Subject:History of Bedford, Mass. by Lemuel Shattuck, 1835 Source: From: The History of the Town of Concord, Mass. by Lemuel Shattuck,1835 Part 2 p.257 After the first organization of the town, there is nothing of peculiar interest to distinguish its civil history anterior to the revolution. It furnished its share of men and money in the intervening French & Indian wars; but the parti- culars I am unable to obtain. Several of its inhabitants held commissions. Many facts in relation to the part Bedford acted in the Revolution have already been detailed in the History of Concord. Such others as more immediately relate to the proceedings of the town will now be given. In March 1768, the town voted "to encourage the produce and manufactures of this province, and to lessen the use of superfluities." A town meeting was held March 1, 1773 to take "into our most serious consideration the melancholy state of the British colonies in North America in general, and this province in particular," when, "after solemn prayer to God for direction," the subject was referred to a committee, consisting of: Deacon Stephen Davis John Reed, Esq. John Webber Dr. Joseph Ballard Mr. John Moore Mr. Joseph Hartwell Mr. Hugh Maxwell At an adjourned meeting, May 23rd, they made a long report, which was unani- mously accepted, expressing sentiments to those given in the History of Concord. p.258 In March, 1774, it was voted not to use any tea till the duty was taken off; and on the 30th of June following, the inhabitants of the town entered into a solemn covenant "to suspend all commercial intercourse with Great Britain till the said act should be repealed," - not to "buy, purchase, or consume, in any manner whatever, any goods, wares, or merchandise which shall arrive in America from Great Britian," and to break off all "trade, commerce, or dealings with those who do it, and to consider them as enemies to their country." This covenant was offered to all the inhabitants of the town for their signatures. Those who did not sign it were to be treated as enemies. At this meeting the first committee of correspondence was chosen, consisting of: Deacon Stephen Davis John Reed, Esq. Mr. Joseph Hartwell John Webber John Moore. A minute-company being formed, the town voted, March 6th, 1775, to allow twenty-five men "one shilling per week til the first of May, they exercising four hours in a week, and two shillings to be allowed to officers, they to equip themselves according to the advice of Congress." Jonathan Wilson was Captain of this company and was killed on the retreat of the British from Concord on the 19th of April in the 41st year of his age. He was a brave and meritorious officer. The town voted, June 17, 1776, that "we will solemnly engage with our lives and fortunes to support the colonies in declaring themselves independent of Great Britain." Bedford, like the neighboring towns, contributed "her lives and fortunes," to obtain the independence of America. Though I cannot give a full view of what was actually done, a few facts taken from the town records, in addition to what has already been given in the History of Concord, will present the most favorable view of her patriotism. November 24, 1777, the town raised £377 3s. 3d. to pay the following bounties to the soldiers for services performed that year as reported by a committee: For the Continental Soldier's Hire £236. 10s. 0d. For the bounty to the Rhode Island men 22. 10 0 For the bounty to the men who went to Bennington 48. 0 0 For one man to guard the Continental stores 6. 0 0 For three 30 day men to join the Continental army 24. 0 0 For allowance for hiring the Continental men 4. 11 0 for fire-arms, lead and flints for a town stock 35. 12 3 Total: £377. 3 3 p.259 November 16, 1778, the town allowed the accounts of the military officers and committee for hiring soldiers, amounting to £1746 16s. 3d. The following bounties for services the year previous were also allowed: 3 men, 2 months to Rhode Island, May 1, 1777. no bounty. 8 men, 2 months to Bennington, Aug 21, 1777. Each £15. £120 0s 0d. 8 men, 30 days "to take & guard the troops," Sept. 1777. £2 16 0 0 5 men, 3 months "to Boston with Capt. Farmer." Feb. 1778 £12 60 0 0 8 men, 3 months "to Cambridge with Capt. Moore" April 1, 1778 £11 88 0 0 John Reed to Rhode Island 9 0 0 The next year in November, 1779, the following bounties were allowed: 1st tour of Rhode Island, 2 men, £39 each 78 0 0 2nd to Rhode Island, 2 men, 48 bushels of corn £9 per bushel ea. 864 0 0 3d to North River, 3 men 2 of whom to have £300 each 600 0 0 The other man to have £138 in cash and 51 bushels of corn at £9 per bushel 587 0 0 4th to Boston - 2 men, £22. 10 shillings each 45 0 0 5th to Claverick, 6 men - 1-1/3 month, £80 per month 640 0 0 In September, 1780, the town raised £550 to pay for hiring soldiers in the United States service for the two last campaigns. In June previous, seven men, John Johnson Rufus Johnson Nathan Merrill Jonas Bacon Cambridge Moore Jonas Duren Cesar Prescott had been hired to go to the North River, six months for a bounty of 120 bushels of corn each; and eight men: Joshua Holt John Webber Ebenezer Hardy Amos Bemis Jonathan Wilson Andrew Hall Isaac Simonds Israel Mead Blood were hired for three months to Rhode Island for 90 bushels of corn each. To be continued Part 3 - p. 260 Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth God Bless America History & Genealogy Freely Shared Janice Farnsworth _http://tfeeney.esmartbiz.com/janice.htm_ (http://tfeeney.esmartbiz.com/janice.htm) and Toni Feeney _http://www.tfeeney.esmartbiz.com/page7.htm_ (http://www.tfeeney.esmartbiz.com/page7.htm)