History of Fitchburg Part 15 Rufus Torrey 1865


A few Indians remained behind, after the capture of Fitch,
to observe its effects.  They continued several days
skulking about, and on the watch for more prisoners, or
scalps.  Deacon Amos Kimball was hoeing corn in his field,
and, hearing a rustling in the brush fence near him, he
looked in that direction and saw a gun pointed at him
through the fence, by an Indian.  The latter seemed to be
reserving his fire till his victim should draw a little
nearer.  Kimball knew that if he ran, it would be sure
death, as he was then so near; so he pretended not to see
anything, and kept scratching with his hoe, and working off
-- looking down, as if busily at work -- till he supposed
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 victim.  As
Kimball immediately 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, according to the statement of my informant,
(Arrington Gibson) "carried his scalp into captivity" --
then passed rapidly on towards Canada, and overtook their
companions with Fitch, before their arrival at Montreal.
This was the last of Indian warfare and depredations within
our borders.

After the events above detailed, and previous to the
incorporation of the town of Fitchburg, several families
moved into the westerly part of Lunenburg, whose names will
be given when I speak of those living in Fitchubrg when it
was erected into a separate town.  Capt. Samuel Hunt came
into this town (from Worcester, as I have been told) and
built a part of the house now occupied by James L. Haynes.
In the year 1761, he commenced keeping tavern there.  This
was the first public house ever kept in the precincts of
Fitchburg.

At this period, considerable difficulty was experienced in
the collection of taxes.  The paper money was of uncertain
value, and the constables, upon whom this duty devolved, had
not sufficient 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 uncommon for them to pay their fines,
rather than accept office.  In Januaty 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.  "They chose
Jonathan Pearce constable.  He replied that he did not
choose to serve, unless he could be sufficiently authorised
to collect the taxes.  After a long disputation and dabate,
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 Bradstreet was then chosen.  " Mr.  Bradstreet
being immediately notified of the town's choice, presented
himself to the town, and being asked by the moderator
whether he would accept the office of constable,
Mr. Bradstreet replied that he scrupled whether the fine
could be recovered of him; the moderator insisting upon a
peremptory anwser, he replied he scrupled whether the fine
could be recovered of him," --- and finally he refused to
serve.  Richard Talyor was next chosen, "who made his
appearance, and declared he would not serve once and again."
The town excused him.  Paul Wetherbee was then chosen, who
accepted the office.

(to be continued)

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