History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

ever paid a sacred attention to this important right,
— hath ever patronized tliis interesting claim in the
sons of men. Tlie only constitution of civil government
that claims its origin direct from heaven is the
theocracy of the Hebrews ; but even this form of
government, though dictated by infinite wisdom, and
written by the finger of God, was laid before the
people for their consideration, and mas ratified,
introduced, and established by common consent.""
Both Hancock and Clarke were very popular
with their flocks, and possessed great influence over
them in all things. Mr. Clarke's patriotic views
were instilled into the hearts of his fellow-citizens,
so that they could with ])ropriety be addressed by
him as fellow-patriots. And, no doubt, liis ardent
love of liberty and devotion to the interest of the
colony tended to produce that firmness and self-
sacrificing spirit displayed in the opening scene of
our Eevolutionary drama. Among the important
services rendered by Mr. Clarke may be mentioned
his influence upon Colonel Hancock in preparing
him for the Revolutionary struggle. Young Han-
cock was an ardent, impressible man, fond of soci-
ety and show. He had been abroad, and was
present at the funeral of George 11. and at tiie
coronation of George III. Coming at once, as he
did at the death of his uncle, into the possession of
a princely fortune, would naturally make a young
man vain. His position of course attracted atten-
tion, and the royalists sought to secure him in
their interest. The security of his large property
and the chance of promotion were lield up to him.
lu weighing them against his natural love of lib-
erty and devotion to his country it is believed that,
for a time, he faltered. But, fortunately for the
country and for his reputation, there were other
influences brought to bear upon him. Samuel
Adams was ever ready to strengthen the weak, and
his influence with Hancock was in the right direc-
tion. But there was another influence, more silent
perhaps, but quite as controlling. His connection
with Mr. Clarke's family, his respect for Mr.
Clarke, and his confidence in his judgrbent, brought
him frequently to his house. The well-known
patriotism of Mr. Clarke, his courtly and persua-
sive manner, and his commanding talents, could
not fail to impress the mind of Hancock, and it is
believed that he was iiighly influential in inducing
the young merchant of Boston to take an open and
decided stand in support of the rights of the colo-
nies. And it is due to the memory of Hancock to
say that if there ever was a time when he faltered,
LEXINGTON. 15
after he had avowed his sentiments no man was
truer or bolder, or more ready to make sacrifices in
the cause of liberty.
But Lexington has a civil and military history as
well as an ecclesiastical one. Lexington was made
a precinct in 1691, and was incorporated as a town
in 1713. As a municipal corporation she laid out
highways, provided for the support of the poor,
and established that indispensable institution of
New England, — free schools. The town being
entirely agricultural, and lying near the neighborhood
of manufactures and commerce, her young
men too frequently liave been induced to quit the
primitive calling of tilling the soil, and to seek
more lucrative business in other callings elsewhere
and hence the population of Lexington has been of
a slow growth. And her population received
another check in 1754, when a thousand acres of
her territory mth the inhabitants thereon were
taken from her to help form the town of Lincoln.
The people of Lexington luive been too unwilling
to encourage manufactures and the mechanic arts
and hence she has not increased in population like
some of her neighboring towns. But more of this
history hereafter.
Lexington has, of course, a military history, and
one which reflects no dishonor upon the place. In
the French and Indian wars Lexington acted no
insignificant part. The rolls of that day are so
imperfect that no full and accurate account can be
given of t!ie number of soldiers tliat were sent into
the field from this towii. From 17.55 to 1763,
inclusive, taking the number of men each year,
will give a total of one hundred and sixty-eight
men, who were found on every battle-field, — at
Louisburg, Quebec, Crown Point, Ticonderoga,
Fort William Henry, and wherever a foe was to
be encountered or a daring deed to be performed.
Some of the Lexington men were attached to the
famous corps known as " Eogers' Eangers," — a
corps in which Stark served his military appren-
ticeship; a corps whose name was expressive of
the life they led, ranging through the wilderness,
seeking their wary foe by day and by night, in
silent glens or secret ambush ; a corps whose win-
ter-quarters were in tedious marchings amid drifted
snows and ice-clad hills, relying sometimes upon
snow-shoes and sometimes upon skates for loco-
motion, and carrying their only arsenal and com-
missnriat in their packs.
We have already alluded to the controversy of
the colony %vith the mother country. This was
;