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In the year 1787, the troubles by which the State had been distracted, had, in a slight degree, subsided, and so many of their own population, as well as of the inhabitants of almost every town, had been involved in that disastrous train of events, known as the "Shays war," that the town instructed their representative to vote for the pardon of the insurgents, and to endeavor to redress the grievances under which the people labored; among which they reckoned the unequal tax upon real and personal estate, the tax on polls, and the undue influence of Boston on the legislature, so long as it should continue to meet there.

Several persons were involved in that unhappy insurrection, whose names have either been forgotten, or we suppress them, from charity to their memories. Their efforts here, were always thwarted by the firmness of the "government men," who were unwearied in their efforts to quell the spirit of rebellion. Many anecdotes are told of the firmness of the friends of the government under circumstances the most trying and alarming. They showed no disposition to compromise the dignity and interests of the State. Early in the winter of 1786, which was a severe one, Day, one of the insurgent captains, having been towards Boston upon business connected with the rebellion, was returning through Leicester, on a very severe day, and immediately after a violent snow-storm that rendered the roads almost impassable. He was on horseback, and stopped at the dwelling house of Mr. Nathan Sargent, near the Worcester line, to warm him, and entered the house without ceremony. He laid his sword and hat upon a table, and taking a chair, observed that he was going to warm him. "Not until I know who you are," said Mr. Sargent, who had silently witnessed his abrupt entrance and conduct, "for these are suspicious times, and I must know who I entertain." Day, finding him resolute, assumed as much dignity and importance as possible, and announced himself as "Captain Day." "Then get out of my house," said Mr. Sargent, and seizing his hat and sword, threw them into a snow bank, and drove Day out after them, who swore that "vengeance should light on him in less than a fortnight."

A few persons, taking advantage of the popular excitement, during the time of the insurrection, were chosen to offices of profit and trust from the Insurgent party; but they almost invariably became satisfied of their error, as soon as, by intercourse with intelligent patriots, they saw the dangerous tendency of their measures. We cannot, at this day, realize the horrors of the civil war that

then threatened, and, in many places, actually distracted the State. A house was literally divided against itself. The sound of arms was heard in every village, and those who encountered each other in hostile array, were often of the same household, or the same social circle. Neither sex nor age were exempt from the angry passions that prompted these warlike preparations. The women were, if possible, more clamorous than the men, whenever they took part with the insurgents; though we might record many honorable instances, where wives remained firm in their attachment to government, while their husbands were ready to go all lengths to shake off the wholesome restraints of that power.

It was customary, for the friends of government to wear a fillet of white paper in their hats, while the adherents of the opposite party adopted, as a badge of distinction, a sprig of evergreen. But, fortunately for the country, the evergreen, in the language of one in that day, soon withered; the arm of power scattered the insurgent forces, and the miserable and misguided adherents of Day, and Shays, and Wheeler, and Parsons were glad to sue for mercy to that power, which they had so lately risen up to crush. And their suit was not vain; policy, as well as a predisposition to clemency, spared their lives, and they were suffered to return to their homes in peace, though very much to the chagrin and mortification of many, whose excited passions called for a sacrifice of expiation for the political sins of their adversaries.

The insurrection of 1786 is rather a matter of state history, than that of any particular town. Many are alive who took part with the forces sent out by the government to quell the rebellion, and though they encountered great hardships and fatigue, and, at times, no inconsiderable degree of danger, we doubt whether they would desire to be crowned with laurels, although they were conquerers, or wish us to publish their names to the world as soldiers, on account of their feats of arms in that contest with their misguided brethren. It is not so long since those events occurred, that they, or those engaged in them, are forgotten. Many remember the scenes of uproar and confusion, into which the hitherto peaceable dwellings of the citizens were then thrown, by being made the quarters for the soldiery; and they remember too, the anxiety they felt at the apprehended attacks from the exasperated insurgents. Those, however, whose reason returned as their passions subsided, became convinced of their follies and their criminality, and many of them became the firmest supporters of the government. We,

perhaps, have dwelt too long upon this subject, but our remarks, though general in their terms, apply so well to the state of this town for several years, that they may be considered as its history, unless we should go so minutely into the investigation of the subject as to name the actors in the scenes, which, for reasons we have offered, we forbear to do.

In 1787, the Federal Constitution was presented to the states for their approbation, and a convention of Delegates from the several towns in Massachusetts was called, to meet at Boston, on the second Wednesday of January, 1788, to act upon its adoption, and Colonel Samuel Denny was chosen the delegate from Leicester. The constitution having been accepted, an election of officers under it was had, and the votes in this town were, 38 for Hon. Moses Gill for Representative in Congress, and 20 for Mr. Gill, and 19 for Gen. Artemas Ward, for elector of President.

