown, which was not highly favored in the possession 
 of worldly goods, the people did not despair of the cause of In- 
 dependence. They continued to labor steadily to the utmost 
 of their ability, and this year (1777) voted to raise $2S8 for 
 purchasing guns and ammunition for the town's use. In com- 
 pliance with an act of the General Court, they chose a com- 
 mittee, who had full power and authority to supply with the 
 necessaries of life, at the town's expense, all those families of 
 the soldiers, who were engaged in the Continental service. 
 
 The wretched state of the currency ut this time was render- 
 ed still worse by the improvident atlem^pts of the Legislature 
 to remedy it. The General Court passed an act for putting 
 large sums of the bills of credit, emitted by this State, on in- 
 terest, and sinking certain sums, less than ten pounds, in the 
 possessors' hatids, — and prohibiting the circulation of the bills 
 of any of the United Slates under a penalty of five pounds. — 
 The town was opposed to this act, and sent to the General 
 Court a remonstrance to that effect. 
 
 In May, 1778, the town approved of the "articles of Confeder- 
 ation sent out by the Continental Congress." At this time the 
 new State Constitution was submitted to the people for their 
 approbation or disapprobation. The vote in this town was as 
 follows — For the Constitution, 22 — against it, 4. — The Gener- 
 al Court, at this period, called for four men for the Continent- 
 al army, and allowed the town $4C0 for this purpose. The 
 town treasurer was directed to give his note for the sum of 
 SlOO to each soldier, or to borrow the money on the town's 
 credit. 
 
 At the close of this year (1778) the period of the war of the 
 Revolution was half completed. It is impossible for us to re- 
 alize, at the present day, how completely that struggle called 
 into exercise every resource and the whole energy of every 
 individual throughout the community. How low soever might 
 be his condition, and however scanty might be his means of 
 supporting himself and his fiimily, every man was called upon 
 to act — to do to the utmost of his ability, or to rest under the 
 imputation of being a tory. 
 
 They, who had money and the means of supplying the nec- 
 essaries of an army, were compelled, not only by public opin- 
 ion but every legal power which an overwhelming majority 
 could exert, to pour forth their wealth in aid of the common 
 cause. They, whom poverty marks as exempts, in ordinary 
 cases, from any onerous services in their country's cause, could 
 not now escape the all-searching requisition. The possession 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIBURG. 77 
 
 of physical strength was sufficient to call forth the poorest day 
 laborer, ihoucli clolhtd in rags, and require of him the nerve 
 of his right aim, to aid in the defence of his country. 
 
 The exertions made by the people of this town, in the early part 
 of the war, wliile tiie enemy were in possession of Boston, liave 
 already been jnrntioned. Their entire military strength was put 
 in requisition. Their enthusiasm was at its height, and the pay 
 was good. After this period the necessity of adopting some 
 regular system was felt. The General Court recjuired the 
 town to furnish a certain number of men, whenever the State 
 was called upon to make out a quota. These men were se- 
 lected by a comniillee, and a bounty was paid to them, which 
 was assessed ly a general rate upon the town. In the latter 
 years of the war, it was proposed by the Legislature and adop- 
 ted in this town, to divide the people into classes — each class 
 consisting of about twelve or fourteen individuals, according 
 to their wealth. The person first nam.ed in each class was en- 
 trusted with the keeping of its accounts and the general man- 
 agement of its concerns. Whenever the town Avas called up- 
 on for soldiers, the classes were required to furnish a man in 
 rotation — the burthen being equalized among them as nearly 
 as possible. When called upon to furnish a man for three 
 years or during the war, they were obliged to offer him, 'over 
 and above' what he would receive from the United States, as 
 a soldier's pay, the sum of $300 as a bounty; and as the cur- 
 rency was fluctuating and nearly worthless, the notes were 
 made payable in produce at a market value. When no one 
 of a class was willing to volunteer on these conditions, it W£S 
 usual to hire some other individual. When this could not be 
 done, the members of a class were compelled to cast lots among 
 themselves, to determine who of them should go ; and he, up- 
 on whom the unlucky lot fell, had to shoulder his musket and 
 march, or find a substitue at some rate. This sometimes hap- 
 pened to one, whose little property could scarcely survive the 
 shock of taking from it the sum of one, two, or three hundred 
 dollars to hire a substitute. 
 
 Notes were frequently given in these cases, which after- 
 wards came before the town, with strong arguments and pow- 
 erful appeals from those who were compelled to pay them, 
 showing the manifest injustice that a single individual should 
 be required to pay, towards supporting the cominon cause, so 
 much more than his townsmen generally ; and the town was 
 accordingly asked to pay those ao\.es, by an assessment upon 
 the inhabitants. 
 
 It was frequently voted to ascertain what each individual 
 
78 HlSTonV OF FITCIIRURG. 
 
 had done towards supporting the war, and to equalize the LuV" 
 then ; but unfortunately they could get no farther ilian this. — ' 
 The demands upon the town had been so frequent, and taxes 
 of course so heavy, that generosity towards one another was 
 not to be expected. The reports of committees, chosen to in- 
 vestigate this subject, were laid before the town, and immedi- 
 ately voted down or not accepted. Each one previous to an 
 investigation, seemed to think that his sacrifices had exceeded 
 those of his neighbor; but when a report had been made, and 
 it appeared that a majority would be called upon to pay, in- 
 stead of receiving, something, the fate of such a report is not 
 surprising. 
 
 The average of the number of men, which the town kept in 
 the field from this period till the close of the war, is not accu- 
 rately known — but it was not far from fifteen or twenty. — 
 This must have brought upon the several classes an expense 
 of at least $4000. 
 
 If the records be examined to ascertain what sums the town 
 paid, in its corporate capacity, towards defraying the expenses 
 of the war, during the last five years of its continuance, the 
 subject will be attended with considerable difficulty. The 
 currency, in which the taxes were assessed, varied monthly. 
 But from certain known data, an approach may be made tow- 
 ards the actual sum. During these five years, there were paid 
 for 1400 pounds of beef, for clothing for the army, and for the 
 hire of soldiers whom the town, in its corporate capacity, em- 
 ployedr about $7250. This sum was assessed upon the whole 
 town, in addition to large sums which the several classes were 
 obliged to pay for soldiers, hired by them respectively. 
 
 Let it be remembered also that, at this time, when all kinds 
 of business had been brought nearly to a stand by the opera- 
 tion of the war, when specie was almost unknown throughout 
 the country, and the paper currency was but little better th;tii 
 so much brown paper, the ordinary expenses of the town — 
 such as the support of the minister, of schools, of the high 
 ways and bridges, 6cc. &:c. — bore with extreme rigor upon the 
 inhabitants. 
 
 At the commencement of the war, gold and silver were 
 scarce articles; and it was soon found, that if something could 
 not be devised as a substitute for the precious metals, the pat- 
 riots must give up the contest, and surrender all hope of gain- 
 ing Independence. Congress ordered the issuing of notes or 
 bills to a large amount, promising to redeem them at a conve- 
 nient season. This currency, called Continental Money, soon 
 
MlSTOUY OF riTCHBUKC;. 79 
 
 cnme into extensive circulation. The bills, instead of bein^ 
 executed in the masterly style of our bank note engravings, 
 Avere rude, coarse prints on coarser paper, and consequently 
 were easily counterfeited. The British, actuated by the doub- 
 le motive of making money, and ruining the credit of our gov- 
 ernment, flooded the country with counterfeits, so well executed 
 that they could not be distinguished from|"the"true"ones. In 
 1777 the bills began to depreciate; and all intelligent men 
 soon saw that it would be impossible for the government ever 
 to fulfil their pledge of redeeming them. The government 
 not being able, or not choosing, to^devise any other means to 
 raise the credit of the bills, in an evil hour made them a legal 
 tender for the payment of all debts due. 
 
 The consequences of this measure may be seen at a glance. 
 Never, since the time of the flood, were debtors more ready 
 and anxious to pay their debts, or creditors more unwilling to 
 receive their money. Of money, such as it was, there was no 
 scarcity, and miserably poor was he who could not count his 
 thousands. Then was the sun of prosperity darkened upon 
 the prospects of those, upon whom it is usually supposed to 
 shine with peculiar favor. I refer to the lenders of money. — 
 Hundreds, who before were in comfortable, if not affluent, cir- 
 cumstances — more than supported by the income of their mon- 
 ey — experienced the singular satisfaction of having every debt 
 paid them, and, while gazing upon their masses of money, re- 
 flecting that they were reduced to poverty. 
 
 Elias Haskell, who has already been mentioned «s once 
 having owned all the land, on which our pleasant village now 
 stands, beside other tracts in the town, was one who, by this 
 measure, was reduced from affluence to poverty. 
 
 If this sacrifice of so many men's property was made for the 
 American cause, ought not the sufferers to have been indem- 
 nified by our government? Many a soldier, who, instead of 
 .sacrificing any property, received adequate pay for his servi- 
 ces, has been favored with a pension ; but who has been heard 
 to lift up a voice in pleading the cause of those who sacrificed 
 their thousands? 
 
 It" may be interesting at this time to give a slight'sketch of 
 the rate of the depreciation of this currency. On the first"of 
 January, 1777, it was at par. First of Jan. 1778, $1,00 
 specie was worth S4,.50 Continental; first of Jan. 1779, $1,00 
 specie was worth $8,38 Continental; first of Jan. 1780, $1,00 
 specie was worth $32,50 Continental. At a town meeting in 
 Feby. 1780, it was voted that the inhabitants should be allow- 
 ed three dollars per hour for their labor on the highways. — 
 
so 
 
 HISTORY OF flTCIIBUF.G. 
 
 At the same meeting it was voted to raise the sum of ^SOOO 
 to assist in supporting the families of continental soldiers. — 
 In July, it was voted to raise $166,666,00 to hire soldiers 
 with. In the Octoher following, a committee of the town con- 
 tracted for 4S00 pounds of beef, and agreed to pay !i)26,000 for 
 it, or at a rate of more than So, 00 per lb. In March, 1781, 
 Phinehas Sawyer and John Carter were chosen collectors of 
 taxes; and refusing to serve in that cap'^i-ity, they were sever- 
 ally fined by the town in the sum of $900 — which was con- 
 sidered equal to SIO, the usual fine in such cases. At the 
 saine meeting the town appropriated the sum of $20,000 for 
 the repair of high ways, and allowed each person 85 per hour 
 for his labor. 
 
