History of Fitchburg Part 32 Rufus Torrey 1st printed 1836


There are indications that at this period (1777) the town
began to grow weary of its burdens.  There was no prospect
of an immediate termination of the war -- no prospect of
"better times."  The inhabitants were dilatory in furnishing
their quotas of continental soldiers.  The great bounty
required for enlisments 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, unless they could depend upon the
bounties for support.  Of specie, but little was in 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 Isreal, sighing for
the "flesh-pots of Egypt" -- no vain regrets that they 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 cared to show the
least symptom of disaffection towards the American cause.

It was during this year that Phinehas 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
Peace, "the evidence that may be had of the inimical
disposition towards this or any other the United States, of
any inhabitant of this town, who shall be charged by the
freeholders, and other inhabitants of said town."  Indeed,
not only was emnity to the cause severely punished, but
persons exhibiting luke-warmness 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 inhabitant of
this twon was threatened with a coat of tar and feathers,
and even with the destruction of his house.  Such persons
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 conspciuous, 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.  Amoung this
unforturnate class was our old friend, Thomas Cowdin, who,
though in other 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 disposition,
to keep their opinions to themselves.

Though the burthen of the war was now pressing heavily upon
a town which was not highly favored in the possession of
worldly goods, the people did not despair of the cause of
Independence.  They continued to labor steadily to the
utmost of their ability, and this year (1777) voted to raise
$288 for purchasing guns and ammunition for the town's use.
In compiance with an act of the General Court, they chose a
committee, who had full power and authority to supply with
the necessiaries 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 at this time, was
rendered still worse by the improvident attempts 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 interest, and sinking certain sums, less than
ten pounds, in the possessors' hands, -- and prohibiting the
circulation of the bills of any of the United States, 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
Confederation went 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 General court, at this period, called
for four men for the Continental army, and allowed the town
$400 for this purpose.  The town treasurer was directed to
give his note for the sum of $100 to each soldier, or to
borrow the money on teh town's credit.

At the close of this year (1778) the perod of the war of the
Revolution was half completed.  It is impossible for us to
realize, 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 family, every man was
called upon to act -- to do to the utmost of his ability, or
rest under the imputation of being a tory.

(to be continued)

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