persons concerned in the destrnction of the schooner "Gaspee,"
and more offensively by the Tea Act, which involved the issne
of taxation withont representation. The patriots met the issue,
1773, December 16, by throwing the first cargo of tea into Boston
Harbor, receiving the exulting approval of the people in all the
Colonies. Then followed the Boston Port Bill, which extended the
feeling of union ; for the colonists espoused the cause of Boston,
rather than see her suffer alone for an act which all approved.
The Boston Committee again appealed to other towns, and
Billerica responded, 1774, June G. Captain Enoch Kidder was
moderator, and a committee consisting of Mr. E;i)enezer Bridge,
Capt. Josiah Bowers, and Capt. Ralph Hill, reported as follows: —
"The Inliabitants. having taken into Consideration the oppressive
Measures, adopted and prosecuted of hite, by tlie British Ministry and
Parliament against the Colonies ; and more especially having Considered
the very alarming and vindictive act passed for the Blocking up of the
harbour of Boston and ])utting a stop to the trade, unanimously (>auie into
the following Resolves :
"1. That a Right in the British Parliament to Tax his Majestj'^'s
American Sidijects and to make laws Binding upon them in all Cases,
without their Consent by Representatives, effectually deprives them of
those Rights and Priviledges which as men and as Britisli Subjects they
have a Just Claim to ; and has no better foundation in Reason & Equity
than the mdimited Prerogative, contended for by those arbitrary and
misguided Princes. Charles the first and James the second, for the which
the one lost Ids life and the other liis Kingdom.
•'2. That tlie Colonies are as Justifiable in opposing this unrighteous
Claim of the British Parliament & all Acts Resulting from it, with all the
attempts to Carry the same into execution, as the people of England were
in opposing Charles t<:; James, & Setting William, Prince of Orange, of ever
Glorious Memory, upon the Throne in tlie Room of the latter, Since the
measures of those Arbitrarj^ Princes were not more Inconsistent with the
Liberties of tlie People of England than the late measures of the British
Parliament, in consequence of the al)ove-mentioned claim, are with the
Lilierties of the People in Amei-ica.
'•3. That our Vigorous Contests for our Liberties, in Opposition to
the said Claim of Parliament and the Oppressions with which we have
been loaded in Consequence thereof, Cannot Consistentl}' be Denominated
Faction and Rebellion by any who are friendly to tlie Principles of the
Revolution upon whicli his Present Majesty's Rigiit t(j the Crown Depends;
and tlierefore there is Reason to Suspect that those who call our manly
Struggles for Liberty Opprobi'ious names are disaftected to the Hannoverian
Succession, & aiming to Restore the Racce of the Stuarts.
"4. That the act for Blocking up Boston Harbour is Hostile, Arbitrary
230 HISTOEY OF BILLERICA.
& Cruel, and a Solemn Alarm. Sniiiided to all America, to Unite as one man
and Stand more tlrm than ever in Defence of its Liberties, as it Discovers
implacable Kesentment in tlie British Ministry and a fixed Intention to
treat these Colonies as Kebels, without even the fornuility of a trial, and to
condemn & punish them unheard if they Do not yield a tame Submission
to their Sovereign Mandates, which is a mode of proceeding" against IJeal
offenders Scarcely to be parrelled bj^ any instance in tlie most arbitrary ct
tyrannical Reigns.
"■5. That we consider tlie Blow Struck at Boston as aimed at the
Province in General, and as a Prelude to something further. Equally
Vindictive, yet in Store for this and the other Colonies, and as we have a
fixed Reliance upon the Vhlue of our Brethren in Boston to persevere in
the noble Cause of Liberty, which they have hitherto maintained with Such
laudable fortitude and Resolution, and, looking upon our Selves as Bound
to annimate and encourage them, we hereby promise & Declare our Readi-
ness to Support and Strengthen them in the present conflict to the utmost
of our power, and to joyn with them in anj^ measures that shall be Judged
expedient for our Common Safety and Defence, and for Defeating every
vengeful machination of those that would punish us for Shewing our Selves
men, and Dragoon us into Slavery because we Disdain patientlj' to take the
Yoak upon our Necks at their Bidding.
''6. That, if the Respectable Body of Merchants throughout the
Colonies might come into an agreement to import no British Goods and
carry on no foreign trade whereby the merchants in England should
Receive any Greate Benefit or Emolument. Ave humbly Conceive that a
plan would be laid for the Speedy Removal of our Difficulties ; and that
we should have nothing to Do but to Sit Still and See the Salvation of
our Country. We therefore Ardently Reconnnend this measure to them,
promising that nothing shall be wanting upon our part for the Encour-
agement of the Same.
