Lewis Glazier

“ Bankrupt in fortune and in fame, Shays was ready to embark on the flood of any desperate adventure. Without the energetic decision or enlarged conceptions, the strong spirit or the bold daring, which befit a leader, by some accident, he was elevated to the command of the insurgents. Of capacity too humble to direct the movements of an army in those moments when the force of talent makes itself felt by triumphant results, and turns even obstructions into encouragements, he was weak, vacillating and irresolute. ”

“ We desire and intend, with dependance on his promised and powerful grace to walk together as a church of the son Jesus Christ, in the faith and order of the gospel, so far as we shall have the same revealed unto us. Constantly attending the public worship of God, the sacraments of New Testament, and the discipline of his kingdom, and all his holy institutions in communion with one another, and watchfully avoiding sinful stumbling-blocks and contentions, as become a people whom the Son hath bound up together in a bundle of life. ”

“ We give up ourselves unto the blessed Jesus who is the Lord Jehovah, and adhere to him as the head of his people, in the covenant of his grace, and rely on him as our Priest, Prophet and King, to bring us unto eternal blessedness. We acknowledge our everlasting and indispensable obligations to glorify God, in all the duties of a godly and righteous life: very particularly in the duties of a church state, as a body of people appointed in obedience to him in all the ordinances of the gospel. ”

“ We believe that the only meritorious ground of the sinner's justification and pardon is the atoning sacrifice and righteousness of Christ. That while justification is through faith alone, it is through that living faith which unfailing and perseveringly abounds in good works, and all the fruits of the Spirit. And that salvation is entirely by grace.
7th. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. That all mankind must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be awarded according to their works. ”

“ History, the mirror of the past, reflects, with painful fidelity, the dark as well as the bright objects from departed years; and although we may wish to contemplate only the glowing picture of patriotism and prosperity, the gloomy image of civil commotion is still full in our sight, shadowing the background with its solemn admonition. ”

“ We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending ourselves called of God unto the church state of the gospel, do first of all confess ourselves unworthy to be so highly favored of the Lord, and admire that free, rich grace of his which triumphs over so great unworthiness. And thus with humble reliance on the aids of grace, therein promise for them that in a sense of their inability to do any good thereby, do humbly wait on him for all. Thankfully laying hold of his covenant, we would choose the things that please him. ”

“ I am aware that it would seem to be the very height of presumption for a man at the age of eighty-six, to attempt to write a hook. My object in the first place was merely to note down some facts with regard to the early history of Gardner, recorded only in the memory of a few of the oldest inhabitants of the Town. The pleasure experienced in this employment was such as to lead me to extend it to the present time.
Some may object to the minuteness of detail, and familiarity of scene indulged by the author. Every writer has his own way of stating things ”

“ To the Church and Congregation in Gardner:
Brethren and Friends:
Whereas in the Providence of God you have seen fit to give me an invitation to settle with you in the work of the gospel ministry, I have taken it into serious consideration, advised with my friends and fathers in the ministry, and devoted myself to God in solemn prayer for direction, in a matter of so much importance. I feel my own inability to undertake so great a work. ”

“ The soil is better adapted to grass than grain.
A little north-west and near the centre of the town, is a beautiful pond, about a mile in length and nearly one-half a mile wide; it is so well known by the inhabitants of the town that it needs no description; suffice it to say, that it is a pleasant resort for the pleasure-seeker and lover of nature, as many can testify who have enjoyed a sail across its smooth waters. [1] There is also a small pond in the south-westerly part of the town. ”

“ We might find that the accredited leaders of 1786, were only humble instruments of stronger spirits, waiting in concealment, the results of the tempest they had roused. Fortunately, the energy of government, gave to rising revolution the harmless character of crushed insurrection, saved to after years the inquiry for the catalines of the young republic, and left to us the happy privilege of receiving the coin, impressed with the mark of patriotism, at its stamped value, without testing its deficiency of weight, or assaying the metal to determine the mixture of alloy. ”

“ Gates, Simon, moved from Westminster to Gardner without changing his residence; the town line crossing his farm, he had a right to belong to the town he chose, and being a just man, decided to come to Gardner, because he thought it his duty to go where he could do the most good. He had a good farm on what is called Beech hill, where his grandson, Horace Gates, now lives, and was one of the principal men in building up the town. ”

“ Much pains has been taken in selecting teachers, giving the children and youth an opportunity to acquire an education sufficient to qualify them for the active business of life. A high school is often kept in the center of the town. There is also a fund of $1,000, belonging to the south village, the income of which is to be paid for the support of a school. ”

“ Many must have endured the gnawings of hunger in our streets: yet standing with arms in their hands, enduring privations in the midst of plenty, they took nothing by force, and trespassed on no man's rights by violence: some declared they had not tasted food for twenty-four hours; all who made known their situation, were relieved by our citizens with liberal charity.
The forlorn condition of the insurgents was deepened by the distress of their retreat. ”

“ The largest establishment for chair-making in town, and probably the largest in the United States, is that of the Heywood Chair Manufacturing Company. Their factory is situated on the stream flowing from Crystal Lake, and near its outlet; for motive power they use both water and steam; they employ over 200 men, and manufacture 200,000 chairs annually, varying in prices from $6 to $120 per dozen, making an aggregate amount of $230,000. The amount paid by them for seating, is $18,000 annually. ”

“ Article III. We believe that man was created in the image of God, holy, innocent, and happy; but, that he fell from that state, and lost all communion with God, by violating a known command of his Maker, and that we are all so affected by his apostacy, and that by nature we are wholly inclined to evil, and hence have become servants of sin, and subjects of eternal punishment. ”