 Rev. John Payson, then minister of the town, who was set- 
 tled on the original sum of 60/. came very near to being starv- 
 ed, though the poor man could not complain that his salary 
 was not paid very promptly. Yet he was not suffered to come 
 to absolute want, for in March, 1778, the town chose a com- 
 mittee to carry a subscription paper among the inhabitants, that 
 they might contribute "the necessaries of life or any thing they 
 pleased" for his support. The committee reported that Mr. 
 Payson expressed himself as "well satisfied with what the town 
 had done." In October of the same year he received $1000, 
 and in November, $266 more (equivalent, in all, to nearly 
 $184) as his salary. In 1780, the town voted to pay him 
 $11,000, to make up the depreciation which had already oc- 
 curred. Every one will see that, with a currency so fluctua- 
 ting as this, all business must come to a stand, unless another 
 'circulating medium' be devised. And such was the case. — 
 Notes were generally given to pay to the bearer so many bush- 
 els of corn or rye. Sometimes they promised to pay m "hard 
 money." When in 1781 "nine continental men" were called 
 for, the town voted to pay them each $100 in 'hard money,' 
 and an agent was despatched to Boston to borrow the same on 
 the town's credit. This year the town paid John Thurston 
 106 bushels of corn "for the services of his son Stephen in the 
 continental army. 
 
 In May, 1779, the town voted unanimously (casting 45 
 votes) in favor of a new State Constitution. In August, Capt. 
 Thomas Cowdin was chosen a delegate to attend a convention 
 which was to meet at Cambridge, on the 1st. of Sept. for the 
 purpose of forming a new State Constitution. At the same 
 time Dr. Thaddeus McCarty was appointed a delegate to a 
 convention at Worcester, for the purpose of regulating the pri- 
 ces of commodities and articles in general use. The town vo- 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIBURG. 81 
 
 ted to abide by the prices established by this convention, but 
 in a short time individuals saw fit to fix their own prices 
 to their articles, and the labor of the convention fell to the 
 ground. 
 
 In May 17S0, the present Constitution of the State was sub- 
 mitted to the people for their consideration. The inhabitants 
 of Fitchburg voted unanimously (65 votes) in favor of adopt- 
 ing it. 
 
 In September, votes were given for Governor. John 
 Hancock received 63 votes, and James Bowdoin, 1. 
 
 In October, Capt. Thomas Cowdin was chosen to represent 
 the town in the first General Court under the new Constitu- 
 tion. 
 
 In 17S1 and '2, Rev. Mr. Payson received 100/. in "hard 
 money" as his salary, but subsequently it was reduced to the 
 former sum of 66^ 13s. 8d. 
 
 In Sept. 17S2, David Mclntire was chosen a delegate to the 
 Convention at Worcester, assembled "to take into considera- 
 tion the grievances Worcester County labored under" — and in 
 March, 1784, he was appointed to attend a convention at the 
 same place, called by request of the town of Sutton. 
 
 In Jan. 17S4, the town appropriated the sum of 474/. 13». 
 4cZ. — "the first moiety of the continental tax, granted by the 
 General Court, May, 17S2," and in May it was voted to raise 
 80/. "to discharge an execution in the hands of the high sher- 
 iff against the town ybr dejiciency of beef. ^^ 
 
 I have already spoken of the difficulty of our attaining, at 
 the present day, to an exact computation of the expenses, and 
 forming a correct idea of the exertions, which the war of the 
 Revolution caused to the people of this town. All calcula- 
 tions, based on data derived from the town Records, can be on- 
 ly an approximation to the actual amount. From 1778 to 
 1783 — the last five years of the war — a period in which there 
 occurred many events of sufficient interest to call out the 
 whole body of voters — I can find no town meeting, at which 
 there appeared to be more than 70 voters. The town contains 
 now seven times that number. Let it be remembered that, at 
 that time, between the dwelling house of Jonas Marshall and 
 the Old City there was not a single building. The whole of 
 the village where there is now so much wealth — where the in- 
 habitants are clustered so thickly together — was then consid- 
 ered worth only a few dollars. If the wealth and resources of 
 the town, at the present time, be estimated as ten times greater 
 than at that period, it will not be far from the truth. If then 
 the amount, which the people then contributed annually, be 
 
 K 
 
82 HlSTOrvY or i'lTCIlBURG. 
 
 ninltiplied by ten, would not the product form a (ax, which 
 would be considered enormous? and tliig, too, when it was so 
 difficult to meet the current expenses of the town, and when 
 the expenses of the 'classes' for hiring soldiers and procuring 
 substitutes were so great. 
 
 To learn what the Revolutionary war cost this country, we 
 must search minutely into the history of each town. We 
 there may see what difficulties were encountered, and what 
 generous sacrifices were made. To say that the people of this 
 town bore themselves gallantly through the war, is not saying 
 enough — though their exertions did not exceed those of their 
 neighbors. They continued to exhibit a firmness, a devoted- 
 ness to the cause they had espoused, which was every way 
 worthy of our fathers. There were a few indeed who looked 
 with an eye of coldness upon the attempt of the patriots. They 
 feared that the colonies, weak and unprovided as they were, 
 would not be able to contend successfully with the gicantic 
 power of Great Brilian ; or the sentiment of loyalty was so 
 firndy fixed in their minds, that they beheld with horror any 
 attempts to subvert the authorilj'' of their king. . Such were 
 compelled to yield to the mighty current of public opinion, and 
 contribute their share, however unwillingly, to promote the 
 common cause. 
 
 But the troubles, above enumerated, were not all which this 
 town had to contend with, during the struggle for Indepen- 
 dence. The Small Pox, — that pestilential and terrible disease 
 now happily disarmed of its terrors — was then considered one 
 of the most dreadful maladies, that ever afflicted the human 
 family. This disease made its appearance here in 1776, and 
 spread an alarm far and near. Vaccination, or innoculation 
 for the kine pox, as a preventive for the small pox, was then 
 unknown in this country. The only means then known to 
 prevent the ravages of this fatal disease, was innoculation for 
 the small pox. The disease even then was sometimes fatal, 
 and equally infectious as when taken in the natural way. It 
 was necessary, therefore, that a place remote from the habita- 
 tions of men, should be selected, where they, who attempted 
 to avert the fatality of the small pox by innoculation for the 
 same disease, rnifrht repair during the period of sickness. 
 
 Dr. Thaddeus McCarty, a physician of this town, in con- 
 nexion with Dr. Israel Atherton, a distinguished physician of 
 Lancaster, established a hospital for this purpose, on Buck 
 hill, so called, in the rear of Philip F. Cowdin's dwelling 
 house, in the year 3 776. To this place the people of this and 
 the neighboring towns repaired, andhad the small pox by i.n.« 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBURG. S3 
 
 noculation. Notwilhstanding all precautions, several died 
 liere ; and instead ol' beiny carried to the grave-yards of their 
 respective towns, they were buried on tlie hill on which they 
 died. This was owing to a foolisli notion, then prevalent, that 
 ii' these remains should ever be disturbed, they would commu- 
 nicate the dreaded disease to any one that might come in con- 
 tact with them. Of the large number of patients who were 
 here, it is not known that more than five died. If any should 
 lake the trouble to visit the place, they may find in the skirts 
 of the wood, a single grave, the headstone of which bears this 
 inscription — "Josiaii L airbanks of Lancaster died March 12th 
 1777." 
 
 Dr. McCarty, it appears, labored incessantly to alleviate the 
 pains of those who were suflering under this loathsome disor- 
 der, and to allay the fears of those who were well. For his 
 exertions in this praiseworthy cause, the good people of the 
 town showed their gratitude by propagating a report that ei- 
 ther he, or liis friends, introduced the disease into the place for 
 the purpose of giving him a good business. 
 
 Dr. Thaddeus McCarty was a son of Rev. Thaddeus McCar- 
 ty of VVorcester, and came into this town in 1772 or '3. He 
 was then a young man, and the first physician who resided in 
 this place. He married a daughter of Capt. Thomas Cowdin, 
 and lived in the house noW occupied by one or more families 
 of color in the Old City. He was a man of good education, 
 and reputed to have been skilful in his profession. So long as 
 he remained in the town he had great influence in public af- 
 iairs. He removed from this town to Worcester in 17S1. — 
 Remaining there a short time, he went to Kecne, N. H. com- 
 menced business as a trader there, and in a few years died. 
 His only child, a daughter, is the wife of John Stiles, a weal- 
 thy citizen of Worcester. 
 
 The first store, opened in this town, was kept by Dea. E- 
 phraim Kimball. This took place about the year 1772. The 
 store was in a part of his dwelling house, which stood where 
 the Stone Factory now stands. After trading here several 
 years he commenced purchasing real estate, and lived on sev- 
 eral farms, which he successively bought. In 1794, he, in 
 connexion with Jonas Marshall (as has been mentioned in an- 
 other place) built a dam and a saw-mill where the red or Roll- 
 stone Factory now is. In 1797, he built the house where 
 Daniel Tuttle now lives, and there he spent the remainder of 
 his days. 
 
 Joseph Fox, Esq. came into this town from Littleton, in 
 1772, and occupied a part of the Boutelle house. He was » 
 
84 I.IISTORY OF FITCHBURG. 
 
 shoemaker by trade, and plied himself to his calling for sosie 
 little time in his dwelling house. He commenced trading by 
 bringing goods in his saddle-bags from Boston, and retailing 
 them from his shoemaker's bench. Soon after this he open- 
 ed the red store, which constituted one in the block of old 
 buildings, which stood between the main road and the Stone 
 Factory. He was a man of great influence in the town, and 
 died a few years since, after having acquired a large property. 
 
 About this time Wm. Hitchborn came from Boston, and buik 
 one of the houses in the block above mentioned. He was a 
 hatter by trade, and a Justice of the Peace. In 1781, he was 
 one of three persons licensed by the selectmen to sell tea. He 
 appears not to have attracted much notice, till it was under- 
 stood that he was about to procure a commission in the Peace, 
 which in those days was a most important circumstance. An 
 urgent remonstrance, headed by Dea. David Goodridge and 
 signed by a large number of citizens, was sent to the Fountain 
 of Honor, protesting earnestly against the appointment. But 
 a brother of Hitchborn, then living in Boston, was too power- 
 ful, and the esquireship was obtained despite the remonstrance. 
 Hitchborn soon became very poor, sold his establishment to Jo- 
 seph Fox, and returned to Boston. 
 
 It thus appears that the 'Old City,' as it is now called, was 
 the distinguished part of the town — having the meetinghouse, 
 the tavern, the stores, the doctor, the hatter, and the miller all 
 within its precincts. 
 
 David Gibson, son of Isaac Gibson of Pearl Hill, having 
 learned the baker's trade, turned his eyes westward of the Old 
 City, and in a daring moment, reckless of a rough soil and its 
 rougher productions — such as pine stubs, hard-hack, grape- 
 vines, &c. &;c. built a bakery on the spot now occupied by the 
 dwelling house of E, Torrey Esqr. and located his dwelling 
 house directly opposite to it. This was the first house built 
 in what is now called the Village — unless the house of Benja- 
 min Danforth, which stood nearly where S. M. Dole's house 
 now stands, preceded it. 
 