'■'Lastly. That, as it would be an Indellible Disgrace and a Violation
of the Sacred Obligation we are under, to God, 'J'o our Country, to our
Selves, and to Posterity, for us tamely and Pusillanimously to give up
these invaluable Liberties, which our worthy Ancest(*rs purchased for us
at Such Vast Expense of Blood & Treasure, AVe are Determined to use our
utmost efforts to maintain them, and nqt part with them at a Cheaper Rate
than they were at first Obtained."
These resolutions were recorded, and transmitted to the "Com-
mittee of Correspondence in Boston." It was also voted to choose
a Committee of Correspondence, which consisted of Mr. Ebenezer
Bridge, Mr. Joshua Abbott, Capt. Josiali Bowers, Mr. Kalpli Ilill,
Doctor Timotliy Danforth, Mr, William Tompson, and ]\Ir. Solomon
Pollard.
On June 27, after considering two covenants, sent from Boston,
"The Town, after Serious Deliberation upon the Difficulties &
Distresses in which the Province, as well as the Colonies in General,
THE REVOLUTION. 231
are involved, at the present Day ; also upon what Method will have
the greatest tendenc}^ to Cause a Suspension of all Commercial
Intercourse with the Island of Great Britain, (that being adjudged
a Measure the most Salutary- and Prudent that can be adopted, and
most likely to etfect the end proposed,) Voted, That the Inhabitants
of this Town come into an Agreement, faithfully and Religiousl}'^ to
be observed, that the}- will not I1U3-, purchase, or Consume, or suffer
any person b\', for, or under them, to purchase or Consume, in an}'
way or manner whatsoever, an}' Goods, wares, or merchandise that
«hall arrive in America from Greate Britain aforesaid, from and after
the 31 Day of August ilext ensuing, for and until such time as they
shall have Received the Result of the Continental Congress, upon
whose wisdom, Prudence, and Integrity they Rely, & to whose Deter-
mination they shall Readily Conform. A'^oted, That if any person
or persons shall Discover such a want of regard for the Interest and
Good of the Country, as to import any kind of merchandise from
Great Brittain aforesaid, after the aforesaid 31 Day of August until
the publication of the aforesaid result, they wall not purchase of them
any article of British goods, whatever, when, or howsoever imported.
Voted, That a Covenant comprising the Spirit and intention of the
foregoing \"ote be forthwith Subscril)ed to I)}- the Inhabitance of the
Town," and a committee was appointed for the purpose.
September 12th, it was "Voted, that the Tow^i Justifie the
Committee of Correspondence for their Going to CouQord, to join
with the committees of the other towns of this County, to Consult
upon measures proper to be taken at the present important day,"
and ''that the town fully accept of the Resolves passed at said
meeting in Concord." At the same time the town voted to choose
two persons, " as a Committee to attend at the Provincial Congress,
to be held at Concord on the second Tuesday in October." William
Stickney, Esq., and Mr. Ebenezer Bridge were chosen. Already the
First Continental Congress was in session at Philadelphia, and the
active union of the Colonies was taking practical form. Two weeks
later, Mr. Stickney was also elected Representative to the General
Court, " to be held at Salem," October ; and he was instructed " to
pay no Regard to the King's new mandamus Council, as a Council,
nor proceed to act with them" ; and, "if the Governor Should Dis-
solve, prorogue, or adjourn the Court, that our Representative joine
the House in forming themselves into a provincial Congress," and in
the latter case, Mr. Bridge was also to attend it.
232 HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
The progress of sentiment and action was rapid, as appears
6 December, 1774, when the town adopted a conunittee's report as
follows: " When we Reflect on the alarming & Critical Scituation
of onr Pu1)lick affairs, it is with pleasnre we behold the Remarkable
Unanimity that prevails Through the whole Continent ; we are
Greatly pleased to find that the very Methods by which a Corrupt
Ministry- Sought to Divide the Colonies have Served Happily to
unite them, and by every New Act of Oppression more and more
to Strengthen the Union, So that the people Seem in Every (Quarter,
almost to a man, to be P^ngaged in the Common Cause. And we
Earnestly Recommend it to this people, that since the}' have Endeav-
oured to Collect the United wisdom of the whole Continent, by their
Selected Delegates, also the General Sence of the province, now
assembled in Congress, that the^' would pay a proper Regard to their
Resolves and Recommendations ; it is with most painful Sensations
we see the supineness and inattention to our Common Interest that
seems to prevail in the minds of many people in this town ; we are
sorry that there is so much uneasiness in the minds of some People
in Regard to settling the melitia. We heartil}- wish that this people
were more fully Convinced that good polic}' Consists much in learning
the use of arms and the art of war ; and the times may soon Demand
their Service and the utmost Exertion of them. And Since it is
submitted to us, as a committee, to Draw some plan for the Town to
adopt in order to settle the melitia, we Give it as our humble opinion
that it would be best for the [men to be] called Together : both the
\larm List and the Training band ; and in the first i)lace to Resolve
that they will abide the Vote of a Majority-, and then proceed to the
Choice of officers for each Compan}', and when the Compan\^ are so
settled, that each Company meet to G ether as often as they can
conveniently in order to learn the art military, and that the companies
all attend & stiictly obey the lawfull commands & orders of said
officers. With Regard to the Company' under the Command of Mr.