We are now approaching, in chronological order, those events, that have too lately occurred, either to require, or justify, a detail of them. Indeed, no event connected with any important series, that we are aware of, has occurred, since the adoption of the Federal constitution, in this town. Events, however, to which no particular interest is attached now, may acquire importance at a future day, and their history be eagerly sought after. If we had foresight enough to distinguish these, we certainly would cheerfully record them here, if for no other reason than to save the future historian the many hour's labor of gathering them from the musty pages of a town record book. In 1794, minute men were raised, and a bounty paid them. But it was upon the ocean alone that our laurels were reaped in that war, and the "Oxford Army" borrowed little lustre from the achievements of Truxton and his associates.

We happily live at a time when men can look back upon the days of party excitement and animosities, that disturbed the tranquillity of the country, with feelings, if not of regret, certainly of surprise, at their violence and long duration. It is not within the scope of our plan, even if our inclinations prompted it, to trace the rise of the two political parties, which, for nearly thirty years, divided the public opinion in the United States. This town had its share of this excitement, though the degree of acrimony fell far short of that in many. They voted resolutions condemning the embargo, in 1808, and petitioning the President, (Jefferson) to take off the same. In 1812, they passed resolutions, condemning the then existing war with Great Britain, and chose a delegate to meet

a County convention to consult on measures of public policy. That party denominated Federalists were the most numerous in the town, while that distinctive title was borne by any party, though when in the plenitude of their strength they ever used their power in a liberal manner, and extended equal courtesy to their political opponents.

The growth and improvement of Leicester, as we have already observed, has been constant though gradual. The refinement in taste that has been effected in many parts of New England has not been entirely inoperative here. The growth of the village here has been so rapid, that individuals recollect the time, when from four to six houses were all that were erected in the village, where now there are nearly forty, besides the public buildings and others in progress of erection. The style of architecture is neat, and although the village can boast of no palace, it is not disfigured with one tenement that indicates poverty or want. There have been many improvements proposed, and so far as unanimity in design can promise success, they will be carried into effect, by which this village may vie with any in the country for beauty and neatness. A Bank, as we have already stated, was chartered and located in this town in the winter of 1826, and when, as is proposed, the building for that institution shall have been erected, and the congregational meeting house removed, so as to enlarge the common before it, and produce a proper symmetry in relation to the Academy, Leicester may boast of attractions in her scenery, her public improvements, enterprize and wealth, which all will be ready to acknowledge.

The situation of the town is healthy, and epidemics of a dangerous character have seldom prevailed. The average number of deaths, annually, may be reckoned at about fifteen, which will bear no fair proportion to the annual births. The population of the town has annually furnished emigrants to other towns, and other States, and there is scarcely a State in the Union that has not among its citizens natives of this town.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

We are aware that we have omitted the names of many in the foregoing sketches, which a sense of justice would require us to have inserted. Nothing but an inability to do any justice to them has debarred us from the pleasure of recording them. A few, however, whose histories we have been able to obtain, we feel ourselves warranted in noticing.

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SETH WASHBURN.

Among those who acted a pretty important part in the events of our history, was the Hon. Seth Washburn, Esquire, whose name we have more than once had occasion to mention. He was a na. tive of Bridgewater, and a lineal descendant of John Washburn, who was one of the original proprietors and settlers of that town. He was a native of England, and arrived in New England within a few years after the settlement of Plymouth :* He died in Bridgewater in 1670. Seth Washburn, the subject of this memoir, was great grandson of John Washburn. He removed to Leicester some time previous to the year 1750, but the precise time is not known. Though destitute of a good education, he successively held almost every office in the gift of the people of the town, and was a member of the Senate from this County during the years 1780, 1783, '84, '85, '86, and '87, in which body he is said to have possessed a very considerable influence. He was a firm patriot and a most unwavering and decided supporter of the rights of the Colonies. After his return from the service in 1775, which we have spoken of, he acted as "muster master" during the war, and aided the prosecution of it by every means in his power-though we do not know that he was, for any considerable time afterwards, in the service. He had been a soldier in the French war previous to 1749, and was ever esteemed a man of great courage and self possession. This was particularly observed in the engagement on Bunker Hill. Although he came late into the action, and the British were then on the point of forcing the redoubt and lines, and the Americans, after having expended their ammunition, were almost at the mercy of their exasperated foe, he showed no agitation, but delivered his commands with the utmost coolness and decision. He had a good deal of native eloquence, and whenever he addressed any body of men it was with propriety and effect. His business in life was that of a blacksmith until he became engaged in public affairs. He was distinguished for his piety and the urbanity of his manners. During the insurrection in 1786, he was a decided friend of the Government, and influential in checking the spirit that then prevailed inimical to the wholesome restraints of the laws. He died at the age of 70, in the year 1794, leaving two sons, one of whom, Joseph Washburn, was a member of the com

*Whether he was the John Washburn who was Secretary of the Massachusetts Company, in London, in 1629, we have not been able to ascertain ; but from the name, and the time of his removal to New England, we presume he may have been the same.

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