 Gibson went to Vermont in 1792, and Dr. Peter Snow, who 
 succeeded Dr. McCarly in the practice of medicine in the 
 town, moved into this house and occupied it several years. 
 
 Not far from the time when Gibson's house was built, Ben- 
 jamin Kemp built a house where Jonas Marshall's brick house 
 now stands. But this was so far west that it was not then con- 
 sidered as forming a component part of the 'middle of the town.' 
 
 Joseph Fenno lived in a log house, a few steps beyond the 
 brick yard brook, — and nearly in front of Josiah Sheldon's 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBURG. 85 
 
 present dwelling house. He afterwards built and occupied a 
 house where Dea. Abel Downe now lives. 
 
 Capt. Wm. Brown built the preseet dwelling house ofCapt. 
 Z. Sheldon, in the year 1783 or '4. He owned the niills and 
 clothier's works in the Old City. He occupied this as iiis 
 dwelling house at first, and afterwards as a tavern. 
 
 The houses built by David Gibson, by Benj. Danforlh, and 
 by Capt. Win. Brown, were the only ones properly in the lim- 
 its of the Village, when the first Parish Meeting House was 
 built, in the year 1796. 
 
 In August, 17&4, Dea. Kendall Boutelle and Thomas Stearns 
 attended, as delegates from this town, a convention at West- 
 minster, holden ior the purpose of dividing the County of Wor- 
 cester, or for devising means for that purpose; and in the follow- 
 ing May, Dr. Jonas Marshall, Capt. Thomas Cowdin and Elijah 
 Garfield attended a convention at Lunenburg for the same pur- 
 pose. This has been, for a long time, a favorite object with 
 the people in this town, but their efforts have never been crown- 
 ed with the least success. They will probably be doomed for 
 a long time to live at the distance of 25 miles from a court 
 house and jail. 
 
 After the declaration of peace in 1783, a general stagnation 
 of all kinds of business, as is usual in such cases, ensued. — 
 The United Colonies were burdened with a debt of forty mill- 
 ions of dollars, without any means of paying it. Congress, 
 under the Confederation had power only to advise the several 
 states to adopt certain measures to meet the wants of the limes. 
 
 But the states, actuated by a spirit of commercial rivalry and 
 jealousy, would agree upon no uniform system. So far then 
 from any measures being adopted to pay the public debt, even 
 the interest if it remained unpaid. 
 
 The whole body of the people became alarmed, and all con- 
 fidence was destroyed. Certificates of public debt lost their 
 credit, and many officers and soldiers of the late army, who 
 were poor, were compelled to sell these certificates at exces- 
 sive reductions. They had fondly hoped that if they could 
 establish their independence, and a government of their own 
 choosing, public and private prosperity would every where 
 abound, and that things would go on delightfully. Bitter, 
 now, was their disappointment. Of money there was next to 
 none. The introduction of the precious mttals had been pre- 
 vented by the war and its attendant evils, and the paper mon- 
 ey in circulation was worth about two shillings on the pound. 
 Creditors became alarmed, and used every means in their pow- 
 er to secure their debts. Business was at a stand — men 'fail- 
 
86 HISTORY OF FITCHBITRG. 
 
 ed' — and lawyers were overwhelmed with employment. Nev- 
 er was the labor of the profession in greater demand, and nev- 
 er were Courts of justice filled with more business. Massa- 
 chusetts, for the purpose of maintaining her credit, leaded the 
 people with excessive taxes. It was impossible for ihem to 
 meet the demands made upon them. They knew not the ori- 
 gin of the evils, but supposed that there was some defect in the 
 laws — that there were either too many, or not enough. Pe- 
 titions were poured in upon the Legislature from all quarters 
 — but the Legislature, like all deliberative bodies, moved slow. 
 The patience of the people was entirely exhausted in seeing 
 their property seized on 'executions' issuing from these author- 
 itive Courts, and as petitions, remonstrances, and mild meas- 
 ures had failed to work out a remedy for their grievances, they 
 determined to put down "Worcester ss" "In the name of 
 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts" &c. by force of arms. 
 Thus much it has been necessary to premise to account for 
 the origin of "Shays' Insurrection." 
 
 A large majority of the people of this, as well as the neigh- 
 boring towns, were 'Shaysites.' In extenuation, though not in 
 justihcation, of their conduct, it may be remarked that their 
 straight-forward method of thinking did not lead them to com- 
 prehend the actual state of public affairs, and the necessity of 
 sacrificing present convenience to future good. After a Avar of 
 eight years' duration to avoid the evils of excessive and illegal 
 taxation, they could not see what they had gained, if they 
 were now to be subjected to severer taxation than ever. Gov. 
 Bowdoindid not possess the confidence of the people, but was 
 looked upon, as I have been told, rather as a "Britianer." 
 
 They did not break out into open rebellion here, though they 
 stood ready, and undoubtedly would have done so, had they 
 been goaded much furtlier by the acts of government. Their 
 valor was fortunately well tempered with discretion. They 
 knew that taking up arms against government was treason, 
 and they knew that treason was a "hanging matter." How- 
 ever, they put no restraint upon their tongues, and their lan- 
 guage savored strongly of rebellion. Some, it must be con- 
 fessed, "swore terribly ;" and the taxes ordered by the General 
 Court were not all collected. 
 
 In June, 17S6, Eobert Burnham, Daniel Putnam, Thomas 
 Stearns, Elijah Willard, and Phinehas Hartwell v.ere chosen 
 a committee to take into consideration the circumstances of 
 the town, its burdens, and to petition to the Gen. Court for a 
 redress of grievances. At the same meeting Elijah Willard 
 was appointed a delegate to a convention of the people of the 
 
HISTORY OF FlTCHBURfi. 87 
 
 County at Worcester, to take into consideration the public af- 
 fairs of the Commonwcallh. 
 
 Open rebellion having broken out in several places, and 
 threats and demonstrations of warlike movements beginning 
 to appear in others, the Slate authorities were compelled to 
 take notice of them, and resolved to put them down by an 
 armed force. They had under their control the militia of the 
 Commonwealth, and on their side all those, who preferred good 
 order and an observance of the Laws — though somewhat ob- 
 jectionable — to open rebellion and civil war. Companies of 
 the military were stationed in the infected districts, with or- 
 ders to seize upon suspected persons, that they might be con- 
 fined, or take an oath of allegiance and fidelity to the Com- 
 monwealth. 
 
 The town voted that Mr. Willard should attend the conven- 
 tion at Worcester, and that they would defend his property, if 
 he should be taken in person by government for his attendance 
 — provided he behaved in an orderly and peaceable manner — 
 otherwise they prudently resolved that he should take all risks 
 upon his own shoulders. 
 
 In January, 17S7, the town voted to petition the Legislature 
 to have the Courts of Common Pleas and of the Sessions, sus- 
 pended till the choice of a new representative house in the fol- 
 lowing May — also to petition the government to liberate Capt. 
 Shattuck and others, (who had been apprehended and impris- 
 oned by the state authorities) on their promising to behave as 
 peaceable and faithful subjects of the Commonwealth,* — also 
 to petition the government that the people might have the priv- 
 ilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus. Phinehas Hartwell, E- 
 lijah Willard, and Dea. Ephraim Kimball were appointed to 
 draft the above mentioned petitions. 
 
 Thomas Cowdin Esqr. who firmly adhered to the govern- 
 ment, was appointed in this town, to administer the oath of 
 allegiance and fidelity to those suspected persons, who were 
 compelled unwillingly to appear before him. A large compa- 
 ny of soldiers, commanded by Capt. Johnson, was sent up 
 from Lancaster to examine into the soundness of loyalty here. 
 They had they their quarters at the house of Capt. Thomas 
 
 *Capt. Shattuck was a distiiiguislied Shaysite of Peppcrell, and 
 was apprehended for his trea.-;oiiabIo desiijns. He was most 
 shaiiicfidly ahiisod and his life was threatened by those into whose 
 hands he had fallei). His condition consequently excited the 
 symjiathy of all those who were dirfafiected tov.ards the gov- 
 erntuent. 
 
88 HISTORY OF FITCHBURG. 
 
 Cowclin for a few days, and then were removed to where J. 
 L. liaynes now lives. Their business was to sally ont by night, 
 and seize upon persons who happened to be suspected of en- 
 tertaining dangerous opinions, and bring them by force before 
 Captain Cowdin, where they were compelled to take the oath, 
 or be carried to jail. 
 
 It will readily be imagined that the people of the town were 
 exceedingly indignant at such a state of things, when the 
 Writ of Habeas Corpus was suspended, and martial law en- 
 forced. On more than one occasion were the citizens and sol- 
 diers on the point of engaging in deadly strife, which was pre- 
 vented only by the latter yielding the point to the former. — ■ 
 Some were quite ready, even with the halter dangling before 
 their eyes, to oppose force to force, when they were awaken- 
 ed at dead of night by patroles of armed soldiers, who, strong 
 in the protection of government, sometimes were guilty of 
 shameful excesses. 
 
 Joshua Pierce (who lived where Alonzo P. Goodridge now 
 does) a warm Shaysite, was seized and brought before Esqr. 
 Cowdin, and proving contumacious about the oath, he was held 
 "in durance vile" for several days. Harsh measures were 
 threatened, to reduce him to subjection, but the soldiers feared 
 the people, whose demonstrations were not to be mistaken, and 
 they let him go. 
 
 The Gibsons of Pearl Hill were threatened with a nocturnal 
 visit from the military. The wrath of these stout yeomen, 
 who prided themselves not a little on their courage and strength, 
 was kindled at this intimation. They ("Reuben and Jake" — 
 as I have been told) stationed themselves on the common, and 
 dared the soldiers to lay hands on them. The latter declined 
 the contest, or a "battle royal" would probably have ensued. 
 
 Dr. Jonas Marshall was eagerly sought for, but he eluded 
 their search by secreting himself in the cellar of "Upton's Tav- 
 ern." He was not further troubled with unwelcome visits, in 
 consequence of threats, which he made, of furnishing tlie entry 
 to his house with a trap-door, so that if the soldiers desired to 
 search his house, they might commence operations by exam- 
 ining the cellar first. 
 