p]benezer Bridge, we can't but Justif}' upon the principles they set
out, which, we take for Granted, was to Learn the Military Art, and
we Rejoice to see that the}', as well as the other Companies, have
made such noble Improvements, and we hope that Company will act
so much upon Ilonnor as not to make any Devisions in the other
Companies, and if they go on to Enlist men, that they be Restricted
to a Certain number." Monday, the twelfth, was assigned for the
election of officers, and Mr. Bridge's compau}' was limited to fort}'-
THE REVOLUTION. 233
eight privates. It was none too soon for the miUtia to be arniing
and training; as the}' were qnickly needed. Volunteer movements,
it appeared, had alread}^ been made before the action of the town.
Another vital step was taken when the constables were instructed,
December 19, to pay the Province taxes to Henry Gardner, Esq., of
Stowe, who had been appointed b}- the Provincial Congress Receiver-^
General. The State was to have the means in friendly hands to
carry on its legitimate work. A Committee of Inspection was also
chosen, consisting of Ebenezer Bridge, Joshua Abbot, Solomon
Pollard, Joshua Davis, William Tompson, Timothy Danforth, Reuben
Kendall, John Parker, and Oliver Abbot, "to see that the Resolves
of the Continental, and Provincial, Congress, be adliei-ed to, so far
as they Respect ns." In January, 1775, AVilliani Stickney was
chosen delegate to a Provincial Congress which met in Cambridge ;
and another important committee was thus provided for: "The
Difficulty aud Dangers of the present Day into which we are fallen,
when the Course of Law & Justice is Interrupted, and the Danger
of people being Disorderly & Tumultuous to the Disturbing the
Common wealth and the peace of the Good people of the Town,
taking the Advantage of the times ; voted, to choose a Committee
of twelve persons, as Conservators. Chose William Stickney, Esq.,
Mr. Ebenezer Bridge, Mr. Joshua Abbot, Captain Daniel Sticknej',
Captain Josiah Bowers, Mr. Joshua Davis, Lt. Asa Spaulding, Mr.
Benj. Lewis, Mr. Henry Jefts, Mr. Zebadiah Rogers, Captain Ralph
Hill, & Mr. Paul Cooke, whose business it shall be, as nnich as in
them lies, by all prudent methods, to prevent & Discountenance all
Disorders, Mobs, & Tumultuous Assemblys in the s'' Town, and to
heal all Diferances by persuading all Contending persons to be at
peace, or to leave their Differences to men to settle for them ; aud to
P^ncourage people as much as possil)le to lead (^uiete # peacable lives
in all Godliness & honesty. And where persons prove obstinate
and erreclaimable, to bring such matters before the town for their
Consideration & Determination, ^"oted, that seven of s'' Committee
be a Corum." These good men intended to pi-ove and did prove that
they could guard the public peace in times of transition and danger.
It is also evident that Dr. Cumings did not always write or criticize
their public utterances. He would have secured better grannnatical
coherence ; but what the fathers meant to say is usually clear.
At the town meeting in March, it was voted to raise a companj-
of fifty minute-men, who should meet weekl}' for training, and be
234 HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
pnid one shilling for even' half-days' training, except when this day
was the same as the general training-day. The oflieers, appointed
by a committee of the town, were Ca[)tain Ebenezer Bridge, Lieuts.
Jonathan Stickney and James Lewis ; and the minute-men were to
pass muster before Colonel Tompson, Captain Pollard, and Captain
Farmer. Another committee was ''to perfect the alarm List; the
Rule to go by is, all above the age of fifty-five."
4- few days later occurred an incident in Boston which has made
the name of a young man from Billerica famous in the history of
these days, and produced much effect upon the minds of the patriots.
