History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

"The IStli of April, 1876, was observed as the
tvo hundredth anniversary of this remarkable figlit.
The day was celebrated in a becoming manner,
with a procession, and an address by Hon. T. P.
Hurlbut at the monument, historical of the cause
and method of its erection, a prayer at the Unita-
rian Church by Rev. G. A. Oviatt, and an oration
by Professor E. J. Young of Harvard College, fol-
lowed by several addresses in response to sentiments
given by J. S. Hunt, Esq., all under the
direction of the committee of arrangements, Messrs.
J. P. Fairbanks, T. P. Hurlbut, and T. J. Sander-
son, Homer Rogers acting as marshal of the day.
" The Wadsworth Monument stands as the joint
tribute of the state of Massachusetts and the town
of Sudbury."
"The tirst monument [quoting from Mr. Hurl-
but's Address] on this spot, erected about 1730, was
placed here by President Wadsworth of Harvard
College, son of Captain Samuel Wadswortii." This
monument, a simple, plain slate slab, was falling
away, when many felt that something should be
done to preserve it. November 10, 1851, the
town appointed a committee of twenty-five, with
Colonel Drury Fairbank as chairman, "' to inves-
tigate the subject and report at a future meeting.
The 26th of January, 18u'2, this committee made
a partial report, and were instructed to petition the
legislature for aid in the erection of the monument."
As the result of this movement the legislature made
an appropriation of §500 to be expended under
the direction of Governor Boutwell. What was
needed in addition to this appropriation by the
state was given by the town. The monument,
togetiier with a road leading to tlie spot, was
completed at an expense of nearly §52,000. The
monument was dedicated November 23, 1852, the
dedicatory address being delivered by Governor
Boutwell.
" Tlie remains of the ancient dead were taken
from their former graves and placed in boxes.
Portions of twenty-nine skeletons, corresponding
to the number recorded as buried tiiere, were found.
The bones were in a remarkable state of preser-
vation, some of them bearing marks of blows that
were given two hundred years ago. The boxes
containing the remains were placed in the vault
beneath the monument, tlie aperture was closed,
and the ancient slab erected by President Wadsworth
placed in front."
The difference of opinion long prevailing among
SUDBURY. 305
on Green Hill, in which Wadswortli was slain, led
the writer to make independent and careful investi-
gation of the testimony favoring the ISth of April
and that supporting the 21st of April, 1676, as the
true date. The result confirms the belief that the
date recorded on the monument is an error, and
that this memorable conflict took place on the
afternoon of Friday, April 21, 1676.
There exist not less than five distinct sources of
evidence, all contemporary, all made by men who
were personally or officially connected with the
events described, or who were in a ])ositioii to
learn the facts as they occurred, and who had no
motive for recording anything but the truth.
To understand the exact force of the records, it
needs to be noted that the Indians attacked Marl-
borough on Tuesday or Wednesday, and burnt
the houses ; they assaulted Sudbury Town, which
was on the east side of the river, during Thursday
night or early in the morning of Friday ; and the
fight with Captain Wadsworth took place late in
the afternoon of Friday. News of the night or
early morning attack reached Concord in season
for their men to come to the relief and take part
in the conflict, and it was news of this attack which
induced Captain Wadsworth to retrace his steps
from Marlborough. It was news of this attack
on the east-side inhabitants which reached Major
Gookin and the authorities at Boston early in the
afternoon.
The evidence in the case may be stated thus :
historical writers in regard to the date of the battle in the morning upon April 22, over 40 Indians
—
1. Major Gookiu's History. He had command
of the friendly Indians who were used as scouts,
and a company of whom were with him that after-
noon. His account is: " Upon April 21, about
midday, tidings came by many messengers that a
great body of the enemy had assaulted a town called
Sudbury that morning. Indeed (through God's
favor) some small assistance was already sent from
Watertown by Capt. Hugh Mason. Tliese, with
some of the inhabitants, joined, and with some
others that came to their help there was a vigor-
ous resistance made, and a check given to the
enemy. But these particulars were not known
when the tidings came to Charlestown, where the
Indian companies were ready. Just at the begin-
ning of the lecture there, as these tidings came,
Major Gookin and Mr. Thomas Danforth ....
gave orders for a ply of horses .... and the In-
dian company under Capt. Hunting forthwith to
march away for the relief of Sudbury Early