 During this winter (1786-7) the military company was re- 
 moved to Townsend. They gave the finishing touch to their 
 impudence, by pressing into their service, for conveyance, both 
 men and horses, for which no recompense was offered. On 
 this occasion Asa Perry, who hated the soldiers most cordial- 
 ly, did them the favor of turning them several times into 
 snow-drifts — all by accident, of course. 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBURG. 89 
 
 The force headed by Shays liiaiself having been dispersed, 
 the agitation on this subject principally subsided in the follow- 
 ing year. John Hancock was chosen Governor, and a major- 
 ity of the House of Representatives were disposed to regard 
 with a more favorable eye the interests of 'the people.' A 
 check was placed upon the system o^ sneing, by passing a law 
 that a debtor, when sued, might have wliatever articles of his 
 property he should choose appraised, and the creditor was com- 
 pelled to take such artii^les at the valuation, or lose his debt. 
 Thi-> law, in derision, was called "the hog-trough law," as a 
 man might have his hog--trough appraised, and turned in to 
 pay his debts. 
 
 One circumstance relaiive to the siniring in the meeting 
 house, at this period, is deserving of notice — inasmuch as it 
 shows the carefulness of our fathers in guarding against inno- 
 vations in all things pertaining to religious worship. It was 
 the practice, previous to this time, in our churches, to have the 
 minister select and read the psalm or hymn, as now — then the 
 oldest deacon would read one line, which was sung by all who 
 could sing, sitting promiscuously in every part of the meeting- 
 house. Then another line was read, and sung in the same 
 manner — and so on through the psalm or hymn. It app^-ars 
 that in 17S7, so ne bold innovators in psalmody, undertook to 
 introduce something similar to our present mode of singing, 
 together with some new tunes. These latter were quite in- 
 comprehensible to some veterans, whose sweet voices of fifty 
 years' stan ling were hushed in consequence. They of course 
 exclaiuied against the itinovation. Others objected to it as ir- 
 religious and unscriptural. The point was argued with so 
 much warmth on both sides, that it attracted the attention of 
 the whole town. Accordingly an artic.'e was inserted in a war- 
 rant for a town meeting, readinc: thus — "To see if the town will 
 vote to come into any general ruk in reijard to carryincron the 
 singing part of the public worship of God; and whether the sing- 
 ers sh.ill sing a piri of the time without reading, and how the 
 p^alra shall be read, whether by line or verse, or act any thing 
 thereon." A connnittee was chosen to take the thing into se- 
 rious consideration, and to report at the next meeting. 
 
 The committee made the following report, which was accept- 
 ed. "There shell be singing five times in tie worshiping on 
 the Lord's day, in the following manner: — The first singing 
 in the morning before prayers shall be without reading and. 
 singing line by line. After prayers, in the singing, each line 
 shall be read and sung separately, and such tunes shall be set, 
 as the congregation can, in general, sing. The first singing 
 
 L 
 
fO HISTOHS" or riTCHBURC. 
 
 in the afternoon and before prayers shall be without reading- 
 and singing line by line. After prayers, [each line'^ shall be 
 read and sung separately, and after sermon, the singing shall 
 be without reading and singing line by line." Thus happily 
 was this difficult matter compromised. Enough of the old 
 fashion was retained to satisfy the aged people, whose preju- 
 dices in this matter were probably imbedded in their very ex- 
 istence, while the taste of those, who were pleased with the 
 change, was gratified by carrying three-fifths of their point. 
 
 In December of this year (17S7) Dea. Daniel Putnam was 
 chosen to represent the town in the Slate Convention, wfiich 
 was held at Boston on the 2d "Wednesday of 17S8, to deliber- 
 ate on the subject matter of the new proposed Federal Consti- 
 tution. He was unanimously instructed to vote in favor of the 
 Constitution, with amendments. 
 
 Perhaps enough has already been said respecting the ap- 
 pearance of the centre of the town — the number and situation 
 of the houses. — to convey a tolerably accurate idea of its con- 
 dition in 17S6, or 50 years ago. A cursory view of it, how- 
 ever, may prove somewhat interesting. A traveler, approach- 
 ing from the east or south, Avould first behold the tavern of 
 Thomas Cowdin Esqr. Upon the bill to the north-west might 
 be seen a small, yellow, and rather mean looking meeting- 
 house. In front would appear the 'red store' of Joseph Fox 
 Esqr. and in the reai' of that his dwelling-house, with large 
 projectins" eaves. The mills and dwelling house of Dea. E- 
 phraim Kimball were just below, and over the bridge were two 
 houses more. Casting his eyes up the hill he would see the 
 house of Rev. Mr. Payson, where C. Marshall now lives. — 
 This was all that could be seen, and all that then constituted 
 the middle of Fitchbin-g. Thence proceeding westward over 
 a crooked and rough road, the traveler would next see the 
 house already mentioned as laving been built by David Gib- 
 son, and opposite to thai, on ih^ right, the bakfr's shop. He 
 would then come on to the present con)mon. Here his sight 
 would be greeted by small, stinted pine trees and such bushes 
 as grow upon the poorest land. A straggling log fence here 
 and there might serve to diversify the scene. Nothing more 
 was to be seen, unless William Brown bad commenced build- 
 ing Capt. Z. Sheldon's present dwelling house, till passing the 
 swell of ground at Dr. Abel Fox's house, the modest, unas- 
 suming house of Benjamin Danforth would be visible on the 
 right, and his blacksmith's shop on the left., Continuing his 
 course onward, over one of the most wretched roads, that ever- 
 bore that name, and passing over the high bridge — and a era- 
 
KiSTORY OF FlTCHBURfci. Wl 
 
 zy one it was — near the bellows shop of Messrs Thurston and 
 Battis, no marks of human hubitalioa were to be seen, till pas- 
 sing round the hill, he miy^hl discern in the distance the soli- 
 tary cottage of Benjamin Kemp. 
 
 The river, which is now crowded, so to speak, with mills 
 and factories, then appeared like a useless profu-^ion of water, 
 flowing noisily along over its rocky bed to the pirent ocean, 
 unobstructed by a single dam, save the one in the Old City. — 
 Such, fifty years ago, was the forbidding aspect of what is now 
 the busy and pleasant village of Fitchburg. 
 
 I have been thus particular in describing the appearance of 
 the centre of the town at this period, because then arose the 
 contest respecting the location of a new m-^eting house — aeon- 
 test which continued full ten years, and was conducted with 
 more bitterness of feeling, and display of angry passions, than 
 any other town difficulty that ever existed among us. 
 
 The wealth afid business of the town is now so concentra- 
 ted, that it would seem like folly to contend that the meeting 
 house should be placed any where else, than in, or near, its 
 present location. But from what has already been said, and 
 from what will be hereafter explained concerning the condi- 
 tion of the westerly part of the town, it will appear that those, 
 who desired the meeting house to be located further west, 
 were not so destitute of reason, as one, hastily judging, might 
 be inclined to suppose. 
 
 The west, at this this time, was probably the most flourish- 
 ing part of the town. The farmers, in selecting their locations, 
 were guided hither by the circumstance that here was some of 
 the be^st soil in the town, and that the higher grounds were 
 not so liable to be visited by early frosts, as the lower grounds 
 on the borders of the river. The river, indeed, instead of be- 
 ing viewed with eyes of favor, was dreaded as a curse. — 
 Though it furnished water power for a single mill, this did not 
 have the weight of a feather, in comparison with the heavy 
 expense of maintaining the bridges. It is not surprising, 
 therefore, that the people of the west, burdened with no such 
 plague within their precincts, should desire to cut themselves 
 free from such an onerous annual tax. The tract of land, 
 now known as Dean's hill, having a good soil, and an eleva- 
 tion such as would strike the eye of a pioneer with delight, 
 was early settled ; and fifty years ago was the most flourishing 
 part of the town. 
 
 Jacob Upton then kept quite aVelebrated tavern where Capt. 
 Dean lately lived. Jedediah Cooper also kept tavern Avhere his 
 son, Samuel Cooper now lives. Capt. John Upton had a store 
 
92 HISTORY OP PITCHEURG. 
 
 in the small house now occupied by Daniel Flint. Dr. Stone, 
 now a distinguished physician in Harvard, and after him Dr. 
 Ball* practised medicine here. Near the tavern was another 
 important appendage, a blacksmith's shop in full . operation. — 
 The land here was in a good state of cultivation, and the far- 
 mers were industrious and prosperous. The Crown Point 
 road, which took the principal travel between Vermont and 
 Boston, passed over this hill, and added not a little to its ap- 
 pearance of activity. With all these advantages and prospects, 
 it is not surprising that the inhabitants felt their importance, 
 and desired to exalt their condition above that of being merely 
 an outskirt of the town of Fitchburg. 
 
 Accordingly early in the year 1785, an article was [inserted 
 in the warrant for a town meeting — "To see if the town would 
 take into consideration the request of Jacob Upton and others, 
 to see if the town will set off the inhabitants of the north-west- 
 erly part of Fitchburg, with their lands and privileges, free 
 and clear from said Fitchburg, to join the extreme part of 
 Westminster, with the northeasterly part of Ashburnham, to 
 be incorporated into a town, to have town privileges, as other 
 towns." If this request had been granted, the people of the 
 new town would have erected a meeting house not far from 
 Upton's tavern. The effect of this was well understood. The 
 rise in the value of real estate in that vicinity, and the im- 
 pulse that would be given to business by making it the middle 
 of a town, conspired to awaken the energies of those interest- 
 ed in such a consummation, to bring about the desired object. 
 But it encountered many difficulties. It was too local in its 
 nature — and notwithstanding all the energy with which it was 
 urged in town-meeting, not only the east, but every part of the 
 town not included in the limits of the proposed new town, set 
 their faces against it. They could not see the propriety of 
 setting off that flourishing part of the Jown, and taking upoa 
 
 *He had but little else beside his good looks to recommend 
 him. Not being overburthened with medical knowledge or com- 
 mon sense, his 'practice' was limited; and he curtailed his ex- 
 penses in ]iroj)orti()n. He boHnled with "landlord Upton," on 
 condition that he should pay a certain sum for every meal at 
 which he might be j)re.sfMit, and that he should receive a certain 
 sum whenever he should be absent. He contrived that his visits 
 to his patients and nei^^hbors should be at such an hour as to se- 
 cure a meal of victuals without expense to himself. Consequent- 
 ly, when the time of 'settling' came, it appeared that the landlord 
 was in the doctor's debt. 
 
HISTORY OF FITCilBUKG. 93 
 
 themselves the whole burden of maintriining the minster, bridji;- 
 es &c. So they proiuplly voted that the article^ should be 
 dismissed. 
 
