History of the Town of Fitchburg Rufus Torey 1836


Whether Dr. John Taylor moved in the General Assembly for
the congress, in accordance with his instructions, I do not
know, but the deputies of such a congress met in
Philadelphia in September, 1774.

A Provincial Congress, of which John Hancock was the
president, met at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October,
and after adjourning to Cambridge, drew up a plan for the
immediate defence of the Province.  They resolved that at
least one fourth part of the Militia should be enrooled as
minute-men, i.e. should be prepared to march at 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 supported and paid for their
services by contribution: and this town voted that if there
should be any overpays, after paying their delegate, it
should be appropriated to the purchase of powder -- the
people seeming to be well convinced that something more
noisy than talk wuld be expended befor the dispute should be
finished.


At this time, (October) the Selectmen paid 14l.4s. ($47.33)
for powder, lead, and flints; and in Novemebver, in
accordance with the vote of Cpongress 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, Esp.  It was also voted to indemnify
the assessors for refusing to return the names of such
constables, though requested.  These were certainly very
bold measures, and well 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 forth day of February.  A committee
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 suffering under the vengeance of the British Parliament,
for the tea affair, etc.

It will be thus seen that the town was prepared for the
important 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
collected at Salem, and those at Concord were exposed to the
same danger.

(to be continued -- next episode begins with the words "The
19th of April, .....")


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