“ John Glazier, of Westminster, drew a petition to which he obtained about thirty signatures, and presented it to the Massachusetts Legislature, praying that honorable body to set off from the northwesterly part of Westminster, the west part of Ashburnham, the south portion of Winchendon, and the east part of Templeton, all in the County of Worcester, land enough for a Town. And in duty bound will your petitioners ever pray. ”

“ We would not regard it as a calamity that we have in this department so little that is allied to fame; it is but the common lot of humanity. While it is true that few of our citizens have been known to fame, it is also true that fewer have been known to infamy. ”

“ On the 16th of October, in compliance with the request of 34 freeholders, another town meeting was called: after a long and warm debate, the former delegates were re-elected to attend the convention, at its adjourned session. A petition had been offered, praying consideration of the measures proper in the alarming situation of the country, and for instructions to the representative to inquire into the expenditure of public money, the salaries of officers, the means of increasing manufactures, encouraging agriculture, introducing economy, and removing every grievance. ”

“ Driven to despair by the actual evil of enormous debt, and irritated to madness by the increasing clamor about supposed grievances, it is scarcely surprising that a suffering and deluded people should have attempted relief, without considering that the misery they endured, was the necessary result from the confusion of years of warfare. ”

“ It shall be their duty to provide for all poor, indigent persons, who are unable to take care of themselves. At all times when circumstances will admit, they shall be supported on the farm, which the town have purchased for that purpose and shall hereafter be known by the name of Gardner work-house. ”

“ Kneeland, Timothy, from Harvard, was the third inhabitant of the town; (Samuel Cook was the second inhabitant of Gardner, and lived where Aaron L. Greenwood now resides; nothing more can be ascertained concerning him, as he moved from town in the early part of its history.) He located about one and one-half miles west of the center of the town, (which was then Winchendon,) was a carpenter, had a good education and was much employed in town affairs. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war three years and three months. There are none of his descendants now residing in Gardner. ”

“ In the afternoon of Tuesday, a petition was presented from Athol, requesting that no judgments should be rendered in civil actions, except where debts would be lost by delay, and no trials had unless with the consent of the parties; a course corresponding with the views entertained by the Court. Soon after, Capt. Smith, of Barre, unceremoniously introduced himself to the judges, with his sword drawn, and offered a paper purporting to be the petition of "the body of people now collected for their own good and that of the Commonwealth," requiring an adjournment of the Courts without day. ”

“ About this time the people of Massachusetts were in much distress on account of the scarcity of money, and many, perhaps not without some reason, supposed the trouble arose from the maladministration of the affairs of government.
The discontented portion of the people were called insurgents, and were led by a Mr. Shays; hence the name of "Shays' rebellion." To show the energy of the first settlers of this town, when they undertook to accomplish an object, the following extract of a town meeting, held September 25th, 1786, is inserted. ”

“ We declare our serious belief of the Christian religion as contained in the said scriptures, and with such a view thereof as the confessions of faith in other churches has exhibited, heartily resolving to conform our lives unto the rules of that holy religion, as long as we live in the world. ”

“ Mr. Osgood was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was the only minister and physician of the town during his life. He died on the 22d of May, 1822, in the 61st year of his age and 31st of his ministry: his funeral (the expenses of which were defrayed by the town) was attended at the meeting-house by a large concourse of people. The neighboring clergymen were invited to assist in the services. Rev. Mr. Easterbrook, of Athol, preached a sermon from the text "Jesus wept." His death was lamented by a large circle of friends, by whom he was greatly esteemed and beloved. ”

“ The insurgents unapprised of the change of operations, began to concentrate their whole strength to interrupt the Courts at Worcester and Concord. They had fixed on Shrewsbury as the place of rendezvous. On the 29th of November, a party of forty from Barre, Spencer and Leicester, joined Capt. Wheeler, who had established his head quarters in that town during the preceding week, and succeeded in enlisting about thirty men. Daniel Shays, the reputed commander-in-chief, and nominal head of the rebellion, made his first public appearance in the county soon after, with troops from Hampshire. ”

“ The delay of government, while it afforded time to circulate correct information among the people, left the insurgents at liberty to pursue their measures. The Court at Springfield, on the 26th of December, was resisted, and intelligence was received of active exertions to prevent the session of the Common Pleas, at Worcester, on the 23d of January. Longer forbearance would have been weakness, and vigorous measures were adopted for sustaining the Judiciary. An army of 4400 men was raised from the Counties of Suffolk, Essex, Middlesex, Hampshire and Worcester, for thirty days service. ”

“ Warner, finding that no benefit could be derived from their presence, sent orders for their return to their homes, and the insurgents enjoyed the triumph of holding undisputed possession of the town.
On Wednesday, December 6th, they went out to meet Shays, who arrived from Rutland with 850 men. As they re-entered the street the appearance of the column of 800 was highly imposing. The companies included many who had learned their tactics from Steuben, and served an apprenticeship of discipline in the ranks of the Revolution: war-worn veterans, who in a good cause would have been invincible. ”

“ As the Light Horse retired, it was discovered they did not exceed twenty. About a hundred of Shays' men rallied, and returned to Shrewsbury, following a foe whose celerity of movement left no cause to fear they could be brought to an encounter. Search was made for the town stock of powder, removed by the vigilance of one of the Selectmen, Col. Cushing, whose house they surrounded, and whose person they endeavored to seize, but he escaped. Consultation was held on the expediency of marching directly to Worcester, and encamping before the Court House. ”

“ Article II. We believe there is but one only living and true God, and that he has made himself known to his people by the several names of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who are equal in nature, power, and glory. ”