 But the petitioners, acting with that zeal wliich is not quench- 
 ed by a single repulse, but rather gathers force from opposi- 
 tion, made another attempt in the following May, but in a dif- 
 ferent forn). This was to see if tlie town would "receive a- 
 bout a mile or more in width of land, with the inhabitants 
 thereon, of the northerly part of the town of Westminster, 
 bounded on the northwesterly part of Fitchburg, to be annex- 
 ed thereto, to be convened with otliersof the inhabitants of said 
 town, for the public worship of God, and to be vested with all 
 other privileges with said town in public matters, to join with 
 the inhabitants of said Fitchburg to build a meeting house on 
 Ezra Upton's land," &c. (A few rods to the southeast of the 
 house of Daniel Works.) This was an essential modification 
 of the original plan ; and instead of taking any thing from the 
 territory of the town, would add considerable to it. Another 
 point was conceded by proposing to place the meeting house 
 on Ezra Upton's land, which, with the new territory, would 
 not be far from the centre of the town. But the wise men of 
 the east were not to be deceived by this artfully contrived plan. 
 They well knew that if this point was conceded, it would 
 throw so much power into the hands of the w-est,' that they 
 could, if they should choose, have it set ofTinto a separate town. 
 This article was accordingly dismissed. 
 
 These two defeats only made the people of the west more 
 anxious to carry their point in some shape. They began to 
 consider it an intolerable grievance to be compelled to travel 
 over such hills and to such a distance, to attend public wor- 
 ship; and accordingly in March, 178(5, they requested of the 
 town, "that Rev. Mr. Payson have liberty to preach some part 
 of the time in the year, in the westerly part of the town." — 
 This modest request was also denied — the town probably 
 thinking that by yielding an inch, they Avould open a door, 
 through which they might unwillingly be thrust a mile. 
 
 In September of this year a more important movement was 
 made. It was voted to build "a new meeting house in the cen- 
 tre of the town, or in the nearest convenient place" to the cen- 
 tre — all being aware that the old meeting house in the Old 
 City was not in the centre. All seemed to acknowledge the 
 necessity of building a new meeting house, although the old 
 house had been standing but twenty years. It had never been 
 thoroughly finished, and the winds and weather found their 
 way into it in such a manner as to render it uncomfortable. — 
 
^4 HISTORY OF FITCHJSURfir. 
 
 It had rather a shnhby appearance, and was too small to ac- 
 commodate all the iiihabilants. 
 
 It being voted to build a new meetinghouse, the grand diffi- 
 culty now arose, to ascertain "the nearest convenient place to 
 the centre." Strong feelinos on this suliject had been already 
 excited ; but before going further into this subject, it will be 
 proper to consider what the people in the westerly part of the 
 town, and the adjoinina: part of Westminster, were doing at 
 this time. Jedediah Cooper and Jacob Upton, the two inn- 
 keepers, and of course men of great influence, together with 
 some of their neighbors, determined to have a meeting house 
 among themselves at any rate. Accordingly they bestirred 
 themseh^es with sufficient effect to erect a frame for such a 
 building, opposite the road which leads from Flint Mclntire's 
 to the county road, on a small plat of ground just within the 
 limits of Fitchburg. It was subsequently covered, and public 
 worship was occasionally held there, but it was never sufficient- 
 ly finished to be worthy the name of a meeting house.* 
 
 Respecting the building and locating the new meetinghouse, 
 the town, like many other public bodies, moved slow. Private 
 interests were enlisted on both sides, and all parties seemed 
 inclined, if they could not gratify their own wishes, to defeat 
 those of every one else. All seemed willing that a new 
 meeting house should be erected, but when the discussion res- 
 pecting its location commenced, a magazine was sprung, and 
 the confusion of tongues in one of our town meetings bore 
 some faint resemblance to that of Babel. 
 
 In September, 178S, the subject of the new meeting house 
 was again brought before the town by means of an article in 
 the warrant — "To see if the town will erect a meeting house 
 
 *For several years previous to the building of the first 
 parish meetiniihouse, in 1796, the people of the west had preach- 
 ing here, in propurtion tu tlie amount of taxes, which they paid 
 towards the sup|)ort of the nnnister. At other times it was in- 
 discriminately used by Methodists, Baptists, Universalists, &,c. 
 &.C. The proprietors sufl'ered it to go to decay, and its shabby 
 appearance obtained for it the a])pcllation of the "Lord's Barn." 
 It was sohl and taken down about ten years since, and the j)ro- 
 ceeds of the sale (amounting to about t.?6) were divided among 
 the proprietors, so noar as tliey could be ascertained. 
 
 The designation of "barn'' does not appear to have been very 
 inappropriate. The nailed walls and timbers, and the many 
 swallows which made it their abiding place, rendered assembling 
 in it sometimes quite unpleasant. 
 
HISTony OF KiTCHBUiUi. 9 J 
 
 in the centre of the town, or rooeive any part of Westminster 
 that shall be \\illn]g to join with us, and then erect a meetino; 
 house in the nearest convenient place to" the centre." It ap- 
 pears that the people of the west were ever determined to 
 weave into the question concerning the location of the new 
 meetin'Thousc, the grand object of their desires, viz. the establish- 
 ment of a new town; and the other inhabitants seemed equal- 
 ly determined that they should never accomplish their designs- 
 At this meeting a conmiitiee wns chosen to examine and find 
 the most convenient place on which to erect the meeting house, 
 so as to accommodate all the inhabitants. Tliis committee 
 consisted of Aloses Hale, Dea. Daniel Putnam, Jacob Upton, 
 Asa Perry, and Oliver Stickfiey. Two of these were in favor 
 of having it in the west, two near its present location and one 
 was neutral. At the next meeting their report was rejected. 
 A motion was then made to place it on the site of the old one, 
 which was also negatived. It was then voted, after much 
 consideration, as the record says, to erect the new house on 
 the nearest convenient place to the centre. It seems that this 
 was the only point on which the town could agree. What the 
 value of this "much consideration" was appears by the next 
 vote, which was to reconsider all votes hitherto passed, rela- 
 ting to this inatter. At this point the meeting was adjourned 
 to 9 o'clock A. M. of the next day, for the purpose probably of 
 recruiting their bodily strength and their several forces. 
 
 On the next morning the parlies came on, and again pro- 
 ceeded to business. The first motion was to place the new 
 house where the old one then stood. This was negatived. — 
 A motion was then made to place the new house on the land 
 of Ezra Upion's heirs. (Near to Daniel Works', as already 
 mentioned.) The house was divided in this motion "to find 
 a true vote," as the record says. For the motion appeared 
 32, against it, 17. So it was determined by a vote of almost 
 two to one, to place the h^use in the west. A conimittee was 
 chosen to inform the people of the west of the proceedings of 
 the town, in placing the meeting house so as to accommodate 
 them. The same committee was invested with power to pur- 
 chase the new frame erecting for a meeting house in the 
 northwest part of the town, if that should appear best for the 
 town's interest — otherwise they had power "to provide timber 
 and materials for building a new meeting house in the pru- 
 dentest manner for said town on said plat of ground," They 
 were instructed to make a report of their proceedings at the 
 next town meeting. 
 
 This was a sore discomfiture to the east, and so they con- 
 
9G IIISTCRV. CF flTClIRURG. 
 
 sidered it. They caused another town meeting to be called 
 immediately "To see if the town will comply with a request 
 oi' a number of the inhabitants of the town of Fitchburg, to 
 grant that they, together with their respective estates and in- 
 terests, may be set off from Fitchburg and annexed to Lunen- 
 burg." This shows that vhf'P'^ople oflhe east were determin- 
 ed never to travel over the hills to the place where the new 
 meeting house was to be erei.-ted.' Those honest people, who 
 had before voted with the west, merely to preserve harmony 
 and kf^ep ihe town together, now berame al.inned, lest they 
 should lose the east in tiieirefTurts . to coii-ili lU- the west. — 
 Tiiey occupied an exceedio'jly n'lph-nsaut po-i'ion. If they 
 said the meeting house shouhi be placed neiir the old one, the 
 west threatened to make a new town. If they yielded to the 
 west, the east showed sympton)S of returning to the arms of 
 their good parent, Lunenburg. The request of the east was 
 promptly denied. 
 
 Meanwhile the committee, above mentioned, were busily 
 employed in the duties assigned to them, notwithstanding the 
 squally appearances in the east. They made a bargain for 
 the frame, which had been commenced in the northwest, and 
 prepared a site on the land of Ezra Upton's heirs. Unluck- 
 ily for the west, in 17SS, a town meeting was called to hear 
 the report of this industrious committee. They came forth 
 v/iih confidence, stating that they had purchased the aforesaid 
 new frame, and done many excellent things — whereupon the 
 town gravely voted not to accept their report, and, what was 
 rather uncivil, discharged them from any further service. This 
 was done by the peace-makers, who, becoming somewhat 
 frightened, once more threw their influence into the eastern 
 scale. 
 
 A commiilee was now chosen to find the centre of the town. 
 They made a survey for this purpose, and reported that they 
 found the centre, which th'^'y designated by a mormment of 
 st'^n-'s, to 1 e about thirty rods northerly from the present pound. 
 This report was accepted ; and at an adjourned meeting in 
 Dec, it was voted to build the meeting house in "the nearest 
 convenientest place to the centre," as the record says. Thom- 
 as Covvdin Esqr. Phinehas Hartwell, Oliver Stickney, Daniel 
 Putnam, and Paul Wetherbee were chosen to execute the dif- 
 ficult task of finding the "convenientest place," and to pur- 
 chase the land of one Thomas Baynton, who then owned it. 
 They selected a place a little belovv' the present pound, and pur- 
 chased 22 1-2 acres of land, giving $2,33 per acre for it* — and 
 
 *Thc present owner of this land has been offered $100 per 
 
niSTORY OF FlTCilBUnO. 97 
 
 Hhe town approved of these proceedings. 
 
 Thus it appears that the west was now in a minority — the 
 peacemakers having voted with the east, to prevent the latter 
 from carrying into execution their threat of joining Lnnenburg. 
 The men of the west immediately resorted to their old scheme 
 of having a new town or parish among themselves. They 
 called a town meeting, "to see if the town would set off the 
 northwesterly part of said town, as a town, beginning on West- 
 minster line," &c. "Or if the town should not see fit to com- 
 ply with the above request, we would earnestly request of the 
 town that they w-ould set us ofT, as a parish upon honorable 
 terms, as may be agreed upon with being annexed with ad- 
 jacent parties." By reason of the rare attendance of the "re- 
 questers," this meeting was uncommonly peaceable, and the 
 article was dismissed. July 2d. i7S9, another town meeting 
 was called, to act upon the following article — "To see if the 
 town will set off the westerly part of said town, as a parish, 
 upon supposition that the north part of Westminster, the east 
 part of Ashburnham, and a small part of Ashby will consent 
 to be annexed to this town." This was an old game and well 
 understood. The request was answered with a prompt denial. 
 