Thomas Ditson, Jun., being in Boston, was seiised by the British
troops, March 8, on the pretence that he was urging a soldier to
desert ; without any examination kept a prisoner until the next day,
when he was stripped, tarred, and feathered, and dragged through
the principal streets on a truck, attended by soldiers of the Forty-
Seventh Regiment, led by Colonel Nesbit, to the music of Yankee
Doodle, the original words of which, it is said, were then first used.
The outrage produced great indignation, and the selectmen of Boston
sent a letter reporting the case to the selectmen of Billerica, who
presented a remonstrance to General Gage, and submitted the case
to a town meeting, on March 20. The town thanked them '' for the
wise and i)radent measures" they had taken, expressed its dissatis-
faction with the reply of General Gage, and instructed them to carry
the case to the Provincial Congress.
Debates and events were becoming ver}' serious, and the drilling
of train-l)ands and minute-men foreshadowed too well the work
before them. The stern resolve of the patriots expressed itself in a
vote, the same day, "to look up the old Bayonets" ; and, April 14,
four days before the Lexington and Concord alarm, they voted to
" furnish the mfiuUe-men with Bayonets and Cartridge Boxes." It
was also voted, that "as every method ought to be pursued which
may tend to promote the arts & manufactures of the Country, espe-
cially tliat of wool. The Inhabitants of this town Shall not Kill any
lambs for the markett till after the first Day of August next ; and
also that no one ought to sell an}- to any Butcher or Petty Chapman,
at any time whatever." "Voted, That the Inhabitants of this Town
will, on the Death of a friend or Relative, Conform to the 8"' article
of the American Association, & go into no further mourning than
such as is therein Recommended, and will entirely Discontinue the
Giving of anv Gloves whatever at Funerals."
THE REVOLUTION. 235
To prevent the troops in Boston from being snpplied with materials
for hostile operations, the town voted not to permit any team "to
Load in, or, after loaded, to pass through, the Town, with Timber,
Boards, Spars, Pickets, Tent-poles, Canvas, Biick, Iron, Waggons,
Carts, Carriages, Intrenching Tools, Oats," etc., without satisfactory
certificate from the Committee of Correspondence, as to load, desti-
nation, and abode. Meanwhile, General Gage was preparing for an
expedition to seize the military stores which had been gathered at
Concord, with little suspicion what preparation the Provincials had
made, and how promptly the}' would deal w4th such a movement.
It was about eleven' o'clock on the night of April 18th, that Paul
Revere and William Dawes set out on their ride to give the alarm
and summon the minute-men to resist the advance of the British
troops. The story of that day has been well told, and can not be
here repeated. It was certainly to Billerica one of the most exciting
and important days in her history. The midnight riders spreading
the alarm were likely to come b}' the Woburn. Ijcxington, and Bed-
ford roads, and probably reached Billerica by two o'clock. The
Ditsons on the Woburn Road would be among the first to receive
the summons, and very ready to respond to it after their recent
experience. Colonel Tompson and Lieutenant !Stickney, living in
the southeast part of the village, would be promptly notified ; and
El>enezer Bridge, who was captain of the minute-men, and lived at
the Farmer place and nearl}' opposite Colonel Stickney's. There
was huriTing to and fro, we may be sure, and in the early dawn,
when the first encounter took place at Lexington, few families, if
an}', had not heard the call to arms. Muskets and accoutrements
were hastil}' made ready and donned ; the alarm-list no doubt turned
out as well as the train-band and the minute-men ; and gathering at
the Common for muster and orders, the}- hurried off towards Concord.
IMeanwh'le, the British had pushed on to Concord, and after the fight
there found reason for hurrj'ing back towards Boston. They had
not gone far when, at IMerriam's Corner, the Billerica troops came
and joined in the assault and pursuit of the retreating foe. Mr.
Frothingham states that the}' came under the command of Colonel
William Tompson, a fact which suggests that the force was not
limited to the company of minute-men under Captain Bridge, and it
is not likely that the veterans would be slow to turn out at such a
call. Some Billerica men w'ere naturally in the Bedford company
and arrived earlier, and when Capt. Jonathan Wilson was killed, the
236 HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
eonunniKl devolved upon his Bilk'rica lieutenant, Edward Stearns.
Nathaniel Wvnian of the same company was killed, who was prob-
ably from Billeriea, although his name is also credited to Lexington.
No other man from this town was killed, but John Nickles and
Timothy Blanchard were wounded.
