History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

ful view of Lowell with its surrounding villiige?, and
of some of the hills of Xew Hampshire, which lose
themselves in the distance. According to the uni-
versal custom of those days, a vessel full of stimu-
lating mixture stood before the men, at their free
disposal. Their officer had taken care to have it
well replenished, and doubtless hoped it would as-
sist his manly eloquence in kindling their patriot-
ism, or "nationality," as those times designated
that generous virtue. " Now," said the captain,
"if any one is tiiirsty, let him step forward and
drink. Eefreshmeut is provided free to all."
Tliey needed no urging to accept the liberal offer.
He then reminded them of their duty to the common
cause, of the honor it would be to the company
and to the town if the requisite quota could
be filled without resort to a draft. Yet he would
have no one act liastily, but with all due considera-
tion. After other words of shrewd wisdom, re-
minding them of the loftiness of the great cause
Aviiich was calling them to its defence and support.
Captain Trull said, " Now let each man wcigii the
matter and his duty. The music playing will
march around the company, and if any man wishes
to volunteer, let him fall in behind it." The rude
band of that time struck up an inspiriting air, and
began to parade around tiie little company of patriots.
Before it had taken many steps a man
stepped from the ranks and fell in behind it.
Then another, and another, until before the band
was more than half round the ranks the quota was
full. It is inspiring and pathetic to see that little
assembly thus raising their volunteers to defend the
fair country lying around them in its beauty, and
the great pruiciples so deeply engraved in their
hearts.
One of these volunteers was the son already
mentioned. The father, much affected at this
efl'ect of his patriotic efforts, said to his first-born,
" You must decide the matter ; I sliall not say a
of war, already indicated, but what is usually an ac-
companiment, a disarrangement of the finances of
the country. So great was the depreciation of the
currency, that it took, according to our town rec-
ords, seventy-five dollars of paper money to jjay for
one silver dollar.
To give an idea of the value of the Continental
TEWKSBURY. 377
currency about this time, read
ords —
:
these early rec-
" An order was passed by the town, March
y^ 8, 1780, in favor of 'Tliomas Kidder, Esq.,
it being for ten pound of Salt Pork which he
let Davison's wife have at five dollars pr pound
£15: 0:0.'
"July f 24, 1780. An order to the K