 The east still holding the ascendancy, on the 2d. day of 
 November, 1789, the town voted to build a new meeting house 
 on the land purchased of Thomas Boynton, and chose a com- 
 mittee with full power, for this purpose. But on the 16th. of 
 the same month, the tables were turned. A vote was passed 
 to reconsider all former votes — so that after four years of hard 
 labor in endeavoring to erect a new meeting house, the town 
 found itself precisely where it began, with the exception of 
 owning 22 1-2 acres of real estate. This last decision was 
 probably effected by the circumstance, that the people of the 
 west, together with those of the northerly part of Westmin- 
 ster, and a part of Ashburnham and Ashby, had laid before the 
 General Court a powerful petition, for an act of incorporation 
 into a town. 
 
 This petition set forth in glowing colors the delightful situ- 
 ation of the contemplated town — how nature had lavished all 
 her skill upon it — how admirably adapted for a township by 
 itself was the noble swell of land — and that nothing in nature 
 or in art could exceed the grand and imposing spectacle of a 
 meeting house towering from its summit, while beneath the 
 said swell was a region of low, sunken land, which almost cut 
 off the petitioners from intercourse with the rest of mankind. 
 
 acre for it, which he has promptly refused. 
 
 M 
 
9S HISTORY OF FITCHSURG. 
 
 Al] this looked exceedinpily well on pnper, and was presented 
 to the General Court in 1790. An order of court was sent to 
 this town, and to the others interested, to show cause, if any 
 they had, why the prayer of said petition should not be gran- 
 ted. 
 
 The town now saw the necessity of going to work in ear- 
 nest. After conferring with committees from Westminster, 
 Ashburnham and Ashby, the people of Filchburg drew up a 
 spirited remonstrance. In this remonstrance they denied ev- 
 ery statement set forth in the petition — alleging that the latter 
 was entirely the work of fancy, and a specimen of outrageous 
 poetical license, that the petitioners were actuated solely by 
 interested views, that their object was to escape from the on- 
 erous burden of contributing their just proportion towards the 
 maintenance of some of the most expensive bridges that were 
 ever created. They declared that if the petitioners should 
 succeed in their object, the remaining portion of the town 
 would be completely overwhelmed by jthat grievous nuisance, 
 the north branch of the Nashua. 
 
 It will be perceived that both parties understood the art of 
 using extravagant language ; and so equally balanced were 
 matters when they came before the General Court, that it was 
 linally decided to let them remain as they were — and so no 
 new town was erected on that beautiful hill. 
 
 In September, 1791, the town, having recovered breath af- 
 ter this valorous contest, began to adopt measures for building 
 a new meeting house. The old favorite motion — to erect a 
 meeting house in the centre of the town, or "in the nearest 
 convenientest place thereto" — was made in town meeting, and 
 carried, yeas 41, nays 23. A committee was chosen to report 
 to the town the plan of such a house, as it might be thought 
 advisable to build. The report of this committee, recommend- 
 ing three years to be allowed in which tobuildt he house, and 
 that individuals might have an opportunity to pay for their 
 pews with materials and labor upon it, was accepted. A com- 
 mittee was chosen in October to clear a place for its situation 
 near the pound, and had full power to proceed and finish it. — 
 At another meetincf in December, the town, acting with its u- 
 sual consistency, dismissed this committee from any further 
 service. So they were again as in the beginning. 
 
 In May, 1793, an attempt was made to repair the old meet- 
 ing house ; but the town would not listen to such a proposi- 
 tion. 
 
 The inhabitants commenced operations anew in Septem- 
 ber, 1794, by voting "to erect a meeting house in the centre «rf 
 
HISTORY or- FlTCHIiURfi. 99 
 
 said town, or in llie nearest convenientest place thereto, to ac- 
 commodate tlie inhabitants thereof for divine worship." — 
 Three disinterested individuals not belonging to the town — 
 viz. Josiah Stearns, Esqr. and David Kilburn of Lunenburg, 
 and Benjamin Kimball, Esqr. of Harvard, were chosen "to 
 center the town," as tlie rerord says, and to ascertain that hith- 
 erto undiscovered point, "the nearest convenientest place" to 
 said centre. They found the centre of the town to be not far 
 from the summit of the hill, nearly seventy rods to the north- 
 east of the present town pound. But taking all things into 
 consideration, they decided that the house should stand a little 
 to the rear of Messrs. Thurston & Baltis' present bellows shop. 
 The town rejected this report, yeas 29, nays 36. So the opin- 
 ions of interested and disinterested persons were treated pre- 
 cisely alike — as good for nothing. 
 
 In the following May, another attempt was made to erect a 
 house upon the site recommended by this committee. The 
 vote stood yeas 45, nays 48. At this meeting a committee of 
 twenty-one of the inhabitants was chosen to select and report 
 to the town a suitable place, on which to build a meeting 
 house. This committee reported in favor of the place selected 
 by the committee of 'disinterested persons.' The town then 
 voted to build a meeting house on that place, yeas 61, nays 
 47. A town meeting was accordingly called on the Slh. of Jan. 
 1795, for the purpose of choosing a committee to purchase the 
 ground selected. But at this meeting the town refused to 
 choose any such committee — and so ended the project of build- 
 ing a meeting house there. 
 
 But the subject was not sulTered to remain long at rest; for 
 •on the 26th. of the same month, it was voted to erect a meet- 
 ing house on the land purchased of Thomas Boynton, and to 
 model it after the one in Leominster. It was to be completed 
 on the last day of Dec. 1796. At an adjournment of this 
 meeting, in the following July, it was voted to model the meet- 
 ing house after the one (on the hill) at Ashburnham. A 
 road, four rods wide, beginning nearly opposite to the red cot- 
 ton factory, was laid out, passing up the valley in the rear of 
 Widow Sawyer's dwelling house, to accommodate the people 
 of the east. John Putnam Jr. entered into a contract with the 
 town to build the meetinghouse. 
 
 In September, a committee was chosen to prepare the 
 ground for the reception of the house, and to level a common 
 before it. 
 
 In October a motion was made in town meeting to locate 
 
100 HISTORY OF FITCIIBURG. 
 
 the meeting house "at the crotch of the voads near Capt, Wil- 
 liam Brown's." This motion was carried, yeas 44, nays 30« 
 So it was then decided to place the house where the First Par- 
 ish meeting- house now stands. I have been informed that it 
 was designed to have the house face directly "down street," 
 and ihat the underpinning was laid for that purpose, but that 
 the opposing faction mustered sufficient strength to get it fa- 
 ced directly to the south, and consequently cornerwise to the 
 street. 
 
 Thus ended a contest of full ten years' duration, respecting 
 the location of a meetinghouse. It was carried on with much 
 more than the usual degree of zeal, obstinacJ^ and bitterness 
 of feeling, which too often characterize difficulties of this na- 
 ture. Passion got the control of judgement, and men seemed 
 willing to sacrifice every thing to a desire of carrying their 
 point. So fiercely was the contest carried on, that people from 
 the neighboring towns frequently flocked in to attend a town 
 meeting in Fitchburg. 
 
 I have mentioned only a few of these town meetings, at 
 which this subject was the principal topic. The town records 
 for these ten years, are principally filled with accounts of them. 
 The number of these meetings 1 have not taken the trouble ta 
 count ; but I have been credibly informed that the town was 
 called together nineiy-nine times on the subject. Indeed, if 
 any one will take the trouble to examine the records, he will 
 find nearly an average number often meetings yearly. The 
 matter was finally compromised. The people of the west were 
 allowed to have preaching in their neighborhood, in proportion 
 to the amount of taxes, which they contributed towards the 
 support of the minister. 
 
 The meeting house, on its present location, was built during 
 the summer of 1796. At the "raising" the inhabitants con- 
 cluded — not to bury their griefs beneath the altar — but to drown 
 them in deep potations of West India rum. For, on this occa- 
 sion the town voted — and it appears to have been the only vote 
 on this subject which did not give rise to bitter contention — ta 
 purchase a barrel of West India rum, with a sufficient quantity 
 of loaf sugar, wherewith to regale and refresh all those wha 
 might be present. So gravely and systematically did they 
 conduct this part of the ceremonies, that they chose a commit- 
 tee, consisting of Deacon Daniel Putnam., Deacon Kendall 
 Boutelle, Deacon Ephraim Kimball, Reuben Smith, Joseph 
 PoUey, Dr. Jonas Marshall, and Asa Perry, to deal out the 
 'grog,' with instructions, if that barrel was not sufficient, to 
 procure more at the town's expense. 
 
MISTORV OV FITCHBrf.G. 101 
 
 The meetinghouse was finished and dedicated on the i9th. 
 day of January, 1797. The dedication jsertnon was preached 
 by Rev. Zabdiel Adams of Lunenburg, there being no settled 
 minister in this town at that time."'* 
 
 In December, 1797, Dea. Daniel Putnam was chosen to rep- 
 resent the town in the state Convention held in Boston in the 
 following January, to take into consideration "the subject mat- 
 ter of the new proposed Federal Constitution." Objections to 
 the Constitution Were reported to the town, and unanimously 
 adopted. The representative was instructed to report these 
 objections to the Convention if needful. A large majority of 
 the town afterwards voted in favor of the Constitution. 
 
 When the troubles with France broke out, in 1793, the town 
 promptly voted to pay the soldiers, that might be drafted from 
 this place, 50s. in addition to the pay they might receive from 
 the United States. 
 
 But few incidents worthy of note, disconnected with eccle- 
 siastical affairs, have occurred since the year ISOO. Those 
 few will be briefly alluded to. 
 
 It seems always to have been a favorite object with the peo- 
 ple of this town to have the County of Worcester divided, so 
 that the towns in the northern part, together with some of 
 those in Middlesex county, might be erected into a new coun- 
 ty. In 1798, they sent a remonstrance to the General Court 
 against building a new court house in Worcester, and petition- 
 ed to have the county divided. The several towns of the coun- 
 ty voted on the question, in April, 1798. by order of the Gen- 
 eral Court. In this town the v^ole was unanimous (77) in fa- 
 vor of a division. The attempt was again renewed in ISOO, 
 by conventions at Templeton and Gardner, which delegates 
 from this town attended. The last attempt Avas made in 1828, 
 when the petitions of Ivers Jewett and others were sent to the 
 Gen. Court. When the question was referred to the county, 
 the votes in Fitchburg were 117 in favor of a division, and 2 
 against it. 
 
 It appears from a remonstrance sent to the Gen. Court, in 
 1S04, that the number of legal voters at that time was 181. 
 
 In 1820, a large majority of the inhabitants were in favor 
 of a convention for revisinfj the Constitution of the State. To 
 this convention Calvin Willard and John Shepley Esqrs. were 
 
 ♦This house is now (autumn oflS36) about to be removed and 
 a new and more elegant structure to be erected nearly on th» 
 same site. 
 