Tlie day of Lexington and Concord decided the issue of Avar ;
and there followed a rapid nuistering of Provincial forces. Billeriea
I'urnished her share of men, as appears from this action. May 15:
'•('hose Messurs Samuel Kidder & Isaac Foster as a Comt'''' to pro-
\ide Blanketts for those persons in this town that have Inlisted into
the provincial service." Another vote was, "thttt the Commanding
officer of the Caddett Company make Keturne to the field Officers,
the State of the Compan}', as the other Militia Captains do, and also
that they Ije Read}' on any Ocation to take their part in any Burthen,
acording to then- number, with the other Companys." A committee
was also chosen "to provide straw for the army at Cambridge."
Deacon Hill was excused from the Committee of Correspondence,
and Captain Daniel Stickney and Lieut. John Parker were added to
that important committee. Two weeks later, the town voted, that
the article in the warrant "Respecting the Dissolution of the Caddett
Company be put over to the fall meeting" ; but there is no record
of farther action. Probably this was a compan}- of bo3'S, too young
for service and too patriotic to neglect preparation for future duty.
A conmiittee was chosen, June 2G, "to purchase GO hogsheds of
salt & ten hogsheds of MoUasses, for a town Stock." This salt
was bought at Beverly, and furnishes many items among the town
charges for the year. Other items are "a pair of shoes for William
Britton," "an old coat and a pair of stockings" for the same soldier,
and "sundries Delivered to Mary Britton," no doubt his Avife. "To
Jacob French for fixing 5 Bayonets to their Onus, 9% 5, 2," and "to
AY'" Baldwin for making 7 Cataridge Boxes for the minute-men,
1, 8, 0" ; "a pair of shoes for Ro])ert Augier, 6% 0" ; "a Jaccoat
for AV" Britton, 2% 0" ; "3 cords of wood for Mary Britton, 1,0, 0."
The siege of Boston occasioned the departure of many of its
l)atriotic inhabitants, who sought refuge in the surrounding towns ;
and at the iNLirch meeting in 177G a committee was appointed "to
take care of and provide for the Donation persons that came from
the towns of Boston and CbarlestoAvn." The Committee of Corre-
spondence was reconstructed, William Stickne}', Esq., taking the
place of Colonel Bridge, who was absent in the army. Other
THE EEVOLUTION. 237
members were "Josluua Al)l)ot, Co'. W"\ Tompson, Capt. Daniel
Stickne}', Capt. Josiah Bowers, Dr. Timothy- Daufortli, Dea. Joshua
Davis, Lt. John Parker, Mr. Henry Jefts, Mr. Isaac Foster, and
Mr. Benj". Lewis." Their duty is defined, "to serve as a Committee
of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safet}', whose Business shall be
to Communicate with Dispatch an}^ matters of importance to the
publick that may come to their Knowledge to the Committees of the
same Denomination of an3' other town, Count}', or Colony, which it
may particularly concern, or to the General Assembly- of this Colony,
or in their Recess to the Council ; and also to Inspect whether there
[are] any Inhabitants of or Residents in their Respective towns who
violate the association of the Continental Congress, or any other the
Resolves, Directions, or Recommendations of said Congress, or Acts
and Resolves of the General Court & preceding Congresses of this
Colony, Respecting the present Struggles with Great Britton. And,
if any such are found, that the}' proceed with them in Such manner
as tl^ Resolves of the Continental Congress or the laws or Resolves
of this Colony Do or shall Direct ; That the}' make known to the
General Court or to the Council all Gross Breaches of trust in any
officers or servants of this Colony that may come under their oljser-
vation ; That they use their utmost influence to promote peace and
harmony in their Respective towns." These were extensive powers
and duties, and the exercise of them was liy no means nominal.
Viny nuich was due to the vigilance and discretion with which these
committees discharged their various and delicate functions.
At a meeting. May 23, the town voted ''to send another Repre-
sentative this year," and chose Colonel Tompson. It then adds a
resolution which showed the progress of public sentiment after a
year in the school of war? and that they were finding out tliat loyalty
to Great Britain could not much longer be made consistent with the
defence of their rights. "The Question was put whether the Town
will, in Conformity to a Resolve of the Hon^'*^ the House of Repre-
sentatives of this Colony, advise our Representatives that, if the
Hon'''*^ Congress Should for the Safety of the Colonies Declare them
Independent of Great Brittain, they the said Inhabitants will engage
with their lives & fortunes to Support them, and it passed unani-
mously in the affirmative." They were patriotic men who were ready
for this action. With such leaders as Dr. Cumings and William
Stickney, we may he sure it was not taken witliout intelligent con-
sideration of its significance and what it was likel}- to cost them.
238 HISTOKY OF BILLERICA.