102 HISTORY OF I-ITCHBURG. 
 
 appointed delegates. A majority of the voters appeared to be 
 ill favor of most of the ameudmt'Uts proposed by the conven- 
 tion. 
 
 Ecclesiastical History. The liistory of the ecclesiastical 
 affairs of Lunenburg, previous to the incorporation of Fitch- 
 burg, has not been kept distinct from the other ail'airs of the 
 town. It will be recollected that Fitchburg was incorporated 
 after the death of Rev. Samuel Payson, and previous to the 
 settlement of Rev. Zabdiel Adams. While the people of 
 Fitchburg were unable 'to provide preaching among them- 
 selves,' they attended meeting at Lunenburg. 
 
 In the winter of 1764-5, they had preaching for six weeks. 
 Having no meeting house, they were wont to assemble in the 
 tavern of S.imuel Hunt, where they listensd to the teachings 
 of Rev. Peter Whitney. Mr. Whitney, author of "The His- 
 tory of Worcester County," was a graduate of Harvard Uni- 
 versity, 1762, and was for a long period minister of Northbo- 
 ro', Mass. Rev. Peter Whitney of Quincy is his son, and 
 Rev. George Whitney of Roxbury his grandson. 
 
 In the year 1766, there was no preaching in the town. In 
 
 1767, application was made to Rev. Messrs. Whitney, Samuel 
 Angier, and John Payson to come and preach. Mr. Angler 
 .(Harvard University, 1763,) gave great satisfaction, and was 
 invited to settle. The invitation was declined partly, if not 
 w,holly, on account of some difficulty between him and Dea. 
 Amos Kimball. 
 
 In May, 1767, the town appointed "a day of fasting and 
 prayer in order to ask Divine assistance in giving some gen- 
 tleman a call to settle in the gospel ministry in this town." 
 
 Rev. John Payson was preaching during the summer of this 
 year, and in November he consented to become the settled 
 minister of the place. His ordination took place Jan. 27th, 
 
 1768. The church was embodied on the 9th of the same 
 month. Mr. Payson was a son of Rev. Phillips Payson of 
 Chelsea, and was graduated at Harvard University in 1764. — 
 He was a brother of Rev. Samuel Payson, the young and 
 much lamented minister of Lunenburg, who died in 1763. — 
 Eev. Dr. Seth Payson of Rindge N. H. was his half-brother. 
 
 Mr. Payson appears to have been a man of respectable tal- 
 ents, of a peaceful disposition, and of devoted piety. He was 
 fortunate in having secured, for a long period, the love and 
 respect of his people. Fond of the pieaceful walks of his pro- 
 fession, he knew but little of the affairs of the world, and was 
 ill calculated to sustain its buffets. The latter years of his 
 
HISTORY Ol' FiTCHBURt;. 103 
 
 ministry were imbittered by the inroads rnride ninonp' his peo- 
 ple by the Methodists, Baptists and Universnlists. These cir- 
 cumstances, too[ether with a constitutional iiilirniity of mind, 
 caused a great depression of spirits, which hnally settled in 
 confirmed insanity. Lucid iiitervals occasionally intervened. 
 Yet he con'inned to preach for several years. Ke would go 
 through with the public services on the sabbath with perfect 
 propriety, when frequently there did not occur another lurid m- 
 terval during the week. He discontiruied preaching bu a pe- 
 riod in the .spring and summer of 1792, liut resuiried liis pas- 
 toral duties in the antiinn. His infirmity increasingupon him 
 in the summer of 1793, both ihe church and town united in 
 catliiiira council to take into consideration their ecclesiastical 
 aflfiirs.* Tliis coui'cil was unniih' to eflect a reconciliation — 
 the town refusing to accede to Mr. P:iysoii's propositions. 
 
 In April, 1794, all parties agreed to re-assemble tlie fm-mef 
 council, and to abide by its decision. The council decided 
 that the town should pay Mr. Payson the sum of $530, and 
 that his pastoral relations should cease. This proposition was 
 accepted by the town on the 2d day of May, 1794; and Mr. 
 Payson's connexions with the town were then dissolved. 
 
 He continued to reside here without cny alleviation of his 
 unfortunate infirmity, till May, 1S04, when, being on a 
 visit at the hou^e of his brother in-law in Leominster, he put a 
 period to his existence by first taking poison, and cutting his 
 throat immediately after. In a lucid interval before his death 
 
 *Tiic bill for th« entertaintnent of this council at the inn of 
 Widow Hannah Cowdiu is a curiosity in its way, and is as fol- 
 lows — 
 
 "Fitchburg Nov. Uth, 1794. 
 "The Venerable Council's Bill. 
 
 23 meals of victuals at Is. Cd. - - S7,00 
 
 17 suppers " is. - - - 283 
 
 17 breakfasts "Is. - - - 2,83 
 
 34 dinners " Is. 6d. - - 8.50 
 
 9 suppers "Is. - - - 1.50 
 
 2 breakf\asts " Is. - - - ,33 
 
 10 lodgings " 4d. - - ,54 
 
 Horse keeping .... 10,00 
 
 u^ Liquor 7,50 
 
 $41,03. 
 "Rec'd. Pay't. Hannah Cowdin." 
 
104 insTOHV OF nTCHKUKCr. 
 
 he expressed the most poignant grief for the act whicli he had 
 had committed.* He died in the 59th year of his age, and in 
 the 36lh of his ministry. 
 
 For about one year after this period Rev. John Kimball was 
 employed to preach, and was invited to become the minister 
 of the place, but the invitation was declined. 
 
 In Dec. 1795, an invitation given to Rev. John Miles to 
 ^settle' was declined by bim. In April, 1797, the church pro- 
 posed to give Rev. Mr. Noyes a 'call,' but the town declined, 
 and immediately proposed, by a vote of 43 to 24, Rev. Samu- 
 el Worcester. The cburch concurred, and Mr. Worcester was 
 ordained in Sept. 1797. He received a 'settlement' of $333, 
 83 the first year, and the same amount the second. His sala- 
 ry was $333,33 per annuui, with the improvement of the town's 
 land. When either party wished to give up tbe contract, it 
 was stipulated that it might be done by a mutual council. A 
 majority of the people became dissatisfied with him in 1801, 
 and the town was divided into three societies. The time which 
 each should occupy the meeting house was determined by the 
 proportion of taxes which they paid. By this rule the society 
 
 * The following: is the inscription upon his tomb-stone, in the 
 old grave yard ot"tbis town, 
 
 " sub hoc tumulo 
 
 reliquke 
 
 rev. jdhan.nis payson a. m. 
 
 jacent; 
 
 OLIM ECCLI:SI.tC FITCHBURGE>fSIS 
 
 PASTOR. 
 
 QUI DIE IVIAII XVIII 
 
 '■•> ANNO DOMINI M. DCCCIV 
 
 MORTUUS EST, 
 
 ANNO ^TATIS LIX 
 
 ANNOQUE SUI SACERDOTIl XXXVI. 
 
 PRiESTANTISSIMO VIR INGENIO 
 
 BENEVOLENTISSIMOQUE ANIMO 
 
 ■ CIENTIA PRiEDITUS, .»! ANDATOQUE DIVINO FIDEl.IS, 
 
 SrUUIO EXERCITATIOqUE THEOI.OGI^ 
 
 AMICO MONITU FAC!ISQ,UE CHAKITATIS DUCTUS 
 
 POTIUSQUAJNI CONTENTION! INANI 
 
 yERSEcUTiONiBUcjCiUE AVARlTliE sORDIDIfl. 
 
 A SON ERECrs THIS MONUMENT TO THE MEMORT OT AN AF- 
 FECTIONATE AND BELOVED FATHER." 
 
HISTORY OF FITCHBURG. 105 
 
 in the east pnrt of the town occupied it 21 sabbaths, Mr. Wor- 
 cester's society, 17 sabliaths. ilie society in tlie west, 8 sab- 
 baths, and tfie Methodists & Baptists 3 sabbaths. In May, 
 1301, Mr. Worcester expressed a desire to be dismissed ; but 
 he and tlie church claimed the sole right of appointing the 
 council — which claim ihe town considered to be a violation of 
 the contract of settlement. Accordingly, in August lhe;.town 
 voted that they considered ilr. Worcester to be dismissed, and 
 the contract null and void. By their order the' doors , of the 
 meeting house were closed, and could not be opened except by 
 order of the select men. In June, 1802, Mr. Worcester was 
 dismissed by the sanction of a regularly convened council, and 
 his pastoral relations ceased in the following September. 
 
 At this time the two parlies, into which the town was divi- 
 ded, were much i tnbittered against each other, and the par- 
 ochial powers of the town were soon dissolved. In the Spring 
 of ISOi, Rev. Tiius Theodore Barton was iiisialied as pastor 
 over the one society, and shortly after, Eev. William Bascorn 
 became the pastor of the other. 
 
 Mr. Barton's church and society became discontented with 
 him in 1S12, in consequence of some indiscretions on his part, 
 mimxled with political feelings, and he was dismissed in Feb. 
 1S13. Mr. Bascom's society then made overtures for a re-un- 
 ion of the societies, which was effected near the close of the 
 same year — Mr. Biscom himself, at the same time, requesting 
 to be dismissed. The request was granted, and in 1815 he 
 went to Leominster, 
 
 In June, 1814, the church invited «Rev. Winthrop Bailey to 
 becoine their pastor, but he declined in consequence of the op- 
 position made to his settlement by a portion of the society. 
 
 Rev. William Eaton began to peach in Feb. 1815, and\_be- 
 came the settled minister of the place in August of the sanie 
 year. He was dismissed June 30th, 1823, at his own request 
 — a considerable portion of his society not agreeing with him 
 in religious sentiments. In October, 1823, the two societies 
 sepuraiv'd from each other. Rev. Calvm Lincoln Jr. the pres- 
 ent minister of the first society was ordained June 30th, 1824. 
 
 Rev. Riifus A. Putnam was ordained over the "Calvinistic, 
 Con^jregalional Church" and Society in February, 1824, and 
 was dismissed, at his own request, in March, 1831. Rev. 
 John A. Albro was installed pastor of the same society in May, 
 1832, and was dismissed, at his own request, in December, 
 1834. Rev. Joshua Emery Jr. the present pastor, was or- 
 dained in May, 1835. 
 
 The meeting house belonging to this society w'as built dur- 
 
lOG lll!<TOIlif OF FITCIIHUKC. 
 
 ing"^the ministry of Rev. Mr. Barton, and'was enlarged to its 
 present size in IS'23. 
 
 The Village Baptist society was formed in March, 1831, and 
 incorporated in February, 1834, The meeting house was built 
 in the Autumn of 1833. Rev. Appleton Morse was hired to 
 preach in the Spring of 1831, and continued till Feb. 1834. — 
 Rev. John W. McDonald was hired to preach from Dec. 1834, 
 to Nov. 1835. Rev. 0. L. Lovell, the present preacher, com- 
 menced in Jan. 1838. 
 
 The Methodist Society was formed in March, 1834. The 
 first preacher was Rev. Joel Knight, who commenced his la- 
 bors in this place in June, 1834, and left in the autumn of 1835. 
 "The first Baptist Society of Fitchburg and Ashby" — whirh 
 society has a meeting house* in the northern part of this town 
 — was incorporated in June, 1810. Rev. Benjamin Tolman, 
 a regularly ordained minister, has been the pastor of this soci- 
 ety for a long period. This society belongs to the denomina- 
 tion of those usually styled "Free-will Baptists," and has ns* 
 connexion with the Baptist society, which formerly existed in 
 the westerly part of the town. These latter were more proper- 
 ly "Calvinistic Baptists." So early as 1787, "seventeen pro- 
 fest Baptists" were exempted from paying any tax towards the 
 support of Rev. Mr. Payson, as they had preaching among 
 themselves. They continued to have preaching at intervals, 
 till the strife respecting the location of the town meetinghouse 
 had subsided. After that period, both the Methodists and 
 Baptists in the west, gradually dwindled away, or united them- 
 selves with societies in other towns. 
 
 It has not been thought necessary to descend into the partic- 
 ulars of the unhappy difficulties, which this town has experi- 
 enced, in its ecclesiastical aflliirs. The recital of them, at the 
 present time, would prove to be rather painful than interesting, 
 and perhaps an impartial account would give satisfaction to 
 neither parly. When it is recollected that these divisions 
 commenced in the year 1800, during the ministry of Rev, Mr. 
 Worcester, and continued, with more or less excitement till the 
 ordinations of Rev. Messrs. Putnam and Lincoln, in 1824 — 
 during which period difficulty after difficulty arose, and coun- 
 
 *This meftin!? house is not far from the limits of Ashby, on 
 the roa<H<;;Hlinj4 to that tt)»vn. It is srnull in sizt>, ami not very 
 elejjant in its appearance. The traveler, not informed of ihs 
 purpose for which it was erecledj would probably mistake it for 
 a burn. 
 
 .m 
 
HISTORY OF FITCIIBURfi. 107 
 
 cil after council was called ; when more than one separation 
 and union of the societies were eliecled, and when the church 
 and parish frequently came into collision — it will be seen that 
 a strictly impartial account of them would be a task of no small 
 difficulty, and would extend the limits of this work much too 
 far. It will be enough to state generally that angry feelings 
 were frequently indulged to an inexcusable extent. Neighbor 
 was divided against neighbor, family against family, and some- 
 times husband against wife. On one occasion, during the 
 ministry of Mr. Worcester, a council was in session nearly a 
 fortnight, and on another, two councils were convened at the 
 same time. 
 
 If this excited state of feeling has now passed away, the 
 writer would not incur the hazard of disturbing the calm by 
 galling a tender wound. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 -aS^^/?>- 
 
 I have thought that a complete list of the Representatives of 
 this town, since thp adoption of the Constitution, might pos- 
 sess some interest. Previous to that period Fitchburg and 
 Lunenburg formed one Representative district. During the 
 period of the Revoluion, the Delegates from this town to the 
 most important Conventions are mentioned in the body of this 
 work. 
 
 1780, Thomas Covvdin. 
 
 1781, None chosen. 
 
 1782, 'Voted not to send .' 
 
 1783, Thomas Cowdin. 
 
 1784, Thomas Cowdin. 
 
 85, Voted not to send. 
 
 86, Voted not to send. 
 
 87, Daniel Putnam. 
 
 88, Daniel Putnam. 
 
 89, Daniel Putnam. 
 
 90, Daniel Putnam. 
 
 91, Daniel Putnara, 
 
 92, Daniel Putnam. 
 
 93, Daniel Putnam. 
 
 94, Voted not to send. 
 
 95, William Brown. 
 
 96, Voted not to send. 
 
 97, Voted not to send. 
 
APPENDIX. 109 
 
 I79S, Joseph Fox. 
 
 99, William Brown. 
 JSOO, Voted not to send. 
 
 01, Joseph Fox, 
 
 02, Voted not to send. 
 
 03, Joseph Eox. 
 
 04, Joseph Fox. 
 
 05, Samuel Gibson. 
 
 06, Samuel Gibson. 
 
 07, Samuel Gibson. 
 
 08, Voted not to send, 
 
 09, Voted not to send. 
 
 10, Abraham Willard, 
 Paul Wetherbee. 
 
 11, Paul Wetherbee, 
 Abraham Willard. 
 
 12, Paul Wetherbee, 
 Samuel Gibson, 
 
 13, ["No one appeared to have more voles 
 than all the rest."] 
 
 14, Voted not to send. 
 
 15, Voted not to send. 
 
 16, Voted not to send. 
 
 17, Voted not to send. 
 
 18, Voted not to send. 
 
 19, Voted not to send. 
 
 20, Voted not to send, 
 
 21, Voted not to send. 
 
 22, Voted not to send.=^ 
 
 23, Joseph Downe Jr. 
 
 24, Calvin Willard. 
 
 25, John Shepley. He afterwards resigned, 
 and Joseph Downe Jr. was chosen. 
 
 26, Francis Perkins. 
 
 27, Francis Perkins, 
 Joseph Simonds, 
 
 28, Francis Perkins, 
 Isaiah Putnam, 
 
 29, Isaiah Putnam, 
 Oliver Fox. 
 
 30, Isaiah Putnam, 
 Payson Williams. 
 
 'The town was fined this year for not sending. 
 
110 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 1S31, 
 
 32, 
 
 33, 
 
 34, 
 
 35, 
 
 Zachari.'ili ShelJon, 
 Isaiah Putnam. 
 Zacliariah Sheldon, 
 Ebenezer Torrey, 
 David Boutelle 
 Abiel J. Towne, 
 Levi Farwell. 
 David Boutelle, 
 Francis Perkins, 
 Isaiah Putnam. 
 Isaiah Putnam, 
 Levi Farwell, 
 Enoch Caldwell. 
 Isaiah Putnam, " 
 
 Alvah Crocker, 
 Enoch Caldwell. 
 
 Chosen in Nov. 
 
 -iS^y^fi*' 
 
 VOTES FOR GOVERNOR, 
 
 Given in Fitchburg, since the adoption of the Constitution, 
 'Scattering' votes are omitted. 
 
 1780, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 63 
 
 James Bowdoin 
 
 1 
 
 81, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 82. 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 16 
 
 James Bowdoin 
 
 3 
 
 S3, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 37 
 
 James Bowdoin 
 
 1 
 
 84, 
 
 ( Rev. Zbd'l Adams 21 
 
 ^ John Hancock 
 
 2 
 
 
 \ Samel Holton 
 
 17 
 
 \ John Adams 
 
 1 
 
 85, 
 
 Samuel Holton 
 
 16 
 
 Thomas Cushing 
 
 6 
 
 86, 
 
 Samuel Holton 
 
 12 
 
 Thomas Cushing 
 
 4 
 
 87, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 56 
 
 James Bowdoin 
 
 5 
 
 88, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 39 
 
 Elbridge Gerry 
 
 12 
 
 89, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 59 
 
 
 
 90, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 48 
 
 
 
 91, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 39 
 
 Francis Dana 
 
 1 
 
 92, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 50 
 
 Azor Orne 
 
 4 
 
 93, 
 
 John Hancock 
 
 39 
 
 
 
 94, 
 
 Samuel Adams 
 
 60 
 
 Elbridge Gerry 
 
 2 
 
 95, 
 
 Samuel Adams 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 96, 
 
 Samuel Adams 
 
 67 
 
 
 
 97, 
 
 James Sullivan 
 
 27 
 
 Moses Gill 
 
 9 
 
 98, 
 
 James Sullivan 
 
 43 
 
 Increase Sumner 
 
 4 
 
APPENDIX. 1 1 I 
 
 1799, William Heath 57 Increase Sumner 16 
 
 ISOO, ElbruUe Gcn-v CI Caleb Stroiicr 12 
 
 01, Elbridure Gerry 60 Caleb Strong 37 
 
 02, Elbrid^e Gerry 72 Caleb Slrono- 70 
 
 03, ElhricJo-e Gerry 63 C.ileb Strong 63 
 
 04, James Sullivan 7i Caleb Strong 59 
 
 05, James Sullivan 87 Caleb Strong Si 
 
 06, James Sullivan 1J2 Caleb Strong 76 
 
 07, James Sullivan 113 Caleb Strong 95 
 OS, James Sullivan 105 Christopher Gore 94 
 
 09, Levi Lincoln 132 Christopher Gore 113 
 
 10, Elbrid^e Gerrv 130 Christopher Gore 103 
 
 11, Elbridge G^'rry 129 Christopher Gore 90 
 
 12, Elbridge Gerry 111 Caleb Strong 126 
 
 13, Jos. B. Vanmm 141 Caleb Strong 13(5 
 
 14, Samuel Dexter 149 Caleb Strong 145 
 
 15, Caleb Strong 142 Samuel Dexter 136 
 
 16, Samuel Dexter 148 John Brooks 134 
 
 17, Henry Dearborn 124 John Brooks 123 
 IS, John Brooks 116 B. W. Crowninshield 97 
 
 19, John Brooks 122 B. W. Crowninshield 111 
 
 20, John Brooks 107 Win. Eustis 103 
 
 21, William Eustis 99 John Brooks 97 
 92, William Eustis 106 John Brooks 97 
 
 23, William Eustis 111 Harrison G. Otis 107 
 
 24, William Eustis 142 Samuel Lathrop 128* 
 
 25, Levi Lincoln 1 1 1 
 
 26, Levi Lincoln 64 Samuel Hubbard 58 
 
 27, Levi Lincoln 118 Mutus Morton 15 
 
 28, Levi Lincoln 73 Marcus Morton 3 
 
 29, Marcus Morton 59 Levi Lincoln 40 
 
 30, Levi Lincoln 97 Marcus Morton 72 
 
 31, Levi Lincoln 64 Marcus Morton 64 
 
 31, (Nov.) L. Lincoln 93 Samuel Lathrop 75 
 
 o-^ T -r- 1 101 ^ Samuel Lathrop 49 
 
 32, Levi Lincoln 124 < i,,j .. i" ^X 
 
 I Marcus Morton 27 
 
 oo nr i\T . loo \ John Davis 127 
 
 83, IM ircus Morton l-J-J ^ ^ i r^ a i o-L 
 
 ( John Q. Adams 37 
 
 34 John Divis 195 Marcus Morton 82 
 
 35 Edward Everett 151 Marcus Morton 85